Is it possible to have a plastic-free stocking?
Christmas stockings are part of the joy and the magic of Christmas. Well, for the kids anyway. But for parents they can become yet another headache at what is already …
Schoolboy’s letter to dad in heaven receives touching reply from Royal Mail
A grieving seven-year-old boy who sent a birthday card to his dad in Heaven was amazed to get a response from the Royal Mail to say it had been delivered …
Santa’s Christmas Joke Book & Rudolph’s Riddles
Guaranteed to keep your whole family entertained this Christmas, these joke and riddle books make ideal stocking fillers. Santa’s Christmas Joke Book >> https://amzn.to/2ROmDqp Rudolph’s Riddles >> https://amzn.to/2JXXMxD Containing …
Yorkshire school pens a heartwarming letter to pupils ahead of next week’s SATs
Primary school sends children a letter ahead of their exams, reminding them that there are “many ways of being smart”. A school in South Yorkshire has sent a heartwarming letter …
I have status. So much status…
As an inhabitant of planet Earth, I’ve heard a lot of people ask, “Can women really have it all?” and other people respond, “You can have it all, just not …
“Being a mother is a gift.” Where’s my receipt?
Amateur Hour: Motherhood in Essays and Swear Words is an anthology of musings on motherhood, by author and copywriter Kimberly Harrington. Per the subtitle, the writing is often profane, but …
A new prince is born! Kate Middleton and newborn son ‘doing well’, says Kensington Palace
With April 23 marking St George’s Day, the new royal baby prince has a very patriotic birthday! Kate Middleton has given birth to a baby boy, Kensington Palace has announced. …
Little Budgie’s Done a Fudgie: potty training made easy
If you’re planning to use the holidays and warmer weather to tackle the messy milestone of potty training, then you might want to check out this book. Called Little Budgie’s …
Pee on this Ikea ad to find out if you’re pregnant (and get a discount)
Ikea is no stranger to generating buzz with its advertising. And its latest advert is no exception. Ikea, the Swedish homeware giant, has come up with a novel way to …
Times Fables: a revolutionary way to teach your kids their times tables
Does your child struggle with the multiplication tables? If so, this Times Fables book might help. Designed with visual learners in mind, the book aims to teach children their times …
Maxi Cosi launches the world’s first car seat with integrated airbags
Every year, more than 7,000 children in the UK are injured in road traffic crashes, according to official government statistics. Thankfully, only 5 percent of these result in serious injury, …
Don’t just post “me too” on social media; tell your kids about your experience
We need to normalise not the abuse itself, but rather the conversations surrounding it. Last night, American actress Alyssa Milano put out a call on social media, urging people …
From weatherman to writer: Tomasz Schafernacker unveils plans to release a children’s book
For years, BBC weatherman Tomasz Schafernaker – recently voted the nation’s favourite TV forecaster – has been harbouring a secret talent as an artist. The talented weatherman posted a photograph …
Breastfeeding under spotlight at the Festival of Marketing
Proving she’s the queen of multitasking, popular parenting blogger Anna Whitehouse, aka Mother Pukka, yesterday delivered a presentation to a room full of marketers at the Festival of Marketing while …
The fashion accessory that gives men the illusion of having a dadbod, without risking their health
A London-based designer has come up with a novel (or should that be navel?) idea: a dadbod without the downsides. “I made the dadbag because I’m desperate to have …
The Thomas the Tank Engine episode that parents say is scarier than a horror movie
Thomas The Tank Engine has long been a staple of kids TV. But now some parents are starting to question whether all episodes make for suitable viewing. Children’s stories have …
[VIDEO] This clever optical illusionary zebra crossing aims to slow motorists down
A 3D-painted zebra crossing that creates the illusion of white blocks floating in the road has been trialled in Iceland in a bid to slow drivers down. The appropriately named …
Mum posts horrific car crash photo on Facebook to highlight the importance of using child car seats
A mother has shared a photo of a horrifying car accident in the hope that it will remind parents of the importance of car seats. On the way home from …
Going Live! style Saturday morning TV will return to our screens this weekend
For years, Saturday morning television was dominated by live kids’ shows, such as Going Live! and SMTV in the nineties, and Tiswas and Swap Shop before that. Live Saturday morning …
20 hidden images in the Biff, Chip and Kipper books that you may not have noticed
Drugs, sex, and phallic imagery aren’t the first things that spring to mind when you think of the popular Biff, Chip and Kipper reading books. But eagle-eyed parents have taken …
How popular is your birthday? Find out with this interactive graphic
The last week in September is the busiest time of the year for UK labour wards, as more babies are conceived in the weeks leading up to and days after …
Teacher turns his classroom into a magical Hogwarts den
A school teacher from Oregan is receiving much praise online after turning his classroom into a magical Hogwarts den. Kyle Hubler, a maths teacher at Evergreen Middle School in Oregon, …
Labelling pupils ‘average’ harms their exam grades, experts warn
Calling students average stops them from attaining full potential, says study. Too many children are routinely identified as “average”, meaning their abilities – and problems – can be overlooked, a …
Baby names: Olivia top for girls, and William makes way for Muhammad
Olivia has replaced Amelia as the most popular baby girls’ name in England and Wales, it has been revealed. The exception is in Yorkshire and the Humber, the East Midlands, …
Next announces new line of ‘plus size’ clothing for kids as young as three
Popular high street retailer Next has launched a new range of clothing called “plus fit” to cater for a broader range of children’s shapes and sizes. The range, sold along …
September babies less likely to be criminals, study finds
If you want to give your child the best start in life, try to conceive around Christmas time. According to new research published in the National Bureau of Economic Research, …
Mother refuses to allow her child to be taught by overweight staff
A mother is facing backlash after admitting she chose not to send her daughter to a childcare centre because staff were “extremely overweight”. Writing for the Daily Mail, author Hilary …
Father shows expert parenting skills with genius tooth fairy note for son
Children, beware: Take better care of your teeth or the tooth fairy may stop paying up. Just ask Sam Warren, an 8-year-old boy who nearly lost out on some cash …
Mum Told to Cover Up While Breastfeeding at a Museum Filled With Nude (and Breastfeeding) Statues
The Victoria & Albert Museum is filled with nude statues of women and men — which is why one mum was “perplexed” after she was asked to cover up …
Pink or Blue? Hollie McNish shines a light on gender inequality
Pink & Blue from DYPKA on Vimeo. “Open Your Eyes,” featuring British poet Hollie McNish, invites the audience to see things from two different perspectives: pink (the female perspective) …
Restaurant imposes one-drink limit for parents eating out with kids
A restaurant in New York has introduced a one-drink rule for parents dining with their children. While some might assume that Peddlers Bar & Bistro rule that reads “one drink …
Baby Dove adverts criticised for their stance on breastfeeding
Skincare brand Dove has come under fire for their latest campaign discussing breastfeeding in public. One ad states “75% say breastfeeding in public is fine, 25% say put them away. What’s …
Should you take your child with you to vote?
Election Day is upon us, and provides us with a great opportunity to teach our children about the importance of playing an active role in our democracy. But should you take …
General Election 2017: Labour Pains or Labour Gains for UK mums?
Yesterday, Institute of Mums surveyed 1,162 mums online about their voting intentions ahead of tomorrow’s General Election. The good news is that turnout among mums should be high, with 93% planning …
Why do horses’ feet go clip-clop, and never clop-clip?
Ever wondered why we say tick-tock not tock-tick, or ding-dong not dong-ding; King Kong, not Kong King? Turns out it is one of the unwritten rules of English that native …
7-month-old baby girl dies after being left in car during heatwave
A 7-month-old baby died in a devastating accident yesterday after being left in a car by mistake for several hours on the hottest day of the year. Her father was …
Missing 8-year-old confirmed dead in Manchester terror attack
The youngest victim of last night’s horrific attack in Manchester was just 8 years-old, it has been reported. Saffie Rose Roussos died of her injuries following an act of terrorism at an …
How to talk to your kids about terrorism
When terrible events happen, such as yesterday’s horrific attack in Manchester, parents’ immediate instinct is to shield their children from the news. While this is perfectly natural, it may not always be …
Fertility Breakthrough: the natural infertility treatment that is as effective as IVF
A century-old technique can help infertile couples get pregnant without the need for expensive IVF treatments, new research has found. Australian obstetrician and researcher Professor Ben Mol has found 40 …
This Kraft TV advert aimed at mums who swear is f*cking hilarious!
Nearly three quarters of mums admit to swearing in front of their kids, according to Kraft. The brand created an informational “film” with Melissa Mohr, the mum who literally wrote …
Two thirds of British children will catch head lice during school years, study finds
Two thirds of children can expect to catch head lice at least once during childhood, new research by the Institute of Mums has revealed. Over 1.6 million head lice …
Doctors refuse to allow new parents to take their newborn baby home until they pay £63,000 medical bill
A hospital is said to be holding a newborn baby hostage until his parents pay a £63,000 medical bill. His parents were reportedly hit with the huge charge after he …
How to talk to your children about terrorism
When terrible events happen, such as yesterday’s terror attack in London, parents’ immediate instinct is to shield their children from the news. While this is perfectly natural, it may not always be …
Female primary teachers have higher risk of suicide, statistics show
Female nursery and primary school teachers have a significantly higher risk of suicide than the average woman, statistics show, amid warnings it is ‘one of the most highly stressed occupations …
Sesame Street to introduce new character – a muppet with autism
Sesame Street is to introduce a new character. Julia, a young Muppet with red hair and bright green eyes, also has autism. She is being introduced to help “reduce the …
The X-Plan that all parents should teach their children
Blogger and father of three Bert Fulks has come up with a clever way to get kids out of tough situations. In a recent blog post, Fulks, who lives …
Should I let my 6-year-old change his rather unusual name?
A mother has asked Reddit users if she and her husband are “crazy” to consider letting their adopted son legally change his name. The mum explained that the couple adopted …
Bullying: what to do when your child is the bully
It’s a call no parent wants to receive. “There’s been a case of bullying involving your child,” the voice on the other end explains. You demand answers. You want …
Much-loved children’s author Dick Bruna dies, aged 89
Dick Bruna, whose much-loved cartoon rabbit Miffy has sold more than 80m books since her creation in 1955, has died aged 89. Bruna devised the character to entertain his infant …
Where’s the Love? Only 52% of parents celebrate Valentine’s Day, survey finds
Before kids, Valentine’s Day seemed like a big deal – a day for couples to celebrate their love with some elaborate romantic plans (or at the very least, a restaurant …
5 ways to help your child succeed at school – without being a pushy parent
In just a few weeks’ time Year 6 pupils will find out at which school they’ll be spending the next few crucial years of their education. This will end months, …
Teenager’s new book aims to teach children about mental health
A teenage girl from Wiltshire has discovered success as an author after writing a book about mental health, aimed at young children. Scrambled Heads is aimed at children aged 5-11 …
Girls start believing they are less smart than boys as early as age 6, study finds
“There are lots of people at the place where I work, but there is one person who is really special. This person is really, really smart. This person figures out …
Fantastically great women who changed the world
‘Fantastically Great Women Who Changed The World’ is a lovely book that will inspire and encourage young children to dream big. Written and illustrated by the great great granddaughter of …
Mum banned from LinkedIn for dropping the F-bomb
A Scottish mum has been banned from LinkedIn after posting an emotional article on the platform about the struggles faced by parents who work from home. Cara Mackay – whose …
Mum turns Kent into London Tube-style map
A Tunbridge Wells mum has created a tube-style map to showcase Kent’s road network. Jessie Wilson, 38, a former demographer and market researcher, originally created the map as a Christmas …
10-year old autistic girl wows Internet with Christmas version of Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’
A 10-year-old’s rendition of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” has gone viral. Kaylee Rodgers, a student who has autism and ADHD, gave a remarkable solo performance of the famous song during her …
These shopping baskets ensure you never have to talk to a salesperson again if you don’t want to
Shopping can be hard work at times. There’s never a sales assistant around when you need one, yet when you don’t need one, they won’t stop asking you if you …
Why shopping online doesn’t always give you the best deal
Crawling along the A21 behind a UPS van on the school run this morning got us thinking: how much of the increased traffic at this time of year is down …
School grades its parents on their level on involvement in children’s education
A primary school in Nottinghamshire is grading its pupils’ parents based on the support they give to their children. Greasley Beauvale primary school marks parents from A to D based …
Family creates a stunning Remembrance Day tribute on a Welsh beach
A mum took her seven children on a special trip to the beach at Porthcawl in Wales to mark Remembrance Day – and drew a field of giant poppies in …
Using car seats for more than 30 minutes puts babies at risk of suffocation, experts warn
Newborn babies shouldn’t spend more than 30 minutes in a car seat, experts have warned. Doctors say very young babies, whose neck muscles are not strong enough to stop their …
The Christmas 2016 advertising battle begins
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! The battle of the Christmas adverts has begun, with retailers hoping shoppers will jingle all the way to the tills. There are …
Baby ‘born twice’ after life-saving surgery
A baby girl from Texas has been “born” twice after she was taken out of her mother’s womb for 20 minutes for life-saving surgery. During her 16-week ultrasound, Margaret Hawkins …
Parents are turning their children’s drawings into tattoos
Most parents display their kids’ artwork on the fridge, but some have gone above and beyond the call of duty by inking their offsprings’ artworks on their skin. The trend …
This is NOT a suitable car seat, parents told
Car seat safety experts have warned parents about the need for proper restraints after discovering a ‘shocking’ substitute. Staff from Child Seat Safety Ltd were carrying out spot checks on …
40% of children not going to dentist, NHS figures show
Over two fifths of children in England have not visited an NHS dentist in the past year, figures show, despite official health advice urging regular check-ups. More than 6.7 million …
Leading private school offers bursaries for children of parents who earn £120k a year
Families earning up to £120,000 a year receive bursaries if they send their children to a leading independent school, it has emerged. St Paul’s School in south London, which is …
The world’s first breastfeeding bench is unveiled in Croatia
Hum na Sutli, a Croatian town inhabited by just over 5,000 people, has unveiled what has been billed as the world’s first breastfeeding bench. According to Croatia Week, the municipality …
World’s smallest surviving baby thriving at nine months old
Emilia Grabarczyk was born 15 weeks early, and is believed to be the smallest ever baby to survive such an early delivery. Born in the German city of Witten after …
Grans on the Run: British grannies steal the show at Rome’s Colosseum
Rome had a new attraction this week when two British grannies pitched up in front of the Colosseum in a knitted car. Pat Wilson, 60, and Gillian Burford, 62, drove …
Study reveals cost of buying a house near a high-performing state school
Parents seeking to buy a house within the catchment area of a good school can expect to pay a premium of up to £630,000, new research has revealed. Lloyds Bank …
“We’re expected to be perfect, like Barbie”: Record number of UK girls are unhappy with their looks
Girls in the UK are becoming more and more unhappy, with appearance being one of the main reasons they felt miserable, according to a new report by the children’s welfare …
Robotic babies used in sex ed classes found to increase number of teen pregnancies
One might think that caring for a robotic baby doll — one that cries and sleeps like a regular human baby — might discourage teenage girls from getting pregnant. According …
Kate says baking with Prince George is chaos: ‘He makes so much mess’
Toddlers love to make a mess, and it’s good to know that little Prince George is no exception! During a recent charity visit, the Duchess of Cambridge offered a rare …
School with 7 pupils on a tiny, remote Scottish island seeks new teacher
With a registered population of just 30, the Isle of Muck, Scotland, is not exactly bursting with career opportunities. However, a new position has become available at Muck Primary School …
NSPCC’s new dancing dinosaur Pantosaurus proves a hit
After years of relying on shock tactics to get their message across, children’s charity NSPCC is trying to put a positive spin on its branding. The charity recently teamed up …
A-level results day: Record number of UK university places awarded
A record number of UK university places has been awarded to students this year, it has been revealed. Thousands of teenagers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland received their A-level …
A typo in your Harry Potter book could see it fetch up to £20,000
A first edition of JK Rowling’s debut Harry Potter novel, which features a rare mistake, is expected to fetch as much as £20,000 when it goes under the hammer at the Bonhams …
Dad’s horrifying tale of Roomba’s run-in with dog poop goes viral
“So, last week, something pretty tragic happened in our household.” One poor dad experienced an unfortunate incident the other night – one that he describes as ‘the poopocalypse’. In a …
Why more mums are letting their kids into the labour room
Jamie Oliver’s wife Jools gave birth to their fifth child earlier in the week. But along with the pictures of their new son came the news that the couple’s two …
Parents in Italy could face jail time if they impose a vegan diet on their children
Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza Italia party wants to see parents who feed children under 16 a vegan diet jailed for up to a year. Elvira Savino, who proposed the law, said …
Breastfeeding mum squirted breastmilk at woman who asked her to move
A breastfeeding mum allegedly squirted breastmilk at a woman who asked her to move while she fed her child in a park. The incident is said to have happened in …
Group of mums kicked out of ‘Bad Moms’ screening… for being bad mums
A group of mums planning to see the film Bad Moms were kicked out of the cinema before it started for what staff ironically deemed to be bad behaviour. The …
Lazy school holidays causing children’s health and fitness levels to fall ‘dramatically’
Lack of physical activity during the summer holidays is having a detrimental effect on children’s fitness levels, a major study has found. The study – the first of its kind …
Parents call on government to expand vaccination programme after toddler suffers ‘worst case of chickenpox’
A mother whose two-year-old son spent five days in hospital fighting a severe case of chickenpox is calling on the government to make the chickenpox vaccination freely available to anyone …
GapKids under fire for sexist stereotyping (and shocking spelling)
Popular fashion retailer Gap has come under fire for an advert that has been described by parents on social media as an example of ‘disgracful sexism’. The ad, which currently …
Reluctant dad creates hilarious ‘dog contract’ for his kids
The decision to get a family dog is never an easy one. So when these kids begged their father to get a family dog, he reluctantly agreed — but with …
Tesco to hand out free fruit to shoppers’ children at over 800 UK stores
Tesco has announced that they will be offering free fruit for children to munch on while their parents shop. The UK’s biggest supermarket tested the initiative in Scotland last year …
Magical sleep-inducing doll sends parents into a frenzy
Parents around the world are clamouring for a doll that promises to helps children sleep. The Lulla doll was created by an Icelandic psychologist, who wanted to find a children’s …
First ever CBeebies Hotel to open in 2017
Alton Towers has confirmed it is to open the first ever CBeebies Land Hotel. Due to open in summer 2017, the 76-room hotel will spread over four floors and will …
Move over James Bond! MI6 invites schoolchildren to play spymaster for the day
MI6 opened its doors to schoolchildren for the first time earlier this month, in a bid to dispel the perception that Secret Intelligence Service staff are only chosen via a …
Kensington Palace releases adorable photos of birthday boy Prince George – but not everyone is happy
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have released four new photographs marking Prince George’s third birthday. But not everyone is happy. In one picture, George appears to be offering Lupo, …
Syrian children hold Pokémon photos in hope that ‘world will find them’
Children in war-torn Syria have been photographed holding up pictures of Pokemon, in the hope that the world will “come to their rescue”. The pictures were shared by an online news …
Home-cooked food no healthier than infant ready meals, research finds
Only 16% of UK mothers cook from scratch every day, much to the dismay of healthy-eating advocates. However, according to new research published in the journal Archives of Disease in …
School bans clapping and encourages pupils to silent cheer or punch the air instead
A primary school in Sydney has banned clapping out of respect for children who are “sensitive to noise”. Instead, the school is asking its pupils to “silent cheer”, “pull excited …
Woman gives birth to three sets of twins in 26 months
A mother in the United States has given birth to three sets of twins in a little over two years. Danesha Couch, 20, from Kansas City, gave birth to daughters …
A simple DNA test could predict how well your child does in school
A person’s academic ability can be determined simply by looking at their DNA, research has found. Researchers at King’s College London have developed a new genetic scoring technique that explains …