Parenting

Lifestyle advice for new and existing parents of babies and toddlers. Read on for blog posts about maternity leave, family life and activities, child-friendly products, home design, decor and more.

A festive flat-lay image with a red background featuring a white light box displaying the phrase "IT'S MOVIE TIME" in bold black letters. Surrounding the light box are Christmas-themed decorations, including a green felt Christmas tree with a gold star on top, a candy cane, a small red stocking, a glittery red ornament, and a scattering of tiny gold star confetti. The bright and cheerful arrangement evokes a cozy Christmas movie night atmosphere.

The best family Christmas movies for kids (rated G)

The image shows two cows with curly coats standing behind a wire fence. They are leaning their heads down to nibble on the grass growing just outside the fence. One cow has a reddish-brown and white coat, while the other has a light brown and white coat. The farm scene is framed by the wood and wire fence.

15 farm movies for kids: the ultimate list for a family film night

This image showcases a variety of educational and developmental toys for babies and toddlers. It includes: a colourful ball drop toy with rolling balls and vibrant features; a wooden block set in various shapes and bright colours; a green and yellow backpack containing musical instruments; a hammer-and-peg pounding bench; natural beeswax crayons from "Honey Sticks" in a variety of child-safe colours; a multi-activity cube with colourful bead mazes, sliders, and other interactive panels. The background features gears and a soft pastel cloud gradient shifting from blue to pink, emphasising the cognitive and motor skill aspects of these toys.

STEM toys for babies: nurture your baby’s curiosity

A collage of various products against a pale blush watercolour background, including: a wooden teething ring with black and white decorative streamers; a white shaker egg with black spots; a macaroni and cheese dish in a black and white metal baking pan showing a golden-brown, crusty top; a teal-coloured water bottle with ‘CHILLY’S’ branding; a yellow star-shaped baby swaddle with white trim and a matching item folded into a square; a lilac-coloured metallic insulated travel mug with a black screw-top lid; an orange gift box labelled ‘HEY, BABY’ and decorated with animal illustrations including elephants, giraffes, and zebras; an assortment of brownies and blondies in a sectioned box; a white bottle of nipple balm for new mums with a red label under ‘my expert midwife’ branding.

12 postpartum gift ideas that a new mum will love

The image shows the cover of a children’s book titled “Do a little dance: My First Nursery Rhymes.” The illustration features a playful scene with a brown bear wearing a blue scarf and a party hat. The bear is riding a blue bicycle with a large bundle of red and yellow balloons tied to the back. In the bicycle’s front basket sits a small grey bunny playing a trumpet. The background has soft, pastel-colored foliage with warm tones, giving a cheerful and whimsical atmosphere. The title text is written in a fun, red font at the top, accompanied by a small speaker icon, suggesting an audio feature.

The best nursery rhyme books for babies

The image depicts a large, golden foil balloon in the shape of the number "2." The balloon is tied with a curling ribbon and positioned outdoors, near a tree and a wooden fence. The ground is covered with paving stones and scattered autumn leaves. In the background, a portion of a house and some foliage are visible.

2-year-old birthday ideas: celebrate without a party

A selection of wooden musical instruments are scattered on green sun-dappled grass, comprising a hand drum, hand bells, a recorder, a castanet and a maraca.

10 incredibly engaging toys for 12-18 month olds

A baby crawls along a grey flecked concrete floor towards a set of three steps leading deeper into a minimalistic, Scandi-style, plywood-panelled cafe illuminated by a series of slender pendant lamps and a deeper set row of skylights.

Places to go with babies: how to make the most of maternity leave

A stack of interactive books for early readers rests on a floral play mat, with wooden floorboards beyond. The top book is open to show a grey cardboard pop-up mouse with big ears, holding a piece of cheese.

15 of the best interactive books for toddlers

A baby lies on his stomach on top of a pink spongy crash mat on a heavily beaten wooden floor, head raised to look up to one side while a tinsel pom pom rests between his hands.

10 lovely things to do on maternity leave

A toddler in a white striped t-shirt and olive green trousers climbs awkwardly out of the window of a red and yellow Cozy Coupe car toy.

Iconic toys for toddlers that have stood the test of time

Watercolour bookshelves stacked with hundreds of colourful volumes to signify the countless classic children's books of days gone by

Twenty classic children’s books that will leave you feeling nostalgic for primary school