Rebecca Parsley

You wouldn’t refuse a child a place at nursery because her parents were vegetarian – so why is it ok to do it when they’re gay? Choosing childcare is tricky enough. Like every parent, you want to find just the right place to nurture, encourage and…

The heartache of splitting up is well and truly behind you, and you’ve found someone new – but is there a right time for them to meet your kids, and how do you do it? It’s one of the most frequently-asked questions by single parents when they find…

Congratulations! Waiting for the birth of your first baby is an exciting – and nerve-wracking – time. We thought it might help to let you know what to expect once he or she arrives. Becoming a parent is one of the most wonderful and rewarding…

Are you sitting comfortably? Then we’ll begin… Get ready for a bedtime story with a difference. Ah, the nightly routine. Bathtime, supper, cuddles, a bedtime story, and your little one snuggles down and goes off happily to the Lane of Nod for at…

She was Britain’s poster-girl for the London 2012 Olympics and the nation celebrated as she won gold in the heptathlon. Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill is also a three-time world champion and took silver at Rio in 2016 before announcing her retirement in…

We want our kids to look good and feel comfortable in what they’re wearing – but as they get older, they have their own opinions. Is it possible to talk about their fashion choices without body-shaming? We were driving through town when I spotted her…

Ever wondered how French parents get their kids to eat normal food and speak so politely to grown-ups? Here are some of their secrets. How we raise our children to become well-rounded, pleasant and useful members of society is one of our prime…

These days, most of us want our daughters to be less like Disney princesses and more like Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games. So we need to encourage their ‘badass’ side… It might not be immediately obvious that you’re following the right path to…

From the moment you announce you’re having a baby, family and friends take a keen interest – especially if it’s your first child. As your due date approaches, you’ll fend off calls inquiring whether there’s any sign of Junior and, once he or she…

My children are two of my biggest joys in life. I love them unconditionally and, even though there have been some tough times, I can’t imagine my life without them. Would I be any happier? I’d say not. I could be wrong, though. Because new research…

As a new parent, wondering whether our baby is getting enough to eat is one of our biggest concerns. We’ve answered some of the most common questions about feeding. Feeding a baby takes up time and energy. Not just practically, but emotionally. We…

‘How do I get my child to tidy their room?’ It’s a question every parent asks at some stage. Sadly, however hard we wish for it, the Cleaning Fairy isn’t going to appear and wave her magic wand. Don’t worry, though – we’ve got some other…

The keto diet is attracting fans everywhere, with many swearing it’s the most effective weight-loss plan they’ve ever tried. But is it safe to follow a keto diet when you’re pregnant? More and more people are turning to a keto diet as the answer to…

Even if the motivation is financial, acting as a surrogate needs a certain generosity of spirit. But imagine agreeing to carry a child for someone else and then being forced to raise it as your own. Surrogacy is discussed far more openly these days.…

It’s hard when your child leaves home. If they’ve gone to university there’s a chance they’ll be back regularly – to start with, at least. You’ll miss them terribly. You might find yourself sitting in their old bedroom occasionally, getting wistful…

What is an ectopic pregnancy? An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilised egg implants itself outside of the womb – most commonly in one of the fallopian tubes, but it can be in another area of the body such as the abdomen or internal scar…

It’s one of those things we know we should have, but before children come along it’s not a priority. In the child-free days, there’s every chance your home first aid kit contained nothing more than some painkillers and an ageing roll of sticking…

It’s one of those chocolate-box images we have in our minds – watching our kids grow up alongside the family dog. More than a pet, the dog is their confidante and protector. They’re best friends for life. Having a dog around the home is a wonderful…

1. A natural way to soothe teething babies Sophie the Giraffe has enchanted children and their parents ever since she first appeared in 1961. Made from 100% natural rubber and with food grade paint, she’s lightweight enough for babies to hold easily…

There are some films that go hand-in-hand with Christmas. If you’re planning to snuggle down in front of the screen with the kids this holiday, check out our top 10 Christmas family movies. Watching films with the family is an essential part of the…