Lifestyle Features

Me-Time by Linda Russell: Modern mothers feel under so much pressure to ensure that every minute of their child's days is occupied, and feel guilty if they do try and snatch a few minutes to themselves during the day. Linda shows how you can achieve a little me-time in your busy days.
Calculate your Child's Carbon Footprint by Briony Jenkins: Instead of counting the monetary value of raising your child, why not consider the environmental cost and calculate your child's carbon footprint? Briony provides lots of tips for easy ways you can make changes in your daily life, to reduce your child's carbon footprint.
Christmas is for Families - not for Stress By Linda Russell: Linda's article provides lots of useful hints on how to ensure that you spend a relaxing

time with your extended family over the holidays.
How to look Fabulous in 15 minutes by Briony Jenkins: Briony provides heaps of useful tips on how to make the most of a short amount of time in

which to beautify yourself - extremely handy for the party season.
'Twas the Month before Christmas - How to Ease the Stress by Kate Bouverie: If you find yourself becoming anxious at the very thought of the Christmas holidays, Kate's article has some super suggestions for seasonal activities with children, and ways to reduce the pressure during the Christmas holidays.
The Great Green House Clean By Kate Brian: Kate decided to give natural cleaning products a try - see how she got on in this article.
Life-coaching for Parents: Managing your Chores By Maria Sweetman: Our Life Coach, Maria Sweetman has put together some suggestions on managing your chores in the house. We hope you will find it very helpful, like we did.
Life Coaching for Parents: Finding your Parenting Style By Maria Sweetman: Maria offers advice on how to develop and feel confident with your own parenting style.
Life Coaching for Parents: Positive Mental Health - Learning to Relax By Maria Sweetman: Read Maria's piece for some sensible reassurance and suggestions on how to bring back the spring to your step after having a new baby.
Caravanning: the New Cool By Kate Quarry: Caravanning is becoming more and more popular and is a great holiday choice for families. Kate's feature is really useful if you are considering caravanning as a possible holiday option
Life Coaching for Parents: Adapting to a new baby in the family By Maria Sweetman: Maria's excellent feature looks at the challenges which a family may face following the arrival of a new baby.

Let's Talk about Sex – How things can change after the birth of a baby By Catherine Payne: Catherine Payne, from Relate, discusses sex and how this can change following the birth of a baby.

Life-Coaching for Contented Parents - Developing with your child by Maria Sweetman: Maria's excellent article is about ensuring you don't neglect your own development whilst you are busy looking after the health and development of your family.

A Special Break - with the Little Ones By Kate Bouverie: If you feel like treating yourself and taking a little break away from daily life, read this wonderful feature where Kate gives us some great suggestions of hotels to visit for a bit of indulgence with your children.

Communication, Communication, Communication By Catherine Payne: We are very pleased to introduce Relate counsellor Catherine Payne who will be writing on all aspects of relationships, and giving advice on how these can be improved.

Life Coaching for Parents: Enjoying Time with the In-Laws By Maria Sweetman: Maria Sweetman has put together some ways in which you can reduce the stress and actually enjoy your time together, in ‘Life-Coaching for Parents – Enjoying Time with the In-Laws'.

A Contemporary Sabbath – Making Time for Yourself and Your Family by Fiona Campbell: Fiona Campbell, a journalist, has written a thought-provoking piece on taking time out from machines and technological aids and undergoing a ‘machinery fast', in her feature ‘Contemporary Sabbath: Making Time for Yourself and your Family'.

Life Coaching for Contented Parents: How to Get Out of the Rut By Maria Sweetman: Maria Sweetman is a qualified Life Coach, who works with clients, guiding them from where they are in their life to where they want to be. In this article Maria provides Life Coach-focused responses to members' frequently asked questions.

From Contented Baby to Contented Marriage by Sali Hughes: Parenting can and will pose a series of challenges to any couple, but by following the experts' nine golden rules, you and your partner can ensure your baby is the greatest thing ever to happen to your relationship.

A week in the life of Yamini Franzini: In “A week in the life of Yamini Franzini”, Yamini, a much-valued member of the contentedbaby.com team, shares her busy life with us. Find out what it is like working behind the scenes for Contentedbaby.com, as well as taking care of three children.

Is it twins? by Christina Hopkinson: Regular contributor Christina Hopkinson, who is expecting her second baby, shares her thoughts about pregnancy – and the things people say to you - in her piece “Is it Twins?”

Days to Remember by Gina Ford and Dawn Fozard: In this article, Gina Ford and Dawn Fozard take a look at the value of happy family days out and give tips and suggestions on where to go and how to get the best from your day.

Travel Tips by Pauline Kell: Pauline is both an experienced mother and an experienced traveller, and her travel tips will help you avoid anxiety as you prepare for your first major holiday with your little one.

Travel with Baby by Christina Hopkinson: In this feature Christina Hopkinson focuses on the positive travel opportunities that children bring, rather than the limitations. If you have not yet decided on your holiday destination this year, check out Christina's feature for some inspiring ideas.

Less Television - More Time and Space by Dawn Fozard: Dawn describes how she reconsidered both her own and her family's television viewing habits. Find out how the changes went down with her two boys in this insightful article.

A Guide to Contentment by Darla Shine: Darla describes how she turned around her domestic life with some positive thinking and a change of attitude.

Television: Are you damaging yourself and your children? An interview with Dr Aric Sigman by Dawn Fozard: In his latest book, ‘Remotely Controlled', Dr Sigman looks in depth, not only at the serious effects that television has on growing children, but also how it can lead to depression and obesity in adults. Dawn Fozard conducted an interview with Dr Sigman, which we hope you will find insightful.

Is there sex after birth? by Jo Waters: Jo Waters attempts to answer some of your questions about post-baby sex that you may be too embarrassed to ask. She tackles issues such as sex drive (or lack of it!), contraception and the delicate issue of stitches.

The meaning of Christmas by Frances Howard-Brown: This is a lovely feature dealing with Christmas traditions and how you might choose to introduce these to make Christmas special in your family.

This Christmas – More Stuffing and Less Stuff! by Dawn Fozard: Dawn, as a mother of two young boys, has written this very personal piece about how to make Christmas fun and memorable, without drowning in the sophisticated commercialisation of it all.

Be prepared… to enjoy Christmas by Gill Macaulay: Gill Macaulay tackles the subject of preparing for Christmas. Her personal survival tips on gift shopping, food preparation and pre-planning should prove invaluable before Christmas time.

Your Little Stars: Do your little stars' zodiac descriptions match their characters? We have highlighted some of the typical characteristics of each star sign, and are inviting you to let us know whether your little ones' personalities match up. This is also a chance to meet some of our “little stars”

Recommended Hotels and Restaurants: Here is a list of our child-friendly restaurants and hotel recommendations by our members and team.

Mothers-in-Law by Gill Macaulay: In this feature Gill discusses some of the common problems that can occur and suggests ways of improving relationships if things go wrong.

Insomnia by Clare de Vries: Clare discusses insomnia, a major symptom of post-natal depression.

The Work-Life Balance: Can it be done? by Jackie Ashley: Jackie discusses the juggling act which is combining motherhood with work. She discusses various types of childcare and what the future holds.

Should Someone Else Look After Your Child? by Christina Hopkinson: Christina looks at the dilemma parents go through when considering childcare.

Breaking The News by Christina Hopkinson: Christina talks about when and how to let people know that you are expecting.

What to Consider when Choosing an Au Pair by Ali Kittermaster: This advice has been taken from The Au Pair Company and looks at the various matters parents need to consider before hiring an au-pair.

From Here to Maternity by Joan McFadden: The biggest life changing event most of us experience is becoming a parent, but until it actually happens we have no idea how ill-prepared we are. Joan McFadden talks about the miracle that is motherhood.

The Shock of Motherhood by Gill Macaulay: Gill discusses some of the downsides of motherhood that are not readily acknowledged, shares her own experiences and offers some excellent advice.

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