With the wonderful wealth of children's picture books that's available, it might be considered unfair for us to have particular favourites, but we can't help but have a soft spot for Mog, the scraggy and rather grumpy cat created by author/illustrator Judith Kerr in 1970.This is ...

happy brood. That moment will come, hopefully, when you’re all languishing comfortably on a big blanket, on a hazy sunshiny afternoon, listening to some great music, sipping a little libation, as your child merrily scampers and skips, catching bubbles

What’s the secret of a happy childhood? “I’ve been very lucky to have a close family. I consider my parents, my brother and my sister to be my best friends. This gives me incredible support and it is my greatest happiness.”Which of the character

Sara Galvin, wife of chef Chris Galvin, and mother of Jessica, 15, George, 14, and Joey, 11, and Front-of-House patron of Galvin La Chapelle, gives her recipe for successful family dining:1. Involve your child in every conversation, play word games, drawing games, take a little b...

. That normally helps!Any golden rules for raising a happy eater? Be adventurous yourself and when trying new things, do it in a group. Children are far more inclined to try new things if they see other young people doing it as well. Mine have eaten all sorts

The first two weeks of August were always held sacred when I was a child as our annual family summer holiday. We’d all pile into our army-green Morris Mini Minor Traveller, with its cute little indicators that popped out from the side of the doors and its authentic wooden panelli...

There's nothing like the giggle of your child to make your heart sing. Surely there's no sound sweeter. Try these corny jokes to make them smileWhat do you get if you cross a snowman with a vampire?  Frostbite!What do you call a snowman with a suntan?  A puddle!How do you get a s...

THERE ARE SOME things in life that just go together. Like fish and chips. Laurel and Hardy. Toddlers and puddles. And the moment, your toddler spies that tantalizing pool of water, there’s something in his psyche that urges him to make a splash. And guess what? It’s really good f...

AS THE LONG, lazy days of summer stretch ahead of us, how do you envisage filling the days? With idle pursuits like relaxing walks in the park, watching the leaves shimmering in the breeze, maybe a spot of rock-pooling or making footprints in the sand. Or are the days more likely...

? Who would be your best friend? What exciting things would you learn? No wonder they’re often described as “the best days of your life” – happy school days are at the heart of a happy and fulfilled child! That’s very much the philosophy behind the new