involved in the school run. I tend to take Rex, as he is the clingiest. We pick up two other kids along the way and twist down little muddy roads listening to local radio (argghhh!) to the local school, which is tiny. After drop-off, I head out over

your comfy 'cinema' seating in rows and ‘sell’ tickets for the show. You could also make posters for the event. Winnie-The-Pooh, Babe, The Lion King, Shrek and Mary Poppins are all great ideas for a rainy-day movie.5. Hollywood star  Line a kitchen tray

families can make the most of living in tune with the cycles of nature and revel in every season. Here Amanda shares some seasonal thoughts:What's your idea of a perfect family day? A perfect family day would include all seven members of our household – my

Clermont Ferrand, is also a great day out. Accommodation at Auvergne Naturelle is in a luxurious yurt, with plenty of activities from woodland crafts and fire-making to gentle wildlife walks and a visit to a delightful fairy garden. A seven-night stay costs

it is lovely to have a tangible book full of memories to keep forever (and whip out for an embarrassing display when they reach their teenage years)So much can change from day to day in these crucial years you may feel like you want to record every little

. It reminded us of the ever-popular Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.For girls, there is a fabulous selection of designer-inspired fashion, including a dress coated in gold and bronze sequins and ankle boots in glitter. There are the usual chunky knit cardigans

not work. ■  Wash your child’s hair at a time of the day when she is alert and happy. So just before bed is not necessarily the best time. ■ Keep hair washing time short and sweet. Long hair means longer washing (and even longer combing out – mercy!) so a

jockeys can trot off on night-time rides, departing at sunset for a candlelit dinner in the nearby forest. A week’s full board costs from £834 per person, including two paddock lessons, two half-day country rides and a night-time ride.  Check out Junior

on the project. “I knew my wife was terminally ill, and she was always the sensible one in the relationship, if I came up with a crazy plan she would shoot down nine out of ten of the ideas, quite rightly, and she was very good at that. So I knew if I could get

1. Paying a visit to a local farm will not only be a fun day out for young children, but an educational one too. Children who live in rural areas should find they have their pick of local growers whilst city-dwelling families can track down