and sleeping.What are the benefits? Parents who micro-manage their child’s lives may feel that by building up their children’s skill set in as many areas as possible, they are giving them the best chance of a successful future. School-gate pressure can play a

.Read books that raise the issues that your first born might be experiencing, to allow him to talk about his feelings.More parent skills from Junior:Meditation with childrenTeaching the fine art of etiquette

psychologist specialising in child development. “To become successful, healthy and helpful members of the community, children need to start developing these skills from an early age. Parents are the perfect role models.”Start by doing good deeds yourself

’s offering has transformed into a scattering of crumbs and empty glass, an illusion which may be shattered if your child creeps out of bed to discover her parents with a mouthful of mince pies and a half empty bottle of port. Waiting until after bedtime

Make a chart Help you and your children to remember what they need to do each morning by making a chart showing each day. List everything from getting dressed and teeth-brushing to the things they need for school. For younger children, you could draw pictures. Get your children u...

parents, or nostalgic because you did? All these feelings are great to discover within yourself.For more great playtime advice, visit Anthony T DeBenedet & Lawrence J Cohen's website at www.theartofroughhousing.com

with other parents?(a) Strangely, I find them rather stand-offish. Which is rich considering the outfits they turn up in. I’ve even offered fashion advice, and had it flung back in my face.(b) Unfortunately, yes. (c) Well, they always greet me with broad

To ensure everyone has fun when you're having a bit of rough-and-tumble play, be sure to put these rules into action – and remember (parents) that you are the bigger person in this game, so tone it down if you think there's any chance it might