What is it? When a parent ensures their child has a busier schedule than David Cameron, fitting in hours of sports clubs, music lessons and any other hobbies you might care to think of, not to mention school, homework and the small matters of eating

Le Cookie by Mickael Benichou (Ryland Peters & Small, £9.99)If there were to be a dessert Olympics, the two nations that would surely have the competition licked would be France and the good ole’ US of A. One, the purveyors of Parisian pâtisserie, pretty pastel-hued macaroons and...

We've all been here before, so what do you do when you recognise that your downstairs brain has taken over and you have begun to lose your rational mind?First, do no harm. Close your mouth to avoid saying something you'll regret. Put your hands behind your back to avoid rough phy...

invention, the park bench, where you can feed your mind with a few lines of choice prose or poetry rather than tales of Thomas The Tank Engine.3. Train children to serve youRather than the parent serving the child, it should be the other way round. As soon

to treasure hunts, while the heated indoor pool is guaranteed to be hit with younger guests.A luxury nanny service, Nanny Too, can be booked in advance to give parents much-needed downtime on the golf course or at the spa.Prices start from £989 for seven

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

Jenny Scott, 30, mother of Sonny, twoProfession Graphic designer, creative director and founder of Mothers Meeting, an online networking site and inspirational blog for creative like-minded mothers.What three words describe your pre-baby life? Discontented, impatient, erratic.And...

not to buy anything new - apart from food, medicine, toiletries, underwear, socks, and children's pyjamas. They weren't totally mad - their aim was to reduce clutter and waste in their homes, to simplify their lives and help the environment. One parent who

Children who are overweight or obese risk having raised blood pressure, a study of nearly 50,000 five- to 15-year-olds has found. “We’re shocked at just how significant the impact of being overweight and obese has on blood pressure in children as young as five,” says Claire Fried...

, water, wildlife and dramatic scenery.More natural parenting tips from Junior:Five ways to pack an eco-friendly lunchFive ways to make your child's school greener