One of my favourite movies is Hideous Kinky, about a single, free-spirited hippy mother struggling to bring up two children in Marrakech. As a single mother of two myself (with boho inclinations), I’d even fancied myself as a little like the cool

been handed down the ages if you don’t particularly care for them. Instead, have fun with your children making up new rituals to celebrate, which they can pass down to their children and grandchildren.Not only can family life be enriched by rituals, but

at Cragside, Northumberland.MidlandsDress to impressNovember 23–May 15Children’s clothes crafted from paper are on display as part of the quirky Paper Memories at the Snibston art gallery in Coalville, Leicestershire.Boggles Wish BonfireFebruary 19–27
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big screen about eight rows ahead, with – as luck would have it – Marge Simpson sitting in front of us. Just as well our view was restricted, as the gloomy movie about the Roman Empire with nudity and pillaging was hardly suitable family viewing

Stage, your child certainly won’t be bored. And there is endless amusement to enjoy in the 11 acres of magical gardens and the Children’s Area on the Larmer Lawn.Added extras Take part in the carnival procession, theatre and talks, or watch a movie

Children can see top West End shows for free as part of this year’s fabulous festival organised by the Society of London Theatre. During Kids Week, a child aged between 5 and 16 can go free when accompanied by an adult paying full price. You can

and activities for children, as well as circus skills workshops and jazzy light shows. A highlight for children is the fancy-dress night on Saturday.Meadowlands,Glynde Place, East SussexJune 1–3 A weekend of cultural carnivalesque celebrations, jam

and a highly successful author to boot, so having children clearly hasn't held you back?Like every working mother, it's a juggling act. I'm very fortunate in that my husband Simon works, so I've never had the pressure of being the main breadwinner

. I also ventured to Nobu and tried some of the melt-in-the-mouth signature dishes, including Yellow Tail Sashimi with Jalapenos and Black Cod with Miso, washed down with a couple of Lychee margaritas, while Grace and Joe watched movies at the children’s

entertainment, see the ultimate feel-good musical – Irving Berlin’s White Christmas at Bank of America Theatre from December 15 to January 2. Stay at the Four Seasons, where children can snuggle up in pint-size robes and enjoy colouring books, DVDs and toys. A