“Books, websites, organisations, products and other stuff that makes parenting easier, sweeter or smoother.”

Books

On My Bookshelf

The Idle Parent by Tom Hodgkinson

What Mothers Do by Naomi Stadlen

Toddler Taming and Beyond Toddlerdom by Christopher Green

How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber & E. Mazlish

Time Management for Manic Mums and The Manic Mums Guide to Magificent Parenting by Allison Mitchell

Raising Boys by Steve Biddulph

Detoxing Childhood by Sue Palmer

Parenting Organisations & Campaigns

The NCT, Mumsnet and Netmums are great for parenting news, ideas for things to do with your little ones and advice (caution: sometimes reading lots of other people’s advice on the forums can make you less sure of what to do as a parent - if in doubt, go with what feels right to you). Homestart helps famillies who are struggling to cope through a network of parenting volunteers. I support the Children’s Food Campaign and love the ethos behind the Pink Stinks campaign to get real role models for our daughters. Jamie Oliver is a legend for his work to get families eating better food and our kids being better fed at school. Jamie’s 30-Minute Meals cookbook is great for mums who want to serve quality meals, fast.

Working Mums

Looking for work? Women Like Us is a job website matching professional women into part-time jobs. I know several women who’ve found interesting and well-paid work through here. LifeWorkLife and Working Mums are similar organisations.

Mums in Business

Everywoman - advice, tools and networking for business success. Mums Club offers inspiration and support to mums in business and networking groups where your kids are welcome too. Brilliant! The Women in Business Network has it’s own TV channel - I used to chair their founding group in St Albans. Mums Got Talent designed my website and can throughly recommend for design services for your new venture.

Mums with Babies & Preschoolers

Walking and talking is surely a sanity saver for every mother (better with a friend than talking to yourself). Wouldn’t have been without my lime green Phil & Ted buggy. Getting home to a slow-cooked meal you made that morning is even better - Mumsnet has a good guide. Love everything Jamie Oliver has done for school meals and making cooking easier for busy people - see Jamie’s 30-Minute Meals book for ideas and see him in action here:

Mums with School Children

School guru helps parents get into the school they want.