I was thinking about dads (as you do at this time of the year!) and Jim Carey's character in the film Liar, Liar came to mind. He is a dad who lies aplenty and constantly lets down his 6-year-old son. Manic as ever and delivered at 120 miles per hour, as any film with Carey is, I still think it delivered a powerful message about the effects of putting our children at the bottom of our to-do lists. So many things seize our attention readily that are our natural obligations as a parent - cooking cleaning, washing that they often go to the top of our 'To do' lists. What would happen if all parents made their children their top priority? You may even begin to decide that some goals you had rated as "top priority" are supremely unimportant. Once you stop saying "later" and count the daisies in the lawn or build that Lego castle with your toddler you may just find other things build themselves too like, for instance, self-esteem, love and a stronger bond with your child. In "Daddy, play with me" Elizabeth Pantley ably puts across how important it is to value time with our children and satisfy their need for our love.
Stephanie Neuman
babyworld, Editorial Director
News from the babyworld shop team
We really enjoyed meeting so many of you at the Birmingham NEC Baby Show at the end of May and thank you for being such great customers and taking advantage of all those special show offers! The star of the Show was undoubtedly the Doomoos and demand for some colours was so strong that we ran out! There's a big delivery on its way to us this week though so all colours will be back in stock shortly.
Now the sun's out, it's hot and you're thinking of holidays away,
parasols
and sunshades of all kinds are simply flying out of the warehouse
as are Zoggs
Sun Protection suits and swimming aids, Little
Life and Samsonite travel cots, Prince
Lionheart mosquito repellers and so on. We have a lot of new arrivals
this month, new Jane
Powertwins, bababing
bags and Moffi
Coccoons being just three.
Read me a story, daddy
Bedtime stories are a prime time for dads to bond with their children. Here we asked babyworlders what books dads love to read to their children. Click here>>
Great books for dads
Getting gripped by a pregnancy or childcare book isn't always that easy for blokes. Unlike women, who will read anything and everything on the subject, men are less inclined to beef up on the nitty gritty. But perhaps that's just because they haven't seen any good books lately. We have compiled a round-up of possible titles to whet a dad's appetite; from the instructional to the down-right silly Click here>>
Bring on the men
As any regular visitor to our Discuss Debate and Deliberate forum knows, there are certain parenting topics guaranteed to ruffle a few feathers. We decided to put them to a couple of fathers, Mark and Carl, to see if they get as hot under the collar as women… Click here>>
Meet Hilary, the award-winning Doula!
In 1999, actress Hilary Whitehall (née Gish) put her acting career on hold to train as a post-birth doula. Seven years later, her success speaks for itself: Hilary has become the first doula to win a national childcare award in the 'One in a Million' awards set up by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC).
Hilary spoke to us about her career to date and what it is that makes her job so wonderful. Click here>>
Is the white stuff, the right stuff?
To most of us, milk is the best, nutritious food we can give to our children but a new report by the Vegetarian and Vegan Foundation (VVF) is calling for health warnings to be placed on dairy products amidst claims that they cause cancer, diabetes and numerous other diseases. So, we went in search of views from doctors, health visitors, dieticians and more to help you decide if the white stuff is the right stuff. Click here>>
A very special boy...
After her first pregnancy ended in a miscarriage, Carole Arnold was excited when her son George was born by emergency caesarean section at 36 weeks. But when he was just a couple of days old the doctors told her that George had Down’s Syndrome.
Carole is adamant that even if she had known about her son’s condition earlier, she would not have terminated the pregnancy. Here she tells her remarkable story of bringing George into the world. Click here>>
Babyworld and SPARKS Million Dollar Baby Page
Babyworld are delighted to announce the launch of the babyworld/SPARKS Million Dollar Baby Page (BSMDBP) - a new method of advertising for your company that will raise essential funds for research into the pregnancy condition, pre-eclampsia. The babyworld/Sparks Million Dollar Baby Page is scheduled to go live on 5th July.
Space is expected to go quickly so reserve your space today! Click here>>
Use the Child Trust Fund online toolkit!
If you haven’t yet decided how to invest your child’s Child Trust Fund voucher, help is at hand.
Visit www.ctfhelp.com for a step-by-step guide to choosing an account, as well as a list of providers and answers to some of the questions you may have. Remember, the sooner you invest your Child Trust Fund voucher, the sooner the money can start to grow.
Yummy daddies!
Take a look at our fabulous Father's Day gallery and enjoy all those dads who are clearly dedicated to their children! Click here to see the gallery>>
PRODUCTS ON TEST
Maternity Jeans - we don't think we've seen a pregnant celeb not wearing jeans, they simply are a must-have for most mums-to-be. And there are plenty of companies now offering this fashion staple. To help you decide on the best jeans for you, our panel of pregnant mums have spent two months putting five of the latest styles through their paces. Click here>>
Buying
a car seat
We are often asked which of the many car seats is the best car seat
on the market. The truth is, the best car seat is the one that fits
your vehicle, your budget, your baby and that you will fit properly
each time your baby goes out in the car. Here are some important
points to help you choose which car seat is the best choice for
your baby. Click
here>>
Win
a prize for your opinions
Busy mum Lou wins this month's Product Review of the Month for her
detailed review of the Maclaren Twin Traveller. Lou is mum to Jacob
& Louise and 2 month old baby Tovi and relies on the Twin Traveller
to transport her family around town. She says: 'I was so impressed
with this buggy I had to post a review to tell other parents about
it. I'm often out and about with my three so I need a buggy I can
rely on that's easy for me to operate on my own. This fits the bill
perfectly!" Lou wins a superb bag of baby toiletries from Green
Baby.
- Read Lou's review of the Maclaren Twin Traveller
- Have you got something to say about this pushchair? Add your review here
- Be a winning reviewer - click here
What you had to say about...
WIN! WIN! WIN!
Win a year's supply of Simple Baby products plus a City Hobo bag
Do you wish it were easier to look after your baby's skin when you are out and about? Is your baby bag crying out for a makeover? Well if so then Simple Baby and Little Luxuries have just the thing for you. Click here to enter>>
Win a year's supply of Start-rite shoes
Here's your chance to win a year's supply of Start-rite shoes and get expert advice too! Click here to enter>>
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