Top 3 Tips For...

Enjoying being a parent every day!

• Listen Ask your children how they feel about their time at school and other events of the day. And really listen to what they say to you. It's often a good idea to refrain from making negative comments or correcting their language at this point, since it quite often puts them off sharing their true feelings about something. On the other hand, asking a simple and sincere question like "Yeah...and then what happened?" can be very encouraging.

• Spend time WITH your children SAH Mums usually feel they’re with the kids all the time anyway. (I know this feeling.) But when you look closely at how you spend the day, you can see the difference in the time spent 'with' the kids and time spent 'around' them. We know every child wants attention from their parents, but it's not always possible during the day. So try and make some time exclusively for them at some other point, no matter how short. It could be anything from cuddling up, reading a book together at bedtime, to helping Mummy out in the kitchen.

• Spend time WITHOUT your children Get someone to look after the kids so you can have a night out, either with friends or your partner. This is always a difficult one for us. Unless our parents or other close family members are able to, we have no-one we’re comfortable with to babysit the kids. In our case, ‘time together without the kids’ is when they’re both asleep at night. That’s when we chat, catch up, eat dinner and watch a DVD together.

Top 3 Tips For...

Dealing with a pestering toddler

• Ignore them It's been called 'harsh' but you can't deny it works. Calmly give a quick explanation to your toddler as to why you're saying no, then pay no more attention to them. Don't talk or even look at them until they change the subject.

• Once you've said "no" don't change your mind If you give in, your toddler will learn that being persistent will get them what they want and they'll try it again.

• Pestering in public If your toddler pesters you or throws a tantrum in public you'll know how stressful it is. (If not, you have that to look forward to.) But don't give in just because people are watching, use the technique you use at home. And though some bystanders may tut, remember most will watch with sympathy as they will have been through it too. Just remember to stay calm, do what you've got to do and forget the audience.