Glamumous: Parenting

As I'm sure any parent will attest, any tips to help life with children run more smoothly are vastly appreciated!

To help make life easier, I've collected 25 genius tips for parents for all aspects of family life. From making sure you can find baby a bib in a hurry to helping your pre-schooler learn how to share, you're sure to find a helpful idea or two.

Create a re-usable information sheet for your babysitter
Print the information you'll most likely need (leaving spaces for your notes) and present in a cheap frame. Use a dry-wipe marker to add details when needed.Credit: Dollar Store Crafts

Use cupcake wrappers to catch the drips from a popsicle
From Dabilo's phototram on Flickr

Make a "Time-Out Jar"
This is a really simple and constructive craft to make time-outs so much more calming. All you'll need is a large jar, glitter, water and a little food colouring.Visit The Crazy Coupon Lady for full instructions

Make a mobile trash can for icky tissues
If your little ones have got a cold, you may well find yourself surrounded by discarded tissues. This simple trick from MeckMom solves the problem with just a couple of elastic bands and an empty tissue box!

Contain messy play in deep trays

Toddlers are notoriously messy, particularly when play-dough paints or craft are involved. Keep their mess in one place by using a large tray as a play-station! The deep sides prevent things from spilling all over the floor, and the size is perfect for little ones.

Image from Babyzone, from an idea posted by Venusian Glow.

No-spill paint cups from Starbucks

Starbucks' frappucino cups are ideal to be re-used as no-spill paint cups (and far less expensive than those bought at the craft store!)

Credit to Muffin Tin Mom

Credit to Mommy Gaga

Frozen teething soother

This "momsicle" was made using a popsicle mold and a pacifier. Ideal for soothing a teething baby's gums, it can be made with expressed breast milk, water or formula. Full instructions (and similar ideas) can be found over at Mother-to-Mother.com.

Make medicine-time easier by using a modified pacifier

Snip a tiny hole in the end of a pacifier and use a medicine syringe to make sure baby's medicine is properly administered (rather than being spilled all over baby's clothes).

Note: I've found this all over Pinterest, but have not been able to locate the original source. Please let me know in the comments if you can provide credit to the source web page.

Kids scared of the dark? Make Monster Spray!

Kara of Happy go Lucky created this genius bottle (which contains only water) to scare away the "monsters" from her son's room at night. Create your own with an empty spray bottle and some stickers from the dollar store.

Bathe your toddler in a laundry basket...

...to stop their toys from floating away!

From Lifehacker

Help your little ones reach the taps by re-using a lotion bottle

Full details can be found over at Sodahead.com

How to make SURE children do their chores!

Again, I'm not sure where this idea was originally posted. I found this on Pinterest where it appears to have gone viral!

Via Dump-a-Day

Sitting on a balance ball helps aid children's concentration when doing their homework!

It also helps improve core muscle strength and helps active children burn off a little energy while they work.

Credit to The New Century School for the idea and image.

Use Vapo Rub and socks to soothe coughing at night

If your child has an unsettling cough, help them get a good night's sleep using this simple tip. Slather Vicks Vapo Rub over the soles of their feet and cover with cotton socks. Within around 5 minutes, the cough will be soothed allowing them to sleep soundly through the night.

To learn more about how this works, visit A Day in My Life

To help your children learn how long to brush their teeth, have them hum the "Happy Birthday" song twice over.

Most children prefer to brush their teeth in a rush, this tip will help them to slow down while making the event more fun!

Credit to Today's Parent for the image.

Encourage your toddler to hold their juice box by the corners to prevent spills.

This really works, and is one of those tips I can't believe I hadn't thought of before!

Via Guerillha Nerd

Via Pinterest

Create your own temporary tattoo in case your child gets lost when travelling to busy places.

All you'll need is a washable pen and a bottle of liquid elastoplast.

Full details can be found over at Chips, Cheese and sometimes Marshmallows.

Hang a wardrobe organiser over the back of your seat to organise supplies for long car journeys

Children can easily reach their favourite games or take a drink without causing disruption to your driving.

Via Decor-ganise Crafts

Clean your child's summer shoes in the dishwasher to help them last a bit longer.

I've often tried rescuing dirty shoes by putting them through a washing machine cycle, but the spinning often does more harm than good. The dishwasher is a far safer solution, just be sure to use a lower temperature!

Credit to Brady Lou Project Guru

The envelope neckline on baby onesies enables you to pull the garment downwards for easier removal!

Credit to Babyzone for the image

Holding something small (like an eraser or small thimble) with the small and ring finger helps children learn how to hold a pencil correctly.
Credit to MamaOT

Store baby wipes upside down to prevent them from drying out.

Credit to Jackie Sinclair, via Pinterest

What are your favourite tips for parents?

Which are your favourite parent tips from this post? For me, the juice-box trick has been a life-saver - no more mopping up spillages each time Babyman has a carton of apple juice!

I'm sure there are hundreds more ingenious ways to make life easier for parents. So if you have any favourite tips of your own which you would like to share, please feel free to leave a comment below.

Image credit (post banner): Phillipe Pot, via Flickr.

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Head lice. Pesky little critters aren't they? It's estimated that one in three school-aged children will get head lice at some point during the year, and that as many as one in ten have them at any one time!

Children aged between four and eleven are at most risk of contracting head lice, though adults can get them too - particularly parents who may contract them from their youngsters.

Unfortunately head lice are notoriously difficult to get rid of, particularly as we may not notice their presence until they've had time to set up home and spawn a few generations more. Having battled with the pests on more than one occasion, I can offer some useful advice for how to really get rid of head lice, along with tips to help keep them at bay.

Understanding head lice

Mature head lice are tiny brown six-legged insects about the size of a sesame seed, while newly hatched lice are the size of a pin head. They thrive in human hair, biting the scalp and feeding on blood. In many cases, an infestation of head lice causes itching of the scalp though contrary to common belief this is not caused by the insects feeding, rather it is a reaction to the congealing substance secreted by lice to close the bite wound after they have fed.

Female lice are able to lay eggs between 10 and 14 days after hatching. These tiny white eggs are attached to hair strands close to the scalp and are very difficult to spot. The empty cases remain "glued" to the hair and may become easier to spot as hair grows.

Head lice cannot jump or fly; instead they are transmitted through close (head to head) contact, which is why school children - and particularly girls - are most likely to get them. Parents too can get head lice as we are in such close contact with our children. Unfortunately head lice can live away from humans for short periods of time (up to 24 hours), so when treating your household it's important to remember they may be present on bedding, towels and clothes too (see below).

How to detect head lice

If you suspect the presence of head lice in your children's hair, you can easily check by inspecting hair close to the scalp, particularly around the nape of the neck and behind the ears (you may find it useful to use a fine-toothed comb for this). Look for the presence of the small brown creatures themselves, but also for any eggs which will have been laid on hair strands very close to the skin.

Checking your own hair may prove a little more problematic if you don't have (or are embarrassed to ask) someone to help you. One easy solution is to comb your hair while bent over an empty bathtub or white sheet so you can spot any critters which drop out.

If you discover one member of your family has head lice, you should check everyone for their presence as it is highly likely they will have been passed on to at least one other person (if not everyone).

The tried and trusted way to get rid of head lice

Here comes the hard part. Everyone who has head lice in the household needs to be treated on the same day. ideally in as short a time frame as possible. To really get rid of head lice it is essential that this happens, or those who have not yet been treated may (unwittingly, of course) pass on their unwelcome visitors back to those who have.

To begin de-infestation you will need two important tools:

A metal "nit comb" - preferably a Nitty Gritty comb
A large bottle of cheap hair conditioner (supermarket "basic" range conditioner is ideal)

For each person affected, wet the hair and lather on a large amount of hair conditioner. Don't skimp, this is why I suggest using the cheapest you can find! Leave it to work for a couple of minutes, then work through sections of hair from scalp to end with the nit comb, wiping on a tissue after each stroke to get rid of any lice and eggs from the comb.

Pay particular attention to the crown, nape of neck and behind the ears as these are the most common places where lice are found. Repeat until you find no more lice or eggs, then rinse off the conditioner. While the hair is still wet, comb through one final time to be absolutely certain there are no bugs remaining.

Be sure to wash all of the towels used to dry hair on the highest heat setting possible to kill any stray lice or eggs. I would also recommend stripping bedding from all beds and washing with the towels on a high heat. Head lice can live away from human heads for up to 24 hours, so washing anything which may have come into contact with the little beasts is a must! If you have a tumble dryer, you can use this instead: head lice cannot tolerate high heat!

Over the next fortnight, repeat the hair conditioner/nit comb procedure every 2-3 days (at least five times in total). This may seem excessive, but in my experience it's the only way to be sure that any eggs you may have missed are caught within a couple of days of hatching before they reach maturity. After the initial purge, each combing will be much easier and less time consuming.

Once the fortnight is over, your family should be free of head lice, particularly if you are vigilant about washing towels and ensure bedding is changed regularly. However, I strongly recommend checking everyone's hair on a weekly basis and treat as necessary if the blighters reappear.

Why I strongly recommend the Nitty Gritty Comb

Of all the "nit combs" I've ever tried, the only one which had a truly marvellous effect on ridding hair of lice is The Nitty Gritty comb. Unlike regular nit combs, each tooth is made of a spiral groove in which head lice become trapped and cannot escape. This design also greatly enhances sliding eggs from the hair strand (which I've found almost impossible using any other comb).

The Nitty Gritty comb is slightly more expensive than the regular metal combs which can be bought from pharmacies, but is worth every penny! Some doctors may even provide a prescription for the comb!

I recall a description of the comb from the website which explains how the design "renders [head lice] invalid" - in other words, the lice are either killed or severely maimed and cannot simply slide off the comb to crawl back into the hair!

(Just in case you were wondering, I am neither affiliated nor was I requested to include links to the Nitty Gritty site. I sincerely recommend this product, based on my family's experience!).

Don't bother with lotions and potions

Over the years I've spent a small fortune (and had numerous prescriptions) for head lice lotions, foams and oils which were designed to get rid of head lice. Unfortunately, not one of them worked for us. A couple were promising enough, sending the lice into a frenzy as they tried to crawl away from the wicked chemicals or making hair so soft that combing was a breeze, but despite following instructions to the letter, none truly helped us get rid of all the lice and eggs.

Save yourself the hassle and don't bother buying any of these expensive "miracle cures". The wet combing method is in our opinion the only way to get rid of head lice!

Preventing head lice from returning

There is no definite way to prevent head lice from returning, though there are a few tips which may help.

Firstly, if your child has long hair, try to tie it up or plait it when they are at school or in close contact with other children. Tea-tree oil spray can help repel the little beasts, and can be purchased from pharmacies or made at home by adding a few drops of oil to a spray bottle of water.

Tell anyone who has been in close contact with your children know about the head lice (and that your family has been treated). As I mentioned earlier, head lice is nothing to be ashamed of. You've already acted responsibly in treating your family, and hope to ensure others do the same once they become aware of the situation.

Lastly, be vigilant! Check your children's hair weekly if possible, which helps catch any lice before they have much chance to settle and breed.

Do you have any extra tips?

Like many others reading this article, I'd love to know of any other tried and tested tips for getting rid of head lice or keeping them at bay! Please feel free to share your suggestions and comments using the form below.

Photo credit: MegaBu7, via Flickr

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As children are reported to spend more and more time indoors in front of a screen, the need for physical outdoor play becomes increasingly more important. In addition to the obvious physical benefits, we must consider the positive social and emotional improvements our children can experience by playing outside.

According to The Guardian, only 21% of children regularly play outside compared to 71% of their parents. We can blame this decrease on concern for the safety of our children, the lure of television and video-games, or the even time spent on after-school activities and classes. But the fact remains that our children don't get nearly as much time for unrestricted outdoor play as we did as children, and this can have consequences for their overall health.

Here are six important reasons why outdoor play helps us raise happier, healthier children.

1. Children need fresh air

The fresh glowing cheeks of a child who plays outside compared to the dull pallor of those who stay mostly indoors is unmistakeable. Spending time outdoors through all seasons of the year enables us to breathe in fresher air than the stale, often polluted atmosphere of our homes.

Research by the Environmental Protection Agency suggests the air inside our homes could be more polluted than that outside, meaning that children's health can be at more risk by staying indoors than exposing themselves to potential outdoor toxins.

Furthermore, we should consider that bacteria and viruses spread more easily in enclosed environments such as classrooms and indoor activity spaces. "Outdoor play enables the infectious agents to spread out and be dissipated" explains research by Johnson, Christie and Wardle. In other words, regular outdoor play helps prevent our children catching their friends' illnesses quite to frequently.

2. Encourages physical activity

Children who play indoors are more likely to be sedentary. Outdoors, there is space for children to walk or run; places to climb; opportunities to jump and skip, all of which encourage children to be more active.

Physical activity is important to help children to burn off excess energy and maintain a healthy weight. Regular running, walking and other forms of activity also help build endurance levels resulting in increased physical health.

Climbing, throwing, skipping and playing football helps children to develop their motor skills and co-ordination which are essential for healthy physical development. It should also be noted that those who enjoy regular physical activity throughout childhood tend to exercise more regularly as adults.

3. Emotional well-being

"Vigorous outdoor play activity can help relieve the child’s boredom or stress, and satisfy the child’s natural urge for adventure" explains Rhonda Clements in her Investigation in the Status of Outdoor Play. When playing outside, children can enjoy messy and dirty activities, be more noisy and feel less restriction in their play than when spending time indoors, allowing them to be more expressive and less concerned with being disciplined for their rowdy activity.

A report by The National Trust suggests that "as little as five minutes of ‘green exercise’ can improve mood and self-esteem by a significant margin" and that long term, regular contact with nature can improve levels of satisfaction with life in general.

4. Outdoor play inspires creativity

Outdoor activity offers greater potential for children to choose how they play. Building dens, collecting leaves or unusual rocks; playing hide and seek or enjoying role-play games encourages children to use their imagination and develop important reasoning skills.

Creative play scenarios provide "an opportunity to verbalize desires, likes, and dislikes without restrictions on noise or activity" writes Clements. This in turn raises self-esteem and attracts the appreciation of peers and family members.

5. Opportunities for social interaction

Playing locally with neighbouring children or meeting new people at the park provides valuable opportunities for social interaction. The relaxed restrictions of outdoor play provide a friendly environment for children to get to know each other through creative and competitive play.

Situations of social conflict (such as disagreements, friends falling out) still provide positive outcomes as children learn resolution skills on their own, without having to rely on the presence of adults.

6. Developing interest in the natural world

In his report on Natural Childhood, Steven Moss suggests that "a generation of children appears to be suffering from a lack of contact with the natural world, with serious consequences both for themselves and for society as a whole".

Many children develop an interest in the natural world through documentaries, their formal education and Internet research, but there is no substitute for experiencing the beauty and wonder of nature in it's native form.

By observing the changing seasons, investigating garden wildlife and exploring green spaces, children are able to connect with nature, which research proves is beneficial not only for the individual but for communities and society as a whole. "The critical age of influence appears to be before 12 years, explains Dr. William Bird in his works for the RSPB. "Before this age contact with nature in all its forms, but in particular wild nature, appears to strongly influence a positive behaviour towards the environment."

Join the conversation!

Outdoor play forms some of the strongest memories of my own childhood. Back then, we didn't have home computers or video-games, children's television was only shown for a couple of hours a day and we were not only expected to play outdoors after school, we actively wanted to!

Yes, society has changed. As parents of the 21st century we have concerns for safety, for ensuring our children receive the best education and are entertained according to their needs, yet outdoor play still remains fundamental for our children's healthy development and well-being. It is not essential that we encourage and nurture this important aspect of growing up?

Do you encourage your children to play outdoors or provide regular opportunities for exploration of green spaces? Perhaps you feel your child's time is better spent on more formal activities than unrestricted play?

Please feel free to join the conversation by leaving your own experiences and commentary below.

Photo credit: Alice Popkorn, via Flickr

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As your baby grows to a walking talking little person, she may well become develop fussy choices about what, when and how much she wants to eat. Rather than sit quietly in the high chair, she'll likely want to feed herself and make choices about what she will - or won't - put into her mouth.

It's essential that a child's healthy eating habits are developed early to ensure she is nutritionally fulfilled both now and in later life. Here are some helpful hints and morsels of advice to make meal-times healthy and happier for you both.

Don't worry about how much your toddler eats

Through growth and development spurts, babies experience phases of seeming incessantly hungry, but by the toddler years their appetite may wane. Forcing a toddler to eat their whole meal can cause unnecessary tantrums and may lead to eating problems in the future.

Don't worry if your toddler doesn't want to eat their whole meal: she instinctively knows how much she needs to eat and will be sure to let you know if she is hungrier later on.

Eat together

Try to eat your meals at the same time as your toddler and enjoy family meals around the table as often as possible. Your toddler will enjoy the social interaction of eating together, particularly if she is presented with the same foods she watches you enjoy.

Those who eat at a set time and place are far more likely to enjoy a nutritionally balanced diet and of an optimum physical state. Toddlers learn much by watching and mimicking their parents behaviour, after all you are her greatest role model!

Food should not be used as bribery

It's all too easy for parents to offer sweet treats as a reward, but this can lead to poor eating habits. Telling your toddler that they may eat dessert only after finishing their savoury dish will cause her to eat in order to please you, which should be avoided. Similarly, rewarding other good behaviour with sweets or chocolate, for example, will lead to expectations of this reward on many more occasions.

Instead, help your child to learn that food and snacks should be consumed at certain times of day and that confectionery, cakes and other sweet foods are occasional treats. Model this behaviour to help reinforce this healthier approach to food.

Avoid too much fruit juice (as well as sugary drinks)

Fruit juice is a great means of ensuring your toddler meets the requirement of five fruit and vegetable portions a day, but is best served only at meal times.

Ideally your toddler should consume no more than 180ml of fruit juice a day - though obviously preferable to sugary carbonated drinks, juice has a high sugar content which can lead to tooth decay, diarrhoea and nutritional imbalances. Offer milk or water as refreshments between meals instead.

Offer a variety of foods (even if your toddler doesn't want to eat!)

Favouring a particular type of food or refusing to eat certain foods altogether is perfectly normal behaviour for developing toddlers.

Your toddler is developing her sense of self and is keen to make her own choices about what she chooses to consume. Despite these finicky phases, it's important to always offer a variety of foods - even if you are sure she won't eat it. Ensuring nutritionally balanced foods are available establishes normality: if you only present plates of what your toddler chooses to eat, she will expect only food she wants and be unwilling to try new tastes in the future.

Join the discussion!

Do you have any helpful tips for encouraging healthy eating habits for toddlers? What experiences have you had in encouraging a taste for a variety of different foods?

Please feel free to share your comments and suggestions below.

Photo credit: CarbonNYC, via Flickr

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We live in a media driven world. Children are likely to be exposed to television (and even the Internet) long before they even start their formal education.

In moderation, "screen time" can be both entertaining and educational, but too much can have detrimental effects on children's physical and intellectual development. It's easy to suggest throwing out the TV and permitting only educational sites on the home computer, but in practise very difficult to maintain - particularly as media outlets provide children with the means for much social discussion.

By making considered choices about the amount and quality of time our children spend in front of a screen, we can limit the negative effects to ensure they enjoy the more positive aspects of media exposure.

How much screen time are children exposed to?

Studies by the Kaiser Family Foundation in America show that:

Two thirds of toddlers and infants watch screens for an average of 2 hours a day, mostly television and DVD viewing.
The majority of children under 6 watch such media for an average of 2 hours a day
Children and teens from 8-18 years of age spend an average of 4 hours watching TV and video-based media, with an additional 2 hours or more on the Internet or playing video games.

In England, a study of 5-7 year olds suggests two-thirds of children in this age group watch television for 1-3 hours each day; 15% watch more than three hours and less than 2% watch no television at all.

This is quite a lot of screen time for children, particularly when we consider that this consummation of media is a vast percentage of the time spent awake after school!

The dangers of excessive screen time

Infants and toddlers are particularly vulnerable to the detrimental effects of excessive screen time. Television and other electronic media can interfere with young children's development by stifling the urge for exploration, interaction and investigation. The first two years of life are a critical time for brain stimulation, and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that kids under 2 years old not watch any TV (unfortunately there are no such guidelines in place here in the UK).

As children grow older, excessive screen time can interfere with other activities, particularly in being physically active and playing outside. Children who watch television for more than four hours a day are at increased risk of being overweight.

Excessive screen time also interferes with the amount and quality of time spent interacting with family and friends, activities which are considered vital in developing social skills through childhood.

There are also risks associated with the type of media children view. Violent television programmes and games can prompt more aggressive behaviour in some children, as well as convince others that the world is scary or intimidating. Some programmes depict risky behaviours (such as smoking and alcohol consumption), even those which are presented "before the watershed". There may also be affirmation of gender stereotypes, racial and other prejudices which we would prefer our children not to take on board.

Set viewing limits for television and electronic media

While certain organisations recommend throwing out the television altogether, the majority of advice is to simply limit screen time for our children.

In all age groups, it is recommended that children spend less than three hours a day in front of a screen, with younger children experiencing considerably less. Children should understand that television and video-games are a source of occasional entertainment as opposed to constant escapism.

Encouraging screen time as a reward for completion of chores or homework helps reinforce this notion. You may also want to help your child select the programmes they particularly enjoy in advance so you can record and watch together at a more convenient time.

Monitor screen content and encourage better viewing habits

Ideally you should not allow your children to have televisions and computers in their own rooms. Watching TV in the main family room ensures you can more easily monitor the content (and time spent watching) and encourages children to enjoy this occasional entertainment as a family.

Wherever possible, try to preview your children's television and media choices to ensure the content is appropriate to view. DVDs and video-games are rated for suitability according to age, and if there is any ambiguity it is our responsibility to check before allowing our children to view. Television programmes are a little more ambiguous; in some cases you may prefer to record and preview before allowing your children to watch.

Ensure easy access to entertaining alternatives to electronic media. A good selection of board games, books and craft materials can steer children away from the screen to enjoy more stimulating activities. Encourage outdoor play and after-school activities, or ask children to help with cooking and baking.

For even more non-electronic suggestions, I highly recommend The Dangerous Book for Boys and The Great Big Glorious Book for Girls, both of which include a vast variety of activities for children of all ages to enjoy.

What do you think?

Are you concerned about children's screen habits? Perhaps you have banned the television altogether? We'd love to know your own thoughts about children and electronic media, so please feel free to leave your comments below.

Photo credit: Phillipe Put, via Flickr

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As the old saying goes, "you never forget how to ride a bike". This assumes, of course, that you have previously learned how to ride a bike, and if you're reading this article I imagine you have a child in need of learning this lifelong skill.

Learning how to ride a bike without stabilisers can be very intimidating to children. There are so many things to consider at once: how to balance, when to brake, how to steer... and how to avoid that fast approaching lamppost!

Here is some advice to make the transition from four wheels to two a little less intimidating for both you and your child, so they may learn this important skill and begin to enjoy the thrill of riding a bike unaided.

Always insist on a helmet!

Whether your child is riding on public highways or the lawn in your back garden, you should always insist they wear a safety helmet!

I doubt there is need to point out the reasons why head protection is of such importance here, though can attest from personal experience that it is better to begin wearing a helmet from day one than trying to persuade a confident child to wear their helmet once they've graduated to tarmacked surfaces.

A bike helmet should fit properly: snug and comfortable - rather than something too large which you think they may "grow into" - and of course should bear safety standard markings. Take a look at this page from the NHTSA website for very clear advice about fitting and wearing bike helmets.

Be sure your child is ready

A child who feels ready to ride without stabilisers is far more likely to succeed than one who feels pressured into trying. Children vary vastly in the age they begin riding unaided: I've known children as young as three ride up and down their street whilst my son and I were both twelve when we finally felt ready!

There is no magic age at which children learn to ride their bikes. At the beginning of summer, your child may shudder at the thoughts of removing their training wheels, but after endless days of watching their friends ride by unaided they may realise their confidence has increased. Play it by ear and you'll know when the time is right.

Remove the pedals

By taking the pedals off the bike and lowering the seat, your child will be able to learn to balance much more quickly than when also considering leg momentum.

At first, using feet to propel themselves may seem a little silly, but after building up a little speed your child will be able to pull their feet off the floor and discover the ease with which they keep the bike upright. Once this confidence has been built, they will relish being able to cycle properly with their pedals!

Consider a balance bike

Balance bikes are training bikes for younger children which have no pedals at all. The frames of balance bikes are usually more lightweight than regular cycles, either wood or light aluminium.

Until rather recently I hadn't heard of these marvellous bikes, but after seeing a little boy zooming around our local park on his cute wooden training bike we'll definitely be getting our youngest one of these for his second birthday!

Children aged between 2 and 5 are ideally suited for balance bikes, and you'l find a wonderful selection of styles and colours available. Try Kiddimoto for cute wooden bikes or Bikestar for a more traditional model. Don't forget to check out eBay for great bargains on both new and used models!

Ensure you have plenty of safe space

Not everyone lives on a quiet cul-de-sac with plenty of safe flat road on which to practise. Try visiting a nearby park or cycling around a sports field at first to allow your child to build confidence before having to worry about parked and moving cars.

Learn to let go!

With my daughter, I was more worried about removing her stabilisers than she was! After watching her wobble around on her training wheels for weeks, I was convinced she'd tumble and injure herself, and at first wouldn't allow them to be removed even though she'd asked herself!

My other half realised that my concerns were holding her back and unbolted them when I popped out to the shops. Less than half an hour later, Princess was pedalling up and down the street on two wheels shouting "Look at me Mum, I can do it!".

Chances are, your child is more capable than either of you realise. Be confident in your child's abilities and through your expression they will learn to be more confident in themselves. The scratches and scrapes encountered through the inescapable act of falling off become insignificant in comparison to the sense of pride at riding unaided!

Enrol your child for cycling proficiency lessons

Once your child has mastered the basic skills of riding a bike, you may want to consider enrolling them for a basic cycling proficiency course. These are often operated in schools and help your child learn essential safety skills for riding on public highways.

In the UK, the Bikeability scheme offers three levels of proficiency for children in primary school and older. Badges and certificates are awarded and children are encouraged to take all three levels.

Final thoughts

Helping your child learn to ride a bike is an enjoyable and rewarding experience for both of you, and is a skill which will last for the rest of their lives. Whether you are teaching for the fun experience of childhood or so you can go on long bike rides as a family, I hope this article has provided some helpful advice.

Please feel free to add your own experiences, suggestions and comments using the form below.

Photo credit: chefranden, via Flickr

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Having grown up reading Hans Christian Anderson while discovering the allure of Disney, I'm quite the fan of the fairytale genre. I particularly love watching modern fairy-tale films with my children and (thus far) have not experienced a poor reception of the movies I suggest we watch together.

Here are 25 of our favourite modern day fairy tales to share with your family in which I hope to suggest a few movies you may have yet to enjoy.
All of these film are (in my opinion) "family-friendly" and range in classification from U (Universal - suitable for all ages) to 12A (where it is not recommended for children under twelve years old to watch the film without an adult).

I've created a handy playlist of trailers for the films in this list over on YouTube which is embedded towards the end of this post.

You might also like to check out my list of 100 Family Friendly Films for even more suggestions of movies to watch with your children.

Labyrinth (1986)

Labyrinth tells the story of Sarah, a fifteen year old girl, who accidentally wishes her baby brother away to the Goblin King, Jareth. She has thirteen hours to complete Jareth's labyrinth and save baby Toby before he will be turned into a goblin forever!

Classification: U

Release date: 1986
Starring: David Bowie, Jennifer Connolly, Toby Froud

The Neverending Story

Bastian is a bookish, withdrawn boy who is being bullied at school. After chancing upon a mysterious volume in a bookstore, he retreats to the school attic to read and is drawn into the story to such an extent that he begins to realise the hero of the story is him!

Classification: U

Release date: 1985

Starring: Noah Hathaway, Barrett Oliver

Legend

Another classic from the Eighties, Legend is a magical fantasy film (a very young) Tom Cruise. A demon who seeks to create eternal night by destroying the last of the unicorns and marrying a fairy princess is opposed by the forest boy Jack (Cruise) and his elven allies.

Classification: PG

Release date: 1985

Starring: Tom Cruise, Mia Sara, Tim Curry

Bridge to Terabithia

Bridge to Terabithia is a story of friendship between the best runner at school and the new girl in town. Despite their differences, the pair form a close bond and help each other through the troubles they experience as pre-teens, and together, they create Terabithia, a land of monsters, trolls, ogres, and giants and rule as king and queen.

Without wanting to post any spoilers, I must point out that a part of this story may be rather upsetting for younger viewers. It remains one of my daughter's favourite films, though when she first watched (age seven) a particular scene made us both feel rather sad!

Classification: PG

Release date: 2007

Starring:

Hugo

Set in 1930s Paris, an orphan who lives in the walls of a train station is wrapped up in a mystery involving his late father and an automaton. This film reminds me very much of the "Cinderella" genre, wherein the young Hugo's life is transformed from rags to the richness of friendship and finding his place in the world.

Classification: U

Release date: 2011

Starring: Asa Butterfield, Chloë Grace Moretz, Christopher Lee

The Adventures of Baron Munchausen

Directed by the visionary Terry Guilliam, The Adventures of Baron Munchausen offers an account of the aristocrat's supposed travels and fantastical experiences with his misfit accomplices. Being swallowed by a giant sea-monster, a trip to the moon, a dance with Venus and an escape from the Grim Reaper are only some of the improbable antics!

Classification: PG
Release date: 1988
Starring: John Neville, Eric Idle, Sarah Polley

Edward Scissorhands

Tim Burton's excellent film tells the story of Edward - the greatest creation of his inventor "father" who passed away before his work could be completed, leaving Edward with scissors in place of hands.

Lonely and vulnerable, Edward is adopted by Peg and her family and invited to live with them in their quiet suburban home. At first everyone welcomes the strange man into their community, but soon things take a change for the worse.

Classification: 12A (uncut)

Release date: 1990

Starring: Johnny Depp, Winona Ryder, Dianne Wiest

Spirited Away

Dubbed a modern-day "Alice in Wonderland", this is a fantasy adventure about Chihiro, a ten-year-old girl who is leaving behind everything she knows and is moving to a new home. Along the way,Chihiro and her parents stumble across a tunnel that leads to a spooky, deserted open-air restaurant and her parents sit down to eat while she wanders off to explore.

After discovering that her greedy parents have been turned into pigs, she learns the number one rule of the new world she is now part of: laziness is not tolerated, and only working hard can enable her to break the spell on her parents.

Classification: PG

Release date: 2001
Starring: Daveigh Chase, Suzanne Pleshette, Miyu Irino

The Brothers Grimm

Will and Jake are the legendary Brothers Grimm who dazzle small towns with their imaginative folklore and elaborate illusions. When the brothers journey into a real enchanted forest to help a village rid itself of an evil witch, they encounter many of the fantastic characters and thrilling situations found in their beloved fairy tales.

Classification: 12A

Release date: 2006

Starring: Matt Damon, Heath Ledger, Lena Headley

Spiderwick Chronicles

Upon moving into the run-down Spiderwick Estate with their mother, twin brothers Jared and Simon Grace, along with their sister Mallory, find themselves pulled into an alternate world full of faeries and other creatures.

Classification: PG
Release date: 2008
Starring: Freddie Highmore, Sarah Bolger, David Strathairn

Mirrormask

In a fantasy world of opposing kingdoms, fifteen-year-old Helena works at the family circus with her parents. Ironically, she wishes that she could run away from the circus to join 'real life', but instead finds herself on a strange journey into the Dark Lands, a fantastic landscape filled with giants, Monkeybirds and dangerous sphinxes. She must find the fabled MirrorMask in order to save the kingdom and get back home.

Classification: PG

Release date: 2005

Starring: Stephanie Leonidas, Jason Barry, Rob Brydon

Stardust

In a countryside town bordering on a magical land, a young man named Tristen makes a promise to his beloved that he'll retrieve a fallen star by venturing into the magical realm. But the star is no lump of rock, it's a maiden, Yvaine, and Tristen is not the only one looking for her...

Classification: PG

Release date: 2007

Starring: Charlie Cox, Claire Danes, Michelle Pfeiffer

Enchanted

After finding her Prince Charming, princess Giselle is banished by an evil queen from her magical, musical animated land and finds herself in the gritty reality of the streets of modern-day Manhattan. Gisele wonders how she could possibly survive in a world where there are no "happily ever afters" until she is rescued by a charmingly flawed divorce lawyer. While she is already promised to a perfect fairy tale prince back home, she begins to fall in love with her hero and wonders if fairytale romance can thrive in the real world.

Classification: PG

Release date: 2007

Starring: Amy Adams, Susan Sarandon, James Marsden

Coraline

When Coraline and her parents move to a dreary old house, she finds herself bored and feeling somewhat neglected by her busy parents. One night she follows mysterious mice to find a secret passage leading to a parallel version of her life. On the surface, it seems very much like reality - only better - but when her Other Mother asks to replace her eyes with buttons and to stay forever, she finds herself trapped in a nightmare, with only the talking black cat as her ally.

Classification: PG
Release date: 2009
Starring: Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher, John Hodgman

The Water Horse

Angus is a lonely boy, pining for his father who is serving in the Royal Navy during World War II. He finds a mysterious egg which hatches into a sea creature known as a "water horse" (who inevitably will become known as "the Loch Ness Monster") quickly learns that he needs to hide the rapidly growing creature from both his family and the soldiers who inhabit their home.

Classification: PG
Release date: 2007
Starring: Emily Watson, David Morrissey, Alex Etel

The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus

Dr. Parnassus leads an extraordinary Imaginarium which promises it's patrons an irresistible journey to the limits of their imagination by means of a mysterious mirror. Unfortunately, the doctor harbours a dark secret: years before he made a pact with the Devil to secure immortality in exchange for the soul of his first-born child on the day of their sixteenth birthday.

As his daughter nears this fateful age, the troupe is joined by the shapeshifting Tony and together they embark on a wild and surreal journey through parallel worlds to save Valentina and undo the mistakes of the past.

Classification: 12A

Release date: 2009

Starring: Christopher Plummer, Lily Cole, Heath Ledger, Johnny Depp

Ondine

Ondine is a lyrical modern fairy tale that tells the story of Syracuse, an Irish fisherman whose life is transformed when he catches a beautiful and mysterious woman in his nets. His daughter Annie, believes that the woman is a selke (a water nymph), while Syracuse falls helplessly in love. However, like all fairy tales, enchantment and darkness go hand in hand.

Classification: 12a

Release date: 2009

Starring: Colin Farrell, Alicja Bachelda, Dervla Kirwan

Big Fish

Big Fish tells the story of a dying father and his son, who is trying to learn more about his dad by piecing together the stories he has gathered over the years. The son winds up re-creating his father's elusive life in a series of legends and myths inspired by the few facts he knows. Through these tales, the son begins to understand his father's great feats and his great failings.

Classification: PG

Release date: 2003

Starring: Ewan McGregor, Albert Finney, Billy Crudup

Where the Wild Things Are

This beautiful film is an adaptation of Maurice Sendak's classic children's story, where Max, a disobedient little boy sent to bed without his supper, creates his own world--a forest inhabited by ferocious wild creatures that crown Max as their ruler.

Classification: PG

Release date: 2009

Starring: Max Records, Catherine O'Hara, Forest Whitaker

Penelope

In this modern-day romantic tale, Penelope is about a young girl's inspiring journey, a mysterious family secret, and the power of love. With all odds against her, in order for Penelope to break the family curse, she must find true love with "one of her own kind" and realize the most important life lesson, "I like myself the way I am."

Classification: PG

Release date: 2006

Starring: Christina Ricci, James McAvoy, Reese Witherspoon

Ever After

In Renaissance Italy, sixteen-year-old Danielle has been reduced to the level of a servant due to the caprices of her wicked stepmother, Baroness Rodmilla. When Danielle meets Prince Henry , they quarrel, but a second encounter, with Danielle dressed as a noblewoman, sees romance blooming. However, the relationship is threatened when Henry's father tells him he must marry the Princess of Spain.

A classic retelling of the Cinderella story which even includes the appearance of Leonardo da Vinci!

Classification: PG

Release date: 1998

Starring: Drew Barrymore, Angelica Houston, Dougray Scott

Tonari no Totoro (My Neighbour Totoro)

Satsuke and her younger sister Mei, move into a house in the country with their father to be closer to their hospitalized mother. They soon discover that the nearby forest is inhabited by magical creatures called Totoros with whom they experience magical adventures.

Classification: U

Release date: 1988

Starring: Hitoshi Takagi, Noriko Hidaka, Toshiyuki Amagasa

Hoodwinked

Everyone knows the classic tale of Red Riding Hood, but in an interesting twist this film begins where the fairytale left off, placing Red, her Granny and the wolf at the centre of an almost film-noir style plot in which the wolf plays detective and attempts to unravel the mysterious events.

Classification: U
Release date: 2006
Starring: Anne Hathaway, Glenn Close, Patrick Warburton

Howl's Moving Castle

When a young woman is cursed with an old body by a spiteful witch, her only chance of breaking the spell lies with a self-indulgent yet insecure young wizard and his companions in his legged, walking home.

A beautiful animation based on the novel by Diana Wynne Jones.

Classification: U

Release date: 2004

Starring: (English Language version) Jean Simmons, Christian Bale, Billy Crystal

The Princess Bride

Princess Buttercup is saddened by the disappearance of her true-love Westley whom she believes to have been kidnapped by murderous pirates. She finds that she has no choice but to become engaged to the odious Prince Humperdinck , but Westley soon arrives back on the scene and, along with his mismatched band of adventurers, sets off on a daring mission to rescue his beloved.

This is a classic fairy tale, with swordplay, giants, an evil prince and a beautiful princess as read by a kindly grandfather.

Classification: PG

Release date: 1987

Starring: Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, Robin Wright

Preview all 25 film trailers

I created a YouTube playlist of trailers for all the films on this list to help you and your family decide which of these suggestions you'd most like to watch:

Which are your favourites?

Are your favourite fairy tale movies included in this list? Perhaps we've missed out a classic film that you'd like to suggest for other families?

Please feel free to join the conversation by leaving your comments below.

Image credit (main banner): Anabel Rose Photography, via Flickr.

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Oxford Owl

International Children's Digital Library

FreeKidsBooks.org

More free eBooks for Kindle, Nook, Kobo and more

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Understanding head lice

How to detect head lice

The tried and trusted way to get rid of head lice

Why I strongly recommend the Nitty Gritty Comb

Don't bother with lotions and potions

Preventing head lice from returning

Do you have any extra tips?

How much sleep is normal?

Establishing (and maintaining) good sleep routines

Further resources about children and sleep habits

Join the conversation

1. Children need fresh air

2. Encourages physical activity

3. Emotional well-being

4. Outdoor play inspires creativity

5. Opportunities for social interaction

6. Developing interest in the natural world

Join the conversation!

Don't worry about how much your toddler eats

Eat together

Food should not be used as bribery

Avoid too much fruit juice (as well as sugary drinks)

Offer a variety of foods (even if your toddler doesn't want to eat!)

Join the discussion!

How much screen time are children exposed to?

The dangers of excessive screen time

Set viewing limits for television and electronic media

Monitor screen content and encourage better viewing habits

What do you think?

Always insist on a helmet!

Be sure your child is ready

Remove the pedals

Consider a balance bike

Ensure you have plenty of safe space

Learn to let go!

Enrol your child for cycling proficiency lessons

Final thoughts

Labyrinth (1986)

The Neverending Story

Legend

Bridge to Terabithia

Hugo

The Adventures of Baron Munchausen

Edward Scissorhands

Spirited Away

The Brothers Grimm

Spiderwick Chronicles

Mirrormask

Stardust

Enchanted

Coraline

The Water Horse

The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus

Ondine

Big Fish

Where the Wild Things Are

Penelope

Ever After

Tonari no Totoro (My Neighbour Totoro)

Hoodwinked

Howl's Moving Castle

The Princess Bride

Preview all 25 film trailers

Which are your favourites?

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