No one can argue with this.  Good parenting skills ( or good enough parenting skills!) are essential to  try and ensure that ALL children are given the chance to grow up as well balanced individuals, who, although they may choose not to contribute to society, will hopefully not detract from it either.

Mr Field suggests that a GCSE in parenting might be an option and I’ve often wondered why parenting skills were not taught or discussed in schools as it is the most important role anyone, from any background, can take on, and when done badly can have the most devastating effect on the whole of society.  I’m not suggesting that parenting skills should be dictated, which is why I use the phrase ‘good enough parents’, and although what constitutes a ‘good’ parent is open to debate – it is quite easy to indicate bad parenting skills.

I’m also in favour of  the proposed ‘initiation ceremony’ – I think that’s an excellent move that all parents are told what is expected of them when they register for child benefits.

I would also suggest that parents of  kids who cause criminal damage  and embark on anti-social behaviour should be held responsible  and be subject to fines and property confiscation – it’s ridiculous that parents can be jailed for their child’s truancy, but not be held accountable for criminal behaviour. I’m certain that many parents would take a firmer stance with their children rather than lose their car or plasma TV !

Let’s start giving our children the choice and the tools to become better parents – and to start warning lazy parents that they need to tighten up or lose out!!

This applies to all sections of society – not just the poor!!

The bedframes are made from strong  steel with 6 legs for stability and strength and measure 199 x 91 x 35 cm and take a full size mattress.

The headboards are made from strong, wipe clean MDF are slightly rounded and each character type is clearly depicted.

For a LIMITED TIME all these full size single beds have been reduced, from £99.95 TO £84.95

As well as the design, we’ve introduced the Allkids Discount Club which will give all members 10% off when they shop at Children’s Rooms for kids bedding, beds and bedroom accessories,  plus occasional offers from other children’s online retailers, so it is well worth joining.

Allkids still contains the three main sections – Parenting  Information and Resources, Kids Free, Safe, Fun Websites and the largest online Children’s Shopping Directory covering everything from wall stickers to family holidays – but now it’s fresher and easier to navigate.

I would love to hear your feedback on the new design.

Young children love science experiments, with their natural curiosity, imagination and hope that something will explode or change them into green monsters – these type of parties are sure to be a hit.

You provide the food, the mad scientist provides the entertainment (education – but don’t tell the boys and girls) and the goody bags.

You can find more information on children’s party ideas, alongside links to party suppliers over at Allkids.

Unfortunately she’s also hit the terrible twos.  Now, here’s the thing, she doesn’t really ‘do’ tantrums – and, funnily enough, neither did her mum, or her 3 uncles.
Probably because it’s not something we would ever put up with.  My kids knew if we said No – we meant No and very rarely changed our minds and they knew we had good reasons for saying No.
I think this stems from my childhood when my Dad just said No – whatever we asked for, the answer was always No – he could be very unfair, and I determined I would never do this to my children – and it did pay off.

Imogen simply knows she is right – about everything!
It’s not a large manta ray on Finding Nemo – it’s a big whale.
It’s not grandad’s door, it’s grandma’s!
No, she doesn’t like sausages, although she did last time!
It’s OK that she’s just wee’d all over the floor, because ‘I’m sorry, Grandma’, and ‘It won’t happen again, Grandma”. (although it invariably does – a post for later – we’re not getting hung up on it).
This can be very, very funny and the temptation is to a) wind her up and continue arguing, until she does have a tantrum or b) agree with her for a simple life.
I do neither, I explain why she’s wrong end the conversation and change the subject.

If parents could only project themselves and their children 10 years hence and imagine a similar conversation with a 12 or 13 year old – who will also be trying to push the boundaries. They’d soon realise that what’s funny at 2 and 3, can be quite horrendous when teenage hormones are involved!!
If you can’t control a 2 year old and find it easier to give in or try to placate them with bribery – you have no chance with a bolshy, stroppy 13 year old – who can, and will defy you, sometimes with devastating and long lasting repercussions.

It is funny at 2 – mmm, not so much at 13.

In America the series has earned triple-digit ratings and has prompted Cartoon Network to order an additional 20 episodes of Ben 10: Ultimate Alien.

There’s no news yet as to when these will be shown in the UK, but it is obvious that sales of Ben 10 toys, bikes, games and merchandise will continue to rise throughout the year, with new toys etc being constantly introduced.

Children’s Rooms carry the most extensive range of  Ben 10 bedding, curtains and bedroom accessories , at the most competitive, if not the cheapest, prices and first class customer service.

For toys, games, bikes and ride-ons in the Ben 10 range visit Allkids, where you will find a page full of Ben 10 merchandise with links to the official site and downloadable colouring pages.

Marks and Spencer may start their sale in the early hours of Christmas morning – I’ll post as soon as I find out, and the rest of the large department stores will soon be following with probably some eyecatching first offers, which will go almost immediately – fastest fingers win in this situation.

So don’t forget to bookmark the January Sales 2010 page and check regularly for the latest winter sales.

Today it still brings a lump to my throat, even though most kids have a fabulous Christmas and get far too much, there are still children whose parents or carers are unable or simply don’t care to provide them with Christmas – this is where Kids Company comes in ..

Kids Company was founded by Camila Batmanghelidjh in 1996, to provide practical, emotional and educational support to vulnerable inner-city children and young people. And although they work tirelessly all year to provide this help at Christmas they create a Christmas Day Party for hundreds of these children, who have nowhere else to go on Christmas Day.

They also have an online gift list at John Lewis - gift list number 384415, or why not lend a hand and volunteer – you could make a big difference by showing one child that someone does care.

My grandchildren visit car boots regularly and spend their pocket money on the current toys and games that they want – leaving me high and dry when it comes to Christmas and Birthday presents – and I’m the old fashioned type of Grandma who doesn’t like giving money as a present, I prefer to get them something that they will remember, which is where Buyagift comes in – unique gifts, personalized presents and memorable experience and adventure days.

My 14 year old Granddaughter who loves her clothes, makeup and generally looking beautiful would l love this makeover experience (especially if it included new makeup), whilst her 8 year old sister would so enjoy being a zoo keeper for the day, meeting Meerkats or those wide eyed Lemurs.

And without any shadow of a doubt it would have to be a junior driving experience for 12 year old Leon – but there’s so many to choose from, Aston Martins, Ferraris, Monster Trucks, Off Roading – probably best to get him a gift voucher and let him choose his own.

But the best thing is I’m giving them lasting memories, something they can look back on in years to come, which giving them £50 and letting them loose on the New Year Car Boot sale would never accomplish.

I had great fun with my 20 month old grandaughter, Imogen, perched on my knee in front of the computer, she loved this.

We played Animal Match – everytime Imogen pressed the space bar a new head appeared on the main body and when the correct one appeared there was a fanfare – she adored this and, like all toddlers, wanted to play and play again.

There are numerous stories and games, which are great fun and educational too, and it’s all FREE.

For a whole host of  free websites and kids activities, visit the Allkids Kids Activities Pages