What non-parents 'unlike' about parents

ELISSA GRIESSER There are lots of annoying people on Facebook. We parents are among them.

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Brad Pitt praises 'heroic' Jolie over double mastectomy

Brad Pitt has praised his partner Angelina Jolie, describing her decision to have a double mastectomy to prevent the chances of developing breast cancer as "absolutely heroic".

Angelina Jolie undergoes double mastectomy

Sarah Berry Angelina Jolie has revealed that she recently underwent a preventative double mastectomy.

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Air travel

Jeremy Clarkson says 'Babies belong in the hold'

Jolyon Attwooll TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson has prompted a strong reaction after suggesting that children should be stashed in the luggage hold during flights.

NSW

The ultimate pregnant pause

Michelle Wranik Before the baby in a carriage comes a babymoon, writes Michelle Wranik.

Iron and your toddler

Children are at a high risk of iron deficiency. Learn about iron deficiency, recommended daily amounts, and the best sources of iron for your family.

The 2013 budget for families

Justine Davies More money for education and disability care, but the scrapping of the baby bonus. Find out all about Wayne Swan's latest budget.

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Baby love is worth the expense

JULIA BAIRD One of the most explosive studies in genetics occurred when a Canadian behavioural scientist called Michael Meaney gathered two groups of rats together. The first were affectionate mother rats - those who were attentive to their newborns, licking and grooming them often. The second were undemonstrative mothers who displayed little interest in their offspring. He found those raised by the nurturers were less likely to get stressed when they were older. They were calmer, more curious and relaxed. The ignored pups were more likely to grow up anxious, frightened and neurotic.

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Outcry over Abbott's 'women of calibre' comment

Heath Aston, Jonathan Swan Labor has reignited the misogyny war, with senior government ministers leaping on comments by Tony Abbott that women of the ''calibre'' of a university education should be encouraged to have a family and a career.

New arrival: baby white rhino born at Western Plains Zoo

MELISSA DAVEY After a 14-month gestation period marred by illness, a White Rhinoceros at Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Mopani, has given birth to a male calf.

Five tips for better photos

AMY GRAY There are countless articles that tell you how to improve your photography, but let’s look at what to avoid.

Top tips on toddler photography

Jay Shin You can take some great shots of the toddler doing their favourite activity. If you make the photo-shoot a fun and exciting experience, it is likely the toddler won’t mind (and even enjoy) having his/her photo taken.

In defence of mummy cards

KASEY EDWARDS The concept of ‘mummy business cards’ hit the media last week, they - and the mothers who use them - were universally mocked.

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The power of mums

Victoria Kyriakopoulos They say charity begins at home. This Melbourne charity started out on a front porch.

Remembering Mums

When Mother's Day makes you sad

Amy Gray Mother's Day can be a painful reminder if your mother is no longer around.

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Arancini with mozzarella and ragu

Jill Dupleix These fried risotto balls stuffed with a little extra something are loved by young and old, are easy to make and are a good way to use leftovers. Make more risotto than you need. Refrigerate the leftovers overnight, then roll the rice into balls, coat in beaten egg and breadcrumbs, and pan fry, bake or deep fry.

Raspberry and banana 'icecream'

KRISTY KOMADINA I've always seen recipes around the place for icecream made out of banana and I've been very sceptical about the results. Well colour me impressed, it actually works and not only that, it's really delicious. I think the addition of raspberries with their sharp edge help to tone down the sweetness of the banana. Even my banana hating youngest child loved this. What a winner.

Reader reviews

Salted caramel macarons

KRISTY KOMADINA To some, making macarons are the ultimate culinary challenge, but trust me, they're not so much difficult to make as opposed to time consuming. There are a few steps involved and some waiting time, but if you take it slowly and carefully you will be rewarded with a large batch of these sweet and salty beauties. At around $3 a pop at cake shops, these are worth mastering at home.

Reader reviews

Your child's first words

Your baby’s first word is a big milestone – it’s a sign that she’s becoming independent and entering the next phase of her life. And of course, no matter what her first word is, it’s a very exciting time for celebration!

Starting pre-school: what you'll need for the first day

Marion Turner So your child is making the transition to Preschool. You finally rang around all the child care centres you registered with when your baby was still in the womb and got the offer of the three days you require – albeit not the 3 days you had hoped for!

Your child's first steps

Learning to walk is a huge step (no pun intended!) in your baby’s development. From those first experiences of standing while holding onto something for balance, through to the initial hesitant, skaky steps, your child is making giant leaps towards life as an independent little person.

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