Parenting

Car

Tips for choosing a family-friendly car

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You've agonised over the stroller, now it's time to figure out which car is going to fit you, your new baby, other children and stroller with ease, style and safety.

Play it safe with car seats

Safe car restraints

Fiona Surtees The rules are out of date, exposing our children to danger because they are not in appropriate car safety restraints, Fiona Surtees warns.

Kids in hot cars

Children left in hot cars

Kidsafe With summer well and truly on its way, so are the safety risks when combining kids, cars and hot weather. The heat of an Australian summer can be extreme and it can be dangerous for kids.

Blind eye to driveway danger

Reversing poses a danger to small children

Rachel Browne About a dozen children are killed in Australian driveways each year and hundreds more are severely injured, child safety experts say.

Don’t be afraid to get dirty

Boy playing in the mud

Brooke Wells The media know how to play on the fear of parents that germs are the source of family illnesses and infections. But is the opposite in fact in true?

A flurry of activity

A family getaway at the snow

Jen Kelly Lake Mountain is a perfect run for families with young children, writes Jen Kelly

Off-road with the rugrats

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Sheridan Rhodes Mum's the word as two daredevil parents take their bubs on a 4WD tour of outback South Australia.

Extreme mothering

Samantha Pearson, attachment parenting, with the kids.

Alison Cameron A preschooler feeding from his or her mother's breast can raise an eyebrow or two. But those who adopt attachment-parenting techniques, such as extended breastfeeding, communal sleeping and "wearing"...

Anticipating challenges with our children

Plan ahead for success, peace and harmony.

Carole Disseldorp If we can anticipate problems and take active preparatory steps we will feel much more satisfied with our parenting and our children’s behaviour.

My two sons' anaphylaxis

Feature member May 2009

Nicole Salinas My two gorgeous sons have a life threatening type of allergy called anaphylaxis. It's a very severe form of allergic reaction that must be treated as a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment...

Ready, Set...Read!

Preparing for school

Sonja Walker For almost 40 percent of children, learning to read is a challenge. Yet strangely, most very young children can identify their favourite fast food restaurant or breakfast cereal packet without too...

A-Z of home safety

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When it comes to children and safety there is a lot to think about and it can be easy to overlook a potential hazard for your baby or toddler.

Bribes, rewards and praise

Childcare centres will be named and shamed

Pinky McKay What is the difference between a bribe and a reward? A bribe is something offered before the task in order to get your child to do what you want him to do and a reward (the second example) is...

Your toddler's playtime

When you look back on your children's toddler years, you'll know that this wonder-filled time is over in the blink of an eye.

Toilet training tips

Tips on toilet training your toddler

Richie Young Like everything, toilet training is as complex or as simple as you make it. While some things will come to you as second nature, and others will come over time, there are plenty of things to keep...

ABC closures force 4000 to move

ABC childcare

Colin Kruger, Stephanie Peatling and Erik Jensen The parents of about 4000 children attending ABC Learning centres will be forced into new child-care arrangements next year after 55 centres, including four in NSW, were marked for closure by the end...

Surge in child burns victims

Kate Benson The number of children admitted to hospital with burns from heaters and hot drinks has surged, prompting doctors to urge parents to be more vigilant.

Top toddler settling tips

Childcare centres will be named and shamed

Pinky McKay Your toddler’s delaying tactics at bedtime – needing a drink, one more kiss, a lost toy – are her way of saying, ‘I really want you to stay with me.

Free tickets! Pregnancy, Baby and Children's Expo

If you're in Adelaide March 19-21, come along and display a yellow ribbon to show you're part of the EB family.

Aurora's gluten-free life

Karen's baby was diagnosed with Coeliac disease and couldn’t ever eat gluten again. She could never just go out with her friends for pizza or live a normal life...

Specialised pregnancy support groups

If you are experiencing pregnancy-related problems, rest assured you can find support on Essential Baby.

Find a nanny you can rely on

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Take our quick survey

Have you travelled with the kids in tow? We'd love to hear your feedback.

The bedtime shuffle

Putting kids to bed is one of those exercises that seems to get harder the more you practice it. A lot like golf, only far less fun.

Who's your favourite child?

My favouritism towards my children is variable and transient. My love, however, is solid and given freely and unconditionally, to each one of them.

Aurora's Gluten Free Life

Eating gluten with coeliac disease can lead to health issues of all kinds, so a proper diagnosis is essential.

Weekly guide to your pregnancy

Find out what changes are happening to your body and see how your baby is developing each week of your pregnancy.

Public or private hospital?

I could be out of pocket by going private - money that I could otherwise use for my maternity leave. Is it really worth that cost or should I think about going public instead?

Planning for the first six weeks of a baby's life

They're a hugely unsettling time, so a little planning will go a long way.

New child restraint laws FAQ

Read our frequently asked questions to find out more about the introduction of new national child restraint laws for 0-7 year olds.

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Plan a date night with your partner

Date nights are essential for the health of your relationship and family life. Take the time out to just relax and enjoy one another's company. Find a local babysitter today!

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