gossip, of course!) Finally, just remember the incredible organisation, co-ordination and time-management skills, not to mention patience, you learn bringing up a baby – what workplace wouldn’t value that?What are your views on how working mums

A family baking session isn't just great fun - it's educational too.Reading recipes aloud, choosing, naming and weighing ingredients helps to develop reading and maths skills. Waiting for food to cook even helps little ones learn to tell the time

or go for an energy boosting walk. 2.    If you have friends with children of similar ages start a 'baby buddies club', where you share afternoons minding each others children. It will be great for your children to learn social skills as too.3.    Plan

. Learning to recognise ingredients, the basics of food hygiene and how to remember and follow instructions, are all important skills.Even the youngest children on the course we tried out had a great time. And my daughter, who thought she didn’t like cheese

. You'll also notice that she uses her hands to point to things she wants, even if they are far away. She can pull off her hat, socks and shoes by herself, but she needs help to put them back on again.3. Her language skills are improving all the time

child than your own parents? In some areas they can even go to grandparent classes in case they want to brush up on their skills. Southern General Hospital in Glasgow, for example, runs antenatal classes for grandparents, which covers such topics as cot

A study by Bristol University found that mums-to-be who ate fish three times a week had children with higher verbal IQs, more advanced communication skills and better behaviour.Omega-3 fatty acids help your unborn baby's brain, nervous system

is right and wrong.Karen Sullivan, author of How To Say ‘No' And Mean It: Survival Skills For Parents (Thorsons, £8.99), explains: ‘Children respect parents who set boundaries. No child will feel confident if they have unlimited freedom or toys.' Follow

be difficult, so make sure he knows that he is special.'Left-handed children's scissors cost £3.75, from www.anythingleft-handed.co.ukNow that your toddler's social skills a re developing quickly, encourage him to make friends with others.DO ask children

. Learning to ‘give and take’, she’s also developing communication skills and learning to share. In the shops Give her differently textured fruit and veg to hold, describing the shapes and colours as you do. She’s learning about different shapes, colours