There have been lots of stories about how pregnant women should not dye their hair as it can be harmful to their unborn child. Is it fact or fiction?

Well there hasn’t been any links found between dyeing your hair and causing any harm to your baby. The chemicals found in modern hair dye are not thought to be highly toxic, either to the mother or the baby.

However if you are still worried and want to avoid any chemicals there are some other methods to consider!

• Ask your hairdresser to give you some highlights or lowlights using foil or easy meche, this way the chemicals used to dye your hair will not actually have contact with your scalp.
• If you really want a full head colour then ask your hairdresser about any herbal or vegetable dyes they have, if they don’t have them they could always order some in for you.

Remember though that due to all the hormones you will be producing due to being pregnant and the fact the thickness of your hair will also be affected it can alter the final result. A colour that you may have used for years could turn out looking a little different!

Keep up the hair and beauty treatments as your body is doing a very special job and you deserve to feel good about yourself!

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Going away for a holiday in the sun can be fun for everyone, especially the children. They can really enjoy the outdoors and make the most of the beach or pool.  

We’ve all seen plenty of advice about sun safety and we should all be aware of using plenty of high factor sun creams and staying out of the mid-day sun.  

What other things can we do to enable them to make the most of their holiday without spoiling it or constantly nagging them to come back to have their sun cream reapplied. 

• Get your child a ‘legionnaire’s hat or big floppy hat that covers their neck. The neck is one of the worst places for sunburn and can cause sunstroke. You can even get legionnaire’s hats that are made of swimsuit material so they are protected in and out of the water.
• We all know children should wear a high factor cream but it can be a pain getting them to keep still whilst applying it. Why not get a coloured sun cream? Maybe get a green one and play the monster game where they have to cover themselves in monster camouflage. You will be able to see any areas missed and they will enjoy putting it on. You can get some really funky coloured sun blocks for their nose and cheeks.
• Cover them up in long sleeve t-shirts over their swimsuits. If you are out and about away from the beach or pool, you will find that a thin long sleeve cotton top is just as cool as a t-shirt and will protect their arms.

Have fun, take some after sun just in case and pop it in the fridge. Enjoy your holiday but just remember how powerful the sun can be, you don’t want to put your children at risk of skin cancer later in their life!

Most pets can be very tolerant of children and will adapt to a new baby easily but some pets may not be as enthusiastic about the new arrival as you may have hoped. 

Your dog or cat may be used to getting lots of attention from yourselves and when they find themselves being pushed off the top perch by a baby it can leave them feeling threatened.  

• Before you give birth try to get your dog or cat into the sort of routine you can continue when the baby arrives.
• If you will only manage one walk a day with your dog when the baby comes then get them used to it before you give birth.
• Get them used to an area in your house where they can go to feel safe and escape when they need to.
• Try to give them some attention after the baby has gone to bed so they don’t feel ‘pushed out’.
• Get them used to sleeping well away from the babies bedroom and don’t let them claim ownership to any of the babies things such as toys, beds or chairs. Use a cat net on their pram or cot.
• Cats may change in their temperament when the baby arrives as they tend to be very sensitive to their surroundings, they may even start to spray to mark their territory.
• Make sure your pets are up to date with their worming treatment.
• When your children start to crawl keep the garden free of pet faeces.

Growing up with a pet can be great, studies have proven that children introduced to animals can build up immunity towards some allergies.

Many parents probably enjoy a week-end away without the children. It enables you to enjoy yourselves as a couple and do all the things that normally prove impossible when the children are around demanding your attention. Talking, enjoying a meal together or simply reading the paper. 

I had heard countless stories from friends about their romantic breaks and thought that we could probably benefit from a nice break away too.  So with my parents installed in our house and endless lists that I’d written on how to use every electrical appliance and all the phone numbers of anyone they may need from the plumber to the neighbour at the end of the road, we set off for

I couldn’t believe we were going and although my friends told me I’d feel free as soon as we were on the tarmac ready to fly to freedom all I felt was worry that they wouldn’t be able to cope without me!  

On arrival my husband assured me a quick phone call would calm my nerves but after hearing how the dog had wandered from room to room looking for me, how both my mum and daughter had to be comforted by my dad with him consoling their tears telling them that I would be back soon, left me feeling like blubbering too. 

So could I relax……well frankly no! I counted the hours and tried to relax but the worry was there. Was it worry about my parents not coping? Our daughter missing us? Maybe both but I think mostly it was guilt, I always feel that I need to look after everyone and do everything.  

Maybe next year I’ll try again but right now I’m just glad to be back in the chaos of home………..for those of you who do manage a week-end of pure relaxation please tell me how do you manage to switch off and enjoy it?

Children’s parties are a time of great excitement for your offspring, do they want a bouncy castle, children’s entertainer, face painting or a trip for all their friends at a local play centre?   It can prove to be an expensive time and the pressure can really be on to fulfil your child’s expectations and keep up with their peers! 

What do you go for?

 ·         The easy on the nerves but hard on the pocket choice and have a party at a local attraction? You can let the organisers do all the work whilst you sit back and relax. ·         Do you attempt to have a party at home, inviting all the family and good old fashion party games? 

For me there is now no choice….after 5 years of entertaining children at home I have finally admitted defeat!  Home parties are exhausting! Everyone will want a little piece of you, questions will be ringing in your ears, children will be hanging off your skirt tails, tears will be flowing over you not letting them win the games. Not forgetting the children that go awol from the designated party area and you find them in your bedroom trying on your brand new and very expensive new lip gloss with blobs spread nicely across the floor! Adults will enjoy the free flowing wine and beer whilst you pop corks, wash glasses and mop up spills. 

Shall I rant on?  Glasses will be broken, face painted children will manage to smear their beautiful works of art onto your beige sofa and chocolate fingers will be on your expensive curtains. Your fridge will be empty, you will be the only one who doesn’t eat, drink or get to sit and chat and at the end of the day you will ask yourself has it been worth it? What do you think? For me next year we’ll be heading off to Euro Disney and it will still probably cost less than the party at home!  

What will you be planning at party time?

Can we still enjoy a normal sex life?   The answer is yes. However, due to a number of factors, you may find that your sexual relationship will change throughout the different stages of your pregnancy.Your fluctuating hormones and your changing body shape can really affect your sex life. The good news is, it can be even better than normal….. 

• Your vagina will be more sensitive due to an increase in blood flow.

• You can make the most of your fuller and more sensitive breasts.

• You will probably find there will be no need for any added lubrication.

• A combination of the increase in blood flow and your hormones could mean you will enjoy more orgasms.

But is having sex safe for the baby?  Yes, it is safe if you have no complications such as bleeding, placenta praevia or have had previous miscarriages. If you have any complications then talk to your G.P who will advise you. However with a normal pregnancy you can enjoy sex right up until your waters break. You may feel your baby moving about a lot after sex which will be caused by the increase in your heart rate not because they know you have just had sex! Having sex will not harm your baby. You have a plug that seals your cervix and protects your baby from infection. Your baby is also safe in their amniotic sac so you can make love even with your partner on top!

Just how do you find the right name for your child? For some it is easy, there is no contest, they will continue with the family name that has been handed down from generation to generation.  

If there are no family traditions or you simply want to break the mould, where do you start…….It can be a fun time, getting a book of baby names and writing down your favourites, watching films to see if any names excite you or maybe you could go with the celebrity craze of naming your child after a memorable place or flower?Unusual names likeBrooklyn, Romeo or Cruz can be great if you are rich and famous but if you are neither, rich or famous, is it setting your child up for teasing in the playground when they are older or will they stand out from the crowd and be more popular?

 Traditional, Original or popular, the choice is all yours….here are the most popular names of 2007 

I have lived with a normal and run of the mill name all my life, I wanted to break away from the conventional names when naming my child. I wanted something different….  In fact though, my little girl has ended up being not so different, as many of her school friends have individual names too. She plays ‘tag’ in the playground with the names Trinity, Etterlie, Lachland, Hermione, Scarlett, Fred, Bleu, and kye ringing out! A big change from my childhood and hearing Tracy, David and John!

New Year’s Eve….everyone talks about it, the parties they will be attending, clothes they’ll be wearing and who they’ll be spending it with. 

What if you don’t have a babysitter and can’t go to the party……it’s not all bad.  

Most people actually look forward to their New Year Eve party but very rarely does it meet the expectations. The venues are always overprized and a taxi home is unlikely unless you booked it way back in October or willing to pay over the odds! 

So you’re a parent and have to spend New Year’s Eve at home, is it really such a disappointment? I don’t think it does, in fact I think it can be much more fun. 

• Why not invite your friends that have children over to your house and celebrate it together?

• Get everyone to bring some party food to avoid lots of hassle or you could get a take-away and experiment trying lots of different dishes.

• The children can play together, have bath time together and hopefully fall asleep together!

• Organise some party games, or some really interactive and funny board games.

• Try Karaoke, you can buy some really cheap karaoke equipment (or you could ask for some for Christmas!) The children will love singing and later when they are asleep you could have your very own X-Factor in your lounge( depending on how brave you are or how much alcohol you have consumed!)

• A big bowl of punch always goes down well and for anyone unable to drive home they could really take seeing in the New Year with you to a new level and stay the night!

A family New Year’s Eve rarely leaves you with an empty bank balance, a throbbing head ache, or cringing about your previous night’s antics, unless of course you took over the Karaoke and sang everyone to sleep!

The last thing you may be thinking of is trying to look glamorous when you’re a mum. Caring for your child or children usually comes first, closely followed by working, cooking, cleaning, the list is endless! 

However, around Christmas time there are normally occasions when you’ll be expected to get out of your mummy clothes and dress up, even if it’s just for the family Christmas dinner. If you’re carrying a few extra pounds and not had time to spend on yourself for a while, you may not be looking forward to deciding what to wear.  

To get in the mood 

• See if a family member can look after your children while you have a long soak in the bath.

• Make use of your baby oil and pop some in the bath for silky baby soft skin

• Exfoliate all your body to leave fresh smooth skin ready for some spray tan (a slight tan will have you looking healthy and vibrant even if you don’t feel it!)

• Paint your toes a racy red colour or bubble gum pink. Apply a top coat which will keep them looking great throughout whole festive season.

• Experiment with make-up, go to one of the many beauty counters in shops or department stores and let them give you a free make-over. Great for getting a new look and picking up new tips!

• Get your hair cut or have some highlights or low lights put through it, remember to explain clearly what you want and don’t be too radical unless you know you’ll be able to recreate the look at home everyday!

• Take a friend and get her to pick an outfit for you to try on and you do the same for her. You never know, she may choose you something you would never have tried on and it could look great!

• Experiment with different looks, your body changes after having a baby so what suited you before, may not now!

Don’t feel guilty for spending some time on yourself, it’ll do you good and your children will benefit from having a happy mum.

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