It's only a number...
Find out exactly what is going on in the world... at a glance.
Gossip by any other name
Have a chat with the literary geniuses of our history... and find out all you ever wanted to know...
Photographic evidence
Hands up everyone who has a computer full of great photos that are becoming resigned to their digital destiny... we have the solution!
Mum's the word
A gift to all mums for Mother's Day... with no calories!
Wake up in style
If you could invent the perfect way to wake up, this may just be it...
Mischief Making
Want to throw a custard pie at your least favourite MP or celebrity? Be my guest...
Zzzzzzzzz...
Join me and indulge yourself in the best National Something Day ever!
It's 8.45am. My hair is more grunge than glamour, my clothes are more creased than couture and my shoes are more functional than fashionable. Rather than doing something about this dire state of affairs, I am simply relieved that my hair is out of the way, my clothes are on the right way round and my shoes, although not attracting compliments, are not attracting bunions either. Welcome to the wonderful world of motherhood.
It's a journey that takes you from walking on air to walking on eggshells, from cooing to cursing and from delight to despair but I don't know of one mother that would turn back time and rethink their decision to procreate. Well, not for more than a few seconds anyway.
Navigating your way through the demands of motherhood is no easy task and, at some stage, a helping hand is gratefully received. These days, the pressures, rather than the pleasures, of everyday life mean that it's not always easy to find a good source of advice or even time for a good natter! Over 60% of mums report that they would love to have more contact with their family and the same number would like more friends to share problems and experiences. Stress, loneliness and isolation all contribute to the frustration felt by mums of children of all ages and many are searching for ways to help relieve the pressure.
So, with Mothering Sunday coming up, I thought I would go in search of my own gift for mums. I know that most would be delighted with flowers, chocolates and perfumes that are lovingly, if a little unimaginatively, given at this time of year but I don't have shares in Interflora, Cadbury or Chanel so I have exercised a little lateral thinking.
Netmums.com is a community web site with a difference. It has all the information you would expect for a site aimed at supporting this particular target audience but everything is localised. West Berkshire, East Berkshire and Oxfordshire are all well represented with each of the sites set up and run by local mums with a good knowledge of their area. I have no idea where these particular mums find the time and energy to keep the information accurate and relevant to their locality, but they do. I fear they are the supermums that make the rest of us feel totally inadequate but thank goodness these human anomalies exist - netmums.com wouldn't be here if they didn't!
When inspiration is running low, mums can pop online to find out what is going on in their area. Toddler groups, swimming classes, family-friendly restaurants, pre-school classes and local events are just some of the activities covered but the piece de resistance has to be the playschemes. Every parent, whether working or at home, needs to find something for their children to do during the holidays - else run the risk of finding rice, pasta, glitter and glue in places they didn't know they had!
If childcare is a problem, the site provides a comprehensive guide to help you avoid some of the pitfalls involved in finding the right help. Once you are ready to make the leap, you just click through to the message board to browse through the list of registered childminders advertising in your area.
As well as providing localised information, all the articles, advice, facilities and links are categorized by age. From pregnant pauses through to teenage tantrums, this site does not leave anyone out. Serious issues related to being a mum are all covered and, with the site being used by governments and media, it is a great source of information on just what it's like to be a mum in the 21st century.
This is not a site just about the kids either; it's about the mums. There are many new mums who have found that their social circle has disappeared along with their right to eight hours sleep. Feelings of isolation, loneliness or sheer boredom can set in all too quickly but Meet-a-Mum could be just what the doctor ordered. Mums who are climbing the walls with cabin fever will find out that they are not alone and there are, in fact, many feeling the same way. And, as the site is localised, there's nothing to stop you getting together to chew the fat!
Netmums.com is a well thought out, comprehensive and very popular resource and comes highly recommended. Happy Mother's Day.
