In reality there’s not often much choice about whether to go back to work after maternity leave - for many, the decision will be based entirely on finances, and whichever path you take you’re pretty much guaranteed your fair share of challenges (and guilt!). So what are the pros and cons of being a stay-at-home-parent or one who works outside the h…

Suddenly being plunged into life as a ‘stay-at-home parent’ can be bewildering. Despite having lots of ‘stuff’ to do with a baby - nappy changes alone take an hour a day in the early days - the weeks can seem to stretch endlessly ahead of you. Some love the freedom, others feel anxious at the thought of filling the days. Mumsnetters share their own…

Getting out and about with babies and small childrenNever does the idea of simply leaving the house seem so fraught with difficulty as it does with a baby or toddler. Parents of little ones are often told to ‘get outside’ every day - but experience tells us that’s precisely when it all goes wrong. Mumsnetters share the disasters and successes they’…

In this podcast we take a look at the psychology of play - and find out what’s really going on in babies and small children’s brains when they’re doing it. Does it matter what kind of play they (or you!) gravitate toward? Should you provide lots of stimulation - or is a bit of boredom a good thing? If, like lots of us, you find 20 minutes of preten…

This podcast takes a look at friendship - for children, and adults. Find out when children start to have 'real' friendships rather than playing side-by-side, and how to tackle the vexed matter of sharing without too much upset. How do Mumsnet parents cope with the politics of the soft play, where one parent’s ‘energetic adventurer’ is another paren…

There's no doubt that becoming parents alters the dynamic of many of your relationships. We explore some of the issues that can affect relationships, and some strategies for making sure that you both have a bit of time - for each other, and for yourself.Av Mumsnet

An unbroken night's slumber is the holy grail of parenthood. With the help of bleary-eyed parents and a smattering of experts, we'll explore which sleep style would suit your family set-up - and which habits can create problems further down the line.Av Mumsnet

Weaning, nutrition, fussy eaters... We take a look at the psychology of feeding children - why mealtimes so often become a battleground, what you can do about it - and why is food an issue it seems EVERYONE feels they can offer you advice on.Av Mumsnet