R-Time Online Information for Families in Bedfordshire

Where to start? Every day is different, so I’m going to give you a flavour of the sort of things I get up to.  Of course I have antenatal appointments; from the first tentative telephone enquiry I then arrange to meet up with a potential client (usually for an hour or so) so that we can discuss their past experiences, their hopes for this pregnancy, their concerns and most importantly so that they can get a “feel” as to whether they actually like and trust me.
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Do you cringe at the thought of eating in public with your little ones?  Do you find yourself rushing your dinner in a bid to make a speedy exit and then wonder why you paid for the priviledge?
Then look no further…….  read our guide for a relaxed meal out this summer……

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Having a baby is a very obvious life changing event - no-one can quite prepare you for the rollercoaster of emotions you will feel or the gob-smacking amount of nappies you will change in the coming months!

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The Government have announced a new one-off, tax-free payment from H M Revenue & Customs (HMRC) if you are a mum-to-be with an expected due date of on or after 6th April 2009.To receive the one-off payment of £190 for each pregnancy, you need to get a claim form from your doctor or midwife and then send it WITHIN 31 days to HMRC.  This grant is not means tested and it will not affect your tax credits or any other benefit.  The grant will be paid directly into your bank or building society account.

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For some the summer holidays is a great time free from the school run routine, homework and early mornings to spend time being with your children and having lots of fun. For others it can seem to stretch ahead as an endless period of time in which children need to be entertained. Here are some ideas to help you out, and best of all most of them are free!

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r-times essential guide to the best spots to play, walk, and have a picnic.

One thing that Bedfordshire has in abundance is green, open spaces, parks and countryside to explore. If you are wondering what to do and how much it’s going to cost….maybe some free, fun in the fresh air may be what everybody needs!!!  Pack a picnic and take a football and bucket & spade and you will find hours of fun for all age groups. Read the rest of this entry »

Bedfordshire Schools for the Future - 2 tier or 3?  For some parents, this is the second time this debate about a change in Bedford’s schools has reared its ugly head, and is certainly no less emotive this time round.

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Here are 30 great garden bird facts - one for every year of Big Garden Birdwatch!

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I could never have imagined how wonderful, and challenging, having a new baby could be until I had my little angel Ana Mary last year. She is now 1 and although I haven’t had a full nights sleep since she was born, I have transformed from a woman to a mother.My question is are we really informed enough during our pregnancy of this woman to mother transformation that like it or not is going to take place? Do we give ourselves enough space during our pregnancy to grieve our old lives and lifestyles? Is it therefore possible that postnatal depression is a grieving process, and or lack of preparation physically and emotionally, that on top of the marathon of birthing our babies, we are knocked over the edge and therefore classified as having postnatal depression (PDD)?

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National Breastfeeding Awareness Week (NBAW) has been run annually by the Department of Health since 1993. Their main aim is to raise awareness of the health benefits for both mother and baby, and to try and increase social acceptance and support for breastfeeding.

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Abundant energy, clear glowing skin, to look young, to feel young, endless clarity and a body that operates to its optimum, so how do we get all that?You know what, the truth and nothing but the truth is that you have got to get rid of all the old toxins first! In order to achieve your full potential you need to Detox! Read the rest of this entry »

This can be a tricky one…….very often it is a compromise between somewhere ‘ultra child friendly’ but with ‘average food’ or somewhere which has lovely food but is a challenge to keep children quiet and entertained.
As a mum of 2 young boys I have always taken mine out to eat since they were weeks old.

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We all suffer from stress whether it is physical, emotional or environmental. Some stress we cannot control, such as the air that we breathe and the earth that we live on, however there are some areas of Stress that we do have control over, and these include the foods that we eat and our lifestyles. Read the rest of this entry »

When you are planning a pregnancy it is important that you are in optimum health, firstly to help your body to conceive, and secondly to maintain the pregnancy and grow a healthy baby. It is true that the baby will take what it needs from your body, but your body needs to be healthy and strong to nurture the growing baby, to give birth and to enable you to feed and care for the baby.When planning a pregnancy it is advisable to first see your midwife or GP to discuss your plans, this would be particularly important if you have a pre-existing medical condition. Read the rest of this entry »

Families change so quickly it’s only natural for parents to want to regularly document these milestones and achievements through photography, especially in the early years. So I am often asked by parents ‘How do I get a good photo of my children’. Here are some tips to help you achieve that perfect portrait;Make sure the children are not tired or under the weather; this way you get the best of their little personalities shining through. Read the rest of this entry »

If your in your teens, you are at just the right time to start taking care of your face properly. It doesn’t take a lot of time, and it doesn’t have to cost a lot of money.  Teen skin care differs from your mums skin care, so don’t rely on her facial cleansers to cure your problems - mums have their own problems but they’re normally different from yours! Read the rest of this entry »

Preparing for the birth

So you are having a baby! Fantastic, or maybe it’s been a bit of a surprise? Having a baby is the most wonderful thing, but also a huge responsibility. You are going to need support, so if possible try to involve your partner, your family and friends. Read the rest of this entry »

(as featured in Pregnancy and Birth magazine, May 2008)

1. Be aware of “optimal fetal positioning” - sleeping on your left side, spending time on all fours or with your knees lower than your hips to tip baby into the best position prior to labour, this usually makes for a shorter and easier labour. Read the rest of this entry »