With Mother's Day just around the corner, we thought we'd look this month at dedicating some time to mums! Whether you're a mum yourself or about to become a new mum, this is a good time to think about your relationship both with your own mum and those of your children too.

Many children associate Easter with an overload of chocolate eggs, time off school and rounds of Sunday lunches and parties rather than a commemoration of the most important event in the Christian calendar

Remember when all those new year, new you spa specials in the glossies – the ones that take all weekend and suggest you start each day with a glass of hot water and lemon and a spot of stretching – actually inspired you to have a go (or at least buy a scented candle to stick by the bath) rather than turn the page?

As babies grow into small toddling children, their awareness of their surroundings and other people inevitably grows too. As parents, it's natural to want them to explore as well as protect them from anything potentially harmful too.

New washing machine, DVD, electric toothbrush - all come with instruction manuals. But babies, the most complex piece of natural engineering ever, come with nothing. That's why we all need a few tips.