The very best private day nurseries in London and the UK

By Teddy Wolstenholme, Celia Thursfield and Alice Rose for Tatler

Congratulations. You have your bundle of gorgeousness in your arms (or, if you’re really organised, two blue lines on the test stick) – and now, the fun starts. Or should we say: ‘fun’. Let’s be realistic here. You are not looking for a nursery to fast-track your sproglet to Harvard. You are looking for somewhere warm, welcoming, stimulating and safe where s/he can learn the dark arts of fingerpainting, triangle-bashing and how to sit still for two minutes without fidgeting. Nursery proprietors are universally charming, but the chances are that you will be hauled in front of them at some point because your little angel has bitten Jeremiah AGAIN. But that’s OK.

The Willcocks Nursery

SW7 

Fees: From £1,130 a term. 
Ages: From 2

We know describing a good school in Kensington as a 'hidden gem' is an oxymoron, but the Willcocks Nursery is just that. It has a loyal following - a mix of old English families and chic foreigners - but flies under the radar. It's all quite understated. Yes, you should register at birth and yes, there are waiting lists, but fab head Lavinia Taylor says: 'We try our best not to disappoint.' A mother describes it as 'gentle, which is what you want for young ones' - so no wonder Princess Charlotte is starting here in January 2018. They're just by the Royal Albert Hall, so expect jaunts to the museums and the park, as well as captivating talks on things like Shackleton, archaeology or the environment to keep things lively and fun. Kindness is evident everywhere, plus the nursery is a cooperative, so you know staff are in it for the long haul.

The Butterfly Preschool

SW11

Fees: From £900 a term
Age: From 2

Boutique-lined Northcote Road is the epicentre of Nappy Valley, so it’s fitting that the Butterfly, tucked just behind, started life as a ‘drop and shop’ crèche for frazzled mothers. Five years later, it’s upped the ante to offer morning, afternoon and some full-day sessions, but numbers have been kept teeny-tiny (max 16 per session) and the vibe ‘wonderfully unpretentious’. Places are highly sought after, but don’t panic: ‘It’s never too late to call.’ Head Mrs Charlotte is an ex-scientist, so expect imaginative messy time; specialist yoga and music teachers are shipped in weekly. Energy is ingested via the scrummy food from the très chic French café next door, then expended through regular runarounds on Wandsworth Common and Friday Forest School: wellies essential. Happily, little ones get a solid grounding in their Ps and Qs – ‘proper handwashing and table manners too’, confirms a mother – before winning coveted places at Eaton House the Manor and Thomas’s. 

Iverna Gardens Montessori

W8

Fees: From £2,565 a term
Age: From 2

‘So many strengths that I really don’t know where to start,’ says a mother. Head Felicity Marrian and her daughter Emily lead a ‘remarkable’ team at Iverna Gardens and its sister nursery on Victoria Road – both Ofsted Outstanding. The Iverna Gardens classroom is airy and calm but full of activity – bread-making, construction, sewing, writing, making ‘volcanoes’, poring over books in the reading village – and there’s a large outside space. A yoga teacher visits, they do French on Tuesdays and there’s a tremendously popular Forest School club. Register at birth for a place on the waiting list: this is Kensington... ‘I am going to be three for a long time,’ one small pupil announced to her parents. We know what she means – we wouldn’t want to leave either.

Little Forest Folk

SW6, SW13, SW18, SW19, SW20, W4 

Fees: From £68 a day
Age: From 2 

Wouldn’t we all secretly like to be Little Forest Folk? To put on head-to-foot waterproofs and burn off energy running amok (under careful supervision) in the woods, climbing trees, building dens, cooking up a storm in the mud kitchen? As a father says: ‘There’s plenty of time for my daughter to be stuck in a classroom.’ These are full-time outdoor nurseries for two- to five-year-olds, with sites in Chiswick, Wimbledon, Barnes and now – in response to huge demand – Fulham and Wandsworth too. They follow the core Early Years curriculum and have a huge amount of fun doing so, rain or shine. Register this very second – their waiting lists are as long as Mr Tickle’s arms. Parents are, says one, a ‘real mix: hippies in organic outdoorsy outfits, corporates off to work in their suits, stay-at-home mums in wellies and lipstick’. A father reports that his daughter comes home full of good advice, such as ‘no picking, no licking’. Useful rules for life, those.

Marmalade Owl

SW12 

Fees: From £1,200 a term
Age: From 2 

They’re a bit of a SW London institution, the Marmalade Schools. First came the Cat (‘the cream of Clapham nurseries,’ says a local mother) and now, three Outstanding Ofsted-rated nurseries later, sparky principal Miss Rozzy has opened the Owl. It’s set in a sunny, modern church hall, and head Miss Linda (who’s hopped over from the Cat; there’s a reassuringly low staff turnover) runs a ‘ship-shape but hugely creative’ school. The vibe is hardworking but ‘not pushy’, our spies tell us. There are daily doses of fresh air and one-on-one focus time to hone the three Rs; Miss Rozzy trained in special needs, so the support network is ‘incredible’. She’s also dizzyingly clued up on prep schools; lots of parents praise her ‘straight-shooting yet supportive guidance’, which reaps rewards: most go on to Thomas’s, Broomwood and James Allen’s Preparatory School. We love that the parents’ events are such a hoot that one still makes the two-hour round trip for book club, years after her children have moved on. 

Marylebone Village Nursery School

W1 

Fees: From £276 a week full-time
Age: From 9 months 

We don’t know many nurseries with Latin mottoes, and we suspect Locus Laetus Discere goes slightly over the head of the small pupils at Marylebone Village Nursery School, but its message (‘a happy place to learn’) certainly rings true. Get your child’s name on the waiting list pronto, especially if you’d like them to start before they’re two. They have oodles of space (6,500 child-friendly square feet, under St James’s Church) and are happy to take children for a short time, which suits the international W1 clientele. There’s an inside garden and a stage for school plays; outside, children squelch in the mud kitchen, race round on trikes or frolic on the Astroturf. Organic lunches and trips to the Wallace Collection followed by babyccinos in a local café complete the perfect picture. Manager Miss Veronica has a masters in education, so children leave here well prepared for Big School, which might be Queen’s College Prep or Wetherby. 

The Minors Nursery School

W2 

Fees: £3,390 a term
Age: From 2½ 

‘We have been utterly spoilt by the Minors,’ beams one mother. Headmistress Viv Thompson is the star of the show and she ‘understands the guilt’, say parents – being a working mother herself, she is happy to make allowances. Alma mater of Princes William and Harry, who attended in the Eighties, the nursery is now part of the Alpha Plus stable, so relationships with Notting Hill neighbours Wetherby and Pembridge Hall are tickety-boo. Registration is from birth and a visit is essential – ‘You have to go with your gut instinct,’ encourages Ms Thompson. Places are then offered on a first-come, first-served basis with an even spread of birthdays (top tip: get your paperwork in, pronto). It’s all about a ‘have a go’ attitude here, and the little ones bumble around the airy (but cosy) classrooms and get grubby in the mud kitchen and sandpit. ‘My daughter insists on wearing her hair like the teacher,’ says one mother. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Miss Daisy’s Nursery

SW3, SW1 

Fees: From £4,500 per term
Age: From 2½ 

Miss Daisy’s nurseries in Belgravia, Chelsea and Knightsbridge are the smart, old-money choice – rather like White’s, but with a younger membership and a more balanced boy/girl ratio. ‘Very British values and principles,’ says a mother, approvingly. It’s reassuringly hard to get in: register at birth – not before – with the nursery closest to you (they like families to be able to walk to school), hand over your (non-refundable) cheque for £150 and cross your fingers. They only offer a September intake, and you’ll hear whether you’ve bagged a place a year in advance. Children start with morning sessions, building up to full days as school approaches. There’s a nice balance between formal learning and play and lots of trips to, for example, the Natural History Museum or Buckingham Palace, at no extra cost. Miss Daisy’s alumni hop on to all the smartest preps in the Royal Borough and beyond – nursery heads have one-to-one meetings with parents to give bespoke advice on schools. NB: Children need to be potty-trained before they start.

Miss Delaney’s

W11

Fees: £3,200 per term
Age: From 2 

This Notting Hill favourite has been educating the children of W11 for 21 years and has now set up home in a pristine three-storey lodge house in leafy Avondale Park. There’s stacks of space to roam around in (including the park) and tidy rows of planting beds – we love their ‘garden to fork’ philosophy. Miss Delaney is a big fan of the great outdoors (‘Sharp edges are not my cup of tea,’ she says), so Forest School, hatching chicks and cocooning caterpillars are all squeezed into the timetable. Registration is at birth and a phone call on the day will suffice, but that doesn’t stop frazzled fathers turning up from the maternity ward. There is nohothousing here, and children skip off to Norland Place, Thomas’s Kensington and Glendower equipped with a wide range of skills by their teachers. ‘We’re a local school with local children,’ says head Nina Firkin, and parents just can’t get enough of the quintessential British feel.

Pangbourne House Nursery

W10

Fees: From £1,820 a term
Age: From 2½ 

Though this North Ken Montessori gem may be newish (it opened in September 2015, so be snappy before waiting lists get too chocka), head Sophia Russell-Cobb is anything but: she’s racked up over 30 years’ experience at former stomping ground Ladbroke Square. ‘It’s a slice of magic,’ emails a mother, with heaps of dancing, singing, and muddy knees from all the den building and creepy-crawly hunting; breezy classrooms have a direct passageway through to Kensington Memorial Park. Much-adored school dogs Liffey and Mojo get a starring role in the Nativity and parents praise the ‘warmth and welcome’; ‘There’s no shovelling out the door,’ one assures us. Make sure you give @pangbournehouse a follow, not least for the joyous shots of hatching chicks and mud pies. One mother told us that sending her children to Pangbourne House is ‘the best gift I have given, and will probably ever give, them’. 

Phileas Fox Nursery School

W2 

Fees: From £3,500 per term
Age: From 2

Today’s children are tomorrow’s ‘global citizens’ – no pressure, Mummy, but if your child is monolingual, they’ll be at a disadvantage when they pitch up at the Job Interview of the Future. If you’re already behind the curve on this one, you need Phileas Fox. Children spend half their time here learning in English, the other half in Mandarin, French or Russian, through a gentle combination of structured activities and free play. The setting is a gorgeous standalone building in Little Venice – ‘beautiful, warm and welcoming’, says a mother – with high ceilings, natural light and a lovely outside play area, and hooray, it’s all ‘spotlessly clean’ too. Families are, we’re told, ‘elegant, educated, upper-middle class’, but also ‘friendly and engaged – everyone says hello/bonjour etc at drop-off and there was a good turn-out for Christmas drinks.’ Alumni hop on to the Hall, Wetherby and Pembridge Hall, among others. Register ASAP (but not before birth) – the waiting list is growing as you read this. 

Pippa Pop-ins

SW6, W8 

Fees: From £51 a half day
Age: From 1

There are now four delightfully spruce nurseries under the Pop-ins umbrella, all kitted out with bunny aprons and Beatrix Potter wallpaper. ‘Walking into Pippa Pop-ins is like walking into a dolls’ house,’ says principal Miss Rachel. Each one is housed in a lovely townhouse with a garden and its own chef (the food is yummy – think beef casserole with dumplings and goat’s cheese tatin). The staff are ‘truly fantastic’ says a mother, and tend to stick around for years. The little ones learn in small classes and are clued up on computing and French before they head off to the likes of Thomas’s and Wetherby. Expectant couples can register before birth, but parents ‘must feel comfortable in doing so’, explains the nursery – there is a waitlist and places are offered on availability of sessions (mornings are the most popular). Children are kept busy with football, yoga and tennis, and very grown-up trips to the Science and Natural History museums, the London Eye and Fulham Palace. Sports day must ‘be seen to be believed’, says a parent.

Pooh Corner

W8, W14, SW7 

Fees: From £2,750 a term for five afternoons a week
Age: From 2

Carol Evelegh’s Kindergartens group is the Volvo XC90 of the London nurseries scene: smart, dependable and ubiquitous. This year, we’re shining the spotlight on Pooh Corner SW7, based in a large, airy church hall with a lovely garden, not far from Kensington High Street. They run morning and afternoon sessions – ‘Morning spaces are like gold dust so it is advisable to stress your preference early,’ advises a mother. They have specialist teachers for music, dance, sport, science, drama and even construction. Best of all, they head off to Wimbledon Common once a week for Forest School. Mrs Evelegh has 33 years’ experience on the London prep-school scene and gives invaluable Future Schools talks: pupils go on to all the best preps. Families are very Kensington – Europeans, Americans, Brits – but a parent assures us that ‘everyone is very friendly and unpretentious – I’ve made lifelong friends.’ 

Ready Steady Go

NW1, NW3, NW8 

Fees: From £2,735 a term
Age: From 27 months

Register your future offspring for Ready Steady Go at conception, ‘or even on your first date’, says principal Jennifer Silverton. We think she’s joking... They guarantee that a child registered at birth will be given a place at one of their four nurseries (two in Primrose Hill, one each in Camden Town and St John’s Wood). They’re all Ofsted Outstanding, with plenty of outdoor space, so children spend a good part of each day doing vital stuff like digging, riding bikes and cooking in the mud kitchen. Or listening to their hearts with stethoscopes, sprinting to the top of Primrose Hill and listening again – how brilliant is that? For younger children, accompanied by a parent, there are baby and beginners’ sessions. ‘RSG educates parents to parent,’ says a grateful mother. ‘I had no idea that pine cones could be toys.’

The Willow Nursery

SW4 

Fees: From £2,050 a term
Age: From 2½

‘We do things the Willow way,’ reports a mother. ‘Good manners and kindness at all times.’ We wholeheartedly approve. Home is a ginormous church hall in leafy Grafton Square (with a proper stage; ‘infinitely creative’ heads Caroline and Virge write the Nativity from scratch each year), and there’s a small Astro out back for bursts of (non-muddy) fresh air. There’s a tip-top balance of proper messy fun (lots of sticky handprints when we visited) and serious nurture: this is the first nursery in the country to run the US-led RULER programme, which encourages children to talk about their emotions using colour. Praise abounds for its ability to tame the most devilish toddler. It’s mornings only, and it helps to register at birth but, reassuringly, ‘not before the child is born!’ Most come through word of mouth, and parents are ‘an eclectic bunch’ of bankers and creative types. Says one parent: ‘My son has learnt the most important lesson of all: a love of school.’ Newsflash: Willow on the Farm opens in the Cotswolds this term, promising plenty of mud rolling and tractor rides.

The Woodentops Nurseries 

SW12, SW4 

Fees: £1,525 a month
Age: From 6 months

Family-owned and -run, Woodentops nurseries are an SW staple. The original is nestled right by their own prep school: the White House in SW12, a Grade II-listed villa designed by Thomas Cubitt with half an acre of gardens. The newest member is in SW4, a stone’s throw from Abbeville Road and the Tube. Days are jam-packed at both nurseries and it’s 8am-6pm only. There is stacks of messy play, and we love the sound of the fairy gardens and mini-beast hotels. Parents are viewed as ‘partners’ and praise the ‘friendly but firm’ staff; any tears from bereft mummies are banished with a comforting hug in the nursery office. ‘Teachers have gone above and beyond to get to know my son and his funny little ways,’ says one mother. Registration is at birth and there are 15 applications for every place – be ready with your forms, it’s first come, first served. Woodentops, pretty please will you open a third nursery?

Bonnington House Nursery

Edinburgh

Fees: From £27 a half day
Age: From 3 months

Parents can pop their babes into Bonnington House at just 12 weeks, but nervous mummies needn’t panic: one tells us it’s ‘just like leaving your child with old friends’. Old friends with a huge Georgian pad, that is, set on the edge of Victoria Park, with a forest for frolicking, treehouses for climbing and even a river. It’s every bit as lovely as it sounds. Inside, sunny rooms are split by age group, each child has their own dedicated mentor and staff ‘demonstrably love their job’. There are waiting lists; places for under twos are in highest demand, so it’s worth registering early. Lunch is harvested from the veg patch and the 8am-6pm hours are a godsend for frantic working parents (who rave about the sparky social scene). ‘We’ve been totally wowed,’ says a mother.

Filkins Nursery

Lechlade, Gloucestershire 

Fees: From £47.50 a day
Age: From 3 months

This is one of seven nurseries in childcare guru Sarah Steel’s Old Station Nursery group. Walk through Filkins’ wooden gate and you are greeted by guinea pigs Tom and Jerry, quails and chickens (names unknown). ‘I couldn’t believe I’d found such a fabulous nursery for my daughter,’ says a mother. It’s in a lovely rural setting, with a summer house for story-reading and a big field. Every week, whatever the weather, children wrap up and head outside for scavenger hunts, bulb-planting sessions or forays in search of mini-beasts – there was even a bear hunt (they didn’t find one). We love the sound of the daily ‘dough disco’ finger-gym sessions, which build strength in little digits to help with pencil grip. Parents are kept up to speed via an online learning journal – ‘It’s lovely sitting at your desk at work and getting a notification of what they’re up to,’ says one.

Rocking Horse Nursery

Godalming, Surrey

Fees: From £55 per day
Age: From 3 months

Every mother’s dream: a nursery that is open 51 weeks of the year, 8am until 6pm, for children from three months to eight years old, with an after-school club and ad hoc sessions available during the long school holidays – and no waiting list. ‘The flexibility is amazing,’ says one parent. ‘As soon as we walked through the door, we knew it was the place for our daughter.’ The long-serving staff are ‘priceless’ – one small pupil we spoke to calls them her ‘girls’. Children move between five age-related rooms, which are lovely, light and big (‘especially after London nurseries’, one mother comments) and there’s a ‘brilliant’ garden with bikes for pedal practice and a mud kitchen. Three- and four-year-olds learn Spanish, and there are lots of music and dance sessions, as well as trips to local parks to feed the ducks, to nearby farms and to the library. ‘My children are happy when I drop them off, and happy when I pick them up,’ says a mother. 

Sunflower Montessori Nursery School

Frome, Somerset 

Fees: From £5 an hour
Age: From 2¾ years

‘The best nursery in the world, without exception,’ says a mother. Frome is smart Somerset, with plenty of relocated Londoners and speciality coffee shops. Sunflower has a great local reputation and a calm, nurturing vibe; children love the gentle, local outings to the greengrocer to buy and pay for their favourite piece of fruit. Owner Rachael Emmett is a hit with her small pupils and has good relationships with all the local primary schools, smoothing the transition from nursery to Big School. Register ASAP to get your child’s name on the waiting list; there’s a second branch in nearby Horningsham. We asked one girl for her views. The response: ‘I love my nursery!’ 

Sunflowers Childcare

Boxford, Suffolk 

Fees: From £10 per session
Age: From 2

‘Boxford is the sort of village where the local pub does a London-standard cafe latte,’ says a Battersea exile. The vibe here is as sunny as the name suggests – 
a charming little nursery school, walls papered in imaginative art works, with cheerful, articulate, enthusiastic staff, next to a smashing primary school with an Ofsted Outstanding rating. (The Friends of Boxford raised enough money to build the primary school an indoor swimming pool.) There’s a lovely garden where children plant vegetables, a huge sandpit and water-play area, and a well-equipped kitchen – ‘Messy play is positively encouraged.’ And hurray, say working parents, they also run a breakfast club from 7.30am and after-school club until 6pm. Most children hop across to the primary school – when it’s this good, why wouldn’t you?

This is where everyone will be going on holiday in 2018

Turismo Chile

By Olivia Blair for Harpers Bazaar

Summer is long gone and the final, wintry months of 2017 are in full swing, leaving us to think about one thing: Where shall we go on holiday next year?

This year saw places like Lisbon, Vietnam and the Amalfi coast soar in popularity, whereas 2016 was all about Copenhagen and Cuba. 

Harper's Bazaar asked a group of travel experts where everyone will be visiting in 2018. Prepare to be fully envious of your friends' Instagrams when the new year hits. 

Chile

The South American country topped the prestigious Lonely Planet best in travel list for 2018 meaning interest is already at a peak. 

Famed for being home to both dessert, the Patagonian fjords, the Andes and vibrant, cultural cities, the country also marks 200 years of independence next year.

Porto, Portugal

If 2017 belonged to Lisbon, 2018 belongs to Portugal's second largest city, Porto, according to researchers. 

Emily Cater, travel editor at research company WGSN, told Bazaar UK: "Portugal’s second-biggest metropolis fuses old and new, with its beautiful, colourful abandoned buildings, baroque churches as well as newer constructions springing up around the city. Undoubtedly, the food is a key draw here, with plentiful fresh fish, cheese and port of course, however the shopping measures up too."

Japan

Navigating Japan is being touted as one of the most likely adventures for travellers next year, especially among millennials. According to Topdeck travel, who provide travel holidays for 18 - 39 year olds, there are a number of reasons why the Asian country is in the spotlight.

"Japan is now more accessible than ever for UK tourists," Saul Burrows, global head of product at Topdeck, told Bazaar UK. "With airlines such as KLM/Air France launching direct flights from Western Europe in the last few years and Japan Airlines recently announcing flight increases from London to Tokyo, Brits can easily get to the Land of the Rising Sun in just over 11 hours.

"Visitors are now also taking advantage of the pound's strength against the Yen, meaning UK holiday makers can get more for their money than they did a year ago."

New Orleans, USA

Move over New York City and Los Angeles, as the state of Louisiana's largest city - and birthplace of jazz - is set to be a top US destination for 2018.

"Exciting new cajun and creole restaurants are popping up regularly, while its cocktail culture is unparalleled – with hotspots including Peche, Seaworthy and Bacchanal," Cater says.

"Meanwhile, new fashion labels are opening up shop here, and hotels like The Ace and Catahoula have opened up too – a sure sign it’s going to be a hot city for 2018."

Singapore

Singapore has previously trailed behind its neighbouring cities of Hong Kong and Tokyo but, in 2018, it will get the love it deserves. 

Cater says thanks to its cultural diversity, shopping scene, surprisingly green environment and Instagram-potential - we've all seen that infinity pool at Marina Bay Sands, right? - Singapore is a hot spot not to be missed.

Bulgaria

According to holiday company Thomas Cook, the black sea resorts in Bulgaria have witnessed a 25% growth this summer compared to last year. 

And this year, they don't expect the eastern European country's popularity to slow down. The non-Euro country offers good value for money and, while in the past it has been seen as a party resort, the company say there has been a recent shift towards families and couples choosing it for their holiday destination.

Mexico City, Mexico

"Mexico City is becoming an increasingly hot destination for travellers, thanks to its vibrant arts and music scene and strong sense of local culture," Cater says. 

For a broader travel experience, you're also never too far away to visit the countless beautiful beach resorts that the country has to offer either.

Hamburg, Germany

While Berlin enjoyed a huge renaissance as the German city break a few years ago, Cater calls Hamburg "Berlin's newer, cooler little sister".

Hamburg offers riverfront bars, restaurants, shopping and incredible architecture. Take the Elbphilharmonie concert hall which was completed this year and includes a plaza where visitors can look out at panoramic views of the city.

Seoul, South Korea

Seoul might already have a reputation for being super cool and fashionable but Cater emphasises its "buzzing nightlife, delicious cuisine, quirky themed cafes and beautiful Buddhist temples" as ultimate drawing points.

The newly opened Lotte World Tower (centre of the picture) is also now the country's tallest building. The fact it's surrounded by huge mountain peaks gives it a skyline to rival both Hong Kong and Singapore.

9 Lessons Older Mamas Want Young Moms to Know

By Kara Lawler for Parenting

I asked women around 60 years old with grown children what they wish they knew when they were my age. Here's what they want us younger moms to know.

I recently got a gift certificate for a massage for my birthday—one of the best presents ever!—and since I couldn't remember the last time I'd had one, I rushed to set up an appointment. But as I lay down on the massage table, my mind was racing with the million things I was supposed to be doing. I also felt exposed in my body that hasn't bounced back from my last pregnancy.

I glanced up at my massage therapist, whom I've known for about 10 years, and I couldn't help but notice how her hair had turned a complete silvery gray since the last time I had been in (which she informed me was two years ago). We started to catch up, and she asked me about work, my kids, and how my life was going in general. I answered, and she must've heard my stress and apprehension in the tone of my voice. She looked at me and said, "I'm going to turn 60 very soon, and there are so many things I wish I had known when I was your age."

She shared her advice with me—a mother 23 years her junior—and what she said really resonated with me. So much so, that I decided to ask other women around 60 years old for their advice. Here's what they want us younger moms to know:

1. Let it go.

One woman told me that she wishes she had known to let things go from time to time—in all areas of her life. Instead of obsessing over a clean house or getting in a daily workout, she wishes she had just relaxed and enjoyed the fleeting moments of her kid's childhood. She told me that eventually you have time again for the things you didn't before, so enjoy the moments that go by so quickly.

2. Don't compare.

A veteran mother and grandmother told me that she wishes younger mothers would realize that comparing themselves to each other isn't helpful. Every mother has her own unique gifts and talents. There's no need to feel "less than" when you notice that your friend is a better cook than you are or that your other friend is an amazing professional who juggles work and home life flawlessly. Everyone has her special talents and by banding together, moms can accomplish so much.

3. Stop trying to be the perfect mother.

A recovering perfectionist mom and grandma told me that mothers need to spend less time trying to be the "perfect" mommies. She advises us to remember that our instincts are usually right about how to parent our children, so we should use them to create safe, secure, comforted, and loved children who are ready for each new phase of their lives.

4. Give your children space.

Another mom told me that while being diligent, firm and protective with our children is important, it's even more important not to hover. She believes that kids really need enough space to figure things out for themselves. You can try to cushion the fall, but sometimes, your child will need to fall, literally or figuratively.

5. Just let your kids know you love them.

A mother who tried very hard to balance work and home life told me that she will never regret going the extra mile to spend quality time with her kids. It was hard, but she really tried to stop whatever she was doing to hold, soothe, listen, or play with her kids when they needed it. She suggests creating special moments when you can and remembering that the best memories are usually the simplest, like making popcorn together for family movie nights.

6. Try not to feel guilty for working.

A mother who had a full-time career outside of the home wants us to know that we shouldn't feel guilty for working, whether it's by choice or a necessity. Our children will know that we are providing for them and following a passion.

7. Be kind to yourself.

Maybe you haven't lost all of the baby weight and maybe you never will. Maybe you forgot to put gas in the car or you were late for work after a crazy morning wrangling the kids. Some days you might feel like a failure, but a mom of three told me that it's so important to be kind to ourselves and model self-love. If we don't, how can we expect our kids to love themselves?

8. Be active in the education of your children.

Another mom said that while most schools and teachers are great, a child's education is partially the responsibility of the parent. She knows life gets busy, but if you can, volunteer at the school or be present at activities because it makes a big difference for your kids.

9. Remember to take care of yourself, too.

All too often, moms put themselves dead last. A mom I talked to wants us to remember to take care of ourselves when we can. Go for a coffee with a friend or take an extra-long bath with a cup of tea. She reminds us if we don't take care of ourselves, we won't be able to take care of our families.

Top 5 Things To Do In Amsterdam With Kids

By Katie Ellison for Space in Your Case

Until recently I thought of Amsterdam as home to tulips and clogs, drunken stag and hen parties cruising down the canals on party boats and of course the infamous coffee shops.  It wasn’t somewhere I particularly thought of to take children, with other European cities being higher up my list of destinations to go as a family.

However a recent trip to this beautiful city has changed all that.  Flying in from Norwich airport took just 35 minutes (check out KLM for flights from 15 other regional destinations) and was quick and efficient.  My opinion has completely been changed and I would go as far as to say this is the most child friendly city I have been to.  A fabulous capital city, full of quaint crooked buildings, picturesque rows of canals and cosy cafes, restaurants and amazing shops, apparently the culture here is very much bring your children along.

We only spent just under three days in this gorgeous place, but here are some things you can do with your little ones if you are planning a short break in Amsterdam.

1. Hire a bike from one of the numerous bike hire shops and really explore.  

The beauty of Amsterdam is there is such a variety within the city landscape, from the crowded tourist area with its canals and umpteen eateries, to the peacefulness of wide open spaces such as Vondelpark, and the urban grit and creativeness of areas like the NDSM area of Amsterdam Noord.  At first glance cycling may seem scary as there are literally hundreds of them whizzing around in all different directions, but actually apparently it is one of the safest cities in Europe to cycle in.  Helmets are not the norm, in fact we didn’t see one person in one the whole time we were there, but do ask as they will supply them to you.  We used MacBike who were efficient and friendly.

2. Treat yourself to a naughty delicacy.  

What child doesn’t love pancakes?  And did you know that pancakes are a Dutch speciality?  There are numerous places to pick one up in the city centre but one of the best is Pancakes! Amsterdam.  A not so secret little restaurant tucked down one a side street, we queued outside for an hour to get a table.  But was it worth it?  Most definitely.  Share a savoury one and a sweet one, we had ham and cheese, followed by whipped cream, Nutella and ice cream.  Or perhaps try something more adventurous like chilli pepper, bacon and banana.   Delicious and a perfect family lunch.

3. Head over to Amsterdam Noord, an up and coming and super hip area of the city.  

You have to hop on a ferry which go from behind Centraal Station, but they are free and run every 20 minutes 24 hours a day.   Make sure you get the one going to NDSM, they take about 10 minutes.  It’s not for everyone but this area is very creative, with a real urban grittiness about it.  You will see talented street artists creating masterpieces on huge, old shipping buildings, graffiti everywhere you look, and lots of hipster types milling around.  Indeed MTV Europe refurbished an old building and now have one of their European headquarters here.  It’s totally worth the trip to get away from the overly busy tourist area and see where creative locals hang out.  It’s also perfect for letting little ones run about and let off some steam.

4. For all the occasional wanting to escape the typical tourist areas, you should also embrace it too.  

The canals area of Amsterdam is beautiful with quaint streets full of cool interior shops, fashionable cafes and well renowned restaurants.  Yes it gets busy, especially at the weekends but it is worth going to for picture perfect photos.  Visit Dam Square, head into one of the cafes or street vendors, buy a waffle or a Stroopwafel (another Dutch delicacy- a waffle made from two layers of baked dough with a caramel syrup centre) and sit and watch the world go by.

5. Head to one of the open spaces in the city to let your little ones run around and let off steam.  

The area behind the Rijksmuseum is home to the  Iamsterdam letters, which have fast become an iconic symbol of the city, and a fab photo opportunity.   Indeed if you sit and watch for a while you will see visitor contort themselves into all manner of positions in order to get a photo!  Vondelpark is also in the area, perfect for a more relaxing pace of life and some greenery.  There are other I amsterdam signs throughout the city, one at the airport and a scaled down one that travels around the city, popping up in different locations- indeed we found one in Amsterdam Noord in front of The Eye Institute.  A little bit silly, but fun for children.

3 must-have buggy accessories for mums on the go

from Mummy in the City

A few years ago I started writing a blog post about buggy accessories. At that time in my life I remember finding myself in Harrods on a Sunday–purely to look for another all important piece for the Bugaboo. Buggy accessories was a topic of discussion at dinner parties. It was something I wanted to write about. And here are the three I had written down as my three favourites:

Cupholder

For first-time parents living in London, I think a cupholder is pretty essential. It means it’s easier to go for long walks with the buggy and bring a bottle or pick up a hot drink. In fact, for our second buggy Daddy T and I bought two cupholders, so we could both have our drinks there when we went on long walks together on weekends. Excited first-time parents!

Parasol

To start with, I didn’t get a parasol for the buggy and couldn’t understand why I needed one. But when I started going for longer walks with a curious baby who wanted to look around and not have a view distracted by a sun cover the parasol was a practical addition. I also used it for rain protection if it was drizzling outside since the rain cover tended to have the same effect on the mood as the sunshade.

UV sun cover

We had our first holiday with baby when she was four months old, and before booking I hadn’t read the advice on sun cream on newborns. To prepare for the holiday, I bought a sun cover with UV protection, and it became one of our most frequently used buggy accessories. Perfect for nap time in the buggy!

9 Genius Tips to Make Flying with Kids a Breeze

By Corinne for The Pragmatic Parent

The first flight we took with our one-year-old twins was an absolute disaster. It’s painful even rehashing the experience.

Twenty minutes into the two-and-a-half-hour flight, my twins began to fuss. It wasn’t because of the pressure change because they had made it through take-off and settled into cruising speed with no problem and were comfortably sucking on their pacifiers.

At first, it started as fussing, and then changed to whining. I dug through my diaper bag grabbing snacks and toys.

The stewardess warmed bottles in two mugs of hot water and my husband and I tipped the kids back to settle into the crook of our arms for what we thought would be a milky, peaceful drifting off to sleep.

Instead, they drank their bottles and popped right back up. The whining started again and gradually moved to crying intermixed with bursts of screaming.

I rubbed my daughter on the back, I bounced her, patted her bottom, and held her pacifier in place. Nothing was working and at this point, her crying escalated to full-blown wailing.

I saw my husband dealing with the exact same thing. His face was red and the tight-lipped glare he shot me was all I needed to know he was in serious trouble too.

My son was squirming in his arms, throwing his head back, his arms spread to the side taking in air. A second of momentary silence gave way to a goliath-like scream.

Frantically plucking toys and snacks out of my diaper bag, we tried to distract them and grab their attention with something new. But nothing worked.

They wouldn’t go to the nice set of grandparents sitting behind us and the suckers a mom brought to us from the rear of the plane only did the trick for ten minutes until they were wailing again and this time with a little extra oomph.

I apologized over and over about the crying and then finally, I just stopped turning around. I even stopped checking on my husband who was shooting daggers at anyone who dare look at him handling our hulk-strong baby. I felt the glares burning a hole in the back of my head and I could hear the rude snickering about our overtired and incessently crying babies.

When we deplaned, my husband harsh-whispered that we were renting a car and making the 18-hour drive back from California to Colorado via minivan. From the look of the sweat on his forehead, he was not kidding around.

I tearfully dialed our pediatrician asking for tips on flying with babies and then as what felt was our best resort, we swung by the apple store and forked over a small fortune for the holy grail of child entertainment – an iPad.

Before you begin to judge me… It may have been our first flight with kids, but I wasn’t unprepared for the airplane ride. My diaper bag was so full it wouldn’t even close.

I had packed the snacks, I had brought the toys, I had even stashed away special treats laced with bribery. The problem? I brought all the WRONG things.

Thankfully, our trip was a one-time sucker punch and we’ve since taken a half-dozen more flights with our children and have not had any more horrendous in-flight experiences.

My preparation for air travel has evolved and involves pin-point precision that makes even the old me jealous by the time I hand over the first round of goodies.

These are my 9 tips that work like magic, especially on long flights. There is an art to the timing of delivering the goods, and your next flight will go smoothly if you follow the step-by-step tips to pulling out in-flight entertainment in this order.

1) PACK A BACKPACK FOR EACH KID

While Mom and Dad have handle their purses and carry-on luggage filled with cry-proof entertainment, your will be carrying their own. Children love to carry their own backpacks and delight in unzipping their own bags once they’re settled into the flight.

It’s exciting for kids to feel like grown-ups and they like to be in charge of carrying their own accessories.

When you first get on the plane, store the backpacks and your carry-ons and let your children get settled. Take in the surroundings, look out the window, socialize with other passengers and listen to the PA announcements.

Once the excitement of boarding the flight and getting settled has passed, THEN pull out backpacks.

Keep a few things in your child’s backpack, but the majority of snacks and entertainment in your own carry-on so that they don’t go through everything in five minutes flat and spend the rest of the flight searching for things to do.

2) ONLY PACK SUGAR-FREE SNACKS 

Bring a variety of healthy snacks for the kids to munch on during the flight. There is a time near the beginning, in the middle and at the end to hand out snacks, just don’t dish them all out before the flight has even begun.

Simple and easy to pack ideas:

• Snack pouches & Applesauce
• Raisins
• Crackers & Goldfish
• Cereal in premeasured bags
• Dried Fruit
• Fruit strips
• Granola Bars

Avoid sugary snacks like candy, lollipops, and sugar-packed fruit gummies which will only energize up your kids – something you want to avoid on an airplane at all costs.

Bring milk or water bottles that meet TSA guidelines but try your best to limit water intake for fewer bathroom trips – especially if you’re a single parent traveling with multiple children who are out of diapers.

3) SURPRISE THEM WITH SMALL TOYS & ACTIVITY SETS 

You can certainly bring things from home, but it’s a fact that kids will be enthralled with new items they haven’t seen before or played with at home.

If you chose to bring toys from home, several weeks before the flight, put these items away so they aren’t played with leading up to your trip. When it’s time to open-up the backpack, these will have a new feel to them too.

Travel Tip: Stay away from noise-making toys for everyone’s sake!

4) DECORATE THE WINDOW

If you happen to book a window seat (and you should because kids love looking outside during take-off and throughout the flight), bring a couple sets of inexpensive window clings and let your kids decorate the window.

They easily peel off and can be moved around. Encourage your kids to create story lines and scenes with their imagination.

5) HIDDEN PICTURE BOOKS WORK LIKE MAGIC 

I-Spy books are great for parents and kids to do together. I-Spy books and Where’s Waldo are our favorites for traveling.

Head to the local library or buy them here and here a couple days before your trip. If there is a chance the library books will get lost and you’ll have to pay to replace them, hidden picture books are inexpensive and will continue to be cherish for many years and are worth the purchase.

6) PLAY A GAME

A simple game like hang-man, tic-tac-toe and Would You Rather are fun for kids of all ages.

Popular games often come in travel-size such connect four, trouble and this mini magna-doodle. If your children are older, card games like Go Fish, Old Maid and UNO are great too.

7) ARTS & CRAFTS

Clear marker coloring books and Water WOW books don’t leave a mess. Sticker sets are fun to burn the time, just be sure to pack extra paper with you so the stickers don’t end up in a neighbor’s hair.

8) YOUR LAST RESORT: ELECTRONICS

Once you’ve gone through snacks, toys, books and games, then pull out the tablets and iPads which you pre-loaded before your trip with videos and age-appropriate apps.

Save the best for last but don’t pull them out too early if you can wait. Use electronics as a reward for good behavior and playing quietly on the flight.

Don’t forget to pack kid-friendly headphones so other passengers nearby don’t have to listen to the sounds of the latest Pixar movie or Frozen app on full-blast.

9) IF ALL ELSE FAILS…

If all else fails, ask the flight attendant for a stack of plastic cups for the kids to play with on the tray table. Sometimes it’s the simplest of things which work the best!

Wow Air is offering £99 flights from London to New York

By Katie Jones for Harpers Bazaar UK

This [month], Wow Air announced the start of a new service to New York's JFK Airport - and the Icelandic airline is celebrating by offering seats for just £99 one-way.

The first flights are scheduled for April 2018, but Wow Air is currently promoting the launch of its new route by offering fares that cost less than the taxes alone.

"To celebrate our new service to the Big Apple's JFK International Airport, we are offering flights from London to New York for less than the cost of taxes - essentially paying for our guests to fly," the air carrier said.

The discounted fares can be booked online now for flights departing from London Stansted between April and May next year, although it's worth noting that there is a catch.

The new route involves a stopover in Reykjavik and the budget airline's basic approach means passengers won't be treated to the usual long-haul perks, like complimentary food, drink and entertainment. Baggage fees also apply on all routes - a carry-on bag will cost you £29.99 and a checked bag is £44.99.

New York isn't the only option in the promotion, though. It also includes flights for under £130 one-way to Newark, Chicago, Cincinnati, Detroit and Cleveland, and if you're planning on visiting Iceland's capital next year, Wow Air's fares are particularly cheap, starting at £29.99 one-way.

The low-cost seats are only available for a limited period, so you'll need to be quick to make the most of this deal.

When dad needs a bit of pampering at The Spa at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park

From Mummy in the City

On a holiday before kids I was lying by the pool when Daddy T was headed to the spa. The last thing I told him was not to buy any products from his session, as we really didn’t need any more. He only came back with a bag full of detox cleanse tablets and a box with individually packed sachets with dried sea plants to use as bath soak.

Daddy T is a sucker for all things spa, so when I was given the opportunity to try a massage at The Spa at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park in Knightsbridge it was only right that he was the one who was sent out for some pampering. I booked him in for a 7.30pm massage on a weekday, allowing him to go after work and having a relaxing evening instead of coming home to the madness of bedtime routines.

While I was breastfeeding Baby Boy and reading Little Miss Bossy for Baby Girl, he arrived at the luxurious spa. He was there half an hour early, relaxing with a green tea and having time to use the sauna, steam room and vitality pool before having a 50-minute deep tissue massage by one of the expert therapists.

The Spa at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park has eight treatment rooms, all with private showers, as well as male and female sanariums, vitality pools, amethyst crystal steam rooms and a zen colour therapy relaxation area.

When living in London it’s easy to forget what we have on our doorstep, but sometimes it’s worth prioritising some true holiday-style pampering. I think Daddy T’s evening at The Spa at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park was well-deserved, and it’s worth doing something different to switch off in beautiful surroundings.

I’m not surprised he looked as balanced and happy after his spa experience as Baby Boy did after his day at The Baby Spa. I guess National Spa Week is the week it’s all about having a contented baby and a contented husband at the same time!