Well it is now a countdown to Christmas. Yes it is sneaking up on all of us, but in a little over two months it will be back. So mums and dads out there we are opening the Christmas 2008 discussion boards. We have kept some of the old comments of past years on the boards that we have traditionally at Christmas, so those old mumswebbers can read what has happened and get some cheer.
Share the spirit, share the hints, and tell us what you are doing to prepare for this year.

Looking back, travelling with a baby was so easy. Babies don't ask 'are we there yet?', they don't scream, have arguments with siblings, need to stop to go to the toilet, etc. With the school holidays around Australia upon us once again it is time for parents all around to share handy hints on travelling with children. Let us narrow the gap a little, say travelling with school age children! They are the ones that we haven't really covered in many discussions of late.

My kids have Nintendo DS, IPod Nano and quite frankly I would look at any gadget that will keep them happy for a long trip. Unfortunately books make my girls car sick so that is out, but the Nintendo works well except when they start to argue between each other when they are networking together. That one blasts me!

What do you do with your kids? How do you get through the trip? Share your ideas with other parents, ideas on what to pack, what to wear, what do you take personally?

We have added a completely new discussion forum for our members to post employment opportunities that may be available as well as posting what you may be interested in looking for in the way of work. This new forum has been divided up by State for convenience and you need to state as much information as you can, but we do ask that for safety and security you only reply via our pm system to these until you are sure that you wish to pursue the opportunity further.

If any member has doubts on the legitimacy of a job opportunity or request for work please report this immediately to our administrators. Enjoy the new forum and use it to spread the word for work opportunities. Remember if you need to find something out just 'ask a mum'!

What kind of activities can you do with you baby? There are many activities that as a parent you can play, interact and help you very young baby to learn.

The way that a young baby communicates is to cry, make other sounds, and move their bodies, and there has even been some research on special baby language, the different way they may their own special noises that as parents we can learn and respond to this. Babies listen and respond to the sounds and voices around them, so what you can do to encourage them is great. Even those grandparents that sometimes make 'silly' noises are doing a good job at communicating.

Babies themselves coo, gurgle, laugh, and babble to themselves and others. However they also enjoy listening, so try just telling them stories. It can be great therapy for you too!

Remember babies smile when people smile at them, they will respond to their names, so take turns smiling, singing, playing with them.
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