2009 has brought some real challenges for families across the UK. The credit crisis has resulted in a huge number of redundancies and many of us are working hard at ‘tightening our belts’. With the summer holidays on the horizon, the Mediterranean sun may have already set for many of us.

But fear not! It really isn’t all doom and gloom! It is possible to enjoy maximum family fun this year without even leaving the comfort of your own home. An At Home Holiday will not only save you money but it can be far more relaxing than a traditional break. The benefits of staying at...

Returning to work after having a baby can be a harrowing time. Since April 2007, many mothers have been able to enjoy a full twelve months maternity leave, during which time a great bond forms between mother and child. The guilt about leaving your baby when it is essential for you to return to work is compounded by the need to place them in childcare.

According to a recent survey, an estimated 3.25 million UK families place their children in childcare. Although the environments are safe, loving and educational, almost half of these parents worry about the long-term effects childcare may...

As great parents who love nurturing their children, it is not surprising you feel guilty at the slightest misdemeanour when things don’t go to plan.

A lot of guilt-fuelled regrets occur after a moment of high-tension, conflicting moments – especially when you’re over-tired and over-worked!

The best way to break this frustrating, inevitable cycle, and prevent you from feeling guilty about the way you react to your child’s demands or tantrums, is to take some essential time out.

Unfortunately this too can lead to more guilt! Leaving your children to go and enjoy...

Positive thinking is such a powerful attitude, it can help you to fulfil your dreams. It will empower you to be the very best you can be.

For those mums who feel frustrated, confused or unfulfilled with life, positive thinking can be a difficult concept to grasp. How can a method of thought possibly have an effect on your life?

The way you currently feel is a direct result of your negative thoughts and limiting beliefs. If you cannot see a way out of your current situation, your limiting beliefs are prolonging your despair. Negative thoughts are contagious – one leads to another...

Tracey Wall is now an accredited Advanced Confidence Coach and practitioner of the accredited “Confidence for Life” programme by Dawn Breslin – internationally acclaimed life coach, best-selling author and broadcaster. As an experienced professional life coach, NLP practitioner and director of Empowering Mums, Tracey can now offer this powerful and life-changing programme to her clients.

During the programme, Tracey will coach you to release the pains of your past, your negative thoughts and limiting beliefs, and support you to overcome your fears and worries. Through...

Trying to achieve life-long ambitions can be a long, challenging and very rewarding occupation. However, many of us often sabotage our own success by fostering limiting beliefs and negative thoughts that diminish confidence and lessen self-esteem.

Success can only be achieved by adopting a positive attitude. Believing you can succeed will empower you to give your very best to accomplishing your goals. Always remember, whether you think you can or can’t, you are right.

Set yourself some personal goals: things you really want to achieve. Write them down and keep them to hand at all...

Negative thoughts will limit the way you live your life. Limiting beliefs prevent you from fulfilling your true aspirations and can destroy your confidence, self-esteem and ultimately your future.

If you are desperate to take control of your life’s direction, but have doubts and excuses that prevent the necessary changes from taking place, you will be harbouring damaging negative thoughts and limiting beliefs.

Do these statements sound familiar?

• I won’t get the job so I shan’t waste time in applying.
• I was hopeless at maths in school so how can I possibly help my daughter...

‘Accept Yourself’ is the latest e-book to be produced by Empowering Mums. Packed full with effective exercises and enlightening advice, this e-book will build your self-esteem, increase your self-confidence and help you build a positive outlook on life. It will give you the power to truly accept everything about yourself and enable you to live the life you really want and deserve.

By completing the exercises, you will learn how to release self-critical, harsh thoughts that prevent you from living the life you really want to live and enjoying true happiness.

The results of these...

Have you ever observed your single, child-less friends? From a brief glance, you’ll notice they splurge happily on the latest trends; they can often be found working out at the gym or stretching at a weekly Pilates class; and they have time to relax over a glass of Chablis with colleagues. Delve deeper and you’ll find painfully high stilettos, a fabulous little black dress and matching lacy underwear all ready for that just-in-case, last minute night out with the girls.

Contrast this with your life. As a busy mum, you’re no doubt wearing Marks & Spencer’s safest...

According to an ancient Chinese philosophy, clearing out the old is vital if you are to attract and invite the new into your life. An almighty clear out will help you let go of the past and give you an immense positive feeling that your life is moving on and making way for a fresh start!

De-cluttering may sound like a laborious task but it serves one fantastic purpose: to make you feel instantly calmer and better about yourself! De-cluttering your home – or even areas within your home – will give you a more positive outlook and clear your mind. The onset of Spring gives us the...