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 home this year will lea...

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 yourself can result in you fee...

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 – leaving yo...

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 white knickers under your unif...

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 ideal incentive...

The credit crunch has hit households in such a powerful way it has left many of us feeling insecure, fearful and powerless. These emotions centre on the uncertainty that the recession poses to our financial well-being, stability and security.

Listening to conversations and working with clients, it is clear that when times get tough, people divide into one of two types. One rises to the challenges of the times ahead and adapts accordingly. The other backs down and withdraws from the uncertainty they face.

The choice facing us all is simple: you buy into the paranoia and the media’s overwhelmi...

Tracey Wall,, finds helping others is the perfect way to live a wonderful life. Tracey lives in Cheshire with her husband and five year old daughter.

During a holiday on the west coast of Wales, I realised my life was not the perfect picture I envisaged it would. From the outside, everything seemed wonderful. I had a caring husband and a beautiful daughter who both loved me very much. Not only that, but I had a highly successful career working in management in the finance sector. With the support of my family and friends close by, life really couldn’t get much better.

But it didn’t. It got a...