Practical Parenting At It's Best (Practical Parenting)

Name: jusophine

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Product:	Practical Parenting
Date:	20/02/01 (65 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good, research based advice. Fun to read.

Disadvantages: None

I first read Practical Parenting magazine over two years ago when I was expecting my son. Although I was a midwife, I was still experiencing pregnancy for the first time, and wanted to read about other's experiences, read about recommended products and generally enjoy the 'shared' experience that a magazine can let you feel.

Practical Parenting is a monthly magazine and currently costs £2.10 an issue. If having read it you decide you like it, you can save money by taking out a 1 or 2 year subscription. Each issue has details of how to apply for this. It's quite a nice feeling to have a magazine pop through the letter box. I keep mine next to the loo! Well it's often the only place I get the peace and quite I want to be able to read it!

I was very lucky to win my years subscription now exactly a year ago, after winning 'Letter Of The Month', and at the time prizes ranged from toys to money. I got lucky and won £50 and A years subscription.
Now that my free copies are no more, I have decided to take good look at the magazine to see if it is worth spending my own money on.

The magazine has undergone several makeovers since I first read it. I used to enjoy turning to the back to read all the readers letters and see their photo's and accompanying funny stories. Now reader's letters occupies just one page towards the front of the magazine, and there are less photo's. I prefered the old style that made you feel you were part of a real community that read the magazine.

You are still invited to write into the magazine but there are no prizes or awards for good letters(and I know this would have appealed to Dooyoo users!). If you do decide to write in however(and thus see your words in print), it's worth knowing that your letter may be heavily edited to fit in. My original prize winning letter was drastically changed and in doing so completely spoilt what I was trying to say. Having
told people that my letter was going to be published, I then felt quite embarassed at what was eventually published.

Another word of warning, in the small print it mentions that anything you write can be 'reused in any media.' You may not want this. I feel that readers letters are a great source for journalists to hive off others ideas!

Apart from all that, what about the rest of the magazine. There is a large focus on pregnancy and birth. The articles are well written with imput from a panel of expert's including a Midwife, Health Visitor and family G.P. Each issue carries an update on three different women's personal pregnancy diaries. Each highlights a different aspect of care, i.e ultrasound scanning, and gives you information which is very useful.

Each magazine has articles on early education and development. Any recent research findings are highlighted. Some of the topics covered in recent months are left handedness, speech development and baby's body control. The last issue had a good item on toddler's behaviour which was particularly good.

Every months the magazine covers a broad range of health issues, such as what to do if your child had a tummy upset, or you're baby sounds wheezy, as well as basic advice on dealing with cuts and briuses, for example. All the advice is either written by, or in association with a qualified health care professional, so you know that you can trust it.

The Baby And Child section has some lovely articles on baby and child behaviour. Recent issues have covered the problems of bedtime troubles and getting rid of a dummy. The section also gives really interesting information on physical development such as how much a baby can see at different stages of development.

There are things for you to try, each issue has recipes for homemade baby foods and foods to get you're toddler to eat a healthy diet. They all seem alot easier to follow than
your average Gary Rhodes recipe! There are also activities for you to try with your chid, such as art projects for a rainy day.

Probably one of the most helpful sections is that of items on test. Everything get's tested at some point or other, and previous reviews can be ordered so you don't have to worry that you missed a certain item. A panel of mums 'road test' different makes of a product each month, awarding each with a mark of 1 to 5 stars. Items are given points according to value for money, safety, looks and ease of use. The best value item and the best buy overall are clearly displayed.

General advice is also given, for example, February's issue reviewed pushchairs that can be used from birth. They summerised some of the important issues to consider; choosing a compact, umbrella-fold model if storage is limited, get lockable front-swivel wheels for good manoeuvrability, check that the pushchair comes with cosy-toes and weather shields when considering your budget, and going for all-terrain wheels if you live in the country.

The magazine has regular items on pregnancy and child fashion, but with only a limited selection displayed(not being a fashion magazine specifically), may serve to give you ideas only. However, I did spot a really nice shirt for my son, which I later popped down to Tescos to buy. This was good as so many fashion items in magazines only feature designer clothes. No good for the likes of me on a budget! Practical parenting features clothes for all budgets.

Of course, no magazine would be complete without a good smattering of exclusive offers and competitions. Practical parenting often comes with a free gift. I have recieved a free feeding bowl and a wipe clean mat amongst others things, and there are often free gifts to send away for.

Practical Practical also publishes it's own range of baby, toddler and childrens books at very reasonable rates(£3.95) each. A
nd with new titles being announced every month, provides a good choice. They also have an ordering system where you save 10% on your order with free postage and packaging. If you order 3 books or more, you get an extra book free. I recieved 'Busy Babies Go Swimming' for 1 to 2 year old's, free with an issue, and it's not bad!

I haven't won any competitions yet, but could have won a car, clothing or a complete nursery amongst other things.

The back of the magazine has a useful classified section. I found out about baby sleeping bags by comparing the different products advertised, this resulted in a purchase. It's a good source of information if your looking for a family friendly holiday as well, as hotels and holiday parks specifically target young families through advertising in the magazine.

Overall, Practical Parenting is a good magazine that over time builds into a useful resource for you to share with friends and family, as they reach different stages of family life. I'm very reluctant to throw any issues away, and often find myself returning to an issue months later as my children go through the various stages discussed.

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