The other day, a friend (Heather) and I absent mindedly watched our toddlers play with a ‘pretend’ cash register as we jabbered away about life, love and everything else. Our girls were collecting plastic coins and putting them in the little slots, then closing and opening the machine with great gusto and excitement.

The fun had hardly anything to do with the money but more to do with pushing the button that opened the machine with a frantic ‘bing!’

It was an entertaining twenty minutes and sparked a conversation about the importance of teaching kids the value of money. Heather told me about something that she plans to do with her children… something that her parents did with her and her siblings when they were young.

And I think the idea is so cool that I have to share.

So… movie night was an event in Heather’s home. Her mum would ready the snacks and treats; the popcorn and sweets in cups, same with the fizzy drinks and crisps.

The children were given £5 in monopoly money and were allowed to purchase snacks worth the money apportioned to them.

The clever cost of the treats meant that the children couldn’t have everything on sale and had to choose carefully if they wanted seconds.

I love this idea. What a great way to teach children, from a young age, that money does not buy everything – you have to prioritise and make careful choices.

Thanks Heather!

Let’s get right to the point (dilly-dally unnecessary): what do we get out of joining the Tesco Baby & Toddler Club? More to the point: what’s free?

In a nutshell:

1. A free parking permit allowing you to park nearer to the store.

2. Coupons on baby essentials worth up to £150 over the lifetime of your member ship.

3. A free series of glossy magazines.

4. Access to their interactive website, packed with tips and advice for new mums and mums-to-be, plus product reviews by Baby Club members.

5. A monthly email about must-have offers on all your baby essentials.

Sound useful!?

Admittedly, I am one of those mums who has good intentions… and you know how the rest goes. I mean to fill in applications for cards, coupons and clubs but just never get around to it.

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Pregnancy is entirely personal. Women do it differently. Women experience it differently. And there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way – let no one cajole you into thinking otherwise.

Although it’s important to allow yourself embrace the feelings (both positive and negative) brought on by pregnancy, there’s no harm in hearing advice and listening to the experiences of mums who have ‘been there, done that’ or are pregnant as well.

In the name of a little female bonding and familiarity, here are some Mums’ pregnancy tips that other pregnant mums have learnt (are learning) on their journey:

Liz Azilagyi aka The Health Convert (27 weeks preggers) says:

1. Making bread is good for you – “I love the smell, and opening the breadmaker to see a fresh loaf makes me happy.”

2. Walk yourself happy – “I always go for a 30-minute walk in my lunch hour. It stops me feeling sluggish and gives me an energy boost.”

3. Treat your body – “I slather myself with Mama Mio Tummy Rub Stretch Mark Butter all the time, and I haven’t got any stretchmarks yet.”

Rachel Whitaker aka The Fashionista (33 weeks preggers) says:

1. Bumps should be flaunted – “I tie a slim gold belt above my bump on a black dress, rather than on the waist where I used to where it. It highlights my shape nicely.

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I love a nappy bag that doesn’t look like a nappy bag! Traditional nappy bags scream ‘tired mum’, ‘baby powder’ and ‘pooey bottoms’. No thanks!

Being a mum is my favourite job in the world but when it comes to style, I like to be an ‘undercover mum’ who rocks her heels and flicks her hair with attitude and panache. Stylish nappy bags help.

If you’re a mum who thinks like me, you must check out Zatchels.com for the most stylish nappy bags EVER.

Now… the leather satchels are not your run-of-the-mill nappy bag but they can definitely do that job of one. They come in different sizes and look amazing.

Handmade in England from top quality leather with classic nickel silver buckles and beautiful cable stitching, and available in fun, funky prints, Zatchels’ satchels are bang on trend and make the most stylish nappy bags.

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Big news, ladies! BIG news. Mums-to-be will be given the right to have their babies by caesarean section – even if there is no medical need.

Wow! Talk about controversial.

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) says that caesareans have become so safe that every woman should be able to choose to have C-section birth.

But can the NHS afford this?

The Daily Mail reports that C-sections cost around £800 more than natural birth. Caesareans, increasing in popularity, account for just under a quarter of all deliveries.

Economists have calculated that reducing uptake by one percentage point could save the NHS £5.6million a year.

It’s likely that many women will be championing the fact that mums-to-be will be given the option to make an informed choice in terms of which birth procedure best suits them. But should the NHS fork out the extra cost per demand?

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