Couples are reportedly paying up to £30,000 to travel to the US to undergo a medical procedure to choose the sex of their baby.

Advances in IVF technology mean it is now possible to determine the sex of an embryo in the laboratory, before it is placed in the womb, with 100 per cent accuracy.  This procedure is currently banned in Europe with sex selection for social or ‘family balancing’ reasons being made illegal in the UK in October 2009, so couples are opting to travel abroad to countries such as the US where the practice is legal.

Although many couples with one child admit they would prefer another child of the opposite sex, studies show that very few of these couples would take deliberate steps to guarantee this – in fact many people feel intuitively there’s something not quite right about interfering with what nature intended.

I am expecting my second baby in two weeks time and I have been surprised at how many people ask if we know the sex and then offer an opinion that they ‘bet we must want a girl this time’ as we already have a little boy.

It is believed that most couples who undertake treatment do so to ‘balance’ their existing family.  Critics of the treatment suggest this ‘family balancing’ could lead to a cultural bias toward one gender, particularly in countries such as India and China where parents almost exclusively want a male child, while experts believe the effect will have no detrimental impact on the World’s population ratios because current numbers of couples having treatment are small.

Women who undergo the process first attend an IVF clinic in the UK, where they go through the egg-stimulation stage. They then fly to the US for the remainder of the treatment.

With clinics claiming 100% success rates, couples could now save time by placing an advance order on choice of cake for their Gender Reveal Party, another craze from the US to have swept our nation in recent months.

Is paying to ensure a boy or girl an acceptable practice that should be legalised or are we exploiting advances in science and taking the amazing gift of life a step too far?

What do you think about couples paying to choose the sex of their baby?  Does the gender of a baby really matter so long as it’s healthy?  Is this a purely selfish approach on the parents part to create the ‘perfect family’?  Should these couples not feel content and fortunate that they can have a healthy baby in the first place, particularly when so many couples can’t even conceive?

Tell us what you think?

Take your kids to work day becomes take your kids to work… permanently!  Could it honestly become a reality here in the UK?

Are you familiar with the endearing Velvet advert with the Executive toddler running the show in the workplace?  Well, it seems this isn’t too farfetched from future reality.

The latest US craze could be about to hit Britain bringing childcare to a whole new level.  It even made it onto BBC Breakfast this morning!  According to recent report in The Guardian, a reported 83 US-based companies are now actively encouraging parents to bring their babies into the workplace.

PC? Check. Blackberry? Check. Spare Nappies? Check.

Yes, you heard it right.  Some organisations in the US are allowing parents (usually the mothers) to bring their pre-school children into the office to sit alongside them while they continue (or at least try) to perform their professional role.  The US is surprisingly behind when it comes to protecting womens’ rights in the workplace, with paid statutory maternity leave unavailable in the majority of US states and jobs for working mothers only protected for a period of 12 weeks following the birth of a child.

With the current state of the economy and the increasing cost of childcare in the UK forcing mothers to make a choice between a career and full-time motherhood, is this an inspired idea designed to fix a growing problem or just plain daft?  Mothers are the world’s best multi-taskers.  Fact.  But is it really possible to do both?

I need the toilet…  NOW

Mothers know the demands and stresses of having a small child at home, let alone in a professional working environment.  Accidental wet pants that need changing, the unexpected poop emergency that won’t wait for anyone, especially not for Mummy’s strategic meeting that’s been in the diary for weeks, and jam sandwiches that end up being plastered over everything in sight.  Unpredictable children and their unscheduled demands and tantrums are part and parcel of being a mum, but do we really need to subject our work colleagues to this?

How do you control such a policy to avoid unnecessary disruption and conflict in the office and is it really fair on those people who do not have children, either through choice or circumstance, to inflict potentially chaotic working conditions on them?

I sympathise with the plight of working mothers entirely.  I had to take the tough decision a couple of years ago, choosing between motherhood and a successful career when it became clear I couldn’t juggle the demands of my job with giving time to being a new mum.  I chose motherhood, at least for the immediate future, but that doesn’t mean I don’t miss my job; the identity and status of being in a senior role, the independence, the attractive salary…  Much as the idea of doing both appeals, I know it would have been totally unfeasible for me to attempt to care for Oliver while trying to conduct myself in the office and adequately perform my role, not to mention the impact on my colleagues.

I agree there are certain office-based environments/businesses which could be more agreeable to entertaining integrated childcare than others, and in some organisations this arrangement may truly work, but from a practical perspective how does a company implement (and police) such a potentially explosive system whilst maintaining a perceived fair environment for all of its staff?

If you’ve ever tried checking e-mail on the PC with a small child on your knee, you’ll be all too familiar with the constant slapping of pesky (usually sticky) fingers being batted off with your hand, while you single-handedly try to navigate a keyboard, mouse and finish that now-luke-warm cup of tea.  Or how about a phone call when your little one just wants to grab the phone and gets a sudden urge to shout incoherently while you try to conduct an adult conversation and control your temper.  Now try transporting this to the relative tranquillity of the office environment. How do you cope with attendance of meetings, strict deadlines and unplanned changes to your schedule, not to mention safety in the workplace?  The open plan office may resemble an adventure playground for mischief-makers, but power cables, filing cabinets, lifts and staircases are real life hazards which could keep you running around like a lunatic trying to control your child, rather than focusing on the job in hand.

The “Marmite” effect

Love it or hate it?  A passing fad or here to stay?  Tell us what you think about bringing babies to work?

One thing is for sure, you will have to pay more attention to which milk you put into your coffee in future…

With the pesky clouds a distant memory and the glorious sushine finally making its long-awaited appearance it looks like the nation is set for a weekend of fun.  Just how much are we loving this great weather – it instantly brightens the mood, with adults and kiddie-winks hitting their back gardens to make the most of the rays!  We won’t let a hosepipe ban dampen our spirits!  Long may it last!

Our friends at Play Experts are specialists in helping children and families become more active and have more fun through outdoor play, so if you fancy having some real kiddie fun and making the most of the great outdoors without breaking the bank, check out these top tips below.  Enjoy!

Make sure your garden is ready for action

A simple mow of the lawn, chop of the bushes and pull of the weeds will not only rejuvenate the garden, it will be rejuvenating for you at the same time. It’s surprising how fresh and energised you feel after a good maintenance session in the summer sunshine – it’s not just about refreshing the garden; it’s about refreshing you, too.

Have fun together!

Now the hard work is over, it’s time to decide how best to use your newly groomed lawn. Whether you’ve got kids, friends or both, everyone can have fun together. It’s all about choosing the right games to keep everyone entertained. It’s not just about buying as many toys as possible, but the key is to have a couple of really brilliant activities that everyone will enjoy.

How about challenging your friends to a game of Giant Jenga or go retro with an updated version of the 80′s favourite, Swingball!  If you’re lucky enough to have a sturdy tree in the garden then a giant swing will provide hours of entertainment for all ages!

Encourage the kids to stay outside in the sunshine

While you’re trying to enjoy your gourmet barbeques, tasty cocktails and adult conversation, you can feel slightly irritated when the kids insist on swinging on your arms like cheeky chimps, pleading with you to let them go inside to play on their computer games. However, it’s actually quite easy to help them find things to do that’ll keep them outside and active in the lovely fresh air – all it takes is a little encouragement;

Switch off your TV set and do something less boring instead…

Children have amazing imaginations, so we don’t need to buy them countless toys and spend all of our time inventing games for them to play. They’re brilliant at doing that themselves. That said, giving them something to spark these impressive imaginations is key.  All you need to build a camp is an old sheet and a couple of chairs, but if you fancy something a little more durable then how about a really original gift that the children will cherish for years to come; a Wendy House.  They’re surprisingly good value if you go to the right place, don’t have to take up too much room and will be sure to provide hours of entertainment and create many fabulous adventures. It gives children their own little world to play in – something that is truly their own space and somewhere for them to shelter and enjoy, come rain or shine!

Organise a Treasure Hunt!

An egg hunt would be suitable for Easter, but any ‘treasure’ will prove just as fun and effective the rest of the time.  You can set up a garden hunt for the kids in no time using all sorts of hiding places, obvious ones are the best (otherwise it’ll take all day), and remember to leave fun clues on each. Children will have a wonderful time finding all the goodies, and it’s lovely seeing their little faces light up when they find the final prize! Alternatively, you could make them harder to find, keeping little ones occupied for longer, which means they’re likely to spend more time running around getting worn out (great when bedtime comes!).

One of the best ways to get kids interested in the garden is to introduce the garden to them in subtle, fun ways. An excellent way to do this is to give your kid a list for a nature scavenger hunt.  Alternatively you could create a kid-friendly space in one area of the garden for a little vegetable patch or flower garden.  Who remembers the fun of growing giant sunflowers in the good old days?

Whilst having fun is the priority, be sure to remember skin protection for your little ones in the frenzy of outdoor activity.  As the Australian’s like to say; Slip on a shirt, Slop on some sunscreen and Slap on a hat!

At the end of a fun day when the kids are exhausted and ready for bed, make the most of some quality adult time. Put your feet up, grab a cool glass of wine or Pimms and think about how you will spend tomorrow!

We’d love to hear what you like to get up to in the summer sun and how you’re planning to spend your Jubilee weekend?

A big thanks to Hannah at Big Game Hunters Wendy Houses Shop who contributed to our guest blog!

It seems the latest US craze is about to hit Britain with “Gender Reveal Parties” topping the list of themed events.  Hey, it even made it onto BBC Breakfast this morning!

So what is all the fuss about?

A Gender Reveal party is an excuse to bring friends and family together to find out as a group whether the expectant parents will be having a boy or a girl.  It seems in most cases even the parents do not know the flavour of child, with the sonographer’s findings being sealed inside an envelope and shipped directly to the bakery!

In a nutshell the gender of the unborn child is concealed inside the iced celebration cake (or cupcakes), with all eyes on the expectant parents as the cake is cut and a pink/blue centre is revealed.

You only need to watch a few clips on You Tube to witness the levels of mild hysteria enjoyed in the States at Gender Reveal events.

In the past the first question expectant parents would be asked due date, but with a reported 60% of parents choosing to know the gender of their baby before they are born it is now as likely to be “Is it a boy or girl?”.

Potential pitfalls

What if the bakery was to accidentally muddle up two gender reveal cakes?  What if the sonograper gets it wrong at the scan?  It is not unheard of.

My son’s nursery assistant was expecting a baby in February and decided to find out the gender of the child at her 20-week scan.  Cue oohs and aahs from all around when she revealed to us she was expecting a baby girl.  Then came the whirlwind of spending on all things pink – snowsuits, rompers, bedding, pram accessories – you name it she had it.  The room was, of course, decorated girlie pink and we all waited for news of the pre-named baby girl to arrive.  Only when the big day came it wasn’t a girl – it was a bouncing baby boy…

I found this amusing little anecdote on the Internet, observed by a customer in the queue of a US bakery store.  It went something like this…

Expectant Father: “Hi, I’m here to pick up cupcakes for XXX?”

Assistant: “Oh yes, we have them right here.  Two dozen cupcakes with the pink filling, right?”.

Cue stunned silence and look of total disbelief on the expectant father’s face.

So a passing fad or here to stay?

Is this yet another commercial gimmick from the US; an inventive money-making scheme designed to indulge the happy couple and get us spending, or is this a genuinely original way to celebrate amazing news with family and friends?

Do people really want to revel in the premature excitement of the gender of an unborn child at a themed party or are they happy to wait for news of the birth, just thankful it’s a healthy baby regardless of gender?  And do expectant parents really want to share what is traditionally an intimate and personal moment with a room full of people or is it better to keep it private and tell family and friends afterwards?

Tell us what you think.  Would you like to discover the gender of your unborn baby in front of family and friends with a Gender Reveal Cake or do you think this is a baby celebration too far?

Share your views below…

With it being St Patrick’s Day on Saturday I thought it would be fun to have a themed Blog.  This indulgent recipe from Nigella for Chocolate Guinness cake is guaranteed to be a hit with grown-ups and should prove popular all year round!

I asked my friend for the recipe after she made it once and I, in turn, have passed it on.  It’s totally moreish and you can bet your friends will be asking you for the recipe too…

As with all Nigella recipes this one is pretty much fool-proof and I reckon it’s one of the best cakes I’ve ever eaten.  Really moist, squidgy, indulgent and delicious!  Yum!

This is intended to feed 12 normal people (or alternatively six really greedy ones!) and it is based on ever-generous Nigella proportions!

The white icing gives the cake its authentic ‘St Patrick’s Day’ feel; a big frothy topping on a rich black cake, but if you’re watching the waistline (ha, ha – you’ll be lucky!) or just plain impatient then this cake works equally well on its own.

The quantity of icing can be a little on the generous side, surprise, surprise.  If you like a huge, thick topping – and I mean huge – you’ll be fine, otherwise you may decide to save some in the fridge for icing cup cakes, or secretly scoffing straight from the bowl around midnight, just as Nigella would!

For the cake:

·         250ml Guinness
·         250g unsalted butter
·         75g cocoa powder
·         400g caster sugar
·         142ml pot of soured cream
·         2 eggs
·         1 tablespoon vanilla extract
·         275g plain flour
·         2 ½ teaspoons bicarbonate of soda

For the icing:

·         300g tub of cream cheese
·         150g icing sugar
·         125ml double or whipping cream

To make the cake:

1. Preheat oven to 180°C
2. Grease and line a 23cm springform cake tin
3. Pour the Guinness into a large saucepan, add the butter in small chunks and heat until the butter melts
4. As soon as the butter has melted whisk in the cocoa powder and sugar
5. Beat the soured cream with the eggs and vanilla, then pour into the Guinness mixture and blend
6. Finally whisk in the flour and bicarbonate of soda
7. Pour the cake batter into the pre-prepared tin and bake from 45 minutes to one hour
8. Leave to cool completely in the tin on a cooling rack (it is quite a damp cake) and get on with making the icing

To make the icing:

1. Put the icing sugar into a food processor and quickly blitz to remove any lumps, then add the cream cheese and blend until smooth and creamy
2. Add the cream and beat until the mixture forms a thick, spreadable consistency

Ice the top of the cooled cake so it resembles the frothy top of a pint of the black stuff and get stuck in!

Enjoy.

Looking for inspiration for entertaining kids in the kitchen?

Then try these scrummy little treats.  They’re easy to make and healthy to boot (well, that’s what we reckon as they are chock full of cranberries…!).  Kids love getting involved and helping out and these quick and easy muffins are a perfect treat!

You’ll need:

• 100g butter
• 284ml carton of soured cream
• 2 large free-range eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 280g plain flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 200g golden caster sugar
• 4 tsp poppy seeds
• 140g fresh or frozen cranberries
• One muffin tray with muffin cases

Preheat the oven to 190°C/Gas Mark 5/Fan Oven 170°

Melt butter in a bowl and leave to cool for a minute, then beat in soured cream, followed by the eggs and vanilla extract (I use an electric whisk for this bit).

In another bowl sift the flour, bicarbonate of soda and baking powder, then stir in the sugar and the poppy seeds.

Combine the soured cream mixture with the dried ingredients, followed by those oh-so-healthy cranberries!  Do not over mix, the mixture should look slightly lumpy making it a perfect job for little helpers!

Portion into 10-12 muffin cases.

Bake for 20-25 minutes – test with a skewer, it should pull out clean when the muffins are ready.  Place muffins onto a coling rack.

Leave to cool slightly (around five minutes is my limit before any shred of self-control runs out), then get stuck in.  Nom, nom, nom. Delish!!

“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.”

I’m a huge Dr. Seuss fan.  I know, I know, I’m one of millions.  I mean who can resist the charms of his fun-filled books?

With such timeless qualities and wide-appeal, Dr. Seuss books have been inspiring fans, young and old, for generations.  As today is the 108th anniversary of the great man’s Birthday I thought we’d celebrate by sharing our top three picks of alternative Suess-inspired creations.

1. For starters we’re loving this super-cute furniture.  Imagine if Dr. Seuss were to decorate your room, the fun you’d have?  Imagine if your parent’s let him do it?!

2. Or how about these edible creations?

From yummy-scrummy cookies featuring the quirky characters from some of Seuss’ best-known books, like The Grinch and The Cat in The Hat…

…to these gorgeous Seuss-inspired cakes.  If you fancy russling up an edible treat, but need a little inspiration then check out this website with some of the coolest home-made cakes around!

4. Who can resist the charms of this funky little outdoor playhouse?  With its bright colours and angular walls it feels very “Seuss”…

4. If you’re after something a little more permanent, then you could always brace yourself and go for a Dr.Seuss tattoo like these brave (stupid?) people have.  I wonder what Dr. Seuss would have made of these?

5. But finally, and I have to admit my personal favourite when it comes to “getting into character”, is the Dr. Seuss-themed set of wedding vows!  Just take a look at these…

Vicar: Will you answer me right now
These questions, as your wedding vow?

Groom: Yes, I will answer right now
Your questions as my wedding vow.

Vicar: Will you take her as your wife?
Will you love her all your life?

Groom: Yes, I take her as my wife,
Yes, I’ll love her all my life.

Vicar: Will you have, and also hold
Just as you have at this time told?

Groom: Yes, I will have, and I will hold,
Just as I have at this time told,
Yes, I will love her all my life
As I now take her as my wife.

Vicar: Will you love through good and bad?
Whether you’re happy or sad?

Groom: Yes, I’ll love through good and bad,
Whether we’re happy or sad,
Yes, I will have and I will hold
Just as I have already told,
Yes, I will love her all my life,
Yes, I will take her as my wife!

Vicar: Will you love her if you’re rich?
Or if you’re poor, and in a ditch?

Groom: Yes, I’ll love her if we’re rich,
And I will love her in a ditch,
I’ll love her through good times and bad,
Whether we are happy or sad,
Yes, I will have, and I will hold
(I could have sworn this has been told!)
I promise to love all my life
This woman, as my lawful wife!

Vicar: Will you love her when you’re fit,
And also when you’re feeling sick?

Groom: Yes, I’ll love her when we’re fit,
And when we’re hurt, and when we’re sick,
And I will love her when we’re rich
And I will love her in a ditch
And I will love through good and bad,

And I will love when glad or sad,
And I will have, and I will hold
Ten years from now a thousandfold,
Yes, I will love for my whole life
This lovely woman as my wife!

Vicar: Will you love with all your heart?
Will you love till death you part?

Groom: Yes, I’ll love with all my heart
From now until death do us part,
And I will love her when we’re rich,
And when we’re broke and in a ditch,
And when we’re fit, and when we’re sick,
(Oh, CAN’T we get this finished quick?)
And I will love through good and bad,
And I will love when glad or sad,
And I will have, and I will hold,
And if I might now be so bold,
I’ll love her my entire life,
Yes, I WILL take her as my wife!

Vicar: Then if you’ll take her as your wife,
And if you’ll love her all your life,
And if you’ll have, and if you’ll hold,
From now until the stars grow cold,
And if you’ll love through good and bad,
And whether you’re happy or sad,
And love in sickness, and in health,
And when you’re poor, and when in wealth,
And if you’ll love with all your heart,
From now until death do you part,
Yes, if you’ll love her through and through,
Please answer with these words:

Vicar and Groom: I DO!

Vicar: You’re married now! So kiss the bride,
But please, do keep it dignified.

So raise a toast to the great man.  Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!  Thanks for inspiring us with your much-loved books and wonderful imagination!