Parenting Q&As
We've had various parenting experts come on Mumsnet to chat about the best way to raise children and teenagers - and to pick your brains sometimes, too.
Gemma Gordon-Johnson, First4Adoption
"Social workers will help adopters to consider their parenting capabilities and adopters will be given as much information as possible about the child and their needs so they can make an informed decision about making them a part of their family." Gemma Gordon-Johnson, May 2013
Gemma Gordon-Johnson, head of service at First4Adoption, answered your adoption-related questions.
Charlotte Aynsley, TalkTalk"Parental controls do serve a very important purpose, but they are not a panacea. They are helpful in providing parents with opportunities for conversation, protection and a way of supporting their children to navigate the online world." Charlotte Aynsley, October 2012
Charlotte Aynsley, an expert in the field of internet safety. Charlotte has worked with the governments and schools on keeping children safe online.
Priscilla Sim, Relate"Ask for tolerance and patience, and the specific help you need, rather than expecting your partner to know, or criticising them for not knowing." Priscilla Sim, October 2012
Priscilla is a Relate counsellor and its resident blogger. She has a background in writing and work with children and young people. She began her training as a counsellor with ChildLine and then went on to train and work with Relate.
"The one message I would like to send out to mums and dads of the future to understand is that any period of breastfeeding will help a child's development." Mike Brady, December 2010
Mike Brady is networking coordinator at Baby Milk Action, a non-profit organisation which aims to save lives and to end the avoidable suffering caused by inappropriate infant feeding. You quizzed him on breastfeeding, formula and Nestlé.
Desmond Morris, author, zoologist and "people watcher"
"A child that is loved and knows that it is loved begins to develop an unconscious feeling that it must be lovable. It is this sensation of feeling worthy of love that gives them self-confidence." Desmond Morris, November 2010
Are boys inherently rougher than girls? Why do toddlers stand so close to the TV screen? And why do so many people seem to have a 'thing' about spiders? Professional peoplewatcher Desmond Morris answered your sociological queries and offered his parenting advice.
Charlie Taylor, behavioural expert
"The teenage brain goes through a big growth spurt and this involves a rewiring of the nerve connections. Result: all this electrical activity is a cause of typical teenage moodiness." Charlie Taylor, September 2010
Monosyllabic teenagers? Endless arguments? Untidy and uncooperative? Charlie, who has been a behavioural specialist for more than 10 years, gave Mumsnetters coping strategies.
Cathy Glass, foster carer and author
"I change unacceptable behaviour through the '3Rs' technique, using sanctions and rewards. Instead of the naughty step, I use time out - for the child or parent. " Cathy Glass, February 2010
Cathy Glass, who writes under a pseudonym, has been a foster carer for more than 20 years, and has authored several books including the No 1 bestseller Damaged. She answered your questions on foster caring and parenting.
