Parenting magazines, where have all the good ones gone?

[WideWebWitch]

As a magazine addict I'm really disappointed by the parenting magazines on offer. I don't want to read the pregnancy ones since I'm not pregnant and I find Junior a bit, not sure what the word is, unrealistic? Vogue for kids-ish.

Anyone remember M magazine? That was a good parenting magazine, full of good advice and realistic articles. And Wipe magazine was only around for a few issues a couple of years ago, but at least it was a down to earth publication. Anyone found a good one that I've missed?

Oh www, I miss Wipe too. Almost like a print version of mumsnet...now there's a thought for J, C & R if the book publishing deal wavers.
And I so agree about Junior. Ridiculous consumerist piffle. Can't think why I have a subscription...

There is nothing out there for anyone who is past the "oh my god I've just had a baby and I haven't a clue what to do" - apart from Junior, which is a bit hit and miss and is obviously aimed at the higher spending end of the market. At least Junior has some funny articles in it and isn't just advice on how to be a perfect mother.

Agree with everyone!! I loathe the mags on offer - all shiny and wholesome, or dour and serious for more important issues. New Baby promises an interesting article on the front every issue, I but it, and skip thru the vast majority of it to reach the said article, which is always a letdown - it tries to cover too muc in one small mag - conception/pregnancy/birth/first few weeks/older babies - just can't successfully be done!
How I long to read a mag thats just down to earth, and a good laugh. One interspersed with womens stuff would be good - i.e. articles on fashion (not baby or pregnancy!), lovely treats for us, interesting travel info etc - make us have faith in a life outside of babydom! As it is, i start a mag, and get bored halfway thru!!

What magazines - not parenting ones - if any exist that cater for women who also happen to be mums? There is such an obvious gap in the market for a fun, intelligent, interesting read - I can't remember the last time I bought a women's mag - I tend to just buy stacks of newspapers at the weekend and work my way through them during the week. Can anyone point me in the right direction - or is there really nothing out there?

Willow2, you need to be reading Eve, Red, and Real. I find these are the best for 'mums', but not too unrealistic about other stuff.

However I can't believe all of you are bitching about the magazines I work on, Mother & Baby and Pregnancy & birth!

So are they really that bad!

Actually, you don't need to responsd to that, the problem is that in general women don't want to be defined as a 'mum' when they are buying magazines (except in the first few months). After that research shows that while they are interested in 'mum' type features and funnies, they are also women who have many different interests and therefore the mainstream coonsumer mags fill that gap. That is why the 'middle youth' market in womens glossies have grown up in the last few years. Red, Eve and Real are all targeted at women who have grown out of Cosmo and New Woman, but are not ready to read Prima or Good Housekeeping. They are still interested in fashion, beauty, holidays etc, but want a bit of family, cooking and decorating thrown in.

So that is why there is no magazine like you are describing, as there is no money to be made (Wipe is no longer, as it didn't make money!)

Ta v much Chrunchie - just been out and bought them so will let you know what I think! What do you do on the magazines? Or is that too personal a question to ask? Also, just bought a new mag called Family - haven't read it cover to cover, but seems funny and informative and a good mix of articles. Anyone else spotted this new arrival?

I got SHE last week, and enjoyed it, will buy it next month.

I buy SOOOO many mags, and hoard them until hubby can take it no longer! I like Ideal Home, Good Homes, Junior (waiting for subscription to end!), Good Housekeeping, and OK & Woman, for weekly reading.

When I go home to parents, I read my younger sisters mags, ELLE etc, and they are just so fashion, fashion, fashion. Think that was why I liked SHE, it covered everything.

I love Red, I buy it every month and it never fails to engage me. It is the only magazine I absolutely must buy. Although I could easily become a magazine junkie but stop myself as I simply haven't got the time or money.

I must admit I loathe the idea of 'parenting' magazines for the very reason that Crunchie mentioned: I am more than simply a Mum! Which is one of the reasons I love Mumsnet; I feel like a whole, rounded person here...rather than a pigeonholed person... and whilst my children are central to my life (obviously) and I am very glad to be a Mum, lots of other topics crop up here too, which is part of its appeal, personally.

I buy Real Life (always makes me feel better about my own sh*tty life) and have started buying Real as well.

I get Real delivered fortnightly - I find this time scale is just right - not too often and not too long to wait.

I have tried loads of magazines but then find I get bored with them.

I like Real Life as I read the stories and my dd loves helping me with the quizzes, although we have yet to win anything.

Winnie, I'm a recent convert to Red as well - thought the interview with Kristin Scott Thomas in last month's was excellent. I usually enjoy Eve too. Does anyone else remember the old-style, enormous She with Dr Delvin's saucy sex problems page and the funky knitting patterns? From the age of 12 I used to steal my mum's copy, much more informative than Cathy and Claire...

Great to see that I'm not the only magazine junkie - I even hide mine from hubby so he doesn't know how many I buy. I really think I've got an addiction problem (along with chocs, fags etc etc).

My must haves are Red and She and I love Living Etc (oh to own some of the homes in there). Nothing better than getting the kids in bed, glass of wine and a good mag (other than mumsnet that is).

recently became addicted to the Homes section of the Evening Standard, haven't a clue why, it just makes a wednesday complete..how sad!

Willow2, it's not too personal. I am the sponsorship manager on those magazines, which in case that doesn't make sense it advertising plus a bit!

I must say I also love Heat magazine, for all the celeb dirt!! That seems to be the one 'must read' at the moment in our office. But I am so lucky I can justify my huge expenditure on magazines as research

Marina - yes! And the supercrozzle! My mother still has copies from the early 80s. They look dated but friendly and cosy!!

My favourite glossy mag is Mens Health. It sems to be just like some of the better womens ones but iwthout what I call the stupid stuff!
Crunchie, I did not know you worked on P&B! Do you surf mumsnet as work or leisure?!
For ages when I first read P&B I thought the logo with the curly writing read "Rob" - and so did two of my friends - have a look at it and you will see what I mean. I wondered who the heck Rob was!
Hope you don't mind me giving an example of "Stupid Stuff". In this months P&B there is a small feature on stretch mark creams, three creams tested by three pregnant women. What a pile of nonsense! No mention was made to the effect it is a matter of luck/genetics whether you get stretch marks, rubbing creams on will not make a jot of a difference. Most women know this and those who don't should not be misled by articles like this! Rant over.

My favourite was Woman's Journal - and I was devastated to find out in January that the issue I was reading was the last ever.

I also buy Good Housekeeping (like Mother, like daughter) and Good Food magazine. Actually, it may be just as well that WJ has shut down, as since ds arrived, I never have time to read my magazines! Whereas before I used to read all three from cover to cover, now there are months when I buy the next issue and I've hardly opened the previous one.

Alright Jasper that is as maybe, that strech marks are genetic. However creams can reduce the appearance since the skin is well moisturised it copes better and the fade quicker. Also bear in mind companies produce strechmark cream, they advertise with us, and people buy them. Therefore it is a small feature on suggesting nice creams that may or may not help.

Star, so YOU were the lucky one! I never used to win a thing with those magazines, just run up a whopping phone bill. Online I sometines go on prizefinder.com and won a lovely Scottish hamper just before Christmas and a CD - not much I know, but I'm just glad to win ANYTHING!

Sorry Crunchie, I can't let that pass! Rubbing creams on your belly will not make a blind bit of difference . Statements like "creams can reduce the appearance... " are just not true. Yes people buy them , yes they may smell nice, yes they may enjoy using them and yes the manufacturers help pay to produce your magazine. But No, they do not "reduce the appearance" or help prevent stretch marks .
That's what I hate about womens magazines, the peddling of mistruths which of course we hope might have a spark of truth in them. And the apparent willingness of us women to part with hard cash for things that don't work.

Absolutely Pamina! Do you think it works?
I would even eat the stretchmarks creams if I thought they might bring on labour!

Out of curiosity can you get a mag called Practical Parenting there? It's a really good one I think (aussie)...

I can't name a single magazine I like! I hated all the parenting magazines and I really dislike all "womens'" magazines. Apart from health, I can't see that we would have anything different to a "mans'" magazine.