CHRISTMAS is a lovely time of year. A time when family and friends regroup to spend time with each other, to exchange gifts and share food.

A recipe for a happy family Christmas time goes as follows:

Give hugs and kisses liberally - after all they are free!

Use phones, tablets and consoles sparingly! Talking with and listening to your children will help to make them feel they are the most important thing in your life.

Don’t worry about spending lots of money on material gifts as spending quality time with your children is priceless.

Ensure the balance is right with a mixture of activities for both adults and children over the festive period, therefore minimising the opportunity for children to become bored and misbehave. The old classics work best when thinking of games for all of the family to play such as charades and the ‘Who am I?' game. Going for a walk through the Alphabet trail in Serpentine Woods is good in all weathers too.

Be kind to yourself and your family and have realistic expectations of this time of year.

Remember that family life is put under the microscope during the holidays, as usually your days are filled with work, school and clubs. Don’t worry if every aspect of your Christmas isn’t perfect. Enjoy the time you have together and learn from any ‘hiccups’ you experience along the way. There is no such thing as a perfect parent, or family for that matter - all we can aim to do is our best!

Wishing you a very happy Christmas.

See www.parentandbabycoach.co.uk

NEXT WEEK: Reflecting on your family Christmas