Blog - Essential Parenting

Normal Night Waking Explained: What’s Typical for Babies and Toddlers

by Helen Davies | Feb 2, 2026 | Blog

If your baby or toddler wakes during the night, you are not alone.Normal night waking is one of the most common worries parents share, and one of the biggest sources of self-doubt and exhaustion in the early years. Many parents come to me believing their child’s sleep...

Why You’re Still Exhausted Even When Your Child Sleeps

by Helen Davies | Jan 19, 2026 | Blog

If your child is sleeping better but you are still exhausted, you are not alone. This is one of the most common things parents say, often quietly and with a sense of guilt attached. Many expect that once nights improve, energy should return too. When it does not,...

Call To Make Learning Through Play and Continuous Provision Statutory in KS1

by Helen Davies | Jan 13, 2026 | Blog

A petition launched by play-based learning consultant Ruth Lue-Quee is urging the UK Government to make play and continuous provision statutory for children aged 5 to 7 in Key Stage 1 (KS1). With over 100,000 signatures secured, the campaign has secured a...

Why Baby Sleep Feels Worse in Winter (And Why It’s Not a Regression)

by Helen Davies | Jan 12, 2026 | Blog

Winter sleep can feel relentless for many families.Not because routines disappear, but because capacity does. By January, many parents are already running on empty. Illness has often moved through the household more than once. Daylight is limited. Outdoor time is...

How To Protect Sleep At Christmas

by Helen Davies | Dec 9, 2025 | Blog

The weeks leading up to Christmas are full of magic. The lights, the excitement, the school nativities, the visits to see family, the treats and the late nights all create a feeling of anticipation that children absolutely thrive on. But while their hearts may be...

Understanding Postnatal Anxiety: Why It Happens, What It Feels Like, and How to Get Help

by Helen Davies | Nov 4, 2025 | Blog

Becoming a parent is one of the biggest emotional shifts a person can experience.Your body changes, your hormones fluctuate, your sleep disappears, and suddenly, the weight of caring for a tiny human falls entirely on your shoulders. Most parents expect tiredness and...

Normal Night Waking Explained: What’s Typical for Babies and Toddlers

Why You’re Still Exhausted Even When Your Child Sleeps

Call To Make Learning Through Play and Continuous Provision Statutory in KS1

Why Baby Sleep Feels Worse in Winter (And Why It’s Not a Regression)

How To Protect Sleep At Christmas

Understanding Postnatal Anxiety: Why It Happens, What It Feels Like, and How to Get Help

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