Small talk

Keeping you up to speed with parenting news.

Problem? We have just moved to Dubai and my daughter'sself-esteem has taken a bit of a knock. How can I help her?

Solution: Encourage your daughter to sign up with YOU (Your Own Understanding), a non-profit organisation set up to help children learn to appreciate and enhance their unique assets.

Through a series of workshops, members are taught to discover their purpose in life, and are encouraged to give back to the community through the "paying it forward" programme, where they set out to achieve a variety of good deeds.

Your daughter needs to register her interest on the website, www.you-dubai.com. Children's names are then drawn randomly from the database to attend
the course.

Tea, anyone?
Forget television and computer games. Help let your children's imaginations run wild with the selection of fun playhouses from Hollands and Burton, like this cute gingham cottage, Dhs1,700.

For even more fun, funky ideas, visit the new Hollands and Burton shop in the Al Manhal Building of the Shoreline Apartments on the Palm. Call 04-4220024.

Keep young teeth healthy by ensuring your child's diet is not too acidic. New research from Sensodyne show that acid erosion is a growing problem for children, with up to 30 per cent of 12 year olds and 53 per cent of five-year-old exhibiting tooth surface loss.

Pouch power
Too many chores, not enough hands? The clever Peanut Shell range of pouches allows you to keep baby close, while you get on with caring for your toddler or going bout your everyday business.

The slings come in a variety of styles and designs, and start at Dhs200. Visit www.kid-eternity.com.

DIARY DATE: Grab your man-sized and child-sized babes and head off to Plan B, Wafi for Baby Loves Disco! on Saturday October 11, 2pm-5pm. Book online at www.timeouttickets.com, Dhs95 per adult - kids free.