I know you must be all wondering what the large yellow ball hanging in the sky is this week, as much to our amazement the sun is shining down at long last! They say that sunshine fill us with optimism and positivity and that’s pretty much our theme this week as we chat with parenting coach and author Sue Atkins.

Her book ‘Raising Happy Children’ is the latest in the popular ‘For Dummies’ series to hit the shelves, and we hear from Sue why she thinks confidence is the key to successful parenting, and why she’s busy with parents from all walks of life who are struggling along the parenting path.

We also look at some of the quirkier gadgets hitting the news this week, as well as some babygros that aim to get your baby cleaning your kitchen floor! I kid you not.

Enjoy the show!

           If you like fairytales and happy endings then you’ll enjoy this week’s podcast as we catch up with entrepreneur Marneta Viegas from Relaxkids.com. With a Degree in Performing Art, Marneta was a professional children’s entertainer as well as children’s theatre director for 13 years. She came up with the idea for children’s mediations some years ago, and having spotted a gap in the market launched her relaxation classes, CDs and training programmes, which all have the one goal: of helping children to still their thoughts and relax. She also tells us how she found her Prince last year (by posting a ‘wanted’ ad!) and how her fairytale life is unfolding at her home at ‘Fairytale Cottage’.

And in keeping with the theme of helping kids to relax, we also catch up with Kirstie Affleck of Babyslingsandoutdoorthings.com, who tells us why babywearing and slings are becoming so popular with modern mums.

And we wish Darina bon voyage on her summer holidays!

Enjoy the show

The words ‘get stuffed’ might be on the tip of your tongue at various times during your day as a Mum, but it’s got a whole different meaning this week here on Mumcentric. Some weeks ago Darina mentioned artist and craftswoman Lucy Moose (great name!) who makes her living by stuffing doodles- literally.

This week we chat with Lucy from www.stuffyourdoodles.com and hear how she can take any picture you or your child has drawn, and can turn it into a 3-d work of art.

We also review the fitness phenomenon of the Nintendo Wii, as well as hearing how children who eat meals at the family table are less likely to take drugs/drink, suffer mental problems and will do better at school. Now that’s some incentive to lead your child (and their plate) back from the couch to the table isn’t it?!

And we give you the final clue in our competition series- it’s the last week of the competition so get your entries in fast.

Enjoy the show.