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Claire Banks is a young first-time mum who blogs for The Argus under the name Contented Mummy.

Christmas is not the most wonderful time of the year

Are you sick of it yet? Where most people have been ramping up the festivities since 1st December, I retreated into a bubble. I don't think Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year.

My Baby Expo: post-natal support & Mister Maker (of course!)

As a new parent, I'm heading on down to Baby Expo this Sunday at the Amex Community Stadium (not only because I'm doing a spot of blogging) but to see what new things are out there to support my family life. I've been browsing down the exhibitor list on the Baby Expo website to prioritise who to visit on Sunday (yep, I'm a planner!). I was happy to see there's a great balance between innovative baby brands, ante and post-natal classes, charities and parent support groups.

Business Mums say your network creates success

This week we said goodbye to one of business' most formidable characters, Steve Jobs. A man who became synonymous with a brand he made one of the largest on the planet. Mumpreneurs at the Business Mums Summit acknowledged that like Mr Jobs and Apple, real success comes from surrounding yourself with the right people.

Business Mums gather to inspire, network and celebrate success

Next week Brighton plays host to the Business Mums Summit, a networking event for parents running their own business. 'Mumpreneur' has certainly become the latest business watchword and networking events such as these are firmly fixed in the women's work calendars.

Can Elm Grove & the council find a parking solution?

Once again parking issues in Hanover and Elm Grove have got everyone's pants in a twist. Cars parked behind yellow lines on the pavements were decorated with flyers this week. First by a pretty little yellow one from the council, with a warning stating they would receive a fixed penalty notice after 3rd October if they parked illegally. Then by the Hanover and Elm Grove Local Action Team inviting them to a meeting Monday 26th September to object.

Late arrival, speedy birth

After a frustrating wait nine days past my due date we finally welcomed a healthy baby girl into the world. Just when we thought we knew what we needed to know about labour, we were taken completely surprise with our birth.

Is it safe to recycle the famiily crib?

For our impending arrival, we are proud to use the crib that I slept in as a child in 1973. However, although we have slept five babies in the crib over 38 years, it could be a little naïve and risky to use family heirlooms.

My Community Reporter Journey

It's been over 18 months since Brighton & Hove Community Reporters network was set up and I've been on the ride since the beginning.

Brighton Festival: there’s an app for that

The organisers behind the Brighton Festival, Fringe and Artist Open Houses have made it even more easier to access events program information, venue iinformation and experience sharing this year with iPhone and Android apps plus Flickr groups and Twitter #tags. Here’s the lowdown on social media and news guides to help you get the best our of festival season: Brighton Festival App: They are calling this an app but its technically a mobile site for iPhone and Android which offers really good download speed of essential information: events and venue details. As it is only a mobile site, there are no other tools e.g. saving favourites or planned events.

Open house: last chance to see...

This week is the last chance to see ‘Home Is Where the Art Is’ at the Fishing Quarter Gallery, the latest instalment in the I Love Art Brighton story, curated by Sarah Gillings.

Pregancy Yoga: connect with your mind, body and baby

Many women during pregnancy experience problems with their core stability, back pain and sciatica. Yoga can not only help cope with these issues but also prepare your body for childbirth.