Some say eat chocolate for a girl or red meat for a boy. But do these myths work? Well if you are keen for a particular sex it can’t hurt to try. If you are reading this and you are already pregnant check our onsite article on myths for finding out the sex.

So if you have a particular preference for your babies sex some say -

It's all in the timing...or the direction

Many people check their daily horoscope for guidance, so it isn’t surprising the same forces can dictate when to make love if you want to pick your baby's sex?

If you want a boy...

• Have sex at night
• Make love when there's a quarter moon in the sky
• Mark your calendar — more boys are conceived on odd days of the month
• Follow the compass — it is believed pointing the woman's head north while you make love guarantees a boy

If you want a girl...

• Do the baby dance when the moon is full
• Make a date for love in the afternoon
• Enjoy your pleasures on the even days of the month

Keeping your cool

It is believed being relaxed when you conceive means you'll have a girl. If you're a worrier it’s going to be a boy.

But temperature may play a role too. Some say a man's testicles should be cool before you have sex if you want a daughter; for a son, warm them up.

This follows the belief about boxers versus briefs — go for tighty-whities if you want a boy, but hang loose if it’s a girl you are after.

Your child is what you eat

Many believe what you eat before conceiving may affect what sex appears nine months later.

If you want a boy...

• Eat more meat — the redder the better
• Stick with salty snacks
• Dads-to-be: Stock up on fizzy sodas, especially cola drinks

If you want a girl...

• Both partners should eat lots of fish and vegetables
• Give in to your chocolate craving, or just eat sweets in general

The joy of sex

How you make love can also be an influence.

If you want a boy...

• Lie down after sex and stay there for a while. That will give the boy sperm a chance to beat the girl sperm to the egg
• Focus on his pleasure — if the male partner climaxes first, supposedly you're guaranteed a boy
• Make love standing up
• Ladies sleep on the left side of your partner
• Try the rear-entry position
• Give in to seduction — if the man is the one to suggest some baby-making, you'll get a boy

If you want a girl...

• Give the missionary position a go
• Make love with the woman on top
• Focus on her pleasure — if the woman orgasms before her partner, this is the sign for a girl
• Take the lead — if the woman initiates sex, you'll get a girl

And finally ...

Some tales can’t be categorised. For example, some say if the hairline at the base of your last child's neck is a ducktail, your next baby will be a girl. If it's straight across, prepare for a boy.  Or the baby's sex is determined by which partner is dominant in the relationship at the time of conception.

If you are looking for local babies and kid services across the Coast such as fun toddler classes, midwives, preschools, party ideas or more. Or you're looking for pet services including vets, kennels, pet shops and more check out our local Coastie directory links at Babies and Kids and Pet and Animal Services.

Many children plead with their parents for a furry companion, and the benefits of owning a dog are undeniable. Dogs not only teach responsibility and consistency but also offer unconditional companionship, particularly beneficial for children facing developmental challenges. From therapy assistance to being a reliable friend when parents are occupied, dogs play a significant role in family dynamics.

Here's a glimpse into some wonderful dog breeds that seamlessly integrate into family life:

Bichon Frise

With their lively personality and fluffy coats, Bichon Frise’s bring joy to any household. Regular grooming is necessary to maintain their appearance, but their hypoallergenic nature makes them suitable for families with allergies.

Poodle

Highly intelligent and versatile, Poodles are excellent family pets also known for their hypoallergenic coats. Regular grooming is essential to prevent matting, but their friendly demeanour and trainability make them cherished members of any family.

Bulldogs

Despite their intimidating appearance, Bulldogs are affectionate and ideal for families with kids. Their energy levels taper with age, aligning well with children's growth. Regular wiping is necessary to maintain their trademark wrinkles, but their loving and protective nature makes them cherished family members.

Beagles

Known for their floppy ears and friendly demeanour, Beagles are great companions for children. However, their love for food requires careful monitoring to prevent obesity (and also stealing from the kid's plates!). Regular exercise and attention are essential to curb any potential behavioural issues, ensuring a harmonious family environment.

Collie

Renowned for their loyalty and intelligence, Collies are iconic family pets, epitomized by the legendary Lassie. While they may exhibit herding instincts, their gentle nature and adaptability make them ideal companions for children.

Labrador Retriever

Labradors are renowned for their friendly disposition and adaptability, making them beloved family pets. While they require regular exercise and grooming, their loyalty and obedience make them invaluable companions for children.

Golden Retriever

With their gentle demeanour and love for outdoor activities, Golden Retrievers are perfect for active families. Despite some health concerns, their low-maintenance coats and trainable nature make them popular choices for households with children, especially those who love the great outdoors.

Labradoodle

A crossbreed of Labrador Retrievers and Poodles, Labradoodles inherit the best traits of both breeds. Their intelligence, affection, and minimal shedding make them ideal family pets, providing companionship and joy to children and adults alike.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Loving and affectionate, Cavalier King Charles spaniels are known for their compatibility with both children and also with other pets. They are easy-going and enjoy a great play, and also show remarkable patience with children.

Each of these dog breeds brings its unique charm and qualities to family life, enriching the experience of growing up with a furry friend.

When you're pregnant, sometimes it's the little things you can't live without. Whether it's clothes to make it easier to move around, tips for sleeping better or something to soothe your skin, here are some tips on making life easier when pregnant.

Body Pillow

These can be a great sleep aid. Good support for sleeping but also comfortable for wrapping around your body when sitting and a savior for back and hips.

Bra Solutions

Bra extenders can be very useful to be able to continue using your “smaller” bras for longer when pregnant. You can also purchase sleep bras which give you support at night if you are especially large.

Skin Lotions

Often you can get skin irritations or rubbing when pregnant. Some solutions include aloe vera gel which can be a lifesaver in a number of situations. Cocoa Butter lotion can be very good for helping reduce stretch marks. It is said Bio-Oil helps in preventing tears during labour if you massage it into your perineum and olive oil is also supposedly good for stretch marks.

Clothing

Wrap dresses can not only be comfortable but can be long lasting as you grow in pregnancy. Leggings with long T shirts are always a great lifesaver. Slip on shoes are great particularly if you have a tendency for your feet to swell and yoga pants can always be a good back up

Plus a great wardrobe extending idea is to use a hair tie or rubber band to extend your jeans or pants by putting it through the button hole and then looping both ends around the button or fastener.

Cats hold a unique position in the Felidae family as the only species domesticated by humans, with approximately 720 million pet and stray cats worldwide. Dating back to around 7500 BC, these beloved creatures have become integral members of countless households. But what else do we know about our enigmatic feline friends?

1. Cats assert ownership of their humans by marking them with scent glands located in their cheeks, paws, and flanks, leaving a subtle message for other cats.
2. Meowing is a behavior primarily reserved for communication with humans; cats typically rely on body language to communicate with each other.
3. With an estimated 14-16 hours of sleep per day, cats spend around 70% of their lives snoozing.
4. Whiskers serve as mood indicators; relaxed whiskers hanging down signify contentment, while forward-facing whiskers may indicate agitation.
5. Cats are captivated by catnip, particularly the real Nepeta Cataria variety, thanks to the euphoric effects of nepetalactone, a volatile substance found in the plant.
6. The cat's tongue boasts tiny spikes called papillae, which, when licked, distribute saliva to the fur and skin, aiding in cooling.
7. Each cat's nose print is as unique as a fingerprint, potentially serving as a means of identification if a scanner were developed.
8. Red cats are predominantly male, while tricolored cats are typically female.
9. White cats with blue eyes are more susceptible to deafness due to genetic anomalies.
10. The oldest recorded cat, "Creme Puff," lived to the remarkable age of 38, earning a place in the Guinness Book of Records for her longevity. Born on August 3rd, 1967, she passed away on August 6th, 2005, marking exactly 38 years and three days of life.

Thinking about having a guinea pig as a pet? For many guinea pigs are ideal pets for kids and families as they are cute, cuddly, tolerant of boisterous kiddies and are relatively low maintenance. Here are six good reasons to own a Guinea Pig:

• They are affectionate and social
• They are inexpensive to buy and maintain, and
  rarely bite
• They don't require vaccinations and are not
  prone to disease
• They won't rip up your house
• They don't smell, because unlike their fellow
  rodents, they don't have musk glands
• They don't require a lot of space and are thus
  ideal for people living in small homes like apartments or townhouses.

However, guinea pigs can be messy!

Guinea pigs are herbivores and require a high-fibre diet. They should have grass or grass hay available at all times. Lucernce or clover hay can be offered but not as the sole source of fibre as they are high in calcium and protein. Suitable grasses include clover, buffalo grass and oat grass. Guinea pigs also enjoy dandelion, milk thistle and a variety of fresh herbs.

If you are a clean freak you might want to think twice about a guinea pig. They are slobs. They poo in their food, water and bedding. They scatter their bed into their water and their water into their food. So because they can't do it, you need to check, clean and restock their food and water containers daily.

Enjoy!

Toys driving you mad? Here are some practical tips on controlling the mess!

Big deep toy boxes often don’t work well. Toys get jumbled into one big mess, small pieces get lost in the tangle and toddlers have no choice but to empty the whole thing on the floor to find what they want.

Collect lots of small, easy to handle, easy to carry, un-lidded containers, so children can sort their toys into groups – all the building things in one, wheeled toys in another, and so on.

Have fun with lots of big, coloured hooks labelled for coats, hats, bags, skipping ropes, dress-ups. It may not look elegant, but you and your children will be able to find what you need.

Use symbols or colours, even allocate one colour to each child if that works for you. Eg Sophie has a pink towel, pink toothbrush, pink hook for clothes and a pink box, or pink star on her box of toys.

Organise things into activity areas – puzzles, reading, art – so everything to do with that activity is there. Eg keep paper, aprons, wipe-up cloths and hanging pegs in one bin along with the pens, pencils, crayons, brushes and paints to make set up and cleaning up easy. During the day, convert a space from one activity to another by putting art stuff away and bringing out the puzzles bin.

Make finding stuff and putting it away fun and interesting to build good habits for a lifetime.

Preschool teachers have made an art of labelling boxes and crates.