Whether you are a working parent or looking after the children full-time, here are some ways to make parenthood that little bit easier.

Being a new parent can be exhausting, whether you're juggling parenthood with a job outside your home or staying at home full-time to take care of your new baby. However, if you can compromise and take a few shortcuts in some areas of your life, you really can enjoy the best of both worlds. Follow the links below to some helpful hints to make your life that little bit easier - pick out the ones which are applicable to you.

There's also a useful jargon-busting parenthood glossary here for new parents, to help you understand all the bewildering new terms you're suddenly encountering with a new baby in the house or on the way!

Secrets of staying stress-free

Whether you are a working mum, single dad or full-time parent, anyone can find life out of their total control and exhausting with a new baby... Parenthood can be exhausting, so follow our tried and tested tips to make life that little bit easier!

We have split our tips into:

Health and food tips
Tips for you
Tips for you and your baby
Super dad!

So read on through our parenthood section to find out more!

Health and Food tips.

Health

Know if you're stressed
If you're overtired, irritable or suffering headaches, accept that these are warning signs to sort out what's bothering you.

Accept that some stress is inevitable
Don't look for solutions which aren't actually there - this will only make the stress harder to cope with.

Look after your health
Babycare is exhausting and you won't cope if you neglect yourself. So eat a balanced diet, drink plenty of fluids and avoid junk food and caffeine.

Exercise!
It boosts your energy and stimulates the production of feel-good hormones - so go for a daily walk with your baby.

Sleep whenever you can
Catch up on lost sleep by napping when your baby sleeps - the washing or mopping can wait.

Learn to cope with crying
It's how your baby communicates. If you feel you can't cope, put him safely in his cot and leave the room. If you're concerned about your baby's health, call your doctor.

Stock up on ear-plugs
If you're spending time walking the floor with a screaming, colicky baby right next to your left ear, wearing an ear-plug will help retain some sanity.

Food

Make mealtimes easier with a menu planned for the week, to avoid last-minute shopping and cooking.

Avoid food fights
Don't nag or bribe your child to eat. If he/she misses one meal, the child will definitely be hungry enough for dinner.

Buy your groceries online
It can be hell restraining a screaming child at the checkout.

Make mornings mayhem-free
Do as much as you can the night before - lay out breakfast dishes and put your child's cereal in an airtight container to reduce the rushing so you can fit in a story before you leave for work. An older child can help pack the things he might need at the nursery or the childminder's.

Share the load
Get your partner to help with some of the night feeds so you can recharge your batteries

Tips for you.

You

 
Don't try to be a super-parent
The reality of life with baby is different from the cosy family images in advertising.

Watch your finances
Cash-flow problems will only make day-to-day stress much worse. Only spend what you can afford.

Take regular me time
Even stepping into the garden for five minutes away from a crying but safe baby can make a difference.

Whinge when you want to
Don't hold back negative feelings inside where they'll just fester. Vent to your partner, best mate, mum, sister or support group and get it all off your chest.

Tackle depression
It's normal for new mums to feel weepy. Speak to your health visitor or meet up with a postnatal group (the National Childbirth Trust runs these - call 0870 444 8707) to get rid of these feelings and start feeling better.

Be a low maintenance mum
Important if you have to get out of the house first thing. Get your legs waxed to save time shaving them, dye your eye-lashes (no more mascara) and get a wash-and-go hair style.

Preserve your sense of humour
Try your best to laugh in the face of toddler-induced stress, even if it sounds like a high-pitched crazed giggle! Laughing stimulates feel-good hormones that cause your brain to release stress-reducing endorphins.

Work flexible hours
Your employer might be amenable to part-time work or a job-share.

Don't take it personally
Young children can be frustrating and exhausting but that's the way they are.

Focus on the positive
When he seems like an utter monster, think about the sweet smiles, the cute laughter, the funny artwork and all his attempts to please you.

Believe you're doing a great job
Don't compare yourself to other parents - there will always be someone who seems more competent than others.

Learn to relax
Train yourself to switch off or you won't feel the benefit of any time off from your baby. Visualisation and yoga are great methods of relaxation.

Create couple time together
Make time for you and your partner - get your mum to babysit and go out for dinner or a movie.

Get quality time with your baby or toddler
Set the alarm clock 15 minutes early so you can bring her into bed with you for an early morning cuddle.

Try to downscale your priorities
Unless you can afford a platoon of daily cleaners, forget about being a neat-freak and don't even try to keep the house spick and span while taking care of a baby.

Tell yourself things do get better with time
The older your baby gets, the easier it will be to care for him.

Set attainable goals
Tell yourself you're going to take a shower, sit your baby in his bouncy chair and get on with it.

Avoid rows
Quarrelling with your toddler is utterly pointless.

You and your baby

 
Trust your own instincts when it comes to your baby
You'll be bombarded with advice by your mum, friends, health visitor, magazines and books - but what suits one baby may not suit another!

Devote 10 minutes to your child when you get home
So he knows how special he is to you. Then you can leave him to play or watch a video while you get on with making dinner.

Let your child help with any chores
He can strip the beds, load the washing machine or unload the tumble drier - it's time spent together!

Baby-proof your home
Install stair-gates and child locks on cupboards as soon as your baby becomes newly mobile. Look around your home and remove anything that might cause harm.

Bathe with your baby
It's an opportunity to unwind together after a busy day - and also means you won't be dragging yourself into the tub at midnight.

Breastfeed your baby
It's better for baby and makes things easier for you, helping avert all that messing about with mixing feeds and sterilising bottles - a blessing when it comes to night feeds.

Adapt to your baby's age and stage
Children act and respond differently at different ages, so keep up - and make sure you're not expecting too much from a toddler in the way of good behaviour.

Banish bedtime battles
It's natural for a young child to fuss about going to bed and easy to lose patience with them if you're tired yourself.

Make outings as safe as possible
Check pushchair and car seat harnesses regularly for wear and tear. Always strap your baby in and use a safety harness for walks.

Tackle tantrums positively
If your child is driving you around the bend, find out why he's misbehaving - this should help you to sort it out.

Organise your child's day into a series of routines
He'll be happier if he knows what's coming next during the day.

Find great childcare!
Combining a job with parenting will be much easier if you know your baby is getting the best possible care.

How to be a super dad even before your baby is born

When dads get involved with their babies' lives, the paternal benefits are immensely positive and far-reaching. Having a supportive and caring father enables children to build self-confidence and feel less stressed. Many studies have repeatedly documented the positive effects of involved fathers.

According to research carried out at Lancaster University - examining the impact of two decades of British fatherhood from 700 UK and international reports - British children whose fathers take an active role in their upbringing and are more involved with their development are more likely to do well at school and avoid getting into trouble with the police, and also likely to achieve better GCSE results. The research team reported: 'In families where fathers offer kindness, care and warmth during primary school years, children are likely to do well at secondary school.'

And it's never too early to begin your quality paternal relationships with their babies. Start playing with your unborn baby by gently massaging the bump and talking or singing to it. Your baby can hear sounds from the outside world while still in the womb and he'll recognise your voice when he's born.
Babies interact quite differently with their mums and dads, who have different styles of parenting and bring different skills to the job of child-rearing, giving their children different views of life. Mum is naturally the primary parent, who nurtures the baby and looks after all his needs and comfort. However, babies from a month old will greet their dads with playful anticipation, raised eyebrows, bright eyes and an eagerness to play - even giggles shared with dads are distinctly different from giggles shared with mums.

How to be a super dad & model father

1. Get involved with your wife's or partner's pregnancy as soon as you can
   Go with her to her scans, attend antenatal classes with her and be there at the birth.
   Dads used to be discouraged from attending their baby's birth - the stereotype dad-to-be was portrayed pacing anxiously outside the delivery room, smoking like a chimney until the midwife held up the newborn babe behind glass for a viewing.
   Today, however, it is considered unusual for fathers not to attend the birth - and those that do say it's one of the most important moments in their lives. Top footballer Michael Owen is happy to admit that watching his partner give birth was better than any goal he's scored!
   
2. Get physical with your baby
   Help your wife or partner with simple and practical everyday babycare tasks - like changing nappies or bottlefeeding baby - it'll make you feel more confident as a new father. Beefy rugby hero Martin Johnson, a monster on the pitch, readily admits to being completely soppy about his daughter Molly.
   
3. Hold your baby close
   Cuddle your newborn against your skin, take him into the bath with you, let him fall asleep on your chest. Instead of using the pram, carry him in a babysling when you go out, so he can see you, watch you speak and make eye contact.
   
4. Talk to your baby
   Newborns quickly learn to recognise familiar voices and will respond to the sound of your voice - vital for when he's learning to talk. It doesn't matter what you say to your baby - try nursery rhymes or read him the sports pages!
   
5. Take your time learning and adapting to your new fatherhood role
   You're not expected to know all the answers - fatherhood is a learning curve and it helps to be a good listener. Just go with the flow.
   

All you need is some patience and you will be a winning dad!