Alpha Mummy - Times Online - WBLG

Why we need 5 terms in the school year

An excellent suggestion from the new School Gate blog: scrap the old system whereby kids get six weeks off over summer for a more manageable system that includes four weeks off over summer. Check out the very convincing arguments.

The new blog all about the education system

The Times has just launched its new blog all about education: School Gate.

Sarah Ebner, who's hosting the blog, has already got some great posts:

* The most embarrassing recipients of honorary degrees

* A poll on whether end-of-term gifts have gone out of control. (If you missed the comments from an AM reader about having to fork over money for a group gift, read them now.)

* The 10 best blogs about education

Check it out!

The Alpha Mummy Code of Conduct - coming soon

As everyone has pointed out in the recent discussion about the sex survey, we haven't had a code of conduct posted somewhere on the blog. And as everyone has pointed out, we need one.

So we're developing a code of conduct, which will clarify how and where the Times uses Alpha Mummy content, and the kinds of things that are off limits - like publishing email addresses, amassing postcodes to share with outside parties and so on. If there's something in particular you want addressed, let us know. We'll be putting it together over the next few weeks and posting it soon thereafter.

Hello to Not Just a Pretty Mum

Here's a shout out to a fellow blogger. We're top of the list of the blogroll at http://www.notjustaprettymum.com/. Check out her Women v Men: 10 ways to treat a cold, which you'll like if you suspect your partner of suffering from man-flu every winter.

The blog that launched a blog

Alpha Mummy regular Kieransmum has written in to let us know that she has launched her own blog.

It's rather unashamedly written in sub-Ruskin-esque purple prose but since your work has been what started me thinking and reflecting on the topic, I thought you might be momentarily diverted/amused/horrified by seeing what you had collectively inspired.

So this is just is by way of a thank-you, really. And do please keep adding content: it is a daily treat.

See her blog A Way Ahead here

Thanks for all the kind words about AM, Kieransmum. We're hoping to be the online equivalent to Helen and be the blog that launched a thousand blogs. Only 999 to go!

Parenting the web

We've been emailed by a number of readers highlighting other blogging mums - and one dad.

Kathy wrote to tell us about father of one Luke who is blogging about his life as a parent. He is awaiting the birth of twins with his wife Charlotte and in anticipation, he's writing a blog about his dilemmas and experiences. You can read his posts by visiting www.twintimes.com

Meanwhile, Valerie emailed to tell us about Lindsay Ferrier's blog. A former TV reporter from Nashville, Lindsay documents her guilty secrets and achievements as a mum. Read her blog (pictured above) here: http://suburbanturmoil.blogspot.com

Paola Thomas wrote in to tell us about her own blog, which covers "bringing up a toddler, trying to grow my small UK-based online retail business in the two days a week she's at school, and moving from Notting Hill to Seattle." http://mirrormirror.typepad.com

Keep your recommendations coming.

New group mummy blog in Washington, D.C.

We just heard about this new blog in D.C. in America that's written by a group of mothers: DC Metro Moms Blog. Sample post:

If my son is absent from school, I get to write him an excuse note. Really? Since when am I responsible enough to write notes like that to the school?

It's also related to the Silicon Valley Moms, The Chicago Moms, and the soon-to-launch New York City Moms blogs. Would love to hear about other group mummy blogs out there, especially UK-based ones.