The internet is an invaluable resource for parents – today three quarters of UK mothers with children aged under 18 regularly use the internet, according to recent research.

But with so much information available, how do you find what you want?

To help you, we've picked out the key sites for parents that, in our opinion, offer the best advice and most useful resources.

Raising children

www.babyexpert.com
Masses of information updated daily about conception, pregnancy, babies and toddlers. Lively chat rooms and expert advice.

www.raisingkids.co.uk
Founded by child psychologist Dr Pat Spungin, the site offers support and information to parents with a huge archive of expert advice on every stage of a child's development, including one of the best online resources for information on parenting teenagers.

www.parentlineplus.org.uk
Charity which offers help and advice to parents of kids of all ages; visit the website or find answers to your questions here

Find it in your area

www.netmums.com
Local listings site, where you can track down the best resources for mums in your area, from child-friendly cafes to childminders, places to go and more; with recommendations from other mums and discussion boards to chat to them.

Children's health

www.netdoctor.co.uk
Advice on spotting and dealing with common illnesses in children and teenagers as well as information on behavioural problems such as bedwetting and ADHD.

Products and parenting advice

www.mumsnet.com
Product reviews and parenting tips for parents by parents – set up by three young mums to provide the type of information they wanted to find online – geared mainly towards mums of babies younger children.

Fun for kids

www.entertainthekids.com
Packed full of great ideas for things to do and places to go with children; including party kits for DIY parties, games for the car; arts and crafts to make and do; music clips and nursery rhymes and much much more – a one-stop shop for hundreds of ideas to keep the kids busy.

Government advice and information

www.direct.gov.uk
Government site for all aspects of parenting and family life, including childcare and education, health, work issues, child rights and legal issues, adoption and fostering and money matters. As well as clear and easy to read information there are loads of useful links to other websites to build up a huge address book of valuable parenting contacts.

Money matters

www.childtrustfund.gov.uk
Every child born after September 1 2002 is entitled to receive a £250 payment from the government, to go into an account until the child turns 18. Find out more about the Child Trust Fund (CTF) on this website.

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