Three uncovers Britian's 'Midnight Mums'

Half of all UK mums (48%) admit to going online in the depths of the night just to get everything done, according to research by Three. With many resorting to catching up online at night, a third of mums (33%) now get less than six hours of sleep!

The survey of 3,000 mums across the UK found that they are avid internet users, with a third (28%) going online for at least an hour a day. As well as looking for parent advice and activities for children, the top online activities are E-mail, online banking, staying in-touch with friends on Facebook, looking for money saving tips and vouchers, as well as reading the news.

Research confirms that mums are always on the go, with most mums (82%) now having less than an hour of 'me time' a day, leaving the majority of mums (78%) stressed on a daily basis.

Three is working with celebrity mum Denise Van Outen and reaching out through NCT members, to help show mums the benefits of smartphones and having internet on the go - as the research indicated that mums can save 135 hours a year by having the internet while out and about.

Mobile internet on smartphones help mums keep connected and gives them the freedom to be online for both work and play, wherever they are, and at a time most convenient to them. Thanks to Three's All-You-Can-Eat data they can now do this without worrying about the cost.

Speaking about how mobile internet can help the modern mum, Sally Horrox from NCT said: "NCT wants people to have a parenting experience that enriches their lives and gives them confidence. Sharing information with a network of parents is a great support and benefit in parenthood, and this is what NCT is all about. The many ways that mobile internet is helping parents make connections is a great additional support for parents."
"We've noticed more of out members accessing out site and newsletter on their phones, which is one of the reasons we've launched out NCT Babychange app, helping parents save time when looking for quality baby changing facilities."

Celebrity mum of one, Denise Van Outen added: "My daughter has just turned one and keeps me constantly busy, so I can certainly empathise with busy mums."
"I love the internet and often tweet or go online late at night when I get some down time. Becoming a smartphone savvy has been a great eye opener and I've enjoyed making dead time, such as standing in shopping queues and waiting for friends, more productive. With the help of some amazing apps I now have instant access to my E-mails, bank accounts, news and travel updates at my finger tips."

Sylvia Chind from Three explained: "Our research shows that mums are particularly stretched for time and are really optimistic about how mobile internet could help them claim some of this time back. We want to share hints, tips and tricks on what mums can do with mobile internet to help their lives run more smoothly."
"We want to reach out to as many mums as we can. Our aim is to give mums confidence and peace of mind when it comes to using the mobile internet and smartphones, which is why we offer truly unlimited data on both pay as you go and contract plans."

Three is also launching a nationwide competition to find the UK's Busiest Mum. There is the chance to win an all-expenses-paif family holiday to the Caribbean for one deserving mum and her family. There are also BlackBerry smartphones available to time. To enter visit Three's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ThreeUK.

**Research was carried out by OnePoll in March 2011 for Three. The research was carried out amongst 3,000 mums with children under 16 years old in the UK **

KneeBouncers!

I can across a fantastic site while searching for games which my toddler can play online. This website called KneeBouncers. There are some fantastic games on the site which Jack can play on and learn how to use the laptop. It's fun and entertaining too! I enjoy watching him press the keys and laughing at the characters jumping around on screen! I haven't seen a similar site which has the same wide variety of educational games.

Playing 'The Number Game'

Playing "Choo-Choo"

Playing "Flashing Lights"

Here is a little bit about how and why KneeBouncers came about. Taken from the "About Us" section on the site.

KneeBouncers was created out of necessity. As parents of two young children, my wife and I were constantly seeking balance. Maintaining order in our little part of the universe was (and still is) a vital key to survival. If one child had something of value, the next child would have something of equal value (or half of whatever the first child was holding). This system seemed to work for us.

Then, we had a third child, and our balance was suddenly thrown.

The first few months were typical with a newborn, and we made all the necessary adjustments to our sleep patterns and schedules. As our bundle of joy grew and was trying very hard to catch up with her older siblings, our defensive philosophy had to change. We went from “man-on-man” to “zone coverage”. This, too, seemed to work for us and for a weekend or two we actually felt the universe in balance once again.

Then the older two, (at the time 3 & 4 years old), discovered the internet.

They had a great time on all the major kid sites. They searched for Ernie, colored Clifford, and got hopelessly lost on the Disney site. (Note to Disney lawyers: the old Disney site broke a lot – the new one is much, much better). They were having a blast. Unfortunately the same could not be said for their little sister.

She wanted to play too, but was frustrated when she couldn’t get anything to work - she was 9 months old. Okay, admittedly I may have been the one frustrated, but everyone with a 9 month old out there understands.

I began to search for online baby games, and online toddler games at all the major sites and came up with nothing. Nada. The diddliest of squat for the little ones.

During this time, I had been creating some websites with my very good friend and flash master Kurt Dommermuth. We had just completed a number sites that were rich with interactivity. Kurt had a one year old daughter and we talked at length about the same frustrating futile search for online games for babies and toddlers.

Then I took a plane trip.

Somewhere at about 35,000 feet, between LA and Baltimore, KneeBouncers came to me. I grabbed my sketchbook, planned out five or six games and drew most of the characters. Once home in Maryland, I called Kurt and went over the idea with him. Since our discussion, Kurt had been thinking of ways to program a site with interactive games that did not rely on the use of a mouse.

Then we got to work.

I did the drawings and graphics and Kurt brought them to life with all the animation, music and sound effects. In 2002, we launched KneeBouncers.com and it was an overnight sensation – in our little part of the universe. Kurt’s little girl loved it. My little girl loved it. So I sent the link to my sister and brother and they told two friends and so on and so on…

Since then, the site has reached places neither of us had ever dreamed it would. We have received thank you notes from every continent (except Antarctica, apparently the little ones there are too busy trying to stay warm to play games).

KneeBouncers.com has been the site of the week for many media outlets including the BBC and BBC Canada. Parenting magazine, and countless parents blogging sites have recommendations for KneeBouncers. Teachers of children with special needs and autism have written to us delighted by the response their children have from playing on KneeBouncers.

Today, as proud parents (me of five and Kurt of two), we are excited to be launching a new phase of KneeBouncers. We have added new games, activities, coloring sheets to download, a store with KneeBouncers merchandise - from tee shirts to a Sly Cat plush toy - and a forum for parents to share their experiences. We welcome your thoughts and comments on the new site.

KneeBouncers was created for the ittiest of the bittiest. Our goal is to provide you and your family with a whole lot of thumping, bumping, crashing, bashing, smashing, splashing, popping, bopping, wiggling and especially giggling.

KneeBouncers.com. A whole lot of fun for the itty bitty ones!

We hope you enjoy it.

Jim Robinson

Chief KneeBouncer