Mothers seeking advice on training their children to use travel potties find parenting websites really useful.

According to Mumsnet associate editor Catherine Hanley, enquiries about these sorts of baby products are what usually first attracts parents to the site.

However, once they have gained feedback or advice, mums often find there is a "huge community" willing to discuss "absolutely everything".

Ms Hanley said this type of contact with like-minded people is important for mums, especially in the wake of new research which has found they value "we time" more than "me time".

The study, conducted in association with drinks brand 5 alive, found 36 per cent of mothers crave interaction in their spare moments rather than solo activities such as a long soak in the bath.

Although face-to-face contact is important, Ms Hanley believes sites like Mumsnet also perform an important social function.

"The great thing about being online is you have a relative degree of anonymity, you feel you can talk about issues that you might not talk about with someone face to face, or even with close friends," she remarked.

It is worth seeking out parent and toddler groups, along with adult classes in skills such as cooking, Ms Hanley concluded.

Posted by Eileen KirkADNFCR-3005-ID-19818247-ADNFCR