Family

Advice, tips and lifetsyle features aimed at parents, children and families.

Dogs get fed treats at almost HALF of human mealtimes

How To Choose The Best Food For Your Dog Dogs get fed treats at almost HALF of human mealtimes, a new study by dog food company tails.com reveals.

A separate study by researchers from the University of Liverpool estimates that 59 percent of dogs in Britain are overweight and this could shorten their lifespan by 2.5 years.

Our Q&A offers advice and tips on feeding treats...

Should I let my daughter get her ears pierced?

My daughter is 10 and wants to get her ears pierced, but I think she’s too young and it’s causing arguments. What do other parents do?

Daena Borrowman from jewellerybox jewellers https://www.jewellerybox.co.uk says: “Currently, in the UK and Ireland, there’s no legal age in place for most piercings, meaning it’s all on the parents before their child is 16. Although a survey we’ve...

Myleene Klass on her post-baby body image

Most people will remember Myleene Klass from her famous white bikini shower scene on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! So it may come as a surprise that she’s not racing to get back into that kind of shape again, after giving birth to her third child.

“I’ve got two daughters, and the last thing I want to do is let them see me standing up and down on the scales when I’ve just given...

Are you washing your clothes properly? 11 expert tips for doing laundry the proper way

Many of us have just been getting on with the laundry for years – but are we always doing it in the best possible way?

For example, new research shows clothes last longer and shed fewer microfibres in quicker, cooler washing cycles.

“Consumers claim their clothes can lose their fit, softness and colour after fewer than five washes – this means it’s more likely they will...

How you can stop worrying so much when your children are outdoors

Your kids love being outside but you always worry they might hurt themselves. How can you worry less?

Parent coach Lorraine Thomas, founder of the Parent Coaching Academy, says: “Understandably the outdoors can be a bit scary for parents, but rather than focusing on the potential negatives, focus on the positive benefits of being outside.

“To overcome any doubts and fears,...

Why eco-anxiety is a good thing – depending on how you use it

In 2019 climate emergency was placed front and centre, and that’s likely to continue being the case.

The news stories can be overwhelming, whether it’s seeing footage of the bushfires in Australia, or the World Bank predicting the Maldives could be completely submerged by 2100 due to rising sea levels.

We’re increasingly wising up to the crisis, particularly with the help of...

What does 2020 have in store for the housing market?

Some fresh signs of life have been springing up in the housing market.

The average UK house price jumped by just over £4,000 between November and December last year, according to Halifax. And some property websites have reported seeing a boost in activity during December 2019, compared with a year earlier – perhaps indicating more people are considering moving in the near future....

Kate Ferdinand: I love the kids with all my heart

She’s been trolled on social media, suffered anxieties about her body and spent time in therapy – but ex-Towie star Kate Ferdinand has come out of the other side stronger.

She’s found happiness in family life with her husband, former Premier League footballer Rio Ferdinand, and loves being a stepmother to his three children, Lorenz, Tate and Tia.

Today, the former reality TV...

Early miscarriage can cause post traumatic stress: A midwife explains why

Losing a baby can be devastating for a woman, whatever the stage of her pregnancy. Yet if a miscarriage is early, it can often be brushed off as little more than a blip on the reproductive journey.

However, new research by Tommy’s National Centre for Miscarriage has found around 29% of women experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) a month after an early miscarriage – a...

Ten clever daytime hacks to help your child get a good night’s sleep

Children sleeping well is one of the holy grails of parenting, and many mums and dads swear by the bedtime routine of bath, book, bed to help little ones have a good night’s sleep.

But it’s not just immediately before bed that steps can be taken to encourage an unbroken night for both children and parents – there are plenty of things that can be done during the day too.

“A...