Family

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

Ten ways to make the most of your money in 2020

The new year often means a fresh start – and for some, 2020 could mean turning over a new leaf when it comes to their finances. But don't be put off by the idea of having to grapple with big numbers, as large gestures aren't always what's needed.

You may find small actions taken now could go a long way towards improving your financial prospects, whether it's cutting down on daily...

The five biggest parenting trends for 2020 and the biggest worries mums and dads have about their children

The UK’s leading online platform for parents and childcarers has revealed the top parenting trends for 2020, along with the biggest worries for UK parents going into the new year.

A survey of more than 5,000 parents and guardians of 0 to 16 year-olds has found that limitations on children’s social media use and screen time is the biggest trend for 2020, followed by dismantling gender...

Ask an expert: What's the best way to keep my child healthy over winter?

A pharmacist explains how to keep children's immune systems in peak condition to help protect them against winter bugs and maintain their health.

What's the best way to boost my child's immune system over the winter?

Pharmacist Anshu Kaura, from Lloyds Pharmacy, says: "There are a few ways in which you can try to prevent your child from getting poorly. The first of these is...

The Yorkshire Shepherdess talks feminism, farming ... and showbiz

She has nine children, seven dogs, a 2,000-acre hill farm where she tends 1,000 sheep, a burgeoning TV career, theatre tours and a thriving B&B – you might mistake Amanda Owen for Superwoman.

And yet speaking to Owen – the star of Channel 5's Our Yorkshire Farm, who has also appeared with her family on ITV's Countrywise and The Dales and is better known as the Yorkshire...

Six things to love about January

January has a pretty rough reputation for being the most depressing time of the year.

After all the fun of Christmas, you suddenly find yourself flat broke, with an empty social calendar and a horrible 'back to school' feeling in the air that has you kicking and screaming when the alarm goes off in the morning.

Couple that with the pressure to set resolutions, go vegan, stop...

How often should you actually wash your jeans, bras and towels?

There's a reason things like cleaning your house and doing the washing are called 'chores'. It can feel like your washing basket is constantly full, and that you're doing yet another load of laundry – even though you just did one.

This is why most of us probably use the washing machine a little less than we should.

So when it comes to those items you might use more than once...

Seven money-saving tips to make your December pay cheque go further

Being payed early in December always feels brilliant at the time. You have money in your pocket to spoil all your loved ones with Christmas presents and even have some dosh leftover to treat yourself in the January sales.

The problem is that after the frivolous spending, your finances often take a serious beating ahead of the New Year. With some companies paying staff in mid-December...

Five ways to help your children grow their savings and learn about money

The humble piggy bank seems to be falling out of favour. Two years ago, 80% of kids said they owned a piggy bank, according to a survey by Halifax – but now the proportion has slipped to 72%.

This doesn't mean the younger generation is losing interest in saving money though, as many are finding new places for their cash. Over the same period as the piggy bank decline, Halifax's...

Olympic cycling champion Sir Chris Hoy offers valuable advice on how to teach children to ride their bikes

There can't be many people who know more about riding bikes than the 11-times world champion and six-times Olympic gold medal-winning cyclist Sir Chris Hoy.

The champion is currently passing some of his invaluable cycling knowledge on to his own kids – his five-year-old son, Callum, has recently learned to ride a bike, and his two-year-old daughter, Chloe, is just starting to learn...

Professor Green: 'If you talk to kids using the right language, you get results'

Would you let a celebrity look after your kids? W show, My Famous Babysitter, followed a different famous guest each episode as they take full parental responsibility for a family of at least three children.

Professor Green – real name Stephen Manderson – 35, was the first of programme's famous faces. We caught up with him to find out what filming the series was like and the...

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