Teen

picture of A mum and tween son sitting together on a sofa looking at a smartphone screen

The New Social Media Ban for Under-16s: As a Mum of Tweens, I'm Not Sure It's That Simple

As a mum of tweens, I'm not convinced a social media ban for under-16s is the simple solution many think it is. Here's why I believe open communication, sensible boundaries and understanding technology matter more than trying to ban it altogether.

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picture of a mum and daughter cuddled on the sofa under a blanket navigating changing hormones

When Perimenopause Meets Puberty: The Family Stage Nobody Warns You About

"Isn't it unfair that perimenopause symptoms seem to start at exactly the same time as your kids' hormones?"

The words came out of my mouth while sitting on a sports hall bench after what should have been a completely ordinary parenting drama involving forgotten trainers.

At the time, I meant it as a joke.

But the more I thought about it afterwards, the more I...

picture of happy teenagers walking down the street thinking about their futures

What Today's Teens Really Want from Life (And It Might Surprise Parents)

Are Our Children Growing Up Faster Than We Did?

If someone had asked me at 13 whether I was thinking about pensions, savings or financial independence, I'm fairly sure I would have been more concerned about what was on television after school.

Yet new research suggests today's teenagers are thinking very differently.

Generation Alpha, those currently aged around 13 to 16,...

Recognising the Difference Between Moodiness and Something More Serious

Teenage years bring emotional changes, shifting priorities, and moments of tension at home. Parents often notice sudden mood swings, frustration, or withdrawal and wonder whether these behaviours are part of normal development or signs of a deeper issue. Working out the difference can feel difficult, especially when teenagers struggle to explain what they are experiencing.

Emotional...

picture of a child revising at home for exams in a calm way with resources on the table

Supporting Your Child Through Their GCSEs

GCSEs occupy a peculiar place in the life of a family. For the student taking them, they are simultaneously enormously significant and only one step in a much longer journey. For parents watching from the sidelines, they can feel equally significant but with substantially less agency. Getting the balance right between support and pressure, presence and space, is genuinely difficult.

What...

picture of Dad helping his teenage daughter create a revision timetable at a kitchen island in a bright family home

How to Support Your Teen During Exam Season

Exam season is one of the most stressful periods in a teenager's life, and for parents, it can be just as difficult.

Supporting your teen during exams is not about adding pressure or control — it is about creating a calm, supportive environment where they feel heard, capable, and confident.

The desire to help is natural. The fear of making things worse is also very real. What many...

picture of Teenage boy revising at a desk in a modern bedroom with study notes, flashcards, and a revision timetable on the wall

How to Manage Time During Exam Season

Every year, thousands of students across the UK face exam season with a familiar mix of determination and dread. Whether it is GCSEs, A Levels, or the increasingly competitive world of 11+ entrance exams, the pressure to perform can feel overwhelming.

The students who succeed are not always the ones who study the longest — they are the ones who manage their time effectively and study in a...

picture of a teenager revising for exams

Supporting Your Child Through Their Spring Mock Exams

Spring mock exams can feel like a big milestone for children and parents alike. Offering calm, realistic parenting advice during this time can help everyone feel a little more grounded and supported. Whether your child is preparing for GCSEs, A Levels or internal school assessments, mocks often bring added pressure as they mirror real exam conditions. With the right support at home, you can...

picture of a teenage boy eating a breakfast bagel on the go

Teen Breakfast Ideas: Easy, Realistic Options for Busy School Mornings

Getting teenagers to eat a proper breakfast before school can feel like a daily challenge — even when we start the morning with the best intentions.

Mornings in our house usually begin calmly, with everyone thinking we have loads of time… and somehow end with us rushing out of the door in a manic panic five minutes after we were supposed to leave. I love coming up with new ways to be...

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YouTube expands parental controls in the UK and beyond, introduces new quality principles for content recommended to teens

Streaming service unveils new features for parents to set the amount of time their teens can scroll Shorts on YouTube - an industry first putting parents in control.
Parents will also be able to set up a kids or teen account on the YouTube mobile app in just a few taps.
New research reveals that 86% of UK parents using YouTube’s supervised accounts agree the

picture of a happy family with parents and two teenagers chatting happily at home on the sofa

The Power of Positive Language in Family Life

Family life is full of big emotions, busy routines and moments that test patience. In the middle of all this, the words we choose can have a remarkable impact. Positive language isn’t about pretending everything is perfect; it’s about communicating in a way that encourages cooperation, confidence and connection. Here’s how shifting your phrasing can transform the atmosphere at home....