Family

A dog being showered with water in the heat

Summer warning for dog owners

As heatwave conditions continue across Britain, many dog owners may be tempted to get outdoors and enjoy the weather with their treasured pets.

But spending more time outdoors on dog walks during warmer weather can come with its own challenges.

Knowing what to look for, and...

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

The Ultimate Parent’s Guide to Peace of Mind

Do you struggle with stress as a parent? You’re definitely not alone, and it can be hard to even imagine a world where you have genuine peace of mind. Being prepared can help with it, however. In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to protecting yourself and your children so you can actually enjoy the days, months, and years with your family.

Protecting Your Child’s Financial Future

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5 Memorable Ways to Celebrate Your Mother’s Birthday

How do you usually mark your mum’s birthday? Do you usually buy her flowers and a box of her favourite chocolates?

If so, and you want to gift her something different this year, here are some ideas to give her a total treat.

1) Create a personalised photo gift

We take so many photos on our smartphones, only to leave them captured and forgotten in digital folders....

Best Happy Valentine's Day Gift Ideas That Actually Mean Something

There is something wonderfully terrifying about Valentine’s Day. One day in February, we are expected to compress months of affection, shared jokes, and real-life moments into a single gesture. I remember standing in a pharmacy on February 13th, a few years ago, staring at shelves of identical teddy bears and thinking I had completely missed the point.

That was the moment it clicked...

How We Can Support Foster Care Recruitment in Our Communities

Fostering usually remains a quiet topic in community discussions. Many people think about it briefly but don’t ask questions or share their thoughts.

The need for foster care is increasing across the UK. According to the UK Government , by 2026, around 70,000 kids will be in foster care, while the number of registered foster carers in England has dropped to 56,345. This growing gap...

Practical Gifts Everyone Actually Uses

Finding the perfect gift can feel like navigating a minefield. You want to give something thoughtful, useful, and appreciated—but often, gifts end up gathering dust or sitting forgotten on a shelf. The key to gift-giving that truly hits the mark is practicality. Practical gifts are items that blend usefulness with thoughtfulness, ensuring that your present is both memorable and functional....

Creating Comfort at Home for Terminally Ill Family Members

For families supporting a loved one with a terminal illness, the home environment often provides unique comfort during final days. Personal possessions, familiar spaces, and close family presence can help ease emotional strain when compared to unfamiliar institutional settings. Creating a comfortable and familiar environment may help reduce anxiety and improve overall satisfaction for those...

Public Poonamis and Rolling Babies Top Parents’ List of Nappy Changing Disasters

When it comes to parenting milestones, nappy changing ranks high on the list of messy life lessons. From public poonamis to wriggling escape artists, it’s a task that can turn chaotic in seconds - and new research reveals just how many parents have faced disasters on the changing mat.

Chaos on the Changing Mat

According to a new survey by baby care brand Colief, one in three...

Supporting French Families Through Bereavement in Britain

Grief is hard enough on its own. But for a French family settled in Britain, the loss of a loved one often kicks off a bewildering storm of cross-channel bureaucracy. The life you built here might have started with help from French immigration lawyers, but the ties to home, an apartment, a bank account, not to mention family, don't just disappear. When death occurs, you’re suddenly caught...

The Importance of Parent Support Groups for Mental Wellness

Being a parent or foster carer can be challenging at times. There are moments of tiredness, uncertainty, and big emotions - for both children and adults. It’s completely natural to wonder if you’re getting it right, and you’re not alone in feeling that way. That’s why support groups can make such a difference. They offer a safe, understanding space to share experiences, find reassurance, and...

A Beginner’s Guide to Understanding Care Options for Ageing Parents

Our parents care for us for many years, but often the time will come when we need to repay the favour. As parents start to age, they might need more and more help with things, which can be challenging to navigate, so it may be helpful to understand what care options are available for your ageing parents and how to make good use of them.

In this article, the team from Mariposa Care ,...