Parenting

Crackdown on school suspensions
30 January 2026

Crackdown on school suspensions as ministers warn children just scroll and game when sent home
Pupils who misbehave at school should be kept on site rather than sent home in most cases, ministers have said, as the government moves to overhaul how suspensions are used ...

Children overexposed to bad news risk developing anxiety, experts warn
29 January 2026

Parents warned overexposure of bad news can lead to anxiety in children
Parents face growing challenges in deciding how much news to share with their children, experts say, as constant headlines and social media access expose young people to disturbing events. Psychologists stress ...

Grandparents playing video games with their granddaughter
28 January 2026

Grandparents providing childcare have better memory and thinking skills
Being a grandparent may slow cognitive decline and protect memory and thinking skills. A large study of older adults in England found that grandparents who helped look after their grandchildren performed ...

Anticipatory anxiety is driving parental stress
27 January 2026

Parents increasingly overwhelmed by anticipatory anxiety
Parents are increasingly being driven by anxiety about what might go wrong in the future, with psychologists warning that constant “what if” thinking is leaving many feeling overwhelmed and emotionally ...

UK midwife explains the science behind tea and toast after childbirth
26 January 2026

UK midwife explains the science behind tea and toast after childbirth
For generations of new mothers in the UK, tea and toast has marked the end of labour and the beginning of life with a newborn. Now, a midwife has explained ...

Thousands of schoolchildren to join study on social media use
23 January 2026

Thousands of schoolchildren to join study on social media use and teenage wellbeing
Thousands of secondary school pupils are set to take part in the largest study yet into the effects of social media on teenage mental health, as researchers prepare to place ...

AI is becoming a trusted source of parenting advice for Indian Gen Z families
22 January 2026

Over half of Indian Gen Z parents rely on AI for parenting advice
More than half of Indian Gen Z parents now rely on artificial intelligence for parenting advice instead of traditional search engines, according to a new consumer insights report. The GIPSI inSIGHT ...

Mean girl mom groups are toxic for mothers mental heath
21 January 2026

'Mean girl moms' groups leave some mothers feeling judged and isolated
Some mothers are leaving local parenting groups after reporting feelings of judgement, exclusion, and social pressure, according to experts and personal accounts. Martina, a mother from Wales, attended a baby signing ...

Grandparents praise modern parenting but caution gentler approaches
20 January 2026

Grandparents voice concern over permissive parenting trends
Some grandparents are warning that today’s focus on gentle parenting may be leaving children without enough discipline, raising concerns about manners, boundaries, and long-term outcomes. In a recent survey of grandparents ...

Birth Plans
19 January 2026

How to Write a Birth Plan by Midwife Lily expert speaker at The Baby Show
A Midwife’s Perspective
By Midwife Lily, your friendly online midwife  Writing a birth plan can feel overwhelming, emotional, or even unnecessary to some people — but as a midwife, I can ...

UK doctors warn of ​'public health emergency'
19 January 2026

UK doctors warn of ​'public health emergency​' over children's phone use​
Health experts in the UK have raised concerns that mobile phone use among children is becoming a public health emergency, with excessive screen time and exposure to harmful online content ...

Ten experts tips for supporting your partner during labour.
16 January 2026

Tips for supporting your partner during labour
We at Female First spoke with Midwife Pip an experienced practicing NHS Midwifery Sister, MSc, author of Midwife Pip’s Guide to a Positive Birth as she shared with us ten experts ...

A brief beach encounter involving a toddler goes viral, prompting debate over childhood rejection and parental expectations.
16 January 2026

Viral beach encounter sparks parenting debate on kindness and rejection
A Massachusetts mother’s recounting of her toddler being rebuffed by other children on a Puerto Rico beach has ignited a viral debate about parenting, childhood socialisation, and personal boundaries. Allie Hagerty, ...

Experts suggest that carefully managed mental health breaks at school can support children’s wellbeing
15 January 2026

Duvet days may benefit children's mental health, say experts
Irish parents are legally required to ensure children aged six to 16 attend school or receive a minimum standard of education, yet experts say occasional “duvet days” for mental health ...

Study reveals how parenting affects lifespan
15 January 2026

Historic study reveals how parenting affects lifespan
Having children may affect how quickly we age, with new research suggesting the physical toll of reproduction can impact long-term health during "times of hardship". Scientists have long debated whether the ...

Single mothers risk homelessness under the benefit cap
15 January 2026

Benefit cap puts single mothers at risk of homelessness and destitution
The government’s benefit cap is leaving single mothers vulnerable to homelessness and extreme financial hardship, campaigners warn. The policy, which limits the total amount of financial support a household can receive, ...

Parenting experts warn maternal gatekeeping induces stress
15 January 2026

Maternal gatekeeping can harm family dynamics
Mothers who limit or control their partner’s involvement with children, known as maternal gatekeeping, can strain family relationships and increase household stress. Kate Mangino, author of Equal Partners and ...

Amal Clooney and her husband George Clooney
15 January 2026

George Clooney and Amal Clooney's parenting is 'never perfect'
George Clooney and his wife Amal Clooney “do the best” they can with juggling parenting and their busy lives. The 64-year-old actor and his 47-year-old lawyer spouse try to avoid being ...

Teenagers are still being shown disturbing material online
15 January 2026

Teens still exposed to harmful content online despite new safety laws
Teenagers are still being shown disturbing material online despite new safety rules designed to protect them, a BBC investigation has found. The report revealed that posts about bullying, suicide, weapons and ...

Experts warn that excessive protein intake in children may lead to health risks
15 January 2026

Parents overloading kids with protein, experts warn
Nutrition experts are cautioning parents that many children are consuming more protein than necessary, which can pose health risks if it consistently displaces other essential nutrients. While protein is vital for ...

Parents are being urged to ask babies for consent during nappy changes
15 January 2026

Parents encouraged to ask babies for consent while changing dirty nappies
Experts claim parents should begin teaching consent from infancy. New guidance from researchers at Australia’s Deakin University argues that lessons on bodily autonomy should start long before children can speak, with ...

Children's early exposure to pornography is a growing concern amongst experts
15 January 2026

Parents warned of risks from children's early exposure to pornography
Child exposure to pornography is increasing, and experts warn it can have long-term impacts on sexual development and adult behaviour. A recent rise in accidental access to explicit content online ...

80s parenting makes a comeback
15 January 2026

Back to the future: parents return to 80s parenting practices, limiting screens and promoting independence
Eight parenting habits from the 1980s are gaining renewed attention as experts and parents suggest some retro approaches may benefit children’s development. Vanessa Eves, a New Zealand-based mother and Instagram creator, ...

Children exposed to violent content online more likely to hurt someone
15 January 2026

Children exposed to violent content online more likely to hurt someone
Children who watch violent or aggressive content on social media are far more likely to harm someone in real life. A new study, conducted by the Youth Endowment Fund (YEF), found ...