A recent study published in PLOS ONE has attempted to answer the age-old question: "Does humour have a role in parenting?" ... it seems the answer is "yes, but..."

Most respondents reckon, humour can be an effective parenting tool, with more potential benefits than harm. Many even expressed interest in a course on how to use humour in parenting. *ahem. empathy and timing are key...I wonder where one can learn more about that 🤔 

However, before we all rush off to enrol in stand-up comedy classes, we must consider a few limitations of this study. The sample size was relatively small (312 respondents) and predominantly male (63.6%) and white (76.6%). One might suggest that the researchers were studying the "dad joke" phenomenon rather than humour in parenting as a whole.

Moreover, the study relies heavily on self-reporting and retrospective assessments. Memory can be a fickle friend, especially when it comes to childhood experiences. It's possible that those who had positive r...

Today, after dropping off my children at school, I found myself reflecting on an incident. A young girl had fallen and grazed her knee. As she cried, seemingly more from embarrassment than pain, an adult comforted her, praising her bravery and encouraging her to continue. While the adult’s intentions were undoubtedly good, I pondered how the approach could have been slightly different.

 I firmly believe that as adults, our role is to prepare children for life’s journey, not to smooth their path. This concept is beautifully articulated in Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt’s book ‘The Coddling of the American Mind’. However, it’s essential to recognise that everyone experiences pain. It’s not about dwelling in discomfort or letting it hinder us, but rather acknowledging our children’s feelings when they’re hurt, then offering reassurance and guidance for what lies ahead.

This brings me to the topic I wish to discuss today: decision-making in the...

As parents, it can be heartbreaking to see our children struggling with anxiety—especially when they won’t or can’t talk about what’s going on. We want to help, but we don’t always know how to reach them.

The key? Asking the right questions and creating a safe, non-judgmental environment where they feel seen and heard.

In this guide, we’ll walk through practical questions to help your child open up about anxiety—and explore how to respond when all you hear is silence or “I don’t know.”

Why Open Conversations About Anxiety Matter

When children can talk about their feelings, they’re more likely to:

• Understand and regulate their emotions

• Feel less isolated in their struggles

• Build emotional resilience

• Strengthen trust with the adults who care for them

Your goal isn’t to interrogate or “fix” them—it’s to open a door for connection and help them feel safe enough to step through it.

Questions That Help Uncover Anxiety

Start with gentle, open-ended que...

Anxiety in children often hides in plain sight. It doesn’t always show up as obvious distress—instead, it masks itself as quiet avoidance, perfectionism, tummy aches, or “bad behavior.” And while it may be hidden, its long-term effects can be profound.

Let’s take a closer look at what anxiety does to a child’s mind, body, and development—and why early understanding and support can change everything.

The Rising Tide of Childhood Anxiety

The numbers speak volumes. According to the CDC, around 9.4% of children aged 3–17 were diagnosed with anxiety between 2016 and 2019. More recent studies estimate that over 20% of youth worldwide now experience anxiety symptoms. That’s 1 in 5 kids.

This isn’t just a trend—it’s a growing mental health crisis that deserves urgent, compassionate attention.

Anxiety Often Hides in Silence

Unlike physical ailments, anxiety often goes unnoticed. Many children don’t have the language to describe their inner world. Others fear being judged, misunders...

Ok. It's 2 AM, and you're jolted awake by a blood-curdling scream. Your heart races as you dash to your child's room, expecting to find a burglar or perhaps a particularly menacing spider. Instead, you're greeted by your six-year-old, trembling under the covers, insisting there's a scary thing in the wardrobe. Is this normal childhood fear, or should you ring the local child psychologist at this ungodly hour?

 Well, according to a recent survey by the UK's National Health Service, approximately 7% of children aged 5-19 have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. That's roughly two children in every primary school classroom grappling with more than just typical childhood worries.

But how do you distinguish between something that's a normal childhood worry and something more sinister? 

We'll examine this in parts...

The Nature of Childhood Fears

Before we start labelling every under-the-bed monster as a sign of impending doom, let's take a moment to appreciate the wonderfully w...

Word up frazzled parents of the world! 

Let’s talk. Again. About the glorious mess that is parenting. Now, before you roll your eyes and think, "Oh great, another parenting expert telling me how to raise my kids," let me assure you – I'm not here to add to your already towering pile of guilt and self-doubt. No, today we're going to embrace the chaos, laugh at our mistakes, and maybe, just maybe, feel a bit better about this whole parenting lark.

The Myth of the Perfect Parent

Let's start with a shocking revelation: perfect parents don't exist. I know, I know, it's hard to believe when your social media feed is full of immaculately dressed children eating organic, hand-crafted lunches while simultaneously learning Mandarin and advanced calculus. But trust me, behind those carefully curated posts is a parent just like you, probably wearing yesterday's clothes and wondering if cereal for dinner counts as a balanced meal. It probably does.

Remember Ruby Franke? The family vlog...

A recent article in The Lancet highlights the alarming prevalence of multimorbidity among individuals with severe mental illness, underscoring the need for comprehensive care. These are things we already knew but have now been tactfully validated by the good authors of this paper.

But to me… here’s the crux:

Prevention MUST start at home. 🏠

When children are well-connected with their families, they are less likely to fall into the traps of phone addiction, substance abuse, and youth crime.

Some Key Takeaways from The Lancet Article🗝️

• Prevalence of Multimorbidity: People with severe mental illness, such as schizophrenia-spectrum disorder and bipolar disorder, face higher rates of both physical and psychiatric multimorbidity compared to those without severe mental illness. [Go figure!]
• Impact on Health Outcomes: The presence of multiple chronic conditions significantly worsens health outcomes for individuals with severe mental illness.
• Younger Populations at Higher Risk: Younger
...