It often begins subtly. A child asks to walk slightly further ahead, stay out a little longer, or go to a friend’s house without constant supervision. Then comes the next step: “Can I have my own phone?” For many parents, that question feels like a turning point. It signals that childhood is shifting and that a child is starting to seek independence in a more tangible way.
Learning to drive has long been seen as a major milestone for young people. It represents independence, freedom, and often the first step towards adult responsibility. For families, however, it has increasingly become a significant financial commitment. Recent research commissioned by Veygo suggests the average cost of learning to drive now stands at £939, representing […]
As a parent, your first instinct is to ensure that your children grow up healthy and protected. However, as they become teenagers and begin exploring the reaches of their independence, it’s easy not to be as fully aware of everything that’s going on in their lives. Unfortunately, sometimes this includes the use of alcohol or drugs. Realistically, parents can’t control whether or not their child comes into contact with them. If you think your child might be using, what do you do?
For generations, the idea of preparing children for adult life seemed fairly straightforward. Do well at school, pass exams, gain qualifications, find a stable career and build a secure future. That path made sense in a world where industries changed more slowly, jobs were more predictable and success often followed a familiar structure. That is no longer the reality many children are growing up in.
Family life can be full, rewarding, and, at times, overwhelming. Between school schedules, work demands, household tasks, and everything in between, it is easy to feel like your mind is constantly racing. The mental load of keeping everything running smoothly often leaves little space to pause and reflect.
When major global events dominate the news, children inevitably hear snippets of conversations, see headlines on screens, or pick up fragments of information from friends and social media. The current situation in the Middle East is one example of a complex and emotionally charged issue that many families are finding difficult to explain.
The first year of fostering a child can be both exciting and nerve-racking. The good news is that you can find out a bit more about what to expect below.
When my children were small, the same comments came up again and again. People would stop me in supermarkets, smile sympathetically and say, “Wow, you’ve got your hands full,” or ask, “Are they all yours?” With four children aged eight and under, the reactions were predictable. Crossing the road felt like a tactical operation, airport travel required military-level planning, and leaving the house involved snacks, spare clothes, emergency snacks, backup snacks, wipes, drinks and at least one forgotten shoe. Life was loud, messy and relentlessly busy.