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Parenting
The Baby Whisperer
Sue Gray describes how she became a doula and why she is passionate about helping mothers and newborns
Celebrities are having babies in their fifties...what does the Bible say about having a baby at 51?
More and more women are having babies in their 50s, Woman Alive deputy editor Jemimah Wright looks at what the Bible says about having a baby in ‘old’ age.
Walking free of shame and stigma in pregnancy and beyond
Hope Virgo asserts that parents suffering from mental ill-health really need the Church to step up and provide support
Should Christians call out elderly family members for racist comments?
It's difficult to know how to handle elderly relatives if they say something racist, here Cassandra Maria explains why it's important to speak up.
I’m single and found out I may be infertile - I’ve had to learn to trust God with my future
Sophie Dianne hoped for children but those dreams seemed over when she received a diagnosis in 2022. But then God stepped in to give her new hope.
What I’ve learnt about friendship from 12 years at the school gate and how the Bible helps
Rachel Allcock reflects on her years as a primary school mum and the relationships she's built at the school gate.
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Mama got faith!
Author, podcast host and founder of award-winning teen girls platform Girl Got Faith, Emma Borquaye, wife of rapper ‘Guvna B’ speaks with Jane Knoop about the highs and lows of motherhood, and the realities of being married to a famous rapper
Three pieces of Christian advice I found helpful while struggling with infertility
Award-winning mentor and speaker Funke Oham had her life all mapped out, until she realised conceiving wouldn’t be as easy as she thought.
I am trusting a stranger to carry my baby and it’s taught me a lot about the love of Christ
Shannon Cramer was devastated when she found out she couldn’t carry her own children but then another incredible family stepped in.
Before becoming a Christian I followed new age practices - here's why I'd never go near hypnobirthing
Christian writer Kate Orson explains why her past experiences with the new age mean that she would never try hypnosis and hypnobirthing.
Childlessness isn’t just a ‘female’ thing, it cuts up men too - I and other men I know have felt each cut
Writer, speaker and broadcaster Sheridan Voysey shares his experience of infertility and explains why we need to talk about the damage it can do to men as well as women.
Struggling to choose a biblical name for your baby boy? Some unique suggestions for Christians
Picking out the perfect name for your newborn child is a big decision. Here, journalist Lauren Windle shares a few options from the Bible.
I’m a Christian midwife and this is what I think of hypnobirthing
Midwife Chloe Edmonds explains why she would encourage her mothers to explore their mystical connection with Christ when giving birth.
Need help choosing a biblical name for your baby girl? Here are some unique suggestions for Christians
Picking out the perfect name for your child is a big decision, journalist Lauren Windle helps out with a few options from the Bible.
If you’re not sure it’s worth going back to work after maternity leave, here’s what you should know
New research suggests that 98% of women in the UK want to return to work after maternity leave, but only 13% make it back full time. The reasons? Sky-high childcare costs and inflexible employers…
‘My son got five siblings – one for every year he prayed!’
After Carrie Jones had her first child, it was nine years until she had another successful pregnancy. She never imagined she would give birth to quintuplets – thanks to the determined prayers of her eldest
We've just been approved to adopt... and waiting for a child has made me think about what it is to be a parent
Our contributor from fostering and adoption charity Home For Good shares her reflections on waiting to become a parent after being approved to adopt.
Being a 'ministry mum' is tough but they are a blessing to the churches they serve
Rev Jules Middleton shares the realities of being a 'ministry mum' this Mothering Sunday.
Do you feel like God is speaking to you about fostering a vulnerable child? Carers are urgently needed
Children’s charity Home for Good has launched an urgent appeal in response to an unprecedented shortage of homes for children who need them and a desperate need for more foster carers in the UK.
Our children were born to heroin addicts
A reader shares her and her husband Jeremy’s journey of adoption and what it showed them about the heart of God
‘I struggle as a Christian mum’
Hope Bonarcher threw herself into motherhood, trying to do everything perfectly. But, as she became more and more exhausted, God began to teach her a better way
You don’t need to have a good relationship with your own mother to be a good parent - God can help you
Author Gemma E Asafo-Adjei explains that a woman doesn’t need a mother of her own to be an amazing parent.
Jesus said a woman forgets the anguish of giving birth because of her joy that a child is born - so why do I have post-birth trauma?
We don’t know if Jesus was born without any pain to Mary, but the process of childbirth is not straightforward. Here Chelsea Boes explains how she realised she was suffering from trauma three years after having a baby
Joseph was Jesus’ step-father and as a step-mother myself, I find that hugely encouraging
Amy Ellison is the proud step-mother to her partner’s children. Here she explains the honour God has put on the role, even if at times it can feel like a struggle.
I work for a fostering charity that supports children and here are three things I LOVE about the 2022 John Lewis Christmas advert
Home for Good’s Rosie Killick explains the things she loves about the new John Lewis Christmas advert - the tale of a couple preparing to foster a teenage girl.
It’s World Adoption Day and recognising that we are all orphans adopted by our Father is the best way to stand firm in our identity
This World Adoption Day, writer Lucinda Smith, explains that we are all welcomed in and adopted by God and explores how that identity should help us break free from fear and anxiety.
I’m a Christian mum-of-three and here’s why every parent should keep their kids offline for as long as possible
Mum Anna’s oldest daughter is just seven years old but she’s already feeling the effects of technology as her friends are less interested in connecting and more interested in their phones.
God has called me to be a mother and a minister but I regularly have to ask myself: ‘Which comes first?’
For minister Sophie Bannister, every Sunday is “Bring Your Child to Work Day” which create some unique challenges. Here she reflects on her two vital callings; motherhood and ministry - and asks which comes first?
I’m a mum-of-two and this is how to speak to your children about Queen Elizabeth’s passing - it’s a good opportunity to point them to God
Helping children understand death and grief is a challenge, but mum-of-two Sarah Jones, explains that the Queen’s death is an opportunity to speak to our children about God and Jesus and the promise of eternal life.
I’m a young, single, unmarried mother in the church and these are the things I struggle with most
‘Single parenthood is one of the most precarious states’ says writer Emily Beater, who explains the trials she faces in a church environment and how we can all support single parents better.
Five things I have learned about… empty nesting
With two grown-up daughters, Cathy Madavan shares advice and wisdom on navigating the huge transition that occurs as children leave home
I’m a parenting coach and people always ask me if it's safe to post pictures of their children online... here are my tips
Plenty of parents post snaps of their children to social media. Here, leadership parenting coach, Sarah Hamaker, explains the things that you should think through before clicking ’upload’.
Samson was the original difficult teenager but God loved and rejoiced in him - so take heart if yours is hard work at the moment
God isn’t afraid of difficult teens and even had one of his own in Samson. Here, author Hilary Higgins, explains why you should take heart if you’re struggling with your child’s adolescence as you have no idea what God will call them to.
‘The best place for young children isn’t nursery. It’s at home’
Retired head teacher Angie Jones challenges Christian parents to check whether their priorities are based on God’s principles or our consumer-driven culture.
From listening to my body to remembering to cover up afterwards: five things I’ve learned the hard way about breastfeeding
Breast may be best, but breastfeeding is no walk in the park, says mum-of-two Rachel Pearce. Here she shares her five top tips for feeding little ones.
Grandparents’ role in sowing seeds of faith in grandchildren is vital, and it doesn’t matter if they’re not blood relatives
This weekend brings World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. To mark the occasion Louise Morse from Pilgrims’ Friend Society explains why grandparents can play a vital role in the faith of our children.
No one wants to raise their children in a ‘broken home’ but my ex and I make co-parenting work and communication is the key
Victoria Hinton co-parents her two sons Isaac, seven, and Arthur, five, with her ex partner Dave. The pair have managed to find a set up that works for them and their sons, and good communication is at the heart of it.
I’m a post-natal expert - men suffer from post-natal depression too, here’s how to talk to a man about it
Victoria Jennings, founder of Bloom Baby Classes, suffered from post-natal depression after having her first child. Here she explains that it also affects ten per cent of men and what steps you can take if you suspect your partner needs support.
Seeing afresh through the eyes of a child
July sees the end of the academic year – a relief to students finishing their exams but possibly daunting to children starting new schools in September
Travelling with kids can be agonising but wonderful, here are some pro tips for making the holidays as painless as possible
Rachel Pearce offers her top tips for holiday bliss as she prepares to travel abroad with two very little people and a happy-go-lucky husband. What could possibly go wrong?
Video game addiction in young people tripled over the pandemic, here’s how to spot the signs
Gaming addiction in young people increased drastically in recent years. Addiction specialist Lauren Windle explains how to spot the signs and what you can do if you’re concerned for your children.
I’m a single dad of daughters and this Father’s Day I’ve got the most important gift to give them
Writer Andy Kind is the father to two young girls, here he explains what he hopes to teach his daughters as they venture into the world.
How to get your children to love reading more than they love screen time
Children are often glued to a screen and getting them to put it down in favour of a book is a difficult task. Here Isabell Fisher, co-founder of Little Hands Learning, shares her three tips for getting your children excited about reading.
However gifted my children are… I won’t let activities like football come before church
Mum Lucy Rycroft was delighted when her talented son was picked for the local football team, until she realised that matches were on a Sunday morning. Here, she explains why she insists on church before activities for her children.
Five tips for talking to your child about race… and you should never shame them if you hear them making a racist comment
Speaking to children about race in an open and appropriate way can be a challenge. Loretta Andrews, author of Talking to Children about Race gives her five tips for tackling the tricky topic.
Five ways to support your child through their exams, from a mum who’s been there
As GCSE, A level and general end-of-year exam season is nearly upon us, Claire Musters shares some practical ways to be there for the young people in your household who are sitting exams this term
Explaining the Easter story to my two-year-old brought up some confusing and VERY cheeky questions, but I think I got there in the end
Rachel Pearce was worried that telling her daughter about Jesus’ death might scar her for life. Little did she know that the Easter story was about to take a surprising turn…
MUM’S THE WORD: Mum-of-babies and mum-of-teens compare notes on keeping on top of the mess
Every stage of parenting poses its unique challenges. Each fortnight mum-of-babies Rachel Pearce and and mum-of-teens Claire Musters compare notes on the ups and downs of everyday life. This time: tackling the mess.
From doctor’s appointments to maternity pay, these are your legal rights as a pregnant employee
Whether you’ve experienced discrimination in the workplace since becoming pregnant or simply want to know what you’re entitled to, this guide from Rachel Pearce should help.
Here’s how to entertain your family this Easter without spending a fortune
The cost of everything is rising, so while we want to mark Easter and Jesus’ resurrection in a big way - many of us don’t have any cash to splash at the moment. Here are some ideas to keep costs down and fun high.
We had a set timeline for having a family, but God had other plans and he communicated them very clearly
Laura Grant and her husband had planned to wait two years before trying for a baby until someone challenged her to ask God if and when he wanted their family to grow.
MUM'S THE WORD: Mum-of-babies and mum-of-teens compare notes on their disastrous attempts at having a date night
Every stage of parenting poses its unique challenges. Each fortnight mum-of-babies Rachel Pearce and and mum-of-teens Claire Musters compare notes on the ups and downs of everyday life. This time: date nights.
The five “worst” Mother’s Day gifts of all time
Flowers, a spa day voucher…a rubber chicken? Rachel Pearce shares her all-time present lowlights.
A new generation is watching Friends thanks to Netflix, but should your teenager be one of them?
Friends is having a comeback as a whole new batch of teens follow the exploits of the six main characters. Here writer Lauren Windle, explains why she thinks you should let your older children watch it and why you should watch it with them too.
We were smacked when we were young, but wouldn’t do the same to our children
Smacking your child will be made illegal in Wales this week. While in England the government is encouraging people to call the police if they witness a parents smacking their child. We asked four women about their experiences of smacking and what they thought of the new rules.
How to speak to your children about balancing science and faith, according to a zoologist and children’s communicator
For those who’ve often dodged questions about science and faith, because it all seems too overwhelming and they’d like to get it right, Christian scientist Steph Bryant explains how to encourage your children to celebrate God through science.
Phones, tablets and computers are here to stay but you can teach your child to have safe screen time
The pandemic saw a huge increase in our, and our children’s, screentime. Katherine Hill, author of book Left to Their Own Devices? explains how you can encourage your children to have safer screen time.
How *not* to support a Christian woman through pregnancy
Avoid these five faux pas if you want to keep your pregnant friends, advises Rachel Pearce.
Raising children while paralysed is tough but I'm determined to model good character for them & that doesn't require working legs
Mum-of-two Jade Reynolds explains that while being a parent is tough for us all, paralysis created big hurdles for her when it came to caring for her children.
How to speak to your children about the war in Ukraine according to a psychologist
It’s the job of parents to protect and inform their children, which is easier said than done when it comes to a topic as horrific as war. Here Lauren Windle explores the experts’ advice for navigating the tough conversation.
Five Christian songs guaranteed* to get your baby to sleep
*Guaranteed in the sense that even if they don’t fall asleep because of the song, they will – at some point, eventually, once all hope is lost – fall into a light slumber that lasts just long enough for you to nip to the loo.
Saying no to a smart phone while my children were in primary school made all the difference
Clare Luther made the counter-cultural decision not to have a smart phone when her children were young. Here she explains the benefits it had for her family.
‘Conscious parenting’ isn’t just another mum-fad… I’m a fan, and this is how I involve Jesus
The latest trend of ‘Conscious Parenting’ may sound like a passing craze to be ignored. But mum-of-three Rebecca Hunter-Kelm explains how doing it with Jesus can be transformational.
Instagram tells mums they’re overworked, under-appreciated and deserve more; Christ says you’re known, loved and will give you strength
Despite the constant messages that mums need ’wine o’clock’ just to get by, as Christians we know Jesus offers a radically different perspective and dialogue, says author Clare Luther.
I keep my children’s screen time low with these helpful tactics
Worried about how much time your children spend on their computers and their phones? Katherine Hill explains how to put healthy technology boundaries in place with your kids.
I didn’t return to work after having my baby and I have no regrets
Mum-of-three, Sarah Jones, always knew she wanted to stay home with her children and set up her family and finances so that she could. Now, six years in, she explains why, despite not being able to afford the insta-worthy house and regular manicures, she wouldn’t change a thing.
As Jessie J and Jorgie Porter speak out about their miscarriages, Zoe Clark-Coates MBE explains why we need to listen to people’s stories of loss
Singer Jessie J and Hollyoaks actress Jorgie Porter have both spoken out about the shock and overwhelming sadness they experienced due to a miscarriage, baby loss charity founder Zoe Clark-Coates MBE explained why it’s more important that we listen to people’s stories of loss than ever.
‘Pornography has been normalised in our culture’
Catherine Etherington, the Head of Recovery for the UK-based Naked Truth Project, talks about their mission to free lives from the damaging impact of sexual addictions
‘Sadly, bullying seems to be part of our human journey’
Kate Neal says the growth of social media seems to have created a society in which bullying is more prevalent than ever before, with devastating and even life-altering effects
Young people really do want us to talk to them about sex
Rachel Gardner urges us to get over our embarrassment and fear of saying the wrong thing, because we have a vital role in helping to shape young people’s attitudes towards relationships and sex
‘Adoption was our first choice’
On World Adoption Day, Chrissi Pegg shares the story of how she and her husband came to adopt their two daughters
Could you open your home to a vulnerable teenager?
A new report from Home for Good highlights the benefits of support lodgings as a way for young people to receive support within a family environment. Lucy Colman explains how individuals and local churches can provide a vital safety net for teenagers in the care system
Fertility leave may help couples who are struggling to conceive
During National Fertility Awareness Week (1-5 November) we look at how employers are beginning to recognise the need to support those experiencing fertility issues – it is time the Church did the same
‘Let’s not sit in the dark this Halloween’
Is it a trick or is it a treat? Rachel Pearce explores whether the opportunities Halloween presents outweigh the fears many Christians have about celebrating this contentious festival
‘More than 2,000 children are waiting to be adopted in England. Let’s work together to find a home for every child who needs one’
Tania Bright believes National Adoption Week (18-23 October) is a great time to alert society to the amazing opportunity we have to give vulnerable children a loving, safe and stable home
Your children should not be watching Squid Game – I’m 33 and I don’t know if I’m old enough
Lauren Windle shines the spotlight on Netflix’s new, extremely popular, show
‘The pain of miscarriage was probably worse than full-term labour pains’
To mark Baby Loss Awareness Week (9-15 October) Tammy Tunnah shares about her traumatic miscarriage and how mentally agonising her next pregnancy was, and we look at the place of art therapy in processing baby loss
‘I’ve raised my girls to be strong, independent women but now they are gone I can almost feel the hole in my heart’
Reflecting on the excitement and heartache involved when our children head off to university
‘Trusting God with my son’s life’
As Childhood Cancer Awareness month draws to a close Jess George shares how her faith was tested when her son had cancer
Instagram may be contributing to teen poor mental health: here’s three ways parents can help
Dr Kate Middleton, psychologist and project lead for Headstrong – an online teen mental health and wellbeing site – responds to reports that Instagram may increase teen anxiety, depression and body image concerns.
Who’s protecting our kids?
Restored director Bekah Legg believes parents have a pivotal part to play in protecting young people from physical and online abuse
It’s time the government started protecting children from porn
CARE chief executive Nola Leach calls for age-check porn legislation
Adopting my girl
Sharon Bricker, 73, was mum to three boys, but she always dreamed of having a daughter. After a hysterectomy due to ill health, she wondered how it would ever happen
Gaming: It’s not a battle you need to win
We can celebrate the positives that gaming holds for young people
What has lockdown done to our children?
Claire Musters, mum to two teenagers, considers how we can all – whether parents/carers or not - support young people this summer and beyond
‘I don’t know how to be your mum!’
Given the response we had to the piece on young people’s mental health in May’s issue*, we know that many of you have experienced huge highs and lows over the last 18 months in your families. Here, author Lucy Rycroft gives a snapshot of the impact of COVID-19 on children’s and parents’ mental health, and claims it was no mistake that God picked you to parent your kids
Helping our kids to see God in the everyday
As we finally start meeting for coffee, going for walks and even having people in our homes, Joy Vee asks the Church to reach out to her teenage children.
Finding ways to unwind together
As schools begin to break up for the summer, Katharine Hill, UK director of Care for the Family, encourages parents to remember that they truly are the people best placed to help their children adjust.
Supporting vulnerable mums
Founder of the Princess Project, Emma Tanner, looks back over the past ten years of the charity, and celebrates how God has used it to transform women’s lives.
Facing Father’s Day as a single man
We hear from Tom Morgan about what life is like as a single and childless church leader, especially on days like Father’s Day.
Showing our kids that following Jesus is a great adventure
As we approach Father’s Day, Andy Frost thinks back to how his dad influenced his own Christian journey when he was younger. He also shares details of a great new resource to help fathers as they take their kids on an adventure of faith.
'I was rejected from church as a single mum'
Shovorne Adams was judged for being a single mum at 17. But God never left her alone, providing love, protection and hope for her future
Equipping the next generation
Alastair McIver reports on how a Christian-run hospital is pioneering a new ‘respect’ agenda in Bangladesh
The deep darkness of post-natal depression
As we continue to think about maternal mental health, Lindsay Rumbold bravely shares her own experiences after giving birth to her son.
How can I teach my son to respect women?
Sarah Everard's abduction and death have sparked conversations on the things women have to do to stay safe from male predators. Here we look at how boys can grow up with a healthy view of women and girls
What has a year of lockdown taught us about home schooling?
As many children have gone back to school this week, Claire Musters takes a look at how parents have found the experience of home schooling
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