Specialisms
Bereavement
A mum who was told to ‘just crack on’ by bosses the day her former partner died is spearheading moves to improve bereavement support at work.
‘Before Neil became unwell, I was such a laid-back mum,’ says Linda.
More and more people are leaving tributes to loved ones on memorial websites, but are they opening themselves up to abuse?
As a widowed mum, I am fiercely protective of my children’s feelings and taking baby steps to control my own emotions stirred up by our loss.
It is thought that 22,000 children suffer the loss of a parent every year in the UK ― one every 22 minutes. Mother-of-two Linda Aitchison, whose husband died in May, reports on how secondary schools can best meet the needs of these pupils and families
Trying to cope when someone you love dies is overwhelming.
I lost my wonderful husband Neil at the age of 44 in May. This came after six months of hell of cancer which was never going to be cured. Every day now I’m gripped by a mass of emotions arising from my heartbreak.
But as the cliché tells us, I keep going for my children.
Business and careers
“Look, it’s just a stitch. Sit down and have a drink and you’ll be fine.” My seven-year-old son rolls around wailing. He’s finished his last sports day race and I’m due back at the office.
“But I’ve got tummy ache Mummy,” Morgan insists loudly, pulling a face like a champion gurner. “You’d better take him home,” chips in his teacher. Yes, thanks a lot. I never thought of that.
The vast majority of dog owners would consider pulling a sickie to care for their pets as they prepare to return to work post-lockdown, new research has shown. Almost three quarters are worried about how returning to work will affect their pet, the survey revealed. The poll* widespread end to working from home as UK bosses plan to boost post-pandemic productivity.
Twins and two weeks’ maternity leave. Good luck Marissa Mayer
‘I can’t be the only mum who raised an eyebrow at the Yahoo CEO’s statements. Twins can upset the best laid plans’.
Comment
A supermaket checkout that isn’t childproof and can’t scan bananas? Sorry, but it’s back to the “10 items only” queue for me.
It’s not just the price of the toll that stops people from using the fancy new private motorway.
Education
From parties to politics: how student life has changed.
Linda Aitchison studied modern languages at Wolverhampton Polytechnic – but ‘didn’t always show up to lectures’. Now her twin daughters are in their first year of university in Nottingham.
Case study and Guardian education supplement cover stars…
Linda Jones: My daughters’ school reports are meaningless drivel.
The sexual behaviour of children under 10 is starting to mirror that of teenagers.
Children as young as seven are indulging in the sort of sexual behaviour once associated with 16-year-olds, according to parents and teachers.
School for students who are gay can be a difficult time ― especially if they decide to come out. The right support can play a crucial role in helping teenagers through this difficult period. Linda Aitchison looks at best practice for teachers and staff.
Self-harm is a subject that remains shrouded in stigma with three in four young sufferers not knowing where to turn. Linda Aitchison looks at how schools and school staff should react when a pupil seeks help.
My junior school headteacher, Alan Harper, who has died aged 86 of vascular dementia, seldom forgot a pupil’s name, even decades after they left.
Health
Reporting on heath developments has been a major part of my work, with features in Diabetes Balance, Essentials, The Independent, NHS Choices, New Woman, One in Four, Take a Break, Sweet magazine, and more. I also set up an award-winning mental health blog, Breaking the Silence.
Tears of relief stung my eyes as I pulled on my jeans. As I walked out of the nurse’s room, I gave her a grateful smile and thanked her once again.
Experts now believe that mild to moderate depression may be good for us – and even help us live longer.
Being pregnant with one baby is life-changing; expecting twins, triplets or more can be earth-shattering. But there is new evidence that the extra support and reassurance that multiple-birth parents need from health professionals is sorely absent.
Teenage girls should prepare themselves for serious, long-lasting discrimination if they are overweight at the age of 16, according to new research.
Mum-of-two Claire Russell was devastated when she lost her boyfriend to suicide and then lost their baby four weeks later.
Parenting
Every time Claire Orgill looks at her healthy, happy triplets, she gives thanks that she ignored the doctors’ advice.
The biological clock may be ticking for thousands of women. But the dilemma over the best age to start a family has finally been solved: women should aim for 34.
Double Trouble? No, having twins is double the joy and double the cuddles
When I imagined motherhood, I pictured strolling purposefully along behind a pushchair, humming a happy tune as my baby looked fondly into my smiling face.
The doubled trouble with tales about twins. Why must characterisations of twins always be so lazy and prejudiced?
Personal finance
Putting money aside used to be a straightforward choice of bank, building society, ISA, stocks, shares, or bonds. But post-recession and banking crash, what does saving look like in 2016?
Have you always dreamed of winning out of this world prizes from the comfort of your armchair?
A CHARITY for families with twins and triplets is demanding a fair deal from the Government over the new child tax credit.
Relationships
If you’re searching for a special someone after recovering from a break-up, these superstar couples show there is light at the end of the tunnel.
What the cluck! Should hens always get an invite to the wedding? One bride says no, but a snubbed hen has a VERY different view.
New research shows why separated women earn more, work longer and are more successful than married women.
Social media
‘Kids bullied via Snapchat,’ and ‘Snapchat turns your phone into a sex toy’ scream the headlines and I want to instantly ban my daughters from laying their hands on it ever again.
MP Alan Johnson is using the microblogging tool in his campaign to be Labour deputy leader. But is it ‘potentially the biggest waste of time in the world’? Linda Jones reports.
Female internet users are shattering the image of the lonely nerd, says Diane Shipley.
Environment
England cricket star Maia Bouchier is calling for a new, scaled back kit – as the current non-environmentally friendly version has had a good innings.
Around 15,000 protesters flooded central London streets this weekend as they called for urgent action on water pollution.
A self-confessed novice when it comes to saving the planet, Linda Aitchison wanted to see if she could cut back on plastic use and understand how it helps…
Late? Don’t blame your satnav!
Blaming lateness on your satnav is right up there with ‘the dog ate my homework’ in lame excuses.