Helen

Colourful midlife mum to two teens. Determined not to do as she's told and slide off into invisible old age. Much cooler at 50 than she was at 15. Host of the Teenage Kicks podcast, about mental health for teenagers.

Hotel Indigo Bath – a perfect grown up getaway

The lounge at Hotel Indigo is quirky and colourful

I recently had the most glorious weekend away in Bath. If you’ve never visited, you’re really missing something – it’s a stunning Georgian city full of fascinating history and beautiful architecture, and home to many, many film and TV sets (hello Bridgerton). Now that the kids are older (and one of them is away at university – sob! – my weekends are my own more often, so I took the opportunity to escape with a friend and explore. We stayed at the Hotel Indigo Bath – read on for what we thought. AD: We were guests of the hotel, but …

Read more

The Ghost of Christmas past with type 1 diabetes

We put our tree up this weekend. It’s always a big deal, never a chore. In the pursuit of family traditions, I’ve always made sure that Christmas tree weekend is special. So no, you can pass on those Chelsea tickets, welcome the cancelled football match, and even – just this once – skip swimming lessons. Put on the Christmas playlist, overboil the mulled wine, and warm up some mince pies, because Christmas tree weekend has to happen in a certain way every year. I apologise if I’m a little prescriptive, slightly bossy, and rather a neat freak, but this weekend …

Read more

Best advent calendars for teens 2023

16 of the best advent calendars for teens

It can be difficult to know which advent calendar to buy for teenagers. Which daily treats will delight, and which will result in an eyeroll. Here’s my definitive list of the best non-chocolate advent calendars for teens that are guaranteed to raise a smile and make you a popular parent this December.

How to help your teen feel Christmassy

Does anyone else struggle to get their teenagers into the Christmas spirit? I’ve asked around and here are the tricks parents are using to make their teens feel Christmassy when they’re not in the mood.

Stocking Fillers For Teenagers – 147 Ideas

Christmas stocking filler ideas for teenagers

Do you still give your teenager a stocking at Christmas? Now my kids are teenagers I’ve gently suggested that they’re too old for Christmas stockings, but they are having none of it! It gets hard finding stocking fillers for teenagers though so I’ve put together a list of 147 ideas for teenage stocking fillers guaranteed to make their Christmas morning special. Brilliant ideas for Christmas stocking fillers for teenagers I’ve never had a problem finding small Christmassy gifts for teen girls, with jewellery and makeup items frequently at the top of my daughter’s list. But I’ve always found it’s especially …

Read more

Uni starters: Reasons to be glad they’re gone

The empty nest can leave parents feeling sad. If you need cheering up, here are some amusing thoughts on why we can be glad our kids left.

If you’re grieving since your child left home to go to university, here are lots of reasons to be glad they’re gone – it might raise a smile and distract you till they get home!

Slipping through my fingers

For all the parents who’ve just left their child at university. You’re not alone. This is how it feels to be both proud and sad in the same moment.

60 Gifts for university students

When your child leaves for university or college you may feel you want to treat them to a parting gift, or some treats to help them settle in. Here’s a list of 60 ideas for gifts to put in a university care package

Gaming: Keeping your child safe online

Activities for teens - Things for teenagers to do at home that don't involved gaming

Has your child just gone into year 6? Or started secondary school? If so, I’ll bet one of the hot topics in your household is smartphones, iPads and online access. Is your child safe with a smartphone m? Will they see things you don’t want to see? (Probably). How young is too young? And will they miss out socially if they’re the only one without a phone? (Again, probably). Still, if your child doesn’t yet have a smartphone, odds are it will be on their Christmas list come December. Either that or a gaming console, where they will play online …

Read more

How to stay connected to your teenager

Are you struggling to connect with your teenager? Don't know how to relate to your kids as they get older? Here are some tips on how to stay connected to your teen, and a podcast episode featuring a mum who's done an excellent job of it!

Are you struggling to connect with your teenager? Don’t know how to relate to your kids as they get older? Here are some tips on how to stay connected to your teen, and a podcast episode featuring a mum who’s done an excellent job of it!

Updating my jewellery with an elegant silver necklace

An elegant jewellery upgrade. What kind of jewellery looks good n midlife? It's still fine to wear bold colours - it's fine to wear whatever you want! - but if you fancy something more elegant this silver necklace is perfect

Regular readers here will know that I’m fond of bold colours. If you’ve ever fancied trying a brighter colour than usual, let me tell you – it pays off! I’ve had so many compliments on my outfits since starting to wear colourful fashion, and it never fails to cheer up my day when a complete stranger tells me how great I look. I love bright, colourful jewellery too, but recently I’ve started to crave more delicate, elegant jewellery – something a bit more simple, but still classy. Advertorial content: this posts contains links to Jana Reinhardt Jewellery, who gifted me …

Read more

The Importance of Communication: Strategies for Talking to Your Teenage Daughter

Communicating with your teenage daughter can feel like a task you're destined to fail at. But it doesn't have to be like that. Read this article for tips to make connecting with a teenage daughter easier.

As a parent, communicating with your teenage daughter can be a daunting task. It can often feel like you are speaking two different languages, leaving both parties feeling frustrated and misunderstood. However, effective communication is crucial for building strong relationships and ensuring your daughter feels heard and supported during this pivotal time in her life. After writing my tips for living with a teenage daughter, I wanted to focus particularly in this article on the importance of communication, and offer you strategies for talking to your teenage daughter. From active listening to setting boundaries, these techniques will help you navigate …

Read more

What’s really going on with girls’ friendships

Friendship issues don't end when your daughter hits the teenage years, but our ability to step in as parents does. Here's a different take on how to support our daughters when they fall out with their friends.

Friendship issues don’t end when your daughter hits the teenage years, but our ability to step in as parents does. Here’s a different take on how to support our daughters when they fall out with their friends.

Rules for living with your teenage daughter

Emma Campbell talks on the podcast of her feelings of failure as the mother of a teenage daughter, and how she manages to find joy in the relentlessness of parenting teens

Emma Campbell talks on the podcast of her feelings of failure as the mother of a teenage daughter, and how she manages to find joy in the relentlessness of parenting teens. Plus, 9 rules that will make living with a teenage girl easier.

error: Content is protected !!