Articles by Maya Griffiths
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Dad Info is run by Spurgeons, a nationwide children’s charity. Our Family Support Library is available 24/7, providing advice and tips on a variety of topics for parents. Our resources and courses also provide completely free, in-depth support. The library of advice articles is separated into categories, including: Early years Family life Teenagers Behaviour and emotions School life and bullying Bedtime and sleep Online safety SEN Mental health Separation and divorce.
Can our Family Support Service help you?
Parenting can be tough. It can also feel isolating. However, you’re not alone. Our Family Support Service is here to help. If you’re finding parenting difficult and would like support, there are a number of programmes which can build your confidence as a parent and find solutions to everyday difficulties. How does the Family Support Service work? We work 1-1 with you and your family to identify challenges, and create strategies and solutions that will boost relationships and improve life at home.
how to achieve an amicable settlement
Divorce is undeniably tough. Whether you saw it coming or it hit you out of the blue, it can leave you feeling like you’re suddenly without solid ground. As fathers, we’re often expected to keep it together, but when family life changes this drastically, it’s hard for anyone to stay unaffected. Amidst all the upheaval, one thing many people overlook is that it doesn’t have to be a battle. Divorce mediation offers a way to sort things out without going through the courtroom wringer.
Perfectionism in children
If your child seems exasperated when their drawing hasn’t gone ‘right’, or gets frustrated because their school performance isn’t perfect, they may be a perfectionist. Perfectionism in children is common, and can be seen as a positive trait, as it spurs the child to do their best. However, it can lead to self-criticism and being hard on themselves. In extreme cases, it can lead to self-harm and anxiety.
What to do if your child has a stammer
For kids who stammer, expressing themselves can prove frustrating and upsetting, and they may struggle with low self-esteem as a result. So, what causes stammering, what what do parents need to know? What is a stammer? A stammer (or stutter) is difficulty speaking, and making sounds. Here are some interesting facts: Around 3% of adults stammer, and 8% of kids. Stammering is much more common in boys than girls- around 75% of stammers are in boys.
Sports for kids- why are they important?
Not all kids are sporty but sports for kids benefit every child. Sports activities offer a myriad of positives for kids, making a big difference to their lives and confidence. ‘It’s absolutely crucial,’ says Alastair Park at KICK. ‘I see certain children who struggle socially at school, but in team sports they all rally round each other and it’s a very easy way to make friends.
13+ family activities to do at Christmas
The kids are off school, and likely bouncing off the walls with excitement about Christmas! We’ve listed some great family activities to do at Christmas below, to keep them entertained all the way through until they go back to school. As the cost of living crisis is hitting everyone hard we’ve rounded up some brilliant ideas that cost little or no money at all. Geochaching is a free, modern treasure hunt using sat nav or a map.
Co-parenting: how focussing on your child makes it easier
Splitting up is incredibly stressful for parents, and devastating for children. There are, however, ways to side-step the fighting between you and instead create a working partnership to continue co-parenting your child. The way to this is a child-centered divorce, where the focus moves from the breakdown of the relationship to the ongoing wellbeing of the child. We spoke to Nicola Baldwin, Parenting Lead at Spurgeons, for advice on how parents can approach their breakup and begin co-parenting.
What to do when your child comes out
Maybe you’ve had an inkling for a while, or maybe it’s come out of the blue, but your child coming out is a monumental moment for them. Knowing what to do when your child comes out can make a huge difference to their wellbeing. Despite society making major headway in supporting those who come out, it’s always a major step when a child comes out to their parents.
What is a blended family?
Gone is the nuclear family of yesteryear- blended families are the norm. So what is a blended family? It’s a mix of stepchildren, new partners, ex partners, and in-laws. How can we navigate what constitutes a modern ‘blended’ family and encourage harmony between everyone in it? The typical family set up of yesteryear- a married mum and dad and their kids living under one roof- now only makes up 35% of households.
Dads want more paternity leave
Campaign group The Dad Shift have been placing baby slings on statues around London in a bid to get attention for their push to change the UK’s low level of paternity leave. Alex Lloyd Hunter of The Dad Shift talked to us about why it matters. Famous statues around London were adorned with baby slings and dolls last week, gaining media attention and interest. ‘Often men aren’t thought of as fathers, they’re thought of as their jobs first,’ says Alex.
Life after divorce
A divorce is one of the most life-changing events most people will experience, and is accompanied by a lot of emotional, financial, domestic and legal considerations. Thinking about life after divorce may be exciting, or daunting, or a combination of both, but it is important to not lose sight of the practical things you need to do to start this next chapter of your life on the right foot.
how to calm kids down before they explode
Did you think that tantrums and explosions would be left in toddlerhood? Sadly, they’re not. While older kids and teens are less likely to throw themselves to the floor because you didn’t buy them a lolly, they can still be just ask explosive. In a bid to quell those incredibly difficult moments, arm yourself with these de-escalation techniques! What is de-escalation?
How to deal with tantrums
Tantrums are one of the most stressful parts of parenting. Even the calmest dad can be pushed to their limits by a screaming child in the middle of Asda! Here’s some helpful information on how to deal with tantrums to help you manage those miserable meltdowns: Are tantrums normal? Yes. Tantrums are short outbursts of anger or frustration. It’s your child’s way of expressing their feelings about not getting what they want. They are part of a child’s development. When do tantrums start?
men's mental health statistics
As dads it can be tempting to compartmentalise feelings and try to plough on. There are many demands on men, both at work and at home, and the days are full. People depend on you. People need you to show up and carry on- or, at least, that can be the perception. However, men’s mental health statistics show the devastating effects of not taking care of yourself: 1 in 8 men are suffering from a mental health concern, and men are three times more likely than women to commit suicide.
how to co-parent with a toxic ex
Finding yourself splitting from- and having to co-parent with- a toxic ex can be a relentlessly difficult ordeal. Not only that, but it can continue for years while your child grows up. The frustration and anger that you need to cope with while maintaining a calm front for the kids is a tricky balance to strike. Plus, there can be never ending challenges in trying to bring up a child while struggling to get along. So, how can you best deal with a toxic ex?
ack to school anxiety
It’s that time again: up and down the country parents are ironing uniforms, sticking name tags on to blazers and packing pencil cases. But how are our kids feeling? For some, the return to school- or start of school- brings a heap of anxiety. If you’ve ever experienced a teacher having to literally drag your crying child away from you at the classroom door, you’ll know how heart breaking it can be.
Starting secondary school
For thousands of children across the country the cosy, cuddly atmosphere of primary school is over and starting secondary school is just around the corner. ‘The transition to secondary school can be an exciting time for children and marks a new phase in their lives,’ says Debbie Pattinson, Digital Counselling Manager at Spurgeons. ‘As with any change this transition can bring uncertainty.
summer-holidays-activities
If you’re anything like us you’ll half-dread the summer holidays, because kids are not great at entertaining themselves (if you’ve got a child who takes themselves off for hours quietly to make something out of Lego, hats off to you). Summer holiday activities ideas can sometimes involve spending money, being distracted from work or constantly taking the kids out. However, our ideas for the summer holidays avoid unnecessary cost and hassle, and get the kids to entertain themselves.
Parenting an autistic child
For parents of neurodiverse children, daily life can prove incredibly stressful. As today is World Autism Awareness Day, we spoke to dad Stuart about life parenting an autistic child, and how the free EarlyBird course helped his family. Raising three young children alongside my wife Aimee is an adventure for sure. We have another daughter, Mollie, who is 5 and has Down Syndrome. We expected many challenges with Mollie, due to the diagnosis.
sleep hygiene for children
Bedtime for adults means slipping happily under the covers, enjoying the quiet and relaxation. Bedtime for kids can mean war- a fight between the parent wanting their child to settle, and the child who still wants to stay up and bounce off the walls. Sleep hygiene for children (steps to encourage good rest) is important.
kids gaming safety
Keeping track of your child’s online life can be challenging. Online video gaming poses difficulties for parents trying to monitor their child’s activity. Gaming and gambling safety charity Ygam shared with us their tips for working with your kids to keep them safe: The immersive world of gaming 87% of young gamers aged between 8 to 25 years old play online at least three times a week, with 58% playing every day.
'Father': how one photographer captured real life as a dad
Being a dad certainly isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. In fact, for many dads, an average day involves difficult moments, juggling many things at once, stress, mess and some measure of chaos. Photographer Eoin Carey sought to share snapshots of dad’s lives in a bid to capture the average, everyday moments of family life- the mess on the floor, the responsibility, but all of it coming from a place of love. Eoin is a father himself, which was the catalyst behind his Father project.
father's day activities
Want to make your Father’s Day a little more fun? On this page you can download free Father’s Day activities sheets to complete with your kids. Make your Father’s Day experience this year even more fun by enjoying watching the kids fill in our fun sheets- all about their dad. Things to do with dad We hope you get spoiled rotten on Father’s Day, either with pressies or attention (ideally both).
How to get along with your in-laws
Negotiating tense relationships with in-laws can be a minefield, not to mention a constant headache. Perhaps they disagree with how you parent your children, or disregard your rules while taking care of your kids. Maybe they rub you up the wrong way or you’re tired of their niggly comments.
Teenage moods- why they have them and how to deal with them
Remember when your kid was all cute and cuddly? You’d drop them off at primary school, and get a lovely kiss goodbye and a ‘bye daddy’. It can be hard to recognise that bouncy little child being the same person as the grumpy teenager you live with today. Teenage moods can be infuriating, stressful and difficult to manage. There are, however, valid reasons why teenage moods exist.
Habits that will improve your mental health
It’s Mental Health Awareness Week 2024, but we believe you should focus on your mental health every day. Suicide is the biggest killer of men under 50, and even if you don’t feel low now, there are ways you can optimise your every day mental health to help prevent those dips and cope better with what life throws at you. Here’s 8+ habits that will improve your mental health: It can be particularly hard to find time for getting outdoors when you have a full day of work and responsibilities at home.
She's pregnant and seems to hate me
Rest assured, this is surprisingly common. Just google the words “my wife is pregnant and she hates me” and you’ll find a whole world of temporary (roughly eight months, give or take) hurt. There are whole forums on the subject. Videos. Reddits! The Huffington Post has put together a nine-point plan advising pregnant women how not to kill their husbands.
Sex while pregnant- is it a good idea?
Can you have sex while pregnant or does it mean nine months of chastity? Well yes, possibly, but things may continue as normal. Many women feel protective during pregnancy and their top priority is to make sure the baby is kept safe and well.
Teenage depression: how to spot the signs and help
The number of young people struggling with mental health problems is higher than ever- it is now estimated that 1 in 6 young people have a mental health issue. Teenage depression affects many young people each year. As we journey through life, it’s normal to find some time periods difficult and for our mood to be lower. However, during a period of depression the low feelings can be completely overwhelming.
Stranger danger: tips to keep kids safe
It can be worrying when kids start to walk to school alone, and you also may worry about losing sight of your younger child. So that they are aware of potential dangers, it’s vital to educate kids on safety from a young age. While we don’t want to scare our children, we do need to clue them up. Here are some useful tips to keep kids safe: Talking to children about strangers Kids used to be told ‘don’t talk to strangers’, however your child may need to should they find themselves separated from you.
What is county lines
You may have heard the term ‘county lines’- it describes criminal activity involving the exploitation of children. Sadly many thousands of young people become embroiled in county lines every year. Here’s a guide to what you need to know and how to protect your child: County lines is the exploitation of children for the purpose of storing drugs and money. Gangs also use young people to move drugs and money around the country.
8 great ways to help your teen learn to drive
Teenagers often look to dad for help when they learn to drive. Here’s how you can help them feel confident and capable behind the wheel: Try an app The Young Driver App takes learners from first lesson to driving test. Lessons are given via 360° videos which can be watched on a smartphone or VR headset. The videos, which are rotatable so they can be seen from every angle, are filmed with Approved Driving Instructors, with a voiceover written and narrated by driver’s champion Quentin Willson.
win a copy of The Tree That Sang To Me
Hodder Children’s Books have kindly offered 5 copies of their new release, The Tree That Sang To Me by Serena Molloy for Dad Info readers to win. The story, aimed at readers aged 9+, is written in verse and illustrated throughout. Author Serena is dyslexic, and ensures that her books are dyslexia-friendly. With 1 in 10 people in the UK being dyslexic, the consideration shown in the writing of this book will make it a firm favourite for kids with dyslexia.
Easter activities for kids
It’s not always easy to think of ways to keep kids entertained during the Easter holidays! So, we have gathered together some great, simple ideas for Easter activities for kids to keep them busy. These activities also result in lovely items that they can decorate the home with.
How to help a bullied child
‘Even if we save one life it’s something’: Dads’ mental health campaigners attend parliamentary inquiry 11 Mar 2024 | Being Dad, Health At Dad Info we have long been talking about the issues around dads' mental health. Research shows that fathers who are depressed during the perinatal period are 47 times more likely to be a suicide risk. Today sees what we hope will be an important step in improving...
Dads' mental health campaigners attend parliamentary inquiry
At Dad Info we have long been talking about the issues around dads’ mental health. Research shows that fathers who are depressed during the perinatal period are 47 times more likely to be a suicide risk.
World Book Day 2024: the benefits of reading with children
Get the costumes ready for school- World Book Day 2024 is on Thursday! While we parents often get caught up in the organisation of events at school for World Book Day, the true message of the event often gets forgotten- the importance of reading for kids. What are the benefits of reading with kids? You might wonder why it’s particularly helpful for you to read with your kids- they can look at books themselves, right? Well, yes they can, and solo reading has different benefits.
The best first time dad tips
You’ve just got home from the hospital- but now what? You’ve quickly got to adjust to life with a small human who relies on you for their every whim. Being a first time dad isn’t easy but with our first time dad tips you’ll be off to the best start, taking to life as a parent with ease. When it comes to ‘surviving’ life as a new father, knowledge is key. Keep these tricks and tips up your sleeve to deploy when needed.
one on one time with children
When it comes to building a deeper bond, you can’t beat one on one time with children. There are a number of great benefits not only for your relationship but also for your child’s wellbeing and confidence. What is one on one time? One on one time is time devoted to the two of you being together, without others around. It’s different from normal spent time together in that you let your child take the lead with what you’ll do and talk about.
Parents call for smartphones ban for under 16s
MPs are being pushed to consider a smartphones ban under 16s following a number of tragic deaths. The mother of murdered teenager Brianna Ghey, who was killed by two 15 year olds, has asked for both Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer to consider measures to stop children accessing inappropriate content. Brianna’s killers were found to have searched for information on how to kill someone online.
How to help children with anxiety
It can be tricky to know how to help children with anxiety problems- as parents it’s difficult to know what to say or do for the best. However, there are a number of tools that you can guide your child to use to fell better, and draw upon to regulate their emotions whenever they need to. Many children and teens aren’t yet able to clearly understand their feelings and cope with anxiety.
How to avoid parental conflict
Parenting is a hefty responsibility and causes daily stress- add in varying opinions on handling situations and you’ve got parental conflict as well. It’s normal for mum and dad to have different views on how to handle various child-related matters, but these disagreements can become a difficulty for the whole family. Let’s say your daughter is meant to be going to her friend’s house tomorrow, but she’s just drawn on her bedroom wall with crayon.
How much pocket money should you give
It can be tricky to know how much pocket money you should award your kids with each week. It can also be a worry thinking that the cash you hand over might either go on giant bags of Haribos on the way home from school or on something that seems pointless to us adults (plastic aliens, perhaps- we’ve been there). However, giving kids pocket money offers them the opportunity to learn money management and important skills in saving and budgeting.
Sexual coercion in teenagers: what can parents do?
When a child is in a teenage relationship it can be a worrying time for the parents. During the teenage years young people become aware of their sexuality and interested in sexual activity. Peer pressure can also play a part in teens feeling like they ‘should’ be sexual before they’re ready, or before it’s legal. Sometimes, that pressure can come from their boyfriend or girlfriend. What is the definition of sexual coercion?
Your family winter health guide
Unfortunately winter means the onset of flu season and coughs and colds. Whilst some minor illnesses can merely be annoying, others can lay you up in bed for 2 weeks. Here’s how to keep you and your family as healthy as possible this winter: Hand washing is key It’s never too early to encourage thorough hand washing. Teach children to make lots of bubbles with soap on their hands (this makes it more fun!) and rinse thoroughly.
Forget new year's resolutions- 6 ways to change your life in 2024
New Year’s resolutions are always big in January, but we’re not interested in making intentions that go out the window a few weeks later. Instead, we propose a different approach- choosing to try new things this year and enriching your life for the better. Sounds good, right? Let’s explore some great ways to change your life in 2024. The stats for the success rates of new year’s resolutions are grim- 23% of people typically quit after the first week, and 36% after January.
Merry Christmas from Dad Info!
To all dads, and all of our readers and forum members, we wish you a peaceful and stress-free Christmas. Stick with us in 2024 for parenting news and tips, and for support on our forum. Merry Christmas from all of us on the editorial team.
Christmas safe children
We don’t normally allow electrical cables or glass decorations to be within reach of small children, and for good reason. Therefore, the jolly Christmas tree needs to be considered similarly. So, how can you childproof the tree without ruining everyone’s festive fun? Hidden hazards Colourful baubles, twinkly lights and and tinsel are tempting for kids to touch, grab and even put in their mouths.
Separated parents at Christmas
If you’re separated from your partner and sharing custody, Christmas can be difficult. You might not be seeing your children on Christmas Day. How do separated parents do Christmas? There is no right or wrong way. A number of factors will play in to the arrangements you make, but there are some key ways to make it work better listed below. In everything you do during the festive period, look to put your kids first.
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