Author: Sue Atkins

My posthumous advice for my daughter

My daughter sent me this as she embarks on the next phase of her life off at Manchester Metropolitan University. As I prepare to write her “Good Luck” card and am pondering what advice to give her – here is Caitlin Moran’s advice for her daughter……. What’s yours? My posthumous advice for my daughter WRITTEN BY Caitlin […]

7 TIPS FOR IMPROVING MARRIAGE IN AN EMPTY NEST:

  As I prepare for my beautiful daughter to leave  my nest and fly off to Manchester Metropole University in a few weeks I read with interest this article as I am also currently going through a divorce after 21 years. 7 TIPS FOR IMPROVING MARRIAGE IN AN EMPTY NEST It is peak move-in time […]

Where you argue and what it says about your relationship

Today I’m delighted to have Andrew G Marshall an author and marital therapist as my guest blogger. Andrew G. Marshall is a marital therapist with almost thirty years experience. He trained with RELATE the UK’s leading couple-counselling charity, but has developed his own method which blends psycho-dynamic (which looks at your past and how it […]

Today’s children would rather be doctors than footballers or celebrities when they grow up

1,000 children between ages of two and 12 were asked what they want to be when they grow up Surprisingly, more boys than girls dream of becoming dancers with girls preferring football. The future health of the nation is in safe hands, as a new survey has revealed most children dream of becoming doctors when […]

Should your kids pick up their values from their teacher?

As a former Deputy Head and Head of PSHE ( Personal, Social , Health Education) I was invited to speak on BBC Radio Sussex and Surrey about a new study that recommends that schools must teach children character and values. More than eight out of ten parents believe schools should teach children character and values […]

Do Try This At Home!

I love the people I meet on Twitter – I meet so many wonderful people with great ideas. Here’s a great blog about how to challenge  your children to get off the sofa and have fun making memories with you from Do Try This At Home “In today’s gadget-rich and time-pressured lifestyles, it is sometimes […]

Research backs Emma’s FACS battle

I am very proud to be an Ambassador for the Charity FACS. Here is an article on my friend Emma Murphy and her campaign for justice for the families affected by FACS Fetal Anti Convulsant Syndrome. One of my fellow special needs mums, whom I met over Twitter, Emma Murphy, is spearheading a campaign highlighting […]

The differences between girls and boys.

I’ve just been interviewed on BBC Radio London about the recent GCSE exam results showing that the disparity between boys and girls in definitely widening as in GCSE results for 2013 girls stretch to record lead over boys. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/10260163/GCSE-results-2013-girls-stretch-to-record-lead-over-boys.html As a former Deputy Head and class teacher for over 22 years boys and girls do […]

So do you think kids lack the grit to get work ?

      Young people are failing to find work because they lack ‘grit’, a minister has warned. Nick Hurd insisted that ‘social skills and discipline’ are every bit as essential for success as qualifications – yet they are not being taught in schools. The minister for civil society also said he was struck by […]

How children can benefit from involvement in divorce mediations

Here is a guest post from Austin Chessell who is a mediating family lawyer. He explains how children can benefit from involvement in divorce mediations and provides some useful resources. New resources and services available to children whose parents are separating This article was first published by Solicitors Journal (www.solicitorsjournal.com) on 5th February 2013 and […]

Are you of childbearing age? Then you MUST read this and tell your friends.

Let me ask you : Out of all your female friends/family aged 16-39ish, who are of childbearing age ? Do you know anyone who suffers with deoression…maybe yourself, your sister or a friend?? Does one of the mums at school/work suffer with migraines?? Maybe a niece, cousin, auntie is diagnosed with Bipolar, mood swings?? A friend may have […]

I’m delighted to announce that I am the new Ambassador for the FACS Syndrome Campaign

Yesterday I went to London to meet with Emma Murphy a wonderful Mum of 5 amazing children all badly affected by FACS and Janet Williams a wonderful Mum of two also affected by  Fetal Anti Convulsant Syndrome  a condition caused when a woman taking Anti Epileptic drugs I am delighted to have the pleasure of being […]

How To Handle Disappointing Exam Results Positively

Today we don’t have to wait for the envelope gently landing on the doormat with more of a flutter than a heavy thud, but the contents have the potential to help your child’s dreams come true… or shatter them into a million tiny pieces …… for now. Today my daughter looked up her results on […]

I went head to head live on BBC Radio Sheffield with Katie Hopkins on the importance of baby names

Today the most popular list of baby names has been revealed with Harry and Amelia topping the list this year.   I’ve just been head to head with Katie Hopkins from The Apprentice live on BBC Radio Sheffield  who believes that you can apparently judge whether children are suitable friends for your kids by their […]

So did the last generation understand that ‘less-is-more’ when it comes to parenting?

I read an interesting article by John Rosemond in The Lacrosse Tribune about bringing up kids. What do you think of John’s thoughts?   “The so-called “good old days” really were better. For example, if the data is correct, then the state of parenting in America has been in slow but steady decline since the 1960s. Child mental […]