Antenatal educator Megan Rossiter, author of Birth Power, tells Lisa Salmon how pregnant women can best take control of childbirth. How pregnant women can feel in control of their birth experience (Alamy/PA) You can’t control birth, but you can have an influence over what happens. That’s the promise of antenatal educator Megan Rossiter, who points out that while the “poor state of modern maternity care” is at the forefront of public conversation and things need to improve, th

These are our top picks ahead of the school summer holidays. Parent Unplugged is a parenting podcast hosted by certified parenting coach Charis Halsall. (Charis Halsall/PA) From kids’ online safety and digital needs to father-daughter bonds, this week’s podcasts cover a range of parenting topics. 1. Parent Unplugged Streaming platform: All streaming platforms and YouTube Genre: Parenting (Parent Unplugged/PA) Parent Unplugged is a parenting podcast hosted by certified parenti

Ensure they have constant access to fresh, cool water and limit outdoor activity to cooler times of the day, like early morning. (Yui Mok/PA) As temperatures soar, you might be enjoying soaking up all the sunshine but heatwaves can be risky for our four-legged friends. Unlike humans, dogs aren’t as effective at regulating their body heat, so it’s crucial to take extra precautions and to show them some additional TLC during those uncomfortable sweltering days. To help keep you

Stepping away from social media can initially trigger withdrawal-like symptoms. When disconnected, dopamine levels plummet, leading to cravings, irritability, and anxiety (Alamy/PA) As the Government continues to tease a complete social media ban for under-16s, many people are wondering how such a move could affect teenagers in everyday life. Even as adults, many of us find it difficult to resist the temptation to constantly check our phones. “While social media withdrawal is

Download some of these nifty apps to help you stay on top of your spending. Finance apps can help you sort out your finances and keep on track with savings goals (Alamy/PA) Feel like you’re floundering when it comes to keeping track of the money you have coming in and going out? As you’d imagine, there are more than a few apps out there designed to help you stay on top of your finances. So whether you’re struggling with budgeting, debt or splitting bills, an online organiser

At Nuffield Health Cardiff & Vale Hospitals, specialist paediatric teams deliver care that is carefully designed around the needs of children and young people, ensuring they feel comfortable, listened to and fully supported at every stage of their journey. Nuffield Health Cardiff & Vale Hospitals Every parent knows that few things matter more than their child’s health. From the first unexplained tummy ache to a niggling sports injury or concerns about development, deciding wh

An Olympic sports psychologist explains how achieving peak exam performance has ‘marked parallels’ with striving for sporting excellence. For exam success, it’s about the preparation you put in beforehand – exactly the same as sport (Alamy/PA) Sitting an exam can be one of the most important performances in a child’s life – and the way to succeed may be to adopt the mindset of an Olympic athlete. The link between sporting success and acing exams is all about creating the righ

With the voter registration deadline fast approching for the Senedd election on 7 May, anyone who wants to vote must make sure they are registered in time. Research shows that some groups, including young people, students and those who have recently moved, are less likely to be registered than others. The deadline to register to vote is midnight on Monday 20 April. Voters can apply online at gov.uk/register-to-vote . It takes just five minutes. Once registered, voters have

Sian and her mum Sylvia are taking on an 11-day trek through the Peruvian jungle in memory of Sian’s late son Aled. Battling altitude, splints and age, they’re walking to raise funds for Tŷ Hafan Children’s Hospice. Climbing for Aled: A Mother-Daughter Mission to Machu Picchu Trekking at altitude through the Peruvian jungle to the lost city of Machu Picchu would be a challenge for most people. But Sian Milligan, 44, who will be heading for Machu Picchu with her mum Sylvia Wal

Financial experts tell Lisa Salmon about sensible ways parents can protect their money while helping children with big expenses. Supporting your children shouldn’t come at the expense of your own financial wellbeing (Alamy/PA) Having kids is expensive – and never more so than when they get older and parents’ primary role seems to morph from giving love and care to being head of the bank of mum and dad. Because while the financial outlay for younger children tends to centre ar

Hannah Thomas, a Partner in the Wills & Probate team at Harding Evans Solicitors, tells us why it's important to make a will and review it every five years to protect your loved ones. Wills & Probate at Harding Evans Solicitors in Cardiff Having a Will in place is one of the most important steps adults can take to protect their loved ones and ensure their wishes are carried out. Yet research conducted by Censuswide and published in 2025 by The Association of Lifetime Lawye

Excessive screen time can have a number of cognitive effects. Government research has found that children aged two with the highest screen use – about five hours a day – could say significantly fewer words than those with screen use of about 44 minutes a day (Alamy/PA) New government research indicates that increased screen time may be linked to poorer vocabulary development in toddlers. Findings came from The Children of the 2020s (COT20s) study where primary caregivers were

The DreamToys list features the toys, games and gadgets predicted to be most in demand this festive season. By Lisa Salmon. Jurassic World Primal Hatch T.Rex has made the 2025 DreamToys ‘most wanted’ Christmas list (DreamToys/PA) Singing witch dolls, a grave-digging monster and shimmering slime are among the predicted top-selling toys this Christmas, according to industry experts. The 15 toys to have made the 2025 DreamToys list, selected by a panel of independent toy retaile

After retiring from diving, Tom Daley is trying to get more people – including the young – to take up the knitting and crocheting he loves so much. New passion: crocheter Tom Daley (Hobbycraft/PA) Instead of impressing the nation with gold medal-winning performances off the diving board, Tom Daley is now hoping to inspire people in a radically different way: through his love of knitting and crochet. Daley, who retired from diving last year after a haul of Olympic, World, Euro

Follow this expert-backed financial advice to set yourself up for success. Setting good financial habits is a great goal for the new year (Alamy/PA) If you have no idea where all your money went this year and your finances feel like a huge source of stress, don’t worry because 2026 offers a fresh start. As the new calendar year speedily approaches, it’s the perfect time to pause, reflect and reset. “A lot of people set New Year’s resolutions and see January as a fresh start,”

If you’re searching for the best pram for newborns, look no further than Bugaboo, one of the world’s most trusted baby brands. Known for its stylish design, smooth handling and exceptional safety features, Bugaboo prams are a favourite among new parents — and for good reason. Whether you want a lightweight stroller, an all-terrain travel system or a luxe newborn pram, Bugaboo offers premium options designed to make everyday life easier. To help you choose, here are the top 5

Make the season sparkle at The Vale Resort with the gift of time well spent, think indulgent escapes, gourmet feasts and one-of-a-kind experiences designed to delight everyone on your list. The Vale Resort Overnight stays Midweek Dinner, Bed & Breakfast Break (from £190 for two) The perfect midweek retreat, including a delicious three-course dinner, a restful night’s sleep in a beautifully appointed room and a hearty Welsh breakfast. Spiced Rum Making B&B Break (from £299 for

Residents and staff at Bryn Ivor Lodge care home in Cardiff came together this October to celebrate Black History Month with a week filled with music, learning, and cultural appreciation. The highlight of the week was a live performance by a singer Mary Ann and her talented string band Calypso, whose soulful set brought joy, energy, and togetherness to everyone in attendance. (Bryn Ivor Lodge care home celebrate Black History Month) Alongside the music, the care home organise

From Wicked’s witches to coquette clowns – here are the viral looks for this year’s Halloween. Wednesday Addams is part of the trending beauty looks for Halloween 2025 (Netflix/PA) You probably haven’t started thinking about your Halloween look, but you may already be assuming the easy options of cat or vampire, which require no more than a liquid liner or a little fake blood. This year however, there are some viral looks from cinematic references to snatched skeletons that a

The pregnant comedian and mum-of-three shares back-to-school tips and reveals her parenting resources, time and energy ‘are starting to...