Today Date Triggered Content

January can sometimes feel a bit like a month of Mondays. It’s cold, it’s still dark, and we’re all feeling pretty exhausted from the festivities. But that doesn’t mean so-called ‘Blue Monday’ is the most depressing day of the year! 

The concept of Blue Monday was introduced by TV travel channel Sky Travel Shop in 2005 and isn’t a scientifically proven concept at all. 

Over the past few weeks there have been a lot of headlines warning that shouting at children causes the same level of harm to their mental health as physical and sexual abuse. Lots of parents have seen these headlines and panicked, asking us for more information.

Before you spend too much time frantically trying to remember when you last raised your voice in frustration, read on to see why the headlines don’t tell the full story of this research study.  

Good mental health is important for you and your child, which is why we’ve put together simple ideas to support your wellbeing.

In this article, we’re going to focus on building positive mental health, rather than on mental illness, but we know the transition to being a parent is a time when there is greater risk of mental ill-health.

When you think of mindfulness, what do you imagine? For lots of people it brings up images of meditation, sitting calmly and quietly or listening to a very soothing voice talking about waves.

All of these are ways to practice mindfulness – but in reality, being mindful can also be learnt through play, which is a brilliant way to help your child understand how to be mindful.  

Picking your way through the various advice and opinions on your child’s development can be overwhelming. Throw into the mix a load of words that have never been part of your vocabulary and this parenting journey can feel like another world. 

But don’t worry – we’re here to de-code, decipher and demystify wherever we can, to give you the information you need to make the decision that’s right for you, your child and your family.

In the discover more section, on your Today screen, you’ll see articles that are tailored to your child’s skills. If you’re looking for a quick read about their development that’s a good place to start.  

You might have heard the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child,” but for lots of different reasons we don’t always feel we’ve got a village – especially in the early days of parenting.

In the app, you’ll find lots of ideas to support your child’s development, and more information if you are interested in understanding the science behind their skills.

Parenting for Humans is not, like many parenting books, about your child. Instead, it’s described as ‘a book for you as a parent’. It helps you to see that whatever you know or have read, you bring your emotions and experiences to your parenting.  

Dr Emma Svanberg (aka the Mumologist), is an award-winning clinical psychologist, who works with parents, parents-to-be and professionals focusing on how to understand yourself so you can live a more fulfilling life.  

Becoming a parent can involve big changes in your life. If you’re on parental leave you might find you don’t speak to as many people during the day as when you’re at work, or if your friends don’t have children it might seem more difficult to join in with some of the things they do, which means some of your friendships might change.^[1]  

If you feel lonely, you’re not alone 

We know the foundations for good mental and physical health are laid in early childhood, and this week we’re going to share some of the ways using the app will help you as you lay those foundations for your child.  

In this video, Alistair explains more about our mental health and wellbeing in your child's first five years.