New mums find it difficult to meet one another: enter What’s on for Little Ones web site
August 13, 2008 by Andy Merrett · Leave a Comment
Nearly three-quarters of new mums would like to be able to share their experiences with other mums, but don’t know where to go to meet them, according to a new study by the UK-based What’s on for Little Ones website.
In addition, two out of five mums didn’t know that there are a huge range of groups and classes available.
“Many new mums feel isolated and need to meet other mums who are going through similar experiences, but it can be difficult to know where to meet them,” said Sam Willoughby, founder of What’s on for Little Ones. “Taking part in local activities gives mums the chance to meet other parents, share tips and advice, and make lasting friendships. Plus, babies and children have the chance to have fun, meet other children and learn new skills too. The site offers a completely free to search and doesn’t even ask parents to register. All the information is quickly available, dates, times and everything else parents need to know including links to websites and contact information plus a map of how to get there! The information is up to date as the people running the classes and activities for children can update their details whenever they need to.”
Three-quarters of small businesses in UK offer flexible work options for parents
May 19, 2008 by Andy Merrett · 1 Comment
It’s not difficult to see how modern working practices put a strain on family relationships, but at least nearly three-quarters of small and medium-sized businesses in the UK are attempting to make things easier for parents by offering more flexible working options.
Over half of working mums said they’d want to work away from the office, while nearly nine in ten dads said the same.
Dads said that flexible working would make the most positive difference to their family life in the first year after their child’s birth.
More than a Mum? A free event for mums who want to change their lives
March 26, 2008 by Andy Merrett · 1 Comment
A special free event for mums of all ages is being held in York on Friday 18th April 2008. The event is a one-stop shop allowing mums to investigate new options for positive living.
The event includes zones on pampering, learning, self-employment, volunteering and parenting support. A number of workshops on confidence-building and creative writing are also offered.
Any mums who turn up with children are able to go away with a free photograph of their little one.
Catherine Holmes explains, “When I finally overcame post-natal depression and workplace bullying, there was no one place to go to find out what to do next. This is how I came up with the idea of More than a Mum”
The venue is the 650 year old Merchant Adventurers Hall in central York. The doors open at 10am and close at 4pm.
Study suggests higher levels of antisocial behaviour in children of mothers with depression
February 13, 2008 by Andy Merrett · 1 Comment
This study sits rather uneasily with me, though it’s worth bearing in mind that I only had access to a few brief paragraphs, rather than the entire paper.
However, for what it’s worth, researchers at King’s College, London, studied 1,116 sets of twins, finding much higher levels of antisocial behaviour in 7-year-olds whose mothers had suffered depression during the child’s first five years of life.
The greatest risk of “problem behaviours” were in children of mothers who also exhibited signs of antisocial personality disorder.
Mums look to online advice to avoid the judgement of others
November 24, 2007 by Andy Merrett · 1 Comment
According to new research by child medicine manufacturer Tixylix, modern mums are jumping online to find advice and support on parenting issues because they feel less judged than in other, more traditional environments.
Just two percent of mums surveyed said they felt judged by online peers, compared to one-quarter who felt judged by their neighbours and other mums at the school gate.
Unsurprisingly, at least for its fair share of (possibly untrue) anecdotal evidence, 26% of those who responded said that their mother-in-law was the most judgemental about parenting issues.
It’s not all online meetings though, with events like coffee mornings regularly attended by 54% of mums. Then again, one in five mums regularly log on to parenting sites when they need advice in a hurry.
Parenting expert Dr Jenny Leonard said, “The findings reflect a growing trend for modern mums to seek advice and support from a wider range or sources than ever before. The internet in particular allows mums to feel connected to the outside world and to seek answers to parenting questions
quickly and also without feeling embarrassed or judged.”
Daily Mail columnist tirades against environmentally unfriendly mothers
September 17, 2007 by Andy Merrett · 1 Comment
Though many of us expect nothing less than grossly stereotypical, sweeping generalisations from the writers at The Daily Mail tabloid paper, Liz Jones has pushed the boat out by having a real go a mothers, and children, for being environmentally and socially unfriendly.
Based upon a few negative images she has of parenting, every mother is now somehow in the wrong.
Granted, I am sure there are some disturbed or misguided people who see children as some kind of “status symbol”. They’re sick, but they’re not the majority (at least, I hope not).
She has a rather old-fashioned view of working mothers:
No one is allowed to complain when they are left to pick up the slack as every mum in the office hares out of the door at six on the dot, millions of plastic carrier bags in tow, hell-bent on creating a nappy mountain.
Heaven forbid that she ever meet a conscientious mother who successfully juggles the demands of both work and family life, as well as doing her bit for the environment.
Pennsylvania parents reminded of safe haven law
August 18, 2007 by Andy Merrett · Leave a Comment
Pennsylvania’s Department of Public Welfare yesterday reminded expectant and new parents that the State has a “Safe Haven” law which allows them legally and confidentially to ‘turn over’ unwanted infants to any hospital, up to 28 days old, as an alternative to abandonment.
While it sounds a very harsh way of putting things, it’s much kinder to both mother and baby in a situation where they feel they simply cannot keep the child, to be able to hand the baby, unharmed, to a responsible organisation without fear of prosecution.
Read more
76% of mothers will sacrifice purse, phone, or chocolate, for a “Me Zone”
July 30, 2007 by Andy Merrett · Leave a Comment
A recent survey, by Glade Flameless Candles of all people, suggests that over three-quarters of mums would sacrifice their favourite purse, mobile phone, or chocolate bar, if it meant that they could have a few moments alone in their “Me Zone”.
The “Me Zone” is not only about creating time for mothers, but also a place for them to enjoy it (hence the candles, presumably).
Over half of new mums have gone 24 hours without sleep
March 12, 2007 by Andy Merrett · Leave a Comment
A UK survey has shown that over half of new mums have gone for a full 24 hours without sleep. Many have reported a feeling of loneliness as the social life drops away, and some have even started to lose the bond with their baby through lack of sleep.
Around three-quarters (72 per cent) of the women surveyed said tiredness put a strain on their relationship with their partner, causing arguments for half of them.
Sleep deprivation can cause depression and a weak immune system as well as the more immediate problems of irritability and difficulties with concentration and co-ordination.
Almost half (44 per cent) of the 796 mums surveyed for Johnson’s Baby, said they don’t like talking to anyone due to exhaustion, 65 per cent don’t leave the house after asleep less night and nearly one third of mums (31 per cent) suffered loneliness.
More worryingly, for 17 per cent of new mothers, the sleepless nights have had a negative impact on their bond with their baby.
