News•Mar 11, 2026
Is It Normal My Teenager Has No Friends? A Psychologist Explains 4 Things Parents Should Know
Teen psychologist Dr. Carolyne Keenan explains that having few or no friends can be a normal part of adolescent development, especially when teens favor one‑on‑one connections or online communities. She highlights that social anxiety, confidence issues, or a preference for quieter interactions can shape a teen’s friendship landscape. While most cases are benign, signs of distress—withdrawal, low mood, or negative self‑talk—signal a need for parental attention. Keenan advises parents to engage in open dialogue, prioritize quality over quantity, and seek professional support when isolation escalates.
By Netmums
News•Mar 11, 2026
This New Hey Duggee Sleepover at Alton Towers Is Set to Have Parents Rushing to Book
Alton Towers launches the world’s first Hey Duggee themed hotel rooms at CBeebies Land, opening on 14 March. The accommodation includes a standard five‑person room and a larger seven‑person suite, both styled as Duggee’s Clubhouse with bunk beds, themed furniture and...
By Netmums
News•Mar 11, 2026
Calls for 'Healthy Relationship' Lessons for Kids, After 75 Women Killed in Domestic Homicides Last Year
Campaigners, backed by reality stars, urged primary schools to teach healthy relationships after 75 women were killed in domestic homicides in the year ending March 2025. They highlighted the need for early consent education and increased funding for refuges, noting...
By Netmums
News•Mar 11, 2026
Midwife with 14 Years' Experience Shares Simple Trick to Settle Babies Who Won't Stay in Their Cot
Claire Wilson Metcalfe, a midwife with 14 years experience, posted on TikTok a simple technique to settle newborns who cry when placed in a cot. The method involves comforting the baby, then laying them back down while keeping a hand...
By Netmums
News•Mar 11, 2026
The Hidden 'Motherhood Penalty' Costing UK Mums Careers and Tens of Thousands – and What Bosses Must Change
British research reveals a substantial "motherhood penalty" in the UK, where mothers earn £302 less per week than fathers – roughly a 33% wage gap. Over the first five years after a child’s birth, women’s earnings are about 42% lower,...
By Netmums
News•Mar 11, 2026
Monty Don Warns Gardeners This 'Impossible' Spring Weed that Looks Like Lawn Must Be Burnt, Not Composted
Monty Don warns that couch grass (Elytrigia repens) is an "impossible" spring weed that emerges before most plants and spreads rapidly via rhizomes. Its early growth can smother perennials, shrubs and hedges within a single season. Don advises gardeners to...
By Netmums
News•Mar 11, 2026
Garden Compost Bins Stay Clean and Fly-Free if You Add This Simple Supermarket Item as UK Temperatures Rise This Spring
As UK spring temperatures rise above 10 °C, garden compost bins often become soggy, smelly hotspots that attract flies, maggots and rats. The excess moisture at the bin’s base, combined with exposed food waste, creates ideal breeding grounds for pests. Sustainable‑living...
By Netmums