Latest news with #JustineRoberts
Daily Mirror
19-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Parents asked whether teens should be allowed to go on holiday alone with mates
Many parents are worried about letting their teenager go on holiday without them, but there isn't really a 'one size fits all' answer to the question of what age they should be The question of when teenagers are ready to jet off on holiday without their parents is a hot topic amongst anxious mums and dads, worried about everything from excessive boozing to getting too much sun. It's not simply about age; it's about how responsible the teenager is, according to Justine Roberts, Mumsnet founder and CEO: "For Mumsnet users, whether or not a teen is ready to go on holiday without their parents has less to do with age and more to do with how responsible they are." Many parents look for signs like being able to whip up a meal, manage their time, take care of finances, and make sound judgements, particularly regarding alcohol, she adds. The right time for a solo trip could be 17 or 18, according to parents contributing on the parenting site, though some think 16 might work in certain cases: "Most parents seem to agree that 17 or 18 is about the right age for a first trip with friends. Some think 16 is okay in certain situations – especially if the teen is very mature and going with a sensible older group – but the general consensus is that 17 is the preferred minimum." When do you think the right age is for a teenager to go on holiday solo? Enter our poll or comment below. The added bonus of turning 18 is, as Roberts notes, the ease of fewer legal and practical hurdles in travel. On the other hand, Matt Buttery, chief at Triple P UK & Ireland parenting programme, insists family circumstances can vary hugely, emphasizing: "There isn't a one-size-fits-all answer for when parents should allow their teenagers to go on holiday without them. "Parents should consider not only their teenager's age but also their maturity and ability to handle responsibility in everyday life." Tanith Carey, author of 'What's My Teenager Thinking?' advises: "Instead of seeing their upcoming getaway as a painful period of endless worrying for you, think about what they'll learn about themselves, and the memories they'll make,". "The fact is, they're probably at no more risk of serious accidents abroad than they are at home, and they probably won't get up to much more than they would at the average teenage party or on a night out in a city centre in the UK." Despite the potential positives, the concern parents feel over their child's first separate holiday remains real. Fear not - there are still practical steps parents can take to ensure peace of mind: 1. Agree communication methods. Buttery reveals that having ground rules for keeping in touch can help reassure parents once they've consented to their teen's solo adventure. "If parents feel their teen is ready, what matters most is clear, open, and honest communication," Buttery asserts. "It's essential to discuss expectations, set boundaries, and agree on communication methods while they're away. This isn't about controlling their every move, but helping them feel confident and safe during their time apart." However, Carey cautions parents to keep contact minimal, suggesting a family WhatsApp group might suffice. "Try to avoid insisting they repeatedly check in with you, which will send the message you don't think they can do it alone," she notes. "You're likely to hear more from them if you don't interrogate or send loads of questions about what they're doing." 2. Help them organise Parents may find it beneficial to collaborate with their offspring in planning their travels (if the youngsters are amenable), Buttery suggests. "This helps you stay informed about their plans, and gives you a chance to spend time together too," he explains. "It can also allow parents to make clear to their children the laws and travel guidance of the location they're visiting." Carey recommends that, whether involved in the holiday preparations or not, parents should express optimism as their teens lay out their plans. "Quietly show your interest in a way that demonstrates you have faith they're ready to go it alone, rather than sending the implied message that they can't do this without you, which is likely to make them more anxious or secretive about what they really get up to on the holiday. "If you're positive, they're more likely to involve you in their planning, and you'll feel more reassured they're safe when they're away." 3. Share your wisdom Carey suggests that if your teen asks for travel tips, share the lessons you've learned from your own travels, including the reasonable precautions you've taken, like buying travel insurance, copying important documents, and noting emergency contacts. "Get them to do a bit of research or check out some YouTube travel guides, as well as information on common tourist scams in that country," she advises. "It could help head off any nasty surprises." 4. Use tech Roberts says that as well as the basics like avoiding areas known for pickpocketing or where drink spiking is a concern, many parents take advantage of tech like location-sharing apps. "They can keep an eye on teens without having to constantly hassle them," she says. "In many cases they also set up group chats with other parents to share any news, as well as seek reassurance." Rather than bombastically saying 'Don't do this, don't do that,' Carey advises parents to focus on safety in the third person, for example by saying avoiding things such as mixing alcohol and heights like hotel balconies is something we all need to do, regardless of age. "Your teen may want their independence, but they don't want to end up in a foreign hospital either," she points out. 5. Urge them to buddy up Mumsnet's Roberts recommends advising young holidaymakers to use a 'buddy system' so that they're never alone, which can help prevent any one of them from ending up in risky situations. Moreover, at around 17 years old, youngsters may not be as susceptible to peer pressure as they once were, but it's still a threat that needs to be addressed according to Carey. "They're still capable of spurring each other on to drink too much and copy risky behaviour," she cautions. She encourages parents to help their children reflect on previous experiences where following along with friends made them uncomfortable and to trust their instincts. Carey also unveils strategies for teenagers to resist peer pressure by offering ways to say no, with examples like 'I don't feel like it,', 'No, I'm not into it,' or 'I don't want to do anything that could affect the rest of our holiday. '. Finally, Roberts emphasises the desire of every parent: "More than anything, parents want to feel confident that their teen will stick to agreed rules, stay in contact and be (relatively) sensible."
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Men are to blame for ‘motherhood penalty', says Mumsnet founder
Men are to blame for the so-called motherhood penalty and should be shamed for failing to do enough around the house, the founder of Mumsnet has said. Justine Roberts, the founder of Mumsnet, said 'men are the problem' when she was discussing the barriers mothers face in returning to work, adding that she is 'happy to shame dads' for doing so little around the home. Ms Roberts said: 'There is a problem in the home. When we ask our users about this, they say the mother is still taking on the bulk of the domestic responsibility. So 90pc of the interactions with the school, 90pc of the play dates being organised, 90pc of the holidays and the packing of packed lunches. 'Until that changes, we just have to accept that women are doing too much. They've also potentially got caring responsibilities the other way as well with ageing parents. 'In the end, whatever employers do, it's just not a fair equation. I think the single biggest problem is that and the way to solve it is to get men more involved. Part of that is cultural, part of it is shame and I'm happy to shame dads.' The so-called motherhood penalty refers to the unequal share of childcare responsibilities taken on by women. According to PwC, a woman entering the workforce is paid around 5.2pc less than a male counterpart on average. However, this widens further to nearly 13pc at the end of a woman's career, with PwC blaming the 'motherhood penalty' as a key driver. Ms Roberts, whose parenting website has more than 9m monthly users and is considered one of the UK's most influential political forums, made the comments at an Open University event exploring how to get more mothers into work. Employment minister Alison McGovern kicked off the event in Westminster by warning that 'having a kid still feels like setting a bomb off underneath your career'. Ms McGovern said in order to reach the Government's goal of increasing Britain's employment rate from 75pc to 80pc, the rate for men would need to increase by just two percentage points, in contrast to eight percentage points for women. In an attempt to get more mothers back into work the Department for Work and Pensions this week pledged to improve training for career coaches in Jobcentres. A study commissioned by the Open University found that nearly two in five mums are concerned about the lack of flexibility in working hours when considering their careers. The Government's incoming Employment Rights Bill, which will continue to be debated by peers this week, has pledged to increase rights for new parents and pregnant staff as well as a right to request flexible working from day one in a job. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
29-04-2025
- General
- Telegraph
Men are to blame for ‘motherhood penalty', says Mumsnet founder
Men are to blame for the so-called motherhood penalty and should be shamed for failing to do enough around the house, the founder of Mumsnet has said. Justine Roberts, the founder of Mumsnet, said 'men are the problem' when she was discussing the barriers mothers face in returning to work, adding that she is 'happy to shame dads' for doing so little around the home. Ms Roberts said: 'There is a problem in the home. When we ask our users about this, they say the mother is still taking on the bulk of the domestic responsibility. So 90pc of the interactions with the school, 90pc of the play dates being organised, 90pc of the holidays and the packing of packed lunches. 'Until that changes, we just have to accept that women are doing too much. They've also potentially got caring responsibilities the other way as well with ageing parents. 'In the end, whatever employers do, it's just not a fair equation. I think the single biggest problem is that and the way to solve it is to get men more involved. Part of that is cultural, part of it is shame and I'm happy to shame dads.' The so-called motherhood penalty refers to the unequal share of childcare responsibilities taken on by women. According to PwC, a woman entering the workforce is paid around 5.2pc less than a male counterpart on average. However, this widens further to nearly 13pc at the end of a woman's career, with PwC blaming the 'motherhood penalty' as a key driver. Ms Roberts, whose parenting website has more than 9m monthly users and is considered one of the UK's most influential political forums, made the comments at an Open University event exploring how to get more mothers into work. Employment minister Alison McGovern kicked off the event in Westminster by warning that 'having a kid still feels like setting a bomb off underneath your career'. Ms McGovern said in order to reach the Government's goal of increasing Britain's employment rate from 75pc to 80pc, the rate for men would need to increase by just two percentage points, in contrast to eight percentage points for women. In an attempt to get more mothers back into work the Department for Work and Pensions this week pledged to improve training for career coaches in Jobcentres. A study commissioned by the Open University found that nearly two in five mums are concerned about the lack of flexibility in working hours when considering their careers. The Government's incoming Employment Rights Bill, which will continue to be debated by peers this week, has pledged to increase rights for new parents and pregnant staff as well as a right to request flexible working from day one in a job.
The Star
28-04-2025
- Health
- The Star
For physical and emotional health, new mums should exercise two hours weekly
Experts say whatever amount of exercise new mothers can manage will help both physical and mental health. — JULIAN STRATENSCHULTE/dpa New mothers should aim for two hours of moderate to vigorous exercise every week, such as brisk walking or cycling, researchers say. Getting back to exercise in the first 12 weeks after birth will help boost both physical and mental health and improve sleep, according to a study. After looking at existing research, experts produced a 'strong recommendation' for new mothers to spend at least 120 minutes a week doing such exercise, spread over four or more days of the week. This should incorporate a variety of aerobic and resistance training, they said. Resistance training includes things such as using gym machines or doing exercises including sit ups, squats, push ups, leg raises and planks. Writing in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, the new guidance from the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology also 'strongly' recommends women do daily pelvic floor muscle training to reduce the risk of urinary incontinence. Women should also try their best to develop a healthy sleep routine (such as avoiding screen time and maintaining a dark, quiet environment before bed) to support their mental health. The Canadian researchers said: 'Beginning or returning to MVPA (moderate to vigorous physical activity) in the first 12 weeks following childbirth, and better quality sleep, are associated with improved mental health. 'Postpartum women and people who follow this guideline for physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep will likely experience a large improvement in their psychological well-being (ie reduction in the prevalence of depression, symptoms of depression and anxiety); pelvic floor health (ie reduction in the risk of urinary incontinence); musculoskeletal health (ie reduction in low back and pelvic girdle pain symptoms and severity); cardiometabolic health (ie improvement in weight, body mass index and blood lipids); and a reduction in fatigue, while not experiencing adverse effects (eg reduced breastmilk supply or injury).' Safe after healed The team said returning to running and resistance training is generally safe once a woman is healed from their baby's birth, including Caesarean section. They added: 'It is essential to acknowledge that infant feeding and care significantly impacts daily life, including sleep, thus these recommendations may not always be achievable, and at times specific recommendations within this guideline will not align with current circumstances.' However, the team said 'any progress – even if small – in meeting physical activity targets can improve maternal physical and mental health, and any reductions in sedentary behaviour may improve cardiometabolic health.' Justine Roberts, founder and chief executive of British parenting website Mumsnet, said: 'Clear, evidence-based guidance on postpartum exercise is long overdue, and it's encouraging to see recommendations that prioritise the well-being of new mothers, even if some of them seem wildly optimistic about what looking after a newborn entails. 'As Mumsnet users will attest, 'developing a healthy sleep routine' is much easier said than done. 'However, it's crucial that this guidance doesn't become yet another stick to beat new mums with. 'Many of them are already stretched to their limits, and advice like this isn't always helpful if you don't have the practical means to follow it.' For the study, experts looked at 574 lots of research and how these related to reduced breast milk quality or quantity, depression and anxiety, urinary incontinence, fear of movement, fatigue, injury, and poor infant growth and development. – dpa
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ocado apologises to Mumsnet over 'hateful political views' comment
Ocado has apologised "unreservedly" to Mumsnet for citing "hateful political views" when it pulled out of a commercial partnership over the parenting forum's stance on the definition of sex in the Equality Act. Founder Justine Roberts said Ocado "abruptly pulled out" of the partnership after Mumsnet called at the last election for the act to be reformed "to ensure women can access single-sex places". Ms Roberts said she "feared the site might not survive" because of the number of advertisers which withdrew support over the discussion of gender issues on its forums. Her post came after the Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday that a woman is defined by biological sex under the Equality Act. Mumsnet's call for reform would have allowed for spaces to be reserved for biological women. Ms Roberts said the forum had also made "repeated attempts to explain our position - as a platform committed to amplifying women's voices" but Ocado had "refused to speak to us". In a post on X, Ocado said the comments were "not representative of us as a company" and that they were made by a "temporary contractor" who has since left. "We apologise unreservedly to Mumsnet," the online grocery site added. Ms Roberts wrote her post in a discussion on the forum about the Supreme Court ruling. In the post, she congratulated those on the website "who played a part in securing what I think most would agree is much-needed clarity in the Equality Act". The ruling was on a case campaign group For Women Scotland brought against the Scottish government, arguing that sex-based protections should only apply to people that are born female. Judge Lord Hodge said the ruling should not be seen as a triumph of one side over the other, and stressed that the law still gives protection against discrimination to transgender people. Mumsnet's policy of allowing discussion of gender issues over a number of years had led to intense criticism, Ms Roberts said, adding that the site "risked being permanently labelled as bigoted, vicious, and 'on the wrong side of history'". She claimed that a number of organisations had pulled their advertising over pressure from trans activists, both "internal and external", threatening the survival of the site. Ms Roberts added the site "never considered banning discussion of this issue altogether". Her post only listed one other example, saying Mumsnet had been "blacklisted on instruction from the top brass at Barclays". Barclays said it would not comment when approached by the BBC. The Supreme Court ruling gives clarity - but now comes the difficult part Five key takeaways from Supreme Court ruling
