Sex education review is ‘politically motivated’, say teaching unions

Tory MPs’ claims of extreme graphic lessons at England’s schools written off as ‘inflammatory rhetoric’

Post-birth surfing was my source of joy, and parental guilt

While pregnant, surfer Gill Hutchison voluntarily ‘beached herself’. Her return to the waves required a new type of balancing act

‘Don’t tell us the bad news all at once’: how to talk to kids about grown-up things

Abortion, toxic masculinity, human extinction ... What’s the best way to talk to children about the big issues of the day? We ask the experts

Young people don’t hate their bodies because they are weak – but because capitalism demands it

From buccal fat to cellulite, anything innate to humans that can be made into a problem will create a market for the solution, says Guardian columnist Zoe Williams

The sleep switch: the hormone supplement sending Australian children to sleep

Experts have seen an increase in the number of children using melatonin. What do we know about the ‘hormone of darkness’?

New parents in the UK: what challenges are you facing?

We’rd like to hear from new mothers and fathers in the UK who are facing challenges, such as financial worries, health concerns or a lack of support

A question to keep parents up at night: whether to allow their children into their bed

Christina Ricci’s comment that she frequently shares a bed with her eight-year-old son has led to a debate about co-sleeping: should kids be kept firmly in their own rooms, and can you stop them climbing under your duvet even if you don’t want them to?

Authoritarian, freewheeler or data wonk – what type of parent are you?

Is your kids’ bedtime data-led or boundary-free? Is the naughty step unused or well worn? Our guide decodes modern parenting

I used to be ashamed of being a fangirl. Now I see how joyous and creative it was

Lady Gaga was my idol, but I didn’t dare tell anyone. Now a new wave of books and films shows us why female obsession is such an important part of growing up

‘Everyone seemed at ease’: how art is making hospital visits less painful

Some of life’s hardest moments are spent in hospital, but two organisations are working to ease that with ingenious designs. Mina Holland explains how art has been a lifeline

Scientists find out the best way to soothe a crying baby

Walking around, then sitting down and holding baby for up to eight minutes seems to be the most effective technique

Colds, coughs, stomach bugs: why are so many of us getting ‘winter’ diseases this summer?

If it feels like you’re lurching from one illness to the next, you are not alone. But is it down to long Covid? The months of isolation during lockdown? Or just poor public hygiene?

It took catching Covid to get my children out of my bed, but I can finally sleep again

After seven years of sleeping together, this bonding exercise was difficult to stop, and now I’m glad we’ve made the break, says Guardian columnist Emma Brockes

Focus on coping, not curing: how to help an anxious child

Growing up in the age of anxiety is challenging for children and parents alike but there are plenty of ways to help young people to face their fears

Meal of a lifetime: what to eat at every age

From training toddlers to socialising septuagenarians – here are the ideal ingredients to eat healthily at every stage of life