Growing up
Early signs of pregnancy: what you may notice, and what to do next
The first signs many women notice, why none of them is certain on its own, what to do next, and the urgent signs in early pregnancy.
11 min read
Growing up: milestones and changing ages
Every age brings something new to understand. These guides explain what tends to change as children grow, what is usually part of normal development, and the signs worth a closer look.
Latest articles
Showing 35 of 35 guides
- Growing up
First trimester: what happens in weeks 1–13 and what to do
Weeks 1 to 13 explained: what your body is doing, how to ease nausea and tiredness, when to book your first checkup, what to avoid and the signs that need a hospital.
12 min read
- Growing up
How to get pregnant: the best time, and how long it can take
When you're most likely to get pregnant, how often to try, what helps and what doesn't, and when to see a doctor, explained simply for couples.
11 min read
- Growing up
Pregnancy warning signs: when to go to hospital now
Every pregnancy warning sign on one page, grouped by what to do, with the labour and after-birth signs, what to do on the way and how to get ready before you need it.
13 min read
- Growing up
Prenatal visit schedule: how many checkups, when, and what to ask
How many checkups you need and when, what happens at each one, what to bring and ask, the tetanus vaccine, keeping your card, and the signs that cannot wait for the next visit.
11 min read
- Growing up
Preparing for pregnancy: a 3-month plan for both of you
A three-month plan for couples getting ready for a baby: the checkup and the questions to ask, habits for both of you, money and work, and family pressure.
11 min read
- Growing up
When to take a pregnancy test for a reliable result
The right day to test, how to use a home pregnancy test, what a faint line or a negative result means, and your first steps after a positive.
10 min read
- Growing up
Your 10-year-old: development, behaviour, sleep, play and what's normal
Ten is often class four or five: a steady, sociable year with sharper reasoning, close friend groups and, for some girls, the first signs of puberty. What's normal, sleep, screens, a first phone, a routine and when to get help.
14 min read
- Growing up
Your 11-year-old: development, behaviour, sleep, play and what's normal
Eleven is often the turning year: puberty under way for many girls and starting for many boys, more moods, closer friends and, for many, a new school in class six. What's normal, sleep, phones, a routine and when to get help.
13 min read
- Growing up
Your 12-year-old: development, behaviour, sleep, play and what's normal
Twelve is the edge of the teenage years: first periods and breaking voices for many, closed doors, intense friendships, first dares and social media pressure before 13. What's normal, sleep, school, phones and when to get help.
13 min read
- Growing up
Your 13 to 15-year-old: development, behaviour, sleep and what's normal
The early teens bring big changes: bodies deep in puberty, a body clock that runs late, strong moods, a need for privacy, friends who matter more than ever, and the pressures of class seven to nine. What's normal, what helps and when to get help.
14 min read
- Growing up
16 to 18 year olds: independence, trust, exams and what's normal
What to expect from 16 to 18 year olds, and how to hand over freedom step by step while staying close through board exams, first relationships and big decisions.
14 min read
Growing upYour 3-year-old: development, behaviour, sleep, play and what's normal
Three is the age of 'why?', 'no!' and big pretend games. What most 3-year-olds can do, what's normal, sleep, screens, play, a sample day and when to ask for help.
13 min read
Growing upYour 4-year-old: development, behaviour, sleep, play and what's normal
Four is the age of big imaginations, tall tales and 'why?' about everything. What most 4-year-olds can do, what's normal, sleep, screens, play, a sample day and when to ask for help.
13 min read
Growing upYour 5-year-old: development, behaviour, sleep, play and what's normal
Five is a big year: proud and capable one minute, teary the next. What most 5-year-olds can do, what's normal, sleep, screens, play, a sample day and when to ask for help.
12 min read
Growing upYour 6-year-old: development, behaviour, sleep, school and what's normal
Six often means class one, wobbly teeth and a fierce sense of fairness. What most 6-year-olds can do, what's normal, sleep, screens, homework, a school-day routine and when to ask for help.
13 min read
Growing upYour 7-year-old: development, behaviour, sleep, play and what's normal
Seven often brings real reading, best friends and a new, quieter seriousness. What most 7-year-olds can do, what's normal, school, sleep, screens, a school-day routine and when to ask for help.
13 min read
Growing upYour 8-year-old: development, behaviour, school, sleep and what's normal
Eight is often class two or three: reading to learn, closer friends, a sharp sense of fairness and first requests for a phone or online games. What's normal, sleep, screens, a school-day routine and when to get help.
13 min read
Growing upYour 9-year-old: development, behaviour, sleep, play and what's normal
Nine is often class three or four: closer friends, a sharp sense of fairness, more independence and, for some, early puberty. What's normal, sleep, screens, phones, a routine and when to get help.
14 min read
- Growing up
How to keep kids active in a small apartment: 30+ ideas for city flats
No playground, a busy road and a child bouncing off the sofa? How much movement children need, 30+ ideas that fit a flat, and how to keep rooftops and stairs safe.
13 min read
- Growing up
Raising bilingual children in Bangla and English: keep both strong
Bangla at home, English at school, a grandparent's dialect and cartoons in between: what is normal, which home patterns work, and how to keep both languages alive.
11 min read
Growing upTeaching kids body safety: good touch, bad touch and who to tell
Age-by-age body safety for children aged 3–12: the words to use, the private parts rule, saying no to hugs, and what to do if a child tells you something.
14 min read
- Growing up
Child won't brush teeth? Calm ways to make brushing a habit
Clamped lips, tears at the basin and a toddler who runs from the brush: why children refuse, what to say, how much toothpaste to use, and a week-long plan.
12 min read
Growing upChild development stages from 0 to 12: what to expect and how to help
Every child grows at their own speed, but development follows a broad pattern. A chart of the stages from birth to 12, what helps at each one, and the signs to talk to a doctor.
13 min read
- Growing up
When can a child stay home alone? A readiness checklist for parents
Readiness matters more than age. A checklist to tell whether your child is ready, the house rules to agree first, what to say about strangers and emergencies, and how to start with short times.
12 min read
- Growing up
My child has no friends: how to help them make and keep friends
Why some children struggle to make friends, and how to help with social skills practice at home, small playdates, clubs and a 7-day plan.
12 min read
- Growing up
Age appropriate chores for kids: what children can do at home, 4–15
Which chores suit each age from 4 to 15, how to teach them without nagging, and why boys and girls, and children in homes with house help, still help.
12 min read
- Growing up
How to teach a child independence: self-care skills for ages 2–7
How to teach a child independence at 2–7: dressing, eating, toileting, tidying and hand-washing by age, and how to let a much-loved child try in a home where someone has always done it for them.
12 min read
Growing upToddler play at home: simple games and homemade toys for ages 1–6
You don't need special toys or a big flat to play well with a young child. Here are games by age, toys you can make from household things, and how to follow your child's lead.
11 min read
Growing upPotty training: when to start, signs of readiness and a gentle plan
Readiness matters more than age. The signs to look for, a calm step-by-step plan, what to do about accidents, and how it works with squat toilets and busy homes.
10 min read
Growing upPreteens and tweens: what to expect from 9 to 12, and how to stay close
Between 9 and 12, children start to grow up fast: bodies change, friends matter more and doors close more often. What's normal, how to talk about puberty kindly, and how to stay close.
12 min read
Growing upHow to talk to your daughter about puberty and her first period
Start before her body changes, in short, calm talks: what to say about breasts, hair and periods, a school period kit, which pain is normal, and how fathers can help too.
13 min read
- Growing up
How to talk to your son about puberty: what to say, and when
Start before his body changes, in short talks side by side: growth, voice, hair and wet dreams, hygiene, feelings, online images and respect, and how mothers can help too.
13 min read
Growing upSpeech delay in toddlers: what's normal, how to help, when to worry
Your toddler points and pulls your hand but says only a few words? What's typical by age, how to help at home, and the signs that mean a check now.
10 min read
- Growing up
Child can't sit still? What's normal and what helps a very active child
Running, climbing, wriggling through meals: some children never stop. What is normal, how to channel the energy in a small flat, and the signs worth checking.
12 min read
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