List of All Articles with Tag 'lifestyle'

With results day around the corner, your child might be feeling stressed about what comes next if academia isn’t their thing, or they don’t think they performed well in their GCSEs or A Levels. As a parent, you may find it difficult to know what to say beyond clichés if their exam results aren’t ‘glowing’, especially when you know your teenager has strengths outside of the exam hall. So, how can you respond supportively? And what qualities can you reassure them are more important than exam results? Be there for them firstYour child is likely to be upset – read the room and consider their emotions before diving in with advice or questions, or expressing your own feelings about the situation. “While it is only natural to feel your own sense of disappointment, as best as possible, we need to put aside our emotional response and be a calm, safe place for our kids,” says psychologist and author of Self-Care For Tough Times, Suzy Reading. “It can help to identify a time later to express your own feelings – you’re not stuffing them down or denying them, you’ll make space to bear witness to them later,” Reading adds. “Take a couple of long exhalations and listen without rushing in to fix. Support and allow your child to express all the feelings and thoughts that will come cascading. Action planning can come later – they just need to feel heard, understood, validated and cared for.” Exams aren’t everything It is helpful to remind them that this isn’t the be-all and end-all. There’s lots more to a person than their grades and exam results. “While exams can be really important, it’s also good to remember that they are not the only measure of success,” says Gemma Campbell, counsellor and clinical content specialist at Kooth Digital Health. “There are plenty of amazing qualities you have that standard exams don’t measure – resilience, determination, humour, curiosity, courage, compassion and kindness,” Campbell adds. Well-rounded skillsets And going forward into the professional world, there are really valuable skills and traits that are not exam-based. “While academic achievements have a significant place, they should not overshadow the development of essential skills and qualities that make great business leaders and entrepreneurs,” says Sarah Austin, director of the British Business Excellence Awards. Creativity For example, creativity is paramount to innovation. “In a rapidly evolving business landscape, creativity has become a prized asset,” says Austin. “Motivating our children to think outside the box – questioning established norms – and exploring alternative solutions is what nurtures their creative potential. “Grades may measure the ability to absorb and regurgitate information, but creativity is what propels individuals to envision new possibilities and drive innovation,” she adds. “The ability to approach problems from different angles, to adapt to change and to create something entirely new will position our children as the trailblazers of tomorrow in the business world.” Passion If there is something your teen loves, encourage it. This can help harness lots of other useful skills in the process – such as curiosity, determination and focus. “One of the most valuable skills a person can possess is passion. Encouraging our children to explore their interests and pursue their passions will ignite a flame within them – when they do something they genuinely love, they are more likely to invest their time and effort wholeheartedly,” Austin says. “By instilling the belief that passion is a driving force, we can empower our children to shape their future careers based on what truly inspires them. In the business world, this passion translates into unwavering dedication and a genuine love for what a person does – setting the stage for remarkable achievements.” Resilience Disappointing exam results may be a setback, but how they respond to them may show their greatest skill: resilience. “In the face of challenges and setbacks, the ability to bounce back and persevere is essential – cultivating hardiness and resilience in our children will hand them the tools to overcome obstacles and navigate the unpredictable nature of the business world,” Austin says. “While grades may provide a temporary measure of success, it is the tenacity and determination to push forwards that truly separates outstanding leaders from the rest.”

Almost 140 bearded men who resemble Ernest Hemingway have converged on Key West to compete in the Hemingway Look-Alike Contest

The Universal Orlando Resort theme park in Florida plans to open a new land next year based on characters from DreamWorks Animation

Ticks can't fly, but they can still defy gravity to start sucking your blood.

Margot Robbie gave show-stopping performances on every hot pink carpet of the Barbie press tour, but a few of her planned Mattel-inspired outfits weren’t officially unveiled due to the SAG-AFTRA strikes cutting the world-wide event schedule short. To give the missed looks the recognition they deserve, Robbie’s stylist Andrew Mukamal debuted six never seen photos in an 18 July Instagram post. The first image showed the 33-year-old Australian actress in a Versace form-fitting number – pink, of course. Robbie’s sleek hair and makeup matched the subtle shimmer of the metallic strapless dress, with a neckline that looked as if it was the waist of a pair of pants. In true Barbieform, Mukamal adorned the look with baby pink socks, a white box clutch, pink crew socks, and Versace’s heeled loafers. Robbie and Mukamal took Alicia Silverstone’s iconic Clueless yellow two-piece to a whole new level in the second slide. The Wolf of Wall Street star cut a classic Chanel figure in a tweed two-piece and tortoise-print oval sunglasses by Oliver Peoples. Robbie also donned delicate Christian Louboutin white pumps to mimic Barbie’s signature toe stance, while her fuzzy Chanel crossbody added contrast to the otherwise conservative look. Looking pretty in pink, Mukamal styled Robbie in a double-buckle crop top and matching mini-skirt by Versace. The outfit was topped off with see-through pumps by Manolo Blahnik and a Judith Leiber handbag detailed with a sparkly silver bow. The fourth slide showed Robbie from her Australia press tour look: a strawberry-printed Moschino halter dress influenced by the original Barbie. She also brought back her white Louboutin’s, but paired them with Gentle Monster sunglasses and a bouncy updo. In the fifth image, Mukamal showed off his creation from the Mexico City press tour. Robbie was placed inside a life-size Barbie toy box with a logo-printed pink Versace dress and soft satin shoulder bag to match. The sixth and final slide featured Robbie on the hood of a standout pink Lamborghini in Pierpaolo’s Valentino. Her pointed toe pumps mirrored the mini square-neck short sleeve dress by the luxury Italian fashion house. Among Robbie’s notable looks from the highly-acclaimed film premiere was her dazzling black Schiaparelli ball gown inspired by the vintage Mattel “Solo in the Spotlight” doll. The tight-fitting haute couture piece honoured a classic 1960s style fad with a flounce black hem and red rosette. For the final stop in London, Robbie wowed fans in London by wearing Vivienne Westwood. Mukamal tapped into vintage Barbie when he dressed Robbie in three layers of pearl chokers, a baby pink wrap gown with corset detailing, and a detachable white fur trim. The look was completed with a long train attached to a flower that was stitched on one side and fell to floor. The Greta Gerwig film is set to debut in theatres on 21 June in the US and UK. Read More Margot Robbie admits to ‘pressure’ concerns over Barbie role Ryan Gosling ‘keeps finding Ken dolls discarded’ by his own daughters Recreate Margot Robbie’s Barbie look with these pink heels Chanel is set to host a fashion show in Manchester TikTokers are showing off pink outfits they’re going to wear to watch Barbie movie Margot Robbie has fangirl moment over Love Island stars Ekin-Su, Davide and Liberty

Librarians in Florida who feared fines for hosting drag queen story hours, and Pride parade organizers who worried about citations for including drag performers, can breathe easier now

A mother of two has exposed the “double standards” in parenting after her husband was praised for taking their toddlers to the grocery store. Earlier this week, Emily Belson, from Maryland, went viral on TikTok when she jokingly called out her husband for doing the “bare minimum” when it comes to raising their two sons. “My husband just got home from the grocery store,” she began the clip, which has since been viewed more than 100,000 times. She explained that her husband took both their sons, who are one and two years old, to the grocery store where he was stopped by strangers and applauded for his parenting skills. “Three people stopped him to tell him what a great dad he was for taking them to the store,” Belson said. The TikToker went on to share just how many times she’s brought her children along to the grocery store, but said she has yet to be stopped by a stranger. “Do you know how many times I’ve taken both of my kids to the grocery store, to literally everywhere? A million,” she revealed. “How many people have stopped me to say I’m a great mom? Zero.” “Gold star apparently,” Belson captioned her candid video, along with the hashtag: “#bareminimum” The comments section was immediately swarmed with fellow moms who complained about the “double standards” in parenting. “Right? My husband is a great dad but I am sick of people telling me that when I do so much more,” one person wrote. “I remember taking four and no one ever remarked about my wonderful parenting,” another said. @emily.belson Gold star apparently 🌟 #toddlermom #parenthumor #bareminimum #sahmlife #momtok #sahm ♬ original sound - Emily Belson A third mother commented: “Omg same with my husband. He actually gets annoyed by it and tells them that he’s only doing what any other dad should be doing and that his wife, me, does everything.” However, some people expressed their frustration at Belson’s video, as they proclaimed that “it’s not a competition” which parent does more for their children. “Parenting is not a competition. We should acknowledge and support good behaviours of both parents,” one person wrote. “As a single dad, I do like hearing those things.” In response, Belson said: “He is 100 per cent a fantastic husband and dad, I’m just laughing at the double standard!!!” Meanwhile, other TikTok users took the opportunity to share how they will be appreciating fellow moms the next time they’re out in public. “Gonna start telling moms they’re great for going to the store with their kids,” one person wrote, while another said: “Let’s normalise telling at least one mom they are doing a good job while we are out and about.” Emily Belson isn’t the only parent to recently go viral on TikTok. This week, a husband went viral after being exposed for his loud reaction to his wife revealing she’s pregnant with their fourth child. In a TikTok video shared by The Cofer Family, mom Anissa revealed her husband James’ less-than-thrilled reaction to finding out she was pregnant yet again. “When you’re done having babies but get a positive test and your husband’s reaction isn’t what you expected...excuse the language,” her caption read. As James pulled out a note his wife had placed in an envelope, his mood immediately shifted once he realised what was coming next. “Stop playing with me. Anissa, it’s not... Anissa, no!” he screamed. @anissacofer Needless to say, she’s the blessing we never knew we needed. 🫶🏼#babynumber4 #pregnancyannouncement #blessed ♬ original sound - The Cofer Family 🤍 James begged, “Baby, please tell me you’re joking,” hoping Anissa was pranking him, but the mother of his children quietly told him she “wasn’t playing with him”. “F**k,” James said. “No! Babe, I’m not joking. Don’t do this to me. Babe! F**k!” “Needless to say, she’s the blessing we never knew we needed,” Anissa captioned in the video, which now attracted over seven million views on TikTok. The Independent has contacted Emily Belson for comment. Read More Husband goes viral for reaction to learning his wife is pregnant again Groom called out over ‘red flag’ wedding prank he pulled on his bride Couple doing IVF lets their dog decide baby’s sex Schoolboy almost dies from swallowing magnets for TikTok challenge Woman shares honest review of New York City apartment TikTok mom slammed after making 5-year-old son run in 104 degree heat

A new mother has shared the intimate moment her husband helped her use the bathroom after giving birth to their baby boy. Tiffany Remington’s TikTok video, which has now attracted more than seven million views, showed “the reality of birth” as the new mom struggled with a postpartum bowel movements. “It’s time to poop after birth,” she said, adding that the act is just as “mortifying” as delivery is for her. In the video, the Portland-based mother of two proceeded toward the bathroom with her husband Caleb behind her. After Remington took the “stool softener” Colace to ease the process, Caleb joined his wife in the bathroom to aid with wiping. “Ow, that’s hot,” the new mother proclaimed while her partner stuck his head between her and the toilet with a tissue in hand. “Oh nice poo poo,” her husband told her in response, prompting Remington to roll her eyes as Caleb continued in his baby voice: “Did you go pee pee or poo poo?“ “Okay, I think you’re clean,” Caleb proclaimed before eyeing something he missed. The TikToker’s partner then moved on to prepare a maternity pad for her to wear in her postpartum underwear that will catch any bleeding. Over 4,800 followers left comments on Remington’s post, admitting they either loved seeing the candid footage or hated it. “Honestly this is amazing ... a lot of women go into postpartum not knowing what to expect after giving birth and this is so real,” one person wrote, while another added: “Couple goals.” “I would love support but this is WAY too much support,” someone else admitted. “I could never,” one viewer agreed. The social media personality didn’t expect everyone to be in awe of her honest moment, but her point in posting was to show the hardships of postpartum, though she did note she was lucky because her and Caleb’s intimacy “goes beyond physical.” She also said she wanted other women who may be giving birth for the first time to see the reality. “Before any toxic messages roll through, yes I am fully capable of doing this on my own.. but my husband asked if he can help because he knows I hate the feeling of being dirty and choose not to wipe due to my tears, inflammation, and comfortability,” her caption read. @ustheremingtons Before any toxic messages roll through, yes i am fully capable of doing this on my own.. but my husband asked if he can help bc he knows i hate the feeling of being dirty and choose not to wipe due to my tears, inflammation, and comfortability. Why share this? Bc this is the reality of birth, not just the newborn snuggles. The first visit to the loo can be terrifying. You dont have the adrenaline of pushing out a baby so it can be painful. It can also feel like you’re doing this alone and experiencing these V real feelings by yourself. I promise you, youre not! This time around i took colace to soften the stool up and it worked and helped so much! We share these intimate moments bc often times, esp as first time birthers, you dont know what to expect or what is normal. THIS IS NORMAL. we also want to normalize asking for help. My husband and I pride on being there for one another and push each other to ask and accept help. We are V independent people who are strongwilled, so moments like these bond us in the most special way. Love him. Love us. #laboranddelivery #firsttimemom #birthstory #37weekspregnant #38weekspregnant #39weekspregnant #40weekspregnant #birthtips #husbandandwife #momsover30 #parentsoftiktok #thisismotherhood #pregnancyjourney #ivfwarrior #ivfbaby #secondbaby ♬ original sound - Tiffany + Caleb “Why share this? Because this is the reality of birth, not just the newborn snuggles,” she continued. “The first visit to the loo can be terrifying. You dont have the adrenaline of pushing out a baby so it can be painful. It can also feel like you’re doing this alone and experiencing these very real feelings by yourself. I promise you, you’re not!” According to a report by Dr Erica Newland in the Cleveland Clinic, the first bowel movement following delivery can be uncomfortable. “There can be some pain when pooping, particularly if your stools are hard,” she explained. “After giving birth, it can take a while for your body to get back to its pre-pregnancy state. Physically and emotionally, you’re trying to recover from a major event that’s caused many changes.” Speaking with Today, Remington admitted she hoped to “crack the ‘supermom’ stereotype with her video” and encourage women to ask for help if they need it, and for their partners to be there when they do. “[Moms] should be able to hand over some responsibility when it comes to birth and childcare,” she noted. Luckily, Caleb had no problem assuming bathroom responsibility for his son Calvin’s birth, and in 2021 when his daughter was born. He thanked his “strong stomach” for allowing him to be there when Remington needs help wiping, or her vaginal lacerations require monitoring. “I have a great deal of empathy for what Tiffany when through, and a strong stomach,” he said. The Independent has contacted Remington for comment. Read More Robert De Niro’s girlfriend Tiffany Chen talks about ‘postpartum complications’ after birth of their daughter Can you prevent stretch marks during pregnancy? 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AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc. is dropping a plan to charge more for the best theater seats after moviegoers

Travis Barker has revealed the unique names he’s considering for the son he and Kourtney Kardashian have on the way. During the latest release of Complex’s “GOAT Talk” video, the 47-year-old drummer and his 17-year-old daughter Alabama sat down to answer rapid fire questions about favourite gifts, rap albums, restaurants, and more. The last card Barker picked up asked the two of them what they thought “the greatest baby name of all time” was. “I like Rocky Thirteen,” the Blink-182 bandmate admitted. “That’s the name that’s been going through my head.” Alabama barely gave her father a chance to explain himself before telling him: “That’s so bad.” The social media star couldn‘t help but laugh at Barker’s confession, adding “he knows it’s bad.” But Barker wasn’t joking as he then revealed his sentimental reasons for loving the unique moniker. “Rocky George played guitar for Suicidal Tendencies. And 13 is just the greatest number of all time,” the instrumentalist proclaimed. Additionally, Barker – who named Alabama after his favourite movie True Romance – pointed out that “Rocky Thirteen” could also serve as a tribute to “the greatest boxing movie of all time,” 1976’s Rocky. Although Barker seemed set on the rock-inspired name, he knew not everyone was going to love the idea. In an attempt to sway him from his choice, Alabama continued to express her doubt over the potential name for her soon-to-be baby sibling. “You sure you’re going to name your kid Rocky Thirteen?” the internet personality asked. “Possibly,” Barker replied. The father of three could end up scraping the idea for another name he’s mentioned to his wife. Following the pair’s public pregnancy announcement in June, the eldest Kardashian sister, mother to Mason, 13, Penelope, 11, and Reign, 8, shared photographs from her maternity shoot on Instagram. Under the batch of images, Barker commented: “I already know his name.” While he didn’t offer the moniker he had in mind, he previously wrote under an older photo on the Kardashian’s account from November 2021: “Our son’s name would be Elvis.” Barker proposed to Kardashian in October of 2021 on the beach at their favourite Santa Barbara spot. From a late night at a little white chapel in Las Vegas, an intimate ceremony at a courthouse to sign their marriage licenses, to a traditional Dolce and Gabbana-themed wedding in Portofino, Italy, the pair tied the knot several times. On 17 June, Kourtney revealed she was pregnant after multiple rounds of IVF when she waved a huge sign that read, “Travis, I’m pregnant,” at the artist’s Blink-182 show in Los Angeles. Her reveal was a nod to a scene in the band’s “All The Small Things” music video, where a woman does the same thing. Barker wiped his eyes before hopping down from the stage to embrace a beaming Kardashian. Read More Travis Barker praises Kourtney Kardashian for ‘healing’ him as he takes 30th flight following deadly crash Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker reveal the gender of their baby Kourtney Kardashian shows off baby bump as fans speculate about due date

Temperatures have peaked at or above 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43.3 degrees Celsius) the entire month of July in Phoenix and extreme heat stretches across the American South

Marcus Wareing has claimed that the best pizza he has tried in London is Pizza Express, where he has dined for 20 years. Speaking to content creator Jesse Burgess in a video on Topjaw’s TikTok, the two Michelin-starred chef, who is best known for being a judge on MasterChef: The Professionals said that the classic American Hot pizza, which the restaurant chain has served since the Sixties, is his dish of choice. Asked by Burgess: “What is the best pizza?” Marcus replied: “This one is easy, but you’re not going to like the answer. Pizza Express, I know, I know.” “I still eat the same pizza I was eating for the past 20 years, American Hot, I love it, Romana, a little bit of extra chilli, I love it, it’s got to be a Romana base.” An American Hot is a classic pepperoni pizza with chilli peppers, while a Romana base uses Pizza Express’s famous dough but stretched out to be even bigger, creating a thin, crispy 14-inch base, giving room for extra toppings. “And do you know what every time I go it’s cooked exactly the same,” he added. Content creator Burgess explained that his favourite from the restaurant chain was a Sloppy Guiseppe pizza, a recipe that uses spicy ground beef, green pepper, red onion, tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese. Pizza fanatics have been debating Wareing’s choice, given that London is flooded with pizza chains that serve up trendier offerings, like Pizza Pilgrims, Homeslice, Yard Sale Pizza or Franca Manca. @topjaw Didn’t expect that! More Marcus Wareing tomorrow… ♬ original sound - TOPJAW “He should hand back his stars!” commented one person who seemed to disapprove of Wareing’s preference. “Always consistent I have to say,” wrote one person in agreement with the chef. “I always go for the Giuseppe as well.” “Agreed, nothing better!” added one Pizza Express fan. Meanwhile, one commenter disagreed with the choice of chain restaurant, writing: “Pizza Pilgrims is elite.” In a previous interview with the Guardian, Wareing said that Pizza Express was his favourite chain to take his children to. “They love Pizza Express, which I think is consistently good,” said the chef. “And The Butcher and Grill in Battersea. They get a proper meal and colouring books.” Pizza Express was founded in 1965 by restauranter Peter Boizot, who brought a pizza oven back to London from a trip to Italy. Opening its first restaurant on Wardour Street in Soho, the chain now has 370 sites in the UK and Ireland and 80 sites across Europe, Asia and the Middle East. During the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, the restaurant announced it was closing 73 of its UK branches. In 2021, it announced it was closing another 23 restaurants. Read More ‘Just awful’: Man accused of ‘selfish’ behaviour after proposing to girlfriend at their graduation Prince Harry and Meghan weren’t allowed to fly Air Force One with Biden after Queen’s funeral, report says Cruise line apologises after passengers witness dozens of pilot whales being slaughtered Chef sparks debate about seasoning chicken with just salt in viral recipe Splash out for this heritage tomato, fennel and dukkah salad Make this Middle Eastern lamb shoulder for your next Sunday roast