2021-10-07 11:51
According to a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) workplace wellbeing report, 17.9 million working days are lost each year due to work-related stress, anxiety, and depression. The report high… Read More
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Parental Choice Blog
parentalchoice.co.uk/blog
We provide a one stop shop to help parents find the right childcare, whatever a parent’s needs, relieving the stress and taking the hard work out of the search. Visit our blog section and discover articles and news relevant to parents. We provide a one stop shop to help parents find the right childcare.
2021-10-01 09:33
A study (published in Education 3–13 last month) has revealed that up to 60 per cent of children may be entering the school system without the key physical neuromotor capabilities that… Read More
2021-10-01 05:58
Many employers assume that they do not need to make any changes until a worker identifies him/herself as autistic and requests adjustments. However, there are plenty of changes that an emplo… Read More
2021-09-30 08:54
After ten years as CEO of Working Life Solutions (formerly Parental Choice), Sarah-Jane Butler is stepping down today, 30 th September, from her role and handing the reigns to new CEO, Simon… Read More
2021-09-30 07:51
Diversity and inclusivity in the workplace have become an important topic in recent years. It has tended to focus on categories such as gender, age, sexuality, ethnic background, and physica… Read More
2021-09-24 06:41
ACAS estimate that 15% of the population of the United Kingdom is neurodivergent. The term neurodiversity refers to variation in the human brain regarding sociability, learning, attention, m… Read More
2021-09-24 06:22
World Mental Health Day is on October 10th, the theme is ‘ mental health in an unequal world‘. It was chosen to highlight the fact that access to mental health services remains u… Read More
2021-09-24 06:00
National Work Life Week takes place between 11 to 15 October 2021. It is the charity Working Families annual campaign designed to get employers and employees talking about what can be done t… Read More
2021-09-17 11:54
By Arpana Valji from Families Magazine The World Economic Forum recently stated that 65% of today’s jobs will be non-existent for the children that entered primary school this year. Th… Read More
2021-09-13 10:40
Written By Soren Kenner and Imran Rashid Excessive use of smartphones and social media may lead to stress, sleep disturbances, anxiety, depression, concentration issues, lowered self-esteem… Read More
2021-09-10 10:10
I think this is one of the biggest misconceptions surrounding fitness, fit people, and unfit people. A huge misconception in the fitness world is the amount you have to exercise to make a di… Read More
2021-09-07 10:33
Have you ever wondered if the grass is really greener on the other side and if you are missing out on perks dished out at other organisations. While most people will tell you that this is ra… Read More
2021-09-03 10:28
Replacing employees costs more than just their new salary. There are many additional costs to factor into your cost-to-hire calculations, such as time to source, advertise, and interview. He… Read More
2021-08-27 09:55
The first of September is much like the first of January. As with Christmas, August can be a time for relaxing, possibly over-indulging, and it’s easy for fitness to take a backseat. T… Read More
2021-08-19 11:33
By Erik Bohjort Money. It’s a topic that some of us find difficult to talk about, especially when it comes to discussing personal finances. However, it’s important we are not sil… Read More
2021-08-17 10:24
By Poppy O’Neill For children, social interactions and expectations can be confusing! Things like rejection, big life changes, sensitivity and shyness can impact children’s abili… Read More
2021-08-06 10:24
Written by Gabrielle Nash from Families magazine Children are like sponges, aren’t they? They soak up every new thing, whether it’s a new word or the latest trend. But are they l… Read More
2021-08-06 09:17
If your child is starting school in September, you may be wondering how best to prepare them for this big new adventure! Firstly, don’t worry if they can’t read a word or write t… Read More
2021-07-22 15:55
Samaritans Awareness Day is held on 24 th July each year. It is an opportunity for the organisation to highlight the amazing services they provide to help people in dire need and to raise aw… Read More
2021-07-16 12:50
People in the UK are living longer and as a result, the elderly population has grown significantly. Whilst this is obviously a good thing, it can also create challenges. As you get older, yo… Read More
2021-07-08 08:53
Flexible Working. It isn’t a new term and has, for many years, had a place in employment law where it has offered a right for certain employees to request flexible working which the em… Read More
2021-07-06 10:24
By Andrew Campbell, this article was first published on Families magazine Social media plays a huge role in the lives of young people. They can use it to have fun, make and maintain friendsh… Read More
2021-06-28 09:52
Written by Barbara Wilson from Working With Cancer The statistics are frightening: half of us will face a cancer diagnosis during our lifetime. In the UK, there are almost a million people o… Read More
2021-06-21 10:17
By Dr Jan MacGregor Hepburn, article contributed from Families Magazine. As a parent, do you feel constantly guilty? About what you’ve said/done or not said/done? If so, you’d be… Read More
2021-06-17 10:09
Written by Mental wellness advocates, Jessica Kelly & Caitlin Brandt from Meet Your Mind Online. A father can be one of the world’s best support systems, a pillar in the foundation… Read More
2021-06-17 10:09
A father can be one of the world’s best support systems, a pillar in the foundation of any family. As we have approached another Father’s day, while this can be a happy occasion… Read More
2021-06-17 08:57
Written by Geraldine Joaquim “I’m sorry, it’s cancer.” It’s hard to get past those words. Everything else fades into the background, and then the thoughts rush… Read More
2021-06-15 10:54
By Claire Winter from Families Magazine Many of us will be making the most of the sights closer to home this year as we holiday here in the UK. But who knew there was so much to see in our o… Read More
2021-06-15 10:10
By Emma Martin from Families Magazine As our worlds slowly open back up and children are in school once again, for many parents a key question will be how they can support their child’… Read More
2021-06-08 11:52
Written by Camille Brouard Absence and turnover can be two of the biggest costs to an organisation, as well as two of the most difficult issues to manage. Staff absence and turnover can also… Read More
2021-05-28 09:32
Since the government’s easing of lockdown restrictions since May 17 th, hugs and holidays are back – with many UK attractions welcoming visitors back through their doors. The eas… Read More
2021-05-21 09:19
Written by Hasina Rahman – Owner of Pink Diamond Martial Arts As women, we are more likely to come across unwanted attention or become a target of various attacks. Every time I check t… Read More
2021-05-14 11:06
Written by Chris Daems from Cervello In the past few decades we’ve made significant jumps forward in so many aspects and areas of our lives. We’re generally healthier and live lo… Read More
2021-05-14 10:40
During the first lockdown being allowed to go outside once a day became an essential part of getting through the day for me. ONS data reported that 52% also found that exercising outside hel… Read More
2021-05-11 13:56
Of all the curveballs life has to throw at us, menopause has to be up there as one of the most challenging. It appears just when you might be sensing a relaxation of the demands of children… Read More
2021-05-11 10:58
In 2014, Barclays published a research paper entitled ‘Financial wellbeing: the last taboo in the workplace’. The report called for employers to tackle the taboo of talking about… Read More
2021-05-11 10:18
Reflexology, hypnotherapy, aromatherapy -all alternative treatments that we have heard of, if not tried. But there is another type of therapy that you may have dipped your toe into without e… Read More
2021-05-11 09:24
For Mental Health Awareness Week, Polly Collingridge, our international wellbeing resource associate has looked at employee mental health after covid. The mental health of the nation –… Read More
2021-05-11 08:27
Pay attention to your thoughts: Feed all your senses: Use all five of your senses to bring you back to the present, instead of allowing yourself to be governed by your thoughts. Doing this s… Read More
2021-05-10 11:35
Written by Osteopath Sophia Barlow Apart from muscles spasm the 5 most common types of low back pain are often cited as being the following: Radicular pain – where a nerve coming out o… Read More
2021-04-27 13:17
My mind is like my web browser. 19 tabs are open, 3 are frozen, and I have no idea where the music is coming from… Has the last year simply flown by, time seems to be slipping through… Read More
2021-04-27 12:48
Connecting with Nature is the theme for this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week on 10-16 May 2021 – with the aim to inspire more people to connect with nature and notice the imp… Read More
2021-04-27 12:48
Connecting with Nature is the theme for this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week on 10-16 May 2021 – with the aim to inspire more people to connect with nature and notice the imp… Read More
2021-04-05 08:04
April is Stress Awareness Month and Your Employee Wellbeing will be looking at various causes of stress, some strategies for coping with stress and some triggers of stress. 2020/21 has been… Read More
2021-04-02 08:00
It is important to remember the autistic spectrum is just that – a spectrum. People with autism are all different and have varying challenges and strengths. Advice can be conflicting a… Read More
2021-04-01 14:28
Autism is a lifelong disorder that has a great impact on the child or young person and their family or carers. There may be a sense of relief that others agree with their observations and co… Read More
2021-03-31 10:18
Autism is a lifelong disorder that has a great impact on the child or young person and their family or carers. Children can be diagnosed as autistic when they’re quite young but gettin… Read More
2021-03-31 09:43
Creating positivity around women and talking about gender equality to young children is thought to help with how boys, in particular, will treat women when they become adults. This article l… Read More
2021-03-31 08:57
Following the recent murder of Sarah Everard, violence against women and girls has again been thrust into the spotlight. Today’s children and teenagers need to be brought up with a fir… Read More
2021-03-30 08:30
This week is World Autism Awareness Week. We will be publishing a series of articles regarding autism across the week which we hope will be useful to you. People with autism have many differ… Read More
2021-03-29 09:30
What are autism spectrum conditions (ASCs)? According to the National Autistic Society: ‘Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects how people perceive the world and in… Read More
2021-03-24 10:06
The perennial question of how women can keep safe when travelling independently has been a huge focus of media attention following the tragic death of Sarah Everard, and a rise in street har… Read More
2021-03-22 09:00
It feels like so much has changed — and yet it hasn’t. If you’re anything like me, then you might be feeling a bit fatigued, lacking energy and just a bit bleugh! It’… Read More
2021-03-19 10:18
As today is World Sleep Day we thought we should look at why we sleep and what happens to our wellbeing if we don’t get enough sleep. If we look across the animal world, we can see tha… Read More
2021-03-04 17:32
The return to school on Monday 8th March will be quite daunting for many young people. After weeks away from their regular place of learning they will naturally wonder what school will be li… Read More
2021-02-26 11:55
International Women’s Day, on 8th March, is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. But it is more than that, it’s a rallying… Read More
2021-02-26 10:19
Spring is here, and so Mother’s Day or Mothering Sunday has got to be close. Each year it is a different date, depending on where in the calendar Easter falls. Mothering Sunday is the… Read More
2021-02-24 14:06
Have you seen the meme featuring Hugh Grant as the prime minister in Love Actually representing parents across the country at 9.05am on 8th March? Hilarious and in many cases true! But what… Read More
2021-02-24 10:47
Recent headlines have shown that Covid-19 outcomes are far poorer for those living in disadvantaged areas, proving the strong connection between money and health. On top of that, our financi… Read More
2021-02-23 15:19
The link between wellbeing and culture… Not only is there a link, but a sustainable, practical wellbeing strategy will help create and carry your culture. There is an inextricable lin… Read More
2021-02-23 13:17
With the ever-changing workplace environment and widespread uncertainty in the world of work, Enterprise have continued to put their Employee and Customers’ wellbeing at the heart of t… Read More
2021-02-17 11:44
When we think of bereavement, we normally think of loss of life, but it can extend to loss in other ways: loss of job; loss of freedom (for example during lockdown) or loss of the life we kn… Read More
2021-02-09 13:21
It’s never too early for children to start reading; the right book can live long in the memory and help get them hooked from an extremely early age. Reading is essential for babies&rsq&hell…Read More
2021-01-29 11:30
Some commentators regard our children’s obsession with technology as one of the greatest challenges facing parents today. Whether it is YouTube, videogaming or Facebook, technology is… Read More
2021-01-29 10:56
Whether it’s your children or the printer refusing to cooperate, working from home and homeschooling can be a challenge to juggle at the same time. An overwhelming 84% of you said in o… Read More
2021-01-27 15:24
With the rise of COVID-19 cases across the globe, including here in the UK, many companies have implemented remote working plans, including hiring. As a result, millions of employees have su… Read More
2021-01-20 12:16
For some parents across the country, the start of a new year coincides with entrance exams for independent schools. Most common entry points are at 7+, 11+, 13+ and sixth form, with 11+ bein… Read More
2021-01-06 14:05
Has Lockdown 3.0 put your normal personal new year resolutions on hold? We take a look at eight ways you can do your bit to help save the planet. In 2019 the world stopped and took notice of… Read More
2021-01-06 11:41
A first hand account from one of Your Employee Wellbeing’s consultants on having the Covid -19 vaccination. As we enter our 3rd national lockdown in the face of spiralling numbers of n… Read More
2021-01-05 11:04
At Working Families—the UK’s work-life balance charity—we have seen first-hand the huge impact that COVID-19 has had on working parents and carers. As the pandemic unfolded… Read More
2020-12-31 14:44
It is hard to believe that we have reached the end of this impossible year, but here we are – on the cusp of a new dawn, holding all the dreams and hopes that a New Year brings with it… Read More
2020-12-30 14:07
This year has been a year like no-other. We’ve all spent way more time with our kids and partners than we thought we ever would. How are we all doing? There have been lots of times thi… Read More
2020-12-16 17:13
For most families with winter break is an opportunity to fully relax and enjoy the seasonal festivities on offer. From Panto to Christmas specials on TV, the short break between the years is… Read More
2020-12-11 11:19
New research by Benenden Health has shown that 42% of employers have experienced an employee leaving because they felt their mental wellbeing was not being looked after. Wellbeing is a clear… Read More
2020-12-04 14:28
Good nutrition provides us with the energy and nutrients we need to excel in whatever we do, as well as to improve our personal wellbeing. We all know that eating the right foods contributes… Read More
2020-12-01 10:43
Each year Parental Choice chooses a family-centred charity which is local to us in South West London to highlight their work in the lead-up to Christmas. This year, we are delighted to tell… Read More
2020-11-30 12:53
With Christmas approaching we anticipate there being many gaming gadgets appearing under trees around the country. Kids will be ecstatic, but many parents will be worried about the effect th… Read More
2020-11-27 13:55
This year, more than ever loneliness is going to be felt by the our elderly loved ones. Covid restrictions mean many will be facing time alone, or at least may be in a smaller group than the… Read More
2020-11-27 12:42
There is no doubt that 2020 has been a challenging year. We’ve all had to cope with significant restrictions, changes, trauma and even grief. But as we head for the new year with talk… Read More
2020-11-24 11:54
Of course, we aren’t talking about whether or not your staff can touch their toes or backflip across the office. The issue of flexible working has been at the forefront of work discuss… Read More
2020-11-20 12:29
Poor mental health is something every person may have to deal with, regardless of age, gender, sex or other. However, it is time to talk about men’s mental health more often. Men go th… Read More
2020-11-18 15:00
Women’s reactions to the menopause tend to vary. Some feel a sense of joy as they see it as a kind of relief after years of menstruation. For example, they will no longer need to buy a… Read More
2020-11-05 09:44
A century ago, women were expected to get married and have children by the age of 20.How times have changed! This is the mighty 21st century, when women can choose to have a career before ha… Read More
2020-11-04 13:20
People are working under conditions due to the new pandemic and social distancing guidelines. When we think of mental health and staff support, COVID must now be considered. As a business, y… Read More
2020-11-01 00:01
Doing well at work is a goal for many men, no matter what their profession might be. But while they may be unapologetic about their ambitions, they’re likely to be quieter about how th… Read More
2020-10-22 05:30
Today, Thursday 22nd October 2020, Parental Choice is delighted to unveil its newest service which is designed to support employee wellbeing in SMEs: PC Employee Care is the newest service i… Read More
2020-10-20 23:01
Working parents and employees have experienced a significant increase in screen time throughout the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Millions of working parents trapped in their homes have been st… Read More
2020-10-20 13:12
Parenting isn’t a job for the faint of heart. You have to have nerves of steel and the patience of a saint, but in the end it’s all worth it to see your babies grow into smart an… Read More
2020-10-19 07:30
We all experience highs and lows – days where we feel on top of it all and others where we feel like everyone and everything is out to get us. It’s easy for the micro stresses an… Read More
2020-10-14 10:11
The short answer is ‘yes’… but that doesn’t really address the whole question because it straddles both the workplace and the employee’s privacy, that work-lif… Read More
2020-10-13 12:59
This week is National Work Life Week. It is the charity Working Families annual campaign designed to get employers and employees talking about what can be done to get the best work:life bala… Read More
2020-10-09 09:27
Saturday, 10th October 2020 is World Mental Health Day. To mark this day we look at what impact poor employee mental health can have on a business and what business owners can do to support… Read More
2020-10-07 09:39
You race through life when you are younger, you find happiness with a partner and bring up a family then in the later years of life personal circumstances change and you find yourself alone… Read More
2020-09-29 13:11
I don’t know about you, but during lockdown my dress size has definitely went up and my fitness levels absolutely went down. Some people embraced the opportunity to stay at home by exp… Read More
2020-09-25 09:34
More than one million elderly people say they can go for more than a month without speaking to a friend, neighbour, or family member. In addition, the fact that more health problems are prev… Read More
2020-09-11 13:03
Following on from a Dad’s experience of lockdown, having given a basic overview, I’d like to talk briefly about some of the effects of lockdown, as I perceive them. Lockdown was… Read More
2020-09-08 08:12
I was surprised by the findings of a survey just published by the Manpower Services Group: workers in the UK are far more negative about returning to the office than those in other countries… Read More
2020-09-01 13:17
Everybody wants to be in a job they love. Some have found it, and some are still striving for it. But how do you, as an employer, create a happy and motivated workforce? Just as crucially, w… Read More
2020-08-28 09:00
A gender-balanced workforce and workplace are crucial for a business to reach its maximum potential. There are multiple advantages for companies who have a gender diverse workplace and an eq… Read More
2020-08-27 12:31
The end of the summer marks the start of a new school year for children across the United Kingdom. Schools in Scotland and Wales have already started their new academic year, and within a fe… Read More
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