There is nothing wrong with shyness in children. In fact, shy children often do well at school, are better behaved, listen attentively to others and are easier to look after. So let’s stop trying to change them…
children
Family
There’s something Annie Ridout is finding increasingly frustrating. Why are parents no longer telling their kids the difference between right and wrong, and that it’s not OK to hurt other children?
Work Life
Amy Kean, the author of bestselling illustrated book The Little Girl Who Gave Zero Fucks, discusses a difficult period she went through, how writing this book was like therapy and using her career in advertising to gauge her audience. Plus a thought on swearwords…
Family
When Annie Ridout’s son became very ill, very quickly, she dropped everything to spend five days with him in hospital. Here, she discusses the moment she realised that nothing mattered, except his recovery…
Family
Amongst feminist parents, there’s talk about whether or not we should tell our daughters they’re beautiful; does this make them base too much of their self-worth on their looks? Annie Ridout has decided it’s ok, here’s why…
Family
When editor Annie Ridout realised her son was choking on a breadstick, she followed all the advice she’d been given but it didn’t work. She ran to the door, shouting for help, before remembering something she’d seen in TV drama series The Affair…
Work Life
Motherhood may impact a woman’s career but it doesn’t have to destroy it. In fact, The Early Hour’s editor, Annie Ridout, found hers blossomed after giving birth. Here, she argues against the idea that babies are a barrier to your career…
Family
Being Asian and Christian meant there weren’t any matches for Ranji and her husband when they first tried to adopt. But they persevered and were given a son and daughter. She talks us through the gruelling process, difficult early days and their more recent relocation to Paris…
Family
Elliot was born with plagiocephaly – or flat head syndrome, as it’s more commonly known. His parents had to decide whether to risk leaving it, as the NHS recommend, or to put him in an orthotic helmet for 22 hours a day. They chose the latter. Here’s what happened…
Family
Rainy autumn weather can make leaving the house hard when you have young kids. So here are seven inspiring and creative rainy day activities from early years teacher Laura Moore that don’t involve screens…