What does it look like to raise a healthy family without that guilt and dread that so often is attached to all things food and exercise?

Over the last three months, hundreds of inspiring local groups have sprung into action, including our very own Fuzz Dix, a veteran Kids Matter facilitator doing incredible work to support families on the Isle of Dogs – as reported by The Independent .

One does not have to think too hard to imagine the psychological impact of pre-existing familial trauma exacerbated by a situation where fraught relationships have no room to breathe.

Many of our partner churches are asking us how they can reach families in lockdown when the need is overwhelming. And what if families don’t engage? We don’t have all the answers (this is tough for everyone) but we do have some ideas that we have seen working in communities...

Click on the video link if you missed Kids Matter talking to Viva Doorsteps about the impact of Covid-19 on children’s wellbeing, and would like to catch up!

As lockdown gradually eases our children are having to adjust again, with some going back to school, whilst many are looking at the possibility of not returning until September.  Transitions are often hard, especially for children, and anger is one way this might be showing up.

With Covid-related pressures that might include job losses, home-schooling and fear of the virus itself, tensions are likely be high – and even more so for families already living in poverty.

It is indeed ‘peverse’ as Elizabeth James said, to expect Black people to bring about equality when they are the very ones who are being oppressed. This is something we, as white people need to engage with and do better...

Yes – there is rivalry, irritation and even dislike, which will ebb and flow as the seasons change, but every parent dreams that the familiarity of home and memory (a version that no one else on the entire planet shares) will trump it all.

The thing to remember is that our children want us more than any game, activity or screen time...

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Parenting is not just about looking after our children, it is about how we look after ourselves and our relationships in the family...