So, there I was, last weekend, on the floor of the gym, complaining that everything was sore, moaning that I had endured enough and begging not to have to do more stomach crunches. My instructor, however, had other ideas. He looked irritated and used every trick in the motivational book to keep me going, talking into my ear, praising my effort, and reminding me of how I would feel at the end of the session once I had accomplished it.

Being a parent isn’t just a learning process, it’s a re-learning process. So much of what we do every day without even thinking – walking, talking, using a knife and fork, kicking a football – must be painstakingly learnt from scratch by children. And of course, in seeing them try and fail and try again until they succeed, we recognise just how tricky all this business of getting through the day really is. And nowhere is that more apparent than in the process of learning to read and write.

It may not have escaped your knowledge that 2023 was the year of Prime. Months ago, I distinctly remember my young teen son willingly joining me on a quick trip to the supermarket, something that would normally be accompanied by groans of complaint. Clearly swept up in some excitement that I knew nothing about, he wanted to check out whether the supermarket had any bottles left of a new drink that all his friends were raving about – Prime.

Well, here we are, 2024 has arrived. You probably feel you have been bombarded with digital content suggesting you kickstart the new year with new goals and aspirations with the aim of increased personal happiness. However, I have a different suggestion that stems from extensive research on the psychology of happiness. Let’s practise the art of savouring everyday joyous experiences. Perhaps we already have everything we need to be content?

180 years after its first publication, Charles Dickens’ classic story A Christmas Carol remains a festive favourite, with new adaptations and productions every year. It still has plenty to tell us about the real meaning of a happy Christmas.

Much as we would all like to consider the festive break a time of unparalleled family cohesion and collective bliss, if we are really honest about it, it can also sometimes be characterised by family squabbles and fallouts. As we approach the holiday season, what can we do to ensure that our expectations are steeped in realism and our family are ready to bring their best selves to the festive table?

It is Grief Awareness Week nationally across the UK; a seasonal opportunity to raise awareness about the nature and impact of grief on us, family members, pupils we work with and children we care for, and to consider ‘what works’ when it comes to optimal support.

If, like me, you have ever witnessed your children engaged in ‘rough and tumble’ play with siblings, cousins, friends or relatives, it can feel alarming. In our house, after about five minutes, it used to lead to tears and accusations that ‘he hit me too hard’; one parent would then intercede with sage advice on when to stop! ‘Roughhousing’ sounds and looks chaotic and can engender feelings of alarm in onlookers.

If you live in the UK, you may well be aware that it is Anti-Bullying Week. This year’s theme, which emerged following consultation with teachers and pupils, is ‘Make A Noise About Bullying’. According to the Anti-Bullying Alliance, the theme was chosen because, “Too often, we are silent when we see bullying take place, silent about the hurt bullying causes, and silent when we hear bullying dismissed as ‘just banter’. It doesn’t have to be this way.”

After a sporting event this weekend, I’ve been mulling over what constitutes real success and what success means to different people. When you think of success, do you think of a dream job? A big house and luxurious holidays? Winning gold medals or trophies? Achieving top grades? Fulfilling an ambition? Having strong interpersonal relationships? Well, Professor Marc Brackett, founding director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, once told me that, “True success is learning how to use your emotions wisely to achieve your personal goals and wellbeing.” Food for thought.