New mums are being ‘strongly encouraged’ to take regular exercise and get more sleep. Hahahaha

New guidelines are well intentioned, but as parents of babies know, finding time to look after yourself is impossible, says Guardian columnist Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett

Have you ever been tired enough to put your shoes in the microwave? This is my world: welcome!

I asked on social media for stories from parents suffering extreme sleep deprivation. It was both hilarious and frightening, says journalist Nell Frizzell

‘Talk about it, focus on your values and … stay stoic’: how to cope with rejection

From the workplace to romance to friends, everything you need to know about rejection – and how to move on from it

Want your kids to be caring and sharing? Feed them fish

A new study shows that children who eat seafood are more likely to share their toys and help their friends. But why?

Go outside, ditch the phone, get humble: my top 10 Scandi life lessons after a decade in Denmark

After 12 years, we’ve said goodbye to one of the happiest countries on Earth. From friluftsliv (the joy of the open air) to janteloven (realising you’re no better than others) here’s what I’ve learned

Couples fight about housework. Couples divorce about housework. Surely it would be easier if men just did more housework?

Dividing household tasks fairly and upending some gender norms along the way is good for everyone

‘I was causing harm’: author Helen Jukes on motherhood and our polluted bodies

In her latest book, Mother Animal, the writer gives a personal account of the impact of ‘forever chemicals’ on her and her child during and after pregnancy

‘I couldn’t be left alone with the kids’: when parental exhaustion tips into burnout

Most people with small children are worn out – but for some, the pressure of striving to be perfect parents can drive them to the edge

When my daughter’s pregnancy was on the line, it felt like history was repeating itself…

Joanna Moorhead recalls her daughter’s difficult birth as she watches her go through the same thing 32 years later

Sorry, Lily Collins, but when people outsource childbirth, their motives really count

Whether it’s infertility, to save a career or pure altruism, is there ever a reason that can morally justify surrogacy?

Stuck in the middle: advice on bringing up babies and caring for your parents

Believe it or not, you know more about babies than you think – and try to have fun with your mum and dad. Advice from the experts for the ‘sandwich generation’

We can tell the truth about pregnancy without scaring women to death – in fact, it’s vital that we do

Many women have no idea about the potential complications until they happen. Without discussion there is no treatment or prevention, says author Emily Oster

I’ve started full-time work and it’s non-stop – when do I get some time for me?

Entering the world of work can seem overwhelming, but remember that every stage of life is initially a challenge. Give yourself time to adjust

‘I’d always enjoyed alcohol – but my mother’s sudden, violent death made me a heavy drinker overnight’

When she died, my life plunged into darkness and I turned to the bottle. It quickly became clear to me how trauma could change a moderate habit into a dangerous one

Buying up baby: five products to avoid and two that are worth the money

Newborns are big business, with a bamboozling array of products to cater to them. Here five families with young children share their shopping regrets – and the items that actually helped