My kids are at war over how often to wash. The only thing they agree on? I’m disgusting

This summer, a mighty row on cleanliness broke out online, after Ashton Kutcher said he washed his crotch and armpits daily ‘and nothing else ever’. These arguments have now, inevitably, reached my bathroom, writes Zoe Williams

Postnatal depression is frightening, but seeking support helps the whole family

It affects up to 20% of women and can be as complex as depression at any stage of life. But support is there

The chronic stress survival guide: how to live with the anxiety and grief you can’t escape

Stress can feel like a baseline condition for many of us – especially during a pandemic. But there are ways to help alleviate the very worst of it, whether through support, sleep or radical self-care

Teenagers have taken up smoking in droves – and forgotten the lessons of the past

Young people don’t remember the 1980s at all, and the hard-won knowledge we gained from our nicotine habits. Primarily, says Zoe Williams, that it really doesn’t help beat stress

‘It became a compulsion’: how fertility forums took over my life

After years trying for a child without success, I sought solace in online message boards. Before long, I was spending hours a day poring over intimate posts, sharing everything with total strangers. Would it help?

Unspeakable grief: breaking the silence around terminations for medical reasons

In the UK, at least 5,000 pregnancies a year end in termination for medical reasons, but the grief and guilt of the parents can endure for years, while they often feel unable to speak openly about their experience

Pace yourself and party on! 10 ways to avoid social burnout this summer

Even social butterflies might find themselves a little overwhelmed as everything reopens. Here’s how to ease in gently, keep conversation light and avoid the dreaded ‘hangxiety’

Fit in my 40s: fancy a game of Ultimate? Let the battle commence

Who was going to let go of it first? Well, obviously me. The alternative was punching a 14-year-old in the nose

‘Be interested, be curious, hear what’s not said’: how I learned to really listen to people

Being a good listener isn’t just about shutting up and not interrupting – it’s about really taking in what someone is telling you

A moment that changed me: meeting the rescue dog who comforted me through unfathomable loss

When I first held my dog Veela in my arms, I was grappling with my mother’s dementia, which was followed much too soon by her death. The teachings of my little red dog helped me survive