Lewisham and Deptford will both host winter markets this December to help attract more people to the markets and boost footfall for local traders, as
Having a child with a disability can put a huge strain on your finances, especially if you or your partner have had to adjust your
Applying online If you get Universal Credit, you can apply online if: you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have at least one child under
Childcare support is available – MENCAP tell you how to make it more affordable and who to contact to find the right childcare. You
It can sometimes be difficult to know how to make the very best of the foods in your food parcel or in your cupboard. In
Knowledge of two languages – bilingualism – is becoming increasingly common in the UK. While the British may have an international reputation for being relatively
New data shows significant improvements in road safety in London since the introduction of 20mph speed limits TFL 13 February 2023 At sites monitored on the Transport for London
Come and join us for this fun session jointly run with the Portage Team. This group is for parents and carers with a child aged
Lewisham Parent Champions will be hosting a keeping young people safe online coffee morning at the Clyde Family Hub on Monday 27th November for parents
Becoming a dad isn’t without its challenges. Whether it’s your first child or your third, a new baby is a major life transition, bringing different
If you are aged 16 to 25 come and join us at our new stay & play session for babies and children aged 0-5 years.
bench Outreach Housing and Benefit Support If you’re struggling with the housing crisis, the cost-of-living crisis, or just coping with years of austerity, our HOUSING
Make your way to the National Maritime Museum this October half term, where they’ll be putting on a range of fun creative
Feel Positive about Parenting is a 30 minute 1:1 appointment with a Parenting Practitioner where advice is given to help you manage minor behavioural issues.
Thanks to AFRIL, 4in10 Charity, London Challenge Poverty Week with match funding from Lewisham Local, you can find free activities related to food-growing across the borough during October Half-term and
Check what help you could get to pay for NHS costs Although most NHS treatment is free, there is usually a charge for: NHS prescriptions
Early literacy skills are essential for future school success and these fun, interactive sessions can give you the confidence to help you develop your child’s
This year, National Adoption Week brings together adopted people from different generations to celebrate how adoption has evolved. Hear directly from people adopted between the
According to NHS England more than 32,000 children across London at risk of catching measles as new school term gets underway Nine in ten unvaccinated
What is the Family Learning Festival? Family Learning Festival is a national celebration which marks and inspires a love of learning in family life.
Getting back into work and training can be really difficult. Just knowing where to start, what skills are in demand and what you can access
Special educational needs (SEN) support Your child will get SEN support at their nursery, school or college. Your child may need an education, health and care (EHC)
There are small things we can all do to help be kind to our mind and these can make a big difference to how we
Statistically, children are most at risk of fatality or significant harm in the first few years of life. Lewisham Safeguarding Children Partnership aim to raise
Black Maternal Mental Health Week UK is an annual event dedicated to raising awareness about the mental health challenges faced by Black mothers. Recognised nationally,
Planning and cooking healthy family meals can seem like a big task. As the nights are drawing in and we move into Autumn, these simple
Flu is caused by the influenza virus. It can be a very unpleasant illness for children. It can also lead to serious problems, such as bronchitis and pneumonia.
Black History Month The theme for Black History Month 2023 is Celebrating Our Sisters. We are joining together with partners and local community groups to offer a
Who are we? We are Speech and Language Therapists and Therapy Assistants who work in the under 5’s or Over 5’s Teams. We are trained
You may be able to get up to 5 payments to help with the cost of living if you’re getting certain benefits or tax credits.
There are a range of funded early education and childcare schemes available for parents and carers in England Below we answer some of the most common questions on
Insightful Families, takes a whole family approach to working with everyone in the family impacted by alcohol. Insightful Families offer a free confidential friendly service
What is Triple P for Baby? Triple P for Baby programme aims to prepare parents for a positive transition to parenthood and the first year
With their bright colours and squishy feel, water beads are especially appealing to young children. When dry, water beads are tiny and can easily be
Breastfeeding is a skill that takes time to get the hang of. Lots of mums wonder if their baby’s feeding well and getting enough –
The new timetable is now live, head over to the timetable page to see what sessions we have planned for this term. www.lewishamcfc.org.uk/timetable/
Are you a parent considering going back to work? We have two workshops coming up to support you; CV and Cover Letter Writing and Getting
As September approaches, your child may be getting ready to leave their nursery, childminder or you and starting their official school journey. But how can you
Research by the PDSA (People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals) in 2022 found that more than half of households now own a pet. Households with children
Transitioning to primary school is a big change for children and their families. Place2Be expert advice will help you get ready together. Don’t avoid
There’s nothing more worrying than you or your child being hurt or unwell whilst you are away from home and it can be difficult to
Keeping under fives safe online Ofcom’s research has shown that 86% of 3-4 year olds have access to a tablet at home and 21% have
Love Parks Week Love Parks Week is back, giving people across the country the chance to shout about their wonderful green spaces. Whether it’s walking
Drowning happens silently. A drowning child can’t speak or control their arms. They slip quietly under the water. It’s only in the movies they splash
There’s lots to do over the Summer holidays and we’ve compiled a list so you can find something fun to do. Here at Lewisham Children
Lewisham Council is pleased to announce details of their fun-filled programme for the Summer holidays. A wide range of providers in Lewisham are supporting the
Summer Holiday Activities and Food 2023 Do you look after a young person in Lewisham, aged 8 – 16 years who receives free school meals?
Stretching the budget over the Summer Holidays can feel like a real chore. But many restaurants are offering reduced or free meals for children this
Thank you for taking part in the National Week of Play – we hope you enjoyed it! Over the past week, we’ve had a great
This Alcohol Awareness Week Alcohol Change will be focusing on the true cost of alcohol to highlight the personal costs of drinking too much and
Over the last few years many of us have been much more aware of the role plastics play in our affecting our environment. This July
We often receive enquires to support families with housing issues, as a result we have put together a new Housing Advice section on the website
Athena The Athena service, run by Refuge, provides confidential, non-judgmental support to those living in the London Borough of Lewisham who are experiencing gender-based violence.
Keeping Safe Whether you are experiencing domestic abuse – or any other form of gender-based violence – or you are a professional working with someone
The Voice Programme VOICE stands for Victims of Intimate Coercive Experience and is a ten-week intervention for victims and survivors of domestic abuse, coercive control and the
Freedom Programme The Freedom Programme is for women who are or have been experiencing domestic abuse. It examines the influence of attitudes and beliefs on
Childcare costs have soared over the last few years leaving it unaffordable for many families, but there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Play is often described as a “universal language” – but what does this mean in practice? How can we ensure that play in the early
This year’s National Week of Play, which will run from 19 June to 25 June, will focus on how play can help us build positive connections
Babies are not as good at regulating their body temperature so it’s important to keep them cool as possible. Hopefully these tips from Tommy’s will
Healthy Eating Week is all about supporting and promoting healthier lifestyles and this years’ theme is Healthy Eating Week – For Everyone! The cost-of-living crisis continues
Every year, air pollution causes up to 36,000 deaths in the UK. The World Health Organisation and the UK Government recognise that air pollution is the largest environmental health
Baby Check features 19 simple checks that parents can do if their baby is showing signs of illness. Each check tests for a different symptom
MEN’S HEALTH AND THE INTERNET The iPhone was born in 2007. Those born in the same year will turn 16 this year. They’ve grown
Learning how to behave around dogs can help teach children to respect animals, while also keeping them safe. The Dogs Trust shares its top tips for being
By Dorothy Lepkowska for EY Alliance Childhood is a time of adventure, when our little ones are constantly learning and exploring the world around them.
A car seat is probably one of the most important (and expensive) purchases you make to keep your child safe when travelling. There are so
Every day in the UK we will welcome about 2,000 babies to the world. Many of these babies will have happy, stable childhoods, but not
While it is rewarding being a parent it isn’t always easy. It can also be demanding, frustrating and exhausting. The last thing that any parent
While it is rewarding being a parent it isn’t always easy. It can also be demanding, frustrating and exhausting. We all want our children to
While it is rewarding being a parent it isn’t always easy. It can also be demanding, frustrating and exhausting, especially when your child won’t do
The Kings College Hospital Oral Health Promotion team will be hosting a Q and A session via Zoom for parents and carers on: Wednesday 14th
Getting outside with your baby or young child is a great way to get a bit of exercise and help their brain development. Every June The
Learning to share is an important part of your child’s development but it can be a complex thing for them to learn. It requires lots
Half-term is almost upon us and if you’re looking for some fun, free days out there’s plenty to offer locally. Nature discovery day in
What is a Triple P Discussion Group P DISCUSSION GROUP? Triple P Discussion Groups are online and face to face workshops for parents or carers
The theme for this year’s Mental Awareness Week is anxiety. The Mental Health Foundation says: “Anxiety is something we can all experience from time-to time.
Did you know that there’s lots of videos for families on EY Alliance YouTube Channel? You can enjoy Story times with Alison, Play, sing and
Even on gloomy days getting outside and exposed to sunlight helps our bodies to make vitamin D, which keeps bones, teeth and muscles healthy. It
There are lots of FREE events across the week before and during the Bank Holiday weekend between Saturday 6 and Monday 8 May, find out
Not long to go until Reusable Nappy Week, 24th – 30th April 2023 🎉 An international action packed week of awareness raising activities and advocacy
Messy Play is one of the most important types of play for children of all ages. It encourages brain development, hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills,
March the 26th marks the beginning of Spring. Warmer and longer days are full of possibilities to get out there and enjoy the natural world.
Having a child with a Social Communication Disorder or Autism can be isolating at times, especially when you feel your child is struggling and your
You may have seen in the news recently that the government’s new Emergency Alerts system will be tested on Sunday April 23. Here is the
We will be having lots of fun at our Easter Holiday sessions so come and join us by booking your place here. Book your place
SIGNAL Family Support are a mutual support group for the families of autistic children and young people (ages 0-25) living in Lewisham. Established in
Putting children at risk Katrina Phillips, Chief Executive, Child Accident Prevention Trust: “Rogue online sellers are abusing parents’ trust and putting children at risk. They’re
March 21st marked Single Parents Day 2023. Gingerbread, the UK Single Parent’s Charity have carried out research to produce an up-to-date picture of what it means
It’s no secret that peekaboo is a hit with babies around the world and a great way of entertaining them even at a very young
Youth First are opening their youth clubs across Lewisham during the Easter holidays. Full of fun-packed activities and free for young people aged 8-19 years
You may have heard that the chancellor has announced some changes to childcare funding. It can all sound a little confusing so here is what
Start for Life have released two new booklets on breastfeeding and bottle feeding. There’s lots of great advice on breastfeeding such as: Why
All new and expectant parents worry about how much sleep they are getting but how your baby sleeps is a much more important topic.
Being a parent can be rewarding but is not always easy – When managing children’s behaviour Do you find yourself yelling or repeating instructions? Does
During this fun family event, which will take place via Zoom, we will share information and advice about how parents and carers of under-fives can
There are always health and financial benefits to quitting smoking, but quitting now will help you: 1. Reduce the likelihood of life-threatening complications from
Having a baby isn’t easy at the best of times, and having a baby when you’re also a young mum can bring additional difficulties to
Children love stories and sharing a story with your baby or child helps their brain to develop and helps with early language skills. “There can
If your child has a long-term health condition or a disability you may be entitled to certain benefits to help you provide the extra things
Eat Them to Defeat Them is the award-winning campaign to get kids eating more vegetables. 80% of kids don’t eat enough vegetables. If you are
Paying for childcare can be one of the most expensive items in your monthly budget. It can also stop many parents going back into the
This term we are lucky to have the Lewisham Educational Psychology team visiting some of our Explorers or Little Explorers sessions. The Lewisham Educational Psychology
Children’s Mental Health Week 2023 will take place from 6-12 February 2023. This year’s theme is Let’s Connect. What’s it all about? Let’s Connect is
Safer Internet Day 2023 will take place on the 7th of February 2023, with celebrations and learning based around the theme ‘Want to talk about it? Making
Every February is LGBT+ history month. Lewisham Children & Family Centres are a safe, open and welcoming place for all families regardless of gender identity
Written by Nicky Sanford for the Early Years Alliance. Nicky worked as an early years teacher for 15 years and currently works in a village
Great Mental Health Day 2023 is celebrating the power of community kindness and telling the story of how we’ve come together for one another across
It’s been great to see so many male parents and carers visiting our centres and website so we wanted to welcome you all. Our
Finding a toilet for yourself or to change little ones can be tricky when you’re out and about. The Lewisham Community Toilet scheme ensures there
17th January 2023 • 19.00 – 21.00 • via Zoom Join ERIC the children’s bowel and bladder charity for an evening webinar, led by their
If your child has a special educational need or disability (SEND) there are some great drop-in sessions at Kaleidoscope which you can find at: 32
A new year often makes us look at healthier options after the excesses of Christmas, but planning and cooking healthy family meals can seem like
With fuel costs rising it can be difficult to make sure you are getting all the support you need to pay your bills, especially if
We’ve all heard on the TV and radio just how busy the NHS is at the moment. Calling NHS 111 can help you find the
Download the free Try Dry app from alcohol Change to help you meet your goals, whether you want to take on Dry January (or another
New Year can be a great time to start a new healthier lifestyle and the FREE NHS Quit Smoking App can help. Created for those
With the cost of living rising it can be worrying if you are on a fixed income. Making sure you are getting all the benefits
If you’re luck enough to have some food leftover here are some great recipes from Jack Monroe Leftover Turkey Curry, 34p per person
Tips for coping during Christmas If you find Christmas a difficult time of year, this page has some tips to help you cope. Different things
Below you can find a detailed list of useful support services, Christmas meals and food projects being run over the upcoming Christmas period. The list
Evelyn, Bellingham and Ladywell Children & Family Centres will be closed on Friday 23rd December and re-open on Thursday 5th January 2023. Sessions start on
From NCT From cosy head to toasty toes, we explore what kit you’ll need to get your baby through their first chilly season. It might
Lewisham Homes are aware Christmas can be a difficult time for some residents and understand the additional pressure the season can put on your
Come along to Lewisham’s Christmas ‘Give and Take’ event and help create a sustainable Christmas. Date/Time: 19th December (5-7pm)Location: Wearside Service Centre, Wearside Road, Ladywell, SE13
We all know Christmas can be expensive. Last year the average UK family budgeted £350 for their Christmas food, presents and decorations. Yet nearly two-thirds
What are Warm Welcomes? Community groups are coming together to offer spaces where people can pop in free of charge. All welcomes are YOu currently
As Christmas approaches we’re all looking to save a bit of money this year but toy safety is something we just can’t take a chance
You may have heard the very sad news reports about young children dying from Strep A. Although it is extremely worrying, knowing all you can
Council Tax is an annual fee you pay to your local council. The cost is set by your council and goes towards funding local services.
With all the Christmas adverts on the TV and shops full of Christmas gifts we can all feel under pressure to make the ‘perfect Christmas’.
This winter, with funding from the Department of Education, Lewisham Council is providing a varied holiday programme, with free activities and lunches for school aged
80% of our kids are not eating enough vegetables. Veg Power is on a mission to inspire kids from early years through primary school and
Autumn is a fantastic time to get out and about and explore with your little ones. Crunchy leaves, acorns and squirrels out collecting for Winter,
Many people on some benefits may be able to get cheaper broadband with what are often called social tariffs. There’s a full list on Money
Research shows that when fathers are involved with their children from the beginning their children do better socially and academically. A fathers early engagement is
The theme of Road Safety Week 2022 is SAFE ROADS FOR ALL, bringing together communities and professionals to shout out for everyone’s right to make safe
Having a mobile phone is no longer a luxury. With many families no longer having a landline to keep in contact with friends and family
Follow the Energy Saving Trust quick tips and advice for quick and easy ways to save energy, lower your bills and reduce your carbon footprint.
WIMBLEDON PARK FIREWORKS 2022: Merton Council runs two official firework shows, the first of which is the Wimbledon Park fireworks display. There’s a food village and funfair
PayPoint, which runs energy top-up facilities in some 28,000 shops, says only 53% of the 800,000 vouchers it issued in October have been redeemed so
If you are struggling to cope with life pressures, you might be stressed. After the last 18 months all of us would have felt stressed
Pelvic health problems after childbirth are very common. Some people find it hard to talk about or ask for help, and many suffer in silence
This information from ROSPA can help to keep you and your family safe this year. Despite annual safety warnings, firework celebrations still end in
All 2 & 3 year olds are entitled to a free flu vaccine. The flu vaccine is given as a nasal spray and protects your
If you are on a low income or are struggling at the moment community supermarkets and pantries are a great way to make your weekly
As the cost of living crisis begins to effect us all it’s always worth checking if we are receiving all we are entitled to, especially
updated 10/11/2022 Children aged 1 to 9 years old in Lewisham are being offered a dose of polio vaccine. For some children this may be
Thanks to AFRIL, 4in10 Charity, London Challenge Poverty Week with match funding from Lewisham Local, you can find free activities related to food-growing across the borough during October Half-term and
There’s lots of free things to do across Lewisham and neighbouring boroughs. Why not bring a packed lunch and explore and see somewhere new?
We are pleased to be able to offer a range of sessions for families across the country. The sessions, courses or activities are to support the
The Early Years Alliance has launched a free Winter Toolkit for early years providers containing a series of useful resources to help them — and their families — to
30 babies and toddlers go to hospital with a hot drink burn every day. In addition to this shocking daily figure the SafeTea campaign highlights that
Protecting our mental health is easier than you might think. We can all do it every day, and with simple activities that help us feel
The government’s 30-hours funded childcare places for working parents of three- and four-year-olds differs from the 15-hours childcare offer. Below we address some of the details and
As we begin the school year many parents are preparing their little ones for “big school”. One of the things parents begin to think about
At Early Years Alliance Lewisham Children and Family Centres we have actively shaped our universal offer around the 1001 days Manifesto for many years, to
We’re all concerned about the cost of living rise. Find out what help may be available to you through benefits, grants and other sources of
Updated 10/11/2022 You may have heard on local news about the Polio infection being found in water in London. Due to Polio being found in
NOTICE Monday 19th September is a Bank Holiday for the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II Our Children and Family Centres will be closed
Yesterday we all heard the incredibly sad news that the Queen passed away aged 96. She was Britain’s longest-reigning monarch and head of state for 70
New term timetable is going LIVE on Friday 2nd September! We have a new group at Evelyn CFC especially for Dads and Male Carers, Toileting,
Starting school or nursery can be an exciting, but also anxious time for both parents and children. Sharing books together can start chats about emotions
As the cost of living crisis hits all of us and the cost of food continues to rise making sure your child gets a healthy
Children grow at an alarming rate in primary school and it can be difficult and expensive trying to keep up with what fits and what
This article was first published September 2020 Hello all our families and friends I’m Donna an Early Years Practitioner and Henry Facilitator. I run Stay
If your child is off to school this Autumn listening skills will really help them make the most of their day. This article by Elyssa
It can be difficult to tmake your child’s lunchbox healthy and varied. It’s really easy to keep putting the same things in, especially if they
Helping your child when they start or change primary school – advice from Place2Be – Understand what’s going on when your child is facing change so
If you’re looking to go back to work, how you are going to maintain breastfeeding can be a real concern. There’s lots of support and
Breastfeeding is a skill that we need help and support with at some point and we all have a part to play in supporting breastfeeding
Many parents can feel nervous about breastfeeding in public, especially if it’s their first time but there is lots of support available. Here are
Lewisham Health Visitor – led community breastfeeding hubs in Lewisham have resumed as Drop – In from Monday 6th June! Appointments are no longer required
There are now seven community breastfeeding hubs running face to face in Lewisham every week, either Health Visitor or volunteer led. These remain appointment only
Keeping everyone fed and happy over the Summer holidays can be never ending but lots of big supermarkets and restaurants are offering reduced or free
Young children love water. Whether it’s splashing around in the bathtub, showering friends with water pistols or building sandcastles on the beach, there is something
Friederich Froebel was a pioneering educator who invented kindergarten. He emphasised that children should experience all aspects of nature, not just plants and animals. One
Children learn through play so how as parents/carers can we provide opportunities for our children’s play to help them understand the importance of nurturing our planet
Activities to help develop fine motor skills for the under fives So much of what we do each day relies on our fine motor skills.
By Nicole Weinstein It’s your child’s birthday. You spent ages choosing the perfect gift only for your two-year-old to glance at the present and then be
Mary Horn, founder and director of Curious Fox Company, shares her suggestions on keeping water play activities fresh and full of fun — with plenty of learning
Youth First are opening their youth clubs across Lewisham during the Summer holidays. Full of fun-packed activities and free for young people aged 8-19 years
Being pregnant during hot weather can be challenging. We discuss the risks of hot weather and high body temperature during pregnancy, and how to beat the
This week we are launching our Children and Family Centre Feedback Survey which will be live on our website for the next month. This is an opportunity
Read on for tips and tricks from the NCT on how to make sure your children stay comfortable when the weather heats up. The warm weather
POP UP CHILDREN and FAMILY CENTRES! Come along to our ‘Pop-up Children’s Centres’ in parks and community spaces, including Lewisham Shopping Centre this summer. Arts
Sessions at Bellingham, Evelyn & Ladywell Children and Family Centres will be cancelled on Monday 18th & Tuesday 19th July due to forecast of high
Join us at South-East London’s longest-running outdoor FREE festival returns with its biggest line-up yet and pick up your LCFC Summer Timetable! Back for the
As we move into the Summer and warmer weather, it is important to make sure that your baby’s room is a comfortable temperature – not
Lewisham Council is providing a varied holiday programme with funding from the Department of Education. A wide range of providers in Lewisham are supporting the
You can’t beat a lolly or ice cream in the heat but store bought versions can be very high in sugar and fat. Lolly moulds
As the weather heats up we can’t wait to finally get the paddling pool out and have a splash about. Here are a few tips
As the weather warms up and we spend a little more time each day out and about we’re beginning to see more butterflies. Their vibrant
Weather like this is something many people look forward to and go out and enjoy. But it’s worth remembering that sunny spells can pose health
Parenting young children can be tough at the best of times and during this strange period in our history it can feel even more bewildering
Lewisham Family Information Service (FIS) want to know your experience of accessing childcare. Lewisham FIS is currently conducting a survey to understand more how parents
Dispelling the Myths Do drugs, mental health issues, stress and/or alcohol make my partner abusive? No. Abuse is a choice. Although alcohol, drugs and other
What is Domestic Abuse? The Domestic Abuse Act was passed in 2021, which provides a new definition of domestic abuse as follows: PART 1Definition of
Unfortunately, we are not currently excepting referrals to this service – 12/10/2023 CODA is a 12-week psychoeducational programme for women & children who have
Its Refugee Week. Here is a summary of our work supporting refugees in Lewisham and other areas in London. In Croydon, we deliver the Asylum
Hello everyone, My name is Anne I am an Early Years Practitioner and trained Henry Facilitator and I run the Little Explorers sessions in
“Our relationship with nature – how much we notice, think about and appreciate our natural surroundings – is a critical factor in supporting good
At a time when there is – rightly – a growing focus on the need to take urgent action to safeguard the future of our
Did you know that a child can drown in as little as 2cm of water? Keeping safe around water is something we think more about
Drowning happens silently. A drowning child can’t speak or control their arms. They slip quietly under the water. It’s only in the movies they splash
Time for your MOT Men’s Health Week is 13-19 June 2022. We’ve been through a lot these past couple of years. Covid has not gone away but
A small child’s skin burns really easily as it’s so thin. But you can Download the Safe from Burns Factsheet to help. Here’s how to
Bright bottles of cleaning liquid, squidgy washing tablets, shiny packets of painkillers… Small children are curious and want to learn more by putting things in
As part of National Week of Play, Lego have donated packs of Duplo to us. Come along to our regular Dads Stay & Play session
Scrapes and bruises are a part of growing up. But even a fall from a highchair can cause a bad head injury. That’s because babies’
It can be hard knowing how best to teach your child to stay safe. Here we help you to break it down and keep it
You and your family are eight times more likely to die in a fire if you don’t have a working smoke alarm. That’s because, if
It’s such a scary thought that something could stop your child breathing. But, the steps to stop that happening are simple and make sense. Download
Many of us have caring roles within our family and friendship groups, caring for a child, partner, parent or sibling. You may be getting in
Protecting at least 30% of our blue planet by 2030 With your help and working with hundreds of organizations worldwide, together we will grow the
Lewisham are celebrating the Queen’s incredible 70 years of service with a range of family-friendly events and activities taking place across the borough. From music
We are celebrating Pride Month by suggesting books to share as a family from Stonewalls hand-selected range of LGBTQ inclusive books for children and young
Children love growing plants and being involved in the garden but they’re often impatient, wanting to see instant results. National Children’s Gardening Week aims to
Lewisham Mindful Mums helps pregnant women and new mums in Lewisham look after themselves during what can be a challenging period of their lives. Since