Pick Me Up! 22-Feb-2018

Our mum is always there to help us no matter what. She supported me through university when I was struggling, and helped me buy my first car, which allowed me to travel to uni to complete my degree! When I broke my arm in a gymnastics accident, Mum did everything for me for the whole six weeks while my arm healed, and she never complained once. She also helped my brother Stilianos with his first child. When he needed support, Mum was there for him day or night. But it’s not just us who Mum’s happy to help. If someone’s ill, she’s the first to offer help with the shopping and housework. For years, she visited the old lady next door, helping her to do jobs around the house. Now…

I was just absolutely fabulous at the National Science and Media Museum in Bradford! Jo Greasby, Clayton Being surrounded by mountains and snow at Canada’s Arrow Lake was the perfect setting for me to relax and sunbathe! Andrea Richardson, Great Leighs My grandson was surprised by this monkey in Borneo, asking, ‘Why does it have a willy nose, Nanna?’ Good question! Jean Milne, Worthing While on holiday in Bolivia, I was relieved to find time for a game of Jenga! Pia Ainsworth, Wythenshawe This was the sight that met my sore eyes! My hubby Colin posing with his new chainsaw! Beverley Murphy, March I couldn’t help thinking there was something different about my girls’ faces, but Paris and Jasmine didn’t know what I was talking about! Stacey Hill, Torquay My…

Cowering, with my arms over my head, I begged him to stop Kissing my new fella Jason goodbye, I closed the door and turned to my dad. ‘Well, what do you think?’ I asked. ‘He’s not your usual type!’ Dad said with a smile. ‘You’re not wrong,’ I laughed. My dad Steven, 50, was used to seeing me with scruffy teenagers. No wonder he was impressed with Jason’s smart shirt and shiny shoes. ‘And the age gap?’ I asked. At 26, Jason was eight years older than me. ‘He seems mature - just what you need,’ Dad said. Having his approval felt great. Meeting Jason through mutual friends in September 2015, I’d already felt so lucky. Handsome and caring, he’d buy me flowers and take me out for romantic meals.…

We all like to think we’re on the ball with our children’s health. But when was the last time your kids had an eye test? It’s not always obvious a child needs glasses - they may not realise their vision is blurry. And with 80% of teaching in school being visual, clear sight is critical. That’s why Specsavers is encouraging all parents to get their children’s eyes tested. It has also teamed up with Thomson Screening to deliver free vision-check software to every UK school, via three-minute checks. Half term is the perfect time to get their eyes checked. Tests are child-friendly, using special charts if your little one can’t recognise letters yet. If they need glasses, the Specsavers range is uniquely designed to fit children’s heads properly - and…

1 You may notice your child tilting their head or sitting too close to the TV. 2 It isn’t unheard of for kids to avoid homework, but if they’re finding it hard to read and getting headaches, it could be they need glasses. 3 If your child seems to be falling behind at school, it might be because they’re struggling to see a whiteboard or to read their books. 4 Not everyone’s cut out for sports, but, if your little one flounders when catching or hitting a ball, it may be more than just poor co-ordination. 5 Children rubbing their eyes is often a sign they’re tired or are suffering eye ache. 6 If your child has stopped using their phone or tablet, it might be due to eye strain.…

I made sure the app showed I was always in negative calories Everyone has times in their life when things feel a bit overwhelming. Back in November 2012, when I was 13, my grandad Derek, 70, passed away. Me and my mum Alison had lived with him and my nan Margerie, 74, since my parents had split when I was a toddler. Grandad and I had always been close. With him gone, I struggled to cope. I was being bullied at school, too, and felt as if I had no control over my life. So I started going out running after school. My feet pounding the pavements around where we lived, I enjoyed the sense of freedom, the way it let me escape all my problems. At first, it was…