Family
In defence of the only child—why we need to rethink our outdated prejudices
Research has been debunking these suspect theories since the 1970s, yet still the negative associations persist
The mythological roots of the "wicked Stepmother" trope
Ancient stories, whether we know them or not, have a kind of purchase in our consciousness. Just look at how our culture portrays stepmothers...
The pleasures—and pitfalls—of mixing business and family
Work and family are the dominant, often warring, features of many lives, and there’s an increasing overlap even for those of us who aren’t related to our colleagues
Have another baby? I'm going to adopt a cat instead
For years, my son Matt begged for a brother or sister. It took a cat to change his mind
Why I'm glad my parents got a divorce
Splitting up can be a good thing—even for the kids
A Christmas survival guide
The season of goodwill can be stressful—but if you add a stranger to the mix and tune out the consumerist clamour, it can be, well, okay
Little maestros: the strange world of the child prodigy
But are they monsters or genuises?
If I ruled the world: Harriet Harman
Change the discussion—and policy—when it comes to families
Matters of taste: dish off the old block
"What we eat in our childhoods becomes part of us, folded up in our memories and personality"
Matters of taste: Armenia’s culinary heritage
"Cooking, kitchen and hearth were touchstones: mothers, grandmothers and aunts were the guardians of their heritage"
Irritations: the essence of married love
"There’s nothing so dangerous in a marriage as attempting to bring an outside perspective to bear"
Toby Young’s family Christmas
“It was like the bar scene in Star Wars, rewritten by Harold Pinter.”