All the things the world needs to know about step-parents

I have three kids aged 15, 13 and 11. From the outside, I appear to have it all in hand. My kids are polite, friendly and fun to be with. I have managed to get to this point without losing them (apart from that one time on Blackpool Pier), killing them in a stupidity accident or them hating me. I also write about life as a parent, apparently giving the public the illusion that I know what the fuck I am doing...

This Dementia Awareness Week Nikki Trueman shares her struggle to reach a diagnosis for her father and advice on how you can support your family

All children possess a spark of genius. A parent's job is to fan that spark!

It is said that “the past is history, tomorrow a mystery, today a gift, and that is why we call it the present.” Today is all we ever really have. Carrying negative energy from your past into your present is a direct cause of energy drain, stress and illness. Harbouring anger, pain, disappointment and rage is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. You will end up ill, not them. Holding onto upset, pain or anger is a sure way to shorten your life. Since it is only energy, that we are attaching a particular vibration to, we can choose to shift the vibration and forgive and let go of the negative energy at will. If and when we choose, not before.

The death of loved ones can cause conflict as well as sadness. But practicing life's little losses can help.