kids & parenting

We have been thinking about sustainability for some time. Especially when it comes to our homes, our travel habits, and our diet. We may have thought about it when we were shopping for clothes for ourselves. But how much thought have we given to what we buy for our little ones, where does it come from, what is it made of and how is it made?  Many companies realized that joining the clean and green movement was profitable and joined it. It's important to understand some of these key terms so that we know what to look for when shopping for our family. Sustainable fashion is an umbrella term that describes the products, processes, activities and actors (politicians, brands, consumers) who strive for a carbon-neutral fashion industry based on equity, social justice, animal welfare and ecological integrity. In short, the movement is more planet- and worker-friendly than the "fast-fashion" we're used to. Sustainable clothing is often associated with slow fashion. Clothing...

High schoolers are fine to graduate to a  fitness tracker for adults  — it's likely that they'll already have a phone at that point, anyway — but the functionality of a full-fledged smartwatch probably isn't ideal for kids. Adult fitness trackers that graze smartwatch status, like the  Some parents may prefer that those not be an option at all. Nearly every adult activity tracker on the market tracks calories burned, which is a metric that kids should absolutely not be focusing on. Ultimately, you want to make physical activity fun, hopefully fueling positive behavioral changes and building healthy habits that don't involve an obsession with weight. The caveat here is built-in GPS tracker for kids . We'd be remiss not to mention the fact that most kid-specific fitness trackers can't be used as a standalone device to track a child's location. If the peace of mind that comes with onboard GPS is important to you, opt for a kid-friendly smartwatch with GPS  .

Fitness Between the ages of five and 18 you need at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day, NHS guidelines say. If you're having trouble lifting your child off the couch, maybe a wearable device can motivate them. Some allow children to take part in step-by-step challenges against others, which can be a fun way to get the whole family involved. Some are waterproof so your child can keep them on while learning to swim, and some offer sleep tracking - useful if you're worried your child isn't getting enough sleep. Security This is the main attraction for many parents. Some have child GPS trackers so you can track your child's location. The geo-fencing feature means you'll get notified when your child leaves a certain area, and some have an SOS button so your child can communicate with you in an emergency. With some kid's clothes, kids can make calls, send text messages and take photos. If it's a slightly older child but you don't think they're...

If you have your own smartwatch , you may find that your child is fascinated by it and may even like one of their own. While investing in an Apple Watch might be a bit overwhelming for a five-year-old, there are plenty of smartwatch options designed for kids . Many smartwatches for kids offer similar benefits to these older models — activity tracking, goal setting, and life management features like calendars. Some go a step further and operate GPS tracking , calls and some even have cameras. So how do you choose the best smartwatch for your child? "Parents should consider the importance of parental controls, such as setting bedtime alarms or restricting access to certain features," advises PhD researcher Amy Creaser of the Loughborough School of Sport, Exercise and Science. She adds that involving your child in purchasing decisions is also beneficial. “Some smartwatches offer gamified components such as challenges, virtual rewards, and avatars, which kids generally like, but ...