Editor's letter 29 November 2020: The royal mission I'm right behind Fashion Beauty Celebrity Health Life Relationships Horoscopes Food Interiors Travel Sign in Welcome!Log into your account Forgot your password? Password recovery Recover your password Search Sign in Welcome! Log into your account Forgot your password? Get help Password recovery Recover your password A password will be e-mailed to you. YOU Magazine Fashion Beauty Celebrity Health Life Relationships Horoscopes Food Interiors Travel Home Life Editor’ s letter The royal mission I’ m right behind By You Magazine - November 29, 2020 Back in 2005, one of the happiest times of my life was also one of the hardest I’ve ever known: my maternity leave. My daughter was weeks old. I had settled into a mundane rhythm of wake, feed, change, nap, walk and repeat. My closest friends and husband were all at work. I lived too far out of town for anyone to pop over quickly on their lunch breaks. I largely stopped phoning people because they seemed busy and I felt guilty for not really having much to say. I did seek out a local NCT group, but they were pretty disorganised. The one coffee morning I knew about got cancelled. It occurred to me on yet another solo trip around the park, pushing the human in the pram who was still years away from being able to talk to me, that I felt so lonely. I’d wake for the dawn feed and dread the day stretching before me, with no one to see and not much to do. Hearing the theme tune start for the Richard & Judy show every day at 5pm felt like an achievement – only two more hours until the other adult will be home! Good grief, I actually started entering the ‘You say, we pay’ phone competition, less for the prize money, more for the chance to chat to people. Of course, I wasn’t truly alone – although the evening conversation between two exhausted parents was… perfunctory – but I still remember how tough that period was. So I cannot imagine how difficult it must be for a single parent, for instance, living through a wretched pandemic, with so many avenues for support from others having just evaporated. This is why I jumped at the chance to partner with the Royal Foundation, the official charity of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, to publish the results of the 5 Big Questions survey, which explores early childhood. The questions were posed by the Duchess earlier this year and the response has been huge. I think it’s a credit to Kate – who has a refreshing emotional ease that we don’t normally associate with the royal family – that so many respondents felt the confidence to be so open and honest. And the overwhelming message is that so many of them, from all walks of life, feel alone. These eye-opening results make for some tough reading. But the Duchess’s commitment to shining a light on these issues is the start of making real, lasting changes for the better. It is something we need to understand and tackle for the wellbeing of parents and their children. When everyone is happier and healthier, it benefits all of us. Let’s join her in helping to make that happen. Editor’ s picks A few things I’m coveting this week A great stocking filler for astrology enthusiasts. Scarf, £19.99, zara.com Every bag purchased = vaccines funded for children in need. Bag, £275, demellierlondon.com Gorgeous, super-soft hand-illustrated PJs. Pyjamas, £89, loveyawn.com RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR Everything we know about The Crown season 5 Aldi s exercise equipment is on sale with up to 50% off The best Halloween events for 2022 across the UK Popular in Life Groomzillas Brace yourself for a new breed of monster rampaging down July 7, 2019 Elizabeth Day Sorry can t make your party I m on the sofa August 11, 2019 Using these 10 words makes you middle class apparently September 9, 2019 Megan Phelps-Roper ‘ I was born to preach hate I chose to October 6, 2019 Dr Clare Bailey No energy You may need an iron boost November 10, 2019 Emma Winterschladen Meet the mega matchmaker December 1, 2019 Dr Clare Bailey Comfort joy… and a festive hug December 22, 2019 Elizabeth Day I’ m not grumpy… it’ s just my face January 19, 2020 Elizabeth Day Oh the joy of knowing nothing February 16, 2020 This postcard is a sweet simple way to help others during March 16, 2020 Popular CategoriesFood2704Life2496Fashion2240Beauty1738Celebrity1261Interiors684 Sign up for YOUMail Thanks for subscribing Please check your email to confirm (If you don't see the email, check the spam box) Fashion Beauty Celebrity Life Food Privacy & Cookies T&C Copyright 2022 - YOU Magazine. All Rights Reserved