How to raise kind children: lead by example, talk it over … and get a dog | Parents and parenting

“ In a hostile world, many parents might be anxious about how to raise a kinder generation – and if so, science backs you. Children who are more empathetic “tend to have more positive interactions and more satisfying relationships with friends and family,” says Jessica Rolph, co-founder of early childhood development company Lovevery. Studies show … Read more

‘Very pale and oddly wrinkly’: the best (and worst) supermarket hot cross buns for Easter, tested | Easter

I’m a big fan of seasonal bakes – there’s something special about a treat reserved for a short window of time. Their rare appearance makes them something to look forward to, and to relish. Supermarkets like to push the limits of these seasons, though, and these days hot cross buns are available for a surprisingly … Read more

‘The plane I was supposed to be on passed above me’: Nima Bank’s best phone picture | Photography

Nima Bank was meant to be on the plane soaring overhead in this image. Unfortunately, he had been daydreaming in Istanbul airport, enjoying a coffee, and lost track of time. Once he realised his error, and that he would be stranded in the airport for the rest of the day, he says, “I found myself contemplating how … Read more

The world’s largest comic convention is held in which city? The Saturday quiz | Quiz and trivia games

The questions 1 Emilio Palma was, in 1978, the first person to be born where?2 Which series of tasks were imposed by King Eurystheus?3 What gen Z retort to the old was popularised by journalist Taylor Lorenz?4 “For Gallantry” and “We Also Serve” are written on which medal?5 Which province of Pakistan has a population … Read more

The best secateurs to save you time and effort when pruning your garden, tested | Gardens

Secateurs are the single most valued tool in the gardener’s trug, an implement as personally prized as the bricklayer’s trowel. With time, their weight and shape wear familiarly into the hand, becoming a companionable tool for all garden tasks, from pruning woody shrubs and cutting back perennials to slicing twine and preparing cut flowers. The … Read more

My father threw out my box of memories, then took his own life. How do I move on? | Life and style

Not long before the Covid pandemic, my dad threw out my cardboard box of mementoes that I had stored in his garage for “safekeeping”: years’ worth of personal journals, Polaroids and photos with no negatives, love letters, all of my degree essays, reams of teenage poetry, etc – the classic priceless time capsule stuff that … Read more