Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand’s former Prime Minister, has captured hearts once again, not through politics, but through storytelling. Her children’s book, Mum’s Busy Work, offers a heartfelt glimpse into the life of a working mother from the perspective of her daughter, Neve.

Released shortly after her memoir, the book resonates deeply with parents who juggle professional responsibilities and family life, offering lessons about work-life balance, parental guilt, and the modern dynamics of caregiving.

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A Child’s Perspective: Seeing the World Through Neve’s Eyes

The best part about Mum’s Busy Work is the narration by Neve, Ardern’s daughter. This makes the book innocent and captures the small moments and big emotions that define a child’s experience of having a working mother.

From noticing her mother’s “big briefcase” to exploring the Prime Minister’s office during a visit, Neve offers a window into the feelings children experience when their parents are often busy or away. The story is not about political milestones or public achievements, it is about emotions: the excitement, curiosity, worry, and joy that fill a child’s daily life.

How Can Jacinda's Book Benefit Working Mother

Through Neve’s eyes, parents are reminded that children are sensitive to more than just presence, they notice moods, energy, and small gestures.

On Mondays, Neve stomps her feet at daycare, expressing frustration at the separation, yet by the end of the week, she delights in dancing with her mother in “clippy-cloppy” work shoes. This oscillation between anxiety and joy emphasizes that children value meaningful interactions, no matter how brief, over constant presence.

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Normalizing Working Mothers and Challenging Gender Stereotypes

One of the book’s most powerful messages is that working mothers are normal, capable, and loving. In a society where mothers are often expected to prioritize childcare over careers, Ardern’s story is refreshing. Neve sees her mother both as a caregiver and as a professional, demonstrating that a parent’s career does not reduce their love or attention.

The story also subtly challenges traditional gender roles. Clarke Gayford, Ardern’s partner, is shown actively participating in household chores and spending quality time with Neve.

Scenes like Gayford doing the washing or joining for a Saturday picnic present a balanced, modern view of parenting. This stands in contrast to conventional children’s books, where mothers often remain home as nurturers while fathers are portrayed as the fun, adventurous parent.

By presenting caregiving and play as shared responsibilities, Ardern normalizes equality within the household and sets an example for children about inclusive family roles.

Navigating Mum Guilt and Embracing Work-Life Balance

Ardern’s story also addresses a universal challenge for working mothers: “mum guilt.”

The constant worry about not spending enough time with children is something Ardern admits to experiencing, particularly while serving as New Zealand’s youngest Prime Minister to give birth in office.

Yet Mum’s Busy Work conveys that guilt is often self-imposed. As Ardern reflects, her daughter’s questions and experiences did not amplify the guilt, it was created by her own expectations.

For parents, this is a crucial takeaway: balancing career and family requires acknowledging your feelings, accepting that perfection is unattainable, and finding peace in the moments you can dedicate to your children. It’s about being fully present in the time you have, whether it’s reading, dancing, or simply playing together, rather than obsessing over how many hours you spend in the day.

The book also highlights the importance of flexibility and working on your own terms. Ardern shows that professional fulfillment and motherhood are not mutually exclusive. By integrating snippets of daily life—playing hide-and-seek, chocolate treasure hunts, and shared routines—she illustrates that parents can craft their schedules and interactions in ways that prioritize connection and love.

Celebrating the Parent-Child Bond

At its heart, Mum’s Busy Work celebrates the bond between parent and child. Neve’s delight in dancing, reading, and playing with her mother reinforces the idea that children value presence, attention, and shared experiences above all else. The book emphasizes emotional closeness, reassuring children that even when their parents are busy with work, their love remains constant.

The story’s illustrations, by Ruby Jones, complement this message beautifully. Using a colorful and expressive style, the images capture Neve’s moods and perspective, from the anxiety of separation to the joy of shared play. The visual storytelling enhances the narrative, making the emotional nuances accessible even to the youngest readers.

Lessons for Modern Parents

Mum’s Busy Work is more than a children’s story, it is a guide for modern parenting. Here are some key takeaways:

Quality over quantity: Focus on meaningful interactions rather than the total time spent. Even brief, engaged moments can leave lasting impressions on children.

It’s okay to work: A parent’s career does not diminish their love or ability to nurture. Children benefit from seeing parents pursue passions and responsibilities.

Share household responsibilities: Household chores and caregiving should be shared, modeling equality and teamwork for children.

Embrace imperfection: Accept that balancing work and parenting is challenging. Let go of self-imposed guilt and focus on what truly matters.

Build a support system: Friends, family, and partners play a critical role in helping parents manage responsibilities while maintaining emotional connection with their children.

Challenge gender norms: Encourage children to see caregiving and fun as shared roles, breaking traditional stereotypes about mothers and fathers.

A Subtle Feminist Statement

While the book is heartwarming, it also carries a subtle feminist undertone. By positioning herself as both a mother and a professional, Ardern subverts the traditional notion that women must choose between career and family. She demonstrates that it is possible to define success on one’s own terms while nurturing the next generation.

Are you a younger sibling in your family and you relate to other younger siblings? Do you feel some of your habits and traits match other younger siblings? Or are you the middle child and you feel that sometimes you are excluded. When you talk about it, other middle children also agree with you. If this is the case with you, then you may be interested to know the Birth Order Theory.

This theory was developed by Alfred Adler in 1964, who focused on the importance of birth order on personality development. In this theory, he says that though children may be born into the same household, their birth order greatly influence their psychological development.

As per Adler's birth order theory, a child could have certain personality traits which are as followed:

• The Oldest Child: more authoritarian, and feels powerful due to high expectations set by the parents
• The Youngest Child: treated like a spoiled baby and cannot rise above the other siblings
• The Middle Child: even tempered, but has trouble fitting in as they have always been sandwiched between the younger and the older siblings

However, for middle child, their characteristics would often get itself a term, called the Middle Child Syndrome.

What Exactly Is A Middle Child Syndrome And What Sets Them Apart From Their Younger And Older Siblings?

Middle child syndrome is the belief that middle children are excluded, ignored, and neglected because of their birth orders.

People often talk about “middle child syndrome,” the idea that the child who is neither the oldest nor the youngest develops a very particular personality. While some of this comes from family dynamics rather than science, many families do notice certain patterns.

Personality Traits

Middle children sometimes feel overshadowed by their siblings. The oldest is often seen as responsible and strong-willed, while the youngest gets extra attention for simply being the baby of the family. The middle child may end up somewhere in the middle of all this, which can make them quieter, more even tempered, and sometimes unsure of where they fit in.

Family Relationships

When it comes to parents, middle children might feel that they do not get the same level of attention as their siblings. The older child usually carries more responsibility, and the younger child often gets extra care and protection. The middle child may feel they slip through the cracks and receive less one-on-one time with their parents.

Sibling Rivalry

Feeling unseen can spark a sense of competition. Many middle children find themselves competing for attention from both parents and siblings. At the same time, they often become the peacemaker of the family simply because they are used to being in the middle of everything.

Feeling Left Out of Favoritism

When parents unintentionally favor the oldest for their achievements or the youngest for their sweetness, the middle child may feel they are no one’s first pick. They are not the trailblazer or the baby, and this can shape how they see their place in the family.

Carrying These Feelings Into Adulthood

Some people believe that these early experiences can follow middle children into adulthood. If a middle child grew up feeling overlooked, they might struggle with co dependency or constantly try to keep the peace in relationships. They may also find it difficult to believe they can be someone’s closest friend or favorite person.

Their personalities often seem muted when it is compared to the other siblings, this is because they have always blended into the background. These patterns can show up at work, in friendships, and in romantic relationships.

What Research Actually Shows

Although middle child syndrome is talked about a lot, scientific research has not clearly confirmed it. There have been studies that show some truth to the theories, while others deny. Some research suggests that middle children do feel less close to their parents or are less likely to turn to their parents when they are going through stressful times in their lives. A 2019 study showed that middle children were less likely to feel comfortable talking to their parents on topics like sex education. Though it is important to note that this is a broad topic to begin with, and could have cultural variations.

Other studies have suggested they might be less family oriented or more prone to certain perfectionistic traits. But these findings are not consistent across research. In fact, a number of large studies show no strong link between birth order and major personality traits such as extraversion, emotional stability, or agreeableness.

Some studies even contradict each other entirely. For instance, one study suggested middle children might have a higher risk of depression, while another found that oldest children were more likely to experience mental health issues.

So Does Middle Child Syndrome Exist?

With so many conflicting findings, scientists cannot say for sure. Many experts believe that personality is shaped by a mix of family environment, parenting styles, cultural background, and individual temperament. Birth order may play a small role, but it is unlikely to be the determining factor.

In short, middle child syndrome is more of a popular idea than a proven scientific fact. Each child’s experience is unique, and many different influences shape who we become.

Danish researchers were studying the use of medicines on women during and after pregnancy. What they realized is that number of women consuming Ozempic and Wegovy after childbirth has increased. As per their observation, in 2018, less than 5 prescriptions for every 10,000 women post six months of their childbirth were there. However, this number increased to 34 in mid-2022, and by mid-2024, there were 173 prescriptions.

That comes close to 2 percent of all postpartum women. Most of these women were in their 30s, had more than one child, and while many were overweight, they did not have diabetes. They also had no previous history of using GLP-1 medications.

This spike surprised researchers because the postpartum phase is usually a time when the body naturally sheds some pregnancy weight and undergoes major hormonal changes. “In a period characterized by natural weight loss and marked hormonal change, this was unexpected,” said Mette Bliddal, a pharmacologist at the University of Southern Denmark and the study’s first author, as reported by the New York Times. The findings were published in JAMA.

How Was The Study Conducted?

The analysis reviewed 382,277 pregnancies in Denmark from early 2018 through June 2024. Researchers used national health registries to track every live birth and every prescription filled for GLP-1 drugs during the postpartum period. This made it possible to see the rise in real time.

Although semaglutide, the ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, is widely used for weight loss, its safety in the months after childbirth is still unclear. This is a time when many mothers are breastfeeding and adjusting to changing hormone levels, sleep disruptions, and recovery from pregnancy.

What We Know and Don’t Know About Breastfeeding Safety

Right now, evidence around the safety of GLP-1 drugs for breastfeeding mothers is very limited. While semaglutide has not been detected in measurable amounts in breast milk and no immediate negative effects have been seen in infants, researchers caution that long-term effects on a baby’s metabolism, growth, or pancreas remain unknown.

Major medical groups are also hesitant to give a firm recommendation. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has not released guidelines because the drugs are too new and the data isn’t strong enough. First Exposure, a Canadian research network that evaluates drug safety in pregnancy and breastfeeding, advises against using these medications while breastfeeding. They also recommend stopping them one to two months before trying to conceive.

Experts say the caution comes from the lack of solid research. GLP-1 drugs are large molecules that usually do not transfer easily into breast milk and would likely break down in a baby’s stomach. Still, the uncertainty is significant enough that researchers prefer mothers avoid them during breastfeeding.

Why Researchers Are Concerned

Another concern is that these appetite-suppressing medications could affect milk production, nutrient content, or even leave mothers dehydrated. Dr. Bliddal noted that the postpartum period is a time when “the body is working hard to regain its balance.” Without knowing how weight loss drugs interact with these processes, many specialists believe it is safer to avoid them until more is known.

Even small changes in breast milk composition could matter for infant development. Since there is no clear data on how GLP-1 drugs might alter fat content or nutrients in breast milk, researchers urge caution.

Vanessa Hudgens at the age of 36 is a mother again. She welcomed her second baby with husband Cole Tucker. The news was announced on Instagram on Saturday, where she shared a photo of herself lying in a hospital bed, holding Tucker's hand.

She wrote: "Well…. I did it. Had another baby!! What a wild ride labor is. Big shout out to all the moms. It’s truly incredible what our bodies can do ❤️."

This month itself, Catherine Paiz revealed that she was pregnant with her fourth baby at the age of 35.

These news of celebrity pregnancy after 30 spark the spotlight on late motherhood and how safe it really is?

What Does The Data Tell Us On The Trend Of Late Motherhood?

The average age of mothers in the US have continued to rise, a new report released on June 13 by the National Vital Statistic System (NVSS), provides the shift in age trends between 2016 and 2023. The study, conducted by Andrea D. Brown, Ph.D., M.P.H., and her colleagues at the National Center for Health Statistics.

The researchers found a clear increase in the mean age of mothers at the time of their first birth. In 2016, the average age of a first-time mother was 26.6 years. By 2023, this had risen to 27.5 years — nearly a full year’s difference in just seven years.

But the trend isn’t limited to first-time mothers. In Paiz's case, she is having her fourth child at 35.

Is Late Pregnancy Healthy?

The National Institute of Health (NIH), US (2022), 20% of women in the US are now having their first child after the age of 35. While it is the new trend, the NIH doctor Dr Alan Decherney, a fertility expert explains that "As women age, they are still fertile, but their odds of pregnancy are decreased because they are not making as many good eggs that will fertile and divide normally and turn out to be an embryo."

After age 30, a woman's fertility decreases ever year, notes the NIH July 2022 issue. It notes: "The number and quality of her eggs goes down until she reaches menopause."

However, experts do point out that getting pregnant in your 30s need not be a stressful affair at all times. As it is at this age when you experience more stability, and also someone you know who have a personal experience in handling one. Most important, you are more mature at this age, which you may not be in your 20s.

What Must You Keep In Mind If You Plan Pregnancy After 30?

Quit Habits: If you are a smoker, or consume alcohol, this is a good time to leave it.

Reduce Stress: While pregnancy for some can bring stress, try to find activities that help you release it.

Healthy Weight: Ensure that your weight is right, reduce your waist to bring it to a healthy range for a healthy pregnancy.

Food Habits: Stop eating junk and start eating more whole grains.

Exercise: A sedentary lifestyle can impact negatively on the child. You do not have to do HIIT, however, regular easy workouts can make both the pregnancy and delivery easy.

Dr Michelle Y Owens, professor of obstetrics and gynecology and a practicing maternal-fetal medicine specialist at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, writes for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) that "the longer your eggs have been around, the more likely they are to produce a pregnancy with a chromosome problem that can lead to a condition like Down syndrome. The risk goes up significantly after 35." However, she says, there is a good news. Now, we have tools to detect and respond to pregnancy complications early.