Parents spend years helping children to find their voice, only to discover that adolescence comes with a surprising amount of silence. Questions that once prompted a detailed account of the day can suddenly be met with a shrug, a one-word answer, or a closed bedroom door. Yet teenagers are rarely lacking thoughts or feelings. More often, they're working out what they think, deciding whether it's safe to share, and figuring out how to put complicated experiences into words. Encouragement...

"I'm fine." Three simple words that can stop a conversation in its tracks. If you're supporting an ageing parent, you've likely heard them more than once. Perhaps you've noticed they're more forgetful, seem unsteady on their feet, or mention aches and pains they're clearly trying to minimise. Yet every suggestion to book a GP appointment, get a hearing test, or seek support is met with the same response: "It's nothing. Don't worry about me." For many adults, this is often the point where...