Germs, bugs, boo boos - there's a lot of medical lingo we have to get a hold of as kids get older. This week we're looking at navigating kids health - not so much the what's and why's of the body, but the how-to-handle-its and how-to-laugh-about-its.

We've traversed the full range of responses to our kids needing medical attention. We've been the anxious first-time parents taking our kids to A&E for a banged head, we've been the predictable parents of multiple children dishing out the 'rub it better' prescriptions and the genuinely desperate parents watching on helplessly in NICU.

Whatever your experience, we all want to believe that our kids wont come to harm, so it's devastating when they do. It's those moments that plumb the depths of your love. 

"Love is staying up all night with a sick child - or a healthy adult." David Frost

Don't miss Dr Ishita in this week's Village People, who gives a little insight into how kids' visits to the doctors look from the other side of the examination table. 

- Shreya

How are your kids coping?

Heartbreaking analysis by the BBC last week revealed the true impact of lockdowns on kids and it's not happy reading:

• 77% rise in the number of children needing specialist treatment for severe mental health crisis
• 46% of secondary schools said pupils' mental and emotional health was biggest challenge to them catching up with learning

In the US new research also suggests children born during the pandemic were testing at between 20-30% lower IQs than previously. This is likely much worse in privileged households as well. 

It's a reminder of the toll that lockdowns have had on our kids. We've spent billions protecting the most vulnerable, elderly citizens in society. It seems right to now be spending money to help put this ordeal right for our kids.

Doctor, Doctor...

... I've got a child, what do I do now! 

No one enjoys taking their kid to the doctors, no matter how small the ailment. It's just not a comfortable experience and it can make even the friendliest of us defensive. 

This week we catch up with a GP in our Village People series to understand what it's like from the other side. Hearing how Dr Ishita approaches it should give you some tips for how you prepare, and how you prepare your kids, to make it all a little less painful.

Nappy Rash

Let's face it, we've all felt guilty about nappy rash at some point or another. And while we often associate nappy rash with not changing nappies frequently enough, that’s not the only cause! We explore:

• Four different types of skin rash and what to do about them
• How to treat nappy rash at home as simply as possible
• When to see a doctor about a rash
• The best preventative barrier creams

This is going to remind you of something...

If you've ever read This Is Going to Hurt by Adam Kay, you'll know its brutal honesty, painfully hilarious and somewhat tragic account of life delivering babies in the NHS. If you're ready to remember the trauma of giving birth, or just want to brush up on your understanding of the general chaotic experience of doctoring on an NHS delivery suite, check out the BBC series that's just landed.

Half term fun in Hackney

We're not one to pack our kids time with activities, and half term is a new concept for us as a family with only one child at nursery. But given the past couple of years we're a little more mindful of ways we can get out into the community. This might just be the best easy access line up of fun you can offer your kids this half term. Book quickly, slots for the week's activities are going fast.