A small but growing group of young teens are turning to drastic treatments to lose large amounts of weight, things like body-altering surgery and new drugs that rewire metabolism

A mother has gone viral after she sent out some hilariously blunt birthday invitations for her twins’ fifth birthday party. In a recent video posted to her TikTok, the parent, Natalie LeClaire, shared a picture of the now-viral invitation that her son received. As she described the note as “hilarious,” she shared a picture of the invite and recited what the beginning of it said. “This event is brought to you by Pinterest fails and the dollar store, so please set your expectations appropriately,” the note read. “As requested, the theme will be unicorns but with rainbows and maybe bats. But there should be princesses, also Minnie. But we need dancing lights, so dress accordingly.” The invitation went on to hilariously describe what parents should pack for their children, before attending the party. “Please pack a bathing suit, puddle jumpers, etc, in case your sweet baby angels decide our original plan sucks, and the pool would be a better time,” the note continued. The mother also invited fellow parents to the party, before noting that she’d understand if the adults say no to attending. “If you would like to drop off and run, we support that entirely,” the parent quipped in the letter. “If you would like to stay, we will provide adult juice and deny any offers to help, to be polite. But deep down, we want to support you. You do you.” Ms LeClaire, who’s based in Ontario, Canada, concluded her video by noting that she and her son are going to the party. “Needless to say, we will absolutely be attending because these are my people,” she said. “This is the kind of mom that I can be friends with.” Along with Ms LeClaire’s son’s name, the invite also had Minnie ears, bats, unicorns, princesses, and a rainbow drawn on it. As of 15 June, the video has more than 5.1m views, with many TikTok users in the comments applauding the honest thoughts that were put in the invitation. “This is incredible. It’s what we’re all thinking when hosting kids parties,” one wrote, while another added: “Do they realise how many people will now be emotionally attending this party?” A third wrote: “I’m glad a parent is finally lowering the standards/expectations because I’m done with these Pinterest/IG inspired kid parties.” Other people also poked fun at the seemingly open-ended dress code at the child’s party. “I think you should go all in and make sure you wear an outfit that hits every theme point. And from a dollar store,” one wrote. @not.just.nat #greenscreen These are my people. #birthdayparty #partyinvitations #parenting #funny #hilarious #adultjuice ♬ Comedy Music - Nissa “Can’t wait to see how everyone interprets ‘dress accordingly.’ Someone better be dressed like a bat princess,” another added. During an interview with Today, the mother who created the invitation, Carys Roberts, noted that the party will be held next month, for her twin daughters, Edie and Elle. She also shared that she came up with the invites pretty quickly, in hopes of amusing some of her fellow parents and making sure that they weren’t too worried about what gifts to get. “Ultimately, I just didn’t want anyone to stress about gifts. The last thing we want is for people to be spending a lot of money. We’re really low-key,” she said. “I’ve received a lot of great feedback and I’m truly thrilled that people thought the invitation was so relatable and funny.” Speaking to Today, Ms LeClaire went on to emphasise that she loved the invitation when she first noticed it. “I started reading it and my jaw dropped. It was so honest and straight up. I was like, ‘I need to be friends with this person.’” The Independent has contacted Ms LeClaire for comment. Read More Mother sparks viral debate for ‘shaming’ parent who refused to give her daughter a slice of cake Woman, 50, to become a surrogate mother for same-sex couple Father sparks debate over his ‘petty’ feud with an 8-year-old about her pool Mom reveals one regret after parent refused to give her child cake amid viral debate Mother sparks debate over parent who wouldn’t give daughter cake Drew Barrymore slams tabloids that claimed she ‘wished’ her mother was dead

Gwyneth Paltrow has revealed that she still owns her infamous 2002 Oscars dress that “everybody hated,” and that her daughter Apple Martin even wears it on occasion. The Goop founder, 50, took to Instagram on Thursday 15 June to answer some questions from her fans and followers – including what she ate for breakfast and her go-to restaurant recommendations. When one fan asked Paltrow if her daughter Apple wears “any of [her] fashion archives,” the Shakespeare in Love star responded with a photo of the 19-year-old model dressed in the memorable Alexander McQueen gown, which Paltrow wore to the 2002 Academy Awards. In the snap, Apple – who Paltrow shares with ex-husband and Coldplay frontman, Chris Martin – could be seen standing in her mother’s walk-in closet while posing with one hand under her chin and the other on her hip. Back in 2002, the gothic Alexander McQueen dress caused quite a stir for its sheer, sleeveless bodice. The punk-inspired black gown also featured a flowing black floor-length skirt. Gwyneth Paltrow has previously discussed the criticism she received after attending the 2002 Oscars in the daring gown. In 2021, the Glee alum revisited some of her most iconic fashion moments, including the criticism she received for the black McQueen dress. “Everybody really hated this [dress] ... but I think it’s kind of dope,” she said in a video interview with Vogue. “I’m into it.” However, the lifestyle guru admitted she was hurt by the criticism over the dress at the time. “I had a weird hangover about it for a while because people were really critical,” Paltrow explained. “I think at the time it was too goth, I think people thought it was too hard, so I think it sort of shocked people. But I like it.” Paltrow also defended the dress – which was then dubbed “unflattering” and “a fashion disaster” – in a Q&A post shared to Goop’s website in 2013. “I still love the dress itself but I should have worn a bra and I should have just had simple beachy hair and less makeup,” she said. “Then, it would have worked as I wanted it to – a little bit of punk at the Oscars.” Apple Martin has since become somewhat of a fashion icon herself. Earlier this year, she made her Paris Fashion Week debut at the Chanel haute couture spring/summer 2023 show in January. For the occasion, Apple was pictured sitting front row in a black-and-white tweed skirt and jacket set by Chanel. The teen recently poked fun at the Iron Man star after she made some candid confessions about her love life during an episode of the Call Her Daddy podcast. In a video shared to the official Call Her Daddy Instagram account, Apple could be seen standing next to her mom and host Alex Cooper, as Paltrow shared many NSFW details about exes Brad Pitt and Ben Affleck. Apple proceeded to cover her ears as her mom divulged about her past relationships. “When your mom goes on Call Her Daddy,” the text over the clip read, along with a crying face emoji. In addition to daughter Apple, Paltrow shares 17-year-old son Moses with ex Chris Martin. These days, the entrepreneur is married to producer Brad Falchuk, while the Coldplay singer has been dating actor Dakota Johnson since 2017. Read More Gwyneth Paltrow recalls being hurt by criticism of 2002 Oscar dress that ‘everybody hated’ Apple Martin hilariously reacts to Gwyneth Paltrow’s candid confessions about love life on Call Her Daddy Apple Martin opens up about attending first fashion show and her ‘classic ‘90s’ style

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A new report has found that the price of childcare is still rising in the United States and has gone up by 220 per cent since 1990. In the annual report from Annie E. Casey Foundation, the charitable organisation examined the importance of childcare across the country, with data from each state about the overall well-being of children. With an analysis from Child Care Aware, an advocacy organisation, the report found that “child care costs have risen 220 per cent since” 1990, “significantly outpacing inflation”. As noted by the US Inflation Calculator, the cumulative rate of inflation, from January 1990 to May 2023, is approximately 138 per cent . The Annie E. Casey Foundation also looked at the annual cost of childcare and how it can impact parents’ income. More specifically, the average yearly cost for care for one child in America was $10,600 in 2021, which is “more than a third of a single parent’s income”. The report looked at the annual cost for a centre-based childcare for a toddler, based on each state. Results showed that prices are the highest in Washington DC, with a cost of $24,396 per year. Centre-based childcare in Connecticut is also expensive, with an annual price of $18,156 per year. The report said over 2 million children in the US had family members who experienced job changes due to childcare prices from 2020 to 2021. The organisation examined the ethnicity of these 2 million children: 17 per cent of them were Black, 16 per cent Latino, and 14 per cent Asian and Pacific Islanders. The organisation also looked at the analysis of 2017 data, which showed how the childcare system disproportionately impacted families of colour. For example, centre-based childcare for two children absorbed 26 per cent of a working mother’s median household income. Meanwhile, 42 per cent of a Latino working mother’s median household income paid for two children’s childcare, while 56 per cent of a Black working mother’s income covered this childcare cost. On the economic well-being of children around the country, findings showed that over 12 million were in poverty in 2021. That same year, there were over 21 million children whose parents lacked secure employment, and nearly 22 million children living in a household with high housing cost burden. Earlier this year, a report by the US Department of Labor also found that families with younger children in the country pay a significant amount on childcare. After looking at data from 2018, which was adjusted based on the inflation rate in 2022, the report noted that “childcare prices range from $4,810 for school-age home-based care in small counties to $15,417 for infant centre-based care in very large counties”. Read More Thirty, flirty and declining: How 30 became a terrifying milestone for an anxious generation More help with childcare costs for families on Universal Credit from end of June Government’s childcare reforms ‘risk worsening outcomes’ for poorer children

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The Rolling Stones and footwear brand Skechers have teamed up to launch a collection of trainers for men and women. The collaboration with the legendary British rock band features a range of limited edition designs, all featuring the iconic lips and tongue logo designed in 1970 by English artist John Pasche. Produced in partnership with Bravado, Universal Music Group’s merchandise and brand management company, the Skechers X The Rolling Stones collection comprises of three styles: the modern Skechers Uno, a canvas slip-on, and lug and cup sole designs. The canvas slip-ons are made from light-wash blue denim, with the tongue and lip logo on the tops of the shoes. Meanwhile, the other two designs come in a black-and-white, as well as a red-and-white colourway, with the logo placed either on the side of towards the back of the trainers. The collection will launch exclusively at the RS No 9 Carnaby, The Rolling Stones’ flagship merchandise store in London today (Thursday 15 June), followed by stores across the UK and the EU on 22 June. The Rolling Stones said in a statement: “We love partnering with brands that offer great product and giving our fans something new they can enjoy.” Michael Greenberg, president of Skechers, added: “For six decades, the Stones have endured like no other – rebelling, conquering and being listened to by billions. Nearly every adult on this planet knows their iconic logo.” Skechers recently released a collaboration with Doja Cat, which comprised of the Skechers Uno trainers in different colours, such as neon pink, neon green and bright purple. The American footwear company has also previously collaborated with musicians including Ringo Starr, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, and Snoop Dogg. Read More Craving a ‘beach-ready body’ is the surest way to self-loathing, but I still want one Vegan family asks neighbours to close their windows when cooking meat Demi Lovato changed pronouns because explaining They/Them to people was ‘absolutely exhausting’

The homicide rate for older U.S. teenagers rose to its highest point in nearly 25 years during the COVID-19 pandemic

The homicide rate for older U.S. teenagers rose to its highest point in nearly 25 years during the COVID-19 pandemic

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