Parents who claim payments from benefits could land themselves in trouble for not reporting one major change to the DWP
Parents could be at risk of committing benefit fraud(Image: Getty Images)
New parents could be at risk of being convicted for benefit fraud for not reporting a major change in their lives. Guidance from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) highlights that parents who are expecting a new baby must inform them.
This is because it represents a significant change in circumstances that may affect eligibility for benefits and how much a claimant could receive. The same guidance states that failing to do this by mistake could result in you being paid too much on your benefits which means you’ll have to pay back what you owe in overpayments.
You could also a flat penalty of £50. However, if the DWP believes you didn’t report a change in circumstance on purpose, it could result in you being prosecuted for benefit fraud.
If the DWP believes you’re committing benefit fraud it may stop all of your benefit payments while an investigation is carried out. An investigation will also include a visit from Fraud Investigation Officers as well as a potential interview around your claim, known as an “interview under caution”.
If it is decided that you have either committed or attempted to commit benefit fraud, you could be taken to court and asked to pay a fine of up to £5,000 as well as pay back any money you owe. You could also have your benefits reduced or stopped for up to three years if you’re convicted.
All the changes that need to be reported to the DWP
The DWP website lists the following changes that need to be reported as they could affect your benefits:
moving house
the death of your partner or someone you live with
getting married or divorced
changes to your immigration status, if you’re not a British citizen
starting or ending a civil partnership
any changes to your medical condition or disability
planning to go abroad for any length of time
changes to your pension, savings, investments or property
finding or finishing a job, or working different hours
changing your doctor
having a baby
people moving into or out of the place you live (for example your partner, a child or lodger)
changing your name or gender
you or your partner getting back-pay (sometimes called ‘arrears’) for salary or earnings you’re owed
starting or stopping education, training or an apprenticeship
changes to the benefits you or anyone else in your house gets
starting or stopping caring for someone
changes to other money you get (for example student loans or grants, sick pay or money you get from a charity)
your income going up or down
going into hospital, a care home or sheltered accommodation
Exceptions to benefit fraud punishments for parents
If a parent is convicted of benefit fraud they will generally have their benefits reduced or stopped. However, a number of payments cannot be stopped or reduced.
This includes:
Maternity Allowance
Statutory Adoption Pay
Statutory Paternity Pay
Statutory Maternity Pay
Full details on the benefits and payments that are subjected to benefit fraud punishments can be found here.
Singing sensation Sia, who is best known for her chart-topping hits like Chandelier reportedly gave birth to her and her husband’s first child in March 2024 before filing for divorce
Sia privately welcomed baby with husband just months before filing for divorce (Image: Splash News)
Sia has officially filed for divorce from her husband, Daniel Bernad, after two years of marriage. The 49-year-old music sensation, whose full name is Sia Furler, made the decision to end her relationship with Bernad, citing “irreconcilable differences” as the cause for their separation.
According to court documents filed in Los Angeles on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, the ‘Chandelier’ singer has begun the legal process to dissolve their marriage. In addition to the divorce filing, the documents also revealed that Sia had quietly welcomed her third child, a baby boy, in March 2024.
This child, her first with Bernad, was born on March 27, 2024. Sia, who has been remarkably private about her personal life, is now seeking both legal and physical custody of their newborn. However, she has expressed a willingness to grant visitation rights to her estranged husband, Bernad, as they move forward in the custody arrangement.
Sia and Daniel Bernad tied the knot in a private ceremony in December 2022, and their relationship seemed to continue on a romantic path with an intimate, candlelit wedding in Portofino, Italy, in May 2023. The event, which was very low-key, had only six guests in attendance, further reflecting the couple’s desire for privacy.
Although Sia has not publicly addressed the birth of her third child, she previously shared her experience as a mother in 2020 when she revealed that she had adopted two teenage boys in 2019. During a SiriusXM interview, the pop star spoke about her decision to adopt, explaining, “I actually adopted two sons last year. They were both 18 – they’re both 19 years old now. They were aging out of the foster care system. Yeah, and I love them.”
However, Sia also acknowledged that the adjustment process has been challenging at times. She added, “They are both finding it pretty difficult, one more so than the other. But they’re both doing things that are really good for them right now, that are really helpful. They’re really doing a lot of educational stuff that’s good for them.”
Sia, who was previously married to director Erik Anders Lang from 2014 to 2016, continues to navigate a personal life marked by deep privacy and family matters, even as she remains one of the most influential and successful figures in the music industry.
The Mirror has reached out to Sia’s representatives for comment on this story.
A representational image of a handcuffed man. — APP/File
LAHORE: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Gujranwala Zone has arrested four human smugglers, including the most wanted mastermind and his son, for their involvement in the Greece boat tragedy.
According to the FIA, the long-wanted suspect, Tahir Muhammad Khan alias Muhammad Khan, and his son, Abdul Wahid, were apprehended in Dinga, based on human intelligence. The FIA spokesperson stated that the accused had been evading the law for years despite multiple raids conducted to capture him. Tahir Khan is a notorious human trafficker and a proclaimed offender, listed as a high-priority target by the law-enforcement agencies. The FIA revealed that over 45 cases had been registered against him since 2016 in the Gujrat circle. Additionally, he was involved in firing at an FIA officer in 2019. In 2023, he recruited his son into the human smuggling network. A special team was formed for their arrest, and after months of relentless efforts, the FIA successfully apprehended the suspects. During the raid, the accused and his armed accomplices opened fire on the FIA team. In a subsequent operation, his son, Abdul Wahid, was also arrested. Both father and son were allegedly involved in the June 2023 Libya-Greece boat tragedy. The suspects deceived victims by promising employment in Italy and extorted large sums of money from them. Instead of ensuring safe passage, they sent them on perilous sea routes from Libya to Italy. The FIA stated that due to unsafe travel conditions, the boat
met with an accident, resulting in the deaths of several Pakistani nationals. Survivors provided crucial information leading to the arrests. In separate operations, the FIA also arrested two more traffickers: Tariq Javed from Sabowal, Gujrat, and Talha Shaheen from Kharian. Tariq Javed charged citizens Rs400,000 each for illegal travel to Italy via Turkey, while Talha Shaheen extorted Rs2 million from a victim, falsely promising employment in Spain. Instead, he sent the victim to Mauritania and forced him into illegal sea travel. The victim refused and returned to Pakistan. Authorities have begun further investigations following the arrests.
As the season of spring approaches, many Arabs eagerly anticipate one of the special highlights of the year—Mother’s Day, set for March 21, 2025. This day, celebrated annually within various Arab nations, uniquely coincides with the holy month of Ramadan, adding layers of spiritual significance and warmth to the festivities.
Despite being a recurring celebration, the anticipation surrounding Mother’s Day in 2025 feels particularly poignant. Matching the date with the beginning of Ramadan—21 Ramadan 1446—creates an opportunity for families to express their love and gratitude in meaningful ways that align with the reverence of the month.
The choice of March 21 for Mother’s Day is rich in symbolism; it marks the onset of spring, the quintessential symbol of renewal and growth. This essence mirrors the spirit of motherhood—a source of life and nurturing. As families prepare for this day, it emerges as both a moment for celebration and a reminder of the inherent sacrifices made by mothers everywhere.
In the spirit of Ramadan, which encourages reflection and gratitude, children are encouraged to honor their mothers not only through gifts but also with heartfelt gestures. Traditional practices include sharing iftar meals—often a magical experience where families gather to break their fasts together—as well as providing thoughtful tokens of appreciation.
Gift-giving during this time has evolved, with a range of ideas that suit the sacred atmosphere. Among these suggestions shared across social media platforms and lifestyle blogs, items such as elegantly designed prayer mats, Ramadan-themed decorations, or personalized items hold significant emotional resonance. Furthermore, simple handwritten notes bearing loving messages like “أمي الحبيبة، كل عام وأنتِ بخير، رمضان كريم وعيد أم سعيد” (My dear mother, Happy New Year, Ramadan Kareem, and Happy Mother’s Day) capture the essence of the occasion.
In light of this yearly celebration, the fashion community has also participated, showcasing beautiful gift options that reflect modern trends while respecting the cultural significance of Ramadan. As outlined on the Vogue website, crochet bags are emerging as a notable gift trend for spring 2025, bringing a touch of contemporary style blended with the heartfelt essence of love for mothers.
Among the emerging trends discussed, crochet bags—with their intricate designs and the potential for personal flair—appear as popular choices for thoughtful gifts. With a myriad of styles from casual to more elaborate designs, these bags cater to various tastes and preferences, making it easy for children to find the perfect gift for their mothers.
Moreover, the message of honor extends beyond casual celebrations as organizations recognize and uplift the role of mothers in society. For instance, the Syndicate of Allied Health Professions recently held a ceremony in Cairo honoring outstanding mothers employed in the training administration sector. The event, attended by members of various unions, amplifies President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s commitment to empowering women and acknowledging their vital contributions to familial and social structures.
Notable figures such as Ola Fouzy Ahmed, Amima Abdel-Ghaffar Ali, and Ilham El-Sayed Bayoumi were awarded as exemplary mothers for this year, a reflection of their dedication and influence within their communities. The ceremony underscores how mothers, often the unsung heroes of families, deserve recognition not just from their children but also from society as a whole.
This year’s celebrations poignantly remind everyone of the love, sacrifice, and resilience inherent in motherhood. As families come together, they not only celebrate individual mothers but also the resilience of women across the broader social landscape, especially during a month dedicated to compassion and reflection like Ramadan.
The blending of Mother’s Day with Ramadan creates an opportunity not only for celebration but also for greater appreciation of the nurturing spirit of mothers. Amidst the fast-paced modern world, this harmonious overlap brings families together, inviting all to honor the women who have selflessly invested their lives into shaping loving homes and guiding future generations.
Ultimately, Mother’s Day 2025 will be celebrated with joy and reflection, as children express their love through shared meals, prayer, and thoughtful gifts—solidifying the emotional and spiritual bonds that are the heart of Arab homes during this blessed and joyous time.
Parents today often feel immense pressure to schedule every moment of their child’s day. Between school, homework, sports, and other extracurricular activities, kids are rarely left to their own devices.
However, this overscheduling leaves no time for unstructured play — something Amanda Eliasoph, a board-certified behavior analyst, stressed is incredibly beneficial for young kids and their future success.
“Parents if you’re tired of looking on Pinterest and making 45 activities a week for your child to do to keep them occupied while you clean or cook or try to get work done, allow them to be bored,” she insisted in a recent TikTok. “Their little minds are so unbelievably creative, and that unstructured playtime is so good for their development.”
Here are 3 ways parents who sometimes let their kids run wild are setting them up for success:
1. They learn to problem-solve.
Problem-solving is a crucial life skill and one that unstructured playtime helps kids build. When faced with boredom — and no parental input — kids have to come up with their own ideas about how to spend their time.
Moreover, without a clear roadmap to follow, children are forced to figure things out on their own, navigating obstacles and coming up with solutions independently. For example, if multiple children are playing a game, they must establish the rules and determine who gets to take the first turn. These small problem-solving moments add up over time and prepare them for the more complex challenges they’ll inevitably face as they grow up.
Unstructured also helps kids become more resilient, a trait that serves them well in adulthood. Resilient people are better equipt to adapt to adversity, handle stress, and recover from difficult situations.
“When children engage in [adventurous and unstructured] play, they are exposed to situations that put them on the edge of their comfort zone,” behavioral scientist Coltan Scrivner told Psychology Today. “Climbing trees, jumping off swings, and exploring unfamiliar terrain keep children right on the line between what they are comfortable doing and what they are a bit afraid of doing.”
“These experiences can sometimes be scary, but they can also be incredibly empowering,” he continued. “As children confront their fears and overcome challenges, they build confidence and resilience to stressful situations.”
Unstructured playtime also aids in emotional development. When kids are left to their own devices, they experience a range of emotions, from frustration and disappointment to excitement and happiness, and learn how to regulate them. If something doesn’t go as planned — say, a toy breaks or a game doesn’t go the way they envisioned — they learn how to cope with disappointment and try again.
So, the next time your child is bored, instead of immediately stepping in, give them the space to figure it out. You’ll be amazed at how their growth and development flourish when they’re given the freedom to run wild. The benefits extend into adulthood, helping them succeed in the real world when you’re no longer standing on the sidelines ready to lend a helping hand.
Erika Ryan is a writer working on her bachelor’s degree in Journalism. She is based in Florida and covers relationships, psychology, self-help, and human interest topics.
She shared a video with her followers as she cradled her bundle of joy at the multi-million dollar oceanfront Malibu home she shares with her husband in California.
In the clip, Bella held her newborn Hunter to her chest as she enjoyed the view of the water from her balcony and swayed from side to side.
She wore a billowing cream maxi-dress which fluttered in the wind while she filmed the aesthetic video.
Bella captioned the post with: ‘Hunter Gray Friedman. A thousand lifetimes of holding you and loving you will never be enough.
Bella Hunter, 35, and her billionaire husband Gary Friedman have welcomed their first child to the world—a baby boy named Hunter Gray
‘The gravity of our world shifted just over a month ago and nothing will ever be the same. Welcome little Prince.’
It comes just over a month after Bella and Gary revealed they were expecting their first child together.
The musician and billionaire made the happy announcement with a stunning maternity shoot shared to Instagram in early February.
Cradling her bump, Bella shot the camera a smouldering look as the semi-sheer fabric hugged her shapely form.
She added layers of accessories in gold and pearl and opted for a full face of glamorous makeup.
‘Been busy making magic,’ she wrote in the caption alongside the photos, while a further post was captioned with: ‘Water baby.’
In a third post, Bella revealed her baby was due very soon, indicating she had kept the pregnancy a secret for close to her full term.
The Australian DJ, who is the daughter of late rock musician Marc Hunter, shared the happy news to Instagram on Friday. Pictured with husband Gary
‘Growing you these past nine months has been the most profound privilege of my life,’ she wrote.
‘More blessed and full of unparalleled gratitude than ever before. There is new light in the world.’
She was inundated with sweet comments, with one person writing: ‘This is a stunning keepsake. Gorgeous pic.’
‘Wow you are glowing,’ said another while one more chimed in with: ‘Mama goddess.’
‘What a beautiful baby bump,’ said someone else, with yet another writing: ‘Stunning! Ethereal. Luckiest baby in the whole world.’
‘Such a powerful and beautiful moment captured perfectly! Wishing you all the blessings,’ one more posted.
The pair said ‘I do’ in a fairytale wedding—also shrouded in secrecy—back in 2023.
The ceremony was held against the spectacular backdrop of the swanky Six Senses Resort in Ibiza.
Bella and Gary tied the knot in a lavish Ibiza ceremony in 2023
The wedding was a hit, with guests eager to share their selfies and venue snaps, but steering clear of posting the couple themselves.
Guests included entertainment reporter Richard Wilkins and his girlfriend Nicola Dale, who runs her successful podcast, Over The Back Fence, with best friend Di Edwards.
A retired Suffolk police detective who was also a longtime volunteer with the Wyandanch Volunteer Fire Company was fatally shot at his Deer Park home on Wednesday by his adult son, who police said they later arrested.
John Miller, 75, was shot and killed by Christopher Miller, 43, following an argument at their Bruno Lane home, Det. Lt. Kevin Beyrer, the commanding officer of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Homicide Unit, said during a news conference near the site of the shooting.
Christopher Miller is charged with second-degree murder and is scheduled for arraignment in Central Islip on Thursday morning, Beyrer said. It was unclear from court records if the defendant had an attorney on Wednesday evening.
John Miller’s death sent shock waves through the police and fire communities, who began honoring Miller as they grieved.
WHAT NEWSDAY FOUND
A retired Suffolk police detective who was also a longtime volunteer with the Wyandanch Volunteer Fire Company was fatally shot at his Deer Park home on Wednesday by his adult son.
John Miller, 75, was shot and killed by Christopher Miller, 43, following an argument at their Bruno Lane home, Det. Lt. Kevin Beyrer, the commanding officer of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Homicide unit, said.
Christopher Miller is charged with second-degree murder and is scheduled for arraignment in Central Islip on Thursday morning, Beyrer said.
“He was tremendous, to know him was to love him” said Suffolk Legis. Tom Donnelly (D-Deer Park), a longtime friend of Miller, who was known as “Jack” by friends and colleagues. “He was the salt of the Earth and a tremendous public servant on so many levels.”
Lou Civello, president of the Suffolk County Police Benevolent Association, called Miller’s death a “terrible tragedy” and said the retired detective remained a legend in the First Precinct and a pillar of his community. Miller retired in 1995 after more than 25 years with Suffolk police, but he remained active in police circles for years.
“He epitomized self-sacrifice and dedication, which made him the ideal public servant,” Civello said. “He had a profound effect on generations of Suffolk County police officers and will be sorely missed by all who had the good fortune to know him.”
Retired SCPD detective and volunteer fireman John Miller, right, was honored on June 30, 2022 by Suffolk County Leg. Tom Donnelly for his years of service and volunteerism. Credit: Tom Donnelly
A Suffolk police SUV blocked the entrance to Bruno Lane, a dead-end street lined with two-story houses, for several hours on Wednesday. Young people taking advantage of the sunny springlike weather rode bikes and skateboards on adjacent Seaman Neck Road, where police cordoned off a part of the sidewalk in front of a large corner home across the road from Paumanok Elementary School.
The events that led to the fatal shooting began to unfold on Monday, when Christopher Miller was involved in a car accident with a motorist in Stony Brook, Beyrer said. Christopher Miller got into a fight with the other driver and was taken to a hospital emergency room for treatment of his injuries.
Miller, unaware of his son’s whereabouts, attempted to report Christopher Miller missing the following day, Beyrer said. A Suffolk police officer arrived at his home on Tuesday to complete a missing-person report and later informed the retired detective that his son was in an emergency room.
Miller picked up his son from the hospital on Tuesday evening and brought him to his home, where Christopher Miller had been living since he filed for divorce, according to Beyrer.
On Wednesday morning, Christopher Miller went into his room, got a shotgun, went downstairs and began arguing with his father and “shot him multiple times,” Beyrer said.
The homicide commander declined to discuss a motive for the 7:30 a.m. shooting.
Christopher Miller left the shotgun in the home, the detective said, and fled to a nearby shed north on Seaman Neck Road. Suffolk police officers responded to a call of a disturbance by a man in the shed later that morning. The same Suffolk police officer who responded to the missing persons report responded Wednesday morning.
“He recognized Christopher Miller, brought him back to the house in order to turn him over to his father at which time he determined … that his father was dead,” Beyrer said
Christopher Miller was then taken into custody, Beyrer said, and later taken to a hospital for additional treatment of the injuries he suffered in Monday’s accident.
A picture of John Miller was on display at the Wyandanch Volunteer Fire Co. on Wednesday. Credit: Newsday/Nicholas Grasso
Friends said John Miller was deeply committed to public service and his community. In addition to his 25-plus years with the Suffolk County Police Department, he was also a member of the Wyandanch Volunteer Fire Company for 57 years, serving as its chief four times and its president twice. Christopher Miller was also a longtime member of the department.
“Jack was a 57-year example of what a firefighter should look like,” Wyandanch Chief Jarvis Brown said. “He gave his life and soul to the fire department. If a firefighter ever needed something, Jack had his back. This is a tough time for the Wyandanch fire department. The man was beloved throughout Long Island.”
American flags were lowered to half-staff and black and purple mourning bunting hung at the Wyandanch fire station Wednesday evening in honor of Miller. Even at 75, Miller responded to calls, often driving engines and ladder trucks to active fires, Brown said.
Miller, a trustee of the SCPD’s First Precinct Brotherhood, was an advocate for retired and current officers. He raised money and was a volunteer for the Wounded Warrior Project, which assists injured former servicemen and servicewomen.
Miller helped plan funerals for Long Island first responders who lost their lives after 9/11 and assisted the American Red Cross after Superstorm Sandy in 2012.
In 2022, Donnelly recognized Miller’s years of service by giving him a lifetime achievement award during a meeting of the Town of Babylon Fire Chiefs Association.
Donnelly, a longtime volunteer with the Deer Park Fire Department, said Miller’s generous spirit inspired him and others to get involved with public service.
“He was such a good role model for so many people,” Donnelly said. “He would light up a room when he entered it. He had such a passion for volunteerism. This is a tremendous loss for the community.”
A few years ago, a video went viral in which a boy was seen learning how to write the alphabet. Tutoring him was his mother, who was also handling another child, an infant, in her lap.
In the video, the sobbing child threatens to complain about her to his grandparents and father, telling her he no longer liked her. The mother, unfazed, urges him to keep writing, warning that if he didn’t, he would be taken to task.
The video evoked sympathy for the child, who was seen as the victim of a pushy mother. “Children should be allowed to bloom and sprout like a flower,” read a comment.
“Nowadays, children are being groomed into robots,” read another. “Childhood is being strangled…” the comments followed.
What do mothers here think about being ‘pushy’? “They can say what they want. When the child does well, there will be many to take the credit, but when it doesn’t, only the mother will be blamed by even those who speak tall about child rights,” snaps Apoorva Paramjyoti, who has currently taken a break from her corporate job to be with her daughter in Class 10.
“Even otherwise, I want my child to do well. Hence, I will dream for her and will tell her to groom her life well. I will take all efforts to meet that end.”
From the days of yore, motherhood has been venerated as the next best thing to the divine, and the onus of grooming a child has rested on the mother. She may be undereducated, burdened with chores, or busy with a high-profile job, but she must attend to her child’s lessons with the same diligence she expects of the child.
Indian mothers are famously dutiful, and even in the West, mothers are often singled out as responsible for their child’s progress. Even Napoleon, the creator of the Napoleonic Code, which stresses equality, is said to have proclaimed: “Give me an educated mother, I shall promise you the birth of a civilised, educated nation.”
Is this a natural instinct or a mindset imposed on her by patriarchy? It’s a question worth pondering.
“My mother wasn’t very educated, but she insisted that we do well and sat with us as we studied,” says Jyotiraditya Tiwari, an aerospace engineering student. “I have seen mothers from resource-poor areas engaging more ambitiously with their children.”
Sindhu Jagan, who chose not to work to focus on her children full-time, says “there is no doubt” that women lay the educational foundation of a child. “But my question is, why should it be on women alone?” she asks.
“I believe men are a bit casual about it. For them, if the child doesn’t do well, they think they will do it later. Why fuss? But for me, and most mothers, small steps make the larger picture bright.”
Athira Jose, a mother of two daughters, also chose not to work to give full attention to her children. “In my case, it was pick and drop, even. I had to forsake my dance classes for that. But I always told myself, it is for my children,” she says.
“It is indeed a period of stress, especially in the case of younger children. But in the last five years, there’s been a hint of change. Load-sharing is happening in many families, as more women take up stressful jobs.”
DEAR MISS MANNERS: My partner and I lived abroad for 12 years and have recently moved back to his hometown. He has a job, I am working as a temp, and we are struggling to find housing, so we have been staying with his parents.
I am incredibly grateful to them; we have been living with them for two months now, and may stay another two months (the housing crisis is that bad). But I am also finding it difficult to live with them. I knew it would be challenging not to have my own space and to live by someone else’s rules, but I also feel judged, and I hate their jokes.
They have feedback and comments about absolutely everything. I prefer to shower in the evening, after work; they tell me it is “bizarre,” that showering wakes you up and is a terrible thing to do just before bed.
I have very long hair, and my mother-in-law has asked me several times if I would “consider” cutting it. When I said no, she pointedly said, “It is very long, you know.”
I am a vegetarian, and I never bring it up. Still, they will often ask if I am “tempted” by whatever meat dish they are having. And then there are the constant jokes about my nationality. They will bring that up several times a day, asking me “what people do in my country of origin” (I left 16 years ago). Or they will just drop random words in the language of my birth into the conversation and laugh.
It makes it hard to fit in and feel accepted. My partner says to just ignore it, and he never intervenes — it is not something he would do. My friends agree it’s difficult, but to “think of the free rent.” What do you think?
GENTLE READER: Although Miss Manners does not want you to end up on the street — and she does understand that your partner’s parents are doing you an enormous favor — asking what she thinks, rather than how to fix your problem, strikes her as far too passive.
Etiquette is not a barter system. Just as one rudeness does not justify another, your hosts’ good deed of letting you live with them does not justify the ongoing rudeness you describe.
The unpleasant duty of asking them to please stop commenting on your country of origin, your hair and your choice of food should fall on your partner, whose duty it is not only to do so tactfully, but to insist the discomfort with their behavior is his own, not yours.
Motivating him to do this convincingly is your task.
***
DEAR MISS MANNERS: Which is ruder: being ignored by someone who is constantly on their cellular telephone, or interrupting that person with a conversation without saying “excuse me”?
GENTLE READER: Justifying one rudeness by citing another is ruder.
(Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)
Court documents have revealed that Sia quietly welcomed her third child with her husband, Dan Bernad, a year before their split.
The “Chandelier” singer filed for divorce from Dan, her second husband, on March 18, citing irreconcilable differences; in the filing, it was revealed that Sia had given birth to their only child together in March 2024.
Their baby, named Somersault Wonder Bernad, was born almost a year into Sia’s marriage. The Australian performer is asking for full legal and physical custody of her child but is open to visitation rights, according to court documents.
Recommended videoYou may also likeWATCH: Sia debuts bold new look
She also asked the court not to grant Dan any spousal support.
The pair tied the knot in an intimate ceremony in May 2023, surrounded by six of their loved ones in Portofino, Italy.
Dan picked up the mantle of fatherhood when he married Sia, as she already had two teenage sons whom she had adopted in 2019.
The songwriter was drawn to adopt after viewing the 2016 documentary Foster, which explored the pitfalls of the foster system.
She then found the boy who had been interviewed in the documentary and expressed her wish to become his mother. He asked Sia if she could also adopt his cousin Che, to which she readily agreed.
“I had two spare bedrooms, so I said, ‘Sure!’” she told InStyle. “And even though I’d never met Che before, he also moved in with me that evening.”
The singer filed for divorce from her husband on March 18
“I just felt so blessed to have them both with me,” she added. “And I’ve realized over the past year that Che was meant to be my son, too.”
The “Cheap Thrills” crooner explained her approach to parenting the young boys, given her widespread fame.
“I could’ve been the kind of parent who said, ‘I’m a rich pop star. You guys can have a hundred grand each year for the rest of your life,’ and then not really give them any attention,” she said.
“I wanted to spend a lot of time with them to help reverse the conditioning they grew up with and guide them toward a meaningful life that they don’t ever have to be ashamed about.”
Sia and Che bonded over their shared love of music when they were building trust amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We have bonded a lot during this time, and we have so many shared idiosyncrasies,” she told InStyle. “We’re both hyper-vigilant, we’re fast thinkers, and we love dogs – we’ve got lots of them now.”
The reclusive star shared her lifelong dream of motherhood
She also became a grandmother shortly after adopting her sons, sharing on Zane Lowe’s Apple Music Show in 2020 that her youngest had welcomed two babies.
“I’m just immediately horrified,” she joked. “No, I’m cool. They call me Nana. I’m trying to get them to call me Lovey, like Kris [Jenner]. I’m like, ‘Call me Lovey.’”
Sia previously explained that she “wanted to be a mom my whole entire life” and underwent treatment for IVF with her former husband, Erik Anders Lang. However, she never completed the treatment due to their untimely divorce.
