FAMILY
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Get the troops ready for autumn with our latest news Pintuck shirt-dress, £29, Jojo Maman Bébé
EMERGENCY INFO According to research carried out by Elastoplast, 75% of parents don’t know how to deal with a choking child, and a further 70% are baffled by the basic first aid procedures, including protecting cuts and scrapes from infection. So to get clued up, and ensure you know how to handle any accident, log on to www.elastoplast.co.uk, where you can now watch essential first aid videos, and download helpful fact sheets with tips from experts at St John Ambulance.
GO GO GRADUATE If your recent graduate is lost in the job market wilderness, get them a copy of Dude, Where’s My Career? The Guide for Baffled Graduates. Penned by former baffled graduate Tanya de Grunwald, the book aims to boost the prospects of unprepared, uninspired, or overwhelmed graduates with handy 3-day plans, realistic tips, and motivational advice from The Careers Group. (£8.99, Summersdale Publishers Ltd) 00
3-piece dress set, £35, Mamas & Papas
From £12, all Jojo Maman Bébé
COUNTRY cool Be it conker picking or parties, make sure your tots do it in smart-casual style with our pick of new countryinspired fashion.
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The eponymous hair care range from London’s specialist children’s salon Tantrum, is now available nationwide in Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury’s. Starting from £3, the range of creamy conditioners, super-bubbly shampoos, and sweet-smelling detangle spray are fun, funky and naturally formulated to be gentle on young or sensitive skin. www.yourtantrum.com
PARTY on Struggling to plan a super-cool party for your princess? Fret no more, as mums Sam and Nicola have come to your rescue with their brand new business Wish Parties in Barry. Having four beautiful daughters between them, it’s no wonder the duo dreamt up Wish - a pink, sparkly haven perfect for girly gifts, pocket money trips, and best of all, the ideal princess party venue. Catering for girls aged 5 to 12, Wish Parties are held in the specially created Fairy Party Room, and every little guest receives a drink on arrival in a pretty pink flute glass, a hair style makeover, and a choice of sparkly bright shades to have her nails painted. And that’s not all, there’s music, party bags, karaoke and games. Organise this and you’ll be mum of the year instantly! Tel: 01446 741166 www.wishparties.co.uk
FIT FOR life
HALF TERM HI-JINKS Folly Farm Happily coinciding with Folly Farm’s Spooky Halloween Week, this half term your little monsters can enjoy an entrancing Interactive Owl Show, get involved in some creepy pet handling, face painting, the Spooky Woods makeover and a whole load of other spooky surprises! Resident magician Jugglestruck will also be at the farm, amazing all with his tricks and illusions. There’s also the fantastic play areas and animals including pigs, sheep, and the only giraffes to be found in Wales. www.folly-farm.co.uk
Bambeans
Though the style of new shoes might be important to your kids, it’s getting the right fit that should be your main priority. “Illfitting shoes can affect the way your child walks and cause them to change their natural gait, transferring pressure onto other parts of their body,” says Nikki Jones of new shoe shop Liquorice Laces in Cardiff. “There are a whopping twenty-six bones in the feet that don’t fully harden until children reach 18 or even later, so investing in good-quality, properly fitted shoes is really worthwhile to ensure long-term damage isn’t done early on.” For more fitting advice from Nikki, a member of recognised body The Society of Shoe Fitters, see www.liquoricelaces.co.uk.
Ricosta Lisbeth shoe from £39
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Angulus Black Shoe, £65
PEARLY WHITES Worryingly, the number of young children needing unhealthy teeth removed under general anaesthetic has reportedly reached 9,000 a year since 2008! A result, it’s believed, of parental neglect and skipping dental appointments. “Regular checks ups are vital for children, because it gives dentists an opportunity to assess the health of the teeth and mouth, as well as checking that the teeth are developing and being cared for properly,” says Dr. Owain Joynson of Porthkerry Dental Centre in Barry. “Booking family check ups can help highlight for children both the ease and importance of taking care of your teeth. We also encourage the use of tooth brushing charts and diet sheets (to help minimise sugary treats), which ultimately lead to less fillings. The very best thing a parent can do,” says Dr. Joynson, “ is lead by example.” www.porthkerrydental.co.uk
Combine educational fun and sensory development, with good old-fashioned play, by heading to Bambeans in Cardiff. Designed to bridge the gap between mainstream and special needs play, Bambeans is equipped to entertain children of all abilities with a labyrinth of activities. You’ll find soft-play areas, a library for all ages, an Einstein corner for older children, and the unique ‘Snoezelen’ sensory room where both children and parents can experience the therapeutic effects of light, sound, colour and smell. Both stimulating and relaxing, this is one to check out! www.bambeans.co.uk
Jump For a dose of fun any day of the week head to Jump, Cardiff, where there’s a whole host of hands-on activities for tots to get busy with all through half term. There’s paint and playdough on Messy Monday’s, topping biscuits and pizzas on Tiny Chef Tuesdays and making masks and props for role play on Wacky Wednesdays. There’s plenty to keep your little ones occupied. Add to that the enormous adventure play-frames, huge inflatables, indoor football pitch, ten-pin bowling and yummy cafe, and you’re more than covered for something to do during the school break. www.123jump.co.uk
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