Family Life by Belfast Telegraph

Contents 6-7 Really useful buys - from parents who know

8-9 Rest easy with Ireland’s sleep expert and how to get your nursery in order 10-12 Cook up a treat with SPAR and Paula McIntyre 16-17 Pale, painted and interesting home interior trends 18 Where to go for a great day out with the kids 19 Win a family photo session with Nic Ross 20-21 Animals and children tips, advice and a cat lover’s story

28-29 Hit the road and see why tourists love coming to Ireland

22-23 Get out, get active why not join a walking group?

30 Surviving the Tweenage years

24 How to get the kids to switch off and do something different!

32-33 Support for couples trying to conceive

25 Living with dementia there is help for patients and families 26-27 Great holidays Stateside

34 New releases and enduring favourites in the book and film world

35 Looking good, feeling good, busy mum gets a make-over 36-38 Get this season’s key styles 40-41 Keeping your kids safe online and on the streets 42-43 Little Harry’s battle for health 44-45 Education - choosing a school and helping your child cope with exam stress

19 Published by Belfast Telegraph 124-144 Royal Avenue, Belfast, Co. Antrim. BT1 1EB ADVERTISING Jackie Reid, Advertising Manager Belfast Telegraph j.reid@belfasttelegraph.co.uk EDITOR Fiona Rutherford Realtime Editing & Design NI Ltd f.rutherford@redni.co.uk CONTRIBUTORS Rebecca Petticrew, Paul Connolly, Valeria Higgins, Dave Whelan, Andrea McKernon & Joanna Braniff DESIGN INM Design Studio, Belfast PRINTING INM, Newry

46-47 A big heart and a spare room are all that you need to foster a child 49 Time for dads with actor Stephen Beggs 50-51 Garden Show Ireland is coming find out how to grow your own 52-53 Manage your household budget and family finances 54-55 Becoming a granny changed our lives 56-57 The sun’s out, make the most of outdoor play 58-59 Gadgets and gizmos, what’s new 60-61 Best cars for a growing family 62 First aid at home

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Welcome to Family life

This first edition of the Belfast Telegraph’s new Family Life magazine is packed with info on everything from starting a family to becoming a gran...

ith summer just around the corner and the Easter chocolates already a distant memory, it’s time to divest ourselves of our couch potato ways and get out into the fresh air. We have lots of suggestions for places to go, on days out or when taking a holiday in Ireland. Whether it’s historic sites and famine ships or high octane adrenaline adventures you’re after, you’ll find ideas and tips. Or perhaps you fancy a fantastic family holiday in Florida or an exciting cruise? The rules on parental leave for new mums and dads change this month – one new dad hopes it will make the system better for everyone. Keeping the focus on dads, we hear about actor Stephen Beggs’ endeavours to give fathers their place. Our special feature on private fertility treatment includes one family’s story of the journey from desperation to the double blessing of twins. They could do with reading our interview with Lucy Wolfe, Ireland’s leading sleep expert, on getting little ones into a good sleeping pattern and keeping them there. Our focus on health includes everything from the joys of walking groups to healthy eating, looking after your children’s eyes and teeth as well as First Aid tips at home. With the kitchen at the heart of the home, Family Life has a three page recipe special, courtesy of SPAR. Raising kids in an ever changing world is a challenge for any parent and Family Life is packed with articles on everything from prising your

Spring is here – make the most of the great outdoors, p24 & 56-57 children away from their games consoles to keeping them safe online. The police appeal to parents to make sure they know where their kids are at night and Psychiatrist Catherine Mangan steers us through the minefield of dealing with ‘tweens’ - the 9-12 year age group. If you’re in the market for a new car, Paul Connolly gives his tips for picking the right family motor and putting safety first. We also have features on home interior trends and the latest gadgets and gizmos; fashion on the high street as well as top brands, choosing a school and the latest book and movie releases. We have a make-over with Bill Harris Hairdressing and Paddy McGurgan makeup and a terrific competition to win a family photoshoot with photographer Nic Ross. We’ll be back with more in the Autumn!

For more information on our Autumn edition of Family Life, please contact Family Life Manager, Jackie Reid on 028 9055 4685, email j.reid@belfasttelegraph.co.uk

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Buying for a baby? See what other parents rate

The temptation to splash the cash and buy all the cute and exciting products out there for new babies can be irresistible. Experience being a great teacher, Rebecca Petticrew went along to Knock Presbyterian Church parent and toddler group in Belfast to find out which products parents found they couldn’t live without and which would have been better left in the shop

Kathy Cowan, mum to Joshua (5), Juliette (23 months) and Annabelle (7 months)

“I thought Grobags – the baby sleeping bags – were fantastic. They’re really safe and you don’t have to worry about the covers coming off the baby or ending up over their head. I also found my breastfeeding pillow really useful as it saves your arms from getting sore when you’re sitting feeding the baby for hours in the early days.

Sheila Woods, mum to Matthew (6) and Jamie (2 1/2)

“I loved my baby carrier. It was a lifesaver being able to have my hands free, especially after my second child was born.”

Rebecca Cairns, mum to Evie (6), James (2 1/2) and David (1)

“It was definitely my baby carrier. By the time I got to my third child it was essential. I always wanted to use the stylish wrap slings but couldn’t work out how to do them so I used a TOMY one. I wish I had known there were sling libraries where you can go and try out various slings and someone will show you how to use them.”

Ruthie Simpson, mum to Wolfie (3) and Ozzy (11 months)

“It wasn’t exactly a best buy, but the most useful thing for me, when the boys were tiny, was having a box of night time stuff like nappies, wipes, dummies, all set up so that I always had everything I needed and didn’t have to go looking for it in the middle of the night. The best thing I bought was an electric breastpump. It meant that I could express milk for Ozzy and let his dad feed

him while I played with Wolfie – there just wasn’t the same chance to sit and feed for an hour with a two year old to look after.”

Carolyn Magowan, mum to Jake (5) and Daniel (4)

“My boys loved their Jumperoo (bouncer). It’s the best invention ever, it keeps them occupied for ages. But my top tip would be don’t go out and spend hundreds of pounds on a pram system, you only use them for a really short time and there are lots of great second hand bargains if you look at the local buy and sell groups on facebook.”

Diana Fyffe, mum to Zach (3) and Oliver (7 months)

“We got a Tummy Tub (baby bath) for Oliver as he was quite colicky. It’s like a transparent bucket and my husband joked that it would have been much cheaper just to get a bucket. But honestly, it’s been great. We used it for around three months and it definitely helped. If I’d known about it when Zach was born I definitely would have got one as he had tummy troubles too. One thing I haven’t been keen on is the Bumbo we bought. People say they’re great as the baby can sit up and see what’s going on but neither of mine have liked it.I don’t know if it’s just because they were refluxy, but we hardly used it.”

Richard Moore, dad to Lucy (2)

“When Lucy was a baby our most useful item was definitely the baby carrier. Now that she’s bigger she loves her toy kitchen. She helps me cook then goes off to make something herself in her kitchen. It keeps her entertained for ages.”

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Your guide to the Land of Nod Sleep guru Lucy Wolfe on getting babies into good night-time habits

“I don’t think you have to be hard; you do have to be balanced. You are teaching your child to do something that they ultimately should be able to do.” With older children, Lucy finds it helpful to get them to invest in the idea of becoming a more independent individual. “There was a study last year suggesting there were cognitive links for development of children who are not well rested, although the study Growing up in Ireland this year suggested there were no long term effects. “There is no doubt though that sleep serves an important function and children who are sleep deprived are more susceptible to emotional and aggressive issues. Academically children who don’t get enough sleep score lower. It’s important that we treat sleep as an important part of our overall health.”

BY FIONA RUTHERFORD

arents of older children often reminisce fondly of the early days – and nights – with a newborn, laughing about nearly leaving the baby in the shops and forgetting they were probably close to tears with exhaustion much of the time. Those who are trapped in the waking nightmare of a sleep deprived life can only daydream of seeing the funny side of it. Some babies find it hard to get into a sleeping pattern from the start. What is almost as difficult is when a baby or toddler who has been sleeping well suddenly seems to fall out of that pattern and as days stretch to weeks and months, fails to re-establish a routine. That was the situation facing Cork mum Lucy Wolfe some 12 years ago. Her journey to resolving her son’s sleeping difficulties eventually saw her quit her career as a chartered surveyor and become a sleep consultant. In fact with three more children and five years in practice, Lucy’s expertise is such that she now has clients all over the world and was leaving me to deal with clients in Australia and Germany online. “I was a sleep deprived parent who realised there were no resources for other parents,” she explains, recalling a visit to her GP when she begged to be referred to a sleep specialist only to find there weren’t any in Ireland. “My son was a good sleeper to start with but then turned into a horrible sleeper at 10 months. I couldn’t understand it. I thought I was the reason he had changed. I bought a couple of books and realised there was more to it than that. “I put it to the back of my mind and went on to have more children and realised they were all different. What works with one baby doesn’t work with another.” Whilst rearing her children, Lucy had been looking about for a change of career and would greet her husband almost every day with an “I could do…” all of which he dismissed out of hand. “I had become a go to person for other parents and one evening we had friends over for dinner. My brother had had a baby and wanted to know what to do about a particular problem. When I gave my advice, my sister in law said, ‘I would pay to have someone tell me what to do.’ “I said to my husband, ‘I could do sleep!’ ‘Yes, you absolutely could,’ he said, and that was it.” Lucy studied in England and the States

Lucy’s top tips for a great night’s sleep and is now a certified and insured sleep consultant with credentials from the Gentle Sleep Consultation Program (USA) and the OCN Child Sleep Consultancy in the UK. Whilst she has Lucy Wolfe also undertaken specific training and certification to help families of children aged 4-5 months gently foster and shape healthy sleep habits, she works with families with children up to the age of six years. “The reason I cap it at six years is that I’m working with the parents not the child,” she explains. “Beyond 6-7 years I believe the emotional landscape has changed and that child would benefit from working with a family counsellor because of the anxiety and other issues involved. I would worry that I would be missing something on that child’s behalf.” In her five years as a sleep consultant, Lucy has achieved a 98% success rate and puts the 2% failure rate down to life interfering with the programme, for instance if the child becomes sick or the parents are unable to follow her strategy for whatever reason. “It has been amazing,” she says. “It’s an incredibly rewarding job and I can’t believe I wasn’t always doing this.” Lucy gives the parents a plan and once they begin implementing it, she stays in close contact, monitoring and mentoring the family and making adjustments depending on the child’s progress. “I generally work with families for about a month. The improvement happens in the first seven to ten days – after that we’re just refining things and making sure everything

is going well,” she continued. There are all sorts of reasons a child may have trouble establishing and keep a good sleep pattern. Teething problems only account for about 5% of the disruption, Lucy believes. “There are two major contributory factors with sleep issues. The first is dependency. A child can become parent dependent and need to be fed a bottle or want you to hold them, rock them or hold hands until they fall asleep and unfortunately what was adorable at first eventually becomes like a job. “The child finds it difficult to cycle through sleep and becomes wakeful between the hours of 12 and 5am so the parent goes in and begins feeding, rocking or stroking them again in an attempt to get the child to go back over.” The second major contributor to sleep issues and the one which Lucy encounters most frequently is biological time keeping. The time you want the child to go to sleep could be the wrong time for their body. “Their Circadian Rhythm won’t be mature until they’re four years old so they have daytime sleep needs and will have an optimum time to be awake or asleep. “Children who aren’t in sync will find it difficult to get to sleep and stay asleep. “Most young children’s bedtimes are between 6-8pm and mood and behaviour are good indicators of when is the right time for them. Learning to read their body language and language for sleep is key. A lot of parents think it’s when they get a bit cranky or whingy but that generally happens when the child is already over-tired. “I create a feeding and sleeping balance which follow the child’s needs. Early sleep signals can be a brief yawn or zoning out, some will get hyper and some don’t give any obvious signs.” Lucy is not an advocate of the ‘let them cry themselves to sleep’ school of thought.

1. Regular sleep times are key. Waking and going to sleep around the same time every day helps to regulate the body clock and promote good sleep. Waking by 7.30am is a good anchor to help get the day off to the right start and most young children benefit from a bedtime in the region of 7-8pm. 2. Ensure age appropriate day time sleep. If your baby is underslept during the daytime then you may find that they wake more frequently overnight and even stay awake for long periods overnight as a result. 3. Read the language for sleep. Knowing your baby’s sleepy cues can enable the onset of sleep: Brief eye rubs, decreased activity, staring into space often represent sleep readiness and would be the optimum time to begin a sleep ritual. 4. Establish a feeding and sleeping balance to the day. Young children need feeds and sleeps evenly spaced throughout the day. Once routine is established ensure that you have a conventional evening meal at dinner time. 5. Create a sleep-friendly environment. Adequately dark, quiet, cool and comfortable. 6. Have a peaceful bedtime process that signals to your baby “it’s time for sleep”. Do this in the bedroom, with the lights turned down. Your task here is to relax your baby in advance of sleep but beware of putting them all the way to sleep at the same time. Young children who are parent dependent at bedtime will be more likely to wake overnight than those who are not. Give your child the opportunity to perfect this skill set in order to promote this ability. For further information visit Lucy’s website www.sleepmatters.ie

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Making room for your baby

reparing for the birth of your baby is a hugely exciting time and there are few things which make the impending arrival more real than preparing the nursery. Get some guidance and inspiration with Family Life’s top tips.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION...

For many of us there’s no choice when it comes to choosing a room for the baby. They just have to take whichever is spare or take up their allocated space in a sibling’s room. However, if you do have more than one option, choosing a quiet room near your bedroom can save you from repeated long, often chilly, walks to reach your baby at night.

KEEP IT CALM AND TRANQUIL...

While you might be a lover of vibrant colour, the nursery may not be the best place to showcase your favourite lime green paint. By opting for tranquil, soft colours, you reduce the optical interest for your baby and make it more likely they’ll

go to sleep in their room. This doesn’t mean you need to keep the decor completely neutral, but opt for softer shades to create a more relaxing space.

MAKE IT SAFE...

All new cots in the UK should conform to BS EN716, meaning the cot is deep enough to ensure your baby won’t fall out, the bars are a correct distance apart and that there aren’t any other features which would make it unsafe. Make sure your baby’s cot is positioned away from windows, radiators, blind and curtain cords, and anything which could be used to climb on – your tiny baby will soon be an adventurous, would-be escape artist.

MAKE IT ADAPTABLE...

To avoid having to redecorate every few years, choose adaptable decor. Using a neutral background and adding removable wall stickers and age appropriate accessories and artwork will make the room more flexible, taking you through several ages and stages.

Plain walls can be decorated with removable stickers which you can change as baby grows. Make sure you have a comfortable chair for night feeds

FINISHING TOUCHES...

Now for the fun bit — adding all those nursery essentials, from cot mobiles to changing mats. A changing table with shelves underneath is handy, or buy a basket or box to keep nappies, wipes etc within easy reach. You can make the nursery even

more personal by upcycling second hand or vintage furniture although, let’s be honest, when it’s a first baby, we want nothing but the newest and best! Don’t forget a comfortable chair for mum or dad for those interminable night feeds. A footrest and side table are also comfort essentials.

Cooking up a treat

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Vegetable Cottage Pie with beans Serves 6 Ingredients Vegetable & Bean Filling 2 SPAR enjoy local carrots 1 SPAR enjoy local leek 2 onions 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 sticks celery 1 x 400g can cannellini beans 1 x 400g can chopped tomatoes 2 tablespoons tomato puree 2 tablespoons brown sauce Fresh ground black pepper 2 vegetable stock cubes

ating local food is better for you, for the environment, for your taste buds and (most importantly) it offers better value. Sourcing local food also means we continue our support for local suppliers – and that’s good news for our economy. That’s why SPAR have partnered with Northern Ireland’s finest local farmers and producers to offer a new range that you’ll just love. You can be confident that SPAR’s enjoy local range will provide you with tasty food that’s home grown and at a price you can afford.

From potatoes to pancakes, mash to mushrooms, steak to scones, SPAR’s enjoy local range includes 126 delicious fresh and chilled products.

So, remember... shop local... support local... enjoy local.

Paula McIntyre loves local produce and has teamed up with SPAR’s enjoy local to create a number of recipes that are nutritional, easy to make and very, very tasty! To watch Paula making the recipes, log on to www.spar-ni.co.uk/enjoylocal

Potato Top 750g SPAR enjoy local potatoes 25g SPAR enjoy local butter 2 tablespoons SPAR enjoy local cream 75g SPAR enjoy local cheddar cheese Method For the filling... 1 Peel and slice two onions, two carrots, one

leek and two sticks of celery. 2 Grate the cheese. Drain the cannellini beans and make up 250ml of vegetable stock with two cubes. 3 Cook the onions, carrots and leeks in the oil until soft and golden – cover with a lid and place on medium heat. Stir occasionally. 4 Add the two tablespoons of tomato puree and mix all the ingredients. Cook for 2 minutes then add the stock, tomatoes and brown sauce. Simmer until the mixture is thick – about half an hour. Mix in the beans and pour into a baking dish.

For the potato top... 1 Pre-heat the oven to 180°c. 2 Boil the potatoes. When soft, drain and

place over a low heat to dry out. Mash and add the butter, cream and 50g of the cheese. 3 Spoon the potatoes over the top of the vegetable mixture and scatter over the remaining grated cheese. 4 Bake in the oven until golden and bubbling – about 25 minutes.

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Meet our ‘enjoy local’ beef farmers

Local beef farmers, the Kane Brothers, Stephen and David, pride themselves in supplying top quality beef to Dunbia for the past 25 years Their Loughgall farm has been in the family for over three generations and David is delighted that his son, Daniel, has decided to now join them and pursue farming as his career. Daniel is currently studying agriculture in Greenmount. Both brothers grew up on the farm and have farmed all their lives. They are kept busy with their 350 strong herd and work closely with Dunbia, ensuring they comply with all regulations on their farm. And, just to make sure that they have absolutely no free time – the brothers also grow Bramley apples and potatoes for good measure! Stephen and David love their cows. David’s mantra is ‘A happy cow is a thriving cow!’ and to make sure that the cows stay happy they even let them sleep on rubber mats! SPAR’s ‘enjoy local’ range of beef is sourced from Northern Irish farms by Dunbia, based in Dungannon.

Buttermilk Panna Cotta with Plum Compote Serves 6 Ingredients Buttermilk Panna Cotta 100ml SPAR enjoy local whole milk 120g castor sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 3 gelatine leaves 375ml buttermilk 125ml SPAR enjoy local cream Plum Compote 8 plums, halved stoned and chopped 100g sugar zest and juice 1 orange 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Method For the Panna Cotta... 1 Lightly whip the cream.

2 Soak the gelatine leaves in cold water

for 5 minutes. 3 Boil the milk and sugar until the sugar has dissolved. 4 Add the gelatine and vanilla, and remove from the heat. Cool and add the buttermilk. When cold, fold in the whipped cream. 5 Chill in moulds until set.

For the Plum Compote... 7 Boil the sugar with the orange zest

and juice. 8 When the sugar has dissolved add the plums and gently simmer until soft. 9 Add the vanilla and cool before serving.

To serve... 1 Dip the bottom of the moulds in boiling

water and gently remove and place on a plate. 2 Spoon the plum compote on the side.

Beef and Mushroom Stew

Serves 4 Ingredients 750g SPAR enjoy local diced beef 4 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 onions 2 celery sticks 4 streaky bacon rashers 1 tablespoon flour 1 tablespoon tomato puree 550ml beef stock, made with 2 cubes 250g SPAR enjoy local mushrooms 25g SPAR enjoy local butter A handful chopped parsley Method 1 Peel and chop two onions. Chop two sticks

of celery. Chop the bacon and slice the mushrooms. 2 Heat one tablespoon of oil in a large frying pan and add the bacon. Cook until crisp and then remove from the pan. 3 Add another tablespoon of oil to the remaining bacon fat and heat until hot. Add the meat and seal off. Remove from the pan. 4 Add half the butter, all of the onions and all of the celery to the juices. Cook for 10 minutes then mix in the flour and tomato puree. Cook for 2 minutes then add the stock. Bring to the boil and whisk. 5 Place the sealed meat and bacon in a casserole dish and pour over the onion mixture. Simmer on the stove top with a lid for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally. 6 When the meat is fork tender, heat the remaining oil in a frying pan and cook the mushrooms until golden. 7 Add the mushrooms and parsley to the stew. Check the seasoning and serve with creamy mash.

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Meet our ‘enjoy Meet our ‘enjoy local’ poultry local’ pork farmer farmer

Local pork farmer Robert Park just loves his job. His Nathan Kane comes from a family who love farming. interest in farming started as a boy on his father’s Their County Down farm has been in the family dairy farm. for two generations and now, at aged 25, he works In 1993, Robert started up his own farm alongside his father on the farm with 20 of his uncle’s sows. His Ballynure farm is now home to over 300 sows. Robert is a busy man. He works 15 hour days on the farm and still plans to expand to keep 750 sows. Robert’s two little girls and four year old boy enjoy spending time on the farm and playing with the piglets. It’s important to Robert to keep expanding and ensure that the farm’s profitable for his children if they chose to join the business in the future. It’s a tough job, but Robert finds it rewarding, especially when the little piglets

Together they have been supplying Armagh company Rockvale Poultry for five years. Nathan has big plans to grow the farm after he has finished his studies – he is currently sitting a level 2 qualification at Greenmount college and will go on to study his NVQ level 3. SPAR’s enjoy local range of fresh chicken is sourced from Northern Irish farms by Rockvale Poultry based in Richhill, County Armagh.

Chicken Fricassee with Chicken Thighs, Leeks and Carrots Serves 4 Ingredients 4 SPAR enjoy local chicken thighs 1 chicken stock cube

2 onions 2 SPAR enjoy local carrots 1 SPAR enjoy local leek 25g SPAR enjoy local butter 1 tablespoon flour 2 tablespoons SPAR enjoy local double cream 2 tablespoons chopped parsley Method 1 Whisk the chicken stock cube into 350mls

of boiling water. Peel and half two onions. Peel and slice two carrots. Spilt the leek down the middle, wash and chop. 2 Place the chicken thighs and onions in a saucepan and cover with the stock. Simmer for about half an hour and then add the carrots. 3 Simmer until the carrots and chicken are fork tender – about another half hour. Drain off the stock. 4 Heat the butter in a pan and add the leeks. Cook until soft and then beat in the flour. 5 Strain in the reserved stock and simmer for 5 minutes. 6 Remove the meat from the chicken and add to the leek mixture with the carrots and onions. Check the seasoning. 7 When hot, remove from the heat and mix in the double cream and parsley.

Grilled Pork Chops with curry roast parsnips Serves 2 Ingredients Grilled Chops 4 SPAR enjoy local pork chops 1 dessert spoon vegetable oil 1 onion, peeled and finely chopped

are born – sometimes 24 at once – now that’s a brave sow! SPAR’s enjoy local range of pork is sourced from Northern Irish farms by Fred C Robinson of Ballyclare – established in 1905 it is one of the oldest pork processors in Ireland.

150ml chicken stock Salt Curried Parsnips 3 medium SPAR enjoy local parsnips 2 tablespoons mild curry powder 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 tablespoon honey Method For the Grilled Chops... 1 Rub the chops with oil and season with

salt. Place on a hot griddle pan and seal for 1 minute each side. 2 Lower the heat and add the onions, cook until golden, turning the chops twice. 3 Add the stock and cook until the onions have soaked up most of the liquid.

For the Curried Parsnips... 1 Pre-heat the oven to 200°c 2 Peel the parsnips and cut in half

lengthwise and then in half again lengthwise. Mix in the curry and oil well and place on a roasting tin. Season with salt and roast until soft, turning frequently – about 25 minutes depending on the size. 3 Add the honey and cook for 2 more minutes to glaze.

New parental leave rules now in place

Employment and Learning Minister, Dr Stephen Farry, outlines the new right to shared parental leave and pay how e v a e l l Parenta urs? o y e r a h s will you

he Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015, is a major step forward for working parents. The new arrangements give parents of children due to be born, or placed for adoption, on or after 5th April 2015, who meet qualifying conditions, access to shared parental leave and pay in their child’s first year. This gives families greater choice over how they arrange childcare by allowing working mothers the option to end their maternity leave and pay early, and to share untaken leave and pay with their partner. Adopters are similarly able to bring their

Shared parental leave and pay – how will it work?

■ Shared parental leave must be taken in weekly blocks. It can be stopped and started, so periods of work can be interspersed with periods of leave for childcare. Each parent notifies their employer of their entitlement and “books” the leave with at least eight weeks’ notice. ■ An employee can book more than one period of leave in a single booking notification. ■ An employee may submit up to three booking notifications, and more if the employer agrees. ■ Where requested as discontinuous blocks (i.e. there is an interruption in the proposed block of leave for a return to work), the employer may require the employee to take leave in a continuous block (so leaving out the interruption). In this situation, the date for the continuous block to start can still be chosen by the employee. ■ Each parent can use up to 20 shared parental leave “in touch” days (SPLiT days) to go into work, so could effectively take shared parental leave and work on a part-time basis for a period. SPLiT days can only be taken if agreed between the employer and employee. ■ Shared parental leave can be taken at any time in the first year following the child’s birth/placement.

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adoption leave and pay to an early end to opt into shared parental leave and pay with their partner. The measures are a proactive response to ke rents ta changing expectations Both pa at the weeks 25 around work and fame. same tim ily life. It is right that we do more to support s 44 rent take kes the One pa the role of fathers and r ta the othe time. weeks, me sa e th partners who want to first 6 at contribute more to the care of their children. st s the fir rent take One pa the other takes It is also important to , ks ks ee w ee w 12 aining 38 challenge assumptions the rem that only women will ever be absent from the workplace for caring reaable sons. Addressing these u may be for ril 2015, yo from 5 Ap that works , rn ild tte ch points will have long term a pa opting flexible . rtner in a you are ad ily pa or m e, ur fa a yo du by is benefits for all parents, pay with gether as If your ba d time to leave and you spen parental ay , helping to share irrespective of gender, as employer spl-and-p ur k/ yo .u d you an irect.gov e well as for employers. www.nid av it lle vis ta n io en informat haredpar For further fo.co.uk/s Shared parental leave ibusinessin or www.n and pay are intended to support a gradual culture change in workplaces, giving fathers more confidence to talk to their employers about taking time off for childcare and challenging expectations about women’s choices around work and home responsibilities. The new rights enable both parents who share childcare responsibilities to keep a strong link to the workplace; each has the option to interrupt their leave to return to work, perhaps to take on a particular project. They can both be on leave at the same time or take turns. The system will Employment and Learning Minister, work best when employers and employees Dr Stephen Farry are able to agree to a pattern of leave that suits everyone. By reducing the need for parents to make becomes available to all employees with 26 weeks’ service. stark choices between work and family Published guidance explains the key commitments, the new rights can help steps employers and employees need to take employers to retain their best people. and answers frequently asked questions. By working with their employees to Both employers and employees can also develop practical plans for sharing leave and pay with a partner, employers may also contact the Labour Relations Agency helpline if they have a query. see key workers being absent for shorter periods of time as shared childcare becomes To learn more, visit www.nidirect.gov.uk more commonplace. (parents) or www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk The new rights will be accompanied by (employers) and, if you have a specific changes that will benefit adoptive parents query, contact the Labour Relations Agency and people using surrogacy arrangements. on 028 9032 1442. The right to request flexible working also

A fairer deal for dads? by David Whelan

✸

I walked out of the house that first morning heading back to work and I started the car and had a quiet sob to myself. It wasn’t just a welling up of emotion over that impenetrable bond you feel when you realise that little formula guzzling bundle of joy has your eyes or your nose, it was a mix of everything. We had spent nine long months building up to his arrival and in the blink of an eye there I was abandoning mummy and baby Aodhan, just two weeks old, to fend for themselves. I’m a strong character, I could count the amount of times I have cried in my adult life on one hand but here I was, crying to myself. I was exhausted, I could see that mummy was worse and I knew I would miss them but most of all I felt terrible for not being there all day to help out. What happened to those two glorious weeks of paternity leave that everyone else sees as a holiday? The sad thing is I’m one of the lucky ones that could take two weeks leave, others don’t have that luxury. But all of a sudden they were gone, those precious moments of bonding vacuumed up in a whirl of visitors, chores, midwife visits and just everyday duties we take for granted in keeping the home ticking over. This month, the law changed to allow parents the option of shared paternity leave. I am pleased to see more flexible working hours for new parents is included. People with no children will struggle to understand and people with older children often forget but looking after an infant really is a two person job. As a new dad I find myself all too often heading to work feeling exhausted after another sleepless night, knowing I need to be professional and efficient and beneath it all, feeling guilty at not being there for my new family when they need me most. A mother’s love is a mother’s love but as a father I’d like to be something more than the daytime breadwinner and evening nanny. The majority of us are, or will be parents, hopefully these new regulations can build a system that works for all of us.

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Pale to significance S Originally from Tunisia, the Fouta has been around for centuries. It is a piece of intricately patterned cotton or linen fabric, worn by both men and women initially used to wrap around the body while at the Hammam spas. This Fouta has a strong geometric pattern. Designed by Anna Backlund for House of Rym and hand made by Tunisian artisans using the finest quality natural cotton. Wrappers Delight Fouta in Turquoise, £34, www.stuffofdreams.com

pring and summer are the perfect time to ditch the dark of winter and bring the sunshine in. Go for yellows, blues, greens and pink and you’ll find your stresses ebb away at the end of the day. Both cheering and soothing, pastels are great in every part in the house. There’s no need to redecorate or completely overhaul a room to bring that spring/summer vibe in – just invest in some pretty accessories and you’re on your way to a fresh look.

We love this stunning 35cm birch wood round tray with a striking sunburst, from French designer Mini Labo. Round Birch Wood Tray Sunburst, £22.50, www.thewisehouse.co.uk

Kip + Co have collaborated with Brooklynbased artist Matthew Langville on this design – love it! The crazy, action-packed, colour chaos of his art is such fun! Mathew’s frenetic drawings have a big following around the world and have been picked up by an impressive list of designer trail blazers from Marc Jacobs, to Adidas, to Swatch and now Kip + Co. Sketch design Bean Bag by Kip and Co, £61.52, www.cranmorehome.com.au (available to UK customers)

New for Spring/Summer 2015, a striking thick cotton tea towel from French brand Atomic Soda in a geometric design. French Cotton Tea Towel – Yellow & Blue Peardrops, £6.95, www.thewisehouse.co.uk This gorgeous velvet cushion will liven up your colour scheme and bring the summer indoors. Orla Velvet Birds Cushion £49, Harvey Norman

Let your clock take you back in time with this vintage piece. Le Deux Magot Vintage Fob Clock | Brown, £169, Harvey Norman

Go softly softly with this luxurious reversible throw, perfect for a chilly summer’s evening. ‘Powder Blue’ Lambswool Throw, £77.50, Harvey Norman

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Painted kitchens We’re still here to stay while warming to brass wood moves to the bathroom

ome spring and summer, lots of us decide to move or improve, extend or renovate part of our homes. If you are doing it up to sell, replacing the kitchen or bathroom could be hard-earned money literally down the drain as those are the first rooms people tend to replace when moving into their new home. However, if you’re updating your kitchen or bathroom for your own benefit you’ll be spoilt for choice. Whether your circumstances dictate you go budget or whether you can afford to go high end, or somewhere in between, there’s no shortage of quality products to choose from in Northern Ireland. While some householders know exactly what they like and go for it, for others it’s a tough call whether This painted wooden kitchen from Brookvale to opt for something contemporary Kitchens is complete with a Butler’s pantry for which could go out of fashion in a smart storage year or two, or choose something more traditional. James Robinson, of Brookvale Kitchens, As far as kitchen design is concerned, the says his company, which was a winner in enduring trends of the past couple of years the prestigious UK wide kbbreview Retail seem set to stay for the foreseeable future. and Design awards last month, is continuing to see huge demand for both painted wood kitchens and the ultra slick handleless ranges. “No-one is interested in oak kitchens any more but they do want oak painted and there is a huge range of colours available with stone, mussel and cashmere being very popular. At the moment that’s about 60% of our business. “The other style which is fantastic at the minute and here to stay indefinitely is the handle-less kitchen and these can be in about On trend bathrooms such as this African 80 different colours and with a matt influenced one, feature warm wood tones, or gloss finish.” signature heating fixtures and curved bath James recalled the days when and toilet designs kitchens had one set of drawers and notes that the growth in demand for more and wider drawers shows no sign of abating. In fact, clever storage solutions are a key feature of both kitchen and bathroom design now. Ironically, while the appearance of wood has gone out of fashion in kitchens, it is the finish of the moment in bathrooms, its warmth and depth contrasting with cool tile schemes. Underfloor heating If you don’t like the darker wooden tones, or statement radiators and walk you can still incorporate wooden storage in in wetroom style showers are also paler shades. We love the walk in wetroom making inroads in the latest bathstyle shower room designs.

rass has never really gone away, but it’s certainly seen a come-back in recent years. Alongside copper, there has been a revival of ‘warm’ metals being used in the home with designers such as Tom Dixon championing their return. Lacquered brass can give a high-shine, glamorous look similar to that of gold, or leave it unfinished and aged to give a burnished glow to your home. See Astella Hrela’s Brass Bowl for a subdued way to introduce brass through accessories.

Beat Lights by Tom Dixon are spun and hand-beaten by renowned skilled craftsmen of Moradabad in Northern India. Made from brass with a black external lacquer, £705.00, visit www.rume.co.uk/beat-light-stout.html

This brass bowl has a matt finish and crisp gold inner layer with jagged edges for a vintage look, £19.00 from www.astellahrela. com

This glass topped brass side table has a super stylish Gothic/Moroccaninspired quatrefoil design is superstylish, £220.00 from The French Bedroom Company, www.frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk.

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Top tips for fun days out

ith a little planning and preparation the idea of a halcyon family day out can be a reality, avoiding grumpy children, frustrated parents and surprise weather, which can make the day one to remember for all the wrong reasons. Ensure your day out is great fun for the whole family with one of Family Life’s top picks:

century Ulster, while the indoor galleries show the progression of transport throughout the last century. Featuring rare Irish steam trains and rail memorabilia as well as local technology, the museum also houses a special gallery dedicated to the ill-fated RMS Titanic. The Ulster Museum, Belfast, contains collections and displays of art, fine art, botany, zoology, geology, antiquities and local history— and it’s all free to explore! Children can learn through play in the dedicated Learning Zone, getting their hands on some of the museum’s exhibits and exploring interactive content. The Ulster American Folk Park in Omagh is a terrific outdoor museum telling the story of the mass emigration from Ulster to America in the 18th and 19th centuries.

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W5 – whowhatwherewhenwhy – is Ireland’s award winning science and discovery centre at Odyssey in Belfast. With over 250 interactive exhibits and a changing programme of events, shows and exhibitions, W5 is a great value day out for all the family, especially on rainy days!

Visit: www.w5online.co.uk or call: 028 9046 7700 for more information. Castle Espie Wetland Centre

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Get up close to Ireland’s largest collection of native and exotic waterbirds, bats and migrant birds whilst taking in stunning estuary views outside Comber. There’s no better time to visit than during spring, when the unforgettable duckery tour gives you a chance to meet the centre’s newest residents and maybe even see them hatching. For May bank holiday fun, head along to the Giant Duck Hunt. Taking place from May 2-4 and May 23-25, between 11am and 4pm, hunters can follow the giant duck trail around the beautiful nature reserve to discover where the big yellow ducklings are hiding – hunters can claim a reward when they’ve found all of the ducks.

Visit: www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/ castle-espie or call: 028 9187 4146 for more information. The Navan Centre & Fort

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As one of Ireland’s most famous and important archaeological sites, the legendary Emain Macha, or Navan Fort, home of the famous Red Branch Knights and Ulster Cycle of tales is a place where myth and reality meet. The Centre offers visitors to Armagh a unique appreciation of the history of the area. Learn of the mystical and mythical characters of the area like Cu Chulainn, King Conor McNessa, Queen Mebh and Deirdre of the Sorrows as you walk and talk with heroes of these tales through a living history interpretation.

Visit: www.nmni.com or call: 0845 608 0000 for more information. Armagh Planetarium

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Experience first-hand the remaining mounds, ditches and banks of Emain Macha and learn about the massive circular ritual temple built by these majestic warriors of old.

Visit: www.armagh.co.uk or call: 028 3752 1800. Carrickfergus Castle

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A striking feature of the landscape from land, sea and air, Carrickfergus Castle greets all visitors with its strength and menace. Its foreboding structure represents over 800 years of military might. Besieged in turn by the Scots, Irish, English and French, the Castle saw action right up to World War II. Today it is maintained by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency and can be

enjoyed by visitors wanting to learn more about its history or just looking for a fun day out in a unique setting. With guided tours, audio-visual exhibitions and special events, there’s lots to keep visitors of all ages entertained.

Visit: www.carrickfergus.org or call: 028 9335 1273 for more information or to book a tour. National Museums NI

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With three interesting, informative and interactive museums across Northern Ireland, you’re sure to have fun while you learn with National Museums NI. Head along to the Folk & Transport Museum in Cultra. Set in over 170 acres of rolling countryside, this museum is split over two separate sites: the outdoor museum tells the story of life in early 20th

Have an ‘out of this world’ experience at Armagh Planetarium. Experience our planet and beyond in the Planetarium’s amazing Digital Theatre; take a tour of the night sky and discover some of the myths behind the constellations. Then explore the exhibition areas using the interactive displays to learn more about the cosmos. Take a trip into the Mars room or touch the largest meteorite on display in Ireland which at an amazing 4.6 billion years old, is the oldest thing you’ll ever touch. See the scale models of probes such as Viking and Satellites such as the International Space Station and the Hubble Space Telescope. Make some time to take a stroll around the astropark, which displays a scale model of the Universe, letting you walk through the Solar System into the Milky Way and beyond.

Visit: www.armaghplanet.com or call: 028 3752 3689 for more information. For up to date information on family-friendly events taking place across Northern Ireland visit: www.discovernorthernireland.com

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COMPETITION

Win a fabulous family portrait

ic Ross’s luminous portraits have won her a wide fanbase since she branched out with her own business four years ago after several years with a well known studio. The mum of two from Belfast has the knack of bringing an ethereal, dream-like ambiance to her subject matter. Nic, who is also in demand for weddings, specialises in family groups and creates stunning pictures of new borns with their parents. For other family portraits, she loves to get

everyone outside. “I love to use natural light and wherever you are in Northern Ireland you are not far from a beautiful setting.” Family Life is offering readers the opportunity to win a fabulous prize of a family portrait with Nic. The prize includes the photo shoot and digital images from your session. Nic will travel to the winner’s location. To enter, simply send your name, address and daytime phone number to competitions@belfasttelegraph.co.uk quoting Family Life in the subject line of your email. Entries close on Thursday, 30th April 2015. Standard INM T&Cs apply, see www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/terms. For further examples of Nic’s work, find her on facebook or visit www.imagesbynica.com

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Our cat fanatic family is still ‘feline’ fine Many parents-to-be fret over how their pet dogs or cats will take to the new arrival and whether they might pose a danger. Not Valeria and Simon Higgins. Their cats have not only taken to baby Alexander, they have also given Valeria some (not always welcome) preparation for the demands of motherhood...

Valeria with d Alexander an gol (below) Smea r a fo snuggles in p ki cosy

wo days before Christmas I received the best present one could imagine – it was just wrapped in a blanket and with no fancy bows or ribbons – my baby boy was born. Alexander Nikolai Higgins made me a mum and for various reasons it was a long time coming, but I will skip the details. Here was this little human being, sharing my genes and totally dependent on me for everything. But in my eyes, I already was a mum, for the past nine-and-a-half years, to my two furry ‘children’ – my cats Aussie and Smeagol. Some may find this a little crazy, but they were and are very much part of the family. Undoubtedly having a human baby is

very different to looking after two cats but in many ways the things Aussie and Smeagol have taught me are extremely useful following the arrival of Alexander. And the two cats themselves have taken to him and have coped with the crying and having to share our attention remarkably well. Clearing out the litter tray may not be quite the same as changing a nappy, but I have developed a strong constitution to

withstand whatever the contents may be. Cats can be just as smelly and messy as any human baby. Over the years of living with the cats I have been woken up in the middle of the night by the sounds of heaving and hacking coming from under the middle of the bed, where one or the other feline was throwing up the evening’s dinner. Crawling on all fours with a torch, to make sure I didn’t wake up my other half, under the bed in search of the said puke can definitely prepare you for anything a baby throws (up) at you. Aussie and Smeagol have also trained me how to go back to sleep after waking in the night. The cats don’t differentiate between weekdays and weekends and begin demanding their breakfast, or to be allowed outside, from 4 or 5 in the morning. On the weekends, when you dream of a lie-in, it is annoying to be woken up so early. But after a few weeks and months of training by the felines, I was an expert at getting back into bed for a few more hours after letting them outside or giving them breakfast. With the new baby, this skill is a lifesaver. In the beginning Alexander would have woken up at least twice in the night for a feed, and being able to quickly go back to sleep afterwards kept me sane. At four months old he is doing rather well for a breast-fed baby, sleeping for seven hours straight, with just one night-time feed, after which neither he nor I have any trouble dozing off again. Both cats appear to have come to terms with the new addition and have accepted Alexander into the family. They don’t mind the occasional crying and actually run into the room, rather than out, when he cries. I look forward to Alexander growing up around cats and turning into an animal lover from a young age. It is not uncommon to hear of mothers-tobe wanting rid of their previously much-loved pets once a baby is on the way, citing disease, safety, not enough time etc. Sorry, but how could anyone all of a sudden just disown an important member of their family who has given so much love to you? Never! I am a mother of three – Alexander, Aussie and Smeagol are all my children.

Vet Peter Herold

Puppy love ✪

The arrival of a new baby causes huge upheaval and disruption within a household which many new parents can find unsettling, let alone the family dog. There are several things you can do to prepare your pet for a new arrival and ensure the relationship between newborn and canine starts off on the best footing, explains Peter Herold, founder and senior vet at Cornerstone Veterinary Practice in Belfast. “It’s a good idea to teach your dog some important skills before the baby arrives, such as to sit, lie down, stay and to drop items, so that you have a good basic level of obedience. It can be useful to teach a command like, ‘please go away’ by throwing a treat for the dog to follow. “It can also be useful to have strategies in place for your dog for the newborn days, such as finding a dog walker and getting your dog used to them before the baby arrives, and establishing any areas of the house you want to keep the dog out of. “Before you bring your baby home from the hospital let your dog smell an item of clothing the baby has worn. Then, when the mother and baby are coming home from the hospital for the first time, make sure the mum and any visitors greet the dog first. “Have the dog on a lead when you bring the baby in and keep the environment calm, continuing to praise the dog and give treats. Keep interaction between the baby and dog brief initially and divide your attention between the two. “Continue to ensure that all interactions with your dog are positive when the baby is around: give the dog lots of treats and attention, particularly when you’re sitting feeding the baby or when the baby cries so it associates the baby being around, awake and noisy as a positive thing. It’s useful to have some kind of barrier you can use, like a stair gate, to keep dog and baby separate when necessary.

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Pregnant women warned of miscarriage danger from contact with animals which have recently given birth

ith the lambing season now well underway, the fields are full of lively little bundles of wool. However tempting it is to get close to all sorts of farm animals during the spring season, there are serious risks in doing so to pregnant women and their unborn children. Dr Lorraine Doherty, Assistant Director of Public Health (Health Protection) at the Public Health Agency (PHA), said: “Pregnant women who come into close contact with sheep during lambing may be risking their own health and that of their unborn child from infections that can be transferred from ewes. “It is also important to note that cows and goats which have recently given birth can also carry similar infections. “The PHA is advising women who are, or think they may be pregnant, to reduce their risk of miscarriage and infection by avoiding close contact with sheep during lambing season. “The number of reports of these infections and human miscarriages resulting from contact with sheep is extremely small. However, it is important that pregnant women are aware of the potential risks associated with close contact with sheep during lambing,” Dr Doherty continued.

To avoid the possible risk of infection, pregnant women should: n not help ewes to lamb, or to provide assistance with a cow that is calving or a nanny goat that is kidding; n avoid contact with aborted or newborn lambs, calves or kids or with the afterbirth, birthing fluids or materials (e.g. bedding) contaminated by such birth products; n avoid handling (including washing) clothing, boots or any materials that may have come into contact with animals that have recently given birth, their young or afterbirths. Potentially contaminated clothing will be safe to handle after being washed on a hot cycle; n ensure contacts or partners who have attended lambing ewes or other animals giving birth take appropriate health and hygiene precautions, including the wearing of personal protective equipment and clothing and adequate washing to remove any potential contamination. Pregnant women should seek medical advice if they experience fever or influenza-like symptoms, or if concerned that they could have acquired infection from a farm environment. Farmers have a responsibility to minimise the risks to pregnant women, including members of their family, the public and professional staff visiting farms.

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Longer days make light work of improving your family’s health

t’s time to kick off those lazy winter ways and get moving! Physical activity is vital for a healthy body and as an added bonus, exercise boosts your mental health. Something as simple as walking the dog or a short evening jog can lift the mood, reducing anxiety and helping to protect against depression. Physical activity also helps you sleep better. Staying active is the simplest way to maintain a healthy weight and can reduce the risk of many diseases including heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and some cancers. According to the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) adults should be aiming for 30 minutes of moderate activity at least five days each week. Children should have at least 60 minutes of activity each day. It looks as if the good news about exercise is hitting home. Just over half (53%) of respondents to the Northern Ireland Health Survey 2013/14 aged 19 and over, reported having met the CMO’s targets. Colette Brolly, the Public Health Agency’s (PHA) lead on physical activity, said: “Thirty minutes on at least five days is a good approach, and you can break that down further into 10-minute bouts of moderate activity that will fit in well with a busy schedule. Basically, move more and move

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When you get home in the evening, instead of slouching in front of the TV, go for a walk. Get the kids involved too and go to the park with them on their bikes or for a kick about with the football.

TIME FOR A SPRING CLEAN

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Did you know spring cleaning your home is good for your health too? Put on some music and dance as you dust, boogie as you brush and hoover with gusto to get your heart pumping and turn those tedious tasks around.

SPRUCE UP THE GARDEN

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Get outside and plant up for summer. Even small bouts of activity here and there, like cutting the grass or weeding the flower beds, all add up and contribute towards your general wellbeing.

more often.” Follow these tips to build some activity into your daily routine:

GET ON THE MOVE AT WORK

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Try walking or cycling for either part of or your entire journey to work. If you have to drive or take the bus, park the car a little further away

from your destination and walk the rest of the way. Hop off the bus a stop or two earlier and walk the rest of the way. When you’re out and about or in work, take the stairs instead of the lift.

MAKE THE MOST OF LIGHTER NIGHTS

Colette Brolly continued: “Walking is one of the easiest and most accessible forms of exercise for most people and walking in a group can be a great way to stay motivated and enjoy it more.” There are free walking groups arranged by your local Health and Social Care Trust and the details of the Walk Leaders can be found on the PHA’s website www.choosetolivebetter.com. The website also offers tips

17 APRIL 2015

Walking back to happiness

BY ANDREA McKERNON

ife takes us down strange and wonderful paths in the search for a healthy lifestyle. It was in the spring of 2008 that I found myself looking up Weight Watchers in my local area on my computer. I could never have known where it would lead – but it wasn’t to Weight Watchers. I found an online social network called Meetup. American in nature, it was like Facebook only location-based and mostly in cities. It encourages people to form groups and socialise together. From vampire meet-ups to poker playing, motorcycling, dancing, choirs and languages, much of humanity was there. Thus began the Belfast Hill Walking Dynamos group, my dog and I leading the way – albeit with our first Meet up on Divis Mountain only managing to attract one whole walker. Eight years later with almost 1,500 members and 217 walks completed, the Dynamos have invaded most of Northern Ireland, been out on manoeuvres into the Republic and even gone international with a sunshine walking break in Portugal. From Algarve and Tenerife to Catalonia, Portballintrae and Cave Hill and Rathlin Island, Dynamos are go. The success of this group is probably that there is no workout, no weigh-in, no high-intensity exercise. It’s simply walking, but the people keep joining and the calories

keep burning off as we socialise. Why? People have different reasons for joining a walking group, but they stay because they like how they feel after a short trek – they’ve had a laugh, a lark about, made a friend, and petted one of our adorable canine members. They can rest and feel smug, that by 1.30pm on a Saturday, they’ve already been out walking. It’s plain to see that walking is good for our mental, physical and spiritual health. Being outdoors is also mythical and magical at times. Walking makes us feel good and even allying ourselves with the seasons gives us great satisfaction. To see bluebells and wood anemones in spring, orchids in summer, falling leaves onto hazel groves in autumn and snow-capped peaks in winter, is the stuff memories are made of. There is no pressure to perform. Shy, quiet folk seem to love it because walking alongside someone is less stressful than sitting in a coffee shop or bar full-square in front of a group of people. Social exclusion is real even in our big urban populations of Belfast, Lisburn and Newtownabbey. Widows and widowers join, bereaved parents, empty nesters, couples, singles, all sexual orientations, all nationalities that come to Northern Ireland to study and work also come along. Coffee and scones after walks increase the social aspect as well as holidays away that give otherwise lone travellers the chance of holiday with a group of people they’ve met. Gone for us are the killer gym and workout sessions. We can walk for three hours around Divis Mountain and not even notice the time go by – or the calories burned. No diet regimes, no challenges, no expectations, only routes discovered to walk with friends, with views thrown in for free. So for a healthy activity that satisfies your social, emotional and physical needs, walk this way. To find out more about the Dynamos, contact Andrea on 07910 281747.

KEEP YOUR FOCUS ON YOUR KIDS’ EYES, TEETH... AND BRAINS

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Looking after your family’s health is not all about ensuring everyone is fit and well. It’s important not to neglect important areas such as eye and oral health. Children may not complain about sight problems but if you notice your child screwing up their eyes or sitting too close to the television, make an appointment with an optician. Belfast optometrist Andrew Petticrew says: “Children should be tested once per year up to age eight, then every two years from then on throughout their lives. “Regular eye examinations lead to early detection of any problems, and early detection generally means better treatment outcomes.” Likewise, everyone in the family should visit the dentist at least once a year. Starting children when they are young helps familiarise them with the equipment in a dental surgery and should reduce any anxiety about attending for check-ups as they get older. Dentists also recommend that parents take the lead in brushing their children’s teeth until they are about six years old and should

continue to supervise brushing after that to make sure it’s done properly! While a healthy diet should meet most of the body’s nutritional requirements, at various stages of life a supplement can give you the extra boost that is needed. One of the most widely used supplements is Omega 3 capsules which have all the benefits of fish oil but without the taste. A natural anti-inflammatory, Omega 3 can help the joints, bones, skin, hair and nails. Paradox Oils also do a version for mixing into baby’s yogurts — baby won’t know it’s there. Omega 3 capsules are great for children who won’t eat fish as fish oil is believed to boost brain function and concentration especially coming up to school exam time. Get Paradox Omega School and they’re also getting vitamin D3 for bone health. Omega Sport is used by Ireland rugby star Rory Best to aid elasticity of the muscles and reduce inflammation after exercise. Finally, Mums Omega 3 is great for both mother and baby before during and after pregnancy.

Dynamos members enjoying a mid-week summer evening at Crawfordsburn in Co Down

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Top tips to get your kids to

‘SWITCH OFF’

he benefits children gain from limited screen time are well documented, but it can be difficult to tear today’s youngsters away from the plethora of hand-held devices, consuls and TV channels which are part of modern life. Here are Family Life’s top activities to help convince children of all ages to set the technology to one side.

sealed plastic bag and let your child move the paint around using their finger from the outside of the bag – no mess but a lovely painting when they’re done.

GET READING

Children who are old enough to read to themselves can often be convinced to pick up a book if you make the reading space inviting. Set up a cosy corner inside with cushions, or take a blanket and cushions outside if the weather’s good enough. Reluctant readers can sometimes be convinced by comic books or fact books with short paragraphs of information on their favourite subjects. Children who aren’t able to read yet can also be set up with a reading space and encouraged to look at their favourite books. Bear in mind that they probably won’t be able to amuse themselves for long, so it would be wise to make yourself a cuppa and take the chance to cuddle up with them and read their favourite stories for a while.

GET ACTIVE

Whether it’s a walk, a bike ride, a trip to the park or beach, or something more adventurous, getting some fresh air and sunlight will do wonders for your child, and you. You can make walks more interesting for little ones by incorporating a mini-beast hunt, or if that gives you the heebie jeebies, a nature hunt – collecting leaves, seeds and anything else your little explorer fancies along the way. Any really organised parents can make a quick checklist (or print one out from the internet) for the child to fill in as they go along. Older children can often be convinced to join in if they’re promised trees to climb, water to paddle in or if you bring a frisbee or ball to have a games interlude. Many parents find their children chat more freely while strolling, without the pressure of a face to face conversation.

GET COOKING

Children of all ages generally love cooking, especially if they’re going to get to eat the results of their labour. As well as being an essential life skill to impart, cooking can also tick lots of educational

boxes, with literacy, maths, science and chemistry being part of the experience, no matter what you cook. Getting their hands in and mixing, shaping and manipulating food adds a sensory aspect which most children love. To engage older children, let them choose a recipe to make their favourite food.

GET ARTY

Now before any parents with white sofas begin to panic, rest assured, this doesn’t have to mean painting. But if you do want to paint and keep your house clean,

let them do it outside. With milder days and, fingers crossed, some sunshine, there’s no better time to let your children create their masterpieces in the garden or yard. Whether indoors or outside, provide some paint, chalk, glitter and glue and let their imaginations run wild. If you want to limit mess without stifling creativity, try pipe-cleaners. They can be manipulated into all kinds of sculptures; use pieces of clear sticky back plastic and let your child stick things on to it, removing the need for glue; put a sheet of thin card with a few blobs of paint on it inside a well-

GET PLAYING

Be it board games, card games, sport or imaginative play, children are built to play. And while playing with friends is fun, it means so much more to a child when parents engage in their play. So put the work and housework to one side for half an hour and play with your children. They’ll learn far more about social interaction, turn taking, sharing and sportsmanship from half an hour with an adult than they ever could from TV or computer games. You might just surprise yourself and enjoy it too!

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Working for a better world

he Alzheimer’s Society has a vision of a better, fairer world for people affected by dementia. We believe that people with dementia and those who care for them have the right to high quality services and support. We work to achieve this through a combination of campaigning, research, awareness raising, training, information provision and the delivery support services. The Alzheimer’s Society provides a range of dementia services throughout Northern Ireland. Our staff and volunteers provide essential local support to people with dementia, their families and friends, and we reach out to even more people through our online and telephone based services. Services include 1:1 visits for information and emotional support, carer support groups, memory cafes, activity groups, carer information and support programmes, singing for the brain, advocacy, befriending, helpline, dementia friendly communities and awareness raising programmes. Fiona Brown, Belfast Services Manager, says: “Having the right information at the right time is invaluable in supporting people affected by dementia through their journey. By providing much needed support, information and access to a range of quality services we can improve quality of life for people affected by dementia to live life well after a diagnosis. It is important to know that you are not alone.’’ A carer who has recently attended

DEMENTIA IN THE COMMUNITY: Facts, figures and how to get support

The Alzheimer’s Society has a vision for a better, fairer world for people affected by dementia Alzheimer’s Society services said: “Attending dementia information programmes and meeting with my fellow carers has given me the strength and knowledge that I need to care for my wife and to look after myself.’’ If you need support, want to discuss concerns that you might have or to find out more about dementia please contact your local office. Alzheimer’s Society is currently

recruiting for a range of volunteer roles, including for our support services, awareness raising and fundraising. Volunteering is flexible and we can work around your other commitments. For information please contact Sophie on 02890387486 or email s.radcliffe@alzheimers.org.uk

In Northern Ireland approximately 19,765 people are living with a dementia diagnosis. There are currently 850,000 people in the UK with a form of dementia and in less than 10 years this will rise to one million. By 2051 it is believed this number will soar to a staggering two million. The Alzheimer’s Society is currently campaigning for early diagnosis. ‘The Right to Know’ campaign hopes that people can access services at the earliest opportunity. Dementia costs the UK economy over £26 billion per year – this equates to more than £30,000 per person with dementia. Alzheimer’s Society – working in England, Wales and Northern Ireland – champions the rights of people living with dementia and the millions of people who care for them. Alzheimer’s Society supports people to live well today and funds research to find a cure tomorrow. They rely on voluntary donations to continue this vital work. You can donate by calling 0845 306 0898 or by visiting alzheimers.org.uk

Summer’s almosthere! T he countdown is on – just 10 weeks or less until the schools shut for summer and already the air is filled with anticipation. The organised among us will have this year’s summer break booked in January and will be dreaming about long days and languorous nights on some far flung shore, Prosecco in hand, waves lapping on the sun-warmed sands. The rest of us are probably driving ourselves to distraction trying to decide whether it’s safe to go to Tunisia, Turkey or Egypt. If you are thinking of going to one of the countries affected by unrest, check the Foreign Office website (www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice) as you will get a clearer picture of what’s happening there than you will from news bulletins. Trouble in some parts means holiday-

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makers will be drawn elsewhere and that can only be good news for the traditional destinations so beloved of Northern Ireland families such as Majorca, Tenerife, southern Spain, Italy and France. Down at the Belfast Telegraph Travel Shop demand is as high as ever – for holidays in Italy. The shop offers everything from escorted tours to walking holidays to city breaks in all the main European destinations. Michael Lemon, at the front desk, said: “Our most popular seller at the minute is definitely Classic Tuscany in association with Travel Department.” This escorted holiday includes flights with Aer Lingus and seven nights’ half board in four star hotels, taking in Montecatini, Florence, Pisa and Lucca and Siena. Visit www.bt.traveldepartment.co.uk for details.

Visit Florence with the Classic Tuscany tour

and then a stay at Florida’s most beautiful beaches. A perfect combination for those energetic kiddies and some down time for the parents after! Orlando is where children’s dreams come true, from meeting Mickey and Minnie Mouse and getting up close and personal with the animals at Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World… experience theme park rides like nowhere else in the world at Universal Studios with movie- themed rides and where you can walk into the Wizarding World of Harry Potter … get wet and interactive at Discovery Cove, sister park to Seaworld, where you can swim with bottle nose dolphins – no visitor will go home disappointed. There is so much to see and do, it will leave you wanting to go back for more…but it’s time to think about relaxing on the beach ….. Located on the Gulf Coast of Florida, Clearwater Beach and St. Petersburg provide miles upon miles of idyllic beaches to visit. St Petersburg itself has previously been voted the No.1 beach in the USA and the No.5 beach in the world by TripAdvisor. Of course, where there is a beach, there is

always lots of fun to be had. You will find an abundance of beachside activities, fun-filled beach bars and exciting water sports for all the family to enjoy. On your trip, be sure not to miss out on a spectacular sunset from Caddy’s On the Beach in Treasure Island or the delicious Grouper sandwiches from Frenchy’s Rockaway Grills in Clearwater Beach! Now is the best time to book your family holiday, American Holidays are offering free

Florida’s tops for family fun

here is nothing better in the world than spending time with family, but when you have a holiday to book for the family there is nowhere in the world like Florida to tick all the boxes! American Holidays specialise in booking all types of holidays for the family, they know the best places to stay, what parks open early, the best tickets to purchase and can also assist in booking a family holiday to remember. It’s hard to know what is the right holiday, so how about a play and stay type of holiday, This will include the excitement and thrills of what Orlando has to offer

Kids Dine for Free card on every booking as well as on certain hotel stays, some with free night stays! Contact American Holidays today to book on 028 90511888 or call into their office 22 Lombard Street, Belfast where the expert staff will help you plan your holiday of a lifetime. For more information visit www.americanholidays.com

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CRUISE control!

eave your everyday troubles behind on an amazing, relaxing cruise in 2015. American Holidays Cruise Team are the experts when it comes to booking your Cruise Holiday. They will organise all of your flights, pre- and post-cruise accommodation, pre-paid gratuities, your dining options and even your daily excursions, if you wish. The team have been lucky enough to step on board and experience cruising, so they can help and provide you with knowledge and reassurance that the cruise you book for 2015/16 is the perfect one for your family. There is a wealth of amazing cruising offers available at the moment. Avail of free on board spend, drinks packages and now even all-inclusive packages. Booking a cruise has never been such good value. What better way to unwind than sailing on-board a Royal Caribbean Cruise, sailing to Caribbean, Mediterranean, Europe, Alaska and Canada, South America and more.

Choosing the right ship

With so many cruise ships to choose from, you can be sure to find a ship that suits your style, whether it’s an intimate relaxing holiday or action-packed adventure you are looking for. Each ship has an exciting range of onboard innovations; Quantum and Anthem of the Seas boast the North Star viewing capsule, lifting you 300ft into the air for spectacular views. Allure and Oasis of the Seas, feature the mesmerising AquaTheatre, the first amphitheatre at sea! Have a go on the Zip Line 82ft above the Boardwalk or wander through verdant Central Park… the choices are endless.

For the family

Make your next family holiday an absolutely unforgettable adventure! On selected ships set sail with Royal Caribbean and DreamWorks Animation and discover memorable moments filled with your favourite characters from Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda and more. American Holidays and Royal Caribbean understand how much you cherish precious time with your family. That’s why we strive to

The kids will love splashing about on an American Holidays cruise or (below) having a bash on the dodgems give you the perfect family holiday! Why not … get ready for a fun filled adventure that promises everyone the time of their lives. Splash about in the H20 Zone ® with its water cannons, make new friends at the teen disco while mum and dad relax, or race each other up the rock-climbing wall. The award-winning Adventure Ocean Youth Programme is full of activities for babies to teens ensuring everyone’s kept busy, plus there’s more family-friendly dining options than ever. My Family Time Dining** means families can dine together at a time that suits, and children are served quickly to give them more time to enjoy themselves with their new friends whilst parents can relax over a coffee. The children’s menu features all their favourites, as well as healthier options. And how about the promise of unlimited soft drinks to keep the kids happy for the duration of their cruise? From just USD $5.30 per child per day, the Fountain Soda package for children under 17 years does just that! Additional benefits include babysitting service*, providing baby essentials onboard and toy lending for children 6-36 months.

So if you are looking for a first family cruise, or wish to do a ‘Cruise and Stay’ they can be sure to put together an itinerary to suit all the family at an affordable price. Contact American Holidays today to book on 028 9051 1888 or call into their office at 22

Lombard Street, Belfast, where the expert staff will help you plan your holiday of a lifetime. For more information visit www.americanholidays.com. *additional charges apply and first come, first served basis.

BELFAST TELEGRAPH 17 APRIL 2015 Take in the views from Malin Head, the island’s most northerly point

Gone fishing

Take your pick of great holidays around Ireland

Tired of Turkey and Tenerife? Can do without another summer in the Canaries? Is it time you got to know the country you spend most of your life in?

ith a glimmer of sunshine, the island of Ireland is hard to beat for a summer holiday. Whether your taste is for stunning scenery, relaxing spa breaks or going wild for adventure you’ll find what you are looking for within these shores and if you go across the border, the weak Euro means you’ll get more for your money. Here are a few ideas to whet your appetite.

Stretching along the Atlantic coast and incorporating three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the famed Causeway Coastal Route has been voted one of the top five road trips to make, worldwide. The highlight is the Giant’s Causeway, where visitors have free access to the fa-

Shannon-Erne Waterway

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While County Cavan might not be on everyone’s bucket list, a boat or canoe trip along the Shannon-Erne Waterway allows you to cross the border between the stunning Fermanagh Lakelands and the majestic Shannon. The fishing is world-class and towns such as Enniskillen have great pubs and restaurants as well as all the facilities you expect from a large town. Explore the area which is in the centre of the Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark.

Causeway Coast

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Stunning countryside, breathtaking beaches and a wealth of great shops and eateries make the north coast an enduring favourite with holidaymakers.

Enjoying the splendour of the Causeway Coast

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Board Dunbrody Famine ship, Wexford mous basalt columns. Try a sea safari or learn to surf from the mile-long stretch of golden sand at Portrush. Real adrenaline junkies can get their fix Coasteering – cliff jumping, swimming, bouldering and climbing their way around the rugged coastline. During the summer months a narrow-gague steam train runs between Bushmills, home to the distillery, and Giant’s Causeway.

The wonders of Waterford

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Pack the kids and head for the sunny south east to immerse in the rich history of Waterford, Ireland’s oldest city which celebrates its 1100th birthday this year. A fun way to get under the skin of this charming port town is with Waterford Cycling Tours. Get into gear and relax and discover hidden treasures around the city’s historic Viking Triangle, including the Medieval Museum, Reginald’s Tower, Bishop’s Palace Museum and of course The House of Waterford Crystal. Go backstage at the Theatre Royal for a fun, interactive tour and then park the bikes and take a refreshing Suir River Cruise. Let the kids loose at Waterford Nature Park with 2km of paved walkway and paths through meadows.

Explore medieval Kilkenny

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The kids will love meeting the real life medieval characters who lead the fascinating theatrical walking tours of Kilkenny City where you will hear tales of romance and intrigue featuring Kings and Queens, Dukes and Earls. Along the way you will Ireland oldest Inn dating back to 1582 and the stunning Rothe House & Gardens. You will also hear about Ireland’s most notorious witch, Dame Alice Kyteler, on a stop off at Kytelers Inn. Afterwards visit Kilkenny Castle and then picnic in the park. You could also try some amateur archaeology at the Big Dig which is part of the Kilkenny Pop Up Museum which takes place every Thursday throughout August.

Face an Armada

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Learn about Ireland’s rich maritime history on a visit to the gorgeous fishing village of Kinsale in West Cork. Take a family friendly guided walking tour and hear about the infamous Kinsale

pirate, Anne Bonny, and the Kinsale Giant – an 18th century celebrity who stood eight foot three in his stocking feet. His boots are in the local museum. Take the miniature train to Charles Fort, one of the best examples of 17th century military design anywhere in Europe. And a harbour cruise on board the Spirit of Kinsale will bring you under the walls of the Fort and out to sea before heading up the Bandon River. Whale of A Time offers whale watching expeditions and family boat trips.

All aboard for Wexford!

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Visit to the Dunbrody Famine Ship in New Ross, Co. Wexford where a guided tour with costumed performers provides a unique insight into the bravery and fortitude of Irish people forced to flee their homeland. Stop off in its river-view cafe before visiting the Irish America Hall of Fame, commemorating the contribution of Irish men and women to US history. While you’re in the sunny south east, visit the wonderful arboretum at JFK Park, with a miniature train and old fashioned pony and trap rides. Not far away in Ferrycarrig, just outside Wexford town, visit the Irish National Heritage Park to see the history of our built environment brought to life before your eyes.

Learn how to have a capital break!

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Hit the capital for a fun, learning experience of a lifetime! Discover Dublin’s energy, history, culture and wit on a guided bike tour with See Dublin By Bike. Starting outside Cafe Rothar on Fade Street whizz by College Green, Dublin Castle, the Guinness Brewery, St Patrick’s Cathedral and Merrion Square with its Oscar Wilde memorial. Afterwards explore the Natural History Museum. Don’t miss the History and Decorative Arts Museum at Collins Barracks, Benburb Street or the Chester Beatty Library at Dublin Castle, filled to the brim with oriental delights. Talking of which, take time out at Dublin’s famous Bewley’s Oriental Cafe to see some lunchtime theatre. Make the most of summer time with a family break that’ll show the kids just how much fun learning can be! For lots more great family fun holiday inspirations, go to www.discoverireland.ie

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How to survive the ‘TWEENAGE’YEARS

BY REBECCA PETTICREW

ith a plethora of advice being targeted at parents of infants, young children and teenagers, you could be forgiven for thinking the years of middle childhood are non-eventful and can be addressed with the same methods used for younger children. However, the “tween” years come with their own set of challenges and needs and are a time when children go through some of the most dramatic physical and emotional changes of their lives. Tweens are typically thought of as children aged between nine and 12, although many parents feel their children become “tween-agers” at around eight years of age. It is a time when the hormones responsible for the onset of puberty ramp up a notch and children’s self awareness increases dramatically. It can be a confusing, as well as exciting, stage in a child’s life as they move towards young adulthood, but their changing needs can leave parents bewildered. Dr Catherine Mangan MB BCh BAO MRCPsych, is a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children. She also offers a wide range of services to help children, adolescents, and families, with a variety of difficulties through her private practice Mangan Psychiatry, based on the Malone Road, Belfast. And as a Mum to nine-yearold twins, she has first-hand experience of family life with tweens.

carefully explained to children and parents can find useful information on the internet about this. Socially, children still want to keep up with their sports, music, and other hobbies. Social pressures for material things, mobile phone, iPads, concert tickets, tickets to football matches, etc. can create significant financial pressures for parents and lead to an increase in conflict in the parent-child relationship.

What are the most common problems faced by tween-age children?

The most common problem is anxiety: either school based, or social and low self-esteem— thinking one doesn’t fit in, is not popular enough, not good enough, not pretty enough... the list goes on! It’s worth remembering that children with low self esteem can act out behaviourally and children can express their distress through temper tantrums or destructive behaviour. Sometimes children that are struggling in school may have undiagnosed ADHD or ADD leading to poor performance in school, a lack of organisational skills, and results in children getting into trouble for forgetting homework, losing PE clothes, or football kit, etc.

What are the common changes that occur during this stage of development which affect children?

Children in this age range develop at different rates. Some children will get a growth

What kind of support and interaction should parents be offering their tween-age children?

Dr Catherine Mangan spurt at 10 or 11, others will be later. Some girls have early puberty, their breasts develop, others don’t. With boys, again some boys will get taller more quickly, have obvious body hair, and for some others this happens later. This creates obvious differences between children in the classroom that may lead to social difficulties or conflict. Emotionally, hormones are starting to act on the brain creating mood swings, irritability, tearfulness, anger, sleep pattern changes, etc. These changes all need to be

Emotional and practical support is key here: listen, watch out for changes in patterns of behaviour, poor sleep, not going out, tearfulness, mood swings, etc, and seek advice from your GP if you notice significant prolonged changes in behaviour. Try to maintain a relationship with your children’s friends, parents, and teachers, in case there is something happening in school — for example, bullying — or specific conversations about certain themes like, sex, divorce, death, etc.

How can parents make the onset of puberty easier for their child?

A warm, open-talking relationship is very

important: good communication. Don’t be afraid to answer your children’s questions and be led by the child as each child will have different, specific worries.

How can parents strike a balance between protecting their child and being overprotective?

Foster your children’s independence in small steps: let them play next door, let them go to a local park with friends, make short journeys to the local shop, etc. It’s important that your child feels confident to be able to do things without you or an adult being present all of the time.

Are limits and boundaries important at this age and how can parents go about setting age-appropriate limits?

Yes, limits and boundaries are important at any age. All families are different as to what they consider is age-appropriate at any given time. Parents will know their own child’s developmental age best.

Do you have any advice on dealing with peer-pressure and bullying as both seem to be big issues at this stage?

Again, it’s all about communication. Ensure your child knows what to do or who to tell if this is happening.

BELFAST TELEGRAPH 17 APRIL 2015

Mother Nature getting a helping hand

thods

tment,

d infor

or couples desperately trying for a baby, the strain can be overwhelming – both on their own psychological health and their relationship. It can be a lonely, anxious time, full of dashed hopes and frustration. However, with one in six couples experiencing some problems in achieving pregnancy, you are certainly not alone and thanks to medical advances, there is plenty to feel hopeful about. Origin Fertility Care, a private clinic based in Belfast, helps couples from despair to parenthood every year. As we approach National Infertility Awareness Week on April 1925, the team at Origin Fertility Care are upbeat having had their most successful year to date with yet more healthy babies born to delighted parents. Origin, which is licensed by the Human Fertilisation and Embryo Authority (HFEA) release their most recent pregnancy success rate on a quarterly basis, making it easy for potential clients to see the pregnancy statis tics they are achieving per age bracket. Part of Origin Fertility Care’s success is due to their significant investment into leading technological advances in the field. Introducing new technologies and developments at Origin is spearheaded by Head Embryologist Dr Steve Green, who specialised in embryology and tissue culture at the Royal Free Hospital, London. One of these exciting developments is the introduction of Primo Vision (time lapse technology) which has been shown to increase Origin’s pregnancy rates by an additional 11% (statistic source: all age groups JulyDec 2014). In light of these results, Origin have now increased the

capacity of the time lapse service (Primo Vision) so that more patients can benefit from this technology. With this double digit additional increase in pregnancy rates Ori gin have recently taken the decision to offer this service freeofcharge to all suitable patients. This is a service which normally incurs a charge of circa £800 in other fertility clinics. “We are confident that the incor poration of Primo Vision in the patient’s journey will help increase the chances of Origin patients having a positive outcome after treatment. “At the end of the day, we are all about creating beautiful babies and feel proud to assist this by offering Primo Vision free of charge, as we feel nothing should get

in the way of a mother’s joy,” says Jennifer McLoughlin, Operations Manager at Origin Fertility Care. This holistic approach is potentially the other side to why patients choose Origin. They recognise the human side to fertility treatment. Knowing too well the emotion al impact and strain that unsuccessfully trying for a baby can cause, even before ever considering treatment. These psycho logical factors may have a negative impact on becoming pregnant. The Origin fertility team see addressing these psychological issues as an integral part of the fertility treatment plan, improving the potential for success. This is why they offer compli mentary counselling sessions as part of the treatment plan. These counselling sessions

over the critical six day period allows the Embryologist to check that the embryo is developing normally. Now Origin’s Head Embryologist Dr Steve Green (pictured) has begun to work with a new camera which gives the most

indepth look at the inside of an egg ever. Dr Green’s skilled eye will be assisted by a mi croscope and camera technology that allows him to check the quality of a harvested egg and more acurately judge whether it is good enough for fertilisation. “It’s a jigsaw to try and develop the best possible embryos and give the patient back the most viable embryo that will get her pregnant,” says Dr Green. The new technology bounces highly polarised light through a special filter through the collected egg – which is much smaller in size than a pen dot on a page. The speed at which the light goes through the egg indicates the quality of the chromosome spindle in the mother’s egg. It assigns a reference quality to the spindle which enables Dr Green to assess whether it can be considered for fertilisation. In the case of possibly using thawed

are designed to help reduce psychological stress and alleviate emotional problems thus helping couples improve the chance of becoming pregnant. Very often couples come to Origin Fertility Care having unsuccessfully tried to conceive for a number of years and having been placed on a lengthy waiting list for NHS treatment. NHS patients who are eventually referred to the Regional Fertility Centre at the Royal Vic toria Hospital are offered just one procedure up to the woman’s 40th birthday. Many couples opt to go the private route simultaneously as the woman’s biological clock ticks ever louder. At Origin, a number of different methods are used to promote fertilisation. Back in the early days of IVF, the woman had to lie for 10 days to make sure the embryo had taken, however, these days, she will be in and out of the clinic in under two hours. The couple will know if the procedure has been successful with a pregnancy test after 18 days – a time that both flies and drags by as trepidation and hope mingle. If you are among those enduring an excruciating wait to receive NHS treatment, or if you are uncomfortable about going to your doctor about your lack of success in starting a family, make an appointment with Origin Fertility Care. They offer a free consultation (worth £250) with a fertility doctor for couples seeking advice and infor mation about Private Fertility Treatment.

DID YOU KNOW: Origin Fertility Care are hosting a Fertility Information Open Evening on Wednesday, May 6.

New treatments boost chances of success

rigin Fertility Care has tak en one huge step further in giving Northern Ireland couples the best chance of a successful pregnancy by introducing cutting edge technology that aims to increase the chances of pregnancy through monitoring egg quality. The clinic was delighted to announce outstanding results from two procedures new to Ireland. The first is Physiological Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (PICSI). The PICSI method enables the Embryolo gist to select only mature sperm which have fewer abnormalities and DNA damage and therefore are more likely to create a better quality embryo. The other breakthrough procedure is Pri mo Vision Time Lapse Imaging of embryos. In this instance photographic imaging of the cell development of a fertilised egg

frozen eggs, the polarised light can also indicate whether the spindle has survived and the egg can be used. “This is brand new, stateoftheart equip ment and we are the only clinic in the UK, in fact we think in Europe that has got this system with this technology and using it for IVF,” says Dr Green. “Potentially what this new technology is going to do for us in the clinic is amazing as the eggs are the biggest mystery. “We just don’t know what’s inside the egg, but we do know through various other more invasive tests that actually a lot of eggs are abnormal and this is a noninvasive way of checking the quality of the eggs.” For more information about Origin Fertility Care or to make an appointment with a Fertility Specialist, please visit www.originfertilitycare.com or call 028 9076 1713.

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I’mconstantly countingmyblessings!

MEN - did you know?

Local couple Andrew and Alison Allen are among the hundreds whose heartache has turned to joy after attending Origin Fertility Care. Their beautiful twins, Jack and Indie, celebrated their first birthdays before Christmas

lison recalls having high expectations ahead of their treatment: “I thought that I’d be pregnant after one treatment but not everyone reacts the same way to fertility drugs. It can take one go to see what dosage you’re going to need so your first time is almost a trial run. The course failed and I was devastated. We had to decide whether we wanted to take on the expense of further courses and, of course, we did. “This time we went to Origin Fertility Care, where they were able to extract 12 healthy embryos. “My experience with Origin was just what I needed at that time. I still felt vulnerable but Origin understood my worries and were very supportive, opening my eyes to the different possibilities that were available to us. “They did a full set of diagnostic blood tests to try and find the best and most effective way to help me and came up with a few options I’d never heard of before. I learned a lot between my first and second round. “Andrew and I had agreed that we’d only do three rounds of IVF as it was having a massive effect on our finances, our emotional and mental wellbeing and my own physical health. The first three rounds hadn’t worked but I knew I had two eggs left in storage so we decided to have just one more go because otherwise, we’d always wonder. “The fourth time differed from the others because it was quite soon after my third. With all the others, we’d put a bit of time in between the cycles to help me recuperate and prepare to try again but this time I didn’t want to wait. I couldn’t have dealt with the anticipation, I was happy to just try our luck and move on. By that point, I was growing used to disappointment so I thought I could handle it. “My Consultant Dr Tang suggested trying Endometrial Scratching. We’d discovered that implanting the egg was the main issue and he thought it might help. The idea is that a tiny amount of damage is made to the inner lining of the womb, which stimulates fresh blood and helps eggs to fertilise. It’s only given once about two weeks before treatment and it was no fun, let me tell you! It was a huge risk as we were using my last two eggs but I thought, if ever I was going to take a chance, now’s the time. “After the treatment, Andrew and I went away to Portugal for two weeks. We just couldn’t stand the idea of waiting around for the results but whilst out there, I took a pregnancy test. It was positive. “I took another. In the end I took about 14 pregnancy tests and once the Doctor confirmed it – there was just no way to describe it. After all that time, all that effort and pain and hoping, it was happening. We were having a baby! “When you realise you’ll need fertility treatment, everything you’d expected about

Whilst the major breakthroughs in fertility treatment have related to the egg, there have been great advances in technology surrounding male infertility too. The latest of these is SpermComet - a test developed by pioneering andrologist Professor Sheena Lewis, whose Lewis Fertility Treatment group is based at Queen’s University’s Institute of Pathology. Origin Fertility Care is one of the centres which offers the SpermComet test.

Andrew and Alison Allen with babies Indie and Jack pregnancy vanishes. I suppose that’s a good thing as every pregnancy is different and the idea that there’s a ‘perfect’ one can really put pressure on women, especially new mothers like myself. “The biggest surprise occurred quite early on when I started to bleed. We went

IN THE END I TOOK ABOUT 14 PREGNANCY TESTS AND ONCE THE DOCTOR CONFIRMED IT – THERE WAS JUST NO WAY TO DESCRIBE IT. AFTER ALL THAT TIME, ALL THAT EFFORT AND PAIN AND HOPING, IT WAS HAPPENING. WE WERE HAVING A BABY!

straight to the hospital, terrified that we were going to lose the pregnancy but the Doctor came back and told us that, no, both sacs were still intact and they could fix the bleeding. I just remember thinking... both? I’d never imagined that I was having twins. “Eventually, we were told at our 12 week scan that both babies were thriving. It was amazing – instead of one, we now had two! “I’m only 5’1” so carrying the twins was difficult because of the size I got to! I went into early labour from about 28 weeks and had one or two scares along the way so I spent most of the pregnancy quite anxious. Even once the twins were born, we were in and out of hospital for a few weeks as Jack had some breathing problems and my body, after the effort of treatments, pregnancy and stress, finally gave out but now we’re home and we’re a little family. “Living with the twins is a military operation! You have to be organised with two babies... but I’m constantly counting my blessings. “I’m always asked if I’ve got any words of advice. If I had to venture anything, it would be to relax. I was always told to avoid stress, which I thought was ridiculous considering the circumstances but once I was able to relieve some of the tension, I felt better. “Also, don’t be afraid to talk to your loved ones. Andrew has been amazing through everything and I’m so lucky to have my mum. She’s been there through it all and now helps us out at home. If all this has taught me anything at all, it’s that family is so important. “Now I have a little family of my own and every day just keeps getting better and better!”

The SpermComet is the next generation of sperm DNA tests. It is the only test that can measure the amount of damage in each individual sperm. This makes it more sensitive in detecting problems and better at guiding couples to the right fertility treatment for them.

Most couples trying to conceive know about sperm count but less about sperm quality, which might mean that they are missing out on knowing about something that could increase their chances of having a baby... something that could help reduce the loss of valuable time and financial costs, and not least, emotional heartache, which can be hardest of all.

One in six couples has difficulty having a baby: in 40% of these cases, the difficulty is associated with the man. Sperm DNA is one of the most important factors when it comes to getting pregnant.

Even healthy sperm have some DNA damage, but it’s the amount of damage that matters. Damage to sperm DNA can increase the risk of miscarriage. Sperm quality can be seriously affected by things like stress, smoking, alcohol, recreational drugs, obesity and other avoidable lifestyle factors.

Checking your sperm for DNA damage before you start a family gives you the chance to take control and change your lifestyle to improve your sperm quality, if you have damage. Visit http://www.spermcomet.com/

BELFAST TELEGRAPH 17 APRIL 2015

What’s new in the bookshops

ick up one of the titles from the 2015 International Dublin Literary Award longlist. Be amused, amazed, inspired, heartbroken, the choice is yours...

Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

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Fearless, gripping, spanning three continents and numerous lives, ‘Americanah’ is a richly told story of love and expectation set in today’s globalized world.

you finally got it right? What if there were second chances? And third chances? In fact an infinite number of chances to live your life? Would you eventually be able to save the world from its own inevitable destiny? And would you even want to?

The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton

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An extraordinary piece of fiction full of narrative, linguistic and psychological pleasures, with a fiendishly clever and original

Life After Life by Kate Atkinson

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structuring device. Written in pitch-perfect historical register, richly evoking a mid-19th century world of shipping and banking and goldrush boom and bust, it is also a ghost story, and a gripping mystery.

No One Writes Back by Jang Eun-jin Translated from the original Korean by Jung Yewon

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The story of a young man who leaves home with only his blind dog, an MP3 player, and a book, travelling aimlessly for three years, from motel to motel, meeting people on the road. Rather than learn the names of his fellow travellers – or invent nicknames for them – he assigns them numbers. The narrator writes letters to these men and women in the hope that he can console them in their various miseries, as well as keep a record of his own experiences. For a list of all 142 books on the longlist visit: www.impacdublinaward.ie

What if you had the chance to live your life again and again, until

MOVIE WATCH

Grab some popcorn and settle down to watch the latest family-friendly ﬁlms Next week (April 24) sees the release of Little Boy in cinemas that’s sure to be firm favourite. The PG-13 rated film tells the story of a seven-year-old boy willing to do whatever it takes to end World War II so he can bring his father home. The story reveals the indescribable love a father has for his little boy and the love a son has for his father. Starring Ben Chaplin, Emily Watson and Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa.

This weekend (April 17) sees the marmalade sandwich-loving

Paddington, film

available for early digital download. It’s available on Blu-ray, DVD and On Demand on April 28. The critically acclaimed, heart-warming family film is rated PG and is sure to be a home screen hit.

Tomorrowland: A World Beyond (May 22)

This PG rated film will appeal to the tween and teen market, detailing the adventures of a teen bursting with scientific curiosity

and a former boy-genius inventor as they embark on a mission to unearth the secrets of a place somewhere in time and space that exists in their collective memory. Prepare for a fit of the giggles when the new Minions movie hits screens on July 10. In this PG rated pre/sequel to Despicable Me, minions Stuart, Kevin and Bob are recruited by Scarlet Overkill, a super-villain who, alongside her inventor husband Herb, hatches a plot to take over the world.

ith so many fantastic children’s books on the market it can be difficult to know where to start. Get and keep young readers enthralled with BookTrust’s top tomes to tackle before you’re 14.

0-5 – Each Peach Pear Plum by Allan Ahlberg Illustrated by Janet Ahlberg

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Each beautifully illustrated page encourages children to ‘spy’ another familiar fairy-tale or nursery rhyme character. The excellent rhyming text and charming illustrations work perfectly together, and children will love spotting all the hidden details in each picture.

6-8 – The Enchanted Wood by Enid Blyton

✸

When Joe, Beth and Frannie move into a new home, they discover a mysterious wood on their very doorstep. Soon, they discover that it’s actually an Enchanted Wood, and home to a wonderful Faraway Tree.

9-11 – The Wolves of Willoughby Chase by Joan Aiken

✸

There are wolves outside the walls of Willoughby Chase, but for cousins Bonnie and Sylvia, the real danger lies inside. Their wicked governess Miss Slighcarp is working with a network of criminals, forgers and snitches to carry out a terrible plan. Bonnie and Sylvia must use all their wits if they are to escape their cruel governess – and the wolves.

12-14 – Watership Down by Richard Adams

✸

In spite of its rabbit characters, there is nothing fluffy or gentle about this gripping tale of perilous adventure which won both the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize and the Carnegie Medal. Beautifully evoking the Berkshire countryside in poetic language, it is an exciting, moving and powerful novel. For the full list of 100 books visit: www.booktrust.org.uk

17 APRIL 2015

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Fiona Nixon loves her new look, thanks to Bill Harris and Paddy McGurgan

Fiona’s brush with

MAGIC

ho wouldn’t jump at the chance of a makeover at the hands of top professionals? Bangor childminder Fiona Nixon was delighted to undergo an image overhaul with hairstylist Bill Harris and make-up maestro Paddy McGurgan. Bill spent some time chatting with Fiona before he started cutting her hair, establishing what she needed from her hairstyle as well as what would suit her. “When Fiona came in she had longer hair which, for the shape of her face, was a little too long. To get a better balance of weight I kept the length on top but removed some of the weight at the sides and back, feathering the hair in to exaggerate the length of the top sections,” he explained. “By texturing the hair out and brightening her colour up I was able to create a style that is low maintenance, so works with Fiona’s busy life, but is much softer and more flattering,” Bill explained. Paddy McGurgan took control of the next stage of Fiona’s transformation. He began by using an oil based cleanser followed by a silky primer to fill in fine lines and pores for a smooth finish. “There are lots of different primers, but the main ingredient in them all is silicone. Because the body doesn’t absorb silicone it means it stays on the surface of the skin to give a perfect finish and to ensure your makeup has staying power,” Paddy explains. He then applied under eye concealer to lift, brighten and even out skin tone. “The skin in this area is eight to ten times thinner than the skin on the rest of the face so any blood vessels or poor lymph drainage in the area causes discolouration or puffiness.” Paddy used a brush to apply foundation to Fiona’s face and neck. “It’s a fallacy to say that foundation should stop at the jawline,” Paddy explains. “Lots of people have different tones on their face, neck and chest areas and you want them to look even.” A light dusting of loose powder across the entire face set the foundation, followed by a pressed powder, which Paddy said gives a luminous, almost airbrushed effect. Using a powder brush, Paddy swept bronzer around the exterior of Fiona’s face and under her cheekbones. “It’s light contouring and the aim is to make a face look as oval as possible which makes a person’s features look most symmetrical.”

Next is the blusher — a peachy pink. “Our skin tends to have red tones in it so I usually stay away from reds and cerise pinks. I love peaches, pinks and coral tones, which are flattering across the board.” Working the blush into the centre of the ‘apple’ of the cheek, Paddy blended the area to avoid lines. “Remember you can always go back and apply more, so don’t go overboard when you first apply the blusher. The whole look can change when you apply lip colour,” he added. Using his finger, Paddy gently patted primer right across the eye area, up to the brow. This removes discolouration to showcase the true colour of the eye shadow. A slick of brow gel brought Fiona’s brows into shape while Paddy assessed them — deciding they were too rounded. He got to work drawing in a perfect arch. “There’s no doubt that shaping the brows is one of the trickiest techniques to perfect, but correctly shaped brows completely change the appearance of the eye area and ultimately the whole face — they’re key.” Choosing a palette of neutral brown tones, Paddy applied the lightest shade to Fiona’s inner eye, near the tear duct, “to really bring her eyes forward” then a light dusting of the same colour over the concealer under the brow line to set it. He then brushed a light bronze over the eyelid, using a darker brown on the hollows of the eye crease and in the outside corner, to elongate and open the eye. “It’s really important to keep blending as you go along, there should be no hard edges to make-up,” he said. A touch of black eye shadow at the outside corner added to the smokey effect. A slick of concealer pencil along the waterline gives a bright, fresh look. Paddy then used the same brown shade he used in the eye crease underneath the lower lashes. “I prefer using powder rather than eyeliner as it doesn’t melt and travel on the face. And on occasions where I do use eyeliner, I always apply some eyeshadow over the top to set it. It gives definition but is soft,” he says. A couple of coats of black mascara followed. “I always work down from the top of the lashes first and comb the wand through the lashes, twisting it in my hand as I work to curl the lashes up. I then work from underneath, shaking the wand as I move it through the lashes to avoid clumping.” Paddy’s tip for remedying mascara smudges is to let it dry then use a clean disposable mascara wand to rub the mistake off: “It’ll

flick off without smudging or removing your make-up.” A slick of black liquid eyeliner filled out the upper lash line and added definition before Paddy applied a set of false lashes. “These add volume and length as well as evening out the spacing of lashes,” he explained. A pinky rose lip liner defined Fiona’s lips, before a rose coloured lipstick. “Again, using a brush just means that you use less product and apply it in a precise way,” Paddy said. A spritz of ‘fix it’ spray gave Fiona’s skin a hydration boost and set the make-up. A delighted Fiona said: “I haven’t had my

hair this short for years but I absolutely love it as well as the change in colour. My makeup is gorgeous. It doesn’t look too heavy and the colours Paddy has chosen for me are very flattering. I just have to remember all his advice and try to do it myself now. Both Bill and Paddy made me feel so comfortable throughout, I’m absolutely thrilled.” See: www.paddymcgurganartist.com, call: 9043 4007 or call in to his store at 108-112 Royal Avenue, Belfast. See: www.billharrishairdressing.com call: 9023 5555 or call in to the salon at 52 Hill Street, Belfast, to make an appointment.

BELFAST TELEGRAPH 17 APRIL 2015

From the catwalk to Peel, Belfast Fabulous summer collections available at Peel and Marc Cain, Bloomfield Avenue

T Marc Cain denim& tweed jacket and dress

Marc Cain leather jacket and skirt

reat yourself to the new season’s fashions at Peel on Bloomfield Avenue in East Belfast, not far from the iconic Titanic Quarter. This spacious three storey building houses a wide range of collections from the classic to the ‘edgy’ in sizes 6 to 20, so there are styles to suit everyone. Many of the collections are exclusive to this ‘mini department store’. The staff are expertly trained and always go that extra mile to ensure you achieve the best look possible to suit your lifestyle and budget. If you are pressed for time why not ring ahead and they will have garments selected for your perusal within this comfortable, friendly environment where those with you can relax on one of the sofas with a magazine and cup of tea or coffee. The philosophy of the proprietor, Elaine, is that everyone is given VIP treatment and shopping at Peel should be a happy, memorable experience.

Labels in store include: Annette Gortz, Abro bags and shoes, Crea Concept, Caroline Cashmere, Cristina Gavioli, Citizens of Humanity Jeans, D’Effect, Isabel de Pedro, Marc Cain, Moschino, Cheap & Chic, Riani.

Marc Cain coat

D’Effect jacket

Follow on Facebook or online via their website for further information. Peel Fashion Knitted top and jeans, Store, 107 Marc Cain Bloomfield Avenue, Belfast BT5 5AB T: 028 9045 2665 www.peelfashionstore.com

D’Effect dress

Silk scarf, Marc Cain

Marc Cain scarf

17 APRIL 2015

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Style up for the new season Leather Eather Fringe Saddle Bag, £65, Accessorize

This lightweight all-in-one jumpsuit is a gorgeous, moveable alternative to a dress to keep little adventurers looking super cute. The elasticated waistband, straps and ankle cuffs will ensure a perfect fit. Pair it with sandals for a sweet summer party look. £24.99, Fatface

As well as the spring staples of pastels and florals, embrace these easy-to-wear new season trends and filter them into your everyday spring/ summer wardrobe. You’ll already have noticed the reappearance of glam rock favourites - flared trousers and fringes - while suede has taken over where the winter’s faux fur left off. A fringed suede handbag is likely to be the essential accessory for the summer while platform heels are still here. Black and white never seems to go out of fashion and this season mono is everywhere – in blocks and in intricate prints for women and girls. Patterns - in the form of stripes, dots and checks, have made a comeback this season and patterned trousers in particular are flying off the shelves.

Miu Miu S/S15

Black Trousers with White Checks, £75, Taifun by Gerry Weber

Blue Flared Jeans, £24.99, New Look Navy & White Stripe Knit Dress, £80, Dickins & Jones @ House of Fraser

Claudie Denim platform sandal by Gucci, £533 from stockists

Breton Stripe Romper, £16, www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk, Telephone 0871 423 56 56

Red Valentino denim jacket £336 from stockists

BELFAST TELEGRAPH 17 APRIL 2015

Get the perfect SS15 look at Victoria Square Everything you need to create the ultimate spring/summer wardrobe under one spectacular roof...

Crystal earrings, £49, Swarovski

Jumper, £90, Tommy Hilfiger

Clutch, £75, Dune

Casual trainers, £75, Dune

Chino shorts, £55, Tommy Hilfiger

Skirt, £129, Coast

Floral shirt, £79, Ted Baker Anbass jeans, £215, Replay

Sandals, £220, Kurt Geiger

Crepe top, £22, Warehouse

BELFAST TELEGRAPH 17 APRIL 2015

BY REBECCA PETTICREW re you cyber savvy when it comes to protecting your children? When used safely, the internet can provide hours of fun, learning opportunities and the chance to expand a child’s horizons. However, not all internet content is suitable for children and with the wide range of devices available to connect to the internet, parents can be forgiven for feeling overwhelmed when it comes to safeguarding their children. Fortunately help and guidance are at hand, with internet safety workshops available for parents to take part in, either online or through local parenting groups and community organisations, as well as online information explaining how to safeguard your children. Clare-Ann Magee, director of Parenting NI’s parent forum, said the organisation is receiving calls from concerned parents. “Parents are finding the issue really confusing and lots of their concerns and some of the calls our helpline staff are taking on it are issues around bullying online, grooming, concerns around children posting photographs online and around tighter controls and privacy settings and parents aren’t actually that sure about what they should be doing. Unfortunately some of the advice, like keep the computer in a family room, isn’t always possible to apply with smart phones and mobile phone technology. “There are a variety of key messages coming out from so-called internet safety providers, which has just added to the confusion, so we have some information leaflets about setting safer internet controls and checklists which we can send out to parents when they call as well as directing them to the right service provider to get them the information they need.” Clare-Ann said the key to protecting your child is having open communication with them: “If a child is concerned about something online or they come across something online which upsets or confuses them, parents need to feel comfortable and confident enough to talk to their child about it.” Detective Chief Superintendent George Clarke, Head of Public Protection at the PSNI said they are keen to help parents protect their children – and themselves – online: “The internet and social media are now a major feature in all of our lives. We like, share, comment and tweet as second nature, often without always really thinking through the nature of what we are posting online and who might see it. “The proliferation of these social media platforms, online forums and interactive online games and sites has meant that our children are now rarely, if ever, ‘off-line’. Keeping up with the sheer number of sites and channels for online communication can be overwhelming, particularly for parents and guardians who are trying to keep pace with their children and most importantly, keep them safe online. “Local PSNI officers regularly offer advice and guidance to our followers via our own social media accounts on Facebook and

n If anyone sends a message or image which you feel is inappropriate DO NOT respond to this person, instead tell your parents and report it to police or via ceop. gov.uk which has a report abuse button on its web page. n Keep personal information personal – be careful about how much information you post online. Never disclose your address or when you will be home or out! Remember that school uniform pictures can identify where you live or at the very least where you go to school. n Don’t post your Snapchat and BBM usernames/codes, mobile number or email online for others to see. By doing so you may be leaving yourself open to unwanted contact. n Remember that what you post online stays online – consider how you would feel if certain images or comments were seen by your friends, your school, current or future employers, parents etc. Imagine it on a billboard in the centre of town for everyone to see, how would you feel? n Be a good, and sensible, online citizen – treat others as you would like to be treated and expect the same from others. If you wouldn’t do it or put up with it in your ‘real life’, then don’t online. FOR PARENTS n Be involved in your child’s online life – do not let their online activities become ‘secret’, talk to them. n Keep up-to-date with your child’s development online – what new apps, games and social media platforms are they using, what are they using them for? n Set boundaries in the online world just as you would in the real world. n Know what devices you have in the home connect to the internet and how – for example many parents are unaware that some games consoles are internet enabled. n Use parental controls on all devices that link to the internet – limit the content your children can see to that which is appropriate for their age. n Emphasise that not everyone online is who they say they are. Encourage them to talk to you about who their online friends are and the kinds of things they talk about, share and get up to online. n Make sure they know what is appropriate and what’s not – and that if something goes wrong or makes them uncomfortable that they can come to you. on social networking sites. These change n If you discover that your child has been on a regular basis and staying on top of messaging or chatting with anyone on sothe changes will help you to control who cial media and the conversation becomes can see what you post. In the same way inappropriate or if they receive messages that you wouldn’t leave your front door or images which you feel are inappropriate open to just anyone, it is just good sense DO NOT respond directly to the person to not leave your online profile open to just who sent it. Instead report it your local anyone either. police or via ceop.gov.uk which has a n Passwords – make your passwords report abuse button on their web page and strong - a mixture of random words and that will allow all available evidence to be numbers. Treat passwords like your PIN gathered before the offender deletes the number and keep them safe. messages/posts and their account. CEOP n Don’t accept friend requests from people is part of the National Crime Agency and if you do not actually know or have never any enquiries they carry out require local heard of in ‘real’ life; people are not always police involvement they will contact them who they say they are. as required.

How to keep

your kids

safe online

Twitter and answer many questions from concerned parents at school and other youth events,” he said. “We understand it can be difficult for parents to navigate all of the available information and it can be overwhelming. As a first step there are a number of basic, key points we would recommend bearing in mind when setting up social media or online accounts – for both young people and adults – and some potential issues to look out for:

FOR YOUNG PEOPLE n Privacy and security settings – it is important to learn about security settings

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Keep track of your children, advise PSNI

BY ANDREA McKERNON

dults know only too well the ingenuity of the teenager in getting their kicks - we did plenty of running with our friends when we were young too. Parents remember especially in spring as the approaching end of the school year meant freedom. Yes we remember. Richard Hawley sang of it so fittingly in his song, Tonight The Streets Are Ours. The best times of our lives should be just that – happy memories to cherish in adulthood when we ran free, knew every shortcut, had our first kiss and generally mucked about – a time of laughter, when the streets were the soundtrack to our emerging lives as adults. But the spectre of drink and drugs, illegal parkland raves, gangs, bullying and child exploitation, male and female rape, young males being more at risk of violent assault, at risk young drivers, online grooming and peer pressure is putting children’s lives, safety and futures in jeopardy. Children need our care as much growing into young adults as at any other time in their childhood. They don’t yet know the pitfalls and threats that lurk in the places they go and the people they go with. That is why the PSNI see the issue of young people as a major consideration, but they need the help of parents in order to protect the young and vulnerable. “We ask for parents to support us in educating young people about what is and what is not acceptable behaviour,” says the PSNI who have increasingly taken to social media to warn parents in real time of events such as illegal raves happening. “We urge parents and guardians to talk to their young teenagers and take responsibility regarding their whereabouts,” say the police. “Know where they are, what they are doing and who they are with to ensure that we don’t come knocking on your door to inform you

that your child has come to harm or become involved in criminal activity. “None of us wants to see any young person ending up with a criminal record or worse. Help police keep them and our community safe.” On Saturday February 14 – St Valentine’s night, an illegal rave taking place at Cave Hill Country Park prompted the police to issue a Facebook appeal for parents to locate their children. Cars and taxis were dropping the young people off at the beauty spot and fears ran high with reports of up to 300 children in the area. Residents reported how worried they felt for boys and girls – some as young as 10 – smelling of the drugs they were smoking. “We have a number of heavily intoxicated young males and females in the area who are not fit to look after themselves and the obvious implications of not knowing where they are and how to get home,” posted a sergeant on duty that night. The PSNI say they have a duty to keep children and young people safe from such illegal, underground events. “We do not want to prevent anyone from having a good time, however we do want to protect our young people from the harm that can come from underage drinking and warn them of the serious consequences of vandalism and anti-social behaviour. “The vast majority of young people act responsibly, but there are instances when young people believe underage drinking seems like harmless fun,” say police. “Things can spiral out of control quickly when young people have consumed alcohol. There is also the potential to become the victim of crime if you have been drinking and are potentially vulnerable and not able to look after yourself. “Anti-social behaviour can result in a serious incident which may lead to a young person ending up with a criminal record which could affect travel, education and employment opportunities in the future.”

BELFAST TELEGRAPH 17 APRIL 2015

Life with our

ONE-OF-A-KIND

son Harry

How would you feel if you discovered your child had a rare chromosome disorder? So rare, in fact, they are the only person in the world to have been diagnosed with the condition? This is the situation Belfast couple Paul and Colette Stewart found themselves in when their now three-yearold son Harry was diagnosed with a unique chromosome deletion. Colette told Rebecca Petticrew about their journey towards acceptance of a “new reality”

The Stewarts (l-r) Harry, Colette, Emily and Paul the night before Harry’s latest procedure in the Royal Hospital for Sick Children

arry was born in August 2011. Already parents to two-year-old Emily, the Stewarts were delighted to welcome a seemingly healthy baby boy, but it soon became apparent that Harry was struggling to feed: “I managed to breastfeed Emily for 15 months so I was really surprised when we couldn’t get the hang of it, but I thought, all babies are different, and he hasn’t done it before, but he kept losing weight. I started combination feeding with formula and breastmilk but he was still classed as a failure-to-thrive baby, although nobody could come up with any suggestions as to why he wasn’t gaining weight.” Doctors diagnosed reflux and, with treatment, Harry began to slowly gain weight. In December 2011, when he was four months old, Harry was admitted to the Ulster Hospital with the common respiratory infection bronchiolitis. “He just wasn’t getting any better, it was a dreadful time. He ended up in Paediatric Intensive care in the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children and spent nine days on a life support machine. While we were there we saw a family lose a child and that was horrendous, the stark reality that children don’t all go home really hit me. But we were lucky and Harry did get better and we got home just in time for Christmas.” Six short days later Harry was rushed back to hospital when his breathing deteriorated again. “Looking back now this was the moment that our home-life deck of cards started to fall apart,” Colette recalls. “Staff were making comments like, ‘Is Harry normally this floppy?’ Then, when we met Harry’s consultant a few days later and she was examining Harry, she was using words like ‘low tone’ and manoeuvring him all over and then said, ‘We’ve had the results back for muscular dystrophy and they’ve come back negative’. I just felt like a train had hit me because then I knew that they were looking for something really, massively wrong with Harry.” Harry was discharged that day with his anxious parents spending the next few days in turmoil, unsure as to what was wrong with their son. “They were two of the worst nights of my entire life because I couldn’t stop thinking, ‘What have I done? Did I eat something I shouldn’t have? I don’t smoke, I didn’t drink, what have I done to this child?’

My head was all over the place,” Colette explained. Throughout January, Harry had a series of tests and explorations while medics tried to determine what was causing his Colette completed problems. It was the Great North Run discovered that to raise awareness he had a form of of rare disorders congenital heart defect known as a vascular ring which was compressing his windpipe and would likely need heart surgery. At the end of the month the family were given the results of a DNA test and were devastated to discover there was a problem: “We were told Harry had a partial deletion on one of his chromosomes. They told us he may never walk or talk and it could be very serious for Harry. I was totally gobsmacked, I couldn’t take it in at all. Harry had just rolled over at the weekend and we’d dressed him up in a new outfit, thinking he looked so smart and was doing so well and we were going to show them he was okay. And he wasn’t. “On Valentine’s Day 2012 we had our first meeting at the City Hospital with a geneticist. There are so many syndromes, we knew what Harry didn’t have but we didn’t know what he did have. “At this point we didn’t know if Harry

WHEN YOU HAVE A BABY YOU HAVE ALL OF THESE HOPES AND DREAMS FOR THEM, WHETHER YOU’VE VOICED THEM OR NOT

17 APRIL 2015

BELFAST TELEGRAPH

Harry fighting for his life in PICU (left) and recovering after his heart surgery

Harry in the carefree days before the family realised how ill he was was going to live to see his first birthday. “Then, as soon as we’d finished at genetics we had to make our way across town to the Royal for an appointment with the cardiology team. We were told then that the vascular ring was constricting Harry’s wind and food pipe and that he needed to go on the waiting list for a heart operation.” As well as trying to come to terms with their son’s diagnosis, the Stewarts also had to cope with Harry’s ongoing health issues: “Every month without fail Harry would be admitted to hospital,” Colette explained. “Paul’s parents have been amazing the whole way along and they took on a lot of Emily’s care during these times. She got used to having a mum and brother who kept disappearing in the middle of the night.” Harry’s heart operation was scheduled for April 2, 2012, but was cancelled the day before admission as a critically ill baby needed the slot. “We were absolutely devastated and I think that was the first time I really cried,” said Colette. “It just brought home how little control I had over anything that was going on. But ultimately, someone else’s child was more poorly and needed that spot.” On April 23, 2012, Harry had his operation. Colette and Paul were able to stay at the hospital in accommodation provided by The Children’s Heartbeat Trust. “In many respects I had been able to focus on Harry’s heart operation as something positive, it was something which could be fixed, but

seeing them give him the anaesthetic was awful, so distressing, Paul and I just crumbled. But the operation was a success and for the first time in his life Harry behaved in a textbook fashion,” she smiles. With Harry’s immediate health concerns stablised, Colette and Paul began trying to come to terms with the “new reality” for Harry: “When you have a baby you have all of these hopes and dreams for them, whether you’ve voiced them or not, and with a diagnosis like Harry’s they’re all just shattered,” Colette explains. “We were able to access counselling for parents of children who have had heart surgery and it was very helpful but the place that we’ve found most support is with other parents of children with additional needs.” It was this solidarity which prompted the creation of Fundays, a monthly meet up for families which include a child with additional needs. The idea came about when Colette and three other mums got chatting at a special needs parent and child group and decided to create a space which would offer families two hours, once a month, to “just be”. “As the parent of a child with additional needs I’ve had to grow rhino skin,” Colette explains. “Whether it’s dealing with people’s reactions to our situation or dealing with Harry’s ability to silence a restaurant within seconds with his behaviour. I forget that I have a child with additional needs until I go out and then people’s reactions quickly remind me. “We wanted to make Fundays a place where families can spend time with other families who are in similar situations. “Harry can make noises and his behaviour can be challenging but this is a place where no one judges. I don’t need my rhino skin there. It also allows siblings of children with additional needs to meet other children who have a brother or sister who is different and will, hopefully, give them the opportunity to develop friendships with people who understand.” Colette has also found Unique The Rare Chromosome Disorder Support Group invaluable. The organisation provides information and support for families of children with rare chromosome disorders. She was so appreciative of the help Unique provides she completed the Great North Run half marathon in 2013 to increase awareness of rare chromosome disorders and raise funds for the charity. This support really came into its own when the family received the specific details of Harry’s DNA results and discovered that there is no one else in the world on record as sharing the exact deletion he has. “There may well be adults with the same deletion

and we don’t know because they haven’t been DNA tested, it’s still quite recent stuff. “What it does mean for us though is that there’s no blueprint. We have very little idea as to what the future holds for Harry. Doctors and medics say that Harry will show us the way but it’s a hard way to live. We have the details of the genes that have been hit and there can be some really nasty effects, which, thankfully, he hasn’t shown signs of so far but we know what to look out for.” Despite the uncertainty, Harry’s parents are making sure they celebrate every milestone: “We take joy where we can. Although Harry has global developmental delay, he’s already able to do things we were told he maybe wouldn’t do. “He doesn’t talk but he is learning Makaton sign language and now asks for

food and can sometimes sign he’s thirsty; he took his first steps at two and a half and although he topples easily, he can walk; he loves the singing hands and Mr Tumble TV programmes and can ask us to put them on for him using Makaton — it’s fantastic to see him enjoying something.” Colette and Paul recently learned that Harry is likely to need further surgery, but Colette says she refuses to panic: “Having Harry has taught me so much, I’m more relaxed now. Whereas I would have freaked out in certain situations before, I now freak out for just a moment and then look for a solution. I’ve had to become much more pragmatic, realistic and learned to keep things in perspective, most of the time! My mantra is, ‘Has anybody died?’ If not, I’m sure we can deal with it’,” she smiles.

BELFAST TELEGRAPH 17 APRIL 2015

Charting your child’s course for W the future

Look beyond academic results when choosing the right school for your child, writes Rebecca Petticrew

hether your child is taking their first step over a school’s threshold or you’re trying to whittle down post-primary school options for your P6 child, choosing the right school can seem like a daunting task — the weight of future expectation sitting heavily on your shoulders. Don’t dispair, there is advice out there to help you make an informed decision. School is about so much more than formal learning, this is the place your child will spend a significant proportion of their lives, growing up and developing their own social networks. With this in mind, it’s important to choose a school whose ethos and ideals marry with those of you and your child. A good place to start your decision making process is with recent school inspection reports. These give detailed information on all aspects of teaching, learning and assessment , as well as evaluating school planning, the work of the board of management, and the school’s accommodation and resources. Your local education and library board can give you a list of all of the schools in your area, which can be useful in identifying your options — some lovely schools are tucked in off the beaten track and you might not have noticed a gem in your locality. The first step in narrowing down your choices, now you know where they are, is to determine whether your child meets the admissions criteria for the schools you have in mind. Every school has admissions criteria. Schools that are oversubscribed follow these criteria, which are set by the school’s board of governors, when allocating places. Once you know your child could potentially get a place at a school, it’s a good idea to head along to a school’s open day to see the school for yourself (details of which are available by contacting the school directly). When you consider the amount of time your child will spend at school and the developmental changes they’ll go through during their time there, it makes sense that you’ll want to meet the principal and teachers and get a feel for the environment, first hand. You can visit a working classroom and often have the chance to talk to pupils about their experiences of the school — pay particular attention to the way the pupils speak about the school: do they seem happy, motivated and enthusiastic? They’re the best markers you’ll get as to the atmosphere of the school. The school’s principal will usually give a talk, during which you’ll get an idea as to how the school works, its core values and its approach to disciplining children, as well as an opportunity to ask any questions you may have. Open days are also the perfect opportunity to find out about

SCHOOL IS ABOUT SO MUCH MORE THAN FORMAL LEARNING, THIS IS THE PLACE YOUR CHILD WILL SPEND A SIGNIFICANT PROPORTION OF THEIR LIVES

any additional facilities offered by a school, such as music lessons, choir, after-school clubs and other activities — all of which can be deal makers, or the lack of, deal breakers, when informing your decision. Sara Ball recently guided her daughter Helen (11) through the transfer process. She feels it is extremely important to involve your child in the whole process: “I took Helen to all of the open days I attended as I think that it’s important to include the child in the decision. And I’m a big believer in getting the feel of a place. “Open days are a great way to introduce your child to a school as they’re great fun — it is the ultimate in a sales pitch, It also gives you the chance to get Visit: www.nidirect.gov.uk to obtain school contact details from your local education and library board and www.eti ni.gov.uk for recent inspection reports.

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BEAT SCHOOL EXAM STRESS

ests and exams are an integral, albeit challenging, part of school life. Although it is perfectly normal for children to feel stressed in the run up to exams, there are ways you can help your child minimise the impact of stress, making life more pleasant for children and parents alike. The NHS provides information for parents to help them guide their children through the sometimes tumultuous times exams can bring:

Watch out for exam stress Look out for signs of exam stress. Stressed children may be irritable, not sleep well, lose interest in food, worry a lot and appear depressed or negative. Headaches and stomach pains can also be stress-related. Having someone to talk to about their work can help. Support from a parent, tutor or study buddy can help children air their worries and keep things in perspective. If you feel your child isn’t coping, talk to teachers at your child’s school.

Ensure your child eats well at exam time A balanced diet is vital for your child’s health and can help them feel well during exam periods. Some parents find that too many high-fat, high-sugar and high-caffeine foods and drinks (such as cola, sweets, chocolate, burgers and chips) make their children hyperactive, irritable and moody.

Sleep helps exam performance Good sleep will improve your child’s thinking and concentration. Most teenagers need between 8 and 10 hours’ sleep a night. Learn more in How much sleep do children need? Allow half an hour or so for kids to wind down between studying, watching TV or using a computer and going to bed to help them get a good night’s sleep. Cramming all night before an exam is usually a bad idea. Sleep will benefit your child far more than hours of panicky last-minute study.

Be flexible at exam time Family Lives advises parents to be flexible around exam time. When your

child is revising all day, don’t worry about household jobs that are left undone or untidy bedrooms. Staying calm yourself can help. Remember, exams don’t last forever.

Help your child revise Help your child revise by making sure they have somewhere comfortable to study. Help them draw up a revision schedule or ask the school for one.

Discuss any exam nerves Remind your child that feeling nervous is normal. Nervousness is a natural reaction to exams. The key is to put these nerves to positive use. Being reminded of what they do know and the time they have put into study can help them feel confident.

Encourage exercise at exam time Make sure your kids are active. Exercise can help boost energy levels, clear the mind and relieve stress. Walking, cycling, swimming, football and dancing are all effective.

Don’t add to exam pressure Support group ChildLine says that many of the children who contact them feel that the greatest pressure at exam time comes from their family. “Keep things in perspective,” says Rosanne Pearce, a senior supervisor. “Listen to them, give support and avoid criticism.” Before they go in for a test or exam, be reassuring and positive. Make sure they know that failing isn’t the end of the world and they may be able to take the exam again if things don’t go well. After each exam, encourage your child to talk it through with you. Then move on and focus on the next test, rather than dwelling on things that can’t be changed.

Have treats after exams When the exams are over, help celebrate with a treat. These can be a real encouragement for the next time they have a test. Don’t use rewards as bribes. Instead, encourage them to work for their own satisfaction, offering small, frequent treats. For more information visit:www.nhs.uk

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Part of our family

t’s hard not to notice the growing demand for foster care lately with recent reports suggesting that over 200 new foster families are needed in Northern Ireland this year. Part of that is due to the preference among social care professionals to have younger children in care in particular placed in a family setting rather than a children’s home. Over 75% of ‘looked after children’, as social workers call children in care, are in foster families. Welcoming another child into your family means all sorts of adjustments — what if there is a personality clash with your own children? What if the foster child has challenging behaviours? All these are issues which are dealt with during the rigorous training and assessment stages that follow an application to become a foster carer. The assessment period also helps people decide if fostering is for them. Not so long ago, all fostering placements in Northern Ireland were organised by the local Health and Social Care Trusts, who also provided screening and training. As demand has increased, however, charities such as Barnardos and Action for Children, as well as independent agencies such as Fostercare Associates have stepped up to the mark. They work closely with the Health and Social Care Trusts and may be called upon when a placement is not available from among their own pool of foster families. The agencies offer fees in contrast to the allowances paid by the Social Care Trust. Children can come into the care system for a vast range of reasons and may need

Have you got a spare room and a BIG HEART?

fostering for anything from one night to several years. Ideally, a home can be found from among the child’s wider family which is known as Kinship care. Belfast woman Karen (not her real name) became a ‘kinship foster carer’ for her sister’s children after they were found to be suffering from neglect. She said: “It’s been really hard at times but it’s definitely been worth it. They love cuddles and they’re both doing really well now and have caught up with other children of their age.” People who are accepted as foster carers can opt for respite or short term care or can choose to take one or more children in on a long term basis. They may also be asked to become Emergency carers, in which case they may be contacted late at night or over a weekend and this is usually to keep a young person for a short time. In the case of respite care, the placement is usually for short periods on a regular basis to give birth parents or their full time foster carers a break. The Health and Social Care Trusts also sometimes require foster homes for children with a learning difficulty or a physical disability either on a long term or regular respite basis in order to give

support to their birth families. Other schemes are focussed on the needs of adolescents and young people aged 18-21 where foster carers are supported for ‘Going the extra mile’ with someone they have fostered before they turned 18. Some of the looked after children have complex needs due to their traumatic pasts and the Trusts and agencies aim to match them with the best possible home for a long term, stable placement. Explaining that fostering is not without its challenges, Paula Hall, Senior Social Worker (acting) with the South Eastern Trust’s Reruitment and Assessment Fostering Team said: “You have to recognise the limitations of what you can do as foster carers, however, our foster carers say the rewards and happy times outweigh the negatives and they are very glad that they decided to foster.” It is now possible to specialise in parent and child placements which work towards keeping the family unit together. These can take a number of forms including a 12 week assessment placement after which the foster carer reports on the parent’s ability to care for their child; pre-birth placements which help to prepare the parent for the birth of their child and parenting support-

Jimmy and Lynn Mulligan have been foster carers since 2009 and both work full-time. Their own three children are adults and they felt they could offer a secure, loving home to a young child. Their first placement was a seven-yearold-boy who remained in their care for two years.They are currently caring for a nine-year-old girl who has been with them for three years. The plan is for this child to remain with them until she is 18 years old and possibly beyond. Jimmy said: “She smiles all the time, she wakes up smiling and we love having her as part of our family.” Lynne added: “The child feels she is meant to be here, we love caring for her and she enjoys being part of our family.” Jimmy and Lynn urged anyone considering fostering to “find out more”. “So many children need help and support, so if you are interested, make a call.” Contact the Health and Social Care fostering team on 0800 0720 137.

YOU HAVE TO RECOGNISE THE LIMITATIONS OF WHAT YOU CAN DO, HOWEVER, OUR FOSTER CARERS SAY THE REWARDS AND HAPPY TIMES OUTWEIGH THE NEGATIVES ing placements in which parents are shown how to provide basic care, safety, warmth and guidance for their child. This type of placement can also be offered if the parent needs a safe place to live. In most cases, however, fostering means inviting a child or young person into your home. You don’t need to have a family to be accepted – single people can foster too. The only pre-requisite is a spare room. Couples will find their own relationship under close scrutiny, as the fostering agencies work hard to ensure that children are placed in stable homes. For further information including links to the HSC fostering website as well as the independent agencies, visit http://www. nidirect.gov.uk/becoming-a-foster-carer or call Health and Social Care (HSC) Adoption and fostering on 0800 0720 137.

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Sisterly love: L-R Linda, Catriona and Joanne Breen say their mum’s fostering has enriched their lives

“We loved growing up with foster kids”

BY ANDREA McKERNON

t’s a family affair for these three sisters who say their lives have been enhanced by their mum’s decision to foster. Fostering a child and bringing them into your family not only benefits the child, but also the children of the foster carer, they say. Linda, Catriona and Joanne Breen from south Belfast were teenagers when their mum Patricia announced she would like to begin fostering. That decision has brought “joy” and shaped the lives of the Ormeau Road family for the better, says oldest sister Joanne. The Breen family are one of approximately 2,100 foster families in Northern Ireland looking after about 2,000 children. This is more than four-fifths (86%) of about 2,500 children in care who were looked after away from home. The Fostering Network estimates that fostering services need to recruit a further 170 foster families this year. Joanne, an assistant technical officer in the Royal Victoria Hospital, was 19 when her mum began fostering, and the family were delighted with the arrival of baby twin girls. In 13 years of fostering the head of the

family – a single parent – has fostered about 56 babies and toddlers. “I was still living at home, Linda was 18 and Catriona was 16 so it was a big deal for us,” said Joanne who has two boys of her own now. “There were always kids about our house, running in and out, cousins, the children of our uncles and aunts living nearby. There were always relatives dropping off their kids for an hour or two so the place was always full of wee ones. We’ve always, as sisters, helped out with all the commotion going on. It has always been full of life at our house. “Our mum sat us down and told us she would like to become a foster parent and she asked us how we felt about it. We had no problem at all with it, I suppose because we always just automatically looked out for all the kids. “My mum still fosters and the children who live with her – who mostly go for adoption or back to parents – now play with my own son Oisin who’s five and my baby Eoin who’s six months old. “There’s absolutely no difference at all made with any of the children, they play together and grow together. The children and babies who come to my mum get us as well. We’re like their foster aunties.

“My mum has a scrapbook of every child she’s had and we love them all. She has pictures of them going for trips to the beach, their first tooth, a lock of hair. “We are used to them coming and going, and we try not to get too emotional because we know we are only there to help them grow into happy children in the future so they can live their lives.” Joanne says none of the biological

THERE’S ABSOLUTELY NO DIFFERENCE AT ALL MADE WITH ANY OF THE CHILDREN, THEY PLAY TOGETHER AND GROW TOGETHER

children ever felt they lost out through the fostering process. “Our mum was always there for us and always available if we needed her and we’ve always been there to help her out. Our fostering experience has always been a family affair and the children have always been just part of the family. “There’s never been any jealousy towards the children and the little ones have brought us all nothing but joy. They are just really part of the family and play with all the kids that have always been in our house — so they all torture each other, fight, make up and learn and develop alongside the others.” Joanne says the youngest of the sisters, Catriona, has been influenced by the family’s fostering. “I think you have to be a certain sort of person. Linda is into her work and I’m into my sons, but Catriona says the fostering has given her an interest in children as a career and she now works with kids. “Catriona says she’d definitely love to foster so that’s all in the future. It’s had a positive influence on all the family. “We hope our family will pass fostering through the generations and care for lots more children, who will always be welcome in our family.”

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It’s time for

DADS T

BY REBECCA PETTICREW

he relationship between mothers and their babes has been celebrated throughout history — cherished and valued for the benefits it confers on children, with fathers seemingly extraneous to their offspring’s needs. Fortunately, this out-dated thinking has been replaced with an appreciation of the advantages a close, loving connection between father and child brings. With a wealth of research into the effects of paternal bonding, local artist Stephen Beggs feels the time is right to explore the relationship in a different light, with his new project Father Figures. Belfast-based Stephen is an actor, director, theatre maker and drama facilitator and spent 13 years as company manager for the Belfast-based Bruiser Theatre Company. A decision to go freelance at the end of 2013 gave Stephen the impetus to begin creating his own work: “I wanted to work on a project that I initiated and created and was on a theme and subject that came from me. So, in partnership with Young at Art, I applied to the Arts Council and got a grant to develop Father Figures, the final, end game of which, is that I’ll create a piece of theatre for children all about dads and fatherhood and what that entails — what it’s like to have a dad and to be a dad and what’s different about that relationship from other

Stephen Beggs with daughter Aoife relationships,” he explained. Stephen’s interest in the perceptions around fathers and children was piqued when his daughter Aoife, now seven, was a baby. “Being self-employed, I had the good fortune to be able to arrange my time so that I could do a reasonable amount of the hands-on parenting while my wife was at work. Some days I’d be motoring about with the buggy and an awful lot of the stuff was ‘Mums and Toddlers’ and ‘Mums this and that’. I knew it didn’t mean I couldn’t go so I would turn up and sometimes the reaction

THE PERCEPTION IS THAT IT’S OKAY NOW FOR BOTH PARENTS TO FULFIL ALL ROLES — FOR THE MOTHER TO BE WORKING, BUT IT’S ALSO MUCH MORE OKAY, RESPECTED AND COMMON FOR THE DAD TO BE SIGNIFICANTLY MORE INVOLVED IN THE HANDS-ON PARENTING THAN IT WAS BEFORE

would be, ‘Oh, look, there’s a dad who’s been let out with the baby. Let’s help him because he probably doesn’t know what he’s doing.’ And I was never annoyed or offended by that, I’m sure it was meant in a very positive way and I was touched that people wanted to be nice and to help, but it did get me thinking,” he explains. “So the project was driven, in part, by that type of experience as a father, but as someone involved in the arts, I was really aware that an awful lot of the voices in children’s theatre are female. And they’re brilliant voices, they’re wonderful, but I felt it was a good time to have a new male voice in that arena.” The project involves creating activities for dads and their children to take part in at workshops across the country and using the insight gained from those sessions to create a piece of children’s theatre which will be debuted next year. Stephen’s keen to explore the way in which a father-child dynamic differs for everyone: “I’m a father and had a great father myself but I’m aware that to only draw from my own experience would create a fairly narrow interpretation of the relationship, so I’m going to be spending time with lots of dads in different circumstances all over Northern Ireland. “As part of the Young at Art Children’s Festival, I ran two Dad Time workshops but I’m aware that workshops done in this kind of context are probably not going to reach out to everyone so I’m also working alongside Parenting NI and the Surestart organisation, doing workshops and interviews and sessions outside Belfast and outside the structures and places I’m used to working and meeting people.” Stephen feels the economic downturn has created a shift in perceived ‘traditional’ parenting roles which has provided opportunities for both parents: “You’re finding now that more dads are at home whilst the mothers are out working, as well as a lot of homes like mine where my wife and I both work full-time and have done since our daughter was five months old. “The perception is that it’s okay now for both parents to fulfil all roles — for the mother to be working, but it’s also much more okay, respected and common for the dad to be significantly more involved in the hands-on parenting than it was before. I think there’s more opportunity for both parents to be doing what they want and that’s a really good thing. “Things change slowly but they are changing and it’s an absolutely proven fact that developmentally, children benefit educationally, socially, emotionally, from direct hands-on parenting from both parents and lots of research has shown that there are measurable advantages to the development of a child to have the father involved, actively at all points in their development.”

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DIGIN ANDGROWYOUROWN! KEEN GARDENER JOANNA BRANIFF ADVOCATES GROWING YOUR OWN FRUIT AND VEG FOR THE SAKE OF YOUR FIGURE AND YOUR POCKET

here is nothing, and I mean nothing, to beat the taste of fresh fruit and veg literally plucked from the plant moments before it hits your plate or taste buds! Of course, you will also know exactly what does and does not go into your food and where it comes from. When you grow your own you will get healthier in a number of ways. Not only will you end up eating more fruits and vegetables, but also you will be getting added exercise. Did you know that you could burn as many calories in 45 minutes of gardening as you can in 30 minutes of aerobics?

And, working in the garden reduces stress. What’s not to love about growing your own? I’m lucky to have a small allotment at Eden Allotments, located just outside Carrickfergus. After being on the waiting list for a few years, (which reflects the popularity of the ‘Grow It Yourself’ movement) I was delighted to be allocated a small site two years ago. Don’t be put off if you don’t have an allotment or a big garden. You will be surprised at just how much produce you can grow in a small garden, patio, window box or even on the balcony of a flat! You don’t have to be an expert gardener or spend a lot of time and money to achieve

Allotment growerJoanna Braniff says glam up your garden this spring very satisfying results. Imagine cooking your favourite steaks on the barbecue this summer and being able to clip some Rosemary from a planter to enhance the flavour and then serving it with super fresh salad harvested moments before from your window box and finishing your al-fresco feast with freshly picked sweet, succulent home-grown strawberries. That’s the taste of success! So what are you waiting for? Get Growing!

JOANNA’S GUIDE to growing your own fruit and vegetables

trip to your local garden centre, DIY store or even supermarket will provide you with a range of plants and seeds that will deliver bumper summer crops, regardless of the size of plot or garden you have. For the beginner grower, I advocate you start with healthy plug plants like tomatoes, courgettes and strawberries, as these can be tricky to grow from seed. The wrong germination conditions from seed can lead to ‘leggy’ unproductive plants that can be a disappointment. But many of the big DIY chain stores sell great small plug plants that you can take home and bring to maturity with very little

expertise in your own garden. When buying plug plants, look for healthy specimens that have been watered well and regularly and look like they are thriving and unstressed.

TOMATOES: Plant tomatoes in late April

when all threat of frost has passed, and your will be enjoying their succulent bounty in sandwiches and salads right through to October. If you have never tasted a tomato plucked fresh from the plant – in taste sensation terms you haven’t lived. In comparison to shop-bought tomatoes, which are produced more for colour and shelf life rather than taste, fresh picked tomatoes are in a league of their own. They are a beau-

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FUN FOR ALL THE FAMILY X

More than just gardening: Ben Law, from Bangor, and Jonathan Kyle, from Comber, test out the equipment for the Garden Adventure Zone at this year’s Garden Show Ireland event which takes place in Antrim Castle Gardens from May 8-10. The 2014 Garden Show Ireland is open daily from 10am-6pm with parking nearby. Adult tickets are £10 (concession £8) and the event is FREE for children under 16. There is a reduced rate for online booking and for more information visit www.gardenshowireland.com.

Promising a ‘Festival of flowers, food and fun’, the 2015 Allianz Garden Show Ireland programme will focus on bringing the fun of ‘all things garden’ to as many people as possible. The annual event, which is a mecca for gardeners, sees the return of TV celebrity gardener, Monty Don, and with a jam-packed schedule for all the family, this Show is not only about gardens and green fingers. For the mini adventurers there are stacks of experiences to keep them occupied, the Bear Grylls inspired ‘Bush Craft’ experience will give budding explorers an opportunity to try their hand at some survival skills and get an idea of what it takes to make it in the wild by foraging through the Castle Grounds for food. The great outdoors theme continues into an exciting adventure area which features a fantastic climbing wall as well an opportunity to have a go at some ‘Robin Hood’ inspired Archery, and even some crazy golf suitable for all the family. Not all the family activities are high octane however, with wood-turning and

tiful jewel of a fruit that will create a taste explosion in your mouth that is nearly addictive. Protect them from slugs and birds, let them get full sunlight and give them plenty of water when the weather is warm. You can grow tumbling varieties, such as Tumbling Tom, in hanging baskets and the upright varieties can be grown in growbags or containers but will need to be supported by canes. Keep them in a sheltered sunny spot and when the time comes, nip off the growing tip to encourage fruiting rather than foliage.

COURGETTES: Courgettes should be planted in late May and early June and will be ready to harvest in July and October. A word of caution based on personal experience – courgettes are like cute puppies when they are seedlings – you are never quite sure how big they are going to grow! Unless you absolutely love courgettes and are prepared to eat two a day for three months, one or two plants will suffice as they are generous in their produce. Plant about 3ft foot apart, water and wait — like Jack and the Beanstalk! They are also thirsty plants so again, in dry spells, keep them well watered and pick them when they are small, or they turn into huge marrows. MIXED LEAF SALAD: Salad is the gift that just keeps giving! You can grow salad in trays on windowsills all year round and from April onwards you will be able to plant in containers outside. They have a shallow root system and really don’t need a lot of space or attention to thrive. Try mixing different varieties for instant mixed leaf salad. Once the plants are about 3 inches tall you can start cutting them and they will keep growing back again and again. Keep your salad well watered and don’t be afraid to keep cutting it because if you don’t it will grow tall and go to seed and then you can’t eat it. STRAWBERRIES: Last year I grew tons

of strawberries which were soft, sweet and succulent and hands down beat anything

you can buy in the shops – they were the sort of strawberries you would be happy to pay £10 a punnet for at Wimbledon! In fact, they are the things I most look forward to growing again this year. They need to be planted in April and June in growbags or even in hanging planters. Keeping them up off the ground will not only save space but will also foil the slugs who also really love strawberries. The birds are also partial to them so get a bit of netting to keep them off as well. If you buy young plants in April and May and the weather is kind, they will be producing fruit in a matter of weeks. I recommend you get about six to get you started – they will produce runners and next year those six plants will have multiplied and you always get the best crop in the second year. Happy, healthy plants need good growing matter like compost to flourish. You can make your own compost from uncooked vegetable food waste but it takes a while to break down so start composting now for use in the garden next year. In the meantime, buy peat-free compost so that your garden is as green as your plants as it’s more environmentally friendly. You can pick up good compost in all DIY stores and garden centres – read the packaging for advice on the one that best suits your needs.

willow-weaving amongst the most popular things to try in the stunning Castle Grounds. For the more relaxed visitors there will be a ‘Bean Bag’ cinema showing short films and a chill-out zone in the ‘hammock hideout’ under the trees. Visitors will be entertained throughout the show, listening to the Jazz Band whist enjoying cream teas in the Tea Tent, or by the fabulous musical offering of No Oil Paintings a young band playing a mix of banjos, mandalins and guitars, a mash up between Mumford & Sons, James Morrison and some traditional folk music. For budding greenfingers young and old there will be plenty of opportunities to learn more about gardening by getting hands dirty planting flowers and seeds, watching how bees make honey and attracting wild birds to the garden, visiting the stunning Show gardens, listening to a talk on how to grow your own veg or just by meeting many of the expert exhibitors who are happy to help and answer any questions. The family focused event has over the last number of years engaged with schools province-wide ensuring that the Show is eagerly anticipated by all the children who take part in the Allianz supported schools challenges. Primary Schools will be displaying their ‘Edible Container Gardens’ whilst secondary schools take on the challenge of building a garden in a day in the Schools Team Garden Challenge. Allianz Scarecrow Wood meanwhile comes alive with scarecrows created by primary schools in the integrated sector. This promises to be no ordinary food expe-

rience as throughout the weekend the Food Garden at the Show will be filled to the brim with exceptional and unusual local producers creating tasty dishes for visitors to enjoy. The menu will include delicious steak sandwiches and handmade sausages from Armagh based Forthill Farm; seasonal wild game and Cabrito (kid goat meat) from Broughgammon Farm in County Antrim and lobster burgers, Dexter beef shin and Fivemiletown goats cheese fritters from Snack Shack Street Food. In addition, visitors can indulge in traditional breed pork with homemade apple sauce from the Fabulous Food Factory followed by handmade ice cream from the Vintage Ice Cream Bicycle. As well as all the fabulous food available, throughout the weekend, local chef Paula McIntyre will be demonstrating how to bring the variety of local produce and flavours together in the Food Pavilion which this year is supported by Food NI - the voice for Northern Ireland’s food and drink industry. The 2015 Allianz Garden Show Ireland runs from May 8-10 at Antrim Castle Gardens and is open daily from 10am-6pm with parking adjacent. Adult tickets are £10 (concession £8) and the event is FREE for children under 16 accompanied by an adult. There is a reduced rate for online booking, for more information visit www.gardenshowireland.com For a chance to win tickets check out the facebook page: https://www. facebook.com/GardenShowIRL

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Makethe switchfrom spending tosaving

upermarket price wars and low(er) oil prices are good news for the cash clever household yet, as anyone who watched BBC2’s recent series Back in Time for Dinner will agree, we have much more money to spend on food than householders of the 1950s. Even more pronounced than the dearth of disposable income 50 years ago was the lack of choice facing 1950s housewife.

Rationing was still in force and liver was a common sight on the family’s dinner plate, beef dripping the only thing to spread on your bread. Fast forward to today and the sheer volume of choice can make organising a budget and sticking to it difficult. You can go into the supermarket with your shopping list and come out having spent twice as much thanks to all the BOGOFs (buy one get one free) offers on the shelves.

However, if you want to live within your means it is vital to make a budget and make your mind up to stick to it. Start with a spreadsheet and write down your monthly income in one column and all your regular outgoings in the other. This is a lot more straightforward if you pay your household bills by monthly direct debit as you can simply log on to your bank or get out a statement and see the exact figures easily. The tricky part is estimating the unseen daily spend – a lunch out here, coffees there, impulse buys etc. According to Money Saving Expert (www. moneysavingexpert.com) it’s best to use three months worth of bank and credit card statements and grocery shop receipts if you want

to get a true picture of your outgoings. It can be a bit of an eye-opener to see how much we actually spend but it is an extremely worthwhile exercise as once you know where your money is going you can get rid of unwanted expenditure. If you are paying off several credit cards, don’t just spend the money once you have one balance cleared — use it to speed up the process of paying off another card and continue using this snowball method and you’ll be surprised how soon you can become debt free. Unless you are the type of person who pays off their balance every month, try to avoid using a credit card at all. As far as shopping goes, it really does pay to shop around. Some supermarkets can be significantly cheaper than others. Don’t overlook your local corner shop either as while they may charge more for items such as beans and soup, they often stock locally farmed vegetables

Family finances stand to benefit from this month on

hese are not ideal times for savers, with interest rates sitting below 3% but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be putting at least something away. According to Post Office Money, households in Northern Ireland spend a high percentage (14.3%) of total disposable income on mortgage and rent payments so it is more important than ever to get your money working for you and your family. Henk Van Hulle, Head of Savings and Investments at Post Office Money said: “The economy is looking up and the rate of inflation remains low, but our findings show households in Northern Ireland are still in danger of seeing their savings potential drop. “Many households continue to struggle with the cost of living, yet increased consumer confidence means they are still spending rather than saving. “As a result they risk leaving themselves vulnerable to unexpected financial difficulty, and our figures show households in Northern Ireland are likely to see a drop in the amount they have available to save.” However, things are looking brighter since the new budget was announced, with Prime Minister David Cameron claiming 94% of working households will be better

Over 55s can now dip into their pension but should take advice before acting off under the new tax and benefit changes. Among the good news items is the end of the 10p tax on savings. The 10% starting rate of tax on savings has now been slashed to 0% while the amount of savings income you can earn is up from £2,880 to £5,000. The government also raised personal income tax allowance from £10,000 to £10,600 and it could rise to £12,500 under

a Tory/Lib Dem government after the May general election. Couples can now register for the Marriage Allowance which enables married couples and those in a civil partnership to transfer some of their tax-free personal allowance to their partner. If one half of the couple is earning less than the basic £10,600 threshold they can transfer up to £1,060 of the allowance to the other, higher

earner, so that they can earn £11,660 before tax. The Allowance doesn’t apply to higher rate tax payers. Great news for savers is the raising of the tax-free ISA allowance from £15,000 to £15,240 and given that interest rates are almost certain to rise at some point, the ISA is here to stay. For advice on whether to use your ISA allowance on stocks and shares, and which ones to go for, it’s best to see a financial advisor. The change to the pension rules could have you dipping into your pension pot from the age of 55 but this could be a temptation too far for some people and again, it’s vital to take professional advice before going on a spending spree that could see you in dire straits in your old age. For those already on a pension, they will already be seeing payments up by 2.5%. Between 2002 and 2011 all children qualified for a Child Trust Fund with an opening deposit of £500. However, Junior ISAs replaced the CTF in 2011 and this month is parents’ first opportunity to transfer the balances into these newer accounts. According to Money Supermarket (www. moneysupermarket.com), it makes sense to switch as the rates on Junior ISAs are better. If you are a young family just starting

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Psychology student Sinead Lawn which may be not only cheaper than supermarket prices, but superb quality too. Make the most of loyalty cards – both the supermarket and cafe variety. They can make a real difference – some come in key fob form so you may never be without them. Finally, if you feel the urge to splurge, take a walk around the block or go for the time-honoured self-control mechanism and sleep on it. There’s nothing as depressing as a wardrobe full of clothes you honestly aren’t ever going to get around to wearing. If you want to clear space, bag some of your unwanted clothes for charity but more expensive items (the ones that taunt you with their labels still attached) can be sold online. Why not use the proceeds from that sale to kickstart your savings if you don’t already have any? Once you get into the habit of saving it is easy to stick to it and before you know it, the prospect of the boiler breaking down or the car needing a service won’t give you heart failure.

Opening an account with a Credit Union can give you access to higher-yield savings and checking accounts than many banks. A credit union is a self-help co-operative whose members pool their savings to provide each other with credit at a low interest rate. To be part of a credit union you have to share a common bond with other member such as living or working in the same area; working for the same employer; belonging to the same church, trade union or other association. Psychology student Sinead Lawn (21), from Co Fermanagh, is already a long-term credit union member: “My dad has used a credit union for years and he set up an account for me when I was about eight. He would put in any money I got for birthdays, Christmas and other special occasions. “It’s really handy for me as I put in any extra money I have left over from my parttime job, it’s like rainy day money. “I have around £1,600 saved at the moment and I’m going to America in June. I can get a loan to three times the value of my savings through the credit union at a much better rate than any of the banks are offering,” she added. You can get information about credit unions from the Association of British Credit Unions (ABCUL) website: www.findyourcreditunion.co.uk or the ACE Credit Union Services website: www.acecus.org/pages For general advice and information on money and debt visit the Citizens Advice Bureau: www.adviceguide.org.uk

The new Help-to-Buy ISA is great for young couples trying to buy a home out, the new Help-to-Buy ISA, in which the government pays in £50 for every £200 you save towards a deposit, should help you get started on the housing ladder. With mortgage rates at an all time low and set to stay down for a while and with a growing

number of lenders looking for just a 5% deposit, there has rarely been a better time to buy. For further advice and information, visit www.moneysupermarket.com

FAMILY BUSINESSES ARE DIFFERENT FROM THE REST

That’s the verdict of finance professional Feargal McCormack from PKF-FPM Accountants Limited, which specialises in helping family firms find their way through the world of finance. Family businesses account for over 75% of all the businesses in Northern Ireland, Britain and Ireland. Startlingly only 30% survive the second generation, 12% the third and just 3% prevail into the fourth generation. Making provision for your spouse, children and grandchildren, parents and siblings is vital for the survival of the family enterprise. When business is a family affair, a formal separation of financing of the two is ironically the best option. “A great strength of family businesses is a culture that influences employees and gives a competitive edge,” says Feargal. He has personal experience of running PKFFPM Accountancy while providing for a child with autism. “Family members have very differing needs. There are a number of unique characteristics for family finances that are best kept separate from the actual business,” he says. “For my son, it’s all about planning for his future and how we can provide him with a life in which he can live independently. “Families in business need to recognise basic fundamentals. There are unique dynamics of family businesses, which make them different from non-family businesses.” The family finance expert explains that family

Feargal McCormack, managing partner at PKF-FPM firms are facing increasingly complex issues that affect not only the destiny of the business itself, but also those of the proprietor, their family and employees. There is, says Feargal, “a unique atmosphere that creates a sense of belonging and an enhanced common purpose among the whole workforce. Although intangible, this factor manifests itself in a number of very concrete and positive attributes that can serve to give family businesses a significant competitive edge. “Family businesses need to be successful to fund the entire family wealth, thus strategic planning, incorporating succession planning and inheritance tax planning are key,” he said.

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Putting the ‘grand’ into

GRANDMOTHER S BY ANDREA McKERNON

o you’re going to be a granny. Don’t panic, it’s magical, according to Saintfield grandmother Anne-Marie Harkness as she looks with joy and pure adoration on the face of her 11-week-old grandson Ollie. At only 46, Anne-Marie admits on hearing the news of the impending arrival from her eldest son Craig (24), she was anxious about the future. But the prospect of having a baby around the family again quickly turned to “a magical feeling”. “I must admit that I was anxious when the news came from Craig and his partner Paula. Like all parents, you hope everything will be all right beteen the couple. “You are hoping it will work out and then you get this feeling of absolute delight and you are overjoyed. “What I wasn’t expecting was the really strong feeling of bonding with my grandson Ollie. As soon as I saw him, the bond was just there. For any woman becoming a grandmother, there’s nothing to worry about – it’s just an absolute joy.” Little Ollie had some complications at birth that caused some anxiety with his 22-year-old mum and dad as well as his grandparents. “There was a wee bit of complication in the hospital, but it was nothing to worry about, but I was surprised at how I felt – it’s like having your own child again and all those motherly instincts come flooding back,” said the doting granny. “Little Ollie looks just like his daddy, which makes it feel more special. It’s like having Craig back as a baby, though he has got his mummy’s lovely, sweet temperament.” And the baby bug has certainly bitten the classroom assistant who says to any other woman to “simply embrace it” and to enjoy the baby clothes shopping. “I’m always looking at baby things and it’s just a privilege to be involved in your grandchild’s development, but I’m making sure I don’t interfere. I can pass on any knowledge I’ve had with having three children, but that’s all. “I want to be and love being involved with Ollie. My own grandmother died when I was very young so I’m looking forward – as a young granny – to having lots of years spoiling and looking after him. Myself and Ollie’s other granny have told mum and dad that we’re first in the queue for babysitting. “I would say to any woman to definitely embrace being a grandparent. No matter what your fears are, when that little baby comes along, it’s just magic. He or she can’t go back and once that wee thing enters into your life, they bring love – they’re just a bundle of love. Yes, it does take some getting used to being addressed as ‘granny’.

Donna Webb enjoying a day out with young Anthony and (top left) all dressed up at home I actually think in my head that I’m more Ollie’s auntie until someone says the granny word and I remember and think, ‘Oh that’s me’. I’m proud to be a young and as people say, glamorous granny. “My son has been a credit to me and it’s so good to have him experience the joys of fatherhood and see this lovely family unit.”

DONNA’S DELIGHT

Donna Webb, from Glenavy, is another delighted granny at just 44. “Well I was a mother at 22, so when my daughter came and told me she was pregnant, I wasn’t one to criticise as I was that age when I had her and she was my second child.” Little two-year-old Anthony is the apple of his grandmother’s eye and a constant source of joy.

FOR ANY WOMAN BECOMING A GRANDMOTHER, THERE’S NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT – IT’S JUST AN ABSOLUTE JOY

“Of course you worry about your child’s health and the health of the baby and my daughter Donna-Marie was in her final year of university so I was anxious she would finish her education, but having a grandchild is absolutely amazing. I get a lump in my stomach when I see Anthony and it just gets better when like the stage he’s at now, he’s talking and wanting to sleep over in granny’s house.”

NO HOLDS BARRED

Celine Barr didn’t want to be a grandmother when she first heard the news from her daughter Janet but she’s now a dedicated convert to grannyhood. “I wasn’t impressed with the prospect of becoming a granny,” said the 61-year-old widow but three-year-old Zac is a granny’s boy and the duo are inseparable, taking

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Anne-Marie with baby Ollie and his mum Paula and below with her son Craig

Erstwhile reluctant granny Celine Barr with young Zac and daughter Janet

on all sorts of activities as a pair. “I was 59 when my daughter told me she was pregnant and I actually remember saying to her not to be expecting me to help out or babysit when the baby came,” she said. “I had taken early retirement from nursing because I wanted to travel and when my daughter was pregnant I was actually in New Zealand and Australia, though I was on Skype with her all the time while I was out there. “I remember thinking that I didn’t want my life to be curtailed. For me, it wasn’t that I was too young to be a granny, it was more that I didn’t want to be held back from

doing the travelling that I’d taken early retirement to do.” All that was to change however when the big day arrived. “Zac was born and I just fell in love with him immediately. I only had one daughter so it was like having a son. “I have never had to face the curtailment of my travelling, I actually look after Zac and we do everything together. I was there when he took his first step and I’ve been there through all his milestones of learning to talk and the holidays, I just negotiate with my daughter and son-in-law. “Any woman who has got the news

and isn’t happy at the prospect of being a granny – for whatever reason – I would just say to her to hold in there and wait until the child arrives and see your attitude change. “Life changes for the better and you enjoy your grandchild no matter what you’ve wanted out of life – it all fits into place with the gift of a grandchild.”

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When it comes to playing outside, little has changed from a few generations ago

THE SUN’S OUT - get your skates on!

ummer fun is just around the corner and that means more time playing outside. While toy makers are constantly looking at innovative ways to help children play and learn, some of the old favourites show no sign of going away. The pogo stick, responsible for many a skinned ankle in earlier generations, has made a comeback, together with the space hopper, which is great for giving parents a work-out too! Bicycles and roller skates are prone to fashion changes – inline skates are always cooler although children just starting out tend to feel more secure on the quad roller skate. Don’t forget knee and ankle guards and you’ll save a fortune in sticking plasters. Children are usually riding a bike without stabilisers by the age of seven and it’s almost impossible to get stabilisers for a bike for a child older than that. If your youngster is too nervous to ride a bike, why not settle for a scooter? They are a great way of getting about and are an extremely popular alternative. Skateboards are also still a huge hit but the safety gear is

essential in this case – especially if you feel like having a go yourself! Go-karts are also enjoying a renaissance. If you have a few kids to entertain or the neighbours’ children gravitate toward your garden, you can’t go wrong with a ball and bat set although a Swing Ball is the best option if you want to preserve your windows. It will soon be time to get the plastic pool out – you’ll have trouble getting them in for dinner if you put it at the bottom of a slide for a fun splashdown. (Never leave a toddler or baby unattended near even shallow water as they can drown in just a few inches.) Or get a Slip ‘n’ Slide — equally messy and not kind on your lawn. Don’t forget the Nerf guns for a water fight at the end of the day. Perhaps your garden has great trees for climbing? Why not rig up a rope for a swing – use half a tractor tyre instead of a wooden plank for added excitement (you can paint it to stop the rubber coming off on the kids’ clothes), or tie a thick rope at the end and let them really go for it jungle style. Trampolining is a fantastic form of exercise for kids of all ages as well as being a recognised sport. Don’t even think of using

one without the safety netting though. If you really want to get the children’s pulses racing, invest in a climbing frame – they will play for hours and it’s great for make-believe as a fortress or castle.

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Water, water everywhere

f your children are of preschool age, apart from swings, slides and climbing frames, their greatest source of fun tends to be at ground level. Roisin Reilly, from Enniskillen, is a nursery school teacher and mum of four children, Aine (10), Fiontan (9), Sean (6) and Niamh (4). Her top choice of toy for a pre-schooler is a water tray out in the garden. “They can spend hours standing at it playing and they can use any number of easy household items - jugs, sponges, bottles, anything for pouring. “Some people use the tray for sand but unless you are going to remember to put the lid on every time it isn’t in use, I wouldn’t recommend it. I was always wary of cats using it as a litter tray. Water is easier and the spills just evaporate whereas the sand is messy and gets everywhere.” Of course the water from the tray can be put to all sorts of uses. “Young children just love squirting things whether with a water pistol or a plastic bottle. They can water the plants or draw a picture with chalk on the ground and get as much entertainment out of washing it away as they did drawing it. Give them a thick paintbrush and they will happily paint the walls — and anything else — with water,” she added. Roisin also recommends ride on toys. “The children play for ages on these -

Roisin Reilly with (l-r) Niamh, Aine, cousin Grace, Sean and Fiontan on a trip to the beach whether it’s a toy tractor or digger - anything so long as it has a container that can be towed behind and carry teddies or dolls.” Another age old favourite is bubbles. “Young children love catching bubbles and you can use a bubble-making machine or simply stick to blowing bubbles that you’ve bought or made with washing-up liquid and water — add a spoonful of sugar to strengthen the bubbles.”

Kids are in their element when it comes to playing with or in water and even a tractor tyre can be put to use when it comes to outdoor fun

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Samsung HW-H7501 320W curved soundbar

Samsung HU8500 curved screen TV

Samsung RF24HS

Bosch PIA611

Miele Celebration

Britannia RC10TG

LED TVs: TVs have gone up in size over the last five years – 32” screens were the most popular five years ago but now people are generally buying 42” screens. TV technology is changing all the time, a new product on the market is the Samsung HU8500 curved screen TV (£3,999). The curve gives a more focussed viewing area and less light reflection so the picture quality is outstanding.

Soundbars and Wireless Speakers: People are looking for ways to complement their TVs. Many add soundbars or wifi speakers, which give fantastic sound and also allow users to connect their smartphones and tablets to the speaker system as well as the TV. The Samsung HW-H7501 320W curved soundbar (£699) is the perfect companion for the Samsung curved TV and with eight speakers in the bar and a subwoofer, you’ll be blown away by the sound it creates.

Bosch WAE24063

Fridges and Freezers: In general, American-style fridge freezers are topping the market. People like them because they make a real statement in a kitchen. The Samsung RF24HS (£1,999) is a four door appliance which also has the advantage of providing running still or sparkling filtered water.

Cookers: Ranges are the most popular free-standing units. Available in a variety of sizes, from 60 to 120cm, the larger ranges also incorporate wok burners, griddles and rotisseries. The Britannia RC10TG is currently on offer at £2,999 – £1k less than the recommended retail price. When it comes to hobs, induction is the way to go: it’s a breeze to clean, substantially more energy efficient than its gas or electrical counterparts and offers incredibly quick heat transfer. Snap up a bargain in the Bosch PIA611, currently reduced from £399 to £319.

Washing Machines: Energy efficiency and noise are the main considerations when people are choosing a washing machine. Bosch are highly regarded manufacturers and their WAE24063 (£249) is a top-seller.

Vacuum Cleaners: Miele are renowned for their quality machines, their German build quality resulting in reliable, sturdy vacuums. People in Northern Ireland generally prefer cylinder machines rather than uprights as they’re easier to get into corners and tricky spots. Miele machines range from £119 to £300, but their Celebration machine (celebrating the sale of 50m Miele vacuums world-wide) is on special offer, reduced from £199 to £149.

Dishwashers: Again, Bosch are very popular, making quiet, energy efficient machines. Their SMS40C12 (£329) offers a time indicator display so that users can see when the cycle will be completed. It also offers delayed start, a halfload option and has low water usage. Its push button operation makes it simple and straightforward to use. Bosch SMS40C12

What’s hot in the world of

HOME APPLIANCES? Do you know your Bosch from your Beko and would you like your TV to come with a curve? Julian Patterson, owner of electrical goods store EH Services in Belfast gave Family Life the lowdown...

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GIZMOS, GADGETS AND GOODIES to make your life easier

Looking for a wedding gift or treating yourself to a new kitchen toy? Here are some goodies worth considering…

Although they can seem eyewateringly expensive, coffee afficionados swear by bean-to-cup machines for the perfect at home experience. The Gaggia Baby Class gets consistently good reviews and is rated on of Which magazine’s ‘best buys’. The versatile, stainless steel machine delivers espressos in just 16 seconds, has a steamer attachment to make frothy coffees and works with both ground coffee and ESE (easy serve espresso) pods. £295 www.gaggia.uk.com

Baking is just the beginning. With 10 speeds and more than 12 available attachments, the iconic KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer can whip up everything from pasta to ice cream, sausage to salsa and so much more. £379 www.currys.co.uk

For an easy way to boost your fruit and veg intake, look no further than the NUTRIBULLET® Nutrition Extractor. Designed to help you consume the nutrients inside your food, the NUTRIBULLET® breaks down and pulverises stems, seeds and skins of whole food, making nutritious smoothies with no waste. £99.99 www.buynutribullet.co.uk Save your worktop in style with the BLIP spoon rest designed by LPWK (Laura Polinoro Workshop) for Italian design factory Alessi. The name “BLIP” alludes onomatopoeically to the wave from a drop in water. The form is made from a thin sheet of steel and is cleverly resolved to cradle spoons and ladles of different lengths and sizes. Lightweight and discreet but also elegant. £14.95 www.alessi.com

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Best cars

for your growing family

The Ford Focus is the perfect used car choice for a family with two children

BY PAUL CONNOLLY s families grow, their requirements change. From small, value-based runabouts to large, comfortable load-luggers — there’s a car out there for every family. Prices are for guidance only. As always, the best advice is: shop around.

Ford Fiesta - top seller in these parts

FAMILY OF THREE

You have basically now left small citycars behind and need something bigger to hold all the kit that kids of all ages require. A no-nonsense Supermini is your best bet: low purchase price, low running costs and sturdy resale values. Think Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Corsa, Renault Clio, Toyota Yaris, Honda Jazz, Volkswagen Polo, Peugeot 208.

New car choice: The Fiesta could easily share top billing, but I’m going to plump for the brilliant new fourth generation Corsa. It’s a massive improvement on earlier models: totally drive-able and with tons of extras. From £10,145 Used car choice: The Fiesta sells more cars in Northern Ireland than any other model. It hugs the road, is chock-full of kit and the 1.0-litre three-cylinder EcoBoost engine in particular is brilliant. YOUNG FAMILY, TWO KIDS

As your family grows, you’ll want your car to grow with it. A compact family car provides comfort and more load-space to carry all the accoutrements. You’re now in Family Hatchback territory: for example, VW Golf, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Peugeot 308, Seat Leon.

Land Rover Freelander 2 is a great compact 4x4 for the rural family guitar and amp, drum kit, tent and rucksack — you name it. Estate cars have rather been overshadowed by 4x4s and MPVs. But they’re incredibly versatile and now look and drive better than ever. Medium-sized estates are a great tradeoff between driveability, value and space. Think the BMW 3 Series Touring, Mercedes C Series estate, Hyundai i30 or i40, Ford Mondeo, Skoda Octavia Estate, Honda Accord Tourer and VW Passat for example.

New car choice: Sleek and stylish, the Honda Accord Tourer is also great to drive and very versatile. It’s a bit overshadowed by big beasts like of BMW and Ford, but don’t let that put you off. From £24,675 Used car choice: It’s hard to look past the

BMW 3 Series Touring. Now, I’m no badge snob, but the 3 Series is an incredibly good used buy, and residual values hold up very well. RURAL FAMILY

Farmers and parents who live in the countryside may need some off-road and

New car choice: The latest Hyundai Santa Fe is a big improvement on earlier iterations and with seven seats it is a very versatile car. It’s good in the rough stuff, too. From £30,595 Used car choice: For a great trade-off between size, affordability and off-road ability, don’t look past the Land Rover Freelander 2 (note: avoid the awful Mk 1). It’s being phased out soon in favour of the new Discovery, so bargains will be common. LARGE FAMILY/COMPLICATED USES

BMW 3 Series Touring for teens

New car choice: Hard to see past the Golf here. It’s now in seventh generation and has been refined to within an inch of its life. Quality cabin, quality engine, strong residual value. From just under £19,000. Used car choice: The second-generation Focus, introduced in 2005, was a real improvement, and subsequent models got even better. THREE TEENAGERS

They’re more grown up now, so the requirements are bigger and bulkier. Sports kit,

proper towing ability to get around. The 4x4 essentially sector divides into two: large and compact. For the latter, think Hyundai iX35, Kia Sportage, Range Rover Evoque and Land Rover Freelander. In large, consider the VW Toureg, several Range Rovers, Mitsubishi Shogun, Hyundai Sante Fe and more.

Vauxhall Zafira - great for large families and not too hard on the wallet

Have you four or more kids? Do you coach a team? Are you endlessly called upon to give lifts to your kids and their mates or team-mates? Now you’re into six and seven-seater territory. Think MPVs, some large 4x4s and some estates with seats in the boot: For used vehicles, consider the Ford Galaxy and Renault Grand Espace. In the new car market, I’d look at the Ford S-Max, Citroen Berlingo Multispace 7 and Vauxhall Zafira.

New car choice: Yes, it doesn’t have the refinement of its competitors, and at heart it’s essentially a converted van, but pound for pound the versatile Berlingo Multispace 7 is well worth considering. From £12,795 Used car choice: Hard to look past the Vauxhall Zafira. It’s very versatile and not too hard on the wallet. The versatile seating system is great for people v stuff dilemmas.

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CASE HISTORY: NEW SKODA FABIA

FAMILY MOTORING:

The best ways to keep your loved ones safe

BY PAUL CONNOLLY

wning and using a car is a major benefit in the modern world – however, it’s also one of the biggest risk factors in our lives. Just like the pilot of an airplane, responsibility for the safety of those on board rests with the driver. Here are our top tips to keep your family safe: Care, courtesy and consideration: This is an old phrase used for decades by police forces, including the PSNI, but it remains as relevant today as it did in the 1970s. Taking care means a myriad of things: leaving a proper gap between the car in front, not hogging the middle or outside lanes if you are slower than others, no undertaking or careless overtaking. Courtesy – being polite with other drivers, and keeping your cool. Consideration - recognising not everyone is as fast or confident as you, letting people pull out and all the other little things that restore your faith in humanity. Motorways: After driving safely, the golden rule of motorway behaviour if you have to stop, is not to linger on the hard shoulder. A high percentage of people who die on motorways are killed on the hard shoulder. Unless the weather is extreme or you have some other very good reason, don’t stay in or beside your car and preferably get behind the barrier. Euro NCAP: The good news is that cars are getting safer. This is mainly due to the European New Car Assessment Programme which carries out crash tests and provides reports on front, side and

pole impacts, and impacts with pedestrians. When buying a car do inspect its Euro NCAP rating – five stars is the best – as it will protect your family and other road users as well. Child seats: In Northern Ireland, all children up to 135cms (approx 4ft 5ins) in height, or up to 12 years of age (whichever occurs first), must use the appropriate child restraint. Car seats and belts are mainly designed for adults, so special measures need to be taken for children. The safest system is Isofix, which was developed to get around this problem by providing dedicated attachment points to ‘plug in’ car seats. But, like all child seats, you MUST learn how to attach them properly or your child will not be 100% safe. The official Northern Ireland advice is at www.nidirect.gov.uk/child-car-seats Toys: iPads, toys, DVD players, soft drinks cans and other pieces of kit can turn into missiles in an accident. Always make sure they are safely stowed before you set off. Further reading: The single best place to learn how to be a safe and skilled driver is at the Institute of Advanced Motorists. See http://www.iam.org.uk

The new Skoda Fabia is a good example of a car designed to be extremely safe. It is one of 14 small cars to get the highest five-star award in the Euro NCAP crash tests, scoring five in all four evaluation categories: passenger protection for adults, child safety, assistance systems and pedestrian protection. Fabia models feature safety innovations normally only seen in more expensive cars. These include: ■ City Emergency Brake ■ A multi-collision brake ■ Driver Activity Assistant (fatigue recognition) ■ Six airbags – front, side and head ■ A high-strength body and optimised crumple zones.

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Did you know you can use everyday household items to treat injuries if you don’t have a first aid kit? SOFT DRINKS – you may not always have access to cold running water when treating a burn or scald. In this case, use some other cold liquid like a soft drink, beer or milk. The aim is to cool the burnt area as quickly as possible, and remember the area should be cooled for at least ten minutes. A Red Cross trainer shows parents how to perform CPR on a baby

Do you know what to do if your child is injured?

s much as we might like to, it’s just not possible to wrap our little ones up in cotton wool, so it makes sense to prepare for emergencies and learn a little first aid. The British Red Cross want all parents to feel confident in first aid, with the knowledge and confidence that in an emergency you’ll be able to assess the situation and act immediately. It is one of the organisations which offers first aid training to businesses and community groups. Check out your local community groups for any courses in the near future.

Is it difficult?

One of the most common preconceptions the British Red Cross face is that first aid is difficult to learn – but anyone can learn these skills. The key is remembering a few key things so if you’re ever faced with a time of panic you’ll be able to think calmly and confidently about what to do.

Choose your way to learn

As busy parents sometimes you wonder when you’ll find the time to take a shower never mind anything else. That’s why there is a range of learning opportunities

IT MAKES SENSE TO PREPARE FOR EMERGENCIES AND LEARN A LITTLE FIRST AID

available to you. The British Red Cross first aid for baby and child course is a four hour session filled with everything you need to know as new or expectant parents. From what to do if your baby was choking, to how to treat a burn or a fever, you’ll leave feeling empowered with the knowledge to be able to help your baby in an emergency. Find a venue near you at redcrossfirstaidtraining.co.uk For first aid at your fingertips there’s also the British Red Cross first aid for baby and child app. Packed with useful videos, tips and advice on a range of childhood emergencies, you’ll never be more than a few taps away from knowing what to do. Download free from iTunes or Google Play. And finally there’s the baby and child first aid website which is packed with informative videos and even a quiz so you can test your knowledge: redcross.org.uk/ babyandchildfirstaid

CLING FILM – can be used to cover a burn or a scald once it has been cooled. It is an ideal covering as it does not stick to the burn. It also keeps the burnt area clean and because it’s clear, you can continue to monitor the burn without removing the covering. CREDIT CARD – when an insect sting is visible on the skin, use the edge of a credit card and drag it across the skin to remove the sting. FROZEN PEAS – these or other small frozen fruit and vegetables can be used to treat a sprain or a strain. Wrap the peas in a tea towel or something similar and place them on to the injury, to help reduce the pain and swelling. TEA TOWEL (OR ITEM OF CLOTHING) – if someone is bleeding heavily from a wound, apply pressure with a tea towel (or clothing) to stop or slow down the flow of blood.