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Sparkle
On The Dancefloor
Christmas Adventure
F y Festivities
With Buddy The Elf
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Inspiring Everyday Family Life
Winter 2023 • Issue 22
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Contents Winter 2023 • Issue 22
If you know me well, you will know that I’m now surrounded by a few Christmas trees and a house full of eucalyptus and berries. I’m excited to navigate this festive season with a focus on what truly matters: creating lasting memories and embracing the spirit of togetherness. Reflecting on the lessons learned this year, we advocate for extracting positives from challenges, fostering resilience, and cherishing newfound perspectives. As we approach the new year, our aim is to guide you in cultivating a positive mindset, fostering hope, and embracing fresh beginnings. Let’s weave the tapestry of this festive season with threads of love, understanding, and appreciation for one another. Join us in celebrating the gift of time, the power of positivity, and the beauty of creating cherished memories that linger long after the decorations have been stored away. Thank you for continuing to support my family business; without you all Cherubs wouldn’t be the parenting publication it is today and I can’t thank you enough. Enjoy this beautiful season, may you all be merry and bright. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Peace, love and gravy-filled Yorkshire puds.
Sev x
Feaures
30 Great Expectations 36 Get Your Pelvic Floor Health Back on Track 46 5 Minutes with Illana
In is ed iо
4 Oh Yes We Did... 24 Mindful Photography 26 Fashion Edit
A ta e ... 12 Parent Life 18 Living 28 Education 42 Home
EDITOR IN CHIEF
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WHAT’S ON
Oh yes we did… I give you our top family-friendly shows, theatre and pantomimes in London for 2023/24. For more follow @younglondonist on Instagram.
Cinderella Vikki Stone, the Queen of Panto, presents her sassy and magical adaptation of Cinderella, featuring live music and comedy. Cinderella, a market-savvy boss, catches Prince Henry’s eye. However, romance isn’t straightforward when step-sisters and a step-mother intervene. Join the hilarious journey to the ball in Hammersmith – everyone’s invited! When: 18 Nov 2023 - 6 Jan 2024 Where: Lyric Hammersmith How much: From £10 lyric.co.uk
The Night Before Christmas Meet Amber, a six-year-old with a love for reindeer! On Christmas Eve, Grandad is tired, her beloved snow globe shatters, but a surprise visitor changes everything. Join Amber on an unforgettable festive adventure, where the night before Christmas promises unexpected magic. This original production, inspired by ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,’ weaves music, skillful puppetry, and holiday enchantment into a heartwarming tale. When: 18 Nov 2023 - 14 Jan 2024 Where: Polka Theatre How much: From £16 polkatheatre.com
The House With Chicken Legs Marinka longs for a normal life, but her house has chicken legs and roams unpredictably. Adapted from Sophie Anderson’s beloved novel, it’s the tale of Marinka, a girl struggling when her home is uprooted. This show, co-produced by Les Enfants Terribles and HOME Manchester, offers a funny, thoughtprovoking perspective on the complexities of loss. Presented in association with Les Enfants Terribles. When: 13 - 31 Dec 2023 Where: Southbank Centre How much: From £20 southbankcentre.co.uk
Peter Pan Panto Featuring Jennifer Saunders as Captain Hook, Julian Clary as Smee, and a stellar cast. Returning for its eighth season, this show offers spectacular sets, jaw-dropping effects, and the magic of the UK’s biggest panto. Secure your seats early!
Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book A musical adaptation of the best-selling book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. Charlie adores reading, especially pirate books. His sister finds it boring. Can he show her how fun reading can be? Join them on an adventure through different books with Charlie Cook. With puppetry and songs, explore the magic of storytelling and help his sister discover the enchanting world within a book. When: 18 Nov - 4 Feb 2024 Where: Little Angel Theatre How much: Adults £16, children £14 littleangeltheatre.com
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When: 9 Dec 2023 - 14 Jan 2024 Where: The Palladium How much: From £25 palladiumpantomime.com
Here Comes Santa Claus As Woody and Milly drift off on Christmas Eve, the enchantment unfolds. Could that be an Elf they spot? Do the jingling bells belong to reindeer? Is it truly Santa leaving gifts? Prepare for an extraordinary journey filled with magic, playfulness, and holiday delight! When: 13 – 24 Dec 2023 Where: New Wimbledon Theatre How much: From £17 atgtickets.com 020 8154 3664
WHAT’S ON Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas Join Santa on Christmas Eve, as he goes from a dream of sun and sand to his busiest day of the year. See him get ready for his deliveries, tend to his reindeer, and take flight into the snowy night. Don’t miss this Lyric family favourite, co-produced with Olivier Award-nominated Pins & Needles Productions. Book early for the best prices as they increase with demand. Please contact the Box Office for access tickets, and remember that seating is unreserved, and buggies cannot be taken into the Studio auditorium. When: 22 Nov – 30 Dec 2023 Where: Lyric Hammersmith How much: From £14 lyric.co.uk
The Museum of Marvellous Things Step into The Museum of Marvellous Things, where the impossible comes to life! Explore stars in jars, play with moons like balloons, and join the fun with Doo-Dahs and Noo-Nahs. This unique museum is brought to life by your imagination. With giant puppets, interactive storytelling, live music, and the chance to make your special puppet, this family show, based on Kristina Stephenson’s picture book, promises a magical experience. Meet Norbert Norris and Tilly T. Pott as they invite you to fill their museum with magic. When: 19 Nov 2023 Where: Arts Depot How much: From £10 artsdepot.co.uk
There’s a Monster in Your Christmas Show
Peter Pan Goes Wrong
Tom Fletcher’s beloved “Who’s in Your Book?” the series transforms into a brand-new musical show. On stage, a group of performers find unexpected company in Little Monster, who invites friends like Dragon, Alien, Elf, and Unicorn to join the fun. This high-energy, 50-minute adventure with original music introduces kids to live theatre, offering playful interactive moments with their favourite characters. Get ready for a delightful introduction to the joy of books and friendship! “There’s a Monster in Your Show,” and he’s eager to meet you!
Mischief, known for “The Play That Goes Wrong” and “The Comedy About A Bank Robbery,” presents the West End cast of “Peter Pan Goes Wrong”. Catch this hilarious show at the Lyric Theatre this Christmas. It features the “Cornley Drama Society” battling mishaps while attempting to present J.M. Barrie’s classic tale. Directed by Adam Meggido, it’s a highly physical comedy filled with farce and slapstick. Don’t miss the uproarious fun!
When: 27 Dec 2023 – 7 Jan 2024 Where: Arts Depot How much: From £12 artsdepot.co.uk
When: 23 Nov 2023 – 14 Jan 2024 Where: Lyric Theatre How much: From £14 thelyrictheatre.co.uk
The Toymaker’s Child The toymaker, living a quiet life, worries about his lonely child. To remedy this, he creates a mischievous AI child with a magical 3D printer. However, things take an unexpected turn with AI child PIN:0Cch10! The Toymaker’s Child promises a spellbinding theatrical experience with a colourful cast, big laughs, and stunning sets, featuring over 200 talented performers, delivering a journey filled with wonder, beauty, and delightful chaos. When: 22 Nov 2023 - 13 Jan 2024 Where: Chickenshed Theatre How much: From £10 chickenshed.org.uk
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WHAT’S ON My Christmas Orchestral Adventure
Dear Santa
Returning in December 2023 with a fresh story. Conductor Tim has lost his Christmas spirit just before Father Christmas’s arrival at the world’s biggest Christmas concert. Join Tom, Albert’s Orchestra, and special guests as they guide Tim through past, present, and future Christmases to restore his cheer in time for Father Christmas!
Santa’s determined to find the perfect gift for Sarah, with a little help from his cheeky Elf. Join the live show “Dear Santa” by Rod Campbell, author of “Dear Zoo,” for kids aged two and up. Meet Santa in his grotto after the performance, and every child receives a special gift. A Christmas treat for both children and parents, making it a memorable family experience this festive season!
When: 10 Dec 2023 Where: Royal Albert Hall How much: From £23 ryalalberthall.com
When: 2 – 24 Dec 2023 Where: Arts Depot How much: From £12 artsdepot.co.uk
Snow White
The Lightbulb Princess A fun-filled, sparkling extravaganza exploring the sensational science behind electricity. Featuring catchy original songs from Ziad Jabero and electrifying storytelling, The Lightbulb Princess will light up children’s imaginations and inspire them to learn more about the world around them. When: 23 - 25 Nov 2023 Where: Half Moon Theatre How much: From £7 halfmoon.org.uk
Peppa Pig’s Fun Day Out Peppa Pig returns in her oinktastic new live show, “Fun Day Out”! Join Peppa, her family, and friends for a thrilling day at the zoo and a beach party. Sing and dance with scarecrows, feed penguins, build sandcastles, and swim in the sea. With songs, dance, and muddy puddles, it’s a guaranteed source of giggles and snorts for Peppa fans and a perfect theatre introduction. When: 30 Nov 2023 – 31 Dec 2023 Where: Theatre Royal Haymarket How much: From £10 trh.co.uk
Mirror, mirror on the wall, where is the fairest pantomime of all?! Snow White is gracing the stage at Greenwich Theatre for 2023. Get your tickets early for the season’s theatrical highlight, written by the beloved villain, Anthony Spargo! When: 23 Nov 2023 – 7 Jan 2024 Where: Greenwich Theatre How much: From £33 greenwichtheatre.org.uk
Wolf Witch Giant Fairy Do not miss the return of this ‘enchantingly staged’ family folk opera, following the triumphant, Olivier Award-winning run in 2021. Red Riding Hood is tasked with delivering bread to her Grandmother, deep in the heart of the fairy-tale forest. But en route, Red meets a cunning Wolf who tricks her into taking a different path. Along the way, Red stumbles into a colourful cast of characters, including a scary witch, a talking cat and a rather persuasive Peddler. Join our ragtag band of wild musicians as they guide all the family through this famous tale with new twists, turns, magic and song. When: 11 Dec 2023 – 6 Jan 2024 Where: Royal Opera House How much: From £3 roh.org.uk
The Smartest Giant in Town Don’t miss the musical adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s bestselling book. George, the scruffiest giant in town, decides to upgrade his look with smart clothes. But when he encounters animals in need, his kindness shines brighter than his attire. This heartwarming story of friendship and helping others comes to life in a musical, puppet-filled adventure, brought to you by Little Angel Theatre, known for their successful adaptations of Julia Donaldson’s picture books like The Singing Mermaid and The Everywhere Bear. When: 2 Dec 2023 – 7 Jan 2024 Where: St Martin’s Theatre How much: From £10 stmartinstheatre.co.uk
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WHAT’S ON Hansel and Gretel This beautifully epic new version of The Brothers Grimm’s fairy tale, Hansel and Gretel, by Poet Laureate Simon Armitage, transforms the Globe Theatre this winter. The boy, Hansel, and the girl, Gretel, had a woodcutting dad and a breadmaking mum. In their war-ravaged village, the parents decide to leave their children in the woods, hoping for a safer life. Lost in the forest, the siblings get distracted by tempting treats and encounter a mysterious old lady with her own plans. This stage premiere of Simon Armitage’s poem, directed by Nick Bagnall, combines music, magic, and hope, making it a delightful experience for ages 5+. “A road made of bits of bread, says she? Yes, a road, and a road we can eat – follow me!” When: 8 Dec 2023 – 7 Jan 2024 Where: Shakespeare Globe How much: From £5 shakeseareglobe.com
A Christmas Carol Two of Dickens’ dearest theatrical partners are thrust into the limelight. As the rest of the cast remains stranded on a train, actress Frances Ternan and Dickens’ loyal tour manager George Dolby face the daunting task of embodying more than 30 characters. The question remains: who will step into the role of Scrooge? When: 4 – 9 December 2023 Where: New Wimbledon Theatre How much: From £20 atgtickets.com
Peter Pan on Ice This annual spectacular will transport you to Neverland with beloved characters from J.M. Barrie’s classic tale. Our creative team has infused imagination and make-believe into the story, promising dazzling skating, theatrical aerial feats, and an abundance of pixie dust. When: 8 - 11 Dec 2023 Where: Alexandra Palace How much: From £15 alxandrapalace.com
The Elves and the Magic Bear Join Santa’s Elves on a heartwarming adventure to rescue Christmas, with help from Mrs. Claus and the audience. This interactive family production is a festive delight, featuring singing, dancing, magic, and a surprise guest. Don’t miss the chance for photos with the performers and a special certificate from Mrs. Claus! When: 9 – 21 Dec 2023 Where: Old Royal Naval College How much: From £14 ornc.org
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WINTER
Editors’ Top Favourite Xmas Movies The festive season brings with it a special kind of magic, and what better way to capture the spirit of Christmas than by indulging in some heartwarming, laughterfilled, and timeless cinematic treasures? The top 10 Christmas movies we’ve selected represent a diverse range of stories that have resonated with audiences
“The Polar Express” (2004) A magical animated adventure that follows a young boy on a journey to the North Pole on the Polar Express train.
“Die Hard” (1988) While not a traditional Christmas movie, this action-packed film, set during a Christmas party, has become a beloved holiday classic for many.
“The Grinch” (Various Adaptations) The grumpy character from Dr. Seuss book has been brought to life in both animated and liveaction films. The 2000 live-action version starring Jim Carrey is a popular choice.
“Elf” (2003) A modern favourite starring Will Ferrell as a human raised by elves who goes to New York City to find his real father.
“A Christmas Carol” (Various Adaptations) This Charles Dickens classic has been adapted into numerous films, including the 1951 version starring Alastair Sim and the 1984 version with George C. Scott.
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for generations. From the heartwarming lessons of “It’s a Wonderful Life” to the hilarious antics of “Home Alone,” these films encapsulate the essence of the holiday season. Whether you’re looking for a classic tale of redemption like “A Christmas Carol” or a modern favourite like “Elf,” these movies are sure to fill your
heart with holiday joy and bring a smile to your face. So, grab a cup of hot chocolate, snuggle up by the fire, and let the magic of these films transport you to a world of festive cheer and goodwill. Here are Cherubs’ top 10 Christmas movies to watch this festive season.
“Home Alone” (1990) A hilarious and heartwarming family film about a young boy who defends his home from burglars during Christmas.
“It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946) A heartwarming classic about the impact one man has on his community.
“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” (1989) A comedic look at the ups and downs of family gatherings during the holidays, featuring the Griswold family.
“Love Actually” (2003) A British romantic comedy that weaves together multiple love stories in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
“Miracle on 34th Street” (1947 and 1994) Both the classic 1947 version and the 1994 remake tell the story of a man who claims to be Santa Claus and the legal battle to prove his identity.
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WINTER
What To Read This Christmas Here are the latest page-turners to curl up with this Christmas. Writer Sara Bragg recommends her favourite new books.
The Second Stranger
A Winter in New York
By Martin Griffin Sphere £8.27
By Josie Silver Penguin £7.49
An electrifying thriller, Remie Yorke is working her final shift at the Mackinnon Hotel in the remote Scottish Highlands just as Storm Ezra hits. As temperatures plummet and phone lines go down, an injured man stumbles inside. PC Don Gaines was in a terrible accident on the mountain road. The only other survivor: the prisoner his team was transporting. But when a second stranger arrives, Remie reluctantly lets him in from the blizzard. He, too, is hurt. He claims to be a police officer. His name is also Don Gaines. Someone is lying and, with no means of escape, Remie must work out who. If the cold doesn’t kill her, one of these men will get there first.
Really Good, Actually By Monica Heisey HarperCollins £8.49
The Schitt’s Creek screenwriter gives us a sharp, funny debut novel about a young divorcee stepping back into the world. Maggie’s marriage ended just 608 days after it started, but she’s fine. She’s doing really good, actually. Sure, she’s alone for the first time in her life, can’t afford her rent and her obscure PhD is going nowhere, but Maggie is determined to embrace her new status as a Surprisingly Young Divorcee. As Maggie throws herself headlong into the chaos of her first year of divorce, she finds herself questioning everything, including: Why do we still get married? Did I fail before I even got started? How many Night Burgers until I’m happy?
A gorgeous, cosy seasonal love story from the queen of the ‘what if?’ romance, Josie Silver. Iris arrives in the city of dreams, intent on restarting her culinary career, and leaving her recent heartache behind. Inside a gelateria that looks strangely familiar, she meets Gio: the perfect man with an irresistible smile and a crisis of his own. As fate would have it, Iris is the one person with the answer to his problem. She just can’t tell him that. Can Iris finally let go of the past and let herself fall in love?
The Woman in Me By Britney Spears Simon & Schuster £12.50
The book everyone’s talking about! Global megastar Britney Spears reveals all in her candid and heartfelt memoir, covering her incredible, tumultuous career, her controversial conservatorship experience and more. A brave and astonishingly moving story about freedom, fame, motherhood, survival, faith, and hope.
The Year of the Locust By Terry Hayes Bantam £11.00
Wreck The Halls By Tessa Bailey HarperCollins £7.99
A sexy, hilarious standalone holiday romcom from #1 New York Times bestselling author Tessa Bailey. Melody Gallard may be the daughter of music royalty, but her world is far from glamorous. When a producer offers her a lot of money to reunite her mother’s band on live TV, Mel wonders if it’s time to shake up her quiet life and see him again. Beat Dawkins, the lead singer’s son, is Melody’s opposite. They might have been best friends if not for the legendary feud that broke up the band. When they met as teenagers, Mel felt an instant spark, but it’s nothing compared to the wild, intense attraction that builds as they embark on a madcap mission to convince their mothers to perform one last show.
The author of the cult phenomenon I Am Pilgrim delivers an eagerly-awaited followup that offers the same calibre of highoctane tension and plenty of twists and turns. If, like Kane, you’re a Denied Access Area spy for the CIA, then boundaries have no meaning. Your function is to go in, do whatever is required, and get out again - by whatever means necessary. But some places don’t play by the rules. Some places are too dangerous, even for a man of Kane’s experience. The badlands where the borders of Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan meet are such a place, a place where violence is the only way to survive. Kane travels there to exfiltrate a man with vital information for the safety of the West, but instead he meets an adversary who will take the world to the brink of extinction. A frightening, clever, vicious man with blood on his hands and vengeance in his heart.
Instagram: @sarabraggwriter Website: sarabragg.com cherubsmagazine.com
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Festive Yummy-ness with Squashed Pickle By the snack queen herself - Neha Gandesha @squashedpickle
Melted Snowman Rich Teas These are so easy and, as the snowmen have started to melt, this has to be the best snacktivity that will cheer the kids up! They will love making these! *These are for kids over five. Marshmallows can be choking hazards for kids so please be aware.
Ingredients
• 2 rich tea biscuits • 2 marshmallows • Black icing pen • Orange icing pen • Mini M&Ms (buttons) • 2 pretzels • 4 tbsp icing sugar • 2 tbsp water Method
Brie & Cranberry Tarts If you love Brie you will love these!! A crispy pastry with hot, gooey cheese and sweet cranberry to balance it out! So simple.. so delicious and only three ingredients.
1. Make up your icing by mixing some water into the icing sugar. I like it quite thick but you can make it as thick as you like. 2. Pour this over the rich teas and place your marshmallow on top. 3. Add the snowman’s buttons. 4. Now add the arms by breaking a pretzel in two. 5. Draw on eyes and mouth with black icing and a carrot nose with orange! So simple and so fun! You can also add a scarf but I didn’t have the energy for that!
Ingredients
• One slice of Brie (200g) • 1 sheet puff pastry • Cranberry sauce (12 tsp) • Milk wash Method
1. Start by slicing your Brie into chunks and set aside. 2. Roll out your puff pastry and cut out circles using a cookie cutter (or glass, like I do!). 3. Place your pastry circles into a well-greased cupcake tray, make a few holes with a fork and fill with a teaspoon of cranberry sauce. 4. Add two chunks of Brie to the pastry cup and brush pastry with milk wash (to make it golden). 5. Bake in a hot oven for around 15- 20 mins at 180C until they are golden and cooked through. 6. Let cool slightly and remove from the tray with a spoon. 7. Enjoy!
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WINTER
Mini Roll Rudolphs What do you think of my sweet mini roll Rudolphs? So adorable, right? You can have these on lolly sticks which make them so cute! Wrap them in cellophane for cute homemade Christmas gifts!
Ingredients
• Mini rolls • Red Smarties • Candy eyes • Mini pretzels • Edible glue or chocolate (to stick) Method
Fluffy Festive Pancakes
1. Start by making little blobs (on the mini roll) with your edible glue or chocolate for the nose and eyes. 2. Add your Smarties for Rudolph’s red nose and his candy eyes. 3. Now stick on your pretzels for antlers (I cut mine in half but you can use a whole one). 4. Slide in your lolly stick and let it all set! 5. Enjoy!
Here’s a cute and fun idea for a festive breakfast that the kids can help make. Making these are a great Christmas kitchen activity and teach kids basic kitchen skills. I’ve used the little man as a Rudolph for extra fun! Just spin him round and stick on his nose, eyes and antlers. I’ve used shop-bought pancakes because I had zero time this morning and Zac wanted some! However, here’s my favourite pancake recipe if you want to make your own.
Ingredients
For the pancakes • 200g self-raising flour • 1 tsp baking powder • 1 tbsp caster sugar • 1 medium egg • 1 tsp vanilla extract • 300ml milk For the decorations • Chocolate spread • Sprinkles • Fruit (any you like)
Method
1. Start by mixing the dry ingredients in a bowl. 2. Crack in the eggs and mix. 3. Add milk and maple syrup. Whisk until you get a smooth batter. 4. Take 2 pancakes. With a cookie cutter, cut out a gingerbread man on one pancake. 5. Spread chocolate on the whole pancake and sandwich together. You can decorate if you like. The offcut man can be flipped around to make a cute Rudolph! Try it.
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WINTER
Make room for some maths games... So good, you won’t want to gift them! By Hari Neocleous @the_maths_nuts For this festive season I’m bringing you 10 great games. Add them to your games cupboard or Christmas shopping list for friends and family. All the games have my Maths teacher stamp of approval. Have fun, bring family and friends together and create some special memories. Playing maths-themed games is a wonderful way to show that maths is for everyone! Happy gaming.
Genius Square Players roll the dice and place the wooden ‘blockers’ onto their game boards. Players race to fit in the coloured shapes around the ‘blockers’, rotating and flipping the coloured shapes. Genius Square develops shape and space skills and explores co-ordinates. A game for all ages and great to travel with. A firm favourite with my teacher buddies.
Combinations Combinations has 72 puzzles. There are number puzzles, dice puzzles, face puzzles, shape puzzles and even colour mixing puzzles. Fill the grid by adding, subtracting or combining the contents of the square windows to equal the contents of the circular window. This is brain training at its best. Problem solving, perseverance and highly addictive.
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Kamisado I love strategic games and Kamisado is one of my favourites. Two players take turns to move their ‘dragon towers’ diagonally forward or forwards in a straight line. Move as many squares as you wish but the colour you land on is the colour of the tower your opponent has to move. The winner is the first person to get a tower to the other side. You’re visualising, planning ahead and thinking strategically.
Sum Swamp Sum Swamp is for our younger game players. A great number track game for children to practise addition and subtraction skills. Whether you’re quicker at mental maths or using your fingers to calculate, it doesn’t matter. Sum Swamp is a dice game based on luck and great for simple calculations.
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WINTER
Ubongo! 3D Players begin by finding the three shapes required for their game board. The timer is turned and players race each other to make the three coloured shapes fit onto the game board outline, creating a ‘two floor’ shape. Just like Ubongo! 2D, Ubongo! 3D develops shape and space skills. Flip shapes, rotate them, use trial and error or visualise pieces coming together. A game for all generations.
Prime Climb Prime Climb is perfect for older primary school children and teenagers. Children develop arithmetic skills and explore multiplication, division, prime numbers and factors. This game explores the building blocks of numbers in such a visual way, allowing children to make connections and become fluent with number facts. There’s lots of decision making and strategic thinking in this exciting game. Watch the Prime Climb videos on mathfolove.com and you will be hooked!
Gobble Gobble makes me giggle every time I play. It’s a noughts and crosses game with a twist. Your pieces can gobble smaller pieces adding a clever strategic element to a classic game. Easy to learn, quick to play and always fun.
Race to Infinity Race to Infinity is a fun number track and dice game. Children throw two dice and decide whether to add, subtract, multiply or divide, moving their piece accordingly. They have tokens to collect, cards to explore and lots of decisions to make. Choose the game variation that suits your child’s ability and age. A great game to develop mental arithmetic and reasoning skills.
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Qwirkle Play Qwirkle by building rows and columns with brightly coloured tiles, matching pieces by colour or by shape. You score points as you play. Each tile is worth one point. Create a line of six tiles and you create a ’Qwirkle’ (six points for the tiles plus six bonus points). Place a tile in a position where it touches multiple tiles and you score higher. Add points, match tiles and think strategically. A maths version of Scrabble!
Q-bitz
Players recreate the patterns on the game cards using their set of 16 cubes. There are different levels to play. You can race your opponents to recreate the pattern shown. You can roll the cubes like a dice and keep rerolling until the correct cubes are selected and your pattern is complete. You can also study a pattern card for ten seconds, memorise it and recreate it. The winner of each round keeps the card! Develop your shape and space skills, memory and visualisation skills.
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WINTER
Buddy’s Christmas Adventure One of the greatest fans of the festive season we know (she’s a big kid at heart), we caught up with Oxfordshire-based, award-winning beauty entrepreneur and author Clare Anderson. It turns out she’s had elves on her mind all year, ahead of the launch of Buddy’s Christmas Treat Box, her new must-have gift for children!
and a glass of Bucks fizz - it’s our special Christmas breakfast, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. After breakfast, we gather around the Christmas tree to open presents and get stuck into the choccies. Then it’s lots of movies and playing games.
When does Christmas start in your house?
While we absolutely love travelling and have had some unforgettable Christmas trips to places like the Maldives and New York, the best Christmases are always those spent at home. There’s something truly special about being in your own space, surrounded by your loved ones and familiar comforts. Plus, our dogs seem to enjoy it more too! This year we’ve got a new addition to the family, our Dalmatian puppy, so staying home really is the best option and we’re looking forward to buying more prezzies for the pets this year.
In our home, Christmas starts right after Halloween! As soon as the spooky decorations are packed away, we bring out the festive cheer. It’s a tradition that brings so much joy and excitement to our family. The anticipation of Christmas starts building from 1 November, making the whole season feel truly magical. We love Christmas and try to make it last for as long as possible! What are traditions?
your
family’s
Christmas
One of our favourite traditions is our long family dog walk on Christmas morning. There’s something incredibly peaceful about strolling through the crisp winter air (assuming it is!) with our beloved pets before the day’s festivities begin. Upon returning home, we indulge in a fry-up 14 | Cherubs Magazine
Are the best Christmases spent at home or away?
Last year you were named Great British Entrepreneur of the Year for your contributions to the beauty and wellness industries. What would you consider your biggest achievement? Ha, that was a pretty special night! It’s really hard to pick just one thing. For a kid who was written off at school and later diagnosed as dyslexic, I certainly don’t take
anything I achieve for granted. Bringing Lava Shells massage to the UK and Ireland – and having the spa on Sir Richard Branson’s private Necker Island in the Caribbean as my first account – was a real ‘pinch me’ moment. Successfully launching our Sensory Retreats self-heating eye and face masks during the first lockdown proved I could be adaptable and resilient and not lose my nerve, at a time when so many businesses were struggling. We went on to be featured on This Morning (Luna Eyes) and to win at the Pure Beauty Global Awards, and we were highly commended in the ASOS Beauty Awards. But you know, what makes me the most proud is my Elfland range for children. It started with the Elf Eyes self-heating eye masks, and out of that grew The Lost Wish book, which I co-wrote with a lovely and very talented writer called Emily Jacobs. Next came a prequel for younger children (The Lost Heart Stone) and a whole raft of elf products with a happiness and wellbeing theme. Launching The Lost Wish at Waterstones last Christmas was the stuff of dreams – and when it went on to be an Amazon bestseller, with scores of five-star reviews – the little dyslexic girl in me knew she had done herself proud! This Christmas, for the first time, we have made available a high quality gift box chock full 020 8154 3664
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Cherubs Magazine | 15
WINTER
of the best of the Elfland range. It’s called Buddy’s Christmas Treat Box. So tell us about Buddy’s Christmas Treat Box. How can it bring magic into your home? Buddy’s Christmas Treat Box is a magical box of tricks for families to keep close at hand through the whole month of December. It welcomes the spirit of Christmas into your home through storytelling, interactive games, relaxation and creativity. It’s not just a box; it’s a portal to the world of Elfland, which is the setting for my children’s book The Lost Wish. The busy little citizens of Elfland take wellbeing very seriously and the box will introduce young minds to the power of meditation. In an increasingly digital world, it’s a welcome shared family focus away from screens. It’s also a great Christmas Eve box as it has so many wonderful things inside, it may just keep your kids in bed a little longer, which is something every parent wishes for on Christmas Day! What’s inside the box? Inside Buddy’s Christmas Treat Box you will find five Elf Eyes luxury self-heating eye masks, which were featured on This Morning’s best beauty stocking fillers list. For mini witches and
wizards, there’s a beech wood wish wand and spell sheet featuring incantations for Happiness, Patience, Strength and Laughter. There’s a fully illustrated copy of The Lost Wish book, which makes perfect bedtime reading for children who can’t wait for Christmas day. Buddy’s Christmas Creative Wonderland activity book contains 60 pages of festive fun for children to explore. A Buddy the dog plush toy comes with instructions for a very cute Christmas treasure hunt game called Buddy’s Hide and Sleep. There’s also QR codes for a new Lost Wish story and a Sleepy Elf meditation. A limited selection of the boxes contain a very special bonus gift - an exclusive, high quality striped elf hat with a large jangly bell. Oh, and one box contains a rather marvellous golden ticket for a £2,000 family holiday to Lapland. A trip to Lapland? Wow! What inspired you to include that? I’m just the biggest fan of Christmas and having taken my own family to Lapland one year, where we had the best time ever, I wanted to gift the
same experience to someone else. I can promise it will be a memory that will stay with them forever. One of my favourite movies to watch every Christmas was Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I used to wish so hard that it was real, so I had a chance of finding the golden ticket. Well now somebody can. I think a Lapland holiday is a pretty close second to winning a chocolate factory! Buddy’s Hide and Sleep game is included in the Box. What is it? I hear it is a strong rival to Elf on the Shelf Buddy’s Hide and Sleep is a new wellnessled way for families to get excited together about Christmas, whilst also developing healthy sleep behaviours, like wind down time and a regular bedtime story. It is particularly suitable for younger children. Devised as an alternative to Elf on the Shelf, children and adults play together before bedtime each night in December, answering a series of clues to find Buddy the puppy. Buddy is one of the main characters in The Lost Wish, which I published last year. The rules to the game include a parent-pleasing tidying away of toys before you start and each game ends with the child taking Buddy to bed for a snuggle and a bedtime story. What have parents and children said about the Box? Parents and children alike have raved about Buddy’s Christmas Treat Box. They appreciate the thoughtful curation of activities and the magical atmosphere it creates. Families have reported stronger bonds and a deeper sense of togetherness as they explore the contents of the box and engage in the enchanting adventures of Elfland. I would suggest reading the book as a starting point.
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Buy a box of ‘Limited Edition’ Elf Eyes Self-Heating Eye Masks including a magical Wish Wand and Sensory Retreats will donate 50p to the charity Make A Wish UK
Did I hear there is a new Lost Wish story? Absolutely! And this time, it’s exclusively an audio book. The story is called The Lost Christmas Wish and is coauthored and read by my good friend Sim, who has the smoothest, most hypnotic voice you will ever hear. It’s a short story, with all the action packed into 15 minutes. As a former - and very wellloved primary school teacher -
Sim knows exactly how to use his voice to capture children’s imaginations. He really brings the story of The Lost Christmas Wish to life and it is bound to become a bedtime favourite. Why is wellbeing and kindness so important at Christmas? This Christmas, amidst the festivities and celebrations, it’s crucial to prioritise the emotional and mental wellbeing of ourselves and our loved ones. Kindness in particular acts as a guiding
star, illuminating the path to a more compassionate world. At Elfland, we believe that promoting kindness is not just a seasonal sentiment but a way of life. Through the magical experiences we curate in Buddy’s Christmas Treat Box, we aim to nurture not only the spirit of Christmas but also the spirit of kindness, encouraging families to be mindful, empathetic, and considerate towards one another. By fostering wellbeing and kindness, we not only enhance the holiday season but also sow seeds for a more harmonious
Our GIFT to you
and loving future.
Please scan this QR code for your FREE download of ‘The Lost Christmas Wish’
Website: elflanduk.com Instagram: @elflanduk cherubsmagazine.com
Cherubs Magazine | 17
LIVING
H e Ed By Antonia Sanchez-Toomey
Moss Green Linen Tablecloth
Deck the halls with our Christmas home style picks! Everything from fun tableware, timeless decorations, and decorative items to light up the holidays.
£110
Layered Lounge Houses Ornaments
£6
Dunelm
Catherine Martin Starry Night Ceramic Milk Jug
Wooden Reuseable Advent Calendar House
£20
£18
Ginger Ray
Anthropologie
Star Cream & Gold Christmas Tree Topper
Large Hanging Bells Garland
£22
£60
Oliver Bonas
Layered Lounge
Felt Tree Christmas Garland
Christmas Tree Side Plates
£13
Lights4fun
£20
Gold & Star Luxury Reversible Wrapping Paper
£16
Cox & Cox
Knit Stocking
M&S
£8
Dunelm
Festive Bistro Tile Pie Dish
£38
Anthropologie
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Claro Champagne Saucers
£34
Oliver Bonas
Footed Antique Brass Wine Cooler
£225
Cox & Cox
Instagram: @antonia_sanchez_toomey 020 8154 3664
LIVING Spruce Side Plates
Fir Tree Large Botanical Candle
£8
£40
Dunelm
The White Company
Eucalyptus & Laurel Christmas Wreath
£50
Lights4fun
Wooden Christmas Tree Platter Rattan Napkin Rings
£15
Lowes Green Wine Glasses
M&S
£32
£22
Oliver Bonas
Layered Lounge Handmade Celine Champagne Flutes
£20
M&S
Gold Metal Bowl
Mixed Mini Baubles
£40
The White Company
£15
Asda Spark Joy Matchboxes
Osko Cheese & Butter Knife Set
£8
£35
Archivist Gallery
Nkuku Star White Marble Candlestick Holders
£29
Christmas Tree Salt & Pepper Shakers
Oliver Bonas
£9
M&S
Frost Sitting Tree Set
£22
Tutti & Co Four Gold Leaf Champagne Coupes
£75
Cox & Cox
Glass Pillar Candle Holder
£28
The White Company
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Catherine Martin Starry Night Dessert Plate
£18
Anthropologie
Starburst Napkins
£35
The White Company Cherubs Magazine | 19
LIVING
EatHappyFeelGood
One Pot Lasagne If, like my family, you love lasagne but do not want to be dealing with dirtying lots of pots and pans, this is the recipe for you! And I promise you, everyone will love it! All you need is a large ovenproof dish.
Ingredients Base • 4 tablespoons olive oil • 2 large carrots, finely chopped • 2 peppers, finely chopped • 4 sticks celery, finely chopped • 1 large onion, finely chopped • 4 cloves garlic, grated • 1 tablespoon tomato purée • 2 bay leaves • 2 sprigs fresh thyme • 500g beef mince ( I use 5% fat) • 700g passata • 1 vegetable stock cube • 12 sheets lasagne 20 | Cherubs Magazine
White Sauce • 1 pack silken tofu • 1 mozzarella ball • 2 tablespoons milk of your choice • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard • ½ teaspoon salt Topping • Extra mozzarella
Method
1. Heat the olive oil in a large ovenproof dish. Add the onions, carrots, peppers and celery and cook for about 10 minutes. 2. Add the mince and cook for another 10 minutes til completely broken up and no pink bits remain. 3. Add the tomato purée and garlic and cook for another two minutes.
4. Add the tomato passata, veg stock, and one and a half cups of water. Also add the thyme, bay leaves, salt and pepper. 5. Mix well. Cover and cook for at least 20 minutes on medium to low heat. 6. Now make your instant white sauce by blending together the sauce ingredients til smooth. If it’s a little thicker than you like, add a little more milk. 7. When the base has had at least 20 minutes of cooking time, break the lasagne pieces straight into the dish. Mix it into the sauce. 8. Pour the white sauce straight on top. 9. Add your extra mozzarella on top and bake in a 180C preheated oven for about 30 minutes til the top is bubbling and golden brown. Let it cool for a few minutes and serve.
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Cypriot Pea Stew with Chicken – Bizeli This easy stew is flavourful, comforting and a perfectly balanced one pot meal. Serve with your favourite bread for a perfect winter family meal.
Ingredients Serves 4 - 6 • 8 chicken thighs/drumsticks • 1 onion, chopped • 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided • 3 carrots, peeled and chopped • 4 celery sticks, chopped • 1 ½ tablespoons tomato purée • 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon • 1kg frozen peas • 2 cans finely chopped tomatoes • 1 vegetable stock cube • 400g baby potatoes • 3 bay leaves • Salt and pepper
Method
1. Brown the chicken using half the olive oil. Do this in batches. Set aside. 2. Add the rest of the olive oil. Cook the onion for 10 minutes til softened. 3. Add the carrots and celery and cook for another five minutes. 4. Add the tomato purée and ground cinnamon and cook for another minute or two. 5. Add the peas, chopped tomatoes and the veg stock. 6. Refill the can with water twice, and add that too til the vegetables are just covered. 7. Add the potatoes, bay leaves and season well. 8. Return the chicken to the pan making sure they’re submerged in the stew. 9. Bring to a simmer, reduce the heat and cover and cook for 40 minutes. Stir a couple of times. 10. Uncover and cook for another 10 minutes to reduce the sauce a little. 11. Taste for seasoning and serve with bread.
Carrot & Walnut Muffins Delicious warming flavours that make this the perfect muffin for an afternoon cup of tea.
Ingredients Makes 12 • 1 ¾ cups plain flour • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon • ½ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda • ½ teaspoon salt • 2 cups peeled and coarsely grated carrots (about 3 large carrots) • ¾ cup chopped walnuts • ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil • ⅓ cup maple syrup • 2 large eggs, room temperature • 1 cup plain full fat Greek yoghurt • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract • Rolled oats and extra chopped walnuts to sprinkle on top
Method
1. Preheat the oven to 180C and line your muffin tray with paper cases. 2. Put a sieve over a large bowl, and sieve in the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, bicarbonate of soda and salt. 3. Set aside. 4. In another bowl, combine the oil, maple syrup, eggs, yoghurt and vanilla. Whisk well. 5. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix with a spatula until just combined. Don’t overmix and don’t worry if you can see bits of flour. 6. Add the grated carrots and chopped walnuts and gently fold in to combine. 7. Spoon into your muffin cases. 8. Sprinkle the top with the oats and extra walnuts. 9. Bake in the centre of the oven for about 28 to 30 minutes, or until the muffins are golden brown and a knife inserted into a muffin comes out clean.
Website: eathappyfeelgood.co.uk Instagram: @eathappyfeelgood cherubsmagazine.com
Cherubs Magazine | 21
READING
W ter
Reading
Books to Fall in Love With This Season
Babies & Toddlers Luna Loves Christmas
The Great Big Christmas Tree Hunt
By Joseph Coelho – 4-6 years Luna loves Christmas. Sometimes at Mum’s, sometimes at Dad’s, she gets two trees, two dinners, two advent calendars to open… but this Christmas, Luna’s family are doing something different. They’re volunteering, and Luna can’t wait for them to all be together at the community Christmas dinner!
Illustrated by Ekaterina Trukhan 2-4 years Will Polar Bear ever find any decorations to put on his tree? Or will he find something even better along the way? An interactive and engaging adventure with plenty of flaps to open for young ones!
When a Dragon Loves Christmas
By Caryl Hart – 4-6 years When it’s time to celebrate Christmas, does a dragon tangle up the lights or grab the presents? Of course not! A delightful rhyming picture book perfect for any little dragon getting ready to celebrate Christmas! 22 | Cherubs Magazine
The Nutcracker
By Steve Patschke – 5+ years A magical pop-up edition of The Nutcracker. When Marie is given a nutcracker on Christmas Eve, she immediately loves it. Little does she realise that, when night falls, the Nutcracker will defend her from the monstrous Mouse King and whisk her away to a fantastical kingdom. 020 8154 3664
READING The Great Reindeer Rescue
By Stephen Mangan – 8-10 years In this festive adventure, a must-read spin on The Night Before Christmas, it’s up to Dave, one of Santa’s Reindeer, and Holly, whose house the sleigh crashes into, to fly round the world to rescue all the reindeer.
Books to get them reading for pleasure
Early years
The Completely Chaotic Christmas of Lottie Brooks
By Katie Kirby – 11+ years Lottie Brooks LOVES Christmas - there’s presents, all the KitKat Chunkys you can eat AND no school for two weeks! But this year, Christmas might be a bit more chaotic than usual. Will Lottie survive the festivities intact or will she have to hide in the fort of shame until it’s all over?
Stepfather Christmas Isadora Moon and the Frost Festival
By Harriet Muncaster – 6+ years Isadora and her family are visiting the Frost Festival, a huge celebration of the winter fairies! There’s ice skating, fairground rides, gingerbread houses and lots of delicious fairy hot chocolate. It’s magical! But in the hustle and bustle Isadora gets separated from both her family and Pink Rabbit. Can she find them before the grand fairy lights are switched on? cherubsmagazine.com
By L.D. Lapinski – 8-10 years It’s 25 days until Christmas…10-yearold Harper gets a surprise when Mum announces she’s bringing her new boyfriend Nick home for the holidays! Nick seems nice enough. But why do strange Christmassy things happen whenever he’s around?
10 Middle Ln, Crouch End, London N8 8PL 020 3632 0823 • pickledpepperbooks.co.uk Instagram: @pickledpepperbooks Twitter: @pickledbooks Cherubs Magazine | 23
LIFE
Mindful Photography Sadly, these days we tend to live our lives in a rush, making pictures without really thinking about where we are or what we are doing generally. Most of us make pictures but only judge their success by the number of likes on social media or compare ourselves against other photographs posted by our friends. An alternative is the more holistic, personal and individual approach, mindful photography. A mindful approach to photography brings great satisfaction and also a realisation that you are actually good enough to produce photographs that are relevant and personal to you. Mindfulness is a way of life that can be bought into your photography to draw a more unique image from your own experience of a location. It is about accepting and embracing the transient, imperfect and unconventional beauty that every day offers us.
The Principle Mindfulness is about being totally present in the moment, being aware of all that is 24 | Cherubs Magazine
happening at that time and accepting what it is without judging it as good or bad.
The Kit
Mindful photography is the perfect way of building a little “me” time into your day, with an approach of enjoyment and appreciating what is on offer to you in every moment, of every day.
Most of us have a smart phone and that is more than enough. You don’t need a bag full of lenses or a fancy camera, the simplest camera is often the best because you don’t start stressing about which button you need to press!
Mindful photography is about seeing beauty; beauty in the mundane, the inconsequential and invisible. It is about the everyday objects that slowly become beautiful subjects. Often, we complain about and judge everything! What happens when we complain? We see less, we become closed to creativity and are generally disappointed in everything - which leads to jealousy and often bitterness. Why do we complain? Because we strive for perfection, we are trying to photograph something that doesn’t exist. If we understand that nothing is perfect, permanent or complete then we can start to appreciate the beauty of imperfection. This is known as Wabi Sabi, a Japanese concept for appreciating and accepting beauty in everything and that everything is imperfect.
The Approach Silence and solitude are golden for creativity, but of these two silence is the one to aim for. We could all do with turning off the noise of life so use a moment photographing something as the muchneeded pause in your day. Stop and stand still for a few minutes just looking at whatever has caught your attention, breathing in and out, really just grounding yourself in a place. You can close your eyes too. This sounds odd for photography but you’re allowing your other senses to start to work. What can you hear nearby, in the middle distance, in the far distance? What is affecting you right now, the wind on your face, rain perhaps, even sunlight? Is there a smell or taste on the air? What can you feel under your feet, with your hands, is the area you’re sitting in
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LIFE smooth or rough to the touch, is it damp, cold, warm? All of these things come through in your photography; it is important that you don’t take your feelings out of the image by removing yourself from the experience. Making notes in a book in pen or pencil is a really lovely way of slowly getting under the skin of a location, taking time to notice all the things that are going on. Photography is about time with your subject before any kind of technique comes in to play. I photograph because I find things beautiful, not because they fit a formula that is liked by others.
The Why One of the joys of this more contemplative style of photography is that you are often surprised about what you start seeing. I like to let things call to me to be photographed; if I see a beautiful leaf, I spend time with that, not stressing about moving on, just noticing what is happening with the object of your attention. Then I ask myself what caught my eye? Why is it interesting? From these questions I simplify my composition until I feel the story of the subject is just right and matches what my awareness suggested.
See Like a Child Have you noticed how children see? The see with wonder, awe and fascination, they don’t judge or discard, they are inquisitive, curious and will watch a beetle crawling for hours. As adults we can learn a lot from children and beginners but we tend to look down on both. Why look down when you can get down on your hands and knees, changing your perspective, be open to what a different perspective offers you? If you adopt an approach of wonder and awe, you’ll be amazed at what you start to see; the beauty of a single drop of dew on a blade of grass can be totally hypnotic.
The Challenges Changing your habits is hard, very hard. Firstly, people may question what you are
doing, they may make you doubt yourself and you will feel a bit insecure about trying something new. Mindful photography does bring you out of your comfort zone because it opens you up to reveal how you truly connect with the world; you are making your own path, not following the welltrodden route to a well-known Instagram viewpoint and repeating what has been captured so many times before. The first thing to remember is that we all see the world and experience things in a very different way, so it is only right that each will record the subject in a unique way, but modern world validation means we try to confirm, we need our images to fit and be approved by complete strangers.
Learn to Let Go This is a big step, let go of the end result - by that I mean don’t imagine you have won the prize before making the image, be with the moment, the experience, and let it just be that, an enjoyable time out where you may or may not make a picture. Let go of the need for your work to be liked, validated and approved. Let go of the fact you even need to make a picture. By letting go, you instantly release the pressure on yourself to perform or create which actually makes you more creative, more open and engaged in the moment. Letting go of being liked also makes you happier in life - walk your own path, it is much more fun.
The End Result Having had your intimate moment with your subject, noticing its subtle beauty and having enjoyed the silence of the creative process, what next? There is only one thing to do and that is print out your image, take time in the processing to match the feeling of the moment with the expression of the print.
part of the caption you display for people to read. I like to make small handmade books, printing the images on 4” x 6” paper and then stitch them together.
A Final Thought One final thing to realise is that by sharing your work on whatever platform or in whatever space, you are giving people permission to have their own relationship with your moment, so let go of any and all expectation you have for them to engage in the same way you did. Others will go and photograph the subject but they won’t photograph it better than you did, they will see it and receive it differently, not better or worse just differently. You photographed the subject for you, it was your moment of total awareness, you don’t need anyone to validate how you enjoy your time. You saw it in the best way you could at that moment, a moment that will never be repeated to anyone ever again.
Top Tips 1. Don’t pre-visualise or research other people’s images of somewhere you are planning to visit - allow yourself to view it with fresh, new eyes. 2. Practise ‘seeing’ by finding things in your home or garden you take for granted and make simple studies of them. This increases your ability to truly learn to see and heightens awareness. 3. Just use your phone. 4. Start in silence, listen for the sounds that intrigue you, sit with your eyes closed and just get a feel of the place. 5. It doesn’t matter if you don’t actually photograph anything - just enjoy the time out. 6. Use the childlike sense of curiosity and play to explore something visually. 7. There are no rules, just guidelines, so just enjoy yourself.
Printing allows you to spend time with the moment again; you get to hold it in your hands, feel the paper, and reflect over the experience and re-enjoy the quality time, your quality time, that you rested with the subject and now rest with the print. If you have made notes it can be nice to add them to the back of the print or if you are exhibiting then perhaps those words written in the same moment could form
Paul Sanders is a fine art photographer, speaker and photography mentor who is passionate about the benefits of photography to mental health and wellness. Paul hosts workshops, retreats and one-to-one sessions, designed to bring mindfulness to life through the art of photography.
Website: discoverstill.com cherubsmagazine.com
Cherubs Magazine | 25
STYLE
£135
Earrings
£90
Monica Vinader
Sanchez
-T
o y
Wraparound Gold Sequin Dress
ia on t n
e om
Get ready to dazzle this Christmas! Dive into our festive fashion edit that’s all about that classic glam - think luxurious velvets and twinkling sequins. It’s traditional with a modern twist!
ED BY STYL :A
Fa iо Ed
& Other Stories
Bow Cardigan
£195
Anthropologie
Sandals
£36
Mango
Tulle Skirt
£119
The White Company Jewelled Slingback Shoes
£129 Velvet Bag
The White Company
£65
& Other Stories
Crystal Hoops
£29
& Other Stories
26 | Cherubs Magazine
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STYLE
Platform Sandals
£36
New Look
Velvet Jumpsuit
£55
Fan Necklace
M&S
£24
Blue Sequin Jacket
Oliver Bonas
£79
M&S
Ruffle Blouse
£95
& Other Stories
Blue Sequin WideLeg Trousers
£55
M&S
Sequin Bag
£149
Kate Spade
Metallic Slingbacks Leather Look Skirt
£35
£36 Zara
M&S
Instagram: @antonia_sanchez_toomey cherubsmagazine.com
Cherubs Magazine | 27
EDUCATION - ADVERTISING FEATURE
Why Outdoor Play Matters All children have the right to play outside and younger children, especially, need it to help develop their gross motor skills, strength, balance and co-ordination. If children are unable to develop these skills while they are young, fine motor skills, such as holding a pencil or using scissors, take a child much longer to learn and can delay their progress or lead to frustration. There has been concern that children are not getting as much physical exercise as they used to. On the NHS website, last updated in June 2022, it is recommended that children from 1 to 5 years of age need at least 180 minutes of physical activity a day, including outside play, in order for them to be healthy, happy, school-ready and sleeping well. Obviously, some of this physical activity will take part during the nursery or school day, but it is also important that children are active afterwards, whether they walk to and from nursery or school, visit a park or have organised activities such as swimming or dance lessons. At Palmers Green High School, the Nursery and Reception Class pupils love being active outside. During the 2023 summer holidays the Reception classroom was updated and now bi-fold doors create a wonderful opportunity for ‘free flow’ play. The Reception girls are loving having the freedom to choose to be in or out. Outside they can build
28 | Cherubs Magazine
relationships, do imaginative play, try out their writing skills, and develop their gross motor skills. Some young children just learn better outside with changes to their attitude easily observed when they are no longer in a building. Ideas to get your child active:
• Tummy time • Playing with blocks and other objects • Messy play • Jumping • Walking • Dancing • Swimming • Playground activities • Climbing • Skipping • Active play, like hide and seek • Throwing and catching • Scooting • Riding a bike • Outdoor activities
(Source: Physical activity guidelines for children under 5 years, NHS website 1 June 2022)
At PGHS Nursery, the younger pupils also enjoy their time outside and activities or resources are planned to match their interests and to promote active play. They
love to climb, use vehicles to move around the space, throw and catch balls, play with building toys or musical instruments, interact with dolls and buggies, paint with water on the wall or fences and generally have fun. Sometimes, a simple snail found on a leaf or a flower in bloom can create a moment of awe and wonder. During Covid lockdowns, being able to go outside to exercise was very important for our mental health and well-being. Children need to spend time outside playing and they benefit from being aware of their environment, noticing seasonal changes and weather conditions. Who hasn’t at some time enjoyed watching a squirrel carrying off a prized acorn or a spider spinning an intricate web? More than ever, we need children to value the world we live in and the creatures we share it with. So, think about whether your child is being active enough or whether you need to think about giving them more opportunities to be active. Dust off the frisbee in the shed and head to the park or have a dance in the kitchen: show your children you value exercise, too. The whole family could benefit and have fun together!If If you would like to see our nursery or school in action, please contact office@pghs.co.uk to arrange a tour.
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RECEPTION 2024 ENTRY
BOOK YOUR RECEPTION ASSESSMENT TODAY
Palmers Green High School (PGHS) offers pupils an excellent academic education in a nurturing and caring environment throughout our Lower and Senior School. If you are looking for a Reception 2024 place for your daughter, we welcome you to register for a Reception Assessment and book a tour of our school to see our fabulous facilities.
We offer:
Small class sizes
Outstanding pastoral care
Access to extensive sports facilities
Palmers Green High School 104 Hoppers Road London N21 3LJ
Contact: 020 8886 1135 office@pghs.co.uk www.pghs.co.uk
Subject specialist teachers
Broad range of extra-curricular activities
PA L M E R S G R E E N HIGH SCHOOL Independent Day School for girls aged 3−16
EDUCATION
30 | Cherubs Magazine
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EDUCATION
Great Expectations By Aimee Hart @hart_at_home
Expectations help children to achieve, and they help children strive to be better and do better. But there is a fine line between having an expectation of children to make progress and expecting children to be better than everyone else. Education is not a competition, and it shouldn’t be a comparison. There will always be children who find teacher led learning easier and there will always be children with different natural talents. Expectations are extremely important, and they are needed to ensure we all complete tasks to the best of our ability for a certain goal. Expectations of children start from a young age, without even realising it you will be instilling them through routines. For example, when we have clear expectations for the morning, we will have children who are dressed, teeth cleaned, coats on and bags on before it’s time to leave. School also helps to provide healthy expectations to give children common goals, Such as walking into assembly, sitting with their peers and listening to the speaker. Some children find these things easier than others and it’s important that I reiterate the fact that comparisons and competitions with these expectations are where issues can occur. Some children will still need help with shoes in the morning and some children will need to sit in a certain space to feel comfortable in assembly. As parents we want our children to achieve and succeed…that’s a normal response to being a parent. We want them to go to school and do the best they can. That should be our main expectation for our children. That they try their best. Now, there are times when you will sit at Parents’ Evening and you feel like your child SHOULD be achieving better. But we need to ask ourselves this: Are they trying their best? If not, then that will require a conversation to give their motivation a little boost. If they are but the teacher isn’t worried then neither should you be. Schools and the education system are slowly making changes to find different ways of portraying and recording children’s talents. Setting children expectations they can’t meet or that are unreasonable will cause stress, anxiety and create a difficult relationship. Sometimes we think that the higher the expectation the better our children achieve but in some instances that can contribute to these negative feelings. Here are a few tips to help foster positive expectations to help your child succeed:
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1. Know your child’s individual talents – All children are unique and have a wide variety of different talents. All children learn at different rates and have different achievements from their peers. Knowing these will give you an insight into how children learn best and will help you to set your expectations. 2. Be excited with their successes – When your child is proud of something or does something successfully, praising them will build their motivation and foster a love of meeting expectations. This will lead to them setting their own personal expectations and feeling satisfied. 3. Little wins are big wins – If your child has trouble with certain things, keeping the expectations small to begin with will help their confidence when these expectations are met. Lighting the fire slowly, building up to higer expectations, will support a healthy relationship. 4. Communication is key – Making sure your child understands why you have set expectations of them and how those expectations will assist in the long run will help them want to try their best. Then if they do feel an expectation is unreasonable they are more likely to discuss this with you openly. 5. Go easy on yourself – I’m sure we all have some negative memories of high expectations or challenging subjects and this can impact our expectations of our children. Try not to let this impact the way you set expectations or react to children when they don’t meet them. As the old saying goes, ‘Never judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree.’ This phrase is always at the front of my mind when I’m standing in front of a class of 30 unique, individual children. Expectations should not feel like rules and children should not feel like they are in trouble if they don’t meet them. As teachers we regularly model the level of expectation we aim to see and praise the successes as they happen. As parents, if we build up a child’s motivation and inner discipline for meeting expectations, they will continue to do their best and achieve.
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EDUCATION - ADVERTISING FEATURE
Keble Prep Turns Co-ed At Keble Preparatory School, we offer a dynamic and well-rounded education. High academic standards are combined with opportunities to thrive in Sport, Music, Drama and other extracurricular activities. We are now co-educational across all year groups and have a Nursery setting for pupils aged 3+. The purpose and school values remain the same; “Puritas, Veritas, Probitas” “being pure of heart, honest hard work and true to oneself”. It is with these values in mind that we continue to value each pupil, nurture their talents and celebrate their achievements. Perran Gill, Head said, “This exciting change in our history will help the all-around development of our pupils and equip them for life both at Keble and beyond. I am excited to embark on the next chapter and journey ahead.” To arrange a visit please contact our Admissions Team on 020 8360 3359 or by email admissions@kebleprep.co.uk
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EDUCATION
Becoming the Maths Role Model for Your Child: Helping Your Child Conquer Maths Anxiety
In today’s digital age, where there seems to be an influencer for everything, one might expect to find diverse role models in every field – including maths. However, this is not always the case, and the relative scarcity of maths role models is a noteworthy concern. A recent study of 3,000 UK adults found that numeracy evokes far too many feelings of fear or unease, while almost a third say they actively try to avoid anything to do with numbers.* This lack of confidence among parents in their own maths abilities can inadvertently perpetuate anxiety in their children. Given the widespread apprehension surrounding numbers among UK adults, it is inevitable that many parents will be worried about helping their child with maths, potentially exacerbating the issue for the next generation. A lack of maths role models means parents have the opportunity to step up and become the role models their children need, even if they may not be experts themselves. The owners of Richmond and Twickenham’s premier maths-only learning centres, Mathnasium, understand the urgency of addressing parents and children’s fears and worries about numbers early on. In this guide, Mathnasium’s experts provide practical tips to help you and your child foster a healthy relationship with maths. Working together you can conquer maths anxiety, promoting a positive attitude towards the subject and empowering children to excel in this essential skill. Do not pass on your own anxiety Avoid telling your children that you struggle with maths. Encourage them to believe that they can excel in maths without limitations. Instil a positive attitude towards maths in them, especially when faced with challenges. Remember that your children might lack maths role models, so lead by example. Even if you are not a maths expert, show confidence in tackling problems to inspire them. Learn with your child You serve as a positive role model by demonstrating your commitment to learning and overcoming challenges in maths to your child. Sharing the learning journey with them instils confidence in
and less daunting part of your child’s daily routine, ultimately fostering a positive and sustainable relationship with the subject.
you both, fostering a growth mindset. Collaborative learning often leads to deeper comprehension as you can discuss and clarify concepts together. Celebrating successes as a team reinforces the idea that you and your child can excel in maths and other challenges. Make maths a part of everyday life Parents have a unique opportunity to make maths practical for kids, often more effectively than teachers. Incorporating maths into daily life helps teach your child its relevance and usefulness. For example, explaining the values of different coins when discussing pocket money introduces them to currency and basic arithmetic. Discussing time and countdowns to meals helps them understand the concept of time and can be a fun way to teach fractions and intervals. Even simple tasks like setting the table can involve multiplication and division. Actively seeking these opportunities helps make maths more relatable and accessible for your child, showing that it is not just a school subject but a part of everyday life. Practise little and often Instead of expecting your child to sit through lengthy maths sessions, opt for shorter, consistent, daily practice – even for as little as 10 minutes. This will enhance memory retention and helps your child build a strong foundation. The key here is consistency, as regular exposure to maths concepts reinforces their understanding over time. This approach ensures that maths becomes an integral
Make maths fun Research suggests that children tend to learn more effectively when they are enjoying themselves, so transforming maths into an enjoyable and engaging activity can be highly beneficial. It is worth noting that board games and many computer games incorporate maths challenges and other opportunities for learning. By playing these games, children find motivation and reduced anxiety in learning maths and engage in active, hands-on experiences that foster a deeper understanding of maths concepts. Furthermore, the adaptability of these activities provides customised learning, allowing each child to progress at their own pace. Talk to relieve anxieties Create an environment where children feel comfortable verbalising their feelings, as this can alleviate the sense of isolation that often accompanies struggles in maths. Instead of suppressing or downplaying anxieties related to maths, it is important to address these emotions directly. When children confide their maths-related concerns, remember to actively listen and ensure they recognise that their feelings have been acknowledged and validated. Conquering maths anxiety is a joint effort for both parents and children. By implementing these strategies, you can pave the way for a more positive and confident relationship with maths. At Mathnasium, our team of dedicated instructors are well equipped to ease maths anxiety and teach the subject in a way that suits each child’s unique learning style. With personalised attention and tailored learning plans, we empower children to overcome challenges and discover the joy of maths. Together, as parents and educators, we can ensure that no child is held back by maths anxiety and that they embrace this essential skill with confidence – preparing them to face the challenges of the 21st century with maths as a valuable asset. * National Numeracy, 2023
For more helpful advice for parents and maths tips for children, visit mathnasium.com Instagram @mathnasiumuk Facebook @mathnasiumuk 34 | Cherubs Magazine
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HEALTH & WELLBEING
Get Your Pelvic Floor Health Back On Track When it comes to pelvic floor health - to leaking or feeling something isn’t quite right ‘down there’ - how often have you heard phrases like, “It’s a normal part of being a mum,” or “What do you expect after three kids?” And then there’s the classic, “It’s just a little bit of leaking when I laugh/sneeze/cough.” These casual attitudes about pelvic floor dysfunction, that even come from health professionals, perpetuate the problem. I’m on a mission to change this narrative, to set higher expectations for women when it comes to their own bodies. Statistics show that one in three women will experience pelvic floor dysfunction in their lifetime – and these are just the cases we know about. Shockingly, it takes an average of six and a half years for women to seek help when they are suffering from pelvic floor issues. These problems can manifest as anything from urinary or fecal incontinence, sensations of dragging and heaviness around the vagina, constipation, reduced sexual pleasure or pain during intercourse, to pelvic and back pain. The good news is there are many ways to improve pelvic floor health - we just need to spread the word and give women the confidence to seek help. The go-to advice for pelvic floor issues is often, “Do your kegels.” While kegel exercises can be useful, it’s crucial to understand that they aren’t a one-size-fitsall solution. Studies have shown that, once 36 | Cherubs Magazine
the pelvic floor is functioning correctly, other exercises can be even more effective in building pelvic floor strength. Moreover, some individuals may have an “over-tight” pelvic floor and need to work on releasing the muscle rather than contracting it. Before you dive into exercises, consider these simple steps:
• Clothing: Imagine your core as a canister
where pressure needs to be evenly balanced. Wearing tight waistbands, like jeans, can create excess pressure in one area, pushing it onto your pelvic floor. Opt for elasticated waistbands or loose dresses to allow your belly to move freely.
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HEALTH & WELLBEING
• Breathing: Your breath plays a significant
role in pelvic floor health. If your breath isn’t evenly distributed through your core, it can lead to excessive pressure on the pelvic floor. To address this, place one hand on your ribcage and another on your belly. If your belly moves more than your ribs while breathing, work on increasing rib movement - practice conscious breathing and try exercises that increase mobility like side bends and twists.
• Toilet Habits: Constipation can add
excessive pressure to your pelvic floor when you strain during bowel movements. To prevent this, increase dietary fibre intake, drink more water, stay active, and consider using a squatty potty (www.squattypotty.com) for easier toileting experiences!
Lie on your back, exhale to flatten your back into the floor, and lift your pelvis one vertebra at a time until it’s raised. Focus on your glutes and hamstrings, not your lower back. Inhale at the top and exhale to lower your spine back down. Repeat this ten times and pay attention to how your pelvic floor contracts and releases with each breath and movement.
Cat into Cow On all fours, notice the space between your sit bones as you inhale. Then, exhale to draw your pubic bone toward your ribcage, rounding your spine. Inhale as you release into a flat back, observing how your sit bones widen. Repeat this motion ten times and feel how it affects your pelvic floor.
Lunge Take a step forward with one leg and the other leg back with the heel lifted. Inhale as you bend both knees into a lunge, then exhale to push into the floor and stretch your legs. Focus on keeping the front knee aligned with your toes and engage your gluteal muscles as you extend your legs. Ensure you don’t work through knee pain.
If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned earlier, I strongly advise seeking help. You don’t have to endure these issues, no matter how common they may be. Reach out to your GP, consult a women’s health professional like a Pelvic Health Physio (https:squeezyapp.com/directory), or contact me at hello@centredmums. com, and together, we’ll find the best path forward to enhance your pelvic floor health. It’s time to prioritise your wellbeing and change the conversation around pelvic floor health. Grace Lillywhite Grace Lillywhite is the founder of Centred Mums and has been teaching Pilates for thirteen years. She specialises in Women’s Health and can’t imagine a job that is more enjoyable or rewarding! Grace set up Centred Mums in 2018 to support women to better pelvic floor health in all stages of motherhood. She teaches classes in St Albans and online and has lectured for the Pilates Foundation on postnatal wellbeing, pelvic floor health and Pilates for Menopause. Grace has appeared in Women’s Health magazine, Stylist and Fabulous as well as contributing to the books Move More At Your Desk and Your Postnatal Body. You can find out more, download free pelvic floor resources and sign up to her online membership, The Pelvic Floor Project, at centredmums.com
Photo credits: Stephanie Belton Photography
As an exercise specialist, of course I also recommend incorporating specific exercises to enhance pelvic floor function. Remember that your breath matters during exercise, as inhaling naturally causes the pelvic floor to move downward and lengthen, while exhaling lifts it up and contracts it. When you co-ordinate breath with movement, that is where the magic happens! Here are some exercises to consider:
Bridge
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Cherubs Magazine | 37
HEALTH & WELLBEING
Ask The Nutritionist With Christianna Karaolis from Eat Happy Feel Good
Q A
Help! Both my kids (six and eight) are fussy eaters. I am worried they’re not getting enough protein and nutritious vegetables.
To raise a child who eats well, we need to be patient and give it time. Think about foods you enjoy now, that perhaps you didn’t as a child. Your tastes developed, your children’s will too.
This is a really common concern. But remember, learning to love all foods takes time. One reason is that babies are genetically predisposed to enjoy sweet flavours (like breast milk) making it that little bit harder to get them to eat veggies.
One of the most successful ways to get kids to eat nutritious foods is repeated exposure, without pressure. The more they are around foods, the more likely it is that they eat them. Have healthy foods in the house, serve them, let kids touch and smell them, increasing familiarity. And, importantly, let them see you enjoying eating nutritious foods, regularly.
We often overestimate how much food children need to get the nutrition their body needs. For example, a six-year-old needs about 20 grams of protein per day; that’s the amount in 20g cheese, 100g yoghurt and half a chicken breast. Most children reach their protein needs, even if they don’t seem to be eating very much. Micronutrients - vitamins and minerals - can be a little more tricky, but even a moderate fruit and vegetable intake gets us most of the way there. For example, 100g of strawberries gives children all the vitamin C they need in a day. That doesn’t mean nutrient insufficiencies can’t happen, they can; in the clinic I often see low iron, vitamin D and calcium – usually in teenagers. With a few tweaks, we can make huge improvements. Sometimes supplements are needed, and the UK government recommends that all children aged six months to five years are supplemented with vitamins A, C and D with the exception of babies having more than 500ml of formula a day. All that being said, a parent recognises when their child isn’t eating enough nutritious food and it can be concerning. So what do you do? Most mportantly, try not to get stressed; it can make things worse. If you’re anxious during mealtimes, children might feel this way too. They start to develop a negative association with food and that is the last thing we want.
Don’t give up offering, even if they keep turning food down. Offer the food, if they don’t want to try it, that’s OK. Eventually they might and they might even like it. Don’t take it personally and don’t show upset if they refuse. It’s up to you to offer and up to them to decide whether they want to eat it or not. How we offer food to a child matters. It is age-dependent, but in my experience, right up to teens, the fun factor makes a difference. It doesn’t have to be complicated; fun cutlery and plates, cutting food into shapes, chopsticks, food picks, food games, dinner winner plates, natural food dyes…anything to add a little magic. We want to encourage a positive relationship with food and one of the best ways is to get them involved in the kitchen. Kids love to chop and stir so set your child age-appropriate tasks, particularly with foods you want them to be eating more of. Chopping is great for kids to increase food familiarity (using a child safety knife). They’re also learning valuable life skills and growing confidence. Even if they don’t eat it at first, that’s OK. Don’t overwhelm kids. Start with one new food at a time. In small quantities. And I do mean small – the size of a pea. And always serve alongside a familiar food they enjoy. Make food interesting with simple ageappropriate education. Tell kids that protein is like little bricks that build muscles; or that berries contain antioxidants which are like teeny soldiers protecting them from germs.
It can really capture their imagination and make food more appealing. While we’re working on all that, there are easy ways to add nutrients to our children’s diets. There are whole books on how to add vegetables to family friendly recipes. I often add blended veggies to soups and sauces; they won’t even know they’re there, unless you want them to. Simple tips like cooking pasta in bone broth, blending frozen liver into meatballs, blending tofu into creamy sauces - my children don’t like tofu or liver but I do both of these regularly and they still enjoy the meal! Add a sprinkling of hemp seeds, make swaps such as choosing a more nutritious pasta. I also recommend seed and vegetable powders made from quality ingredients that are easily added to meals. Smoothies are brilliant. You can add so much goodness to a delicious smoothie, they feel they’re having a treat and you’ll know they’re getting loads of nutrients. Blend fruit, a neutral veggie (courgette is amazing in smoothies – please just trust me on this), nut butter, yoghurt and milk and you have a perfectly balanced, nutrient packed smoothie. Making healthy versions of treat foods is another thing I love to do. Muffins, chocolates, cakes, burgers and chips, pizza…with a little effort and imagination, they be made so much more nutritious and just as enjoyable. With nutrition, it all adds up. Feeding little ones is definitely a journey, and not always an easy one, so find ways to enjoy good food, and the rest will fall into place.
If you’d like to have a consultation with Christianna, contact her on 07851 680211 or at christianna@eathappyfeelgood.co.uk 38 | Cherubs Magazine
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HEALTH & WELLBEING
Perimenopause By Anna Allerton
My perimenopause began aged 38 while on maternity leave with my second daughter. A few months after she was born, we went into lockdown. My eldest was two at the time and plans for maternity leave quickly went out the window. Like many families we began adjusting to lockdown life. I didn’t recognise some of the now more obvious symptoms of perimenopause for quite some time. In fact, I didn’t know what perimenopause was back then. The severity of the symptoms ramped up when I went back to work at the end of 2020. Anxiety hit me hard – something I had not experienced before. My periods were heavy. I was unable to sleep when I had the chance, kept awake by my mind constantly tormenting me. I had heart palpitations, was tearful, gained weight and my mood was low. The most alarming was the brain fog. I dismissed it all as being a result of childbirth and lockdown, telling myself to get a grip and get on with it. I foolishly chose to muddle on rather than going to the GP.
In my professional life I was a journalist and TV producer and had the best part of two decades’ experience under my belt when I returned. I spent a lot of my career at the forefront of the changing landscape of women’s sport both on and off screen. It required confidence, self-belief, determination, and an appetite for going into battle every now and then. I loved it and thrived in that environment. I didn’t feel that way when I returned. I can only describe it as being a shell of my former self. Struggling to find my voice, I would shake in meetings, forget names, colleagues, deadlines, actions and so much of the basics needed for me to be a leader in a live TV environment. At home, I was moody and short-tempered with the children. I was exhausted from trying to be constantly present at work and at home. I had no boundaries. I would allow people to sap my time and energy, would be on my phone when I should have been spending time with my family. Worried I was going to forget something, I masked it
by trying to be some idea of a super working mum. The breaking point came after three months back at work, when I came home one night and told my husband we needed to see a neurologist - convinced I was either going mad or had early on-set dementia. At the same time, a colleague recognised I wasn’t myself and listened and supported me as I told them about how I was feeling. It was that person who gently suggested I explore perimenopause and it was like a lightbulb going on. Finally speaking to my GP, I thought this would be a simple diagnosis. Far from it! It took me 12 appointments, across 10 months. I was told it couldn’t be perimenopause because I was “too young”. The NHS advise the average age is mid-40’s but it can start earlier. Despite this and my own mum hitting menopause at 40 years old, the GP put it down to stress because of managing two small children and a high-pressured job and offered me anti-
Sources from Fawcett Society and CIPD, Oct 2023
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HEALTH & WELLBEING depressants. I needed to take back control over my hormones and decided to approach it like I would any story I was working on. I began reading books, interviewing key stakeholders and experts and writing up endless notes. After 10 months, I paid privately to see a specialist. Thanks to my daily symptoms log, research and learning – she was able to diagnose me and prescribed HRT. We talked about changes I needed to make in my work life, nutrition, and exercise. Within weeks I felt lighter. But by this point, I had decided to leave my career in TV. The symptoms robbed me of the chance to do it well and something had to give. The data shows that 1 in 10 women will quit (source: Fawcett Society) while up to 1 million already have. All while women over 50 are the fastest growing demographic of the UK workforce. 1 in 4 will have to reduce their hours (source: Fawcett Society) and 67% of women say symptoms are having a mostly negative effect on them at work (source: CIPD, Oct 2023). I decided to set out on a mission to change this for women in the workplace. Using two journalistic skills, the ability to ask good questions and the skill to engage in active listening, I trained and qualified with the Academy of Executive Coaching. With the expert training I received, combined with my years in the corporate world, I launched Allerton Coaching & Consulting. And so began my next chapter in life, working with women 1:1 to support them navigating this time professionally and supporting organisations to create a better culture to boost female retention. I remain deeply passionate about making sure women in their 30’s with very small children are heard in this discussion. All too often, women will tell me they don’t feel part of the conversation or heard in the menopause discussion. We need to accept this isn’t a one-size-fits-all issue – and that means by age too. If you told me back in 2020 that I would be writing about my experience, launching a business that is impactful and purpose-led, that I would have the balance and happiness in my family life – I would never have believed it. There is hope in all this. While it can be such a hard time in a woman’s life, there is opportunity to come through it brighter and better – as a new version of you. Just imagine the possibilities ahead. Anna Allerton is the founder of Allerton Consulting and a leading Business Consultant and Executive Coach. With multi-sector experience, Anna specialises in workplace transformation, culture change and retention of female talent in the workplace, specifically around the perimenopause and menopause.
Website: allertoncoaching.com cherubsmagazine.com
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HOME
Property Investing Is now a good time to start? By Ayesha Ofori
Former wealth adviser Ayesha Ofori is the founder of Propelle, a gamechanging new fintech platform designed exclusively for women to change the way they invest and build wealth. Through Propelle women have the opportunity to connect, learn and build wealth regularly, with confidence, in a way which has never been available to them before.
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Ayesha looks at the current property market and discusses whether now is a good time to invest – and if not, when? Buying a property is a major decision, one that requires careful consideration and analysis of various factors. With the current economic landscape and fluctuating market conditions, it’s natural to feel uncertain
about whether now is the right time to make such a significant investment. When we spoke to our online community within the Propelle platform, 40% said they felt people could buy property no matter the climate. Meanwhile, 17% felt that it was a bad time and 43% were unsure.
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HOME Here we’ll dive into the conversations stimulating the debate surrounding property investing and ownership, as well as the pros and cons for both avenues to help you make an informed decision. Why you may be questioning if it’s a good time to buy a property Rising interest rates Whether you’re looking to buy a property to own or as an investment, you’ll find you face similar risks in today’s economic climate. The most common is the rapid rise in interest rates. The Bank of England has raised interest rates and, as a result, other rates such as loans, mortgages and savings accounts have seen significant increases too. Interest rates are raised for various reasons, including when inflation is too high to discourage people from borrowing, so they are more inclined to save more and spend less, and ultimately help to decrease inflation. A combination of the aftermath of Covid-19, the effects of Brexit, geopolitical tensions, supply chain issues and high energy prices led to a surge in prices, pushing inflation to 10%, signifcantly above the Bank of England’s 2% inflation target. In the meantime, for mortgages, it means that the amount you pay back monthly is higher today than it was in previous years. Mortgage rates have increased on average by five times over the last five years. Do you stick it out? If you’re in a position to buy a property, this can be a question racing through your mind when deciding if it’s a good time to buy a property. Do you take the leap and step into a new chapter in your life? Or do you wait to see if you can get a better deal in the future? While timing the market perfectly is nearly impossible, it’s crucial to evaluate your personal circumstances, financial readiness, and long-term goals. For example, if your goal is to invest in a property for capital appreciation, your decision will differ from someone who is looking to live in their property. Evaluating the pros and cons of buying a property Pros: • Long-term asset appreciation: Historically, property ownership has a history of being a good long-term investment. While recessions may throw a curveball, property tends to bounce back and rise in value over time. • Hedge against inflation: Tired of inflation eating up your hard-earned cash? Property can act as a hedge against
rising prices. When inflation strikes, property values often rise too, which can give you a shield against the eroding effects. • Rental income: If you’re buying a property for investment purposes, you can generate rental income. In times of economic uncertainty, rental demand may increase as some individuals opt to rent instead of buying homes. This is what we are seeing at the moment; rental prices have increased dramatically which is good for landlords. Rental income can provide a steady cash flow and help offset expenses such as mortgage payments, taxes, and maintenance costs. • Diversification: Adding property to your investment portfolio can be like adding a superfood to your salad – it can give it a boost in the right places. By adding property to a mix of stocks, bonds, and other assets, you spread your risk across different investment types, reducing exposure to any individual asset and potentially reducing overall risk. • Potential for leverage: Property gives you the opportunity to benefit from leverage. By taking out a mortgage (i.e. borrowing money), you are able to own an asset with some of your own money (the deposit). But also, largely with someone else’s money (the bank’s). This means that when property prices rise, you not only earn a return on the money you put in, but you also earn a return on the money the bank lent you, i.e. you’re making money off the bank’s money. (But you do always have to make sure that you can afford any interest payments on mortgages you take out). • Personal satisfaction: Owning property isn’t just about the potential financial returns. It’s about achieving big personal goals, whether it’s embarking on a new adventure or building long-term wealth. You are allowed to revel in that satisfaction. Now that we’ve covered the pros, it’s essential to consider the cons and risks as well. Cons: • Value fluctuations: During a recession, property values may experience significant fluctuations, making it challenging to predict and potentially affecting your investment’s value. If you have to sell in such a downturn then you may lose money. • Affordability challenges: High inflation and interest rates can make it harder to afford a property. Rising prices and borrowing costs can squeeze your budget like a vice, making it harder to afford that dream property or investment project. • Economic uncertainty: In today’s climate of recession and high inflation, the clouds of economic uncertainty loom overhead. Job markets become a jigsaw
puzzle, and financial instability adds an extra sprinkle of anxiety which can impact your ability to make mortgage payments and maintain ownership. • Maintenance costs: Owning a property is like having a secret affair with maintenance and repair expenses. They can pop up unexpectedly, like an uninvited guest, especially during economic downturns. When you own a property, you also marry unexpected maintenance bills. • Limited flexibility: Commitment can be a beautiful thing, but buying a property locks you into a long-term relationship. Yet, life has a habit of surprising us! Changing circumstances or job-related moves can leave you with a conundrum. Selling during a recession can feel like a high-stakes gamble. • Tax implications: As with all investments, you should consider what taxes you’ll have to pay as this will have a direct impact on the returns you could make. You could be liable to pay Income Tax, Stamp Duty Tax and Capital Gains Tax depending on your circumstances. So when is it a good time to buy a property? The answer is, it depends. It depends on you and your personal circumstances. Deciding whether now is the right time to buy a property requires a thorough assessment of your personal circumstances, financial readiness, and market conditions. While high-interest rates and the uncertainty of timing the market may pose challenges, it’s important to remember that property investment is a long-term endeavour. By conducting diligent research, seeking professional advice, and aligning your goals, you can make a well-informed decision that suits your individual needs. At Propelle, we’re committed to empowering women to make confident investment choices which align with their personal values and goals. By providing credible insights and a supportive community, we strive to ensure that you feel equipped to conquer the world of investing and achieve your financial goals. Sign up for the waitlist now to join thousands of women on their way to financial freedom.
Website: propelle.io cherubsmagazine.com
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What are Average Rental Yields on HMO Properties? We are often asked the above question as it can be the main motivation for investing in a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO). Because of this, we’ve outlined some explanations, considerations and information on rental yields and their role in the current HMO (UK) rental market.* What are rental yields, and why they are important when considering a buy to let HMO property? Rental yields refer to the potential returns on a rental property, presented as a percentage, and calculated on the value of the property and the annual rental income. You may hear it referred to a gross rental yield (the percentage before costs are deducted) or the net rental yield (the percentage after all costs associated with owning a property are deducted).
Calculating what your potential rental yield is will help you determine whether a buyto-let property is a sound investment. It will also help you set out what you should charge for your rental property and also help you make decisions on what property you should buy if you are looking at several investments. Be mindful too that although rental yields are a deciding factor on purchasing an HMO, factors such as rental demand in an area and capital growth should also be considered. At Reka, we know the landscape and can help you with this. How do you work out the rental yield of a property? The simple example shows how this can be done. If Mike buys a property for £120,000 and receives £700 in rent each month, his gross rental yield on this is 7%.
£700 x 12 = £8,400 £8,400 £120,000
x 100
=7% What affects a rental yield on an HMO property? Location Several factors can affect the rental yield of your HMO property. The location of your rental property will influence the property rental yield and the Right Move Rental
* The information in this article does not constitute legal or financial advice. ** Rightmove Rental Tracker Q2 2023 ^ PropertyData 2023
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Tracker provides some insights into the current rental market. This can be found at rightmove.co.uk/news/rental-price-tracker. As you would expect, London demands the highest rates, with an average rent in the capital being £2,567** and outside of London being approximately £1,231 per calendar month (pcm).**
Maintenance – the less maintenance required will positively impact your rental yield.
Property type HMOs have higher rental yields than standard properties as they can offer more rental opportunities due to having more tenants in the property. It also spreads the risk of having an empty property, due to the number of tenants in it. It’s very rare to have an HMO with no tenants in it.
What is a good rental yield percentage?
Other factors Supply and demand – the higher the demand for your property, the higher the rent.
Empty properties – if you do not have tenants, then your rental yield will drop. This is why an HMO, which by its nature has several tenants, is worth considering.
As mentioned above, there are several factors which can impact your rental yield, but it is widely accepted that a good percentage is around 5-6%, and 7% is seen as ‘very good’. This figure increases when you consider an HMO, with a gross rental yield percentage of 8-12% for most HMO properties.^ How can Reka Property Management help?
With an extensive knowledge of HMOs and local areas, Reka specialises in HMOs – including converting properties into HMOs, sourcing tenants and managing your properties – and our seamless approach means that you can be hands off, or hands on, depending on what suits you. Douglas Fouko, Reka’s MD said: ‘It’s never been a better time to invest in HMOs. The rental market is buoyant, and we have seen significant growth in the rental yield percentages that our clients are receiving on their investments. We are landlords and property investors ourselves, so we know how this can make sound business sense.’ To learn more about how we can help, please contact us on 0203 286 6468 or email Admin@RekaProperty.co.uk
Website: rekaproperty.co.uk cherubsmagazine.com
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LASTLY
Minutes with Illana @dancboxoffical
If there’s one woman I have a girl crush on it’s Illana. From the moment I found out about Dance Box, to walking into my first class, I was in love. Her energy, her love and passion is something you’ve never witnessed. All I can say is, if you need to be reminded of what an amazing, powerful person you are… step into the world of Dance Box and never look back. Plus, she’s sexy AF and a draw-dropping dancer!
Your bedside reading at the moment is…? My journal. I write in it every night and then pick a random previous date to read back.
Favourite podcast when you have five minutes’ peace? Diary of a CEO - Steven Barlett.
A ‘wow’ moment in your life so far?
I feel the “wows” most days but I’d say dancing in Wembley Arena was high up there, and also my last Dance Box event in September 2023.
Tea or coffee? Coffee. Black!
Ultimate food weakness? Crisps!! Nom nom nom!!!
How do you make time for yourself?
Three things you always have in your glove compartment?
A phone charger, sweets and for some reason a CD Lauryn Hill, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill to be exact. Never use it as it’s 2023 but here we are.
Favourite holiday memory?
Ghaaaaa I have so many. This is hard. But OK, it’s 2013, I’m in Ibiza and me and my friends decide to go on a ride, drunk and watching my friend lose her shit after it and throw up. She wasn’t drinking.
The next destination on your list is…? Mexico.
What language would you love to learn? I’d like to get back to being able to speak fluent Spanish.
If you could choose one superpower?
NATURE!!! Turning my phone off and just breathing in nature.
To be invisible. I’d get on every plane and travel the world free. I’d also go and sit in rooms with people that inspire me. Although they do say, never meet your heroes.
What gives you instant calmness?
Which album will you have on loop and never be bored with?
Music.
Cleo Sol, ‘Mother’.
If you needed to hear a voice of comfort, who would you call?
My Mama. She always knows the right thing to say to calm me and bring me back to perspective and peace. My best friend.
If you had to pick your favourite body part, what would it be and why?
ALL OF IT!!!!! Because she is spectacular and allows me to do everything I wish for her to do. If you come to my class then you’ll know I particularly love touching my vagina though.
How would you describe yourself? A larger-than-life pocket rocket.
The mantra you live by? Comparison is motherf**ker!!!
the
thief
of
joy,
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