Families Cheshire Issue 63 Jan/Feb 2020 by Families Magazine

Cheshire

In this issue: Happy New Year! Go from Dad Bod to Dad God Flexible working that works for you How to choose a childminder

Issue 63 January/February 2020

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News Calling all families - Wear A Hat Day needs you!

Image: Venture Studios

The annual fundraising extravaganza Wear A Hat Day is coming back in 2020 – Families Magazine and Brain Tumour Research are calling on you to get involved! Wear A Hat Day 2020 takes place on Friday 27 March, at the end of Brain Tumour Awareness Month. Over the last decade, this hattastic event has raised more than £1 million in support of the charity Brain Tumour Research. It has become a must-do event for many children and parents and their communities.

Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer

Taking part is really easy and the charity has some great ideas on their website to help you plan and host wonderful hat-themed fundraising events. Register today to ensure you get your FREE fundraising pack in time: www.wearahatday.org Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer. No family should be devasted by a brain tumour. Wear A Hat Day is a really important campaign be involved with – not only is it great fun but with your participation, it becomes a powerful symbol of hope for all affected by this disease. Funds raised will continue to help the charity build a network of experts in sustainable research at dedicated Centres of Excellence whilst influencing the Government and larger cancer charities to invest more nationally. Together we will find a cure.

National Storytelling Week

National Storytelling Week takes place from 1 to 8 February and is a chance to reflect on one of the oldest art forms in the world. We are all immersed in stories — from conversations during which we re-tell events in our lives, to watching our favourite television shows. Speech and language therapists believe that storytelling is vital for children’s academic success as it promotes narrative skills and strengthens the ability of children to correctly sequence ideas. To be a good reader and

writer a child needs firstly to be a good speaker and listener. Above all though, storytelling is fun. Whether we are listening to someone else’s story or telling our own, inventing and adapting narratives can open doors to exciting new worlds — both real and imaginary. National Storytelling Week takes place in storytelling clubs, theatres, museums, schools, hospitals, spoken word venues, and care homes. To find a local event or to look through its extensive archive, visit www.sfs.org.uk

OUR BRAIN TUM A Y B D E T DEVASTA SHOULD BE NO FAMILY

Just

of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease

FREE

FUNDRAISING PACK

www.wearahatday.org Registered charity number 1153487 (England and Wales) SC046840 (Scotland). Company limited by guarantee number 08570737.

Next issue: March/April 2020 Circulation: 30,000 copies of Families Cheshire are available through nurseries, schools, libraries, selected shops and other points throughout Cheshire. If you would like free copies for your organisation, please let us know. Contact details: Families Cheshire, 3 Hall Hill, Bollington SK10 5ED Tel: 01625 801 801 www.familiesonline.co.uk Editors: Jayne Keep & Caryl Hall Editorial: editor@familiescheshire.co.uk 2 Families Cheshire

Advertising/artwork: advertising@familiescheshire.co.uk Events, diary dates, what’s on: events@familiescheshire.co.uk Cover Photography: www.depositphotos.com Design: WITH Creative, Congleton. www.withcreative.co.uk Print: Warwick Printers, Caswell Road Leamington Spa, Warwickshire CV31 1QD Tel: 01926 883355 www.warwickprinting.co.uk

Families Cheshire is part of Families Print Ltd, a franchise company. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. Families is a registered trademark of LCMB Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of Families Cheshire are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families

Cheshire. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, but but Families Cheshire, its distributors, the franchise company, Families Print Ltd and LCMB Ltd cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequence thereof. @FamiliesChesMag facebook.com/FamiliesCheshire

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News Air quality is worse indoors

The Big Garden Birdwatch A new report into the state of air pollution in UK households has found that our homes are experiencing dangerous levels of indoor air pollution. The report commissioned by Clean Air Day found that nearly half of UK homes have high indoor air pollution as a result of dangerous levels of formaldehyde and other pollutants. Data also shows that outdoor air pollution adds to indoor air pollution; it builds up in the home, taking longer to disperse inside than outside. According to the British Lung Foundation, children are

particularly sensitive to poor indoor air quality as their lungs are proportionally larger in relation to their body weight than adults and immature immune systems mean they are less able to fight off any problems that arise from polluted indoor air. Sources of indoor air pollution include smoking, faulty boilers, open fires, gas cookers and heaters, as well as irritant chemicals from new furniture, air fresheners and household cleaning products. More info: www.cleanairday. org.uk and www.blf.org.uk

Birdwatch takes place from 25 to 27 January and is the largest wildlife survey in the world. The information collected helps monitor bird species in the UK, and is great fun for children.

To take part, you need to watch the birds in your garden or local park for just one hour at some point over the three days and report your results to the RSPB. You can request a FREE Big Garden Birdwatch pack from the RSPB which includes a bird identification chart and advice to help you attract wildlife to your garden. To make it fun, challenge your children to see who can spot the most birds. Take a bike ride to a local park to look for birds, or make a day trip out of it and spot birds in a new place. More info at www.rspb.org.uk

Does this look like the perfect job? Work from home 3 Be your own boss 3

Cheshire

Work the times you like 3 Fun & interesting work 3 No limit to your earnings 3 Cheshire

Cheshire In this issue: best Make the of Open Days kids Foraging with Is your child sport ready?

In this issue: Times tables tips & tricks Family friendly working Mother’s Day after loss

In this issue: Easter fun! Is Shared Paren tal Leave for you? Finding the right childcare provid er

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Issue 58 Mar/Apr 19

Become the new owner of Families Cheshire and be part of an experienced and supportive network of like-minded people

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Families is perfect for you! You’ll do everything from writing and editing to selling ad space and invoicing – all with full training, back up and support from an experienced team at Head Office and over 30 other editors country-wide. To find out more, get in touch today! Email editor@familiescheshire.co.uk or call 01625 801801.

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Families Cheshire 3

Education Why thinking should be a curriculum subject By Dr Neel Burton

Following his defeat at the Battle of Actium in 31 BCE, Marc Antony heard a rumour that Cleopatra had committed suicide and, in consequence, stabbed himself in the abdomen — only to discover that Cleopatra herself had been responsible for spreading the rumour. He later died in her arms. ‘Fake news’ is nothing new, but in our Internet age, it has spread like a disease, swinging elections, fomenting social unrest, undermining institutions, and diverting political capital away from health, education, and good government. So how best to guard against it? As a medical specialist, I have spent well over twenty years in formal education. With the possible exception of my one-year degree in philosophy, the emphasis of my education has been firmly and

squarely on fact accumulation. Today, I have little use for most of these facts, and though I am only middle-aged, many are already out of date, or highly questionable. But what I do rely on – every day, all the time – is my faculty for critical thinking. As BF Skinner once put it: “Education is what survives when what has been learnt has been forgotten.” But can critical thinking be taught? The answer is ‘yes’ – or, at least, the beginnings of it. So why not make more time for it and be more rigorous and systematic about its learning? Logic is a good start, but there is much more to critical thinking than mere logic. Educationalists often amalgamate thinking with logic. True, logic is able to provide immediate certainty and the authority and credibility that goes with that. But logic is

a lot more limited than many people imagine. Logic essentially consists of a set of operations for deriving a statement from other statements. In a sense, it merely makes explicit that which was previously implicit. It brings nothing new to the table. The conclusion flows from the premises as their inevitable consequence: 1. All birds have feathers. (Premise 1) 2. Woodpeckers are birds. (Premise 2) 3. Therefore, woodpeckers have feathers. (Conclusion) What’s more, logic is not concerned with the actual truth or falsity of the premises or, indeed, the merit or relevance of the conclusion. Reasoning, in contrast, is a much broader psychological activity which also involves selecting and assessing evidence, creating and testing hypotheses, weighing competing arguments, evaluating means and ends, developing and applying mental shortcuts, and so on. All this requires the use of judgement, which is why reason, unlike logic, cannot be delegated to a computer, and also why it so often fails to persuade. Just as there is more to reason than logic, so there is more to thinking than reasoning. If school curricula make very little time for logic and reasoning, they make even less time for non-rational forms of cognition such as the emotions,

intuition, and imagination. To see the significance of non-rational forms of cognition, let’s hone in on the emotions. With the decline of religion and traditional social structures, our emotions have come to assume an increasingly dominant role in our lives. It has forever been said that we are ruled by our emotions, but this today is truer than ever. Much more than reason or tradition, it is our emotions that determine our choice of profession, partner, and politics, and our relation to money, sex, and religion. Yet, remarkably, the emotions are utterly neglected by our system of education, leading to millions of mis-lived lives. Nothing can make us feel more alive, or more human, than our emotions, or hurt us more. To control our emotions is to control ourselves, and to control ourselves is to control our destiny. Our school curriculum needs to make more time and space for thinking. And we need to rehabilitate alternative forms of cognition, such as the emotions, intuition, and imagination, that can support, supplement, or supplant reason and return us to wholeness. Dr Neel Burton is a leading psychiatrist and author of Hypersanity: Thinking Beyond Thinking, which is out now, priced £12.99. To find out more, visit www.neelburton.com

Open Events

March 2020

Meet our inspirational teachers, learn about our enriched curriculum and discover what makes Queen’s unique.

LOWER SCHOOL EXPLORE QUEEN’S

Thursday 12 March, 1.30pm - 3pm

SENIOR SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORM OPEN EVENING Thursday 12 March, 5pm - 8pm

A wonderfully empowering environment in which girls flourish academically but also personally THE GOOD SCHOOLS GUIDE

REGISTER ONLINE for our January Entrance Assessments and March Open Events via www.thequeensschool.co.uk/admissions or call Admissions Manager on 01244 312078 or email admissions@thequeensschool.co.uk open events nov19 180-85.indd 1 4 Families Cheshire

29/11/2019 15:12 familiesonline.co.uk

Education Mud pies and nature – creating a new ‘normal’

The world is changing, and education needs to change with it. Educators have a moral duty to reflect on the uncertain world our children will inherit and need to consider how best to prepare them for it.

Children don’t have the same connections with nature their parents and grandparents may have had; with restricted freedoms and time, positive outdoor experiences have diminished. That’s why The Queen’s School in Chester engages children in

practical opportunities to maximise their exploration of, and interaction with insects, wildlife, plants, trees, soil, water, sunshine, wind and rain. Queen’s Forest and Beach school helps to explore the interdependence of people, beaches and forests and the vital role they play in sustaining our environment. It also helps children be active, assess situations, take risks and make decisions, all the while developing both fine and gross motor skills. Pupils not only learn to be self-sufficient and take care of themselves, boosting their confidence and self-esteem, but also how to deal with failure and develop resilience: a skill critical in and outside the classroom. The infant gardening club, the school pond’s abundant wildlife and the newest initiatives to create a Kitchen Garden and establish a quiet sanctuary for the girls with the

Top performing school at GCSE & A Level Bursaries & Scholarships at 11+ & 16+

aid of a sensory garden all add to the children’s outdoor learning opportunities. The school’s Eco Society was instrumental in reducing water consumption and energy usage; buying bird, bat and butterfly boxes to increase biodiversity and reducing waste and improving recycling. These actions amongst others have enabled The Queen’s School to receive the Bronze and Silver Eco Schools Awards, and they are now working towards achieving Green Flag status. Every generation inherits a baseline ‘normal’ with respect to their environment. Creating meaningful interactions with the natural world is not only vital for rejuvenation and an improved quality of life, but it’s also imperative for embedding a new ‘normal’ where we return to a simple, but meaningful relationship with nature and construct a new ‘natural literacy’ for the future. www.thequeensschool.co.uk

Entrance Examinations Friday 17 January, 2020

Infants: Dare to Discover Morning

Charity No. 1137204

NEW £60m campus opening September 2020

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01625 260000

Charity No. 1137204

Saturday 7 March, 10am –12pm

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Education Header “The most idyllic and enabling environment for your child’s first years in education...”

Cransley Junior School prides itself on its child-centred approach, in a beautiful rural environment where all pupils feel safe and valued. Pastoral care is of the utmost importance, whilst pupils are challenged academically, encouraged to be independent characters and to challenge themselves according to their own abilities. Starting school is an important step in a child’s life. Cransley’s happy and enabling environment of their EYFS provides a balanced introduction to education, working in close partnership with parents. The ‘hands-on’ nature of their Early Years provides a stimulating and highly motivating environment where talent is recognised and encouraged. A multi-sensory approach is used and children learn pre-reading and prenumber skills appropriate to the individual stages of development. Small class sizes of under 12 children help ensure children are given individual attention, enabling them to work at their own pace.

The close association with the Junior School means that capable EYFS children can access an additional element of academic rigour, but only if appropriate, and only if the child is ready. Likewise, if potential barriers to learning are found, the school can provide early intervention and ensure progress. The Junior School then provides an enhanced Primary curriculum, utilising the resources, facilities and expertise of the Senior School, and with class sizes under 15. This allows them to provide learning opportunities beyond that of a usual primary school – with specialist teachers and resources in music, science, creative arts, computing, PE and drama. It is vital at this young age, that we encourage children to develop an individual spirituality and moral ‘compass’ in modern life, and at Cransley this is done through clear personal, social, health and economic education, religious studies, themed assemblies, and early philosophy. When it’s time to leave their educational care, Cransley ensures a seamless transition – academic, pastoral and physical – into the Senior School, ensuring continuous progress and wellbeing at an exciting time of their lives. www.cransleyschool.com

Sleep lessons for school children School children across Britain may be offered sleep lessons to help tackle the problem of insomnia in young people. Children and young people’s sleep is being seen as an increasingly important issue. According to the British Medical Journal, there is increasing evidence emerging that lack of sleep has a major impact on children’s mental and physical health, as well as learning. A recent study by the BMJ suggests that sleep has a greater impact on an adolescent’s mental wellbeing than bullying, physical activity and screen time.

The sleep lessons are aimed at children ages 7 to 16 years and are available as part of the PSHE curriculum. The lessons focus on giving children strategies for falling asleep and raising awareness of how sleep needs change in adolescence. Experts say the increase in sleep problems is down to a combination of higher obesity levels, excessive use of social media before bedtime and a mental health crisis among young people More info: www.pshe-association.org.uk / www.thechildrenssleepcharity. org.uk

Bright Beginnings EYFS Experience Day 24th March 2020 Outstanding independent education for boys and girls aged 4-16

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Education Making friends with parents at the school gate

By Tanith Carey

We all know that kids’ friendships can be complicated. But we often don’t recognise how complex the relationships between parents can be too. Why else, would we feel nervous about having no one to talk to in the playground at school pick-up? These bonds with other parents are critically important, not only for us, but for our kids. Not only do good relationships with the parents of our child’s classmates helps us feel more tuned in to what’s happening at school but bonds with other adults we meet at school can also help our children have easier, happier friendships themselves. We are our children’s first role models when it comes to making friends. They closely observe how we interact – whether it’s being friendly and open to all, or being more reserved and sticking to more exclusive groups of

parents. The more open we are to meeting other parents, the easier it is to support our kids’ friendships and help them develop a wider social circle. Gone are the days when we lived in close-knit communities where kids met up with friends after school to play; instead, we need to make sure they have the opportunity to develop their social skills. Research shows that having a circle of pals who they can be themselves with is the single most important factor in making young people feel good about themselves and want to go to school. So what are the best ways to get on well with other school parents? Be friendly to everyone. Be prepared to talk to every parent in your child’s class, not just the ones you feel you have a lot in common with. Every human being deserves to be treated with basic courtesy, no matter who they are. By role-modelling this for your child,

you will be passing on one of the most important life lessons there is. Respect your child’s likes. Be enthusiastic about inviting home any child your son or daughter plays with at school. Friendship between children is chemical so don’t limit their options by deciding who they should socialise with. Set up playdates. Playdates are important for helping your child learn friendship skills, like compromise and turn-taking. When parents drop off or collect, be friendly and open and offer tea or coffee. Some may accept your invites and other may not, but either way you will be doing your best for your child. Set up a social media group. If you are daunted by the idea of penetrating groups of parents who look like they all know each other in the playground, suggest setting up a WhatsApp or Facebook group, not only to support each other and set up play-dates, but also to get a better idea of who the kinder parents are. They are also more likely to have kinder kids. Check your competitive urges. We all want our children to do well. But when we start measuring their achievements against others, it can wreck relationships with other school parents. Competitive power play put others on their guard and chats feel more like stressful duels than enjoyable conversations.

Rise above competitive behaviour of others. If another parent makes a competitive power-play, side-step it by drawing attention to the goals you BOTH have in common, whether it’s for your kids both getting better at Maths or for them both to play their best for the school team. Let them sort out their own disputes. Many school gate relationships rupture when parents fall out – or start ignoring each other – because their kids have fallen out. So unless your child is being targeted repeatedly by another child in an attempt to hurt them, let them resolve conflict for themselves. The chances are your kids will be talking again soon, but if you’ve made a stand against another parent, it will still stay awkward between you – and that helps no one. For social-science based insights into how to help your child have better friendships and learn friendship skills, look out for Tanith’s new book The Friendship Maze: How to Help Your Child Navigate Their Way to Positive and Happier Friendships, published by Summersdale and available from Amazon (£10.99).

Stockport Grammar is Excellent

Congratulations to Stockport Grammar’s Senior and Junior Schools who achieved the highest possible ratings of “Excellent” by the Independent Schools Inspectorate following their visit in the 2019 Autumn Term.

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The Inspectorate focusses on the achievement of the pupils, including their academic development and on their personal development. The Inspectors comments about the Senior School include:

“Throughout the school pupils’ progress is rapid, and they achieve highly in both academic and other areas.” “The excellent level of pastoral care ensures that pupils grow in both self-confidence and self-esteem and so develop into resilient young adults, ready for the next stage in their lives.” “Pupils excel in a wide range of creative and physical pursuits and are supported in their achievements by the wide-ranging extra-curricular programme.” Their comments about the Junior School include: “Pupils flourish in a community

exemplified by exceptionally warm and supportive relationships and a genuine sense of mutual care.” “Pupils build excellent skills and knowledge; they are confident and curious learners and these attitudes result in very good outcomes across all areas of the curriculum.” The Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) is the body approved by the Government for the purpose of inspecting schools belonging to the Independent Schools Council (ISC). The full report can be viewed at www.stockportgrammar.co.uk

Families Cheshire 7

Parent’s place

5 Steps from Dad Bod to Dad God By Dan Fallon

Firstly, let’s get a few things straight. If you are expecting your dream body to be waiting at the end of a 12 week programme, then think again. If, on the other hand, you want to lead by example in your household when it comes to health and fitness, then by taking action you can really inspire your children to value their health and fitness too. If you are a dad like me who has let the reins slip a little, or you’ve let your waistline expand without even realising it, here are my top tips to get right back on track in 2020: Start with one thing Be realistic. It’s unlikely you are going to get straight back into the same gym routine you had when you were 25 years old. So don’t write a great long list of health and fitness goals that within 3 weeks they will be completely unmanageable within the context of work and family life. Instead, start with something simple. Like walking. Power walking can burn up to 350 calories per 30 minutes if you

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are at a good pace (13 to 14-minute mile). Do this for 10 days and that is 1lb of body fat torched. As you build momentum in your routine, then you can start adding extras. Bulletproof winning the morning Most parents are time poor. They feel guilty if they sacrifice any time with the family for anything other than work. That’s why I am a big fan of mornings. Most people go to bed around 10pm and wake around 6.30pm. That’s 8 and half hours. Considering that evidence suggests that we can survive very well on 7 or 7 and a half hours, I think sacrificing an hour in the morning to burn some calories is a good trade off. To make sure this actually happens, place your alarm at the other side of the room. When it goes off, get straight up and go to the bathroom to start brushing your teeth as soon as the alarm goes off. This is the art of distracting and stops the brain negotiating – no more “well, I could stay in bed for 10 more minutes.”

Stay NEAT, keep on your feet Most people think fat burning happens by doing 45 minutes in the gym. The reality is that although this has huge benefits for your health, if you then sit on your backside for the rest of the day, you aren’t burning many more calories. You know those people that never put any weight on and seem to eat what they want? Well, it’s nothing to do with their magical metabolism – the fact is they never sit still. They are up all the time, fidgeting, cleaning, moving. This burns energy – energy is calories – and calories mean fat. This is called Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis. Get support from friends, family and online communities If you are one of those characters that has every meal plan or “Get ripped in 30 days” book in Waterstones sitting on your shelf, ask yourself this question – why are you still struggling with your fitness journey? The answer to that is accountability. In your work and family life, you are accountable. You don’t want

to let people down, and this kind of accountability is such a powerful tool for staying on track that it can become one of the most important ingredients for the long-term fitness journey. Do stuff to impress your kids I take my little girl to gymnastics every Saturday. Although I may not be the most flexible guy these days, I have stayed strong throughout the years and this means I can do pull ups, handstands and all that jazz. My little girl loves that sort of stuff. And let’s face it, this is the real reason why many of us start (or re-start) our fitness journey. Seeing our kids smile, being able to join in their games and leading by example are really powerful incentives for us father folk. Dan Fallon is author of Start with ONE THING: The Dad’s no BS approach to fat loss and fitness (Rethink Press, £12.99) and founder of the Super You Project, the Dad’s online fitness community at www.facebook.com/ superyouproject

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Parent’s place Get motivated and get moving Would you rent baby clothes? at your local Brio centre!

Give your workouts that personal touch with the right support at Brio Leisure! Whether its recovering from an illness or injury, squeezing back into your favourite jeans, or preparing for a marathon, it’s time to achieve your goals! Brio’s Personal Trainers are ready to understand your training needs and from only £30 per hour you can benefit from 1:1 attention and

motivation, helping you to work harder, train better and achieve your goals faster. You can bring some support and share the cost with a friend from as little as £7.50 a session! Feeling committed? Why not buy 5 sessions and get one FREE! Book at your nearest centre or visit www.brioleisure.org/pt for more details.

BUY 5 GET 1 FREE!

Babies can get through an alarming number of outfits in a day, so there’s no getting away from the fact that you will need plenty of sleepsuits in different sizes, each of which will only fit for a matter of months or weeks. So how to you avoid ending up with piles of clothes your baby has outgrown? For more and more new parents, the answer is simple: rent. Two UK companies have introduced an alternative which they believe solves this problem as well as being affordable and environmentally

sustainable by reducing waste. The alternative also reduces time spent by parents constantly re-selling and purchasing clothes. Families pay a monthly subscription, return outgrown clothes and then receive the next size up, in line with their baby’s growth and the changing seasons. Clothes are professionally cleaned and must pass quality control before being sent to the next renting family. For more info, visit www.bundlee.co.uk or www.bellesandbabes.co.uk

PERSONAL TRAINING ONE TO ONE MOTIVATION

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brioleisure.org/pt Cheshire Families HLF Pg 2020 v2.indd 1 familiesonline.co.uk

16/12/2019 11:50 Families Cheshire 9

Parents’ place Why I want to be in the Good Enough parenting club By Claire Winter

The pressure to be a perfect parent can be overwhelming; particularly when we are bombarded by picture-perfect family lives on social media. Mums who are juggling work and family life effortlessly and also find the time to bake cakes and look fabulous. Celebrities who seem to flit from the school run to photo-shoots and still have time to take their kids to Judo. We don’t see the nanny, the makeup artist and the housekeeper behind the scenes. Most people don’t share the messy chaos of family life on their carefully curated Instagram account. So in 2020 shall we all agree to let go of the notion of being a perfect parent and instead start embracing imperfection? No one is flawless and raising kids who understand this is a positive thing. I am bringing up three teenagers and I often say to them: “I am learning how to parent just like you are learning how to grow up.” When we strive to be perfect, we are showing our children that anything less than perfect is a failure. Making mistakes is a part of the growing up process. Here are ten ways to be a good enough parent in 2020. Embrace imperfection Being a parent is by far the most important and impactful relationship you can have. You

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will love and nurture your children throughout their childhood but they will still come back and ask your advice when they are adults. You will both make mistakes and learn to forgive each other. Start learning to love each other’s imperfections and you will build the foundations of a strong relationship for life. Love yourself Parents love their children unconditionally, but what about themselves? Try and silence the critical voice in your mind that says negative things about what you do. Increase the positive self-talk. Talk to yourself in the same way you would talk to your children or a close friend. Loving yourself means acknowledging that you are trying your best and that this truly is enough. Learn to apologise Model the behaviour you want to see from your children. Learn to apologise when you do something hurtful, make a mistake, forget to do something or lose your temper. In this way, your children will learn how to make amends and start to learn when they need to say sorry too.

Have a life of your own Having a fun life separate from your children and partner is healthy and important. Make time for things like a weekly walk, book club, art class or spending time with friends. This shows your children how to maintain their own interests, hobbies and friendships outside the family unit. Take care of yourself Take care of yourself in mind, body and spirit. Most parents put themselves last on the to-do list and become resentful or unwell. Take time out for coffee, long baths, yoga or cocktails. It doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated, just something that makes you feel good. Spend quality time with your children Make spending quality time with your children a priority. Even if it is for just 10 to 30 minutes a day. Don’t be on a phone or a gadget; be curious, ask questions, and be fully present. Listen Children communicate many things through their behaviour and words. Listen to your children carefully by focussing all your

attention on them. You may not agree with all of their feedback, but allowing them the time and space to form an opinion will help them to develop their own self-confidence. Develop a sense of humour Your kids will love a poo joke and there will be times when you are up to your elbows in it. Parenting is a massive rollercoaster ride and being able to see the funny side of things really helps. Don’t sweat the small stuff The house being in a mess won’t hurt anyone! If you do want to get on top of the housework, get the kids to help. We set a timer and all tidy up together. It’s amazing what can be achieved in a short space of time if the whole family gets involved. Allow your children to be who they are As a parent you want to shape, influence, and expose your children to as many opportunities as possible. But our most important job as parents is to allow our children to be who they want to be. We just need to support and cheer them on from the sidelines.

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Parents’ place How to choose a childminder By Elaine Pitteway

If you are a working parent, you may well consider hiring a childminder to care for your child.

More info Guidance and advice about expectations, what to look for, financial support and more can be found at www.childmindinguk.com/ parents

TS AR T ST S

Registration It’s important that you choose a registered childminder. The law states that anyone being paid (or recompensed in some way) for caring for children under the age of 8 for more than two hours a day must register with Ofsted or a Childminder Agency. Childminders are registered to look after one or more children, to whom they are not related, on domestic premises. This is usually their own home. They sometimes work with other childminders or assistants but can work with no more than two others at any one time. Before a childminder can be registered, a full criminal records check, references, and other thorough checks are carried out to ensure medical fitness and suitability to care for other people’s children. Anyone over 16 in the childminder’s household is also checked. The childminder must also have completed Introductory

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Where to find a childminder Each Local Authority has a duty to publish details of childcare within their area, usually on their website under Families Information Service or Families Service Directory. Word of mouth. Most good childminders don’t need to advertise – they come recommended at the school gate or on local forums.

How will my children learn with a childminder? Childminders get to know the children in their care very well; they can follow the child’s interests and make spontaneous decisions about the day’s activities. Children learn through real-life learning experiences in the childminder’s own home such

Theo’s dad says: “We felt Theo would get a stronger level of development on a one-to-one basis than he would in a larger group environment. When we met with his childminder, we understood that he’d still get that interaction with other children so we felt we were going to get the best of both worlds. The development and what he’s learnt has been phenomenal – he loves her to bits and she truly cares for him.”

are published on the Ofsted website and it is very worthwhile to check these. Childminders are also expected to continue their professional development. Many childminders are members of Childminding UK so have access to online training and support.

£8

What are the benefits? Good quality, home-based care from a registered childminder has many benefits. Young children and those experiencing childcare for the first time often cope better in a home environment. Because of the high ratio of carers to children, little ones can develop a close relationship with their childminder and continue with them after school and in school holidays as they get older. Additionally, a childminder looks after children of all ages, so siblings can be looked after together, rather than being separated into age groups. Childminders develop close relationships with parents too, offering support for the whole family, and passing on their professional knowledge. Not only this, childminders are self-employed and can offer a flexible service, tailoring their hours to suit you – a great help if you work irregular hours. Most childminders will do the school run and offer care during school holidays, as well as government funded places for children ages 2, 3 and 4.

as cooking, stories, messy play, dressing up, gardening. In addition, they will go to the park, library and local groups as well as enjoying planned outings.

training or hold a childcare qualification which enables them to understand and implement the statutory requirements for a childminder. This includes Safeguarding, Child Development and Equality. They also need to hold a full Paediatric First Aid certificate. Registered childminders caring for pre-school children comply with the same statutory guidance for children’s welfare, learning and development as all other early years’ settings, including day nurseries and pre-schools. If they care for children over 5 years they must comply with the Requirements of the Childcare Register just like other out-ofschool settings. Once registered, childminders are inspected by Ofsted at least once in every 4 year cycle to ensure they are providing high quality care. A grade of Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement or Inadequate is awarded. Full reports

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Families Cheshire 11

Parents’ place Care home goes the extra mile

Dedicated staff at a local care home in Lostock Gralam worked hard to overcome the odds and help a resident achieve her dream trip. Country Court Care, the company behind Lostock

Lodge Care Home, partner with award-winning social enterprise Oomph! to deliver exercise classes and creative activities for residents, as well as engaging trips out. Lostock Lodge Care Home Resident Sheila was a long-standing volunteer at Martin Mere Wetland Centre near Ormskirk and told staff she would love to go back and visit the nature reserve, but due to her condition didn’t feel she could make the trip.

“We really wanted to find a way of working through the challenges to get Sheila there” said Sarah Holt, Activity Coordinator at Lostock Lodge. Bill Ramsbottom, Oomph! Minibus Conductor, played a key role in making the trip happen. “We had several steps to overcome and for a long time were worried we couldn’t make it happen, but eventually overcame the challenges by removing a seat from our minibus and by taking a piece of equipment with us to achieve what appeared to have been impossible.” Sheila was made redundant from her remedial teaching post in 1976 and decided to turn to private teaching of pupils that need extra help. Whilst preparing for this Sheila started work as a volunteer at the nature reserve, continuing to enjoy and learn more about

the wildlife she loves. She worked in the education department at Martin Mere showing the many school parties around the site. During the trip Sheila was able to impart some of her knowledge on her fellow residents and they all enjoyed chatting with current volunteers, seeing the gardens and wildlife and admiring the fabulous flamingos. The ‘Make a wish’ initiative has seen residents from across the Country Court Care group enjoy special outings and activities; from scoring goals at Sheffield United Football Club, to off-road driving and lots of family tea parties. If you are thinking about a care home or would like more information about Lostock Lodge Care Home please contact Nina Rogers on 01606 331953 or email nina. rogers@countrycourtcare.com

The rise of gender reveal parties

The American trend of “gender reveal parties” to announce the sex of a baby is a growing trend in the UK. Celebrated at an earlier stage in pregnancy than a baby shower, a gender reveal party announces whether

expectant parents will be giving birth to a boy or a girl. Sometimes this will be a surprise for the couple themselves with some asking the sonographer at their 20 week scan to write down “boy” or “girl” on a piece of paper and put it in an envelope. It is then given to a friend or relative who organises the party. Traditional ‘reveals’ include a cake with blue or pink sweets hidden inside, a pink or blue confetti-filled piñata or a guest taking off a hat to reveal a pink or blue wig. But more dramatic announcements, including fireworks are becoming more and more common.

Record low Sudden Infant Deaths Sudden infant deaths, the syndrome in which otherwise seemingly healthy babies die unexpectedly before their first birthday, has dropped to its lowest level on record, according to a report from the Office of National Statistics (ONS). Records of what used to be called ‘cot death’ began in 2004, when the rate was 0.5 deaths per 1,000 births (i.e. one in 2,000 infants). The 2017 figure is 0.27 per 1,000 births – more like one in 4,000 – meaning the figure has almost halved since the records began. The ONS said the fall in unexplained deaths may be due to factors such as fewer expectant mothers smoking and more awareness of safer sleeping practices. The term ‘cot death’ is no longer used, due to the suggestion that sudden infant death can only happen when a baby is in its cot. The term now used is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or SIDS. More info: www.ons.gov.uk 12 Families Cheshire

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Parents’ place Activities away from school

Activities that take place completely away from the school environment don’t just keep restless children busy or entertained and help working parents manage their child’s spare time, they can also offer great developmental benefits that will help them academically, physically and socially.

New friendships Outside of the school environment, your child is likely to make friendships with children that don’t go to their school and get used to socialising with children of all ages outside the structure of the formal school day. Improving life and social skills Outside school activities provide an ideal environment in which to nurture social skills and confidence. Many extracurricular activities work to teach children the value of working as a team to achieve a mutual goal — a skill that will benefit them in their future endeavours. Boosting academic performance Discovering that they have a talent can give a child a new source of confidence or a passion that translates into their engagement and behaviour at school. For example, performing in drama club can improve confidence in speaking up in class and inspire creative

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writing. Playing an instrument will help children understand music lessons. Building self-esteem In a busy classroom it can sometimes be hard for a child to make themselves heard. Outside of school activities will give your child the chance to build their self-esteem. Most groups or teams are more intimate than the typical classroom environment, making them less intimidating for children. Children may also be more interested than they are in their lessons and will engage more easily with the activities involved. Positive role models Sports coaches, group leaders and other responsible adults who are sharing their skills provide role models and a valuable new take on the world for children. Happier children Outside of school activities promote emotional well-being by allowing children to work off excess energy, relax their minds,

and overcome the stress associated with school life. Chance to shine Outside of school activities offer your child the chance to be themselves away from the influence of their school friends. Without being judged by their peers as “not cool” or “geeky” your child may thrive in developing new outlet for creative, sporting or intellectual pursuits. Promoting healthy hobbies Children with a regular activity are likely to spend less static time glued to a smartphone or screen and the interests that they develop during outside of school activities are likely to mean they spend more time practicing skills and pursuing their passions. Explore interests and create broader perspectives When children participate in multiple different activities, they get the opportunity to explore a range of interests

which subsequently broaden their world view. Time management As children get older and move on to secondary school, being able to juggle different aspects of their lives becomes increasingly important. By attending classes, clubs or activities outside of school, your child will be taking on more responsibility for managing their schedule effectively. Sense of commitment Students who participate in outside of school activities develop a sense of commitment to whatever they are involved in. This is because they have to commit to them and give them their all, and this commitment starts to extend to other areas of their lives. A brighter future The skills and habits a child learns during his or her school years help to shape the kind of future they will lead as an adult. As a result, outside of school activities that promote everything from healthy-living habits, to leadership skills, good timemanagement, and better social or academic performance have plenty of advantages to offer. Don’t push them Keep in mind that you shouldn’t push children to over-do it when it comes to extra activities. It’s better for your child to choose something that they really enjoy doing and stick to it, rather than attempt numerous different activities that quickly become overwhelming, and may detract from their ability to concentrate on school work. Of course, you may also have the type of child that just wants to try everything, in which case, it may be best to let them do so and try to narrow down their commitments when you see which activities they particularly favour. More info: www.nuffieldfoundation.org/ out-school-activities-andeducation-gap

Families Cheshire 13

Parents’ place Finding a flexible job that works for you By Mandy Garner

Time becomes an increasingly precious commodity once you have children. For many that means looking to reduce or re-arrange their working hours to give themselves the time they need to enjoy family life. So what are the alternatives to the traditional full-time job? Well, these days there are many different options. Flexible working requests Firstly, you could seek some form of flexibility in your existing job. It’s important to be open-minded as to what that might look like, whether it could be part-time hours, some home working, flexible start and finish times, annualised hours, compressed hours (longer days but fewer of them), or a combination of several possibilities. In order to make a formal flexible working application you will need to show you have thought through the implications of any changed working pattern

What’s on Every Fri in Jan & Feb Storyhouse, Chester (The Den) Baby Rhymetime Free rhymes and songs session for babies under one year old. 10.15 & 11.15am www.storyhouse.com

Every Saturday in Jan & Feb

on your employer and colleagues. Are there, for instance, parts of your job that could be delegated to others to enable them to get experience? Could you use the flexible working process to review your job and hone in on where you can have the most effect? If you can show that you have thought your case through carefully, weighing up your own and your employer’s needs, you are more likely to be successful. Bear in mind that flexible working legislation currently only applies to those who have been in position for six months. If this is not you or if you do not want to permanently change your hours - perhaps you only need some temporary flexibility - then you could ask for changes in your working pattern on a more informal basis. Be creative Another way around the flexible working issue is to switch jobs or even careers. Having children means that all your creative skills will be in play most of the time, including when it comes to your work life. You could try listing your skills and thinking broadly about any possible available job that might fit around your family’s needs. Talk to others and look into industries you may not have considered before. Check out family-friendly

websites to see who the most flexible employers are and read around about what other parents do. Sites like www.workingmums.co.uk have a regular jobs alert and case studies of working parents which can give you suggestions of where to look that you might not have thought of before. Once you have honed sectors and types of jobs you might be interested in, you could join LinkedIn professional groups and check out company websites and social media. Thorough research is key to securing the right job for you. If the sector you are interested in requires you to re-train, you could look into whether there is any on the job training. Portfolio career Another potential option is the so-called portfolio career where you juggle several part-time or freelance/self-employed jobs, creating a kind of tapestry which gives you flexibility around drop-off and pick-up times. You could, for instance, reduce the hours in your regular job and run a franchise or self-employed job on the side either on a permanent basis or until your self-employed work is earning enough to support you. Another advantage of the portfolio approach is that it gives you time to experiment

with different work options. It could also allow you to re-train for another career while still earning. Self-employment You could, of course, choose to jump straight into self-employed work. If so, ensure you do your business research well. You could also consider becoming a franchisee, which means that you would have the freedom associated with running your own business with fewer of the risks of going it alone since the franchise will provide a tried and tested business model. This very magazine that you hold in your hands is a franchise business that is currently up for sale! Families Cheshire magazine been running successfully since 2009 and it’s a great opportunity to get your hands on something that’s already well established in the area. Just email editor@familiescheshire.co.uk to find out more! The important thing is to be creative and to try to think out of the box about your skills. Go back to basics and rediscover what those skills are, who you are, what you like doing. A good coach can help you work your way through all the above options. Mandy Garner is Editor of www.workingmums.co.uk where you can find more suggestions on flexible working options.

Daily from Sat 11 Jan

Sun 19 Jan

Sun 26 Jan

Dunham Massey, Altrimcham Percy the Park Keeper: The Secret Path 10.30am – 3.30pm / Free but normal admission applies. Join Percy and his animal friends to navigate puzzling pathways through the garden. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ dunham-massey

Fri 17 & 31 Jan, Fri 14 Feb

The Lowry (The Carole Nash Lookout) Lookout! It’s Saturday Playhouse 11am – 12.30pm / Free. A free weekly art activity for children and their families. Something different each week. www.thelowry.com

Lyme Park, Disley Skylarks Forest School – Early Years Sessions 10am – 2pm / £20 per child (accompanied) / Booking essential. Explore the natural world through the seasons. Opportunities to create, make and play in a private, walled woodland. wwwskylarksforestschool.co.uk

Sat 4 Jan & Sat 1 Feb

Sat 18 Jan & Sat 15 Feb

Dunham Massey, Altrimcham The Lost Words: Family Art Workshop 12 – 3pm / Free but normal admission applies. Engage with nature through crafts and learn more about the natural environment around us. Different theme each month. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ dunham-massey

14 Families Cheshire

Waterside, Sale Comedysportz 4 Tots 3pm / Age 6 & under. Plenty of silly songs, stories and games 6.30pm / Age 7+. Quick-witted gags, games, sketches and songs in an all improvised show. Totally unscripted, totally unpredictable comedy. www.watersidearts.org

Air Raid Shelters, Stockport Family guided tour 2 – 3pm / Adult £6, Child £2 / Booking essential. Join one of our knowledgeable guides for a personal, informative tour of our underground tunnels. 0161 474 1940 / www.stockport.gov.uk/topic/ air-raid-shelters

Fri 24 – Sun 26 Jan

As the dark streets light up, welcome in the Year of the Rat. Featuring Manchester’s famous red lanterns, a glittering golden dragon, live performances and the legendary Dragon Parade. www.visitmanchester.com

Sat 25 Jan

Nantwich Town Centre Holly Holy Day – The Battle of Nantwich 10am (Battle 2p). For over 40 years the faithful troops of The Sealed Knot have gathered in the historic town of Nantwich, Cheshire to re-enact the bloody battle that took place almost 400 years ago and marked the end of the long and painful siege of the town. www.battleofnantwich.org

Waterside, Sale Snow Play This smash-hit highly interactive London production is a showdown between Winter and Spring over who gets to stay and who has to go away. For ages 3+. www.watersidearts.org The Lowry (Quays Theatre) Morgan & West: Unbelievable Science Captivating chemistry, phenomenal physics, and bonkers biology in this fun for all the family science extravaganza! www.thelowry.com

Mon 27 Jan

Storyhouse Theatre, Chester 2020 Chester Chinese New Year Gala 7pm / All ages / £5. A variety of cultural performances at this annual celebration event organised by the China Centre, Chinese Students and Scholars Association of University of Chester. www.storyhouse.com

Fri 31 Jan

Buxton Opera House Chinese New Year With a spectacular line-up of Chinese acrobatics, music and dance, it’s a

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What’s on

These listings are for guidance only – please check before you go To include your upcoming event in our listings, email events@familiescheshire.co.uk or upload your event listing to our website - www.familiesonline.co.uk

dazzling array of performances full of colour, amazement and fun. www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk

Sat 1 Feb – Sun 1 Mar

Rode Hall Gardens. Scholar Green Snowdrop Walks Experience one of the UK’s finest Snowdrop Walks to mark the start of spring. Open Tues – Sun 11am – 4pm. Closed Mondays. www.rodehall.co.uk

Sun 2 Feb

Waterside, Sale The Sorcerer’s Apprentice A thrilling story about trying to help out, running before you can walk, biting off more than you can chew and how people you know might not always be quite what they seem! For ages 3+. www.watersidearts.org The Lowry (The Studio) Kaleidoscope Blink. Blink again. What do you see? Inspired by research into how a baby’s sense of sight develops and how they instinctively begin to categorise colour, watch as a multi-coloured Kaleidoscope is brought to life for you and your baby. For ages 6 – 18 months. www.thelowry.com

Sun 2 Feb & Sun 1 Mar

Kingsway School, Cheadle Kids Car Boot 10am – 12pm / Free entry (pitches cost £15). A fabulous way for children and families to recycle their unwanted baby and children’s toys, books, clothes, games and equipment. www.kidscarboot.co.uk

Sat 8 – Sun 23 Feb

Tatton Park Scarecrow Festival Normal admission charges apply. Tatton Park Scarecrow Festival celebrates the 2020 Olympics. www.tattonpark.org.uk

Sun 9 Feb

Waterside, Sale Stella & The Starshiners A tale about bravery and overcoming the things that stop us from really looking up. Could this finally be Stella’s time to shine…? For ages 5 – 11. www.watersidearts.org

Sat 15 – Sun 23 Feb

Lyme Park, Disley Bugs and Beasties 11am – 4pm / 50p per child (normal park entry applies). This February half term, go in search of the bugs and beasties that make themselves at home in the house. Pick up your trail sheet to discover the lurking critters indoors at Lyme, and see what it takes to protect the treasures and furniture around the house. Not available on Wed 19 Feb. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lyme-park Jodrell Bank February Half-Term: Space Crafts 11am – 4pm / Free with general admission Arts and crafts activities centred around all things space! Whether you enjoy drawing or making, drop-in and find something for all the family to enjoy. www.jodrellbank.net Beeston Castle and Woodland Park Get Hands On with History 10.30am – 3.30pm Discover what it was like to live, work and fight in a real-life castle. Whether it’s learning to sword fight, shooting a bow and arrow, or transforming into a little lord or lady, there’s plenty of hands-on

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fun to keep the kids entertained. And once the little adventurers have put their skills to the test, let imaginations run wild in Beeston’s 40-acre woodland park. www.english-heritage.org.uk Chatsworth House, Bakewell Half-term in the farmyard and playground The farmyard and playground will be open for the February school break, so give your young ones a chance to let off some steam during their half-term holiday. www.chatsworth.org

Mon 17 – Fri 21 Feb

Lyme Park, Disley Half-term: Get Active Outdoors 11am – 3pm / Free (normal park entry applies). Feeling active this half term? Head to the garden for sporty fun on the Top Lawn and test out your skills. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lyme-park Jodrell Bank February Half-Term: Meet the Expert 1pm / Free with general admission Here’s your chance to meet one of our resident science and astronomy experts. You’ll learn all about their work, plus have the chance to ask the space questions you’ve always wanted to ask! www.jodrellbank.net

Tues 18 & Wed 19 Feb

Tatton Park Deer Feed and Trailer Ride 9.30 – 10.30am / Age 4+ / £10pp (includes park entry). Take a trailer ride with the Rangers to watch the daily deer feed. Get a close look at hundreds of deer feeding in their beautiful natural setting. Booking required. www.tattonpark.org.uk

Tues 18 – Thurs 20 Feb

Waterside, Sale Igloo Anticipation is building for Ira and Sadie. How can they build an igloo if there isn’t any snow? They need it to snow. They want it to snow. But sometimes you don’t get what you want, even when you’re made to wait...and wait... and wait... Sometimes what you end up with is something even better... For under 3s. www.watersidearts.org

Tues 18 – Fri 21 Feb

Bramall Hall, Stockport Tuesday – Play Station Past 1 – 4pm / All ages / normal admission applies. Find out all about toys and games in the past. www.stockport.gov.uk/ topic/bramall-hall

Tues 18 – Sat 22 Feb

Palace Theatre, Manchester Dennis and Gnasher Featuring live music, hilarious pranks, and of course, Dennis’ trademark skateboard, this brand new, high-octane family musical is perfect for pranksters young and old! www.atgtickets.com

Tues 18 – Sun 23 Feb

The Lowry (Quays Theatre) Sarah & Duck’s Big Top Birthday Book Tickets. Join Sarah and Duck and a host of your favourite friends including The Ribbon Sisters, The Shallots, Flamingo & John and Umbrella, as they plan a birthday party for Scarf Lady in their garden. Told through a fantastic blend of puppetry, storytelling and music. www.thelowry.com

Wed 19 Feb

Parr Hall, Warrington The Sooty Show Izzy wizzy, let’s get busy! Join Sooty for his brand new Laugh Out Loud Magic Show! With special guests circus star Michael Jordan and the ultraviolet specialties of Fantasie de la Nuit. It’s a spectacular treat for the whole family – including a chance to meet Richard and Sooty after the show! www.pyramidparrhall.com

Thurs 20 Feb

Every Sun from 23 Feb – 29 Mar

Air Raid Shelters, Stockport Children’s explorer tours 6.45 – 8.15pm /Age 7+ / Child £4, Accompanying Adult £3, booking essential. Brave the darkened tunnels to go back in time and experience life as a child during World War 2. 0161 474 1940 / www.stockport.gov.uk/topic/ air-raid-shelters Bramall Hall, Stockport The Beasts of Bramall 11am – 12pm / Ages 3 – 6 / Child £3.50, accompanying adults (max 2) free. Listen to stories as we look for the beasts and the friendly red dragon of Bramall Hall. Booking essential. www.stockport.gov.uk/topic/ bramall-hall

Fri 21 Feb

The Lowry (The Aldridge Studio) Under 5s First Steps – Sarah & Duck 10am & 11am / Ages 2 – 4½ / £3.50 per child (babes in arms free). Join the best friends as they go on an adventure exploring the world around them. A dance workshop where your little ones can wriggle, jiggle and jump as they explore stories, rhythm and music through their bodies. Everyone welcome! www.thelowry.com Tatton Park Sharp Shots Kids / Teen Nature and Wildlife Photography Course 10.30am – 1pm: Ages 7 – 11 / £39 (includes park entry). 2 – 4.30pm: Ages 12 – 15 / £45 (includes park entry). Spend time walking and photographing the nature and wildlife at Tatton Park. Learn how to use shutter speed and the burst setting to capture the ducks and deer in action and how to use aperture and the macro setting to capture the textures of the trees and budding plants. Students will finish the afternoon with a great set of images, and a print of their favourite shot too! Booking essential. www.sharpshotphotoclub.co.uk Buxton Opera House Mr Men and Little Miss On Stage Join your favourite Mr. Men and Little Miss characters as they leap off the page and onto the stage in this beautifully crafted and hilarious live stage show! Featuring Mr. Bump, Little Miss Splendid, Mr. Tickle, Little Miss Inventor and many more, Happyland bursts to life in a series of colourful and timeless stories told through puppetry and music. www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk

Sun 23 Feb

The Lowry (The Studio) Myths & Monsters Where can you find a creature that is half eagle and half lion? Or one that is half horse, half fish? Or half lion, half goat and half snake? Wait, that’s impossible… or is it? Not in the crazy, mixed-up world of ancient Greek stories, it’s not! Enter this strange, magical world, with a quirky and ingenious blend of puppetry, storytelling, live music and comedy. For ages 6+. www.thelowry.com

Chester Zoo Weekend Woodland Adventure Club 10am – 12pm or 2 – 4pm / Ages 8 – 11 / £55, booking essential. 6 fun-filled sessions at thesecret Chester Zoo Woodland Camp. Explore the outdoors and discover how to find and protect our marvellous UK native species. Led by trainee Forest School Practitioners, it combines wildlife conservation with the essence of Forest School and takes place whatever the weather! www.chesterzoo.org

Fri 28 Feb

Ellesmere Port Civic Hall EPW Wrestling 7.30pm / Adult £12 / Child £10, Family of 4 £36. The popular EPW Wrestling returns to Ellesmere Port with another explosive wrestling extravaganza! This action-packed, non-stop show will have all the family entertained. VIP, ringside tickets are available which include a backstage pass, so you can catch a glimpse of all the action! 0333 666 3366 / www.brioentertainment.org

Sat 29 Feb

Parr Hall, Warrington Circus of Horrors – 25th Anniversary An amazing amalgamation of acts, driven by a rock n roll sound scape, a show that will have you sat on the edge of your seat when not falling off it with laughter. www.pyramidparrhall.com

Sat 29 Feb & Sun 1 Mar

Event City, Manchester Nerf War Carnival An epic family event suitable for all ages! Featuring 6 themed arenas and 6 attractions there’s something for everyone, plus it’s one all-inclusive price. The 6 themed arenas are: Fortnite Battle Royale: Test your skills in a survival of the fittest. SWAT: Become a member of the SWAT elite in the training academy. Battlefield Arena: Experience an all-out war. Zombie Apocalypse: Save mankind in this interactive arena. Nerf on Wheels: Destroy the enemy while at the wheel! Blaster Zone: Competing 2 x 2, aim is everything as you attempt to outscore your opponents in this electronic target area. www.nerfwarcarnival.com

Sun 8 Mar

The Lowry (The Studio) Outside the Igloo Pixel, Crash & Click are not your normal penguins. Safe in their igloo, they play their way through life with screens and games, whizzing and karting along until one day, the power goes off and the three penguins step outside their igloo for the first time in weeks! An interactive icy adventure for ages 4+ and their families! www.thelowry.com

Families Cheshire 15

Kiddy corner WINTER ❄

❄

FUN

Find these winter words in the grid. Then read the remaining unused letters on the bottom three lines from left to right to find a secret message!

❄

hot chocolate ski frozen thaw ice puddle snowman robin scarf sled

❄

{

❄

E T A L O C O H C T O H

C L N E F E B A K H U S

❄❄

Y L O R R O B I N A N W

Join the dots to create a creature you may see in your garden this winter!

.. .. . . . .. . . .. . . . .. . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. 31

35 36 37

S O S O L E T R C E U D

C U S N O W M A N L D E

A H M G C U K T I O D L

R O A H A N O G L T L S

F H R O E M E R M S E N

O Y W Z M E P I T O T T

❄

R E O L E O E O B H H E

I R A U L A B C P F A R

F K V S K I R S I F I W

❄

PICTURE CROSSWORD

DOT TO DOT 32

G A D D R N E N P V P I

Can you solve the picture clues and put them in the crossword? 1

40 41 42 39

43 44

1 12

9 7

When you’ve finished, why not colour it in?

16 Families Cheshire

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