Families Vale of York Jan / Feb 2011 by Families Magazine

jan/feb 2011 issue

free

The useful magazine for families with young children in York, Harrogate, Tadcaster, Wetherby and Selby

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news

Party with the Purple Pig

welcome

I think I’m going to sidestep the snow boots and invest in a pair of crampons. As I write this two weeks after THAT snow fall and two weeks before Christmas, we still have a decapitated snowman in the garden and my neighbours still have the remnants of an igloo in theirs. We’ve had an outdoor ice rink to rival The Ice Factor at the end of the road and many a car has been seen sliding gracefully around on it – my own included. It’s not that I don’t like snow – I actually quite enjoy it. In fact we’re going skiing soon and I’ve spent a considerable amount of time standing around in it by choice at SNO!zone whilst my son learns to ski ( you can read about it on p10). I love the camaraderie where I live; the street snowball fights, the Irish coffees and believe it our not our ‘barbecue-in-the-snow’. But it does seem to have altered my personality somewhat. Now I spend the journey to school holding onto walls with one hand and a toddler dangling midair from the other. Meanwhile my 8 year old knows no fear and journeys there skidding over the ice whilst I continually yell ’BE CAREFUL!’ So unless I’m prepared to morph further into an overcautious nervous wreck, I think I shall need to invest in some more suitable clothing. Yes, a healthy bout of shopping should do the trick making sure I’m well equipped for the next batch of snow and that my old spirit of adventure returns. I wouldn’t want to spoil it for the kids would I?

Editor

Front cover: Circulation: Deadline:

www.marksandspencer.com 17,000 The deadline for the Mar/Apr 2011 edition is early Feb 2011 Contact us: PO Box 201, DN14 9ZW Tel: 01405 860831 editor@familiesvoy.co.uk www.familiesvoy.co.uk Designed by: MOOIdesign Tel:01405 869045 Printed by: Bishops Printers www. bishops.co.uk Copyright Families in the Vale of York Jan/Feb 2011. Colour transparencies and any other original materials submitted for publication are sent at owners’ own risk and, while every care is taken, neither Families nor its agents accept liability for loss or damage. Families in the Vale of York is part of a group established in 1990 and headed by Families South West. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under license. We take care preparing this magazine but the publishers and distributors cannot be held responsible for the claims of the advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents nor for any consequence.

If you’re looking for something really different for your child’s party this year, Rachel Searstone has the answer. The Purple Pig Company set up by the mum of two creates tailor-made parties with a twist – she brings the animals! ‘I live on a smallholding just outside Pocklington raising rare breed animals and as they’re so friendly I began taking them to local fetes for children to handle – which is where the idea for parties began,’ says Rachel. ‘ We’ve had pony parties; princess parties with a ‘unicorn’ and real bullfrog to kiss; cowboy parties with calves and lambs to feed and ponies to ride and even a mouse circus. So you don’t necessarily need a large venue to make a child’s dream party a reality.’ ‘Lots of cuddles and grooming are guaranteed and we clear everything up afterwards. It’s wonderful to see the children having so much fun and living their animal dream.’ Rachel also gives educational talks in mainstream and special needs schools and rekindles memories within care homes. To find out more, contact Rachel on 01759 307746 www.thepurplepigcompany.com

Practise to raise funds

Art Offer If you’ve still got Christmas money to spend and are looking for something original, visit 4littleart. Quote ‘Fairy’ at the checkout and you’ll get 10% off everything throughout January with free P &P too. www.4littleart.co.uk

Children’s cancer charity CLIC Sargent are raising funds this winter by asking people to get involved in Practice-a-thon, their national fundraising campaign for young singers, dancers and musicians. Young people can be sponsored to practise their performing art and raise money to help children and young people with cancer and their families. It’s all about getting the best out of young performers and, in turn, helping CLIC Sargent give the best support possible to children with cancer. There are lots of ways to support Practice-a-thon this year, from students holding an open mic guitar night to perfecting skills for exams, or teachers organising a sing-a-long or orchestral concert - the options are endless. If you’re interested in supporting Practice-a-thon and would like to find out more visit www.clicsargent.org.uk/practiceathon or call 0845 120 6340 to register for your free fundraising pack.

Going Green Pupils at Belmont Grosvenor School are ‘going green’ with the aim of becoming one of the top ‘Eco Schools’ in the country. Children, parents and staff have drawn up a nine-point action plan to tackle environmental issues in school – from reducing litter and waste to healthy living, car sharing and biodiversity in a bid to win the Eco School’s prestigious ‘Green Flag’ status. The school is one of thousands up and down the country that has joined the international Eco Schools programme, which aims to help schools and nurseries achieve the Government’s target of becoming sustainable by 2020. Anne Harrison, Year 1 teacher at Belmont Grosvenor and Eco Schools representative said all the pupils, from reception to Year 6, were full of ideas and enthusiasm for the project. ‘Surveys carried out by the children during one week showed the school used 4003 kwh of electricity, while lights, computers and printers were left on or on stand-by. We’re sure we can reduce our energy bill and make everyone more aware of ways of these issues and it’s wonderful to see the children taking control and responsibility for all the initiatives. They are so enthusiastic and are very keen to make the school and its environment greener,’ she said. Families Vale of York

news

Splish Splosh Tennis gets Olympic Tykes Ambassador goes from

Splish Splosh Swimming School has just started an exciting journey with a rather special individual; Olympic and recent Commonwealth champion Kate Haywood.

strength to strength

Kate has just headed to Australia in preparation for the Olympics in 2012 has agreed to be the Ambassador for Splish Splosh keeping the swim school’s blog readers up-to-date with her progress via a video diary.

Following its launch in March 2010, the Tennis Tykes programme has gone from strength to strength and is expanding with new classes in Ripon and York coming in January as well as those in Harrogate and Wetherby. The New Year will also see new classes in North Leeds and in Ilkley at the prestigious Lawn Tennis & Squash Club.

Accompanying the diary will also be a written blog and lots of photos as she works hard to ensure that she repeats her winning performance at the recent Commonwealth Games in the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Watch out for the first instalment of Kate’s journey to Australia at www.spli shsploshswimmingschool.net through her video update. She’ll be making an appearance once a month, giving encouraging advice to all the Splish Splosh students.

Can You Chatter?

I CAN, the national children’s communication charity, are launching their 10th Annual Chatterbox Challenge and are calling on all children, families, nursery staff and early years workers to register and get involved. Chatterbox Challenge is a mass participation activity with singing, rhyming and craft activities for children aged 0-5 to develop their communication skills whilst raising money for I CAN’s work with children who have speech, language and communication needs. One in 10 children have a communication difficulty, understanding words and communicating their feelings. This year, the Chatterbox Challenge, endorsed by The Gruffalo stage show, is a key event in the Hello campaign during the 2011 National Year of Communication. Playgroups, primary schools and nurseries can request a free Chatterbox Challenge activity pack from the website. The pack activities have been developed by I CAN speech and language experts. Around 10,000 children actively participate in the event every year and in the 10th anniversary year, Chatterbox Challenge promises to be bigger and louder than ever. To find out more and to register, visit www.chatterboxchallenge.co.uk.

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The fun, indoor tennis play sessions for pre school children teach tennis and ball skills, incorporating lots of games and nursery rhyme music for added fun. Caroline Buncall, a qualified LTA coach teaches and runs the classes. ‘It’s great that the programme is so popular and we’re also delighted that Belmont Grosvenor School has asked us to run sessions for their Magic Tree Nursery, reception and year one children,’ says Caroline. ‘Our approach across all the classes, teaches and develops agility, balance, co-ordination, social, language and numeracy skills in a fun environment. ‘The children hit balls over a mini tennis net from the very first session and really engage with the fun Tennis Tykes characters, Tommy and Tessa, the stickers and also the reward charts that celebrate their achievements. One boy even loves the characters so much, he slept in his Tennis Tykes t-shirt every night for a week!’ Caroline has also recently launched an exciting new range of tennis parties for children celebrating their 3rd, 4th, 5th or 6th birthdays. There’s an hour of tennis activities incorporating lots of games, tennis play and ball skills, all supervised by qualified coaches and trained staff. Party bags are also provided and the Tennis Tykes characters are also on hand to make it a truly special day for the birthday boy or girl. For further information or to book a free taster lesson, contact Caroline Buncall on 07843 342 662 caroline.buncall@tennistykes.co.uk or log onto www.tennistykes.co.uk

Looking for a New Year Challenge?

Book Signing at Treasures Leeds-born author of ‘Tale of the Lundravar Dragon’, John Blakey will be reading from his book and signing copies at Treasures, Wetherby on Saturday 5th March from 11am.

If you love yoga, have been practising it for at least two years and enjoy working with children then Yogabugs Yorkshire is looking for you!

‘It is a lovely story,’ says Treasures owner Zhara Armstrong. ‘I’m reading it to my children at the moment and am enjoying it just as much as they are! John is an accomplished portrait artist and we hope he’ll also be doing some illustrations with the children when he’s here.’ You can also catch up with Merlin the Wizard who’ll be visiting Treasures on Satruday 19th Feb at 11 am – there’ll be a prize for anyone who can pull Excalibur from the stone!

Yogabugs teaches classes in a variety of settings across the area including primary schools, nurseries, children’s centres, sport centres, private gyms and community venues. Classes are during the daytime and offer flexible working hours. Call Rachel for more information on 0113 250 6972 or email yorkshire@yogabugs.com

Competition Winners Winners of the Insight Ultrasound Competition were Stephanie Weller and Kirsty Moss. Winner of

The Shoe Tree Opens in York

the Treasures Competition was Caroline Wilson of Knaresborough

An exciting new shoe shop will be opening in York in the New Year. The Shoe Tree which was formerly Ruby Slipper in Fulford will be undergoing a complete makeover says co-owner Nicola Daly. ‘Dave my partner and I took over the shop back in September and we’re very excited to be giving it a completely new look – starting with our new name “The Shoe Tree”’. ‘We see this as a great opportunity to bring some fabulous brands to customers both new and old. For example we’ll continue to stock Buckle My Shoe - popular with previous customers but will be bringing in some fresh designers including Froddo which will be new and exclusive to The Shoe Tree. ‘Over the next year we aim to build up the business and our brands and we’re eager to get going! With new opening times, a much-needed facelift and a re-vamped website we’re very much looking forward to 2011!’ The Shoe Tree, 92 Main Street, Fulford will be open Tues – Sat Tel: 01904 637078 Tennis Tykes advert:Layout 1

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Teaching tennis to little ones from 2 years A fun and educational tennis play and skills programme Classes across North Leeds, Ilkley, Wetherby, Harrogate, Ripon and York For information call Caroline Buncall on 07843 342 662 • www.tennistykes.co.uk

FREAEL

TRISON LES

Families Vale of York

What do you do at… Jo Jingles is the definitive music and movement class for pre-schoolers and has been on the go nationally since 1995. In our region the franchise is owned by Paula Ridley who together with five other teachers work with children from 3 months to 5 years. My little tester and I visited Boston Spa on a cold November day to sample the delights of a class with Catherine at the village hall. We started with the age 2-3 group which had 10 children all very keen to get going. Catherine was brilliant and led them through a variety of adventures with infectious enthusiasm and plenty of variety. The week’s theme was based on the well-loved book ‘We’re going on a Bear Hunt’ by Michael Rosen and activities linked into themes from the story. After a warm-up action song, the children settled to listen to the story and interacted really well with Catherine who brought the story to life with her acting skills. The class was planned to perfection with a good variety of loud activities such as using instruments to recreate the sounds from the story as well as more calming activities such as musical statues to encourage listening and control. We particularly enjoyed playing with the huge piece of stretchy lycra used to re-create the river and it was easy to see how it encouraged team work and imaginative sensory play. My daughter lapped it all up as usual and was particularly attached to Jo the soft toy who gives his name to the class, making him her new best friend. Jo had to sit by us as we played with rhythm and speed in the ‘Fancy Dance Song’ and he watched as she danced and played the claves to a song about washing an elephant – multi-tasking indeed! Just when I thought the children might be getting a wee bit restless came a game with bubbles to re-focus their attention and a lovely wind-down game of ‘Sleeping Bunnies’ to finish. Catherine was always careful to explain and demonstrate exactly what she wanted the children to do with the result that everyone always joined in. Parents could get up and jig if they wanted (most did) and more than once India pulled me up with a ‘come ON mummy’ to dance or do actions with her. Perhaps staying for a second group was a bit too much as my daughter assumed the role of ‘deputy teacher’ when the 3-4 year olds arrived for their class. Despite her being ‘over-helpful’ (some may say bossy) it showed how easily songs and actions could be picked up – India had only done them once but could remember lots of words and tunes – and she was still singing them on the way home. Chatting afterwards, I asked one mum why she brought her daughter Zoe, who is almost three, to the class. ‘She’s been coming since she was 8 months old and loves singing,’ she told me. ‘She’s on the third stage of classes now and sings all the Jo Jingle songs at home. She learns how to be with other children in a group too – and Catherine just makes the class.’ The class that Zoe will move to next (ages 3-4) followed the same ‘Bear Hunt’ theme but it was tailored towards the slightly older age range. Towards at the end of the class Catherine introduced a new listening module based on ‘The Nutcracker’ where the children looked at a gorgeous pop-up book and listened to the story. The beautiful classical music enthralled the children. It was a serene end to our morning and, as Catherine said, as much for the grown-ups as the children! To find out more about Jo Jingles classes in Harrogate, Wetherby, Boston Spa, Leeds & Wakefield call Paula Ridley on 01977 650455 or email her on jojinglesleeds@yahoo.co.uk www.jojingles.com/leeds

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GIVEAWAY WIN A FREE HALF TERM OF JO JINGLES CLASSES FOR YOUR LITTLE ONE Jo Jingles are offering two lucky Families readers the chance to win half a term of free lessons at one of the Jo Jingles North Yorkshire or Leeds classes, operated by Paula and her class leaders. To be in with a chance of winning 6 weeks of lessons starting from 28th February 2011 visit www.familiesvoy.co.uk/jojingles and follow the instructions to enter. This offer is open to new and existing Jo Jingles customers. The winning families will need to complete a registration form and pay £2.50 insurance costs. Closing date 11th February 2011.

Teen Chaperone Childcare for younger children is relatively easy to find but what happens when you need someone to care for an older child? York-based businesswoman Shelagh Carr has created a unique service for busy professional parents which does just that. Families Editor Belinda Maunsell caught up with her to find out how she came to develop such an original idea. Shelagh is buzzing with enthusiasm for her new business venture when I chat to her and as she tells me about what led her to develop Teen Chaperone I realise that her wonderfully varied background has prepared her perfectly for her new venture. ‘I have a diverse and extensive working background,’ Shelagh told me, ‘initially in the Civil Service and then when I moved to London with my family, working for BBC Children in Need.’ As Shelagh had always enjoyed working with teenagers she jumped at the opportunity to go as a mature student to Brunel University and qualify in Youth and Community Studies. ‘I’ve always had a strong commitment to ensure equality for young people and my work over the past 20 years has enabled me to work with young people from different backgrounds both in the private and public sector.’ In 2008 Shelagh embarked on a new and very exciting challenge. ‘I took a sabbatical from my post in Durham and went to work as an international volunteer. I spent several months in Costa Rica teaching English at local college as well as developing and improving tourist links with a re-cycling co-operative. ‘I continued my volunteering in Guatemala City working with Columbian monks who had set up an orphanage and soup kitchen in the heart of the city. Although it’s a place that lacks infrastructure, has poor education and has very limited health provision, there is a very strong family and community support network.’ So where did the idea for Teen Chaperone come from? ‘Over the years I’ve been asked to give all sorts of advice and support to parents with regard to their teenagers. I’ve always worked with young people and continued to be involved on youth panels and consultation groups, so I do have lots of experience. The idea of Teen Chaperone formed over the years when I began to wonder - who takes care of young people when busy professional parents are away from home? I saw a gap and realised that’s where I can I can step in and ease the stress caused by the absence of a parent.’ After much research and encouragement from others who convinced Shelagh her skills would transfer perfectly into a business – Teen Chaperone has become a reality. ‘These days we have very busy lives and some parents have very little in the way of a support network. Often grandparents are too old or live in another part of the country and it can create lots of tension in a young person’s life - I help de-stress and ease the complex lives we all lead. ‘I offer a bespoke and unique service. It’s a completely flexible approach to families’ specific care needs, either in the family home or away from it. It’s all carried out within an agreed timescale be it days, weekends or weeks. So if parents have an unexpected business or a family emergency and need to be away for a few days, I can ensure the child’s life continues as normal. I can provide care and mentoring as well as social, educational, leisure and fun activities for children aged 10 – 16. ‘For example, recently I was contacted by one parent who had to fly to Scotland for a funeral. I ensured the boy’s life suffered little interruption as he went to school with friends whilst I was there to prepare meals. We also went out to a local restaurant and I made sure homework was done on time. The parents retuned two days later, safe in the knowledge he’d been well cared for.‘ Originally from Durham, Shelagh’s moved from one historic city to another and is now based in York. ‘I have excellent access by road, rail and air to almost anywhere – York’s the perfect place to be. I’ll travel anywhere in the country – and even abroad if need be. The most important aspect of my work is to offer a caring, trusting and confidential service to families who at times have to juggle so much. I’m passionate about the work I do and believe Teen Chaperone offers the very best solution to families who need help from someone they can trust. You can contact Shelagh on 01904 795397 or 07984 802035 shelagh@teenchaperone.co.uk

New library area at Clifton pre-prep

Sharing your love of books can inspire your Child’s reading journey... Paula Arkley Head Teacher of Clifton Pre-Prep School shares some reading tips and great ideas for books to enjoy with your children – and there’s some recommendations for you too! For as long as I can remember I have been a lover of books. One of my earliest recollections is of borrowing a book from our local library about Pookie, a rabbit with wings. My childhood memory was of beautiful pastel pictures, it was such a magical book! (I did find a copy many years later and sadly it was nothing like as magical as my recollection, but it doesn’t stop it from being a treasured memory!). I am a reader. I get twitchy if I don’t have the next book waiting when I’m nearing the end of my current one. I love detective stories and following on from the Millennium Trilogy I have been working my way through a selection of Scandinavian thriller writers with mixed success – if you liked ‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’ have a go at Jo Nesbo’s ‘Harry Hole’ series - real grippers. As a teacher, I want to share my love of books with the children. I have four boxes of ‘special’ books under my desk either for sharing with children in class or for sharing with small visitors to my office. My alltime favourite is ‘A Cultivated Wolf’ by Pascal Biet. It’s a wonderful story about a wolf who arrives at farmyard tired and hungry and none of the other animals pay any attention to him as they’re reading. As in all good stories the wolf decides to have a go at reading and so the story continues. To me it summarises a child’s reading journey, from the excitement of recognising a single simple word to the joy of being able to tell a story with feeling and expression. The children in school know that I love books with beautiful illustrations and so I have a treasured collection of books by Dave and Julie Saunders – The Big Storm, The Ducks Tale, The Brave Hare. The illustrations are wonderfully painted but in such a way that you can use them to demonstrate to the children how to get certain effects in their own painting. They offer so much more than just a story. For small children nothing beats a good bit of repetition or rhyme so that your child can join in and predict. Farmer Duck by Martin Waddell and Helen Oxenbury is a story about a duck who lives on a farm with a lazy famer. The farmer makes the duck do all the work with the call: ‘How goes the work?’ To which the duck answers ‘Quack!’ Even my husband, who does not teach young children, knows what the answer is when I say: ‘ How goes the work?’ Another favourite is the Captain Duck series by Jez Alborough. Brightly coloured illustrations and clear rhyming text. There’s such a lot to see in the pictures. Let your children see you reading at home - if it’s something that mummy or daddy does then they want to copy. Take your child to the library, or to a friendly bookshop and have a look at some books with them. If you do buy one or borrow one be prepared to read it, again and again and again - enjoy sharing books with your children. Often when I take a story into class some of the children will say excitedly - I’ve got that book at home, so we all agree that we’ve got very good taste!

Families Vale of York

. . . r a e Y w Ne New You?

New Year is a time for fresh starts so we’ve dedicated this section to just that. We look at an exciting business opportunity, ways to manage your finances and how to relax more. If you’ve over-indulged in more ways than one this Christmas, Katharine Hill of Care for the Family has some useful advice.

Give postchristmas debt the elbow with cash for a month

Many families pay for the expense of Christmas using their credit and debit cards and, before they know it, they can run up debts that last long after the last mince pie has been eaten. In fact, one third of personal insolvencies that occurred in March were triggered by overspending during the festive season. Katharine Hill, Director of Policy, Research and Development at Care for the Family says: ‘Christmas is a magical time for families but buying a tree, toys for the children and all the trimmings is expensive.Many parents find themselves giving into temptation and putting it on plastic, which can leave them struggling in January when the credit card bills start landing on the doormat. If the debt lingers from year to year then they may find themselves in real trouble.’ If your family has overspent this Christmas and you need to make cut-backs, consider taking up Care for the Family’s Cash for the Month challenge. The initiative encourages controlled spending by foregoing credit and debit cards and only using cash throughout the month. ‘It’s estimated we spend a third more when we use credit and debit cards. Using plastic is psychologically different to paying by cash. With cash we receive tangible evidence that money is no longer available to us. ‘With Cash for a Month we’ve kept things simple: standing orders and direct debits stay the same, but cash is used for everyday shopping. Most families who have already taken part in the challenge have said that they

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Relax Kids has created a range of CDs, books, DVDs and classes to help children chill out in these chaotic times. Here they suggest ideas for relaxing more next year. I am going to relax more. It is a New Year and time to really think about those resolutions. We all plan to come up with strategies to try and improve our relationships, get into shape and stop habits that have been part of our lives for a long time. And yet, especially after the Christmas frenzy, we often hear people talking about how busy we all are and how we never have the time to relax.

As the trees and tinsel come down for another year, thousands of Britons will face a different kind of new-year hangover: post-Christmas debt. Estimates suggest that we will spend an extra £1.6 billion this Christmas, up 1.9% on the previous year, despite spending cuts and job losses. In 2009, the average household spent £665 on presents, food and drink, decorations and travel during the festive period.

Relax More….

found they had spent less and were going to be far more careful about how often they used cards to pay for things in future. For some people, it was the first time they really noticed how much they were spending every week.’ To take part in Cash for a Month sign up by completing the form at www.careforthefamily. org.uk/cashforamonth. You’ll then be sent useful tips throughout the next four weeks to help you keep on track. If you’re concerned about debt, Care for the Family has the following advice: 1. Know the Worst: Work out your income, then your expenditure, on a weekly or monthly basis to help you see where you can cut back. 2. Check which benefits you may be entitled to: For example, basic Child Benefit, Tax Credits and Income Support, free milk and vitamins, and help with NHS costs. Visit www. adviceguide.org.uk/index/life/benefits.htm for further information on benefits. 3. Make a budget and stick to it: Making a budget is simpler than many people think. If you need some help to get you started, visit www.careforthefamily.org.uk/debtbuster/ budgetsheet.asp. 4. Avoid impulse purchases: Always ask yourself three questions when making purchases: Do I need it? Can I afford it? And, if you are buying anything on credit, what is the total amount I will be repaying? 5. Finally, don’t ever pay anyone for debt advice: There are many organisations that specialise in debt counselling and debt management and their services are free. For further articles and resources on money and taking control of your finances visit www.careforthefamily.org.uk/supportnet.

So why isn’t this a priority for a resolution? “I should relax more”. No, I can’t have that as a resolution - that sounds far too self-indulgent! But why? Perhaps as a nation, we spend so much time worrying about other people in our lives that we forget to properly look after ourselves. Yes you can go ahead and complete those traditional methods that are designed to help you kick back and chill out – running bubble baths, having “me” time… (you know the drill!) … But are they just a short term fix that we employ to quickly help solve the problem? What about altering the environment you live in so that you don’t have to put effort into relaxing? You could easily set up a chill out space in the corner of one of your rooms, which you can retire to at the end of a long day at work. All you need is a few throws and comfy cushions and you’ve created a relaxation space. In fact, the more basic the better – as clutter will only contribute to stress. And you don’t have to keep setting it back up – like you do when you have to run a bath – so you can just fall into relaxing! People often find it difficult to relax. The thought of shutting down for some takes a lot of effort and energy – which seems contradictory when you think of the subject matter. However, the more relaxed we are in our lives, everything else just seems to fall into place – including completing those resolutions so widely desired. Relaxing does not have to be a thing that you do alone. Try and separate the idea of “me” time and relaxing. There is absolutely no reason why you and your family, friends, partners cannot learn to relax together. Let’s face it – everyone needs to recharge their batteries, so why not make it an activity to share. Welcome others into your relaxing space and you will also learn about them in a new, calmer light. You could even create a relaxation area in your kids’ bedrooms that is a similar version to yours and by giving them control of how they want it to look; they will be more willing to take their “time out” in it. The more relaxed we are in our lives, the more calm and confident we all can be. What a lovely gift to share with your family. Relax Kids create relaxation products for children. For more information on their products, their classes and other exercises to try with your family, visit www.relaxkids.com

‘A real alternative to the rat-race!’ Rachel Bentley is an Independent Phoenix Trader, who sells their range of greetings cards, gift wrap and accessories direct to the public. She is based at her home near Wetherby.

Rachel became an Independent Phoenix Trader in November 2004, after previously working as a Strategic Marketing Manager. ‘The travelling and long hours on top of the needs of a young family were a real problem, says Rachel, ‘so the offer of redundancy seemed like a gift.’ After 18 months at home enjoying being a mum to two small boys, there was a gap in her CV which Rachel felt needed to be filled. ‘To get the same level of pay I’d previously earned would have meant the same long hours, childcare costs and lots of travelling so I decided to look at working from home but with the support of a ready-to-go business, such as direct selling or a franchise.’ ‘As a Phoenix Trading customer, I was already aware of how good their products were and with a bit of research I learned about their generous profit margins, bonus system, team support. The lack of sales targets was particularly attractive to me too. ‘For £195 I was provided with all the tools I needed to get the business underway immediately and enough stock to sell at fairs and parties in people’s own homes. ‘It’s easy to sell the products and I was quite quickly able to make this my career whilst being at home with my family when they needed me. My earnings quickly increased as, in addition to my retail profit, I achieved company bonuses for managing my team and by selling greater amounts of product each month from rebooking events, new clients and my repeat customers. “I now have an amazing life as an Independent Phoenix Trader - I spend more time doing the things I love and with the people I am closest to with the bonus of changing my working life for the better.’

SKI TO THE DOOR MORZINE THE FRENCH ALPS

Could it be for you? Could Rachel help you achieve your life goals in 2011? You find out more by calling her on the numbers below or by requesting information from her webpage www.phoenix-trading.co.uk/web/ rachelbentley. See the full product range at www.phoenix-trading.co.uk/web/ rachelbentley or call 01937 842732 or 07976621496, e-mail bentleycards@ntlworld.com for a brochure.

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Families Vale of York

Learning to

Ski

Learning to ski can involve quite a bit of chocolate as Belinda Maunsell finds out when her son takes to the slopes at SNO!zone Castleford. Like many parents, we used to ski – before children, that is. Then it became a distant memory along with weekend lieins and reading a whole book. The good news is we’ve decided to embark on a trip to France in January now that our children are a bit older and what better way to ensure that our son is prepared for the slopes than to start with a few lessons at SNO!zone Castleford? Isaac is 8½ so we decided to enrol him in a course of four lessons so that he has the basics under his belt before we go away. We begin one Sunday morning late in November (before the real snow came) arriving early to sort our way through the hordes of parents and children in the changing area. Once kitted up, Isaac joins his fellow rookies – five in all - to learn about which way up a ski points and how the boot fits the ski. Mikey is the instructor and already I know he’ll be brilliant as he tells the kids they will learn to make slices of chocolate cake or pizza with their skis and that the space between the tips should be big enough to let a hamster through - but not a dog! It’s this connection with the children that’s essential in helping them progress and have fun along the way. And they certainly do progress quickly. In no time at all they’re on the rope lift and snow-ploughing down the nursery slopes. By the end of the lesson

10 Families Vale of York

they’re jumping from ‘chocolate cake’ to ‘chocolate flake’ as they ski down whilst throwing and catching a ball – impressive! Mikey has a helper too which means that things that can so often slow a lesson down, such as falling over and letting go of the rope lift, cause very little disruption. During the first 90 minute starter lesson parents are welcome to watch on the slopes – although it’s a long time to stand and I did find the lure of the SNO!bar’s hot chocolate too strong to resist. After that parents can watch from the viewing gallery in the bar so that the children can stay more focused. Isaac’s next lesson was again with Mikey which he was very pleased about – ‘he’s fun and picks you up when you fall over,’ Isaac tells me. ‘It can’t always be guaranteed that you’ll get the same instructor,’ says Aidan Harrintgton head of SNO!zone’s ski school, ‘but you can request the same one and we’ll try our best to accommodate.’ By the end of lesson two, Isaac’s turning between cones and in his third lesson he’s mastered the button lift and is on the big slope turning with control. He’s thrilled! ‘I went on the big slope – it’s brilliant! Can I go on again?’ And as we drive home Mikey’s mantra of ‘chocolate cake, chocolate flake’ can be heard from the back seat. ‘The lessons that are designed for children aged 7 – 16 are divided into

two different age brackets; 7-10 and 11 – 15,’ Aidan tells me. ‘There are a number of levels and after this group of four lessons, Isaac should be at intermediate 1, having moved through beginner 1,2 & 3. ‘If you’ve got younger children then SNO!zone offer SNO!cubs and SNO!bears lessons for ages 3-6,’ says Aiden. ‘These are drop-in sessions for younger beginners, again they’re based on four visits but the younger children work very much at their own pace within the lesson. The ratio is lower to at 1:4 as these little ones need more help with the basics. Our aim is to make sure they gain lots of confidence and have fun. At this age they can do something one week but drop back the next.’ ‘SNO!cubs progress to SNO!bears where they work on turning both on the nursery and big slopes. After that it’s kids club where racing, jumps and moguls are the order of the day!’ So what’s the best age to start? According to Aidan five is a good age. ‘Five year olds pick up the skills well and are also good at listening to instruction. They are also usually happy to be away from their parents for an hour.’ So after his four lessons I’m very proud to announce Isaac’s reached ‘practice standard’ and there’s nothing for it. I shall have to take him on the slopes myself. Time to bush up on a few turns – I must find my boots….

Further Information: Contact SNO!zone at : www.snozoneuk.com where you can book online. Or call 0871 222 5673 to arrange classes over the phone. The four beginner lessons (1 x 90 mins & 3 x 60 mins) cost £80 if booked as a learn to ski package.

Skiing with the family this winter? Visit our website for some Top Tips from Chilly Powder Although we’ve had bags of snow already this year, none of it quite offers the thrill of a real skiing holiday. If you’re heading away this winter then family friendly ski company Chilly Powder have some fantastic tips for those of you taking children to the slope this winter. Read them online at:

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www.familiesvoy.co.uk/chillypowder And find out how we all got on in France on our Chilly Powder Ski holiday feature in the March / April issue of Families!

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to es down than to keep pric at ay r w ke r ta tte hi be hat kids. Clare W costly, so w ear w wear for the i i sk sk d Skiing can be nd ve ha lo ly of preality second a steady supp find good qu orgeous has G ill St ’s o. te tw Harroga week or is really what I have ly worn for a kly, much of much of it on ic ch will qu hi so w r ng ea hi out of ski w quality clot ow od gr go n re so al ld hi ‘C ys. ‘It’s too!’ at all,’ she sa on the slopes barely worn ’ll look good ey th d an n take them m ca ar eir suits, you keep them w outgrown th ve ha ds ki ur And when yo you. 0402 re to sell for ate. 01423 56 back for Cla Road, Harrog th Ba ld Co 47 , Still Gorgeous

NipperGrip

The NipperGrip is a must for any family going skiing with young children. Developed by Sussex husband and wife, James and Katherine, over years of teaching their three children to ski, the NipperGrip is a ski harness for children up to 8 years old. It is unique in that it has a handle on the front and the back so you can pick your child up whichever way they fall. The NipperGrip makes getting on and off chairlifts easy - no more panics or having to stop the lift while you untangle your child on the floor. The NipperGrip also comes with detachable reins so you can control your child’s direction and speed as they ski along in front of you. Its use is not limited to skiing, it is also good for cycle training, roller or ice skating. Order online at www.nippergrip.com.

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Taking charge of your

Pregnant Body There are so many postural and hormonal changes that take place throughout a pregnant woman’s child-bearing year and the combination of physical and hormonal changes can have a wide reaching impact on the body.

The impact of hormones One of the many hormones produced in pregnancy is relaxin, which as the name suggests works to relax the joints so that the pregnant body can prepare for labour and deliver a baby through the birth canal. It does this by increasing the elasticity of muscles, tendons and ligaments, affecting almost all parts of the body. Relaxin secretions rise dramatically in the first trimester and then again in the final weeks of pregnancy because this hormone is also needed to support the establishment and the maintenance of early pregnancy. However, relaxin can sometimes cause abnormal joint function which can lead to inflammation and joint pain.

Postural changes The development of the baby in the uterus leads to altered weight bearing for the mum-to-be which results in changes in the centre of gravity and posture from week to week. The body has to adapt to these changes in a relatively short period of time. For example, as breast weight increases, this can cause changes and you may feel pain in the upper back and neck. Combine this with other factors, such as the fact that the abdominal wall muscles are being stretched to accommodate the growing baby, which in turn puts a strain on the lower back and it is no wonder that a significant number of pregnant women will experience a variety of aches and pains.

Discomforts of pregnancy According to the Sutherland Society (www.cranial.org. uk) which has information on cranial osteopathy and pregnancy, some discomforts during pregnancy may include: • Aches and pains, Sciatica and Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction – due to postural changes which may cause backache, neckache, headache, aching legs and fatigue. • Nausea and vomiting – although this is often hormonal, a lack of circulation to and from the liver may cause nausea. • Heartburn – as the uterus expands, it can stretch and squash the diaphragm which can contribute to heartburn. • Breathing difficulties – postural changes to the lower ribs and spine can make breathing difficult. • Various Veins and Haemorrhoids – tension within the pelvis or diaphragm area can increase resistance to the return of venous blood to the heart from the lower half of the body. This can cause or aggravate various veins in the legs and haemorrhoids.

Self-help strategies There are a number of ways that mums-to-be can manage their pregnancy and reduce some of the symptoms that they may encounter. Some recommendations from the General Osteopathic Council (www.osteopathy.org.uk) are: • Look after your back during pregnancy. Take particular care when carrying and lifting- especially when carrying other children. Do not carry a small child in one arm for any length of time. • If you stand for any length of time, keep your bottom tucked in to reduce the pressure on your lower back. • When sitting, use a cushion for support, avoid twisting movements and do not sit with your legs crossed, as this can lead to a rotational torsion of your pelvis. • When lying on your side in bed, put a pillow under your ‘bump’ and also a pillow between your knees to avoid strain on your lower back. • If you prefer to lie on your back for a short period, then place a pillow under your knees to keep them bent. • Make sure that all equipment, whether it is a desk at work or changing tables is at a comfortable height for you.

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12 Families Vale of York

Osteopath Hanora Habberjam takes a look at these changes along with self-help strategies, advice and treatment options for pregnant women - especially if they experience aches and pains during their pregnancy.

Pregnancy & Baby What to do if you need further advice Speak to your midwife or GP and explain the pain or discomfort that you are experiencing. Contrary to popular opinion it does not have to be a normal part of pregnancy and it is possible to get help to reduce and manage your symptoms. • You can ask to be referred to physiotherapy and there are specialist women’s health physiotherapists who are trained to support women in the childbearing year. This service will of course vary according to the area in which you live and the provision of your primary health care trust. • Explore complementary therapies and practitioners such as osteopaths or chiropractors. These are manual therapists who are trained for four or five years to deal with a variety of musculoskeletal problems, including those that pregnancy may present. They are highly regulated and required to complete further professional training every year and some chose to work with antenatal and postnatal women. • Consider acupuncture in pregnancy. The British Acupuncture Society (www. acupuncture.org.uk) reports that acupuncture is very safe in pregnancy and is an effective option at a time when many women want to avoid taking medicine for minor ailments. • Research has proven acupuncture can help alleviate pregnancy related conditions including reducing the symptoms of morning sickness. It can also reduce the experience of pain in labour and evidence suggests it can help achieve a shorter delivery time too. Acupuncture has also been proven to reduce pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy.

What to consider if using a complementary therapy in pregnancy “Speak to your midwife or GP and explain the pain or discomfort that you are experiencing. Contrary to popular opinion it does not have to be a normal part of pregnancy”

• It essential to check that the practitioner you wish to visit is a member of a professional body, such as the British Acupuncture Society (BAcC), the British Medical Acupuncture Society (BMAS), the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) or the General Chiropractor Council (GCC). • Check by visiting the regulatory body websites, listed below. You should be able to find your named practitioner registered on the websites of the appropriate professional body. • You can self-refer to these therapists and it is acceptable to speak to the practitioner before an initial appointment. • Most practices will offer a free consultation in person or at least a telephone conversation with your chosen therapist before the first treatment. This will help you to check that it’s the correct therapy for you, with the correct practitioner.

Further information www.acuptuncture.org.uk – with over 3,000 members it is the home of traditional acupuncture in the UK. They are the UKs largest body of professional acupuncturists and they guarantee excellence in training, safe practice and professional conduct. www.cranial.org.uk – the Sutherland society website started in 1970 as a postgraduate group for cranial osteopathy. www.gcc-uk.org – this is the website of the body established by parliament to regulate and develop the chiropractor profession. www.medical-acupuncture.co.uk – a registered charity established to encourage the use of and scientific understanding within medicine for the public benefit. Members are regulated health care professionals. www.osteopathy.org.uk – the website of the body established by parliament to regulate and develop the osteopathic profession.

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Invite your friends, host a coffee morning or party, and receive a discount! Order online at www.fingerprint-jewellery.co.uk or call Kristie on 07778 448022

Families Vale of York

Pregnancy&Baby news round u ...

NCT Backs PBA Ban

The European Commission has announced a ban on the use of bisphenol-A (BPA) plastics in baby bottles which will come into effect during 2011. The controversial chemical BPA is still currently used in some baby bottles sold in the UK despite evidence to suggest it can interfere with healthy growth and body functions, and mimics the effect of the hormone oestrogen in the body. Babies are particularly vulnerable to hormone-mimicking effects as they grow rapidly in the early months and years. Belinda Phipps, Chief Executive of the NCT, said: ‘We’ve been calling for a UK ban on selling baby bottles containing bisphenol-A plastics for several years, and are thrilled their import and sale will soon be outlawed across the EU. ‘When you put hot liquids into a bottle containing BPA, particularly as the bottle gets older and more scratched, the chemical can leach out of the plastic and be absorbed into the baby’s body. ‘There are now viable alternatives to BPA that can be used to produce clear plastic baby bottles, and so there is no reason to continue using this chemical when there is concern about potential risks to young babies. ‘We would now like to see BPA plastics banned in other products, as the chemical is also used in the linings of some formula tins and baby food containers.’

BabyDam

We think this is a great idea, developed by husband and wife team, Graham and Deborah Perry. Instead of filling the whole bath with water when bathing your baby, Babydam is a plastic dam which holds back the water so that you use only part of the bath, saving time - and water. The space behind the dam can then be used for all your bathing paraphernalia. You’ll also not need to fork out on a baby bath since this converts your bath to a suitable size – and what’s more it’s much easier to take away with you. For more information visit: www.babydam.com

Update: Health in Pregnancy Grant You may have heard that the government intends to stop paying the Health in Pregnancy Grant for women who reach the 25th week of their pregnancy on or after 1 January 2011. If you reached the 25th week of your pregnancy before 1 January 2011 you will still be able to get the grant, as long as you meet the qualifying rules. Who can get the grant? You can get the grant if all of the following apply: • you are at least 25 weeks pregnant • you have been given health advice from a midwife or doctor to help you and your unborn baby stay healthy during pregnancy • you are present, ‘ordinarily resident’ and have a ‘right to reside’ in the UK - ‘ordinarily resident’ will depend on your circumstances but it usually means your main home is here How much do you get? You can get a one-off payment of £190 for each pregnancy. Only one grant of £190 is payable even if you’re expecting more than one baby, for example, twins. The payment will be on top of any other benefits or tax credits you may get. Everyone will get the same amount - you will not be asked about your income. How to claim You can only get a claim form from your midwife or your doctor, if that is who you see for your ante-natal appointments. You can find out more by visiting www.direct.gov.uk

1 in 3 dads jealous of mother-baby bond

The bond between a mother and her baby has long been established as one of the strongest around; but new research has revealed the implications that this bond can have upon a baby’s father. A study by www.Babychild.org.uk, the UK’s leading baby product review website, has revealed that a third, of fathers admit to feeling ‘jealous’ of the bond between their child and its mother; with over half of these, 56%, explaining that their jealousy is caused by the fact that they feel ‘less loved’ by their child. Just a fifth, of the fathers who took part in the study explained that they were ‘always’ the parent their child sought after in times of distress; whereas the majority explained that their child’s mother was the main go-to. The remainder admitted that it ‘depended on who their child found first.’ 79% of the fathers who took part in the study were not stay-at-home dads. However, when asked “Would you like to be a stay-at-home father?” two fifths, 43%, of these respondents answered “yes.” The majority of these labelled the desire to ‘spend more time’ with their children as the main reason why. Jill Tovey, co-founder of Babychild.org.uk, commented on the findings: ‘As part of our research into the relationship between fathers and their babies, we wanted to look in to how dads view the ‘mother-baby bond.’ It wasn’t surprising to find that as many as a third of the fathers we polled felt jealous of the bond between their child and its mother, particularly given the fact that many admitted to feeling ‘less loved’ by their child. ‘As a father, it’s important to remember that although your child may often spend more time with their mother that in no way means you are loved any less. Motherbaby bonds are indeed strong, but this does not mean that father-baby bonds are any weaker. However, ensuring that you spend dedicated time with your child is an important part of the bonding process; and making sure you have some one-on-one time everyday with your child does wonders for your relationship.’

14 Families Vale of York

Exercise Your Bump! Mother of four, Sarah Owen, is a personal trainer and specialist in pre- and post-natal exercise. She runs Bumpercise classes at Energise, York for pregnant women. Here she shares her tips on the benefit of exercise during pregnancy.

Benefits I exercised all through all four of my pregnancy, resulting in not only great benefits for me but for each of my babies too. Regular exercise can alleviate pain including back pain & varicose veins both associated with the increase in weight you’ll be carrying. You’ll also have much better posture which in turn will mean less likelihood of developing those pains in the first place. There’s also no doubt that exercise boosts self esteem and positive feelings about body image and you’ll have better sleep patterns too. When it comes to labour day, mums who have exercised find they have increased endurance levels and often find they’re in active labour for less time than women who haven’t. Fitter mums also reduce the likelihood of needing interventions such as a forceps or caesarean delivery and have an increased ability to cope with labour, anxiety and pain. You’ll also increase oxygen rich blood via the placenta – better for baby and your recovery after labour will be better with a reduced chance of suffering stress incontinence and prolapse.

Won’t it hurt the baby? One of the most common concerns women seem to have about exercising whilst pregnant are that it will harm the baby in some way or even cause miscarriage. Women also worry that they’ll injure themselves – or that they’re already in too much pain or too sick or tired to begin exercising. However, it’s completely safe to exercise whilst pregnant - even if you have never exercised before, just as long, you are shown the right, safe and effective exercises by a specialist! If you’ve had complications in the past it is advisable to see a doctor but otherwise, under proper instruction, there’s no reason to abstain. It also helps you feel great, reduces weight gain and gets you back to your prepregnancy weight faster.

NCT Postnatal Helpline Supports New Parents The UK’s largest parenting charity the NCT has launched a helpline to support new parents. Staffed by qualified NCT Postnatal Leaders the helpline supports those new to parenthood with changes that they are not prepared for, or feel unable to cope with, when they have their newborn. Research shows 8 in 10 mothers suffer some form of ‘baby blues’ three to four days after giving birth – even celebrities suffer: Celebrity mum, Gwyneth Paltrow, recently said: ‘I was confronted with one of the darkest and most painfully debilitating chapters of my life. For about five months I had, what I can see in hindsight as postnatal depression. I didn’t know I had it until after it was over. I just didn’t know what was wrong with me. I felt really out of my body. I felt really disconnected. I felt really down. I felt pessimistic. ‘ Her comments echo thousands of parents who, after enjoying the excitement of pregnancy and the birth, soon realise that nothing prepares them for the weariness, lack of sleep, baby crying, and other new baby issues. From baby routines to body image after birth, NCT Postnatal Leaders are skilled in listening to callers’ worries or concerns, and direct them to the most appropriate sources of help and information. The Postnatal Helpline number is 0300 330 0773, open 9am- 1pm Monday – Friday. Calls are charged at local call rates.

Best Exercises Here are five exercises to do at home which are great when you’re pregnant as they target areas where problems can spring up: • Pelvic floor - for abdominals • Hollowing - for abdominals*1 • Hip circles - on a stability ball • Superman - for lower back and core*2 • Seated row - with weights or dynoband on stability ball - great for upper back 1

Hollowing: On all fours, with your back in table top position. Hold in your abdominals as if you are hollowing your stomach. Hold for 5 seconds and then release. 2 Superman: On all fours, slide one leg out and likewise the opposite arm. Hold, then release and repeat with other leg and arm.

More Information

NB. Sit-ups are not advised after the second trimester, as this can cause doming of the abdominals.

If you want to feel energised, relieved from tiredness and backache and want to keep fit during pregnancy, Sarah runs Bumpercise, at Energise sports centre, Cornlands Road, York. She’ll show you safe, effective exercises, intervals of cardio and even some relaxation techniques – and your first class is free! For more on Bumpercise or personal training contact Sarah on 01904 780355/07828727539

Child Trust Fund - Restriction of government contributions

The Government announced on 24 May 2010 that it intends to reduce and then stop all government contributions to Child Trust Funds. Subject to legislation, the Government intends to reduce government contributions at birth, and to stop government contributions at age 7, from August 2010. The Government also intends for HMRC to stop issuing new Child Trust Fund vouchers from 1 January 2011. There is no immediate effect on Child Trust Funds. Legislation is required to implement the Government’s intentions and until that legislation is in place Child Trust Funds will continue as usual. www.hmrc.gov.uk

Families Vale of York

Second timearound

Adding to your family brings all sorts of new questions you didn’t face the first time. Helena Sharpstone considers them. I read somewhere that humans crave stability and habit. When it comes to parenting, I’m not so sure. Things were just starting to get easy, stable, habitual - with a child of pre-school age able to communicate, listen to reason and (almost) wipe his own bottom. That is when my ovaries started to get itchy. The pregnancy was pretty similar to the first - a terror of all things fried and lousy old nausea. I had less time to contemplate, plan and use my John Lewis account card. Last time I was terribly precious about buying everything new for the baby. This time, I was accepting of everything on offer from anyone who cared to offer it. As the great day approached, I began to really think about what a second child would mean to us and the effect it would have on our neat family of three, not to mention my only and soon-tobecome older child. I knew all the tips: the baby brings a present to the older child; refer to it as ‘his’ or ‘her’ baby; have your arms free to greet the older child upon your return, include them in every nappy change and so on. All good advice, but nothing you couldn’t work out for yourself. Here are some common concerns experienced by many as the family grows, and some thoughts to put them into perspective:

Will I have enough time for them all? No, not initially. This is not a time to be a superparent and try to do it all alone. The greatest help in the early days is just that - help. Accept it from family and friends you can stand having around and send the ones you can’t stand on errands on your behalf.

I will never love another child like I love my first Actually, maternal or paternal love is easier the second time around, because you’ve already been there. It’s a bit like the new found tolerance and affection so many of us develop towards other people’s children, having had a few of our own. Experiential empathy is a great thing.

What if the other child shows jealousy or worse, hurts the baby? It would be naive to suggest this is unlikely and frankly if this is the case, a present from the baby to a vulnerable, dethroned youngster just isn’t going to cut it. Good preventative measures are: • making sure you spend some of the baby’s sleeping time doing good one-to-one stuff with the older child • planning lots of exciting outings with their favourite people - babies can be rather boring to young children and they may actually want to get away for a while during which time you can cuddle the baby to your heart’s content (or sneak in a nap) • loving the baby in an inclusive rather than exclusive way and pointing out all the things that a baby cannot do that the older one can and could teach the baby in the future

Here are some things about siblings and being a parent of more than one which may surprise you: •

The strength of love your older child may feel for the baby almost immediately. They are often distressed by their crying and are the first to tell you when the baby needs something. Watch out for those suffocating cuddles though!

•

The fact that any night crying which distresses the hell out of you and wakes all the neighbours three postcodes away fails to wake your slumbering toddler (especially amazing if you are used to one whose antennae can pick up a rustling chocolate wrapper within seconds).

•

Your calm acceptance of the sleeplessness and mania of the early months. Remember, you have learned that everything passes... sometimes too quickly.

of their children’s lives including sibling rivalry, settling children in school, setting boundaries, raising boys/ girls, sleep problems and first aid. www.theparentcompany.co.uk

’

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16 Families Vale of York

trying to observe important and familiar rituals for the older child, such as bed time reading and cuddles, if possible, without the baby around and finally, if you are worried, never leaving the baby alone in the company of the older child (especially if you have just bought them a work bench or a doctor’s kit!).

Helena Sharpstone is part of The Parent Company, which runs seminars for parents for all stages

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•

Cheaper, Greener and Much Prettier

Did you know that approximately eight million disposable nappies are used in the UK every day? Nobody actually knows how long it takes disposable nappies to degrade, and the first ever disposable nappies will still be sitting in landfill sites. There is an alternative – modern-day reusable nappies are not only better for the environment than disposables but they’re also much cheaper! Gone are the days of folding and pinning terry squares and then boiling them – today’s equivalent are really easy to use and they’re also easy to wash, which is vital for any new mum. Local retailer Stratford Nappies stock a wide range of nappies online at www.stratfordnappies.co.uk and also offers one-toone and group demonstrations for those who want to learn more. Karin Fothergill, who runs Stratford Nappies, told Families magazine, “These days there are many fabrics, styles and brands of fabulous reusable nappies to choose from, so it can be a little confusing, especially if you have never changed a nappy before – but I can help! People can either come to a demo, fill in my questionnaire online or give me a call, then I can help them choose the nappies that would best suit their circumstances. “ Karin adds: “If you’re conscious about your carbon footprint, I’d recommend trying real nappies. I’d also encourage any parent to use them because it’s a great way of cutting down the cost of keeping a baby in nappies. It really is very easy.” For advice on choosing and using washable nappies, please call Karin on 01759 372884 or email karin@stratfordnappies.co.uk

betamum

They don’t hang you for treason any more. This hitherto irrelevant news has come as a relief to me recently.

Admittedly, I’ve dyed my hair pillar box red and been to see two punk bands in the past two months (who said ‘mid-life crisis’?) but despite this nostalgia-scented rebellion, I wasn’t actually planning to overthrow the state. All York traders received a very official letter a few weeks back, warning of a strict security cordon being thrown around the Minster, plus a list of roads being closed, as part of Prince Charles’ visit to honour the troops. My partner’s a chef at the Dean Court Hotel, directly opposite the Minster. All the staff had been warned that they may need a special security pass or an escort simply to get into work. Morning rush hour traffic was appalling, presumably because of the road closures, and we discussed the exciting possibility of secret service agents being on roofs and speculated whether my bloke would need to call the hotel for an escort. As we finally neared the city centre, he uttered the words: ‘Maybe I shouldn’t have brought that great big knife in to work today. But it’s

wrapped up so it should be OK.’ I looked at him, six foot tall, dressed head to toe in black, including black gloves, a black hoodie and, I now discover, a 9 inch knife nestling in a black rucksack. ‘What’s it wrapped up in?’ ‘A tea towel.’ ‘Genius. They’ll never find that then.’ ‘But it’s a really good knife and I want to use it today. It’ll be fine.’ Long pause. ‘Although it is over the legal limit of the length of blade you’re allowed to carry around with you.’ It took a surprisingly long time to persuade him that taking the knife in the following day wasn’t going to make a big difference to his chopping prowess, especially when you balanced that with the potential for being arrested on a terrorism charge. Which is why I’m still driving round with a 9 inch knife in the car. The tea towel it’s wrapped in is of rather superior quality but I do think I should remind him it’s there before one of the kids finds it when we

stop for petrol. Mind you, I’m glad I didn’t have it on me when I was the victim of a lovely spot of road rage, shortly before Christmas. I’d never actually attack anyone but I think the authorities take a dim view of you even waving sharp objects around in a menacing fashion. There I was, driving in thick ice at 10 miles an hour down a single track road in my tiny car with my two primary school children in the back. Given that I was sliding all over the road, it’s probably true that my gaze was focussed more on the ice directly in front of the wheels, rather than checking miles ahead for oncoming traffic. This mistake doesn’t, however, warrant the treatment I got from the man travelling the other way. He refused to back up six foot into a passing place and, by dint of

stopping directly in front of me and gesticulating fiercely, he made it perfectly clear that I was going to have to reverse my much smaller car a long way back in the ice - with two very upset children in the back. As he eventually passed, I wound down the window and tried to diffuse the situation with smiles and explanations. In return, I got a gobful of abuse. Every day since then, my kids have said, anxiously, ‘Mummy, I hope we don’t see that horrible man today.’ If any BetaDads are reading this, may I remind you how intimidating men can appear to women in a vulnerable situation? We’re all in this life together and none of us is perfect. A random act of kindness, or even an understanding attitude, gives maximum reward for minimum effort. And if you’re a parent, you’ll know that making mistakes comes with the territory.

Jacey Lamerton juggles motherhood with running her own dress agency and style coaching business Get Your Frocks Off!. Some days the juggling goes better than others. Her shop sells nearly new clothes and accessories from brands including Diane von Furstenberg, Joseph, LK Bennett, Hobbs, Mulberry and many more. It’s now at 43 Goodramgate and open Mon – Sat 10 – 5.

RIDE THE HOGWARTS EXPRESS

and Magic Tree Day Nursery for boys and girls aged 3 months to 11 years of age.

19 - 27 FEBRUARY 2011

OPEN MORNING Thursday 20th January 2011 9:30-11:45am

Bursaries available “If you can’t make that day, individual tours can be arranged at any time by contacting the school office” Swarcliffe Hall, Birstwith, Harrogate HG3 2JG Tel: 01423 771029 www.belmontgrosvenor.co.uk email: admin@belmontgrosvenor.co.uk

Join us for a spell-binding Wizard Week with magical performances, owl displays and craft activities.

www.nrm.org.uk Families Vale of York

out&about

WAKEFIELD THEATRE ROYAL AND OPERA HOUSE

theatre YORK THEATRE ROYAL St Leonard’s Place, York YO1 7HD. Box Office: 01904 623568 www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk

UNTIL 29 JAN

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK

Expect out of this world magic beans, zany anarchy, fantastic dance routines and endless amounts of slapstick. With all the usual cast including Berwick Kaler, who returns for his 32nd year, Martin Barrass, David Leonard, Suzy Cooper and AJ Dean.

GRAND OPERA HOUSE YORK Cumberland Street, York. Box Office: 01904 671818

20 & 21 JAN

THE CHINESE STATE CIRCUS - MULAN

Entertainment for all the family - from the world’s leading Chinese acrobats.

JOSEPH ROWNTREE THEATRE Haxby Road, York, YO31 8TA www. jrtheatre.co.uk

16 JAN

CINDERELLA

BalletTheatre Uk’s new production of the classic ballet, Cinderella, tells everyone’s favourite rags-to-riches story.

1-5 MAR

Information was correct as we went to press but be sure to check before you make plans as things may have changed.

HORRIBLE HISTORIES - AWFUL EGYPTIANS

From the fascinating pharaohs to the power of the pyramids, discover the foul facts of death and decay with the meanest mummies in Egypt.

HARROGATE THEATRE

Drury Lane, Wakefield, WF1 2TE. Box Office: 01924 211311 www.wakefieldtheatres.co.uk

16 – 20 FEB

THE WITCHES

Roald Dahl’s classic children’s story about a child who is turned into a mouse by the Grand High Witch.

LAWRENCE BATLEY THEATRE Queen’s Square, Queen Street, Huddersfield, HD1 2SP. Box Office : 01484 430528 www.lbt-uk.org

UNTIL 15 JAN

DICK WHITTINGTON

WEST YORKSHIRE PLAYHOUSE

BENINGBROUGH HALL & GARDENS Beningbrough, North Yorkshire, YO30 1DD Tel: 01904 472027

13 FEB

VALENTINE ART WORKSHOP

Art 1 – 3pm lunches 11am – 3pm Valentine Art Workshop for children – just drop in, or have lunch served with love in the restaurant!

19 FEB 11AM – 5PM HALF TERM PARTY Art workshops plus trails, games, face painting, gingerbread workshops and storytelling on selected days.

ANIMAL WORLD AT TOO HOOTS

Playhouse Square, Quarry Hill, Leeds, LS2 7UP. Box Office: 0113 213 7700 www.wyp.org.uk

Hirst Road, Carlton, Near Goole, DN14 9PX 01405 862854

29 JAN - 2 FEB

Lots of animals to see & feed, toys to play on, picnic area, tearoom & garden centre.

SCIENCE MUSEUM LIVE ON TOUR

Explosive entertainment for all the family from the producers of Brainiac.

24 – 27 FEB

LOST AND FOUND

A heart-warming tale of friendship, adventure, bravery, and true love adapted from the award-winning picture book by Oliver Jeffers.

ALHAMBRA THEATRE BRADFORD

Morley Street, Bradford, BD7 1AJ. Box Office: 01274 432000

22 - 26 FEB

IMPERIAL ICE STARS - SWAN LAKE ON ICE

Oxford Street, Harrogate, HG1 1QF. Box Office : 01423 502116 www. harrogatetheatre.co.uk

The Imperial Ice Stars, are back with a dynamic new interpretation of their awardwinning masterpiece.

UNTIL 15 JAN

ST. GEORGE’S HALL

DICK WHITTINGTON

things to do, places to go

FOUNTAINS ABBEY & STUDLEY ROYAL WATER GARDEN Near Ripon, North Yorkshire 01765 608888 www.fountainsabbey.org.uk.

23 JAN 11AM – 1PM WINTER BIRD WALK, Spot the beautiful winter birds on this 2 mile walk. Meet at the Visitor Centre.

12 FEB 1.30 & 2.30PM BIRD BOX MAKING Go along and make a bird box for your garden. Meet at Swanley Grange. £5 per box. Tel: 01765 643176.

19 - 27 FEB 11AM - 3PM SCHOOL HOLIDAY FUN – BIRDS Free trail and drop in self-led activities in Swanley Grange.

20 FEB 2 – 4PM WILDLIFE WANDER

Join Dick and his feline friend on their magical adventure from the heart of Harrogate, to the nation’s capital where the streets are paved with gold and the evil King Rat dwells.

Bradford www.bradford-theatres.co.uk 01274 432000

Discover the hidden wildlife at Fountains on this 2 mile walk. Meet at the Visitor Centre.

22 - 23 JAN

24 – 26 FEB

HULL NEW THEATRE

Lots of stories about Over the Rainbow for 4-9 year olds at Swanley Grange. £1.50 per child. Tel: 01765 643166.

WHO’S BEEN SITTING IN MY CHAIR?

In this playful interpretation of Goldilocks and the Three Bears porridge, bears and one-two-three chairs come together to tell a tale that’s not too big and not too small, but just right.

18 Families Vale of York

CHINESE STATE CIRCUS - MULAN

Kingston square, Jarratt Street, Hull, HU1 3HF

29, 31 JAN - 12 FEB THE SOUND OF MUSIC With Jason Donovan.

21 FEB 2PM

STORY-TELLING

JORVIK Coppergate, York. 01904 543403 www.jorvik-viking-centre.co.uk

19 - 27 FEB JORVIK VIKING FESTIVAL

NATIONAL COAL MINING MUSEUM FOR ENGLAND

RIEVAULX TERRACE & TEMPLES

Caphouse Colliery, New Road, Overton, Wakefield, WF4 4RH 01924 848806 www.ncm.org.uk

North Yorkshire, YO62 5LJ. 01439 798340 01439 798228

Set in a rural 17-acre site, the Museum is a unique collection of buildings, displays and activities which reveal the hidden world of mining through the centuries, telling the stories of mining methods and machinery, the miners and their families. Explore two collieries, the pit-head baths, wages office and the huge winding wheels then visit the new galleries to see how mining communities lived, worked and relaxed. Arrive as close to 10am as possible as the underground tour is often fully booked by this time. Admission to the Museum, including car parking, is FREE. Open 10.00 am - 5.00 pm

NATIONAL RAILWAY MUSEUM Leman Road, York YO26 4XJ 01904 686 271 / 281 01904 631 319 www.nrm.org.uk

19 – 27 FEB

WIZARD WEEK

Wizards of all ages are welcome for a spellbinding half term. Take a ride behind Hogwarts Castle – the BIG steam star of the Harry Potter films and get creative with a craft activity that will light up your life! Enjoy a variety of activities throughout the week, including magical wizards and owl displays. Check the website for more details.

TREASURER’S HOUSE Minster Yard, York 01904 624247

19 - 27 FEB 11AM – 5PM HALF TERM TRAILS Free children’s trail throughout the house.

NOSTELL PRIORY & PARKLAND Doncaster Road, Nostell , WF14QE 01924 863892

17 FEB 10.30AM – 12.30PM RUN RABBIT RUN! It’s the Chinese Year of the Rabbit and Nostell Priory will be celebrating one of our favourite furry friends. Outdoor games, crafts and activities for all the family, £2 per family, tel: 01924 863892.

ASHVILLE COLLEGE 26 FEB10AM - 2PM HARROGATE BABY FAIR & FAMILY DAY

On the A661 nr Wetherby, North Yorks. 01937 586101 www.stockeldpark.co.uk

Main sponsor of events will be Tennis Tykes. There will be lots of opportunities for children aged from 2-6 years to try tennis on the day for free Lots of other free activities including face painting and a bouncy castle. See www.harrogatebabyfair.com for further information.

THE CHRISTMAS ADVENTURE

HAREWOOD HOUSE

OPEN UNTIL 9 JAN DAILY FROM 9 JAN OPEN EVERY FRI, SAT & SUN UNTIL 30 JAN

Moor House, Harewood Estate, Harewood, Leeds LS17 9LQ Tel:0113 218 1010 www.harewood.org

19- 27 FEB 11AM – 5PM HALF TERM FAMILY TRAIL

STOCKELD PARK

A fabulous day out with lots of seasonal things to do. Try the snowflake maze which this year has some silly signs to help you find your way to the centre to find this year’s winning sculpture. Try a magical walk through the Enchanted Wood where you’ll meet all kinds of fairy tale creatures including Merlin, a host of angels on the lake, a magic mirror and even a knitting beaver! All wonderful at dusk – and even better if there’s been a fall of snow. Sip a hot chocolate whilst the kids enjoy eco-friendly ice-skating and for the energetic there’s Nordic Skiing. If you prefer a more leisurely pace there’s a fabulous shop and café. What more fun could a family have?

YORKSHIRE MUSEUM & GARDENS Museum gardens, York Open daily 10am – 5pm 01904 687687 www.york.yorkshire.museum

23 FEB 2PM - 4PM ENCOURAGE KIDS IN SCIENCE Aimed at parents of Key Stage 2 pupils (Years 3 - 6), led by a qualified science teacher. It will give an easy overview of some of the key areas of science taught at Key Stage 2 to refresh your knowledge. There will the chance to have a go at some fun science activities which parents, carers and grandparents can try at home. £5 per person. To book a place, telephone 01904 650333

WHELDRAKE VILLAGE HALL 22 JAN 2-3.30PM

JUMBLE SALE

Wheldrake preschool playgroup invite you to have a rummage to raise funds.

18 – 27 FEB HALF TERM NATURE FEST This February half term, Harewood launches a fabulous week to celebrate the coming of spring. A fest of all things natural, the Harewood team have put together a schedule of family activities to celebrate the great outdoors.

classes YOGACO

YOGA FOR PREGNANCY Wed & Thurs 6.30 - 8.15pm at Jacob’s Well, Trinity Lane, central York. £7.50 per class. Sophie Carr www.yogaco.co.uk info@yogaco.co.uk 01904 733752

MUM AND BABY YOGA Mon 10.30 - 12 noon at St Columba’s Church Hall, Priory St, central York. £6 per class. Alison Goodwin www.yogaco.co.uk yogawithalison@yahoo.co.uk 01904 799097

YOGA IN YORK

with Anna Semlyen British Wheel of Yoga Dip 01904 654355 / 07891 989310 www. yogainyork.co.uk anna@yogainyork.co.uk

PREGNANCY YOGA AT THE FRIARGATE FRIENDS MEETING HOUSE Tues 7-8pm 4 Jan – 18 April £6.50 for first class £1 off for concessions, usually then pay for 7 in advance (£45.50) or an extra £1 to drop in.

MUM AND BABY YOGA Tues 11am - noon (includes crawlers) at St Clements Ch, Scarcroft Rd from 4 Jan. Fri 11am- noon (6 wks - pre crawlers only) at Healing Clinic, Museum St from 7 Jan. Prebook at £38.50 for 7 wks. Families Vale of York

Clifton Pre-Prep School

For boys and girls aged 3 - 8 years ‘Academically excellent’

Swimming Lessons At Yearsley Swimming Pool and Energise Quality lessons for toddlers to adults Friendly, experienced and qualified staff Amateur Swimming Association approved programme Competitive prices Call today for more information 01904 552424 www.york.gov.uk/fit

Building the foundation of your child’s education

Open Days Monday 14th, Tuesday 15th and Wednesday 16th February 2011

Come and see our Nursery and Reception classes in action Please call 01904 527361 to book an appointment during our open days or at any other time Clifton Pre-Prep School York YO30 6AB Tel: 01904 527361 enquiries@cliftonprep.sch.uk www.st-peters.york.sch.uk/clifton

Clifton Pre-Prep • St Olave’s • St Peter’s

 

OPEN MORNING Saturday 5 March 2011, 9.30 - 12.00 noon If your child is aged between 3 and 7 years and you would like to find out more, then please contact Janet Falkingham on 01757 618248 for a prospectus or to arrange a visit

A great place to learn! The Read School, Drax, Selby, North Yorkshire, YO8 8NL Tel: 01757 618248 : Fax: 01757 617432 www.readschool.co.uk Email: headmasterspa@readschool.co.uk A Registered Charity No; 529675