Families Warwickshire Nov/Dec 2022 PRINT

Photo of Adrian Edmondson as Scrooge by Hugo Glendinning © RSC

Hello Winter!

With the yuletide season upon us already and things getting increasingly busy, it’s important that you don’t burn out! Take a look at our tips for lightening the mental load this Christmas.

If you fancy a festive family city break – which could double as a gift – explore some of the cities that put on the best show in the lead up to the big day.

If you’re staying closer to home this winter, check out our What’s On guide and listings. From light switch ons to Christmas markets, there’s plenty to see and do throughout Coventry and Warwickshire to help you get in the holiday spirit!

With articles on fostering, introducing a new sibling and a blog on balancing a career and pre-school children plus a fun festive food activity to do with the kids, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this issue.

Finally, we have tonnes of Weebles to giveaway! Apply for these adorable wiggly, wobbly mini-toys at familiesmag.co.uk/go. By doing so, you’ll also ensure you receive our digital magazine with lots more content and goodies on offer.

So, from my family to yours, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Warwickshire’s largest Santa Dash returns bigger and better than ever!

Get in the festive spirit by taking part in The Myton Hospices famous Santa Dash in Leamington Spa. Nothing says ‘Christmas’ quite like pulling on a Santa suit and running, jogging or walking 5K for your local charity.

With a confetti cannon start, dance warm up, festive activities for the children, an inflatable snow globe, performances by Rock Choir and Leamington Spa Brass as well as Santa himself along with his sleigh – this really is an event the whole family can enjoy. Furry friends are more than welcome too! They can join the Dash or enter the Festive Fancy Dress Competition for FREE.

Brand new for 2022 is the ‘Mini Dash’ for children under 12. It’s FREE to enter but donations and sponsorship are most welcome. There will be a mini warm-up at 8.45am and the 100m dash will start at 9am – everyone who crosses the finish line will receive a present from Santa.

Festive gifts available for anyone raising £50, £250 or £500 sponsorship. Sign up today at www.mytonhospice.org/Santa

Sunday 11th December 2022, Victoria Park, Leamington, from 10am. Adults: £12.50* *Early Bird Discount until 10th November (£17.50 thereafter) Children: £6

Contact us

Claire Jones editor@familieswarwickshire.co.uk T: 07938 657719

familieswarwickshiremag

In this issue Christmas Fostering

4. 7. 8. 10. 12. 14. 15.

What’s on Parenting Education Food Travel

All content © Families Warwickshire. Families Warwickshire is a bi-monthly magazine for parents of children 0-12. Print run 16,000.

Families Warwickshire 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 this magazine are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without the prior consent of Families Warwickshire. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine but Families Warwickshire, our 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.

Next issue: January/February 2023 Booking deadline: Friday 2 December 2022

Lightening the mental load this Christmas

By Chloe Lowe

Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year for parents. The pressure to create the perfect experience for everyone builds into a behemoth balancing on a plate of mince pies, threatening to crumble at any minute.

The upward comparison with Insta-perfect mums and crafting geniuses, let alone the constant narrative in the press, on television and on social media, means the mental load reaches an all-time high during the festive season and it’s well documented that mums bear the heaviest burden.

The sheer volume of things to think about and do can quickly lead to high-stress, low mood and burnout and not enjoying a minute of Christmas.

It’s very British to need to present the perfect picture. But when you realise that you can’t control everything, including the actions of your extended family or your delivery man, it can be truly liberating!

How to create your ‘perfectly imperfect’ Christmas

Here’s a few tips on how to manage the mental load this Christmas and feel good about it too.

Grab a pen and paper and write a list of the top three things that mean the most to you this Christmas.

Focus on those first. Doing a few things well will feel so much better than spreading yourself too thin and doing lots of things, just ‘ok’.

Ask for and accept help - it’s a sign of strength, not a weakness.

Slow down to speed up. Running on caffeine at one hundred miles per hour is detrimental to your mind and body. Slowing down and taking some deep breaths or even indulging in a Christmas movie, will help you reset, re-energise and get some headspace.

Ask yourself what your children really want and need this Christmas and focus on that rather than succumbing to the pressure to spoil them or compete with peers.

Reduce your time on social media. It’s amazing how many hours you’ll get back.

Avoid too many excesses. Don’t deprive yourself of a glass of fizz and a few mince pies but counter them with a family walk in the fresh air or a healthy breakfast or lunch.

And don’t forget to give yourself the gift of self-care so that you can enjoy Christmas too.

Chloe Lowe is founder of @parentlistapp (www.parentlist. app), the app for busy parents who want to find joy in parenting.

Christmas lights

Check out the Christmas light switch on events in your town this November … or visit them all! There will be entertainment, food and market stalls, rides, fireworks and much more! Festive fun for all the family!

Bedworth

Sat 19 Nov 12pm 6pm

Coventry Tue 15 Nov 5.30pm – 8pm 7.45pm

Kenilworth Fri 25 Nov (High Street) 5pm – 8pm. 6pm

Sun 27 Nov (Warwick Road) 4pm – 8pm. 6pm

Leamington Spa Sun 6 Nov 10am – 7pm 5.30pm

Nuneaton Fri 25 Nov 3pm – 9pm 6pm

Rugby Sun 20 Nov 12pm – 6pm 5pm

Southam Sun 27 Nov 3pm 5pm

Stratford-upon-Avon Sat 19 Nov 10am – 6pm 5.15pm

Warwick Thu 24 Nov 12pm – 9pm 7pmLight switch on times

Dear Santa...

All children love to receive a letter addressed to them in the post. And what could be more special than a letter from Santa? Here are two ways of making this happen.

Royal Mail Letter to Santa

For children to receive a FREE letter from Santa via the Royal Mail children must post their letter to Santa in an envelope with either a first or second class stamp and addressed to Santa/Father Christmas, Santa’s Grotto, Reindeerland, XM4 5HQ. The letter must include your child’s full name and address.

Check the deadline for posting the letter to Santa at royalmail.com/christmas/letters-to-santa

NSPCC Santa Letter

Children can also receive a personalised reply from Santa via his elves at the NSPCC in exchange for a donation to the charity. The letter is ordered online.

Check the deadline at letterfromsanta.nspcc.org.uk

FESTIVE FUN WORD SEARCH

Join the Great Search for Santa and experience so many magical adventures with Santa's Lapland, can you help us find them all in this word search?

Santa, Reindeer, Snowflake, Elves, Husky, Snowmobile, Ice Fishing, Sleigh, Snow Hockey

You can experience all of this and more in Lapland, to find out more visit SantasLapland.com

This kind of Christmas comes but once in a lifetime. Whisk your family away to magical Lapland where you’ll meet Santa and his cheeky elves.

Christmas 2022 and 2023 on sale now Visit SantasLapland.com

TAILORED HOME INSURANCE RIGHT DOWN TO THE FINEST DETAIL

A home is more than just bricks and mortar. That’s why NFU Mutual Bespoke home insurance covers not only your home but also your beloved garden.

To discuss your high-value home insurance, call Joel Long at the Central Warwickshire agency on 07977 399301 or search NFU Mutual Bespoke.

D James, A C Price, M J Welton, J P Bird & G J Wheatley is an appointed representative of The National Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Society Limited (No. 111982). Registered in England. Registered Office: Tiddington Road, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire CV37 7BJ. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. A member of the Association of British Insurers. For security and training purposes calls may be recorded and monitored.

Gareth is a solo foster carer for Warwickshire County Council. He helps young people return to living in a family environment following a stay in residential care. The role can also prevent young people from staying in residential care or being cared for in a setting outside of the county meaning they can stay close to their family and friends.

Gareth explains what the role is like, what it means to the children he cares for and how he became a foster carer.

“I previously worked in a fostering residential home, working there I realised what it was like for the children to go from home to home, eventually moving to a residential setting and how unsettling this could be. I wanted to be able to offer children a more permanent home and that made me decide to become a foster carer.

I get dedicated support from Warwickshire including a social worker, a social worker for the child and a family support worker. As a team we also work closely with all the professionals helping to care for my foster child. Together we’re there to ensure the child’s needs are met and we are providing the best environment for them.

Warwickshire offers bespoke training packages. The training helps you to look at parenting in a different way, each child can have complex and individual needs and Warwickshire are aware of this and support you so you’re able to best support the child.

As a foster carer it’s a privilege to offer a place where my foster child can call home, they know they’re here with me and they know that I’ll support them with everything they need.”

Gareth and his family are one of 150 fostering households caring for children and young people in Warwickshire. Foster carers do an amazing job, offering stability and support to vulnerable children and young people who can’t be with their own families.

Visit warwickshire.gov.uk/fostering, call 0800 408 1556 or Facebook @WarwickshireFostering for more information.

a

to know that our care

feel happy and safe.”

Fostering – ‘Just do it’

“Just do it, it’s the best thing you can ever do and I’d never go back from it.”

Theatre and Pantos

Embrace the true meaning of Yuletide this festive season!

BSL Interpreted and Audio Described Performace: FRI 9 DEC 19:00

Cinderella

FRI 30 DEC – SUN 8 JAN

Belgrade Theatre

Coventry

BOX OFFICE: 024 7655 3055 www.belgrade.co.uk

Jack and the Beanstalk

WED 23 NOV – SAT 7 JAN

Join Jack in the village of Prickly Bottom where the evil giant Blunderbore is causing havoc! What the village needs is a hero brave enough to climb up to the giant’s castle and send him packing. Will Jack and his mysterious beanstalk prove to be the heroes they’re looking for? There’s only one way to find out! Funny, festive and extremely feel-good, don’t miss out on this absolute GIANT of a show.

Santa’s Christmas Rescue

THU 8 – SAT 24 DEC

Join Santa, Rudolph, Ellie the elf and her best friend Izzy in this interactive Christmas cracker of a show for pre-school children full of songs, laughter and festive fun.

Optional meet and greet with Santa and the elves after the show with FREE gift!

Royal Spa Centre

Leamington Spa

BOX OFFICE: 01926 334418

www.royalspacentre andtownhall.co.uk

Tales from Acorn Wood

SAT 12 – SUN 13 NOV

Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s beloved Tales from Acorn Wood stories are brought to life on stage for the first time in an enchanting interactive experience. Packed full of toe-tapping songs, puppetry, and all the friends from Acorn Wood, this beautiful show promises to be the perfect treat for children of all ages.

Children 2 and under can sit on your lap for free with this event.

Cinderella

SAT 3 – SAT 31 DEC

Will the Wicked Stepsisters succeed in ruining Cinderella’s dreams of happiness or will her Fairy Godmother and loyal friend Buttons be able to thwart their wicked plans? Get your tickets to this magical family pantomime and join them at the ball to find out!

Signed and Relaxed Performance: FRI 30 DEC, 13:00.

The Albany Theatre Coventry BOX OFFICE: 024 7699 8964 www.albanytheatre.co.uk

A Christmas Carol

SAT 3 – MON 26 DEC

The perfect family-friendly alternative to a traditional pantomime. Join Scrooge, Jacob Marley, Mr and Mrs Cratchit, Tiny Tim, Mr Fezziwig, and all of Dickens’ treasured characters from this timeless Christmas classic on the snowy streets of Victorian Coventry this winter.

Find out if Cinderella shall go to the ball this Christmas in everyone’s favourite family pantomime! Cinderella must cook, clean and work all day but dreams that one day she will meet her prince. She will need your help along with Buttons and the Fairy Godmother to guide her to follow her dreams. Will the evil Stepsisters stop Cinderella from meeting her prince? Expect beautiful costumes, sparkling sets, songs to sing along to and plenty of festive giggles!

Warwick Arts Centre Coventry

BOX OFFICE: 024 7649 6000 www.warwickartscentre.co.uk

Festive Family Christmas Countdown

SAT 4 DEC 15:00

The University of Warwick Music Centre presents the ultimate Christmas Countdown for all the family! Magical music, sensational songs, and festive fun are guaranteed to make even the grinchiest of people want to join in and enjoy the most wonderful time of the year! Crazy Christmas costumes are encouraged.

Stick Man

SAT 3 – SAT 31 DEC

Touching, funny and utterly original, Freckle Productions’ delightful adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s Stick Man features a trio of top actors and is packed full of puppetry, songs, live music and funky moves.

Over 1’s require a ticket. Babes in arms (under 12 months) require a free baby pass (available from Box Office, not online)

FREE Stick Man themed fun family activities with artist Benny Semp. SUN 6 NOV, SAT 3, 10, 17 & SUN 18 DEC. 11:00 – 16:00

BSL Performance: SAT 17 DEC 10:30 Relaxed Performance: TUE 20 DEC 10:30

Festive fun for all the family this winter

All Things Wild Honeybourne

A Magical Christmas Adventure awaits you this November and December at All Things Wild. Help the elves save Christmas in the Toy Workshop, hop aboard the Sleighbell Express, decorate biscuits with Merry Berry, visit the Gingerbread Village, send your Christmas Wishes, toast marshmallows and visit Santa Claus. Check availability and book tickets online. Children aged 2 or under go free. T: 01386 833083 www.allthingswild.co.uk

British Motor Museum Gaydon World’s largest collection of historic British cars, celebrating the past, present and future of British motoring. A great day out whatever the weather. Don’t miss their Festive Lunches in the Sky Suite from 11-16 Dec. T: 01926 895300 www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk

Compton Verney Nr Warwick Stunning parkland and lake, and woodland adventure playground. Award-winning art gallery. Restaurant and gift shop. Check out their Reindeer Trail from 1 - 24 Dec, Christmas Gift Market 9-11 Dec and their Festive Art Makers Camp on 20 Dec 9:30 – 16:00. Don’t forget to book a visit to Santa’s Magical Grotto on selected dates from 9 - 23 Dec. There really is something for everyone this winter! Closed Mondays except Bank Holidays. T: 01926 645500 www.comptonverney.org.uk

Coventry Transport Museum Coventry

Housing the largest publicly owned collection of British vehicles on the planet, the Museum tells the story of a city which changed the world through transport. Captivating displays, interactive galleries and highly immersive exhibitions. Try their Family Museum Engineers sessions or Chat and Play groups for under 5s. Plus on selected dates from 3 – 23 Dec experience the Vintage Sleigh Ride and visit Santa! (SEN Session 2 Dec.) Pre-booking required. T: 024 7623 4270 www.transport-museum.com

Coventry’s Winter Wonderland Coventry

and Christmas Feast in Narnia plus lots more. Various dates throughout December. Book online. www.enchantedeventsuk.com

Foundry Wood Leamington Spa

An urban community woodland in the heart of Leamington Spa and Warwick. Learn about woodland habitats, wildlife conservation, traditional woodland crafts, and more. Regular Forest School sessions, storytelling, creative workshops and lots of special events. Music in the Wood 9-10 Dec

Wrap up warm and get outdoors with all the family this winter to experience an evening of light illumination, multimedia installations and live music performances by local singers, set in the beautiful woodland surroundings of Foundry Wood. Two sets of productions over two nights – 4-6:30pm and 7:3010pm. Pre-booked tickets only. www.foundrywood.co.uk

The National Trust Warwickshire

Rain or shine there’s always something to discover, plenty of space to run around and an outdoor adventure to be had at our local National Trust properties: Baddesley Clinton; Coughton Court; Packwood House; Charlecote Park; Upon House and Gardens and Farnborough Hall. See individual websites for details of festive activities at each venue.

www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Go Ape Coventry

Thrill-seeking adults and fun-seeking children can experience the best of high rope antics, axe throwing and mini Land Rovers at Coombe Abbey this winter. Swing, bounce, throw or zoom into action on weekends and selected weekdays in Nov/Dec. Save 15% on a Treetop Challenge Family Ticket with code FAMILY15. Booking required. www.goape.co.uk

Hatton Adventure World

Nr Warwick

Fantastic day out for all the family. Indoor and outdoor attractions and entertainment.

Royal Shakespeare Company BOX OFFICE: 01789 331111 www.rsc.org.uk

A Christmas Carol WED 26 OCT – SUN 1 JAN 2023

The smash hit of Christmas past returns to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre by popular demand. Adrian Edmondson will play Ebenezer Scrooge in David Edgar’s critically acclaimed adaption of Charles Dickens’ much-loved classic. A festive tale of redemption and compassion for all the family, ages seven to 107!

Half price child ticket with every full paying adult (selected performances).

Get your skates on and glide into the magical Winter Wonderland at the heart of Coventry City Centre. From 25 Nov – 8 Jan, the festive ice rink and Winter Wonderland with festive food stalls and Christmas music will be open 7 days a week throughout the day and into the evening. Book tickets online. www.visitcoventry.co.uk/skate

Draycote Water Rugby

Wrap up warm and enjoy a walk, scoot or cycle around the picturesque Draycote Water reservoir. There’s also free birdwatching hides, bookable fishing and water sports. Plus a great play area and plenty of space for a winter picnic! The Waterside Restaurant is open to eat in or take away and is offering a selection of festive events including Breakfast with Santa (17 Dec). Telephone booking for events required. Opening hours Nov – Jan 10:00 – 16:00. T: 01788 815274 www.visitdraycote.co.uk

Enchanted Tea Room Leamington Spa

There’s plenty of treats to choose from for all film fans at The Enchanted Tea Room in Leamington this Christmas. There’s Afternoon Tea and Breakfast with Santa, Xmas Express Pyjama Party

Enchanted Christmas Kingdom Every weekend from 26 Nov and every day from 17 -24 Dec.

Explore the Magical Christmas Forest leading to Father Christmas’ wooden grotto, meet Father Christmas, decorate gingerbread with the elves, mix magical reindeer food and be entertained by the magical Mr Holly (Father Christmas’ Head Elf). Receive a magic key to visit the secret toy shop, or make the day extra special and upgrade to a ‘Createa-Bear’ experience. Your Enchanted Christmas Kingdom ticket also includes full entry to Hatton Adventure World including all-day animal handling, falconry displays, fairground rides, softplay, guinea pig village and more.

T: 01926 843411

www.hattonworld.com/adventureworld

Hill Close Gardens Warwick

Rare Victorian Gardens to explore with Children’s trail and special events and workshops throughout the year.

Winter opening times: Weekdays 11:00 -16:00, last entry 15:30.

Christmas Family Workshop Thu 15 Dec

Festive arts and crafts to make your Christmas sparkle. 15:30 – 17:00. See website for details.

T: 01926 493339 www.hillclosegardens.com

Stratford Butterfly Farm Stratford-upon-Avon

Feel the festive warmth this Christmas at Stratford Butterfly Farm and enjoy the warmth of a summer’s day during the festive holidays.

Sat 17 Dec – Tue 3 Jan

Meet the Min-Beast handling sessions will take place daily in the Discovery Zone at 11am. In the rainforest flight area discover the stunningly beautiful Christmas Butterfly, also known as Papilio demodocus.

The butterfly farm’s gift shop is a treasure trove of ideas and a wonderful place to buy stocking fillers and nature inspired presents for your loved ones. Gift vouchers for admission and season tickets are a lovely way to treat family and friends to a tropical rainforest experience for any special occasion at any time of the year and can be purchased directly from the website.

Stratford Butterfly Farm is open every day except Christmas Day from 10.00. Last entry during the festive period is 15.30, closed 17.00.

T: 01789 299288 www.butterflyfarm.co.uk

Herbert Art Gallery Coventry

Regular art and activity sessions for pre-schoolers, sensory play days, storytelling, family friendly workshops, art talks and masterclasses. This winter, celebrate World Nursery Rhyme Week and make some Rhymetastic Crafts (15 Nov), Make a Christmas Rag Wreath (3 Dec), Enjoy Sensory stories and rhymes (6 & 13 Dec) and craft beautiful Christmas decorations: soldiers and fairies (20 – 22 Dec) Designed for age 3+ but all are welcome. All creations can be taken home on the day. Some events require pre-booking, others are drop in. See website for details.

T: 024 7623 7521

www.theherbert.org

Jump In Warwick

Avoid the cold this winter and burn off that excess energy at the newly refurbished Jump In Adventure Park. The perfect place for families to enjoy some quality jumpin’ fun! Check out the After School deal Mon-Thu, it’s great value! T: 0800 098 8212 www.gojumpin.com

Don’t miss

Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden

Kenilworth

Wrap up warm and let the kids run free this winter at this mighty historic venue. Explore the ruins and have a great day out. Audience with Father Christmas 26 – 27 Nov

3, 4, 10, 11, 17 & 18 Dec

Meet Father Christmas as he tells festive tales amidst the yuletide decorations. An additional charge applies to see Father Christmas for all children, the price includes a small present.

T: 01926 852078 www.english-heritage.org.uk

Planet Ice Coventry

Skate for fun, learn to skate, book a party or take the family to watch an Ice Hockey game and support the Coventry Blaze this winter. See website for fixtures and booking. T: 02476 630693

www.planet-ice.co.uk www.coventryblaze.co.uk

Shakespeare’s Schoolroom & Guildhall Stratford-upon-Avon Visit the 600-year-old building where William Shakespeare was inspired by literature and theatre for the very first time! Fun for all the family including dressing up Tudorstyle, traditional Tudor games, quill writing and a lesson from a Tudor School Master!

Santa at the Schoolroom 3, 4, 10, 11 then daily from 17 – 24 Dec Santa and his elves will be filling the whole building full of Christmas magic, and they will be joined by some jolly Christmas characters to encounter along the way, before the chance to meet Santa himself. A festive quiz, story-telling, puzzles, music, Christmas crafts and games combine to make this an unforgettable excursion for all the family. The setting is also part of the enchantment creating the perfect festive backdrop for family photos. T: 01789 203170 www.shakespearesschoolroom.org

Redwings Horse Sanctuary

Oxhill

Home to 80 rescued horses, ponies and donkeys. Café and gift shop, plus the opportunity to sponsor a horse or donkey. Entry and parking are free and dogs on leads are welcome.

Open Friday – Monday 10:00 – 16:00. Booking required. T: 0870 040 0033 www.redwings.org.uk/visiting

Stratford Literary Winter Festival Stratford-upon-Avon

Fri 11 – Sun 13 Nov

The Winter Weekend 2022 Festival line-up includes: Hugh Bonnerville, Jeremy Bowen, Cressida Cowell, Pam Ayres, Jeremy Hunt, Rod Biddulph, Dame Steve Shirley, Ronnie Archer-Morgan, Craig Brown, the Countess of Carnarvon, Henry Marsh, Dr Hannah Critchlow, Sam Fowles, Sarah Churchwell, Dr Shahed Yousaf, Riverside Theatre... PLUS a bonus on 30th November with David Dimbleby.

Visit the festival website for ticket information. www.stratfordliteraryfestival. co.uk

Twycross Zoo Atherstone

Enjoy a family fun day out at the Zoo! Explore the animal world any time of the year, with indoor and outdoor habitats, interactive experiences and fun, exciting encounters with over 500 animals, from 125 different species. If you’re feeling brave, why not journey though the deep, dark wood and visit The Gruffalo Discovery Land – the only land of its kind in the UK which aims to inspire more children than ever before about the importance of conservation and the natural world.

T: 0844 474 1777 www.twycrosszoo.org

Warwick Castle Warwick

A great day out for the whole family! Witness the incredible skills of the bowman and get lost in time in the Horrible Histories® Maze. See the spectacular and fascinating birds in the UK’s biggest bird of prey show, The Falconer’s Quest. Explore the castle towers, ramparts and over 64 acres of beautiful grounds and gardens. Kids can immerse themselves in the world of Zog. Christmas at the Castle Sat 6 Nov – Mon 2 Jan There’s so much to do at the Castle this winter. Discover twinkling trees, dazzling decorations, and festive flourishes at every turn during the day. Make magical memories with Santa and Mrs. Claus as you listen to a special story of Christmas hope and joy. Glide upon the magnificent open-air ice rink in the stunning setting of the castle grounds or visit after dark and journey through the historic grounds and gardens to marvel at the magical illuminated light trail. Booking required.

T: 0871 265 2000

www.warwick-castle.com

Coombe Abbey Winter Light Trail Coventry

Fri 18 Nov – Mon 2 Jan (entry times from 16:45 – 20:00.

Closed Christmas Day)

A spectacular, illuminated trail, full of wonder and intrigue, set to music, to delight and enthral your senses. As darkness descends, go on an enchanting journey, through a captivating mile long light trail in the stunning, historic grounds of Coombe Abbey Park. A night to make magical memories for all the family! Pre-book tickets online. www.luminate.live/tickets/coombe-abbey

The Snowman with Live Orchestra Coventry Cathedral. Sat 17 Dec (14:30, 16:45 & 19:00)

Experience the magic of the iconic Christmas classic, The Snowman, in this special screening accompanied by a live orchestra. Alongside The Snowman, enjoy The Flight Before Christmas – the sensational new Shaun the Sheep film staged with a live orchestra for the first time! All set within the splendour of Coventry Cathedral. Book online. www.coventrycathedral.org.uk/events/snowmantour-2022

Christmas Markets

Coventry

Winter Wonderland

Fri 25th Nov – Sun 8th Jan

Fargo Christmas Makers Market Sat 3 Dec 11:00 – 17:00

Sun 4 Dec 11:00 – 16:00

Hatton

Christmas Craft Fayre

Fri 4 – Sun 6 Nov 10:00 – 17:00

Outdoor Christmas Markets 10:00 – 17:00 12, 13, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27 Nov 2, 3, 4, 17, 18 Dec

Vintage Themed Christmas Market

Fri 9 – Sun 11 Dec 10:00 – 17:00

Kenilworth

Stoneleigh Abbey Christmas Fair Sun 27 Nov 10:00 – 15:00

Kenilworth Christmas Market

Sat 10 Dec 10:00 – 16:00

Leamington Spa

Leamington Christmas Markets 10:00 – 17:00

Every Sunday from 2 Oct – 18 Dec (excluding 13 Nov)

Nuneaton

Nuneaton Christmas Market

Fri 25 Nov 15:00 – 21:00

Rugby Benn Hall Christmas Fair

Sun 27 Nov 11:00 – 14:00

Shipston-on-Stour

Christmas Victorian Fayre

Fri 2 Dec 18:00 – 20:00

Stratford-upon-Avon

Victorian Christmas Market Festival

Thu 8 Dec 11:00 – 20:00

Fri 9 Dec 10:00 – 20:00

Sat 10 Dec 10:00 – 20:00

Sun 11 Dec 10:00 – 17:00

Warwick Warwick’s Annual Victorian Evening

Thu 24 Nov 12:00 – 21:00

Butterflies

Sleepless in ….wherever…

By Shyamantha Asokan

How do you juggle work and home when your kids won’t sleep?

It’s 4.30am and I’m sleeping across the bottom end of my bed. I’m all crunched up so my feet don’t dangle off the edge, with no pillow and my duvet at a weird angle. I doubt this even counts as sleep – but I’ll take whatever I can get.

So how did I get here?

My three-year-old daughter and my fifteen-month-old son are just emerging from a month of back-to-back nursery illnesses, which has thrown their sleep right off course. Although, even in normal circumstances, neither of them is great at sleeping when they should or where they should. They certainly don’t sleep like the children in all the parenting books I’ve read (seriously, who are those children?).

Here’s a typical night in our house at the moment…

• 8pm: Both kids go to sleep in their bedrooms.

• 11pm: My son wakes and will only go back to sleep in our bed. Husband goes to sofa.

• 1am: My daughter wakes and goes to sleep on the sofa with my husband.

• 2am onwards: My son wakes one or two more times and I cuddle him back to sleep with varying degrees of success. Sometimes it takes an hour.

• 6am: The kids are up for the day.

Sometimes my son falls asleep on my lap and I have to shuffle him onto our mattress at a diagonal angle, in order not to wake him, leaving me just the bottom strip of the bed to sleep on.

Sometimes he falls asleep on my arm and I have to ‘ninja slide’ it out from under him when he’s in a deep-sleep phase. The whole thing is absurd.

Writing emails in my mind

Of course, I still need to go to work – and working while sleepdeprived is brutal.

Madonna and Margaret Thatcher, two under-slept women who were big in the 1980s, both seemed to equate a lack of rest with a passion for their job. This is questionable for a million reasons.

Tracy Emin, big in the 1990s, perhaps more sensibly described her insomnia as ‘crippling.’

In any case, I just turn out to be a rubbish version of my usual self. My eyes burn as I read research reports, concentrating is hard and pretending not to be tired is tiring.

In meetings, part of me is listening to what everyone is saying but part of me is just thinking about how well-slept they all look. If you’ve had a meeting with me recently and you thought I was a bit distracted, it’s because I was thinking about how great the skin under your eyes looks.

Overnight, when I’m woken by the kids, I struggle to go back to sleep as work-thoughts pop up and race around my head. I lie at the bottom of the bed and write emails in my mind. Meanwhile my son snuffles and snores like a contented little sea-lion, in his rightful place at the centre of the only double bed in the house.

I was, of course, working when I was on maternity leave last year – looking after children and running a house is a job. But I was surrounded by other women with young children, in a blearyeyed ecosystem where everyone was tired. The professional ‘back-to-work’ world feels very different. Arianna Huffington has said that sleep is a feminist issue, as women get far less of it than men.

But, in the midst of it all, there are suddenly moments of pure rest.

There are endless parenting books that tell you not to co-sleep with your children but in my family’s case it’s a balm for everyone involved. At the weekend I have afternoon naps with my daughter and her truly innocent sleep, the kind that only a child can have, calms me until I drop off too.

Shyamantha Asokan is a Midlands-based journalist and mother of two. This blog is part of a series called The Chaos Train, a record of daily life when you have a career and pre-school children.

With thanks to www.workingmums.co.uk who host her blog online. Find part time, home based and flexible full-time jobs plus advice for working mums on their site.

Introducing a new sibling

Introducing a new baby into the family can be an exciting yet nerve-wracking time for parents. Here are some tips on the best ways to prepare your older children for the impending arrival of their baby sibling and help them to feel loved and included during the process.

Explain what’s going to happen

If they are under the age of two, they may not be that interested at all and take the idea of a new addition to the family in their stride. However, a slightly older child might be bursting with questions or struggle emotionally with the transition.

Prepare them for what to expect

Explain that the new baby is going to be with mummy or daddy most of the time and the baby is going to do a lot of sleeping, crying and feeding. This will also help manage their expectations so they won’t expect their new sibling to be a playmate from the moment they enter your home!

Tell the story of their birth

Show your children some old photographs of when you were pregnant with them or of them when they were a baby. Talk to them about what it was like when they were younger and how they too cried and fed all hours of the day. This will be a lovely bonding exercise and help them understand why the new baby will need more attention initially.

Role play looking after the baby

Using a doll is another great way to introduce your children to the idea of having a baby around the home. They can practise how to be gentle, hold the baby and talk to them. Overall, this helps to normalise the idea of a baby. Better still, if you’ve got friends or family with small babies, set up meet ups or playdates so your child can get used to hearing baby cries, being around a baby and observing how mums and babies interact.

Get them involved in the planning

Ask them what they think of the names you’ve picked for the baby. Chances are they won’t like your choices and would much prefer Spider-Man or Peppa but the

their opinions!

Take them shopping for newborn essentials

It will help them feel important if you let them pick some baby clothes. They could also help put new items away, pack the baby changing bag or even prepare the nursery.

With thanks to leading UK baby brand, Nuby (www.nuby-uk.com) for this article.

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Arnold Lodge Leamington Spa (Ages 4-18) T: 01926 778050 www.arnoldlodge.com

Bilton Grange Rugby (Ages 3-13) T: 01788 810217 www.biltongrange.co.uk

The Kingsley School Leamington Spa (Ages 3-18) T: 01926 421368 www.thekingsleyschool.co.uk

Prep and Junior Schools

Bablake and King Henry VIII Pre Prep Coventry T: 024 7627 1285 www.bablake.com www.kinghenrys.co.uk

Bablake Preparatory Coventry T: 024 7627 1260 www.bablake.com

King Henry VIII Preparatory Coventry T: 024 7627 1160 www.kinghenrys.co.uk

Crackley Hall School and Little Crackers Nursery Kenilworth T: 01926 514444 www.crackleyhall.co.uk

Crescent School Rugby T: 01788 521595 www.crescentschool.co.uk

The Croft Preparatory School Stratford-upon-Avon T: 01789 293795 www.croftschool.co.uk

Henley Montessori Primary and Merrydays Montessori Nursery Henley-in-Arden T: 01564 795722 www.henleymontessori.co.uk

Stratford Preparatory School Stratford-upon-Avon T: 01789 297993 www.stratfordprep.co.uk

Warwick Preparatory School Warwick T: 01926 491545 www.warwickprep.com

Warwick School Warwick T: 01926 776418 www.warwickschool.org

Senior Schools

Bablake Senior Coventry T: 024 7627 1200 www.bablake.com

King Henry VIII Senior Coventry T: 024 7627 1111 www.kinghenrys.co.uk

King’s High Warwick T: 01926 494485 www.kingshighwarwick.co.uk

Princethorpe College Rugby T: 01926 634201 www.princethorpe.co.uk

Warwick School Warwick T: 01926 776400 www.warwickschool.org

Anti-Bullying Week

Anti-Bullying Week takes place from 14 to 18 November.

The week will kick off with Odd Socks Day on Monday 14 November, during which adults and children are encouraged to wear odd socks to celebrate what makes us all unique.

The theme of ‘Reach Out’ is about empowering children to do something positive to counter the harm and hurt that bullying causes.

Whether it’s in school, at home, in the community or online, let’s reach out and offer support to each other.

• Reach out to someone you trust if you need to talk

• Reach out to someone you think is being bullied

• Reach out and consider a new approach

The Anti-Bullying alliance website has a free parent pack offering advice and tools to support families.

www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk

Make Christmas banana penguin pops

Here’s a really fun Christmas activity to do with your little ones! These penguin pops not only taste delicious, they are also super simple to create. With just a hand full of ingredients, these banana penguins will impress and entertain the kids!

You will need:

1 banana

2 lolly sticks

75g milk chocolate

4 candy eyes

3 orange Smarties (cut in half)

Baking paper

1

Step 1

Start by melting your chocolate in the microwave for around 2 mins. Stirring occasionally.

2

Step 2

Peel your banana and cut in half.

3

5 6

Step 5

Cut the Smarties in half.

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Step 3

Slide the lolly stick into the flat part of the banana.

Step 4

Take your warm melted chocolate and dip your bananas in it, coating the back fully. Coat the top of the banana to a third of the way down and upwards from the tip for around 1cm, leaving space to add the feet.

Step 6

Place your dipped banana on a plate lined with baking paper. Add your candy eyes just below and in between the eyes, add half a Smartie to make a nose.

Step 7

Use two more halves of Smarties to make two feet!

Place in a cold refrigerator for around 30 mins to set. Enjoy!

Neha Gandesha is a mum from North West London who shares her colourful kid-friendly meals and snack recipes on her Instagram page @Squashedpickle.

Festive family city breaks

By Vicky Bradley

It’s the MOST wonderful time … of the year! It sure is! And what better way to experience Christmas with little ones than on a city break? Our friends at Tested by Tots have identified some of the most family-friendly UK cities in which to experience the full magic of Christmas.

Glasgow Glasgow holds all the festive fairs that you would expect from a city but it also offers a range of theatre and entertainment for little ones. From a variety of pantos to Children’s Classic Concerts such as The Night Before Christmas, there is plenty to keep you entertained.

https://bit.ly/glasgownightbeforexmas

Kidderminster Travel by Santa Trains (www.svr.co.uk/ events/santatrains22) from Kidderminster to Arley to see your favourite characters in pantomime. Twenty minutes away, Bodenham Arboretum’s (www.bodenhamarboretum.co.uk) live nativity play is superb.

www.allevents.in/kidderminster/ christmas

Winchester

Winchester Cathedral’s Christmas Market is widely recognised across Europe and is inspired by German Christmas markets. The Cathedral is at the heart of the city’s festivities, lighting up in celebration with Christmas services and other festive activities that carry on into the New Year.

https://bit.ly/wincxmasmarket

Durham

A beautiful, picturesque city that truly embraces the spirit of Christmas. Alongside its regular markets, the city holds an annual Christmas Festival. This year’s Festival will run from 2-4 December. In addition, Durham will be full of festive music, seasonal storytelling, Carols in the Cathedral, a children’s Lantern Procession and so much more.

https://bit.ly/durxmasfestival

Norwich

Perhaps not the first destination that comes to mind when you think about Christmas but Norwich has lots of festive charm, including the most anticipated Christmas attraction in the UK - The Tunnel of Light! As one of the largest of its kind in Europe, the Tunnel of Light consists of more than fifty seven thousand LED bulbs and over five and a half miles of cabling!

https://bit.ly/norwichxmas

Cardiff

Why not celebrate Christmas with a trip to a festive castle? Cardiff Castle has a fantastic Christmas festival with incredible shows such as Santa’s Wish, Castellana and The Nutcracker, all performed in the round. Plus, there’s the usual spectacular Christmas Market and Winter Wonderland.

https://bit.ly/cardiffcastlexmas

https://bit.ly/xmasbel

Nottingham Nottingham’s festive markets offer something for everyone, from retro style to a sparkling Winter Wonderland! Trinity Square is a city highlight and last year it contained a specially constructed Christmas village which offered visitors the chance to relax with hot chocolates in a number of igloo-style domes. A unique experience!

https://bit.ly/nottswinterwonderland

Exeter

Exeter city comes alive this time of year with an ice rink and Winter Wonderland plus the usual carol concerts and pantomimes. Drive twenty minutes and you’ll also find Pennywell Farm (www.pennywellfarm.co.uk) which boasts one of the best live nativity and Christmas experiences in Devon.

on holidaying with children, including

Tested by Tots checks out and recommends only products and services that are genuinely child-friendly.

https://bit.ly/xmasinex

Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market

Norwich Cardiff

Belfast

Glasgow

Belfast

This city goes big when it comes to Christmas with light shows, displays, markets and a Georgian experience. The kids won’t believe their eyes!