Families Oxfordshire Issue 46 Nov-Dec 2011

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Oxfordshire

Issue 46 • November - December 2011 • www.familiesox.co.uk

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news & views Step inside a story This October, a unique lifestyle centre opened in Oxford. It is the brainchild of founders of the well-loved children’s publisher, Barefoot Books. Stepping through the door is like stepping into a vibrant storybook. An unprecedented mix of retail outlet, studio space, publishing office and family café, the studio is a community hub for parents, carers, grandparents and children with an array of fun and educational events for all ages, from yoga to storytelling to African drumming to arts and crafts. Above all, it is a place for families to meet, learn, have fun and become part of the Barefoot family. Barefoot Books offers books, gifts, digital content and experiences that are an authentic alternative to the commercialisation of childhood. The products and ethos encourage children to make time for make-believe, putting playfulness and imagination at the heart of childhood. The Barefoot Books Studio is at Twining House 294 Banbury Road Oxford. www.barefootbooks.com 01865 311100

Phoenix cards October sees Phoenix Trading’s final product release of the year. As always there is a stunning new greeting card range and much more. With new jotter pads and organiser boxes making great gifts, through to 3 new colours of raffia ribbon and holly design tissue paper to make your presents stand out from the crowd. There really is something for everyone. The highly original frieze cards enable you to send a greeting with added longevity. When the occasion is over they can be used as wall decorations. The new selection also includes the alphabet and times tables. Don’t forget the Christmas range is now also available. Buy online, request a catalogue or book your coffee (and cards) morning **. www.phoenix-trading.eu/web/tessbrooker 01993 200809 Within 25 miles of Carterton, West Oxon **The first 5 coffee morning bookings will get a bonus gift of a cake for your guests to share.

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Bi-lingual and multicultural education in Oxfordshire The UK Department for Education (DfE) has recently announced that Europa School UK has been approved to move to the preopening stage in readiness to open as a free school in September 2012.

The Europa School UK (ESUK) will be a state funded, UK free school teaching a significant proportion of the curriculum through two or more European languages.

It is envisaged that initially children will be taught in English and French, or English and German. Europa School UK will start with Year 2, Year 1 and Reception age children initially, but over time it will become an all age 4-19 school.

Andrew Parker, Chair of the Directors of Europa School UK said "We are very excited that a forward-looking European education will be available to children in and around Oxfordshire.” www.europaschooluk.org

Dance Connection in Oxford The newest branch of Dance Connection has opened in East Oxford. The award-winning performing arts training company also has branches in Wallingford, Thame and Woodcote, and offers weekly classes in Ballet, Tap, Modern, Jazz, Musical Theatre and Drama. As well as weekly classes Dance Connection gives all pupils the opportunity to take ISTD exams and more importantly to perform on stage regularly and put into practice what they have learnt in class.

Founder and teacher Sam Clifton says: “At Dance Connection we pride ourselves in treating each pupil individually and we devise your personal timetable depending on whether you want a once a week fun session or a more intensive all round training. All staff are fully qualified, CRB checked and licensed chaperones to ensure a high standard of training. ”Our newest branch in East Oxford boasts four fully equipped studios, come and visit Oxford’s exciting new venue for dance!” www.dance-connection.co.uk 07870 501831

SCHOOLS’ OPEN DAYS D’OVERBROECKS LECKFORD PLACE 4 Feb Open Morning 10am – 1pm For an insight into life and studies at Leckford Place ages 11-16 as well as d'Overbroeck's Sixth Form 01865 302623 www.doverbroecks.com/leckfordplace

HEADINGTON PREPARATORY SCHOOL 29 Feb Open Afternoon 2pm -4pm 01865 759113 www.headington.org

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011

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FAMILIES NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011

Explore Learning

In this issue: News & views Education Parenting Bumps & Births Christmas Gift Guide Books Well-being What’s on Competition

2-5 6-7 8-9 10-11 12-13 14 15 16 17-19 20

WIN

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Editor: Felice Vermeulen Contact: editor@familiesox.co.uk Next issue January / February 2012: Nurseries & Pre-school Copy deadline 9 December 2011.

To advertise in Families Oxfordshire: Call 01235 206657 or email editor@familiesoxfordshire.co.uk Circulation: We distribute free copies in hundreds of schools and nurseries throughout Oxfordshire. If your school, nursery or parent group would like copies of Families Oxfrdshire let us know and we’ll sort things out.

Copyright: Families Oxfordshire November 2011 Disclaimer: Colour transparencies and any other original materials submitted for publication are sent at owner's own risk and while every care is taken, neither Families nor its agents accept liability for loss or damage. We take care in preparing this magazine but publishers and distributors cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents nor for any consequence.

Families Group: Families Oxfordshire 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 licence.

Families Readers’ Panel We contact members of the Panel from time to time to ask their opinion and/or recommendations on a range of subjects from parenting to products and services.

The information is used anonymously in this magazine only. In return, members are entered into a draw for a book token from Mostly Books in Abingdon.

To join email: editor@familiesox.co.uk

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011

Now here’s something you wouldn’t have expected. Above Sainbury’s in Heyford Hill Oxford there’s a new Explore Learning centre.

Explore Learning is a network of learning centres providing maths and English tuition to children aged 5-14. The tuition is designed to improve knowledge, confidence and the enjoyment of learning. The focus is on making learning fun and this results in children making fantastic academic progress.

A mother at the centre said: “The hesitancy and lack of confidence that held her back is gone. Now she tries new things with relish. She counts the days until she can come back here!”

The children work with tutors who are great role models, enthusiastic about learning and fantastic motivators. All courses map to the National Curriculum and the individual focus allows children to work at their own pace – whether they are finding school tricky or they are top of the class! www.explorelearning.co.uk 01865 595501

Sweet success at Salt Box

Smileys Childcare Agency

Salt Box Music Co. have developed a Music Education Programme and now have a three and four year old group and baby classes, in addition to their ever popular mixed age group music classes.

The class for three and four year olds explores musical concepts by bringing in orchestral instruments and music. Next term the class will be having fun with puppets Floaty the Fairy and Choppy the Karate Kid who help to teach Music Texture.

They will also be learning about Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker. The 45 minute class will be held on Thursdays at 1.30pm in Witney.

“The Baby Classes (0-18 months) are so popular that we’re simply opening more”, says Michelle Keating Salt Box Music’s Founder. “These 30 minute classes are about the shared experience of the parent and their baby. The classes have a relaxed and lively feel about them with lots of smiles and giggles. We also have carefully chosen special instruments for little hands”.

Classes run in Witney on Tuesdays, Carterton on Thursdays and new groups are opening in Witney & Summertown in January 2012.

Salt Box Music are also busy taking bookings for Christmas Parties in nurseries, pre-schools and toddlers groups. www.saltboxmusic.co.uk 01993 704207

The party season is about to begin. If the lack of a babysitter is keeping you at home read on. Smileys Childcare Agency offer a one-off or annual membership evening babysitting service, so you can go out & enjoy yourselves. The sitters are qualified, drivers and carry Smileys’ photo identity cards to show you on arrival. Proprietor Juliet Barkley said:“We provide a fantastic selection of Ofsted approved qualified Nannies, Mother’s Helps, Maternity Nurses & Babysitters. All are CRB checked and are current First Aiders.” www.smileys-childcare.co.uk 0845 2011630

Rap, Rhythm and Rhyme for everyone!

Poems, Beans and Chips is an interesting name for a vibrant collection of all kinds of cool kids’ poems written by local primary school teacher Ian Moore and illustrated by Mike Dicey. Ian wrote his first poem to teach his Year 2 class literacy objectives in a fun and engaging way, and hasn’t stopped since. A selection of his best poems is now published in this glossy full-colour book.

The pair has also created an interactive website for children, teachers and parents, www.poemsbeansandchips.co.uk, which includes illustrated children’s submissions, regular competitions, and tips on writing and teaching poetry. Poems, Beans and Chips is available from local bookshops.

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news & views Busy times for Stagecoach Oxford pupils Well done to the many Stagecoach Oxford students who will be performing at The New Theatre and The Oxford Playhouse over the coming months. October saw Isaac Jackson, Thomas Foster and Katie Harris play the parts of children in An Inspector Calls at the Oxford Playhouse (pictured). This was a great success with shows selling out!

This Christmas there will be Stagecoach students in both theatres!

Big congratulations to those performing in Mother Goose, this year’s panto at the Oxford Playhouse and also to Shannalee Gabbidon-Williams, Lalany Tawse Samuel and Bobby Youngs do Pastrocinio who will be joining the cast of South Pacific at the New Theatre. The New Year brings yet more opportunities with students back again in the New Theatre joining the cast of Scrooge in January and The King and I in February half term. Maya Sprigg, Principal of Stagecoach Oxford said, “It is wonderful that so many of our students have the opportunity to perform in professional productions in the Oxford Theatres. These are fantastic shows and I look forward to seeing them all!” www.stagecoach.co.uk/oxford 01869 278600

The unique Unicorn The Unicorn School is a unique, coeducational day school for dyslexic, dyspraxic and dyscalculic children from 6 to 13 years, serving the 4 counties of Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Gloucestershire. Children are accepted at varying stages of their education; however it is undoubtedly best to receive help as early as possible before avoidance habits set in.

Educational needs are met with the express aim of returning a child to mainstream schooling as soon as they are ready; by intensive, specialist teaching of reading, mathematics, writing, spelling and study

MUSIC AND DANCE AT AN EARLY AGE ENHANCES MENTAL AND PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT Every child loves to sing and dance. Music and movement have a powerful and positive influence on children’s cognitive and physical development. Just listening to music activates areas in the brain used for speech, abstract reasoning and spatial awareness. Actively participating in singing, playing instruments or dancing can actually strengthen a child’s neural pathways, helping them to fulfil their intellectual capability.

Sophie Hill, who leads MAD Academy classes in Oxford and Bicester, has a passion for music, dancing and child development. She says: “MAD Academy was established to bring together the powerful benefits of music and dance to pre-school children. The MAD Academy philosophy is one of free-spirited creativity combined with developmental learning. Through the blend of music and movement, children develop language skills, motor skills, social skills and co-ordination, not to mention confidence and self-esteem.” www.madacademy.com 01869 369502

Checks for two-year-olds Under new Government plans to spot children who are failing to develop properly, all two-year-olds will be given a compulsory “progress check”. Two-year-olds in England will be assessed to discover whether they can use certain basic words, respond to familiar sounds, communicate their wants and socialise with others, as part of an Early Years Foundation Stage framework setting out to identify struggling children.

All parents will be given a written report of their child’s abilities in these key areas, with Ministers claiming that this will help to identify any early developmental problems.

They are concerned that too many children are starting school without the necessary

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basic social and language skills, and Sarah Teather, Liberal Democrat Minister for Children, said "the importance of the early years – as a foundation for life and for future attainment and success – cannot be overestimated. That’s why it’s vital we have the right framework to support high quality early years education.”

However, Richard House, senior lecturer in psychotherapy at Roehampton University, says "Children are so diverse that to even begin constructing some generalised view of how they should be developing at a certain age is fraught with danger.” He goes on to state that the move risked defining children as "failures" at a young age.

skills. The National Curriculum is appropriately differentiated for children with emphasis on learning through activity, discussion and multi-sensory techniques.

Each pupil receives at least half an hour of daily, individual tuition. There are speech therapists and an occupational therapist on site. Pupils also have the opportunity to enjoy many sporting activities, including team sports, swimming and sailing.

I.T. is a vital tool in the school’s teaching methods and touch-typing is taught from the outset. This is particularly valuable for children who find writing a struggle but can still produce work that is well presented.

Parents are assured of a warm welcome when they visit the Unicorn, where they can see the school in action and discuss their child’s learning difficulties. www.unicorndyslexia.co.uk 01235 530222

More kids being tutored Increasing numbers of parents are turning to private tutors to help their children through exams, according to new research.

A survey of 2,700 11 to 16-year-olds by the educational charity the Sutton Trust found that almost a quarter had received some form of private tuition, compared with 18 per cent four years ago. "Private tuition appears to be booming despite the recession," said Sir Peter Lampl, Sutton Trust chairman. www.suttontrust.com NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011

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FAMILIES NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011

Promising young artists Pupils from Headington Preparatory School were praised recently for their outstanding art work in an illustration competition run by the charity ShelterBox. The Prep School entered the national competition together with illustrator Michael Foreman who has produced a 17-page story book about flooding. Each page is to be illustrated by a child. Four Headington pupils were selected as winners and six pupils were ‘highly commended’. The winners will have Polly’s winning artwork their pictures published in the book and attend a prize giving ceremony in London in November.

Headington Access Programme A limited number of means-tested bursaries worth up to 100 per cent of fees are available through the Headington Access Programme (HAP) for girls whose families would otherwise be unable to afford an education at the school. At the Preparatory School bursaries are available for entry to the school at 9+ (year 5).

The amount of any award will depend on family financial circumstances.

A Christmas gift idea Finding original Christmas gifts gets harder every year.

So this year perhaps you should think of something completely different a makeover photo session.

Monkey Business Photo, an established portrait photography company based in Wallingford offer a range of contemporary portrait styles as well as fun party and glamorous makeover sessions.

Their recently re-launched website has examples from recent commissions and full details on their pricing. www.monkeybusinessphoto.com 01491 834231

If you believe you may be eligible for a meanstested bursary please contact the Admissions Registrar on 01865 759115 or email admissions@headington.org for advice.

Applications for 9+ (year 5) entry close on 6 December 2011. www.headington.org 01865 759 861 Aoife’s winning artwork

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011

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EDUCATION MOVING ON UP! We are well into the new school year and it’s not just the children who have things to learn. Sarah Ebner takes a look. sporty kids tend to play their sports at clubs outside school (or ironically, in after-school clubs on school premises, but run by other people).

Do encourage your child to play sport, in or outside school, as it will set them up for life. And take heart: the revised curriculum recently announced by the Government promised an element of competitive sport.

The next step: secondary schools

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s your child moves up the school, they (and you!) face all sorts of different issues. Unfortunately I don’t have enough space here to go through them all, but here are three which I’m pretty sure you’ll encounter…

Homework You’ll soon look back upon the days of reading books and learning individual letters as a halcyon time. And if you’re anything like me, you might find that homework is taking up far too much of your – and your child’s - time.

The Government is keen to promote homework and offers specific guidelines.

These suggest an hour a week for Years 1 and 2, one and a half hours a week for Years 3 and 4, and 30 minutes a day for Years 5 and 6.

The idea behind homework is that it builds on what children have learnt at school. The aim is to help learning and encourage children to study on their own and be selfdisciplined. It’s not supposed to rely on parents teaching their children new concepts.

But for pupils, homework can become a real burden, and doesn’t actually seem to enhance learning a great deal. It’s worth noting that there’s no definite link between homework and student achievement. In fact, for primary-school children, there appears to be no link at all. A review of 75 years’ worth of studies by the University of London’s Institute of Education found that the benefits were negligible.

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As a child moves up the school, I think homework can help with exam preparation and possibly time-management skills. But I’m not convinced that children need so much of it. However, the reality is that homework does exist, so here are some tips to ease the pain: Find somewhere quiet to do it – not in front of the TV or around loud younger siblings.

Set up a workstation – a desk or table rather then the floor.

Don’t do it too late – your child, and you, shouldn’t do homework when you’re too tired.

Don’t help if you don’t know – it’s confusing if you offer help with maths, but don’t know the methods your child uses.

If all else fails, offer bribes – for instance, tell them they can play on the computer only after they’ve finished.

Sport at school You may notice that your child plays a lot less school sport than you used to. PE is part of the National Curriculum, but not a big part. In Key Stage 1, children will take part in some combination of dance, games and gymnastics twice a week, but dancing to nursery rhymes never really appealed to my daughter. In Key Stage 2, they continue with these, but add in athletics, ‘outdoor pursuits’ or swimming (still across only two sessions a week).

One major problem is that lots of schools don’t have sporting facilities and playing fields have been sold off (private schools tend to have much better facilities). Many teachers no longer want to spend their free time coaching sport, and, unfortunately,

It’s vital for you to start thinking about secondary schools before your child enters Year 6. So, you need to look up OFSTED reports, find out about schools near you and speak to local parents.

There may be all sorts of application criteria which you need to address a year or so ahead (for faith schools, for example), and if you’re choosing a school which selects its pupils in some way (either academically or in a particular area such as music) you might want to think about hiring a tutor.

You should plan to go on Open Days when your child is in Year 5 (or earlier if you’re very keen!).

Don’t choose a school on the basis of your child’s friendships (or yours for that matter).

They will make new friends, and you need to make sure this is the right school for their personality and abilities, not anyone else’s. Take advantage of parents’ evenings to find out how your child is doing. Many teachers don’t give very specific information, so you may need to press them. There’s no point entering your child for a selective school if they are not going to get in, or manage the work once they are there.

Sarah Ebner is the author of The Starting School Survival Guide: everything you need to know when your child starts primary school, published

by White Ladder and available from bookshops and Amazon.

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011

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Governors back in the driving seat

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here has been some discussion recently about the principles which apply to the establishment and operation of independent schools as charities. Up to now the Charity Commission decided which of the schools’ activities contributed to them retaining their charity status. The Independent Schools Council (ISC) sought clarification of the law and initiated legal proceedings to lay to rest any notion that the Commission can threaten independent schools with the loss of charitable status based on the Commission’s assessment of whether the school is doing enough to meet its public benefit requirement.

The Upper Tribunal has now ruled that individual independent schools must decide for themselves how to meet the public benefit requirement. However, just a token benefit for the poor is not acceptable.

ISC’s general counsel Matthew Burgess says: “The ruling takes public benefit decisions away from the Commission and hands them back to school governors, and for that reason we warmly welcome it.

participation via bursaries. The number of children benefiting each year from meanstested assistance in ISC schools has not only risen year on year, but will soon overtake the number aided by the former Assisted Places Scheme. The crucial difference, of course, is that the money funding the current 39,308 bursaries (more than £260 million) is coming out of the pockets of schools and parents, and not the taxpayers.

“And we also celebrate the many thousands of interactions that occur daily between independent schools, state schools and the communities they serve.

Nine out of ten ISC schools are already engaged in partnership activities with state schools and the wider community.

“Each school is in the best position to determine what it can do to fulfil its charitable objectives in the public benefit, and the ruling emphasises the independence and autonomy of each school to take the best decisions it can, free from the threat of intervention by the Commission.”

This ruling puts governors back in the driving seat of course. They now decide what is public benefit and what’s not. It also breaks the link between bursaries and public benefit. Bursaries remain important but not to the exclusion of other activities which the governors may decide have equal or higher benefit.

The ISC, which represents the eight leading independent schools associations in the UK, points out that out of the total of 164,105 pupils at ISC schools, 33 per cent receive help with their fees to the tune of £660 million per year. What’s more, a large percentage, more than 80 per cent, comes directly from the schools.

Another interesting fact that the ISC are keen to get across is that 89 per cent of their schools are engaged in partnerships with state schools or with the community in which they exist.

For more information see http://tinyurl.com/public-benefit

“The ruling liberates schools to innovate and be creative in their charitable provision.

The Commission’s former approach, now discredited by the Tribunal, had the effect of reducing the public benefit of independent schools to a crude calculation of fees and bursaries. The Tribunal has recognised the crucial independence of schools to pursue a panoply of public benefit strategies, free from the apprehension of failing to measure up to an artificial arithmetic benchmark.

“We have never sought to impugn the significance of school bursaries; quite the reverse. We take pride in the major financial contributions that independent schools make to widen access and NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011

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PARENTING EMPOWERING YOUR KIDS Dr Clare Bailey explains why giving choices builds trust and competence For recurring situations of confrontation think about what’s behind their behaviour: Is your response stronger or more punitive than perhaps the situation deserves?

Are they upset, confused or fearful and so unable to take on board the message or to learn?

Are they really doing it to annoy you?

Or are they looking for respect and an opportunity to be trusted to make some of their own choices?

Do you really need to be involved in every small detail? Might a ‘you are trusted’ message be more effective in moving towards getting things done.

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o and brush your teeth! Now! Why haven’t you done it yet??’ ‘I’m going to ask you twice only, then the naughty step… OK… no bike, no TV!’.

Sound familiar? And as you walk out of the room, do you wonder why it has to be such a battle? But put yourself in your children’s shoes – imagine being told to do the same simple thing every day of your life, wouldn’t you prefer just to be trusted to get on with it?

It’s so easy to get caught in a cycle where everything feels as if it becomes a power battle – asking them to do a simple everyday task such as brushing their teeth, they don’t do it when asked, followed by escalating threats and confrontation; without even meaning it, the morning’s off to a bad start. And unfortunately this can also start a cycle – you expect confrontation next time and so on, it’s exhausting and upsetting for everyone.

Often if we step back, take a breath and calm down, we can see other options which avoid confrontation. They have an opportunity to learn to be more capable and to make better choices the next time.

Time and encouragement at these moments requires astonishing levels of selfcontrol by parents, but can make interactions so much more constructive.

Children learn to be more co-operative as they feel respected.

Here are a few questions to ask yourself before next time

Trusting your child involves taking a risk as a parent. I remember being allowed to sit on the counter as a child of five and paint the kitchen wall. I can still remember how much effort I put in when painting around the white light switch in a dark petrol green colour. I felt competent and trusted. No doubt my parents had to tidy up the edges, but I didn’t see that part. I was not being over-managed, I was shown what to do and allowed to get on with it. So I did my best.

Is this important? Whose problem is it, mine or theirs?

Does it have to be done now?

Have I made it clear what I want them to do and why?

With an older child, talking through the problem and what might help develops their problem-solving skills and independence.

Can I offer limited choice instead?

‘WHEN you have done…, THEN you can have/do…’, ‘Would you like THIS ONE or THAT…?’

Am I too wound up to notice when they are responding or behaving well, and do I remember to praise these small improvements?

Of course you need to have some nonnegotiables about areas such as safety, sleep, eating, family rules etc which are backed up with constructive consequences, but keep these to a minimum where possible. Then you can move into more expansive areas; imagine your older children organizing a birthday celebration for you (give them a budget and prepare to be surprised!), or making dinner one evening, or the young ones packing their own luggage for a trip to Granny’s, or perhaps gathering nice things for an afternoon picnic. They’re likely to put heart and soul into the job and OK things can get quirky, but maybe that is part of the fun.

Giving your child choices, even limited ‘This-one-or-that-one’ choices makes them feel trusted and capable. Feeling valued, they don’t need the power battles to say ‘Get off my back, I can do it!’ And when they make mistakes, or things don’t quite work out we can only admire them for having tried and encourage them to try another approach.

You can contact Dr Clare Bailey from Parenting Matters about individual consultations held by phone or face-to-face, by calling 01494 677575 or by going to www.parentingmatters.co.uk. Parenting Matters also run courses you can do from home (or work) in small groups or on-line using an interactive web-based, coach-led presentation.

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NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011

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BATTLING WITH THE BULLYING A s our children grow and take part in more activities, they will come into contact with a great number of diverse people. Unfortunately, as this happens, bullying seems to be on the rise.

With anti-bullying week approaching, we take a look at what steps we, as parents and carers, can do to stamp out bullying.

Bullying occurs when a person is picked on repeatedly by an individual or a group with more power, either in terms of physical strength or social standing. Bullies pick on the people they think don't fit in, maybe because of how they look, how they act (if they are shy or withdrawn for example), their sexual orientation, race or religion.

Bullying can take the form of physical attack, psychological control or verbal insults. For example, popular groups or cliques often bully people by excluding them or gossiping about them (psychological bullying). They may also taunt or tease their targets (verbal bullying). Unfortunately bullying like this is made easier today due to the accessibility of new technology. It is far easier to bully via email, facebook and mobile phone text messages, and do it anonymously. It even has its own name – Cyberbullying.

Whatever form it takes however, the effects are devastating. Studies have shown that being bullied increases the risk of low selfesteem, stress and depression or anxiety.

Bullies themselves are also at risk. Bullies often become rejected by their friends and fail to achieve at school. Their violent behaviour often increases, and it is estimated that 1 out of 4 elementaryschool bullies have a criminal record by the time they are 30. So what can we do to help stamp out this behavior?

Equip your child with the skills to help them avoid being bullied

mobile phone, let them know you will be monitoring their text messages, and insist that phones are also kept in a public area, by a certain time at night, to eliminate night-time bullying and inappropriate messaging.

By Elisabeth Dolton

Keep talking to your children and work with them to handle any bullying. Tell them not to fight back, just calmly tell bullies to stop or walk away. Practice scenarios at home where your child learns how to ignore them and/or develop assertive strategies. Tell them not to take any of it personally and remind them of their worth and value.

Spotting a bully and helping them stop Studies indicate that most bullies are motivated by the pursuit of status and affection. They gain status by dominating their victims, and choose children who are not well-liked to ‘win’ friends. One of the most effective ways to help them stop bullying therefore is to report their actions and tell them about it. Give them consequences and set boundaries, e.g. tell them if the behavior doesn’t stop then you will report him or her. Encourage them to talk to an adult and help them find better ways to deal with their anger such as taking up a sport, a hobby, and developing positive friendships. Tell them to put themselves in the shoes of their targets and ask how they would feel. Try to get them to understand the impact of their actions and to change them.

Whilst we cannot erase bullying, we can equip ourselves with the skills to spot it and tackle it, thereby preventing further damage and torment amongst our young children. Preventing and stopping bullying helps us achieve a safe environment where children can thrive without being afraid.

Common signs of bullying to watch out for: Your child coming home from school with cuts, bruises or torn clothing.

They are hungry or have walked home, when you know they had lunch money and bus fare Their work at school starts to slide They are reluctant to go to school or pretend to be unwell Their eating habits change or they don’t sleep well.

National Anti-Bullying Week is from 14th to 25th November 2011 Visit www.antibullyingweek.co.uk for a collection of free resources helping combat bullying.

Get your child to identify teachers and friends that would help them if they were worried about being bullied. Encourage them to buddy-up and avoid places where there are no other pupils or teachers - go to the bathroom with a friend, eat lunch in a group, sit at the front on the bus, etc.

Explain to your children about cyberbullying and not to respond or forward threatening emails. “Friend” your child on Facebook and set up proper filters on your computer. Limit their social media friend requests to only those people with whom they have a positive relationship offline. Make the family computer the only computer for children, and have it in a public place in the home. If you decide to give your child a NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011

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BUMPS & BIRTHS

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THE NEED FOR NURTURE

tudies testify to a woman’s very real need for nurture throughout her pregnancy and most crucially during labour. Anecdotal evidence suggests women who prepare for birth tend to labour better, with more confidence and better outcomes, and science has proven unequivocally that 1-to-1 care in labour halves the c-section rate, reduces forceps deliveries by 40%, reduces the need for pain relief and improves the experience of birth for the mother*.

Yet, the truth is we are faced in England with an acute shortage of midwives and a whole system that is under pressureexacerbated no doubt by the current recession. Midwife numbers have not kept pace with rising birth rate in England- up 22% in last twenty years and the Royal College of Midwives has said that at least 10,000 more midwives are necessary if we are to care for women as we should.

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Whilst most women are robust and vital during their pregnancy, many find it an emotionally vulnerable time. Pregnant women regularly say to me that in amongst all the box-ticking and medical checks that form part of their antenatal care, what they would really like is for someone to take the time to ask them how they are. But the truth is the classic overworked midwife has little time during her, on average, tenminute appointment, to do much more than the medical basics. Which means the very valid myriad of emotions that you might be feeling are unintentionally ignored.

Similarly, in many instances during labour itself, well-meaning midwives are having to run between births and are therefore not able to afford the women in their care the level of emotional support that is essential to an easy and positive experience of labour.

By Nicole Croft

Sadly, this is not likely to change in the near future, and any increase in midwife numbers is going to take its time to filter through. Whilst Oxfordshire as a county fares better than some others, there are times when the major hospitals are under considerable pressure and post-natally the policy is to free up beds between 4 and 24 hours after a normal delivery.

Faced with such potential shortfalls, it would be wise, as individuals, to think in terms of plugging the gaps; taking the best of what is on offer and then enhancing it by finding support of your own. Thankfully, there are a whole host of organisations and individuals out there, dedicated to the care of pregnant, birthing and new mothers – you just need to know where to look for them.

*Hodnett, E.D, Gates, S., Hofmeyr,G.`j, Sakala, C., ‘Continuous Support for Women during Childbirth’ Cochrane Review in: The Cochrane Library Issue 3 2007

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011

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Birth Preparation Classes

MLUs in Oxfordshire

There is no doubt that preparation for the almighty task of giving birth is essential. I am constantly surprised at the number of women who don’t so much as glance sideways at a book, and even more surprised when they go on to say they found labour difficult. I liken birth to climbing a mountain ( a serious one!) or running a marathon, neither of which would be advisable without proper physical and just as crucially, mental preparation.

As a result, classes that help you prepare for birth are invaluable- the good ones give you information to make informed decisions, dramatically improve your confidence in your capacity to cope and give you the tools with which to do so.

They are also a wonderful way to meet like-minded women, become a good forum for discussion and for airing any concerns or questions you might have. Very often, your teacher can also become an invaluable source of emotional support in the build-up to your due date. It is worth asking your midwife or other pregnant women if they can recommend any classes locally, but if you don’t get specific recommendations then these websites might prove useful.

NCT www.nct.org.uk Yoga for Pregnancy and Active Birth Classes www.buddhabellies.co.uk www.activebirthcentre.com Hypnobirthing www.hypnobirthing.co.uk Natal Hypontherapy www.natalhypnotherapy.co.uk

Wallingford Community Midwifery-led Unit 01491 826037 Cotswold Maternity Unit ( Chipping Norton) 01608 648222 Wantage Maternity Unit 01235 764343 Oxford Spires Midwifery-led Unit (within John Radcliffe) 01865 221666

Consider a Midwife Led Unit Midwife led units (MLUs) provide care for women assessed as low-risk and if you fall into that category then you might want to consider looking into such a unit as a possible place of birth. MLU’s are often less busy than the bigger consultancy led hospitals and as a result the midives are able to give much more personalised oneto-one care. It is also the case that the care in these places is characterised by a philosophy of viewing birth as a normal physiological life event, and as such, emotional needs are given as much weight as medical ones. Many of the units provide their own birth preparation classes which are worth attending.

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011

Find a Doula The word ‘doula’ is Greek for head female slave but now more commonly refers to a professional birth partner. Experienced in child birth, doulas are women who are employed specifically to assure you support during pregnancy and one-to-one care during the entirety of your labour. Research results on doulas is compelling- they reduce c-section rates and assisted deliveries as well as a woman’s need for pain relief.

Women who have doulas say they were instrumental in their having a positive birth experience. One woman said she had a doula, to ensure “the doula would keep her head, so I could lose mine”. Another described it as ‘having reassurance on speed-dial’ ! Doulas are not medically trained, so they work alongside rather than instead of midwives but for many women they become an invaluable part of their support team.

UK wide organisationsDoula UK www.doula.org.uk Nurturing Birth www.nurturingbirth.co.uk

Whatever happens, use your pregnancy as a time to explore your options and to prepare for birth and impending motherhood. The preparation you do and the decisions you make will all significantly impact your birth experience, and in turn your experience of those early weeks and months with your new baby. By seeking to plug the gaps, you will be increasing the chances that your experience is a positive one.

Nicole Croft is an Active birth and Yoga for Pregnancy teacher, as well as a doula.

She runs Buddhabellies and is also the author of The Good Birth Companion, which is available on www.amazon.co.uk

Eleanor Fowler 01844 290384 07796627312 www.birth-doula.co.uk Mum of 3 offering birth support and post natal support, including multiples, disabled parents and children, premature babies, over night stays and everything in between.

Callie Fontain

Local doulas

07765773008 www.secondnurture.co.uk

Buddhabellies www.buddhabellies.co.uk X-pectations www.x-pectations.co.uk Beauty of Birth www.beautyofbirth.co.uk Mother Nuture www.mothernurturedoula.co.uk

Doula providing valuable information, physical and emotional support needed leading up to the birth and beyond, delivered in a warm, sensitive and caring way.

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DANCE CHRISTMAS

THE 10 DOS AND DON’TS OF A DO try and relax By the time Christmas Day arrives, most of us are exhausted. You’ve probably spent the weeks prior to the big day panic shopping, baking everything that Jamie suggested in his Christmas special and ferrying the family from one festive event to the next. Earmark some time for you. It’s supposed to be a holiday!

DON’T expect it to be perfect Like it or not, your Christmas will not be perfect. You will over cook the turkey, under cook the pudding and end up sobbing into a huge glass of Sauvignon Blanc because your mother in law has criticized your gravy.

But because you’ve put so much time and effort into hosting the perfect Christmas, the disappointment at the odd hiccup is overwhelming. Start the festive period accepting you’re not Nigella and it won’t be perfect and you’ll enjoy the parts that go well.

DO make your own traditions

DON’T expect your children to be angels They’ve broken up from school about to burst with excitement about the arrival of Santa. You’ve been using the ‘if you’re not good, Santa won’t come’ since Easter and then the presents are opened and your little angels turn into little devils. Rules and routine are thrown out of the window so relatives can be entertained and trips can be taken. Combine that with too many treats and lots of attention from well meaning visitors and the magic of Christmas can disappear pretty quickly. Try not to let all discipline go out of the window and if you sense that there’s a tantrum on the way, remove your child from the mayhem. During your time out, remind them that Santa can take gifts back from children who don’t behave!

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DO get out and about You are not under house arrest over the festive period. We shouldn’t be surprised that if you fill your home with relatives you rarely see and then lock the door, there will be arguments. Add some wine and the results are anything but festive. Don’t be afraid of getting wrapped up and heading out for a bracing walk. It will clear the house and let the little ones run off some steam.

DO give out jobs A resentful host is not a happy host so when you do your pre-Christmas shopping list, make sure you also write a list of jobs you’ll need doing on the big day. If you know your Mother in Law has a view about your Yorkshire Puddings, set her to work making some better ones.

Remember, a busy cook is often a quiet cook!

Every family has it’s own way of celebrating. Now you have your own children it’s time for you to make your own traditions. Whether it’s a trip to the local crib service on Christmas Eve, or a day of Christmas baking on the Sunday before the festivities begin, it’s up to YOU to create your traditions. A great idea I’ve taken from a friend is the Christmas Eve hamper. This is a basket, left by one of Santa’s helpers filled with goodies to enjoy on the night before Christmas. In it are festive pyjamas for the children, new tooth brushes, a mug to make hot chocolate and a DVD for the family to watch. It’s the perfect kit to help kick start Christmas.

DON’T stress about the presents So you haven’t been able to find the latest Transformer or bag a Buzz Lightyear doll.

Before you beat yourself, ask yourself this.

Do you remember the presents you didn’t get when you were a child? Or do you remember the experiences you had.? My Christmas memories are preparing lunch with my wonderful Nana and attempting to wake my King Charles Cavalier after he’d drunk the best part of a bottle of Blue Nun. Your kids will remember the laughter and the love and when you wake up in January, so will you. Happy Christmas!

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011

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A HAPPY FAMILY CHRISTMAS

By Sarah Butters

DON’T waste money Let’s face it, this is going to be a tough year for all of us. We want to give our children everything on their list, but won’t be able to. Most of us will be celebrating making it to 25 December with a job and a roof over our heads. However, you can still enjoy the festivities while being frugal. Swop traditional cards for an email including a festive photo, Organise a secret Santa for adult family members with a spending limit. Or simply suggest that you only buy for the family’s children. Keep reminding yourself that it’s not about the money your spend on each other, it’s about the time you spend with each other.

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011

DO enjoy the preparation If you’re not careful, baking the cake, decorating the house and dressing the tree can begin to feel like a chore. Don’t let it become hard work. Give yourself the time to enjoy it and accept that with a little help from your little ones you can create some lovely Christmas memories. Ok, you won’t have a cake fit for Delia. There’ll be precious few needles left on the tree and your house will resemble the aftermath of a children’s birthday party. But despite the imperfections you’ll have happy children and you won’t have spent a penny. Now that’s a happy Christmas.

DO laugh!

Forget the stress of present buying and preparing a feast fit for a royalty and take a minute to laugh. Remember, when you strip away all the tinsel and tat this is about preparing one meal, on one day with decorations and a gift or two.

And if you’re finding smiling hard, try using our favourite Christmas Cracker joke to cheer you up.

What’s Santa’s favourite pizza?

One that’s deep, and crisp and even.

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GIFT GUIDE LOCAL TOY SHOPS TOP TOYS SELECTED for you by HAMLEYS, GALT TOYS & MECCANO Toys-UK ABINGDON 18 Bury Street OX14 3QT 01235-531842 www.toys-uk.co.uk

Fur Real Cookie

Rock on Elmo

Kids will love to interact with the adorable, huggable pint-sized golden retriever. Through voice recognition technology, this loveable pup will respond when spoken to by moving her head, blinking, and barking, just like a 'real' dog!

The dog also responds to touch. Kids simply pet their new best friend on the sensors located on her head and cheeks and their new pal will make happy puppy sounds to show her delight. The Fur Real pet comes complete with her very own collar and squeaky dog 'bone’. Suitable for years 4+ www.hamleys.com

The Nursery Shop

The hugely popular Sesame Street character has six songs for kids to play. The toy sings with two new tracks and has three instruments.

Children can play along on the other instruments, a mic, drums, and a tambourine. Other instruments can be purchased separately like a guitar, keyboard, and another mic.

Suitable for ages 18 months+ www.hamleys.com

22 Stert Street OX14 3JP 01235 520476 www.thenurseryshop.com

Moshi Monsters Talking Plush Based on the hugely popular on-line game, these plush Moshi Monsters really talk.

Squeeze the tummy of Poppet, Katsuma, Luvli, Diavlo, Furi or Zommer to hear them laugh, talk or giggle. Each Monster comes with an Adoption Certificate and a secret code for a free in-game item.

Suitable for years 4+ www.hamleys.com

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Bicester Toys & Nursery 66-68 Sheep Street OX26 6JW 01869 323946 www.tptoys.com BRACKLEY

Ptolemy Toys Ltd. 50A High Street NN13 7DS 01280 843000 www.ptolemytoys.co.uk

Giles Toys and Cycles

iball3 The iball3 is a clear electric blue ball with 6 light buttons and a single LED display. The object of the game is to turn on all the lights to the same colour within a specific time. Each iball3 is unique and has a pre-programmed registration number which allows you to compete on a World leader board on the iball3 website.

Suitable for years 14+ www.hamleys.com

Magic fun

Make 10 different paper planes following the step by step guide.

Includes 40 sheets of patterned paper, stickers and guide. Age: 7+ www.galttoys.com

3 magic tricks to amaze friends and family. Follow the step by step guide to master the secrets of performing magic.

Hours of fun!

Age: 6+ www.galttoys.com

Celebrating the launch of Steven Spielberg’s 3D animation film starring Jamie Bell and Daniel Craig, Meccano have used their 100 years of metal mastery and expertise to craft this stunning replica model of the seaplane. www.meccano.com

BICESTER

CARTERTON

Paper Planes

Tin Tin’s Seaplane

BANBURY Wiggler 70 High Street OX16 5JG 01295 271329 www.wiggler.co.uk

1 Alvescot Road OX18 3JL 01993 842396 www.gilescycles.com CHIPPING NORTON Wiggler 27 High Street OX7 5AD 01608 644986 www.wiggler.co.uk DIDCOT

Toys-UK 162-164 Broadway OX11 8RJ 01235-759450 www.toys-uk.co.uk HENLEY-ON-THAMES Bagatelle Toys 63 Bell Street RG9 1UP 01491 576559 www.bagatelletoys.com OXFORD

Boswell’s Ltd 1 - 4 Broad Street OX1 3AG 01865 241244 www.boswells-online.co.uk Hoyles 72 High Street OX1 4BA 01865 203244 www.hoylesonline.com THAME

The Spinning Top 11 Friday Court North Street OX9 3GA 01844 358166 www.thespinningtop.org.uk WALLINGFORD

Kev's Toy Shop 21c St Mary's Street, OX10 0EW 01491 825136 www.kevstoyshop.co.uk

Pettits of Wallingford Ltd.

Slippery Slim (Horrible Science) Make your own slippery slime, mould a slithery glow worm, find out why glow worms glow.

Plus: how to make squelchy farts and other foul fart facts!

Contents: Glow-in-the-dark slime with glow worm mould, make your own slime powder, plastic pot, fart pot, wiggly eyes and ‘Horrible Info’ leaflet.

Age: 5+ www.galttoys.com

46-50 St. Marys Street OX10 0EY 01491 835253 www.pettitsofwallingford.co.uk WITNEY

Dentons Toys and Cycles 1 High Street, OX28 6HW 01993 704979 www.thecyclingexperts.co.uk

Teddy Bears 99 High Street OX28 6HY 01993 706616 www.teddybears.co.uk

We have made every effort to ensure our listings are accurate and up-to-date. However, we cannot be held responsible for any unintentional errors. Please call the shop to verify details.

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BOOKS

C

hristmas is a magical time for books and we’ve picked out ones that are not just fantastic for reading, but they work very well as special gifts with magical covers, gorgeous illustrations and even a Christmas theme or two. Enjoy!

Book reviews by Mark Thornton from Mostly Books Abingdon.

Frogspell

The Totally Terrifying Three

Bumper Book of Bob

C J Busby (Templar ISBN: 978-1848771390) Set in Camelot, where would-be wizard Max creates a wonderful new spell that he hopes will impress his Dad enough not to make him train as a knight. His would-be knight sister, Olivia, is not impressed as the perfect spell is to turn them both into FROGS. Their adventures lead them to take on powerful witch Morgana le Fay in a humorous and imaginative story for younger readers. Nice characterisation and humour (particularly the pets!) will appeal to both boys and girls. 7+

Hiawyn Oram and David Melling

Simon Bartam

(Holder ISBN: 978-1444903027)

(Templar ISBN: 978-1848770546)

A witch, a giant and a dragon, how terrifying! But are they really?

They set off together (so as not to keep frightening their neighbours) but soon meet a toddler...A lovely, fun story for preschoolers by Hiawyn Oram with fab illustrations as usual from David Melling.

The dragon is particularly eye-catching with his red scales!

This book is brilliant! In the form of a traditional Christmas annual this is a fun, exciting, modern activity book with the original illustrations from ‘Bob’ books.

There’s plenty of activities to keep children busy for hours with poetry, colouring, word searches, drawing, stickers (!) even recipes . . . the list is endless. We love it.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Flies Again Frank Cottrell Boyce (Pan Macmillan ISBN: 978-0230757738)

Frank Cottrell-Boyce has written a whacky, wonderful and extremely funny follow-up to Ian Fleming’s original “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang”. When the Tooting family set off in a converted VW Camper Van, the engine Mr Tooting installs turns out to belong to a much older car – which has magical powers, and seems to have a mind of its own.

Cue a mad dash around the world as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang looks to track down the rest of its bodywork. This is tremendous fun from the author of ‘Framed’ and ‘Millions’. 9+

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011

The Search for Wondla Tony DeTerlizzi (Simon & Schuster ISBN: 978-0857073006)

Is Eva Nine the only human on the planet?

Raised by MUTHR in an underground sanctuary Eva has never seen the sky or watched the sun rise. An epic adventure sees Eva making new friends and being chased through an alien landscape by a hunter of rare creatures when she is forced to leave the only home she has ever known. With amazing illustrations at each new chapter, this is a great sci-fi adventure story for all ages with a plot that twists and turns till the final page. 9+

Amazing Esme Tamara Macfarlane (Hodder ISBN: 978-0340999905)

Following the wild adventures of Esme and her cousins in their Scottish castle, this has everything you could want for a fun story from a circus, a huge castle you can get lost in and a menagerie of exotic animals that jump out from all sorts of corners. It’s lots of fun with beautiful illustrations, silliness and a clever and brave heroine – children are sure to enjoy this lovely book that we think will become a classic. 7+

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WELL-BEING I’

HELP! WHERE IS MY OFF SWITCH?

m not sure mothers ever really switch off. Being a mother is, as they say, a life sentence; our care provider services can be called on at any time of the day or night and interrupt every single activity (like important phone conversations) and bodily function. But being busy mothering our children does not mean we should forget to mother ourselves too.

All very well, but where, I hear you ask, do I find the time? Life is so busy; there are emails to reply to, piles of laundry, tax forms, scraped knees, runny noses and dirty floors screaming for attention – and that urgent report to submit yesterday.

Prioritise Soul Food

Get out of your mind

In the West we have become so identified with our minds, that we believe our rabid collection of thoughts is who we actually are. According to Zen Buddhism, the mind is a great servant but a terrible master. A frightened or stressed mind will hassle you endlessly with judgements, opinions, ‘what if’s’, ‘if only’s’ and ‘coulda, shoulda, wouldas’. It was the controversial mystic and meditation master Osho who once held up his hand and said: ‘You see my five fingers? Ordinarily you will not see the gaps [between them], you will see five fingers.

But the gaps are more real. Fingers come and go. Gaps will remain.’

Woah. My whole being reeled on the spot and my mind momentarily shuddered to a halt when I first heard this statement. The gaps are more real – more real even than my thoughts? Who would have thought it?

Mind the Gap There is plenty of scientific evidence today to prove that meditation and mindfulness are effective antidotes for our epidemic levels of anxiety-fuelled binge-thinking, not to mention compulsive perfectionism, beating the clock and triumphing over the panting Things To Do beast. ‘Yes,’ my epitaph might read, ‘she got things done, but did she enjoy any of it?’ It is like using every ounce of energy to scale the world’s highest peak and then keeling over at the top, too exhausted to enjoy the view. What, then, really is the point?

The point of meditation is to become mindful; to simply be aware of your

thoughts, to notice them coming and going, moving through like clouds in the sky. This means you can actually choose whether to believe them or not (I’m too fat, my neighbour hates me, I’ll never be a good enough mother, you know the kind of thing). Like the British weather, some days the inner landscape of the mind is overcast, but with regular practice (it is called meditation practice for a reason), you will get moments of dropping out of the mind into the vast, expansive blue sky of nothingness, which, paradoxically, is teeming with life, creativity and potential.

Inspiration is something that arrives out of nowhere, like those light bulb moments that go ‘ping!’ above our heads. The trick is being empty and receptive enough to allow them in. So, doing nothing can actually be incredibly productive. It is during meditation that much of the ‘sand’ of my life quietly settles down and sorts itself out.

Switch yourself back on In fact, once you can switch compulsive thought patterns off – or at least be aware of them enough so that they calm down – you get switched on to the present moment, which is, so the sages tell us, the only thing that actually exists. When I am really present, time itself slows right down; I am able to respond rather than knee-jerk react to situations. The lights are on. There is someone home. You are able to truly ‘be there’. You become, in the best sense of the word, a rock – both for yourself and your family.

Mummy downtime, therefore, is good for everybody. Scheduling it onto your calendar is no longer a luxury. It is a duty. Just like that darned tax form.

Photo courtesy: @fotolia.com

If, like me, you regularly find yourself arriving breathlessly at Overwhelm Central, running like fury to escape the clutches of the Things To Do monster (the one that gnaws away at you during occasional idle moments or jolts you anxiously awake at 3am), then it is time to prioritise your Soul Food. Your rational mind will not think that Soul Food is necessarily ‘important’ nor ‘productive’, but your body and heart will recognise it immediately; by feeling warm and relaxed. It could be half an hour alone under a favourite tree, lunch with a close friend, singing, painting or writing just one paragraph of that novel inside you. These things nurture us – and nurturers need nurturing. Simple as that.

When I need to get my priorities straight, I use the ‘rocks and sand’ analogy. The really important things are a mix of pressing Things To Do and Soul Food – meeting an article deadline, a spot of tree hugging, my boy’s urgent dental appointment, a dance around the living room, dinner, regular exercise – are the rocks, the rest is gravelly stones or grains of sand. Pour sand in a metaphorical jar first and only a few rocks fit on top. But pop the rocks in first and all the itty bitty stuff will fit in around it. My sandy items sit on a list and will easily get done once my rocks are in place.

One of my rocks is regular meditation. I actually cannot function properly without it.

By Helena Foss

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NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011

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WHAT’S ON

SWITCH ON FOR CHRISTMAS!

Celebrate the arrival of Christmas in Oxford with Christmas Light Night

Switch On dates for your diary: Thu 24 Nov

Image courtesy Greg Smolonski

DIDCOT Christmas “Fantasy” Street Fair. Jo Thoenes from BBC Oxford will open The Wizard of Oz’s Yellow Brick Road. www.didcotchamberofcommerce.co.uk

Fri 25 Nov WITNEY Christmas Lights Switch-on See Father Christmas and his reindeer, an amazing ice sculpture and more.

Sat 26 Nov

O

n Friday 2 December, celebrate the arrival of Christmas in Oxford with a spectacular evening of processions, lights, dance, art, live music and performance.

Some of the city’s best loved cultural venues will throw open their doors for late night viewings of their exhibitions and displays, enhanced by special performances. Christmas markets, festive food & drink stalls and children’s rides will also be close by to add an extra bit of seasonal sparkle to the evening’s proceedings.

From 6.15pm, revellers will have the chance to catch a glimpse of the magical Christmas Lantern Procession, which will see over a dozen Oxfordshire school and community groups wind their way through the centre of Oxford.

The procession, which is generously supported once again by MINI Plant Oxford, will showcase the participant’s handmade puppet-style lanterns, each representing one of the Twelve Days of Christmas.

Follow their route, which starts and ends at the Old Fire Station, through the city streets and catch the spectacular switch on of the Christmas lights at 6.30pm.

Christmas Light Night is being co-ordinated

by Oxford Inspires, Oxford City Council and Ian Nolan Events Ltd on behalf of communities and cultural organisations across the city.

For more information, visit www.oxfordinspires.org NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011

WOODSTOCK A Night of Thousand Candles. Enjoy the illuminations, the chestnuts and mulled wine and hear Woodstock Primary School Choir sing.

Sun 27 Nov BANBURY Christmas Light Night Jeff Hordley, who plays Cain Dingle in TV soap Emmerdale,will switch on Banbury Christmas lights at 5.30pm. See Father Christmas on his float.

BURFORD Advent Fair and Switch-on

PANTOMIMES AND CHRISTMAS SHOWS Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves 22 Nov - 7 Jan Venue: The Theatre Chipping Norton www.chippingnortontheatre.co.uk Join The Theatre Chipping Norton for the spectacle, wonder and a swag-bag full of laughs and sweeties amongst the spicescented splendour of Old Arabia.

Mother Goose 2 Dec - 15 Jan Venue: Oxford Playhouse www.oxfordplayhouse.com Dame Mother Goose’s luck is down and out.

Can the search for eternal beauty ever have a happy ending? Be careful what you wish for in panto land…

A Christmas Carol 8 Dec – 7 Jan Venue: Creation Theatre Company at The North Wall Arts Centre www.creationtheatre.co.uk Creation Theatre Company are using the North Wall’s converted Victorian swimming pool as their slightly spooky Dickensian setting. Go on a festive adventure through the smoky streets of 19th century England.

Grimm and Grimmer...The Misadventures of the Brothers Grimm

Thu 1 Dec

9 - 30 Dec

ABINGDON Christmas “Kings and Queens” Extravaganza. Best King Crown and best Queen Crown competition for children in the parade.

BICESTER Christmas Light Night

Venue: Pegasus Theatre www.pegasustheatre.org.uk This Christmas Show with a twist is packed full of hilarious slapstick and magical illusions. A whirlwind comic adventure full of funked up fairytales and surreal silliness.

Fri 2 Dec

One Snowy Night

CARTERTON Christmas Lights Switchon and Street Fayre HENLEY ON THAMES Christmas Lights Switch-on and Street Fayre. Grand opening of the Living Advent Calender.

OXFORD Christmas Light Night see previous column THAME Christmas lights WANTAGE Dickensian Evening

12 - 17 Dec Venue: Cornerstone Arts Centre Info: www.cornerstone-arts.org One Snowy Night is a snuggly heart-warming Christmas story with furry friends to meet and songs to sing along to. Perfect for little ones and enchanting for older children and adults too.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Sat 3 Dec

13 – 22 Jan

FARINGDON Festive Faringdon: Christmas Lights Switch-on OXFORD Templars Square: Titanic Start to Christmas with Titan the Robot WALLINGFORD Christmas Tree Switch-on. The Lord Mayor will switch on the Christmas Tree at 4.30pm

Venue: The Mill Arts Centre Info: www.themillartscentre.co.uk Cherwell Theatre Company's version of this much loved classic fairy tale will amuse the whole family and leave them enchanted happily ever after.

The Jungle Book 21 - 24 Dec Venue: Kenton Theatre, Henley-on-Thames www.oxfordshiretheatrecompany.co.uk Inventively staged and performed through a dazzling blend of songs, puppetry and movement this is a special play for children.

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WHAT’S ON .

CORNERSTONE ARTS CENTRE

KENTON THEATRE

25 Station Road Didcot OX11 7NE 01235 515144 www.cornerstone-arts.org.uk 13 Nov 2pm THE SNOW DRAGON New Year's Eve does not turn out quite how Billy the young goat expected it to be. High-energy songs and a mysterious Snow Dragon preseneted by Tall Stories.

Ages 4+ 19 Nov 7.30pm GRIMM AND GRIMMER It’s Bavaria 1806 and the Brothers Grimm are putting together what will be the greatest book of fairy tales ever produced. But reality and fantasy are colliding and the brothers find themselves trapped in the world of their own fairy tales. Watch them battle evil queens, dark enchantments and charming princesses with absurd jokes, magic allusions and slapstick. Ages 7+ 1 Dec 7.30pm DISCOMBOBULATED Stop and search experts Malcolm McClosky and Esperanza Vallejo present their take on all matters of security, born out of a lifetime of patrolling airports and being shouted at. Using the medium of dramatic reconstruction, interpretive dance, tragedy, rock'n'roll, magic and an incredible non-acrobatic number, they present a clown show so utterly stupid that it might just save your life! Ages 11+ 4 Dec 2pm THE ELVES AND THE SHOEMAKER Elvis Schumacher, cobbler and craftsman, creates the most beautiful footwear. But he's hit hard times...everyone's buying boring shoes from the evil businessman Bunyan Sole-less. With one piece of leather left and Bunyan's factory growing, can anyone help Elvis? Ages 3+ 9 Dec 7.30pm CORNERSTONE DANCE SHOWCASE A selection of performances by pupils of Cornerstone’s many dance classes, choreographed by Cornerstone’ tutors. Expect street dance, ballet, hip-hop and Charleston from youngsters and adults.

14-17 Dec ONE SNOWY NIGHT: A Tale from Percy’s Park by Nick Butterworth. A snuggly heart-warming storing with songs to sing along to, furry friends to meet, and a great Christmas story. Perfect for little ones, but equally enchanting for older children and adults.

Ages 3-11 and adults.

New Street Henley-on-Thames RG9 2BP 01491 575698 www.kentontheatre.co.uk 14 Dec 11am & 2pm THE VERY SNOWY CHRISTMAS Blunderbus Theatre Company presents this magical musical winter’s tale with live music, beautiful puppets and a stunning snowy set which comes to life before your very eyes. Ages 3 – 7 21-24 Dec JUNGLE BOOK See page 17

JACQUELINE DU PRE MUSIC BUILDING

NORTH WALL ARTS CENTRE

St Hilda’s College Oxford 01865 305305 www.ticketsoxford.com 13 Nov 9.30 am,10.30 am, & 3pm for U 5s 11.30am 5+

South Parade Summertown OX2 7NN 01865 319 450 www.thenorthwall.com 26 Nov 11am &nd 2 pm THE PEA, THE BEAN & THE ENORMOUS TURNIP In this unforgettably leguminous tale of three famous vegetables, Rod Burnett uses his formidable skills as a storyteller and puppeteer to take his audience on a journey into the extraordinary world of the imagination. Ages 5 - 11.

8 Dec - 7 Jan 2012

FAMILY CUSHION CONCERT: DIDGERIDOO 4 Dec 10am, 11,30 am & 3pm FAMILY CUSHION CONCERT: CHRISTMAS BRASS Also: a fond Farewell to Mr Mark and a big Hello to Rozzy!

OXFORD PLAYHOUSE & BT STUDIO 11-12 Beaumont Street Oxford OX1 2LW 01865 305305 www.oxfordplayhouse.com 8 - 24 Dec DEAR FATHER CHRISTMAS at BT Theatre Everything is going wrong at Father Christmas' house...the presents are muddled up. A whole sack of letters has gone astray. A polar bear has knocked over the Christmas tree and the elves are being supernaughty. Join in with stories, songs and decoration making and help save Christmas. Children must be accompanied by an adult. You can stay and play for free after each performance. Ages 3-6 2 Dec - 15 Jan MOTHER GOOSE See page 17

PEGASUS THEATRE Magdalen Road Oxford OX4 1RE 01865 812150 www.pegasustheatre.org.uk 24 Nov 8 pm MULTIPLICITY Oxford Youth Dance Company return to perform the company's latest work with dance pieces by company directors' Claire Thompson, Joelle Pappas and Cecilia Macfarlane.

4 Dec 11am, 1pm, 3pm BETTY BUMBLE’S TIME

TUMBLE EPISODE 4: SOMETHING SOMETHING TIME SOMETHING Betty Bumble’s is trying to save Professor

MILL ARTS CENTRE Spiceball Park Banbury OX16 5QE 01295 252050 www.themillartscentre.co.uk 17-19 & 24-26 Nov 7.45pm (& 2pm on Sat)

ROALD DAHL'S JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH Want to really feel part of the production? Get your best fancy dress foot forward and come along to the show dressed as one of the characters 22 & 23 Dec 11am & 2pm THE OWL WHO WAS AFRAID OF THE DARK Plop was a baby Barn Owl. Plop was exactly the same as every barn owl that has ever been – except for one thing. He was AFRAID of the DARK. Ages 3-7 and grown-ups.

13 – 22 Jan SNOW WHITE & THE (TWENTY) SEVEN DWARFS See Page 17

Percy Pacacious from a time machine accident and finds herself back in the lab but twenty years earlier. Exciting adventures with song and fun for under 12s. Pre-show activities 10am, 12pm, 2pm 9 Dec- 30 Dec GRIMM AND GRIMMER... THE

MISADVENTURES OF THE BROTHERS GRIMM See page 17 8 Jan 11am & 3pm BETTY BUMBLE’S TIME TUMBLE EPISODE 5: FUTURE SHOCK Professor Percy Pacacious has had a time machine accident and his assistant Betty Bumble is travelling through time to rescue him. Exciting adventures with song and fun for ages 6+. Pre-show activities at 10am and 2pm

A CHRISTMAS CAROL Box Office 01865 766266 www.creationtheatre.co.uk Creations Theatre’s inventive new version of that classic Charles Dickens tale.

NEW THEATRE

George Street, OX1 2AG 0844 847 1585 www.newtheatreoxford.org.uk 17 – 20 Nov CINDERELLA ON ICE An evening of awe and wonder awaits as Theatre On Ice producers, Wild Rose, present the internationally acclaimed Russian Ice Stars in a truly magical production of the well-loved fairytale Cinderella.

9 – 14 Jan SCROOGE Don’t miss Ebenezer, Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim, the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future and a whole host of Dickensian characters in the award-winning smash hit.

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14 & 15 Jan 4pm (plus 7pm on Sat) MAY I? Tac-au-Tac dancers share their love of dance in a varied programme of pieces inspired by social dances from the past and present. All ages.

THE THEATRE 2 Spring Street Chipping Norton OX7 5NL 01608 642350 www.chippingnortontheatre.co.uk 22 Nov – 7 Jan ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES See page 17.

19 Dec 7.30pm ADVENTURES OF TIN TIN: SECRET OF

THE UNICORN (12A) Tintin and his friends discover directions to a sunken ship commanded by Capt.

Haddock’s ancestor and go to hunt for treasure. This richly animated movie stars Jamie Bell, Andy Serkis and Daniel Craig and brings all of the charm of the timeless comicbook characters above.

We have made every effort to ensure our listings are accurate and up-to-date. However, please call venues to confirm.

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WHAT’S ON NOVEMBER 11 Nov 6pm – 8pm GUIDED WALK: FULL MOON HIKE Earth Trust Centre, Little Wittenham, Abingdon OX14 4QZ www.earthtrust.org.uk 01865 407792 16 Nov – 2 Jan Wed to Sun WADDESDON AT

CHRISTMAS www.waddesdon.org.uk 01296 653226 Pinocchio themed Christmas decorations in the house, reindeer trail through the Woodland Playground. Write your letter to Father Christmas. Closed 24-26 December.

Open 19, 20, 27 Dec. 16 Nov 6pm-6.30pm KIDS’ PYJAMA PARTY WITH

COCOA Barefoot Books Studio www.barefootbooks.com 01865 311 100 Put on your PJs for toast, cocoa and lovely snoozetime tales. Ages 3+ 17 Nov 2–4pm DROP-INS FOR UNDER-5S LITTLE

ANGELS Ashmolean Museum www.ashmolean.org 01865 278000 19 Nov 2pm- 4pm BABY AND CHILDREN'S MARKET Ladygrove Community Centre, Tamar Way, Didcot www.babyandchildrensmarket.co.uk 07800 568040 19 Nov 11am & 3pm LIGHT AND SHADOWS Science Oxford Live, 1-5 London Place, St Clements, Oxford, OX4 1BD www.scienceoxford.com 01865 728953 Ages 5-7 19 Nov 10am – 2pm FAMILY FUN DAY Bate Collection of Musical Instruments, Oxford www.ox.ac.uk 01865 276139 21 Nov 5pm - 6pm KIDS' AFRICAN DRUMMING Fusion Arts, East Oxford Community Centre, Oxford www.rhythmcentre.co.uk. 07811 041308 Ages 7-11

DECEMBER 2 Dec 5pm-8pm & 17-23 Dec 10am-4pm

MEET FATHER CHRISTMAS! Museum of Oxford www.museumofoxford.org.uk 01865 252761 Visit the Past and Presents exhibition. Meet Father Christmas and get an early Christmas gift!

3 & 4 Dec 5pm & 7pm CHRISTMAS ICE SHOW

This space can be

yours from as little as £48 per issue.

No VAT editor@familiesox.co.uk

Oxford Ice Rink 01865 467002 3 & 4 Dec, 10 &11 Dec, 17 &18 Dec 11am – 5pm

FATHER CHRISTMAS GROTTO AT OXFORD CASTLE

01235 206657

www.oxfordcastle.com 01865 201657 3 Dec 10.30am –12.30pm BIG BOTANIC XMAS TREE Oxford University Botanic Garden www.botanic-garden.ox.ac.uk 01865 286690 3 Dec WATLINGTON ANNUAL CHRISTMAS FAIR Watlington Business Association 01491 613396 3 Dec 2pm - 3pm CHILTON PRIMARY SCHOOL

CHRISTMAS FAIR 3 Dec 2 pm- 4.30pm FESTIVE FOOD AND GIFT FAYRE 07737 583229 Appleton Village Hall in aid of Appleton Primary School.

3 Dec 1pm – 4pm PITT STOP: TWINKLE, TWINKLE

LITTLE PARROT FISH Pitt Rivers Museum www.prm.ox.ac.uk 01865 270927 4 Dec 10am - 12noon FAMILY MAKE AND TAKE CHRISTMAS WORKSHOP

Earth Trust Centre, Little Wittenham, Abingdon OX14 4QZ www.earthtrust.org.uk 01865 407792 10 Dec 1–4pm PHARAOHS OF EGYPT Ashmolean Museum www.ashmolean.org 01865 278000 Drop-Ins for Under-5s 10 Dec 11 & 3pm CHRISTMAS CRACKER SPECIAL Science Oxford Live, 1-5 London Place, St Clements, Oxford, OX4 1BD www.scienceoxford.com 01865 728953 Learn to make Christmas crackers. Plus: stand-up stars and snowflake building.Ages 5 – 7.

11 Dec SANTA'S ON THE RUN! AT OXFORD CITY CENTRE

21 – 27 Nov PLANET DINOSAUR Oxford University Museum of Natural History www.oum.ox.ac.uk 01865 272 950

In collaboration with the BBC’s new TV programme. Some activities only suitable for ages 7+. Times 3.45 pm-4.45 pm MonFri (no tickets needed); 10 am - 4 pm Sat & Sun (Free timed tickets on the day) 26 November 1.30pm - 4pm

CHRISTMAS FAIR Hailey Primary School, Middletown, Hailey, OX29 9UB nr Witney 01993 703802 Beautiful, unusual presents & local crafts to buy, craft activities for the children and the chance to meet Father Christmas.

26 Nov 11am & 3pm CATAPULT CRAZY Science Oxford Live, 1-5 London Place, St Clements, Oxford, OX4 1BD www.scienceoxford.com 01865 728953 Ages 8 – 11 26 Nov 12noon -4pm LIGHTNING STRIKES Museum of the History of Science Oxford www.mhs.ox.ac.uk. 01865 277280 Family Friendly Drop In. Discover electricity and the story of Benjamin Franklin's inventions. Ages 7+

www.helenanddouglas.org.uk 01865 794749 In aid of Helen & Douglas House 15 Dec 2–4pm JINGLE BELLS Ashmolean Museum www.ashmolean.org 01865 27800 Drop-Ins for Under-5s 16 Dec 6pm – 8pm MAGICAL EVENING Waddesdon Manor. www.waddesdon.org.uk 01296 653226 Enjoy the fun of a circus and carol concert 17 Dec 2pm - 4pm MAKE A CELESTIAL DIAL Museum of the History of Science www.mhs.ox.ac.uk 01865 277280 Family friendly Drop In. Ages 7+ 20 Dec 2pm – 4pm FAMILY LEARNING The Oxfordshire Museum, Woodstock www.tomocc.org.uk 01993 814105 20 Dec 10.30am - 12.30pm & 2 - 4pm

Drop-in

DING DONG AND JINGLE! CHRISTMAS BELLS River and Rowing Museum Henley on Thames, www.rrm.co.uk 01491 415605 Age 4 - 7 (am only) Age 7 - 11 (pm only).

21 & 22 Dec 1pm – 4pm FAMILY WORKSHOP:

UNFINISHED LANDSCAPES Museum of Modern Art Oxford www.modernartoxford.org.uk 01865 722 733 Children must be accompanied by an adult.

1 Jan 2012 NEW YEAR'S DAY ON A BUS Oxford Bus Museum/Morris Motors Experience www.oxfordbusmuseum.org.uk 01993 883617 Tired of being indoors? Enjoy a fascinating day with free bus rides.

Send your diary dates for January - February by Friday 16 December 2011 to editor@familiesox.co.uk

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competition Win family tickets to see Mother Goose at Oxford Playhouse

T

his year, panto king Peter Duncan returns to write and direct another cracking production, which is packed with goodies and baddies, boo-ing and cheering, and plenty of panto mischief. You wouldn’t want to miss the only pantomime in Oxford with the real eggs-factor this festive season.

Dame Mother Goose’s luck is down and out, she’s feeling old and can’t pay her bills. That is until the Good and the Bad Fairies start meddling. Throw in a magical goose and a golden egg, and Mother Goose’s life changes forever. But be careful what you wish for in pantoland…

The extremely talented company of actors will deliver an irresistible magical evening of family entertainment, full of dance and songs, which will include modern songs from artists including Jessie J.

To enter simply answer this question What changes Mother Goose’s life forever?

A. Magical Goose & Boiled Egg B. Magical Goose & Golden Egg C. Magical Goose & Fried Egg

2 December 2011 - 15 January 2012 01865 305305 www.oxfordplayhouse.com

YOUR CHANCE TO WIN One of 2 sets of family tickets (4 tickets, max 2 adults) for the performance on Monday, 2 January at 6pm.

Terms and Conditions: Tickets cannot be exchanged for alternative performances or re-sold. Proof of I.D. may be required on collection.

Send your entry by e-mail to editor@familiesox.co.uk or by post to: Families Oxfordshire, OXFORD PLAYHOUSE Competition, PO Box 167, Wantage, OX12 8ZJ Closing date is: 16 Dec 2011 and DON’T FORGET, as always, to send us your name, address and telephone number Your details will not be used for any purpose other than this competition. Winners agree to the possibility of their name being published in the Jan/Feb 2012 issue of Families Oxfordshire and on the Families website. No correspondence will be entered into. Entries open to Oxfordshire residents only.

Copyright Families Oxfordshire November 2011. Colour transparencies and any other original materials submitted for publication are sent at owner's own risk and while every care is taken, neither Families nor its agents accept liability for loss or damage. Families Oxfordshire 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 licence. We take care in preparing this magazine but publishers and distributors cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents nor for any consequence.

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NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011