Families Leeds & West Yorkshire September/October 21 by Families Magazine

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IN THIS ISSUE

Education Autumn activities Halloween Family life

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September/October 2021

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Familiesonline.co.uk September/October 1

Spooky Skeletons Trail Sat 23 - Sun 31 October Follow the spooky skeletons trail around the estate and see the bats in action at the Nocturnal House this half term. Dressing up encouraged! Free event with standard admission. Book in advance to guarantee entry.

lotherton.leeds.gov.uk 2 September/October

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CONTENTS

Welcome This is a great time to get outside with the family. Looking back at last year’s photos, some of our best walks were in Autumn, like this one (pictured) around Eccup Reservoir in Leeds. In this issue, we’ve got a downloadable Scavenger Hunt on page 17 for identifying trees as you explore, as well as lots of other autumnal outdoor activity ideas on pages 18-20.

Autumn is a lovely time to get outside with the family

And, whether returning to a routine is scary or comforting (I haven’t quite decided!) hopefully our education feature will help ease the transition with useful tips and support. We’ve got a guide to pre-school classes to do with your little ones, with fabulous providers offering everything from Swimming to Spanish. There are also Autumn crafts, super costume and decoration ideas for Halloween, a guide to nutrition for pre-teens and much more! So, make yourself a cuppa and settle down for a cosy, autumnal read. We hope you enjoy!

In this issue Editor, Families Leeds & West Yorkshire

Competition winners from our May/June issue.

Get in touch Email or call 07799 667041 to book in our next issue. 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 prior consent of Families Print Ltd. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine but Families Print Ltd, its distributors, franchisees and LCMB Ltd cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequences thereof.

4 13 14 17 18 21 23 26 27 28 33 35 38

Education Tween Clubs & classes Scavenger hunt downloadable Autumn activities Autumn news Halloween Early years Bonfire Night Family life Black History Month Toys What’s on

01943 603829 I www.clipnclimbilkley.co.uk Familiesonline.co.uk

September/October 3

EDUCATION

Tips for a positive Parents’ Evening By Annabel Gray Despite the sore throat and spinning head by the end, as a teacher, I used to love parents’ evenings. Those ten minutes can make all the difference to a child’s experience and outcomes at school. So, to make the most of them: Attend. Obvious maybe – but vital if you want to show your child that you value their learning. Smile. The teacher you are meeting spends just as much time as you do with your child and will know them very well. Make them feel at ease and create a positive vibe from the outset. Come armed with questions. The most productive meetings are when a parent brings all the queries they have to the meeting so they can be ironed out quickly. What do you want to know? Their level? Their test results? How they interact with others? How confident they are? What the homework is about? How to do long division? This is your chance! Don’t waste it! Celebrate their work. Pandemicpermitting, let your child show you their work on display and their books. Most parents are surprised at the quality of the work their children do at school.

Focus on solutions. If there are tricky issues to tackle, from either side of the desk, focus on solutions rather than blame. Like you, teachers want the best for your child. If an issue can’t be resolved, book a further meeting. Be proud. Your kids are amazing! Tell them that! Work these top tips into your parents’ evening and you’ll feel positive, productive and informed by the end of it. Want other tips to support your child’s learning? READ MORE F s ree Se essi ta pt on st em th er be is r!

Spanish or French classes for pre-schoolers Packed with play, energy and fun! Our sessions offer immersive language learning using sensory play, songs, dance, stories, games, puppets and craft. Enhances the Early Learning Goals.

To book call Amy on 07919 021951

https://smartypants-languages.class4kids.co.uk 4 September/October

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Fulneck School

3-18 YEARS

Classrooms full of laughter, kindness & achievement

"Fulneckhas has "Fulneck beenaa life life been changing changing experiencefor for experience my child" child" my -Year 55 Parent -Year

Come and experience it for yourself at our Open Day Saturday 25th September, 10am-1pm To book, please visit fulneckschool.co.uk or contact our Admissions Manager on 0113 257 0235 or via email at admissions@fulneckschool.co.uk Fulneck School, Pudsey, Leeds, LS28 8DS Familiesonline.co.uk

Work Hard, Be Kind 5 September/October

EDUCATION

Dealing with back to school anxiety By Lisa Wander and Catherine Loble For most children, back to school anxiety fades quickly. But how do we support our children when it lingers? Prevent common worries from becoming deep-rooted by establishing good practice and routines. For children whose worries persist, this simple five step programme can to our children is that they don’t help. need to worry. Take care of the basics. Ensure a Not sure how to be an ‘active good sleep routine, healthy snacks listener?’ and regular exercise. Provide empathy. Find READ MORE uninterrupted opportunities to listen to your child’s worries, expectations and fears. Car journeys, bath time and walks are ideal. Listen actively, withholding judgement and advice. Validate their feelings. Ages Problem solve. Discuss coping Art Lab 6+ strategies, ideally led by your child. Pouring Showing confidence in their own Art problem solving abilities nurtures Studio greater resilience. Highlight the positives. Encourage 3 your child to recognise the fun available elements of school and not fixate on the negatives. Use questions like: ‘What was your favourite thing for Let budding artists lunch?’ and ‘What was the funniest explore colour & design thing that happened today?’ Be mindful of your own emotions T&Cs apply and reactions. They can create APPLY HERE learnt behaviour. By staying calm Magazine and seeming positive, the message

Giveaway!

6 September/October

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EDUCATION

Can dyslexia be the key to success?

By Jemma Zoe Smith

It can be worrying when your child is diagnosed with dyslexia and, with one in ten people in the UK challenged by dyslexia to some degree, this is a situation that many parents face. I’m dyslexic. I hold three Oxford degrees, am a qualified teacher and run two businesses. I was diagnosed after my first year at university, meaning that I went through school without any support or accommodations. I knew that I had to work for longer than others (I started my GCSE revision the day I started Year 10) and certain subjects, like French, were much trickier. Several teachers mentioned that I may want to look into dyslexia as I displayed some of the traits such as poor organisation and time management. But because I scored well in exams and no-one really knew about it in my family, it wasn’t something I looked into until university. The days of believing that students with dyslexia just need to try harder are over; now, schools and universities employ dyslexia specialists and provide accommodations such as extra time for exams, so that dyslexic students aren’t left at a disadvantage. In fact, concrete evidence shows that a high percentage of entrepreneurs are dyslexic, compared with the general Familiesonline.co.uk

population. Famous dyslexic entrepreneurs include Sir Richard Branson, Anita Roddick and Jamie Oliver. So can dyslexic students actually have an advantage over their peers? READ MORE

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September/October 7

Make Christmas Magical Take your family on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to meet Santa in Lapland and enjoy an experience you’ll never forget!

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8 September/October

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EDUCATION

Top questions to ask on a school visit By Emma Lewry Choosing a school for your child is a big decision that can feel charged with pressure and uncertainty. As a teacher, former head teacher and a mum, I’ve been through the process from both sides of the classroom door, so here’s my simple advice to make the most of your visits. Firstly, read my tips on preparation for your visit here: So what should you ask at the school? • What’s the best thing about your school? • What are you working on to improve as a school currently? • What do the children say about your school? (or ask a child if you can!) • How are your classes organised? Are the mixed ages and abilities? • How do you deal with behaviour incidents and bullying? • About any logistics that are important to you; Do you offer a breakfast club? Do you teach

Watch Emma’s top school visit tips

particular sports or musical instruments? What time does the school day start? Looking for more essentials to get the most out of a school visit? READ MORE

Don’t let the Flu sneak up on you! Coming to YOUR school autumn 2021 – Don’t miss out on your annual vaccine!

You can contact us on: 03333 583 397 Option 7 Ext 2 or email: immunisations.leeds@intrahealth.co.uk Familiesonline.co.uk

September/October 9

EDUCATION

Teacher talk

Getting your school acronyms muddled? Confused by terminology your child’s teacher is using? Check out our handy guide. Blended Learning: A mixture of face-to-face and online teaching. Blending: The merging together of the separate sounds in a word. CAMHS: Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services CATS: Cognitive Abilities Tests. These assess strengths and weaknesses in reasoning and are used in some primary and secondary schools. Circle time: This is time that children spend sitting on the mat or on chairs in a circle to discuss a particular topic. Core subjects: These are the subjects making up the core part of the overall curriculum, such as English and maths. Differentiation: Teachers can vary activities in class depending on the ability of different children and make sure that each student is appropriately challenged. DfE: Department for Education. EAL: English as an additional language. Early Help Assessment (EHA): An assessment which identifies children and families who need support. Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS): The Early Years Foundation Stage includes Nursery and Reception classes. The focus here is learning through high quality play. When your child moves from 10 September/October

Reception into Year 1, more formal teaching is introduced. Fine motor skills: The ability to make movements using the small muscles in our hands and wrists. These are important when learning to write or threading a needle, for instance. Foundation subjects: Non-core subjects eg History, Geography, IT, DT, Modern Foreign Languages, RE, Music, PE and Art. Want the rest of the alphabet? READ MORE

Tutti frutti presents The Princess and The Pea at Leeds Central Library this Christmas

4-18 December 2021 Ages 3+ and families

Box Office: 01133785005 ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibraryevents

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EDUCATION

Ride to school safely It’s Ride to School Week starting 27 September! To get your family riding to school (and beyond) safely, check out our great videos and articles.

Teaching your child to ride a bike

Cycling as a family By Catherine Ellis

There’s no better time than the Autumn to start cycling: it’s generally mild but not too warm, it’s a beautiful season and cycling is a great way to see it unfold. But preparation is key to ensuring you get the best out of the experience and take an appropriate route. READ MORE Familiesonline.co.uk

Safety-checking your child’s bike

Transporting children by bike

It can be difficult to know how to best transport your growing family by bike. What if you have a baby? What if you also have a toddler? What if you have an older child too? Cycling UK explains how to make the best cycling choices for your family. READ MORE September/October 11

EDUCATION

Are you a Flu-per hero? This autumn, IntraHealth (on behalf of the NHS), will be inviting all school children from Reception up to and including Year 11 to receive the annual flu vaccine. IntraHealth Immunisations Team Leader Emily Jones explains why… Flu is an unpredictable and dangerous virus, and vaccination is our best defence against it. Vaccinating your child not only protects them, but also reduces transmission in the wider community, reduces time off school and work for parents/carers, and of course, helps protect the teachers too! We will be visiting your child’s school between September 2021 and January 2022. School will let you know when we are coming and provide you with either a paper consent form or an electronic link to the form. The form is easy to complete and takes less than two minutes. If your child misses their school session, we will be holding catch up clinics in your area. The vaccination is a simple and painless nasal. They now also offer a nonporcine injectable vaccine. Email for more information.

Celebrating 200 years of objects, people and stories. 3 Sept — 9 Jan 2022 Discover our new special exhibition. Free entry.

@LeedsCityMuseum citymuseum.leeds.gov.uk 12 September/October

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TWEEN

The best foods for pre-teens By Katie O’Connell We have a running joke in our family. If it’s not burger-shaped, my son won’t eat it. Finding out what we should be feeding our tweens is one challenge, working out what they will actually eat is another! Teen and pre-teen experts at wearetwixt offered us this advice from Katie, nutritionist and gut health expert. Fats are not the enemy Healthy fats are probably the most important food group for growing tweens and are vital to healthy brain development. The best sources are fish, nuts and seeds. I recommend oily fish twice a week - salmon, sardines, mackerel, tuna (fresh not tinned), herrings, prawns and whitebait – and a handful of nuts a day.

Sprinkle mixed seeds over breakfast cereal, salads, in sandwiches and stir fries. Katie O’Connell is an experienced nutritionist offering consultations to parents and children. Find out more.

Award nominations for Queen Ethelburga’s

Fishy and nutty food ideas Chuck a handful of prawns into a stir fry/pasta sauce with some chilli and lime. Mackerel has a mild flavour that works well mashed into a dip with a squeeze of lemon and garlic. Add pesto or cherry tomatoes to baked salmon steaks; serve with potato wedges. Try salty anchovies in pasta sauce or on pizza. They taste great amongst other complicated flavours. Spread nut butters - peanut, almond or hazelnut- onto toast. Slice apple wedges for dipping in a small bowl of peanut butter. Familiesonline.co.uk

Staff and students at Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate (QE) are celebrating a successful summer of results, including making the shortlist for three awards in the Independent Schools of the Year 2021. Find out more about QE at its next Open Day on October 2. Book a place here. September/October 13

CLUBS & CLASSES

Music Bugs Leeds

Number Train

Babies and children love music and singing. With fabulous action songs, imaginative props, and amazing teachers, Music Bugs is a much-loved favourite. Sessions are relaxed and welcoming. There’s Baby Bugs (birth to crawling) Mini Bugs (6 to 24 months) Jumping Bugs (18 months to 4 years) or Family Bugs for mixed ages. Find out more here.

All aboard the Number Train! It’s a fun pre-school class. Watch your child grow in confidence as they take part in fun activities, games, action songs, turn taking, art and craft – all of which have an underlying focus on maths and the early years curriculum, helping your pre-schooler prepare for school.

Pyjama Drama

Swimmers Academy & Baby Swimmers

Find out more here.

Swimmers Academy

Beginners to advanaced, whatever their age and ability. Survival skills, stamina and stroke techniques.

Baby Swimmers

Through fun and games, see your little one progress to a confident little swimmer! Mobile Friendly 0333 335 5388 www.babyswimmers.co.uk

Pyjama Drama sessions are packed full of drama games, music, song and, of course, lots and lots of opportunities for the children to pretend. Each week they go to an imaginary world, share ideas and lead the direction of the drama themselves. Find out more here. 14 September/October

Promoting a positive attitude to Maths Pre-School classes Monday to Friday Call 07852 989523 email: numbertrain@hotmail.com

www.numbertrain.co.uk Familiesonline.co.uk

CLUBS & CLASSES

Smartypants Languages

Baby Swimmers

Smartypants Languages provides French and Spanish classes for primary and preschool age children. From this term, they’re offering ‘Little Smartypants, Bring a GrownUp’ sessions, which you can take your pre-schooler to. Free taster available in September for anyone who hasn’t tried it before.

Baby Swimmers offers the perfect baby and toddler swimming experience for tots and their grown-ups.

Find out more here.

Teaching babies from six weeks, sessions are offered across West Yorkshire. The school also teacher older children through its Swimmers Academy.

Busy Birds

Outdoor Learning for Under 5s busy.birds@hotmail.com Busy Birds offers outdoor learning sessions children who are crawling up to and including 6 years old.

www.busybirds.co.uk

Following the forest school ethos, they encourage children to develop their skills, interest and understanding of the natural world through play. Find out more here. Familiesonline.co.uk

September/October 15

ACTIVITIES

Feel the magic of The Princess and the Pea A fabulous family production is coming to Otley Courthouse in October and Leeds Central Library in December, courtesy of Tutti Frutti Theatre Company. The Princess and the Pea, set in the Museum of Forgotten Things, three musical curators, tell the amazing tale of the museum’s artefacts including the mystery of a little green pea and how it got there. This one hour of fun is packed with humour and memorable songs, including a romp through every type of princess you can imagine, with hilarious costumes to match. In this new and updated adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s popular story, Mike Kenny and the inventive Tutti Frutti team will once again create a funny, original, beautiful retelling of this familiar tale. More information here.

Sat 9 October

Sat 30 October

Sat 9 October

Wed 10 – Sat 13 November

Wed 27 October 16 September/October

Fri 26 Nov – Sun 9 Jan Familiesonline.co.uk

Autumn tree Scavenger Hunt

ACTIVITIES

Get outdoors and go on a treasure hunt with your kids, matching leaves to their trees and trees to their fruit. Download this activity and instructions.

DOWNLOAD FOR YOUR KIDS HERE

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September/October 17

AUTUMN

Best Autumn crafts for all ages Celebrate the season and get creative with these colourful and rewarding activities.

Autumn garland

Apple stamping

Hanging leaves

Pine cone peanut butter bird feeder

Leaf people

Paper plate flappy owl

Pine cone people

Nature ‘tic tac toe’ game

Nature wand

18 September/October

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AUTUMN

Autumn outside It’s a great season to be outside with the kids and here’s how to keep them happy and busy enjoying nature.

Track local wildlife

Create a journey stick

Spider web safari

Geocaching

Make a leaf stack

Build a den

Discover a wood near you

Make a mini garden

Build a hedgehog home

Familiesonline.co.uk

September/October 19

AUTUMN

Growing oak trees from acorns According to the Woodland Trust, trees are our most powerful weapon in the fight against climate change. Join Luke Cook and The Acorn Project to give nature a helping hand in encouraging acorns to grow into trees. 1

Here’s what to do. 1. Start looking for green or brown acorns around mid-September. Make sure they have no insect damage or holes/cracks from falling. 2. Take the caps off your acorns. Fill a clear container up with water and drop in the acorns. Fertile acorns will sink. Non-fertile ones can be put outside for birds and squirrels (but out of reach of dogs, as acorns are poisonous for them). 3. Keep your fertile acorns in a cool, dark place until they sprout. When the roots appear, fill a small

20 September/October

container with compost and some gravel. A yoghurt pot or plastic bottle cut in half, with drainage holes at the bottom works well. Make a hole and plant the acorn (about an inch below the surface). Cover with compost and put outside/in a dark spot until shoots appear (usually in the spring). 4. Look around your local area to see where trees could be planted. Council-owned parks, schools and hospitals are likely to be grateful for your saplings!

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AUTUMN NEWS

Win a free climb at Clip ‘n Climb Ilkley!

Free family fun with Heritage Open Days

WIN

Clip ‘n Climb Ilkley is a perfect destination for families looking for some healthy, action-packed fun.

Dozens of places across West Yorkshire will be throwing their doors open and welcoming visitors for free to Heritage Open Days from September 10 to 19.

We have one free regular 50 minute climb to give away. To be in with a chance to win, send an email with the word CLIMB in the title by September 30.

Co-ordinated by the National Trust, new events will be added to the festival directory every day. Find out more here.

Free gift for our subscribers!*

Clinically researched combination

Equazen Family Pack (180 capsules)

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Support your child’s brain health with essential Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids

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September/October 21

AUTUMN NEWS

Appy exploring! For families who love exploring the green spaces and hidden corners of Leeds and Wakefield, there’s now a totally new way to experience the cities – by walking with skeletons, dinosaurs and fairies. Love Exploring is a free app which offers a fun way to get out and discover special places as a family. Its Augmented Reality (AR) treasure hunt games are proving highly popular, with almost 1,500 people downloading the app within a week of its Leeds launch in July. There’s still time to enjoy the Love Exploring Dinosaur Safari, with dinosaurs stomping through eight parks in Leeds and 16 in Wakefield, including Roundhay Park, Temple Newsam, Pugneys Country Park and Walton Nature Reserve. And coming soon for Halloween, look out for the spooky breakdancing skeletons – are you brave enough to boogie with the bones? Find out more here.

Ey up Leeds. Autumn, it’s crunch time! Enjoy indoor and outdoor days out across our eight exciting museums and galleries. Visit our website to find out what’s on at half term!

museumsandgalleries.leeds.gov.uk 22 September/October

Familiesonline.co.uk

HALLOWEEN

DIY Halloween costumes Does your heart sink when your child asks if you can make them a costume for Halloween? If so, check out this great but simple ideas.

No sew spider

Luna Lovegood

No sew ghost

Zombie

Mummy

Pirate

Duct tape skeleton

Velcro vampire

Halloween face painting - step by step

Familiesonline.co.uk

September/October 23

HALLOWEEN

Halloween decoration ideas Get into the spirit of the Halloween season with these fabulous decoration ideas.

Milk carton ghosts

Halloween shadow puppet activity

Easy jar lantern

Witches cauldrons

Pumpkin paper plates

Puffy ghosts

Conker spider

Mini broomstick

Flapping bat

24 September/October

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A world class education for your child. Firmly established as one of the leading non-selective independent schools in Yorkshire, Huddersfield Grammar School places the development of character at the heart of all it does and provides a futurefacing curriculum for children age 3-16 in a nurturing and happy environment. • • • • • • • • •

Engaging Excursions Spanish Lessons Forest School Rich Extra Curricular Programme Dance Classes Out of School & Holiday Clubs Peripatetic Music Tuition Swimming Lessons Early Years Funding

Leading independent school for girls and boys age 3-16

Huddersfield Grammar School Royds Mount, Luck Lane, Marsh Huddersfield, HD1 4QX TOP 100 PREP SCHOOL Familiesonline.co.uk

ISA Awards 2019 Winner

www.hudderfield-grammar.co.uk - Tel: 01484 424 549 e: admissions@huddersfield-grammar.co.uk Follow us on September/October 25

EARLY YEARS

Bonfire Night for under 5s It’s a fun night for older kids but little ones can sometimes get overwhelmed by the loud bangs and noise. So here are some ideas to help them celebrate more quietly!

Firecracker pull string pinata

Firework star hat

Sparkly fireworks picture

Fork stamped fireworks

Edible sparklers

Shaving foam fireworks

Toilet roll rocket

Pretend bonfire

Firework cookies

26 September/October

Familiesonline.co.uk

BONFIRE NIGHT

Staying safe on Bonfire Night Animals and children (particularly younger ones) often find fireworks scary. Help them relax and stay safe using a few simple tips. Indoor pets Keep your pets in the house whenever you think there will be fireworks; Walk dogs during daylight hours; Shut windows and doors, close blinds and curtains; Put on some music or television to mask the firework sounds; Create a quiet space or hiding places where your pet can feel secure; Make sure your pet can’t escape if startled by a sudden noise.

Outside pets Partly cover outside cages, hutches and pens with blankets. Provide extra bedding inside cages and hutches so small animals can burrow in. Consider bringing outside pets indoors – this may need to be done gradually so plan ahead. More at RSPCA

Enjoy fireworks with kids

Bonfire Night safety tips

Invest in a pair of earmuffs to protect their sensitive hearing;

Don’t build a bonfire too high;

Sparklers offer fizz and glow without the bang but never give them to a child under 5;

Keep a bucket of water nearby; Only buy fireworks with the CE mark;

Decorate the garden with fairy lights;

Never go near a firework that has been lit;

Hide glow sticks in the garden for a treasure hunt in the dark;

Never give sparklers to a child under 5;

Let off some party poppers;

Light fireworks at arms length;

Invest in torches tinted with cellophane;

When a sparkler is finished, put it in a bucket of cold water;

Giant bubbles are easy to make and are great fun at night.

Follow ROSPA’s sparkler safety advice.

Familiesonline.co.uk

September/October 27

FAMILY LIFE

Families meets Kate Ball Kate Ball is the founder of Mini First Aid, which offers life-saving and first aid classes for parents, grandparents, carers and children as young as three. She lives in Leeds with her husband Matt and their six children – Alfie 10, Grace 8, four-year-old twins Emily and Olivia and younger set of twins Poppy and Amelia, three. Earlier this year the family appeared on BBC’s Dragon’s Den, successfully pitching for funding to grow Mini First Aid. Here is an extract of our interview with Kate in our print magazine… Describe your perfect day off

Dragon’s Den, the pressure is huge.

In my head it’s a spa day – but then when I get the opportunity, I spend the whole day with a busy brain wanting to write ideas down. So, a good long cliff walk with a long lunch would be amazing – when can I have one?

What makes you angry?

What’s the most stressful/scary thing you’ve ever had to do? Apart from delivering twins twice!

28 September/October

Normally my kids whining, arguing and nagging. Some days it can be relentless. What are you looking forward to? Being a nappy free household. 10 Years of nappies. Erghhh Quick fire questions: Box set or book? Book Night Out or Night In? Night Out but nothing major! Tea or coffee? Coffee – Tea is vile. School run or Running? School run, my pelvic floor doesn’t let me run yet! Familiesonline.co.uk

FAMILY LIFE

The benefits of family pets

Kids’ books that promote diversity

By Caroline Wilkinson

By Tamsy Ashman

While raising kids can feel like enough of a job without the added responsibility of pets, bringing animals into your family home can be incredibly beneficial. A pet can provide huge confidence-boosting opportunities for children and can also reduce anxiety levels. READ MORE

As conversations about race continue to dominate the headlines, it’s the perfect time to explore books featuring people from different racial backgrounds with your child.

Saving tips for families

Giveaway!

By Clare Francis

Over the last tumultuous eighteen months, families have realised the importance of having a financial safety net. Financially supporting the various stages of your child’s life requires planning and the earlier you start to save, the less you will feel the impact on your day-today budget. READ MORE Familiesonline.co.uk

Here’s some recommendations. READ MORE

Turn your child’s life adventures into personalised tales with a Tales of Me book 5 of each book available APPLY HERE Magazine

IT’S FREE! *while stock last T&Cs apply

September/October 29

FAMILY LIFE

Is it really over?

Journaling for kids

All relationships have ups and downs but when the balance has tipped very much in favour of downs, you may be wondering whether your marriage can be saved or whether divorce could be the right decision.

Journaling is an excellent activity for kids. It creates an outlet for thoughts and feelings and a safe space for children of all ages to explore their emotions.

By Rhiannon Ford

You may have talked to your spouse about your unhappiness and not received a satisfactory response? Or feel you’ve done everything you can to improve your relationship and it’s just not working? Find out what to do next.

By Stacie Swift

Journaling can foster greater self-awareness, self-belief and help with decision making. It’s also a great tool for encouraging gratitude, kindness and positivity. Check out my five starter activities for children. READ MORE

Dozens of family activities! Check out the FREE resources at Only Mums & OnlyDads and find out about 101 Questions Answered About Separating With Children, an invaluable resource for parents in the early days of separation. 30 September/October

Hereford & Worce ste

Magazine

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FAMILY LIFE

Divorce law shake up from spring 2022 The divorce laws are set to change in spring 2022 to allow for ‘no fault’ divorces. Here, head of family law with Emsleys Solicitors, Gabbie Clasper, explains what this means. The divorce process will be simplified but will take longer – the minimum period of time will be 26 weeks. Some of the old-fashioned divorce terminology is changing; for example a ‘Decree Nisi’ certificate will become a ‘Conditional Order’ and a ‘Decree Absolute’ will become a ‘Final Divorce Order’.

there will be no requirement in the future to make allegations.

There is no advantage in delaying divorce until Spring 2022. The government has not announced A couple will be able to jointly any plans to reduce the Court fees apply to the Court for a divorce for divorce. The legal procedures if they agree their marriage has relating to resolving any financial irretrievably broken down. Although issues and children issues will a couple can currently do this, at remain unchanged and it will still be the moment the law states that important to obtain legal advice. they have to live separately for two years first. If a couple can’t agree, Emsleys Solicitors can advise on a or just one person wants a divorce, range of Family Law issues. For a they can still apply as a single free, confidential initial discussion, person stating that the marriage call 0113 201 4902 or email. has irretrievably broken down. Now,

looking for expert legal advice? we can help. There comes a time when everyone needs advice from an expert.

“I can not speak highly enough of Emsleys.

99%

OF CLIENTS* would use us again and recommend us.

Everyone was friendly and helpful. Thank you for the great service.” MATTHEW

• Wills, trusts and probate • Conveyancing & property • Family matters • Notary Public • Personal injury • Employment law • Resolving disputes • Family matters

Call us on 0113 264 4414 or visit www.emsleys.co.uk *Based on Emsleys’ client satisfaction survey results January 2018 – November 2019.

Yorkshire Legal Awards 2019: Shortlisted

Familiesonline.co.uk

Yorkshire Legal Awards 2018: Winner

Modern Law Conveyancing Awards 2018: Shortlisted

The Legal 500: Recommended

FT Innovative Lawyers 2015: Stand Out

September/October 31

FAMILY LIFE

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32 September/October

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BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Black History Month ‘Who’s Who’ Quiz Look at these photos and clues with your kids and match them to the list of important figures from black history on the next page. How many do you know?

His art is displayed in galleries all around the world.

Famous for her books for young adults, including Noughts and Crosses.

First black driver to win a Formula One championship.

Born a slave in Maryland, She paid her own way to the Crimean War, setting USA, she led military campaigns to free slaves. up a hotel for soldiers.

He served twenty seven years in prison and was finally freed in 1990.

She was a ‘human computer’ making the calculations required for space flight.

He campaigned for laws to end racial segregation and discrimination in the USA.

He served two terms as president, leaving office with a sixty percent approval rate. Familiesonline.co.uk

September/October 33

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

What do you know about Black History Month? October marks Black History Month (BHM) in the United Kingdom. The event was first officially recognised by the US government in 1976 and was first celebrated in the UK in 1987. Events celebrating African and Caribbean cultures will take place across the UK until October 31. People from African and Caribbean backgrounds have been a fundamental part of British history for centuries. However, many have highlighted that their value and contribution to society is often overlooked, ignored, or distorted. Many schools still teach a history curriculum which focuses on traditional events and the achievements of white figures. BHM gives everyone the chance to

share, celebrate and learn about the impact of black heritage and culture – something we should, of course, be doing all year round. BHM also goes further than the traditional concentration on slavery and segregation in the history of African and Caribbean people, giving us the chance to uplift figures previously disregarded in British and world history. www.blackhistorymonth.org.uk

Answers. Left to right Row 1: 1. Chris Ofili 2. Malorie Blackman 3. Lewis Hamilton Row 2: Harriet Tubman, Mary Seacole, Nelson Mandela Row 3: Barack Obama, Katherine Johnson, Martin Luther-King Jr.

Who’s Who Quiz names Barack Obama Chris Ofili Harriet Tubman Katherine Johnson Lewis Hamilton Malorie Blackman Martin Luther King Jr Mary Seacole Nelson Mandela 34 September/October

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