TM
Welcome to...
Contents
The Essential Directory for Organised Parents
Bumps & Babies
4
Education
11
Clubs & Classes
16
Out & About
24
Local Services
36
Wilkommen, bienvenue and welcome to the January/ February edition of Family Go Live magazine.
Health & Beauty
41
Parties & Playtime
46
We’re starting 2014 with a bang in this issue, as we take a look at everything from baby swimming to how to give yourself a financial makeover. In Bumps and Babies, we consider the changes to paternity leave and what they might be, and think about whether the grass really is greener for parents who get their own parents as babysitters. Interfering mother- in- law, anyone? We also consider the issue of exercise for big and little ones, as we take a look why, contrary to popular belief, getting hot and sweaty is actually a good idea for mums-to-be, and examine why you should be introducing your child to your local swimming pool at the earliest possible opportunity.
as we look at the benefits of gymnastics classes. We also look at the figures regarding just how much time the average parent spends ferrying their child to and from classes. Hint: It’s shocking. In Out and About, we look at why should be shopping local this Valentines day, and in Local Services, we explore why more families should consider mediation rather than costly court proceedings, and what simple steps you can take to give yourself a financial makeover.
If you suffer from a pang of guilt whenever you let your child play with the iPad, then fear not, as in education we have a run-down of the best educational apps, so now they can play with their favourite ‘toy’ and learn. We also look at why so many boys are falling behind when it comes to writing.
If the annual mincepies and Bailey feast that is Christmas has left you looking more Mama Cass than one hot mama, fear not, as in Health and Beauty we look at a few types of diets you can explore. And of course, we have our listings pages, packed full of all the events, goings-on and clubs and classes in our city for the next few months, and the usual fantastic competitions and coupons at the back of the magazine.
In Clubs and Classes we’re landing with our backs perfectly straight and our feet pressed firmly together
Happy New Year! The Family Go Live Team
EDITORIAL: Sarah Carlin ADVERTISING SALES: Clare Vaughan / Laura Doyle DIRECTOR: Denise Harris ADDRESS: SK Events, The Old Bank 382 Aigburth Road Liverpool L19 3QD TELEPHONE: 0151 432 5651 EMAIL: info@familygolive.com Disclaimer: The information contained within Family Go Live we believe to be correct at the time of printing, no responsibility can be accepted for errors or omissions.
BUMPS & BABIES
Bumps & Babies Directory
Antenatal Support
Twilight Midwife Tel: 0151 538 2998 www.twilightmidwife.co.uk NCT Tel: 0844 243 6191 www.nct.org.uk/branches/liverpool
Post-natal support
Association of Breast Feeding Mothers Tel: 08444 122 949 www.abm.me.uk/contact PSS Post Natal Support Group Tel: 0151 222 9262 www.psspeople.com Bambis Breast Feeding Support Group Tel: 0151 702 4411 bambis@lwh.nhs.uk
Nurseries and childminders
Dukes & Duchesses Tel: 0151 709 1186 www.dukesand duchesses.co.uk Community and Child minder Network Co-Ordinator Tel: 0151 233 4001 www.anfieldchildrenscentre.org.uk Waverton House Tel: 0151 733 0199 www.wavertonhousedaynursery.co.uk Botanic Lodge Nursery Tel: 0151 259 2859 www.botaniclodgenursery.co.uk The Cottage Day Nursery Tel: 0151 293 0384 www.thecottagedaynursery.com Greenbank Park Day Nursery Tel: 0151 733 4037 www.greenbankparkdaynursery.co.uk
Health Support
Late night chemist directory www.latenightchemist.co.uk Liverpool Women’s Hospital Tel: 0151 708 9988 www.liverpoolwomens.nhs.uk NHS Direct Tel: 0845 4647 www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
The Essential Directory for Organised Parents
WIN
The ultimate
maternity and
nursing outfit worth £200! Bibee Dresses has teamed up with Family Go Live magazine to offer one lucky reader the ultimate maternity and nursing outfit worth £200! A Bibee Dress offers mums a stylish, versatile and innovative way to create a mix and match wardrobe to see her through pregnancy and breastfeeding. One core dress sits under the bust, and is then accessorised with a Bibee Dress Front of mum’s choice. The Dress Front simply buttons on, allowing mum to change her look in just a few minutes. With countless necklines, colours and patterns on offer it’s easy to go from day to night, ideal if you are off to work and then going for a meal with the girls and want to jazz up your look! Breastfeeding with a Bibee Dress is really easy, all mum needs to do is undo one side and she’ll have full access to her breast. One lucky winner can choose a Bibee Dress in her favourite colour and length (maxi or knee length!) a long sleeved t-shirt (to keep warm!) and a Bibee Dress Front.
To be in with a chance just visit onto the website www. bibeedresses.co.uk and let Family Go Live know what colour dress you would like to win. To enter the competition please go to www.familygolive.com/competitions and give us your answer. Closing date 28th Feb 2014
If you thought baby swimming classes were just a bit of fun and – potentially – a chance to recreate Nirvana’s iconic baby-chasing-dollar album cover, think again. In fact, research from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology shows that baby swimmers have better balance and are also better at grasping at things than non-swimmers. What’s more, this difference persists even when children are five years old, when babies who have been taught to swim still outperform their peers.
BUMPS & BABIES
Helping baby’s development go swimmingly...
The researchers examined the abilities of children to walk on tiptoes, balance on one foot, use a skipping rope, roll a ball and catch a bean bag. They found that, even at age five, the baby swimmers were markedly better than their peers when it came to balance and the ability to reach for things. For Ali Ogden, who runs multi-award winning Water Babies classes around Liverpool, this is no surprise. She said: “In water, babies are able to exercise every single muscle in their body, including some they wouldn’t yet find on land. “And whilst the emphasis in our sessions is on strengthening the bond between the two of you, having fun and increasing both yours and your baby’s confidence, swimming from birth is also excellent for their development.” FGL AWARD WINNER!!
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BUMPS & BABIES
WINTER Baby!
Silver Sense!
onesie from Snuggle up with a stylish lining keeps Silver Sense! The silver cold and it’s en little ones warm wh cool when it is warm!
nse.co.uk
£39 from www.silverse
Sheepskin liner
fy, cosy Your little one will be com gorgeous this with m war very and Sheepskin pram liner. £39.95 from ep.co.uk www.thelittlegreenshe
Breathe Easy Baby Wipes
plant ingredients es are made entirely from Breathe Easy Baby Wip ral saline natu with d che Aleva Naturals™ Bamboo enri boo and noses! Made from bam tty sno dry skin. on little soft for l er idea sup and are es are soothing and menthol oils these wip solution, eucalyptus and egradable! They are also 100% biod aby.co.uk
£3.99 from www.vitalb
Babycademy
to baby If it’s too cold to go out g the fun brin ter, Win classes this sic Time home with this great Mu the kit In y. dem kit from Babyca hours of ten r ove find will s ent par for their ons less fun and inspiring h birt from le tab Sui baby!
emy.co.uk
£50 from www.babycad
Snoodz ‘n’ Mitz
and glove set Snoodz ‘n’ Mitz is a truly unique hat always there are they day, all on that not only stay gloves will when you need them! Lost hats and become a thing of the past!
£12.50 from www.skibz.co.uk
BUMPS & BABIES www.familygolive.com
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BUMPS & BABIES
The Essential Directory for Organised Parents
BUMPS & BABIES
Changes to paternity leave While successive governments have talked the talk when it comes to equal division of parenting duties, until now they haven’t really walked the walk. For all the talk of dad getting involved with the care of newborns, men have only ever been given two weeks paternity leave. While they could share some of their partner’s leave eventually, this wasn’t possible little ones reached 20 weeks , meaning mum was quite literally left holding the baby. However, new plans will make it easier for parents to split things more equally, and for dad to take a more active role too. We take a look at the changes, and what it might mean for you.
How does it work?
Parents will be allowed to take a total of 52 weeks off work after having a baby or adopting. Mothers will now be able to pass on some of her leave to the father, and they can even take it in turns to go back to work for short periods until the 52 weeks is up.
How much notice do new mums and dads need to give their employers?
Within the 52-week period, workers will have to give at least eight week’s notice of the start date of their leave. They will also only be able to take three separate sets of leave during this period. They will only be able to take three separate sets of leave, or make three changes to the dates, unless otherwise agreed with their employer.
What if I change my mind?
If a mother plans to share her leave time with the father, but then changes her mind and decides to remain at home, she must notify her employer within three weeks of the birth.
Will our jobs be safe?
Parents will have the right to take 26 weeks off and be entitled to return to the same job, and this can be taken in a few chunks (e.g. two sets of 13 weeks)
What about pay?
Pay will be at the statutory level, unless you’ve got a generous employer. This means that for the first six weeks the person on leave will receive 90% of his or her average weekly earnings before tax, after that it will be 90% or £136.78 – whichever is lower – for 33 weeks. For further help & advice, please visit: www.gov.uk/paternity-pay-leave www.adviceguide.org.uk www.acas.org.uk
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BUMPS & BABIES
LCH launches e-Redbook Liverpool Community Health NHS Trust is encouraging parents and carers across Liverpool and Sefton to sign up for the e-Redbook. The e-Redbook is a new, digital version of the current Personal Child Health Record (Red Book), which enables parents to manage their child’s personal health records online. It can be updated to include real time information about a child’s health, growth, immunisations and development each time the child visits a health professional. It’s easy to access and quick to update from any smart phone, tablet or computer, which means there is also no longer a risk of losing the data or forgetting to bring it along to an appointment with your health visitor or GP.
The Essential Directory for Organised Parents
Jane Banks, Year Zero Lead for Liverpool Community Health explains: “The e-Redbook is an exciting new online tool that has the potential to really revolutionise how parents and health visitors work together in the future to improve children’s overall health, and we want to encourage any parents with babies or toddlers in the area to start using it”. “Parents who have already been testing out the new e-Redbook tell us they have found it very interactive and easy to use, and our health visitors have also reported a better consistency in record-keeping and appointment attendance too.” To find out more or to register to start using the e-Redbook now visit: www.eredbook.org.uk/liverpool or you can speak to your local NHS health visitor for more information.
Further Educ
The Alsop Adult Centre fsd.liverpool.gov Tel: 0151 233 3026 Blackburne House www.blackburnehouse.co.uk Tel: 0151 709 4356 Hugh Baird College www.hughbaird.ac.uk Tel: 0151 353 4444 Liverpool Community College www.liv-coll.ac.uk Tel: 0151 252 3000 Liverpool Hope University www.hope.ac.uk Tel: 0151 291 3000
Liverpool John Moore’s University www.ljmu.ac.uk Tel: 0151 231 2121 Liverpool community learning network Tel: 0151 707 7850 Liverpool Council of ED Liverpool.gov.uk/schoolsand-learning/adult-learning Tel: 0151 233 3901 Learn Direct Centres www.learndirect.co.uk Tel: 0151 703 2800
EDUCATION
Educatioatnion DforirAdeultcts ory
Liverpool university online courses info.university-liverpool-online.com Open University www.open.ac.uk 0845 300 6090 Park Road Adult Centre www.adulteducationfinder.co.uk Tel: 0151 233 2430 WEA North West Region nw.wea.org.uk Tel: 0151 243 5340
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EDUCATION
Help your kids be ‘appy’ to learn It may well have been all blackboards and books while we were at school, but now, our digitally literate children are more likely to use a tablet or smartphone to learn. There’s so many educational apps on the market that it can be difficult to know where to start, so luckily we’ve done a bit of research for you. So grab your iPad, declare “Eeeeh, it wasn’t like that in my day” and take a look at our favourite educational apps. Letterschool
This very popular app helps children learn how to trace letters and be rewarded by the letters coming to life. Once children are confident with both upper and lowercase letters, they can start writing with no help.
Reading Raven
This teaches children phonics through a step-by-step programme. The letter sounds are clear, and the very cute illustrations help make it easy for kids to learn. Duo Lingo
Parlez-vous Français? Non? Well your kids will be able to once they’ve got to grips with this great app. Allowing them to learn phrases in Spanish, French, German, Portuguese and Italian, it tests children as they learn in order to reinforce their understanding along the way. Tres bien! Eggs on Legs
Sounds like an unflattering description of a group of leggings-clad woman, but is actually a fabulous maths app. Kids have to solve maths problems in order to crack open the eggs on legs and see what’s inside. The app has problems of various levels of difficulty, so it really is suitable for all. Music Sparkles
If you’re hoping that your child has a career on the stage, seek support early from this little app, which allows children to name, learn about and even ‘play’ a variety of musical instruments. Now all you need to do is buy the real thing! Great British Chefs Kids
The popularity of TV chefs means that people seem to be more interested in cooking and baking than ever before, and thanks to this app, kids can join in the fun too. It holds 105 recipes from 21 British chefs, split into categories like snacks, mains, cakes and biscuits, pastry, chocolate and vegetables & salad. The step by step guides, photos and even videos mean it’s easy for you and your child to cook together, even if your own Paul Hollywood impression leaves something to be desired.
... Find out more at
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EDUCATION www.familygolive.com
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EDUCATION
How now brown cow: Elocution lessons get an update Elocution lessons have long been a thorny issue, with more than a whiff of Hyacinth Bouquet-style self- aggrandizement about them. But, it seems, they’ve moved on, and the ability to speak correctly and precisely is now more likely to be studied as a life skill rather than as something to help social advancement. And rather than spending many an unhappy hour repeating ‘how now, brown cow’, children are more likely to learn this in the less contrived environment of a drama class such as those offered by the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts (LAMDA). We talk to Sarah Oakley-Cooke, Principal of Active TT Schooling Ltd, which offers LAMDA courses, about the reality of 21st century elocution lessons...
What motivates parents to send their children to elocution lessons?
Elocution conjures up images of ‘the rain in Spain falls mainly on the plains’ and snobbery, but in reality it is just one part of drama and theatre which is getting more recognition. The ability to speak and present is part of many other subjects so it’s a transferrable skill set. The confidence and inclusiveness of it shows quick results and can be rehearsed almost anytime, anywhere. Most of the lessons are fun: that stereotype of dry repetition has been replaced with purposeful speaking. So how can children benefit?
Good pronunciation is the key to unlocking presentation skills in a fun setting. It gives opportunities for public speaking within a group of friends and low-pressure situations to build confidence. It’s an option to try a creative class without the expense of musical instruments, dance or sports kit etc. The building blocks for success start from entry level so it’s really accessible from a young age. The qualifications are graded and at a higher level count toward university applications. What sort of children attends these lessons?
All ages of children who want to explore their potential in voice and drama. There’s more of a balance between boys and girls than other hobbies. Active TT Schooling Ltd runs LAMDA classes from entry level to grade 8. For more information, visit www.activett.co.uk The Essential Directory for Organised Parents
Ever thought of running
a franchise? Working for yourself can often seem like an attractive prospect, especially for people who need to juggle work and family commitments. However, starting your own business can be challenging and there is a lot of business knowledge to acquire first, such as business planning, finance and marketing. That is why many people prefer to go down the franchising route. Running a franchise allows you to manage your own profitable business and decide on your own working hours, while benefiting from the expertise, guidance and support of an established parent company.
According to data from the annual British Franchise Association and Natwest survey, franchising is on the up. The survey found that the contribution of the franchise industry to the UK economy grew by eight percent in 2012, reaching £13.4 billion. Franchise opportunities exist in a wide range of industry sectors, from hotel and catering to retail and childcare. As part of an exciting expansion of Family Go Live magazine, there are currently franchise opportunities available in the North West and across the country. Denise Harris, the founder and Managing Director of Family Go Live magazine, said: “Family Go Live is now in its seventh year, and we have over 50,000 readers across Merseyside. Print media is a competitive area, and the secret behind our ongoing success is that we have identified a clear market, and developed a magazine format and an online presence that really works. “Franchising the magazine is a natural next step and we’re confident that this formula will also be very successful in other parts of the UK. All we need now is talented people to join us.” Want to find out more about franchising? Visit the British Franchise Association at www.thebfa.org
Considerations when thinking of becoming a franchisee How will you secure finance? Do your sums and find out realistically what funding you have potentially available. If you will need to raise finance, speak to a specialist franchise advisor at your bank. How will your chosen franchise business suit your lifestyle? It is important to make sure the business model fits your lifestyle. If you are considering investing in a restaurant, are you able to work nights and weekends? It sounds logical, but be sure of the chosen field. If you need to be flexible enough to do the school run, choose a business that allows more flexible working hours. Have you done your research? Market research is vital, take time to look at the different types of business models available to you, because there are so many out there. Keep an open mind about what industry sector you are interested in, rather than simply choosing a business sector that you understand or have experience in. It may be that a completely new area suits you much better. How profitable is a franchise business? Franchise businesses can be very profitable but no business guarantees a quick-win! Although franchises are generally more successful than any other business types, it takes hard work and determination to succeed as a franchisee.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FAMILY GO LIVE FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITIES CALL 0151 432 5652 OR EMAIL INFO@FAMILYGOLIVE.COM
CLUBS & CLASSES
Clubs & Classes Have a look below for some great classes available throughout February half term! Liverpool Hope University Sports Star Holiday Programme
Ofsted registered holiday programme for children aged 5-13. Sports include netball, basketball, handball, cricket, tag rugby, hockey and more, delivered by a team of qualified coaches. Where? Liverpool Hope University Hope Park, Liverpool, L16 9JD When? All half term 0151 291 3000 www.hope.ac.uk/ hopeparksports/childrensactivities/
The Black-E
Offer various dance, circus and drama workshops for all ages, along with play schemes for parents & toddlers. Plus experience the largest indoor bouncy balloon! (Packed lunch is advisable) Where? 1 Great George St, Liverpool L1 5EW When? All half term (further information can be found on website) 0151 709 5109 www.theblack-e.co.uk
Kids in Bloom, Out of School Club
An array of activities co-ordinated by their specialist, knowledgeable, energetic staffs that co-ordinate it’s out of school activity programmes. Where? Various schools When? Various (further information can be found on the website) 0151 228 6475 kidsinbloom@hotmail.com www.kidsinbloom.co.uk
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Childwall Sports Centre
Activities include multisport, cheerleading & dance, basketball, trampolining & gymnastics. Price: booked in advance from £5 per child. Where? Childwall Sports Centre, Fiveways, Queens Drive, Liverpool L15 6XZ When? All half term 10-3pm with early morning drop off available from 8am & late pick up 5pm 07792 367048 nwray@childwallssa.org
King’s Camps Children’s Sport & Activity Camps
King’s Camps run a fantastic week of fun activities from swimming, hockey, dance & football for children aged 4-17 in the school holidays in Liverpool. Where? King David Campus, 116 Childwall Rd, Liverpool L15 6WU When? All half term 0114 263 2106 www.kingscamps.org/booking/ liverpool-king-david-high-school/
OnThisROC
A wide range of indoor & outdoor climbing activities for families & children aged 4+. Other activities include Scrambling & Hill Walking & Slack-lining. Parties also catered for and can be arranged at a local centre or can bring a mobile wall to you! One off activities to courses available for all! Where? Various venues When? Various dates 07850 344 144 info@onthisroc.co.uk www.onthisroc.co.uk
An exciting range of activities for disabled children aged 8 and above, their siblings and friends. From Handball, Basketball & Rugby to Arts & Crafts. (Booking is essential) Where? Greenbank Sports academy, Greenbank lane, Liverpool L17 1AG When? 9am – 5pm all over half term 0151 280 7757 www.greenbanksportsacademy.co.uk/
Liverpool Water Sports Centre
Get your children involved in some fantastic water sports this half term. Activities include canoeing, windsurfing, sailing and more. Booking is essential. Price: £6 an hour Where? Liverpool Watersports centre, 110 Mariners Warf, Queens Dock, Liverpool L3 4DG When? All half term 0151 708 9322 www.liverpoolwatersports.org.uk
ARTventures
Join ARTventurers Liverpool for some messy, creative and fun art and craft classes during Half Term. Age 16 months to 6 years. Price: £5 each with a 10% Sibling Discount. Book in advance. Where/when? Tuesday 18th February 1011am St Marys Millennium Centre, West Derby. Thursday 20th February 10-11am Elm Hall Drive Methodist Church, Mossley Hill. Friday 21st February 10-11am Childwall Neighbourhood Health Centre/Library, Childwall 07720 024356. Karen@artventurers.co.uk
Beechley Stables
“ Own a pony” ½ day courses available. Children aged 6-12 can learn all about the horses’ care, feeding, grooming and much more. Booking required in advance. Price: £22.50 Where? Beechley Stables, Harthill Hall, Allerton L18 3HU When? Thursdays 9-12pm or 1-4pm 0151 724 4490 lifestyles@liverpool.gov.uk
CLUBS & CLASSES
Schools out, Greenbank Sports Academy
Awesome Walls
School of Rock half term climbing fun for children ages 6 years upwards. Harness included and the chance to work up different levels if the children wish to do so. Price: £9 per session. Where? St Albans Church off Great Howard Street, Liverpool L5 9XT When? All half term and throughout 0151 298 2422 www.awesomewalls.co.uk
David Campbell Soccer
Half term events for 2, 3 or 5 days. For boys and girls age 4-16,using specialist equipment to teach correct techniques right from the start. Kids are coached in groups of a similar age or ability. Where? Various When? All half term 0151 474 8811 www.davidcampbellsoccer.com
South Liverpool Gym Club Gymnastics Lessons, Cheer & Gymnastics Team. Various equipments to include Trampolines & Foam Pit. Parties also available. Where? Aigburth Road, Liverpool L17 6AB When? All year round 0151 737 2983 email: lisamckune@hotmail.com
FGL AWARD WINNER!!
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CLUBS & CLASSES
The Essential Directory for Organised Parents
CLUBS & CLASSES
Help your child become gym-tastic While for many of us, just the mention of the word ‘gymnastics’ will conjure up harrowing memories of royal blue leotards and aborted forwarded rolls, the inspiring performance of Team GB gymnasts in the 2012 Olympics means that this somewhat overlooked sport has come to the fore once more. We take a look at three good reasons to consider gymnastics for your child. Coordination: Balancing elegantly on bars and landing with your feet together doesn’t just look nice; it can also help children to build up their bodily awareness and co-ordination – crucial in the development years.
Developing strength and flexibility: It not may be quite as high-octane as the football pitch, but children need to be strong in order to succeed at gymnastics. It will also help them develop the sort of flexibility that will not only make them more resistant to the strains and sprains that are often the result of childhood play, it can even help them perform better in their other sporting activities. Work ethic: Gymnastics isn’t an easy sport to master, and the only way to master it is through practice. By putting in the hours to perfect their techniques, and seeing the results, children can learn from an early age that practice makes perfect, and that hard work usually pays off.
Could your Kid Kidilates? The Physiotherapy Centre has launched a brand new exercise programme aimed at primary school children. Kidilates is a fun 40 minute physiotherapy led exercise class promoting healthy movement in youngsters. The programme consists of pilates exercises, general exercises and has a strong emphasis on postural education. Sarah Johnson, Director of The Physiotherapy Centre commented: “So many teenagers and adults present themselves to health providers every day with injuries related to bad posture and poor body awareness. Kidilates encourages children to move well, enjoy exercise and it promotes a positive body image. “Kidilates aims to promote good posture short and long term and reduce the number of children developing into adults with postural related problems that could have been prevented. Our programme is suitable for the majority of children including those diagnosed with motor problems e.g. dyspraxia and children who are keen to develop a specific sporting ability.” Visit: http://www.thephysiotherapycentre.com/
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CLUBS & CLASSES
Children’s busy social lives driving parents half way to the moon! Ever find yourself wondering where that tank of petrol went? Wonder no more, and look no further than those little people on the back seat, who, according to new research from Aviva, are responsible for a surprising amount of their parents’ motoring activity. The insurer’s figures reveal that the average parent will have driven over half way to the moon (125,817 miles) chaperoning their children to and from their hobbies and social engagements by the time their child reaches the legal driving age of 17. They found that mum’s taxi and dad’s chauffer service make an average of 27 journeys per week, clocking up an average of 148 miles, ferrying children to a range of activities such as ballet, football practice and piano lessons.
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The research shows that the most demanding social schedule comes as children hit primary school. Parents of primary school kids make an average of 31 journeys per week (1,559 per year) between their cars to keep up with their children’s busy social calendar. These include trips to sports clubs and practice (three per week), trips to friend’s houses (three per week), family outings and events (six per week) and journeys to school (four per week) as well as various other after school activities and social clubs. In fact, over the course of a month, mum and dad on average will jointly spend the equivalent of one whole day ferrying their children between their social engagements (25.16 hours over the course of a month).
CLUBS & CLASSES
Pa rent Review Little School of Horrors
John O’Brien from Crosby, tells us la why his 14 year old daughter Tay loves The Little School of Horrors... located at the heart The Little School of Horrors, Liverpool, has to of tre Cen City of the bustling and awe inspiring be one of the most fantastic take part in. activities that your child can effects creation ial spec ing work fully a Set in all the tricks of learn can child studio, here your ks, creature mas ing mak the trade involved in ics. costumes, props and prosthet gn their ideas in Your child will be asked to desi ded on which deci have detail, then once they er they will then be of their designs that they pref which will then be asked to sculpt it out in clay, esented to them repr and latex ble cast into dura even be able to add to paint. Then your child will teeth, fur, hair and finer details such as realistic ster masks. mon own very their to whiskers cts that will help proje in lved invo be Your child can d on TV and foun s item and them recreate props ’re finished they can in the movies and once they er. take them home to keep forev
Little School of Horrors only astonished our family been able to create has not her confidence in her and friends, but also boosted ties. abili tive own crea is the perfect introduction The Little School of Horrors I can guarantee that all to the creative industry and it! children of every age will love
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FGL AWARD WINNER!!
g my own daughter I personally have enjoyed takin in comparison to to the lessons each week and by most school’s ided prov ation educ ed the limit you that any child ise prom can I ses, basic art clas The Little School at ities activ who partakes in the a very high level and of Horrors will be receiving honest, the tutoring quality of tutor training. To be School of Horrors Little The er, Amb provided by es the teaching lass outc Dean of Demonology ges! provided from most art colle get to work Here children can immediately terpieces in completely creating their very own mas size lessons each hands on and practical biteends they will have ule mod the n whe and k wee ul to treasure for a derf won and d something weir this place enough to end mm lifetime. I cannot reco t my own child has other parents and seeing wha
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TM
S D R A AW 2013
of th anniversary 13 saw the six ate we br le ce to November 20 d magazine, an ceremony, with Family Go Live annual awards After school nd co se m held our fro ne ing to everyo . accolades go ts Ve d an es Venu re Clubs to Party Go Live readers, we region and Family ck. the Do s ert ros ac Alb ts m, ren nA for by pa k place at The Pa too d an The awards, voted F.M ice Ju ne Campbell of presented by Lean
The Winners are... Best Afterschool Club Kid-zone (Bumbles): Amanda Lea, Mark Hardwick, Jenny Rannard, & Chloe Howard
Best Baby & Toddler Class Waterbabies: Alison Ogden & Claire Edwards
Best Nurser y Botanic Lodg e: Hannah Re ed, Rachel Prayle & Anne Ellis
Best Teacher St Sebastian’s RC Junior School: Jaqui Davies
ss 4-7’s lub/Cla Ann Best C School: ce an D Topaz Burgess & Louise n to er Ath
1’s Best Club/Class 8-1 rors: Little School Of Hor m Ada Amber Shorrock &
Best Family Day Out for unde r 12’s Knowsley Safari Park: Edward Perry
Winnett
der Best Professional Service Provi Liverpool Women’s Hospital: Kate & Bedding, Mary McDonald Dorothy Zack-Williams
ly Gym ily Friend es Most Fam r the Ladi fo ng hi Somet s Studio: es tn Fi ’s Kerry ell Kerry Russ
Best Domestic Service Provider Alder Vets: Danielle Greenberg
Best Children’s Party Venue Crazy Town: Laura Evison & Tracey Jenkins
Mos t Res Family taur Frie a The ndly Tave nt Caf rn C é or o: K eith Gurn ey
Best Hair & Beauty Provider Toni + Guy: Sonia Tyman & Phil Tyman
Best Hired Entertainment Jumping Jacks: Sara Smith, Lucie Campbell & Jayne Barrow
everyone and thank you to rs ne in w r ou l al to . These “Congratulations Go Live Awards ily am F nd co se r been designed to who voted in ou ve ha , ic bl pu e r by th ions who awards, voted fo es and organisat ni pa m co l ca lo d war recognise and re in our area”. ort to families pp su t os . m e th offer Magazine ector arris, Dir Denise H
Go Live of Family
s full list of winner awards and the om e.c liv go For more on the , visit www.family and nominations
Out & About Directory Aladdin’s Its Raining Zen
What? Liverpool’s legendary rock ‘n’ roll panto returns for a magic carpet ride of a lifetime with Aladdin and friends. The multi-talented cast sing, dance, entertain, and play music live on stage. The cast includes Adam Keast as the Genie and Liverpool’s infamous Panto Dame Francis Tucker as Widow Twanky. Where? Liverpool Playhouse, Williamson Square When? 1st – 18th January www.everymanplayhouse.com/
Art Play for Under 5’s
Cinderella
What? Don’t miss this action packed, laugh-aminute, sing-along fun fest for all the family. Will Cinderella go to the Ball? The Ugly Sisters and the Wicked Stepmother will be trying to stop her, so she really needs your help! Where? The Atkinson, Lord Street, Southport When? 9th - 19th January www.theatkinson.co.uk
Liverpool Town Hall
What? Enjoy a guided tour of this historic building and learn a tail or two about the characters who have come through the doors of this magnificent building over the years. Where? Liverpool Town Hall, Exchange Flags When? 13th January http://liverpoolcityhalls.co.uk/town-hall
What? Bring along the little ones for creative play activities led by Wirral Children’s Centres. Where? Lady Lever Art Gallery When? 1st - 27th January www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk
Union J
What? Hot on the heels of the success of their debut single ‘Carry You’, X Factor boy band sensations Union J have announced their first ever UK headline tour. Where? Echo arena, Kings Dock When? 6th January www.echoarena.com
The Sleeping Beauty
What? Every child’s favourite fairy tale, this is the classic story of love and innocence, mystery and magic set to Tchaikovsky’s sublime score. Stunning choreography, sumptuous costumes and wonderful sets form the fantasy world in which the Lilac Fairy struggles against the evil Carabosse. Where? Liverpool Empire Theatre When? Tuesday 7th January www.atgtickets.com
Peppa Pig’s Big Splash
What? Come and join Peppa and her friends for another all-singing, all-dancing adventure full of songs, games and muddy puddles! The nursery roof is leaking and Peppa and her friends need to fix it - quick! They’ll need your help to make sure everything goes smoothly. Where? Liverpool Empire Theatre When? 18th January www.atgtickets.com
RSPB Garden Bird watch day
What? Join RSPB Liverpool and learn how to take part in the world’s largest wildlife survey with Big Garden Bird watch, a fun activity for all the family. Where? The Palm House, Sefton Park L17 1AP When? Sunday 19th January 0151 726 9304 www.palmhouse.org.uk
World Museum
Turbo 2D at Fact
What? Theo is a young speed-freak, who yearns for a life in the fast lane, the only problem is Theo is a snail. Refusing to see this as a hindrance, Theo harbours hopes of one day competing in motor-speedway race, the Indy 500. Theo suddenly discovers that inside his shell is the horsepower he’s always dreamed of, and sets off on a madcap adventure to fulfil his ambitions of tearing up the race-track. Where? FACT, Wood Street, Liverpool When? 18th – 19th January www.fact.co.uk
Hey Presto
What? Join the story of Presto the cat who is a very talented magician, so when he and his best friend Monty the dog, join a funfair and start a magic show things look good for the duo. But fame goes to Monty’s head and soon Presto loses his friend and his show! Where? The Atkinson, Lord Street, Southport When? 19th January www.theatkinson.co.uk
Strictly Come Dancing - The Live Tour What? Each celebrity from the current series
will be dancing with their fantastic on-screen professional dance partners. These pairings are: Mark and Iveta Lukosiute; Abbey and Alijaz Skorjanec; Ben and Kristina Rihanoff; Natalie and Artem Chigvintsev; Deborah and Robin Windsor; and Susanna will be dancing with Kevin Clifton. Nicky Byrne will be dancing with his series 10 partner Karen Hauer, and Natalie Lowe will also be joining the tour. Where? Echo Arena, Kings Dock When? 23rd January www.echoarena.com
What? Magic for beginners-Come and learn how to wow your friends and family with amazing magic tricks. Members of the Liverpool Mahatma Magic Circle will guide you through easy to ‘make and do’ tricks for all ages. When? 18-19th & 25th January Where? Both at the World Museum, William Brown Street L3 8EN 0151 478 4393 www.liverpoolmuseums.org
Beauty And The Beast Of Rock
What? Don’t miss this classic family pantomime with a twist. Will Beauty be in time to save the Beast before the last rose petal falls? Join Beauty and the enchanted castle members in this tale with great classic rock tunes as ‘Bat out of Hell’, ‘Whole Lot f Rosie’, ‘We Will Rock You’ plus many more. Where? Floral Pavilion, New Brighton When? 31st Jan - 1st Feb www.floralpavilion.com
Victorian Lamplight Tour at Croxteth Hall
What? This stunning tour, led by the timeless glow of a lamplight, will take you through the eerie corridors of time, where you will encounter the characters from the past who will share with you their tales and secrets. Be warned....there are whispers that these corridors also possess an otherworldly presence! The tour lasts for approx 1 hour and promises to be entertaining and enthralling (suitable for children aged 8 and over). Where? Croxteth Hall, Croxteth Park L12 0HB 0151 287 4798 www.liverpoolcityhalls.co.uk When? Wednesday 15th January
Diary Planner - JANUARY 1
SAT
FRI
THUR
WEDS
TUES
MON
SUN
3
2
4 Pied Piper Unity Theatre, Liverpool
6
5 Charlie & Lola Extremley New Play Waterside Art Centre, Liverpool
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13
Cinderella The Atkinson, Southport 19
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14 Alladin The Playhouse Williamson Square
15
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22
10
9
16
Open family Weekend at David Lloyd, free to non members
27
28
17
18
Peppa Pig Big Splash Liverpool Empire 23
Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour Echo Arena
26
11
Peter Pan St Helens Theatre Royal
The Nutcracker Empire Liverpool
Union J Echo Arena
12
8
29
30
24
25
Open family Weekend at David Lloyd, free to non members 31
1
UK Baby & Toddler Show BT Convention Centre, Liverpool
FEBRUARY 2014
2
3
4
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11
5
6
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14
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Grandpa’s Railway The Brindley, Runcorn
Banana’s in Pyjamas Floral Pavilion, New Brighton
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17
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What the Ladybird Heard Playhouse, Williamson Square
23
8
Pied Piper Unity Theatre, Liverpool
UK Baby & Toddler Show BT Convention Centre, Liverpool
9
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MON
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25 The Wizard of OZ e Th Brindley Runcorn
26
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15
Half term family trails Beeston Castle & Woodland Park, Cheshire
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Out & About Directory Family Fun Weekend
What? Parents can attend the show with their little ones to see the Milkshake! Crew perform bespoke Bop Box live. Visitors can also enjoy the large kid’s family fun interactive zone. Where? BT Convention Centre When? 01-02 Feb 14 Exhibition www.btconventioncentre.com
Chinese New Year 2014
What? Liverpool Chinatown is galloping towards the Year of the Horse and is celebrating with a series of city wide events including dancing parades, cracker displays, street markets and performing acts. Where? Various locations throughout the Liverpool When? 1st – 2nd February www.visitliverpool.com
Arenacross 2014
What? Following a sold out tour in 2013 Arenacross is back With its killer mix of allaction indoor dirt bike racing and gravitydefying Freestyle Motocross – set to a pumping soundtrack and laser show - Arenacross is a non-stop, three-hour white-knuckle ride! Where? Echo Arena, Kings Dock When? 2nd February www.echoarena.com
Peter Pan On Ice
What? The world-renowned Russian Ice Stars brings to your theatre a new adaptation of this famous fantasy adventure by J.M. Barrie. Wendy, Michael and John are visited in the nursery by Peter Pan himself, who teaches them to fly with the help of Tinker Bell, and takes them on a magical journey to Never Land. Where? Floral Pavilion Theatre When? 12th - 16th February www.floralpavilion.com
Scarecrow Festival
What? Visit the Scarecrow Festival in the gardens and at the Farm this spring half-term. Over 30 scarecrows will be resident in the gardens. Find the farmyard scarecrows and have a go at making your own Where? Tatton Park, Knutsford Drive, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 6QN When? 15th – 23rd February http://events.tattonpark.org.uk
Bananas In Pyjamas Live
What? It’s Partytime in Cuddlestown Park but the guest of honour’s gone missing! It’s a Banana emergency! Help the Banana’s and their friends find the guest of honour whilst singing some of your favourite kids tunes and laughing along to lots and lots of jokes! Join B1, B2, Amy, Lulu and Morgan in this brand new show that will have you dancing in the aisles! Where? Floral Pavilion Theatre. When? 9th February www.floralpavilion.com
February Half Term Trail
What? Put your skills to the test this February half term with our special trail for families. Search the castle grounds to find all the clues and claim your tasty treat! Where? Beeston Castle, Cheshire When? 15th - 23rd February www.english-heritage.org.uk
Little Notes
What? Your child will explore pitch and rhythm
through songs and activities, develop their creativity through exploration and performance with percussion instruments, and learn more about instruments of the orchestra. Where? Liverpool Philharmonic Hall When? 17th February www.liverpoolphil.com
Baby Voices
What? The perfect introduction to making music with your baby, these 45 minute workshops will involve songs, movement, and active listening. Word sheets and suggestions on how to make music at home with your baby will be provided. Suggested age 0-18 months Where? Liverpool Philharmonic Hall When? 17th - 18th February www.liverpoolphil.com
Treasure Island
What? Why are pirates called pirates? Because they Arghhhhhhh! This is a tale of treachery, hidden treasure, and a young boys journey of self-discovery. Meet Jim Hawkins and the crew as they battle the most famous Pirate of all… Long John Silver. Suitable for ages 10 and under. All children invited to come and enjoy this interactive show in fancy dress. Where? Sefton Park Palm House When? 20th - 21st February www.wegotickets.com
Tales of the River Bank
What? Enjoy the combined delights of a river walk, bird song and a stroll through the park on this wonderful walk embracing nature’s beauty; a fun event for all the family. Tickets cost £3.00 and can be purchased on-line. When? 20th February Where? Croxteth Hall www.english-heritage.org.uk
Mad Hatter’s tea party - Magic Worlds
Deer Feed and Trailer Ride
What? Take a trailer ride with the Rangers to watch the winter deer feed. Get a close look at hundreds of deer feeding in their beautiful natural setting. £6 per Adult: £4 per Child Where? Tatton Park, Knutsford, Cheshire, When? 18th February 9.30am - 10.30am www.tattonpark.org.uk
Bake with Bradshaw!
What? Come in from the cold and join Bradshaw, Tatton’s Kitchenmaid in the cosy Mansion kitchens for a morning of traditional country house baking activities. Finish with a tea party as you sample some of your creations and take the rest home to enjoy. When? 18th February 10am - 12pm Where? Tatton Park, Knutsford, Cheshire www.tattonpark.org.uk
What? Enter a world of enchantment, illusion and fantasy! Imagine sipping tea at the Mad Hatter’s tea party, stumbling through the wardrobe into Narnia or casting a spell from a cauldron bubbling with frogs’ legs. Where? World Museum When? 21st February www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk
Sounds and Smells of Nature
What? Enjoy the beautiful sounds of nature as we meander around Croxteth Country Park and discover the meanings behind some of the calls and songs of our park wildlife. Tickets cost £3.00 per person. When? Friday 21st February 2014 at 1pm Where? Croxteth Hall http://liverpoolcityhalls.co.uk
OUT & ABOUT
WIN
a family ticket to the opening night show of Disney on ice - Worlds of Fantasy at Echo Arena!
Come experience a magical Disney fantasy on ice! Rev up for non-stop fun with four of your favourite Disney stories at Disney On Ice presents Worlds of Fantasy. Thrill to high-speed stunts as Lightning McQueen, Mater and the crew of Disney/Pixar’s Cars race across the ice. Dive into The Little Mermaid’s enchanting undersea kingdom and enter the mystical world of Pixie Hollow with Tinker Bell and the Disney Fairies as they reveal the magic that lies within! The toys are back in town with heroic action when Buzz Lightyear, Woody, Jessie and the Toy Story gang escape from the rambunctious tots of Sunnyside Daycare and race for home, in their most daring adventure ever!
From wheels to waves, playtime to pixie dust, your family’s favourite Disney moments come to life at Disney on Ice presents Worlds of Fantasy with dazzling skating, special effects and beloved characters certain to create a lifetime of memories. Tickets on sale now via www.echoarena .com / 0844 8000 400.
For a chance to win, simply answer the following question; What is the name of the daycare centre the toys end up at in Toy Story 3? To enter the competition please visit our website familygolive.com and give us your answer. Closing date 28th February 2014
The Essential Directory for Organised Parents
OUT & ABOUT
Restaura nt Review
Fazenda Liverpool’s swankiest new rodizio restaurant, Fazenda, has fast become one of the city’s hottest places to eat out since it opened toward the end of last year so I couldn’t wait to try it out for a Brazilian style family lunch. On arrival, we were wowed by the sleek interiors, adorned with cow print, orb lighting and cured meats.
Fazenda
chicken thighs and bacon wrapped chicken on, pork ribs and traditional Our hostess showed us to our table and breast, gamm sausage. Every skewer of can Ameri South nce, explained the Fazenda dining experie different flavour and all of the own meat had its which consists of continuous table side d to perfection. The bacon cooke were meats of service of up to seven different cuts the gammon were my and n wrapped chicke meat for lunch (and up to 15 cuts for we enjoyed a bit of while cuts, ite favour son’s peruse; dinner). There is no long menu to you just show a green card to instruct the everything. passador to keep bringing over different full, we decided to flip our cards skewers of meats, each perfectly cooked Feeling rather the last time. We were then for red to over a take over a traditional gaucho grill. To s offered coffee and dessert. We chose to break, you simply flip the card over to share a Brazilian crème caramel, which was to display the red side and flip it back absolutely delicious. green again to resume service. We ordered a couple of glasses of Malbec from the extensive wine list and an apple juice for our son. We then headed over to the impressive salad bar, which included everything from a delicious typical Brazilian black bean stew with beef and pork (Feijoada) to fresh vegetables, sushi, cheeses and artisan breads. Our three year old enjoyed walking around the salad bar to select his own lunch, he opted for a plate filled with humous, breadsticks, pretzels, cheese, tomatoes and pasta. It wasn’t long before the passadors started bringing over delicious skewers of meats. We tried the signature dish, cap of rump, to begin with, followed by
A true jewel in the crown of Exchange Flags, opposite the city’s town hall, Fazenda is a great place to take the kids for lunch or an early dinner. Little ones can choose what they do and don’t want to eat, and what’s more, kids under five eat free. They also have fun activity packs available, which include colouring pencils, puzzles and a jigsaw to help keep them entertained. We left feeling very satisfied and vowed to return one evening to enjoy the cocktails at the bar and try the evening menu, which includes up to 15 cuts of meat.
Horton House, Exchange Flags, L2 3YL. Tel: 0151 227 2733 @fazendalpool www.familygolive.com
31
OUT & ABOUT
WIN
a Family Ticket to see Peter Pan on Ice!
Second to the right, said Peter, and then straight on to the Floral Pavilion Theatre. This February, the Russian Ice Stars present this all new adaptation of J. M. Barrie favourite, Peter Pan as he takes on the infamous Hook in a tale of friendship, childhood and never growing up. Packed with all your favourite characters including Tinker Bell, Wendy, Michael and John and the vengeful Captain Hook whose appetite for revenge is perfectly recreated in this spectacular adaptation on ice.
For the chance to win, simply answer the following question: What is the name of Peter Pan’s fairy sidekick? e go to To enter the competition pleas ns and etitio omp om/c www.familygolive.c give us your answer. Closing date 3rd February 2014
The Essential Directory for Organised Parents
Signature
dish
The Perfect Chilli From Tavern Co. INGREDIENTS
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
1kg Mince Beef 250g diced mixed peppers 100g diced onion 70g chopped garlic 300ml beef stock 50ml red wine 260g chopped tomatoes 240g tomato puree 530g tinned red kidney beans (washed and drained) Vegetable oil 5g fresh oregano 15g hot chilli powder 7.5g cumin seeds 10g of roughly chopped jalapeños Salt and pepper to taste.
In a pre-heated non-stick frying pan dry toast the cumin seeds for 1-2 minutes, then remove from the heat and crush with a pestle and mortar. Next, add 2 teaspoons of oil into the pan, the crushed cumin seeds and chilli powder. Then mix thoroughly and cook out the spices for a three minutes on a medium to low heat and reserve. Meanwhile, in a large frying pan or sauce pan, heat up your vegetable oil with the finely diced garlic then brown your mince and onions, season and remove any excess fat, add the diced peppers and continue to cook for 3-4 minutes. Next, add the spice paste and stir thoroughly before adding your red wine and beef stock. Cook this out for a further 4-5 minutes before adding the chopped tomatoes, red kidney beans, tomato puree, roughly chopped jalapeños and freshly chopped oregano. Bring everything to the boil, season, reduce the heat and simmer on low heat for 1 to 2 hours. Serve the chilli over your favourite rice, with a load of cheese and a big dollop of sour cream and fresh cut chives!
Tel: 0151 734 5555 www.tavernco.co.uk
OUT & ABOUT www.familygolive.com
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OUT & ABOUT
Show your love for local this Valentine’s Day You always mean to show you care, but somehow in the stresses of everyday life, you just never get round to it ... It’s not romantic relationships we’re talking about, it’s the relationship you have with your local independent retailers! We all agree that spending local, and therefore keeping that money in the local community is a good idea, so we’ve compiled a handy list of some of the best locally owned shops in our midst. Show your love for Liverpool by visiting these shops, and others like them. Order some flowers: That bloomin’ flower shop While it’s tempting to call in the big boys when ordering flowers, there are plenty of great little independent shops who can create something just as beautiful, and cheaper too. We love That Bloomin’ Flower Shop in Toxteth. Great name, and great flowers too. Find them: 181 Park Rd, Liverpool, L8 6SE http://www.thatbloominflowershop.co.uk/ Lay the table: Bexley’s They say the belly is the route to a man’s heart so it’s pretty important to get this right. Whatever you’re cooking, if it involves meat the fantastic folk at Bexleys butchers will be able to help. Find them: in Speke, Huyton and Tuebrook www.bexleys.co.uk
Get the wine in: Robert and Henry Wines Treat your inner bacchus by getting to know Robert and Henry. Nestled in the heart of the city’s business quarter, they not only sell some of the finest wines from around the globe, they’re also more than happy to provide recommendations as to what wines might suit your tastes. Now that’s a service you don’t get in the local off licence. Find them: 12 Queen Ave, Queens Insurance Building(off Castle St/Dale St), L2 4TZ www.randhfinewines.co.uk Get the beers in: The Ship in a Bottle Those of you who have lost many an afternoon to the cracking beer selection in the classic Liverpool pub Ship and Mitre will be delighted to hear that now you can replicate the experience at home. They have specialist beer shops selling over 400 tipples in both Whitechapel in the City Centre, and in West Kirkby, Wirral. Now there’s no excuse for drinking bland cans at home. Find them: 45a Whitechapel Liverpool L1 6DT http://theshipinabottle.co.uk/
TM
IS
RECRUITING! Part Time Media Sales Rep
Family Go Live Magazine is combing the region for a superstar advertising sales candidate.
Are you?
A natural salesperson Confident and enthusiastic about the FGLM brand Dynamic and extremely target driven Excellent in communication and writing skills Exceptional at time management and prioritising A ‘people person’ with a skill for building up and maintaining relationships with advertisers, distribution outlets and editorial contributors alike. Able to keep your finger on the pulse of the latest parenting trends, and the ability to scout out relevant, interesting and engaging topics which could feature in the magazine’s pages.
If you think you have the right qualities for this position send your CV to the director, at info@familygolive.com with a short cover letter telling us a bit about yourself.
The Essential Directory for Organised Parents
OUT & ABOUT www.familygolive.com
35
LOCAL SERVICES
Local Services Directory
Home and garden support J Jones Electrical Services
Tel: 0151 545 0610 www.jjoneselectricalservices.co.uk
J T Plumbing Heating
Tel: 0151 203 8876 www.jtplumbingheatingliverpool.co.uk
Liverpool Boiler Repairs
Tel: 0151 542 5000 www.liverpoolboilerrepairs.co.uk
Liverpool Landscapes Ltd
Tel: 0151 425 5010 www.liverpool-landscapes.co.uk
Liverpool City Council
Tel: 0151 233 3001 Liverpool.gov.uk/contact-us/general-enquiries
Resin Drives
Tel: 0800 007 5733 www.resindrives.co.uk
The Essential Directory for Organised Parents
LOCAL SERVICES
The Essential Directory for Organised Parents
Christmas for most people is a wonderful time of year. However, for some families the seasonal period can raise tensions and increase pressures in the household leaving some couples to face the New Year with an impossible choice to either make do or break up. In 2012, the OECD reported that fewer than 70% of children in the UK live with both parents. Breaking up is always difficult but when children are involved, separation takes on a whole new meaning. When feelings are running high our own hurt, regret or anger can prevent us from clearly seeing the impact upon our children who are caught in the middle. Children can become extremely anxious and end up blaming themselves or feel pressurized into “taking sides.” Coralie Hobson of Tedheads comments, “In my experience, parental conflict and separation inevitably affects children. Even the best parents can become immersed in adult issues. Children pick up on their parents’ feelings sometimes leading to behavioural changes.” Making the decision to separate is difficult; thinking carefully about how to separate can make a dramatic difference to your children’s wellbeing. The best way to ensure that your children’s happiness is to try to see life through their eyes.
LOCAL SERVICES
Make up or break up
Coralie Hobson says, “Here at Tedheads, we have many years of experience working directly with children and their families through times of family change and crisis. Working with children or adults we find that taking the time to look at the situation from the perspective of children can profoundly affect the future and your ability to make the best decisions for your family.” Imogen, aged 9, writes, “At first when I met Coralie I was shy because I didn’t know her. she helped me with the situation with my Dad, never lied and understood me. She made me a lot more comfortable to talk to someone about how I felt. I was very confused but Coralie played games and we drew. It was a lot more fun to express my feelings. I trusted her and now my life is exactly how I wanted it to be.” Counselling, mediation or the advice of a solicitor may be required to weather the storm and that’s OK! Both parents and children want each other to be happy and everyone needs a little bit of TLC and some guidance at times. Whatever the future holds, it should be a future that you can look forward to and that starts with the decisions you make for yourself and your children today.
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LOCAL SERVICES
Clare Bartram, Surgery Partner for Vets4Pets at Penny Lane Following the excesses of the holiday season, the New Year has arrived and our thoughts turn to diets and exercise! It’s worth remembering that over-indulgence and obesity is also a big issue for our pets. Just as in humans, obesity in animals can cause a range of health problems such as diabetes, arthritis, heart and respiratory disease, urinary tract disease and certain cancers, as well as making it harder for our pets to get around. Giving excessive treats can contribute to obesity. Reward your pet in other ways with an extra walk or a play activity or even just extra strokes. Being with you is more important to your pet than getting food.
The Essential Directory for Organised Parents
If your pet is overweight, simply reducing their food intake may make them hungry and encourage them to steal food. Most weight reduction diets have lower calories but make them feel fuller. A new approach is using a food that works at the DNA level turning on genes that encourage weight loss and turning off genes involved in weight gain. How clever is that? If you want to know more, speak to your local vet. Finally, if you do keep any of your pets outside or even in garages or sheds, ensure they have additional bedding and shelter. However, in extreme temperatures, always consider bringing them inside.
flexology Elaine Davies Re
Voodou
89 Tel: 0844 445 78 .uk www.voodou.co
11 Tel: 07917 1903 sreflexology.co.uk www.elainedavie
One20 Dental
apy Centre
The Physiother
92 Tel: 0151 525 29 tal.com en 0d e2 on w. ww
60 Tel: 0151 724 20 k erapycentre.co.u www.thephysioth
ness, Honest to Good Suppliers n ga Ve c ni ga Or
Herbalife
441 Mob: 07749 785 .uk .co life rba www.he
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en Get Activ Liverpool Wom 61 Tel: 0151 233 52 n v.uk/activewome www.liverpool.go
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Toni & Guy Alle
00 Tel: 0151 734 33 com www.toniandguy.
Nuffield Health
16 Tel: 0151 632 65 goodness.org.uk www.honest-to-
u Aesthetically Yo
14 Tel: 0151 427 00 llyyou.co.uk www.aesthetica
s The White Room
39 Tel: 0151 735 07 msclinic.co.uk www.thewhiteroo
hell Nails Samantha Mitc ic in Beauty Cl
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HEALTH & BEAUTY
Health & Breyauty Directo
86 Tel: 0151 722 33 m eautyliverpool.co www.smnailandb
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Rosemary Conl
03 Tel: 0151 287 51 nley.com co ary em ros w. ww
Fit for Life
9
Tel: 07754 163 37
The Zip Yard
0151 724 1382 co.uk www.thezipyard.
Pure Dental
0151 722 0884 .co.uk www.puredental
00 Tel: 0151 707 60 lth.com www.nuffieldhea
Become the Foundation of our Trust Liverpool Community Health are planning to become an NHS Foundation Trust, but we can’t do it without you. Our 65 different services deliver care to you in Liverpool, Sefton, Knowsley, and St Helens and now you have the chance to shape the future of community health services in your area. Sign up as a member and have a real influence on the future of your healthcare. Join us – and become the foundation of our Trust. For more information visit www.liverpoolcommunityhealth.nhs.co.uk Email membership@liverpoolch.nhs.uk or Twitter @nhsliverpoolch
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41
HEALTH & BEAUTY
Fight the flab:
Diets explained If you, like many of us, have found yourself waddling into 2014 after the excesses of the Christmas party season, you’ll probably be turning your attention to diets. While we all know that the basic premise is fewer calories in and more calories out, there is still a baffling range of diets out there, all of which promise to help you lose weight, fast. We take a look at some of the most popular...
Atkins Diet
In essence, this means a diet rich in lean protein and lowstarch vegetables and avoiding simple carbohydrates such as flour and sugar. The theory is that the fewer carbohydrates you put into your body, the more you have to use your fat reserves for energy. Popular with celebrities, this approach has been proven to get results, but beware! Side effects can include insomnia, dizziness and constipation. The rapid ketosis (breaking down of fat) often caused by the diet can result in bad breath – meaning you could just be losing weight because nobody wants to get close enough to offer you any biscuits.
The Essential Directory for Organised Parents
Caveman Diet
This back-to-basics diet involves eating foods from the Paleolithic era of human nutritional needs— It’s a hunter gatherer diet of nonprocessed meat, vegetables, nuts and eggs and claims to help your body learn to start craving the food it needs, rather than the food you think you want. While eating non-processed foods and plenty of fruit and vegetable is undoubtedly a step up from living off high calorie TV dinners, some doctors have suggested that over a long period, insufficient intake of carbohydrates and calcium can lead to deficiencies in vital minerals and nutrients.
5:2 Diet
The premise of this diet is simple. You eat normally five days a week, and fast for the other two. On the fasting days, you can expect to eat approx 500 calories. While proponents of the diet love the way you’re not actually “on a diet” most of the time, it’s critics say that not enough is known about the stresses regular fasting puts on the body, and warn that for many, the fasting days will mean a lack of energy, bad breath and irritability, not to mention extreme hunger.
Many women have more pressing priorities than ‘going to the gym’ and more often than not, these are based around family life. But worryingly, an Active People survey has revealed that only 30% of women take part in one 30 minute session of exercise per week and 80% of women are not active enough to remain healthy.
Alongside the active sessions there are ‘your time’ sessions, where women can socialise, talk about their children, what’s on TV, anything they want really. Professional bodies are also invited, to talk to the women about important issues such as cancer screening and mental health.
Active Women aims to encourage more women to complete the Government-recommended 2.5 hours of exercise per week by taking part in classes such as Body Combat, Tai Chi, Netball and Bootcamp for as little as £1.50, as well as providing some crèche facilities.
Active Women also offer opportunities for the women to volunteer for them, and undertake training that will lead to qualification. There are women who are now completing a Community Sport Leader Award, which is a 30-hour course that’s the first rung on the ladder to becoming a highly-skilled coach!
With nearly 2,200 women engaged over the last two years, the programme has already made a real impact in local communities.
For more information visit www.liverpool.gov.uk/activewomen or call Jimmy McGimm on 0151 233 5261
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HEALTH & BEAUTY
Active Women!
Active Women prides itself on offering a holistic approach, catering to the needs of the individual. They recognise that getting women through the door to participate in one of the active sessions is a platform for engaging them in other ways.
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HEALTH & BEAUTY
Advertorial
Lose Weight and Shape Up with David Lloyd
While we may be inclined to think about excess body fat as a cosmetic issue, in fact, taking steps to reduce your weight can be hugely beneficial to our health. Unfortunately, too many people in the UK are ignoring this issue. In 2012, 23% of women and 25% of women were classed as obese, raising the risk that they’ll suffer from heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and osteoarthritis. Unsurprisingly then, obesity costs the NHS £14.5 billion per year, and results in 30,000 deaths per year. Indeed, experts believe that being obese can trim nine years off the average person’s life span. So what can be done? One thing we do know is that the quick fixes don’t work. To lose weight, and more importantly, keep it off, you need to reeducate yourself about everything from what is actually in the food we eat to the sort of exercise that might work. One way of doing this is by enrolling in gym David Lloyd Leisure’s Lose and Shape Up programme. A comprehensive guide to losing weight, it educates attendees about the science behind things like glycemic index and glycemic load, and fosters an understanding of how portion control, and doing the right kind of exercise can support a healthy lifestyle. It is The Essential Directory for Organised Parents
proved that doing the right exercise for 20 mins will burn more fat and aid weight loss than 40 mins of aerobic exercise. And with nine out of 10 David Lloyd members wanting to lose weight, it’s already enjoying huge popularity. One member who has taken part is Cathy Benfield. Tired of being overweight, Cathy and her two daughters Emma and Kate did the Lose and Shape Up course between April and July 2013. Between them they lost an amazing six stone. Cathy then kept the momentum up by completing the maintenance course between September and December 2013. She said: “I decided to do the maintenance course to keep the weight off and I managed to lose a further stone. “I find the format of the course learning education on diet and exercise to be the best way to lose weight and keep it off. The course leader - Rachel - is extremely personable and has an innate ability to pass on information in a friendly manner. “The exercise sessions were fun and different every week. I would recommend this course to anyone and will rejoin the course for a third time after Christmas.” The next Lose and Shape Up course will be running in January. If you are interested in the course, please contact Rachel at David Lloyd Speke on 0151 494 4000 or email on sport.speke@davidlloyd.co.uk
HEALTH & BEAUTY
SUN SET
YOUR SIGHTS If you’re off to find sunshine this winter Specsavers Allerton is urging you to pack the right sunglasses. Many will be looking forward to hitting the ski slopes. Others will be escaping the wintry weather for warmer surroundings. Even those staying at home may enjoy the odd fine day. Either way, it’s vital to protect your eyes from the sun. Over-exposure can cause serious damage due to the ultra violet rays. Rays on the piste are heightened by glare, which occurs when light is intensified as it reflects off the shiny surface of the snow. A sandy beach or calm sea will have the same effect. While most people know how important it is to keep skin protected from the sun, few realise how damaging UV rays can be to eyes. You can develop a painful form of sunburn called photokeratitis.
To protect eyes in snow it’s important to wear suitable glasses with a UV coating, sunglasses or goggles. If you have any doubt about the standard of your eye protection Specsavers in Smithdown Place can asses them in-store.
Top tips: > Ensure lenses in your sunglasses or ski goggles are UV400 effective > Choose tinted lenses with a UV filter to reduce the brightness of the sun to a comfortable level so you don’t have to screw up your eyes > The larger the lens, the more protection your eyes will be given > Contact lenses offering UV protection do not cover the whole area of your eye, so should be worn with sunglasses > Make sure your sunglasses fit.
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PARTIES & PLAYTIME
FGL AWARD WINNER!!
Parties & Playtime Directory
Party venues Yellow Sub
Tel: 08444 120 850 www.yellowsub.co.uk
Play Factore
Tel: 0161 748 6851 www.playfactore.com
Purple Monster Playcentre Tel: 0151 924 9083
www.purplemonsterplaycentre.co.uk
Hollywood Bowl
Tel: 0844 826 1464 www.hollywoodbowl.co.uk
Silver Blades
Tel: 08700 852929 www.silver-blades.co.uk
Spaceworld
Tel: 0844 335 8342 www.spaceworldplaycentre.co.uk
Party entertainment Creepy Crawly
Tel: 01244 646 045 www.thecreepycrawlyshow.co.uk
Fooleys (Children’s Entertainer) Tel: 07860 765 971 www.fooleys.co.uk
Glitterarti Parties Tel: 07932 802 721
Craft Creative
FGL AWARD WINNER!!
Tel: 0151 203 2409 www.thecraftcreative.com
Pulse
Tel: 0151 724 2120 www.pulsemusicliverpool.com
Kilmore Promotions
www.kilmorepromotions.co.uk Tel: 0151 524 3040
Party Catering
Just the Cupcake
Tel: 07765 228009 www.justthecupcake.co.uk
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WINNER
PARTIES & PLAYTIME
Party Fact File:
Crazy Town Aintree: Who are Crazy Town?
We are a family run play centre who constantly strive to create the best play and party experience for children of every age. Together with our dedicated team of Managers and Crazy Town staff, we are always looking for new innovative ways to create that “WOW” factor in everything we do.
What do you do?
We offer a huge fun filled play structure within a bright spacious centre for kids to go CRAZY on. We specialise in creating fantastic birthday parties which include delicious buffet style party food, goody bags and balloons, character appearances, face painting and balloon modelling, and great interactive entertainment with our Crazy Party Hosts. For younger children we offer Toddler Mornings, with a separate Toddler zone complete with Sensory room, Friday night disco and work closely with other entertainers who visit us regularly. Not only does Crazy Town offer fantastic events and activities, we also have a great team of chefs who produce a wide variety of mouth watering meals!
Where do you do it?
We currently have 2 Crazy Town play centres, one in the heart of Aintree in Liverpool and the other in Ellesmere Port town centre in Cheshire.
Who are your parties suitable for?
Our parties cater for children aged 1-11 years our old. We have designed our parties to suit all a children’s needs from Toddler parties to Build we , adults the tting forge not and s, bear partie offer a spacious reserved seating area, adult buffets, and a complimentary drink for our stressed out birthday parents!
What makes you different to other party companies?
Our customer feedback. As a play centre we all work so hard to get everything just right, that we love it when our customers really appreciate and praise us.
How can I book?
uk Visit our website www.crazytownaintree.co. for all information on our parties and other events. You can give us a call on 0151 525 5039, or check out our Facebook page Crazy Town Aintree.
naintree.co.uk www.crazytow www.familygolive.com
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PARTIES & PLAYTIME
The Essential Directory for Organised Parents
PARTIES & PLAYTIME
WIN WIN A PARTY
FOR UP TO 20 CHILDREN WITH PARTY BUS 2 U! 1 lucky winner and their friends will enjoy 1 ½ hours of unique fun with “Sid” the specially adapted party bus. This fantastic prize includes invitations, a party food box, drinks and goodie bag of sweeties for all the children!
Just answer the following question for a chance to win: What colour is Sid the bus? To enter the competition please visit our website familygolive.com and give us your answer. Closing date 20th February 2014
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LIFESTYLES FITNESS CENTRES FREE 1 X FAMILY SWIM TO USE AT ANY LIFESTYLES FITNESS CENTRES! Tel: 0151 233 5433 www.liverpool.gov.uk/lifestyles T & C’s apply- 2 adults & 2 children (1 pass per family) VALID UNTIL 28/02/14
BEFORE THE STORK 2D 16 -23 WEEKS GENDER SCAN, INCLUDES 2 PICTURES & A FREE SNEAKY PEEK IN HD LIVE FOR £40.
VOUCHER VOUCHER VOUCHER VOUCHER VOUCHER VOUCHER
VOUCHERS
These vouchers are also available to download and print at wwwfamilygolive.com
Tel: 0151 280 0543 www.beforethestork.co.uk T&C’s apply-Only available Monday -Friday 10am to 5pm, Images in HD Live depend on position of baby at time of scan, no rebook option available if HD Live images cannot be obtained. VALID UNTIL 28/02/14
WATERBABIES FREE TASTER SESSION AT WATERBABIES. Tel: 01925 243 643 for nearest classes or visit wwww.waterbabies.co.uk T&C’s apply (contact for standard terms). VALID UNTIL 28/02/14
YOUR INSIDE MATTERS - HERBALIFE FREE WELLNESS ASSESSMENT & WEIGHT LOSS CHALLENGE COURSE WORTH £89
Support from your own personal coach, with education on nutrition and eating well. Join
the Weight Loss Challenge to gain the knowledge & confidence to achieve healthy lasting
weight loss. T&C’s apply No cash alternative. For more info & to redeem call Sarah Evans 07749 785 441. VALID UNTIL 28/02/14
TONY & GUY 20% off cut and/or colour at Allerton Road salon Tel: 0151 734 3300 www.toniandguy.com 86 Allerton Road, Liverpool L18 1LW. T&C’s apply. VALID UNTIL 28/02/14
TAVERN CO BUY ONE GET ONE FREE ON BREAKFASTS Tel: 0151 734 5555 www.tavernco.co.uk Email: pennylane@tavernco.co.uk T & C’s apply-Available Monday-Friday 10:00am-2:30pm. VALID UNTIL 28/02/14
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