Just for Families Issue 10

Issue 10

ust Families J for

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Incorporating The UK Forces Education Guide

elf-Care

Homemade

Baby

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Food

Busy Mums

C reativity Encouraging

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AZ to

Back To of School

A Kid’s Best Friend

A SCHOOL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT NOW! Idyllic childhood? A country school that looks after your child? Look no further than Birchfield School, which is situated in the rural setting of Albrighton, close to Wolverhampton, and with easy access to the M54. Birchfield School offers children a comfortable and secure start in education that can lead to such a bright future. While outdoor activities and sports form a vital part of school life, academic studies are important, too.

We have much to celebrate as we start the new academic year. Our Year 8s left at the end of last term having gained a plethora of academic, sports and arts Scholarships and Awards. They all gained entry to Senior Schools of their choice, including

Shrewsbury School, Wrekin College, Repton School and Malvern College.

We can offer your child a new start in a school with a tradition that goes back years in a nurturing and supportive environment. Why not come and see for yourself what Birchfield School is all about?

With an Open Evening for Reception entry for both 2019 and 2020 on Wednesday, 26 September, two Working Open Mornings on Friday, 28 September and Friday, 23 November and an Open Day on Saturday, 7 October there is ample opportunity to get to know us.

Exciting times lie ahead for your child!

Welcome to Issue 10 of Just for Families…

By now the summer holidays will be in full swing and thoughts will no doubt be turning to September; make sure you haven’t forgotten anything by consulting our A to Z of Back to School and enjoy the rest of your time together safe in the (smug) knowledge that you’re all sorted!

We often discuss the difficulties of military life and the challenges children may face, such as Spoiling, but what about the Advantages of Military Life For Kids? As we’re sure most of you will agree, military life is great, even if it’s not all the time, and there are a lot of positives to being part of this unique world.

For those of you with young babies we bring you some great Homemade Baby Food Recipes and Weaning Products as well as discuss the important issue of Disposable vs. Reusable.

Children of all ages require a lot of care and attention but parents shouldn’t forget about themselves. In this issue we look at Self Care for Busy Mums (Dads it will be your turn next time!) for some tips on getting that elusive thing known as ‘five minute’s peace’. Perhaps you love playing with your kids, be that role play, arts and crafts or board games, or maybe you don’t?! For all those who have found themselves zoning out and wishing they were on a beach somewhere (or doing ANYTHING else) have a read of We Don’t Play and feel better knowing that you’re not alone!

You’ve got to be in it to win it! In this issue our lucky readers have the chance to win some fabulous books as well as a trip on one of the world’s greatest railway experiences!

Please continue to like and share our Facebook page and keep checking for competitions. If you would like to subscribe to Just for Families, or need to change the address details of your subscription, then please email us at jff@forcespublishing.co.uk.

JustFamilies for

Incorporating The UK Forces Education Guide

Self Care For Busy Mums

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I Don’t Want to Play!

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A Kids Best Friend

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Pet Pals

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A Trip on One of the Worlds Greatest Railway Experiences

Summer Holidays with National Trust

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Time to Ditch Disposables?

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Mini Style: 10 of The Best Rompers...

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Homemade Baby Food

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Make Weaning Wonderful

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Trick or Treat: Two Sides to Every Story

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Colouring Page

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Puzzle Page

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A to Z of Back to School

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Encouraging Creativity

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Flower Letter

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Get Crafty!

Toys for Raising Entrepreneurs

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Volunteering Teens

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Solutions for Avoiding Spoiling

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What to do if your Child is Being a Bully

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The Advantages of Military Life for Kids

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My Military Family

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Scotty’s Little Soldiers

We are always keen to receive editorial contributions from our readers and the deadline for submission, for the next issue, is 10/09/18.

DC Exhibition

Until next time…

Daisy’s Reading Corner

Books for your Little Readers

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Giveaway!

60th Anniversary of Paddington Bear

Enjoy!

Just For Families Military Mag *permission for images taken from our Facebook competition were received before going to print

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Win!

68 71

Giveaway!

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Many thanks to Kate Saines, Rebecca Smith and Carly Stevens for their editorial contributions Supporters of

Forces & Corporate Publishing Ltd, Hamblin House, Hamblin Court, Rushden, Northants NN10 0RU. Tel: 01933 419994

www.forcespublishing.co.uk

Editorial: Joanna Barnes

Design: Hayley Geddes

Articles and photographs reproduced by kind permission of the contributors © No responsibility for the quality of goods or services advertised in this magazine can be accepted by the publishers or printers. Advertisements are included in good faith.

The MOD or any Service Establishment is not responsible for the advertiser or its advertised product or service.

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Jan Lauren The Empowerment Coach and Therapist Who Is All About the Authentic Life & How To Achieve Equilibrium.

– by Jacqui Brown I have always been dubious about therapy, especially the kind which incorporates aspects of deep relaxation and visualisation. This is because I view most types of therapy as hocus-pocus, mumbo jumbo, but for the most part I’ve never relished subjecting myself to the unauthorised probing of the deepest, darkest corners of my psyche. Today I feel like I am throwing caution to the wind, as I sit down to an informal interview with Jan Lauren – an Empowerment Coach and Therapist.

I feel on edge, but Jan soon has me chatting away. This was quite unexpected, I feel like I am talking to an old friend and someone I have known for years. As soon as I realise this, my level of discomfort increases, and I blurt out, “I am experiencing hypnotic conversation?” Jan laughs heartily, and I now feel that what I’ve said sounded pretty amateurish.

As the conversation continues I discover a more serious side to this passionate therapist. Jan speaks candidly about her life experience and what brought her to the place of becoming a therapist. Everything she says is loaded, one can sense the power of, what at first glance seems like a regular Jo, a human being who strives to be truly authentic. It is as if every word is expertly aimed at my heart and mind.

“The truth is this – every one of us is created to do something and to

be someone extraordinary. But who or what defines what that is, or how that looks? I have worked with people my entire adult life and I have yet to meet just one person who has it all figured out. Sometimes we may need a little bit more direction or structure – that’s where I come in.

I help my clients move forward and on to what they want in life. Anyone can achieve anything that they give their mind to aim towards!” Jan notes.

“So, what are you passionate about Jan? What gets you out of bed in the morning?” A glint of mischief streaks across Jan’s expression.

“Honestly?”, she asks with a little hesitation, “Yes, honestly.” I respond with conviction. “Coffee!” we erupt into laughter. “Sorry, no seriously, that would be my love for humanity.

I don’t mean to sound pious in any way, I love people, I care deeply for them, I always have. I feel it is a quality which contributes to being an effective therapist because my clients can sense my genuine care.

I have spoken to many people over the years and I never tire of hearing their stories and life experiences.

The thing is that we feel so alone so much of the time because we look around us and we compare, but often what we are comparing are other peoples perceived strengths with our perceived weaknesses and that can make us feel isolated because we feel like we are never quite reaching the mark.” Suddenly I feel like Jan’s words have struck a

chord. I am completely engrossed in the conversation. Jan stops talking as she sees the reaction written in the expression on my face. There is silence, but not the awkward type, it’s more like a pause, a time to reflect. Jan starts slowly, “It seems what I said meant something to you…” and then quite intuitively, she continues and elaborates much to my delight, and discomfort.

Tears well in my eyes, but I don’t feel sad, it’s more like gratitude that someone sees and understands.

We continue to talk and what started out as an interview has now become a therapy session, but one unlike you (or I) could ever imagine. It was the kind of heart to heart you would have with your best friend. Jan invited me to do a few exercises with her so that I could experience her techniques for myself. Simply stated, it was amazing and powerful and not at all what I had expected when I received this assignment - I had packed a bottle of holy water just in case.

Before leaving I was burning to know what Jan’s one ‘take-away’ from life was. She smiled and said, “My grandmother once shared this

morsel of wisdom with me: The key to life is very simple, to have and maintain a sense of humour through whatever life throws at you. Sometimes life will throw blessings, sometimes it with throw hell. If you can learn to laugh in the face of hell and adversity, then you have discovered something very powerful.” She continued, “You are not your pain. We all have times where we find ourselves on the floor (either literally or figuratively – sometimes both) and in those times there is no shame in admitting that you need a little help to get up again. That takes courage and the strength of conviction that you absolutely matter and that your life really does mean something!”

We talk a little more and say our goodbyes. As the door closes behind me I cannot believe the difference in the way I feel and my outlook in general. I went into the interview dubious and sceptical and came out feeling as if my life had somehow taken a right turn. As I walked to the station, I mused to myself, “After just one session… unbelievable.” This meeting will go down in my books as one of the most extraordinary I have ever had.

Jan Lauren is an Empowerment Coach and Therapist who chiefly works with clients who suffer from anxiety and depression. She works from her office in East Anglia where she consults with clients worldwide via Skype. For more information and a list of services Jan offers visit her website at: www.janlauren.co.uk or call her on: 07954845960 to book a free, over the phone consultation to discuss how she can help you.

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S

elf-Care for

Busy Mums

Everyone knows having children is life-changing. It comes as a bit of a shock to some, just how much of a never ending job it really is and how much time and energy it takes to look after someone so small!

When my first child was born I remember feeling like I was doing well if I managed to get up, get showered and dressed all in the same day! Whilst it gets easier in some respects as they get older, we are always putting our little people first and that can sometimes mean caring for ourselves goes on the backburner.

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Now I’m not suggesting you drop everything and book a week away alone to the Maldives (although do indulge yourself for a moment to imagine how wonderful that would be!). The self-care I’m talking about is little things every day to give you 5 (or maybe 15) minute’s peace to collect your thoughts, meet your needs and “fill your cup”.

Our basic needs as human beings are being clean, fed, clothed, and connecting with other people. The things that fill our cups are things that bring us joy, make us feel fulfilled and inspired, and things we find fun. Self-care is sometimes confused by some as things that make us look better – such as a trip to the hairdressers or spending money at a nail bar (although if those are the types of thing that fill your cup then go for it – there’s no right or wrong way to do it!) but self-care in this respect is typically treating your body and mind like you love yourself and acknowledging that your needs and desires matter. It can be as simple as a shower, a slice of cake and a catch up with a friend, or an hour at the gym. Self-care is different for everyone.

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them that balance is key, and gives them permission to enjoy things without feeling guilty for it as many of us do when we get older.

“Ok, but how can we actually fit any of this self-care malarkey into our already jampacked days?!” I hear you cry! Well, I can’t wave a magic wand and add an extra hour to the day (as much as I would love to!) but there are ways to slip a few self-care minutes into your day here and there even if it feels like there isn’t.

It’s important to mention that children don’t need to be out of the way for you to enjoy some self-care time. It’s not a one or the other situation, although some people may find it hard to truly switch off and relax when they are around, it’s entirely dependent upon your situation. Some ideas of how you can get the best of both worlds - you might meet up with a friend at a soft play centre and enjoy a coffee and a catch up whilst the kids play, go on walks together to get yourself moving and enjoy the fresh air which is great for everyone, or go see a movie on a rainy day.

Grabbing 5 minutes alone for some selfcare is probably hardest when you have a newborn. Having a helpless little dependant human attached to you 24/7 can make it feel impossible to even make a cup of coffee, let alone anything else. This is where you need to reach out and ask for help. Even someone holding the baby for 10 minutes in the evening whilst you lose yourself in a bubble bath without needing to meet the demands of a newborn baby can make all the difference to your mind set and that 10 minutes could make you feel more refreshed than you think.

When kids are a little older it can still be tricky thanks to our work schedules, school

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But as the person who is responsible for looking after the kids, running the house, in charge of all the dropping off and picking up, food shopping, laundry, maybe working too, and all of the other million jobs that us busy mums have to juggle, taking time to take care of ourselves is actually something we should be making our top priority. Selfcare is knowing that you deserve your needs to be met just as much as everyone else in your home. Maybe even more so. As a mum, you are constantly giving and normally you are looking after so many things and so many people it’s easy to forget yourself; but if you fall down, everything falls down. So, by filling yourself up you are making sure you can look after your family too.

Is the world going to fall apart if you sneak 5 quiet minutes on the couch with a good book and a cup of tea instead of mopping the kitchen floor?

runs, housework etc., and it might seem like there is always something more important that you need to be doing or “should” be doing, but this is when you need to make self-care a priority! Your mental and physical health is more important than defrosting the freezer or making a start on the ironing. Ask yourself; can it wait 5 minutes? The toddler’s having a nap, the older kids are at school for another two hours. Is the world going to fall apart if you sneak 5 quiet minutes on the couch with a good book and a cup of tea instead of mopping the kitchen floor? If the answer is no, then go put your feet up!

And, if you find yourself feeling guilty about your 5 minutes downtime, that’s completely normal. As mums we are so used to putting everyone else first it’s a hard habit to break, but it will get easier the more you do it. Once you see how great you feel, how much more ready you are to play, to pile everyone back into the car for the fifth time that day to pick another someone up, to talk about your favourite kinds of Pokémon (even though you may not be able to care less about Pokémon!), and you put your best self forward to be there for everyone else you will soon see how taking those few minutes out of your day to put your wants and needs first isn’t just vital for your wellbeing, but is actually better for the whole family!

Another important thing to remember is that your children are always watching.

Everything they learn, they learn from you. So by taking care of yourself you are teaching your children how to take care of themselves and showing them the importance of self-love. Self-care is an opportunity to set a great example for our children of how to be kind to ourselves, and in turn, how to be kind to others. Treating yourself kindly is a great way of showing your kids that looking after ourselves, indulging in things we enjoy occasionally and following our dreams is as much a vital part of enjoying a happy and fulfilled life as the not-so-fun stuff that we have to do to get by such as work and chores. It shows 7

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t n a w t ’ n o d I ! y a l p to “Play with me!” Do those words fill you with dread? Do they make you sigh and knot your eyebrows together in despair? If you do get roped into a game of pretend do you sit there hating it? Well worry not, fellow parent, because you are not alone!

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um guilt is a very real thing, and one of the biggest things I feel guilty for is the fact that I HATE playing makebelieve with my kids. That’s it, I said it. I hate it. I don’t want to play shops, I don’t want to play Barbies, I don’t want to pretend to be superheros and run around the garden in make shift capes that we’ve created from towels and save bears from trees. I don’t want to be the Tickle Monster and chase them around the house because frankly, I am too tired and honestly? I spend enough time chasing them around the house to get their school uniforms on every morning! And do you know what? When I do give in and play I absolutely suck at it. I mean I am really, really lousy at it. At a push I can last about 15 minutes before my mind is on something else - bills, laundry, or what happened last night on Love Island. And is that really so bad? Is it really so wrong to feel like that? Children’s games are, after all, for children, so why are grown ups expected to partake in playtime too? I find it frustrating and boring and I cannot force myself to enjoy it.

My kids even tell me that I’m awful at make-believe - I don’t put on the right voices, I don’t dress Barbie in the right outfits, I don’t imagine up interesting scenarios for teddies to be rescued from next, my Tickle Monster isn’t quick enough or scary enough. I’ve been asking myself why exactly I feel so bad about not playing, and I’ve concluded that it’s because since the age of Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and countless parenting blogs sharing the ins and outs of ideal family life, we see other parents playing with their kids and so we feel like we should be doing it too. And as we only ever see the perfect snapshot moments that other parents share where they look like they’re having loads of fun getting down on the floor and playing with their kids we sit back and compare and bite our lips in concern wondering what on earth is wrong with us that

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a child’s development, how playing alone actually aids them in learning about the world around them on their own terms and at their own pace. It boosts their problem solving skills and their independence.

we don’t like playing with our own? Of course, some parents do actually enjoy playing with their kids - but it’s probably not as many as we’re led to believe. I am in fact married to one of these people who seem to actually enjoy playing and truthfully, I’m kind of jealous of him. My husband is an exception to the rule and he has this magical ability to switch off and become absorbed in whatever game the kids are demanding he plays with them next. He actually has fun being the Tickle Monster, putting on silly voices and building forts.

I often sit back and marvel at how he manages to get so stuck into games with them. The difference I see here though is this; he spends 12 hours a day at work most days, whereas I spend most of my time taking care of the kids, working from home and trying to keep on top of all the housework to boot. He may do a much more physically demanding job than I do but mentally I am exhausted. My brain power is used up working, organising appointments, washing piles, ferrying them to and from all of their clubs and activities and generally keeping the three of them fed, healthy and trying to squeeze a bit of me time in too. For my husband, when he gets in from work, the kids are usually tucked up in bed, so his time with them truly is quality time. When he has a day off he recuperates by playing with them and that’s his way of switching off and relaxing.

He enjoys seeing them, having fun with them and he has the energy to do it well. For me, who is with them all day every

day and who has to deal with all the tantrums, tears and fights, I honestly just see playing as another chore that I don’t really want to do. Now don’t get me wrong; it’s not that I don’t enjoy being around my kids, because I do. I just don’t find playing fun.

But there are lots of things that we do together that I do enjoy doing.

I recently voiced all of this to a small group of parents on the playground when we were waiting to pick our oldest children up from school. Most of them agreed with me, they laughed when I went on my rant and we all united in our shared feelings of hating make-believe and feeling horrendously guilty for it. So what I’ve decided to do lately is abandon the guilt and look at it all from another perspective. I’m starting to stop trying to justify my lack of wanting to play and accept that it just isn’t my strong point when it comes to parenting. I used to tell myself that my own mother never played with me, and it never did me any harm, I haven’t grown up to resent her for it. I tell myself that my kids are actually lucky - they have each other to play with, whereas I was an only child, and even then I don’t look back at my childhood feeling hard done by or lonely for not having someone to constantly play with me or lead my games. I look back fondly remembering some magnificent make-believe games I enjoyed all by myself. I read articles telling how solitary play is actually vital for

All of those things are true, but from now on I am not going to lay in bed at night repeating them over and over in my head with a knot of guilt in my stomach that I didn’t accept my sons invite to play super heroes that afternoon, and instead slunk off to the kitchen to sip on my coffee and nibble biscuits in secret because I didn’t want to spend my first free 5 minutes all day playing make-believe.

Instead I am going to remind myself of all the wonderful things that I do do with the kids, and focus on my strengths.

So kids - I will draw, I will paint, I will colour. I will make slime and bake cakes. I will sit and help you with homework and handwriting, I will organise parties and sleepovers and fun days out. I will paddle in the sea and walk through woods with you. I will make sure you always have a good dinner, and that you get to school and ballet and football on time. I will be there with a cuddle when you are sad, and I will be there to laugh with you when you are happy. I will share jokes with you and make up silly dances and songs. I will comfort you when you are scared and I will tuck you up every night with a story and a kiss. I will love you to the ends of the earth and I will always be your friend… but I don’t want to play!

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Best Friend A Kid’s

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re your children begging for a kitten to cuddle or a puppy to pamper? Taking on a pet is a big commitment, whether it’s a gerbil or a Great Dane, you need to be certain that having a pet is right for you and your family before you go and buy or adopt one, but there are so many benefits that pets provide to kids! Before you make your decision, here are some of the positive effects adding a pet to your family could bring…

It Lowers The Risk Of Developing Allergies

Research has shown that children who grow up in houses with pets are more likely to have a stronger immune system than those who don’t, and are less likely to develop childhood allergies and asthma.

Research carried out by the University of Warwick tested the saliva of 138 children aged between 4 and 11-years-old for IgA antibodies- an antibody found in the immune system that helps fight off infection. Results showed that pet-owning children were able to fend off infection such as colds and flu better than those children without pets, meaning less days off school.

Responsibility and Empathy Owning a pet encourages your child to take responsibility for looking after something else; it gives them a way to practice being caregivers. Cleaning out the rabbit hutches, taking the dog for a walk, feeding the fish, are all tasks that teach children to be responsible and also give them a sense of achievement. It shows them how even when we might not feel like doing something - maybe they are a bit tired to take the dog out or don’t feel like cleaning out the hamster - certain things still must be done to make sure that our pets are happy and well cared for and don’t get sick.

Owning pets and caring for them also helps children develop empathy for others, and can help them develop social bonds as they get older.

It Can Aid With Their Learning Did you know that pets can actually help kids learn to read? Educators have long used animals, mainly dogs, in schools to help children with learning difficulties. Studies have shown that emerging readers find it easier to read out loud to their pets rather than another human as they see them as non-judgemental.

Comfort and Companionship Pets offer a great source of comfort and companionship to kids. No matter what mood they are in children find security from their animal companions. This can be particularly helpful in military families. If you move around a lot then the family pet can act as a constant friend to your child, even if they are moving far away from their human friends! Having a pet can also help your child feel safer when one parent is away on deployment, especially with dogs who children can see as a protector.

It Encourages A Healthy Lifestyle From walking the dog or playing with the rabbit in the garden, pets tend to encourage us to get up and move. Having a pet gives kids a reason to spend time outside in the fresh air and prompts a healthy lifestyle.

It Can Help With Anxiety Another positive for military families - not just for kids but for adults too. Research shows that stroking animals actually lowers our blood pressure and reduces anxiety.

Spending a few minutes stroking the cat or dog everyday could be beneficial for all of the family, especially if going through a particularly stressful time. Having pets also helps children with their social skills, and children who have an animal in the home often show improved impulse-control and self-esteem.

It Teaches Them About The Circle of Life Although a lot of parents prefer to shield their children from and avoid sad events, death is a part of life and having a pet allows children to understand that. Dealing with the death of a pet can actually help them cope with other challenging life events.

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s l a P t e P ! l l a m e h t e v o l e Big or small, w

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These students are given priority over others applying for a place at Gordon’s. The school also employs counsellors for them and tutors to plug any gaps in their education. The success of these measures is illustrated by the statistics which rank Gordon’s in the top one per cent of schools in England and Wales for achievement at GCSE and A2, earning it the reputation as one of the top performing state secondary schools in England.

GORDON’S SCHOOL Student members of Gordon’s Pipes and Drums Band march along Whitehall to commemorate General Charles Gordon. The school is the only one in the country permitted to parade along this iconic London street.

AWARDED to the Military Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath in the Queen’s New Year Honour’s List, one of our parents commented ‘…it is tremendously helpful to have the support of a school that understands and is sympathetic to the demands of Service Life’.

Certainly Gordon’s proximity to a number of military bases as well as Heathrow Airport and major routes across the country have contributed to the current roll where over 50 per cent of our students are from military families. But an added attraction is that an understanding of military life is something that has been running through the fabric of the school since its inception over a century ago.

Originally built in 1885 by public subscription as a national memorial to General Charles Gordon, the school was opened as a home for ‘necessitous’ boys. The idea behind it being that the boys would be trained for civil and military life.

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Today the military aspect very much remains. Each student is issued with ‘Blues’, their marching uniform.

Marching on the parade square is compulsory every week and we are the only school in England permitted to Parade along Whitehall, something done annually to commemorate the life of General Gordon. Set in over 50 acres of beautiful Surrey countryside the School offers Residential (weekly and termly) Boarding at only £5,378 per term.

The children of Tracey Phillips, a military wife had moved house 9 times before coming to Gordon’s and attended 5 different schools across the globe.

“The homely feel really stood out for us” recalled Tracey. “We felt a strong sense of family and the fact that the pastoral and teaching staff were used to working with military families so understood the special nature of where the kids are coming from and that they have had to move frequently.”

Marching had added benefits for her children too: “We could see how it instils discipline, a sense of pride and it added an extra element of making our children more independent and giving basic values.”

CCF, whether Army, Navy or Air Force is compulsory for one year and the school has an enviable record in the number of students completing their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

For many of the children from families in the services, Gordon’s has been their first ‘constant’ after a life of moving schools and homes in line with their parent’s postings around the world. It is also a haven from the worry of a parent involved in conflicts.

General Sir Mark Mans, Chief Royal Engineer visits members of the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) at Gordon’s School. The General presented medals to students who had taken part in the 55 kilometre Ten Tors challenge.

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WinA Trip on One of The World’s Greatest Railway Experiences Hop on board the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and enjoy a day filled with vintage charm and amazing scenery on one of the world’s greatest heritage railways. Let our fleet of steam and heritage diesel trains transport you along 24 miles of Yorkshire countryside and back in time to experience a taste of a bygone era.

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rrive at our 1930s – style station in Pickering and explore the vibrant market town with its beautiful historic attractions. Pass through the 1912 themed Levisham station before heading off on a scenic walk; Skelton Tower is around a mile away and boasts amazing views of the valley. Request a stop at the tranquil Newton Dale Halt – not accessible by road, this is the ideal base for forest walks and spotting wildlife.

Be sure to visit our ‘celebrity station’ at Goathland – it served as the original Hogsmeade Station in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, as well as part of Aidensfield in 90s drama Heartbeat.

Competition Win a family ticket to visit the North Yorkshire Moors Railway!

We’re offering one lucky reader the chance to win a family ticket (2 adults and up to 2 children) to enjoy a return trip on a heritage rail service between Pickering and Whitby. To be in with a chance, simply answer the following question:

Spend a little time at the 1950s - esque Grosmont station and you may just catch a peak behind the scenes; this is the operating hub of the railway where the locomotives are stored and maintained. Ride to the end of the line and experience the seaside town of Whitby – with its folklore tales, bustling harbour and fish and chip dinners, it will compliment your day perfectly.

North Yorkshire Moors Railway is a not for profit organisation that is run and maintained by our dedicated network of volunteers, and every passenger that travels with us helps to contribute towards the preservation of one of the UK’s most historic railway lines.

With services running daily until 4 November 2018 and special services throughout the year, it’s full steam ahead for fun! Visit www.nymr.co.uk to find out more.

Which station was originally used in the Harry Potter franchise?

A Grosmont B Whitby C Goathland

Simply send us your answer, along with your name, telephone number and address either via email to competitions@forcespublishing.co.uk or in the post to: Forces & Corporate Publishing Ltd, Hamblin House, Hamblin Court, Rushden, Northants NN10 0RU. Closing date 31/08/18

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T&Cs:Voucher is valid for up to 2 adults and 2 children (child age 4-15 years inclusive) for a Pickering-Whitby / Whitby-Pickering day return ticket.Voucher is valid until 1.1.2019, this date is non-extendable for any reason.Voucher not valid at Special Events (e.g. 60s Fest, Annual Steam Gala, Railway in Wartime, Halloween Specials or Santa Specials), group bookings, educational visits, Pullman Dining Train, annual membership, other NYMR tickets or in conjunction with any other offers.Voucher has a cash value of 0.001 and is not transferrable, assignable or redeemable for cash.Voucher cannot be sold/re-sold. Photocopied of damaged vouchers will not be accepted.

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Summer Holidays with National Trust Share special time as a family by coming along to summer holiday activities at magical places cared for by the National Trust.

Step into the shoes of the fascinating people connected with our places.

Discover what life was like for the mill workers, mariners, explorers and even the soldiers who fought in the War of the Roses.

Feel the sun on your back as you wander through forests, wildflower meadows and majestic gardens ablaze with the colour of summer blooms. Learn about bees, search for wriggling crabs in rock pools and watch swans glide across glittering lakes.

Summer is also the best time of year to sleep out under the stars and spot animals that come out at dusk, including barn owls and bats.

Learn new skills and try out exciting water sports, such as kayaking, paddle boarding and canoeing.

Every single visit helps support the National Trust’s work as a charity looking after special places for ever, for everyone. Make it a summer holiday to remember with these family-friendly events:

South West Kingston Lacy, Dorset Summer holiday fun, 26 July - 2 Sep, 10am-6pm Discover how the women and children connected to Kingston Lacy spent their summer holidays. Stories of summer at this lavish Victorian home are being told as part of Beyond the Portrait – an exhibition about how four women in the Bankes family put their mark on the estate during the last 400 years. During the summer months the gardens at Kingston Lacy are a riot of colour. Breathe in the sweet smell of the roses and escape the heat by stepping into the shade of the fernery.Visit our shop for a pot of delicious honey made by the bees that collect pollen from the trees as they flower.

Price: normal admission charges apply For more information: www.nationaltrust.org. uk/kingston-lacy

Buckland Abbey, Devon The world encompassed family trail, on until 28 October Step into the shoes of Sir Francis Drake as you explore what life was like on the Golden Hind – the sailing ship that took the mariner and explorer around the world. The abbey is packed with treasures Drake brought back from faraway lands and the tranquil gardens contain clues of his adventures. Pick up a passport from reception, head out into the fresh air and follow the yellow estate walk to collect stamps from the countries Drake stopped at during his circumnavigation of the globe.

Look out for deer and wildflowers on your travels.

Price: £1 per person For more information: www.nationaltrust.org. uk/buckland-abbey

Stourhead, Wiltshire Summer games, 26 Jul - 31 Aug, 9am-6pm Bring a bit of magic to the summer holidays by taking your kids to Stourhead.

With its rolling hills, glittering lake and classical architecture, temples and fabulous collection of trees and shrubs, this Wiltshirebased estate is the perfect place to go exploring. Play a life-size version of a popular board game with the family, and get ready to perform silly tasks around the house and garden.

Price: normal admission applies and a game pack for groups of five costs £5.

For more information: www.nationaltrust.org. uk/stourhead

London and the South East Mottisfont, Hampshire The Tiger Who Came to Tea, exhibition, 7 July-2 September Watch your children’s eyes grow wide with excitement as they explore an exhibition that brings Judith Kerr’s much-loved children’s book alive. Created by Seven Stories the National Centre for Children’s Books in partnership with HarperCollins Children’s Books, this exhibition celebrates the 50th anniversary of the book and features an interactive kitchen where children can make a tea for a large cuddly tiger. Pictures from The Tiger Who Came to Tea are displayed alongside Kerr’s illustrations from other well-known works, including the Mog stories. The kids can also let off steam by dressing up and taking part in a themed activity trail around Mottisfont’s riverside gardens.

Price: normal entry charges apply.

For more information: www.nationaltrust.org. uk/mottisfont

Osterley Park and House, Middlesex Summer of sport, 26 July – 2 September Escape the city and get active this summer in the beautiful surroundings of Osterley Park. One of the best ways to experience the tranquillity of this Georgian country estate is to paddle across its largest lake in a canoe. Listen to the birds singing and watch the sun filter through the branches of overhanging trees. Or why not jump on a bike and explore the nature-rich trails that weave through the estate’s acres of green space and woodland? And if it’s team games you’re after then there’s all the equipment you’ll need for frisbee, rounders, badminton, cricket and football.

For more information: www.nationaltrust.org. uk/osterley-park-and-house

East Wicken Fen, Cambridgeshire 24-hour Bioblitz, 5pm 21 July to 5pm 22 July For ten days in July, Chris Packham and his team of experts will be travelling across the UK to take nature’s pulse and find out how the nation’s wildlife is coping with changes to the environment. They’ll be at Wicken Fen from the 21 - 22 July to host a 24-hour Bioblitz to find and record as many

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species as possible at the fen. If you fancy lending a hand, why not book a slot? You can choose to join a walk around the fen, or see what you can find while pond-dipping or hunting for insects. Every bird, beast or bug you find is important: the results of the Bioblitz will be recorded to create a benchmark, which will be used to help the rise and fall in numbers of species living here in the future.

Price: normal admission charges apply Booking is essential – call 01353 720274 or visit the website www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wicken-fen-naturereserve/features/wicken-fen---24-hour-bioblitz

Melford Hall, Suffolk Celebrating Beatrix Potter 4 August, Jemima Puddle-Duck 8 August, Jeremy Fisher 15 August, Peter Rabbit Throughout the summer Melford Hall will be putting on a whole range of adventurous and creative activities, including nature trails, arts and crafts, which are inspired by Beatrix Potter characters.

For more information: www.nationaltrust.org. uk/melford-hall

Oxburgh Hall, Norfolk War of the Roses weekend, 11 – 12 August Gain an insight into the bloody battles of the War of the Roses, which raged between the 1450s and 1480s, breaking up the territories of the English crown in a bitter

struggle between the houses of Lancaster and York. A medieval army encampment has been created by re-enactors at Oxburgh Hall, which was built during conflict and has remarkably survived a tumultuous period of history. Find out what the soldiers would have eaten before heading off into battle and learn about the potions they concocted for medicinal use. Listen to the sounds of the canons being fired and discover how the conflict increased the influence and profile of the Bedingfeld family.

Price: normal entry charges apply For more information: www.nationaltrust.org. uk/oxburgh-hall

Blakeney National Nature Reserve, Norfolk Terrific Tuesdays, 31 July and 7, 14, 21, 28 August With its varied landscape of sand dunes, salt marshes, sand and shingle spit, the Blakeney National Nature Reserve in Norfolk is the perfect place to get to close to wildlife. National Trust staff are on hand every Tuesday to teach children about birds, bugs and crabs. Groups meet at Blakeney Quay to learn how to catch and hold a crab and spot different types of sea birds through binoculars. Ringed plovers and oystercatchers can be seen in grazing the marshes and terns can be spotted flying along the coastline. While you’re here head out to Friars Fields – an area of open grassland that offers panoramic views of the

wildlife-rich freshwater marshland, known as the Blakeney Freshes.

For more information: www.nationaltrust.org. uk/blakeney-national-nature-reserve

Midlands Longshaw, Burbage and the Eastern Moors, Peak District Helping out in the hay meadows, 12 August, 10am-12.30pm Do something worthwhile this summer and help the team at Longshaw look after the hay meadows, home to rare plants and fascinating insects.Volunteers are needed to help cut back the grasses so that the plants can flower and set seed. This technique, dating back hundreds of years, creates a rich and varied habitat that can support a number of different animals. Look out for marsh orchids, milkwort and moonwort as you work. If you’re really lucky you might spot a chimney sweep moth or a six-spot burnet.

For more information: www.nationaltrust.org. uk/longshaw-burbage-and-the-eastern-moors

Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire Archaeology live, 25-29 July, 11am-3pm The secrets of Clumber House are being unearthed by archaeologists this summer.

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on Saturday evening. Taking place in the vast open spaces of Crow Park, the regatta also offers plenty of activities on dry land, including badminton, volleyball, frisbee, trail running, golf and bike racing for children. There’s also live music, drama and a barbeque.

This is a Summer of Sport event. Entry is free but a low fee will be charged for some activities.

For more information: www.nationaltrust.org. uk/derwentregatta

Nunnington Hall, North Yorkshire

1938. Archaeological digs in the 1970s and 2016 have shed some light on what the interior of the mansion was like but several questions still remain. There will also be a number of events celebrating archaeology.

While you’re here explore the site’s flourishing gardens and acres of parkland.

built to use electricity – you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the North Sea. And it’s all for a good cause. Those that take part have to raise a minimum of £75 in sponsorship. The money will go towards new equipment for the play area.

Price: normal admission charges apply For more information: www.nationaltrust.org. uk/clumber-park

Price: £20 plus minimum sponsorship Booking essential 0191 529 0902 or 07827 327 580 For more information: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ souter-lighthouse-and-the-leas

Attingham Park, Shropshire

Quarry Bank, Cheshire

Wild camping, starts at 2pm on 25 August to 11am on 26 August Experience the majestic grounds of Attingham under the cloak of night. Why not join the guided bushcraft expedition at dusk? If you’re lucky you might spot a barn owl or a bat. When it starts to get dark lie flat your back in the soft grass and watch the stars come out. Before bed there will be stories around the campfire and plenty of other family-friendly activities. Dinner and breakfast will also be provided. Bookings need to be made by 23 August.

Journeys of the imagination 23 July – 31 August (weekdays only, excluding bank holiday Monday) Follow six journeys made by people connected to Quarry Bank mill during the industrial revolution. These interactive trails will take you as far as Spain, Mexico and India with the family who owned Quarry Bank. Or run away with the child workers to escape the gruelling conditions of the mill. Inspired by diaries, letters and photographs in the Quarry Bank archive, games and activities throughout the summer holidays will take you back in time.

Price: adult £30, child £15 For more information: www.nationaltrust.org. uk/attingham-park

North Souter Lighthouse and The Leas, Sunderland Tackle the tower, abseiling down Souter Lighthouse, 14 July, 15 September Invigorate your senses and get the adrenalin pumping by abseiling down this 76ft lighthouse, which was built in 1871 to protect ships from the dangerous rocks at Whitburn Steel. If you’re brave enough to scale the dizzying heights of Souter – the first lighthouse in the world to be purpose

Price: normal admission charges apply For more information: www.nationaltrust.org. uk/quarry-bank/features/journeys-of-theimagination-at-quarry-bank

Borrowdale and Derwent Water, Cumbria King Pocky’s Derwent water regatta, 7-8 July, 10am-4pm Try out exhilarating water sports in the magical surroundings of Derwent Water – a glittering lake surrounded by mountains. Experience the excitement of canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding, sailing a catamaran and boarding a Viking-style long boat. Improve your skills in guided sessions by qualified outdoors professionals.

Jump right in for a spot of wild swimming or take part in the ranger-led canoe safari

Hunt for bugs, 15 August, 2pm-4pm Join National Trust gardeners at Nunnington Hall and search for bugs and butterflies among the summer flowers and long grasses. While you’re here check out the organic walled garden, walk across wildflower meadows and meet the flamboyant peacocks that proudly stalk the grounds.

Price: normal admission charges apply.

For more information: www.nationaltrust.org. uk/nunnington-hall

Wales Llanerchaeron, Ceredigion Petticoats of power, open until 7 October Discover the untold stories of the women who lived and worked at Llanerchaeron with a series of themed events taking place during the summer holidays. From code breaking to sports events, all activities at Llanerchaeron take inspiration from these women’s stories. The archives at this elegant Georgian villa are packed with tales of women who managed the estate during uncertain times, overturning convention and breaking down barriers.

Price: normal admission charges apply.

For more information: www.nationaltrust.org. uk/llanerchaeron

Penrhyn Castle and Garden, Gwynedd Summer of Fun, 22 July to 30 August, 10.30am – 4pm Join us on Sundays for clock crafts and badge making. Let your creations be inspired by artist Luke Jerram’s installation Harrison’s Garden (an imagined landscape of garden clocks) currently on display in the Keep. On Mondays we’ll be celebrating the summer season with trails and activities run

by Wild Elements. Experience a Victorian summer at Penrhyn Castle on Thursdays.

Your grand day out will include tennis,

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parlour games and archery on the lawn.

Price: normal admission charges apply.

Archery costs £1.50 per person.

For more information: www.nationaltrust.org. uk/penrhyn-castle

Southwood Estate, Pembrokeshire Summer fete, 5 August, 10.30am-4pm Taking place within the charming surroundings of Southwood Farm, this fete is full of stores selling local produce. Join a history walk around the estate, known for its magnificent Victorian buildings and timeless landscape. There’s also plenty of fun to be had for the kids with activities such as den building, bug hunting and welly wanging. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/southwood-estate

Bodnant Garden, Conwy The lost words trail, 21 July – 26 August, 10am to 4pm Watch your children rediscover the magic of the natural world by following a trail in search of lost nature words. The trail is inspired by the book The Lost Words,

by Robert McFarlane and Jackie Morris, which celebrates words like conker and bramble, taken out of children’s dictionaries in favour of chatroom and broadband.

Discover how these words are connected to the plants and animals that can be found in Bodnant Garden’s colourful flower beds, mysterious forests and wildflower meadows. Finish up at the Old Mill in the Dell for a reading of The Lost Words by storytellers. Other family-friendly activities include willow weaving, pond dipping and birdwatching walks. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/bodnant-garden

Tredegar House, Newport Kayaking on the lake, 25-27 August One of the best ways to experience the beauty of Tredegar House and its grounds is to paddle around the lake in a kayak.

Overlooked by trees, this vast lake is great place to see wildlife. Look out for coots, swans, grebes and moorhens.

Suitable for beginners. All equipment provided.

What are bees’ favourite flowers? How can we protect bees in the UK? Find out what bees do when they are not buzzing around the flower heads.

Henry’s toy treasure hunt, 21 July – 31 August Get a glimpse into the childhood of Henry Paget, who grew up to become the 7th Marquess of Anglesey. It’s 1936 and his much-loved toy soldiers have escaped into the garden. Can you help him find them?

Price: normal admission charges apply For more information: www.nationaltrust.org. uk/plas-newydd-country-house-and-gardens

Northern Ireland Castle Ward, County Down Pirates’ Picnic, 12 July, 1 – 5pm Ahoy me hearties - Captain Ward’s pirate ship has been spotted off Strangford Lough which can only mean one thing: he’s looking for some new recruits to join his crew of swashbuckling pirates. Dress up in your best pirate costume and prepare to hunt for treasure, compete in a tug ‘o war or try piratical crafts. There’ll be live music and plenty of food on offer too – just make sure you don’t end up being made to walk the plank.

Price: Free event, normal admission applies For more information: www.nationaltrust.org. uk/castle-ward

Mount Stewart, County Down Wildlife Trackers, 25 July, 1.30 – 3.30pm Have you ever seen paw prints in the mud or scratches on a tree trunk, and wondered what type of animal made them? This summer, take a walk off the beaten track Mount Stewart and try your hand at games and activities that will teach you to identify animals from the signs they leave behind.

Learn to pick out footprints, spot signs of

feeding on trees and shrubs, and even look out for animal poo. If you’re lucky you may even spot some red squirrels.

N.B. This is a drop off activity suitable for children aged 5–11 years.

Price: £8 per participant, booking essential via 028 4278 8387. Normal admission applies For more information: www.nationaltrust.org. uk/mount-stewart

Downhill Demesne, County Londonderry Kite Festival, 4 & 5 August, 12 – 5pm Downhill Demesne’s high-flying spectacle is back for an eighth year, now bigger and better than ever. Head over to watch a kaleidoscope of kites of all sizes take to the skies and witness award-winning displays and stunt kite teams.You can bring your own kite too, or make your own in a special kite workshop session. To add to the festive atmosphere there will also be speciality food stalls, local crafts, inflatables, quad pod rides, a petting farm and much more.

Price: Free event, normal admission applies www.nationaltrust.org.uk/downhill-demesneand-hezlett-house

Florence Court, County Fermanagh Honey Show, 26 & 27 August, 12 – 4pm As well as heralding long summer days with their gentle buzzing, bees are also vital helpers when it comes to getting flowers to bloom and crops to grow. If you’re intrigued by these fascinating little creatures, come along and chat to members of the Fermanagh Beekeepers as they hold their annual Honey Show at Florence Court. See bees at work in the observation hive, taste some of the honey they produce and even buy a jar or two to take home.

Price: Free event, normal admission applies www.nationaltrust.org.uk/florence-court

Price: £12 per person.

For more information: www.nationaltrust.org. uk/tredegar-house

Plas Newydd House and Garden, Anglesey Bees and treasure hunts Meet the beekeeper, 7-29 July (weekends only) Discover how Plas Newydd’s resident beekeeper looks after hundreds of bees.

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Ditch

Is It Time To

Disposables?

Have you ever thought about the amount of waste babies create? Within a baby’s first year they create between 2,5003,000 dirty nappies! All that waste has to go somewhere, and sadly when it comes to dirty nappies that somewhere is in a landfill. They may be convenient but disposable nappies come with several dangerous environmental drawbacks.

They not only take up a huge portion of space in landfills, but they also decompose at an astonishingly slow rate, taking anywhere between 200 and 500 years to break down, meaning those nappies you’re changing now will be around for your children’s great, great, great grandchildren! And whilst they’re decomposing, they release toxic gasses into the environment which could

harm wildlife and humans. To produce a disposable nappy in the first place it takes 3.5 times more energy, 8.3 times more non-renewable resources, and 90 times more renewable resources than reusable cloth nappies.

Switching to reusable nappies isn’t just beneficial for the environment though. It also has a positive effect on your bank balance. To keep a child in disposable nappies for 2.5 years (although it is longer than this in many cases depending on when potty training is completed!) you are looking at spending a whopping £1885, which is an awful lot of money to literally be throwing away!

Whilst the cost of fuel is rising meaning that washing and drying reusable nappies is rising, it is rising at a much slower rate

than the cost of disposables due to one of the main components needed to produce disposable nappies being petroleum - and we all know how those prices have been hiked up recently!

Disposable nappies cost us dearly as taxpayers, too. For every £1 spent on disposable nappies it costs 10 pence to dispose of them in waste management, which really adds up! Many council authorities have actually introduced an incentive because of this to encourage families to choose reusable nappies. For example, if you live in London you could receive a voucher for over £50 if you choose to ditch disposables in favour of the cloth alternative. The long term savings of using cloth nappies are obvious, but for a first child you could save a minimum of

£1600 by using reusables, and these savings are even more for subsequent children as they can use those same nappies too.

The great thing about cloth nappies becoming more popular is that you don’t even need to spend out on your own stack of them anymore, although with the wide variety of designs available many people like to pick out something that suits their own style! Cloth Nappy Libraries have become a thing all over the UK, where kind people have donated their cloth nappies that are no longer used for other mums to loan, often for a small donation to the library or completely free. All the nappies are boiled before they are passed on to kill any bacteria. A good place to look for these groups is on Facebook,

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or ask your local mums groups, health visitors or midwives if they know of any Cloth Nappy Libraries. Many parents like to use a cloth nappy library even if it’s just for a little while to see which brand suits their child best. The advice when buying your own stack is to start off with just a few to make sure they are the right fit for your baby.

And, if you’re going to use reusable nappies you may as well go the whole hog and try reusable wipes too! It has recently been announced that wet wipes are being phased out in the UK as part of the crackdown on single use plastics, which will eventually be banned all together. Wet wipes are the cause of many environmental problems - a stack of over

5,000 of them has recently been collected from one small part of the River Thames and thousands more can be seen at low tide. They don’t biodegrade and although the packaging say’s not to flush them people still do which causes expensive sewer problems and fatbergs.

It’s easy to spend £200-£300 on wipes over the course of infancy, and with washable wipes costing only £20 in a one-off spend it really is a nobrainer financially. There are a few different methods to using washable wipes. Any kind of washable material can be used, so you could even make your own. Squares of about 15-20cm is a good size to go for, and they can be used in exactly the same way as disposable wipes on faces, hands or bottoms, the

only difference being that once you are done you pop them in a washing machine instead of a bin! The wipes can be stored in a zip lock bag or tupperware soaked in ready-made solution ready to pull out and go, or they can be stored dry and dipped in a cleaning solution, or you can keep some of the solution in a spray bottle ready to spray onto a dry wipe when needed - the latter being the favoured option for most people as it’s the most convenient especially when out and about. Cleaning solution can be bought ready made from some suppliers, but it can be as simple as just water. Some people like to mix a bit of baby lotion, olive oil or moisturiser in with it to help remove dirt and protect babies skin. Which brings us to another great reason to switch to reusables too - it’s

kinder for babies skin. Wet wipes and nappies contain lots of chemicals which are easily absorbed into babies skin which is thinner than an adults. Lots of parents report a dramatic drop in nappy rash instances when they switch to cloth nappies and wipes, and it’s an especially good move for children with sensitive skin.

So it’s kinder to the environment, kinder to our wallets in the long run and kinder to babies skin.. what’s not to love? What do you think, is it time to ditch the disposables and wave in a new era of reusable baby products, or does the thought of living without a wet-wipe leave you in a cold sweat?! We’d love to hear what you think!

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STYLE & SUBSTANCE

Mini Style:

another one this year. It’s really light and loose fitting so she doesn’t overheat in it.

10 of The Best Rompers...

Practical and fashionable, an all in one is great for crawlers and I also like to put Daisy in one when we are travelling in

I have developed a little bit of an obsession with rompers lately for Daisy (and myself too from time to time). There are two reasons for this new found love, firstly, they are so easy to put on a toddler who allows you precisely 00.4 seconds to dress them before they run off. Second, they work perfectly with this confused weather that starts cloudy and chilly but ends scorching hot as you can layer them up with t-shirts, cardigans and coats. However, we are about to embark on potty training (something I have not been looking forward to so the less said on the matter the better) and rompers are likely to become highly impractical so I’m getting what little enjoyment I have left out of them now for the foreseeable...

This yellow one I have actually bought for Daisy twice now, one last summer and

2.

the car long distance as the loose fit is comfortable when she is sat in the car seat.

In light of my love for them I thought I would put together my edit of rompershaped loveliness for boys and girl that are available now...

3.

4.

5.

1.

8.

7.

9.

10.

6.

1. H&M 2.F&F 3. Next 4. Mango 5. Next

6. Boden 7. M&Co 8. Ted Baker 9. My K at Mothercare 10. Monsoon

w w w. s t y l e a n d s u b s t a n c e . u k

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Sports Massage ‌‌‌.........................‌£35/h Deep ssue relaxa on massage.‌‌‌‌£35/h Aromatherapy massage.‌‌.............‌‌£35/h Chocolate massage ‌....................‌‌‌£40/h Prananadi energy treatment.‌.....‌‌‌£35/h Prananadi and massage.........‌‌‌‌£50/90m Please note that weekends are charged at £40/h.

Loyalty card scheme and giΠvouchers are available.

Massages are based in Newtownards.

For more informa on please call Beatrix at

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Swedish, Deep Tissue, Aromatherapy and Sports Massage for general relaxation or targeted pain relief.

Stunning Mountain Retreat in Carmarthenshire Great forest walking trails from the door. Converted barn with private garden.

Sleeps 4 in two en suite bedrooms. Easy access to Dog Friendly West Coast and Brecons. www.thebarnatnanthllwyd.co.uk or telephone 01267 220 518

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Homemade

Baby

Food Homemade baby food is simple and rewarding to make.

Whilst there’s nothing wrong with giving jars or pouches to

your little ones if that’s your choice, there are lots of benefits that come with making it yourself!

Making your own baby food isn’t nearly as time consuming as you might think. All of these recipes can be made in advance in large batches, portioned up and frozen for up to 3 months.

Baby food doesn’t need seasoning with anything, so don’t be tempted to add salt or pepper as you would if you were cooking for yourself.

First Tastes Most babies are ready for solids, along with continued milk intake, by around 6 months old. Until then, breastmilk or formula

provides all the nutrients and calories they need. Babies don’t have the physical skills to swallow solid foods until they are at least 4 months old and their digestive system simply isn’t mature enough to deal with solids. If your baby is under 6 months old and you think they are ready to begin eating solids you should speak to your health visitor or GP for advice.

Allergic reactions to foods can be a worry for some parents, especially if you or your other children suffer from allergies to certain foods. Some parents employ the ‘four day rule’, which is where each time you introduce a new food to your baby

✓ You k now exactly w hat your eating an baby is d where it c ame from ✓ You k now that the ingre dients ar all fresh e and healt ✓ You c hy an tailor make the your chil food to s d’s need uit s a n d tastes ✓ Home made ba by foods a fractio cost n of the price of ready ma de you continue to feed them the same thing for four days in a row (you can still feed them other foods that you have previously safely introduced). Allergic reactions usually appear quickly, sometimes within an hour of your baby eating the food responsible, but in some cases it can take up to 3 or 4 days for a reaction to occur. Digestive problems from certain foods can also tend to take a few days to appear. By sticking to one new food for 4 days you will immediately be able to tell which food is causing the reaction or digestive problem.You can then eliminate that food from your baby’s diet, with the possibility of reintroducing it later on.

Cues that your baby is ready to begin solids include being able to keep their head in a steady and upright position, expressing a curiosity in food (ie watching you when you eat, reaching out for it), able to sit well when supported and they should have lost the “extrusion reflex” which is when your babies tongue automatically pushes solid food out of their mouth. Babies mouths

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and tongues develop in line with their digestive system and they need to be able to move food from the front to the back of their mouths instead of pushing it out.

Babies only need very small portions to begin with. The food they have should complement their milk intake not replace it.

The general advice is to start with around 1 or two teaspoons of any single ingredient puree. Some parents prefer baby-led weaning which is when you offer your child lumps of soft cooked food for them to grasp and feed themselves instead of spoon feeding.

Sweet Potato Sweet potato is a great first food. It’s high in vitamin A (in the form of betacarotene) which is important for normal vision, as well as giving the immune system a boost.Vitamin A also helps keep the heart, lungs and kidneys healthy. Sweet potatoes are a good source of vitamin C, manganese, copper, and vitamin B5 and B6.

Sweet potatoes are easy to prepare. Heat your oven to 190C or 375F, scrub the potatoes, prick with a fork and place them on a baking tray in the middle of the oven.

Bake for around 45 minutes or until soft, depending on their size. When they are done leave to cool and cut in half, then scrape out the soft flesh with a spoon and hey presto – instant baby food! You could also peel and boil the potatoes but boiling can draw out some of the nutrients.

Butternut Squash Butternut Squash is another favourite first food for most babies, thanks to its subtle sweetness.

Butternut Squash is a great source of Vitamin A as well as potassium, with one cube of squash holding 582mg, more than there is in a whole banana! There

are two ways to prepare butternut squash, one is to cut it in half lengthways, remove the seeds and place face down in a baking tray in about an inch of water. Bake for around 40 minutes and then remove the flesh with a fork and puree with a blender.

Another easy way is to peel, cube and steam it, then mash or blend.

Asparagus Green asparagus is preferred over white when it comes to nutritional value. Green asparagus contains much higher levels of calcium, protein and B vitamins than white. Asparagus is easy to prepare. Hold the stems at the very end and bend each spear until it snaps.

It should snap at the point where the fresh green tip ends and the tougher part begins. Doing it this way means you get more of the good stuff and none of the tougher bitter parts in your baby’s food. Wash the tips, then steam or boil until tender, puree or mash to your desired consistency.

Pears Pears aren’t particularly impressive for a huge amount of any one nutrient but they do contain a wide array of both vitamins and minerals.

Copper, iron, potassium and magnesium as well as vitamin C which is good for fighting infection throughout the body and vitamin K which is good for building and maintaining bone strength.

Oh, and they’re delicious!

Very ripe pears can easily be pureed without the need for cooking. Pears can get particularly runny when pureed so once your baby has tasted it on its own

a few times it is great for adding to other things; banana and avocados go well!

As your baby gets older it’s important to add new tastes and flavour combinations.

Portion sizes can increase to satisfy your baby but they will still need milk feeds too.Your baby will let you know if they are still hungry but if you’re unsure on how much or how often they should be feeding, speak to your health visitor. Meat can be introduced from 7 months onwards.You may like to puree the meat before giving it to your baby, not only does this make it more digestible and minimises the risk of choking in young babies but recent research has shown it also makes the iron from finely ground meat more readily absorbed by babies bodies.

Here are some of our favourite recipes for older babies!

Avocado, Spinach and Oats Who says oats are just for breakfast? This filling combo, loaded with fibre-rich oats, iron-packed spinach and creamy avocado is perfect for baby’s lunch or dinner. With its huge amount of calcium, iron and healthy fats it has all the things your baby needs to grow and thrive.

Take half a ripe avocado, a small handful of oats and a small handful of spinach. Add the oats to 1/2 a cup of water and heat for 10 minutes. Add in the spinach and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Place all ingredients into a blender and puree. For a chunkier consistency blend the avocado and spinach together and stir into the oats. This will keep in the fridge in an air-tight container for two days or in the freezer for up to two months.

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Chickpea, Blueberry and Rosemary This is a great recipe for warmer days or when you need something quick as none of it requires cooking! Besides being easy to make it is packed with so much goodness!

It is extremely high in antioxidants, fibre, Vitamin A and C, zinc, manganese, folate and iron.

Take 1/2 a cup of washed blueberries, 1/2 a cup of chickpeas and 5 leaves off a sprig of rosemary, combine it all in a food processor and pulse until you have your desired consistency. If it’s a little thick try adding 1 tbsp of water at a time until it thins out.

Keep for 2 days in an airtight container or for up to 3 months in the freezer.

Chicken and Peach It may sound like a strange combination but it is surprisingly delicious! The chicken packs a protein punch whilst the sweet peach gives a healthy hit of Vitamin E and Vitamin K. For this recipe you will need:

4oz cooked, boneless chicken, chopped 2 oz cooked rice (you can use white or brown, but brown is more nutritious) 1 ripe peach 1 tbsp formula/breastmilk Remove the skin and stone from the peach and cut it into quarters. Place the peach, chicken, rice and milk into a food processor and pulse until it is roughly chopped. This recipe is best for babies capable of chewing small soft lumps. To minimise the choking hazard you may want to puree the chicken instead.

Quinoa Bites Delicately crispy on the outside and nice and soft on the inside, these Quinoa Bites are perfect for babies who know how to bite and chew, usually from around 10 months onwards. It’s a great way to introduce new textures and tastes, you can season these as much or a little as you like to suit your little one. Quinoa is a brilliant source of protein, fibre and magnesium.

Magnesium helps keep bones healthy, keep our heart beats steady and helps maintain our nerve and muscle function.

To make these Quinoa Bites combine 1 cup cooked quinoa (you can use red or green or both!), 2 small eggs, 2 tbsp fresh chopped parsley, a pinch of ground black pepper, 1/2 a finely diced onion, 2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese, 1 clove crushed garlic and 1/2 cup of whole wheat breadcrumbs in a large bowl and allow to rest for about 15 minutes to give the breadcrumbs a chance to soak up the liquid. The mixture will be very sticky and loose, it’s important for it to be like this as it will dry out a lot when cooking and you don’t want the bites to end up too crumbly. Using your hands, form into around 16 patties. Using a splash of olive oil in a pan, add the patties to it, you might find it easiest to slide them off of the plate

and straight into the pan with a spatula one by one. Cook them for around 5 minutes until golden, then carefully turn and repeat on the other side. When cooked, let them cool and serve just as they are. They are great for picnics, or to have in the fridge on hand for snack time.

Cheese Straws These cheesy treats make for perfect finger food from around 10 months.

You will need: 40g grated cheddar cheese 85g plain flour 40g butter 1 whole egg Grease a baking sheet with a little butter and pre heat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas Mark 4.

Sieve the flour into a large bowl and add the butter, it’s best to let the butter rest at room temperature for a while to make it more pliable. Rub the butter and flour together until it resembles breadcrumbs, then add the cheese, half of the beaten egg and mix it all together. Bring the dough together with your hands then roll it out on a floured surface to around 1/2 cm thick. Cut out the ‘straws’ using a knife and place on the baking sheet. Glaze with the rest of the egg, or use milk if you don’t have enough egg. Pop into the oven for 10 minutes or until they are golden brown.

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Make

NatureBond Baby Food Feeder/Fruit Feeder Pacifier £10.99 www.amazon.co.uk

g n i n a e W Wonderful Weaning, the journey of moving your mini me from a diet of just milk to solid food.

For a lot of parents this process can be daunting, but have no fear! Here at Just for Families HQ we have rounded up the best products on the market to make your little one’s transition as smooth as possible!

ASDA Little Angels Divided Plates 6m+ £2.00 www.asda.com

Dino Melamine Food Tray £7 www.cathkidston.com

Annabel Karmel by NUK Stackable Pots 6 Pack £3.99 www.nuk.co.uk Tommee Tippee Explorer Mini Food Blender £21 www.mamasandpapas.com

Bamboo Fox Suction Plate, Stay Put Feeding Plate, Natural Bamboo £14.99 www.bamboobamboo.co

Tidy Tot Bib & Tray Kit £30 www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk

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Tommy Tippee Baby Weaning Steamer Blender £66.00 www.mothercare.com

Annabel Karmel by NUK mini Ice Lolly Moulds £4.99 www.nuk.co.uk

Removable Twist ‘n’ Lock™ Freezer Pods and Tray 6pk £6.99 www.vitalbaby.com

Asda Little Angels Out & About Suct www.asda.com

ion Bowl £3

Skip Hop Unicorn Snack Cup, Multi £9 www.johnlewis.com

Infantino Fresh Squeezed Squeeze Station £28.65 www.amazon.co.uk

MAM Heat Sensitive Spoons & Cover 2pk Pink £4.87 www.mamonlineshop.com

Ikea Kladdig Long Sleeve Bib £5 www.ikea.com/gb Munchkin 7oz Miracle 360° Trainer Cup Blue £4.99 www.boots.com

J4F 10 2018.indd 35

35 *prices correct at time of going to press.

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Supporting the Unsung Hero’ business boom The University of Wolverhampton’s businessstart up programme, ‘Supporting the Unsung Hero’, is helping spouses and dependants’ of serving Armed Forces personnel, Veterans and Reservists realise their ambition to start-up and grow a successful business.

‘Supporting the Unsung Hero’ is a tailored business programme designed to meet the needs of Armed Forces families, and was one of the original bids to the £35 million LIBOR fund.

Since then, the course and mentoring programme has been in high demand having already been attended by 520 delegates with 740 expected to complete the programme by 2021. HSBC bank recently announced it will continue to sponsor the programme enabling the delivery team at the University of Wolverhampton and Black Country Chamber of Commerce to further expand on the already award winning programme.

work together and share their skills to develop new products and services.

Sarah Walker, ‘Supporting the Unsung Hero’ Project Manager and Lead Trainer, says: “We are proud to be leading this programme and are very grateful to HSBC for continuing to fund the venture which forms an integral part of our range of opportunities for those who are currently serving in the Armed Forces their families and Veterans. This programme has the potential to create in excess of 700 new business start-ups by the end of 2021, significantly boosting our economy on a local and national scale.”

Once enrolled on the course participants also benefit from a closed online forum to encourage peer support and interaction with other delegates.

Some members have started local business networking groups and have formed alliances to

How long does the programme last?

Each Cohort will run for 10 months including 4 days of class based training with an experienced team of business advisers and dedicated one to one mentoring delivered either in person or virtually.

When does the programme start?

There are a range of start dates for each cohort to fit your requirements, contact the SUH team to find out the best course date and location to suit the individual.

Is there a fee to attend the programme?

There is no cost to participate in the programme as funding has been provided by the Armed Forces Covenant (LIBOR) Fund and the HSBC Bank (travel, accommodation and expenses incurred are not included).

What type of business can delegates set up?

The type of business set up is entirely up to the individual and could range from professional business consultancy, crafts and handmade gifts, bespoke art, catering services or personal fitness instructors. Participants may have a couple of business ideas and wish to use the course to explore each option or may not have a specific business in mind but wish to understand the basic principles of business start-up and gain inspiration from others.

Can those already running a business apply?

Yes, delegates may still participate in the programme if already running a business in its infancy or need to develop their understanding of basic business management.

Sally Wagstaff, a former Nurse in the Royal Navy and military spouse, enrolled on the first programme in October 2013. Since completing the course she has opened a state-of-the-art laser hair removal clinic in Lichfield and has since built on her success, opening a further salon at Aston Wood Golf and Country Club.

She says: “I simply wouldn’t have started my business without the Supporting the Unsung Hero Business programme. The course has been so important, from giving me the confidence to launch to teaching me the skills to run and importantly grow my business. I recommend the programme highly.”

Sarah Walker, Project Manager, said, “There is no end to the talent and resources within the Armed Forces community. As we enter the fourth year of the programme we hope to deliver in new locations such as Gibraltar to enable as many service spouses to access the course as possible, especially those who are in remote locations or overseas. ”

J4F 10 2018.indd 37

Who can apply for the programme?

The programme is open to a spouse or dependant (over the age of 16) of a Service person, Veteran or Reservist.

We are also pleased to announce that we now accept applications from Armed Forces Veterans.

Can delegates set up a joint business with a family member or friend?

Yes, delegates can set up a joint business with a family member or friend/s although only the eligible Spouse, Dependant or Veteran can attend the training course.

Courses are run throughout the UK at MOD bases from Scotland to Portsmouth and overseas in Cyprus, Belgium, Germany and Gibraltar.

Mentoring and seminars are also delivered on-line via Skype or Facebook to make the course as accessible as possible and to allow for service mobility and family commitments.

Delegates are offered a dedicated four-day business start-up training course, where they will learn and develop the skills required to run a business and understand their legal, financial and tax obligations, basic record keeping, marketing and how to write that all important business plan.

‘Supporting the Unsung Hero’ FAQ’s

Who will be mentoring programme delegates?

We are a team of friendly business experts from the University of Wolverhampton’s Business Solutions Centre.

Participants are assigned an individual mentor for the duration of the programme. Once enrolled delegates will also be able to access a closed Facebook page which has proven to be a great source of peer-to-peer support.

Are the training and mentoring sessions flexible?

The dates of the four-day courses and group mentoring sessions are fixed. Individual mentoring sessions are flexible and can be delivered via Skype, phone or face to face.

Are delegates obliged to set up a business by the end of the programme?

There is no obligation to set up a business by the end of the programme, but ideally those who have completed the course will have a business up and running, as this is the aim of the programme.

What will delegates achieve at the end of the programme?

Participants will have all the tools and information required to kick-start their business. A certificate will also be awarded to demonstrate successful completion of the course and will become members of a unique group of like-minded people from the military community.

If you have a business idea and need the skills and support to launch or you want to find out if running a business could be an opportunity for you contact the ‘Supporting the Unsung Hero’ team: Telephone: 01902 321 272 Email: suh@wlv.ac.uk Website: wlv.ac.uk/supportingtheunsunghero

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Trick or Treat! Do you let your children go Trick or Treating? Why or why not?

Name: Linda Bell Age: 34 No, I don’t let my children go Trick or Treating. I have two daughters, one is 13 and the other is 10 and I have never taken them Trick or Treating. I don’t like the idea of kids knocking on doors begging for sweets, because that is basically all it is. I wouldn’t let my girls knock on strangers doors and accept sweets from them on any other night of the year so why should we do it for Halloween? My parents never took me Trick or Treating because being religious they didn’t like what it symbolised. I am religious myself but I wouldn’t say my lack of Trick or Treating is directly related to that. We don’t acknowledge Halloween in our home

but it is more out of habit that we never have and aren’t interested in being a part of it. I don’t feel that my girls have missed out on anything by not going Trick or Treating, they have never asked to go and

it has never been brought up. They have attended Halloween parties at school in the past but have not dressed up for the occasion. If we get anyone knock on the door on Halloween night we just ignore it. I personally don’t feel like Trick or Treating is a particularly safe activity to do. Whether the parents go with them and check the sweets their children collect or not, you never know who may have tampered with it or whether you are knocking on someones door who isn’t very nice. I don’t think that other parents should let their children go Trick or Treating, unless it is to a friends house or someone that they know personally. I also think that some kids that do do it are far too old to be doing so, and older children can be quite intimidating when walking around in large groups.

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Halloween is approaching, and for this issue’s Two Sides To Every Story… we hear from two mums about their thoughts on letting the kids go Trick or Treating.

Name: Hannah Jane Age: 32 Absolutely! We love going Trick or Treating!

My children are 11, 9 and 6 and we have always gone Trick or Treating since my eldest could walk! I have pictures of them all as babies dressed as pumpkins. We love decorating the house and buying sweets to give out to other Trick or Treaters. We like finding the biggest pumpkins we can and carving them, then leaving them in the window on Halloween night. My family always used to go Trick or Treating when I was young around our block - although our costumes weren’t quite as good as what I do for my kids, we used to decorate

bin bags and wear them!! These days we have a rule that we only knock on houses who have put out pumpkins or put up decorations - I think if people haven’t then they generally don’t want to be involved

and that’s fine. I can certainly see why some people, especially the elderly or people on their own, wouldn’t want groups of children knocking on their doors at night time. I think Trick or Treating is just a bit of harmless fun, it’s a nice opportunity for the kids to be creative and dress up and get rewarded for their efforts. I wouldn’t let my younger children go Trick or Treating alone but my eldest is very sensible and we are planning for her and her small group of friends to go on their own this year but they have a route planned and a time to be home by.

We will also be walking around the same route with the younger children so wont be far if she needs us!

love to hear or Treating? We’d k ic Tr go n re ild ch ok page! k? Do you let your tion on our Facebo sa er What do you thin nv co e th in get involved your opinions so o Sides To e in our next Tw se to e lik d u’ yo ons oughts on questi If you have any th ure, get in touch!

Every Story.. feat 39

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Puzzle Page!

Help the spider, the ghost, the bats and the cats to meet on the pumpkin field to celebrate Halloween.

Can you find the 7 words hidden above?

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You can find the answers on page 63 J4F 10 2018.indd 41

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AZ to

o T k c Ba of School

c bd a

Anxious

Some kids can get anxious about going back to school, especially if they’re starting somewhere new. Talk to them and do your best to alleviate any worries they may have!

Cycle

If your child cycles to school make sure their bike is safe and ready to use – check the chains, brakes and tyres!

Breakfast

Make sure your kids go off to school filled up with a good breakfast, ready to start the day and help them concentrate!

Dinner Money

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Put it somewhere safe for them to take in the morning.

e

Emergency Contacts Have any of the emergency contact details changed over the summer? Update the school if they have!

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fh

Footwear Kids feet grow constantly, so make sure their school shoes and plimsolls still fit!

Gadgets

Homework Don’t leave it until the last minute to check all the summer homework has been completed!

k Kindness

Bullying is an important issue that many schools have problems with. Keep the conversation going about how important it is to be kind, and what they can do if someone isn’t being nice to them.

J4F 10 2018.indd 43

g

Check the school policies on taking in mobile phones and other gadgets – your teen doesn’t want to end up with their phone confiscated on the first day!

il j Instruments

If your child takes music lessons make sure their instruments are ready to take back in.

Jumper

Lunch Box

Pack a healthy nutritious lunch to keep those brains whirring all day long!

It was hot when they left but the weather might be cooling down now, time to dig the school jumper back out!

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n

m

Name Labels

Make sure all new kit is labelled up in case it gets lost!

o

Moody

Moody teenagers can be hard to deal with at the best of times, but even more so when they have to start getting up early in the mornings again!

Deep breaths, they’ll soon be back into the swing of things!

Organise

For older kids, buy a new diary or get them to start a bullet journal to help them have fun staying organised in this new school year.

p r Quiet Time

PE Kit

Check with the school to see if any special kit is needed for this term – swimming and hockey kit may need to be purchased!

q

Set aside a time every day to stay on top of reading and writing practice for younger kids who are still learning the basics.

You don’t want them to forget anything they’ve already learnt!

Rucksack

Make sure their bag is packed and ready to go the night before, double check it to make sure they didn’t miss anything!

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s u

Stationery A new pencil case is a must for a new term, let your kids have fun picking one out! Check to see if your child needs anything new this term, such as a protractor or calculator.

t

v

Tidy room, tidy mind Make your child’s bedroom a place where they can concentrate easily.

It’s been proven that we sleep better and work better in tidy environments, so make sure your child’s room is clean and neat for them to get a good rest and be able to do their homework in peace.

Uniform

Does the old stuff still fit or is a new one needed?

Vaccinations

Check that your child’s immunisations are up to date if they are due to start school, they should have had their pre-school booster before they turn 4.

x z

eXtra-curricular

Check to see when your child’s extra-curricular activities are on, or discuss with them whether they want to join any this term!

y

Water Bottle

Water bottles are permitted in most classrooms throughout the day; being hydrated aids concentration.

Make sure your child’s is compliant with the school rules – some must be clear or of a certain colour.

Zzz..

If your child’s sleeping pattern has gone awry over the holidays try to get it back on track a couple of weeks before they are due to start back!

Yawn

The first few weeks back will take their toll, but a few early nights will soon get them used to those early mornings again!

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w

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Resourcefulness, the ability to meet challenges in a variety of ways, is a by-product of creative intelligence. As children develop resourcefulness, they learn to trust their instincts and develop their unique abilities. They acquire a positive attitude toward

C

problem solving. Resourceful children mature into confident and industrious people. Just as important, they tap into the multitude of

y t i v i t a e r

Encouraging

The definition of creativity is not straight forward. The creative process involves a number of components, most commonly:

joys life has to offer.

• imagination • originality (the ability to come up with ideas and products that are new and unusual) • productivity (the ability to generate a variety of different ideas through divergent thinking) • problem solving (application of knowledge and imagination to a given situation) and; • the ability to produce an outcome of value and worth.

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Although creativity is often associated with ‘creative’ subjects, such as art and music, creativity is not subject specific. Creativity is a way of approaching problem solving that can be exercised in different areas. There are lots of ways to encourage your little ones to be creative that go beyond drawing and painting. A key aspect to nurturing creativity is to keep children curious and always seeking answers. One of the best ways a parent or caregiver can respond to a child’s question is by saying “I don’t know, how could we find the answer?” rather than explaining something outright.

Stimulate imaginative, independent thought by posing questions during creative play or when projects are being made. For example, if your child is making a birdfeeder ask what would be the best way to make sure it holds all of the seeds and let them try out their own ideas instead of telling them exactly what to do.

In the same instance, if their ideas don’t work

“

out then encourage them to try again and avoid shaming or embarrassing them for something not working out the first time. Don’t say: “Well that was a silly idea, what were you thinking?” Instead offer support, “If that didn’t work, try something else; you’ll get it.” Resist the temptation to make your child’s project better by adding finishing touches yourself too. Put the emphasis on the creative process of making something rather than the quality of their end result, and let them decide when it is finished to their own standard.

Researchers say that creative teachers and creative teaching are key components in fostering creativity in young children.

They explain that teachers and other early childhood workers can encourage creativity by behaviours such as: • asking open-ended questions • tolerating ambiguity • modelling creative thinking and behaviour

“

When considering young children, it is appropriate to adopt a broad definition of creativity. By doing this, every child can be considered to have creative potential and to be capable of creative expression.

It’s also important to consider what might be deemed ‘original’ in the work of a young child.

After all, only a child prodigy could be expected to come up with something new and valuable to society. Instead, each child’s creative abilities could be related to his or her personal stage of development. For example, a young child’s work may be adaptive and original for that particular child in relation to that of their peers.

en associated ft o is y it v ti a e r Although c h as art and c u s , ts c je b u s with ‘creative’ ific. ot subject spec n is y it v ti a e r c music, f approaching o y a w a is y it Creativ in n be exercised a c t a th g in lv problem so ts of ways to lo e r a e r e Th s. different area be creative to s e n o le tt li r encourage you ng. ing and painti w a r d d n o y e b that go

• encouraging experimentation and persistence • praising children who provide unexpected answers.

Adults can act as supporters and coaches, facilitators and models of creativity for children. But on the other hand, they also have the potential to stifle opportunities for creativity by being overly didactic or prescriptive. They can limit creativity by discouraging fantasy, or by having low expectations about what children are able to achieve in the first place. This can be especially prevalent in the classroom, where there is pressure for teachers to focus on literacy and numeracy, and it being hard to strike a good balance between meeting the needs of

a large class and encouraging the interests of an individual.

The best way for adults to help young children develop their creative skills is by providing a creative environment, helping children build up their skills through play, praising creative efforts and behaving creatively themselves, leading by example.

Probably most fundamental to the creative environment is the encouragement of childrens play. Both creativity and play require imagination, insight, problem solving, divergent thinking, the ability to experience emotion and to make choices.

Remember that people are creative because they choose to be. Personality traits, natural abilities, emotional development and life experiences are all bound up in creativity and it is different for each individual. Finding out about and encouraging a child’s own interests is an important first step to nurturing their creative side.

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Get !

Crafty

F lower Lett er F

lorals are in at the moment, and what better way to brighten up a child’s room than with a beautiful floral initial on their wall or door! These are super simple to make and look amazing. If you know someone who is due to have a baby soon, they also make fantastic and unusual gifts. All you need to make one is plenty of faux flowers of all different sizes.You will want lots of little ones to fill in gaps between the larger ones.You will also need some wire cutters, a hot glue gun, a large wooden letter, or some thick cardboard to cut your letter out of.

When you have your letter shape ready, start by clipping the flowers from the stems as close to the base as possible.You will want then to sit as flat as they can so they are flush with the surface of the letter. If some of your flowers come with leaves, use those too by cutting them off and gluing them down underneath a few flowers. This will make it look more natural and as though the flowers are growing out of the letter! Be generous with the amount of glue you use to stick down each flower.

You don’t have to stick just to flowers, little pearls and beads can look great mixed in too and make interesting gap fillers.

J4F 10 2018.indd 48

Once your project is dry, you can attach a small hanger to the back of the letter, or you can use ribbon or string to tie into the top if you’ve used cardboard and hang onto the wall that way. Or, if you’d prefer not to hang it up you can prop it against the wall on top of a dresser or shelf.

We ’d lo ve to se e y ou r p ict u re s if y ou g ive t his p roje ct a g o, re m e m be r to sh a re p ict u re s o n ou r Fa ce boo k pa g e!

H a ppy craf

t in g!

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Challenge yourself to a challenge event If you’re thinking of ways to kick-start a new fitness drive or what sort of challenge you would like to set yourself for 2018, the RAF Association is here to help. We have many events to choose from to keep fit and raise money for a worthwhile cause.

The Wolf Run combines a 10km race with natural and man-made obstacles set in the beautiful Midlands countryside. It is the ultimate test of teamwork, as you work together to get over, under and through each of the obstacles. Wolf Runs are held quarterly, so whether you want to run in the sunshine or prefer the freezing cold, there will be a run to suit you.

If you prefer to get your exercise on your bike, then the Rutland Border Epique for the RAF Centenary is for you. A classic bike ride around the beautiful Rutland Water, this is a fun, but challenging ride aiming to raise a total of £10,000 for the RAF Association

in the RAF’s Centenary year.

The Snowdon Triple Challenge in August is an exciting multi-activity event and not for the faint-hearted.

You will take on the landscape of the national park by foot, bike and kayak.

With steep climbs and gruelling hills.

The sense of achievement you feel at the end will be worth the pain!

For a more gentle pursuit, but nonetheless challenging you could take part in the Charity Walk for Peace. The walk is five miles long and starts and ends at the Savill Court Hotel, Windsor.

So put on your walking shoes and raise some money with thousands of others with a trek through the picturesque Windsor Great Park.

To kick-start your 2018 go to rafa.org.uk/challenges to sign up. Or call 0800 018 2361, you can also email jules@rafa.org.uk.

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Candy Chemistry available from Thames & Kosmos £50

TOYS

Monopoly Ultimate Banking Game available from The Entertainer £21.99

For Raising

Entrepreneurs

Grow & Play Cash Register available from Sainsburys £11.99

From money management to risk taking, relationship building to building their confidence, knowledge seeking to self promoting, there is a whole range of toys out there to inform and encourage your future entrepreneurs and help them build their skills, all whilst playing and having fun! Here are our top picks...

Smart Lab Squishy Human Body available from Amazon £18.99

Inventions Factory available from Science4u £19.99

Melissa & Doug Wooden Grocery Store available from Amazon £89.99

Rory’s Story Cubes available from Amazon £9.79

Code & Go Mouse Mania available from John Lewis 50 £20.00

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Jenga available from Argos £10.99 Discovery Channel Microscope Set available from Argos £22.99

IQ Fit Game available from SmartGames £9.99

Primary Science Lab Set available from Learning Resources UK £21.99 Meffert’s Puzzles Gear Ball available from Amazon £17.97

Star Wars Walkie Talkies available from Sainsburys £15.99 ATM Bank available from BrightMinds £39.99

Perplexus Epic available from Perplexus £29.99

Slime Lab available from Mulberry Bush £12.99

J4F 10 2018.indd 51

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VOLUNTEERING

Teens

You might think that it’s hard enough getting teens to tidy their rooms, let alone getting them to give up their free time to help others for free. But according to recent research teenagers in the UK these days are actually more likely to volunteer than the previous generation, in fact in one study showed that 74% of teens said they would love to volunteer to help a cause that they care about, so we really ought to be giving them more credit!

The internet has played a large part in this.

You are hard pushed to find a teen these days who doesn’t have a Twitter, Facebook or Instagram account, and whilst these platforms have their downfalls they are a really good way of raising awareness to today’s various social issues, thus propelling young people to reach out and help others that might be in need.

So if you have a teen who wants to volunteer, where is the best place to start? Rather unfairly, many charity shops and organisations can be wary of teenagers.

Volunteering comes with responsibility on lots of levels, no matter what setting you are in, and sadly teenagers have a bad rep for not being mature enough or responsible enough to be put in a position of trust. This doesn’t mean it isn’t worth popping into your local

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Where can young people volunteer?

Luckily, there are lots of places who do happily accept teenage volunteers, and one of the best places to find out about these organisations is www. vInspired.com.

“

“

no matter what setting you are in and sadly teenagers have a bad rep for not being mature enough or responsible enough to be put in a position of trust. This doesn’t mean it isn’t worth popping into your local charity shop or homeless shelter

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charity shop or homeless shelter - there may be opportunities waiting but it can be disheartening if their offer to help is rejected based purely on the fact that they are seen as being too young.

vInspired is the UK’s leading volunteering charity for 15-25 year olds. vInspired helps young people to make their mark on causes that they care about, whilst learning new skills and talents along the way that could help them in their future careers. vInspired recognises that volunteering can help young people thrive, and transform the communities they live in.

It teaches them vital skills, like teamwork and problemsolving.

vInspired was set up in 2006 and since then has created over 1 million volunteer roles for young people. The website offers opportunities on a national level, and you can search for volunteer positions near to you or set up your own ‘vInspired Cashpoint’, which allows young people to set up their own voluntary projects to tackle community issues that matter to them. vInspired also allows organisations to sign up to recruit young people into voluntary roles, and provides vInspired Awards which help young people stand out from the crowd and are industry-recognised.

They help young people showcase their volunteering experiences to their schools, colleges and universities.

Another option for the more adventurous, is to volunteer abroad. www.podvolunteer.org offers a range of volunteer opportunities all over the world for under 18’s.

Its a great way of travelling to new parts of the world and helping worthwhile causes whilst being fully supported by a dedicated Pod leader. The groups are made up of 16-17 year olds, along with a leader, or there are family projects available so your teen could go accompanied by a friend or relative who is over 18. Pod believe that under 18s should be given the opportunity to volunteer overseas as the projects they offer can greatly

25/07/2018 14:06

benefit from their hard work as well as offering the teens a once in a lifetime experience. Each year Pod runs a small number of specially designed under 18 group trips to one of their long term projects. The projects they join for the under 18 trip are very carefully chosen to ensure the maximum benefit for the project whilst also offering a fantastic experience to the volunteers. The trips have a dedicated leader who will support them throughout the trip and be in regular communication with the Pod office in the UK. They are currently offering two trips for under 18s; Teaching and Cultural Experience in India and Elephant Care and Wildlife Rescue in Thailand. Pod liaises with each of their volunteer projects to identify where under 18s are best suited and able to make a valuable contribution

to their on-going work.

They consider the nature of the work, risk levels, volunteer role and support they can provide on-site and these factors combine to determine which of the projects are best suited for accommodating under 18 volunteer groups.

Why is it good for teenagers to volunteer?

Volunteering comes with a basically endless list of benefits for anyone of any age, but one of the biggest benefits that comes from volunteering as a teenager is the skills that are gained along the way. They could learn a new language, or a new computer program.

They could gain new interpersonal skills, retail skills, and experience first hand how an office or business works; all things that

will benefit them later in their careers.

Volunteering gives them the opportunity to expand their social circle beyond the walls of their school, and it tends to bring like-minded people together, with many people forging friendships for life through volunteer work. As well as providing invaluable hands-on experience, volunteering does wonders for their future CVs or university applications, showing dedication to worthy causes and a strong work ethic. For older teenagers and young adults, it might give them an insight into what career path they would like to take in the future. It might make them realise that something they thought they would love might not be for them, or it could do the opposite and inspire them to try something new. And of course, on top of all that, there is no better feeling that doing something good for others.

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Solutions

What About Toddlers?

For Avoiding

Spoiling None of us want to raise a ‘spoilt’ child. But how many times have you overindulged your beloved daughter or son to make up for the guilt of a deployment?

And how often do you give into their demands just to get some peace and quiet? Here’s how to meet your child’s needs, without overcompensating or overindulging.

Okay, we’ve all been there… buying our child the bar of chocolate by the supermarket checkout to stop their incessant demands for some sweets from descending into a tantrum. Or giving into their refusal to leave their friend’s house because their whining is hurting your ears.

Occasionally, caving into the pressures put upon us by our children is necessary to avoid ‘a scene’ or to prevent unwanted attention not to mention helping us parents maintain our much-needed sanity.

But if your child is using these methods successfully on a regular basis, alarm bells should probably start to ring.

Spoiling, you see, isn’t always about giving your child too much. Psychologists say, a kid can spend an idyllic childhood being taken on the best holidays, wearing the most expensive clothes, having all the new state-of-the-art gadgets and playing with the most sought-after toys – but, they can still turn into a very well-rounded person if these things were appreciated and not the results of demands. Indeed, another person

can be brought up in a family which has very little in the way of material goods – but because that child is ‘given into’ on a regular basis, they might be a brat who grows into the kind of adult who expects everything to be handed to them on the proverbial plate.

Getting the balance right is hard for parents. In the armed forces we are faced with extra challenges because many of us are likely to be single parenting when our partner is away. Or we might be tempted to overindulge our children as a way of distracting them or comforting them during a move or when you get posted somewhere new. But, while it’s good to reassure our children, we must still be cautious of verging into spoiling territory. Here’s a few ways we can maintain the balance.

Babies Cannot Be Spoiled

As babies turn into toddlers they start to explore the world. Along with all the messy adventures and physical challenges they start embarking on, they will probably set about investigating their parents’ boundaries too.

This is perfectly normal and it provides a great opportunity for you to demonstrate where you stand on certain matters.

What’s important is that these limits should be age appropriate – there’s no point in doling out sanctions such as banning screen time to one so young as they simply won’t understand. Drawing boundaries should most definitely be about guidance at this stage.

Try organising a routine so they know, for example, when it’s time to tidy up, go for a nap, clean their teeth. Help them understand food is eaten at specific times of the day in a particular place. So, if they demand a bar of chocolate at the supermarket counter you can tell them with confidence that it’s not time to eat.

Inevitably these situations can spiral into a tantrum. And this is where many parents can cave in and give the child the chocolate bar just to avoid a scene. But this will just send a message to your child that your boundaries are weak and moveable.

Try not to get stressed about the tantrum – remain as calm as possible. A child having a tantrum, at this age, is not a sign they are spoiled. In fact, this is their way of processing the many and varied emotions flooding through them - most of which they don’t understand.

Babies are an exception to the spoiling rule – so it’s worth getting this out of the way first. Indeed, there’s an old adage ‘you “What’s Sarah Beeson, a can’t spoil a baby’ former health t a h t important is and this is very visitor and author uld be o true. If a baby h s of Happy Baby, s it lim these cries it’s a primal Happy Family, o n ’s e iate – ther instinct they r p o explained that r p p a e ag uch s have no control s n tantrums are io t c n a g out s over. They supporting our point in dolin to one can’t speak and toddlers with creen time s g in n n a b as they certainly their emotional ly they simp have no concept development. so young as of manipulation “It’s a learning rstand. “ won’t unde so when they cry process,” she said. it’s because they need “Tantrums are helping something: comfort, food, a a child to cope with feelings nappy change or warmth. It almost goes that are flooding into them – frustration, without saying that when your baby makes annoyance, anger. They go off like a pressure a demand, you meet it. So, if you are cooker because everything’s too much! reading this as a parent of a baby, you are But, it really comes down to the fact it’s a doing a grand job – carry on as you are. learning process.”

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Initially I was furious – I was desperately placating my child by offering them a snack in order to avoid a scene, so to be criticised was like getting a slap in the face! But, looking back, it gave me a much-needed kick up the arse.

It made me realise that my daughter had started ruling the roost. Despite being five, nearly six, she would yell and scream if she didn’t get her own way. Think Violet Elizabeth Bott from Just William scweaming and scweaming until she is sick! We all gave into her, for an easy life. But what we were actually doing was creating a rod for our backs.

I set about knocking this on the head. And I did so, partly, by giving my daughter the opportunity to ‘earn’ the things she wanted.

Children who are ‘spoilt’ think that everything gets handed to them on a plate.

But if they can learn that things must be worked for they won’t take them for granted.

Let your child have the tantrum, be there Follow to make sure they don’t come to any harm and then give them a big hug afterwards. Let them know “It’s they are loved. But – whatever you do – important y don’t give them the ou chocolate! as a p

Through With Any Threats

It can be tempting to get your child to comply by making empty threats which cannot possibly be arent rema in achieved. Saying consistent Setting . If you hav things like ‘if you ea don’t put on your Boundaries rule that s weets are shoes we won’t only As Children allowed at go to the cinema’ weekends Grow , when you have then stick already spent £30 on to it. “ As children get older the tickets and reserved they learn techniques your seats is quite pointless. for getting their own way.

Once or twice you might get They might exploit weaknesses, away with this, but too many times and have a tantrum (which is age inappropriate your child simply won’t take you seriously. past five-years-old) or just use good old Besides, the punishment should match the fashioned flattery and charm to persuade crime. you into doing things or giving them something.

If you are going to make a threat – ensure it’s an achievable one. Better still, try It’s important you as a parent remain providing a positive incentive such as ‘if you consistent. If you have a rule that sweets are put your shoes on by the time I count to only allowed at weekends, then stick to it. five, you can have a sticker on your chart”.

Try not to be persuaded otherwise. If you Or ‘let’s have a race, who can put their give in once, your child will think there’s shoes on first’. room for manoeuvre the next time… and this could lead to spoiling.

Empowering Your Children

Be clear when you communicate your ‘no’.

Try to avoid saying things like ‘oh, maybe just this once’ or ‘maybe later’. This provides hope, which can blur the boundaries.

When dealing with one of my daughter’s tantrums one day, a passer-by tutted at me and said: “Who’s the boss?”

So, we started a behaviour chart. If there was no screaming for a whole day she got a sticker. When she got ten stickers, she could go to the shops and choose a book. It worked.

Of course she tried to scream when things weren’t going her way, but every time she did I reminded her that she wouldn’t get her sticker and that was an extra day she might have to wait for her book.

Crucially, it handed the control over to me, and as a result I felt far calmer than I did when I was placating her with snacks to stop the yelling. And she also felt empowered because she knew her behaviour had consequences. What’s more, when she got the book she was ridiculously excited. She had worked for that book, and she was very proud.

Pleases and Thank Yous As obvious as it might seem, ensuring your child is polite and grateful is extremely important if you want to avoid them growing into a spoilt brat.You can start the habit of saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ from when your child is a baby. Don’t forget to make sure they always say ‘sorry’ when they have done something wrong.

Kids follow by example, so make sure you are always polite and show gratitude for things you receive or are gifted. Teaching your children to show appreciation for gestures both big and small will also make them realise the value of benefiting from deeds or acts as well as receiving material items.

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What To Do if Your Child is Being a

y l l u B

Discovering your child has been involved in a bullying incident at school is upsetting for any parent. But how would you feel if it turned out your child was the bully? We talk to a mum whose child was bullying children at school and find out how she dealt with the problem.

Freddie* was a gregarious and bouncy seven-year-old. He was smart, confident and academically advanced for his age. As he was quite a bit taller than the rest of the children in his class, and because he was clever, people often thought he was older than his seven (almost eight) years.

At home he was inquisitive, humorous and, at times, a little difficult – as all children can be. But he was incredibly fun loving and caring.

So it came as a huge shock to his mum, Deborah*, when she was called into school and told Freddie had been behaving in an “unacceptable” way to some of his classmates.

“They didn’t actually use the word ‘bullying’ on the phone,” Deborah explains, “but they told me there had been several events in which he had either hurt another child or said mean things to them. It was crushing.”

Deborah was no stranger to being beckoned in by the school. As the ‘class joker’, Freddie had often been known to receive warnings for minor incidents which did not cause harm but had crossed the school’s very clear boundaries.

She says: “When he was in reception the teacher would regularly take me aside to tell me he had created a kerfuffle by getting all the other children to hide under the table or by blowing a raspberry at her or such like.

“My husband and I would speak to Freddie and explain this was unacceptable, and of

course we would apologise to the school, but secretly we didn’t worry too much and would have a little chuckle. As he is an only child, we were pleased he was socialising and making himself popular with the other kids.”

But things had clearly escalated from the spirited practical jokes to something far more serious. Deborah confessed that while her initial reaction to hearing her child was bullying was complete shock, her second emotion was denial.

She said she found it impossible to process that her child, who was so caring and sensitive at home, could be acting in this way. In fact she wondered if perhaps there had been a mix up and he was being bullied himself.

information about how to prevent bullying, how to support victims and what procedures need to be taken, but nothing about how to provide support and education to the bully.

“I was not equipped with the experience or skills to deal with this one and I didn’t really know how to approach Freddie. I didn’t want to upset or provoke him, but I wanted him to realise what he had done was wrong.”

As part of the school’s behaviour procedure, Freddie received consequences for his actions and had to miss playtimes for several days, apologise formally to the children he hurt and had to agree to meet certain standards from then on. The overwhelming threat of being excluded – which was the school’s ultimate penalty for persistent bullies – loomed.

“He was only seven,” Deborah says, “and he was most definitely not malicious. I also had in mind that bullies tended to be children who were being bullied themselves. So I asked him if anything was upsetting him.”

“I sat in the school reception area [waiting to have a meeting with the headteacher about Freddie’s behaviour] preparing in my head a speech about how it was highly probable he was the victim,” she said.

“Quite obviously, someone was making him do these things or trying to make it look like Freddie was the bully. I was convinced the teacher had got the wrong end of the stick.”

It turned out Freddie was deeply upset as he thought no one liked him. Some of his actions, Deborah, suspected, were borne out of his desperation to make friends by getting their attention. When children found his ebullient personality overwhelming, they often shunned him which caused him to react angrily.

It turned out there had been a catalogue of events which were in accordance with the school’s definition of bullying and several children had reported incidents. There was no mix up.

Sadly, news of Freddie’s behaviour had spread around the parents and he had gained a bit of a reputation. Party invites started to lessen and the ‘school gate’ was feeling decidedly frosty for Deborah.

Indeed, she often noticed ‘looks’ from parents whose children had obviously fallen victim and other mums began avoiding her.

“I looked online at the school’s bullying policy when I got home,” says Deborah, “and there were pages and pages of

But she also said there were other parents

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who were very supportive and understood how hard it must be for her. “One other mum – of a girl in Freddie’s class - invited Freddie and me over for a tea-date after school, guessing correctly that he needed the opportunity to rebuild friendships and learn how to be a good friend. I will forever be grateful to this wonderful woman for that! Although her kindness did nearly make me cry.”

For, although it’s often hard to find information about how to deal with a child who is the bully, there are lots of things as a parent you can do to help prevent this kind of behaviour in the future.

1

Stay calm and listen According to charity Family Lives the most important thing to do if you find out your child is bullying is to remain calm.

It is natural this news will come as a shock, but taking a deep breath and attempting to quash feelings of anger and frustration will help you see clearly.

Listen to the other side of the story – whether it’s from the school, a childminder or another parent. Make sure you have all the facts by asking as many questions as possible.

involved and discuss what it takes to be kind, how to empathise with others and urge your child to treat others how they would like to be treated themselves.

4

Are there any underlying problems?

Admitting to and acknowledging your child is a bully is a very brave and open-minded step, so you should already be proud of your parenting skills this far.

However, when a child bullies it can often be a symptom of an underlying problem – so you may need to gather some more courage to address the root cause.

Talk to your child to see if anything is worrying them. Look at your own situation: have you moved recently or has the family faced difficulties or upheaval? Could your child be reacting to insecurity about these?

If you find this difficult, or you are not getting through to your child, consider counselling.Your son or daughter may find it easier to open up to a neutral party and could learn vital tools to build friendships.

5

Work with the school Finally, let the school – if that’s where the bullying took place –know what you have done and are doing to address your child’s behaviour. Find out if your child has had to take part in any activities or faced consequences as a result of the bullying. Ensure they know you are supporting what they do and see if they have any advice or tips.

As for Freddie, well…. after a just a few weeks, he gradually began rebuilding his friendships. Deborah said although the whole incident was incredibly upsetting for everyone she is, in a way, glad it happened.

“It made me address the way we were treating Freddie – maybe sometimes letting him get away with things – and what boundaries he had. Ultimately, we all learned a lot about friendship,” she says.

*Names changed

For more information go to www.bullying.co.uk

Then speak to your child and find out their side of the story. Deborah’s approach of not getting angry with Freddie or telling him off was the right one. Being calm and using neutral, open-ended questions will make the conversation feel more like a chat than an interrogation and will help your child open up and be more honest.

2

What to say to your child Once you have established the facts Family Lives suggests getting your child to try and understand what it might be like for the person who has been bullied.

Get your son or daughter to put themselves in the shoes of the victim and ask how they think they might be feeling. See if you can get them to understand, by doing this, the impact bullying can have and the long-term effects.

Make sure they understand there might be consequences to their actions. Talk to your child about how they think they can resolve the situation too.

3

Being kind Family Lives advises, going forward, to try and encourage kindness in your child. Get the whole family 57

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Find Your Child’s Niche and Passion Bromsgrove School’s results are impressive, but Bromsgrove is much more than a place to get good grades, it prides itself on being a happy school where children of all ages can thrive both academically and outside of the classroom. The most recent ISI inspec on (in 2016) rated Bromsgrove as excellent in every category and the Goods Schools Guide states that: ‘the school looks for what every individual is good at and helps them find their niche and passion’.

Bromsgrove has a vibrant arts scene with numerous opportuni es for pupils to perform both large and small projects. In November a new

J4F 10 2018.indd 58

centre with a concert hall, theatre, drama studio and mul ple rehearsal areas was officially opened and the performing arts are already benefi ng from their new dedicated teaching and performing spaces.

There is considerable strength, too, in sports and the School boasts a large number of representa ves at county,

regional and na onal level. The Schools’ rugby, netball, hockey and swimming teams have all reached na onal finals in the past year, and minor sports also flourish, from table tennis and badminton to fencing and football: sport really is for all at Bromsgrove.

Bromsgrove’s extensive ac vity programmes for pupils in both the Prep and Senior Schools

include weekday ac vity sessions and op onal Saturday ac vi es when pupils may select from a diverse range of recrea onal and academic ac vi es.

Catering for 1600 pupils aged 3 -18 on three sites, the School is a small global community – a place to live, work and make friends for life.

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The Advantages of

Mili tary Life

For Kids

Tough as it may seem at times, bringing up a family in a military environment can have a number of benefits for children. Here are just some of the positive effects of armed forces life…

Community Support If you are lucky enough to live on a patch with other families as well as people you call friends, life is always a little bit easier.

From having someone to keep an eye on the kids if you need to attend a doctor’s appointment to sharing lifts on the school run – being part of a community is full of advantages for parents.

But these benefits also filter down to the children. Not only will kids on patch have other children nearby to play with plus lots of family events to attend but parents who have support close at hand will be less stressed and more relaxed as a parent. And this can only be a big plus for the kids!

Many parents told us they loved patch life for just this reason, along with the fact it provided a safe environment for children to play or cycle. Being part of these

communities can provide the makings of a pretty idyllic childhood.

Broadened Horizons Being relocated abroad – or even to a far off part of the UK – can seem like a huge upheaval for families. But giving children the chance to travel and live in foreign environments can have profound advantages too.

Seeing the world, hearing different languages, tasting new foods and lapping up other cultures is not only educational gold dust for children but it’s great for building confidence and social awareness.

Many children of military families have learnt new languages from being posted abroad. Others have discovered hobbies they might otherwise not have come across and many have benefited from better education systems.

Tom, 39, from London lived in Eastern Europe for two years in the 1990s when his dad was on a posting. He said: “Although I didn’t want to go at first, when I look back on the experience it was absolutely lifechanging,” he said.

“The international school I went to was of a far higher standard than the comprehensive I had been attending in England before the posting.

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“I learned so much more there. I also made lots of friends from places like the USA and Sweden who introduced me to bands and music I hadn’t come across before. And at the weekends we would travel around Europe. I saw so many more places being based here than I ever would if we had been in England.”

Flexibility The disadvantages of moving constantly are recounted endlessly by military families. But what about the advantages that come with this transient lifestyle?

Children who experience frequent moves tend to develop skills to help them adapt, which can have huge benefits in later life. In fact, many employers cite flexibility as a desirable quality in recruits.

Getting to face change regularly can give military kids the chance, more than other children, to learn how to make friends and this can build confidence.

They also become more open to new experiences.

Ann, 59, who was a military wife for 37 years and has three daughters, said: “We moved six times and had to adjust to different environments. But we had great experiences, as a family, of living abroad and I feel that our girls are very adaptable and adjust to different places.

“They are good at making friends and have an open mind to gaining new experiences that their cousins, who have lived in the same place all their lives, don’t have.”

Gemma who is an intelligence

analyst with the RAF and has a young son said: “I am giving my son the opportunity to see different cities, countries and cultures and to meet new people so that he doesn’t grow up in one place only knowing that town or city.”

Health Benefits When Just for Families interviewed military parents about their experiences of giving birth abroad we expected lots of horror stories about language barriers and medical misunderstandings.

However, it couldn’t have been further from the truth. All our respondents reported receiving incredible treatment abroad, with one mum revealing the thorough checks she underwent in Germany identified a condition which would have gone unnoticed in the UK. Rhoda, the mum in question, explained: “If I fell pregnant again, I would definitely miss being in Germany. They seem to be far more hands-on with the pregnancy, they take time to get to know you and your situation.”

Educational Perks Many boarding schools offer bursaries and awards to children of military families. This can provide opportunities which they might not have benefited from if they were part of a civilian family.

Although many parents are reluctant to send their children to boarding school, concerned about cold, unloving

environments or lack of social support this is far from the case.

Most boarding schools provide plenty of emotional support and nurturing for pupils, along with an extra-curricular timetable that will keep even the most ‘spirited’ of children out of trouble.

Leanne*, whose mum was a single parent in the RAF, said: “I’ve had so many amazing opportunities from being at boarding school that I wouldn’t have had if I hadn’t gone.

I’ve made friends there for life.”

She added: “There were so many opportunities – from trips abroad to exchanges and learning sports – that aren’t offered in state schools. One of these I was able to represent my country in.”

Grit And Resilience As the child of a RAF, Navy or Army mum or dad (or maybe even both) the qualities and values instilled into you through your job will naturally rub off on your children.

What’s more, observing parents coping well with predicaments, both big and small, will inspire them with the skills and confidence to manage tricky situations themselves.

Ultimately, through all the moves, deployments, long periods of absence and general unpredictability your children will very likely learn to become gritty and resilient and to face challenges with aplomb.

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Name My name is Eliott Age I am 9 Who is in the military in your family?

What do they do?

My daddy is in the Navy. Daddy works in a tiny room with electricity and lots of important buttons to press.

What’s the best thing about being part of a military family?

I make lots of new friends when I move. I get to see what’s in different places.

Is there anything you don’t like about it?

I don’t like it when daddy goes to sea. I don’t like it when we move because I miss my friends.

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When mummy/daddy is away and you miss them, what do you do to make yourself feel better?

My mum cheers me up and we go to places which makes me forget that I’m sad.

When they come home and you see them again, what’s the first thing you do?

I would give daddy a cuddle and make him a cup of tea and say how have you been?

What is your favourite thing that you do together as a family?

Our favourite thing to do is go bowling and swimming and most importantly having fun.

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as well as more people getting involved with the charity through fundraising, volunteering or donating in the future.

Charity founder, Nikki Scott said: “When we first received the call from The Palace, it came as a total surprise and the past few months have been incredibly exciting for me and for the charity.

“We have been overwhelmed with the support and increased engagement through social media. And for the first time we’ve received donations come from countries such as the US, Spain, Germany and Japan which has been absolutely fantastic.

“There are so many gaps that we have identified in the current support available to bereaved Forces children and young people and we need the great British support to full those gaps.”

s r e i d l o S e l t t i Scotty’s L t n e c e R m o r F s Benefit g n i d d e W l a y Ro

Scotty’s Little Soldiers’ children and parents watched the Royal Wedding in glorious sunshine at The Sandringham Estate in Norfolk on what was a very proud day for the charity.

In other Scotty’s news; Nikki was recognised by the Prime Minister this past June and received a special award for the support she provides to bereaved British Forces children. Nikki was awarded the Points of Life award, which recognises outstanding individuals who are making a change in their community and inspiring others.

Children’s Armed Forces charity, Scotty’s Little Soldiers, was honoured to be chosen as one of seven charities to benefit from donations made to the Royal Wedding in May, and thanks to the Royal couple, the charity has received an incredible swell of awareness over the past few months.

Founded by war widow Nikki Scott in 2010, Scotty’s Little Soldiers supports children across the UK who have lost a parent while serving in the British Armed Forces. The charity was set up in memory of Nikki’s husband and father to her two children, Corporal Lee Scott, after he was killed in Afghanistan in 2009.

All press and media activity surrounding the Royal Wedding has helped raise the charity’s profile both on a national and international scale and within the third sector significantly.

The whole Scotty’s team are hoping the extra awareness will lead to more bereaved Forces children, who perhaps didn’t know about the charity reaching out for support, 64

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DC Exhibition: Dawn of the S uper Heroes highlights includ e: • Exclusive artwork s from the highly ac claimed Wonder Wom directed by Patty Jen an film, kins that premiered in the summer of 20 17, plus Gal Gadot’s or iginal W onder Woman costu me.

• Costumes and pr ops from more rec ent films such as; 19 franchise directed 89 to 1999’s Batm

by Tim Burton and an Joel Schumacher, th Knight trilogy direc e acclaimed The Da ted by Christopher rk N ola n, as well as The Man V Superman and th of Steel, Batman e recent Justice Leagu e by Za ck Snyder. Costume Ledger’s 2008 Joker s include Heath costume and Henr y Cavill’s 2013 Supe rman costume.

• Original drawing s of DC’s stable of famous Super Hero as Superman, Batm es and Super Villains an, Wonder Woman such , The Joker, The Pe from world-renown nguin and Mr. Free ed artists including ze, Jim Lee, Bob Kane , Neal Adams, Fran Miller, Alex Ross an k d many more.

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by Christopher Ree ve in the Superman movies and Lynda Carter’s iconic Won der Woman 67 costume from the 1970s

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B

OOKS For Your Little Readers

Millie’s Missing Yawn

New Picture Book That Aids Sleep

By Award-Winning

Author- Illustrator You Jung Byun Pavilion Children’s PB £6.99

Millie’s Missing Yawn is the new picture book by award-winning author-illustrator You Jung Byun, and has been applauded by sleep experts for encouraging sleepiness, making this a parent’s fail-safe bedtime story.

In the book, which publishes on 2nd August, Millie has lost her yawn and can’t get to sleep without it. Her quest to find it starts at home, but when her pet dog and cat can’t help, she looks further afield.

The Statue of Liberty hasn’t seen her yawn,

neither has the Mona Lisa, nor have the penguins at the South Pole or even the rabbits on the moon. Eventually Millie heads back home, but as she lies in bed and remembers all the wonderful new friends she has made, her yawn reappears and finally she can fall asleep.

Each page is crammed with Cowell’s trademark, scratchy illustrations, which leap off the page, taking readers on a rollicking adventure at break-neck speed. Through her adventure and illustrations, Cowell invites her readers to question the responsibility they have for their own fate, how to work with someone so different to yourself and overcoming age-old feuds.

Book Two In Cressida Cowell’s #1 Best-Selling, Award-Winning The Wizards Of Once Series

Twice Magic Hodder Children’s Books HB £12.99

July 2018, London: this autumn comes THE WIZARDS OF ONCE: TWICE MAGIC, the hotly-anticipated second book in author-illustrator Cressida Cowell’s new, #1 bestselling THE WIZARD OF ONCE series, which launched last September to global acclaim.

Publishing on 20th September, TWICE MAGIC continues the high-octane adventures of a young boy Wizard, Xar, and a young girl Warrior, Wish, who have been taught since birth to hate each other like poison. Set in an ancient, magical time full of wizards, warriors, giants and sprites, Witches are awakening and are starting to wreak havoc in the Wildwoods where danger lurks behind every tree.

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Guaranteed to make you yawn, this book sweeps readers on a journey around a world enriched by You Jung Bun’s beautiful texture artwork. Award-winning Korean illustrator and author You Jung Byun received her Master’s degree of Fine Arts from the School of Visual Arts in New York. Her work has been recognised by various magazines, awards and competitions, including Nobrow, Pick Me Up London, Communication Arts Magazine, Creative Quarterly, Society of Illustrators, Society of Illustration LA, and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (winning both the Grand Prize in Portfolio Award, and Tomie De Paola Award at the same time). Byun lives and works in Brooklyn, New York.

Book one brought Xar and Wish together in the Badwoods where they witnessed the shocking consequences of the Stone That Takes Away Magic. In TWICE MAGIC, our young heroes - now bearing a powerful Magic Spelling Book (Wish) and a dangerous Witchstain (Xar) - must cast aside their differences once again to find the ingredients of an Evil Spell that has broken free. But this means entering the Druid’s Castle unannounced….

The British How To Train Your Dragon author-illustrator is at the peak of her powers with international acclaim: rights to THE WIZARDS OF ONCE series have now been sold in over 35 languages and DreamWorks Animation have already begun work on the film adaptation. THE WIZARDS OF ONCE won Cowell the prestigious Blue Peter Book Award for Best Story 2018, as chosen by schools across the UK. This came hot on the heels of the Ruth Rendell Award 2017, which was awarded to Cowell at the House of Commons for her ‘tireless championing of literacy throughout the UK.’

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Molly Mischief When I Grow Up!

By Mr Men author-illustrator Adam Hargreaves PB, £6.99, Pavilion Children’s

Mr Men author-illustrator Adam Hargreaves brings us book three in his new Molly Mischief series, MOLLY MISCHIEF: WHEN I GROW UP!, which publishes on 2nd September.

Hargreaves’ gutsy heroine Molly is thinking about what she wants to be when she grows up. She tries fire-fighting, but is unable to control the hose, drenching everyone around her. She has a go at circus skills but

is a bit too clumsy, works in a chocolate factory but eats too many of the products, tries space exploring but doesn’t get on with the aliens she discovers, and she’s just too noisy to work in a library. Every career Molly tries ends in mishap and disaster.

Just what should a chief mischief-maker do when she grows up?

This funny story about a dynamic, mischievous young girl is ideal for sharing and celebrates a larger-than-life character as she learns valuable lessons about her own abilities.

Mr. Men author and illustrator Adam Hargreaves has sold over 200 million books in the Mr. Men and Little Miss series,

which he has written and illustrated since his father’s death nearly 30 years ago.

First picture book by award-winning

Brand New Series From William Bee

New Designer of the Year 2017

Really Remarkable Reptiles By Jake Williams

Arty!

The Greatest Artist In The World

HB £12.99, Pavilion Children’s

PB £6.99, Pavilion Children’s

Award-winning New Designer of the Year 2017, Jake Williams has written his first picture book, REALLY REMARKABLE REPTILES, a quirky, arty book filled with fascinating information on the most remarkable creatures ever - REPTILES. The book publishes on 2nd August 2018 by Pavilion Children’s.

From the creator of WILLIAM BEE’S WONDERFUL WORLD comes a brand new book series about the strange escapades of the greatest artist in the world, Arty the frog and his agent Mr Grimaldi.

Williams’ captivating illustrations illuminate the book’s weird and wonderful facts about every type of reptile, regarded as some of the most well-adapted, specialised and remarkable creatures on Earth. From snakes and turtles to tortoises, lizards, crocodiles and alligators, reptiles have evolved to live in the most extreme environments on Earth, thanks to learned skills including fascinating tricks for catching prey and how not to become prey.

The book is packed with fascinating information on reptile senses, habitats, defences and much more. Readers will find out, for example, why crocodiles swallow stones, why a group of turtle eggs will

hatch at the same time, and which of the similarly-looking coral and milk snakes is friend or foe. Readers will also discover the varied habitats of reptiles and ways in which to help preserve them from their greatest threat yet – climate change.

Awarded BDC’s New Designer of The Year 2017, Jake Williams is a Plymouth-based illustrator, designer and occasional animator.

He creates shape-based vector illustration with bold and vibrant colours.

GIVEAWAY!

In Arty!, readers discover how a frog came to be the world’s greatest artist by painting the highest painting in the world. And the wobbliest, the fastest, the wettest, the loudest, the hairiest and the scariest. Arty’s antics and supreme confidence will make readers gasp and giggle, enhanced by William Bee’s kooky, vibrant illustrations.

Author-illustrator William Bee was born in London but now lives in the English countryside. As well as writing and illustrating children’s books, he likes to race vintage cars, is an international skier and when at home, tends his lawns and meadow. He loves dashboards, apple trees, Michael Caine, number threes, steam trains, Lego and supersonic planes.

We have two copies of each of these titles to give away to our readers!

For your chance to nab a copy of one of these great reads simply send us your preferred book, name, telephone number and address either via email to competitions@forcespublishing.co.uk or in the post to: Forces & Corporate Publishing Ltd, Hamblin House, Hamblin Court, Rushden, Northants NN10 0RU. Closing date 14/09/18 69

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STYLE & SUBSTANCE

to her. I had always had plans for a reading corner for her (I’ve had the book ledges waiting since she was born!) but I didn’t know where to put it in her room or how high to place the shelves until she was an age to enjoy it - but finally we committed to making it a couple of weekends ago so I thought I would share it with you...

w w w. s t y l e a n d s u b s t a n c e . u k

Daisy’s Reading Corner If ever there was a popular decorating trend for children for 2018, it is the reading corner. From teepees to bookcases, there are plenty of products available to encourage you to make a nook in your home for your little one to read in. The best part about this trend is it’s so simple but really effective and easily adaptable to whatever size or shape room you plan to put it in - plus you don’t need to spend a lot to create the perfect space.

I like most parents, want Daisy to enjoy and share my love of books and she already has a collection that we struggle to house so I wanted to make them accessible

Inspired by pictures I had seen on Pinterest and Instagram I picked up the picture ledges from Ikea and I paired it with a little bookcase I already had. The ledges come in two lengths so I chose the smaller size for now so I can add more as she grows.

Over time I have picked up pieces as I saw them to complete this little corner in her bedroom, the rug came from Sainsbury’s and the cushions all came from various places to help create a cosy space for her.

I’ve also recently added the fairy lights and I’m hoping to find a little chair eventually for her to sit in but the search is ongoing.

And the verdict: it’s been a huge success! Daisy loves it and we often find her chatting away to herself flicking through her books. All in all it probably cost us less than £50 for the whole lot (not including books) but the peace and quiet it has bought us so far has been priceless!

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characters and his unforgettable stories of Paddington Bear have delighted generations of children. Michael Bond’s Paddington Bear stories are marked by the author’s deeply felt values of justice and tolerance, hope and optimism and infused with his infectious humour and joie de vivre.

They are as relevant to readers today as they were when he first wrote them nearly sixty years ago. We look forward to the most joyful of literary celebrations across the nation as we mark 60 years of publishing Britain’s most beloved Bear.”

L

ondon, July 2018: 13th October 2018 marks 60 years since HarperCollins first published A Bear Called Paddington, featuring exquisite illustrations

by Peggy Fortnum. Six decades on, Michael Bond’s beloved Paddington Bear continues to delight generations of children, parents and grandparents with his well-intentioned deeds and misadventures.

To commemorate the 60thAnniversary of the bear from darkest Peru, HarperCollins Children’s Books has created a range of glorious anniversary publishing and a programme of events that will delight fans young and old.

Paddington, like the Queen, has two birthdays. When Mr and Mrs Brown found him 60 years ago they decided to celebrate his birthday twice, on 25th June and 25th December – in honour of this, the anniversary celebrations began in June and 72

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will run until Christmas.

Paddington Book Day will take place on Saturday 13th October when libraries, bookshops and schools around the UK will celebrate with Elevenses and storytelling events, games and costume character appearances.

On the day before, schools will encourage children to celebrate Paddington Book Day with their families by holding Elvenses parties and doing good deeds at home, in true Paddington style.

Beautiful Paddington books will publish through the year.

In June, the last book Michael Bond wrote before his death in 2017, Paddington at St Paul’s (HB 12.99) published to nationwide admiration as did a new edition of the first picture book Paddington (PB £6.99). In October, just in time for Christmas, comes a lavish new hardback edition of the original A Bear Called Paddington, featuring Peggy

Fortnum’s illustrations in fullcolour (HB £20.00), plus a new compendium of classic stories, The Complete Adventures of Paddington (HB £40.00) - the perfect gift for any Paddington Bear aficionado.

Speaking about the anniversary Ann-Janine Murtagh, Executive Publisher said: “We are proud to have been the home of Paddington Bear for the last 60 years and most especially feel privileged to have been the publisher of his creator the late Michael Bond. Michael was an absolute genius at creating

“

Nationwide Celebrations to Mark 60th Anniversary of First Ever Paddington Bear Book

Karen Jankel, Michael Bond’s daughter said: “Having been born exactly two months before the first book was published, Paddington has always been a part of my life and it is wonderful to think that my father’s creation is giving pleasure to a new generation of readers sixty years later.

Sadly, my father is no longer with us in person but I feel so fortunate that his spirit lives on through Paddington who is a very important member of our family and, I hope, will continue to be so for a long time to come.”

Michael Bond

Michael Bond was born in Newbury, Berkshire, in January 1926. He served in both the Royal Air Force and the Middlesex Regiment of the British Army during the Second World War. He first began writing in 1945 when he was in the Army, selling his first

Michael was an absolute genius at creating characters and his unforgettable stories of Paddington Bear have delighted generations of children

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short story to a magazine called London Opinion for seven guineas.

On Christmas Eve, 1956, while working as a BBC cameraman, Michael bought a small toy bear which had been left alone on a shelf in a London department store. Feeling sorry for it, he took it home and gave it to his wife. They lived near Paddington Station and Michael had often thought that Paddington would make a good name for a character.

One day he saw the bear sitting on the mantelpiece and it sparked an idea: “When I wrote those few words, I had no idea quite what a change they would eventually make to my life.

It was really a case of putting something down on paper to get my brain working that

morning.” Michael soon found that he had a book on his hands, and in 1958 A Bear Called Paddington was published with many, many more stories to follow.

60 years later Paddington continues to touch the hearts of readers worldwide with his earnest good intentions and humorous misadventures. He is also the star of two blockbuster films –Paddington, which took $280 million at the box office worldwide, and Paddington 2, released in November 2017, which was recently nominated for 3 BAFTAs. Michael Bond was awarded the OBE in July 1997 and then a CBE in June 2015. Michael died in June 2017, leaving behind one of the great literary legacies of our time.

GIVEAWAY! We have two copies of copies of the anniversary edition of A Bear Called Paddington to give away to our readers!

For your chance to nab a copy of one of these great reads simply send us your preferred book, name, telephone number and address either via email to competitions@forcespublishing.co.uk or in the post to: Forces & Corporate Publishing Ltd, Hamblin House, Hamblin Court, Rushden, Northants NN10 0RU. Closing date 14/09/18

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Check out our Sister Magazine‌

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Directory for the Wives, Girlfriends and Families of Military Personnel www.facebook.com/ justforhermagazine

www.justforhermilitarymag.co.uk

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A SCHOOL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT NOW! Idyllic childhood? A country school that looks after your child? Look no further than Birchfield School, which is situated in the rural setting of Albrighton, close to Wolverhampton, and with easy access to the M54. Birchfield School offers children a comfortable and secure start in education that can lead to such a bright future. While outdoor activities and sports form a vital part of school life, academic studies are important, too.

We have much to celebrate as we start the new academic year. Our Year 8s left at the end of last term having gained a plethora of academic, sports and arts Scholarships and Awards. They all gained entry to Senior Schools of their choice, including

Shrewsbury School, Wrekin College, Repton School and Malvern College.

We can offer your child a new start in a school with a tradition that goes back years in a nurturing and supportive environment. Why not come and see for yourself what Birchfield School is all about?

With an Open Evening for Reception entry for both 2019 and 2020 on Wednesday, 26 September, two Working Open Mornings on Friday, 28 September and Friday, 23 November and an Open Day on Saturday, 7 October there is ample opportunity to get to know us.

Exciting times lie ahead for your child!

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A Kid’s Best Friend