Country Child - Essential for Rural Families - SPRING 2023

C OUNTRY C HILD

Essential For Rural Families Issue: 50 Spring 2023

EASTER ENTERTAINMENT

Holiday Hacks to keep kids amused

MUM GUILT

Poppy O'Neill explains how to let go

HOME EXCHANGE

Switch homes for the holidays

LEARN TO SAVE LIVES

New courses on offer from RLSS

PRENATAL ANXIETY

Self-care for before the big arrival

CAMP

WILDERNESS

Ed Stafford designed residential trips

Welcome to Spring

Well the start to the New Year has been like any other. Slightly deflated after the hype of the festive season and promises to one-self to do more, be better and generally get a grip of things. It's been a long winter, let alone a long recovery from the debris of the last few years. That's why for Spring we focused on mental health for parents, mums to be and of better things to come. This year is the year of change!

And what more change, than getting a new King! So as we welcome in a new realm for this era we look at how to join in with the celebrations. Turn to page 11 for items to decorate the countless street parties. Or perhaps it's a big year for a member of your family too, check out page 20 and 21 for variations and tips on how to throw a party for your little prince or princess.

However, I always feel there is so much pressure on families to throw a birthday party, have the best stuff, and work for the most money. But doesn't all that put a massive pressure on parents? On page 15 Poppy O'Neill, author of 'Mother Power' shows us that we do not have to feel guilty or strive for perfection. It's a very insightful read about why as parents we should not be so hard on ourselves.

So for the parents to be, we offer some wisewords from leading UK baby brand Nuby, whom inform us that prenatal anxiety is definately a thing. Often unnoticed and left undiagnosed, it can leave parents with a huge feeling of inadequacy as they approach

the big arrival. Check out the help on pages 8 and 9 to maintain a balance on expectations and reality.

Once we've checked ourselves before we wreck ourselves, indulge in a bit of fun and frovility as Easter approaches for some family time over the half-term. On page 7 money saving expert Kate Hall aka @ thefullfreezer, shares her holiday hacks to keep the family well entertained and on a budget. What a bonus! Plus page 17 has more Easter antics and Spring entertainment with our What's On page too! Don't forget we have even more on our events pages online at countrychild.co.uk

As we focus attentions to time off and start planning for holidays, turn to page 19 to learn all about Home Exchange - the platform where families can switch houses to visit a new country and experience real life too. It's also easy on the pocket as well! If you've not tried it, then in the current economic climate, it has to be worth investigating further.

Or perhaps you feel that your little ones could enjoy a residential trip this year? Then pages 12 and 13 are for you as we discover Camp Wilderness who offer week, weekend, family and individual camping breaks, out in the wilderness. Get back to nuture with these advanced camps designed by adventurer and explorer Ed Stafford!

So spring forward and let's not look back, look after ourselves and each other and we'll see you again for Summer!

Easter Entertainment

Money Saving Expert Kate Hall aka @thefullfreezer, shares Easter Holiday Hacks to keep the kids entertained on a budget.

Giant frozen food producer Birds Eye is offering families a chance to redeem a free sports or activity session during the Easter holidays with every purchase at Asda, keeping the kids busy without blowing the budget

So in line with this exclusive instore and online promotion, savvy money-saving expert, and mum of two, Kate Hall (@thefullfreezer), has partnered with Birds Eye to reveal her Easter holiday hacks that save money, whilst keeping the kids entertained.

Have a freezer raid feast

Food costs can really add up during the school holidays, so why not dive into your freezer and whip up some meals using foods you’ve already got. Get the kids involved and see what creative meals you can make.

For younger ones, you could keep things simple and create your own burger fakeaway; popping your food into decorated Tupperware tubs, and adding a long-forgotten toy on the side as a surprise. You can even find templates on the internet so your child can decorate and make their own box.

For older kids, why not encourage their creativity and challenge them to make a meal using frozen ingredients; a personal favourite of mine is cottage pie, made using mince and veg from the freezer, and topped with Birds Eye Potato Waffles, following the instructions on pack for each of the components. Let them pick out a selection of ingredients from the freezer and see what you can come up with together; encouraging them to think about any other ingredients they might need.

Go to your local pet store

A day out at the farm can be expensive, so why not try going to a local pet store where you can look at all the animals for free. Many large chain pet shops host free workshops so your little ones can learn all about animals in a safe environment, as do some small independent pet shops.

Turn deals & offers into a game

Many places have deals and offers on during school holidays, including restaurants, theatres and activity centres. These can be found in a variety of places, including your local Asda, where families can redeem a free sports session or activity with any Birds Eye purchase, including 75 types of activities and over 1962 experiences from animal parks to archery, swimming lessons to skateboarding parks.

Play the ‘prioritisation' game

It’s never too early to teach your children how to budget. If your kids have received any birthday money, or if you can spare a few pounds, why not head to a local charity shop or budget store with them and set a budget. They can choose whatever they want, but they can’t spend more than their limit, so if they love the teddy but also love the paint set, they’ll have to choose which they want more. I often find my children can spend hours looking round the shop to make sure they’ve got the best buys for their money!

Get crafty and raid your recycling

I love the imagination that my kids have, and often find that simple boxes and cardboard tubes can bring them the greatest delight. If you’ve got a suitable box, this could be transformed into a race car, a space ship or a boat… set them free (ideally outside!) with some marker pens and masking tape, and see what they can create.

You could also make Easter decorations (paper chains and pompoms are nice easy options) or create your own baskets for an Easter egg hunt. Cereal boxes or any deep box works well for this; cut your box in half and then let your little ones paint them some lovely bright Spring colours. Alternatively, you could cut out extra pieces of card to stick to your boxes to create characters such as bunnies and chicks. A length of card or ribbon can then be attached as a handle, ready for their hunt.

The promotion will be available to Asda shoppers only, when they buy any Birds Eye product instore or online. For more information and to claim the voucher, entrants will need to log onto Birdseyerewards.co.uk or scan the QR code in store.

Prenatal Anxiety and Depression

UK baby brand Nuby have shared their top tips for coping with prenatal anxiety and depression through self-care.

Pregnancy, and the thought of bringing a child into this world evokes a range of emotions: from enthralling excitement to moments of fear. And guess what? All of these are normal!

Often, mums-to-be will experience anxiety about their baby and feelings of inadequacy about parenthood while pregnant. While these are thoughts shared by many, they can often become more severe and lead to prenatal depression. Research suggests that about 7% of pregnant women experience depression during pregnancy.

It can push you to greater worry, unhealthy eating habits, and poor prenatal care. That’s why it’s important to seek treatment early-on and avoid the development of postpartum depression.

Here are Nuby's top tips for coping with prenatal anxiety and depression to help you find your inner peace and balance.

Take your time

As the time for your baby to join your family approaches, the anxiety about your preparedness increases. You want to have everything ready for when your new arrival enters your home and you spend endless time planning every single detail.

But the truth is, you don’t have to get everything done all at once. As long as you have your newborn essentials sorted, the rest can wait. You will find that once your baby is here, you won’t have time to worry about having the latest baby gadget on the market or having not read that one parenting book.

Focus on what’s important – your prenatal care – and let go of the idea that you need to have everything done today!

Ensure adequate sleep

We can’t stress enough just how important adequate sleep is during pregnancy, especially if you’re suffering from prenatal anxiety or depression. Lack of sufficient sleep can worsen your depression symptoms, and it has a direct effect on your mood too. Sleep disruptions affect the function of the neurotransmitter serotonin and can contribute to the development of depression.

A good rest during pregnancy will prepare you for labour and for many sleepless nights after your baby is born, so make the most of it while you can.

Turn your sleep routine into a ritual you’re looking forward to. A pregnancy pillow can make your sleep more comfortable, while a soothing bath and a massage from your partner can help you drift off to sleep faster. And don’t shy away from taking daytime naps when you need them!

Practise mindfulness

Anxiety is nothing more but a projection of negative thought patterns that are playing with our mind, emotions, and behaviour. To calm our mind, we need to calm our worries.

Mindfulness comes to rescue to enlighten the path of calm, joy, and alignment.

Research by Leonardo Lucena et.al. shows that pregnant women suffering from pre-natal anxiety or depression had signs of improvement due to mindfulness and emotional regulation.

Mindfulness can take many forms: from breathing techniques to meditation. It helps us recognise our negative thought patterns and replace them with more positive ones, thus calming our mind.

It has a positive effect on your baby too. Mindfulness meditation has the potential to decrease the production of the stress hormone (cortisol) and increase the production of the pleasure hormone (endorphins). Endorphins have a pain-relieving effect and through the connection with the placenta, they can calm the baby and reassure it of it’s safe, thus helping with childbirth.

Stay physically active

Contrary to what some people might think, staying physically active while pregnant is recommended by the NHS. Of course, it’s best to consult yourself with your healthcare practitioner beforehand, but generally, mild exercises are safe to perform.

Pregnancy yoga, for example, fuses flexibility with breathing techniques and mindfulness to help you calm your mind and restore your prana. Prenatal yoga can not only reduce symptoms of stress and depression, but it can also increase blood flow, which is healthy for your baby, and also improve your labour experience.

Eat a healthy diet

A healthy diet will promote both yours and your baby’s health and will help you alleviate some of the depression symptoms. There is a strong link between diet and depression. Poor diet can cause depression and vice versa – depression can lead to unhealthy eating habits. It all comes down to the neurochemicals in our brain, such as serotonin, dopamine, noradrenaline, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Neurochemicals are produced by the body through the foods we consume, and low levels of them can lead to depression.

A healthy diet for prenatal depression comprises of protein, complex carbohydrates, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. The NHS recommends eating lots of fruits,

vegetables, fish, beans, and eggs during pregnancy.

If you’re struck by the pregnancy blues leading to depression, there is nothing to worry about. Pregnancy and childbirth are quite emotional events, and you’re allowed to have all sorts of feelings. If your feelings of anxiety and depression are more than just passing moments, it’s recommended that you seek advice from your doctor or midwife. The important thing is to take care of yourself and your baby, and everything will work out just fine! For more check out nuby-uk.com

07957157076

Timeless

portraits of you and your family to be cherished for a lifetime Let me guide you through the process to creating beautiful artworks that suit your family and treasure these moments that fly by so quickly Call today to discuss your family portrait session 07957157076

G I D D Y

K I P P E R

G I F T S

Unique hand crafted items for your home or to give as a gift

Hand painted vintage style jars

Coastal themed glass bottles

Illustrated slate coaster sets

Mandala canvas paintings

Hand-made soaps in decorative boxes

Decorated re-cycled tins cans

The ideal place to find that special gift

See the full range of items at our Etsy shop https://www etsy com/uk/shop/GiddyKipperGifts

What´s in Store

1. Nessa Foye Designs, King Charles Coronation Bunting, £27.95

2. Ginger Ray, Gold Mini Crowns Cut Out, £3.99  3. We Love Seasons, 3 Brown Chicks with Crowns 15 cm, £19.99 

4.. Sophie Allport, Sophie Allport Kings Coronation Tea Towel, £11  5. Westminster Abbey Shop, Velvet Crown Bottle Stopper, £9.99  6. Talking Tables, Coronation Union Jack Paper Fancy Dress Glasses 6 Pack, £6  7. Poundland PEPCO, Mothers Day Duck, £1  8. Westminster Abbey Shop, King Charles III Coronation Crystal Double Tot Glass, £26.95  9. Mary Elizabeth Flowers, Halo Dried Flower Crown, £45 10. Annabel James, Charles III Coronation Tray, £9.95  11.Natural History Museum, King of the jungle tote bag, £12

Crowning Glory

Camp Wilderness

It is no exaggeration to say that the events of the past few years have been life changing. The world has altered forever, and terms like pandemic, face mask and social distancing have worked their way into everyday conversation. The impact of these events on the youngest in our society is obvious; with children exploring their social interactions differently to generations of the past, but what does this mean for the Camp Wilderness experience and those that are lucky enough to visit our woods?

With an action-packed itinerary full of bushcraft activities as well as advanced camps designed by adventurer and explorer Ed Stafford, there is plenty to get stuck into on camp. Ed explains that these camps provide unique experiences that cannot easily be

replicated in everyday life. He emphasizes that children can benefit greatly from this opportunity, whether they attend alone or with their families. “During their time at camp, children can enjoy spending quality time in the fresh air, making new friends, and rising to new challenges. Camp Wilderness has created a rare opportunity that is not often available when looking for a kids camp or family holiday”.

From the very moment the children arrive in our woods to the second they step back into the car, their performance is not marked, graded, or analysed. The “tribes” that the children are split into are not based on academic achievement or physical ability. The children explore at their own pace, and our fantastic staff are encouraged to draw the thoughts and ideas from every child over the course of the camp.

We do not learn historical dates, recite times tables or write essays. Our range of activities rely on teamwork, imagination, humour and empathy. With every activity, the children receive instruction as a whole group, then again within their tribe - from a different voice, and then individually if needed. There are no barriers on creativity here. I have first-hand experience of the levelling effect our camps can provide. Indeed, what inspires me most is how the children quickly and regularly work as a team and make new friends with those they would never have mixed with in normal life. Our camps are a phone-free zone. This encourages children to look up, to see the world through their own eyes, and to share their

Jancis Dunn, Brand Manager for residential kids wilderness camp, explains why there has never been a better time to visit their woodlands

experiences using their own voice. Outside influence stays at the entrance gate, and this effect encourages children to communicate more with what is in front of them, free from judgement or pressure. Rather than taking a photograph, children look carefully. Rather than watching wvideos, children create their own trends.

It is also a perfect antidote for young minds in this ever-increasing world of social media. For the duration of the camp, we are immersing the children in nature and removing outside influences, we can help them develop new perspectives and insights that will serve them well beyond the camp experience.

In a world where hand-washing and wearing face masks became the norm, sometimes all we wanted to do is splash around in the mud and get a little mucky. Our Camp Leaders teach children that there are times and places when we absolutely must but also that the dirt is your friend. There is immense power in children seeing adults set this example. We sit on old tree stumps, lie in piles of leaves, and gather round a smoking fire. We paint our faces with charcoal, pour water over our heads, and charge around the forest. And after a long day, we wash our faces, clean our teeth and change into clean clothes.

The term “getting back to nature” is very often used, but for me, the real experience is understanding that we are nature. We belong in the woods, and we can learn from our environment. Mud is not an obstacle and the noises of animals at night should not be scary. We respect our environment and learn from it.

The result of all this is what we like to call the Camp Wilderness effect. As one parent recently shared with us, their son emerged from our camp more confident, independent, and happy than ever before. He had

abandoned the screens that had been dominating his school year and was busy playing “tribes” with his friends in the garden. We believe that this is the kind of transformation that all children can experience when given the chance to explore the outdoors and connect with nature.

We’re excited to welcome your children into to our woods and help them discover all the joys and wonders that nature has to offer. It’s not just a break from the real world; it’s a chance to create life-long memories and inspire a love of nature that will stay with your child for years to come.

If the idea of getting outdoors appeals to the adults in your family too, we also run weekends where you can come along which offer the perfect chance to reset and reconnect with each other in nature, while participating in wholesome outdoor activities. These weekends encourage you all to spend time together and learn something new as a family while having fun in the great outdoors.

In short, we are perfectly poised for an incredible summer ahead. I cannot wait to meet those who are lucky enough to visit our camps. Not only is it a once in a lifetime experience, I believe that there has never been a better, and more necessary time, to do it than right now.

We have 5 camps across the UK with prices starting from £239 per child and £409 per family. You can find out more at campwilderness.co.uk

Mum Guilt

Poppy O'Neill shows us how to turn down this powerful emotion

When you become a mother, it’s really easy to start putting yourself last. Despite our best-laid plans, our children are physically and emotionally dependent on us, and this makes caring for ourselves a lot more complicated. Coupled with a society that teaches women and girls that we should put other people’s wellbeing and comfort before our own, you have a recipe for guilt and selfneglect.

From very early on, girls are taught in a hundred different ways that saying no and putting ourselves first is selfish and unfeminine. We carry these messages into adulthood, where they manifest in many different ways, including impostor syndrome, people-pleasing and guilt.

This is why we feel uncomfortable when we set boundaries in order to care for ourselves. But this doesn’t mean you always have to be at the back of the self-care queue.

It’s worth remembering that just because you feel guilty doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong - it just means you’re doing something that feels unfamiliar, perhaps risky. Developing skills to calm your feelings of guilt or anxiety will help you act in your own best interests, even when it’s hard.

Here are a few tips for letting go of guilt:

Speak kindly to yourself

If your inner critic has a field day every time you go to a kid-free yoga class or buy yourself a coffee, it’s worth remembering that this harsh, critical voice is just one of many ways of looking at the situation. Experiment with tuning into a kinder, more generous and supportive voice - even if it feels strange at first. It’s very difficult to be too kind to yourself, and an encouraging inner cheerleader will help coach you towards a better balance between taking care of others and taking care of you.

Remember perfection doesn’t exist

Nothing any of us do is ever going to be perfect, so consider this your permission to stop trying. We are all simply doing our best in an imperfect world, and any guilt you feel about how tidy your house is or how wholesome your kids’ eating habits are is

misplaced. It’s impossible to get everything right, and there aren’t enough hours in the day to do everything to perfection without running yourself into the ground. Let some things fall off your to-do list so that you can make space for yourself.

Take deep breaths

Guilt is a powerful emotion. It’ll make you spend time you don’t have doing things you don’t like, and saying yes when you really, really want to say no. None of us get to choose whether we feel guilty or not in any given moment, but we do have the power to learn to tolerate feelings of guilt that come up when we put ourselves first. Taking deep breaths is a simple but effective way to pause before you make a decision based on guilt. Just a few seconds’ pause to let the intensity of the emotion pass is enough to gather your thoughts, remember that you matter and stand up for yourself.

Author

Mother Power is worth a read and out now at £10.99

Feel

VW

Breakin' Convention

Renowned and inclusive celebration of hip hop culture Breakin’ Convention returns to Lighthouse Poole on Wednesday 17 May for the first date of a major UK tour across nine celebrating its 20th anniversary.

Hosted and curated by Artistic Director Jonzi D, Breakin’ Convention 2023 features showstopping international acts and showcases exceptional hip hop crews from our region including top poppers, lockers, b-boys and b-girls carefully chosen by Jonzi D, local hip hop representatives and the Breakin’ Convention team. The foyer at Lighthouse will undergo a makeover complete with live DJs, graffiti artists and freestyle dance sessions so everyone can join in.

For more details visit:

lighthousepoole.co.uk

What's

On Spring Fling Entertainment

Trust Trails

Why not get the whole family together for a spring adventure with the National Trust this Easter.

Spontaneous Potter 

Set in some of Hampshire’s most beautiful gardens, you’ll find acres of space in which to enjoy activity-filled Easter egg hunts. There are ten fun challenges on each trail, from classic egg and spoon racing at The Vyne, and running like a rabbit at Hinton Ampner, to bug bingo at Uppark and springthemed crafts at Mottisfont.

Grab your wands, don your house robes, and apparate yourselves to the Box Office! A very magical improv show awaits...

The smash hit Spontaneous Potter is an entirely improvised wizarding comedy play, based on an audience suggestion of a fanfiction title. Hilarity ensues as an entirely new Potter adventure is magically improvised on the spot - with live musical accompaniment!

Showing on Saturday 13 May. Tickets from Box office: 01722 320 333 or wiltshirecreative.co.uk

It’s a great opportunity to get kids immersed in nature too, as spring bursts into life around them. Look out for blossom and bees in Mottisfont’s cherry orchard, and ducklings, goslings and cygnets on The Vyne’s lake. Hinton’s parkland is full of nesting birds and fledglings National Trust Easter egg trails cost £3 per child, plus normal National Trust admission. Free entry for National Trust members.

Check out over 190 Easter adventure trails to choose from across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Find them at:

nationaltrust.org.uk/easter

Home Exchange

While the concept of home exchange has been around for ages, and was particularly popular within the academic community, it grew immensely in the early ’90s with the rise of the internet and personal computers.

HomeExchange revolutionized the experience by becoming the first organized home swap service online. It took a trending vacation service from analog to digital and made it easily accessible to a global audience.

In 2006, the Nancy Meyers romantic comedy “The Holiday,” starring Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Jude Law and Jack Black, featured the site in a blockbuster film. This much-loved romantic comedy considerably increased the awareness and popularity of HomeExchange, as a true pioneer of the sharing economy.

Based on the fundamentals of trust, authenticity and free hospitality, HomeExchange still needed a great product to go to

the next stage. The home swap platform GuesttoGuest, founded in 2011, elevated the exchange experience to another level, thanks to three major innovations: the GuestPoint system allowing flexibility and non-reciprocal exchanges, free website access and a guarantee program to increase trust.

HomeExchange allows travellers to flee from mass tourism, and travel more responsibly. HomeExchange has the ingredients to be the most responsible way to travel which values local tourism and promotes a more egalitarian and circular tourism.

Chiara Pasquini from Italy said “Me and my family have made tens of exchanges over about 12 years, totally changing our idea of traveling and, in a sense, changing our life.Apart from being practical and cost-effective, HomeExchange offers countless further advantages of noless importance. Through HomeExchange we have been allowed to meet amazing people, visit the places less travelled and

experience the wonders of the real world. To us it isn’t just travelling, it’s mingling with the other swappers, making long-lasting genuine friendships.”

By offering a space where users can host and stay, without money changing hands, HomeExchange is now openly challenging rental platforms. HomeExchange is one of the first home sharing programs with all-inclusive premium guarantees. Members can now benefit from additional identity verification, improved cancellation support, property damages covered up toabout $1.2 million and 24/7 worldwide assistance. This unprecedented level of safety and comfort, combined with features that simplify and broaden the exchange possibilities, will allow the community to thrive and grow.

Learn more on how it works here: homeexchange.com

If you've not heard about or experienced a home exchange then read on....

County Durham UK

Palma de Mallorca

Parties for Royalty

How to Plan the Perfect Birthday Party with UK Greetings, just in time for the Coronation too!

Every child looks forward to their birthday, from the sugar-filled food tables adorning cakes and candy, to the party games and presents.

Disney is a household classic and with its ever-growing popularity, with Disney+ amassing 152.1 million subscribers and its platform expecting to overtake Netflix by 2026, it is no wonder children around the world are enamoured with these classic characters.

According to comrades Little London Magazine, the most popular Disney movie is Frozen with an average search volume of 1.9 million, with classics such as Aladdin coming in fourth with a volume of 528,000.

So why not surprise your little ones with a party filled with their favourite characters, music, and more? Here, we will explore some tips and tricks to hosting the perfect Disney-themed party that will leave your little princes and princesses feeling like royalty for the day.

The bare necessities

As with all birthday parties, children care about the main event – the gifts. Making sure the additional elements of any birthday fits into your theme is important for carrying the wonder throughout the day. Specialised greeting card suppliers have an array of character-driven cards for you to choose from, meaning that

cards can be used to decorate! Try cutting out some of the characters and hiding them around the venue for children to find.

Another bare necessity is the music. Making sure you have a playlist ready of all your children’s favourite songs can help set the scene. Try entering the venue to Disney’s iconic opening music When You Wish Upon a Star. Some music can even help provide entertainment such as Alice’s signature The Caucus Race which can involve any number of children, and everyone wins.

And making sure your child is dressed for the occasion just adds to the moment. Whether they want to dress as their favourite princess, a lightning-fast race car, or even a flying elephant, having an array of costumes can bring your child’s dreams to life.

Make a magical wonderland

You have to set the scene at every themed party, especially when it is Disney-themed.

Whether it is their classic animation style or the skyscrapers of superheroes, the setting is allimportant. Making sure you put magic into the decorations will help your children feel a big part of their character’s world for the day.

From mushroom stools to magic mirror photo frames, constructing a world of wonder should be a top priority when planning the perfect party. And

you don’t need to go over budget in order to make this happen.

Consider the Mad Hatter’s table – full of mismatched madness. How about instead of having a buffet to the side of the room, try making this the main event? Let’s allow the chaos of Alice in Wonderland to take over your food layout! Large cut-outs could also work in your favour: over-sized mushrooms, flowers, and even a giant caterpillar can add an element of surrealism to your event and increase that wonder element for your kids.

By tailoring your decorations to your children’s favourite characters, you can truly bring the event to life. They don’t just want to dine with their favourite princess, but they want to live in the moment. Setting the scene is crucial in bringing this alive.

A Disney dine-in

And what is a party without the food? Depending on your child’s favourite movie, there are many edible examples which can transport them straight to another world or an enchanted castle. The centre piece is always the birthday cake. If you child is a fan of Sleeping Beauty, you can replicate the topsy-turvy, falling cake, or you might shape your cake to resemble a character. Some parents might go as far as to making a large cake which fits into the scenery, mesmerising the children as their playhouse turns edible!

Other examples of food might include the famous spaghetti and meatballs from Lady and the Tramp or even the wonderful “grey-stuff” from Beauty and the Beast. This can be made out of whipped cream, or icing, and crushed Oreos – delighting your children while putting them straight into the movie.

Enchanted entertainment

As with any party, making sure the children are entertained the whole time can be tricky. But with a Disney theme, there is a wide selection of party games you can try. Why not consider setting up your own treasure hunt within the venue. As with the Disneyland

parks, hidden Mickeys are a treat for all ages. Set up mickey shapes around your venue and see how many they can find. These shapes can range from obvious ones drawn on walls to secret Mickey’s made from carefully arranged plates. This won’t just be fun for the children but for any adults invited as well.

Some traditional birthday party games can be Disneyfied too. Join in with Elsa, Anna, Olaf, and Kristoff to play charades, with each character being from their favourite movies or you could learn to play Croquet like the Red Queen using pink-painted mallet to resemble flamingos –but beware to avoid hitting the strawberry tarts!

And after a long party, why not

make a game out of cleaning up? Just like Cinderella, set your kids to the task of collecting as many items as possible during set music or dress them as Lumiere and Cogsworth, in charge of collecting the plates and finding Chip.

The imagination of children is unparalleled and making visual additions to your birthday party, from chaotic pots to chipped cups and grey food, you can make them feel like they have transported into their favourite movies.

Whichever character is your kids’ favourite, you can bring the magic of Disney to life and celebrate with a bippity-boppitybooping brilliant birthday party.

For more ideas for your party see: ukgreetings.co.uk

Outdoors The Great

Time to learn about lifesaving with the Royal Life-Saving Society

The Royal Life-Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) are calling on parents to ensure that their children have the chance to learn lifesaving skills as part of their National Life-saving Academy.

The awards are a suite of progressive awards that teach personal survival, first aid, CPR, rescue, and fitness skills to anyone aged 12 years and over. Their aim is to teach candidates how to stay safe around water and how to safely assist others who may have gotten into difficulty in both aquatic and non-aquatic situations.

Statistics from RLSS UK show that around two-thirds of children who drown are cited as swimmers, the NLA can not only ensure that children feel confident with their swimming ability, but also ensure that in different environments, not just a warm swimming pool, they would have the skills and knowledge to be able to remain safe, and keep others safe.

Life-savers can take awards in either beach, open water or pool, or all three if they wish, and progress through the award from the bronze certificate, to the bronze star, before obtaining their bronze medallion, a prestigious award for life-savers.

There is then the opportunity to obtain a distinction award for those who are able to achieve any of the following: gain a life-saving instructor award; undertake voluntary service to the life-saving community; or undertake work experience in the leisure sector.

The skills that can be learnt when taking the National Life-saving Academy award are vital to ensure that future life-savers have the necessary knowledge to help others to enjoy water safely.

The programme has also been endorsed by Paralympic Champion Ellie Robinson MBE, and Olympian and Sports Scientist Professor Greg Whyte OBE.

To find out more, visit rlss.org.uk/find-a-club to find a life-saving club in your area.

GLORIOUSFood Food

Tastebud To Do's

When it comes to babies' diets, and what you should or shouldn't feed them, there is a lot of information out there and it can be tricky to know which guidance to follow. While some foods such as salt, sugar, honey and peanuts should be avoided, there are plenty of great, excotic flavours that babies can, and should, try to help their development and their tummies.

Coconut

Coconut contains fibre to encourage a healthy gut and other essential nutrients to help a baby thrive in its early years. Other healthy nutrients that are great for little tummies found in coconut includes; copper, iron, manganese, selenium, zinc, and vitamin B6.

Mango

Mango is full of important vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C – an essential nutrient for immune health which is very important for little ones as they begin to grow and fight infections. A top tip for feeding your little one mango is to cut it into slices to make it less slippery for small hands or try a pouch.

Paprika

While some parents may want to avoid natural spices such as paprika, it actually has great health benefits. Paprika contains Vitamin A which is pivotal for

good eye and vision development in children. Paprika can be added to children's diets from around 6 months old in small amounts.

Apricot

Apricots are a great source of fibre, which is helpful if your little one is prone to constipation. They also contain Vitamin C and iron, two nutrients that are important from six months old - Vitamin C also helps the iron be absorbed by the body.

Lentils

Lentils are also great for babies! They're an excellent source of two essential nutrients, iron and zinc. Lentils are also high in protein and fibre and packed with B vitamins, magnesium, and potassium so there's a load of benefits to adding some lentils into your child's mealtimes.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon contains potassium, magnesium, calcium and phosphorus which are important for bone health. As long as they are not allergic you can add a little bit of cinnamon seasoning to their diet.

Turmeric

Turmeric is great for everyone's diets, including babies. In fact, turmeric has been used for thousands of years as medicine. It can even be used in beauty products too. Again, it’s best to

add small amounts to begin with, just a little bit of seasoning goes a long way.

Butternut Squash

Butternut squash boasts healthy doses of antioxidant vitamin C, beta-carotene, potassium, fibre, folate, B-vitamins, and also some omega-3 fatty acids. Plus, babies tend to love the taste of butternut squash as it's quite sweet so this should be an easy one to add to their diets.

Ginger

Ginger has lots of medicinal benefits including easing digestion, reducing nausea, helping fight the flu or common cold. When it comes to babies' health, ginger is wonderful for an upset tummy or even for reducing some gas that your little one may have.

Cumin

Cumin has many health benefits. It increases the uptake of certain nutrients, can aid digestion and contains iron. All great for little bodies.

The For Aisha product range is designed with little tummies in mind and is packed full of exotic flavours. Ideal for encouraging adventurous meal times, exploring and embracing new tastes and flavours, For Aisha products are available to purchase across major UK retailers, including ASDA, Sainsburys, Morrison’s, Ocado and Amazon.

Here, For Aisha’s award winning nutritionist, Priya Tew, lists 10 exotic flavours that your baby should try and explains why they are so beneficial.

WINDOW SHOPPING

Country Child hunt down some one-of-a-kind converted religious buildings for families

Monmouth, South Wales

£980,000

A substantial Grade II* Listed former Chapel, occupies a superb central position, with delightful private garden and parking. A wealth of bespoke fixtures and fittings combine with splendid features and contemporary living accommodation, centred around an imposing double floor atrium. Corinthian columns, stone spiral staircases, decorative stained-glass windows also combine with Art Deco styling.

roscoerogersandknight.co.uk

Dundee, Scotland

£450,000

A beautifully converted former Church which boasts stunning open plan spaces and impressive eco-friendly credentials. Converted in 2012 the property has been significantly refurbished with beautiful stained glass and a future proofed air source and heat recovery heating system. Uniquely, a self contained loft apartment iis incorporated offering flexibility for multi-generational living.

verdala.co.uk

London N21

£1,250,000

The four bedroom property has multiple period and contemporary features that include stain glass double height chapel windows, exposed wrought iron tie bars, exposed brickwork, wood panelled vaulted ceilings and quality wood flooring to principal rooms. Externally the property has an attractive herb garden with raised beds contained within railway sleepers in the garden wiht a garden store.

novusresidential.co.uk

Colchester, Essex

£390,000

A unique Victorian converted Chapel, offering spacious room sizes and character. The ground floor offers two large reception rooms and an impressive 33ft kitchen/diner with vaulted ceiling. The first floor boasts three generous double bedrooms and a feature galleried landing overlooking the reception hall, ideal for a study area.

fennwright.co.uk

Pet Portraits withthisadvert

Interior IDEAS

Magic Mushrooms

 Ella James, Rattan Toadstool Fairy House, £60

 The British Craft House, Enchanted forest felt mushroom duo, £9.50

Wayfair, Louie Kids Two Toad Stools Set, £70.99

 Lights4fun, Solar Mushroom Fairy Lights, £12.99

 Ohpopsi, Forest Floor in Marmalade, £39

Wayfair, Mushroom Cat Scratching Post Durable Sisal Scratcher Cat Furniture Toy For Kitty, £30.99

 Rockett St George, Magic Mushroom Salt Pepper Shakers, £24

Rockett St George, Magic Mushroom Side Plate, £26

 Spicer and Wood, Mushroom

Vase Red, £28

 Rex London, Night Light

Toadstool Rex London, £3.95

 Gisela Graham London, Acrylic toadstool pick bunch 12 small £2.99 per bunch,

OPEN for Business

Houzz That

The Crown Inn, Upton has won a Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice award for restaurants in late 22, making it one of the top 10% restaurants in the world.

The Museum of East Dorset in Wimborne has won the ‘Small Visitor Attraction of the Year’ gold trophy at the 10th Dorset Tourism Awards.

The annual people’s choice award recognises professionals among the Houzz community who stand out in both talent and customer service and Fi Boyle Garden Design has won a “Best of Houzz” award.

The Wiltshire based garden design and landscape consultancy was chosen by the millions of homeowners that comprise the Houzz community from among more than 3 million active home building, renovation and design industry professionals.

Best of Houzz awards are given annually, in three categories: Design, Customer Service and Photography. Design awards honour professionals whose work was the most popular among the Houzz community.

“Best of Houzz 2023” badges appear on winners’ profiles as a sign of their commitment to excellence. These badges help the more than 65 million homeowners and home design enthusiasts on Houzz to identify popular and top-rated home professionals for their projects.

“We are absolutely delighted to have received this award. It means a great deal to have been chosen

Proud Performance

AMeon Valley farm shop has reassured its customers that they will not be following national purchasing restrictions on fruit and veg imposed by some high street supermarkets. Environment Secretary Therese Coffey has told Parliament that she anticipates the situation will last into Spring 2023.

But the crisis has not affected Westlands Farm Shop, near Wickham, which has rock-solid supply chains with local growers, and pays its suppliers a fair price for their produce. General Manager Harry King said: “Our supplies have not been impacted by the shortage currently being experienced by some of the supermarkets. We have seen a slight increase in purchasing of some fruit and veg items - mainly

by homeowners themselves and to know that our designs are connecting directly with potential clients on the ground.” - Fi Boyle

You can see more of Fi Boyle Garden Design’s work on houzz.co.uk/professionals/landscapearchitects-and-garden-designers/fi- boyle-gardendesign-pfvwgb-pf~439506958

tomatoes - but we can handle that because we are continuing to get deliveries from our suppliers."

Some supermarkets and suppliers have said the shortages have been caused largely by bad weather in southern Europe and Africa.

TOP Marks

A Shaw Thing

An inspirational project to encourage young children in remote areas of Nepal to enjoy sport and running exercises has culminated with a showcase athletics event in a regional stadium involving 250 pupils from seven schools in remote areas of the country. Developed and delivered by Emily Shaw (18), a former pupil of Bryanston School near Blandford, the Right2Run project has proved to be a great success and has led to a further extension of the programme in 2023 with the involvement of six additional schools.

A former English Schools

3000m Champion and England international cross-country runner, Emily used her gap-year and her passion for running to develop the Right2Run project in collaboration with Right4Children, a charity that works to improve the lives and living standards of disadvantaged

Nepalese children and their families.

The project has provided direct support to pupils at remote government schools and has led to the introduction of weekly running sessions covering teamwork skills, running drills and fun games. Feedback from the children, their teachers and their parents has exceeded all expectations, with everyone acknowledging the mental and physical benefits of including sport in the daily routine of each child.

The inter-school Right2Run competition held at the Rangasala Stadium in Pokhara was the highlight of the project. This day of races was an experience for the young athletes and their parents and showed how a sport like running can provide new opportunities rather than be a distraction from academic studies. Emily secured the active

Village, primary, pre prep, private or state we want to know your school news, email: info@countrychild.co.uk

participation of Mira Rai, an international and award-winning trail runner, as guest of honour for the event who also helped to start the races and present the winning children with their prizes. She has also agreed to remain involved with the expanded Right2Run programme through 2023.

Excellent Education A

thriving independent school in Liphook has been deemed ‘excellent’ in all areas.

The perfect praise for Highfield and Brookham Schools follows a thorough review by the Independent Schools Inspectorate, with the school passing regulatory compliance and educational quality inspections with flying colours.

The inspectors drilled deep into the workings of the pre-prep and prep schools, including early years provision; observing lessons, talking to pupils and teachers, examining examples of children’s work, and sampling the school’s extra-curricular offerings. The inspection team also surveyed parents, staff and pupils via pre-inspection questionnaires.

For the educational quality inspection, schools are graded ‘excellent’, ‘good’, ‘sound’ or ‘unsatisfactory’ for the quality of pupils’ academic and other achievement and the quality of the pupils’ personal

development, with Highfield and Brookham again impressing the inspectors.

The inspectors added that the overall achievement of the pupils was excellent and “represents successful fulfilment of the school’s aims to provide an all-round education, nurturing a love of learning and equipping them well for whatever life throws at them”. Both schools were praised for their support and encouragement of children with special educational needs and disabilities and those with English as an additional language.

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