MADE (Mums and Dads Edinburgh) Magazine - September/October 2019 by MADE (Mums and Dads Edinburgh) magazine

made mums and dads edinburgh YOUR MUMMY MAKEOVER

SEP/OCT 2019

SURROGACY & THE LAW

How to throw the perfect baby shower

Independent Schools - at a glance

2019 OPEN DAYS

Loretto Pre-School

A small school, big on heart, big on ambition

FREE

28 September (Senior School) and 5 October (Junior School) Book your visit on 0131 653 4455 or at admissions@loretto.com

Loretto Pre-School

A small school, big on heart, big on ambition

Meet our teaching and house staff, who make Loretto a welcoming place where pupils thrive. Discover our safe, leafy 85 acre campus, and its extensive facilities dedicated to Academics, Sport and Creative Arts. 2019 Open Days: 28 September (Senior) & 5 October (Junior) Book your visit at admissions@loretto.com or 0131 653 4455 Loretto School; Independent, boarding & day school for girls & boys 0-18, located in Musselburgh Connect with us: Web www.loretto.com â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Facebook @LorettoSchool â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Twitter @LorettoHead

WELCOME Contributors I asked some of our contributors what they would do if she had an extra hour in the day… Caroline I’d spend it in bed, I’ve forgotten what having a lie in means.

Andrea I’m not gonna lie, I’d probably take a nap. Or watch some Peaky Blinders.

Marie I’d treat myself to massage to ease my weary old muscles.

Exactly 3 years ago I posed the question ‘what would you do if you had an extra hour in the day’. At that time, I was in a place where I had very little time to myself, running the magazine and looking after my littlest son. My answer back then would have been sleep. But now, he is in P1 and I suddenly find myself with lots of extra hours in the day - I don’t want to sleep anymore. I want to do more yoga, more socialising with friends, more reading, more meeting up with MADE’s partners, more fun with my boys, and more metime. That’s what inspired me to put together the Mummy Makeover feature on pages 20-25. Just spending a little time on ourselves gives us such a boost, and this should be a priority at any stage in life.

Louise x

contact MADE, PO BOX 28825, Edinburgh, EH14 9BA T: 07738 068022 E: mademag@live.co.uk www.mademagazine.co.uk facebook.com/MADEmag

Editor & Publisher Louise Wilson Designer

MAMi Designs

Sales Executive

Caroline McClean

Feature Writers

Andrea Sykes

Columnists

Claire Daly, Michael Atkinson

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All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is strictly prohibited. While every care has been taken in compiling MADE magazine to ensure that it is correct at the time of going to press. MADE (Mums And Dads Edinburgh) assume no responsibility for any effects from errors or omissions.

made SEP / OCT 2019

Smart Fresh Food ABOUT US At Plate and Table we’re smart, we’re fresh, we’re all about food. Whether it’s a private dinner for 10 guests or a Wedding for 200, our Edinburgh based team can deliver it all. From menu design to event planning, we’re with you all the way. Get in touch for further information, we’d love to hear from you. EVENTS Private dinners Weddings Parties Christenings Funerals

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CONTENTS SEP / OCT 2019

6 News 18 So, you’re thinking of getting a dog? By Andrea Sykes

20 Things will never be the same again By Claire Daly

22 Your Mummy Makeover Tips for every mum

28 Review: Macdonald Hotel & Kelpies

30 Hoping for the best By Kristin Pedroja

47 45

45 Independent Schools The Facts

52 Surrogacy By Jennifer Broatch

56 A local business to watch: Wee Blue Coo

58 Mini Languages to teach your child

60 Pick your own pumpkin at Kilduff Farm

62 The perfect baby shower with Cloudberry Gifts

36 What’s on? September & October

40 Spooky Fun!

MADE’s guide to Halloween

made SEP / OCT 2019

64 Happy Birthday to you! 66 Review: Sunday Lunch at One Square

NEWS TEACHING TEAM EXPANDS AT MONKEY MUSIC

ALL-WEATHER FAMILY FUN The Scottish Seabird Centre, just 35 minutes from Edinburgh, is the ideal family escape this Autumn. October marks the start of seal season at the Centre. You can zoom in on super cute seal pups with interactive live cameras, immerse yourself in 3D films, or join in with the child-friendly activities in the Discovery Centre, including Pirate weekend 12-13 October. Browse around the gift shop then relax in the Seabird Café and enjoy the views of the beautiful beaches, over the Firth of Forth to the Bass Rock. www.seabird.org

WANT TO LEARN MORE WAYS TO SUPPORT YOUR CHILD? The Connective Parenting Conference, on Saturday 21 September, is open to all parents and carers, and is full of interactive workshops that will leave you with lots of practical ideas to use straight away. Maybe your child is struggling with their development, or maybe you want to learn more about growing a stronger bond. Either way, there’s a great selection of workshops to suit all needs. The conference will run at the Edinburgh Marriott Hotel, book tickets at theconnectiveparentingconference.co.uk

Monkey Music is delighted that Rebecca Hardie has joined the teaching team in the South of Edinburgh and will be the regular teacher at Marchmont St Giles Parish Church on a Friday and at Swanston Brasserie on a Tuesday. Rebecca is currently a vocal coach, piano teacher and still finds time to record her own album, plus volunteering at her boys local primary school running the Glee Club. Rebecca is testament to the high standard Monkey Music teachers - fun, serious about music, and passionate about the joy and development support it brings to babies and young children. Book your free trial at www.monkeymusic.co.uk

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NEWS URBAN DANCE EXPERTS From autumn 2019, children aged 18m 5 and in P1-7 will experience two brand new class formats at Step It Up Dance; both completely rooted in the Early Years Foundation Stage and Curriculum for Excellence. Parents of pre-schoolers will be amazed at how much their little ones pick up, during every newly formatted Family Hip Hop Crew class. For older children, the new Urban Dance curriculum covers new moves, unique activities and dance-based fun. Grown ups will stay up to date with their child’s learning at every step via new learning logs and progress reports. www.stepitupdance.co.uk

made SEP / OCT 2019

NEWS SWISS ARTIST JOINS ART & CRAFT COLLECTIVE

TURN YOUR PINTEREST BOARD INTO GRAND DESIGNS Alex McKay, Interior Designer and owner of AM Spaces, gives her clients the confidence to turn their design dreams into a reality. Her entry-level service, the ‘Home Walk & Talk’, is perfect for anyone stuck with their home’s aesthetic. Starting at £50/hr, she visits your space to talk about your design goals and issues. She will then help you navigate the world of furnishings, arrangement and colours while addressing any awkward spaces or storage issues. You’ll also discuss how to add Insta-worthy finishing touches! Alex has an International Design portfolio, including hotels, restaurants and homes; and can offer all design services, design concepts, space planning, 3D modelling, construction drawings and project management. www.alexmckayspaces.com @AM.spaces

PAW PATROL’S NEW MISSION Elastoplast comes to the rescue again announcing a new range of ‘PAW Patrol’ plasters which feature all famous characters from the hit animated preschool series - Chase, Skye, Marshall, Rubble, Zuma, Rocky and Everest. The plasters are dirt and water resistant, skin friendly and easy to remove.

Atelier #315, a bijou glass design studio in Zurich formed by Saatchi artist Dr Julie Anne Denton is the latest addition to the Art & Craft Collective Gallery on Causewayside. Julie and her team create bespoke glass wine bottle stoppers using traditional and contemporary Italian glass blowing techniques and recycling (among others) Bombay Sapphire, Veuve Ciquot, Monkey 47 and Absolut Vodka bottles from bars and restaurants around Lake Zurich. The bottles are smashed, heated and turned into glass rods. The bubbles are the trapped imperfections caused when remelting the glass so each is a unique work of art. The stoppers can be engraved to make personalised gifts, and if you have a special bottle you would like to see transformed into your own stopper, Julie can do that!

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NEWS

STYLE YOUR OWN… Stokke® Steps™ now has more colour options than ever, so you can design a high chair as special as your little one. With new colours for chair seat and legs, baby set, tray and cushions, it’s now possible to mix and match, making more than 100 beautiful combinations. www.stokke.com

Plan ahead for a 2020 start to nursery or preschool by booking a tour at Casa Montessori in Bruntsfield. Founded by teachers, Casa is Edinburgh’s only day nursery with an authentic, sciencebased Montessori approach. The inclusive ethos and emphasis on sustainability and nature education make for a healthy, happy environment for children to develop their intrinsic talents at their own pace, supported by a highly qualified team of professionals. Read more and apply through the website: www.casamontessori nursery.com made SEP / OCT 2019

THE TREASURE TROVE, CASTLE ST The aim of this unique charity is to help those in need gain an independent livelihood, using traditional skills such as sewing and knitting; with the shop’s profits going to the talented individuals whose handiwork fills the windows and shelves. The offering extends to woodwork, baking, greetings cards, and all kinds of weird and wonderful soft toys. Anyone who thinks they have the skills to help pay the bills and wishes to apply for membership and become a “maker”, is invited to complete an application form found at www.selfaidsociety.co.uk.

NEWS

PLAYBRUSH Playbrush, as their name suggests, is a toothbrush that encourages play. It works via an app to allow a child to fight monsters, play the piano or even paint a picture. The most important thing is that through play, the child brushes longer than average and also the app gets them moving the brush to provide total mouth coverage all whilst playing.

NEW TERM FOR MONKEY MUSIC IN EDINBURGH NORTH Edinburgh’s leading preschool music class is excited to be opening for another action-packed term, offering age specific, educational classes to babies from 3 months to preschool children aged 4 years old. Their 4 stage curricula have been specifically designed to ensure maximum enjoyment for all the family, with live music, colourful props and activities, musical games, fun and percussion. To book your free trial go to www.monkeymusic.co.uk

ONE OF A KIND CAKES Sara Macrae, the face behind Sara Macrae Cake Design, is based in Edinburgh and has been designing and making bespoke luxury wedding and occasion cakes for three years. Baking is Sara’s passion and she loves creating one-of-a-kind cakes that turn your vision into reality. All her cakes are baked with the best ingredients possible, including free range eggs and Scottish butter to make sure they taste as good as they look. Find out more at Saramacraecakedesign@gmail. com

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Things Will Never Be the Same Again By Claire Daly

ur best friends next door are leaving. The mummy is my best friend and the little girl is my little girl’s best friend. Our little ones are only two months apart in age. It has been a match made in heaven for nearly two years. And now they are moving. Down the road would be almost worst. But no, they are moving to tick-infested Dumfries, where the rain never stops and it takes hours and hours to drive to. I blame the mother in law. Not mine, hers. I don’t know why it’s hit me so hard but I can’t stop crying. Life knocks you when you’re already down. I’ve been parenting alone for more than two weeks, I started a new job, my dad has been pestering me all weekend, I’ve got a cold that just won’t go away and then I got the worst news of all. Dumfries. So on Monday morning I drag myself out of bed, having been awake since 5am, get my kid to the childminders, make it to the 8.01am bus to see my second-best friend walking down the road. Phew, I think, salvation is here. On our bus journey, which we often share and during which I mostly talk a lot and Sophie nods understandingly in her clever-solicitor way. (You never quite know if she thinks you’re a lunatic or a friend or a nutty client. I guess they’re all the same to her.) And I pour forth my misery and anguish. And then she tells me that her husband has been shortlisted for a job in Bermuda. Bermuda! NOOOO! If all my friends depart this lonely hill in Edinburgh, I will go too. I will not be left behind. Later, on my journey home, I message my friend Fay who was meant to bring aid to my singleparenting three weeks of hell but who failed in her mission. I hope she will rush round with a box of tissues and an Indian take-away. But no, this made SEP / OCT 2019

one’s got news too. Not quite as bad as Bermuda, but still dispiriting. “Chris just proposed on the Cliffs of Mohar”. Oh, I gush, how utterly fab-tastic, how hunky-dory and then I think hold on a minute, why has nobody ever proposed to me on the Cliffs of Mohar? I am named after County Clare, albeit incorrectly spelled. I’m in such a dark place I can’t see any positives. The girls will be best friends for the rest of their lives, and us, my best friend reassures me. We will definitely visit, she says. We’ll visit them too and not just because we owe them several weeks of cat-sitting because they never go anywhere and we do. We will spend many weeks dog and cat sitting in Dumfries while they are on holiday. I will don a bee-keeping suit to avoid the ticks. Let no green thing touch me. Life has been so much fun with them next door, so comfortable and convenient. I want to rewind time and re-live it all again. But now things will never be the same. I knocked on their door on the first night we arrived at our new house, hoping for a phone charger. I found our best friends instead. I’ve had really bad neighbours, I’ve had boxers in the flat upstairs and party maniacs in the flat downstairs and I know how bad they can be. I have never had a good best friend neighbour, à la Friends until now. And it seems so wrong to rip it all up. I suppose I should just feel grateful they were here at all. n

Follow Claire at @DalyReads

So, you’re thinking of getting a

Dog? By Andrea Sykes

caught. My kids were surprisingly well adjusted as well. Little brother was out of nappies, and FINALLY sleeping through the night. I did what a large majority of parents do in these glorious circumstances and said ‘Oh look! We’re finally coping! Let’s make it harder!’. Around a quarter of UK households own at least one dog, with the figure most recently estimated to be close to 9 million in the UK overall. Despite dogs’ well-deserved status as man’s best friend, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, The Dogs Trust, cares for over 15,000 dogs every year, with calls to the charity from people wanting to hand over an unwanted dog sitting at more than double that. The most common reason given for rehoming a dog is behaviour that an owner finds difficult to live with. A large proportion of these dogs are under 2 years old, and shockingly, the most common reason dogs under 2 years of age are put to sleep is unwanted behaviour. That made for sobering reading, but as someone who was thinking about getting a puppy, I realised how important it was to be ready to put the time into our new addition so we didn’t add to those statistics. So, like a first-time mum possessed I spent more on Amazon in the weeks leading up to the puppy’s arrival than I think we’ve spent on our

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t was 4am. I was standing in my garden for the third time that night, half-dressed, in my wellies, holding a fisher price torch shaped like a frog and a tiny piece of cheese, maniacally whispering ‘busy, busy!’ My third baby charged around with a geranium in its mouth, rightfully looking at me like I was a deranged woman on the edge. You’d be forgiven for thinking I’d properly lost it (and possibly putting in a call to social work), however, all the books tell me this is perfectly normal behaviour for the parent of a new puppy. Yes, dear reader, after extensive research and a frankly award winning campaign of slowly wearing my husband down to a weary ‘yes, ok then, just please shut up about dogs’, we’d taken the somewhat bold decision to add to our brood of two kids, a third baby. A baby dog called Sam. We lived in the countryside, were fairly outdoorsy, had a garden, I worked part-time, the set up was ripe! I’d also (much to my husband’s dismay) successfully managed to keep Hermione, the misanthropic hamster alive and thriving. The Spice girls, 5 extremely patient stick insects, seemed fairly accepting of their lot and sympathetic to the fact their presence meant I had to sneakily snip bits of next door’s privet bush on a weekly basis without getting

two children combined in their whole lives. Crate, cushions, kongs, harness, lead, dog guard for the car, books, a special comforting plug-in thing that allegedly smells like lactating mummy dogs, intensely irritating squeaky toys that I’d seriously come to regret purchasing etc. The list goes on. I worked my way through a spectrum of puppy books hoping forewarned was forearmed, yet much like a new parent to be, emerged baffled at the range of different approaches and opinions on the matter. I wandered bemused through Pets at Home wondering why anyone would make their dog wear a pair of pants (they exist, trust me). The big day arrived and we picked up little Sam, who proceeded to vomit all over my husband in the car in the first 5 minutes, then slept the whole way home. The only feeling I can compare it to is that moment when you bring in the car seat with your tiny newborn in it for the first time and think ‘Oh s**t!’. Thankfully Sam was on the charm offensive and promptly had us all in his thrall within minutes. The first week was pretty rough sleep-wise. Despite being fairly firm with my actual children, it turns out I’m a more of an attachment parent when it comes to baby dogs. I even had the poor bugger in a sling, no lie. Thankfully although it is like having a baby, it’s on fast forward, so after a few nights of sleeping with my hand in the dog bed and a bit of crazed torch wielding, he got with the programme and slept through (Disclaimer: All puppies are different, yours may NOT do this!!) and to husband’s relief, got too big for the sling.

There was a lot of training to do, house training in particular because I swear puppies pee every 20 minutes, and then there’s the nipping (indoor wellies are a good shout!) and general mischief. But oh my, the love and fun was something I hadn’t expected. Hearing 6 year old Big Sister chatting away to Sam, telling him about her friends and the things they would do together when he was bigger, seeing her delight when she taught him ‘sit’. It was priceless. Sam’s calm patience with Little Brother (Disclaimer: we lucked out here. If Carlsberg made dogs…) as he cosied up to him and crooned ‘whaaaaat a beeeautiful doooog you arrrrrre’ and then the giggles as he was licked to death in return. Mega feels! We put in the work, took three weeks off, went to puppy classes, set some ground rules, got out the baby gates and rewarded all the good stuff, and it’s turned out pretty good. He barks, he digs, he still pees on my carpet sometimes, and my poor geraniums are no more. All totally worth it. My mornings used to be spent with my phone in one hand and the remote in the other trying to find the EXACT ‘Cheese Badge’ episode of Hey Duggee that’s been requested. But now, because I HAVE to let the dog out, that’s husband’s job mwahahar! By 7am I’m in the woods, or on a beach, or in a field and although it’s sometimes an effort to get out the door, those walks are probably the most calm and peaceful part of my day. I’m happier, I’ve got more energy, I’ve got an excellent t-shirt tan AND I’m rocking a bum bag filled with poo bags and cheese. n

HE BARKS, HE DIGS, HE STILL PEES ON MY CARPET SOMETIMES, AND MY POOR GERANIUMS ARE NO MORE. ALL TOTALLY WORTH IT made SEP / OCT 2019

TOP TIPS Do your research – go for a dog that will fit into the lifestyle you have, not the lifestyle you aspire to have. Fantasies of daily hill running when you’re more of a Netflix and pizza kinda’ family fade fast at 6am on a dreich December day with a collie. Find out as much as you can about your chosen breed and better still, talk to owners and meet some dogs. Read a book – despite it’s slightly silly title ‘Easy Peasey Puppy Squeezy’ by Steve Mann is a very readable and super helpful guide to those first few weeks. If buying a pedigree dog, make sure you choose a reputable breeder who will ask you lots of questions and who breeds from well adjusted, health tested parents. You should absolutely be able to see the pup with it’s mother and litter mates and if you’re bringing a puppy to a home environment, it’s best to get a puppy who has been reared in a home environment that will be used to the sounds and sights of a busy household. Make sure all members of the family are on board and understand that it won’t always be lovely. If you want a puppy you need to be cool with poo, sharp puppy teeth and your garden being dug up. Just sayin’. Consider a dog from a rescue – there are hundreds of amazing dogs waiting for new homes in rescues all over Edinburgh. The puppy stage is HARD, and if this really doesn’t appeal, get your name and details down with a rescue and be prepared to wait for the right pooch. It’ll be all the more rewarding knowing you’ve given your dog a second chance.

When you get your puppy home he/she will be completely overwhelmed. Give your puppy it’s own safe space where it can retreat to without being overwhelmed by little people. For the first few nights, ensure he has a blanket that smells of mum, hot water bottle and you nearby. It won’t go on forever. After a few days, once your pup is settled and has bonded with you, you can start to help him be more independent. Keep everything positive. Make a list of behaviours you’d find undesirable in an adult dog and right next to each of those behaviours, write down an alternative you’d prefer. E.g. no jumping up vs sitting nicely making eye contact. Don’t spend your time saying ‘NO!’ spend your time asking for and rewarding the right stuff. It works much quicker and you won’t get bored of your own mardy voice! Book a good puppy class and be prepared to work 1:1 with a trainer if things don’t go as planned. Train your kids. I can’t stress this enough. Be your puppy’s advocate and never leave puppies and kids unsupervised. Socialisation – this doesn’t mean pass your pup around and force them to say hi to everyone and everything. It means go at their pace and see lots of new things. Don’t overwhelm them, keep trips out fun and short and full of nice treats.

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Control the cameras and zoom in on the super-cute seals. Seal season from October. Only 30 mins from Edinburgh. www.seabird.org Image © Maggie Sheddan / Scottish Charity no SC025837

DISCOVERY CENTRE · BOAT TRIPS · CAFÉ · GIFT SHOP

stick-

A Dog in the Future W

hen I was a young pup growing up many years ago, a regular occurrence was washing shoes. Or the soles of shoes to be precise. It was following incidents with the poop of dogs. Back in the day, there was a lot of dog poop, for the concept of carrying miniature black bin bags in your pocket had yet to emerge. As such, stepping off the school bus or playing in the park, always contained an element of sludgy danger. Whilst not all developments since childhood have been for the better, picking up after dogs is one which should be applauded. Frankly, it’s also a necessity, given there are now apparently over 9 million pet dogs in the UK, an all time record high and meaning that over a quarter of UK households now have one. With such high and steadily increasing numbers, I have always felt it unnecessary to add further to these statistics. Warming my hands each morning with the steaming output of the inner workings of a Labrador, is not high on my must achieve list. A shiver therefore went down my spine one weekend morning when I was asked.

‘Daddy, when are we getting the dog?’. I put the newspaper down, for about the 475th time since picking it up and attempting to read it. (I’m still not finished the first article I started and it’s not because I’m a slow reader.)

DADDY, WHEN ARE WE GETTING THE DOG? ‘What dog?’, I asked bemused (with an additional touch admittedly of mild irritation). A fast and firm statement came as a reply. ‘The dog you promised?’. The use of the definitive article particularly concerned me. It suggested that my eldest son had a resolute confidence in his question, which led me to ponder if this was not as ridiculous a question as I had first envisaged. I stopped to think some more. Had I promised a dog bleary eyed one other weekend morning at the crack of dawn to stop my children bouncing in our bed in the vague hope of achieving five more minutes of sleep?

By Michael Atkinson

I would need to seek further clarity. ‘When did I promise a dog?’. ‘When Mummy was asking you about getting a dog, you said we could have a dog in the future.’ Ah yes, I now remembered. ‘You are correct. I promised a dog in the future. Critical is the use of the word future. The future is both imminent and distant. Whilst it is tomorrow, it is also over a decade away. What would you like to be in the future? An astronaut perhaps? Do you know the difference between a meteor and a meteorite? If you get that book on space, I’ll read it with you and we can find out.’ The distraction technique has worked a charm. The dog question is avoided. For now. Maybe an hour. n

Michael Atkinson is a dad to two young sons, but occasionally finds the time to write on golf, whisky, fatherhood and politics.

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THE ULTIMATE MUM MAKEOVER MAKE-UP • MAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF • MAKE YOUR CONFIDENCE GROW Many women find that after having kids they lose their sense of style and beat themselves up about gaining weight and not ‘bouncing back’. Ignore what people say you should be doing. Work out what’s holding you back from feeling a million dollars and make tiny changes here and there. We guarantee you’ll start to feel like yourself again soon.

Hair Autumn/winter will be about super glossy hair. For brunettes, delicious chocolate brown and warm, rich shades. For blondes, think more toned down, golden and caramel shades instead of the lighter, platinum hues that were popular in the summer. Neil Barton, Owner of Neil Barton Hairdressing Centre partings are set to be the next big trend. Keep your parting dead centre and really crisp to make sure you’re on trend this autumn/winter.

Relaxed ponytails can also be expected. Forget the high, tight ponytail; but embrace a low slung ponytail at the nape of your neck. Simon Hill, Owner of SESH Hairdressing If you suffer from frizzy hair, then I can highly recommend the Nanokeratin treatment which eliminates frizz, speeds up drying and makes the straighteners redundant. Lasts for about 3 months. I get mine done at MacGregors in Morningside. Louise, MADE

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Face

Use primer before foundation, it makes make-up go on smoother and last longer. It only takes 30 seconds but makes all the difference. Then a cream stick foundation and a kabuki brush will give a flawless finish. Just draw a few lines on your face and buff it in with the brush. Using your hands wastes the product, is patchy and messy. A tinted lip balm is a must-have. Whether you like a bold lip or a nude, nothing gives you that little feminine pick-me-up like a bit of lip colour. Mascara is the one product I cannot live without, it makes your eyes appear bigger and more awake. If I make one recommendation, it has to be Epic Mascara by Younique. Nothing compares to it. Caryn’s Beauty Base

made SEP / OCT 2019

A pop of blush will warm and awaken up the skin, creams are quick and easy. If you don’t have time for eye make-up, quickly comb and fill in your brows. This will define and frame your face. If you haven’t time to blend foundation properly, skip it and switch to a BB or CC Cream. They are lighter than foundations but are multipurpose. BB Creams will protect, prime, moisturise with light coverage, whereas CC Creams have added benefits of colour correction, balance out skin tone and blur out imperfections. Jackie Cormack, Edinburgh Professional make-up artist

Health & Fitness

Want to exercise but don’t have childcare? Take the kids with you! More and more classes are realising the need for mums to work out with bubs in tow. Before they started school, I took my boys to Emma’s Insanity class at North Merchiston Club - they loved it and it was good for them to see mum working out. Louise, MADE Take time each day to focus on your intrinsic values. What brings you joy? Do more of that. Schedule it. Even if it feels impossible, just make the time. Mummy Jojo Figuring out what to eat these days is a keto cookie laden minefield. Keep it simple with a dinner plate formula: • ½ plate rainbow coloured veggies • your palm size bit of protein (red meat, white meat, fish or plant-based choice) • ¼ plate carbs (carbs are not the health devil, your brain needs them) • add in some fats – think avocado, olive oil dressing, nut butters or my favourite - tahini. Rebel Nutrition by Wilma Sleep train yourself. Our quantity of sleep has gone down, which is why we need to focus on quality. Blue light emitting from devices messes up your body’s natural sleep/wake cycle, tricking you into thinking it’s time to get up. Keep devices out of the bedroom and switch off at least an hour before bed (yes, I’m an Instagram pooper). Drink

relaxing tea, read a book, meditate, take 10 deep breaths; anything that’ll wind you down and signal it’s time for deep, restorative sleep. Rebel Nutrition by Wilma To aid pregnancy and post-partum recovery skincare, check out independent, femalefounded brand, NESSA. Their Nipple SOS and Scar Saviour are 100% natural, vegan, fragrance free and packed with certified organic ingredients to restore total skin functions.

Eat blueberries! They are mini nutritional powerhouses, providing vitamin C, calcium, potassium, magnesium, folate and manganese. They’re found to have anti-inflammatory mechanisms with can help promote healthy ageing. Make time regularly to nourish your body. Get so good at it that it becomes no-negotiable. A 20 minute workout or a gentle yoga session can be very affective in improving mental health. Zoey Waterston, Personal Trainer

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Fashion

Laura from Satisfashion helps us avoid the mum frump…

Don’t torture yourself by keeping clothes that don’t fit in your wardrobe. They’ll only make you feel bad each time you look at them. Bag them up, chuck them under your bed or in the attic, and only have visible what fits you and you feel good in. Don’t feel you have to be a certain size before you dress nicely or spend a little money on clothes. Find great shapes and styles that work for you

now, and embrace them. Highlight the positive body parts and distract from the negative. Maybe a close friend can help you with this analysis. You don’t need to spend all your money on clothing, just a couple of nice tops to wear with jeans, and a fab dress for daytime and going out, will help you feel good. In turn, this will have a massive effect on your confidence and your approach to everyday dressing.

Dorothy Perkins

A blazer is perfect and easy to dress up anything. Add it to jeans and a tee, or over a dress, and instantly up your style game. Oliver Bonas Patched Animal Dress

airandgracelondon.com

Fashion trainers are a musthave for busy mums but they need to look cool and be super comfy. I love these from Biscuit Edinburgh. A metallic is a great alternative to a white trainer.

An awesome midi dress that can be worn layered with a jumper so it looks like a skirt and top, worn daytime with trainers, and then evenings with ankle boots and a biker jacket.

Dorothy Perkins

A denim jumpsuit is perfect for dropping the kids at school worn with a striped top underneath and a pair of trainers; or glam it up for drinks with the girls and a heel and statement earrings.

FIND OUT MORE Follow Laura @satisfashioned for more fashion tips and advice

www.mademagazine.co.uk

Body

A spray tan is a sure fire way to give a mama a boost of confidence. Tan MRKT in Morningside offer 25 different shades and colours, so whatever your skin tone, they can provide a perfect tanning brand and product for you. When it comes to waxing, The Wax Bar are by far the experts. They specialise in creating an individual wax experience for each and every client, using the industry leader, Lycon wax, created using natural ingredients and essential oils. Salons on Rose Street, Morningside, Fountainbridge and South Queensferry

n o i t eti

omp

Serene Beauty Therapy has been in Marchmont since 1997, and offers the most welcoming and professional services - you come as a guest and leave as a friend! Their new brand, Skeyndor, are experts in combining science and beauty, with their facials receiving incredible reviews, and home-regimes boosting the salon results even further. The lovely team at Serene have a fantastic prize up for grabs for one lucky MADE reader. To win a Facial and Unique Home Treatment (worth £115) just go to www.mademagazine.co.uk before 18 Oct and answer this question…

Soprano Ice

To eliminate fuzzy legs and ingrown hairs for good, laser hair removal is a game changer. I can personally vouch for Soprano Ice in Bruntsfield. Owner, Debbie, is the loveliest - she works wonders. Louise, MADE

made SEP / OCT 2019

How many years has Serene Beauty Therapy been in Marchmont? For more info go to www.serenebeautytherapy.co.uk @Serenebeauty123 T&Cs. Winner will be picked at random by MADE magazine on 18 Oct. Competition entries are restricted to Edinburgh, Lothians and surrounding areas only. Editor’s decision is final. No cash alternative is available and prizes are non-transferrable.

What to expect in your

child’s FIRST eye examination

ike any ‘firsts’ in your child’s life, you may approach your little one’s first eye examination with a degree of trepidation. Here, Ian Cameron from Cameron Optometry gives you an insight into what to expect. Ian says, “We find when it comes down to it, most children love visiting the optometrists. It’s the perfect blend of chat, playing with our props, giving them a fascinating view into their eyes and of course, lots of toys and stickers. There really is nothing to worry about.” MAKING AN APPOINTMENT “We recommend your child has their first eye examination in their pre-school year, around four-years-old, however if you have any concerns about their vision or eye health at any age, please take them to see your optometrist. An eye examination tests how well a child sees, but also the health of their eyes and some wider health issues.” PREPARING FOR THE APPOINTMENT “When you are preparing your child, let them know it will be fun! You will find most opticians or optometrists have adapted all their tests to make them age-appropriate. We have a box of tricks for children to explore. Monster-shaped torches, cuddly toys, finger puppets, picture books, matching games, flower-shaped glasses to wear and more. For the majority of the appointment, they can sit on the floor or in the examination chair, wherever they feel most comfortable. And there is absolutely no need for them to know their letters to have their eyes examined so it’s never too early to bring them in.” THE EXAMINATION “Whilst it may feel to them like they’re just having a good play, we are able to hone a huge amount of information during the appointment.

After chatting through family history, as many eye conditions are hereditary, we move onto prescreening - involving a series of tests using devices such as the Optos scanner which takes an amazingly detailed image of the eye and is great fun to look at afterwards. We can even email you the scan if your child would like to show it off to friends! Then it’s onto visual acuity to test how well your child can see. We look at how well the eyes work together to check for issues such as a squint. Colour vision is also tested, simply by looking at pictures in a book and identifying objects or numbers.” FURTHER EXPLORATION “Whilst your optometrists will provide a comprehensive eye examination for all children, they should never perform unnecessary tests. If we feel additional tests are required, we will do them, but we want to ensure it is always a positive experience for children so will not perform any tests that aren’t required. All optical professionals carry out eye examinations in different ways and use different methods, so ask around for recommendations to find someone who you feel will suit your own child to ensure they have a positive experience. And if they are worried about their first visit, you could also show them some of their favourite characters visiting the optometrist. You’ll find the likes of Peppa Pig, Topsy and Tim and Get Well Soon episodes on YouTube which might be worth watching before you go. All eye examinations are free for children in full-time education. n

FIND OUT MORE

Cameron Optometry, 5 St Vincent Street, Edinburgh, EH3 6SW. 0131 225 2235 cameronoptom.com

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Saturday 5th October 2019, 10AM – 2PM

ST ANDREW’S & ST GEORGE’S WEST CHURCH, 13 GEORGE STREET, EDINBURGH EH2 3PA

Beautifully hand-made crafts, toys and children’s clothes. Traditional smocking, baby knits, home produce and craft demonstrations. Meet for coffee or lunch in The Undercroft Cafe.

ALL WELCOME

FREE ENTRY

Hotel stay plus more A MADE family review

ometimes you don’t want to travel too far to have a family mini-break. Sometimes you just want to pop up the road, have a night’s R&R, keep the kids happy and enjoy a change of scenery. And that is exactly what we got when we stayed a night at Macdonald’s Inchryra Hotel in Falkirk. Just 35 mins drive from where we live, we checked in, got the key to our massive family room and flopped on our beds feeling the need to recharge. Thankfully the hotel’s leisure facilities were an excellent start. Their thermal suite, with steam room and sauna, also boasts a fancy shower with fragrance, drench and cool settings, which amused the boys no end. The heated beds were a nice touch too. There’s a gym for any energetic people (not me, this particular weekend!) and a spa offering a wide range of Elemis treatments. Already feeling more like ourselves we headed down for dinner. The menu included mac n’ cheese, so that was Jack sorted. Pizza for Luke, and steaks for mum and dads, and that was everyone else happy too. The food was great and was all devoured - including hot choc brownies for the boys. Thumbs up all round. The next morning breakfast was easy too with continental options on offer along with a menu of breakfast favourites. A full Scottish for dad, eggs

Benedict for me and breakfast rolls for the boys set us all up for the day. And then it was time for one of the main reasons we came here……a trip to the Kelpies! This is included with the hotel stay. Now, we have visited the Kelpies many times before, and been blown away each time, but we’d never actually had the tour inside, and today was the day. We checked out of the hotel at 11am and had our tour at 11.30am, which was perfect. We heard the history behind how and why the Kelpies came about, and finally we got to go inside. They have always impressed me, but to find out even more about their origin and structure made me fall for them even more. It was such a lovely, easy getaway. The hotel staff were brilliant with the boys, and the night away was exactly what we needed to gear us up for the week ahead. n If you would like to win a tour of the Kelpies with dinner, bed, breakfast at Macdonald Inchyra, for a family of 4, just answer this question…

Who designed the Kelpies?

Enter at mademagazine.co.uk before 18 October 2019. Find out more at macdonaldhotels.co.uk

T&Cs: Unable to provide the £10 credit incentive offered to paying guests. Complimentary for 2 adults and 2 children. Must be taken within one year of winning. Subject to availability. Cannot be exchanged. Includes one nights accommodation, two course dinner and full breakfast for a family of 2 adults and 2 children (12 years and under sharing a suitable family bedroom). Dinner reservations require 24 hour notice. Dinner includes 2 courses from the market menu or £15 per person towards the main menu with children eating from the children’s menu. Drinks not included and must be paid for separately.

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in a real home from home Scotland is one of the best small countries in the world to discover and there's no better way than by motorhome. Our luxury 6 berth van is ideal for families (or if you just fancy some more space!). Alternatively there is our 4 berth van which is more compact but just as luxurious. The team at Haggis are happy to help you choose your van and plan your route and adventures to ensure you get the best from your trip. With such a lot on oﬀer - where will you go? Every van hire is all-inclusive (no hidden extras!) and comes with; • Free Stand Up Paddle Boards (SUP’s) by JOBE • Bike rack included as standard • Unlimited mileage • Free camping & caravanning temporary membership • Secure vehicle storage • Free airport transfers

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Visit us -

Hoping

for the

best

By Kristin Pedroja, Edinburgh for Under Fives

Lesley Cowie lives in north east Edinburgh with her husband, James, and daughters, Iris (5) and Esther (2). Esther lives with Leigh Syndrome, a mitochondrial disease, which is a rare, progressive, life-limiting condition. Kristin Pedroja spoke to Lesley to find out more, and how this affects the family on a daily basis. When did you realise that Esther had mitochondrial disease? Esther was healthy when she was born and had no obvious problems. Her development seemed to stall after she had chicken pox at 4 1/2 months. By her first birthday it had become apparent she had low muscle tone and as she wasn’t mobile, she was referred to a neurologist at the Sick Kids. He suspected she may have acquired some brain damage after chicken pox (in the motor, rather than thinking, part of the brain) which was confirmed by an MRI when she was 15 months old. We were completely shocked when she was also diagnosed with Leigh syndrome, which is a mitochondrial disorder, as the underlying cause.

What happened afterwards? Did you bury yourself in Google or make appointments with doctors or panic? How did your friends and family take it? I think it’s almost impossible not to obsessively Google something like this. We were told that many people who are diagnosed in early childhood only live two or three years and those who reach early adulthood tend to develop severe disabilities. This is obviously a devastating thing for any family to hear and was completely unexpected by us, as Esther has never had a medical emergency or been particularly ill. There’s no cure or treatment - yet - but there are things we can do to manage it.

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Can you explain what Leigh Syndrome is and how it affects her? Each cell in the human body contains mitochondria which generate energy for the cell, a bit like batteries. If someone’s mitochondria don’t function properly their cells can easily become damaged making all of the major organs and systems vulnerable. The risk is greatest at times of metabolic stress, such as when fighting a virus or fasting too long. It seems to affect people in different ways and progress at different rates. We’re fortunate that Esther only really has one problem, the brain damage affecting her motor planning. This means she has to learn and practice each individual movement and posture that other people can do intuitively. At almost three years old she has made slow but steady progress. She can’t walk or stand independently yet but can now take some steps using a walking frame, which is a massive achievement for her. It also affects her speech so she communicates mainly by signing. How do you balance daily life with a special needs child? Because mitochondrial disease is triggered by viruses, we go to fairly extreme lengths to avoid Esther picking anything up. She stopped going to nursery and we don’t take her on public transport or to indoor play areas, for example. We also wake her up for a snack at 11pm every night so she doesn’t fast too long overnight. It’s not what you’d normally do with a toddler but she usually puts up with it very well. She’s very sociable so we still go to toddler classes like Sing & Sign, Jo Jingles and Song Circle so she can spend time with other children. We often have to cancel play dates if anyone is made SEP / OCT 2019

Since Esther’s diagnosis all four of her grandparents have been brilliant at helping look after her. My friends, family, and colleagues rallied when we decided to do some fundraising for the Lily Foundation, a charity that funds research, raises awareness and supports families affected by mitochondrial disease. A group of 38 of us did the Edinburgh Kiltwalk last year as Team Esther, raising almost £20,000.

THERE’S NO CURE OR TREATMENT - YET - BUT THERE ARE THINGS WE CAN DO TO MANAGE IT slightly under the weather but our friends are all very understanding. We’re very lucky to have family who are very involved in Esther’s childcare. James and I both have employers who offer flexible working so we’ve both been able to continue working, which is not possible for many parents in our situation. Esther has a lot of hospital appointments, physiotherapy and speech therapy but that’s become our normal routine now. It’s difficult to live with the knowledge of her prognosis but we try not to think too far ahead. How has her sister Iris handled the situation? We try to keep things as normal as we can for Iris but she does miss out on things we would have done otherwise like soft play, holidays abroad, and swimming. She has never once complained

IT’S DIFFICULT TO LIVE WITH THE KNOWLEDGE OF HER PROGNOSIS BUT WE TRY NOT TO THINK TOO FAR AHEAD

(about this!) though. She joins in with physio and has learned to sign. She is a brilliant big sister to Esther and the girls get on really well. I know Iris would love Esther to be able to do more but they still have a lot of fun together. How can friends and family support families with a special needs child? Include us! Parents can find it difficult to be around other young children when they first realise there’s something different about their child but also feel quite isolated, so be friendly and don’t leave them out. But be sensitive with the small talk - someone whose child might never walk doesn’t want to hear you complain about chasing your toddler around the park. And take an interest - I’m always happy to talk about Esther’s condition but it’s lovely when people are interested in her as a person as well. What are the next steps for Esther and your family? We’re hoping that if Esther stays well she can return to nursery soon to help prepare for school. In the meantime we’re taking one day at a time, trying to enjoy every day with our two lovely girls and hoping for the best. n

FIND OUT MORE

Interview by Kristin Pedroja courtesy of Edinburgh for Under Fives, the essential guide to everything from meals to activities, special occasions to speciality shops, written for families with under fives. Find them on Facebook, Instagram or at www.efuf.co.uk To learn more about mitochondrial disease visit www.thelilyfoundation.org.uk Images by Helen Pugh Photography Details of Helen’s ‘Exceptional Families’ portrait package can be found at www.helenpughphotography.com

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Bring on

the smiles Swim with the most highly qualified, enthusiastic and passionate teachers. Our progressive and baby-led programme, will give your little one the best start to their swimming journey. contact 07964 840 049 edinburgh@turtletots.com

www.turtletots.com/edinburghandeastlothian

Classes Saturday mornings and afternoons during term time at Forresters High School

THE

WORD

Dare I say it? Christmas! OMG can you believe it is nearly here? WRITTEN BY EDINBURGH-BASED PHOTOGRAPHER DIANA BAKER

uring my first Christmas as a mum (7 months pregnant), I started a Pinterest board of all the aspirational traditions I thought would bring us all happiness: amazing house decorations, presents that would excite, floor outlined Santa foot prints. I wanted it all! But when reality hit and my daughter was born, her first couple of Christmases were sleep-deprived guilt-ridden hazes, that I am kind of glad she won’t remember. Settling for an Amazon-supplied Christmas-in-a-box got the job done, but it sure did lack the feeling of Christmas. But not this year! This year is going to be different: no stress, only fun! Mums, it is time to remember that we deserve to have fun over Christmas. To play, laugh and enjoy the season with our children. I want us all to have traditions that add to our happiness and not our stress levels. I want us to start a tradition of happiness. Making and capturing meaningful family memories is at the core of what I do as a photographer, and fun is something I want my Christmases to be focused around. Not standing in line for hours with unhappy kids, just to get the same Garden Centre photo that everyone else has. That is why every November, I will be hosting Christmas-themed mini photography shoots that are fun, cheeky, and something the kids will look forward to every year. This year the kids will have cookies and milk in their Christmas PJ with loads of goodies, and colouring-in competitions, all guaranteed to make fun memories they will cherish. If you are ready for a change and want your child’s Christmas photos to be something you will want to keep up all year round, come join us on either the 1st and 2nd of November and remember how fun Christmas really is. n

To book call 07546 987 017 or visit our online shop at www.dianabakerphotography.com/shop 30min Sessions are £35 with a max of 3 kids per session. Prints and perfect Christmas gift options are additional, and will be truly treasured by all Grandparents. To avoid disappointment session times are available on our website now.

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Dates for your diary Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday Thursday

Use the Dribble app when you’re out and about for easy info on child-friendly venues nearby

STICK MAN @ KING’S THEATRE 6-8 SEP

16 12pm - 3.30pm Family Drop-in @ Hopetoun House. Drop in between 12 - 3:30pm. Mystery treasure hunt, plus try creating woodland art to take home. No booking required, £4.75 for adults, £2.95 for kids. 23

ADULT CLAY MAKING @ DOODLES 9 SEP

17 10am & 11.30am (40mins) Tiny Tales: Animal Stories @ Scottish Storytelling Centre. Cheeky chickens, hungry hedgehogs, and a tortoise who should know better. A feast of stories to delight ages 1-3. 24

7pm-9pm Adult Clay Making @ Doodles, Marchmont. A fun event with a complimentary glass of fizz, perfect for novices. Come in a group or on your own. Run by resident ceramicist, Holly.

TINY TALES: ANIMAL STORIES @ SCOT STORYTELLING CENTRE 17 SEP

SCOTTISH BALLET’S WEE HANSEL & GRETEL @ KING’S THEATRE

MACMILLAN COFFEE MORNING @ DOODLES, MARCHMONT 27 SEP

30 Final date to buy early bird tickets for Spectacle of Light @ Dalkeith Country Park in December. The magical after-dark adventure for the whole family. SPECTACLE OF LIGHT @ DALKEITH COUNTRY PK IN DEC

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SEPTEMBER 2019 Spotlight on... Friday Saturday Sunday 6 7 Stick Man @ King’s Theatre. Celebrating 10 stick-tacular years, this touching, funny adaptation is back on stage with puppetry, live music and funky moves. 6 - 8 Sept.

THE MCDOUGALLS SAFARI ADVENTURE @ SCOT STORYTELLING 8 SEP

13 14 Scottish Ballet’s Wee Hansel & Gretel @ King’s Theatre. A wee version of a big ballet. Runs 13 - 15 Sept, for ages 3-8.

1pm & 3pm (1hr) The McDougalls Safari Adventure @ Scottish Storytelling Centre. Join Max, Auntie Aggie and Morag the Rabbit for some musical mayhem. For ages 2+. £7 (£5) ( £25) 15 11am (40mins) Recitals for Wrigglers @ Palace of Holyroodhouse. Family-friendly concerts for under 4s and their grown-ups.

RECITALS FOR WRIGGLERS @ PALACE OF HOLYROODHOUSE 15 SEP

20 21

THE WHEELS & WINGS SHOW @ NATIONAL MUSEUM OF FLIGHT 21 SEP

10am - 5pm The Wheels and Wings Show @ National Museum of Flight. See amazing bike stunts and majestic bird of prey displays. Have a go on bikes, zorb balls, segways and more.

27 28 Macmillan Coffee Morning @ Doodles, Marchmont. Proceeds from the bake sale and 25% of all pottery sales will be donated to Macmillan.

22 12.30pm - 3pm Sunday Lunch Kids Club @ One Square, Sheraton. Parents enjoy Sunday lunch while the kids are entertained by Sparkle Arts. On every Sunday. To book call 0131 229 9131 29

10.30am - 1pm Jack & Jill Market @ 350 West Granton Rd. Find everything for 0–9yr olds under one roof - buggies, bikes, car-seats, cots, clothes, SUNDAY LUNCH KIDS CLUB @ ONE SQUARE, SHERATON toys and much more! EVERY SUNDAY 10am - 4pm Sunday Funday @ The Yard, Canonmills. Open to the public on Sundays so everyone can get messy and have fun! £6 per child for two hours. theyardscotland.org.uk SUNDAY FUNDAY

Superheroes Show with Meet & Greet Conifox Adventure Park Sunday 15th September 2019 SHOW TIMES:

10.30am - 11.45am 12.15pm - 1.30pm 2pm - 3.15pm

TICKETS:

Prices include Free Day Entry into the Adventure Park Prices: £12.95 per child £7.50 per Adult Members: £10.95 per child £6.25 per Adult Visit Conifox to see six skilled Superheroes perform their dance moves, and marvellous martial arts in the marquee. Bumblebee, Iron Man, Captain America, Spider-Man, Batman & The Hulk will be getting the kids involved in activities & games. The superhero show will be followed by a meet and greet with all the kids, to give great photo opportunities. Get dressed up as your favourite Superhero to join in the fun, and there are prizes to be won for best dressed and best performance!

For further details Tel: 07968 746 355 Email: adventurepark@ conifox.co.uk www.ticketsource.co.uk/ conifox/e-oogdyr

@ THE YARD EVERY SUNDAY

made SEP / OCT 2019

Dates for your diary Monday

Tuesday

1 October means it’s seal season! Visit the Seabird Centre, North Berwick to zoom in on super cute pups with interactive cameras.

Wednesday Thursday 2

See Annie @ The Playhouse. Direct from the West End, this ‘glorious revival’ runs 30 Sep - 5 Oct.

SEABIRD CENTRE NORTH BERWICK

TINY TALES @ SCOTTISH STORYTELLING CENTE 8 OCT

s School m mid-ter break

ANNIE @ THE PLAYHOUSE 30 SEP - 5 OCT

10am & 11.30am (40mins) Tiny Tales @ Scottish Storytelling Centre. Storytelling for ages 1 - 3 years; stories, songs and rhymes with space for buggies and roaming around. £5 per child. 15 11am - 4pm Witches, Potions and Bald Agnes @ Palace of Holyroodhouse. Inspired by 17th century fears of witchcraft and the legend of Agnes Sampson. On daily 14 - 27 Oct. 22

WITCHES, POTIONS & BALD AGNES 14 - 27 OCT

Storytelling Festival Beyond Words runs from 18 - 31 Oct. See www.tracscotland.org for events and more info.

28 29 30 31 Use the Dribble app when you’re out and about for easy info on child-friendly venues nearby See pages 40-43 for loads of spooky fun ideas.

www.mademagazine.co.uk

OCTOBER 2019 Spotlight on... Friday Saturday Sunday 4 5 10am - 2pm Pop-Up Craft Fair @ St Andrew’s & St George’s Church, George St. Beautifully hand-made crafts, toys, children’s clothes, baby knits, home produce and craft demonstrations. Everyone welcome. FREE

POP-UP FAIR @ ST ANDREW’S & ST GEORGE’S CH

11 12

10am - 4pm Sunday Funday @ The Yard, Canonmills. Open to the public on Sundays so everyone can get messy and have fun! £6 per child for two hours. theyard scotland.org.uk 13

11am (50mins) The Pirate Queen and The Broken Rainbow @ Scottish Storytelling Centre. An interactive action-packed adventure with the famous Pirate Queen on a quest. For ages 3-8 years, £5 per child.

18 19

FAMILY OPEN DAY @ LYCEUM THEATRE 19 OCT

10am - 4pm Family Open Day @ Lyceum Theatre. Get creative with some themed craft activities, explore the beautiful building, or transform yourself into a character by trying on some of the most extravagant costumes.

25 26 10.30am - 1pm Jack & Jill Market @ 350 West Granton Rd. Find everything for 0–9 yr olds under one roof - buggies, bikes, car-seats, cots, clothes, toys and much more!

SUNDAY LUNCH KIDS CLUB @ ONE SQUARE EVERY SUN

made SEP / OCT 2019

PIRATE WEEKEND @ SCOTTISH SEABIRD CENTRE 12 - 13 OCT

20 11am & 2pm The Whirlybird @ Festival Theatre. An uplifting theatre show for ages 3-7, featuring movement, music, bird song, puppetry and lots of things that spin! 27

THE WHIRLYBIRD @ FESTIVAL THEATRE 20 OCT

12.30pm - 3pm Sunday Lunch Kids Club @ One Square, Sheraton. Parents enjoy Sunday lunch while the kids are entertained by dance, drama and Sparkle Arts. On every Sunday. To book call 0131 229 9131.

Words on the Street Scottish Storytelling Centre & Museum of Childhood 1.30pm (3hrs) Free (ticketed) For ages 4+ Street games, stories and songs for all the family. Take part in the vibrant children’s games and songs of old Edinburgh and explore the story of the local street outside, as Edinburgh’s people reclaim their historic streets from cars. Featuring an array of Scottish storytellers and sessions for all ages.

Tickets available from 6 September at www.sisf.org.uk

GET READY FOR THE

MAKE YOUR MAGIC WAND

ENJOY SPOOKY HAPPENINGS

Lauriston Castle 20 Oct, 11am, ÂŁ6 per person

Almond Valley Heritage Centre 5 Oct - 31 Oct, 10am - 5pm, check venue for prices

Design and make your very own magic wand with expert wand makers, using a huge assortment of spooky, sparkly and glittery materials. Swish, swoosh and cast your spells to collect bags of sweets this Halloween. Wizarding fancy dress recommended. Tea/coffee, cake for parents and snacks for children are provided halfway through the workshop.

As the nights get darker, mysterious creatures emerge from the dark corners of the old farm. Grab your trail sheet and look out for the clues on your spooky quest. Find your way through a world of magic and shadows with mysteries to solve, games to play, and some scary surprises around every corner. Get creative in the craft area where you can make spooky masks and monsters.

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PIC K YOUR PUMPKIN

Paper Plates, £2.99 www.gingerray.co.uk

The Patch, Kilduff Farm Get your wellies on, wrap up warm and go pick your own pumpkin at Kilduff Farm, East Lothian. This family-run farm offers loads of fun, photo opportunities, and hot drinks and toasties from a horsebox. A great, wholesome day out.

C ARVE YOUR PUMPKIN Conifox Adventure Park 19-20, 26-27 Oct, 10am - 4pm check venue for prices Get creative and carve your own pumpkin at Conifox this Halloween. Then ‘Post Your Pumpkin’ when you check-in on their Facebook page for a chance to win a family day pass!

Witch Leg Lawn Stakes £5, Sainsbury’s Home Foam Beware Sign £3.50, Sainsbury’s Home

Then get your wand ready for casting spells in Professor Nostradamus’ Wizards Room before finally going home after a broomstick decorating and flying lesson with Professor Icarus. Children get to take home a wand, broomstick and graduation certificate. Book via Facebook: @conifoxadventurepark or call 07968 746355 or visit: www.conifox.co.uk.

HAVE A SPECIAL SENSORY HALLOWEEN

CONIFOX ADVENTURE PARK

GO TO C ONIFOX’S SC HOOL FOR WITC HES & WIZARDS Conifox Adventure Park 19-20, 26-27 Oct – various times (1hr) Prices: £15 per Child, £10 per Adult park entry included

Baby Sensory is holding an amazing babyfriendly Halloween event with fireworks, a bonfire, bouncing pumpkins, a magical pumpkin patch and much, much more! The event is open to new, old and existing Baby Sensory Babies and will be held at St Ninians Church, Corstorphine on Saturday 26 October. 10am - 11.15am is for ages 7months - 13months; and then 11.30am - 1pm is for newborns up to 7 months.

Dress up and come along to Conifox to see their exciting interactive show. Enter all 4 classrooms to experience a true witches and wizards school. Which house will the Sorting Hat select for you in Headmistress Academious’ Room: Dragon Eye, Phoenix Flame, Pegasus Wing or Lion Heart? In the Potions Room Professor Snotbags will teach you the secrets to a magical mixture. made SEP / OCT 2019

Bunting With Balloons Kit £8.99, www.gingerray.co.uk

Frankenstein Hands £6, Sainsbury’s Home Plush Cat Basket £5, Sainsbury’s Home

Cobweb Witch Hat, £9 www.giselagraham.co.uk

HAVE A FRIGHTFUL WEEKEND ‘It’s creepy and it’s kooky, mysterious and spooky, it’s altogether ooky, Fort Douglas Halloween! So grab your broom and witch hat, or turn into a black bat, there’s so much fun to have at Fort Douglas Halloween!’ Summoning all witches, werewolves, zombies, ghouls, ghosts and skeletons…Fort Douglas beckons you to a frightfully fantastic weekend of Halloween fun. See more at dalkeithcountrypark.co.uk

HEAR ABOUT WITC HES, POTIONS AND BALD AGNES www.rct.uk/whatson The Palace of Holyroodhouse 14 – 27 October, 11am - 4pm Get set for Halloween and enjoy a spooky fortnight of activities during the half term, inspired by the 17th century fears of witchcraft and the legend of Agnes Sampson who lost her life at the Palace. There will be family short talks, a beginners guide to herbology and multisensory storytelling sessions led by Anna Lehr. COME BACK FOR FREE! Get your ticket stamped on your first visit and come back as many times as you like in a year at no extra cost. A great way to fill the school holidays!

FORT DOUGLAS

PREPARE FOR GUISIN G Storytelling Centre & Museum of Edinburgh Sun 27 Oct, 2pm (2hrs), Free (ticketed), 5+ Come along and join storytellers to learn a song, a poem and a dance for real Hallowe’en guising, then follow the Old Town Guisers parade or prepare for guising in your local area. Rehearsals at the Scottish Storytelling Centre from 2pm with a performance at the Museum of Edinburgh at 3.30pm. Bring your own costume or mask.

THE PALACE OF HOLYROODHOUSE

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Witches, potions and Bald Agnes

Most babies learn best when they see, hear, feel, touch, taste and smell.

The Palace of Holyroodhouse 14 – 27 October 11:00 – 16:00

Sneak a peek, it’s all amazing!

COME BACK FOR FREE! Don’t forget to ask a Warden to stamp your ticket to convert it into a 1-Year Pass. You can enjoy free re-admission for a year by asking us to treat your ticket purchase as a donation.

www.rct.uk/whatson

Our multi-award winning classes will introduce you and your baby (or babies) to a world of sensory delights, where you can relax, spend quality time with each other and enjoy meeting other new parents.

Get set for Halloween and join us for some spooky activities inspired by 17th century witchcraft and the legend of Agnes Sampson. Family short talks, a beginners guide to herbology and multisensory storytelling by Anna Lehr.

Fun for A

To find out more: Email: edinburghcentral@babysensory.co.uk Check : BSEdinburghCentral Classes at: Cramond, Kirkliston, Westend, Corstorphine and Fettes

We’ve done the research; so you can enjoy the fun...

e family h t LL Edinburgh Evening News

Bes t Active Day Out

FINALIST BEST FAMILY FRIENDLY RESTAURANT

Scotland 2018

Foxhall, Kirkliston Edinburgh EH29 9ER Adventure Park 07968 746355 adventurepark @conifox.co.uk

Stables Bistro 0131 333 1444 restaurant @conifox.co.uk

Bistro Restaurant • BBQ & Outdoor Bar Crazy Foot Golf • Pedal Go Karts Off Road Pedal Go Karts Pedal Tractor Farm • Swings Giant Jump Pillow Trampolines Balance Beams • Rope Bridge

www.conifox.co.uk

UPCOMING EVENTS ADVE NT UR E PA RK Sun 15 September

Superheroes Day

Superheroes Our 6 crime ﬁghting ce moves, are back with their dan vellous party games and mar y to avoid martial arts. Book earl disappointment!

19-20 & 26-27 Octobe

ool Witch & Wizards Sch erience Join us for a 1 hour exp ons including spells, poti school. and broomstick ﬂying

Pumpkin Carving

en with Get ready for Hallowe carving. our creative pumpkin

For latest updates visit

@conifoxadventurepark @conifoxadvpark @conifoxadvpark

ESMS

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS

FACT FILES

Thinking about an independent school? Then it’s time to do your homework. Here are the facts to get you started…

GEORGE WATSON’S COLLEGE Colinton Road, Edinburgh

Motto: Ex Corde Caritas (Love from the Heart) www.gwc.org.uk Co-educational Day School Ages: 3-18 Enrolment: Deadline Friday 15 November 2019 (www.gwc.org.uk/joinus)

George Watson’s College provides a world-class education for children and young people from Preschool to S6. They encourage pupils to develop a love of learning through an inspiring curriculum and extensive enrichment programme. They challenge and support pupils to discover their own limitless potential and they nurture the knowledge, skills and confidence they will need to become engaged and successful citizens.

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ERSKINE STEWART’S MELVILLE SCHOOLS (ESMS) Queensferry Road & Ravelston, Edinburgh Mottos: Never Unprepared Stewart’s Melville College Mitis et fortis The Mary Erskine School www.esms.org.uk Co-educational Nursery and Junior School Single-sex Senior School Co-educational Sixth Form Ages: 3-18 Day and Boarding School Enrolment: Year round

ESMS are a unique family of independent schools for boys and girls, aged 3-18. Their children are taught together from Nursery to Primary 7, then at Senior School they receive the benefits of single-sex education before joining together again for a co-educational 6th Form. ESMS are passionate about giving children the very best opportunities from day one. From age three, children are welcomed into the ESMS family, where they immediately begin to benefit from all the resources the three schools have to offer. Nursery children learn in a happy, stimulating and welcoming environment, and have been rated ‘Excellent’ in every category assessed by the Care Inspectorate. Experienced and highly qualified staff take time to really get to know each child ensuring their well-being and happiness is always at the heart of what they do. Specialists enhance learning through regular PE, Music, Forest Kindergarten, ICT and Library sessions.

The Mary Erskine School Stewart’s Melville College The Junior School

MAKE YOUR FAMILY PART OF OURS Like any family, values lie at the heart of who we are. We help our boys and girls to believe in our values and learn to live up to them in all that they do, not only as children, but throughout their adult lives.

OPEN DAY SATURDAY 21 SEPTEMBER 10am – 1pm

www.esms.org.uk Merchant Company Education Board Schools. Registered Charity No. SC009747

ESMS MADE ADVERT 148x101.5 V2.indd 1

made SEP / OCT 2019

24/07/2019 21:53

EDINBURGH MONTESSORI ARTS SCHOOL (EMAS) Liberton, Edinburgh

Motto: Be Kind www.emaschool. co.uk Co-educational Day School Ages: 1 - 15 Enrolment: 80+

Edinburgh Montessori Arts School offers a strong and realistic alternative to traditional education. Ideally situated in beautiful city green belt, their small school provides a personalised developmental approach for 1 – 15 year olds. Their unique approach to primary education recognises children’s desire to explore society and the world, to understand right and wrong and to investigate life’s big questions. With high expectations for enquiry and critical thinking, an expansive course of study supports their burgeoning independence and potential. 2019 sees the launch of their high school hub; a Montessori prepared environment for teens, by teens. Without year groups, subject departments or timetables and with no assessments or teacher-set homework, pupils study subjects linked with and mapped to personal interest areas. Part time attendance, flexischool and full-time enrolment are all possible. In celebration of this momentous step for Montessori in Scotland (EMAS is the only primary and now secondary program in the country) the school has made a number of scholarships available. Interested teens and their families are encouraged to contact the school office for more information.

CLIFTON HALL SCHOOL Newbridge, Edinburgh

Motto: Work Hard, Be Kind www.cliftonhall.com Co-educational Day School Ages: 3-18 Enrolment: admissions @cliftonhall.org.uk

Independent since 1930, Clifton Hall School, Edinburgh offers a unique learning environment and unsurpassed quality allthrough education for ages 3 to 18. They treat each pupil as an individual and seek to personalise their education so that they can benefit from being given the opportunity to shine. They believe all young people are capable of excelling academically given the right conditions and motivation. Whatever your talent, whatever your ability, they will ensure you have the opportunity to develop in the way which is important to you.

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ST GEORGE’S SCHOOL FOR GIRLS Murrayfield, Edinburgh

Could your child wear Can we slow the progression of myopia contact lenses? (short-sightedness) in children?

Motto: Trouthe & Honour, Fredom & Courtesy

The simple answer is yes and the process is called Myopia Management. Myopia Management contact lenses can be worn by children as young as seven and are often very well received by those who are reluctant to wear glasses, perhaps because they get in the way when they play sport or they make them feel self-conscious, so there are many added benefits.

www.stge.org.uk

•

Day and Boarding SchoolAward-

winning eye care

Enrolment: Girls can join us at all entry points. Contact admissions@stge.org.uk

St George’s School is a prominent all girls’ day and boarding school for girls set in tranquil parkland in Murrayfield. They believe in making girls stand out from the crowd. It is the quality of individual attention, small class sizes and their flexibility that make a difference. Their ‘YES SHE CAN’ approach, embodied in the abundance of strong female role-models and the range of opportunity help inspire every girl to find the path that is right for her.

made SEP / OCT 2019

yes!

We are an independent optometry practice with extensive experience in providing Free comprehensive eye examinations with Myopia Management contact lensesassessment for children. There are Award-winning specialists in contact lenses including numerous options available Relaxed eye examinations, ensuring occasional wear lenses for sporty children, lots of fun for your child Myopia Management lenses to slow the progression of short-sightedness, overnight Ortho-K lenses and many more. Find out more about Please get in touch if you would Myopia Management on cameronoptom.com/myopia like to find out more.

At Cameron Optometry you will receive:

Girls’ School Ages: 3 - 18 years

The answer is probably

• •

5 St Vincent Street, Edinburgh EH3 6SW 0131 225 2235

• cameronoptom.com

cameronoptom.com/children Cameron Optometry 5 St Vincent Street, Edinburgh 0131 225 2235

vision@cameronoptom.com 47

FETTES COLLEGE Carrington Rd, Edinburgh

Motto: Industria www.fettes.com Co-educational Boarding School Ages: 7-18

Fettes College is uniquely situated in extensive grounds and woodland close to the heart of Edinburgh, and enjoys a reputation as one of the UK’s pre-eminent boarding schools for boys and girls aged 7-18. Fettes College is a full boarding school with 75% of pupils boarding in the Senior School and over 20% boarding in the Prep School. The mission at Fettes is to develop broadly-educated, confident and thoughtful individuals who are prepared for life after Fettes with all the opportunities and challenges it will bring. Enrolment: Individual visits and taster days/overnights available. Early registration recommended. Examinations plus interviews at all age groups. Scholarships available at different entry points – 12+, 13+, 16+.

CARGILFIELD SCHOOL Barnton, Edinburgh

Motto: Deo Custode (“With God as [a] guardian”) www.cargilfield.com Co-educational Day School with boarding becoming available from Year 4. Ages: 3-13 years Enrolment: Contact Fiona Craig 0131 337 2207 or Registrar@cargilfield.com for more information.

As a prep school, Cargilfield offers your child a chance to reap the benefits of a purpose-built environment for younger children and, ultimately, to flourish as one of the oldest pupils in the school with positions of responsibility and significance. Cargilfield has extensive grounds and a range of state-of-the-art facilities on a single site. This offers a safe, secure and beautiful location in which to teach young children.

F en ette Da s C fro y 13 olle g t m 1.3 h Oc e 0p to m ber

Full Boarding Ethos • 100 acre campus in Edinburgh Co-educational – 7–18 • Excellent IB, A Level & GCSE results ‘Sector leading’ pastoral care • Strong sporting tradition Award winning careers partnership programme Bursaries, Scholarships and Awards available

A strong foundation for the future, a family for life To arrange a visit, please call our Registrar on 0131 311 6744 admissions@fettes.com www.fettes.com

EDINBURGH STEINER SCHOOL Spylaw Road, Edinburgh, EH10 5BR

Motto: Imagination. Truth. Responsibility. www.edinburgh steinerschool.org.uk Co-educational Day School Ages: 3 ½ - 18 years old Early Years (Baby – 3 ½ years) Kindergarten (3½) Lower School (6+) Upper School (14-18) Enrolment: Admissions accepted all year round.

An independent school set in three acres of leafy grounds in the south-side of Edinburgh, with up to 300 children. Based upon the principles of the internationally recognised Steiner Waldorf curriculum, their aim is to develop responsible, creative and free-thinking young people who can contribute to society with initiative and purpose. From Kindergarten to the final year, subject matter is linked to a child’s developmental stage and their education flows naturally from previous learning. Pupils perform well above the national average academically, with a 91% pass rate in 2018. Academic excellence allows the young people ‘lift-off’, but it is Steiner’s creative approach to learning which really encourages them to fly. Their curriculum ensures that, irrespective of their exam choices, all pupils receive a broad education which encompasses science, the arts, crafts, languages and humanities.

LORETTO SCHOOL Musselburgh, East Lothian

Motto: A small school, big on heart, big on ambition www.loretto.com Co-educational Day and Boarding School Ages: 0 to 18

Loretto School, founded in 1827, is Scotland’s first boarding school. Welcoming just over 600 boys and girls, Loretto is a small school that strives to know every pupil personally, and offer them the opportunity to grow wherever their interests lie. Loretto is well known for its emphasis on the development of the whole person, in mind, body, and spirit.

OPEN DAYS: ESMS – Saturday 21 Sep, 10am-1pm St George’s – Saturday 28 Sep, Wednesday 2 Oct Clifton Hall – Contact school to arrange EMAS – Monthly tours - check website Loretto Senior School – Saturday 28 Sep

Loretto Junior School – Saturday 5 Oct Cargilfield – Friday 4 Oct, 9am-12noon George Watson’s – Saturday 5 Oct Fettes – Sunday 13 Oct Steiner – Fridays 25 Oct, 1 Nov, 8 Dec

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Love to Learn A holistic curriculum inspiring creativity and intellectual curiosity

Book an Open Tour on 0131 337 3410 or via the website www.edinburghsteinerschool.org.uk Steiner School is a collective mark (Regd. TM 3069952) of the Steiner Waldorf Schools Fellowship. Edinburgh Steiner School is a Charity Registered in Scotland (SC00209).

Surrogacy By Jennifer Broatch

urrogacy is an age old practice, which has taken place informally for many years, however has recently been in the media spotlight, principally for two main reasons. Firstly, many celebrities now openly declare, in a way that they may not have before, that they have used the surrogacy process to begin or extend their families; Nicole Kidman, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kim Kardashian, Sarah Jessica Parker – the list is endless. Secondly, it is an area which is being targeted for U.K. wide law reform, in an effort to keep pace with the changing cultural landscape surrounding surrogacy and, as such, is very much in the news. What, then, is the reality of choosing surrogacy in Scotland and what are the current legal rules which underpin such arrangements? What is surrogacy? Surrogacy is where another woman carries a baby for an infertile couple. There are two types of surrogacy, straight or host. Traditional (Straight) surrogacy: TS The surrogate uses her own egg fertilised with the intended father’s sperm. This is done by artificial insemination.

Gestational (Host IVF) surrogacy: GS The surrogate carries the intended parent’s genetic child conceived through IVF, for which specialist doctors are needed Is surrogacy legal in the UK? There are three approaches to surrogacy that a country can adopt: 1) a complete ban (many countries in Europe ban surrogacy – for example, Spain, France and Italy); 2) surrogacy being permitted in altruistic form only (an individual should not profit from surrogacy); 3) surrogacy being permitted in a commercial form. Currently, the UK allows for surrogacy in an altruistic form. In theory, this means surrogacy is legal, so long as the surrogate receives no payment or benefit from the intended parents. In practice, however, surrogate mothers are permitted to claim ‘reasonable pregnancy related expenses.’ Case law in this area suggests that the variety of what is classed as ‘reasonable pregnancy related expenses’ is vast – for example, the expenses could cover loss of

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earnings, travel costs for clinic appointments and maternity clothing. While other countries, such as the United States, do allow commercial surrogacy, using a surrogate overseas may give rise to immigration difficulties when bringing the child to the UK. In Scotland, who are the child’s legal parents? In Scotland, the surrogate is considered the child’s legal mother until a court orders otherwise. She will hold all parental rights and responsibilities in relation to the child. If she is married or in a civil partnership, her spouse will be considered the father or other parent, regardless of any biological connection to the baby. The intended parents are not legally the child’s parents until a Parental or Adoption Order is made. This means that, as the child’s legal mother, the surrogate cannot be forced to “hand the child over” to the intended parents, unless an order of court is granted. Even where she willingly gives the child to the intended parents, they will still need to apply to the courts and go through the legal process for obtaining such an order. In theory, the surrogate mother or the intended parents may change their mind at any point of the process and this clearly has the potential to create great stress for the intended parents. What are Parental and Adoption Orders? A Parental Order can only be applied for if at least one of the intended parents is genetically made SEP / OCT 2019

related to the child. This is a lengthy process and cannot be applied for by a single person (although this is currently being reformed to include single applicants.) There are also other conditions which must be met, for a Parental Order to be granted. Where neither intended parent is genetically related to the child or where a Parental Order is not applied for in time (there is a window of 6 months from the birth of the child in which to apply for the Parental Order) an Adoption Order has to be applied for. As you would expect, during the court proceedings, the court will consider the welfare of the child first and foremost when deciding whether to grant the order or not. Another point to note is that it is never guaranteed that an order will be granted. Can a Surrogacy Agreement help? A Surrogacy Agreement can be put in place between the surrogate and the intended parents. It is designed to confirm in writing what the role and responsibilities of each party will

Surrogacy organisations l

Surrogacy UJ

Stonewall

Brilliant Beginnings

Fertility Network UK

COTS

be. However, Surrogacy Agreements are not enforceable in Scottish courts and therefore it is more of a “statement of intent” than any kind of contract that can be relied upon. Despite that, most surrogacy agencies in the UK will still recommend that parties enter into an Agreement to outline everyone’s expectations. It is important to remember that, while useful, an agreement of this nature will have no legal effect in forcing the surrogate to give the child to the intended parents.

that the genetic link is still required for international arrangements); l

Law Reform The Law Commission and the Scottish Law Commission launched a joint consultation on Surrogacy in June 2019, in a bid to update and improve the law across the U.K. The key provisional proposals for reform are: l

The creation of a new ‘pathway’ to legal parenthood where the intended parents will be the legal parents from birth; The creation of a regulator for surrogacy and the creation of regulated surrogacy organisations who will oversee surrogacy agreements within the new pathway; In the new pathway - and potentially for all domestic arrangements – the removal of the requirement for a genetic link between the intended parents and the child (it is proposed

The creation of a register to allow those born of surrogacy arrangements to access information about their origins; Unified guidance for international surrogacy arrangements on nationality and immigration issues; Potential provision for recognition of legal parenthood across borders, to help those who have had a surrogate child abroad to bring that child back to the UK; and In respect of payments, the consultation is asking questions of consultees on what payments intended payments should be able to make to the woman who will be surrogates.

This is an area of law and family life that is not straightforward and all potential parents to be (and surrogates) who are considering the surrogacy journey should make sure that they seek legal advice and support. n

FIND OUT MORE Jennifer Broatch is an Associate in Thorntons’ Family law team, based in Edinburgh.

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Have you ever wished you could be the person who gets gift giving right every time and who is known for sending thoughtful, quirky, cards and gifts to your friends and family? Or maybe, like me, you’ve often wished you could nd somewhere you could buy affordable, but still original, artwork for your walls? Turns out you can and, even better, it’s via a local business that’s been right here under our noses in Edinburgh for years! Here at MADE we love a local success story and Wee Blue Coo is exactly that. They’ve been providing stylish, unique and affordable artwork since 2012 and are our new go-to place for everything from quirky greetings cards right up to ready to hang, large framed prints. Owned and operated by husband and wife team Joelle and Bob Kirkpatrick, this large-scale yet unassuming business quietly delivers top quality designs combined with amazing service to customers across the UK, America and the rest of the world! Wee Blue Coo is a truly global operation run from their Leith premises, which they have affectionately dubbed ‘the cowshed’. Edinburgh born co-founder Joelle told me: ‘For me, one of the best things about running a business is choosing who you spend your days working alongside. Our team are an amazing bunch of talented individuals. We’re a tight team united by a common goal – to deliver fresh designs, affordable high-quality products and excellent customer service. Having an in-house team and collaborative approach ensures our product range is always contemporary and in demand.’ So, whether you’ve got a new home or a new family member to celebrate, or simply a bare wall to brighten, this is one local business that’s denitely worth a look.

Win £150

MADE is delighted to have teamed up with Wee Blue Coo to offer one very lucky reader the opportunity to spend £150 on their website. Entering could not be easier. Simply: Follow @weebluecoo on Instagram Share a photograph of a room you would love to decorate with Wee Blue Coo artwork via instagram stories (remembering to tag @weebluecoo). Wee Blue Coo will pick the winner and announce via Instagram stories on 18th Oct. 2019. Good luck to you all! made SEP / OCT 2019

I HOW CAN IL D Y CH M H C A E T

a new

language?

By Felicity Neyme, founder of Mini French & Mini Spanish and creator of Mini Languages® online kids language platform

hen surveyed, many adults cite learning a new language as one of their life goals. However, as life progresses many find it hard to fit it in. Parents are realising that they can give their child a head-start by starting in the early years. In fact, families are embracing the idea of learning languages together meaning everyone can hit that life goal whilst having fun! Firstly, why should we learn more than one language? The human brain is capable of processing several languages. By restricting it to monolingualism we are not running it at maximum capacity. In addition to enhanced career and travel opportunities, research also identifies advantages including:

Boosted brain function Memory skills l Enhanced creativity l Cultural awareness Is there a ‘critical period’ for learning a language? There are lingering myths about languages which are now outdated. One being “children can get ‘confused’ when they are exposed to more than one language”. Quite the opposite! Kids’ brains are primed for learning and are able to process several languages. They can actually distinguish between, and imitate, sounds in different languages naturally. Many argue that there is a “critical period’ after which our ability to learn a new language diminishes. However, I always say you can start l l

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French & Spanish a language at any age, it is just that children are very good at it. Plus, starting young gives them confidence in the language. How do I start teaching my child a new language? You don’t need to be fluent yourself to teach your child the foundations. You are a key educator in the early years and have a great influence on their future relationship with languages. Here are some simple, proven ways you can start: Music: Singing in the target language is a very efficient learning technique. Fit it into your day by singing in the car or at bath time. Playing: What is your child interested in? Swat up on the names of different vehicles, animals etc then get down on the carpet and play! Repetition: Learn a few key expressions to use when you are together – ‘dinner is served’ for example! Videos: Seek out cartoons or videos aimed at young kids on YouTube Kids Outside Look for local classes or online help. Join the support: Mini French Closed Facebook group for lots of free resources and support. Finally, don’t give up! Make it fun. If you expose your child to a new language with enthusiasm, you will see the results. n

FIND OUT MORE To find out more about French and Spanish classes for your child, head to www.minifrench.co.uk or www.minifrench.co.uk/ spanish. For info on learning at home head to www.minilanguagesforkids.com For anything else contact Felicity at hello@minilanguages.co.uk

made SEP / OCT 2019

An exciting time for young children to learn languages

Classes

minifrench.co.uk minifrench.co.uk /spanish

Online

minilanguages forkids.com

Contact

hello@ minilanguages .co.uk

THE PATCH PYO AT

he Patch at Kilduff was borne from a simple desire of Russell and Lucy Calder to involve their three young children in the day to day farming at Kilduff. Kilduff Farm traditionally is an arable farm with large fields of crops and heavy machinery and as such very little scope for children to be involved in the running of the family farm. After exploring lots of diversification ideas, Russell, Lucy and the children settled on working to establish their very own pumpkin picking patch. It took 2 years of research and planning and a lot of trial and error before The Patch opened to the public for pumpkin picking in October 2018. Unique to the area and set in the heart of East Lothian, pumpkin picking on The Patch at Kilduff was a huge hit with children young and old. A bale maze, coffee and toasties sold by the fantastic Sinclair & Rice from their refurbished horsebox, photo opportunities and some beautiful blue-sky days provided a wholesome, back to nature family day out. In 2018 The Patch welcomed around 6000 visitors

to pick their own pumpkins over two weekends in October. The team at Kilduff Farm are hugely passionate about everything to which they turn their hands - from the crops in the field to the self-catering holiday cottage, commercial units to beehives and now growing pumpkins. They believe it is extremely important for people, especially children, to learn about what they are eating, where it comes from, how it is grown or produced and experience a little bit of farming life. This is the driving force behind The Patch. 2019 on The Patch will offer much of the same wholesome family fun. The addition of a dedicated culinary patch will also offer specific varieties of locally grown culinary pumpkins to chefs and foodies across the Lothians. Russell and Lucy are excited about more people trying their pumpkins and sharing their recipes. They are working on lots of ideas to bring Kilduff pumpkins straight to your kitchen and dining tables. Get in touch or visit The Patch this October to taste their Pumpkins yourself. n

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PUMPKIN & CHOCOLATE CHIP MUFFINS Makes 12

• 150g softly roasted flesh of Pumpkin or Squash • 40g dark chocolate chips • 40g raisins • 2 mashed ripe bananas • 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional) • 50g granulated sugar • 1 egg lightly beaten • 100g plain flour • 2 tsp baking powder • 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda • 1 tsp mixed spice • 90ml melted coconut oil • 60ml milk • Set the oven to 190C (fan)/375F/gas mark 5 • Line a 12-cup muffin tin with muffin cases • In a large bowl, place the cooled roasted pumpkin and peeled bananas and mash well. Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, oil, milk and sugar. • In a separate bowl mix the flour, mixed spice, baking powder and bicarbonate of soda. • Mix the wet ingredients into the dry, and in the final strokes add the raisins and chocolate chips. The batter should be mixed but will be lumpy. • Share the mixture equally between 12 muffin cases. Bake in the centre of the oven for 25 mins until lightly golden and the muffins spring back.

TOP TIP

• Cool the muffins on a wire tray before eating fresh on day!

Muffins can be frozen! Add a frozen muffin to packed lunch boxes to keep the contents cool. The muffin will defrost in time for lunch.

Recipe by Sonia Lee, www.LeeLifeNutrition.com

Sonia is a cook and recipe writer with a diploma in culinary medicine. As a mother of two she is passionate about nutritional content and the intelligent sourcing of all food ingredients.

made SEP / OCT 2019

HOW TO THROW THE PERFECT

Baby Shower

baby shower is the perfect time to pamper a mum-to-be, spend quality time with loved ones, and bring gifts in preparation for the little one’s arrival. With several high-profile women expecting, including Blake Lively, Anne Hathaway and Keira Knightley, there are bound to be some very stylish baby showers in the works. But how exactly do you go about organising the perfect baby shower? Children’s brand, Stokke, offers some ideas… VENUE Forget expensive venues and think about where will the mum-to-be most relaxed. Most likely this will be at a friend or family member’s house or better yet, if the weather is good, their garden. Keep decorations simple yet elegant; jars filled with wild flowers, tealights and bunting are all

inexpensive and will add some colour to the festivities. If you’re worried about having enough seating, ask people to bring chairs or blankets to lounge on. FOOD & DRINK Forego the alcohol – this day is all about mumto-be so cater to her needs above everyone else’s fancies. Instead enjoy a zesty lemon and mint water infusion and try mixing your own fruity mocktails. Opt for simple, tasty finger food – fruit kebabs, veg crudités, home-made dips, wraps – alongside crunchy salads and sweet treats. Don’t be afraid to ask guests to help out by bringing a dish with them. Just remember to avoid raw or undercooked fish and meat, soft cheeses, raw or partially cooked eggs, pate, liver and game.

Rufus Rabbit Rattles in gift box £14.95

Jellycat Joey Giraffe set of 2 muslin cloths £17.95 Jellycat Joey Giraffe £18.95

Ziggle bandana bibs £3.95 All mummy and baby gifts are available from Cloudberry.

www.mademagazine.co.uk

Make sure to find out if mum-to-be has any cravings whether it be pistachio ice cream or pickle and peanut butter sandwiches - and remember to include plenty of this on the menu. GIFTS For mum, think pampering treats and scented candles to help her relax. A warm cosy scarf is a thoughtful gift for autumn-winter arrivals when mum is out pushing the pram. For baby, bandana bibs and muslin cloths are must-have essentials. ENTERTAINMENT Firstly, make sure to ask the mum-to-be if they want any games at their baby shower. Although they’ve become more popular in recent years, many people are happier without, so save yourself the hassle by checking first. If games are a yes, think about what everyone will enjoy – predicting the name, birth time, date, sex and weight with a prize for the (eventual) winner is a fun tradition. Or why not get your hands dirty with some crafting, decorate baby-grows or paint baby crockery. Rather than bringing cards, ask all the guests to write a message in a special baby shower book. This will be much more meaningful, as mother and child will be able to look back at the book and enjoy the messages together. n

Powder Scarf with gift bag £29.95 ‘This is a Box of Beauty’ £18.95 Sleep Sensations Candle £12

made SEP / OCT 2019

Happy Birthday If your little one will be celebrating their birthday in November or December and they would like to see themselves on these pages then please email louisewilson@live.com with a clear photo, their name, age, DOB and address.

to you

ELA 2 on 17 Sep ISLA 5 on 9 Oct

CHARLIE 1 on 11 Sep

OLLIE 3 on 7 Sep

hunter 3 on 28 Sep

KIT

6 on 7 Oct

FRANCESCO 4 on 6 Oct

www.mademagazine.co.uk

JESSICA 4 on 20 Oct

CONNOR 3 on 23 Sep

ISLA 2 on 9 Sep

LUCAS 5 on 27 Sep

HENRY 9 on 14 Oct

Aisling 4 on 14 Oct

OLIVIA 8 on 25 Sep

OSCAR 7 on 30 Oct

DEMI age 3 on 26 March

made SEP / OCT 2019

One Square hosts Sunday Lunch Kids Club in partnership with Sparkle Arts Enjoy Sunday lunch without worrying about the little ones getting up to mischief

ne Square has introduced a Sunday Lunch Kids Club in partnership with Sparkle Arts, a leading company that educates children and develops their confidence through the medium of dance, drama and music. The exciting new concept which is the first venture of its kind for both One Square and Sparkle Arts, will see children entertained in the Kids Only Zone by a Sparkle Arts qualified teacher whilst parents tuck into the seasonally changing Sunday lunch buffet.

One Square is renowned for offering an exceptional Sunday feast, from Orkney Sirloin of Beef with all of the trimmings to the incomparable dessert station equipped with a DIY ice-cream cart, chocolate fountain and an array of sweet treats, straight from the pastry kitchen. Sparkle Arts offer a range of sessions that will excite and interest children between 3 – 12 years old, ensuring that every visitor benefits from their time at the Kids Club. Each child can spend up to 1.5 hours in the Kids Only Zone, which will be themed each week with topics such as pirates or exotic animals, so the little ones will never have the same experience twice.

Mummy Jojo and her family tried it out and reported back…. ‘We attended the launch of the Sunday Lunch Kids Club at One Square, and it was a great afternoon! The kids had an absolute ball. To be honest, I am surprised that there are not more facilities like this for families in Edinburgh. Eating out without having to worry about the little ones smashing glasses or being bored is a huge bonus. Sparkle Arts did a wonderful job with the kids. I had the roasted Sirlion of beef, served nice and pink, the way I like it. The red wine jus it came with was so tasty, and the chef brought some booze-free gravy over to the table for the kids, without me even asking. It was a lovely touch and the service certainly felt like 5-star the entire afternoon. The homemade yorkies are great and there are plenty of vegetables and salad options too. The cauliflower cheese was a big hit with us all, I love some nice home comfort food. Sunday lunch will never be the same again…’n

FIND OUT MORE Sunday lunch is available every Sunday between 12:30pm – 3:00pm Adults: £29 Children aged 4 – 12 £14.50 Children under 3 - FREE There is no additional charge for the Kids Club but pre-booking is required as spaces are limited. Maximum of two children per paying adult. To book please call 0131 229 9131 or email: info@onesquareedinburgh.co.uk

www.mademagazine.co.uk

Doodles Advert:Layout 1

11/3/08

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creative fun at doodles!

parties for all ages • gifts for all occasions • baby hand and footprints • clay imprints • commissioned artwork • 100's of colours and pottery items to choose from

what will you paint?! 29 Marchmont Cres EH9 0131 229 1399 www.doodlesscotland.co.uk

Suggested advert

Quality

Fun

Gallery and gift shop

Community Playgroup

Accessible childcare

For children aged 2-5 years

Cramond Kirk Hall Monday - Friday 09.00-12.00 School term time All staff are PVG and SSC members For more information or to arrange a visit please contact us on:

OPEN 7 DAYS

07707 207 486

Over sixty artists in one gorgeous space. New range #kidstuff for babies and children just arrived.

cramond.playgroup@gmail.com www.cramondplaygroup.org.uk

07818 598 766

Saramacraecakedesign@gmail.com

93 Causewayside Edinburgh EH9 1QG 0131 629 9123

www.artcraftcollective.co.uk

BASED IN CORSTORPHINE

CLASSES IN BALLET, TAP, ACRO, JAZZ, MUSICAL THEATRE AND PERFORMANCE GROUP AGES 3 / ADULT Phone: 07718 044369 • douglasdance252@gmail.com

made SEP / OCT 2019