Rascals Of London 7

Rascals of London l December 2012 - 1

2 - December 2012 l Rascals of London

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Advertising - Rascals of London

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Rascals of London l December 2012 - 3

Quick Numbers Natasha Hewett

Lucy Pailing

Editor-in-chief

Copywriter

Rebecca Harding

Gavin Bridle

Assistant Editor

Art Direction

London travel: 0843 222 1234 London Underground: 0845 330 9880 London Buses: 0845 300 7000 Barclays cycle hire: 0845 026 3630

With many thanks to our contributors: Isabelle from DreamMakers, Natasha Wiening Photography, Gambado, Diddi Dance, Maria from Eddie Catz, Huggle, Annabel Karmel, Sarah Rose, La Chouette School & all our advertisers.

Advertising with us: Email: info@rascalsoflondon.co.uk Tel: 07514 852 648 Web: www.rascalsoflondon.co.uk

Oyster customer services: 0845 330 9876 Congestion charges: 0845 900 1234 Boots Pharmacy Piccadilly: 0207 346 126 The Portland Hospital Woman and Children: Children 0207 390 6504 Maternity 0207 390 8274 NHS Direct: 0845 4647

No part of this magazine, including the advertisements within it may be reproduced, without the express permission of the editor. The publishers cannot accept responsibility for errors, inaccuracies or omissions.

Child benefit: 0845 302 1444

The opinions expressed within Rascals of London magazine are not necessarily the views of the publishers, but those of individual writers.

Tax credits: 0845 300 3900 Job centre: 0800 055 6688

Rascals of London is printed by Warners Midlands PLC

Rascals Competition To win one of these perfect Christmas stocking fillers below, simply ‘like’ our facebook page and comment on which dvd is your favourite!

Cloudbabies – Fly Away Home

x10

to give away 4 - December 2012 l Rascals of London

The Sooty Christmas Special

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to give away

Mister Maker Watch & Make 4

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to give away Facebook page ´Rascalsoflondon´

What’s inside

7

All the rest

on page

46

Dec

18 Dance! Dance! Dance!

Feel like you’ve tried everything to tire them out?

Why not try dancing!

7

20 Do you want your Child to be Inspired?

Active Learning Nurseries are something completely different.

22 What´s On

7 The best bits 7 Get your Skates On Discover the best outdoor ice rinks in London this Christmas.

14 All Wrapped Up & Snug as a Bug

Our guide to keeping the whole family entertained.

28 The Importance of Play!

It has now been proven that there are other benefits to active play besides just having a good time.

46 Festive Recipes from Annabel Karmel

Have some kitchen fun with your little ones.

50 How to Afford a Baby in today’s Economic Climate How you can avoid putting your family on hold?

Keeping them warm and stylish this Winter.

55 Hush Little Baby How to stop your child waking in the night!

60 Top 10 Weekend Winter Getaways Plan a family friendly day out or short break in the UK.

54 Top 2012 Picture Books

le Family o h W e h t r o f 32 Gift Ideas from Annabel Karmel od 46 Festive Fo tos ot 42 Santa's Gr ic 44 Panto Mag

Keeping you up to date on some of our favourite new releases.

64 Directory Of Services

55

42 1560 55 Rascals of London l December 2012 - 5

From the Edito r 1.

Hello

Xmas

Gift Guide on page

32

W

ell, once again it’s been a busy few months and with Christmas looming the rush is on to make it as magical as possible. I find myself asking the same question, how long can I really hold on to the magic of Christmas? Henry, my 7 year old keeps asking me if Santa really exists. I think he knows the truth, however is subconsciously holding on to the idea. I obviously avoid or deflect the question fantastically, so for the time being the magic continues in our house.

When asking a lot of my friends what they want for Christmas, “Sleep” is the general reply I often receive. So with that in mind we asked the amazing Kathryn Mews (AKA Rascals answer to Super Nanny) the question on all parents lips ‘How can I stop my child waking in the night?’ (page 55). Getting children to sleep is never an easy task, here Kathryn shares with us some great tips on getting a good night sleep for all the family.

One of my favourite parts of the festive season is the delicious food which seems to be on tap, so why not get the kids involved this year by following one of Annabel Karmel’s great Christmas recipes on pages 46 - 49.

In this edition we have also teamed up with Trotters (page 14) who are showcasing all their latest Winter trends that will keep your little ones as Snug as a Bug, and of course looking ultra cute. We have our ´Top 10 UK Getaways´ on page 60, and if your looking to take the family out for some Winter fun we have our ´Complete Guide to Ice Skating in London´ on page 7.

Make sure you keep an eye on our Facebook page ´Rascalsoflondon´ to be kept up to date on all the latest shenanigans across London.

Above all don’t forget to enjoy that extra dose of togetherness that comes during the much loved festive season.

See you next year.

Natasha Natasha Hewett, Editor-in-chief

Also inside this issue

6 - December 2012 l Rascals of London

All Wrapped Up & Snug as a Bug Keeping them warm and stylish this Winter.

2.

1. Smart-Trike Price: £99.99 www.smarttrike.com 2 Personalised Paper Heart Keepsake Price: £15.00 www.notonthe highstreet.com 3. Mythic Jump Watch Price: £180.00 www.notonthe highstreet.com

3.

Get your skates on this Christmas

Eyeskate London Eye

The open-air Eyeskate rink is situated in Jubilee Gardens, in the shadow of the London Eye. You don’t need to book a flight on the Eye in order to skate but various packages are on offer for those who wish to do so. Sessions last 45 minutes.

Under-8s must be accompanied on the ice by an adult.

When: November 17th - January 6th Web: www.londoneye.com

Rascals of London l December 2012 - 7

Tower of London

Tower of London Ice Rink London’s most dramatic open-air ice rink returns to the spectacular setting of the Tower of London. Located in the moat, the ice rink is set against the magnificent fortress battlements, providing a stunning setting for winter skating in the City.

Ideal for lunchtime skating, after-work gatherings, romantic dates and weekend leisure. Beautifully illuminated after dark, it makes a spectacular night time destination.

Come with a group! Groups of 20 people or more receive a 10% discount when booking online (excluding Family tickets).

If you’re unsure underfoot, you can book a trained Ice Guide to look after you during your session on the ice.

When: November 17th - January 6th Web: www.towerof londonicerink.com

Natural History Museum Ice Rink Alfred Waterhouse’s stunning Natural History Museum once again provides the backdrop for this 1,000-metresquare outdoor ice rink, which for the first time this year features a Christmas tree at its centre, and a smaller rink for children. Returning this year is a rinkside fairground carousel, and spectators can take in the scene with a hot chocolate or mulled wine from the balcony café bar overlooking the ice. The trees are decked with thousands of fairy lights to add to the festive atmosphere. See the website for wheelchair-user sessions, and note the rink is occasionally closed for private functions.

Natural History Museum

When: November 2nd - January 6th Web: www.nhmskating.com

Canary Wharf Ice Rink Nestled under the soaring buildings of Canada Square and bathed in twinkling festive lights, Ice Rink Canary Wharf is back with a sparkling new look for the 2012/13 season.

Surrounded by shops, bars and restaurants, a visit to the Ice Rink offers a unique skating experience and features London’s first skate path allowing skaters the chance to leave the main rink and skate through the trees that line the perimeter of Canada Square Park.

Canary Wharf

When: November 3rd - January 13th Web: www.skatecanarywharf.com

8 - December 2012 l Rascals of London

Somerset House

Skate at Somerset House Once again, the grand eighteenth-century courtyard at Somerset House provides this 900-metre-square ice rink with one of the most impressive skating backdrops in town.

When: November 16th January 6th Web: www.somersethouse.org.uk

Hampton Court Palace

Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink Now celebrating its 10th anniversary, Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink will return for six weeks of winter fun.

Glide around the ice in royal style within the setting of the magnificent Palace. Enjoy the winter sun as it glistens on the ice, and after dark, skate under the stars. The Palace will be illuminated after the sun goes down, providing a magical fairytale scene to delight young and old!

Come with a group! Groups of 20 people or more receive a 10% discount (excluding Family tickets). If you’re unsure underfoot, you can book a trained Ice Guide to look after you during your session on the ice. Ice Skating lessons are available for children aged 5 - 16 years. These sell out fast so book well in advance.

Beside the ice rink, the Ice Bar & Cafe provides a welcome place to warm up after your skate, serving a selection of winter drinks and festive snacks.

When: December 1st - January 13th Web: www.hamptoncourticerink.com

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland

Hyde Park

Hyde Park goes all Christmassy with the sparkly additions of rides and attractions including a Giant Observation Wheel and two circuses - ‘Christmas Circus’ and ‘Cirque Berserk’ - from the family-friendly Zippos Circus. Winter Wonderland’s ice rink, the biggest outdoor rink in the UK, surrounds the Victorian bandstand and is illuminated with more than 100,000 lights. While most activities are ticketed, it’s worth nothing than entry to the site, including Santa Land and the Christmas Market, and an afterdark stroll is surprisingly atmospheric. If temperatures plummet and you need to defrost, there’s rustic revelry on offer around open fires, with hot cider, mulled wine and food for sale.

When: November 23rd - January 6th Web: www.hydeparkwinterwonderland.com

Rascals of London l December 2012 - 9

Next Edition Out 25th February

Easter Extravaganza Everything you need to know about being a parent during Easter.

Broadgate Ice Rink Situated in the Broadgate Circle, this stunning open-air amphitheatre is in its 27th year and is the only ice rink in the square mile.

Come and experience the crisp tingle of winter air and take in the surroundings at London’s very first outdoor ice rink. Surrounded by a variety of bars, restaurants and cafés, skaters can find instant comfort and refreshment when they come off the ice.

London’s one and only ‘turn up and skate’ ice rink means there is no need for you to prebook as admission is on a first come, first served basis. Booking will be mandatory for special events.

When: November 16th - February 24th Web: www.broadgate.co.uk

Raising a Reader How to lay the foundation for your child’s love of books.

Alexandra Palace Ice Rink Web: www.alexandrapalace.com

10 - December 2012 l Rascals of London

Alexandra Palace Ice Rink is an ideal place for a festive skate because you don’t have to rely on the weather.

The grand indoor rink is open all year round and offers a range of other activities, such as ice hockey and figure skating classes (so you can emulate your idols from The Mighty Ducks or, erm, Blades of Glory). There’s a soft play area too - ideal for parents and toddlers and open daily for two to five-years-olds, while spectators can make themselves comfortable in the 740-seat stadium or have a drink in the rinkside Phoenix bar.

20 Great Playdate ideas Hosting a play date that’s fun for everyone and easy on you.

Health

Brush Up on Your Health Pregnant? Stop oral infections from being transferred to your baby with these dental do´s

Take Care Hormonal changes increase your sensitivity to plaque, so reduce the buildup that can lead to gingivitis - the most common oral disease for expecting women - by brushing twice a day and flossing at least once a day.

Visit Go to your dentist every three months while you´re pregnant for a cleaning and make an appointment if your gums are red, swollen, bleeding, or uncomfortable, or if you notice any other changes in your mouth.

Rinse Swish your mouth with water after vomiting if you´re prone to morning sickness. It´ll help flush away the acids that can erode teeth.

It can be hard juggling your many tasks as a mum, but staying fit should never be a task that is put on the back burner. Use the following tips to make staying fit easier to work into your busy lifestyle.

1. Walk It Out - While driving may be the quicker option in most situations, walking is the healthier option. If you’re running a quick errand, try to walk or even bike there instead of driving. Not only can you feel great about getting exercise, you are helping the environment at the same time.

2. Exercise with the Kids - Find ways to include your children in your workouts.

This is a great way to show your children that exercising is fun.

3. Sweep That Fat Away - Cleaning is something that you will always have to do and is often an excuse busy mums use to get out of exercising. However, you can turn your daily chores into a workout. Do your chores with more energy or turn on your favorite music and dance while you clean.

Asics GelNimbus 14

Start running with these high-tech cushioned trainer.

The Gel Nimbus 14 is the ideal shoe for your long runs.

4. Canned Goods For Weight Lifting No need to spend a ton of money buying

weights, just use everyday household items.

When you’re making cereal for your children do a few curls with that gallon of milk.

5. Get Fit in the Office - Workdays

are full of opportunities to get active.

Try taking the stairs instead of the

lift, stretching at your desk and go

outdoors for lunch. Not only are you taking the proper steps to live a healthier lifestyle, you are also giving yourself a much needed stress reliever while at work. Make those 8 hours count!

Q

A

&

If I’m pregnant, can a yeast infection hurt my developing baby?

No, though you do need to see your health care professional for treatment.

Also, some treatments currently on the market, such as Fluconazole (Diflucan), are not recommended during pregnancy.

Be sure your health care professional and pharmacist are both aware that you are or may be pregnant.

My health care professional has prescribed antibiotics to treat an unrelated illness. What precautions should I take to avoid getting a yeast infection?

Use a preventive dose of yeast medication and eat yogurt.

Rascals of London l December 2012 - 11

Advertising - Rascals of London

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Their carefully crafted story adventures are planned to excite, engage and enthral your child.

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Their classes create a positive fun environment for your child to naturally grow and blossom in confidence. Whilst their stories ignite young imaginations helping

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Dove Studios is a fun learning environment to complement school.

The facilitators alternate classes to share their knowledge and expertise. Dove Studios is based in the heart of Chelsea near to the capitals most wonderful museums including the magnificent V&A.

Dovehouse Street London SW3 6JZ Contact Cornelia on 0777 568 2094 email: info@dove-studios.com

12 - December 2012 l Rascals of London

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Rascals of London l December 2012 - 17

Does your toddler rarely want to sit still?

Do they have what feels like endless energy? Feel like you’ve tried everything to tire them out? Why not try dancing.…

Dancing even for the under 4s is not only a great way of keeping fit and active but it’s also GREAT FUN! If you find the right style that your toddler loves then they can learn key skills too. Dancing helps with co-ordination and gross motor skills as well as rhythm. Dance is also a great confidence builder and can help with social skills.

Dance is just for girls though right? Wrong, if your toddler is a boy you’ll know he wants to jump around to his favourite music just as much as his female friends. He may not want to be a ballerina or fairy but give him a toy guitar and he’s a rock and roll star! Plus boys need tiring out just as much, if not more than girls and what better way to do this than 45 minutes of jumping, turning, galloping, moving and shaking?

With obesity rates in under 4s at their highest right now, exercise is so important to avoid this continuing into later life. Exercise should be enjoyed. In the first few years of every child’s life how they view exercise is instilled and their view will stay with them for life so teach them that it can be great fun. Dance is an ideal way of doing this. Put on music and let them do their own thing at home or find a funky session that teaches all the key elements in a professional and fun way. You want to make sure the teacher is inspiring and full of energy to keep the children engaged. The session should be action packed and full of exciting props and catchy music so they cant resist getting up to join in.

To see if you have a funky dance class in your area why not look up diddi dance. The sessions are taught by experienced professionals following inspiring lesson plans that explore lots of different dance styles from hip hop to salsa and country to rock and roll.

Find out more at www.diddi dance.com if you don’t currently have classes locally then don’t worry we are recruiting enthusiastic energetic franchisees across the country all the time so there will be a class near you very soon!

18 - December 2012 l Rascals of London

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Active

Do you Learning

want

your child to be

inspired?

Active Learning Nurseries are something completely different. Each building offers the most beautiful facilities full of floor to ceiling windows, brand new equipment, specially designed layouts for kids, a science lab!, music room with live music, art studio, chill out sensory zones, baby rooms, massive outdoor areas–they really are...WOW! And highly attentive staff and qualified specialists in Art, Music and Performing Arts and Sports. It’s like an academy for pre-schoolers!!

20 - December 2012 l Rascals of London

Active Learning - Nurturing Discovery, Fun and Confidence: It’s well known that children learn best when they are having fun and are confident in their environment and with their peers. At Active Learning, we promote the development of the all round child and introduce them to a broad, exciting programme of learning through some of the best recognized forms of teaching and through our truly innovative studio programme which focuses on art, music and performing arts, language, literacy, science, IT and sports.

The results have been outstanding.

Our children are healthy children in every way, and we hope to inspire and motivate them to enjoying a natural love of discovery and learning whilst looking after themselves positively in every way to become healthy teenagers and eventually young adults.

Dedicated Specialist Teachers With our dedicated team of specialist teachers in the studios who are supernumerary to all our wonderful nursery mentors, children are nurtured and looked after as unique and individual children, ensuring that we bring out the best in each and every one, and help them to discover and maximize the potential of their talents while also developing confidence in areas that they might find more tricky. Artists in residence and visiting musicians create a hive of creativity and colour in the daily lives of the children who come to school here.

‘I have never seen anything like it’, exclaims many an excited parent as they enter an Active Learning nursery.

Facilities We are proud that our nurseries are not only purpose designed, complete with the latest state of the art nursery technology, but also filled with light and space, creating a truly joyful environment. With the addition of our unique Art, Performing Art and Music, and Science studios, we know that we are completely different from most other nurseries.

How many nurseries have their own Science studios with IT lab?

Science at preschool is so much fun, an opportunity for messy experiments, playing with textures, discovering mud, seeing things that look like they just couldn’t happen!!

Things that adults take for granted are a source of wonder for small children and at Active learning we delight in introducing them to all these miracles: Why do some things float and others sink?, Are there really other planets in Space?, Understanding sounds – what makes things loud and some quiet?, – This is a noisy day for sure!, Things that go bang – early chemistry – an annual favourite.

Our children can learn about special Scientists – What did happen to Isaac Newton when that apple fell on his head? And what about the mad inventor in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang?

– What else have inventors made which have changed our lives? – cars, light bulbs, telephones.

It’s fascinating for children to learn that someone ‘made these up’ once upon a time.

At Active Learning, we dedicate specialist and more importantly permanent school space to these activities in the form of the most fabulous Science and IT Studios, light, spacious and fully equipped with all the materials necessary to develop and explore this subject. Every Science studio also hosts a full IT lab and interactive white boards where children have access to individual computer terminals linked to a printer where with the assistance of the teaching staff can be taught to explore resources for subjects they are learning about.

It’s the same in our dedicated Art studio. Teaching the pre school curriculum through a concept of cultural and performing arts is exciting, fun and inspirational for young children and at Active Learning, children are introduced to the subject of Art as a core subject in its own right. Not for our parents, receiving ‘artwork’ which is either staff prepared or the alternative a few daubs of paint on paper.

and performers and having an opportunity to learn about their lives, their music, triumphs and tragedies. They have opportunities to perform themselves in plays, musical theatre productions and Active learning has even performed their own version of Shakespeares ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ with the assistance of the Ambassador Theatre Group and previously Mozart’s ‘Magic Flute’ with the English Pocket Opera Company.

Children have the opportunity to visit theatres, not only to see shows but to see the behind the scenes workings of what goes into show production backstage.

We work with them on building the confidence and social skills to stand on stage in front of and alongside their peers to speak aloud, sing and dance. What better preparation for life skills needed ahead of them?

At Active Learning, we dedicate specialist and more importantly permanent nursery school space to these activities in the form of the most fabulous Music and Dance Studios, light, spacious and fully equipped with all the equipment and instruments necessary to develop and explore this subject. A stage and associated lighting with sound systems allows us to put on our own performances in house.

However, in fairness, anything different can only be achieved through a specialist class taught by a qualified Head of Art teaching position and that’s what we have. Our classes are all developed and lead by our Head of Art Department and then supported by all the nursery mentors in introducing our children to the delights of the artistic world.

We’re not called Active learning for nothing.

Sport is a crucial part of a child’s development both physically and emotionally and we are proud to introduce our children to a huge range of sports including Rugby, Ball skills, Tennis, Dance, Yoga, Swimming, Multisports days, Climbing skills and much more. We are also lucky to have big gardens in all of our nurseries and some are set in the midst of full sports grounds. Natural gardens are also a feature of some of nurseries with riverbeds, mud kitchens, and nature homes.

It’s all about a healthy outdoors adventure.

And of course, we do all the usual nursery activities too.

And if you want to watch your child having all this fun while at home or at the office during a coffee break, simply log on to our secure webcams and see what they’re up to.

We are so proud of what we do but there is so much more to tell. Come and see us so that you can see for yourself.

Web: www.active-learn.co.uk Freefone: 0800 081 1620 List of all Active Learning nurseries West Hampstead 88 Compayne Gardens Tel: 020 3031 9097

Southgate 311B Chase Road Tel: 020 3167 4993

Fulham Grove House, Bagleys Lane Tel: 020 3031 9095

Chiswick Quinton Hogg Memorial Ground, Hartingdon Road Tel: 020 3167 4994

Crouch End Hornsey Cricket Club Tivoli Road, Tel: 020 3031 9094 Finchley 10 Moss Hall Crescent Tel: 020 3031 9096

Kingston Victoria Hall, Victoria Road, Tel: 020 3031 1519 Dorking Moores Road, Dorking Tel: 020 3167 4988

So many have doubted that young children can appreciate the different painting techniques of varying artists but in fact the opposite is true. Our children have delighted in being introduced to the stories about famous artists and having an opportunity to learn about and imitate their individual styles.

They can explore what has been involved in the creation of some of the great world paintings and also explore their own creativity.

And where else can you find a Performing Arts studio in a nursery?

Our children are introduced to dedicated music lessons covering all aspects of music from the classics to folk and contemporary themes. They have delighted in being introduced to the stories about famous musicians and composers, dancers

Rascals of London l December 2012 - 21

North London East London

West London Central London

South London

Until December 2nd Make & Do

Families with children can drop in to free art activities led by artist Chloe Cooper. Looking at both exhibitions, the activities focus on the iconic image of the sausage, making collages and paper weight sculptures and using interactive ways of testing out whether sculptures work best as art works or as functional objects.

Central

Camden, Islington, City of Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea, Wandsworth, Lambeth, Southwark, City of London

December 15th

Dino Snores Sleepover - Natural History Museum

Where: Camden Arts Centre, Arkwright Road. www.camdenartscentre.org

December 7th - 9th

Chocolate Festival at Southbank Centre Just in time for Christmas, the chocolate festival at Southbank Centre is a must for lovers of all the wonderful products derived from the cocoa bean.

Where: Southbank Centre Square. www.festivalchocolate.co.uk

December 18th

Dino Snores is a monthly sleepover for 8 to 11 year olds to discover the secrets of the Museum once all the visitors and staff have gone home for the day. Kids will explore the Museum by torch light: looking out for T.rex moving about the Dinosaur Gallery silently; watching Revenge of the Minibeasts, a live show about creatures that bite and sting, and then calming down with a little bit of fossil making.

Bedtime is at midnight in the security of Dippy’s shadow in the Central Hall.

The Musical Family: Special Concert for the Festive Season

Where: Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road. www.nhm.ac.uk

A festive concert exploring some renowned families of classical music. Father and son team Leopold and Wolfgang Mozart will delight you with the best of the Classical period; husband and wife team Robert and Clara Schumann champion the Romantic movement with the luxurious Adagio and Allegro for Horn, and Romance for Piano; their protege Johannes Brahms impresses with his virtuosic Horn Trio.

Until January 6th

Where: St. John’s Church, Hammersmith and Fulham. www.netmums.com

Until December 23rd

Southbank Centre Christmas Market The traditional German-style wooden huts of the Southbank Centre Christmas Market return to Queen’s walk along the river, selling toys and gifts, food and drink, including Glühwein, Bratwurst and gingerbread.

Where: Riverside, between Southbank Centre and the London Eye. Tel: 0844 847 9944 www.southbankcentre.co.uk

22 - December 2012 l Rascals of London

Natural History Museum Ice Rink Alfred Waterhouse’s stunning Natural History Museum once again provides the backdrop for this 1,000metre-square outdoor ice rink, which for the first time this year features a Christmas tree at its centre, and a smaller rink for children.

Where: Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road. www.nhm.ac.uk

Until January 6th

Oxford Street Christmas Lights Oxford Street’s twinkly illuminations for 2012 are, intriguingly, sponsored by that famously divisive yeasty spread, Marmite.

Where: Oxford St, London W1A 1EX . www.heart.co.uk

Until January 5th

Scrooge - The Musical

Bridging the gap between ‘The Wizard of Oz’ and ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’, Bill Kenwright’s family musical returns for the umpteenth time, as inevitable a fixture of the winter theatre scene as Christmas pudding and mince pies.

Where: London Palladium, Argyll St, London W1F 7TF. www.reallyuseful.com

Until January 6th

Horrible Histories: Barmy Britain Gore galore is central to the appeal of Terry Deary’s massively popular tongue-in-cheek kids’ series, which leaves no cobblestone unturned in its efforts to disinter disgusting historical factoids for a school-age audience.

Where: Garrick Theatre, Charing Cross Rd. www.barmybritain.com

Until January 6th

Tower of London Ice Rink Located in the dry moat, the Tower of London ice rink (aka Ice at the Tower) offers a grand historical setting for seasonal skating sessions, along with views of London’s ancient fortress. Ice guides are available for supervised group skating (£32 per session). As with fellow Historic Royal Palace Hampton Court, sessions last an hour and wheelchairs are welcome on the ice except during the last session of the day.

Where: Tower of London, Tower Hill.

Tel: 0208 241 9818 www.toweroflondonicerink.com

Until January 26th Hansel and Gretel

When Katie Mitchell isn’t directing massively cryptic productions of adult dramas, she does a neat line in zingy, inventive children’s shows. For her third NT’s children’s Christmas show she teams up with playwright Lucy Kirkwood -her collaborator on 2010’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’ - to devise a new version of the Brothers Grimm fairytale about two children who become lost in a haunted wood. Ages 7-10.

Where: National Theatre, Cottesloe, South Bank, SE1 9PX. Tel: 0207 452 3000 www.nationaltheatre.org.uk

February 11th - 24th

Imagine Children’s Literature Festival Take the kids to the Southbank Centre during the February half-term and treat them to Imagine, the annual children’s literature festival that pulls words off the page. With two weeks worth of activities, there’s a huge amount of literary events to choose from including readings, storytelling, beatboxing and poetry. Children will even get a chance to run the festival during Kids Takeover, have the opportunity to feature in performances and play alongside the Philharmonic Orchestra. As well as appearances by leading children’s writers, there’s comedy, poetry hopscotch, music and magic for all ages.

Where: Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, South Bank. www.southbankcentre.co.uk

Until February 24th Shrek the Musical

Join Shrek (Dean Chisnall), our unlikely hero, and his loyal steed Donkey (Richard Blackwood) as they set off on a quest to rescue the beautiful (if slightly temperamental) Princess Fiona (Carley Stenson) from her tower guarded by a fire breathing love-sick dragon. Add the diminutive Lord Farquaad (Neil McDermott), a gang of fairytale misfits, and a biscuit with attitude, and you’ve got the must see musical comedy – SHREK THE MUSICAL! Where: Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Catherine St. www.shrekthemusical.co.uk

Until March

Matilda the Musical

London is the theatre capital of the world - but the West End sparkles with Broadway imports and they haven’t made a great new musical since ‘Billy Elliot’. Rejoice, then, as ‘Matilda’ is the best British musical in years. And it’s not just a kids’ show.

Where: Cambridge Theatre, Earlham Street.

Tel: 0207 907 7071 www.matildathemusical.com

Until April 30th

Harry Potter London Tour with Muggle Tours A walking tour for ‘Harry Potter’ fans, exploring film locations and inspirations for the books, with props and trivia.

Tel: 07917 411 374 www.muggletours.co.uk

Rascals of London l December 2012 - 23

North London East London

West London Central London

The West Hammersmith & Fulham, Hounslow, Ealing, Hillingdon, Harrow, Brent

South London

January 19th

My Big Little Sister

December 21st

Festive Friday End of Term Treat Follow Santa’s Sleigh Trail, get Arty Crafty with seasonal crafts and enjoy a free mince pie when you purchase a drink.

Where: Snakes and Ladders, Syon Park, Brentford. www.snakes-and-ladders.co.uk

December 22nd - 31st

Make Your Own Secret Code: Workshop

Tom’s younger sister Ruby wants to be a pop star, a model, a princess… anything but a little girl. In Pied Piper’s playful production, she gets what she wished for. Ages 4-8.

Where: Lyric Hammersmith. www.lyric.co.uk

January 26th - 27th The Selfish Crocodile

A crocodile gets a toothache and a lesson from a brave little mouse in Blunderbus Theatre’s piece based on the popular Faustin Charles and Michael Terry picture book.

Ages 3-7.

Make a cryptogram with digital technology.

Where: Lyric Hammersmith. www.lyric.co.uk

Where: British Museum, Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury. www.britishmuseum.org

February 5th - 6th

December 21st - January 5th

Strictly Come Dancing Live

Sooty in Space at the Duchess Theatre

Blastoff into the stars with Sooty in Space at the Duchess Theatre this Christmas. Kids will love the antics of Sooty, Sweep and Soo as the puppets join Richard Cadell for the ride of a lifetime.

Where: The Duchess Theatre, 3-5 Catherine Street. www.duchess.official-theatre.co.uk

December 28th - January 6th

Disney On Ice presents Passport to Adventure Embark on the ultimate sightseeing holiday with all your favorite Disney characters in Disney On Ice presents Passport to Adventure. Join Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy and Daisy on a journey to the magical worlds of Disney’s The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Peter Pan and Lilo & Stitch.

Where: Wembley Arena. www.wembleyarena.co.uk

Strictly Come Dancing Live returns to Wembley Arena.

Craig Revel Horwood, Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli are back as the show’s formidable judges. They will be on hand to give their expert feedback and all important scores to the celebrities.

Where: Wembley Arena. www.wembleyarena.co.uk

February 22nd - 23rd The X Factor Live

The X Factor is back and set to hit our screens this summer with a UK Tour in 2013 that is not to be missed. New stars are waiting to be made and you have the chance to see them performing live at Wembley!

Where: Wembley Arena. www.wembleyarena.co.uk

24 - December 2012 l Rascals of London

North London East London

West London Central London

The North Barnet, Enfield, Haringey, Waltham Forest

South London

December 1st

Christmas Glow: Ice Skating in Ponders End Park

Until January 6th

Stick Man - Live On Stage!

Ice skating in Ponders End Park as part of the Christmas Glow Festival.

Where: Ponders End Park, Enfield Time: 11am - 7pm www.enfield.gov.uk

December 3rd - 19th The Living Nativity

Experience the magic of Christmas by enjoying ZSL’s Living Nativity, a special Education event. As you journey through the scenes of the nativity you will meet the Wise Men and their camels, see Mary in the stable and talk to the Shepherds as they tend their flock.

Where: ZSL London Zoo, Outer Circle, Regent’s Park. www.zsl.org

Until December 31st Be a Keeper for a Day

This amazing Keeper for a Day experience gives you a once in a lifetime opportunity to get up close and personal with some of ZSL’s most popular animals. It also offers a unique insight into the day-to-day life of our keepers and their charges.

Where: ZSL London Zoo, Outer Circle, Regent’s Park. www.zsl.org

December 8th - January 6th The Gruffalo

Join Mouse on an adventurous journey through the deep, dark wood as Tall Stories’ musical adaptation of the award-winning children’s book returns for the umpteenth time. Ages 3+.

Where: Artsdepot, 5 Nether St, Tally Ho Corner. www.artsdepot.co.uk

Touching, funny and utterly original, Time Out Critics’ choice STICK MAN is back in the West End for a limited Christmas run. This delightful adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Sheffler’s hugely popular children’s book features a trio of top actors and is packed full of puppetry, songs, live music and funky moves; Stick Man guarantees more fun than you can shake a stick at!

Where: Leicester Square Theatre, 6 Leicester Place. www.leicestersquaretheatre.com

Until March

Discover Explore at Myddleton House Gardens Discover Explore is a brand new exploration game for England’s Lee Valley. Families and young children search for locations and missions online then head off on adventures to unlock the hidden stories at places like Myddleton House Gardens. By completing dare-devil missions and discovering the answers to a series of questions, explorers have the chance to win super-duper badges!

Where: Myddelton House Gardens, Bulls Cross, Enfield. www.discoverexplore.co.uk

Every Friday

Kids Magic Show Family friday´s are magic at that place on the corner.

Great fun and kids eat free.

Where: That place on the corner, 1 - 3 Green Lanes, Newington Green.

Time: 6pm - 8pm Tel: 0207 704 079 www.thatplaceonthecorner.co.uk

Rascals of London l December 2012 - 25

North London East London

West London Central London

The East Redbridge, Barking & Dagenham, Havering, Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Newham, Lewisham, Greenwich, Bexley

South London

December 1st

December 26th - January 6th

Activities will include a Princess makeover - nail varnish/ stickers, shimmery make-up, a glitter tatoo & glitter hairspray, arts & crafts, games for prizes, mini disco, kids buffet, design a princess dress competition as well as a raffle to win a pamper party for up to 8 children (raffle tickets are not included in the event ticket price),fancy dress welcome.

The show boasts fifteen life-size dinosaurs created by internationally renowned designers working in conjunction with specialist scientists to get them as close to the real thing as humanly possible. Ticket holders can expect to see the likes of the Utahraptor, the Stegosaurus, the huge Brachiosaurus and everybody’s favourite, the mighty Tyrannosaurus Rex, who’ll be readying his very best snarl for us Londoners.

Tutu’s & Tiara’s - Winter Princess Ball

Where: Rendezvous Bar & Grill, 1149 High Road, Chadwell Heath, Romford Essex. www.netmums.com

Walking With Dinosaurs

Where: The O2, Peninsula Square, London. www.theo2.co.uk

December 13th - 24th

February 13th

Join us in Father Christmas’ post room where you can help save Christmas. There will be stories, songs and decoration making and you can even meet the jolly man himself and his motley crew of helpers, in this interactive adventure for young children and their families.

Where: Greenwich Theatre. www.greenwichmums.com

If your a mummy, pregnant, already have little one(s) then you wont want to miss this fab day out! They will have over 40 stalls featuring baby gifts, personalised wooden letters, nappy cakes, cakes & goodies, soft play hire, face-painting, baby & children’s clothing & shoes, baby massage, yummy mummy pampering, princess pampering, etc...this list will grow longer as we book stalls! There will be a tombola game at the entrance where you can have a chance of winning some cute goodies!

Dear Father Christmas

Every Saturday

Roller Disco Family Jam Children aged 5 - 14 can join in the fun and get their skates on at Roller Disco Family Jam, at the weekly event hosted by the Renaissance Rooms.

Where: Miles Street, Vauxhall.

Tel: 0207 720 914 www.rollerdisco.com

Mum, Bump, Baby & Toddler Fair

Where: Harold Hill Community Centre, Gooshays Drive, Harold Hill, Romford. www.netmums.com

February 23rd - 24th One Direction Live

Until January 13th

The House Where Winter Lives This winter, take your kids on an adventure they will remember with the House Where Winter Lives at Discover Children’s Centre. In collaboration with Punchdrunk entertainment, this festive storytelling quest promises to be engaging and full of magic.

Where: Discover Children’s Story Centre, 383-387 High Street Stratford. www.discover.org.uk

26 - December 2012 l Rascals of London

One Direction will be performing live on stage at The O2. 14s and under must be accompanied by an adult. Mum will be happy!

Where: The O2, Drawdock Road, Greenwich. www.onedirectionmusic.com

North London East London

West London Central London

South London

The South Bromley, Croydon, Sutton, Merton, Kingston Upon Thames, Richmond Upon Thames

December 1st

February 13th

Selling baby and children toys, dressing up clothing, bikies and much more just in time for those Christmas presents.

Selling toys, prams, clothes, shoes, baby items, high chairs, travel cots and lots more. All items sold are good quality and freshly cleaned. All stalls held are run by mums in the local area. Entrance £1. Do you have baby/children’s items to sell no longer being used? Tables are £12.00. No commission taken on larger items..

Cheeky Monkey Toy Sale Where: Reigate Park Church, Reigate, Surrey. www.netmums.com

December 9th Santa Fun Run

Come and join hundreds of Santas at Princess Alice Hospice’s 5k Santa Fun Run in Richmond Park!

Suitable for all the family and U12s can go free if accompanied by a fee paying adult!

Little Ones Nearly New Baby Sale

Where: Wallington Methodist Church, Wallington. www.netmums.com

Until February 15th Too Many Penguins?

Where: Richmond Park, Surrey, TW10 5HX. www.totallyrichmond.co.uk

December 17th Toddler Party

Fantastic theatre bugs panto, Where is Santa? Toddler party snack box, playtime including use of dodgems, carousal and 3 storey play frame.

Where: Gambado, Natwest Sports Ground, Copers Cope Road, Beckenham, Kent. www.gambado.com

December 22nd Christmas Party

Unlimited squash and water, disco, playtime including use of dodgems, carousal and 3 storey playframe, fun festive activities, face painting available.

Where: Gambado, Natwest Sports Ground, Copers Cope Road, Beckenham, Kent. www.gambado.com

Until December 31st Back-packs & Trails

Journey across the V&A with fantastic stories, games and multi-sensory materials. Choose from Backpacks, trails or, for the under 5s, an Agent Animal bag.

A stage full of penguins and one grumpy polar bear set up this Arctic kids adventure for the under-4s.

Where: Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway Tel: 0208 543 4888 www.polkatheatre.com

Until February 29th Meet the Otters

You can be among the first to see the Centre’s new family of Asian short-clawed otters. You can watch them play, forage, feed, swim and groom. You’ll also be able to watch them sleeping in their specially designed holt, although this type of otter is more active during the day than some of the 13 other species found worldwide.

Where: London Wetland Centre, Barnes, London www.wwt.org.uk

Where: The Victoria and Albert Museum, Cromwell Road.

Time: 2.30pm - 4.30pm www.netmums.com/croydon

Rascals of London l December 2012 - 27

The Importance of

y Pla

Everybody knows that playing is fun. Have any doubts? All you need to do is watch how exuberant, carefree and energized children are when they’re engaged in an activity and having a good time. It has now been proven that there are other benefits to active play besides just having a good time. Studies have shown that it’s also a major factor in the appropriate social, emotional, mental and physical development of children. In fact, play is so important it has been recognised by the United Nations High Commission ‘the rights of every child’, as being essential for healthy child development.

One of the main reasons why indoor play is so good for children is that the wide range of equipment builds different areas of fitness and well-being in children. Activities range from the physical stimulation of a play frame incorporating slides, ball pool pits, rope ladders, climbing nets and the like, to the more mentally stimulating activities such as learning play equipment and interactive games - a concept known in America as edutainment.

When children are engaged in play, they’re presented with certain situations, interactions and challenges. As they develop competencies in these areas, they’re honing the same social, mental and physical skills they’ll need in other aspects of life.

According to the NHS ‘Live Well’ scheme, all children need to be physically active, and indoor play centres promote physical exercise through active play.

Children who engage in active play learn many basic motor skills that are not taught in organized sports. Furthermore, studies show that poor physical fitness among children is often traced to play deprivation. By making exercise fun and exciting, kids will be more motivated to engage in the activity. In turn, this will make children more likely to continue to exercise as they grow older.

Not only is indoor play good for your children, but it is also good on parents pockets and is much cheaper than some other places of interest. Indoor play centres are also now much more focused on providing relaxation for parents and also a great venue for parties.

So keep your kids active and happy - visit your local indoor play venue.

Play centres have been around a while but Eddie Catz was one of the first to bring a

28 - December 2012 l Rascals of London

higher level of quality and a good café, a full pre-school curriculum, seasonal events and a cleaner environment. Each Eddie Catz centre offers dynamic and innovative play equipment that encourages children ranging from babies and toddlers up to 12yr olds to be creative and participate in “exploratory” play. This involves children literally having an adventure, like figuring out how to get from one part of the apparatus to the other. It also encourages things like role-playing and other imaginative activities that promote abstract thinking, empathy, cooperativeness, language and problem-solving skills.

At Eddie Catz we know that ‘Every Child Matters’, as promoted by the Department for Education in the ‘Change for Children’ national scheme. We provide an enabling environment, which can support your pre-school or group environment. Through the learning and development framework we have created, we can help the children build positive relationships. We know that every child visiting our facility is a unique child and we ensure that each has a unique experience.

The Play Providers Association (PPA) is the governing body that represents the highest quality indoor play centres in the UK with the aim of promoting, developing and protecting the interests of all businesses engaged in providing enclosed play facilities as well as encouraging children’s physical activity through play and is supporting the Governments Change 4 Life campaign. Always look out for PPA certification when choosing a Play Centre.

www.eddiecatz.com

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Advertising - Rascals of London

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It comes complete with its very own ticket office, tunnel and play area to keep kids entertained all day, whether they’re the driver or ticket conductor. The Kids Tube Tent is lightweight, easy to assemble and transport, and made using UV protective fabric, it’s also perfect to take with you ‘on-the-go’.

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Gifts for the whole family - Babies first Christmas

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1.

6.

5.

4.

9.

10.

7.

From Birth 1. Blossom Farm Clover Cow Sit Me Up Cosy Price: £40.00 www.elc.co.uk

32 - December 2012 l Rascals of London

2. VTech Peek-ABoo Book Price: £12.97 www.toysrus.co.uk

3. Tiny Love Soothe & Groove Mobile Price: £44.99 www.babycity.co.uk 4. Hamleys ChirpyBird Rattle Price: £8.00 www.hamleys.com

5. Olive & Henri Cot Mobile Price: £27.99 www.babiesrus.co.uk 6. Lamaze Stretch The Giraffe Price: £10.99 www.mothercare.com

7 Bananas in pyjamas Price: £10.00 www.Argos.co.uk 8. Sophie The Giraffe Pure Teething Ring Price: £10.99 www.mothercare.com 9. Bright Starts Pretty in Pink Supreme Play Gym Price: £34.99 www.boots.com 1.0 Chicco Goodnight Stars Price: £14.99 www.boots.com

Gifts for the whole family - Up to 2 Years

1. HappyLand Country Crossing Train Set Price: £38.00 www.elc.co.uk

3.

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2 VTech First Steps Baby Walker Price: £29.95 www.johnlewis.com 3. Smart Trike Recliner Price: £124.99 www.elc.co.uk

2.

4.

4. Wooden Ramp Racer Price: £14.95 www.toysrus.co.uk

5.

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7.

Up to

2 Years 5. Creative Peg Puzzle Price: £9.95 www.preciouslittleone.com 6. Spook Bon Voyage Popo Fox Price: £31.99 www.nutwoodtoys.co.uk

9.

10.

7. Happy Hopperz Cows Price: £21.99 www.happyhopperz.co.uk 8. ELC Shape Sorting Bus Price: £16.00 www.elc.co.uk 9. Rocking Horse Price: £94.95 www.custardandcrumble.co.uk 10. Laugh and Learn Click ‘n’ Learn Remote Price: £9.99 www.mothercare.com

8.

Rascals of London l December 2012 - 33

Gifts for the whole family - 2 to 4 Years

1.

3.

2.

4.

6.

5.

7.

2 -4

Years

8.

9.

1. Zoobles Treehouse Playset Price: £34.99 www.smythstoys.com

2. Batman Dark Knight Rises The Bat Price: £43.00 www.hamleys.com

6. Furby Interactive Soft Toy Price: £59.99 www.argos.co.uk

3. Master Moves Mickey Price: £70.00 www.hamleys.com

7. Fisher-Price Minnie’s Pet Tour Van Price: £29.99 www.argos.co.uk

4. Yo Ho Lets Go Talking Jake Price: £20.00 www.disneystore.co.uk

8. Claws Motorbike Price: £119.00 www.toytastic.co.uk

5. Goldini Price: £150.00 www.custardandcrumble.co.uk

9. Huggable Hetty Vacuum Price: £8.00 www.amazon.co.uk

34 - December 2012 l Rascals of London

11.

10. Lalaloopsy Doll Twinkle & Flutters Price: £11.25 www.thetoyshop.com

10.

11. Amazing Spiderman Laboratory Price: £26.99 www.play.com

My Dream Mansion

Savannah Dollhouse

Price: £109.99

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So Chic Dollhouse Price: £199.99

Pastel Swivel Deluxe Dollhouse Price: £122.99

Chelsea Dollhouse Cottage Price: £77.99

www.kidkraft.com

Rascals of London l December 2012 - 35

Gifts for the whole family - 4 to 6 Years

3.

2.

1.

4.

6.

5.

4-6

Years 1. Spider-Man Dual Action Web Shooter Price: £23.00 www.hamleys.com

2. LeapFrog Tag Reading System Price: £29.99 www.toysrus.co.uk 3. Suzuka e-Racer Car Price: £14.00 www.roobubandcustard.co.uk 4. Lego Lord of the Rings Battle of Helms Deep Price: £99.99 www.toysrus.co.uk 5. Discovery Space Centre Price: £110.00 www.roobubandcustard.co.uk 6. Melissa & Doug Princess Stamp Set Price: £8.99 www.toysrus.co.uk

7.

7. Mini Moshling Treehouse Price: £19.99 www.toysrus.co.uk

9.

8. Monster High Doll Assorted Price: £17.00 www.hamleys.com 9. Party Karaoke Machine With Lights Price: £44.99 www.argos.co.uk 10. Berg Triggy Tricycle Price: £165.00 www.ham leys.com

36 - December 2012 l Rascals of London

8.

10.

5 Cinema releases to look out for this Christmas

Best Tablets for Kids Looking to wrestle back the iPad from the clutches of your kids?

LeapFrog LeapPad 2 LeapPad2 Explorer inspires kids to imagine and explore with front-and-back cameras, 4 GB of memory and a library of 225+ apps for limitless learning and fun!

Price: £89.99 Web: www.leapfrogstore.co.uk

Release date: 7th December A childless couple bury a box in their backyard, containing all of their wishes for an infant. Soon, a child is born, though Timothy Green is not all that he appears.

Elf-Man Release date: 4th December An Elf is left behind by Santa to help rescue the Harper family from a lousy Christmas. The Elf and the family get more than they bargained for.

Archos ChildPad The Child Pad is equipped with a speedy processor and enough memory to be able to run Android effortlessly. The interface is extremely smooth and fast so kids won’t have to wait for their games to load.

Price: £99.99 Web: www.toysrus.co.uk

VTech InnoTab 2 This tablet allows users to set up a profile, delve into pre-loaded apps and games, as well as enjoy other features like the music player, photo viewer and digital coloring book.

Release dare: 20th December Life of Pi is about a young boy being stranded in the middle of the ocean after the freighter he was riding sunk. He is the only survivor, along with a Bengal tiger, a zebra, an orangutan, and a hyena.

Price: £79.99 Web: www.argos.co.uk

Release date: 14th December

Kurio 10” Personal Tablet The Kurio 10 Android Tablet is a breakthrough multimedia entertainment device. The fullfeatured tablet has a high-resolution, ultraresponsive 10” touch screen, built-in mic, and Flash 11 support.

Price: £199.99 Web: www.toysrus.co.uk

Tinker Bell meets Periwinkle and ventures into the winter woods with her and Tinker Bell’s other friends to find the secret of fairy wings.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Release date: 14th December Local Shire hobbit Bilbo Baggins, uncle of Frodo Baggins, is living a quiet, peaceful life until Gandalf the Grey knocks on his door. A band of wandering dwarves shows up one or two at a time. The goal? To hire poor Bilbo for a quest (as a burgler) that entails defeating a dragon and recovering (burgling) a treasure.

Rascals of London l December 2012 - 37

Gifts for the whole family - From 6 Years

2.

1.

3. Razor RipStik RipSter Caster Board Price: £49.95 www.argos.co.uk

From 6

Years

3.

1. Character Building Wembley Stadium Price: £115.99 www.amazon.co.uk

2. National Geographic Night Goggles Price: £15.00 www.argos.co.uk

4. Fijit Friends Interactive Figure Price: £56.99 www.argos.co.uk 5. Hexbug Spider Price: £19.99 www.argos.co.uk

5.

6. Moxie Girlz Magic Hair Styling - Sophina Price: £34.99 www.toysrus.co.uk 7. Spy Net Video Watch Price: £24.98 www.toysrus.co.uk

4.

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8. Subbuteo Price: £40.00 www.hamleys.com 9. Wildlife World Me & My Birds Feeder Kit Price: £19.99 www.toysrus.co.uk

10. EDU Science Starter Telescope Price: £22.99 www.toysrus.co.uk

7.

8.

9.

38 - December 2012 l Rascals of London

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Combination Lock Bottle Stop A fun gift for any wine or spirit lover: a bottle stop with a simple to set (but almost impossible to crack) four digit combination code to help keep special spirits safe!

Price: £15 www.notonthehighstreet.com

For Christmas Digital Golf Distance Finder The Digital Golf Distance Finder is the perfect tool for measuring how far a golfer is from the hole.

This aids performance and helps them strategise more easily while out on the course.

2013 Giant Rapid 4 Ride it to work, ride it up a mountain, tackle a long weekend ride.

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Personalised Retro Sweet Jar - My Daddy’s Sweets This Personalised Retro Sweet Jar is stuffed full to the brim with classic sweeties. It has a full colour label that be personalised with any name.

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Canon EOS 650D Digital SLR Camera

12 Mile Helicopter Thrillseekers Flight Enjoy a full-on aerial thrill with this incredible helicopter flight – guaranteed to get your adrenaline levels sky-high!

The 18 megapixel Canon EOS 650D Digital SLR features 5 fps continuous shooting, Variangle touch screen and full-HD movies with manual controls.

Price: £549.95 www.jessops.com

Price: £99 www.buyagift.co.uk

Single Seater Driving Thrill at Silverstone The perfect treat for any motorsports enthusiast, there’s no greater thrill than driving a speedy single-seater race car around the world famous Silverstone circuit.

Price: £99 www.buyagift.co.uk

40 - December 2012 l Rascals of London

Mums Wish List This Christmas www.babeswithbabies.com

Oliver - Changing Bag

Christmas Spice Melts

Made from dark brown leather, this satchel is the must-have.

Price: £269.00

Moisturising, pampering aromatherapy cupcakes.

Price: £29.95

Plaited Friendship Bracelet

Mini Mama Melt Box

Personalised Candle

Gorgeous, unusual and a very special gift.

Price: £70.00

Five fabulous bath cakes which make a relaxing treat for a new mother.

Price: £14.95

Perfect for revitalising and rejuvenating a tired new mother.

Price: £39.95

Slippers & Hottie Giftset

Birthstone Personalised Pendant

Happy Hands Luxury Set

Stylish and superbly soft, a lovely gift for the colder months.

Price: £69.95

Precious reminder of special times.

Price: £155.00

A beautiful gift set containing luxury handwash & hand lotion.

Price: £34.95

Rascals of London l December 2011 2012 - 41

Santa’s Grottos Where you can find the Big Man this Christmas

Harrods

Ham House

London Zoo

Bockett’s Farm

With plenty of festive cheer and fun for all the family, the Santas Grotto at Harrods returns this year to get the season off to a magical start.

Follow the Christmas trail in the 17th-century gardens to Santa’s grotto where every child will receive a Christmas gift.

Enjoy a Christmas experience like no other at ZSL London Zoo where visitors will be able to see our reindeer up close in their festive paddock.

When: 3rd Nov - 24th Dec www.harrods.com

When: 1st, 2nd, 8th. 9th, 15th & 16th Dec Tel: 0208 940 1950 www.nationaltrust.org.uk

When: 17th Nov - 24th Dec Tel: 0844 225 1826 www.zsl.org

Hop on board the Santa Express trailer for a short trip to his magical haybarn workshop and once inside, each child will meet Santa and receive a wrapped gift.

Kew Gardens Have a magical Christmas at Kew this year as the botanic gardens are full of wonderful Christmas activities. With visits from Father Christmas, vintage car rides and a chance to go on a guided winter walk amongst all the beautiful plants.

When: 8th Dec -23rd Dec Tel: 0208 332 5655 www.kew.org

Chessington Garden Centre Includes a short animated festive film and then a magical journey through a wonderland of stunning fairy tale inspired scenes before meeting Santa in his enchanting ice palace.

When: 17th Nov - 24th Dec Tel: 01372 725 638 www.chessington gardencentre.co.uk

London Wetland Centre Experience the magic of a festive visit to Father Christmas and his huskies on our beautiful nature reserve. Younger children can experience the excitement of a free husky sleigh ride. Santa’s Grotto and Merlin the magician to help keep the children entertained. 8+.

When: 10th Dec - 11th Dec Tel: 0208 409 4400 www.wwt.org.uk

Enchanted Christmas House Join us on a truly memorable adventure around the Enchanted Christmas House this Christmas.

Visit the Elves Busy Workshop, The Gingerbread Kitchen and the Genies Christmas Cave.

When: 1st Dec - 24th Dec Tel: 0203 227 3200. www.christmas.enchanted house.net

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When: 19th Nov - 24th Dec Tel: 01372 363 764 www.bockettsfarm.co.uk

Painshill Park Visit Father Christmas in a magical crystal Grotto.

When: 1st, 2nd, 8th, 9th, 15th & 16th Dec Tel: 01932 584 284 www.painshill.co.uk

Greenwich Market As well as giving you the chance to shop for Christmas presents, you can also send the little ones to see Santa this Christmas at Greenwich Market.

When: 28th Nov - 28th Dec www.viewlondon.co.uk

Winter Wonderland Meet Father Christmas at the free Santas Grotto, when Hyde Park is transformed into a breathtaking festive landscape complete with ice rink, Christmas market and circus.

When: 23rd Nov - 6th Jan Tel: 0208 241 9818 www.hydeparkwinterwonderland.com

Chessington World of Adventures For a festive adventure, explore the Zoo and SEA LIFE centre. Don’t miss the chance to have your photo with the Reindeer and see the live festive show with Father Christmas and his crafty elves.

When: 8th, 9th, 15th, 16th & from 22nd Dec - 1st Jan Tel: 0871 663 4477 www.chessington.com

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Rascals of London l December 2012 - 43

Top Beauty and the Beast

12

Shaw Theatre This year’s festive panto at Shaw Theatre tackles the classic fairytale of a girl who moves in with an ugly beast to save her farther.

When: 6th - 29th Dec. Web: www.shaw-theatre.com

Pantos

2012

Jack & The Beanstalk

Theatre Royal Stratford East Jack makes a rash decision, exchanging his family’s possessions for a bag of beans in this seasonal panto When: 1st Dec - 19th Jan.

Aladdin: A Wish Come True

The O2 Arena panto, anyone? This Lily Savage-starring spin on the Aladdin story is taking place in a speciallyerected theatre in The O2’s yawning forecourt which will seat 1,900, making it London’s biggest panto.

When: 7th Dec - 5th Jan. Web: www.theo2.co.uk

Web: www.stratfordeast.com

Dick Whittington and His Cat

Cinderella Cinderella

Broadway Theatre

Broadway Barking

When: 1st Dec - 6th Jan.

Catford Broadway celebrates its eightieth year with this moderately starry seasonal panto, which stars the mighty Floella Benjamin as fairy godmother to the eponymous heroine, alongside Andrew Hayden-Smith (Buttons) and John Lyons (Baron Hardup).

Web: www.hackneyempire.co.uk

When: 15th Dec - 6th Jan.

Hackney Empire Susie McKenna’s annual show retains its reputation as London’s foremost panto: last year’s ‘Cinderella’ was a hoot, blessedly immune from the problems that have beset the Empire’s theatre programme.

Broadway Barking tackles this old rags to riches chestnut as its 2012 panto of choice.

When: 1st Dec - 2nd Jan. Web: www.thebroadwaybarking.com

Web: www.broadwaytheatre.org.uk

Mother Goose Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs

New Wimbledon Theatre The Wimbledon panto is a creature of wildly varying quality with a history of hilariously insane stunt casting: this year Lisa Marie Presley and Warwick Davies will tread its boards.

When: 7th Dec - 13th Jan. Web: www.ambassadortickets.com

Cinderella

Lyric Hammersmith The Lyric’s panto has never quite scaled the heights of those of Hackney and Stratford. But that may change this year, as for the first time Lyric boss Sean Holmes – a brilliant director by anyone’s standards – takes the helm.

When: 24th Nov - 5th Jan. Web: www.lyric.co.uk

44 - December 2012 l Rascals of London

Millfield Theatre Golden eggs, demon kings, magical pools and general nonsense in the Millfield Theatre’s Christmas panto.

When: 29th Nov - 5th Jan. Web: www.enfield.gov.uk

Peter Pan

Churchill Theatre A decent looking cast for this year’s Bromley panto includes Jennifer Ellison as Peter Pan, CBBC presenter Gemma Hunt as Tinkerbell, and Ace Bhatti from ‘EastEnders’ as Captain Hook.

When: 30th Nov - 6th Jan. Web: www.theatresonline.com

Dick Whittington Goes Bollywood

Tara Theatre After the success of last year’s ‘ Bollywood Cinderella’, former TV personality Hardeep Sigh Kohli teams up with Tara again for another Indian-flavoured panto.

When: 5th Dec - 5th Jan. Web: www.tara-arts.com

Aladdin

Richmond Theatre Dust down the magic lamp and unroll the magic carpet: standup Tim Vine follows up appearances in Richmond’s 2009 and 2010 pantos to star as the genie Wishee Washee in this seasonal family favourite.

When: 7th Dec - 13th Jan. Web: www.ambassadortickets.com

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Festive

Recipes You may want these in white, pink and green

Peppermint and Rose Kisses Little fondant creams in pastel shades. You can also dip one half of the peppermint creams in melted dark chocolate to make chocolate mint creams if you like.

Method: Lightly whisk the egg white until frothy and sift in the icing sugar. Stir thoroughly with a wooden spoon until the mixture is quite stiff.

Knead with your hands on a clean work surface dusted with icing sugar and divide into 2 balls.

Knead peppermint essence and a few drops of green food colouring into one and rosewater and a few drops of red food colouring into the other.

Roll the mixture into small balls and place them on a lined baking sheet. You can stamp designs on them or simply flatten them with a fork and then leave to set for 24 hours.

46 - December 2012 l Rascals of London

Ingredients 340g (12 oz) icing sugar 1 egg white Peppermint Creams 6 to 7 drops peppermint flavouring A few drops of green food colouring Rose Creams 1 tbsp rosewater a few drops of red food colouring

White Chocolate Cookies These delicious white chocolate cookies are a very quick and easy Christmas recipe to make.

Take them out of the oven when they’re quite soft so, when they cool down they are crisp on the outside but moist inside.

Method: Pre-heat the oven to 190C/375F. Sieve together the flour, bicarbonate of soda and salt in a large bowl. Stir in the ground almonds, brown sugar and porridge oats.

Melt the butter in a small pan and stir this into the dry ingredients together with the egg yolk.

Stir in the chopped white chocolate or white chocolate chips Mix well, then using your hands form into small walnut sized balls and arrange on two large non stick baking sheets. Gently press them down to flatten slightly in the centre, leaving space between them for the biscuits to spread.

Bake in the oven for 12 minutes.

Ingredients 150g plain flour ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda ½ tsp salt 25g (1 oz) ground almonds 150g (5 oz) soft brown sugar 50g (2 oz) porridge oats 50g (2 oz) dried cranberries 40g white chocolate chips 150g (5 oz) butter 1 large egg yolk or 2 small egg yolks

Rascals of London l December 2012 - 47

T his Rudolph Baked Potato is a great alternative C hristmas meal.

Rudolph Baked Potato A great Christmas recipe for turning a baked potato into a delicious mouth watering treat for Christmas and it is guaranteed to bring a smile to everyone’s face. Butternut squash is very rich in vitamin A which is important for healthy skin, eyesight and fighting infection.

Method: Preheat the oven to 190C/ Fan 170 / Gas 5.

Prick the potatoes in several places, place on a baking tray and brush all over with the oil. Bake for 1 to 1 ¼ (one and a quarter) hours or until they feel soft when pressed.

Cut the butternut squash in half and scoop out the seeds. Place in a baking dish, skin side down. Melt 20g of the butter and brush it over the squash, then bake in the oven for about 40 minutes or until tender.

When cool enough to handle, cut the tops off the baked potatoes and scoop out the flesh.

Scoop the flesh of the cooked butternut squash off the skin and mash together with the baked potato flesh, mustard, parmesan, milk and remaining butter. Season with a little salt and pepper. Put the mixture back into the potato shells and top with the grated cheddar.

Preheat the grill on the hottest setting. Place the potatoes on a baking tray or suitable dish and grill for a few minutes until the cheese is bubbling and golden.

Ingredients 34 medium baking potatoes (approx 225g each) a little vegetable oil ½ (half) medium butternut squash 55g butter 1 tsp Dijon mustard 40 g fresh grated parmesan cheese 2 tbsp milk 40g grated Cheddar cheese

Add twirly crisps for antlers, peas for eyes and cherry tomatoes for the nose.

Decoration Cherry tomatoes Twirly crisps peas for eyes

Ingredients 150g plain flour ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda ½ tsp salt 25g (1 oz) ground almonds 150g (5 oz) soft brown sugar 50g (2 oz) porridge oats 50g (2 oz) dried cranberries 40g white chocolate chips 150g (5 oz) butter 1 large egg yolk or 2 small egg yolks

48 - December 2012 l Rascals of London

Ingredients

Turkey & Potato Pie Children eat with their eyes as well as their tummies. Making individual portions in ramekins is so much more appealing than a dollop of food on a plate. Sweating the vegetables slowly with the thyme and then reducing the white wine vinegar gives a lovely flavour.

30g/1oz butter 1 small shallot, diced (40g) 1 medium carrot, diced (100g) 1/2 small leek, thinly sliced (30g) 1/4 tsp chopped fresh thyme leaves 225g/8oz cooked turkey (white and dark meat) cut into bite sized pieces 500g/1lb 2oz potatoes, peeled & cubed 1 egg white lightly beaten (Optional) 4 tsp white wine vinegar 20g/2/3 oz cornflour 400ml chicken stock 2 tbsp crème fraiche 3 tbsp milk

Method: Melt the butter and sweat the vegetables and thyme for 10 minutes, until soft. Add the vinegar and boil until the vinegar had evaporated then stir in the cornflour. Add the stock a little at a time to make a smooth sauce then add the crème fraiche and season to taste with salt and pepper. Allow to cool.

Boil the potatoes in plenty of salted water for around 15 minutes, until just tender. Drain the potatoes then mash well. Beat in the butter and milk and season to taste.

Preheat the oven to 200c/400F/Gas 6/180 Fan. Put the turkey into the base of ramekins or small dishes (I use 9.5 cm diameter ramekins) and spoon the sauce on top. Spoon over the mash and fork the surface of each pie. Put the dishes on a baking sheet and bake for about 20 minutes. The tops can be browned further under a hot grill and if you brush them with a little egg white they will brown nicely.

4

Makes portions

To freeze – do so before baking stage. To serve, defrost overnight in the fridge and follow the baking instructions above.

Rascals of London l December 2012 - 49

How to

afford a baby in today’s economic climate

50 - December 2012 l Rascals of London

With the rising cost of childcare, utilities and essentials many working parents are delaying having children until they can afford it.

But what if they never can? Each year we are told that the cost of raising a child has risen and the figures quoted are in the thousands or even hundreds of thousands depending on the cut off age.

But having a baby doesn’t have to cost a fortune.

Here are my top tips on how to afford a baby: 1 Buy secondhand for your baby wherever possible. Borrow from family and friends and buy everything else at a baby and children’s nearly new sale like mum2mum market.

Google ‘nearly new sale’ to find a sale near you. Most baby clothes and equipment are used for a very short time and have very little wear and are perfect secondhand buys. The only things you need to buy new are a mattress and car seat and there are serious savings to be made.

At a mum2mum market you will pay around 30% of the new price for large items like cots and pushchairs, and clothes, toys and books for around £1. You can pick up everything you need, from bedding and towels to designer prams and large toys and ride-ons. Arrive early and queue to get the best bargains!

Savings: The sky’s the limit…. The more you buy the more you save!

2 Breastfeed. It’s free! If you don’t get the hang of it straight away there are free breastfeeding clinics and support groups who will help you get it right. Ask your midwife or health visitor for details.

4 Look at flexible work options which might allow you to work around your children and minimise the amount of childcare you need to pay for. Could you work flexible hours to fit around your partners work or work evenings and weekends? Could running your own business be a better option?

A mum2mum market franchise allows mums to do just this- our flexible, family friendly franchises are available across the UK. www.franchisebusinessformums.co.uk 5 Sell your outgrown stuff and recoup some of the cost.

Savings: £500 on formula, bottles etc 3 Use real nappies’. Disposables cost a fortune as well as the earth. You can disposable nappies in the first two and a half years. 21st century real nappies are a world away from the terry towelling squares of the seventies and are no more gross than changing a disposable nappy…. In fact they smell much less (it’s the chemicals that make the disposibles smell).

If you buy quality goods and take good care of them you can sell them on at a mum2mum market when you are finished with them. You keep 100% of the takings on the day and will recoup some of the outlay spent.

The next mum2mum market is in BALHAM on 3rd November 2-4pm at Balham Baptist church 21 Ramsden Rd SW12 8QX

Your local council should have discounted nappy started packs and demonstration sessions or ‘nappucinos’ to get you started.

Mum2mummarket organise baby and children’s nearly new sales where mums sell to mums. Parents can sell and save at our award winning pop-up indoor markets.

Savings: Over £1000 on the first child and more if you use the nappies on subsequent children

Web: www.mum2mummarket.co.uk Contact Cath Harrop on: 0776 500 4564 Email: cath@mum2mummarket.co.uk

Rascals of London l December 2012 - 51

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52 - December 2012 l Rascals of London

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Rascals of London l December 2012 - 53

2.

1. Grandpa Green

By Lane Smith Grandpa Green wasn’t always a gardener. He was a boy who lived on a farm and a child who had chickenpox.

9

Great new kids books 2012

3.

2. Creepy Monsters, Sleepy Monsters

By Jane Yolen & Kelly Murphy This is a new rhyming read-aloud from the beloved Jane Yolen about the snarfing, growling, hip-hopping way that monsters go to bed.

3. Jack and the Flum Flum Tree 4. Wow! Said The Owl

By Julia Donaldson & David Roberts

By Tim Hopgood

Jack’s Granny is sick with a bad case of the moozles!

Here’s the story of a curious little owl determined to see what the world looks like during the day.

5. My Granny is a Pirate

By Val McDermid

6. Dear Fairy Godmother

My granny is a pirate! She’s sailed the seven seas. She captured many pirate ships but was always home for tea.

By Michael Rosen & Nick Sharrat

7. Chloe, Instead

By Micah Player Molly wants a sister who is just like her. But she got Chloe, instead.

4.

Deep in the enchanted forest, the fairy tale creatures all have problems. Luckily they can call on the ultimate agony aunt – Dear Fairy Godmother!

8. Lollipop and Grandpa’s Back Garden Safari

By Penelope Harper & Cate James Lollipop and Grandpa are intrepid explorers, always on the lookout for the next adventure!

6.

5.

9. Matilda’s Cat

By Emily Gravett

8.

Matilda is a determined girl, determined that she can find the perfect thing that her cat likes doing.

54 - December 2012 l Rascals of London

7.

LeA rning tO rEad

We all know ho w important it is for our children but, how do we to learn to read help them do it , in the midst of a what happens if busy life? And we don’t actual ly like reading o we do like read urselves? Or, if ing, how do we share that love with our childre n?

HUSH

Little Baby How to Stop your Child Waking in the Night!

Walking around in a daze? Feel during the day you are in a permanent cloud? Heading off to bed at 9pm knowing you are going to be up half the night? .... You are not alone.

Deprivation of sleep is something that every parent experiences, but when it starts to become part of your regular life then it is time to stop and ask “Is this how I want it to stay?”

It is emotionally and physically draining to be deprived of sleep and the simplest of tasks can seem the largest of challenges when you are tired.... and it is not just you who is feeling this way – it is also your child!

It is a fact that Children only grow physically and mentally when they are sleeping. Kathryn Mewes has been helping children and parents for 20 years with a variety of challenges that can occur within a family household. She has a strong ethos, and a 100% success rate, that it takes 3 consecutive days to make a fundamental change.

Rascals of London l December 2012 - 55

Mewes has children sleeping through the night in just 3 days!

would find myself at a complete loss of what to do next, stuck and frustrated even. I had never anticipated motherhood to have moments like that.

Kathryn is known as the 3 day nanny but she was very honest and realistic in saying that she may not need 3 days – the chances were she would need less!

“You cannot have any expectations of your child if they are not sleeping soundly through the night. Focusing on eating and behaving will become a huge challenge for them, and potty training – forget it!” Mewes says.

I was trying to do the best by my children, balancing discipline with love but I had lost control and I was exhausted.

She arrived and instantly bonded with the girls. My elder daughter is not easy to win over but she was soon playing and laughing with Kathryn. The evening arrived and we followed a bed time routine together. Kathryn was very supportive and encouraging that I was going to be able to settle the children to bed. She was not pushing me away. She was encouraging me to become part of it. I loved the fact that she was teaching me as well as the girls.

Our Nights

The main situations Mewes will face when entering a family home are: • Parents who rock or feed their children to sleep several times a night.

• Parents who remain in their children’s bedroom or outside the door until they have fallen asleep.

• Children who are sleeping in their parent’s bed.

• Families who start their day at 5am, or earlier!

• Parents who are getting up several times in the night to replace the dummy.

“It doesn’t have to be this way.” Says Mewes.

She has such a strong ethos that she has written down her methods and published a book entitled ‘The 3 Day Nanny’.

The book contains 3 day plans to follow to help and guide your child with sleeping, eating, behaviour and potty training. There are different plans depending on your child’s age. The book caters for children from 6 months to 6 years old.

Not only does she have a book she also provides a bespoke service where she will enter your home and help and guide you practically. She works with children from 6 months to 10 years old.

Together you can work as a team and the result is after 72 hours the house is at peace through the night!!!

Case Study: Mother with daughter’s age 1 and 2.5 years old. Both terrible sleepers!

Mewes helps around 50 families a year with their children. Below is an encounter with her told through the eyes of the mother who was seriously deprived of sleep!

My Situation before Kathryn Mewes arrived!

I love my children more than anything else in the world. They are the most precious greatest blessing but if I’m honest there were moments when I

I was in a situation where my girls would both wake several times in the night. I would pat my 1 year old daughter’s back until she fell to sleep and then quietly leave the room. This was done several times from 7pm onwards!

My 2.5 year old daughter has a perfect bed time routine but I have to remain standing outside her bedroom door until she falls asleep.

This could sometimes be quite a lengthy process. I would eventually arrive downstairs close to 8.30 / 9pm. My evening would be short because I would want to go to bed due to the night ahead! It wouldn’t be long before I was shouted for because I was no longer standing outside her room!

Our Experience with Kathryn Mewes So many times I have thought of asking for a professionals help and guidance but I have always been put off by the thought of someone else being in my home or potentially judging me, and my family.

I wanted to solve my own problems.

I didn’t like the idea of my kids being confronted with a stranger at night time - that would be enough to make me scream I think!

My husband and I met Kathryn for a 90 minute consultation. My mother-in-law was involved due to the amount of time she spends with my children. We found Kathryn to be enthusiastic and very positive. She reassured us that she was going to provide a service to cater for our individual family. It was very clear to see that she was far from judgemental when she said:

I have no right to judge you as parents.” states Mewes “You have achieved something far greater than me. I am not a parent but I see on a weekly basis how hard it can be.”

56 - December 2012 l Rascals of London

The unique element of Kathryn’s service is that she works with you through the day and guides you in other areas. It is true what she says.

The day and the night mirror one another... Broken sleep at night = challenging behaviour in the day.

We worked together on my daughter’s challenging behaviour and by the time Kathryn left 36 hours later I felt so empowered as a parent. I had gained control and had a far better understanding of my children. Kathryn seems to balance direction and authority with being nurturing and kind – and the best thing is that she makes you feel like you did it all yourself!

For anyone out there deprived of sleep I suggest you give her a call. She is caring over the phone and reassures you of any questions you may have. It is like having a holiday in your house if you are lucky enough for her to come and stay with you. We now have a silent house at night and it is all thanks to Kathryn.

How the Day Mirrors the Night It is so important to look at how you manage your child during the day before you start to think about guiding them to sleep through the night. It will not work if you find yourself allowing your child to ‘do as they please’ in the day, rarely saying ‘No’ to them in the fear that they may tantrum.

You cannot always say ‘Yes’ in the day and then be saying ‘No’ at night. Children need to see continuity in your parenting.

You will find that if you are able to take control during the day and develop structure and systems into your child’s routine they are more likely to respond when you are firm and clear about the bed time routine and the night waking.

A practical 3-day guide to overcoming key parenting cha from sleeping and eating to potty training and behavio problems

Mewes’ Guidelines on how to guide your Child to Sleep through the Night.

• Firstly, ensure that you have structure and control during the day. Your child needs to see you saying ‘No’ to things at times and acting accordingly if they decide to tantrum. Your child needs to respect your decisions during the day in order to respect you at night time.

• A clear and concise bedtime routine needs to be established.

• Explain to your child (or baby) that you are changing the routine and tell them that night times are for sleeping and you are not going to be seeing them in the middle of the night anymore. You will find that when you hear yourself saying this you will start to believe it. It is your own sense of empowerment as well as preparation for your child.

• You need to be aware of your child’s ‘window of tiredness’. If you put them to bed over tired this can be as hard as putting them to bed too early.

• Once you have said ‘Goodnight, see you at breakfast time’. You need to mean it and believe it.

• Confidently walk out of their room pulling the gate / door closed or partially closed behind you.

• Ensure the bedroom is dark and is not over stimulating for your child. If your child wakes and can see activity around him he will start to think and want to start the day. This is often a reason why so many children start the day at 5am. There is too much light coming into their room.

• Don’t react to your child’s requests or shouting. No more talking after ‘See you at breakfast time.’

• Create a reward system for an older child to engage and encourage them to remain in their bed.

Nanny extraordinaire Kathryn Mewes helps pa common parenting challenges quickly and eas just 3 days. With step-by-step advice for differen ages, Kathryn will guide parents through the re plan to give them more confidence as a parent Nanny will help parents with children aged 6 m years to: Sleep through the night Try new foods and enjoy healthy eating Transform negative behaviours and habits Potty train with ease

'Whether it be sleep issues, thumb sucking, potty raining, food fadd general lack of routine, Mewes will swoop in and after three days yo will be harmoniously but firmly put back on track.' -The Daily Te

As youThewalk awayby and to shout 3 Day Nanny Kathrynthey Mewesstart is published

by Vermilion on 7 June, £12.99, and for pre-order and on publication from all good bookshops. remember:

You are not making your child shout. They are choosing to do so. They will stop when they choose.

TOP TIP - Creating a dark bedroom.

Many families will have bought a black out roman blind or roller blind but the light will still come in from around the edges.

Sprinkle water over the panes of window glass and press sheets of foil to the windows from the inside. This will stick and remain there for several weeks. Cut the foil close to the frame of the window and this will block out 100% of the light. Mewes states she never travels on holiday without her kitchen foil!

Rascals of London l December 2012 - 57

Frequently Asked Questions How long would you leave them to shout?

You do not want to leave your baby / child if they are becoming so frustrated it appears that they are not going to calm down.

Mewes explains to parents that children tend to have 7 levels of volume and at number 5 is when they are shouting as loud as they possibly can. When they are shouting at this volume you need to listen for the pauses, the seconds when they stop and breath and think. For as long as you hear these pauses do not enter the room.

If the number 5 shouts start to all join up and there are no pauses you need to enter the room and reassure them as quickly as possible and then leave the room again. The shouting will start again but the pauses will arrive sooner.

It is so important to realise that the more times you enter the room, the more frustrated your child becomes.

Don’t keep interrupting them when they are learning something new how to self settle to sleep.

What if they make themselves sick?

You are not alone, many children will shout and make themselves sick. This is something a child will continue to do if you react to it.

Plan ahead and have spare pyjamas ready and bedding ready to change the bed at high speed. Enter the room and do not say a word.

If your child talks simply ignore them. Do not get involved in conversation. Change their pyjamas in the dark and change the bed asap.

Guide him back to bed and repeat the routine “Goodnight, I love you. See you at breakfast time.” Confidently walk out of the room.

Continue with this until he ceases being sick.

How long before she will be sleeping through the night?

Follow the 3 day plan in the book and it will take 3 consecutive days to make the change.

Start on a Monday and your house will be all quiet at night by the weekend!

Do I always have to put them to bed or can someone else do it eventually?

Will everything come undone if we go on holiday?

If you manage to train your child to sleep through the night you will be able to do this again if the routine comes undone for some reason. When people go on holiday they will return to a workload at their desk.

Your job is no different. You might need to retrain but by this stage you will know exactly what you are doing and everything will be back to normal after a maximum of 3 consecutive days.

For further knowledge on Kathryn Mewes 3 Day Plans purchase her book from Amazon ‘The 3 Day Nanny’.

Kathryn Mewes provides a bespoke service. For further information go to www.bespokenanny.com or call direct on 07787 821525.

What happens to the routine if they become sick / unwell?

When a child is unwell and they are in pain we give them a pain killer such as Calpol.

You then find that they generally want to sleep. Illness exhausts them. You can still read them a story and put them to bed. If you are concerned you can set your alarm through the night to check on them or have the monitor on full volume. It is very rare that a child will need to sleep in the master bed, especially if they are running a temperature.

If the illness is more serious and they do need to share your bed this is fine. Once they are all better you can return to your old ways and if they challenge you simply remember to remain strong and consistent – it only takes 3 days!

10 consecutive days of you putting your child to bed and then they will be relaxed enough to let someone else do it. Remember that children take comfort in routine and continuity.

Whoever replaces you at bed time needs to follow the same system.

58 - December 2012 l Rascals of London

Web: www.bespokenanny.com Tel: 07787 821 525

Advertising - Rascals of London

Rascals of London l December 2012 - 59

1.

2.

Packages start from just £119 for a family of four, which includes two days in the Park plus an overnight stay at a nearby hotel with delicious breakfast.

Or why not stay in the heart of the action at the Chessington Resort Hotel from just £154 for a family of four and you’ll get loads of exclusive resort hotel benefits!

Where: Chessington, Surrey KT9 2NE Tel: 0871 663 4477 Web: www.chessingtonholidays.co.uk

There are 4 stunning village locations across the UK, each set in 400 acres of beautiful forest with lakes and streams. Each village has a wide range of restaurants, cafes and shops. Plus, there’s over 200 indoor and outdoor activities including the subtropical swimming paradise to keep your whole family entertained.

4.

Where: Whinfell Forest, Cumbria Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire Elveden Forest, Suffolk Longleat Forest, Wiltshire Tel: 0844 826 7723 Web: www.centerparcs.co.uk

3.

The Park has been one of the UK’s best-loved attractions for over 60 years. It features an extensive Safari Park, is home to BBC Animal Park and CBBC Roar and also has over 15 fabulous attractions, including the new multi million pound Jungle Kingdom and Longleat House, one of the most stunning stately homes in Britain.

Why not combine your trip with a weekend stay at Center Parcs beautiful Longleat Forest, situated just along the road from the Park.

Where: Longleat, Warminster, Wiltshire, BA12 7NW Tel: 0198 584 4400 Web: www.longleat.co.uk

60 - December 2012 l Rascals of London

This new family attraction is based on a mystical tale written by AJ Kecojevic. Hobbledown is situated on Horton Park Children’s Farm, a fifty-acre site which is home to more than 200 animals as well as indoor and outdoor play equipment. Visitors can explore Hobbledown Village, where the Hobblers’ houses and towers are found, test their skills on the Low Ropes Adventure, the aerial walkways and Play Village mazes, and search for magical stones in the Mining Village, where the Hobblers work.

Where: Horton Lane, Surrey, Epsom, KT19 8PT Tel: 0843 289 4979 Web: www.hobbledown.com

5.

At Butlins you can experience your perfect Christmas without the usual expense. So put your feet up this year, let us do all the hard work, and experience an unforgettable Christmas. Pay a visit to our magical grotto

and meet the big man himself, see a festive panto, or stroke Bjorn the friendly Polar Bear.

Plus this year they have an exciting Enchanted Forest for children to explore.

Where: Bognor Regis, Minehead, Skegness Tel: 0845 070 4740 Web: www.butlins.com

6.

7.

Escape for a weekend break from Friday – Sunday to the Alton Towers Resort and enjoy an overnight stay with full cooked breakfast in one of their fantastically themed hotels.

Where: Alton, Staffordshire ST10 4DB Tel: 0871 222 3330 Web: www.altontowers.com

Great Glen Water Park Great Glen Water Park is part of the Go Active Breaks collection. Having undergone over half a million pounds worth of extensive refurbishment over the last two years this park now looks better than ever. Surrounded by magnificent scenery on the shores of Loch Oich and Loch Lochy, with the wooded hills of the Great Glen behind,this park offers an excellent variety of watersports and land based activities, together with the comfort and convenience.

Where: Kinlochlochy, Spean Bridge, Inverness–shire Web: www.hoseasons.co.uk/holiday-parks

8.

Tel: 0844 847 1356

Something a little closer to home.

Bringing LEGO to life, an inspirational and family fun attraction perfect for children between 3 - 12 years old. Let your child be the hero as they become a pirate, viking or a diver in one of over 55 rides, attractions and shows set in over 150 acres of LEGO themed parkland.

In the new Legoland Hotel they have many child friendly features, including: Pirate-themed indoor water play area, Swimming pool, Secret whoopee cushions and Tight-rope walking marching guards. All bedrooms are themed – Pirate, Kingdom or Adventure – with interactive challenges to inspire little imaginations.

Where: Windsor, Berkshire, SL4 4AY Tel: 0845 373 2640 Web: www.legolandholidays.co.uk

Rascals of London l December 2012 - 61

10.

Uncover a world of chocolate delights and enjoy a fascinating fun-packed day out at Cadbury World!

Learn how your favourite confectionery is made, play in chocolate rain and create your own delicious taste sensation covered in warm liquid Cadbury Dairy Milk.

9.

With fourteen amazing zones, there’s something for everyone!

Where: Bournville, Birmingham, B30 2LU Tel: 0844 880 7667 Web: www.cadburyworld.co.uk

Set amongst the woodland of Dorset lays 65 acres of this internationally-acclaimed ape rescue centre, home to over 230 rescued and endangered monkeys and apes.

Combining fun with conservation, half-hourly talks explain all about man’s closest living relative. See the stars of TV’s ‘‘Monkey Life’, then ‘monkey around’ in the south’s largest play area.

Where: Longthorns, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 6HH Tel: 01929 462 537 Web: www.monkeyworld.org

One more for luck This year experience the Christmas magic of LaplandUK, the award winning recreation of Father Christmas’ arctic homeland, where families enjoy a magical daytrip that celebrates a child’s belief in Father Christmas.

Now in its sixth year, LaplandUK has entranced and captivated thousands of young children receiving national and international acclaim and celebrity patronage for its unique and truly authentic Christmas experience.

Where: Lamberhurst, Kent, TN3 8JH Tel: 0871 620 7063 Web: www.laplanduk.co.uk

62 - December 2012 l Rascals of London

Advertising - Rascals of London

de AndrĂŠs &Goldstein Clinic

Psychology, Psychotherapy and Wellbeing

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Postnatal Therapy & Support

Free Initial Session Individual and Groups Other services

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Rascals of London l December 2012 - 63

Directory & Services Classes

Private schools

Day Nurseries

Club Petit Pierrot

Ashton House School

Tel: 0207 385 5565

Tel: 0208 560 3902

St Mary Magdalen Montessori Nursery School

Baby Sensory

Bassett House

Tel: 0208 878 0756

Tel: 0759 437 1664

Tel: 0208 969 0313

Baby Yoga

Channing Junior School

St Mary’s Summerstown Montessori Nursery School

Tel: 0208 968 1900

Baby Sensory

Tel: 0208 342 9862

Tel: 0208 947 7359

Ackroyd Community Nursery

Tel: 0783 417 0485

Chepstow House

Boogie Babies

Tel: 0207 243 0243

Tel: 0208 291 4933

Devonshire House Prep School

Asquith Battersea Day Nursery

Tel: 0796 049 8208

Bright Sparks Tel: 0203 194 3178

Buzy Beez Tel: 07903 813 618

Catch a Ball Tel: 0208 398 3034

Caterpillar Music

Eaton House School

Blossoms Day Nursery

Eddie Catz

Tel: 0207 924 6000

Tel: 0208 760 0540

Tel: 0845 201 1268

Eaton Square School

Blue House Day Nursery and Preschool

Funky Monkeys

Tel: 0208 681 7579

It’s a Kid’s Thing

Bluebell Nursery

Tel: 0208 739 0909

Tel: 0208 566 7876

Little Dinosaurs

Carlton Hill Community Nursery

Tel: 0208 444 1338

Tel: 0207 624 3814

Tel: 0208 527 5431

Tel: 0207 730 2971

Crafty Tales

Garden House School

Tel: 0781 059 6342

Tel: 0207 730 1652

Culture Kids

Hall School

Tel: 0781 844 0771

Tel: 0207 722 1700

Dance Stars

Heathfield School GDST, Pinner Tel: 0208 868 2346

Tel: 0143 871 4893

Highgate Pre-Preparatory

Discover - Story Making Centre

Knightsbridge School

Tel: 0208 340 9196

Tel: 0208 536 5555

Tel: 0207 590 9000

Jo Jingles

Lloyd Williamson Schools - Telford Road

Monkey Music Tel: 0208 438 0189

Tumble Tots Tel: 0121 585 7003

Toy Library Tel: 0207 231 3755

Footprints Playgroup Tel: 020 8305 0520

West London Tots Tel: 07939 070 773

Adventure Playzone

Tel: 0208 960 1515

Tel: 0207 639 1812

Tel: 0796 183 8349

Indoor Play

Tel: 0208 695 9959

Francis Holland School

Latino Bambino

Tel: 0208 538 3999

Tel: 0207 251 2284

Childrens play room

Tel: 0208 655 1583

Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery

Bramleys

Tel: 0207 373 4501

Kids Play Cafe

Tel: 0207 480 6396

Blooming Kidz

Tel: 0780 115 1968

Tel: 0208 445 8889

Matilda Day Nursery

Dallington School

Falkner House

Kids@N20

Tel: 0170 872 2800

Tel: 0208 539 8343

Chatterbabies

Tel: 0149 477 8989

Mary Poppins Day Nursery

Tel: 0175 320 1122

Tel: 0207 931 9469

Digswell Toddler Group

Tel: 0208 211 3119

Tel: 0207 435 1916

Tel: 0208 693 9731

Tel: 0775 374 8819

Little Leo’s Nursery

Tel: 0208 962 0345

La Chouette School Tel: 0755 702 9255

L’Ecole Des Petits Tel: 0207 371 8350

London Christian School Tel: 0203 130 6430

Notting Hill Prep Tel: 0207 221 0727

The King Alfred Lower School Tel: 0208 457 5200

Wetherby School Tel: 0207 727 9581

Yesodey Hatorah School Tel: 0208 800 8612

Dicky Birds - Surbiton Tel: 0208 942 5779

Dreammaker Day Nursery

Tel: 0208 814 2167

Toddlers World Tumble in the Jungle Tel: 0870 626 0710

Tel: 0207 480 7166

Parties

Giggles & Wiggles

Party Magic Box

Tel: 0208 566 4774

Web: www.partymagicbox.co.uk Tel: 0791 316 8323

Goldstar Montessori Nursery

Boo!

Tel: 0208 364 6876

Tel: 0207 287 9090

Green Gables

Creative Biscuit

Tel: 0207 488 2374

Tel: 0208 532 2824

Hillyfields Day nursey

Creation Station

Tel: 0208 694 1069

Tel: 0844 854 9085

Jackanory

Fait Maison

Tel: 0784 917 1524

Tel: 0208 222 8755

Jelli Tots Nursery

Lila’s Party

Tel: 0208 451 5477

Tel: 0772 232 0862

Jigsaw Day Nursery

Nutty

Tel: 0208 646 6075

Tel: 0788 405 0954

Keiki Day Care Nursery

Perform Parties

Tel: 0208 340 3841

Tel: 0845 400 4000

Kiddi Caru Day Nursery

The Action Station

Tel: 0208 679 4009

Tel: 0870 770 2705

Little Angels

The Little Things

Tel: 0207 274 8333

Tel: 0142 487 0398

Little Elves Montessori Nursery School

Tin Pan Annie

Tel: 0792 176 1835

Violet and Lily

Tel: 0208 670 0644 Tel: 0208 946 2353

64 - December 2012 l Rascals of London

Directory & Services Half Term Camps

Photography

Health Centres

Shops

Active Sport:

Ada

Victoria Medical center

Blooming Bump

Tel: 0115 973 1676

Tel: 0208 525 1444

Tel: 0207 834 2298

Advanturous Muslim Summer Camp

Bravo Post

Waterloo Health Center

Email: info@bloomingbump.com Web: www.bloomingbump.com

Tel: 0207 287 7811

Tel: 0207 928 4049

Biff

Tel: 0207 252 0509

Clare Breheny

Birdhurst Medical Practice

Tel: 0208 299 0911

Tel: 0797 375 3636

Tel: 0208 686 2070

Blue Daisy

Garnham Photography

Bloomsbury Street Surgery

Tel: 0207 681 4144

Tel: 0771 194 1208

Tel: 0207 837 8559

Boots

Little Lookers

East Barnet health centre

Tel: 0207 409 2982

Tel: 0779 395 3610

Tel: 0208 440 1251

Bonpoint

Lomography

St James Medical center

Tel: 0207 792 2515

Tel: 0207 434 1466

Tel: 0208 684 5353

Caramel

Magic Rainbow

Killick Street health centre

Tel: 0207 589 7001

Tel: 0794 638 0581

Tel: 0207 833 9939

Early Learning Centre

Murphy James

Mitchison Road surgery

Tel: 0207 581 5764

Tel: 0207 278 4770

Tel: 0207 226 6016

Hamleys

Silverprint

The London General Practice

Tel: 0871 704 1977

Tel: 0207 935 1000

Tel: 0163 529 8326

CityDoc

Just Williams Toys

Tel: 0207 256 8668

Tel: 0203 538 6798 ‎

Allsorts Tel: 0208 969 3249

Camp Beaumont Tel: 0126 382 3000

Crazee Kids Tel: 0208 444 5333

Creative Wiz Kids Tel: 0207 794 6797

Cross Keys Tel: 0208 371 9686

Hampstead Dyslexia Clinic Tel: 0208 455 5107

Fit For Sport Ltd Tel: 0845 456 3233

FZY

Tel: 0207 620 0844

White Todd Tel: 0207 734 9070

Tel: 0208 201 6661

Easy 2 Name Lables

Let Me Play

Yoga/Fitness

Dover House Surgery

Marie-Chatal

Tel: 0208 735 5379

Beez Kneez

Tel: 0208 807 1888

Tel: 0207 838 1111

Jewellery Summer school

Tel: 0208 354 1583

Willow House Surgery

Mush Kids ltd

Tel: 0203 176 0546

Egoist Body Studios

Tel: 0208 363 0472

Tel: 0208 653 6635

Jonathan Markson Tennis

Tel: 0785 092 7523

The James Wigg Practice

Mimmo

Tel: 0207 603 2422

Good Vibes

Tel: 0203 317 2000

Tel: 0207 731 4706

Kids Theatre week

Tel: 0207 240 6111

Clein Dr Lewis

Mother Care

Tel: 0207 557 6799

Light Centre Belgravia

Tel: 0207 580 8356

Tel: 0207 581 5764

Little Actors Summer School

Tel: 0207 881 0728

Tel: 0800 389 6184

Tel: 0208 354 1583

Birthing Babies

Me and My Baby Clinic

Tel: 0779 685 0016

Little Kickers Tel: 0193 242 9602

London Childrens Ballet Tel: 0208 969 1555

Music Makers Tel: 0142 565 4819

Stage Coach Tel: 0193 225 4333

Super Camps Tel: 0123 583 2222

React Drama Workshops Tel: 0208 366 1623

Days Made Easier Tel: 0208 201 7072

Allsorts Drama Tel: 0208 969 3249

all4kids Tel: 0787 625 4691

Play five aside Tel: 0203 432 9584

Mama Sambo

Mummy & Little Me

Antenatal

Tel: 0207 751 4170

Birth Hypnosis

Pregnancy Yoga

Tel: 0774 707 5340

Tel: 0152 254 8811

Oh Baby London Tel: 0207 247 4949

Pares Footwear Tel: 0208 297 0785

Tel: 0795 829 6647

Calm Birth Calm Baby

The Life Centre

Tel: 0794 976 4105

Tel: 0207 221 4602

Cupcake

Triyoga

Tel: 0208 875 1065

Tel: 0207 483 3344

Gas & Air

Yoga & Pilates London

Tel: 0797 425 3461

Tel: 0207 235 7737

Pom D Api Tel: 0207 243 0535

Please Mum Tel: 0207 486 1380

Tel: 0207 735 2177

Gilly Keith Antenatal

Yoganess

Tel: 0796 856 6396

Tel: 0795 668 1796

Inspiring Births

Yoga4Birth

Tel: 0777 542 5301

Tel: 0208 923 6452

Mybabyclass

Yoga College of London

Tel: 0781 260 4405

Tel: 0207 373 7070

The Summit

Baby Massage and Yoga

Tel: 0208 340 4040

Petite Ange

Ralph Lauren Tel: 0207 590 7990

Roobub&Custard Tel: 0779 645 1513

Rykiel Tel: 0207 493 5255

Small Print Tel: 0208 567 7871

Tel: 0758 206 9378

Portland Hospital

Mum-me-time

Tel: 0207 580 4400

The Cross Tel: 0207 727 6760

Tel: 0798 145 6470

Rascals of London l December 2012 - 65

Advertising - Rascals of London

SLEEP CONSULTANT EATING AND WEANING BEHAVIOUR AND DISCIPLINE kathryn@bespokenanny.com

www.bespokenanny.com

07787 821 525

Advertise With Us In our Easter Edition

Make the most of your business

Call us on: 07514852648 Or email us at: info@rascalsoflondon.co.uk 66 - December 2012 l Rascals of London

Advertising - Rascals of London

Rascals of London l December 2012 - 67

Ring-Rings.com creates personalised ID armbands for your tearaway toddlers and curious kiddies.

The colourful, squidgy, silicon armbands promise a little parental peace of mind; whilst maintaining an appropriate level of primary school cool!

ID armbands

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Order Now! 68 - December 2012 l Rascals of London