ISSUE FIVE JULY/AUGUST 2015 Leicestershire and Rutland
Switch off & recharge Why doing nothing is good for all the family
WAR AND PEACE Sort out squabbling sibblings
Beside the seaside STAYING SAFE ON THE SAND
LOCAL • FAMILY • LIFESTYLE
WIN!
cornwall
family break
EXPLORE
SPLASH & MORE
This Summer, not only can you explore our amazing animal kingdom but you can splash around like our humboldt penguins and oriental small-clawed otters in our a huge water play area; Wet ‘n’ Wild
www.twycrosszoo.org Twycross Zoo is a registered charity (number 501841) which exists to support conservation, education and research.
00000_TWY_two_point_four_JUNE2015.indd 1
Burton Road, Atherstone, Warwickshire, CV9 3PX. Find us on the A444, via the A5 and the M42 junction 11.
22/06/2015 13:44
CONTENTS ISSUE FIVE JULY/AU GUST 2015
Leicestershire and Rutland
Editor’s welcome Switch off & recharge
A cheery “hi” from us to you . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Why doing nothing y is good for all the famil
CE WAR AND PEA sibblings
News and reviews
Sort out squabbling
Beside the seaside STAYING SAFE ON THE SAND
Everything we think you’d like to know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 WIN!
cornwalealk family br
• LIFEST YLE LOC AL • FAMILY
twopointfourmagazine.co.uk Two Point Four is a bimonthly magazine devoted entirely to family life, available freely in print and online. With highquality original features aimed at parents, carers and guardians of all pre-school and school-age children, it has a distinctly local focus and is a magazine to read, share and keep. Two Point Four covers essential topics including children’s interests, activities, education and health, and lifestyle interests for parents. If your pre-school, nursery, school or business would like to receive free copies of each issue to distribute to parents and carers or to make available to your customers, please contact us using the details below. Published by Full Stop Communications Ltd
The low-down on the latest must haves: Grown-ups
Keeping your cool in the summer heat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Little ones
All the essentials for home and holiday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Oh we do like to be beside the seaside Top tips for staying safe on the sand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Pick your battles, win the war Dealing with bickering brothers and scrapping sisters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Contact: 01455 273281 For editorial queries, email: editorial@twopointfourmagazine.co.uk For advertising queries, email: advertising@twopointfourmagazine.co.uk Designed by Come Hither Design
© Full Stop Communications Ltd 2015. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be used or reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. Full Stop Communications Limited (company number 9185239) is registered in England and Wales. All content in this magazine is for information only and was correct at the time of going to press, as far as we are aware. The publisher cannot accept responsibility for any errors or inaccuracies herein and readers are advised to contact the advertisers with regard to the pricing and availability of any products or services they offer in this magazine. If you submit unsolicited material to the magazine you grant Full Stop Communications a licence to publish your submissions, if we choose to do so, in whole or in part in all editions of the magazine, including any other future versions, in any print and digital format. Any material you submit for publication is at your risk and although we will take every care, neither Full Stop Communications, its employees, subcontractors or agents shall by liable for any loss or damage.
Importance of doing nothing When life feels non-stop, take time out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Size really does matter We get the low down on looking after little ones’ feet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Spotlight on… Snugglebundl. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Win! A two-night break for a family of four . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
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WELL, HELLO
Hello and welcome to Two Point Four magazine In May and June, we’ve been:
Finally, the long-awaited great British summer time is here.
I don’t know about you, but we’re definitely ready for a few weeks of glorious sunshine, cloudless blue skies and warm, balmy evenings, just perfect for impromptu barbecues. Lots of you will be heading off to the beach either for a day trip or a break away and it’s all too easy to forget that the sand and sea pose a real danger to children, big and small. With this in mind, we’ve teamed up with the RNLI to ask them for their advice about staying safe beside the seaside and you can read their advice on pages 18–21. And with the long school holiday stretching ahead, now seems the perfect time to explore the highs and lows of relationships between siblings. One minute they’re the best of friends, the next, they’re at each other’s throats. Turn to page 22–24 for our suggestions on how to enjoy a calmer, more peaceful summer. The warm summer months are also the perfect time to try and slow things down a little. The pace of life is fast enough during term time, and trying to take things that little bit easier could make a huge difference to the health and wellbeing of the whole family. Make the most of there being less activities, less demands on our time and encourage the kids to do nothing. Yes, you heard us right. Nothing. Turn to page 26–28 to find out more about why downtime is so essential for us all. On that note, we’re off to find a hammock… Have a glorious summer!
avid D d n a ie n e h p te S
editor@twopointfourmagazine.co.uk T: 01455 273281
facebook.com/twopointfourmagazine Web: twopointfourmagazine.co.uk
FACEBOOKING: Our littlest lost her beloved comforter while we were out in Leicester one weekend and was heartbroken to be without her no-longerpink rabbit. Thanks to the power of Facebook, and some incredibly kindhearted and eagle-eyed people, the very next day they were reunited, though not without a sleepless night in between. If you shared our desperate post, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. ENJOYING: We’ve managed a couple of grown-up evenings, seeing Take That and Alan Carr. Not together, obviously. SHOPPING: Child number two starts school this September so we’ll be shopping this summer for her school essentials and cuter-than-cute uniform.
WATCHING: The grown ups have been guffawing at Silicon Valley while the little ones have enjoying Boj. And Bing. We’re enjoying neither.
READING: The little ones have embraced the spirit of a new royal birth with The New Royal Baby by Timothy Knapman. The teen was immersed in Truckers by Terry Pratchett.
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NEWS & REVIEWS
Survive the FESTIVAL SEASON If, like us, you’re heading to a family festival this summer, here’s some top tips from Radio 2 DJ Sara Cox and other experienced festival-going parents: Always take an umbrella to either use as essential rain protection or, if you’re lucky, as a parasol when sitting with little ones between events. Wherever you go, take picnic blankets with you so you’ve always got somewhere to sit. Make late-night trips to the loo more fun by providing your kids with their own torches. Write your mobile number on a wristband to pop on your child’s arm if they get lost. For older ones, identify an easy-to-find central point where you can meet them if you get separated. Carry a stash of easy, fast food such as cartons of juice, raisins, fruit or popcorn for when hunger pangs start and the queues for food are a mile long. Ditch the buggy and take a backpack for tiny ones. And if they’re really little, think about ear defenders. Essential packing: wet wipes, antibacterial hand gel, sun screen, waterproofs.
So r et r o ! W
ith the long summer holidays stretching out in front of us, it can be quite daunting thinking about inventive ways to keep children happy and, let’s be honest, out of mischief. While it’s tempting to fall back on modern technology to keep young minds busy with laptops, smartphones and tablets, we’ve had our hearts captured by a brand new book packed full of fantastic ideas to transport our youngsters back in time to our own childhoods, but with a few added extras that we’d have loved to have tried ourselves. Go-Carts, Catapults and Midnight Feasts is a fantastic collection of 101 vintage past-times for modern kids. Every activity is fun (with just a sneaky bit of education thrown in), and no activities need complex equipment, batteries or computers. And, best of all,
each illustration has more than 100 original line drawings which are just itching to be coloured in. And, as parents or grandparents can fill in the date when the activity was completed by which child, it also provides TH INK ING AH EA D a wonderful Losing sight of your child at a busy keepsake. zoo, theme park or playground is Go-Carts, every parents’ worst nightmare. Catapults Befo re you go anywhere, take a photo and Midnight of the kids just before you head out Feasts, 101 the door. This way you’ll have an image Vintage on your phone of the exact outfit Pastimes for Modern Kids, they’re wearing and what they look like by Catherine should you need to raise the alarm. Cox, is out now, £20, from The History Press.
TASTY SAVINGS at Highcross this summer This summer, Leicester foodies are in for a treat with amazing offers and discounts from some of the 40 restaurants, bars, cafes and food kiosks in Highcross. Visitors to Highcross can enjoy tasty savings all summer long by downloading and registering the new PLUS app or by collecting an offer booklet from the Customer Service Lounge. The app, which is free to download, will notify users of the latest offers, which can then be redeemed from the selected retailers. The SummerDine event kicks off on 13 July and lasts throughout August. With dining options from around the world, from burgers at Byrons to Caribbean
cuisine courtesy of Turtle Bay, there’s bound to be something for everyone. And that’s not all. Showcase Cinema de Lux Highcross will be screening all of the blockbusters from action to comedy, including Minions, Mission Impossible – Rogue Nation, Terminator Genisys and Ant-Man. A great array of Event Cinema will also be shown, such as the RSC’s Othello, Romeo & Juliet by the Royal Ballet, and the National Theatre’s version of Hamlet, which will be screened in September. For more information on SummerDine and other events at Highcross, Leicester visit highcrossleicester.com.
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NEWS & REVIEWS
LIVING TOGETHER As the laws around cohabitation are far from clear, Bray and Bray has put together some essential info
I
t’s not unusual for couples to live together and have children without being married. However, in England and Wales, while married couples are protected by law should they separate or divorce, those who haven’t walked down the aisle can be left to deal with unfair outcomes should their relationship break down. “It makes sense for couples who live together, or are about to, to take steps to ensure certain details are properly recorded, such as the percentage of the home they each own,” said Chris Munroe, Family Law Solicitor at Bray & Bray. “It’s also worth making a will which will clearly set out who should inherit what in the event of a death, including who should receive benefits from a pension or policy.” A long-held belief is that living together gives the couple the status of ‘common-law’ husband and wife, with similar rights to a married couple. However, this is not the case, regardless of how long the parties have lived together or whether they had children.
“To avoid or at least minimise disputes in the case of a relationship breakdown, couples can create a Living Together Agreement,” said Chris. “This will clearly define ownership of assets and responsibilities for liabilities and potentially save anguish and money should the relationship break down and a dispute arise about who is entitled to what.” Where both of you own your property, it’s important to be clear on which type of joint ownership applies: either joint tenants or tenants in common. With joint tenancy, should one of you die, the deceased person’s share automatically passes to the survivor. If you are tenants in common, that share goes to their next of kin. If a couple wish to change their existing status, they can do so by talking to a solicitor. If you would like advice on any of these issues or generally concerning co-habitation, please contact us for some free initial telephone advice by calling Chris on 01858 467181 or email cesmonro@braybray.co.uk.
H O T, H O T , H OT If you or your littl e ones have had a little too much sun, it’s essentia l that you get the best advice to tr eat sunburn. Visit www.nhs.u k/conditions/sun burn for the most up-t o-date medical informat ion.
ANYONE FOR TENNIS? Tennis is the perfect summer sport for the whole family
If you and the family have ever fancied taking up tennis but haven’t yet picked up a racquet, what’s stopping you? Enderby Tennis Club has all the coaching facilities you need to take up the sport, offering three premium allweather courts and family membership so everyone, big and small, can give tennis a go. “Tennis is more affordable than people think, it’s really low cost compared to most local gyms, and it’s something that the whole family can enjoy together,” said Rob Dakin, Enderby Tennis Club Secretary. “Tom, our coach, is fantastic with all players, regardless of whether they’re 5 or 85.” And the tennis club is opening its doors to children from local schools as part of an arrangement where they can give tennis a try with the club’s coaching team during the summer holidays and into the new school term. To find out more, call Rob on 0116 286 1253 or coach Tom on 07824 631378. If you’d like to give tennis a try, Two Point Four readers can get a 15% discount on their first year of membership and a free coaching session for children by quoting 'TwoPointFour' to the club.
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NEWS & REVIEWS
SEE THE WORLD…
reviewer’s corner
The perfect way to introduce children to the countries of the world and their colourful cultures, the Collins Picture Atlas and Collins Children’s World Map are packed full of fun facts and glorious pictures. Ideal for little adventurers heading off on holiday or learning about different countries at school, both the atlas and the map bring the world to life with bright,
quirky illustrations and information about the weird and wonderful skiing bears of Mont Blanc, Mexico’s volcano rabbits, Norwegian troll and a Spanish tooth mouse. Parents can save 30% on the atlas and map on collins.co.uk, and download five free colouring pages taken from the atlas. The atlas cover is also brought to life at collins.co.uk/pictureatlas,
HOOK’S DAUGHTER BY HEIDI SCHULZ
Our reviewer: Olivia Brookes, 8, Year 3 at Greystoke Primary School in Narborough and her mum Jess. In Olivia’s words: “I loved the whole story, especially when she tricks the cannonballs because it was funny when she was telling them what to do when it’s not true. The book has very good characters, especially Jocelyn. It involves fairies, pirates, a crocodile, some lost boys and of course, Captain Jocelyn Hook!” Jess said: “I decided to read the book before passing it to Olivia and after just a few chapters, I stopped and started again but this time reading out loud to both of my daughters, aged 6 and 8. It was excellent! Interesting and exciting, Jocelyn is my kind of girl – witty, determined and intelligent. The writing is non-patronising, using plenty of new and big words but in a way that explains their meaning. I would recommend this book as a fun read. It’s the perfect antithesis to all the princess propaganda that threatens to override our daughters’ natural curiosity and daring natures!”
… from the comfort of your own home
allowing parents and children to take a fun We have copies of trip around the Collins Picture Atlas and the world. Children’s World Map to give Suitable for away. If you’d like to get your hands children aged on them, just drop us a line at 4–8, Collins hello@twopointfourmagazine.co.uk Picture Atlas before end of September when we’ll draw the is £8.99 and lucky winners. Collins Children’s World Map is £4.99.
RIVER DAUGHTER BY JANE HARDSTAFF
Our reviewer: Charlotte Cassidy, 10, Year 5 at Manorfield Primary School, Stoney Stanton. Charlotte says: “Although this is the second book in a series, you don’t have to have read the first book to enjoy this. It is set during the reign of Henry VIII. Moss, the daughter of the exexecutioner from the Tower of London has moved with her father and her friend, Salter, to the country. She is summoned to London by the River Witch, offering her freedom from the spell which traps her if she promises to help. She travels back to the Tower of London with Salter to try to stop the evil that is building. With the help of Eel-Eye Jack, Moss manages to get into the Beast Tower where she befriends a polar bear, and Princess Elizabeth. She follows clues to find out the dreadful things happening at ‘The Pit’. A brilliant fast paced story, full of adventures. I would recommend this book to any child aged 9 or over who like scary adventure books. The historical setting adds further interest to it, making it a brilliant read.”
THE SIN EATER’S DAUGHTER BY MELINDA SALISBURY
Our reviewer: Alice, 12, Year 7 at Holbrook Academy. Alice says: “I loved this book, it was really exciting. It is a little slow starting but it is worth persevering with as it turns out to be a great story. If you like fantasy books than this is for you. I think the age range would be 11+. It’s about a girl, Twylla, who is known as the Sin Eater’s daughter. She was to be passed on to her mother’s job as Sin Eater, but Twylla has been chosen by the gods to marry the prince and rule the kingdom of Lordmere. Being gifted this privilege comes at a price. A fatal poison infuses her skin. Those who anger the queen must die under Twylla’s deadly touch in the telling room. She’s become the court executioner! The prince is immune to the poison, but avoids being near Twylla and her murderous ways. Lief, a new guard at the palace, falls in love with Twylla, despite her being an executioner. This is a great book with an exciting ending and I hope you read it.”
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CLASS TIMETABLE All classes are free to members (Racquet sports not included in membership) MONDAY
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6.30–7.30pm Circuits Sports Hall £4.80
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9.30–10.30am Pilates Dance Studio £4.00
9.30–10.30am LBT Dance Studio £4.00
9.30–10.30am Aerobic Conditioning Dance Studio £4.00
9.30–10.30am Boot Camp Football Pitch £4.00
10.30–11.30am Over 50s Badminton* Sports Hall £2.60
10.30–11.30am Over 50s Circuits Sports Hall £3.00
6.30–7.30pm Pilates Dance Studio £4.00
Low intensity class
WEDNESDAY
6.30–7.15pm Zumba Sports Hall £3.40
6.20–7.30pm Insanity Sports Hall £4.80
6.30–7.30pm Mini Circuits Dance Studio £4.00
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Medium intensity class
6.00–6.45pm HIIT Dance Studio £3.50
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Ed Day advert:Layout 1
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17/06/2015
09:45
Page 1
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MUST HAVES: GROWN UPS
FEELING THE HEAT?
As the temperatures soar, keep your cool in these sensational summer essentials
Sequin top, Judie earrings,
£15, Phase Eight
V stone layer necklace, £8,
£24, Dorothy Perkins
Accessorize Drop hem dress, £20,
Printed kaftan,
George at Asda
£30, Apricot
Men’s buckle sandals,
£28, Next Oriental bird shirt,
£7, Primark Animal print sheer top,
£25, Very
Patterned trousers,
Gold wrap bangle, Tu at
Sainsbury’s
£42, RJR at Debenhams
Floral playsuit,
£45, Wallis Striped knitted polo, £60,
Men’s shorts,
£30, J by Jasper Conran at Debenhams
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Sandals, £79, Dune
House of Fraser
Sandals, £18, Dorothy Perkins
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MUST HAVES: LITTLE ONES
MAKE PLAY
WHILE THE SUN SHINES
Our selection of the latest things for your littlies to enjoy, wear or play with this summer
Ice lolly vests, set
of two, £8, BHS Twister Picnic Blanket, £18,
The Great Gift Company
Personalised beach towel,
£25, Sugar Plum Handmade Gifts, Not On The High Street
Wooden doll’s pram,
£119, Amara
Children’s clothes, M&Co
Superman UV suit with hat,
£19.99, Babies R Us
Tank Waterproof Bluetooth speaker,
Ring toss, £4, Tiger, Highcross
£29.95, Red 5, Highcross
Fringe beaded sandals, £15, Next Skull t-shirt,
£5, F&F
Badminton set, £6,
Tiger, Highcross Jelly shoe,
from £7, M&S
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Chad Valley Hoppers, £4.99
Sand toys,
each, Argos
£3.50, Wilko
Wooden playhouse with dormer window, £649.95, Cuckooland
MUST HAVES: SUMMER PARENTING ESSENTIALS
Going
AWAY?
Wrap them up with this funky flip-flop beach towel, £8,
Keeps teens’ music to themselves, with
Tesco Direct
Bang and Olufsen headphones, £109, Very
Magnetic portable play desk,
Let them look after their own cases: Polka Ladybird trolley case and backpack, £69.99, Hit the beach with this floral rash jacket and surf shorts, both
£16, Monsoon
Here’s our round-up of holiday essentials when it comes to travelling with kids, big and small, this summer
£19.99, Chad Valley
Keep them busy on journeys with a selection of summer activity books, Usborne
The Cuties and Pals Download some educational games on this Fire HD Kids Edition, from
Protect little eyes with these sunglasses,
£119, Amazon
from £15, Vision Express
r e b m e t p e S r fo … get ready
Spaceship backpack and lunch box, £25, Becky and Lolo
The start of the school year isn’t that far away so stock up now and avoid the last-minute panic
Selected children’s wear, M&S
Skwiggle pen, £8, 50 Fifty Gifts Monster mash up pencil case, £6, Paperchase
‘Yay lunch’ lunchbox,
Folder, £1.50, Wilko
£7.50, Hinton’s Home Unicorn pencil case, £7, Paperchase
Personalised pencils, from £7.25, Not On The High Street
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d e o li w ke to b e h O ide the s s e aside e b
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PARENTING
A trip to the seaside isn’t just about building sandcastles and paddling in the sea. Even around the seemingly gentle UK coast, there are dangerous riptides, and parents really need to know how best to protect their little ones. Two Point Four caught up with the RNLI to get their top tips about seaside safety
W
hen you think of days spent on the beach, it’s easy to forget the almost hidden dangers, focusing instead on paddling, picnics and buckets and spades. According to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), the majority of people they help each summer are children. Nearly two-thirds of the people they helped were children and the most common type of incident for people of all ages involved dangerous rip currents that can quickly overpower swimmers, surfers and even paddling children and take them out of their depth. They can occur at any beach with waves, which equates to most of the UK coast. As a result, the RNLI enourage people to swim between the red and yellow flags at lifeguarded beaches. Lifeguards are experts – they know their beaches and are experienced in spotting dangers such as rip currents. So families can really enjoy their beach trips this summer, here’s the RNLI’s top tips to stay safe:
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1 ALWAYS CHOOSE A BEACH PATROLLED BY LIFEGUARDS You are far less likely to run into danger on a lifeguarded beach and if you do have any kind of incident, assistance such as as first aid is close by, available from the RNLI lifeguards. On a lifeguarded beach, only enter the water to paddle, swim, surf or body board in between the the red and yellow flags. This is the safest part of the beach because it’s where the lifeguards patrol. Lifeguards will move the flags to adjust for changing conditions during the course of the day as rip currents and other dangers can come and go with the tide and varying weather conditions. With the RNLI Beach Finder app, you can easily search the UK for lifeguarded beaches to make sure you and your family have a safe and fun trip to the coast. Free and available for Apple and Android devices, the app also gives you real-time weather and tide information. Once you’ve chosen the right beach, you can enter the sandcastle competition, take a challenging beach quiz and send virtual postcards. Search the app store for the RNLI Beach Finder app.
2. KNOW YOUR FLAGS On beaches patrolled by lifeguards, different flags tell you where it’s safest to swim and which areas are designated for watersports.
The safest place to swim is between the red and yellow flags. Patrolled by lifeguards, this is where you should choose to swim, body board and use inflatables. The area between black-and-white chequered flags is a designated area for watersports such as surfing and kayaking. Never swim or bodyboard here. The orange windsock means there are offshore winds. Never use an inflatable when you see the sock flying as the wind could push you offshore very quickly. The red flag indicates that it is dangerous to swim or get in the water. Never go in the water when the red flag is flying.
3. FOLLOW ADVICE AT ALL TIMES If you’re heading to the beach, find out about it before you go, and check the weather and tide times. Use the Good Beach Guide to find out about facilities on offer there. When you
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get to the beach, read the safety signs at the entrance. This will help you to identify and avoid hazards as well as find out about the safest areas to swim. The signs will also have specific information that you can provide to emergency services to help them locate you quickly.
4. KEEP YOUR CHILDREN CLOSE Keeping a close eye on your children needs to be more than glancing up from a book from your beach towel as they play by the water’s edge, no matter how calm the water appears. The RNLI advise that supervision means children remain within arm’s reach. If they’re playing with inflatables or body boards, an adult must be firmly holding onto them. As soon as you get to the beach, identify an easy-to-spot meeting point for if you get separated. Get added peace of mind by taking part in a children’s safety scheme which offers wristbands and tickets. They’re free, and they work. If you are on an RNLIlifeguarded beach, visit the lifeguard hut on arrival and they can give you special wristbands to put your contact details on. If a child does go missing: • calmly check your surroundings first, ensuring other children remain supervised • contact the lifeguards or police and keep them informed • let all searchers know once the child is found.
5. STAY ALERT If you see someone who looks like they’re in trouble, don’t hesitate to take action. If there’s no lifeguard present, call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.
PARENTING
Tides
6. IF YOU NEED HELP, SHOUT! If you get into trouble, raise your arm and shout for help. This should alert someone on the beach to the fact that you’re in trouble.
7. NEVER USE INFLATABLES IN STRONG WINDS OR ROUGH SEAS The slightest breeze can sweep you out to sea very quickly. When there is little or no wind, only use inflatables between the red-and-yellow flags and make sure children are closely supervised.
8. DON’T GO INTO THE SEA AFTER DRINKING ALCOHOL Alcohol slows your reactions and can impair your ability to judge distances.
9. BE CAREFUL WITH INFLATABLES Really, blow-up toys and airbeds are designed for pools rather than the sea where they can easily be swept out. If you do use them at the beach, then: • ensure children are closely supervised • keep near the shore • only use between the red and yellow flags • follow the lifeguard’s advice • do not take out in big waves • never use them when the orange windsock is flying, as this indicates offshore winds which will blow inflatables further out to sea.
10. RESPECT THE SEA While it might look calm and inviting, the sea poses numerous hidden dangers. Rips are strong currents that can quickly take swimmers from shallow water to water beyond their depth. Signs of a rip include: discoloured, brown water (caused by sand being stirred up from the seabed), foam on the water’s surface and debris floating out to sea.
Rips If you’re caught in a rip, the RNLI’s advice is: • stay calm • if you can stand, wade. Don’t swim • keep hold of your board or inflatable to help you float • raise your hand and shout for help • never try to swim directly against the rip or you’ll exhaust yourself • swim parallel to the beach until free of the rip, then make for shore.
H E L P! H E L P! Don’t forget the international dist ress signal of hand wav ing and shouting for help, it still works!
The tide can come in surprisingly quickly. Many lifeboat and lifeguard rescues involve people being stranded by the tide. Find out about the tides from the local tourist information office, BBC Weather’s tide tables or the RNLI Beach Finder app. When you’re on the beach, keep a lookout for the tide’s direction and be aware of how fast the water’s coming in, especially if you’re playing in rock pools.
Waves Watch out for waves, especially if you have small children. Even a small wave can knock a child over. Dumping waves are particularly dangerous. These waves break with great force in shallow water and occur during low tide.
Tombstoning Many people have been seriously hurt or killed by tombstoning, which is jumping into water from a height. The water depth changes with the tides and it may be more shallow than you expect. Rocks and other submerged objects may not be visible, and the shock of the cold could make it hard for you to swim. There could also be strong currents that could sweep you away.
SWIM SAFE A recent survey by the Amateur Swimming Association discovered that one in five parents won’t allow their children to swim in the sea as they feel it’s too dangerous. Help keep your little ones safe this summer by signing them up to the free Swim Safe sessions with the RNLI and the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA). Most children learn to swim in indoor pools, and these fun, interactive Swim Safe sessions with RNLI lifeguards and ASA swimming instructors will give them the opportunity to test and improve their swimming ability in a different environment.
They take place on selected dates in July and August 2015 at the following holiday destinations. • Boscombe Beach, Bournemouth, Dorset • Bude Sea Pool, Cornwall • Brockhole, Lake District • Sandhaven Beach, South Shields, Tyne and Wear. Visit swimming.org/swimsafe/ to find out more and reserve a place.
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PARENTING
Pick your battle
WIN THE WAR Squabbling siblings can turn the most harmonious home into a battleground. Here’s our guide to triumphing over the trials, tribulations, tantrums and tears
E
very parent with more than one child knows this scene. You pour yourself a drink and head to the garden where your children are playing beautifully. Within seconds of opening your book, picking up your phone or turning your attention to your newspaper, all hell has broken loose. Coping with siblings bickering and squabbling can be frustrating, annoying and at times, incredibly upsetting. Most parents agree that their children fighting is the parenting issue that most bothers them, and that they feel least able to control or prevent. The big question is often about how involved you should be. When is it right to intervene as referee and when is best to let them attempt to resolve their differences? Some experts claim that by stepping in, you cause the fight to gain momentum, particularly as it’s usually impossible to establish who started it and where the ‘fault’ lies. However, you shouldn’t rely on children always being able to resolve things themselves, they don’t have the maturity to problem solve or see the bigger picture that we, as adults, can. So, what can we do to prevent the fighting
in the first place? Here are our tips to dealing with sibling rivalry and fall outs. What are the trigger points? Can you see a pattern emerging? When they’re tired, hungry, bored or over-stimulated, do clashes happen more often? Are there particular places, such as the kitchen table or the car, that bring out this kind of behaviour? Do your children get enough personal space away from each other? It’s all too easy to lump ‘the kids’ in together and assume they’re happy to play, read or relax together and sometimes they need time apart from sharing. If this there are clear patterns, what can you do to nip problems in the bud before things start to simmer? A real issue for siblings can be the lack of individual attention. When parents commit to dedicated time with each child, children can feel more secure and confident, which means they’re less likely to to lash out or react badly to others. Teaching your children simple negotiation and problem-solving skills from a young age will help them deal with issues at nursery, school and with other children. as well as their brothers and sisters. Teaching them the concept of win/ win and taking turns can be highly effective,
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PARENTING
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such as if Child A’s choice of game is played first, Child B’s game lasts a little longer. Establish some simple family rules, such as no name calling, no breaking things and no smacking. If a rule is broken in the heat of the moment, the child needs to take responsibility and make things better, either by rebuilding a tower that was knocked down or by giving a hug or drawing a picture to say sorry. This teaches little ones that while they can disagree, there’s no place for name calling, violence or spite. No matter how close your children, they shouldn’t have to share everything. If they share a room, can this be changed? If not, look at ways to divide up the space, with furniture or even painting a line down the middle of the floor to create two very separate spaces. Encourage your children to work together. Explain that they’re a team and they can work together to achieve something they’d struggle to do separately. Look at rewarding them with a sticker chart or a jar and each time you observe the children doing something nice for each other or together, you give them a sticker or put a coin in. Each time they argue or clash, you take a sticker or coin away. The children can then decide together how to spend their reward, such as on ice creams or comics, or to let it build up to something more significant, like a toy or day out. Don’t make the older child responsible for any younger siblings. This isn’t their role and if they try to enforce any rules, it can cause an angry response in an instant. Gently remind the older child that it’s you, as the parent, that’s still in charge. Empathise but don’t indulge. Just as we’re entitled to feel a certain way, so are our
children. However, they should also be held responsible for how they act as a result of those feelings. If their brother or sister made them feel sad because they took their toy, encourage them to share this in words, rather than hitting out physically. Also, encourage your children to empathise with each other. Point out when someone is sad, angry or upset, and let them see what it looks like and explain why that child is behaving a certain way. Giving emotions a name is the first step in managing it. If you see your child experiencing a particular emotion, help them explore it. You don’t need to solve their problems or talk about it in any depth, just by acknowledging it you’ll enable them to do the same. Is one of your children violent towards the other? If so, take the time to talk to them privately and asking why they’re so angry that they’re lashing out. Explore the reasons and empathise, but explain firmly that you understand their feelings, but they should never lash out in anger. Ultimately, remember they are just children. Just because one sibling bashes another, it doesn’t meant they’ll turn out to be a thug. It’s important not to permit bad behaviour toward others, but you can still offer understanding and reassurance that your child isn’t bad, just young.
HOW YOU CAN COPE WITH THE FALL OUT? Stay calm. So that children can calm down, they need to see their parent as a soothing environment, like a safe harbour in stormy seas. Don’t take sides or worry about who started the fight if you don’t know. Treat them equally. Create ground rules and remind them why some things aren’t acceptable.
Give them space. Ask them if they can work it out or if they need some time to cool down. Fight the urge to send them to their rooms as some children really struggle with the idea of being banished. Encourage them to talk. What upset them and why? Let the other child hear what they did that made the other so upset to understand the consequences of their actions.
Two excellent books on the subject are: Siblings Without Rivalry: How to Help Your Children Live Together So You Can Live Too and How To Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk both by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish
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The importance of
doing nothing In a world filled with hobbies, activities, tablets, smartphones and laptops, have we all, young and old, lost our ability to just do nothing?
D
o you remember as a child how you’d wander home from school, mooch around the garden, kick a ball around, build a den or create something with plasticine, lost in your own little world? Didn’t life seem to move at a slower pace with less time spent racing around leaving more time free to dawdle and day dream? These days, the pace is quicker, with countless play dates, hobbies and classes to get to after school or nursery. Even the school run seems more frenetic, with parents frantically juggling work schedules and commutes as well as ferrying around our children. And then, when everyone’s finally home, all too often children rely on TV, smartphones and tablets to help them unwind. While this might be the norm now, there’s proof that things have changed. A study by the University of Michigan has shown that children today have half as much free time as they did 30 years ago. As parents we’re keen to provide them with as many opportunities to grow and experience new things, but is this at the expense of time to build forts,
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daydream, listen to music or just lie in the garden and watch the clouds go by? After all, doing nothing isn’t lazy. It’s not wasting time or being unproductive. Quite the opposite, in fact. Teaching children how to tap into their own creativity is essential for them to explore the world at their own pace and develop their own set of interests. And crucially, it’s time for eager little brains to slow down and recharge, ready for the voyage of adventure the next day. Children, just like adults, have their own threshold for stress. Some families handle a busy schedule better than others. Some children thrive being on the go, but others don’t, and if you sense your child is struggling a little, either by their mood, their health or energy levels, think about slowing things down.
SO HOW CAN WE ENCOURAGE THEM TO DO LESS? Firstly, look at the calendar. How busy is it? If it’s one or two activities a week, that’s great. But, if your diary looks like a military operation, maybe it’s time to rein things in a little. Do they need an activity every night of the week
PARENTING
Doing nothing might feel like the op posite of being productive, but it’s anything but. Af ter all, just look at Google’s company policy which insists on its staff ha ving unscheduled time.
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PARENTING
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and then two at weekends? Ask them which they like best, what they like about it, or ask them to rate it with a score. Or if this doesn’t work, ask them if they could drop one thing so they could see a friend instead, which would it be? You’ll soon spot the least favourite. Then, essentially, keep that time safe. Give it a name and put it in the diary. This protects it and ensures nothing encroaches on that time such as play dates or a trip to the dentist. Think of it as time for your little one to recharge. Resist the urge to fill up your time completely too. Show your child that time taken to gaze out of the window, read the paper or listen to music is a good thing. Try not to be on the go all the time, they’ll follow your lead and assume they always need to be busy. At weekends, try and keep some family time that’s not planned. Not every week, that would be too difficult, but make sure every couple of weeks, one afternoon or evening is kept open and give the kids the chance to choose what they’d like to do. Order pizza and stay in PJs? Watch a movie? Go on a long bike ride? Essentially, make sure they’re getting enough sleep. It doesn’t matter how old they are, encourage them to put down the screens a good half hour before bed, and read a book or listen to music to help them wind down and nod off. If this down time leads to cries of ‘I’m bored’, try and ignore them. Let them find ways to entertain and occupy themselves. It
doesn’t meant you’re not being a good parent, it means you’re encouraging them to figure out ways to fill their time themselves. The ‘Mum, I’m bored’ will soon start to fade.
AND IT’S NOT JUST THE LITTLE ONES… Us grown ups are just as guilty. These days, every single moment needs to be optimised so whether you’re stuck in traffic or waiting for an appointment, we fill the time glued to our phones, either checking messages, playing games or surfing the net. While this is multi-tasking at its best, when do we find the time to switch off? There is a quote by Sydney J Harris which says ‘The time to relax is when you don’t have time for it’ which is absolutely true. Filling every waking minute of the day with things to do means you never turn your brain off long enough to let it wander where it could solve problems or unravel ideas. Taking time out from constantly being on the go, even if it’s just to daydream while waiting to see the doctor or pick up the kids, can work wonders for your health, wellbeing and productivity. Just like our bodies need to rest, our brains need a moment of thoughtlessness to rejuvenate themselves. Think of your brain as a computer – it needs to be turned off and charged, ready to be used again. Switching off isn’t lazy or indulgent, simply essential time to recharge.
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PARENTING
Size really does
R E T T A M
Two Point Four gets the low-down from feet experts Stomp to find out how we can help our children put their best foot forward
M
ost of us parents can remember the summer ritual of preparing for the new school year with a trip to the shoe shop. These Lucy, Debbie and days, times have changed, with Rebecca at Stomp many opting to cut down on time by picking point,” says Debbie. “It’s essential to check how are the experts up the back-to-school essentials in the local the foot sits within the shoe and that the shoe when it comes to supermarket in the vain hope that they’ll do the fits the foot properly as a whole. Shoes from keeping little feet trick. While grey trousers or a polo shirt can fit different manufacturers all fit differently, even in tip-top condition beautifully, school shoes are another matter. if they’re the same size. At Stomp, we have all While our shopping habits might have been trained by the Shoe Fitters Society and changed, the need to care about our feet know what to look for when fitting a shoe. hasn’t. Feet are most vulnerable from “Also, no two feet are the same and most birth to early teens but are still children have one foot slightly longer, developing up until the age of 18. wider or higher than the other.” “We know it can be impossible The best materials for shoes are Two Point Four’s children trying to get a teenager out of natural, allowing the foot to breathe are regular visitors to Stomp where a pair of trainers, but taking which reduces perspiration and shoe shopping has been transformed from care of our children’s feet the chance of fungal infections. a stressful experience for everyone to a genuine still matters even when Before they head back to pleasure. Debbie and her fellow owners, Rebecca they’re taller than you,” school, encourage children Simpson and Lucy Boyle, deliver a fantastic, personal says Debbie Evans, one of to wear the shoes around the service that ensures everyone, big and little, leaves the three mums who own house so that they can get used with a spring in their step and a smile on their face. Stomp, the children’s shoe to them, as, after a summer in DEBBIE’S TIP shop in Narborough. “As a Crocs, flip flops and sandals, parent you ensure good foot a full shoe can feel strange. Bring a pair of school socks when having your child health by ensuring that your Stomp Footwear Ltd, 2 measured and fitted as this gives a true children’s shoes, from their first Station Road, Narborough, picture of how the shoe will fit. walkers onwards, are measured Leicestershire LE19 2HR and fitted by a trained shoe fitter.” Call 0116 319 0606. E-mail: shoes@ “The measure is just a starting stompfootwear.com Web: stompfootwear.com
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ISSUE FIVE JULY/AUG UST 2015
Leicestershire and Rutland
n i e s i t r e v Ad
Switch off & recharge
Why doing nothing is good for all the family
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SPOTLIGHT ON… SNUGGLEBUNDL
Necessity is the mother of invention
S
nugglebundl began in 2011 when a friend, Dave Solomons, approached me with an invention he’d created,” says Mike Edwards, Director of Snugglebundl. “He and his wife Suzi had a new baby that they both struggled to lift, thanks to issues with their backs. To solve the problem, Dave would lie his daughter on a blanket and gather the corners and lift her up, and it struck him that this could be a great product for parents.” As a fellow parent Mike could instantly see the appeal. “It was obvious that this blanket with handles wasn’t just about helping parents to protect their backs, but it could be invaluable for helping babies feel secure and snug, so they didn’t startle when they were put down.” And Mike is talking from experience. “My daughter had been a nightmare as a baby,” he admits. “I would spend every evening pacing the floor with her, only for her to cry each time I put her down.” Mike was a teacher, but was looking for a new challenge. “I was feeling worn down by teaching and I’d always had a passion for inventing, so the time seemed perfect to make the leap,” he says. Striking while the iron was hot, Mike and Dave quickly went on to establish the best way to fully support a baby’s head, assessed the strength and safety of the perfect handles and narrowed down the range of fabrics. Countless prototypes followed, trialled by new parents, until the perfect
The whole Snugglbundl team
A product to make parents lives easier? Yes please! Two Point Four caught up with Mike Edwards, Director of Snugglebundl
Snugglebundl was born. “We knew we’d got it right when some of the mums didn’t want to give it back” he laughs. And it’s been a hit. Their website, snugglebundl.co.uk, is packed full of parental endorsement, with some declaring it their favourite baby product and others, like Amanda Holden, singing its praises. So why is the Snugglebundl so essential for parents? “Well, we know from having our own children how stressful it is having a baby who can’t be put down,” says Mike. “The beauty of the Snugglebundl means that you can move your baby without your little one knowing that they’re no longer being held. It has many uses: carrying baby, transferring babies in and out of their car seats, it’s ideal as a changing mat and even a breastfeeding cover-up. Best of all, parents aren’t injuring their backs.” Snugglebundl has big ideas for the future. It is also to revamp its website and has plans for Europe and America. Recently the company made headlines for tackling the taxman head on over a VAT dispute. “I refused to give in and even though the situation took two and a half long years, and cost the business money, I’m delighted that we won.” This is all the more impressive when you learn that Mike decided to study taxation law in order to represent Snugglebundl himself. “Ultimately, the aim of Snugglebundl is that it makes life easier for parents. My one tip Two Point would be to look after Four readers can make your back, and I hope the most of a fant astic that in years to come, people are talking a Snugglebundl ba by lifting about Snugglebundl wrap by quoting the as the baby mustcode 2.4E have product.”
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oted one of the top 25 family hotels in the UK, on Trip Advisor in 2015, Sands Resort Hotel and Spa has everything you need for a great family getaway. Situated along the beautiful north coast of Cornwall between Padstow and Newquay, Sands is the perfect destination for families. With spacious two-room family suites, lots of activities, play areas and an indoor and outdoor pool, you can even hire prams, kiddie carriers, bottle warmers and sterilisers as well as buckets and spades, body boards and wetsuits, all for free. And, it’s not just about the kids. With an Ofsted-approved Kids’ Club that can look after little ones aged 0–8, the grown ups can enjoy the state-of-the-art gym, health and beauty spa or just have a coffee and read the papers. And, with an early tea on offer for children, parents can make the most of the free baby-listening service and enjoy some well-earned time together in the evening with a glass of wine overlooking the Atlantic. Bliss. This prize is a two-night break for up to two adults and two children (aged up to 14) in a family pool suite, including breakfast. The prize must be taken by 2 November 2015, subject to availability. No prize or part of a prize is exchangeable for cash or any services other than accommodation at Sands Resort Hotel. To enter, just send us your name and contact details to comp@twopointfourmagazine.co.uk *COM PE TITION TER M S A ND CONDITIONS 1. To enter a competition you must be a United Kingdom resident aged 18 years old or over at the time of entry. 2. No purchase necessary. 3. Only one entry per person. 4. Sending an e-mail is not proof that we have received your entry. No responsibility can be accepted for entries that are lost or delayed. 5. The closing date is as specified in each competition, and Full Stop Communications Ltd reserves the right to amend the competition end date at any time. 6. If you win a competition, we will notify you by email, or
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with the words ‘Sands Resort’ in the subject line, and we’ll select the lucky winner at random after the closing date of 31 August 2015. By entering this competition you agree to sign up to the Sands monthly newsletter. Sands will never share your information with any other parties and you can unsubscribe from their monthly newsletter at any time.
social media if you entered the competition on a social media platform, within one week of the closing date. The judges’ decision will be final, and no correspondence will be entered into. 7. You can find out who has won a particular competition by sending a stamped addressed envelope, marked with the name of the competition to Full Stop Communications Ltd, 48 Brindley Close, Stoney Stanton, Leicestershire LE9 4GL after the closing date. 8. By entering the competition the winner agrees to participate in such promotional activity and material as Full Stop Communications Ltd
may require. 9. No part of a prize is exchangeable for cash or any other prize. 10. If an advertised prize is not available, we reserve the right to offer an alternative prize of equal or greater value. 11. Full Stop Communications Ltd reserves the right to amend these rules at any time. 12. We will endeavour to send prizes within a month of the competition end date but cannot guarantee this delivery time. 13. The competition is governed by English law. 14. When entering our competitions by email, text or post, you agree to our competition rules and that you are happy to receive updates from Two Point Four magazine.
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I AM SUMMER I AM DINING OUT I AM LOOKING COOL