Mama MARCH 2019 • ISSUE 26
The Magazine for Stylish Mums
Fair Share KAT GORDON ON EQUAL PARENTING
Annabel Karmel SUCCESSFUL WEANING MADE SIMPLE
MUMMY DEAREST Perfect gifts for Mother’s Day
B U M PS &
B E YO N D
ISSUE 26 • MARCH 2019
New-wave antenatal classes
THE MAGAZINE FOR ST YLISH MUMS
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the softest and most comfortable... ever We believe that every moment is worth embracing; from the sleep deprived times to the snuggles fuelled by laughter. At MORI we create products for your little ones with a gentle touch from sustainable materials, so your growing family can embrace each magical milestone.
babymori.com
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An all-through education for your whole family Boys and Girls 2-18 years old To book a tour of any of our Nursery, Preparatory or Upper Schools visit:
www.eatonsquareschool.com
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mama WELCOME
contents MARCH 2019
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AGENDA What’s On
Arts and entertainment for the month ahead
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Rodrigo Moreno Masey’s multipurpose ‘shed’ space
74 In the Studio
ESSENTIALS Mum’s the Word
50 The Clash
TRAVEL 84 Arabian Nights
MAMAHOOD 25 Insta-Mama
Charlotte Kewley on kids styling and social media
26 Woman in Work Noe & Zoe SS19, noe-zoe.com
HOME & INTERIORS 72 Gimme Shelter
FASHION 42 Rite of Spring
Gift inspiration for Mother’s Day
ON THE COVER:
With Mamawell founder Rosie Stockley
New Books
March’s best new releases
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32 Birth Story
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A new approach to antenatal classes with Alex Kohansky
Style solutions for the changing seasons from Bellerose
Patterns collide in the new range from Berlin brand Noe and Zoe
WELLNESS 60 Yummy Mummy
Annabel Karmel spills the beans on her new edition of ‘Weaning’
66 Hit Subscribe
The rise and rise of Bump to Box
Wallpaper designer Katie Bourne
Family-friendly luxury in the Middle East
88 Meet the Moomins
A trip to the theme park inspired by the world-famous Finns
RESOURCES 94 Dual Purpose
Kat Gordon on equal parenting
March 2019
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mama WELCOME
STYLE NOTES P. 46
Editor’s
LETTER
WE LOVE BOOKS P. 18
MUM ON A MISSION P. 33
I
n recent issues, we’ve talked a lot about self-care. Indeed, it crops up again in this, our Mother’s Day issue. No doubt it matters – but how do mums of preschool-age children actually find the time to practise it? One way forward might be a more equal division of labour between mums and dads – and this month we hear from novelist Kat Gordon about her experience of co-parenting. It’s a subject that should be receiving as much airtime as motherhood itself, if only to help redress the traditional imbalance of childcare labour in the home. As International Women’s Day approaches, it’s also a good time to reflect on the myriad ways modern women are navigating parenthood. As always, we’ve interviewed a host of inspiring mums who share how they make motherhood work for them and their career or business. Elsewhere, we’ve got the next in our series of birth stories (I LOVE a birth story), as well as some allimportant gift suggestions for Mother’s Day. It’s not until you become a mum yourself that you fully comprehend the sacrifices your own mother made. I hope you enjoy the issue, mamas. Keep doing what you’re doing! BEAUTY NOTES P. 70
Hel en Ba r on E DITOR
@hel_bow helen.baron@zest-media.com
T h e M a g a z i n e Fo r S t y l i s h M u m s
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LON DON OFFICE : 197-199 City Road, London EC1V 1JN, UK
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absolutely-mama .co.uk Editor UK: HELEN BARON Contributing Editor: CARLY GLENDINNING Assistant Editor: FlORA THOMAS Social Media Editor: JESSICA SHALTOUT Specialist Manager: ZARINA KAPASI Parenting Portfolio Manager: LEAH DAY Marketing Manager: LUCIE PEARCE Art Director: PHIL COUZENS
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March 2019
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10 things we Absolutely
LOV E The products and brands getting our attention this month
SHARP LINES
Art Attack
Fi ng e r in the Nos e This irreverent French brand lives up to its moniker with its SS19 collection, which sees cool streetwear styles adorned with the gonzo designs of illustrator Stevie Gee. Ideal for little skaters. fingerinthenose.com
Racil Buyer-turned-designer Racil Chalhoub takes inspiration from the smoking jackets she fell in love with as a young girl. Combining Savile Row materials with influences from her native Beirut, her collections feature sleek tailoring that transcends seasons. racil.com
PEACE PIECE
Libe r ty Lon d on The venerable London department store and fabric designer has applied its pattern nous to slinky sleep masks in smoothest silk. Luxurious, enchanting and an ideal gift for a new mum taking daytime naps. £65; liberty.co.uk
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B a mb i n o Mi o The leading reusable nappy brand has introduced its own changing bag, complete with a waterproof ‘messy pocket’ for dirty nappies (or wet swimwear, for that matter). Unisex styling and capacious storage make it a safe buy. £79.99; bambinomio.com
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ma m a LOVES
FINGER FAMILY
Velvet Touch
G ra h a m & G reen Style up your look with one of these sumptuous velvet pouches. Add to any outfit as a chic clutch purse or use it to hold makeup, stationery or valuables. From £11.95; grahamandgreen.co.uk
Na i l mati c This fun nail polish set includes a polish for mum and one for her little one. It wins us over on several counts. First, the packaging is recyclable. Second, the product is ultra washable. And finally, kids love it – so it’s a guaranteed hit. £14; smallable.com
GET THE GLAZE
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Mil o Made These ceramic tumblers and wine glasses have an unglazed base and matte blue and gloss white glaze at upper sections.Designed and made by Hackney’s Milo Made Ceramics, they are stocked at nearby A New Tribe, £120 anewtribe.co.uk
UNDER COVER
S ava g e x Fe nt y Not content with shaking up the beauty market, Rihanna has turned her hand to underwear. Her Savage x Fenty lingerie is a celebration of the female form in all shapes and sizes. £43.99; zalando.co.uk
High Roller
Swif ty Kids aged 7 and up will love the SwiftyIXI scooter, clearly designed with style in mind but also maxing out on safety features (front and rear brakes, reflective tyre-strips) and durability. Best of British. £349; bobbyrabbit.co.uk
LITTLE TREASURES
Ma ma s & Pa pa s Mamas & Papas Rose Gold collection brings a contemporary finish to traditional keepsake gifts, including a trinket box and brush-and-comb set – so you can mark a much-loved new arrival in style. From £10; mamasandpapas.com
March 2019
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Baby care the natural way
Reclaim motherhood as a positive, stress-free experience
Through our online training with local consultants,Babyopathy can help nurture more babies from conception, through pregnancy, birth and throughout baby’s first years. for more information visit
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Wild child • NATIONAL TRUST •
Get messy, muddy and back in touch with nature this half-term with the National Trust’s family events and activites, nationwide. nationaltrust.org.uk
March 2019
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W H AT ’ S ON Rave with your baby this month, and make the most of the great outdoors
3 S H OWS FO R TH E S E A S O N On the menu: magical merfolk and a Kaleidoscope of sound
The Boy and the Mermaid 2nd March Little Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith
Can an unlikely friendship save the Town On The Sea from catastrophe? Join three fishermen as they weave a fishy tale of musical merfolk and menacing monsters. lyric.co.uk
Mathilda and the Orange Balloon Until 17 February • UK tour
A diverse cast of deaf and hearing actors take to the stage to tell the story of Mathilda, a little grey sheep. dhensemble.com
Editor’s Pick
New
ARRIVAL Ongoing • London Zoo
Keepers at ZSL have welcomed a new stripy member to the family, Asim. The Sumatran tiger is an endangered species, and Asim is one of only 400 left in the world. He has been brought into the zoo in the hope of hearing teeny tiny tiger feet sometimes in the future. Asim is a confident cat known for being very affectionate. zsl.org 16
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Passion 12 - 31 March • The Peacock, Sadlers Wells
World-renowned Japanese taiko drumming troupe, Yamato, bring a thunderous performance to Sadler’s Wells. Expect a kaleidoscope of sound through an assortment of drums, cymbals and flutes. sadlerswells.com
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EVENTS
Tiger Tea Until 3 March Blickling Estate, Norfolk
Since it was first published in 1968, The Tiger Who Came to Tea continues to spread the joy of reading to audiences of all ages. Little ones can enjoy dressing up and playing with a life-size tiger, while surrounded by displays of Judith Kerr’s delightful illustrations. Hunt tiny tigers who are hiding around the house or try the tiger-themed trail in the garden, just pick up a children’s map at reception to help your explorers find their way around. nationaltrust.org.uk
BABY R AVE
C Ongoing Cloud Twelve
Marvellous
MISTAKES
loud Twelve is a family-minded, private member wellness club in the heart of Notting Hill. Baby Raves, held in the play & learn space, provide fun for families while bringing the community together through dance and movement. Children can also enjoy face painting and themed events throughout the year.
Ongoing at weekends, everyday over half-term Science Museum
ind out about the most amazing, colourful and loud inventions which came from marvellous mistakes in history at the family storytelling sessions. For older kids, head to the Cracking Chemistry sessions to celebrate 150 years since the creation of the period table - with experiments including balloons to cake. sciencemuseum.org.uk
F
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English Heritage Adventures
G LO B ETROT TE R S’ SA FA R I
18 - 22 February Eltham Palace and Gardens
Explore the palace as you search for exotic animals loved by the Courtaulds. Discover the palace’s surprising past as you head off on a safari and get stuck into games in the Great Hall. english-heritage.org.uk
FAIRY TRAIL
S EC R ET S & S P I E S
Embark on a fairy quest as you explore the gardens of Brodsworth Hall. Set out on an adventure trail to see if you can spot any fairy villagers, or join the fairy hunter as she searches high and low, sharing stories along the way. english-heritage.org.uk
Calling all super sleuths, secret agents and investigators! Sharpen your detective skills with hands-on training in disguise, code cracking and clues at one of England’s most significant castles. english-heritage.org.uk
16 - 24 February Brodsworth Hall and Gardens
18 - 22 February Dover Castle
March 2019
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We love
BOOKS Ahead of Book Day on March 7 and Women’s Day on March 8, check out this month’s freshest releases
Wo r d s F L O R A T H O M A S
ART HISTORY
BRAVE BUNNY A L I T T L E B I T B R AV E By Nicola Kinnear
Logan is setting off on his first adventure, but he’d rather dust his shell collection than go outside. Nicola Kinnear takes us on a fun, reassuring journey that shows us just how brave we can be. £6.99; scholastic.co.uk
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THE EAR By Piret Raud
A weird and wonderful book inspired by Vincent Van Gogh’s ear (or lack thereof). Acutely aware of how small she is in the big, wide world, Ear doesn’t know who she is without the head she was attached to. Intricate and beautiful illustrations accompany this funny and at times bizarre story book. £9.95; thamesandhudson.com
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BOOKS
GIRL POWER
POWE R TO TH E PR I N CE S S By Vita Murrow
Illustrated by Julia Bereciartu
“Everyone thinks we just marry princes and live happily ever after.” With International Women’s Day on the horizon (8 March), what better time to remind our little ones about what a real princess looks like. This lovely book is all about girl power and it’ll make you laugh to boot. £12.99; waterstones.com
ALL THINGS GREAT AND SMALL W H AT M AT T E R S M O S T By Emma Dodd
This book asks us what matters most? Is it being very big or being super-small? Is it having lots of stuff or not that much at all? A poignant book which will strike a chord with parents and children alike, highlighting the importance of taking pleasure in all things great and small. £7.99; templarco.co.uk
O N E FO R PA PA S S I D E BY S I D E By Chris Raschka
A heartfelt and playful ode to the father-child relationship by two-time Caldecott-Medal-winning author Chris Raschka. With minimal text and maximum emotion, each stanza presents three scenarios in which the father and child’s roles are subtly balanced. £12.95; phaidon.co.uk
Lift The Flap H E LLO M RS E LE PHANT By Sam Boughton
Th is lift-the-flap board book is brought to life by playful, vibrant illustrations. Little ones will love saying hello to a whole host of amazing African animals, brought to life with deft humour and memorable comparisons. There are big flaps to lift and many discoveries to make. £8.99; templarco.co.uk
U N D E R TH E S E A THE LITTLE MERMAID A Disney Animated Classic
Relive the magic through this enchanting retelling of the classic animated film. With a foreword by Eric Goldberg, a Disney animator and director, this sumptuous edition will be treasured for years to come. £12.99; templarco.co.uk
March 2019
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Wrap Around • ERGOBABY•
The AuraWrap offers everything you need in a sling: lightweight, comfy fabric; reliable support for your bundle of joy; cool colours and patterns and – all importantly – genuine ease of use. Even sling novices will get the hang of tying it in no time. £49.90; ergobaby.co.uk
March 2019
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essentials
MERCI MAMAN The Duchess Necklace , £119 mercimamanboutique.com
MOTHER’S DAY
VERDANT ALCHEMY Drift Off Bath Oil, £32 verdantalchemy.co.uk
NAZAN SCHNAPP Sublime Hydrating Treatment Essence, £61 jolie.co.uk
GORGIAS LONDON Complete Night Repair Oil, £44.95 gorgiaslondon.com AXIOLOGY Vegan Lipsticks, £25; gloworganicbrighton.co.uk LOQUETLONDON.COM
HAECKELS Hand Care Rituals Gift Set, £49 haeckels.co.uk
M OT H E R LOV E EYM Rose, Geranium and Camomile Candle, £39 eymnaturals.com
Don’t forget that all-important Mother’s Day gift
SOL Hand-blown Reusable Coffee Cup, £19; trouva.com
r’s editock pi
PARCEL LONDON Girl’s Night £57 parcel.london.com LIEWOOD Dora Weekend Bag in Rusty, £42 beyondthestork.co.uk March 2019
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essentials
MOTHER’S DAY
In Bloom Celebrate Mother’s Day with the prettiest spring flowers
GISELA GRAHAM giselagraham.co.uk
BRIDGMAN bridgman.co.uk
PETALON petalon.shop
MAGIC FLOWER COMPANY magicflowercompany.co.uk
FREDDIE’S FLOWERS freddiesflowers.com
THE ODD FLOWER theoddflower.com
March 2019
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Beyond Bump • IN THIS SECTION •
The modern mama is nothing if not creative, and we’re continually impressed by the variety of ways women set out to reshape their careers to fit around family life. This month we share insights from a kids’ stylist, a pop-star turned children’s author, and the entrepreneur reinventing antenatal classes. Enjoy...
March 2019
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INTERVIEW
out if you’re feeling low or insecure. It’s so easy to compare your life to the insta-filtered images of others. It can also be a time-waster. I sometimes have to stop myself scrolling. Also, all the algorithm stuff! I just don’t understand it or do it right. I’m such a bad instagrammer! And I find stories really terrifying. I’m trying to improve but I’m scared of being annoying!
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INSTA M AM A Charlotte Kewley aka @thelittlestylist on working in kids fashion
Q How did you get into kids styling and what do you love about your job? A I was a womenswear stylist and fashion editor previously. I worked on magazines, with brands and celebrities. But I put my back out while styling a photoshoot when I was five months pregnant with my first child (there’s a lot of lifting and physical work involved in being a stylist – all those bags and
suitcases we lug around!) and realised I couldn’t shoot for a while, so I landed a role working on the shopping pages of a parenting magazine. It introduced me to the world of baby and kidswear and I fell in love. After having my own children, it became even more of an obsession, so I decided to focus purely on the kids’ side. I launched my blog and Instagram in January 2018 as I wanted a digital platform from which to share all of my baby and kidswear finds. I’d love to think it’s a bit of a modern resource for parents – making shopping for and dressing little ones easier. I have so many plans to grow it this year, I’d just love a few more hours in the day! Q How instrumental is Instagram to your blog? A Hugely. I (aim to) update it daily and it’s the main driver of traffic to the blog itself. I’m always timeshort because I also style shoots and contribute to magazines and have my children, so if I don’t have time to do a full blog post I can pop up an insta one from my phone. It also means I can share new brands and bargains as soon as I find them and connect with brands and an audience worldwide. Q What are the downsides of the platform as you see them? A It’s definitely not the place to hang
“ I D O N’ T D O I N STAGRAM R I GHT! I’M S U C H A BAD I N STAG RAMMER”
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Q What’s your most popular blog post? A I had to look this up. A pic of both my kids in their favourite Nights by Wilder star pyjamas! Hilariously my third most popular post ever is of a Little People, Big Dreams Vivienne Westwood book that I wasn’t even going to post (I stick to baby and kids’ fashion as a rule) but I had nothing else so put it up… none of the little still-life flatlays I love and spend ages fussing over! Maybe I should actually take note of this. Q Do you follow similar accounts or different ones? Any faves? A A mixture. I have a personal account which is more of a portfolio and I follow my friends or personal fashion favourites on that. On @ thelittlestylist I tend to follow accounts with a kidswear focus. Two of my favourites are @pandorasykes and @ ellestrauss. I love @apolinakids. And does anyone not love or want to be @ courtneyadamo and @vanessabreuer? I do also find @susiejverrill hilarious. thelittlestylist.com
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“I NEVER IMAGINED THAT WE’D BE WHERE WE ARE TODAY”
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woman in
WORK Alex Kohansky on upping the ante for antenatal classes Inter view HELEN BARON
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Q How did you get into this line of work? A I used to work in TV, producing and directing documentaries. I loved it, but the job often required me to be away from home for long-periods of time. When I became pregnant with my first baby, I dreamed of finding a career that would fit better around family life and allow me to work from home. During my first pregnancy (we now have three children) my husband and I took antenatal classes, which we really enjoyed, but I saw lots of ways that the overall experience could be modernised and improved. Once my baby had arrived, the group of friends I’d made through the classes became invaluable to me – and I wanted to create that for others, as well as deliver a fantastic experience. I launched Bump & Baby Club to do all this, but with a more modern approach to antenatal classes, which was heavy on the social element. I also wanted to create a concept that really included the partners and dads as well. I managed to find a brilliant antenatal instructor and, together with lots of input from new parents, we created what we hoped was an ideal antenatal course. I found a great venue, created a website and went about trying to let expectant parents know that we existed! At the time it was a really exciting project, but I never imagined that we’d be where we are today – 45 instructors,
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mama h ood
Q&A
tough – make sure to be gentle on yourself and don’t hesitate to seek support if you’re struggling.
35 locations and waiting lists. I’m extremely grateful! We’re keen to meet demand, so where there are waiting lists we’re offering more classes and opening new venues. Q What are the things that every expectant parent needs to know to prepare themselves for pregnancy and beyond? A In my (totally biased) opinion, it’s really important to take an antenatal course! I am also a big fan of hypnobirthing. If you’re not taking a course, you should research your options and choices surrounding labour and birth and discuss them with your partner. If you are passionate about having a natural birth, it’s still important to learn about pain-relief, c-sections and other interventions. It is best to be as prepared as possible for every birth possibility as the more informed you are, the calmer and more confident you’ll feel during labour. I think it’s also important to learn some basic baby care skills, such as how to feed and soothe your baby, and how to ensure he or she is sleeping safely. Spotting the signs that your baby is unwell is also high up on my priority list, alongside baby first aid. That is why we offer baby first aid as part of our antenatal course package. Being prepared for the changes that your body and will go through and knowing there are some steep emotional curves ahead is super important too. Perhaps above all, I think it’s crucial to know that the transition to parenthood can, at times, be really
Q What are the benefits of joining an antenatal class? A The friendships you make are invaluable. We facilitate friendships by bringing together couples who live in a specific local area and whose babies are due within a month of each other. That way you can help each other though the rollercoaster of pregnancy and early parenthood – sharing the joys, supporting each other through the lows, and alleviating the boring times between. High quality antenatal classes cut through the overwhelming amount of information online and deliver the important messages in an enjoyable way. Our sessions are interactive and tailored to the group, and our experts try to create an environment where people are relaxed enough to ask them anything. I have always been really honest about the fact a lot of the learning will take place ‘on the job’. Our role is to make the journey as smooth as possible and give people the confidence to relax, read their baby’s cues and go with their instincts. While helping to create lifelong friendships along the way. Q What makes your approach different? A Our classes are unbiased, non-judgemental and the information is all evidence-based. By the time a client walks through our doors, they’ve already heard the message ‘Breast is Best’ and been exposed to all the health promotion via their hospital. We don’t believe it’s our role to promote breastfeeding, natural birth, or a particular type of parenting style – we’re here to educate people so they’re as prepared as possible for any path they choose. We run our courses in warm, welcoming venues and place an emphasis on the social
side of things. We provide an afternoon tea as part of the package, supplied by our partner Gail’s Bakery, and alongside our courses we’ve run some really cool pregnancy pop-up events: sunset rooftop yoga, supper clubs in funky venues, cooking demos and more. We never stand still, we’re always seeking out new opportunities and brand partners to create memorable experiences for our clients. Today’s parents-to-be really care about the quality of the instructor. We put a huge effort into finding experts that people love, and their support doesn’t end when the course finishes. We have also shaken up the class concept by including baby first aid as part of the course package - it’s one of the most important things you can learn, and a few of our clients have been able to use the techniques to save their baby in traumatic situations. Ultimately, what I set out to do with Bump & Baby Club is change the face and reputation of antenatal and hypnobirthing classes. I want to shift the perception and show everyone how fun, sociable and valuable antenatal classes can be. Q What’s next? Have you thought about connecting mums who missed out on ‘new wave’ services the first time round? A For now we’re focused on expanding our courses into new areas – we already have plans to spread into Surrey and Sussex – while maintaining our commitment to working with only the very best instructors. It would also be lovely to bring together parents with toddlers and we receive enquiries every day from people looking to take a course for baby number two. bumpandbabyclub.com March 2019
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mamah o od PROFILE
Mum on a
MISSION
Amawrap founder Shabs Kwofie on turning baby-carrying into a career
F
acing the challenges of becoming a parent turned one mum into a business success story. Shabs Kwofie was once a city highflier, working for Citibank in Canary Wharf. As demanding as that was, it did not prepare her for the changes that she was about to experience when she had her first child. An emergency caesarean, inability to breastfeed and no support network took Shabs down a spiral which turned into postnatal depression. And to find her way out, Shabs did what she excelled at – research. Research on postnatal depression and breastfeeding led her to make incredible discoveries around skin-to-skin contact. Resolving to venture out more, she faced another challenge – the fact that her East London flat had no lift to take her pushchair down to the street. Looking to her ancestry, where her family historically used slings to carry their babies, she fashioned her own
SHABS KWOFIE
baby wrap to get her out of her apartment. This was a turning point and she credits the sling with helping her overcome postnatal depression. Due to local demand Shabs started selling slings to fellow mums and Amawrap was born. Seven years on, the business is booming with parents worldwide now using her cotton carriers. The babywearing guru has since been vocal about the benefits of skin-to-skin contact, with the stylish slings also providing a handsfree alternative to prams. Shabs says: “Using a baby sling provides skin-to-skin contact, encouraging the release of endorphins including oxytocin. I’m convinced wearing the baby wrap helped me overcome my own baby blues.” The wraps, made from 100% cotton, come in 12 bold colours and the latest addition to the fabrics family are two enchanting prints, Moroccan Star and Posy Rosy. In Shabs’ words: “I
decided to dedicate myself to Amawrap, gave up my day job and never looked back. “Being a mum for the first time is daunting and you feel so vulnerable. At Amawrap our main aim is to help with advice about babywearing, to help mums feel like they are in control again. If we can help these mums feel even a little bit more empowered then I feel we have done our job.” amawrap.com March 2019
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Each to their
OWN Rochelle Humes on her new children’s book, The Mega Magic Hair Swap Wo r d s F L O R A T H O M A S
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ochelle Humes is fast becoming a household name. From her early days as a member of S Club Juniors – which afforded her six top-ten hits – to stardom with The Saturdays (earning her another 13), she has gone on to presenting roles with This Morning, Children in Need and The Xtra Factor. Rochelle, who is married to Marvin Humes, has a five-year-old daughter and a second daughter who turns two this month. Following a conversation with her eldest child, she’s on a mission to improve diversity in children’s literature. The book is about two best friends, Mai and Rosa. Mai, who has curly hair, wishes her locks were straight like Rosa’s, but when a magical coconut grants her wish, she quickly realises her tresses were perfect the way they were. We spoke to Rochelle to ask her all about her new book, her advice for mamas and her plans for the future.
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Q Congratulations on your first children’s book, it’s gorgeous. A I’m really, really proud of it. Q Tell me about the moment you decided to write a children’s book. A As soon as I had children, really. As a parent you’re surrounded by books from the beginning; they become such an ingrained part of your life. Bedtime is all about books in our household, it’s a special time for me and my little ones, it’s our time. My daughter started to ask me to make up stories for her in the evenings. I’d be getting back from a long day at work and I found myself struggling not to say something I’d already said! The publishing world is super behind in terms of diversity and representation when it comes to characters in children’s books. It’s important for children to recognise themselves in the books they read, considering it’s often their first real love. I hadn’t really acknowledged the lack
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“WITH YOUR FIRST CHILD, THERE’S MAD PRESSURE TO GET EVERYTHING RIGHT”
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of diversity until children’s books became part of my world. I did some research and found a study which said only one percent of children’s books have a BAME main character. Discovering that fed my determination to change things. My little girl was coming home from school saying that she wasn’t happy with her hair, or that her skin was a different colour to her best friend. It was predominantly about her hair, the fact that it’s curly and frizzy. All she wanted was long flowing locks. So that experience, paired with our joint love of books, lead to the original concept. I was aware that there are all sorts of books you can write. I chose a children’s picture book aimed at the five-to-seven age range for two reasons: firstly, that’s the age at which they first start learning to read. Secondly, certainly in my experience, that’s when the love of books starts to develop. Q What has been your favourite part of the process? A Sharing it all with my girl, for sure. She really helped me out! I especially loved her being involved with choosing an illustrator. I got pitched lots of different designers. Getting the hair right was so crucial. Eventually I found Rachel Suzanne who is incredible, I love her work. Last year I was sent the first ever copy – the only copy that was in existence at the time. My daughter took it into school for Show and Tell. That was amazing, she was so excited to take it in. When I went to pick her up I was hounding her immediately: “What did your teachers think? What did your friends make of it?” Q Are you planning any more books? A Yes! I’d like to write a series of children’s books, it won’t just be these characters, it’ll be lots of different characters from lots of different backgrounds. I’m actually playing around with some ideas for book number two at the moment… I want it to be a magical story with a strong message. Q Tell me about how you manage your work-life balance. A Well... I just wing it! I don’t have it sussed by any means. My whole thing is that I just take it week by week and month by month. Obviously
I know what I’m doing work-wise, that’s all quite fi xed, it’s just about setting those boundaries. I’m lucky because I work with a lot of parents. They get it. It’s never a big deal for us to cancel work things for family reasons. You know, I could be asked to host the best show on telly but if my daughter’s got a play at school, I’m going to be at that play. It’s all about not putting too much pressure on yourself, too. Just going with it. I’m lucky that I have such a good support network. Marvin works evenings which is convenient! We can have weeks when I’m really busy in the day so he’s doing school runs. There are some times when the kids have got us both to themselves for a couple of months. So although there is time when we’re really busy, we make up for it with quiet spells. Q Do you have any advice for mamas? A Trust your instincts; get to know your own baby. I think when you have your first child there’s this mad pressure to get everything right. By the time you have your second you think, ‘I can do this now!’ I’ve been so much more chilled with my second. It’s encouraging to think you’ve got one who’s fit and well and alive. I’m so relaxed now, my youngest is sat here at the minute literally covered in camomile lotion with a waffle in her mouth. The first time round it’s easy
to listen to other people’s input too much. Going with the flow becomes easier and easier, it’s about learning your own baby. What someone else does with their baby, how they get them to sleep or eat, it’s not necessarily going to work for you. Accept that babies are individuals. Just like you and I might like different things, babies are the same. Realise that you’re fine doing it your way. Q Finally, what are your favourite children’s books? A Anything by Roald Dahl.
The Mega Magic Hair Swap by Rochelle Humes and illustrated by Rachel Suzanne is out now, priced £6.99 studiopressbooks.co.uk March 2019
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And
Breathe
Rosie Stockley runs MAMAWELL, a fitness and wellness company specialising in pre- and postnatal women. She gave birth to her daughter Charlotte on 8 September 2016.
P h o t o s O L I V I A S H AW
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n Wednesday 7 September I went about my usual day, not thinking for an instant that this would be the day that everything would begin! I wasn’t due for two more weeks, so although my thoughts kept coming back to my baby, it really wasn’t my main focus. We’d moved from New York to London three weeks earlier and I was still busy unpacking the final boxes, climbing up on chairs to fill cupboards and cleaning our new apartment. Strangely, this was the day I also got really organised prepping things for the birth. I made a folder of our hypnobirthing meditations so my husband Rick could be reminded which one to use during labour and researched food and drink that would be beneficial during labour. I re-checked my hospital bag and on the advice of my midwife, did some yoga to try and move the baby around from the right side of my body to the front. I thought I had two weeks more to prepare, but I felt the urge to complete them that day – perhaps I subconsciously knew things were about to happen! It was a gloriously sunny day so I took the bus to Richmond Park and had a lovely walk to my favourite spot, the Isabella Plantation. It was just beautiful to be outside, although I
remember feeling quite heavy in my lower belly and needing the toilet quite a bit. I sat under a tree and chilled for a while, and remembering feeling really calm. That evening just before 7pm my water broke. I called Rick straight away, who was due to be late home, so he was surprised to say the least! I remember feeling a combination of excitement and nerves at this point - I was pacing around the apartment, didn’t want to sit down and I messaged quite a few of my friends who were all dying for information! We had planned for a calm hypnobirthing experience, and that was very much at the forefront of our minds at this point. The hypnobirthing technique reframes a lot of the terminology used in birthing, so for example you’ll see me referring to ‘surges’ rather than contractions. I found this preparation, plus the work we did on guided meditation and breath, so helpful. It gave me so many tools that I hoped to be able to use for a calm and empowered birthing experience. I knew that whatever happened down the road with the birth I would have the techniques to use to help me. We went into the birth centre at Chelsea and Westminster hospital to have confirmation that my waters had indeed broken, and that all was ok with my blood pressure. So far so good! They said to come back in 24 hours if nothing had started, but otherwise to contact them further into labour. We took a taxi home and decided the best thing to do was to have
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“IN BETWEEN SURGES I WAS IN A COMPLETE TRANCE, ALMOST ASLEEP”
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a really good night’s sleep if possible as we didn’t know how long our little one was going to take to make her appearance into the world. I slept for around six hours, waking every hour with light surges, really just aches across my stomach and back to be honest. I knew this was the beginning, and tried to stay calm with the thought that everything was going to go really well and I would just take each stage as it came and work through it. Around 8am the surges started properly, around every 12 mins and they lasted about 50 seconds. They felt like a wave coming gradually, then arriving with a strong ache and dissipating shortly afterwards. I did my slow breathing as they came, counting in for four and out for eight. Rick guided me – breathe in, breathe out – and although I was feeling in control, having him instruct me was very helpful
STORY
and made me feel confident. After the surge passed, I was amazed how normal I felt – just like nothing had happened! I would walk around and carry on my normal conversation until the next one came, but while they were happening it was a very intense experience where that was all I could concentrate on. I used my yoga ball, and tried a variety of positions, moving around really helped me. Later that morning I got into the bath for an hour to wait for three surges in ten minutes, before heading to the hospital. My husband was instructed to give me paracetamol at this point, which he totally forgot… thanks for that! The bath felt amazing – warm and supportive. The surges were quite intense by now and I was starting to feel a lot of pressure in my lower back and back passage. With the support of the water, I tried not to resist the surges, instead imagining that everything could shift and open if needed. I think the hypnobirthing really kicked in March 2019
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Everyone at the Birth Centre was amazing – so calm. It is just amazing we have this service available to us free on the NHS. We went straight to a big room with soft lighting and a birthing pool. It turned out that I was 8cm dilated by the time I arrived, which I was delighted and surprised about, so the midwife told us that in around two hours he would be back and I’d be ready for the final stage of my labour. We thought that sounded ok and decided to fill the birthing pool to help me relax. Before I could get in the pool I just kept having very intense surges and that stopped me thinking about anything else. It definitely felt tighter at this point and I was aware of a stretching stinging feeling. I was worried this was some skin tearing, but I just tried not to think about that and instead focus on relaxing the tissue down there. Rick was amazing at this point, telling me to slow my breath down and not huff and puff. I remember saying to him ‘I can feel something different, I can feel something coming’. We alerted the midwife who came straight in and calmly said ‘Okay, come out here straight away, we’re not going to have time to fill the birthing pool.’ (It was only five inches full.) He told me to come over to the wall and kneel on all fours – I felt in a trance state and did exactly what he told me! I did one big breath/push and the head was out. Then it felt like only ten seconds later I did another big breath and that was the body coming out, so fast and slippery, and then nothing. I turned over and lay back on the soft cushions with my beautiful baby girl on my chest. She gave one large yelp like she was finding her lungs and some real air, and then she opened her beautiful eyes and looked around. We couldn’t believe how alert and calm she was. And I couldn’t believe how quick it had all been – Charlotte was born about one hour after arriving at the centre, and the final stage of labour was 15 minutes! She felt warm and I just wanted to keep her and my husband so close to me so we could all be touching. It was so special. We delayed cord-cutting for as long as we could, then I had some stitches and after that we were able to relax in the birth centre for the next 24 hours or so. After a few hours Charlotte started feeding well. We were so lucky there was a private room available so we could stay there undisturbed. I would thoroughly recommend a birth centre if you’re looking to go down the route of natural, unmedicated birth. They are nearly all connected to a ward should any complications arise and the setting is perfect to prepare you for a calm birth. I feel so lucky that I was able to have a natural birth, with no complications and would recommend hypnobirthing classes as they enabled me to be present, focused and relaxed and to have a sense of control about my birth.
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“I JUST WANTED TO KEEP CHARLOTTE AND MY HUSBAND SO CLOSE TO ME. IT WAS SO SPECIAL”
here – in between surges I was in a complete trance, almost asleep. I didn’t talk and remember feeling really heavy, but it felt really good. My husband was guiding me with his voice, as far as I can remember, on a lovely journey down a path to a beautiful relaxing place. I remember him saying I felt really comfortable and happy there, which, as he said it, I knew felt true. I know it sounds crazy, but it was amazing how the meditations worked here! After about 40 mins in the bath we decided it was time to go to the Birth Centre. I know I was very unhelpful in getting out of the bath and my husband dressed me, even tying my shoes as I just stood there leaning on the table with my eyes shut. The surges were coming very frequently at this point – to me it felt like all the time – in the taxi, the revolving door of the hospital, a lift and the lobby of the birth centre. I felt really glad we’d left home when we did and that we were now in the place where everything was going to happen!
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For any information on my experience please email Rosie on info@mamawell.org March 2019
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“PARENTING IS HARD, WORKING IS HARD, COMBINING THE TWO CAN SOMETIMES FEEL IMPOSSIBLE.”
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real mum talk...
Telling it
LIKE IT IS
I
Alexandra Hunter on returning to work after maternity leave
had always loved my job as a magazine publisher. I’d worked in that industry for 12 years and I’d never taken my full annual holiday allowance; I was always too busy, too involved and too driven. I thrived on the fast pace and variety of the role and I enjoyed doing something every day that I knew I was good at. I was passionate about our products, liked my clients and worked with close friends. I had no idea if I would be a good mother and I was anxious about being away from work for so long. I didn’t start maternity leave until a week before my c-section was booked and even in that last week I missed work and couldn’t relax. I found the handover of my duties and taking a step back really hard in the final weeks
and I knew that I would have a huge amount of adjusting to do over the coming months. When Sebby arrived I was of course too tired to think about work or anything other than keeping a tiny person alive and it certainly took me a while to find my groove. I cried alot in those first few months, hormones, lack of sleep and having a new identity and job was both amazing and terrifying. It took me a long time to relax into not being at work and being at home and to not feel guilty about that. I could never just sit and watch box sets, I felt I had to be constantly busy in order to justify not being at work. I walked miles every day as soon as I could and signed up for every mother and baby class under the sun. I wish I had relaxed a little more, but I was used to
a busy schedule and being without one was completely alien to me. I had 10 months of maternity leave and ironically it was only after about 7 that I began to relax, forget about work and feel that I had things under control. I began to love every minute of it. I had no idea that my last few precious weeks of maternity leave would be mostly spent without Sebby whilst he was ‘settling in’ to his new nursery. I really was lost at that point, suddenly faced with going back to work and being without my tiny baby having just got used to being maternity leave was ghastly. Parenting is hard, working is hard, combining the two can sometimes feel impossible. Leaving Sebby on that first morning to go to work was awful, I felt he was too little, they couldn’t love him like I did, they wouldn’t know how to soothe him or what he needed and I spent my first few days back in the office wishing I was at home with my beautiful boy. As it turned out, nursery was wonderful for him in so many ways and being back at work, albeit part time, was good for me too. It felt very surreal stepping back into a company that had of course, survived without me. I was out of the loop and transitioning back over the first few weeks and months was difficult, initially I felt like a spare part of something I had poured years of energy in to creating, and then of course, I settled back in. The time I had with Sebby when I wasn’t working became so important and so full of joy and needless to say we both adjusted to our new regimes. March 2019
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A different stripe • NOÉ & ZOË•
The Berlin brand’s SS19 collection sees classic patterns – stripes, dots and checks – given a fresh, fun overhaul in hues of blue, pink and red, while slogan tops add a little street sass. Mix the different prints together for looks that are playful, creative and bang up-to-date. Check out our kids shoot on p.50 for more of the new range. noe-zoe.com
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ST Y L E NOTES
March’s best brands, collaborations and collections
FITTER HAPPIER ISABELLA OLIVER
The pioneering maternitywear brand recently launched its athleisure range: a small but perfectly formed capsule of classic styles presented in a new technical jersey fabric – so comfort and performance are equally guaranteed. Isabellaoliver.com
we love HOLD ME HEREU
We sense that Spain is about to have a moment, design-wise – and Hereu is one of the brands inspiring the notion. A maker of sublime leather bags and shoes – including the already-iconic Colmado cut-out tote – it’s now available at Net-a-Porter. net-a-porter.com
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KNIT PICK BOOB DESIGN
This ethical Scandi brand now does a fine line in knitted sweaters. Made from recycled organic wool, each style is designed for dual function, so it’s equally suitable during pregnancy and when nursing. boobdesign.com
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Nighty Night YO L K E
Make sleeping a family affair with matching pyjamas for mama and little ones. Yolke’s designs are produced in the softest cotton or silkiest silk. We love the leopard prints and artful floral motifs. yolke.com
Babaà
T
WA N D E R L U S T WA N D E R I N G E V E
A maternitywear brand with a difference, Wandering Eve creates beautiful wrap dresses and skirts that evolve to accommodate your changing form during pregnancy and beyond. The bohemian prints are inspired by beach life in the founder’s childhood home, Byron Bay. wanderingeve.co.uk
5 o f t he b e st PASTE L P OP S ADIDAS Gazelle Suede Sneakers £70; adidas.co.uk
CULT GAIA Sage Leather Mules, £295; net-a-porter.com
SOREL Ainsley Conquest Boots, £108; sorelfootwear.co.uk
his Spanish knitwear brand may be young but its pedigree stretches back to before it even existed. Founder Marta Bahillo was born and raised in Madrid before going on to study Fashion and Textile Design in Dublin. After getting her degree, she moved to Argentina where she worked in-house for a major designer, conceiving and creating high-end womenswear. Only after completing this substantial apprenticeship did Bahillo return permanently to Spain, where her expertise bore fruit in the form of Babaà. The company is run as a family business, working with small-scale farmers, factories and craftspeople in Spain to guarantee an artisanal quality and finish. The label’s youth is belied by the perfection of its garments, crafted from the softest wools, cashmeres and cottons. Loosely structured oversize sweaters and artfully cropped cardigans add something directional (and very European) to the mix, while classic cashmere separates ensure the basics are covered in luxurious style. Best of all, Babaà create similarly enchanting and durable pieces for children and men – so you can shop for the entire family on one site. Keeping it in the family: much like Babaà itself. babaa.com
GUCCI Horse-bit leather mules £620; net-a-porter.com
CULT GAIA Ark Mini Clutch, £295; net-a-porter.com
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RITE OF SPRING Lightweight layers and crisp contemporary cuts define new transitional styles from Bellerose
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FASH ION NOTES Carly Glendinning rounds up the month’s best styles, looks and launches
SUNSHINE DAY S
we love
BOBO CHOSES
Inspired by carefree days in the countryside, the new Bobo Choses range is like a dose vitamin D. Think apple and pear prints, picnic ginghams and even a playful reference to Paul McCartney’s dog. We love the accessories too, including wicker baskets and clogs. bobochoses.com
PRINT PA R T Y LARK
Designed, printed and handmade in the brand’s Brighton-based studio, the capsule collection from LARK has a strong focus on sustainability. Each piece is made from the softest organic cotton, sourced from ethically sound factories. And we love the unisex prints – ideal for passing down. wearelark.com
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FRESH AIR B ACA B U C H E
Designed for ‘little minimalists’, we’re huge fans of LA-based brand Bacabuche’s clean and modern pieces. From the architectural shapes (including origami-like crossover backs) to the muted powdery hues, the new collection is almost poetic in its statement of simplicity. bacabuche.com
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Colour Cohesion SOOR PLOOM
A natural colour palette with tones inspired by milkweed and pollen meets delicate prints in the new collection from Soor Ploom. We love the rambling florals, tiny ginghams and fresh stripes. soorploomclothier.com
BEYOND TOT
New online store Beyond Tot offers the pick of past season childrenswear collections
RETRO SUMMER
I
T I N YC OT TO N S
Mirroring this season’s womenswear collections, tinycottons have gone back to the ‘80s for SS19 (leaving behind the acid-wash jeans and shoulder pads). Playful rainbow and popcorn prints call to mind carefree days before iPads and mobile phones. tinycottons.com
5 o f t he b e st T U TTI F RU T TI Pear Socks, Emile et Ida, £15; en.smallable.com
Set of three Apple Bloomers, Bobo Choses, £38; bobochoses.com
Lemon Leggings, Konges Sløjd, £22; en.smallable.com Banana Romper, Stella McCartney Kids, £62; alexandalexa.com
n an age of fast fashion, it’s a worrying fact that the clothing industry is the second biggest polluter of our planet after oil. Many fabrics will take hundreds of years to decompose if they are thrown away, so it’s reassuring to know that there are brands like Beyond Tot who are trying to effect change. The clever new London-based online shop is the brainchild of two style-savvy mums, who are on a mission to save past season childrenswear collections from ending up in landfill. For those of us who like to snag bargains in the sales, this is manna from heaven: a curated selection of amazing items on a site that offers permanent, stylish salepriced steals. The duo carefully select every item, so there’s no endless, exhausting scrolling in the hope of finding a rare gem (as is so often the case with ‘outlet’ shopping). And they’ve really nailed the selection of brands, which includes cult favourites such as Mini Rodini, Gardner & The Gang and The Bonnie Mob – many of which are sustainable. And of course, the best bit: everything is up to 50% off the original price. beyondtot.com
Cherry T-shirt, Bobo Choses, £49; bobochoses.com
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THE CLASH Go graphic this spring with street-ready styles featuring bold colour and contrasting patterns noe-zoe.com
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WellBaby18 AbsoloutelyMama FP Ad.qxp 11/01/2019 12:27pm Page 1
Formulated by Vitabiotics’ nutritional experts, to support the nutritional requirements of babies and young children Contains UK Department of Health recommended levels of vitamin D1
Wellbaby multi-vitamins contain the recommended vitamins A, C and D1
2018-07-09 ADWBYCONP E
Vit D Drops
Multi-vitamin Drops
Multi-vitamin Liquid
From , Superdrug, Holland & Barrett, supermarkets, chemists, health stores and wellbaby.com 1. The UK Department of Health recommends that all babies from birth until the age of 1 should be given a daily supplement containing 8.5-10mcg of vitamin D and that children from one to 4 years should be given a supplement containing 10mcg Vitamin D. In addition, all infants aged from 6 months to 5 years should be given a supplement containing vitamins A, C and D (Unless they are drinking 500ml (or approx. 1 pint) of infant formula a day, as infant formula has vitamins added to it). Source: NHS Choices. *UK’s No1 baby supplement brand. Nielsen GB ScanTrack Total Coverage Unit Sales 52 w/e 24 March 2018.
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Get physical •SIXPHYSIO •
Returning to full fitness after birth can take time, but a postnatal check from Six Physio is a good way to reassure yourself about how your recovery is progressing. They’ll check your spine, pelvis, posture and abdominal muscles, while offering expert advice on postnatal exercise. sixphysio.com
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THE BIRTH OF YOUR BABY
IN TRUSTED HANDS THE LINDO WING, ST MARY’S HOSPITAL
The Lindo Wing, St Mary’s Hospital South Wharf Road, London, W2 1NY T: +44 (0)20 3312 6224 E: imperial.lindo.maternity@nhs.net W: imperialprivatehealthcare.co.uk Part of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. All our profits are reinvested to support our NHS services
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HE ALTH
SAFE SNACKING LIEWOOD
Snacktime doesn’t get much cuter than this. Featuring your favourite Liewood animals – cats, grizzlies and pandas included – this set of four bowls is made from food-safe and non-toxic materials including bamboo fibres. £24; themodernnursery.com
mama’s
WELLNESS NOTES Healthy snacks and solutions for mums and munchkins
BE AUT Y BOOSTER
GREEN PERIODS
VO TA R Y
YO N I
Safe for use during pregnancy, the Super Seed Nutritional Supplement from Votary is rich in Omega 3, 6 and 9 essential fatty acids. It’s suitable for vegetarians and vegans too. £35; votary.co.uk
Yoni’s pads, liners and tampons are produced in an eco-friendly way using certified organic cotton (no pesticides here). Best of all, the range is completely biodegradable. From £3.93; glasshouseshop.co.uk
Press Reset PRESS
If flu season has you needing a recharge, a Press cleanse could be the answer. The brand’s nutrient-dense soups and juices are designed to boost energy and fortify your immune system. Not suitable if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. From £35; press-london.com
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RECIPES
Eat Well,
LiveWell
Pioneering baby nutrition expert and bestselling author Annabel Karmel on updating her classic recipe book, Weaning, for the contemporary family I n t e r v i e w K AT Y G I L L E T T
Q The first edition of Weaning was published back in 2010. What have been the biggest changes you’ve seen in the field of child nutrition since then? A I think the main change is that parents have become noticeably savvier about the types of foods they are giving to their children. Lots of families are using a much wider variety of foods. That said, many parents still lack the confidence in preparing recipes, so my job is to help guide them with an array of tasty, simple ideas which baby will love. Another key difference is that, historically, many babies were weaned at four or five months on fruit and vegetable purees, and this was absolutely fine as a baby gets all of the nutrients they need from either breast or formula milk in the first six months. However, if you start to introduce solids at around six months, which is now the official Department of Health and NHS guidance, fruit and vegetables alone will not give your baby the critical nutrients they need for their growth and development. These critical nutrients, such as iron and essential fatty acids (EFAs), and the importance of introducing these from six months makes up a significant proportion
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“BABY-LED WEANING HAS REALLY TAKEN OFF IN THE LAST FEW YEARS. WE HAVE GONE FULL CIRCLE”
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of my new book as there is a lot of confusion around which foods to introduce and when etc. The trend for baby-led weaning is another key development and has really taken off in the last few years. And with this, there has been a lot of debate surrounding the ‘baby-led weaning vs. purees’ approach, and which method to adopt when first starting out. When I attend the big consumer baby and parenting shows,
lots of mums and mums-to-be often bring their own mums to the shows with them. It is fantastic to hear their mums and grandparents comment on how baby-led weaning is now ‘back in fashion’. Many speak of how they would always give their baby a small portion of what they were eating themselves. I love hearing about different generations’ weaning experiences. It seems we have gone full circle which is a lovely thing. Q How much of the book and content have you had to update? Why should people who follow the 2010 version invest in the new one? A Aside from lots of new and updated recipes, there is more advice and guidance on weaning for premature babies, information on reflux as well as the importance of critical nutrients and a step-by-step guide to when to introduce foods and how to ensure your baby is getting the key nutrients needed for their development. With the increasing number of parents adopting the baby-led weaning approach, I have included lots more advice on this topic and have ensured that many of the recipes have a BLW option too, which means they are now adaptable for whichever weaning March 2019
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over the world and it’s also really important that menus cater to all children, offering balanced and healthy meals with gluten-free, dairy-free and soya-free options too.
BEGINNER’S BEEF CASSEROLE Suitable for freezing Makes 5 portions • Suitable from 6 months Prep time 10 minutes • Cooking time 1 hour 10 minutes • Provides energy, protein, fibre, iron, vitamin A, zinc • Dairy-free
INGREDIENTS
1 tbsp olive oil • 1 small onion, peeled and chopped • 1 garlic clove, peeled and crushed • 115g (4oz) lean stewing steak, trimmed of fat and cut into small cubes • 1 large carrot, peeled and diced • 1 large potato, peeled and diced • 3 dried apricots, chopped • 150ml (5fl oz) passata (sieved tomatoes) • 200–250ml (7–8fl oz) unsalted chicken or vegetable stock or water
DIRECTIONS
1. Heat the oil in a small flameproof casserole or heavy-based saucepan and sauté the onion gently for 3 minutes, stirring. 2. Add the garlic and sauté for 30 seconds. Add the stewing steak and sauté, stirring, until browned all over. 3. Add the carrot, potato, and dried apricots, and pour over the passata and stock or water. Bring to the boil, stir well, reduce the heat as low as possible, cover and simmer gently for about 1 hour, until the meat is tender, adding a little more stock or water if necessary and stirring occasionally. 4. Cool slightly, then purée in a food processor, or place in a bowl and use a hand-blender. For older babies, chop by hand to the desired consistency. 5. Freeze in individual portions. When needed, thaw overnight in the fridge or for 1–2 hours at room temperature, then reheat until piping hot. Stir and allow to cool before serving. For baby-led weaning, cut a small piece of steak into strips. Marinate in 1 tablespoon of olive oil, half a teaspoon of chopped thyme and half a clove of garlic, bashed, for 10–15 minutes. Remove from the marinade and fry for about 2 minutes each side until cooked.
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approach parents choose. I have also updated the section on allergies and intolerances. Both the prevalence of and awareness around specialist diets has changed considerably since the 2010 edition of Weaning. The new edition offers up-to-date advice, including simple ingredient swaps that allow parents to easily cater for common allergies and intolerances. Q Allergies and intolerances are such a big issue and talking point at the moment. What are your thoughts on the way food products and dishes in restaurants’ menus are labelled? What changes need to be made? A Childhood food allergies seem to be on the increase but I would also say that it is easier than ever to accommodate free-from and specialist diets. As such, I believe that restaurants and other food establishments have a real responsibility to ensure not only that free-from and specialist diets are catered for, but also that ingredient listings are transparent and menus clearly labelled so that there is absolutely no danger of miscommunication. Travelling or eating out with a child can be a challenge in itself but if you have a child with an allergy or intolerance it gives parents something else to think about and a little bit of extra careful planning is naturally required. However, it would be great for restaurants to make eating-out the easy and enjoyable experience it should be rather than it being yet another thing to worry about. In general, I’d love to see healthier and more interesting options on restaurant menus to get children excited about different foods from all
Q What’s the best advice you can offer our readers when it comes to dealing with fussy, stubborn eaters? A Persevere! Any parent out there with a fussy eater will appreciate the vulnerability and frustration you can feel. Getting a child to eat well can be a real challenge (and utterly draining), but I kept at it and it’s because of my son Nicholas’ fussiness that I am where I am today, as he spurred me to write the book. The first thing to note is that most children go through a phase of fussy eating (90% to be precise), so whether it’s picking at their food or flatly refusing to eat anything other than their ‘favourite’ it can be an exhausting and upsetting experience for everyone. Tackling the fussy eating phase is very much about how you deal with the situation that impacts on their eating habits. For example, only giving them the foods they enjoy will simply escalate their fussiness, and deprive them of the essential nutrients they need to grow and develop. Let’s face it, children rarely favour greens over the ‘less nutritious’ option, so my advice is to try and introduce tasty, healthy alternatives early on. For example, most children love chips so why not try baking sweet potato wedges instead? They are naturally sweet and baking them in the oven caramelises the natural flavour. Other delicious (and incredibly simple) alternatives to those fussy eater favourites, chicken nuggets and fish fingers, is to coat chicken pieces or goujons of fish in rice krispies or crushed cornflakes and bake them rather than frying. Another top tip is to get your very own little chefs in the kitchen as they will love to assemble their own food. Lay out new foods and veggies in bowls and let your child fill and fold their own wraps or choose their own toppings for their homemade pizzas. Sticker rewards just for trying new things and tasting them are so incredibly simple but can be really effective. If they even attempt to try something rather than ignore it, they should be rewarded. And finally, don’t be too hard on yourself. Believe me, I went through it with my extremely fussy son and came out the other side! Q These days there are so many nasties-free ready-meals and snack-to-go options for kids. How do you feel about busy parents incorporating these into their weekly meal plans for the family, instead of relying on home-cooking all the time?
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A With everyday routines busier than ever, more and more parents are looking for quick, easy and nutritious options to supplement their own home-cooked meals. That is exactly what on-the-go pouches or nutritionally balanced ready-meals are there for, and no parent should feel guilty about this, you’re only human! There are so many convenient healthy alternatives nowadays which will provide your baby or child with a wholesome, nutritionally balanced meal. I have my own range of chilled and frozen toddler meals and a new organic puree range which each contain all the goodness of a home-cooked meal and include only the best natural ingredients – with no added salt, sugar or preservatives. I take the nutritional value of my meals incredibly seriously and work in partnership with a leading child nutritionist and dietician to ensure that every meal is nutritionally balanced, and that they adhere to the Weaning Food Directive and Nutritional Standards. Q What’s the most important thing new parents need to know about weaning? A There’s no ‘one-size-fits-all’ when it comes to weaning. Every baby is different and will develop at their own pace. Some feel a need to go with one method or the other (spoon-led or baby-led) but I’ve always believed that you don’t have to choose. At around six months, you have the freedom to combine an element of baby-led weaning alongside spoon-feeding if you feel that’s right for you and your baby. Q Your recipes incorporate meat and dairy, but you do deal with bringing up a vegetarian baby in your new book. How about vegans? What advice do you have for mothers looking to bring their child up on a vegan diet?
Annabel’s new book Weaning (DK £12.99 www.dk.com) includes everything you need to know about traditional and baby-led weaning, advice on when to start, critical nutrients, how to cater for allergies and intolerances, and more than 60 healthy and delicious recipes to delight your little one. Available from all good bookstores. annabelkarmel.com
A If you are setting out to wean your baby on a vegetarian or vegan diet then of course this is absolutely do-able. However, parents do have to be extra careful to ensure their baby’s diet is well balanced and they are still getting the critical nutrients required for their longterm development. The good news is that for the first six months of your baby’s life, they will naturally get most of the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients they need from their regular milk. Babies weaned before six months start off vegetarian anyway, as fruit and vegetable purées form the basis of their diets for the first month or so. Once first tastes have been accepted from around six months, babies are growing at a rapid rate and certain nutrients are essential for their growth and development. At this stage you would typically start to introduce meat, poultry, and fish, so this is when you will need to look for alternative sources of iron, protein, zinc and vitamin B12 for your vegetarian baby. Foods such as tofu or beans and pulses (such as lentils) and nutrient-dense foods such as cheese and eggs (if vegetarian) as well as green leafy vegetables (such as broccoli and spinach) and fortified breakfast cereals are all fantastic foods to include on the menu for your little one. It is also worth pointing out that while a low-fat, high-fibre diet is good for adults, too many high-fibre foods can deplete your baby of vital nutrients and hinder iron absorption, so go easy on high-fibre cereals. Q Your children have grown up now – how much of your knowledge have you managed to pass on? Are they all healthy eaters, and how did you ensure they had a healthy outlook on food growing up? A My children are all fantastic cooks (and fantastic eaters!) but this definitely wasn’t always the case. They all started out extremely fussy but I persevered. You’ll stand a good chance of instilling a love of good, healthy food by preparing simple meals together from scratch. When my children were 4, 6 and 7, I encouraged them to cook supper for the family every Friday. I would help them with things like chopping up vegetables and using the oven but soon they learned how to take charge themselves and took great pride in doing so.
RECIPES
MINI FISH PIES
Suitable for freezing Makes 6 portions • Suitable from 9 months Prep time 15 minutes • Cooking time 20–25 minutes • Provides energy, protein, omega-3 EFAs, vitamin A, vitamin B12
INGREDIENTS
• 40g (11/2oz) butter or dairy-free spread • 1 onion, chopped • 1 tsp white wine vinegar • 3 tbsp flour or gluten-free flour or 1 tbsp cornflour • 150ml (5fl oz) fish stock • 200ml (7fl oz) whole milk, suitable dairy-free formula milk for under 12 months or almond milk for over 12 months • 6 cherry tomatoes, quartered • 1 tbsp freshly chopped dill • 25g (3/4oz) Parmesan cheese or dairy-free alternative, grated • 450g (1lb) mixed salmon and cod, diced Potato topping: 500g (1lb 2oz) white potato, peeled and diced • 100g (31/2oz) carrot, chopped • A knob of butter or dairy-free spread • 1 tbsp whole milk, suitable dairy-free formula milk for under 12 months or almond milk for over 12 months • 30g (1oz) Parmesan cheese or dairy-free alternative
DIRECTIONS
1. Melt the butter in a saucepan. Add the onion and fry for 5 minutes, then add the vinegar and stir until evaporated. Add the flour. If using cornflour, see step 2. 2. Add the fish stock and milk, bring to the boil and whisk until thickened. If using cornflour, mix it with 2 tbsp cold water then add to the milk and stir until thickened. 3. Add the tomatoes, dill and Parmesan. Stir, then add the fish. Spoon into 6 ramekins about 10cm in diameter. 4. Preheat the oven to 200ºC. 5. Cook the potatoes and carrot in a pan of boiling water until soft. Drain and mash with the butter, milk and cheese. Spread on the pies. 6. Bake in the oven for 20–25 mins until bubbling. Allow to cool before serving. 7. Defrost overnight in the fridge or for several hours at room temp. Reheat in an oven preheated to 180ºC for 15 minutes.
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mama’s
B E AU T Y NOTES Hair, make-up and beauty news for the month ahead
we love
B O TA N I C A L
BEAUTY KJAER WEIS
Kjaer Weis is the brainchild of a Danishborn, New York-based make-up artist. Made using only natural and organic ingredients, the range of cosmetics is perfect for sensitive skin, is packaged sustainably and the containers are re-fillable to help reduce waste. From £16; kjaerweis.com
SKIN S AV E R TA N G E N T G C
TANGENTGC has launched a new body lotion, available in the brand’s four signature fragrances: oud, yuzu, tulip and fir. French made using small batch production, the light formula is based on organic, natural ingredients including shea butter, sunflower oil and witch hazel water. £28; tgctangentgc.com
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Cool Colour J HANNAH
Designed with the ‘colour-resistant’ in mind, we’re completely obsessed with the range of muted nail varnishes from cool-girl, LA-based, jewellery brand J Hannah. Best of all, they are vegan, cruelty free and ‘seven-free’, meaning unlike other polishes, they’re toxic-free. £20; la-gent.com
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Soft Scent
BE AUT Y
n Saloew i Rev
D A N D Y D I L L W AY
Using the fresh almond and subtle floral scents found in their award-winning skin and hair care range for little ones, Dandydill Way has just launched an eau de toilette and eau de senteur. Suitable for the most sensitive skin, the fragrances are created using 100% pure natural and plant-derived ingredients including sugar cane, coconut and fair trade alcohol. From £48; dandydillway.com
Glasshouse SALON
A
W o r d s C A R LY G L E N D I N N I N G
N AT U R A L W O N D E R DA N I K E N N E Y The eponymous mum and baby skincare range from California-native Dani Kenney is made using only safe and natural ingredients. Products tackle an array of common concerns and include soothing sprays designed for use postpartum, balms for nappy rash and miracle-working tonics for skin irritations. From £22; glasshouseshop.co.uk
5 of t he b e st O RGA N I C B A B Y OI L S Rich Massage Oil, Cowshed, £12.50; cowshed.com
Mother and Baby Oil, Bloom and Blossom, £16; bloomandblossom.com
Baby Oil, Storksak, £8.95; storksak.com
Sleep Time & Bath Massage Oil, Little Aurelia, £28; aureliaskincare.com
resident of cool London Fields hangout Netil House, Glasshouse Salon is part of a new wave of hairdressers who only use products with natural and organic ingredients. If only there were more of them! They also run ‘clean beauty’ workshops and occasionally host nail salon pop-ups (using toxic-free polishes of course). The salon works with Organic Colour Systems, a brand that uses the lowest possible levels of PPD and no parabens, resorcinol and formaldehyde. Booked in for a cut, I arrive at a light and airy space with a jungle of greenery creeping up the exposed brick walls. I am served a green matcha tea (there’s also charcoal water, elderflow fizz and coffee on offer) and my lovely hair stylist talks me through the products she’ll use. She tells me that if you’re pregnant, they can colour your hair with ‘off the scalp’ techniques such as foils or balayage so that the product won’t go into your bloodstream. I opt to have several inches off the length of my hair and a blunt fringe. Really happy with the results, I can’t leave without pursuing the salon’s shop – which conveniently stocks some of my favourite organic and natural beauty brands. glasshouseshop.co.uk
Dry Oil, Minois Paris, £33; minoisparis.fr
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B OX FRESH
Assiya Jaffer and Olivia Pippet on what it takes to run a successful subscription box company
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Q Why did you decide to start Bump to Box? A When we first met at our antenatal class we started talking and swapping stories.We both realised how overwhelmed we were with all the pregnancy products out there and discussed how on earth we would go about even starting to sift out the best – and importantly – the most useful items from such a massive marketplace. Which cream? Which oil? What ingredients? So much is on offer now, it’s so hard to know what you really need and even then, which brands do you go for? Two lunches, several decaf lattes and a notebook full of scribbles later, Bump to Box was born! We realised there was a big gap in the market for busy mamas/ mamas-to-be who, like us, want to have access to the best products and services, but who don’t necessarily have time to spend researching (let alone the time to actually get to the shops). Enter Bump to Box. Q What are your backgrounds and did they prove helpful to the successful running of the company? A Although we both come from very different backgrounds (Aasiya is in luxury fashion marketing and Olivia is a lawyer in the luxury retail space), when we first met something just clicked. We quickly realised that with our combined skillsets, we would have a very solid infrastructure from which to develop and
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FASHION • INTERVIEW
wellness INTERVIEW
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“THESE DAYS YOU DON’T EVEN NEED TO LEAVE YOUR HOUSE TO STAY ON TOP OF ALL THE LATEST BEAUTY AND GROOMING TRENDS”
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simple but effective marketing tool too as you can introduce a customer to a niche beauty brand or can encourage someone to diversify their grooming habits by offering a snazzy alternative to one of their go-to products with minimal effort. It really is a win-win!
run our business. We both bring completely unique skills to the table, which really helps us cover all the bases and gives us a very broad commercial outlook. Running a start-up alongside motherhood has meant we’ve had to become master multi-taskers so we have really learned the art of being super organised, having impeccable diary management and keeping totally on top of our never-ending to-do lists! We are firm believers that you get back what you put in and we are really proud of Bump to Box, everything that it’s achieved to date and what’s to come in the future – so watch this space! Q Subscription box companies are a massive growth industry – especially when it comes to beauty and grooming. Why do you think that is?
A We live in an age where we can access almost any type of commodity, at any time day or night thanks to the wonderful world of e-commerce. If you couple that with the continuous expansion of the beauty and grooming industry and the trends in how millennials and the Z generation are shopping then you can really start to understand the allure of the subscription box. The latest trends show us that consumers want convenience and variety. They get bored quickly so they like to have options and from that perspective, a subscription model ticks all their boxes…these days you don’t even need to leave your house to stay on top of all the latest beauty and grooming trends, because they’re all researched, manufactured, packaged up beautifully and then delivered to your door. It’s such a
Q What do you love most about working for yourselves? A We’ve both nurtured the company and have watched it grow from the ground up but juggling a start-up alongside being busy working mamas hasn’t always been easy. That’s why we both love the flexibility of working for ourselves, as it means we are able to work around our growing families (we both have two-year olds who are gorgeous but can be extremely demanding). It’s so important to us that we are able to work our company around their schedules and around family life in general. So for us, it’s all about striking the right balance and being our own versions of a ‘mumpreneur’ and all that comes with that. We also love watching our company (our second baby) grow and can’t wait to see what’s around the corner. Q What’s next for the company? A Sky’s the limit! This is only really the beginning for Bump to Box; we will be expanding our offering into all sorts of different and innovative boxes. We’re constantly thinking of new ways we can help all those deserving mamas out there get the pampering and self-care they need. We can’t give away too many of our trade secrets yet so you’ll need to stay firmly tuned to see all the exciting plans we have in store…
bumptobox.com • @bumptobox March 2019
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home &
N U R S E RY T R E N D S A N D I N T E R I O R S P R O D U C T S p .76 A PA S S I O N FO R I LLU ST R AT I O N W I T H WA LLPA P E R D E S I G N E R K AT I E B O U R N E p . 8 0
Animal Magic FERM LIVING
Ferm Living’s new kids’ collection features work by London-based, internationally renowned illustrator Katie Scott. Her wallpapers explorethe balance of wildlife and nature across three sets of beguiling designs: shells, trees and animals. fermliving.com
March 2019
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mama
N U R S E RY NOTES Interiors inspiration for the hardest-working room in the home
FULL SET NEWBIE
we love
We’re loving Newbie’s latest limited edition collection, which offers nursery wallpaper, bed linen, sleepsuits and even dummies in matching prints – choose from intricately drawn rose garden or forest friends designs. newbiestore.com
OW L SERVICE M A M A S & PA PA S
For those moments when you need your hands free from baby-holding – to take a shower, say – and no one else is around, this little fella has you covered. Owlbie plays two soothing melodies and two nature sounds, and his belly serves as a gentle night-light. He’s also super cuddly £25; mamasandpapas.com
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Word Perfect Bobby Rabbit How better to acquaint littles with their ABCs than with these fun flash cards, which also feature numbers on the back? Modern graphics and angular animal pictures offer a stylish educational game. £13; bobbyrabbit.co.uk
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h o me & interio rs
En Route
NURSERIES
nd Bra us Foc
SEBRA
Little ones will love creating their own roads with this felt track from Sebra. The kit includes 12 pieces covering straights, turns and curves, so there’s no limit to where their imagination will take them. £48; bonordic.co.uk
KAOS
F
PLANET EARTH ROSE IN APRIL
Encourage a little wanderlust with this beautiful world map, which features cute animal illustrations in each of the six continents. Tiny explorers will be inspired. £40; bobbyrabbit.co.uk
5 of t he b e st ST O RAG E S OLU TI ON S FERM LIVING Pear Braided Storage Basket £75; cloudberryliving.co.uk BOBBY RABBIT Felt Cat Storage Bag £20; bobbyrabbit.co.uk
ROCK AND PEBBLE Large House Bag £59; trouva.com
ounded by two Swedish mamas in their spare time away from demanding ad agency jobs, Kaos is often billed as an interiors company – but the diversity of its product range suggests that there is much, much more to it than that. We discovered the brand through its signature product, the Endelos wall bars. Featuring a patented mounting system, these actually-verytasteful wooden bars are essentially a minimalist climbing frame that can be attached to a wall in your home. Kids love clambering up them, and when not in use they can be accessorised with an assortment of stylish storage modules, including canvas pockets, storage bags and a hook-on tabletop (all of which Kaos also produce). The fixing system avoids any damage to your wall or floor, and the bars can support up to 100kg in weight. Rainy days indoors never looked so good. Elsewhere, the brand has turned its hand to a range of nursery-enhancing items, from smaller-scale shelves based on the Endelos design to large toy sacks that unfold to become playmats. They make beautiful wooden high chairs that fold almost completely flat when not in use, and changing bags and backpacks that feature all manner of clever access solutions. All in all, Kaos is a form-meets-function Scandinavian dream come true. itskaos.com
AYKASA Yellow Midi Crate £13.50; mollymeg.com
PLAY AND GO Mini Storage Bag £14.95; bobbyrabbit.co.uk
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Gimme SHELTER
How architect Rodrigo Moreno Masey’s ‘decorated shed’ became a multi-functional family space Wo r d s E V E H E R B E R T
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h o mes & interio rs INSPIRATION
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“OUR CHANGING LIFESTYLES REQUIRE AN ADAPTABLE SPACE THAT CAN BE A BLANK CANVAS”
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rchitect Rodrigo Moreno Masey built a ‘decorated shed’ in his garden as a flexible, multifunctional space to be used by himself and his young family. The design process led him to consider the limitations of the traditional shed concept and how our changing lifestyles require an adaptable space that can be a blank canvas, with space to evolve allowing for multiple possibilities. Today’s shed is not simply an extension of a house, nor a pure expression of a rural retreat but instead represents a distinct, separate place where a number of different activities can take place. “Garden sheds have changed” says Masey, founder of architecture firm MorenoMasey. “What was once a suburban attempt to hold on to a rural typology, the minibarn or potting shed has now become a multi-functional other space”. The shape was designed to have the outline of a building that is unquestionably a garden shed. It has four walls and a pitched roof. Set within a Victorian terrace, the form is contextual but is super-sized, designed to be simultaneously at ease and unexpected. Reclaimed timber cladding distinguishes the building as non-domestic and distinct from the house. The silvered, aged oak boards are laid with gaps to create a geometric pattern, running over the entire form without interruption. Masey decided to forgo gutters and the roof and walls are designed to blend seamlessly with no superfluous detail, meaning the scale and use remains ambiguous. The timber boards reveal a large opening to the main space and simultaneously conceal a door to the storage area. The
contrast of the geometry and the texture is both hard and tactile, both controlled and random. The rest of the design is functional, yet without a single fixed function. It is used as an office, a study, a gym, a conference space, a TV room, a playroom, a cinema, a library, a bar or a simple shelter. The finishes are chosen to be unspecific: a practical tiled floor extends to the terrace outside, an unfinished plywood wall to fix things to, a grey wall to project onto and some shelves for storage. The door is a glazed garage door, rolling up over the ceiling to leave a clear opening, there are no panels to clutter the reveal – the boundaries between inside and outside are blurred. Masey says: “This decorated shed is pure fiction, a collection of borrowed ideas from things I have seen: the cladding from a barn in Austria, the door from a brewery in Oregon, the physical form so ingrained into our cultural language as house. And the space itself - a blank canvas, a space to be, to enjoy, to work and rest, alone, with family or friends. A space for fiction still to come. Surely that’s all we really want from our sheds? Not a copy of a barn, not a copy of a house, but a true other space. Perhaps this is not a decorated shed after all; maybe it’s just a shed”. morenomasey.com March 2019
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G IN THE STUDIO
with mama-of-two and rising star of wallpaper design, Katie Bourne
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rowing up on a working farm in rural Staffordshire, I spent much of my childhood sketching the animals and the landscapes around me. Inspired by the illustrations I found in my books, I experimented with drawing the animals in the style of my favourite illustrators, including the wonderful Quentin Blake and Norman Thelwell. With my mother a fine artist and my father a farmer with a flair for spectacular doodles, illustration was a natural route for me and inspired by my childhood experiences, I went on to train at Cambridge School of Art, studying a BA (hons) in Illustration. After completing my degree, I spent a few years working away from the arts, however my passion for illustration never faded and I knew I needed to follow my heart, get back to working with my hands and get my pencils out again! Before starting out in wallpaper design, I began my illustration career by painting anything people asked for in a series of bespoke commissions; from painting people’s houses to pets and honeymoon pictures. I painted it all in the beginning! I began to cultivate my signature style when I was asked to put together a collection of illustrations depicting a range of countryside animals. In the initial collection, I drew everything from deer to pheasants, sheep and many, many more animals.
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h o me & interior s PROFILE
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“I REALISED HOW MUCH I LOVED THE STORYTELLING ASPECT OF MY DRAWINGS”
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These drawings were all very stylised, with delicate pencil lines on white backgrounds, and for the first time I started to really pull inspiration from my background and previous experience. From here, I started to play around with the style to work out various ways of using the designs. I then started to place the individual images together and build up my own stories behind the scenes for each illustration. At the time, although I didn’t have my own children, I had two young nephews, who would interact with the characters and come up with names for them to continue the story. These early days were so important to the ethos of my business as I realised how much I loved the storytelling aspect that had become such a strong part of each of my drawings. The designs became an extension of me, with the characters and scenes taken directly from my memories. From the farm I grew up on and the fields I used to play in, to birthday celebrations and outings with family and
friends, each design stems from my personal experiences and aims to bring the characters of my childhood to life. The focus for the look and feel of my wallpaper collections for Katie Bourne Interiors has always been to create a very British product; I wanted to remain true to my roots and classic illustration style, while incorporating a modern twist. With this in mind, it was important for me to find a factory where traditional printing techniques were combined with an eco-conscious approach and a beautiful range of heritage colour palettes. I feel very strongly that the wallpapers throughout the collection are rich in character and provide children with lifelong happy memories that encourage their imagination to run wild. From the very first wallpaper I designed through Katie Bourne Interiors to now, every wallpaper design is carefully crafted by hand, with an aim to create whimsical stories for the wall that explore a playful style and encourage a world of adventure. I now have two young boys aged four and two and run my business from my studio at home in Dorset. With the coast and the vast New Forest on our doorstep, I’m incredibly excited about the possibility of all the future wallpaper designs as part of the Katie Bourne Interiors collection, which will take influence from my new surroundings. katiebourneinteriors.com March 2019
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Dream Nursery
IN REVIEW WITH MEMBERS OF MAMAS & PAPAS’ PARENTAPPROVED PANEL
h o me & interior s REVIEWS
THE LAWSON RANGE IN MIRLAH’S HOME
AYESHA’S NURSERY CORNER
Ox ford Nurser y Ra nge
AY E S H A H A K I M R A H M A N @ayeshahak
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Lawson C ollect ion MIRLAH RICHARDSON @themrsproject
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torage was key for the nursery as we quickly realised just how much stuff a baby accumulates. I fell in love with the Lawson collection when I saw it in store at one of the Parent-to-Be Events. From the handleless design and light wood colour to contrasting white Scandistyle legs, we love every part of this modern design. We chose the changing unit/drawers and the wardrobe from this collection. They also do a fabulous cot-bed in the same style, which I adore and hope to get one day to complete the set. We assembled the furniture while I was around 37 weeks pregnant so as you can imagine, I wasn’t much use. Thankfully, it was pretty easy to put together and the instructions were easy to follow. The finished product is so sturdy and solid and we both agreed that it’s by far the best flat-pack furniture we’ve ever put up. In the early days Ellis hated having his nappy changed but now he absolutely loves it up on his changing table and it’s where he’s at his most smiley and chatty.
THE LAWSON CHANGING UNIT
We just love having a dedicated place to change him. Eventually he’ll outgrow the table but the best thing about this unit is that you can remove the changing top part, which leaves just the drawers. It’s a piece of furniture that will grow with him for many years. There are three good-size drawers with plenty of room for all his clothes and toiletry bits and although the drawers aren’t soft closing they glide effortlessly and don’t make a lot of noise. We absolutely love the Lawson wardrobe too – there’s a large shelf to the top and a large separate drawer at the bottom. We’ve currently got it set up with a double rail as Ellis’ clothes are still quite teeny but again this is a piece of furniture that will grow with him. When his clothes are bigger we can simply remove a rail and adjust a shelf to accommodate them.
nfortunately we don’t have the space for a separate nursery but I couldn’t resist seeing if I could create a nursery space within our main bedroom. We opted for the Oxford range because we loved the luxury look and the longevity in terms of size. For the first time I was able to create a special little space for Inayah within our main bedroom. I adore the modern look and feel of the Oxford range. More importantly, I was impressed with the quality and convenience. The dresser drawers have compartmentalised sections and fit so much in – I ended up adding most of my son Iman’s clothes too! The cotbed was such a good size and I really liked that you can take either or both sides off. We also used the premium cotton spring mattress and Inayah had the longest afternoon nap in it ever, so I assume it’s comfy!
AYESHA’S DAUGHTER INAYAH
March 2019
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The Maserati of SUVs LEVANTE V6 2019 STARTING FROM £500 A MONTH, 0% APR† WITH 3 YEARS FREE SERVICING** H.R. OWEN MASERATI LONDON MELTON COURT, 25-27 OLD BROMPTON ROAD LONDON SW7 3TD 0333 240 1580 HROWEN.CO.UK/MASERATI Fuel economy and CO2 results for the Maserati Levante MY19 range in mpg (l/100km) combined: 20.7 (13.6) to 30.0 (9.4). *CO2 emissions: 282 - 207 g/km. Figures shown are for comparability purposes; only compare fuel consumption and CO2 figures with other cars
tested to the same technical procedures. These figures may not reflect real life driving results, which will depend upon a number of factors including the accessories fitted (post-registration), variations in weather, driving styles and vehicle load. *There is a new test used for fuel consumption and CO2 figures. The CO2 figures shown however, are based on the outgoing test cycle and will be used to calculate vehicle tax on first registration. †Offer available on Maserati Levante V6 MY19 range ordered and registered between 01/01/19 and 31/03/19. 24 month term. Minimum 20% customer deposit required. Model shown is a Maserati Levante V6 GranLusso MY19 (incl. Tri-coat paint, Silver painted callipers, Metallic finish roof rails, Panoramic sunroof, Bowers & Wilkins sound system, Rear laminated privacy glass, Driver Assistance Pack and 20” Efesto alloy wheels) which will increase the customer deposit to 32% and a monthly payment of £600. Optional final payment may vary depending on version. With Maserati PCP you may return the vehicle instead of making the final payment. It must be in good condition and if you exceed the agreed annual mileage, you will be charged 12p per mile for exceeding 15,000 miles p.a. in this example. Subject to status. Guarantees may be required. T&Cs apply. At participating Retailers only. Maserati Financial Services, SL1 0RW. We work with a number of creditors including Maserati Financial Services. **Three years free servicing offer is based on typical usage (12,000 miles per annum) and is covered by a three service Maserati “Premium Service” plan. The “Premium Service” program covers all the inspections, replacements of components and consumables provided by the official maintenance schedule described in the vehicle owner’s manual. Offer available on new Maserati Levante MY19 range ordered, registered & delivered by 31/03/19. At participating Retailers only.
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Flying High • JETKIDS BY STOKKE •
Meet the BedBox, a work of genius. This sturdy, stylish ride-on kids’ suitcase is available in three sweet shades and connects to most aircraft seats to form a miniature bed. Rave reviews from early adopters say it speeds up getting through the airport and helps kids get comfy (and therefore sleep) on the flight. We want. £139; jet-kids.com
March 2019
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Happy lives here!
We want you and your little ones to holiday just the way you want to: safe, stress free and in locations you love. It’s why we’ve developed our own exclusive resort experience alongside our range of beautiful, family friendly properties. We hand pick every destination to meet your young family’s needs—from pool safety to playtime—and they’re fully equipped with everything you need, so you can travel light and feel at home as soon as you arrive. Discover the Tots difference and let us help you find your perfect, fun-filled family holiday.
All private pools barriered
FREE baby and toddler kit
30 point child safety check
Call us
0800 808 5487 Browse and book at
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INSPIRATIONS
ALPINE BLISS SONNWEIS
This incredible resort in the South Tyrol puts other family-friendly hotels to shame. With 70 tasteful rooms in an idyllic alpine location, each stay includes up to 70 hours free childcare – and the facilities (including soft play, climbing walls and a heated outdoor pool) are mindblowing. A genuine getaway. sonnwies.com
mama’s
T R AV E L NOTES The most exciting destinations at home and abroad
we love
EASTERN PROMISE
A W AY L O N D O N
Away’s brilliant wheelie cases are full of clever interior details and even nice to look at. Best of all, there’s a special kids version of the Carry On, which comes in a variety of colours with a shorter handle and a built-in charger for their inevitable devices. £99; awaytravel.com
SIX SENSES KRABEY ISLAND
Luxury meets excitement at this stunning resort, on a private island off the coast of Cambodia. There’s a spa, an ice cream parlour and activities for the entire family. turquoiseholidays.co.uk
3 i d e a s f o r M o t h e r ’s D a y China Tang at The Dorchester
PAC K U P
FULHAM MARKET HALL
The Tiger Who Came to Tea at The Savoy
Sharky & George at Fulham Market Hall
Afternoon tea with a Cantonese culinary twist at this august institution. Look out for daily rotating dumplings in baskets and the tantalising Tang Tea Punch – delicious and lots of fun.
London’s most famous hotel celebrates the 50th birthday of Judith Kerr’s picturebook classic with a themed tea for little ones – so you can sit and sip together.
Enjoy a brunch at one of London’s trendiest spots and let kids’ entertainment experts Sharky & George keep the nippers occupied while you eat. Sweet relief!
chinatanglondon.co.uk
thesavoylondon.com
markethalls.co.uk
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ATLANTIS THE PALM RESORT, DUBAI
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Absolutely Mama visits some of the most familyfriendly five-star hotels in the Arabian Gulf
W o r d s K AT Y G I L L E T T
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KIDS ENJOY THE WATER AT ATLANTIS THE PALM, DUBAI
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he Arabian Gulf has a lot to offer travellers, from glitzy Dubai to cultured Abu Dhabi and bohemian Bahrain. Each emirate, sultanate and kingdom is steeped in history and rich with culture – you just need to know where to look. That’s where Absolutely Mama comes in…
Abu Dhabi THE CITY
While it’s one of the United Arab Emirates’ lesser-known states, Abu Dhabi is actually the most important, as it’s the country’s capital city and home of the annual Formula One race. It’s also far more family-friendly than its muchtalked-about neighbour, Dubai, and has much in the way of wonderful wildlife adventures. Kayaking through mangroves, safaris on Sir Bani Yas Island, and turtle-hatching season are just a few of the animal-tastic activities worth taking in while you’re there. At the same time, families shouldn’t miss a trip to Yas Island, where you’ll find Yas Waterworld water park, Warner Bros theme park and Ferrari World (where the world’s fastest rollercoaster resides). Culture vultures will also enjoy a trip to the very picturesque Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the iconic Louvre Abu Dhabi. Sure, Dubai is bigger and busier, but a trip to Abu Dhabi shouldn’t be overlooked.
T H E S TAY
The emirate’s first-ever all-inclusive property, Rixos Saadiyat Island (saadiyatisland.rixos. com) opened in October to much fanfare. Staying true to the region’s reputation for
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great hospitality, this is no ordinary allinclusive leisure spot; it caters to a discerning luxury market from across the world. The brand hails from Turkey, and this is felt in every design element throughout the hotel; over-sized, shimmering chandeliers greet you in the expansive, opulent lobby that’s bright and airy, thanks to the cheery hues of blue, white and green, while floor-toceiling windows in the lobby allow sea views to stretch for miles. The rooms are similarly cheery; they’re a mix between contemporary cool and traditional mosaiced Turkish décor. While the property boasts 366 rooms and suites – including 60 interconnected family rooms – you can also choose to book yourself into one of the 12 garden villas, which have their own private plunge pools.
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“DUBAI IS A CITY WITH MANY FACES. IT HAS A PENCHANT FOR PRODUCING THE BEST ”
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TH E FAC I LITI E S
Rixos Saadiyat Abu Dhabi is particularly great for families, as prices are per room and include all your food and beverages throughout your stay (except room service). There are seven restaurants – spanning cuisines such as Turkish, pan-Asian, Italian and seafood – plus four bars for mum and dad to enjoy on their own. Rixy Kids Club is open to children aged two to 12, and there they can enjoy a full day of activities. Or they could head out to the dedicated kids’ water park and wave pool. All in all, the property features 17 pools, as well as the beach and plenty of water sports to choose from. That’s also not to forget the Turkish-inspired spa, complete with a sauna, steam and hammam, as well as a fitness centre and daily classes such as yoga, Pilates and “killer abs” (if you’re so inclined). If there weren’t decent reasons for you to explore Abu Dhabi, such as desert excursions and city tours, it would certainly be easy to spend your entire holiday at the resort.
HOW TO GET THERE ATLANTIS THE PALM BY NIGHT
E MIRATES
Etihad Airways flies direct from London Heathrow to Abu Dhabi International Airport; etihad.com
AQUAVENTURE, ATLANTIS THE PALM
Dubai THE CITY
Dubai is a city with many faces. It has a penchant for producing the biggest, tallest and best; cutting-edge skyscrapers loom over ever-expanding spaghetti junctions on which impressive supercars whizz by. But down in old Dubai, by the Creek, there’s a slower pace of life to be explored by abra (water taxi), where seagulls float overhead and the souq merchants introduce you to the modern-day spoils of the Spice Route. There’s also a wealth of familyfriendly activities to discover, whether you want to try some extreme sports (skydiving and zip-lining, for example), check out the theme parks (from Motiongate to IMG Worlds of Adventure and Bollywood Parks & Resort) or simply while away your hours on one of the many beachfronts that are open to the public. Then there’s all that shopping you can do at the world-famous Dubai Mall or in the more traditional souqs, plus a number of wildlife and desert safari excursions that are worth your time, too. You certainly won’t get bored here.
T H E S TAY
It depends on what you’re looking for. Best-suited to families is Atlantis The Palm (atlantisthepalm.com), where you can swim with sharks, play at the water park, dine at one of the many excellent restaurants (including those by Gordon Ramsay, Giorgio Locatelli and Nobu), go bowling, play arcade games or simply lie by the beach – the list March 2019
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Add a Little Luxury To Your Stay Book your next family holiday at Atlantis The Palm, Dubai as an Imperial Club guest and add a little luxury to your stay with exclusive benefits across the resort. From complimentary airport transfers, to a dedicated concierge team and even an exclusive private beach just for our Imperial Club Guests. Enjoy a little moment to yourself while the kids have their fun at the Atlantis Kids Club or The Zone for teens, with complimentary daily access during your stay. The best part of it all? Daily complimentary access to the all-new Imperial Club lounge. Whether you’re after a tasty bite for breakfast, relaxing afternoon tea or evening cocktails before dinner, the Imperial Club Lounge has it all.
Book today for a dream holiday you’ll never forget.
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is endless. Alternatively, for a more upscale, chic experience, you might want to try Nikki Beach Resort & Spa (nikkibeachhotels.com/dubai). It’s one of four hotels on the planet aligned with the worldfamous beach club brand (the L’OLIVO RESTAURANT AT others are in Thailand, Turkey RIXOS SAADIYAT ISLAND and Greece). Here, lazy days by the beach slip into chilledout nights under the stars enjoying seafood Formula One track as well as the and panoramic views. beautiful Bahrain National Museum, Finally, for something more city-side, Manzil a range of souqs and forts, two official Downtown Dubai (vidahotels.com/en/manzil) Unesco World Heritage Sites, plus sits next to the Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa an astounding number of great (the world’s tallest building). It’s a beautiful restaurants. For the latter, head over boulevard spot, with family-friendly restaurants, to Adliya, where a pedestrianised clean and well-appointed rooms, and a range of restaurant district boasts highfacilities for mum, dad and sprogs. Mostly, it’s quality eateries, cafes and a range of ideally situated, so you can enjoy the glitziest rooftop bars you can hop your way and most impressive the city has to offer. around (on nights you leave the kids in the hotel). A great way to explore the island as a family is by booking HOW TO GET THERE on one of the guided tours run by localppl.com Emirates flies direct from London Heathrow, – you could bike around Budaiya farms, explore Gatwick and Stansted to Dubai International arty souqs on foot or trek around Muharraq on a Airport; emirates.com photography excursion. There’s plenty of choice.
Bahrain THE COUNTRY
The tiny island nation of Bahrain is often forgotten when tourists plan a trip to the Middle East, but it shouldn’t be. At least add it to the itinerary while you’re in the region, as it’s just a one-hour flight from Dubai. This archipelago, made up of 32 islands, is an intriguing yet downto-earth kind of place. It’s home to a world-class
T H E S TAY
While Bahrain has a number of five-star hotels, one of the best is the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay (fourseasons.com/ bahrain). It’s particularly good for families. It sits on its own little manmade island, jutting out from Bahrain Bay and overlooking the Arabian Gulf. Inside, the expansive, beautifully designed lobby is a great spot for RIXOS SAADIYAT ISLAND
E MIRATES
A PREMIUM ROOM AT RIXOS SAADIYAT ISLAND
afternoon tea. Sit amid the towering date palms, looking out the floor-to-ceiling windows onto the bay beyond, while an elegantly dressed pianist performs. The rooms and suites are blue-hued, sparkling clean and extremely comfortable.
TH E FAC I LITI E S
This luxe property boasts a recently opened stretch of beach as well as a gorgeous chilled infinity pool, where you can lounge around all day and enjoy fresh juices brought to you by the extremely helpful wait staff. Inside, there’s a kids’ club, as part of the Kids for All Seasons programme, which features play areas, a mini kitchen and plenty of games to keep the children entertained. As for the food, renowned celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck has not one but two restaurants in the hotel, including his world-famous Cut steakhouse and the fabulous re:Asian, where you’ll find a delicious selection of modernised pan-Asian street food. Meanwhile, in Bahrain Bay Kitchen, the buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner serves up everything you could possibly wish for – from traditional Bahraini dishes to Indian curries and fresh continental favourites, including pastries, fruit and a variety of cereals.
HOW TO GET THERE
Gulf Air flies direct from London Heathrow to Bahrain International Airport; gulfair.com March 2019
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C Moomin
LA NDING
Fan of the magical Moomins? Head to Finland to discover Tove Jansson’s timeless creations.... Wo r d s Z O E Y G O T O
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reeping through the forest, my daughter ran on ahead and found Moomin Papa relaxing in a hammock, surrounded by small children listening to story read by a character in a pointy hat. We carried on through the beautiful, sun dappled woodland, past waterfalls and an oversized pumpkin house, until we reached the peak of the island and looked down at the sea… where a ginormous dragon creature was happily swimming across the surface! This may sound like some sort of surreal dream, but we were in fact in Moomin World – quite possibly the most enchanting theme park in the world! We had decided to do a Moomin tour of Finland after our seven-year-old daughter had fallen in love with the whimsical stories by the Finnish author Tove Jansson. Having recently visited numerous traditional theme parks, I had also been yearning for more tranquil, nature-based attractions that our young toddler could participate in. Moomin World seemed to offer the perfect solution – a whole island of activities dedicated to fairy tales and imaginative play, without a rollercoaster in sight - while also being easy to get to from the UK for a long weekend family break. We decided to take the scenic route to Moomin World, by starting our adventure in Helsinki with a visit to one of the popular Moomin cafes. There are now five in the city, serving up locally produced dishes
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FINL AND
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“TURKU IS BOTH THE OLDEST CITY IN FINLAND AND A FORMER EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE”
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in Nordic-chic surroundings. If your kids like Moomins, they will adore these quirky, Moomin-tastic cafes. There are Moomin characters sprinkled onto drinks, food is served on Moomin plates, the biscuits are Moomin shaped, you can have a Moomin tea party with the various toys dotted around the café, or relax in the reading corner with a book – by Tove Jansson, naturally! We filled up on the national dish of Finland - Karelian rice pasties - then headed off to make the two and a half hour train journey to Turku, situated on the south-west coast. We based ourselves in the centre of Turku, a 30 minute bus journey from Moomin World, but if you wanted to stay nearer to park then the local town of Naantali offers many Airbnb options and the Naantali Spa hotel has a special Moomin themed family room that sleeps four. Turku is both the oldest city in Finland and a former European capital of culture, so offers plenty to see and do, including art galleries, a medieval castle, where my daughter loved meeting the guides dressed in period costume, and the pretty river Aura, with its floating bars and restaurants. We decided to sample a few of the local eateries by using the Turku Food Walk card, where you restaurant-hop across the city trying out different courses. But as our main focus of the weekend was Moomin World, we headed over there excitedly. The island can be reached by foot via a wooden bridge, and as soon as we arrived we were greeted by Moomin characters, who were like a hug-magnet for the children.
Rounding off the day, we ambled down to the peaceful children’s beach for some shallow paddling, before indulging in waffles, jam and cream from Fillyjonk’s café. Although Moomin World offers many places to eat and buy Moomin gifts, the overall feel is refreshingly non-commercial. Having said that, we did manage to leave with bags full of Little My socks and some irresistible Moomin toys! Leaving Moomin World and heading back into Turku, I was surprised that after a full day of activities we were not collapsing into an exhausted heap. Perhaps it was the Finnish fresh air, or Moomin World’s relaxed atmosphere, but we all left feeling invigorated and as if we’d collectively experienced something truly magical. We eased ourselves into the Moomin World experience by having a delicious Swedish meatball and gravy lunch in Moomin Mama’s café, sat on a scenic deck overlooking the sea. We then headed to the five-story Moomin house in the centre of the park, where the children play-cooked in Moomin Mama’s famous kitchen and joined in with a Moomin character sing-along on the porch. There are also theatre shows throughout the day at the two Moomin World theatres on the island. Our toddler kicked off her shoes and explored the barefoot nature trail, while our eldest slid down the sweeping slides in Moomin Papa’s boat and made friendship bracelets with the Too-ticky character. We squeezed in a quick visit to the post office to send Moomin-stamped postcards back home, then headed to Snufkin’s camp in the forest for story time.
THE MOOMIN TRAIL LOWDOWN You can fly to either Helsinki or Turku with Air Baltic: airbaltic.com • Moomin World’s summer season runs from the beginning of June until late August: moominworld.fi • For Moomin Café locations: muminkaffe.com/en/ • Further information on Finland and Turku: visitfinland.com visitturku.fi/en March 2019
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Work And Play • CUCKOOZ NEST•
Flexible childcare is almost as tough to come by as flexible workspace – but this gorgeous shared workspace in Clerkenwell has both covered. Parents can use the professional facilities while their littles enjoy the Ofsted-registered on-site creche. Career compromises, begone. cuckooznest.co.uk
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“MOTHERHOOD IS NOTHING IF NOT THE PULL OF EQUAL AND OPPOSITE FORCES ”
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Dual PUR POSE
Novelist Kat Gordon and her partner opted to divide parental labour equally. Did it work?
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veryone seemed to be having their babies that weekend, and we ended up stuck in triage for seven hours, waiting for a bed to become available. Worse still, I’d gone forty hours with no pain relief, since my waters had broken at am the previous morning, and we hadn’t slept since then either. I was convinced I was dying; T was convinced the baby was dying (his heartbeat did keep dropping dangerously low). But all things must pass, and after fifty-something hours, he was laid on my chest, tiny (no, actually, not that tiny. How the hell did that head come out of me?), screaming, perfect, vulnerable, mine. No, ours. I loved N obsessively from the moment I laid eyes on him. When he was really little, and used to fall asleep in anyone’s arms, I would get jealous of whomever was holding him. I wanted him back, I wanted to hold him, and kiss his silky cheeks and rest my chin on his fluff y head. I wanted it to be my finger his hand was curled around. But I let him go,
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reso urces
Kat’s novel, The Hunters, is published by Borough Press and is available now at all good bookshops
because it’s generally frowned upon to turn your kid into Norman Bates, and because that’s what giving birth is, isn’t it, a form of letting go? They’re yours completely while they’re inside, then suddenly they’re out, and the whole world gets to shape them. We hadn’t really discussed childcare before he was born, other than to confirm we were both of the mindset that it should be done 50/50. Apparently, we’re not alone in this opinion. A recent Observer piece stated that more than half of men say childcare should be shared equally, yet in 2016 less than 10% were taking more than the statutory two weeks paternity leave (and that’s after the introduction of Shared Parental Leave in 2015), often due to worries about the effect it would have on their careers. But T is a modern man, a a feminist (if only the two were synonymous) and an incurable romantic. Of course he wanted to share everything with me. So he left his job and went freelance so
he could be around (my job can be done from home too, so the idea was that we’d enjoy being parents for the first six months, then slowly start to develop a schedule, making sure we looked after him and worked in an even split). Besides, after an episiotomy and forcep delivery I was broken for a long time and T, though sleep-deprived, was whole. We concentrated on working together as we tried to make sense of our new shape. Where before we were a straight line, now we were a triangle, always looking towards and thinking about our third point. While I breastfed, T changed the nappies. While I washed N’s clothes, T sterilised everything. We both rocked him to sleep; we both sang ’80s classics to him in the bath. It helped that, eight weeks into his life, after reflux issues and intolerances that made him scream with pain after every feed, N was put on a hypoallergenic formula. Oh the heartbreak of not being able to feed him from myself anymore; oh the joy of being able to eat ice cream again (motherhood is nothing if not the pull of equal and opposite forces). From that point T and I were truly equal. I’m so lucky. One of the characters in my latest book is a mother whose role as primary care-giver
CO-PARENTING
and domestic-in-chief gives rise to feelings of suffocation that poisons her relationship with her oldest child. And yet there are times when it makes me jealous that I’m not the number one parent. I hadn’t counted on this possessiveness. I definitely should have foreseen how our personalities would clash when it came to raising N, however. T, being the laid-back soul he is, wanted to be baby-led. I was all for imposing structure. I love a routine. In the end I prevailed, probably because, as I said, T is laid-back. N has regular meal- and naptimes. On the days that I have him we go out at least once – to the farm, to rhyme-time, to stay-and-play. On the days that T has him they stay indoors and T makes up games for him. N loves both styles of parenting, I have to admit; there’s no Mother Knows Best about it (and given that T knows him as well as I do, I can never use that argument anyway). There were other ways in which we (T more than I) were made to feel that we were, quite frankly, weird. A few people expressed concern when T told them he was leaving his job to be more hands-on with his son (granted, none of them were our generation or younger). They weren’t worried that his income would be less stable, more that he would be bored, or find it less fulfilling than work (not an issue for me, apparently). There were no other dads in the various baby classes we went to in those first six months. In one, the leader had to change the words to the rhyme we were singing as the normal version only mentioned mother/baby relationships. At least, I said to T, you’re not immortalised as chattering on the bus while your baby apparently screams his head off. The wheels go round and round indeed. Now, with N almost ten months old, we’ve got into the rhythm of our routine – work and childcare balanced evenly throughout the week, weekends as family time. N is gorgeous, happy, determined and independent. I’m convinced having so much attention from both of us has been good for him, and I know it’s been good for us. On the days I work I come away feeling refreshed and better able to play with him in the evenings. On the days I look after him I have fun and feel our bond strengthening all the time. T feels the same way. We’re massively privileged to be able to live like this, but we shouldn’t be. It should be far easier for all families to do it, because in the end, equal parenting is pretty much perfect, if you can learn to let go. boroughpress.co.uk March 2019
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ANGELA
‘ Enjoying childhood and realising our imagination.’ “My time at Dallington has helped me to grow in body, mind and soul – this is something that I am immeasurably grateful for. Dallington has given me a push in the direction of success and I am thankful for all they have done. I will do the best I can to repay them, the best I can, by leading an honest and dignified life.” - Nick (Year 6 pupil) Dallington is a family-run co-educational independent school, with a nursery, in the heart of London.
Personal tours each day of the week, except Wednesday. Next Open Evening: Thursday 16th May 2019 from 6 to 8 pm
Headteacher, Proprietor and Founder: Mogg Hercules MBE Email: hercules@dallingtonschool.co.uk Phone: 020 7251 2284 www.dallingtonschool.co.uk
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BREAST I N S H OW
TOT GE AR
R STAY BU
E LV I E
Almost as important as the invention of the wheel, the Elvie breast pump is that fabled thing: a silent, cordless, mammary-manipulating, milkcollecting marvel that can be cupped into a bra and thereby operate completely hands-free. What’s more, the partner app captures all kinds of data to make pumping interesting. Revolutionary. From £249; elvie.com
HELP WANTED PINGA
This app, currently trialling in Hackney, should appeal to time-starved mamas. Billed the ‘Uber for everyday tasks’, you simply send out a request for whatever you need and fellow ‘Pinga partners’ in the local area can choose to obtain and deliver it within minutes for a small fee. Never be stuck for wet wipes again. pinga.co.uk
TOT GEAR
Inspired kit to make parenting easier
GOT MILK NANOBÉBÉ
This clever baby bottle is specially designed for breast milk – the curved shape ensures milk is stored in a thinner layer and therefore cools and heats more quickly – ideal for controlling bacteria and preserving nutrients when storing or preparing a feed. £18.39 for 3 iherb.com
J ET K I D S BE DBOX Helen Baron reviews a ride-on kids suitcase with a difference
O
ur last long-distance trip involved flights of eight hours each way – the longest we were prepared to incarcerate ourselves in an aircraft with our daughters, two and nearly four. We survived the mission – but it was a mission, and we were exhausted by the time we got home. The problem wasn’t the daytime outbound flight, which just involved keeping the girls occupied so they weren’t constantly running up and down the aisles, annoying fellow passengers. The problem was the flight home – an overnight journey we foolishly believed would be easier, as the kids would ‘just sleep, right?’ Wrong. They didn’t sleep: they tossed and turned in discomfort for long, long hours, mewing (and occasionally yowling) with fatigue. They squabbled over space. They moaned late into the transatlantic night, keeping other people awake. When they finally lay down, they took up all the seats, so my husband and I had to perch awkwardly on the armrests at either end of the row. And just as we dared hope they might drop off they were up again, sore and complaining. If only we’d known about the BedBox. This clever gizmo combines all the fun and practical storage of a kids’ ride-on suitcase (in a trio of satinate shades) with a fold-out frame that forms an extension for aircraft seats. The mini mattress lets little ones stretch out their legs or lie flat without nabbing their parents’ space, so they’re essentially always flying first-class. We’re in love – and ready for next time. £139; jet-kids.com
March 2019
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Left
BEHIND Do left-handed children get the support they need to thrive in a right-handed world or are they being let down? Absolutely Mama investigates Wo r d s L I B BY N O R M A N
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enius or challenged – being left-handed still singles you out for labels. Parents of any child who favours left may be concerned that their offspring will have a bumpier journey, with more obstacles to overcome, because – let’s face it – the world is designed for right-handers. Parents are likely to have read eagerly the stories of famous southpaw creatives – including Picasso and Einstein – and read (less eagerly) that left-handers have a lower life expectancy. Misinformation is still common and both of the above widely circulated stories are not true, according to Professor Chris McManus, author of Right Hand, Left Hand. McManus, Professor of Psychology and Medical Education at UCL, has a long-term interest and academic specialisation in handedness and lateralisation (the study of left and right brain functions). He devotes a whole chapter of his book to some of the more persistent myths surrounding left-handedness. Picasso and Einstein were both extensively photographed during their
D E V E LO PM E NT
lives and every photo shows both to be right-handed, and with no other recorded evidence to suggest otherwise. As to the story of shorter lives, which first emerged in the 1980s in scientific press and was subsequently splashed across mainstream press, this is unsound. It used handedness of death cohorts (people who died within a given window) as the sole statistical hook, without factoring in that at the dawn of the 20th century only around three per cent of the population showed as left-handed. In other words, the base was entirely unstable as there were so few left-handers before 1910. Today most estimates of left-handedness place it at around ten per cent of the population (although some suggest higher). The increase is put down to a societal shift – left-handedness is no longer a source of shame in most societies so most children are not ‘retrained’. Left-handedness was once closely associated with otherness, even witchcraft, but if you imagine that idea had vanished by the 20th century, then think again. The English Dialect Survey, conducted on living subjects between 1950-61, unearthed only two terms for righthanded (one of which was right-handed), as opposed to at least 87 distinct dialect terms for left-handers. Many were, as McManus noted in Right Hand, Left Hand, obscene
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PARENTS INVESTIGATING WHAT BEING A ‘LEFTIE’ MEANS FOR THEIR CHILD’S FUTURE DEVELOPMENT WOULD BE WISE TO READ AROUND THE SOURCES WITH A SCEPTICAL MIND
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March 2019
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HAVING A LEFTHANDER CAN BE A MORE ANXIOUS JOURNEY FOR FIRST-TIME PARENTS, WHO WORRY THEIR CHILD WILL BE LEFT BEHIND
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or scatological. Others, such as southpaw (which looks to have first emerged in Cumbria rather than on the baseball field or boxing ring), tap into the idea of ‘not from around here’. While the left-hander largely escapes negative labels today, parents who are investigating what being a ‘leftie’ means for their child’s future would be wise to read around the sources with a sceptical mind. Inaccurate information and dubious methodologies are still out there. Implied causal links between left-handedness and illness or cognitive/development issues are unproven and raise more questions than answers. What we can be certain of is that the incidence is currently somewhat higher among boys (around five boys to every four girls). So how differently are left-handers wired? The short answer is we are still not sure, since we still don’t fully understand the genetics of handedness and how this affects brain function. There is increasing interest in ideas surrounding degrees of handedness and other facets of lateralisation. There is a simple test – The Edinburgh Handedness Inventory – developed in the 1970s and still used today (you’ll find versions online).
It asks which hand you use for a series of everyday tasks beyond writing – eating, cutting, kicking a ball and so on – and the answers give an indication, rendered as a percentage. While true ambidextrousness is extremely rare, there is a possibility that your left-handed (or right-handed) child is more mixed than you had realised. Of course, children may switch between hands for certain tasks as they grow up, try new activities and become more confident of their motor skills. The first concern for most parents of lefthanded children is development of writing skills. Children typically start to display hand preference by around the age of two, but that’s not set in stone. In early years settings, the current practitioner focus is on all the fine motor skills. Dr Paulette Luff, Course Leader for the MA in Early Childhood Education at Anglia Ruskin University, says it’s about a head-down approach. “It’s not just hand dominance, but also arm and foot.” She also suggests we may be in danger of labelling children too early – they may take a while to show a dominant hand. This is why it’s vital that early years settings offer a range of different equipment so they can watch how children interact with it and let them experiment. “It’s important to remember that children try to do things like the people around them, so sensitivity and awareness of all possible differences are key. Children who are struggling can be helped and encouraged to try the other hand,” says Luff. “Part of the problem is that children are taught to write quite formally quite early – when their fine motor skills are still developing”. There are some who believe we are still not doing enough for the ten per cent. Anything Left-Handed opened in Soho in 1968 as a meeting point and resource. The son of its founder, Keith Milsom established
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the Left-Handers Club with his wife Lauren Milsom and ships specially designed kit around the world from the company’s Surrey base. A left-hander himself, Milsom says there is a lack of understanding that many everyday objects – from pens, scissors and rulers to spiral bound notebooks – can be a struggle. “While sometimes there’s an assumption that children need to ‘get used to it’, many of these everyday tools are not designed to work effectively when you are using your left hand. Even something as simple as sharpening a pencil becomes hard.” Mark Stewart of Left ’n Write in Worcester also sees lack of understanding. He and his wife Heather, a teacher, have created handwriting practice books and guides, delivering courses and advice to individuals, schools and early years settings as well as retailing left-handed equipment. Their work grew out of a quest to find functioning scissors for their “very left-handed” son. They have campaigned via their MP to get more information on teaching left-handers included within the teacher-training curriculum. Stewart is particularly exercised by writing. He says: “It takes five to ten minutes to sort out a good technique and correct grip”. Children have come from as far afield as London for his guidance – his oldest pupil was in her late 60s, and until he sat her down and showed her she had never been taught how to use a pen left-handed. Here, I should declare my own hand – left – and my recollection that even in my dim and distant schooldays at a small
D E V E LO PM E NT
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MOST CHILDREN START TO DISPLAY THEIR HAND PREFERENCE BY AROUND THE AGE OF TWO, BUT IT CAN TAKE LONGER TO SHOW A DOMINANT HAND
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rural primary school I had lots of guidance. Writing was not a huge problem, tasks such as tying shoelaces and telling the time were. So teachers and educators have long been helping left-handers overcome their individual learning challenges – although there’s no doubt some children have slipped through the net. Katie Paynter, Head of Pre-Prep at St Nicholas Prep, and also SENCO lead at the Knightsbridge school, says that while lefthandedness is not a special need, today it is often handled by SENCO staff as they have specialist training and know the adaptations that help. “These include slanting paper and supporting the development of children’s handwriting, also providing appropriate equipment such as easy-grip pencils”. Her experience is that parents take having a lefthander in the family in their stride, although – like every other aspect of development – this may be a more anxious journey for firsttime parents, who worry their left-handed child will be left behind. The good news for parents – as Katie Paynter points out – is that most adaptations are small and easy to implement. The most important part of school and home support is to ensure children are encouraged and helped to experiment, rather than made to feel awkward or different. As there is still a lot to learn about handedness – even the genes influencing it – it seems likely that the whole area of what Left ‘n Write’s Peter Wright calls “neurodiversity” will continue to throw up discoveries to inform parents and educators as they help children of every degree of right or left dominance to reach their full potential.
4 really simple aids for left-handers Sitting on the left so they don’t bump elbows with their classmates • Slanting paper to stop smudges – a writing mat may help • Specially designed pencils and pens – and a left-handed nib for fountain pens • Left-handed craft scissors – so they can see what they are cutting out
Anything Left-Handed; anythinglefthanded.co.uk Left ’n Write; leftshoponline.co.uk Right Hand, Left Hand by Chris McManus (Phoenix, 2002).
March 2019
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Dr. Aamer KHAN
Co-founder of the leading Harley Street Skin Clinic harleystreetskinclinic.com
Ask the
EXPERTS Q
&
A
Parenting and medical professionals, as well as leading entrepreneurs, answer some of your most pressing questions 1 06
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Q How can I tackle those stubborn pockets of fat which never quite go away, despite concerted efforts to diet and exercise? A The new Onda Coolwaves treatment makes use of concentrated microwave energy to sculpt fatty tissue, creating smoother contours by channelling direct heat. These microwaves bypass the uppermost layers of skin tissue, helping deliver more energy directly to where it is needed: the subcutaneous fat cells. This helps dramatically reduce the heating of the surface tissue, resulting in a safer, more effective non-invasive body shaping treatment. The system is available as a course of four short sessions. Unlike liposuction, it is possible to undertake a lunchtime session as there is no general anaesthetic, no pain and no bruising. Progress is steady, with results already visible after the first, comfortable treatment. Sessions typically only take between 10 and 20 minutes, depending on individual requirements. Just 10 minutes of Onda can offer astonishing improvements, some seeing reductions in as much as 2-4 inches. Treatment is perfectly comfortable, highly effective and best of all – permanent. This is a wonder treatment with incredible, instant results. However, I must make the point that nutrition and lifestyle changes in conjunction with this procedure are the ultimate prescription for a trim and healthy future. Onda begins at £500 for one session, or £1,200 for a course of four.
absolutely-mama.co.uk
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reso ur c es ADVICE
Heather MORRIS
Heather Morris is a Registered General Nurse and State Certified Midwife. She is mum to Freddy, Harry and Jack. . metanium.co.uk Q My little one has just got her fi rst tooth coming through and she’s got nappy rash. Are the two related? A Although there’s no clinical evidence of a link between nappy rash and teething, many parents say they’ve noticed an association between the two. It could be that the extra saliva produced when a baby is teething leads to looser stools and, in turn, a greater chance of nappy rash developing. Others claim that a hormonal imbalance arises during teething, when the stress hormone
endocrine is produced, which leads to fluid imbalance in the gut, causing diarrhoea. Whichever camp you find yourself in, it’s always worth trying to prevent nappy rash occurring in the first place. Try to maximise the time your baby spends with no nappy on, so that fresh air can get to her most sensitive skin. You can also try using plain warm water and cotton wool to wipe your baby’s bottom instead of typical wipes, and, finally, try to always use a barrier ointment or spray at each nappy change.
“TRY USING WATER AND COTTON WOOL TO WIPE YOUR BABY’S BOTTOM INSTEAD OF WIPES”
Sally WADE
Healthy living blogger and founder of Treat Trunk, healthy snack boxes for families. treattrunk.co.uk A My child doesn’t like vegetables, what can I do? Having a child who doesn’t like vegetables can be really stressful, especially when they refuse to eat any at all. Fortunately, there are many ways you can help to encourage them. Get Creative – Grating, mashing or blending vegetables into foods your child will eat can help get their taste buds used to them. Increase their nutrient intake in other areas – By increasing nutrient dense foods you can be assured their growing bodies are getting what they need.
Snack Healthy – Kids love to snack, and the range of healthy, child-friendly snacks available in the UK is huge. Eat vegetables yourself – Kids love to copy us, so modelling a healthy relationship with vegetables is one of the best things you can do. Grow Veg – Even if it’s one small pot of carrots, get your child involved with the whole process and they will be more likely to want to try the finished product. Let them help in the kitchen – When children have helped created a dish (even if it’s just a REALLY chunky salad) they are also more likely to try some during the meal. You can buy child safe knives for this purpose Don’t Stress – This is likely just a phase and by reducing any stress around vegetables they are more likely to try them in the future.
“MODEL A HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP WITH VEGETABLES” March 2019
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Boys & Girls 3 - 11 years old Please join us for our special
Open Morning
Tuesday 26th March
to hear all about our future plans and get a sneak preview of the new building Book your place online today!
We are Confident, Creative and Kind 2019 will be an exciting year for the Lyceum as we move around the corner into our new five story building on Worship Street (EC2A).
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reso ur c es ADVICE
Emily
WILLIAMSON Experienced Sling Librarian, Carrying Consultant, Trainer and Inventor of the Izmi Baby Carrier. izmibaby.co.uk
What should I look for in a baby carrier? A Check that your baby is comfortably supported, with their head and neck in the correct position and their airways clear. They should be held high and close to your chest and you should be able to see their face. The carrier should also be a good fit for the adult with the weight distributed evenly so it is comfortable to wear and easy to take on and off and position your baby correctly. Q
Q How long can I use a baby carrier for? A A newborn baby has different needs to a one year old or a toddler so you may need to have different carriers for different stages. The advertised weight or age guidelines don’t always reflect the lifespan of a carrier. Q Should I choose a wrap or a buckled carrier? A It depends on what you plan to use your carrier for. If you will only be using it for short trips or around your home then you may not need the structure of a carrier and may prefer the flexibility and ease of a wrap. If you are going to be baby wearing for longer periods or for exercise such as walking the dog then you may need a more supportive option that distributes weight evenly across your torso and shoulders.
Darren BREEN
iMEDicare vibrancepelvictrainer.co.uk Q How can I prevent and treat my weak pelvic floor? A Emerging research suggests that high-impact exercise is closely linked with incidence of urinary leakage, all the while it is increasing in popularity amongst women in the UK. The physiology of high impact stress incontinence is complex, but the majority of women experience symptom relief through pelvic floor strengthening. The best way to treat a weak or leaky pelvic floor is with daily targeted pelvic floor exercises. These days, there is a whole host of products on the market that can assist you. The
most important aspect of your attempts to stregnthen your pelvic floor is to ensure correct technique. Then, it’s a case of practise followed by persistence. It can take anything from a few days, to a few weeks or months to achieve a completely leak free pelvic floor. A new device now available in the UK is called Vibrance, distributed by iMEDicare. Vibrance is a vibration feedback kegel educator. It works by vibrating each and every time you contract your pelvic floor muscles correctly. A beeping system alerts you to the fact that you’re contracting for long enough, and if you feel the gentle vibration, it means you are spot on with technique. You are likely to see results faster using this litle machine, rather than struggling along while using a poor technique. All it takes is one or two, very simple five-minute daily routines. You can also purchase resistance sleeves which serve to add difficulty. They also keep you motivated to improve pelvic floor tone faster and achieve a leak free lifestyle – sooner rather than later. March 2019
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Sylvia’s Happy Childcare is homebased nursery in Queen’s Park. Our aims are to provide outstanding Early Years Education for children through creative hands-on play and learning experiences in a stimulating, safe and relaxed environment. We want children to feel excited about learning and aim to give them a positive first experience of life.
We are open 50 weeks of the year including school holidays
Monday to Friday from 8:00am - 6:00pm To arrange an appointment to view our nursery or for more information please don’t hesitate to contact us.
www.sylviashappychildcare.london
T: 0208 9602 217 M: 07908 667 509
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ADVICE
OF TH E B E ST
APPS FOR NEW MUMS b y A N N E T T E K E LL OW
3.
B
eing a new mum can often mean wishing you had several extra hours in the day and a set of octopus hands. So when time is precious, the last thing you want is to be fishing around on complicated websites for instant information! Enter the world of time-saving apps – parent hacks at your fingertips, that every new mum needs. From sleeping aids to new mum meet ups or quickly finding a changing place when you’re out and about, these apps will give you more time and less stress.
1.
SOUND SLEEPER: WHITE NOISE APP
Best for Helping Baby Sleep How it works: White Noise is a great tool to soothe fussing babies. Popular sounds include a whirring fan, a heart-beat to mimic the affect of being in the womb or the ever-reliable ‘ssh’. If you’ve ever used Youtube for a free white noise playlist, you’ll know when an advert suddenly plays mid-sleep, it’s game over! For a less bright screen, use Sound Sleeper. renditions.
2. PEANUT
Best for Meeting new Mums How it works: Dubbed the Tinder for Mums, Peanut is the favourite to meet other mums near you. With a filter for baby’s age and Mum’s interests, it swiftly matches you with other ‘Peanuts’ close by. An app made for connecting within the community - you’ll soon be laughing, crying and comparing each other’s sleepless nights over a double shot espresso in your local café.
CLOUD BABY MONITOR
Best for: Monitoring Baby when sleeping How it works: Cloud Baby Monitor needs no extra technology as you simply download the app, which works on an ipad and iphone. You link the two for an instant baby monitor wherever you are. Keep one device with your baby and watch live video with crystal clear audio on your other. It can be used at home or as a perfect holiday accessory as you get real time notifications about your baby’s noises and movements.
4. HOOP
Best for: Baby and Children Activities near you How it Works: Stuck for fun things to do with your little one? Then Hoop is the easy access app for you. Find and book activities from newborns to 11 year olds within your local area. You’ll never have to watch a re-run of Peppa Pig again!
5.
NCT BABY CHANGE
Best for: Finding the nearest Baby Changing Station How it works: We’ve all been there, you’re having the perfect outing then there is a sudden ‘explosion!’ Fortuitously NCT Baby Change, the emergency godsend, locates the nearest changing facility throughout the U.K which you can quickly and easily access, without a fuss in sight. March 2019
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Henry Fawcett Community Nursery (Leaf ) Clayton St, London SE11 5BZ 020 7582 0509
to know Mama’s guide to London’s best nurseries and preschools
Base Zero Nursery Happy Days 109A Randlesdown Rd, Gramsci Way, London, SE6 3HB 020 8461 3510 The Villa 54 Lyndhurst Grove, London SE15 5AH 0207 703 6216 Chairbears Day Nursery 9-12 Deptford Broadway, London SE84PA 020 8305 6588
SOUT H W EST N O RTH WEST
NORTH
E AST
North Bridge House Nursery School/Pre-Prep 33 Fitzjohn’s Ave, Camden Town, London NW3 5JY 020 7267 6266
Les Trois Oursons 4 Collins Yard, London N1 2XU 020 7099 0452
Hatching Dragon Nursery School 1 Viscount St, London EC1Y 0AA 020 7256 9365
Little Stars Nursery 58 Allen Rd, Stoke Newington, London N16 8RZ 020 7254 4367
Sahan Preschool Day Nursery 12 Stukeley Rd, London, E7 9QZ 020 3719 7002
The Mulberry House School 7 Minster Road, London, NW2 3SD 020 8452 7340 Living Spring Montessori St Michael’s Church Annexe, St Michael’s Road, London, NW2 6XG 020 8830 7331 Nuffy Bear Nursery Brondesbury Park Fitness & Wellbeing Centre, Sidmouth Road, London, NW2 5JY 020 3432 8708
Sylvia's Happy Childcare 119a Chevening Road, London, NW6 6DU 020 8960 2217
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Puddleducks Nurseries Puddleducks House, r/o 75 Friern Barnet Road, London NW3 5JY 020 7267 6266 Hackney Care For Kids 61 Evering Rd, London N16 7PR 020 7923 3471 William Patten Daycare Nursery William Patten School, Stoke Newington Church St, Stoke Newington, London N16 0NX 020 3844 4227 Creative Explorers Day Nursery 18 Gisburn Rd, London N8 7BS 07956 809748
Oliver Thomas Nursery School 1 Mathews Ave, London, E6 6BU 020 8552 1177
The Lyceum Nursery 6 Paul Street, City of London, London, EC2A 4JH registrar@lyceumschool.co.uk lyceumschool.co.uk 020 7247 1588
SOUT H E AST Dulwich Montessori Nursery School St Stephen’s Church, College Road, Dulwich, London SE21 7HN 0208 766 0091
Eaton Square Nursery School, Belgravia 28 & 30 Eccleston Street, London SW1W 9PY Eaton Square Nursery School, Knightsbridge Rutland Gardens, London SW7 1BX Eaton Square Nursery School, Pimlico 32a Lupus Street, London SW1V 3DZ nursery@eatonsquareschool.com eatonsquareschool.com 020 7931 9469 The Knightsbridge Kindergarten St Peter’s Church, 119 Eaton Square, London SW1W 9AL 020 7371 2306 The Willcocks Nursery School Holy Trinity With All Saints Church, Prince Consort Road, London, SW7 2BA 020 7584 5054 Melrose House 55 Finlay St, Fulham SW6 6HF 020 7736 9296
absolutely-mama.co.uk
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reso urces DIRECTORY
Hatching Dragons Westminster Units 3&4 Westminster Quarter, 2 Monck street, London, SW1P 2BQ 0203 912 2902 Tadpoles Nursery School 68 Park Walk, Chelsea, London SW10 0NQ 020 7352 9757 The Barnes Village Nursery 3A Station Rd, London SW13 0LP 020 8878 5111 Gwendolen House 39 Gwendolen Ave SW15 6EH 0203 441 2450 London Early Years Foundation 121 Marsham St, Westminster, London SW1P 4LX 020 7834 8679 One World Nursery 9 Knowle Cl, London SW9 0TQ 020 7924 9505 Dee’s Day Nursery (Wimbledon) 2 Mansel Rd, Wimbledon, London SW19 4AA 020 8944 0284 Learning Ladders Nursery Ground Floor, Falkner Court, Francis Chichester Way, London SW11 5HX 020 7622 9300 Kiddi Caru Day Nursery 2 Piazza Buildings Empress State, London SW6 1TW 0207 386 4505 Tiggers Nursery School, Putney 87 Putney Bridge Rd, London SW15 2PA 020 8874 4668 Wee Ones Nursery 4 St Ann’s Cresent, London SW18 2LR 0208 870 7729
The Orchard Day Nursery 201-203 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London, SW19 1NL 020 3880 7373 Tiny Thinkers Childcare 192 Tudor Drive, Kingston upon Thames KT2 5QG 0203 441 2450
W EST Little Chepstow Nursery 108 Lancaster Road, W11 1QS 0207 243 0243 Rolfe’s Nursery School The Little House, 34a Oxford Gardens, London, W10 5UQ 020 8969 5805 New Studio Pre-School Kelfield Mews, Kelfield Gardens, London, W10 6LS 020 8969 5805 Denbigh Under Fives Group 5b Denbigh Road, Denbigh Road, London, W11 2SJ 020 7221 5318 Kids Unlimited 34 Ladbroke Grove, London W11 3BQ 0845 365 2918 St Peter’s Nursery School 59a Portobello Road, London W11 3DB 020 7243 2617 Ladbroke Square Montessori School 43 Ladbroke Square, London W11 3ND 020 7229 0125 The Square School 18 Holland Park Avenue, London W11 3QU 020 7221 6004 Holland Park Nursery School Kenley Walk Hall, Kenley Walk, London W11 4BA 020 7792 0323
Jack in the Box Kelmscott Community Hall, Ashchurch Grove, White City, London W12 9BT 020 8811 8099 Stepping Stones Nursery 5 Gayford Road, London W12 9BY 020 8811 1646 Bright Sparks Montessori School 142 Sinclair Road, London, W14 0NL 020 7371 4697
Caterpillar Montessori PO Box 105 11 London W4 5WU W4 5LG 020 8747 8531 Maggie and Rose 55 Finlay St, Fulham SW6 6HF 020 7736 9296 Millie’s House Nursery and Pre-School Distillery Lane, Fulham Reach W6 9US 020 8748 4303
Vanessa Nursery 12 Cathnor Road, London W12 6JA 020 8743 8196
Windham Nursery School Windham Road, Richmond, Surrey, London TW9 2HP 0208 831 6060
Little Owls Nursery 108 Lakeside Rd, London W14 0DY 020 3266 0044
Merchant Square Day Nursery 13 Harbet Rd, Paddington, London W2 1AJ 020 7402 2227
The Kensington Kindergarten St Barnabas Church, 23 Addison Rd, Kensington, London W14 8LH 020 7371 4848
Busy Bees at Hammersmith 3 Bute Gardens, London W6 7DR 0208 741 9945
Millie’s House Nursery and Pre-School Distillery Ln, London W6 9PL 020 8748 4303 One World Montessori and Pre-Preparatory 69 - 71 Brook Green, London W6 7BE 020 7603 6065 Little Cherubs Nursery School Our Lady Of Victories Church Hall, 16a Abingdon Road, London W8 6AF 07810 712241
The Corner House Day Nursery 82 Lavington Rd, London W13 9LR 020 8567 2806 Bunny Park Day Nursery & Nursery School 37 Manor Court Rd, London W7 3EJ 020 8567 6142 Hatching Dragons Twickenham 2 The Green, Twickenham, London, TW2 5AA 0203 912 2901
Carmelite Parish Centre Pitt Street W8 4JH 07810 712241 Iverna Gardens Montessori Nursery School Armenian Church Hall, Iverna Gardens, London W8 6TP 020 7937 0794
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05/02/2019 14:13
Tech TALK
How one London school is harnessing the power of technology to inform teaching and learning practice
T
he use of technology in classrooms is not new. For many years, teachers have had access to computers, tablets, and interactive displays. However, in many cases, these devices are used to replicate tasks previously completed without any modern technology. Smartboards replaced whiteboards, word processing replaced the notebook, and lesson planning moved to a digital form. At Southbank International School, our Hampstead campus was recently recognised as an Apple Distinguished School for our innovative use of technology to transform teaching, learning, and the school environment.
T R A N S FO R M I N G L E A R N I N G In physical education, learners use a combination of software and hardware to record their tennis serves or gymnastics routines. They are able to compare themselves against a teacher example and analyse how they can improve their performance. Digital Learning is able to have a transformative effect on the way that teachers provide equitable access to learning materials for all students. Our language learners take advantage of built-in accessibility features of iPad to access the curriculum. By using dictation and voice tools, learners can practice pronunciation of vocabulary words. Through Siri, learners can quickly get a translation to another language. Technology gives all children the power to be creators. They are able to
“Technology gives all children the power to be creators in ways previously unimaginable”
r es ou rc es EDUCATION
create products and share their learning in ways previously unimaginable. During an inquiry into migration, Spanish mother-tongue students research famous explorers. They wrote and directed a short stop-motion movie to highlight the impact of the explorers. When working on shared projects, learners use technology as they share responsibility and make decisions. Using AirDrop, groups can quickly share files between devices. Using collaboration tools on Google Docs and Pages, learners can easily collaborate on the same document in real-time. A S S E S S M E N T A N D F E E D BAC K Every child at Southbank uses Seesaw to collate a digital learning portfolio. Through their Seesaw journal, learners and teachers can add examples of work using a variety of formats, including photos of work from notebooks, photos, videos, and screen and voice recordings. Each child’s journal follows them throughout the school and provides an authentic view of their progress over time. The ability to connect family members to a Seesaw portfolio allows parents to have a window to their child’s learning. Seesaw also allows teachers to give timely feedback to students to share what they have done well in a piece of work and how it could be improved. This feedback can be given as a text comment or as a voice note. Our learners have identified that voice comments are a more effective and personal way of receiving feedback on their work.
CHRIS GALLEY Grade 4 teacher Southbank International School, Hampstead Campus
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