Summer 2020 • Issue 9
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Contents Summer 2020 • Issue 9
Well, this has been an interesting year so far hasn’t it? Almost border line depressing at times. I sit back and watch the news in complete shock, saddened by the number of people that have lost their lives and the families that have suffered with the effects of Covid-19. This ‘new norm’ was bizarre at first but now we’ve almost gotten so used to it, do we really want to go back to our old normal? To be honest, the only thing that I’d like to return is SCHOOL and of course socialising with friends and family again... oh, and being able to get on a plane. If I’ve learnt anything from lockdown it’s to slow down, nothing has to be done 100mph and days don’t need to be filled with a million appointments. This may well be the most testing time we see in our lifetime, but we must find the positive in the grey clouds and make the correct adjustments to create a happier life and a better world. Talking of a better world, I will also be educating myself and family on race and racism. I’ve realised that there is a lot of learning and understanding to do, saying “I’m not racist” is simply not enough to protect our brothers and sisters from danger – there is more we can do, we MUST do. There is a reason we were all put on this Earth, we all have a purpose to serve, it’s time to help everyone feel equal. I hope you enjoy the ninth edition of Cherubs, it’s actually our second birthday, but hey, who’s celebrating anything in lockdown nowadays? Enjoy the summer, it will be different than planned but I guarantee it will be one to remember in years to come. I dedicate this edition to my husband, who has, quite literally got the patience of a saint and put up with us day in day out with every emotion flying high in the sky while still front line during the pandemic. Here’s to you and everyone that helped keep our country going. Peace, love and good health.
Sevim x
Beauty & Style 6 Dreaming of the summer glow 8 Summer closet Health 16 Getting breastfeeding off to a great start 20 Summer sleep help Education 30 Your child, your choice! 34 MC Grammar is in the house Living 44 Homeware 48 Yummy treats by Daddelicious Travel 68 Ten destinations to visit once lockdown is over Wellbeing 74 I’ve got your back 78 When creativity peaks in the dark Life 88 How do I talk to my child about racism? 90 Daddy & Dad’s bribes & punishments, do they work? 92 Summer favourites for dog-loving families
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Cherubs Magazine
Cherubs Team
ANTONIA
CHRISTIANNA
EDA
STYLE EDITOR
HEALTHY FOOD EDITOR
TRAVEL EDITOR
Antonia Sanchez-Toomey is the founder of Tailor Made Living, a lifestyle store in North London where her passion for style comes to life. Antonia uses her skills for curating collections of lifestyle goods and fashion in her role as style editor of Cherubs. @tailormadelivingstore www.tailormadeliving.co.uk
Christianna is a mum and training nutritional therapist, inspired by her children and love of food to create healthy, fun and tasty recipes. Her philosophy is simple… food should bring joy and nourishment, and that is reflected in all her cooking. For daily inspiration follow @eathappyfeelgood www.eathappyfeelgood.co.uk
Eda Ayyildiz is a luxury travel agent specialising in family adventure and beach breaks, as well as ski holidays, city breaks and cruises. With her expertise in many destinations, a 24-hour duty office and full financial protection, she can take the hard work away from planning the perfect holiday. @eda_travelcounsellor www.travelcounsellors.com/eda.ayyildiz
MARY
ELENA
CATHY
HEALTH & FITNESS EDITOR
BEAUTY EDITOR
YOGA & MOVEMENT COLUMNIST
Mary Huckle is a personal trainer and pilates instructor, and is the owner of Breakthrough Fitness. Her passion for anything health and fitness related has been a lifelong affair. She left the world of finance in 2003 to retrain as a fitness instructor and personal trainer at the YMCA. Mary is also qualified in pre and post natal and children’s fitness. @maryhuckle www.breakthroughfitness.co.uk
After teaching for eight years Elena decided to take her true love to the next level. Elena has been freelance since 2018, creating a YouTube channel and working with celebs on TV and high-end modelling agencies. Elena creates bespoke looks for all individuals, whether it be for a special occasion or campaigns. @els_makeup_box www.elsmakeupbox.com
Cathy Underwood is a busy mum of two and the founder of the award-winning Yoga4mums and IMTYoga, specialising in somatic provision for autism and special needs. Alongside her therapeutic work, Cathy offers a variety of classes, retreats and enrichment days. @cathyunderwoodyoga www.yoga4mums.com
Contributors
ISOBEL & VICTORIA
JAMIE & TOM DAD BLOGGERS
GRANDPARENT BLOGGER
FASHION STYLIST
@poochesandprams
@daddyanddad
@basket.of.treasures
@thestylenurse
PET BLOGGERS
AIMEE
CHRISTINA
LIFESTYLE BLOGGER
SUSTAINABLE STYLE BLOGGER
FOOD BLOGGER
PAUL
MONIQUE
@hart_at_home
@n4mummy
@daddelicious
@jordancavecoaching
DR. LARISA CORDA
MURRY MORRISON
JENNY
@tassomai
@grizzlibear_gb
STEVIE
CAKE ARTIST
@steviespantry
Designer: Chris Webb
cherubsmagazine.com
KAREN
KAREN
OBSTETRICIAN, GYNAECOLOGIST & FERTILITY EXPERT
@drlarisacorda
Printers: The Roma Group, 3 Drakes, Enfield
LIFE COACH
EDUCATION EXPERT
CREATIVE
Bio Picture: Feri, www.feriphotography.co.uk
Cherubs Magazine
BEAUTY
Dreaming of the Summer glow With Elena @els_makeup_box
As we dream of summer outings, flip-flop weather and sandy golden beaches, let’s not forget our warm beautiful coral red lipsticks to complete any summer outfit. Wear with or without a lip liner for kissalicious summer lips.
Sexy Sienna. A beautiful coral matte lipstick with gold undertones.
Wild Ginger. A luxurious lipstick infused with chamomile flower oil and murumuru butter to create the ultimate creamy texture lipstick for those long summer nights.
Matte Revolution
£25.00
Charlotte Tilbury www.charlottetilbury.com
Lip Color
£40.00
Tom Ford www.tomford.co.uk
Tempt Me. Another soft beautiful pink cream coral lipstick. Sensational staying power and you can even use a pinch on the cheeks as blusher.
An absolutely iconic lipstick with an ultra matte finish. A beautiful bright pink coral lipstick with an intense colour payoff. Use with a lip primer for eight hours wear. Retro Matte Lipstick
£17.50
Mac www.maccosmetics.co.uk
Be Legendary Lipstick
£18.00
Smashbox www.smashbox.co.uk
The ultimate stencil for creating faux freckles for a youthful summer glow. Heart shaped stencil for a perfect freckle distribution. Use with either tanning products or makeup of your choice. The Ultimate Tan Your Own Freckles Stencil
£4.95
Bronzie www.bronzieuk.com
This wonder product creates seamless-looking faux freckles in seconds. Simply dot around the face and blend with the finger tip for a subtle trendy freckle finish. Faux Freckle Cosmetics Neutral
£17.00
Beauty Bay www.beautybay.com
6 | Cherubs Magazine
STYLE
Style Nurse Clinic
Getting dressed in the morning can be quite a chore after having children, we often find ourselves throwing anything on that fits just to get out of the door. Often we need a little advice or guidance to help find that perfect ‘throw on’ item. Meet Karen – Cherubs’ very own style nurse
I’m a Mum of two toddlers and I’m fed up with lugging the biggest bag in the world wherever I go! Help! Yes, I do remember this dilemma too! The obvious thing would be to be really organised and empty it out every so often so you’re not carrying around a heavy pile of unnecessary stuff, but we all know that doesn’t always happen, in which case i would recommend two separate bags, one for them and one for you! That way, you can keep all their bits and pieces together, while having all your essential items on you, without having to root around the bottom of a crumb infested bag to look for your keys! A simple ‘cross’ body bag will allow you to have your purse, phone, keys and so forth on you and all within easy reach. This means you can also be handsfree and still looking stylish. Keep your kids bag either in the bottom of the buggy or swap it for a smaller backpack if that’s not an option. You could also consider swapping your traditional kids bag for a big straw open bag in the summer months, which are great for picnics and days out. I have this one which I use all the time.
Is it ok to mix metals when wearing jewellery? Yes, absolutely! The great thing about fashion is that there are no rules and jewellery is the perfect way to accessorise your outfit to make it individual to you. Just like with clothes, by adding interest through texture and colour, you can create you very own personal style. I am personally a big fan of this look and I think it works particularly well in the summer as you can stack them all together. You can even try adding in some colourful beads to create a real boho vibe, always a great summer trend, and beaded jewellery is very much having a moment right now. Check out these fab jewellery brands for some great summer pieces and just have fun with it. www.daintylondon.com www.wish-jewellery.co.uk www.onukagrace.com
I really dislike my feet, how can I wear open toe summer shoes or sandals without feeling embarrassed? The difficult thing about summer is that we suddenly have to reveal all the bits of us that we don’t really like. I’m not a fan of feet either, mine or anyone else’s for that matter, but a few things I have learned over the years that do make a difference are the following, a tan, a pedicure and an ankle bracelet! It’s amazing how sometimes the simplest of things can have the biggest impact, a nice bright summery coral polish and a gold anklet can suddenly just make things look a bit fresher. In terms of sandals I’m loving the return of the Birkenstock-style trend, which is bonus points all round because they look great, are mega comfy and go with everything from dresses to jeans.
Enquiries: mail@thestylenurse.co.uk Instagram: @thestylenurse cherubsmagazine.com
Cherubs Magazine | 7
STYLE
Summer Closet Summer holidays might be cancelled but staycation vibes are not! We might not be heading to Marbs or the South of France, let’s face it, the supermarket queue and the park is the best we can hope for but that doesn’t mean we can’t look stylish. The upside is that you absolutely do not need to worry about being beach ready this year and you can dress up for the occasion.
Tutti & Co texture earrings (Gold or Silver)
£32.00
Tailor Made Living www.tailormadeliving.co.uk
70’s inspired picnic chic
Rosetta sunglasses (Rubber butterfly with green lenses)
€54.40
Tiwi www.tiwiworld.com
Jute bag
£78.00
The Jacksons www.thejacksons.co.uk
Sweedish Hasbeens – Mirja
€190.00
Swedish Hasbeens www.swedishhasbeens.com
8 | Cherubs Magazine
Chambray Cotton Shirt Dress
£195.00
ME+EM www.meandem.com
ME+EM
STYLE
Supermarket sass Whistles indigo linen trousers, navy
£66.75
John Lewis www.johnlewis.com
Puff sleeve wrap blouse
£45.00
& Other Stories www.stories.com
Shell stretch bracelet
£18.00
Anthropologie www.anthropologie.com
Fringed palm tree tote bag
£49.99
Zara www.zara.com
Heel Leather Sandals
£69.99
Mango www.mango.com
Instagram: @tailormadelivingstore Website: www.tailormadeliving.co.uk cherubsmagazine.com
Cherubs Magazine | 9
Stripe Swim Shorts £10 • Shark Print Swim Shorts £12 • Palm Print Swim Shorts £12 • Camo Print Swim Shorts £12 Pineapple Swim Shorts £10 • Whale Print All In One £18 • Manta Ray All In One Swimsuit £18 • 3 Piece Set £18 Rainbow Swimsuit £14 • Stripe Bikini £14 • Floral Swimsuit £14 • Ombre Bikini £14 www.marksandspencer.com
HEALTH ADVERTISING FEATURE
Hypnobirthing We caught up with the lovely Claire Dugan – founder of Tutum Birthing to find out about ‘Hypnobirthing’ and the reasons why it could be the best birthing plan to prepare you for one of the most important times of your life.
We often become aware from an early age that childbirth is something to be feared, whether this is shown through films or by conversations. During pregnancy, fear of pain is usually the main concern for mothers. This is where hypnobirthing comes in, just the same as the practice of hypnotherapy people use to help remove and reshape their fears. We are able to train our mind and our body using self-hypnosis, working together to reframe negative thoughts and emotions, turning them into positives. I teach you and your birth partner the physiology of the female body and once we understand our hormones and the functions of our birthing muscles, it all becomes clear! Using relaxation and breathing techniques, positive affirmations, visualisations and giving your partner simple and useful tools to use to support you all, means that couples leave my course feeling excited to give birth!.
Does hypnobirthing work? YES. There is clinical evidence to prove that using hypnosis during childbirth reduces pain, shortens labour and reduces the
12 | Cherubs Magazine
so keen and involved during session one! My course has been developed with partners in mind to give them a more active role during pregnancy, labour and birth. When they are fully involved the whole experience changes. It brings couples closer together and builds such a special bond before the baby is born.
Photo credit: @sadiewildphotography
Why do people choose hypnobirthing?
need for interventions. It really does work to keep us calmer, more relaxed, positive and excited to give birth. During labour, your body produces a wonderful natural hormone called oxytocin, we call it the lurve hormone. Oxytocin is what is released during lovemaking and also this same hormone helps progress your labour – what gets baby in, gets baby out! Stress hormones affect the production of oxytocin and can make your labour longer but hypnobirthing can help you manage stress hormones, such as adrenalin, and reduce anxiety, which leads to a calmer birth. We give you and your birth partner the skills to use together to keep that oxytocin flowing while feeling super relaxed.
What if I have a cesarean? I work with a lot of couples who prepare for cesarean, induction, labour ward birth and home births. Hypnobirthing prepares you to be calm and relaxed no matter how you birth. Learning to relax and stay calm will absolutely help you feel more in control during labour if things don’t go to plan and if birth takes an unexpected turn. The more informed and positive you are the more satisfied you will be with your birth story, which you will carry for the rest of your life. If surgery or interventions do arise, then hypnobirthing is said to help the healing as there is less tension in the muscles and tissues, this in turn aids the bonding process with your baby.
Should my birth attend the classes?
partner
Partners love these classes, as sceptical as they may be to begin with, they are always
How long is the course? My course is eight hours long, split across a few sessions, so you get the best from the course and have time to practice together before we reconvene. You get a lot of information and materials when you begin and I also offer a free hour top up around 38 weeks to make sure you are in the right mindset and also to go over questions before the big day. You have a Whatsapp group to ask any questions and if I cannot help I will signpost you to someone who can.
Hypnobirthing Classes Tutum hypnobirthing classes are fun, engaging, hugely informative and the best thing is, they are practical. Your partner will feel more prepared to support you and you will both work together as a team, through the rest of your pregnancy, labour and birth. W: www.tutumbirthing.co.uk E: claire@tutumbirthing.co.uk M: 07944 156238
HEALTH
A doctor’s view of the pandemic and pregnancy during this difficult time By Dr Larisa Corda
Our world has never seen a crisis quite on the same scale as this pandemic. With the number of lives being claimed by Covid-19 still rising globally, only a few months into the disease and several weeks since the world effectively went into lockdown, there has never been a more anxious time to be pregnant or consider pregnancy. And all this during a time when an expecting mother’s brain is naturally influenced by the hormone oxytocin, otherwise endearingly referred to as the love hormone, that acts to reduce stress and fear. Womens’ bodies are telling them to relax whereas the entire social situation is screaming the opposite and it all makes for an incredibly confusing and difficult time.
Over 116 million babies are predicted to be born during the ongoing pandemic. And our healthcare services have had to step up to the challenge and ensure that support is available to every new mum, even if the method by which it’s delivered is different. It’s called for a time of great resourcefulness and alternative thinking, where instead of face-to-face appointments, virtual consults are replacing the need for women to travel to hospital and risk infection in the waiting room or travelling to the hospital. Baby showers are being conducted over Zoom and Face Time has become the new way to meet the grandparents and other relatives, who also fall in the vulnerable group that need to remain at home wherever possible.
Being an obstetrician and gynaecologist, I recognise that one of the most important things to ensure during any crisis is the ongoing provision of safe maternity services and the safeguarding of womens’ reproductive rights.
Mental health has never been more important, and the need to offer support in this, especially those who are new mothers or have a history of mental health disease. The fear and anxieties that have rippled across our societies have also meant that people are too scared to come to hospital for fear of catching the virus but also not wishing to burden the NHS unnecessarily during this critical time. It has meant that women have stayed at home experiencing miscarriage on their own in silence and despair, or convincing themselves not to be concerned about foetal movements, that could threaten a rise in stillbirth rates during the pandemic that would be devastating. All hospitals have reported a reduction in the number of people presenting to A&E and this has also been replicated across maternity departments, which are quieter than normal.
Yet,the coronavirus has added an additional burden to this by not only redeploying staff to treat Covid patients but making it necessary to avoid face-to-face contact wherever possible and reduce the spread of infection to patients, babies and staff. This has meant that despite labour wards continuing to run, the nature of the service provided has had to change, with patients asked to call in before attending, a reduction in face-to-face appointments, the need for PPE, a limit on only one birth partner being present during active labour, no visitors on antenatal and postnatal wards and the cancellation of home births in the majority of cases. Needless to say, this has left many women feeling abandoned, alone, scared and worried about how to deliver a child into the world.
As someone who has been redeployed to the foremost of the frontline to help in intensive care, I’ve seen first hand the tragic consequences that Covid is capable of
www.drlarisacorda.com 14 | Cherubs Magazine
inflicting. Where modern medicine, in the absence of a cure, is unable to keep people alive and where less than 50% of those admitted to ICU can be saved. It’s made me come to terms with my own limitations and helplessness in the face of something the world has never seen. And it’s also made me see the harrowing injustices being exposed by the virus, where our BAME communities are suffering a disproportionate amount of the tragic consequences, including a greater admission rate for Covid if pregnant, where 55% of the mothers admitted in a recent study, belonged to ethnic minorities. We don’t understand the virus well enough yet to know whether this is as a result of a genetic or biological predisposition or to do with racial and social inequalities in healthcare. But it’s something we have to remain committed to understanding. There is good news so far in that a recent report from the University of Oxford has shown that the overwhelming number of women who get COVID, and their babies, are fine. The chance of being admitted to hospital is small and the chance of needing ICU is even smaller. So far, the greatest risk appears to be in the third trimester but, as with viruses we have seen before, the true effects will not be decipherable until towards the end of the year, when it has been around for long enough for us to have understood its behaviour better and have got the date necessary to be able to provide evidence. Until then, we should take comfort from some of the evidence so far whilst accepting some uncertainties yet safe in the conviction that everyone is pulling together as much as possible and that one day soon, life will return to a new normal, where the joy of pregnancy will be appreciated for just that, instead of being tempered by so many unknowns.
AWARD-WINNING VOGUE PUBLISHED PHOTOGRAPHER
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HEALTH
The key steps to getting breastfeeding off to the best start by Lactation Consultant Kitty Hackel @birth_baby_beyond_ Skin to skin contact with your baby As long as there are no complications, the focus after birth is for you and baby to enjoy some bonding time. Skin-to-skin with your baby can help regulate their temperature, heart rate and get breastfeeding off to the best start. Skin-to-skin will trigger your body to produce oxytocin, aka: the love hormone. Oxytocin will promote bonding between you and your baby and stimulate your milk production. This skin-to-skin time is the perfect setting to initiate your baby’s first feed. If you can’t have the golden hour straight away don’t worry, make it clear in your birth preferences that you wish to have this as soon as you can, bonding time is beneficial at any time, it is also lovely for dad to have skin-to-skin and to help with bonding where possible too. 16 | Cherubs Magazine
Watch your baby not the clock Keep your baby with you as much as possible after birth so you can get to know them and their cues. Newborn babies will typically feed no less than eight and sometimes more than 12 times each 24 hours for the first several weeks. This may look like feeding every hour, or feeding every three hours. Observe your baby for their hunger cues; sticking their tongue out, moving their head from side to side, rooting, opening and closing their mouth and bringing their hands to their mouth, these are all signs that your baby is hungry. Offer them the breast at this stage, it is a lot harder to latch on an upset baby, so try and feed them before they get to this point.
Limit the use of dummies Why are we as lactation consultants not big fans? Well, as a general rule, lactation consultants don’t like the use of soothers in the early days as they mean your body is losing precious chances of frequent breast stimulation. Put simply, milk supply works on a ‘supply and demand’ basis. Our bodies respond to baby’s stimulation and when you give a soother or dummy, your breasts and brain are losing the chance to tell the body to make more milk. You can’t put off frequent feeds and expect to make enough milk. Bring baby to breast at every cue, limit pacifiers and bottles in the early days and weeks. I recommend using this technique for somewhere between five and six weeks trust your baby and trust the process.
Do not cover your baby’s hands I get it, you’ve read that list of must-have items for newborns by your favourite blogger... and it says ‘mittens’. Done. In the cart. You don’t question it any further. However, while mittens on a newborn are cute and they prevent scratches, there is a bit more to consider before deciding to
HEALTH immediately after delivery, you leave the amniotic fluid on baby’s hands. The smell of the lubricating fluid secreted by the Montgomery Glands on the areola smells like the amniotic fluid baby has on their hands and this helps to guide them to the breast for their first feed.
Avoid supplemental feedings All your baby needs is you! It is very rare that I see a baby requiring more than just breast in the first 24 hours. Your milk supply works on a supply and demand basis. If you fall into the ‘top up’ trap, your body will miss an opportunity to feed and in so doing, will lower its supply to meet its new reduced demand for the following days.
Positioning and attachment There is a reason that we call it breastfeeding and not nipple feeding. Babies should take in a mouthful of breast tissue. This will ensure less pain/nipple damage, better milk transfer and milk drainage, therefore better milk production. Here are some of my favourite tips for latching your baby on:
• Place baby facing tummy to your tummy. • Your baby should be with their nose at
use them. When it comes to breastfeeding, babies use their hands as little radars to help them locate and latch onto the breast. Try not to get frustrated and discouraged when baby tries to get his/her hands involved at feeding time. Instead encourage them with “what a clever boy/girl you are.” Another wonderful and little-known fact about babies hands and feeding, is that
the level of your nipple (using pillows and altering position can help with this). • Tickle your baby’s nose and top lip with your nipple to trigger the reflex to open wide, like baby’s taking a big bite of a burger. • As soon as the baby opens wide, swiftly bring baby to your breast. Not the other way round or you will end up with a very sore back/neck. • Your baby should have their chin and cheeks touching the breast. • You want to hear your baby swallowing lots. About one swallow for every two to three sucks. This might take several tries to get that deep latch and that’s ok! Don’t settle for the first one if it doesn’t feel right. You and baby are both learning together.
Know what’s normal While breastfeeding should not be painful, your nipples may feel tender during the first two weeks. This is very normal. Just as your body might be achy and sore when you first take up a new sport. Here are a few things you can do to ease this discomfort:
• Follow
my previous tips to ensure your baby is latching on deeply at the breast. You want your nipple to be at the point of baby’s soft palate not chomping down on your nipple with the hard palate of their mouth. OWeee! • Ensure you practice good hygiene. By simply washing your breasts with warm water and soap you may avoid minor infection very easily, and as a result reduce your risk of developing mastitis. • Our skin repairs best in a moist wound healing environment. Allowing your nipples to “dry out” can actually cause a lot more damage than good. Multi-Mam breastfeeding compresses are lovely for this, as well as providing immediate relief, their combination of ingredients have been proven to support the natural flora of the nipple. I loved keeping mine in the fridge for that extra soothing, cooling effect.
Build up your support system Research has found a strong link between breastfeeding success and a strong support system. In a hospital based study 24 hours postpartum it showed: “Strong approval of breastfeeding by the partner was associated with a high incidence of breastfeeding (98.1%), compared to only 26.9% breastfeeding when the partner was indifferent to feeding choice.” This goes for your entire support system. Sister, cousin, friend, fellow mama, partner or mother-in-law – all in all, support matters! Check out your local breastfeeding group before the baby arrives. Borrow a good breastfeeding book from your local library, invite your partner to your breastfeeding preparation class, ask your mother or mother-in-law about their feeding experiences and open the conversation. If things don’t seem to be going well, or feeding is painful, seek out help. A lactation consultant can watch you feeding and give you tips and tricks to help improve your baby’s latch and encourage deeper attachment at the breast, encouraging more efficient milk transfer and a more comfortable mum.
Happy
Kitty Hackel
cherubsmagazine.com
breast feeding! x
Cherubs Magazine | 17
BEAT THE BURN
INTENSE ZONES THERE’S INTENSE, THEN THERE’S BLAZE. It’s new, it’s unique, like nothing you’ve experienced. A test of your strength, stamina and willpower, you’ll run, lift and fight. Blaze will push you to your limit and beyond. An overload of light, sound and energy will power you through your workout. Our instructors will challenge, push and support you, to achieve results you never thought possible. A Myzone heart-rate belt will track your performance every step of the way. With your heart rate streamed on digital screens, you’ll work your body at just the right intensity to get the most from your workout. Get ready to feel the burn and join the tribe #Blazetribe
HEALTH
Summer Sleep Help With Teach To Sleep Sick of long drawn-out bedtimes? Thinking
they need, has always been important. My
and ways. Some babies and children will
of letting the kids stay up late and skipping
sleep teaching philosophy is to fit my advice
need lots of sleep support; some will need a
their naps over the summer holidays?
to each family I talk to; not the other way
helping hand and others will naturally sleep
around. Every baby and child is different
without any help. It is important to recognise
and so are each family’s routines, needs
this and not to beat yourself up if your baby
Meet Sarah, founder of Teach To Sleep, she may change your mind! She is mum to two little ones (18 months apart) and a Certified Baby and Toddler Sleep Consultant. She has over 15 years’
or child doesn’t find sleeping easy.
Teach To Sleep’s top Sleeping tips for summer
experience as a Primary School Teacher and a Senior Lecturer in Education.
Sleep environment
Teach To Sleep’s philosophy
One of the most important things is to make sure that the bedroom is pitch
I am not a fan of the term ‘sleep training’; to
black. Blackout blinds are well worth the
me it conjures up images of training dogs.
investment, but I have heard foil taped to
So, I don’t train little ones how to sleep,
the windows can also do the trick. Darkness
rather I use my longstanding experience
helps our bodies to start producing the
in education to teach them how to have
natural sleep hormone melatonin, which
healthy sleep habits. We teach children
helps us to fall asleep and stay asleep until
everything else, so why would sleep be any
morning. Any light creeping in can cause the
different? It is one of the most important
body to stop producing melatonin and start
life skills and for me, having children who
producing cortisol so the brain thinks it is
are happy to go to bed and get the sleep
time to start waking up.
20 | Cherubs Magazine
HEALTH Temperature
sure there will be somewhere to nap when you are out (pram/carrier et cetera). Snooze
Aim for a comfortable temperature, The
shades can be really helpful for pram naps in
Lullaby
anywhere
the summer. Use age appropriate guidelines
between 16 to 20C. If it is a super-hot day it
to help ensure your baby is getting enough
can be helpful to give them a cool bath or a
sleep in the daytime. If you get close to
full body wipe down with a cold flannel. This
bedtime and you realise they are overtired,
helps to bring the core body temperature
bring bedtime forward, they may wake
down by a degree or two which is optimum
slighter earlier but the chances are there will
for sleep. Keep curtains in their bedrooms
be fewer wake-ups in the night.
Trust
recommends
closed during the day and windows open. You may want to use a fan but remember to direct it away from your baby. If nothing else its noise will help soothe them to sleep and drown out any background noise. Check
out
www.babycentre.co.uk
for
sleeping bag charts to help you plan which tog sleeping bag babies should wear in different temperatures. Early bedtime Stick to a regular bedtime as this can help to regulate your child’s circadian rhythm (the body clock). It can be really tempting to let them go to bed later, especially in the summer, but this only leads to overtiredness, not the long lie-in you may be hoping for. Don’t let naps go out of the window If your baby is over-tired, bedtime will become a battle and they will fight going to sleep. So, if you are out for the day make sure you think about when they will need a nap and plan for it. If possible plan your journey around nap times and/or make
Hopefully my top tips will help you to develop healthy sleep habits for your little one. But if you are in a sleep rut I really do feel for you, I have been there and it is TOUGH! •
I offer lots of free advice through my Instagram account @teachtosleep and my Teach To Sleep Facebook Community
•
group where I provide free sleep talks. Sometimes it is just a short phase and it will right itself in time. If it doesn’t then please do get in touch. I offer a free initial phone call and a variety of packages which can be found on my website www. teachtosleep.co.uk. Private consultations start from £60 but I also offer group workshops if you are based in North London.
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Cherubs Magazine | 21
EDUCATION
Get ready for the new school year! Education and learning expert, Murray Morrison, founder of leading online home-learning program Tassomai, gives a few pointers to help you get ready for the new school year. Heading back to school in September has never felt more like a leap into the unknown. Children, families and teachers themselves face uncharted territory. After several months of disruption, where we’ve all had to adapt quickly to unpredictable circumstances, the return to school ‘normality’ feels like a welcome closing of this chapter. The reality is, however, that when schools do properly go back, much will have changed and things will take a long while to return to businessas-usual. The time away from the classroom will have had very different effects on different children - some will have flown ahead with lots of stimulation and support; others will not have been so fortunate if their parents were unable to give as much attention to their schooling, or if they have had to face the loss of loved ones during the pandemic.
The job of the schools will initially be to assess the needs of the students and come up with strategies to allow everyone to get back to the same level. Then they will need to make up for a great deal of lost time. Children in years 6, 10 and 12 will particularly feel the squeeze. Getting ready for a strange new term, I would advise parents to think about those skills and strengths they can instill in their children that will make things easier. Of course, if there has been material sent from the school, then spend time to make sure it’s understood and assimilated – but remember that it will certainly be covered again, so don’t get too anxious about covering everything exhaustively, especially if it falls far outside your comfort zone. What would be sensible, though, is to put together an assessment of your own of which things have been covered and which
www.tassomai.com 22 | Cherubs Magazine
things need revision from the teacher. A little traffic-light list would do, and you can use that to check in again at parents’ evening and through the coming year. The real advantage parents can give their children at this point, though, is in the non-academic areas: get them into the good habits that will mean they can get the most out of the compressed teaching they’re going to be getting: good reading and listening skills, focus and concentration and – most importantly – organisation and note-taking. When the teachers are attempting to cover four and a half terms in the space of three, it’s the ability to absorb information and practise its recall that will make all the difference.
6 ways to talk about the Coronavirus to your children without scaring them 1. Don't be afraid to listen Be there to talk during this pandemic. Having your children write down or draw out their thoughts and feelings might help them digest the pandemic and help you to reassure them if they have worries.
2. Meet loved ones virtually Having a Zoom dinner party or dance session might be just what your little ones need to be reassured that their loved ones are healthy. It is important to lift each other up in this time.
3. Control your own anxiety Children are emotional sponges. So if you feel anxious or frustrated yourself, take some time to relax before talking to your children! (Maybe with a nice bath and scented candles?)
4. Focus on what you're doing to stay safe Give your kids guidelines on what they can do to help stay safe. With 20s hand-washing songs or the pepper & soap demonstration your little ones might find it easier to adapt these hygiene habits.
5. Stick to a routine & make the most of the time Give your children a routine to provide a sense of predicatability and calm. You can also use the situation to teach them to be more eco-conscious: Making your own organic soap, compost bottle, ...
6. Distract them from TV Avoid constant bombarding of coronavirus information and them getting in contact with unreliable sources. With fun activities such as building a pillow fort or having them do a treasure hunt, it might be easier for them to stay away from the TV.
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Returning to Nursery and School after lockdown As parents and educators, we aspire to make children resilient to help them succeed in life. Our own resilience has been sorely tested in this period of Covid-19 lockdown and parents have truly learnt the meaning of multi-tasking. Hopefully, there have been positives arising from the strange situation we find ourselves in. Perhaps home learning has shown us the amazing things our children are learning at nurseries and schools and an appreciation of what schools do. Maybe our families have grown closer or potentially we have learnt to appreciate the simple pleasures of life, like a walk in the local park or sitting in the garden listening to birdsong. Those of us with young children of nursery, reception class and Year 1 age are now facing a new challenge: the potential re-opening of schools after half-term. I know many parents are nervous about the thought of sending their children to school and believe me, teachers have their reservations, too. Whether we open in June or not, be reassured that schools are thinking ahead and doing their best to welcome children back to nurseries and schools in a safe and sustainable way. Many children have found coping during lockdown very difficult. They have missed playing with their friends and their normal weekday routines. Some will have shown some unusual behaviours for them, such as getting angry and hitting, whilst some have self-harmed. It has been a stressful time for adults and it has been difficult to explain to children what is going on in a way they can understand and accept, especially when the situation is unprecedented and in constant flux. It is right to be honest and say to your child ‘I don’t know’ to their
24 | Cherubs Magazine
questions, better than to give them false hope that life will be returning to normal soon. Children need to return to their nurseries and schools. Parents will be nervous and after a long period of being at home, children will feel anxious, too, and maybe a little excited at the thought of returning. Parents will need to try not to show how worried they are: children are very tuned into their parents’ feelings. We will need to prepare children ahead of a return. Children will need to be told that nursery or school will look a little different inside to keep everyone as safe and as healthy as possible. Their classrooms will not look the same on their return. They will see their friends again, but not necessarily all of them if their class has to be split up into smaller groups. Children can show their friends they are pleased to see them again by smiling, but they will not be able to hug them or do activities that mean they are in very close proximity. And everyone will be washing their hands a lot, just as we were all doing before lockdown! But it will be worth it, in the long run. Children will get their routines gradually restored and enjoy learning and playing with their friends. They will adapt to the new way the classroom looks and they will remember they have to wash their hands a lot. Eventually, all our lives will return to something more like ‘normal’ and we will be all the more resilient for it, both adults and children! Sarah Harney Head of PGHS Nursery
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Cherubs Magazine | 29
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EDUCATION
30 | Cherubs Magazine
Your Child, Your Choice By Aimee Hart
EDUCATION As a school leader, as a mother, as a human in these trying times I’ve had to wear many hats and think from many different perspectives. Having to make decisions comes with the job but there are times when you worry about the repercussions of your decisions. The world has faced a crisis. That is a fact. We’e spent the best part of spring behind closed doors or fighting on the front lines. Watching our government deliver news and comparing everything to other countries around the world. Now it’s the schools’ turn for the scrutiny, the confusion, the worry and the decisions. I can confirm teachers have not spent the last three months sitting at home doing nothing. I can confirm first hand they’ve adapted their practice the best way they know how. Primary schools were’nt prepared for virtual learning in the same way as secondary school or other countries. We’ve never needed to have that up our sleeve. Our philosophy is children learn best when they’re in the classroom, around their peers or playing together and acting out scenarios to build experiences. Reception and nursery aged children cannot learn without play and without opportunities – an argument, I guess, for why they’ve chosen these children to return. Not that I agree, but neither do I disagree. What we want is for science to tell us it is safe. All teachers want children back in schools. We want to continue our vocation and our love for teaching but only when we can protect ourselves and our cherubs. We will do what we can to ensure this happens. Each school has made the decision based on their needs and their families. There is no right or wrong answer and headteachers will be at war with themselves with every decision made. I have witnessed staff preparing the classrooms for our children, trying their best to keep the elements of school that made them feel safe this is a difficult task – not for lack of trying or not wanting to do the job, but to do our job but out of fear of that unknown. Ok that’s the school leader in me done. Now for me to talk frankly as a parent. I am classed as a key worker and therefore needed to be in school supporting my staff and my community. That’s my role and I will gladly be there to do that. Evelyn will be classed as a key workers child and will be in school as much as I am. I don’t have a choice. Along with many thousands of other parents in the country. I know of families who are able to keep their children at home and doing so. I know of others who are able to keep their children at home but are choosing to send them into school. THERE IS NO WRONG ANSWER HERE. Everyone’s circumstances are different and we’re a varied nation. This is not a time to judge or be judged for what you decide to do with your children. Your child, your choice. If I had options I’m not sure what my decision would be. But I’m confident schools will provide the best environment they possibly can. I have faith that when she steps in that door she will be greeted with a smile, encouraged to keep her distance and ensure her hands are washed regularly. We’ve discussed with her what Coronavirus is and how it makes people sick. She knows to keep a wide birth of people we pass when walking, so I trust her to make good choices and for the adults around her to determine what’s best.
The future of schools is uncertain. What it will look like in six months or a year is not known right now and probably won’t be known up until the moment it happens. As a school leader, my only hope is that the government listens to us and take on board what we tell them is happening or should happen. Some areas are not in a position to open right now, I back their decision as it is right for them. Each area, each borough, each school and its community is different and my hope is parents trust what we do as we’re doing what we feel is best. I want to provide some support during this time so below are some things to consider – no matter what your situation.
Back to school • As hard as it may seem, try to appear happy with your
child returning. They model feelings and internalise them without you even knowing. If they see you smile, they will start their day with a smile too. • Talk to them about the day ahead and discuss how to handle certain situations. For example: let’s pretend you fell over and have a little cut, how can you fix it without Mrs Smith helping too much? If you see someone touching your water bottle what could you do? • Remind them that although they cannot hug or hold hands with their friends they can still talk, wave, blow kisses, draw for each other or sing together. So many games can be played without the need to be in close contact. • If your child isn’t in a group with their close friends they may feel sad or reluctant to go in. Ask them to be a detective and find out interesting facts about someone in the class that they don’t know too well. Get them to find things in common that will build bonds and talk about those children during mealtimes and so on. • As a parent – try not to beat yourself up about the decision. Let your child know you love them.
Staying home • Hopefully the home learning schedule for you will
continue, so stick to those routines to help keep your children occupied and keep you sane. • Schedule virtual chats with other members of the class and leave them to talk to one another. In my experience not a lot of conversation goes on but it’s cute nonetheless. • Communicate any feelings you have with your school so you still feel heard. You’re not going to be in trouble for not sending your children back. Remember: your child, your choice. • Talk about school – ask them to remember certain things about their classroom or previous learning, discuss their favourite topic or particular part of the day. This way you will continue their school journey in their minds. • As a parent, try not to beat yourself up about the decision. Let your child know you love them. Most importantly, don’t suffer in silence. If you’re not coping or feel overwhelmed, take a breath and talk about it. These are unprecedented times and anxieties have taken new forms since all of this began. The school is not your enemy. Most of us working there share your concerns and fears. We’re all in this together.
www.myevelynandme.com cherubsmagazine.com
Cherubs Magazine | 31
EDUCATION
The importance of being a parent governor By Juliette Doggett, Chair of Governors – St Michael’s CE School, Enfield.
Fourteen years ago Juliette Doggett was successfully elected as parent governor at her children’s then primary school – St Michaels CE School and for the past 10 years has been Chair of the governing body. We asked Juliette (pictured above with her family) to explain what a parent governor does and how to become one. Parent governors have an important role in the school, they can offer a wealth of skills and experience that contribute to a balanced and well-run school. As a parent, you are concerned about the quality and learning provision the school has to offer and as a parent governor you can help influence that. Having your children’s best interests at heart means you have the school’s best interests at heart too. Parents and carers naturally have a great enthusiasm and interest in education and it is that passion that contributes to becoming a strong, supportive and effective governor. It is an opportunity to ‘give something’ back to the people who teach and look after our children during the most important time of their lives. You will also have regular opportunities to challenge the school’s performance ensuring that every child gets the best educational experience possible. Governors are responsible for the financial oversight of the school and the challenges that it brings, especially in light of budget cuts in education. Governors are instrumental in setting the ethos, vision and strategic direction of the school including those children with special educational needs and ensuring every child receives a broad and balanced curriculum. Governors also have responsibility for overseeing the safeguarding in the school and have a voice in helping make decisions on matters such as homework, uniform and bullying, this in turn will help direct the school into making 32 | Cherubs Magazine
decisions. Having a parent’s perspective means you will be empowered to challenge decisions and have your point of view heard.
school governor and am very proud of the work I do and the contribution I and the other governors make.
You will get an overview of the school you may not otherwise see. It is a unique opportunity to see how hard the teaching and support staff work and the challenges they face on a daily basis from constant change and high expectations. It is an opportunity to learn new skills and develop those you already have. Being a governor is being part of a team who work together to ensure the school is working efficiently, effectively and in the best interest of staff, children and local community. You also have the opportunity to meet governors from other schools. I feel privileged to have met some wonderful people over the years, some of whom mentored me in my early days as a governor and I will always be grateful to them for taking the time to help and advise me.
Being a school governor isn’t just a title, we’re expected to constantly challenge the school as well as be supportive and accountable. Ofsted guidelines change regularly and for a governor it is essential to keep up to date with these changes. A strong governing body is the foundation of a strong school and a parent governor can make a massive contribution to this.
However, it is important to know that a governor’s role is strategic and not operational. This can be challenging as a parent governor but it is vital that you remain objective at all times ensuring that you do not promote your own children’s interests or that of their friends. The skill of ‘wearing different hats’ can be difficult but is nonetheless an important one. My children thoroughly enjoyed the involvement and contribution I made at their school. Despite all four of them having now left, they are incredibly proud of the work I continue to do. For me, I enjoy the interaction I have with the staff, children and parents. I love attending assemblies, listening to the children sing and hearing about their achievements. As a regular visitor into school many children recognise me and say “hello” and tell me what they have done that morning. I love being a First published in Cherubs Winter 2018 Edition
How do you become a parent governor? The process is initially quite simple. A parent or carer first needs to find out if their school has any vacancies, this can often be discovered on the school website or a quick phone call to the school office. Once they’ve expressed their interest they’ll be asked to provide a brief synopsis of why they would like to become a parent governor, what skills they can bring to the governing body and a little about their background. A parent governor election is arranged where parents are asked to vote for prospective candidates. There are other ways a parent can become a governor, either at their own child’s school or a different school altogether. Each school has different types and numbers of governors and many schools have vacancies, sadly because fewer people want to become a school governor. They can apply to be, for example, co-opted governors, foundation governors or even associate members. In each of these cases they would still have to find out from the school if there are any vacancies.
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Cherubs Magazine | 33
MC Grammar is in the house!!! Yes, yes yessss! Mr MC Grammar is in the house (again!) Also known as Jacob Mitchell, a primary school teacher who is now an internet sensation. The man behind the bling tours around schools, worldwide and uses rap and rhyme to teach children aged six to 11 about the English language... to be honest even the adults are learning a thing or two. As the coronavirus pandemic has closed down schools, Jacob isn’t educating kids in the classroom – instead he’s releasing live episodes of MC GRAMMAR lessons from the annex at the bottom of his garden -– you gotta do, what you gotta do! We can’t get enough of him and his creative ways and wanted to know what life was like in lockdown working from the North London home that he shares with his wife Andrea and his two daughters, Khloe and Ellie.
Well hello Jacob, nice to have you back with us at Cherubs magazine. It’s good to be back!
How’s the pandemic changed your working life? Usually I’m not home during the week during working hours. I work part-time as a primary school teacher and part time as an educational consultant and advisor. For the past two years I’ve also been visiting schools as MC GRAMMAR – a rapping teacher that delivers the national curriculum objectives by rapping and rhyming over fresh beats and melodies. Both my role as an educational consultant and my work as MC GRAMMAR means I’m usually visiting up to four cities each week around the UK. This 34 | Cherubs Magazine
year, before the coronavirus hit, I have also been to Dubai and Colorado with work, which was amazing. I also had bookings to go to schools in other countries this year, but unfortunately they’ve been cancelled or postponed. When the schools closed I was contacted by multiple parents and teachers asking for my advice on making lessons at home fun and engaging. So, for the past few weeks I’ve been bringing what I usually do at schools to YouTube, running two live lessons a week – every Tuesday and Thursday at 10am to inspire kids to read and love books. I’m trying to make education as fun as possible to get kids around the UK who are stuck with limited or no education, learning at home. I’ve been creating these lessons from the annex at the bottom of my garden with my brother-in-law, Leon, who’s been helping film and create them with me. He is also a primary school teacher and, as we can no longer teach kids directly, we wanted to still help children learn together.
Tell us about your new working space? Leon, my brother-in-law, is staying in the one-bedroom annex flat that has a double bedroom, a shower and toilet and kitchen and living room. He’s helping me create my MC GRAMMAR videos at the moment so we’ve had to move all the items from his living room into my office. We’ve put up a green screen, a table, a camera and some lights and do our YouTube videos from here. It’s fun! When I’m not in the studio shooting videos, if I’m doing admin and taking calls then I work everywhere and anywhere in the house – I hang out in my youngest daughter’s bedroom or any space that’s free. It’s all about improvisation at the moment.
What does a typical working day in lockdown look like for the MC? It’s all about structure – I wake up early and do my admin between 5am and 8am and then work in shifts. Usually I work again around 11am to 1pm and then have some Zoom calls in the afternoon and get back to work once my little ones are in bed. On Tuesdays and Thursdays I’m busy in the studio at 10am doing my live shows. Every Tuesday of the week we drop a new lesson with a song and kids can rap along, and then there will be a task to do for lesson two on Thursday’s Shout-Out show. Thursday’s lessons will include a task check-in/answers and review for the kids, a rap game lesson, live book raps, Grammar Gang shout-outs and competitions and giveaways. Before each lesson I prep, and in between the two lessons I answer emails from parents about the next lesson and mark the homework.
How do you stay focused when working from home? It’s been quite tough, and with two young children I have to do shifts while the kids are sleeping. So I wake up at 5am, before they wake up at eight, and do a few hours of work. I then spend some time with them and then I do a mid-afternoon shift from around 11am – 1pm. Then it’s all systems go again when they go to sleep at 7pm. I’m actually used to waking up early from the regular travel I do so that part of it is not too difficult for me. However, staying focused definitely isn’t easy. I make sure I have discipline – I try to stick to the hours I’m supposed to work and have a really clear and honest lines of communication with my partner, so she knows exactly when
EDUCATION
I’m working and exactly when I can be with the girls and help out with the family and around the house. My partner works part time in retail, so we work collaboratively around that.
really helping me. My passion and purpose is to educate and empower others. This opportunity to reach out to others and support them is exactly that – a wonderful gift that I am very grateful for.
What would be your best advice for other people newly working from home?
How are you coping mentally with being in lockdown?
How do you switch off from ‘work mode’ when your home is your office?
My biggest piece of advice would be to try to be disciplined and create a space that makes you motivated – that could be ensuring that it’s as much of a ‘work atmosphere’ as possible. For instance, if you’re used to working in a suit and that motivates you, put on a shirt and trousers. Why not? Or, if your desk in the office looks out the window or you like being outdoors – sit near a window at home or work outside for a while. Whatever gets your ‘work mindset’ going, do that. It could be as simple as taking regular breaks, for example, or sticking to your normal work hours if possible. For me what’s worked is creating a working schedule, taking the right breaks and making sure every day there’s a new challenge. But do what works for you.
I’m a big believer in needing variety to keep you challenged and to support and help your mental health during these times. I go for walks, I do things that challenge me mentally, I’m always reading books and also trying to learn piano in my spare time. I’m exercising to strengthen my physical and mental health, and spending lots of quality time with my kids. I’m also connecting with nostalgic activities that bring me joy and remind me of happy times and memories. So, I’ve started playing Mario Kart which I haven’t done in years as it is so much fun! I would say making every day different is really helping. The lessons on Youtube are
Rest and relaxation for me is spending quality time with the kids. I find playing with them and doing activities like crafts and games in the garden is a great mental break and allows my brain to switch off. I also make sure I do a workout every day; whether that’s a Joe Wicks workout with the girls in the morning, or simply going for a walk. I also read every day and love to watch TV when I have the chance – I’m currently watching Gordon, Gino and Fred the Road Trip which is hilarious and Money Heist on Netflix.
You can find all of Mc Grammar’s amazing lessons over at www.youtube.com/mcgrammartv Instagram @mrmcgrammar
cherubsmagazine.com
Cherubs Magazine | 35
EDUCATION
indoor
treasure hunt
it’s treasure hunt time... slippers on, list and pencil ready and let’s go hunting for all the things on our list. can you draw some of the things you have found?
can you find... keys spoon cushion matching socks hairbrush toilet roll pen tin of food tshirt toothbrush something with wheels something that is soft piece of paper slipper pyjamas
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the best thing i found was... i also found...
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EDUCATION
outdoor
treasure hunt
it’s treasure hunt time... shoes on, list and pencil ready and let’s go hunting for all the things on our list. can you draw some of the things you have found?
can you find... ants feather pinecone smooth stone moss water stick or a twig worm birds nest flower petals a hole in a tree two different leaves something that makes a noise spider bird
well done!
the best thing i found was... i also found...
www.kickers.co.uk/kids cherubsmagazine.com
kickerskidsuk Cherubs Magazine | 37
EDUCATION
Developing fine motor skills
Fine motor skills are the co-ordination of small muscles in the fingers and hands. Strengthening these skills helps your child gain their independence in everyday tasks such as clothing, cleaning and feeding themselves and leading on to cutting, drawing, writing and beyond. But before we get to the “beyond” (primary, secondary school, university, officially moving out, purchasing a cat and leaving you alone – all alone! BLUB!) here are some cheap and cheerful activities that you can do at home to build up those tiny fingers and boost your child’s self-esteem. 1. Tearing paper We all love destroying things – or is that my inner Hulk coming to the forefront? So, why not be a rip-roaring success with anything you have to hand (or fingers): old envelopes, colourful tissue paper, unpaid bill reminders et cetera. Just be careful that you don’t leave any cheques or winning lottery tickets on low-lying coffee tables.
2. Clothes pegs “Hooray - the sun is out! Oh, for goodness sake.. (many expletives), the sun has gone!” The sun has gone! Hanging your clothes on the line is like playing a domesticated version of the Hokey Cokey. So, get those little thumbs and fingers squeezing pegs open and shut like crocodile jaws, making a new fashion statement by pegging them on their clothes or if you are feeling arty, why not make a crown, cat or hedgehog! After all, as the song says: “That’s what it’s all about!” 3. Cup stacking Some people are fond of diamonds. Others prefer pearls. I happen to love, love, love plastic cups (obviously a very cheap date). My hands are up (don’t tickle me): they are not good for the environment and generally too flimsy to use for drinking purposes, but they make brilliant towers and amazing fortresses. These were a big hit in our household – if only we’d known how much joy this bought to our daughter, then Santa might have been able to pay for
a weekend away that year, or at least a new pair of pants. 4. Play dough Where would we be without play dough or even Play-Doh? How ever you spell it, it’s brilliant stuff for squishing and squashing, clapping and splatting and creating things (even if all the colours turn to brown and it ends up in the carpet). Make it, buy it by the pot or purchase an activity (I was very fond of the Monster Barber Shop when I was a youngster). Even if you are not particularly artistic, I defy you not to be able to make a worm! These are just a few ideas to get those tiny hands busy and don’t forget to join in too! In a blink of an eye these tiny people will be slightly larger people using their super fine motor skills abilities for tidying up their rooms, washing up and painting your house. Although please, please don’t quote me on this!
Kerry Hegarty is the creator and mad brains behind “abc’s and 1, 2, please!”, classes and parties for children suitable from 22 months to 5 years of age with a thirst for learning, stickers and a laugh or three. For further information visit: www.kerry197.wixsite.com/abcsclasses. abc’s and 1, 2, Please! can be found on Facebook, Instagram and also on Youtube, where they currently have free lockdown uploads. 38 | Cherubs Magazine
First published in Cherubs Summer 2018 Edition
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BOOK REVIEW
Summer reads Recommended by Pickled Pepper Books to inquisitive young minds and Willian Santiago’s bright and vivid illustration. From BIG BANGS to tiny atoms science tells us why things happen. Explore the whys, whats and hows of science and answer all the really BIG questions that curious kids are keen to ask. Bursting with all things scientific, from technology and space to experiments, inventions and the natural world this picture book is sure to be a hit when you’re supporting their science topics or when they’re reading aloud to you!
Grow: Secrets of our DNA By Nicola Davis and Emily Sutton 3-8 years £12.99
Once Upon an Atom: Questions of Science
By James Carter & Willian Santiago 3-7 years £11.99 Take a look at science with your little home learners this term helped by James Carter’s playful rhyming text, introducing science 40 | Cherubs Magazine
Nicola Davis and Emily Sutton are the dream team behind Tiny, the Invisible World of Microbes and Lots, the Diversity of Life on Earth. Their latest collaboration is the third book in this series introducing another area of biology – growth. This is a beautifully illustrated introduction to the concept of DNA for younger readers. All living things grow – every plant and every animal, including human beings. Some things grow fast and others grow slow. Some things grow by tiny degrees, while others grow to
be enormous. Yet, there’s something about the way we grow that links us all together. All living things follow a set of instructions: a code, which connects every creature on the planet... DNA. These books are perfect conversation starters introducing biology to the youngest audience and inspiring a whole new generation of inquisitive minds.
BOOK REVIEW a lot even in the cinema and when he’s awake, he’s always hungry, usually eating up all the honey. What else could Dad be? But sometimes, when it’s scary at night, a lovely big bear hug is just what is needed. An hilarious debut picture book written by Swapna Haddow, author of the Dave Pigeon series and illustrated by the brilliantly talented Dapo Adeola, author of Look Up! You really can’t go wrong with this
Clever Cakes By Michael Rosen 4-9 years £6.99
This is a new addition to the beautifully produced first readers by publisher Barrington Stoke, great for those who are just starting to read independently. It pays to be able to think on your feet, especially if you’re about to be eaten alive or cheated out of a valuable prize! And in these hilarious comical adventures by storytelling legend Michael Rosen, two clever kids are more than a match for a hungry grizzly bear and a bored and arrogant king! Read along as two super-smart kids triumph in these perfectly packaged fairy tales with a twist. We just can’t get enough of Michael Rosen’s books. This is sure to be a hit!
Dear Earth By Isabel Otter 3-7 years £11.99
Introducing the fragility and wonder of planet Earth, Isabel Otter has written a beautiful book reminding us all that we can help heal the planet. When Tessa writes a love letter to planet Earth, it’s the beginning of a glorious adventure. She blows bubbles with whales, soars with birds and joins in with the noisy rainforest hullabaloo! Tessa wants everyone to know how special our planet is. She believes that there is a chance to save the Earth if enough of us share the message. Why not encourage your little one to write a letter to planet Earth?
There are six simple stages which correlate to reading schemes in schools and each stage has fiction and non-fiction books included. If you want further information of choosing books feel free to get in touch with us at Pickled Pepper.
one!
Make and Bake Read with Oxford Early readers stage 2 £10.99
We’ve included this here as lots of parents have been asking us about books that will support their children’s reading development during lockdown. At Pickled Pepper we advocate reading for pleasure with your little ones for a little bit every day, whatever their age. To support your child on their way to independent reading we recommend the Read with Oxford series, which has been developed by reading experts to help you choose which books to use at home to support your child – from their first steps in phonics all the way through to being independent readers.
New-look website, with free paperback and free delivery on orders over £20! My Dad is a Grizzly Bear
By Swapna Haddow and Dapo Adeola 2-5 years £6.99 This one is the perfect picture book for Father’s Day this year. A playful, warm and funny story following a boy with a wild imagination and his lively family. Shhh. Beware. My dad is a grizzly bear. In this family, it’s just possible that Dad is a grizzly bear. He has fuzzy fur, enormous paws and loves the outdoors. He sleeps
cherubsmagazine.com
We have a brand new website, making it much easier for our lovely customers to shop online with us. Simply to go to www.pickledpepperbooks.co.uk to explore. We’re covering everything from great books for babies and toddlers right up to teen reads, with our webshop curating bestselling and new children’s books. New titles will be uploaded regularly, so be sure to keep checking back! To celebrate, we are giving away a paperback of your choice with every order over £20, a special offer for Cherubs readers. Just use this code at checkout: Cherubs9 Expires 31 Jul 2020 If you can’t find what you’re looking for, just email our Book Fairies who will help you choose the perfect books for the child you’re gifting for.
Cherubs Magazine | 41
LIVING ADVERTISING FEATURE
CASE STUDY:
How Converting Your Rental Property to HMO can Increase Your Rental Income by 3.5x
a loft on the new second floor, plus a sixmetre extension at the rear. The result? The three-bedroom property was converted to six units, each with ensuites and kitchenettes, plus a communal kitchen and laundry. Best of all, the monthly rental income was increased from £1,800 to £5,250 per month.
Our HMO Promise As specialists in HMO conversions since 2006, we promise you: If you’re renting a house to tenants, then you’re probably receiving regular monthly rental income. After all, many Londoners and foreigners are long-term renters. But have you asked the question… how can I significantly increase my rental return and profit without risk? One way is to convert your existing house into a fully regulated House in Multiple Occupation (HMO). As landlords and property investors ourselves, we combine our love of property, design innovation and technical excellence to help our clients convert existing single dwelling houses into HMOs. Below, we have a case study to show you what’s possible.
Case Study Converting a Single Dwelling House to an HMO Increased Rental Income by 3.5x A Property Investor came to us to increase the current rental income on his threebedroom property in South Woodford, East London. He was receiving £1,800 per month for the single dwelling property. However, he wanted to increase his return and profit.
We brought together our trusted team, which includes… • • • • • • • • •
architect heating engineer electrician project manager/builder painter/decorator scaffolding team carpenters bricklayers roofing experts
1. On-time and on-budget completion regardless of the size or condition of your property. 2. You’ll be kept up to date at all stages. Communication is our key tosuccess. 3. There’ll be no surprises and no excuses. We deliver what we say we will. 4. Your HMO conversion will be compliant, and you will receive the HMOlicence. Rental returns of three times your current monthly rent (some of our clients achieve up to five times increase).
…to convert the property into a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO).
Next Steps?
We created an innovative design and undertook the HMO licencing process to make the HMO conversion simple, easy, and efficient. The property was transformed to include
If you want to increase the rental return on your single dwelling house, then talk to us about a potential HMO conversion. Either call us on 020 3286 6468 or email us at HMO@RekaProperty.co.uk.
LANDLORDS WE WANT TO GIVE YOU UP TO
£1000
Rent Your Property to Long-Term Quality Tenants and Receive a Cash Incentive
How Landlords Can Help Ease The London Housing Crisis, Without Impacting Their Rental Returns If you’ve struggled to find quality tenants, reduce rental vacancies or been frustrated doing the necessary legal compliance, repairs or maintenance, then maybe the REKA Property Home Finder Scheme can help you. This FREE service helps landlords to immediately let their properties to good tenants while providing quality accommodation for Local Housing. Benefits to Landlords: • property let within 10 days • a solid two-year assured tenancy period • fast-tracked housing benefit within days of inspecting your property • a cash incentive up to £1,000 • fully vetted quality tenants • receive the housing benefit payment directly to you, the landlord, not to the tenants
To find out more information, call us on 020 3286 6468 or email us at lettings@rekaproperty.co.uk and quote “rent my property.” W W W. R E K A P R O P E R T Y. C O . U K
LIVING
Homeware Since many of us will be staying at home for the foreseeable, it’s more important than ever to pay attention to our homes where we will be spending the majority of our time. Furthermore, if you give your wardrobe a seasonal makeover why wouldn’t you do the same for your home?
Window-shaped mirror
£24.99
H&M www.hm.com
Pack away heavy blankets and drapes, roll up fluffy rugs and let the sun shine through your windows! Moving things around, having a good spring clean and introducing lighter textures and colour palettes will help you to ring in summer. I predict that calming interiors and mood-enhancing accessories that remind us of summer holidays and evening sunsets will be key.
Estuary seagrass basket
£14.00
Sainsbury’s Home www.sainsburyshome.co.uk Rattan lamp
£29.99
Pink stoneware 12-piece dinner set
Zara www.zarahome.com
£40.00
Habitat www.habitat.co.uk
Onyx ombre cushion
£32.00
French Connection www.frenchconnection.com Aftas round jute rug
£130.00
Nordic spring amber water jug
Le Redoute www.laredoute.co.uk
£12.00
Sainsbury’s Home www.sainsburyshome.co.uk Small plant pot with a saucer
£9.99
H&M www.hm.com
Pink poppy pouffe
£120.00
French Connection www.frenchconnection.com
Instagram: @tailormadelivingstore Website: www.tailormadeliving.co.uk 44 | Cherubs Magazine
G’s Kitchen is a family run catering business. We offer catering for all events. Specialising in grazing tables, platters and boxes for all your occasions. Tables are perfect for larger events, platters are great for smaller gatherings and boxes are perfect for personal use. We have something to offer to everyone, whether it be for a corporate event or family get together! Ingredients are of the freshest quality and all tables, platters and boxes are made with love. All dietary requirements can be catered for and all orders can be suited around any theme! Please contact for any enquires.
@gs_kitchen1
gskitchen@hotmail.com
G’s Kitchen
LIVING
EatHappyFeelGood
Satay sauce This is a favourite sauce in our house. In summer we love it over kebabs and grilled meats. It’s also delicious stirred through noodles, on salmon with rice, stir fried vegetables or just as a dipping sauce for crudités and prawn crackers. It takes 10 minutes to make and you can easily adjust the recipe to suit your taste.
Ingredients
• Juice of 1 lime • 1 tbsp honey • 2 tbsp tamari or soy sauce • 1 tsp chilli flakes (add less or more to suit) • 1 cup unsweetened peanut butter • 1 can coconut milk
Method
1. In a small pan (off the heat) mix together the lime juice, honey, tamari, peanut butter. It will be very thick and that’s ok. 2. Put the pan on a medium-low heat and add the coconut milk and chilli flakes. Gently whisk together till well combined and cook for five minutes. It’s ready!
Tahini dressing An absolutely delicious dressing that goes beautifully over grilled vegetables, bean salad or even some simply sliced tomatoes and a big piece of crusty bread. Here I made a chickpea salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, spring onion and feta, drizzled with loads of the tahini dressing! A perfect summer meal.
Ingredients
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil • 1/4 cup tahini paste • Juice of 1-2 lemons, to taste • 2 teaspoons honey • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt • water (to use if the dressing is too thick and you want it a little looser) Method
1. Mix all ingredients together and whisk till well combined. 2. If it’s too thick, add a tablespoon of water and whisk again. 3. Taste for seasoning and lemon and adjust to your liking. 46 | Cherubs Magazine
Strawberry bread Strawberries are at their best in summer. Deliciously sweet and in abundance! We love going strawberry picking and then have loads to use up in a couple of days. We love them fresh but also make chia jam, ice lollies and this gorgeous strawberry bread. It’s not too sweet so I sometimes add a strawberry glaze which makes it feel like a real treat. If you don’t want to add it, it’s still delicious and just sweet enough.
Ingredients
• • • • • • • • •
2 cups chopped fresh strawberries 1/4 cup sugar 1/2 cup milk 1/3 cup olive oil 2 tsp vanilla 2 large eggs 2 cups plain flour 2 tbsp flour (extra) 2 tsp baking powder Optional ingredients for icing • 1 cup strawberries • 2 cups icing sugar
Method
1. Preheat oven to 180C and line a loaf tin. 2. In a large bowl, together the sugar, milk, oil, eggs and vanilla. 3. Put a fine sieve over the bowl and sieve in the two cups of flour and baking powder. Mix the wet and try ingredients till just combined and don’t over mix. 4. In a smaller bowl mix the diced strawberries and two tbsp flour. Be gentle with the strawberries but make sure they’re well coated with flour. 5. Add the strawberries and using a spatula, gently fold through the mix. 6. Pour into your loaf tin and bake for 25 minutes. 7. At this stage, loosely cover with foil to prevent the top from burning and bake for about a further 25 minutes. It’s ready when an inserted knife comes out clean. 8. If you want to add the icing, allow the loaf to cook completely before icing. 9. To make the icing, chop one cup of strawberries and put in a small pan. Cook for about 10 minutes till cooked down. Strain through a fine sieve to so you have just the juice 10. Put the icing sugar in a small bowl and gradually add the strawberry juice till you have a nice thick icing. You may not need all the juice. 11. Drizzle over your strawberry bread and enjoy!
Spiced scallops with cauliflower, potato and pea mash For a special and deliciously satisfying dinner that is still light and full of goodness it doesn’t get better than this! You can spice your scallops with whatever flavours you like, even just a little bit of chilli and salt is delicious.
Ingredients
• • • • • • • • • • •
12 scallops, patted dry 1 tsp smoked paprika 1 tsp chilli powder 1/2 tsp finely ground salt 1 tsp garlic granules 1 tsp olive oil 1 large cauliflower, cut into florets 4 potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes 2 cups frozen peas 1 tbsp butter (optional) Salt and pepper
Method
1. Put the cauliflower and potato in a large saucepan. Cover with cold water. Bring to the boil and cook till the vegetables are tender. 2. Add the peas and cook for another few minutes to cook the peas. Drain well, especially the cauliflower as it can hold a lot of water. 3. Mash all the vegetables together, season well and if using, add the butter and mix well. That’s the mash done! 4. Note: if you have a really big cauliflower you can roast a few of the little florets for another flavour and texture to the final dish. 5. While the vegetables are cooking, mix the paprika, chilli, salt and garlic granules in a small bowl. 6. Press each scallop into the spice mix. 7. Heat the olive oil in a frying pan over a medium heat. Put the scallops into the hot pan, spice side down, cook for 30 seconds. Be careful as the spices can burn very easily. Turn over and cook for another minute or so depending on how big your scallops are and how cooked through you like them to be.
Instagram: @eathappyfeelgood Website: www.eathappyfeelgood.co.uk cherubsmagazine.com
Cherubs Magazine | 47
LIVING
Yummy Treats by
Yummy Flapjack! It’s snacks, snacks and more snacks at the moment - am I right? Here’s a simple flapjack recipe with no added sugar but all the goodness and taste to keeps the kids satisfied. Use whatever dried fruit you have in your cupboards.
Ingredients
• • • • • • •
220g ripe bananas, mashed 1 egg 120g porridge oats 30g raisins/sultanas/cranberries 60g dried apple/apricots 2 tbsp chia seeds 1 tsp ground cinnamon (Add 2 tbsp honey if you want them a little sweeter)
48 | Cherubs Magazine
Method
1. Preheat oven to 200C / fan 180C and line a small baking tray with baking paper. 2. Mix the mashed banana and egg in a bowl, then add in all other ingredients. Stir well and transfer to the baking tray. 3. Bake for 16-18 mins, until golden brown. Allow to cool, then slice into squares.
LIVING
www.dadde licious.com @daddelic ious
Chocolate aubergine brownies Don’t knock ‘em till you try ‘em! Perfect little kid-friendly treats packed with veggie goodness and antioxidant boosting dark chocolate.
Ingredients
• • • • • • • •
1 aubergine, peeled and diced 150g dark chocolate (70% min) 60g coconut oil 60g soft dates, pitted and chopped 50ml maple syrup 3 eggs, beaten 1 tsp baking powder 75g ground almonds
cherubsmagazine.com
Method
1. Preheat the oven to 170C/150C fan. 2. Place the aubergine in a microwaveable bowl, cover and cook for five mins or so until softened. While still hot, stir in the chocolate and coconut oil until melted. 3. Add the dates and maple syrup and blitz in a blender until smooth. 4. Allow to cool slightly, then stir in the eggs, baking powder and ground almonds, and blitz again. Line a baking tray with greaseproof paper and bake for 20 mins or so, until a knife comes out clean. 5. Slice into 16 squares once cool.
Cherubs Magazine | 49
LIVING ADVERTISING FEATURE
Juggling family life in lockdown Founder of Merci Maman, Arnaud de Montille shares his thoughts on juggling family life in lockdown.
When the UK and France went into lockdown, it was a struggle to balance work and family life. Life within a few days was turned upside down for me, and countless others. I found myself juggling a demanding workload, with homeschooling, many more home cooked meals, chores and family demands. I was of course fortunate in many ways and appreciate there were people in much more challenging situations. Pressure for business increased, and we had to completely change the way we worked as a team, and the way we served our customers, whilst continuing to produce our hand-engraved pieces. For the past three months, we’ve used Zoom for our meetings, and we’ve respected everyone’s different situations and levels of anxiety.
From a family perspective, we suddenly had to be responsible for the school schedules of our four children aged 8 to 16 years. Some needed video calls setting up, assignments doing online, and more. They needed help and support which required time, and a lot of patience, which wasn’t easy. As we continue to go into uncharted territory and enter the new normal of living, here are some top tips to manage the challenges of Covid-19:
Stick to a routine Children need it and so do we, all the days are blurring into one and we need rest. Beatrice was telling me off for working weekends and treating them as week-days!
Mental health is important To ‘stay safe’ does not only mean avoiding this virus, but also stay safe mentally; your mind, your body, and wellbeing are all important. It’s also a time to think of others, especially the most vulnerable. Try and help where you can.
Switch off the news Only watch or listen if you have to, it’s very easy to get lost in the ‘doom and gloom’ of it all. Try and stay positive and spread positivity. That’s what we’re doing at Merci Maman.
Don’t put pressure on yourself Remember you are doing the best you can. Instagram is not reality. It’s been difficult to deal with uncertainties for the future, when the kids will go back to school, and when routine and life will resume. As a family of six, each week we’ve been clapping for the NHS, but we’re also clapping for the teachers, social workers, and supermarket workers all putting their lives at risk for us, so a big thank you to all those involved. And remember, lockdown isn’t forever, and we are stronger for it. Treasure the time you have together as a family. We’ve been cooking with the children, watching films, reading, and spending more time together than we ever have done and I am grateful for that.
50 | Cherubs Magazine
L ONDON
PAR I S
LIVING
Planning your child’s first birthday By Keziah Wildsmith, Event Designer and Owner At Heaps + Stacks
You’ve made it to the one-year mark, so it’s 100% time to celebrate. Seeing as the little tyke will be too young to demand a trashy theme or remember the theme for that matter, the ball is firmly in your court to have creative carte blanche. Below we have given a few tips on how to create a birthday party to set the tone for all of those to follow.
Workshop keepsakes During the birthday do, it might be nice to have a small workshop area for guests to enjoy. The type of things you can do here of course your one year old won’t really be able to enjoy right now, but we love the idea of your guests making treasures to last the test of time. Recently at our events, for baby brand Newbie we have run activities such as biscuit painting with edible inks and also mobile making using laser cut sections of wood, string and chunky beads, all hung off a wooden embroidery hoop.
Keep it recyclable In baby land there’s a lot of seemingly pointless plastic, that parents get pressured into buying. One key offender in my eyes are those cards that parents plonk next to their baby saying “today I sat up” etc, etc… you know the ones or the incessant balloon arches! We would suggest recyclable
décor made from paper, such as paper blooms that run down the table and we wheeled out time and time again.
Insta-food Other Insta-food moments you can do that pack a punch are: a canape train to drive canapes or drinks or mini snacks around your top table OR a giant cheese and pineapple hedgehog which uses a melon as a base.
For The Adults The great thing about first birthdays (which one really must remember) is your darling child – despite your hard work – won’t remember this occasion. So really you can do what you want to celebrate the big one year mark. We’d suggest to not forget the adults. So, this could mean, perhaps, a couple of espresso martinis logoed with your child’s name – or even a drag show! All in the name of showing your child a good time!
Now you have a few tips to get you going, but if you do require more you know where we are @heaps_stacks // info@heaps-stacks.com // www.heaps-stacks.com 52 | Cherubs Magazine
LOOKING FOR A UNIQUE PARTY IDEA? Don't want the hassle of setting a party up and clearing it all away? Sleepovers are the hottest new party trend and we have come a long way from top tailing and duvets in the lounge! Based in Brighton & SW London, our packages include Sleepovers & Lateovers for children & adults, Wedding Corners & Luxe Picnics all styled in your chosen theme. If you are looking for a unique and magical party then look no further.
THESLEEPOVERSOCIETY.CO.UK CHILDRENS PARTIES
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ADULT PARTIES
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WEDDINGS
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LUXE PICNICS
Cherubs Magazine | 53
LIVING
Quick birthday party sponge cake
PA N T R Y
Ever wanted a nice tasting, super quick, honest ingredients cake for your kids party? Rather than go to a supermarket, our lovely Stevie has provided a quick bake - perfect for party bag slices...
Step by step... 2 3-5
Mix the softened butter and caster sugar together until it has creamed together. Crack in one egg at a time and slowly add in 2 tablespoons of flour. Mix together until all combined, repeat process until all eggs used and all flour is used. Add in the baking powder and the vanilla extract and mix together to combine.
6
Add in the milk and mix together.
7
Prepare your cake tin, and pour in. I just grease my tins, but you can add baking paper if you wish. This tin was 7” by 7”, and this mix is also suitable for an 8” round cake tin.
8-10
Smooth the cake batter into the corners and around the tin until it is flat and even on top. Make the buttercream by mixing the ingredients together and then spread it onto the top of the cake and around the sides.
11-12
Once the buttercream has been added to the cake, you can add anything you want to the top, I find that sprinkles always add that extra sparkle and magic to a cake.
13
Cut the cake up evenly and cling film wrap each section, and they are ready to add to party bags.
54 | Cherubs Magazine
LIVING 1
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You will need... Basic cake ingredients (Pic 1) 150g unsalted butter 150g Self raising flour 150g caster sugar 3 large eggs 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 teaspoons of milk Oven temperature – 180 C Bake for approx 30 mins Basic buttercream 1 part unsalted butter 2 parts icing sugar To cover this cake, I mixed up 100g of butter and 200g of icing sugar. Adding a little vanilla extract is optional (1tsp) Try it yourself, snap it and tag us using @cherubsmagazine
cherubsmagazine.com
First published in Cherubs Summer 2018 Edition
Cherubs Magazine | 55
ADVERTISING FEATURE
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DI S C O U QUOTE: CHERUB S
SUMMER PARTY IN YOUR GARDEN
BBQ Spices £29.95
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www.allbymama.com 56 | Cherubs Magazine
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FATHER’S DAY GIFT GUIDE ALL by MAMA supports parents to start and grow a business alongside raising a family. Our products are all made by mums who are running their businesses alongside raising children, often small business owners that are running solo. For more information on ALL by MAMA or any of the products below please contact gemma@allymama.com
Chargers And Plugs £12.00
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My Daddy Mug £11.95
Personalised Holdall Bag £40.00
Personalised Travel Pouch £16.99
This Is My Daddy Memory Tin £15.00
www.allbymama.com 58 | Cherubs Magazine
OPEN FOR TAKEAWAY
COFFEE AND WAFFLE HOUSE
ONLINE ORDERS AT CHICHIS.CO.UK
COFFEE & WAFFLE HOUSE
ADVERTISING FEATURE
“I am Leah, 25, from Lichfield and the illustrator behind Made by Leah which has been a little business for 3 years now. My business has evolved to be full of positive doodles, pink and castles. I love what I do. I work from my parents’ converted garage as my ’studio’. Unlike a lot of illustrators I still love pencils, pens and paper and all my designs are finished completely by hand before going to print. My homewares and goods have also evolved to become a big part of my business and Made by Leah products are now just as big as the prints and cards I began with. I mainly sell online and at local seasonal markets to me. My all time favourite thing to paint are castles, which is my best selling design, and my all time favourite hobby is baking! In a bubble bath, eating biscoff spread, on a dog walk or with my head in a book or magazine is where you’ll find me on a day off!”
Instagram: @itsmadebyleah Website: www.madebyleah.uk
60 | Cherubs Magazine
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unique cooking classes for kids become a little chef for a day Hands-on workshops where kids make delicious and healthy recipe from scratch using the best organic produce Get in touch vicky@pastaandplay.co.uk https://www.instagram.com/pastaandplay/ https://pastaandplay.co.uk/
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Cherubs Magazine | 61
Disinfection Services
Hospital Grade Disinfection against Coronavirus (COVID-19) What is the Difference Between Cleaning and Disinfecting? It doesn’t matter if you are maintaining a school, hospital, offce, or your home - cleaning and disinfecting is an important part of your maintenance routine. Cleaning removes loose soils, preparing the surface or object to be disinfected. Disinfecting kills germs on the surface, preventing them from spreading. If a surface is not cleaned rst, germs can hide under soils and reduce the effcacy of the disinfectant.
Home Disinfection Services PRO TIP: You can clean without disinfecting, but you can not disinfect without cleaning. If you are cleaning and do not need to kill and remove germs, then you do not need to disinfect. If you are looking to kill germs on a surface, you need to disinfect after cleaning.
Unlike many disinfectant products, our products are chlorine and alcohol free, with no corrosive effects on soft and hard furnishings. After it’s applied, the disinfectant simply degrades into harmless water and oxygen and is one of the safest forms of disinfection. Kills 99.999% of germs including bacteria, spores, fungi, algae, amoeba and most importantly in this case virucide including coronavirus and norovirus. Unlike other products, our products offer up-to 30 of unrivalled residual performance which means it will continue disinfecting long after we are gone.
Commercial Disinfection Services FREE SERVICE: Direct Eco Solutions are working with Schools, Nurseries, Holiday Parks, Estate Agents and many more businesses. We are not only disinfecting but offering a free service which includes consultancy on their Covid-19 H&S roadmap risk assessment and method statement.
Staycation is word that you might be hearing a lot this summer due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We are working closely with the hospitality industry offering a combined service for consultancy on devising their Covid-19 H&S roadmap risk assessment and method statement along with our award winning and patented products and disinfection services. Our disinfection services can be used on a wide range of applications. Contact hs@directecosolutions.com to discuss your speciic business needs and to nd out more about our unique services and products. See www.directecosolutions.com/cherubs for more details.
www.directecosolutions.com/cherubs
Q. Do you offer any products after the fogging service to maintain the cleanliness?
Q. Who are Direct Eco Solutions? A. We are a family run business that provides homes and businesses with cost effective and environmentally friendly heating, cooling, hygiene, and smart control services. We use award winning products including EndoSan, EndoCool and Endotherm. We provide a range of disinfectant services for homes & businesses including soft plays, nurseries and restaurants as well as providing affordable heating and cooling effciency products. Q. What products can you offer to disinfect my house? A. We offer a fogging service where we can fog all furniture and ttings in your home. We also offer a contact disinfectant spray for use on countertops, door handles, sofas, bedding etc. We use EndoSan, a powerful, highly effective, broad spectrum disinfectant that is both stable and safe. EndoSan is a unique solution of Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2). When correctly applied to water, air, or any surface, EndoSan will disinfect through an oxidisation process and continue to safely provide unrivalled residual performance that can last up to 30 days. Q. Does this mean that I can prevent a virus entering my house? A. With our disinfection service we can kill 99.999% of viruses, bacteria, fungi, spores, and bioolm, as independently tested by DEFRA. The disinfection service that we offer can last up to 30 days after application. After its applied, the disinfectant simply degrades into harmless water and oxygen and is one of the safest forms of disinfectants. Q. Is the disinfectant spray safe for all my worktops and furniture or will it cause damage overtime and is it safe for any pets in the house too? A. Our products are pH neutral, alcohol and chlorine free meaning that they are safe to use on hard and soft furnishings or hard surfaces. The disinfection service is completely safe for any pets and humans, post application once our team has gas analysed the spaces. After our disinfection process, our product breaks down into water and oxygen with no risk of toxic residuals. Due to the product being chlorine and alcohol free it has no corrosive or bleaching effects during application.
We use a combination of fogging, wet sprays and UV-C Sterilisation
A. We offer a 500ml Endosan 3% spray for your home and we also offer a hand 1% hand sanitizer which can help kill bacteria and viruses after we have left. However, the disinfection residual protection will last for 30 days the use of the sprays will enable you to carry on protecting high usage and high contact areas. The best way to use the spray is at the end of the day before bed, just spray the areas concerned and leave them to evaporate over night thereby being fully protected by the morning. Q. What is the pricing for your products? A. The price of the disinfection service is ultimately determined by the size of the house or area we are fogging. However, for a full service which includes Fogging, wet spray + 1 x EndoSan 3% spray bottle & 1 x Endosan Hand Sanitiser for a 3-bedroom house can cost up to ÂŁ300. Q. Are they any other products that you sell for my house other than disinfectant? A. Additionally, we offer multiple energy effciency products to help with heating and cooling systems inside your home. Our award-winning Endotherm product is used in all wet heating systems and is proven to cut heating bills by 15%. It is an additive that is poured into the water and changes the surface tension of the uid by over 60% whilst remaining non-cor non-corrosive. This increases the thermal contact which improves heat transfer rate and effciency. And our EndoCool product enhances the heat transfer properties of the system uid, reducing the workload of the compressor therefore delivering energy savings. Q. Do you offer any services for businesses? A. We offer disinfection services for businesses such as soft play centres, restaurants, nurseries, gyms, care homes, estate agents etc. Included in our service is a fully supported H&S consultation process whereby we can help you and your business become Covid-19 Secure and help restore consumer conndence in your products or service by becoming your Roadmap to Recovery partners.
Forms no harmful by-products
www.directecosolutions.com/cherubs
Kills 99.999% of viruses, bacteria, fungi, spores and bioolm
Lasts up to 30 days
There are many ways to support local businesses from buying items or gift certificates from them to postpone orders to booking for the future instead of canceling. My approach is by offering my skills, acquired after an almost 20 years long career as a journalist, digital media storyteller, and blogger, for free. ProCommunication is an online school I have created to help small or personal businesses to improve their brands on the communication side. Many people in these last years have come to me seeking consultation about their brands’ presence online. But before digging into the world of social media, there is a first action to take: create a memorable brand story. And this is what I teach in the online course, How to write a memorable brand story. The course is a cornerstone of a successful online presence. Written as a step by step course, it is particularly helpful for personal or small brands, including beginner or intermediate bloggers. Creating a memorable brand story helps to craft an audience tailored message, a visual story, and an empathetic story that will resonate within the brand’s audience in the years to come. Based on the brand storytelling technique, the course offers guidelines on writing how to define the brand’s purpose, how it serves its customers, with a specific focus on the target audience research. All these elements lead to the course’s core: writing the brand’s story using the archetypes. This marketing framework helps identify the desire a brand wants its audience to feel.
procommunication.ck.page/c2e15642cd
64 | Cherubs Magazine
Yummy Frozen Dots
Ingredients 4 tablespoons fruit puree or Ella’s Kitchen fruit pouches (try Strawberries, Rhubarb + Apples!) 4 tablespoons thick natural yogurt
Method 1. Mix together the fruit puree + yoghurt in a bowl. 2. Line a small baking sheet with baking parchment + place tablespoons of the yoghurt mixture in individual piles on the paper. 3. Place in the freezer for 2–3 hours until firm, then transfer to a freezer-proof bag + keep in the freezer for up to 1 month.
Pop over to
www.ellaskitchen.co.uk/recipes for more yummy recipes!
TRAVEL
48 Hours in… the Peak District & Derbyshire
66 | Cherubs Magazine
TRAVEL Spend two days combining city style with country walks, first-class restaurants with cultural treasures, all of which you’ll find in and around the UK’s first-ever national park, the Peak District, and the surrounding county of Derbyshire in North West England. The area boasts show-stopping attractions, such as the stately home of Chatsworth and the fascinating World of Wedgwood, but look a little deeper and you’ll encounter a whole raft of must-do experiences.
Bakewell
Day One 09:00 GO UNDERGROUND Part of the Peak District’s charm is its enviable landscapes and stunning geological make-up. Discover this in more depth by heading into Poole’s Cavern, an ancient natural limestone cavern with colossal illuminated rock-sculpted galleries to explore. Book onto a guided tour to understand the history of this magnificent underground scenery. 11:00 TREAT YOURSELF TO A SPA Head into the historic spa town of Buxton, where healing waters have been attracting visitors for centuries, and book in for an indulgent spa treatment. For contemporary treatments in a historic setting, try out The Devonshire Spa retreat, part of the resplendent Devonshire Dome (a Grade II listed building dating back to 1779). Elsewhere, the town’s Palace Hotel is a fine example of Victorian architecture yet one that houses modern-day spa facilities. And, come summer 2019, there will also be the choice of The Buxton Spa, in Buxton Natural Baths, which is being redeveloped as part of the Crescent Restoration project. 13:00 ENJOY A TASTE OF THE PEAK DISTRICT Book in for lunch at the Columbine Restaurant, situated close to the Buxton Opera House, for delicious dishes created using produce from small local suppliers in the area; the provenance of ingredients is easily traceable. You’ll enjoy creations such as fish crumble tart and a variety of English cheese from its cheese board. 14:00 HIKE THROUGH GORGEOUS COUNTRYSIDE Drive 30 minutes from Buxton into the Peak District National Park to the village of Hathersage in the Hope Valley, and, from there, hike nine miles north to Stanage Edge. The gritstone edge stretches out to around four miles and delivers impressive views of the Dark Peak moorlands and across the valley. You may also recognise it from a scene in Pride & Prejudice, featuring Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Bennet. cherubsmagazine.com
Stanage Edge
17:00 DINE IN A HISTORIC PUB Return to Hathersage and enjoy an early evening meal at The Plough Inn, a 16th century inn located on the banks of the River Derwent. Feast on dishes such as feuilette of wood pigeon and pear or seared scallops, while vegans are well catered for with dishes such as kachoris (spiced lentil parcels) with kachumber salad. 20:00 MARVEL AT THE DARK SKIES Just above Hathersage is one of the national park’s most magnificent viewpoints – the charmingly named Surprise View. While it’s a great spot to watch the sun set, it’s also one of the official ‘Dark Skies’ stargazing spots, meaning on a clear night you can witness the Peak District skies lit up by millions of twinkling stars. TIME TO CHECK IN There are a number of bed and breakfast options in the Hathersage area and you can also stay at The Plough Inn, which offers guests a choice of seven bedrooms and two shepherd huts. Equally charming is The George Hotel, a three-star hotel in Hathersage situated in an old coaching inn that dates back 500 years, and The Old Hall Hotel in Hope, five minutes from Hathersage, once a 16th-century coaching inn and now a cosy B&B.
Day Two 09:00 STEP BACK 500 YEARS You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to fabulous stately homes to visit in the Peak District and Derbyshire. A little outside the national park is Hardwick Hall, a National Trust-owned property that was created in the 1500s by one of the most powerful women of Elizabethan England, the remarkable ‘Bess of Hardwick’, and added to over the centuries by her descendants. It’s a house that was built to impress and is said to have ‘more glass than wall.’ Its surrounding estate is also open every day for walks through glorious gardens and woodland trails. 11:00 CLIMB DIZZYING HEIGHTS Journey just 30 minutes from Hardwick Hall and board an alpine-style cable car to take you to the Heights of Abraham. These observation cars give you the opportunity to admire the breathtaking vistas of the Peak District and the Derwent Valley. 13:00 SAMPLE LOCAL DELICACIES Head back into the Peak District National Park to the pretty town of Bakewell for a spot of lunch at the quirkily decorated Lavender Tea Rooms. Charming period décor is enhanced by cute, mismatched traditional crockery, on which a range of First published in Cherubs Winter 2018 Edition
sandwiches and cakes are served. But don’t forget to leave room for the sweet treat the town is renowned for – Bakewell pudding. Plenty of places sell it but try The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop – it also offers pudding-making experiences. 15:00 EXPLORE THE NATIONAL PARK There are a myriad of wonderful walks you can do in the Peak District (and it’s a great way to walk off those pudding calories.), one of which is a walk around the Ladybower Reservoir. Here you’ll experience some of the most perfect countryside views, a mix of moorland and woodland with a stunning body of water. Bamford Edge is a good place to head to for beautiful vistas and the Y-shape of the reservoir means there are plenty of circular walking and cycling routes to choose from. 17:00 DISCOVER THE ‘PLAGUE’ VILLAGE Row upon row of pretty stone cottages adorned by beautiful gardens make up the picturesque village of Eyam. But what makes this Peak District village profoundly fascinating is its history as the ‘plague village’. When the plague struck the village in the 17th century, the disease spread rapidly and Eyam was put under quarantine for 14 months. A stroll around this picture-prefect English village will lead you to discover the plaques outside houses that state who died there during this terrible time, as well as the ‘Boundary Stone’. This had been set up to transport food and medicine into Eyam safely from the nearby uninfected village of Stoney Middleton. 20:00 FEAST ON FIRST-CLASS FOOD A short drive from Eyam is Baslow Hall, a gorgeous 100-year-old Grade II listed manor house. Within is the fine-dining restaurant Fischer’s at Baslow Hall, where Head Chef Rupert Rowley creates classical dishes using seasonal, British ingredients. Dine on produce such as Devon crab or Derbyshire pork jowl, hand-dived scallops or Creedy Carver duck from Devon.
Fischer’s at BaslowHall
TIME TO CHECK IN Once you’ve finished your meal at Fischer’s you can book in to stay at the luxury Baslow Hall, which offers 11 beautiful bedrooms; the Garden Rooms look out onto their own private walled courtyard garden, while there is also a romantic, secluded cottage close by, Cruck Barn. Also within the area is elegant The Peacock at Rowsley, which also boasts a fine-dining restaurant, and the Losehill Hotel & Spa, a high-end boutique hotel offering spa facilities with Peak District views. www.visitbritain.com Cherubs Magazine | 67
TRAVEL
10 destinations we can’t wait to visit once lockdown is over
Being unable to travel has only deepened our thirst for exploration. For seeing new sights, indulging in new dishes and encountering new experiences that open our eyes to the wonders that the world has to offer. With all this in mind, we decided to bring you the ten destinations that are top of our list for visiting once the travel ban is lifted. A nation of sprawling rice terraces, soaring limestone karsts, long winding roads and bustling cities; Vietnam is heaven for travellers looking to capture as much as possible in a single trip.We recommend making your trip to Vietnam a multi-centre adventure. Focus on the South by flying into Ho Chi Minh and visiting the historical Mekong Delta and the divers’ paradise of Phu Quoc Island. Or, explore the North by flying into Hanoi before venturing to the remote mountainous regions further north and out into Ha Long Bay to marvel at the otherworldly landscape that surrounds you.
Cape Town, South Africa
TThe Mother City. Cape Town is a cosmopolitan hub within easy reach of South Africa’s abundant natural phenomena making it perfect for any type of visitor. After you’ve explored the city, lace up your hiking boots and head up Table Mountain for a view across the city skyline, before heading down to Boulder Beach to meet the resident penguins. If wildlife spotting takes your interest, the game reserves inland from Cape Town offer excellent opportunities to spot the big 5 on safari. No trip to the Western Cape would be complete without a visit to the vineyards of Franschhoek and Stellenbosch to sample a glass or two of their delicious homegrown wines.
Sri Lanka
With its gorgeous soft sand beaches and glorious sunshine, Sri Lanka is an obvious choice for beach lovers. But, what many of its Indian Ocean counterparts lack in adventure, Sri Lanka has in abundance with the opportunity to go out on safari to spot elephants or the elusive leopard, or to explore the ancient ruins that litter its landscape such Sigiriya Rock Fortress.
Mauritius
About as close as we can get to heaven on earth, the white sand, azure waters and 68 | Cherubs Magazine
gorgeous tropical climate of Mauritius are always going to entice us. Pair with this the stunning range of luxurious properties that adorn the island and you’ve got a dream destination for those looking to live out their fantasy of being cast away on a tropical island paradise.
California, USA
The Golden State is always high on our wish list thanks to the huge amount that’s on offer there. Golden beaches bathed in perennial sunshine, rugged mountains regions with opportunities for skiing, hiking and mountain biking; scenic wine regions serving up fresh seasonal produce all yearround, and globally renowned cities. Our favourite way to explore California? By car of course. Ask your Travel Counsellor which route they’d recommend for you at the time of year you’re looking to visit.
Vancouver, Canada
Sat on British Columbia’s western frontier, Vancouver is a city at the heart of nature. Bordered by mountains to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the west, the city invites explorers to enjoy the thrills of nature and experience the charms of bustling city life. Across the Strait of Georgia, you’ll find Vancouver island where black bears and bald eagles are amongst the majestic creatures that call the dense wilderness home. Our favourite way to explore California? By car of course. Ask your Travel Counsellor which route they’d recommend for you at the time of year you’re looking to visit.
Georgia
SThe Caucasus (the area between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea) has been growing in popularity over recent years, as more and more people have their eyes opened to the rich ancient culture and gorgeous landscape that exists there. Georgia has been leading this growth with its network of remote mountain hiking trails and its intriguing architecture, centering around picturesque cities such as Tbilisi and striking medieval monasteries.
Delhi, India
The animated city of New Delhi is a kaleidoscope of colours that that brings the old and the new of India together in perfect First published on www.travelcounsellors.co.uk
unison. Often hectic and always memorable, a visit to Delhi affords you the opportunity to sample the authentic flavours of northern India and visit some of the region’s most famous sites such as Hamayun’s Tomb and the Red Fort. We recommend using Delhi as a starting point for exploring India’s Golden Triangle, where you can visit the Taj Mahal and the Pink City of Jaipur.
Delhi, India
The animated city of New Delhi is a kaleidoscope of colours that that brings the old and the new of India together in perfect unison. Often hectic and always memorable, a visit to Delhi affords you the opportunity to sample the authentic flavours of northern India and visit some of the region’s most famous sites such as Hamayun’s Tomb and the Red Fort. We recommend using Delhi as a starting point for exploring India’s Golden Triangle, where you can visit the Taj Mahal and the Pink City of Jaipur.
Kyoto, Japan
Once the capital of Japan, Kyoto is still viewed as its cultural heart thanks to the collection of temples, shrines and other historically priceless structures that exist within the city.In the spring and autumn, Kyoto is a magical setting for watching the emergence of the cherry blossoms and the subsequent burst of autumnal colours. At any time of year, visitors can walk through the bamboo forest, admire the traditional Japanese rock garden at Ryoanji Temple, or catch a performance at a traditional Kabuki theatre.
Whitsundays, Australia
The Whitsundays are a postcard-perfect collection of islands off Australia’s northeast coast. Thanks to the Australian Government’s strict rules regarding access to the islands, they’ve maintained their pristine condition and feeling of untouched beauty. The ultimate photo opportunity comes at Whitehaven beach where the gently moving currents shift the soft white sand to create an ever-changing beach scene for us to enjoy. If you would like to book your winter adventure in Vancouver, contact Eda Ayyildiz your local Travel Counsellor
With the promise that all your holiday plans are in the safest possible hands. Remember how easy it used to be to go on holiday? When someone else took care of everything? At Travel Counsellors we believe this is the only way to sell travel – it’s such a personal thing that everybody deserves their very own personal expert. At Travel Counsellors we’re all about you. So if you’re looking for a holiday to remember, contact me today. Travel, tailor-made for you, with care.
Eda Ayyildiz Travel Counsellor 020 3393 5460 eda.ayyildiz@travelcounsellors.com www.travelcounsellors.com/eda.ayyildiz
WELLBEING
5 Simple steps to shift you from survive mode to thrive mode Noticed yourself getting caught up in the franticness of everyday life? Are you dashing from pillar to post, with school drop-offs, sports practice, extracurricular activities, facilitating your children’s social lives – not to mention your own – and the million and one things you need to get done in any given day? Life can be hectic leaving us feeling like we are constantly floundering in survival mode, tired, uninspired, overwhelmed and often a far cry from the best version of ourselves. But it needn’t be that way. Here are five simple steps to shift you from survive mode to thrive mode…
1. Create mindful moments No matter who we are, we all have the same amount of time in a day, meaning we all should all be able to create a moment of calm, joy or splendour for ourselves. Allowing yourself that guilt-free half an hour to chill with a cuppa and your favourite TV programme after you have taken the kids to school or to regroup and focus before work; building in a 10-minute meditation, taking some time to read a book or magazine for escapism or inspiration, getting out for an afternoon walk in nature or having a candlelit bath in the evening. There will always be a million and one things we could be doing to keep ourselves busy but ask yourself, does it all have to happen right now? The answer is probably no, and it certainly is if you want to be in ‘thrive’ mode. So, identify your windows of opportunity and build in those little rituals and mindful moments of pure pleasure just for you.
2. Build in positive habits Being constantly busy means we can fall into negative habits or neglect to make time for positive ones. But if we think of ourselves as a sum of our habits then we can begin to realise just how important they are. For example, building regular exercise into your routine is not only beneficial for your body but also your mind and soul and it can have a huge impact on how you are feeling about life and your ability to cope with everything 70 | Cherubs Magazine
that is thrown at you. The same goes for your eating and drinking habits; if you have too much sugar, caffeine and find yourself reaching for the wine on a daily basis to feel more relaxed and less stressed, chances are you won’t be operating at your best, your mood will almost certainly be negatively affected and maintaining a healthy weight and mindset will be that much harder. And of course, sleep; we all know that sleep deprivation can take a massive toll. So start to notice the habits that aren’t serving you well and make the effort to remove or replace them with ones that make you feel happy, healthy, positive and ready to take on the world.
3. Make time to disconnect Living in this interconnected digital age can make it seem like there is little opportunity for us to truly disconnect, should we let it. With a plethora of communication options available, there’s a perceived obligation to contact or respond to people instantaneously, or to check out their ‘fantastic’ lives through social media. But our world can also bring with it guilt, paranoia and an unhealthy obsession with comparison. Start to pay attention to your relationships with people, your devices and the platforms through which you engage. Notice how much time you are spending, how much energy they are taking and how they are making you feel. What or who could you or would you rather be saying no to? Surrounding yourself with positive people could make a huge difference. You could identify times in the day where you could limit your device use, implementing healthy boundaries and creating moments to truly switch off and let you and your mind wind down, rest and recuperate. Because to be in ‘thrive’ mode, you will need to learn to look after yourself, utilise your mental bandwidth wisely and allow time to reconnect with you.
could be for others like our partners, kids and colleagues. Recognising what the best version of you looks like, how you would like to be spending your time both personally and professionally, and then taking the action to support those things is extremely important and a necessity if you want to feel truly happy and fulfilled. Some of us get the purpose and satisfaction we need from being a parent but lots of us seek to find it and have impact elsewhere too. When you know what is truly important to you and then enjoy the steps, milestones and the journey of making the things you want – your dreams and your goals happen. When you are doing what you love, that is when you will be thriving.
5. Practise self-love
4. Learn to put your needs first
Self-love means looking after number one in every sense – your own health, well-being and happiness but also the things you say to and believe to be true about yourself. So many of us say unkind things to ourselves like “I’m not good enough” - I’m not a good enough mum, dad, wife, husband, daughter, son, friend, colleague and so on. We’ll also say to ourselves: “I’m not clever”, “not attractive”, “I should be doing better”. We self-deprecate, self-punish, selfsabotage, compare, strive for sometimes unrealistic ideals of perfectionism and generally doubt our awesomeness. The things is, what we think, what we say and then what we do can manifest as the truth as self-fulfilling prophecies. And while this most certainly isn’t good for you – your selfconfidence, self-esteem, self-acceptance and self-respect; just imagine what hearing those things could be doing for your impressionable child. Being the best version of you starts by being kind to you, adopting a positive mindset and empowering narratives for yourself. When you do this, and when you take all of the above steps, you will not only be the best role model, you will be truly thriving as the best, happiest and most fulfilled version of you.
As parents, we tend to put the needs of others before our own which although admirable may actually not only be to the detriment of our own needs but may also result in us not being the best that we
Mikaela Jackson is a personal performance coach and the founder of She Almighty, which provides life, career and business coaching services and events for women. www.shealmighty.com
First published in Cherubs Winter 2018 Edition
elytsefil_ylimaf/moc.yhpargotohpodraliatram.www
MARTA ILARDO PHOTOGRAPHY Family + Lifestyle
WELLBEING
© Flynt | Dreamstime.com
From problems to solutions The solution-focused approach is an ‘intervention’ in family work that looks at helping families and individuals discover what strengths they have and how these can be utilised to moving forward. The problems families present us with in our work can be very complex and overwhelming for them. It feels that nothing will change, and they can become stuck without any hope for a better outcome. With the solution-focused approach, the opening question is often “If these sessions prove useful to you, what will be different at the end of our work together?” This is a very different question from “what is it that brings you here”? and the question gives the family a chance to discuss what they would like instead of the problem. The focus, if only on the problems will make the issue more overwhelming and can lead to family members blaming each other for their current situation. The process of “offloading” may feel useful at the time, but it does nothing to solve the problem itself. The question above relays the message that things will improve and that it is a joint effort a collaboration between client and practitioner. Our past is important, but we all live in the present and need to find ways of coping and making the situation better for all the family. Once the best hope of the family is 72 | Cherubs Magazine
established the practitioner will ask for a detailed description of life when their outcomes are fully met. This involves looking at what the family will be doing and who else would notice. The clients then scale the current situation. The scale runs from 1 to 10, with 10 being when all the best hopes are fully met and 1 is the complete opposite. Wherever the family score themselves they are asked what small thing needs to happen to get them one point further up the scale and what difference this would make to them as a family. The family are in the driving seat and are encouraged to come up with their own solutions to the problem. It is now time for you to practice! This can be done on your own with a friend or the family. Get together and ask the best hope question. As a family asks, “if things are better for us in the near future what would we like to see that is different”? Get everyone to give their ideas and ask, “when this happens what difference will it make to us?” Then ask at least three more times “what else would be different?” The next step would be the detailed description: “Imagine after we sleep tonight we all wake up tomorrow and our best hopes are fully met but we do not know this First published in Cherubs Autumn 2019 Edition
has happened because we were asleep. What would be the first sign that this change had happened?” The description will be based on what we would notice about each other that tells us this change has occurred from the time we wake till the time we go to bed. This allows everyone to use their imagination to see life as they would like it to be. If done correctly you will notice people smiling as they see a vision of life without the problem. The next step is the scaling question: “On a scale from 1 to 10, where 10 is our best hopes are fully met and 1 is the complete opposite, where are we on the scale?” This may give various answers, so you can add the numbers together and get an average score for the family as a whole. For scores of 5, 4 and 6 the family score will be 5. The next question will be; “What are you doing already that is useful?” This will highlight what everyone feels is going well and would like to keep doing. Then ask: “What can we do to get to the next point on the scale?” This is where everyone comes up with a small step that will help towards the best hopes. Good Luck! For any questions on what you’ve read or for more information on our services please contact 020 8363 6262 or admin@familybasedsolutions.org.uk
CONF IDENCE is remortgaging with ease
With round-the-clock access to mortgage experts*, we’re here to help when it suits you. Talk to Filiz Hassan or Kiran Kaur at Noel Park Wood Green, 62 High Road, London, N22 6DH.
Make money work for you
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. Subject to application, financial circumstances and borrowing history. T&Cs apply. * Mortgage experts are available 24/7, except bank holidays. Our video call facility is open on bank holidays. Barclays Bank UK PLC is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (Financial Services Register number: 759676). Registered in England. Registered no. 9740322. Registered office: 1 Churchill Place, London E14 5HP. Barclays Bank UK PLC adheres to the Standards of Lending Practice which is monitored and enforced by The Lending Standards Board. Further details can be found at www.lendingstandardsboard.org.uk Item Ref. 9916315_UK. March 2020.
WELLBEING
I’ve Got Your Back! By Mary Huckle
According to NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) treating all types of back pain costs the NHS more than £1,000 million per year. Lost production because of lower back pain costs at least £3,500 million per year. These incredible figures speak for themselves. As common as it is, back pain is usually nothing to worry about and should resolve itself within a few weeks. However, it can be debilitating and inconvenient. Here’s a list of self-help tips if you have back pain 1. Movement is key – long gone are the days where bed rest and lying flat on your back was recommended. It’s important to keep moving, and this will be difficult at first, but persevere and things will improve. 2. Sitting and standing – try to maintain your posture, i.e. lengthen the spine, and try not to slump or slouch. Swapping the sofa for a chair where you can sit upright to support the natural curves of the spine is a better option. 3. Stretching and mild exercises for lower back pain – these will help with mobility. Your doctor or physiotherapist can recommend these to you. Better still, one-to-one sessions with a qualified pilates or yoga instructor are also very helpful. 4. Painkillers – ibuprofen taken either orally or in ointment form can take the edge off severe pain and will also help you move more freely. Some people are averse to taking painkillers, but ibuprofen is proven to reduce inflammation and aid healing. Please check that it is safe for you to take any medication. 5. Mineral salt baths – soaking in a magnesium or Epsom salt flake bath for 20 minutes at a time can help relieve tense muscles. Magnesium also comes in a spray. 6. Cold packs – use one of these or a pack of frozen peas for 10-minute intervals every few hours. Take care not to put ice directly against the skin to avoid burns.
Fancy a challenge? Were you paying attention when I mentioned that under-used glute muscles could be the cause of back issues? Yes, that’s right. Strong, active glutes are integral to a healthy back. The squat involves multiple muscle groups and joints working in various planes of motion. They work the gluteus maximus, quadriceps, calves, and hamstrings. There are numerous modifications to a squat, but I’m challenging you with the basic body weight one. Ready? Let’s squat! 1. Stand tall with feet hip width apart and hips, knees and toes pointing forward. Keep your chest and chin lifted and back straight. 2. Bend your knees, engage your core, and start pushing your hips back, bottom going backwards as if you were sitting on a chair. 3. Your knees should stay behind your toes and your weight in your heels. It may feel like you might fall backwards, but keep your feet firmly planted. 4. Try to dip the hips below knee height. 5. As you rise, keep core engaged and squeeze the glutes. 6. Repeat x 10 repetitions. 7. This exercise is safe enough to do daily. A winner in my opinion. Want to make this more challenging? Here’s how. Hold the squat for 10 seconds – keep breathing and maintain your posture. Repeat 10 times. OR Squat against a wall and feel your quadriceps burn! Hold it for as long as you can. OR Hold the squat position and pulse, squeezing each time you rise. Do this for 20 seconds.
Tips to keep your back healthy: 1. Mind/body exercise – Pilates has been proven to keep your back healthy and strong. It can ease back pain as well as helping with other postural issues. Exercising your core strengthens the abdominals and back muscles. 2. Underactive glute muscles – lower back pain can often be attributed to weak or tight bottom muscles. These can cause instability in the lower spine as well as biomechanical imbalances in the pelvis and hips. 3. Watch your posture – Keep the back lengthened and aligned especially when sitting, standing, and walking. 4. Don’t sit for too long – avoid a sedentary lifestyle. Long periods of sitting can create or aggravate back issues due to the discs in the lower spine being overloaded. 5. A supportive mattress – a firm or medium/firm mattress to better support the spine and keep it aligned is preferable to an old or soft one. 6. Lift correctly – firstly, don’t attempt to lift or move heavy objects. When lifting, even the lightest object, bend the knees rather than stooping. Engaging your core and keeping your spine straight will protect your back. Keep the object close to you as you lift it. 74 | Cherubs Magazine
Give it a try and let me know how you get on. #maryscherubchallenge
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WELLBEING ADVERTISING FEATURE
Keeping your kids safe outdoors By Hannah Allsop
Summer is approaching and we are all spending a lot more time outside. Whether you are isolating, shielding or social distancing, playing outside is a must to make sure our kids are burning energy and tired enough to go to bed. We are so lucky to have access to green spaces, whether it is our garden, a local park or woodland area, but these trips outdoors sometimes result in accidents, though more often than not just a minor cut or bump. When you come across more serious incidents, panic can set in so here are some top tips for dealing with your kids in these moments. Nettle stings are generally a minor injury but it can be really tough to settle a little one if they have ended up with one. Firstly, try not to touch the area that has been stung for 10 minutes, and after this time gently wash with soap and water. The common myth about rubbing with dock leaves can actually just push the toxins further into the skin and cause longer lasting pain. Most importantly, you need to look out for any further reaction and if a severe allergic reaction occurs contact 999 urgently. If no serious reaction occurs, further relief can be sought from a cold compress, antihistamine tablets (always follow the instructions on the medication) and hydrocortisone or calamine creams (these can be bought over the counter,
always follow instructions). If you have any concerns then do contact your pharmacist or 111. Sunburn is something that we all want to avoid and it can occur even when it is cloudy, so don’t wait for the sun to be shining really brightly before you take these precautions. For children, look for a sunscreen with SPF of 50, with UVA and UVB protection. Reapply often and be generous! Don’t forget the hidden areas such as the ears, feet and back of hands; it may be tickly for the kids but don’t let this put you off! For younger babies (under six months) try to keep them in the shade with plenty of liquid intake, rather than using sunscreen as it is generally not recommended for such little ones. For all children, encourage them to stay in the shade during the middle of the day and to keep a sun hat on at all times. If a child does get sunburn, run the affected area under cool running water for 20 minutes and seek medical advice. Cuts can range from small grazes from tripping over to deeper lacerations caused by sharp objects. Take the time to observe the area your children are playing in so they can avoid accidents with gardening tools, broken glass or uneven paving. Cuts should be treated carefully and with caution for the child and for you. Once you have
checked to see whether there is anything embedded in the cut, apply pressure with a clean, absorbent material, clean hands and preferably with gloves on. Put this pressure directly onto the cut if there is nothing in the wound and around the wound and object if there is something embedded. Never remove an embedded object and seek medical advice straight away. If there is no embedded object, once bleeding has stopped you can then examine the cut. You may be able to clean the cut with running water, pat dry and apply a dressing or plaster. If there is a risk of infection, for example if there was gravel in the wound or it has a jagged edge, then seek medical advice from 111 or at a minor injuries unit. If the bleeding cannot be stopped, you need to get urgent medical help. Don’t be surprised if accidents happen in the garden; children have a habit of finding danger! Do take the time to learn first aid, it will keep you calm if you are educated on what to do in the event of an emergency.
Hannah
Daisy First Aid Mid & West Hertfordshire, Enfield and Barnet
Email: hannah.allsop@daisyfirstaid.com Website: www.daisyfirstaid.com/first-aid-mid-hertfordshire Instagram@hannah_daisyfirstaid Facebook: DaisyFirstAidMidandWestHertfordshireEnfieldBarnet 76 | Cherubs Magazine
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WELLBEING
When Creativity Peaks in the Dark By Monique Jordan-Cave
What were you up to 6/7 months ago? Refining the children’s schooling, arranging your yearly family holiday or finally booking that long awaited (and most importantly) well deserved, two-day break to Santa Gertrudis with the girls? I was sitting in my office with my partner, doing our yearly business content planning and booking our mini break for April looking forward to getting some more sun on our skin. Fast forward six months and, holiday cancelled… a borderline B12 deficiency, no recollection of what day it is and a feeling of “WOE (a.k.a What on Earth”)? I guess this is where I should tell you to 78 | Cherubs Magazine
start writing a journal, find more time for yourself and to get meditating but, we are in lockdown. We finally have the time to do “all the things” but can’t actually find the time (or motivation) to do them. And while I know that my singing bowl could out sing yours (lol), I’ll save that for another day. Arundhati Roy reminded us: “Historically, pandemics have forced humans to break with the past and imagine their world anew. This one is no different.” In the most uncertain of times, this is where major, positive, life-changing choices can be made that impact ourselves and our families.
Remember that idea you had, way back when, but you put it aside because your youngest was just about to start preschool or the passion you were sharing with your girlfriends over wine that they loved, that could be turned into something rewarding? If any of this makes sense, here is what you could do to explore your opportunities.
PURPOSE: Start with your “Why?” Really think about why you want to do this and make sure that it aligns with what is most important to you. Align your “Why?”, not only with what you want to do, but with who you are and what
WELLBEING your values and purpose are. Otherwise, what’s the point? Ask yourself, what are the benefits of running my own business and what will it give me, professionally and personally? How will it benefit my family and loved ones? What are the downsides or the risks?
GET SPECIFIC: Get clear on the “What?” Is this new business a fantasy – like, deciding to provide astronauts with trees to plant on Venus or, making special flavoured popcorn for monkeys? In other words, is it specific and what is its purpose? We have all fantasised about doing something different and wonderful but it has to be clear and specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time-bound.
KNOW YOUR BRAND: What is your story? I’m being completely transparent; there may already be lots of other people in your potential market. So, how are you going to make yourself stand out? How can you get the children involved? Kara Rosen started Plenish through a personal journey/experience. Remember this, you are unique and have something beautiful to offer! No one is like you. You will have your own story of how you created your company, how you want to help and impact the world and how passionate you are about what you do. If you are genuine, people will relate to you and will be able to see what makes you and your business different from the rest, and why they should care.
selected the perfect colour palette. I was completely guilty of this. Other benefits of telling people are that it will make it even more real in your mind, and give you a creative visual map to follow. It’s a brilliant way to find out what interest people have in your passion or new business idea. And it can help with overcoming, ‘imposter syndrome’ because your success has no time for it. Reach out to people in your new field or industry, interact with people, remember, they are human, just like you. Whatever you do, be sincere and help where you can. So, what now? It’s really simple, follow the steps above then take one deliberate, strategic, brave step every single day, and don’t give up.
Consider this, how would I describe it to people? How is it going to help people? Is there a market/need for it and is it realistic?
GET REAL: What is it really going to take to get there? Get honest with yourself and acknowledge where you really are. Many of the skills I used in my old career in the music, entertainment and television industry were transferable to being a coach and running a business. So how can you draw on your current knowledge and skills to leverage this idea/passion? Ask yourself these questions: What resources do I already have? What additional skills or resources do I need to actually do this? Who do I already know that could help me or give me some advice? Stay positive and don’t be scared to ask for help. Sarah Blakely, the creator of Spanx stresses the important of hiring for your weaknesses. “If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far go together.”
PLAN, PLAN, PLAN! Create your action plan Make space in your life to get this done and start with the end in mind. Allocate yourself daily, weekly or monthly tasks for however long is necessary – so that you know exactly what you’ll be doing, when you’ll be doing it and how long it is going to take. Do not skip or wing this part!
DIVULGE: To your inner circle Tell EVERYONE! You will be shocked to see how many people support and encourage you in your new journey. It’s also a great way to stay on track.
I’m a big believer in speaking aloud and manifesting what you want (cue singing bowl). Do not go into stealth mode and only tell everyone once everything is in place and perfect. Your website is up and you’ve
Viktor Frankl beautifully said, “In times of crisis, people reach for meaning. Meaning is strength. Our survival may depend on our seeking and finding it.” So, what new meaning can you find during this pandemic? Will you be like Brita Fernandez Schmidt and follow your strong female intuition? What are you and your family going to do with your exciting ‘new normal’?
Instagram: @jordancavecoaching Website: www.jordancavecoaching.com cherubsmagazine.com
Cherubs Magazine | 79
WELLBEING
Yoga for Autism & special needs By Cathy Underwood
I’m excited. Peeping through the classroom window I can see a tutor delivering a simple sequence of postures and breathing techniques for his pupil. The session is gentle and calm. There’s a lovely rapport building between them as they mirror one another’s flowing movements. He then asks his pupil to lie down and once snuggled in a blanket offers gentle ‘squishes’ and massage. This is a wonderful moment and for the pupil a huge achievement because he has complex Autism.
What is autism? • Autism is a lifelong developmental disability, which affects 1 in 100 people in the UK • It affects the way a person communicates and how they experience the world around them • Autism is a spectrum condition meaning people living with autism share certain characteristics but each will be highly individual in their needs • Some people with autism are able to live relatively independent lives but others may face additional challenges, including learning disabilities • Early intervention, education and support are critical in enabling people with autism to lead fulfilling lives
Some characteristics complex autism
of
• Non-verbal or limited communication
Try this breathing activity to stimulate and regulate the senses Blowing bubbles – a simple sensory act that encourages our visual, tactile, auditory and inner sensations that enhance focus and inner peace.
80 | Cherubs Magazine
• Complex behaviours, OCD, stimming, scripting, non-compliance • Difficulty coping with unplanned change & social situations • Sensory overload issues – sound, light, commands During 2014 I was invited to work alongside specialist tutors at the prestigious Treehouse primary school, based in Muswell Hill, London and home to the charity Ambitious about Autism. My role was to develop a yoga and dance curriculum for the school. I set to task developing a practice that offered pupils and tutors tools to help regulate anxiety and agitated states within the classroom. Simple breathing techniques, yoga postures, a movement to music and relaxation exercises formed the foundation. Supported by a number of resources such as yoga mats, blankets, eye pillows, soothing music, sensory props and visual prompts. Both staff and pupils took to the yoga classes instantly. Pupils would rush into the yoga space, kicking off shoes, rolling out mats and snuggling under blankets. The coming months were a joy to teach and the most delightful outcome for me was the connection that developed between both pupil and tutor. The calm, gentle nature of yoga was clearly a welcomed change from the targets of the classroom. On several occasions, tutors would remark on the positive changes and the enjoyment
1. Stand or sit in a comfortable position 2. Holding the bottle of bubbles, take a deep breath in slowly throw the nose 3. Take the dipper out of the bottle and slowly a smooth flow of bubbles 4. Repeat focusing on the slow inhalations and exhalations
First published in Cherubs Spring 2019 Edition
that the children gained from the sessions. One remarked, with tears in his eyes, ‘It’s just very moving to see my pupil excited to come to yoga, regulate his mood and leave feeling happy. It’s magic!’
The benefits of yoga for Autism • Activates calming hormones, such as serotonin • Focus on breath and movement offers self-regulation tools • Bilateral movements balance brain hemispheres enhancing mood • Helps organise the nervous system • Builds confidence & self-awareness • Good for posture, core strength, balance & flexibility • Refines gross and fine motor skills • Encourages trust between classmates and tutors • Good for emotional growth and happiness
Inclusive Movement Therapy Training Today, I still enjoy working at Treehouse and the experience inspired me to set up a community project, IMTYoga, inclusive movement therapy, delivering workshops and training to anyone living with or supporting those with Autism and other special needs. This includes parents, carers and teaching professionals – FREE sessions available throughout the year!
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WELLBEING
Top 10 tips for calming symptoms of Cervical Dystonia 1. SLOW DOWN Stop doing everything at 100MPH, spinning many plates at once, juggling many balls and doing everything for everyone else apart from you.
huge shift in mind state and will completely remove symptoms of Cervical Dystonia whilst you are doing it. ( REMEMBER, NO HEADBANGING ALLOWED ) for those Rock fans, it will hurt afterwards.
2. LEARN THE WORD ‘NO’!!! Are you a YES person? I bet you are. It’s time to start saying NO to people or even NOT YET. You often say yes to stop you feeling like you are letting someone down, when actually you are letting yourself down.
6. BECOME SELFISH I don’t mean in a horrible way, i mean, get others in your life to do more for YOU instead of you doing everything for them. Take that time to go for that walk, or read your magazine or just sit and do nothing.
3. GET YOUR EXERCISE Walk 10,000 steps per day, and enjoy this as part of your everyday routine, this releases chemicals in your body that will make you feel great. Download a STEPS APP on your smartphone to keep track. ( DO NOT DO WEIGHTS )
7. CUT YOUR TO DO LIST BY HALF How many of you work hard all day and then come home and start work all over again? Sound familiar? Or, if you don’t work or are retired I bet your diary is jam packed full of things to do with your time? You are way too busy and need to calm things down by setting realistic parameters to work within. An idea of how to do this is to count the things in your diary for a week and cut half of them out, and feel empowered by doing it.
4. LISTEN TO MUSIC Whenever you can, get your favourite music on and have a good sing along, this will help to create a change in state, a release of ‘feel good’ chemicals and will help to remove symptoms for that period of time. 5. DANCE You do not have to be a great dancer to get some moves going on. Dancing creates a
82 | Cherubs Magazine
8. TAKE TIME OUT FOR YOURSELF You do not have to feel guilty if you decide to sit down and relax, read a book or watch TV. It’s very easy to sit there itching to get up and do something, to keep yourself busy
because it’s wrong if you stop right? How many of you suffer from chronic fatigue? Most i would guess as you are constantly battling through, desperately trying to look and be normal, it’s exhausting. You must STOP, THINK, and DO things differently. It’s all about YOU. 9. LISTEN TO YOUR FEELINGS Your feelings are never wrong. If it feels right, then do it. If it doesn’t feel right, then don’t do it. It is as simple as that. How many times have you done something that you know you shouldn’t have and then paid the price for it? How many times have you battled on only to find the next day your symptoms are far worse, you pay for it. How many times have you had a good day and totally filled it with tasks? Guess what? YOU PAID FOR IT. Your feelings are NO 1. Listen to them before, not after. 10. LISTEN TO MY RELAXATION HYPNOTHERAPY AUDIO You can request the relaxation audio by sending me and email to neildurranstherapy@gmail.com Use it to help reset you, calm you or to help you get to sleep.
SUSTAINABILITY
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Pure & Dimple’s mission is: • To help parents reduce their children’s exposure to chemicals, through non toxic gifts for babies. • To provide families with beautiful, uncomplicated essentials. • To inspire simple living with natural materials that are kind to our planet and our health. Founder’s Note:
Pure & Dimple was born out of a passion to create eco, high quality baby products that were also beautiful enough to gift. As a mum of a baby with allergies, I struggled to find non toxic basics for my children. Babies spend their lives snuggling into fabrics and exploring with their mouths. Having thinner, more permeable skin, they absorb toxins easily. That’s why we ensure everything we make contains no nasty chemicals. There’s so much choice when it comes to baby products, and we strip away the noise and focus on essentials to give parents peace of mind and happy babies. My background is in product development, so I understand behind the scenes of production. Meaning I can ensure everything Pure & Dimple makes is sustainable and honest. We all get information overload when a baby arrives. That’s why we made Pure & Dimple. We’re here to help people feel calm, reassured and confident despite all the chaos. Each product is simple, high quality, and good for your kid. It’s one less thing to worry about.
84 | Cherubs Magazine
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LOVE GIVING? HATE WASTE?
Us too. The Fabric Wrapping Co. are on a mission to create a vast (and generous) group of people who choose to be more thoughtful and waste free about gifts. Started as an idea whilst strolling an art fair, The Fabric Wrapping Co. combines a love of colour and textiles to create bold gift wrap that can be used again and again. Made from fabric, the wraps are endlessly reusable and take just a minute to wrap with.
In honour of #plasticfreejuly, here’s 7 surprising ideas for plastic-free giving. First up, a reminder to make sure that whatever you give, please do so using wrap that doesn’t contain glitter or foil as these cannot be recycled. Generally, if paper wrap passes the scrunch test, it’s recyclable. 1. Give the gift of a baby. A plant baby that is. According to the Guardian, a plant for every 100 square feet of living area is good for you. 2. An audible subscription. Whilst on the surface a gift-cardlike-cop-out, actually this zero-waste gift could bring your loved one enlightenment, knowledge or just make them LOL on their morning walk. 3. A zero-waste starter, or taking the next step, kit. UK based The Wise House does excellent starter kits for home, commute or even Teacher gifts.
4. An inspiration to bring one’s own lunch. When you use well designed items, somehow the very act of making lunch becomes a pleasure. Mombento (UK) has super stylish and clever Bento boxes. 5. BYO dinner party. A real gift of love and friendship, bring a dinner party to your friends for a truly memorable evening. 6. Soap. Once the fragrant present you gave someone you didn’t know well enough to give a real present. Now an on-trend and welcome zero-waste present. We adore the soap and social impact of Better Considered (Be Co.) 7. A selection of Japanese tenugui. These are traditionally used as wash cloths but are literally one of the most useful zero-waste things you can have around the home. A simple raw edged cloth, they can be a towel, a napkin, a bag or even a head-band.
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HOME LIFE
How do I talk to my child about racism?
Paula Rhone-Adrien is a leading black female Barrister. Keep up to date with her journey on social media @familylawguruuk The recent headlines and shocking images around the alarming killing of American black man George Floyd by US police has undoubtedly caused us all to question how or why this could ever have happened. What can you say to your child when he or she asks you questions about this terrible and tragic incident and the undeniable issues of racism that it raises? What can you possibly say to explain the visions of anger, hurt and furious protests that are being beamed into your home? If your child is asking questions because either they have seen or overheard something then please don’t shy away from answering, be brave and tackle the question head on. If you don’t have an answer then admit it. Children have a sixth sense for sniffing out a response given to either shut them or a topic down. If you give them that impression; that there is something to hide, shy away from or be embarrassed about, then that is the impression that they will be left with. This would be wrong, particularly when history tells us that it is those who fail to question or challenge wrongdoing that permits such wrongdoing to fester. In any event, if you don’t give them an answer, they will look somewhere else and who knows where that will lead! Children are being taught about race, culture and diversity all the time, even in nursery they are taught to describe themselves, their family and their
community. They watch TV and will notice differences far more than we give them credit for. However, what they don’t understand is why those differences should create feelings of hatred and anger and this is where you come in. Ultimately there is no right answer to my headline question. However, you may find that you need to challenge yourself first and your own views about what you understand racism to be. What do your network of friends look like? How do you express feelings about people of different ethnicities and cultures when at home? Do your children, for example, possess books that reference those from other races in a positive light? If you do care about your child understanding and appreciating people from other ethnicities and cultures, then take responsibility for ensuring that they get clear positive messages from you, or that you are able to reinforce that positive message if they challenge you with a negative one. Remember racism is not innate but learned. This means, the power to eradicate the unfairness that results from this bias is very real and attainable through education, information and communication, be that with your child, those in your community, or with society as a whole. You should also be conscious that racism goes beyond the tragic loss of George Floyd – terrible though that was – and can cause just as much harm through, for example, negative stereotyping that leads
to a skewed view of how others should be treated in society, from the type of jobs they get to how they obtain justice. It is just as important to tackle that bias because in failing to address this, those who suffer unfair treatment will become disaffected, angry and turn away from the more conventional methods of seeking redress due to the fact that they no longer trust in the system. The fact is, those protesting against the death of Mr Floyd no longer trust that the system will protect them from injustice. Children know all about life being ‘so unfair’, from having to go to bed at 7pm to not getting to eat sweets all day every day. Helping them to identify and understand unfairness, that some adults get it wrong and others are trying to make it better is a starting point on what will be a long journey, as they try to understand why some mistreat others, purely on the grounds of their race.
Great books that you can introduce into bedtime reading.
A good kinda trouble Age level 10-12 years 88 | Cherubs Magazine
My hair is a garden Age level 5-7 years
Harlem’s little blackbird Age level 3-7 years
Little leaders book Age level 8-11 years
HOME LIFE
Daddy & Dad’s Bribes and punishments. Do they work? Well, I tried that for a couple of weeks and it appeared to work from one perspective - I took a fortnight’s break from being an angry, red-faced gnome, constantly intervening and getting upset. But the root of the problem remained. The boys continued to squabble. And that brings me nicely onto the subject of bribes and punishments.
Bribes bribe /brʌɪb/ dishonestly persuade (someone) to act in one’s favour by a gift of money or other inducement. In the context of the boys’ fights, a bribe is a preventative measure and appears to work, with limitations. What do I mean by a bribe, in this context? Well essentially, we would make an irresistible offer to the boys – an extra 15 minutes on their bedtimes, for instance, or 30 minutes on the PlayStation on a weeknight, in return for calm (no squabbles – not even a nudge). But each time a particular bribe is used, its effectiveness is worn, so we have to be careful not to use the same bribe too often or it’ll become ineffective.
Technology timeouts work well for Lyall Did I mention Lyall and Rich like to squabble? Relentlessly? Like every moment they have together? If you’re new to this conversation, welcome aboard HMS Fighty Idiots. Yep, our sons fight, poke, squabble, kick, deliberately cough and sneeze (gross), punch, pull hair, pinch, push and open doors into each other, endlessly. In the early days when we were first placed with the boys, the general guidance from friends and family was the classic, “Let boys be boys” and allow Lyall and Richard to wear themselves out; effectively stand back and don’t allow them to wind you up. But, there’s a problem with the “Let boys be boys” approach in addition to the fact it’s nonsense. It’s sexist. There’s an antiquated stereotype 90 | Cherubs Magazine
suggesting boys should be encouraged to behave physically when they’re growing up, in a kind of primeval struggle to the top of the pack. Meanwhile, I guess the antonym of this (god-awful) concept; “Let girls be girls” would allude to allowing sibling girls to ‘bitch-it-out’ in a kind of race to become some hideous high-school Queen Bee character. It can’t be healthy. We’re not daft – we know sibling girls and boys in any arrangement of brother/brother, sister/ brother et cetera will fight but whatever the arrangement, it creates unrest at home. You may remember a year-or-so ago on the Daddy & Dad blog I talked about a new strategy which I call ‘blissful ignorance’. The boys will continue to fight endlessly anyway, so why not sit back and completely ignore them? The idea being we can relax and take a break from anger.
The problem with bribes, and this might sound a little selfish, is they generally come at a cost to our grown-up time and space. Yes, it’s lovely for the boys to get along harmoniously for a whole afternoon, but the bribe itself usually intrudes in some way on the adults. Tom and I glory in our couple of hours to ourselves after the boys’ bedtime. We generally start to wind-down in preparation for our quiet time about half an hour before their bedtime, usually in front of The One Show or Michael Portillo (I know, we are extraordinarily old and boring). We don’t want to sacrifice Michael Portillo’s pink trousers and Bradshaw’s Guide in exchange for noisy Sonic Mania on the PS4 and why should we? On the other hand, we know Lyall and Rich are insatiable about squabbling – they’re drawn to a bicker like Daddy to a chocolate digestive. So, at least Tom and I can rest assured the bribe will only come to fruition some of the time.
HOME LIFE Another problem with bribes, as mentioned is their effectiveness wears out. So, as a parent you need a steady stream of new, free ideas to keep the boys’ behaviour in check. Naturally, after six years we’re running out of ideas.
Punishments When the boys first joined us, we were warned about their ‘dynamic’ (in that we were told they will squabble constantly). So, before they arrived we discussed strategies with the boys’ foster carers. Their valuable advice to us was the boys thrive in an environment of boundaries and discipline. I don’t mean discipline like in a 1970s boys’ school way, rather a safe environment with expectations and consequences. With that in mind, in the first week of our placement with Lyall and Rich we sat down at the dining table (our first family meeting) and created a colourful poster for the fridge containing our routine and some inspirational little ideas to prevent the boys from bashing each other up. The poster’s long been relegated to the filing cabinet (and I can’t be arsed to find it and get it out again) so I can’t tell you exactly what was on it, but it included positive little things like the boys’ bedtime routine, ‘share your toys’, stuff like that. It sounds daft, but when Lyall and Rich moved in we stuck to our new routine and the boys settled in and felt at home very quickly as a result. One thing we discussed during our family chat at the dining table was ‘consequences’. Channelling Super-Nanny, we decided on ‘time-outs’ as our punishment of choice for bad behaviour and squabbling. Specifically, we decided on a naughty step on the stairs in the hall and a naughty corner in the dining room. Time-outs seemed to work fairly well but the boys responded very differently. On the naughty step, Richard would usually bash his hands and feet on the floor and scream innocent profanities, “YOU’RE A NASTY BUM FACE BULLY!”, for example and “I DON’T LIKE YOU ANY MORE!”, but would calm down after five minutes or so and return to the living room a few minutes later with a solemn apology and a cuddle, before returning quickly to his bouncy self. Lyall, when put into the naughty corner (the corner of the dining room) is told to stand still with his arms down by his sides. Huffing and puffing and going bright red like a toffee apple, he’ll deliberately raise his hands and scratch at the top of his head, in a bid to defy the naughty corner rules. Instructed to stop scratching (or he’ll have an itchy head all afternoon) he’ll then slowly bow the top half of his body towards the wall, very gradually, until he’s bent over awkwardly with his head resting on the wall, as though he’s listening to the next room. Very annoying. Eventually it becomes quite uncomfortable and he’ll stand upright cherubsmagazine.com
Lyall and Rich - Father’s Day tees #gifted from River Island again, arms swinging sulkily. Lyall doesn’t recover from a spell in time-out as quickly as Richard and tends to wallow like a huffy hippo for at least ten minutes after he’s been released, before finding something to do and forgetting all about it. He’s much less inclined to apologise and move on, as comes so naturally to Richard. The most effective punishment for Lyall is to remove his phone or Kindle. Even the threat of no phone for 24 hours has a positive impact on Lyall’s behaviour around Rich. Also, the boys absolutely hate going to the supermarket with me, presumably because I like to wander around slowly and look at all the candles and electronics and everything. So, the threat of a trip to the giant M&S (my favourite shop at the retail park down the road) usually does the job nicely.
Threats Again, a very harsh word in its legal context, but what I mean by threats specifically is a warning about a consequence, should the boys decide to wind each other up. Like bribes, threats also wear out eventually. But we’ve stumbled across a highly effective, ethical one that nips one particular problem in the proverbial bud, every morning. What is this threat? Well, believe it or not, the most effective thing we’ve found is the threat of no penguin biscuit in a lunch box. Like their Daddy, the boys are driven by their stomachs and the utter nightmare of opening their lunch box to find an absence of a penguin sends shivers down their little spines! (Oh gGd, you probably all think I’m a total monster now!)
Where do we use the penguin threat? Well, our biggest danger zone for squabbling is the hall at the front door. I don’t know if this problem is global, or isolated to just our family. You’ll need to let me know in the comments section on the blog, or on our Instagram channel. Every morning, when the boys are putting on their shoes and coats, they can’t resist a push and a shove. Our hall way is quite small, like about two square metres, so there’s not much elbow room. Anyway, I’d say four days out of five, a small kaffufle in the hall escalates into a full-on festival of spitting, poking and stamped feet. It drives us mad. One fateful (fateful in a good way) morning, Tom said to the boys, sternly, “If you wind each other up while putting on your coats and shoes, I’ll remove your penguins from your lunchboxes and eat them myself”. Sure enough, moments later Richard decided to open the front door (it opens inwards) onto Lyall’s foot, to an enormous fake “Owwwwww” from Lyall and a reciprocal shove. To the boys’ despair, Tom followed through with the penguin removal and the boys were sent to school with, what we now call, boring lunch. The penguin threat is now so effective, we don’t even have to say it. It’s been subconsciously instilled into the boys’ minds and they now, four times out of five, pop their coats and shoes on and wait nicely.
Find Daddy & Dad on Instagram @daddyanddad and www.daddyanddad.co.uk Cherubs Magazine | 91
PET LIFE
share their summer favourites for dog loving families What’s hot for your pooch right now HIRO & WOLF dog collars Starting around £30 www.hiro-and-wolf.com We absolutely love the dog collars, leads and harnesses that this British brand makes. The vibrant colours and patterns make a nice change from traditional leather and are the perfect way to add brightness to your dog’s wardrobe.
What’s hot for mamas THE TRENCH COAT (pictured right) Starting at £35 www.minskylondon.com Great for the UK summer weather when you sometimes need a jacket for walking out. Stylish and lightweight, we love this one by Minsky, a boutique in North London, but others similar can be found in River Island, Monki and Mango.
And one for the kids... COLOUR YOUR OWN DOG TSHIRT Starting around £15 www.selfieclothing.co.uk This brand has a whole range of colour your own t-shirts, we of course love the dog-themed ones! Perfect activity for your little one, a great gift and a new outfit for them to wear.
Get outta town! LEIGH-ON-SEA www.leigh-on-sea.com Never before has getting out into the great outdoors been more important. We have walked in a lot of places over the last couple of months (as I am sure you have too). One place we can’t wait to go back to this summer is Leighon-Sea. Such a lovely little high street and seafront to have a mooch around with plenty of places to pick up an ice cream. 92 | Cherubs Magazine
PET LIFE
ASK US! Isobel and Victoria are on hand to answer you dog and baby questions, so fire away!
Any dog shampoo recommendations? My dog has sensitive skin so needs to be as natural as possible. Yes! We tested out a dog shampoo recently by Wild for Dogs www.wildfordogs.co.uk. The bottles themselves are recyclable which is brilliant and the shampoo itself is made up of 99.5% natural ingredients. It doesn’t have that strong perfume-like fragrance to it like some of the high street brands. The smell of lavender is subtle but still present and honestly Rupert’s coat after using it was so soft, almost velvet like. Laura, Enfield mum of Amelia and Daisy the Cockapoo
Quick top tip for dog mamas Spending months in lockdown made us realise there are so many ways you can entertain your kids and dogs together at home by creating fun games for them to play together. Check out our 'isolation' highlight on our Instagram page for inspiration.
@poochesandprams www.poochesandprams.co.uk
If you have a question please email us at hello@poochesandprams.co.uk cherubsmagazine.com
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Barnet, Brent, Enfield & Harrow Everyone needs a bit of help sometimes… A quick guide to Home-Start Support
There’s no rulebook for raising a family and sometimes it can feel overwhelming, particularly if you are experiencing difficult times. Home-Start Barnet, Brent, Enfield & Harrow can help you and your family. We understand what you are going through.
You could benefit from Home-Start’s help if, for example: • You feel lonely or isolated in your community, have no family nearby or are struggling to make friends • Are experiencing stress • Are struggling with the emotional and physical demands of having a baby, young children, twins or triplets. • Need budgeting advice How does it work? We place a carefully trained volunteers to support families in their own homes with weekly home visiting. Volunteers offer emotional and practical support tailored to the family’s needs. If you think you might benefit from our support call us on 020 8371 0674 or email admin@homestartbarnet.org
Home-Start Barnet Company no. 5379764 / Charity no. 1109550 Barnet Patron: Martin H. C. Russell, FCT, Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London
PRO ELITE FOOTBALL ACADEMY WWW.EFACADEMY.CO.UK 02083608997
Sessions for children aged 18 months - 7 years | Teams for U7 to U10 | info@efacademy.co.uk
GRANDPARENT LIFE
Four inexpensive ways to spend time with your grandchildren With Christina @basket.of.treasures As a grandmother myself, I know that the most precious thing we can give to our grandchildren is time. Time to enjoy their company, listen to their very important conversations, show them the world around them, and create little curious people who are eager to explore, experiment and learn. Here are four easy, inexpensive activities you can do at home which are not only fun, but will also extend children’s learning without them even realising.
Clothes Pegs These are great for small manipulative skills and pincer grasp. Any activity that strengthens the muscles in the hand, arm and shoulder will really help with early writing and pencil control. These can be pegged onto anything – a bowl, a tub, a cup, just see what you can find. This can be extended to hanging clothes in the garden together when the weather is fine.
Threading
Treasure Baskets These are perfect for babies and young toddlers. The more experiences children have, the more their brain develops. Babies can start learning and making connections from a very early age. With a treasure basket, they can explore the contents using all their senses, especially by putting things in their mouths. In this way they can explore textures and also stimulate their mouth and tongue muscles that are important for speech development. Treasure Baskets can follow different themes e.g. a beach basket, bath time basket, kitchen basket – the list is endless. We all have things at home that babies and young children would be excited by: metal spoons, wooden utensils, small pots, a sponge, bangles, just gather some items and give them to your child to explore. Remember to check that everything is safe for babies to put in their mouth and stay with the child at all times.
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This is a great activity for hand eye coordination, promoting small motor skills and concentration You can use a colander for threading ribbons or pipe cleaners, which is much more exciting and environmentally friendly than your basic threading plastic cotton reels. (I always choose activities that use natural materials, or items that can be re-used or have been recycled). For those young children who always put everything in their mouths, what could be better than threading cheerios onto dried spaghetti?
Shaving Foam Children love messy play, and surprisingly, this is a really easy one to clean up. Messy play is perfect as a sensory experience, allowing children to feel different textures, and smells and it helps increase their confidence. Add some fresh herbs or petals from the garden or food colouring to extend the activity further. Just squirt out shaving foam into a container and let them play. I’ve used a cat litter tray here for my container – obviously a new one – which is inexpensive and just the right size for lots of messy play activities. It works outside or even indoors as it cleans up really quickly with just a mop and water or a quick wipe and it leaves the room smelling lovely.
First published in Cherubs Autumn 2019 Edition
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