Families Suffolk Magazine - March/April 22 Digital Edition

IN THIS DIGITAL ISSUE

Spring What’s On Guide Education Easter Family Life

Cover image supplied by

Free DoodleJamz drawing toys for kids APPLY INSIDE

Issue 64: March/April 2022

Familiesonline.co.uk

March/April 1 familiesonline.co.uk

Suffolk Young Saver.

We’ve partnered with Suffolk Wildlife Trust to support nature and offer young savers aged 0-20 a 50% discount on a year’s membership* when a Suffolk Young Saver account is opened. To get their nature knowledge off to a good start, we’re also throwing in some Wildlife Top Trumps.

• Instant access • Deposit £10 to £15,000 • For children and young people aged 0-20

For more information visit suffolkbuildingsociety.co.uk/suffolk-wildlife-trust

0330 123 0723

suffolkbuildingsociety.co.uk

*Top Trumps and discounted memberships while stocks last. Only available to existing members of Suffolk Building Society or new applicants resident in postcode areas IP, NR, CO, CM, CB and PE. See product terms and conditions for further information. Suffolk Building Society is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

2 March/April Familiesonline.co.uk Registered on the Financial Services Register, Firm Registration Number (FRN) 104875.

WELCOME & CONTENTS

Welcome We’re really looking forward to spring here at Families and in preparation, here’s our Easter magazine. Find Easter crafts, cooking, outdoor fun and our yummiest Easter egg selection!

Get out and about with the family again.

Plan a unique UK wildlife encounter and find those lesser-visited location spots in our Travel section.

Where every pupil creates their own story.

With cost-of-living increasing, saving money on everyone’s mind. Read our top tips in Family life section.

Do you have a child starting school in September? Then you’ll want to download our free School Starters Planner taster edition.

Finally, we have lots of DoodleJamz toys to give away! So make sure you apply for this squishy, squashy, sensory but mess-free drawing pad for your child. And sign up at familiesmag. co.uk/go to receive every issue of this magazine free to your inbox.

Stacey Phillips Editor

individual. We are academics, actors, musicians, expeditioners, sports people, innovators, scientists, ruminators, decision makers, story tellers, teammates, artists, fun lovers, nurturers and thought provokers.

Visit us at our upcoming Prep School Open Morning

IN THIS ISSUE: 5 12 23 25 28 31 42

At Framlingham College we celebrate every

Spring What's On Guide Education Easter Health Clubs & Classes Early Years Spring Outdoors

Familiesonline.co.uk

Bank Holiday Monday 02 May 2022 Book via our website

framlinghamcollege.co.uk/openmornings or email admissions@framlinghamcollege.co.uk

March/April 3

Receive a FREE DoodleJamz toy for your child*

Age 3+

Endless creations at their fingertips!

Draw, squish, sculpt, shape, erase and repeat with this mess-free drawing pad!

APPLY HERE *while stocks last T&Cs apply 4 March/April

Magazine

Familiesonline.co.uk

Little

Adventurers Day Out

at Ufford Park Woodbridge

A great day out with the children. Enjoy a round on Congo Rapids, a main meal from the children’s menu & a swim.

ONLY

Family packages available 1 adult, 2 children

£15 per child

(4 - 12 years old)

£45*

* Terms & conditions apply. Food is not included for an adult.

Parents must accompany under 12’s at all times.

t 01394 386871 w www.uffordpark.co.uk Yarmouth Road, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP12 1QW Familiesonline.co.uk

March/April 5

6 March/April

Familiesonline.co.uk

Expires 30th Apr 2022.

Familiesonline.co.uk

March/April 7

UNIQUE KEEPSAKES Visit us in our cermanics cafe or pick up a paint at home kit and get creative.

Pennikkity Pots Ceramics Cafe, Ipswich, IP1 3DJ T. 01473 216865 E: Info@pennikkitypots.co.uk 8 March/April

PennikkityPots

Booking advisable Familiesonline.co.uk

WOMEN DON'T DO SUCH THINGS!

EXHIBITION

4 February - 19 June at The Hold. Free entry.

Walk in the footsteps of Suffolk women past and present who have led change in their communities, careers and countries throughout history. Explore the pioneering work of activists, doctors, archaeologists, pilots and many more moving and poignant stories of Suffolk women breaking down barriers.

SYMPOSIUM

Saturday 5 March, 10am - 4pm at The Hold. Free entry.

A relaxed day of talks, discussions and workshops from speakers discussing Suffolk women’s history and women’s lives in the local community today. Morning refreshments and lunch provided. Free child care available at The Hold.

EASTER HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES AT THE HOLD...

ROCK PAPER SCISSORS: MOTHER’S DAY CRAFTS WITH TEA AND CAKE Saturday 26 March, 2pm - 4pm. £10 per person. Suitable for adults and children together.

Join us for an afternoon of creativity to share with those you celebrate on Mother’s Day!

LET'S GET CRAFTY: EASTER CRAFTS Monday 11 April - Thursday 14 April, 10am - 12.30pm. £2.50 per child. Ages 5-11 years.

Join us for a range of family friendly Easter craft sessions.

ROCK PAPER SCISSORS: SOCIAL ACTION ART SESSIONS Tuesday 19 April - Friday 22 April, 10am - 12.30pm and 1.30pm - 4pm. £2.50 per child. Ages 5-11 years.

Join us for art and crafts sessions all about making you mark and having a voice, no matter your age.

@suffolkarchives l www.suffolkarchives.co.uk/whatson

Familiesonline.co.uk

March/April 9

WHAT’S ON AT SUFFOLK MUSEUMS MARCH/APRIL 2022

SUFFOLK MUSEUMS SPRING INTO ACTION Spring is a special time at Suffolk Museums A lot of museums wake up from hibernation, having been closed since autumn,

STEAM UP The Long Shop Museum | 27 March | 10am-4pm

www.longshopmuseum.co.uk EASTER TRAIL Landguard Fort | 9–24 Apr | 10am-4pm

www.landguard.com ICE AGE FESTIVAL Ipswich Museum | 12 Apr | 10am-4pm

www.ipswich.cimuseums.org.uk TREASURE HUNT

equipped with a fresh sense of

East Anglia Transport Museums

how to bring fun, laughter and

16-12 April | 12noon-4.30pm

adventure to the year ahead.

This year is no exception!

To find out what’s on near you check out our events calendar at: www.suffolkmuseums.org

www.ipswich.cimuseums.org.uk EA AIR AMBULANCE EASTER EGG HUNT

Norfolk & Suffolk Aviation Museum 17 April | 10am-4pm

www.aviationmuseum.net EASTER STEAM UP Mid-Suffolk Light Railway

17-18 Apr | 10.30am-5pm 10 March/April

www.mslr.org.ukFamiliesonline.co.uk

THE BEST FAMILY DAY OUT EVER! 6TH - 7TH AUGUST TRINITY PARK 2022

Motor Show Events.com

Familiesonline.co.uk

March/April 11

EDUCATION

Is your child starting school in September?

Plan a successful start with the School Starters Planner 2022/23

What’s in the planner?

Daily planning calendar What’s coming up – month by month School contact details and login pages

The full 12 month planner covers the entire 2022/23 academic year.

Vital information you will need for school from the experts at Every Day’s a School Day

Buy it HERE

Get a 4 month taster planner for FREE

DOWNLOAD HERE

12 March/April

Familiesonline.co.uk

EDUCATION

So you didn’t get the school place you wanted.

What next?

Watch advice from Emma Lewry at Every Day’s a School Day

Help, we didn’t get our school choice!

By Emma Lewry

In England, secondary school places are announced on 1 March. Then, during April, primary school applicants find out their designated school. Very high percentages of families receive one of their listed preferences or even their firstchoice school. But what can be done if you are unlucky?

READ MORE Familiesonline.co.uk

March/April 13

EDUCATION

Educational accessories

Great ideas to help your child learn at any age.

Apple Twist

Stimulates spatial insight, problem solving and logic. Ages 5+.

Smart Snacks Counting Cookies Engaging, imaginative & develops early maths skills at home. Ages 18mth-6yrs.

Play Plus Kids Headphones

Wireless, foldable, comfy fit and volume controls.

Ages 3-8.

Peppa Pig Wooden Clock Puzzle

Count, sort, place shapes in the correct order. Ages 3+.

National Smartmax My First Geographic Fossil Sounds and Senses Mix and match, eightDig Kit Excavate real fossils using the included paleontological tools Ages 8+.

14 March/April

piece magnetic toy for early learning. Ages 1-3.

Cargo Ship

Quality resource for literacy, numeracy and general play. Ages 3+.

GILOBABY Smart Robot Toy

Fun, interactive, introduces robotics and advanced technology.

Ages 3-9.

Baby Einstein Magic Touch Piano

Toddlers can make music or play along with classics. Age 6mths-3yrs.

Familiesonline.co.uk

EDUCATION

Does spelling matter?

By Jemma Zoe Smith As a dyslexic tutor, my answer does not fit squarely on one side of the fence. Spelling is a recognised core skill which helps with reading, processing and pronunciation. But should anyone be penalised for having important and novel ideas, simply because they struggle to write them down?

In UK primary schools, children are given regular spelling tests and spelling is tested at each stage of pupils’ lives. 11+ exams, SATs, GCSEs and even some job interviews require a writing task without spellcheck. So yes, spelling must matter because it is tested at so many points in the UK (although not so much in the USA). Fail to master spelling and it is harder to make it to top universities or careers.

READ MORE

Finding or setting up a Forest School

© Coco Jones

Want a Forest School toddler group? A school offering Forest School? Find here.

Nothing in your area? Parents/ childminders can train as leaders. Find a trainer offering ongoing support on the Forest School Association (FSA) website.

Familiesonline.co.uk

March/April 15

K O O B Y R O M E M E U S R Q I E N V A E AU L L O O H C FOR S

L E AV E R S FRIENDZONE

Collect messages from your classmates and teachers and fill in special sections for you and your closest friends “Lovely book, just what I wanted!”

CHRIS M “Bought this as a gift for a school leaver and was impressed with all the content” Sarah J FIND IT ON AMAZON www.tinyurl.com/friendzoneleavers

16 March/April

Familiesonline.co.uk

EDUCATION

Meet THE

head

In this issue we talk to Jonathan Egan, Head of Framlingham College Prep School.

Our entire focus is on understanding every individual, guiding and inspiring them so they can find their own voice, discover their own talents and challenge themselves to achieve more than they thought possible.

What attracted you to What does being a Head mean Framlingham College Prep to you? As a Head, I believe School? From my first visit to passionately in the importance of the Framlingham College Prep School individual and I want every single my family and I were struck by the pupil to be happy and successful warm, friendly atmosphere and the - in that order. It’s only through breadth of opportunities available to happiness that success will come. pupils, so we are thrilled to now be Where every pupil creates My role is to ensure that, at every a part of such a vibrant, happy and their own step of the way, all our pupils story. thriving community. are valued and encouraged to How would you describe the develop their talents to the full, ethos of Framlingham College? in a community where there are Framlingham College Prep School is no stereotypes and where every a special place where children can achievement, however small, be just that, children. A place where is noticed. we focus on each child’s wellbeing because we know that a happy child will thrive. It’s a nurturing school where every pupil that joins us is known and valued for who they are and the hopes and ambitions they have.

At Framlingham College we celebrate every

individual. We are academics, actors, musicians,

expeditioners, sports people, innovators, scientists, ruminators, decision makers, story tellers, teammates, artists, fun lovers, nurturers and thought provokers.

Visit us at our upcoming

Prep School Open Morning

Bank Holiday Monday 02 May 2022 Book via our website

framlinghamcollege.co.uk/openmornings or email admissions@framlinghamcollege.co.uk

Familiesonline.co.uk

March/April 17

EDUCATION

Where every pupil creates their own story.

At Framlingham College we celebrate every individual. We are academics, actors, musicians, expeditioners, sports people, innovators, scientists, ruminators, decision makers, story tellers, teammates, artists, fun lovers, nurturers and thought provokers.

Visit us at our upcoming Prep School Open Morning

Bank Holiday Monday 02 May 2022

Become a Host Family for an International Student Being a Host Family for an international Student can be incredibly rewarding experience as you welcome someone from a different culture into your home.

Students come from many different backgrounds, with different customs and family lives and as a host you have the priviledge to help them learn to adapt to life and school in the UK, as well as British Customs and ways of living.

Alpha Guardians are looking for more host families in Suffolk Welcome a Student into your Home Host students for half terms and holidays

Full training given

Extra income

Book via our website

framlinghamcollege.co.uk/openmornings or email admissions@framlinghamcollege.co.uk

Contact us today to find out more about becoming a host family with Alpha Guardians T: 01473 559015 E: hello@alphaguardians.co.uk W: alphaguardians.co.uk

18 March/April

Familiesonline.co.uk

DAYS STJOS.CO.UK

Open your mind to St Joseph’s College Whole School Open Day – Saturday 19 March 2022 Individual family tours available, please contact admissions@stjos.co.uk or 01473 694576 to book.

Space to thrive

stjos.co.uk

St Joseph’s College is a co-educational Independent day and boarding school for ages 2–18 Familiesonline.co.uk

March/April 19

EDUCATION

Games to improve visual perception

Can your child make sense of what they see? Visual perception is essential for your child’s reading, writing and movement. Here are some games that help with this important skill.

Peppa Pig Guess Who?

Paddington Spot the Difference

Wooden Pick Up Sticks

Pixy Cubes

Match It Head to Tail

Dive into Shapes!

Helping children discriminate carefully between features.

Ages 6mths-3yrs.

Encourages visual attention and sequencing and spatial relationships.

Ages 6+.

Code & Go Robot Mouse Activity Set Copying mazes develops visual perception skills, Ages 4+

20 March/April

A fun family game involving spotting the differences between pictures. Ages 5+.

Aids visual discrimination, visual attention and visual memory. Ages 3+.

iTrax Critical Thinking Game

Copying and building designs boosts visual perception skills.

Ages 6-10.

Encourages a focus on details, ignoring extraneous visual information. Ages 3+.

Develops visual perception skills involved in handwriting and reading. Ages 6-10.

Lets Go Code Activity Set

Hop, turn, step and move through a gross motor maze. Ages 5+.

Familiesonline.co.uk

EDUCATION

Mindfulness colouring for kids

Download these mindfulness colouring sheets for kids who need some quiet, focused time to be calm or help with anxious or worried feelings.

Lion

Simple mandala

DOWNLOAD HERE

DOWNLOAD HERE

Hot air balloons

Two Smoby KS Slides to give away!

Worth £77.99 each Perfect for summer fun!

APPLY HERE

DOWNLOAD HERE Familiesonline.co.uk

Magazine

T&Cs apply

March/April 21

MOTHER’S DAY

Mother’s Day gifts for under £20 Dads! This one’s for you and the kids!

Mother’s Day is Sunday 27 March this year.

Patchwork Game

Pink-Champagne Truffles

Plant Mum Vase

The Naked Bee Hand & Cuticle Salve

Beenax Spiky Massage Ball Set

Calm Club Yoga Cards

Turmeric-infused Honey

Cotton Kimono Robe Wrap

A soothing two-player Made with dolomite, she game about constructing has her own removable Beautiful gift box and a patchwork quilt. £15.29 luxurious white chocolate mini-pot! £16.99 truffles. £16

Spiky massagers for A healing salve for mums arms, legs, shoulders anywhere there’s tension. who garden. £9.49 £8.99

Health conscious, handwhipped, British raw honey infused with natural turmeric. £9.95 22 March/April

A soft, elegant robe mum can feel truly spoilt in. £16.50

A card for every week of the year, teaching the basics. £10.95

Sea Salt Scented Tin Candle Hand-poured, sea salt–scented candle to transport mum to the seaside. £13.05

Familiesonline.co.uk

EASTER

Top Easter craft ideas Easter brings with it some fantastic opportunities to get out the paints and craft materials and create lovely eggs, chicks, cards and bunnies!

Easter trees

Potato Easter egg stamps

Egg carton chicks

Easter bunny headband

Easter scene jar

Stitched Easter bunny card

Pompom bunny bonnet

Easter egg pinata

No sew sock bunny

Familiesonline.co.uk

March/April 23

EASTER

Easter cooking Fill the kitchen with delicious smells and make some yummy Easter treats with the kids.

Chocolate cornflake cakes

Hot cross bun trifle

Easter bunny KitKat house

Easy hot cross bun ice-cream

Easter marshmallow bubble slice

Greek Easter cookies

Chick biscuits

Choc chip hot cross buns

Lemony Easter chicks

24 March/April

Familiesonline.co.uk

HEALTH

One snack too many?

Even if your child is a healthy weight, it’s not great if they eat little nutritious food and get most of their energy from unhealthy or sugary snacks.

Public Health England advises parents that sticking to two packaged snacks a day and keeping them each at under 100 calories (kcals) or 418 kilojoules (kJs) is really important for children.

The food label usually states how many calories are contained in 100 grams or 100 millilitres of the food or drink you are buying, so do compare the calorie content of

different products. The free NHS Food Scanner app helps you scan product barcodes to find healthier alternatives.

You’ll be surprised at how high the energy intake is for some common snacks.

Calories in popular packaged kids’ snacks Nature Valley Crunchy Oats & Honey Bar Packet of Walkers Ready Salted Crisps 32.5g KitKat 2 Finger Bar Soreen malt lunchbox loaf Cheestring McVities Ginger Nut Biscuit Mini Milk Ice Cream Lolly Froot Shoot Orange Juice Drink Fruit Shoot hydro water

823kJ 706kJ 436kJ 380kJ 253kJ 196kJ 134kJ 40kJ 8kJ

or 196kcal or 169kcal or 104kcal or 90kcal or 61kcal or 47kcal or 32kcal or 10 kcal or 1.8kcal

Useful online resources Better Health – tips, tools and apps to help you improve your family’s health.

The Eatwell Guide – how much should you eat from each food group? Plus healthy snacks ideas.

BMI healthy weight calculator - calculates healthy weight.

Familiesonline.co.uk

March/April 25

HEALTH

Bronchiolitis in young children Bronchiolitis is a common respiratory infection that affects babies and young children under 2 years old. It usually presents with cough, difficulty breathing, and it often affects a baby's ability to feed. The symptoms are usually mild and may only last for a few days, but in some cases the disease can cause severe illness.

When to get medical help

Dial 999 for an abulance if:

Most cases of bronchiolitis are not serious, but see your GP or call NHS 111 if:

• Your baby is having difficulty breathing.

• You're worried about your child.

• Your child has taken less than half their usual amount during the last 2 or 3 feeds, or they have had a dry nappy for 12 hours or more.

• Your child has a persistent high temperature of 38C or above.

• Your child seems very tired or irritable, is not responding normally to social cues, or wakes only with prolonged stimulation.

26 March/April

• Your baby's tongue or lips are blue.

• There are long pauses in your baby’s breathing

Click here to find out more from

NHS 111

Familiesonline.co.uk

Sleeping Suffolk

Keep your baby smoke free

Keep your baby’s head and face uncovered and make sure they don’t get too hot

Place your baby to sleep in a cot avoiding soft sided sleep pods/products.

Never fall asleep with them on a sofa or chair

Never lay down with your baby after drinking alcohol or taking drugs / medication that may make you drowsy

Breastfeed your baby if you can – support is available Put your baby to sleep on their back with their feet to the foot of the cot

Keep your child safe at all times, especially when your routine may change

Recommended safe room temperature #safersleepingsuffolk More support and information is available from Suffolk’s children’s centres and health visiting teams. Visit www.suffolk.gov.uk

Familiesonline.co.uk

Please do not place thermometer March/April 27 in direct sunlight

After School Climbing Club

For children aged 5 - 11 years

Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday afternoons 1 hour sessions

Climbing levels from bronze through to platinum

For more information or to register your place, visit our After School Club page online!

28 March/April

Familiesonline.co.uk

Football fun for children aged 18 months - 7 years.

“Learning the FUNdamentals of Football”

www.LittleKickers.co.uk facebook.com/LittleKickersUKIpswich ipswich@littlekickers.co.uk

Familiesonline.co.uk

07762 341982 March/April 29

Learn to read, write &

w e n

in Ipswich 2022!

e v lo

music with

Venue-based Keyboard Tuition

4 5-8 9-12 years Small groups Free trial!

Home Keyboard Tuition 5-8

9-12 years

Step by step videos at your own pace!

10%off 1st term www.funkymonkey.info 01732 457 100 30 March/April

Familiesonline.co.uk

EARLY YEARS

Top apps every parent needs Overwhelmed by the number of apps available in the App Store? Ari Last, founder of the Bubble app shares his recommendations. Get these on speed dial to make parenting and family life a little easier.

Mush

Find friends with kids the same age nearby.

OLIO

Allrecipes Dinner Spinner

The Wonder Weeks

Kidday

Family Locator

A week-by-week guide to Solving the endless ‘what your baby’s development – pregnancy to after can I make for dinner?’ birth. question.

Give away unwanted kids’ items to other local parents.

Store your photographs in one place. Share albums with friends/ family.

Track the location of older children/teens when out and about.

CBeebies

Bubble

Sound Sleeper

Educational games and classic cartoons for when you just need a break!

Familiesonline.co.uk

Find, book and pay local sitters/nannies recommended by friends/other local parents.

Help your baby fall asleep with this collection of calming sounds.

March/April 31

EARLY YEARS

Transitioning a toddler from cot to bed

By Charlotte Woods and Jo Taylor Amidst the 2am online searches on ‘how to help your toddler get some sleep,’ you may have wondered when the right time is for your little one to graduate from a cot to a bed.

In truth, there isn’t a one-size-fitsall answer. Do they need to use the toilet at night? Do they try to climb out of the cot? Is the cot needed for a new sibling? Or do you just feel they are emotionally and physically ready?

Once you have decided it’s time, take steps to prepare for this exciting stage of development. It’s about building up and instilling confidence in your child.

Think about sleep habits Make sure they can self-soothe and keep sleep prompts consistent eg white noise, a comforter or familiar song.

Create a safe environment Check your child’s bedroom for anything unsafe. Ensure windows can’t be opened and consider using a stairgate.

Establish a bedtime routine Maintain what works, such as a short bath, stories and cuddles – these all help to make the 32 March/April

experience more familiar.

Communicate changes positively Talk to your child in age-appropriate language and use books such as: Princess Polly’s My Big Girl Bed and Pirate Pete’s My Big Boy Bed. Prepare the sleep space Get your toddler involved. Choose bed covers together and personalise their bedframes with stickers. Think about photos of loved ones and a night light too.

Pre-empt bedtime requests Making their favourite meal before bed or introducing water in a beaker on the bedside table help with settling. If they need a nappy/ pyjama change, have everything to hand for minimum fuss.

READ MORE

Familiesonline.co.uk

Familiesonline.co.uk

March/April 33

EASTER

Best Easter eggs for 2022 Find it hard to choose? Here are some of the best options this Easter.

Cadbury Twirl Orange Flavoured Extra thick egg filled with Chocolate Egg You Crack Me Up Easter Egg

Lindt Milk Chocolate Egg

Comes with Lindor Milk Chocolate Mini Eggs.

fun chocolate treats.

Large chocolate orange shell and two full-sized chocolate bars.

Ferrero Rocher Milk Chocolate & Hazelnut Egg

Montezuma’s Milk Chocolate Chick with Buttons Cute clucky chick and giant buttons.

White half-eggs sandwiched with caramel-milk chocolate.

KitKat Salted Caramel Giant Egg

Thorntons White Chocolate Bunny Egg

Marigold the Duck

Chocolate egg studded with chunks of hazelnut and Ferrero chocolates.

Caramel flavour egg, with bars of KitKat Chunky Salted Caramel Fudge.

34 March/April

With white chocolate and decorated with milk chocolate.

Caramayo Chocolate Easter Sandwich

Milk chocolate with naturally coloured yellow and white speckles.

Familiesonline.co.uk

FAMILY LIFE

Having incredible conversations with your child

By Jane Gilmour and Bettina Hohnen You: How was your day?

Your Child: Fine.

Want something a bit more?

Timing. Try not to pounce on your child with questions straight after school or nursery. Kids often need time to decompress. Wait and read the room. Start conversations when they are rested and well fed.

Setting. Many kids find face-to-face talking a bit intense. Weave your conversations into another activity eg when they are drawing.

and so on - the top of the mountain is the best, the bottom is the worst.

Expectations. Learning to communicate meaningfully together is a skill that takes time to build. Not all conversations will go smoothly Get real. Pre-teen children find but, in time, if your bids are gentle abstract concepts difficult and often and genuine, your relationship will don’t have the vocabulary to reflect thrive. their experiences. If you want to find out how your child is, draw a READ MORE mountain. Ask your child to use the mountain to show how they are feeling today, how they feel usually Truly communicating with your child is a great privilege for a parent. More than that, building a strong relationship with them improves their quality of life by protecting their mental and physical health.

How to Have Incredible Conversations With Your Child by clinical psychologists Jane Gilmour and Bettina Hohnen can help you further with this.

Familiesonline.co.uk

March/April 35

FAMILY LIFE

Top green family products If you’re looking to replace existing family products with something new, then why not consider these green options?

Reusable bamboo straws

Eco-friendly backpack

Beeswax food & sandwich wraps

100% USDA certified organic with all-natural plant-based cleaning brush.

Large enough for A4 books and folders. 100% recycled polyester.

Award-winning reusable wraps. 100% organic cotton and British beeswax.

Biodegradable & recycled swim towels

Reusable snack bag

Disposable econappies

Reusable nappy

Reusable cutlery

Beeswax crayons

Quick dry towels. 100% recyclable materials and biodegradable cotton.

Award-winning, adjustable, all in one, washable and reusable.

36 March/April

Perfect alternative to single-use sandwich bags and cling film.

100% organic bamboo.

Suitable for everyday use or picnics.

Sustainable organic bamboo fibre, plant based liners. 100% compostable.

Natural beeswax crayons made with minimum of 25% beeswax.

Familiesonline.co.uk

FAMILY LIFE

Reducing the cost of family living Get a grip of finances

Make savings

Get support

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If you’re pregnant and for a year after your baby is born, you can get free NHS dental care and prescriptions.

A monthly Child benefit of £21.15 per child under 16 and £14 for each additional child may be claimable, depending on your income.

If you’re pregnant or have a child under 4, Healthy Start vouchers can be spent on essential food items.

If you regularly spend money on prescriptions, an NHS Prescription Prepayment Certificate can save money.

Check your entitlement to Tax-Free Childcare or Free Childcare/Early Education.

Slash £1,000+ off your yearly grocery bill by taking the Downshift Challenge.

Save on big brand disposable nappies by using comparison site BumDeal.

Get free second-hand stuff from giveaway websites Freecycle and Freegle.

Buy second-hand and get great quality for less. Try eBay, Gumtree and Facebook Market Place.

Save £££ each year (and reduce your carbon footprint) by following simple energy saving tips.

Try the Energy Efficiency Calculator for personalised advice on use and solutions.

Fa m

Take back control of family spending with free apps like Money Dashboard or Emma.

Monitor and set limits on your kids spending with apps like gohenry or the free Revolut Junior.

Don’t spend more than you earn.

MoneySavingExpert’s free The Budget Planner will help.

Don’t get caught short. Try Piggybanking. Divide money into separate pots for essential bills.

Struggling with missed bills and payments? Try prioritising and consolidating. More info at debt help tips.

Get organised with family meal planning. Save money, time and waste.

to be

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March/April 37

BATES WELLS & BRAITHWAITE S O L I C I T O R S

For you and your family Providing legal advice when you need it most

Our services include: FAMILY LAW:

RESOLVING DISPUTES:

PRIVATE CLIENT SERVICES:

• Divorce & separation

• Personal injury

• Wills, trusts & probate

• Financial & property issues

• Clinical negligence

• Residential property

• Pension agreements & entitlements

• Houses, property & neighbours

• Family mediation

• Contentious wills & probate

• Commercial legal advice for owner-managed & family businesses

• Children & social care • Pre-nuptial/living together agreements • Civil partnerships

• Contract disputes • Consumer affairs/ faulty goods & service

• Same sex relationships FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT Denise Head Partner/Solicitor & Mediator T 01473 219282 E denise.head@bates-wells.co.uk

38 March/April

Christopher Mason Head of Dispute Resolution T 01473 295524 E christopher.mason@bates-wells.co.uk

29 Lower Brook Street Ipswich, Suffolk IP4 1AQ

www.bates-wells.co.uk Familiesonline.co.uk

Bringing ideas to reality

www.whitleymorgan.co.uk 01284 335562 | enquiries@whitleymorgan.co.uk Familiesonline.co.uk

March/April 39

TRAVEL

Unique UK animal encounters Create lasting memories with a UK animal encounter. Compiled by Yonder, a new travel brand offering nature-rich stays and experiences.

Spot badgers in Dorset

Go whale watching See wild boar in the in Scotland Forest of Dean

Stay: Shepherd’s Hut, Blandford Forum

Stay: Tirlaggan Studio, Oban

Watch beavers in Cornwall

Walk alpacas in East Sussex

Stay: 2 Pencoose Barns, Truro

Herd sheep in the Lake District Stay: Winster Fields, Windermere 40 March/April

Stay: Gun Hill Cottage, Heathfield

Spy red squirrels in the Yorkshire Dales Stay: Mary’s Cottage, Hawes

Stay: Danby Lodge, Coleford

Kayak with seals in Pembrokeshire Stay: Maerdy Lodge, Haverfordwest

Spot African animals in Kent Stay: Shore, Hythe

Familiesonline.co.uk

TRAVEL

Lesser-visited UK staycation spots Avoid the crowds! Try one of these lesser-visited staycations spots put together for Families by Gabrielle Nash.

Lundy Island, Devon

Tenby, Wales

The journey to this showstopping island is an adventure!

The kids will love taking the ferry over from Ilfracombe. The name Lundy means puffin, the island’s most famous resident. Enjoy a back to nature holiday with just a handful of other inhabitants, staying in one of the historical properties. There’s even a lighthouse you can stay in!

Tenby is the perfect location for a family holiday but so often overlooked in favour of more traditional spots. Stunning sandy beaches are the major draw card but the town has a vibrant atmosphere, colourful cottages and an array of family-friendly eateries. There are also plenty of family attractions nearby.

Dungeness, Kent

Aberdeen, Scotland

Dungeness is a quiet settlement on Britain’s largest shingle beach. The well-known power station makes a great rainy-day activity and opportunity for kids to find out how electricity is generated. Surrounding it lies a beautiful nature reserve. Stay in a seaside property and take the narrow-gauge steam train out to Dymchurch and Hythe.

Perched on the east coast of Scotland, Aberdeen has a beautiful sandy beach to one side and the striking mountains, the Cairngorms to the other. Take the trail of seventeen castles you can even stay the night in one! For activities, check out the busy harbour for boat-loving kids and don’t miss the Science Centre.

Familiesonline.co.uk

March/April 41

SPRING OUTDOORS

Outdoor adventures Enjoy the great outdoors this spring and get the kids to try some of these great activities.

Try the string walk

Plant a tree

Join a fossil hunt

Take a family walk

Try orienteering

Make a stone cairn

Go pond dipping

Play Poohsticks

Go canoeing

42 March/April

Familiesonline.co.uk

SPRING OUTDOORS

Spring make n’dos Enjoy nature and garden-themed activities with the kids - perfect to while away some hours at the weekend or during the school holidays!

Weave a nature loom

Make a spring sensory bin

Make a garden gnome

Spot early signs of spring

Grow potatoes in a tub

Make a butterfly feeder

Make easy pine cone hedgehog

Grow microgreens

Make simple garden wind chimes

Familiesonline.co.uk

March/April 43

DAYS STJOS.CO.UK

Open your mind to St Joseph’s College Whole School Open Day – Saturday 19 March 2022 Individual family tours available, please contact admissions@stjos.co.uk or 01473 694576 to book.

Space to thrive

stjos.co.uk

St Joseph’s College is a co-educational Independent day and boarding school for ages 2–18 44 March/April

Familiesonline.co.uk