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New Year, New You Education Family Law Issue 116 January/February 2024

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FESTIVALS

Top family-friendly festivals for 2024 Time to plan ahead! The UK has loads of family-friendly festivals happening this year and, from music and comedy to food and drink, there’s really something for all ages. Some festivals offer plenty of activities for little ones to enjoy, as well as great music line-ups, whilst others are dedicated solely to family entertainment and activities. Here is our selection of some of the stand-out festivals with dates to help you plan.

Gone Wild Festival Powderham Castle, Exeter 22-24 August and Holkham Hall, Norfolk 8-11 August

Celebrating the great outdoors with fabulous music alongside family-friendly, outdoor activities for all ages. Where else can you push your mum down a 50m mud slide, learn new survival skills then dance the night away? Activities include kayaking, nerf battles, circus workshops, high ropes, tree-climbing, adventure art and more. www.gonewildfestival.com

Just So Rode Hall, Cheshire 16-18 August This weekend-long camping festival aims to help families make memories together in the great outdoors whilst enjoying the very best music, theatre, circus, storytelling and much more. Child-friendly loos, baby change facilities, breastfeeding tent and even a bath time tent, offer families practical assistance, while attractions include an exhaustive range of activities and workshops for kids. www.justsofestival.org.uk

Victorious Festival Southsea, Portsmouth 23-25 August

Set on the stunning Southsea seafront, this festival not only features some of the biggest names of the UK music scene during its three day run, but it also has a great comedy line-up with some big names. A newly expanded Kids’ Arena offers face painting, zip wires, skate sessions and family activities, all of which are free. www.victoriousfestival.co.uk

Gloworm Festival Holme Pierpoint Country Park, Nottinghamshire 16-18 August

Festival of Sport Venue and dates to be confirmed Festival of Sport is the ultimate family sports festival, with entertainment, camping, competitions and coaching from world-class sporting legends for kids ages 5 to 17.

Sports on offer range from hockey, rugby, netball, cricket and football to kayaking, golf, trampolining, lacrosse, boxing, skateboarding and climbing. www.festivalofsportuk.com

Standon Calling Standon Lordship, Hertfordshire 25-28 July

An independent boutique music and arts festival with big acts and emerging talent which features a whole area dedicated to entertaining babies, kids and teenagers during the daytime. It also offers on-site baby sitting for evenings, a swimming pool and dedicated family campsites only ten minutes from the car park. www.standon-calling.com

Aimed at children ages 0 to 13, expect music, activities and arts all geared towards different age-groups. From well-known children’s artists and headline acts, through to a funfair, farmyard, facilities for families, meet-and-greets with their heroes and places to play, every corner of this festival is an incredible adventure for all ages. www.glowormfestival.co.uk

Deer Shed Festival Baldersby Park, North Yorkshire 26-29 July

Deer Shed is a three-day wonderland of music, arts, science and sport, set in beautiful North Yorkshire parkland. Choose from forest bathing, a circus masterclass, soft play, robotics, forensics, cinema and baby massage - there’s plenty of activities to keep the whole family entertained. www.deershedfestival.com

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Camp Bestival Lulworth Castle Dorset 25-28 July and Weston Park Shropshire 15-18 August

This award-winning festival is known for its diverse line up of musical acts and its wide range of family-friendly activities and entertainment. In addition to music, the festival offers a variety of other attractions, such as comedy performances, theatre, circus acts, workshops and interactive art installations. Some areas are specifically geared towards children’s activities. www.campbestival.net Familiesonline.co.uk

CONTENTS

Welcome Happy New Year from all of us here at Families! We wish you health and happiness in 2024.

If your goal is to work towards a healthier family this year, then remember, there’s twelve months ahead and lots of time to put your plans into action. We have a healthy idea for you to introduce to your family for each new month of 2024 in our New Year, New You feature.

January and February can be dull and gloomy months to get through with the excitement of Christmas over and spring still many weeks away. So cheer the family up by planning something to look forward to later in the year. If fun for you is heading to a festival, check out our top choices in this issue.

Despite the inevitable bad weather to come, we all know that our kids still need to get outside. But what happens if you don’t have rainy day gear? In this issue, we talk to CBeebies presenter, Gemma Hunt, about her role as the ambassador of The Waterproof and Wellies Project which plans to give every primary school in the UK ten sets of waterproof and wellies so all children can have fun outdoors.

Finally, in this issue, we have National Geographic Science Kit bundles to giveaway! Apply for six inside. By doing so, you’ll also ensure you receive our digital magazine with lots more content and goodies on offer.

Carla xxx September/October issue competition winners Congratulations to all our winners. You can find a list at www.bit.ly/SO23recipients

‘EXCELLENT’

Contact us

in all areas

Carla Finlayson, editor E: editor@familiesnorthyorkshire.co.uk T: 07734 690020 @FamiliesNYMag @FamiliesNYMag @familiesnorthyorkshiremagazine

In this issue 2. Family festivals 4. News 6. Education 8. Interview 9. Theatre 10. New Year, New You 12. Day’s Out 13. Family Law 14. Clubs & Classes 15. Parenting

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Contact our admissions office at: 01423 508558 or by email: admissions@brackenfieldschool.co.uk Families North Yorkshire 3

NEWS

Pocklington School Nestled in a vibrant, rural market town, 12 miles east of York, Pocklington School is a co-educational day and boarding school for children aged 2-18. With 50-acres of grounds on the edge of the picturesque Yorkshire Wolds, we combine extensive modern facilities with traditions dating back to 1514. Our focus is on nurturing the individual growth of each pupil through a personalised approach to teaching and numerous co-curricular activities. We look forward to extending a warm welcome to you and your family. Our next Open Events are Thursday 7 March 2024 and Wednesday 5 June 2024

Jorvik Viking Festival The Vikings will be staging their annual invasion of the city of York from 12th – 18th February 24. Tickets for the highlight events are now on sale and the full programme will be released on 15th December.

JORVIK Viking Festival is a truly an event for all with family favorites Berserker Bootcamp, Poo Day and family crafting and those suitable for the more mature (in age anyway); Mead tasting or our Viking Banquet; Love and Blunder.

The week ends with a spectacular finale at the Eye of York, or if you need to get the kids home earlier join us for the Viking Games.

All tickets on sale from 15th December 2023 and this includes half price tickets for families on low-incomes.

Find out more and book at jorvikvikingfestival. co.uk

Shaping Success: Sport and Performing Art Pathways King’s Magna is about experiencing a breath of activities but for enthusiastic sports or performing arts students, our pathways hone their skills and prepare them for the next steps in their education and careers.

Our two ‘pathways to success’ are available from Year 7 upwards. The Performance Sport Pathway is available in basketball, cricket, football and netball. Each student benefits from an Individual Development Plan that comprises of coaching from ex-professionals, nutrition, strength and conditioning, physiotherapy, sports massage and the latest tactical, technical, physical and mental training. The programme allows for competing at a higher level and teaches responsibility, resilience and leadership skills.

Our ADA pathway supports students with auditions and improves skills in acting, musical theatre, comedy, stage combat, and a variety of dance styles. Lessons are taught by specialist performing art teachers, most of whom are also professionals, and are complemented by visiting performing art workshops and LAMDA sessions. All students can partake in school productions and co-curricular activities including dance, drama and music ensembles.

Brackenfield School

Make it Your Story Pre School

Stay and Explore Sessions

Call 01845 575000 Academic excellence and extensive extra-curricular activities in a nurturing environment for girls aged 4 -16 and boys aged 4 - 8.

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Since opening its doors in 1977, Brackenfield Prep School has been a cornerstone of Harrogate’s educational landscape, dedicated to shaping young learners for over forty years.

Catering to children from the ages of 2 to 11, we pride ourselves on our small scale, allowing for a close-knit environment where every child and their family is known and valued. Our commitment to individualised attention has been recognised with an ‘Excellent’ rating in every category by the Independent School Inspectorate this summer, an honour distinguished by an impressive 28 mentions of excellence.

Discover the Brackenfield difference by visiting our website at www.brackenfieldschool.co.uk or by contacting our admissions office at 01423 508558 or by email: admissions@brackenfieldschool.co.uk. We look forward to welcoming you and your family into our school.

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NEWS

Introducing the Waterproofs and Wellies campaign Get involved in Children’s Mental Health Week From 5 to 11 February, families across the UK are encouraged to take part in Children’s Mental Health Week organised by charity Place2Be. This year’s theme is My Voice Matters.

My Voice Matters is about encouraging young people to use their voices, share what matters to them and encourage those around them to hear their voices.

The Outdoor Guide Foundation has the simple aim of making the outdoors accessible to all - and that starts with children.

Nearly one third of primary school children in the UK come from families that are living below the poverty line.

This means there is little money for household essentials, let alone for buying suitable clothing for outdoor play.

Enter the Waterproof and Wellies campaign. Over the next five years, it aims to donate at least ten waterproof suits and wellies to all twenty thousand primary schools in the country.

Evidence shows that empowering children and young people can have a positive impact on their health and wellbeing. For example, children and young people who feel that their voices are heard - and that what they say makes a difference - have higher levels of self-efficacy and self-esteem.

Why? Because time outside is vital and a startling statistic suggests prisoners get more time outside in an average week than a primary school age child. Waterproofs & Wellies has already donated kits to more than three hundred schools. With your support, the campaign can do much more.

Find FREE resources for parents and carers and more information at www.childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk

To find out more and support the campaign, visit www. theoutdoorguidefoundation.org

Ages 8+ National Geographic Science Kit Bundles Giveaway

T&Cs apply

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Worth £77 each

Geodes Kit Glow in the Dark Science Kit Gemstone Dig Kit 3 bundles available

APPLY at familiesmag.co.uk/go Familiesonline.co.uk

Families North Yorkshire 5

EDUCATION

Beyond the school system

By Ana Fábrega It’s a fact that the traditional school system doesn’t suit everyone, yet many parents aren’t in a position to take their children out of school. The good news is that there are some fabulous learning opportunities available outside of the school system, which can be used to complement school learning. Consider these: Self-directed learning communities. Programmes like Kubrio (www.kubrio.com) bring kids together to share interests and design their own curriculums. Over one hundred classes cover coding, game design, art, writing and entrepreneurship.

Academy (www.khanacademy.org) offer amazing courses.

Forest Schools. Forest School programmes (www.forestschoolassociation.org) put kids at the centre of learning, connect them with each other and nature and challenge them to take responsibility and make meaning for themselves.

Foster a love of reading. Let kids read freely and widely. Let them skim through books and dive deep into what interests them: poems, comic books, non-fiction, magazines, cookbooks or even the same book over and over. Choice is the secret recipe for fostering a love of reading. Once they develop this, they will be able to teach themselves anything.

Team problem-solving. Synthesis School (www.synthesis. com) empowers kids to solve the world’s hardest problems.

They compete in teams, debating ideas, testing tactics, communicating decisions, taking ownership and drawing out the best in each other.

Alternative schools. If you are thinking of a different school, consider alternatives such as Montessori, Waldorf and Reggio Emilia. For specific alternative schools, research Sora Schools (www.soraschools.com), Higher Ground (www.higherground. com) and Acton Academy (www.actonacademy.org).

Project-based learning. Programmes like Arduino (www.arduino.cc) cover chemistry, physics, electronics, coding and more. They ship all the components to your door, with online training and support to allow kids to learn by doing.

Microschools. Microschools are also wonderful options, like those available through Prenda (www.prenda.com) and other networks. To find a good one, look for mixed age groups, a childcentred curriculum and project-based learning.

Online STEAM classes. Many schools struggle to provide enough opportunity to explore science, tech, engineering, art and maths (STEAM subjects). Platforms like Brilliant (www.brilliant.org), Skillshare (www.skillshare.com) and Khan

Ana Lorena Fábrega is a teacher, turned edupreneur and author of The Learning Game: Teaching Kids to Think for Themselves, Embrace Challenge, and Love Learning, available from www.bookshop.org

The Lindy Effect

Lindy ideas in education

Lindy ideas refer to concepts or principles that have demonstrated resilience and longevity over time. The term ‘Lindy’ comes from the Lindy Effect, a concept introduced

by Nassim Nicholas Taleb in his book Antifragile. In essence, it says that ideas age differently from people. The longer ideas have been around, the longer they’re likely to last.

Play. Free play is our natural method of learning about the world. Since ancient times, we’ve used it to explore, experiment and build new knowledge by venturing into the unknown.

Each of the learning options explored above share common traits. Although each is unique, they all take Lindy ideas from the past and apply them to today in various ways. Lindy ideas stick around for a reason: they often work quite well and have proven themselves across generations. We should leverage wisdom from the past and adapt it for today.

The teacher as facilitator. Throughout history, the best educators acted as wise guides. Rather than conveying knowledge, they facilitated questions and dialogue until students arrived at their own understanding. It was a collaborative model of truth-seeking.

Although most traditional schools today do not follow Lindy ideas, there are an increasing number of alternative schools and educational programmes that do things differently. These can help parents of children for whom traditional education is not working to replace or supplement it with learning experiences that are grounded in Lindy ideas and updated for today.

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Learning by doing. Hunter-gatherers of the past let kids learn survival skills through practice. They played with bows, spears and cooking tools and participated in the work of the tribe.

The Socratic method. For hundreds of years, teachers used the method of the Greek philosopher Socrates. Instead of lecturing, they asked penetrating questions to help students use reasoning to develop their own beliefs.

One-room schoolhouses. Historically, kids attended one-room schoolhouses (or ‘microschools’ today) where they learned in small, mixed aged groups. Older kids taught younger kids, younger kids learned from older ones.

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EDUCATION

Speech, language and communication at school

By Lisa Wander and Catherine Loble

A new report from the charity Listening to unheard children found that an estimated twenty percent of school age children are behind in talking and listening. There is an increase in children who can’t articulate their needs or how they feel or who struggle with sentence construction, sounds and vocabulary.

Speech develops gradually in children and this can look different for everyone but difficulties may be deemed to be present when their skills are behind for their age group. Good speech, language and communication skills have a positive impact on confidence and self-esteem.

Communication difficulties affect children in many ways.

For some, their understanding of language is stronger than their speaking skills or vice versa. Not understanding the definition of words or concepts impacts their ability to follow instructions and make sense of what is happening around them. Children who struggle with understanding spoken language rely heavily on visual aids or clues from people around them to keep up with tasks.

Those who find producing spoken language challenging may find it hard to make specific sounds or they may speak in a way that is cluttered and doesn’t appear to have much order. This can make it difficult for these children to express themselves in conversation, during lessons and when playing with peers, making some feel self-conscious and affecting their confidence.

Receptive language can also be problematic for some children with speech and language difficulties. For instance, understanding and processing what has been said to them. They may need instructions broken down into small chunks and visual cues to support what has been said verbally. It may be necessary for them to practise paying attention for gradually longer periods of time.

Given the impact speech and language difficulties can have on children’s confidence, self-esteem and social skills, early intervention is important, as well as adaptations to their learning environment. If your child’s speech is behind for their age, it is important to seek advice from a speech and language therapist who can devise an appropriate support plan.

Through interacting and playing using speech and language, a child or young person develops social skills and friendships that will last into adulthood and beyond.

Lisa and Catherine are co-founders of Emparenting (www.emparenting.co.uk), supporting children, parents and families with the insights, skills and tools needed to nurture the development and well-being of the next generation.

The

Mount School York

GIRLS & BOYS

PRE-SCHOOL & RECEPTION 2024 ENROL NOW

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Families North Yorkshire 7

INTERVIEW

Helping children embrace the great outdoors Gemma Hunt, children’s storyteller and long-time presenter of CBeebies show Swashbuckle, tells Families about her role as ambassador for The Waterproof and Wellies Project for The Outdoor Guide Foundation (www.theoutdoorguidefoundation.org) and why she’s passionate about getting kids and families outside.

Tell us about The Waterproof and Wellies Project?

purpose. Like going out to collect leaves or feathers for an art project or going on a litter pick.

We’re looking to raise £6m to provide ten sets of waterproof jackets, trousers and wellies to the twenty thousand state primary schools in the UK. Unfortunately around thirty percent of children do not own their own wellies. So having these sets in schools enables them to play outside in all weathers without ruining their shoes!

If we take her bike or scooter that usually stops the moans about her legs aching if we’ve walked too far!

What advice would you give to families whose access to green spaces is limited?

Make the most of the outdoor spaces you do have access to. Take outdoor games if there is no play area. If it’s rainy, put your waterproofs on and take a flask of hot chocolate and a big umbrella!

Why do you feel particularly passionate about this project?

I long for children to enjoy the physical, mental and spiritual value of getting outdoors more. It’s so good for their appreciation of our great British countryside, wildlife and nature.

I love to see my daughter play outside, climbing trees, investigating flowers and spotting insects, coming back with flushed cheeks and grubby knees!

On occasion, we’ve ruined clothing or footwear as we haven’t had the right gear with us BUT we’ve been able to replace them. This isn’t possible for all families so to have the right outerwear to enjoy time outside together is essential.

How do you think children’s experience of outdoor time today compares to yours as a child?

I don’t think we get outside as much as we used to – there are so many inside distractions. It used to be a treat to run around outside, play games and let off steam. Now children seem to view it more as a punishment as they’d often prefer to stay indoors connected to electronics and Wi-Fi.

What has The Waterproof and Wellies Project achieved so far?

Of course, we had more freedom to roam safely and I understand why we may not be so willing for our children to go out alone now but that is all the more reason to try and do so as a family.

How much time do you spend outside with your family?

Honestly, not as much as we should.

We do walk to school or play in the garden every day and we like to take our daughter out on her bike.

Luckily we live near the coast and great country parks like Betteshanger Park near Deal in Kent where we can walk, cycle and scoot. There’s also a great play area there and the most delicious café (I recommend the sweetcorn fritter burgers!).

To motivate our daughter, we turn outside time into an adventure or give ourselves a

Since Covid, we have donated more than three thousand sets of waterproofs and wellies to UK schools. We need more support from businesses and individuals as we’re still a way off our target and there are more than three hundred schools on the waiting list who are desperate for the gear.

You can see how you can support us at The Outdoor Guide Foundation website at www.theoutdoorguidefoundation.org You’re also a writer. Tell us about your new book.

My newest book is about helping children to express and deal with big feelings like anger, jealousy and frustration.

I understand the power of imitative behaviour and wanted to write something that children could read (or have read to them) that would inspire them to better manage their behaviour.

My favourite role model has been Jesus so I wanted to take some stories told by or about him and re-tell them from the perspective of a mixed race family like mine. My husband and daughter and my parents and I all appear in the stories.

What motivated you to write it?

I wanted to write a series of children’s books that represented our own mixed race family. I struggled to find good books for my daughter that depicted our family dynamic - so I wrote them! The first book is about encouraging children to be a good friend and is called See! Let’s Be A Good Friend; the newest one has five helpful short stories which explore emotions. It’s called See! Let’s Be ME and is available from www.bookshop.org

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THEATRE

What’s on at the Theatre?

28 Jan Sing-a-long-a Encanto Grand Opera House York Cheer on Mirabel as she tries to save the magic surrounding the Encanto. Sing your heart out with our live host, who will teach you some dance moves, help you create some magic and show you how to use your free props bag.

1 - 3 Feb The Gruffalo’s Child York Theatre Royal One wild and windy night the Gruffalo’s Child ignores her father’s warnings about the Big Bad Mouse and tiptoes out into the deep dark wood.

She follows snowy tracks and encounters mysterious creatures – but the Big Bad Mouse doesn’t really exist… does he?

7 - 17 Feb

17 - 18 Feb

Disney’s The Little Mermaid York Theatre Royal To make her dreams come true, she makes a deal with the wicked sea witch, Ursula. But the bargain is not what it seems… Ariel’s friends: Flounder, Scuttle, and Sebastian come to her rescue. does he?

Jurassic Live York Barbican The world’s leading dinosaur show is back in 2024. See our life-sized, monstrous beasts up close in this award winning all star spectacular.

Exclusively featuring the world’s only Mosasaur (Brand new for 2024), the world’s last flying Pterodactyl and more dinosaur species than any other show on earth!

Jurassic Live is the UK’s most interactive theatre show where audiences become part of the dinosaur adventure.

17 Feb

14 Feb Alice in Wonderland Harrogate Theatre Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland follows Alice on her remarkable journey, from her fleeting encounters with the White Rabbit to her eventual showdown with the crazed Queen of Hearts. A confrontational Caterpillar, Ukelele twanging Tweedle twins and an array of others pop up along the way, before Alice comes face to face with her own imagination and perhaps the author of her dreams.

The Selfish Giant Harrogate Theatre Grinter is a giant. She lives happily alone in her huge cold house, surrounded by her huge snowy gardens, enclosed by her high, frostcovered walls. She shuts out the world, because long ago, the world shut her out, and so she hides, safe and quiet in her peaceful, icy home.

Outside the towering walls of her enormous garden, the world has been changing and there is very little green left.

One day, the children – tired of playing on hard roads and grey rooftops – find a chink in the giant’s wall and climb through, changing the course of the children’s and Grinter’s lives forever.

23 - 24 Feb Can Bears Ski? York Theatre Royal Little Bear can’t hear Dad Bear calling, but feels the floor vibrate with heavy footsteps…

Little Bear can’t catch the funny joke at school when friends are laughing, but feels the crunch of snow on frozen pavements.

12th to 18th Feb 2024

The Vikings are Back!

Get into the Norse spirit – the Vikings are arriving in York this February. Enjoy seven days of living history, hands-on fun and many other favourite events.

Tickets are on sale now, find out more at jorvikvikingfestival.co.uk or scan the QR code

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Families Families North North Yorkshire Yorkshire 9 9

NEW YEAR, NEW YOU

Twelve months to

It’s the New Year! This is the perfect time for a reboot designed for the whole family. Get started w February Grow more veg & herbs

January Eat less meat Veganuary takes place every January. Having started in the UK in 2014, it now has global traction. If going vegan is a step too far for your family, how about Meatless Mondays? Even reducing red meat by a small amount can improve heart health. Try a half-and-half approach; instead of using just minced beef in recipes, replace half with beans, lentils or mushrooms. It increases the amount of fibre in your diet.

It might be looking a little bare out there but the frostbitten days of winter are coming to an end. What better time to visit the garden centre, shake out the gardening gloves and push some seeds into the soil. Assigning individual pots to the kids might encourage them to get more involved in growing their own veggies and herbs - and eating them!

March Bake healthier snacks

April Take up a sport together Biscuits and cakes are often the easiest snacks to reach for after school. With forward planning though, we can all do a little better.

Homemade snacks don’t have to look or taste too different from shop-bought ones; by just by adding less refined white flour and more fibre you can improve gut health over the course of a year.

For biscuits, try a bit less flour and a few more oats. With cakes and traybakes, using wholewheat flour is a great way to introduce more fibre, antioxidants and protein, along with tonnes of important nutrients like B vitamins, iron, magnesium and zinc.

Finding an active challenge you can enjoy as family, can be loads of fun and healthy. But finding something that works for every age is tricky. Ice skating and golf can be good levellers and appealing to older children. If nothing else comes to mind, swimming or cycling usually work for most; it’s all-round physical exercise and always seems to have an immediate and positive effect on appetite and sleep.

June Go dancing!

May Tackle anxiety At this time of year, school tests and exams can pile on extra pressure. Meditating regularly, even for a few minutes a day, can make a difference and there are lots of meditation apps designed for children, as well as adults. More effective than yoga, meditation is proven to reduce the reactivity of the brain in response to stress and a Harvard-based study in 2011 demonstrated that you can even reduce the size of the amygdala (the bit of the brain associated with the stress response) when you meditate for a longer period of time.

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The days are long and the sunset casts a rosy glow… well hopefully!

The festival season has arrived and it’s time to embrace the midsummer madness and go dancing. The health benefits of dance are impressive; cardio, weight-loss, strength, agility and balance are just the start. To top it all off, dancing brings joy and is a natural form of stress relief. Throw in some choreography and you’ve even got a workout for your memory too.

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NEW YEAR, NEW YOU

a healthier family

with our step-by-step guide and let every month take you closer to a happier, healthier, family life.

August Drink more water

July Tech-free weekends Or, more realistically, just one day! As it gets brighter and sunnier, it’s much easier to come up with tempting outdoor alternatives and any reduction in screentime is likely to improve sleep and mental health.

Consider device-free times or designated tech free zones at home.

Are you keeping to your own weekly or daily limits? Revisit the rules, especially with older kids and discuss what a healthy balance looks like. Visual timers help some children keep screentime under control.

Yawn, we know this, yet we are probably still not drinking enough.

Let’s just recap how essential it is for our health. The blood is ninety percent water so good hydration basically effects every single organ and cell in the body, from heart to brain to skin. How about trying a different strategy for each family member? For one child, a new water bottle. For another…. deploying the dark art of parental bribery. For yourself, water infused with lemon instead of a coffee.

September Enrol in a new class

October The vitamin refresh It’s a new academic year and there is no need to limit the anticipation and thrill of a new start to just the children in the family!

There’s also no need to spend a penny. Start by visiting your local council website to find out about free short adult education courses.

Or you could check out the online learning platform backed by The Open University called Future Learn (www.futurelearn.com). Most of their courses are also free.

Perhaps you’ve dished out vitamin C to head off colds, tried some probiotics for gut health or have been taking Omega 3 to improve focus? The chances are you probably have some unfinished bottles lying around in a cupboard somewhere. October is a good time to sort through what you already have and set your priorities for the winter ahead. The NHS recommends all children under age 6 (who are not being fed formula) should have vitamins A, C and D as daily supplements. Vitamin D is particularly important as winter approaches, as we get less sunshine.

November Switch to sugar alternatives

December Family cooking day Adding more spices to our diets benefits us by replacing sweetness with flavour. Other sugar alternatives, like agave or stevia, convert to glucose more slowly, helping improve our energy and health over time. Date sugar is made from dehydrated dates, retaining more of the fibre and vitamins than standard refined sugar. Monk fruit is a natural sweetener made from a Southeast Asian fruit.

It’s increasingly available in health food shops and is many times sweeter than sugar, yet it has no calories or effect on blood sugar.

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Help! It’s nearly Christmas again! This year, it might be a good idea to get some meals in the freezer before the holidays start and relatives descend. Dedicate a day to cooking as a family and let each member choose a healthy recipe. It’s great for teamwork and even better if you discover some new family favourites. Younger members can get to work on healthier versions of seasonal staples like mince pies or gingerbread men.

Families North Yorkshire 11

WHAT’S ON All listings are correct at the time of publication. Please check with the venues before you visit incase anything has changed

3 - 4 Feb

Harrogate Indoor Funfair Great Yorkshire Showground With jaw-dropping rides and amazing inflatables for all ages, Harrogate Indoor Funfair offers all the fun of the fair in an indoor, climatecontrolled and family-friendly environment.

20 Jan The Magic of Music Ripon Cathedral Hold on to your seats and let St Cecilia Orchestra take you on a magical, musical journey in a family-friendly programme filled with fun (and a few vacuum cleaners).

26 - 28 Jan

10 - 18 Feb

12 - 18 Feb York Ice Trail York City Centre Dream big, and let your creativity run wild exploring magical, fictional, and spectacular masterpieces which turn York into ‘The City of Dreams’. Live carving, interactive experiences and the chance to win great prizes, it’s an extraordinary day out!

Dog Friendly Days Out

4 & 18 Feb

Check websites for full details Aysgarth Falls, Yorkshire Dales National Park DL8 3TH (Aysgarth, Leyburn) RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch Your own garden!

Join the RSPB for the Big Garden Bird Watch this year.

Share your findings and help monitor the birds of Britain.

Find out more information and how to register for free online.

27 - 28 Jan York Residents Festival York York Residents’ Festival is our opportunity to thank the people of York for welcoming 8.9 million visitors each year to the beautiful city. It represents a unique opportunity for Visit York members to showcase their businesses to local people with attractions offers, experiences and food, drink and retail discounts in and around York.

Snowdrop Sundays Goldsborough Hall Enjoy a wander and see the spectacular display of snowdrops in Goldsborough Hall’s 12-acre grounds, available for viewing on the 4th & 18th February 2024.

9 - 25 Feb

Jorvik Viking Festival Jorvik Viking Centre Put your whiskers to the test in our Best Beard Competition or explore exquisite Viking goods at our 10th Century Traders stalls. The Vikings will also return to muster their fearsome armies with the March to Coppergate through the city centre. Plus walking tours, kids crafting, expert talks and much more… jorvikvikingfestival.co.uk 12 Feb Poo Day DIG, York It’s smelly, it’s squelchy – but it tells us lots about the past! Bring the kids to DIG to find out why archaeologists love poo, and get hands-on making your own replica poo fossil. Don’t forget to go and see the famous Lloyds Bank Turd at JORVIK Viking Centre afterwards!

Dark Skies Festival Various Locations Tis the season to look up and marvel at the thousands of sparkles in the sky. There’s stay and gaze packages to spend a night under the stars, all manners of night walks, 29 Feb - 21 Apr 3 - 25 Feb stargazing aplenty, daytime adventures and craft activities, Snooks, York’s Character Snowdrops in the bat-box making, mindful Trail Woodland experiences and much more.

York City Centre Burton Agnes Introducing The Snooks Trail, Every February, thousands 10 - 18 Feb an exciting new sculpture of hardy snowdrops trail coming to York from push through the cold February Fun late February to April 2024. winter ground to create a Organized by Make It York Stockeld Park magnificent ‘white carpet’ in collaboration with charity There might be a chill in the across the woodland floor partner St. Leonard’s Hospice, here at Burton Agnes. Walking air, but wrap up warm and this trail will take you on a head to Stockeld Park, join peacefully among these captivating journey through them as they brighten up the makes a truly memorable York’s historic cobbled streets day out at the end of the long new year with plenty of fresh and hidden gardens. air and family fun! winter.

FamiliesNorth NorthYorkshire Yorkshire 12Families 12

Beningbrough Hall, National Trust - YO30 1DD (Beningbrough, York) Bolton Abbey BD23 6EX (Skipton) Brimham Rocks, National Trust - HG3 4DW (Harrogate) Castle Howard YO60 7DA (York) Dalby Forest YO18 7LT (Thornton-Le-Dale, Pickering) Fountains Abbey, National Trust - HG4 3DY (Ripon) Lotherton Hall LS25 3EB (Aberford, Leeds) Yorkshire Sculpture Park - WF4 4LG (West Bretton, Wakefield)

Mum2Mum Markets Harrogate High School, HG1 4AP 3rd February: 2 - 4 pm 13th April: 2 - 4 pm 29th June: 2 - 4 pm harrogate@ mum2mummarket.co.uk Familiesonline.co.uk Familiesonline.co.uk

FAMILY LAW

The hidden cost of DIY divorce

By HartLaw

The new year is a time for reflection and looking ahead, which often means that it can be one of the busiest periods in the diary of a family lawyer. New year, new beginnings may be a cliché but it is also often true for separation, as those difficult decisions that you didn’t want to face in the run up to Christmas were postponed until the festivities were over.

There is one thing that is always true and that is, you don’t have to do this alone. We would always advise getting as much support as possible – family, friends and therapeutic services are going to put you in the best and strongest mindset to deal with the practicalities ahead. This also applies to getting the support of a family lawyer.

A recent article in the Guardian was a stark warning that trying to resolve your divorce/separation and associated financial and children issues ‘on the cheap’ may be leaving women (in particular) worse off.

The rise of online solutions and DIY divorce is potentially leaving many (often women) facing potential financial insecurity and unfair outcomes.

A recent report called The Fair Share Report led by the University of Bristol and funded by the Nuffield Foundation, found that only two in five divorcees in England and Wales made use of lawyers as a source of information and support. The worry of the cost was a key factor in the decision not to appoint a solicitor.

The danger is that the financially more vulnerable party is going to end up worse off and with a potentially binding agreement that affects them both now and in the future.

We see this in particular with pensions, where often one (or both) parties do not understand the true value of them, how they should be treated and that they are a separate, distinct and important asset to be considered and shared. We are also seeing an increase in separating couples who have ‘agreed a settlement themselves’ (which is commendable) without taking legal advice and without reality checking that the proposed settlement meets the needs of both parties.

Here at Hartlaw LLP we offer a free initial consultation, so that you can get a better understanding of the process, options and, importantly, the cost. We can help you navigate your way through the complexities of financial settlement in the most cost effective and amicable way that is right for you. Taking legal advice does not mean, going to court.

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The report’s author Emma Hitchings stated: “In the wake of cuts to legal aid, and hampered by a lack of financial and legal knowledge, couples are trying to divorce on the cheap. But this means that they are bypassing a legal system designed to achieve fairness. That is leaving women worse off and putting their future financial security at risk.”

Our experienced family team consists of 3 specialist solicitors who, with over 50 years of experience between them, can help support you in resolving your legal issues and looking to the future.

Please contact our family law assistants on 01937 54020 or 547016 to make an appointment or email: kate@hartlaw.co.uk katie@hartlaw.co.uk dianne@hartlaw.co.uk

Familiesonline.co.uk

Families North Yorkshire 13

CLUBS & CLASSES

Clubs & Classes ARTventurers

Razzamataz

Baby swimmers

Award winning, colourful, creative (often messy) art classes for babies, toddlers and children.

Find your local class by vitising:

Kidslingo

www.artventurers.co.uk

Baby Band Interactive music session for children who are independently sitting to interactive music session for children who are independently sitting to 3 years old. www.babyband.co.uk

BabyBallet

York based swimming lessons for all ages. Helping with brain development, physical development and emotional development.

For more information visit: www.babyswimmers.co.uk

Danceology

Inspiring young children, from birth to 12 years, to love languages (French & Spanish) from the very start of their language learning journeys Find your local class by visiting: www.kidslingo.co.uk The Little Gym For every stage of your child’s development from 4 months to 12 years Find your local class by visiting: www.thelittlegym.co.uk

Classes where everyone loves Offering high quality dance The Music Room, Selby to dance! From 6 months to training in a friendly and 6 years welcoming environment.

Find your local class by Accessible private music Classes available from age 2 ad Families Mag (87x130mm) AW.pdftuition 1 09/12/2023 13:35levels vitising: Pock School OPEN DAY Dec 2023 for all ages and years. www.babyballet.co.uk One-to-one and small group www.danceology.co.uk lessons available.

www.themusicroomsselby.co.uk

Phonics with Robot Reg High-energy classes which open a world of Literacy to children and teach early phonics skills. Classes are available for children aged 3 months – 6 years.

Find your local class by vitising: www.robotreg.co.uk

York based classes in Performing Arts - singing, dancing & drama. Catering for all ages from 2 - 18 years For more information visit: www.york.razzamataz.co.uk

Rhythm Time Music & singing classes for babies, toddlers & pre-schoolers.

Find your local class by visiting: www.rhythmtime.net Rugbytots Music & singing classes for babies, toddlers & pre-schoolers.

Find your local class by visiting: www.rhythmtime.net Tumble tots Music & singing classes for babies, toddlers & pre-schoolers.

Find your local class by visiting: www.rhythmtime.net York Theatre Royal Youth Theatre Youth theatre class for children aged 5+

www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk/bepart-of-it/children-and-youngpeople

WIN a family ticket to WIN Camp Bestival!

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One lucky family has the chance to score a family ticket to Camp Bestival.

CM

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CY

This four-day safe, fun, magical and adventurous festival for kids of all ages, takes place during the summer holidays in both Dorset and Shropshire.

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Multi award-winning and designed specifically for families, enjoy hundreds of activities from bushcraft, circus schools, sports and immersive theatre to incredible live acts and DJs, family raves, circus spectaculars, wellness, award-winning street food and cabaret. www.campbestival.net Apply at familiesmag.co.uk/go T&Cs: www.bit.ly/cmpbest

14 Families North Yorkshire

Familiesonline.co.uk

PARENTING

Work and the single parent

By Rebecca Cox Are you a single parent? How do you make working ‘work’ for you?

Being solo head of a family household is no easy task. Yet roughly one in four families in the UK is headed by a single parent.

Whether you’re entering solo parenthood through conscious decision, following an unexpected loss, a relationship breakdown or a change in circumstances, the roadblocks to success (and happiness) remain the same.

The main things to get sorted early are co-parenting plans (if relevant), childcare, legal considerations, finances and work. But how do you navigate a successful career as a single parent?

Flexible working means changing the way you work and can include working fewer hours, working compressed hours, working from home, changing your start and finish times or entering into a job share. You should state in your request if you are making the request due to childcare or in relation to the Equality Act (e.g. disability) if you are asking for flexible working to care for a child or disabled person. You should also include details about the impact on family life if it is turned down.’

Working hours

Know your rights

The first consideration is to be practical about the times you will physically be able to work, with childcare top of your agenda. If you have school-age children, the hours they are at school will likely be free for work (unless you have other caring commitments).

Beyond flexible working requests, it’s important to be aware not only of your working rights but of your right to support if you need it.

Being the carer and the provider, embodying both parents at once, means you have a lot of plates to juggle and little support to keep them in the air.

Beyond the school day, think about your extra childcare needs and possibilities for meeting them, to give you the best idea of how your working days could look. If your children are preschoolers, childcare costs will need to be weighed against potential earnings. Unfortunately, the numbers don’t always add up.

Flexible working Once you know the hours available to you, with and without childcare costs attached, you’ll be in a better position to navigate how you’ll manage work within those hours.

If you’ve gone from a two-parent household to going it alone or you’re a solo parent by choice, you may have a pressing need for more flexibility from your employer.

Working single parents should understand their right to parental leave, time off for dependants, protection from discrimination in the workplace and part-time workers’ regulations. Sometimes it is impossible to make the numbers add up, so understand your right to financial aid too. Use the online benefits calculator at www.gov.uk.

And finally, don’t forget: parenting IS work. Unpaid work, yes, but it is one of the most important jobs on the planet and if your single parent status means that you have to deprioritise your career for a short period, there is no failing in that.

Rebecca Cox is co-author with Zoë Desmond of a new book How To Be A Happy Single Parent (Little Brown Book Group) which offers advice to new single parents trying to navigate the working world as the solo head of a family. It is available from www.bookshop.org

Working Families charity says: ‘Any employee with twenty six weeks’ service can make a statutory flexible working request.

Manage your money

Increase your income

The less you spend, the less you’ll need to earn. Creating a comprehensive budget is one of the first and most important tasks for any single parent. ‘Most people’s financial problems are due to spending, not income’ says Financial Freedom Coach, Natalye-Marrie Boyce.

When you’re tracking outgoings, prioritise housing, energy bills and household essentials; revisit flexible contracts and subscriptions that you could save on, plus luxuries like streaming services, memberships and holidays. Don’t cut luxuries altogether but be realistic about what you can afford.

If you need to increase your earnings after becoming a single parent, diversifying your income is a great idea.

Familiesonline.co.uk

Start small, maybe with a few hours a week of consultancy work or selling or renting old designer clothes. If you’re good with your hands, consider starting an Etsy shop that you can run in your free time as a hobby.

Gradually, you may be able to scale back on your nine-to-five job and scale up a business that makes you really happy.

Families North Yorkshire 15

king’s magna middle school, york

welcoming day & boarding students from years 6-9 as part of queen ethelburga’s collegiate

superb creative arts provision

220-acre rural estate

performance sports programme offered from year 7

excellent facilities over 100 clubs onsite

bus service across yorkshire

open mornings:

27th january & 9th march 2024 book your place at www.qe.org

admissions@qe.org - 01423 333333 Bridging the gap between primary & secondary, King’s Magna’s innovative KS3 curriculum best prepares students for GCSEs & A Levels.

In 2023, our senior schools achieved 80% A*/A in A Levels, 76% Distinction in BTECs & 63% 7-9 (A*/A) in GCSEs.