Families Thames Valley East Magazine Jan/Feb 2019 Issue 100

H ME KE TA

EE FR

100th issue!

E OM

Thames Valley East IN THIS ISSUE

Plan a Party Plus

Health Special RECRUITING NOW

Successful ‘business mum’ is seeking 5 working partners to work part-time from home, alongside & without compromising family commitments or current career.

If you have a supervisory, managerial, sales, marketing, recruitment or self-employed background, or you wish to develop an extraordinary lifestyle,

please call Diana Page

*Applies to new customers and Spring 2019 Term only.

No equivalent money value.

Issue 100 January/February 2019

01235 533362 07747 086518

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Open Events and Headteacher Tours Dates for Spring Term 2019

Open Events

Headteacher Tours

Friday 25th January 2019 9.30am – 11.30am

Friday 15th February 2019 9.30am – 11.30am

Wednesday 13th March 2019 9.30am – 11.30am

Friday 29th March 2019 9.30am – 11.30am

To book your place call 01628 624918 Or email

Connect

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In this issue...

3-6 News & Information

EDUCATION

7 Education News 9 Is your child’s vocabulary holding them back?

10 What to do when your child hates reading

HEALTH & PARENTING

12 Health News 13 The rise of self-harming 14 How to have your happiest year ever 15 Cyberbullying – what you need to know 16 Holidays with a difference

...endless ideas for families of young children in Maidenhead • Windsor • Marlow • Ascot • Slough • Egham

........From the Editors........

Happy New Year and welcome to our 100th issue! There have been a few changes since Families TVE was launched in 2002, but it’s great to know that people are still enjoying reading the magazine all these years later. Anna and I have been editing the magazine for 2 years now and that time has flown by. It’s been a great opportunity for us to work on such a worthwhile publication and still be around for the school run and we’re really enjoying working with our clients and the Families team.

This issue features our annual party guide and offers some tips on how to have your happiest year yet and we hope that’s true for all our readers in 2019!

PLAN A PARTY

17-18 Party and Classes News 19-21 Party Directory

22-26 WHAT’S ON

PARENTING

27 Top tips to turn your family into eco-warriors 28 Enjoying time with pre-schoolers 29 The fun of family Exercise

30-31 SHE MEANS BUSINESS

www.familiesonline.co.uk E: Editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk editors: Anna Collins and Rachel Bailey circulation: 19,500 next issue: Mar/Apr 2019 due out: March 1, featuring: Under 5s Special and Easter!

T: 01628 788058 Copy/advertising deadline: February 1 Cover image: depositphotos.com

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A capital adventure for children this summer Taking place on Friday 7th June from 7pm, the Dimbleby Cancer Care’s Walk50 starts on the banks of the River Thames at Westminster Bridge and goes all the way to Putney.

Jonathan Dimbleby, Chair of Dimbleby Cancer Care said “The walk is a wonderful family experience and a great way to see some of the sights of our capital city. Since 2015 Walk50 has raised over £250,000. With better support, the outcomes for people living with cancer are vastly improved. It really does make a difference.”

Unlock your child’s potential with our expertly led singing, dancing and acting classes for 4-18 year olds

The event is part of the charity’s annual Walk50 which sees supporters take to the streets of London for a Family 12km, 25km or 50km night walk. The 25km and 50km challenges are open to those 16 years or older only.

Landmarks along the route are the Houses of Parliament, Lambeth Palace, MI5/MI6, the iconic Grade 2 listed Battersea Power Station and the stunning Battersea Park and the Chelsea and Battersea bridges.

For more information or to sign up please visit www.dimblebycancercare.org/events/walk50-2019

Find out more today: ASCOT 01344 206466 stagecoach.co.uk/ascot BRACKNELL 0808 208 5134 stagecoach.co.uk/bracknell BRACKNELL NORTH (Warfield) 0808 208 5134 stagecoach.co.uk/bracknellnorth

HENLEY AND MARLOW 01494 533203 stagecoach.co.uk/henleyandmarlow HIGH WYCOMBE 01494 533203 stagecoach.co.uk/highwycombe MAIDENHEAD 01628 281128 stagecoach.co.uk/maidenhead WINDSOR 01932 988086 stagecoach.co.uk/windsor

®

Creative Courage For Life

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Families Thames Valley East • 3

News & Info Spanish TV chef, Omar Allibhoy brings authentic tapas to Windsor Dubbed the ‘Antonio Banderas of cooking’ by Gordon Ramsay, Omar opened his first standalone site on Thames Street in October. The only Tapas restaurant in the heart of Windsor, Tapas Revolution is open all day, just like typical Spanish tapas bars. The menu offers dishes cooked using the finest ingredients sourced from small artisan producers in Spain, all freshly prepared. There is also a kids menu which includes 2 tapas dishes and mini churros.

For those who just want to stop for a quick drink, guests can enjoy a menu of typically Spanish Gin

and Tonics, served in the traditional Copa de Balón (balloon glass), as well as Spanish craft beers and wine served Catalonian style with a porrón.

Omar says: “I come from the Old Castile - a historic region of Spain so have always felt at home in Windsor. Tapas Revolution is based on the lively and bustling tapas bars in Madrid, Barcelona and Seville and I’m excited to bring my version to such an iconic English town.”

To book visit www.tapasrevolution.com 18 Thames St, Sl4 1PL

11+ Mock Exams and Home Video Tutorials 2019 test papers written by Susan J. Daughtrey M.Ed

4 • Maidenhead • Windsor • Marlow • Ascot • Slough • Egham

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photo: Loco2.com

News & Info

‘Going There Bear’ campaign launched on UK rail network in support of NSPCC At the end of last year, a family of four GPS tracked teddy bears took to the UK rail network on a year-long adventure to raise money for the NSPCC. Train comparison and booking platform Loco2 will donate a penny for every mile that the teddy bears travel around the UK during the 12-month period and every time a family takes a bear home, £5 will be donated.

Each bear travels in its own dedicated suitcase, with a label explaining they are not lost property. The bear comes with a set of instructions and a GPS tracker, monitored by

Loco2. Each month Loco2 will calculate the mileage travelled by the four bears and donate via www.justgiving.com/fundraising/goingtherebear18

Passengers and families can also donate via the page. All passengers who spot the bears are invited to take photos and tweet using the hashtag #goingtherebear or email them to bear@loco2.com to raise awareness.

To keep track of each bear’s movements visit www.loco2.com/en/blog/going-there-bearscharity-campaign

How high can your child fly

To Advertise here

call: 01628 788058

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Families Thames Valley East • 5

News & Info

Raising confident children with Perform Sara has two children, Honor (8) and James (6) who have both been attending Perform classes since they were 4 years old.

“I’ve always wanted my children to feel confident speaking in public and chatting to all sorts of people. I think these are essential life skills these days” says Sara.

Sara was drawn to Perform because of its focus on developing confidence and self-esteem in a fun way. “It’s not a pushy stage school” she explains. “Each week, the classes focus on a topic like manners, making eye contact or introducing themselves, but this is wrapped up in a highly engaging way in the context of drama and songs.”

“Since my children started attending Perform, other parents frequently remark on their confidence and how well they speak in school assemblies. I’m really impressed with how they chat to adults in places like shops and restaurants.”

Classes at Perform are small with two teachers per class. “The teachers are professional actors with amazing energy and enthusiasm. They go out of their way to understand and engage every child” reports Sara.

Perform offers a FREE no-obligation dance or drama class in Iver, Maidenhead, Marlow and Windsor. Visit perform.org.uk/try to book.

New look for Giggling Squid in Marlow is to mark restaurant’s fifth birthday Marking the restaurant’s fifth birthday in February, the new look (completed in November 2018), brings Marlow up to date with Giggling Squid’s ever-evolving décor.

Customers will be treated to a bright, bold floral theme throughout using different textures. From lunchtime tapas to delicious curries, salads, rice and noodles, Giggling Squid’s menu lends itself to the distinct sharing culture of Thailand. Guests are invited to experience its rich tapestry of freshly prepared dishes prepared on-site by a team of talented Thai chefs. A dedicated “little tapas for little people” menu is guaranteed to ensure smiles all round.

Owned by Thai-born Pranee Laurillard and her husband Andrew, Giggling Squid - the nickname of one of their three children - was founded in the basement of a tiny fisherman’s cottage, now the Brighton restaurant, where dreams of replicating a little taste of home became a reality.

Pranee comments: “Marlow has always been special for us, it is a beautiful town that has become quite the dining destination. We hope everyone truly enjoys the décor as well as the food and joyful atmosphere” To book visit: www.gigglingsquid.com 24 West St, Marlow SL7 2NB T: 01628 483047

Change a child’s life in 2019 If you’re looking for something life-changing to do this year, Sarah Tarrant, from South Bucks, may well provide you with some inspiration.

Over 13 years, Sarah and her husband have fostered no less than 35 children in the Slough area, only stopping recently when she became a social worker.

“Fostering is one of the best things we have ever done,” says Sarah who now works for Slough Children’s Services Trust.

Sarah started fostering when her son and daughter were four and six, having been inspired by her aunt. She also wanted to be a stay at home mum, and the payment she received for fostering helped her do this.

“It can be challenging but being there to offer some love and stability to a child in need is an absolute privilege and something our whole family has also benefited from. My message to anyone thinking about fostering is to get in touch. Foster carers come from all walks of life, and you’ll receive training and support, so don’t rule yourself out,” adds Sarah.

There are many local children in need of a safe and loving home. If you’re interested in helping them and would like to find out more, please call 0800 0730291 email: foster@scstrust.co.uk text FAMILIES or visit www.scstrust.co.uk/families

6 • Maidenhead • Windsor • Marlow • Ascot • Slough • Egham

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One budding politician Gabby Balaes age 9 wrote to Theresa May and sent her a cupcake.

Education News

“Dear PM, I thought this might cheer you up as you were having a bad week!” The Prime Minister was delighted and replied immediately.

‘Order Order’ in Upton House For a week in November, boys and girls at Upton House school in Windsor became MPs, Lords and the Prime Minister! The school was full of lively debate and discussion on topical issues such as votes for women, eliminating plastic and the minimum wage. Mrs Rhian Thornton Headmistress said, “Forming reasoned arguments, asking questions and holding debates are all hugely beneficial life skills that we encourage in all our pupils at Upton House. We have had a wonderful Parliament week and children of all ages have taken part.”

Poppies Maidenhead is up and running Experienced Day Nursery owners; Anne Fox and Linda Hill opened Poppies Maidenhead in August.

This is where the duo originally met and so the town has a special place in their hearts! The purpose-built nursery is their sixth nursery in the area, after Poppies Bourne End, Marlow, Old Windsor, Holmer Green and Beaconsfield.

Donna Bagley will be leading the team there as nursery manager.

She has been working with the Poppies family since 2013, holds a level 4 qualification in Early Years and has extensive experience educating and caring for young children and babies. The nursery has light spacious rooms with access to safe ground level and rooftop gardens and prides itself in providing organic food for children. Staff care for babies and children aged 6-weeks to 5-years old and the nursery is open 51 weeks of the year. Monday to Friday 7.30-6pm. 01628 629716 www.poppiesdaynursery.com

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Children continued their week with a visit from Councillor Natasha Airey who was elected at just 21.

She gave an inspiring talk about life in politics and challenged the pupils to make their own campaign promises. An interactive Parliament assembly raised some important questions such as why do we need a government? and what exactly is the Chequers plan? Year 6 pupils concluded the week with a tour of the Palace of Westminster and took part in a Laws and Debating workshop while learning about the role of the Commons, the Lords and the monarch.

“This was a fabulous week which I loved being part of. It was so inspiring!” said Gabby. www.uptonhouse.co.uk

Highfield Preparatory girls are now travelling in style After a successful Fundraising Ball in the Summer Term, Highfield Prep School now have a branded minibus to take the girls to and from sporting events, competitions, school trips and much more! The bus was launched with a ribbon cutting and pink champagne ceremony in November and Head Teacher, Mrs. Joanna Leach commented: ‘The minibus is a great legacy of our centenary year. I would like to thank all the parents who organised events and donated their time and energy in raising the monies needed. The girls and staff are so excited to be able to travel in the new minibus and it will certainly attract a lot of attention! If you spot the Highfield minibus let us know on twitter @Highfieldprep’ www.highfieldprep.org

Marina Gardiner Legge, headteacher at Heathfield shares her thoughts on digital resilience In our 24/7 digital world, never have there been more opportunities for our young people to share information tweets, facebook posts, texts, emails, blogs, vlogs are all around us. However with these opportunities come huge pressures and responsibilities.

Schools need to educate pupils to develop digital resilience – this means understanding the pitfalls of posting on social media, how to behave online to protect their reputations and those of others and to realise the persistent nature of any information shared online.

Every action has a consequence; small errors of judgment can have devastating effects years later.

Ultimately the answer is not to ban social media. Rather, our role as educators is to ensure that young people are ready to take it on and to cultivate a critical mind that learns to evaluate what they read online.

Email: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk • Tel: 01628 788058

Good online habits are rooted in sensitivity to others.

Encouraging self reflection and self regulation throughout school will help young people to remember when posting images or comments online that there is another person on the receiving end.

It is equally important to keep channels of communication open and make it safe for young people to confide in trusted adults. “What happened to you on social media today?” That should be a question we ask often.

Teachers play a pivotal role in instilling strong values – such as kindness and empathy - that pupils can carry through to the digital arena, as well as helping students to build the ‘pillars’ of good mental health to stay well, find their own identity and flourish. www.heathfieldschool.net

Families Thames Valley East • 7

8 • Maidenhead • Windsor • Marlow • Ascot • Slough • Egham

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Is your child’s vocabulary holding them back? By Charlotte Gater One of the biggest factors affecting your child’s ability to progress at school is their language skills.

I

f they cannot understand what is being said or articulate their own thoughts, then school can be a confusing and isolating place.

A recent speech by the Education Secretary, Damian Hinds, highlighted the need for children to develop good language skills “because when you’re behind from the start you rarely catch up."

According to the Department for Education, nearly one third of children ages 4 and 5 lack the language skills necessary to describe simple events or to even to speak in sentences.

Here are some ideas you can fit into your busy family lives in order to help your little ones develop their language skills.

Every day is Fun

at Poppies Come and see what makes our nurseries special!

Organic food provided Bourne End 01628 521522 Marlow 01628 487772

Beaconsfield 01494 677116 Old Windsor 01753 313030

Holmer Green 01494 716789 Maidenhead 01628 629716

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Encourage reading for pleasure from an early age This ensures that positive reading habits are set up from the start.

Building a love of stories, books and reading are key to developing a child’s vocabulary. For very young children, create opportunities for sharing books throughout the day, not just at bedtime. Lead by example and let your child see you reading for pleasure as they become independent readers themselves.

Don’t be scared of using challenging language Children learn from what is being said around them, so if you model using a variety of language then your child will learn more and start to use different words. Use more challenging words and then explain what they mean to increase their vocabulary.

Join the library Books can be expensive and it may take time to find the types of stories that engage your child. So join the library and tap into this free goldmine!

Attend music classes or story time sessions These are also great ways to engage your child and build their language skills.

Label your house Involve your child in labelling items around the house so they can learn lots of new words. Write the words and get your child to trace over or copy them if they are able.

They can also draw pictures on the labels to help them remember the words.

Make word learning fun Play quick and easy word games

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such as 'word of the week' where points are scored every time the word is used in context correctly.

Traditional games such as Hangman, Scrabble and Boggle increase literacy skills. ‘I Spy’ is good for younger children and can be adapted for older children to 'I hear with my little ear' and then giving a clue to the meaning of a word for example "a word that means the opposite of agree'" or "a word that explains how plants get energy".

Talk with your child Conversation is key to building language skills. Whether it’s whilst having dinner, on the journey home from school or before they go to bed, take the time to have a chat with your child. Sometimes it’s hard to get anything out of children and “fine” or “okay” are given as standard answers. Try a few open questions to get them expanding their answers like “what was the best thing about your day?” Or “Tell me about what you did at nursery”.

Harness technology Technology can help increase literacy skills if you use it in the right way.

Some recommended resources are: Oxford Owl (www.oxfordowl.co.uk) has a series of free e-books for 3 to 11 year olds, some of which you can listen to as well as read.

There’s also lots of helpful resources you can use at home.

Audio books are great when you’re traveling in the car or getting ready to go out. Listen to stories and then talk to your child about the story.

Apps such as Pirate Phonics, Hairy Letters and Reading Eggs (www.readingeggs.co.uk) are great to get started with language learning.

When you are out and about let your child take some photos to make a picture diary. Then when you get home look through the photos and get them to describe what you did.

You can also turn your adventures into a book. Book Creator (www.bookcreator.com) allows you to make 40 e-books of your own for free.

Charlotte Gater is Head of Curriculum at leading extra tuition provider Explore Learning.

Families Thames Valley East • 9

What to do when your child hates reading Would your child rather empty the dishwasher or fold laundry instead of reading a book? Do you have to beg your child to sit down and read—for school or for pleasure?

It can be difficult to motivate a child who doesn’t love to read. It may even seem impossible, but it doesn’t have to be.

Research confirms that motivation is a key factor in becoming a successful reader. When children are motivated, they read frequently, which in turn helps them become skilful readers.

Children who are skilful readers learn well, deeply and successfully.

Before you can work on motivating your child, it helps if you understand

why he or she resists reading in the first place.

Does your child fit into one of these categories?

Reading is hard!

Most people don’t choose hard work as a leisure activity, and that’s true for reading too. A child who has to work at reading is not likely to find reading fun. If your child feels that reading is

10 • Maidenhead • Windsor • Marlow • Ascot • Slough • Egham

too much work, try to begin by identifying and addressing his areas of weakness, with his or her school, if necessary. As he becomes a better reader, he will grow to enjoy reading much more.

Remember, reading takes much more patience than the relative ease of watching television and playing video games. Limiting screen time may increase a child’s interest in reading.

Reading is boring!

For some kids, reading isn’t hard, but it isn’t fun either. It may be that they just haven’t found reading material that interests them, so think about what your child loves to do. Does he have a hobby or special area of interest? Does she like dinosaurs or gymnastics? By finding reading material that piques your child’s interest and draws them into reading, you’re giving your child a motivational boost that can propel him or her to increased enthusiasm for books.

More tips to help motivate a reluctant reader Make time for reading If you and your children have jam-packed schedules and reading is shoved between football and band practice, reading may seem like an unwelcome chore. Allow time for reading so that it can be relaxing and enjoyable.

Set aside a regular read-aloud time Reading aloud helps your child develop an interest in reading.

Choose a variety of high quality literature that appeals to your child’s age and interests. Don’t abandon read-aloud time when your child gets older—even teenagers love being read to. Reading aloud to children also encourages them to read thoroughly when they read to

themselves. This in turns improves comprehension and means they are more likely to become immersed in the reading experience.

Buy audiobooks for journeys These build a child’s vocabulary and enable them to experience books above their actual reading age. Try the Naxos range of wonderful classics with well-chosen classical music at www.naxosaudiobooks.com Try to discuss words your children don’t understand. This means they’ll know what they mean when they next encounter them in a book they are reading.

Enjoy super readable books Check out www.barringtonstoke.co.uk which specialises in ‘cracking reading’ by publishing super-readable books that break down the barriers that can stop children getting into reading.

Create a cosy reading nook A special reading space may help encourage your child to settle down and spend time with a good book.

Don’t judge their reading choices The way to suck the joy out of reading is to make your child read something they don’t want to read.

Let them choose. Don’t forget that match reports, comics, graphic novels, magazines and so on are ‘reading too’.

Let them read easy picture books This provides excellent practice, yet it doesn’t feel like work.

Be a role model When your children observe that you love to read, they are more likely to develop a love of reading themselves.

So put down your device, turn off the television and pick up a book!

More info at www.readingagency.co.uk and www.barringtonstoke.co.uk

familiesonline.co.uk

OPEN MORNING Thursday 31st January 9.30am - 11.00am

Herries, an exclusive co-ed prep school in Cookham Dean, developing confident, well rounded and reflective thinkers.

Welcome from Fiona Long, Headmistress.

Overview from our Head of Academic, Andy Taylor and Jami Castell talks about Herries being a LAMDA centre. Guided tour by pupils. Sign up at:

www.herries.org.uk/Open-Morning w Herries Preparatory School Dean Lane, Cookham Dean, Berkshire SL6 9BD 01628 483350 | admissions@herries.org.uk www.herries.org.uk

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Email: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk • Tel: 01628 788058

Families Thames Valley East • 11

Health News

Focus on Retained Reflexes

Plans announced to introduce First Aid to the education curriculum

Jo Rodhouse BSc (Hons), a fully qualified and insured Neural Developmental Therapist who practices out of Marlow and Oxford, explains ‘Retained Reflexes’ how you can recognise them and what you can do to overcome them

In July the government announced plans to add first aid to the curriculum in England. Under the draft guidelines primary school children will learn how to deal with common injuries, including head injuries and will know how to make a clear and efficient call to the emergency services.

The focus for Mini First Aid in 2019 will be on encouraging schools and nurseries to get ahead and enable their children to learn essential First Aid. There are 2 main classes a 30-minute First Aid class for preschoolers up to and including Year 2. This includes practicing calling for help, stopping bleeding, head bumps and calling 999. They also run one hour classes for older children, designed to encourage them to think about the actions they would take in an emergency situation if no adults were present.

In small groups, children learn life-saving techniques and the basics of emergency first aid through interactive and fun sessions. Both lessons are fun and interactive and the kids love it!

Please email chloe@minifirstaid or visit www.thamesvalley.minifirstaid.co.uk to bring First Aid into your nursery or school.

Are ‘Retained Reflexes’ holding your child back?

An increasing number of children are currently being labelled with ASDs, dyslexia, dyspraxia, auditory, visual & sensory processing disorders etc. Many struggle meanwhile with non-specific difficulties such as classroom learning, movement control, social interactions, concentration and even emotional maturity. Many ‘labels’ have a medical reference, which many find helpful, however the terms merely describe a set of symptoms. As a Neuro Developmental Therapist, we see these myriad of symptoms as an indication of developmental delay and very often there is a simple explanation which is the presence of ‘Retained Primitive Reflexes’.

What are ‘Retained Reflexes’ and why do they have such an impact?

In the womb and early stages of life, we are equipped with a number of reflexes to aid the birthing process and ensure the survival and safety of the newborn into early infancy, such as grasping and sucking. As the newborn develops, the brain begins to mature and take control, so these early reflexes are no longer needed and switch off. This is an essential stage of normal development. If, however, these reflexes fail to inhibit they can have a huge impact on appropriate function and a child may display immature patterns of behaviour – lacking appropriate emotional, social & behavioural responses and co-ordination issues. It may explain why a seemingly intelligent child struggles to learn and thrive as others do.

12 • Maidenhead • Windsor • Marlow • Ascot • Slough • Egham

What signs of ‘Retained Reflexes’ would I have seen as a parent?

Evidence is often seen at the early key stages of development when the child has deviated from the norm such as difficult or delayed birthing, feeding or latching issues, failure to crawl, delayed teething or speech, easily startled, unusual sleep patterns, fussy eating, thumb suckers, toe-walkers, late in becoming ‘dry’ or bedwetting. As a consequence of delayed development we can see poor impulse control, sensory overload, emotional and social immaturity, anxiety and frustration, an inability to adapt to change, motion sickness and lacking balance & coordination.

In the classroom, we see poor concentration and focus, being easily distracted, immature pencil grip, reluctance to read, poor memory retention or recall. The most common feedback we receive from parents is that children are simply failing to thrive or ‘I could always tell something wasn’t quite right’ – after all there is no better expert than a parent!

What is the treatment?

We offer non–intrusive, drug free Neural Stimulation Programmes which aim to stimulate and then inhibit the reflexes that are hindering development. We use either skin stimulation techniques, movement exercises or an auditory integration programme. These are performed at home, normally twice a day and should take no longer than 5 minutes. We then review progress and update the programme on a 6/8 weekly basis.

For more information Jo can be contacted on 07802 614735 jo@jo-rodhouse.co.uk www.jo-rodhouse.co.uk

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The rise of self-harming: what can be done?

Expert advice from leading psychiatrist Dr Maite Ferrin

D

epression and self-harm are growing concerns for parents of adolescents, particularly teenaged girls. According to findings in a recent study by the Children's Society, nearly a quarter of 14 year old girls may have self-harmed in the last year.

As your child approaches adolescence, it’s advisable to watch out for signs of stress and anxiety because it is these that can give rise to self-harming behaviour in the teenage years.

Self-harm is an adaptive coping mechanism to deal with any stressor in life. Stressors may include social media pressure, bullying, issues concerning sexuality, school pressure or problems within the home or social environment, to name a few. However, self-harming may also reflect a more impairing psychological condition such as anxiety, depression or PTSD. It’s important that a correct diagnosis is made and effective and adequate treatment is obtained from a medical expert specialising in this field. If, at any stage, you have reason to believe your child is self-harming, do seek medical support immediately.

There are many reasons that may contribute towards a child self-harming, including an attempt to alleviate emotional pain that cannot be expressed verbally, self-punishment, an attempt to relieve feelings of shame or guilt, an attempt to stop feeling numb, the communication of psychological anxiety, a cry for help, or an act to seek attention. The reason your child is self-harming may be one of the above or a complex combination of many different reasons.

Many young people who self-harm use more than one method of self-injury. Some self-harm regularly, whilst others do it more sporadically.

Self-harming can take many different forms with some of the most common methods including superficial cutting, punching or hitting oneself, scratching or ripping the skin, an intentional drug overdose and even hair pulling. Various forms of self-harm may be habit-forming and it’s important that steps are taken to reduce occurrences of the behaviour before the problem escalates.

If your child is self-harming, it’s vital that they have someone to talk to who will value them and

listen to them, helping to minimise their self-injurious behaviour and improve their happiness.

If your child is self-harming: Approach gently The majority of young people who are self-harming feel ashamed of their behaviour.

An initial soft, empathetic approach is recommended, as they may worry about you judging them negatively.

Listen Young people who self-harm often feel invisible, unheard and misunderstood. Try to create a safe space in which they can freely discuss their problems without interruption, so that they are more inclined to open up and talk.

Use empathic language Use simple empathic responses to what your child is saying. Phrases such as “Sounds like things have been quite tough for you,” “I can see how this would be very challenging,” “I understand how difficult this must be for you” can all be useful. It’s also vital to offer your child some hope and support e.g. “Thank you for sharing this with me. Let’s think about how we can make you feel better.”

Focus on the underlying struggles of the child rather than the actual act of self-harming Remember that the self-harm is a consequence and often a coping mechanism. You need to address the causes and not the symptom.

Encourage healthy ways of coping with stress Exercise, meditation, deep breathing, reading or art are all de-stressors. You can help your child find a coping mechanism that suits them.

Reinforce your child’s strengths Sometimes it’s all too easy to focus on the negatives rather than embracing and celebrating your child’s positive attributes.

Don’t expect a quick fix for the self-harming behaviour It can take a long time to break a habit or change mindset. Be patient.

Remain calm Getting upset, uptight or emotional (despite the fact that you will be feeling this way) may cause your child to close up and refrain from talking.

Accept that you cannot solve this problem alone Seek support from school counsellors, medical professionals and people that have shared a similar experience. There are lots of online resources that also provide great information.

Validate and acknowledge your child’s emotions and struggles Share any relevant and relatable experiences of your own.

Allow your child time to learn alternative coping mechanisms to replace the self-harm behaviours.

If your child does not want to talk Don’t put overwhelming pressure on them as this could escalate problems.

Avoid punishing the self-harming act or imply that their feelings aren’t important This may deepen their feelings of guilt or shame.

Dr Maite Ferrin is a Consultant Psychiatrist at Re:Cognition Health, a brain and mind clinic with a specialist Children’s and Young Peoples Service which diagnoses and treats a wide range of mental health conditions. For more information, visit www.recognitionhealth.com

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Families Thames Valley East • 13

How to have your happiest year ever

By Dr Andy Cope

sharing a tub of Quality Street while watching a family movie you’ve watched many times before. Work out what your hoo-ga moments are, and then get good at spotting them, all year round. This is linked with mindfulness and improves your happiness by enabling you to better appreciate more wonderful moments.

Play As we grow up, we get weighed down with responsibilities and life can lose its lustre. Stop seeing yourself as a ‘responsible adult’ and start being an ‘inspirational adult.’ Rewind to when you were age 6, a time when everything was new and exciting. Start jumping in puddles and playing on the swings… Your children will love it!

A Year of Experiences Get everyone in your family to write an early Christmas list for December 2019. The exact question is this: What 20 things would you like for Christmas that aren’t material possessions?

The secret to happiness turns out to be not-so-secret. Family. Relationships, love, human connection - that’s basically it!

Share the ideas and schedule them to actually happen (where you can) in 2019.

So here are some quirky and fun tips taken from the science of positive psychology that will help your family towards the happiest year yet!

Celebrate What Hasn’t Happened Have you ever asked yourself, what hasn’t happened that I didn’t want that I haven’t celebrated?

Feel free to read that line again and again and again? Sadly, unless you’re a black belt happiness ninja your children don’t sit in a maths lesson thinking how lucky they are to have a nice school and a wonderful teacher.

They curse because they have to remember stuff. When you’re stuck in traffic you don’t sit there marvelling at the sunglasses compartment and cup holders, you mutter and swear under your breath at the delay.

The opposite of savouring good experiences is to notice the many things that could have gone badly, but didn’t. Hence the question again - what hasn’t happened that you didn’t want that you haven’t celebrated?

Here’s my list for today (and it’s only 7am): I woke up and didn’t have toothache. My laptop isn’t broken. I haven’t got measles. My children aren’t poorly. I haven’t just stubbed my toe, we haven’t run out of Cheerios and there hasn’t been an earthquake.

I mean, what a fabulous start to the day.

None of those bad things has happened! Of course, it’s hard to notice something that didn’t happen. However it’s helpful to sometimes switch your thinking to all the bad things that could have happened, but didn’t and then celebrate the positive result.

Share it with your children and get them to think of examples. The chances are theirs will be much more creative than yours!

Get Huggy Christmas and New Year is a time for family and friends and, chances are, you will have been giving and receiving more hugs than usual in the last few weeks. So how about continuing the hugging habit all year and using this scientific fact that might just change your life: apparently, the average hug lasts 2.1 seconds. So a quick one…two… and it’s done and dusted. However, for the love to really transfer a hug has to last 7 seconds or longer.

So a top hugging tip is to treat the ones you love to the full 7 seconds. Obviously, don’t count out loud as that spoils the effect, and they might start wriggling after 4 or 5 seconds – but a 7 second hug says “I love you.”

Everyone wins. Hugging releases oxytocin (a happy chemical) in you and the one you’re hugging.

Be a Hygge Spotter The Danes have a word – hygee (pronounced ‘hoo-ga’) – that has no direct translation in English. The closest I can give you is ‘comfort.’

For me hoo-ga is sitting by an open fire, drinking hot chocolate, while a storm rages outside. Hoo-ga is also being wrapped up snug and warm on a snowy walk. Hoo-ga is also

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14 • Maidenhead • Windsor • Marlow • Ascot • Slough • Egham

Dr Andy Cope is a positive psychologist and bestselling author. His latest book Diary of a Brilliant Kid is available now on Amazon. For more information, visit www.artofbrilliance.co.uk

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Cyberbullying: what you need to know By Claire Winter Today’s children spend a lot of time online.

How can we make sure they are safe?

According to Bullying UK’s national survey, 56% of children surveyed said they had been bullied online and 42% felt unsafe.

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yberbullying is defined as the use of digital technologies with an intent to offend, humiliate, threaten, harass or abuse somebody. This kind of harassment can happen anywhere your child is online, for example: class Whatsapp groups, gaming platforms, apps, and social media.

One of the main problems with bullying online is that it can happen 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and it can go viral very quickly. If it’s happening, children can’t escape it; we need to educate them on how to deal with it and to ensure they know to tell a trusted adult if it is happening to them.

The earlier parents start to have conversations with their kids about being online, the better. We need to guide them and teach them about responsible online activity.

Internet Matters encourages parents to talk to their children about who they want to be online, what they share and how long they spend on the Internet. They also advise taking an active interest in what your child is looking at and frequently checking up on them.

Other tips include making sure there are no phones/devices in the bedroom at night and putting Wifi on a timer to limit the time your kids spend online.

Here are Families’ top tips on how to teach your children to stay safe from cyberbullying: Don’t respond - never respond to a rude comment. Bullies only bully to get a response.

Screenshot - take a picture of the bullying behaviour, so you can report it if the behaviour escalates. familiesonline.co.uk

Talk about it - make sure you tell a trusted adult or friend. They can give you advice and support you if you are being bullied.

Block it - block the user who is bothering you and report it. This is important even if this person is someone you know, or a so-called ‘friend.’

Report it - if someone at school is harassing or bullying you, make sure you tell a teacher. If it is a stranger or a person from out of school, make sure you tell your parents.

Be private - make sure your privacy settings are set to private so people that you don’t know can’t contact you. You wouldn’t talk to a stranger on the street, so why do it online?

You can be traced - explain that children that misbehave online by posting abuse or threats can be tracked and traced by the police without any difficulty. Every time you visit a website or tmake a posting, your Internet service provider has a record of your activity. Even if you create an anonymous email address, you can still be found.

Keep passwords safe - remind children to protect their passwords and not share them with others.

Tell them to use a combination of lowercase and uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols. This will mean they are less likely to be hacked.

Think before you type - remember the impact your words can have on others. Once you send or write something online you can’t get it back. Remind your children to ask themselves: would I be happy for everyone I know to see this?

What if your Child is Cyberbullying?

Psychotherapist Alex Drummond, who is a member of the Counselling Directory (www.counselling-directory.org.uk) says it is easy for children to distance themselves from the consequences of their actions when they are online.

“It will be upsetting to find your child is the perpetrator oft online abuse, but it’s also important for parents to see this as part of the socialisation of children, step back from the emotive aspects and deal

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with this calmly and thoughtfully.

Express disappointment, not anger, and ‘call-in’ rather than ‘call-out’ the behaviour, by helping the young person recognise the impact of their actions. All children will do things we disapprove of at times; our role as parents is to be patient and guide, to understand consequence and to give them the courage to stand apart from the crowd when injustice prevails by doing what is right.”

WINDSOR MONTESSORI SCHOOL

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Log out - if using a public computer at school, a library or even at a friend’s house, be sure to sign out of the web service you are using.

If your child or someone you know is being cyberbullied make sure you get some help. Bullying UK (www.bullying.co.uk) has some great resources and a helpline at 0808 800 2222. Internet Matters (www.internetmatters.org) also has some useful tips and videos that you can share with your children.

• 3 year nursery funded children accepted.

Providing care and education within a loving nurturing environment.

• Baby and toddler parent sessions to include four free settling in sessions, prior to start.

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www.windsormontessorischool.co.uk

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Out of school hours: 01344 844592 • E: menik@windsor-montessori.com

Email: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk • Tel: 01628 788058

Families Thames Valley East • 15

Travel

Holidays with a difference

By Claire Winter Are you fed up with package or resort-based holidays?

Why not try some of these quirky suggestions for a short break or alternative summer holiday destination.

Go on a Cretan adventure This beautiful island is a fabulous family holiday destination with an ancient culture, excellent cuisine, and all-but-guaranteed sunshine. Kids will love learning about the island’s past on a simulated archeological dig and will learn to care about its future too when visiting a sea turtle nesting habitat with a local conservationist to hear about the threats these endangered species face. Other days can be spent trying diving, paddle boarding, snorkelling to shipwrecks and even Cretan dancing, all while staying in a beach-side apartment with a swimming pool. Prices start from £899 per adult and £849 per child, including seven nights’ B&B accommodation, one lunch, one dinner, and guided activities.

Depart 29 June, 27 July or 17 August 2019.

More info at www.familiesworldwide.co.uk

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Try treehouse life The Garden Village in Slovenia is a beautiful eco-village of treehouses, glamping tents, Finnish sauna, massage pavilion and a garden, which supplies the on-site restaurant with fruit and vegetables. The treehouses are raised cabins with two levels and have indoor nets to lounge about on, kitchenettes and bathrooms.

The wooden-floor pier tents are by a stream and fishpond, while glamping tents have a mezzanine level, bathrooms, TV and hot tub.

Lake Bled, which offers a vast array of activities, is just a short walk away. Treehouses are expensive in peak season (€360 a night) but tree tents which sleep four and have shared bathrooms/toilet facilities, are less at €260 a night. More info at www.gardenvillagebled.com Hit the road Why not discover Europe in a camper van? The UK’s largest VW camper van hire company Campervantastic is based in Forest Hill, south-east London, just over an hour from the Channel Tunnel and south-east ferry ports.

Staff are experienced in catering for a variety of European adventure tours; you could explore the Alps, cycle in the Dordogne or explore vineyards in Bordeaux. You can hire out the relevant equipment, such as bike racks and wine storage to suit your plans. Some of the campers have electrically powered pop-up roofs, bike racks, comfortable beds, folding picnic tables, satnavs, and media ports. They also have a Mercedes Marco Polo campervan for hire and will have the brand new Grand California Motorhome available in the Spring of 2019. Prices start from £910 a week in July.

More info at www.campervantastic.co.uk Choose quirky locations There are many quirky locations from castles to islands that offer accommodation in the UK and further afield. Why not experience lighthouse life in Norfolk? Boasting extensive sea and inland views, this Grade II listed former lighthouse keeper’s cottage built in 1791, offers

16 • Maidenhead • Windsor • Marlow • Ascot • Slough • Egham

The Garden Village in Slovenia visitors a unique coastal location adjoining Happisburgh’s working lighthouse. Within a short drive of the Norfolk Broads, Lighthouse Cottage is ideally situated for rural, and beach walks. Price is £1171 for seven nights’ self-catered accommodation arriving 13th July 2019. It sleeps five in two bedrooms, with two pets welcome. Visit www.cottages.com for more info and booking. You could also try a fantastic converted Railway Carriage in west Somerset. The carriage is 100 years old and has recently been refurbished. Once upon a time, it was a Great Western Railway camping coach.

Today it sits in a quiet siding at the Blue Anchor station on the West Somerset Railway line. It is a working railway - so guests beware!

Situation-wise, everything is on the doorstep, and it's a short walk to Minehead's sand and shingle beach. The carriage sleeps six and costs start at £715 a week in the summer. More info at www.lovecottages.co.uk Discover Belgium and Holland These family-friendly destinations offer clean, wide beaches and an easy journey time.

They’re a short flight or a 35-minute tunnel crossing away. Both countries are small, varied and easy to get around. Little Clogs Holidays offer baby and toddler-friendly breaks in holiday parks and glamping farm holidays.

Families can explore a wide range of toddler-friendly theme parks, water parks, and zoos as well as magical woodland trails, sand dunes and playgrounds on the beach. Prices start at £818 per family for a week in the summer holidays. More at www.little-clogs-holidays.co.uk How about a house swap?

A house swap can be a great way of exploring the world and cutting holiday costs. You lend your home to another family, while you live in theirs. All you have to do is buy your flights or ferry ticket. You do need to clean and tidy your home so another family can live it. You also have to empty some cupboards and drawers for their clothes and leave a manual about the house. You can negotiate to swap cars and look after each other's pets too. Try Love Home Swap www.lovehomeswap.com or Home Exchange www.homeexchange.com

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Sleepover Party Games At some point every child wants to experience a sleepover party. If this is your first sleepover as a parent, then, as well as getting lots of sleep before the big night, you’ll also need to be armed with a list of ideas to keep the guests entertained and tire them out! Andrew Campbell shares some suggestions: Karaoke. You might have to fork out on some kit but you can always use the equipment again. For added interest guests could form a panel of judges.

Bake treats to enjoy during a midnight feast (or what they might think is midnight once you’ve tampered with the clocks!) Biscuits are an easy option – let them enjoy decorating them too.

Decorate a pillowcase. Buy plain pillowcases and some fabric paint or markers and allocate an area of the house where they can be a bit messy. All guests then get to keep their designs as a memento.

Torch tag can be played inside or outside, but must take place in the dark! One person is “It” and has possession of the torch. The other players find places to hide and are found by being caught in the torch’s beam.

Tug of war with an old sheet. The chance it will rip adds to the entertainment. Place lines on the floor with masking tape an equal distance behind where each team begins pulling, the first team to get all of their members back past the line wins.

Party & Classes News

Redroofs announce another world-class trip of a lifetime for all young performers to Broadway, New York, New York!

After a very successful trip to Broadway, New York in October 2018, Redroofs Holidays have announced their next adventure in April 2019.

The trip has a extraordinary performing arts itinerary for all star struck children aged 8-16+ who love the limelight and their accompanying parent/guardian. Parents reported that it was the best experience for them too and that they were even more star struck than the kids (if that's possible). Parents loved being an integral part of the experience.

Redroofs provide the showbiz and workshops and there is still time for all to explore the city! The trip includes fabulous musicals on Broadway, workshops with the stars where children will learn and perform repertoire from the musicals in a real Broadway rehearsal studio and Q&A sessions with Broadway artistes, last night cast party and much more!

Kids on Broadway is open to all UK families.

Bookings are now open for Monday 8th to Friday 12th April 2019. For more information email: info@redroofs.co.uk

A film will help to wind down and require minimal input from you. Provide popcorn (preferably unsalted), whilst you take deep breaths and prepare for the “getting to bed” part of the evening….

About: Confidence building fun for 4-12s. A unique mix of drama, dance and singing specially formulated to bring out every child's true potential. Classes are kept small to ensure lots of individual attention. Perform offer no-obligation FREE trial sessions.

Venues: St Peter’s Centre, 1 Thorney Lane North, Iver SL0 9JU. Drama: 4-7s Tuesdays 4pm; 7-12s Tuesdays 5pm.

Boyne Hill Infant School, Rutland Road, Maidenhead SL6 4HZ. Drama: 4-7s Saturdays 9.30am; 7-12s Saturdays 11.15am Magnet Leisure Centre, Holmanleaze, Maidenhead SL6 8AW. Drama: 4-7s Fridays 4pm; 7-12s Fridays 5pm All Saints Church Hall, The Causeway, Marlow SL7 2AA. Drama: 4-7s Mondays 4pm & Thursdays 4pm; 7-12s Mondays 5pm.

Clewer Youth Centre, Clewer Parish Hall, Windsor SL4 5EW. Dance: 6-12s (Perform X), Mondays 5pm. Drama: 4-7s Mondays 4pm & Fridays 4pm; 7-12s Fridays 5pm.

Contact: T: 020 7255 9120 enquiries@perform.org.uk www.perform.org.uk/try

Good luck!

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Perform weekly drama, dance and singing classes

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Families Thames Valley East • 17

PARTY BAG IDEAS

By Jude Fellowes

As a mum of three, I know that opinion on whether party bags are an essential component of a children’s party is almost as divided as on whether it’s really necessary to invite the whole of your child’s class to their party.

I

like to think of myself as a good parent (most of the time), but I confess I do my very best to avoid party bags! I loathe looking around for suitable tat to put in them and feel guilty about the fact that most of what I’m buying will end up in landfill or down the back of my fellow parents’ sofas.

Having said this, I would NEVER let my daughter know what I think of party bags because she LOVES them. She also enjoys the excitement of giving them to her friends.

So, love them or loathe them, if you are going to “do” party bags, then here are some budget friendly suggestions:

Books You can get hold of reasonable quality children’s books from discount book stores for as little as £1 or £2 a book – and at least this is a gift that’s educational. Older children may also appreciate books more than other party bag material.

Personalised biscuits/cupcakes Buy or bake some gingerbread men or cupcakes and ice with the name of each party guest for them to take home. This is something your child will also enjoy helping with. flowerpots and packets of seeds/seedlings With spring just a few (albeit long) months away, encourage your child’s guests to get a

18 • Maidenhead • Windsor • Marlow • Ascot • Slough • Egham

little green fingered by giving them a small packet of flower seeds or some seedlings and a flower pot. Even better, get them to decorate the pot and plant the seeds as a party activity.

Bumper packs of sweets Buy several large bulk packets of sweets, divide into small portions and wrap in cellophane for each guest. Tie with a pretty ribbon.

Go traditional Party blowers, balloons and bubbles always bring a smile to childrens’ faces almost regardless of age and most supermarkets tend to have a good selection of these party staples on special offer.

Sock puppets Younger children love sock puppets, so get them to make their own. Buy some cheap socks and colourful craft materials with which to decorate them and you have a fun party activity and another memento for their party bag.

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Party Directory COURT GARDEN LEISURE COMPLEX. (Marlow) There’s NO mess, NO fuss and we do all the work whilst you, your child and their friends have all the fun. We have lots of different party options available to suit everyone! For further information call 01628 405 200.

FLUTTERBY PARTIES. Tailored to suit the wishes of boys and girls of all ages. 2 hours of fun with 3 party hosts. Traditional games, catwalks, dance shows, and prizes. They also do nail art, hair glitter and curls, colourful makeup, facepaint, temporary tattoos, hair colour sprays and much, much more.

Dressing up box for under-5’s! Call Zowie on 07812 440297 or ring Janet 07768 317625; www.flutterbyprobeauty.com

It’s Party Time...

Need some inspiration for your child’s birthday? Our Party Directory has our pick of the best local parties on offer - from arts and crafts to sports and everything in between! Plus there’s also a suggestion for some beautiful handmade cakes. Happy Planning! When you ring please don’t forget to say you saw it in Families magazine.

ARTSPIRATION SCHOOL OF DRAWING AND PAINTING offers Arty Birthday parties for children aged 5+. All their parties are non-profit and support their designated charity. The children have a wonderful time at their party knowing they are supporting other children whilst having fun! Parties range from Canvas Painting, Mosaic, Fabric Painting, Card Making and Recycled Art, to suit a wide range of interests, ages and budgets. They also host art events for Adults, a lovely way to spend an evening with friends whilst getting creative at the same time. For more information please visit www.artspiration.co.uk or email artspirationinfo@gmail.co.uk BASIL AND CREW Mobile Farm - Bring a minimobile farmyard to your home or venue, complete with fencing and an assortment of animals, such as goats, sheep, ducks, chickens and Shetland ponies for your party. Involves pet handling, feeding and grooming. They also offer educational and fun school visits either with ‘full farm’ or ‘3 billy goat gruff’ day. Also great for nursing homes, special needs, fetes and fun days. 01628 821145 or 07721 422554; www.basilandcrew.co.uk A party to remember? Make it exclusive with a BUSY BUTTONS CREATIVE STUDIO, all-inclusive deluxe party specially designed for you or select one of the fantastic themes of the season. The

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Design Studio offers a unique 'no worries' experience with creating puppets, painting, sewing, crafting, making jewellery and more at their conveniently located, well-equipped studio where boys and girls leave beaming with their creations.

All at Busy Buttons Design Centre CIC, 8-9 Windsor Yards, Windsor SL4 1TF. Bookings at busybuttonscreativestudio@gmail.com; 07952 418212; www.busybuttons.org CANDLE BY PARTIES offer a wonderful opportunity to make hand-poured fragranced candles in individual melters, adding dyes and fragrance oils.

As the candles are setting children decorate candle holders and packaging with paint, glitter and pretty gems. Children take home a party bag filled with all the lovely candles they have made. Parties also available for adults plus company parties and team building workshops. Tel: 07771 851435 or 01628 947224; www.candlebyparties.co.uk CHEEKY CHARLIES. One hour in the soft play area with one host and a visit from Cheeky Charlie, followed by use of a private room. Two options: Exclusive Hire for up to 30 children and Cheeky Time, or during public opening times for up to 20 children. Maximum age: 10. Magnet Leisure Centre, Maidenhead. 01628 685338.

Email: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk • Tel: 01628 788058

FUNKY FACES. Professional Make-up artist Jenny offers face-painting and glitter tattoos for children aged 3 and over. Ideal for parties and corporate events across East Berkshire, South Bucks and the surrounding areas. For further information and to make a booking please contact on 07976 671309 or jenquille@hotmail.com.

Website: www.funkyfaces.co.uk

Ballet Parties Ballet themed birthday parties for 2 yrs up Ballet themed games and adventures Boys Peter Pan & Pirates parties available

Email: parties@twinkletotsdance.com

www.twinkletotsdance.com

Families Thames Valley East • 19

Party Directory The HANDS-ON ART STUDIO organises parties for groups of up to 20 guests, for all ages & occasions: children, families, Brownies/Cubs, Hens, corporate office or teambuilding & more. All-inclusive prices: materials & equipment, professional guidance & instruction, glazing & firing of pottery items and studio party decorations. Catering can also be arranged for a truly hassle-free experience.

Printable invitations available on the website.

Discounts available for groups of 10 or more - do call Janet for more details: 01753 206265; or please go to www.hands-onartadventures.co.uk and click on Parties.

JUMP IN TRAMPOLINE PARK. Want a jumpin, pumpin’, totally unique birthday party? Jump In offers the very best in birthday celebrations, with bouncing fun, food, drink, everything you need including a host to make it run smoothly…. and we clear up for you! The park now has two incredible themed party rooms! the Jungle Jam room will transport you to a world of animal adventure and the Glow Party is their UV glow-in-the-dark spectacular complete with laser show. Parties start from £150 for 10 jumpers (including food & drink) and the birthday child goes free. Visit www.gojumpin.com/activities/birthday-parties JUNGLE MANIA PARTIES are available from £6.99 per child. Burn off some energy exploring the new and improved centre at Jungle Mania Bourne End and then finish off with a party tea in one of the party rooms. With all food and drink provided and

no clearing up to do, grown ups can relax too!

Private hire is also available. For more information visit www.Junglemania.com or phone 01628 529128 LONGRIDGE. An outdoor activity centre based on the River Thames that provides action-packed parties and Holiday Activity Days with water themes. Parties can include any of Longridge’s water or land activities, such as Raft Building, Climbing, Water Orbs, Laser Tag, Bell Boats and Kayaking. Call 033 0303 0101 or email bookings@alfcharity.org. For a full list of Longridge activities visit the website www.alfvillages.org.uk THE LOOK OUT DISCOVERY CENTRE. The centre runs two hour parties (10-20 children) for 5-12 year olds. Party goers get to visit the exciting hands-on science and discovery exhibition with a member of staff and meet the mascot owl Eric. Party includes birthday party invitations and a present for the party child. The parties can be catered or self-catered.

Go to www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/be for more information or phone 01344 354400.

MAGNET LEISURE CENTRE run a variety of popular birthday parties to suit children of all ages and interests. Party food can also be arranged. Trained staff will ensure that your child and their friends will have a great time. Ask about the following activities: Football Fun, Inflatable Obstacle Course, Bouncy Castle, Roller Disco, Pirate Galleon Adventure, Water Walkerz on the water, Dart Tag Parties. Call 01628 685333 or visit www.leisurecentre.com

20 • Maidenhead • Windsor • Marlow • Ascot • Slough • Egham

If you need some help with your birthday cake, MAISY GRACE CAKES offer bespoke cakes for all ages and occasions inspired by your greatest loves and tailored to your celebration theme or venue. From traditional and tiered cakes to fun 3D novelty, they are committed to baking with the finest ingredients and decorate to the highest degree of detail. www.maisygracecakes.co.uk info@maisygracecakes.co.uk 07949 595297 for more details ODDS FARM PARK. Wooburn Common, nr Beaconsfield, Parties include entry to the farm, hire of a fully decorated party room, food and party bags.

After-school parties are also available. 01628 520188; www.oddsfarm.co.uk Based around an exciting theme of your choice, PERFORM’S energetic party leaders use a magical mix of songs, games and laughter to create fun-filled, action-packed parties to remember. Call 0207 255 9120 or visit www.performparties.co.uk for more info.

PHOENIX GYMNASTICS. Under-5's PlayGym Parties.

An hour's free play in the fully equipped gym with half an hour allowed for food for up to 30 children.

Available on Sundays only and discounts available for members. Please call 01628 778881, email info@phoenixgym.co.uk or see the website www.phoenixgym.co.uk for more details.

PHOENIX TRAMPOLINE CLUB. Parties available on Saturday afternoons at East Berkshire College, Langley for 4-14 year olds. Limited to 8 children and room available for food afterwards. Please call 01628 778881 or email trampolining@phoenixgym.co.uk for more details.

PLAYBALL PARTIES. Active, fun parties for 3-8 year olds centred around a variety of extremely fun sports based games and skills. Catering to your exact needs based on age and theme, sit back and relax as we guide your energetic party goers through a variety of imaginative fun games using our specialised equipment. Contact us: windsor@playballkids.com 07488 581123 REDROOFS PARTIES. Their successful Luxury Musical Theatre & Ballerina Birthday Parties are run by a professional, experienced team, who provide a happy and motivating Musical Theatre Experience with a performance for parents. Themes include Beauty and The Beast, Matilda, Cinderella, Annie, Ballerinas and more. There is a Magical Dressing Up Box for children for their performance. Beautiful themed room decoration and party bags available. Redroofs can provide an Elsa, Annie, Matilda, Cinderella, Beauty, Ballerina and Mary Poppins to perform with your Little Star Performer. Exclusive use of 2 state of the art, mirrored studios at Redroofs. For children ages 4-11 years. Redroofs also run the very best Little Star Performer Toddler Birthday Parties for children ages 2-4 years. To find out more email emayling@redroofs-school.co.uk or call 01628 674092. Easy online booking www.redroofs.co.uk/parties SHOWSTOPPER PARTIES. Dance, drama and singing parties for children of all ages. Run by West End performers you are guaranteed a truly outstanding party. Using fantastic games, gripping stories, fabulous dance routines and innovative songs, Showstopper Parties will whisk your child off on a magical adventure they will be talking about for months. Phone: 07885 150034 email: mairi@showstopperuk.com www.showstopperuk.com familiesonline.co.uk

Party Directory SQUISHBOSH, isn’t just a fun name it is a word made up of qualities that the party entertainers look for in the children at the party (aged 5-12), which then forms the basis of the awards at the end of every party. Squishbosh is a fun sports event but with a twist, it’s a mix between, Total Wipeout, It’s a Knockout and more original sports games. All games must be played outside. Call Pete on 07721 422554 or 01628 821145; www.basilandcrew.co.uk THE JELLY LOUNGE love to host parties and can take care of the stress and the mess. They offer all types of parties and decor to personalise the celebration ranging from children’s parties, family gatherings and christenings. They can offer full service or room hire only. Get in touch with them with your requirements 01753 290175 www.thejellylounge.co.uk Did you know that every birthday party at THE LITTLE GYM WINDSOR gets exclusive use at no extra cost? The stunning, state of the art venue is all yours for an amazing, exclusive hosted party every time you book! Children join fun teachers for a party full of imagination and adventure in the gym, while parents have the opportunity to catch up in the

stunning member’s lounge. No noisy crowd, no fuss – just you, your little ones, your nibbles, and lots of fun for children and grown-ups! Contact The Little Gym Windsor at windsor@thelittlegym.eu or 01753 968 488.

THE PICTURE COMPANY has launched Pop Video Parties in their own green screen multi-camera studio in Bracknell. Perfect for parties, star in your own music video! Fantastic introductory offer of £150! (£100 off £250 per session). For more information, please visit their website www.picturecompany.co.uk or call 01344 481384.

TWINKLE TOTS. Fun birthday ballet parties for 2 yr olds up. Get the opportunity to dance with professional ballerinas. Ballet themed games and adventures. Themed parties tailored to your child's desires. Ballet themed party bags and even pointe shoe pinata's! Boys Peter Pan and Pirates parties also available. email parties@twinkletotsdance.com Go online to look at testimonials and photos from previous customers; www.twinkletotsdance.com

All details were correct when we went to print December 2018.

01628 821145

07721 422554

Bringing all the fun of the farm to your school, Home, Private Party, Family Funday or Fete, also providing beneficial therapeutic/sensory sessions for visits to Nursing Homes or Special Needs Activities.

Call Pete to discuss your requirements, and obtain prices e: farm@basilandcrew.co.uk • www.basilandcrew.co.uk

familiesonline.co.uk

Email: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk • Tel: 01628 788058

Families Thames Valley East • 21

What’s On Compiled by Siobhan Newman

It’s Paddington’s First Concert at Norden Farm, January 12

JANUARY

Saturdays in January STORYTIME AT MARLOW BOOKSHOP 22-26 Spittal St, Marlow SL7 1DB 10-10.30am, ideal for babies and pre-schoolers. www.marlowbookshop.co.uk Sundays in January VISIT ETON NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM Eton College, South Meadow Lane, Eton SL4 6DW Housing the Thackeray Collection of British Birds and other collections. 2.30-5pm. Etonnhm.com Mondays in January SALSA DANCING Tithe Barn, Hurley, SL6 5LX 07518 727363 Fun and friendly salsa dancing classes 8.15pm to 9pm. www.salsastyle.co.uk Ongoing SCIENCE EXHIBITION The Look Out Discovery Centre Nine Mile Ride, Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 7QW 01344 354400 More than 90 activities which children of all ages can enjoy and learn from. Science shows run at weekends and Bracknell school holidays, subject to minimum numbers. £1.95 per person in addition to the main entrance price. www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/leisureservices/look-out Ongoing SPRING LAMBS at Odds Farm Park Wooburn Common Road, HP10 0LX, 01628 520 188 The newborn lambs will be wobbling to their feet this spring, see them on the farm and in special timed talks and feeding sessions. Plus enjoy the giant playbarn, water play and other animals. www.oddsfarm.co.uk

See magical ballet from Siberia at the Wycombe Swan, January 17 -19

Until Sunday January 6 WINDSOR ON ICE Alexandra Gardens, Barry Avenue, SL4 3HY Covered main rink plus smaller open air ice rink. Ice Bar and Grill, viewing area, cafe, dodgems. www.windsoronice.com Until Sunday January 6, 2019 A ROYAL WEDDING: THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF SUSSEX Windsor Castle, Windsor, SL4 1NJ 020 7766 7304 See the wedding outfits on display. Castle entry cost applies (free to Advantage Card holders). www.royalcollection.org.uk Saturday January 5 CHESS AND CRAFT CLUBS Burnham Library, Windsor Lane, Burnham SL1 7HR Chess Club 2-4pm, Kids Craft Club 2-3.30pm. www.buckscc.gov.uk/services/libraries Sunday January 6 HIGHVIEW TOY LIBRARY 6 North Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 1PL Enjoy play sessions at the library and borrow toys – for accompanied children.

Wednesdays, 10am-12noon, first Sunday of month, 3-5pm.

Wednesday January 9 and Thursday 10 LEVEL 1 - BASIC PRANIC HEALING COURSE Basingstoke. To be happy and have mental clarity, your body needs to be healthy and your mind needs to be clear. This 2-day practical course will give you the ability to take all areas of your life to the next level. Also Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 Holiday Inn Oxford; Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 Holiday Inn Reading South. Visit www.ukpranichealing.co.uk for details

Find out what lies Under The Sea at the Look Out, January 19 to March 19

Thursday January 10 AUTISMFRIENDLY AFTER SCHOOL CLUB Riverside Primary School, Cookham Road, SL6 7JA. A safe and stimulating environment for children 8-12.

Different activities each week, 3.156pm. Club leaders are DBS checked and experienced. Termly booking required, £5 a session. www.standoutforautism.com Friday January 11 to Saturday January 26 THE LANE END PLAYERS: TREASURE ISLAND Lane End Village Hall, Finings Road, HP14 3EY 01494 880062. The Players bring swashbuckling panto fun for all the family. Watch out for bad pirates and clever parrots. www.laneendplayers.com Saturday January 12 PADDINGTON CONCERT Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Altwood Road, Maidenhead, SL6 2PF, 01628 788997 Join Paddington at his first classical concert – with disastrous results! Specially arranged for wind quintet and narrated by Jonathan Butcher. £10 (£8 under 16s), family and friends (4 people) £32, £8-10, group discounts. 11.30am and 2pm. www.norden.farm Saturday January 12 PERFORMING ARTS TASTER SESSION MN Academy, Windsor Girls School, Imperial Road SL4 3RT 0207 018 3906 Free taster of the academy’s classes in film, theatre and movement. 11-18 years, places are limited, email Sophie at office@mnacademy.co.uk www.mnacademy.co.uk

Wednesday January 16 and Thursday 17 ROBOT TODDLER DAYS The Look Out Discovery Centre, Nine Mile Ride, Bracknell, RG12 7QW 01344 354400 Art and craft, play dough, face or hand painting and storytelling. On toddler days buy one drink and get another free to the same value. £6.80 per parent and toddler and an additional £1.55 for an extra toddler. www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/leisureservices/look-out Thursday, January 17 to Saturday 19 CINDERELLA Loddon Hall Twyford, RG10 9JA Twyford and Ruscombe Theatre Group present a lively show full of music, dancing, songs and corny jokes. www.twyrusdrama.org.uk Thursday January 17 to Saturday 19 RUSSIAN STATE BALLET OF SIBERIA Wycombe Swan, St Mary Street, High Wycombe HP11 2XE 01494 512000 The company presents Giselle, La Fille Mal Gardee, The Nutcracker and Swan Lake. For times and prices visit www.wycombeswan.co.uk Friday January 18 NATURE TOTS Windsor Great Park, Forest Gate (off the A332 between Windsor and Ascot) SL4 2BY 07493 649 667. Fun in natural surroundings. Each session includes seasonal nature discovery, games, crafts, story-time and drinks. All children must be accompanied by an adult. 18 months to 4 years (younger siblings welcome). 10-11.30am. £7 per child. Also Monday January 21, 1011.30am and 1-2.30pm. www.bbowt.org.uk

Maidenhead Gymnas cs Club & Gymtots Gymnas cs based physical educa on for pre-school and school aged children at our gym within the grounds of Altwood School, Maidenhead.

Visit:-

MaidenheadGymnas cs.uk

Or Telephone / Text

07 957 223 124

for details

22 • Maidenhead • Windsor • Marlow • Ascot • Slough • Egham

familiesonline.co.uk

What’s On

Please email listings@familiestveast.co.uk with any events.

Event times and dates do change. Please try and check that an event is still going ahead, before you head out.

Meet newborn lambs at Odds Farm Park in January and February

Friday January 18 PARENTING TEENS AND TWEENS 10 Clarence Drive, Englefield Green TW20 0NL Mette Theilmann looks at encouraging a positive attitude and behaviour in your teenager through effective communication. Boost your teen’s confidence, look at ways to limit our own voice in the house and create a calmer and happier home. 10am12.30pm. www.parentingsuccesscoaching.com Friday January 18 PRANIC HEALING SEMINAR – HEALTH AND POSITIVE SELF IMAGE Bourne End Library, Bourne End. Also Saturday February 2 Holiday Inn High Wycombe. Thursday January 31 Personal Development seminar Bourne End Library; Friday February 15 Managing Personal & Professional Relationships seminar Bourne End Library. Visit www.ukpranichealing.co.uk for more information Saturday January 19, Sunday 20 and Saturday 27 ALADDIN Bourne End Community Centre, Wakeman Road, Wooburn Green, SL8 5SX Slapstick, laughs and musical numbers in this fab-u-lous family show. 2.30pm, plus 6.30pm show on final Saturday. Tickets from www.bourneendcommunity centre. org.uk Bourne End Library or call 01628 523291. Adults £10, concessions £8, family ticket £32. www.forumplayers.com

Take a brick safari at RHS Wisley, January 26 to March 3

Saturday January 19 to Sunday March 24 SCIENCE SHOW: UNDER THE SEA The Look Out Discovery Centre, Nine Mile Ride, Bracknell, RG12 7QW 01344 354400 01344 354400 Discover the creatures that live in the deep and help protect them through different challenges. Shows run weekends and school holidays at 11am, 12pm, 2pm & 3.15pm. £1.95, on top of entry fee. www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/leisureservices/look-out Sunday January 20 STORYTELLING IN THE DEN Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Altwood Road, Maidenhead, SL6 2PF, 01628 788997 Interactive storytelling in the magical story den.

Times vary, check website. 4-7yrs. £3.50, 11am. Also February 10. www.norden.farm Monday January 21 and 28 WOODLAND CAPERS Under the Canopy Forest School, Gerrards Cross SL9 8SR 07971 406 671. Come and play outside! Drop-in Stay & Play 1011am. £7.50 per child (inc marshmallow toasting!). All ages welcome. Also Monday February 4 and 11. Email jenny@underthecanopy.org.uk to book Wednesday January 23 and Thursday 24 YOUNG RANGERS Windsor Great Park Environmental Centre, Windsor Great Park, Forest Gate (off the A332 between Windsor and Ascot) SL4 2BY

07493 649667. Wildlife club for 8-12 years. Explore and discover who and what lives in the park and forest.

Become a nature detective to find out about birds, bats, deer, minibeasts and more! Pond dipping, bug hunts, animal tracking, shelter building and bushcraft. Refreshments provided.

Booking essential, £5. 6-7.30pm.

Thursday January 24 to Saturday 26 DICK WHITTINGTON Wraysbury Village Hall, The Green, Wraysbury, TW19 5NA, box office (freephone) 0800 772 3614 Wraysbury Players will be telling the story of brave Dick, his clever cat, lovely Alice and the bad rats with plenty of fun and interaction.

Tickets £8, shows 7.30pm and Saturday matinee 2.30pm. Doors open 30 minutes before show. www.wraysburyplayers.co.uk Saturday January 26 to Sunday March 3 THE GREAT BRICK SAFARI RHS Garden Wisley, Woking, Surrey GU23 6QB Lego and nature fans will enjoy RHS Garden Wisley this winter. Go wild and track down more than 40 animals and plants in the garden and both the temperate and tropical zones of The Glasshouse. With information about each find and the conservation efforts going on around them. There’s also the chance to join a LEGO® bricks making workshop in the Glasshouse Gallery and have your photo taken in

Whatever place you’re into

From Friday February 1 SNOWDROP WALK Cliveden National Trust, Taplow, SL1 8NS 01628 605069 Follow a self-led walk around the estate to see the first signs of snowdrops. The best clusters of snowdrops are expected at Blenheim Lawn, Stable Bank and Ilex Grove.

Status of the snowdrops is dependent on weather, call in advance or check website and social media. 10am4pm. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cliveden

Blossom Ballet please contact Lucy:

lucy@blossomballet.com www.blossomballet.com

Encourage a love of swimming!

Blossom Ballet

is about having lots of fun and making new friends.

NO joining fee with this advert

familiesonline.co.uk

FEBRUARY

07813084283

Pre-school lessons available now 3-4 year olds

Visit website for full terms and conditions.

the LEGO® bricks jeep. www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley Sunday January 27 OPEN DAY HISTORY ON WHEELS The History on Wheels Museum, Longclose House, Common Road, Eton Wick, SL4 6QY, 01753 862637 Visit this fascinating family museum of vintage vehicles, plus NAAFI Cafe with great views of Windsor Castle. Adults £7, children 516 yrs £5, other concessions available. www.historyonwheels.co.uk Monday January 28 to Saturday February 2 PUSS IN BOOTS St Leonard’s Hall, Richings Park, Iver, Bucks, SL0 9DD Feline groovy? Head to the Richings’ players hilarious show for traditional panto fun. www.ticketsource.co.uk/richingsplayers

For a FREE taster class or for further information

“learn to swim for life!”

Court Garden Leisure Complex 01628 405200

Bluegrass Concertini at Norden Farm, February 19

Operated by Places for People Leisure Ltd in partnership with Wycombe District Council

Email: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk • Tel: 01628 788058

Classes throughout the week, including weekends, in Windsor, Bray and Maidenhead.

Families Thames Valley East • 23

What’s On Compiled by Siobhan Newman

Fly a spitfire (stimulator) at Maidenhead Heritage Centre, February half-term

Friday February 1 PARENTING WORKSHOP: MANAGING SCREEN TIME 10 Clarence Drive, Englefield Green TW20 0NL Mette Theilmann discusses managing screen time in a practical and positive way for your family, creating a balance between screen time and other commitments.

10am-12.30pm. www.parentingsuccesscoaching.com Monday February 4 COFFEE AND CPR/ FAMILY FIRST AID SESSIONS Danesfield House, 1 West Street, Maidenhead SL6 1RH 01628 569922 Learn the essentials of First Aid in a friendly group of likeminded people.

No exam and no obligation to participate – if you just want to watch, that is fine, although practicing will give you the best opportunity to learn. Coffee and CPR is 2 hours long, Family First Aid is an extra 1 hour. 9.30am-12.30pm.

Booking recommended, discount for advance payment (£25 on the day).

Also Monday March 4.

Tuesday February 5 to Sunday 10 MACBETH South Hill Park Wilde Theatre South Hill Park, Ringmead, RG12 7PA 01344 484 123 Journey to the darker side of the Scottish highlands. A great way to bring Shakespeare to life for young people and featuring a stunning set by award-nominated designer Victoria Spearing, striking costumes by Anne Thomson (Game of Thrones) and a haunting original score inspired by traditional Scottish folk music.

7.15pm, see website for matinees.

Tickets £21 full price, various concessions. www.southhillpark.org.uk Saturday February 9 to Sunday 24 RUNNYMEDE’S PEOPLE Runnymede National Trust, North Lodge, Windsor Road, Old Windsor SL4 2JL 01784 432891 Find out about the people who have owned, enjoyed and shaped Runnymede for over 800 years. 10am-4pm. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/runnymede

NEST is at The Curve on February 14

Sunday February 10 and Sunday 17 FIND SNOWDROPS ON A GUIDED WALK National Trust, Ankerwycke Farm, Magna Carta Lane, Wraysbury TW19 5AF (parking in adjacent field) 0344 249 1895 Come and see how the historic parkland of Ankerwycke is being reclaimed by nature at a time of year when carpets of snowdrops cluster round the ancient Ankerwyke Yew and priory ruins. A310 adults, £5 child. 11am 12.30pm. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/runnymede Monday February 11 NATURE TOTS Windsor Great Park, Forest Gate (off the A332 between Windsor and Ascot) SL4 2BY 07493 649 667.

Experience and enjoy nature outdoors. 18 months to four years.

10-11.30am and 1-2.30pm. £7 per child. Also Friday February 15, 10-11.30am. www.bbowt.org.uk Tuesday February 12 5 SOLDIERS South Hill Park Wilde Theatre South Hill Park, Ringmead, RG12 7PA 01344 484 123 A thrilling and humane portrait of army life telling the stories of men and women serving on the front line. Rosie Kay (choreographer of hit film Sunshine On Leith) looks at what we ask of our soldiers and explores how the human body remains essential to war, even in the 21st century. Thrilling, athletic dance theatre 7.45pm £16, concessions available. www.southhillpark.org.uk Thursday February 14 NEST The Venue@ The Curve, William Street, Slough. House presents a stunning multi-sensory experience for prewalking babies and their parents and carers. Unfolding in a custom-built performance tent, Nest takes audiences on a journey through the seasons, using playful poetry, sound and song, captivating movement, tactile and sensory play. 35-minute performances run at 11am, 12pm, 1pm and 2pm. £10. The show also visits Norden Farm Centre for the Arts in Maidenhead on Friday March 15. www.thecurveslough.com

24 • Maidenhead • Windsor • Marlow • Ascot • Slough • Egham

Dear Zoo and Friends at the Wycombe Swan, February 14-15

Thursday February 14 to Friday February 15 DEAR ZOO Wycombe Swan St Mary Street, High Wycombe HP11 2XE 01494 512000 Dear Zoo, the timeless children’s classic book makes its stage premiere. Rod Campbell’s best-selling lift-the-flap book has delighted generations of young readers since it was first published in 1982. Child-engaging puppets, music and lots of audience interaction. Perfect for children aged 2+ years. Morning and early afternoon shows. www.wycombeswan.co.uk Friday February 15 and Saturday 16 PINOCCHIO Kenton Theatre, New Street, Henley on Thames, 01491 575698 Immersion Theatre presents a new version of the fantastical fairytale. This fresh musical promises to be the perfect treat for the whole family, no strings attached! Shows at 6pm Friday, 11am and 2.30pm Saturday. Tickets: adult £12, child £10. www.kentontheatre.co.uk Saturday February 16 THE GIANT JAM SANDWICH South Hill Park Wilde Theatre South Hill Park, Ringmead, RG12 7PA 01344 484 123 One hot summer’s day, four million wasps invade the quiet village of Itching Down. They’re noisy, nasty and worst of all, they don’t mind who they sting! Until the baker has an ingenious idea…Fun-packed feast for 3-7 year olds and families. 12pm.

Tickets £13, conc £11, family of four £47. www.southhillpark.org.uk Sunday February 17 ANIMALCOLM Wycombe Swan St Mary Street, High Wycombe HP11 2XE 01494 512000 David Baddiel’s magical and wonderfully comic story comes to the stage. Malcolm doesn’t like animals, which is a problem because his family love them. Their house is full of pets. What the house is NOT full of is stuff Malcolm likes. A vibrant, energetic and funny musical using physical theatre, puppetry and fun.

2pm and 5pm. www.wycombeswan.co.uk

Monday February 18 MARGO AND MR WHATSIT Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Altwood Road, Maidenhead, SL6 2PF, 01628 788997.

No matter where Sophia finds herself living, her imaginary friend Mr Whatsit is always there with a new joke to tell and a new game to play. But when she moves into her new foster home, he finds himself unimagined! Can Mr Whatsit’s childish playfulness keep him from being unimagined for good? £11 (£9 under 16s). Family and friends (4 people) £36. Tickets/ seats are not required for children under 18 months who are happy to sit on laps.

11.30am and 2pm. www.norden.farm Monday February 18 to Friday 22 ARTS AND CRAFTS FOR HALF-TERM Norden Farm, as above. Hour-long craft activities to keep the little ones entertained this February Half-Term.

The crafts vary so you can create something new every day! 5+ years.

10.30am, £5 Tuesday February 19 to Saturday 23 SPITFIRE SIMULATOR Maidenhead Heritage Centre, 18 Park Street SL6 1SL 01628 780555 Take flight this half-term at the heritage centre.

Travel back in time and become one of those famous Spitfire pilots of World War II, but flying round the Isle of Wight, over Windsor Castle or over 21st century London. With the replica flight controls and wide screen.

8+ yrs. General admission free, 15 minutes flight: £7.50, 30 minutes flight (ideal for older children and adults): £15. Look out for two-forone offers. Open 10am-4pm. www.maidenheadheritage.org.uk Tuesday February 19 to Saturday 23 THE TALE OF PETER RABBIT Novello Theatre, 2 High Street, Sunninghill, Ascot SL5 9NE. Bring your favourite Teddy to help Peter Rabbit in his famous adventure. A play especially re-written for the under 8s (no scary bits). You ‘ll laugh, sing-along and discover the magic of live Theatre.

All seats £9.50. No charge for babies under two years on laps. 11am www.ticketsource.co.uk/thenovello

familiesonline.co.uk

Please email listings@familiestveast.co.uk with any events.

What’s On

Event times and dates do change. Please try and check that an event is still going ahead, before you head out.

AniMalcolm is at Wycombe Swan, February 17

Margo and Mr Whatsit, Norden Farm, February 18

Nice Mice at the River and Rowing Museum, February 19

Tuesday February 19 BLUEGRASS CONCERTINI Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Altwood Road, Maidenhead, SL6 2PF, 01628 788997 A toetapping 45 minutes of American Bluegrass with a distinctly British twist. 11.30am and 2.30pm, the morning concert is a relaxed performance ideal for families with babies and toddlers or children with SEN. £11 (£9 under 16s) family and friends (four people) £36. www.norden.farm Tuesday February 19 NICE MICE River and Rowing Museum Mill Meadows Henley on Thames RG9 1BF Where do mice live..? Find out and make your own little mice from junk materials plus some habitats to hide them in. You can visit the mice in the Wind in the Willows and learn mice language! Children under seven years must be accompanied by an adult. Child £8.50.

10.30am to 12.30pm. Booking essential 01491 415600. www.rrm.co.uk/whats-on/nice-mice

Wednesday February 20 BRILLIANT BIRD FEEDERS River and Rowing Museum as above.

Find out how local wildlife adapts to survive the winter and use your construction skills to make a bird feeder from a recycled plastic bottle and wooden spoons. Ideal for 7-11 years, £8.50.

10.30am-12.30pm. Booking essential 01491 415600.

Wednesday February 20 to Saturday March 2 JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT Theatre Royal Windsor, Thames Street 01753 853888 Bill Kenwright’s ‘brilliant’ production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s sparkling family musical returns to Windsor. This fun, fast-moving show tells the Biblical story of Joseph, his eleven brothers and the coat of many colours. www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk

Wednesday February 20 MOLE AND GECKO Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Altwood Road, Maidenhead, SL6 2PF, 01628 788997 A rapper and a singer. A mole and a gecko. A river. A boat with no name. A quest for adventure. A quest with a duck! Enjoy live songs, rap stories and instant poems as our heroes find out that what they thought they were searching for, might be less important than what they find along the way. An interactive rap musical that you help create!

5+yrs. £11 (£9 under 16s) family and friends (four people) £36 11.30am-2pm. www.norden.farm Thursday February 21 FIRE AND ICE River and Rowing Museum Mill Meadows Henley on Thames RG9 1BF 01491 415600 Make a mini volcano and investigate all things meteorological as museum staff explore extremes of temperature. 10.30 am to 4pm, free with entry. www.rrm.co.uk/whats-on

Classes held

ERS BEGINNOFFER L SPECIA

S 4 WEEEK FREIDENHEAD

A TISKA M LUB C No special clothing required.

Ladies, gentlemen and children welcome.

Families welcome minimum age 4 years.

All our instructors have enhanced Disclosure and Barring Certificates

Tel: 07709 327274 or 01753 882012 email: tiska.karate@btconnect.com Mondays from 6:00pm Sunninghill Club Charters Leisure Centre Devenish Road Sunningdale SL5 9QY

Tel 07880 491278 email: seb.tiska@hotmail.com

www.tiska.com familiesonline.co.uk

Every Sunday at 4.00 pm Maidenhead Club The Magnet Leisure Centre (Upstairs Studio) Holmanleaze Berkshire SL6 8AW

Email: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk • Tel: 01628 788058

Families Thames Valley East • 25

MORE

What’s On Compiled by Siobhan Newman

ONLINE familiesonline.co.uk

Cruise with Mole and Gecko on February 20

Joseph is dreaming at the Theatre Royal WIndsor, February 20 to March 2

The Amazing Bubble Man is at Norden Farm, February 22

Friday February 22 LIVELY LETTERS River and Rowing Museum, as above. Be inspired by William Morris’s beautiful lettering to create a banner celebrating you. 4-7years must be accompanied by adult. 10.30am-12.30pm, £8.50. www.rrm.co.uk/whats-on Friday February 22 LOUIS THE AMAZING BUBBLEMAN Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Altwood Road, Maidenhead, SL6 2PF, 01628 788997 Be mesmerised by square bubbles, rocket bubbles, tornado bubbles, flying saucer bubbles and more! £11 (£9 under 16s). 11.30am and 2pm. www.norden.farm Friday February 22 to Sunday 24 PIPPIN Wycombe Swan St Mary Street, High Wycombe HP11 2XE 01494 512000 A talented cast of youngsters present extraordinary, wondrous magical feats and soaring songs from Stephen

Schwartz, the composer of Wicked. Pippin is a humorous show about growing up and finding your purpose in one final, extraordinary blaze of glory. www.wycombeswan.co.uk Tuesday February 26 YOUNG RANGERS Windsor Great Park Environmental Centre, Windsor Great Park, Forest Gate (off the A332 between Windsor and Ascot) SL4 2BY 07493 649 667 Wildlife club for children 8-12 years. Pond dipping, bug hunts, animal tracking, shelter building and bushcraft. Refreshments provided.

Booking essential, £5. The session is for children only, no accompanying parents. 6-7.30pm.

Friday March 1 NATURE TOTS Woolley Firs Environmental Education Centre, Cherry Garden Lane, Maidenhead 01628 829 574 A great opportunity for you and your pre-school little ones to have fun in natural surroundings. Each

session will include activities such as bug-hunting, mud digging and mask-making. Games, storytime and refreshments also included. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Suitable for children aged 18 months to four years. 9.30am to 11.30am. £7 per child. Booking essential. Also runs on Monday March 4, 9.30am to 11.30am or 1pm to 2.30pm afternoon session. www.bbowt.org.uk

to advertise here phone 01628 788058 Thames Valley East

5.15

ON OFFER AT REDROOFS...

IST

6

SATURDAY ALL DAY TRAINING SCHOOL The very best Musical Theatre Training at the School for Stars!

Ages 7-16+

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Exceptional Musical Theatre Training and Masterclasses (by audition only) Ages 7-16+

DRAMA CLASSES AT REDROOFS

DANCE TRAINING PROGRAMME ISTD Tap, ISTD Ballet & Acro Training Evening (Grade 3-Intermediate)

DRAMA PROGRAMME Creative Drama, Audition Skills, Speech and Drama for Performance, Young Actors Programme, Little Professionals Acting Through Song FULL TIME CO EDUCATIONAL DAY SCHOOL Years 5-13+

PART TIME CLASSES Little Star Performers, Musical Theatre, ISTD Ballet, ISTD Tap, ISTD Modern, RAD Ballet, Acro, Audition Skills, Jazz Dance, Limber and Stretch, Street Dance, Gold Barre Dance Training Ages 1 - 16+

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An Exceptional Drama training programme for young actors: Monday Creative Drama 4.15-5.15pm (ages 6-8 years) Tuesday Audition Skills 5.15-7.15pm (ages 10-15 years) Thursday Little Actors 4.30-5.15pm (ages 4-5 years) Little Actors 5.15-6.15pm (ages 6-8 years) Speech and Drama for Performance (ages 9-11+ years) Speech and Drama for Performance (ages 11-14+ years) Friday Little Professionals Acting Through Song 4.30-5.15pm (ages 6-8 years) Young Professionals Acting Through Song 5.15-6.15pm (ages 8-12 years) Creative Drama 6.15-7.45pm (ages 13 years)

START yOUR CHILD'S REDROOFS PERFORMING ARTS ADVENTURE | www.redroofs.co.uk REDROOFS AGENCY Ages 4-18+

26 Bath Road, Maidenhead, SL6 4JT and Littlewick Green, Maidenhead SL6 3Qy | Tel: 01628 674092 | EMAIL: emayling@redroofs-school.co.uk

26 • Maidenhead • Windsor • Marlow • Ascot • Slough • Egham

familiesonline.co.uk

Top tips to turn your family into eco-warriors

By Isabel Thomas Saving the planet is easier than you think and the whole family can get involved!

Go herbivore for a day When it comes to gobbling up resources, meaty meals are the planet’s number one enemy. Each year, 7.6 billion humans chomp their way through meat from an amazing 65 billion animals. Raising these animals – and getting them from farm to fork – puts enormous pressure on the planet’s resources and is a big source of greenhouse gases. Avoid meat (and cheese) for just 1 day a week, and you could make a bigger impact than taking your family car off the road for 5 weeks.

Do less washing up You hate it, and the planet hates it too! Happily, putting less effort into doing the dishes is a win-win situation. An average family washing up by hand uses around three sinks full of water per day 10% of all their daily water. It’s possible to use much less if you avoid wasteful habits, like running the hot tap to rinse dishes. If your family uses a dishwasher, you’ll be very pleased to hear they can be kinder to the planet – as long as you don’t rinse the dishes first.

Ban baths One of the top ways to cut the volume of greenhouse gases our houses belch is to reduce the amount of water we heat up at home. Skipping even 1 bath a week can make a big difference. If you already prefer showers, don’t be too smug. Fast-flowing and rainfall shower heads use up to 17 litres of water per minute, meaning that an average 8 minute shower can use almost double the energy and water of a bath! To make showers eco-friendly, get out after 5 minutes.

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Lose your bottle In the minute it took you to read this far, one million plastic bottles have been bought, beginning a journey that all-too-often ends in the stomachs of zooplankton, fish, albatross chicks, whales and seals.

So, what can your family do? Invest in bottles that are easy to clean and reuse. Fill up before you go out for the day, and while you’re on the move – look out for water fountains or ask at a café or restaurant.

Party for the planet Birthdays only come once a year, so most party goods are disposable. Wrapping paper, cards, decorations, paper plates and napkins, plastic cups and cutlery are all designed to be used for a few hours and thrown away. It doesn’t have to be this way. Send invitations and thank you notes by email, make your own decorations, and ban napkins – provide a bowl of soapy water and a towel instead.

Eat ugly food Shockingly, a third of the food produced every year gets thrown away. The waste happens in many different places – on farms, where

crops that don’t look perfect are left to rot; in supermarkets, where ‘ugly’ fruit and veg aren’t put out on display or are left on the shelves by shoppers; and in our homes, where food is forgotten at the back of the fridge until it’s too mouldy and disgusting to eat. Play this game in the supermarket – who can track down (and take home) the strangest looking fruit and veg? No item is too blemished, big, small or gnarly – if they’re on the shelf, they’re safe to eat. Give them a home, so they don’t get thrown away – they’ll still taste delicious!

Plan a rubbish day out Imagine if your family stopped putting the bins out and stored all your rubbish at home instead. After a year, you’d be wading through more than a tonne of packaging and food waste – the average for households in the UK. We’re lucky that our waste gets taken away every week or every fortnight – but it means we never get to see how much we really produce. So find out where your garbage goes once you’ve waved goodbye to the bin lorry.

Many landfill and recycling sites offer free tours for individuals or groups. Once your family has seen the scale of a stinking landfill site, they’ll be inspired to reduce, reuse and recycle like never before. Plus your house will look really tidy in comparison!

Don’t rush to flush!

Around a third of the water we use at home goes straight down the toilet! Research has shown that flushing less often could reduce our water usage and bills much more quickly than turning off the tap while brushing our teeth, or even taking shorter showers. ‘If it’s yellow, let it mellow’ is backed by science! Even easier is encouraging your family to take their first wee of the day in the shower – the focus of recent campaigns in Brazil and the UK. Doing just one daily wee in the shower could save 2,500 litres of water in a year – enough to fill a hot tub! (Though we definitely don’t recommend that – hot tubs are another eco-baddie!)

Isabel Thomas is the author of This Book is Not Rubbish: 50 Ways to Ditch Plastic, Reduce Rubbish and Save the World, out now in paperback from Wren & Rook, price £6.99.

Inspirational outdoor experiences for children and adults of all ages Including: Pre-school sessions, holiday clubs, parties and bespoke events

Gerrards Cross www.underthecanopy.org.uk info@underthecanopy.org.uk

Email: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk • Tel: 01628 788058

Families Thames Valley East • 27

Parenting

Enjoying time with pre-schoolers

By Rachel Bailey

T

he twins will be starting school in September and time is flying by. Despite being privileged enough to work from home with flexible hours so I can make sure I’m around to pick them up from nursery each lunchtime, they have fallen foul of second (and third) child syndrome. When my eldest was in nursery, I had the whole afternoon with him.

The twins however barely have time to sit down in front of their toys before they are bundled back out on the school run. The one exception is a Thursday, as I don’t have to be back at school until 4.30pm and having often found myself using this time to drag them round doing various chores, I had a moment recently when I realised just how precious this time was and Adventure Thursdays were born!

An Adventure Thursday is time just with mummy and the only rule is that I have to join in, thus ruling out soft play (unless I am prepared to actually crawl through small spaces, climb and slide alongside them, which

let’s face it, most of the time I’m not!).

Most of our afternoons so far have involved the National Trust. We are fortunate to live in an area where there are a few to choose from – Cliveden, Basildon Park, Hughenden, Grey’s Court and The Vyne (though the latter is probably a bit of a push for a Thursday afternoon). We love them because they offer so much and those afternoons have been spent climbing trees, building dens, running down hills, hunting bugs, collecting sticks and generally exploring the outdoors. We haven’t yet needed to visit the playgrounds, so if you don’t have National Trust membership, Windsor Great Park is also a great place for outdoor fun.

We’ve tried to use these afternoons as an opportunity for learning too. In autumn we collected leaves and made hedgehog collages out of them and as my 4 year old son is obsessed with picking up sticks, I am trying to see our ever growing collection as an opportunity! For anyone else with a stick

collector in the family, if you haven’t come across it, I can recommend ‘The Stick Book’ by Jo Schofield and Fiona Danks which has lots of suggestions to capture the imagination of children of all ages. If you’re stuck for inspiration, I’ve also recently come across ‘101 Things For Kids To Do Outside’ by Dawn Isaac and of course the National Trust’s ’50 Things to do before you’re 11¾’, offers some great motivation for getting kids outside.

The other benefit to National Trust membership, is visiting the properties themselves. Despite my initial fear that I would spend the whole time hissing ‘don’t touch!’, the twins have learnt that pine cones on chairs mean they are not to be sat on and have loved hunting for various objects around the houses.

For indoor fun, The River and Rowing museum in Henley is another favourite of ours. Home of the beautiful Wind in the Willows exhibition, kids can also pick up backpacks with various activities to complete around the museum and there is usually an additional exhibition or activity in each school holiday. Admission guarantees you entry for a year, so it needn’t be expensive.

When the weather’s not been great, although we’ve enjoyed our fair share of puddle jumping (not always with the right footwear!), there have been plenty of afternoons spent doing puzzles together, or playing games which teach them to take turns (a work in progress in our house!), recognise their alphabet, exercise their memory, or improve their counting. We have quite a collection of games from Orchard Toys, but often end up playing the same one over and over and a pack of cards can work just as well.

If you’re brave enough to embrace the mess, painting and cooking are fun activities to do together too and last year we even got them growing their own vegetables. It was amazing how much more willing they were to try something they’d picked themselves! For us, Thursday afternoons are about setting aside quality time to spend together and make the most of this year before school starts, but even a couple of hours snuggled up on the sofa together in front of a movie at the weekend is precious family time.

We are a super-friendly Ofsted registered day nursery providing high quality childcare for babies from three-months-old to children up to the age of five set within the bright, modern surroundings of Windsor Leisure Centre.

Open for 51 weeks a year! Accepts 30 hours funding To find out more about our excellent childcare facility and meet our team: Call: 01753 855543 • Email: info@theriversidedaynursery.co.uk Visit: www.theriversidedaynursery.co.uk

28 • Maidenhead • Windsor • Marlow • Ascot • Slough • Egham

familiesonline.co.uk

photo: ‘The Little Welly’

The fun of family exercise

By Anna Collins

W

hen you have a young, growing family it can be hard to fit in exercise for yourself and a much bigger challenge to get the kids involved too! Screens and a wariness about letting your children out on their own don’t help the fitness cause either, so what is the answer?

Maybe more ‘Family’ focused exercise. Afterall, fit, healthy children tend to copy fit, healthy adults, so setting an example and family-focussed activity is surely key. It’s sometimes hard to inspire the entire family, so Families has put together some ideas that might get you all moving and, more importantly, enjoying some fun time together!

First up is the humble family walk. Personally, I think it’s all about ‘the sell’. I remember the days when my Dad would announce it was time for a ‘family walk’, normally on a Sunday afternoon. It could quite often end up being a 7 miler with an OS Map and a point at which we got lost..oh and a bit of rain thrown in.

My brother and I never really fancied it and always got tired half way through. Hence ‘the walk’ needs to be sold. Try incorporating a train ride to the beginning or part of the walk or perhaps get a group of children and adults together so socialising, playing and perhaps a picnic become part of the walk.

Parks, nature, boats and waterways are all great ways to liven up a walk – so do your research and get out and enjoy.

The walk does not have to be a long one either; the other weekend we found ourselves wanting to explore something new – so we set off to walk over the new footbridge from Ray Mill Island in Maidenhead and found ourselves in the new landscaped area on the other side of the Thames. We explored the new housing area and even found a footpath over the hill to Taplow. All perfect for my 4-year old and his little legs.

There are now many organised fitness events, where children and the family are the focus. Try familiesonline.co.uk

booking one in as a fitness goal for the year. The Little Welly have one of their events in Henley– this is on our list to try this year! The Little Welly experience is all about getting kids active, outdoors, running, jumping and muddy.

They aim to connect children with nature, giving them a sense of adventure and freedom to run wild.

Tracey Beard at Muddy Productions says, ‘The Little Welly is a great antidote to screen time, helping children have time away from the technology that dominates our lives’.

Their obstacle courses challenge children, help them to solve problems on their own or part of a team and most importantly enable them to have lots of fun and get very muddy. Not only that they also have a festival field with live entertainment, activities and workshops such as circus skills and hoola hooping. The next local obstacle event is in Henley on 8th/9th June and all the family can join in. For booking visit www.thelittlewelly.co.uk

Same goes for activities such as Go Ape www.goape.co.uk , Ice-skating & wall-climbing, for both try: www.everyoneactive.com/centre/s lough-ice-arena or perhaps something like raft-building www.adventurelearning.org.uk Why not pick out 6 new challenges for the year?

With cycling, where you go is key (depending on the age of your children). We are frequent visitors to Dorney Lake, where the tarmacked path and lack of motor traffic offers a great place for a

family bike ride (just watch out for rowing coaches and those on roller blades). Our 7-year old son even likes to time himself around the 5km course.

Exercising with the family can be a two-way experience! You should embrace the stuff that kids love and they need to be persuaded to join in with the stuff you love. If it’s dressed up the right way for them, you will be fast on your way to becoming a fitter, more active family and I bet you find you become a closer family unit as a fantastic side-benefit!

Stagecoach Maidenhead Unlock your child’s potential Sing, Dance, Act

The Little Welly – Fun and muddy obstacle courses for children/families

Trampolining is a great family activity. An hour’s trampolining can burn hundreds of calories and this is a great one if the weather is looking poor. As much as it’s tempting to let the children go off while you catch a coffee and a magazine (Families of course!), challenge yourself to go and join in! You will find you are able to bond and relate to your child(ren) on a completely different level if you join in with the fun! Try www.gojumpin.com/locations/slough

NOW ENROLLING FOR SPRING 2019 Registers are now open for the Spring Term at Stagecoach Maidenhead Email: maidenhead@stagecoach.co.uk Website: www.stagecoach.co.uk/Maidenhead Phone: 01628 281128 / 07871 530119

Email: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk • Tel: 01628 788058

Families Thames Valley East • 29

She Means Business

Is work-life balance a myth for new parents?

Balancing the day-to-day challenges you face at work as a new parent can be daunting. It’s not always easy, but a healthy work-life balance can exist. Business experts at Brighter Business have put together the following advice for a new mum or dad preparing to return to work and their employers: Start slowly Don’t throw yourself back in at the deep end.

Before your departure from work, important tasks would’ve been handed over to a trusted colleague or shelved until they could be given the necessary time and attention.

Keep-in-Touch (KIT) days are a great way to maintain contact with whoever has been left in charge in your absence and provide you with updates on how things are progressing.

You can spread these out over the duration of your leave without feeling like it compromises on the quality of time spent with family.

Additionally, a staggered return, for example working just two days a week for a month before increasing your days, could also help the transition.

Even if you own the business, you should implement the same procedure as you would for one of your employees.

Don’t compromise While remote working can be great for new parents, it can also be problematic in blurring the lines between work and family.

Don’t compromise on the quality of either;

when working from home, make sure you’re working. When you’re spending time together as a family, don’t give in to the temptation to check work emails. Expect the same from your colleagues as you would yourself, so there are clear boundaries for everyone.

Share the load It’s easy to fall into a routine where one parent is responsible for the daily drop off and pick up, meaning that person is under pressure each day to finish on time. Could your partner, a family member or close friend help each week or on occasion, to help take the pressure off?

Don’t be afraid to ask for help, remember juggling last minute work deadlines with set pick up times from the child minder can be tricky and sometimes, you simply can’t do it all.

If you still can’t make it work, then talk to your employer or HR to see if there are other arrangements or initiatives that you could take advantage of.

Handling employees returning from leave All of the above also applies to any employees within your business that are returning from parental leave. Having a reduced schedule with

30 • Maidenhead • Windsor • Marlow • Ascot • Slough • Egham

greater flexibility, at least to begin with, can help to ease recent parents back in to the workplace.

Programmes such as “Returnships’ can help employees to re-establish their careers in the same business by bringing back highly-skilled, knowledgeable and experienced individuals without compromising on family life or other personal commitments.

Be flexible A more flexible schedule – whether that entails reduced hours or working from home, can help to provide a supportive framework for parents who need time to adjust to the twin pressures of work and family life.

If you’re in charge of supporting a colleague in their KIT days, try to empathise with their position – there may be a lot they feel they’ve missed, and even simple team bonding time can be much appreciated. Try to plan sessions thoughtfully and don’t treat them as an afterthought or casual meeting – think about what you’d want to know if you’d been away.

Communication is key Ensure that any policies are clear, announce when they’re established, and let employees know about what processes are in place to make life a little easier.

For more tips, guidance and information on how to balance work and family life, visit www.brighterbusiness.co.uk

familiesonline.co.uk

She Means Business

Odette

Tara Mehmet and Odette Meredith are based in Bourne End and Penn respectively. Busy jobs and burn out in the music business and telecoms industry led them to pursue an alternative career. They now help people with physical, emotional and mental health difficulties and use techniques from a system called Pranic Healing. Here they explain more about what they do.

1. Tell us a bit about the business?

Many of our techniques in helping people centre around Pranic Healing, which not only is one of the fastest growing complementary therapies (now in 126 countries) in the world but is also an amazing self-development program. We are licensed Instructors affiliated with the Institute of Pranic Healing UK and Ireland. As therapists we treat people for a range of physical conditions including: migraines, back-ache, infections, injuries, asthma, allergies, gastro problems and much more. For mental and emotional conditions, we help with stress and anxiety, depression, addictions and phobias amongst others. As instructors we facilitate seminars (in schools, organisations and charities), community relaxation sessions for kids, teens and adults and courses for people who’d like to learn the skills themselves. It is truly first aid in your hands and a great toolkit for parents to get the maximum benefit for a healthy, happy, family life.

2. What did you use to do? Did you change career to do this?

Odette, Mum of 2 Teenagers, worked in the telecoms industry for 10 years, was a Zumba instructor for 10 years and currently works in private practice as Human Givens

Psychotherapist and Pranic Healing Instructor/Practitioner.

Tara, Mum of 3 girls, ran a management business in the music industry for 15 years, was a Reflexologist and Massage Therapist and is currently a Pranic Healing Instructor/Practitioner.

3. What inspired you to set up the business?

Odette - I had good personal experiences when practicing the techniques in my daily life, using them with my family for health and the ups and downs of teenage life.

I also saw rapid recovery times in others, when I incorporated some of the Pranic treatments into counselling sessions.

Tara - after a highly stressful career, at the point of burnout, I discovered Pranic healing and it transformed my life. I’m now committed to helping others with the challenges they face running families, careers and maintaining a balance in life.

4. What are your plans for the future?

We all experience stress or pain in our lives at some stage. The genius of this system is that anyone can learn techniques to help themselves and others in a practical 2-day course. The techniques help with personal growth, health, relationships and even finances.

Classifieds

COURSES & SEMINARS LEVEL 1 BASIC PRANIC HEALING COURSE Achieve happiness and mental clarity through a healthy body and clear mind

Tara It is a self-development program as well as an invaluable skill. We are committed to sharing these techniques to help empower families through courses and/or 12-1 treatments and community projects.

12/13 January 2019 Holiday Inn, Peartree Roundabout, Oxford 26/27 January 2019 Holiday Inn, Reading South, Reading 9/10 February 2019 Hampshire, Basingstoke 14/15 March 2019 Bourne End Library, Bourne End

5. What would your advice be to other business women?

Business women generally have the responsibility of taking care of others. Taking “me-time” is not selfish, it is essential in order to juggle all the responsibilities and be happy within oneself. Your life can be transformed by applying some of the tools from the Pranic Healing modality, these include breathing techniques, power generating exercises, advanced meditations and a non-touch healing technique that anyone can learn. Once we're more in control of our emotions, we have better mental clarity, and it's amazing how much more we can achieve.

SEMINARS

For more information contact: odette@ukpranichealing.co.uk or tara@ukpranichealing.co.uk

For more listings visit www.ukpranichealing.co.uk

Health & Positive Self Image 18 January 2019 Bourne End Library, Bourne End, Buckinghamshire Personal Development 31 January 2019 Bourne End Library, Bourne End, Buckinghamshire Managing Personal & Professional Relationships 15 February 2019 Bourne End Library, Bourne End, Buckinghamshire Managing Personal & Professional Relationships 22 March 2019 Binfield Heath, Oxfordshire

Help your family to achieve a happy and healthy lifestyle both physically and emotionally

Learn easy to apply techniques for every day situations to harmonise relationships and the home environment

Discover the empowerment to transform your life and the lives of your loved ones WellBeing Seminars & Courses for Families Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire & Berkshire

Personal Development Seminar Health & Positive Self Image Seminar Managing Personal & Professional Relationships Seminar Pranic Healing Level 1 Course

www.ukpranichealing.co.uk/tara-mehmet www.ukpranichealing.co.uk/odette-meredith

familiesonline.co.uk

Email: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk • Tel: 01628 788058

Families Thames Valley East • 31

Families Thames Valley East is part of Families Print Ltd, a franchise company. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. Families is a registered trademark of LCMB Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of Families Thames Valley East are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families Thames Valley East. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, but the franchise company, Families Print Ltd and Lifecycle Marketing cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequence thereof.