MADE Magazine (Mums and Dads Edinburgh) Jul/Aug 2019

made mums and dads edinburgh

JUL/AUG 2019

Allergies vs Intolerances

Back-to-School Bumper Guide

FESTIVAL FUN FOR ALL

FREE

N E W S • R E V I E W S • H E A LT H • F I N A N C E • I N T E R I O R S

Summer Camps 2019 July 1st - August 2nd SPORTS AND ACTIVITY CAMPS

Book online!

Childcare vouchers accepted

For 5 - 15 year olds www.excel-sports.co.uk fun@excel-sports.co.uk 07970 514 514

WELCOME Contributors

Researching the Festival Fringe and compiling our guide is always an annual highlight. It’s astounding what is on offer for kids and this year is no exception; rock music, dinosaurs, magic and… opera! I spoke with Roxana, the Staff Director at Scottish Opera, who explained their show this year, Foxtot!, is a tiny version of all that is great about opera. Beautiful music composed

by Lliam Paterson, a stunning set and first class singers deliver this absolute triumph. Fox-tot!’s moral is important too, with Fox trying to work out what it means to be a fox, and mother fox’s unconditional love no matter what fox decides. It’s a magical show we want toddlers to believe in, and one we want adults to be inspired by. Read more about it and our other favourite shows on pages 38-45…

We asked our contributors what they’re getting up to this summer…

Ian Noble I’m fulfilling a life-long dream and spending a couple of weeks in Rome, the Amalfi coast and Naples.

I plan on breaking world records for eating wonderful Italian food and sampling beautiful Italian wine.

Sally Parr I’m off to London for a nutrition conference, then Italy for a family holiday. I’m also looking forward to watching my daughter perform in the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in August. Hopefully we manage to fit in a show or two during the festival as well!

Scummy Mummies We’ll be spending most of the summer at the Edinburgh Fringe, so it’s going to be exciting (kid free)! We can’t wait to hang out in Scotland, and enjoy the festival.

What is better than laughter, beer gardens and deep fried food?

Absolutely nothing. They are our three favourite things.

contact MADE, PO BOX 28825, Edinburgh, EH14 9BA T: 07738 068022 E: mademag@live.co.uk www.mademagazine.co.uk facebook.com/MADEmag

Louise x

Editor & Publisher Louise Wilson Designer

MAMi Designs

Sales Executive

Caroline McClean

Feature Writers

Ian Noble, Sally Parr

Columnists

Claire Daly, Michael Atkinson

twitter.com/MADE_magazine

All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is strictly prohibited. While every care has been taken in compiling MADE magazine to ensure that it is correct at the time of going to press. MADE (Mums And Dads Edinburgh) assume no responsibility for any effects from errors or omissions.

made JUL / AUG 2019

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10 — 26 AUGUST 2019

STEP INTO A PLACE FILLED WITH IMAGINATION AND MAGIC Enjoy fun events with:

Great activities including:

JULIA DONALDSON

DROP-IN CRAFTS

HARRY HILL

STORY TELLING

VIVIAN FRENCH

SING-ALONGS

MALORIE BL ACKMAN

WILLOW WEAVING

FRANCESCA SIMON

DRAWING FUN

KONNIE HUQ

RHYMETIME

CHRIS HOY CRESSIDA COWELL CL ARE BALDING

And there’s lots more...

TICKETS ON SALE FROM 25 JUNE BROWSE AND BOOK EVENTS: EDBOOKFEST.CO.UK/FAMILIES

“

THE ATMOSPHERE AT THE BOOK FESTIVAL IS BRILLIANT. WE WERE OVERWHELMED BY THE CHOICE IN THE KIDS’ PROGRAMME – A GREAT DAY OUT AUDIENCE MEMBER

”

CONTENTS JUL / AUG 2019

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38

7 News 16 Competitions 18 The Right Platform

25 Parent Shock

By Claire Daly

26 Allergies vs Intolerances

By Sally Parr

30 The Scummy Mummies’ Guide to Parenting 34 What’s on?

47 Shopping guide for Back to School 52 An Easy Adventure MADE’s camper van review

By Ian Noble

20 Tips to enjoy the Book Festival

July and August

38 Family Favourites at the Festival Fringe

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56 Lifestyle

Float Philosophy

58 Interiors

By Kids Rule

60 Family Finance

Kids and money

62 Dental Health

with Southside Dental Clinic

64 Happy Birthday to you!

66 Always Late

By Michael Atkinson

47 made JUL / AUG 2019

5

Where children become everything they can be Singing, dancing and acting classes for 4 - 18 year-olds

stagecoach.co.uk/edinburgh 0131 610 0636

edinburgh@stagecoach.co.uk

Stagecoach Performing Arts is the trading name of Stagecoach Theatre Arts Limited. Stagecoach Theatre Arts schools are operated under franchise and are independently owned by their Principals. Stagecoach and Creative Courage For Life are registered trademarks of Stagecoach Theatre Arts Limited.

NEWS STEP IT UP DANCE - FOR HEALTHY, HAPPY HOLIDAYS Step It Up Dance run the most active camps in town, their days consisting of Hip Hop dancing, team games, outdoor play and arts & crafts with surprises along the way to keep your child entertained and happy. There are camps for under 5s and for those currently in P1 – P7. You can book anything from a single day to a full week! www.stepitupdance.co.uk

HAPPY 40TH BIRTHDAY, STABLEROOM Colinton’s Stableroom Playgroup is celebrating its 40th birthday in August and is planning a few events to celebrate this milestone. The playgroup has three half-day sessions per week during term time for up to 16 children with a staff to child ratio of 4:1. The playgroup has been an integral step in many local children’s development over the course of 40 years, made possible because of the efforts of the community. The Stableroom would like to bring all of its past, present and future members together over the course of the next year to celebrate this achievement.

A BERRY GOOD SUMMER

Give your family an adventure this summer with a trip to the Borders to forage for juicy berries. Picking is easy on their big, family-run PYO farm full of fresh, juicy Scottish strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries, tayberries, red and blackcurrants which are naturally ripened in the open air. Great for tasting right away, whisking home for baking, puddings or jam. A picnic area and café with delicious fruity baking, smoothies and homemade ice-cream serves hungry pickers.

Open July until mid-August. To plan your visit and check what’s ripe, visit www.borderberries.co.uk

SUMMER WITH MONKEY Monkey Music is running special summer workshops in July and August, and their regular classes start back on Tuesday 20 August.

Join their award-winning music classes, suitable for babies 3 months - 4 year olds, and share precious time together with your little one. A free trial is offered for the regular classes so visit www. monkeymusic.co.uk and type in your postcode to find your nearest class or workshop. made JUL / AUG 2019

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NEWS ICON MINI (but mighty)

SUMMER FUN AT THE SCOTTISH SEABIRD CENTRE Keep little ones entertained in the Seabird’s Discovery Centre with wildlife trails, 3D films, kids-zone and fun, family-focussed daily science shows. Zoom in on amazing local wildlife with the remote viewing cameras and have a sneak peek at the new exhibits planned for later in the year.

Kids will love meeting Percy the puffin in Escape!, a new puppet show for kids age 2+. Older children (6+) can join Professor Egghead in his fantastic marine themed science shows, ‘Ro-bish Removals’ and ‘Medi-sea-n’. Tickets are included with admission and are free for Seabird Centre Members. www.seabird.org

Icon Mini by Anker is a waterproof bluetooth speaker with explosive sound. It may only be about the size of a deck of cards, but every millimeter of space is bursting with powerful audio.

It also boasts water resistance and can even withstand complete submersion.

With a microphone for hands-free calls, physical AUX input, and streamlined physical controls; Icon Mini does everything a full-sized Bluetooth speaker can. www.soundcore.com

ENJOY DYNAMIC EARTH Explore life in the Atlantic at Dynamic Earth this summer.

Play with real and virtual underwater robots (ROV’S) and get hands-on with watery experiments. Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo moon landings and discover the epic story of humanity’s first voyage to another world through fun, family activities and demos. Watch explosive rocket launches, zoom across the lunar surface on a VR moon buggy and even create your own astronaut mission patch badge to take home. Top off your day by heading down to the ShowDome cinema to experience the moon landings in spectacular 360 with new movie CapCom Go!

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GO WILD AT CONIFOX

WE ARE OFFERING

Summer Holiday Crash Courses for kids & adults in Edinburgh

10% OFF

ders for MADE rea with code 10 OT SC MADE

EXPERT SUPERVISION AND WATER SAFETY PROGRAM INCLUDED

Make some fun family memories at Conifox this summer with their 9-hole footgolf course, pedal go-karts, offroad pedal tractors, giant jump pillow, trampolines, giant sand pit and much more. After building up an appetite, enjoy the Stables Bistro’s new delicious menu or visit at the weekends to eat a sizzling BBQ (weather dependent).

They have also joined with Kids Gone Wild for some exciting workshops including Den Building and Little Boots on Tuesday 7 & Sunday 9 July. Then on Saturday 17 August have an outing with a difference and enjoy their charity vintage car show boasting some unforgettable classics.

Find out more and book tickets visit www.conifox.co.uk or on Facebook @conifoxadventurepark. made JUL / AUG 2019

Macdonald Holyrood Hotel Edinburgh EH8 8AU scotproswimming school@yahoo.com 075069 54130

Home Help Me Care has been graded ‘Excellent’ for ‘Care and Support’ in its recent care inspection

At Home Help Me Care, we recognise the significant contribution the older generation have made to shape our future, and in turn we will look after them as they deserve.

Could you help?

Join our team, and receive  flexible working hours (to fit in with school and lifestyle)

  

training opportunities career progression good rate of pay

Contact: 0131 285 8320 / 07581 554712 info@homehelpmecare.com

www.homehelpmecare.com Registered Company No. SC553248

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NEWS

MONTESSORI HIGH SCHOOL OPENS ITS DOORS… Edinburgh Montessori Arts School opens its first adolescent class in August. Accepting young people from Montessori primary and beyond, the Teens Hub is the natural next step in the growth of Scotland’s only Independent Montessori School.

“Giving our young people the opportunity to redefine their relationship with learning, we provide real life learning experiences from the get go.” says Emma Rattigan, Principal. “Our students work with experienced guides to shape and plan their curriculum, carving out plenty of space to pursue their interests and passions as they learn to broaden their own explorations.”

For application information contact development@emasfoundation.co.uk

TUTUS FOR TOTS Tiny twirlers from the age of two can dance with a participating adult at Waterfront Dance Studio’s fun interactive introduction to musical movement. Classes are also great for older pre-schoolers who still enjoy parental support or who are learning English as a second language. Tutus are provided so no need for dance gear or getting changed. Drop in class, no term commitment or prebooking required, just turn up and join in the fun! waterfrontdance.co.uk

LOOKING FOR A UNIQUE GIFT FOR A NEW ARRIVAL? babashuh framed baby shoes, exclusive to Art & Craft Collective on Causewayside are hand knitted in the colour of your choice and customised with the name, date and time of birth or birth weight; a great keepsake for baby’s room. There is a selection of styles for older children too, incorporating their interests from ballet to football. Discuss your bespoke order with Linsay on 0131 629 9123 or email linsay@artcraftcollective.co.uk

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BOOK

N OW 5★

RATED

TEACH WITH LOVE, L E A R N T H R O U G H P L AY EDINBURGH, LOTHIAN & FIFE

Gentle, progressive, learn to swim classes for children from birth to age 4 Also offering underwater photography and Birthlight Aquanatal Yoga sessions

anna@merbabies.online www.merbabies.online

Edinburgh North E: comelybank.corstorphine@monkeymusic.co.uk T: 0131 260 9667

Edinburgh South E: morningside.pentland@monkeymusic.co.uk T: 0131 229 4480

NEWS EXCEL THIS SUMMER

NEW LOOK FOR DN ACADEMIES DN Academies, has recently relaunched with a new look and a new website. They offer fresh, fun and engaging performing arts classes and workshops for boys and girls from the age of 4-16.

The new Acro Academy is a fun-filled, focused 4 hour workshop-style class for ages 7 – 16 to help develop acro skills – a combination of dance technique with precise acrobatic elements. The academy covers stretch and strength; trick and skill drills; jazz technique; and choreography, bringing together all of the core jazz and acro skills while experienced dancers will develop increased flexibility, strength and technique. www.dnacademies.co.uk

Excel Sports 2019 will run five weeks of camps from 1 July until 2 August. Their All Sports & Excel+ Activity camps are at St Georges School for ages 5-15 years from 8am with pick-up available until 6pm.

Camp activities include Art, Athletics, ComputerXplorers, Football, Sports Leaders Level 5, Dance, Gymnastics, Horse Riding, Jedi Knight School, High Performance Training (for 12-17 year olds) Canoeing, Life Guard Academy, Tennis and Swimming/ Diving.

Childcare vouchers are accepted.

Find out more and book online at www.excel-sports.co.uk

PLACES AVAILABLE AT CRAMOND PLAYGROUP Cramond Playgroup is a community playgroup, devoted to providing high quality, fun and accessible care for children aged 2 - 5 during term time, Monday - Friday, 9am - 12 noon. They have an enthusiastic and knowledgeable staff team, who have a wealth of experience in early years and are registered with SSSC. Unlike most playgroups they do not operate a parent rota so you can dedicate every session your child attends to some ‘me time’!

The Playgroup currently has spaces and operates a waiting list, which your child can be added to from birth.

To find out more call 07707 207486 or email cramond. playgroup@gmail.com or pop in for a visit. Sessions run at Cramond Kirk Halls, Edinburgh.

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NEWS NEW FOR SUMMER 2019!

Tour the five decks of Scotland’s Best Visitor Attraction where you can truly follow in the footsteps of Royalty. Discover what life was like on board for both the Royal Family as well as the 220 Royal Yachtsmen who served on The Royal Yacht Britannia with complimentary audio guides, available in both adult and children’s versions. The whole family will love spotting Clarence the cuddly corgi and friends in the Cuddly Corgi Treasure Hunt.

For the first time, visitors can take their place at the Royal Brow for a photograph, previously the entrance reserved for the Royal Family. See the stunning Phantom Five Rolls Royce, positioned on the quayside, as well as the updated onboard Garage, now home to a beautiful 1950s Series 1 Land Rover.

D S

FR

G O

EE

*

BRITANNIA

KI

THE ROYAL YACHT

Scotland’s Best Visitor Attraction ( VisitScotland)

www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk Ocean Terminal, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6JJ 0131 555 5566 * Terms and Conditions: One child goes free with a full-paying adult or senior citizen on presentation of this voucher. Not valid with any other offer or for advance tickets. No cash alternative. Original copies only.Valid until 31 August 2019. Ref. 1394. Registered charity: SC028070

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NEWS

WATER BABIES LAUNCHES FISH FAMILY TOYS Water Babies has launched a family of four new toys with a wealth of developmental benefits promising hours of safe, splashing fun - Smooch, Inky, Custard and Dotty.

Perfect for use in the bath and poolside, the toys have been specially made from natural rubber, to ensure they are super soft and extra squidgy. The Fish Family products contain no air holes, to prevent the build-up of nasties, and, because they’re hand-painted using natural food grade dye and paint, they are super safe for little-ones to chew on while teething. £8.99 per fish available at www.waterbabies.co.uk/shop

NEW: LUXURY SHAMPOO IN A BAR With an uplifting citrus aroma and containing quinoa to help prolong the life of hair colour, the Shine Bar gives a rich lather just like a liquid shampoo and is gentle enough to be used by the whole family. The bar formulation means no wasted product, no bulky plastic bottles and no mess, while the handy reusable storage tin makes it perfect for travel or to take to the gym. Shine Shampoo Bar, £9.50 (75g) is available to buy at www.shineshampoobars. co.uk and selected stockists.

CONGRATULATIONS EDA The start of 2019 was a busy one for EDA, with pupil Ellie Fergusson being crowned the first winner of BBC 1’s The Greatest Dancer!

EDA, recently voted highest-ranked dance school in the UK and Ireland, offers classes and exams in RAD Ballet, the faculty being led by RAD Ballet examiner Julie Mitchell. They also offer classes in Commercial, Pre School Dance, Jazz, Modern, Tap, Acro, Turns and Limbering, Progressing Ballet Technique, Contemporary, Competition and much more (including performing each year at the King’s Panto, look out for them in Goldilocks and the Three Bears this year!). www.edinburghdanceacademy.co.uk

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Sunday Funday

AS SEEN ON

is open to everyone so you and your family can experience the magic of The Yard.

MAKE YOUR CHILD’S DEVELOPMENT MORE FUN!

TRY RUGBYTOTS

10am - 4pm every Sunday in Canonmills £6 per child

Our dynamic weekly play sessions enable boys and girls aged 2–7 to develop their social and physical skills in a fun, positive environment.

For more details, just call or email.

The only indoor and outdoor adventure play centre in the east of Scotland, with something for everyone, The Yard is where all ages get messy and have fun!

theyardscotland.org.uk Scotland Yard Adventure Centre (known as The Yard) is a registered Scottish Charity SC002538 and Private Limited Company registered in Scotland 101671.

0345 313 3252

kirsty@rugbytots.co.uk

rugbytots.co.uk

The world’s favourite rugby play programme

Free family fun this summer!

Join us for a fun-packed month of free art-making, play and parties!

Play area - run-around fun!

- open daily from 29 June, 10am-5pm Artist-led activities every afternoon - create your own collage masterpiece - open daily from 14 July – 11 August, 12-4pm Summer party family days - performances, storytelling, face-painting and more!

- 14 July & 11 August, 12-4pm Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art Modern One, 75 Belford Road, EH4 3DR

National Galleries of Scotland is a charity registered in Scotland (SC003728)

s n o i t ti

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To enter any of these competitions, just go to www.mademagazine.co.uk and answer the questions before 16 August.

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The newly-refurbished Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club, on the outskirts of Edinburgh, has launched a special children’s afternoon tea for families.

Children stay and eat for free at Dalmahoy, making it the ideal destination for a family staycation. The resort has plenty to keep kids entertained with extensive grounds to explore, a nature trail, driving range, pitch and putt, and swimming pool.

Children’s afternoon tea, featuring colourful sandwiches, cakes and goodies, is served daily in the hotel’s Douglas Lounge, a relaxed environment for little ones and parents to enjoy a special treat.

We have complimentary family afternoon tea at Dalmahoy up for grabs for one lucky MADE reader!

We’ve teamed up with Maid of the Forth to offer one lucky family the chance to cruise under the Forth Bridges and out to Inchcolm Island on board an acclaimed sightseeing trip.

Enjoy a 90-minute cruise from South Queensferry, with the journey passing underneath the spectacular Forth Rail Bridge, and a stop at Haystack Rock where you can watch seals basking in the sunshine. The sightseeing cruise docks briefly at Inchcolm Island for passengers who wish to explore the historic island, before continuing round to the south side of the island for spectacular views.

The popular open-top deck is ideal for viewing the abundance of marine life such as grey seals and seabirds, and the occasional porpoises. Refreshments are available on board.

To be in with a chance of winning, simply answer this question:

To be in with a chance of winning this family ticket, simply answer this question:

What is the name of the Lounge at Dalmahoy, where Children’s Afternoon Tea is served?

Where does the Maid of the Forth cruise depart from?

Find out more at www.dalmahoyhotelandcountryclub. co.uk

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For more information please visit www.maidoftheforth.co.uk

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*(Mackie’s Sundae Kit contains 12 ice cream vouchers (redeemable in most UK supermarkets), 8 bars of chocolate, Mackie’s hand-made honeycomb pieces, a selection of favourite sauces, toppings, wafers, along with a Mackie’s tea towel, professional ice cream scoop, 2 sundae glasses, 2 long spoons, Mackie’s recipe book & sundae recipe card.)

Dalmahoy T&Cs: Valid for two adults and two children to enjoy children’s afternoon tea in the Douglas Lounge at Dalmahoy.

Afternoon tea must be booked in advance.

Maid of the Forth T&Cs: Prize must be used before Oct 2019.

T&Cs. The winners will be picked at random by MADE magazine on 16th August. Competition entries are restricted to Edinburgh, Lothians and surrounding areas only. Editor’s decision is final. No cash alternative is available and prizes are non-transferrable. Please indicate on your entry if you would prefer not to receive information from MADE and any of its partners.

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Enter this competition before 2 August!

Summer is the perfect time to enjoy a sundae, and we have a Mackie’s of Scotland Sundae Kit (worth over £100) to be won. The kit includes ice cream vouchers, chocolate, glasses, long spoons and a professional scoop, piping bag and serving ideas – all you need to get started on a Summer of Sundaes.

It’s super-easy, fun and of course delicious. No recipe is needed – just a few scoops of Mackie’s ice cream, some of your other favourite things, a topping of whipped cream and you’ll be creating parlour style sundaes to delight family and friends.

Mackie’s are collating an A-Z of ingredients for Super-Tasty Sundaes.

To be in with a chance of winning Mackie’s Sundae Kit, simply tell us your favourite ingredient to add to Mackie’s ice cream, whipped cream and a wafer to make your sundae*.

Follow @MackiesofScotland on Facebook for more on the summer of sundaes, and find out more about Mackie’s at www.mackies.co.uk made JUL / AUG 2019

This year, the Pleasance Kidzone is celebrating its 10th birthday at the Edinburgh Festival. To mark the occasion, they have 20+ brilliant new kids shows, as well as all the usual arts and crafts on offer, plus a brand new Kidzone Cafe. The Showstoppers are back with their completely improvised musical kids show. Wallace & Gromit will take over the EICC, with an extra-special film screening with full orchestra, as well as offering model making workshops.

They’ve got Michael Morpurgo’s classic tale I Believe in Unicorns, the return of last year’s hit Beetlemania: Kafka for Kids and renowned theatre company Complicite are bringing their very first family show I’ll Take You to Mrs Cole! to the Fringe. Other family shows include Cirque Berserk, skateboarding and BMX stunts from Elements of Freestyle and family-favourite magician Tom Brace.

To win a family ticket (up to 4) to see any Pleasance Kids Show just answer this question:

Which birthday is the Pleasance Kidzone celebrating this year?

For more information go to www.pleasance.co.uk

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THE RIGHT

platform

By Ian Noble

A

iden was clearly on the autism spectrum.

But living in a low socio-economic area in the suburbs of Brisbane meant a lot of parents didn’t understand things like autism, and because of the perceived stigma attached, Aiden went untested. Academically he struggled, socially and cognitively he wasn’t quite where the rest of the class were. In every subject across the board, if he wasn’t last to finish he was second last. But Aiden was a beautiful kid, happy and cheery, softly spoken and just wanted to laugh and smile and connect at all times.

One day I announced to the students that we’d be having ‘Show and Tells’. If they had anything

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from home that they wanted to take in and share with the class then they could.

Aiden’s hand shot up first. Before I could even get the final words out it was up, as if he’d been waiting for this moment his whole life, all seven years of it.

The assistant teacher and I looked at each other, clearly thinking the same thing as Aiden announced he wanted to show the class his balloon animals… Oh my!

The next day Aiden walked into class with a bum bag full of party balloons and asked when it was his turn. After the morning register, Aiden took to his stage at the front of the class with

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THIS LITTLE, QUIET, INCOMPETENT KID HAD BLOSSOMED INTO A CHARISMATIC, CHARMING ENTERTAINER. ALL BECAUSE HE GOT TO DO HIS THING, HIS WAY

his enthusiastic classmates on the edge of their seats. The teacher and I looked at each other with the same look on our faces Simon Cowell had when Susan Boyle walked on stage on BGT. We expected the worst.

Half a second after being given the nod, Aiden exploded into the room. He started with exciting, enthusiastic, entertaining chat about his love for balloon animals and as he chatted he was blowing up balloons as if he was born to do it. Before we could blink and realise what was happening he was throwing a giraffe into the applauding audience. He was regaling us with stories and jokes, the class were awing and made JUL / AUG 2019

cheering and the assistant teacher and I were both amazed and enthralled… ‘A GOOSE’!

This little, quiet, incompetent kid had blossomed into a charismatic, charming entertainer. All because he got to do his thing, his way.

Then…

One year and one thousand miles later I had a very different experience.

Zaymon was a kid in my grade 4 class in an Aboriginal school. I talk about Zaymon when I’m delivering sessions in schools because he was a really funny kid. What I don’t tell them though is what a troubled kid he was.

Most days would begin by teachers driving around the village getting kids in the truck just to ensure they came to school that day.

Zaymon was one of those kids. Every morning we’d have school assembly to get all the kids together and get them into the mindset of being in school. We’d sing a song and award class points for wearing shoes to school before everyone went to class. Of course, when I say everyone, I mean most.

There were always a few kids who were having a particular bad day and wouldn’t go to class.

They’d throw stones at windows instead. Zaymon was one of those kids. One day Zaymon was being particularly Zaymon. He was at school but didn’t come to assembly and staff spent the first half hour of the day trying to catch up with him to stop him smashing windows or starting fights.

There were certain kids you had to physically

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restrain, Zaymon was one of those kids. When he was brought to class I set the students a task and sat with Zaymon at the back of the class. He was kicking off, shouting, swearing and lashing out until he tired himself out and then… he stood for a while, surrendering to the situation. Then surrendering to the tiredness he leaned against me. Before long he was sitting on my lap and within a minute was snuggled up in my arms, and then… well then he cried. And when I say he cried I mean he cried and cried and cried. And after he finished he snuggled in with his t-shirt, and mine, soaked with tears and he slept. In this moment I witnessed a child labelled by many as an annoying destructive nuisance magically turn into the sweetest most vulnerable little boy.

Or did I? Maybe he didn’t turn into a vulnerable little boy, maybe he always was that vulnerable little boy and was just acting out in the only way he knew how.

Just like Aiden who didn’t ‘turn’ into a charismatic entertainer. He always was that charismatic entertainer, he just needed the right platform to show it.

As a teacher, educator, parent or even just an adult, we have the opportunity to be the person who can give those kids their stage to make balloon animals, to show the world a different

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side of who they are. We have the chance of maybe being the one constant, reliable person in somebody’s life that they can be themselves with, cry with and you may not have kids falling asleep in your arms but you get to be the person that they trust enough to be vulnerable with and that… is a beautiful thing.

We all get the chance to influence someone’s life every single day, we get the opportunity to make someone happy, to make them laugh, make them smile, to make them feel proud. We just have to find those wee moments, we need to be ready for them and help bring them out of other people and of course, ourselves. n

FIND OUT MORE Ian Noble is an inspirational Speaker/ Trainer with Dunfermline based training company, Tree of Knowledge. He takes his unique experience of teaching and working with children in 8 countries across 3 continents into his role to motivate and inspire children and adults all across Scotland. @IanNobleTok ian@treeof.com www.treeof.com

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O P E N 7 D AY S J U LY - M I D A U G 1 0 am - 7 pm

BERRIES

Lo ts of

PICNIC AREA & CAFÉ

YUM!

IES JUICY b e rinrou r ar e hi di ng

s t ra wb e r ry

patc h ..nd.

Co m e an d fi

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•

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strawberries raspberries tayberries red & black currants gooseberries

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ST BOSWELLS, BORDERS TD5 8NP

01835 823 763

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w w w.borderberries.co.uk

The Queen’s Gallery Fabulous Faberge: Make a Masterpiece Saturday 20 July 13.30 - 15.00 Enjoy the ‘Russia, Royalty & the Romanovs’ exhibition and create your own Faberge inspired egg using embossing and craft techniques. Suitable for all ages, refreshments included, booking advised.

y l i m a Fun F ut at O s y a D

THE EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL BOOK FESTIVAL E

very August, an enchanting village of tents and walkways, theatres, cafés and bookshops pops up in Edinburgh’s Charlotte Square Gardens and on George Street. It’s the site of the Edinburgh International Book Festival, which offers hundreds of interactive events for children of all ages, including hands-on workshops, fun performances and fascinating debates with authors and illustrators from across the globe. Authors appearing this year include Julia Donaldson, Chris Hoy, Harry Hill and Cressida Cowell.

There are lots of free things to do too, with daily drop-in arts and craft activities, storytelling and sing-along sessions.

The fun doesn’t stop there - you can get

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your books signed by your favourite authors, browse the bookshop, or share some stories in the reading area. Admission to the Book Festival Village is free! Bring a picnic to enjoy in the gardens, or grab a treat from one of the cafés, bars or the famous ice-cream trike.

There’s plenty on offer at the Book Festival to create a memorable day out for families. n

FIND OUT MORE The Edinburgh International Book Festival takes places this year from 10 to 26 August. You can find full details of the programme at edbookfest.co.uk/families

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5 Tips for Raising a Reader START EARLY – It’s never too early to start reading to children. Early exposure to reading will have a positive effect on their language skills, will help stimulate and develop their hearing, and lay good foundations for listening skills. That’s why the Book Festival includes lots of events for even the youngest visitors, with authors reading aloud from their latest books.

INTRODUCE YOUR KIDS TO DIVERSE TOPICS – Open up the world to children by introducing them to a diverse range of reading topics. At the Book Festival you will find over 200 inspiring events to choose from in the Baillie Gifford Children’s Programme, as well as thousands of books to browse in The Garden Bookshop, with topics ranging from friendship and self-acceptance to conservation and the environment.

MAKE READING PART OF FAMILY LIFE – Get everyone in the family involved in reading and use it as an opportunity to bond. The Book Festival is an excellent way for families to spend a day out and nurture their love of reading together, and all children’s events are either free or only £5.

TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU READ – Take the story beyond the book, by talking about what you have read and encouraging your child to ask questions. The Book Festival Village is a safe green space, perfect for relaxing and talking about what you have seen and heard. It offers family-friendly facilities, including a buggy park, baby changing facilities and highchairs.

MAKE READING FUN – Children are more likely to embrace reading if they see it as something fun and enjoyable, and you’ll find plenty of fun things to do at the Book Festival. The events – which feature much loved characters such as Horrid Henry, Elmer and the Very Hungry Caterpillar include reading, storytelling, debating, singing, drawing, crafting, creating, and much more!

made JUL / AUG 2019

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Bring on

the smiles Swim with the most highly qualified, enthusiastic and passionate teachers. Our progressive and baby-led programme, will give your little one the best start to their swimming journey. contact 07964 840 049 edinburgh@turtletots.com

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Parent-shock Written by Claire Daly

I

’ve met several new babies recently but when friends or their partners are about to give birth, I still have no idea of how to prepare them for what I call parent-shock. It’s hard to impart what is about to occur without scaring people. Have you got plenty of freezer dinners at the ready?

Have you got parental or family support lined up?

Have you got friends nearby with babies? We had none of these things. As the trailblazers of childbirth among our friends, we were hopelessly ill-prepared and it was all a bit of a shock.

A cousin who goes by the name of Digger was the only one to truly prepare us for what lay ahead. He was the only one who gave us even the slightest inkling that something life-changing was about to happen. He sat us down in a café and engaged us in a conversation which made us half laugh, half really worry. ‘Look,’ he said, ‘has anyone told you what you are in for? Becoming a parent will change your life in the hugest way.

Nothing can prepare you for the shock. You’ll have this ball of energy that doesn’t come with an instruction manual.’ We laughed wryly, thinking we knew it all, having done our NCT course and read one or two books.

It took us three hours to prepare to leave the house on our first outing after having a baby. We made it as far as across the street before we were forced to turn back due to unforeseeable circumstances. Namely, a gigantic poo.

In the months before we had a baby, I had booked several cultural outings, imagining we would have a lovely time gallivanting around a literary festival with a one-month-old. When the time came, we were so blurred-of-brain that we couldn’t even catch the right transport to get there and ended up on the wrong train and several hours late. Poo explosions on trains still haunt us and are too numerous to relate here.

Six months after I had a baby, I gave my cousin made JUL / AUG 2019

a list of things to remember to put on her fridge to prepare her. I wish I had kept a copy. So much information is only in the brain temporarily, like which colour of poo comes first and how to avoid mastitis.

Similar to the way the brain deals with the trauma of actually having one, the brain must have a scientific reason for causing us to instantly forget all the baby stuff so that you can be lulled into the false security of having another one.

I was quizzed about mastitis by a friend with a newborn and realised I had already blocked out all the awful details of what had happened to me, three times. All I could remember in the way of prevention were the booby-warmers we bought online from Sweden, which really saved the day.

Becoming a parent is a culture shock for most working people these days. Back in the dark ages, people in their 20s and 30s might have been surrounded by their wider family with babies which prepared them a bit more, but in modern cities, working people are completely immune to the experience of babies and young children if they live far away from their wider family.

The only possible preparation one could do might be to go to an escape room. There you can feel the ticking of the clock, the panic rise in your chest as you realise you have absolutely no idea how to work out how the hell this puzzle works, and who the nutcase who thought it up was.

Don’t get me wrong though, having a baby is a fantastic thing to do. Just don’t expect to be able to do anything else for several years afterwards.

One step forwards, two step backwards. n

Follow Claire at @DalyReads

25

NOT TO BE SNIFFED AT

by Sally Parr

With food allergies and intolerances on the increase, what’s the difference between them and how can we help sufferers?

I

common? It’s thought that a combination of factors are at work including increased exposure to pollution, changes in diet, over-cleanliness, low levels of vitamin D (needed to support a healthy immune system) and less exposure to microbes and parasites (which would normally keep the immune system busy therefore preventing it from over-reacting to harmless substances).

A new theory being researched suggests that allergy antibodies can develop due to loss of skin integrity when babies have eczema. This new research is vital as reactivity to at least one allergen is becoming common among 50% of

26

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f it seems that every second person you meet is giving up gluten or deciding to ditch dairy, then you’d be right. Figures from Allergy UK state that almost half of the population have intolerances to various foods, 48% of adults suffer from more than one allergy and the rate of hospital admissions for anaphylaxis has increased by a whopping 615% over the past two decades - in the UK alone. Studies suggest that as many as 1 in 3 of the population believe they have allergies, but many remain undiagnosed.

But why have food allergies and intolerances (also known as sensitivities) become so

it and how ‘Leaky Gut’ – what is olerances? does it impact food int of the intestine With leaky gut, the lining er, losing becomes a bit like a coland s can allow its protective proper ties. Thi into the undigested food par ticles ghtened hei y’s bod bloodstream; the stances sub ay ryd response to these eve ‘out of lly era can leave you feeling gen cer tain to nt lera sor ts’ and increasingly into can it s, ger foods. As well as food trig gut in s nce also be impacted by imbala ss. bacteria, medications or stre gut the of y grit inte the By restoring teria, bac ial efic ben lining and balancing nt cie effi re mo e the body may becom p hel y ma ich wh at absorbing nutrients ds. foo re increase tolerance to mo

school children, if you count seasonal and food allergies, asthma and eczema together.

But what do the different terms mean? Because allergy and intolerance are all frequently used interchangeably (especially in relation to food), there can be confusion with regards to how they differ. In a nutshell, (no pun intended), they all relate to the body responding adversely to a particular food trigger, and are increasingly becoming a global public health issue. But many presumed food allergies may not actually be allergies at all; consequently, many of these conditions often test negatively using traditional testing methods.

As Dr. Nigel Abraham, Scientific and Laboratory Director at Cambridge Nutritional Sciences explains, “Food allergy is an inappropriate, adverse immune reaction to a food which is characterised by an immediate response”. Symptoms can include swelling, hives and itching, as well as difficulty breathing.

Dr. Abraham confirms, “life-long avoidance of the food is necessary as it can involve severe reactions known as anaphylaxis”. These are the cases we read about in the press, with the result made JUL / AUG 2019

that non-dairy hot drinks now come complete with stickers and allergy sufferers are asked not to buy their lunch from certain chains. Common culprits can include soya, milk, peanuts, sesame, eggs, tree nuts, fish and shellfish. Due to the potential severity of the reaction, it’s essential to consult your GP if you suspect you or your child are allergic to any foods.

Common intolerances include the foods listed as causing allergic reactions, in addition to those containing fructose, sulfites, lactose, histamine and gluten (known as non-coeliac gluten sensitivity). As well as the digestive discomfort that may signal food intolerance, other issues can include headaches, itching, migraine, wheezing, dermatitis, acne and anxiety. These can often be harder to pin down to a specific food trigger, however. Becoming increasingly more prevalent, at least 100m people worldwide are thought to be affected.

But to dig deeper into what is driving intolerances, we need to investigate so-called ‘leaky gut’ syndrome, as it’s thought this may result in reduced tolerance to foods. Because sugar, antibiotics, dairy produce, gluten, stress, infection and poor sleep, as well as alcohol and caffeine may all have an impact on digestive health (as everyone is different and may or may not be affected). It’s worth taking a look at your,

‘Free from’ doesn’t always mean healthy Don’t just assume that because something is gluten free, it’s healthier - if you read the back of the packets in the ‘free from’ aisle, you’ll find that many manufactured products have extra sweeteners and fats added to improve their taste. A cake is still a cake, even if it is gluten-free (and therefore best reserved for a treat!). Cook from scratch where you can – look for gluten free grains such as buckwheat, quinoa, amaranth and teff. The Doves Farm Freee range (freee-foods.co.uk) includes healthier options including chickpea flour.

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Are you or your child affected?

• Keep a food and symptoms diary; note length of time after eating for the reaction. Seek medical attention urgently if breathing is affected.

• Try a guided elimination diet to identify intolerances. Because you will be cutting out food groups, it’s important to work with a registered Nutritional Therapist who is a member of BANT and the regulatory body CNHC to ensure you are still eating a nutritious, well-balanced diet. They can offer food intolerance testing, or tests which check for overgrowth of yeasts, bacteria or parasites, and have an approach that’s personalised, holistic, addresses underlying causes, and is underpinned by the latest science.

• Anti-inflammatory spices including ginger, curcumin and turmeric can all help to support digestive health, as can eating foods that fight inflammation. Try oily fish such as salmon, mackerel and sardines, leafy greens, olive oil, nuts and antioxidant-rich berries.

• Avoid fried and processed foods, refined carbohydrates as well as sugar and salt laden processed meals.

• Stress worsens digestion. Try eating slowly and chewing well.

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or your child’s, lifestyle to identify contributory factors. Replacing certain foods with others for a period and judicious use of supplements (all under the guidance of a Registered Nutritional Therapist) may help to support healthy digestive function and can also help to increase oral tolerance, meaning more foods can be enjoyed more often, without the unpleasant after-effects.n

NB: Nutritional Therapy is a complementary therapy and is not designed as a replacement for conventional medical care; it’s essential to always check with your GP if you suspect food allergies or are concerned regarding reactions to food that you or child may have experienced.

FIND OUT MORE Sally Parr from VivaVitae Nutrition trained as a Registered Nutritional Therapist (mBANT) and Registered Nutritionist (rCNHC) at the Institute for Optimum Nutrition. A Home Economist and freelance journalist who contributes regularly to the national press on the subject of food, nutrition and lifestyle, Sally also enjoys developing recipes and writing eBooks, giving talks on nutrition and running wellbeing workshops. You can find out more at www.vivavitaenutrition.co.uk

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The Scummy Mummies’

by Ellie Gibson and Helen Thorn

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Life with small children is great, isn’t it - rewarding, relaxing, and just constant source of boundless joy, said no parent ever.

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nd of course it’s fantastic for your relationship with your partner. Who needs romance and laughter when you’ve got fighting and fish fingers? Sure, before kids, you were free to stay out till dawn, do whatever you felt like, and eat entire meals without shouting at anyone to stop putting peas up their nose. But now you’ll find new ways to express your feelings for each other, like angry texts, whispered swearing, and poking each other in the middle of the night until SOMEONE GETS THE BABY. Look, we love our kids. But let’s be honest: there are days when parenting is tiring and frustrating and just blooming hard.

The truth is that not one of us is perfect - not even Kirstie Allsopp. As Scummy Mummies, if there’s one phrase that sums up our parenting style, it’s this: “Let it go.” And not just because we’ve been forced to sit through the Frozen DVD so many times one of us once called our husband Olaf in the throes of passion.

There are some things we just don’t think are worth worrying about. Like making sure you have a clean house for playdates, for example. Why make life hard for yourself by getting up at 5am to bleach the toilet and wipe down the skirting boards? Anyone who gives a toss if there’s Lego all over the floor can go in the bin. The good people won’t care, and the best people will say, “Oh, this makes me feel better about my own grothole.”

You might as well chuck out your iron while you’re at it. The kids won’t care if their jeans are a bit crumpled. If you have a baby, all your clothes will be covered in snot and porridge by 9am anyway. Yeah, we know some people find ironing therapeutic. Good for them. But you know what else is therapeutic? Lying down and not ironing.

When it comes to home cooking, we love a bit of Bake-Off, but it’s hard to feel like it’s worth the effort when kids are involved. One of us recently spent eight hours making a fondant unicorn oasis Paul Hollywood would have described as being too elaborate, only to watch a group of six year-olds rip it to shreds in under a minute.

made JUL / AUG 2019

YOU KNOW WHAT ELSE IS THERAPEUTIC? LYING DOWN AND NOT IRONING All kids care about is the quantity of Smarties and the volume of icing. In fact, why not save yourself a lot of time and hassle, and just stick a few candles in a bag of sugar?

Of course you can’t just give kids cake for tea every night, apparently. But there’s no need to spend hours creating Picassos out of peas and potatoes. Humans can survive on beige food alone, it turns out. And don’t compare yourself to the woman in the hipster café the other day whose kids were asking for the quinoa and kale salad - she wasn’t real, it was just an apparition that you imagined because you are so tired.

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Which brings us to one of the great anxieties of parenting - worrying that your kids are not normal. Stressing over the colour of your babies’ poo or whether he can tell the time by the age of six months can leave you feeling isolated and rubbish. But here’s the thing: there IS no normal.

Just like people, all families are different, and they’re all a bit weird in their own way.

So ask yourself: is your child happy? Does he know he is loved? Does she have clean knickers on at least 300 days of the year? Then you are doing a good job. It doesn’t matter that you gave them chicken nuggets three times in a row last week. Who cares if there’s a dirty nappy in your handbag.

No one needs to know about that rainy Thursday when you let them watch Despicable Me 3 twice in a row, while you sat in the kitchen doing Google image searches for “topless Tom Hardy”.

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We might all have different parenting styles, but two things will always unite us: we love our children, and we are all scummy mummies sometimes. So let’s embrace the imperfections and drop the things that aren’t worth worrying about. And most of all, let’s have a good laugh. n

FIND OUT MORE The Scummy Mummies are performing at the Blue Room, Assembly George Square from 1-11 and 13-25 August for tickets go to www.edfringe.com. Their book is out now and their award-winning podcast is free to download every fortnight. Follow them on Instagram @scummymummies.

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Dates for your diary Monday

Tuesday

1

2

10am Atlantic Adventures with ATLAS @ Dynamic Earth.

Play with real and virtual underwater robots and get hands-on with watery experiments.

On until 26 August.

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FREE SUMMER ACTIVITIES @FORT DOUGLAS

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© KIM AYRES

3

ATLANTIC ADVENTURES @ DYNAMIC EARTH THROUGH JULY UNTIL 26 AUG

9 Summer holiday activities @ Fort Douglas. Kids can let off steam climbing, swinging, sliding and hiding and enjoy extra FREE activities in the entry fee.

See spotlight for more info.

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TINY TALES @ SCOTTISH STORYTELLING CENTRE 16 JUL

23

BERRY PICKING @ BORDER BERRIES UNTIL MID AUG

10

THE THREE INCH FOOLS @ DALKEITH COUNTRY PARK 11 JUL

17 12pm - 4pm FREE artist-led activities @ Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. Create your own collage masterpiece.

Runs 14 July - 11 August.

24

Luca’s Ice Cream Family Day @ Musselburgh Racecourse.

Exciting races, free face-painting & children’s entertainment, plus a free Luca’s ice-cream for every child. Under 17s go FREE! 29 30 Use the Dribble app when you’re out and about for easy info on child-friendly venues nearby

ERTH’S DINOSAUR ZOO @ FESTIVAL FRINGE 31 JUL

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4 Go berry picking @ Border Berries.

This family-run farm is full of all sorts of fresh, juicy berries. Open until mid-August. www.borderberries.co.uk

10am & 11.30am (40mins) Children’s storytelling @ Scottish Storytelling Centre.

Songs, rhymes and stories for ages 1-3. £5 per child.

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Wednesday Thursday

31 Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo starts @ Festival Fringe.

Get up close and personal with an amazing array of prehistoric creatures! See MADE’s festival guide for more info.

11 7pm The Three Inch Fools Present Macbeth @ Dalkeith Country Park. Five actors with musical instruments, present an inventive take on Shakespeare’s infamous Scottish play. Book via www.dalkeithcountrypark.co.uk/ events 18

DESTINATION MOON @ DYNAMIC EARTH 19-22 JUL

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CIRCUS SKILLS WORKSHOP @ NATIONAL MINING MUSEUM

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JULY 2019 Spotlight on...

Friday Saturday Sunday 5 6 BRICKLIVE Ocean starts @ Edinburgh Zoo. A world-exclusive display with a killer whale, a hammerhead shark, a giant squid and an octopus! Runs 6 July - 8 Sept.

7 Kids Gone Wild @ Conifox Adventure Park.

Conifox have teamed up with Kids Gone Wild for some exciting outdoor workshops on Sunday 7th July & Tuesday 9th July.

For more info and book visit www.conifox.co.uk

12 13

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6.30pm Outdoor Theatre: Gangsta Granny @ Newhailes House & Gardens. For ages 7+.

12pm - 4pm Summer Family Party @ Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. Performances, storytelling, face-painting and more.

GANGSTA GRANNY @ NEWHAILES HOUSE 12 JUL

19 20 10am Destination Moon @ Dynamic Earth.

Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo moon landings through fun, family activities and demos.

Runs 19 - 22 July.

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1.30pm-3pm Fabulous Faberge: Make a Masterpiece @ The Queen’s Gallery. Enjoy the ‘Russia, Royalty & the Romanovs’ exhibition and create your own Faberge inspired egg.

Booking advised.

Special activities every day, 11am - 4pm, included in your entry fee.

MONDAYS:

Crafty Card Making Make a card or postcard.

TUESDAYS:

Face Stencilling

Choose a stencil and let your imagination run away.

WEDNESDAYS:

Wand Making

Make your own magical wand.

THURSDAYS:

Clay Creatures FABULOUS FABERGE @ THE QUEEN’S GALLERY 20 JUL

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11am - 3pm Circus Skills Workshop and Circus Crafts @ National Mining Museum. For ages 4-12. £6per child.

10am - 4pm Sunday Funday @ The Yard, Canonmills.

Open to the public on Sundays so everyone can get messy and have fun! £6 per child for two hours. theyardscotland.org.uk

10am - 5pm Scotland’s National Airshow @ National Museum of Flight.

Fort Douglas, Dalkeith Country Park

Create your very own clay creature.

FRIDAYS:

Tree Discovery

Take imprints of bark to identify the trees.

SATURDAYS:

Forest Faces

Create a forest face.

SUNDAYS:

THE SCOTTISH SEABIRD CENTRE

Visit the Scottish Seabird Centre any day this summer and enjoy wildlife trails, 3D films, kids-zone, family-focussed science shows and a new puppet show for kids aged 2+.

made JUL / AUG 2019

Pebble Painting

Create an abstract artwork

SUNDAY FUNDAY @ THE YARD EVERY SUNDAY

*Each activity is limited to 20 children on a first-come, first-served basis.

Multiple sessions run throughout the day between 11am and 4pm – please check at the Fort Douglas activity cabin for exact timings. Activities are subject to change in the event of bad weather.*

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Dates for your diary Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday Thursday

Bambino Beats - Summertime Boogie Under the Sea runs @ Festival Fringe from Aug 2—10. Under water fun with little fish, ducks and crabs - perfect for ages 0-5.

See MADE’s festival guide for more info.

5

FRINGE BY THE SEA IN NORTH BERWICK 2-11 AUG

12 Soundplay Dome starts @ Festival Fringe.

A unique interactive, musical sensory space for all.

See MADE’s festival guide for more info.

19 I Believe in Unicorns by Michael Morpurgo @ Festival Fringe.

This intimate 5-star show is set in a library full of books that hold more than stories within their pages. See MADE’s festival guide for more info.

26 Virgin Money Fireworks Concert @ Ross Theatre & Princes St Gardens. Bringing together orchestral classics from the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and specially choreographed fireworks.

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BAMBINO BEATS @ FESTIVAL FRINGE 2-10 AUG

6

I PIANO @ FESTIVAL FRINGE

13

ESTHER MANIO: CRUSADE @ FESTIVAL FRINGE

7 I Piano starts @ Festival Fringe.

An interactive kids’ show about music and love, told using a piano, shadow puppetry and everyone in the room. For ages 5+. See MADE’s festival guide for more info.

14

One for the mums!

Esther Manio: Crusade @ Festival Fringe.

A hilarious observational look at motherhood and how it can become part of an identity issue. See MADE’s festival guide for more info.

8 4pm-6pm Summer Fair Party @ Royal Commonwealth Pool. Join Enjoy two hours of summer fair fun, soft play at Clambers, a disco and a free healthy slush. To book call 0131 667 7211 or at the venue.

15 Wallace & Gromit’s Musical Marvels @ Festival Fringe.

Wallace prepares to perform his musical masterpiece, My Concerto in Ee Lad, .. what could possibly go wrong?!

See MADE’s festival guide.

SOUNDPLAY DOME @ FESTIVAL FRINGE

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1

21

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Tom Brace @ Festival Fringe. Comedy and magic for ages 8+.

See MADE’s festival guide for more info.

I BELIEVE IN UNICORNS @ FESTIVAL FRINGE

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TOM BRACE @ FESTIVAL FRINGE

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29 Use the Dribble app when you’re out and about for easy info on child-friendly venues nearby.

VIRGIN MONEY FIREWORKS CONCERT @ ROSS THEATRE

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AUGUST 2019 Spotlight on...

Friday Saturday Sunday 2 3 Fox-tot! starts @ Festival Fringe.

An imaginative opera for ages 0-2. See MADE’s festival guide for more info.

4 Foodies Festival @ Inverleith Park. The UK’s biggest food festival, returns to Edinburgh 2, 3, 4 August.

Edinburgh International Book Festival Charlotte Square Gardens and George St

FOX-TOT! @ FESTIVAL FRINGE

9 10

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The Edinburgh International Book Festival runs from 10 - 26 August. See our spotlight for more info SUMMER FAIR PARTY @

THE EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL BOOK FESTIVAL

ROYAL COMMONWEALTH POOL

8 AUG

16 17 12noon - 6pm SCRAN Summer Street Food Party @ Dalkeith Country Park.

Family friendly event with amazing food from top traders, live music, activities for kids and WALLACE & GROMIT’S a selection of stalls.

MUSICAL MARVELS @ FESTIVAL FRINGE Tickets from caimevents.com 23 24 Comète @ Festival Fringe.

Live rock music for ages 5+. See MADE’s festival guide for more info.

COMÈTE @ FESTIVAL FRINGE

18

SCRAN @ DALKEITH COUNTRY PARK 17 AUG

25 10am - 4pm Sunday Funday @ The Yard, Canonmills.

Open to the public on Sundays so everyone can get messy and have fun! £6 per child for two hours. theyardscotland.org.uk

30 31

SUNDAY FUNDAY @ THE YARD EVERY SUNDAY

made JUL / AUG 2019

10 - 26 August An enchanting village of tents and walkways, theatres, cafés and bookshops offering hundreds of interactive events for children of all ages, including hands-on workshops, fun performances and fascinating debates with authors and illustrators from across the globe.

Authors appearing this year include Julia Donaldson, Chris Hoy, Harry Hill and Cressida Cowell. There are lots of free things to do too, with daily drop-in arts and craft activities, storytelling and sing-along sessions.

The fun doesn’t stop there - you can get your books signed by your favourite authors, browse the bookshop, or share some stories in the reading area. Admission to the Book Festival Village is free! Bring a picnic to enjoy in the gardens, or grab a treat from one of the cafés, bars or the famous ice-cream trike.

There’s plenty on offer at the Book Festival to create a memorable day out for families.

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FAMILY FAVOURITES AT THE

FESTIVAL FRINGE We couldn’t be more excited about the cultural feast that’s on offer at this year’s Fringe. That said, it can sometimes be a bit of a lottery planning your Festival calendar, and when you add kids to the mix, there is a lot riding on making sure your tickets are for the hits not the misses. So we have handpicked some of our favourite family friendly shows to make the selection process a little less daunting. Lots of music, magic and a show for the mums - here’s everything you need to know…

ERTH’S DINOSAUR ZOO children’s shows Underbelly, Bristo Square (Venue 302) July 31 - Aug 26 (not 12) 11am (1 hour) For ages: 3+ From creators Erth Visual & Physical Inc, critically acclaimed international hit Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo™ takes audiences into a new dimension of theatre. Get right up close and personal with an amazing array of prehistoric creatures, from baby dinos to some of the largest carnivores and herbivores that have ever walked the planet. Erth’s dinosaurs are unmistakably “alive” and mostly friendly in this fun, educational and original performance, connecting young audiences to the real science of palaeontology. Experience the thrill of this extraordinarily imaginative work that will delight audiences.

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ESTHER MANITO: CRUSADE stand-up comedy for adults www.esthermanito.co.uk Gilded Balloon Teviot, Turret (Venue 14) July 31, Aug 1-11, 13-25 4pm (1 hour) For adults!

Strong Language!

A hilarious observational look at motherhood and how it can become part of an identity issue.

Has history taught us nothing? Crusades don’t work! So You Think You’re Funny finalist 2017 and co-author of Don’t Panic I’m Islamic brings you her debut hour.

Esther takes you on a whirlwind tour of what life is like when you can’t meet the expectations of your identity. From battling comments online to facing head-on confrontations in person, she’s not sure she wants to battle the crusade!

BAMBINO BEATS SUMMERTIME BOOGIE UNDER THE SEA children’s shows, music, dance www.bambinobeats.com Stockbridge Church (Venue 317) Aug 2-10 10.30am, 12.30pm, 2.30pm (1 hour) For ages: 0-5 Bambino Beats is already a hit in Edinburgh and Lothians, with little ones loving their popular music and sensory classes. So it’s with great excitement that Amy and Clare back to take you on a Summertime Boogie... this time, Under the Sea! Swimming with the little fish, bobbing up and down with the ducks and catching all the nippy crabs as you meet all the creatures of the magical ocean. Watch out though... there may be sharks!

Fun filled Music & Sensory classes for babies and toddlers aged 0-5 years throughout Edinburgh & Lothians ...with a retro twist!

Are you having a birthday?

Celebrate your little ones Birthday in style with a retro Birthday Party sure to get everybody grooving!

Clare: 07811 352 950 / Amy: 07580 106 745 clare@bambinobeats.com / amy@bambinobeats.com www.bambinobeats.com / fb:bambinobeatsmusic made JUL / AUG 2019

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COMÈTE

#PIANODROME

DROP IN & LUNC

HTIME CONCER

TS

#PIANODROME DROP IN & LUNC HTIME C ONCERTS acoustic music www.pianodrome.org Pianodrome at The Pitt (Venue 391) Aug 1-13, 17-25 Drop-In 11am - 3pm Concerts 1pm (1 hour) For ages: everyone Music is theatre in this gigantic traveling walnutmahogany musical hug made entirely from upcycled pianos. Each day of the Fringe the Pianodrome presents an all-acoustic lunchtime concert, featuring beautiful music and movement from all genres and backgrounds. Anything can happen.

Entry from 11am - 3pm is free, but donations are gratefully received to help cover costs.

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C OMÈTE children’s, music www.compagniederivation.be Assembly Checkpoint (Venue 322) July 31, Aug 1-26 (not 8, 13) 10.30am (50 mins) For ages: 5+ It’s never too soon to break out the Clash, never too late to submerge in the Beatles. And in between, float on Air, glide with Hardy and strut the Strokes! Covers and compositions blend into a true rock music awakening, a live show for curious kids and nostalgic parents sure to have you all singing, dancing, even screaming... from ages five and up! Comète is a group of pop rock musicians used to the biggest stages, here to share with your youngsters their personal rock galaxy!

www.mademagazine.co.uk

TOM BRACE: BRACE OF SPADES

WALL ACE & GROMIT’S MUSIC AL MARVEL S

TOM BRACE: BRACE OF SPADES magic, family Pleasance Dome, AceDome (Venue 23) July 31 - Aug 26 (not 22) 1.20pm (1 hour) For ages: 8+ Following a sold-out run at last years Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Tom Brace returns with a brandnew magic show for the whole family. Featuring Tom’s unique blend of comedy and magic, the show promises to have a little something for everybody. made JUL / AUG 2019

children’s, classical music, family www.carrotproductions.com Pleasance at EICC, Pentland Theatre (Venue 150) Aug 15 - 16 1pm, 3.15pm (1 hour) For ages: 3+ Join everyone’s favourite dynamic duo as Wallace prepares to perform his musical masterpiece My Concerto in Ee Lad with help from his faithful canine companion Gromit... what could possibly go wrong?! This interactive experience features specially created animations from Aardman, as well as live orchestral accompaniment and escapades from some of the UK’s top musicians and presenter Matthew Sharp.

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WORLD PREMIERE

LLIAM PATERSON

A new opera for 12 to 24 month-olds

EDINBURGH ACADEMY 2 – 16 AUG (excl. Mondays) 10 & 11.30am scottishopera.org.uk Registered in Scotland Number SCO37531 Scottish Charity Number SCO19787

Co-commissoned and co-produced with Royal & Derngate, Northampton Supported by Scottish Opera’s Education Angels & New Commissions Circle

Supported using public funding by Arts Council England

THE WORLD’S FIRST THEATRE MADE OUT OF PIANOS! FAMILY SHOWS AT THE FRINGE

DROP-IN

The Adventures of

PRINCE ACHMED 31 Jul - 4 Aug, 3pm

CONCERTS 7-11 Aug, 3pm

1-25 Aug, 11am-3pm

www.pianodrome.org | www.i-piano.co.uk

Pianodrome at the Pitt venue

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FOX - TOT! SOUNDPLAY DOME

children’s show, music, opera www.scottishopera.org.uk The Edinburgh Academy, Magnusson Theatre (Venue 70) Aug 2-4, 6-11, 13-16 10am, 11.30am (45mins) For ages: 0-2 Following the success of 2017’s BambinO, composer Lliam Paterson is back with a brand new opera for 12 to 24-month-olds. Fox-tot! is full of imagination – a magical journey of discovery for those taking their first small steps into the big wide world. Set in a woodland world where anything can happen, this engaging mix of music and puppetry is an interactive experience for toddlers and adults to enjoy together. Paterson’s inventive score draws on everything from French Baroque to contemporary opera – all cleverly reimagined for an audience at the very start of their musical lives.

FOX-TOT!

SOUNDPL AY DOME children’s show, music, interactive www.madeinscotlandshowcase.com City Art Centre, Gallery 4 (Venue 392) Aug 12 - 16 11am, 12pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm (50 mins) For ages: 0-12 A unique interactive, musical sensory space for all. Inspired by years spent combining digital art and music to stimulate creativity in youngsters, Ewan Sinclair and Bal Cooke have created a multi-sensory, audiovisual pop-up playground where sound, animation and interactive technology collide. Suitable for children of all ages, this magical sensory space invites its visitors to create soothing musical landscape using objects and tactile materials, turning the space into a playful digital instrument. Play, roll, drum, move or sing, the Soundplay Dome wants you to experiment and have some fun with music and sound! made JUL / AUG 2019

I PIANO children’s show, musical theatre, puppetry www.pianodrome.org Pianodrome at The Pitt (Venue 391) Aug 7-11 3pm (50 mins) For ages: 5+ Oh no! The piano has lost its music! But a little girl is sure she can help the piano find it again.

Together they set off on a magical adventure... meeting a mad conductor in a mountain, a monk on a scooter at the North Pole and an octopus dancing on the bottom of the sea. They play games and discover clues with all three before at last finding the music in each other’s hearts.

I Piano is an interactive kids’ show about music and love, told using a piano, shadow puppetry and everyone in the room.

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I BELIEVE

THE AD VE OF PRIN NTURES CE ACH MED

IN UNICOR

NS

KA FOR KIDS

BEETLEMANIA: KAF

I BELIEVE IN UNIC ORNS

BY MIC HAEL MORPURGO family, storytelling www.wizardpresents.co.uk Pleasance Courtyard, Pleasance Two (Venue 33) July 31 - Aug 26 (not 14,19) 10.30am (1 hour) For ages: 5+

puppets and laughter for all ages. Follow Karter, Karl, Kat and Kevin the Beetle for ‘an hour of sheer joy’ (Scotsman) for adults and children alike. Who knew that a show about Kafka could be so much fun? Or that a show this silly could actually be educational! No prior knowledge or interest in Kafka needed.

THE ADVENTURES OF PRIN CE AC HMED

This intimate five-star show is set in a library full of books that hold more than stories within their pages. It is a tale of the power of books, and the bravery of a young boy called Tomas.

Tomas hates reading and school, but his world is turned upside down the day he meets the Unicorn Lady...

music, film, family www.pianodrome.org

BEETLEMANIA: KAFKA FOR KIDS

Musical inventors S!nk designed the Pianodrome – an amphitheatre made from upcycled pianos – as a dream performance space. See it transformed into a five-screen cinema in the round. Swirling, spiraling strings, saxophones, accordion, percussion and voice transport you to a world of conjurors and princesses, where Aladdin battles demons and nothing is as it seems. Lotte Reiniger’s classic and groundbreaking paper-cut animation is a delight for all ages. ‘A mesmerising score... exquisitely beautiful... Sink’s composition is as clever as their artistry is brilliant’ (Herald).

children’s shows, comedy, theatre Pleasance Courtyard, Beside (Venue 33) July 31 - Aug 25 (not 14) 11.45am (1 hour) For ages: 5+ The smash hit of last year’s festival is back!

Join the Kafkateers for their ‘riotously cheerful’ (Chortle.co.uk) show packed with stories, songs,

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Pianodrome at The Pitt (Venue 391) July 31 - Aug 4 3pm (1 hour 15 mins) For ages: 5+

www.mademagazine.co.uk

ER s WINN usines B ‘Best burgh in Edin ians’ & Loth

land’s at Scot Awards s Busines

The best stop for back-to-school haircuts ONLINE BOOKING NOW AVAILABLE! Hairstyling and colouring for parents too.

0131 446 0123

36 Morningside Road, EH10 4DA

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Bespoke Gifts and Decor First day of school Weddings & anniversaries New babies Home & children’s decor Hair bow holders

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Cloudberry brings the fun into Back To School

Give the kids a new-term treat with Scottish storybooks, water bottles and fun outdoor learning gifts such as bug catchers and binoculars.

193 Whitehouse Rd, Barnton, EH4 6BU 0131 538 0168 5 Seaforth Terrace, Blackhall, EH4 2BS 0131 467 2878

MADPAX SPIKETUS REX BACKPACKS FROM CUCKOOLAND.COM

NPW UNICORN SEQUIN NOTEBOOK £9.95, Cloudberry, Barnton & Blackhall

PERSONALISED FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL FRAME, £20, Krafty Kat FB: Kraftykatmadeinscotland

PERSONALISED PENCIL CASE £15.99, gettingpersonal.co.uk

PERSONALISED BAG TAGS £9, Krafty Kat FB: Kraftykatmadeinscotland

RACHEL ELLEN GIRLS RULE THE WORLD PENCIL CASE, £8.95 Cloudberry, Barnton & Blackhall

UNICORN MINI POT OF 12 ERASERS £3.50, Cloudberry, Barnton & Blackhall

PERSONALISED ART DISPLAY From £25, Krafty Kat FB: Kraftykatmadeinscotland

NPW BATTLEBOAT ERASERS £5

made JUL / AUG 2019

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DINOSAUR BENTO BOX, LUNCH BOX & SNACK BOX £5.95, £4.95, £2.95, Rex

MADPAX BUBBLE BACKPACK £60, cuckooland.com

INSULATED DINOSAUR LUNCH BAG £6, www.lbwithlovegifts.com

HARRY POTTER POTION DRINKING BOTTLE £7.99, GettingPersonal.co.uk

STOATERS SNACK BARS Buy from Asda, Sainsbury’s and at www.eatstoats.com

MULTICOLOURED WATER BOTTLE £6.99, TK Maxx

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MADPAX SPIKETUS BACKPACKS £45, cuckooland.com

TWO-WAY SEQUIN BACKPACK £15, M&Co.

SPACE CAT SNACK BOXES £8, Paperchase

www.mademagazine.co.uk

EASY USE BELTS

(for ages 6 months - 10 years) Buckle free alternative to traditional belt - perfect for school skirts and trousers

www.kidsbeltclub.com

GIRLS PLEATED SCHOOL PINAFORE From £8, Matalan

GIRLS GINGHAM SCHOOL DRESS From £6, Matalan

SIGNO PASTEL PENS from Mitsubishi Pencil Company Ltd

CARGO SCHOOL SHORTS From £5.50, Matalan

UNISEX 2 PACK SCHOOL POLO SHIRTS From £3, Matalan

BOWS BY FELTALICIOUS £4.50 for two from Maddie & Marks

made JUL / AUG 2019

BRIGHT SPARK CHILDREN’S ODD SOCKS

£10.99, The Present Finder

2 PACK LONG SLEEVE SCHOOL BLOUSES From £5.50, Matalan

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SUPERFIT from £55

PETASIL PATRICK from £56

PETASIL GISELE from £52

ALL SHOES FROM MADDIE & MARKS Bruntsfield & Blackhall www.maddieandmarks.com

SUPERFIT from £55

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GEOX SAVAGE from £45

GEOX HADRIEL from £42.50

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BACK

SCHOO L

Book an appointment and get 5% off Free mini photo shoot for first school shoes with Kirsty Nugent Photography Wide selection of smart, durable school shoes and trainers Blackhall: 0131 315 3322 Bruntsfield: 0131 447 9779

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23/05/2019 23:28:00

An

A

easy

part from one hilarious night when me and 3 friends (aged 16) slept under canvas in my parents’ garden, I have never really camped.

But with two sons eager to give it a go, I had to embrace a more adventurous lifestyle, so we planned a bank holiday weekend in a camper van, thinking this would be a good introduction and first step to campsites and life off-grid.

Not quite sure what to expect, I was more than pleasantly surprised when Gordon from Coast2Country Camper Vans showed us the facilities and gadgets in our booked van. There was ample room for the four of us - comfy leather swivel seats at the front for my husband and I, and a cushioned leather bench in the back for the boys, which turns into a double bed at night time.

The dinky kitchen was my favourite, with two gas hobs, a fridge, sink with running water and all the crockery, cutlery and gadgets you could possibly need (including a toastie maker and whistling kettle!). Solar panels powered sockets and USB ports for phones, there was a heater

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e r u t n e v ad

in case we got cold at night, built in satnav, and plenty of pockets and cupboards tucked away all our belongings.

Gordon pointed out some of the extras they provided too - a touring map of Scotland, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, complimentary milk, coffee, tea, biscuits and a thoughtful gift of miniature gin and whisky. For outdoors there was an awning, table and chairs, and easy-use pipes and leads for water and electricity when onsite.

We brought our own bedding, which we stored under the seats, sleeping bags for the boys ‘upstairs’ bedroom, some wellies, spare clothes, towels and a few bits and bobs. And off we set!

We headed to St Andrews where we were booked into Abbeyford camp site. The novelty of the van, a campsite and the facilities kept the boys amused for ages. We explored the town, took obligatory photos by the golf course and Swilken Bridge, had ice cream and coffees, followed a nature trail, played in the park and generally just chilled out.

www.mademagazine.co.uk

THE GIGGLES WHEN THEY DISCOVERED THEY WERE SLEEPING ON THE ROOF!

AN EASY WAY TO HAVE AN ADVENTUROUS WEEKEND

That evening we ate at the child-friendly campsite restaurant (food was fab!) and then the boys were eager to get back to the van to play.

The giggles from them when they discovered they were sleeping on the roof! The van was so cosy we didn’t need heating in the end. The boys chatted and played and we sat with some red wine listening to the rain gently fall - it was truly lovely. I was concerned we would forget how to work some of the van’s mechanisms to transform seats into beds etc. but everything was so easy even I could do it myself.

The next day we explored the beach and paddled in the sea, and headed down the coastal route to Anstruther for their famous fish and chips, which did not disappoint. I can see why they win awards.

The benefit of the van meant there were no belongings left behind, we always had everything we needed with us, we were comfortable, warm and felt like the world was our oyster. It was an extremely easy way to have an adventurous weekend break. In fact, next time we go I would

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be inclined to up the ante, go off the beaten track and just park up wherever we fancied! According to Scottish law you don’t have to stay in campsites in a camper van. As long as you’re 100m from a building, and are parking responsibly, you are allowed to camp wild; which, is definitely our next step in our camping journey. Definitely more fun than my days staying in the garden. n

FIND OUT MORE We used Coast2Country Campervans who are based at Edinburgh Airport. www.coast2countrycampers.co.uk

www.mademagazine.co.uk

Click here to choose your image

H WO OLIDA RKS Y HO P

Stagecoach Edinburgh

PUT ON A SHOW 1-5th July / 5-9th August Age: 4 - 6yr Olds Time: Mon - Fri, 9am - 12.30pm Performance: Friday at 12.30pm Cost: £110 (£95 for siblings)

Age: 6 - 18 year olds Time: Mon - Fri, 9am - 4.00pm Performance: Friday at 5pm Cost: £160 (£125 for siblings)

Venue: Dance Base EH1 2JU / Music Box EH11 4DE

stagecoach.co.uk/edinburgh

0131 610 0636

Stagecoach Theatre Arts Schools are operated under franchise and are independently owned by their Principals.

Stagecoach is a registered trademark of Stagecoach Theatre Arts Ltd.

Make friends and build confidence at our theatre workshops

T

he sensory overload of modern life requires frequent recovery periods.

Clinical studies have conclusively shown that temporary infusions of peace, quiet and solitude are essential for maintaining health and sanity. Thankfully, Float Philosophy, has opened up in the West of Edinburgh offering the perfect environment to disconnect from all external stimuli and allow your brain to reset.

Their state-of-the-art facilities allow you to rest peacefully in individual pods, which are filled with 10 inches of heated epsom-salt water that is so dense, it requires no effort whatsoever to simply float. The pods are perfectly designed to eliminate all stimulation; there’s no pressure on your body, no external light, no noise or distractions - just pure bliss. Under these unique conditions, your mind and body are free to enter a state of deep relaxation.

Owner of Float Philosophy, Nick Kneebone, explains, “The stress and demand that modern day life places on both our physical and mental health is intense - we are offering a healthy, scientifically backed solution to combat this problem. While floating you are essentially in a a zero gravity environment which allows you to relax all the muscles and joints in your body, and increases blood flow which accelerates muscular repair. Our pods have the added benefit of being saturated with over half a tonne of Epsom salts, which have medicinal properties of their own -

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such as drawing out toxins and promoting the removal of lactic acid. ”. Nick continues, ‘As well as the physical benefits, medical research has demonstrated that regular float sessions can significantly improve your mental state by sharply lowering the levels of bio chemicals directly related to stress, anxiety, tension and depression’.

For this reason, float therapy has become increasingly popular worldwide. People are now embracing floating as part of their regular health and wellness lifestyle.

A recent study undertaken by YouGov, showed that in the past year, 74% of people have felt so stressed they have been overwhelmed or unable to cope. To start the process of relieving stress we need to trigger what’s known as the ‘relaxation response’ (RR). The relaxation response is attainable at a state of deep relaxation, and is the opposite of the “fight-or-flight” response.

While floating with zero sensory input your brain waves naturally slow down, dropping you into a profound meditative state - thus achieving the desired RR. This is an effective remedy to stress symptoms because of the direct link with the parasympathetic nervous system, where it lowers the heart rate and blood pressure as well as reducing respiratory frequency.

Even people who struggle to switch off find it hard to resist the deeply calming float experience - it could very well be most relaxing thing you’ll ever do. n

www.mademagazine.co.uk

Frequently asked questions: Can I float if I’m pregnant?

Definitely, the float tank is wonderful for pregnant women! Floating eliminates the negative effects of gravity which can cause joint pain, inflammation, and stress on the organs as well as the unborn baby.

What do I wear in the tank?

Nothing..! You can wear anything you want, however most people don’t wear anything while floating - and this is what we recommend. Swimsuits can become heavy with epsom salt and take away from your float experience.

What if I can’t swim?

No problem. No swimming skills required. All you need to know is how to lay back and relax. If you are able to do that in your bed at night, you are good to go.

How clean are the tanks?

Very! After each session, the entire body of water is drained and passed through several filters. A powerful pump and the very latest filtration technology are incorporated in the design of our float pods. The dual filters are fully effective to one micron - which is an incredible 100 times smaller than a human hair! The high epsom salt content and disinfectant ensures that nothing harmful can survive within the tank.

SCOTLAND’S PREMIUM FLOAT CENTRE RELAXING & MEDITATIVE RELIEVES STRESS REDUCES ANXIETY IMPROVES SLEEP HELPS WITH DEPRESSION RECOVERS MUSCLES

0131 285 8770 info@floatphilosophy.com www.floatphilosophy.com

6 RODDINGLAW BUSINESS PARK, RODDINGLAW ROAD, EDINBURGH, EH12 9DB

made JUL / AUG 2019

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AFTER

KIDS RULE INTERIORS

Tired of standing on Lego? Can’t find the right book at bedtime?

Your child doesn’t want to play in their room? A Kids Rule Interiors’ online design is just what you need…

N

ow an Edinburgh mum, Dominique has lived in London, France and California, and has always had a passion for

design.

A former buildings archaeologist, she has studied historic interiors and also worked as a nursery practitioner in a pre-school. When she had her own son, she chose to stay at home with him, but when multiple friends started admiring her son’s nursery and its organisation, Dominique realised she missed designing and the challenge of adapting spaces. She took the plunge in setting up Kids Rule Interiors - an easyto-use online interiors business specialising in children’s spaces.

Dominique excels at organising rooms for children that are practical; implementing toyrotation, storage boxes and bins within safe reach for kids to be able to play and then learn how to tidy up for themselves.

Her own son (now 6) takes pride in his space and enjoys quiet time there, choosing books to read, what to play with, and knows how to tidy it all away again by himself. There are no toys kicking around the living room after he has gone to bed.

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Dominique’s vision is to help families tackle their child’s clutter while enriching their child’s life with new-found confidence, independence and fun. Dominique encourages children to get involved in designing their space so that they respect and take ownership of it. Having a place for everything and everything in its place can be a reality. Providing a place for the toys means that your child will know where to find them and where to put them away so that you won’t have to, alleviating your stress and boosting your child’s independence and confidence.

Her style is best described as modern- Scandi with pops of colour. Though she adapts to each client’s tastes with ease. Dominique loves colour and using it in different ways; providing flexible storage that can grow with your child, and addressing the function of a space. Don’t have a playroom but need toys downstairs?

She will find a solution. She finds solutions for everything!

Here are photos from a recent client who wanted to turn her guest room into a beautiful nursery for her unborn baby girl and yet have it be a space that could grow with her without redecoration. n

www.mademagazine.co.uk

BEFORE

KIDS ROOM DECOR MADE EASY HOW IT WORKS: 1. Buy an E-Design package online, fill out the client profile and send in photos and measurements.

2. Have a design consultation by phone, Skype, or FaceTime.

3. Receive your concept board, floor plan and clickable shopping list .

4. Shop at your convenience.

5. Have a styling consultation once everything has arrived.

Marques Concept 2

dominique@kidsruleinteriors.com

E-DESIGN SERVICE COLOUR CONSULTATION FLOOR PLAN CONSULTATION GIFT VOUCHERS

FOR 20%* OFF FURNISHINGS Wallpaper : Artemis by House of Hackney Cot : Sniglar cot in beech from Ikea Paint: Rose pink by Craig and Rose Canopy: Liewood Enzo Nursery canopy from Scandiborn Sheet : Xelie baby’s pure cotton plain fitted sheets from La Redoute Cushions : Marina Cushion in rust and fluffy cover from Wayfair Shelves: Vinto pine and metal shelf with brass finish from La Redoute Drawers: Jimi 3 drawer chest in grey green from La Redoute Rug: hemp round jute rug from La Reroute Changing basket: Bayu changing basket with luxe rose liner from olliella.com Garland: droplet garland in blush, mustard and warm brown by velveteenbabies.co.uk

made JUL / AUG 2019

07545 587055 dominique@ kidsruleinteriors.com www.kidsruleinteriors.com *one use per person valid until 30/9/19

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Images: Sue Osmond Photography www.sueosmond.co.uk

QUOTE MADE20

TALK TO YOUR KIDS ABOUT

MONEY T

eaching children about money in an increasingly cashless society can be hard.

Money, savings and investment may seem complicated. Richard Stone, Chief Executive of The Share Centre, offers some tips on how to talk to your kids about money and teach them to save.

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1. Talk about it! We are all naturally reserved when talking about money, but with children it is important. Talk about the reason you go to work, what earning money means and what different things cost. Talk about how much things cost relative to each other and ask your children whether they think that’s right.

2. Use cash. One of the biggest challenges today is money is intangible. We all use our debit or credit cards and pay with contactless cards. Using cash is tangible and shows children what money “is”. You can even go one step further and allow them pay using cash. This helps with maths, adding up the price of things and working out what change they might be due.

www.mademagazine.co.uk

3. Encourage them to earn a bit of money by doing odd jobs. Again this helps to show the value of money and the concept of earning and work. If you pay them in cash, you could then even allow them to spend that cash or perhaps take some of it to a bank or building society and put it into a savings account for them. For older children you can have more detailed conversations about savings, interest rates and even investing. The idea they could own a little bit of Tesco or Sainsbury’s makes for an interesting conversation when out shopping in those retailers.

4. Show them other ‘money’. If you are on holiday overseas make sure you get some local currency. Explain that not every country uses the same money. Talk about the pictures on the notes – they may well depict the head of state, for example, or places of interest. Talk about the exchange rate and work out whether familiar things cost the same e.g. a favourite chocolate bar or can of drink.

5. Lead by example. Children learn by example, so the best way to teach your child about saving money is to save money yourself. Have your own jar of money you put coins in regularly. You can also show your children how their Junior ISA or Child Trust Fund (CTF) has grown in value over a period of time relative to what you have contributed on their behalf. n

Financial advice of true family value

We provide a comprehensive wealth management service, offering specialist face-toface advice tailored to you.

Our services include: • Investment Planning • Inheritance Tax Planning • Family Protection Planning • Intergenerational Planning • Retirement Planning For further details please contact:

Melville Wealth Management 0131 303 0018 gemma.wood@sjpp.co.uk www.melvillewm.co.uk

made JUL / AUG 2019

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C R E A T I N G H A P P Y, BE AU T IF UL

smiles

S

outhside Dental Care was established in 2008 by two Edinburgh-born sisters who were inspired by a desire to provide a clinic that cared for everyone’s dental needs by giving them confidence and choice. Dr Leanne Branton and Aimi Branton-Bouglas take a modern approach to patient care and this has driven their exciting new expansion.

Based on Mayfield Road, Southside Dental Care combines caring, professional staff ready to listen to every patient, with the latest technology and state-of the art equipment.

Although their ethos first and foremost is to provide the best care possible for all their patients, they recognise the need to move with the times and offer a range of cosmetic procedures including dental implants, facial aesthetics and their hugely popular teeth whitening service.

They even use the latest digital technology which means they no longer need to take any gooey impressions!

The Southside sisters have become the go-

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to dental practice in the area; and became so popular last year they didn’t have the capacity to accept new NHS patients so made the decision to expand. The expansion completes this summer and will allow the practise to grow from three surgeries to six, allowing the team to also expand by four new clinicians who will provide general dentistry, hygiene and a specialist orthodontic clinic.

Heading up the orthodontic clinic is Dr Josh, who was nominated for Best Young Dentist at the prestigious Scottish Dental Awards in 2017.

He explains, ‘It’s about more than just straight white teeth. It’s about having complete health, a functional bite and above all a smile which compliments your face and personality.’

The award-winning practice is also excited about establishing a training facility on-site, where courses will be held to help dental clinicians enhance their skills in a number of areas.

For Southside Dental Clinic, prevention is key. They are delighted to be one of the first

www.mademagazine.co.uk

CREATING HAPPY, BEAUTIFUL SMILES practices in the world to be using CALCIVIS technology.

This revolutionary camera allows their dentists to see decay before it’s visible to the human eye which means they can help stop cavities from developing.

And, as a Childsmile Practice, prevention begins with children, promoting oral health from birth and offering preventive care such as Fluoride varnish and Fissure Sealants.

Leanne and Aimi have carefully built the Southside Dental Care team, putting an emphasis on knowledge, enthusiasm, hard work and patient care. There is no doubt that the practice expansoin will further enhance oral healthcare in the local community and beyond. n

FIND OUT MORE If you would like to speak with the friendly team about your dental needs call them on 0131 667 5656 or pop in to 125 Mayfield Road. Follow them on Facebook to keep up to date with their grand re-opening and special events and offers.

made JUL / AUG 2019

Offering a full range of cosmetic dental treatments such as teeth whitening, implants, hygienist services, orthodontics, facial aesthetics, and more.

We are also pleased to be able to support our nervous and anxious patients by offering conscious sedation within the practice. · early morning and late evening appointments available

125 Mayfield Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3AJ 0131 667 5656 www.southsidedental.co.uk

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Bobby Jack 5 on 31 August

3 on 9 August

Happy Birthday

to you

If your little one will be celebrating their birthday in September or October, and they would like to see themselves on these pages then please email louisewilson@live.com with a clear photo, their name, age, DOB and address.

Avantika 2 on 5 August

Duncan 2 on 27 August

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Mia 6 on 25 July

Arran 3 on 10 August

Ruaridh 2 on 24 July

Rosie 7 on 26 July

Sofia 2 on 2 July Archie 4 on 1 July

Thea 2 on 28 August

DEMI age 3 on 26 March

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Always late O

ver breakfast recently, we read Tiddler, one of the great stories from celebrated children’s author Julia Donaldson. Donaldson’s books are a firm favourite in our household, as they are in thousands of households across the country with their gentle and heart-warming moral tales, told in rhyming verse.

Tiddler, as I’m sure you are well aware, tells the story of a young fish who is always late for school, eventually arriving with an imaginative tale as to why he failed to turn up on time yet again for registration. The one thing you can guarantee about Tiddler is that he is always going to be late. It’s not often that I consider myself to have many similarities to a small fish, but these days, I find that I have close affinity to young Tiddler.

In my pre-fatherhood life, I was rarely late – in part due to an upbringing that was firmly focused on always arriving early (at times an equally frustrating situation) and in part, having grown up in the pre-mobile environment, meaning that when you made arrangements to meet someone, you had to turn up at the right time and in the right place, for there was no ability to fire off a quick text, whats-app

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message, post a Facebook status update or capture an image for Instagram that would enable the individual you were meeting to decipher why you were late. You could find a phone box, but unless the person you were meeting also happened to be standing next to a phone box, at a time

AS A TRAIN SERVICE, WE WOULD HAVE A DISTINCTLY POOR RECORD FOR SERVICE when it was vacant, and you happened to have the very telephone number to reach that very phonebox (which appears to me to be a rather difficult chain of events to get just right), it was highly unlikely that you would be able to deliver message of your delay.

Now in fatherhood, I am always late. It is not because I want to be late, it is not because I try to be late, it is simply because of my children.

Regardless of whether we start attempting to get our children ready to leave the house five minutes, ten minutes, half

© FREEPIK.COM

By Michael Atkinson

an hour, an hour, a day in advance of the time at which we need to leave, it appears nigh on impossible for us to achieve our departure time. As a train service, we would have a distinctly poor record for service and would be subject to a constant flood of refund requests.

Trying to get children out of a house is like trying to herd cats. Simply attempting or persuading them to get a jacket and shoes on can tax even the most skilled negotiators. Finally, you get the jacket on and for some reason, the shoes are now off.

How did that happen? It’s like a magic trick. Sleight of hand (or feet). They distract with you the jacket whilst removing their shoes. It’s infuriating. And it makes me always late. n

Michael Atkinson is a dad to two young sons, but occasionally finds the time to write on golf, whisky, fatherhood and politics.

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