Mums Back to School Shopping Guide 2016

FREE

Food • Parenting • Education • Shopping • Life!

BA CK TO SC HO OL SH OP PIN G GU ID E 20 16 www.mumssurvivalguide.net

BACK TO SCHOOL IN THE BAG!

WIN

ner y o i t a t s R TLE a STAE D 100!! £ r e v o orth bundle w

Healthy lunchboxes Nadiya Hussain’s after school snacks Handy homework hints …plus much, much more inside!

W E L C O M E Whether your little ones are attending school for the first time this September or you are an old hand, getting them ready for the new school year doesn’t need to be a drain on the last few weeks of summer. Covering the basics of uniform, stationery, health, wellbeing and preparation, we hope our Back to School Shopping Guide will help you get everything done with the minimum of fuss!

In this Issue...

P2 BACK TO SCHOOL – THE ESSENTIALS Preparation, uniforms and stationery

P6 MUM’S BTS SHOPPING LIST Things we like!

Mum’s STAEDTLER Prize Draw!

STAEDTLER (UK) Ltd is celebrating 50 years of excellence in the UK this year and we’ve teamed up with the stationery experts to give 10 LUCKY READERS the chance to win an incredible Back to School stationery bundle WORTH OVER £100!

WOW GREAT Prize!

P9 SCHOOLWEAR EXPERTISE Uniform advice from Trutex and favourite bloggers

P11 KEEPING IT CLEAN Great laundry tips with the help of Dr Beckmann

P15 HEALTHY LUNCHBOX IDEAS How to keep them nutritious AND tasty

P17 AFTER SCHOOL SNACKS Snacking smarts with Nadiya Hussain

P20 HOW TO HELP WITH HOMEWORK Getting into good homework habits

P23 BACK TO SCHOOL HEALTH Dr Sarah Jarvis at Patient.info prepares us for common illnesses passed on in the playground Published by Lincolnbrody Ltd, 98 Hornchurch Road, Hornchurch, Essex RM11 1JS EMAIL info@lincolnbrody.co.uk EDITOR – Victoria Howdle DESIGN & PRODUCTION – Daniel Josty ADVERTISING MANAGER – James Martin Copyright LincolnBrody Ltd No reproduction in whole or part is permitted without written permission. The publisher cannot be held liable for any loss suffered as a result of any information herein and are unable to accept and hereby expressly disclaim any liability for the consequences of any inaccuracies, errors or omissions or any implied warranty related to the promotions in this publication. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Editor or the publisher. Although every effort has been made to ensure that all information is correct at the time of going to press, prices and offers may be subject to change.

This wonderful prize includes a pack each of 20 triplus fineliners and triplus fibre tips. The triplus range is triangular to encourage the correct grip for good handwriting whilst also being comfortable to draw and colour with.

Plus, they come in an acrylic case that converts to a natty deskstand!

Each prize bundle will comprise: 1 x pack of 10 Noris blacklead pencils, two Noris erasers, 1 x Noris tub pencil sharpener, 1 x pack of 24 Noris colour coloured pencils, 1 x desktop box of 20 triplus fineliners, 1 x pack of desktop box of 20 triplus fibre tips, 1 x box of desktop box of 6 triplus ballpoints, 1 x wallet of 8 textsurfer highlighters and 1 x maths set.

Find out more about STAEDTLER’S reliable and trusted stationery range at www.staedtler.co.uk For your chance to win this fantastic prize, simply enter online by 15th September 2016 at www.mumssurvivalguide.net/staedtler No purchase necessary. The winners will be the first 10 names drawn at random. The winners will be notified no later than 20th September 2016. The judges’ decision will be final and the competition is not open to employees of LincolnBrody, Staedtler (UK) Ltd or their agents. By entering into the competition you agree to receive future marketing and promotional information from Staedtler (UK) Ltd and Lincolnbrody. If you do not wish to receive future information please indicate this on your entry.

Please refer to the full terms and conditions at www.lincolnbrody.co.uk/competitions

www.mumssurvivalguide.net

1

Back to School THE ESSENTIALS

2

www.mumssurvivalguide.net

Whether it’s your first day at the school gates, or you’re a seasoned school-run veteran, a few pointers always come in handy. Our Back to School guide aims to have you primed and prepped, so you can relax knowing everything’s, quite literally, in the bag.

BEFORE TERM BEGINS Get Back into the School Routine Get into a school-day routine during the last couple of weeks of the summer holidays. Get them up and dressed at the same time you would during term time and in the habit of eating breakfast, lunch and snacks at school day times. Another good way to avoid early morning tantrums and hold ups is by getting your child used to going out in the morning. Plan some outings that will help break the holiday habits of relaxing around the house after breakfast.

Create a space, ideally near the front door, where all things school related can always be found. Backpacks, coat, shoes and lunchboxes – get your child involved and make a list with them to put on the fridge or by the front door.

This will be a huge help on manic weekday mornings.

Preparation is key for your child particularly for those starting reception. Encourage them to wear their new uniform around the house and using their new school stationery. Talk about your first day at school and get your child excited about the adventure. PTA members also recommend familiarising your child as much as possible before they start by organising play dates with their new class mates – socialising is a great way to get them school ready.

Uniform First stop is obviously the school’s uniform and kit list. What the list won’t tell you is how

many to get of each item. It’s basically a case of cost versus effort: the more you buy, the less the washing machine will need to go on. Think about your budget versus how much laundry you can reasonably cope with. If you feel one weekly wash is enough, then four or five sets will be fine.

Of course, if they’re the kind of child dirt is magnetically attracted to, go for more rather than less. If they’re usually quite clean, some items might manage a second day – there’s no need to put freshly-laundered uniform on each day for the sake of it.

And finally, don’t panic.

School uniform is still sold after September (although you might have to shop online to get the full range), so if you have under-bought, you should be able to order more.

Check out our focus on uniform and clothing on page 9

Name tapes and labels Order plenty of name tapes and label everything. A set of stickers with your child’s name on will be handy for any lunchboxes, water bottles, toys taken in for show-and-tell and the like – you could just run these off on the printer at home.

Below: Check out our great discount offer for Name tapes and labels from Easy2name – page 10

Where to shop Most uniforms these days are a mix of generic items (which you can buy anywhere), with school-specific ones, like sweatshirts with the school crest. For these, you’ll need to visit a specialist outfitter or online shop (the school will tell you where to go).

For plain trousers and skirts, you can save money by picking up a few in larger supermarkets or on the high street. Most usually offer a good balance of reasonable prices and decent quality – with the added bonus of adjustable waistbands if your child’s a bit on the skinny side.

For school-specific items, it’s worth finding out if your school has a swap shop or secondhand uniform sale (or ask friends with older children if they have anything to hand on). Even if you’d prefer to buy mostly new uniform, it’s useful to have second-hand stuff as spares.

❝

For plain trousers and skirts, you can save money by picking up a few in larger supermarkets or on the high street. www.mumssurvivalguide.net

3

Introduction Ryman Make learning to write easy for your child with STABILO EASYstart range of ergonomically designed pens and pencils. Each pen or pencil is available for either left or right handed children. The moulded grips help encourage the right grip for better handwriting.

The Ryman Brand and visual identity has now b

across the UK.

This brand guideline aims to:

• Achieve consistency across all our communic Consumer or Corporate.

• Raise our profile, brand awareness and

Regional UK through consistent brand delive

awareness of the Company as the leading pl stationery market.

To achieve this, it is important that design and

are used consistently throughout all application

the facsia, in-store, on stationery, on advertisin

packaging, online or through any other commu internal or external.

Find the range and other STABILO products at

Also available at all good stationery stores

Supported by the

If your family income is low, you might be eligible for funding to pay for uniform. Contact www.citizensadvice.org.uk or your Local Education Authority for more information.

When to shop Around a month before term starts is a good time to start buying. Although large stores sell uniform all year, you might find stocks run low as we get into September. You’ll have more choice if you start earlier, and you can always exchange them for the next size up if anyone decides to have a growth spurt. (Keep labels on and receipts to hand just in case).

Do hold off purchasing shoes until late-

August though (that is, if you want them to last till Christmas). Don’t leave it too late though, as the queues for fittings can get ridiculous (you’ll want to get their school shoes fitted properly, seeing as they’ll be wearing them every day).

Don’t forget to allow a few days for your child to wear shoes in at home before term starts.

FIRST DAY AT SCHOOL? Uniform tips for reception class  Where possible, choose items which your child can easily put on and take off themselves (think Velcro, not laces).  Tights are notoriously tricky for little girls to get on and the bane of many a teacher’s life on PE day – avoid if you can.  If you have colour options, darker shades rather than light will be better - stains will show up less.  Where your school offers a choice, for example, if girls can wear trousers or skirts, go past at picking-up time to see what most children are wearing - so your child doesn’t feel like the odd one out.  Check out new clothing technology - noniron garments save on the laundry time and Teflon coatings are great for limiting stains.

Stationery The one thing that most children look forward to about the new school year is all the cool new stuff they hope to get for their pencil case! And there are some fantastic products available, from pens and pencils to folders, notebooks and school essentials such as rulers and rubbers, school children today are literally spoilt for choice! This is a good thing but it can present a bit of a challenge for us parents with such wide range to choose from. So here we have pinpointed some products we really like and offer some tips for shopping for school stationery.

Prepare Get a list of stationery requirements from school so you can sort the ‘must haves’ from the ‘nice to haves’! Set a budget and make a list, prioritizing the essentials above funky gadgets which will help ensure you don’t overspend.

Cross Check Once you are happy with your list, check what items you already have that can still be used – there’s no point buying new things just for the sake of it. Notepads, folders, pencil sharpeners may still be usable for the new school year – work together with your child on this – some of the money you save not having to purchase these essentials can be used for something that they really want but don’t particularly need.

Compare An excellent by product of having a prepared shopping list is being able to compare prices amongst the retailers. For the likes of the supermarkets and stationery specialists such as WH Smiths, Ryman’s and Staples, back to school is one of their most important sales periods. They invest a lot of time to ensure that they have a unique and differentiated offer to entice you in and a bit of time spent on research can save a lot of money on your overall spend. Don’t leave it too late as prices can rise as offers disappear when we get into September and certain lines may also sell out.

Ask What They Want The stationery you buy for them is going to be used every day by your child so it makes sense to get them things they actually like. Be firm regards budget but getting them involved in the decision making process will give them a sense of ownership of the products in their pencil case and in turn they will hopefully take more care of them!

By following these sensible steps, buying school stationery should be straightforward, not too expensive and will result in a happy pupil getting ready for the new school year. M

❝

Get a list of stationery requirements from school so you can sort the ‘must haves’ from the ‘nice to haves’! www.mumssurvivalguide.net

5

Mum’s BTS Shopping List A selection of great buys for this back to school season  Roald Dahl Pencil Case – The Enormous Crocodile Keep your pens and pencils safe with this vibrant enormous crocodile pencil case. Based on the adventurous and fun story from Roald Dahl, with distinctive illustrations from Quentin Blake.

£6.98 at www.beckyandlolo.co.uk

 Staedtler Special Edition Stationery Collection Contains all your BTS essentials and is available in Tesco stores nationwide for £8.00

Keep them warm and their uniforms dry with this stylish and affordable selection of waterproof jackets from Regatta

 Lever II Jacket Big performance in a small package. The showerproof Lever Jacket handily packs down into the left-hand pocket before transforming into an easy-carry belt bag. Seam-sealed Isolite 5,000 fabric with a soft mesh lining delivers comfortable waterproof/breathable protection while reflective trims help to keep them seen during low light exploring.

6

www.mumssurvivalguide.net

 Zyber Durable water repellent finish, lightweight with thermoguard insulation and stretch binding to cuffs and hem. Reflective trim.

 Girls Totteridge Park Waterproof and breathable isotex 5000 coated polyester microfiber. Durable waterproof finish with thermo-guard insulation and faux fur trim.

Internal storm cuff and reflective trim

For latest prices check www.regatta.com

 Becky & Lolo Toddler Backpack – Dog Make lunch times fun for your little one with our adorable dog toddler backpack. Spacious and lightweight, this backpack contains a main compartment with a separate, zipped front pocket, an adjustable side mesh pocket to hold a water bottle and padded straps for extra comfort.

£19.98 at www.beckyandlolo.co.uk

 Groovy Butterfly Children’s Backpack

Mi Pac PE Bags  – Blue Elephant Skin Patterned

This vibrant and eye-catching groovy butterfly backpack is perfect for carrying belongings. Padded and Ergonomic back and straps. Large zipped compartment.

Zipped front pocket. Adjustable straps.

Butterfly applique.

This blue elephant skin patterned drawstring PE bag from Mi Pac is perfect for any sporting activity. Made from high-quality, durable materials and strong cord drawstrings, this bag is great for carrying a PE kit, swimwear, or other daily essentials. Featuring a blue elephant textured skin design, this PE bag is unique and practical for school.

£22.98 at www.beckyandlolo.co.uk

£12.98 at www.beckyandlolo.co.uk

Pumpkin White/Green  Lunchbox A fun sturdy lunch box in eco friendly PVC. Perfect as lunchbox for school or as a picnic box for the children’s special day out. Also available in Star pink and blue

£5.90 at www.kidsconcept.co.uk

 Adidas Linea Large 2 Piece Holdall Set £19.99 at argos.co.uk

 Kurio Smart 9 Windows Tablet Combine the productivity of a laptop with the fun and portability of a tablet. All the software needed for homework and educational content as well as integrated parental controls.

£149.00 at argos.co.uk

 Canon PIXMA MG4250 All-In-One WI-FI Printer £49.99 at argos.co.uk

www.mumssurvivalguide.net

7

CONVENIENT AND FUN AS SEEN ON

TV

Advertorial

Schoolwear

Expertise

If you who haven’t been able to sort the school uniform yet, here are some top tips from the ‘Schoolwear Experts’, Trutex, along with some sage advice from some of their favourite mummy bloggers.

1. Choose Best Value As with everything else, cheapest isn’t necessarily best value, so look for quality, comfort and durability when choosing uniform.

2. Size Matters Always consider buying a larger size to last for more than one school year.

3. Tried and Tested Look for extra value in heavier fabrics, long life features and robust stitching including garment stability, colour fastness and seam strength to make sure the uniform can cope with the tough demands placed upon them.

Once you’ve purchased your new school uniform you need to start preparing for the new school year. With so much to do and think about, it’s good to get help and advice, and who else is better for parenting tips than other mums. Here’s some great advice from a few of Trutex’s favourite mummy bloggers…

Confidence Booster If you look for features like expandable cuffs and Velcro fastenings it can make life easier for your little one and help build confidence when taking uniform on and off for PE. Jaime Oliver www.theoliversmadhouse.co.uk

Panic Free Zone

4. Stay Bright To maintain colour fastness turn schoolwear inside out when washing and ironing, this will help garments look brighter for longer. Wash uniform on low temperatures to save energy.

5. Be Ethical Buy from reputable companies. Trutex not only follows the Ethical Base Code in its factories but is also the UK’s first Carbon Neutral Specialist Schoolwear provider, helping to create a better future for our children and their children’s futures.

6. Pass It On Buy uniforms that are made to last so that they can be passed onto siblings, providing greater value for money.

To find out more about Trutex visit www.trutex.com

Check you have plenty of spare uniform. I make sure I have five t-shirts, four pairs of trousers, two sweaters, and two weeks worth of socks for each day of the week so that I don’t need to stress about washing dirty uniform for the next day.

The Suburban Mum www.suburban-mum.com

Practice Makes Perfect Children are expected to be able to dress and undress themselves at school especially for PE, so getting them to practise at home is a must.

They do have some help though from teachers and assistants, but with 30 children they can’t obviously help them all. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve picked my son up from school and he has his shoes/PE shirt on the

wrong way round. So don’t forget about practising shoes on and off too!

The suburban Mum www.suburban-mum.com

Room to Grow Want to buy school uniform which will last?

Make sure you leave growing room. Buy trousers and skirts which have adjustable waists and use iron-on webbing to turn-up the hems and then let them down again as they grow.

Jane Arschavir www.hodgepodgedays.co.uk

Laundry Life My little guy started reception last September and my top tip for reception children and school uniforms is to look for some helpful features on the uniform like non-iron and stain resistant….it makes life just that little bit easier for you when doing the laundry.

Jaime Oliver www.theoliversmadhouse.co.uk

Stain Buster Five year old boys and white school shirts are a match made in hell. To get rid of mud stains and general grime on white shirts and t-shirts, soak them in a solution of water and bicarbonate of soda overnight before washing – the quicker the stain is dealt with, the easier it is to shift.

Jane Arschavir www.hodgepodgedays.co.uk M

Join Trutex and share your parenting top tips and learn more from like-minded parents

TrutexLtd

@Trutexltd www.mumssurvivalguide.net

9

Advertorial

Labelling the

Easy2name Way

Making sure your child starts the new school year with everything labelled can be a daunting task, particularly if you go down the traditional embroidered sew-in name tape route, but there’s really no need to go to all that trouble. Here at Mum’s we are always on the lookout for smart, time saving ideas and when it comes to labelling we’ve certainly found one with the StickEasy label!

D

eveloped by mother of four boys, Melanie King, this little label is fabulous. The owner of the aptly named Easy2name has saved us hours with these labels as they simply stick on the care labels and withstand washing brilliantly. We ordered a Sticky Starter pack that included a fantastic selection of brightly coloured stickers which are totally dishwasher proof and go in shoes with some clear covers popped over the top. These now adorn the water bottle, lunchbox, cricket bat, cricket pad…brilliant.

Easy2name offer much more than StickEasy labels. For example, some schools will insist on sew on embroidered tags but their iron on wovens will save a lot of sewing time and look the same! Their Back to School set includes 30 waterproof name labels to label pens, water bottles, lunch boxes and shoes and 30 iron on name tapes, together with a high quality shoe bag, perfect for PE kit and a bag tag.

We’ve included a selection of Easy2name’s fabulous range on this page but there’s much more to be found on their website. What’s

more, if you use the Code MUMS-BTS, that will give you 10% off the entire range – from sew, stick or iron on nametapes to embroidered shoe bags and personalised pencils. Take a look at their website www.easy2name.com – as Melanie says, you name it, they label it!

Sticky Starter Pack

✓ Great value pack ✓ Includes Original Stickers, Easy2name StickEasy’s and Shoe Label Covers

Bookbags

✓ very durable expandable book bag ✓ Includes a strap for shoulder use ✓ Can be personalised Shoebags

✓ Strong drawstring Nylon bag ✓ Good size to fit in a pair of shoes or a PE or swimming kit

✓ 11 colours to choose from

✓ Quick Delivery ✓ Simple and easy to use

Ballet Bags

Fab and Funky StickEasy

✓ Personalised with a printed card tag

✓ Perfect solution to naming anything with a care label ✓ Simply and easy to apply ✓ Will withstand the washing machine and tumble dryer ✓ Available in 33 colourful designs

✓ Strong drawstring bag with embroidered ballerina

Fab and Funky Mini Bag Tags

✓ 3 tags in each pack ✓ Ideal in labelling smaller items like pencil cases and lunch boxes

Backpacks

✓ High Quality Backpacks ✓ Available in 9 Bright Colours ✓ A choice of 15 motifs ✓ Personalised with the name of your choice

Telephone: 01635-298326

Save 10%

off complete range at www.easy2name.com Use code MUMS-BTS

10

www.mumssurvivalguide.net

Keeping it CLEAN When children return to school each autumn, a new laundry regime begins. Shirts, jumpers, socks, gym gear - at times it can feel like a never-ending conveyor belt! And with it come stains, ink, paint, glue, food and occasionally even blood. But with a little preparation and some expert help, keeping them clean this school year can be a doddle!

With that in mind, we spoke to the laundry specialists, Dr Beckmann, who gave us some expert advice for staying on top of the laundry and dealing with back-to-school stains.

General Laundry Tips ❶ Always follow the garment’s wash care label. ❷ Sort garments into whites and colours, then into groups by fabric types.

❸ Empty the pockets, remove any loose items like buckles, close all zips and hooks.

❹ Avoid over-filling the machine as over-full loads reduce the effectiveness of the wash.

❺ Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the laundry detergent and your washing machine.

❻ Wash the garments inside out to avoid scuffing and fading.

❼ Remember that delicates need special care. Silk and wool are best washed with a specialist ph-neutral detergent.

❽ If handwashing, remember not to wring, just squeeze out the water gently to avoid overcreasing and mis-shaping.

❾ If machine washable, place delicates in a pillowcase or net bag to prevent them from being snagged in the wash.

❿ Always remove your wash load as soon as the cycle has finished.

Why not get the kids involved? Not only will they be learning important life skills, it’s a great bonding exercise and can become a regular part of their weekly chores. UK laundry specialists Dr. Beckmann share four top tips for Back to School laundry with children.

1) Inspection and Stain Removal Stains can be easily missed during a quick wash, so teaching your children the art of inspecting clothes for stains is a very important step. Stains need to be treated before the wash cycle to make sure they have the best chance of removal.

3) Laundry boosters As well as teaching your children to add products such as fabric softeners to their laundry it’s a good idea to educate them about adding other laundry aids such as Glowhite to keep their whites looking like new for longer.

4) Timing and temperature There are a lot of dials, buttons and options to choose, making the washing machine look confusing! Install confidence into your children that they’re making the right selections for all types of fabrics and different wash loads.

By teaching your children these four simple steps you are building a foundation of life skills that will be invaluable when they leave home and also ensuring they feel helpful and productive around the house. M

Fast, effective stain relief from Dr. Beckmann Dr. Beckmann to the rescue! Download the NEW Stain Devils app available for iOS and Android.

✓ Get stain removal solutions fast! ✓ Handy hints and tips. ✓ Step by step guides to stain removal. ✓ FREE P&P on purchases made via the app.

With six Stain Devils to choose from and a busy household to run, Dr. Beckmann realised consumers could do with a little extra help deciding which is the right Stain Devil to use. So we have created the Stain Devils app, to help guide you through the stain removal process. Available to download

for Android and iOS smartphones, at Google Play and the Apple App Store.

The app allows you to input the stain you want to remove and from which fabric and then gives you your stain removal solution. The app also includes handy ‘how to’ videos and step by step guides to ensure you get the best results. Once you’ve got the solution you need and have checked how to use it properly you can then buy the Stain Devil directly from the app for just £1.99 inc. P&P.

2) The importance of sorting To keep colours from bleeding and ruining clothing, the general rule is to sort lights from darks, colours from whites. Explain the potential hazards of mixing new fabrics with old, red fabric with lights etc – help them to avoid disasters!

Promo code valid until 30 November 2016

www.mumssurvivalguide.net

11

Advertorial

DYLON Colour ® Catcher 6 Protect

The proof is on the sheet®!

The new school year brings with it new laundry routines as your clothes basket begins to overflow with their stained uniforms, gym gear and dirty socks. But fear not, the experts at DYLON are on hand to take the strain whilst helping to protect your clothes and saving you heaps of time – and all in a single sheet!

S

imply add a sheet of DYLON Colour Catcher® 6 Protect to every wash. It acts like a magnet and traps loose dye and dirt during the wash to offer protection against colour runs.

DYLON Colour Catcher® 6 Protect is incredibly convenient as less sorting results in fewer wash loads saving you water, energy, money and most importantly time – time that can be spent together with your children rather than with their dirty laundry!

DYLON Colour Catcher® 6 Protect – benefiting your laundry in six unique ways

together. Colour Catcher helps to protect your laundry and saves your time and money by allowing mixed washes.

1. H elps to prevent colour run accidents

4. Helps to prevent greying

Colours that run in the water during wash might bleed into your laundry. Thanks to its patented technology the sheet acts like a magnet and traps loose dye from the water – helping to protect against discolouration and colour runs.

The proof is on the sheet®!

2. Allows mixed washes As the sheet helps to protect against colour transfer it allows you to wash your colours

*Source: IRI UK, laundry sheets, volume sales, YTD July 2016

12

www.mumssurvivalguide.net

3. Helps to protect colour brightness Even if not seen by eye, traces of dye might deposit every wash and build up a layer of mixed colours on the garment over time – making your coloured garments dull. The sheet traps the dyes from the water before they deposit on the garments. It helps to keep your colours bright for longer!

Greying is an accumulation process. Grime and dirt are traces which redeposit on the fabric during several washes and their build up become visible over time. By removing loose dirt particles from the wash the sheet helps to protect fabric from greying.

5. Effective at all temperatures Extra absorbent fibres of the sheet provide protection at all temperatures. For best results use Colour Catcher in every wash!

6. Helps to prevent residual dirt redepositing Dirt particles may also float in the wash water.

With its unique feature the sheet catches released dirt particles from the water for a better cleanliness of your fabrics.

DYLON Colour Catcher® 6 Protect – the UK’s No. 1* laundry sheet for colour protection with 20 years of experience

PROTECT YOUR LITTLE ONE’S FAVOURITE CLOTHES!

We know you’re juggling a million and one things right now, so we are giving you one less thing to worry about. Lots of things in fact – and all in a single sheet!

Add a sheet of DYLON Colour Catcher 6 Protect – the UK’s No. 1* laundry sheet – to your wash. ®

It acts like a magnet and traps loose dye and dirt during the wash to offer protection against colour runs.

With DYLON Colour Catcher® 6 Protect you can relax with your family knowing your wash is being cared for!

Available in different formats at all major retailers, online and many other stores.

www.colourcatcher.co.uk Colour Catcher *Volume sales, YTD July 2016, UK (Source:IRI).

Healthy Lunchbox IDEAS A healthy lunch keeps active kids alert and focused and gives them the nutrition they need every day. But no matter how healthy your child’s lunch box is, it won’t provide any nutritional value if it doesn’t get eaten and with thanks to the Children’s Food Trust here are some excellent ways to keep their lunchbox healthy AND tasty.

What should my child’s packed lunch include?

A Starchy Food Bread, pasta, cous cous or potato. Wholegrain varieties contain more fibre so choose these where you can. And while sandwiches are often our go-to choice, you can use different types of bread to give kids variety – pitta, wraps, bagels, chapattis or toast fingers with a dip. And don’t forget, leftover pasta, noodles, potatoes or cous cous can be the makings of a cold packed lunch salad the next day as long as you cool and store them properly.

Fruit and Vegetables We all need to eat more of these, whatever our age! Get veg into packed lunches in all sorts of ways: on their own (e.g. sticks of cucumber, carrot, pepper, celery, cherry tomatoes, baby corn, sugar snap peas, pots of mixed salad), as part of sandwiches or stick pulses like kidney beans and chickpeas in pasta salads. Halved cherry

The Children’s Food Trust is on a mission to get every child eating well at home, in childcare, at school and beyond.

We’re the charity sharing the skills, knowledge and confidence to cook from scratch, helping anyone who provides food for children to do a great job and encouraging industry to help families make better food choices. We believe every child has a right to nutritious food. When children eat better, they do better.

tomatoes in a pot, instead of tomato slices in sandwiches, can help to avoid the soggy sandwich effect.

For fruit, children often prefer a pot of chopped fruit rather than whole fruit (especially younger children). Try chopped apple (stop it turning brown by rinsing it in diluted lemon juice), satsuma segments, strawberries, blueberries, halved grapes (longways) or melon slices on their own, or as a mixture. Small pots of canned fruit in juice can work well, or with some yoghurt (remember the spoon!)

Raisins, sultanas and dried apricots are another popular choice – and they’re cheaper and often healthier than processed fruit snacks, which may contain added sugar and be more damaging to children’s teeth.

Beans, pulses, fish, eggs and other proteins Mix it up rather than the failsafe ham sandwich: try strips of chicken, beef, pork, cooked or canned tuna or salmon. Meat alternatives like soya, tofu, Quorn, or cooked egg can also work well in sandwiches or salads. Try houmous or other bean dips with strips of pitta and veg sticks, or as a topping for crispbreads and crackers. Peanut butter’s another option, but always check your school’s policy on nuts before trying this one.

tasting ones (you can use less of it) or reducedfat varieties cheese, and don’t pack cheese every single day. Yoghurt or fromage frais are also great choices – go for the plain varieties or check the labels and choose pots that are lower in sugar. Rice pudding pots or custard with fruit are also good packed lunch puds.

A Drink Plain milk or water are the best choices for children’s teeth. If you want to pack fruit juice in your child’s lunchbox, stick to a 150ml portion.

Better still, dilute it with still or sparkling water to make it more hydrating.

Download the Children’s Food Trust Guide to a good packed lunch at http://media. childrensfoodtrust.org.uk/2015/05/CFTPacked-Lunch-Guidance.pdf and visit www.childrensfoodtrust.org.uk for inspiration, advice and recipes to help you and your family eat more healthily. M

Dairy Foods Pack milk as a drink (go for semi-skimmed or 1% milk – all the same vitamins, just less fat).

If you want to go for flavoured milk, check the label and choose one with lower sugar. You can also put cheese in sandwiches, with crackers or fruit, or as sticks or cubes. Don’t forget, cheese can be high in fat and salt so choose stronger-

❝

Children often prefer a pot of chopped fruit rather than whole fruit www.mumssurvivalguide.net

15

Advertorial

SUN-MAID CALIFORNIA RAISINS

Love Raisins, Love Sun-Maid For over 100 years, Sun-Maid’s famous little red boxes have been enjoyed by children and adults alike.

A

s a co-operative, Sun-Maid Growers of California is owned by family farmers who grow the grapes in areas of the San Joaquin Valley of Central California.

Sun-Maid California Raisins are 100% natural with no oils or glazing agents added – they are just ‘Grapes & Sunshine’.

The process of making raisins requires plump and flavourful Natural Seedless grapes and the California sun. The sun and soil work a special magic, turning the grapes gradually sweeter. By August, the grapes are plump and full of sweetness.

In the traditional harvest method, the ripe grapes are picked and placed on clean paper trays laid beside the vines. Generally, it takes two to three weeks of hot, dry weather to turn the sweet green grapes into plump, tasty raisins.

During drying, the hot sun bakes the vineyard floor, producing intense ground temperatures that caramelise the sugars in the grapes enough to give California raisins their distinctive flavor and color. The raisins are then washed, sorted and packed for you to enjoy.

Raisins contain only naturally occurring fructose sugar and have no added sugar.

The sugars in raisins are included in the World Health Organisation (W.H.O.) definition of “intrinsic sugars”, that are naturally present in whole foods like fruit and vegetables, for which it places no limit on intake.

Sun-Maid California raisins are a source of potassium, copper, manganese and Vitamin B6. Because they do not easily spoil,

are available year-round, easy to store and transport, they serve as a convenient way to increase fruit consumption. A typical serving of 30g (about a heaped tablespoon) of SunMaid Raisins will provide one portion of the recommended 5 A Day. Naturally sweet, portable and convenient, Sun-Maid California Raisins make an ideal playtime snack or lunch box treat and are an excellent ingredient to add sweetness to many recipes.

The Back to School period is fast approaching, so why not try our recipe for Kid’s Trail Mix – a delicious snack for your children’s lunch box.

For your convenience, Sun-Maid Raisins are available in a variety of pack sizes: 14.1g ideal for young children, 42.5g for older children and adults and our 500g canister which is suitable for snacking at home or a naturally sweet ingredient for your favourite recipes. M

Sun-Maid Kid’s Trail Mix Preparation Time – 10 minutes.

Makes 12 mini bags or one large jar

 50g sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds 5 0g White chocolate, milk chocolate or dark chocolate chips (optional)

Ingredients  100g whole-grain cereal hoops or flakes

Method

 100g Sun-Maid California Raisins

ix all the ingredients up in a big bowl. ❶M ❷ S tore in a large jar or in separate zip lock

5 0g dried fruit (i.e. chopped apricots)  50g mixed nuts (optional)

snack bags for packed lunch boxes.

Enjoy M Follow us on Facebook and Twitter

Sun-Maid Raisins – Just Grapes & Sunshine!

16

www.mumssurvivalguide.net

Sun-Maid California Raisins UK

@SunMaidUK

For more information and recipe ideas, visit our website at www.sunmaid.co.uk

After school

SNACKS – with Nadiya Hussain

It’s not uncommon for us to take our eye off the ball when it comes to healthy eating during the ‘munchies zone’ between the end of the school day and dinner time.

A

s growing children, they need regular snacks and are quite entitled to be hungry once you pick them up or when they get home from school. Having had a busy day yourself, it’s easy to slip into the habit giving them a bag of crisps or bar of chocolate. But with a little planning and preparation, it can be surprisingly easy to keep rumbling tummies at bay healthily. Here, Great British Bake Off winner, Nadiya Hussain shares some of her tasty and nutritious after school hunger busters!

You could say it’s been a quite a busy year for Nadiya Hussain. Since winning 2015’s Great British Bake Off, the past 12 months have seen Nadiya publish a fabulous cookery book, write a children’s recipe and story book, bake the Queen’s 90th birthday cake, become a regular columnist for Essentials and The Times Magazine, all whilst making regular TV appearances and firmly establishing herself in the nation’s heart.

As a mother of three children, Nadiya had

the same problem as many of us when faced with hungry, expectant faces after school. As she says ‘Whether you have one child, two, three like me, or more, I know it’s the worst feeling trying to decide whether your child should have a healthy snack or whatever they want, if not to just keep them quiet before dinner.’ And like we have all done from time to time, she gave in occasionally, ‘…there have been times where I have just given the kids the easiest option: a packet of crisps, a small bar of chocolate, a biscuit (or two). But I noticed that the kids were like yoyos…. high as kites, excitable before the inevitable sugar crash to follow’.

As a result, Nadiya decided to overhaul the familiy’s eating habits, including tackling the time between school pick up and dinner. ‘One of my first tips is that I always take a bottle of water (not chilled). I find children are weary of drinking chilled water because it’s cold and harder to drink quickly. So I take a bottle of water at room temperature and allow them to drink to their fill as soon as I see them. They may be very thirsty.’ M

Nadiya’s Tips As a fruitier alternative to plain water I like to have water bottles with wide necks and to this I add slices of oranges, kiwi and strawberries and leave it to infuse during the day and take that with me on the school run. Once they have drunk all the water they can finish the fruit inside too.

I now always have a few snacks that I have pre-prepared or snacks that can be quickly made.

These are all great ways to give the kids a little something to eat to take the edge off the hunger before dinner. But also a great way of getting some of their 5-a-day in too.’

Here are a few of their favourites for you to try:  Frozen Yoghurt – small pots of yoghurt; I just pierce a lolly pop stick through the covering and place the whole thing in the freezer. When frozen, peel off the top of the yoghurt pot and ease the frozen yoghurt out of its pot. F rozen Blueberry Yoghurt Sticks – take a wooden skewer and pierce it with about 10 blueberries. Dip the whole stick into yoghurt and place the sticks on a baking sheet and freeze.

Once frozen take them off the sheet and place inside a freezer bag and store in the freezer. H oumous Celery Sticks – cut slices of celery sticks about 2 inches long. Fill the inside with houmous and serve. T urkey Ham Wrapped Cheese Sticks – take a small stick of cheese and wrap around a slice of turkey ham.  Mini Omelettes – whisk up some eggs and add onion, cheese, chives and chopped peppers. Pour the mix into a 12 muffin cupcake tin and bake in the oven. Once cooled these can be stored for a week.

Nadiya’s Bake Me a Story publishes on 8th September (Hodder Children’s Books, HB, £14.99)

Nadiya’s Kitchen by Nadiya Hussain is out now (Penguin, HB, £20) Photographer: Holly Pickering

S teamed Edamame Beans – place in a bowl, splash with a little water and cover in clingfilm. Cook in a microwave oven for 3 minutes and then sprinkle with salt and paprika. www.mumssurvivalguide.net

17

Something for

Arla Big Yogs

LUNCH

Struggling to get your kids to eat enough fruit and veg?

If so, why not try Arla Big Yogs!

Water Bottle Pink 

Nude Pink child’s water bottle with a Scandinavianstyle illustration of a rabbit. Suitable for ages 3+.

£4.95 at www.berryred.co.uk

 Children’s 3D Owl Lunch Bag With Free Water Bottle The perfect lunch companion. Features include a main insulated compartment, an inside mesh pocket to hold an ice-pack, a side zipped pocket with bottle included and a handy insulated front pocket.

Big Yogs are available now in two 4 x 110g multi packs from ASDA stores with an RRP of £1.69

£10.00 at www.beckyandlolo.co.uk

Arla Big Yogs are a 3% fat whole milk yogurt, combining natural fruit and vegetables and enriched with Vitamin D and calcium, needed for normal growth and development of bones in children.

Star - Blue Children’s  Lunchbox

Naturally sweetened with fruit juice concentrate children have the option of four delicious flavours:

A fun sturdy lunch box in eco friendly PVC. Perfect for school or as a picnic box for the childrens special day out. Also available in pink and Pumpkin white/green.

✔ Raspberry & Beetroot and Sweet Potato & Mango ✔ Blueberry & Pumpkin and Strawberry & Carrot.

£5.90 at www.kidsconcept.co.uk

A great way of getting your children to eat fruit and vegetables in array of interesting flavour combinations.

*Prices correct at time of going to press but might be subject to change

Scone in 60 seconds!

Welcome to the world of Applewood® Cheese’s smoky loveliness, made for baking, melting or just nibbling! Applewood® is available in many formats from your local supermarket including, wedges, slices and minis!

Why not #AddApplewood to your favourite family meals? Our Applewood® Cheese Scone recipe is the perfect way to introduce your kids to the kitchen: Makes 18-20 Scones Ingredients

Available in Asda, Sainsburys, Morrisons and Ocado

 300g plain flour  200g wholemeal flour

Method

 3 tsp baking powder

❶ P re-heat the oven 200°C, 180°C fan, gas mark 6.

 a pinch of salt  165g Applewood® Cheese grated (plus a little extra for sprinkling on top)

❷ Sift the plain flour, baking powder

 2 tbs fresh chives or other herbs such as parsley, sage, oregano

❸ I n a small bowl beat the egg with the milk and oil. When well combined pour the egg and milk mixture into the flour and use a spoon or knife to mix into a dough; add a little extra milk if the dough is too dry. The

 1 tbs (15ml) vegetable oil  125ml milk  1 egg

18

www.mumssurvivalguide.net

and salt into a mixing bowl. Stir in the Applewood® Cheese, wholemeal flour and chives.

dough should be soft. Don’t over work it.

❹ Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and carefully roll out until 2cm thick.

❺ Cut out the scones and place onto a lightly greased baking tray. Gather up remaining dough re-roll and repeat.

❻ Sprinkle the scones with a little Applewood® Cheese and bake for approximately 15-20 minutes when the scones should be pale and golden.

❼ Serve warm with lashings of butter or wrap up to enjoy later as part of a lunch box!

For more family baking recipes visit www.applewoodcheese. co.uk or follow Applewood® Cheese on social media for your chance to win an Applewood® Family Baking Kit!

Advertorial

A PITCH

for Every Pitch!

The summer holidays are almost at an end and more than 80% of us think that August is the best time to start preparing for Back to School. Like other parents, you are probably worrying about the long list of supplies you need to buy, how you are going to get back into a good routine and whether you will have enough time to go shopping.

Y

ou will also need to start thinking about lunchbox ideas and how to make sure your kids are getting the right balance, giving them plenty of energy for a day at school. Here at Brioche Pasquier, we understand how difficult it is to juggle a busy home and work life, which is where we come in.

Our Pitch range is ideal for busy parents who perhaps lack inspiration for what to put in their kids’ lunchboxes. Pitch is a delicious brioche roll, filled with a soft hazelnut chocolate spread or with chocolate chips. These soft and airy brioche rolls are a great treat for children and are free from preservatives, artificial colours and hydrogenated fats. They are available in packs of six or four and are individually wrapped for your convenience. All you have to do is pop one in their lunchbox and off you go! What’s more, they are crumb free making them great for breakfast, afternoon snacks, picnics, after A great sport and during treat for children journeys in the car. and free from Pitch was the creation of one of preservatives, the Pasquier sons.

artificial colours & hydrogenated fats

His children would snack on brioche when they were outside playing sports and they decided that they wanted to make their half-time boost more exciting. They would open their brioche and put a chocolate bar in the middle and this gave their father the idea of filling the Pitch with a delicious flavour.

Here at Brioche Pasquier, we like to promote active lifestyles for children by partnering up with Team Superschools and SuperSchools who organise athletes to visit schools and the pupils take part in different exercises. This is why we have set up a great competition with some awesome prizes that you can win with every pack! By collecting unique codes on collectable stickers found in every promotional pack, you could be in for a chance of winning a day with a real athletics champion at your child’s school. We also have 100’s of runner-up garden activity play sets to give away. That’s not all, if you collect five unique codes you can

◆◆◆ Pitch loved by kids, enjoyed by all! ◆◆◆ ◆◆◆ A free gift in every pack, all year round. ◆◆◆

claim a FREE pedometer for your children. Why not join in the fun by taking part in the activity challenges found on the stickers? How long does it take you to do 10 star jumps?

More about us..

It all started in a small village bakery in the West of France by Gabriel Pasquier in 1936. In 1974, his five sons began building the family business into ‘Brioche Pasquier Ltd’, which today is still run by the Pasquier family. We have over 40 years of experience producing traditional French bakery products using our ‘savoir-faire’, that has been passed down through the generations from Gabriel. We pride ourselves on using carefully selected, quality ingredients to bake delicious products for all of the family, for any time of the day!

Available from Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, The Co-op and Ocado.

To enter our competition, please visit: www.briochepasquier.co.uk/competitions

Spotty dogs!

Star jumps!

Try to do 25 in 30 seconds

How long does it take you to do 10?

www.mumssurvivalguide.net

19

How to Help with

HOMEWORK The new academic year also represents the return of homework. Of all the parenting hats we wear, teaching is one of the most important.

So when it comes to your child’s school homework, what’s the best way to help?

HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH? There’s no fixed rule about how much homework your child can expect, but in the UK, it usually looks something like this.

Years 1 and 2

60 minutes a week

Years 3 and 4

90 minutes a week

Years 5 and 6 30 minutes a day or equivalent over two/ three evenings or at the weekend

❝

Once they’ve left primary school, they’ll be expected to do their homework by themselves.

20

www.mumssurvivalguide.net

Since 2012, homework isn’t based on national guidelines anymore, and is very much down to the head teacher. So if you think your child’s struggling, you might be able to make a change – as long as other parents feel the same way.

What’s homework for?

There’s a lot of debate about how much homework children should get (the norm varies from country to country and school to school). But wherever you live, the principle is the same – homework helps kids practise what they’ve learned in class, while getting used to thinking on their own. It also shows teachers how your child is getting on, and any areas where they might need help.

So I can’t do it for them then?

We’d all like our child to get a gold star every time, but if you’re the one doing the work, it could backfire. Yes, most seven year-olds need a bit of guidance here and there, but once they’ve left primary school, they’ll be expected to do their homework by themselves. And that’s the key.

Not only is working independently a crucial life skill, but getting a ‘B’ on your own builds more confidence than mum getting an ‘A’ for you. And making mistakes is a part of learning too.

HOW TO HELP YOUR CHILD WITH READING & MATHS Helping your children reading

Helping your child with maths

✓

Even if you didn’t enjoy maths at school, there are lots of ways to help your child be number-confident.

ead little and often as part of your R routine, keeping books within easy reach.

ake time to talk about each page and ✓ Twhat they see. ind books on topics your child likes, ✓ Ffrom fairy tales and animals to fashion and sport.

oint out shapes in everyday objects and ✓ Pbuildings t the shops, let them help count grocery ✓ Aitems and money ook for numbers on street signs and car ✓ Lregistration plates.

❝

Knowing how to stay safe online is a lesson children need to learn with you as their guide.

dence and knowing how to break things down. You can help by taking a few minutes to talk through that day’s homework, and dividing it into smaller tasks. Decide together how long each task should take (a timer or special clock can help if they’re a real fidgeter), and give them praise as they go through ticking off each one.

✓ Practice, practice, practice

While you can’t do your child’s homework, practising skills with them – and making it fun – is where parents can really make a difference. Whether it’s maths or a foreign language, games, songs and other learning-infused activities can all help them learn without pressure.

And don’t forget reading – research shows it’s the most important thing you can do to support your child’s education.

✓

Do the nerd thing

Topics at school can change from week to week, so if your child is interested in something, from Pharaohs to frogspawn, let them be nerds and explore the subject to their heart’s content. Documentaries, picture books, days out and craft activities are all ways to get under the skin of a topic and make it come alive. Join in the fun, and you might learn something too.

✓ Be library buddies Hey coach!

So rather than running the race for your child, think of yourself as a coach or buddy. Someone who motivates them, praises them and gives them the odd tip, then stands back to let them shine.

Here are some ways to do it:

✓ Timing is everything

You can’t fight nature, so don’t expect your child to do their homework when they’re exhausted. Straight after school is usually a good time, but you’ll know what works for you.

The most important thing is to get into a good, regular routine, when your child isn’t too tired or hungry.

✓ Break it down (and talk them up) Sitting down and doing things on your own can be hard for children (and some adults!). A lot of it comes down to confi-

Today, kids are encouraged to do their own research from a much younger age, and that’s a good thing, as it’s a brilliant habit to get into. Hit the local library together to get the facts on volcanoes or Henry VIII, and you’ll be introducing your child to a great free resource they’ll use for the rest of their lives.

✓ Get web savvy

Of course, your child’s most important research tool is going to be the internet. This raises worries for most parents, but think of it as the perfect opportunity to use the web alongside your child, teaching them about safety as you go. And it’s not just about staying safe – you can also talk about where information comes from, and why some sources are reliable… and others distinctly iffy.

Remember, children shouldn’t use the internet unsupervised. Parental control settings are essential, but knowing how to stay safe online is a lesson children need to learn with you as their guide. So make sure you give them some basic rules to follow, and put the com-

HOMEWORK DOS & DON’TS have a flat, well-lit homework area ✓ Dorotable with all the stationery they need (so they don’t have to go looking for a pencil sharpener mid-session). o be aware of modern teaching ✓ Dmethods, like phonics and ‘chunking’. o create a homework routine that you ✓ Dboth agree to. o give your child a small, healthy ✓ Dsnack before starting to keep their energy up. o chat about the homework they’re ✓ Ddoing and how it connects with school.

Do turn off the TV, although music’s ✓ okay if it helps them concentrate. on’t give your child the answers, ✘ Dalthough you can remind them how to work it out. on’t teach your child methods you ✘ Dused at school. It could confuse them.

Don’t let homework become a chore. ✘ Keep it fun and make it a special time that you both look forward to. puter in a family room with the screen facing out so you can keep an eye on things.

Find out more about child internet safety at www.kidsmart.org.uk/parents

✓ Show me, tell me

From time to time, part of your child’s homework might involve presenting what they’ve learned in school to their family at home. This gives you a chance to support your child’s learning in the simplest and best way possible – by taking time to listen to what they have to say. M www.mumssurvivalguide.net

21

Promotion

Extra ‘FRIENDS’ to support your kids going back to school…

As parents, we are all concerned that our children have enough friends to help keep them happy and healthy – and sometimes we need to provide additional ‘friends’ to support their health and wellbeing.

C

ontact with groups of friends in the classroom can provide the perfect environment for unwanted bugs and illnesses to thrive, particularly in the winter months when the windows are closed and there is less chance to spend time outdoors.

Children are more likely to be in close contact with each other than adults, to share toys and games and to put their hands to their face and mouths more frequently.

Children are also less likely to wash their hands properly or to put their hands over their mouths when coughing and sneezing.

“As well as unpleasant symptoms for the child, this can cause other inconveniences, such as GP visits, time off school and parental absence from work.” Dr Nigel Plummer, Managing Director at ProVen Probiotics A survey commissioned by ProVen Probiotics in 2015 revealed that two thirds of children took days off school due to the common cold last year, meaning that two thirds of parents had taken time off work to look after them.

And when children bring bugs into the home, it is also likely that parents and other family members will pick them up too.

Antibiotics are designed to destroy bacterial infections, but have no impact

22

www.mumssurvivalguide.net

on viruses. And whilst destroying the bad bacteria, they also wipe out the friendly bacteria that our bodies need to support immunity and digestion.

And this is where the extra ‘friends’ come in – probiotics are friendly bacteria that can help to replenish gut bacteria if antibiotics are required and have also been shown to support the body in fighting viral infections.

ProVen Probiotics’ Fit for School has been proven in a clinical trial to lead to:

✓ 5 0% reduction in total symptoms of coughs and colds

✓ 3 3% reduction in the number of episodes of cold symptoms

✓ 4 3% reduction in the number of visits to the GP and thus antibiotic prescription

✓ 30% reduction in absence from school and thus in childcare costs

Fit for School is available in two forms to suit you and your child:  Stick packs containing 12.5 billion friendly bacteria plus vitamins C and D and prebiotics  Chewable tablets containing 12.5 billion friendly bacteria with vitamin C For further information visit www.provenprobiotics.co.uk or call us on 01639 825107

WIN

ProVen Probiotics are offering 5 readers the chance to win a three-month supply of Fit for School (you can choose either tablets or stick packs).

For your chance to win one of these fantastic prizes, simply enter online by 15th September 2016 at www.mumssurvivalguide.net/fitforschool clearly stating your preference for Chewable Tablets or Stick Packs No purchase necessary. The winners will be the first 5 names drawn at random. The winners will be notified no later than 20th September 2016. The judges’ decision will be final and the competition is not open to employees of LincolnBrody, Cultech Ltd or their agents. By entering into the competition you agree to receive future marketing and promotional information from Cultech Ltd and Lincolnbrody. If you do not wish to receive future information please indicate this on your entry.

Please refer to the full terms and conditions at www.lincolnbrody.co.uk/competitions

Back to school HEALTH

By Dr Sarah Jarvis, clinical consultant at health website Patient (patient.info)

If your child’s off to school for the first time, you’re probably far more concerned about how they’ll settle in than whether they’ll be ill. But many common illnesses are easily passed on in the playground, and it’s best to be prepared.

Tummy bugs

Impetigo

With these, it isn’t a matter of if, but when.

Most tummy bugs are caused by viruses which can be easily passed on through hand-to-hand contact - and there’s lots of that at school! The main symptom is diarrhoea, which can last for a few days. Vomiting is also common, although this tends to settle within a day or so. They can eat if they want, but it’s really important you get plenty of fluids (not fruit juice or fizzy drinks) into them. Tummy bugs are very infectious, so you need to keep your child off school until 48 hours after their symptoms have settled.

This bacterial skin infection is extremely infectious, and can spread like wildfire among primary school children in particular. It starts with small blisters which burst and leave a scab, often with a yellow-golden crust and red skin underneath. It often starts with a single patch, with more patches developing nearby over the next few days. Doctors usually advise treating it with antibiotics to stop it spreading - although it does usually settle within two or three weeks without treatment, your child might have infected a whole class by then!

Sore throats

Head lice

These are more common in the winter months, and often go along with a cough and cold. There are some symptoms which make it more likely your child has tonsillitis, which may need antibiotics. They include a sore throat without a cough; fever; tender swollen glands on the front of the neck; and white spots on the tonsils (you can ask your child to open their mouth wide for you to shine a torch onto the back of the throat to see). If your child has two or more of these, see your GP. Otherwise, simple painkillers like ibuprofen or paracetamol will help.

Just hearing the word ‘nits’ is enough to make most of us feel itchy, but these little crawlers are an almost inevitable rite of passage for the average schoolchild. They are just as likely to affect children with clean hair as dirty, and they can’t fly, so need close head-to-head contact to move between people. Head lice lay eggs (seen as white ‘nits’) which hatch in 7-10 days, and grow into adults which can lay their own DIGITAL LOGOS eggs within another 10 days. Normal combing and shampooing won’t get rid of them.

Many kids with head lice won’t get any symptoms - itchiness of the scalp happens when you become allergic to the lice, which can take months. They mostly live close to the scalp, where it’s warm, and are often found first in the hair around the ears. The easiest way to check for them (and it may be worth doing regularly when your child is at school) is to use a detection comb from your pharmacist. After shampooing, condition and comb out all the knots from your child’s hair. Comb with the detection comb from the roots and look for black insects the size of a sesame seed. You only need to treat if you find live head lice, not if your child just has nits (the white shell cases). You’ll also need to check everyone in the family for lice and treat them, too, if you find live lice. Your pharmacist can advise on the options for treatment. M

PRINT LOGOS

For more information about child health visit: patient.info/schoolhealth

®

❝

Tummy bugs are ® very infectious, so you need to keep your child off school until 48 hours after their symptoms have settled. www.mumssurvivalguide.net

23

MUMSNET RATED UNIFORM We know parents want quality clothes that will live up to the daily hustle and bustle of school life. Our Teflon coated, stain resistant school range has been tried & tested by Mumsnet mums, meaning you can get great value, stylish uniforms that the kids will love with the reassurance of Mumsnet Rated quality.

2PK LONG SLEEVE SHIRts from

5

£ .50

Touch close fasten collar*

ADJUSTABLE WAIST

SMART CREASE TROUSERS FROM

6

£

Teflon coated

Jumper from £5 2 Pack Shirt from £4.50 Cardigan from £5 2 Pack Blouse from £6

more Accessories available online

SWeatshirts FROM

3

PINAFOREs FROM

£

£

BAGs FROM

6

£

Tumble Dry Safe

5

Teflon coated KNITTED JUMPER FROM

5

£

2 Pack Embroide

red Polo from £6

Available in 6 colours

SKIRTs FROM

£

5

Shop our full range online at matalan.co.uk/school and choose free click & collect to your local store and with late opening and free parking at most stores - it’s easy too.

CARDIgans FR

£

5

New & Improved fabric

OM

Polo from £6 Coats from £16 / / Trousers from £6 Shirts from £4.50

Micro-Fresh ® Buckle Strap Shoe

fresher for longer

14

£ ADJUSTABLE WAIST

Find our School Checklis ts and Back to School ‘How To ’ Guides at matalan.co.uk/school

Cardi from £5 2 Pack Shirt from £4.50 Skirt from £5

*Touch Close Fasten Collar is available on school shirts up to 5 years.

Products are subject to availability whilst stocks last. Some products may be available in selected sizes or stores only. Full terms and conditions apply, see www.matalan.co.uk or ask in store.

OMO R % P G 0 USIN 20

2 OFF

TS

B CODE:

KIDS ARE BACK TO SCHOOL... ...so time to clean up

Although you love your little darlings to bits, it’s nice to get back to normal after a summer of dirty clothes, carpets full of goodness knows what and a collection of various stains that even the cleanest child seems to attract...

Receive 20% off Dr. Beckmann online with promo code: BTS20 Visit: www.dr-beckmann.co.uk

SCAN OUR QR CODE TO VIEW PRODUCTS Eliminate Carpet Keep Colours Restore lost Brighter for whiteness in Stains and Longer Odours one wash Promo code valid until 30 November 2016.

Remove over 40 Tough Stains