Something New Dorset - Spring 2020

somethingNew THE PARENTING MAGAZINE FOR DORSET FAMILIES

Spring 2020

Gimme Some Skin The incredible benefits of skin to skin contact

School Daze How do you pick a school? Read Rosie's tips on selecting the right place for your child!

PLUS...

Advice on making a will, sepsis, fevers, cooking & more!

REAL LIFE

SHOPPING

ADVICE

RECIPES

somethingnewmag.co.uk COMPETITIONS

nurturing, supportive & encouraging

childcare

If you're looking for day care, breakfast, after school or holiday clubs, then we can help! Located in the centre of Poole, Little Beans Fernside is a highly recommended childcare setting with a nurturing and supportive environment.

If you would like to see for yourself, please get in touch to book a show around.

www.littlebeansdaycare.com littlebeansdcare@gmail.com 80 Fernside Road, Poole BH15 2JL somethingNew THE PARENTING MAGAZINE FOR DORSET FAMILIES

OFSTED REGISTERED: EY481492

contents 06 LOCAL FA SHION FIX Locally made fashion that you'll love.

08 BIRTH PLAN HELP

Our resident midwife Rosie sheds some light on birth plans.

12 SEPSIS - KNOW THE SIGNS Malcolm from Medstar Paediatric shares knowledge every parent should know.

17 HOME SWEET HOME

The twins arrived in such a whirlwind - read the last instalment to see how they made it home.

22 THE MAGIC OF A DOULA

The support and guidance of a doula fills so much more than just the birthing room.

23 WE LOVE

Essential oil blends to help fight seasonal bugs and germs - find out what's what!

24 HOT TOTS

Get expert advice on how to manage infant and child fevers - and what to look for.

For our first dad cover, we used two-week old Lola and her lovely dad Dion to promote skin to skin contact. Here they are with mummy Emily. By www.kw-photography.co.uk

28 SCHOOL'S COOL

Advice on how to select a first school when your little one is ready to start (sob!)

34 WHERE THERE'S A WILL

Laceys Solicitors share the reasons why making a will should be top of your 2020 to do list!

38 CHEEKY FACES

Our favourite feature - we get to see your cute little ones!

40 ELLIS'S STORY

Ellis was diagnosed with cancer...read his story.

42 MY LITTLE REBEL

Louisa and her kids are fighting to save something important...the planet.

50 KIDS CORNER Meet Ellis, the warrior fighting cancer. Each day he splits time between school and chemotherapy. He's a real life superhero.

Let the smalls colour our gorgeous spring picture. Don't forget to send us a pic! somethingnewmag.co.uk

Hello!

Brrrrrrrr...we may be writing about Spring, but while we do, we're sat wrapped up in woolly jumpers with hot cocoa! Why do the colder months seem to drag so much? Nevermind, we're in 2020 now and the whole year lies ahead.

Lots of you probably made New Year's resolutions; eat better, spend less, recycle more - the usual stuff.

But we didn't.

It's so easy to put things off by starting 'fresh' at some time in the future. Diet starts on Monday. I'll start saving next month. Tomorrow I'll do better. But each minute is a fresh start. There's no need to assign your changes to 'somewhen'.

You can do it NOW. Let's make 2020 about taking charge, taking control and taking responsibility.

Let's live in the moment.

rina eb S & or an e l E xxx

somethingNew THE PARENTING MAGAZINE FOR DORSET FAMILIES

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Sew Crafty

esome some of the area's aw We've been featuring de with ma , que uni are ces fashion brands. Their pie rset's t of all, form part of Do incredible care and bes e. wonderful artisan cultur se talented designers Every purchase from the t dance - so go on, suppor makes them do a happy a local business!

The Little Beans Organic Clothing Company came from the desire to provide highly ethical, organic products for babies that are not only stylish but also gorgeously soft and comforting.

Each garment is hand-sewn by our resident seamstresses using our signature fabric. Just take a look at our product range to see for yourself...

'STRAWBERRY' SNUGGLE BLANKET Price: ÂŁ24.99

thelittlebeansorganicclothingcompany.co.uk

Offering a contemporary and bohemian twist on the old craft of flower pressing, Wilder & Wren designs are inspired by nature, geometry, astrology, folklore, Victorian floriography, motherhood and femininity. The maker, Beth has a shop on Etsy and is on Instagram @ wilderandwren - where she posts daily inspirations and snippets of current projects. Her prints are also stocked in a couple of shops and galleries in Dorset.

New for 2020 is an alphabet print for children, made from pressed Dorset wildflowers.

HANDPRESSED REAL FLOWER T-SHIRT Price: ÂŁ24

etsy.com/uk/shop/WilderAndWren

Dinki Human was born not long after Ester's daughter. Having spent her pre-baby career in fashion and worked her way up to management level, she had learnt the tools of the trade. Her new role as mother made her crave flexibility and a better work/life balance. She left her job to carve out a new career as mother and business owner, to design a life she loved.

'EYES' RIBBED LONG SLEEVE BODYSUIT Price: £22

dinkihuman.com

Dinki Human is gender-neutral, organic and ethically manufactured kidswear brand.

Garments are designed to last with design features like turn up cuffs to lengthen a pair of leggings. We believe we have a responsibility to take care of our planet for the future of our children. We use organic cotton, non-toxic inks and dyes, recycled and plastic-free packaging, and our Pre-Loved Initiative is designed to ensure our products avoid landfill.

Loved Garms specifically caters for women and children up to pre-school age. The types of garments Hannah makes includes dresses, leggings, and hoodies. She also has a range of breast-feeding, cloth bum and baby-wearing friendly garments.

There’s something special about having the option to choose your own fabric and what you would like it sewn into. The elation of having a garment that finally fits where ‘off the peg’ may not, for example finding a perfect fit for someone who is tall with wide hips and skinny ankles. So along with the listings in the Loved Garms shop, there is a ‘request a custom order’ button too. So, if you have any specific garment/ sizing requests or fabric ideas, just pop it all down and Loved Garms will do their MADE TO MEASURE COWL NECK JUMPER DRESS Price: £35 best to accommodate.

lovedgarms.co.uk

WHAT TO PUT IN YOUR N A L P H BIRT As you reach your 36th week of pregnancy, you will have an appointment with your community midwife to discuss your birth plans.

Regardless of whether you are someone that likes to plan everything to the nth degree or someone who prefers to have no plans at all and just ‘go with the flow’, it is important to at least give some consideration to your plans for birth prior to the event.

Rosie

Your choice for place of birth will naturally form part of your birth plan. Options vary from area to area but, broadly speaking, usually include home, hospital and low risk birthing unit. If you're thinking of a home birth your midwife will discuss with you plans for supporting you in your choice and making sure that you have everything required for a birth at home. It is important to remember that, if any concerns arise during your labour, a transfer to hospital may become necessary. Equally, if any concerns arise antenatally, your plans for place of birth may need to change.

Regardless of where you are planning to give birth, it is important to consider the logistics for when you go in to labour,

somethingNew THE PARENTING MAGAZINE FOR DORSET FAMILIES

especially if you already have other children to consider. You will not want the added stress during labour of having to worry about who will be looking after your children, collecting them from school etc. It will be reassuring to have a plan prepared in advance that covers various scenarios. Even if your birth is more scheduled, for example, if you are having your labour induced or a planned Caesarean section, you will still want to know that arrangements are in place for your other children to be cared for. If you are planning for your partner to be with you during your birth, it is important for them to discuss this with their employer in advance of the event. Similarly, it is worth considering making provisions for any pets you have that may require feeding or walking while you are in hospital!

You will want to consider who you wish to have with you supporting you during your labour. Many hospitals limit you to two birth partners and it is common for only one birth partner to be allowed into theatre.

You may wish to employ the services of a doula, as an additional source of support to both you and your partner throughout your labour.

Your birth plan will also incorporate your plans for pain relief. Your midwife will be happy to discuss these with you and able to tell you which pain relief options are available to you in each birth setting. Some areas offer an aromatherapy service or you

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may have your own aromatherapy oils you wish to use during labour; if planning to give birth in a birthing unit or hospital it is worth checking with them which oils you will be allowed to bring in. You may also have particular music you wish to have playing in the background during your labour. Your midwife will be able to discuss how this can be best accommodated for you in your chosen birth setting. If you are planning on hiring a Tens machine to help you in the earlier stages of labour you will want to have arranged this beforehand.

Equally, ensuring that you have your hospital bag packed and ready to go will reduce any stress of being caught off guard and having to grab things in a hurry at the last minute!

to separate from the uterine wall, the cord will be clamped and cut, and the midwife will apply traction on the cord to help you to deliver your placenta. Your midwife will be happy to discuss the pros and cons of both options, however it is important to note that, in some instances, active management may be advised. If appropriate, the midwife may ask your birth partner if they wish to cut the umbilical cord so it is worth discussing with your partner if this is something that they would like to do.

You will be asked about whether you wish to have skin to skin contact with your baby or to have your baby dried and wrapped before being handed to you. There are numerous benefits for your baby of skin to skin contact, such as regulation of baby’s temperature, heart rate and breathing, promotion of breastfeeding, as well as having a calming and relaxing effect on both you and your baby. Your partner may also You will want to consider how you are spend some time skin to skin with baby if planning upon feeding your baby. Your this is something that they would like to do. midwife will be able to discuss both options with you, including the many benefits Your midwife will ask you about your associated with breastfeeding and will plans for delivery of your placenta. You support you with your chosen feeding can either opt to have a ‘physiological’ method, whether that be breastfeeding or third stage or an ‘actively managed’ third bottle feeding; it is ultimately your choice stage. With a physiological third stage, the on how you choose to feed your baby. If you midwife waits for the umbilical cord to stop are planning on bottle feeding, it will be pulsating before clamping and cutting the likely that you will be expected to bring in cord, allowing oxygenated blood to pass a starter pack of formula with you if you are from the placenta to your baby (known giving birth in hospital. as ‘delayed cord clamping’ ) and you will then have to deliver the placenta naturally.

Making plans for your birth can be both With an actively managed third stage, you exciting and daunting but your midwife will will be administered an injection to help guide you with making the best plans for your uterus to contract and the placenta you.

somethingNew THE PARENTING MAGAZINE FOR DORSET FAMILIES

. . . e l z z u p a e Parenting can b Children don't come with a manual, and often parents feel like they don't know the best course of action when it comes to effective parenting. That's where I come in.

I'm Lauren and I run Poppin's Penguins. I'm a childcare professional with over 18 years experience in the sector. Qualified with a degree in early years childcare, comprehensive training as a Montessori practitioner, in behaviour management, in safeguarding training and in paediatric first aid. I offer understanding, guidance and methods to create a secure, happy environment.

I provide 1:1 support in your home, with strategies tailored to your family's specific needs. You can also join me for our weekly support groups, find details of our events on Facebook - follow us to stay up to date!

FACEBOOK.COM/POPPINSPENGUINS | LAUREN@POPPINSPENGUINS.CO.UK

Simple, pure, organic Our range of handmade bibs, muslins, blankets and accessories are loved by parents all over Dorset.

Each garment is made from luxury organic cotton and bamboo, which is ethically sourced with minimal impact on the environment.

kind to their skin, kind to our planet

thelittlebeansorganicclothingcompany.co.uk

COULD IT BE

SEPSIS?

Sepsis is the most common cause of preventable death in children in the UK. In fact sepsis kills 52,000 people in the UK every year – that is more than the capacity of most premier league football stadiums, and more deaths than from bowel, breast and prostate cancers combined and victims can be of any age.

Malcolm

Recently published figures show that during 2017/2018, nearly 38,500 children under 5 years old were admitted to hospital with sepsis, an increase of nearly 7,500 on the 31,000 under 5’s admitted in 2015/2016.

What is Sepsis?

When a baby gets an infection anywhere in their body, their immune system will respond to try and fight it. Sepsis (sometimes called septicaemia or “blood poisoning”) occurs

somethingNew THE PARENTING MAGAZINE FOR DORSET FAMILIES

when the infection which is normally localised, manages to spread into the baby’s bloodstream and is then circulated round the body. The immune system goes into “overdrive” and behaves like a runaway train.

Instead of just fighting the infection, the response is so strong that the baby’s immune system will actually start to injure their own body resulting in potential multi-organ failure. Infections triggering sepsis can occur anywhere in the body (chest, urinary tract, tummy etc).

Sepsis, as a medical condition is complex, can be very hard to recognise, and if it takes hold, your baby can become very ill, very quickly.

By the time that this happens it can also be very difficult to treat.

How would I know if my baby has sepsis?

Early sepsis is very hard to spot and it can look just like the infection that has caused it, so, as expected, your baby may well look miserable, lethargic, crying, hot, etc. There may not be any indication that it is anything more than that.

However, any child who: › Is breathing very fast › Has a “fit” or convulsion › Looks mottled, bluish or pale › Has a rash anywhere on their body (which may start like little pin pricks) that doesn’t fade when you press it with a glass › Is “floppy”, very lethargic, unusually sleepy, “vacant” or difficult to wake › Feels abnormally cold to the touch And additionally if they are under 5 years old : › Is not feeding › Is vomiting repeatedly › Hasn’t had a wee or wet nappy for 12 hours ...MAY HAVE SEPSIS. Don’t wait for all the above signs and symptoms to appear as time is critical.

is true. Medical professionals recognise the significance of a parents instincts and may admit your baby for observation even if at that time the only indication that your baby is very unwell, are your own feelings. Don’t forget that you can also dial 111 for advice if you are worried.

Trust your instincts!

How is Sepsis treated?

Remember that parents normally know when their little one is unwell and indeed may recognise that their baby is unwell before a doctor can, and before medical observations, blood pressure, heart rate etc that would indicate that the baby may be very poorly, become abnormal. If you find yourself thinking “I know my baby and I know when they are unwell - but this time there is something different that’s making me feel uneasy” even if you can’t actually put your finger on what it is that’s making you uneasy, seek help NOW. Trust your instincts. If you think your baby may have sepsis, dial 999 for an ambulance and say “I think my baby may have sepsis”. Some parents worry that they won’t be taken seriously, or that they will be 'wasting NHS time'. Neither

Doctors treat sepsis with antibiotics so it’s really important that everyone who helps to look after your baby (relatives, baby sitters, nursery staff, etc) is made aware straight away if you ever find that your little one is allergic to any medicines (or anything else for that matter), so they can tell the professionals in an emergency if you are not there.

Don’t forget: Babies get infections all the time, but if you feel that on this occasion something’s 'not right', TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS – IT COULD SAVE YOUR BABY’S LIFE. For further information contact the UK Sepsis Trust - www.sepsistrust.org

First Aid &Toddlers Toddler First Aid for Babies & Toddlers First Aid for Babies & Toddlers First First Aid Aidfor for forBabies Babies Babies& & Toddlers Basic First Aid for new/expecting parents,and and anyone Basic First Aid for new/expecting parents, anyone elseelse whowho Basic First Aid for new/expecting parents, and anyone else who Basic Basic First Aid Aid for for new/expecting new/expecting parents, parents, and and anyone anyone else else who Basic FirstFirst Aid for new/expecting parents from the experts inwho may look after your little one during their first five years may look after your little one during their first five years may look after your little one during their first five years Paediatric First Aid training. may may look look after after your your little little one one during during their their first first five five years years

FREE FREE FREE FREE CLASSES CLASSES CLASSES CLASSES

2-hour First Aid forBabies Babies classes every Monday morning hour First Aid for Toddlers classes onon selected Saturdays 2-hour First Aid for classes every Monday morning and hour First Aid for Toddlers classes selected Saturdays 2-hour 2-hour First First Aid Aid for for Babies Babies classes classes every every Monday Monday morning morning and and 33hour 3 hour First First Aid Aid for for Toddlers Toddlers classes classes on on selected selected Saturdays Saturdays

our First Aid forTower Babies classes every 3 hour First Aid foralways Toddlers classes on selected Tesco, TowerPark, Park, Poole, yourown ownmorning home at aand convenient time atat all classes !) !)Saturd AtAt Tesco, Poole, ororininMonday your home convenient time(Babies (Babies alwayswelcome welcome all classes At Tesco, At Tesco, Tower Tower Park, Park, Poole, Poole, or in oryour in your own own home home at aatconvenient a convenient time time (Babies (Babies always always welcome welcome at all at classes all classes !) !)

At Tesco, Tower Park, Poole, or in your home at a convenient (Babies always welcome at all classes !)

Callown 07810 116673 to book atime place

07810 116673 toto book Call Call 07810 07810 116673 116673 to book book aaplace aplace place www.med-star.co.uk www.med-star.co.uk www.med-star.co.uk www.med-star.co.uk Call 07810 116673 to book a place

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Little Dreamers Baby Massage Poole & Bournemouth

Learn how to massage your baby in a welcoming and supportive class.

Run by Katherine and Linda, both certified instructors with the world leading International Association of Infant Massage (IAIM)

Some benefits of massage for your baby: x

Relieves wind, colic, constipation & teething discomfort

x Stimulates circulation, digestion, nervous & lymphatic systems x

Enhances bond with you & your baby

x

Develops body awareness & coordination

x

Increases recognition of facial & emotional expressions which support development of social skills 07802 545554 babymassagebykatherine@hotmail.com www.littledreamersbabymassage.co.uk

love yourself

ADVERTORIAL

R E P E E D A O N N EC T I O N

C is Katherine I live Hello my name partner Sam and in Poole with my . le boy Harrison our beautiful litt

Little Dreamassaegers

WITH

Baby M Poole & Bournemouth

An example of our baby massage group classes Hello my na me is Lind a I live in Poole with my husban d Michael.

I have thre e adult child ren and 5 young gran dchildren.

We are both certified Infant Massage Instructors with the world leading International Association of Infant Massage (IAIM). Both of our careers have been centred around working with children; we work together as childminders and have been doing this for over ten years.

We're very passionate about the early years and the knowledge of how ‘our early experiences’ can lay the foundations for all that follows.

Baby massage can positively start this communication of nurture, understanding and bonding as it secures long term attachments, healthy development and wellness for our children as they grow.

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Our group classes begin with sharing time when parents have an opportunity to talk about their experience as new mums/dads. We talk about recognising baby states and baby cues and topics related to massage. When the majority of babies are ready and we have asked their permission to begin, we learn the strokes; a few at a time. We repeat the strokes if necessary in the session and again over the following weeks.

With sensitivity to the baby’s response, there is gradual build up over the weeks of the baby’s toleration for a full body massage and parent’s knowledge of the sequence.

There is plenty of time for everyone; and both laughing and crying are welcomed. Our aim is that parents come to us and feel relaxed and leave with a new skill to practice with their babies for the following week. We follow the massage with a group discussion about

:

Join our group classes Wednesdays the Tesco Fleets Corner in community room Thursdays School Yarrells Preparatory ly) on e (term tim Fridays Tesco Tower Park in the community room

a relevant topic, such as weaning, sleeping, crying, returning to work etc. I also provide literature relating to the benefits of baby massage, for mums/dads to read in-between sessions.

Baby massage offers a wonderful experience and special time, laying the foundations of emotional wellbeing in the crucial window of opportunity in the early months of life.

HOME

sweet HOME

We've followed Karina and Shaun's IVF journey from their first failed round to the premature birth of their twins, Lincoln and Morgan. In the last instalment, find out how the family were finally united.

It was Christmas Eve when we received the news that Lincoln and Morgan were well enough to be transferred back to Poole.

Finally, we would get to experience a 'normal' maternity ward and our friends and family would be able to meet our babies. We would be able to hold our babies whenever we wanted to and I would be able to sleep next to them at night. The babies were reunited with one another briefly as they were placed in a twin cot for their ambulance ride back to their home town of Poole.

As Shaun and I followed the ambulance back to Poole hospital it suddenly dawned on me that Christmas was already upon us.

People were rushing in and out of shops as we passed through the local High Street, wrapped up warm and weighed down by last minute Christmas purchases, and the somethingnewmag.co.uk

streets were bright with festive lights. The chaos of the last week had meant that I had, momentarily, lost sense of everything.

festive fragility My mind wandered as I thought back to the last few Christmases, and how they had become increasingly difficult. Each year on Christmas morning my wonderful Nan would make a huge fry up, ready to feed the tummies of all of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. It had become a tradition, and one that the whole family loved, but lately I had found it to be a bittersweet gathering.

Whilst I loved seeing all of the family on Christmas morning, it was hard because there was always somebody expecting the pitter-patter of tiny feet. Some years it was an auntie, some years a sister, some years a cousin. But never ever me. And while I adored watching the excitement on the children’s faces as they tore open the wrapping, and the parents delighting in every second, envy crept in. I was losing hope as each year passed.

Until last Christmas that is. I had started our second round of IVF medication on Christmas Eve and after the upset of our first cycle, we had decided to keep the second cycle to ourselves. But when my Nan opened her front door on Christmas morning ,she couldn’t contain her excitement as she explained that every egg she had cracked that morning had a double yolk...surely it was a sign?! I told my Nan my secret and we both hoped for the best outcome. And maybe, just maybe, my Nan was right, and the double yolks had been a sign of the year to come, since here we were, travelling back to Poole to be with not one baby, but two!!

somethingNew THE PARENTING MAGAZINE FOR DORSET FAMILIES

The Final Leg Seeing the babies back in Poole Hospital was a bit of a shock as they no longer had any breathing monitors attached to them. Don’t get me wrong, that was a very positive step in the right direction and a milestone that I should have been celebrating, but I didn't feel ready. A nurse reassured me that babies are only released from intensive/special care once they are able to breathe on their own, but I was struggling to cope with my fears and broke down in tears. The safety net that the breathing monitors provided wasn't there, and I just didn’t know how I was going to sleep at night.

The answer is, I didn’t sleep. I dozed a little, but kept watch on my most precious gifts, making sure they continued to breathe. I was awake to see the nurses deliver tiny little handmade nappy-cakes to all of the Christmas babies on the ward, which was a lovely gesture. Early on Christmas morning, I sent Shaun a photo of the twins with a

simple message “Merry Christmas Daddy”.

My Christmas as a Mum had finally arrived and I was in a state of total and utter bliss, despite the surroundings. Shaun joined us as soon as he could, and we spent our first Christmas together as a family. My parents, sister and brother came to see the babies and were able to hold them for the first time.

They had lovingly stopped their Christmas day celebrations for a little while to join us in our first celebrations.

The last couple of weeks had been a stressful experience. The twins had received countless blood tests as part of being monitored so closely and we had watched our babies scream in pain time and time again. But despite both twins weighing less than their birth weight, they were doing really well and we were finally allowed home just in time for New Years Eve.

Chiming in the new year Arriving home was the best feeling ever.

Mum and Dad joined us to see in the New

Year, which was much quieter than we were used to (although the rest of the year would certainly make up for that!!). But it was just perfect.

Shaun and I had fought hard for our very own family, but Lincoln and Morgan were the ones that really put up a fight.

As embryos, they survived their first few crucial days growing in a petri dish, 117 miles away from home. They survived the high-risk process of being frozen and subsequently removed from freeze. They successfully implanted into my uterus, despite the odds being against them. And when they arrived a little too early, they carried on fighting, developing into beautiful full-term babies outside of the body.

Now just over six years on, the two of them love a good old squabble and all too often I find myself asking them, through gritted teeth, to “please, please, PLEASE stop fighting" But deep down I am bursting with pride for the little fighters that they are. After all, without their fighting little ways, they simply wouldn’t be here.

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THE PARENTING MAGAZINE FOR DORSET FAMILIES

Totes excited for the next issue, out April '20.

- real life - expert advice - ideas to try FANCY ADVERTISING WITH US? GET IN TOUCH FOR RATES & INFO! SEBRINA@SOMETHINGNEWMAG.CO.UK

explore, learn, grow with

childcare

If you're looking for day care, breakfast, after school or holiday clubs in Poole, then we can help! Little Beans Garland is a highly recommended childcare setting with a nurturing and supportive environment.

If you would like to see for yourself, please get in touch to book a show around.

www.littlebeansdaycare.com thehub@littlebeansdcare.com 59 Garland Road Poole BH15 2LD somethingNew THE PARENTING MAGAZINE FOR DORSET FAMILIES

OFSTED REGISTERED: EY492436

Bournemouth & Poole’s FAVOURITE children’s entertainment centre t: 01202 740 500 e: play@lemurlandings.co.uk | Tower Park, Poole, BH12 4NY

www.lemurlandings.co.uk

love yourself

What a

DOULA brings to the birth room

By Clem, clementinefrench.com

And how that can help us in all areas of life….

Selfless

Being wholly present and invisible, at the same time.

There is no room for ego when someone else is giving birth, this is not about us, we can do so much good by just being there and not doing anything. The birthing woman is highly sensitive, I have witnessed her pick up on her birth partners distraction with a phone, or loss of energy. This space demands full attention, which is why it is beautiful to work as a team and allow the other birth partner a break to rest, recentre and recharge.

A Doula’s job is to never judge, always listen and be someone especially FOR you. Sounds a bit like the kind of friend, mother, partner we could all do with and all quite like to be, right? Well, that's exactly what I have come to learn - that everything we learn in order to support women well in birth can in fact benefit our life outside of that context too…

Patience

To respect the journey, everything is a process and takes time...

Our sense of time has become warped. We live in such a fast-paced culture. TV and film show us daily that we can meet someone, lose them, meet someone else, grieve, fall in love, have children, build a career, survive drama and overcome it...usually in under 2 hours! No wonder we struggle with the pace of real life. Patience is the key to allow nature to take its course.

Calm

To remain calm in the face of triggers…holding the space…

We model methods of managing and embracing pain, instead of escaping it, surrendering to the journey instead of fighting it, finding our strength in vulnerability and trust as opposed to control.

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Setting the right atmosphere

The power of breath, belief, words and smell.

Switching our mantra from 'I can't do this' to 'I CAN do this', even if we don’t feel it, can change everything.

Something shifts when we say this out loud. Believing the best, keeping calm by focusing on breath and being aware of the influence of everything around us, such as light and smell. All things that effect our everyday life, not just our labour. This is something I cover in a lot more detail with my passion for essential oils – find out more on my website www.clementinefrench.com

Being trustworthy

A woman loved right opens up like a flower To care for someone else well allows them to let go of fears and the need to control outcomes. We can apply this literally to our cervix opening in the birth room, but also in all areas of our life – and male or female. When we are loved right, when we feel safe, we can emerge as the beautiful, powerful capable being that we were created to be.

The world has enough critics, let's be an encourager.

Everything just works better that way.

Follow me on Instagram supportedbynature or for more information www.clementinefrench.com

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THE PARENTING MAGAZINE FOR DORSET FAMILIES

Pure essential oils promoting good health

We know that essential oils could be good for us, but the purity and potency of doTerra oils is phenomenal. Certified pure therapeutic grade oils coupled with the best kind of education and guiding, can empower you to take care of you and your family's needs naturally, and have a lot of fun along the way…

Check out Supported by Nature on Facebook or Instagram, or for more information on what makes doTerra so different from other oils. www.clementinefrench.com

Essential Oils - Blends On Guard: As one of doTERRA’s best-selling blends, this protects against environmental and seasonal threats with essential oils known for their positive effects on the immune system. Wild Orange Peel, Clove Bud, Cinnamon Leaf, Cinnamon Bark, Eucalyptus Leaf, and Rosemary Leaf/Flower.

DigestZen® Digestive Blend: Ginger root, peppermint plant, caraway seed,coriander seed, anise fruit/seed, tarragon fruit/seed, fennel seed is a wonderful companion to aid in the digestion of food, soothe occasional upset stomachs, and reduce uncomfortable gas and bloating.

Balance promotes tranquillity while bringing harmony to the mind and body, and balance to the emotions. The fresh and woody aroma of Balance is a perfect go-to-oil when you need a little harmony in your life. Spruce, Ho Wood, Frankincense, Blue Tansy, and Blue Chamomile blend perfectly with Fractionated Coconut Oil to offer an enticing fragrance that promotes calm, relaxation, and well-being.

Hot Tots

By Jade Clarke Paediatric Sister (ED)

All too often, parents are faced with the worrying realisation that their child has a fever. As easy as it may be to panic, it is important to remember that a fever itself usually causes no harm and can actually be a good thing – it’s often a sign that the body is fighting an infection. High temperature is very common in children and can be caused by many things including common childhood illnesses like respiratory infections and tonsillitis, to vaccinations.

With the number of children attending A&E departments constantly rising, it is important to know when to worry and when to provide self-care. According to Public Health England, illnesses such as gastroenteritis and upper respiratory tract infections are amongst the leading causes of attendances at Accident & Emergency amongst children under 5.

Evidence has shown that many admissions could have potentially been avoided with better care and support out of hospital.

WHEN YOUR CHILD HAS A FEVER A fever is a high temperature of 38°C or more. Viral infections are far more common than bacterial infections and tend to get better on their own, without the treatment of antibiotics. The unnecessary use of antibiotics may actually cause side effects such as a rash and diarrhoea and can increase the risk of children developing antibiotic resistance.

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Occasionally, children with fever can have a seizure/fit. This is called a febrile convulsion and most commonly occurs in children aged between 6 months and 3 years. There appears to be no connection between the extent of the fever and convulsions, so they can occur even with mild fevers.

THE DO’S

• Encourage plenty of fluids (even if they don’t particularly want them!) Where a baby is breastfed, continue breast feeding.

• Use paracetamol or ibuprofen for comfort.

• If they are vomiting, offer small & frequent drinks as this is more likely to stay down.

• If a rash appears do the ‘glass test’ (see guidance further on).

• Keep them cool by dressing them in lightweight clothing.

• Keep them at home and seek medical advice if you are worried about your child.

THE DON’T’S

• Do not sponge your child down with water – fever is a natural and healthy response to infection.

• Do not bundle them up in blankets – even if they are stating they are cold.

• Do not give ibuprofen to a child under 3 months or under 5kg.

• If your child is due their vaccinations, postpone taking them until their temperature has resolved.

‘Wessex Healthier Together’ is a really useful resource for further advice and guidance on what to do when your child has a fever as well as many other common childhood illnesses. https://what0-18.nhs.uk/

Please remember, although fever in children is rarely harmful, any of the following can be a sign that you need urgent help;

Go to the nearest Hospital Emergency (A&E) Department or phone 999 if your child: • Becomes pale, mottled and feels abnormally cold to touch • Is going blue around the lips • Becomes difficult to rouse • Develops a rash that does not disappear with pressure (the glass test) • Has a fit or is fretful/irritable when touched • Is under 3 months of age with a temperature higher than 38 degrees.

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CHOOSING THE RIGHT PRIMARY SCHOOL...

Rosie Just the thought of your child starting primary school can be a daunting prospect; even more so when you consider that for many parents, this will be the first time that they have ventured into a school since their own days of wearing a uniform! Never fear – here is a short guide to help you navigate the path to setting your child successfully on the next stage of their learning journey.

VISIT THE SCHOOL Although many schools have excellent and informative websites, nothing can compare to visiting a school yourself. Try to choose a time when you don’t have to take your child with you. This will mean that you will be able to focus fully on your surroundings

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and ask any questions that you may have without having the distraction of a tired (and possibly bored) child.

Don’t let your view of the school be clouded by the opinion of your neighbours or friends. Of course it is important to listen to the opinions and experiences of others but remember that every child is different and what may suit one child, won’t always fit for another.

When you visit the school, look carefully at the environment. Is it well looked after? Are resources labelled and easily accessible for children? What about school lunches? Are they brought in by a company or cooked

fresh on site? Does the school have a good outside space? How is this space used across the school? Does the school have a library?

How about a computer suite? A good school doesn’t have to have all of these facilities however it might be useful to take them into consideration if they are important to you and your child’s education.

Visiting is also a great opportunity to get a real ‘feel’ for the school. How do the children behave? Are they happy, friendly and polite? What is the classroom environment like, e.g., are the children on task and engaged? Do staff members seem approachable? What is the head teacher like? How long has he/she been working at the school?

THE CURRICULUM The curriculum shapes and determines what learners of all ages will get out of their educational experience so it is essential to gain a good understanding of how a school structures its curriculum. Although all state schools must follow the National Curriculum, there is quite a lot of freedom to allow a school to develop their own programme of studies around these national expectations. Some schools follow a topic based approach where all the children’s learning is focussed around a certain topic e.g. The Romans. Other schools will take a more subject-based approach. Some things that you might like to consider are: Does the school employ any specialist teachers for subjects such as music. P.E, Religious Education, French or art? What opportunities does the school provide for learning outside of the school, e.g., educational visits?

Behaviour Management How a school manages the behaviour of the children is central to how well the children will learn and thrive. All schools will have a

behaviour policy available to view (usually on their website). How is good behaviour promoted/rewarded? What sanctions and support are in place for when a child doesn’t follow the school rules?

It is also really important to have an understanding of the school’s anti-bullying policy. As unpleasant as it may seem, bullying takes place (to some degree or another) in all schools and it is good to know how a school deals with incidents of bullying and more importantly, how they educate children about identifying and reporting any bullying that takes place.

SUPPORTING ALL LEARNERS If your child has a learning difficulty then it will be essential for you to find out about the SEN (Special Educational Needs) provision at a school. Who is the SENCo (Special Educational Needs Coordinator)?

What support will be available? How does the school utilise teaching assistants across the school? If English is not your child’s first language what support will be available to them?

The extended day Most schools offer some kind of wraparound care for children whose parents are working. If this is something that is important to you it is a good idea to find out what provision there is. What time does breakfast club start and what is the latest collection time for the after school club? What activities are on offer for the children? Are refreshments provided? How much does each session cost? Are you able to pay as you go, or is it a service that must be booked and paid for in advance? Is it run and managed by the school or by an external provider? Even if this isn’t something that you and your family require at the moment, it is worth finding out for the future, as your childcare requirements may change. love yourself

OFSTED I have put Ofsted quite low down on my list, mainly because I believe numbers 1-5 are more important factors than a school’s Ofsted report. Having said this, Ofsted reports offer valuable information about a school and should be read as part of your research into your child’s potential school. In a nutshell, Ofsted inspect schools with the aim of providing information to parents, to promote improvement and to hold schools accountable. Their report will tell you about the number of children on role and about the socio-economic background of the children who attend a school. They inspect the quality of education a school provides, the behaviour and attitudes of pupils, their personal development and the role of the leadership and management. At the end of an inspection (a brief two days!), Ofsted give the school an overall grade from 1 to 4. 1 being ‘outstanding’ and 4 being ‘inadequate’.

It is very important to note the date of the inspection because from 2012, schools which were graded as ‘outstanding’ are not required to be inspected again. This has only recently changed so that even ‘outstanding’ schools will be inspected within a five year period. Whatever rating a school has, the fact that issues are highlighted means that it has to work hard to improve these areas as Ofsted will be looking for improvements before their next inspection. Don’t rule out a school because it received a 3 or a 4 as these schools often receive extra support and funding to help them improve.

Distance from home As a parent myself I cannot stress the value of living within walking distance of your child’s primary school. The main benefit of being a strolling distance is that you will be able to avoid the horror of pick-up time parking. At my children’s school there are

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three pick-up parking options: A) Arrive about 45 minutes before the end of the day to secure a premium spot close to the school (the major down side being that you lose valuable child-free time).

B) Find a parking place that is actually closer to your house than the school and end up walking anyway!

C) Time it very carefully to arrive about ten minutes late so that the parents who have taken option A have already collected their child and you can then sneak into their premium space (the down side – frosty stares from the teacher and your child who is last to be collected).

"Focus on the things that are important to you and your child. Maintain an open mind and ask as many questions as possible."

Walking home also provides a great bit of time to chat with your child about their day or to chat with other parents walking the same route. Children can also unwind and relax especially if you are lucky enough to have a park nearby.

As with most things in life, you won’t find a school that is perfect. The search for perfection can easily lead to frustration and disappointment. Instead, focus on the things that are important to you and your child. Maintain an open mind and ask as many questions as possible. Finally, don’t forget that your child may only be 4 years old, but

whichever primary school you choose will be the place where your child will spend nearly seven hours a day, five days a week, for the next seven years. So, do your best to make an informed decision.

If your child will be starting primary school in September, 2020, remember that the closing date for applications to the Local Authority for primary school places is the 15th January, 2020.

Rosie Cattani 18 years’ experience of teaching in primary education and 10 years’ experience as a parent. somethingnewmag.co.uk

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Cook

with Hari Hari Sri Lankan Spices

Time to Prepare

Makes approximately 16 small servings.

Preparation Time: 5 minutes Making Time: 3 minutes Ingredients: 150g natural unsweetened dates Large handful of nuts 1-2 tsp peanut butter 1-2 tsp salted caramel (or maple /golden syrup) 1/2 tsp cinnamon powder 1/2 tsp turmeric powder Small handful of dried fruits. (I used dried papaya) Pinch of salt 1/2 of a lime or lemon juice

Time to Create:

Start by deseeding all your dates.

Then add all your ingredients into a food processor.

Spiced Energy Balls I never really spent any time thinking about energy balls even though my Instagram and Facebook feed is filled with them. It's one of those 'snack fads' as far as I was concerned.

However, a little while ago I had bought some dates (something I quite like to munch on now and again instead of sweets) and with all the other ingredients in my cupboard, I thought to myself..."why not give it a go? The worst that can happen is that I'll end up with some stodgy goo!". For those of you who know me, my Sri Lankan Spices just had to make an appearance in this recipe and so - Spiced Energy Balls here we come!

Blitz all the ingredients together until you reach your desired consistency. For a smoother finish, blend for longer and for a chunkier version reduce the blending time accordingly.

Once you have reached your preferred consistency, you can mould the mix into either balls or bar shapes.

Then place in the fridge and allow them to cool.

When you next feel a little peckish, dig into your Spiced Energy Balls. Not only will they satisfy any sweet craving you may have, but they will also satiate your hunger pangs. Knowing that you are eating something healthy and made from scratch is just a little added bonus. love yourself

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION:

TIME TO SORT OUT YOUR WILL

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New Year is a traditional time for people to take stock of their lives and set some goals for the year ahead, whether that be to drink less alcohol, exercise more or start a new hobby, however quite often these fall by the wayside even before the first crocus has appeared.

Why not instead choose a New Year’s resolution that is not only achievable but also secures a better future for your loved ones?

Here are Laceys top 10 reasons for why making a Will should be your New Year’s resolution for 2020.

1. Ensure your children are cared for.

If you have children under 18 you choose who looks after them until they come of age.

2. Manage your children’s inheritance.

You can place assets in trust for children to ensure that they don’t inherit large sums automatically at 18.

3. Choose who you want to inherit.

You get to decide who is in charge of organising your Estate and who inherits your savings and possessions.

4. Reduce your Inheritance Tax. A Will can often reduce the amount of Inheritance Tax that you might otherwise have to pay.

6. Not married?

Without a Will, if you are not married, your partner may not receive anything.

7. Or have you re-married?

A properly drafted Will can ensure that any children from your first marriage get a share of your possessions. Plus marriage automatically revokes any previous Will.

8. Do you have a business?

A Will allows you to make appropriate measures so that after your death an adequate succession plan is in place.

9. Do you own pets?

A Will allows you to say what should happen to any pets that you own.

10. Financially providing for someone?

If you are financially providing for someone it can avoid a costly claim against your Estate after your death.

Making, or updating a Will ensures you maintain control, safeguarding your wishes and providing guidance to your loved ones.

Give yourself and your family peace of mind this New Year – Make it your New Year’s resolution to write a Will today.

For further advice please contact Kate Mansfield in confidence today on 01202 755980 or k.mansfield@laceyssolicitors.co.uk

5. Make your loved ones’ lives easier.

Without a Will it can be a time-consuming and stressful process sorting out everything when you die for those you have left behind.

somethingnewmag.co.uk

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OUR LITTLE

O R E H R E SUP On 3rd April 2013 at 10am our son, Ellis Edwards came into the world.

He was everything we had hoped for and more. Absolutely perfect- a dream come true! When Ellis was two and a half, his little brother and partner in crime, William was born. William bought the mischief and the cheekiness and from that moment our little family was complete. We felt like the luckiest parents in the world.

That is until December 2018.

Something wasn’t right. Ellis was changing. He no longer wanted to play, he was losing weight and he had no energy. We were convinced that he had a food allergy, but after many visits to the GP, nothing showed up.

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On Thursday 21st March 2019, Ellis had an X-ray. My husband’s face as he came out of the X-ray with Ellis haunts me to this day. He knew…the doctors at Poole then delivered the news that no parent can ever be prepared for.

Ellis, our beautiful boy, had a significant tumour in his chest and abdominals. The tumour had completely deflated his left lung and was pushing into his stomach.

An ambulance was waiting for us to take us to the Piam Brown Ward in Southampton.

That night is a blur, so are the next few weeks. We were consumed by persistent, uncontrollable fear. We forgot how to eat, sleep or breathe. People came and went and all the while Ellis smiled, laughed and joked. Within 24 hours of arriving at Piam Brown, Ellis was hooked up to about 8 different machines and was receiving emergency chemotherapy. We were told Ellis had a stage 4 Neuroblastoma and that it was

high-risk. His survival chances were 50%. It was so beyond comprehension.

We were lost.

That was 9 months ago now. Since then there have been highs and lows. Ellis was refused surgery twice because his tumour was too large. On the third and final attempt, an amazing surgeon went against the advice of his peers and took a chance on Ellis. He operated and was successful. 85% of the tumour was removed. That surgeon, Mr Wheeler, saved our little boy’s life.

In total Ellis has had 8 rounds of chemotherapy, 2 surgeries, high-dose chemotherapy and will soon have radiotherapy and immunotherapy as well as many blood transfusions, injections, MRIs, CTs and MIBG’s. But at this point, things are looking hopeful for us all.

What is harrowing is that if he had been diagnosed ten years ago, we would have lost him.

It is because of the parents and families who previously walked our path and who found it within themselves to fund raise that enabled medical advances in this area to happen.

It is because of charities like Cancer for Children UK, who work tirelessly to find new treatments and ensure that people know about families like ours, that Ellis has the treatment plan he has today.

Our hope is that in the future, children like Ellis will be diagnosed earlier or even identified as being at risk from birth. This is why my husband and I have decided to run the London Marathon 2020 to raise money for research into children’s cancer and to stop any more children from going through what Ellis has.

If you would like to help more children like Ellis ring the end of treatment bell then please donate to Children with Cancer UK. Sponsor The Edwards' here: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ CarlyEdwards2

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My Little

L E B RE

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As part of our family journey to protect the planet for future generations we have recently become involved with Extinction Rebellion.

Personally, I find myself in full agreement with both their principles and for the most part their methods. I had a friend who was very involved with the families team in North London and I found it incredibly inspiring to see how they were getting the kids involved in age-appropriate and positive ways.

I have attended a few of the Friday School Strikes for Climate with Lissie and she loves to get involved, make a sign and actively ask grownups to help save her planet. I talked to her quite a lot about the planned uprising in London in October and we kept checking on the Families facebook page for updates as to what events were planned. Within XR there are many small dedicated groups each planning their own actions throughout the two weeks and the family group was specifically planning actions and activities to teach, encourage and engage with children.

The action that sparked Lissie's imagination was a planned Pop Up Forest event - we were all to go dressed as trees and march as a group to a specified point where we would create a pop-up forest in the middle of the city. I think this was a great action as the plan was simple, and little ones can easily understand how important trees are to life on earth.

Sadly, on the day itself, not only was the weather horrendous but the police had, by this stage, moved everyone into Trafalgar Square and removed the stage. Not easily put off though, we spent the train journey up making our tree outfits - we decided against banners as they would have just gotten too soggy too quickly! Once we arrived it was easy to find the families tents and lovely to meet all the other trees. We set off in a small, soggy, but happy march around the edge of the square finishing in front of the steps where, to a beautiful piece of music, we all hunkered down into 'little acorns' and as a group, we 'grew' up into a waving, happy forest!

It might not have changed the world, but it brought smiles to the faces of all who were watching and definitely gave us something to focus on and talk about for the next few weeks we're now involved with a local group of guerilla gardeners planting trees in our area!

Having attended our local XR meeting, there seemed to be a lack of family support in this area, though quite a few families looking for something, so we decided to start something ourselves. I've found it so supportive to have a group of parents who all feel that something needs to be done and wanting their children to be involved as much as possible. It's also been great to turn to this group whenever I'm feeling overwhelmed with the situation. They are incredibly supportive, whatever stage of the journey you are at. We've arranged a couple of Litter Pick-Nic’s and our Festive Family Funday including a toy swap was a great success. If you’d like to know more or get involved locally please find us on Facebook under 'XRFamilies Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole’ So proud of my little rebel! love yourself

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1/2/3 support KS1/2/3 supp plus groups 11 plus group ermindsbroadstone.co www.brighter m mindsbro Getting out and doing exercise during those dark winter months is really helpful for your body and mind. It’s easy to stay in your cosy home while it’s frosty outdoors, but getting into a warm pool can be lovely, and exercise of any sort can help boost your and your little one’s immune system. The below tips for swimming during the winter months will help make the experience easier and less stressful!

• Choose a warm pool – babies aren’t very good at retaining their body heat. Ideally you will use a pool heated to 28°C or over.

You can always give the pool you are visiting a call to check beforehand. We make sure that all of the pools we teach at are 30°c or over.

• Ensuring your little ones are completely dry after being in the pool is vital - take their favourite fluffy towel with you to snuggle up in afterwards. Also, making sure the ear canal isn’t wet is very important. Ear infections aren’t pleasant and they don’t just cause earache. An infection can lead to a high temperature, irritability, poor feeding

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and restlessness at night. You can dry the ear canal by gently tipping the head to one side and then the other to allow natural drainage.

• Whilst having wet hair outside won’t give you a cold, it isn’t a very nice feeling, so remember to bring a hat, along with warm clothing for when you and your little one leave the pool after your session. Remember to take your child’s coat off in the car seat on the way home for safety.

• Lastly, have fun! Swimming is fun at any time of year, and joining a structured, progressive class with a group of children and parents will make a perfect winter activity when it’s too chilly or wet to get outside!

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Foodie with Kids

Surprise - this issue it's me, Eleanor, doing the food review! As a family it's rare that we eat out; with a five year old and a nearly three year old, the stress of keeping them seated is too much.

However, when I spotted the carvery deal at The Ark in Poole park, it seemed like every member of the family could enjoy the day. The deal is with each paying adult, you get soft play thrown in so off we went early on a Sunday morning.

If you're a parent in the vicinity of Poole, chances are you've been to The Ark, so I won't bore you with a detailed run down but in case you've not had a chance to go - it's primarily a kids entertainment venue so things like accessibility, changing facilities and things to do are well covered.

We went on a cold day, but in warmer weather we'd definitely include a play in the park opposite, so in terms of location, it's got a lot to offer a family. Parking is also free for two hours so that is a huge plus.

We started in the soft play - you just pay for your carvery on the 'dining' side of the building and take your receipt round to show the entrance staff in the soft play area. At 11am is was pretty quiet - there was a kids's party, but when they had their food, my daughter pretty much had the run of the place.

As time wore on, it picked up a bit but there were always plenty of tables to sit at.

As a self-confessed coffee snob my husband highly rated the coffee, and my Chai latte was pretty perfect. Another win for The Ark! Atmosphere: Hmmmm...if you're talking about romance or something special, this isn't atmospheric BUT if you want a place to have a casual dinner, where no one judges you for your rogue children, this is it.

The Food: The food was good; it was hot, there was plenty of it and the veg was lovely and tender. Was it 5* dining?

No, but it was a great people pleaser and we will certainly be heading back soon.

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New Year ... New You!

Let go of negative thoughts and feelings … and start living the life of your dreams!

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Farmer Palmer’s is perfect for parents with newborns! They’ve thought of everything!

First Time Out: Taking your newborn out can be quite daunting. Have you packed everything you need? Where will you be able to feed baby comfortably when he/she is hungry? How are you going to handle the buggy slalom? It’s ok, relax and feel reassured that Farmer Palmer’s understands.

Specifically designed for families with children aged 0-8 years; the doorways are extra wide for manoeuvring pushchairs, there are multiple baby changing stations, a microwave for heating your babies bottle/food if you wish and they sell baby food if you forget to bring some. You are welcome to breastfeed wherever you like, the farm park has been awarded Breast Feeding Welcome by the NCT, which they’re very proud of. The team are trained to make you feel comfortable whilst feeding, replenishing you with a glass of water should you need it.

Warm welcomes are just what they do!

AND there’s more: Low level hand-washing facilities, plenty of high chairs and a daily timetable of animal events that even the tiniest tot can experience. The sights and sounds of the farm park can provide novel and exciting sensory stimulation.

Farmer Palmer’s recently installed a new ‘Tummy Time’ area which is available for use Monday to Friday in the Hen House Restaurant, adjacent to the Soft Play.

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The free parking offers lots of room for wrangling the pushchair out of the car boot.

There are no steps to battle with on your way in, and you can pop back out to your car throughout the day if needed - sometimes little accidents happen and you can grab that spare set of clothes you prepared earlier!

Farmer Palmer’s offers acres of adventure both inside and outside to explore, and bucket loads of play, whatever your age.

So there you have it, Farmer Palmer’s really is the perfect place for making magical memories with your tiny tots.

Still not sure if Farmer Palmer’s is for you?

Why not take them up on their Three Month Free Trial Offer for new mums?

If you’re in your third trimester or have a little one under 9 months, you can apply for a Bump to Baby Trial Pass. But be quick!

These passes are only available until 31st March 2020. For more details visit Farmer Palmer’s website.

i r a a M

S E K A M Sensory Playdough Maria’s favourite activity is to make homemade sensory playdough with the children.

This is simple, and it’s not like slime so doesn’t get everywhere!

You'll need Џ Flour (any type will work) Џ hair conditioner Џ vanilla essence, lavender oil or any other fragrance you like!

Making this playdough is so easy. Just sift the flour into a large mixing bowl, add in the conditioner in stages, so you avoid getting too gooey. Just rub the two together until you get a firm combined texture and consistency.

If you find it's too sticky, add a little more flour and if it's too stiff, add more conditioner. Simples!

when we made our batch, we used lavender and oregano but you could add basil, lemon, food colouring, coriander leaves, rosemary, cinnamon, oranges, limes (the fresher the better!).

Natural produce is so much fun to experiment with, you could even blindfold the children and have them try and guess what they're smelling. There’s no limits to what you add – have fun and enjoy!

This is such a low cost activity, and gives you hours of fun! By adding shapes, pots, cutters and rollers, you extend the learning and develop their mathematical skills in shape, space and measures as part of the 'Early Years development matters'. love yourself

Illustration by: Tori Moran 07928144181 torimoran@hotmail.co.uk

Colour Me In!

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THE PARENTING MAGAZINE FOR DORSET FAMILIES

IN NAM

G CEREMONIES B Y

Est. 2010 Naming ceremonies are the perfect way to welcome a child of any age into a family, whether new-borns, adopted children or step children.

Single parents also find such a ceremony a wonderful way to affirm their commitment to their child.

Choosing the right words and content for a personal ceremony can be difficult. Independent Celebrant Diana Saxby of Grace The Day draws on her many years of experience to help you design your own bespoke celebration, providing perfect words for everyone involved to pledge their love and devotion to the child, with complete freedom to choose the content which feels right to you.

Diana will bring along her valuable resource material to her first meeting with you, and support you in your choice of promises, readings and music to ensure each ceremony is personalised and embraces the family and guests, leaving everyone inspired.

As a parent herself, Diana knows it takes a lot of trust for parents to literally place their baby in her hands, but you can be confident and comfortable putting your faith in her, knowing that this will result in the perfect naming ceremony for your child.

Also Wedding Blessings, Vow Renewals and Commitment Ceremonies

diana@gracetheday.com | www.gracetheday.com | 07760 110 007 Grace the Day

gracetheday_celebrant

Diana Saxby

Grace the Day somethingnewmag.co.uk

COME & SEE US IN ACTION CALL NOW 01202 622229

FREE PARENT & BABY/TODDLER GROUPS Baby Steps I Music Box I Baby Sensory I Talking Tunes Happy Feet I Wild Woods I Splash-Around

For more information and to book see our website www.yarrells.co.uk • • • • • • • • •

happy and motivated children dedicated nursery for 2 to 4 year olds small class sizes competitively low fees individualised learning with high academic standards proven exam results at 11+ and 13+ specialised subject teachers from age 5 enriching environment indoors and outdoors dynamic and extensive curriculum: integrating the arts and sport

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Bus transport routes from Dorchester, Blandford Bournemouth & Poole

Independent Day School for Boys & Girls aged 2 - 13 I Dorset I 01202 622229 I www.yarrells.co.uk I admissions@yarrells.co.uk