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Kidszine | Parenting Advice | Pareting Tips | News #page { background: url("http://kidszine.co.uk/wp-content/themes/default/images/kubrickbgwide.jpg") repeat-y top; border: none; } Kidszine | Parenting Advice | Pareting Tips | News Kidszine parenting website featuring advice, news and tips Support your children during divorce January 5th, 2009 ChildLine and the Your Family parenting website have joined forces on National Divorce Day (5 January 2009) to help parents put children first when separating.An estimated 117,000 children see their parents divorce each year and the new year is the time when unhappy couples are most likely to contact lawyers about ending a marriage.Head of ChildLine Sue Minto said: “Divorcing parents can be overwhelmed by feelings like anger, sadness, and helplessness. This often makes it hard to focus on the wishes and needs of scared and bewildered children whose lives are about to be turned upside down. ”“Parental separation is a crisis for children as well as s. Children suffer deeply when the s they love fall into conflict. They are deeply upset by the hurt, pain and confusion of divorce. ”“Children often phone ChildLine when their families are in turmoil. They tell counsellors about being scared by arguments, feeling they are being forced to choose between mum and dad or that the break-up is their fault. Children can be helped to adjust to the changes happening around them if parents take the time to explain how much they are loved and that whatever happens is not their fault.”At least one child a day calls ChildLine upset about parents arguments.(3) Children have told ChildLine:“Mum doesn’t trust Dad and makes me spy on him and tell her what he’s been doing. The stress of it is making me ill and made me lose loads of friends.” (Girl aged 16)“My parents where arguing about me today. I think they might separate because of me.” (Girl aged 9)“Mum and Dad split up. Since then I feel like they’ve used me as a go between in their arguments. Mum and Dad don’t speak to each other and I am expected to pass on messages.” (Girl aged 16)To help families during this difficult time, NSPCC which runs ChildLine has produced some new advice to help parents shield their children from the affects of divorce.YourFamily.org.uk tips for divorcing parents• Say “I love you” - tell children how much you love them. It sounds obvious but children of all ages need extra reassurance if they feel their family is falling apart and they will be separated from loved ones.• Listen up - listen to children and comfort them if they are upset or worried. When you are caught up in your own emotional turmoil, it can be easy to forget the feelings of those around you.• Keep talking - reinforce the fact that the split is not their fault.• Be honest - while children do not need to be involved in every detail of a divorce, it’s important to be as honest as possible about what happened and what’s going to happen while providing as much reassurance as possible.• Keep a routine - try and keep the day to day schedule as normal as possible. Introduce the changes slowly and talk any changes through with your children.• Family time – make sure both parents have as much time as practical to spend with the children unless there are obvious reasons why this would be dangerous such as a partner with drink or drug problems.• Home sweet home - if your children come to visit you in your new home, make sure there are some familiar items there such as toys or posters for the bedroom. This will help reinforce that you are still a big part of their lives.• Share the load – when appropriate, try and share out the child care responsibilities between both parties so children can see that both parents are still very involved in family life.• Keep some things to your self –don’t criticise your partner in front of the children or alienate them from him/her. Whatever has happened between you, your children will still love both parents equally.• Phone a friend - find someone you trust to talk to about what’s happening in your life. It’s very difficult to bottle up the hurt and having a friend to talk to means you are less likely to let off steam in front of the children.• Remember the little things - children may be very worried about seemingly minor things like what is going to happen to their pet or will they see their friends. It’s important to recognise these are important to children.• Get a second opinion – children often find it difficult to articulate their feelings, especially younger children. Look for signs in their behaviour to keep a track of how they are dealing with the split. Ask friends, families and teachers to keep an eye on your child’s behaviour too. When you are dealing with your own feelings of grief, it can be hard to spot the often subtle signs your child may be giving out.For information help and advice, go to www.YourFamily.org.uk Tags: Childline, Divorce Support for Children, Divorcing Parent Tips, National Divorce Day Posted in Parenting | No Comments » Sleepytot Baby Comforter December 31st, 2008 Sleepytot, the innovative baby comforter launched in September 2008 and after only a couple of weeks trading was awarded a prestigious Gold Award at the 2008 Practical Pre School Awards. At its debut trade show in October Sleepytot was Highly Commended in the Best Debut product category from the BPA (Baby Products Association) trade body. Sleepytot Baby ComforterReviews on parenting websites, the mother and baby product blogs and well known organisations such as London Mums just keep getting better, with mums saying their babies and toddlers have finally learned to sleep through the night with the Sleepytot Baby Comforter!In November 2008, the renowned Millpond International Sleep Clinic (www.mill-pond.co.uk) endorsed Sleepytot, recommending its use to their clients. Millpond is one of the UK’s leading authorities on infant sleep problems. Sleep Experts to the Supernanny and Best Bear websites, as well as authors of “Teach Your Child to Sleep”, Millpond was recently featured on the BBC’s ‘How to Sleep Better’ with Professor Robert Winston. They also work as consultants for the NHS.The Sleepytot baby comforter is a calming, invaluable aid to help settle babies. Soft and cuddly, it has an innovative but simple functionality – Velcro tabs on the paws to enable parents to secure any extras that may be needed through the early years.From birth, Sleepytot is the perfect cuddly pal that can be snuggled up to when feeding and as baby gets older, pop a soother, teether or small blankie onto one of the paws so that baby can explore the textures.For parents who are getting up during the night to find that lost soother – this is the perfect solution. When baby grows and soothers or teethers are no longer needed – baby is left with a snugly bunny to love forever.http://www.sleepytot.com Tags: Babies, Baby Comforter, Baby Sleep Aids, Sleepytot.com Posted in Babies | 2 Comments » 4.6 million s still sleep in childhood bedrooms December 11th, 2008 New research conducted for Prudential shows that more than 4.6 million UK s have their former bedrooms preserved by parents who cannot quite let go of earlier memories of their children.A staggering 42% of UK s (around 4.6 million people) whose parents still live in the family home say their former bedroom is still decorated as it was when they were a child, with 44% sleeping in their childhood bedroom when they return to see their parents.It is not just the parents who hang onto those childhood memories, almost half (46%) of UK s whose parents still live in the family home say they still regard their childhood bedroom as their room despite moving out.However, much more than just the decoration remains unchanged. A third (33%) of UK s whose parents still live in the family home say they sleep surrounded by childhood photographs, 27% with old school books and folders and 20% with their childhood toys when they visit their parents.The research from Prudential also showed that a further 10% face the dubious retro-pleasure of childhood posters and 22% say their former childhood bedroom still contains trophies, awards and certificates fromtheir formative years.In addition to preserving their childhood bedroom, 60% of UK s whose parents still live in the family home say their parents store a range of belongings for them, with eight per cent having left letters from former boyfriends or girlfriends at their parents home, four per cent having left animals and pets with their parents and eight per cent using their parents house to store bicycles.The most popular items to store at parental homes were school books and folders (left by 34% of UK s), with photographs (32%), books (31%) and clothes (20%) all scoring highly. Tags: Childhood, Parental Homes Posted in General | No Comments » Advice for Single Dads at Christmas December 9th, 2008 For almost every child Christmas Day is the most important day of the year. It’s no wonder then that for single parents and especially single dads the thought of not having their Children with them on Christmas Day is very upsetting. So as a divorced or separated dad how do you manage to make Christmas fun again?Here are ten tips from single dad Chris Barnardo, founder of single father website www.dadcando.com on how to have the best Christmases with your kids.1. Don’t make it all about the big dayRemember that the 25th of December is just one day; it’s just a date. Whether or not you’re seeing your children on Christmas Day this year, don’t focus completely on the day itself and make it stand for more than it should. Make this year your opportunity to spread the fun out over the whole holiday. Look back to when you were a kid; what are the things you remember about Christmas? The run up to the end of school term; the school play; sending cards to your school friends with the classroom post box; Christmas carols playing in the house; pretty lights in the high street; the shops all decked out with Christmas decorations; putting up the tree, and seeing presents under it, or the first snow fall… these things are all a big part of most people’s memories about Christmas, and at least as important as the day itself, and it is these things that you can be a big part of in your children’s eyes even if your children don’t live with you. Being an important part of your children’s Christmas is more than about spending Christmas day with them.2. Share the day; if possible agree with your ex-partner to alternate ChristmasesIf that means not having your children for Christmas Day this year, accept that, but suggest now that you alternate, and therefore arrange now to have them next year.3. Negotiate earlyFocus on the goodwill element of Christmas, remember that your ex-partner will have family that they have to visit with the children, and during the school holidays they may have to arrange childcare, so be flexible and considerate when planning out the days that the children are going to spend with you.4. Make a Christmas stocking with your kids with their initial on itKids like routine and even a special Christmas routine that comes around only once a year, is still something to rely on and cherish. Routines need a few times to become established, but you can make a great start by making something nice for your kids to keep from Christmas to Christmas, such as a Christmas stocking. Buy fleecy fabric with your kids (it can be cut without fraying) about a month before Christmas to make the stocking and their initial. Trim the top of the stocking with white fake fur, just like Santa’s boot top. Using either a glue gun or a sewing machine, make the stocking with your kids doing most of the making. Make it durable so that it will last. Let them take their Christmas stocking wherever they spend Christmas Eve so that over the years, the kids will look forward to getting out their stocking, and wherever they are a little bit of you will be with them.5. Focus on what you know will make it a happy time for your childrenWhether your children are with you or not, you want them to have a wonderful Christmas. Don’t make Christmas a difficult time where rows over access and bad feelings spoil it for them.6. If the kids are with you this Christmas, spend time with themIt sounds obvious, but Christmas can become a holiday spent in the car going from one place to another, visiting various family members, and entertaining a stream of family and friends. Plan only one trip out, or invite close family round to yours and ask them to bring a meal course so that you don’t end up doing all the catering. Plan a walk to the park with your kids to get some fresh air, but whatever you do make certain that you spend the time being with and playing with your children.7. Plan the Christmas mealIf your kids are coming to you for Christmas Day and you’ve never cooked a Christmas dinner before, the first time you have your kids for Christmas isn’t the best time to start. Your options are: Practice with a few roast chicken dinners now. Don’t get the biggest turkey on the day. Treat it like another roast dinner.• Buy ready prepared roast potatoes, ready cut up frozen vegetables and a easy cook turkey joint (with cooking instructions). Get loads of the trimmings, like cranberry jelly, stuffing and bread sauce readymade, so that all you have to do is microwave, open and serve.• Remember crackers, party poppers and special napkins, the Christmas table dressing is as much part of the experience as eating the food. Arrange to go to your parents or your family and let them cook the meal offering to take a pudding or other dish to help8. Go easy on the alcohol it could make you maudlin or grumpyYou should never drink too much alcohol you’re in charge of your children, it’s dangerous. At Christmas alcohol can flow freely, but watch what you drink, alcohol is a depressant and can make you feel sad, making it hard for you to look after your children and spoiling the day for them.9. Don’t overcompensate with big presentsDon’t compete with your ex-partner to buy the biggest present. If possible talk to your ex-partner to find out what they are getting for your children and tell them what you plan to get, so that you don’t double up. Get things that you know you children will like and value. Quirky, creative gifts that are picked because you know they really suit their character are much better than expensive presents that are bought just because they cost a lot.10. Be generous with your ex - send a Christmas cardIt is the season of goodwill, Christmas is a good excuse to build bridges that will make future negotiations easier. Don’t carry resentment; it only hurts you in the long run. Send your ex-partner a simple Christmas card. Make sure that your children have presents to give their mother, it might be tough taking them shopping for presents for your ex-partner, but remember that they love their mother and need to be able to give something at Christmas and they won’t be able to buy things without your help. Tags: Christmas, Single Dads, Single Parents Posted in Parenting | No Comments » Traditional Festive Celebrations in Staffordshire December 7th, 2008 Recreate the enchantment of a by-gone era this Christmas with a visit to Staffordshire for traditional festive celebrations. Stately homes, picturesque market towns and historic churches will be hosting Christmas themed events for all ages. If you live in the vicinity here are some cracking suggestions given to us by the local tourist board.Victorian Candlelit Evenings at Shugborough Estate Victorian ChristmasHundreds of candles and fresh flowers will bring a sparkle to the Victorian Candlelit Evenings at the Mansion House and working Servants’ Quarters at Shugborough Estate from 3 to 6 December. Magical snow showers, reindeers, carol singers and stilt walkers will help recreate the sights and smells of an authentic Victorian Christmas at the historic family Estate. Tickets for the Victorian Candlelit Evenings cost £10 for s and £5 for children.Christmas Reindeer Parade at The National Arboreturm‘Elfee Okee’, ‘Christmas Carriage’ and ‘Jingle Jangle’ will be leading the lantern lit, Christmas Reindeer Parade at The National Arboretum in Alrewas, near Lichfield on 7 December. Visitors are invited to light their route with lanterns for this magical afternoon, which also sees the opening of Santa’s grotto and a children’s fun fair. A traditional open air Christmas concert will also be taking place on 19 December. Tickets are free and hymn sheets are available to download from the National Arboretum website.Medieval Christmas at Litchfield CathedralThis Christmas, discover Lichfield as it would have been in medieval times - by candlelight. Historic Lichfield Cathedral, the only medieval English cathedral with three spires, will be offering guided candlelit tours of this spectacular gothic building from 22 November to 23 December and 27 December to 4 January. Tickets cost £10 each.Christmas Family Day at Museum of Cannock ChaseThere is something for young and old at the Museum of Cannock Chase for their Christmas Family Day on 7 December including Christmas Carols with the Salvation Army Band, Snow Queen puppet shows, Christmas storytelling sessions and a special Wartime Christmas in the 1940s Room. Santa and his Elf will be in the Coal Mine, and there will also be festive games with Cannock Chase Council play rangers.Real Christmas Trees from Birches Valley Forest CentreOver at the Birches Valley Forest Centre in Cannock Chase, real Christmas trees will be available to buy. Head over and soak up the atmosphere with thousands of fresh Christmas trees available to buy as well as traditional festive decorations. The centre will be open daily until the 22 December.Winter Wonderland at SnowDomeEnjoy a game of snowballs, hitch a ride on a sledge and have fun sliding about as you wander through the snowy Christmas landscape at Tamworth’s SnowDome magical Winter Wonderland. Real snow is, of course, guaranteed as is real reindeer and a festive Winter Wonderland show. Open from 28 November - 31 December, Santa will also be bringing children’s favourite, Sooty to entertain guests. Tickets are £16.95 per person.Carols by the Lake at Rudyard LakeThrongs of brass bands and a chorus of carol singers will be bringing to life the ‘gem of the Staffordshire Moorlands’, Rudyard Lake on 19 December. The lake will be illuminated with hundreds of lights whilst a traditional brass band perform festive favourites. The ‘Carols by the Lake’ event starts and 6.30pm and entry is free of charge.Christmas Steam Trains at Churnet Valley RailwayVisitors are cordially invited aboard the Majestic Vintage Steam Trains at the Churnet Valley Railway to take a journey through the beautiful and unspoilt, Churnet Valley. The trains will be departing from Moorland stations at Cheddleton, known for its grade II listed Victorian station and Froghall, featuring Victorian style tea rooms. Onboard the trains, Father Christmas will be presenting gifts for children whilst s will be able to enjoy mince pies and a glass of sherry. Tickets cost £10 for s and £7 for children.New Year Walks at Weston ParkWhy not walk off the festive indulgences with a New Years Walk through Weston Park’s grounds on 4 January 2009. The 350-year old Estate, which has hosted everyone from international politicians to royalty, is renowned for its charm and family atmosphere. Head Gardener, Martin Gee will take guests on a three and a half mile walk around the Estate to explore medieval parkland and winter woodland. After walking up an appetite a three course Sunday lunch will be served in the Stables Bistro Restaurant. Tickets cost £27.50 per person for s and £15.00 for children.For more information about Christmas events in Staffordshire visit www.enjoystaffordshire.com Tags: Christmas, Christmas Events for the Family, Staffordshire Posted in Kids Events | No Comments » Christmas Art Exhibition featuring Fairytales by Antonio Nocera December 5th, 2008 The World of fairy tales in the artworks of the Italian artist Antonio Nocera is the theme of the Christmas Show at La Galleria Pall Mall this year with works based on the fables of Pulcinella, Pinocchio, Red Riding Hood, Puss in Boots, Cinderella and more… Alice in Wonderland by Antonio NoceraAntonio Nocera has brought to life the fairytales we all remember from our own childhood in this exhibition. The puppet Pinocchio, Alice in Wonderland, Snow White, all contain something which is much deeper, the mystery of metamorphosis, of weakness that transforms into strength, of oppression that is won over by the oppressed, of poverty that is transformed into abundance, the frog into Prince Charming.Antonio Nocera was born in Naples in 1949 graduated from the Naples Academy of Fine Art in painting and sculpture, Nocera has been a professional artist for 40 years, his love for Pinocchio lead him to illustrate two books for The Collodi Foundation. Today he lives between Paris and Rome.Fairy tales bring children and s closer to the real world and encourage and stimulate fantasy and interactivity, two magic elements that should not be missing in an exhibition. Fairy tales are essential for growth and life, poetic metaphors to discover and understand the mysteries of life. Antonio Nocera invites us to penetrate the enchanted forest of our personal certainties. Fairy tales are carriers of a culture which reach us from a distant oral and verbal tradition.The show includes more than 60 works of lithographs, fine art limited print editions, large paintings and bronzes. The exhibition is an invitation to reflect on the times we live in and how with our current priorities we risk losing for ever an essential part of our soul, that of the enchanted forests, of the animals of the adventure.The exhibition has been shown in Italy promoted and sponsored by the Italian Senate in the former Juvenile Correction Centre St Michele in Rome and in the Royal Palace in Naples.The London Exhibition is the first opportunity to purchase the artworks from this unique show and artist.The Christmas Art Exhibition “ Once Upon a Time” by the Italian artist Antonio Nocera runs between 16 December - 23 January 2009 - La Galleria Pall Mall, 30 Royal Opera Arcadehttp://www.lagalleria.org Tags: Antonio Nocera, Christmas Art Exhibitions, Fairytales, Kids Events, La Galleria Posted in Kids Events | No Comments » What’s On 4 School Kids awards - Voting has Begun December 4th, 2008 Online voting is now open for a new award scheme that uniquely celebrates the best activities for school children in the UK.The What’s On 4 School Kids awards, sponsored by the organic food company Whole Earth’s New Kids’ Breakfast Cereals, follow in the footsteps of the What’s On 4 Little Ones awards now in their 3rd year.And parents and children can now visit the award-winning web directory at www.whatson4schoolkids.co.uk and vote for their favourite activity for primary school children.The awards covering 3 different categories:Best National ActivityBest Local ActivityMost Outstanding Activity or Class Leader.Every activity in the UK has the chance to be nominated and voted for, making the awards a true representation of how parents and children feel towards the activities available.The Best National Activity award is voted for online with the other two awards judged by an independent panel of parents and children. All the winners will be announced in February 2009.Voting is well underway and parents and children have until end of January 2008 to ensure their favourite wins. Tags: School Activities, School Awards Posted in Kids Activities, Kids Education | No Comments » Green Projects Competition 2009 December 2nd, 2008 If we want to protect the planet, more of us need to get involved! This is why DiscoveryBox is organising another Green Projects competition this year. DiscoveryBox launched its first Green Projects competition in 2004, so this is the 6th edition!What are Green Projects?They are projects that protect nature and the environment. Green Projects are a way for a class, a club or group of children to do something positive to protect nature. Last year some children cleaned up a wood, while others put up nesting boxes. Other groups planted trees around their school. This is run in conjunction with local schools and so the support of staff, teachers and pupils is needed to make it a success.Green Projects 2009: build an island of green!This year DiscoveryBox is asking everyone to build a little nature corner, where insects and birds and other kinds of wildlife can live. It could be in a garden, the school playground…You can even set one up in a window box!The top 10 projects chosen will receive a chaque for £100 to help them set up their nature corner.Who can take part?Children from all around the world, as a class, nature club or group of friends, as long as an is involved.When is the competition? It will run during the school year 2008-2009. A complete report describing the project should be sent by 1st March 2009. Then children have the rest of the school year, until July 2009, to carry out their project.How to take part?Please go to http://www.discoveryboxbooks.com/competition2.php or check out the December issue of DiscoveryBox for full details.For more information: www.bayard-magazines.co.uk Tags: DiscoveryBox, Green Projects, Nature Projects, Save the Planet Posted in Kids Education | No Comments » Children’s party ideas without breaking the bank November 25th, 2008 Children’s parties may seem like a luxury in tough economic times, but it is possible to hold a great kids’ party without breaking the bank. The trick, according to party organisers Les Enfants (www.lesenfants.co.uk), is to plan ahead and get creative.“No matter how tough things are financially, no parent wants to deny their child a birthday party. It’s possible to hold great parties for very little money if you use your imagination and put in a little effort. Remember, simple is often best!” explains Katie Burnett of Les Enfants.Here are Les Enfants’ credit crunch party tips:• Invitations: Make your own for free. Get your child to do a drawing, use a photo or download a free image from the internet to create a themed invitation using your PC. If you don’t have a PC or scanner, use paints and let your child make handprints on pieces of card for a personal touch. It’s a great way to get your child involved in the party organisation too.• Activities for toddlers and babies: Limit numbers as young children can feel overwhelmed by too many people - and it cuts costs. Get out all of your toys and playmats, borrowing items from friends if needed, use a sing-along CD and musical instruments to create a fun music and play party. Or invite all the guests to bring a teddy and hold a teddy bear’s picnic. Parties don’t need to be longer than an hour to ninety minutes and can easily be held at home.• Activities for older children: Activity parties are great fun and can be done cost effectively. Try arts and crafts, like make your own princess tiara or pirate hat or painting cheap plain white mugs. Raid the pound shops for supplies. The children’s artwork doubles up as their take home present, so no need for expensive party bags. Cookie decorating or pizza making are also good options as they keep the kids busy and can serve as the party food or a snack. Traditional party games like pin the tail on the donkey, musical statues and What’s the Time Mr Wolf cost nothing other than a small token prize for the winner.• Activities for tweens: For boys, create a Games party using your (or a friend’s) Wii or PlayStation. Plan a mini olympics using sports games or a formula 1 with driving games with the winner getting a prize. For girls, sleepovers are brilliant. Let them get stuck into your old make up and hair accessories with a make over party or have a movie party with lots of popcorn and a selection of DVDs.• Entertainers: If you want an entertainer then ask if they do one hour rates instead of two. Alternatively a birthday party on a school afternoon will be less expensive than a weekend slot.• Venues: Having your party at home is the cheapest, but if your house can’t accommodate many children, consider using a local village hall or community centre. They will be less expensive than softplay areas or private function rooms. If the weather is good, head outdoors to the nearest park or beach.• Cake: Home baking is a lot easier than it seems and costs far less than a bought cake. Cupcakes are the latest trend and are even easier. Simply arrange them on a stand and the children can take one home with them.• Food: Kids always eat less than you think at parties, so cut down on costs and wastage by providing less. Making your own is the cheapest option or choose a time when a meal isn’t necessary and simply provide drinks and snacks.• Party bags: Party bags are optional and don’t have to be elaborate. A cupcake, balloon and the craft which they’ve made themselves at the party will make most children happy. Or look at pound shops for sets of books or toys and give each child one. It’s more environmentally friendly than a bag full of plastic rubbish that will get put in the bin within minutes.If you’re looking for more advice on how to hold a cost effective party, find venues or entertainers, contact Les Enfants for more information: www.lesenfants.co.uk, email info@lesenfants.co.uk or call 020 8502 9988. Tags: Child entertainers, Children's Parties, Les Enfants, Party Venues Posted in Kids Parties | No Comments » WiiFit to help kids stay healthy November 24th, 2008 In the run up to Christmas, record numbers of ‘WiiFit’ systems have been sold to parents; particularly mums, hoping to influence their child to exercise, according to sale and research stats by a leading entertainment retail site.Tens of thousands of British children will be waking up on Christmas morning to the videogame their worried parents hope will inspire them to get fitter, according to research by Swoopo.co.uk.Research of 1,253 people has found that nearly two thirds of British parents (61%) are worried about their children’s weight and fitness. 34% said they ‘actively try to encourage’ their child to exercise for health and fitness reasons.When asked ‘Do you think video games encouraging your children to exercise are beneficial?’ 86% responded positively.Mums were more worried about their children’s health than dads (67%-55%), which correlates with the sales stats that show females are buying more WiiFit copies than males.Swoopo auctions tens of thousands of products per month and has over a million registered users worldwide. Tags: Exercise for Kids, Swoopo, WiiFit Posted in Kids Games, Kids Health | No Comments » « Older Entries
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