Back to School 2012

So it is the end of the first week and the children are back to school after, what seemed like a prolonged Christmas break has really been a bit of a struggle.  Does anyone else feel the same?

There are a lot of things conspiring against parents.  Firstly a 3 week break is quite long.  So, my children have had plenty of opportunities to get up late, relax and have lots of play.  Or in other words they will have forgotten about their usual school routines.

That’s all fair enough as they have, probably, worked very hard at school all year and this is their opportunity to relax.

School Homework over the holidays

Do you or don’t you?  This is quite a polar issue for parents.  Of all the parents I have spoken you can basically split them into two camps.  Yes, they continue to do homework over the Christmas break, or they absolutely refuse to.

Some parents strongly feel that their nearest and dearest needs the time fof to recuperate and take a break from the stresses and strains or school life.  Have you any thoughts on the matter?

A short week at school

I think, as parents, we sometimes forget how tiring it can be for children at school.  They are going through a constant pattern of change, they are learning new stuff playing lots and growing.  All of this really does tire them all out.  So it’s hardly surprising that they come home slightly wired and exhausted.

I was talking to the classroom assistant this morning and she mentioned that despite having lots of rest over Christmas the first week back can be very tiring.  Because it’s about gearing up the bodies and little brains to work again.

Getting the parents ready for school

This heading might sound ridiculous to those who are not indoctrinate into the school run.  But as a parent you really need to be ready the night before, or sometimes a few weeks before your child goes back to school.

For a stress free school run you need to be prepared. And it is so important that your child can be looking forward to school rather than anxious about the morning’s madness.  Here something I wrote a few months ago about how to prepare for the first day at primary school.  It basically covers off all the major points like;

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Smoking in cars harms children

That is the claim from the British Medical Association. A recent study in Ireland showed that secondary smoke, despite a window being open was still harmful for a child.

Smoking is such an emotive subject. It polarises the views of both Camp and those view are aired almost vociferously. Just read the 600 and rising, views on the BBC website.

On one side the smokers feel that their civil rights are being infringed and that as a responsible adult they should be free to conduct their business how they choose.

On the other campaign groups like ASH are keen to eliminate the harm caused by tobacco.
Before writing such an article I suppose it’s important for me to declare my position. I am no
t a smoker and don’t much like the smell and affects on others.

It’s very interesting to read the view on the BBC website. No one doubts the validity of the medical claim the main argument is one of “just leave us alone”.

But if the secondary smoke affects those, people is close proximately, which happen to include your children. Wouldn’t you want processes in place to stop this harm taking place?

Think of the children.

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Healthy kids lunch-boxes to help prevent cancer

Back in August we talked about Lunch-box’s V’s School dinners.  Well it seems that kids lunches are back on the health agenda.  This time the World Cancer Trust is re-enforcing the message that your child’s lunch box needs to be healthier with more fruit and veg.

With roughly 15 million lunch-boxes being packed in the UK every day it’s obviously a lucrative market for the food industry.   This ultimately means lots of advertising and marketing being thrust towards us time-strapped parents.

The main messages coming through time and time again, is convenience.  There are lots of “Just pop ‘em in the lunch-box…” or full of “all the things that kids….”.

So with 190 school days in the year – which translates to 380 lunches in our house, it’ not difficult to assume that convenience is the name of the game.  So for lots of parents the pre-packed cheese, drinks, snacks, tubs and pots are easy.

But stop for a minute.  Convenience doesn’t need to be processed.  This isn’t just about shoving something quick and easy into a plastic container and sending our nearest and dearest out with something which might be called food but most probably lacks the nutrients our little ones need.

If you take a step back and look at the eating habits or your children would your honest appraisal be a good one or a bad?

I know what it’s like though.  Trying to get my youngest to eat greens is really, really tough.  At the sight of the tiniest floret of broccoli on the dinner plate there is a incredulous spasm that washes over my son.  But I will not stop.

I once read that you need to plate up and try a vegetable 27 times with a child.  At the end of that time if they still don’t like it after all your encouragement then move onto something else.  This might mean a lot of wastage, but, I think it is worth the effort.

I firmly believe that you need to encourage your child at an early age to adopt healthier options.  This way they will, hopefully, carry those attitudes later into life.

For more information visit the World Cancer Research Fund website.  Or the Diet Cancer Report

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Back to school checklist

As my partner keeps telling me we all need lists.  It just help us remember those little or big things that need doing.

Here is our back to school checklist for reception classes.  Hope it helps.

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Consumerism and your child

I think we would all agree that the UK is a consumer orientated society.

On the day that Europe opened its doors to its largest shopping centre, the Westfield in Stratford.  UNICEF also launched its latest Report Card on ”An overview of child well-being in rich countries“.  It also happen to be the day I turned 40 – as a result my conscious pricked me a couple of times.

It’s not difficult to notice that at the weekends, 100′s of thousands of people march off to their local hyper-fantastic-ultra-gigantic-super-enormous shopping centre to spend their hard earned cash on stuff for the children [and themselves].  These concrete steel and glass monoliths rising like a giant piped piper acts like a beacon to the unwary.  Where once they were developed as for the purpose of  convenience they have now turned into a necessity.

Some people make the leap that “it was like this in my day”.  That is true.  But only because these places had previously not existed.

I really do not subscribe to the view that it was better in the old days.  It was just different.  Modern marketing techniques and the profusion of the internet helps support spending.  Where once the shops closed at 6.00 o’clock, they are now open 24 hours a day 7 days a week online – it’s all a little too easy now to over compensate and adorn gifts to our nearest and dearest. .

This coupled with financing option, technology advances and social mores, means we all too readily find ourselves spending.

The Political dimension

Regrettably, despite Mr Cameron Big Society ethos, I’m afraid, I just don’t see a will to change the Consumerism – it’s just not good for UK Ltd.    Unfortunately the UK relies heavily on Consumer Spending to support the economy.  This means that any hope for a recovery for our ailing economy requires us all to buy that latest iPhone or shoes or digital something or other.

So who is to blame?

My feeling is that, whilst it would be easy to blame large companies, Apple, Sony, Microsoft, or the Government – that’s is easy way out.  You simply have to look in the mirror.  You might not like what you see, but it’s the truth.

Everyone has a choice.  You can choose not to have the latest fashions, the next, up-to-the-second mobile phone, or bigger house or car.  Ask yourself will it really make me or my children happier.  The shallow, immediate answer may be yes.  But ask yourself the same question, one or two months later – I wonder if you would have the same response.

It’s been my experience that children respond to boundaries and whilst children can be particularly resourceful in getting their own way a parent needs to be strong and say no.

I do sympathies though.  It’s easier to give in to the easy child care that is television, or succumb to peer pressure. The playground can be a harsh place for a child with the wrong gadget, toys or clothes.

As parents we need to acknowledge that Consumerism is all around us and we need to develop techniques that help defend the family unit.

It’s interesting that LV, a British Insurer estimated that it costs £210,00 to raise a child to 21.  With this financial burden it’s hardly surprising that parents are feeling pressure. That said, there is no imperative to spend this vast sum of money.

But how do we protect our children

As a parent of two I obviously want the best for my child.  Now I want to be clear here.  This philosophy is not about material objects – it’s about their well being, pastoral or otherwise.

But protecting our children from these consumerism pulls will be a real challenge and I don’t think I have the answer.  For me;

• I try and limit the amount of television my children are exposed to.
• I discourage adverts
• I make a point of being active with my children
• We try, sometimes unsuccessfully, to have as many meal times as possible together.

Be well.

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“In an age where some fathers have so little to do with their children”

GUEST BLOGGER: Father of 2, James Hart

Shocking, absolutely shocking.

The Guardian newspaper on 2nd September published an article [A male teacher can never replace a missing father] talking about the how male teachers are so poorly represented in schools.  Super subject, I thought.  Worthy of the Guardians’ keen eye for detail.

However, the line in the first paragraph that got the hairs on the back of my neck tingling was the one quoted in the title.

Innocuous at first.  But to me the wild generalisation that takes a stab at ‘some’ fathers, in my mind attacks them all.  I admit that ‘some’ fathers probably deserve it – as they stay late in the office to avoid, the sometimes chaotic bath-time, bed-time routine.

However, and I’m sure Katharine Birbalsingh would agree that there are many fathers who really enjoy family life, who take an active part in the education, emotional and physical well being of their child’s upbringing .

So where exactly is my argument you might say.  My concern overall  is that this throw-away line is  unqualified.  It makes the “some” too general and as a consequence it feels as though it could land on the head of any father.

Am I being overly critical?  Have  I micro analysed the text too much trying to find a meaning that just simply isn’t there.   Or am I feeling a little defensive at not doing as much as my hard working wife.  Maybe.

When I became a father, worry became second nature.   Whether it was for the children, the family’s well being or my own self-esteem.  And as much as possible I try and preserve these tenets and whilst attrition is inevitable, it’s not welcome and wherever it might occur it must challenged.

“In an age where some commentators have so little to do with representing a balanced truth…”.

Or is it just me?

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Kids Summer blockbuster movies for 2011

All the family in the Simply Stuck house really like films.  As family days out go, it’s one of our favourites. Popcorn, chocolate and drinks coupled with a good movie = Happy Family.

If you are looking for fun things to do in the the summer holidays either with the family or a group of kids then the Cinema is a good choice.  And 2011 is a good year for films.   From Car 2 to Harry Potter or Captain America.  There is a good varied choice for most age groups.  So here is our run down for what out in the Cinemas now to help keep your brood entertained for 90 minutes. We’ve also included the British Board of Film Classification ratings so you and your family can make an informed choice about what you are viewing.

Summer 2011 Blockbusters

Cars 2

TRANSFORMERS 3

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART II

THE FIRST AVENGER: CAPTAIN AMERICA

COWBOYS AND ALIENS

My feeling is that when I see Daniel Craig, then it worthy of some attention.  Another comic book adaptation, with where Mr Craig and Harrison Ford fight of an Alien Invasion in the 1800s.  Again, one for the older children.

BBFC says: “Contains frequent moderate action violence and scenes of intense threat”
Rating: 12A

THE SMURFS 3-D

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School Reception for 2011 and how you need to prepare

All across England anxious parents will now have been told which school little Timmy will be attending come September. Whether they are happy with that decision is a different matter altogether.

Reception classes are such a funny time for children. There is a brave new world to explore and new children to meet and lots of things to remember.

This is when the novice parent might feel a little frustrated. Now I’m not saying that I’m perfect, it’s simply that I’ve gone through that stage and waiting with the expectancy of a rabbit in the headlights of a car for the next one.

Name labels for school

There are many tasks to complete before your child is free to run the halls of their new school. One of them happens to be labelling almost everything.

The reason for this as you will shortly establish is that when your child goes to school with a particular number of items (book bags, t-shirts, pants, socks, etc). They may or may not come home with the same items. On any number of occasion, there have been too many for me to catalogue, I have discovered another child’s, socks, left shoe, jumper and water bottle.

Whilst school labels might not stop the problem, it definitely speeds up the process in bringing the school kit back to its rightful owner.

Name Labels for clothes

The best place to start is probably the most expensive items – school shoes and clothes.

Shoe labels, cost £2.56 for a pack of 24.

Clear Shoe Labels

• Vinyl Stickers placed inside the shoe
• Waterproof, clear label

There are two types of school name labels – Iron-on or sew-in clothes.

1. Iron on labels – Easy to use ~ simply peel off and iron on in seconds. Iron on labels – BUY NOW
2. BIG Iron on labels – Washing machine & tumble drier safe. BIG Iron on Labels – BUY NOW
3. Small Iron on Labels – Ideal for small or discreet labelling. Small Iron on Labels – BUY NOW
4. Sew-in Woven labels – Woven in Upper & Lower case. Sew-in Woven Labels BUY NOW
5. Iron-on Woven labels – If your school insists on Woven labels. Iron-on Woven – BUY NOW

Good luck

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Successful discipline is about being positive

Let’s face we all like positive feedback. There is nothing better than being rewarded for your hard efforts and take it from me children are no different.

Reward stickers or merit, stickers are an excellent way of telling your children that you are happy with their latest achievements.

Take for example, this week I am taking my youngest daughter to be immunised. At the end there will be a lot of praise and a sticker. Now whilst this might not seem a lot. I know, that at the end of the day when daddy comes home she will be wearing that sticker with pride.
Stickers for teachers

This doesn’t need to be a home thing either. This can also be a good aide to teacher. Many teachers already use these school stickers for teaching kids. It really can help encourage children to show off to their parents at the end of the day and keep the learning process going.

A pack of 39 Reward stickers cost £1.50

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Allergies in Children – Asthma

Here is a graph of the popularity of the term “Allergies in Children” according to Google.

Allergies in children

It’s interesting to see the graph spike, around the Autumn and Winter month. Moreover you can see the jump that took place in the early part of 2010.

Irrespective of the reason for the increase, and according to www.kidsallergies.co.uk, there is no concrete proof why it in increasing.  We as parents need to need to care for the welfare of our children as best we can.

Now you can limit your child as best you can to some of the elements that might aggravate your child’s Asthma.  However, you can’t be with them all the time.

Allergy Stickers

To alert carers and teachers to your child’s allergy, Simply Stuck have introduced Allergy Alert stickers which are ideally suited for labelling travel bags and medication packs. Labels can detail a maximum of 4 different allergies.

You can buy an Allergy Alert Stickers pack with 35 labels.  Ordered easily and quickly online from Simply Stuck with delivery within 3 working days.

Allergy Alert stickers costs £13.00

Allergy stickers

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