School lunches v’s School dinners

With children heading back to school shortly the beleaguered parent has a choice of how to feed their little one’s when they are out of sight.

The problem that I always find is that when junior is at school, he is free to eat as much or as little as he chooses.  And I know from experience when he goes round to a friends for tea, he will usually turn his nose up at non-mum cooked food.

Whilst cooked meals are getting healthier and there are government guidelines to help here,  I just know that my little on’s are fussy.  I do try and encourage them to eat different things.  But, for me it’s more important for my kids to have energy at school and not feel hungry.  Experience has taught me that a hungry boy is a disruptive boy.

Lunch box options

As much as possible I try and avoid those convenient lunch box sized options.  You know the ones.  They are targeted at those parents that are cash rich and time poor.  “Just pop it in the lunch box”.  I’ll pass.

Main meal

I nearly always choose sandwiches.  It can be a bit boring.  But sometime is just what they want.  There are heaps to choose from and your are only limited by your imagination.

Snacks

Raisins. My little girl loves raisins.  Some research has shown that people who ate raisins and started walking ­regularly had significant health benefits. They are rich in potassium, important in regulating blood pressure, and their high fibre.  They are also sweet to make them more attractive to my sweet toothed cherubs.
Crisps are popular.  But try and encourage low or lower salt versions. Note that the recommended daily untake of salt for 4-6 year iolds is 3g.  (Just more than ½ a teaspoon)
Carrot sticks
Cheese sticks (Home made).  Don’t bother with pre-packed, handy, bite-sized, lunch box, convenient, stuff.
Scotch eggs or mini-scotch eggs.
Any type of fruit at there are lots to choose from.
Chocolate.  Moderation is the key here.  Mini Mars, etc.  I prefer not too but once in a while is okay.

Good for growing bones

Dairy is an important element in a well balanced diet, especially for children. It is rich in calcium, which helps prevent osteoporosis.  Children aged 8 to 18 need around 800mg of calcium per day.  Here are some guidelines on the BBC website.

Drinks

I have a policy of no sugar here.  I remember as a child being drawn to fizzy sugary drinks and it did me no good.
Water.  Let’s be clear there is nothing healthier.
Fruit juice.  I always decant fruit juice into a bottle and dilute with water
Smoothies.  Sometime as a treat.  But they are high in sugars which is good for an immediate boost.  Not great for teeth.
Fizzy drinks.  NEVER.
Coridal.  Preferably not, due to aspartame, ok in moderation
Milk (whole, semi-skimmed, goats or soya).

Don’t forget your water bottle labels.

There is lots of talk about whether to choose sugar or no-added sugar options.   This is such a difficult choice as they the process in refining sugar is a chemical one.  With aspartame, this is an artifically created product without the fatting side-effects of sugar.  As with everything else – moderation is the key.

Social Bookmarks

Preparing for the first day at primary school

Last year (2010) was when I had to prepare for my child’s first day at school.  I remember it very well.  It was a maelstrom of emotions.  Excitement, apprehension, anxiety, panic and utter chaos – I have to say it felt like the most stressful day of my life.

How to prepare for the first day of School

Have you got everything for school?  Don’t wait until the night before to check you have everything.  Do it as soon as possible.  Have you got;

Talk to your child

Get ready for School the night before.

On the big day

As they say “Keep Calm and Carry on”

• Set the alarm.
• Breakfast can be a stressful time.  But I have found that between the ages of 4 and 5 children want to assert their independence more and more.  Give them a choice.
• Brush teeth before getting dressed.
• There is a balance to be had in getting the kids dressed too early, as there is a risk that they could and have often have got mucky.

At the end of the first School day

Social Bookmarks

Back to School supplies

How is your planning for going Back to School?

Have you got the necessary supplies yet?

If you are are sending your child to school for the first time there is a lot to think about and August really is the month you need to spring into action.

I thought it would be quite useful for some of you to pull together a list of some of the things you need to consider.

Back to School Clothes

• Shoes Trainers
• Trousers
• Shorts (very important during the Summer)
• Socks
• School T-shirt
• Jumper
• Coat (Rain or WInter)

Back to School Accessories (for year one or Reception)

• Water Botles
• Book Bags (Schools will vary)
• Lunch Boxes
• Lunch box bags
• Sports Kit bags

A word to the wise.  Label EVERYTHING.  Last year, my little boy in went into Reception and he lost, two jumpers, one fleece, and on two occasions came home with the wrong school shoes. So if you are looking for clothes labels for school Have a look at our website.

School Name Labels

Other Name Labels for School you may wish to consider are;

Shoe labels

When you have 20 school children doing PE.  Shoes are bound to get mixed up.  Shoe labels will help them get returned to their rightful owner.

Water Bottle labels

In a class size of 20+ there are bound to be similar water bottles.  So if personal Hygiene is important to you, make sure you use water bottle name labels.

Class water bottle stickers

Did you know

Liverpool Victoria, the insurance company has put the cost of little people going back to school at around £170.

The Big Supermarkets are as keen as ever for your business and there are so many bargain available.

Here’s our selection of what’s available.

Marks & Spencer’s School uniforms

Asda School clothes

Morrisons Back to School

Debenhams

Littlewoods, Cheap School uniforms

Tesco School Clothes

Sainsbury’s Back to School

John Lewis Clothes for School

It’s such an important time for little ones and an anxious one for parents.  We are all different and I try not to give advice in fear that I may sound like a busy body know it all.  But, if I may be so bold, try and be as organised as possible.  You will forget things or make a few mistakes along the way.  But Keep Calm and Carry on.

Social Bookmarks

School labels – getting ready for school

We are now half way through the Summer holidays and August is the month that parents start to think about getting their kids ready for school.

There are lots of things to consider.  But the general rule I have is;

“If anything goes to school with your child – LABEL IT”

From items such as;

• Shoes,
• Socks,
• T-shirts,
• Jumpers,
• Trousers,
• Pants,
• Jackets,
• Water bottles,
• Book bags.

It may seem excessive, but as a parent I have had my child come home without many of these items throughout the year.  (Yes, I know – PANTS!)

But as a new parent, you only discover these things out when you begin to go through the process.  It’s not that your child is being particularly forgetful.  It’s just the way they all are.

So if you are looking for School labels take a look at the pack we have on the website.

Social Bookmarks

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

Social Bookmarks

Kids Gardening

We have recently started to encourage the children to get involved in the Garden.

They do spend plenty of time out there at the moment. But it usually takes the form of tearing about the plant beds digging up stuff with diggers and cars and mashing down anything delicate with footballs and the like.

The whole purpose of undertaking this project was to help encourage greater knowledge of where fruit and veg comes from ultimately, if they plant the seeds and grow the vegtables then they might…they just might eat them.

I know this might be a little bit adventurous, but, it’s the plan.

Garden Insects – Catch and Draw

A few years ago we discovered a stag beetle in the garden.  It scared the living daylights out of my wife and I.  This flying black creature with large claws, all in black and a noisy erratic flight, had us both running indoors.  Only later did we discover what it was.  If you find one, take the time to log it on the Great Stag Hunt website.

But they are magnificent creatures.  Boys will love them.

We also have several slow worms [video] in the garden.  They love cool dark places, preferably under a rock.

Both these animal are terrific for a miniature art project.

Plant some seeds

Every year we go to great efforts to encourage the children to plant veg.  In particular we plant peas and potatoes.  There is usually a mess and the children end up dirtier than the soil.  But when it comes to harvesting the plants we always say, “Who plants to dig up the potatoes”, closely followed by “You planted these…”.  And especially at dinner time we always over-emphasis the point.

But, it seems to work.  They do eat them.

Shortly we shall be planting spring onions.  Already I have my reservations. But I remember reading once that a child needs to try a new food 21 times.  If after that they still don’t bite [pardon the pun].  Go onto the next one.

Become a seed collector

In trying to explain where food comes from we have been recently looking at seeds.  I have just collected a load of poppy seeds from the wild poppies that seem to collect in our garden.  We wait until they dry out and then shake them into a sandwich bag.

For more fun ideas for what to do in the Garden, have a look at the BBC website.

Whatever you get up to in the garden.  Have a enjoy yourself.

Social Bookmarks

Fun things to do in the summer holidays

This is the last week of school.  Have you made any plans, or are you going to wing it for the next 6-8 weeks?

The Loose as a Moose blog will be taking a break from the usual Kids at school stuff to concentrate on the “kids at home” stuff.

Here is the list of forthcoming topics we will chat about over the Summer break.

• Kids Gardening
• Summer Blockbusters for 2011
• Harry Potter V’s Captain America
• Days out in August
• Video games v’s Days out
• Things to do on a rainy day
• Getting ready for School
• First-time school parents – top 10 tips

Hope you all have a great Summer – get plenty of rest.

Social Bookmarks

Children’s name tags

The last day of term is when parents and children alike can now start to wind down. So you don’t need to worry about children name tags…for a few weeks anyway.

As the last day of school fast approaches your little ones are ready for dropping with all the stresses and strains of school and home life being released and junior can hopefully get some much needed rest and down time.

I’m not about to tell you that you need to prepare now for the next school term.  Ohh no, no, no. – It’s time to take a break.  I thought it might amuse to offer a reflection on my little one’s first school year and how he faired with his possessions.

To date we have lost or mislaid;

• One pair of school shoes,
• Two jumpers,
• 3 pair of pants – don’t ask.
• 1 water bottle,
• 1 rain coat – retrieved 3 weeks later – thank goodness.

As a parent who was new to the whole school thing.  I’m not sure whether the above list is good or bad – do let me know.

So when all is said in done the first year has been chaotic and a little stressful – but wholly enjoyable.  Can’t wait for little sister to start in September.  Ahhhhh

If I could offer one piece of advice for the first timers in September.  Get your labels earlier.  Label everything and hope for the best.  Enjoy your summer everyone.

If you are interested in planning early, very well done.   All your children’s name tags can be found on our website.

Social Bookmarks

Birthday stickers make planning children’s birthdays easier

My one hope for my kids, very early on, was that they had lots of friends. This would make the transition into and through school easier – at least in theory.   And having a wide circle of friends meant he would never be short of play dates

But having a wide circle of friends has meant lots of birthday parties and lots of presents.

I will often buy, wrap and label presents in bulk and in advance.  This means that I can simply grab the present as we chaotically run out the door on the way the party.  This may seem slightly procedural and take away any of the niceties of choosing a present for someone.   But, and this is a big but. It save time and a lot of hassle.  I don’t need to tell any parents that time-savers are important in everyday living.

Birthday Stickers

I much prefer using Birthday stickers, rather than the stringy labels. This means that they are unlikely to fall off – thus loosing the necessary information. I have, many a time, lost birthday tags and had to peel open a corner of a present to determine its contents and rightful owner.

Birthday Stickers cost £6.13

You get 32 stickers per pack.
Various designs include, dogs, rockets and girly handbags.

They are a bit fun and are suitable for boys and girls.

Social Bookmarks

Someone else’s shoes – I need shoe labels

It happens from time to time – lost property at school.

My eldest sons goes to school with all the right clothes and then occasionally, comes back with someone else’s.  In this particular instance he has come home with someone else’s shoes – and they are too small.

I’ve spent the past few days texting other parents, talking to them in the play-ground and asking teachers for help. All to no avail.

I suppose, I should have used some form of shoe labels.

The shoe labels cost £2.54 for a pack of 24

Clear Shoe Labels

The labels are waterproof and are clear.  work in  or sometimes know as shoe labels

In teh meantime I will try and track down these errant shoes.

Social Bookmarks