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Summer fun Travel tips Places to go

THE BEST START Are you choosing the best school for your daughter? Register online for our Kindergarten, Pre-Prep, Junior and Senior School

Open Day 30th Sept

Talbot Heath

Independent School for Girls aged 3-18

Issue 24 July/August 2022

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WHAT’S ON

2 Families Dorset

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CONTENTS

Welcome

Editor Linda Stone editor@familiesdorset.co.uk 020 8241 0423 Sales Claire Clarricoates claire.clarricoates@familiespublishing.co.uk 01494 689098/ 07812218331 Printed by Buxton Press Design Rebecca Carr

Book now to include your advert in our next issue

In this issue 4.

Summer fun

Holidays

Summer camps

Places to go

13.

Work

14.

Summer lunch ideas

15.

Education

Families is a registered trademark of LCMB Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of this magazine are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families Print Ltd. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine but Families Print Ltd, its distributors, franchisees and LCMB Ltd cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequences thereof.

The long summer holiday is nearly here, bringing with it both the prospect of trips and fun with the family, but also, for many parents, the challenges of summer childcare arrangements and keeping the kids entertained for at least six weeks…. Well, you can rely on us to have you covered. We have loads of local summer entertainment ideas in this issue, as well as ideas for enjoying the great outdoors and some tips for preparing for the family holiday that you’re all looking forward to. You’ll also find plenty of information about summer camp options for the kids too. If you’re groaning at the thought of making lunches for the kids all summer, then check out our quick and fun lunch ideas – perfect to make with the kids and also perfect for picnics or on-the-go! We hate to mention the words ‘back to school’ as the summer is just starting as we write this but, unfortunately, September will be here before you know it. Check out our tips on building the vital skills your child will need if they are starting school soon. Finally, in this issue, we have loads of cool kids’ backpacks from Grass&Air to giveaway! Apply for these handy accessories for your child at familiesmag.co.uk/go. By doing so, you’ll also ensure you receive our digital magazine with lots more content and goodies on offer. March/April competition winners

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06/06/2022 16:53 Families Dorset 3

SUMMER FUN

Enjoying the great outdoors By Ed Bassett The school shoes have been kicked under the bed until September, the weather’s looking promising and there’s the great outdoors to explore as a family. A recent study found that taking part in nature-based activities leads to improved mood, less anxiety and positive emotions, so let’s get out there!

Kayaking

Camping

Kayaking is an exhilarating activity for families with children who are confident in water. It’s also a very versatile activity, given that you can kayak on almost any body of water, including lakes, rivers, streams or even the sea.

Camping makes the most of longer days and even a weekend spent immersed in nature is a breath of fresh air and healthy, wholesome fun for all ages. Look up at night and marvel at the free light show on offer from various constellations, stars and planets.

Tuition and guided trips are widely available throughout the country for first timers.

You’ll enjoy the slower pace, a greater connection both with nature and your family and be ready to return home feeling calmer, less anxious and less irritable.

Gardening Gardens are great spaces to explore sensory development. By encouraging children to feel and understand the texture of soil, actively listen out for birds (and next door’s dog) and smell the flowers, you will improve their sensory awareness and recognition.

Scavenger hunts

Better still, if you engage children in growing their own food, they naturally have a keener interest in eating it, encouraging healthy eating habits from a young age. Even city kids can watch and wonder at plants growing on a windowsill. Cress, salad leaves and tomato plants are very simple to grow and don’t require any outdoor space at all.

Forest bathing Forest bathing is about being calm and quiet among trees, observing the natural environment while breathing deeply, in order to de-stress and boost wellbeing. This meditative practice can be beneficial both for adults and children. Find a quiet spot and start breathing deeply. Try hugging a tree. Deep breathwork balances blood pressure, boosts energy levels, improves sleep, strengthens respiratory function, supports healthy functioning of the immune system and relieves stress. Encourage children to observe out loud what they can see, hear and smell around them and how it makes them feel.

Stage Door School of Dance ✜ Ballet ✜ Tap ✜ Jazz ✜ Modern ✜ Spanish ✜ Musical Theatre

For younger children, ask them to spot different colours - such as looking out for red leaves, ladybirds or birds’ feathers.

Foraging Nettles, elderflowers, blackberries, cherries, chestnuts and apples can all be found in woods and forests at various points throughout the summer and early autumn and can be safely foraged for all types of cooking, baking and jam-making. The Woodland Trust has a handy guide for what’s in season in the UK for those wanting to try their hand at foraging. (https://bit.ly/WoodlandTrustForage) Remember, while foraging in public spaces and footpaths is perfectly legal, if you’re on private land you will need the permission of the landowner. Ed Bassett is Head of Wanderlust at Camptoo. To book a campervan for your next road trip, visit www.camptoo.co.uk

Join Stage Door Dance Dorset’s

No.1 Dance School

Classes for children 3+ in Bournemouth and Sopley. Adults welcome. 01202 291497 www.stagedoordance.co.uk Find us on Facebook! 4 Families Dorset

A scavenger hunt adds an extra layer of interaction and incentive to any walk. Set out with a list of specific animals, bugs, flowers and trees to find and challenge the kids to find the natural treasures along the way.

At Stage Door School of Dance & Drama, Bournemouth, Maureen and Julie believe it’s vital that young children start dancing in the right way. That’s why their teachers are DBS checked, insured and fully qualified and Maureen and Julie are both ISTD Examiners. The School has been training and nurturing children for over fifty years, inspiring some to follow performing and teaching careers and always developing a love of the arts while promoting confidence in all children. The School will again supply the juvenile chorus for the pantomime at the Pavilion Theatre this Christmas. Find out more at www.stagedoordance.co.uk and book your first class today!

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TRAVEL

Your family holiday countdown By Ellie Malt Okay, take a deep breath, hold it, now focus on this happy thought: the summer holidays are coming! The prospect of a carefree, sun-drenched release from routine has never seemed quite so inviting. If you’ve booked a getaway it’s time to stop procrastinating and dig out those dusty suitcases. Packing clothes is the easy bit but what about the rest? Here’s our four step plan to help you keep calm and get ready: Step one: check the swim kits For the children, swimming is probably going to be their ‘favouritist bit.’ (Mine is sitting down, anywhere, with a drink in my hand). As children grow (ridiculously fast in my opinion), the right kit can encourage their independence. What fitted last year is unlikely to work again this year. For babies, swim nappies are a no-brainer but consider buoyancy aids, sun hats, UV suits, floating toys and beach shoes. For children beginning to swim independently, a small life jacket could boost confidence in deeper waters, without embarrassing arm bands. Meanwhile, back in the shallow end, underwater toys and goggles will keep kids occupied for hours. For tweens, a boogie board, wet suit, mask and snorkel are more likely to buy you some peace. Many of these items only last for one holiday so it’s worth checking charity shops. Step two: don’t forget essential equipment, allergies and medicines No one wants to waste a precious day of their holiday hunting down a pharmacy and then describing the problem with GCSE-

It’s all in the planning When it comes to packing baby paraphernalia, it’s a bit of a reality check when you see just how much luggage space one tiny human needs. Sadly, all this equipment leaves considerably less room for the really important stuff like your beach books and assorted favourite holiday shoes. Sigh. On top of the full kit of baby feeding and changing equipment, take the essentials with you to avoid an emergency trip to the nearest chemist, supermarket or doctors’ surgery while on holiday. Packing checklists come in useful here: yours is likely to include sun cream, after-sun, children’s paracetamol, any regular prescription medications, insect repellent, anti-histamine, plasters, a thermometer, snacks and adapter plugs. Super-efficient tips Change all the beds before you set off on hols - there’s nothing better than coming home to clean sheets on your own bed. Pre-order a big online food shop to arrive as soon as possible after you get home, so the supermarket run is one less thing to worry about. Familiesonline.co.uk

French and sign language! Step three: plan ahead for quality sleep Yes, adapting to new surroundings IS part of growing up but when your child’s bedtime routine is essential to a happy holiday, have nightlights, blackout blinds and ear plugs on standby. Small travel clocks can help your child know when to stay in bed when they wake up early in a strange bedroom. Who knows, you might even get a lie in. Step four: get mobile! Travel buggies are lighter and suited to aeroplanes and pavements. Fat-wheeled buggies or carriers are better for rough terrain. A sling is a faff-free solution for short walks. Finally, if any part of your journey is by road, remember the car seat. However you travel, distractions will help. Plan ahead and pack some age-appropriate activities to minimise ‘are we nearly there yet?’ syndrome. Ellie is a writer and mum to two daughters living in Surrey.

Save 50% on a PGL family adventure holiday! Step out of the day-to-day and into a family adventure on an all-inclusive holiday with PGL. Let loose and get lost together on an exciting, action-packed adventure that turns the family back into a team. Whether you’re conquering the kayaks, hanging out on the high ropes or zooming down zipwires, there are plenty of goosepimpling adventures to dive into whilst your family enjoys a PGL holiday. You’ll be amazed by what you can all achieve when you tackle the fun challenges on offer. Don’t miss out on PGL’s final summer sale and the chance to give your family the break they will always remember! What’s more, you can save up to 50% off when you book a family adventure holiday or kids’ adventure camp this summer! Visit https://pgl.co.uk/familymag to find out more and to book.

Families Dorset 5

SUMMER CAMPS

The lowdown on school holiday camps and workshops By Andrew Campbell

Summer holiday camps, schools and workshops are not only an ideal way to fill in childcare gaps during the long summer break but offer the opportunity for your child to discover a new hobby or take their existing passion to a new level. Multi-activity day camps Offering a varied daily programme of sports and creative activities, with each session lasting between 1 and 1.5 hours, multi-activity camps are ideal for children who have a range of interests or have not yet found their ‘thing.’ Some camps offer an astounding range of sports, arts and crafts, outdoor exploration, games and challenges. Generally, camps can be booked for single days, half days and full weeks, including extended hours and multi-week discounts. Sport/single activity camps or workshops These intensely focused summer schools offer specialisation. Think a specific sport such as football, gymnastics and cricket, one creative activity such as painting, photography and cooking, a single performing art like drama, musical theatre or dance or an area of STEM such as computer coding, robotics and game design. Generally operating for two to five hours per day and running for just one day or as a progressive course from a few days to two weeks, these camps or workshops often cater for all ages of children and culminate in staging a performance, playing a competitive game or demonstrating a completed project.

6 Families Dorset

For children who have an established interest, single activity camps or workshops offer a valuable opportunity to receive elite coaching and tuition, often from highly qualified or experienced instructors which can result in a significant boost to their existing skill level, confidence and enthusiasm in their chosen endeavour. For a child curious about an activity, single activity camps or workshops are a great opportunity for an immersive experience which will test their interest and aptitude and for gaining an appreciation of what a regular commitment to weekly term time classes, often run by the same organisation, could offer. For children who may struggle to find school friends who share their ‘passion,’ activity camps or workshops are a great way to meet ‘like-minded’ peers in their local area. And for you? A patchwork of activity camps and/or workshops can be expensive but there is a distinct advantage in that they offer some mainstays of childcare across the summer that simultaneously allow your child to be doing something enjoyable, fulfilling, exciting or unique.

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Mini Athletics uses the fundamentals of running, jumping and throwing, through athletics-based games and races to encourage an active and healthy lifestyle but also to help our athletes grow in confidence and develop teamwork.

Mini Athletes 5-7 yrs

Didee Athletes 2-3½ yrs

Little Athletes 3½-5 yrs Your local weekly classes: Ringwood, Verwood, Bournemouth, Wimborne, Ferndown, Christchurch.

Contact: Kate Bowers E: kbowers@miniathletics.com M: 07508 698793 @MiniAthleticsBRW www.miniathletics.com Familiesonline.co.uk

We also offer birthday parties and holiday camps!

Families Dorset 7

SUMMER CAMPS

Enjoy sport at cool Casa Camp

Devise a production this summer!

Based around Poole and the surrounding areas, Casa Camp runs engaging school holiday sports camps for children ages 5 to 13. These camps will be held at various locations this summer and are a great way for your child to stay active and make new friends.

The International British Theatre School brings professional British actors and childcare workers to children in their local areas and is on a mission to improve the self-confidence, social skills and performance abilities of children across the world.

Offering sports such as football, cricket, tag rugby, golf, badminton, tennis, dodgeball, basketball, netball and more, a Casa Camp is the perfect way for your child to try and develop a love for brand new sports, as well as playing current favourites. There are trophies and medals to be won too! Running at Baden Powell and St Peters Junior School and Hamworthy Park Junior School in Poole, Poulner Infant School in Ringwood (ages 5 to 13) and at West Moors Middle School in Ferndown (ages 7 to 14), Casa Camp offers standard days (until 3.30pm) and extended days (until 5.30pm) and is Ofstedregistered. All Casa coaches are fully DBS checked and first aid trained. Visit www.casacampltd.net to find out more and book your place today!

This summer, children in Dorset can learn directly from actors working in the performance industry as they are supervised to devise and make professional productions for their parents, complete with lights, sound and costumes. At British Theatre School camps, children enjoy sports, games, confidence-building performance classes and improve their public speaking skills, whilst learning how to begin a performance career in the UK theatre and film industry. With their consent, shows are filmed and provided to parents to treasure as a family memory or to include in their child’s first showreel to send on to industry professionals. Camps take place in Sherborne from 18 to 22 and 25 to 29 July and are for children ages 5 to 13, in age-appropriate groups. Register at www.britishtheatreschool.com

Cool backpacks for cool kids!

Get your FREE Grass & Air backpack NOW* Try Mini Athletics holiday camps Mini Athletics holiday camps are a fun-packed way for kids ages 4 to 8 to learn and improve core sports skills, through its proven sports-based activities.

Perfect for little treasures

The camps use the fundamentals of running, jumping and throwing, through athletics-based games and races to encourage an active and healthy lifestyle and to help miniathletes grow in confidence and understand teamwork. Structured periods of downtime during the day give children the chance to recover, eat and drink and participate in fun craft activities during the longer breaks. Holiday camp sessions run from 9am to 12.30pm on various weeks throughout the summer holidays. Additionally, Mini Athletics runs after school clubs, nursery groups, birthday parties and regular weekday and weekend classes for children ages 2 to 7 in the Ringwood, Bournemouth, Wimborne, Ferndown, Verwood and Christchurch areas. Visit www.miniathletics.com for more information or contact Kate at kbowers@miniathletics.com

8 Families Dorset

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Families Dorset 9

PLACES TO GO

A perfect day out at Highcliffe Castle A visit to Highcliffe Castle this summer will provide exciting and engaging activities for the whole family. Exploring the castle gives a fascinating insight into the history of this grand 19th century cliff top mansion, documenting its rescue from ruin. Along the way, kids can design their own stainedglass window, unscramble magnetic puzzles and dress up. Take a look at Cabinet of Marvels, an exhibition of amazing carvings and sculptures by Dorset-based artist, Pippa Barnard, before exploring the woodland walks. Craft activities will focus on creating characters from story books and super sleuths can follow a castle trail, spotting story book favourites. Become part of Highcliffe Castle’s story yourself, leave your name, draw or write on its story wall. Bring a picnic for outdoor theatre on the lawns, against the castle’s magnificent backdrop. Awful Auntie (14 August), by loved children’s writer, David Walliams (age 7+) is followed by Quantum Theatre’s brilliant take on The Tale of Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny (28 August) – for ages 1-100!

Journey into marvellous Monkey World Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre near Wareham is Europe’s official crèche for orphaned orangutan infants and home to over two hundred and sixty primates, including over fifty chimpanzees. Many of the park’s residents have been neglected, kept in unnatural conditions or experienced unbelievable cruelty. At Monkey World, these animals now all enjoy the company of their own kind in a safe and natural environment. Combining fun with conservation and animal education, selfguided audio tours explain to families the fascinating mysteries of man’s closest living relative. After spotting the stars of TV’s Monkey Life, the kids can ‘monkey around’ in the south’s largest Great Ape Play Area, with its huge variety of swings, slides and climbing frames. Help Monkey World rescue and rehabilitate more primates by adopting a monkey or ape and receive a year’s pass to the park, a photograph of your adopted primate, certificate and copies of the Ape Rescue Chronicle.

For more info and tickets, visit www.highcliffecastle.co.uk

Book online at www.monkeyworld.org to save up to 10%.

Fun at Liberty’s Owl, Raptor and Reptile Centre

Sizzling summer fun at Purbeck Sports Centre

Liberty’s Owl, Raptor and Reptile Centre is named after Liberty, an Alaskan Bald Eagle which is one of the many birds of prey on display at the centre, located near Ringwood in the New Forest.

Purbeck Sports Centre in Wareham offers a sizzling summer of activities for children this year, including archery, football, tennis, Nerf gun fun, Bikeability courses, swimming courses and much more. With such a lot on offer, there’s something to keep the kids busy all summer long!

At Liberty’s, families can enjoy a fun and educational day exploring a fabulous collection of birds of prey, including owls, hawks, falcons and vultures. Be prepared to be thrilled by the sight of these beautiful birds flying free during the Centre’s daily flying demonstrations.

Purbeck Sports Centre is also running a holiday club four days a week throughout August for children ages 8 to 12. Children will benefit from a full day of sports activities, including a swim in the pool and a hot lunch in the café.

Liberty’s Owl, Raptor and Reptile Centre also houses a variety of creepy crawlies for you to meet in its Reptile House during your visit, including spiders, snakes and lizards.

This holiday club is part of the government’s 2022 Holiday Activities and Food initiative and there will be free places available to those with an eligibility code.

Liberty’s also operates as a rescue centre for birds of prey that have been injured or are in need of care. Funded by entry fees and donation, the Centre rehabilitates them before releasing them back into the wild so your visit will contribute to their care.

The centre also has a fantastic twenty five metre indoor, heated swimming pool with inflatable fun sessions, comprehensive indoor and outdoor sports facilities, virtual fitness classes, a gym and an exciting timetable of classes, activities and courses. Get more out of life with Purbeck Sports Centre!

For more information, visit www.libertyscentre.co.uk

Visit www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/purbecksportscentre for more information. 10 Families Dorset

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PLACES TO GO

7 top tips before you buy** Avoid second hand car seats -. you can’t be sure of their history. Research and prioritise safety. All seats must pass minimum standards of safety. Some manufacturers test way beyond these standards. Get independent advice from Child Seat Safety (www. childseatsafety.co.uk) or from BCP Council Road Safety Team at road.safety@bcpcouncil.gov.uk who have IOSH accreditation or can direct you to someone experienced. Ask for the car seat expert in store to serve you and ask about their qualifications. If they are IOSH approved in Child Seat Safety Awareness they should be able to provide an accreditation number. If they aren’t available, request an appointment. Where possible, make sure your IOSH expert shows you how to fit the car seat. This avoids confusion and should give you confidence to fit the seat correctly. If you’ve already bought your car seat, visit one of our car seat fitting clinics in Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch, to get your car seat checked. Reference links www.think.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DfT_SeatBeltBooklet.pdf www.childsafety.co.uk

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Pop along for a FREE independent check in partnership with Child Seat Safety Ltd

DID YO

Find out more at https://bit.ly/seatbeltbooklet

car seat safe?

A child may wear an adult seatbelt when they reach 135 centimetres in height or the age of 12 years old (whichever is reached first).

The driver may be prosecuted if a child aged under 14 years doesn’t wear an appropriate seatbelt which, for children aged under 12 years and shorter than 135 centimetres in height, means the correct child restraint.

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You must wear a seat belt where one is fitted.

Is your child’s

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Car seat safety: what is the law?

W KNO ?

65% of all car seats are not fitted correctly

Wednesday 27 July The ARK, Poole Park – 10am-4pm Thursday 28 July Littledown Centre, Bournemouth – 10am-2pm Tuesday 13 September The ARK, Poole Park - 9.30am-4.30pm Wednesday 14 September Littledown Centre, Bournemouth 10am-2pm Thursday 15 September Two Riversmeet Leisure Centre, Christchurch - 9.30am-1.30pm bit.ly/bcpcouncilchildcarseat

Families Dorset 11

PLACES TO GO

Summer fun at RockReef on Bournemouth Pier

Children go FREE at The Dorset County Show

Voted 2021 Travellers’ Choice by Trip Advisor, RockReef is an exciting indoor activity attraction located at the end of Bournemouth Pier. RockReef includes twenty eight themed, Clip ‘n Climb indoor climbing walls, providing varying degrees of exciting challenges suitable for all abilities and all ages from 4-94!

The Dorset County Show returns on the weekend of 3 and 4 September, after a two-year break due to the pandemic. The show will be held at its usual location at the Dorchester Showground in Cokers Frome.

Take on the challenge of the HighLine, an aerial obstacle course consisting of wooden obstacles suspended twenty feet above the ground. For the keen explorer, navigate the Pier Cave with lots of twists and turns and even hidden ball pits! Meanwhile, the Vertical Slide, a leap of faith jump for adrenaline junkies is guaranteed to get hearts racing. Sessions range from thirty to ninety minutes, or, for best value, an Ultimate Adventure ticket gives you two hours on all the indoor activities. And don’t go pass the awesome PierZip outside, the only pier to shore zip wire in the world! RockReef is open from 10am daily throughout the summer holidays. Book online at www.rockreef.co.uk for best prices and FREE pier entry.

For more than one hundred and eighty years, the Dorchester Agricultural Society has arranged the county show and is preparing to welcome another sixty thousand visitors this year. There will be a full programme of events and attractions across the two days including the main ring, five hundred trade stands and six thousand exhibits across a variety of sections including livestock, horses, homecraft and horticulture. The Dorset County Show showcases excellence in agriculture and supports local farmers and producers. Many Dorset-based artisans will be offering products such as gin, cider, cheese and jewellery and there will be plenty for the kids to enjoy. Tickets are on sale now and there is FREE entry for children under 16. For more information and to buy tickets, visit www.dorsetcountyshow.co.uk

New school for Stagecoach Ringwood and Wimborne By popular demand, Stagecoach Ringwood and Wimborne will be opening a new school at St Ives Primary, Ringwood on a Friday afternoon, for students ages 4 to 16. The new school will open on Friday 16 September. Emily Edwards. who took on the role as the Principal of Stagecoach Performing Arts Ringwood in 2013, brings a wealth of creative experience to the role. Emily says of her new school: ‘I’m buzzing with excitement at the opportunity to continue to build a strong, creative programme that will challenge and include more of Ringwood’s talented children, whilst being fun, educational, stimulating and rewarding for them. Watch this space for some of the exciting events we have in store; this year alone, we have had performances at the Bournemouth Pavilion, the Wimborne Folk festival, the Allendale Centre and The Furlong Centre, as well as performing at the St Ives Summer Fayre!’ Visit www.stagecoach.co.uk/ringwood for more information or call 01202 238810. 12 Families Dorset

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WORK

Home working in the school holidays By Louise Goss School holidays can be one of the most challenging times for a working parent. Even with organised childcare, holiday clubs and generous offers from grandparents, there are often days when you are trying to meet deadlines while acting as a snack vending machine or being constantly pestered by demands to ‘look at me.’ Here are a few tips to help you cope with the stressors and be as productive as possible. Prepare in advance Realistically, you probably won’t get as much done on the days your children are home. Knowing and accepting this can immediately lessen the stress and frustration. Ahead of the holidays, if you have time to prepare in advance, you’ll also ease the anxiety over how you’ll manage your workload. If you have any big projects or deadlines looming, try to get the bulk of the work out of the way so that you’re left with the smaller tasks to complete during the holidays. Of course, it’s not just managing your own expectations but also those of your customers, colleagues and clients. A good way to prevent misunderstandings about availability is to let clients know you won’t be available for a big order or that deadlines will need to be extended to allow for shorter working days. You can help emphasise these boundaries for others and keep them firm for yourself by highlighting reduced office hours when you speak to colleagues and in your emails and utilising automated out-of-office email responses. Fill their cup It can be hard to focus with a child clamouring for your attention. But by giving your child the right kind of quality time, they are often more accepting when you need to step away to work. I often find when I am very present and engaged with my children for a short time, they are satisfied and happy to then play alone for a while, freeing me up to work in peace. Getting them set up with a game or started with some Lego building are great ways to give them your time and then allow

you to step away. Communication is key Communicate with your team. Be transparent about your situation and capacity. Explore flexible working options. Setting boundaries is important when you are trying to work with other family members around. Communicating to children and partners when you are and are not available can prevent any misunderstandings or resentment. Younger children hear the word ‘no’ a lot, so a more positive way of asking them to be patient is to give them something to look forward to after you’ve finished your work, whether it is the collage you’ll make together or a den you’ll build. Ask for help Don’t forget or be afraid to ask for help. We can often feel guilty or that we have failed in some way if we don’t manage everything. However, asking for help is a sensible way to relieve stress and maintain some balance. Older children and other family members may be able to help with housework or babysitting. You could even organise a swap with a fellow working parent to look after each other’s children a couple of times a week, allowing you each to work on your childfree days. Louise Goss is a journalist and the Founder of The Homeworker magazine (www.thehomeworker.com) which supports people who work from home and remotely.

Use your pockets of time

Skew your day

If you have flexibility and can organise your days as you need them, allocate tasks according to the different lengths of time you have available in your day. For instance, during nap time, tv time, snack time or minutes when the kids are playing a game, catch up on emails and admin.

To allow time to spend with your family as well as work, skewing your working day a little is a great way to fit in your hours.

Leave longer tasks for longer pockets of time. It can be helpful to have a list of quick jobs you can do in a spare few minutes.

I often find I can do a couple of hours in the evening or get a couple of hours done first thing because I’m not having to rush around for a school drop off.

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If you have flexible working or work for yourself, adjust your working day to start earlier or finish later.

Families Dorset 13

FOOD

Summer lunches and picnics By Neha Gandesha

Neha Gandesha is a mum from North West London who shares her colourful kid-friendly meals and snack recipes on her Instagram page @Squashedpickle.

Hands up who’s hungry? From a mum who knows, here are three crowd-pleasing recipes you can make with the kids this summer that will grab their attention, teach them some skills, taste great and be perfect for easy summer lunches or a picnic.

Pesto cheese twists

Rainbow pizza

Egg and pea cheesy waffles

These twists are a doddle to prepare and so delicious. A perfect kitchen activity for little ones to learn basic cutting and pastry twists. Great for on-the-go snacks.

Fun and healthy, this recipe teaches basic kitchen skills and includes lots of vegetables. Using a ready-made pizza base makes this super easy for even the youngest chefs.

This three-ingredient recipe couldn’t be any easier and it’s perfect for little hands. You can switch up the vegetables or even use a frozen veg mix if you prefer. So good for picnics or lunch in the garden.

You will need:

Ready puff pastry Pesto Cheddar and Parmesan cheese (finely grated) Egg (whisked)

Ready-made pizza base Passata Grated mozzarella Rainbow vegetables, chopped up Olive oil

2 eggs (whisked) A handful of frozen peas (cooked) A handful of cheese

Step 1 Lay the puff pastry on a floured surface and spoon and spread pesto on half the sheet. Sprinkle the cheese on top of the pesto.

Step 1 Start by spreading a layer of passata on the base and adding the grated mozzarella cheese.

Step 1 Whisk the eggs until light and fluffy.

Step 2 Fold the puff pastry over. Use a rolling pin to lightly roll to seal the pastry. Step 3 Slice 2cm strips. Twist each strip and place on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Press the edges and egg-wash. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Step 2 Arrange the chopped vegetables as a rainbow. I have used cherry tomatoes, yellow peppers, sweetcorn, grated carrot, broccoli and red onion.

Step 2 Add the peas and cheese and mix with a spoon. Season with salt and pepper (optional).

Step 3 Drizzle with olive oil.

Step 3 Pour into a hot greased waffle iron and evenly spread the peas on top. (If you don’t have a waffle maker, you can bake these in a muffin tray in the oven).

Step 4 Bake at 180c for fifteen to twenty minutes.

Step 4 Cook, slice and serve!

Step 4 Bake for fifteen minutes at 180c.

14 Families Dorset

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EDUCATION

Preparing for school By Emma Lewry No sooner has summer arrived than we are starting to talk about ‘starting school’ or ‘back to school’ preparation. Uniforms line the shop rails tempting us to think about being organised and ready for school. If you’re already thinking ahead, here are some top tips for preparation. If your child is starting school this year it can feel like a huge event with lots of pressure. You may be aware of parents swapping notes about how ready their children are to start school. Try not to compare your child with others; each child is unique and individual in their strengths and in the areas with which they need support. Teachers are ready for this and they know how to support lots of different children in a class. In fact, the uniqueness of each child is often what they love best about the job! When you start to think about preparing your child to begin school there are some key skills which are beneficial to practise and develop. I’m not talking about academic things; your child doesn’t need to be able to read the alphabet or do the two times table. The three skills I recommend are building CONFIDENCE, COMMUNICATION and INDEPENDENCE. These skills can be developed through play and fun at home, giving lots of opportunities for your little ones to try new things and offering plenty of praise and encouragement. Talking to your child and reading books about school opens up lots of valuable communication too.

schools want children to be working on developing those confidence, communication and independence. It can be helpful to offer additional emotional support in the lead up to going back to school, especially if your child is moving to a new school. Talk about what will be different but also what will be the same. These constants support many children’s need for things to feel safe and familiar. What if your child isn’t keen on talking? Looking at pictures, reading stories and role-playing school are all great ways to initiate conversation over the summer. Good luck with starting and going back to school! Emma Lewry is an Early Years teacher, headteacher and mother of two. Emma co-owns Every Day’s a School Day (www.edasd.co.uk) which guides families through starting school with courses, groups and a school starters planner.

If your child is heading back to school and moving up a year group, many of the starting school ideas apply. At all ages,

Independence

Uniform top tips

Building independence is important for children of all ages. Children who are independently motivated to play, complete tasks and try new things will often excel at school across the age ranges.

Be careful to check the school uniform list and stick to the items and colours listed. Schools are generally strict about their uniform and as it’s expensive, it’s not worth having to re-buy items if they are wrong.

Here are two ideas to try before school starts.

Make a shoe fitting appointment now for the week before school starts. If it’s possible to book in with a shop local to you, this is a great idea and will ensure you don’t get left in a shoe panic two days before the start of term! You might feel happy to buy trainers in advance but buying school shoes is best left as late as possible to avoid an expensive trip at half term if your child’s feet suddenly grow.

Give your child ownership over one meal that they can plan and prepare for the family, with appropriate support for their age. This could be a simple breakfast that they get to choose and make or a more complex dinner. Any activity like this means they are getting a feel for completing a task and the pride they feel will boost their desire to try other independent tasks. Don’t rush in to help them when they are struggling. Sit on your hands, count to fifty or do something to distract yourself while giving them the opportunity to struggle a little with a task. This ‘holding back’ goes for anything and for children of any age - from simply joining a child who is playing alone or stepping in to help with a new craft. Children who are more exposed to the need to persevere are more likely to have the ability to be independent.

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Check out the school website and social media pages if they have them. This is a great way for you and your child to get tips on sourcing uniform, to check specific uniform requirements and to find out about ways of obtaining uniform more cheaply. Many schools or their PTA (parent and teacher associations) will run second hand uniform sales which can be a great way to pick up some bargain items. It’s also good for the planet to reuse and re-love as much clothing as possible.

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