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Mental & Physical Wellbeing for Parents - 23rd October 2021
Small changes that can have a big impact.
As parents we are one of the most important role models for our children so your mental and physical wellbeing is really important. See below a few small changes you can make to enhance your Mental & Physical Wellbeing.
- Step outside to get some fresh air
- Swap your afternoon coffee with a glass of water
- Discuss your feelings with your spouse
- Meet with friends for a bike ride or schedule exercise dates over zoom
- Drink some chamomile tea before bed
- Sit in your car for some quiet time or to take a deep breath
- Take a hot bath
- Read a funny book or watch a comedy show
- Stop using electronic devices 30 min before bedtime and try to get to sleep before 10:00 pm
- Try some guided meditation
- Only catch up on the news for 10min a day
- Maybe use one of the easy & simple self-care apps available
How to get your child to listen - 21st October 2021
Sometimes it is difficult to get your child to listen to you, they tend to tune out or back chat. Here are some ideas on how you can change your approach.
- Be specific and refrain in making a 5 second answer a 10 minute answer, parents tend to do that and the child gets bored and stops listening
- Find opportunities to praise, as in "Thank you for taking the rubbish out" instead of "You better take the rubbish out, otherwise hell is going to break out". This will encourage the child to do chores on their own
- You are their parent not their buddy
- Discipline might sometimes feel like punishment, but it's not. It is vital to set limits and then keep them
- Negative commands can confuse your child, so rather tell them what they should do instead of saying what they shouldn't do. For example: "Don't play with your food" rather say "Please eat properly, thank you"
- Say yes more, this will have the same effect on your child and it will start saying yes as well instead of no. Imagine your answer when they want something is 'no' most of the time, this has a negative effect. For instance, if your child wants to go play at a friend's house this afternoon, instead of saying "No, you have to do homework" rather say "Yes you can, how about on Saturday afternoon since you have homework" or "Yes you can, we can arrange something after you have done your homework"
- You should always try to keep your promises and do what you said you will do
The History of Halloween - 20th October 2021
Halloween is said to have originated of Samhain, meaning "End of Summer". It was an ancient Celtic festival in Ireland, celebrating the new year and also the one day of the year where spirits could walk the earth. Communities would get together, light big bon fires and ward of the "Evil Spirits" by wearing elaborate costumes or animal skins.
The original Jack-o-lantern (hollowed out pumpkin) is said to be a turnip, which gave people light on their way back home. The name apparently comes from an old myth, a blacksmith called Jack, who colluded with the devil and was condemned to walk the earth. He asked the devil for light and was given a burning coal which he put in the hollowed turnip.
Trick or treat originated thousands of years ago, when poor people knocked on rich people's doors for food and money, which they then used for the festival.
So go on, maybe spend your half term holiday by creating a costume for Halloween and maybe send us picture via email.
Improving the Family Environment - 18th October 2021
Changes to routine can have a big influence on the family environment. See out tips to keeping the stress out of your family's environment.
- You should first take care of your own mental & physical health if you want to take care of anyone else's properly.
- Don't try and sort out your children's problems, rather give them advice, encourage them to know their own strengths and tell them they can discuss it with you if they need help.
- Be an example, actions are louder than words. Acknowledge if you were wrong and apologise, this encourages the same from them.
- Listen to them if you expect to be heard as well.
- Consider your non-verbal communication. Body language, tone of voice and facial expressions tell a lot. Simply saying something nice with a stressed tone, is confusing.
- Control your moods, it is ok to feel in a certain way, but how you react to your feelings affects others. Show your children that they have emotional choice, by expressing feelings, but not necessarily reacting on them.
- Generosity goes both ways, by teaching to be able to give and receive it creates a loving environment.
Half Term Holiday Ideas - 16th October 2021
The Half Term Holidays in October are a great time to spend with your kids and explore the outdoors.Autumn in the UK is great with all the changing colours and a breath of fresh air and change of scenery will be revitalizing for the whole family.
- Schedule a day trip if you can't get off work
- Visit some parks
- Book a UK holiday somewhere in the country side or by the sea - www.holidaycottages.co.uk or www.booking.com
- Visit London
- Major cities normally have activities for families during half term, get organized now and see what is happening near you during that time
- Go for a walk and a picnic
- For those of you who can't travel, maybe spend some time in the kitchen and cook up a Halloween feast. You can get some ideas here: http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/halloween
Warning signs of stress or mental health issues - 10th September 2021
A new school year and the pandemic can be stressful. Watch out for these warning signs that might mean your child needs mental health support.
- Sudden changes in activities or behaviours
- Sudden weight loss or weight gain
- Trouble in school or extracurricular activities, including missing homework or ending participation
- Withdrawing or acting rebellious, aggressive, or overly impulsive
- Excessive isolation can be a sign of depression
- Substance abuse
- Sleeping a lot or too little
- Destructive behaviour such as self-injury or injuring others
Children born between 1st September 2009 and 31st August 2010 will take the 11 plus exam in 2020, to start Year 7 at their selected school in 2021
Buckinghamshire County Council automatically registers children for their 11+ test but if you want to go to any of the Slough Consortium grammar schools you will need to register your child online. The website will open in May 2020 and close in the middle of June 2020. Reading grammar schools operate a different system and you need to apply individually to each school through their website.
There are 11,000 more grammar school pupils in England now than in 2010, and by 2021, the data suggests, the number of extra places created will be equivalent to 24 new grammar schools compared to eight years ago.
The analysis shows a rise in numbers even before the distribution of a new £50m growth fund, announced in May 2018.
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