Indholdsfortegnelse for February - March 2025 i The Green Parent

1 Expert Guidance: Gain access to a treasure trove of advice and guidance from parenting experts. Whether you're dealing with sleepless nights, picky eating, or home education worries, our expert resources are tailored to support you through every stage of your parenting journey. 2 Community Support: This is a safe space to share stories, ask questions, and get support. There's no judgment. You'll find comfort in knowing that you're not alone in this wild and wonderful adventure. We're here to cheer you on every step of the way. ‘You'll find comfort in knowing that you're not alone in this wild and wonderful adventure. We're here to cheer you on every step of the way’ 3 Beautiful Magazines: Delivered to your inbox every 2 months. Designed and curated to inspire you…

ANDREA SCHWARTZ A birth doula and certified GentleBirth childbirth educator, Andrea serves families in North Lake Tahoe and Truckee, California. She's a mother of two daughters born at home. “Life is the greatest adventure. At any given moment we may be surprised or challenged and are constantly making the best decisions we can with the information we have. I am always trying to remind myself to honour the pauses in life and when adventuring, as rest is as important in labour as it is in life. Don't forget to take in the view.” Read Andrea's article on birth as an adventure on page 21. BEX BAND Author, founder of Love Her Wild and lover of all things adventure and conservation, Bex is a mum of one. “My life now might…

“I was born here in England and grew up in East London. My mum was born in Jamaica and my dad in Barbados. I grew up around children; my aunties and my mum all fostered kids. My mum and dad separated when I was at university. I had a good upbringing in the sense that my siblings and I went on to further education and we're all grateful, but I do recognise – to use one of my favourite phrases, ‘No blame, no shame’ – that there were some areas where it wasn't so good; I was emotionally abused from when I was as young as I can remember until my late 20s. For a long time, I didn't recognise it was emotional abuse. I talk openly about it now,…

My kids liked making kites when they were young and we found that they weren't difficult to make. So I decided to create one with my grandkids. Here's how to make the traditional diamond shape. YOU'LL NEED: 2 dowel (or bamboo) rods that are 3mm in diameter, 1 kitchen sized rubbish bag, heaviest plastic weight possible (you can reuse other plastic as well), Clear packing tape, Light weight, strong string, 4 pony beads, Hot glue gun INSTRUCTIONS: 1 Cut the two dowel rods to make the cross frame. The vertical, longer dowel is cut half again longer than the horizontal cross dowel. For instance, if the cross dowel is 40cm wide, the vertical dowel is 60cm long. Use string to lash the two dowels together at a 90º angle. This…

Ask The Editor Cosy Nights Q Please can you recommend somewhere I can find organic bedding for my two year old? A We love the bedding at thelittlegreensheep.co.uk. Their fitted sheets for example are made from a blend of 30% organic linen and 70% organic cotton, making them super soft and breathable (pictured). Find organic blankets, sleeping bags and more at pureearthcollection.com. Founded in Devon in 1999, naturalmat.co.uk produce handmade organic mattresses for all bed sizes. And you can find duvets, pillows, mattresses, beds and linen at thewoolroom.com. Happy sleeping!…

As I stand in a Spanish supermarket with my four year old son having a full blown meltdown over orange juice, I'm reminded that no matter where we are in the world we will still have our struggles and face the ups and downs of being a parent. This chapter of our lives started at the beginning of 2023 when I was sat in the small rented house we lived in surrounded by piles of ‘stuff’ that had accumulated over the last 4 years and feeling completely overwhelmed and shut down. It's not that I didn't love some aspects of our life in Devon. We had a wonderful group of homeschooling friends who we saw multiple times a week and plenty to occupy our time like ballet classes and forest…

How did you get into writing books? “I always knew I wanted to be a writer, and thought my path would be in journalism. But at college I ended up falling in love with student radio. It was a lot more talking than writing, and a lot more music than books. But then I had babies, and my job wasn't compatible with life anymore, so I had a rethink about my whole lifestyle. Randomly, my husband got offered a job in San Francisco, so we upped sticks. I didn't have a visa, felt a bit cut off from friends and family and writing filled the void a little bit.” Why did you choose to write children's fiction? “If you have kids and watch them grow, read the books they're reading,…

the Green Parent LOVES 2025 Herbal Bookshelf The Herbal Year Book by Herbalists Without Borders Bristol (HWBB) This is a guide through the year, which will help you develop your connection to the medicinal plants that grow around you. Each month has information about the seasonal plants and recipes to make your own medicines. HWBB is a volunteer organisation made up of medical and community herbalists who provide free medicine to the refuge community in Bristol. Profits from the sale of the book go towards running the project and ensuring that refugees can keep accessing the herbal medicines that they need. bristolhwb.org HALF SPLITS POSE Yoga Pose of the Month Ardha hanumanasana (Half Splits Pose) helps improve flexibility in the hips, hamstrings and lower back. It's a good posture to…

1 Wuka Period Pants Founded in 2017, WUKA is a female-led start up, making reusable and leak-proof period wear. Founded by Ruby Raut, an environmental scientist who grew up in Nepal, she called her company WUKA for Wake Up Kick Ass. “Nothing should hold you back on your period.” As a girl Ruby was given old sari rags for her period protection, which weren't comfortable when playing sports. Arriving in the UK she set about creating a plastic free, leak-proof period pant. Check out wuka.co.uk. 2 Cheeky Wipes Washable Pants Founder of Cheeky Wipes, a reusable wipes company, Helen Rankin discovered that post children tampons were no longer an option for her and menstrual cups don't quite work either. After discovering cloth sanitary pads, they were added to the product…

GIVE A BOOK! International Book Giving Day is celebrated on February 14 every year and is about increasing children's access to books. Set up by Amy Broadmoore and her son in 2012, because she wanted to raise a generation of kids who are curious, creative and love books and reading. A mum of three, school librarian and founder of delightfulchildrensbooks.wordpress.com, Amy suggests donating books, leave wrapped books for children to find, or create new little libraries. “You could gift books to friends, family, and/or strangers, support independent bookstores and start a book exchange with friends or in your community. Have fun with it! Use #bookgivingday to share what you get up to.” SWITCH OFF Since the launch of Earth Hour in 2007, it's been known as the “lights off” moment,…

Adventuring with children is very different from when you are managing a trip with just adults. Packing, logistics, managing distances and food intake – it's all different. It took us a while to get the balance right and to realise where the struggles would come from and what to let go of. Expect things to not work out as planned We've yet to have a family adventure that has gone entirely to plan! Usually, this has resulted in cutting the adventure short, or changing the plan because we overestimated our/the children's stamina or the distance we can cover. Before setting off, have a plan B… and also a plan C… in place. This will make it much easier to adapt and still make a success of the adventure if (when!)…

Often there's an innate pull that motivates us; a ‘knowing’ that this is the right path for our children's needs. We believe that we can provide them with opportunities and experiences to help them reach their full potential. Of course alongside this there's sometimes a voice in your head that questions each choice or that points out differences between others’ learning opportunities, experiences or achievements. This voice is there despite the fact that you KNOW you're on the right path. When this ‘crisis of confidence’ strikes, it doesn't take me too long to find something that reconnects me to my absolute centre of trust in this path. Trust is the firm belief in something that we know or feel intuitively to be true. It's the guiding compass held within your…

Hello and welcome to this adventure edition of The Green Parent. I'm so excited for you to discover all the uplifting, positive content inside. As I write this I'm just back from a challenge walk. We've been dedicating a day at the weekend to getting the kids out to do a long walk which we know will stretch them. We just completed an adventure from a little Sussex village, over a snow topped Iron Age hill fort (where the kids slid and rolled down the slopes), into an icy valley and through some squelchy fields into town, where we jumped on a train back to the start. It was about 5 miles and my five-year-old struggled with some aspects. It was long, her legs ached and I'd put her in…

WET, WET, WET This World Wetland Day on 2 Feb give it up for one of the most biodiverse habitats globally. Healthy wetlands store carbon and slow the flow of water, cleaning it naturally and reducing flood risk downstream. They support an abundance of plant life. These places where water and dry land meet are home to a wide range of species. Find a wetland near you at wwt.org.uk. Honour Brigid Imbolc or St. Brigid's Day is on 1 Feb. Vicki Garlock of worldreligions4kids.com says it's one of her favourite holidays. “By its very nature, it's interfaith and cross-cultural. You can make a Brigid cross or doll from straw, or use strips of old newspapers or raffia. You could go for a walk to spot signs of spring and tie clooties…

Any parent of a toddler knows that it isn't easy to teach them social skills. That's because even though toddlers want to have happy, friendly, interactions with others, their own fears and desires get in the way says Dr. Laura Markham They can't help wondering: Will that child grab their toy? Can they get the truck before the other child? If they push the other kid off the trike and speed off, will they get away with it? So the three initial steps in helping your toddler develop social intelligence are to help them: • Notice what they want and express it without attacking others. • Develop empathy for others. • Trust that they will get their needs met so they can delay gratification for short periods of time (for…

1. Reversible Toasty Trail Jacket A lightweight, shower-resistant, and super-warm quilted jacket, which is made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic with a durable water-repellent and PFC-free finish. This reversible kids’ coat has a comfy layer of inner wadding plus an elasticated hem and cuffs to lock in the warmth. £59, welovefrugi.com 2. Waterproof Salopettes Stay warm in the cold with the PO.P ON ADVENTURE Collection, a series of advanced winterwear designed for extended days in cold weather. The padded trousers have warm Primaloft lining which protects against wind, rain and snow to keep kids warm and dry. £90, polarnopyret.co.uk 3. Hybrid Bike The Frog 53 20” wheel kids’ hybrid bike has been carefully designed to help maximise the lifetime of the bike for a growing child. It's the ideal multi-purpose…

The percentage of adults who say they've used herbal medicine in the UK Make Your Own Spring Tonic Elise Higley is a folk herbalist, mother, grandmother and farmer at oshalafarm.com “When Spring arrives and the nettles start to show themselves on our farm, I love to harvest buckets full to make a Spring vinegar! It's a great way to incorporate the gut-supporting benefits of vinegar and the immune supporting Nettle into my everyday life. Here's a simple recipe for you: Chop enough fresh stinging nettle leaves to loosely fill a 2 pint glass jar (around 4 cups). Feel free to add any other Spring wild edible you have out in your garden as well. Add enough raw apple cider vinegar to completely cover the nettles (around 4 cups). If your…

Use Your Loaf “With questions and concerns gathering around ultra-processed food (UPF), the idea of the Chorleywood Process loaf may have staled for some people,” says Andrew Whitley of The Real Bread Campaign (sustainweb.org). “Real Bread is the delicious, nutritious and additive-free timeless original, with a bright future and trusted heritage dating back perhaps as far as around 14,400 years.” Watch Andrew's film Celebrating Scottish Grain and find out more about the country's festival of real bread on 15 February at scotlandthebread.org.…

1 CELEBRATE JANE AUSTEN You won't need any Persuasion to make a literary pilgrimage to the south of England, to mark 250 years since the birth of Jane Austen. The great author's life and literature will be remembered in the places she loved. In the summer of 2025, Winchester College will open No. 8 College Street, Winchester – the house where Jane Austen spent the final weeks of her life and died in 1817 – to the public for the first time. In Chawton, the house where the author wrote her six beloved novels, there's a new exhibition called The Art of Writing that takes a swan dive into the inspirations behind Jane's writing. janeaustens.house 2 LONDON MUSEUMS Situated in London's QE Olympic Park, V&A East is part-museum, part-pathway to arts…

VISITING londonmusuem.org.uk for their brilliant Mudlarks gallery specially designed for kids under 8. EXPLORING Quadrobics – an all fours full-body workout, which is all about jumping, balancing and crawling! BAKING A couple of requests for lemon drizzle cake for birthdays have had me reaching for the trusty recipe from yeovalley.co.uk – it's so light and moist! JOINING borrowmydoggy.com to help my dog-anxious daughter feel safer with four legged friends in the winter months.…

Pipe Up St Piran's Day is the national day of Cornwall held on 5 March every year. The day is named after one of the patron saints of Cornwall, who is also the patron saint of tin miners. In Bodmin there's a procession through the streets with pipers and a children's dance, in Truro a Celtic folk music festival and a rugby match in Redruth. FIERCE ART Thirteen (of course) artists and makers celebrate strength, wisdom, creativity and rebelliousness and reclaim the word ‘hag’ at Hag: Power, Knowledge & Alchemy Through Craft, at Dunfermline Carnegie Library and Galleries (onfife.com). From March 8th. Meanwhile, Hettie Judah explores Acts of Creation: On Art and Motherhood at Dundee Contemporary Arts with works from more than 60 contemporary and modern artists that reflect the…

“As our children have become older, it's been increasingly appealing to think about travelling beyond England and Wales. Air travel has never really appealed to us, and neither has sitting by a pool in the sun, but we still wanted to see the world and share adventures with our children. I like the idea of Interrailing in Europe, but having to carry everything we need for a holiday felt like a jump too far. Reading a book about train travel planted the seed of the idea of a UK trip. A few months later, I'd booked trains taking us from Birmingham to Edinburgh, Edinburgh to Fort William, and back home again. Looking at the journey home, we wanted to arrive back on the train but thought a nine-hour trip might…

One for Your Bedside Table Milk: An Intimate History of Humanity's First Food by cultural historian Joanna Wolfarth. This book reveals how breastfeeding has been represented, repressed, celebrated and censured throughout history. Milk is the first thing to touch our tongues after we enter the world. This book explores how milk is elemental. the Green Parent LOVES 2025 The All-Season Bamboo sleeping bags at pureearthcollection.com. Improve your baby's sleep with one of these pioneering baby sleeping bags made from 100% natural fabrics. The thermoregulation properties of bamboo help reduce unnecessary night wakings from being too hot or too cold. It's suitable for all seasons and provides better sleep for babies and the whole family!…

the Green Parent LOVES 2025 Blow a Bubble This Bubble Week, which runs from March 16-23, choose plastic-free bubbles. At Dr Zigs, their bubble mixture contains less ‘soap’ than a bottle of Ecover, and the soap that they use is fully biodegradable in sunlight. The wooden wands are sustainably sourced, and single-use plastic has almost been eliminated from their toys and their workplace. These bubbles are guaranteed phosphate free and are even vegan! Several years ago, as a result of this growing issue, they were thrilled to be endorsed by the American organisation Balloons Blow, and since then more and more people have been using their kits instead of balloon releases. Check out the range at drzigs.com 3 OF THE BEST ENGINEERING TOYS Rainbow Block Set A beautiful selection of…

Whisper in Your Ear Star Cherry Seeds and Juwon Ogungbe (pictured) have just launched Whisper in your Ear, a captivating collection of bedtime stories inspired by London's African communities, designed to resonate with children of all backgrounds. There are 12 stories, each crafted to blend African values with modern themes that reflect the diverse and multicultural landscape of today's Britain. Juwon Ogungbe, the audiobook's author and narrator says – ‘I have met thousands of children over several decades, through my work in music, theatre and education. With the stories in this audiobook, I aim to share insights and other things I have learned from witnessing the thought processes some children go through as they develop their own ways of perceiving the world.’ Aimed at children aged four to eight years…

The ABCs of Women's History Rio Cortez and Lauren Semmer £15.99 Workman Children's Oh wow! We all loved this book so much. It's quite US centric, but we learnt about so many amazing women reading this book. It's inspired a whole home education project on the women we've discovered and we've gone on to research more about many of the people featured, like Wangari Muta Maathai and Katherine Johnson. I feel like we'll be returning to this book again and again in the coming years as my daughters get older. There's so much to discover! Emma M Sustainable Living for Families Bethany Fox £3.99 Nielsen This little book shows you how to make small changes that can make a difference to the sustainability of your day-to-day life with your family.…

For me, a microadventure is most fun if I can include my family. The biggest obstacle we face is finding a time when we are all free. Between us, our evenings and weekends regularly include karate, judo, football, running, cycling and Zumba! As the kids get older, keeping them enthusiastic about joining me outdoors can be challenging, although it's easy if the alternative is revision or homework! I used to want all the best kit and bought loads of stuff that I now rarely use. I now get satisfaction using cheap, borrowed, repurposed, recycled or second hand kit, or even stuff that I have found. On saying that, some high quality gear always finds its way into my backpack or pocket. Tell us about your microadventure with kids. January provided…

When dealing with painful periods, we often find ourselves reaching for quick fixes like painkillers to get through the day. But what if we embraced a more natural approach that honours our bodies? Herbal medicine is a powerful tool to help manage menstrual discomfort, ease cramping, and support our overall well-being during our monthly cycles. By integrating some of nature's offerings into our routines, we can nourish and balance our reproductive health in a gentle yet effective way. Understanding Menstrual Pain Before diving into the herbs, it's essential to understand what causes period pain, also known as dysmenorrhea. Menstrual cramps are typically the result of the uterus contracting to shed its lining. Prostaglandins, hormone-like substances involved in pain and inflammation, trigger these contractions. When levels of prostaglandins are high, they…

NitNOT Limited NitNOT is the only 100% effective certified eco friendly head lice treatment. The NitNOT Comb has 2 high precision combs for all hair types & removes the smallest & most stubborn nits. Ideal for checking their hair when the dreaded nit letter arrives from school. Remember NitNOT in your back to school shopping list. www.nitnot.com Derma Warrior Gentle, fragrance-free skincare perfect for families, including little ones. Formulated with natural oils and butters, we believe in safe, effective care that nurtures and protects without harsh chemicals. Our family-friendly products make natural skincare simple and stress-free. Code: GP10% dermawarrior.com Middle-earth Yoga Take your yoga practice on an epic journey! Tolkien lovers are inspired to their practice with these beautiful The Lord of the Rings & The Hobbit-inspired mats. These non-slip…

I moved to London in 2015, where I found my love and my best friend, Mattia. I'm passionate about healthy food, fitness and all things self-improvement. I've always loved to spend my time in the kitchen, cooking for my family and my friends. When Grace was six months old and I had to start weaning, I found myself lost and unaware of what and how to serve food to a baby. I really wanted to give her the best start, like every parent does with their kids, but I also wanted to follow my vegetarian diet, avoiding meat and trying to reduce the use of animal derivatives. Having spoken with other mums and doing some research on online, I noticed that this is common and is a very challenging time…

BEST FAMILY ATTRACTION - WINNER Goodleaf Tree Climbing A low-impact tourism business, with a deep commitment to the natural environment woven into everything they do. This tree climbing experience takes place in a single, magnificent tree. After each session, all climbing equipment is removed, allowing the tree to return to its natural state. To mitigate soil compaction and protect the tree's roots, they lay wood chips sourced from fallen trees in the park. These climbs are about more than just fun - they inspire participants to appreciate and care for the tree and to see themselves as part of the broader natural environment. They encourage car-free travel, with a discount to visitors who arrive on foot, by bike, or via public transport. goodleaf.co.uk BEST ECO CAMPSITE - WINNER Sallochy Campsite,…

Aquarius JAN 20 – FEB 18 The late winter months bring opportunities to be assertive and say what needs to be said. At some point this may mean breaking a pattern, making a change or upsetting the status quo. Focus on showing the world what you're capable of and make your own needs and welfare a priority. As Eleanor Brown said, “When you take time to replenish your spirit, it allows you to serve others from the overflow. You cannot serve from an empty vessel.” Taurus APR 20 – MAY 20 Your direction in life is central in February/March, and favours looking at where you are going and pursuing any ambitions that you'd like to fulfil. It's an auspicious time to shine your light, so whether you want to be…