Tag Archives: Children

Handpicked Media release charity #HPMemory2012 book

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Handpicked Media in collaboration with Blurb, the creative publishing
platform, has created a book showcasing memories of 2012. Curated via the eyes of Handpicked
Media’s blogs and websites it’s about capturing the mood of the nation in 2012 and all the incredible
but personal times that were had.

Frost Magazine has our own entry in the book and we have already ordered our copy.

Entitled ‘This is my #HPMemory2012, what’s yours?’ it is a snapshot of what they experienced from
new babies, and exploring new cities to iconic London events with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and
London 2012 Olympics.

An ebook version can be bought for under £5 from http://store.blurb.co.uk/ebooks/361990-this-
is-my-hpmemory2012-what-s-yours, with a printed copy available for £25 via www.blurb.co.uk/
bookstore/detail/3872418. 100% of all proceeds from the book will go direct to When You Wish
Upon A Star, a charity that grants wishes for children living with life-threatening illnesses.

Callum Watt, Marketing Director of Handpicked Media says, “With the release of this book we hope
to capture a snapshot of 2012 and share people’s memories. It doesn’t stop there though; we
want to get people talking about their own memories on social media channels using the hashtag
#HPMemory2012.”

Teresa Pereira from Blurb says, “It’s been an unbelievably exciting and eventful year for the UK and
this book celebrates everything from the personal right through to the epic. What better way to
capture the highlights of the past year than with a beautifully designed book that can be shared with
friends and families and cherished as a lasting memento of 2012 for years to come.”

We Need To Talk About Gun Control

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The news of mass shootings in America has become a depressingly common occurrence. Each time the same thing happens: the debate on gun control.

This year two of the worst shootings happened in America, in a Colorado theatre and a Connecticut elementary school. This excellent Washington Post article has a run down of shootings in America for 2012. What is really interesting about the article is that it tells you what type of gun was used in each shooting. Some of these shootings were done with military assault rifles or automatic weapons. To have a gun is one thing, but for a civilian to buy this type of weapon, which only purpose is to kill people, is something that should be re-examined. In fact it was former President George W Bush that allowed a federal ban on assault weapons to expire in 2004 when he was president. President Obama has previously mentioned his support for a ban on assault weapons.

Yes, I did say those guns are used to only kill people. Aren’t all guns for that? Well, no. Farmers need guns, guns can be used for shooting clays, or animals. For hunting and even for protection. I am not pro-gun, but I do not think the issue is as clear as the hordes on Twitter and Facebook think it is. If you make guns illegal in America then there is an obvious problem: you drive the gun trade underground and people who want to protect themselves would not be able to legally own a gun. I don’t want to live in a world where only the bad people have guns.

On the same day of the mass shooting in Newton there was a similar attack on children in China, but with a knife as a weapon instead. No children actually died in the China attack, but there have been fatalities in similar attacks. it does raise a point: a gun is only a weapon when a human being is holding it. But so is anything else when there is an intention to kill.

President Barack Obama promised “meaningful action”, after the Connecticut shooting. Also saying, “As a country, we have been through this too many times.”

The fact is that most gun legislation is set by states rather than federal government, and Connecticut has relatively tight firearms restrictions by US standards. Some people are saying that the shootings are a mental health problem rather than a gun problem, but what is abundantly clear is that tighter regulation is needed.

According to a 2012 report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the US has 3.2 firearms homicides per 100,000 population compared with 1.6 for Canada, 1.0 for Australia and 0.1 for England and Wales,

There are an estimated 300m guns in America, nearly one for every one of the 315m Americans in America, and the National Rifle Association (NRA) has more than 4m members. America is a nation where guns are embedded into it’s very foundation, there constitution even declares the ‘right to bear arms’, even if guns were banned where would all these guns go? What is clear is that we have to talk about gun control, but solving the problem will not be easy.

Encouraging Imaginative Play is the Best Gift you can give this Christmas

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When children play, it looks and sounds incredibly random. They seem to shift from one imaginary game to another with each game having no relation whatsoever to the previous. One minute they are quite happy creating mud pies with a delightful concoction of grass, worms and dirt while leaving horrifying holes in the grass, and the next minute they are hiding from dangerous jungle creatures in their exciting safari shelter / garden bush. No matter where they are, who they are with or what they’re supposed to be doing, children will find extraordinary ways to create some fun imaginary
playtime.

With Christmas on its way, mummies and daddies all over the land are trying to find the perfect gifts for their little ones, and with the latest flashy gadgets arising from the tech-toys market, it’s easy to become distracted by their bright lights and impressive noises, and we forget why traditional imaginative play is so important. With technological advances in children’s toys, playtime appears to become more and more complex with lots of working buzzers, buttons and mechanical devices;
however the very nature of these modern toys actually encourages play to become simpler. The
more complex the toy, quite often the play becomes less thoughtful and the style of play is already
decided by the gadget itself.

Whilst the recurring holes in the grass and injured garden foliage may become increasingly annoying,
it’s this sort of play that can be the most beneficial for our youngsters’ development. Don’t despair,
though, these benefits don’t just apply to garden antics; it’s the imaginative factor that’s so crucial.
Imaginative play is encouraged the most if children’s toys leave some things to the imagination.
Wooden dolls houses, for example, are one of the best sources of imaginative play; a wooden dolls
house creates a whole world of possibilities. Playing with dolls and furniture inside a dolls house
gives children chance to create any type of story they wish; the dolls can become lots of different
characters that talk and play with each other, and these conversations help to develop important
communication and language skills.

Although dolls house dolls and furniture have a gorgeous amount of detail and special features
these days, the style of play is still left to the imagination. Children’s dolls houses are designed to
encourage imaginative play, and it is this freedom that helps children to learn so many valuable
skills. The very nature of a children’s dolls house encourages children to share with each other and
enjoy making plans together; whether that’s making the dolls pop to the local shop for some milk,
or having fun making lunch in the kitchen. When children take part in role play with the characters,
they are involving their own feelings about the world around them, and making decisions about
how the characters behave and talk is a lovely opportunity for them to explore behaviours and conversations that they’ve seen and heard in the real world. This involves important decision making and helps to develop logical thought processes in preparation for real social experiences.

While wooden toys are perfect for imaginary play, they are also wonderfully eco-friendly and
economical; they don’t include any chemicals or harsh substances which makes them perfectly safe – particularly when little ones have a habit of putting anything they can find in their mouth! The durability of high quality wood means that the toys have a very long life and are perfect gifts to pass down to future generations, making them timeless and extra special for those loved ones.

Written by Hannah Davey, a consultant for The Play Experts at the Big Game Hunters Dolls Houses
team.

Top tips to make kid’s bath time FUN without breaking the bank

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As research from Megaflo, the hot water expert has shown, more than 93% of parents believe that bath-time is one of the most important parts of a child’s day to help them relax, learn and have fun.  With the cold weather now upon us, bath time will be more important than ever.  We all remember there being nothing better than splashing about in the bath tub when we were little; so from bubbles to shampoo mohawks and bath crayons – here are a few top tips to bring the old favourites back and make your child’s bath time as fun and memorable as yours, without breaking the bank.

 

1.         Sail away!

Bath time just isn’t the same without a boat to play with.  Keep all of your clean, empty cartons and bottles as these make great play time accomplices for all of those budding pirates!  You can even create some pre-bath fun, by using use crayons and felt pens to help them make their dream vessel a masterpiece!  Remember – no holes… otherwise the boat will become a submarine! (Follow these instructions to make your creation. http://www.ehow.com/how_8161908_make-boats-out-plastic-bottles.html)

 

2.         Paint by bubbles!

A new era of children’s toys is upon us with bath crayons and bath paint pallets galore!  For the same effect and to save a few pounds, why not get a plastic egg carton and mix some shaving foam with food colouring… you have your very own clean-easy bath colour palette fit for any little artist.  Just be on hand to check that inquisitive little fingers don’t decide to try to swallow their creations..!

 

3.         Bath time Punk-Rockers!

One of the best ways to avoid the hair-washing tears is to get your little ones to design their own shampoo mohawk.  Create different soapy styles and faces – no doubt you’ll be creating one for yourself too!  Everyone’s a winner.  Remember to try and find a mild but soapy shampoo, for extra volume but minimal tears…

 

4.         Deep sea aquarium!

All children love aquariums and creatures of the deep sea.  Why not create your own right at home in your bath tub?  It will also make some good pre-bath entertainment.  Simply draw and decorate your fish, mermaids, crabs and other sea-side goodies, laminate them with sticky-back plastic and throw them in.  The kids will have hours of fun searching for them in amongst all the bubbles.  Why not create some treasure to go with your pirate ship as well?

 

5.         Trusty Rubber Duck never fails!

We all remember using a lovely rubber duck to play with in the tub and with the latest trend for bright and colourful Hippie, Pirate, Union Jack, Princess and Alien ducks, there is sure to be one to please every child!  What’s more – these ducks last a lifetime and look great as an ornament in your bathroom.  Why not build up a family of ducks and let their imaginations run wild!

 

Megaflo has teamed up with Pump Aid, the charity dedicated to providing clean water and good sanitation to sub-Saharan Africa, to support a phenomenal Malawi Schools project.  The £62k project, co-funded by Megaflo, will provide pupils and staff across 21 schools in the Mchinji District, Central Region of Malawi, with access to clean water and basic sanitation through the installation of 80 toilets and 10 pumps.

 

For more information, please visit www.megaflo.com.

Glass Ceiling “Is a Myth”, Age is the biggest hurdle

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The glass ceiling is dead as a concept for today’s modern career apparently. But women are still being held behind in the workplace. Here are the depressing facts why….

Ernst & Young poll of 1,000 UK working women says there are multiple barriers to career progression

The concept of a single glass ceiling is an outdated model and no longer reflects the realities of modern working life for women, according to the results of a poll released today by Ernst & Young.

The survey of 1,000 UK working women between the ages of 18 – 60, revealed that two thirds believe they faced multiple barriers throughout their careers, rather than just a single ceiling on entry to the boardroom.

Four key careers barriers throughout a woman’s career

Based on the results, Ernst & Young has identified four key barriers to career progression for today’s working women. These barriers are: age, lack of role models, motherhood, and qualifications and experience.

The professional services firm says that the barriers aren’t chronological and can be experienced at anytime; often several at once. And while they aren’t exclusive to women, it believes it is clear from the research that employers need to provide better support to help women overcome them.

British business losing best and brightest female talent

Liz Bingham, Ernst & Young’s managing partner for people, says, “The focus around gender diversity has increasingly been on representation in the boardroom and this is still very important – as members of the 30% Club we are committed to this.

“But the notion that there is a single glass-ceiling for women, as a working concept for today’s modern career, is dead. Professional working women have told us they face multiple barriers on their rise to the top. As a result, British business is losing its best and brightest female talent from the pipeline before they have even had a chance to smash the glass ceiling. We recognise that in our own business, and in others, and professional women clearly experience it – that’s what they have told us.”

Ernst & Young’s head of advisory, Harry Gaskell, agrees. He says that the barriers identified in the survey reinforce Ernst & Young’s belief that encouraging and supporting women into senior positions is a talent pipeline issue. As a result he believes that organisations need to ensure they are supporting women at every stage of their career lifecycle, not just as they are about to enter the boardroom.

Age is the biggest hurdle

Delving into the findings behind the barriers, the survey identified age – perceived as either too young or too old – as being the biggest obstacle that women face during their careers. 32% of women questioned said it had impacted on their career progression to date, with an additional 27% saying that they thought it would inhibit their progression in the future.

Most markedly it was women in the early stages of their career that seemed to be most acutely impacted – with half of all respondents between 18 and 23 saying age had been a barrier they’d already encountered in their career.

“Age is a very complex issue, especially when it’s linked to perception. It’s concerning to see that women seem to be most vulnerable during the formative stages of their careers, when they are working their way through the ranks,” says Liz.

She argues that businesses need to be aware of pervasive attitudes towards age as a barrier within organisational culture, and suggests that one way of managing this is to encourage diverse role models within an organisation, who can visibly demonstrate that age is not an inhibitor to opportunity and progression.

Exploring the experience and qualifications barrier

Barriers related to a lack of experience or qualifications also featured strongly in the survey. It was the second highest factor that had inhibited women’s careers to date (according to 22% of respondents), and the third highest factor cited as a future inhibitor (19%).

Reflecting on the results, Harry says, “Women, and men, often need to give themselves more credit for the experiences and expertise that they have, while businesses need to look past the piece of paper.

“There is acknowledgement that high academic performance is still part of selection criteria in some organisations, especially at graduate level – and there is a wider issue here about fostering social mobility. But much greater value is being placed today on non-academic achievement and on diversity of experience and perspectives.”

The impact the experience of motherhood can have…

The impact of becoming a mother on a career is well rehearsed and therefore it was unsurprising, if disappointing, that this was identified as a key barrier. Nearly one in five (19%) of those questioned said it had impacted on their career to date. While a further 25% said they thought it was the second biggest inhibitor to their future careers, after age.

Liz says, “I think the only way that organisations can really tackle this is through positive intervention. This includes the provision of supportive programmes that help women to transition back into work after maternity leave and empowers them to take control of their careers and make informed choices.”

Ernst & Young has trail blazed a number of initiatives for working mothers aimed at increasing retention levels and ensuring that women feel supported through-out their career life-cycles. This includes a maternity coaching scheme providing one-to-one counsel with a consultant before, during and after maternity leave.

“Coaching schemes are very valuable,” says Harry. “But I also think there’s an important part that can be played by women role modelling their success and demonstrating by example how they balance the demands of home and work life.”


The value of role models

Three out of four (75%) of those questioned said that they have few or no female role models within their organisations. With some respondents (8%) going as far to say that a lack of role models had had a detrimental impact on their career to date. And therefore role models were identified as one of the four barriers.

Liz says that a lack of role models was a consistent theme across all the age groups polled. “I was really surprised and concerned by these findings. From my own experience I have seen how good role models can have a transformational impact on an individual or team.

“I think one of the big problems is the misconception that you have to be perfect in order to be a role model. Whereas in reality we all have skills, attributes or experiences that would be valuable to share with others.”

But it’s not just down to business…

Ernst & Young says that managing these four barriers is about personal responsibility, appropriate and targeted support from business and positive government intervention.

When respondents were asked to identify what three things their organisations could do to remove these barriers, or better support women’s career progression, the top answers were:

* More support after returning to work from having children (32%)
* More support at every stage of my career lifecycle (24%)
* More visible female role models (19%)

When asked the same question in relation to what government could do, they said:

* Enforcing companies to reveal the ‘pay gap’ between men and women (45%)
* Affordable child-care/ tax relief for childcare (43%)
* Policy guidance on flexible working for UK businesses (28%)

Harry concludes, “Gender diversity transcends the responsibility of government, business and individuals. There is no quick fix or magic bullet; it will take a combined effort, but the focus has to be on the talent pipeline rather than just on the boardroom.

“Positive interventions can work. But we think one of the most fundamental aspects of managing barriers is role models – for people to actively demonstrate that barriers can be over-come. If we can get this right, then perhaps the other barriers will become more manageable and less marked over time.”

Bargain-Hungry Mums Find Deals Online

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More than 80% of mums are shopping online for themselves or their children at least once or twice a month – with 16% doing so once a week or more.

And they are making use of all of today’s technology, including smartphones, tablet computers and even work PCs, to ensure they do not miss out on a bargain.

More than half of the 1000 mums surveyed (52%) by flash sales website Casabu (in association with Mumsnet) always compare prices when they shop online, with 86% admitting they like to “feel they are getting a bargain” when they buy.

In these price-conscious times, mums are looking to keep their outlay on items such as children’s jeans and T-shirts to the absolute minimum. Some 66% want to spend less than £10 on a T-shirt while 98% would spend less than £20. Almost half (49%) would spend less than £10 on children’s jeans and 94% would pay no more than £20.

Even on their children’s birthday presents, mums are looking to keep costs down with 69% saying they would spend less than £50 and 46% less than £40.

A quarter of mums surveyed (26%) said they had spent between £100 and £200 on items such as clothes, toys and books for their children during the past month, while a further 32% had spent between £50 and £99.

The survey revealed that 16% of mums shop online once a week or more often for their children or themselves, a further 25% shop once or twice a fortnight and another 40% at least once or twice a month.

Mums are making use of all of the modern technology at their disposal with 94% shopping online from their home PC or laptop, 44% using their smartphone or mobile, 31% using tablet computers and 26% their work PC or laptop.

Some 78% of mums said they would definitely or quite likely buy children’s clothes online in the next month, 76% would treat their child to a new toy, while 69% would buy for a children’s birthday party.
Rachel Oxburgh, CEO of Casabu, said: “This research confirms that mums are looking for great deals on exciting brands and that they will make use of the full range of technology available to ensure they don’t miss out.

“Flash sales on sites like Casabu will often start at 8am which means mums on the school run might be packing their child’s lunchbox with one hand while snapping up a bargain with their smartphone in their other hand.

“Mums still want to dress their children and themselves in quality brands, but economic necessity means they want to find great deals. For example, rather than spending £50 on a pair of designer jeans for their daughter almost half of mums surveyed are looking to spend less than £10.”

Robert Pattinson ‘Not Talking To Kristen Stewart’

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Robert Pattinson is no longer in communication with his girlfriend of three years Kristen Stewart after she had an affair with married director Rupert Sanders. Sanders directed Stewart in Snow White and the Huntsman. Sanders also directed his supermodel wife and mother of his two children, Liberty Ross, in the film. She played Stewarts mother. Awkward.

Stewart issued a public apology to Pattinson after US Weekly pictured her kissing Sanders and driving from the home she shared with Pattinson to a car park, where she picked up Sanders. Sanders was seen ‘kissing her all over her body’.

Stewart said in an statement:

“I’m deeply sorry for the hurt and embarrassment I’ve caused to those close to me and everyone this has affected. This momentary indiscretion has jeopardized the most important thing in my life, the person I love and respect the most, Rob. I love him, I love him, I’m so sorry,”

Sanders said in a statement:

“I am utterly distraught about the pain I have caused my family, My beautiful wife and heavenly children are all I have in this world. I love them with all my heart. I am praying that we can get through this together.”

Pattinson has moved out of the house the couple shared in Los Feliz. The two are schedules as presenters at the MTV Music Video Awards in September. Should be a fun night.

Shared parenting should not be confused with parental rights

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Some interesting information pinged into the Frost Magazine inbox from the Law Society. Did you know that shared parenting should not be confused with parental rights?

Shared parenting legislation, aimed at strengthening relationships between parents and children after separation, could detract from children’s wellbeing, the Law Society is warning.

Responding to a Government consultation, published today, in which ministers are proposing different ways to establish the notion of “shared parenting” after separation, Law Society President John Wotton said: “Introducing a legislative presumption of shared parenting could lead to unrealistic expectations from fathers, with a huge rise in fathers asking the courts for ‘equal time’. This could undermine the Government’s drive towards mediation and out of court settlements. The Government should avoid any implication in the statute of any right to equal time with a child, or any prescription of appropriate amounts of time.

The primary focus should be on the rights and welfare of the children, not those of parents. The principle that the welfare of the child is the court’s paramount consideration should be maintained.”

John Wotton pointed out that: “The current legislation does not favour one parent over another, but seeks to ensure that arrangements following breakdown are based on the best interests of the child.

“It is in a child’s best interest to have a meaningful relationship with both parents where it is safe to do so. The benefit of ongoing involvement with both parents is already a factor in the court’s decision-making process.

“There is no doubt, unfortunately, that once a court has made an order for access, and a father finds that the access is being thwarted by the mother, there is no currently effective remedy for the father. The Law Society therefore welcomes the Government’s intention to find more effective sanctions to enforce breaches of court orders regarding care arrangements.”