LETTERS

�HAVE YOUR SAY... Have your say in our letters page via email, Twitter, Facebook or good old pen and paper. letters@thegreenparent.co.uk twitter.co.uk/greenparentmag facebook.com/greenparentmag  Post: The Green Parent, PO Box 104, East Hoathly, Lewes, BN7 9AX

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Maximum UV resistant fabrics provide ultimate protection from sunburn

Reinforced stitching provides strength and durability

Bright, fashionable colours, ensure your child can be seen

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WIN LUXURIOUS ORGANIC FAMILY HOLIDAYS

The

Green Parent

THE NATURAL PARENTING MAGAZINE

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2012 £3.95 THEGREENPARENT.CO.UK

Conscious PARENTINGBeingpresentforyourchildrenNaturalLearningIsshereadingyet?

FAMILY TRAVEL SPECIAL Gorgeous green holidays

A year of adventure Sleep under the stars

GREEN BABIES Boosting Fertility Extreme Breastfeeding

THE ECO HOME How to reduce allergies Stop Complaining! Take the challenge Yoga for mothers Create a home practice

Meat Free Mondays 4weeks’ worth of veggie recipes

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PLUS WELLBEING • BREASTFEEDING • HERBAL MEDICINE • ECO HOME • EARTH EDUCTION

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Star Prize

THE BEST GIFT EVER! Since my friend bought me a subscription for my birthday (best gift ever!) I have really enjoyed reading The Green Parent and it has inspired me in so many ways. It has touched me emotionally, encouraged me, inspired my creativity and given me so much respect and admiration for other parents who are following their own path alongside their children. My daughter (Ofelia, four on the leap year - eek!) also really loves reading it with me and talking about the articles (and adverts for amazing toys!). Much as I love that it's something we can do together, she does also enjoy drawing all over my magazine! I was wondering if you've ever thought about including a page (maybe a centre-fold pull out) for colouring in? I know my little one would LOVE it, and it would mean I could still read the articles again once she’s had her fun! Thanks so much for producing TGP, it's the gift that keeps on giving! Viki

GREAT COMPETITION Thank you for running the Organic Village fruit juice giveaway (Feb/ Mar 12). I was a winner and it was a lovely surprise when they turned up earlier this week. I'll be tasting the first one as part of my relaxed Saturday morning breakfast tomorrow and can't wait! Jane Brown

TICKS ALL THE BOXES When I read my first copy of The Green Parent, I couldn't believe that it ticked all the boxes that were relevent in my life, from what I do for a living as a yoga teacher, (pre and post-natal and specialising in women's issues), the ethics I believe in, even to what cream I put on my baby's bottom! I am now a subscriber and tell all my like-minded friends that The Green Parent is a bimonthly must-read. Janice Wong

HEAVY BABY CONTENT I do like your magazine and used to be a subscriber. I stopped my

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Been making scrummy energy bars as featured in Feb/March issue

(45) of Green Parent. All six of our household members like them

- even the dogs. We’ll be making these again, thanks green parent. Veronica Hill

Mug of tea, Radio 4 on radio and latest copy of Green Parent mag… and relax! Elder_flower

Just having a ten minute treat – 1st issue of subscription to Green Parent arrived and it’s fab! Sarah Wood subscription as I find that in each edition it is very top heavy on the baby, birthing, breastfeeding, clothes for babies etc. My children are six and seven, I am a very green parent but would appreciate more articles, info, websites for the older child of the green parent. I am sure that a high majority of your readers are at the baby stage but there is also a high percentage of us past that stage now. Julie Evans

MEAT- AND MOAN-FREE I'd like to say thank you for another excellent edition of The Green Parent. The article on the No Complaints Challenge was fantastic - we've combined it with meat free mondays to have a "meat free, moan free monday" (we're not quite up to the full challenge yet). It makes a lovely start to the week. Marianne Hopwood

� Write to us and tell us what you'd like to read about in The Green Parent - we'd love to hear from you!

STAR LETTER We have the perfect starter kit of organic goodies from Green People to give away to our star letter writer this issue. All the products you need for beautiful, soft skin, this makes a lovely gift for mums. Includes nappy cream baby balm, moisturiser, baby wash and shampoo and baby salve. This is part of a fabulous range at greenpeople.co.uk. For your chance to get your hands on some natural goodies, write to us at the address above.

4 The Green Parent contentsAPRIL/MAY2012

NATURAL HOME SPECIAL 40 CLEAR YOUR CLUTTER How space clearing can help boost your energy, improve your health and create more abundance in your life 44 OF THE EARTH How one couple built their own home using little more than earth, tyres and old glass bottles 47 OFF THE GRID Imagine not being able to switch on a light or boil the kettle? Meet one family who live off grid 50 LEARNING STARTS AT HOME Discover how to turn your

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home into a place rich in learning experiences for your children IN DEPTH: GREEN BABIES 65 BREASTFEEDING

Concerns about supply are one of the biggest issues affecting new mums. Read about how to ensure your milk supply 68 DOING IT FOR THEMSELVES We meet mums who have set up their own babywearing business and get their top tips on getting started 71 KEEPING IT REAL Get advice on how to save money by using washable nappies

PARENTING MAGAZINE MAIN FEATURES 8 AWARENESS PARENTING Exploring how to find space within ourselves for authentic parenting 12 THREE IN A BED Two generations share their stories of cosleeping with their babies 16 UNPLUGGING TEENS Why it’s important to limit screen time and ways to do it FAMILY LIFE 15 SUNDAY SELECTION Great family adventures for our favourite day of the week 19 MODERN DAD Trying to throw a rockin’ party gets harder when you become a parent 30 SPIRITUAL PARENTING How a serial monogamist can change her spots 98 CYCLE OF THE YEAR Celebrate Easter by filling the home with dyed eggs and butterflies LEARNING 25 EDUCATION NEWS Exploring the woods and discovering the wonderful world of words 26 CLOSE TO NATURE Spring is a perfect time for using the great outdoors as an educational resource 31 FILL YOUR BOX Fun and easy to make nature craft for all ages 33 ON THE SHELF Great reads for the whole family

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APRIL/MAY 2012 £3.95 THEGREENPARENT.CO.UK

THE NATURAL PARENTING MAGAZINE

Natural Homes Create space for learning How to live off grid

Healing Teeth How to treat tooth decay naturally Awareness ParentingRaisingchildren mindfully

GREEN BABIES Co-sleeping Babywearing Stories

CUT YOUR CLUTTER For energy, better health and abundance

Veggie Feasts Delicious recipes & traditions from the Middle East Unplugging Teenagers

Tools to reduce screen time

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PLUS HERBS FOR HEALTH • WELLBEING • BREASTFEEDING • SPRING ACTIVITIES • CRAFTS

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