LETTERS

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

Our fabulous range of children’s swimwear products are designed for their comfort and your peace of mind.

Gorgeous and essential products that work, protecting babies and children in and around water. Splash About helps make your child’s life safer, easier and quite simply...more fun!

Splash About products are available from all the leading baby swim schools, the best children’s mail order catalogues and select retail outlets.

Full product information, stockists, baby swim schools and online shop are available at www.splashabout.com

THE children’s safety swimwear specialists.

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WIN ORGANIC BEDDING FOR CHILDREN AND MORE

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Green Parent

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2011 £3.95 THEGREENPARENT.CO.UK

THE NATURAL PARENTING MAGAZINE

CultureTRIBAL

Natural parenting around the world

Education SPECIALSteinerschooling

What is an eco school?

OFF THE GRID

One family’s experiment Green Babies

Baby signing The role of midwife

HOW TO

Make your own tree journal

Celebrate Samhain

ECO KITCHEN 9ways to a cleaner greener space

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PLUS BABYWEARING TWINS • ASTROLOGY • WELLBEING • FASHION • SEASONAL RECIPES

Star Prize

FINDING SUPPORT I enjoyed reading Zoe Foster's article Seeking Support (Oct/ Nov 11) and it reaffirmed my feelings about the importance of having the same person by your side before and after the birth of your child. The NHS midwives who were with me during my labour and subsequent emergency caesarean were wonderful, warm and caring and did all they could given the rules and regulations they had to follow. After the ordeal of my son's birth I was distraught when they left me even though logically I realise it was probably the end of their long shift - but I was in no fit state for reasonable thinking! There was a total lack of postnatal care and the midwives appeared to have no time nor inclination to assist me in my desire to breastfeed. I was left to get on with it but I needed someone I trusted by my side who would help me, empower me and gently encourage me when I needed it most. I know now that if I am lucky enough to have another child then without doubt I will be supported by an independent midwife. Kathryn Parker

BEST BEAUTY BUY In response to your question; what is my best beauty buy? I would have to say that it is The Green Parent magazine I tried for the first time this month, which came with a free Natural Beauty guide. Before purchasing this magazine, I was unaware of all of the horrid ingredients lurking in the products I use. I am 5 months pregnant and have been using a tummy butter quite regularly which contains "parfum". I can't bear the thought of chemicals seeping through to my unborn child! And it looks like such an innocent pot of cream. The Green Parent has effectively removed the mask from my eyes and put the power in my hands. I shall recommend it to my friends and family. A change of consciousness and brain nourishment with page after page of interesting articles

FROM THE FORUMS

I got a copy of this issue of The Green Parent and am loving dipping in and out of it to stretch out the enjoyment. We have already taken inspiration and created a leaf journal after a great morning at our country park, surrounded by nature.

Just wanted to say - what a fab magazine! This was the first issue I have read (treated myself to a subscription) and I found it full of so much information. There are not many magazines that you can honestly say you want to read from cover to cover.

leaving an expanded mind and healthy family for only a few pounds! It’s a bargain. I look forward to my next issue. Jessica McCully • Congratulations to Jessica who won a year's worth of beauty products in our Natural Beauty competition.

HELPING OTHERS I am a mother of three boys, who are my joy. I work with children and adults using flower essences and other vibrational tools to help empower them. I also hold shamanic workshops for children called Little Emeralds, which work using gifts from nature. I would like to introduce your readers to a wonderful book that I use in my workshops to help children and adults learn to trust the language of their heart. The Yellow Kite by David Ashworth is a heart warming story of a little boy who has lost his father but who discovers on his journey that angels are everywhere and they come in all shapes and sizes. It encourages children who I work with through family breakups/bereavement to gain trust in themselves through always following and listening to the language of their heart. I love your magazine and the holistic high vibrational feel it brings to all who read it. Louise Allen

STAR LETTER We have a Gorgeous Glow Gift Set from Angela Langford to give to our Star Letter writer this issue. Packed with goodies including three natural skincare products to leave your skin feeling radiant and glowing, this is part of a sumptuous range at angelalangford.com. The set comes with a free luxury muslin face cloth in a pretty silk organza bag. For your chance to get your hands on some organic goodies, write to us at the address above.

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FESTIVE SPECIAL 50 MAKE YOUR OWN From beautiful colourful beads to a homemade dolls house, children can easily make these simple gifts for their friends and family. We love the cute little painted stones – a perfect paper weight for Granny! 54 ETHICAL GIFT GUIDE We have chosen our favourite ethical and green products for your loved ones this Christmas. From beautiful fairtrade jewellery to wooden toys for children, we have selected only the very best. 55 VOLUNTEER AT CHRISTMAS Want to make a difference to others

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this festive season? Meet the mums who have chosen to volunteer their services or help the homeless at Christmas. IN DEPTH: GREEN BABIES 66 STRETCHING STORIES How yoga can benefit your body during pregnancy and beyond and one yoga teacher mother’s unassisted birth story. 69 READING TO BABY We select our favourite

The NEW Complete Happy Nappy system NOW IN STOCK

save money,

books for babies who are breastfed. These picture books make a wonderful addition to the natural family bookshelf. 70 BABY LED BREAKFASTS How does baby be green, keep clean!

led weaning work? One mother explains why she choose this method.

Splash About are proud sponsors of Tommys Splashathon 2011. To get involved see www.tommys.org

Our fabulous range of children’s swimwear products are designed for their comfort and your peace of mind.

Gorgeous and essential products that work, protecting babies and children in and around water. Splash About helps make your child’s life safer, easier and quite simply...more fun!

Splash About products are available from all the leading baby swim schools, the best children’s mail order catalogues and select retail outlets.

Full product information, stockists, baby swim schools and online shop are available at www.splashabout.com

THE children’s safety swimwear specialists.

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Green

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the whole family MAIN FEATURES 8 EMBRACING PASSION The best ways to allow your children’s passions and talents to shine 12 DITCHING THE WHEELS One reader tries car-free living for a month. This is her diary 16 HELPFUL HOLIDAYS Imagine taking off with two young children in a campervan to work on organic farms in Europe. That’s just what this newly-wed couple did. FAMILY LIFE 15 SUNDAY SELECTION Great family adventures for our favourite day of the week 20 SPIRITUAL PARENTING Working with commitment issues around having a dog 22 MODERN DAD The dangers of the British countryside, compared to Kenya 98 CYCLE OF THE YEAR Celebrating Christmas in a more natural and traditional way LEARNING 26 EDUCATION NEWS Midwinter festivities and seasonal gardening 27 WHAT’S INSIDE Taking a look into the ingredients of conventional arts and craft supplies and giving some natural alternatives 29 TOADSTOOL CRAFTS Make your own knickknack storage with this brilliant sewing craft 31 ON THE BOOKSHELF Great reads for the whole family

SUBSCRIBE >> P24

GREAT OFFER: FREE WOODEN TOY FOR EVERY READER

The

Green Parent

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2012 £3.95 THEGREENPARENT.CO.UK

THE NATURAL PARENTING MAGAZINE

JOYFULPARENTINGEmbracingyourchild’spassionDIYGIFTSProjectsforchildren

Your food sorted CHRISTMAS

VEGGIE Your food sorted Stay Warm Clothes to keep you cosy Helpful Holidays Volunteering with kids Green Babies Yoga and pregnancy Baby led weaning

PLUS WELLBEING • BREASTFEEDING • HERBAL MEDICINE • BABY LED WEANING • ECO HOME 5holistic therapies to treat ADHD

FESTIVE GIFT GUIDE Our pick of the best ethical pressies for

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ISSUE

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