LETTERS

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

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WIN ORGANIC EASTER GOODIES & FAIRTRADE TOYS THE NATURAL

Green Parent The

PARENTING MAGAZINE

APRIL/MAY 2011 £3.50 THEGREENPARENT.CO.UK

PermacultureAnewwaytoparentProjectsforfamilies

GREEN BABIES

Parenting with heart

Children’s rights begin at home

Yoga, real nappies and babywearing

Letting Go Coping with separationanxiety

10IDEAStomotivateyourchild

Exploring the shore Rockpooling with Miranda Krestovnikoff

HOW TO Build your own chicken house

Use colour for healing Try off-grid

Sundays

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ISSUE

PLUS GREEN HOLIDAYS • ASTROLOGY • SEASONAL RECIPES • SLOW FASHION • WELLBEING

Star Prize

GO OFF GRID I thoroughly enjoyed reading Brigit Strawbridge’s article on how to reclaim Sundays (issue 40, Natural Living). I read it out to my family (husband and two children aged five and eight) and we have all decided it sounds rather fun. We are going to try it over the spring and summer and see if we can carry it on throughout next winter. Unfortunately we don’t have a wood-burning stove so we won’t have heat in the form that Brigit does, however, we are going to be as inventive as possible. We have already stopped using the TV and games consoles during the week and our holidays are always camping without electric,

so we feel well equipped to tackle this venture. The children and my husband are especially looking forward to cooking on our campfire. We’ll keep you posted on our progress. Catherine Harbottle

TANDEM FEEDING SUPPORT Just wanted to say how timely I found this issue's article about older children weaning (issue 40, Natural Led Weaners) - my daughter is two years and nine months, and is still happily breastfeeding, while I'm nearly at the halfway point of my second pregnancy. There have been times when I've wondered if weaning might be a good idea, but I've ended up being guided by her. This is a time of such change for her that I'm happy to stick with it until she feels the time is right, and your article just served to reinforce my feeling that she'll stop when she's ready, and that in the meantime it's an incredible way of keeping the bond between us good and strong. Dr. Tamsin Kilner O'Byrne

FEEDING CONFIDENCE Thank you so much for the article on weaning. My toddler is 21 months and I was feeling very disheartened and was struggling when she asked to be fed in public. Now I feel very confident that I’m doing the right thing for us. Rachael

IN BRIEF While I was unpacking boxes

I found the first ever issue. I can't believe I've stuck with any magazine for that long! Wow! I just wanted to say,

keep on keeping on and well done!

Sarah Harrison

I was really happy to see an article on permaculture by a mum of one living in a flat in the city.

I adore The Green

Parent. Every edition seems to talk about something that's been on my mind.

I love that there are vegetarian and even vegan recipes and articles. I love all the goodies in the back.

MIXED FEELINGS Your recent feature From the Heart (issue 40) roused some strong feelings in me. I have met children brought up by loving parents who gave choices on whether to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’, among other things. They have grown up to be young adults with poor manners or a worrying sense of entitlement. Neither of which stand them in good stead in the real world. Children do not learn manners on their own any more than they learn to cross the road safely. Requiring proper manners doesn’t really amount to a denial of a child’s rights, and too few boundaries when growing up can lead to as much dysfunction as too many. Sheena

From the Heart was a great article and a bit of an eye opener. When I was younger I was definitely a people pleaser and I think I've spent my whole life seeking approval. I found the part that went on to say that constant reminders and prompts can actually affect a child’s confidence and self worth very interesting. It has reminded me to take a step back and pay attention to what I say and how I say it, that's one of the things I love about the magazine. Kirsty

STAR LETTER writer, Catherine Harbottle, wins a gorgeous Bathtime Delight Gift Basket from greenheartgifts.co.uk. The basket, which costs £30, contains two handmade natural soaps, two patchouli bath bombs, chamomile Oatsy Soaksy (bath oats in a hand knitted bath bag with refills), vanilla soy wax candles, a magical relaxation CD and an organic face cloth. Write to us at the address above – we’d love to hear from you.

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WOODLAND SPECIAL 22 WHERE TO VISIT The best places to take your family, be it for a picnic in a woodland glade, an adventure in the treetops or a nature course. 24 LEARNING WITH THE LEAVES A forest school leader shares her experiences of a classroom without walls – how it benefits her pupils and what to expect from a day at forest school. 30 ENCHANTED PARTY How to throw a magical birthday party in the woods. Check out this article for brilliant ideas on games to play, activities and things to make. 32 FOREST HOLIDAYS Fancy a break in the

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woods? Try out some of these beautiful spots around the UK where you and your family can get closer to nature. IN DEPTH: GREEN BABIES 64 BENDER BIRTH The story of how one father created a sacred space for the birth of his child. 66 PREGNANCY AT HOME Choosing autonomous pregnancy means trusting your instincts with your unborn child. 69 TWO TO TANGO Meet the mothers of twins who have chosen to breastfeed their babies. 71 THE SLING TEST Our readers try out some of the best slings and baby carriers.

Sleep in the trees WOODLAND SPECIAL MAIN FEATURES 8 ESSENCE OF PARENTING Here one mother tells the story of how she rebuilt her sense of self. 12 EFFECTIVE PARENTING Common myths about toddlers debunked by a psychologist. 15 EAT PRAY LOVE How can we find ways to honour ourselves without having to pack our bags and head for faraway shores? FAMILY LIFE 11 SUNDAY SELECTION Great family adventures for our favourite day of the week. 14 MODERN DAD Embracing the local culture in Kenya with hair braiding sessions. 20 SPIRITUAL PARENTING Using the challenging times as important lessons and a chance for growth. LEARNING 33 EDUCATION NEWS Spinning stories and resources for teens who learn at home. 34 YEAR IN THE LIFE A family shares their experiences of the first year of home education. 37 CRAFTS How to make your own museum from found objects. 39 ON THE BOOKSHELF Great reads for the whole family. 42 ON A TREASURE HUNT The pleasures of geocaching and how to lay your own treasure for others to find.

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PARENTING MAGAZINE

Sleep in the trees Magical parties

GREEN BABIES

Breastfeeding twins Birthing at home Secret Life of a Toddler Effective parenting Eat Pray Love Find time for you Kitchen Creative Simple tasty recipes for children to make

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