Mother’s Hour – Summer Holiday Special Part 2

Hello and a very warm welcome to Mother's Hour with me, Carolyn Van Beers here on Women's Radio station. So last week we did our summer holiday special. Tips on parenting and places to go and do with your kids. And my goodness me, you guys loved it. You've been in touch in droves. You absolutely enjoyed the show, you loved our advice and you wanted more. So here it is, it's our summer holiday special, part two. Today we're actually going to look at holiday parenting, which is slightly different than your routine parenting, which could be why halfway during the holidays you're getting a bit frustrated and anxious. We're gonna be having a good look at that. Later on in the show we're gonna be doing happy holiday tips. We're gonna be doing a festival guide that's one day festivals and three day festivals still that are all going on in August. And in the final part of the show, we're gonna do some more things to do during the holidays. Welcome back to Daniella. You for whispering that to me. She doesn't know who I am. She likes me, though. She really likes me. Has no idea who I am at all. Just walking by. Daniel did the show with us last time. She is a mother of three boys, very experienced, a London mum. I'm a bit more countryside, so we're coming at you. Yeah. But before we start, happy birthday. Oh, thank you very much. To reveal your age. No, that's not the point. The point, that's somebody gave birth to me. It's the really good thing. Cause I'm here, I'm on the planet. That's a good thing. Tell us what region you're in. What region? No, I'm upper plus. I look 35, but I act most probably 12, but I'm more on the side of the 40s in the mid region. Mid region 40. That's as much as I'm gonna say. So I'm covering all of you women, whatever size you are, whatever shape, whatever colour, whatever age. Exactly, exactly. All women. So basically we've done the hard work for you. We've picked out the. And they're not so good parenting tips. We've graded them and we're gonna give them a thumbs up and the thumbs down and they just do not go there kind of parenting. Yes. No, don't do that. We have got the holiday special parenting. I think you're gonna find that quite useful. Please do remember that Daniela and I are just mums. We are not professionals. We are very happy to share our 13 years of experience and your 10 years of experience. 11. Thanks. Yeah. Oh, she's going up to 11. He's just turned 11, so he. Oh, and just for those people who are new listening to the show, I'm a mum of four. I have an older boy of 13 and triplets who've just turned eight. Famous eight, much better than two. That's a whole different ball game. Personalities are coming into the ring now. Yeah, I know. It's horrible when they become people, isn't it? I mean, like in their own right. Yes, exactly. If you do want to get in touch, please do share any ideas you've got. Any parenting tips would be great. It's carolinemensradiostation.com I love to hear from you, so anytime you can email me. So let's, let's get on with it, shall we? Now this is quite a good opening line. So this again is from Psychology News. It's written by Kevin D. Arnold. I'll just give him a little bit of a mention. He has a PhD and an ABPP. I don't know what that is, but you know, it means he's pretty good at this kind of thing. So. Parents face holidays each year with varying degrees of stress. We know the routines that organized life will diminish over the next 45 days as school closes, bedtimes grow later, and children beg for toys. The strategies parents use to manage stress will become less effective because the world will change around us. And I think that's where sometimes we get it wrong. We continue with the same thing, expecting the same order. And when that doesn't happen, we get stressed. And so basically what this, all these points are saying is you've kind of got to go with the flow a little bit more. It says parents will need, will experience stress not only from the holidays, but also from the need to change and adapt. Yeah, so much of the stress that we feel from trying to stick to the routines from normal days during the topsy turvy holidays add to the mounting, mounting stress. And apparently there's lots of people who we can't adapt. So we got, we'll have to teach everyone today to do a little bit more of a. I mean, it's tough now, isn't it? This is three weeks in, so everyone's feeling it everywhere to keep, keep, keep Morales up. Yep, it's a tough one, you know, I mean, if you're basically trying to place a round peg of irregularity into the square hole of regularity, you're going to be going wrong. It's gonna get a bit because everything's. You're losing control. So they say, here, try the children drive the children crazy, trying to make their children act as if the holiday uproar doesn't exist. Parents do this to try and reduce stress, but in actual fact increase the tension without realizing our goal is worthwhile. But the methods are ineffective. So here are four tips to help you mum and dads find joy in the holiday. So, Daniela, what have you got? Number one. Oh, thanks. Leave the rule book at home. When parents travel to spend the holidays, they sometimes try to use home rules for parenting. But children and parents both experience very different demands than when at home. Grandparents want to stay up and talk to the little ones. Aunts and uncles spoil children with candy and attention. What parents find inappropriate at home becomes cute to others. Parents can find joy by leaving the rule book at home. Relax and allow the laughter and smiles from your children to become more important than keeping order. Yeah, I mean, the whole thing about that is, like, you can't get too rigorous with your disciplines because it's just if you're not happy, they're not happy. It's like going back to what we said in the first section of this stuff to do with kids. I mean, I personally think my kids have been up late. We had a barbecue, we had a sleepover. They looked wrecked. Sasha said, I'm just so tired the following day. So they kind of learn and know that those are exceptions to the rule rather than every single day. And then we know also other people who are like, no, but I want my children to stay up till two in the morning with me. And you're like, great. They look like zombies. And also they're drinking my red wine. You know, it's just, it depends on your parenting tips. So I personally, on that little one, think, wow, yeah, you gotta step back. And I think managing that kind of thing, knowing that you've got a barbecue and they're gonna be able to stay up and tell them it's a treat. You can stay up late tonight, but we go to bed early tomorrow night and then you kind of. Well, you know, I've just been to a festival, so my children have had four late nights and I mean, two hours later than they normally would. Yeah. My eldest boy, probably three hours later than he normally would. And, you know, you can really see it. Today I was dragging them out to try and get them to stay at school. Yeah. Which is where they are today. And it was really, really tricky. And I do, you know, this week I'm going to have to manage the. The fact that they're gonna have to go to bed a little bit earlier. It's order, isn't it? They need order. Too much chaos and they go completely nuts. But, you know, I think that's the thing he's talking about, isn't it? It's just, it's kind of living and breathing with the organ of what it is to be a parent without being too rigid. Cause there's no way you're gonna get kids in a campsite in bed at 8. No, I mean, it's just idiotic. You may as well just say, goodnight, everyone, I'm going to bed. So I'll never get out again at this tent. Nothing's gonna happen. Cause so, you know, they gotta roll around a little bit and be heathen, isn't it? And then get back in, back into rhythm. But I think they kind of yearn for it as well. They want that. Yeah. They look to go to bed early. They're like, Sasha was like, I'm really tired today. So he knew. And those things clock in. But it's hard when you've done it repeatedly for a while. And if you go on holiday like we did to France, they always go to bed late. But I kind of go, well, there's an hour ahead. So they go to bed at 10. But it's really nine in England. Yeah. So I can get them down to eight, you know, nine o' clock in France and it's eight when they get back home. It's all that psychological, psychological clock, isn't it? Yeah. And you know, two late nights, then you've got to catch up and you've got to think, okay, they've got to have one early night and then you plan that in. And if you tell them, it's telling them this is a real treat and they really can't enjoy that experience of staying up late in the treat of that. Yeah, yeah. Just to let them know. Now, I love this one. And I think this is another one that we tend, you know, in the middle of the holidays now and we've kind of lost sight of this one, bring this one back in, pay close attention once per day. Now this means the other two might, or the other three might case might have to go off and do something else. But parents find themselves scattered over the holidays. Sometimes we forget that children need our time more than ever when things become hectic. We give our children the gift of attention every day without paying a penny in the shops. If we just take 15 minutes or 30 minutes, set aside to read together or to play a little game. And you can do that either in the morning when you wake up really, really early, just have that special time and the others can go off and just be busying themselves and you have that time. I mean, it's quite a long time for me because it's probably a whole hour. But yeah, it's your important or, you know, do it alternate days or whatever, you know, depending on how many children you have. But I think once they've had that mummy time and that they've had that attention, you'll see their eyes light up with the fun and you'll not just spend a penny. I mean, the whole thing is like it was my birthday this morning, so we had time out. I mean, mine was de knitting this morning so that was my time with my kids again. For the third week actually it's quite intense. I can't wait to just put their head in a bucket of salt, sea salt, when we get to France and not take it out for three weeks. So it's fine, you know, decoming, but you know, somewhere you're chatting and you're having that, you're having that attention with them and then they were much calmer, you know, sitting, chatting and going through the hair, making sure there's nothing there. And particularly if you still got to go on holiday to do that on holiday as well. Just take them to the side and just, okay, we're gonna have a little play in the pool or we're gonna just do this, just me and you. And then they know that's their time and it keeps them calm and keeps them connected. Yeah, absolutely, absolutely right. We've got quite a few more of these points on holiday parenting tips we've got coming up. We've got being flexible and the gift of acceptance. Don't forget later on in the show we're gonna be looking at festival guide for kids. That's the three day festivals that are still to come and lots of one day FE rules which are very, very good. Also, Daniela has got the top things to do in the holidays with your kids. If you are running out of ideas, please, please stay tuned for that. We'll do that a little bit later on in the show. Oops, that was my ring. Sorry about that. Don't forget you can get in contact with me. I'm caroline@womensradiostation.com that's carolinemensradiostation.com I would love to hear from any of you mums if you've got any great ideas of things you've been doing over the holidays, please do let us know and we'll definitely have those on in a little bit later on. Don't forget, I've got holiday happy parenting as well. Ways to have the joy and not the stress. So we'll come back in just a few minutes time after these short messages and we will do some holiday parenting tips with you as well. Oh, I've just got one thing to tell you, Karen, at womensradiostation.com please get in touch with me. I love to hear from you. We'll see you in a few minutes. Welcome to Women's Radio Station. 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Welcome back to Mothers Hour with me, Carolyn Van Beers here on Women's Radio Station. I'm here in the studio with Danielle Odessa. She's our guest today. Mother of three and absolutely brilliant at giving advice. I so kicked her. It is her birthday today, so we're keeping it light and fluffy. We're actually doing happy holiday parenting. So this is our summer holiday special part two, and we're trying to give you the tips of maybe changing slightly how you parent during the holidays to avoid getting too stressed and to actually enjoy your kids. Have fun with your kids. Just let it go. Just, you know, put a few of the rules out of the window. Still managing things loosely, but going with the flow a little bit more. Preventing and managing challenging child behaviour over the holidays. As we said, we strive to make the holidays a special time, but the fact is that all of us are traveling. Hosting. Doing holiday parenting can increase stress. What have you got, Daniela? Well, yeah, we're just looking at this point about being flexible, which is what you touched on there. I mean, basically it says in this one, be flexible with schedules. The holidays push parents to be in two places at once. If we're flexible about how we prioritize our time during the holidays, we can release our expectations to please everyone. Instead, joy comes from when we go with the flow and adapt a do our best attitude. Parents find happiness at the end of the day in smiling faces and of their families. Okay. It's interesting trails onto that. I mean, I think the main Point of that really is that flexibility, you know, we panic with what to do. And I think I've really. I learned that sort of last year. I remember with a woman who's got five kids, a very good friend of mine, shivs, and I phoned her up and I was like, we're supposed to go there, it's sharp. We're supposed to go swimming, it's sharp. They're screaming in the car. And she was like, just give up. And you know, go and get them lunch at a well known outlet that I personally hate. But anyway, and kind of change gear. And I think that's really important. It is when you just give up, sometimes give up your plan instead of having that thing of like, you know, come on, Malcolm, come on. Screaming to get them to do something. Which is fine if they're lolling, but if, like today Leon was screaming that he didn't want to go to Cape. And I'm like, it's my birthday, you have to be put away somewhere so that I can enjoy my day. And instead he. I just said, let him be with Milo and have a completely different day. Packed lunch, money, everything, all pointless, all, you know, all and left in the place. But the flexibility thing is like, we went for a walk. I think we ended up just kind of lolling so they can scream that they want to do one thing and then we just end up along the parkland walk. And we did it for ages and they were finding things and suddenly you have that moment of harmony, don't you? The painting, the Gainsborough painting, suddenly comes out with the catching butterflies, or one's looking at a pebble, the other one's holding the other one's hand, the other one's got their arm around the other one. You think, ah, this is nice, how long is it going to last? But that, you know what, you've actually just hit on something there sometimes the simplest. And money free activity, just a walk. Just get out of the house and just, you know, if you run out of money, go for a walk. Because you'll be amazed at how much fun they can have and look at them in the eyes and smile at them and say, we're gonna have a great time. It's like looking at them in the eye, you will then feel in control. But yeah, absolutely. And it's the kind of letting them have their giggles, let them have their nutty minimum. So I tend to kind of. I'm very loud and then if one of my kids gets really loud, I sort of almost get angry, like Come on, you know, you're getting out of control. And I think, well, I get out of control, I should just let him act, actually thump on that table and sing that song over and over again. Let him be in his little mantra, you know, which is also important, but very hard when it's in the shell of your house. So once you get them outside, they can go completely nuts. Which Mila was just like, decided to do some weird. This is the two year old. And then he was bombing it down the road and then he'd stop again and do some weird karate move. Then he'd bomb it again. Like, what's going on with that child? Yeah, it's that heathen outdoors, which you must have had on the weekend, is just to let them free, let them roam and let them be a bit silly and not worried too much. Yeah, yeah. And, you know, that brings me straight onto this next point, which is the gift of acceptance. So, so many parents become so overwhelmed in the chaos of the holidays. They keep asking their children, what do you think you're doing? What do you think you're doing now? What kind of answer can a child give you to that? You know, they'll stutter to answer the question and there's no answer that actually exists. Don't answer, don't ask them, what do you think you're doing? Because it gets everyone's back up. Makeup. I do it with my 2 year old and he repeats it to me and I goes, whatcha doing, mama? What you doing in there? And I realize I've talked it to him, so he's like, what you doing? I'm like, I'm putting my makeup on. Whatcha doing in the toilet, mama? So I'm obviously walking around saying, what are you doing to children whilst they're doing something? Yeah. So basically it says here three things to kind of change that. Change the way you think about the business of the holidays. Chaos becomes unstructured. So don't think of it as chaos. It's just unstructured. And that will release you a little bit out of control becomes childlike fun. So by changing the stress war, you become just happier in the way you're looking at what they're doing and the wilder ways that they're. And they're just having fun. They're out of school. Let them have fun. I mean, it's a bit like that when you're exhausted, isn't it? You start laughing. You kind of give up, don't you, as parents? You go, I'm absolutely knackered. I'm giving up. And then start laughing with your kids. Yeah. Also saying, I accept that the holidays are not predictable and that I can live in the joy of every moment. I mean, obviously it's not going to be perfect and go with the flow, like we've been saying, but try and have some joy, try and have some fun. And we do forget that when we're really stressed and like you said, we're trying to get somewhere and just stop doing that and just try and enjoy the moment. Yeah. Okay. Finally, these three things is the acceptance of childhood excitement. Parenting during the holidays requires embracing childhood enthusiasm. Now, when the kids get too over excited, when do you stop that over excitement? And you've got to let the bar go a lot higher than you would, you know, normally. And I think if you allow that and it doesn't get too high, then you will allow them to really enjoy things and look to forward. Forward to things, rather than going, be quiet, be quiet, be quiet. They're just excited. And allow them to be excited. Yeah, totally. Yeah. And let that flow. Because. Or just join them in the same enthusiasm. So that. I mean, this is so easy, isn't it, when you're sitting back and contemplating. It's very different when you're in it. I don't necessarily profess to do it every single time this happens, but so when, like they were getting really excited to go to cinema, but they're going nuts about it, and then. And what did you see? What did you say? Oh, we went and saw, you know, what I was gonna say. Mama Mitchell. That's a complete lie. I can't remember. Lion King. Lion King. Was it good? It was great. Yeah, it was great. I left with Milo to go shopping. You know, was quite okay to do that because I kind of knew the story. I'm sure we all do. So, yeah, it's beautiful. It's a brilliant movie. But what's one. Oh, yeah, they were really, really exciting. Going a bit nuts. It's kind of. You've got to top them at the top of it instead of shutting them down. You have to go, hey, hey, hey, guys, let's do this when we get in there. Should we do this? Yes, exactly. So pull them in their frenzy into another frenzy that you can control. Like, what are we gonna do when we get in there? Should we get our shoes on? It's that, isn't it? It's rising up to their level to get what you want done and managing that energy, like you said. Managing that energy and ignoring people's instead of suppressing it because they can't suppress it because they're so excited. Yeah. They feel bad. Joy. Kill the joy. Total. Yeah. Okay, so just to finish this off now, these are the words of wisdom from Psychology News. Holidays combine remembrance of landmark events with good cheer. Remember, I didn't write this where the children are playing with spinning wooden tops or other holiday toys. The joy of the holidays bursts forth from a child playing. Parents can find that same joy by throwing off the mundane routines of everyday life and instead live inside the smiles and laugh. Laughter of each moment. I mean, okay, that's pushing the limits a little bit. Smiles and laughter. But you know, but, but do try and remember that it's about having fun and enjoying, you know, because they're never going to be eight again. So enjoy. And also they can make you laugh. You know, you get shocked, you go, God, that's really funny. I mean, I got a card today from Leon that said happy birthday mom and thanks for wiping my, my bum and stuff is what it said on it. It was this car that it just made me laugh so much and Milo was singing, wipe my bottom, wipe my bottom. And then you think, God, how many bottoms have I wiped in the last 10 years? And I'm still doing obviously with Milo. Yeah. And you think just a perfect card but you know, made me cry with laughter. Just saw it. It's just so witty so that, you know, let them show their personalities. Now I've got a really good one. So I went to a festival over the weekend, Wilderness, which was really great. And we're going to do festivals in the next bit of the show we're going to have a review of the best that have been, ones that are still to go to and some of the one day festivals which also can be really, really, really good. And you can pop along with dad because they're often on a Saturday. But on the way there, holiday games in the car, new game. Name that tune now do you know Name that tune? Name that Tune in how many notes? They absolutely loved it. So you picked really popular songs like Mamma Mia. Okay. And then they've got three questions to ask. Then we played it with all the drunks, all the drunks, all the, all the adults were a little bit timid later that night. Worked for all. Name that Tune. So what, the children can ask three questions, you know, what era is it from? Is it a band or is it a singer or a female or whatever. And then they say I'll name that tune in however many songs, notes. So you can pick three notes, four notes, five notes, six notes. And everyone really, really embraced it. Played it for an hour. That's pretty good going. That's good. Anything that lasts an hour is worth keeping. Yeah. So that's my little tip. Number one in the car. Have you got a holiday game in the car? Well, I was just thinking, what do we do? And don't do that when we do the I Spy. But actually the one that really always works. And it's great if you're trying to remember a list. So I was telling Leon the other day, I went, you're going to the shop and you bought. Yes. For Mummy Grandma's suitcase. Yeah, I mean, and we, I mean the kids one was like. And a large pair of mum's pants. Yes. And giggling every time they had to say it because I spy with my little eye is the way. And that, that, yeah, that one goes down really, really well. So yeah, those, the old classics are quite good. Yeah. So we do Grandma's Suitcase and anything can go in Grandma's suitcase. It could be a live chicken, it could be a goat with bells on. It could be dad's large underpants which are very smelly. So yes, anything. And the more creative they are with their answers and they kind of like pick up on the older ones, don't they, who are doing the really, really funny ones. So that's absolutely brilliant. Car games. Another thing that's great in the car. Audiobooks. Yeah, audiobooks. Rick Mail does some hysterical ones. Great for the mum, dad and also good for the kids. Audiobooks is great because that's a timeout. They suddenly go receptive. And you can drive because I'm doing a nine hour drive with the kids to France. So on my own with. With an au pair. But which you're looking forward to, which I can't wait for someone to throw up on me somewhere in the south of France. But yeah, all that stuff is highly valid instead of the iPad. Okay, we're gonna be doing a lot more tips to do over the summer holidays and we're gonna be doing our festival garden. One day festivals and three day festivals. We'll be back in a couple of minutes after these short messages. Welcome to the women's radio station supporting women's well being. Women's radio station is all about diversity from opinions, career, ethnicity, education and most importantly, women's well being. We aim to celebrate the individuality of every woman everywhere, providing opportunities and the platform for your voice. Visit our website womensradiostation.com for more information. I'M Tamina Zaman, founder of Empower and Enrich. When it comes to money, do you clam up or get confused? Do you wish you could save more money or are you hoping you have enough for retirement? You are not alone. Many women want to be smarter with their cash, but just don't know where to start. At Empower and Enrich, you will find a host of options to help you take charge of your finances and learn how to put your money to work for you in an easy, affordable way. Get in touch with me@empowerandenrich.org and let's change your future together. Hello, my name is Natasha Ann Kelleher. Welcome to you lovely lady listeners of your very own women's radio station. Over the coming months, I'll be doing a survey in big brand coffee shop interviewing customers asking why they like to drink coffee and if they would like to give us a health tip. For our listeners, the most shared and liked post will be the winner of a prize. Stay tuned for further details. Hi, I'm Carolyn Van Beers. Please join me for a brand new show here on women's radio station. It's Mother's Hour. If, like me, you're a mum juggling far too many balls and dropping most of of them, this is definitely the show for you. We'll examine the highs and lows of motherhood and make sure you laugh out loud as we take on this challenging role together with spoonfuls of advice, incredible stories. It will be refreshing, honest and funny. Look at being a mum. Are you struggling with money? Turn to us as a national charity helping people struggling to make ends meet. Job loss, illness or bereavement can cause a real financial crisis. We give practical help to get people back on track. Whether you're thinking of having a baby, trying to get out of an unhappy relationship or just unsure what benefits you may be entitled to, we can help. Visit turntousous.org.uk welcome to the women's radio station supporting women's well being. Women's radio station can give voice to your brand. With a wide range of sponsorship opportunities including individual programs, we can tailor your experience for you. For more information on how you can sponsor a Show, go to womensradiostation.com Women's radio station supporting women's well being. Welcome back to Mother's Hour with me, Carolyn rambiers here on womensradiostation.com I'm here in the studio with Daniela Dessa, mum of three boys. Two, seven. Yeah, I can't remember myself. Two, six and 11. No, no, no, no, we married 11. He's not, he's just turned nine. Sorry about that. A complete lie. Right, it's good that she knows the age of her children and she's going to be giving us advice. Yeah, it's a shot away spot the mother that's shot away. It's our Summer Holiday Special Parlour 2 and we're on to the festival guide. So we're going to be looking at the three day festivals that are still around in August and the one day festivals which can be very handy and something to look forward to. So we've got the best family friendly festivals in the UK for 2019. Packing up the tent, putting on the wellies and stockpiling the glitter. From camp festival to the big Fay Feastival we have rounded up the food and music festivals with the best facility and entertainment for kids so you don't have to. So I've just been to Wilderness which is a really good family festival. It's in the Cotswolds. We had the best weather and I would say the best thing about a festival is you have 4 days non stop with your kids where you can really relax and enjoy them and you get to do things with them like all the kids activities, the arts and crafts, the green crafts, there's lots going on in the kids fields but they also get to do things that mum and dad enjoy. So if you find the right stage with a good. Not the big stages because they're too far back and they can't see and your shoulders get really tired from lifting on, lifting them on your shoulder. If you go to a slightly smaller stage with a really good like rockabilly band on or something like that that really get everyone dancing. Go to the front with the kids, okay. And they really get to see the band. They really get absorbed by the music. And I just watched my four children and they absolutely loved it. We found this one stage called the Junkyard and they just had some really good quirky bands. He had this amazing girl like a bit 1950s, bit rock and roll just I mean she had the whole place rocking. They were watching. So we were all, we were dancing with our children, you know, swinging them round and it was just such, such fun and you're relaxed, they see you relaxed. So I think that's a really good thing. Whether it's a one day festival or a three day festival. They get to see mum and dad really relaxed. I mean when you're saying about that we did the same. Just to interject on Saturday friend Amaranto organized the Latin Latin Festival that was on in Latin American in Finsbury Park. That's free. And we went with all the kids. And at first you, you arrive and you just see all these people swarming and you start going, 1, 2, 3. You're like, hi, 1, 2, 3. Constantly counting between your three kids, where they are, where they are, where they are. Lost gold earring. I was just like, I don't know about this. Got right. I mean, Leon always wants to go to the front of anything because he loves music so much and he's mostly deaf because he loves it so much, he puts his head in speakers. But we went right up to the, the front and because it was, I mean, unfortunately, sometimes what's quite good at festivals as well, a little bit. I mean, it's a bit vip, but because they were running it, we lucked out because we went backstage or you have these areas and you have quarters sometimes anyway you can do that in like you're saying where you can see them. And they were basically caged between people on bouncers and all the doors. So I'm like, they couldn't escape. We're in the back and we just watched every single Latin American band sitting right at the front. It was like heaven. Until you had to go and get a drink or anything else and you're like, I don't want to go with all the other people back in there. But it's amazing at festivals and that's a one day festival and it's free and it's on next year. So I mean, that's a little bit of a plug for Amarantha. But it was amazing, amazing music till 10 o' clock at night and it was really well run. So there's a lot in London. Yeah, isn't there? And around. And just a bit of advice on if you're worried about, you know, losing your children, first thing to do, get some fabric, write your telephone number and your name on it and put it on their list. A fabric doesn't tear, it stays on there. So that's one thing. Also just before you go in, say, I don't want to lose, lose you. So when we are doing this, you must be holding our hands with an adult over there. It's your friends or, you know, do you have a place as well? So we go, like, if everything goes wrong, we're going, coming back here. Do you remember this one? And make Leon repeat it. We tend to write in biro, so if you can't, if you haven't Done your fabric thing. I think you're very good at arts and crafts. You've got a lot of arts and crafts going on in there. But some of us urbanites just go, oh wait a minute, have you got a felt tip pen? So like we write the number on really visual, you know, so they know where it is because sometimes you can write a number and they can't remember where it is on their body. So they're like, I've lost my mum and it's on their back. Do you know what I mean? So like not on their forehead obviously, but pretty much. Pretty much. Well, if you're really worried about your child, forehead could be good. I mean mobiles, everyone's got a mobile phone, they'll read it and they'll phone you and go, he's here. Yeah, exactly. And you know, usually especially if it is a family friendly festival where there are some boundaries, you know, and they can't escape out onto the street, then you know, you're pretty lucky. So let's have a little quick look. So I would recommend wilderness. It is a good festival but obviously that's just been and gone. But it could be something that you might want to think about next year. They've got a lovely camping feel just for families, so it's really safe and quieter at night and you've not got all the ravers, you know, know kind of interfering with your children. So that's quite nice in that way. So ones are still to come. Now this is a great one, it's in Wales, it's called the Green Mountain Festival, 15th to 18th August. Tickets are still available. Jumping around in a field surrounded by breathtaking Brecon beacons is most people's idea of fun. There's a little folk area for glitter filled under 12s this year they're going to be transformed into the lost city of Atlantis. And it's set against the backdrop of lush green mountains where the kids can go wild with their own aquatic adventures, craft workshops, bubbles galore, lots of magic. It's one of got the best kids zones out there. So again if you are, if you've just fancy just having a little break and you know your pocket can just go and book it, you know, you'll have a wild time. I've been to the Green man one, it's really nice and it's, I think the thing with kids, small kids, you always go festivals, big festivals. No, it does get quite horrendous and industrial, doesn't it? And having to sort of, I mean the massive ones obviously that we're thinking of Glastonbury and so on. But these little ones, lesser known ones, are fantastic. Yeah, they are because you've, you've got, you've got your little eco community and you can kind of, you can, you know, the kids are going to come back to that same spot and people are a lot more friendly, so. And during the day it's great. You know, you just get yourself a bit little beer and then just sit down on your rug and the kids are just off playing or non alcoholic beverage. Obviously for all those people. That's a smoothie. They do exist. Okay, another one. That's a really, really good one. And this is if you're a bit into your food. It is on the 23rd to the 25th of August, it's the big Feastival Festival. Now this is held on founder and Blur star Alec James. Remember the pretty cheese? Yeah. He's got a farm in Kingham in the Cotswolds. And the big Feastival features a host of big names in family friendly entertainment. This year's lineup is amazing. You've also got Justin Fletcher from CBeebies. You've got Andy and the Odd Socks. And you've got Peppa Pig, the Gruffalo and Paddington. So loads for the kids. They have a really cool home held to scale through that one as well. That kind of like is like a bit of a focal point and great if you love your food. My sister met Otto Lenghi there, which I was gutted about. I'm like, I cook him. Why are you getting a photo with him? When I cook his food and his food takes a long time. I'm sure a lot of people out there know the length of an Otto Lengue aubergine cook. You know, you've got, you're starting the day before, so by the time, you know, you're getting to the. It's a sacred meal. Takes 18 hours, but it's well worth it. And you know, and those are, you know, those are the kind of people who are going there. They're great. Sam Smith was at Wilderness, very nice. And all the children apart from me got a picture with him. You wouldn't have known it was Sam Smith though. He kind of had a black captain sunglasses on. But of course the kids recognized him and he was really, he was so lovely and had did a picture with all the kids. Made their day. Made their day. Right. Curious Arts Festival. Now this is great. If you are a bit like me, into the arts and the craftsman, that's the 23rd to the 26th of August. So you can still get your tickets now. And don't forget all these festivals do day a day. Do day tickets as well. Yeah. So if you don't want to do the overnight, you can't be bothered to get the tent out and all that kind of stuff, which is a lot more packing. Just go for the day. If you live nearby and you're only an hour away, great way to spend a day. So it's a very stylish, beautiful arts and music festival. It's in the New Forest and the breathtaking estate of Pippa Park. You've got a host of child love activities and entertainment, children's poetry, film workshops, classic cartoons, bedtime stories. You can really, really find great entertainment and cultural stimulation. And it's really good for all ages of kids as well. That one, you've got something to cover all of. All of the children. So those are the ones that are still to come. We have got some day festivals coming up as well. If you are thinking, right, I might go to a festival next year, ones I would recommend, really children friendly Latitude. That's in Sussex, Suffolk and that's a very good children's festival camp. Bestival. Probably the best of them, not to be confused with Bestival. So that's a real dressing up one. They've got lots of children stars there and CBeebies and things like that. I went when the triplets were eight months old. How brave am I? And that's how easy it was that festival to go to. We just hired. We did glamping because I couldn't be able to take a tent and then we just got there, shoved our stuff into the tent and off we went. And everything's so easy, very safe and the children are just so well entertained and you can just get back and relax and enjoy your children. So that's another really good one. And there's a brilliant one down in Port Isaac in Cornwall as well. Very similar to that. Really, really kid friendly. So if it's your first time, I would go to probably one of those. And then you can really. There's just so much for the kids. You can really, really. I mean the thing is having been pregnant three times and always feeling the feeling of dread. Should I take them somewhere? Once you've got over that hill, haven't you, when they're. When you're breastfeeding, it's really good to actually because they're on you. It's the easiest thing in the world. You can hold a pint and breastfeed at the same time, you know, and walk through the fields. It's actually when they get a little bit older and they start up to be a bit more dynamic and needing different things, it's a little bit more challenging. And you could do the cart, you do the cart, we do the car. So you've got the metal cart, chuck them all in there and you even forget you're pulling them for like an hour, you know, around a festival. And everyone wants one, don't they? Everyone comes up to you and goes, can I please have your cart for my children? Where did you get it already? Got it, yeah. Amazon.com they're very, very, very handy asleep in them and they can just have a little rest. Put lights on them. Bit of shame. There you go. Absolutely fantastic. So don't forget that you've got the one day festivals as well, which we'll have a quick look at in the next part. But the great thing about the one day festivals, if you know you're going to one on the Saturday, then you can plan your outfits or make some headdresses so you're all as one family, you can actually do arts and crafts the few days before on the Wednesday, start making things and then you take it to the festival on Saturday, which really, really does make it fun. We'll be back in a few more minutes with great things to do from the lovely Daniela over the summer holidays. It's not over yet. We'll see you in a few. Welcome to Women's radio Station. I'm Sarah Louise Ryan and welcome to Love Lessons live on Women's Radio station. Hello and welcome to future Classic Women awards with me, Stefania Passamonte on Women's Radio station. Hello and welcome to Julie Mae is listening. Hi, this is Anna Kennedy and we're at Women's radio Station supporting women's well being and we're talking all things autism women. The possibilities are endless. That's what makes us different. 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We empower those living in rural areas with media that transforms how they access, own and share information. To find out more and be part of this movement, come check out our website@mediamattersforwomen.org welcome back. You're listening to women's radio stations supporting women's well being, women's radio stations creating a global network for the empowerment of women and we want you to be involved. Join us on Instagram and Twitter Women's radio station that's Women's Radio STN or Facebook Women's radio Station to keep up to date with all our exciting programs. Welcome back to Mother's Hour with me, Carolyn Van Beers. It is of course our summer holiday special part two and it's the last part of the show where we are going to give you the best stuff to do in the latter part of the holidays. We're about halfway through so you're still about three weeks to go, so let's get on with it. I was just talking about festivals. These are the one day festival festivals. Now if you do look up obviously on Google and just have a quick look at one day festivals that are perhaps near you so you don't have too far to travel. There is loads of them still around. They're usually free and they're usually fun family days. They're often on at the weekends so it's something to look forward to with dad. Maybe dad can come along as well. But during the week as I said before, do some stuff to get ready for the festival. Maybe all decide you're all going to go dressed in blue, blue jeans, T shirts or blue shorts and T shirts so you could always find each other and you've got a bit of a theme going on. It makes you really feel like a great family. We've got to Jimbo Fest that's in St albans, that's on the 17th of August. It's a Saturday. It's a Gymboree play and music festival in St Albans, 11 Hatfield Road. We've also got the Twinbury Farms family fun day that's on the 26th of August so that's the bank holiday and that's on Monday from 11. There was loads on that bike holiday so do plan something now 11 till 3 and finally. Oh there's a good one on in Billericki is a family fun day that's on the 31st of August and then you've got the just so festival that's up in Stoke on Trent. That's a great festival to go to as well and that's on the 16th of August so those are good one day festivals again. Everyone's free, everyone's relaxed, you can do some dancing with the kids. Great fun. Daniela, you've been to a festival already. What else have you got for us? I've got. Well I've got the London. I mean I'll give you some of the London stuff. For any anyone who's actually based in and around London there's some great stuff still to do and it's. It's great that it's sort of at that last three weeks when it gets really tough. It's so good in fact that I'm going away to France for three weeks and I'm like oh no, I'm gonna miss that, I'm gonna miss that. I'm gonna miss that with the kids. Cause there's so much. So to start off there's the Queen's house, Buckingham Palace, I've never knew about this that it's Open until, until 29th September for 10 weeks only a year and within that you have all the queens rooms, you can look at stately homes. But there's family festival where there's drop in arts and crafts workshops in the gallery and lots going on in the family pavilion. So you can make a day out. You get to have a little snoop obviously at all how much we're paying tax for. And, and also the, you know, arts and crafts for the kids. And then what's the tube line? What's the tube line on that one? What's the tube line from Buckingham Palace? This green park. Yeah, I think it's around there, isn't it? And then you got hit the beach, which I didn't know about at all. It's the only natural beach sandy beach in London. And you go on the tube to Ry Slip and you get off there, it's open daily, it's free. And then you pay 350 on a lido railway and 280 for a kid. And you go around the Woodlands and then it stops off at the Water's Edge pub at the end, which is fantastic. So you're packing in everything for everyone. I knew nothing about that. So just type in the rice slip. Totally go on the tube. Then they're also. There's the museum, obviously, science museum, still doing this amazing thing for kids in there along with this amazing Apollo 11 50th anniversary stuff still going on there till the end of August. And you've got the Olympic Stadium, Olympic park, where kids can actually, can actually cycle around a velodrome. You can as well obviously, if you want to do that. But I think it's specifically for kids. That's really good if you've got mixed age ranges because everyone can. Well, obviously not the two year olds, but they get. You can ride a bike. Two year olds just have to be not on the velodrome, don't they? That's what you just hope for, which is great. And another thing that I think is fantastic that friends are telling me this morning, what's the price on the velodrome? The velodrome? No, it's not priced up actually. So I think best to check exactly what's going on there. It doesn't give you a pricing. Oh, wait a minute. Orbital slider, 1650. So you're looking a little bit more on the cash front there. And that's Queen Elizabeth Olympic park in Stratford. The thing that I was going to tell you about was I spoke to a friend of mine this morning, he was telling me about it. Oh God, I've missed that. When I went to yoga at 6:30. Yes, that's what I did on my birthday. And there's the bag. Free theater tickets for kids. And I'M always put off taking them to the. You know, the musicals you've got to do. Of course you do, but it's like 250 quid pack in for everyone. And then you're kind of like so scared one of them will need the loo or so scared one of them will hate it and leave. And you're like, you have to sit there. It's 35 quid. Just be quiet. So what I like about the bag of free theater ticket is the adult pays because you're likely to sit still but your kid goes free. And this is still going on everywhere. You can still get online. It's highly suggest the Timeouts guide to summer in London. If you go on there, timeoutguide.com you'll get all of these freebies. You get quite a lot. There's even. So these are the big theaters. These are big theaters. Not they're saying, just not only musicals but also some other type of venues. Interactive shows like Dinosaur World Live, Troubadour, Wembley Park Theatre and Brainiac Live at the Garrick. So you've got interactive stuff going on there. There. Absolutely brilliant. And yeah. And then they even give half price for all the other kids. So there's a really, really, really good ways to bag some tickets and get to see some shows because they know there's not a lot in August. This is the time to do it because everyone's away. So this is how they get everyone into the theater. So make use of that. That's absolutely fantastic. And then what I quite like the idea of, but could never stomach, most probably doing is the zip across London, which is a race zip. Now London, where you get this meter, 225 meter zip line in Archbishops park near Waterloo. And they're four zip wires running parallel, which is perfect if you're mostly interested in thrashing your family members, providing they're aged 8 plus and over. Right. And they have to be over 1.2 meters tall. So measure your children before you go out. Very good. Important thing before you go somewhere on a ride or anywhere. For God's sake, I've done it. I've taken them and like all of them in tears. I think it was a Hyde park winter skate thing. And none of them measured, just none of them. So we just went round and they were like, are you a bum? They were jumping and hopping. Me and Dan went on a ride because they couldn't go on anything. Not great. So, yeah, measure your kids and then check before you leave. Same thing happened when we were At Wilderness they had a park. I always say go on the last day because if you check them on the first day they'll keep going on about it and want to go on every day. So you've got something to look forward to. Always go on the laugh day because you are going to hemorrhage money. Five pounds a ride. Yeah. I've got four children, can you imagine? So they get one ride each and they wanted to go on the swings and I thought, no, I'm going to lose them because the swings go right out to the side. So I made the guy on the thing lie and say that it was for the over tens. Yeah, yeah. So that my 8 year olds couldn't go on that so I wouldn't lose. My eldest child did go on that with his friends, so he had a great time. And then little Lottie, she went on the Ferris wheel with daddy and then the others went on the bump course, which was just great fun. So I made sure there was something for everyone where they could have fun. They just got the one right. And you've got to do that with someone. I mean, I've made the mistake of taking all the boys down on my own. And then who's looking after the little one when you're up in the air with the one that can't go on without parents so, you know, drag your mates down. I also think for reasons of. After having three pregnancies and three kids, really make the last ride, not one where you might actually have an accident yourself. So, you know, go prepared for that one. So make your liar. If you're a mum and you've dressed out and you pushed out three boys, just make sure you, yeah, you're prepared, you're equipped, let's put it that way. Thanks for that, Daniela. Yeah, that's my words of wisdom there. That one, your last ride. Yes. And also know yourself because I can't go on the same rides that I used to go on. I'm very sick, so there's no way I'm going on any. In fact, I didn't go on any rides, but I did enjoy watching and seeing them having so much fun. Mum took the photos. Yeah, totally. Watch your neck on those spinners. I realized that life's just neck brace making, isn't it? You're like, I can't do this anymore, my neck's gone. Okay, some things to do at home. Now, I know we've said keep getting out the house, but sometimes, you know, the budgets run out and you just need a home. Day where you're just kind of chilling out at home. So make something of the garden. Make it really exciting in the garden. You know, lay out the blankets, put loads of books out, put loads of games out, maybe put the paddling pool up or something like that. And so it's a really fun day in the garden. Maybe inviting the family over and decided we do that a lot. And I think what's really important there, that takes hours. And if you set it up really well, it can go on forever. As long as they learn not to put it in their mouth, like with a two year old, is potting plants, potting seeds. Hours of fun. Stiff. You know, obviously most of them don't grow because you've gone in for a second and realized that they've patted them into concrete or they've shoved four marrow trees into one pot. You're like, I hope none of those grow. So, you know, you've got to have a bit of risk factor to it. But the green. Yeah, packing a punch, the old green fingers is great. Yeah. And that's a lovely day. And also if it rains that day and you have plan to do a home day baking, get the baking stuff out. Everyone wants a bit of baking. Make loads of mess. No, you're gonna have to clear up and that's fine. Yeah. If you've got that in your head, I'm gonna be clearing this up and it's not. You've got all day to do it and you can bake and then eat. How great's that? That one day where we bake a cake and eat it. I was actually shocked on the weekend I made one of these flans and I hate baking. So I kind of had a complete freak out. And I'm screaming, I can't do the pastry because I'm not very good with pastry. I get nervous. I feel a Victorian value, Victorian values take over me and I'm like, I'll never be good enough. But what's amazing about pastry is it actually, even with chunks of butter in it, put it down, squidged it into this pie and then did apricots and cherries on top. And it was amazing. And it came out and I was like, wow. And then I had to sort of excuse the fact that I've been screaming for about half an hour, the pastry's not working. So pastry thin pastries are great with kids. And then fruit on top, great way to get them to eat good stuff, but really fast. Bang it in 45 minutes and you actually have a work of art. Now my thing, because I'm a very green eco lady. No more soap in a bottle, thank you very much. Because that is the hardest plastic to get rid of. Make soap. Soap is so cool to make with the kids. It's very, very easy. You can make really long bars and then cut them into strips and then you can make your own labels. So family beer, soap or whatever, make your own labels. Or it could be Leon soap, you know, and then you can get the these sticky badges, like circular badges, so you can wrap it up in brown paper, put the sticker on and it's their soap. How cool is that? Is this difficult to make? Is it hard? Tricky. So easy. Just go online. I'm a bit worried about lard. You can use lots of alternatives. There's loads of different alternative glitter and things like that to make soap. So that's absolutely fantastic. A really fun day. And again, we'll cross the age barriers. Yeah, we are just about out of time. You're not spending your birthday with your children this time. I love my children. I spent a lovely breakfast with my children, but I'm spending the rest of the day with adults. Wow, that's a good way. Just sometimes. I love them. I love them. I'll see them tomorrow morning for the third week. Okay. I'm gonna see you next week for another very exciting mother's hour. But if I don't see you, take care. Welcome to the women's radio station. Supporting women's well being. Women's radio station is all about diversity from opinions, career, ethnicity, education and most importantly, women's well being. We aim to celebrate the individuality of every woman everywhere, providing opportunities and the platform for your voice. Visit our website womensradiostation.com for more information. I'm Tamina Zaman, founder of Empower and Enrich. When it comes to money, do you clam up or get confused? Do you wish you could save more money or are you hoping you have enough for retirement? You are not alone. 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