Win an Abra-ca-Debora Picnic Hamper

I've been overwhelmed with suggestions for picnic sites since posting my Belvoir hamper competition last week. Out of an amazing 150 plus entries, though, there can only be one winner and a lovely Belvoir hamper is on its way to Amanda Oakley whose chosen location was the lovely Bolton Abbey in North Yorkshire.

But have no fear! For in spite of the weather I have today another sumptuous hamper to giveaway to one lucky reader. This time it comes from the magical folks at Abra-ca-Debora - makers of delicious ready-to-eat pancakes (savoury and sweet) and provider of recipes for stress-free, mess-free no-bake cakes (no soggy bottoms or sunken middles!).

Anyway, here's the hamper...

Here's what's in it...

• Some delicious Abra-ca-Debora Dutch pancakes (savoury and sweet)
• A jar of chutney
• A jar of Marmite
• Golden syrup
• Green and Black's chocolate
• Icing sugar
• And a lemon

And here's what you have to do to be in with a chance to win it...

As we've already had suggestions for favourite picnic sites this time I'd like to know what your 'must-have' essential picnic ingredient is - whether it be food (pork pie would be mine) or drink (a chilled rosé if I'm not driving) good book (Roger Deakin's 'Waterlog' is perfect summer reading) I want you to tell me what you have to have in your picnic hamper. Along with Abra-ca-Debora pancakes, of course.

Usual rules apply; leave a comment below between now and next Thursday after which Charlie and I will put all the entries into our virtual hat and draw out one lucky winner.

Oh, and UK entries only please... which means you all already start with something in your hamper.

An umbrella !

Let's talk about sex

Oh dear! The National Association of Headteachers is calling for children as young as five to be taught about porn and we're all getting hot-under-the-collar about sex. Again.

I taught Sex Ed for years - to girls as well as boys - and, it might surprise you to learn, very little of it actually mentioned the word 'sex'. Or talked about 'bits'. Or contained anything about which smutty fourth-formers could giggle or the Daily Mail be outraged.

Because - and I hope this will reassure the many, many parents out there who are (rightly, justifiably, understandably) concerned about what otherwise appears to be rather whacky ideas from the teaching profession - sex education, or Sex and Relationship education as it is correctly called, is only very rarely about biological reproduction and all that that entails.

Indeed, it's the "R' is SRE that is most important. Because good Sex Ed in schools is about teaching children how to recognise, nurture and sustain good relationships of all kinds (platonic none more so for those under the age of 16) to have respect for themselves and other people, not to use anyone as a means to an end but to treat everyone with the respect and dignity they deserve.

Having a good basic sense of self-worth - which can and should be taught to kids as young as five - is central, fundamental and essential to being able to show respect to others. Showing respect to others, once learned, once accepted and once practised and developed in school from the age of five onwards - is far more likely to lead to a healthy attitude to sexual partners (when the times for such arrives) and to the ability to deal with pornography than any explicit lessons on the subject.

And that's what this is all about.

It's depressing to hear so many parents, grandparents and media commentators so muddled about what actually goes on - and what principles underpin - good SRE in schools. And - yes - depressing too that those so-called professional communicators - teachers and headteachers - seem unable to offer the reassurance society needs.

So, here for what it's worth, is my two' pennorth:

• You can't just 'leave it to parents' as many parents just don't bother. 
• You have to equip children with age-approproate information about the world about them. And that includes the adult bits. 
• And if schools aren't about giving children the skills and attitudes necessary to forge and sustain mutually rewarding, long-lasting and appropriate relationships with other members of the human race then they should be closed down forthwith. 

Oh, and one more thing.

If you don't like knowledge, try ignorance.

Win a Belvoir Picnic Hamper!

I know. It's hardly picnic weather. But it will be soon, surely?

 Last summer I mean, last weekend we had a lovely picnic at the top of West Keal hill (yes, there are hills in Lincolnshire) with spectacular views over half the county and across to Norfolk. And we had the weather, too. Remember? Sun and warmth and on Bank Holiday Monday. We had some delicious food washed down with a bottle of Belvoir sparkling presse. Lovely.



On the basis that summer must be only just around the corner Belvoir is offering you the chance to win one of their picnic hampers today. In case you don't know, Belvoir makes the most delicious cordials, presses and fruit crushes using 100% natural ingredients (including flowers and fruit from the farm) and all mixed with water from the local spring. Mary Manners began making cordials in her kitchen in the 1970s, infusing elderflowers and pressing the fruit grown on the family farm and the business has gone from strength to strength ever since.


Anyway, if you fancy having a luxury picnic courtesy of Belvoir all you have to do is leave me a quick comment between now and next Wednesday telling me where you'd like to have the picnic. I'll pick one winner at random (I won't judge your choice of venue, honest!) and then it'll be over to you.

Oh, and the great British weather!



This competition is now closed. Thanks to everyone who entered, congratulations to the winner Amanda Oakley and good luck to everyone else next time!

Routine

Today's post is a guest contribution in association with Oral B tackling the tricky subject of routine within a family.

Having routines can be essential for families. Routines enable us to complete chores and can free up more time for having fun. Some sort of routine helps to ensure everybody gets ready in the morning, housework gets done and meals are made at the appropriate times throughout the day.

But there's more to adhering to than practical convenience. Routines are a way of educating your children and allowing them to understand what’s important and why. Something as straightforward as a regular get-together with relatives can become established as a family ritual that helps to build a sense of belonging and familial cohesion.

Although children's individual propensity for routine varies it has been suggested that a certain amount can benefit a child in a variety of ways. Consistency encourages healthy habits in young children. Boring tasks such as brushing teeth can become an automatic response to being in the bathroom as a child reaches for their best toothpaste and brush.

And a predictable home environment can help a child feel safe and secure. Routines often prove to be particularly helpful for children with certain disabilities especially those which result in them finding it difficult to cope with change and feeling insecure in unfamiliar surroundings.  

Not only do routines help to develop certain life skills, such as a sense of responsibility or time management, they can also create sacred time for spending with loved ones. A ritual revolving around shared enjoyment, such as reading a book together before bedtime can strengthen family bonds and become an important time of togetherness that helps to build family relationships.

It’s helpful too to bear in mind that routines shouldn’t be set in stone. Children will naturally challenge some rituals or simply outgrow them and family structures can also alter. Flexible family time and being open to adapting existing routines can avoid many unnecessary altercations. Reluctance to relinquish some rituals purely because of parental preference can fracture familial relationships. There’s little point in forcing a family tradition that has long been outgrown by a teenage child. Build stronger bonds instead with compromise and mutual respect.

There are no set rules about what routines you should have. Every family is different and functions in its own unique way. What works well for one family could prove to be too prohibitive for another. So choose your own unique and evolving rituals that work for your particular family unit.

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