Gorgeous George & The Giant Geriatric Generator is an exciting and funny tale following a young boy, George and his Grandpa Jock as they fight to take down the evil Mr Watt’s power plant. Rude, crude and packed with hilarious dialogue and strange events. The book was written to encourage children, particularly boys to read more often, as a self-read for ages 9+ but also to make bedtime reading fun for younger children and their parents. It’s funny, yucky, imaginative and very entertaining.

The author, Stuart Reid has embarked on a book reading tour throughout Scotland and England. He has already presented and read from his book to over 5,000 pupils at a number of different schools. Current bookings at schools and various venues mean he will be reading to at least another 30,000 pupils over the next 12 months.

Bogies, baddies, bagpipes and bums! Farting, false teeth and fun!

Gorgeous George and the Giant Geriatric Generator begins when George witnesses something rather disturbing from his bedroom window late one night. Maybe it was a UFO or a ghostly apparition, or maybe it’s even more sinister. Whatever it was, nobody believes him. People are disappearing fast and no one seems to care.

Why are the people of Little Pumpington so miserable? Why has his evil teacher started smelling of wee? Why is Mr Watt so fat? Why does Mr Jolly the Janitor collect hundreds of pairs of false teeth in a cupboard in his workshop? And what will happen when mad Kenny sticks two crayons up his nose?

During detention George discovers a secret stash of soggy tea-bags and a hundred boxes of broken biscuits hidden in a mysterious tunnel beneath the school. Can his new friend Alison help, even though she’s just ‘a boring girl’? Will Alison’s mum give them money for sweets? Can Gorgeous George (who’s not really gorgeous at all) solve these mysteries with the help of his Grandpa Jock, the wild-haired ginger Scotsman before Grandpa Jock deafens the whole town with his bagpipes?

Oh, and do not try the ‘burning brown bag of poo prank’ at home! You have been warned!

Comedian and writer Arthur Smith says about the book, “Hilarious and excellent – I particularly liked ‘blanket of rancid cabbages’. Fart on, George and Stuart”

Gorgeous George & The Giant Geriatric Generator is available from all good bookstores as well as many online retailers including My Little Big Town’s e-commerce store: http://www.mylittlebigstore.com

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Calling all mums! – it’s time to get nominating to vote for the UK’s top mums in business at MumsClub’s 4th annual Business Mum Awards – with headline sponsors MyFamilyClub.

The new year has started with a great deal of headlines and one of the most notable is David Cameron’s announcement that he wants to make Britain a more entrepreneurial place. He has said that recognising people who have achieved in business is a good way to inspire a new generation and because of this he has announced that the founder of the Business Mum Awards is going to receive an MBE.

This year is particularly significant to the UK with the hosting of the Olympic Games and also the Queen’s Jubilee taking place. People are seeing it as an excellent opportunity to recognise women who juggle being mothers while being able to create their own income.

The award-winning support network, mumsclub, plays a nationwide role in encouraging and supporting women who may be seeking post-maternity options or alternatives to being a career, or a stay at home mum. 

The Business Mum Awards have recognised and rewarded those women who have started businesses and achieved success in a short space of time since 2008. Winners have gone on to great success including the ultimate goal for many of them having their products stocked in high street stores and even more exciting in overseas. 

Jane Hopkins MBE who created both mumsclub and the Business Mum Awards says 
Recognising such high achievers helps create more role models that inspire the next generation of women juggling business with motherhood.

This year, previous award winners have been delighted to offer sponsorship, with many category winners sponsoring individual awards. Mum of two and entrepreneur Gemma Johnson, won an award for adversity last year and her new businessMyFamilyClub is the headline sponsor for the event. 

Gemma says “I am a huge supporter of mumsclub and The Business Mum Awards. The support that I have received from other mums in business has been an enormous help, so I am delighted to be able to give back and support this year’s awards, giving a boost to the next generation of mums starting out in business.”

Further sponsors include Cara Sayer who with her business SnoozeShade won Business mum of the year 2010, Mumpreneur Shop, the business owned by Erica Douglas and Antonia Chitty who won best start up 2010 and Business Mum of the Year 2009 respectively, and Alison Pinney of Your Little Monkey and Mum’s Business Club Cambridge who won the Mumpreneur Advocate 2010 and Gill Hayward and Kellie Forbes of YUU World who won the high growth award 2010.
Nominations will close on February 15th.

Award Categories

• The Resilience Award: Sponsored by MyFamilyClub
• The Impact Award: Sponsored by The Mumpreneur Shop
• The Innovator Award: Sponsored by Sponsored by YUU World
• The Advocate Award: Sponsored by Your Little Monkey
• Business Mum of the Year: Sponsored by SnoozeShade
• The annual MumsClub PR Challenge
• Plus the top secret wildcard award, awarded to the business owner who may not always fit the above category criteria but the judges agree require recognition for specific effort, achievement or experiences.

Nominations are invited now to ensure all entrepreneurial mums are in with a chance of entering. The winners will be announced on the 8th March in recognition of International Women’s Day. The ceremony will be an exclusive event for the winners to enjoy an afternoon of pamper and relaxation after a sumptuous winners lunch.
Limited sponsorship opportunities are still available.

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There are two specific times during a child’s life when parents feel particularly lost as to how to deal with their kids; during the “terrible twos” and then again when their angelic child turns 13 and becomes rebellious and angst-ridden.

However, there is no reason for Mum and Dad to feel that they have lost control, when a few simple steps can help keep their relationship with their teen on track. Even when things are at their worst – with the child staying out late, experimenting with drink and drugs and getting into trouble in an out of school – as long as parents remember six key tips, there is no reason to fear that a typical teen will end up a rebellious and out-of-control adult.

Understanding is vital, and must work both ways in order for the relationship to stay strong. It is difficult for parents to remember what it was like when they were children; and even is they can, Mum and Dad just want to protect their teen from making the same mistakes they made! Being understanding and empathetic without prying will help your teen feel more comfortable in their own skin, without having their insecurities pointed out to them by the two people who should be protecting them.

Secondly, teens need their own space – both physically and emotionally. If possible they shouldn’t be sharing a room with a younger or older sibling at this difficult time and the last thing they want is a Mum or Dad who is constantly asking them if they are OK or if they want to talk – even if the intentions are kind.

It can be difficult for parents to trust their teenagers, especially if they have already given them a reason not to. The important thing is to forgive and forget; everyone makes mistakes and punishing a teen for being a teen is only going to make them resent you, even if your actions were designed to protect them from themselves.

Even if your child has given you no reason to trust them, allowing them some freedom is a great way to show that you believe in them even if they feel the rest of the world is against them. Parents and kids have struggled to communicate with each other for generations and parents need to accept that their children are going to stop confiding in them at some point and turn to their friends for support. Be patient; once those difficult teenage years are over, you will get your chatty and confident child back.

Teenagers will often resent any attempts by their parents to get involved in their lives, but Mum and Dad should try and make an effort to at least find out more about their child’s interests; listen to the music they like, offer to take them shopping or drive them to places where they like to hang out.

They might never actually say thank you, but they will be grateful one day. Taking an interest in their interests and hobbies has the added benefit of making sure that you know the places they are hanging out and who their friends are; a major area of concern for most teenagers’ parents. 

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These figures have been released by FindaProperty.com to coincide with the launch of their latest TV advertisements. The first ad features a dad to be rapping to highlight the problem regarding household overcrowding that expectant parents face. To watch the first 2 ads, and to find out more about the survey log on to  http://rap.findaproperty.com

The study also suggests that just under a million people in the UK are expecting to become a parent within the next few months, and roughly 14% of these are still living in homes that are too small to accommodate their new arrival.

Samantha Baden, property analyst at FindaProperty.com commented: “With the average cost of a three bedroom home in the UK now in the region of £193,000, affordability remains a key issue for families. Very few families can afford to buy or rent a property that meets their exact size and location requirements, and as a result, they are often forced to compromise on one or the other.

“These findings reinforce the importance of investing quality time in the search for a home that meets the needs of the family both now and in the future.”

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This is because they spend the other days commuting to work and when combined with the intense work schedule they don’t have much time to spend with their children during the week. In the worlds view it is generally accepted that work comes before being a father for men.

It might not be the quite the same in the UK as men generally don’t work the same intense schedule but it can still be a struggle to fit your children in when you have to spend a lot of time working. This is a flawed structure and people should focus on having a job that allows them the free time they need to spend with their family and build a quality relationship with their children.

Consumerism is a misdirected lifestyle and the poor food choices that people are making in the modern world, especially in the United States, is leading to an increased amount of obesity and diabetes in both adults and children. Religion is something that is on the decline and while it is flawed in many ways, a general positive message that can be taken away from it is can be the roots of family values.

Matthew Kelly, who is an author writing about how to build a better family, has said that it is very important to think outside the box when you are trying to build a stronger family unit. He says that people should look outside their normal behaviour and see how they could bring a focus back to building bonds with their family.

He also says that some of the best ways to do this is to start working from home more if possible and start questioning a traditional lifestyle and find a way to live a healthier and happier life.

Working from home can be something that is challenging but it is also way that many people find happiness. Not having to work typical office hours means that you can choose when you work and make the hours better suited to your family life. This is likely to improve your happiness significantly as you’re going to be able to forget about the stresses of work more easily and spend more time with your family.

Many people also find working from home gives them more time to eat healthier and exercise more. This in turn leads to a happier state of being, not just for the person who’s working from home but also for their family who are going to benefit from more nutritious and healthy meals that the person can prepare.

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First things first, let yourself feel whatever emotions you are dealing with. Until you have taken some time to grief you won’t be able to access the situation and work out what to do. Then consider seeking legal advice, as you and your child are entitled to compensation.

Head injuries are very complicated injuries. They often have immediate effects to memory or movability, just to mention some examples, but symptoms of a head injury can also emerge long after the injury was sustained. There are many such factors influencing a legal case, and although a free advisory service such as the Citizen’s Advice Bureau offer guidance, and your local solicitor may be able to advise you on general aspects of personal injury claims, where a head or brain injury is involved, it is recommended to seek out a specialist lawyer.

The following shows the other factors that need to be considered during the legal case:

First, the accident itself. A lawyer specialising in this kind of personal injury will present the accident to court in the manner that best illustrates the case. They will be experienced with using reconstructions or expert evidence in this area, and familiar with the kind of medical evidence courts will require.

Second, the severity of the consequences. Head injuries can result in significant alterations to the victim’s daily life, and may impact significantly on their school career and employment future. Lawyers with detailed knowledge of this area frequently have established connections with experts in areas such as physiotherapists, neurologists or other medical practitioners. Their professional opinions will show the court the seriousness of the injury, and the continuous support, both financially and emotionally, which the family and victim will need.

Third, and most importantly, damages. A specialist lawyer is best suited to calculate the correct level of damages that deserve to be claimed. They will also be able to advise on claiming ‘interim’ payments. These are damages that are paid to the person claiming compensation where their claim looks likely to succeed, and permit them to put certain arrangements in place before the case has concluded. Such arrangements can include adjustments to your home to facilitate for your child’s new needs or the costs of rehabilitation courses and support programmes.

Fourth, timing. As mentioned above, not all consequences of a head or brain injury are immediately apparent. In cases where the symptoms take time to fully develop, a specialist solicitor is able to advise on how and when to commence a claim.
Finally, living arrangements. A specialist will be able to assist in arranging affairs, such as living facilities and school needs, so that the consequences of the injury are anticipated and provided for. They will be able to help with matters like power of attorney, dealing with third parties, and putting you in touch with specialists who are equipped to assist your child manage their altered daily life.

Seeking the help of a specialist lawyer is daunting, as their price is higher than that of a non-specialised solicitor. Yet they have the skills to gain the right amount of damages for your child’s current and future needs. When looking for a lawyer, be sure that you take the time to get to know them. A court case of this topic can be a long and emotional journey, so you need someone by your side who you trust, who knows what they are doing, and who is willingly to talk you through the procedure in an understanding and patient manner.

Article of Courtesy of Pannone.com

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Children are a very expensive part of life as they need feeding as well as clothing. It is not just this which costs parents money as they often want to treat their children to special things. Unemployment in the UK has risen to a very high level and for those who have not lost their jobs the chances are they are going to be earning less money,  as the amount of money they are earning has not risen in line with inflation.

Supporting children when you have suddenly lost your income can be very challenging and it can be very hard to find new work once you’ve lost it. Those who have been working in the manufacturing sector have suffered particularly badly and those with manufacturing skills have found it very hard to find equivalent work in the industry.

The number of outgoings that the average household faces can become extraordinary and as soon as you lose your income you realise how unaffordable they are. The recession has caused more people to miss their mortgage payments and many others have lost their homes. Losing a home can be a particularly challenging process for children as moves are unsettling, especially when they are unexpected.

Single parents can suffer particularly badly as not only do they not have the benefit of two incomes coming in, which can also reduce hardship if one party loses their job, but they also have to consider the cost of childcare while they are working.

The law dictates that a parent has a financial responsibility to their children, even if there has been a divorce. However, with the economy in the state that it is, even the absent party might be struggling to make full maintenance payments.This can have a serious effect on the parents who spends the majority of time with the children.

The sad fact of the situation is that many parents do want to pay the other party in order to take care of their children but sometimes they simply do not have the money to do this.

The lack of money that many households have encourages people to take on more debt and this can increase the problem further. Taking on debt, especially irresponsible debt, such as a credit card, can mean that the amount you are having to spend on repayments is very high and this can make your financial situation even worse.

Many people have found themselves in a spiral of debt that they cannot control and they are still having to take on more debt in order to meet their basic living needs.

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While their parents are tending to be dreaming about exotic holidays in places such as the Caribbean, it’s a very different story for their kids, with the majority preferring a trip to the moon than anywhere terrestrial.

www.sunshine.co.uk polled 2,105 British parents, each with children aged between 3 and 8, and asked them to talk to their children about their ideal holiday destinations.

Respondents were given a list to show to their children, with a mixture of fictional and real-life destinations, as well as more unrealistic settings for holidays, and their youngsters were required to pick the 3 places they would most like to visit on holiday.

According to the poll by sunshine.co.uk, the top 10 places British children would most like to visit on their next holiday are;

1.       The Moon – 47%

2.       Disney World – 41%

3.       Narnia – 39%

4.       Hogsmead – 26%

5.       Lapland – 25%

6.       Hundred Acre Wood – 17%

7.       Hogwarts – 14%

8.       Pride Rock (Lion King) – 9%

9.       Australia  – 4%

10.   Bikini Bottom (SpongeBob SquarePants) – 2%

As well as the list that sunshine.co.uk provided, parents were also allowed to give their child the option of selecting ‘other’ after which they were required to specify the place their youngster had chosen. One of the parents’ children claimed she would like to go on holiday to her ‘Granny’s house’.

Of the top 10 destinations named by children, 6 were fictional places from various kid’s television shows and films, whilst the top answer, the Moon, was perhaps just as unrealistic.

Chris Brown, co-founder of sunshine.co.uk, commented on the findings;

“Having four kids of my own, I know that mine would pick Disney over any destination, but it’s incredibly cute to see that so many selected fictional destinations and the Moon! I know if I was young, there’d be nothing more exciting that the idea of going somewhere like the Moon or Tracy Narnia; as far as the kids are concerned, they are all very magical places that are still seemingly within their reach.

“A family holiday is, in most cases, all about the kids, so it’s always worth trying to remember that when booking. Whilst Mum and Dad might want to sit back on the beach and relax, it’s obviously vital that there are plentiful kid’s clubs and activities about the resort to keep them happy.”

LINK http://www.sunshine.co.uk

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Worlds biggest wildlife survey will need childrens help

The biggest ever survey of wildlife amongst schools in the UK has now started. Thousands of schoolchildren will be taking part, watching and waiting excitedly to see which creatures and birds stray into their playgrounds. Classrooms are to be turned into hides, binoculars will be fixed firmly to eager eyes and noses pressed against windows, and all in the name of science.

The annual Big Schools Birdwatch from the RSPB is taking place from 16-30 January, and the survey is encouraging both teachers and children to look for, and count, the different birds that are sharing their environment. A record breaking number participated in 2011, with almost 3000 being involved, and 88,500 teachers and children.

Wildlife is an unbeatable teaching resource. Colourful, attractive and abundant it can enthuse and inspire children – connecting them with the nature that lives alongside them everyday.

Simple to set up, fun for children to do and offering a host of curriculum linked learning opportunities across all age ranges – Big Schools’ Birdwatch is something every school should participate in [note 3]

Some schools make the activity the centrepiece of a whole week devoted to learning about wild birds. Other schools hold birdwatch breakfasts and after school wildlife clubs.

Faye Mackender, RSPB’s Big Schools’ Birdwatch project manager, said: “This activity provides an opportunity for thousands of children to join in and discover the wildlife within their local environment. However teachers want to do it, and wherever the school is located, it’s easy to encourage some life and colour to winter classroom windows with the Big Schools’ Birdwatch.”

Experiencing nature first hand is a vital part of a child’s education, and offers many varied benefits to them, not least developing a sense of wonder and curiosity for the world around them. [note 4]

Faye added: “All you need to do is watch and count the birds in your school grounds for one hour, then submit your results to the RSPB, detailing what you see. Whether you see several exotic species or just a few of the commonest birds, it doesn’t matter – all sightings are useful to us!

We put together the data from the schools about the birds that they see. We then create an overview of which birds are making the most of school grounds across the UK.”

The survey helps to paint a picture of how our birds are faring. Since its launch in 2002, more than 70 different species have been recorded in school grounds, ranging from house sparrows to kestrels and even pheasants. [note 5]

No birdwatching expertise is necessary for teachers, helpers or children and the RSPB has produced a free schools pack containing everything a teacher will need. The emphasis is on having fun and joining in. The pack includes guidance notes, a full colour bird identification poster, counting charts and survey form.

For further information about Big Schools’ Birdwatch, and to register for a free teachers pack, visit the RSPB website www.rspb.org.uk/schoolswatch or ring 0300 456 8340 (calls charged at standard rate). The hotline number will be operational until 30 January 2012.

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