by Dee | Jul 4, 2016 | Featured, General
How many times have you vowed not to get involved in politics, either a political debate or office politics or ‘in house’ family disagreements – politics are in every walk of life and are completely unavoidable.
A few years ago I decided to work from home with a new business venture, as I detested office politics. Well, I have news for you – I have had to become far more politic savvy as a result – because when you are at the helm of a business large or small, politics rear their ugly head every which way you turn. From the office junior to the senior accounts executive – they all have their own agenda and it is therefore necessary to take on the attributes of Margaret Thatcher (ruthlessness), Tony Blair (smarminess) and Boris Johnson (crazy charisma). So the very demon I was trying to avoid has come back to haunt me!
I watch my own sister with her young family and the mums she hangs out with at the local play groups. Talk about in house competition similar to our own Government – you would think it is all about the parents and not the kids at all. From what they are wearing to the schools they are targeting, let alone the gossip and the hierarchy of the groups themselves, with the parents vying to be the best role models by wearing themselves out with the endless violin lessons and after school dance and sports activities. It is a wonder that they ever get to communicate with their kids at all, as it is all about who wins the vote as top parent.
I recently visited a family member in hospital and found him having to ‘play’ the nurses against each other in a sort of ‘divide and rule’ game to keep on top of his medication. He had become a top candidate for repression because of his age, and had to fight back in order to be noticed at all, using all of his wily means to achieve any recognition at all.
I remember being at University and having an encounter with a classmate who had put herself forward as a senior candidate for leadership in beauty, brains and bromance (or the female equivalent). Well, as a less than adequate individual in all three, I had to challenge her – and we came to an understanding and are still friends, but as a result of a huge political banter on both sides.
I could go on, but I challenge you to look at your own life and you will find a political connotation within your own four walls, or certainly in your own back yard. Nothing wrong with that, but when I hear the words ‘I don’t get involved in politics’ I really will laugh out loud.
by Maddie | Jun 30, 2016 | Featured, GloWellness
As the summer term draws to a close, many children will now be preparing to leave their primary school and move to secondary. This can be a massive move, even for those moving between buildings on the same larger school campus.
It can be a big shock to the system, to go from being the oldest in your primary school to the youngest in a secondary school. Many secondary schools also have sixth form students, which can mean your eleven year old is going to school with eighteen year olds; that’s a massive adjustment and can be incredibly daunting for them to begin with.
It can be sad to be leaving behind friends and favourite teachers to take a step into the unknown, but there are many things we as parents can do to help our children with this transition.
Play dates
In the majority of cases, at least one child will be going to the same secondary school as your child – and a lot of the time the entire class will be moving up to a new school. Find out who will be in your child’s new class, and contact their parents to arrange play dates over the school holidays.
When your child is worried about the uncertainty of a new school it’s important to remind them of what will still be familiar after the move.
Rehearse the school run
Secondary school is often a time when children begin making the journey to school alone. Whether this is the case, or you will still be taking your child to and from school, practise the route a few times beforehand. This will mean any first day nerves won’t be exacerbated by worrying which way to go, or not knowing which bus to catch or being unexpectedly stuck in traffic.
Time how long the journey takes, bearing in mind any bottlenecks for traffic. If your child will be walking, discuss the best places to cross roads, where to catch buses and so on.
It’s important to remember that while at primary school the parents are usually told off for children being late, at secondary school pupils are held responsible for their own timekeeping so it’s important to help your child to make sure they can get to school on time in the mornings.
Talk about worst case scenarios
Avoid scaremongering or making up things that could happen, but it is important to think about how your child will deal with certain things happening. What will they do if they miss the bus? What will they do if they lose their bus pass? What will they do if they lose their key, their mobile phone and so on?
Approach this subject calmly and with suggestions prepared, but allow your child to come up with their own ideas so that they feel capable of dealing with these situations should they arise.
Prepare for homework
Secondary school can often see a big increase in the amount of homework a child brings home. Don’t be caught off guard by this; talk about it beforehand, and agree how it will be dealt with. If possible prepare a dedicated space for homework, and talk about when it will be done and what will be expected.
Encourage organisation
In primary school it’s often the parents running around to ensure PE kits are ready, homework is done, books are in bags and so on. In the same way that schools make it the pupil’s responsibility to be on time for lessons, it will also be your child’s responsibility to have the right books and PE kit. You can help with this by encouraging organisation in all areas of home life. Many children will relish the opportunity to take control and responsibility for their own possessions.
Be there
For the first week of the new term, try to make sure you’re there when your child comes home from school. Be available to talk if they have any problems, but don’t push them for details. Even if your child has nothing to report, it will be important over the next few years, that they know you are there to listen when something does come up.
The transition from primary to secondary school can be a scary time for all concerned, but this can also be an exciting time. With a little preparation your child can enjoy their move to secondary school and all the opportunities that are to come.
for more information please visit ISBI Schools
by Dee | Jun 29, 2016 | Featured, Glo Arts & Entertainment
More than 24 years after the first appearance of the outrageous champagne swilling, name dropping, over indulgent duo, Patsy and Edina are back and it is no surprise that they are growing old disgracefully. Well would we have it any other way?
I had the privilege of working with Joanna Lumley last year, and absolutely adored her. She is everything you would imagine, and I don’t mean in the Patsy sense, except for the fact that she is indeed absolutely fabulous. She is extraordinarily stunning and unassuming, and very approachable which is extremely humbling in the usual world of uppity ‘A’ list celebrity. She is also walking proof that life really does begin at 70 so most of us have a way to go!
The film lives up to its name and without giving away too much contains all the best moments of the iconic series, and much much more including the killing of Kate Moss.
Kate is another legendary lady who is famous for her lack of verbal interaction, but who will shock you all with her surprisingly good acting skills. It amazed me to know that she had taken on the role, let alone her skilful on screen delivery, but it was the iconic pair of Jennifer and Joanna who no doubt tipped the balance and persuaded Kate to accept the part. A decision she should be proud of.
Another hilarious scene features Stella McCartney as Patsy who irreverently refers to a moment with her father Sir Paul that had occurred back in 1969, to the absolute abhorrence of his daughter! Patsy as always remains undeterred and unembarrassed!
Other fun moments include Dawn French, Lulu and Emma Bunton to name but a few.
So before I reveal the entire plot and give away all of the best moments of the movie, I would urge you all to go and soak up the best piece of escapism around – it is a film well worth the wait, and it really is absolutely fabulous sweetie.
The Absolutely Fabulous Movie opens across the UK from 1st July
check your local cinema for dates & times
meanwhile, check out the film trailer below.
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