Wellbeing

Kids: Can you get them to ditch the brands?

Jayney Lee Grace is giving it a try, plus the latest holistic news for all the family

Kids: Can you get them to ditch the brands? Jayney Lee Grace is giving it a try, plus the latest news and holistic views to keep your clan in tip-top shape

Fact file

According to a study fromYale University, children born naturally have a higher IQ than those born by caesarean

Did you know?

A ‘lotus birth’ is when the umbilical cord isn’t cut and so the placenta is left attached after birth. Advocates believe this keeps the newborn’s aura complete

Help at hand

For those trying to conceive naturally, why not try Fertility Support Programme, £1,997, by Dr Marilyn Glenville? The 12-week course includes video seminars, diet advice, supplements, support phone calls, vitamin deficiency tests and a ovulation monitor, plus lots more to help you get started.

For more information visit marilynglenvilleeducation.com

Healing honey

If your tot has a bad cough try giving them a spoonful of organic honey before you tuck them into bed. According to recent research published in the journal Pediatrics the sweet amber nectar has high levels of antioxidants and could be an alternative to cough syrups.

Baby brain?

Contrary to the scatty cliché image of new mums, a study from the Carlos Albizu University in Miami has found those with kids have a better memory than their childless peers. During pregnancy many physiological changes happen to the body and previous research suggests that the brain shrinks by up to five per cent. However, it returns to its normal size six months after childbirth and during this time of regrowth it may re-map, improving the ability to recall memories.

Amazing Grace

Our eco-mum Jayney Lee Grace persuades her sons to ditch the brands and go for green chic instead!

It’s tricky when your young teens start demanding designer clothes. I’m a mummy who is rather fond of hand-me-downs. I’m not big on shelling out hard-earned cash on ‘disposable’ high street clothing just so they can look the same as everyone else. “At least opt for sustainable fabrics,” I suggested. “Like Bamboo clothing, the tops feel really soft and bamboo is the new rock and roll!”. It all fell on deaf ears.“Sorry Mum,” declared son number two. “It has to be cool brands like Hollister or Abercrombie & Fitch and if you won’t buy it for me I’ll buy it with my pocket money.”

Mmmm… therein lies the next argument – the struggle over whether or not pocket money should be part earned by household chores. A colleague once said I am lucky to have four children to help with the housework. I wish!

I read recently that 65 per cent of children over 10 still don’t know how to do the laundry. My concern is that they’ll eschew my Ecoegg laundry ball and aromatherapy laundry water and use chemical detergents and fabric softeners because they want their clothes to smell like everyone else’s.

Anyway, in true entrepreneurial style son number two went car cleaning, earned the money and bought himself a T-shirt. He modelled his new Abercrombie purchase proudly. “That’s not fair!” exclaimed the younger one indignantly.“When can I get an‘apple crumble’ top?” Which, you must admit does sound similar when said quickly! Luckily it could becoming his way sooner than he thinks, as once son number two starts doing his own laundry, shrinkage is likely,so then he’ll have the ultimate eco-chic, designer hand-me-down!

Article by

Janey Lee Grace

is a holistic lifestyle expert. She is the author of Look Great Naturally – Without Ditching the Lipstick (£8.99, Hay House)

Discover more

Article by

Janey Lee Grace

is a holistic lifestyle expert. She is the author of Look Great Naturally – Without Ditching the Lipstick (£8.99, Hay House)

Discover more