contents

February/March 2023

in this issue

Number 111

‘IT’S A WAY OF LIFE!’

Fourth Trimester • Toddler Sleep • Family Canoe Trips

THEGREENPARENT.CO.UK

Green Parent

The Happiness Year Creative practices for every season

Creating Connection Respectful parenting Raising joyful teens

Cooking by the Batch Save money and time in the kitchen

Radical Rest

Why it’s vital and how to make time

BOAT School!

The family

living and learning at sea

Slowing

Down

Explore a rural 160-acre

homestead

YOUR MINI SANCTUARY

3 simple steps

to peace

ISSUE 111 FEB/MAR

2023 £5.50

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The Nature Walk – what to hunt for in late winter

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY: MINDY COE - MINDYCOE.COM INSTAGRAM @MINDYCOEPHOTOGRAPHY FEATURING KATY TANNER AND HER DAUGHTER

INSPIRE 5 WELCOME Creating connections 6 OUR WRITERS Meet the people who brought this issue to life and their dreams for 2023 7 MORE GREEN PARENT Get parenting inspiration on the daily 9 JOURNAL Make your own cough syrup, lunar calendar and celebrate mamas 11 POLY PARENTING Raising awareness of polyamorous families 13 READER STORIES Two real-life experiences 15 SPOTTER’S GUIDE Exploring evergreen trees, using all your senses!

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FAMILY Ages and Stages 16 BABY Water birth, eco pregnancy tests and a natural birth kit 17 LIFE AFTER BIRTH How to nourish your body after birth (including indulgent chocolatey treats!) 19 FAIRTRADE FROM BIRTH Ethically produced baby goodies from slings to toys 20 START AT THE BEGINNING How to practice respectful parenting from birth 23 TODDLER Avoid power struggles and ideas for nature play 24 ASK THE EXPERT Is my toddler getting enough sleep? 27 CHILD Raising a child with Down’s syndrome and 3 books about connection 28 WILD ABOUT PLAY Our favourite natureinspired playthings 29 A NATURE WALK Cool facts about badger poo and the first bumblebee 34 THE BOOK NOOK Our readers review their favourite plus bookshop of the month 39 MEET THE AUTHOR Imagine a bolder, brighter, cleaner planet – how to change the world through optimism 41 TEEN Get help without nagging and play fairtrade football 42 HAPPY TEENS 13 ways to raise independent, joyful teenagers 28

THE GREEN PARENT • 3