By The Green Parent
24th October 2022
1ST PRIZE WINNER – RESPECTFUL PARENTING FROM INFANCY
Ever find yourself telling a baby not to cry or “it’s ok”? In our winning entry Zoe Butt writes about how starting respectful communication with her child from birth has helped her become the parent she wants to be. “So much of respectful parenting is about self-growth. I notice, as words spill out of my mouth, how natural it is for us to say things because it’s what we heard and learnt in our own childhood.” You can read Zoe’s story in issue 111, which will be published in January ’23.
I’M A TEACHER BUT MY CHILDREN WON’T BE GOING TO SCHOOL
Sian Kirwan is a teacher but doesn’t want a mainstream education system for her children. In her Runner-Up entry for our 2022 Writing Competition she explains why she’s chosen to home educate. Sian shares a class with her husband (also a teacher) and considers herself an almost-stay-at-home-mum. She loves spending time in nature, foraging and growing veg as well as making herbal remedies. Read her story on 24th October at thegreenparent.co.uk
BONDING WITH MY BABY IN THE NICU
Siani Driver writes about the birth of her third child and the experience of bonding with him in the neonatal intensive care unit. “My first two births were a dream. Spontaneous labour, 8 hours start to finish, unassisted waterbirths. Both babies went straight to my breast and fed for years each. Because of the ease of these births, I chose to have a homebirth for my third and final baby.” However all did not go according to plan and in her Runner Up entry in our 2022 Writing Competition, Siani writes about how despite a less than ideal start she forged as strong, if not stronger a bond with her son. Read this beautiful piece of writing on 31st October.
RECOVERING FROM MATERNAL PERFECTIONISM
The most important thing Henny Vere Nicoll has learned about motherhood is self-acceptance. A freelance writer covering motherhood, fertility, miscarriage and women’s health, Henny lives in London with her husband and two children. In her Runner Up entry in our 2022 Writing Competition, she writes about releasing perfectionism and embracing good enough. Get inspired by her writing on 7th November.
COULD YOU DITCH YOUR OVEN?
Eleanor Fallows share five ways to save money at home by switching to thermal cooking to make your family meals. Winner of Runner-Up prize in our 2022 Writing Competition. Read her innovative money saving tips on 14th November.
5 REASONS TO GET A FAMILY ALLOTMENT
Tori Beat writes about how their allotment has brought their family closer together and more in touch with their local community too. Tori is a mother, freelance writer and former lawyer currently based in Derbyshire with her husband and two young children. She writes on lifestyle, careers and parenting, as well as copy and content writing for independent businesses. Read her Runner Up winning entry on 21st November.
MY BREASTFEEDING JOURNEY
Kelly Murdock has spent around eight years breastfeeding her children (and her sisters’ kids!). Kelly originally hails from the United States but currently resides in Israel. She is married with three children and teaches yoga and English to adults and youths. She is very interested in living an eco-conscious life and educating her children on sustainability. On 28th November she shares her memories in her Runner-Up entry in our 2022 Writing Competition.
IN PRAISE OF FULL-TIME FATHERS
Ella Curnow took a year off to look after her daughter when she was born. The following year her partner, Hugh did the same while she went back to work. Ella is a new mother and environment lawyer who lives on Dartmoor in Devon and is trying to raise her toddler and baby in a sustainable and conscious way. Read her winning Runner Up entry on 5th December.
RAISING AN ANXIOUS CHILD
Kirsty Hartgrove writes about the four tenets of Compassionate Parenting that she uses in raising her anxious child in her Runner Up winning entry. She is mum to five children between the ages of 3 – 12; three of whom are neurodiverse. “As well as caring for my children I am an integrative and creative play therapist. I am passionate about the mental health of both children and parents.” Read her advice on raising an anxious child compassionately on 12th December.
HUNTING FOR SEA GLASS
In this tale of a family holiday in the North East, Catrin Ashton goes hunting for gemstones in the sand with her family. When they head to Seaham for a family break, they are surprised to discover a mindful and engaging activity that becomes the focus for their stay. Runner Up in our 2022 Writing Competition, you can read Catrin’s entry on 2nd Janaury.
GENDER STEREOTYPING: WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT
Rebecca McClune writes about the struggles she has had trying to raise gender-neutral children. Rebecca lives in Scotland with her husband and three children. She has become increasingly interested in addressing gender stereotypes since having children and is a founder of a new local charity, Gender Equality Perth. Read her Runner Up entry on 9th Janaury.
