By Kate Hodges
19th April 2023
EVENT, DO HAPPY NAPPIES
Reusable Nappy Week starts on Monday. Find toolkits, an event calendar and lots of information about happy nappying here. At The Green Parent, we catch up with founder Laura Davies (you’ll also find some useful hints for making reusables last longer), the answers to all your questions about cloth nappies here, a starters guide here, and a guide to making real nappies work on a budget here. Find more in our archives here.
EVENT SUNNY AND SHARE
This weekend sees the beginning of Plant and Share Month. From 22 April, Food For Life Get Togethers is calling on the nation to get growing and sharing their produce with their communities. Why not try growing some delicious food from scratch? Plant your seeds, help them grow, and share the seedlings, and be part of a movement that already has 58 thousand participants! Be inspired, download a toolkit, and join free online training here.
EVENT HERE BE DRAGONS
Partying on St George’s Day can be a minefield, but the festivities in Trafalgar Square on Saturday are celebratory and inclusive. This Saturday, find a silent disco, Horrible Histories, Pearly Kings and Queens and a dragon quest, as well as live music performances from young London musicians and a storytelling tent. Or head to Wrest Park in Bedfordshire for a weekend of living history, falconry, and a chance to attend sword school!
Perhaps you might celebrate by making your own dragon. We love the loo roll firebreather here, and the wooden spoon character here.
St George’s Day can spark conversations about what it means to be British or English, and about identity. Find interesting starting points for debate from Sunder Katwala, Sadiq Khan, Afua Hirsch, Leila Fortunato and Jon Stone.
MAKE DYEING FOR IT
Sunnier spring days are tailor-made for dyeing T-shirts, bedsheets, onesies, socks. Try experimenting with natural colours. Store cupboard basics such as onion skins, red cabbage, berries and coffee will each result in different colours, and you’ll need to use a salt fixative. Try natural tie-dyeing for cosmic effects (we love babies crawling around in rainbow onesies).
FORAGE AND MAKE HEALING HAWTHORN
Hawthorn bushes are on the cusp of springing into bloom. The plant is used in Mayday traditions across the world – find out more about its Beltane magic here – a sprig of it is said to banish sadness and protect babies – and why you should have it in your medicine bag here. Or read more about foraging the flowers and leaves here. At this time of year, they are delicate and edible, perfect for adding to salads or just nibbling on the hoof. Find out more about the healing powers of hawthorn and a recipe for flower syrup here.
BONUS EVENT: This Saturday is Record Store Day, a great chance for kids to enjoy live performances, DJ sets and fun in a friendly and laid-back environment. Find an event near you here.
WHAT WE’RE EATING PERSIAN HERB OMELETTE This twist on the traditional Kuku Sabzi is a delicious and aromatic alternative to a European-style omelette. The additions of flour and baking powder give a firm but light structure to the omelette, making it easy to cut into wedges. It’s equally delicious straight out of the oven or eaten cold… Find the recipe here
WHAT WE’RE READING Why ‘lazy parenting’ is actually a recipe for happy families: “Lazy parenting is about intentionally providing your child with opportunities to develop a sense of self-efficacy, which in turn will bolster confidence, independence and responsibility. It’s about mindfully stepping back to allow your child to struggle on their own for a minute rather than rushing in and rescuing. It’s about letting your child find out just how much they are capable of. And they actually are capable of a lot!” Read more here
