Advent in Reverse

By MiC Team 20/11/2018 No Comments

It first caught my attention last year around mid-December, by which time the advent season was already well underway. A simple, yet wonderfully generous idea of thinking differently about a tradition, the reverse advent calendar suggests giving instead of receiving a daily gift, and we are definitely on board this year!

In today’s navel-gazing world, we always welcome ways to teach our children to look outward and share. Putting aside a donation every day so that there is a collection of items to hand over to a charity at Christmas is such a great concept, especially if our children participate in the handing-over part and see the smiles such a gesture will bring. Then we know we have not only helped people in need, but also planted a firm seed in the minds of our children that they, too, can make a difference in the lives of others.

Not sure how to go about creating your personal reverse advent calendar? Follow our simple brainstorm map – in no particular order – and get inspired!

  • What will you donate? Food items, clothing, toiletries, toys, books, presents, small furniture and other household goods are ideal for giving.
  • Which charity will you chose? Here in Cyprus, there are a number of organizations that always appreciate help: the local Municipal Supermarkets food banks, the Cyprus Red Cross, St.Catherine’s Agapi, Cyprus Stop Human Trafficking and Caritas Cyprus to name but a few. There are also many remarkable charity shops, in aid of refugees, cancer patients, animal charities and other worthy causes, who will sell your second-hand donations for a small fee and then use the funds raised to help their cause. Contact the organisation of your choice and find out what they need most.
  • Where will you collect your donations? A great way to involve the children is to have them design a cardboard box with 24 compartments if you decide on collecting smaller sized items.
  • When will you start your reverse advent calendar? While December 1 is usually the start date for the chocolate door-opening type, it may be useful to start the reverse one earlier in order to hand over your donations at least one week prior to Christmas.This way the charity can get organised and pass your donations on, in time for the festivities.
  • How much will you spend on your donations? Christmas brings additional expenses anyway, so you may find it useful to set aside a limit beforehand. Alternatively, this may be the ideal time for a clear-out of your children’s toys, clothing and books that they have outgrown over the year. Every little helps!

On Christmas Day, when you’re sitting around the table with your family and enjoying your meal, spend some time talking about the great deed that you have done by adopting this new tradition!

Encourage a conversation where you all share the reasons to be grateful to not just Receive this Christmas, but also to be able to Give.

Happy Adventing!

How Stress Affects Kids and How to Help Them Cope

By MiC Team 01/10/2018 No Comments

This is a guest post from Lisa Gargaro, Certified Sleep Consultant @ Lisa Gargaro Sleep.Co

Feeling stressed has almost become the norm for many overstretched, busy families. Think about it—when was the last time your family—or any family, for that matter— enjoyed a long stretch of together time without being glued to a smart phone or other electronic device or looking at your watch?

It is not thought that stress can actually be good for you although one type of stress called ‘eustress’ can actually be positive and productive—eustress is the kind of stress that’s healthful or helps you feel fulfilled (for example, the kind you experience when you do enjoyable exercise or challenge yourself in some way). Many people & children suffer far too often from negative stress though. All that stress leads us to cope with our lives & situations in unhealthy ways. These then take their toll on overall health and wellbeing. Unfortunately, stress is not just a problem for adults. There’s evidence that teens & young children are also vulnerable to stress and its effects.

The latest Stress in America SurveyTM by the American Psychological Association (APA) polled adults as well as 1,018 teens, ages 13 to 17, who live in the United States about stress over the previous month. While American adults continue to report higher stress levels than what they believe to be healthy, the survey also reveals that the patterns of unhealthy stress behaviours we see in adults impact teens as well. According to the survey, many American teens report experiencing stress at unhealthy levels, appear uncertain in their stress management techniques and experience symptoms of stress in numbers that mirror adults’ experiences. Stress during the teen years also seems to take a toll on activity, nutrition and lifestyle behaviours’ that no doubt contributes to current and future habits and health.

This stress impacts teens in myriad ways. The survey shows, for example, that 36% of teens report fatigue/feeling tired; 35% report lying awake at night; 32% report they have headaches; and 23% report skipping a meal.

The report also reveals that teens are less aware than adults about the impact stress can have on their physical and mental health. In fact, 42% of teens say they often don’t know what to do to manage their stress or they aren’t sure if they are doing enough to manage it. Fifty-one percent report that while stress management is important to them, more than 1 in 10 report they never set aside time to manage stress. And 55% of teens say they set aside time to manage stress only a few times a month at most. Although 37% exercise or walk and 28% play sports to manage stress, many teens cope with stress by engaging in sedentary behaviours. For example, a lot of teens report turning to screens to cope with stress. In fact, 46% report they play video games, 43% surf the internet or go online and 36% watch TV or movies to cope with stress. Playing computer games & watching screens then has a negative effect on the zeitgebers causing sleep issues which creates a downward spiral effect.

When it comes to teen girls especially, the report reveals that stress impacts behaviours that relate to food. For example, 39% say they eat too much or too little, 35% report overeating or eating unhealthy foods, 31% report skipping a meal and 22% report a change in appetite when stressed.

It’s clear from this APA survey that both the young and old (and those of us in between) are vulnerable to the effects of stress. Whether it’s is related to school or work, relationships, finances, or any combination of factors, stress is an inevitable part of everyone’s life. If we often perceive all that happens around us in negative ways, and it makes us cope in less-than-healthy ways, stress can take a huge toll on us (not to mention those around us).

Studies suggest that stress can have negative effects on our eating and fitness habits and on our ability to fall asleep—and stay asleep.

As discussed in the Stress in AmericaTM survey, studies also suggest stress can weaken immunity and exhaust the body, increase inflammation in the body (and thereby increase cardiovascular disease risk), and make us more vulnerable to colds.

Because of the many perils of stress, it’s imperative that parents find ways to manage stress positively and productively. A tall order, I know. But because our kids see what we do and how we handle different situations and stressors, for better or worse, we need to model as best we can positive ways of perceiving and coping with stress. If we prioritize finding positive and productive ways to handle challenges, it’s more likely our kids will see our example and learn to cope better as well.

While there’s no one size fits all strategy to manage stress, a combination of behaviours can help us all cope better and enhance our overall health and wellbeing. Staying physically active, engaging in exercise and sitting less can temper stress. Finding activities we enjoy—especially outside in the sunshine—can boost mood and help our hearts be healthier. Eating a wide variety of nutrient-rich foods from all the basic food groups—whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean protein foods, low fat dairy and healthy fats—throughout the day and at regular intervals can help steady blood sugar levels and have mood-boosting and other benefits. Connecting with others regularly, laughing and meditating can also help. Getting enough sleep by having regular, consistent bedtimes can also help us avoid fatigue that no-doubt can in and of itself contribute to unhealthy behaviours.

Sometimes, no matter what we do, stress will get the best of us. But when we try our best to cope and nothing seems to work, there’s no shame in seeking help from a qualified health professional (eg a psychologist).

If your child or teenager is showing signs of sleep problems or stress then please reach out. My knowledge and background in both psychology and sleep places me a very good & secure place to help with this.

I am Lisa Gargaro, an expert sleep consultant and I can produce a personally tailored individual sleep program for your baby which details exactly how and what you will need to do to help your baby or child to sleep independently for 10-12 hours each night. With good sleep, the behaviour of your child will be dramatically improved as a result. Please contact me directly to chat about how I can help you, making sleepless nights a thing of the past and every night a great one from now.

If you are an adult who suffers from insomnia I am also able to help you sleep. With a personally tailored sleep program and with the use of CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), we can train you to sleep so you don’t view bedtime as the enemy anymore.

Being a mother of 4 children I understand & relate to how important it is for the whole family to sleep, this is my passion & goal to help other families achieve this by helping them gain the knowledge & support they may need.

 

website: www.lisagargarosleep.co/

facebook: @LisaGargaroSleep.co

e: lisa@lisagargarosleep.co

t: 00357 99260557

Skype name: dream.sleep.club

Helping Your Children Face Their Fears

By MiC Team 18/09/2018 No Comments

The end of the holidays and the start of a new school year (for some children, their very first) can also bring forth anxieties and fears (and not just for our kids!). A change in schedule, a new school, a new class and perhaps the need to make new friends, can all lead to understandable worries and troubles.

The team from MyBook Heroes has written an interesting blog about how to help our kids overcome their fear of the unknown and to break the association between the two.

All kids experience fear because fear is attached to the ‘unknown’ and when we are little the whole world is ‘unknown‘. Let’s guide them to face their childhood fears head on, and develop the courage they need to live the best life possible. We certainly need to help them avoid the habit of thinking that if something is ‘unknown’ it means it is bad.

Do your children have fears that you’re having trouble helping them overcome?

Here are some good questions to initiative playful constructive conversation with them. These questions should be asked in a way that opens up the conversation. Below are some examples:

  1. What makes you happy?
  2. What is your favourite thing to do? Why?
  3. What scares you? Why?

Using a variety of questions in these conversations will allow your child to speak freely without thinking there is a problem.

We also suggest that you share your own answers to the above questions, and make this a conversation.

Your children love learning more about you!  

What are the most common fears for children, and what is a quick smart suggestion to help our little ones?

  • The Dark
  • Monsters
  • The Weather
  • Bad Dreams
  • Strangers
  • Change
  • Doctors and Dentists
  • Loud Noises

MyBook Heroe’s Founder and CEO, Maria Lavithi, used her own experience with her young daughter to develop a story which helps children to overcome their fears and discover the courage in themselves.

This particular book was designed, with the help of certified child psychologists, and focuses on the idea of the ‘unknown’ being the source of fear. It is a magical story, showcasing your own child as the main hero overcoming fears of the unknown, in a fun, creative and daring way! Friends help each other to feel courageous and monsters end up becoming our best friends!

It definitely puts all monsters and fears to sleep!

And always remember, ever fear they overcome is a cause for small celebration and an opportunity to verbally congratulate their bravery.

Let’s raise the next generation of courageous little heroes!

Remember, as a Mums in Cyprus member, you get 10% off ALL orders you make from MyBook Heroes!!! Just follow this link >> HERE and make sure to use your EXCLUSIVE MIC DISCOUNT CODE << MIC10 >>

You’re welcome! 🙂

 

MyBook Heroes campaign #CallForHeroes

The team at MyBook Heroes has created a campaign this month, aiming to promote kindness as a virtue that everyone should have, including children. We came up with the #CallForHeroes campaign to both reward the real heroes in our lives and to set them as a good example to others, by communicating their act of kindness on thei blog.

The MyBook Heores team is giving all people the opportunity to thank the hero of their life – their idol and exemplar – with a short story that they we will upload on their blog and reward them with something special! 👍 
To find out more about this campaign, click here >> #CallForHeroes

First day of school separation anxiety

By eleni 11/09/2018 No Comments

Hey mamas.

Georgie and I have been feeling all sorts of anxiety as the first day of school looms in the background. We had a wonderful carefree summer -and a week in Spain – so of course he doesn’t want to go back. But it’s more than just that it’s the feeling of separating from home and from mama and papa. it can be so unnerving for parents- it was and still is for me- so I looked into ways of dealing with separation anxiety.

Check the blog to find out more. 

let’s look forward to a loving new school year

x

How Can a Sleep Consultant Save My Marriage?

By MiC Team 12/08/2018 No Comments

I am not a marriage counsellor, nor do I pretend to be, but every day I receive emails from parents all over the world telling me how I have saved their marriage.

How could I, a sleep consultant, do that? Let me tell you all about it.

These letters of thanks come mainly from mothers, sometimes from fathers, who say they were spending no time together, were fighting all night, felt emotionally drained and were absolutely at the end of their tethers. The common theme in all of these letters that seemed to be at the root of all their martial angst was: a lack of SLEEP.

“How can lack of sleep be ruining a marriage?” You may ask? The question I would like to ask is: Why is no one talking about this?

We need to talk about the root of the problem

We all know that marriage takes work, and lots of it. To feel happy in our relationships we need to feel supported and nurtured. We need to make time to connect on every level, from the emotional to the physical. We also know how quickly we can start to disconnect from our spouse in certain circumstances. Sadly, this disconnection can start chipping away at the very foundations of our marriage until there doesn’t seem to be much left to fight for.

Sadly, recent studies about marriage have shown that the average marriage lasts eight years before ending in divorce. During this time, couples often experience many stressful events that can put a strain on marriage. They may move to larger houses, take on more debt, start new careers and, of course… HAVE CHILDREN! Add months or years of interrupted sleep to all this and you have a recipe for disaster!

On frustration and exhaustion…

Often during my seminars and consultations I ask parents (mostly 95% mothers attend these) how they feel when they are tired. The responses are usually similar. They feel grumpy, depressed & emotional. They overreact, they argue, they don’t eat properly. Mothers feel overwhelmed by the demands from their children and spouses. They feel burnt out, helpless and scatter-brained. One mother shared with me that she was so exhausted one morning that she actually put the toaster in the fridge & didn’t notice until she went to make toast the next day!

Dealing with a baby or toddler several times in the night often leads to feelings of resentment for mothers, not necessarily towards their children but more towards their spouse. One mother said, “I don’t get angry at the baby, but I sure let my husband have it the minute he walks in the door!”. At 3am, arguments often ensue about whose job is more important the next day. Yes, dad may have to work, but stay-at-home mothers have to get up and deal with children all day, which is definitely an equally demanding profession. And many women working full time may also end up also managing the household and majority of childcare. One mother told me that after the sixth wake-up one night, she walked into her husband’s “bedroom” and screamed at the top of her lungs that he should get out of bed and deal with his child or she was moving out!

To be fair to fathers, they don’t always know how they can help. It’s a helpless and frustrating feeling for many fathers to try repeatedly to put their children to sleep only to fail time and time again. Often the mother will eventually walk into the room and take over once she sees that her partner is unsuccessful, which only leads to more frustration for both parties.

When we co-sleep out of necessity rather than choice…

I regularly see couples (and in fact did this myself with my first 2 children 20 years ago) sharing their beds with their children. Not by choice, but out of sheer desperation. I call this “co-sleeping out of necessity,” meaning that co-sleeping was not necessarily their first choice but it seemed like it was the only way anyone could get more than a few hours of rest. What this often leads to is mum and baby in one bed and dad in another. One couple I saw had not shared a bed in eight years! One parent slept with the older child, while the other slept with the younger. Tell me how that can be good for a marriage!

There is no denying that sharing a bed with your spouse is a crucial ingredient to a healthy relationship. Not just for sex, but for that deep intimacy that comes in the night when you reach out for your partner and they are there. It’s the pillow talk you have before falling asleep that can be the one time of day that couples can share their thoughts, feelings and dreams. Even if it’s just to talk about the cute things the children did that day, it’s still a connection. That is pretty hard to do when there is a sleeping baby in someone’s arms. The mere thought of accidentally walking that baby that you just took an hour of rocking to get to sleep so scares most parents that they wouldn’t even dream of striking up a conversation. Then there is the constant movement and restlessness of most children that usually drives one parent from the bed somewhere in the night. Even if it means sleeping in the toddler bed, it’s usually a preferred option to the having a tiny foot in your face all night.

The need for a healthy and well-functioning marriage

Do all this for months, even years and it’ s no surprise that a marriage would start to disintegrate fast. In my opinion one of the most important things I can give to my children, besides a good night’s sleep, is a healthy and well-functioning marriage. I want them to see how couples who love each other act towards one another. I want them to see that we make time for each other and nurture the relationships that matter the most to us. They need to see how all family members’ needs are important, not just their own.

I want them to see all this, so they will go out into the world and find these things for themselves and eventually model the same for their children. But I can’t do this if I am exhausted. I can’t do this if the only thing I care about at the end of the day is going to sleep for a few hours. I can’t do this if my children are by my side twenty-four hours a day. I can’t do this if I resent my husband because he won’t or can’t help me in the night. I can’t do this if every day the only thing I can think about is getting my children to sleep more.

The real challenge is that the issue is simply not being discussed! Couples are ashamed that their marriages are falling apart for no better reason than a simple lack of sleep. I deeply and passionately believe that by shining a spotlight on this issue we can make a dramatic and important difference in the lives of millions of people.

As you can see, it’s not just a matter of “wanting to get a better night’s sleep”; the issues go much deeper than that. It’s about creating a healthy and nurturing environment for each and every family member. It’s about feeling better about your job as a parent and about having extra energy and time to stay connected to yourself and your spouse.

What’s right for EVERY member of the family

No one could live on a diet of only bread and water. You might be able to do it for a few weeks, maybe even months if you were really committed, but eventually you are going to start to feel depleted, resentful, unhealthy, and bored. The same can be said for telling a parent that their sleepless nights are just something that they have to “just live with.” How can that be the best thing for a baby? How can a mother /father live their best life on a diet of bread & water?

It is for this reason that I know that the career choice I have made in my commitment to sleep and in helping families be the best they can be has been one of the most rewarding decisions of my life. I have lost count of the number of mothers who tell me how thankful they are for my guidance and support… how she could never have done this without me… how it has changed her entire life and how it has given her back herself and her back time with her partner. It’s always so wonderful to hear how something so seemingly “small” as getting a restful sleep night after night has had such a profound impact on their overall happiness.

I know personally how much a difference it can make to the family. I know that this program works not only by promoting good sleep which in turn ensures child and baby development is exactly where it’s supposed to be but also ensures that the family environment is surrounded by love & nurturing 24/7 providing their children with a secure and stable environment that they need to thrive. At the end of the day that is what every parent wishes for more than anything else; a thriving stable loved child surrounded by love which it sees and feels daily.

How I can help…

I can help your family reach this place. Through my own personal story I can relate completely to where you are right now and I know that an improved sleep solution can help remove a lot of the strain that is felt by everyone. When this is resolved, the feeling of darkness and resentment is turned in one of love and passion for each other and it’s the best feeling in the world to watch those you love blossom in front of you.

For your own family, I am offering a FREE 15 minute sleep evaluation call where we can discuss in further detail how I can help your family stop the rot of sleepless night killing your marriage and allow your love for each other bloom again. To book your call please click on the link below which will take you to my online availability calendar to allow us to start chatting about your own personal story and how I can help you with your family’s sleep.

https://my.timetrade.com/book/B1CMM

 

 

8 reasons why MyBook Heroes books deserve shelf space in your home!

By MiC Team 16/07/2018 No Comments

MyBook Heroes has been on our radar for some time now. This local company, based in Cyprus yet distributing books worldwide, writes, illustrates and creates personalised books for children.

And in addition to this? The thing that we LOVE most about MyBook Heroes? They have given themselves an important mission: to enable and guide each and every child to trust in themselves and their innate abilities!

Research has shown that having an understanding of certain core skills early on in life, leads to successful and happier lives at an older age.

 

 

Each book, created with love and filled with fun and excitement, also has an important aim at its core – to build confidence; determination or courage in the child reading the book. This child is the central character in their personalised book and, more importantly, the hero of their own story!

 

 

With a seamless platform that allows parents to fully customise their choice of book and preview the entire book online before ordering, creating the best present for your child could not be simpler!

Delivered locally within 3 days of ordering and with an exclusive 10% discount using our special Mums in Cyprus code << MIC10 >> on every order you make, we think these books tick a lot of boxes to make them the pretty perfect gift!

 

 

Read on to hear from company founder, Maria Lavithi, on what makes her books so special…

8 reasons why your child needs to be a MyBook Hero!

Before we go any further we would like to thank you for reading this, and for taking the time to explore the things that can make a huge difference to your child’s self-confidence. We could start with the obvious, which is the amount of love we pour into making our books! But allow us to dig a little deeper and explain why our books are seriously the best books for your children.

Our mission is simple yet extremely important! We want to guide children to trust their abilities as early on as possible in life.

We want children to grow up and be confident, well-adjusted joyful people who dare to live life!

And so, without further ado, here are our 8 reasons why:

1. The personal aspect…

In every single one of our books YOUR child is the hero!

You get to choose the avatar; give it your child’s name; choose their favourite cover; pick a language and write your personal dedication at the front of the book.

The era of personalised books is now! There are many reasons why these books are selling like crazy, and one of them is that children connect easier with the book and are more likely to read it… Let’s admit it, how cool is it to be the hero of your own story?! I wish I had had these books growing up!

 

 

2. Those all important life skills

Our magical recipe for success!

Have you ever wondered why academic achievement is not always the best predictor of success in later life?

Each and every one of our books has at their core an important life skill! Unfortunately, these skills are not being given the emphasis they deserve at school and kids are finishing their school careers without the critical skills they need in order to succeed in their personal and professional lives!

We know that books can shape our brains from an early age, which is why we design and write every book with the single yet important mission to empower your child!

4. The vibrant illustrations

Our team is made up of parents themselves… we know what our children like!

Our illustrations are alive with original and interesting creatures! There are even hidden objects for your child to find in every book! Vibrant colours, original characters, and fun settings will let your child’s imagination soar!

4. The connection they make with their book

The connection children create with their personalised books is amazing! It makes all the difference to see yourself as a hero on the pages of the book in front of you!

We continuously hear from parents how their kids feel closer to the books; how proud they are to see their name in the book and how much faster they engage with the story. They also appear to remember the plot and the message of the story that much easier!

 

 

5. The “WOW” factor that they are the hero of their own story!

This may have become a clichéd phrase but it is still true… not all heroes wear capes.

We know that each and every one of us has a hero inside. Given the right nurturing and the right support, that hero can shine!

We want children to understand the power they have over their own lives and that ultimately they are responsible for the outcome of their own real-life story.

This is an extremely powerful message to grasp even as adults. But the sooner we start, the better chance we give our children to be the best version of themselves.

6. The rhymes

You will have fun, we promise! When it rhymes, you can’t help but want to read the books again and again!

Rhymes are proven to help children develop cognitive skills and strengthen their communication, language and literacy skills. They also improve brain and general memory skills.

7. The personal dedication

Your words matter to your children even if sometimes it seems like they are not listening!

Information overload can happen to anyone one of us. So imagine your best advice and expression of love saved forever at the back of our books. They can always go back and reread that special wish or advice – they will know that you will always be there and how important you believe it to be that they follow their dreams. Those words from you will make a difference one day, we promise!

8. The belief that WE have in the MyBook Heroes books

This is a personal reason for us but it makes a difference for you to know it. These books are not a product of a nameless corporation… These books are a product of love and hope. The entire team has dedicated over a year of no salaries and no safety nets to create these books because we truly believe that they need to be available to all children!

Make sure to take advantage of your exclusive MiC member discount on every order you make at MyBook Heroes. Buy small. Buy local. Remember your code << MIC10 >> and claim it here.

 

 

Go to the MyBook Heroes website >>

Our Top Tips for keeping your kids hydrated this summer

By MiC Team 25/06/2018 No Comments

Dehydration can happen very quickly on a hot day.

Here’s how to recognise the signs and better still, prevent them from happening…

 

Summer is here and everyone will be spending a lot of time outside over the next few months! We all know that feeling when we haven’t drunk enough water on a hot day: that sudden pounding headache; dry mouth; dizziness; brain fog and lethargy. These are all early warning signs of dehydration which can be remedied quite easily with rest and increased fluid intake.

However, for children, if those early warning signs of dehydration aren’t detected and treated early on, they can quickly require hospitalisation – especially in under 5-year olds. Children get dehydrated much faster than adults: they need more fluids than us; their bodies don’t cool down as efficiently as ours; they tend to be far more active, take less breaks and forget to stay hydrated. Children can also find it hard to recognise those tell-tale signs that we as adults understand are our body’s way of warning us to slow down and hydrate.

As always, prevention is better than a cure, so we’ve compiled a list of top tips for keeping your kids hydrated in this heat to allow them to enjoy the summer sun safely!

Dehydration can occur without thirst

When a child becomes dehydrated, the salts and fluids in their body are out of balance: more fluid has left the body (through vomiting, diarrhoea or excessive sweating) than has entered it. On a hot day, or during a sickness bug, this can happen very quickly if the “lost” water is not replenished.

Your child may seem low on energy; be irritable or just not themselves. In addition to this, further early signs of dehydration are a decrease in urination, or urine that is dark yellow and strong smelling.

While a feeling of thirst is also a warning sign, it is important to note that dehydration can occur without thirst. Severe dehydration can be fatal, even if the symptoms appear mild. The following signs require you to seek medical advice immediately:

 

As always, if you have any concerns at all – or for further information – make sure to contact your GP / paediatrician as soon as possible.

Prevention is key

Even mild dehydration can cause headaches, reduced mental performance, lack of concentration and fatigue. By the time kids are complaining of thirst, they are already dehydrated, which it is why it is of utmost importance to prevent this from occurring wherever possible. However, during the summer months and when playing outside, it can be quite a challenge to make sure your kids are drinking enough fluids.

Water, milk and sugar-free fruit and vegetable juices (in moderation – even better if homemade) are the best options to keep your kids hydrated. It’s preferable to stay away from fizzy pop, sports drinks or vitamin waters that are often marketed to kids. Though if your child has become mildly dehydrated through illness, or is playing a lot of sports in the heat, it may be a good idea to give them an electrolyte-infused drink.

How can I ensure my kids drink enough water?

Kids can sometimes be quite picky and a lot of children simply don’t like drinking plain water, especially if they are used to drinking juices and sodas.

If you get your child to choose their own reusable water bottle in a fun design, they are more likely to want to drink from it. The water tastes better, it keeps cold longer and you’ll also be doing the environment a favour as well! Individual water bottles that you refill are also a great way of monitoring how much liquid your child is taking in… Fill them with filtered water from your home and the entire family can drink healthy, clean water when out and about! To read why it is important to drink filtered water, go to our blog post here: mumsincyprus.com/how-to-ensure-the-water-you-are-drinking-is-safe/

Cold water can generally be more appealing to kids, but keep in mind that liquids at moderate temperature are better absorbed by the body and are better for keeping hydrated. On a very hot day, a frozen ice-pop made from freezing diluted fruit juices / smoothies will certainly go down a treat!

Another trick can be to freeze juice in ice-trays and add those to plain water in a glass. Some children also like flavoured water that is infused with slices of watermelon, strawberries, cucumber, lemon or lime, or any other fruits/veg… Experiment and see what they prefer!

Make sure to include high-water content foods in your daily diet. Homemade smoothies, juices, broths and soups (hot or cold) or iced herbals teas (all made with pure filtered water) will help keep up your hydration levels during the warmer weather. Foods that contain a lot of water, like watermelon and simple salads made with tomatoes and cucumber, are good options to appeal to the kids.

Try cutting a seedless watermelon with cookie cutters and freeze the pieces for an ice-cold snack when they are really hot! Our kids really like making these – by getting them involved in the process; they are more likely to enjoy eating the result!

How much is enough?

It is generally recommended that children drink at least six to eight glasses of water per day but this can increase in warmer weather. Don’t wait until they are thirsty to offer them fluids. As we discussed earlier, this can mean that they are already dehydrated. Try to encourage them to take a rest in the shade and hydrate every 15 – 20 minutes in particularly hot weather, especially if they are being active. Always carry their reusable water bottle with you so that it is easier to offer them frequent sips when out and about. Our kids are really attached to their water bottles and take them with them everywhere they go!

Make sure you stay hydrated too!

It’s very easy to worry so much about keeping the kids hydrated that you forget to pack a water bottle for yourself as well! Make sure that you also take your own water out and about with you.

In addition to all the above mentioned tips, precautions, and ways to keep your child hydrated, it is important to protect your child from excessive exposure to heat and sun. Monitor them as they play, offer them water continuously when out and about in the sun, wear protective clothing and make sure to apply (and frequently reapply) that suncream!

For more tips on protecting your skin this summer, go to our blog post here: mumsincyprus.com/skin-cancer-what-precautions-can-we-take/

Enjoy the summer… keep hydrated and stay healthy and happy! Happy Summer 2018 everyone!

 

 

This article was sponsored by Karma Water. It is through collaborations such as this with locally selected and trusted partners that enable Mums in Cyprus to continue to bring you the very best information and support that we can provide.

 

 

HOW TO… ensure the water you are drinking is safe

By MiC Team 25/04/2018 No Comments

It seems to be that today, as parents, we spend a great deal of time worrying about what we are feeding our children (is it local, organic, fair trade?); what toys they are playing with; what books they are reading; whether they are getting enough sunshine – whether they are getting too much sunshine; whether there are parabens in their shampoo… the list is endless – and exhausting!

One thing that we often forget to think about is the quality of the water that we are drinking, cooking and bathing with! Living in a developed country, we take it for granted that the water coming out of our taps is considered safe – at least to cook, brush our teeth or wash produce with. We also have access to and the means to buy bottled water. However, buying bottled water raises some questions such as: how are the plastic bottles stored and transported? Are they leaching chemicals in to the water? And at what cost to our health, budget and the environment?

Our natural water resources are under ever growing demands, especially in a country like Cyprus, and the government has been making great headway in tackling the water shortage problems over recent years – recycled water for agricultural use; desalination plants and efforts to curb water overuse to compensate for lack of rain during the summer. However, chemicals such as chlorine, which are used in the water disinfection process, are present in our drinking water along with other contaminants such as heavy metals; pesticides; bacteria; inorganic and organic compounds (that may grow in your home’s pipes due to them being old or irregularly maintained/disinfected).

Rainwater flushes airborne pollution (through industry, traffic congestion and dust storms) from the skies, before being washed over the land (that may contain chemical contamination from industry and agricultural pesticides) into our rivers and dams that then become our drinking water.

The good news is that the drinking water in Cyprus is considered to be of good quality and the water boards in each city continually monitor the safety of our drinking water. Still, the question is: while our drinking water is generally ‘safe’… how ‘pure’ is it and are we sure that it is actually optimal for better health?

So, what is in our tap water?

  1. Chlorine – chlorine is added to water to make sure it is safe because its toxicity kills bacteria and other microbes that would otherwise make us ill. Chlorine is therefore essential to prevent the spread of water-borne diseases and is a necessary component of the water purification process. However, this doesn’t mean that we want to be drinking it! High levels of chlorine consumption have been linked to cancer and other morbidities. It is therefore advisable to remove chlorine from our water before we drink it.
  2. Lead – old, broken and corroded pipes (anyone who lives in the old town of any city may be particularly at risk of this) mean that drinking water could contain lead.
  3. Nitrate – particularly common in the drinking water in rural areas worldwide, it is a natural by-product found in water and also as a waste product from agriculture and industry. High levels of nitrate are particularly unsafe for pregnant women and children.
  4. Water-borne viruses such as e-coli, salmonella, hepatitis A, norovirus and rotavirus can all be transmitted through water, particularly from groundwater sources and wells. These viruses can also be present in the pipes, creating a ‘biofilm’ that can be transferred in to the drinking water. Should unsafe levels be detected when tested by local authorities, more chemicals such as chlorine are needed to clean the water.

But it’s not all bad news, because we can actually take steps ourselves to improve our drinking water.

What are the benefits of a water filtration system?

Water filtration systems can provide clean and healthy tap water by filtering out all of the harmful contaminants mentioned above, as well as improving the taste of our water and removing the odours that come from chemicals such as chlorine.

While leaving the beneficial minerals in the water that are good for us, they can remove or reduce:

  • Bad taste and odours
  • Dirt, sediment and rust
  • Chemicals (such as chlorine)
  • Contaminants (such as protozoa, bacteria, viruses and heavy metals)
Water filtration systems also:
  1. Eliminate the use of plastic, which protects the environment and our health. In Cyprus, we get through an enormous amount of bottled water and only a small amount of this plastic ends up being recycled. There are also concerns about the way that plastic water bottles are transported and stored before being sold – with the potential for harmful chemicals being leached in to the water we are buying.
  2. Save money. Contrary to what we all think, buying a year of bottled water for an average family is much higher than the cost of installing a home water filter (including the cost of replacement water filters).
  3. Protect in the event of a water contamination crisis. Burst sewer lines or pipes can introduce viruses and bacteria in to the water system.
  4. Improve our skin and hair. The water in Cyprus is quite hard and contains a lot of lime scale. Filtered water is softer: better for skin, hair and electrical appliances. This also means purchasing less soap and cleaning products – saving us even more money and making our household more environmentally friendly.
  5. Ensure we never run out of safe water!

What is the best type of water filtration system?

There are many different types of home water filtration systems from a filter installed at the water source, to under the sink and counter-top filters and water dispensers. There is no best product as such, and a choice should always be made on the needs of your family and budget.

Great advice can be given by an experienced vendor, who can help in the decision making.

Here at MiC we are impressed with Karma WaterShop – a nationwide family-business based here in Cyprus with premises in Limassol, Nicosia and Paphos. On our visit to the Limassol Karma WaterShop we were able to test the water from a filtration system (it actually felt smooth as silk on the tongue and tasted super!) and learn all about the science of filtering water. What we liked most was the fact that they follow strict guidelines and controls in this successful family business. They are on a mission to bring safer water to our homes, and we wholeheartedly recommend their services:

  1. Expert advice (gained from years of providing quality water filtration systems in Cyprus and with an impressive portfolio of clients from the residential and commercial sectors – local companies, including hospitals, schools, hotels and government departments).
  2. Quality control (they stock a wide range of filters from the UK, Europe and USA – for both under and over the counter and at point of entry in to your house: taps; ultra, UV and reverse-osmosis water systems; water dispensers (hot & cold) that don’t use plastic bottles; shower filters; and they are the only authorised importers of the famous Doulton Ceramic filters).
  3. Legionella control and prevention
  4. Installations in homes, offices or schools
  5. Quality testing including microbiological and chemical analyses through recognized and approved laboratories, ensuring compliance with water quality regulations and laws.

Why we like DOULTON® Ceramic Filters

These little counter-top filters are great – they are discreet and low-cost, making them an ideal solution for your home.

Doulton® water filters have now been manufactured continuously in the UK for more than 185 years. All Doulton® ceramic water filter products are manufactured in FICL’s factory based in North Staffordshire, UK, the traditional home of the ceramic industry in England.

The HCP & HCS counter top filters are extremely easy to install and uninstall, making them portable and, therefore, the ideal solution for people who move house every now and then – like many of us Mums in Cyprus members!

Their Supercarb® ceramic is fitted with an activated carbon block. Among other things, we were told that activated carbon is very effective at removing chlorine, parasites and contaminants from water. Who knew?!

The Doulton® ceramic filter candles have an anti-bacterial matrix integrated, which inhibits bacterial growth on the filter. Unique to Doulton® filter elements, a micro-biological sealing mechanism gives unrivalled protection.

We left the Karma WaterShop feeling rather educated and ‘in the know’, and more than happy to recommend their great water filtration systems.

You can find these Doulton® ceramic filters in all of the Karma WaterShop stores (branches) across Cyprus. Stay tuned for a #WednesdayWin competition, coming soon, to win one of these Doulton® ceramic filters for yourselves!

You can find out more about Karma Water on their website (readable in Greek, English and Russian); their Facebook and Twitter pages.

They also have a useful blog with articles in all three languages: https://www.karmawatercy.com/blog

 

 

Dust Storms… what precautions can we take?

By MiC Team 26/03/2018 No Comments

Dust. Just when the weather improves with the start of Spring and you want to get outdoors – that’s when the dust comes. You know it’s coming when you get that tickle in the back of your throat; you can’t seem to stop coughing even though you don’t have a cold; your eyes are watering and your head is throbbing… Then you go outside and look up and you realise that you can’t see the sun… Or a patch of blue sky. Just a thick layer of heavy, suffocating dust.

For those of us who have lived here a while, it feels like every year it is getting worse. Some of you will remember the particularly bad dust storm we had back in 2015 when you couldn’t see more than a few feet in front of you. Seasonal air quality is a topic that is causing a lot of concern for those of us in Cyprus, Israel, Greece and other parts of the Med and wider regions affected by these dust storms. I can only imagine how much worse it is for the people living in the regions where the dust storms are originating. For those of you who have a member of your family with asthma, allergies or respiratory problems, it must be even more concerning.

To try to put it in to perspective though, however alarming these dust storms may seem and just how bad they can be when we are living literally in the thick of it, they are nothing compared to the conditions that people live in daily in heavily industrialised and overpopulated cities in some parts of Africa and Asia, where the pollutant levels are consistently bad throughout the year and have far worse health effects because they are due to harmful vehicle, fuel and industrial emissions. Apart from those few weeks of dust storms each year, Cyprus is considered to be one of the safest and cleanest places to live – our beaches are among the best in Europe; the air quality is generally much better than most urbanised areas and the prevailing coastal winds blow away much of the worse pollutants that we ourselves create.

So, are the dust storms actually getting worse?

The short answer is: yes.

Sand and Dust Storms are “the result of several inter-dependent factors, which span across several regional countries. Years of inappropriate farming practices, mismanagement of water resources and climate change continue to contribute to reduced vegetation coverage, desertification and droughts, which directly contribute to the growing regional dust-storm problem” source.

In plain speak – climate change, along with human activities such as overcultivation; overgrazing; deforestation and poor irrigation practices, made worse by the effects of unstable political conditions in many regions (war and population movements leading to lack of farming and further degradation of the soil) has lead to once fertile soils now being turned in to barren and unproductive patches of land. The ensuing drought and desertification in sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East mean that these problems will only get worse.

Couple this with increasing levels (worldwide, not just in Cyprus) of air pollution from industry and fuel combustion (household uses, traffic etc) and the picture can feel a little bleak.

The Governments and Academic circles of the affected countries are carrying out research on what materials these dust and sand storms are made up of – and how and to what extent they can negatively impact upon our health. Without pretending that I understand this in depth, it appears that there are different weights of particles in these storms and not all of them are inhalable. “Inhalable particulates” are those with a diameter of less than 10mm (PM10) and these are the ones that we are most concerned about – the Air Quality Department monitor them continually and warn us when they go over the recommended safe limit of 50 mg/m3 (micrograms per cubic metre). That is, the maximum concentration of airborne particulates that can be present outdoors without being deemed a risk to public health.

source: http://english.cyprustimes.com/2018/03/22/dust-continues-to-suffocate-cyprus/

 

The last week has seen levels between PM10: 200 – 400 in certain areas of Cyprus. That is: four to eight times the recommended safe limit of inhalable particles in the air. However, the extent of the risk on our health is still being researched and while the coughing, sneezing and headaches associated with dust storms can seem alarming, they are generally short-lived and are of most concern to vulnerable population groups.

 

source: Air Quality in Cyprus department’s homepage this morning, 26-03-18.

Who is at risk?

While we all are affected by particularly bad episodes of dust, the most vulnerable population groups are: children, the elderly and people with poor respiratory health.

So, what can we do?

We still have to live everyday lives – go to work, our children still need to be schooled… How do we protect ourselves in a dust storm?

If you or any of your family fall into one of the above “vulnerable” population groups, you should be more vigilant about carrying out the following measures. In fact, you’d probably be best advised to stay indoors until the dust levels fall below the 50 µg/m3 threshold:

  • Download the Air Quality Department’s extremely useful mobile application that warns you when levels of dust are high.
  • Stay indoors (with windows and doors closed) or limit outdoor activity during particularly bad episodes of dust. This especially means no outdoor exercise, as you will be putting yourself more at risk.
  • Make sure to keep your windows and doors closed during the days of high dust levels.
  • If you need to go outdoors during a particularly bad episode, you can choose to wear a mask, or protect your nose and mouth with a wet cloth.
  • In the car, keep windows closed and make sure the air/air conditioning is being circulated from the inside, not outside air source.
  • Take extra measures for the very young and old – and for those with respiratory health issues. Possibly consider installing an air filter in your home, like these ones here from Karma WaterShop Cyprus.
  • It’s encouraging to see that the Ministry of Education has now started recommending restrictions on outdoor activities/field-trips for children on days when the limits are over the recommended safe levels. A lot of schools have recently been keeping their pupils indoors during particularly bad dust storms, or at least restricting athletic activity during those days. If your school has not been taking any of these measures, make sure to talk to the Director of your school about your concerns.

Not enough research has yet been done and while it is being undertaken at the moment, it might be a while before updated recommendations and regulations around dust storms have been issued.

We would advise you to use your common sense… if you feel that the dust is affecting you or members of your family particularly badly, stay indoors and wear a mask if you need to go outside. If you have concerns, it is best to speak to a respiratory health specialist and to the Air Quality Department directly.

Most importantly, try not to panic!

We’ll update this article as and when we have further information.

MiC’s Weekly Roundup #334! February 26, 2018

By MiC Team 26/02/2018 No Comments

NEWS: Welcoming Spring

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some of you may have children coming home this week with red and white Marti bracelets tied to their wrists. For those of you who don’t know what these are all about, you can read Kat’s short blog here: http://bit.ly/Marti-Bracelets that explains this ancient tradition.

TOP TIPS on… how to set up your own business #4 in English

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carine’s Top Tips bilingual series on “how to set up your own business” continues this week with Tip #4 in English: “Be a legal eagle!”.

You can find the rest of the series in the “How To” section of “Guides” in our MiC Magazine: http://bit.ly/MiCHowTo

JUGGLER’S TASK LIST SERIES: Video blog #6 in Greek

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Penelope’s Juggler’s Task List bilingual series continues this week with video blog #6 in Greek: Επιτρέπεις Στο Παρελθόν Να Καθορίζει Το Παρόν;

You can follow the rest of the series here: http://bit.ly/MiCMemberBlogs-DreamDareDo

BLOGS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We feel very privileged that Georgie’s Mummy has shared her amazing birth story with us this week. Learn how she had her second VBAC birth – on Valentine’s Day! A great read if you are considering a VBAC birth or just to read an inspirational story about women power! http://bit.ly/2F84iC7

BIRTH FORWARD CYPRUS – Run for Family

There’s still time to register if you’d like to join the Birth Forward Family to walk or run the 5k Corporate Race in the upcoming Limassol Marathon. Bring along your baby/toddler in their stroller, or walk the race with the rest of your family – a great way to exercise; meet like-minded people and raise some money for a good cause. You can find out more details on their Facebook Event page.

CYPRUS YAC: ASSETS TODAY – THE FUTURE YOU!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There’s still time left to register to this fab upcoming young adult’s conference on the 24-25 March, supported by MiC! Hurry up though, as there are only 60 places available for interested 13-18 year olds that have a good grasp of English… and they are filling up quickly.

You can read more about the conference – get a sneak-peek of the programme; learn more about the team involved and more importantly, why your young adult should participate – on their Facebook page here: http://bit.ly/YAC-2018-Cyprus

WHAT’S ON

Want to know what’s happening in your area this week? Then, click here: http://bit.ly/MiCEvents to view all events by city, date or category.

Organising your own event? Or want to share a great event you’ve found with the MiC Community? Then click here: http://bit.ly/SubmitEventMiC to upload your own event for free and get the chance to be featured in our popular #FunFriday Social Media post!

See you online… it’s where we all get together!

Kali evdomada!

Carine and Kat x

 

If you like what we do – please consider leaving a review/testimonial on Facebook or on the site for us – feedback is always appreciated!

Make sure to follow our Social Media Channels @MumsinCyprus: on Facebook; Twitter; Instagram and Google+!

Do you want to get our MiC Weekly Roundup direct to your inbox? Then make sure to become an MiC member and subscribe to our newsletters: http://bit.ly/MiCRegister

MiC’s Weekly Roundup #332! February 12, 2018

By MiC Team 12/02/2018 No Comments

NEWS: Carnival 2018!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carnival season is well underway across the island, culminating in Limassol’s main Carnival Parade this Sunday. You can find more details about that here: http://bit.ly/LimassolCarnival2018

After all the excess of the past few weeks, we’re all looking forward to “Green (or ‘Clean’) Monday” on the 19th (note: no school that day as it is a public holiday)! Traditionally, this day marks the beginning of the 40-day fasting period in the lead-up to Easter, where everyone takes to the fields, flies kites and eats “nistisima” style (no alcohol, dairy, meat or fish, except cephalopoda – octopus, cuttlefish and squid – and shellfish).  Common foods eaten would be the unleavened lagana (λαγάνα) bread that you can find in all bakeries this time of year; olives; dips; salads, beans, pulses and grilled cuttlefish. If you fancy a detox or want to make some of your own nistisima food, you can find some nice recipes here and here.

(For all our English members, remember… it’s Pancake Day tomorrow, so make sure you’ve got your batter ready for a pancake-feast!)

TOP TIPS on… how to set up your own business #3, in English

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Top Tip #3 on how to set up your business is up on the site. This week’s tip is about identifying your target customer and tailoring your marketing efforts accordingly. To read this useful bite-sized piece of advice, click here: http://bit.ly/HowToSetupYourOwnBusiness-3

You can also find the series as it develops in MiC’s “How To” section in the Magazine under Guides: http://bit.ly/MiCHowTo

JUGGLER’S TASK LIST SERIES: Juggler’s Tip#5, in Greek

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Penelope Magoulianiti’s #MotivationMonday tip #5 is also up on the site, this week in Greek: Φρόντισε να έχεις στον κύκλο σου θετικούς ανθρώπους.

http://bit.ly/JugglersTipNumber5-Greek

RESOURCES: PEGASUS CHILD RECOVERY

 

 

 

 

New addition to our “Resources” section: an interesting organisation that we’ve recently been introduced to – Pegasus Child Recovery. We’re hoping that none of you will ever be in the position to need these guys, but it’s useful to know that they are on hand here locally. You’ll be hearing more about this team soon. Until then, you can find out more about them here.

BLOGS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A brand new HOW TO over on the site here: http://bit.ly/HowToDressWhenYouArePregnant

Find out more about how to dress comfortably throughout your pregnancy, while also feeling good! 

JOB BOARD

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New vacancy over on the site for a part- or full-time contributing editor based in Limassol: http://bit.ly/MiC-JobBoard

WHAT’S ON

Do you want to know what’s happening in your area this week? Then, click here: http://bit.ly/MiCEvents to view all events by city, date or category.

Organising your own event? Or want to share a great event you’ve found with the MiC Community? Then click here: http://bit.ly/SubmitEventMiC to upload your own event for free and get the chance to be featured in our popular #FunFriday Social Media post!

MEMBERS

A warm welcome to newly joined members sarax88to; francescagreco78; Giori; Tamla and JO991199. Drop by and say “hi”!

Also welcoming Sarah to the Limassol Mums group; Jo, to the Breastfeeding Mums group and Mums in Larnaca; Advanced Age Mums; New Mums; Holistic Mums; Pregnant Mums and English Speaking Mums.

Do you want to connect with other Mums in a special interest group? Then click here: http://bit.ly/MiCGroups to join one of our 53 town/language/interest groups for free!

See you online… it’s where we all get together!

Kali evdomada!

Carine and Kat x

 

Do you want to get our MiC Weekly Roundup direct to your inbox? Then make sure to become an MiC member and subscribe to our newsletters: http://bit.ly/MiCRegister

 

If you like what we do – please consider leaving a review/testimonial on FB or on the site for us – feedback is always appreciated!

Make sure to follow our Social Media Channels @MumsinCyprus:

On Facebook; http://bit.ly/MumsInCyprusFB

Twitter; http://bit.ly/MumsInCyprusTwitter

Instagram; http://bit.ly/MumsInCyprusInsta

and Google+! http://bit.ly/MumsInCyprusGooglePlus

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