Finding the Wonder this Christmas

By MiC Team 17/12/2018 No Comments

Creative and calm play that will fill your little ones’ hearts with wonder

(and at a 20% discount for MiC Members until the end of the year!)

 

We wrote a post last week with a Christmas Gift Guide for buying presents for our children that add value, hold meaning and will last the whole year round. In this post we also talked about how important we think it is to buy natural and eco-friendly products, as well as urging you to shop local and support the wonderful range of small businesses in Cyprus, including those that are born in the home and run from the kitchen table.

Well, local home-based family-run business Wonderdough ticks all these boxes and here at MiC HQ, we have so enjoyed watching their growth over the last couple of years. Wonderdough is a firm favourite amongst our mini-MiCHQ-ers and it’s one of their most played-with items that they never grow tired of and continue to come back to time and time again!

What is Wonderdough?

Wonderdough is a non-toxic and all natural, handmade playdough, infused with calming and healing natural essential oils. It is made with a sprinkle of love and kindness and was born after realising the abundant benefits playdough provides to curious little fingers and beautiful imaginations.

All Natural

Having two children themselves, wife and husband Team Wonderdough are passionate about bringing an all-natural quality product to the local market and removing the worries of toxins from their children’s play things. Their playdough is made with natural dyes, natural essential oils and extra virgin olive oil.

Being our biggest organ, our skin is the most vulnerable to the absorption of toxins but when playing with Wonderdough, you can rest assured that this natural playdough is safe, non-toxic and will only enhance wellbeing, reduce stress and anxiety all the while encouraging creative and healthy play!

Eco-Friendly

The Wonderdough team have recently developed their very own line of Wonderdough toys, designed and produced in their 3D print farm and made from PLA bioplastic (which is biodegradable and made from fruits and vegetables). We particularly like the Wonderdough-designed stamper for squishing the playdough flat before cutting! The Wonderdough cutters are even food-safe, meaning after a quick wash in soap and warm water, you can also use them to make real-life cookies rather than just the play kind!

Buying local couldn’t be simpler!

Wonderdough have their own e-shop on their website here where you can order online and pick up either from Wonderdough HQ in Limassol or your nearest ACS in Cyprus. You can buy the single tubs of Wonderdough in a number of colours and sizes and they always stock a variety of different-sized playsets in their most popular themes.

 

 

 

 

 

They are constantly updating their product range throughout the year with fantastic themed cutter sets and seasonal products, such as their Christmas packs below which start from as little as €4.50!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wonderdough are giving our MiC members an EXCLUSIVE 20% discount on all Wonderdough products until the end of 2018!

Make sure to quote code << MIC18 >> on all orders via their e-shop; telephone or email!

You’ll also be able to buy Wonderdough online on our MiC Marketplace in the very near future – enabling you to shop local from a number of small businesses at the same time – with exclusive discounts for MiC Members throughout the year!

Customised for You

For larger orders, you can order customised theme-packs for a birthday party, Christening, Wedding, Corporate or special event. The Wonderdough Team are more than happy to custom-design your very own set of personalised labels, stickers, cutters and tools to match your theme and your invitation, creating the perfect personalised gift for guests to take away from your special event or party.

Wonderdough also provide party entertainment for that special event, matching the theme that goes with those beautiful & personalised take-home gifts!

Good for you

Playing with Wonderdough is a fun, creative and nurturing activity and being made with all-natural ingredients, it is also completely healthy and even beneficial to your child’s skin.

Squishing, squashing, rolling, cutting, sculpting and moulding provide hours of imaginative, creative fun and learning for children of all ages. Playing with Wonderdough is an awesome way for children to pass their time and it has a whole lot of benefits – from helping fine-tune those motor skills in little hands; promoting your child’s independence and improving their self-esteem through the process of creating something beautiful all on their own. It nurtures imagination and creativity and also acts as a fun teaching aid – colours; numbers, letters – there are no limits to what you can do with this ‘wondoughful’ stuff. Our mini-MiCHQ-ers love the natural scent of Wonderdough as opposed to the chemical smell of mass-produced play dough and they adore the texture even more – it is that much softer and tactile and doesn’t stick to the surface it is played on.

Benefits of Wonderdough for the entire family

Playing with Wonderdough is incredibly calming and helps relieve stress in children (and adults)! We love playing Wonderdough with our little ones. The entire family can find it a very soothing bonding activity (kneading, rolling, moulding and squishing dough is known to help calm the most hyperactive kids). And it isn’t just for the littlest ones – Kat’s 11 year old still loves playing with Wonderdough and regularly plays it with her younger brother… Just recently when Kat’s whole family was kept indoors due to combined bad-weather and illness – the kids were kept amused for most of the day by creating a menu and making the playdough food, drinks and cakes to order in their Wonderdough Patisserie! It was a great combined activity for the two children to play despite their differences in age and a wonderful way for them to share their creative ideas and skills!

Wonderdough provides a great escape, in a real, natural, healthy, calming and therapeutic way. So, to go back to the beginning… what better way to bring the ‘wonder’ of play and childhood to your children this Christmas, than by giving them an all-natural, eco-friendly, locally-bought, mama-made play dough, along with some of your time to play together this holiday?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wonderdough is giving all MiC Members an EXCLUSIVE discount this holiday until the end of 2018! Quote << MIC18 >> when ordering to receive 20% off this Christmas! Make sure to get your orders in by Friday 21st for guaranteed delivery before Christmas Eve and by the 27th if you want any deliveries before New Year!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Order and buy Wonderdough online here (not forgetting your 20% MIC18 discount code!)

Like them on Facebook 👍 and watch out for their fantastic videos with lots of play-inspiration for your Wonderdough sets!

& Follow them on Instagram 📸

You can also order Wonderdough via telephone: 94 048 111

or contact them via email: info@wonderdough.com

 

MiC’s #WednesdayWin – Newborn Sleep Guide

By MiC Team 09/10/2018 No Comments

Introducing our latest #WednesdayWin competition – 3 copies of Lisa Gargaro Sleep.co’s guide to the first few week’s of your new baby’s sleep!

We’ll let the expert speak for herself about this fab e-book worth 15 euros (or, if getting a good night’s sleep is important to you, it’s priceless! 🙂 ):

Welcome Mama!

First of all, a huge congratulations on your impending arrival, or the recent arrival of your baby! The journey of motherhood you are about to embark on is a truly amazing one. Although, being honest with you, it will also have its many challenges along the way.

As you are aware, during your prenatal stage you will have been given lots and lots of information on the birth, feeding and the various option discussed with you (depending on your country of maternity care and especially if you are breastfeeding). The support in all of these areas is great and it still continues once your baby is born.

However, what I have noticed is the distinct lack of honest, helpful, and reliable information available to parents about what to expect with their new baby’s sleep and sleep needs. What I find really strange is this very part is going to be something that will definitely rule your life greatly and heavily over the next few years! I believe passionately that this then makes it something you’ll be investing time into to ensure you truly understand. Knowing what to expect sleep-wise for both everyone will be invaluable. This better understanding will help your baby learn great sleep habits from a very early age.

This is where I came in and exactly why I am here! My mission being to help families be able to better understand their baby, allowing them to be more confident in their response to their baby’s needs.

So, let’s not delay any more. Let’s get started today with this guide specifically for mamas like you!

How can I win one of these e-books?

To enter the competition, simply email: kat@mumsincyprus.com with

“Lisa Gargaro Sleep.co” in the subject line.

Please also provide us with:

  1. Your full name
  2. The town you reside in (in Cyprus)
  3. Your mobile telephone number

THE COMPETITION WILL CLOSE ON WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 24, 2018 AT 17:00!

Once the three winners have been drawn, on or after Wednesday October 24 2018, they will receive a link to download their personal copy of Lisa’s e-book.

You can find further information this newborn sleep guide, as well as Lisa’s other sleep consultation services, you can go to her website >> here.

website: www.lisagargarosleep.co/

facebook: @LisaGargaroSleep.co

e: lisa@lisagargarosleep.co

t: 00357 99260557

Skype name: dream.sleep.club

 

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

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 >>

Quite the experience: Kidsperience Preschool in Limassol

By MiC Team 25/06/2018 No Comments

Parents of pre-school kids…get ready! There’s a new nursery in Limassol town, and it’s refreshingly different! In our quest to bring you the latest, freshest and most relevant news, we met with the remarkable Katerina Sazou to find out what makes Kidsperience so special.

Herself a mother of two children under 5, Katerina holds the belief that within each child there is a natural curiosity and thirst for knowledge. The nursery’s mission: to awaken this curiosity and keep it alive by making the children love learning. The educators work diligently together and individually to accomplish this aim.

Under the ethos that ‘learning is not a chore but a gift; not an obligation but a choice’, the nursery’s progressive approach to learning focuses on providing each individual child with a holistic education that equips them with not just educational tools but also the wider range of skills needed to successfully participate as an active member of our community.

Welcoming children from 2 years old until 5 years old (from Nursery class until pre-reception), the school operates from Monday to Friday from 7.30am until 5.30pm.

 

 

The curriculum

While the standards of the British National Curriculum (Early Years Foundation Stage) are followed along with selected aspects of the Greek Cypriot Curriculum, Kidsperience places emphasis on encouraging the development of healthy habits. Teaching both the English and Greek languages and developing children’s academic skills, the educators also give them the means and resources to think independently and critically, and grow their social, emotional and physical skills through a wide range of hands on activities.

The learning support

The school works closely with a learning support team to ensure the Kidsperience kids’ needs are met. In addition to this support team, their on campus Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) observes the children regularly, providing any support that is required to ensure that all the children’s needs are appreciated and cared for.

The learning environment

Every detail of the Kidsperience environment is designed to stimulate the children’s curiosity and benefit their development in some way. Each classroom is designed to allow the children to explore, investigate, play and learn independently. Interconnecting classrooms allow for age-mixing and free flowing interaction between the classes; halls and outdoor play area are also used for the benefit of the children’s development and are viewed as an extension of the classrooms.

The facilities

Kidsperience has been in operation for the past couple of years in Agios Athanasios and the team is very excited about their new premises in the centre of Limassol. The newly renovated environment includes up-to-date educational equipment, from interactive whiteboards in every fully equipped classroom to natural sensory areas in the large outdoor playground. Katerina tells us that every inch of the school has been designed to assist the children through their exciting learning journey, and we particularly liked to hear that the safe and secure school facilities abide by safety laws set by the Welfare office and Fire Department.

The meals

Kidsperience’s well-rounded menus are prepared on-site in their newly renovated kitchen by caring staff members. The unique Kidsperience menu (given to you at enrolment) was designed by a qualified nutritionist in order to provide a balanced diet; the children are provided with two healthy snacks and one lunch meal during their day at school. How great is that?!

The staff

All dedicated staff members are screened before entering the school including formal police and medical checks. The enthusiastic educators are required to have the appropriate education, and all staff members are required to partake in yearly First Aid training.

The fees

Monthly fees vary according to the schedule you choose for your child. The fees are all-inclusive, covering everything from meals and snacks, to excursions, visiting educators and extra programs organised by the nursery… So, no hidden extra-fees each month, which is a huge relief!

What we also liked

Kidsperience Clubs – these are extra-curricular activities that complement the British National Curriculum held in the afternoon hours, offering a greater selection of activity. A range of clubs are offered each day and they change each term – fantastic for families where both parents work and afternoon childcare is a constant worry!

Workshops – each month workshops and events are planned, varying in topic and age range. These are open to parents, children enrolled at the school as well as to the public.

Seminars for Parents – Kidsperience offers education for the entire family, not just the children enrolled at the school – professional advice on different topics in an environment ideal for open discussions, on subjects ranging from child psychology to nutrition, first aid and more. Hosted by a professional, these seminars will enable parents to further develop their parenting skills.

To help you decide if Kidsperience is right for your child and your family, you may be interested in reading our guide on ‘How to choose a nursery’.

 

Kidsperience is now open for enrolments for September 2018! Go ahead and meet Katerina and visit the Kidsperience premises to find out more about their amazing new facilities; expanded educational team; classes and ethos! Book your appointment today:

 

t: (+357) 7000 5437

e: info@kidsperience.com.cy

Find them online: www.kidsperience.com.cy/

And on Facebook: @KIDSPERIENCECY

Their new premises are located here:

12 Nikou kai Despoinas Pattichi 3071,
Agios Georgios, Limassol

 

What people are saying about Kidsperience:

 

 

 

Our Top Tips for keeping your kids hydrated this summer

By MiC Team 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… know whether your baby is ready for sleep training

By MiC Team 25/05/2018 No Comments

 

Lisa Gargaro Sleep Co is creating new personalised Sleep programs every week for families out there who are struggling to get enough sleep. However, the truth is that even if she can create the best laid plan for you, your baby and family, it will not be effective if you as parents are not ready for your child to do this.

So for Lisa, as a sleep consultant, the first big question she asks is: Are YOU ready to make this change and to undertake sleep training with your child?

If you don’t know or are a little unsure, take a look at this 10-step checklist that she has created, to help you make that decision and determine if you and your baby/toddler are ready for sleep training!

Lisa’s 10 Point Checklist: IS IT TIME TO SLEEP TRAIN?

1. Need over Want?

Babies learn early on what feels good (e.g. being in mummy’s or daddy’s arms) and what doesn’t (i.e. dirty, wet nappies). This leads to an instinctive reaction to cry. They learn that when they cry, they will get a clean diaper or will be held and comforted. A new-born baby has limited self-soothing abilities and if these are not developed, over time they will learn that a need can become a want.

Your previously great-sleeper may also suddenly develop ‘sleep regression’ at around 4 months old, with frequent sleep problems occurring. You may convince yourself that your every-two-hour-eater is genuinely hungry or needs comfort. But eventually, once you have started to run up a sleep debt yourself, you’ll find yourself asking and wondering whether they really need it as much as they want it. Is the only reason they “need” it because that’s all they’ve ever known, or because they can’t sleep without it?

2. Do you believe your baby is ready to self soothe?

Your baby does have the ability to learn new ways and methods to sleep. Far and wide across the world experts discuss the ‘right’ age to try new methods, however, each family is different and setting an exact age may not be helpful. There are two key elements to finding the right age to start. Firstly; whether you believe that your baby has the ability to learn a new skill and form a new method of putting themselves to sleep, and secondly and more importantly; do you wish to help them learn this new skill for themselves so that they can self-soothe independently, ensuring they are well rested to give them the best possible chance to grow and develop?

3. The timing is right for you AND for your baby.

The timing has to be right for both you and your baby. Many experts would agree that a 3-6 month old can learn to self-soothe, but it may be right for YOUR family to wait until baby is 12 months’ old. This can depend on your baby’s temperament and a whole host of other factors. Nobody knows your baby better than you and only you can figure out the right time to do this for them. Keep in mind that you can always try, take a break and try again a bit later on if you doubt your timing at any point after you have begun.

4. You are ready for it to get worse before it gets better!

You decide the timing that is right for you. The difference between hearing your 16-week old or 6-month old fussing or crying, versus hearing your 11-month old is very obvious. Whether you decide to use a no-cry method or a crying one, there is always going to be some difficult and uncomfortable moments to deal with. So ask yourself: are YOU ready for some rough days and/or nights? Are you able to deal with it when it may get harder, for a few days once you start, before it gets easier?

5. Your baby has a sleep problem.

Sometimes, it is our own expectations that are to blame for our baby’s perceived ‘sleep problem’. Ask yourself: “Is your 8-month old breastfed baby still waking up once a night to eat?” For many, that is A-OK and age-appropriate while for others, this is not acceptable nor wished for. We know all babies are different and sometimes you just have to adjust your expectations of them. Once the expectations are lowered and you stop comparing between your baby and your neighbour’s, you will find this does wonders to your outlook and your family.

6. You are getting desperate!

You know that you NEED to sleep train your baby, when the thought of having to wake up every hour to put a pacifier in the baby’s mouth cannot go on any longer.  Or for those of you who do have appropriate expectations and don’t feel you have a true ‘baby sleep problem’, only you can decide whether you need to sleep train. Some families say that even getting up once a night is just brutal months and months later, so maybe your sleep training is about getting a full night’s sleep. Similarly, others have experienced increasingly severe side-effects to sleep deprivation such as suffering with various health problems, daily difficulties in functioning, or even depression. One client told me recently that she never understood how sleep deprivation could be used as a form of torture until she had a baby. This is something that I can totally relate to!

7. You can and want to commit!

You are able and willing to commit to the time needed to undertake sleep training. One of the most important aspects of my support as your consultant is setting appropriate expectations about how long sleep training will take. Some people get frustrated three days into the training when changes are not happening fast enough for them. I would ask you to first consider how long your child has had the current sleeping habits. For some toddlers, sleep training means you are changing habits which they have had for as long as two or three years! To be clear, results come rarely overnight (though sometimes they are!). However, most people will have at least some success within one week and for older children, approximately two weeks. These changes will help give you the boost you need for the long haul!

8. Sleep training is NOT a crash diet!

You are ready to be 100% consistent and patient with the program and with your child. Changing strategies daily or even hourly can lead to more crying and frustration for both you and your baby. Consistency is necessary as this will create the security needed for your child to change their learnt sleeping behaviours. I like to use the analogy that this is similar to yoyo dieting versus a more sustainable and effective “lifestyle change”. Therefore, sleep training should not be seen as a crash diet. You need to be consistent both in the short- and the long-term.

So, are you truly ready? A key part of success of the program is patience. Even more so if you are using a no-cry sleep training method, you need to be prepared to be patient. You would never expect your baby to learn to walk or talk in a day, so you can’t expect him to learn new sleeping skills so quickly.

9. What are your goals and how do you want to achieve them?

You are ready to invest in your family by asking me to be your family’s sleep consultant. I will create your personal family plan. We will decide what your goals are and the steps you need to take to achieve them. By investing in my support as your sleep consultant, it helps ensure results are achieved and maintained. I can help you adapt the program, keep you motivated and stay on track throughout.

What I have found from speaking to my clients is that my guidance during the program is invaluable to helping them see a clear path ahead through the ‘brain fog’ they have due to their lack of sleep. The added support from myself also helps keep them focused and motivated, with the knowledge that I care deeply about their family’s progress in achieving independent sleep for their child.

No major changes occur in one day, they take planning and dedication. Life has a habit of throwing curve balls at us that we don’t anticipate, which is why my experience and training as a sleep consultant means we can work together to make changes to your plan, and work through it together until we have achieved your goals.

10. You have support

You need support to help you through this process. Sleep training can be very emotional and draining and without the confidence needed, the best of plans can fail. It is helpful to have support whether it’s in the form of your spouse, a friend, or myself. Success happens when you have someone you feel accountable to “check in” with and they can help keep you going. Some of my clients have lacked the support at home but were still able to succeed due to the support that I happily offer.

*

I hope you find this article helpful in making the decision of whether you are ready to tackle the emotional task of sleep training. Alternatively it may have given you the answer that it is okay to wait until the time is right. The only person who knows what you live with day-in and day-out is yourself. I believe that by listening and trusting your own instincts, they will take you far and where you need to be.

If you are ready to sleep train, let the expert Lisa Gargaro from Lisa Gargaro Sleep Co help!

If you’ve tried sleep training on your own without success, you are not alone; many, many parents struggle to get their babies and toddlers sleeping well. What you may need at this point is an expert to help you through the sleep training process. By contacting Lisa today, she can start creating a personalised sleep plan for you, your baby and your unique parenting style. The plan will take you through every step of the process, detailing the schedule for you to follow, with Lisa available at any time to answer your most pressing sleep questions.

Once you have made your decision and wish to start your sleep consulting package simply contact her via your preferred method and she will be in touch soon to start the process.

Lisa has created a special one-hour sleep consultation package EXCLUSIVELY FOR MiC MEMBERS. To find out more, click here.

e: lisa@lisagargarosleep.co

t: 00357 99260557

Skype name: dream.sleep.club

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

 

 

MiC’s Top Picks, Summer 2018 ☀

By MiC Team 14/05/2018 No Comments

The Guide 2018

For all things Summer

Our 2018 Edition of ‘Top Picks’ for summer schools and activities across the island is here! Looking for a little inspiration on where to go and how to keep the family entertained in the months to come? Browse our listing, with some great suggestions on how to keep your little (and not so little) ones busy over the holidays 🙂 and discover what’s out there…maybe even try something new this year!

 

Wishing you a fun-filled holiday,
The MiC Team

 

Go to the full MiC TOP PICKS SUMMER 2018 GUIDE online here >>

 

 

How To… find your perfect beach this summer!

By MiC Team 11/05/2018 2 Comments

Summer is fast approaching and many of you have most likely already taken your first trip to the beach. You’ve probably got a favourite spot that you like to go – one close to home (if you’re lucky enough to live near the sea) or at least not so far to trek during the mid-week busyness of work, school and afternoon runs.

However, weekends and the soon-to-arrive summer holidays offer a great chance to go a bit further afield and explore the wide range of beaches across the island, so we thought we’d give you a little bit of inspiration to try out some new spots that you may not have been to before or perhaps not even heard of!

The coastline of Cyprus varies greatly, from the tropical, golden stretches in the East, to the cliff-edged bays and wide open pebbled stretches of the South, leading to the rocky, rugged and deeper waters of the West. For the most popular beaches, you can easily find information elsewhere online of what they look like and where to find them, so we decided to pick out a few beaches per area that are a bit off the beaten track and that we have been to and loved, or know from word-of-mouth to be good. Of course, everyone wants something a little bit different from their beaches, so we’ve tried to include something for everyone, from more organised beaches with a full range of facilities to those that take a little more effort to find and set-up for the day with your own shades and refreshments. If you’ve got a fave spot that we haven’t listed below, make sure to comment below so that you can share it with the rest of the MiC community!

Famagusta Area

Ayia Napa is famous world-wide for its vibrant club-scene and its crystal-clear, turquoise waters and golden sands… it truly is paradise-like and for this reason, it tends to get really packed in the Summer! Nissi beach is a great example, it is very beautiful and you should definitely try it out, but it also tends to get a bit chaotic, with loud beach bars and a lot of visitors during the summer months. You might prefer to head to neighbouring Protaras, which can still get really busy at weekends, but is less hectic and bound to be quieter during the week.

Fig Tree Bay and Makronissos are firm favourites among families, but there are also other places in the area that are definitely worth seeking out.

Konnos Bay

One of our favourite spots to swim – further down the Cavo Greko (Cape Greco) road and at the base of well-known hotel, Grecian Park… two beautiful coves nestled at the base of fir-tree-filled Cape Greco National Park. A snorkeler’s paradise, with gentle water sports on offer for those that want to try one (without the loud pumping music and with respect for the bathers and swimmers in the area). Great for starfish and crab spotting in the shallow, almost wave-free waters.

There is parking all the way down the hill to the beach bar (which serves all day and has toilets, changing facilities and showers), but you will have to walk down (and back up) a gentle paved slope to get to the beach. During peak season, this beach can get packed, so avoid Weekends or make sure to get there early so as to grab a close parking spot and not have to walk the entire hill down as it is pretty steep! Make sure to go to Cape Greco afterwards at sunset to take a picture by the chapel, watch the daring cliff-divers and explore the sea caves below.

Sirena and Vrysaki

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s pretty hard to find a beach in Protaras that isn’t busy in the summer, but there are definitely a few that are less so, particularly if you go mid-week before the young crowds arrive for the weekend from Nicosia. Sirena and Vryzaki Bays in Protaras are both lovely and aren’t frequented so much by the hoards of tourists that arrive in the area in the summer.

Sirena Bay (Pernera) has a cute little traditional taverna under the shade of the trees right next to the beach though we have heard rumours recently that the municipality has been making changes to this area so you’ll have to check it out for yourselves as we haven’t been in a while. Vrysaki (or, Vrissaki – off the main road from Ayia Napa to Protaras) has two areas – a municipal bay with umbrellas and beach beds and an unorganized bay for you to set-up for the day and relax in your own style.

Situated between Ayia Thekla and Larnaca is a lovely spot called Potamos Liopetriou – a picturesque little estuary lined on both sides with traditional wooden fishing boats. You definitely would not be swimming here but it’s a great spot to have a sunset walk, a drink and a fish dinner in cute surroundings.

Larnaca Area

Faros

If you’ve been to the popular Phinikoudes (Foinikoudes) Beach and are tired of the mad crowds at Mckenzie, then try Faros beach next time you’re in Larnaca. Faros is a huge stretch of sand, between Meneou and Pervolia and is a good option for those of you with very little ones as the water is shallow for miles, meaning you can relax knowing that your non-swimmer can splash around safely within their depth. Easily accessible and with the usual facilities, there are quieter areas, away from the crowds that don’t get so busy even in the Summer. Alaminos and Secret Paradise Beach on the other side of the cape have sea barriers, so they’re also safe for your little ones to play freely without fear of being crashed by the waves. The usual facilities are there but apparently you have to take a track off the main road to get there.

Paphos Area

You’ll notice that this section is particularly long… mostly due to our personal experience of these beaches but also because the Paphos region (which includes the breathtaking Akamas peninsula, stretching from Peyia on its south side to Latchi, Polis, Pomos and Pyrgos on its North)… with the most ‘Mediterranean’ of all landscapes in Cyprus; rugged cliffs and gorges; heathered, wooded headlands; an ancient mythical past – has some of the least touristy but most beautiful beaches on the island. Make sure to take notice of any warning signs on the Paphos beaches where you can’t find any locals swimming, as these spots can have strong currents.

Coral Bay and the surrounding coves, are some of the most popular beaches in the Paphos area – a nice sheltered sandy beach with shallow waters, as opposed to a lot of other swimming areas in Paphos which can be pebbly with deep, though extremely clean, waters.

A popular area for locals in central Paphos is the SODAP beach which is sandy and pretty shallow. There is a municipal parking at SODAP – beach bar, showers, lifeguard and toilets and sometimes in the Summer they set-up an open air cinema there at night.

‘Bania’, at the other end of the promenade to the castle (before the hotel stretch starts) is also a popular place with locals who want a quick dip but it is not suitable for those of you with little ones as you have to dive straight in to deep water from the edge.

Geroskipou beach, though pebbly and deeper is another popular spot with locals, away from the hotel crowds.

Spilies (Sea Caves), Peyia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you’re heading in to this area to see the amazing sea cave formations, you can also find remote little coves that may not have any people in them at all. Best if you have a sturdier car (or a 4×4) as you’ll be going off the main road and you’ll definitely want to bring along your own provisions (sunshade, sunscreen and food/water) but your older kids will love having their own secret cove for the day. As with many beaches in Paphos, water/beach shoes are recommended. Look out for signs for ‘Oniro by the Sea’ – you won’t be disappointed!

Pomos and Pyrgos

By way of how far these places are from anywhere – reaching all the way up to the Green Line on the Paphos side – they don’t tend to get very busy at all in the summer. Plus, accommodation options can be a lot more reasonable during peak months. This western coast is wild and rugged – with amazing scenery of rock formations, red cliffs, secret coves and wide stretches of untamed beaches. Being on the West coast, they’re great to stay on until the sun goes down and they’re not so remote as to not have provisions on hand by way of restaurants and kiosks. Make sure to check out the lovely little port at Pomos – great for a weekend getaway and reminiscent of a time gone past that is hard to find elsewhere these days. Pomos also hosts the annual Jazz festival, with free camping on site, another great excuse to visit the area.

Latchi and Polis

The entire Polis – Latchi strip is popular in the summer but tends to be less crowded than other areas closer to Paphos town. Latchi is a great place for a weekend getaway, with numerous accommodation options on the coast or higher up in the hills where it is cooler. A fantastic area to explore by foot or car, it’s worth checking out even if you live on the other side of the island.

Polis Chrysochous Camp Site

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The beach at this campsite can get busy at weekends during the summer but it is a great spot to camp midweek – just off the beach, within the shade of a large Eucalyptus grove (perfect for keeping the mozzies away!), with a bar-restaurant right on the beach serving breakfast, lunch and dinner at reasonable prices if you want to keep your camping trip simple. Be warned, the water gets very deep here and there are large rocks and pebbles to scramble over before you get to the water, but it is has got to be one of the most refreshing dives you can take in the August heat!

Baths of Aphrodite Beach

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A beautiful area, steeped in myths surrounding the fabled bathing pool of the Goddess of love (which you’re unfortunately not allowed to enter)… it’s a great place to explore with the family and there’s a hiking route for those that can brave it during the heat of the summer. To get to the narrow pebbled beach, you have to walk down some steep steps from the tavern above, but the kids always enjoy it there, with its pebbles, nooks, crannies and rocks to climb on and over.

Blue Lagoon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you have never taken a boat trip from Latchi harbor to the Blue Lagoon… make sure to put it high up on your Cyprus bucket-list for this summer! Pretty much inaccessible by road unless you have a 4×4 and some serious nerves, a boat trip is the only way to get there. There are various options for day trips and it’s best to book in advance during peak season/weekends – there are half-day and full-day cruises, party boats and those that offer you a souvlaki dinner on board. There are glass-bottomed boats and sunset cruises. Whichever one you take, they’ll all end up at the Blue Lagoon, where they drop anchor and give you a set amount of time to jump in to the water and swim around in paradise for a while. The water is crystal clear and warm in summer… our kids have been begging to go back since our trip out there last summer! You can get on and off the boat at your will and most cruises offer refreshments and fruit of some sort if you haven’t chosen a trip that includes lunch/dinner (though be warned, you’ll be pretty jealous when you smell the charcoal smoke drifting over to you from the other boats when you’ve worked up an appetite from all that swimming!). Latchi harbor on your return offers numerous options for a fish meze! If you have little ones or non-swimmers, make sure to take some sort of flotation device so that you can swim easily in the waters without having to hold them.

Lara Bay

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This section wouldn’t be complete without Lara bay! Famous for its staggering beauty – its dune-backed beaches and gorgeous sunsets – this area is the protected nesting site of the Green and Loggerhead (Caretta Caretta) turtles. There is a small Lara Bay Conservation Station with educational material for the kids and information on how to use the beach responsibly, along with some of the baby turtles in tanks so people can learn more about these endangered species. If you go down to this beach, you’ll need to be careful of the many protected turtle nests there and they prefer people not to use umbrellas in case there is a hidden turtle nest beneath the sand. You are also asked to leave before sunset, so as not to disturb any hatching baby turtles. Unless of course you have arranged to join one of the conservation groups and take part in a midnight-session with the team who make sure all the baby hatchlings get to the water okay!

There are no facilities here at all so you must bring your own everything and make sure to stay away during the hottest part of the day, as there is little or no natural shade. You will also need to walk down some steps to the beach from the carparks above; a doddle for older kids but it’s advisable to bring a sling if you have a little one!

The great thing about the Akamas peninsular is that if it is windy on the South side, you can go to the North and vice versa. But be careful when it is windy at Lara, the waves can be pretty ferocious and there are some strong tides, so be careful if you’re unlucky to go on a windy day.

If you can bear to do it in the heat of the summer, the Avakas Gorge Nature Trail in the area is an amazing place to walk with the kids. You’ll need to drive carefully to Lara, as it is dirt track all the way. Any car can do it if you’re careful, just expect to have a lot of dust to wash off the next day!

 

Limassol

Limassol has so many beaches that it is hard to pick out a few. The sand might be a little ‘volcanic’ and not as tropical as the Famagusta region or as clean and cold as the beaches in Paphos, but there are so many options that you could spend the entire summer visiting a different spot each trip and probably not see them all.

Most locals swim along the Molos and its extension during the week, as it is convenient within the central area of Limassol, with its many parking areas, cafes, restaurants and numerous facilities. GSO area (close to the Limassol zoo) is a popular spot, as is Dasoudi Beach with its restaurants and playgrounds, the warm and shallow waters at Pareklissia Community Beach (Malindi) next to the St Raphael Marina and the newest hip and trendy spot of Columbia beach.

Governors Beach

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To the east end of Limassol, practically on the edge of the border with Larnaca, stretch the white rocks and dramatic cliff-edged coastline from Agios Georgios Alamanou to Governors. Governors Beach is in fact many different bays (and everyone has their own favourite) – some are a lot more organised with grass and restaurants, others have caves and coves to explore and discover but all have access to facilities and cafes/restaurants of varying quality.

If you arrive early during the summer and you’re lucky, you can grab yourself a cove (you may have to wade through a little knee deep water to get to one). With the chalk cliffs behind you, you have guaranteed shade all day long – so with a picnic hamper and drinks, you can stay put the whole day long!

Lady’s Mile

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the West side of Limassol, close to My Mall, is the sand-duned Lady’s Mile stretch along the salt-lake (great for nature watching and flamingo-spotting in autumn and spring… in the summer, get the kids to try to hunt down the native Famagusta Lilies hidden amongst the sand dunes!). There are numerous cafes and restaurants along the wide bay and again, each person has their favourite – some of the restaurants have inflatables in the water during the summer months for older kids and some have little playgrounds on the beach.

You can also just park your car in any of the little gaps in the sand dunes along the way if you prefer something a little less organised and set up anywhere along that huge stretch of coast. There are some great walks in the area also, close to the salt lake (in the surrounding forests and on the other side of the bay in Akrotiri)… and on the moonscape of the salt lake itself but take your mosquito repellent if you’re planning to stay until sundown and do not, DO NOT, attempt to drive across the saltlake in your car. Trust us on that one. Just to note: while the road along Lady’s Mile is relatively well kept, there can be some potholes, so drive carefully! And make sure to check out the observation post on your way out to see if you can spot any Spoonbills amongst the reeds!

 

 

Kourion to Zapalo to Paramali to Avdimou to Melanda

Kourion and Paramali

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These beaches, famed for their high winds and rough waves are perfect for kitesurfing. Kourion is a great beach for pebble-collecting and horse-riding – and has the stunning amphitheatre above, with its mosaics and breathtaking views down across the bay. If you haven’t yet watched a theatre performance or concert there during the summer, make the effort to book tickets this year – there’s no better location on the island for an evening performance!

Zapalo

 

One of the best kept secrets in the Limassol region is Zapalo (also known as Trypiti) is really worth the trip down there – we have been in August and not met a single other person for an entire day! You’ll need a 4×4 (or at least a car that goes in to low gear) and some nerves of steel to get down there (and back up again)! You can walk down but it’ll take you a good 15-20 minutes and you wouldn’t want to be doing that in the heat of the day. It really is truly magical down there – with a few little fishing boats, little ‘swimming pools’ and the majestic sandstone cliffs that surround the bay have falcons nesting and swooping around at sundown. Being so remote, there are absolutely no facilities, so this beach is only for the most adventurous among you. Be sure to take enough shade and food/water to last you for the day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To get to Zapalo, follow the old Limassol – Paphos road (B6) through the British Bases area. About 250m after passing the Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates on your right (a lovely spot if you haven’t been there already – check it out!), turn left – there are various warning signs about not going too close to the crumbling cliff edge (that means you’re in the right spot)! There are no name signs for this beach and it is hidden by the steep cliffs but you’ll know you’re in the right place if you can see the ancient walls beneath the sea, remnants of the old Roman fishing port that still remain and create small warm pools to swim in.

Melanda

We found this one completely by accident once on a drive through the winding lanes surrounded by fields after a day at Avdimou beach. A cute little bay with a small tavern, changing rooms and toilets, it generally is only visited by people who live in the area and so doesn’t get too busy. The drive through the hay bale-stacked fields during summer is worth the extra effort to get there, as are the waters that are quieter and shallower and there are better facilities than neighbouring Avdimou bay.

Well… we think that is more than enough inspiration to get you started! We’re always on the lookout for new swimming spots and hidden coves and beaches, so we’ll be updating this post as and when. If you have a favourite beach that is not listed here, please share it with us in a comment below or send us an email and we’ll add it to this post so that we can share it with the rest of the community! Enjoy!

Open Day at The Family House, April 29, 2018

By MiC Team 30/04/2018 No Comments

If you haven’t yet visited The Family House in Nicosia, make sure you do. Nestled in the quiet residential area of Acropolis, just off the centre of Nicosia, it is a little haven of calm in the capital city. The entire place is lovingly decked-out in wood and beautiful interior furnishings by owners Thomas and Gabriele. From their design, to their food philosophy and lovely cafe… to the creative and inspiring programme of activities they run at their centre, they really are a ‘sustainable business’, one that aims to foster community collaborations and connections, inspiring and empowering families to learn and grow together.

This saying, borrowed from the homepage of The Family House website, seems to now have even more significance in modern day society, where geographical mobility (increasingly internationally) means the traditional friends and family network is not physically in place when needed most – during the important time of early family development and beyond.

And that is what makes the Mums in Cyprus community so special – a unique mix of parents from so many different backgrounds, experiences and cultures… people who are keen to meet other like-minded parents and share the wonders, joys (and struggles!) of raising a young family, often away from home!

 

Which is why The Family House in Nicosia is the perfect place, in our opinion, for all our wonderful Nicosia members and those of you visiting Nicosia! It is somewhere that you can: meet friends for a lovely ‘sustainability blend’ coffee or homemade lemonade and snack while the kids play in the sandpit; join a baby, toddler or pre-schooler class and meet other parents; organise a birthday party unlike anywhere else and a place where you can also find classes and workshops for your older children and feel safe to leave them during their Summer School when you need to be at work.

 

 

We had a great time at their Open Day yesterday – relaxing in their many seated and comfortable areas; drinking, eating and chatting with the visiting parents and kids; taking part in the workshops and learning more about all the great stuff happening at The Family House!

Gabriele has a strong background in Pedagogic and  Developmental Psychology, Family Counselling, Positive Discipline Training and Ayurvedic Baby Massage. Through her love of nature and play, she encourages creative expression as a means of connecting with others and ourselves. Her partner and co-founder Thomas uses woodworking as his chosen tool to connect, teach and learn with the older age-groups – so much so that he has trained to be able to offer woodworking lessons to children. They are raising a family of four children of varying ages, adding hands-on experience to their impressive portfolio of professional skills.

The Family House has areas of interest for all ages: a front outdoor area with sandpit, wooden house and toys; two indoor play rooms – one with books and stimulating toys and a open-plan soft-floored area for the baby, toddler and pre-school classes; a therapy room where Gabriele conducts her workshops and classes… an indoor cafe and outdoor shaded area… an art room… and a shaded outdoor workshop, kitted-out by Thomas, with the child obviously at the centre of its design (steps for the participants to reach the massive central, shared workbench; individual workstations; child-sized safety tools, goggles and Family House aprons).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With interactive playgroups and music classes for babies, toddlers, pre-schoolers… art, nature and wood workshops for primary-school children and teenagers… a unique place for birthday parties and celebrations… a child-friendly location to stop and have a coffee with friends while your kids play… seminars and group sessions for parents to learn more about positive discipline, parenting, nutrition and more… plus the opportunity to book the space if you run your own pregnancy, baby or family-friendly classes… The Family House really has it all.

We’ll be visiting them again soon… we hope to see you there! 🙂

Opening hours:

Monday – Friday: mornings open during classes/workshops and afternoons open for all between 2.30pm – 6.30pm.
Saturday: mornings reserved for Birthday Parties; afternoon open between 2.30 and 6.30pm
Sunday: Closed

 

You can find out more here on their website, Facebook & Instagram pages or you can contact them directly via phone, email or their FB page:

Address: Kastoros 8, Acropoli, Nicosia, Cyprus
Phone: +357 22 262900
Email: info@the-family-house.com

 

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

 

 

MiC’s Weekly Roundup #340! On Summer, Stress Relief and Something Special 🔆🎁

By MiC Team 16/04/2018 No Comments

Welcome back to school!

Who’s more happy about the return to routine… children or parents? 🙂

We hope you had a wonderful break and look forward to bringing you all the exciting and new, fun stuff that’s happening right here at MiC and across the island.

In this week’s MiC Roundup which you can find online here, we have a selection of the hottest events coming up this week; a call for entries to this year’s Summer 2018 promotional guide; a sneak-peak to our MiC Marketplace – coming soon!; and our latest MiC Product of the Week and #WednesdayWin competition from MAM Baby. Read it all here.

You can find the latest issues of our MiC Magazine in our archive here.

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

Kali evdomada!

Carine and Kat x

 

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