Nearly Half of Working Mums Would Consider Sharing Parental Leave

Posted on September 9, 2014 by Frostie

Some 44% of working mums would consider sharing their maternity leave with their partner, according to Workingmums.co.uk annual survey.

The number of women who would consider sharing their leave when the new shared parenting legislation comes in next year has risen by 3% since last year and may in part be due to a rising number of women who are the main breadwinners in their families – over 17% of women who were living with a partner say they are the main breadwinner and only in a small number of cases is this because their partner has been made redundant or had to reduce their hours.

The survey of over 2,390 working parents, sponsored by McDonald’s Restaurants Ltd, covers a wide variety of issues, from childcare and flexible working to finances, discrimination and self employment.

It shows that, despite the rise in women breadwinners, the number of women who claim to split childcare and housework equally with their partners is just 21%, down from 27% last year. Some 17% say their partners work flexibly with 4% of partners working part time.

Many women said the economic situation was affecting how long they took for maternity leave. Some 46% had returned to work early due to the recession or cost of living. Some 10% only took between one and three months’ maternity leave. The majority, however, took between seven and 12 months. Although 70% said they went back to work because they needed the money, 60% said they would work even if money was not an issue.

Other findings from the survey include:

– 56% of women say they earn less pro-rata than they did before having children.

– 49% say employers discriminate more against women in the current climate

– 60% think they have to work harder than men due to unconscious bias

– the number of parents using grandparents for childcare has risen. 56% make use of grandparents to reduce their childcare costs, 18% use tax credits, 25% have childcare vouchers; 23% use friends; 8% get older siblings to help and 18% get help from other relatives [many use a combination of options]

– 41% [up 11% on last year] spent nothing on childcare while 20% pay over £500 per month

– 32% say homeworking is their most favoured type of flexible working and homeworking is the most likely thing to encourage more women to work full time.

– 53% said that more flexible working would aid them in their career development

– Most women got the flexible working they requested, but 23% did not with 11% feeling their employer did not even consider their request at all

– Only 13% who had taken a career break found a job fairly easily afterwards

– Most women [53%] want part-time work and 15% of part timers work at least 6-8 hours extra a week

– Just 4% do a job share

– 74% of working mums are logging on to emails outside of their working hours, with 48% doing so regularly.

– 14% of respondents were on a zero hours contract or variable shifts – of these 54% prefer it as it offers flexibility, but 17% find it difficult to arrange all the childcare they need. 28% like it for the flexibility but also find it a challenge with childcare.

Gillian Nissim, founder of Workingmums.co.uk, said: “Our annual survey always throws up a wealth of information on the way women are working or would like to work and what the hurdles many face when attempting to reach their potential. It is interesting to note the appetite for shared parenting in the light of expectations that initial take-up will not be significant. This perhaps reflects a growing awareness among couples of the link between equality in the workplace and at home. It is vital that policy supports parents in having greater choice over how they balance work and family life.”

Tips For Long Journeys With Children: Don’t Miss Out On Adventure

Posted on September 5, 2014 by Aidan

Taking a long journey with young children in tow is never easy. Aside from the military-type organizational procedures that have to be followed before anyone can leave the house, the actual journey itself can be stressful and leave parents tearing their hair out! The good news is that there are ways to relieve the stress and keep the journey fairly trouble-free.

Occupying the kids

One of the main issues with any long journey, whether it be by car, train or plane, is that children do get bored. Anyone with regular experience of long trips with kids will know that making arrangements to keep the children occupied is essential. When traveling with kids, it is a good idea to allow them to take along a few games or books. This will help to stave off boredom and is particularly useful when travelling by train or plane where there are usually small lap tables for them to use. It is important to make sure that they do not get out all of their toys and games all at once. They should be rationed throughout the journey so that the children do not get bored with everything in the first half hour. They can pick the toys and games themselves before leaving home, but their choice should be vetted to make sure that they are practical for the trip.

Crayons and pads allow children to color or draw their own pictures. Parents who offer prizes for the resulting creations will find that this helps to keep the children focused for a little longer but need to take care to keep this balanced – each child should win at some point in order to avoid any tantrums!

Get a little creative

Sometimes a standby like books or travel versions of games like Scrabble just will not keep the kids occupied for long enough. This is where parents need to show a little creativity. Children can be encouraged to engage with the journey by talking to their parents about what they can see as they travel – this is a good one for a car journey. Looking out for landmarks can be turned into a game.

Parents can also read up on the places they are going to be visiting and spend some of the journey time talking to the children about them. It is important not to make this sound like a history or geography lesson – it should be as fun as possible. For example, a child with an interest in dinosaurs might want to hear about the natural history museum at the destination. Travel journals are a good option for those who have older children. Children can describe what they see and add things such as postcards and photos during the stay. This can be useful when they return to school and are asked to talk about their vacation!

Any journey taken with children can be challenging but, with a little forward thinking, it can actually go smoothly. Giving the kids activities that are relevant to the destination also helps them to feel a part of the trip and not as though they are just along for the ride.

http://www.roughguides.com/article/20-tips-for-travelling-with-children/

http://www.chabad.org/theJewishWoman/article_cdo/aid/387689/jewish/TipsforEasierPlaneTravelingwithKids.htm

Win Tickets To The London Homebuilding & Renovating And Home Improvement Show

Posted on August 28, 2014 by Frostie

The London Homebuilding & Renovating and Home Improvement Show makes its national debut at Olympia with new feature highlights and experts and Frost Magazine has tickets to giveaway.

London, 26-28 September 2014

Credit: Steve Burden

http://london.homebuildingshow.co.uk

As the property market regains its confidence, the UK’s fastest growing home show is coming to London for the first time as a combined event designed for both self-builders and remodelers. The new London Homebuilding & Renovating and Home Improvement Show will take place from the 26-28 September at Olympia, London. The exhibition will offer visitors the chance to benefit from an extensive range of products and recommendations from more exhibitors than ever before and tips and bespoke advice from an extended expert panel on how to successfully complete a project from start to finish.

Credit: Steve Burden

Piers Taylor, award-winning RIBA architect and co-presenter of BBC2 series ‘The House that £100k Built’ will be making his first appearance on the London expert panel to inspire visitors with quality interior design and architecture recommendations to help homeowners make the most of their projects. Charlie Luxton, sustainable architectural designer and presenter of More4’s ‘Building the Dream’, will be making his awaited comeback to the London event and will also appear alongside other homebuilding and home improvement professionals including Michael Holmes, editor-in-chief of the Homebuilding and Renovating Magazine.

Another new feature for this year’s event is the updated Interior Design and Decorating Clinic, brought to you by Dulux Design Service. Visitors will be provided with insightful ideas on how to decorate their homes through the use of appealing colour schemes, wall coverings and furnishings. Dulux consultants will be offering free one-on-one appointments to bring attendees one step closer to their aspirational house.

The Ask the Architects area will provide a space for dialogue between certified RIBA Architects and visitors curious about the design and construction process of their project. After a consultation with a member of the team, homeowners will leave with the assurance that their plans will be ready to be implemented by well-guided contractors.

For attendees undertaking major works, changes and additions to their property, a meeting with planning permission expert, Sally Tagg, is vital to ensure that they understand the complex application process. Sally will be waiting at the Planning Clinic for individual consultations with visitors to offer them professional advice.

Come prepared with your plans and ideas and benefit from the wide range of experts that can offer individual sessions at the Ask the Experts zone. This year, the panel of property specialists includes: Michael Holmes (editor-in-chief of Homebuilding & Renovating Magazine); Jason Orme (editor of Homebuilding & Renovating magazine); Piers Taylor (award-winning RIBA architect and co-presenter of hit BBC2 series ‘The House that £100k Built’); Charlie Luxton (sustainable architectural designer and presenter of More4’s ‘Building the Dream’); Julia Kendell (Interiors and Decorating expert from DIY SOS and ITV1’s Daybreak); Matt James (designer and expert on ITV’s ‘Love Your Garden’); David Snell (Homebuilding & Renovating magazine’s self-build and plot finding expert); Tim Pullen (eco expert at Homebuilding & Renovating magazine), Bob Branscome (chartered surveyor and builder); Chris Reeves (Homebuilding & Renovating magazine’s Legal Expert and chartered builder and lawyer) and Roger Hunt (award-winning writer and eco expert).

Standard tickets are £12 in advance or £17 on the door (children under 16 go free). For further information visit http://london.homebuildingshow.co.uk or call the ticket hotline on 0871 231 0824.

To be in with a chance of winning these fabulous tickets follow @Frostmag on Twitter or Instagram, or like us on Facebook. Alternatively, sign up to our newsletter. Or subscribe to Frost Magazine TV on YouTube here: http://t.co/9etf8j0kkz.Then comment below saying what you did. Competition closes mid-September.

University Fees-ability by Josh Edwards

Posted on August 27, 2014 by Frostie

Another period of A-level results has passed and thousands of students will be heading to University over the next 4 weeks. But is a degree strictly necessary? For many it isn’t. It wasn’t for me initially, but as my career aspirations altered, a degree became the minimum requirement for my next goal.

Three years ago, I decided to end a successful career in retail and become a student, studying Education. I became poor overnight and left behind a lifestyle of exotic holidays, new cars and weekly shopping trips to Topman. So how can university be financially possible for the majority of young people?

This is how I did it. I applied in 2011, just before the Government planned to increase tuition fees. Although the increase in fees would not have necessarily discouraged me, if I wanted to avoid paying up to nine thousand pounds a year I had to bite the bullet and submit my UCAS application. Knowing my parents would not be able to financially support me, and aware that my maintenance loan would not be enough to live on, I had to work out how to support myself.

Luckily, my local Starbucks was recruiting so I decided to attend the day of open interviews. It went well and I was asked to start the following week. Although, somehow I had convinced people that I was a coffee lover, I wasn’t at the time. A great number of awkward coffee tastings followed, but that is another story. I soon realised that Starbucks was a revolving door for students, with many working weekends and between lectures which enabled us to earn extra cash. Throughout my three years at University, I typically worked between 16 and 25 hours a week. Without being able to work part-time, for me, University just would not have been possible.

For most, student loans are an inevitable part of the University experience, especially now. Only the very fortunate are able to leave University debt free. Many are put off by the huge sums of money they have to borrow, but I considered it to be a risk free investment. Only a small percentage of the loan is taken from your pay-check based on your salary, and repayment starts when you are earning twenty-one thousand pounds or more a year. If it all goes pete-tong and you never quite meet your earning potential, then you never have to pay the loan back.

I expect thousands of students will be in the same boat I was in three years ago. So if you need some extra money to help you through university, why not check out your local Starbucks, or Costa, or anywhere else that accommodates student hours. As well as helping financially, it’s good for your cv, and is fun.

I am now a graduate, with a degree under my belt, and a more than manageable level of debt. I am on the job trail, and who knows, I might get back to that sun-filled, fun-filled lifestyle, or just head towards a mortgage, or even both. Either way, I have had three years of mind stretching education, and have acquired great coffee making skills which keep me going in between interviews. Life is good.

Nearly Half of Men Feel Under Pressure To Juggle a Career With Children

Posted on August 19, 2014 by Frostie

Dads left out in the cold: one in five fathers would like more time off work to bond with their children

Nearly half (42%) of men feel under pressure to juggle a career with having children
Almost half of fathers (46%) don’t think their workplaces offer enough flexibility to adequately juggle childcare with work
Much discrimination against women surrounds preconceptions on their taking time off to have children

It is a man’s world, a part from when it comes to children. Courts tend to favour the mother and many men don’t get to see their own children as much as they like, if at all. In fact, if a couple is not married, the man has no rights at all.

One in five fathers (22%) would like more time off work to bond with their children according to a survey by serviced office provider Business Environment. The research shows that modern men are finding it difficult to maintain a work / life balance that allows them to spend enough time with the kids.

Almost half of fathers (46%) feel that their workplaces do not offer enough flexibility to juggle childcare commitments with work life. While the debate usually revolves around flexibility for mothers, this research highlights that employers are behind the times by overlooking the importance of flexible working for fathers.

When asked about the changes in paternity law that will allow parents to share maternity/paternity from next year, 75% of men and women welcome the changes believing that it will help fathers bond with their children and decrease the discrimination against mothers in the workplace. Those who answered negatively cited reasons such as the cost of implementing new legislation and their belief that childcare is the domain of women.

Positively, more than half (56%) of respondents say they would share leave equally with their partner if given the chance, demonstrating the potential to affect changes in attitudes towards women if it were perceived that men were just as likely to take time off to have children.

David Saul, managing director, Business Environment said: “Since I founded Business Environment 20 years ago, I have seen a huge shift in perceptions about both men and women at home and in the workplace. The view that women should stay at home and look after the kids while the man brings home the money is archaic to say the least. However, our research suggests that employers are not keeping up with the times. We hear a lot about ensuring there is flexibility in place for working mothers, but today it is just as important that men are considered equal in sharing childcare commitments – and that means making allowances in their working schedules too.”

While men may be feeling under pressure, much of the gender discrimination that takes place in the workplace centres on women having children. The research found that more than a quarter of employers would be reluctant to hire a women if she were of child-bearing age (27%) or already has children (26%).

David Saul explains how the change in paternity law may have a positive effect for women, as well as men: “I believe the changes in paternity leave will have a two-fold effect. Firstly, and perhaps most importantly, more men taking time out when their children are born will reduce the stigma that still surrounds women in the workplace, opening up more opportunities and making bigger cracks in the glass ceiling. Secondly, of course, it will allow fathers to spend more time bonding with their children.”

Interview with Mem Freda

Posted on June 9, 2014 by Sarah Bacchus

What made you get into acting?

As a child I was always fascinated by these ‘beings’ that lived inside our TV set! I was
convinced I would see them leave from the back of the TV after a show was over, if I waited
long enough!

Born with such a wild imagination, the decision was not a conscious one, but a route destined
to happen. Often I would roll around the living room floor wrestling with pillows
(crocodiles) having just seen an episode of Tarzan.

Not much changed into adulthood, where I would recite dialogue from films I’d seen, with an
attempt at replicating the characters. Eventually, I realized that the energy I had was best
channeled into acting, hence, it chose me, as much as I chose it, as a career.

What is the strangest role you have been offered?

Its very rare I find anything ‘strange’.

Once I was asked to be in a commercial, and was paid £38,000.00 for two hours work and when the
advert was aired, all you saw was the side of my nose, that for me was strange!!

How do you prepare for a role?

Often when you land a role, you have background information at your disposal, from the script,
the director, the character breakdowns etc.

Depending on whether the character is fictitious or not, will determine the nature of the
research one does. If the character in not fictitious, I would gather as much information
as possible to build a profile that is as close to the real life personality of that person.
I find it easier when a role is fictitious, as this allows for more freedom to experiment
with different layers to the character, until I find one that best fits to what the writer
intended.

Who is your role model? It could be anyone from the past or present.

Marlon Brando was my first ‘role model’. I have also always been influenced by the work of
De Niro, Pacino, Penn, Travolta and recently Christian Bale.

You have some amazing films coming out soon, but what has been the most diverse role so far?

I’m excited for audiences to see two films coming out soon in which they will see me in a
different light. First is BREAKDOWN, in which I play a tortured victim. It stars Craig
Fairbrass, James Cosmo and is directed by Jonnie Malachi and produced by Luke Fairbrass.

The second film is MY HERO, here I play a cockney florist, Simon Flowers, who is a drug lord
operating out of Margate. Directed by Robert Osman and produced by Katarina Gellin,
audiences are in for a real treat.

Plastic that's out now, is one brilliant film. If you had unlimited funds what would you do
with it and why?

In terms of film, I would continue developing and producing interesting and stimulating stories
for audiences to enjoy, appreciate and remember through time. In terms of life, I would set up
a charity organisation to help others less fortunate.

You do really get all the gritty roles to play in films, but are there any roles that you long
to play? Like a Romantic comedy, or are you digging deep with the bad guy stuff for now?

I love playing the villain. Having made a career out of it, I still want to pay service to
playing such roles. However, it is also high time to show my diversity as an actor,
hence, a romantic comedy,horror, drama, are all avenues for me to explore. And I am
currently setting these wheels in motion.

If you could play any role that is really out of your comfort zone what would it be?

Not sure any role is within my ‘comfort zone’, as all require a substantial amount of work.
However, what would be fun to play, is a similar role to that of Dustin Hoffman’s role in
Tootsie.

If you could direct any film past or present what would it be and why?

It would be thrilling to do a remake of Boogie Nights. It had me in fits of laughter, so it
would be fabulous to attempt to make it just as funny.

Are their any roles you have played that you felt you changed as a person while filming
or can you walk away and not get too involved with the character?

After 20 years of psychosis, with each dark and terrifying character I’ve portrayed, you have
to learn to walk away unaffected. It’s that or strangling the cat when I get home.

To keep sane you have to have full control over reality and fantasy. I did have problems at
the start of my career, but had to deal with them pronto.

Who would you love to star with next and why?

I’d love to be able to work with Juliet Lewis. She captured my interest ever since I saw her in
Kalifornia and Natural Born Killers. She’s a sensational actress and her music ain’t bad either!

Tell us something about yourself that we don't know.

I love horror films and was excited to win an Award at the prestigious
Myrtle Beach International Film Festival for Truth or Dare, which I produced along with
Jessica Cameron and Jonathan S Higgins.I also like to dip crisps into diet coke.

Are you into this whole selfie things and even if you are not who would be the one person in
history you would love to have a picture with?

Absolutely detest the whole selfie thing! If I were to have a selfie picture with anyone, it
would be with Elvis.

Dr Beckmann Cleaning Product Review

Posted on April 11, 2014 by Frostie

Cleaning isn’t glamourous but it does burn calories. So there is a silver lining to every cloud. Cleaning should always be as easy as possible, and for that you need the right products that really work: easily and fast. We tested these products from Dr Beckmann to see if they passed the test.

Dr Beckmann Hardwood & Parquet Floor Cleaner and Dr Beckmann Stone & Tile Floor Cleaner

Each floor cleaner is specifically for that type of floor. Both cleaners contain a clever bio protect formula which provides a stain protection layer, ensuing a long-lasting protection from stains and scuff.

Stone & Tile Floor Cleaner has caring ingredients so it won’t ruin expensive stone flooring. It can be used on sealed and unsealed floors and gives a deep but revitalizing clean.

Wood floors can also be very delicate and moisture can affect wooden floors, causing unsightly cracks and lifting around the edges. Dr. Beckmann’s Hardwood & Parquet Floor Cleaner protects joints and edges and evens out small scratches, helping keep its perfect appearance.

Both cleaners are good. Cleaning and caring well.

Dr. Beckmann’s Active Oven Gel Cleaner clings to the vertical walls and doors to cut through the tough baked on food, grease and grime leaving a sparkling clean finish. It also has no nasty chemical smells.

The oven cleaner is good and relatively pain-free. You just cover the oven with it and then leave it for a certain amount of time, depending on how dirty the oven is. Then you wipe with a cloth and warm water. It works well and there is no hard scrubbing needed.

– Oven Cleaner £3.19

– Hardwood & Parquet Floor Cleaner £4.99

– Stone & Tile Floor Cleaner £4.99

The Essential Guide To Keeping Chickens | Easter Ideas

Posted on April 9, 2014 by Frostie

I have always harboured the dream of keeping chickens. One that I doubt will ever be realised as I live in the concrete jungle of London. But I can dream, and watch DVDs like The Essential Guide To Keeping Chickens about how I will look after the chickens that I will (hopefully) have one day.

A lot of great stuff is covered and the DVD is pretty thorough. It covers everything and if you are thinking of keeping chickens this will definitely help you decide. If you already have some, this will cover all of the gaps in your knowledge.

The presenters Jules Hudson and Suzie Baldwin are both brilliant and I really enjoyed this DVD. I learned a lot and the advice is down-to-earth and easy to follow. I don’t think I could clip a chicken’s wing with scissors. This was an entertaining and informative lesson in keeping chickens. An essential for keeping chickens. Good stuff.

Covered in the DVD:

Why keep chickens?
Choosing your chickens
Hen houses and food
Handling chickens
The chicken medicine chest
Mating and murder most fowl!

This DVD from Stitchcombe Productions is perfect for Easter. If you would like a few extra eggs this Easter and can spare a corner of your garden, then why not buy the NEW DVD Keeping Chickens? The DVD is part of The Ideal Life Collection and it tells you everything you need to know – from a list of essential kit to expert tips to ensure that your hens are healthy and happy! Keeping chickens is easier than you think and also extremely rewarding. You could soon enjoy warm, freshly laid eggs every day and, next year, your very own Easter chicks.

Keeping Chickens – Suzie Baldwin has been keeping chickens ever since she was a child and has a real knack of demonstrating exactly how to handle and care for her ‘girls’. Prompted by questions from TV presenter, Jules Hudson, Suzie shows us how rewarding it is to find a clutch of freshly-laid eggs every day.

Whether you already have hens but could do with some extra tips or you’re a total novice, Keeping Chickens will prove invaluable. From practical ‘chicken check lists’ to a demonstration of how to clip a chicken’s wings with a pair of scissors in seconds.

Suzie Baldwin supplies eggs to rock stars and royalty and sells a wide variety of different breeds, hen houses and accessories from an idyllic farm in Hampshire.

Jules Hudson (Escape to the Country) has just started keeping chickens and has a genuine passion and enthusiasm to learn more all about his feathered friends.

The Ideal Life Collection DVDs RRP £14.99

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