As Mother’s Day Approaches:

Posted on March 9, 2017 by Margaret Graham

Time to start thinking what we might like. I say we, because you never know, my kids could be reading this.

I have just read a belter of a novel out in hardback on 9^th March, so put it on your list and do not forget.

The Little Theatre by the Sea by Rosanna Ley has a jacket which yells – sunshine. It covers adult daughter, and ‘life begins again’ parents.

Faye has just completed her degree in interior design, and is tempted to house sit for friends in Sardinia. Somehow or other, she is hooked into designing a theatre. How? Ah…

Her parents, toddling about in Dorset are feeling that they, too, could stretch their wings, and fly. Is there going to be a meeting of minds, or a clash? Give it to your mum and she can find out.

Much more serious but fascinating. Couldn’t put it down:

The Making of India: The untold story of British Enterprise by Kartar Lalvani

Not a beach read, let’s be honest, but a balanced and fair look at the British in India, a mile away from the banging and crashing and blaming that so often accompanies any look back at the British in the continent.

Lalvani explores how the subcontinent benefited in many ways, starting at the beginning, in the seventeenth century and moving on through the colonial rule. He discusses how the British unified and restored a fragmented country of many kingdoms. Of course, the Brits were not without fault, but this history looks at the institutional, political, and civil benefits embedded by us. Fascinating.

How about a frankly scary thriller by Sunday Times bestselling author of I am Death.

The Caller by Chris Carter is not one to read in bed, tell Mum. On the other hand, if she starts it in the afternoon there’ll be no tea for anyone, and she just won’t want to put it down after her Horlicks, or maybe she’s one of us, and we’re talking wine.

Tanya Kaitlin steps out of her shower prior to bed. The phone rings. The video call request comes from her best friend. Tanya takes the call. No, no, no. Because the nightmare begins.

Who wants to see images of their best friend gagged and bound to a chair in her own living room? Tanya doesn’t but must continue to watch or the predator will come for her next.

Not sure mum will be keen on answering a phone again, or flirting with social media. But she won’t be able to put this one down until she knows what’s what.

On a lighter note.

Cathy Kelly made me laugh in Secrets of a Happy Marriage.

With echoes of the aga saga which I gather is now a politically incorrect term, (for heaven’s sake – so use it I will), it is amusing too.

It’s all about a special birthday party. I had one of those, and arrived at the pub with my age roared out loud and clear on banners for all to know. It was not my best moment, as I have always skirted round the truth. Retribution I suppose.

Of course, with generations of Brannigans congregating in Cathy Kelly’s clever novel, some secrets are bound to emerge, some cracks in relationships might become hard to disguise, but… but… will something happen to bring the sunshine out on the whole proceedings? Ah… Give it to Mum and then borrow it and you’ll find out.

The Little Theatre by the Sea by Rosanna Ley. Quercus. pub 9^th March. hb £19.99 and pb 1st June.

The Making of India by Kartar Lalvani Bloomsbury hb £25.00

The Caller by Chris Carter by Simon and Schuster. hb £12.99

Secrets of a Happy Marriage by Cathy Kelly Hb and ebook. Orion 9 March. £14.99

The Business Of Books: Writing In Balance

Posted on March 8, 2017 by Jane Cable

Author Nikki Moore tells Jane Cable why she never quite wants to give up her day job.

How much of your working life does the business of books take up?

The honest answer is, quite a bit, but not as much as I’d like. I have a full-time HR day job, so writing has to slot around that, as well as my children. Of course there’s also seeing my boyfriend, friends and family, housework, food shopping etc. I have the same commitments as everybody else. I’ve had to be very disciplined and maketime to write. I set several evenings a week aside and also write on weekends; I watch a lot less TV than I used to (although my boyfriend and I are newly addicted to The Walking Dead). When I’m working under deadline – 2015 was a busy year as I delivered five novellas and a 100,000 word novel for the #LoveLondon series – I write any spare moment I can, whether it’s during lunch breaks or into the early hours of the morning. As well as working on manuscripts, I also have to promote my books so I blog when I can, as well as tweeting and Facebook posting regularly.

I used to want to give up the day job to write full-time, but I’ve realised I need to be around people in order to write believable characters and compelling storylines, so now the dream is to scale back the day job to 1-2 days a week and write the rest of the time.

What’s your business model to earn a living from writing?

I’m not a best-selling author – I hope to be one day – although I’ve sold more books than I ever imagined I would when I started out. However, like many authors, I don’t earn enough to give up the day job yet; my HR career pays the bills. So my business model is to stay passionate and keep working hard to write the best books I can for my readers, get them published, earn good reviews, promote my books through as many forms of media as possible, interact with my audience including bloggers, build networks… and cross my fingers for luck.

What do you write and what do you consider to be your major successes?

I write romantic fiction and am hoping to move into women’s commercial fiction. In terms of successes, before being published I was a finalist in several writing competitions including the RNA’s Elizabeth Goudge trophy (judged by the fabulous Katie Fforde) and Novelicious Undiscovered. Some of the #LoveLondon novellas have been in the Top 100 short story charts on Kobo and Top 20 in the Amazon UK bestsellers Holiday chart. Having a short story in the bestselling RNA/Mills & Boon anthology Truly, Madly, Deeply alongside best-sellers like Adele Parks, Miranda Dickinson and Carole Matthews was amazing. My debut novel Crazy, Undercover, Love was shortlisted for the RNA Joan Hessayon Award and Valentine’s on Primrose Hillshortlisted for a Love Stories award. But there are other measures of success too; the thrill of a message from a reader telling me they stayed up until 2.00 a.m. to read my book and cried when it was over; being interviewed by my local paper; being asked to co-tutor a workshop with my aunt Sue Moorcroft at Purbeck Literary Festival last year. And sometimes, just finishing a book is a success.

Tell me about your latest project.

I’m currently finishing revisions on a women’s commercial fiction book I’ve been working on in the background for several years. I can’t say much, other than people who enjoyed Eat, Pray, Love or Me Before You, or The Fault in Our Stars may enjoy it. I’m also working on an outline for another exciting project. One thing is for sure; whether its revisions or writing something new, as long as I’m writing, I’m happy.

Nikki Moore is a Dorset girl and social media addict who loves reading and writing. Published mainly by HarperImpulse, she is the author of the #LoveLondon series. A member of the Romantic Novelists Association, she is a firm supporter of aspiring writers and is always happy to share her writing experiences. She encourages readers to get in touch too!

THEATRE REVIEW by Paul Vates

Posted on March 7, 2017 by Margaret Graham

The Lock In by Joseph Cullen at The Vaults, London SE1

“ The atmosphere fizzes as people jostle to find the right theatre space…”

Waterloo Station is right above your head, but you wouldn’t know it – apart from the odd grumble of a train – because The Vaults, deep beneath the station, are just as busy. If not busier.

It is gloomy down here, the lighting reminiscent of a futuristic film, but there is a buzz. The atmosphere fizzes as people jostle to find the right theatre space: Pit, Cage, Crescent, Studio, Cavern, Jazz Bar, Network Theatre. Performances occur simultaneously in all the spaces and there is a frisson of controlled panic about the place.

We found the bar easily enough, but the queue was annoying. Funny how no one seemed to be aware there is another bar directly above – and it was empty! We could smell the food of the restaurant, but had no idea where it was. The Vaults have created a whole evening for the discerning public – a bit of theatre/music/comedy, a drink or three, a place to eat.

The Lock In was one hour long – getting kicked out of the space so another performance could step in. Its slot being 6.15-7.15pm. It’s a veritable Edinburgh Festival down here…

We were ushered into a wriggly line outside The Pit and, finally, the doors opened. A little confusion – adding to the event – as we sought a free bench. Then the brilliant music stopped to allow the ‘theatre’ to begin. It is immersive and in your face: it is St. Patrick’s Day and we’re all locked in the pub. Tipsy and over-friendly Eamonn tells us the forgotten Irish tale of Niall and the Nine Hostages, using members of the audience to represent a variety of characters. His journey leads him inevitably to more drink until, by the end, inebriated, he plays and sings with the band.

[Emmy Stonelake, Andy Burse, Rory Quinn and Ian Horgan in rehearsal]

Eamonn, played by Ian Horgan, is affable enough, but somehow lacked the twinkle-in-the-eye of the drunk Irish storyteller that he was aiming to be. His many lapses in concentration led him to openly admit he had no idea what came next – at one point asking the band to play a song to cover, which of course they did.

It all added to the rough and ready occasion. Because, at the end of the day, who cares? Sinead O’Callaghan’s relaxed direction allows it to be funny and informative. The sometimes improvised banter between the musicians and Eamonn felt genuine enough. Special praise here to Andy Burse, playing Dave, on percussion. His persistent, dim-witted but heartfelt interruptions were perfect. The aforementioned band also including poster boy Rory Quinn, Emmy Stonelake and Eddy Massarella created a wonderfully vibrant live Irish sound in the bricked and cavernous archway.

Over The Limit Theatre have been at The Vault Festival all week, presenting a Celtic Season. The Witch’s Mark and Siren being their other two shows. One has a feeling that it has all been thrown together at short notice, which brings with it a certain charm and energy. But it does make one wonder how brilliant it could all be with just a little more precision.

Venue: The Vaults, Waterloo Vaults, Leake Street, SE1 7NN

Venue Contact: www.thevaults.london

Over The Limit Theatre

Contact: Oran Doyle, oran.overthelimit@gmail.com or 07533431919

Facebook: /OLTTheatre

Twitter: @OTLTheatre

Instagram: @overthelimittheatre

How, What & Where Of Men’s Casual Clothing

Posted on March 7, 2017 by Frostie

You’re likely to wear casual clothes among friends because people you know won’t judge you – they already know who you are. Casual clothing tend to be relatively inexpensive which gives you more freedom, when you’re wearing them, to do spontaneous activities without worrying that they will get dirty.

There are lots of options when it comes to casual clothing, depending on just how chilled out you want to feel. At one end of the spectrum there are joggers and hoodies and at the other end there are jeans and t-shirts. You’re more likely to go to the gym and do things around the home in your most casual state. However, you wouldn’t necessarily want to be seen out in the pub in your trackies but you can do just about anything in jeans and a t-shirt.

The beauty of going casual is that you’re free to do whatever you want without worrying. If your day does turn into a spontaneous night out, you might want to consider throwing a bomber jacket over your casual outfit to spruce things up and give your outfit that sharper edge.

Black gives the impression of an instant slim down and you’ll find it easy to piece together as you don’t have to match different colours. Try a leather biker jacket combined with a simple black t-shire and a pair of slim fit black jeans. Finally, to tie the whole outfit together wear some dark brown boots – voila you’re casual but suave and you can go anywhere from the sofa to the club and still look good.

Other casual go-to items include denim shirts and checked shirts worn over a plain t-shirt, this layering gives outfits a more interesting angle. GQ has recently suggested that the latest weekend shirt is the western version of a denim shirt – “worn with black jeans or smart trousers and lace-up boots has the same rugged appeal as a traditional denim or check flannel western shirt, without being quite so cowboy.”

Looking at celebrity style, David Beckham is the master of casual clothing, slightly aided by his great looks, Becks gets it right every time. One look that stands out is the all black everything, downtime attire you will sometimes see Beckham papped in. Despite his reputation for great style, Beckham’s fashion comes from buying clothes that he likes, as he once said, “I like nice clothes, whether they’re dodgy or not” it just shows that if you’re confident in what you’re wearing, you can pretty much pull off anything!

By Patrick Vernon

Frost Loves: Slydes

Posted on March 7, 2017 by Catherine Balavage

Frost loves Slydes – Functional and super stylish footwear for summer.

Spring may have just started, but the weather is getting better and summer will be here soon, dammit. So lets get excited and buy our footwear now. I have been reviewing these Slydes. They are comfy and they look fab. Founded in 2014 and launching its first collection for Spring Summer 2015, the SLYDES brand offers an exciting range of pool slides for the fashion forward. The pool slide, once reserved for the use of sporty types and swimmers alone, is now the ultimate footwear choice of the Summer. I tend to agree. Minimum fuss with maximum stylish. That is what we all need.

£15-£22.

http://slydes.co.uk/

London Book & Screen Week 2017 unveils programme that goes from Hogwarts to Hygge in celebration of books

Posted on March 6, 2017 by Frostie

David Nicholls, Roddy Doyle and Michael Morpurgo headline the seven-day festival

A Soho awards night with David Nicholls, a very special Harry Potter screening at the St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel London and conversations with Michael Morpurgo and Roddy Doyle lead the eclectic line-up of this year’s London Book & Screen Week (13-19 March 2017).

Produced by The London Book Fair, the seven-day, citywide festival celebrates books – and the films, games, plays and TV programmes they inspire – shining the spotlight on the critical role books play in our creative industries. This year’s programme celebrates the 20^th anniversary of the publication of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and 200 years since the death of Jane Austen.

David Nicholls, one of the UK’s leading figures in literature, TV and film, will champion the specially curated programme of events as the Ambassador of this year’s London Book & Screen Week. Roddy Doyle will be in conversation at House of St Barnabas – thirty years after the publication of his novel The Commitments.

St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel London will be the spellbinding setting for a very special Harry Potter film screening. All-star comedy troupe Austentatious will return to Leicester Square Theatre to perform an improvised show based on audience suggestions. The show will be preceded by a panel of special guests from the literary world, who will divulge and share their own love for Jane Austen’s work.

Acclaimed children’s author Michael Morpurgo will be in conversation with Owen Sheers, and Deborah Moggach will introduce a screening of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, which was adapted from her novel These Foolish Things.

With Britain in the grip of Hygge fever, Waterstones Piccadilly are putting on a Scandi crime screening, and bringing together Hygge experts Bronte Aurell (The Scandi Kitchen), Signe Johansen (How to Hygge), Louisa Thomsen Brits(The Book of Hygge) and Trine Hahnemann (Scandinavian Comfort Food) to provide wisdom on how to live more Danishly.

The fitness stars of Instagram – who have become publishing sensations – come together for a talk about fitness in the digital age: Faya Nilsson (Fitness on Toast), James Exton (LDN Muscle) and Alice Living (Clean Living Alice).

London’s award-winning LGBT literary salon Polari returns once again to The Light Lounge in Soho for a night of chat and cocktails hosted by Paul Burston, with joyous readings from Sophia Blackwell, Christopher Fowler and VG Lee. The Irish Literary Society are hosting a bumper series of events to showcase some of Ireland’s finest writers.

Jacks Thomas, Director of The London Book Fair and London Book & Screen Week, said:

“It’s wonderful to be working with partners across London to celebrate writers and their work in all its different formats. The line-up of this year’s London Book & Screen Week once again demonstrates the range and depth of London’s creative talent, and how vital books are for all our creative industries.

In 2017, we are particularly proud to present the CAMEO awards in their inaugural year. The Creativity Across Media: Excellence and Originality Awards will identify the individuals who create some of the most successful film, stage, TV and game adaptations, telling inspiring, gripping, life-transforming stories here and across the globe.”

London Book & Screen Week is run in partnership with some of the capital’s highest-profile brands, including London & Partners, the Mayor’s official promotional company for London, which attracts businesses and visitors to the capital and operates VisitLondon.com, the official city guide for London.

The launch night at Soho House, central London (13 March), will also see the awards ceremony for the inauguralCreativity Across Media: Entertainment & Originality Awards (CAMEO).

The festival combines specially curated events with an open sourced strand that anyone can submit to online at www.londonbookandscreenweek.co.uk. To find out more, and book event tickets, visit www.londonbookandscreenweek.co.uk.

LONDON BOOK & SCREEN WEEK 2017

Programme Highlights

Monday 13 March

AUSTENTATIOUS: A SPECIAL EDITION

At Leicester Square Theatre – 7 pm

Austentatious returns to its London home in resplendent fashion. In this special edition, powered by London Book & Screen Week, enjoy a pre-show ample with some special guests from the literary world as they divulge and share their own love for Austen’s work. Panellists include Oxford professor and Jane Austen expert Kathryn Sutherland (Teenage Writings), a member of the Austentatious cast, and more.

Tickets: £12.50: https://leicestersquaretheatre.ticketsolve.com/#/shows/873569690

POLARI LITERARY SALON

At The Light Lounge, Soho – 6.30 pm

London’s award-winning LGBT literary salon returns once again to The Light Lounge in Soho for London Book & Screen Week. Polari began in November 2007 in the upstairs room of a pub in Soho. It is now based at the Southbank Centre, where events are held every month. It tours regularly across the country, and hosts Polari Prize for Fiction, an award handed annually to the best first book by an LGBT author in the UK.

Tickets £5: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/polari-soho-special-tickets-31751988051

Tuesday 14 March

LIVING DANISHLY: AN EVENING OF COSINESS AND SCANDI CRIME

At Waterstones Piccadilly – 6 pm

London Book & Screen Week is collaborating with Waterstones Piccadilly to put on a special film screening, followed by a How to Hygge discussion with Hygge experts Louisa Thomsen Brits (The Book of Hygge), Bronte Aurell (The Scandi Kitchen), Signe Johansen (How to Hygge) and Trine Hahnemann (Scandinavian Comfort Food). Light refreshments will be provided.

Tickets £5: https://www.waterstones.com/events/living-danishly-an-evening-of-cosiness-and-scandi-crime/london-piccadilly

AN EVENING WITH RODDY DOYLE

At The House of St Barnabas – 7 pm

Roddy Doyle is the author of eleven novels, two collections of stories, two books of dialogues and Rory & Ita, a memoir of his parents. He has written seven books for children and has contributed to a variety of publications including The New Yorker, McSweeney’s, Metro Eireann and several anthologies. He won the Booker Prize in 1993, for Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha.

Tickets £15: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/an-evening-with-roddy-doyle-tickets-31889474276

THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL: A VERY SPECIAL SCREENING

At The Charlotte Street Hotel – 6.30 pm

This screening of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel will be preceded by a special interview with Deborah Moggach, whose novel These Foolish Things, was adapted into the hit film. Deborah’s latest novel, Something to Hide, is set in Beijing, Texas, a fictitious African country and Pimlico. She will be talking about the meaning of settings and the writer’s view behind adaptations with the biographer, lecturer, and journalist Anne Sebba, author of nine critically acclaimed books of non-fiction, most recently Les Parisiennes, about Paris from 1939-49 through women’s eyes.

Tickets £18.43: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-best-exotic-marigold-hotel-a-very-special-screening-tickets-31827938220

Wednesday 15 March

MICHAEL MORPURGO IN CONVERSATION

At Bush Hall, Shepherds Hall

Michael Morpurgo, OBE, is the former Children’s Laureate and best-selling author of over 140 books, including Private Peaceful, Kensuke’s Kingdom, The Butterfly Lion, and War Horse, which first performed at the National Theatre in 2007. In this exclusive London Book & Screen Week event, Michael will be joined by Owen Sheers, author, poet and playwright, as they delve into the world of adaptions. This intimate dialogue will see the prolific authors discuss what it means to see the words and world you so carefully composed being lifted from the page and onto the stage and beyond.
Tickets £17.05: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-story-books-screen-stage-michael-morpurgo-talks-narrative-adaptation-with-owen-sheers-tickets-31991195527

FROM FIGHTING FANTASY TO THE WITCHER: HOW NARRATIVE DESIGN IN GAMING ENHANCES STORYTELLING
At BAFTA – 6.30 pm

In the world of storytelling, gaming is unique. Giving over control, it allows gamers to define their own journey within a malleable landscape. This inspires a new growing generation of storytellers in the 21st century across all media. With video game sales in the UK at an all-time high – what is the next chapter? And what is gaming’s mandate as a creative platform in the world of storytelling? Join us for a panel discussion featuring Ian Livingstone, co-creator of Fighting Fantasy gamebooks, Andrzej Sapkowski, the author of the Witcher novels, the writer and digital producer Meg Jayanth, and Chris Gardiner, Narrative Director at Failbetter Games.

Tickets available soon: http://www.londonbookandscreenweek.co.uk/events/

Thursday 16 March

OLGA TOKARCZUK AND DEBORAH LEVY

At London Review Bookshop – 7 pm

One of the most acclaimed Polish writers of her generation, Olga Tokarczuk has won multiple prizes, most recently for her novel The Books of Jacob, which explores an important moment in 18th-century Polish history. Two recent novels, The Books of Jacob and Flights, will shortly be published, for the first time in English, by Fitzcarraldo Editions. Tokarczuk will be in conversation with The Man Booker shortlisted novelist Deborah Levy.

Tickets available soon: http://www.londonbookandscreenweek.co.uk/events/

Friday 17 March

IRISH LITERARY SOCIETY

At Bloomsbury Hotel

The Irish Literary Society are putting on three events at the Bloomsbury Hotel specially for London Book & Screen Week. The Irish Literary Society was established in London in 1892. Among its founders were W B Yeats and Douglas Hyde and other leaders of the Irish Literary Revival.

The object of the Society is to promote the appreciation of Irish literature and culture and to provide a forum for intellectual and social activities in connection with these interests.
Tickets available soon: http://www.londonbookandscreenweek.co.uk/events/

Saturday 18 March

FITNESS IN THE DIGITAL AGE

At SF Studios, Hampstead – 10 am

Now that we’re all making a #fitspo to spread #motivation to our #fitfam, ‘Fitness in Our Digital Age’ will bring together some of the biggest stars in the fitness scene who have built dedicated followings on Instagram and blogs such as Fitness on Toast. In the tranquil setting of SF Studios, north London’s leading movement studio, we host a unique panel discussions featuring an amazing line-up including fitness expert Faya Nilsson and the co-founder of LDN Muscle, James Exton. Their discussion will be followed by an audience Q&A and book signings.

Tickets £13.25: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/fitness-in-a-digital-age-tickets-31997576613

Sunday 19 March

CELEBRATE 20 YEARS OF HARRY POTTER: FILM SCREENING AT ST PANCRAS RENAISSANCE HOTEL LONDON

At St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel London– 6 pm

Grown up Potter fans, rejoice: London Book & Screen Week are putting on a Harry Potter film screening in the spellbinding St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel London. Celebrate the 20^th anniversary of the publication of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in a setting straight out of Hogwarts. Expect free popcorn on arrival and themed cocktails at the bar. Wands, wizarding robes, hats and broomsticks are welcome.

Tickets: £18.43: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/celebrate-20-years-of-harry-potter-film-screening-at-st-pancras-renaissance-hotel-london-tickets-31874274814

Four Bs – caring for someone with an Eating Disorder

Posted on March 3, 2017 by Tracy Baines

There’s a lot of information and advice out there for those caring for someone with an eating disorder, and in doing everything you can to take care of them, you may forget to be kind to yourself. But you are important too. If you don’t take look after yourself who is going to take care of them while you languish in a hospital bed?

But you are important too. If you don’t take look after yourself who is going to take care of them while you languish in a hospital bed?

Not taking care of myself when my child was ill had a knock-on effect on my own mental health. In the end, I needed counseling too – not only due to her illness but an accumulative effect – that I didn’t deal with things when I should have done. Bad, bad habit. Naughty mummy.

I like keeping things simple and caring for someone is both tiring and emotionally draining. I don’t want to end this week of articles with a long list of instructions, of dos and don’ts.

So here are a few things to remember as you get through your days in helping your child, partner, friend or sibling back to health.

Be aware

Remember that it’s a mental health issue. Once you grasp this it puts everything else into perspective. It’s no good telling someone with depression how lucky they are, how clever, how pretty. It doesn’t work. It’s the same with eating disorders. It’s no good saying ‘It’s simple, just eat‘. It’s not. It’s like climbing Everest. There is no rhyme or reason to their behaviour, because it’s a mental health issue.

Be quick

Get help fast. Statistics show that those who get early intervention recover more quickly. If you suspect someone has an eating disorder go to your GP. If you don’t get any joy check out the information on the B-eat website.

Be a squeaky wheel

There are so many great GPs out there – ours were spectacular in the way they supported my daughter throughout her illness. So many parents are not so fortunate. I have heard many stories of numerous trips to the doctors, paperwork going walkabout, no referrals. Stay on top of the situation. Don’t be quiet and passive – get active. There’s an old saying that it’s the squeaky wheel that gets attention. Be the squeaky wheel.

Be a mirror

You are important too. Don’t neglect yourself by taking care of your loved one. It’s easy to put all of your focus on getting them well – but you need to set an example. If you don’t care for yourself then why should they care for themselves either.

Above all, I wish you a speedy recovery – both your loved and yourself. Eating Disorders affect the whole family and it takes time to recover. Be kind to yourself. Be well

Tracy Baines has written a book about how her daughter’s eating disorder impacted on her family. The book It’s Not about the Food is part memoir part self-help guide. It contains resources she found helpful and quotes from many other parents she either interviewed or who responded to her questionnaire.

www.b-eat.co.uk

www.tracybaines.co.uk

The Great British Family Report 2017

Posted on March 3, 2017 by Frostie

Frost magazine found the The Great British Family Report 2017 very interesting indeed. How do you match up?

NO MONEY, NO TIME, NO PATIENCE – BUT NINE IN TEN BRITISH FAMILIES ARE HAPPY

Great British Family Report paints picture of typical family in 2017 – from work to finances
Biggest worries include money, children’s happiness and lack of quality time spent with kids
Mums much more hands-on with chores – but also control the purse-strings
But despite pressures of family life, 91 per cent of British families are happy and content

A portrait of British family life in 2017 reveals parents are under constant pressure as they juggle finances, kids and responsibilities, according to a new report. But despite the burden of family life, more than nine in ten parents (91%) are happy with life.

Nationwide’s Great British Family Report was commissioned to produce both a snapshot of the average family but also to highlight the pressures affecting parents – from the costs of living, to the struggles many face in fulfilling their roles as parents, partners and workers.

The report, which polled 2,000 families, shows that, on average, families have two children, a pet dog, an income of £29,688 a year, live in a three-bed house and drive a Ford Focus. However, the insight also shows parents work an average of 30 hours a week and invest as much time doing household chores as spending time together (18 hours). The survey also reveals that women are far more likely to manage the household finances than men and also do an average of seven hours more housework per week.

Average family

The poll shows that British families tend to have two children (45%), while around a fifth (19%) have three and nine per cent have four or more. The average age for starting to have children is 27 years old, with the second child arriving at the age of 30. Those with three children tend to have their third at 33 years old.

As well as children, the families surveyed had an average of one pet, with a dog being the companion of choice, closely followed by a cat. In terms of the cars they drive, the most popular family vehicle is a Ford Focus. The average amount spent on the main family car is just under £9,000 (£8,911).

Two thirds (67%) of parents are married, according to the research, with one in ten (10%) either single, divorced or separated.

British families also enjoy an average of two holidays together a year, one in the UK and one abroad. While one in eight families (13%) aren’t able to go on holiday together at all. Nearly a third of families (30%) spend more than ten per cent of their annual income on holidays per year – demonstrating the importance many place on relaxing and having dedicated time with loved ones.

Family finances

The survey shows that women are more likely to control the family finances, with over a third of women (38%) saying they manage the budget, compared to just a quarter (27%) of men. The average household earns £29,688 a year, with one in five (20%) earning £18,000 or less. Families have an average of around£8,000 squirreled away in savings for themselves, while the average savings of the eldest child is £2,723. Families owe an average of £1,618 on credit cards, £1,315 on personal loans, £1,496 on student loans, £896 on car finance and nearly £500 is owed to the bank of mum and dad. Around one in ten families polled (11%) have more than £20,000 in savings.

When all the main bills have been paid, families polled say they’ve got an average of £183 of disposable income a week to spend for the whole family, which amounts to around £46 per person, per week, assuming a family of four. While two in five (41%) say they have less than £115 spare cash.

But with most of their money going on bills, entertaining the kids, paying school and childcare costs, parentssay they only spend an average of £30 a month per household on themselves for things like hobbies and luxury items.

Childcare and school costs

Just over half (51%) of British families surveyed use childcare, including breakfast and afterschool clubs, with children attending sessions two days a week on average. This costs families around £2,000 each year. However, school is also expensive, with clubs, activities, kit and extra tuition costing families a sizeable £800 per year on average. This comprises of:

£171 spent on clubs at school
£224 spent on school activities
£261 spent on school kit
£145 spent on extra tuition

Our house

The poll shows that British families have an average of three bedrooms, two toilets, one family room and one toy room.

Parents spent an average of just under four-and-a-half times their household income when they bought their family home, with the majority (78%) of families having a mortgage of £164,695 still to pay off. Althoughone in ten (10%) are lucky enough to own their home outright.

Technology plays an important part in the modern family home, with families saying they own an average oftwo televisions, two tablets, two laptops, one computer, three phones and two games consoles.

The average overall value of these household tech items was £806 for televisions, £398 for tablets, £560 for laptops, £381 for computers, £562 for phones and £379 for game consoles. Toys around the house tally up to an average value of £587.

Happy families

According to the Nationwide poll, 91 per cent of parents’ class themselves as happy with family life, with nearly a third (31%) saying they are extremely happy. This is despite parents conceding they argue with family members on average twice a week and find themselves spending the same amount of time doing household chores (18 hours on average) as the time they spend together (18 hours).

The research also found that families spend an average of ten hours a week watching television, but only six hours a week spending quality time together – defined as time spent with children completely undistracted. Getting in the way of this includes work (44% of parents reported this as the top reason), household chores (34%) and children using TV and gadgets to pass the time (25%). Nearly double the amount of women (40%) than men (22%) say chores get in the way of family time, while more men (58%) than women (36%) say work is to blame.

However, the tradition of the family meal is still a firm staple for British households with the poll showing that families eat together at the table on average four times a week, compared to only twice a week in front of the television. British families polled have an average of one family takeaway together each week.

Family routine

Research into the household routine highlights that mums and dads work an average of 30 hours a week, with men doing around 35 hours and women doing around 25 hours. The average family day consists of:

6.50am – get out of bed
8.10am – leave for work
7.45pm – put the kids to bed
8.11pm – relax for the evening
9.58pm – go to bed (parents claim to get just over six-and-a-half hours sleep a night).

Entertaining kids

Families spend an average of £558 per annum keeping their children entertained or busy, although many manage to keep their offspring busy without needing to spend a penny. The top five ways parents keep their children busy are:

65% watch a film at home
53% go for walks or outdoor activities
52% discuss their day or week
50% help children with homework
48% let their children entertain themselves

Gadget time also plays a large part of keeping children entertained in British households, with a third (35%) of parents admitting to using gadgets in this way.

Family chores

Parents despise a whole range of chores, with constantly tidying up after children considered the worst chore of all. The top five worst chores include:

Constantly tidying up after children (27%)
Getting jobs done around the house (22%)
Disciplining children (18%)
Getting children to bed (16%)
Getting them to put the iPad down or turn the TV off (16%)

Women despise parental chores more than men, with more than one in five (21%) men saying they don’t have a problem with any of them, compared to just one in nine (12%) women. However, women do a good seven hours more household chores a week than men.

Worries

When it comes to worries, money tops the poll for two in five (41%), while around third (34%) worry about their children’s happiness and almost a third (31%) feel they don’t spend enough quality time with their children. Men’s worries centre around work, with over a quarter (27%) concerned about work life balance, compared to nearly one in five women (19%). However, women’s worries centre around children, with nearly a third (31%) concerned that they are not a good parent, compared to nearly one in five men (19%).

Regrets

Two in five (40%) families wish they had saved more, over a third (37%) regret not travelling more and a quarter (25%) wish they had earned more. Around one in six (16%) regret working too many hours, with men (20%) regretting this more than women (13%). While 13 per cent wished they had more children, although this was more of a regret for women (15%) than men (8%).

Guilt

Losing patience with children so easily (45%) topped the poll when it comes to guilt, followed by allowing too much gadget time (27%) and wishing they had spent more time together as a family (24%). This may be the reason why more than a quarter of parents (27%) are concerned that they might not be good parents, or are not doing enough for their family (21%).

Phil Smith, Nationwide’s Head of Current Accounts said: “Our report shows that family life isn’t always easy, with home ownership, striking a work-life balance and keeping the children entertained a fine art. But while it is clear that time is at a premium and finances are being squeezed, it’s heart-warming to know that through thick and thin the vast majority of us are happy.

“As Britain’s biggest building society, we naturally see lots of families in our branches. One of the things we notice is that regardless of their financial circumstances, they all have the same need – to have peace of mind that they can manage their money”.

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