by Mimi Smith

October is one of my favourite months, the leaves are turning orange, the air is becoming cooler and there is excitement building for Christmas! Before Christmas though there is Halloween and Bonfire Night which can be great fun but also we need to keep our children safe.

Let’s start with Halloween. It can be lots of fun for the children to dress up and of course there are lots of sweets to entice our children. It is important though that this tradition is not taken too far. Reminding children to be respectful of their neighbours on the street and not to be too demanding. I always make sure that the sweets are sorted at the end and there is a limit on how many sweets the children can have on the evening or it is sugar rush galore! Also you can make lots of fun slightly healthier treats. I found this website really great for a few healthy ideas: https://www.everydayhealth.com/reciperehab/healthy-halloween-swaps-for-parents.aspx

Fireworks night is probably my favourite night of the year, I become a big Kid myself! However, again safety should be our paramount concern and I read through the safety instructions on this website and found them to be very useful: https://www.fireworks.co.uk/safety/

There are some fab displays around, Bishops park, Ravenscourt Park, The Hurlingham club and Battersea Park. However, since I moved to Sussex I have been introduced to Brockham Firework display in Surrey. It has to be the most phenomenal display I have ever seen and as far as I can work out this tiny village in Surrey spends all year organising this display. It is quintessentially English and it looks like a village in Midsomer Murders. Brockham is 40 minutes out of London but I promise it is worth the drive: http://www.brockhambonfire.com/

I do hope over this festive period you and your children have lots of fun and stay safe at the same time and somehow try to avoid a total overload of sugar! If you need a reliable, English speaking and DBS checked babysitter please contact Mimi: www.mimisminis.co.uk.

Mimi is offering 10% off the joining fee if you join by the end of October! #askmimi

Have fun!

Mimi x

Mimi Smith started in child care in 2004, looking after her two cousins. In 2011, she completed her Montessori qualifications and worked as a teaching assistant for Dawmouse Nursery becoming a fully qualified teacher working for Pippa Pop-ins in Fulham. She then rose to Deputy head of their new school In Kensington. Mimi is passionate about childcare and loves working with children. She now runs her own company and is Director of Mimi’s Minis.

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