Clare Macnaughton's Blog, page 32
December 6, 2013
Effective ways of studying: five essential study tips
For those coming to university from college, the step up to degree level study can be a tough one to adjust to. For those returning to education from employment, this transition can be even harder.
Finding your natural rhythm when it comes to studying doesn’t always happen right away. Here, we take a look at a few tips which will help to ease you into life in the academic fast lane.
1. Accept responsibility
One of the key differences between university and other levels of education lies in the level of independence afforded to students. At university, each student is left to his or her own devices, with the expectations that they should work on their own initiative. While resources and access to information is provided by the university, it is the job of the student to make things happen. Accepting this level of responsibility early on is essential to making the transition to Studying a degree.
2. Use timetables
At university there is a great deal of studying to be done, but it’s important that you are able to use your time effectively in other ways as well. Most students find it helpful to draw up a timetable which splits time between studying various modules and other activities, such as attending social events.
3. Finding resources
Universities provide a great deal of resources for students in all disciplines. Alongside the hands on tuition and use of university spaces, it’s the academic resources which you’re paying for so be sure to use them. It can be a good idea to spend your first few weeks exploring university buildings to ensure you don’t miss out on any hidden services and resources.
4. Use study groups
Another of university’s finest resources is the student body itself. Whatever you’re studying, you can be sure to find a large number of like-minded people at university, all of whom will share your intrigue and thirst for knowledge. Try to allocate some study time to group discussions – they can be mutually beneficial and can lead to ways of thinking which aren’t reliant on a specific textbook.
5. Allow some downtime
Studying hard is important, but studying too much can be detrimental. Be sure to take some time out to rest your mind. Relaxation and enjoyment are essential components to a successful time at university – just be sure to use each in the correct dosage.
The post Effective ways of studying: five essential study tips appeared first on Modern Military Mother .
December 4, 2013
CentreParcs and Peppa Pig World – Great Family Days Out
Fun Times with Hagar
Now that Hagar is back from being away it’s important the children have some fun times with him before he has to start parenting in earnest. He was away for almost a month and when you are 10 years old and five years old this can seem like forever. My children bicker with each other constantly. It could challenge Mary Poppins and I don’t have the added assets of a magic parrot umbrella and a spoon full of sugar so I generally just ended yelling, or sometimes rocking under the table.
Invariably, being in the military Hagar might start shouting too early in the re-introduction transition so it makes good sense to have some family decompression by spending time all together so that he can resume shouting after we have had some fun. So for the last two weekends it’s been family fun time, which was a day spent at Centreparcs Longleat and then the next weekend at theme park, Paulton’s Park, Nr Romsey.
The day at Longleat, started with a game of Combat laser in the woods. It was a great activity because all four of us could take part; including the 5 year old, and it was a tremendous laugh as we had the distinct advantage of a military tactician on our side. After laser we split into pairs, the five year old and I painted pottery, which turned into a tactile sensory paint exploration – I hope granny and granddad love their Jackson Pollack cat and dog ornament this Christmas, whilst the boy’s team went off to win at archery. After this we headed to the tropical indoor pool oasis. After enduring endless swimming costume wedgies and nasal enemas, I realised that I really felt my 41 years of age as I threw myself continuously down slides and rapids, secretly dreaming of spa sessions!
To finish the day off we had a buffet supper and a magic show. Now the ex and I had planned to let the kids enjoy the show whilst we, exhausted, chilled out on the edges but actually Nutty Noah was hilarious. He reminded me of Rik Mayall in one of my favourite films Drop Dead Fred. All the way back to the car we riotously sang ‘Wear Your Pants with Pride.’ The kids declared it the best day ever.
The following weekend was Paulton’s Park. My five year old is a Peppa Pig addict and of course, she has been bugging me for years to go to Peppa Pig World. She strode with determination from the car, map in hand, straight into this plastic paradise. She loved it, and in fact so did my 10 year old, who doesn’t particularly like any kind of roller coaster. He was soon coaxed onto to ride George the Dinosaur, to go up in a balloon and drive Grandpa Pig’s boat. Daddy and I sat in the back of Daddy Pig’s Car ride and exerted our revenge by continually asking if we were nearly there yet and declaring our needs constantly for a wee. It didn’t go down particularly well and we were forced to go around again promising that we would be on our best behaviour.
Outside of Peppa Pig world and in the main park we spent the rest of the day filling our faces with freshly fried doughnuts, go kart racing, spinning on spinning rides that made me feel sick, walking through dinosaurs and looking at beautiful, rare, birds. I made the ex do the water splash. What is wrong with me? I need to re-connect with my inner child. But once again the children had the best day ever so now Hagar can join me in parenting again, also known as shouting.
The post CentreParcs and Peppa Pig World – Great Family Days Out appeared first on Modern Military Mother .
Operation Goliath is underway. Miracle needed to achieve Christmas Number One for 10 year son of RAF pilot.
Operation Goliath is underway. Miracle needed to achieve Christmas Number One for 10 year son of RAF pilot.
UK RAF Pilot’s Son Ben, aged 10, Wrote, Performed and Released Song Asking For Peace
Messed Up World written by Ben Macnaughton & Anthony Clark and produced by Anthony Clark in aid of SSAFA is out now
Operation Goliath is now underway. I tried to set Ben’s expectations that he might not achieve the coveted Christmas number one and he said, “I don’t think like that. I believe”.
I am flumaxed at the enormity of the task.
We are David and X-factor is Goliath. We are an independently produced single with no budget and no experience of the music industry. The radio stations aren’t interested in playing the track as children’s charity Christmas singles are in abundance. We need a miracle and an army of Ben supporters to give him a fighting chance.
Buy it:
Amazon
i-Tunes
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/messed-up-world-single/id766580199
The Grenade wrote a song in his music lessons with 80s music producer, Anthony Clark called Messed Up World asking the world to ‘stop the fighting and end the war, then we could all be happy forever more. Forever more.’
His father, a Squadron Leader in the RAF, currently serving as the Brigade Air Liaison Officer, with 12 Mechanised Brigade, Bulford, Wiltshire has visited a war zone every year of his life since apart from 2013. Since 2003 Ben has lived in the shadow of war and has spent approximately 50% of his life separated from his father due to his father’s military commitment. Sqn Ldr Macnaughton throughout Ben’s life has deployed continuously to Iraq and Afghanistan and a few other war zones as well.
When asked why he wrote these words, he said to me. “I want the fighting to stop so that children don’t need to be away from their parents anymore. I don’t think children should be away from their parents.”
“Did you write it because daddy goes away so much?”
“Yes.” He said.
The single is called Messed Up World – which he wrote and performed himself. It’s produced by 80s music producer Anthony Clark, who has toured with T’Pau, Haircut 100, Rick Astley, Bay City Rollers, Joan Armatrading to name but a few.
This awesome track was written and performed by 10 year old Ben Macnaughton
#BenUKXmasNo1 #MessedUpWorld
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4h0p1EgxLk&feature=youtu.be
This awesome track was written and performed by 10 year old Ben Macnaughton #BenUKXmasNo1 #MessedUpWorld
Ben has never been to stage school so it’s very homemade and he is keeping it real. However, he has lived his whole life in the shadow of war, he wanted to raise money for other children in the same position as him.
The song will be released in aid of SSAFA. SSAFA provides lifelong support for our forces and their families. It is a charity that does whatever it takes to get things done. They provide practical support and assistance to servicemen and women, veterans, and the families of both, every single day of the year.
Song Lyrics:
It’s a messed up world
But I won’t let it get me down
As long as I can hold my ground
I will be safe and sound
Fighting everywhere
There is no more peace in the air
Bodies lying everywhere
I am really scared
Everything is grey and black
Smoke is coming out of my hat
A glimpse of light comes from the sky
And everything is once again fine
People are alive and singing
The world can be so lovely yes it can
We should all be happy and never sad
If we could stop the fighting and end the war
We could all be happy forever more
Forever more
For more information:
Please contact his Mumager:
Clare Macnaughton
m: 07885 194188
Media coverage to date:
BBC Wiltshire
BFBS Radio Breakfast Show
Breeze FM
Western Daily Press
http://www.westerndailypress.co.uk/Ben-saying-peace-chance/story-20166742-detail/story.html
Blackmore Vale
The post Operation Goliath is underway. Miracle needed to achieve Christmas Number One for 10 year son of RAF pilot. appeared first on Modern Military Mother .
December 3, 2013
On The Move
The reality of military life is that it is a mobile existence. Like it or lump it the chances are you are going to be on the move every few years. Moving house can be one of the most stressful experiences.
A guide to moving is a very useful tool to help get this transition in perspective. UShip have created an E-Book designed as a resource to assist families within the Armed Forces when the time comes
to relocate. It is especially useful when used in conjunction with the shipping services already offered by UShip. The aim is to streamline the process of moving for military families while assisting them with the logistics and helping them with the realities associated with moving. Uship also work in the UK.
Here are some top moving tips:
Before you start
You don’t need to leave everything to the day before the move. Consider what you don’t need to take with you, what will need careful packing, and that you are covered for potential breakages.
Make a priority packing list
Take some time to have a clear-out. Clear the clutter give it to charity or if you’ve time, hold a car boot sale or ebay it.
Work out how many boxes you will need and the variety of sizes. Consider what else will be useful, such as strong tape, bubble wrap, and self-seal bags for keeping nuts and bolts together. Use old newspapers for lining boxes.
Don’t over fill large boxes, as they will be too heavy to move.
Use strong packing boxes, particularly for heavier items, or your stuff may end up strewn all over the pavement.
Most important check that your contents insurance will cover damage and breakages during the move.
Gather all hazardous materials, such as paint, bleach and aerosols, and put them into a separate box. Keep them away from the rest of your stuff.
Be prepared
It’s unlikely that you will be able to unpack everything in the first day, so it’s worth considering what you might need easy access to once you cross the threshold of your new home.
Pack an ‘essentials’ box for the first night and take it with you. Easy access to coffee, tea, snacks, cups and a kettle will be welcome soon after you arrive and plates, utensils and a kitchen cloth.
Pack an overnight bag for everyone in the family, and make sure that there is enough toilet paper and toiletries too.
Other useful items are a torch, a first-aid kit including pain relievers, pencil and paper, and re-closable plastic bags, and with a small tool kit.
If possible, finish any laundry in advance of moving to avoid packing damp clothes. Keep a separate box/bag for dirty washing.
Ensure the boxes containing items you need the least are loaded up first.
Smile and wave and don’t forget to breathe. Good luck. May the force be with you. 
The post On The Move appeared first on Modern Military Mother .
November 28, 2013
How to make life easier for your loved ones once you’re gone
More often than not we try and avoid sitting down to put our affairs and estates in check, feeling that it’s an exceptional morbid subject we tend to actively forget about how useful it is to create a Will for when we pass away. Although it’s not a subject we really want to discuss let alone address, it’s one that we can’t really afford to avoid, while we’re busy avoiding Wills and Probate for ourselves, it’s our loved ones that pay the price. Of course, it’s not just Wills that help make life easier for your friends and family when you pass away, there are also many other means of ensuring that they have a stress free a time as possible while going through the grieving process.
Taking the Will as an important given, there is also life insurance, which, sadly, often gets overlooked. Life insurance is a brilliant way of paying into aftercare for your family and friends for when you’re gone, and it’s normally a low cost monthly payment that you have to deal with in order to receive this peace of mind. However, even if you have an insurance policy in place, it’s always wise to inform your family of who the provider is, as well as ensuring that your insurance provider knows of any other policies you might have taken out with anyone else.
Last will and testament
Another great piece of advice to take in regards to giving your loved ones an easier life after your death is to deal with funeral costs now. While you can use the money from the life insurance to pay for the funeral, more and more people are contacting funeral homes to prepay for their services so that their loved ones don’t have to deal with that in the future. If you can’t afford to do this, at least have a funeral plan written up to help your family get through the tough time of dealing with your loss.
There are of course many other ways to make the traumatic process a lot more manageable – if you want to find out more, or perhaps contact an advisor to discuss your specific Will and estate further, then Saga is a renown and reputable name that has years of experience dealing with this delicate matters.
The post How to make life easier for your loved ones once you’re gone appeared first on Modern Military Mother .
Great Ways to Keep Kids Busy
Kids can keep busy with most kinds of stimulation that they’re given – some ways can often be considered to be a little too stimulating if they are exposed to them excessively. For example, television, video games and electronic toys are great in sensible doses, but if that’s all that a child has around them, their ability to amuse themselves will likely fall.
This emphasises the importance of well-rounded opportunities for them, so that they can build and develop various life skills that a television, alone, won’t provide. For example, the joys of pretend play are essential to help nurture a child’s mind; imagining fantasy scenarios involving knights, damsels in distress and dragons, with the help of their Imaginext Castle playset can provide hours of fun and stimulation without the need to resort to the TV.
Children need to be able to make their own fun, rather than being overwhelmed with toys and media that can often be too much. Here are some great ways in which children can be kept busy while also helping to boost development across the board.
Rotate their Toys
Rather than slinging every toy that they own into the same box, separate them and rotate them so that there’s less of a selection. It’s inevitable that as they progress through childhood, they will be lavished with all types of toys and, while this is great, it’s also wise to rotate what they have. If your child hasn’t shown an interest in something for a while, move them and reintroduce in a few weeks, creating a less cluttered environment for them to play in.
Use Toy Lending Libraries
These can be fabulous to introduce different playthings to your child without having to spend over the odds. Find your local toy library and take your child along to pick some toys to play with for a while before taking them back swapping them. Chances are they’ll be much busier playing with a toy they’ve never seen before!
Boost their Creativity
Children don’t need toys all the time. Using their imagination and creativity, they can make playthings out of items that aren’t toys. Build a den with household furniture and some old sheets, or provide a dressing up box full of items that aren’t what they’re used to – check the local charity stores for weird and wonderful additions such as handbags, helmets and fabric. Offer them a big box and allow them to use their minds to create something magical – a train, a car, a castle!
Water Play
This is a great way to keep them busy when you’re occupied. Ideal if you’re popping to the shower, grab their step stool, fill the sink in your bathroom with water and bubbles and let them make a splash! Add some of their toy animals or bath toys; it will keep them busy for as long as you need.
The possibilities are endless. From creating treasure hunts and obstacle courses to playing outside with a spade and a wheelbarrow, kids don’t need oodles of toys and cool TV programmes to keep them busy!
The post Great Ways to Keep Kids Busy appeared first on Modern Military Mother .
November 27, 2013
Real Life: Messed Up World by Ben Macnaughton – BUY IT NOW! #BenUKXmasNo1 #MessedUpWorld
Join Ben’s army of supporters and give the kid a fighting chance
#BenUKXmasNo1 #MessedUpWorld
The single is available on i-Tunes as from today:
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/messed-up-world-single/id766580199
Buy the single #BenUKXmasNo1 #MessedUpWorld
This awesome track was written and performed by 10 year old Ben Macnaughton, aka The Grenade
#BenUKXmasNo1 #MessedUpWorld
WATCH THE YOU TUBE VIDEO BELOW
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4h0p1EgxLk&feature=youtu.be
This awesome track was written and performed by 10 year old Ben Macnaughton #BenUKXmasNo1 #MessedUpWorld
The story of Ben’s song is gathering momentum. Check out the coverage.
http://www.westerndailypress.co.uk/Ben-saying-peace-chance/story-20166742-detail/story.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01kkqg4
Hagar is about 55 minutes into the show
Ben and I are about 1hr 55 minutes into the show
My son, 10 year old, Ben Macnaughton, aka The Grenade unbeknownst to me wrote a song in his music lessons with 80s music producer, Anthony Clark called Messed Up World asking the world to give peace a chance.
Ben’s father, a Squadron Leader in the RAF, currently serving as the Brigade Air Liaison Officer, with 12 Mechanised Brigade, Bulford, Wiltshire has visited a war zone every year of Ben’s life since apart from 2013. Since 2003 Ben has lived in the shadow of war and has spent approximately 50% of his life separated from his father due to his father’s military commitment. Sqn Ldr Macnaughton throughout Ben’s life has deployed continuously to Iraq and Afghanistan and a few other war zones as well.
When asked why he wrote these words, he said. “I want the fighting to stop so that children don’t need to be away from their parents anymore. I don’t think children should be away from their parents.”
“Did you write it because daddy goes away so much?”
“Yes.” He said.
The single is called Messed Up World – which he wrote and performed himself. It’s produced by 80s music producer Anthony Clark, who has toured with T’Pau, Haircut 100, Rick Astley, Bay City Rollers, Joan Armatrading to name but a few.
Ben has never been to stage school so it’s very homemade and he is keeping it real. However, he has lived his whole life in the shadow of war, he wanted to raise money for other children in the same position as him. The song will be released in aid of SSAFA. SSAFA provides lifelong support for our forces and their families. It is a charity that does whatever it takes to get things done. They provide practical support and assistance to servicemen and women, veterans, and the families of both, every single day of the year.
The single is available on i-Tunes as from today:
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/messed-up-world-single/id766580199
The post Real Life: Messed Up World by Ben Macnaughton – BUY IT NOW! #BenUKXmasNo1 #MessedUpWorld appeared first on Modern Military Mother .
November 21, 2013
Teaching Kids Good Money Management
It’s incredible how much kids learn at school. From the useful stuff like maths and science, to the stuff you maybe don’t want them to know that they learn from their friends! The general consensus amongst most parents and school leavers alike, however, is that more real life skills should be taught in schools. Many kids leave for university with no idea how to look after themselves or how to do all the life admin that comes with being an adult. Although maths is taught is school, it is rarely explained how this applies to real life situations. A shortcoming when you consider it will mostly be used for personal finance issues. So it seems that the responsibility rests with parents to ensure that kids learn how to manage their money with military precision!
Spending
It is important to teach kids from a young age about the value of money. One way to do this is to give them pocket money and show them what this can (and can’t!) afford. Don’t scare young children by making them worry about finances, but make them aware that things do cost money and that you have to work hard in order to be able to afford luxuries. Older kids should be taught in a little more detail, as they will soon need to understand borrowing for mortgages, financing further studies, and maybe as a helping hand when starting out in a career. Explain to them about credit ratings, as mistakes at 18 could stick with them well into their twenties, scuppering any plans for buying a house or similar. They can do their own credit check (http://www.creditexpert.co.uk/experian-credit-check.aspx) from the age of 18 to see where, if any, problems lie.
Saving
Learning to save for what you want is an important part of growing up, but for primary age kids and teenagers alike, this can go against their impulsive nature. Teach young children to save money they have earned doing chores or as pocket money for something they really want, rather than just buying it for them. There are also many board games that are based on currency and saving – why not try one of the versions of Monopoly to teach speculation for accumulation? There’s even a new chip and pin version complete with card machine.
Older teenagers should be taught about different types of savings, and how to get the best out of their nest eggs. Times are hard and the interest rates aren’t great, but there are still good tax options like ISAs to help counter this. Children’s saving accounts historically give good rates, so get your older children researching the best deals online.
Bills
While your kids are at home you can provide a roof over their heads, warmth, power and water. Once they leave they will be responsible for all these things, something that can take many by surprise when they first start living by themselves. Explaining to your kids that the things they take for granted do cost money could help in two ways. If kids are aware that the electric, water and gas that they use aren’t free they may use less and save you some money. They will also not be surprised when they move out and the first water bill arrives giving them a fighting chance of looking after themselves financially in the real world.
Encourage kids to take steps to conserve energy and resources, to save money and help towards saving the environment too.
School will equip your kids with all the education they need to get a job and become good contributing members of society. It is down to us as parents to educate them about the practical stuff and the ways of the world. By teaching your kids about militant money management when they are still living at home you can save yourself a lot of panicked phone calls about their finances, and might even prevent a withdrawal from the bank of mum and dad in a few years time. No promises though!
The post Teaching Kids Good Money Management appeared first on Modern Military Mother .
November 20, 2013
Why healthcare is no longer a question of NHS v private: pioneering scheme offers the best of both world
Guest Post:
None of us want to get ill. But millions of UK people who do face two major concerns. They worry not only about their condition, but also the length of time it will take to see the right medical specialist.
This is borne out in the latest patient surveys. A recent report shows that as many as 32% are worried about the time it takes to see a specialist consultant; 32% about the time it takes to get treatment; and 30% about the time it takes to get a condition diagnosed.
This is where as.one can help
Healthcare in the UK is often unfairly billed as “NHS versus private”.
But for millions of Britons this does not have to be the case any longer.
Imagine the best of both worlds: the available-for-all NHS but with the expertise of instantly-accessible specialist consultants.
Sounds like just a pipedream?
It is not only real, it is readily available already – thanks to a pioneering new approach to healthcare.
as.one offers both the NHS and private healthcare as possible options in a subscription service available to all.
Finding the right consultant has been a game of snakes and ladders.
The snakes come in the shape of red tape, misdiagnoses and being sent to the wrong specialist, which can push you back to the bottom of the board.
as.one deals only in ladders, making it easy to get in touch with the right consultants as quickly as possible. They will give you the best possible advice without the need for medical insurance or health plans.
They can advise you whether to use the NHS or go private from a clinical and financial viewpoint.
as.one removes the fuss and hassle by bypassing the middleman of the GP referral stage.
How soon can this be done?
as.one specialist Bruce Braithwaite said: “An elderly lady noticed she’d lost part of her ability to see.
“She went to her GP, who booked her an appointment on the NHS. But it was going to be six weeks before she was seen. As a member of as.one, she was able to call an ophthalmologist, who moved her into his NHS clinic two days later to have her condition fixed.
“She was seen quickly, treated on the NHS and had quite a lot of her sight saved.”
Your consultant will assess you and make a diagnosis. If treatment or tests are needed, they will talk you through all the options, recommending the best doctors and hospitals for your needs.
They will normally recommend the NHS, but if you are not eligible or if you want to pay for private treatment, this can be discussed too.
If you need treatments that are no longer available on the NHS, you can be confident of receiving the best possible private treatment.
Bruce added: “Members will come to me to ask who is the best doctor to go to for their condition and maybe where the best hospital is, whether it’s a private hospital or an NHS one.”
Membership costs just £25 a month or 5% less if you pay yearly (£285).
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November 19, 2013
Messed Up World by Ben Macnaughton produced by 80s music impresario Anthony Clark
My 10 yr old, The Grenade aka Ben Macnaughton is about to release a single called Messed Up World – which he wrote and performed himself. It’s produced by 80s music producer Anthony Clark, who has toured with T’Pau, Haircut 100, Rick Astley, Bay City Rollers, Joan Armatrading to name but a few.
This awesome track was written and performed by 10 year old Ben Macnaughton #BenUKXmasNo1 #MessedUpWorld
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4h0p1EgxLk&feature=youtu.be
#BenUKXmasNo1 #MessedUpWorld
It would be funny if we could get it to the Christmas No 1 but of course, we need people to rally behind it. Please share the love.
He has never been to stage school so it’s very homemade, keeping it real, as you will see not some Disney or Sylvia Young, manufactured bullshit. Howvever, he has lived his whole life in the shadow of war. We are currently talking to SSAFA and will be donating a percentage of the royalties to military charity.
Let me know what you think. I think the video is hilarious because it’s a one take special. I hope you like.
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