Sidmouth mum's blog: springtime activities for parents and children

Sidmouth mum and children's book author Emily Hobson-Martin has partnered up with Nub News to talk all about being a mum in Sidmouth whilst doing her best to teach her children, and others through her children's books, to love nature and take care of our planet.

Emily has a two-year-old daughter and a six-week-old baby and is passionate about wildlife, nature, writing and illustration. She is a youth worker by 'trade' but has set up and runs her self-publishing book business alongside her day job and the usual trials and tribulations of family life.

March! How did that happen? The last time I wrote this (supposedly monthly) blog, it was before Christmas and we were talking about all things festive. Since then, we have added to our family with our new baby - now six weeks old - and it's like she's always been here.

As the UK entered into the new year with a new lockdown, I am sure I'm not alone when I say it all felt pretty bleak. I was lucky that I had plenty to focus on; the up-coming birth and trying hard to stay relaxed. Practising the yoga and hypnobirthing I had in my last pregnancy was more difficult with a toddler in the mix but I just about stayed the right side of 'zen' and made it through relatively unscathed and feeling very lucky with my lot.

But I know that the current lockdown has really not been easy for many. The contrast between lockdown 1.0 and this one is stark; short days, cold weather and nothing much to look forward to has certainly taken its toll. But enough of that; spring is springing, the days are lengthening and the pigeons are getting rowdy (yes, I said 'rowdy') so let's focus on that for now and look to a brighter horizon. This blog is designed so people have a feeling that there are others sailing in these uncharted waters who are also very much winging it, and to offer up some positivity in these dreary times.

Join our group of local parents on Facebook

First up, a little bit of activity sharing. I struggle to say the words 'positive' and 'social media' in the same sentence as I have a love/hate relationship with the land of selfies and Instagram perfection, but there are some great ways to connect with people in similar situations using this online world. It can offer a platform for like-minded people, a group of parents in this case, to share tips and ideas to do with our little ones and at the same time a sense of camaraderie and togetherness. So if you fancy joining a small, local group of mums and dads then search 'keep calm and mum on' on Facebook to request to join. This group is best suited for parents/carers of children aged five and under.

Make the most of the outdoors

If you are as excited as I am by the lighter evenings, (slightly) warmer days and spring flowers pushing their way through the chilly soil then you'll probably be making the most of it and getting outside to play as much as possible. The best antidote for a bored child, or adult for that matter, is to get outside. We are incredibly lucky that we have so many places to choose from in our little town and surrounding countryside to get out and explore. I know this all sounds idyllic. 'What if you have an uncontrollable toddler?' I hear you sob into your cold coffee. Well, here are a few tried and tested activities that have saved our sanity on numerous occasions and got us out into the fresh air… with as little effort and stress as possible!

Blackmore Gardens Those squirrels are certainly getting chubby with the amount of nuts they are being fed at the moment, but it really is a lot of fun in a fairly enclosed space. We love watching the squirrels, and the naughty flock of pretty pigeons, go about their day, and there are some lovely little hideouts in the surrounding shrubs too. If you head to the corner closest to town, you'll find stepping stones and a little nature area which should take a few minutes to explore and keep your little adventurer busy! Although there aren't lots of dogs there, do look out for their unpleasant offerings as there's nothing that can spoil a day out more than a stinky gift on a pram wheel or toddler shoe.

The beach I know this is pretty obvious but here's what I try to remember for a successful-(ish) trip to the beach*:

- Take a wet/dry bag and a change of clothes. There's nothing sadder than a cold, wet child and nothing more annoying than a load of wet clothes in your bag. A carrier bag will do - you won't regret it!

-Go on a treasure hunt. This depends on age and understanding but I find that having an aim, even if it's to find as many bits of seaweed or collect as much 'treasure' in your treasure bag (another good thing to have on you), helps to keep everyone focused and is really good to encourage children to use their senses. 'Treasure' could be hearing the waves or smelling the stinky seaweed for a bit of fun!

- Use your imagination. You might have forgotten the bucket and spade but I'm sure there's a plastic toy in the bottom of your bag or a spoon you forgot to take out after yesterday's lunch… just me? Some of the best fun we have had on the beach has been when we have had to be creative. If in doubt - you could always dig with your hands or create some pebble art

*disclaimer: I probably only remember these things three out of ten times so my beach trips are not often successful…

Walks and wildlife I asked a local group of mums with toddlers what their favourite spots are for an outside adventure. I was going to choose one but there were so many ideas and the general consensus was anywhere with woods and/or animals! If you haven't explored our surrounding hills, farms and woodlands before, they are a must. These walks take a little more effort and you might need a baby carrier or off-road pram, but they are definitely worth it for the calming nature of 'forest bathing' (it is a thing) and the learning opportunities the trees, wildlife and hedgerows offer. Mutters Moor; the woods and 'pebblebed' heathland area located at the top of Peak Hill, is perfect for a flat wander through a range of habitats. Look out for soaring buzzards and the elusive, but noisy, green woodpeckers - click here to take a listen so you can recognise their distinctive call.

You can make woodland walks really fun with little effort with the help of a nature treasure hunt. There are plenty of printable ones online or make your own including pine cones, birds, bugs and whatever you think you might spot. And do explore the RSPB website to get to know our local birds - it's a great resource! We are just getting into using nature-based flash cards too, which are great to play games with at the same time as learning the names and characteristics of different animals and birds. I got ours from this lovely small business The Wooden Playden.

Children's short story competition

Because we can't be outside all of the time, and there are some of us who thrive on quiet time; reading, writing or drawing, I want to tell you about a short story competition that I am running. I designed the 'Nature Short Story Competition' this time last year, at the start of lockdown 1.0, as a way to help children expand their imaginations past their four walls and look to nature for some comfort in the new and gloomy times. I had lots of wonderful entries, which were extremely difficult to judge, and ended up with a beautiful story about a blackbird family asking a bumble bee to babysit ,and all the fun they got up to, coming in first place! It's all just for fun and the rules are really simple; children need to be aged between five and 11, the story should be no longer than 400 words (there's no lower limit) and the story should have a nature theme. You can email your entries to me at [email protected] by the 18th April and the winner gets a signed copy of each of my books and their story read out on Hilda's Planet social media pages. Find full details here and good luck!

And that's it for now. I hope you have found some inspiration for outdoorsy fun and I look forward to being more prompt next month as we move into the summertime and hopefully much more opportunity to get outdoors.

You can follow me on social media, just search for 'Hilda's Planet', for all things book, nature and parenting related. You can check out my children's books at www.hildasplanet.co.uk. Once our beautiful local shops re- open, you can also buy copies from Flutterbys or Paragon Books. If you have any questions or comments, please email me (Emily) at www.hildasplanet.co.uk.