Netherlands-native Lise van de Bose has called Beijing home for seven years, originally making the move to study for a Masters degree. She has always enjoyed craft projects using recycled materials, and although she has been using recycled products to design her signature purses for a few years, she only began to sell her products to the public in October of last year, under the name ReVived Design. Van de Bose says that she had received “a lot of positive feedback on my purses, even from strangers in the subway! I realized it would be a fun way to raise environmental awareness.”

Van de Bose draws inspiration from a variety of sources in her designs. “Sometimes it is the material itself that inspires me, and sometimes I look at traditional crochet patterns and just change the materials,” she says. Her designs also come with an environmental message. “My main goal is to inspire people to rethink the use of items that are generally thrown away and thereby reduce waste.” Her designs attract a clientele that can appreciate handicraft, and is interested in protecting the environment. Van de Bose even holds workshops for all ages, where people can learn how to make some basic recycled crafts.

Van de Bose commonly utilizes pull-tabs in her crafts. While she sources the majority of them from her own recycling, she also encourages people, restaurants, bars, and schools to get involved and help her to collect them. For each 100 tabs she receives, she donates RMB 3 to the Migrant Children’s Foundation. Similarly, for every purchase of a purse over RMB 500, Van de Bose will donate five percent to a charity of the customer’s choosing.

ReVived Design products come at a range of prices, from RMB 10 for a key chain or hairclip, up to RMB 1500 for the largest bag. Most purses range from RMB 200-600. Her most popular items are the cassette tape business cardholders, as well as her pull-tab clutches with a classic purse frame.

Van de Bose creates all the products herself by hand, although she would like to create a small team in the future. ReVived Design currently has no physical shopfront, and Van de Bose mainly sells her products at bazaars around the city. To keep up to date with when she will attend a bazaar or host a workshop, add ReVived-Design on WeChat. Orders can be placed, and purchases made via Wechat and on the Weidian site. Readers that would like to get in touch to donate pull-tabs can donate them directly to Van de Bose, or to Dini’s Kosher Restaurant.

ReVived Design (13911935471, lisevdbos@hotmail.com, WeChat ID: ReVived-Design)

This article originally appeared on page 14 of the beijingkids March 2016 issue. Click here to read the issue for free on Issuu.com. To find out how you can get your own copy, email distribution@truerun.com

Photos: Courtesy of ReVived Design

For as long as there have been baths, there have been naughty children avoiding them. Essential as they may be, something about baths is inherently unappealing to the little ones. Here are some of our tips for making the process a little easier.

Food coloring:
Try adding some food coloring to the bath – this can be even more fun with bubbles! By adding a certain color food dye as well as the same color of toys or plastic cups, you can help teach the little ones about shapes and objects.

Ice:
Have some fun with different temperatures by adding a few ice cubes to the bath – but not too many! The kids will love moving them around the bath with their hands.

Toys:
Our favorite ones are balloons (careful they don’t pop!), a strainer, cups, a watering can, and small balls.

Washing together:
Bath time is always more fun with a sibling or parent in the tub!

Reading:
Keep an eye out for some special waterproof books in English bookstores or on Taobao.

Get moving:
The bath is a great place to work on some key motor skills; try playing catch with a ball, or practicing kicking for swimming class. Remember to keep legs straight and pointed toes – and not to worry too much about the water!

Photo: bathtimefuntime.com

As kids grow older and start experimenting with friends, texting, and dating, it can be a confusing time for the whole family. I can remember hearing horror stories from friends of mine as we were growing up about their parents reactions and decisions, and was always grateful that my parents had taken a trusting, yet not too involved approach. Here are some tips of what to do, and maybe more importantly, what not to do.

Don’t: Dismiss the validity of your child’s experience.

Do: Remember that dating contributes massively to a child’s overall emotional intelligence.

Don’t: Be too overbearing. This will just lead to lying and sneaking around behind your back – things are better out in the open.

Do: Try to listen and engage with your child when it comes to their dating. Maybe invite who they’re seeing over for dinner; this way you can also get to know them!

Don’t: Ignore the potential dangers of online media.

Do: Leave the family computer in a common area, to make it easier to monitor use.

Don’t: Read your child’s messages or texts. As above, this will just lead to resentment and distrust.

Do: Intervene if you have reasonable suspicion that your child is undergoing emotional or physical trauma.

I’ve been a fussy eater for about as long as I can remember. My parents like to remind me that I loved all sorts of fruits and veggies when I was preschool age, until one day, much to their chagrin, I turned against so much of what I had previously loved. Sandwiches, yogurt, fruit, sultanas, nuts; I wouldn’t touch any of it. Long story short, my parents had to get creative. Here are some of our tips for fussy eaters if you too are in a similar situation.

Getting involved:
Letting the kids get involved with meal or snack time by serving themselves or helping to prepare the food has been shown to make them more likely to enjoying eating. You could try getting the kids to help whisking eggs for an omelette, or peeling some fruit for a fruit salad.

Getting creative:
Similarly, if the food looks more “fun” the kids will be more likely to try it even if it’s something that they’re not familiar with. Try making pictures or a face out of veggies, or try the classic ants on a log.

Getting healthy:
If they won’t settle for anything less than unhealthy junk food, try making your own healthier alternatives. For example, try burgers made with lean mince, pancakes using a healthy banana recipe, or ice lollies with frozen fruit juice.

Staying persistent:
Often it can take up to 15 or even 20 times for a certain food to be on the plate before a child will try it. Don’t give up!

Photo: courtesy of Flickr

Maintaining a harmonious relationship between siblings can prepare kids for relationships they will hold in the future, set children up with a supportive friend throughout their life, and last but not least, can make family life a little easier. Check out some of these tips for keeping the kids’ (and your) cool.

Don’t compare
Avoid comparing achievements, physical attributes, or anything else between them, whether out loud or otherwise (children can pick up on things like body language).

Spend special time with each child separately
This will make sure that each child feels special and loved.

Encourage the children to help and support each other
Maybe encourage the older sibling to spend time looking after the younger, to foster a nurturing relationship, or get them to help one another with homework. 

Make friends before birth
Prepare the older sibling for the arrival of the new brother or sister with some stories, and talking about fun things that they can do together. Don’t forget to reminisce about what it was like when they were born.

Listen to both sides in arguments
By listening to both perspectives, you will help to make each child feel heard, and also teach them valuable communication skills for later in life.

Remind them that they are family
Siblings are siblings forever – they will be there for each other through the good and the bad.

Photo: forwardfocuscc.com

Engaging in crafts from a young age can boost sensory recognition, improve motor skills, and is a great way to have fun together with family and friends. Here are some craft ideas to try!

Juice Box Boats:

What you need:
λ    Empty juice boxes (with straws)
λ    Card stock paper
λ    Tape
λ    Scissors (adult supervision recommended)

While the kids finish off their juice box, cut a triangle out of the paper to use as a sail (optional: color in a design or pirate flag onto the paper). Use the tape to attach the sail onto the straw. Cut a hole into the middle of the juice box while it lies flat, and push the straw into it. Be sure to tape up any remaining holes on the juice box. Prepare a tub with water to sail the boat on, or use the bath!

Hand and Footprint Painting:

What you need:
λ    Kid-friendly paint
λ    Paper
λ    Painting smocks
λ    Towels, newspapers for cleanup (and plenty of them!)
λ    Optional decorations: pom poms, glitter, buttons

Get hands on with the little ones! Lay out some paper and get creative. Head to Pinterest for some inspiration; why not make a horse face out of a footprint, or some moose ears?

Golf Ball Painting:

What you need:
λ    2-3 golf balls
λ    Paper
λ    Tape
λ    A lidded container (works better with a clear lid!)
λ    Kid-friendly paint
λ    Painting smocks
λ    Cleanup equipment as above

Lay the paper flat in the container and tape it down. Put a few small dots of paint over the paper, using alternating colors. Add the golf balls and close the container – make sure it is secure. Move the golf balls around together to mix the colors and create different patterns. Shake the container up a bit and have some fun! Wait for the paint to dry before removing it. Cut into patterns or use it to make a card for a family member or friend.

Note: the golf balls will add a unique texture to the paper – feel free to experiment with other ideas.

Photo: Dave PiXStudio

Understanding young people can be a difficult thing. Add in things like the new slang words, text speak, and constant abbreviations and it can feel at times like you’re reading hieroglyphics. We’ve got some of the most common ones here to make it just a little bit easier.

Here are some of the most common ones. Abbreviations can be used in both capitals and lowercase.

OMG: Oh my god.

Eg.  “OMG did you see the AQI reading for today?”

GTG: Got to go.

Eg. “GTG sorry, dinner’s ready.”

BRB: Be right back.

Eg. “BRB, just going to the Summer Palace.”

ILY: I love you. (alternate: ILYSM as I love you so much)

Eg. “OMG ILY, thanks for the CNY gift.”

S2G: Swear to god.

Eg. “S2G if this traffic doesn’t clear up…”

IDK: I don’t know.

Eg. “IDK how to get to the Olympic Stadium.”

DM: Direct Message (on Instagram etc.)

Eg. “Check your DMs.”

YOLO: You only live once.

Eg. “OMG YOLO let’s go to Tiananmen Square.”

SMH: Shaking my head.

Eg. “OMG did you see what Sarah did SMH.”

Vine: A social media platform where people share videos seven seconds in length.

Eg. “OMG did you see that vine SMH.”

Snap: short for Snapchat, another social media platform where photos are shared for ten seconds or less.

Eg. “Did you see Sarah’s snap?”

Ceebs: From CBB, Can’t be bothered.

Eg. “Ceebs going to school today.”

Bae: Before anyone else.

Eg. “OMG this Baozi is bae.”

Woke: To be aware of current problems and issues.

Eg. “OMG Mrs Rogers is so woke.”

Lit: To be really good, on trend, etc.

Eg. “OMG this party is lit.”

Photos: Telegraph.co.uk

Tang’ Roulou is a store that designs high quality children’s clothing and accessories influenced by both traditional and contemporary China. Store owners Amelie Peraud and Pierre-Yves Babin both moved to Beijing over ten years ago, from their native France. Their brand has been registered since 2008, although Peraud has been designing since 2005. “I wanted to offer my pregnant friends some newborn baby gifts, but couldn’t find anything nice and good quality,” she explains, “I had no better option than to design something myself.”

Tang’ Roulou is influenced by Peraud and Babin’s life and experiences in China. In particular, Peraud says, the people, colors, patterns, and architecture around them are integral in their process. Their designs take a unique look at different aspects of Chinese culture, retelling them through stories in the designs and patterns. These designs have proved popular with customers from all over the world, including some celebrities. Actor Jessica Alba, the designer Paul Smith, and Chinese stars Wong Faye and Liu Ye are fans of the store, Pierre tells us.

The name Tang’ Roulou is the French spelling of the Beijing candies tanghulu 糖葫芦. Due to the sweet taste of the candy, their red color traditionally associated with happiness, and their longstanding tradition within China, Peraud and Babin felt that this name was perfect for what their store offers.

Prices depend on the level of handmade work and detail in each product’s design. Items range from RMB 390 for a baby’s kimono shirt to RMB 780 for a warm child’s jacket. Accessories are between RMB 140 for a Gingko leaf-shaped towel and RMB 560 for a newborn baby’s sleeping bag.

Tang’ Roulou
Daily 10.30am to 8.30pm. 30 Sanlitun Lu, (inside Phoenix Design), Chaoyang District (6416 9761, tangroulou@contact.com) www.tangroulou.com , http://tangroulou.taobao.com
朝阳区三里屯酒巴街北口内30, 路西(凤栖内)

This article originally appeared on page 14-15 of the beijingkids February 2016 issue. Click here to read the issue for free on Issuu.com. To find out how you can get your own copy, email distribution@truerun.com

Photos: Courtesy of Tang’ Roulou

Whether you’re home for the holidays, utilizing one of the pool facilities that Beijing offers, or just want to brush up on some hot tips, water safety remains as important as ever (yes – even in these cold months!)

Growing up in Australia has given me a valuable understanding of the importance of water safety – between beachside weekends, weekly swimming lessons, or lazy afternoons spent in a friend’s pool, the “do’s and don’ts” were drilled in from an early age. Having worked as both a lifeguard and a swim instructor has also made me particularly aware of how vulnerable the little ones can be in this area. With drowning as the third leading cause of incidental injury death worldwide as well, we can all afford to brush up some of our knowledge. So what exactly should we keep in mind? Here are some of the basics:

Familiarization:

It’s important to familiarize your child with water of varying depths from an early age; panic in the water can quickly lead to drowning. Many parents find it easier to join their children in the water in order to make it more familiar. It may also be a good idea to involve toys or music to ease the transition. Other ways to increase familiarization is to practice being in the water with clothes on – perhaps practice hopping in with a t-shirt and shorts for the little ones, or treading water for thirty seconds or so for the older ones. This way, should the situation arise that they find themselves in water of a certain depth fully clothed, they are more familiar with it.

Supervision:

It’s important to keep an eye on the kids in the water. This might seem like a bit of an obvious one, but it’s surprising how little time it can take for an accident to happen. No matter how shallow the water is or how experienced the swimmer, having a competent supervisor at all times is a must. This said, having a lifeguard is not a guarantee of safety! Keep an eye too on pool accessories that the children use – whether they are flotation devices, diving rings, or a ball tossed between two children. The latter may cause too much of a distraction, while flotation devices might cause the child to become entangled or pushed underwater. Ensure that any accessories used in the pool are up to a certified safety standard.

Interaction:

Even if your child is a junior Michael Phelps out in the deep end, watching how they interact with others especially is crucial. While playing together in the water is great for making friends and getting some exercise, kids can often distract one another, and group games that are played in the pool are often among the most common ways that incidents and injury occur. One of the most dangerous types of games to be wary of involves holding your breath underwater for as long as possible. Another kind that I saw numerous times as a lifeguard involved diving competitions – this can be particularly dangerous in shallow areas where the risk of head injury is much higher. Another thing to look out for in a group of children is a less competent swimmer’s signs of panic and distress. A less competent swimmer may push down and hold onto the body of another child to remain afloat if they are in a state of panic – resulting in one or both children going below the surface.

Overall, swimming is a great way to exercise and have fun for the whole family. Don’t be worried about the potential dangers – keeping these brief safety tips in mind for a start will have you in the right swimming lane for success!

Photo: Sui