The Advertising Standards Authority are not able [...]]]> Following through with our Bye Buy Childhood campaign, and the recommendations of the Bailey Review, various new Codes of Practice have been issued by the appropriate organisations. This are available on the Bye Buy Childhood campaign website, but for ease of access can also be found below:

The Advertising Standards Authority are not able to act against examples of inappropriate advertising, unless people make a complaint about a specific advert or product placement. Click the link for their Statement on Sexual Imagery in Outdoor Advertising.

BT, TalkTalk, Virgin Media and Sky have agreed to abide by a Code of Practice on the Use of Parental Controls on computer internet use. From October 2012, they will ASK customers whether they want ‘parental controls’ ie blocking of pornographic material, switched on or off. This is really good news, as though these facilities are already available, many parents are unaware either of the facility or how to use it.

Policies relating to the responsible retailing of children’s clothing are available from the British Retail Consortium and can be accessed directly here.

There are also Guidelines for the Display of Men’s Lifestyle Magazine’s – what are perhaps better known as “lad’s mags”!

There is also a ban on the use of under 16s for peer to peer brand ambassadors through a set of guiding principles for brand advertising, the link for which should be available shortly.

All these guidelines underline how vital it is to get parents to notice and report any advertising they feel is inappropriate, and the opportunities there are for doing so. The December 2011 MU Faith and Policy Watch  gives examples of recently upheld complaints, to give you an idea of what the regulator is heeding. If you are interested in social policy matters relating to family life, parenting and marriage, downloading this newsletter each month provides all sorts of useful information.

ParentPort shows the standards expected from the media, and is also the appropriate place to make a complaint about material, whether that be on a TV programme or advert, in a film, online, in a video game or in a magazine. It is run by the UK’s media regulators, who set and enforce standards across the media to protect children from inappropriate material.

21st October 2011, 1-5pm The Boardroom, University of Winchester, King Alfred Campus

The full list of Papers and Speakers appears below, but full details can be downloaded here including transport details for the King Alfred Campus, Winchester: Media and Mothers Matters [...]]]> Full details of the Media and Mothers’ Matters Conference have now been released. 

21st October 2011, 1-5pm
The Boardroom, University of Winchester, King Alfred Campus

The full list of Papers and Speakers appears below, but full details can be downloaded here including transport details for the King Alfred Campus, Winchester:
Media and Mothers Matters Further Details

Keynote Speakers

Stella Roberts, Diocesan President, Mothers’ Union Diocese of Winchester
“Media and Mothers’ Matters”

Dorothy Hobson, University of Wolverhampton
“Mothers and the Media”

Kim Akass, Critical Studies in Television
“From Here to Maternity – Motherhood in the Media”

Janet MaCabe, Birkbeck, University of London/University of Glamorgan
“States of Confusion: Sarah Palin and the Media Politics of US Mothering”

Rebecca Feasey, Bath Spa University
“Teen Drama: Absent, Inept, Intoxicated Mothers”

Rachel Agbonkhese, Cardiff University
“Setting the Media Agenda for Maternal Mortality in Nigeria: A long road to travel”

Tamsyn Dent, Bournemouth University/Skillset
The Widening Gender Gap in the UK Creative Media Industries (CMI)

The [...]]]> Mothers’ Union has produced a fantastic new resource called “Hand in Hand”, which is has been created to help families enjoy their faith together. This resource is meant both for parents who are already strong in their faith and desire to nurture this in their children, and for those who fell less certain.

The booklet comprises a number of sections, including practical ways in which to share family spirituality and celebrate the wonder of life in good times and bad, which can be used to enable us to develop our personal and family faith and more.

Each copy cost £2.00, however discounts are available for bulk orders and can be obtained from central services via email at centralservices@themothersunion.org or telephone on 020 7222 5533.

There is more information about the booklet on this flyer which you can give to parents of all your local groups and congregations: Hand_in_Hand_flyer_2011

In the coming month we’re linked with two very family and children orientated events:

National Family Week runs from the 30th May – 5th June (across Spring Bank Holiday and half-term!) [...]]]> Families First is the name of Mothers’ Union national magazine, and it describes exactly what Mothers’ Union does – we put families first!

In the coming month we’re linked with two very family and children orientated events:

National Family Week runs from the 30th May – 5th June (across Spring Bank Holiday and half-term!) Many Mothers’ Union groups and churches will be putting events on focus on the priority everyone should give to their family life. If you want to advertise your event with a specifically Mothers’ Union flavour, then you can use our poster: MU Branch Poster May 2011

Also that week, on Sunday 5th June is a National Day of Prayer for church-based Toddler Groups! This is an initiative of the 1277 Group, of which Mothers’ Union is a partner and provides an opportunity for you to pray for your local toddler group, its leaders and all the families it comes into contact with.  ”1277 – Make them Count!” is work by the National Strategy for Christian Toddler Groups, a gathering of specialists from all the major denominations and non-denominational organizations committed to supporting the work of church-based parent and toddler groups. 1,277 is the average number of days a child has before they start nursery education.

You may like to include this prayer for the day in your church’s intercessions on that Sunday or at some child-friendly event you have organised:

Father as we seek to nurture,
develop  and encourage our children,
would you challenge us with Your love,
deepen us with your grace
and teach us with Your wisdom,
so that through us
Your kingdom comes
and Your will is done,
Amen.

To advertise your toddler-group related prayer event, download and add your details to this poster: National _Ch-Toddler-Grp_Prayer_Day_Poster

We remember in prayer [...]]]> As always, and despite the way the financial climate is impacting on both the income and expenditure of charities like Mothers’ Union, there is much to thank God for, and get involved in, among the work of Mothers’ Union members around the world. Here’s just a few things to use:

We remember in prayer those in Christchurch, New Zealand: MU_Prayer_earthquake_Christchurch

Prayer is always at the heart of every Mothers’ Union gathering and all the project work that we do around the world. Resources for the mid-day prayers of supporters for the next couple of months are here:
Midday_Prayers_March_2011

Woman carrying thatch in Kajo-Keji

Midday_Prayers_April_2011

In the latest Mothers’ Union Faith and Policy Watch (published jointly with the Church of England) there are details of government announcements relating to weddings and marriage, as well as the Law Commission’s consultation on marital agreements (pre-nuptual, post-nuptual and at seperation) and asks how these ideas can be related to the vows in the Anglican rite of marriage. The paper also asks if the last government’s target of eliminating child poverty by 2020 has been forgotten? The 4 page newsletter can be downloaded here: Faith_Policy_Watch_Mar_11

Red Nose Day takes place on Friday 18th March. Money raised from the day helps Comic Relief support projects that transform lives throughout the UK and Africa. One such project is Mothers’ Union’s Literacy and Financial Education Programme in Sudan. Last year it was successful in getting a grant of nearly £1million from Comic Relief, because it is proven to be successful at helping to alleviate poverty and inequality. We’re hoping that this work may soon be active in areas of Southern Sudan, including our link in Kajo-Keji.

Although this seems like a lot of money, the current financial climate continues to present us with enormous challenges to ensure that we can continue our work. Although we make every effort to be cost-effective with our plans, we still need to find money for our work in the UK and overseas. If you would like to help us why not take a look at our national website for the different ways you can support us: Mothers’ Union – Giving

Have you thought about how you will remember your Mother this year?

Mothers’ Union knows that sometimes mums need a hug, more than they need another coffee mug!

And sometimes, mums need the right to vote, as much as they need a cute baby goat!

If you [...]]]> Mothers’ Day is on April 3rd.

Have you thought about how you will remember your Mother this year?

Mothers’ Union knows that sometimes mums need a hug, more than they need another coffee mug!

And sometimes, mums need the right to vote, as much as they need a cute baby goat!

If you want to give a gift this Mothers’ Day that will last far into the future, try our Make a Mothers’ Day ethical gift catalogue (click on the link).

If you’re planning worship for Mothering Sunday 2011 there are two resources you can download here that will give you ideas for readings, talks, and a form of service.

Feel free to select from or adapt them to suit your local situation.

Mothering Sunday Service Sheet – MAMD 2011 service_sheet
includes talk/meditation notes and children’s resource

Mothering Sunday Church Resources – MAMD 2011 church_resource

UPDATE:

A Key Stage 2 teaching resource split over two lessons which explores family life in rural Uganda. Children learn about how poverty and lack of resources affect families and how their family life differs from, and has the same concerns as, family life in the UK. The children learn about the things which make the lives of mothers, in particular, hard. Extension activities give the children the opportunity to have creative ideas on how they would tackle these problems and involve writing activities to connect their community with those in Uganda. Visual resource and worksheets supplied.

This resource would be a useful focus for Mother’s Day, but will be effective all year round. You can download the materials by clicking on this LINK.

Many families want their young children to be baptised in church, but don’t always understand that on behalf of their children, this starts them on a journey [...]]]> As we enter 2011 there are two resources from Mothers’ Union that will help families and supporters of Mothers’ Union focus on important aspects of family life.

Many families want their young children to be baptised in church, but don’t always understand that on behalf of their children, this starts them on a journey of faith in which they can encourage and lead their children. A new information sheet from Mothers’ Union helps explain what baptism is about, and why it is important. To make use of it in your own family, or ministry, please download it from here: Mothers_Union_Baptism_Resource_2010

Prayer is an important part of our faith journey, and of the way that Mothers’ Union works. Each month new prayer resources is offered by Mothers’ Union for use at mid-day: this is a time where in each of the 80+ countries where Mothers’ Union members live, members meeting together gather for prayer. For January these prayers celebrate 2011 as the ‘Year of the Bible’ and offers a link to a website (BibleFresh.com) that celebrates the life-changing impact the Bible can make on our lives. Feel free to download and use our January prayer resource: Midday_Prayers_January_2011

Happy New Year.