Family Times - Auckland - Summer 2012 by Twenty Seven Publishers

Spring iSSue 2012

ISSN 1178 5268

AucklAnd / ISSuE 32 / SuMMER 2012

A news A news magazine magazine andand onlineonline resourceresource for familiesfor families

18 www.familytimes.co.nz www.familytimes.co.nz

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inside this issue

6 Comment

10 Baby and Toddler

Benefits of teaching baby to swim for life

12 Kids’ view

11 Playtime with preschoolers

Fifteen minutes of your attention makes all the difference.

16 Craft corner

Make your own Christmas decorations.

Features 4 Over-praise vs. over-criticism Keys to developing a positive but realistic attitude in your child.

5 Getting kids school ready

Set them up for success with a considered approach.

6 Celebrating Christmas

We take a look at how different cultures in New Zealand celebrate Christmas.

7 Christmas traditions for families

Parents Inc. co-founder Mary Grant talks about what really matters at Christmas.

We ask kids how they celebrate Christmas, and what it means to them.

23 Let’s go tramping

17 Top Reads

Best picks for summer reading.

18 Light fingers

How to stop your kids from stealing.

19 Safety

Tips for staying water safe in and around the home.

20 Fit families

23 Kids in the kitchen

Check out this delicious recipe for Tuscan chips and guacamole.

23 Holiday savings

Enjoy Christmas without blowing your budget.

Kiwi kids are sporty kids, according to a new survey.

21 Which gaming console?

Wayne Webb looks at the pros and cons.

WIN, WIN,

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Check out these great options for an outdoor adventure.

Resource information 8 Spirit of Christmas 14 Calendar of events 15 Entertainment 23 Marketplace

Look out for these icons throughout the publication for the chance to win great prizes. You can also win with us on Facebook

About Us Publisher Robyn Willis Design & Production Moody Shokry Advert Production Target Press Production Office Editor Vanessa O’Brien Assistant Editor Rachel Taniwha Digital Editor Fiona Smith

Contributing Writers

Lee Keenan, Julie Moor, Joseph Driessen, Mary Grant, Michelle van Dyk, Sarah Chisnall, Crissi Blair, Sally Kabak, Roger Wood, Wayne Webb, Amy Cameron, Glenda Gourley, Sophie Gray

Advertising Sales Caren Constable, Tina Barriball, Shona Robb, Nicky Barnett, Jane Hunter, Vanessa Newman, Katrina Wright Office Manager Raelyn Hay

Office Administrator Jackie Pithie

Reach us at: Family Publishers (NZ) P.O. Box 36-004, Christchurch 8146, NZ Ph. 03-355-9186 0800285 510 Fax: 03 3559 183 Mobile. 0274-359-414 admin@familytimes.co.nz www.familytimes.co.nz

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Distribution: Printed and distributed quarterly approximately two weeks before each major school holiday. 43,431 distributed through early childhood centres, primary and intermediate schools, Christchurch City Council offices, recreational facilities, libraries and service centres, selected medical and midwifery premises and McDonalds restaurants.The opinions expressed in this publication are not those of the publisher unless indicated otherwise. No part of this publication may be reprinted without the expressed written permission of the publisher. Family Times is not responsible for unsolicited material. Family Times is funded and published solely through the support of its advertisers. They support us, please support them.

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From the editor Over-praise O vs over-criticise. ne thing I love about New Zealand is our multi-cultural society. There is so much richness in our diversity. Sure, we have a lot of pride in our Kiwi identity, but there’s plenty of room to embrace new Kiwis of various ethnicities that join us from all over the world. Multiculturalism is so much a part of us now that it’s almost easy to forget it wasn’t always that way. It was a big deal when a Japanese boy joined my class at school when I was a kid. We made a special effort to learn about his culture and traditions, and even practiced singing Sakura – Cherry Trees – in Japanese. Now kids a full spectrum of colour, race, and ethnicity fill the seats of our classrooms and their families are part of our communities. I’m not trying to paint a glossy picture of a perfect country. I realise that there are pockets of discontent and tension that erupt every now and then. But we are, according to the Global Peace Index, the second most peaceful country on Earth after Iceland. Whether it’s our remote location, our laidback, pragmatic identity, or the calming effect of living in a visual paradise, we actually get along pretty well together. Most of us take our peaceful, multicultural society for granted, but it’s worth reflecting on as we wrap up our year and celebrate Christmas with our friends and families. As I write this column, I’m in Jerusalem, Israel, literally a 10-minute drive from where Jesus was born and the first Christmas was celebrated more than 2000 years ago in Bethlehem, which is now situated in the West Bank.

here is a growing voice in New Zealand and overseas that the emphasis over the past few decades on affirming the individual and on individual rights has not necessarily led to a better society. I’ve been lucky enough to spend some time amongst the incredible people of this region – both Jew and Arab – and to see with my own eyes the toll that ongoing conflict takes on human beings. I’ve fallen in love with the intoxicating city of Jerusalem, but every time I fly back into Aotearoa I let out a sigh of relief: the peace is literally palpable. Nobody cares if I speak Hebrew or Arabic, if I wear a hijab or skinny jeans, if I’m black, white or brown. We’re all Kiwis. So this edition of Family Times we’ve decided to celebrate our diversity along with Christmas: our main feature on page six investigates how different cultures within New Zealand celebrate the silly season. Of course we’ve also got all of our regular features, entertainment ideas, parenting tips and loads of giveaways too, so take a break in the middle of the Christmas rush and enjoy a moment perusing the pages. A very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all of the Family Times team.

We have a society where “me” has become more important than “we” and where there is a concerning sense of entitlement. There is no doubt that affirming the individual and the building of a feeling of selfworth is an important part of growing up to become a healthy, competent and worthwhile member of society. A child who is constantly criticised, who is forever striving to please parents or teachers but meets only negativity, who cannot see his or her place in the world as valuable, is a child who is unlikely to lead a fulfilled life. But at the other extreme is the child who has lived in the golden glow of praise and affirmation, who has no doubt in his or her abilities, skills and entitlement. Somewhere along the road this child is in for a rude shock. Will they have the ability to deal with rejection, with relationship issues, with failure or uncertainty? There is fortunately the middle road of the majority. This is the territory of sensible support, of encouragement, of letting our young people know they are loved despite mistakes or goals not met, of encouraging an awareness that that they are part of a society where individual rights have to be finely balanced with community needs. There are subtle ways in which we allow

d i k s ? d e r Bo kla nd c u A e a o th Head t Gardens for y! a c Bota ni fun, fa mily d free ,

“A child who is constantly criticised, who is forever striving to please parents or teachers but meets only negativity, who cannot see his or her place in the world as valuable, is a child who is unlikely to lead a fulfilled life.” our children to get an unrealistic view of themselves. Children know false or misdirected praise when they see or hear it. They know when their maths or writing is not up to standard. Some reports I have read do nothing but praise, but when the surface is scratched there is a child who is struggling. A sense of self-worth is better served by clear indications about what he or she can do to improve, by what help will be useful and by some honesty so that they and their parents are living in a realistic world.

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We all want to surround our children with a protective shield that deflects disappointment, that offers excuses when things don’t fall exactly in the right way, that tries to make things right. But surely it is better for our children to grow up learning to deal with life’s bumps and unfairness, to learn to accept these things with grace and a determination to move forward, to learn to work with others and to know when to concede. Australian motivational speaker Robyn Moore echoes this when she says “life’s not fair - accept it.” Her dead cat example resonated with me: some things are a dead cat, and we

can’t as parents or educators change that to make it right. If we constantly try to make things right in our children’s worlds - whether it is team selection, friendships, class placement or misdemeanours - we do not teach them to take responsibility and to work through the tough things. We do not teach them that, despite the fact that they might see themselves as centre stage, they are part of a cast of thousands. As adults, we do young people a disservice by telling them the world is their oyster if we do not continue the conversation with the fact that a lot of hard work, time and sacrifice will be required to achieve their dreams and that a sense of community and a generosity of spirit is the pearl. Increasingly in these less-than-ideal times school and university leavers are finding life can be tough and opportunities do not abound. We need to equip them with the grit to deal with this, and grit is developed through facing life’s realities. Employers want, among other things, team players; people with a work ethic and who build positive relationships; who are realistic and self-reflective and who accept and grow from disappointment, defeat and obstacles. This is in no way to detract from the importance of the individual. It is, as always, about balance. As Martin Luther King put it, “An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns.” By Julie Moor Julie Moor is the principal of Rangi Ruru Girls’ School.

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How to prepare your child for school T

he majority of parents find that getting their child ready for school is a relatively easy process that seems to occur quite naturally. After all, most children really enjoy school and learning, and will be looking forward to meeting their new teacher(s) and the new challenges ahead. On top of that they will anticipate the pleasure of seeing their friends again, and making new friends as well. Yet, underneath this seemingly effortless endeavour there are a number of parenting skills that are worth a closer look. The most important gift a parent can give their child in order to prepare them for a successful transition to school is forming a secure one-to-one parent-child relationship. This relationship should contain the elements of warmth and affection, attention and consideration, expectations and boundaries, and should create a secure emotional “basecamp” for the child, from which they feel confident to explore the world and take on adventures, setbacks and challenges. Research shows that those children who have this secure attachment relationship with their parents are more exploratory, resilient and do better at school than those who have a less secure relationship. It is never too late to improve your relationship with your child and to provide this security. This might mean creating more oneto-one time with your child, e.g. going out for

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lunch together; creating a bed-time reading ritual; sitting down for a careful listening session or taking up a sport together. It is important for parents to realise that a secure parent-child relationship enables the child, when faced with a particularly anxiety provoking situation, to feel safe to return to the parental “base-camp” and get a top-up of reassurance and support. In summary, emotional security is the foundation of learning, and is the prerequisite for a confident child who is happy to go to school.

“The most important gift a parent can give their child in order to prepare them for a successful transition to school is forming a secure one-to-one parent-child relationship.” The second important parental skill to prepare a child for school is to run a structured and well-organised household that supports the demands of the new school year. The most important element of such a household is that it is happy and secure, and very predictable. This includes basics like having plenty of fun family times together, clear rules, routines and chores, and providing essentials like a great breakfast, plenty of sleep, and enough time devoted to getting ready for school. It is vital that parents provide a wellorganised personal space for each child. Part of

this organisation is a well-organised schoolbag with pencil cases and writing materials, any school notebooks and textbooks and all the sporting equipment that is needed. Equally important is that each child has a desk or at least a shelf where they keep their school gear at the end of each day. Having a structured and organised environment helps children to become mentally organised and prepared. Equally critical is that parents provide a homework or independent study routine from day one, and insist that all the children spend time unpacking their schoolbags, doing their homework and generally processing the school day. This requires parental organisation and supervision, and involves creating a household that takes learning seriously. The best parents actively supervise and encourage their children with their homework and make this a fun but focused family time. Finally, parents need well-developed skills that provide specific emotional and social support for the transition to a new school social environment. This might include starting to talk about the new school well in advance; walking past the new school and talking about the many new and exciting opportunities; visiting the school during the weekend when it is peaceful and quiet; making an appointment at the end of the year with the new teacher after school and introducing your child and yourself together; availing yourself of the many excellent induction programmes offered for new pupils; volunteering for the PTA or to be parent help so that your child feels you are also part of the school community.

Generally speaking more support is needed for younger children and for transitions between school levels. For example, a child going to primary school for the first time needs more support than a child who has been at school a number of years. However, all children will benefit greatly from parents who demonstrate in word and deed that they understand that the start of a new school year can be exciting as well as intimidating, and give their child the support, consideration and organisation which will ensure a secure and confident start to the New Year. By Joseph Driessen, education consultant Driessen speaks to parent and teacher groups about education. Email j.o.d@xtra.co.nz.

feature story

Our country – many cultures celebrating Christmas Christmas is a special time: from the eager anticipation of Father Christmas’ arrival, to the hustle and bustle of the big day itself - it’s full of fun, family and festivities.

hether it’s a traditional Christmas full of gift-giving and fancy formal fare, or a casual beach barbecue, us Kiwis know how to celebrate in our own unique way. But those not born and raised here bring with them their own unique customs, traditions, and ways of celebrating. This edition, Family Times assistant editor Rachel Taniwha spoke with some non-kiwis living in New Zealand to discover what Christmas means to them.

Japan – a couple’s Christmas Sachiyo Joyce, originally from Japan, has now lived in New Zealand for seven months, following a previous stay of two-and-a-half-years in Christchurch. Joyce is married to a New Zealander, and said Christmas is an important time to spend with family. In Japan, Joyce says, Christmas is for couples, so if someone doesn’t have a partner, it’s not a fun time. But those lucky ladies with a man in their lives are set to be pampered. “Usually men provide expensive presents and a good restaurant for their girlfriend.” New Year’s is generally more important in Japan, however Christmas is celebrated: people decorate a Christmas tree (usually artificial), Father Christmas makes an appearance, and ACTIVE MEDIA LTD PRESENTS

there is Christmas cake for dinner, although very different to what New Zealander’s have.

A cheesy Christmas in snowy Switzerland Susanne Ziswiler of Switzerland has lived in New Zealand for 15 years, and says that back home, Swiss people celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve. “We had the following family tradition - Dad would take us children away swimming for the afternoon, while my mum would prepare the Christmas tree and decorate it. We never had the Christmas tree before the 24th of December. “She also got our dinner ready, so when my dad and we children got home, the whole house smelt wonderful. We would then have our dinner, which normally was cheese fondue, and once we finished my mum would go out of the room, light all the real candles on the Christmas tree and ring a bell that would indicate that the Christ child had arrived.” “It was a wonderful time of the year and we were all very excited to hear this little bell ring. As soon as the bell would ring, we would get up and go to the lounge and admire the Christmas tree with its candles. We would sing a few Christmas songs, eat oranges, mandarins, Christmas cookies and nuts and later on open

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our Christmas presents.” Ziswiler remembers Christmas in Switzerland as a very special time. She loved having Christmas in winter, when lights on the streets would be decorated and lots of stars would hang from the lamp posts. “There was snow and we would light lots of candles during December and have lots of baking sessions for the special Christmas cookies. Because it was winter, we had more time to celebrate this special time of the year. I have lots of great memories, spending lots of time with my family and doing special things together.” She says her family back in Switzerland still celebrates Christmas in a similar way.

French festivities Frenchman Stephane Montel, 30, has lived in New Zealand for six years. He’s currently based in Christchurch but will spend Christmas with his partner’s family in Auckland this year. A Kiwi Christmas has a real “holiday” feel to it, he says - complete with barbecue and beer - which he’s adopted. Summer is “super busy” for him, so Christmas is the perfect opportunity to spend time with family, catch up with friends and have a “big feed”, give and receive presents, relax and have fun. But he still remembers the festive fare of a perfect French winter Christmas in his childhood – complete with snowfall on Christmas Eve.

feature story “There were big meals on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day - turkey, oyster, salmon, liver etc -three to four courses, plus cheeses, dessert and three or four different types of wine.”

A German Christmas – a day of togetherness and harmony German born and bred Christine Maierl, who has only been in New Zealand since late March this year, said Christmas back home was always celebrated the same way. Three weeks before Christmas they would buy a tree and decorate it with balls, straw stars and candles. When Christmas Day itself arrived, the first stop was church, and then a celebratory traditional German dinner of pork schnitzel and potato salad. Further celebrations included reading the bible, playing music together and sharing gifts. “We are not really dressed up but we wear nice clothes,” said Maierl. “Late in the evening we always eat vanilla ice cream with hot raspberry. On the first and second days of Christmas, usually we invite our family and we share food and time together.” Maierl says that Christmas has not really changed over the years for her – she learned to celebrate Christmas this way from her family and enjoys it. “When my children were young we celebrated Christmas only on one day together, with the entire family, but now we like to have our Christmas evening as a nuclear family, and we like to have lunch and afternoon tea with all family members one day later.” Christmas means a lot to Maierl as a person of Christian conviction: it celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. For her and her family it is a quiet evening filled with harmony and calm. “My family and I, we tried to keep this

tradition because all of my family members like this way and it works.”

Non-Christmas celebrations While the countdown to Christmas here in New Zealand begins months in advance, with retail outlets rubbing their hands together in eager anticipation, for some cultures, different dates on the calendar have more importance and meaning. Judaism There are many Jewish feasts throughout the year, but it’s the celebration of Hanukah, the Festival of Lights, which falls in late November to early December. It’s observed for eight days and nights, with a candle lit on a special nine-fingered menorah each consecutive evening. Many Jewish families exchange small gifts each night – such as books or games – and fried foods are eaten to commemorate the importance of oil during the celebration of Hanukkah. Islam Rini Pancaningsih, an Indonesian Muslim who has lived in New Zealand for 11 years, does not celebrate Christmas – instead he marks the two big festivals of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Eid al-Fitr is celebrated after Ramadan, a month of fasting determined by the lunar calendar. “The last day before we finish fasting or before we go to pray, we have to give charity. After that we can visit friends and share foods, or do an open home,” he says. During Eid al-Adha, it’s traditional for wealthy families to have an animal slaughtered and to share the meat with anyone in need, to ensure that everyone participates in the celebration. By Rachel Taniwha, with assistance from English Language Partners Dunedin

DISCOVER SOMETHING WEIRD ENGAGE IN SOMETHING WONDERFUL

The value of traditions I

love the Christmas season because of the sheer joy and celebration of the whole thing. But there is also often, along with the anticipation, a sense of anxiety and stress around it. So I always value the fact that some of our Christmas traditions create moments of calm, predictability and even joy amidst the many end-of-year functions and preparations. The lovely thing about traditions is that they communicate belonging. The knowledge that “We always do this,” is what makes traditions matter. Rituals that are repeated and familiar tell children they are significant as part of a family which stands for something. And when these traditions are based around faith and values, they give everyone a sense of transcendence; that there is something more than just materialism and ourselves as the centre of the universe. These sorts of traditions tend to involve thankfulness, generosity, kindness or other values that reflect the celebration of the announcement by the angels to the shepherds when Christ was born, that they brought “great tidings of joy” for everyone. Small regular traditions that are outward-looking tend to bring this joy. They might be as simple as having friends over for a Christmas drink and carols, wrapping a present for a child who is less fortunate and together taking it to put under an “angel tree”, or wrapping little bags of shortbread to take to neighbours and friends to wish them a happy

Christmas. These small rituals generate family love and togetherness and offer children the knowledge that it is “more blessed to give than to receive” as they participate in giving to others. According to the University of Sydney’s professor Patrick Parkinson, there are many alarming signs about the mental health of our young people today. Our children are privileged in many ways but in others they are deprived. Numerous surveys tell us that modern children want more than anything to spend more time with mum and dad. Christmas and the holidays are an opportunity to recalibrate a gentler pace for your family and to set the agenda positively for more connection and communication. You could read to your pyjama-clad children around the candlelit Christmas tree before bedtime, from favourite Christmas books (Papa Papanov was one of ours) or share around a campfire. Before your excited children go to bed on Christmas Eve, settle them around the Christmas tree with sparkling grape juice and Christmas mince pies and share your year’s favourite things, before saying a thank-you prayer. These are the simple rituals that our technologyoverloaded children need and will remember. By Mary Grant Mary Grant is a co-founder of Parents Inc. and current director of Faith4families, where she offers parents a simple ways of passing on faith to their children. www.faithbox.co.nz.

NEW! - AVAILAB

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Visit the freshly reopened Weird and Wonderful Gallery! All your favourites are back with new hands-on interactives to help you discover the natural world.

Now Momma is a Chicago girl, born and raised. She’s seen a few things in her time in the old windy city, and she knows stuff, a lot of stuff. But Momma also knows how to make the best pizza youse guys will ever taste. The family pizza recipe was entrusted to Momma by her Momma, who got it from her Momma and so on, back to when Leonardo was in nappies. You can’t beat tradition and you can’t beat Momma’s pizza, so don’t even try, or Momma will come callin’ with her rolling pin.

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Big Al’s got cultivated tastes, so only the finest ingredients will do. Full loaded with Ham, Bacon, Cabanossi, Italian Meatballs, Olives, Onions and Peppers. So whether it’s a sit-down with the family, or something to feed a hungry mob, check out the pizza that reigns Supreme, just like Big Al.

Take a guided tour with Basil the resident dinosaur and discover his favourite Museum treasures! Paulie ‘Da Piano Man’ does all the family books, plays da tabulator loik a keyboard – and he’s done the numbers on the Chicago Pepperoni & Mozzarella. Having spent some time off shore (for tax purposes only, you understand…), he’s developed a classic taste for tasty pepperoni, our secret herbed tomato base, topped with herbs, cheddar and mozzarella cheese.

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yuletide

Spirit of

Christmas

Christmas is a time for families 1 -24 December MOTAT - Give and You Shall Receive - MOto share the special traditions TAT visitors can purchase a children’s gift for charity from the MOTAT shop in exchange for of the festive season. Leave free admission. Visit www.motat.org.nz for a gift under a wishing tree, details. MOTAT, Great North Road and Meola visit Santa in his grotto or Road, Western Springs. Phone 0800 MOTATNZ (0800-668-286). drive around the wonderful Christmas light displays and 5 December reflect on the true meaning of Papatoetoe Santa Parade – From 7pm8.30pm along Great South Road, Kolmar Road, Christmas. Wentworth Avenue and St George Street, 28 November – 21 December

Annual Christmas Tree Appeal – Take the family along to The Bruce Mason Centre, Takapuna, and get lost in the Christmas wonderland. Leave a present under the tree in the collection boxes to help those less fortunate. Visit www.bmcentre.co.nz for opening hours.

1-24 December

Franklin Road Christmas Lights Ponsonby’s Franklin Road is undoubtedly Auckland’s most festive street come Christmas time, and is a must-see, as many of the houses come alive each night with spectacular lighting displays.

1-24 December Waiuku Christmas Display – Looking for the Christmas feeling amid the rush and clatter of the pre-Christmas season? Then head along to the Waiuku Memorial Town Hall. Full details at www.christmasdisplay.co.nz.

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Papatoetoe.

6 December

Mangere Bridge Santa Parade – Great night time parade from 6.30-8.30pm. Parade route is Domain Road and Coronation Road, Mangere Bridge.

Santa arrives at 7pm. Event finishes at 9pm.

6-9 December

7 December

Christmas Wonderland in Birkenhead – Take a breath-taking walk through a Christmas tree trail. Each of the 150 trees is uniquely and beautifully decorated. This really is a must! Visit www.christmaswonderland.org.nz for details.

7 December

Carols in the Park – From 6-9pm at Central Park in Papakura.

7 December

Onehunga Christmas Lights – Food stalls and BYO picnic in Jellicoe Park, Onehunga.

Three Kings Carols by Candlelight Three Kings Reserve, Mt Eden from 7-9pm. Food stalls, face painting and BYO picnic.

7 December

Kumeu Rotary Christmas Parade – After the annual wheelbarrow race at 6.45pm, enjoy the evening Christmas parade along Oraha and Matua Roads at 7pm.

7 December

Carols on the Green – This event will take place at the Browns Bay Village Green, Inverness Road, Browns Bay from 5pm-9pm.

8 December

Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park –The most magical musical extravaganza on the Kiwi Christmas calendar! Auckland’s biggest outdoor Christmas concert with the country’s top singers, dancers, musicians, choirs and bands, Auckland Domain at 7.30pm.This year the concert is supporting Surf Life Saving New Zealand, and helping Kiwis to have a safe summer at the beach.

8 December

Family Christmas Event – Free family event at the Lakehouse Arts Centre in Takapuna, with circus workshops, toys, a magician, North Shore Youth Music, food and fun for the

yuletide whole family, from 3pm-7pm.

15 December

9 December

8 December

Avondale Carols by Spiderlight – Town

Browns Bay Christmas Parade – From

Square, Avondale, 6-8pm. Food stalls and Santa’s Grotto.

5pm-6.30pm along Glen Road, Bute Road, Clyde Road and Anzac Road, Browns Bay.

10 December

8 December

Ain’t no ordinary 12 day auctions – Pick

New Zealand Steel Waiuku Christmas Parade – King and Queen Street, Waiuku.

yourself up a bargain on the Trade Me website for some awesome Christmas presents and help out those less fortunate. All money raised goes to charity. New auction posted every day, key word: no ordinary charity auction! Full list of items being auctioned off at www.brucemason.co.nz.

Market at 11am and parade from 2-3.30pm (parade rain date is 9 December).

8 December

Clevedon Christmas Parade – Takes place Clevedon-Kawakawa Road, Main Road and Hyde Road, Clevedon, from 3-4pm.

12-15 December (9am-9pm) and 16 December (9am-8pm)

8 and 15 December

Children’s Christmas Craft Activities Cornwall Park Information Centre, Between 12 noon-2pm. Suitable for ages five and up. Parent supervision required. Activity takes 20 minutes. Visit www.cornwallpark.co.nz.

Mega Christmas Market – 200 stalls showcasing crafts, mini workshops and surprise Santa Bell discounts. Westlake Boys’ High School, Forrest Hill Road, Milford. Adults $2; kids free. www.redbells.co.nz.

15 December

8 December

Manurewa Christmas in the Park –

Carols at the Falls – Falls Park, Alderman

Mountfort Park, from 4-9pm.

Drive, Henderson from 3-9pm.

15 December

9 December

Birkenhead Rotary Club Christmas Parade – Noon- 1.15pm. Takes place along Rawene Road, Birkenhead Ave, Highbury Bypass and Mokoia Road, Birkenhead.

9 December

Ponsonby Carols by Candlelight – Western Park, Ponsonby from 5-8pm. Food stalls, Santa’s Grotto and BYO Picnic. Carols from 6pm.

9 December

Community Carols on the Green - Vellenoweth Green, St Heliers, from 6pm–8pm. Food stalls, BYO picnic, and Santa arrives at 6pm.

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16 December

Carols by candlelight at Potters Park – from 7-9pm in Balmoral. Food stalls, BYO picnic and face painters.

16 December

Christmas on the Beach – From 6pm-9.30pm (rain date 19 December) on the main beachfront reserve, Orewa Beach. Finishes with a fireworks display at 9.30pm.

19-22 December

Ain’t no Ordinary 12 days of Christmas at The Bruce Mason Centre – Join in the fun with a night market and carnival. Christmas gifts and yummy food from 4pm –9pm. For full details visit www.brucemason.co.nz or phone 09-488-2940.

Glen Eden Christmas Carnival – Ceram-

19 and 23 December

co Park, Glendale Road, Glen Eden. Markets, performers free children’s rides and Santa’s Grotto. From 10am- 6pm.

Adoption Drive – The Bruce

15 -23 December

Takapuna Christmas Carnival – On 15, 16 and 22 December, kids’ activity centre, Hurstmere Green, 11am-3pm. On 20 December - 6.30pm-midnight, late night market on Hurstmere Green. On 21 December - Stand up Paddle Santas, Takapuna Beach, 11am-1pm. On 23 December – Takapuna wide Christmas sale.

Mason Centre in Takapuna, along with Sapphire Cat rescue and the SPCA, will hold two adoption drives, 5pm-8.30pm, at the Bruce Mason Centre Auditorium. Enjoy the Christmas festivities and adopt a friend for life!

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20 and 21 December

A Christmas Night at Auckland Museum - Meet Santa in his grotto, get a helping of seasonal cheer and find the perfect gifts for friends and family. From 5.30-8.30pm. Full details and prices at www.auckland museum.com. Compiled by Lee Keenan

Quarterly e-newsletter

2010

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Christmas Craft – Free craft activities for children on the Browns Bay Beachfront. From noon – 2pm.

Maximise yourH child’s learning potential

Kia Kaha Christchurch

Eight-page supplem ent on “the new normal ”

Com s and away give

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baby & toddler

Water babies – the benefits of starting swimming young E

arly swim lessons set a positive foundation towards a lifetime of participation and enjoyment in a variety of water sports and time spent on, in and under the water. On the whole, a child who starts lessons early is far more relaxed and happy in the water, and in a country as water-loving as New Zealand, this is vital. The benefits of introducing your child to swimming lessons whilst still a baby are many, and include improved physical, emotional, social and cognitive development . Teaching your baby to swim might help them overcome their initial fear of water and provide a great excuse to have some fun and exercise at the same time, but it could have other benefits as well. Recently, researchers from Norway and Britain found that children who had taken baby swimming classes did better on tests involving gripping and reaching as well as balance, compared to children who had no experience swimming as babies. This helps their physical progress later in life as well, along with providing them with some essential social skills. Gross and fine motor skills are also strengthened and coordination and balance are enhanced in babies who enter the water early. For this reason, the younger your little one starts in lessons, the easier the transition is to enjoying the water. A baby who is used to being stationary can move about independently in the pool as they learn balance and coordination. The motion and sensation of the water gives them

an awareness of self that otherwise would not be gained at such a young age, and sets them up for life. Additionally, early experiences in water allow little ones to better develop their psychomotor skills, because there they can move more freely and begin to understand concepts of distance and movement. Their cardio-respiratory system is also strengthened as the baby exercises his or her heart and lungs. A weekly swimming lesson is often a child’s first social experience out of the home that involves their peers. They learn to relate and interact with each other and look forward to seeing their classmates each week, and

“For the right people, in the right situation, baby swimming can also nurture a special new connection to family, community and to the outer world.” even watch them for cues when it comes to taking risks and learning something new. Early swimming also fosters a growing sense of selfesteem, confidence and independence, and as a child’s ability to freely move through the water increases - so does their sense of wellbeing. For the right people, in the right situation, baby swimming can also nurture a special new connection to family, community and to the outer world. Time spent having fun and learning new things in the pool is an ideal opportunity for parent and child bonding in a relaxed and fun environment that they will both love being a part of. Social skills and self-esteem are developed through interaction with other children and

positive encouragement from parents and any other family who watch them at swimming time, and your child will develop a trusting relationship with you at the same time. When parents spend time face-to-face, skin-to-skin with their babies in the water, it is a very special time for both parties. Their bond increases through the swimming lessons

and parents can also exercise their patience, encouragement and kindness toward their little one. They will also learn more and more about their little person’s growing personality and how they approach new situations as they are challenged more and more. By Northern Arena, www.northernarena.co.nz, 09-421-9700.

Breastfeeding help with La Leche League Jodie was worried she didn’t have enough milk for her fussy baby. She phoned her nearest La Leche League leader for help. Now Jodie says she understands more how breastfeeding works and is reassured. Mothers who want to breastfeed need accurate information and support. For help

with breastfeeding, contact La Leche League. Your leader will listen and offer practical suggestions. La Leche League leaders are breastfeeding mothers trained to give accurate, up-todate breastfeeding information. Auckland Breastfeeding answer phone 09-846-0752.

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Childhood trauma

Competitions, giveaways and vouchers

Helping kids bounce back

tmas Chris my th ts Yum trea king wi ba Optimum sleep ve fun e kids Win Win ns, Winmpetitiovouchers

Co and ways givea

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IN CINE MAS

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Breastfeeding help by mothers for mothers LA LECHE LEAGUE OFFERS: • Mother-to-mother support • Telephone help • Trained breastfeeding counsellors • Regular meetings • Books and leaflets for sale • Lending libraries

Learning to swim isn’t an activity it is an essential life skill! Learn to swim at Northern Arena, Silverdale, Auckland we have lessons for 3 month old babies to adults.

call 10

09 421 9700

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visit

www.northernarena.co.nz

Improve behaviour through play I

t’s Sunday night and the more organised parents among you have probably checked your diaries to see what the week ahead holds for yourself and the family. The question is, did you diary in any appointments to play with your children? This may seem an odd question but it’s not as silly as it sounds. We all know that in today’s fast-paced society where both parents work in the majority of households, there is less free time to spend with the children. Often, your children’s free time is also taken up with weekly activities that range from gymbaroo to music groups, swimming lessons, play dates and other activities. For some pre-schoolers, extended hours in day-care or preschools decrease the opportunities for time with mum and dad even further. So it might make sense to actually write in your diary, two or three times a week, an “appointment” for free-play with your preschooler, thereby increasing the chances that it actually occurs. If you prioritise those appointments and stick to them, it won’t take long before they start paying dividends. Even 15 minutes every second day can have an impact on your child’s behaviour and overall development.

“A little bit of positive, focused, full-on attention can go a long way, as long as it’s on a regular basis.” Attention seeking or craving attention? Problem behaviour can occur for a variety of reasons. Have you noticed the following behaviours escalating in your young child: being prone to tantrums at the drop of a hat? Refusing to comply with the simplest requests? Interrupting repeatedly when you are on the phone or entertaining visitors? If so, check when you last spent some time with your preschooler and gave him or her your full attention. Setting up the computer or iPad for him? Sorry that doesn’t count. Buying her a fluffy at the local café while you caught up with friends? No, that doesn’t count either.

Providing total focus That far away look in your eye that means you

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“Part of the joy of having preschoolers is being able to get down on the floor and play with them, re-enacting your childhood as you play alongside your child.” are distracted and not completely present – your child picks that up in a nanosecond. Then they up the ante – crying, sulking, demanding, and refusing requests. What your child is telling you is that he or she wants your full attention – the kind that tells him he’s special and that you love being with him. A little bit of positive, focused, full-on attention can go a long way, as long as it’s on a regular basis. This is the kind of attention that fills up a child’s “emotional tank” and helps them to amuse themselves without constantly needing parental input.

Child-led play Positive discipline needs to be balanced by one-on-one attention. This is best done by joining together in fun activities and floor play time. Part of the joy of having preschoolers is being able to get down on the floor and play with them, re-enacting your childhood as you play alongside your child. The “alongside” is the important word here. That means letting your child choose what and how they want to play

and adjusting yourself to their pace. Child-led play is where the child learns that what they are doing is valuable and has meaning. They learn this because they see their parent being an attentive, involved play partner affirming what they are doing. Child-led play involves the parent following the child’s lead not setting the agenda yourself. It means commenting on or describing what your child is doing in a reflective, warm manner, not asking questions designed to teach or install concepts. “You built a really big garage for your car Max. That looks great,” rather than “What shape is that block you put on the top Max?” Most of all – have fun. By Michelle van Dyk, psychologist

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Get on yer bike with Bike Barn Christmas is just around the corner and Bike Barn thinks that every kid deserves a bike under the Christmas tree. Bike Barn staff are passionate about bikes and nothing is more satisfying for them than a young child getting started on their very first bike. Bike Barn’s Christmas sale is on now with all kids’ bikes half price. There’s a bike to suit every child’s need, with a large range of kids bikes available in stores, starting with the 12 inch kids’ bike with trainer wheels - or even a push handle so mum and dad can help them along. Then there’s 16 inch, the 20 inch range, and right up to the geared 20 – 24 inch

mountain bikes for when they start speeding past mum and dad. The full range of sizes are also available in lighter quality aluminium frames, which are fantastic for loading into the car and taking to the beach. All of these bikes are only half price in all Bike Barn stores. The Bike Barn stores have a fully equipped workshop which will look after your every need from handle bar to back wheel. All Bike Barn stores offer free safety checks on all bikes, any make or model. Visit www.bikebarn.co.nz for special deals and to find your nearest Bike Barn store in the Auckland area.

Great giveaways for summer…....

Lee Keenan from Family Times visited Orewa Primary School to talk with kids about how they celebrate Christmas and what it means to them.

Jason Stein, age 11

On Christmas Eve we invite friends and family over to play German games. When the sun goes down we like to go for a walk, then we come back and open presents and play more games. Mum always cooks a buffet of food like meats, salads and different fondues. This year we have family coming from Germany. I have had Christmas in both Germany and New Zealand and I love cold Christmas the best.

It’s easy to win fantastic prizes with Family Times. Just fill in the entry form and post it to us by the due date, or enter online at www.familytimes.co.nz. This month we have a fantastic line up of prizes with more great giveaways… Good luck! Check out last issue’s lucky winners online.

Emily Wickenden, age 11

OPENS NS IN NZ JANUARY 17

In ParaNorman a small town comes under siege by zombies. Who can it call? More than a collection of our beloved childhood legends, “The Guardians” are a group of heroes each with extraordinary abilities. When an evil spirit know as Pitch lays down the gauntlet to dispel our most cherished beliefs, the immortal Guardians must join forces for the rst time to protect the hopes, beliefs and the imagination that lives with us all.

W IN 1 OF 3

Charlotte Ellis, age 9

Only misunderstood local boy Norman, who is ablee to abl to spea sspeak p k with pea with th thee dead d ead. IIn n addition to the dead. z zombies, he’ll have t take on ghosts, to w witches and, worst o all, moronic of g grown-ups, to save h town from a his c centuries-old curse. But B this young ghoul whisperer g may m ﬁnd his paranormal p activities pushed to a their limits. t

GHOULISH GIVEAWAY!

At Christmas we put up a real tree on Christmas Eve. Then on Christmas day our family gets together and we open presents and have a special dinner with hot turkey and ham. Our family in England Skype us on our Christmas day and then we Skype them back on theirs. This year I’m going to be on the Girl Guides’ float in the parade in Orewa.

Daniel Youn, age 10

Every Christmas we go home to Korea. We put on traditional silk clothes and play traditional games. On Christmas Eve we put up a real tree and on Christmas day we go to Grandma’s house. She cooks a seaweed soup. We have a very big family. I would love a new snowboard this year! Before I go, I am going to be on the Scouts float’ in the Orewa parade. Christmas is very exciting.

David Khun, age 10

L E G E N DA RY P R I Z E PAC K S Family Times has three prize packs including a digital watch, snow globe, stationery set and glitter pens to give away! Enter now and don’t forget to check out www.RiseOfTheGuardians.co.nz

We have two o Priz Prize Packs ks to t give away. Including a colour-change night light, stationery set and movie double-pass!

IN CINEMAS JANUARY 3

17 JANUARY

Sometimes we go back to Thailand for Christmas but this year we are here. We usually put up our tree about five days before. On Christmas day I get up early and open my presents. We play with our new toys and dad likes to video us. We have a small family and we usually have a barbecue. We also like to Skype family overseas.

ENTER NOW and remember to check out the official site: www.ParanormanMovie.co.nz Entries close: 13 December 2012.

EYE-POPPING

3D IN CINEMAS

Princess Cadance and Shining Armor are getting married at the castle! Ponies from all over Equestria can’t wait to go to the royal wedding. This castle play set comes with bride and groom pony figures, butterfly, comb, two teacups, teapot, wedding cake, table, bouquet, piano, purse, tuxedo, groom crown, bride crown, dress, two rings, necklace, chandelier and sticker labels. We have five to give away!

Beywheelz Crash Course Battle Set

WIN, WIN,

WIN!

Battle three ways with the spinning Beywheelz battlers in this awesome crash course battle set. This set has everything you need to launch into spectacular crash, stunt or race battles. Practice your skills or take on your friends. Either way, this gear puts you in charge of a big-time Beywheelz smack down! We have five Beywheelz Crash Course Battle Sets to give away!

Wreck-It Ralph

Bless these little cotton socks

Much loved sock brand Lamington™ has just launched a new range of gorgeous cotton sockings just in time for summer! There are two new sock-ings in the range – Tutti Fruiti in a beautiful summery yellow stripe and Lollipop in a combination of red, orange, navy and yellow. The cotton knee-high socks make the perfect stocking filler for Christmas and a fail-safe baby shower gift for mums to be. Lamington™ cotton socks have an RRP of $14.50 and are available at lamington.co.nz. Family Times has five pairs of Tutti Frutti (size 2-4) and five pairs of Lollipop (size 1-2) to giveaway.

My Little Pony Royal Wedding Castle

We set up our tree a few days before. We leave out cookies, milk and carrots for Santa and the reindeer. We get to stay up pretty late on Christmas Eve, which is exciting. We go to Nan’s house on Christmas Day. We have large family where everybody brings food. I have had Christmas in America too. I love a cold Christmas because we get to make snowmen and go skiing.

WIN,WIN,

WIN

For decades, Ralph has been overshadowed by Fix-It Felix, Jr., the good-guy star of their game who always gets to save the day. Tired of playing the role of a bad guy, Ralph takes matters into his own massive hands and sets off on a journey across the arcade through multiple generations of video games to prove he’s got what it takes to be a hero. Wreck-It Ralph” crashes onto the big screen on December 26, 2012. We have five packs containing a double in season pass, t-shirt, sticker sheet and notebook. Entries close 13 December 2012. www.familytimes.co.nz

The Word Witch by Margaret Mahy and Margaret Mahy, A Writer’s Life

The Word Witch is the ultimate collection of Margaret Mahy’s much-loved poems and stories in rhyme. Each of the 66 pieces is accompanied by a poignant illustration by one of New Zealand’s best, David Elliott. This new paperback edition includes a CD with Margaret reciting 12 poems. Margaret Mahy, A Writer’s Life was first published in 2005 to critical acclaim. Now, seven years on, it has been fully updated and re-published. Enter now for the chance to win one of fifteen packs of these books that we have to give away.

WIN, WIN,

WIN!

Ice Age 4: Continental Drift What is your favourite summer food? We’d love to see a drawing of your favourite summer food! Draw us a picture of what tickles your tastebuds most in the summer months and be in to win an amazing $50 prize pack from Crayola! Three entry age groups: preschool (age 1-4), 5-8, 9-12. Create your design on an A5 sheet or download the template and entry form from www.familytimes.co.nz. Post in to PO Box 36 004, Christchurch 8146. Entries close on 28 January 2013.

Congratulations to our Whanau Design Competition winners from our last issue:

The world’s favourite herd, Manny, Sid and Diego, along with Scrat, bring their beloved brand of humour back in their most epic story yet – Ice Age 4: Continental Drift. Available on Blu-ray and DVD from 28 November. Scrat triggers a cataclysmic event that thrusts our heroes into a high-seas adventure, and the stakes are raised when they meet a band of rag-tag pirates who are out to foil them from returning home. We have five DVDs to giveaway.

WIN, WIN,

WIN!

Gluten Free Desserts and Baking New Zealand’s best-loved cooking-duo, Simon and Dame Alison Holst, have published this new book containing some of their favourite dessert and pudding recipes which have been given gluten free makeovers. There’s also a selection of new recipes and a number of their favourites (crème brulee, pana cotta, meringues etc) that are by their nature, gluten free. We have 10 copies of this book to give away.

Ruby Keomany, age 4

Feed the Family for $15 or less – Sophie Gray

Rui Yi Ong, age 6

WIN,WIN,

WIN

Jessica Zhang, Auckland, Age nine – 12 years

Misha Simpson, Auckland, Age five – eight years

Shekinah Harendra Pratap, age 10

Grandchildren, Our Hopes and Dreams – A practical and modern guide

to raising grandchildren. We have two copies of Sally Kabak’s book to give away.

The ACB with Honora Lee and The 10 pm Question

Kate De Goldi is one of this country’s most loved authors. She is the twotime winner of the New Zealand Post Children’s Book of the Year Award. The ACB with Honora Lee is Kate’s latest book and is a story about the enduring alliance between the young and the very old. We have three packs containing The ACB with Honora Lee and The 10pm Question to give away.

WIN

Dart of Castle Hill

Spring has arrived at last and the lambing season is well under way. Down the line at iconic Castle Hill Station, the fields and hills are scattered with lambs – too many to count – but where are they all hiding? Dart of Castle is a classic New Zealand picture book, it educates and entertains, and the ending has an amusing an unexpected twist. Family Times have five copies of Dart of Castle Hill to give away.

Discover Earth’s Secrets

Just tick the things you want to win SUMMER 2012

 Rise of the Guardians  ParaNorman  My Little Pony Royal Wedding Castle  Beywheelz Crash Course Battle Set  Wreck-It Ralph  Lamington Socks  Margaret Mahy and The Word Witch  Grandchildren, our Hopes and Dreams  The ACB with Honora Lee and The 10pm Question  Ice Age 4:Continental Drift

WIN,WIN,

Find out the Earth’s make-up and learn about the forces that have shaped and moulded our planet and why it’s still changing and moving. Read about fascinating fossils, rock formations and extreme weather. From raging volcanoes to climate change, the story of the Earth has never been so accessible. We have three copies of this book to give away.

 Gluten feee desserts and baking  Feed the Family for $15 or less  Dart of Castle Hill  Discover Earth’s Secrets  Kiwi - The Real Story Name Address City Phone

To be in the draw to win, enter online at www.familytimes.co.nz or write your name and address on the back of an envelope or postcard and send to: Auckland Competition, PO Box 36 004, Christchurch to reach us by 28th January 2013, unless stated otherwise. Only one entry per household.

WIN,WIN,

WIN

Kiwi – The Real Story While the kiwi is often depicted as an endangered national symbol in need of our protection, this book takes a dramatically different route. Kiwi - The Real Story invites the reader into the secret night world of the kiwi. This collaboration between bookseller Annemarie Florian and artist Heather Hunt offers a memorable reading – and learning – experience for readers of all ages. We have three copies of this book to give away. www.familytimes.co.nz

cool activities

Calendar of Events Auckland boasts one of the best summer events calendars in the country, so be part of the action or ambience at the many events on offer. Check out www.familytimes.co.nz for regular updates. December 2012 – April 2013 Workshops on the Wharf – Regular free workshops take place in Wynyard Quarter, Auckland central. The workshops are suitable for children aged 4 to 12 and take place rain or shine. Full programme information at www.waterfrontauckland.co.nz.

December 2012 – April 2013 In2it Street Games – These are free physical activity sessions provided across Auckland for children and young people. You will find the In2it street crew at many different parks and reserves as well as other open spaces. Details of upcoming events at www.in2it.co.nz.

December 2012-April 2012 (every Saturday afternoon) A Saturday Afternoon – Free family drop-ins at the Auckland City Art Gallery from 1-3pm. Fun art activities suitable for ages four and up. Parent supervision is required. www.aucklandartgallery.com

December 2012 – April 2013 Silo Cinema and Silo Markets - Silo Cinema will screen a free diverse range of films over the season (every Friday night, depending on the weather), complemented by the Silo Night Markets, which will open Saturdays from noon to 6pm at Wynyard Quarter, Auckland Waterfront. Visit www.yourwaterfront.co.nz.

9 December Love Your Mountain Day - A car-free open day on Auckland’s highest volcanic cone, Mt Eden Domain. It will be closed to traffic, so people can walk, picnic, and enjoy the beautiful mountain in safety. Free entry, guided walks and activities from 10am to 4pm visit www. maungawhau.co.nz.

20 January Ironman 70.3 Auckland – This free-to-watch race comprises a swim in the Viaduct Harbour and a bike course over the Harbour Bridge, fol-

BEADS!

Christmas Classes Repair Work Gift Making The Bead Hold

161 Pt Chevalier Road, Pt Chevalier OPEN 7 DAYS

09 845 1345

www.thebeadhold.co.nz 14

www.familytimes.co.nz

lowed by a run along the Auckland waterfront. The finish line will be in the heart of Wynyard Quarter with the stunning city skyline as a backdrop. From 6.30am-3pm.

20 January, 10 February and 3 March Westfield Albany Lakes Summer Series – Walk or run 5km or 10km and don’t forget the great 2km kids’ dash. All details and registration at www.albanylakes.co.nz.

28 January Mission Bay Art and Craft Market - More than 200 stalls at Selwyn Reserve, Mission Bay, 10am-4pm. Free admission.

28 January Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta - A fabulous day on the water is promised as Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour comes alive for one of the world’s biggest one-day regattas. Visit www.regatta.org.nz.

6 February Orewa Big Dig - Purchase a ticket on the day and dig for great prizes. For ages 0 to 15-years. Takes place at Orewa Beach Reserve from 9.30am.

9 February Auckland Beach Football Tournament – Bringing the world’s most popular game to the beach! Enter a team to compete or just check out the event for free from 9-4pm, Mission Bay Beach. Visit www.beachfootball.co.nz.

10 February Running of The Roses – Roses are released into the Kaipara river on an outgoing tide. The first five roses retrieved at the finish line will win prizes. Great family entertainment. Roses are $5. Visit www.runningroses.org.nz.

24 February Weetbix Tryathlon. Based at St Heliers. Swim, bike and run as an individual or part of a team. Open to ages 7 to 15-years, visit www. tryathlon.weetbix.co.nz. Events also in Manukau and North Shore.

24 February Japan Day - The biggest free, one-day Japanese cultural event in New Zealand welcomes

Take part in the Angel Walk for child cancer. everyone to experience, learn, watch and taste the culture of Japan. At ASB Showgrounds, Greenlane. Visit www.japanday.org.nz.

3 March Kiara’s Angel Walk - Bike or walk the beautiful Orewa estuary walkway – Te Ara Tahuna - in this special charity event for the Child Cancer Foundation. Walk starts at 8.45am, and concludes with a family fun day from 10am2pm. Visit www.angelwalk.co.nz.

9 and 10 March Pacifika Festival –This event will attract tens of thousands of people to Western Springs Park for a fantastic day that celebrates Auckland’s Pacific heritage. The event showcases 10 distinct Pacific Island communities through their art, performances and of course, food. From 10am-5pm.

16 March Stanley Bay School Gigantic Garage Sale and Fun Day – A fun day for all the family at 15 Russell Street, Devonport, from 8am-2pm.

17 March West Auckland Soapbox Derby - Eighty West Auckland students from 20 schools take part in a day of fast and thrilling soap box racing down Westgate Drive. Free to watch, from 9am-3pm. Details at www.rotarywaitakere. org.nz.

17 March Coatesville Classic Half Marathon, 8km race and 2km Kids Dash – Enjoy the best of rural running and walking at the Coatesville Reserve. Free t-shirts for all entrants. Registration at www.coatesvilleclassic.co.nz. Compiled by Lee Keenan

Tell our advertiser you saw it in...

Treasure trove in Point Chevalier The Bead Hold is the perfect place to create your own gifts this holiday season. Come and enjoy the wonderful sparkle and jeweltones of beads hand selected from all over the world. Sit at The Bead Hold’s tables, borrow the tools, get help from its friendly staff and bead away to your heart’s content. Classes and kit-sets are available for both adults and children. Open seven days and also online at www.thebeadhold.co.nz. The Bead Hold, 161 Point Chevalier Road, Point Chevalier, Auckland 09-845-1345.

cool activites

Entertainment S

ummer holidays are always your children amused. For location details visit www.timezonegames.co.nz. the best, with lots of time to enjoy the excellent activities  Stardome on offer in Auckland. Here are The observatory and planetarium is a fantastic learning experience for everyone. Discover a few to get you started! star clusters and patterns that can only be seen  MOTAT Enjoy hands-on exhibits that are entertaining, informative and fun for all age groups. Experience what Motat can offer your family. Visit www.motat.org.nz. Auckland Museum - Look, touch, and explore. There is always so much for the whole family to see and do. Check out what’s on at www. aucklandmuseum.

 Spookers and the Amazing Maze in Maize The Amazing Mazes are cut out of corn fields. Lots of simple family fun games and activities. You can walk along several kilometres of paths and make decisions at intersections as to which way to go. Details at www.maze.co.nz.

 Rainbows End New Zealand’s largest theme park promises all the thrills you can handle with a host of fun activities and world class rides. Always something for everyone! Park details, information and prices at www.rainbowsend.co.nz.

 Clip’n Climb Burn up some energy on themed climbing walls, the Leap of Faith or the gravity defying Vertical Drop Slide. You choose! Bookings are essential. Phone 09-630-6040 or visit www. clipnclimb.co.nz.

 Clevedon Animal Farm Hand feed the animals and watch them perform. Beautiful outside garden amphitheatre, at 271 Clevedon and Kawakawa Road Papakura. Phone 09-292-9231, www.clevedonanimalfarm. co.nz.

 The Bead Hold A great place to go for gift-making and birthday parties. The Bead Hold offers a wonderfully creative and fun time for all ages. Full details, phone 09-845-1345 or visit www.thebeadhold. co.nz.

 Timezone Games Enjoy the latest interactive entertainment. A great place of fun and excitement to keep

from this latitude. Visit www.stardome.org.nz.

 Rock Up Adventure Activities Delivering exciting activities and programmes that raise self-esteem, create positive attitudes and give fun experiences. For more information visit www.rockup.co.nz.

Holiday specials

Enjoy a fun family day out at The Amazing Maze in maize.

 The Bead Hold Take part in The Bead Hold’s fun Christmas holiday classes. For full details and bookings phone 09-845-1345 or visit www.thebeadhold. co.nz.

 Clevedon Animal Farm A great day of fun over summer with the Animal Farm’s holiday programme. Also, feed the animals and watch them perform. Phone 09-2929231 or visit www.clevedonanimalfarm.co.nz.

 Twelve Days of Christmas at The Bruce Mason Centre Join the Phineas Phrog team and a cast of talented youngsters as they explore the magic and mayhem of Christmas in this brand new show. From 19 – 23 December. Full details and bookings at www.brucemason.co.nz.

 Northern Arena Swim School New Zealand’s Swim School of the Year - intensive learn to swim and race preparation. For January holiday programmes, phone 09-4219700 or visit www.northernarena.co.nz for more information.

 Auckland Museum Follow the trail map to discover Basil the Dinosaur’s favourite places from 26 December. Join him on guided tours from 7 January.

Follow Basil the Dinosaur at Auckland Museum. Make your own Christmas postcard or picture in the Camera Family Space. Details at www. auckland museum.com.

 Motat’s Imagination Factory Travelling Exhibition Invent and play with Motat’s amazing new travelling exhibition in the holidays. Prepare for an action-packed experience as you explore the hands-on interactive exhibits. Details at www. motat.org.nz.

Head to Stardome for Summer School Holiday fun. Sessions include the new planetarium show ‘Perfect Little Planet’, rocket launching and crafts. Bookings Essential 09 624 1246 / stardome.org.nz

www.familytimes.co.nz

 Stardome Introducing the latest fun children’s programme Perfect Little Planet. Sessions include rocket launching and crafts. Full details and bookings at www.stardome.org.nz.

 Weird and Wonderful Fantastic activities over the summer holidays at The Auckland Museum. Try your hand at making Christmas decorations and artwork. Visit www.aucklandmuseum.com. Compiled by Lee Keenan

Summer School Holiday Fun

January

14th-25th

$10 $8 CHILD

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craft corner

Needle-felted Christmas decorations Needle felting is an easy, affordable and fun craft for boys, girls, teens and adults. Everyone who tries it loves the colours and textures that can be achieved, and the technique can be used to embellish clothing and make flat or 3D items. The main tool for this craft is a special needle that is barbed: it is these barbs that lock the fibres together and although it sounds dangerous, most children are quite controlled when they use such a needle. You will have just as much fun as your children if you try this together. You will need: • Needle-felting needle (available from Hands for $2 each) • Small amount of carded wool or sliver • Small foam block • Cookie cutter • Optional: thread or cord to hang your decoration

Push the barbed needle through the wool into the foam block and continue this “jabbing” motion. The needle needs to go straight up and down otherwise you may break the needle. You will see the fibre start to felt down into the mould onto the foam. This is important so the felt does not fuse with the foam. Make sure you work into any corners. You can add more bits of fibre at any stage to fill in gaps.

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Place cookie cutter on block of foam and then fill this with carded wool. Do not cut the wool; just pull the fibres apart to make smaller pieces.

Once it is finished, you can add decoration by needle-felting on small dots, or even yarn can be needled on to make thin lines. You can also sew or glue on beads. If you wish to hang your decoration, thread cord or ribbon through the top.

Once the wool has felted down a bit, lift the cutter and gently pull the felting off the foam. Flip it over and put back into the cutter and needle felt more.

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Please contact us to discuss 0800 28 5510 admin@ familytimes.co.nz

By Sarah Chisnall, Hands Craft Store manager, Christchurch. For further details, enquiries and craft blog visit www.handscraftstore.com.

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Crissi Blair lives with her family in west Auckland and spends her time reading and writing, mostly about children’s books. Crissi organised the Storylines Festival of New Zealand Children’s Writers and Illustrators for three years and publishes the useful guide New Zealand Children’s Books in Print which is updated every year. Visit www.silvertone.co.nz for more information.

Picture Books

Junior Fiction

The Quentin Blake Treasury

Sir Mouse to the Rescue

By Quentin Blake Johnathon Cape 2012 Hardback $49.99 ● The much-honoured Quentin Blake has been creating children’s books since 1968, and every one is a timeless gem. This collection has nine picture books and lots of rhymes, all with Blake’s loose pen and watercolour illustrations full of action and humour. This treasury will be a great asset to any family library for reading aloud to children from babyhood on.

Great Galloping Galoot

Rabbit By Margaret Beames Illustrated by Ian McNee Scholastic 2012 Paperback $19.50 ● Jack longs for a dog but when his birthday comes he’s given a rabbit instead. At first, he’s disappointed, until he discovers that his pet has a special talent. His nosy neighbour discovers the secret, which leads to the rabbit being stolen by a mad scientist for experimentation and a dramatic rescue mission takes place. An exciting read involving animal cruelty issues. Ages 6-9.

By Stephanie Thatcher Scholastic, 2012 Paperback $19.50 ● Galoot is a clumsy giraffe whose friends are always laughing at him and calling him a “great galoot.” But his parents tell him to “walk tall, run fast and always be your best.” When the bridge over the river is washed away the other animals all despair, but Galoot is sure he can make it across. Ages 3-8 years.

Mouse Mansion: Sam & Julia By Karina Schaapman Allen & Unwin 2012 Hardback $30 ● Anyone who loves dollhouses and the like will love this large-scale picture book. The illustrations have been created using models of more than 100 rooms and their contents and characters. Sam and Julia (little mice) live in the same apartment building: Julia with just her mum and Sam with his big family. They have lots of adventures in the course of their everyday lives. Beautifully crafted. Ages 4-10.

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By Brian Falkner Illustrated by Donovan Bixley Walker Books Australia 2012 Paperback $22.99 ● Maddy can speak every language in the world, even ancient ones no longer spoken. After her mother organises for Maddy to appear on a TV show, she is invited to travel overseas to translate some ancient scrolls. Soon she’s on a wild adventure, along with a curious monkey and her friend who thinks he is a ninja. Exciting reading, captured in animated black and white illustrations. Ages 9-12.

Liar & Spy By Rebecca Stead Text Publishing 2012 Paperback $21 ● Georges moves into a new apartment and is befriended by Safer, who spies on the building’s occupants and recruits Georges to help find out what one mysterious resident is up to. Georges is also welcomed into Safer’s family home as Georges’ dad is often off visiting his wife at the hospital, supposedly working long shifts. There is more than one mystery threaded into this tender story about friendship and facing your fears. Ages 9-12.

My Happy Life

Dead Harry

By Rose Lagercrantz Eva Eriksson Translator Julia Marshall Gecko Press 2012 Paperback $19.99 ● Dana is a happy girl, although she worries that she won’t make friends when she starts school. She does make a friend and all is well until changes happen and then she wonders if she will ever be happy again. Sweet line drawings capture Dana’s cheery character. Great for early readers or read aloud. Ages 6-9.

Ken Catran Scholastic 2012 Paperback $19.50 ● Sam is shocked when his friend Harry suddenly dies, but he’s even more startled when Harry’s ghost appears, saying that he was murdered and that Sam has to find out who did it and why. He’s joined in the mystery by the class geek, Anna. Compelling reading with a nicely turned plot that keeps you guessing until the end. Ages 9-12.

Unbored: The Essential Field Guide to Serious Fun Joshua Glenn & Elizabeth Foy Larsen Bloomsbury USA 2012 Hardback $36.99 ● This fat book is packed with so many activities, ideas and information that it would be difficult to imagine ever saying “I’m bored” again. Indoors, outdoors, online and offline, there are instructions for things to make and do, ideas about the world to think about, and projects to get on with including a no-sew soft toy, a drink bottle bike exhaust and homealone meals. Ages 7-adult.

100 Amazing Tales from Aotearoa Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa Te Papa Press 2012 Paperback / DVDs $34.99 ● This book is based on the TV series Tales from Te Papa and includes DVDs of the series. Treasures from Te Papa collections are shown in colour photos with fact panels and comprehensive text about each item. Some gems include racehorse Phar Lap’s skeleton, a mummy and her coffin, and recycled plastic art. A fine assortment of the weird and wonderful from our national museum. Ages 9-adult.

Sirocco the Rock Star Kakapo By Sarah Ell Random House, 2012 Paperback $24.99 ● Sirocco was taken from his mother as a sick chick on Codfish Island. He was hand-reared and became very attached to humans, which has led to him becoming an ambassador for his endangered species. Incredible photographs show every stage of Sirocco’s growth. There is an abundance of information in easy-to-read bites with full bleed photographs and fact panels.

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Maddy West and the Tongue Taker

Knowledge books

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By Dirk Nielandt Illustrated by Marjolein Pottie Translated by Laura Wilkinson Book Island 2012 Hardback $24.99 ● Little Mouse is dressed up as a brave knight with armour and a sword, but she doesn’t fight Dragon because they’re best friends. Mouse is bossy and dramatic and Dragon very tolerant. There’s plenty of excitement and terrific dialogue. The interactions between the characters are hilarious and very like the way children like to play themselves. Ages six plus.

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Dealing with stealing M

ost children steal at some point, whether it is sweets, a pen or money that you have left lying around. What is important is how we as parents deal with the situation and nip-it-in-the bud before it gets out of hand and leads to serious trouble later in life. My husband and I are raising my granddaughter, aged seven. She once took a pen from a stationery store, and I didn’t notice it until we got back to the car. I questioned her about where she had gotten it from. We had only been to two stores so I knew which one it was but I wanted her to own up to what she had done. She didn’t. Not saying a word, I marched her back to the store. We approached the counter, and I asked the woman if the pen was one of theirs. She informed me that it was. I told her that my grandchild had taken it and that I had brought her back to return it and to apologise. My granddaughter tried to hide behind my back because she knew what she had done was wrong. I told her that we wouldn’t be leaving until she had apologised. The tears flowed, but after awhile she apologised, and the young woman shop-assistant thanked us for our honesty. I explained to my granddaughter that what she had done was to take something that didn’t belong to her and it was not acceptable. Later on, our granddaughter started bringing items home from school, so I asked her where they came from and why she had them. She told me that she was given them by another

child or that she had won them for being good in a particular subject. One day she brought a soft toy home and told me she had won it. The next morning while I was making her bed, I decided to check the newly acquired soft toy. It was obviously well-loved as it was rather dirty, so I spoke to her about it and told her to take back to school everything that didn’t belong to her. I then turned it around by asking how she would feel if one of her soft toys was taken. She was very upset about the prospect and returned all the acquired items to their rightful owners. I have a friend who owns a book store where they have sweets on a low shelf in front of the counter, which of course is very tempting for children. She was telling me of the number of children that come in with their parents, pick up a sweet, and take a bite out of it. Rather than taking the sweet away and throwing it in the bin, some parents just pay for it and then allow the child to continue eating! Lesson learned - it’s okay to steal. Teenagers are a different issue. Many teenagers - especially girls - are under a lot of peer pressure. They want to look the same, dress the same and have the desirable gadgets, but many parents simply can’t afford to purchase designer label clothing and up-to-theminute electronic items. Hence, teenagers may resort to stealing money so they can get the things they see as important. If you notice that your teenager has new clothes or new gadgets, and you haven’t purchased them, ask questions.

How to handle stealing ● Firstly, it’s important to explain (in age appropriate language) that stealing is wrong. Then explain to little ones that stealing hurts other people. ● Deal with it immediately, and don’t be afraid to ask tough questions. ● Make an appointment with a youth officer at your nearest community police station. Take your child along and let the youth officer explain the consequences of stealing. ● With young children, take something away from them that they love for a period of time. Ignore the tears

that may flow: you are teaching them a lesson that hopefully they will remember. ● Ground older children. Remove their cell phones and other electronic equipment for a period of time. ● If you notice that money is missing from your purse, explain that it is yours - not theirs for the taking. Tell them that you will take a dollar a week from their allowance until the amount is paid off. ● Teach your child that honesty is the best policy.

By Sally Kabak Sally Kabak is the author of Raising Grandchildren. Visit www.raisinggrandchildren.net.nz for more information and to view her blog.

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safety

Keep your kids safe near water Tragically young children have the highest drowning rate of all New Zealanders. The truth is as clear cut as it is brutal; water kills young children at an alarming rate.

hroughout the year – regardless of season – water hazards exist around the home, with the most common found in the form of the bath and home swimming pools. The underlying reason behind almost all drownings of small children is a lack of adequate or appropriate supervision from parents and caregivers. The window for tragedy is frighteningly small, and the time it takes for young children to get into trouble is remarkably short; a matter of seconds. Proper supervision in and around water means a responsible adult keeping young children in their care both within sight and within reach. Water hazards within the home and beyond need to be constantly managed by parents. Small children have neither the ability nor the knowledge required to make a decision about their own safety. The most effective way to protect your child is to have a fully fenced area where they can play without the threat of water hazards. If this is not feasible, then all potential water hazards must be identified and eliminated from the home environment. Potential hazards that cannot be removed must be isolated to a degree that makes it impossible for a young child to gain unsupervised access. Parents and caregivers can introduce their

children to water in a positive, caring manner. Bath time can be fun for you and your baby, but never – even for a moment – leave your child alone or under sibling supervision in the bathtub. Being supported in warm water can be a wonderful experience for a baby, and a gentle way to introduce them to water. You can help your baby to investigate how water tastes and feels. Trickling water over baby’s face and floating (with the head well supported) is a great start to water play. Sharing bath time and visiting your local pool are all positive steps to developing water confidence and safety skills in your child. Important water safety rules need to be cued, promoted, reinforced and discussed where applicable to ensure additional preventive measures are taken on top of supervision. These may include: • Only play with water when parent or caregiver is present. • Only enter the water with a parent or caregiver. One of the most positive experiences for a child is a simple visit to the local swimming pool with family. The comfort and reassurance that the family bond provides, along with trust placed in parent-child relationships, mean that a regular trip to the pool can be a valuable bonding tool as well as enhancing confidence and understanding in the water. By providing a positive aquatic experience from a young age, children are more likely to develop water safety skills that will lead on to learning to swim and survive – the fundamental skill for enjoying any water environment safely. By Water Safety NZ Visit www. watersafety.org.nz

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fit families

Kiwi kids are sporty kids Having listened to 17,000 school children aged five to 18, the Sport NZ Young People’s Survey confirms what many of us already knew: Kiwi kids are sporty kids.

ine out of 10 young people say they like playing sport, and on average, they participate in three to five sport and recreation activities in any given week. The Young People’s Survey is the most significant piece of research into young New Zealanders’ participation in sport and recreation in more than 10 years. The scale of the survey allows us to explore, for the first time, how sport and recreation fit into the lives of young people of different ages and backgrounds. It provides a voice for young New Zealanders, and gives them an opportunity to talk about their sporting lives. Sport NZ chief executive Peter Miskimmin says the results are encouraging. “Sport has always been part of the social fabric of this country and so it’s encouraging that our kids are still really into it, given all the other options they have these days. It’s something we want to ensure continues.” The results tell us many positive things. The majority of young people like playing sport a lot. Almost all young people engage in some sport or active recreation and most young people spend three or more hours a week on sport and recreation when we combine the time spent participating in formal and informal settings. It is important to note however, that young people’s sport and recreation activities and

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preferences are many and varied. The Young People’s Survey shows that participation rates, the number of activities and the time spent playing sport increases from five years old onwards, peaking for the 11 to 14-year-old age group. Participation rates of 15 to 18-year-olds drop across almost all aspects measured, particularly among girls. Girls in this age group are less likely to report they “like playing a sport a lot”, participate in fewer sports events than the younger age groups and are less likely to play

“Boys are more likely to retain their involvement in team sports as they get older, while girls tend to move into more individual activities such as dance, swimming, running and jogging.” sport as part of a club or school team. Many of our well-established and team sports – athletics, rugby, netball, athletics and football – feature in young New Zealanders’ lives and on their “want to do” lists. Boys are more likely to retain their involvement in team sports as they get older, while girls tend to move into more individual activities such as dance, swimming, running and jogging.

In terms of the settings within which our young people are participating, it is clear that schools are central to sport and recreation provision for many young people. Clubs also play an important role. In addition, active recreation and sport played in informal settings are also are a key part of young New Zealanders sporting lives, as is good old fashioned “mucking around.” Mucking around within the context of this survey was defined as doing sport and active things with friends, family and on their own. For almost all sports/ activities, participation rates are highest in this context. Ensuring our young people continue to love and engage in sport and recreation is therefore the responsibility of us all. Schools, clubs and community groups will continue to be important providers of more formal sporting opportunities and facilities; however the report also identifies the need to ensure we continue to provide sport outside the traditional structures as informal sport and playful activities. There is no doubt that parents and families are key influencers on the provision of both formal and informal sporting environments.

We know that team sports for kids would not happen without the active and committed involvement of parents as organisers, coaches, officials and transporters. Equally, parents will continue to play a vital role in ensuring our kids have the confidence and competence to enjoy and engage in sport and recreation on their own terms, and in their own time and space. A full copy of the survey can be found on the Sport NZ website www.sportnz.org.nz. By Roger Wood, Sport New Zealand

games

Which games platform should I buy? A

question I get asked a lot as a gamer - and a parent is “which console is the best?” This can be a divisive and entrenched conversation among serious gamers who already know what each and every device is capable of. But for non-gamer parents, this is often a serious question. After all, if you are going to buy one you want to make sure you buy the right one. However, like all seemingly simple questions, there is not one simple answer. Game consoles

“Game consoles all do one thing very well: they play games. That is the main purpose of the device, so often the question is not one of capability but of value for money, and of what else it is capable of.” all do one thing very well: they play games. That is the main purpose of the device, so often the question is not one of capability but of value for money, and of what else it is capable of. The three big consoles you can chose from are The Playstation 3, The XBox 360 and the Nintendo Wii. Each of these has pluses and minuses and come with added extras or

Playstation 3 features that can complicate your decision (or make it easier). Your choice is relevant to what you want the device to do. If you are looking for top-of-theline games that really push the ability of gaming then the Playstation 3 and the Xbox 360 are the best. If you want a games console that is mostly fun with loads of interactivity and aimed at a younger audience, then the Wii is probably more your speed (though the other two also cater to younger gamers). If you want the device to be more than a gaming machine, then your choice is in what else the machine does, and again this is the choice between the Playstation 3 and the Xbox 360. Both of these devices have wireless connectivity and play movies from the hard disc or from the drive, but the PS3 plays Blu Rays and DVDs while the Xbox 360 plays DVDs only. All three of the devices support motion detection, but with the Wii this is a core concept and how the device works in all models. On the

Auckland Kindergarten Association Education is one of the building blocks of a happy childhood, and one organisation, Auckland Kindergarten Association (AKA), has been working with parents and helping children learn since 1908. Currently more than 9000 children attend 107 kindys across Auckland. AKA employs fully qualified teachers who support children to learn through play within a safe and nurturing environment, giving parents confidence that their child is reaching the very best outcomes. AKA kindergartens are accessible and inclusive, and partly funded by the Ministry of Education. The first 20 hours of early childhood education (ECE)

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are paid for, so additional hours can cost as little as $1.55 per hour - amazing value. Children aged from two years and over are welcome to be enrolled and the hours are flexible. Whether you prefer a “sessional” kindy, three to four hours a day, or a “day” kindy that allows your children to experience a longer, school-type day, AKA has everything you need. The AKA provides early childhood education that celebrates diversity and community, making it approachable and understanding. See for yourself by visiting your local kindergarten. Visit www.mykindy.co.nz for more details.

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Nintendo Wii

X Box 360 PS3 and the X Box you can get either the Kinect system or the PS Move systems that are optional extras to get this function. It really depends on what you want to do and how much you want to pay. They all play games and they all do their jobs very well in different ways. You may also want to see what you children’s friends or relatives have, because if they are going to swap games they have to have the same kind of console for the games to work. If you’re still not sure, ask your kids - I’m sure Price

they’ll have an opinion and may already know which one they think is best. What console do I have? I have all of them and the handheld versions as well, but then again I work in the games industry. By Wayne Webb Wayne Webb is a community services manager for SmallWorlds - an online gaming site that caters to a 13 plus age range - an avid technology fiend and the father of two children who also love “screen things”.

(depending on extras)

Capability

Motion detection

Blu Ray/DVD

Playstation 3

$350-$500

High

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X Box 360

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Moderate

In all models

Neither

Console

Tasty holiday recipes I

for food-savvy kids

ncessantly hungry kids and a seemingly endless stream of meals to be cooked can take the shine off school holidays. But I have a plan! As a parent there is nothing better than your children being capable and confident enough to take over the kitchen and rustle up a snack or meal. And a child who is able to cook the odd meal has a huge advantage over those with no food skills. Study after study shows that a child who has basic food and cooking skills is far more likely to make better food choices. And, in a land where over a third of our children are overweight or obese, our kids need all the help they can get to make good food choices. By sharing the load with your kids, you are giving them valuable life skills and you are getting a bit of time off! So how about a kids-cook-onemeal-a-week deal over the school holidays? To help, we have a fun, free one-day online cooking programme to get your kids cooking and a bit more food savvy. We’ll have them whipping up a salad, firing up the barbecue and wowing you with a Christmas treat. Too good to be true? Not at all! This highly interactive programme, hosted by my daughter and teen Claire Gourley, has great competitions and great prizes as she shares foodie skills and tips to get your child food savvy. Check out www.foodsavvykids.com. The following recipe is from Claire’s book Who’s Cooking Tonight? and is just perfect for your kids to make over the summer months.

Tuscan Chips with Guacamole

I often serve this with raw carrot sticks too – carrot dipped in guacamole is delicious. This is the minimum amount you will want to make – I often double this. What you need For the Tuscan chips 2 large baking or roasting potatoes, sliced as thinly as you can Spray oil tsp of Tuscan seasoning For the guacamole 1 avocado, peeled and diced 2 medium sized tomatoes, diced 1 tsp garlic paste or 1 clove garlic, crushed 1 Tbsp sweet chilli sauce or a few drops of Tabasco sauce 1 Tbsp lemon or lime juice 1-2 Tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley or chives Here goes... Roast the potatoes Don’t peel them – it’s far too much work and you throw away the best bit. Place the potato slices in a single

layer in a roasting pan. Spray with the oil and sprinkle with Tuscan seasoning. Bake at 200°C for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and crunchy. The trick is to slice the potatoes very thinly so they go crunchy. Make the guacamole Make this while the potatoes are cooking. Mix all ingredients together - I like to leave it a bit chunky but you can make it really smooth if you prefer it that way. Makes 1 cups. Serve Serve chips with the guacamole. Time to prep – 10 minutes Time to cook – 25 minutes By Glenda Gourley

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Your Christmas event may not look very traditional, but traditions are simply things that become more significant and meaningful the more times you do them. Feasting is surely the best tradition in any culture. It’s also one of the most expensive, especially at Christmas when budgets stretch to the maximum. Kiwis are inclined to shop for Christmas as though preparing for a siege, so if you want keep it under control this year, identify the things that are the most important to your particular celebration. Do you include things in the family feast simply because they are “traditional” and not because any of you actually like them anymore? Are you overcatering out of habit or doing it all yourself when others would be happy to contribute? Some thoughtful analysis can leave you with more cash for the traditions that are really important to you and help avoid unnecessary excess. Don’t get me wrong, I love excess! One of the joys of Christmas for me is the anticipation of eating so much that I’ll need a little lie down, but it’s even more enjoyable when you aren’t still paying it off in June. 22

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Feed the Family for $15 or less – Sophie Gray

Sharing the workload and expense is a fair and reasonable expectation, especially when everyone is stretched. Tell people well in advance what you need them to bring, and be specific. Rationalise the gift giving. Consider starting a tradition whereby gifts are only for the under 16’s, or names are drawn from hat so you buy only for the person or household whose name you drew. Consider putting a

price cap on the cost of gifts, suggesting adults only exchange homemade offerings, or only exchange gifts among immediate family. In years to come they simply won’t remember who gave what but they’ll always, always remember how we made them feel. So have a very Happy Christmas. By Sophie Gray, www.destitutegourmet.com.

Sophie Gray’s Destitute Gourmet mantra of “living well by spending less” remains as relevant as ever in these tough economic times. We all need recipes for affordable meals we can manage to make on a week night, that the household will love and that use ingredients we already have. Feed the Family for $15 or less is full of more simple, cheap and scrumptious recipes for every household. We have three copies to give away, enter online at www.familytimes.co.nz or write your name and address on the back of an envelope or postcard and send to: Feed the Family, PO Box 36 004, Christchurch, to reach us by 28 January 2013.

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Family-friendly island walkways

Family Getaways

aking your children into the outdoors is a great way to spend time with your family, have fun and discover new things. Motutapu walkway

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boat to check out the abundant sea life. Snorkel gear is available for hire just past Leigh or at the beach.

Getting there: Take State Highway 1 to

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Warkworth, then follow the Goat Island Marine Reserve signs. Park at the marine reserve car park and walk up the Leigh Marine Laboratory driveway to the start of the track.

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The very idea of venturing into the wilds with children can seem daunting, but it’s easier than you think, with many options not too far from home.

Goat Island Walkway

Most people know Goat Island as a great place for snorkelling, but up above the marine reserve is a cliff-top track with fantastic views out to Goat Island and beyond to Hauturu/Little Barrier island. The Department of Conservation has recently upgraded the start of the track, and the section that goes up to the lookout is now buggy friendly. The whole walk takes about two hours (there and back) and is a mixture of open paddocks and coastal forest. The track goes past the Leigh Marine Laboratory, which has a new visitor centre that’s well worth checking out. While you’re at Goat Island, you can go snorkelling or take a ride in the glass bottom

Motutapu Island is just a 25-minute ferry ride from downtown Auckland, and has plenty of walking tracks of varying lengths to explore. There are beautiful beaches, native wildlife including kiwi and takahe, and various WWII military structures to check out along the way. Travel over for the day, or if you really want to get to know the island – and neighbouring Rangitoto – you and your family could stay overnight at the Home Bay campground. Book online at booking.doc. govt.nz. The campground has toilets and water from a tap, but bring a torch as there is no power supply. Motutapu is mainly pasture, but the Motutapu Restoration Trust and the Department of Conservation have been working hard to replant forests and restore wetlands. The island is now pest-free, so make sure all gear is free of rats, mice, ants, skinks, seeds and dirt – especially camping gear.

Getting there: A number of private vessel operators run trips to Home Bay wharf on Motutapu, and Rangitoto and Islington Bay wharves on Rangitoto Island, including Fullers www.fullers.co.nz. The Home Bay campground is a one-and-a-half hour walk from Islington Bay Wharf, or three hours walk from Rangitoto Wharf. Visit www.doc.govt.nz for more information on both of these destinations. By Amy Cameron, Department of Conservation

www.holidayhouses.co.nz/win Thousands of amazing holiday houses are available right now, but they fill up fast so don’t delay in booking a summer getaway for your family. *Terms and conditions available online at www.holidayhouses.co.nz/win

www.familytimes.co.nz

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