Family times - Auckland - Winter 2012

Auckland, ASB Theatre 5-9 September www.buytickets.co.nz

WINTER ISSUE 2012

ISSN 1178 5268

AU C K L A N D

Doing the best you can Should kids be pushed to be the best or to have fun? ..................................................

Getting the best out of boys Handy hints for parenting sons ..................................................

2012 Olympic Games!

NZ Olympians talk about what it takes to get to the top ..................................................

Win Win Win • Competitions • Giveaways • Vouchers

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Online payments and kids - an unexpected problem I recently had a startling wake-up call on the security of online devices.

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et’s set the scene: I work in an online field, at a gaming company that has adults and children among its members. I am also responsible for approving refunds there. I have been online for over a decade-and-a-half and am very technology savvy.

However, despite all these things, one day in my inbox I got a receipt for $65 I had spent online. Knowing I hadn’t spent that amount on my Google Wallet account recently I assumed that I had been scammed or phished (had my identity compromised and abused online) – both things I would have thought near to impossible for me.

The truth was much worse. I had been very lax in the security of my Android Tablet and had not gotten around to setting the security for purchases properly.

My six-year-old son had been playing a few games on it: games I had personally vetted and approved and had no chat or connection to other players. I was not paying too much attention when he asked if he could buy more coins in the game. I said no, but the alarm bells should have rung then. I was complacent and did not think to check the purchasing settings.

Long story short, when I checked the account, $65 was just scratching the surface; he had racked up $261.16 in charges in two weeks, the bulk of which was in the last three days.

What can you do to prevent this?

Always secure your payment options. Often devices and online accounts store credit card payment details for convenience, but convenience also carries risk. You can require a password for every purchase made. You can set this in your device regardless of whether it’s a tablet, IPhone or Android phone.

Talk to your children about real money and game money; have them appreciate that even in a game they should check with their parents before buying anything. An ounce of prevention and education can set good habits early on.

Disable in-game purchases. Some apps and programmes have this setting built in for this very reason, so if it’s available and you want

to avoid unnecessary cost then choose and activate this option.

You can elect to enter your credit card details for every purchase and not have them saved in between purchases. This is labour intensive but the safest way to secure payments short of never buying anything online.

Too late, money has been spent unwittingly – now what do I do?

The very first thing you should do is secure your device and payment details. Immediately, before you even think of trying to get the money back, accept your responsibility for securing your device first and foremost.

If you have spent a small amount then it’s sometimes a valuable lesson to accept the loss and ensure it never happens again.

For larger amounts you should write to the company that the payment has been made to. Explain the situation honestly and do not threaten them. Ninety nine times out of 100 it’s your fault and they do not have to fix your problems for you.

Contact your credit card company as a last resort. You can generally explain the situation to your credit card company and they can reverse the charges and credit you the amount back eventually. However this often can cost both you and the vendor handling fees.

What happened to the $261.16?

Needless to say I nearly had a heart attack but promptly set about securing my device and then contacted the companies to see if I could reverse these payments. One of the companies held the line and stated that, as there are plenty of warnings when paying, they were not responsible. The other companies involved were much more understanding and I got the bulk of my money back. In fact I was only out the $65 I had originally noted. The balance was returned to me with kindness and understanding, which did little to lessen my embarrassment or the trouble I got into with my wife for not preventing this.

By Wayne Webb Webb is a community services manager for SmallWorlds - an online gaming site.

The Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre of New Zealand – School Holiday Programmes

TONGARIRO MOUNTAIN BASE GREAT BARRIER ISLAND MARINE BASE FAMILY ADVENTURE CHALLENGE DADS & LADS MUMS & DAUGHTERS LADIES WEEKENDS TAILORED PROGRAMMES

The Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre of New Zealand

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Family Times and OPC www.opc.org. nz have Two Holiday Action Challenge Programmes to give away, valued at $615 each! Choose between OPC Tongariro – five days of action packed fun and adventure with tramping, abseiling, high ropes, mountaineering, camping, canoeing, caving and rock climbing or OPC Great Barrier for sea kayaking, rock climbing, abseiling, sailing, surf kayaking, camping, steep creeking and coasteering. Ages 14 – 18 years. Transport to the centre not included. Enter online at www.familytimes.co.nz or write your name and address on the back of an envelope or postcard and send to: OPC giveaway, PO Box 36 004, Christchurch, to reach us by 13 July 2012. Check out our website for more fantastic competitions.

inside this issue

Contents

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Winter 2012

and how to make one.

18 Baby & Toddler

Winter home heating tips to keep baby safe and warm.

19 Driveway safety

21

Tips on avoiding a deadly driveway accident.

20 2012 OIympic Games

We speak with Sophie Pascoe, Tim Carswell and Barbara Kendall about how to get to the top.

21 Fit families

Get the right balance and stay injury-free in sport.

22 Family finances

Protect your family against the unexpected.

22 Pre-teen corner

Hip text bullying in the bud.

24 Top reads

Check out the latest and greatest children’s books recently released.

Features

healthy – start to the day.

2 Game on Online billing and kids – how to prevent costly downloads

4 How to say “no”

You don’t always have to say “yes”

9 Keeping kids’ energy levels constant Simple food combinations can prolong energy and keep kids’ brains eager to learn.

5 Getting the best out of boys Handy hints for parenting sons from education consultant Joseph Driessen.

Doing chores teaches lifelong habits.

Should kids be pushed to be the best or to have fun?

8 The importance of breakfast

Create healthy habits with a delicious – and

12 Kids’ View

We ask children if they do things to be the best or for fun..

10 Fun in the snow

A quick step guide to enjoying the slopes with your kids.

6 Doing the best you can

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Comment

Resource information

11 Kids taking more responsibility

7 14 15 15 23

16 Craft corner

Explore your creative side with mug painting.

17 The vege patch

New Zealand Gardener of the Year Alan Jones discusses the benefits of having a worm farm,

School Term Dates Calendar of events Entertainment Winter activities Marketplace

About Us 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)

The Tower Season of Cinderella.

Royal New Zealand Ballet

Publisher Robyn Willis

Design & Production Moody Shokry

Advert Production Target Press Production Office

Editor

Vanessa O’Brien

Assistant Editor Rachel Taniwha

Website Editor Fiona Smith

Contributing Writers Alan Jones, Lee Keenan , Leigh Elder, Karyn Riley, Wayne Webb, Joseph Driessen, John Cowan

P.O. Box 36-004, Christchurch NZ Free phone 0800 28 55 10 Fax 03 355 9183 Mobile 0274-359-414 Email: admin@familytimes.co.nz www.familytimes.co.nz

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Printed and distributed quarterly approximately two weeks before each major school holiday. 67,675 distributed through early childhood centres, primary, intermediate schools and city council libraries. 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.

Become a Wynyard Explorer on the Dockline Tram.

Explorers wanted. Grab your kids and head down to the Dockline Tram to discover the revamped Wynyard Quarter.

As you hop onboard, all Explorers will be given a map that will bring your journey to life.

It’s a fun day of discovery for There are fun questions to answer and clues to everyone with collect at each stop along the way, as you learn plenty to see and do. about the Wynyard Quarter and the people in it.

PS. Every Explorer will go home with their very own tram to make at home.

Visit www.aucklandtram.co.nz for more information. The Explorer Programme kicks off 30 June for the school holidays.

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From the editor Nobody dreams of growing up and being average. At least not anybody I know.

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ut in a society that applauds achievement rather than effort, I have to wonder if our measure of success has become just a little tainted. Is every little ripper rugby player only a hero if he grows up to be an All Black? Is every book-weary student only as good as her last class-topping test?

I hear you all gasping a resounding and shocked “no”!

Yet, that’s the message we get so many times from society. We heap accolades on people who reach their goals of fame or fortune, but forget – or even ridicule - those who may have tried equally as hard and failed.

So, in the quest to ensure their children keep mediocrity at bay, some parents push their kids to extremes. Busy time tables, high pressure, rewards for achievement. Some may try to live vicariously through their children, and others may subscribe to Amy Chua’s Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother philosophy of not accepting anything less than the best from their children.

On the other hand, do overly libertarian parents disadvantage their children by not instilling a need to succeed? A focus on fun is great to a point, but how effective is it when kids grow up and embark on their corporate ladder climb? I recently read this in a newsletter printed out for teenage school kids: “Your school may be “outcome-based,” but life isn’t. In some schools, you’re given as many tries as you want to get the answer right.

Standards are set low enough so everyone can meet them. This, of course, bears no

resemblance to anything in real life - as you will soon find out.”

I agree completely.

So, is there a happy equilibrium? This edition Family Times’ assistant editor Rachel Taniwha talks with the experts about the effects that both these parenting strategies have on children, and how to best put your kids on the path to success in life. Check out our main feature on “doing the best you can” for some great insight into raising healthy and thriving kids.

Also in this issue, John Cowan from The Parenting Place looks at how to encourage responsibility in kids and what discipline is really about. Of course we also have all our regular features, competitions and giveaways, so start turning the pages and most of all: Enjoy!

How to say “No” without guilt or explanation Stop, pause and think before responding, giving you time and space to consider your response. If you’d like more time before answering, say you’ll need to get back to them at an agreed time.

Remember less is more – respond with a succinct statement, then stop talking. We’re often uncomfortable with silence and it’s common to feel the need to fill silence with explanations justifying our decisions. Offer an explanation only if necessary.

If you are worried about hurting someone’s feelings or letting them down, say “no” with empathy and understanding, acknowledging your regret at being unable to say “yes” this time. Let them down gently, but remain firm in your decision.

If someone won’t take “no” for an answer or pressures you to change your decision, use the broken record technique. This simply involves repeating your statement or response until the other person accepts your decision.

If they persist, try distracting them by changing the topic of conversation. Ask open questions, turning the focus back on them or perhaps end the conversation by saying you have to go.

If speaking on the telephone, try holding your hand up when saying “no”. This action is a powerful visual aid. It helps you feel strong and assertive, even though you may feel nervous or anxious on the inside.

Practise saying “no” at home or in front of a mirror.

Use visual reminders and positive affirmations, such as “I say “no” without guilt

or explanation” or “I have strong boundaries between work and family life”. Write these down and display in your diary, personal organiser, calendar or fridge.

Remember it’s okay to say “no”. If helpful, write down and acknowledge any feelings of guilt, then take action, let them go and move on.

When making a decision, trust your intuition and common sense.

By Karyn Riley Karyn Riley is a Christchurch-based women’s wellbeing specialist and author of “How to Keep the YOU in Mum”, inspirational speaker, writer and mother of two. For more information visit www.rileylife.co.nz.

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Getting the best out of boys All of us as parents do our very best to be the best parent we can be, and most of us do a pretty good job.

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t is worthwhile however to reflect about what research has to tell us about effective parenting for boys.

Being authoritative

An authoritative parent is one who provides clear positive leadership and who commands respect from their son.

Authoritative parenting involves setting clear goals for your family; involving your children and listening to their point of view, providing help and guidance so that the children can meet their obligations, and loving them not as a friend but as a parent.

Boys thrive when they feel their parents are positive leaders who help them and guide them but expect them to be accountable.

Authoritative parental leadership promotes loyalty and cooperation in boys.

Providing structure

Many boys thrive when they live in a structured household. This means the household is well organised and predictable, with clear routines and rules that all members abide by. Basically it’s running a tight ship while still allowing the children freedom within structure. Boys thrive when they know what to expect and where they stand. It gives a strong sense of security, which makes them cooperative.

Staying calm and using fewer words

Boys have just as many emotions as girls, but they process them in a different way.

They are more inclined to want to take action rather than to speak and they prefer to go away and think about something rather than engage in a big verbal battle about it.

When parents use emotions and words to try and prevail upon their sons often their boys shut down or their aggression is activated.

Instead, parents should stay very calm and use brief language and allow their sons time and space to process the message.

Using consequences for accountability

Boys need to learn to become accountable for their actions and they need to be taught to keep their word and agreements and to follow the rules of the household. When they try and test the boundaries and prevail against the parent they should be held to account with consequences rather than words and emotions.

Boys respect fairness but despise adults who do not follow through.

Channelling physical energy and risk taking

Many boys have very physical energy levels as well as the need to take risks, and the traditional way to channel this energy is through sport, outdoor adventures and the martial arts. Some parents have lost sight of this, and allow their son to become addicted to computer games instead. These parents need to realise that for many boys activities like play-wrestling, games and sport are essential ingredients for growing up into fine young men.

Providing male role models

Many boys live in a very unbalanced and unnatural world without the guidance and example of adult men. Men do things differently and have a different take on life, and boys desperately need their guidance, love and support. When this is lacking, many boys become highly insecure, oppositional and frantically macho. These boys need male mentors, and the best parents go out of their way to provide for this. They enlist the help of the boys’ father, grandfathers and uncles. They enrol boys into sports with male coaches. They tell stories about male heroes and make boys feel good about being a man. Boys with male role models become centred and secure.

Linking school with the world of work

Part of the unnatural environment of many boys is that they don’t see adult men working.

Boys are surrounded by working women both at home and at school, but deep down they are

searching for their own place in society.

Many boys rebel against school because they do not see the link between school and the work they will do is adult men. Wise parents go out of their way to explain to their sons how school might lead into possible areas of work, and take their son to building sites, universities, workshops and polytechnics to show them the pathways that are available to them. Once boys see the learning pathway, they feel school is relevant and their resistance to school disappears.

We all want to be the best parents we can be.

For many of us, however it pays to think more deeply about what kind of parents our children actually need us to be. This applies very much to boys who live in a modern society that does not cater for many of their deepest needs and who need parents who will provide a more balanced environment for them.

By Joseph Driessen, education consultant Driessen speaks to parent and teacher groups about boys’ education. Email j.o.d@xtra.co.nz.

CAVE KIDS! 30 June - 15 July 2012

K O O B W! NO

Explore awesome Ruakuri Cave these school holidays. With Cave Kids you can hunt for buried treasure, meet glowworms and explore hidden parts of our cave.

At magical Waitomo just 2 and a half hours from Auckland.

No Adults needed!* Relax with a coffee or see more of Waitomo while the kids are taken care of.

Cave Kids tours run 1.30pm daily Child (includes lunch)

Adult

$ 26

$ 67

0800 512 589 www.waitomo.com

Terms and conditions: Children age is recommended between 5-12 years of age. Children under the age of 8 must be accompanied by adults. For those 8-12 years old no adult supervision is required. Cave Kids is available from the 30 June -15 July 12. Children prices are for children aged 4-14 years (proof may be required). Children under 4 years of age are free but must be accompanied with an adult. Adult must be accompanied with a child to travel on this product. Tours depart from the Legendary Black Water Rafting Co., 585 Waitomo Caves Road and Waitomo Glowworm Caves Visitor Centre, 39 Waitomo Caves Road, Waitomo. Photography is permitted in Ruakuri Cave. Bring comfortable walking shoes and a warm jacket. Cave Kids must be booked 24 hours in advance. Allow 3 hours for your trip. Tours are subject to availability and may change without notice.

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feature story

Doing the best you can We’ve all come across it at some stage – the proud parent with the academically gifted child or the sporting protégé.

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t’s often the result of many hours of hard work, dedication and encouragement from their parents.

He says that children’s sport needs to be structured around these needs rather than to stress winning as the most critical factor.

But what about the children who do not win or get the top marks in school? Perhaps they tried just as hard, and their parents are just as proud.

“Parents need to realise that sports are good for kids even if they do not win. This is not to say that children should not be encouraged to win or be the best that they can be in any particular game. After all, a sporting contest is always about winning and losing – even those played in the back-yard. But the emphasis of coaches and parents should be about giving the kids the things they both need and desire from sport: fun, social contact, skills. In this way they will be encouraged to stay in sport and for some, develop an aspiration and determination to become very good. The key is that this aspiration is the child’s not his or her parents’ aspiration for them.”

The question is, should results be measured in terms of a grade, a win or loss, or by whether children are having fun? Should parents applaud their children’s efforts no matter how well they perform or push their children hard to excel and to be the best at what they do?

We’re well aware of the pressure to excel in sport as New Zealanders. Take the All Blacks for example: they won the Rugby World Cup, but the public pressure to succeed was so intense that there was even a Facebook page dedicated to a riot on the streets if they lost.

What message does this give children? Is it that losing is to be avoided at all costs, or else they face losing the love of their parents - or on a larger scale - the wrath of a nation?

On the other hand though, if children aren’t encouraged to try to be the best, does it result in an underachiever, someone who never really gets ahead in life?

Sport NZ community sport and recreation general manager John Reid says research shows that for young children in particular, winning ranks below many other aspects of the sport experience. “Aspects like having fun, being with and making friends and getting better (skills) rank ahead of winning in terms of outcomes desired by children.”

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Reid says that parents’ greatest gift to children who aspire to be good is to encourage and support them playing informally with other kids and by themselves. Many worldwide examples exist of elite athletes being produced almost entirely through informal play without formal coaching or competition structures – they tend to be highly skilled, highly motivated, and highly spontaneous and creative in their sport and with appropriate formal tuition and support later in their youth years, they become some of the best performing elite athletes in the world.

“In an overall sense we are encouraging parents to just let the kids play – play at home, play at school, play at practice and play in competition.”

The Parenting Place creative producer John Cowan says he remembers parents on the

feature story “If children catch our passion for a sport, a career or a cause, then we don’t have to push them so hard – their own passion will do all the pushing.” John Cowan, creative producer, The Parenting Place.” sideline as he watched his son play sport.

Most just loved the idea that their boys were out there having some fun, but some parents withdrew their kids from the team to find another club that would give their son a better chance of winning trophies. “Maybe without parents like that, we probably wouldn’t have the All Blacks, or many top level athletes at all.

But I also know that some of those parents had kids who resented the pressure and dropped out of the sport as soon as they could.”

He says he winces when he sees parents push children too hard, “But in saying that, I grieve when I see kids wasting their potential because parents failed to give them selfdiscipline and motivation.” He says finding a reasonable middle ground is a bit harder than it seems, and in any group of parents you will find a range of practices.

Cowan refers to Amy Chua, an American woman raised by Philippine-born Chinese parents. Chua’s bestselling book, Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, created a huge stir when it was published in 2011. She treated her girls as her own parents had treated her: “They demanded total respect and were very tough with my three younger sisters and me. We got in trouble for A minuses, had to drill math and piano every day, no sleepovers, no boyfriends.”

She threatened to destroy her daughters’ toys if they underperformed, she did not accept her four-year-old daughter’s handmade birthday card because it wasn’t good enough and she

made them work very, very hard.

While Cowan is appalled by her harsh, supertough methods, he cannot deny that she gets results. Chua herself is a law professor at Yale, and her daughters’ are turning out as spectacular achievers. But at what cost?

“I don’t believe you need to drive children super hard to get top results,” says Cowan.

Each week he interviews top achievers in sports, politics, business or entertainment on the radio (Newstalk ZB, 8-9pm Sundays) about their lives. “Invariably, they credit their parents with having a powerful influence on the course of their lives but, as far as I can recall, only one of the 350-odd guests I’ve interviewed had what you could call a “tiger mother”. These leaders weren’t driven to success, but inspired by their parents’ example and heart.

“I think this model is a far more natural way of boosting our children to success. If children catch our passion for a sport, a career or a cause, then we don’t have to push them so hard – their own passion will do all the pushing.”

New Zealand Association of Gifted Children president and educational psychologist Rose Blackett says parents should celebrate and reward effort and task commitment over achievement. “Effort is what is likely to set us up to positively face later challenges in life -academic and personal.”

She says we need to strive to achieve, however individuals have variable levels of achievement. A task that requires great effort for one child may be simplistic for another.

“An issue I have faced when working with children is that within our school system we chronologically group children. However within a class of six-year-olds you are likely to have a heterogeneous group. One child may be reading Lord of the Rings for example, and another struggling to sound out and recognise

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letters. The effort a child puts into a task, at their individual level, needs to be considered not the achievement.”

“Parents’ greatest gift to children who aspire to be good is to encourage and support them playing informally with other kids and by themselves.” John Reid, Sport NZ sport and recreation general manager.”

She says parents need to celebrate the journey (effort) not the destination (achievement). “Some children measure themselves on their achievements and if they get it wrong, view themselves as a failure.”

She refers to a child who got the top mark in New Zealand on a music exam when they were quite young. As a teen they viewed themselves a failure as they were never able to obtain the top mark in New Zealand again.

“These children can set unrealistically high expectations for themselves.”

“A six-year-old who gets frustrated because their writing is not as neat as the teacher’s for example... often does not consider the years of writing practice the teacher has had, or that their fine motor skills are still developing.

Frustration can then show itself in many

forms such as outward negative behaviours or inward withdrawal.”

Blackett says children are individuals; there is no one right formula. Children will react and interact with the environment they are in and the people within that environment.

“We cannot change the child, merely the environment we set up for our children.”

By Rachel Taniwha

Tips for parents – gaining the best from your child •

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•

• •

Realise that if a child undertakes an activity and is having fun and makes friends, they are more likely to stick to it and want to try harder.

Pressure and focus on winning or being the best can lead to the child giving up, or developing negative behaviours, low selfesteem or inward withdrawal.

•

Remember that many elite athletes have been produced almost entirely through informal play without formal coaching or competition in their younger years.

Many top achievers say they weren’t “driven” to succeed, but were inspired by their parents’ example – be a positive influence.

Allow children to catch your passion.

Celebrate and reward effort over achievement. Ensure children have a realistic view of their achievements. Adjust their perceptions of success if their goals are set so high that they could be unobtainable.

•

Realise you cannot change the child, only the environment we as parents set.

MEGAZONE LASER TAG

Term 1, 2013 Between Monday 28 January and Thursday 7 February to 19 April

Term 2, 2013 Monday 6 May to Friday 12 July

2012 public holidays remaining Labour Day - 22 October (Monday) Christmas Day - 25 December

2012/2013 primary and intermediate Term 3, 2012 Monday 16 July to Friday 28 September

Term 4, 2012 Monday 15 October to no later than Thursday 20 December

Term 1, 2013 Between Monday 28 January and Thursday 7 February to 19 April

Term 2, 2013 Monday 6 May to Friday 12 July

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Energise kids with a healthy breakfast Children who eat breakfast each day may have an advantage when it comes to learning. So why not go beyond sharpening their pencils to sharpening their minds by making a balanced breakfast a habit in your home?

Studies show that children can concentrate much better after they have had a good breakfast, thus maximising their chances of achieving well at school.

Childhood and teenage years are years of growth and development, in which they need the best of nutrients in order that maximum bone strength is achieved, teeth are formed, and growth is realised.

Breakfast should lay the cornerstone of the daily food intake during this time. You can teach your children how to build a balanced breakfast, and set them up with a good habit for life.

Breakfast should consist of:

Something filling e.g.

breakfast cereal – porridge, grain-based products, muesli or wholegrain, high fibre breads

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Something lasting e.g. milk,

yoghurt, eggs, baked beans

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Some colour e.g. fruit, chopped

Some common reasons for skipping breakfast in children and teens are:

raw apple or canned peaches, banana, soaked prunes, dried sultanas, raisins, avocado, tomatoes

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milk and fruit are available in the kitchen every morning.

Poached eggs on toast are a cheap and tasty breakfast cooked in less than five minutes.

Try making the morning breakfast meal a family w affair with everyone eating together, and be sure to set a good example by starting your day with a balanced breakfast too. Your children will be much more likely to make breakfast a healthy habit if you sit down to enjoy breakfast with them as often as possible.

By Janne Pasco, Community & Public Health community nutrition advisor, Christchurch.

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Parents can try to ensure that breakfast cereals, fresh

A drink water or milk

appetite first thing in the morning. In cases like this, focus on a mid-morning snack providing the nutrition they’ve missed out on at breakfast time. A sandwich, fruit bread, bun, fruit or yoghurt at break time in school can help make up for a missed breakfast.

Preparing colourful, interesting breakfasts can help inspire little tummies. Try Weetbix with sliced peaches, yoghurt and milk - it looks good and tastes yummy. How about a bowl of warm porridge with raisins and nuts sprinkled on top with a little brown sugar or honey?

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Breakfast can be semi-prepared the night before (bowls laid out for children, etc).

• Quick-oats can be used to make porridge in as little time as possible.

• Smoothies can be prepared the evening before and kept in the fridge overnight.

Of course, some kids simply don’t have an

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Not having enough time.

Being too tired to bother.

Wanting to spend the extra time dozing in bed.

• Not having readily available breakfast foods in the house.

At a household level, being well-organised can knock most of these excuses on the head.

A little planning the night before can go a long way when you’re in a rush to get out the door in the morning.

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Keeping kids’ energy levels constant All parents and their kids need a certain amount of glucose each day to provide energy. Not enough and you will be tired and listless. Too much will mean the excess is stored as fat.

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lucose overloading is one of the key factors driving the obesity and type 2 diabetes epidemics.

Food and drink provide the fuel that gives us energy and keeps all our bodies’ processes functioning. All food and drink is largely made up of protein, fat and carbohydrate.

The balance is water, small amounts of vitamins and minerals and artificial additives in processed food.

Protein performs essential functions like building and sustaining muscle and improving immunity. Fats contain essential fatty acids that promote growth, a healthy skin, absorption of vitamins and help to regulate body temperature. Carbohydrates provide us with glucose for energy.

Ask any nutritionist or dietician around the world what this fuel mix should be, and on average, they will come up with a mix of 30 per cent protein, 30% fat and 40% carbohydrate.

Now, if you tinker with this mix you are asking for trouble.

In our experience, we find there is a general reluctance to eat fat, and we are well catered for here by the incredible range of low-fat foods on offer. In fact, most people do not eat anywhere near the right amount of fat. In our experience, this percentage is often as low as 5-10% of total energy intake.

Protein foods like meat, fish and eggs are the most sustaining, and it would be difficult to eat more than the recommended 30%.

So, by default, we generally eat too much carbohydrate type food. Now, here’s the important bit - carbohydrate makes the glucose that provides us with energy, and too much glucose means the excess is stored as fat. At

Tips and options

the same time, adults and growing kids need a regular consumption of glucose providing energy to keep us going.

Fortunately, the solution to getting this critical formula right is very simple. The trick to having constant energy levels is to include a good mix of protein, fat and carbohydrate inn every meal and snack.

Remember that this is not an exact science and the suggested 30/30/40 mix is only a guide and will vary according to your energyy requirements at any one time. For example, e, the Silver Fern netballers gulp down fast-digesting ting glucose producers like jelly babies after a game to boost their flagging energy levels.

By Leigh Elder, Eat For Keeps Eat For Keeps have helped thousands off people maintain a healthy weight and life by using these hese simple concepts. Visit www.eatforkeeps.com for lots of free tips and ideas.

Breakfast

seeds, yoghurt, rip-off-lids of canned fish or baked beans, boiled eggs, raw carrots, celery.

Wholegrain snack biscuits, e.g. Arnotts’ Lunch Slices with toppings like cheese slices, • hummus, cottage cheese, pickle • and tomato.

Apart from after intensive exercise, to prevent energy lows avoid eating • processed, simple carbohydrate food Lunch • Grain bread sandwiches with good and drink on its own, e.g. energy drinks, fruit juice, cakes, scones, white protein content, e.g. canned fish, bread products and milk chocolate (go ham, chicken, cheese and egg • Insulated lunch bags are great for for dark). Kids must have their treats like some of these listed above, and the including food like yoghurt and odd sweet or biscuit are fine as long as cottage cheese they are all combined with sustaining • Add fruit and nuts food. • Soup Eating sustaining • Chopped up raw vegetables like carrots and celery meals and snacks • Left-overs from dinner, e.g. provide these great chicken and vegetables benefits:

•

•

•

Most cereals contain high levels of glucose-producing processed carbohydrate - mix with combinations of rolled oats, nuts, seeds and yoghurt Porridge Change to a dense multigrain bread Eggs or baked beans

Dinner

Good chunk of protein (meat, fish, seafood), small portions of rice, pasta, potato, parsnip or kumara.

Lots of other vegetables

Snacks

Nut bars, fruit with a few nuts/

• • • •

Keeps you fuller for longer Having higher energy levels Normal blood-sugar levels Sustaining food helps regulate portion sizes • It’s not an exact science and easy to maintain

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9

cool activities

Get your kids snow-ready this winter There’s nothing quite like sharing a day on the snow with your children: it can lead to a lifelong enjoyment of a new sport.

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he key to a positive first experience is to be well prepared ahead of time.

My husband Shane and I met on the slopes of Kirkwood in California. Our passion for skiing and the mountains is what brought us together so, needless to say, our children, Kylie and Drew, were not given a choice and were on skis as soon as they could walk.

We worked hard to ensure that they would share our passion for the sport but it wasn’t always as easy as one might think. This was our plan of attack:

1. Build anticipation We let them watch lots of child-appropriate ski and snowboard movies before hitting the slopes. We watched mostly Snow Monsters movies; they also have a great website for kids www.snowmonsters.com.

2. Familiarise them with the equipment We let them walk around with their ski boots and skis on the living room floor so that they got used to the heaviness and feeling of the equipment before they were on the slippery snow.

3. Proper clothing and accessories We made sure that they had clothes that would keep them warm and dry. Your local ski shop should be helpful in discussing what they will need. Don’t skimp on the socks and gloves; they are just as important as the ski pants and jackets!

4. Take it slow Our children started at a young age so we

took it very slowly. We only went up when the weather was nice and sometimes drove 45 minutes for two runs followed by hot chocolates and then a 45-minute drive home. You’ll know your children best; if they tire easily, be sure to build in plenty of breaks or to schedule a half-day lesson for their first time up rather than a full day. If possible, schedule your first trip when the weather is mild and the snow conditions soft.

5. Professional instruction Even though Shane and I are both ski instructors, we paid to put our children in lessons. Trying to teach your own children can easily spell disaster. If you can afford to put your children in private lessons to start it will help them progress much faster and get them past those first awkward feelings of sliding on snow.

6. Family ski time When the kids finished their lessons we always took one or two runs as a family. Be sure to discuss which runs are safe to go on with the instructor and when in doubt don’t push them too hard. Mileage on easier slopes will go a lot further than putting them on slopes that frighten them.

7. Get there safely Make sure your car is well-equipped for travelling to the mountains. Carry chains and know how to put them on. Make sure your tyres are in good condition and if you haven’t experienced winter driving, read up on how to drive in icy or snowy conditions.

If you’ve scheduled lessons, leave plenty of

time to get to the mountain and get parked so that you aren’t driving at unsafe speeds on slippery roads.

8. Bribery Not sure how this will go over with the parenting gurus…but, we found that having a stash of goodies in our pockets helped keep Kylie and Drew motivated and energised for that next run. Hot chocolate was also always a good reward for their hard work and apparently helps with muscle recovery too.

FUNdamentals There’s a great programme here in New Zealand to help get your children started called FUNdamentals. It’s developed by Snow Sports New Zealand’s highly qualified coaching and development staff, and provides you with everything you’ll need to make your children’s time on snow successful. Visit www. snowsports.co.nz.

One last note for parents of children with disabilities: Our daughter Kylie was born three months early and has cerebral palsy which has resulted in weakness on her left side. She is now 11, skis advanced slopes and loves it. Sliding on snow is possible for most kiwis with disabilities and provides a sense of freedom that few other sports provide. An amazing programme called Adaptive Snow Sports NZ helps those with disabilities access the mountains, and provides specialised lessons and equipment. Visit: www. disabledsnowsports.org.nz.

By Tania Pilkinton, Snow Sports New Zealand

ERO guides for parents

Early Childhood Education: A Guide for Parents

Choosing a School for a Five Year Old

Going to Secondary School

New National Reports

Improving Education Outcomes for Pacific Learners

Science in The New Zealand Curriculum: Years 5 to 8

Download copies of these reports, other publications and individual school reports:

www.ero.govt.nz Ph:�04�499�2489��Email:�info@ero.govt.nz�

10

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Kids taking more responsibility Responsibility means being a self-starter when it comes to looking after yourself and others.

R

esponsibility is also the idea that you have yourself under control, reliably doing what you should do (e.g. chores and study) and not doing what you shouldn’t. It is a skill and an attitude, and it needs to be taught to children.

It is something that also takes maturity, so we should expect our children to take a while to master it.

Chores are a key area where kids learn responsibility. I am sure we all wonder if it is worth the effort to get children to do jobs that we could do ourselves twice as well in half the time. Getting children to do chores certainly is neither cheap labour nor punishment for being young: the main goal is teaching responsibility.

The other key way to teach responsibility is through discipline. “Discipline” is one of those weasel-words that can leave my mouth meaning one thing but can arrive in someone else’s ear meaning something different. My definition of discipline is the training we give our children to help them think and make better decisions in the future. One of the best outcomes of good discipline is children taking ownership of their own problems and responsibilities.

Here is an example of how this type of discipline might work: imagine a little girl, she

“Getting children to do chores certainly is neither cheap labour nor punishment for being young: the main goal is teaching responsibility.” goes to the fridge, pulls out the plastic juice jug and drops it on the floor and the mess goes everywhere. Now, a grumpier version of me would go in there and go ballistic. “Get out of here while I clean up this mess!” But a more useful response would be to go in there and say something like, “Oh dear, you’ve got a mess, but you’re a clever kid, here’s a sponge, here’s a mop, you have a go at cleaning it up. I’ll come back and see how you’re getting along.”

Some people might not call that discipline because it did not involve yelling or penalties, but that is exactly what I think discipline is.

Sadly, all of our kids will have adult-sized problems later in life much bigger than spilt juice jugs. But with a responsible attitude, coupled with a belief in their ability to solve problems, they won’t wilt or run away – they will roll up their sleeves and get stuck in.

Responsibility like that is a wonderful legacy to give our children.

By John Cowan, creative producer at The Parenting Place

Note: “You’ve got a mess”. It’s amazing how many kids think that the mess is your problem, but you give them ownership of it. And you are also giving her the tools to solve her problem.

Now, she probably won’t enjoy cleaning up, and you know that you could do the job in a tenth of the time yourself, and even when she is finished you’ll have to do the whole job over again properly anyway, but that child will be learning some important things about life.

They’ve learnt to take ownership of a problem, and they’re learning that problems are not for running away from; problems are for solving.

“Hmmm… I’ve got a problem. It’s my problem, but I can solve it. There are no problems so big that they can’t be solved.” That is responsibility.

Letter to the editor Re: your article on men in childcare, autumn edition 2012.

If you want the real story about men in childcare, talk to me. I am a man who has been in early childcare since 1983.

BEADS!

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NZ’s No.1 parenting publication

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Win Competitions,

giveaways nt and fro vouche rs sfu lly t ho me the suc ces flic r on ys to ily con Ke fam ing Optimum ma nag sleep

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Childhood traum

Helping a kids bounce back

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Maximise your child’s learning potential

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issue 2011

ISSN 1176 7944

For a long time there have been centres

Have you got something to share about one of our articles? We’d love to hear from you.

Email us at editor@familtimes.co.nz.

Disclaimer: Letters to the editor may be adjusted for length and grammar. Family Times does not guarantee publication of letters, and reserves the right to not publish for any reason.

2011

5268

I still find discrimination when I apply for a position in a baby area, even though I have been in charge of a baby area. I was in a situation once where I had to address the fact that every time I was holding a crying baby, a particular woman would want to grab the baby from me.

Prejudice can come from parents too, but I do find that if the child is comfortable, then the parent will be too.

David Smith, Wainuiomata

ISSue

1178

I have been active in trying to get better conditions for all children in day care. I made submissions before the enquiry into the care of under two’s in New Zealand and spoke to the previous commissioner for children.

There are some centres where as a man I don’t feel safe and there are others where I am judged on my ability to interact with the children staff and parents.

ISSN

I have worked in many centres over that time. I still experience discrimination although there are more centres that will accept men now.

that would not let men change nappies and had contracts that stipulated that. If someone ever gave me a contract that said that, I would not have signed it.

Check out our Competitions online and win! www.familytimes.com.nz

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Great giveaways for winter…....

Lee Keenan from Family Times visited Silverdale Primary School in Woolston to talk with kids about whether they like doing activities for fun or to be the best they can be.

Anya Timperley, age 10

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.

I like to try different activities mostly for fun, although I do get slightly competitive if I go to a competition at gymnastics. I’ve been doing gym for four years now.

I’ve also just started golf which is fun. A friend wanted someone to go with them so I decided to check it out and I like it. My parents just like me to try stuff and have lots of fun doing it.

BRITA water filter jugs Win one of 10 BRITA water filter jugs. Experience refreshing, clean tasting water from a BRITA filter jug! BRITA jugs use Maxtra water filters to remove impurities like chlorine and heavy metals often found in household taps, leaving the best drinking water for you and your family to enjoy. You can even improve the taste of your tea or coffee with BRITA water! Just leave the BRITA jug in the fridge for chilled, pure, refreshing water all year round. RRP $45.99.

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Ruby Philip, age 10 I do quite a few activities; netball, swimming and a dance/ drama class. I love them all especially the dance and drama which I’ve just started. We get to try all different sorts of dancing and there’s a concert at the end of the year. Swimming is something my parents really wanted me to do for water safety. I’d love to do more stuff maybe. I’m not really overly competitive, I just like to enjoy what I do.

BRAVE Since ancientt times, stories of epic battles and a mystical legends have been passed through the generations across the rugged and mysterious Highlands of Scotland. In BRAVE, a new tale joins the lore when the courageous Merida (voice of Kelly Macdonald) confronts tradition, destiny and the fiercest of beasts. The film takes aim at cinemas on June 21, 2012, and will be presented in Disney Digital 3D™ in select theatres. We have five prize packs, each consisting of a double in-season pass to the movie, a watch, stationary set and t-shirt to give away. Entries close 27 June 2012.

Tekapo Springs family pass

Why not take the family to Lake Tekapo this winter?

Tekapo Springs is open 10am-9pm daily and there is an activity to suit every member of the family.

Enjoy soaking in one of the three outdoor hot pools that overlook the lake, ice-skate on a fullsized outdoor rink or let gravity take you down the 150m snow tube park! The Tahr Bar & Café are at the heart of the facility and offers a warm and cosy place to enjoy great food, a coffee or even something a little stronger. We have a family pass for two adults and up to three children (18 years) to give away.

Craig Butland, age 11 I do lots of different activities so I’m pretty busy in the week. I have swimming lessons, badminton, soccer and Scouts. I also like to cycle, but that’s just for fun. I like to compete though. It feels pretty good when you beat the team or person you play against. If I had more time I would try more stuff. My parents want me to really have fun, but try hard at what I do.

Hamish Murphy, age 10 I play heaps of soccer. I train three times a week, play once in the weekend and sometimes have competitions as well. I’ve been playing for five years now and I’m in the top team. It sometimes is pretty tiring when its five days a week but I love it. I like to beat other teams. I’m pretty competitive but it’s fun too. I just want to be the best. I can’t imagine ever giving it up.

Jet Park Hotel – it’s a family affair Nutrimetics’ Ultra Care+ Night & Day Hand Repair Kit Our hands do the hard yards so why not give them a reward they deserve and stop ageing in its tracks? Nutrimetics’ Ultra Care+ Night & Day Hand Repair Kit works to moisturise, smoothen and hydrate hands. A combination of powerful alpha-hydroxy acids resurface the hands and reduce pigmentation, while soothing extracts, rose fruit and myrrh gently nourish and strengthen nails.

The day creme contains SPF15 to protect from further damaging UV rays. We have five Nutrimetics’ Ultra Care+ Night & Day Hand Repair Kits to give away worth $34.90 each.

Avoid the rush for the airport with Jet Park Hotel’s new family suites that cater for mum, dad and up to four kids in a two-room interconnecting suite. Situated by Auckland Airport, everyone can be ready on time – and entertained at the hotel. The suites feature kids’ TV, music, and bed linen, baby bath, toys and cots.

There’s a lounge and kitchenette in the parents’ room, and a separate TV in the kids’ room. Factor in Jet Park’s two weeks free car storage, and it’s an excellent-value option. We have a night’s accommodation in a family suite to give away plus a $100 voucher to be used on any goods or services at Jet Park Hotel.

Bop It Smash Ice Age 4: Continental Drift

The action packed new Bop It Smash electronic game challenges you to keep up with the moves the Bop It voice calls outs. Time it right and smash the light! Ages eight plus. We have three Bop It Smash’s to giveaway.

Scrat’s nutty pursuit of the cursed acorn, which he’s been after since the dawn of time, has world-changing consequences – a continental cataclysm that triggers the greatest adventure of all for Manny, Diego and Sid. In cinemas 28 June 2012, we have five family passes and merchandise to Ice Age 4: Continental Drift to give away. Entries close 27 June 2012.

WIN,WIN,

WIN

Britz campervan Tea with Miss Tilly When you take afternoon tea with Miss Tilly, there is no knowing where you will end up: from ancient Egypt to outer space, via Atlantis and Loch Ness ... What is for sure is that you’ll have one helluva ride and a generous helping of fun! We have five copies of Tea with Miss Tilly to give away.

12

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Like to get away for a weekend in a campervan?

Family Times and Britz have a fantastic Britz short break to giveaway! Pickup your camper on Friday from Christchurch or Auckland and return it on Sunday for a great family weekend away, valued at $296. Sleeps up to six people. Prize must be used by 30 September.

The Family Times Design Competition

Christopher Hampson’s Cinderella returns to our stage in August. In her grief, the young Cinderella plants a rose at her mother’s graveside. When her father remarries, the future seems bleaker than ever. Her wicked stepmother is intent on pushing kind and beautiful Cinderella aside in favour of her two nasty step-sisters. The course of true love never did run smooth, but in this best loved of all fairy tales, Cinderella meets her prince.

Dazzling against the light and dark of Prokofiev’s powerful score, this ravishing interpretation of the timeless rags to riches romance is everything you could wish for and more. Family Times has a Family Pass (4 tickets) to Cinderella in Auckland to give away. way plus a $100 voucher to be used on any goods or services at Jet Park Hotel.

The London 2012 Olympics start on 27 July and will involve more than 200 countries in 302 events across 26 different sports. To celebrate, we would love our readers to design a commemorative t-shirt. Draw it for us, and be in to win a $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 13 July 2012. __________________________________ Congratulations to our autumn design poster competition winners from our last issue and thanks to the Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna O Waiwhetu for their help with judging.

Winners are:

The Tower Season of Cinderella

Karamu Taratoa-Bannister Dunedin, Nine – 12 years.

50 Deadliest Creatures & The Universe Rocks 50 Deadliest Creatures - Travel to a dangerous world

of deadly sharks and creepy crawlies. Come face-to-face with vicious wolves and slimy reptiles. Through spectacular photography, young readers can experience the lives of the world’s most feared predators.

The Universe Rocks - Young astronomers everywhere will be captivated by this dynamic approach to astronomy.

Ever wondered why the stars shine so brightly? How do telescopes work or how were planets made? Planets, stars, galaxies and the spacecrafts that explore them are all featured in this book. Enter now to win one of three packs of these two new books.

Jordan Doonerwind Christchurch, One – four years.

Erin Thomas-Riley Lower Hutt, Five – eight years.

WIN,WIN,

WIN

Beauty and the Beast

Beauty and the Beast follows the fantastic adventures of Belle, a bright and beautiful young woman. Off in a castle in the distance, a cruel young prince is cast under the spell of an enchantress who turns him into a tormented beast. In order to remove the curse, the Beast must discover a true love who will return his affection before the last petal falls from an enchanted rose. With the help of the castle’s enchanted staff, Belle sees beneath the Beast’s exterior and discovers the heart a nd soul of a human prince. We have five copies of each of this DVDs to give away.

Fathers Who Dare Win Ian Grant’s new book, Fathers Who Dare Win, is very different to many of the parenting manuals you see today.

For a start it’s aimed at men! In Ian’s characteristic straighttalking way he offers lots of advice, tips and strategies so that any man can be the best father possible. Laid out in a straight forward way, Fathers Who Dare Win includes clear strategies on everything from being a hero to your kids to communication, and of course the modern day nightmare of parenting – social media. We have five copies of Fathers Who Dare Win to give away.

Phineas and Ferb DVDs The Fast & the Phineas - from the smash-hit Disney Channel original series Phineas And Ferb come five hilarious episodes filled with awesome adventures! Nothing’s impossible for Phineas and Ferb. If they can imagine it, they can do it, and Phineas and Ferb are gonna do it all. Daze of Summer - summer fun lasts forever when you’re with Phineas and Ferb, so pull up a beach chair and get ready to laugh yourself silly with five hilarious episodes from the smash-hit Disney Channel original series. We have five copies of each of these p DVD’s to give away!

IN, W , WIN

WIN

The Story of Bo and the he Circus that that Wasn’t Bo dreams of being an acrobat. There’s just one problem: he’s afraid of heights. Oh, and he’s a sheep …and he lives in a land where circuses are forbidden. Will he ever be able to realise his dream? This collaborative storybook was created by Telecom customers in association with awardwinning Kiwi children’s author Kyle Mewburn, illustrator Donovan Bixley and Scholastic New Zealand. We have 11 copies of this fantastic book to give away.

Just tick the things you want to win Winter 2012 BRITA water filter jugs Brave Tekapo Springs family pass Nutrimetics’ Ultra Care+ Night &

The new apple of kids’ eyes Britz campervan The Tower Season of Cinderella The Story of Bo and the Circus that

Day Hand Repair Kit Ice Age 4: Continental Drift Jet Park Hotel – it’s a family affair Fathers Who Dare Win Beauty and the Beast Phineas and Ferb DVDs

Wasn’t Bop It Smash 50 Deadliest Creatures & The Uni verse Rocks Tea with Miss Tilly

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, P O Box 36 004, Christchurch to reach us by 13th July 2012, unless stated otherwise. Only one entry per household.

www.familytimes.co.nz 13

cool activities

Calendar of Events

Auckland has a plethora of events to keep the kids (and adults!) entertained this winter. We’ve compiled a few ideas to get you started.

June-September

Salty Sea Dogs Activity Book. Follow the activities around the museum with more to continue doing at home. Enrich your brain!

Book packs only $4. www.navymuseum.co.nz.

June-September (everyday)

Agent Ani Trail. Join super spy Agent Ani on a trail around the Auckland Botanic Gardens and collect a free pack of seeds! Learn, explore and have fun. From 9am-4pm, Hill Road, Manurewa.

21 June

“Made with Love” Rhymetime. Celebrate Melinda Szymanik’s beautiful new children’s book, Made with Love at the Birkenhead Library, 9.30am.

22 June-22 October

Camera Family Space at the Museum.

Auckland Museum has constructed a special area for the Season of Photography Exhibition.

Hands-on interactive activities including a huge camera to climb through! All details and times at www.aucklandmuseum.co.nz.

24 June-5 August

Workshops on the Wharf. Regular Sunday programmes of free workshops in Wynyard Quarter. Create, play and problem solve from 1-2pm. For kids aged four to 12, rain or shine. Full details of each workshop www. waterfrontauckland.co.nz.

23 June (continues every Saturday)

Auckland Art Gallery. Creative free activities for all the family in the north atrium.

Suitable for families with children aged four and above. Parental supervision required.

From 1pm-3pm. www.aucklandartgallery.com

30 June-15 July

Pirate Tales holiday programmes. Follow the map and uncover treasures. Create your own pirate persona and hear tales of Buccaneers Bold! For more details www. maritimemuseum.co.nz.

30 June-15 July

Kids Kit school holiday programme. The Torpedo Bay Navy Museum in Devonport has a great boredom buster these school holidays.

You will be issued your own “kit bag” to decorate. Only $5. For full session times www. navymuseum.co.nz.

1 July (also 5 August and 2 September)

Coatesville Market. Great atmosphere, international food and craft stalls, kid and dog friendly! From 10am-2pm, outside the Coatesville Settlers Hall, Mahoenui Valley Road.

Pirate Tales holiday programme. The Auckland Museum invites you to follow the treasure map, become a pirate and gather to hear some pirate stories. For times visit www. aucklandmuseum.co.nz

16-19 August

Variety Monster Book Fair. For all book lovers! Check out the monster book fair in the Alexander Park Function Centre in Greenlane.

A chance to get some fabulous pre-loved books, games and puzzles. Free entry. www. variety.org.nz.

2-13 July

Stardome. Wondering what to do these school holidays? Stardome can entertain you rain or shine with a fun and educational astronomy show. For winter, the theme is “aliens”, posing the question: “Is there life on other planets?” www.stardome.org.nz.

18-19 August

North Shore Model Train Show. Love model trains? Check out this great show at 9 Recreation Drive in Birkenhead, 10am-4pm.

Family pass only $10.

2-14 July

25-26 August

The Great Piratical Rumbustification.

On at The Pumphouse Theatre, Takapuna these school holidays. Put on your best pirate costume and enjoy this great Margaret Mahy classic. Tickets www.pumphouse.co.nz.

Fun at the Kaipatiki Environment Day.

4 July and 11 July

Pet and Animal Expo. A family exhibition of the best products, services and entertainment for all pet lovers. Lots to see at the North Shore Events Centre, 10am-5pm. www. petanimalexpo.co.nz.

Compiled by Lee Keenan

Gingerbread Fun. Decorate and bake your own gingerbread treat during these school holidays at the Cornwall Park Information Centre, 12pm-2pm. Great free activity for those aged five and up. Parental supervision required.

Tell our advertiser you saw it in...

5 July

Matariki, Maori New Year. Find out about the Matariki stars, plus where and how to find them. Includes a viewing of the real night sky!

From 6-7.30pm, Mangere East Library.

7 July (also 4 August and 1 September) Kaipatiki Project Environment Centre.

Help plant thousands of native trees around Glenfield and Birkdale. Enjoy these great community days and a free barbecue for all planters! For park directions and start times visit www.kaipatiki.org.nz.

Children help out at The Kaipatiki Environment Day.

7 July (also 4 August and 1 September) Made and Found Grey Lynn Market. A vast range of fine retro and vintage art, clothing, baby wear and jewellery, along with food, coffee and music. At the Grey Lynn Library, Great North Road, 1pm5pm.

12 July

Matariki. Celebrate Matariki, the Maori New Year at the Botany Library. Learn to make a poi, 11am-12pm.

14 July

Titirangi Mums’ Craft Market. Enjoy a free family day out with stalls, food, great coffee and entertainment. From 10am-2pm at Kaurilands Primary School.

WIN!

W N, WIN, WIN,WIN

WIN

Crowds at the 2011 Pet & Animal Expo enjoying the displays.

IN,

WIN

“Survive the school holidays with h Family il Ti Times i and d More FM! Listen to Auckland’s 91.8 More FM with Marc Ellis, Amber & Stu for breakfast and go to morefm.co.nz for your chance to win amazing School Holiday Survival Prize Packs.”

Free samples and passes to Auckland’s favourite entertainment attractions! www.familytimes.co.nz

Auckland Art and Craft Fair. Take in the atmosphere at this free-for-all ages fair. Lots to buy, sample and explore inside the Aotea Centre, Auckland Central, Queen Street, 11am-3pm.

2-15 July

WIN,WIN,

14

28 July

• • • • • • • • •

Hoyts Sylvia Park Romanos Auckland Dockline Tram Lollipops Northshore Nikau Cave Bubble Dome Time Zone Xtreme Entertainment Tenpin Takapuna

• • • • • • • • •

Sky City AMF Bowling Titree Horse Riding Rainbows End Waitomo Caves The Beadhold Chipmunks Botany Bruce Mason Centre Butterfly Creek

Entertainment Delight the whole family and keep everyone entertained with these fantastic local attractions.

Royal Oak Mall. Just 15 minutes

from Auckland’s CBD, Royal Oak Mall has more than 50 shops including national brands such as Pak’n’Save and a vibrant food court.

Visit 691 Manukau Road. For further details www.royaloakmall.co.nz

Wynyard Explorer. These school

holidays take a ride on a Dockline Tram and become a Wynyard Explorer. Each explorer will receive a map on arrival to help them discover more about the new Wynyard Quarter.

Auckland Harbour, daily, 10am-4.30pm. Further details at www.aucklandtram.co.nz.

Pet Pan and Wind in the Willows Peter Pan (28 July) and Wind in the Willows (6 October). Live performances at the Logan Campbell Centre, Greenlane. Shows at 10am, 1pm and 4pm. For information phone 09-3614599 or visit www.southernstars.org.nz.

Nikau Cave. Caving is a great all-

weather adventure for the family. Nikau Cave’s café serves fresh food and great drinks all year.

Phone 09-233-3199 or visit www.nikaucave. co.nz.

Waitomo Glowworm Caves.

These are a must see in New Zealand. Enjoy the world famous boat ride under thousands of magical glowworms. www.waitomo.com.

Chipmunks Playland and Cafe. Their aim is to make sure kids have

fun in superior playlands and playgrounds, which offer the latest, safest and best play equipment available. For all the parents out there – relax over a coffee in Charlies Cafe while the kids have fun. www.chipmunks.co.nz

Megazone Laser Tag

The ultimate adventure for the whole family.

Fun, safe indoor mazes, hi-tech equipment. www.megazone.co.nz.

Holiday specials The Gingerbread Man. 9-14 July These school holidays at the Bruce Mason Centre in Takapuna, Phineas Phrog’s The Gingerbread Man. Great fun-filled family entertainment. Bookings at www.ticketmaster. co.nz or phone 09 970 9700.

MOTAT. 30 June-15 July

of energy and how they are created with a range of fun and interactive exhibits and activities. Get hands-on at the Fonterra Science Roadshow with new themes and an exciting live science show. From 10am-5pm. www.motat. org.nz

Coco Pops activity spot. Bring

the kids along these school holidays for loads of fun and creativity! This exciting programme of arts and craft activities is designed to keep kids’ minds stimulated and provides the perfect opportunity for you to get creative right along with them. Botany Town Centre from Wednesday 4 to Sunday 8 July; and Sylvia Park from Wednesday 11 to Sunday 15 July, 11am – 3pm daily.

Rainbow’s End, 30 June-15 July

So much fun these school holidays. Enter your favourite three rides - starter, main and dessert – on Rainbow’s End’s Facebook page (RainbowsEndNZ) and be in to win a family pass for the holidays. Daily entertainment from the Flaming Phoenix, Rain n Bow and other favourite park characters along with world class rides. www.rainbowsend.co.nz.

AMI Auckland netball Great holiday programmes that enable children to learn and develop new skills whilst gaining confidence in a fun environment. On 30 June-15 July. Visit www.aucklandnetball.co.nz.

Cave Kids, 30 June-15 July A magical day trip for the kids these school holidays. Explore awesome Ruakuri Cave and hunt for buried treasure. Phone 0800-456-922 or visit www.waitomo.com.

Bubble Dome Cutting edge technology and fun programmes for students from six to 18-years throughout New Zealand and Australia. On 30- June-15 July. Visit www.bubbledome.co.nz.

cool activities

Winter activities for kids Just because it may be cold, raining and miserable outside does not mean kids can’t have fun during winter.

Here are some activities that are simple, will inspire their minds (and get them away from the TV, computer and video games), and will provide hours of entertainment during the colder season.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Make a hut – all that’s required are chairs, tables, old blankets, sheets.

Put on a show – have the children choose a book to act out, rehearse, and then perform. A magic show is also another fun idea.

Play shop – make some play money and price tags and some items to “sell” and have a shopkeeper.

Have an indoor picnic – why should picnics be for the outdoors? Lay down a blanket, and eat the same types of foods you would have in summer.

Indoor treasure hunt – write up clues around the houses directing kids to hunt for a hidden prize.

Dance – keep warm by staying active.

Make a CD of your kids’ favourite songs and if you have access to a camera, film it and maybe even create a home fitness video!

Board games – stick with the classics – Scrabble, Monopoly, or get creative and have the children make their own game with their rules and play them together.

A sheet of cardboard, felts, glitter, paint, glue, dice – let their imaginations run wild.

Also puzzles can provide hours of fun, and

kids can design their own too.

Create an obstacle course – use the whole house or a few rooms. Make sure it is safe.

9. Baking – choose a few recipes, bake, decorate and eat.

10. Charades – a classic guessing game – choose a theme or a TV show, song etc and each person has to act it out while everyone else has to guess. Prize for the winner.

11. Play outside – it may be raining and miserable but there is still a lot of fun to be had jumping in puddles, walking with umbrella, breaking ice and freezing water in buckets.

8.

Sky Tower.

Visit Auckland’s iconic Sky Tower these school holidays. Grab a Family Fun pass that includes parking, activity sheets and a drink for each of the kids. www.skycityauckland.co.nz

The Bead Hold

Great holiday classes at The Bead Hold using gorgeous new beads from Queen Bead’s recent buying trip. A great option for winter holidays, especially in wet weather! They have boy beads too. Bookings and class information www.thebeadhold.co.nz.

Compiled by Lee Keenan

“On” Enjoy learning about different types

These school holidays take a ride on a Dockline Tram and become a Wynyard explorer. Each explorer receives a map on arrival to help them discover more about the new Wynyard Quarter.

Auckland Harbour, daily 10am-4.30pm, www.aucklandtram.co.nz.

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www.familytimes.co.nz 15

craft corner

Paint your own mug or plate W

You will need:

elcome to our new craft corner.

Encouraging the creative side in your child is an important part of his or her development and these days, many fathers are playing this part. In generations past, it was the men who were often the excellent hand crafters in the family while the women filled their days with domestic duties. Now with varying working hours and children’s busy extramural schedules, traditional roles are no longer and most child raising duties are shared. Most fathers enjoyed building models and making things when they were younger and as a father they now have the chance to rediscover these skills.

• •

Mug, plate or tile

• •

Paint brush

Whether it is a parent and child or a group of children, time crafting develops many important skills. These skills include communication, decision-making and problem solving skills as well as hand-eye co-ordination.

Such basic skills as threading beads, working out how to make a pipe cleaner animal stand up and assembling a collage are all examples of this. These physical skills are totally different from anything learnt on a computer. Mixing paint colours on a computer is nothing like the experience of mixing real paints. The skill level of all involved is secondary to the fun of making

and the time spent together. Accept that there will probably be a mess involved but the fun and shared time will be worth it.

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

Optional: masking tape, graphite paper or pencil

1.

Clean plate/mug with soapy water, alcohol or meths to de-grease surface.

2.

Either trace a design onto your item with pencil or the graphite paper, or you can just paint freehand. If you are painting one colour over another you will need to wait for the first colour to dry. Dots can be created using cotton buds, a stencil or masking tape to make stripes, make a handprint … there are lots of possibilities. You can use pens to outline your design or sign your name once you are done.

3.

Wash up brushes in water. Paint is not permanent until baked on so you can wash off any mistakes.

4.

Leave to dry for a minimum of 24 hours then place the decorated object in a cold oven. When the temperature of the oven has reached 150°C (300°F), bake for 35 minutes. Only the areas not intended to be put in contact with food should be decorated.

Sharing craft time amongst both parents is a great way for your child to gain different skills, as each will have their own take on projects. It can also be a fun way for parents to learn new skills for themselves without the pressure of adult expectations.

Children love to make things, especially when they are young and for most it doesn’t matter what the finished product is like; the fun is in the making.

Pebeo porcelain paint and/or porcelain marker pen

NB: Do not thin paints with water as this will cause it to bubble when cooking.

Make sure you save the treasure your child has painted to produce at their 21st birthday!

Bring the kids along these school holidays for loads of fun and creativity!

Our exciting programme of arts and craft activities is designed to keep kids’ minds stimulated and provides the perfect opportunity for you to get creative right along with them!

BOTANY TOWN CENTRE

Wednesday 4th to Sunday 8th July 11am - 3pm Daily

SYLVIA PARK

Wednesday 11th to Sunday 15th July 11am - 3pm Daily

®Registered trade marks. Kellogg (Aust.) Pty. Ltd. 16

www.familytimes.co.nz

gardening corner

The vege patch with Jonesy Earthworms kept in a worm farm are the ultimate pets. They don’t bark at night and we don’t have to take them for walks. In fact we don’t have to buy them pet food as they help us make food. They eat our kitchen scraps and reward us with “vermicast,” the very best plant food and ideal ingredients for making your own potting mix.

T

he liquid vermicast that they produce is richly concentrated and micro bacterialaden. Earthworms and compost worms excrete this as they digest our garden and kitchen waste.

It can be diluted 10:1 with water and sprayed on all your veges, fruit and flowers.

Solid vermicast or “worm poo” that they also produce when digesting is used as a soil conditioner. Place a handful around your flower plants or side dress you veges; it’s also good for roses and fruit trees.

The worm’s menu is vegetable and fruit scraps, dolomite and lime, paper, grass clippings and teabags. Their favourite foods are banana skins and apple cores. Worms do not like meat, bread and orange peel.

Make your own worm farm built entirely from reused and recycled materials You will require: • Old carpet or sack if available (optional) • Phone books or old bricks • Wooden board 550mm x 550mm • Small piece of silage wrap or similar • Three car tyres of similar size • Something suitable to use as a lid (piece of • • •

wood with a rock on it is okay) 35 Saturday newspapers (approximately) One container – suggest an old pot or bucket (to collect the liquid) Lots of tiger worms or red worms (they

like to live above the ground)

• Each farm recycles a fair amount of waste.

Operating instructions for your worm farm 1. Soak the newspapers in water and stuff

on to and around your special plants.

10. The nutrients from your kitchen scraps

all three of the tyres full of the damp newspaper (avoid coloured or glossy pages), one sheet at a time.

2.

Place the sheet of wood wrapped in plastic on top of the bricks or telephone books.

3.

Put the first stuffed tyre on top of the wood. Put an old sack or carpet inside to make a sort of nest for the new worms.

4.

5.

6.

Fill this bottom tyre with bedding material e.g. horse manure/rotting pea straw/ compost and then tip the worms in.

Cover immediately with a thick layer of wet newspaper. Now put the other two stuffed tyres on top.

Feed regularly with kitchen scraps by lifting up the newspaper. Make sure the farm is kept moist to the touch. Always replace the newspaper to keep it dark.

Keep the worms and bedding covered with damp newspaper, plus an old sack or carpet (also damp). Place your lid on top of the tyre to prevent fly problems. Make sure the worms’ bedding is always moist – you may not need to add extra water if

are now available for you to use in your organic garden and your worm population will have increased remarkably.

11.

you give them lots of moist food scraps.

7.

As the tyre stack fills up (normally takes several months), you can slide out the bottom tyre and empty it of worm castings/vermicast. You can use this in the garden or compost heap.

8.

The empty tyre is now ready for reuse – stuff with fresh, moist newspapers and place on top of the tyre stack.

9.

Regularly empty the pot of worm run – dilute 8 to 1 with water and spray or pour

Worms suitable for your worm farm can be found in animal manure or rotting pea straw. Or buy them from a local worm farmer – check your phone book.

Now you have a worm farm you can start recycling all your kitchen scraps. Empty them into the farm and feed the worms daily or whenever is convenient. It’s a good idea to site your worm farm reasonably close to the back door, in a sunny spot.

Healthy soil, healthy food, healthy people!

Alan Jones (Jonesy) is the 2010 New Zealand Gardener of the Year. He looks after Leeston Consolidated School’s veggie gardens and keeps school parents up-to-date with tips for home gardens.

Trout fishing: great family fun pick up, and a basic rod, reel and line package Remember the first fish you ever caught? It doesn’t cost much. might have only been a spottie off the wharf Kids can even practise casting on the when you were little. lawn at home. There are 12 Fish & Game Catching tiddlers is okay but fishing for trout offices around the country – they’ll give you is a great way to get the kids outdoors and information about where to fish safely and into a healthy, fun activity with a lot more happily in your region. thrills. It’s also great bonding time for the family, and if you’re lucky, you’ll have dinner sorted. One of the best ways to give the kids a taste for trout fishing is to take them to one of Fish & Game’s Kid’s Fish Out days held around the country. Check out www. fishandgame.org.nz and under fishing, click on “young fishing fans” for more information.

These events at hatcheries and ponds give youngsters a taste of fly fishing using a fake fly or other bug. Fly fishing club members turn out to help the kids catch a fish, and there are big smiles all round.

Spin fishing or “spinning” is the easiest way to catch trout. It’s fishing with any artificial lure (other than a fake fly) designed to look like a small fish. It’s an ideal for a teen or tween  way  to begin trout fishing as the skills are easy to

First Impressions

3D HAND AND FEET SCULPTURES Each sculpture is individually hand crafted to create for you an exact replica of your little one’s hands and feet. An adorable keepsake for you to hang in your home and enjoy, day after day.

For your local agent please phone

0800 16 10 20

www.first-impressions.co.nz www.familytimes.co.nz 17

baby & toddler

Keeping young children safe this winter Most of us find that we tend to spend more time indoors in winter. Fires are being lit and the heaters cranked up to keep everyone warm.

A

flickering flame or the glow from a heater can be fascinating to children, who are too young to understand how dangerous they can be.

Babies about four - nine months are particularly active and can cover more floor than you might expect. Keep a close eye on them as they may get themselves too close to the heater and be unable to get away again.

Here are some things you can do to help keep your family safe and warm this winter:

light clothing, such as a single cotton layer.

Rooms should usually be between 16-20°C for babies to be comfortable and safe, and 15-17°C is a good overnight temperature.

• •

Gas heaters can give off dangerous fumes and fan heaters can overheat the room.

Using an electric heater (convection or oil filled) with a thermostat is best.

•

Babies usually need one more layer of clothing or bedding than adults. Natural fabrics that breathe – such as such as wool and cotton – are best.

Keeping safe with fires and heaters • The NZ Fire Service has a very simple rule; “Keep a metre from the heater”. This means people and furniture should be at least a metre from a heater or fire to reduce the risk of being burned, or causing a fire.

Bassinets or cots should be kept away from windows, where rooms are coldest.

•

Keep your baby’s room well ventilated with doors open - especially if you use a heater.

•

To check if your baby is too hot or cold, touch the back of their neck underneath clothing. If they feel warm, they are fine, even if their hands and feet are cold. If they feel cold, pop another layer on them.

Having a safety guard around all heaters and fires will help prevent children getting burned.

Look for a guard that:

• •

can be securely attached to the wall has bars or mesh to stop children putting their arms or other objects through is high enough that a child can’t climb over the top

•

Making your baby’s bedroom safe and the right temperature A warm, dry home is really important for your child’s health and safety. Insulation is a proven way to achieve this. Overheated rooms though are not safe for babies so it’s important to strike a balance: • The best temperature for babies is one in which adults could comfortably wear

What to look for when choosing safe nightwear

• Close fitting clothing reduces the risk of •

catching fire. Buy pyjamas that fit your child rather than buying a size too big to make them last.

Check the label on nightwear for a “low fire danger” label. This means the design of the garment is close-fitting to reduce the risk of it catching fire. It does not mean that the fabric is fire proof – it can still burn if exposed to a heat source.

For more information, support or advice, PlunketLine (0800-933-922) is available 24/7.

La Leche League New Zealand

SIDZ says safe sleep for baby

Sally had trouble latching her baby and phoned her nearest La Leche League leader for help. Now Sally says that “Breastfeeding is pain free and my baby is content and settled.” Mothers who want to breastfeed need accurate information and support. If you need help with breastfeeding, contact La Leche League.

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

Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI), (SIDS), commonly known as cot death, kills more than 50 healthy babies in New Zealand each year. Babies need to sleep on their backs, in their own beds, where nothing can press against their faces and block their breathing.

Babies need to lie flat, so their heads can’t be bent onto their chests, which can push their chins back to block their airways with their tongues.

So – no pillows, and don’t leave baby in a car seat when it is out of the car.

SIDS

Sudden Infant Death Support

HELP LINE 0800 164 455 24 Hour

Information & Support

18

www.familytimes.co.nz

Toolbox parenting groups Vision: “To encourage and inspire parents and equip them with the skills and resources needed to grow great kids.”

Toolbox groups are relaxed, informal parenting sessions run over six weeks in a home or community venue. Each session leaves participants with a range of activities and strategies to try at home, and are filled with expert advice, humour and empowering strategies. The focus is on making your parenting experience a really positive one.

Toolbox groups are available throughout the country and are delivered in three age

groups – early years (0-6), middle years (6-12) and teenage years (12+). The cost of the course is $67.50 per person or $90 per couple (including GST). The course is facilitated by trained local volunteers who are friendly and supportive.

Whatever stage you are at, a Toolbox group will give you the confidence to be the best parent that you can be and have fun on the way. To find out more information about our courses and to find a group in your area visit www.theparentingplace.com or call 0800-53-56-59.

Let’s not hurry children through childhood Have you ever experienced one of those days when you wanted to return to the carefree days of childhood when your biggest worry was how you could con your parents into staying up a little longer at night?

Have you ever thought that you would like to be a child once more when the biggest decision for the day was choosing which topping to put on your ice cream?

While this worry-free existence maybe idealised, there is little doubt that most parents want to capture this carefree, happy feeling for their children.

But many children feel the same stress that adults feel. In a culture that values success they can easily be pressured to grow up to quickly.

American author Dr. Gail Gross writes that many parents seek to create “super kids,” pressuring their children into becoming premature adults and making them overly competitive. Ironically, in their eagerness to create an academic prodigy, overzealous parents often create an underachiever.

My feeling is that many parents in Australia are unwittingly going down the American parental track of raising kids to develop academically at a quicker rate – i.e. to be smarter and more competent but at a younger age.

Dr. David Elkind, author of The Hurried

Child, advises parents to let children be children. His research suggests that students are more likely to have academic success if they were not hurried through their early childhood by parents who overestimate their child’s competence and overexpose them to academic experience.

Ironically, when parents release the pressure and focus on developing children’s general wellbeing, they perform better in the long run.

The London School of Economics Centre for Economic Performance followed the fortunes of all babies born in the first week of April 1970 in Britain. There was clear evidence that children with a higher self-esteem at the age of 10 got as much kick to their earning power as those with higher math, reading and other academic abilities. They had less chance of being unemployed later in life and if they were, they would soon be back in the workforce.

To avoid hurrying children through childhood, it helps to honour their natural instincts to play and avoid continually turning their play into work or even some type of learning experience. Play fosters creativity and reduces stress. Play is a life skill that many adults have

forgotten about.

It helps for children to have plenty of free time when they can just hang around and basically do nothing. It is strange but in our increasingly achievement-oriented culture the notion of free time is equated with laziness or lack of ambition. Adults and children can benefit from some free time when nothing productive is achieved whatsoever.

It also helps to remember that children may act grown up but they don’t often feel grown up. While it may be possible to accelerate their academic development it is impossible to accelerate their emotional maturation.

A post World War 2 British mental health inquiry concluded that the major contributor to

an adult’s general wellbeing and happiness was the existence of a happy childhood. By ensuring that children have a long, happy childhood we provide a solid foundation for happy, welladjusted adulthood.

Childhood is an important stage of life that needs to be protected and valued by adults. It is a stage of life worth preserving for as long as we can, not something to be rushed through.

By Michael Grose Michael Grose is Australia’s leading parenting educator. He is the author of six books, gives over 100 presentations a year and appears regularly on television, radio and in print.

Article courtesy of Brainy Child, www.brainy-child.com.

Keep your kids “driveway safe” In more than a third of cases of driveway accidents it is the child’s own parent who is driving the vehicle involved.

Safekids New Zealand director Ann Weaver says that every two weeks a child is hospitalised with serious injuries received from a vehicle driving on a private driveway in New Zealand.

“A further five children are killed annually, on average. Children at risk are aged between one and three-years-old. Sadly fathers are most often at the wheel.”

Child driveway accidents are however preventable.

Key facts about driveway accidents • Children injured in driveway accidents

often suffer severe and sometimes fatal injuries:

injuries typically involve significant trauma to the head, chest and lower limbs.

• In many cases, the driver reported seeing the child in a safe place before the accident.

• Driveway accidents are more common in summer, between December and February, when children are more likely to be playing outside.

• Most driveway accidents happen in the afternoon between 4pm and 7pm or in the morning between 10am and 12pm.

• The occurrence of these tragic accidents has not changed significantly over the past 15 years but the good news is these deaths and injuries are preventable.

Danger signs:

• A long driveway.

• A driveway in a quiet road or cul-de-sac.

• A driveway that also provides pedestrian

access to house (no separate pedestrian pathway).

• A driveway leading to lots of parking– cars need to be moved around to make room or allow vehicles to leave.

• No physical barrier (i.e. fence) between driveway and outdoor play area.

Godmo iry

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It’s a sad but true fact that children are more likely to be run over in the driveway by their own mum or dad than anyone else.

What you can do Check:

Count the kids before you manoeuvre.

Make sure they are belted safely in the car or in a safe place with an adult.

Understand how big the blind zones are around your car. Driveway run overs can happen driving forward and reversing.

Keep cars locked and don’t let children use driveways as play areas.

Supervise:

Ensure a responsible person (not a group

of kids) is actively supervising toddlers and young children.

Late afternoon and early evening are particularly risky times. Special efforts are needed then to make sure children are safe.

Separate:

Consider how to separate children from all areas used for driving. You might need

to install a childproof gate at doors or exits that lead to driveways.

Infants and toddlers should have safe, fenced play spaces.

If you’re visiting someone’s house, park on the road instead of the driveway.

If you’re expecting visitors, ask them to park on the road or put up a barrier to stop them parking in the drive.

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london 2012

Olympic glory – NZ’s best talk about what it takes It’s the ultimate goal for any athlete – the prestige and honour to make it to the Olympic Games.

What is the biggest hurdle you’ve had to overcome to make it this far?

Two different stages - when I was younger it was the expectation I put on myself. I was tough on my performances; if I didn’t win, I beat myself up. When I was older it was the politics and administrators who didn’t believe in me because I was over 35.

F

rom 27 July to 12 August, billions of people worldwide will watch as the world’s best athletes from more than 204 countries compete in the 2012 London Olympics. Hours and hours of hard work, both physical and mental will be put to the test.

Advice for children wanting to be the best in sport/advice for parents?

Rachel Taniwha from Family Times spoke with several of New Zealand’s best current and former Olympians, and a current coach, about what it takes to make it to the top and their advice for helping kids to be the best.

Teach your kids values: The importance of dreams and the feeling of passion for something. Teach them how to plan, how to set goals, how to motivate themselves, how to deal with setbacks, how to love and how to persevere, how to laugh and how to cry, how to be loyal, how to care for the environment, how to be healthy. Sport is a great vehicle for learning all this, but as they play, acknowledge what they’ve learned, then they can apply it to all areas of their life.

Barbara Kendall Boardsailing 1992 Olympic gold medallist, 1996 Olympic silver medallist, 2000 Olympic bronze medallist. Finished fifth at 2004 Olympics and sixth at 2008 Olympics. She is the only New Zealand woman to compete in five Olympic Games.

How did you get involved in your sport?

I come from a sailing family. I was sailing at 10-days-old, and started competing when I was 12 in a small boat. At 16 I was windsurfing and the next 25 years were spent watering all the different disciplines. Because my older brother and sister were windsurfing it was a natural thing to do.

What role did you parents play?

They were the reason: All their passion for sailing was transferred to us kids.

When did you know you wanted to be the best?

I was born that way. I was competitive, determined and very focused from day one.

Who are your role models/ what inspires you?

My brother set the bench mark - if my brother can win an Olympic medal, so can I. I got my competitive edge from my dad, my grounded state from my mum, and the belief I could win from my brother and sister. Later in my career I got the grounded-ness from my husband and my belief from Janice McLennan (my performance coach) then inspiration from all sorts of mediums.

Family physical activities Keeping active over the cooler months can sometimes be a challenge. Here are a few events you can participate in as a family. Don’t forget Auckland has loads of parks, bike tracks and walkways to enjoy too.

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SUMM

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8 July Run Auckland. Have some fun in a friendly and relaxed environment as you achieve your own health and fitness goals, as part of New Zealand’s largest fun run and walk series.

There are 5km or 10km options at Barry Curtis Park, Botany Downs. Registrations at www.runauckland.co.nz.

Quarterly e-newsletter

S

it ing agin we im Are

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For kids it is the dare of the dream. Most are too afraid to pursue the loftiest of dreams; most are too scared to put their emotions and whole being on the line, but if you don’t you may never reach your potential and when you do the stars are reachable.

Tim Carswell Cycling Current New Zealand track cycling coach, 1998 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist, competed in 1996 and 2000 Olympics.

How much of the athlete’s success is due to physical attributes, to mental attitude or plain hard work?

All the riders that we work with are very

29 July and 19 August

Unitec Run & Walk. A series of events designed for runners and walkers of all abilities, including kids, who are in training for any of the Adidas Auckland Marathon events.

There are five great courses around Auckland with a choice of distances at each event.

Registration and course details at www. runwalk.co.nz.

26 August

The North Shore Marathon. The

biggest and best annual event on the North

naturally talented and are identified as they come through the junior under-19 age group.

They are then brought into the national training groups that help them develop other areas such as strength and conditioning, mental skills training, nutrition etc to make them capable of being truly world-class athletes. All of the riders put in a lot of hard work to make it to that level.

How do you keep the athletes focused?

The hard training is complemented by racing/ competition both on the road and track throughout the year. Most of this racing is chosen for the way it will motivate the riders and make it a bit more fun than just training all the time. In the New Zealand winter we race and train in either Europe or the USA. Shore calendar with great community support. Starting on Takapuna Beach there are courses for the serious runner and the kids’ 2km walk. Registrations essential www.northshoremarathon.co.nz.

Compiled by Lee Keenan.

Send information on events which encourage participation for all ages, young and old.

Include name of event, date, time and costs and a short description. Send copy to admin@familytimes.co.nz or post to P O Box 36 004, Christchurch. We would love to hear from you to share the information around.

london 2012 What percentage of the training is devoted to skill training, competition and psychology preparation?

Who are your role models/ what inspires you?

I would definitely have to say that my coach plays a huge role motivational-wise. Every day he is down there waiting for me to be the best I can be, he wants the same dream and goal as what I do. I believe our coach and athlete relationship inspires the both of us to put everything we have into every training session and race.

Certain events require more skill or tactics than others and so this varies from individual to individual. This also has the flow-on effect to the quantity of racing each rider does. Mental skill training has become a bigger part of our programme in recent years and we have a specific sports psych that our athletes work with to facilitate this.

What is the biggest hurdle you’ve had to overcome to make it this far?

Tips for other coaches in getting the best from their athletes?

Try and make it fun. It can’t be fun all the time, but if there isn’t any fun in there at all the athletes will turn off pretty quickly.

Sophie Frances Pascoe Swimming 2008 Beijing Paralympics – gold medal 100m breaststroke, silver medal 100m butterfly, gold medal 200m individual medley. Shared gold medal for 100m backstroke. She is the youngest ever New Zealand medallist (aged 15 at the time).

How did you get involved in your sport?

I started swimming lessons at school, which then lead me to swim at the CCS Independence Games where I was spotted by two Paralympians, Graham Condon and Roly Crichton - the current coach who asked me to join QEII swim club.

What role did you parents play?

They played a huge part in supporting me

to achieve my goals. They took me to early morning trainings, motivated me on my down days and have just really become the backbone of what I do and I always want them to be proud parents.

When did you know you wanted to be the best?

At the age of 10 I told my grandfather before he passed that I wanted to win a gold medal for him at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics so that’s when I guess I really wanted to be the best and on top of the world.

Every day is a hurdle. To be the best athlete in the world in your discipline of sport you have to go outside of your comfort zone. The biggest hurdle for me though was getting over failure, from being on top of the world and then becoming second hurts and it’s a challenge in yourself to push through those hard times.

That’s where motivation has to take over.

Advice for children wanting to be the best in sport/advice for parents?

Believe in yourself and always push yourself to the limit to achieve your dreams and goals.

They can always come true if you work for them. Supportive family and friends are the best people to have around you when working towards those dreams and goals.

Getting the right balance and keeping kids healthy G

etting your kids involved in sport at an early age leads to a lifetime of good health and habits.

It is often hard to know how much physical activity is right and what to do if they get injured.

The main focus for kids participating in sport is that they are having fun whilst learning the ABC’s of athleticism – agility, balance, coordination and speed as well as developing leadership and communication skills.

Sports can be divided into four stages.

Stage one (FUNdamental) includes the ages from 6-10-years-old and is where kids are learning movement patterns that will progress through their athletic participation. Kids in this stage should be encouraged to participate in a variety of sports.

Stage two (The training to train) includes the ages from 10 – 13-years-old. At this stage they are learning how to train and learn the

basic skills of a specific sport. During this stage the young athletes should participate in training 75 per cent of the time and competition 25% of the time. This stage of training addresses the critical period of physical and skill development.

It is thought that young athletes who miss this stage through an overemphasis on competition may never reach their true athletic ability.

Stage three (The training to compete stage) includes the ages from 13-18-yearsold. This stage builds upon the skills learnt in the “training to train” stage. The focus on training moves to a 50:50 split of training and competition. High intensity training is performed during this stage.

Stage four (Training to win stage) includes the ages from 18 plus and is the final stage of competitive athletic performance.

Many kids can be injured playing sport and how we manage these injuries can expedite their return to normal activity.

Most frequently young athletes will suffer from soft tissue injuries such as bumps and bruises. These can

be managed with ice, rest and compression.

It is important that young athletes have the right protective equipment that fits them when they are constantly growing such as shin pads and footwear. Mouth guards should be replaced each season.

A thorough warm-up should take place, a cooldown at the end of the activity, and stretches should take place at the end of the session.

The young athlete’s hydration should be monitored – a way to see how much fluid they should consume is to weigh them before and after the session. For every kilogram lost they should replace it with a litre of fluid.

The athlete should be taught good technique when squatting and jumping to help prevent knee and ankle injuries.

The key to effective management of young athletes’ injuries is to have good communication with your coach, doctor and physiotherapist to ensure accurate diagnosis of injuries and management of return to sports.

By Dr Yaso Kathiravel, sports doctor, and Elaine Schou, sports physiotherapist

www.familytimes.co.nz 21

Expect the unexpected There are many life events you can plan for, like buying your own home, getting married or having children.

You probably need insurance too, but not everyone needs all the different kinds available.

How much insurance you need will depend on your own circumstances and attitudes. It’s easy to buy too much insurance, but it’s just as easy to not buy enough.

nexpected events beyond our control are more difficult – redundancy, natural disasters, losses – and just the prospect of these can be enough to cause serious anxiety for many parents.

The Sorted website at sorted.org.nz has lots of useful information about the different types of insurance and questions to ask. It can help you weigh up the risks of not having the insurance against the costs of buying it.

We don’t like to imagine these worst-case scenarios, but it’s worth taking the time to consider their financial repercussions to be better prepared. If you think about what you would do in these situations and make a plan to protect your family against financial uncertainty, you’ll be more in control in the event of the unexpected.

Choose your insurance coverage to reflect the value you place on something. If you were to die, would your family be able to pay for the funeral, cover debts and manage without your income?

U

There are three things you can do to make sure you and your family are prepared:

1. Build an emergency fund 2. Insure what’s important to you 3. Keep your will up to date.

Saving an emergency fund – about three months’ income that is easy to access – is the best place to start protecting your loved ones.

It’s certainly challenging to save that much, but if you are the main breadwinner and become ill and unable to work, it will provide a muchneeded cash cushion to help you get by in the short term.

If you haven’t got an emergency fund, make saving for one an important financial goal.

Putting aside some money each pay will ensure it mounts up.

Once you’re happy with your insurance coverage, remember to check it regularly and whenever your situation changes – if your children leave home, you move house or your relationship changes.

Everyone should have an up-to-date will – no matter what their age. If you haven’t got one or you need to update yours, get it drafted by someone with experience, such as a lawyer or trustee company. It’s difficult to think about, but if you die suddenly and have children, a will ensures you can choose a guardian to protect them and avoid any additional stress to your family.

It can be unnerving to think about losing loved ones or possessions. But by planning for those circumstances, you and your family will face the unexpected with more control over the consequences – and much less anxiety.

The new apple of kids’ eyes Scrumptious and sweet, toffee apple is the newest flavour of Bell for Kids, the hydrating and delicious drink that means the whole family can get together over a cuppa.

Bell for Kids is a blend of Rooibos (or Redbush) - the South African herbal infusion that is naturally sweet and caffeine-free. Just like the strawberry and honey and vanilla flavours, Bell for Kids toffee apple is oh-so-yummy with milk and a spoonful of honey. We have three Bell for Kids prize packs, each with the three flavours of Bell for Kids, a ceramic Bell for Kids keep-cup, and a kids’ “I heart tea” tee 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: OPC giveaway, PO Box 36 004, Christchurch, to reach us by 13 July 2012. Check out our website for more fantastic competitions.

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WIN,WIN,

WIN!

TXT bullying and your preteen Twitter, or other social networks.

Bullying has been rising at If you are getting TXT an alarming rate around bullied: the world. But it’s not the - First off, don’t reply. Never reply to usual traditional playground aggressive TXTs – the thing the sender bullying that’s got parents and wants most is to get attention. Save their number just in case under the name of “do teachers worried – it’s the answer” in case they ever try to call. stuff that happens outside of not Chances are they just want some attention and if you don’t answer, they may think they the playground, and usually, got the wrong number, that your number is outside of school hours. disconnected, or that you don’t use it.

TXT bullying is a branch of technology bullying that school students have become exposed to. Many young people have a computer, the internet, an email address, MSN Chat, and Facebook, but even more have cell phones. It’s a safety tool for parents to keep in touch with their sons and daughters to make sure they’re okay. But what happens when this safety tool is compromised through TXT bullying?

At my 21 years of age, I have personally come across TXT bullying and so have many of my friends. I’d like to share with you some tips I’ve picked up along the way that you and your teen or pre-teen can utilise:

To prevent TXT bullying:

- Make sure you only give your cell phone number out to people in person – to the people you know and trust. Make sure you save theirs as well so no miscommunication arises when they TXT you.

- Under no circumstances, put your cell phone number on public forums where anyone can access it such as Facebook, Bebo,

- If you do TXT back and find out it’s someone not willing to give their name and they keep sending you abusive TXTs, don’t delete them and don’t answer back after initial contact. If you receive five or more abusive TXTs, with evidence that you are not replying, you can take it into your provider’s store and get that number blocked.

- Last resort, you change your number. SIM cards aren’t very expensive these days, and when you weigh up the benefits, you really do want to be as safe as you can, so don’t think twice. Your real friends who you know will understand.

About Eva-Maria Twenty-one-year-old bestselling author of the book You Shut Up!, international speaker and certified coach Eva-Maria is living her dream: she is on a mission to help improve 10,000,000 relationships between adults and teenagers around the world.

Join Eva-Maria on her journey to bridge the gap of misunderstanding between teenagers and adults around the globe! www.eva-maria.co.nz

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Enjoy some Family Time

Families are well catered for on every Interislander voyage.Nurseries provide cot and baby-changing facilities. Playgrounds of varying sizes, for a range of ages ensure that our youngest passengers can play and meet new friends. If they can be convinced to leave the playground, magicians and clowns perform on many school holiday sailings.

And, of course Interislander looks after families with a range of great value fare options.

www.familytimes.co.nz 23

top reads 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

Harry’s Hair

By Jane Buxton Illustrated by Jenny Cooper Puffin 2011 ISBN 9780143306160 Paperback $19.99 Harry’s wild hair is in quite a state because he won’t brush it and then, as his mother predicted, creatures start living in it. Harry is quite proud of his menagerie until he discovers that they’re going to the toilet down his neck and he has to get hairdresser help before he gets horribly stinky!

Gloriously zany illustrations capture the action and might encourage readers to get their own hair brushed. Ages three to eight.

Demolition

By Sally Sutton Illustrated by Brian Lovelock Walker Books 2012 ISBN 9781921529269 Hardback $31.99 Follow up to Roadworks, with more noisy machines, this time deconstructing a building. All the workers wear their safety equipment then the machines get into action. It’s not all about breaking everything into pieces though – everything is sorted so it can be used again if possible – wood into mulch, metal to be recycled, and finally restoring the land to create a playground. Fabulously noisy text perfect for reading aloud. Ages three plus.

Fishing Fame

By Melanie Drewery Illustrated by John Bennett Scholastic, 2012 ISBN 9781775430391 Paperback $16.50 Max and Dan aspire to have their photos on the Fishing Fame Board down at the wharf, but all they ever catch are undersize spotties until they come up with an incredible plan to catch a big one, using a paddle boat to go out beyond the shark net. You just know it’s going to be trouble. Great dynamic text and illustrations help tell this hilarious adventure story. Ages six-10.

Violet Mackerel’s Personal Space

By Anna Branford Illustrated by Sarah Davis Walker Books, 2012 ISBN 9781921529207 Hardback, $24.99 There is good and bad news in Violet’s household. Mum and boyfriend Vincent decide to get married, but they have to move to a bigger house even though everyone loves where they live at the moment. Violet’s brother Dylan is particularly upset and moves into a tent in the garden.

Violet learns about personal space, and develops a new Theory of Leaving Small Things Behind. Warm illustrations complement the family story. Ages five to eight.

Uncle Trev and His Whistling Bull

The Coat

By Julie Hunt Illustrated by Ron Brooks Allen & Unwin 2012 ISBN 9781741144059 Hardback $36.99 A magical tale of transformation.

A young man takes a coat (with a personality and a voice all of its own), from a scarecrow and it takes him on an incredible adventure revealing unforeseen talents. The inky illustrations change from sepia tones to colour as the story evolves. Loopy handwritten text might prove a challenge for young readers, but this also makes a lovely read-aloud experience. Ages four plus.

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WINTER ISSUE 2011 201 11

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Knowledge books

Iris’s Ukulele

Small and Tall Tales of Extinct Animals

By Kathy Taylor Scholastic, 2012 ISBN 9781775430544 Paperback $19.50 Ukulele-playing Iris and her best friend, the flamboyant Sidney, are masters of the musical universe, and are writing a vampire rap musical. When a talent contest is announced things start to go wrong; Sidney wants to write his own song and Iris makes some bad decisions and begins doubting herself until she sorts out what’s really important. Everything comes together for a climactic ending and some thoughtful final decisions.

2011 Storylines Tom Fitzgibbon Award.

Ages 10 plus.

Helene Rajcak & Damien Laverdunt Gecko Press, 2012 ISBN 9781877467905 Hardback $36.99 A large illustrated book about extinct animals from around the world – including New Zealand’s moa and Haast eagle, with illustrations, cartoons and facts aplenty. Each animal’s page contains a visual depiction of the size of the animal compared to a human being or a hand, followed by size, weight, location and date of extinction, making for quick comparisons with other animals. A book the whole family will enjoy digging into.

Moon Over Manifest

By Clare Vanderpool Yearling Newbury 2010 ISBN 9780375858291 Paperback $17 With a fistful of awards this book is a great read; it’s got clever, sensitive characters, a multi-layered plot and surprises along the way. Abilene’s father has sent her to live with a friend in the town of Manifest while he works on the railroad over the summer.

While she’s there she learns about the history of the town through old letters from a young boy. Stories of past and present evolve together to a satisfying conclusion. Ages 10 plus.

All About New Zealand Garden Wildlife

By Dave Gunson New Holland, 2012 ISBN 9781869662967 Paperback $24.99 You don’t need to travel far afield to find interesting wildlife – there’s plenty in your own back yard. The latest in this series introduces more than 60 garden creatures and plants. There are large coloured illustrations of each plant and creature along with diagrams of things like an ants’ nest, beehive and tree trunk, with simply written text giving clear explanations about behaviour and life cycles. Ages six to 11.

Steel Pelicans

By Des Hunt HarperCollins 2012 ISBN 9781869509538 Paperback $19.99 Pete Kelly - Pelly (13) has to move to New Zealand with his family, leaving his trouble-making friend Dean Steele behind. After facing some bullying problems Pete makes friends with a Samoan boy, Afi, and goes to stay at their family bach at Port Waikato where they uncover smuggling and illegal drugs. When Dean comes over for the holidays they end up in an explosive situation where everyone is in danger.

Exciting reading for ages 11 to 15.

Turning Trash Into Treasure For Young Children

By Adam Buckingham Kiwi As, 2011 ISBN 9780473187149 Paperback $30 A book busting with clever things to make and do with young children using materials you find at home or recycling waste materials. Particularly aimed at early childhood centres (and written by a kindergarten teacher) but with ideas that could be put to use at home too, and with extra encouragement for men to be involved with this age group.

Packed with colour photographs for added inspiration.

2010

as well

Tiips

By Jack Lasenby Gecko Press, 2012 ISBN 9780877467158 Paperback with flaps, $19.99 Set in small-town New Zealand in the 1950s. A young boy sick in bed hears outrageous stories from Uncle Trev who pops in to visit whenever he can, bringing his dog, Old Tip. Mum disapproves of Uncle Trev and can always tell when he’s been into the biscuit tin. Brilliant characters and hilarious stories you won’t know whether to believe or not. A great read aloud or solo for eight to 12-years and adults.

Intermediate Fiction

ra

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