FR EE
YO UR S
Summer 2012/13
Baby Brag Board
L♼ve on the Farm
Local families and why they live off the land!
things no-one 10 tells you before you have a baby!
ANIMAL Safety TIPS for SUMMER
Travelling with Kids
Top 5 Finds
the coolest things on the market!
Create Play Learn Feature
4 page pullout of extra curricular activities for juniors in 2013! PREGNANCY
BABY
TODDLER
P R I M A R Y S C HSummer O O L2012/13 Cairns Parenting Companion 1
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Cairns Parenting Companion Summer 2012/13
The first five years last a lifetime. We know children are born ready to learn. But few of us are aware of just how significant positive early experiences are on a child’s development in the first five years. Goodstart Early Learning is a not–for–profit early learning and care provider that goes beyond childcare to create nurturing, stimulating and fun environments where children thrive. We have early learning centres in Bayview Heights, Brinsmead, Cairns, Edmonton, Forest Gardens, Innisfail, Kanimbla, Manunda, Mooroobool, Mossman, Mount Sheridan, South Innisfail, Trinity Beach and Woree. Drop in for a chat with your local Goodstart Centre Director, or call 1800 222 543, to discuss your child’s early learning and care needs.
1800 222 543 goodstart.org.au
Summer 2012/13 Cairns Parenting Companion
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Cairns Parenting Companion Summer 2012/13
r e m m Su 2 012
Juanita and Bec from CPC
this issue
editors’ note
pregnancy
It’s when we start thinking about all that
10 things no-one tells you before you have a baby
has to be done at this time of year, that we start to dream of the ‘simple life’. In this
stillbirth
edition, we escape to the country to find out
baby
what life is really like raising a family on the
the first hour
land. And thanks to our gorgeous, (obviously
the 4th trimester
madly in love) front cover couple - Paul and
Create, Play and Learn
finance understanding your parenting benefits
10 21
71 baby brain to business brain 74
regular features
12 24
birth story top 5 finds
Emily Rossi, who let our photographer into
toddler
teacher feature
their home at Behana Gorge. We’ve got
travelling with little ones
37 what did you bring home today? 34
school holidays
loads of Summer competitions to enter so don’t forget to visit our website to get in on the action. And when Term 1 begins, check
primary school
out our Create Play Learn Directory with
inspiring a love of learning
a few suggestions on how to keep the kids
school readiness
busy after school. If you are heading off
parents
these holidays be sure to come home safe and from all the team at Cairns Parenting Companion, we hope you have a magic time and a good start to 2013! Please remember to pick yourself up one of our fundraising calendars. They’ll make a great Christmas present and all for a good cause. Head to our website to find out more. Happy Parenting!
Juanita and Bec
what’s the perfect number? gardens without digging
dear dave mum behaving badly man about the house
55 59
confession box
visit to the orthodontists creative xmas cooking
16 52 57 64 76 78 81 82
directory create, play, learn
69 73
little lifesavers
50 62 70
love ... country life
41
competitions
health grommets
41
baby brag board mummy makeover community photoboard
9 18 32 34
26
so what’s it really like raising a family on
contact us SALES:
Juanita Soper
EDITORIAL: Rebecca Waqanikalou ADMIN:
Laura Franks
DESIGN:
Sheryn Bewert
www.engineroom.com.au PHONE: 0438 811 027 (Juanita) EMAIL: info@parentingcompanion.com.au
a farm? read about some local families and why they have chosen to love the land.
summer cover our featured photographer, Stephanie Palmer had a ball hanging out on the farm with the Rossi family. This is a front cover, we felt really captured the love between this beautiful couple.
ADDRESS: PO Box 4620 Cairns QLD 4870
peppermint lane photography
www.parentingcompanion.com.au
phone 0437 064 130
www.facebook.com/cairnsparentingcompanion
www.peppermintlane.photomerchant.net
DISCLAIMER: No part of this magazine, including advertisements within it, may be reproduced, in part or in whole without the expressed permission of the editor. Whilst the greatest care is taken to ensure that the information in the magazine is correct at time of publishing, readers are advised to check details before visiting. Cairns Parenting Companion cannot accept responsibilities for errors, inaccuracies or omissions. The expressions expressed within the magazine are not necessarily the views of the Cairns Parenting Companion, of the Parenting individual writers. Summer 2012/13but Cairns Companion 5
! s y a w Givea Summer
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If your child wants to model or to learn important life skills to help build their confidence then here’s a chance to win a 1 or 2 day holiday program. LuLu’s are holding workshops suitable for 5 year olds to teenagers these holidays. Visit our website to enter the competition www.parentingcompanion.com.au
PEPPERMINT LANE PHOTOGRAPHY Like most mothers, my camera became my best friend when I first laid eyes on my darling son, Bailey. Motherhood has been so magical and I never wanted to forget each glorious step of his life. As Bailey grew, so did my lens collection and my passion for photography and I wanted to share my gift with others; to frame love and make people smile. I see the world differently, and I see the heart and soul of each person and I think my photography reflects this. “It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see - Thoreau” Stephanie Palmer
Phone: 0437 064 130
www.peppermintlane.photomerchant.net
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WIN New Fifty Shades trilogy, for guys who don’t get what all the fuss is about!
Check out this new erotica for classy blokes that’s just like Fifty Shades, but well written! The Fifty Shades of Blokes Trilogy, by L.O.L James, is quite obviously a parody about a clueless handy man, Dave Johnson, and his ‘client’ Christina Grey. Lots of doubleentendre and definitely not intended for mature audiences.
For Classy Blokes WIN one of these great MoMo clocks from Dreamy Kidz and help teach the kids to sleep in!
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Cairns Parenting Companion Summer 2012/13
Win your copy by emailing win@parentingcompanion.com.au com.au
MoMo Clocks
It’s one of our ‘Top 5 Finds’ for Summer (page 52). Visit our website to enter. www.parentingcompanion.com.au
Childcare? PLUS...
Find out the latest child care vacancies in our region or if you are a day care provider, promote what you have available for families. For more information email bec@parentingcompanion.com.au or visit www.parentingcompanion.com.au/childcare-vacancies.
g Kids Modellin
• Christmas Cook Book see page 70 • Mummy Makeover see page 32 • Overflow vouchers see page 9 • iTunes voucher see page 57
www.parentingcompanion.com.au
P
Budget Long Term
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Long Term Domestic
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Summer 2012/13 Cairns Parenting Companion
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No matter what stage of life you are at, TAFE can help you achieve your goals. Tropical North Queensland TAFE has hundreds of courses leading to thousands of careers. You’ll learn from industry professionals, gain practical experience and get a nationally
including online, part-time and distance lifestyle. Whether you are looking to further an existing career or thinking of returning to work, come
Take control of your future and enrol now for 2013. Call 1300 656 959 or visit www.tnqit.tafe.qld.gov.au 8
Cairns Parenting Companion Summer 2012/13
s r e v a s li f e lit tle
Local parents share their favourite tips for making life just that little bit easier.
Top Tip
Breezy Brushing
Tub-riffic I use lots of different size plastic tubs to store my kids toys according to category, ie. musical instruments, cars, colouring books, dolls, blocks, trains, etc. They are all labelled and everything has it’s place. It is easy for storage and all together when you need it. No more searching through a big wooden toy box trying to find a particular Barbie or Thomas the Train amongst all the other toys. The tubs are durable and inexpensive (available at Overflow) and the kids love packing their things away themselves! Jenni R
Brilliant Bathtime To make bath time much less stressful, especially if you have a child who fights you over it, try adding a few drops of food colouring in the bath water, it’s cheaper than the store bought tablets and makes bath time so much fun you will be fighting them to get out! There are numerous colours available and they sell for only $1 each; a bottle lasts for ages too. Melanie K
Sometimes teeth brushing can be a hard task. We recently downloaded the “Macleans’ Nurdle Time” App on the iPhone. It shows the kids “How to brush” then plays a great fun song to get them to brush to ... my kiddies love it! Narelle J
Making Mobiles Use old CDs, a couple wire clothes hangers and some fishing line to make an awesome hanging mobile. A great school holiday activity! Jill N
WIN $25 gift vouchers!
Email your little lifesaver (parenting) tips to win@parentingcompanion.com.au for your chance to win one of four, $25 gift vouchers to spend at any Overflow store in FNQ, from Ayr to Mareeba. Let’s go shopping at Overflow FNQ, Value, Variety, Rewards & Service ... Right here for you!
Pen Holders Use an old shoe box and some cardboard toilet rolls to make a nifty stationery holder. Simply fill a shoe box with as many toilet rolls at it will hold, then you can stand pens, pencils and crayons in it. Easy, effective, cheap and eco-friendly! Julia H
www.overflowfnq.com
Holiday Planning Make a list of all the school holidays
Safety in the wash for Socks!
activities that you and the kids want to
Use a bra bag to wash all your littles ones socks in. It is so much easier to keep them together and stops the elusive ‘sock monster’ from eating the left one all the time! Sophie K
do and some fun activities to do at home. Put it up on the fridge so each day you can choose what you will be doing and there will be no whinging from the kids of “what are we going to do today?” Lou B
“... adolescence is perhaps nature’s way of preparing parents to welcome the empty nest?”
SHOP AND SAVE AT Don’t forget to like us on
www.facebook/overflowfnq
Summer 2012/13 Cairns Parenting Companion
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WORDS Bec Waqanikalou
r e v e e n o o n s g 10 Thin tells you
Before you have a BABY! After recently having baby number three, I thought I should share a few things with mum’s-to-be. 1 After you give birth you continue to contract Many women talk about labour and contractions, but very few mention the contractions that continue afterwards. Your body continues to contract after bub is born and these after-pains are usually worst for the first two to three days, but they can continue for up to four to six weeks.
2 Your belly bump may hang around for a little while After birth, your uterus will take some time to go back to its usual size (it stretches remarkably during pregnancy). For the next few weeks you may still look six months preggers and at some stage you may be asked “when’s bub due?”
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Cairns Parenting Companion Summer 2012/13
Don’t worry mum, we’ve got your back!
3 Showering will become a luxury! Enjoy those long, hot showers now, while you can! Once bub is here they will demand your time and attention, even though they do little apart from eat, sleep and poop. If you have visiting family or friends you are comfortable with, give bub to them for a cuddle, have a shower and wash your hair as some days brushing your teeth is as far as you may get.
4 You may not fall in love with your baby straight away (and this is okay!) Many believe the instant you see your baby you will be completely in love with your new ‘squishy’, but for some woman this isn’t the case. It could be hours, days, weeks or even months. Just know that one day your feelings will change and that protective ‘mother bear’ feeling, will change to like then to love. It may not be now but it will happen.
5 Breastfeeding may be a natural thing, but it isn’t always easy For the majority of women, breastfeeding takes time to learn - it is a skill. The first six weeks can be trying, but with good support, good advice and persistence it really does get better. If you are struggling, please seek help. Contact the ABA www.breastfeeding.asn.au, or a lactation consultant (free service at the hospitals or privately). It may only be something small to help ‘get the hang of it’. Or better still do a Breastfeeding Education Class before bub is born with the ABA (see page 14 for more information).
6 Your hair will fall out, in a big way! During pregnancy your hair becomes full and thick, but once you have your bub the hormonal changes means you will lose the ‘extra’ hair from pregnancy.
7 Checking that your baby is breathing while she sleeps is something you WILL do, and probably often
At Axis Chiropractic our Chiro’ for Kids program can assist mums and their young ones with issues such as colic, reflux, breast-feeding difficulties, sleeping disturbances, recurrent ear infections, persistent sore throats, colds and bed wetting. We can also safely help pregnant women with low back, pain, sciatica, pelvic pain as well as reducing labour time and pain without drugs.
Call us today to discuss how we can help you feel your best.
4041 7020
Suite 13, 36 Grafton St, Cairns
When communications break down Choose WGC … problem solved
You will do this over and over again even as they get older. Sometimes you will even poke and prod them to get a reaction just to double check!
8 There is a plethora of ‘how to’ books but each one you read will most likely contradict the last Sometimes we read too much and over-analyse our little ones. All babies are individual and many books may not suit you or your bub so take what you need from them, then do what feels right for you.
9 Everyone will offer advice! No matter who they are, they will have an opinion and will offer their advice! My advice: As you are listening, smile, nod and say, “that’s really interesting”, but then only take the advice that suits you. Don’t try it all just because it’s been suggested. Also, trust your gut instinct, it is almost always right.
10 You will stare at your baby and be in awe of the fact that you are someone’s mum Try not to freak yourself out too much, but that little person is yours!
Arbitration and Mediation | Children’s Matters | De facto Relationships Separation and Divorce | Binding Financial Agreements | Estate Planning
| Phone: (07) 4046 1111 | Email: cairns@wgc.com.au | Visit: www.wgc.com.au * Eddy Lago and Amanda Millyard are QLS Accredited Specialists in Family Law
Summer 2012/13 Cairns Parenting Companion
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WORDS Helen Sweeney – Midwife
T he
FIRSRT HOU
Once your baby has been born it undergoes a dramatic shift in adapting to life outside the womb. It’s a time for your baby to be welcomed into a place of peace and calm, not an opportunity for the baby to be poked, prodded, measured and cleaned by care providers ...
There are many studies that have shown the benefits for mothers and their babies being together, skin to skin (naked on their mother’s naked chest), immediately after birth. The baby can have a warm towel or blanket over their body, but they shouldn’t be wrapped. The baby is calmer, as they can hear their mother’s heartbeat, their temperature more stable and normal, the baby’s heart, breathing rates and blood pressure more stable and normal, and their blood sugar is elevated. Skin to skin contact immediately after birth allows the baby to be colonised by the same bacteria as the mother. This, plus breastfeeding, are important in the prevention of allergies. Skin to skin contact is not only beneficial for the baby born at term and
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Cairns Parenting Companion Summer 2012/13
in good health, but also for the premature baby. Of course if the baby is sick they need medical attention first and foremost.
It is important, however, that you inform
From the point of breast feeding, babies who are kept skin to skin with their mother immediately after birth, are more likely to latch on without any help and they are more likely to latch on well, especially if the mother did not have pethidine in labour. There is no reason that the vast majority of babies cannot have skin to skin contact with their mother immediately after the birth for at least an hour. Even the baby born by caesarean section should have skin to skin in the operating theatre, unless either is medically unwell. Skin to skin contact will not interfere with anything that the anaesthetist or obstetrician has to do.
contact immediately after a caesarean
your care provider of your wishes before you go to theatre. Offering skin to skin section birth isn’t routine practice, but it’s definitely possible. Hospital routines such as weighing, measuring, bathing,having their temperature checked and the receiving of Vitamin K (following informed consent) all take precedence to immediate skin to skin contact. It is quite reasonable and advisable to request in your birth plan that these ‘routine procedures’ are delayed until at least an hour after the birth. During the time of skin to skin contact, nobody should be ‘pushing’ the baby on to the breast to feed.
The mother and baby should be left in peace to discover each other. Don’t panic if the baby doesn’t feed straight away, in full term healthy babies there’s no rush. Babies will show signs that they are ready to breastfeed, and having them close to their mother will make it all the more obvious. The baby not interested in feeding may object vehemently, this often results in the care providers ‘pushing’ the baby more on to the breast. This interference may result in babies refusing the breast. The scenario often gets worse, if the baby keeps objecting to being ‘pushed’ on to the breast and gets increasingly upset, the next step by care providers is to suggest a supplement of formula, in their determined quest to get the baby to feed. So to recap, skin to skin contact immediately after birth, which lasts for at least an hour has the following positive effects: • Babies are warmer, • Babies are calmer, • They are less likely to cry, • They have more stable and normal skin temperatures, • They have more stable and normal heart rates and blood pressures, • They have higher blood sugar levels, • They are colonised by the same bacteria as the mother, • They are more likely to latch on to the breast, • They are more likely to breastfeed exclusively for longer, • Encourages bonding between mother and baby.
The Baby Friendly Health Initiative
The Baby Friendly Health Initiative (BFHI) was developed jointly by the World Health Organisation and UNICEF in 1991. Locally, Cairns Base Hospital, Cairns Private Hospital and Mareeba Hospital meet the criteria and have accreditation as a BFHI facility. BFHI provides the standards facilities must meet to ensure they are providing best-practice care and maintaining a breastfeedingsupportive environment. One of the 10 steps these facilities must follow is: ‘Place babies in skin-to-skin contact with their mothers immediately following birth (both vaginal and caesarean) for at least an hour uninterrupted and encourage mothers to recognise when their babies are ready to breastfeed, offering help if needed.’ Find out more about BFHI at
www.babyfriendly.org.au Summer 2012/13 Cairns Parenting Companion
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WORDS Meredith Laverty - Australian Breastfeeding Assoc
BreastFeeding: cceed prepare to su Congratulations - you are pregnant.
What is covered in an ABA
There is so much to take in when you
Breastfeeding Education Class?
learn you are expecting, it is almost
• how breastfeeding works and what
like acquiring a new language in a foreign country, and being prepared for each step of your pregnancy journey, including after your baby arrives is a great recipe for success. Many expectant parents, particularly mothers-to-be, focus a lot of their pregnant research on birthing and sometimes overlook what happens when you get home with your brand new miracle. So if you are developing a birth plan, do you have a breastfeeding plan? Although breastfeeding is natural, it doesn’t always come easily and is a learned art. Breastfeeding Education
• establishing breastfeeding & the first feed • importance of skin-to-skin contact in the first hours and beyond • positioning and attachment (how to hold and attach baby to the breast) • understanding milk supply • discussion of what is ‘normal’ for a breastfed baby • role of partners in breastfeeding • adjusting to parenthood — survival tips for the early days with a new baby • develop a support network
Breastfeeding Association are designed
The class fee is packaged with an annual
to provide expectant parents with
membership to ABA. Membership
the knowledge and confidence to
entitles attendance to regular local
successfully breastfeed.
breastfeeding support groups, savings
partner is supportive of breastfeeding, she is ten times more likely to reach her breastfeeding goals. With nine in ten women wanting to breastfeed when they birth, having a supportive and wellinformed partner helps you get off to a great start. The classes are presented by trained Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) counsellors or educators. You will gain up-to-date information and insights into breastfeeding a baby and parenting in the early days. Importantly, you will learn how to trouble-shoot and where to get support after your baby arrives. The classes enable you and your support person to gain valuable, practical information about how to get your
Cairns Parenting Companion Summer 2012/13
• common concerns & problem solving
Classes run by the Australian
Research has shown if a mother’s
14
help is available
on breastfeeding products from Mothers Direct, regular Essence magazines, access to a rewards program and a free copy of Breastfeeding … the ABA’s renowned breastfeeding book. In this way, the classes act as a platform from which expectant couples build a breastfeeding support network around them. ABA Breastfeeding Education Classes welcome partners and other family members and are designed to support both mothers and fathers in preparing for the impact of the early weeks. Samesex parents, sole parents, grandparents and friends are all welcomed and classes are run in an inclusive, non-judgemental format. Classes are mostly held on weekends. To book your Cairns ABA class
breastfeeding relationship off to a good
contact Kerry via email kerrystingel@
start and are around three to four hours
gmail.com or call 4054 3692. For loads
long. They are intended to complement
of breastfeeding information, including a
the antenatal classes run by hospitals or
template for a breastfeeding plan - visit:
private childbirth educators.
breastfeeding.asn.au.
Summer 2012/13 Cairns Parenting Companion
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Birth Story...
My Wat er BIRTH WORDS Hayley Trolley On the 3rd of August 2010, at 1.30am I woke to get a drink and felt a painless contraction. I then went back to bed. I knew I would be having my baby that day. The whole day I had mild irregular contractions and was even able to have a sleep through them, but at 6.30pm they began to be more regular, closer together and more painful so we left home and drove to the Mareeba Hospital. It was a long drive from where I live and it was the hardest part of my labour. At 10pm I was checked - only two centimetres dilated. I then stepped into the birth pool, which was like reliving my previous birth with my daughter, 17 months ago. I was in the same bath with the same midwives. I was
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so relaxed I just floated around in the bath talking about my daughter between contractions. At 11pm I started feeling pressure, I was starting to feel really tired and wouldn’t believe the midwives that my son was coming that quickly, but at 11.20pm my son Noah arrived in the exact same spot in the bath that I delivered my daughter. I had a complete drug-free birth and I never felt the need for anything … it was amazing to feel my natural endorphins kick in. After Noah arrived I got to fully enjoy him and he latched on straight away and has never been an issue to feed. When I went to my room in the hospital my daughter had just woken up so she got to meet him in the middle of the night, which was a very special
Cairns Parenting Companion Summer 2012/13
moment. I felt so empowered to have had two positive experiences in a row, both births were everything I had wanted. For me, the after pains were much more painful than my labour, they were probably my biggest challenge. We went home the next day and settled in beautifully as a family. To this day I don’t think I could give birth outside of water, I found it such a relief. I also appreciate how supportive my midwife was through both my pregnancies and births. My two children are now two and three and a half, and they love hearing their beautiful birth stories and how they were both born in the same bath.
A BrAnd new dAnce School openS in cAirnS!
ents m l o r n e g takin
now!
Come and join this exciting new Dance School. For ages 2 to 72. Playdance and adult classes available. Check out our website or call Sarah for more information.
4051 4888
www.fnqdanceacademy.com.au Summer 2012/13 Cairns Parenting Companion
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Baby BraG Board Lachlan Gadsby
Patrick Korovchenko
Blake Ava Murray
Declan Weigand
Noah Snell
Isabella Ruby Price
BRAG about your new arrival & WIN!
Each month, every bragger is in the running to win an 8x10 framed sculpture valued at $120 thanks to Twinkle Toes! Monthly winners announced on our facebook page.
Enter now at www.parentingcompanion.com.au
We help you to remember those precious moments by making an impression We now specialise in Photography along with hand and feet sculptures!
Phone us on 4034 3131 • www.twinkletoes.com.au
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Cairns Parenting Companion Summer 2012/13
New Year’s Wish
2013
A PPROV E
D!
p a id pa ren t a l le ave
rking As of Januar y 1, eligible wo luding inc rs, tne par er oth dads and same-sex par tners, will be ve! receiving paid parental lea eme Sch Pay r tne Par The Dad and of pay provides up to two weeks ge wa m imu min al ion at the nat ore bef ek we per 6 $60 (currently tax). ck For more information che u/ v.a out ww w.australia.go dadandpartnerpay
...What are you wishing for?
(L-R) Riley, Charlie and Joey, all 5 years old: Riley: “To help mum with the washing” Charlie: “To listen at school and play LOTS” Joey: “To let mum have a sleep in on Sundays”.
Bella, Mum of 1 from Edge Hill: To SELL SELL SELL ... I am a Real Estate Agent for LJ Hooker Edge Hill - so selling is kind of a given. For myself, I want to work on ways to overcome any challenges that come up over the year.
Lainie, Mum of 2 from Edmonton: To work towards a good home/work life balance. With work and juggling 2 kids at school next year I am sure it will be interesting! Oh yeah and to eat better and get fitter! I think that’s what we all say every year isn’t it?
Summer 2012/13 Cairns Parenting Companion
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Come along for an up close wildlife experience and see some of Australia’s unique animals! For just $50 get an unlimited d Family Pass vali for 1 year!
GET YOUR PHOTO TAKEN WITH A CROCODILE OR PYTHON FOR JUST $10 (photo included) DAILY SHOWS KIDS CORNER WITH COMPUTERS, GAMES, BOOKS & MORE MUSEUM PIECES WILDLIFE THEATRE WHERE: The Pier Shopping Centre on the Esplanade (adjacent to the Lagoon) WHEN:
Mon-Fri 10-4, Sat & Sun 9.30-4.30
COST:
$8 per person, $4 children 7yr & under, $5 concession FAMILY PASSES $50
To You HQ
Ph: 0415 696 439 info@zootoyou.com.au 20
Cairns Parenting Companion Summer 2012/13
Stillbirth
An angel opened the book of life and wrote down my baby’s birth, then she whispered as she closed the book, “Too beautiful for earth.” In Australia six babies are stillborn each day. Stillbirth is when a baby dies before, or during birth, from 20 weeks to full term. To compare, for every baby that dies of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) in Australia, 35 are stillborn, yet stillbirth is typically an underinvestigated, commonly overlooked or even ignored health issue. It is disturbing that, in an age of enormous technological and medical advances, the rate of stillborn babies is not declining nor well understood. Many parents of babies who die during pregnancy will never get a definitive answer to their question of why their baby has died. About half of stillbirths at full-term remain unexplained. Today, the Stillbirth Foundation Australia operates to reduce the incidence of stillbirth by funding and encouraging research into stillbirth, and increasing public awareness of stillbirth. Stillbirth is a true life-changing event and, at the time of a baby’s death, it is hard to imagine that life will go on. But it does, somewhat differently than
blog
planned and with new and unexpected challenges. The Stillbirth Foundation Australia needs to raise $1 million each year to continue funding stillbirth studies and produce greater advances in stillbirth research. “After a textbook pregnancy and early labour, our daughter Madeleine Elizabeth was stillborn on January 22nd, 2012 at 10:31 pm. I was 40 weeks and six days when I gave birth to my beautiful daughter. She was as perfect as any parent could have wished for” said Joelle Verfurth. Joelle and Thomas, have decided to do something amazing after the loss of their daughter, to not only honour the memory of their little girl but also to help raise funds for the Stillbirth Foundation Australia. Please join us at the Stillbirth Gala Mystery Dinner and Fundraising Auction on Saturday 2nd March 2013. Tickets are $45 and will be a night to remember. You can find out more and purchase tickets at www.everydayhero. com.au/for_madeleine
Support in Cairns Sands Queensland provides support, information, education and advocacy for parents and families who experience the death of a baby through miscarriage, stillbirth, newborn death or other pregnancy losses. They also hold regular support meetings locally, for more information visit www.sandsqld.com Heartfelt is a volunteer organization who are dedicated to giving the gift of photographic memories to families that have experienced stillbirths, premature births, or have children with serious and terminal illnesses. www.heartfelt.org.au LAMB donates Memory Boxes and Memory Bags to hospitals for parents who suffer the heartbreak of losing a baby or child. They aim to help families find comfort and assist them in collecting as many memories as their hearts desire, but most importantly, ensuring they leave the hospital with recognition of their precious baby’s life or for older child loss, a collection of memories to treasure. www.littleamb.org.au
If you run a small business than read expert advice and tips from Kim Kelly of the Cairns Business Enterprise Centre. www.parentingcompanion.com.au
GIVE YOUR CHILD THE JUMP START THEY DESERVE PHONE 07 4036 8111 PO Box 110E, Earlville Queensland 4870 email tas@tas.qld.edu.au | fax 07 4036 8222 TAS White Rock, Progress Road TAS Kewarra Beach, Poolwood Road
The first year of school sets a vital platform for your child’s future education. When you enrol your child in the TAS Prep Programme, Jump Start, you can be assured they will receive the best possible start to their schooling life. TAS Jump Start provides an enjoyable and nurturing environment with a stimulating curriculum that develops skills and confidence to set your child up for a prosperous TAS education from Jump Start to graduation.
Ju mp Start TAS PREP
TAS White Rock Kindy - Year 12 TAS Kewarra Beach Prep - Year 7
Visit www.tas.qld.edu.au or email our Admissions Officer at admissions@tas.qld.edu.au to make an appointment with one of our Early Childhood Specialists.
Summer 2012/13 Cairns Parenting Companion
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G et in the know!
Around town... STUNT TUMBLE DANCE
VE O C N O S KID
boutique is Cairns’ newest kidswear on Cove stocks open for business! Kids kidswear and some amazing brands of rgeous toys, accessories, as well as go Michael and shoes and gif ts. Phyllis, ently made rec ls their 2 gorgeous gir y Victoria to ntr the sea change from cou out at Shop 3/41 Palm Cove. Check them m Cove or for Williams Esplanade, Pal cove.com. on more info ww w.kids
CUE S E R L A M I NQ AN
Award Winning Awesome Cheerleading will be holding open work shops from Mon 10th - Sat 15th December (beginners welcome). Pre-registration is a must! For those with more experience, you can try out for the Nationals team on the 17th December. Anyone aged 14 and under may also join the ‘Rampage’ cheer squad commencing in Term 1, 2013. For more information or to register phone Tamara on 0402 225 630.
r FREE Daintree Rive Ferry Crossings If you want to take the family up to discover the Daintree this Summer, make sure you grab your free Daintree Smart Card.
sed is a foster carer ba NQ Animal Rescue foster r mission is to find rescue service. Ou es m ho r’ lected ‘fureve carers and well se ue we can. We resc for as many pets as local doned pets from homeless and aban pets are te surrenders. All pounds and priva ped, hip oc inated, micr then desexed, vacc ing treated before be wormed and flea es. If nder ful new hom adopted out to wo ster in becoming a fo you are interested ail.com tm ho foster.nqar@ carer, please email please ts, of our current pe or adopting one or qar@hotmail.com email adoptions.n 7. phone 0423 013 20
All locals with a Daintree Smart Card are allowed FREE travel on the Daintree River Ferry until the 28th of February, 2013. For more details and to register for a smart card, head the Cairns Regional Council website www.cairns.qld.gov.au.
nefit! Local Sporting Clubs to Be Did you know Brothers Leagues Club pledges $60,000 each year to benefit local sporting, school and community groups as part of the Brother’s Community Sport Development Program? You can apply by visiting their website at www.brotherscairns.com What a great program to help promote a healthy lifestyle, especially in young children!
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Cairns Parenting Companion Summer 2012/13
New styles for Curvy Women! Have you heard Bella Forma don’t just offer qualit y lingerie for all shapes and sizes, they now also have a big range of retro dresses perfect for shapely women who want to look glam (and comfortable) over Summer. Show off your curves and check out the range of Pinup Girl, Hell Bunny, Igigi and more with prices starting from $79.95. Check out their store at The Pier or shop online at www.bellaforma.com.au
PLAY Music & Learning There are many reasons why children would benefit from learning to play a musical instrument. Not only does it help to develop your child’s concentration and coordination, research has found a significant relationship between music instruction and positive performances in reading comprehension, spelling, mathematics, listening skills and primary mental abilities. Nicole Tobin-Donnelly, owner of Kindermusik in Cairns started her business in 1998, driving her passion that every child deserves the head start in life that a musical education can provide. Kindermusik is a child development program with music and movement like no other for newborns to seven year olds. There are four levels of Kindermusik, depending on the age and development level of each child. The programmes are based on the philosophies of eminent music teachers and philosophers Zoltan Kodaly, Carl Orff and Emile Jacques Dalcroze. Coupled with the most recent research into child development, the
result is an exceptional programme, which prepares children for a musical, magical journey to last a lifetime. In the ‘Village’ baby classes, children start with activities that aid them socially and emotionally as well as teaching skills such as steady beat acquisition. By the time they graduate from Kindermusik in Grade 1, students are learning to read music and play the glockenspiel, dulcimer and recorder. They also have an appreciation of Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Tchaikovsky and Profokiev, as well as an understanding of musical notation;
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The team from the Bentley Park Early Years Centre shares some of their knowledge and expertise of those very important early years in a child’s life. www.parentingcompanion.com.au Summer 2012/13 Cairns Parenting Companion
23
The
WORDS Sarah Ockwell-Smith – Mum to four, Parenting Author and Founder of BabyCalm Ltd
th Trimester
Why your newborn is only happy in your arms! “My baby is only happy in my arms, the minute I put her down she cries”, “He sleeps really well but only when he’s laying on my chest, he hates his basket.” If I had a dollar for every time I heard these from a new parent I’d be a very rich lady by now! What amazes me though is that society in general doesn’t get it, they don’t get why so many babies need to be held, and what perplexes me even more is that we spend so long trying to put them down! We spend more than time though, we spend money on rocking cribs, battery swings, vibrating chairs, heartbeat teddies and the list goes on. Having been a first time parent who bought many items I am embarrassed to admit it honestly didn’t enter my head that perhaps the answer was to ‘not’ put my baby down. It took me a long time to understand and empathise with my baby, to see the world through his eyes so to speak. EMPATHY: the intellectual identification with or vicarious experiencing of the feelings, thoughts, or attitudes of another. To empathise with our newborns feelings we need to put ourselves in their place, to imagine experiencing what they are. To fully understand we must appreciate the enormous transition they have made – a concept known to many as ‘The Fourth Trimester’. Some make the womb-to-world transition easily, others less so. So lets quickly compare the two different ‘worlds’ your baby has lived in: From a warm, cosy, wet and dark space with muffled sounds, no light and in constant contact with mum to a cold, open, dry and bright world with noise and other stimulants and a dramatic reduction in the contact with mum. Pretty different, huh? Here are some common newborn calming techniques that tend to work quite well, but remember each and every baby is different. Some things on this list will be inappropriate for you and your baby, some simply won’t work, some you won’t like – and that’s okay!
MOVEMENT Babies tend to love movement (imagine their time in utero) but so often we put them down somewhere completely still. Try dancing, swaying from side to side or even a bumpy car ride.
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Cairns Parenting Companion Summer 2012/13
SKIN-TO-SKIN CONTACT Being in contact with your warm skin is heaven for a baby (helps stabilise body temperature, heart rate and stress hormones and stimulates the release of oxytocin). Topless cuddles, shared baths and baby massage are all great skin-to-skin experiences for your baby and you.
CO-SLEEPING Sharing a bed with your baby is an amazing way of getting more sleep for everyone. Babies are generally much calmer and sleep more easily if they sleep with you in your bed. Ensure you follow safe co-sleeping guidelines.
SWADDLING Imagine how snug your baby was at the very end of your pregnancy inside of you. So imagine how strange it must feel to now have so much space around them! The best thing you can do is to envelop your baby in your arms, but for times when you don’t want to, or indeed can’t, then swaddling is an option.
BABYWEARING When a baby is in utero they spend 100 percent of their time in physical contact with us – yet the moment they are born this is estimated to drop to only 40 percent! Wearing your baby increases the time a baby spends in a state of ‘quiet alertness’ - a time of contentment when they learn the most. It is quite common for a baby to cry once placed in a sling, but this does not mean that they hate the sling – it just means that you need to move, so get dancing! Remember, newborns should always face inwards with a frog-leg pose, not a crotch-dangle pose.
POSITION The ‘tiger in the tree’ position, also know as ‘football hold’, is often magical, stopping a crying baby in an instant!
NOISE Babies love sound, but for many babies a vacuum is much more calming than a lullaby. Try a white noise CD whilst your baby sleeps.
FEED If your baby is hungry nothing will calm him, so watch for his hunger cues. Feeding is always better if it is baby led, not led by a routine – whether you are breast or bottle feeding. Remember as well that your baby may not always be hungry for a full feed. They may want a quick drink or snack or just some comfort sucking. Babies also find sucking the ultimate relaxation and comfort tool.
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embracing potential
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The womb is a wet, warm place. The world as we know it is dry and cold! Sometimes a nice deep, warm bath can stop a baby’s tears in seconds – even better if mummy or daddy goes in the big bath for some added skin-to-skin contact.
OUTSIDE If all else fails, many babies stop crying the minute they hit the open air. I’m not sure if this is because we are usually moving or because of the change in air – but it works!
9 Brose Street White Rock QLD 4868 Contact us at cairnsmontessori@gmail.com • ph: (07) 4036 1055
www.cairnsmontessori.com.au Summer 2012/13 Cairns Parenting Companion
25
C ou nt r y
Life
Three local mums talk about raising kids in the bush... WORDS Hayley Turner PHOTO Paul, Emily and Zade Rossi taken by Peppermint Lane Photography.
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Cairns Parenting Companion Summer 2012/13
Three Far North Queensland mums explain to Hayley Turner
PHOTO Zade Rossi taken by Peppermint Lane.
where the term ‘country lovin’ came from. The trio from a cane, cattle and dairy farm say life in the bush isn’t easy but it’s the only place they want to live. What is it like raising a family on a farm? A lot of us fantasise about bringing up kids in the bush; the clean air, simplicity, room to move and the innocence of playing in creeks and trees instead of backyards, streets and parks. In the city, dance schools, swimming squads and soccer teams are a short drive away. We can see art, theatre or music most weekends. Friends are just a ‘hello’ away and there’s plenty of concrete for skating. In the city we educate our children about stranger danger and cars. In the country snake safety is taught before children can walk. Swimming lessons happen at the same time. There are too many dams, tanks and water troughs around to be complacent. Toilet training happens in the back garden and the kids wear Akubras, not caps.
when you are on the land and the closest town can be an hour’s drive away. Hayley Turner spoke to three country mums about the things which trouble them and please them about living in the bush. There is the Rossi family who live on a cane farm south of Cairns. Mum, Emily, is expecting her second child in March. She and husband, Paul, love the sense of freedom of country living. The Watson family run a dairy on the Tablelands and mum, Karen, and dad, Dan, rustle three kids under three. Finally, there is the Hitchins family, who have recently moved to Cairns so dad Ben could start a new job. They lived on a cattle property in Central Queensland and also have three kids
In the country the lazy dinner of KFC or McDonalds is not quite so lazy. It is replaced by an omelette with fresh eggs, zucchini, and herbs picked from the garden.
three years apart,. Mum, Marnie, offers
It sounds good. But it is not always easy. Just planning those nightly meals, school lunches and weekend soccer requires a whole lot more time
Emily, Karen and Marnie explain
a perspective on the differences she has found moving her very ‘country’ kids into the city. the good, the bad, the funny and the sometimes-absurd features of the seemingly simple country life.
Love on the farm Many urban families now span the width of the globe, with siblings living and working overseas. Our farming families cherish living close to extended family but say there’s nothing ‘extended’ about it. “Nona lives across the road,” said Emily, who admits regularly ducking across the road to pick fruit from her trees. Marnie’s parents also lived on a farm close-by and popped in almost daily. Her children loved ‘helping’ nana and pa with cattle, which often meant
hiding behind thick fence posts while older family members branded or loaded cattle on trucks. Extended family-members, including aunts, uncles, great aunts and great uncles were also regular visitors to the farm, and cousins often chipped-in when work needed to be done. Marnie said visits weren’t always about the business. “Ava misses going to the dam with Nana and watching the birds, turtles and kangaroos,” she said. Summer 2012/13 Cairns Parenting Companion
27
Dangers
But, the house yard had its own
cried in the middle of the night,” she said.
All our country mums chorused the same
dangers. “Snake had to be one of the kids
fears; snakes and drowning. The National
first words,” Marnie said. “My three-year-
Drowning Report 2011 showed 36 percent
on something soft that made a “sssss”
old has twice nearly stepped on a brown
of all drowning deaths in Australia,
sound. I was thinking to myself, I don’t
snake. He knew to walk away to get help
occurred in a river, creek or stream.
immediately. He wasn’t terribly frightened.
have any toys that make that sound so I
Karen’s greatest fear is the body of water closest to her home.
He was more curious.” Marnie’s tally of snake stories is frightening.
“The dairy is 150 metres down a steep
“By that stage we’d had two snakes
hill and the effluent pond is close to there,”
through the kitchen, one tree snake curled
said Karen. “We also have waist-high
around the cot, a baby brown draped
troughs for cattle, so that is my biggest worry,” Karen said. “All of them started swimming lessons at six months.” Marnie had a novel approach to stop her children from venturing to the dam, which was 50 metres away from the house. “We explained there were crocodiles in it and
across the television control. There was also a scorpion on Flynn’s play mat.” Marnie confessed she hated snakes and
Dad:
Dan Watson
Kids:
Luke - 3 months, Isabella - 2 and Lily - 3
Lives:
On a dairy farm
called Benny, who appeared wearing only a T-shirt. He removed the snake from the house with a shovel.” Since moving to the city, Marnie has other dangers to consider. “I am most worried about traffic in the city and a little bit worried about strangers. My kids aren’t very good at figuring out where cars are coming from. We lived on a dirt track in the
Ben, who is trained in snake handling.
country and if a few cars went past, it was
Location: 13 kilometres out of Millaa Millaa Time is takes to drive to Cairns: Almost 2hrs The best thing about being in the country is: Going outside and having a picnic or a walk together. The girls love going with Dan on the four-wheeler while he moves the cows to a different paddock. PHOTO Taken by Peppermint Lane Photography.
28
snake was slithering away from me. I
but mostly it was the job of her husband,
Watson Family
Karen Watson
turned on the light and a 1.5 metre brown
sometimes had to ‘remove’ them herself
that seemed to work,” Marnie said.
Mum:
“I walked to the bedroom and stepped
Cairns Parenting Companion Summer 2012/13
“When I was pregnant with Noah, Ava
a busy day.”
PHOTO Taken by Peppermint Lane Photography.
Hitchins Family Mum:
Marnie Hitchins
Dad:
Ben Hitchins
Kids:
Noah - 4, Ava - 6, Flynn - 7
Lives:
In the city now
Location: Edge Hill Time it takes to get to school: Less than 60 seconds
Moved from: A cattle property in Biloela, Central Queensland The best thing about living in the country is: Playing tennis in the middle of the paddock. The best thing about being in the city is: Mail (and pizza) comes to our door
Play The greatest toy of all both calms and
“The house is next to the shed. We just go
excites. It is never discarded after a week
in and play with all the tractors. He points
and the grown-ups like it just as much as
and lets us know which one he wants to get
kids. It is the quad bike.
in next. We have the harvester here at the
“We were out on the four-wheeler this morning,” said Emily, who lives on 600 acres
moment and he is besotted with it.” Marnie agreed that toys were different in
at Behana Gorge and dreamily claims it is
the outback. “In the country, sticks are guns.
like riding around in “God’s paradise”. “We
Skipping ropes are horse reins and they
went looking for a friend’s remote control
would be riding their scooters, if the nearest
helicopter that went missing in the cane. It
concrete wasn’t 30 minutes drive away,” she
was special for the whole family to be out
said.
(on the four-wheeler).“ Marnie and Karen had similar stories,
“Since moving to Cairns, the boys favourite thing to do is go to the skate
adding their families liked to explore the
park or play with friends in the backyard.
land together.
Having mates over used to be an exercise
Emily said her son’s favourite toy weighs
in logistics. Now all they do is write a note,
about ten tonne. “We have a sandpit and
fold it into a paper plane and launch it over
trampoline but he is tractor mad,” she said.
the fence.” Summer 2012/13 Cairns Parenting Companion
29
Pets While dogs have always been a part of everyday life for Marnie’s children, they now play a very different role in the family unit. “Now, our dog is a pet instead of a worker,” Marnie said. “We pat it instead of bossing it around.” On the farm, Marnie’s family lived amongst among hundreds of animals including frogs in the shower, snakes, kangaroos, emus and an echidna called Jack. Her daughter has struggled to adjust to an Edge Hill backyard, where the only wildlife is the neighbours. “Ava was so excited the day she found a stick insect on the fence in the backyard,” Marnie said. “Ava told me, “Mum, it’s just like the old days!” That stick insect – called Twiggy – has been living on a branch on the kitchen table for the past three months,” Marnie said. On the dairy farm, Karen won’t let the kids play too closely with milking cows because they are unpredictable, but she and the children love visiting the chickens and collecting their eggs. “We have seven chooks and a rooster named Roger,” she said. “Izzy goes up to him and touches his tail and he doesn’t care,” she says affectionately. “He is a nice rooster. He calls the girls when there is food and lets them eat first.”
Meal Times One of the biggest drawcards of country life is mealtime. The food is fresh and often picked by mum and the kids moments before it’s eaten and, by contrast to the city, dads are often present at the table. As well as having fruit trees and a vegetable garden, Karen said meat is a large part of the family’s diet. “We do our own kills,” Karen said. “We sometimes have pigs, so Dan and his brother make their own bacon and ham. We have a
Rossi Family
cold room, which we run only when we have a kill. I guess
Mum:
Emily Rossi
curry dishes, the girls prefer the classics, according to Karen.
Dad:
Paul Rossi
“Crumbed steak and lasagne are the girls’ favourites!”
Kids:
Zade Rossi, 2 Emily’s 2nd child is due in March
front door so as well as growing vegetables and fruit, Emily
Lives:
On a cane farm
meticulously plans her weekly visits the grocery store. “I try
you get used to what your own meat tastes like. If we have supermarket meat we notice the difference in taste. It’s really nice,” Karen laughed. “Not as tough as ours.” While Dan enjoys using herbs from their garden to create
Country-life means not being able to order a pizza to the
Location: Behana Gorge
to be organised,” she said. “Gordonvale is not that far from us
Time it takes to drive to family day care in Wrights Creek: 15 minutes
but I prefer to have everything we need. We have got cut-off
The best thing about being in the country is: It’s beautiful and quiet. We live right on the creek and there are so many tracks around the headland. I think freedom as well. With the space comes this sense of freedom.
a couple of times (in the floods) but it’s not for very long. “
School With just 25 kids at their old school, Marnie had trouble helping her kids adjust to their new school which has more than 1000 children. “A small country school is like an extended family,” Marnie said. “That has its good and bad
30
PHOTO Taken by Peppermint Lane Photography. Cairns Parenting Companion Summer 2012/13
Want to g et no t iced by t h e right p eo ple? PHOTO The Hitchins kids on the farm.
points. Kids feel comfortable in a family
Marnie’s sons and daughter all learned
and they test the boundaries more. In a
to go to the toilet in the backyard, not
big school, they have to learn to be more
toilet. A habit she is still trying to break
self reliant.”
in the city. Karen said ‘toilet stops’ are
“The kids were quite troubled by not knowing everyone at school. ‘Stranger’
a logistical nightmare. “It’s hard when someone wants to wee or poo and you’re
isn’t a word they had in their vocabulary
trying to get their gumboots off.”
because they knew everyone they came
Community
into contact with. The positive side is they now have a bigger choice of mates. In a small school, like a family, you’re stuck with what you’re stuck with.”
With fewer people to bear the load in the country, the community becomes very close and multi-skilled. “We had a fundraiser for Aloomba
Toilet Training
State Primary School,” Emily said. “There’s
When there are no fences and no
only about a hundred kids there but they
neighbours, there are also no worries
raised $10,000 during a trivia night. That’s
about not being able to find a toilet when
amazing. It’s a really community-oriented
you need one.
area.”
Emily says ‘space’ is the best thing about
Marnie said her childrens’ friendliness
living on a farm and she never takes it for
was one of the first things people
granted. “We are surrounded by mountains
commented upon when they moved to
and at the moment the cane is cut so we
the city. They were quick with a ‘hello’
have this amazing view. I’d go crazy if I
because, in the country, everyone they
lived in town. If we want to we can just run
met was a friend. “They are always in
around naked here. Zade is a nappy-free
the neighbour’s yards. They are friendly
kid,” she said, adding an after-thought. “I
country kids so I’ve had to ration the
was only thinking this morning about this
amount of times they say ‘hello’ so the
toilet training thing. He’s going to learn to
neighbours don’t think they are too much
go in the garden!”
like mini-stalkers.”
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Summer 2012/13 Cairns Parenting Companion
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Cairns Parenting Companion Summer 2012/13
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How
Naturopathy helped my Grandson Karen Lawrence, a devoted grandmother
PICTURED ABOVE Karen Lawrence and grandson, Aidan.
of three recalls the day her 10 month
Q & A with Aidan’s Naturopath, David Peirce
old grandson, Aidan, was injured at his home in Edmonton. “He has always been a climber and this time had climbed up onto his step up, and pulled a steaming hot rice cooker from the
1 What did you observe when you first met Aidan? What was his body doing
kitchen bench”, she said. Aidan suffered 3rd degree burns and was rushed to Cairns Base Hospital, with a
and going through?
month then spent recovering in the burns unit at the Townsville Hospital.
accident obviously having an effect.
It wasn’t until Karen and her husband Amanda Gale Physio who had helped with their health issues, that she decided to
with a passion to activate your healthy genes and switch off the ones that lead to disease.
taste level for Aidan. changes you introduced and why
His brain was over stimulated so my
should people consider naturopathy
approach was based on putting in the
for family health?
One of the most common lifestyle
calm and rebalance his nervous system.
changes is removing foods that are
Looking at his blood, I could determine
creating problems.
intolerances.
3. Lifestyle changes - what were the
you treated him in this way?
cells showed signs of possible food
boy. He was sleeping again and just
of natural health care for the last 16 years
introduce and able to be tolerated on a
really revved up.
a tad damaged and his white blood
matter of 2 to 3 days, Aidan was a different
David has been practicing this system
achievable and realistic for his Mum to
that he had lots of acidity; his cells were
see what David could do for Aidan. “In a
seemed a whole lot calmer”, she said.
made to his diet that have been both
challenging behaviour and was
nutrients that he may be lacking to
visited naturopath, David Peirce at
There has been some simple changes
He wasn’t sleeping well; had
2. Explain how you treated him or why
From then on it was long, sleepless nights for Aidan with the stress of the
I find that a lot of the 21st century is gearing our bodies for imbalances. Natural Medicine holds a range of options to curve the imbalances.
The basic treatment perspective based
Naturopathy is safe, gentle
on what Aidan’s system was telling
and effective as well as being
me was to calm the nervous system,
complimentary to other current
give the body omega 3’s and adequate
medial treatments that people may be
vitamins A and D.
undergoing.
AMANDA GALE
Summer 2012/13 Cairns Parenting Companion
33
u o y d i d t Wha ? y a d o T e bring hom Medical WORDS Dr Serena Keating – Abbott
34
Cairns Parenting Companion Summer 2012/13
Clinic, Earlville
As parents we love receiving the little surprises our children bring home from school: a handmade card, a painting, an award. Sometimes our kids bring home unwelcome surprises too. This article discusses some of the common minor infectious diseases your children could bring home from school. WORMS (Threadworm/Pinworm) Often the first sign of worms is an itchy bottom, usually at night. The female worms lay eggs on a person’s skin around the anus. The worms can also lay eggs near the vagina, making it itchy. Sometimes you can see the worms in your child’s poo or in their bottom at night. They look like little threads, about one centimetre long. Scratching transfers eggs onto the fingers where they can be swallowed – starting the cycle again. Good hygiene helps stop the eggs from being spread. Teach your children to wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating. Keep their nails short and discourage nail biting. Eggs can survive for two weeks in bedding, on the floor or on toys/pencils. Children in childcare are easily infected by each other. Your day care centre will have recommendations on how often to worm your younger children – usually three-monthly. Worms can be treated with over-thecounter medication from the pharmacy. Treat everyone in the family at the same time. Make sure to gently wash the kid’s bottoms to remove the eggs. Get advice from your doctor or pharmacist about treating children under the age of two.
NITS AND HEAD LICE People often talk about kids having ‘nits’. Nits are the eggs of tiny brown insects called head lice. It is a myth that lice like dirty hair – they prefer clean hair and a
healthy scalp. Lice are transmitted by head- to-head contact. They can’t fly or jump like fleas. The eggs look and feel like tiny white grains of sand stuck to the hair. Eggs are very firmly attached to the hair strand and won’t brush out. It takes about seven days for the lice to hatch from eggs, so most treatments need applying again to catch the newly hatched lice. There are a number of insecticide treatments available from the pharmacy to treat head lice and nits. You can also use conditioner on dry hair and a fine tooth comb on small sections of hair to remove the lice and nits.
INFECTED MOZZIE BITES Mozzie bites can become infected with skin bacteria (see School Sores). Kids scratch at the itchy bites and cause breaks in the skin. Some children develop a localised allergic reaction to the bites, with large red itchy patches around the bite. They may not be infected, just inflamed and sore. As with most medical conditions, prevention is better than cure. Use mozzie spray to avoid getting bitten, or cover up exposed skin. Anti-histamine medication can help with the itch. Infections may need antibiotics, depending on the severity.
RINGWORM (Tinea Corporis)
They only cause a problem when the skin is broken or inflamed. Impetigo usually starts as a small red spot which blisters. The blisters burst leaving crusty, yellowish sores on the skin. Impetigo is very infectious, so treatment is started to prevent the infection spreading to other sites or other people.
Ringworm is not actually a worm under the skin, but a fungal infection on the skin surface. Fungii love warm moist areas like the groin, under nails and in skin creases, but can occur anywhere. It is an infectious disease that is transmitted by touch. Animals such as dogs and cats can also transmit their fungal infection to humans. The patches are round or oval and the edge is scaly and red. The skin in the centre of the ‘ring’ looks pretty normal. Treatment involves using an antifungal cream, especially around the edge of the rash where the fungus is most active. The cream needs to be used for one to two weeks after the fungus is gone to prevent it coming back.
Your doctor may prescribe antibiotic cream or medication depending on the severity of infection.
The information in this article is meant as a guide. Always see your family doctor for specific advice for your family.
You will need to comb your child’s hair every two to three days for about ten days to remove all the lice and eggs if you choose the noninsecticidal method.
SCHOOL SORES (Impetigo) This is a disease caused by staphylococcus or streptococcus bacteria. The bacteria are normally found on the skin.
Summer 2012/13 Cairns Parenting Companion
35
Community
We build strong people, strong families, p h o t o bo ard strong communities. If you can believe it, the mind can achieve it!
WI N N ER Liam playing soccer for the Centenar y Comets.
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For all your printing, canvas, office and back to school needs.
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www.cairns.ymca.org.au 36 Cairns Parenting Companion Summer 2012/13
l e l i v n g a r Twith little ones
WORDS Mummy Panellist, Dr Michelle Mitchell
Whether you are planning to travel with your baby domestically or internationally, a certain degree of anxiety is normal. One reason parents may be anxious about travelling with their baby are concerns regarding their infant’s health. If you are planning on travelling with a baby over the holidays, here is some important health information you may like to consider.
If travelling outside Australia arrange a pre-travel medical visit. Ideally you should arrange a pre-travel medical visit with your regular GP (or a doctor with special expertise in travel medicine) six to eight weeks before you travel internationally. Even families not straying off the beaten path may benefit from advice regarding pre-existing medical conditions. There is the risk of more exotic infections for families travelling to common
Even babies with a minor illness such as a cold are at a higher risk of developing hypoxia at altitude.
of these instances it may be worth delaying
In addition, because babies cannot tell us whether they are feeling unwell, they can become very unwell very quickly. Long haul flights when you are likely to be away from medical attention for 12 to 24 hours with a young baby may place them at risk.
during take off and descent to assist your
your flight to avoid you child experiencing extreme pain and distress. Try the following baby or child to clear their Eustachian tube: 1 Nurse your baby on the breast or bottle. Limit the feeding time however as excess feeding may lead to abdominal discomfort. 2 If your child will take a dummy have them
are at a higher risk of contracting a vaccine
There will be instances when plane travel in the first six weeks of life is necessary. In light of the potential risks avoid non-essential plane travel until your baby is at least six weeks old, preferably three months. Ensure that babies travelling at this age have had their six-week baby check up with a GP or paediatrician. Also, discuss with your GP the benefits of accelerating their immunizations. Unless the flight is for medical purposes it is also suggested not to fly with a very young infant who is unwell, even if they only have a cold.
preventable infection than vaccinated
Take steps to avoid and manage ear pain.
them as a preventative to ear discomfort.
children.
The change of air pressure during a flight may cause pressure behind your baby’s eardrum to build. Although the sensation of pressure behind the eardrum commonly occurs in adults during take-off and landing, it tends to cause more distress in children and babies.
Sleeping indicates that they are not
family destinations such as Bali. Avoid flying with a newborn. A baby has limited immunity against infection. In the first six weeks to three months of life you can help protect your baby against infections by limiting their exposure to crowds. Unfortunately, a plane flight exposes babies to a large number of people, putting them at a higher risk of infections. In addition, the earliest that most scheduled vaccines can be given is six weeks, meaning they
A baby’s anatomy is also different. The reduced oxygen pressure at altitude may put them at risk of having low oxygen levels – or hypoxia. Babies with certain conditions such as heart or lung disease are at a higher risk of developing hypoxia at altitude, however such conditions may not have yet been diagnosed in a newborn baby.
The ear pain is likely to be worse if your baby has an ear infection or cold. In either
suck on one. 3 Older children may receive some relief through sucking on a lolly. 4 If your child is crying don’t despair, this may be helping them clear the tube. 5 Rub a eucalyptus based ointment (such as Eukybear) on their chest. 6 If your child is flying with a cold or ear infection consider a dose of paracetamol half an hour before take off and descent (if descent is more than four hours later). 7 Don’t wake your child on descent to nurse
bothered by the change in pressure. In rare instances the pressure differential may be great enough to cause bleeding behind the eardrum, or cause the eardrum to rupture. If there is persistent discomfort after a flight, or discharge of any kind from the ear, a prompt appointment with a doctor is warranted. Summer 2012/13 Cairns Parenting Companion
37
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Cairns Parenting Companion Summer 2012/13
4
A pps Kids
Are you wondering what your children can do with their shiny new iPad or iPod Touch instead of simply playing Angry Birds? Here’s a couple of our favourites...
Best Produc t
Peapod Labs offer an excellent series of iOS apps targeted at younger children. With wonderful images and videos of everything from different types of food to forms of transport, they’re a great introduction to the alphabet!
Toca Band - a series of whacky animated characters form a band which seems to almost
always sound delightful! Toca Band introduces children to tempo, rhythm and melody in a VERY fun way.
It’s a sad fact that in the real world roughly 1 in 10 of the iPads and iPod Touches out there will suffer some form of accidental damage in their first year of ownership. The best cases we’ve found so far are the Griffin Survivor family. Extensively tested to protect against sand/dust, vibration, shock and wind/ rain, they offer a VERY high level of protection without reducing access to the device.
Search for Toca Band or Peapod Labs in iTunes to locate the apps we’ve mentioned above, and we hope you enjoy them!
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39
ADVERTORIAL
s s e in s u b y il m a f l A loca It’s been a big year for Cairns’ couple, Dale and Bec Jackley. On top of starting their new business, Jackley’s Bakehouse at Raintrees Shopping Centre in April, and then opening a second bakery at Mt Sheridan Plaza in September, they also managed to finally get married! In May, Bec walked down the aisle towards her partner of nine years after meeting him as an apprentice baker whilst she was in year 12 at Trinity Bay Highschool. “We’re not afraid of hard work, and it’s great to see Dale has achieved his life-long dream of owning his own bakery”, says Bec, as we shared a coffee not far from their new shop at Mt Sheridan. “Sure it limits our social life a bit but it’s all I’ve known with Dale, so it’s all good”.
When I catch up with Dale it’s been the usual 12 hours straight on the job, with a typical day beginning at midnight after only a few hours sleep. But you get the feeling Dale is totally okay with that. Aside from the dreaded bookwork, life couldn’t be better. Against all advice, most of the staff employed at Jackley’s Bakehouse are family, or considered as such. All their kids are friends, with the whole team treating the business as if it was their own. They have recently also added another member to the team, Evan Lecompt who is a New Zealand born baker with over 22 years experience. “Evan brings with him a wealth of experience”, says Dale, “especially with the finer breads like
ciabatta and rye. He’s a great asset to the business”. And when I ask what advice Dale would give to other business owners, Bec cheekily replies, “definitely have a good holiday first!” with Dale adding, “Make time for the family and make sure you are passionate about what you are doing”. It’s good to see this beautiful couple enjoying their business so look out for them and support your locals. They offer a great range of healthy, fresh bread and savouries and can even whip up personalised birthday cakes for special celebrations. Oh, and don’t ask about the honeymoon. As Dale quickly adds, “That’ll happen after shop five!” Good luck with that one, Dale!
r u o y b d e Bak amily f rs! for you
RAINTREES SHOPPING CENTRE PH. 4053 3992 MOUNT SHERIDAN PH. 4036 0694 jackleysbakehouse@bigpond.com 40
Cairns Parenting Companion Summer 2012/13
e t a e r C play learn la l a n o n o s s r r e P PePe rs oh s nh asl p p m u m i r T u i r T
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4 pa ge pu l lout of activ ities for Ju n iors i n 2013 Summer 2012/13 Cairns Parenting Companion
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Cairns
157 Mulgrave Road Shop 14, Showgrounds Shopping Centre 4041 5695 Due to space restrictions, certain items may not be available in all stores. Not all items/offers available for purchase online. Occasionally due to unforeseen circumstances beyond Rebel Sports’ control, some items may not be available. Offers cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or discount cards. No rainchecks on advertised products. RG4933_22941
Cairns Parenting Companion Summer 2012/13
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Gordonvale Aquatic Centre 4056 1353 Woree Bicentenial Aquatic 4054 6964
arn to Swim Le & Extra Curricular Activities
Babinda Swimming Pool 4067 1211 Marlin Coast Recreation 4057 7507
For more info: www.cairns.ymca.org.au
Call or email now for more info.
Fun, Family & Fitness Centre of Cairns! A large diversity of Junior Sports for all ages! Oztag, Inline Hockey, Roller Hockey, Artistic Skate, Roller Derby, Aerials, Learn to Skate Classes and much more! 44 Behan Street, www.cairnsrecreationcentre.com.au
! ios rls , s tud Gi xamsment S 3 s & to e ess s y n Bo om fu s & as r d F dfo ted eis
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*Jazz * Tap * Ballet * Hip Hop * Cheerleading *Lyrical *Contemporary * Pilates/Yoga For more info, enrollments and times visit
Ph: 0403 828 785 • www.dancejunction.com.au
Summer 2012/13 Cairns Parenting Companion
43
Join Cairns’ fastest growing studio! Playdance (2-3yrs) • Babies Ballet (3-4 yrs) • Tiny-Tots (4-5 yrs) • Ballet • Modern • Jazz • Tap • Contemporary • Hiphop • Pilates (all ages, including adult classes)
For
168 Draper St, Cairns 40514888 • www.fnqdanceacademy.com.au
es 5 & up g a
HIP HOP cLASSES Classes in City and Northern Beaches
Local sporting clubs for kids AFL Cairns............................... Look for them at www.sportingpulse.com Basketball................................ Look for them at www.sportingpulse.com
ENROL NOW FOR 2013 Contact Sian: 4057 5412 • www.cheekymonkeyclub.com.au
Cairns Cycling Club.................................................... www.cairns.cycling.org.au Cairns & District Soccer Assoc........................ www.soccercairns.asn.au Cairns Hockey Association.............................www.cairnshockey.com.au Cairns Little Athletics ........................................................................ www.qlaa.asn.au Cairns Junior Cricket............................................................................. www.cjca.org.au
Learn the art of cheerleading, dance, tumble and acrobatics with classes for 2 year olds through to adults. Whether it’s just for enjoyment or for the thrill of competition!
Cairns Netball Assoc.................................................. www.cairnsnetball.net.au Cairns Softball................................................................ www.cairns.softball.org.au Futsal...........................................................................www.redlynchindoorsports.net Girl Guides Qld....................................................................................www.guidesqld.org Junior Sailing........................................................... www.cairnsyachtclub.com.au
Smaller class sizes
Junior Rugby League........ Look for them at www.sportingpulse.com
BIGGER results
Junior Rugby................................................................................ www.fnqrugby.com.au Indoor / Inline Hockey............. www.cairnsrecreationcentre.com.au Road Runners...................................................................... www.roadrunners.org.au Roller Derby.......................................... www.cairnsrecreationcentre.com.au Scouts Qld..................................................................................... www.scoutsqld.com.au
Ph: 4045 2782 www.swimskills.com.au eld Smithfi ith First w based ely Uniqu ss Lesson is la small c . FREE sizes
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Remember, mak ing regu lar physical activ ity a prior ity for kids creates good habits for life!
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No need to be bored these school holidays! Visit www.parentingcompa nion.com.au for loads of school holiday ideas! 44
Cairns Parenting Companion Summer 2012/13
” t c e f “ Pe r S PCAORUERNST E
PERFECTION is boring: so says the P5 Parenting course offered by the Port Douglas Neighbourhood Centre. That’s one of the many reasons the Centre’s Family Support Team love being able to run this group. “We don’t run this group because we have a view of ‘perfect parenting”, says Jo de Riva O’Phelan, one of the trained P5 facilitators. P5 stand for Participatory Program Promoting Pleasurable Parenting and that’s really what this course is about. “Parents coming to the course tell us what they are looking to gain from the course. We generally hear that parents want to do a great job [but] are often doing things they don’t want to do – like punishing, yelling or nagging. They often want to get out of this cycle but are not sure how too. Because of this they end up finding parenting painful rather than pleasurable.” The program doesn’t give parents a guilt trip about these types of situations. Instead, we use such examples to learn from. “As parents we’re the emotional adventure playground for our children as they conduct their early experiments and that’s really hard work. This course is about parents finding their own solutions together.” P5 runs for six sessions with each session lasting about two to two and a half hours. Each week the group listens to audio examples of everyday household hassles between parents and children… eg. trying to make a phone call and all of a sudden your two year old is demanding your attention by playing up. Parents in the course generally laugh and relax as they listen to frustrated or agitated parents dealing with these everyday challenges as best they can. Over the weeks the program presents a view of why children misbehave, how we can identify this by examining how their behaviour makes us feel, and then moves into what some useful responses might be. These include allowing natural consequences, forming logical consequences or using good communication skills. Each tool is designed not to control children but to make the most of children’s skills and energy to secure co-operation and responsibility by again, allowing them to learn from their mistakes. The program is suitable for parents of children from 2 years and up. So long as parents leave the program feeling they are able to enjoy the challenges of being a parent, the course has achieved its goal. And many parents do just that.
Get involved in the P5 Programme
The P5 Programme Neighbourhood Centre is currently looking for expressions of interest from practitioners or parents with group leadership skills to complete a three day facilitator course in Term 1 or 2, 2013. See www.p5australia.com.au for more information about the P5 program including an AIFS evaluation or email manager@pdnc.org.au for more information about upcoming facilitator training.
F E E D B A C K f ro m a s in g le mo t he r o f four:
I am very glad I did the progra m, I got a lot out of it, it helped me unde rstand both mine and my children’s be haviour and why they come about. I have done other parentin g programs, ho wever I found P5 to be very user friend ly, and it had a very dow n to earth appr oa ch to parenting that gave me a sens e of relief that I was actu ally doing OK. It he lp ed me to relax in my parenting. Summer 2012/13 Cairns Parenting Companion
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Cairns Parenting Companion Summer 2012/13
Summer
Dat esavers www.parentingcompanion.com.au/CALENDAR
Tuesday 25th Dec
Merry Christmas “May peace be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through!” Merry Christmas from all the team at Cairns Parenting Companion!
Tuesday 31st Dec
Celebrating Cairns this New Year’s Eve! Live entertainment line up with the cream of local talent including a Cairns Super Group from 9pm. Fireworks at 9pm and midnight. Roving entertainers, facepainting and family entertainment starting from 6pm at the Lagoon foreshore.
www.cairns.qld.gov.au
Saturday 26th Jan Australia Day Celebrations! Loads of fun for the whole family! Trinity Beach from 7am Babinda from 11.30 am The Esplanade from noon
www.cairns.qld.gov.au
Saturday 9th Feb
Chinese New Year Festival – 3pm to 8pm 2013 is the ‘Year of the Snake’ a street parade and festival down Grafton Street, site of the old Chinatown precinct. Visit www.cadcai.com.au for more information.
Sunday 24th Feb
Rare Disease Day Dun Run/ Walk – The Esplanade This annual event, now in it’s 5th year, recognises those living in our community with a rare disease. The walk/run starts at 8.30am with a sausage sizzle and family entertainment. Visit mollysvoice.org for
• Lasts 5 – 30 days • Over 40 messages to choose from • Delivery and Phone Orders Available
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more information. 2012/13 7139 Sixth Summer Page Ad.indd 1
Cairns Parenting Companion 47 6:49 PM 12/11/12
The Benevolent Society’s
Cairns Early Years Centre
The Cairns Early Years Centre offers free services for all families with young children pre-birth to 8 years old living in South Cairns. Some activities we are running are:
We run playgroups in the following areas...
Drop-in Child Health Clinics Play & Grow playgroups—at the centre and at a number of parks. Infant Massage Singing and Rhyming Parenting Programs Play ideas and information for parents
Woree
White Rock Bentley Park Edmonton
Kindergarten (at a very reasonable cost) Connect to Kindergarten programs Toys and reading activities to loan and practice at home
Please contact or drop into our centre for more info or support
CALL 07 4045 0003 Cairns Early Years Centre
Northern end of Bentley Park College Just off Borrowdale Close via McLaughlin Road Bentley Park Qld 4868
e ceyc@benevolent.org.au t 07 4045 0003 www.earlyyearscentre.org.au 48
Cairns Parenting Companion Summer 2012/13
Gordonvale
Find us on
PHOTO Jodie Ferreroe
RedlYnch Co m m u n it y M a rke t s What’s better than a family-day out at the markets? Local fresh produce, new, handmade and pre-loved stalls, entertainment and a great way to spend some time together. Mum of two, Jodie Ferrero has worked on establishing the Redlynch Community Markets since the end of 2011. It wasn’t a new idea but needed someone with the drive and motivation to step up, and so she did. With the support of the College and the P&C Association, the markets became a reality in August 2012 and are now growing and gaining a solid following, not only with college families but also with the wider community. Jodie has dedicated the last six years to raising her kids and the last two years actively volunteering on the school P&C to help better the school for all. She has also started her own small business offering services in events, administration, virtual reception and personal assistance. Being able to model a good home life – school life – community life – work life for her children is an important factor for Jodie and part of her motivation. “Through my
A mobile showroom that comes to you! Dancewear everything from top to toe
Shoes from beginner to professional, all styles available Costumes available, either secondhand or new
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Phone 4033 1355 Email cairnsdance@hotmail.com Web www.cairnsdance.com
involvement with the P&C Association and more recently as Market Coordinator for the Redlynch Community Markets, I have forged this connection and it is of great benefit to the social development of my children. I enjoy the contribution I am able to make and admire all the wonderful volunteers in our school community.” Redlynch Community Markets are held on the 4th Sunday of each month from 8am to 1pm and are situated at the Redlynch State College P-7 campus. With over 45 stalls and a huge range of wares for sale including unique locally handmade baby and children’s clothing, accessories and décor, fresh locally grown organic/biodynamic fruit, vegetables and a delicious variety of home-baked treats. RCM has also recently launched a new Children’s Corner with activities for the littlies and an interactive storytime, which is a beautiful experience for all children. For further information please contact Jodie Ferrero, Market Coordinator on 0428 668 113 or email rscpandc+communitymarket@gmail.com
4th Sunday of each month from 8am - 1pm
CPC Helping to Grow Better Communities! Summer 2012/13 Cairns Parenting Companion
49
s t e m m o r G e and Thro WORDS Dr Henry Glennie – Ear, Nos
at Specialist
One of the most common causes of hearing loss is ‘Otitis Media’. This is the condition where fluid forms behind the eardrums, usually as the result of an infection. Less common causes are trauma, allergy and flying with an upper respiratory infection (Barotitic Otitis Media). Otitis Media is usually a childhood disease. In most children the condition resolves as the child grows and the passages between the ear and throat enlarge in size (Eustachian tubes). Until the condition resolves a child not only has hearing loss, but balance may also be affected. Speech and language delay can cause poor school performance. Often there are behavioural problems associated with the hearing loss. The illness affects not only the child but also the whole family, with parents having to take time off work to stay home with their child and coping with sleepless nights when children wake crying and upset. Also, the cost of the treatment often has a marked effect on family incomes. There are two types of Otitis Media: Acute, with the rapid onset of pain, high temperature, discharge from the ear and irritability. The other type is Secretory Otitis Media, which is sometimes called ‘glue ear’ and may have no symptoms apart from mild to moderate hearing loss. Studies throughout the world have shown that up to 60 percent of children will have Acute Otitis Media in their first year of life and up to 84 percent of children by three years of age. In the majority of children these episodes clear quickly, with or without specific treatment. When medical treatment for recurrent episodes of Acute Otitis Media fail, the insertion of grommets is recommended (Tympanostomy Tubes). This is usually defined as three or more episodes over a six-month period. Because of the prevalence of Otitis Media, grommet placement is the single most common operation carried out worldwide. Often specialists will recommend the removal of the adenoid tissue at the time of grommet placement. There is some evidence that the incidence of recurrent Otitis Media is less when adenoids are removed. There is no evidence to suggest that tonsillectomy provides an additional advantage. This operation should
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Cairns Parenting Companion Summer 2012/13
only be carried out when attacks of Clinical Tonsillitis have been frequent. Grommets are made of teflon and have been used throughout the world since 1958. They are shaped like a bobbin with a narrow waist, which is hollow. The purpose is to allow air into the middle ear (the space behind the ear drum). This maintains normal pressures for the period the grommets are in place. This is usually five to six months. Occasionally this natural migration of the grommet does not occur and it has to be removed under a general anaesthetic. During the time that air is present in the middle ear a healthy lining grows along the eustachian tube into the middle ear from the back of the nose (Nasopharynx). The replacement of the abnormal mucus-
secreting lining to the normal lining is the reason why the operation is so successful. Only 15 to 20 percent of children will have frequent further episodes of Otitis Media. Of these approximately half will require reinsertion of grommets. Finally, parents often express concern about grommet placement. They worry that their child will be not able to swim and participate in other normal activities. It is a fact that water entering the ear canal can cause infections, which are difficult to treat. As a general rule it is best that children with grommets have custom-fitted ear plugs to prevent water entering the ear canals. Once the grommets have been extruded no further precautions are required.
Jack’s St ory WORDS Cathy Tannock
Like any parent, I was just grateful that when my twins were born they were healthy and happy. And thankfully at three, they still are. But growing from tiny babes in arms, to boisterous little people is not without its problems, which I discovered with my son Jack. Throughout the first 12 months of his life, Jack was more prone to fevers and was always sicker than his sister. He was more unsettled at night time, and the snoring – well, it sounded like a freight train running through the house. Of real concern to me as he grew into a toddler was his lack of communication. Whilst his sister, Sarah, was counting to 20 by the time she was two and half (she still misses thirteen and sixteen though) Jack was losing the one syllable words he had learnt and was basically referring to everything as “da”. As horror scenarios were running through my mind (autism, learning disorders etc), I was surprised when my son was diagnosed with ‘fluid behind his ears’ or ‘glue ear’ and enlarged tonsils and adenoids. I really thought Jack could hear well, but he was ‘making do’ and communicating as best he could. The audiologist said his hearing was affected up to 90 percent in both ears and, for him, it was like hearing sounds with his head in a bucket of water. I was told that he needed grommets in both ears (a small tube inserted into the ear
ABOVE Cathy with Jack & his twin sister, Sarah under general anaesthetic) which drains the inner ear of fluid. In addition, Jack had his tonsils and adenoids removed. The operation was probably more distressing for me than my son but, since the operation (four months ago), he hasn’t looked back. He has had ear moulds made specifically for his ears and he can’t swim or get water in his ears until the grommets fall out. It is a challenge to get him to wear them but we’re getting there. Otherwise, life isn’t much different for him, only better. His behaviour has improved in leaps and bounds; he has more confidence interacting and playing games and even without the assistance of speech therapy (we start sessions at the time or writing this article) his speech has much improved. He is able to articulate simple sentences and his face lights up when you show understanding of what he is trying to tell you. For me, it was a blessing that my GP and my Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist were onto it so quickly. Jack tries really hard to get his sentences out now and when he told me out of the blue the other day “I love you Mummy”, I knew that the decision to operate and put the grommets in was totally worth it.
“Seeing, hearing, feeling, are miracles, and each part and tag of me is a miracle.” Walt Whitman Summer 2012/13 Cairns Parenting Companion
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Things we love
Float Suits $34.95 Similar to the award winning Konfidence Jacket, the Konfidence Float Suit has eight removable floats, which allows children the freedom to start forming strokes. As their confidence grows, the floats can be removed. In sizes 1-2, 2-3 and 4-5 years. www.konfidence.com.au • Ph:0403 712 494
Chewable Jewellery – BPA Free Mum can sit back in the latest fashion accessories with the peace of mind that they are providing safe, much needed relief to tender little gums. Made from BPA free silicone and featuring a Breakaway clasp. Ph: 0434 500 940 www.mummabubbajewellery.com.au
Woddlers Toddler backpacks and Lunchboxes Available in 10 cute designs and with matching lunchboxes these are a must have accessory for any little one heading back to daycare or preschool. Woddlers are eco-friendly and are PVC Free and LEAD safe. www.woddlers.com.au
for the little people
Protect you iPad with the Supershell $37.95
“Eyes closed I should be sleeping”... “Eyes open, it’s time to get up” $44.95 MoMo sleep trainer is a ‘sanity-saver’ for parents and teaches toddlers to stay in bed. Great gift for children and parents! Purchase online at www.dreamykidz.com.au or phone 0402 250 766
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Cairns Parenting Companion Summer 2012/13
The SuperShell bounces to save the iPad from children or the accident-prone. Made from ultra-protective foam that helps absorb shocks if the iPad is dropped. More kids tablet accessories also available on. www.ereadersRus.com.au or phone 02 8004 3403
Use “cpcdiscount” for 10% OFF!
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Aquasafe is YMCA’s unique aquatic education and learn to swim program for children from 6 months to adults. Enquire now to enrol your child. All abilities, all age groups. Phone YMCA
Gordonvale 4056 1353 • Woree 4054 6964 • Babinda 4067 1211
YMCA Marlin Coast Recreation Centre Leisure Park Road, Smithfield p: 4057 7507 • e: cairns@ymca.org.au
www.cairns.ymca.org.au
Summer 2012/13 Cairns Parenting Companion
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PHOTO Ahliyah Jia and Riley Porta
Insaplirveinofg
LEARNING WORDS Sam Thackray - Begin Bright, Cairns
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Cairns Parenting Companion Summer 2012/13
Pizza
Pasta
Children are born with a natural sense of wonder, curiosity and thirst for learning about the world around them. Learning during the early years of a child’s life is considered a fundamental period for laying solid foundations for future educational success. As parents we have an important role to
the developing brain and the rate they are
play inspiring our children to develop a
able to absorb new information.
positive relationship with learning. You are your child’s first teacher. Talk to your child about your own learning journey, they love to be involved in what you are doing and who you are. They will look to you first to gauge your
Small group classes are delivered in a fun, happy and supportive environment with a strong focus on individual student needs. The literacy program is based on a synthetic phonics program that begins with a focus on letter/sound relationships
feelings toward learning and from their
and a goal of blending the mastered
build their own. Try to be as positive as
sounds together to make words. Exposure
you can about any of your own learning
to quality early literacy programs can have
experiences. Even if you weren’t the Dux
a profound impact on how a child feels
of the School, you had a favourite subject.
about their first schooling experience.
Talk about it with your child; let them see
They have developed the building blocks
that learning about something ignited a
for learning to read and therefore more
spark in you.
time to develop essential social and
“I just don’t get it” moments happen
emotional skills necessary for developing
to the most intelligent people in the
a love of learning during their first year of
world and even if we don’t have the
school.
understanding to help our children at
We also focus on early numeracy
that moment we can still talk to them
development during the one and a half
about how important it is to not give up.
hour school readiness classes. Positive
Encourage your child to keep thinking,
numeracy experiences are something that
reading and talking about new concepts.
can be incorporated into daily interactions
It is necessary to praise our children
with your child and will have a profound
for their efforts during their learning
influence on their love for learning about
endeavours and understand that they
numbers. With a simple set of numbered
or yourself as a parent may need some
cards you and your child could hunt
support during this process. Taking
around the house to find groups of toys
advantage of programs and resources
that match the number on the card. Count
in your community designed to support
the people in your house, the people
your child’s progress for school will
in your car, look at the number on your
encourage them to develop a lifelong love
letterbox, the numbers on registration
of learning!
plates, prices in catalogues, time on a
Children will be more willing to learn
clock and my personal favourite, counting
if they feel safe and supported within
my child’s chubby little fingers and toes!
both family and educational settings.
Tuning your child into numbers can be a
They learn that mistakes are a part of
rewarding, authentic learning experience
developing a love of learning and their
as they look and learn how you use
confidence and resilience will grow.
numbers in your everyday life.
At Begin Bright Cairns we provide
Hosting a party has never been this easy! LESS THAN $20 PER PERSON* *for 50 guests or more
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Don’t be afraid to ‘teach’ your child
school readiness classes that focus on
about the importance of reading and
early literacy and numeracy development
understanding our mathematical world.
prior to starting school. We recognise
As a parent you are in the best position to
that children are very receptive to new
show them that literacy and numeracy are
information during the early years and
important skills to have to get by in our
this is widely documented in research on
world.
Sandwiches
Roasts
Summer 2012/13 Cairns Parenting Companion
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Cairns Parenting Companion Summer 2012/13
cher Teafeature
WI N
WHO WILL BE OUR NEXT
TEACHER FEATURE? They could be an educator, mentor, coach or day carer.
In between driving a bus for disabled and intellectually handicapped Cairns high students, Phillip Whykes also shares his time helping to guide and provide companionship for troubled youth. Left: Phillip Whykes with former mentee, Connor.
fishing. I also like to take him to his sport
Cairns Youth Mentoring Scheme?
days and do all sorts of fun stuff with him.
young people achieve their goals and have fun doing it.
Email your nominations to THANKS TO:
What would you say is the most rewarding thing about being a mentor? This is my favourite question. It would have
How long have you been a mentor?
to be to see my mentee achieve his goals
I have been a mentor for about six years and
and to see him laughing and having fun.
still going strong.
I also feel ten-foot tall walking down the
Tell us a bit about what you do as a
Nominate them now! win@parentingcompanion.com.au
Why did you become a mentor with the Well that one is easy. I love to see and help
Just by nominating you could win one of three $30 itunes cards from Talk to the Mac. PLUS our ‘Teacher Feature’ receives a $50 voucher from Harleys Educational Super Store and morning tea with thanks to The Cheesecake Shop Smithfield & Mulgrave Rd.
street with him.
mentor? I try to take my mentee to
What is the most challenging aspect?
something exciting every few weeks such
Getting to know your mentee to work out
as getting a tour all the way up the airport
their likes and dislikes after we first meet.
control tower; a tour through the fire station;
You tend to ask yourself many questions
the airport weather station; and the rescue
like, ‘will he like me or not’, but this is very
helicopter to name just a few. We also go
quickly overcome.
CAIR NS YO U T H ME NT OR IN G In 1998, a group of Cairns-based service providers working with young people came together to set up a mentoring program that could help young people avoid problems such as homelessness, lack of family support, at risk of leaving school prematurely, involved in the Youth Justice system or unemployment. A development plan was drawn up with the help of communit y members and local politicians. In 1999, the Cairns City Council
gave funding to help set up the Cairns Youth Mentoring Scheme. Member for Leichhardt, the Hon Warren Entsch MP took a submission to the Department of Family and Communit y Services. This was successful, under the Family and Communit y Networks Initiative, in obtaining enough funds to run a one-year pilot program. The Cairns Youth Mentoring Scheme was set up as a Centacare Cairns Service and was operational until 2009 when federal funding was withdrawn.
Volunteer Members of the communit y rallied together and formed The Cairns Youth Mentoring Scheme Inc. with the help of Centacare Cairns. Since 2009 these dedicated volunteers have held onto the vision and have worked to re-establish the scheme as a communit y-run association. If you would like to become a volunteer youth mentor and give someone in need a trusted companion then visit www.cairnsyouthmentoring.org
Summer 2012/13 Cairns Parenting Companion
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s d i K p l e H
Face their fears WORDS Michael Grose
All kids experience fear at some stage. Many fears are normal and developmental such as fear of separation; fear of the dark and fear of new situations. Others fears such as fear of the dentist; fear of new social situations and fear of dogs are more individual. They are often learned, or happen due to experience. Author Gisela Preuschoff, in her book ‘Raising Girls’, describes a recent longitudinal study that showed how girls are more fearful than boys. The physical signs of fear including increased heart rate and enlarged pupils are greater in girls than boys. As androgens (male hormones) have a calming effect, boys show less fear. Jerome Kagan, Professor of Psychology at Harvard University believes that excessive fear in girls is related to overprotective but well-intentioned caring they receive from parents and carers. It’s been noted that many parents allow boys to take more physical risks than girls and have different views of danger for each gender.
Fear is okay Navigating fears is part of growing up. Fear plays an important role. It makes us cautious and causes us to prepare for a new or risky situation. The preparation may be physical (“I’ll walk on the other side of the street to avoid that mean dog.”) or psychological (“I’ll be brave when I visit the dentist!”) Sometimes normal, healthy fears are confused with anxiety. Fear is unhealthy if it overwhelms kids, dominating their thinking and behaviour or if it paralyses
58
and prevents them from participating in everyday life. Fear is normal if it makes them wary, but is not overwhelming.
Fears need to be faced It’s important to remember that fear decreases (and sometimes disappears) with positive experiences. Walk past a scary dog without being bitten often enough and you’ll learn that it’s not so scary after all! Give enough talks at school and kids will wonder what all the fuss was about! Scaffolding is one way to help kids beat their fears. That is, if they are fearful of going into a new situation on their own, go with them for a short-time, then find an excuse to leave once they have settled. Alternatively, they may spend a short time at first in an unknown situation. Increase the time as kids get used to it. Scaffolding beats avoidance and helps overcome fear. Validate your child’s fear but let them know you have faith that they will be able to face their fear. Point out that they have conquered fear before when they rode a bike/gave a talk/slept on their own with the light off for the first time and they can do so again.
Other ways to help kids be brave and reduce their fears: 1. Increase their physical skills. Increased physical confidence comes when children explore and learn to control their bodies. Gymnastics and martial arts are two activities that give boys and girls greater physical confidence. 2. Teach them how ... Parents protect kids best by teaching them how navigate new situations rather than prevent
Cairns Parenting Companion Summer 2012/13
participation. Teach kids how to hold a knife; how to walk home from the park safely on their own; and how to climb and tree and get down again. 3. Teach kids simple relaxation techniques. Babies learn to self-soothe by sucking their fingers. Older children use other relaxation methods ranging from deep breathing, singing and selfdistraction that come with reading a book, or listening to a story. 4. Show confidence and hope. Kids often take their cues from their parents, so if you want your child to be brave then you need to be brave too. I’m not suggesting you be dismissive of real fears; but your confidence and reassurance can really help when kids have to face their fears. Michael Grose is one Australia’s most popular parenting experts. He’s a speaker, columnist and author of 8 parenting books, including his latest release “Thriving!”
GET A FREE
WEEKLY
GUIDE Get a great Kids’ Chores & Responsibilities Guide at Parentingideas.com.au when you subscribe to Happy Kids, Michael Grose’s FREE weekly newsletter that’s full of great ideas to help parents raise confident kids and build rock-solid families.
www.Parentingideas.com.au
SCHOOL Readiness?
In Partnership with Parents
WORDS Naomi Wilson – Spectrum Counselling What does ‘readiness’ mean? Children develop at different individual rates – no one child is the same. So when determining whether your child is ready for prep or school, develop a conversation with his or her Day Care and Kindy teacher. Between the two people who interact with your child most throughout the day – these are the two who will have an idea on ‘readiness’. Children’s early years are the most important in their lives. It is during this time that their basic developmental building blocks are formed. So the question we should ask is how well children are being prepared for school. Some children might need another year before attending school.
Not all children are ready to start school at the age of five and, here in Queensland, the Prep year is not compulsory and is deemed as the first year in the ‘Early Phase of Learning’. Starting school can be so stressful for some children. Take time to listen to your child in the early days. Be observant – note any changes, eg. wakeful nights, crying, bed wetting, general disposition. Develop a rapport with the teacher and become involved and feel free to discuss your child. Remember school can be fun – as parents it is our duty to prepare children. Don’t rush them to school. Email naykw.wilson@gmail.com for an informative article on “Preparing your child for school”.
Top 10 Tips
2. Get your child involved in picking out their new uniform, lunch box, school bag etc.
We aim to support parents and enhance a home/school partnership, as we strive to deliver a quality, caring education that focuses on the development of the whole child – not only academically, but also socially, emotionally, spiritually, physically and culturally. In partnership with families, we nurture social and emotional learning that is key to success in school, home life, work and the world of tomorrow.
Preparing for PREP
1. Get your child excited. Drive past the school, visit the school, point out the uniform etc.
Catholic schools recognise parents as the first and most important educators of their children.
From Hayley Williams, a mo
ther of twins, Kindergar ten teacher and former Deputy Principal.
3. Select a lunch box that is easy to open. Get your child to show you they can open it themselves. 4. Shoes – forget laces (they can learn this later). Velcro is best for Prep. 5. Encourage them to do things for themselves now, eg. carrying their own bags to child care. 6. Ensure they can dress and undress themselves and go to the bathroom alone. 7. Teach them to know where their belongings are - hats, shoes, bags, books etc. 8. Google the new National Curriculum to see exactly what will be expected by your child in Prep and beyond. Visit www.education.qld.gov.au
Experience the Catholic school difference and empower your child to reach their true potential. Visit our website for contact details of all our schools.
9. Find out how is the best way to communicate with your child’s teacher. Email, communication book, meeting times etc. Build a positive relationship with your child’s teacher and stay connected and up to date with their learning. 10. Get involved. Schools and classrooms are busy places. They need your help. Put your hand up for reading groups, tuckshop help, P & C Committee. P.S Have a plan on the first day (and maybe some tissues!).
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Summer 2012/13 Cairns Parenting Companion
Education for Life...
WORDS John Stewart - Candlenut Steiner School
How can our education system prepare our children for a future that we can only imagine? We live in a time of rapid change, sophisticated technology, in an increasingly interconnected global community enjoying instantaneous communication with anyone anywhere on the planet. The opportunities for self expression and the possibility of finding individual success and happiness are arguably greater now than at any other time in history. We are on the crest of the wave of human achievement. Paradoxically, we are feeling more socially isolated than ever before, and are increasingly depressed by the realities of climate change, the pollution of our environment, a constricting economy and food that is becoming more factory product than naturally grown. How can our education system prepare our children for a future that we can only imagine? How can we give our children the necessary skills to compete in a global workplace in jobs that haven’t even been conceived yet? How do we design a school curriculum that imparts life skills and emotional resilience to their students to supply them with tools to cope with the challenges of the future we are creating for them? These are all valid questions, and ones that are certainly continually discussed at the highest levels of educational policy creation.
There are many possible approaches to the challenges mentioned above, and one that is steadily attracting more and more attention around the world, is Steiner Education. Steiner, or Waldorf Education, is the fastest growing private schooling system in the world. So what is it about Steiner Education that is different? How does it seek to respond to the challenges of our times? Firstly, the focus of the curriculum is subtly different. Rather than focus on the skills necessary to churn out cohorts of doctors, lawyers or tradespeople, Steiner schools work on developing the whole human being, to give each child the tools to develop themselves so that they will succeed at whatever it is they choose in life. Part of the Steiner approach is recognizing that each child develops and learns in their own way, and at their own pace. Placing students in competition with one another for the highest results in standardized assessment approaches does not allow for individual nuances in learning styles or attainment of developmental milestones. There is a lot of emphasis placed on equipping children with robust senses of self worth, and each student knows that their teachers consider them a valued individual. All children are on a first name basis with all
staff at school, and keep the same teacher for their entire primary schooling, which builds a close bond between teacher and student. This bond and subsequent deep level of understanding of each child’s strengths and challenges ensures that every child receives the educational support they need to achieve their personal best. Since they are spared stressful examination-style assessments at primary level, they never have to feel the pain of ‘failing’ or of not being as ‘clever’ as others in the class. The foremost aims of Steiner Education are to instil in each student a love of learning, to encourage them to ask questions in order to develop their own ideas and to cultivate a healthy respect for themselves, others and the world in which they live. These aims are woven through a nationally accredited curriculum designed to bring rich educational experiences, tailored to the needs of each individual student. There are many excellent schools in both the state and independent sectors offering highly regarded and effective programmes. Steiner schools stand confidently amongst them as another alternative, and one that offers something unique to equip our children for their future lives.
Rainbow Fair and Open Day • 10am-4pm Saturday 8th Sept • 46 Boyles Rd, Kuranda
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Cairns Parenting Companion Summer 2012/13
With completion of your First Aid Course you will confidently be able to deal with emergencies at home & at work, including: ✚ Performing CPR ✚ Using a defibrillator ✚ Anaphylactic Shock
✚ Burns & Scalds ✚ Asthma ✚ Poisoning
✚ Drowning ✚ Bandaging
FREE After Hours Venue for Charity Events! Nominate your charity, community organisation or school to hold a FREE fundraising event after hours at Gecko’s! That’s right! We are opening our doors FREE of charge for Charity events once a month. Visit us in store or check out our website for details. Conditions apply.
Proudly supported by
Smithfield Centre (next to Overflow) • Ph: 4038 1181 • www.geckosplay.com.au Summer 2012/13 Cairns Parenting Companion
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A visit to the Orthodontist
WORDS Dr Rhonda Coyne - nq ortho
Did you know the best age to seek an orthodontist’s professional opinion is around six to eight years old? At this age it is easier to naturally improve the teeth with minimal treatment and possibly prevent orthodontics in the future; sometimes it is only a habit that needs to be rectified such as thumb, finger or lip sucking. Cross bites also need to be rectified at an early age as they can cause baby teeth to take longer to fall out and force adult teeth to erupt in a crooked position. Sometimes baby teeth need to be removed to create the correct path for the adult tooth to grow into, as teeth can sometimes get lost along their journey. Another problem that may occur is if an adult tooth doesn’t form and is missing, we need to either plan on preserving the baby tooth for as long as possible or close the space.
risk of trauma that require earlier orthodontics; these delicate cases are managed individually. It is also equally as important for your child to visit a qualified dentist as early as possible. Your family dentist will perform routine dental check ups and cleans for your child and do any dental work if required and familiarise them with the dental setting. An orthodontist is a specialist in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities such as crooked teeth. It takes many years to become a competent orthodontic specialist and the educational requirements for orthodontics are demanding. An orthodontist must study dentistry for five years then work as a dentist before applying for a higher degree in orthodontics. The three-year full time course is difficult:
By familiarising your child with a local orthodontist at an early age it often makes it easier for them to cope, if and when the big day comes for braces.
involving advanced knowledge in
The average age that orthodontics is undertaken is generally around 12 to 15 years-of-age; at this age (normally) most adult teeth are in the mouth and the patient is old enough to manage braces. Sometimes there are other reasons such as teasing or
program is extremely competitive and
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Cairns Parenting Companion Summer 2012/13
Dr Rhonda has been putting smiles on her patient’s faces in the far northern region for the past 18 years and the practice is very family orientated. There is no referral required when booking an orthodontic evaluation so if you feel that your child would benefit from visiting us please contact nq ortho today on 4051 2333.
craniofacial growth, biomedical and behavioural science, and proficiency in clinical skills. Admission to an orthodontic selective such that only three percent of dentists are specialist orthodontists. Only dentists who have completed this advanced speciality education can call themselves, and be registered as, orthodontists.
TOOTH FAIRY SURVEY Cairns Parenting Companion recently conducted a facebook survey asking our on-line community about the going rate of the Tooth Fairy. An overwhelming 75% of respondents indicated that ‘$2 and under’ was the standard, with ‘under the pillow’ still the favourite place to put the tooth!
E
fe skills. Give your child li usik class. rm e d in K a in m nrol the
Let no child ever come to us without leaving happier, smarter and more confident. Primary Tutoring
School Readiness
prep to yeAr 6
AgeS 2 to 5 yeArS
• Literacy and Numeracy program based on the outcomes from the Australian National Curriculum
• Develop social & emotional skills
• Qualifed Registered Teachers
• Letter names & sounds • Small groups - 1hr classes
• Recognition of individual learning needs
• Numbers to 20 • Full-colour workbooks
• One on one or Small Groups
• Games & hands-on activities
• Great for children that need to develop more confidence with their learning or those that need extending
• Degree qualified & experienced teacher
• Encourage a love of learning
• Fine motor & handwriting skills
10/146 Anderson St, Manunda For more information & 4032 1994
cairns@beginbright.com.au | www.beginbright.com.au Summer 2012/13 Cairns Parenting Companion
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Monday 17th Dec Monday 28th Jan
s y a d i l o School H Lu Lu’s Modelling
The Young Company Theatre for children and young people! Discover the magic of drama with TYC. Participants make lots of new friends and improve their self-confidence, communication and presentation skills, finishing with a performance. Holiday and term programs available for 3yrs – 17yrs.
Create the Confide nce to succeed with Lulu’s Modelling an d Self Improvemen t Holiday work shop s for boys and Girls . Creating lasting im pressions, building friendships, goal se tting, catwalk , photographic mode lling, mini photo shoot, skincare and make -up and graduation ceremon y. Limited Spaces available for Dece mber 2012 Work sh ops.
Ph: 4041 5966 www.lulusmodels.c om.au
Multi-sport Madness! Every School Holidays on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 1pm to 3pm. All ages catered for. Come and play Indoor Cricket, Netball, Soccer, Beach Volleyball and Dodgeball.
169 Bunda St Cairns City
Ph: 4041 4066
www.theyoungcompany.com.au
Ph: 4032 2844
www.cairnsindoorsports.com.au
ADVENTURE PLAYGRO UND
With all new shad e sails the kids can enjoy the ou tdoor adventur e playground even more, try their hand at mini go lf or just cool off in the swimming pool . Find us at Para dise Palms Drive, Kew arra Beach.
New children’s
audio tours - ed ucational and fun at the m ulti-award winn ing Daintree Discov er y Centre locate d in the oldest tropical ra inforest in the wo rld. $78 less 20% di scount for loca l families includes return entr y for 12 mon ths!
Cow Bay, Daintre e
• Ph: 4098 9171
www.discoverthe
daintree.com
HAVE A CROC! The award winning Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures is a favourite school holiday destination. See the daily shows as they feed the crocs, koalas & cassowaries and get out the snakes! More crocodile experiences with the lagoon cruise and a visit to the croc farm.
Captain Cook Highway, Wangetti Beach ph 4055 3576 C AIRNS www.crocodileadventures.com
arentingcompanion.com.au/events ww64w.p Cairns Parenting Companion Summer 2012/13
Ph: 4059 9918
www.paradisep
alms.com.au
Support Inclusion
PROGRA MME WORDS Hayley Turner
They’re in the business of childcare but they teach grown-ups, not kids. They have a library but it’s not filled with books. And they solve tricky problems but they’re not detectives. They are the Inclusion Support Agency (ISA); helping kids with special needs to get the normalcy they need. Agency manager, Cheryl McAlister, set up the service 28 years ago. She said the Inclusion Support team is the first place childcare centres go when they want to enrol a child with special needs. Cheryl remembers many of the kids including swimmer Grant ‘Scooter’ Patterson, 23, who recently returned home from the Paralympics. “Scooter was a client of the service. Gosh, that must have been 20 years ago,” she said. Grants mum, Shelley Patterson, remembers Cheryl too. “Because Grant didn’t walk, he had special needs,” Shelley said. “Grant had to have someone help him swing or sit at the table or reach for something that was too high. There was always someone to help him if he needed something. There were aids there that were provided by Cheryl. It made it so easy.” “Grant was my first child. Back then when you have a child with special needs, you went to occupational therapy and physiotherapy and speech therapy. I wanted him to have a normal childhood and go to a normal school. I wanted him to experience the childhood
ABOVE Scooter with his mum, Shelley
everyone else had, rather than having all these therapists.” The ISA helped Shelley achieve her goal to send Grant to day care twice a week.
Each child has different needs. Some require specialised equipment, so the ISA goes to work tracking down whatever is needed.
“It’s good to have normality.” More than a thousand children - from the Torres Strait to Cardwell and Weipa to Cooktown - have been assisted by the not-for-profit program but Cheryl still recalls her first ‘case’ almost 30 years ago. “I was working in a child care service as a group leader and was asked by the director if we could include a child with a severe disability. Children are children, so I said, “Lets do it.” He was a three-year-old boy with cerebral palsy.”
“Equipment, like standing frames, are expensive and in great demand. Some children have problems eating and swallowing. It’s the angle the little ones are in. They need their heads and neck supported. Some need specialised seating, like a chair they can’t slip out of with extra padding and arm rests,” Cheryl said.
Cheryl went about accessing government funding which would boost the centres staff enough to take the tot in care three days a week. “It was a matter of meeting the additional needs of this little fella. It worked really well but it wasn’t being done anywhere else in Queensland. Nowadays we have about two hundred children on our books each year, including some from non English-speaking backgrounds, kids with a disability and refugees,” Cheryl said.
Fortunately Cheryl can call on the help of a unique library in Brisbane – called Noah’s Arc – that is full of equipment for loan. “We send a request and they do their best to have the equipment ready for us.” The program, sponsored by the Cairns and District Child Care Development Association, has expanded from four services and four staff in 1984 to 250 services and nine staff in 2012. In January the Inclusion Support Agency will expand into Townsville. For more information, visit www.cairnschildcare.com.au or call 4032 1713.
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WORDS Greg Watson - Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures
ty TIPS A nimal Safe for Summer Kids growing up in Tropical North Queensland are some of the luckiest kids in the world. They inherit an environment that is hard to match anywhere. As parents, we have a unique opportunity to introduce them to the natural marvels surrounding them. Uncertainties and insecurities are a part of every journey. A little bit of local knowledge and some common sense goes a long way towards removing some of those obstacles. What is the most dangerous animal in
usually happen when people that interact
Australia? Which one kills more people
with them lose concentration, or whose
enough to pass their genes onto the
than any other? Is it a crocodile, a snake, a
overconfidence exceeds their ability to
next generation. The ways by which they
shark, maybe a box jellyfish? The answer,
control the situation.
succeed, or fail, in these undertakings can
unfortunately, is not very exciting. The
Wildlife is no different. Our local Wet
most dangerous animal in this country,
Tropics is one of the world’s greatest
the one that kills and injures more people
biodiversity hotspots.
than any other is … the horse.
We have the world’s largest reptile, the
These creatures need to survive long
sometimes have unpleasant consequences for people. The golden rule for safe, rewarding interactions with wildlife is very simple.
Horses are not, in themselves, dangerously
world’s heaviest bird, the world’s heaviest
Respect for the wildlife, and its capabilities,
inclined. They have no organised
cockroach, the world’s longest stick insect
and appropriate behaviour when you are
conspiracy to maim and kill. Accidents
… the list goes on.
in its habitat.
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Cairns Parenting Companion Summer 2012/13
SNAKES Every year, in Australia, more people are killed by coconuts than snakes. We have more venomous snakes than any other country and most of the really toxic ones reside in Queensland.
Most fatalities are a result of inappropriate behaviour. If a place looks like it contains crocodiles it probably does – so be careful. Crocodile warning signs are there for a reason. They are not towel racks.
Considering our high biological heritage, the Wet Tropics, particularly the rainforest, is largely free of the really dangerous ones.
Camp more than two meters above high tide mark and at least 50 meters from the water’s edge. Don’t throw food, bait or fish scraps into the water.
It doesn’t really matter what kind of snake it is; a few simple guidelines will keep your family safe.
Crocodiles are very good at what they do. A big, 700 kilogram, male can move about in 800 millimetres of water and not make a single ripple.
Know your patch - find out which kinds of snakes live in your area and which of these are potentially dangerous. If you see a snake, leave it alone. If you don’t know what kind it is assume it is venomous and then leave it alone. Keep your yard and house surrounds free of shelter and rubbish that may shelter snakes or their food. If you have chooks keep them away from the house and very securely locked up. Chooks and chook sheds are python magnets! Big pythons are not venomous but are extremely powerful and will bite very hard if they feel threatened. Keep your first aid kit up to date and learn appropriate procedures for all kinds of bite and stings – not just snakes. Always carry snakebite first aid with you when in the bush.
INSECTS AND SPIDERS The small, secret world of mini-beasts is incredibly varied and, to many people, the most fascinating of them all. Insects and spiders can bite and sting in self-defence so, if you’re unsure as to what kind of undesirable house guest you’ve got, either allow it to leave by itself or, if you have to evict it, don’t use your bare hands. Some insects, such as mosquitoes, are much more dangerous to families than anything else in North Queensland. Be vigilant around the home and remove all breeding sites.
CROCODILES Crocodiles are large, potentially dangerous, animals. Human fatalities can and do occur.
blog
Do not swim in estuarine and mangrove environments – especially at night. This is where the crocs live. If boating, keep everything well inside the vessel. Ensure the boat has enough freeboard for safety. Canoes and racing rowboats have no place in any estuarine waterway anywhere in northern Australia. Even if an area is part of an intensive crocodile management program, never assume that it is completely clear. Crocodiles are great travellers and prime habitat does not stay empty for long.
PLANTS Many plants have brightly coloured fruits that birds adore. Many of these are highly toxic to humans. Please teach your children to look, but don’t sample. Some plants, like Stinging Trees, have very painful, irritating needles on the leaves and stems. They hurt. Learn to recognize and avoid them.
INSECTS AND SPIDERS The small, secret world of minibeasts is incredibly varied and, to many people, the most fascinating of them all. Insects and spiders can bite and sting in selfdefence so, if unsure as to just what kind undesirable house guest you’ve got, either allow it to leave by itself or, if you have to evict it, don’t use your bare hands. Some insects, such as mosquitoes, are much more dangerous to families than anything else around North Queensland. Be vigilant around the home and remove all breeding sites.
Looking for some tips to bring the fire back into your sex life? Check out our blog ‘Between the Sheets’ with Isiah McKimmie from Passionate Spirit. www.parentingcompanion.com.au
OCEAN DANGERS
WORDS Associate Professor Jamie Seymour Stingers, or box jellyfish, the scourge of Northern Queensland waters, are an animal that is 96 percent water and yet manage to change the entire way we utilise our ocean between November and May to June every year. Without these animals we would be able to swim on all of our beaches, rather than be squeezed into a small area encompassed by nets or having to wear those dreaded stinger suits, a piece of apparel that NOBODY looks good in! Apart from being the most venomous animal on the planet (a big sting from one of these beauties will cause death in minutes) they have 24 eyes (giving them 360 degree vision) complete with lens, retinas and pupils! These are not just lumps of jelly that float around the ocean; these guys are active predators, able to swim close to the speed of an Olympic swimmer. They can grow to the size of a basketball and have over 60 tentacles, each tentacle being over two metres long. You only need two metres of tentacle on your body to cause death, so an adult stinger can kill over 60 adult humans! If that’s not enough, these animals sleep at night, that’s right, they sleep! In the late afternoon, box jellyfish drop to the bottom of the ocean floor and sleep through the night, waking as the sun rises to start hunting again! But before you get the idea it is safe to swim unprotected at night, it does not take much to wake them up; shining a light in their eyes or the vibrations you make as you walk or swim is enough to raise them from their slumber! And remember, the first aid for a sting from a box jellyfish is vinegar and CPR.
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e h t s ’ t a h W
? r e b m u Per fect N
PHOTO Willow, David (AKA Dad), Isobel and Kate (AKA Mum).
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Cairns Parenting Companion Summer 2012/13
Whilst there’s no ‘perfect’ number of kids a family should have, there are many pro’s and con’s to consider. CPC caught up with our mummy panellists to find out more. LIZ DUFFY
are you going to have kids?” After your
Mum to one
first is born, “when are you having the
are to always stick up for their siblings and
(possibly more, but for now one is great)
next?” Before the pethidine had even left
that they stick together. It’s a warm feeling
Having all your time to spend with just one
my system after my second delivery I was
to know that my kids will always have
little person is amazing. Financially, having
asked, “are you going to try for a boy?”
someone there to back them up.
only one child makes sense too – they are,
I need a sign around my neck: I am NOT
We try to instill in our children that they
The downsides to having a few kids are
after all, expensive little things. Having one
planning on having more children. We fit
means you can afford to go on holidays,
the obvious- finances, logistics and quality
nicely in an ordinary sized car, our house
buy the latest toys and gadgets, spend
time with each child. Despite my kids not
only has three bedrooms, we can buy
money on extra curricular activities and
being planned, I still wouldn’t change a
family tickets to anything, the parenting
potentially a better education.
thing!
load is easily shared, and two children cost us ‘just enough!’ But there are con’s:
AMANDA MATHIOT
fighting and arguing, as they don’t have to
I do love my children and wonder what
(Mummy panellist of 11/12) – Mum of six
share bedrooms, toys, clothes or mum and
more would be like; we do not have a
Having four or more kids means an
dad’s time and attention.
boy, which does sadden us a little; and I
upgrade in the size of car. We went straight
still have hormones whizzing about, so
to an eight- seat mini-van. Generally, the
every now and then I get a fleeting twinge
sharing of bedrooms and toys can be a
offer. Sure they can find this in cousins or
of cluckiness. But for us, we feel that our
con and a pro. Emotionally and physically
friends, but having the sibling to play with,
family is complete as it is.
it can be draining, but also revitalising as
Other great benefits include less
The one thing ‘only children’ do miss though is the companionship a sibling can
learn and love with, quarrel with and as they get older, reminisce with, is priceless. Many single children are anecdotally more likely to be spoilt or ‘smothered’ by their parents and can find it hard to share and interact with other children. In my opinion, one can be the perfect number for many families but being aware of, and dealing with some of the potential ‘cons’, will help make the positives even more
RACHEL BENTON Mum of 3 In my family we have 2 boys and a girl. None of my children were planned and it is a running joke that it’s only a matter of time before another one comes along (P.S. there is certainly no plan in place to encourage the idea!). Being an only child growing up, I love
well. Juggling the early years, mornings were the hardest; school drop-offs with a hungry newborn and a sleepy toddler … HARD! And the piles of washing increases to a level that one would not think is possible. It is also challenging having so many children at varying stages - we had a teenager and a two-year-old, which meant a lot of temper tantrums.
wonderful.
seeing my children play together and am
KATE WILKINSON
- however, this is often overridden by the
Witnessing the relationships. The giving.
Mum of two (and definitely only two)
feeling of wanting to tear my hair out as
The fun. The giggles. The snuggles. And as
It seems never-ending. You date someone
they argue over a toy that hasn’t been
a mum of six, even if some of your kids are
for more than a couple of years and people
touched for eons but as soon as one
cranky with you, chances are you will have
ask, “when are you going to get married?”
touches it, it becomes the most coveted
at least one that still thinks you’re pretty
You get married and people ask, “when
toy in history!
great.
glad they always have that companionship
The pro’s of having six kids? The love.
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69
e v i t a e r C
g n i k o o C s a Xm fo
Christmas wouldn’t be the same without celebrating with some sweet treats. Thanks to Fiona Hammond, author of ‘Christmas Cooking with Kids’, here’s a few recipes that you and the kids will enjoy creating.
Xmas Trees
r kids
Choc Peppermint Fudg e
Thanks to
For dairy that is delicious, healthy and a great lunchbox staple, try Mungalli Creek. Award- winning local producers of bio-dynamic milk, yoghurt and soft cheeses. www.mungallicreekdairy.com.au
Strawberry Santa Hats For these and other great recipes visit In the Kitchen on our website
www.parentingcompanion.com.au
book giveaway For your chance to win a copy of Christmas Cooking for Kids , head to our website competitions page and tell us your favourite Xmas tip or recipe. Send your entry to
win@parentingcompanion.com.au
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Cairns Parenting Companion Summer 2012/13
WORDS Alfio Sciacca
U nders t anding
Pa rent i n g Benefit s
This year has seen more changes to the parenting benefits system, at the last federal budget the Education Tax Refund was scrapped and replaced. To help clear things up, here’s a summary of the family benefits as they stand for the 2012-13 financial year. 50% Child Care Rebate The 50% childcare Rebate is not income tested. If you are using approved child care for work, training or study- related reasons the Government will provide you with 50% of your out of-pocket child care costs, up to the annual cap of $7,500.
Eligible families or individuals will receive $410
taxable income of $150,000 or less per year.
for each child in primary education and $820
For Single-parent families: If you have an
for each child in secondary education.
annual adjusted taxable income of more than $150 000, you will not be eligible for Family Tax
Family Tax Benefits
Benefit Part B. If your income is at, or below this
Income test for Family Tax Benefit Part A If your family’s adjusted taxable income for this
limit you will continue to get the maximum
financial year is $47,815 or less, your payment
rate of Family Tax Benefit Part B.
will not be affected by the income test. If it’s
For two-parent families: If the primary earner
more than $47,815 for this financial year, your
has an annual adjusted taxable income of
payment will reduce by 20 cents for each dollar
more than $150 000, you will not be eligible
above $47,815 until your payment reaches the
for Family Tax Benefit Part B. This is regardless
base rate of Family Tax Benefit Part A.
of the lower income of the other parent. If the primary earner’s income is at or below this
Your Family Tax Benefit Part A will stay at
Education Tax Refund In the May 2012 budget, a new payment called the ‘School-kids Bonus’ replaced the education tax refund. Eligibility for the school-kids bonus will be based on a family’s entitlement to one of the following payments
that rate until your family’s adjusted taxable
limit, Family Tax Benefit Part B will be assessed
income reaches $94 316 a year (plus $3796 for
on the basis of the second earner’s income.
- FTB Part A for a child aged up to or turning 19 years who is in full-time primary or secondary education - Youth Allowance (student) for a child aged 16 years to turning 19 years who is in fulltime secondary education - DSP for a child aged 16 years to 19 years who is eligible for the Pensioner Education Supplement for secondary study.
each Family Tax Benefit child after the first).
Secondary earners can earn up to $5037
Family Tax Benefit Part A will reduce by 30
each year before it affects the rate of Family
cents for every dollar over that amount until
Tax Benefit Part B. Payments are reduced by
your payment reaches nil. If your family income
20 cents for each dollar of income earned over
is close to the limit cut-off, you should check
$5037.
your eligibility after the end of the financial year, once your actual income is known.
If you are the secondary earner and your partner earns $150 000 or less, you can still get
Income test for Family Tax Benefit Part B
some Family Tax Benefit Part B if your income
This income test for Family Tax Benefit Part B is
is below: $25 623 a year, if your youngest child
updated on 1 July each year. Family Tax Benefit
is under five years of age, or $19 929 a year, if
Part B is for families (single parent or couple)
your youngest child is 5–18 years of age.
in which the primary earner has an adjusted
For more info visit www.familyassist.gov.au
Summer 2012/13 Cairns Parenting Companion
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Cairns Parenting Companion Summer 2012/13
roudt deignginsg! Gwia th WORDS David O’loughlin
– Permaculture Cairns
Kids seem to have a natural love for things that they harvest from their own gardens. Lovely and luscious freshly cracked snow-peas, a freshly cut slice of Lebanese cucumber, a piece of fresh tomato and the possibilities are endless.
Did you know that you can do this in a small place in your own backyard without even turning over any soil? You simply set up a ‘No-Dig’ garden! Here’s what you need to do: Simply mark out a site and then build a ‘lasagne’ using the materials detailed below. It’s a mixture of compost, manure, leaf litter, green waste and
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your chosen varieties of mulch. Here are the steps to success: 1 Cover the entire area with wads of newspaper of six to eight pages to smother any weeds. Overlap the pages so there are no gaps for weeds to grow through. Water the area thoroughly. 2 Cover the area with pads of hay, pea-straw or crop-straw. 3 Apply a layer of organic fertiliser. Chicken manure is excellent because it has high amounts of nitrogen, which helps the breakdown of high carbon materials, but any farm manure will perform the function. You can also add lawn clippings or freshly collected green waste.
4 Add a 20 centimetre layer of loose straw. This is where you can add local leaf litter. Add another layer of manure and again water lightly. Of course you can create as many layers as you like. 5 Finally, you will need some good compost to plant the seeds and seedlings into. If there is enough available, the whole surface area of the garden could be covered with compost to about ten centimetres. Alternatively, pockets of compost can be created for planting so that it can support a new plant while the new garden is breaking down. (Compost is available in bags from most nurseries or stores.)
PLANTING TIP Spend the wet season getting your garden ready and then begin planting in February or March.
Summer 2012/13 Cairns Parenting Companion
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$ $ $ $ $$$ $$$$
$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $
$
$
$
$
How quickly does the time go after the birth of a new arrival? At first, it seems like the time between having a baby and going back to work is so far away, but before you know it you’re due back at work next week! So how can you prepare yourself with such little time? Follow some key tips from other mums who have been in the same situation. Like myself! GET ORGANISED Babies, kids, families - they take a lot of time to manage, so get yourself and your family organised to minimise the stress of going back to work.
$
Baby $ $ Brain $ $ to $
$Business Brain
$
$
WORDS Kim Kelly
$
$
$
$
$
• Start by getting shopping out of the way as your time to shop will be limited once you are back at work. Make sure you get yourself some new work clothes and any other items you need after spending the last number of months in your weekend wear. Don’t forget, if you feel good about yourself then this will reflect in your work and overall demeanour.
$
• Organise schedules for pick-ups and drop offs with your partner or family members. Sharing this load is a big relief when it comes to meeting work schedules and getting ready for work on time.
$
• Look for new ways to save time, including online shopping for groceries. • Organise a cleaner if it saves you time on the weekend and makes you feel better about your decision to go back to work.
Phone 07 4036 8111
Po Box 110e, earlville Queensland 4870 email tas@tas.qld.edu.au | fax 07 4036 8222 tas White rock, Progress road tas Kewarra Beach, Poolwood road
BE REALISTIC Once back at work, remember that no matter how organised you think you are, something will not go to plan. So be realistic and don’t be too hard on yourself and remind yourself of the following; • Remember that by going back to work you still have only so many hours in the day to get things done. • It takes a while to get back into the swing of things at work. Understand that some things may take you longer to do in the short term, but it won’t take long and you will feel like you never left. • Understand that kids get sick and sometimes there is no-one who can help care for them other than you. Being realistic about the fact that kids will get sick will help you to cope when it does happen. Don’t be too hard on yourself! Juggling motherhood and work is a challenge and takes time to perfect for each family. Often you will not know what the right balance is for you and your family until you start, so take it easy on yourself and celebrate small successes as they occur. If you need to make changes to your work or home schedules to get the balance right, then do it. Once you get the balance right you’ll know it and feel good about it which will be reflected in everything you do.
The lasT Time you were in school,
PluTo was a PlaneT.
It’s tIme to dIscover a tas educatIon. a lot has changed since the days of the ‘old school yard’. education continues to move forward at a great rate and since its foundation in 1983, tas has been setting the pace. tas has built a reputation for academic excellence, service to the community and leadership in technology, the arts and sport. this dedication to excellence ensures every tas student is given the tools to reach their potential. visit www.tas.qld.edu.au or email admissions@tas.qld.edu.au for more information on how a tas education will give your child every chance at success.
www.tas.qld.edu.au
74
Cairns Parenting Companion Summer 2012/13
*selected ranges only. Conditions apply.
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CNr Mt MillMAN rD & DANbulAN St SMithfiElD 75 Summer 2012/13 Cairns Parenting Companion
Dear Dave
Dear Dave
My boys adore their father as they get
Why do my kids, four, eight and ten,
to do lots of fun stuff with him. Being
refuse to get ready in the morning for
the mum I often have to be the ‘fun
me and yet whenever their dad is home
police’ to ensure things get done. How
they are up and out of the door before
can I be a fun mum? Patricia Cuda from
I can even pull on my robe? What tips
Brothers World of Entertainment
other than the fear of God can you
Hey Patricia, Too easy. Buy them a mini-bike. Each. It doesn’t get any more funner! 50cc’s ought to do it. That’s all I wanted when I was a
Parenting advice dished out, Dave style!
I’m sitting here scratching my head and asking myself, in my best Sherlock Holmes voice, “when the kids look at dad why do they see Willy Wonka AND
I didn’t get one, which is clearly the
wa r ner
G’day Sharne,
dream would become an immortal, a be helmet-protected brain. Of course
Dave
Gale Physio
kid and the parent who delivered this God in my under-developed, soon to
DEAR
suggest? . Sharne Wearea of Amanda
reason why my parents are getting old and frail now. Who knocks back the chance to be immortal? I suggest a bit of role play between you and their dad, and I’m not talking about dressing up like Batman and Catwoman when the kids are at their grandparents, although rubber can be a lot of fun, er… so I’ve been told. Let dad take on the role of Prison Warden a few nights a week while you play Peter Pan. Just you and the Lost Boys flying
the Chocolate Factory, yet when they look at mum they see Lord Voldemort AND the Dark Arts?” Sounds like dad’s a bit of a novelty so maybe you should limit your appearances at home, create a bit of mystery, maintain a bit of intrigue. Don’t be so accessible, drip feed rather than blanket. If your face is always everywhere you become like wallpaper, always there in the background but never the focus. You need to move out Sharne, and then just pop in on the odd morning for ‘one show only’. Like
around the Warden’s Big House on an
a John Farnham gig, your kids won’t
awesome adventure getting into all
ever really know if this is going to be the
sorts of mischief. Let him worry about
last, last, last time and they’ll embrace
vegetables and homework.
your appearance with enthusiasm and
And as Warden, it’s also his job to announce those two words that put the
anticipation. Not that your kids know this, but just
fear into anyone sharing a cell, ‘LIGHTS
like John Farnham, you aren’t going
OUT!’ Dave
away! Dave
weekdays from 5.30am Bel
102.7 www.radiozinc.com.au Radio Network Partner to the 2012 London Olympics 76
Cairns Parenting Companion Summer 2012/13
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Summer 2012/13 Cairns Parenting Companion
77
Mu m
Behaving
badly FIGGERS SMITHFIELD SHOPPING CENTRE
Within weeks the parties will be in full gear; hubby’s work party, daycare break-up party, next-door neighbours party, dog down the road’s party, and that means copious amounts of champagne, deep-fried spring rolls and definitely not fat-reduced cheese. I read magazines and I know there are lots of
F I G G E RivS e 78
I thought about getting ‘bikini-ready’ in October. Seriously, I thought about it. And do you like the way I put those little speech marks around ‘bikini-ready’. I’m doing that because that’s what every advertisement tells me I should be doing. Did the advertising world lose their mojo and decide that anything to do with summer and swimming attire had to be renamed ‘bikini-ready’? I think so. So it’s December and I kind of put the ‘bikini-ready’ memo to the side. When I say side, I mean two blocks away, buried under a heap of palm fronds. And now I have a dilemma because there are still a good four months left of swimming weather that I could prepare for … but is it worth it? If I do the maths and work out how much champagne and cheese and bickies I’m going to eat between now and Christmas, and then multiply that by four (trying to be realistic), I need to run more than ten kilometres a day, just to cope with the party pile-on. Like that’s going to happen?
Supported by:
ce Buy 1 bra & re the second at
I hate this time of year. I love this time of year. I hate this time of year. I love this ... aaarghhh – this time of year sends me into a frenzy of indecision. Am I too late to get ‘bikini-ready’? Should I even bother getting ‘bikini-ready’? And most importantly, how many people am I going to make vomit by suggesting I could/ may be trolling the suburbs in a bikini?
50% OFF ly. expires 31
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Cairns Parenting Companion Summer 2012/13
)
March 2013
healthy-choice party snack food options, but no-one goes down the celery and carrot stick route anymore. That’s like the 80s version of pickled onion on a stick. It looked good for a while but the orange and green pile of leftovers sent a ‘who gives a toss’ signal that has left hostesses bewildered with what the new party fad food should be (spinach dip in a bread basket made a very short appearance). I admire women who chuck on their swimmers regardless of the dimples, the stretch-marks and the rolls of leg fat that can’t be contained within lycra. I wish I felt comfortable doing the same. It’s not that I’m big but since the two sprogs made their entrance into the world, none of the layers of fat have reappeared in their old spots. They’ve taken up new lodgings at the back of my thighs and I now have a distinct roll-over somewhere near my hips (although that postcode has also changed so the location is now hard to define). Which gives me a few months to work with and not enough time to order one of those awesome TV-special exercise machines that promise to have you ‘bikini ready’ within weeks. I could start a little jogging program but that’s an hour out of my day that could be better spent perfecting the perfect Mojito …. which is the ‘must’ poolside drink this summer (it’ll be more popular than carrot sticks and celery – I assure you). No-one’s going to see me in a bikini anyway, except the hubby and kids and what can be so wrong about giving them more of me to love! I’ll just start getting ‘bikini ready’ in August next year!
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To make an appointment phone 40337666
Summer 2012/13 Cairns Parenting Companion
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playdate at
Facepainting and MENT FREE ENTERTAIN Bring your mothers group or meet some new people. Muddy’s are putting on a morning tea and all regular coffee, tea or hot chocolates are only $3. Money raised to benefit local char ities.
EVERY 2ND TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH 9.30 - 11.30AM
11th DEC • 8th JAN • 12th FEB Bookings are essential for catering purposes. Please email playdate@parentingcompanion.com.au
HAVE YOUR NEXT PARTY AT MUDDY’S CAFE! Kids party, hot food and antipasto platters available. Email muddyscafe@gmail.com for more party information.
MUDDY’S CAFE• 174 ESPLANADE • Ph: 4051 0388 80
Cairns Parenting Companion Summer 2012/13
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! e s u o h e h t t u o b a None of the following is representative of the views of Cairns Parenting Companion and for reasons of personal safety the author wishes to remain anonymous. Yep! He’s a bloke and he’s confused.
PERP: Parental Emergency Response Protocol The emergency ward. If you ever need to take one of your kids there I hope it’s nothing too serious. But just in case, let me offer some advice to the uninitiated. Let’s talk PERP: Parental Emergency Response Protocol. First step; make sure it’s the right kind of hospital. Sounds simple enough but as new parents our first panicked flight through the main gate of the nearest hospital led to a surprise. It was so deserted and quiet with little signage around. Only when our car was chased out the drive again by a dressing gown clad out-patient aggressively brandishing a tree branch did we realise we’d actually driven into a well known local mental hospital (well known to everybody but us). Fortunately ‘number one’ child to this day bears neither scar nor memory of his parent’s excursion into alternative medicine. Secondly; make sure you have plenty of time on your hands. Depending on the hospital be prepared to take a cut lunch and your PJs. But, since you’ve got nothing to lose but time, why not do like I did and
tell the ER admission staff that in addition to a suspected fractured wrist your child was sick all through the car on the way in and is highly likely to be again, all over the waiting room. You can further embellish this fiction with details of what the little one has eaten over the last three hours at a friend’s birthday party. “I haven’t seen the frankfurters yet so there’s probably still much more to come,” I’d say. The thought of having to mop up some child’s ‘regurgitory calling card’ is usually enough to prompt voma-phobic admin staff to say “you can go right in”.
and brain scan thingy didn’t find anything
Finally; when the vommie story doesn’t work and it looks like you’ll be there a while, try and make the most of the situation. Take the time 15-year-old ‘number five’ was out with mates stupidly jumping into a local water hole from a high rock appropriately named ‘maniacs’. He eventually wandered back home with no memory of where he’d been and his friends saying they thought he’d taken a bit of a bump to the head. So, off to ER again. As he lay there in observation after the x-ray
dressed as a clown. What were you up to?”
amiss, it became clear that he actually had amnesia. “What happened?” he’d ask every 45 seconds (I timed it). I gave the accurate response the first 38 times, but that started to get old. So I got a little creative. “What happened?” he asked again. “Just lay still mate,” I said comfortingly. “They’ve just discovered that you’ve got ovaries and we’re trying to figure out what to do with ‘em”. “Oh?” he said, then after a pause; “what happened?” “All I know mate, is that they found you asleep on the riverbank “Err, dunno?” he said, followed by “what happened?” “Ovaries mate …”. And so it went for the next three hours. I didn’t need to think of any new material. The clown suit and ovaries stories were new to him every time! At least it kept me entertained. So in a nutshell; make sure you get to the right place, allow enough time and make the most of the situation. You’re now ‘PERP’ed and ready for the ER ward.
Man about the House is proudly sponsored by First Aid Academy. Book a first aid course today and receive a discount when you mention ‘Parenting Companion’ Ph: 07 4039 1715 • www.firstaidacademy.com.au
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Couples n o i s s e Conf X BO
“Anonymous confessions of a household!”
Our Couple’s Profile: Harry ’met Sally’ at outrigger canoeing some 16 years ago, but they didn’t fall in love until 2000 and, to the great joy of all their friends – got married in 2003. Thrilled to be our first ‘confession box’ couple, ‘Harry’ and ‘Sally’ are always up for a laugh about married family life and its challenges. To escape the craziness of life, they like to take their two boys, aged three and seven, on regular camping trips, revelling in the fact that those tough baby years are behind them. “If we can get through that, we can probably get through the rest!” So let’s find out how they feel on certain topics of family life.
HOUSEHOLD CHORES: She says: If I’m going to work full-time then we’re getting a cleaner! I love coming home after the ‘fairies’ have cleaned up!
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It’s amazing how much ‘stuff ‘ there is. Thank goodness for the spare room, it’s the perfect place for the pile of clean washing. I live in MANLAND!
my wife tells me to wear. Perfect!
Three kids aged three, seven and one turning 47 (he’s the most maintenance!). It’s a tsunami of washing, smelly boys, cycling gear, nippers, a toddler ... AAARRGGG!
She says: What’s that? I talk myself into it with, “just get into it, once you get started it’s good”. And then I think, we should do that more often!
He says: Happy wife, happy life! But doing the smallest little job, like hanging out the washing or making the bed, can get a bloke a great amount of credit. My wife calls the housework I do ‘foreplay’. I just found out that doesn’t mean trying to clean the shower during those intimate moments. Well, I thought it was funny!
WHO’S THE BOSS? She says: My husband always says he wears the pants in the family, just whatever pants
Cnr Pease & Anderson Streets
Southside Shopping Centre
MANUNDA 4032 5888
WOREE 4033 0929
Cairns Parenting Companion Summer 2012/13
TRADING HOURS MON: 8am-5.30pm TUE: 8am-8pm WED: 8am-8pm
THU: FRI: SAT:
He says: Yeah, I stand by that!
SEX AFTER KIDS:
He says: I’ll take what I can get!
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT YOUR PARTNER? She says: He’s funny, makes me laugh, he’s a great dad, always finds time to play, he NEVER gets stressed (I’m always jealous) … and he once said, “I don’t care if we live in a tent, as long as we’re all together”. He says: I fell in love with my wife because she’s smart, funny, sexy and ambitious. I guess opposites do really attract. She’s a great mum and thinks about others more than herself.
8am-8pm 8am-5.30pm 8am-4pm
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Cairns Parenting Companion Summer 2012/13