Offspring Magazine Melbourne 2019

SUMMER 2019

Family travel to USA & Mexico

Online Dating for

embraces feminine rage

SINGLE MUMS Mothering boys with Maggie Dent

Nurturing the Empath

FREE

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

A #1 US PA TRA TI REN LIA TL T ’S E ING

Having a Baby

contents Summer 6

EDITOR’S NOTE

8

EDITOR’S TOP PICKS Nourishing beauty products, amazing life-style items and amazing locally produced active wear for the warm months ahead!

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BABY STYLE SHELLS IN THEIR POCKETS, SAND AT THEIR FEET Deck out your baby for exciting summer adventures, with perfect outfits for a sun-smart yet stylish day at the beach.

10 12

GIRLS STYLE HANG OUTS IN THE SUN Let your girls enjoy the friends and freedom that the holiday season has to offer with a number of gorgeous options that are sure to let their personalities shine.

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BOYS STYLE SUN’S OUT, GUNS OUT The weather’s warming up, and so is the mischief of your boys! Simple yet stylish and practical options for chilled out summer vibes these holidays.

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COVER STORY EM RUSCIANO – RAGING AGAINST THE MACHINE Em Rusciano talks to Offspring about leaving breakfast radio and embracing feminine rage as she awaits the birth of her third child while embarking on an exciting new chapter in her career.

22

BOOK REVIEW Top books to enjoy in your down time this summer.

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PARENTING MOTHERING OUR BOYS WITH MAGGIE DENT In an ever-changing modern world where boys are at higher risk of struggle and poor long-term outcomes, we chat to Maggie Dent to find out how to bring up boys make sure they flourish in life.

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

16 14 24 28

melbourne | SUMMER 2019 | Offspring

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SPECIAL FEATURE A MOTHER’S CHOICE The heart-wrenching story of Elle Halliwell, who had to make a choice between treatment for her recent cancer diagnosis, or the life of her unborn child.

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SPIRITUALITY THE EMPATHIC GIFT Renowned psychic medium, Oscar De Souza, discusses why empaths need to nurture themselves and how they can develop this special gift.

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40

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LIFESTLYLE ALL THE SINGLE LADY MUMS An exploration of the online dating scene, and the challenges of navigating these platforms as a single mum.

SPECIAL FEATURE HAVING A BABY Preparing for the arrival of your baby can be overwhelming – but don’t stress. From easy to forget products to daily essentials, we sum up the must-haves to make the infancy journey as smooth as possible.

SPECIAL FEATURE A PARENT’S VOICE Wellness Consultant Yvette Clark shares why the words we speak are so important in fostering healthy emotional development and self-worth of children.

SUMMER 2019

Family travel to USA & Mexico

embraces feminine rage

Online Dating for

SINGLE MUMS Mothering boys with Maggie Dent

Nurturing the Empath

FREE

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

A #1 US PA TRA TI REN LIA TL T ’S E ING

Having a Baby

Em Rusciano

57 57

` 62

66

SPECIAL FEATURE CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE Buying gifts can be a daunting task and it’s easy to get stuck on what to buy for your special ones. We’ve got you covered! You’ll be wrapped with the options we’ve chosen for boys and girls of all ages.

COMMUNITY CHILDREN MAKE A WISH OF HOPE Make a Wish foundation has been valuable in offering joy, hope and the chance to feel like a regular kid, for many children like 7 year old Jarvis.

74 71

TRAVEL LOS CABOS: A FAVOURITE Get the lowdown on Los Cabos, great holiday destination for the whole family in a beautiful, affordable and interesting part of Mexico.

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TRAVEL A FAMILY TRIP OF A LIFETIME TO USA Get inspired with some travel reviews from our very own traveller mum, who explored sof the many attractions that California has to offer, from zoos, to museums, exhibitions, theme parks and more!

SPECIAL FEATURE GETAWAY GUIDE WELCOME TO VICTORIA! From its dramatic eye-catching coastlines, beautiful beaches, parks, skiing, wineries and amazing food there is plenty on offer for the whole family to enjoy in Victoria.

ISSUE 31 SUMMER 2019 Produced and published by Offspring Magazine Pty Ltd. ABN: 95 159 474 245 Website www.offspringmagazine.com.au Editorial enquiries editorial@offspringmagazine.com.au Advertising enquiries Phone 02 4326 1178 Mobile 0415 267 414 advertising@offspringmagazine.com.au Subscription enquiries subscription@offspringmagazine.com.au

Managing Editor Kate Durack Contributing writers Brooke Evans-Butler, Claire Armstrong, Ann-Marie Bradstreet, Elise Anastas, Lisa O’Rourke, Colleen Willis, Kate Durack.

Graphic Designers Naomi O’Bryan, Keely Goodall, Nathalie Berger Printed by Spotpress Cover image: Kristoffer Paulsen

Offspring magazine is an independent magazine published quarterly by Offspring Magazine Pty Ltd. Opinions represented are not necessarily those of the publisher. Offspring magazine contains general information and does not claim to substitute for health or parenting advice. All content is subject to copyright, and may not be reproduced without permission.

80,000

Average Net Distribution per issue.

This publication has been independently audited by the Circulations Audit Board.

Audit Period: September 2017 - March 2018

visit www.offspringmagazine.com.au like facebook.com/offspringmagazine

Offspring | SUMMER 2019 | melbourne

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www.offspringmagazine.com.au

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6|

Editor’s note – Summer 2019

E

m Rusciano heads our Summer issue as she prepares for the birth of her third child, nearly

two decades after the first time around.

Em has sworn off radio for good. Her fearlessness and tenacity is inspiring, as she embarks on various new creative projects, while embracing her ‘feminine rage’.

Maggie Dent is another role model

Spiritual and emotional development feature in this issue, which I enjoy, and feel are areas worth exploring to help us become more enlightened and happier parents.

featured in this issue (“The Secret to Raising Remarkable Men”), whom I

States, and swimming with dolphins and

admire for her humour and candour, as

camel riding in Mexico.

much as for her parenting knowledge.

Maggie has a way of making me feel

Spiritual and emotional development feature in this issue, which I personally

like I’m doing okay as a mum, so long

enjoy, and feel are areas worth exploring

as I let my kids know they are loved,

to help us become more enlightened and

read to them often and let them just play

happier parents.

(and, perhaps, restrict some of the time

Wellness consultant and light

they spend on the dreaded electronic

worker, Yvette Clarke, discusses why it’s

devices!).

important to be mindful of the words we

Celebrity fashion journalist, Elle

use when speaking with our children,

Halliwell, also has an inspiring story

particularly criticism, as they can form

to tell as she shares on her life-

detrimental belief systems that affect

threatening choice, when discovering

people for life (“A Parent’s Voice”). She

she was pregnant just four weeks after

maintains, the subconscious beliefs we

being diagnosed with cancer

have about ourselves, which are often

(“A Mother’s Choice”).

formed in childhood, can account for

We include our popular annual Having a Baby special feature in this issue, which provides a checklist to help

why we might repeatedly bring in bad experiences, such as toxic relationships.

Also on the topic of spiritual

you prepare for the “The Big

development, spiritual medium, healer

Push” (to use my father’s

and teacher, Oscar De Souza, discusses

words!), by which we mean the special arrival of your newborn.

I have included travel reviews of my recent trip

what it means to be an empath and how to utilise this gift to deal with energy and emotions in ourselves, our children and others.

We will be publishing much more

of a lifetime, in which I

parenting, family and lifestyle content on

took my 7-year-old son

our website in 2019 so please stay up to

and 10-year-old daughter, to the fabulous Los Cabos, Mexico, and California, USA. Our five-week adventure

date via Facebook and our newsletter (sign up at www.offspringmagazine.com.au).

I hope this coming year is a magical one for each of you and your families.

was highlighted by Disneyland, Legoland and the San Diego Zoo in the Offspring | SUMMER 2019 | melbourne

Kate Durack xxx www.offspringmagazine.com.au

Go somewhere great With holiday parks and resorts across Australia, wherever your next getaway takes you, there’s a park not far away.

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8 | editor’s top picks

Editor’s top picks

Invisible Zinc –RRP $34 The sheer formulation of this SPF50 tinted moisturiser means that it provides broad spectrum protection whilst also offering light matte foundation-style coverage to skin.

Endurance Mid-Thigh Tight – Wanderlust Print –RRP $59 & Alexandra Crop – Navy – RRP $59 These ultimate workout staples for warmer weather are ideal for all low to high impact activities and are beautifully designed for a flattering and stylish look.

Look after yourself in style with these wonderful products that will keep you looking and feeling fabulous this summer.

Karen Murrell Violet Mousse & Poppy Passion Lipsticks – RRP $29.95 Heavenly subtle pink shades that suits all skin tones and complexions, these beautiful lipsticks are made of luxurious natural ingredients that are perfect for summer. www.karenmurrell.com

Vaya Life – Tyffyn Lunch Boxes from $69 and $46 for Drink Tumblers Keep food hot or cold for five to six hours in VacuTherm insulation. The slim stainless steel body features a distinctive stack style structure with partitions and leak proof lids.

Stuck On You 3-Piece Bento Boxes – RRP $49.95 These are the perfect durable and functional lunch time accessory for kids with a personalized fun and unique design on each box. www.stuckonyou.com.au

Skinstitut L-Lactic Cleanser, Skinstitut Moisture Defence, Skinstitut Multi-Active Mist – each RRP $45 Skinstitut is a cosmedical skincare brand that possesses results orientated skin care solutions through innovative use of powerful ingredients; both cosmedical and botanical. www.skinstitut.com

Rejuvinating Essence by Enbacci – RRP $69 Designed to serve as a luxurious staple in one’s skincare regimen, the mist can be used to refresh makeup throughout the day, add a subtle glow, hydrate, and simply cool the skin on a warm summer’s day. www.enbacci.com

Gingle bells – RRP $79 Gift set of six floral gin baubles, guaranteed to spread the Christmas joy in the form of a unique gift, celebratory cocktail or beautiful party decoration.

Offspring | SUMMER 2019 | melbourne

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

WE BELIEVE IN GIRLS grit • curiosity

ruyton

creativity • leadership

integrity • global citizenship At Ruyton we foster the individuality of each girl in a caring and safe environment; nurturing her intellectual, physical, social and emotional qualities essential to flourish. Powerful learning is central to the Ruyton culture, building on our strong academic reputation. We focus on advancing the learning of every girl through the engagement of intellectual curiosity, building knowledge and skills about how to learn and supporting them to be the best learners they can be and exemplary citizens. We believe in real world learning beyond the classroom, collaborating with the wider community to promote growth, discovery and sustainability.

We empower our girls to lead lives of purpose with courage, character and compassion. Through the development of values and action-focused learning they are inspired to pursue equity and justice for self and others. By embracing diversity and raising their voices our girls effect positive change and make a difference.

One Campus. Endless Opportunities.

Our Early Learning Centre, Junior School and Senior School are situated on one campus, emphasising our strength as a connected learning community and enabling many opportunities for collaboration, mentoring and role modelling.

The size of Ruyton enables us to know our girls individually and support them in achieving personal best. Our strong connection with Trinity Grammar School provides unique educational opportunities for students across the two schools, particularly through our Year 11 and 12 Co-ordinate Programme.

There is no better way to understand the spirit of Ruyton than to visit us on one of our Open Mornings, one of our School Snapshots or attend an Information Session to experience Ruyton for yourself.

ruyton girls ’ school

12 Selbourne Road Kew 3101 Victoria Australia Tel +61 3 9819 2422

The journey starts here

open morning

Thursday 14 March Thursday 16 May Thursday 29 August Thursday 14 November

school snapshot Wednesday 27 March Monday 27 May Monday 12 August Tuesday 26 November

playgroup

(Fridays term time) Bookings essential Contact the Registrar, Mrs Nadine Hibbert, on 9819 2422 or book online at www.ruyton.vic.edu.au

ruyton@ruyton.vic.edu.au www.ruyton.vic.edu.au

10 | baby & toddler style

By Elise Anastas Jordan wears tee $39.95 and shorts $59.95 by Minti, Jonny wears cap $19.95 by Munster Kids, tank $44.00 by Huxbaby and shorts $49.95 by Munster Kids and Indiana wears romper $66 by Coco and Ginger @archieandevie.com.au Photographed by Ivana Girard

Sunuva $75.00 @melijoe.com

r i e h t n i s l l e Sh pockets, sand at their feet

Seed $24.95 @seedheritage.com.au

Izipizi $37 @melijoe.com

Let them kick up the sand as your beautiful bubs embrace the hot summer days. Style in adorable brights and denim or urban black and white.

Milky $29.95 @milkyclothing.com.au

Milk and Matsuki $44.95 @milkandmatsuki.com

Huxbaby $41.95 @huxbaby.com

Rock your body $49.95 @rockyourbaby.com

Polo Ralph Lauren $59.95 @melijoe.com

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www.offspringmagazine.com.au

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12 | girls style

By Elise Anastas

Molo $46 @molo.com

One Teaspoon $79 @oneteaspoon.com. au

MĂŠduse $20 @melijoe.com

There’s nothing cuter g girls than a bunch of youn giggling in the sun with their best friends. r This summer, let thei e in inner personalities sh cking in in sweet dresses or ro . denim tees and shorts

hang outs in the sun

Mini Rodini $143 @minirodini.com

Gardner and the Gang $61 @gardnerandthegan g.com

Poudre Organic $72 @elves-in-the-wardrobe.com.au

Coco and Chloe wears dress by cap ars we ire Cla Ginger $99. .95 by Missie $24.95 and dress $74 evie.com.au Munster @archieand na Girard Iva by ed Photograph

Oovy $24.95 @oovy.com.au

Little Auguste $55 @augustethelabel.com

Offspring | SUMMER 2019 | melbourne

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

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14 | boys style

By Elise Anastas

Throw on a tee, hit the shorts and a cap and yle! beach all day long in st be a Acid wash denim will er along huge trend this summ tees. with adorable slogan

and tee $24.95 Zak wears cap $19.95 rts $59.95 sho

by Munster Kids and $39.95 tee ars we ob Jac ti.

by Min 5 by 9.9 $6 rts sho

by Minti and on wears tee Munster Kids. Harris 9.95 by Munster $39.95 and shorts $5 om.au e.c evi nd iea rch Kids. @a na Girard Phototgraphed by Iva

Adam and Yve $59.95 @adamandyve.com.au

suns out, guns out Havaianas $40.0 0 @havaianasaus tralia

.com.au

Oovy $49.45 @oovy.com.au

Jacks $9.99 @citybeach.com .au

Alphabet Soup $49.95 @alphabet-soup.com.au

Country Road $2 9.95 @countryroad.co m

Molo $49.00 @molo.com

Offspring | SUMMER 2019 | melbourne

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

16 | cover

Em Rusciano, Irreverently passionate writer, singer, comedian and “former” radio host, Em Rusciano talks renovation, rage and who should bring in the bloody washing.

By Ann Marie Bradstreet

E

m Rusciano will never work in breakfast radio again and she wants it in print as a reminder that Sydney’s 2DayFM hosting role that she resigned from in September 2018 is permanently behind her.

“It’s been good, I’ve been very grateful for my time but I will never step back in that arena, never,” Rusciano says from the renovation site of her Melbourne home. Because, renovating “is what you should do when you’re heavily pregnant,” she jokes; and explains she is always biting off more than she can chew, just to see what happens.

Rusciano’s renovation is but one of her projects.

She is currently writing her first fiction novel with Harper Collins, working on a stage show which includes a musical collaboration with Kate Miller Heidke and expecting her third child, a son in January, with husband Scott, whom she has two daughters Marchella, 17 and Odette, 11. This workload is Rusciano’s version of paring back and having some downtime, which she says is helped by being true to her creative self.

After leaving Perth radio and working on her own projects she was lured back to breakfast radio at 2DayFM.

“I felt I had some unfinished business [in radio] and I love broadcasting, but I quickly realised once I was back that while I was grateful for the opportunity it was probably not the best place for me creatively. I did my very best and “I was angry, I was sometimes that was a good thing really angry for a while and sometimes I was smashed in and I couldn’t figure out the media.

why and then I realised I’d strayed too far from my creative essence.”

“Well it is all relative,” she explains, “I’ve only got the few projects and that’s me being sensible. I really am so happy at the moment, I get up every day and I write my book and then I go and work on my show with my team.

“I’ve got a line of merchandise that I’m working on and I get to pick my girls up from school, and every day I’m thinking to myself, ‘you’re so lucky that you’re able to pursue the things that are really in your heart.’ I think that’s when you make your best stuff and you’re at your most creative. I’m just a happier, more fulfilled person. I was angry, I was really angry for a while and I couldn’t figure out why and then I realised I’d strayed too far from my creative essence.”

It was Rusciano’s creative needs both as a mother and artist that was the driving force behind her decision to get out of radio. Her second child was born while she continued working on Perth’s 92.9 Breakfast Show, Em, Sam and Wippa, so, on discovering her pregnancy this time she knew she was going to do things differently.

Offspring | SUMMER 2019 | melbourne

“With Odette, I went back to work five weeks after a caesarean and I was still breastfeeding every couple of hours. It was a nightmare, so I was determined when I found out I was pregnant this time that there was no way I was going to try and tackle that again, it nearly killed me.”

“Definitely, everything happens for a reason and getting pregnant has given me an opportunity to step away in a really nice way; a lot people get sacked from breakfast radio, I got to leave on my terms.”

Having her career on her own terms is something that Rusciano is quite suited to and familiar with, having spent the best part of a decade creating her own brand of celebrity/artistry. She put together her own team and developed a series of stand-up/ cabaret style concerts full of her raw, unapologetic humour, polished musical production and the voice which earned her the fame she has doggedly capitalised on since becoming a finalist as Marcia Hines’ pet on the second season of Australian Idol.

Rusciano is a go-getter and recognising she is not a www.offspringmagazine.com.au

Photo by: KRISTOFFER PAULSEN

cover | 17

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

melbourne | SUMMER 2019 | Offspring

Photo by: KRISTOFFER PAULSEN

18 | cover

Offspring | SUMMER 2019 | melbourne

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

cover | 19 conventionally marketable personality she has gone out and created her own brand and pursued her own audience. She has a successful social media presence with a healthy following for her blog, emrusciano.com, which is popular with mums. She’s published a memoir called Try Hard, Tales from the Life of a Needy Over Achiever and sold out the Sydney Opera House this year with her cabaret show Evil Queen, which toured nationally.

and it makes me mad for my daughters. So, you know, what do you do with that rage? You can’t stew on it, you can’t form a lynch mob, you’ve got to channel it.”

Rusciano is doing what she does best and what makes her most happy, channelling her experiences into creative projects and hoping it’s of value to her audience.

“I’ve just become so aware of so many things over the past couple Rusciano’s new stage show, which she plans to tour later next of years and it’s going to come out in this book and in this stage year, will be about embracing feminine rage, an emotion Rusciano show, and I hope that it helps other women navigate their lives became consumed by during the gruelling hours of and feel a little less angry and a little less ripped off and breakfast radio and is now inspired to channel in be better communicators. more positive and transformative ways.

I can’t even think “I really love doing that kind of thing, I want “I spent six months of this year angry and I couldn’t understand why, and it started showing up in weird ways,” she reveals. “I’m reading a book at the moment called Rage Becomes Her, by Soraya Chemaly. It’s incredible and I encourage every woman to read it.

how hard we’ve worked on our marriage, so much work has been put in, it’s one of the things I’m most proud of, my relationship with Scott.”

“My stand-up stage show next year is about embracing female rage and how everyone is so terrified of women expressing that they’re unhappy, not realising that’s just making them more unhappy. We hide [our rage], we don’t acknowledge it and it weakens us.

“I came out of radio feeling so much rage, there’s this rising tide of women going, ‘Why do I feel so itchy and cross all the time?’

We’re all becoming more awakened to the little inadequacies and little inequalities toward women and if you’ve got daughters, I’m especially conscious of the little things that work against my kids just because they have vaginas and oh my god, it makes me so mad

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

to be able to help women. Because I have been helpless and angry and crying and not really knowing which direction to turn and I’d like to be someone people can look to and say, ‘Okay, well how did she do it?’ And, maybe they could adopt some of the stuff that I did too. That’s the primary reason for it all.”

Rusciano’s adaptations include shifting the enduring trend of women doing the greater percentage of the domestic work load in the home and she believes this is harming relationships.

“Especially if women allow themselves to do a hundred percent of the domestic loading and I think that’s a real problem, and I think that’s on us, we need to put the boundaries in and we need to say to our husbands ‘I’m not just at home with the kids doing nothing, I’m with our kids’.

“When our husband does the washing, you don’t thank him for

melbourne | SUMMER 2019 | Offspring

20 | cover

helping you, that’s not helping, he’s doing his job as your partner and as the father of the children. Father’s don’t babysit their kids, that is their job in life but they get thanked, you don’t get thanked every day for the loads of washing you do.

I am a better mother when I’m working on stuff I love so, I am a person first and a mother second and I’m a good mother because that’s my ethos.

“This whole notion of, if a dad helps, then he gets thanked and if a mum does the same thing then that’s just her job. I just think it’s bullshit and I think that’s where there is a lot of problems in marriages, when a woman just feels so taken advantage of and so over worked and bogged down with crap and the husband’s just like ‘Well, oh well I’ll help you out’ and I’m like ‘no fucker!’

“Even last week [Scott] said to me, ‘Oh that washing needs to come in, it’s gonna rain’. I checked him, and I said, ‘Hey fucker, feel free, pointing it out doesn’t make it so’. All the men that I know that are in happy relationships do a division of the domestic labour and it’s a fucking happy relationship.”

A happy relationship is something that Rusciano, 39, and her husband Scott, who she met when she was 19, have worked very hard to create. She explains, it hasn’t come easy, having separated on two previous occasions, they have now reached a happy, less volatile place in their relationship.

“We’re a team, we’re a genuine team and we work so fucking hard at being a team. I can’t even think how hard we’ve worked on our marriage, so much work has been put in, it’s one of the things I’m most proud of, my relationship with Scott.”

“And, it’s not perfect and we still clash but we’re much better at handling the situation at hand rather than piling it all up and making it a huge thing and ‘oh everything’s terrible’.

Offspring | SUMMER 2019 | melbourne

“For me, it’s finding that middle place rather than trying to be right, that has solved most of our problems and really listening. You’ve got to really respect what they’re passionate about and you can’t shit on it.

“It’s so easy inside a marriage to get bogged down and it just becomes about surviving and functioning rather than growing and it’s really hard when you’ve got young kids, especially when that’s the time where you’ve gotta band together and not go into corners and throw shit at each other. That’s what generally tends to happen and what certainly happened to us.”

With a totally renovated relationship and on the precipice of turning 40, Rusciano quickly refutes the need to reshape next year’s goals in the event her new baby happens to be a non-sleeping barnacle.

“Nuh, No! Why? No! I am a better mother and a better human when I am doing that shit. I am a better mother when I’m working on stuff I love so, I am a person first and a mother second and I’m a good mother because that’s my ethos.

“I think if you let being a mother consume you then you end up a bit unhappy, and then a lesser person, and then you know, not as good a mother as you can be. I always encourage women to interpret who they were before children and nourish that person and then they’re going to be a fucking excellent mother and more fulfilled. And never give up, my daughters see me doing that every day, I’ll never stop.”

And, what of birth plans?

“My birth plan is to give birth, fucking birth plan, I think if you want to have a birth plan then, fool you, if you try to plan anything in life like that. I just want my baby out and healthy and my obstetrician is the most incredible man, I trust him wholeheartedly, so, nah, I just want the baby here and I don’t care how I have it.” www.offspringmagazine.com.au

A Taste of ELC 2019

Genazzano invites you and your child to experience a ‘Taste of ELC’ within our Early Learning Centre environment. An excellent Early Learning program can be transformative for inquisitive learners, and this is your opportunity to experience our creative play based learning approach in action.

There are limited places available in our outstanding 3 and 4 year old co-educational programs in 2020.

Register today at genazzano.vic.edu.au or phone 03 8862 1207

Taste of ELC Open Morning Friday 8 March Junior School Open Mornings Friday 1 March Wednesday 27 March

All tours start at 9:30am

22 | books

Book REVIEW

Here are our top picks for young readers this Summer season.

0-5 years

We’re Going on an Elf Chase

The puffin book of summer stories

Join four bunnies as they set of on a big Christmas adventure to find the hidden elves. Filled with reindeers, penguins, surprises and obstacles, there is plenty of festive fun in this exciting lift-the-flap picture book to delight young children.

The Puffin Book of Summer Stories presents eight classic stories from well-loved Australian authors and illustrators compiled into one beautifully-presented volume. The collection showcases delightful story-telling and illustrations that celebrate the freedom, adventures and beauty that is a summer in Australia.

Author: Martha Mumford Illustrator: Laura Hughes

3+ YEARS

Animalphabet Author: Julia Donadlson Illustrator: Sharon King-Chai

Animalphabet is an enchanting, interactive guessing game designed to make learning an enjoyable experience for children. Each page is filled with rhythming text, gorgeous illustration and peep-through-holes designed to help children discover both the vibrant world of the animal kingdom and the alphabet!

12+ years

Fortnite: The Ultimate Unauthorised Guide Author: Grant Turner

Fortnite: The Ultimate Unauthorised Guide offers gamers a guide to everything Fortnite! Packed with expert gaming tips and information to help traverse and survive the Fortnite world, this guide will have readers playing like a professional in no time at all.

22

0-6 years

Offspring | SUMMER | melbourne Offspring | winter 20182019 | perth

Author: Various Illustrator: Various

7+ years

Keeper of the Crystals: Eve and the Rebel Fairies Author: Jess Black Illustrator: Celeste Hulme

The Queen of the Fairies has a problem. Two rebel fairies are stealing pixie dust from the Tree of Life and it is upsetting the balance of nature. Enter Eve and her friend Oscar who are summoned to help the endangered kingdom. Eve and the Rebel Fairies is the seventh book of an enchanting adventure chapter series with environmental themes.

ADULTS

Lonely Planet: Wellness Escapes

Author: Various Illustrator: Various

From yoga retreats in India to Buddhist meditation centres in Korea to hot spring retreats and more here in Australia, discover 200 of the most inspiring ways to replenish mind, body and soul. Or bring the wellness experience home with pages of tips on popular yoga and meditation techniques, massage, as well as healthy smoothie recipes you just can’t say no to. www.offspringmagazine.com.au www.offspringmagazine.com.au

24 | parenting

o t t e r c e s e

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n e m

Offspring | SUMMER 2019 | melbourne

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

parenting | 25

orld is dern w a result, o m e re th . As er befo and change at impact is v e n a h y h More t g uncertaint gling. But w e? Claire g in u c r o n t or c m s will be used educat experie ur boys are y e h t of o men d foc in a many on the owned chil rkable men g in v a n this h e rema ts to re ng cha n how to rais rld. o r t s to Arm rn wo ie Den mode Magg

I

t was an emotional Maggie Dent that spoke in awe of her latest book, Mothering Our Boys; A guide for mums of sons.

This is the book she believes she was put on this earth to write and carries her heart and soul. And even with her long list of credentials in the parenting realm, Maggie feels the pressure of how audiences will respond. But as sales climb beyond 10,000 in the first few weeks, it is clear this book resonates with today’s parents.

. r sons

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Magg

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At her core, Maggie is a mum, a self-claimed, imperfect mum, to four wonderful boys.

“I openly claim I was an imperfect parent, but I always had an intuitive sense my boys needed freedom and times and places without my direction or input,” she says.

“Allowing my boys to take risks, fail and recover, was not easy but it greatly helped build confidence, courage and gave my boys incredible resilience.”

Maggie speaks of modern lifestyles, full of game consoles, social media and an education system so focused on academic results, diminishing the freedom to just “be kids” and providing fewer opportunities for unstructured play, as having a major consequence on our boys’ development.

“We have spent so much time trying to safely guide our children and prevent bad things from happening to them that we are dissolving their ability to judge risk for themselves which ironically sets them up for disaster.”

and ks, fail s i r e k elped to ta h s y y l o t a b e t gr ng my y boys y but i m s a Allowi e e v t a o g r, was n ourage and e v o c e c r e, e. fidenc silienc n e r o c e l d l b i bui incred

“

“

Today’s boys are struggling. They are more likely than girls to go to prison, be illiterate, die young, be in remedial classes, have ADHD and more. And we are also seeing poor examples of masculinity in our society via the news and social media. So how do we show our boys what healthy masculinity looks like and raise men capable of being able to hold their hearts open in relationships? www.offspringmagazine.com.au

on s p i t e som g

in t a c i n u comm

s y o b h wit

■ Boys respond to non-verbal connections. Wink, make funny faces, give high fives, and thumbs up.

■ It’s about presence. Join them in their chosen activity.

Watch their favourite show or build Lego together.

■ Engage in spontaneous hugs, cuddles and tickles. Launch a ‘surprise bedroom tickle attack’ (for older children!)

■ Let them know you think about them when you are apart.

Hide notes or jokes in their lunch box or on the bathroom mirror.

■ Make eye contact and ensure they are listening before you start talking. Keep verbal instructions short.

■ Give choices and ask, rather than demand.

■ Help boys with emotional coaching. Teach calming strategies and model quiet times especially with big feelings.

■ Create a bedtime ritual. The last thing your son should hear every night before entering the land of nod is how much you love them. “I always told my boys, ‘I love you more than all the grains of sand on every beach, more than all the stars in the night sky and more than all the hairs on all the bears’ and even now they still remember it.”

melbourne | SUMMER 2019 | Offspring

26 | parenting

“

safely o t g n i e try gs ch tim u m ad thin b o s t t n n e d prev t we are ve spe We ha r children an em tha sk for u h t o e o t d i i gu pening ty to judge r p a h p from abili them u r i s e t h e t s lly ing ironica dissolv h c i h elves w r disaster. thems fo

“

“The big message in my book is other women can positively influence other people’s sons. Boys observe all humans and learn from everyone around them so it’s important we are all that warm, gentle presence in young boy’s lives.”

Maggie lets in on a few secrets. A couple of little secrets about raising boys.

“A big secret is play,” Maggie quips. Could it really be that simple? Maggie explains the real secret to raising boys into happy, well rounded young men, is to let them play and allowing them the chance to make mistakes, get dirty and occasionally get hurt.

Playing together also teaches kids how to behave socially around winning and losing, an experience far more valuable than playing games on screen, which show no emotional response from competitors.

“The play code developed from playing with other children is fundamental for boys to negotiate conflict in adult life,” Maggie says.

She suggests games with only one winner. When they lose, they’ll get better at learning to deal with it. Play is also how we learn to wait, to take turns and develop the art of strategy.

Most boys struggle emotionally due to the inner conflict between hormones, brain chemicals, slower and poorer verbal Offspring | SUMMER 2019 | perth

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

parenting | 27 and emotional processing and social conditioning for boys to appear powerful and successful. There is a mistaken perception that boys and men don’t feel emotions as much as girls and women — here is another secret - they do. They just process and communicate them very differently.

“Boys need more time to work out what big feelings are all about, whereas girls tend to move from experiencing the emotion to interpreting it much quicker,” Maggie explains.

“When boys feel emotionally vulnerable, they tend to have a default setting straight through to anger, which is often not acceptable in everyday settings.”

Traditionally, boys have been told to toughen up when faced with adversity. Maggie dispels this saying a more nurturing approach is far more helpful for boy’s development.

“All children need to know they are valued and loved. But we need to meet the unique needs of boys. They want close one-onone chats, but they don’t want them straight after school when they haven’t had time to process it yet.”

It sounds easy, but in reality, parents are busy people. But Maggie urges anyone with boys to acknowledge that moments of non-verbal connection are incredibly valuable.

With Christmas coming, Maggie reminds parents that boys don’t need the latest fancy toys, instead the best gift would be using the holiday to spend time together playing and making magical memories. It’s about presence not presents.

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

how to s d i k s che losing, so tea l d a n r a e g h toget winnin playing n a Playing ially around h t le al valuab e soc v e r a o h motion e e m b r o a n f e ow erienc hich sh titors. w , n an exp e on scre compe games sponse from re

“

“

Another secret many mums of boys will have already learnt is that non-verbal cues are a primary form of communication. To feel loved many boys just need to know you are “present” to them.

melbourne | SUMMER 2019 | Offspring

28 | real life

Offspring | SUMMER 2019 | melbourne

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

A Mother’s Choice

real life | 29

Discovering she was pregnant just four weeks after the diagnosis of a life-threatening cancer was a bitter sweet pill to swallow for celebrity fashion journalist, Elle Halliwell. In unchartered territory, Elle made the brave, life-threatening decision to delay the most effective form of treatment available to give her pregnancy the best chance of going full term and save the life of her unborn.

E

By Lisa O’Rourke

In the May of 2016, having only just informed her family lle’s health is her top priority. This is apparent at the onset, of her Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (C.M.L.) diagnosis, Elle when our first interview is postponed due to her low chose not to share the news of her pregnancy to give her time to immunity and need for rest. When we finally chat, she is research the prognosis of her baby and his chance of survival. as warm and generous as her media profile projects. She What followed was a whirlwind few weeks consulting radiates an enigmatic charm offering authentic specialists and attempting, with no luck, to find and raw accounts of her cancer experience and similar cases around the world with a diagnosis so the pathway to surviving her illness for the Suffering chronic early in pregnancy. sake of her unborn baby and the ongoing anxiety throughout management of her incurable cancer.

Elle explains, “With C.M.L. there is her twenties, and at “I don’t have the health that I used to, and I just want to get back to ‘normal’, Elle says, “These last two weeks I was really sick, so I can’t push.”

the prime of her career, Elle had missed the warning signs that her health was in decline.

Suffering chronic anxiety throughout her twenties, and at the prime of her career, Elle had missed the warning signs that her health was in decline, “with it reaching a crescendo that was almost like I was being tickled with a leaf and then all of sudden the tree fell,” she recalls.

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a translocation of two chromosomes.

Chromosome nine and twenty-two have broken off and switched, resulting in the production of cancer cells that can lie dormant.”

While this decision did not take long to make, Elle still feels guilt-ridden with the idea she even contemplated termination.

Elle’s passion and interest in fashion was a saviour of sorts throughout her harrowing health journey. At her first biopsy at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Elle cinched her gown to add

melbourne | SUMMER 2019 | Offspring

30 | real life

some shape. “Fashion in its most simple terms is a way to express yourself, wearing things to make you happy,” Elle says, deciding if she was going to take on cancer, she wasn’t going to do it looking “like a dag”.

Elle’s family were a great support throughout the pregnancy with her mum particularly “stoic”. Elle later realised this was a façade for her benefit, as her mother really “wasn’t coping well with my health tragedy,” she reflects.

As a means of processing and coping with this unimaginable predicament, a friend suggested Elle document her unique journey. Her journal and letters to her unborn baby scaffold her recently released book, A Mother’s Choice, which documents her journey to save her unborn child developing in her “sick body”.

Writing the book provided Elle and her loved ones with a difficult yet cathartic opportunity to work through their experiences and “offload their emotions”.

Healthy and beautiful, bouncing baby boy Tor was born on Elle still battles with the side effects of her treatment which, December 17, 2016, four weeks premature. Elle’s good “aren’t fun but manageable”. health five weeks postpartum was another blessing, She is trying to empower herself by providing her enabling her to delay treatment to breastfeed family with the, “best shot at a healthy life” by “Psychologically, Tor and pump sufficient milk supplies for focussing on self-care. this time was nourishment in his early days.

“Conventional medicine is so cut and dry. I wonderful, allowing Elle says, “I pumped like a dairy cow to want to give myself the knowledge to take my me to experience store milk for Tor. I completely filled up health destiny into my own hands. I really don’t motherhood before the freezer on a mission. It was exhausting think there is a one-size-fits-all for how bodies but really wonderful giving him that having to deal with work,” reflects Elle who has just graduated as nourishment. commencing the a Health Coach and is currently studying an treatment.”

“Psychologically, this time was wonderful, Advanced Diploma of Naturopathy. allowing me to experience motherhood before Elle’s health regime includes a good diet, having to deal with commencing the treatment.” meditation, baths, massages, steams, acupuncture and When he is old enough, Elle plans to tell Tor about their yoga to battle fatigue, low immunity, skin rashes and, when her triumphant journey to, “normalise the illness and so that he knows phosphorous is low, “wacky blood”. having cancer is not a death sentence.

While Elle feels she may have “outgrown fashion”, she has “I am living proof there are some amazing developments in recently developed a “renewed interest and excitement” in the cancer research,” she says. industry, focussing instead on ethical brands which are making a Not certain of what her future health journey holds Elle says, real difference in the world. Those with transparent supply chains “Telling Tor will probably be a good thing because if something and “celebrating themes that really benefit the world,” she says. happens, it is a good way to prepare him.”

Elle truly is a remarkable and inspirational woman, her tenacity As she continues to battle her incurable illness, Elle has and strength is unwavering. She selflessly chooses life, enduring struggled at times with a dissonance between the superficiality of the ups and downs of her incurable illness and the side effects of fashion and this raw and life-threatening experience. her life sustaining treatment, to live her life to the fullest for Tor Elle reflects, “There is so much more to life than fashion.” and her family.

Offspring | SUMMER 2019 | melbourne

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

32 | spirituality

The Empath Gift

An empath has an ability to form deep connections with people as they can understand and feel other people’s emotions, however it can become overwhelming and painful, so learning to manage this influx of emotions is vital, according to spiritual teacher, healer and medium, Oscar De Souza.

By KATE DURACK

E

veryone likes to feel understood, cared for and treated

Parents who are empaths can benefit from knowing how to

with compassion. This is empathy, a wonderful gift

channel this energy, so they don’t feel overwhelmed. Also, it is

to help develop connection, love and understanding

more common for them to have children who are also empaths.

between people and to aid in healing. It is a quality we

It’s helpful to be able to identify this gift in our children, so we can

hope to instil in our children.

help support them with their special talent, which can sometimes

As a parent, having empathy helps our children feel loved and supported, and teaches them to have consideration for other people’s feelings. It is important for bonding.

But what about someone who has empathy at the far end of the spectrum, where they are highly sensitive to emotions and energy, who feels the emotions of others regardless of physical and psychological interactions?

This is known as being an empath.

The Oxford Dictionary describes an empath as someone who has a “paranormal ability to perceive the mental or emotional state of another individual”.

Offspring | SUMMER 2019 | melbourne

lead to them feeling overwhelmed.

Spiritual medium, healer and educator, Oscar de Souza, of the Spirit Energy Centre, says there is an increasing number of people who are

I believe empaths have come to this earth to help people open up their mind’s eye to the emotions that resonate within their body, to help people tune into their spirit and purpose.

identifying with their ability to be able to “feel” other people.

“Through social media, TV and society, others who have previously thought there was ‘something wrong with them’ are starting to realise that it’s actually a gift and not a burden,” says Oscar.

“A profound spiritual surge is occurring within many people worldwide through

many different faith systems. The empath is

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

spirituality | 33

Signs you are an empath include, “being able to see through people’s facades and actions” or you might “feel the world is impacting on you”.

The difference between an empath and someone who is just feeling empathy for another is that the empath has that ability functioning continuously, while the latter would be just a passing experience.

“Empaths feel a constant stream of these emotions

Signs you are an empath include, “being able to see through people’s facades and actions” or you might “feel the world is impacting on you”.

– Oscar De Souza

day and night. It can be virtually impossible to switch off from these as they feel the emotions and energy from external sources within their magnetic field or chakras,” says Oscar.

Empaths can feel many people’s emotions at once and take on the energy of animals and nature, with some able to feel the residual energy in the air.

“They are able to walk into a room and feel the energy of the previous occupants of that space and some even feel

tectonic activity and natural or man-made disasters.”

Untrained, an empath can become confused and overwhelmed by feeling a multitude of emotions simultaneously from various sources.

Decoding and dealing with these emotions can be difficult, especially if they haven’t identified where the feelings are coming from and how to deal with them.

“At times they can be convinced that sudden random variable emotions fluctuating within them are their own emotions, and the mind can potentially be entrapped into trying to decipher and understand them,” Oscar warns. “They can get lost in what they are feeling or lost in the feelings of others.”

Without adequate skills, empaths can find it difficult to cope just one of them who better deals with the emotions and energy

emotionally, and can even be susceptible to self-harm, addictions,

people feel, rather than what people may think, portray or say.”

Oscar believes our purpose in life is to “acquire emotions”, so someone who is an empath, who has a profound ability to sense emotions and energy in others, has a special gift and an important role to play.

“I believe empaths have come to this earth to help people open up their mind’s eye to the emotions that resonate within their body, to help people tune into their spirit and purpose.”

Oscar says people who have this ability are generally very old souls.

“They have acquired many experiences and emotions throughout their incarnations, hence their ability of understanding the emotions and energy in others.”

There are two types of empaths: The Emotional empath who feels deeply what another person is feeling and can often have psychic and telepathic abilities; and the Somatic empath who physically reacts by mirroring, such as playing with their hair if you are, or becoming angry at someone if you’re angry with that person.

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

melbourne | SUMMER 2019 | Offspring

34 | spirituality

anxiety and depression, as they try to diminish the intensity of the emotions they feel through self-medicating and generally just ‘trying to feel better’.

While emotions may have psychological and chemical relativity, they are the language of our energy/spirit working through the chakras in the body, says Oscar.

“Each chakra has a resonance/emotion, it emits and absorbs energy. The general emotions a person feels are made up of all the

opposite emotion/energy being humility from their own crown

seven different emotions resonating in each chakra.

chakra into the other person, rather than be a confrontational or

“The empath’s chakras, if unmanaged, continually absorb

uncomfortable situation; or emit strength and resilience from

energy at a higher frequency than what they may emit. This can

their heart chakra into someone who is heart-broken, for example.

cause a feeling of being overwhelmed and being subjugated to

Or, if someone feels unable to cope, the empath can help them by

unwanted emotions and energy.”

emitting energy from their naval chakra.

Oscar is conducting the first ever Empath Courses in Australia,

A parent can help a child who is having a panic attack, by calming

accredited by IICT (international Institute for Complementary

the solar plexus chakra and the crown chakra, or if a child is feeling

Therapists), and will be touring the country in 2019.

anger, the parent can help the child calm the heart and navel chakra.

Course accreditation will enable someone to use these gifts as an Empath therapist, so they can help others understand their emotions and how they work within the chakras.

During the workshop, Oscar discusses how empaths can manage and control this gift, talk about how to enhance and preserve it, and access the antidote to what they are sensing, which is the opposite polarity of an excessive emotion.

For example, Oscar teaches how an empath who is in the presence of someone who has a lot of pride energy emitting from the crown chakra, can emit the

Offspring | SUMMER 2019 | melbourne

Parents can learn how to understand and locate the energy and emotions in their children’s chakras and learn how to direct their own energy from the relative chakra into the child or help guide the child

As parents, we should not undermine how wise and sensitive empath children are and speak sincerely with them, as it helps them feel at ease.

into being more tuned into their own selves and their emotions.

Oscar says toddlers and pre-teens often act out physically or verbally the emotions of those around them, so as parents we can learn to be attentive to that source, and then emit into the child the necessary emotion from the relative chakra, to keep the child from being

completely subjugated to external influences.

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

spirituality | 35

As parents, we should not undermine how wise and sensitive empath children are and speak sincerely with them, as it helps them feel at ease. Oscar adds, empaths at any age should avoid superficial friendships that lack sincerity and support.

“When an empathic child is in the presence of someone who doesn’t have their

Oscar is conducting the first ever Empath Courses in Australia, which will enable someone to use these gifts as an Empath therapist.

guard up, and are being open and sincere, these kids find them exciting and fun to be around.”

Oscar says if a child is given an evasive answer after asking how the parent is, the child can feel upset and distant from the parent.

and sensitivity, rather than be lost for words and unable to communicate.”

Creative arts, activities and musical instruments are great for helping children find a channel of expression, and release.

Oscar says some teenagers and young adults who are empaths may find it difficult to concentrate at school and can be easily distracted by people around them.

“They can be more concerned with the state of

people around them rather than their own self or they may be the quiet one who doesn’t say or do much.”

“Other signs to look out for is if the young adults are looking to suppress their sensitivity using toxins like alcohol or drugs.

He says these children might naturally avoid interacting in a social setting.

Some may have severe levels of depression, anxiety and self-harm or suicidal thoughts, in which case seeking medical and mental

“Some kids may also be afraid of interacting with adults

health care is imperative.” n

or children their own age and prefer to be on their own (talking to themselves as some would say) and playing with animals, nature or games.

“Speaking to older kids about emotions, chakras and energy helps the child be able to learn how to articulate their feelings

For more information about the Empath course, or to learn more about Oscar de Souza’s spiritual insights, visit www.spiritinsight.com.au or follow Oscar on Spiritenergycentre

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melbourne | SUMMER 2019 | Offspring

36 | relationships

. e l g n i S e All th . s m u M y d a L Online dating is a contemporary hookup option for singles, which many now consider as an alternative to traditional methods, and perhaps a new fandangle approach they have yet to try.

There is literally a whole entire universe that comprises single status people (national industry reports suggesting 4.5 million annually) covertly co-existing beneath the radars of those not looking for love, and it seems to be thriving.

Choice offers useful, comprehensive and current comparative data on popular sites and their suitability against criteria of personal demographic, cost and privacy.

They also provide advice on how to stay physically safe and

BY LISA O’ROURKE

financially protect against scammers preying on lonely hearts.

t

total financial losses reported to the Australian Competition and

Dating and romance scams account for over 30 per cent of

he year 1995 marked the official launch of the World

Consumer Commission (A.C.C.C.) as arising from scams activity.

Wide Web, followed shortly after by the registration

The A.C.C.C. reports less than two per cent of online dating

of familiar dating sites such as eHarmony and RSVP.

sites provided specific information about the costs of their service

Social media and mobile phone technology evolved

before becoming a member. They are also aware of instances of

dating site capabilities further. Now there are even sites that match daters to the best dating site.

With over 680,000 single mothers with dependents in Australia, the online dating service industry is a lucrative business.

Offspring | SUMMER 2019 | melbourne

online operators that have created and operated their own profiles.

Following a voluntary 18 year dating hiatus to focus on raising her two daughters, 44 year old single mother, Angela, was ready to find her Prince Charming.

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

relationships | 37

Meeting in a public place for first dates felt awkward, surreal and unnatural, “like the world had gone backwards,” Angela says.

“My first date was with a guy that shall be known as the green Kermit. Initially there were a lot of texts followed by a bar, a dinner, and then on the third date a ‘come home with me’ and demands of sex. Let it be known, it is quite the online expectation by the third date!

“Kermit immediately ceased contact following my refusal and, although this bruised my ego, I realised I had dodged a bullet.

Then much wiser, I asked for complete honesty at the onset, with “Red wine over White Linen Shirt Man” kindly complying by saying he didn’t feel anything after our first date.”

Angela recognises that her online dating journey pulled her out of her comfort zone to overcome her social anxieties.

However, she has grown tired of excusing the poor behaviour of those preying on her emotional vulnerabilities.

Regardless of her negative experiences, Angela acknowledges, “There are definitely people having positive experiences, and those with already active social lives investing in this alternative phenomenon with a different lens.”

“It can be a tool for people to connect, if they feel isolated or alone and provide opportunities for human connection they may otherwise not have had,” says Angela wisely.

“Your experience really will depend on what you are looking for,” explains recently separated 44 year old mother of three, Rebecca.

Rebecca, married at 18, is far more interested in finding herself than a companion, and so “plays” the Tinder game with her

“When you are my age, where do you go to meet a decent guy? Yachting? Golf? Only the youngies go to the pub and they always hunt in packs.”

new-found freedom and the energy her recent single status has afforded.

“There was no instruction manual to start online dating, but you soon learn,” says Rebecca who spends about an hour a day flicking through profiles.

“When you are my age, where do you go to meet a decent guy?

Yachting? Golf? Only the youngies go to the pub and they always hunt in packs,” Rebecca muses.

Rebecca’s first experience was with Frenchy who, after eight weeks, still comes over Mondays during his lunch break in an Uber. He coached Rebecca, telling her of a few items to prepare for his arrival and not to worry about the “small talk”.

“I have needed to learn a new language. The guys all talk in acronyms and sometimes I need to guess what they mean!” excites Rebecca.

Rebecca has also trialled the geo-mapping option offered by Tinder, her online dating service of choice. This option notifies her if someone who is also registered with Tinder is in close proximity to her.

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

melbourne | SUMMER 2019 | Offspring

38 | relationships special feature

“Online dating is liberating because if someone doesn’t fit my schedule I move on.

“It’s good for me now because I am busy with other things and don’t have time for a relationship,” reflects Rebecca, who is enjoying a whole new world with new experiences.

Rebecca elects not to pay for any additional services or match making data to improve her hook-up outcomes. Without spending a cent, all she need do is “swipe right” if she “likes”.

Fifty-something–year-old Samantha is disgusted by one of her closest friends, who also uses Tinder and other sites to meet men.

“I don’t want any part of it and have told her to stop sending me photos of her Tinder date’s genitals, alongside face shots.

That’s just ugly,” she says.

“I feel quite offended and even prudish (which I never thought I would say), violated by some of the things she has shown me.”

Online dating does benefit everyone overall, according to

Rebecca’s first experience was with Frenchy who, after eight weeks, still comes over Mondays during his lunch break in an Uber.

Relationships Australia’s recent research, especially those who are lonely or isolated.

Online dating is the second most preferred way to meet a new partner. The single status online universe has lost its stigma and is out in the open. While true love may not necessarily prevail, online hook-ups are happening all the time, everywhere you look, even if don’t want to see. n

Offspring | SUMMER 2019 | melbourne

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

| 39

Bounce, climb and fly at MELBOURNE's favourite indoor aerial super park!

Once you lay your eyes on the huge activity floor, you won’t know where to turn to first. Latitude boasts over an acre of state-of-the-art activities. From the dedicated Kids Zone for children 18 months to 5 years, to the fully integrated bouncing and climbing activity floor, there really is something for everyone.

B

oasting more than 100 interconnected trampolines, a high-performance trampoline area, giant air bag, dodgeball courts and basketball lanes, Latitude has bouncing covered. But Latitude is more than a bounce. There is over 180 metres of climbing fun, including 14 unique climbing challenges and an 8 metre down-rush bungee tower. This is indoor rock climbing like you’ve never experienced it!

get the most out of your visit.

Whether it’s help mastering a new skill or a watchful eye to keep you safe, the support and energy offered by the crew is phenomenal. You are never alone on a visit to Latitude.

Want to be pushed to your limits? Take the ultimate challenge to conquer The Grid, Latitude’s ninjaparkour inspired course! You will jump, vault, spring, swing and free run your way to victory!

Latitude is open 7 days a week. It’s a buzzing hotspot on weekends so book online to secure your spot. Arrive nice and early to get checked in and ready to hit the floor on time, and please remember you will need closed toe shoes to climb!

What the Facebook fans say about Latitude “Had a fantastic time at Latitude on Sunday with my 11, 9 and 5-year-old daughters. They were flat out for the full hour, coffee was good and the free Wi-Fi was fast. Thanks for a great experience.” – Paul Sutton

Or take to the sky on the 8-metre elevated obstacle course, SkyWalk. You’ll be swinging and tightrope walking. It’s much higher than it looks.

“Fantastic place for the kids. Lots to do and kept the kids entertained for hours. Highly recommend! Go and visit Latitude!”

– Andrea Bond

Best of all, you get access to all activities during your 60-minute session. Parents can watch on from the sidelines with a baristaprepared coffee and delicious fresh snack from Basecamp café and get the best view in the house from the café’s mezzanine deck. It’s a win-win!

The Latitude crew are on hand to ensure you

Located at 590 Waterdale Road, Heidelberg Book online at www.latitudeair.com

Located at 35-57 Joondalup Drive, Edgewater.

Book online at www.latitudeair.com

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

melbourne | SUMMER 2019 | Offspring

40 | babies

Preparing for baby How much does one little baby actually need? Your baby shopping list might seem overwhelming, but you don’t need all the bells and whistles. Offspring has created a guide to help you work out the must-haves from the nice-to-haves.

By BROOKE EVANS-BUTLER

B

efore you hit the shops it is important to do some research. Look for product reviews online and talk

OUT AND ABOUT

to other mums about what they found most useful.

The first trips outside of the home with a newborn can seem scary,

Going to the shops unprepared can be overwhelming

but you don’t need to pack like you are going away on a holiday.

(just how many additional features can a pram have?) and it can be very easy to overspend when you are surrounded cute baby clothes.

THE MUST-HAVES Car restraint: You must have a rear-ward facing carrestraint that meets Australian Standards sorted before you bring your baby home from hospital. Many car seats will be suitable for your child from birth up to four years old, so as well as being an important piece of safety equipment, it is something you will be using every day for years.

Your decision will be determined by: The space you have available (if you have more than one child you might need a slimline car seat to fit all the car seats across your car’s backseat).

You might decide on a travel system with a capsule that attaches to a pram frame. Some parents love this option, as it is easier to get baby out of the car without disturbing them, however, babies do outgrow this option quickly.

!

TIP It’s a good idea to add to your to-do list to get your car restraint professionally installed by a local fitter to help ensure it is correctly fitted and safe to bring your newborn home in.

Offspring | SUMMER 2019 | melbourne

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

family | 41

Look for product reviews online and talk to other mums about what they found most useful.

First Aid For peace of mind, some First Aid items are a good idea to have on-hand when you bring baby home.

Saline solution, baby paracetamol (ensuring it is only used according to directions) and a baby thermometre are good products to have handy in the early months. www.offspringmagazine.com.au

melbourne | SUMMER 2019 | Offspring

42 | babies

NICE TO HAVE A nappy bag: Some sort of bag is definitely important so you have some nappies and spare clothes on-hand, as well as bottles if bottle feeding, and toys etc. Some nappy bags revival designer handbags with stylish designs and multiple storage compartments (including in-build change mat and insulated bottle carrier) but for the budget conscious, you can also get away with any practical bag or backpack.

Baby carrier: This is a personal choice and for some parents, a good baby carrier will supersede a pram. It is certainly useful to be able to carry your baby and keep your hands free to do the shopping, for example, and is a great option for using in the outdoors when going for a walk. A supportive baby carrier can also be handy to use at home to settle your baby.

Portable cot: A portable cot is definitely not on the musthave list, but can be very handy, especially if you are planning on going on holidays or to be used at a babysitter or grandparent’s home for naps or sleepovers.

Check how easy the pram is to fold.

If it is too complicated or heavy it will make it difficult for you to get the pram in and out of the car’s boot.

Other travel products to consider:.

Pram liner, trolley cover, rain cover/sunshade for pram, ‘Baby on Board’ car sign, car window shades.

Pram/stroller: There are so many options when it comes to purchasing a pram, it can seem like you are purchasing a car.

Features and prices can vary considerably.

Things to onsider:

✪ The intended use of the pram. Do you want a pram that you can exercise with (to put your baby in when you go running or for long walks) or will it mainly be used to go to the shops or short trips?

✪ How big the pram is. It is important to check that the pram will fit in the boot of your car.

✪ Check how easy the pram is to fold. If it is too complicated or heavy it will make it difficult for you to get the pram in and out of the car’s boot.

✪ A big consideration is if you also have a toddler, are

expecting twins or are planning on having babies close in age. Twin or double prams are available (but be sure to check the width is practical to go shopping to fit through the aisles, for example) or configurations are available with toddler skateboards at the back of the pram, for example.

Offspring | SUMMER 2019 | melbourne

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

babies | 43

GOING TO SLEEP It is important to create a comfortable and, most importantly, safe environment for your baby to sleep in.

MUST HAVES Cot: A cot is an expensive investment, but if you are

It is important to create a comfortable and, most importantly, safe environment for your baby to sleep in.

NICE TO HAVE

considering using a family heirloom or second-hand find, it is

A bassinet: This will only be used for the first couple of

important to ensure it meets current Australian safety guidelines.

months, so it isn’t a necessity. However, a bassinet can be very

There are many cots to suit your needs, including cots that convert

handy during those first few weeks, as a bassinet is easy to move

to a toddler bed at a later stage. A good quality, clean mattress that

around the house.

properly fits in the cot is also a necessity.

A good quality, waterproof mattress protector is essential to

A baby monitor: If your baby is in their own room, it can

ensure your baby’s cot mattress stays in good condition. Purchase

be comforting to be able to easily hear them if they wake during

two or three so you have spares for when you are doing the washing.

the night. Some monitors are quite sophisticated, with options

There are many options when it comes to wraps, swaddles,

including video monitoring. Some monitors are also available that

sleeping bags and baby blankets. Again, ensure you have a few

double as a night light, and some monitors also monitor a baby’s

options, so you have spares for when you are doing the washing.

movements, to provide additional peace-of-mind.

Some babies love to be swaddled, while some love to be able to have their little arms out in a sleeping bag, so test out what option

Other sleep products to consider:.

is going to be best suited to your baby.

White noise machine, room thermometer, night light.

E

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Every day, achieve your best.

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melbourne | SUMMER 2019 | Offspring

44 | babies

NICE TO HAVE Breast pump: This might be an essential item if you are breastfeeding (especially if you want to express some feeds) but you don’t have to buy one as they can often be hired at your local chemist.

A steriliser: A steriliser isn’t optional (you can always sterilise by boil bottles, teats and feeding gear in a large pot), but a steriliser can certainly be handy.

Mess Mat: This is useful to put under the highchair to catch any food that falls from the highchair.

Other feeding products to consider:.

Mess Mat, bibs, suction bowls, bottle warmer, bottle drying rack.

NAPPY CHANGES You will be changing many nappies over the next couple of years!

Here’s what to get:

Your feeding essentials will differ depending on whether you choose to breast or formula-feed.

MUST HAVES Nappies and wipes: Whether you choose disposable or cloth options, you will need a good supply of nappies and wipes.

However, it is advisable not to go overboard and buy too many nappies

FEEDING TIME Your feeding essentials will differ depending on whether you choose to breast or formula-feed.

MUST-HAVES

before you have bub. Firstly, babies grow very quickly so if you buy boxes and boxes of newborn disposable nappies, chances are your baby will outgrow them before you use them all. For cloth nappies, it might best to try different brands to find the best fit for your baby.

Change mat: Whether for out-and-about or to use at home, a good quality and easy-to-clean change mat is a must to keep nappy changing mess contained.

Breast pads are essential if breastfeeding to prevent embarrassing leaks. Disposable pads are available, or reusable pads can be washed and used again and again.

Bottles and teats are essential if you are formula feeding or if you want to express breastmilk. There are many styles of bottles and teats available and sometimes it can take a while to work out which ones will suit your baby, so don’t buy too much until you try them out for yourself.

High chair: When your baby starts solids, a high chair will be used regularly. High chairs range from very basic options to deluxe designs with padded seating and adjustable backs.

Whatever you choose, remember that this is where your child will be eating (which often means mess!), so it is very important to ensure it can easily be cleaned.

Offspring | SUMMER 2019 | melbourne

Second hand gems

Purchasing or being gifted second hand baby items are a great way to save some money - and as many baby products are used for such a short time, you might find they are in brand new condition! However, it is important to carefully check the condition of things like cots, mattresses and car seats if you are considering hand-me-down options.

Ensure any product is safe and meets relevant Australian Standards.

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

family | 45

NICE TO HAVE Change table For some parents, a change table is essential as a dedicated nappy changing space. Other parents might use a change mat on top of a dresser or might change their baby on a bed. Do whatever works for you!

Barrier creams Your baby might never get nappy rash, but if they do there are many nappy rash creams on the market. Some parents like to use a barrier cream as nappy rash preventative after each nappy change (talk to your pharmacist or health care professional about the best option for your baby).

Other nappy change products to consider:.

Wipes warmer, nappy bin, soaking bucket.

!

TIP Nappy changes can be tough on your hands, so get a good quality hand moisturiser to help keep your skin in good shape after all that hand washing.

Hand sanitiser is also a good idea to have on-hand in your nappy bag for nappy changes on-the-go.

PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT FOR YOUR CHILD’S DIFFICULTIES Do you have concerns regarding your child’s mental health? If they, or you, are having any difficulties, ACU can help.

The ACU Melbourne Psychology Clinic (MPC) is based in vibrant Fitzroy and is easily accessible. MPC offers a professional psychology service staffed by postgraduate psychology interns who are supervised by experienced psychologists. MPC has a long history of providing very affordable child focused therapeutic work and assessment. Younger children through to young adults are seen. Support is also available to parents in managing their parenting goals.

When you come along to MPC, expect to receive an empathic, thorough approach to managing concerns you may have for your child, or for yourself, as you progress in your parenting role.

When you come along to MPC, expect to receive an empathic, thorough approach to managing concerns you may have for your child, or for yourself, as you progress in your parenting role.

The issues treated are varied and include separation anxiety, general anxiety and phobias, friendships issues, challenges within the home, depression, assessments for learning issues, behavior problems, and difficulties with transitions. Parents seek support with assisting their child in managing these difficulties.

Please feel free to call or email with enquires.

Phone: (03) 9953 3006 Email: melbournepsychologyclinic@acu.edu.au Web: www.acu.edu.au/psychologyclinic

melbourne | SUMMER 2019 | Offspring

46 | babies

BABY CLOTHES Oh cute, tiny baby clothes! It is tempting to go overboard, but your baby will not need too much. Remember, baby clothes will be one of the most popular gifts or hand-me-downs you are likely to get from family friends, so to start off with, buy what you think you will need for the early weeks.

MUST HAVES Several onesies Remember, even in the warmer months, hospitals can be quite cool due to air-conditioning, so get some long sleeved, as well as short sleeved onesies in the Summer months. 0000 is a common size for a newborn but get a couple of 000 if you are expecting a big baby.

Hats

NICE TO HAVE

Get a sun hat for the warmer months or beanie for the cooler months.

Socks

Fancy outfit Cute little outfits, such as tiny dresses, suits or little tracksuits

Tiny socks can double up as mittens in the early days to stop a

look adorable on a new baby, but they are not necessary.

baby from scratching themselves. Buy a few pairs – one sock can

However, you might like to buy a special outfit for taking baby

easily fall off and go missing.

home from the hospital. n

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www.offspringmagazine.com.au

babies | 47

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As a mother, she noticed how many of her friends were using harsh bubble baths on their children’s skin and the dry skin conditions that were often the result. Dermatologists advise if bubble bath is used, the skin needs to be rinsed thoroughly to prevent irritation.

With guidance from her father and cosmetics scientists, she developed Vatéa. A range of bubble free, Certified Organic baby and natural family care products.

L

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Madannah Cream, unique to Little Button Essentials has been developed specifically for infants and those who have highly sensitive skin.

There are five creams in the Madannah Cream range. All are 100 per cent natural, 100 per cent handmade and produced in Australia.

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www.littlebuttonessentials.com.au melbourne | SUMMER 2019 | Offspring

48 | babies

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babies | 49

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Please send all expressions of interest to the Publisher, Kate Durack kate@offspringmagazine.com.au or for further enquires please contact Kate on 0415 267 414

52 | wellness

A PARENT’S VOICE Yvette Clarke, an internationallyrenowned Wellness Consultant, Empath, Light Worker and Soul Room Specialist, shares how she is able to help break through emotional barriers and explains why the parental word is so important in developing healthy self esteem in our children.

To contact Yvette: @Haelettevy @Haelettevy yvette@haelettevy.com

I

have been blessed with the unique gift of acute empathic perceptivity, which allows me to feel and hear the subconscious emotions of my clients as

though I am them.

I help women suffering from low self-esteem

Without realising it, the parent has the power to subconsciously brainwash their child into feeling inadequate, incapable and downright unloveable.

cut through confusion and trauma to create clarity,

appear to be different than before, but once she is caught up in the euphoria of ‘duplicitous nice’ being

appears to have metamorphosised into

allowing them to take back control of their emotions and For over 20 years I have had the privilege of being invited into a

come wrapped in a different package each time and initially

shown to her, the relationship partner

understanding and best of all personal empowerment, their lives.

over, again. These experiences

someone who becomes unkind, cruel and detrimental to her already delicate self-esteem.

She loses her voice and becomes a doormat to others. This

sacred place – the inner self - where everything that makes a person

causes her self-esteem to become even more diminished than

who they are is stored; I call this place The Soul Room. In this

before, she becomes fearful of making another wrong choice, her

room, I come to converse with the subconscious emotional layers

anxiety levels reach catastrophic heights and she wonders what

of the human body. In here I shine a light on the suppressed hidden

it is about her that has this continue to happen... What is wrong

beliefs and emotional injuries causing conflict and obstruction

with HER?

to my clients’ wellbeing, happiness and success. My job is to give

Her friends don’t understand either. They wonder why such

voice to the subconscious self so that it can be heard and not shoved

a lovely, caring and kind woman would continue to attract abuse

under the proverbial carpet.

and mistreatment.

I have sat with thousands of emotionally-scarred,

I have been asked by numerous women over the years why they

disempowered women, who don’t understand why they bring into

can’t break this cycle and here is the reason from a soul

their lives the same bad experience – or relationship - over, and

room perspective.

Offspring | SUMMER 2019 | melbourne

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

It all comes down to the power of the PARENTAL WORD.

harm your self-esteem, the negative parental word will. Without

The words from a parent can make or break a child’s belief in

realising it, the parent has the power to subconsciously brainwash

themselves. These parental words will stay with this person

their child into feeling inadequate, incapable and downright

for the whole of their life replaying in the background of their

unloveable.

subconscious mind and within the emotions of the inner child self. They will replay like bad Christmas music that has become stuck in your head after you’ve done your Chrissy shopping at a major department store.

telling me how fat and ugly they are, they can’t even see their actual body shape because all they hear in the back of the mind replaying over and over again is the parent’s criticism of their physique and weight. The continuous jabs at a tiny bit of tummy fat has now

It’s like that song that

created a woman who binge eats and then throws up to keep slim.

just keeps replaying over,

All she sees is a distorted image of herself, fed by the niggling of

and over, again in the

parental criticism. As an adult, it doesn’t matter how much she is

background of your

told how beautiful she is, the internal child state is stuck, glitched

mind and no matter what you do, it’s stuck in there.

The parental word

on the relentless parental music telling her she is fat.

As children we are emotional sponges, we absorb into ourselves the emotions and wording repeating itself in the home environment. We are like steaks marinading in criticism sauce.

has the same effect

When a child’s point of view is repeatedly dismissed, or their

on your child self as

emotions are conveyed to them as drama, this teaches the child

that background music does, the only difference is the Christmas music won’t

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

I have had the most beautiful, healthy women sit in front of me

that their feelings have no value and that their emotions are ridiculous. As an adult they are likely to attract a partner who will treat them the same way the parent did.

melbourne | SUMMER 2019 | Offspring

54 | wellness

When a child is treated with irritation when they speak, as adults they often attract relationships that treat them with the same tactic of abuse.

When a child is told continuously what is wrong with them and what they didn’t get right, they become excessively self-critical or they become very critical of others.

The parental word is so very, very, important to the innocent child. This child will remain inside your children for their whole lifetime. This child needs to be encouraged to believe in themselves, they need to be reminded how

As children we are emotional sponges, we absorb into ourselves the emotions and wording repeating itself in the home environment. We are like steaks marinading in criticism sauce.

much they are loved - and loved for simply being them - not love earned from behaving in a manner that pleases the parent.

The innocent child needs to hear that they matter to you and that you are willing to listen to their feelings when needed, without prying into everything that is private and personal to them.

The greatest chance our children have of growing into emotionally healthy adults with a healthy self-esteem is from them feeling that no matter how big they mess up, your love for them

will not be diminished. n

SPECIALISING IN... EMOTIONAL CLARITY • SELF DISCOVERY • INNER CHILD HEALING

EMBRACE YOUR BEST LIFE! Yvette is an expert in the field of empathic communication with the subconscious layers of the human body. Working in service of the clients process to self empowerment and emotional wellness.

OVER 20YRS PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Testimonial... My first session with Yvette was the most unique and mind-blowing experience I’ve ever had.

Yvette is spot on with tuning into what’s happening for me (emotionally, mentally, spiritually and physically) and has helped me create the reality I truly desire.

Kylie Cooper - Social Worker

Yvette is an internationally renowned Empath, Light worker and Soul Room Specialist

Yvette has amazing clairvoyance, knowledge and clarity. She reads my soul. She facilitated a deeper understanding of myself and others, which enables greater happiness and authenticity.

Kate Durack – Offspring Magazine Founder

Ph: 0416 167 307 To contact Yvette:

Offspring | SUMMER 2019 | melbourne

@Haelettevy

@Haelettevy

Email: yvette@haelettevy.com

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

| 55

STRUGGLING? Feeling lost, lonely or low? You are not alone. The Christmas Holiday season can trigger many past wounds that need to be dealt with.

A

disconnection from “Self ” is the main causal factor of loneliness, anxiety, despair and depression which is easily remedied by connecting into knowledge of “Self ”. This will enable you to express who you are through your own opinions, belief systems, expectations and aspirations.

Brenda Pitout is an Emotional Wellness Leader who helps individuals hungry for change through facilitating healing via empowerment, enlightenment and encouragement.

What she is really passionate about is moving the world to wellness through transformation via shifts of consciousness, so people can realise their infinite Power, Potential and Purpose, and thereby live successful, fulfilled and abundant lives.

CONTACT BRENDA Website: www.bodytalkwa.com.au Mobile: 0448 045 238 FaceBook: wellnessonsteroids

PROGRAM TESTIMONIALS: “I have gained self confidence and focus on myself and my values to create my own world as I want it to be in the future.” – T.C., Business Manager “Thank you, Brenda, I am loving the topics and content of the course. I am so glad and grateful I signed up for this.” – Paula, Housewife and mother of two “A unique, positive experience that began with subtle modifications to my thinking and later culminated in defined, beneficial changes to my interpersonal relationships and life vision.” – Lauren, Corporate Services Manager

REACH YOUR TARGET MARKET WITH OFFSPRING AUSTRALIA’S BIGGEST PARENTING MAGAZINE More than 85% of our clients are regular, repeat advertisers due to the great value, service and results they receive from Offspring magazine.

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OWN AND EXPRESS YOUR FEMININE POWER Get confidence, communicate your truth and find a solid sense of self.

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• Trauma • Depression • Abuse

• Anxiety • Eating Disorders • Stress

“Bodytalk with Brenda removed Depression for which I was hospitalised, and other emotional blockages which have created pain and been holding me back in my life.”

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• PTSD • Addictions • Phobias

Start investing in yourself and in your future to

bring about profound and meaningful change so you can live your best life.

To make an appointment call: BRENDA PITOUT Emotional Wellness Leader, Counsellor and Certified BodyTalk Practitioner

Call us now on 02 4326 1178 or 0415 267 414 or email advertising@offspringmagazine.com.au

www.offspringmagazine.com.au www.offspringmagazine.com.au

Mobile: 0411 081 516 Email: bodytalkwa@gmail.com Website: bodytalkwa.com.au FaceBook: wellnessonsteroids

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Christmas gift guide | 57

All wrapped up Does the thought of Christmas shopping make you sweat?

Never fear, Offspring’s Christmas gift guide has gift ideas covered for all of the family.

By BROOKE EVANS-BUTLER Poppy & Pom rompers

BABIES

Although a baby cannot make their own Christmas wish-list, there are so many options to spoil your little one this festive season.

Bub will have something gorgeous to wear throughout the festive season with these adorable rompers from Poppy & Pom. Their core romper range is made from 100 per cent cotton and is Australian made and designed.

$50+GST (for basic romper), www.poppyandpom.com

Safari Learning Playspace by Leapfrog RRP

$399

This fun activity centre is designed to grow with your child – with three configurations so your little one can play with it through the sitting, to crawling to standing stage. It also has three modes (music explore and learn) to keep bub entertained.

For babies 6 months and over.

RRP $99.95

Available from Big W and selected toy stores.

Coco Rose Ratten Rocking horse A beautiful rocking horse will be a loved gift for years to come. www.cocoroseinteriors.com.au

RRP

$215

Carrol Boyes ‘Bunny’ Children’s Set Tube

RRP

$60

This stainless steel cutlery set is useful and cute!

Available from David Jones, www.carrolboyes.com

Stocking fillers: bibs, teething toys, bath towels, books

Roly Poly Koala

Baby will love this friendly koala – it makes a bell sound when it rolls. www.tigertribe.com.au

The Clean Collective – Baby’s First Christmas Bundle Practical gifts are always a good choice for baby (before they can make their own Christmas wishlist, and this range of essentials are not only good for baby but also for the planet!

This lovely bundle includes goodies including natural wipes, organic muslin swaddle, biodegradable nappy bags, massage oil and so much more. Items can also be added, removed or

RRP

$30

swapped on request. www.thecleancollective.com

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

perth perth| SUMMER | SUMMER2019 2019| |Offspring Offspring

58 | Christmas gift guide Pokémon Power Action Pikachu

TODDLERS There are so many options to fill your toddler’s stocking. Just ensure you check the recommended age for the toy you buy to ensure you get something that is safe for your toddler’s age.

This Pikachu is so much more than a cuddly toy – it has a light up tail and cheeks, movement sensors and speaks more than 15 different responses.

From Big W, Myer and selected retailers.

RRP

$59 Storytime Buddy from Leapfrog

This adorable puppy is educational and cuddly! Buddy teaches colours, shapes, numbers, letters and so much more. He comes with five books and also has a nightlight – perfect for night time cuddles.

RRP $59.95

From Big W and selected toy retailers.

Starlight

Of course, Christmas is about more than presents, and these delightful toys from Starlight helps raise money for sick children and their families.

RRP $49.95

PJ Masks Super Learning HQ

Welcome to the PJ Masks Super Learning Headquarters by VTech. If your child is a PJ Masks fan, they will love this Learning HQ, with 12 activities to keep your child entertained, as well as the PJ Masks theme song and sound effects.

Star Wand ($10) and Captain Starlight Doll ($25) from www.shop.starlight.org.au

From Big W, Target and selected retailers.

Stocking fillers: bath toys, balls, swimwear, clothes, bubbles

Little Bumble offers sustainable beeswax food wraps

L

ittle Bumble is passionate about educating and empowering households with their sustainable food storage solution.

They handcraft premium beeswax food wraps in the green hills of Gippsland, surrounded by farms providing beautiful fresh produce.

Food stays fresher for longer with Little Bumble wraps

www.littlebumble.com.au

Offspring | SUMMER 2019 | melbourne

Little Bumble wraps keep this produce for as long as possible while avoiding plastic waste. Each wrap is lovingly hand cut and coated with local, organic and natural ingredients.

They are reusable, biodegradable and naturally anti-bacterial making them the ideal way to store food while being kind to the planet! Simply wrap, rinse and reuse. There really is no need for plastic wrap in your kitchen.

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

Christmas gift guide | 59

KIDS 5-9 YEARS Whether you are looking for something educational or purely just-for-fun, check out these great gift options for your children.

RRP $69.95

RRP

Ultra Trampoline by Vuly Play

Let the kids burn off some energy with a gift that will be used long after the Christmas decorations are packed away. www.vulyplay.com

RRP

$59

NeoBear AR Globe If you are looking for an

Push Along Pet Carrier by VTech

Toddlers love toys they can push along, but this push along carrier also features a cuddly puppy, as well as fun songs and sounds. Available from Kmart.

$599

educational toy for your child, this globe makes learning about the world interesting with 3D animation, interactive learning and videos. Things become even more fascinating when viewed through the NeoAR app using a mobile device, enables children to see buildings, animals and more in the countries around the world.

Lush

These gorgeous Lush products are perfect stocking fillers that look and smell great. Lush Candy Can Reusable Bubble Bar, rrp $7.95 and Lush Gingerbread Man Sparkle Jar, $15.95, www.lush.com.au

Available from Kmart.

Time teacher watches

RRP

$149

These watches not only look great, but their easy-to-read faces help children learn how to tell the time.

Stylish and educational!

Peppa Pig Lights and Sounds Family Home

It’s Peppa Pig’s house! Sure to delight Peppa Pig fans, the house features seven rooms and a range of accessories. The house also features favourite sounds and phrases from the show. From Myer, Big W and selected retailers.

From rrp $39.95, www.cactuswatches.com

African djembe drums

Does your child love music?

Then why not let them make their own with these fantastic drums.

RRP $109.99

RRP from $59 (for the 30cm size) from www.africanbeat.com.au

Hatchi-Babies

Does your child like Hatchimals?

Then they will love hatching the adorable HatchiBabies! Each comes with a highchair and birth certificate and they can be taught how to talk and play games like ‘find my toes’.

From Target, Big W and Kmart, www.hatchimals.com

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

RRP $24.95

Stocking fillers: PlayDoh, art and craft supplies, books, clothes Jewellery box

This lovely Mini Beau Jewellery Box is perfect for a child who would like to keep their jewellery and precious trinkets safe and sound.

From Smiggle

melbourne | SUMMER 2019 | Offspring

60 | Christmas gift guide Cactus Kids Smart Watch Activity Tracker

PRETEENS 9-12 YEARS No longer a child but not quite a teen – these are some great gift ideas that are fun or educational, depending on your preteen’s interests.

Delight your tween or teen with their own stylish smart watch.

RRP $99.95

Interchangeable banks available for rrp $14.95. www.cactuswatches.com

RRP

$15

iPad cable

‘Can you charge my iPad?’ is a cry many parents will be familiar with – and now charging has become a bit more glamorous! The Laser Glitter Lightning Cable looks great and is a handy spare to have over the Christmas holidays.

Stocking fillers: art supplies, slime, books, vouchers, PJs

From Big W, www.bigw.com.au

Comic Book Kit

Let your child create their very own comic, with step-by-step instructions and everything they need.

RRP $64.95

From www.tigertribe.com.au

RRP $19.99 RRP

The Daredevil’s Guide to Dangerous Places

This fun book introduces your child to fascinating and destructive wonders, from venomous snakes to erupting volcanos.

www.lonelyplanetkids.com

$25 Drone

If a drone is on your child’s wishlist, the Smiggle Remote Controlled Drone is easy to fly (and will fly up to 25 metres, which is sure to impress the kids). From Smiggle.

“1+1= 3”

Transitioning from partners to parents.

“1+1= 3” is a relationship education program designed to help expecting or new parents maintain a loving, supportive environment to navigate the demands and stresses of babyhood, whilst preserving intimacy and romance in their relationship.

youngandwildkids www.youngandwildkids.com Offspring | SUMMER 2019 | melbourne

For more information about this program, other programs on offer or couples counseling, please visit:

www.communicatingbeyondwords.com.au www.offspringmagazine.com.au

Christmas gift guide | 61

MUMS

Stocking fillers: books, gourmet treats, pampering goodies, movie tickets

Mum deserves to be spoilt this Christmas.

RRP

$75

RRP $29.99

Parenting for Legends

Give a mum or mum-to-be a big belly laugh with this hilarious parenting guide by bestselling author Shannon Kelly White. www.parentingforlegends.com

RRP

Woodfolk Natural Wonders Necklace

Bobbi Brown Eye & Lip Palette

$80

Handmade in Australia, these unique, sustainable necklaces are ethically made from ceramic stoneware, leather and sterling silver, and a great gift idea for mums.

Spoil Mum with the pocketsized Bobbi Brown Life of the Party Mini Eye & Lip Palette, for glamour on-the-go.

www.woodfolk.com.au

www.bobbibrown.com.au

DADS

RRP $99.95

From budget gifts to something a bit luxurious, there are options for the perfect gift for the Dads in your life.

Why not get the family something to enjoy together?

RRP $59.95

Car charger

Christmas road trips just got easier! The Belkin Road Rockstar: 4 Port Passenger Car Charger features four USB ports so you can charge four devices. A six-foot cable also means even the kids’ devices in the backseat can charge.

Crash camera

Whether Dad is a car enthusiast or a stickler for safety, he will love the Naavig8r GPS X 616 Crash Camera.

Available from Harvey Norman.

RRP

FAMILY

www.belkin.com/au

AncestryDNA kit

$129

The AncestryDNA kit, which can provide a personalised ethnicity estimate back up to 1000 years from more than 350 regions around the world! This unique gift is sure to be talked about for years to come. www.ancestry.com.au/xmas

Monopoly

RRP $39.99

Nothing brings the family together like a good board game, and the new Monopoly Cheaters Edition (which rewards cheating) is sure to be a hit.

From leading toy retainers including Big W, Myer, Target and Kmart.

iFLY

Wine Cellar Smeg’s Dolce Stil Novo collection features two wine cellars to choose from, including a 450mm high built-in model and an 820mm underbench, that are tailored to store and mature Dad’s favourite drops.

CVI618NR Compact Wine Cellar RRP $3490, www.dolcestilnovo.com.au

Experience gifts are always a hit, so why not try indoor skydiving for something a bit different? The great thing is it is suitable for most of the family, suitable for ages 3+. For pricing and details go to https://downunder.iflyworld.com

Gift options for all!

GIFT VOUCHERS. A great idea for those who are difficult to buy for. To make a voucher a bit more personalised, they can be gifted in a funky gift voucher case or card. www.offspringmagazine.com.au

EXPERIENCES. For the people who have everything, an experience is a great idea, and there are so many options – from movie tickets and restaurant vouchers to spa vouchers and hot air balloon rides.

BOOKS. A book (or a magazine subscription) is a great gift for all ages.

melbourne | SUMMER 2019 | Offspring

62 | make a wish

Children Make a Wish of hope

Seven-year-old Jarvis (pictured left) spent so long fighting cancer, he’d almost forgotten what it was like to be a kid.

This Christmas marks the fourth anniversary since seven year old Jarvis was diagnosed with cancer. Make a Wish foundation has been valuable in offering joy, hope and the chance to feel like a regular kid, for many children like Jarvis. #WorstChristmasEver.

I

Jarvis started chemotherapy the same day. For the whole family

t was only a couple of days before Christmas 2014 when Jarvis’

– Jo, Ben, Jarvis and his two little brothers – it quickly became the

parents took him to the doctor for blood tests. He’d been

most desperate Christmas ever.

feeling out of sorts, lethargic and falling asleep all the time,

and they’d noticed bruises on his legs that weren’t healing.

Just two hours later, their GP rang and told them to go straight

Every parent’s worst nightmare.

Jo and Ben did their best to stay strong for their three boys –

to the hospital where the team from Ward 3B were waiting. While

with their youngest just 16 weeks old at the time. However, Ben

their instincts told them something was wrong, the truth came

remembers feeling completely overwhelmed: “I was just walking

crashing down as they arrived and saw the sign – Ward 3B was the

through the ward, pushing the pram with the other kids, and it was

children’s cancer ward.

all just a bit of a blur.”

At just four years old, Jarvis was diagnosed with Acute

In the months that followed, Jarvis began an intense course

Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, a type of cancer that affects the blood

of medical treatment including daily chemotherapy and high

and bone marrow. The diagnosis came on Christmas Eve, and

dose steroids. However, the life-saving regime took a huge toll on

Offspring | SUMMER 2019 | melbourne

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make a wish | 63

The diagnosis came on Christmas Eve, and Jarvis started chemotherapy the same day.

Jarvis unwrapping presents Christmas 2014.

his health, leaving him listless and often withdrawn. He gained around 40 percent of his body weight due to the steroids and was almost unrecognisable. His muscles also weakened to the point that his parents had to carry Jarvis between his bed at home and the hospital.

As Jo remembers, Jarvis hated going in for treatment. “He’d be crying and saying ‘please, don’t take me….’ He was old enough to know what was coming.”

Over the next three and a half years of treatment, Jarvis missed out on many of the things other kids might take for granted – from school and swimming lessons to birthday parties and playgrounds.

During this incredibly tough time, Jo and Ben felt they had to ‘bubble wrap’ their son.

His incredible wish.

Through cancer support groups, Jo and Ben heard about Make-AWish® Australia and applied for a wish mid-2017. As a keen reader,

Today, visitors to the family’s home will find a two-storey treehouse taking pride of place in the backyard – with a goodnatured seven-year-old playing with his brothers and friends inside.

Jarvis is now doing his best to put the years of cancer treatment behind him – and while it will be five more years of regular blood tests before he’s completely in the clear – thankfully, his chances of a full recovery are strong.

For Jo and Ben, the impact of their son’s wish journey is clear – it has allowed him to become ‘a regular kid’ again.

“Experiences like this give everyone hope and give kids who’ve

Jarvis wished for a very special treehouse, much like the one in his

missed out and faced a lot of adversity a bit of happiness. That’s

favourite book, The 13-Story Treehouse.

very special – and so important,” says Ben.

As the #WishForce team quickly discovered, Jarvis’ treehouse had to be somewhere a young boy could escape his day-to-day cares, enjoy some quiet time, and let his imagination roam free.

Of course, it also needed a veranda, a rock-climbing wall and its very own flying fox!

Construction began earlier this year, with Jarvis watching on excitedly as his vision came to life.

30 July 2015.

For Jo and Ben, the impact of their son’s wish journey is clear – it has allowed him to become ‘a regular kid’ again.

Bake-A-Wish for kids like Jarvis.

Each year, thousands of Australian children are diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. For their families and the kids themselves, life is put on hold while they learn to cope with and in the best cases, beat their illness.

Which is why a wish is so important – with the power to calm, distract and inspire sick kids at the time they need it most.

You can help bring more incredible wishes to life in 2019 by joining Make-A-Wish Australia’s largest ongoing fundraising campaign, ‘Bake A Wish’.

It’s a piece of cake, and whether you choose to arrange a dinner party with family and friends or an afternoon tea - every dollar raised means more unique and life-changing wishes coming true for sick kids like Jarvis.

Visit www.bakeawish.org.au or call 1800 032 260 to find out more, pledge your support and access your free fundraising toolkit. n

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

melbourne | SUMMER 2019 | Offspring

EDUCATION SPECIAL FEATURE CONNECT WITH YOUR POTENTIAL STUDENTS AND FAMILIES!

FREE

EDITORIAL OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE

Melbourne families want to know about education options for their children If your school or organisation provides great education for Melbourne children then this special feature is for you!

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Space is limited.

Contact Offspring today advertising@offspringmagazine.com.au or call 0415 267 414

OFFSPRING IS AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST GLOSS & DIGITAL PARENTING PUBLICATION

66 | holidays

Welcome to Victoria!

Fancy some time away from the routine of daily life? Dreaming of some fun in the sun?

Luckily Victoria has all of that, and more!

By Colleen Willis

ROBERT BLACKBURN

Billy is a must. This well-loved steam train is over 100 years old and runs from Belgrave to Gembrook through the beautiful forests and gullies of the Dandenongs.

For more information visit www.puffingbilly.com.au

W

hat a wonderful place to visit. So much to do! The Dandenongs and Yarra Valley are home to a multitude of fun activities that the whole family can enjoy.

Highlights include H Hedgend Maze Healesville H Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery Yarra Glen H Yarra Valley Dairy in Coldstream H William Ricketts Sanctuary Park H Binjarra Cultural Centre H Healesville Sanctuary H SkyHigh Mt Dandenong Restaurant and Attractions For more information visit: www.skyhighmtdandenong. com.au www.visitvictoria.com Puffing Billy Steam Train

For all the little (and big!) train lovers out there Puffing

Trees Adventure Glen

Harrow Park Fancy an amazing adventure? Ever felt like walking through the treetops?

Then this is for you! Anyone from the age of four and above can enjoy this. Bookings are essential.

For more information visit: www.treesadventure.com.au/ glen-harrow-park/ Wineries

Where to start? You could spend months exploring them!

Several places are family friendly and offer playgrounds and other activities. accommodation H Big4 Dandenong Tourist Park H Quest Dandenong For more information on wineries and accommodation visit www.visitvictoria.com/ Regions/Yarra-Valley-andDandenong-Ranges

If you thought the snowf�elds were just for winter, you’d be wrong!

Mt Hotham

H Horse Riding H Bushwalking H White Water Rafting on the Mitta Mitta River H Mountain Biking H Visit the Onsen Retreat and Spa at Dinner Plain accommodation H Davenport village in Hotham.

H Dinner Plain, 10kms away, is a good alternative.

For more information visit www.mthotham.com.au Falls Creek

H Canoe on Rocky Valley Lake H Horse Riding H Ride the Trails H Segway Tours H Golf H Wineries H Gliding accommodation The Alpha Ski Lodge is open all year round. Self-catering, economical accommodation.

For more information visit www.fallscreek.com.au

highlights include H Mountain Biking H Bush Walking H Horse Riding H Chairlift Rides H Four-wheel Driving accommodation Arlberg Hotel: Has a kids stay free offer and a kids area with a pool table and x-box. It also has a kids ‘chill zone’ with bean bags, meals and movies For more information visit www.mtbuller.com.au Mt Baw Baw

H Mountain Biking H Fishing H Hiking H Bush Walking accommodation For something different, why not try ‘Glamping?’

For more information visit www.mountbawbaw.com.au

Mt Buller

VISITVICTORIA.COM.AU

Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Valley

An easy three hour drive from Melbourne, Mt Buller offers a perfect summer escape.

Top Tip: We all love a good playground, so see the link below for a great list of playgrounds and parks! www.visitdandenongranges.com.au/things-to-do/picnics-playgrounds Offspring | SUMMER 2019 | melbourne

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

holidays | 67 The Great Ocean Road

If you feel like a swim then head to the famous Bells Beach

or take a stroll along the Surf Coast walk.

For more information visit www.visitgreatoceanrd.org. au, www.travelvictoria.com. au/regions/greatoceanroad/ ZOOS VICTORIA

This is one of the most stunning ocean drives I’ve ever been on. Some of the amazing things on offer include: H Bells Beach H Apollo Bay H Kennett River Koala Walk H Cape Otway H Port Campbell National Park H The Twelve Apostles H Tiger Moth World, Torquay (Lots of fun!)

accommodation There are plenty of choices on this route, from caravan/ holiday parks, B&B’s, apartments and resorts.

For more information visit www.big4.com.au, www.topparks.com.au, www.greatoceanroadtrip.com

The Grampians

The Grampians have much to offer families, from camping, scenic walks, animals and more.

Highlights include H Little Desert National Park.

H Grampians National Park H Mt Arapiles H McKenzie Falls.

H The Stawell Gift at Easter For more information visit www.grampianstourism.com.au

their beautiful animals? How awesome would that be! accommodation Halls Gap Lakeside Tourist Park. Here you can camp, stay in a cabin or rent a house!

For more information visit www.hallsgapzoo.com.au www.hallsgaplakeside.com

Halls Gap Zoo

Highlights include H Phillip Island Chocolate Factory. Yum yum!

H A Maze’n’Things H Antarctic Journey H Churchill Island Heritage Farm H Wildlife Coast Cruises H Caldermeade Farm and Café

accommodation H A Maze’n’Things Holiday Park H The Waves Apartments For more information visit www.visitphillipisland.com

Penguin Parade

Who doesn’t love a cute

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GARTH ORLANDER

penguin? Every day at sunset the penguins arrive and strut their stuff while waddling over to their burrows. Truly awesome.

GARTH ORLANDER

Top Tip: During peak times, pre-book tickets to avoid missing out.

Phillip Island

What a gorgeous spot with lots of things to do. With everything close together you don’t have to spend ages in the car going from place to place.

ZOOS VICTORIA

ROBERT SEBA

Halls Gap Zoo is Victoria’s largest regional zoo. It has a, giraffe, water buffalo, meerkats, rainbow lorikeet and more. Why not consider ‘adopting’ one of

melbourne | SUMMER 2019 | Offspring

68 | holidays Mornington Peninsula

The Mornington Peninsula is renowned for being a popular holiday destination with lots to do.

Highlights include H Diving, fishing H Swimming with dolphins H The Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Park H Wineries H Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm H The Big Goose H Visit village markets H The Enchanted Maze H Cape Schanck Lighthouse and Museum

SPECIAL MENTION The Bellarine Railway is having a ‘Day Out With Thomas’ 19-20 January 2019!

For more information visit www.thebellarinerailway. com.au, www.visit morningtonpeninsula.org accommodation H Ocean Blue Coastal Retreats (Some of these are even pet friendly) H Trumans Cottages (Mostly pet friendly) For more information visit www.familyfriendly accommodation.com.au/ mornington_peninsula

MARK CHEW

Top Tip: Follow the link below for a comprehensive list of food and wineries in the Mornington Peninsula. www.visitmorningtonpeninsula.org/foodandwine Victorian Gold��elds

accommodation For something different why not stay at Kryal Castle? It’s located approximately 8km’s east of Ballarat. Kryal Castle is a replica medieval castle with plenty of shows and attractions.

For more information visit www.kryalcastle.com.au

Sovereign Hill

Pan for gold at Sovereign Hill! Sovereign Hill is a living museum with working exhibits.

It’s home to shops, schools, gold digging, underground mines Offspring | SUMMER 2019 | melbourne

SOVEREIGN HILL MUSEUMS ASSOCIATION

Highlights include H Ballarat - See the Lal Lal Falls H Bendigo – Vintage ‘Talking’ Tram Tours H Castlemaine – Old Castlemaine Gaol H Heathcote – O’Keefe Rail Trail H Maldon – The Maldon Lolly Shop. An old time shop filled with sweet treats galore!

For more information visit www.visitvictoria.com regions/ Goldfields

and more. It’s been named Australia’s best ‘Major Tourist Attraction’ three times.

For more information visit www.sovereignhill.com.au

VISITVICTORIA.COM.AU

Gold was discovered over 160 years ago … will you be the one to make the next big find??

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

holidays | 69 The Murray Region

The Murray River is Australia’s longest river and a great place to visit. It’s home to wonderful wineries and gourmet food as well as many other exciting things.

Highlights include H Fishing H Watersports H Paddle steamers H Houseboats H River Cruises H Port of Echuca Discovery Centre Swan Hill Pioneer ROBERT BLACKBURN

Settlement

Swan Hill is a town that carries a rich pioneer heritage.

The Pioneer Settlement will really help you to embrace

Australian history. You can chat to people from a bygone era while cruising the Murray on the PS Pyap. In the evening, enjoy a light and laser show.

For more information visit www.pioneersettlement.com.au House Boating

Hire a houseboat and be your own captain! Kids and captains alike will love an adventure like this. You might just have to stop at one of the many wineries though! accommodation Lots of choice! Houseboats, tourist parks, resorts, camping and more.

For more information visit www.murrayriverhouseboats. com.au, www.visitthemurray. com.au

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70 | holidays

Jamala Wildlife Lodge Experience the unforgettable!

Are you in need of a getaway and love animals and wildlife? Look no further! Jamala Wildlife Lodge offers incredible accommodation that is a true dream for every animal lover.

J

amala Wildlife Lodge is nestled within the grounds of one of Australia’s most interactive zoos, the National Zoo and Aquarium in Canberra. It boasts 18 luxurious 5-star, African lodge inspired rooms, set across three different accommodation precincts. This luxury escape is specifically designed to get you up close and personal with some of the zoo’s best-known residents.

Jamala recently beat all the top 5-star hotels and luxury lodges to win the Australian Hotel Association’s award for Best Deluxe Accommodation in Australia.

Jungle Bungalows

Jamala Wildlife Lodge is an all-inclusive experience where guests are treated to behind-the-scenes zoo tours. They encounter some of its most popular residents, such as rhinos, lions, tigers, giraffes, monkeys and meerkats for an opportunity to connect with and learn about these incredible animals.

GIRAFFE TREEHOUSES

Truly fine dining culinary offerings complete your lodge stay, featuring sunset canapés and drinks, a gourmet African styled five course dinner with fellow guests and a freshly prepared breakfast. These are all often accompanied by some very special visitors and are the perfect complement to this once in a lifetime accommodation adventure.

uSHAKA LODGE The cornerstone of Jamala Wildlife Lodge is uShaka Lodge, filled with stylish and luxurious furniture and African artefacts and artworks, whilst in the company of the curious and captivating Colobus Monkeys and the graceful inhabitants of the 200,000-litre shark tank.

Offspring | SUMMER 2019 | melbourne

Guests can choose to spend the night within the habitats of some of the world’s most amazing animals. The Jungle Bungalows provide guests with the unique opportunity to bathe alongside sun bears, sleep next to a lion, check out a cheetah or admire a tiger from the 5-star comfort of their African inspired bungalow, as they get to know these beautiful creatures in the most personal and intimate way.

The six Giraffe Treehouse suites allow guests to mingle with the friendly animals which reside in a private garden setting in the Treehouse’s backyard. You can enjoy panoramic views of the Molonglo River from the front balcony while meeting and handfeeding the resident giraffe!

Guests are invited to immerse themselves in one of the most unique experiences in the world and take on the thrill of a wild African safari, making it a truly remarkable accommodation experience.

Jamala Wildlife Lodge:

t: +61 2 6287 8444 e: info@jamalawildlifelodge.com.au w: www.jamala.com.au

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

travel | 71

FLORA FARMS

e it r u o v a f a : s o b a C s o L hotspot for families

d, n for families, offering excellent foo tio na sti de l ve tra al ide an is s bo Los Ca to do and exceptional value. nty ple er, ath we at gre e, vic ser d accommodation an

BY KATE DURACK

L

os Cabos, situated between the sea and the desert on the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico, is a fantastic choice for families with cultural intrigue, delectable food, year-round sunny weather (it only rains six days a year!), oodles of adventure and a great conversion rate with the Aussie dollar.

Los Cabos is not over-touristed, overdone or overly commercial. It offers great value for holidays and a fun, authentic Mexican experience..

A short plane ride from Los Angeles airport in California, Los Cabos is the fastest growing resort area in Mexico and is well-catered to the family market with top-quality hotels and adventure activities and delicious, authentic Mexican food.

A highlight for my 7-year-old son and 10-year-old daughter was swimming with dolphins, while I loved the Outback and Camel Ride Safari, which involved a walking tour through the desert, where we learnt about the beneficial and toxic properties of various cacti, followed by a camel ride by the sea

and a yummy Mexican buffet. We also had fun testing various types of tequila in our jovial group!

These tours were run by Cabo Adventures www.cabo-adventures and were extremely well organised and operated. We also enjoyed a ride out to the famous Arch in Cabo atop, and below the water, in a yellow submarine tour which was a worthwhile experience.

The restaurants were exquisite. We sampled delicious tacos – the fish and prawn tacos were my favourite - at La Lupita www.lalupitatym.com, renowned as being the “best tacos in Los Cabos”, which hosted live music and a very cool, upbeat vibe in a rustic evening hangout.

We spent a lovely afternoon by the sparkling blue ocean at Sur Beach House www.bahiacabo.com/sur, a trendy restaurant set literally on the soft, white sands of San Lucas beach, which is part of Bahia, a well-recognised hotel in Cabo San Lucas.

This was a very cool place to hang out, relax and eat – gorgeous beach house-inspired décor and a chic but easy

A highlight for my 7-year-old son and 10-year-old daughter was swimming with dolphins while I loved the Outback and Camel Ride Safari.

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

melbourne | SUMMER 2019 | Offspring

72 | travel relationships special feature

Heralded by The New York Times as the 5th Coolest Restaurant in the World, Sunset Monalisa offers a spectacular dining experience.

MONA LISA

Los Cabos is the fastest growing resort area in Mexico and is wellcatered to the family market with top-quality hotels and adventure activities, authentic Mexican food. feel. I enjoyed a Corona and we dined on seafood and salads, in between taking a dip in the sea, metres in front of the restaurant. Sur Beach House also offered an array of water activities including jet skis, boat rides and stand up paddle board right from its beach front.

Flora Farms www.flora-farms.com was a special experience for the taste buds – all the food is organically grown on their 25-acre farm and the meats come from their 150-acre ranch where animals are raised humanely and sustainably without hormones or antibiotics. [They don’t include beef as there is not enough water in the region.]

LA LUPITA

They serve only what they make, raise and grow, all handmade on the farm. As a result, it is all exceptionally fresh and tasty. Their Virgin Mary sets a whole new bar!

We saved a yummy pizza for our personal driver, Luis, from Transcabo, who claimed Flora Farms had the best food in Los Cabos.

In addition to the sensational restaurant, Flora Farms facilitates a spa, art classes, cooking classes, events including weddings and has accommodation.

Heralded by The New York Times as the 5th Coolest Restaurant in the World, Sunset Monalisa offers a spectacular dining experience.

Touting the best views Cabo San Lucas sea, Sunset Monalisa masters fine dining, its candlelit, alfresco ambience, imbued with live opera, is difficult to outshine. The restaurant is set on a clifftop, with perfect aspect to watch the magnificent orange sun set over the Mexican horizon, was the Sunset Monalisa www.sunsetmonalisa.com.

Under the orchestration of a Michelin Star-trained chef, the menu offers Mediterranean cuisine, impeccable presentation and romance under the stars.

Los Cabos is definitely a favourite destination for my family and offers exceptional value and fun; for more information visit www.visitloscabos.travel

Offspring | SUMMER 2019 | melbourne

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travel | 73

Paradise at Pardisus Paradisus is a beautiful luxury beach resort with lush gardens and terraces, set on one of the few swimmable beaches in Los Cabos.

Grand festivities at Americana The Grand Fiesta Americana Los Cabos All Inclusive Golf & Spa is a superb resort for families.

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ith so many all-inclusive dining options from its nine restaurants and seven bars, including a very cool tapas bar and fire pit, and fantastic pools set over the Mexican sea, the Grand Fiesta Americana in Los Cabos is an ideal destination for families to holiday.

The hotel offered 24-hour room service and a very wellstocked mini bar with champagne on arrival, and the most delightful, and personal, “Welcome” sign created using rice grains on our beds.

The Fiesta Kids Club was a great option, particularly as a single mum travelling alone as I could enjoy a bit of Me time, knowing the kids were in a safe environment and entertained.

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y seven year old son still raves about Paradisus in Los Cabos, Mexico, claiming it’s his favourite holiday spot. He loved the indulgence of the all-inclusive resort hotel experience, whereby we could select anything from the menu, at any time.

The all-inclusive menu was massive - a choice of seven restaurants which offered all day dining - from pasta to prawn cocktails to lemon brulee at midnight by room service, all inclusive. I don’t think I could ever get tired of that novelty.

Sometimes we just wanted to chill out in our rooms and watch a movie, so the 24-hour room service was ideal. The bar in our rooms was also continually well stocked with complimentary snacks and drinks.

The pools were fabulous – a choice of four, three of which offered swim-up bars from which we could select any drink off the menu including mocktails for the kids or a margarita for me.

Paradisus is exceptionally well catered to families, offering a private Family Concierge Lounge to relax, read, use the internet or try out a variety of snacks and drinks.

The hotel also offers a personal concierge who can be contacted from anywhere in the hotel by a remote device.

For more information visit www.paradisusloscabosresort.com

The setting was fabulous – traditional Mexican architecture and gardens with views of the sea and the desert mountains of Los Cabos. I enjoyed a wonderful spa experience at the Somma Wine Spa. It was luxurious and included a beautiful massage followed by a dip in the jacuzzi, lush robes and slippers, relaxing music and dim lighting, and Zen time at the end with a glass of wine and cheese or herbal tea.

The Fiesta Kids Club was a great option, particularly as a single mum travelling alone as I could enjoy a bit of Me time, knowing the kids were in a safe environment and entertained with supervised pool and beach games, competitions, arts and sports skills and activities.

For more information visit www.grandfiestamericana.com

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

melbourne | SUMMER 2019 | Offspring

74 | travel special feature

DISNEYLAND

e im t fe li a f o ip r t y il m a Af to the USA ughter and I recently took my 10-year-old da e to California.

7-year-old son on a trip of a lifetim

BY KATE DURACK

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ot wanting to venture too far in the three weeks I had allocated to spend in the States with my two children, we focused on spending time in southern California and Las Vegas.

We began in downtown LA which has the finest museums, including Broad Museum of Contemporary Art www.thebroad.org, which has free public admission to a vast collection of works, and the California Science Center www.californiasciencecenter.org, which has Apollo and Gemini Space capsules on display, Fighter jets hanging from the ceiling, the Space Shuttle, Endeavour, and a stunning rose garden for the kids to run around.

We visited Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust www.lamoth.org which was confronting, viewing original artefacts and reading the personal accounts from Holocaust survivors, creating an appreciation of the ‘realness’ of this monolithic event.

Offspring | SUMMER 2019 | perth

The Brea Tar Pits and Museum www.tarpits.org/la-brea-tar-pits was interesting. The tar pits are open air bubbling pools of liquid tar, are a mass graveyard, stacked with the bones of giant ice age animals that stumbled into the tar pits and drowned more than 20,000 years ago. In the museum we were dwarfed by rare and complete skeletons of Woolly mammoths, giant sloths and sabre tooth tigers that actually roamed central Los Angeles tens of thousands of years ago.

We stayed in West Hollywood for a few nights which enabled us to do the obligatory Walk of Fame and a tour of Hollywood where we glimpsed the hedges, walls and gates from where Hollywood’s rich and famous dwell, including Katie Perry, Justin Timberlake, Isla Fisher and Sasha Baron Cohen, Gwen Stefani and Simon Cowell. We drove through the exclusive Beverley Hills, roamed through the iconic Rodeo Drive and enjoyed a glass of bubbly and fresh seafood at dusk on Sunset Boulevard.

We visited Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust www.lamoth.org which was confronting, viewing original artefacts and reading the personal accounts from Holocaust survivors.

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travel | 75

THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM

Universal Studios was an unexpected highlight – it was fantastic – with interactive adventures, thrills and phenomenal special effects. It comprises theme-park rollercoasters, rides and shows, all within the setting of well-known movies and TV series. www.universalstudioshollywood.com We were haunted by a nightmarish journey through the zombie world of The Walking Dead, and surprised and thrilled by cheeky fun and surprises during Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, and then cooled off from the water thrown about during the spectacular WaterWorld show, which features fire, water eruptions, explosions, jet skis, acrobatics and incredible stunts.

Our courage was tested on a terrifying adventure through Jurassic Park (without a doubt, this is the scariest roller coaster I have ever been on) and we were spooked by a chilling tunnel ride through Revenge of the Mummy. Universal’s newest edition includes Hogsmeade and Hogwarts castle at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™.

We stayed in Anaheim which was very convenient for us to walk to Disneyland on the two days we had allocated. This

was only just enough time to experience both the original Disneyland Park as well as Disney California Adventure Park www.disneyland.disney.go.com The original Disneyland Park was my favourite with nostalgic romance of yesteryear with olde worlde candy shops and quaint streets, a fairyland and the enchanted Sleeping Beauty castle.

Rides and experiences were numerous – from the dizzying Mad Tea Party from Alice in Wonderland, through to the original personalities of Mickey Mouse and Daffy Duck. It really is a magical wonderland with eight themed lands, each hosting

Universal Studios was an unexpected highlight – it was fantastic – with interawwactive adventures, thrills and phenomenal special effects.

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS

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melbourne | SUMMER 2019 | Offspring

76 | travel

SAN DIEGO ZOO

THE CANDY FACTORY

CALICO GHOST TOWN

We stopped off at a ghost town, Calico, the remnants of a Gold Rush era, preserved as it would have been from the early 1900s, just before it was deserted. authentic adventures ranging from Mark Twain’s riverboat, a haunted mansion where the walls get smaller, the eerie carousel of the Pirates of the Caribbean and a lifelike Jungle Cruise. It’s a place of storybooks and dreams, and, a Bucket List must.

My son was seven and just old enough, while my 10 year old daughter relished every moment and I was able to relive the romance of childhood.

We hired a car and drove out to Las Vegas from Anaheim which was a fun way to see some outback countryside, including driving through the Valley of Death during a heatwave. We stopped off at a ghost town, Calico, the remnants of a Gold Rush era, preserved as it would have been from the early 1900s, just before it was deserted. It is definitely worth taking the 10-minute drive off the highway and through the dirt track and tumbleweeds to experience this authentic time warp.

Driving through the wastelands of desolate land and cacti and then arriving in a city of sin, Las Vegas, set in the desert of lights, thrills and entertainment, was a sensory experience.

The stimulation and excess was fascinating – the flamboyant show girls parading on the evening streets, the spectacular lights and music, and of course the casinos which we walked through on our way to feast on the magnificent buffet dinners.

A highlight was visiting The Sugar Factory www. sugarfactory.com – a modern, real life improvement on Charlie’s Chocolate Factory. Iridescent blue cocktails steaming with frozen ice, rainbow sliders (Mini Burgers served on colourful buns), Lollipop Passion and Fried Macaroni & Cheese Pop were some of the flamboyant items on the menu.

It is truly a creative masterpiece made from lollies, chocolate, soft drinks and fried food, endorsed by celebrities, Offspring | SUMMER 2019 | melbourne

including Katie Perry, the Kardashians, Mariah Carey and Brittney Spears.

Our primary purpose for visiting San Diego was to experience Legoland California and the world-renowned San Diego Zoo www.zoo.sandiegozoo.org. This zoo was amazing Gorillas, flamingos, pandas, wolves, sloths and even polar bears call this place home. We had a personal tour on a buggy which was very special as we got to learn about penguins, get close to a baby armadillo and feed a strange camel-like creature which had an abnormally long tongue!

Legoland www.legoland.com/california was my son’s favourite activity on our 5-week trip to America and Mexico. It was certainly impressive and suitable for children of all ages as well as adults, with 50 rides, shows and attractions, including a water park to cool off at the end of the day and Sea Life Aquarium. We enjoyed the 4D Legomovie, which was a 4D sensory experience! The Safari Trek and Jay’s Lightning Drill were lots of fun and the kids really loved the Driving School where they were able to drive their own little cars and receive their very own Driver’s Licence.

SUGAR FACTORY

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travel | 77

Old Hollywood glamour at Biltmore Millennium I felt like I should be dressed in fringe flapper and pearls as I walked through the magnificent lobby of the iconic Biltmore Millennium Hotel in Los Angeles, where movie stars and the rich and famous have mingled since the 1920s.

Think Great Gatsby.

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he opulence was charming – crystal chandeliers, marble water fountains, gold décor, murals and black and white photographs featuring famous movie stars and politicians of yesteryear, including Walt Disney, JFK and Ronald Reagan.

The Biltmore is old Hollywood glamour, and has been the setting of many Hollywood movies, presidential campaigns and historic events including the first eight Academy Awards, and continues to feature movie and television filming on property, including Taylor Swift’s music video.

The hotel exudes the legendary style of Hollywood of the 20’s and 30’s throughout.

The hotel exudes the legendary style of Hollywood of the 20’s and 30’s throughout, with the Roman-bath pool, sauna and spa in the Health Centre and bay windows, embossed ceilings and grand mirrors in the luxurious suites.

My children lavished the VIP experience of Club Lounge access, which offered long views of a local park, art deco furnishings, gentle music and complimentary breakfast, morning and afternoon tea with tea, coffee, delicious desserts and fruits, and (my favourite) cocktail hour inclusive of wine, beer, soft drinks and delectable hors d’oeuvres.

This hotel is well-positioned for tourists in Downtown LA - a stone’s throw from the Walt Disney Theatre and concert hall - and within easy walking distance to top museums and art galleries.

For more information visit www.millenniumhotels.com

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melbourne | SUMMER 2019 | Offspring

78 | travel

The Elan was a quiet, stylish hotel and felt rather homely.

Elan Hotel – a boutique hotel in West Hollywood The Elan Hotel in Los Angeles was a wonderful stopping place to soak up the Hollywood experience.

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he Elan Hotel is an intimate boutique hotel situated in West Hollywood, close to Beverly Hills, perfect for our Hollywood tours, Walk of Fame and visit to Universal Studios.

The Elan has been refurbished with modern décor and furnishings and the rooms included all the commodities one could hope for – an iPad, two plasma TVs, free Wi-Fi, a coffee machine and attractive, spacious bathroom.

We stayed in a Family Suite which was perfect for our family of four. It included a King size bed and a lounge suite which was

Offspring | SUMMER 2019 | melbourne

set down by housekeeping staff in the evenings as a queen size bed for the children. Both beds were very comfortable; I even noticed how luxurious the pillows and linen were. Attention to detail was evident throughout.

The rooms were very clean and the housekeeping service was excellent.

The Elan was a quiet, stylish hotel and felt rather homely.

We were invited to free breakfast and a complimentary wine and cheese during the evening cocktail receptions.

There was a common dining and seating area which included free use of computers for guests.

The hotel is great value for families – it is tasteful, comfortable, clean, well-priced and in an excellent location.

For more information visit www.elanhotel.com

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

travel | 79

Wellness and luxury at Four Seasons Westlake The Four Seasons Hotel at Westlake Village offers an unparalleled wellness escape in a blended setting of home comfort and 5-star indulgence.

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he Four Seasons Hotel at Westlake Village is all about health, wellness and retreating from pressures of modern life. It is set in the pristine environment of the Santa Monica mountains, not too far from the Malibu beaches, but close enough to the heart of LA to get away for a night or weekend.

This hotel was probably the most impressive and luxurious hotel in which I have ever stayed, with all the trimmings one would expect from a 5 Star establishment including opulent furnishings, stylish décor, ambient lighting and fantastic service.

We stayed in an enormous corner suite which possibly had more comforts than home! It was well-appointed with a private bar, coffee machine and electric curtains which opened into breathtaking views from the floor-to-ceiling views of the local mountains.

The rooms were adorned with lavish furnishings including mahogany furniture, polished boards, handmade rugs and grand chandeliers. The linen was plush linen and there was loads of space.

We were welcomed on arrival with a complimentary glass of champagne, fresh fruit and a “mini chocolate mountain on a plate”. www.offspringmagazine.com.au

Our accommodation included two bathrooms, one of which was enormous and included a deep marble spa and satellite TV. The reception at the Four Seasons Hotel is warm and accommodating, and instantly one feels relaxed and peaceful. The hotel throughout is quiet, spacious and extremely comfortable. We were welcomed on arrival with a complimentary glass of champagne, fresh fruit and a “mini chocolate mountain on a plate” as described by my children.

There were two pools on the premises, one for adults only and the family pool area which was also deluxe with comfortable day beds, fluffy towels, a jacuzzi and poolside service for refreshments.

The hotel is family friendly, but also perfect for that muchneeded adult escape time, to take advantage of the wellness programs on offer, which comprise retreats and individualised health services inclusive of the services of a team of doctors and health experts.

For more information visit www.fourseasons.com/westlakevillage/

melbourne | SUMMER 2019 | Offspring

80 | travel

This hotel is very popular, and family oriented with lovely grassy and treed outdoor areas, a large pool and a separate Pirate themed water playground, Castaway Cove.

Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel and Water Playground A visit to California with kids is hardly fitting without a jaunt to Disneyland, and I was so pleased with our choice of hotel from which to do it.

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e stayed at the Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel and Water Playground which was ideal for our family. It was a short walk to Disneyland (the website said 8 minutes, but it was shorter for us) so we could walk to and from each day at our will. One day our seven-year-old son became overwhelmed with Disneyland, so he and I walked home late afternoon while his sister and dad stayed for the fireworks, and it was very safe and easy to do this, which I liked.

I chatted with other guests staying there who had much younger children and they particularly liked this hotel for its convenience, as they were able to visit Disneyland in the morning and return to the hotel for their children’s nap times, recharge, and then venture back out after lunch.

The hotel was very clean and modern. It seems most of the hotels in the Anaheim region are geared to families to accommodate the Disneyland market, as such I expected them to be well worn but this was not my experience of the Howard Johnson hotel.

The rooms were immaculate – clean, modern and well serviced - including a coffee machine, which I always appreciate.

Offspring | SUMMER 2019 | melbourne

We stayed in a double room which was spacious, including a family seating area, balcony and bathroom, with both a bath and shower (and fun kids bathroom accessories), which is useful with children.

This hotel is very popular, and family oriented with lovely grassy and treed outdoor areas, a large pool and a separate Pirate themed water playground, Castaway Cove.

The evenings were balmy and light until 8pm when we were there in July, so it was lovely to lay by the pool after a busy day at Disneyland.

There are many local dining options geared to the family market, including competitive pricing and “Kids eat free” options. There are also many delivery options for in-room dining, including tacos, Chinese, pizza, Italian, burgers and fries and more, which really suited us after a hectic day walking around Disneyland.

For more information visit www.hojoanaheim.com www.offspringmagazine.com.au

travel | 81

Las Vegas luxury at Trump Hotel All that glitters is Gold ‌ Including the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas.

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he Trump International Hotel Las Vegas experience was impressive. Its gold exterior glittered in the sun as we found our way to the magnificent hotel which was aptly situated on Fashion Show Drive. True luxury and extravagance ensured as we entered a lobby decorated in sparkles, crystals and gold.

The accommodation was exquisite. We stayed in a one-bedroom suite which was extremely spacious, including a separate bedroom with a King size bed and huge wardrobe, a living area with large sofa which was turned down to a bed

True luxury and extravagance ensured as we entered a lobby decorated in sparkles, crystals and gold.

in the evenings, a self-contained kitchen and dining area and two bathrooms, one of which was bigger than my loungeroom at home!

One evening after a day spent by the pool my son and I ordered room service and ate the best wagyu beef burger I have ever tasted, in the massive spa, as an indulgent treat – he still talks about it now!

The views were spectacular from our room which offered floor to ceiling windows.

The pool was great fun. It was outdoors on the seventh floor and lifeguards were plentiful which I appreciated with the children.

Our family had a cabana for a day which was a fun experience. It a TV with satellite channels, Wi-Fi, a fridge wellstocked with soft drinks, comfortable sofas and lovely food including fresh fruit and pastries. www.offspringmagazine.com.au

The Trump hotel was in a great location - literally across the road from a massive upmarket shopping precinct and close to the entertainment strip, plus offered a courtesy bus, for visiting the casinos and evening shows.

For more information visit www.trumphotels.com/las-vegas melbourne | SUMMER 2019 | Offspring

82 | travel

The pool area is outstanding, featuring a “fantasy” pool with rocky waterfall, streams, interactive fountains, a 60-metre lava tube waterslide, two Jacuzzis and a sandy beach children’s play area.

Resort family fun at Sheraton Kona The Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa in Hawaii is a fantastic option for families, with the best pool area I have stayed in any resort.

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e spent a week at the Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay in Hawaii and there was plenty to do whether it was enjoying the magnificent pool area, relaxing in the suites or outside adventure.

Kona Island is home to the active volcano, which was interesting, and is popular to visit by helicopter.

The hotel is large and comfortable, well-facilitated to simply enjoy the resort, but also close enough to venture into the busier township.

The pool area is outstanding, featuring a “fantasy” pool with rocky waterfall, streams, interactive fountains, a 60-metre lava tube waterslide, two Jacuzzis and a sandy beach children’s play area.

This popular hub is expansive and includes a pool bar and a great menu for poolside snacks and cocktails, which are competitively priced. Happy hour is particularly good value for food and drinks!

We stayed in a two-bedroom suite which was ideal for me and my two children aged 7 and 10 – they had their space with a sofa-turned queen bed they shared, a TV, bathroom and balcony - and I had mine which included a King bed.

While we enjoyed a fair share of time out in our comfortable, spacious rooms – me reading a book and the kids watching TV or on their iPad - it was also fun to hop onto the complimentary, open air, shuttle bus and venture into the township for some Offspring | SUMMER 2019 | melbourne

shopping or to try out the range of restaurants or bars, and swim at the various beaches.

The hotel is set on the Keauhou Bay marina, which is a gathering place for the Mantra rays which can be viewed from the hotel’s quality Rays on the Bay restaurant. Many marine activities are on offer including snorkel and dive cruises, kayaking, paddle boarding, deep sea fishing and night-time manta ray snorkel and dives.

The hotel also features a fitness centre and family lounge. n For more information visit www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/ koasi-sheraton-kona-resort-and-spa-at-keauhou-bay

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