Offspring Melbourne Autumn/ Winter 2017 issue

Winter 2017

Healthy family eating

KATE RITCHIE:

MUM’S THE WORD

Winter fashion

FREE

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

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

Performing Arts Special feature

Are we parenting a nation of wimps?

The first years of your baby’s life involves significant development that sets them up for life.

Nature’s Food World baby formula has been specifically formulated to provide the best foundation for the growth and development of your child. Our nutritionally complete formulation is packed with essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Our products are 100% Australian made and owned.

Why choose Nature’s Food World?

AUSTRALIAN MADE

QUALITY INGREDIENTS

100% made in Australia

With key nutrients to support growth

Visit our website to find your nearest store that stock Nature’s Food World baby formula.

Available online and at select www.naturesfoodworld.com.au

Stores. Coming to major Supermarkets soon! | P. 1300 823 701

Fine Print: Breastfeeding is best for babies. Breast milk provides the ideal balanced nutrition and protection for babies.

A healthy balanced diet is important to prepare for and maintain breastfeeding. Introducing partial bottle feeding may adversely affect breastfeeding by reducing the supply of breast milk and reversing a decision not to breastfeed is difficult.

If you are considering using baby formula, it is important to discuss this with a health professional.

contents

winter

6

THE CONTRIBUTORS

8

EDITOR’S NOTE

BABIES STYLE

22

10

10 LITTLE CHARMERS

From patterned pieces to eccentric

bold artwork, fashion for babies

has never been more inspirational.

GIRLS STYLE

12

SOPHISTICATED LITTLE LADY With tones of grey, light pink, black and white, there is an abundance of sophisticated fashion for little ladies this autumn.

BOYS STYLE

14

READY TO RULE Mix and match with camouflage and navy and let the boys be boys with attitude to rule the world.

20 WINTER READS Our top picks for young readers this season.

WOMEN STYLE

16

ON-TREND AUTUMN ESSENTIALS With three simple essential pieces, Soft and feminine florals paired with masculine distressed denim bring a fresh approach to autumn styling.

22 KATE RITCHIE, IS

MUMMY AND ME Kate Ritchie opens up about Radio, Writing, Raising daughter Mae and the courage that comes with it.

BEAUTY 18

WAKE UP LOOKING AND FEELING FABULOUS Our list of beauty products for your hair and skin that will help you wake up looking and feeling fabulous.

BOOK REVIEW

COVER STORY

REAL LIFE

28 SAVING IZZY

Isabella Crosby fights a rare, life-threatening disease that has ravaged her liver and a transplant may be her only chance for a future.

HUMAN INTEREST 32 PARENTING WIMPS Australian author and parenting expert Michael Gross advises that parents should remember clever techniques must be aimed at crafting a child’s success, not at increasing parental convenience.

FUNNY MUMMY

26 CAT TALES

Funny Mummy Ari’s resolve for collecting strays is challenged as her son yearns for a pet.

28

WIN TICKETS TO SEE

DINOSAUR TRAIN on stage Just follow

Offspring Facebook page

and sign up to our newsletter for your chance to WIN www.offspringmagazine.com.au

Join Buddy with his friends, in the Australian Premier of Dinosaur Train, as they ride the train and embark on ‘A Rainforest Adventure’.

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

melbourne | winter 2017 | Offspring

3

ACTIVITIES

36 ZACCARIA CONCERTS Get ready to hop on board the Dinosaur Train as it prepares to come to Australia for the very first time.

38 68

HEALTH 38 SUSPICIOUS MINDS

Ann Marie Bradstreet casts light

on a shadow of male vulnerability,

as a school dad is labelled ‘suspicious’.

FOOD AND NUTRITION

44 PORTION SIZES Test your knowledge on portion sizes and understand the effect increased meal sizes have on the intake of unnecessary kilojoules.

MATERNITY CARE

46

A MATERNAL CHOICE We look into options to consider when it comes to deciding on the right maternity care option for you and your baby.

PERFORMING ARTS

58 46 SPORTS

58 LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION

Our guide provides options for

engaging your children in dancing,

singing, acting and more.

70

FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME Explore sporting options for your children with the help of our extensive guide.

ISSUE 33 WINTER 2017

Kate Ritchie by Marie Ramos Photography

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

Editor in Chief Kate Durack Contributing writers Ari Chavez, Gary Ausbruch, Kate Bullen, Ngala Parenting Education Team, Brooke Evans-Butler, Elise Papamihail, Claire Armstrong, Tania Connelly, Lisa O’Rourke, Emma Saurus, Colleen Willis Graphic Designers Steven Lillywhite, Anna Drake Printed by Offset Alpine Printing

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.

110,000

Average Net Distribution per issue.

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

Audit Period: September 2015 - March 2016

4

visit www.offspringmagazine.com.au

like facebook.com/offspringmagazine

Offspring | winter 2017 | melbourne

Australia’s largest gloss A4 parenting magazine

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

our contributors

ARI CHÁVEZ COLUMNIST has had work published in Australia, England, Japan and Singapore. She has a delightful toddler, Gabriel, who was born with coffee in his veins. She is currently completing her first novel as part of a PhD project.

ELISE PAPAMIHAIL FASHION & STYLE is Mummy to Chloé and Olivia and is a passionate stylist and fashion writer, embracing the latest trends without compromising on timeless style.

GARY AUSBRUCH ACCOUNTANT/COLUMNIST is financial controller for a Perth-based mining company.

He has had columns published on the challenging subject of the lighter side of accountancy, and has written for SBS TV. He is married to Sue and has two young children, Ella and Sebastian.

NICOLE COX JOURNALIST has worked in print and online media for 15 years in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. Now she has the most adventurous job of her life - mum to energetic toddler, Matteo. Nicole says the flexibility of freelance journalism allows her to combine her two loves, motherhood and writing.

CLAIRE ARMSTRONG JOURNALIST of 10 years across a range of mediums and publications from mining and financial to bridal and pregnancy.

She has a passion for all things parenting and a love of sharing stories about the parenthood journey. She is also a busy mum of three beautiful girls and is a trained post-natal doula.

DEVON PLUMLEY MIDWIFE believes her work is most satisfying when she can empower a woman and her partner to birth their baby naturally; and the new little human being thanks his mummy with a squeal!

KATE BULLEN DIETITIAN runs www.dietitianonline.com. au and is mum to three young children. Kate has translated her love of all things online to providing expert nutrition coaching online – it works well for anyone who is busy! Kate’s passion lies in making healthy eating simple and enjoyable.

BROOKE EVANS-BUTLER JOURNALIST has written for home improvement, bridal and women’s lifestyle publications, but says Offspring enables her to combine writing with her new favourite hobby, being a mum to her boys Caleb and Jonah.

JANE MILLINGTON INTERIOR DESIGNER has over 15 years’ experience in all facets of the design industry including Interior Design, Styling, Sales and Business Development. Jane specialises in colour design and styling of children’s bedrooms and nurseries with her biggest fans being her two children, Samson and Liv.

COLLEEN WILLIS TRAVEL WRITER has roamed the world for many years on her own and with her husband and daughter, Rebekah. During this time, Colleen has been a teacher and an award-winning travel advisor for Australia and overseas. Colleen will guide you through family travel the way she knows best!

ANN MARIE BRADSTREET WRITER Is a mother of three who has been contributing articles to Offspring Magazine for the past two years. A background in the Arts and teaching, coupled with a passion for family and community drives her to wax lyrical about issues close to her heart. She writes fiction in her spare time.

6

Offspring | winter 2017 | melbourne

TANIA CONNOLLY JOURNALIST Tania Connolly is a freelance writer who has been published in a variety of magazines. Her passion is people and sharing their inspirational journeys. With a husband and two teenagers life is hectic but she wouldn’t want it any other way.

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

Share a Nanny and save 50% * Affordable - share the

cost of a Nanny with another family. Rebates apply for elibigle families in Melbourne.

* Flexible - agree on the

hours you need and whose house the care will be in.

* Social - your child

benefits from one on one care without missing out on a playmate.

To find out more...

Free Call:

1800 MY NANNY (1800 69 62669)

or visit: www.bit.ly/offspring2017

* Trusted - Placement

Solutions gives you over 29 years of industry leading experience, with fully screened, professional Nannies.

Find us on: www.placementsolutions.com.au

EDITOR’S NOTE autumn/winter 2017

Superwoman Syndrome Despite Depression now having a colossal army of recruits, it is the loneliest place in the world. In my experience, this is a result of Superwoman Syndrome and something only healed

by Love, understanding and self-acceptance.

I

wonder who noticed we skipped an edition?

In nearly eight years of publishing Offspring Magazine, to simply not produce an issue was a big deal. It wasn’t just a blip to my staff either who rely on a regular income.

The reason? A Big. Fat. Meltdown.

I shouldn’t understate the reality … that’s what got me into strife in the first place … glossing over things.

Celebrating 2017 New Year’s Eve and the ensuing 11 days in Royal Perth Hospital’s mental health ward was a Superpowered meltdown. Otherwise known as BREAKDOWN. So I won’t skirt around, in a misguided attempt at Superwoman heroism. Mind you, I was never under any such delusions of grandeur, but I guess trying to meet some self-imposed, perfectionistic ideals of running a company and having aspirations of becoming a Mary Poppins-style mother Celebrating (albeit in her forties, and single…) - and Managing with LIFE - was trying to utilise 2017 New Year’s Eve superpowers I simply didn’t inherit. As my and the ensuing 11 days therapist points out, “Doing a 60% job is in Royal Perth Hospital’s Doing Great”.

Flagellating the self for failing at mental health ward was attempts to live up to an ideal which saw a Superpowered a Good Mum BAKING not BUYING Coles meltdown”. $10 cupcakes; Or, that my kids could become maternal orphans for spending more time at their dad’s than mine during press deadlines; contributed to the malady.

I did have real pressures. Being a single mum is tough – emotionally and financially. I personally find the burden of having to Provide the hardest part. As well as not having that special someone to confide in the stresses of each day. The isolation and load is taxing.

I had also been running flat tack for a while, 8

Offspring | winter 2017 | melbourne

expanding Offspring during a relentless and fastpaced era of communications changes, in a cutthroat industry, while adapting to life as a single parent, in a new town with no family or friends.

Isolation exaggerates everything. It has been grueling, lonely and stressful.

Background: Several years after launching Offspring Perth, I packed up my then-five and two-year-old children and husband, and moved interstate to launch our Sydney edition and then earlier last year launched Offspring Melbourne. The digital side was somewhere in between, and of course the requirements for that area are expanding all the time.

The timing was unusual though. It could have happened earlier, like years before. Depression can be like that…sneaking up on you while you’re convincing yourself you’re ‘doing fine’.

I thought I was doing everything right: I took time off work. I was running 6km every day. I meditated two hours a day. I had regular counselling sessions with a great psychologist. Had invested in a personal library dominated by Hay House Publishing; I think I could write a PhD thesis on positive affirmations!

Hell, I even gave up alcohol. No mean feat given it was the Festive Season.

But, still, I could not keep the Black Dog at bay.

I lost all interest in life. Including eating, I weighed 45kg.

I wanted to escape the pain. It was excruciating – in the gut, it was physical.

I prayed to God for help. And help came. I was lucky in that I had tremendous reprieve relatively quickly, and without medication.

I was prescribed Prozac and told I would be committed to a life-long dedication to a medication and counselling program. It would be about ‘managing’, not ‘curing’. As someone who hates to be

My daughter’s special card she made me when I was in hospital.

labelled or confined to any dogma, this prognosis irked me, and I resisted.

One afternoon, two days before I was due to be released back into to the Wild, er, world again, and five days into the administered anti-depressant regime, and hungover from Temazepam as the only means of sleep while battling mental train wrecks and sharing a dormitory with three other emotionally-fraught, insomniacs, I had a whim to do what, any rational, and very, very desperate person, seeking Hope, might also do. Go see an alternative healer.

It was in arcade in Fremantle, I met Yvette.

Yvette could relate. She read my soul. She could feel my agony without me saying a word. She understood my pain and offered help. She cared.

Yvette referred me a Body Talk healer, Brenda, and while I didn’t know anything about this practice, I was too exhausted and hopeless to care, judge or enquire.

What the hell? I’d take a gamble on anything to relieve the pain. Placebo will do.

I went and saw Brenda and WOW. I went to sleep that night and awoke the next As my morning to have ALL PAIN REMOVED. therapist points THE DEPRESSION HAD GONE. out, “Doing a And it hasn’t returned.

I am not advocating against traditional 60% job is medicine. This is very necessary for many, Doing Great”. but for me I had tried several times over the years and it hadn’t worked. This time, I received help and love from a couple of women in a way I needed that was not prescribed by traditional medicine.

I think this was what helped me: understanding, compassion and love, which they were able to translate into a specialised form of energy healing.

Sounds miraculous, and it was. And I am extremely grateful. I am grateful to the whole experience, not just the healing, but the events and people that surrounded that event.

I am also grateful to now grasp the damage this ridiculous Superwoman notion causes. Not just the angst and pressure we put upon ourselves, but to those around us. My family, friends and staff suffered too, but were there of course when I was ready to come back, and get back on with things.

Ironically, in my bid to ‘have it all’, I felt I had nothing. I had forgotten the real stuff: Real relationships and acceptance of myself being just good enough, plus putting a bit more attention into the internal realm, rather than just the external.

So, Superwoman can superzoom off into the ether. Superordinary will have to do. I think if my loved ones are happy with that, then I will have to be too.

Thank you to my amazing staff and beautiful family and friends for your love, support and patience. It’s good to be back! xxx

Kate X

If you, or someone you know, is experiencing Depression please contact Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636. melbourne | winter 2017 | Offspring

9

By Elise Papamihail

Dollcake Vintage $53 dollcake.com.au

Acorn $49.95 littlestyles.com.au

Bonds $14.37 bonds.com.au

LITTLE CHARMERS

Sookibaby $28.95 sookibaby.com.au

Elves in the Wardrobe $15.95 elves-in-the-wardrobe.com.au

A

utumn time means cuddling up the newborns and bubs in just enough beanies and booties to keep them warm, and lose fitted onesies when it isn’t so cool.

From patterned pieces to eccentric bold artwork, fashion for babies has never been more inspirational. We also love a good educational toy to kick start their play-time.

Marquise $44 marquise.com.au Wilson & Frenchy $69.95 littlestyles.com.au

Tiger Tribe tigertribe.com.au 10

Offspring | winter 2017 | melbourne

Nununu nununuworld.com

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

By Elise Papamihail

Bardot Jnr bardot.com/junior Clarks $74.95 clarks.com.au

Scotch & Soda collection scotch-soda.com

Eenimeeni collection eenimeeni.com

Alex and Ant collection alexandant.myshopify .co

m

SOPHISTICATED

LITTLE LADY

Bardot Jnr bardot.com/junior

W

ith tones of grey, light pink, black and white, there is an abundance of sophisticated fashion for little ladies this autumn. Military blazers paired with pretty lace dresses are super cute and stylish. Girls also love shoes, and whether your little one is more princess pink or edgy hip-hop, sneakers go with everything!

Country Road $59.95 countryroad.com.au

Country Road $89.95 countryroad.com.au Witchery $99.95 witchery.com.au

12

Offspring | winter 2017 | melbourne

Witchery $99.95 witchery.com.au Adidas $83.95 dressinn.com

Scotch & Soda $99.95 scotch-soda.com www.offspringmagazine.com.au

Tired of being tired? *

Floradix may help maintain energy levels!

Floradix contains a source of iron balanced with a range of B Vitamins. When taken as directed on the label, Floradix may assist in the maintenance of general health for the whole family, from young children to expectant mothers and elderly people.

Floradix is a special liquid formula that: Contains iron in a soluble form Contains herbal extracts Contains Vitamins B1, B2, B6 and B12 *Iron supplementation may help reduce tiredness and fatigue when the dietary iron intake is inadequate. Always read the label and use only as directed.

If symptoms persist, see your healthcare professional.

F R E E F R O M A L C O H O L , A RT I F I C I A L C O L O U R S a n d P R E S E R VAT I V E S AVAILABLE AT ALL GOOD HEALTH STORES, SELECTED PHARMACIES AND SUPERMARKETS Enquiries Nature’s Synergy Pty Ltd

Phone (02) 9499 7023

Fax (02) 9499 7024

Email: sales@cornell.com.au CHC 71429-0916

By Elise Papamihail

Witchery $89.95

Witchery $59.95 witchery.com.au Witchery $99.95 witchery.com.au

Nununu $34.95 alittlebitofcheek.com.au

I Dig Denim $139.95 hipkin.com.au Eenimeeni collection eenimeeni.com

READY TO RULE

Scotch & Soda $209.95 scotch-soda.com

Band of Boys $50 sodashop.com.au

M

ilitary blazers, combat boots and hoodies bring a strong look to autumn fashion for boys. Mix and match with camouflage and navy and let the boys be boys with attitude to rule the world.

Rock your Kid $44 rockyourbaby.com.au

Witchery $34.95

Clarks $99.95 clarks.com.au Indie Kids by Industrie $54.95 davidjones.com.au Akid akidbrand.com Band of Boys $50 sodashop.com.au

14

Offspring | winter 2017 | melbourne

Nununu nununuworld.com www.offspringmagazine.com.au

www.firstbike.com.au - info@firstbike.com.au - 02-9679-8400

Cotton On $19.95 cottonon.com

Women

STYLE

Witchery $119.95 witchery.com.au

By Elise Papamihail

With 3 simple essential pieces, Soft and feminine florals paired with masculine distressed denim bring a fresh approach to autumn styling.

LUXE Sass and Bide $425 sassandbide.com

SOFT BLOUSE Steele $169 steelelabel.com

Not only does a soft blouse look and feel ultra feminine, it’s also a practical throw on piece as an alternative to a basic tee or knit. Pair with denim or a pleated maxi skirt and finish with a pair of kicks for a causal vibe.

LUXE DENIM Always a winner! Skinny denim in a luxe dark shade enhance curves and lift to shape and sculpt. Distressed denim is still in full swing this Autumn.

Pair with a soft blouse and a bomber jacket for next-level, everyday styling.

Anine Bing $199 aninebing.com

LUXE Gucci $2,700 net-a-porter.com

Atmos & Here $89.95 theiconic.com.au

BOMBER JACKET Bandana $6 Levis $119.95 urbanoutfitters.com levis.com.au

16

Offspring | winter 2017 | melbourne

One Teaspoon $140 oneteaspoon.com.au

Throw a bomber jacket over a simple tee for an updated Autumn look with a touch of edge. Floral bombers brighten soft layered shirt dresses and simple block colours add a chic look to denim.

Steele $299 steelelabel.com www.offspringmagazine.com.au

Wake up looking

Mask Tube $29 Black-head remover BLAQ www.blaqmask.com

and feeling fabulous BEAUTY REVIEW

We’ve road-tested these lovely products and recommend adding them to your daily skincare and hair routine for a fresh, luminous finish.

Lipstick $37 Hydrates and soften your lips for a smooth, matte long-lasting finish

Matte Foundation $58 Matte full coverage finish Serum $50 Fights visible signs of ageing, dryness and dehydration Primer Serum $49 Targets fine lines and wrinkles

TMF www.themakeupfactory.com.au

Paula’s Choice www.PaulasChoice.com.au

Pure Rhassoul Clay $30 Eliminates dead skin cells and rejuvenates skin Organic Prickly Pear Seed Oil $60 Fights visible signs of ageing Akhal www.akhal.com

Straightening Hairbrush Dafni Black $259 If you’re sick and tired of damaging your hair and spending hours styling it with flat irons, this innovative hairbrush is the perfect gift that is useful all year-round. With a unique 3D surface and evenly spaced bristles combined with the most advanced hair care technologies, hair can be styled in 3-5 minutes Shaver Shop

18

Offspring | winter 2017 | melbourne

Gentle Exfoliant $61.10 Smooths and nourishes skin Realive Serum $178.30 Revitalises your skin Herbal Face Mask $16.30 Bio-active face mask that tones and hydrates AEOS www.aeos.net

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

Book REVIEW

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

0-6 years

DINOSAUR ROAR

THE LEAKY STORY

This wonderful rhyming text by award-winning author Jeanne Willis, follows Tyrannosaurus Rex on his journey after he is approved by the Department of Earth Sciences at the Natural History Museum in London Dinosaurs. Dinosaur Roar is suitable for the very youngest of children, is funny, great to read aloud and full of dinosaur facts and a helpful pronunciation guide.

This is an action-packed adventure into the wonderful world of books, the power of imagination, the art of storytelling and the importance of family. It follows the journey of the Blossburn family who band together to return escaped fictional characters back inside a book. A fun and riveting read!

Jeanne Willis

0-7 years

Devon Sillett and Anil Tortop

4-12 years

WITH MY DADDY

AN AUSSIE YEAR

A touching celebration of the special relationship between father and child. Warmly told in gentle rhyme and brought to life with charming illustrations. This a heart-warming picture book that is perfect for 0-7 year olds to help them celebrate and embrace their special relationships with their fathers.

Through five school children, these authors explore what it means to be ‘Australian’ and the importance of multiculturalism. This book is a great educational read for 4-12 year olds, that will teach youth the importance of having a strong sense of national culture, identity and belonging, as well as pride in being Australian.

James Brown and Cally Johnson-Isaacs

8+ years

HIGHEST MOUNTAIN DEEPEST OCEAN Page Tsou

Do you know how tall the tallest mountain on Earth is? Or how deep the deepest ocean goes? Learn all this and more in this exquisite book of comparisons full of bright, colourful and detailed illustrations and cool facts by artist Page Tsou. This is an unforgettable book with a vintage aesthetic style that will attract any curious child.

20

4-8 years

Offspring | winter 2017 | melbourne

Tania McCartney and Tina Snerling

FOR ADULTS

LITTLE PIP EATS THE COLOURS OF THE RAINBOW Amie Harper

Amie Harper acknowledges that it can be hard to get your toddler to try new things.

Harper shows you how to create visually aesthetic recipes that are simple, quick and easy to make, and ones that the whole family will love, regardless of their age. www.offspringmagazine.com.au

Gentle skin care enriched with pure Goat’s Milk for soft & delicate skin.

T

LIAN O

D

AUS

NE

S

Body Lotion

A rich, long lasting formula with Goat’s Milk and Vitamin E, and will not leave an oily residue.

A gentle wash enriched with pure Goat’s Milk and oatmeal to gently cleanse delicate skin.

ALIAN M

No harsh chemicals or colours

No Parabens

Body Wash

AD

E

AU

TR

No Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

W

RA

Shampoo

Soap Bar

This creamy and gentle shampoo is enriched with natural ingredients and milk proteins that replenish vital nutrients to give hair strength and shine.

Made with all natural ingredients including Shea butter & Olive oil, Goat Soap leaves baby’s skin feeling soft, smooth and moisturised.

Premium baby wipes available in the Baby U range.

Bamboo Baby Wipes available in 80pk & 240pk

Goat Milk Baby Wipes available in 80pk & 240pk

Available from Woolworths, Big W, leading Pharmacies and baby stores.

Products may vary by store.

www.babyu.com.au

Kate Ritchie

e m d n a y m m u M s i Australian national darling, Kate Ritchie, whose roots in Home and Away, have lead to a high-profile career in radio and writing, chats with Ann Marie Bradstreet about managing the Spotlight and being Mum to her precious daughter, Mae.

M

ost Australians feel like they own a little

horror night’s sleep spent writhing with my three year

share in the life of Kate Ritchie. For 20 years,

old, I start by asking how she copes with work after

the nation watched her grow up in a record-

a rough night. With a degree of tongue-in-cheek,

breaking stint as the beloved character, Sally

she points out that her radio gig at Nova isn’t exactly

Fletcher, in the popular soap Home and Away.

rocket science and sleep deprivation probably aids the

One moment she was an eight year old with an imaginary friend called Milco, the next a grown woman with her own family, and the country was with her, every step of the way.

An adaptable stalwart of the entertainment industry, from child

desired headspace for the studio’s afternoon antics.

“It’s probably the perfect job for it. An awful sleep is not such a bad thing and a hard night with Mae (her daughter turns three in August) is nothing

star to AFI nominated actress and with a cache of Logies, two of

on dealing with Tim and Marty and their childlike

them Gold, she currently makes up one third of Nova’s highly

behaviour,” she says with a chuckle.

successful National Drive Show.

Recently, Kate added the feather of author to her bow releasing

My mind drifts, she had me at “afternoon” and I yearn, longingly for Kate’s charmed life, where being

her first children’s book I Just Couldn’t Wait to Meet You. Although

drunk with fatigue is considered a strength. The myth

Kate has thrived in the spotlight, she reveals it’s not always been

is slightly dispelled as she lets on that it’s not so great

easy basking in it, yet continues to manage a lifetime’s attention

on a photo shoot as the face of QV Skincare: “I’m sure

with perennial grace. Sharing the story of her new book and strong

they don’t want me coming in with bags under my

bond with daughter Mae a discerning depth emerges from her

eyes,” she says.

endearing affability.

Nervous and fearing I may sound lobotomised conducting my interview with Kate Ritchie off the back of a

I take a quick glance at the state of myself and piously offer thanks that school drop-off was my only public appearance for the day, no amount of airbrushing could rescue this, I decide, as Kate quietly concedes, Mae is, “a pretty good

Scribblings on scraps of paper evolved into a letter to her unborn child as a way to quell the anxiety and excitement she was feeling in anticipation of the birth.

22

Offspring | winter 2017 | melbourne

sleeper most of the time.” She is reticent to expound on the attribute for fear of tempting fate or driving those of us less fortunate over the brink. I note down “Sensible” as a useful adjective to describe

her later, I’m running on an hour and a half’s shut eye and have already cut my finger making lunches. Having concluded that sleep is not essential job criteria at Nova and parenting skills are deemed an asset, in light of her colleagues, Kate admits it’s hard to write when she ‘s tired, with that I can concur – where’s the coffee?!

The recently published children’s book I Just Couldn’t Wait to Meet You, released by Penguin Random House Australia, is Kate’s first public offering as a writer. She tells me she has always filled notebooks and exercise pads with various tales in the hope of one day being published.

She has been asked to write things in the past, fending off several requests for her memoirs, wondering if she should be offended and quite certain she’d need at least another 20 to 30 years rustling up enough grit for a worthy one, we both chuckle that it would be prudent to check out soon after dishing the dirt and Kate Ritchie states she’s not going anywhere yet.

Kate began writing while pregnant with daughter Mae Webb, born in August 2014. Scribblings on scraps of paper evolved into a letter to her unborn child as a way to quell the anxiety and excitement she was feeling in anticipation of the birth. “It was a way to write down my feelings. I had a good pregnancy generally, physically good but it was a challenge mentally and there was fear attached. I was writing to silence that.”

Kate before Mae belonged to lots of people in some way and I wouldn’t change that for the world, for the lady at the supermarket to tell me she feels like my grandmother and is proud of me.

Wondering if others felt the same, she decided to share her writing and, with the guidance of her publishers at Penguin, was partnered with illustrator, Hannah Sommerville, who captured all the tenderness of Kate’s words to create I Just Couldn’t Wait to Meet You. The collaboration resulted in a beautiful book about pregnancy, birth and a mother’s connection to her unborn child. Kids love hearing about their birth and the time spent in their mummies’ tummies and the book provides an opportunity for precious discussions. But Kate also wrote the book for expectant mothers who may be processing similar emotions to what she experienced.

Through book signings Kate has connected with a range of people and says, “You don’t know what people are going through, what their individual story is and I have been so overwhelmed by the response. Everyone has been so warm and lovely, which has been important because the book came from a Photo: Marie Ramos Photography, www.marieramosphotography.com.au

good place within me.” melbourne | winter 2017 | Offspring

23

story means to her and I’m responding to that in my writing.”

When asked about Kate’s bond with daughter Mae, with husband Stuart Webb, she becomes pensive: “I do think that we are the parents and are meant to teach and guide her but Mae has equally if not more been a teacher to me. She’s made me more me than I’ve ever been.”

When asked to elaborate, Kate reveals a sensitive insight into the realities of a lifetime devoid of anonymity.

Kate describes being moved

“I’m thinking of taking

by a woman sharing her IVF story

her somewhere tomorrow

who bought the book in hope of

- just the two of us. Stuart

reading it to her child one day.

will be at work, it’ll just be

A nurse revealed she’d used the

us. Years ago, going out in

book as a resource, guiding young

public by myself and buying

teenage mothers struggling to

tickets to somewhere and

bond with their babies. “I’m really

exposing myself in that

proud of the book and it makes me

way, well, my anxiety

feel this is the way I was meant to

levels just couldn’t have

be published,” Kate says.

handled it but since Mae

Further collaboration with

has arrived, I just get on

Sommerville hasn’t been ruled out

with it. Being a parent is a

and Kate is being inspired by the

great leveller, everyone’s

books she’s reading to Mae. “I’m learning so much from the beautiful books I’m reading to her and she is teaching me so much, I see what’s she’s feeling and what the

lives and stories are so different but as parents we are all on the same team or at least we should be.”

I read something Kate wrote about Mae being the only person to come into her life who has no preconceived idea about who she is; When Kate discusses this she is emotional, generous,

Mae and I are a team. I have my extended team, Stuart, parents, siblings but sometimes when she’s giving me a hard time I’m like ‘we’re doing this together, it’s ok, we’re in the same boat’.

24

Offspring | winter 2017 | melbourne

open and apologetic.

“Kate before Mae belonged to lots of people in some way and I wouldn’t change that for the world, for the lady at the supermarket to tell me she feels like my grandmother and is proud of me, I wouldn’t change that, but to Mae I am just Mummy and she adores me purely because I’m her mummy, for all the right reasons, everything about her is so true and good, nothing is tainted, she has no agenda.”

Being a parent is a great leveller, everyone’s lives and stories are so different but as parents we are all on the same team or at least we should be.

“Mae and I are a team. I have my extended team, Stuart, parents, siblings but sometimes when she’s giving me a hard time I’m like ‘we’re doing this together, it’s ok, we’re in the same boat’,” she laughs, “one of my favourite parts of the book is the line ‘although sometimes you challenge me, I know we will be okay’. And she does challenge me, it’s meant to be challenging but hopefully, we come out the other side.”

Kate’s writing aspirations reach beyond children’s literature and she tells me, “I’m working toward writing for young teens.

I want to write fiction that makes young girls feel great, body confident, willing to try anything.” She states self-effacingly that she has a lot to offer in this genre and I wonder from what inspiration she will draw.

Perhaps this will be the case for her daughter, Mae

more children,” she offers. “I don’t think

Webb, who shares her birthday and name with Mae

I’d make it to four though!” she laughs,

West, a fearless woman also willing to try anything.

“unless I to get a hurry–on.

When asked how she would feel if Mae wanted

“I am very grateful for everything

to be an actress, Kate says, “All I want is for her

my mum and dad gave me and it wasn’t

to be brave, I don’t want her to be crippled by

everything we wanted or big holidays,

feelings of low confidence or fear, right now she

it was simple things: Christmases

has no fear, you see that when she jumps

together, a loving childhood. We all

from the dining table into my arms or

have our moments but we turned

struts around the supermarket with my lipstick on without a care.

It’s a good reminder of who we should be, I want to protect that.”

I add “Fierce” and

out ok. So, as a result of how I was brought up, I think simple things are best.

“When I was pregnant I just couldn’t wait to meet Mae and when she was born

“Passionate” to my

Stuart and I just couldn’t wait

list of descriptors and

until she was on her own two

ask Kate what are

feet and could climb up into

her important family values. “I have very fond

to bed with us. So, the most important things are the simple

childhood memories. My

things, when Mae climbs into

brother and sisters (Kate

bed with us and says, ‘Mummy I

has three younger siblings)

want a snuggle.’”

are all such great friends and I would love to have

Photo: Marie Ramos Photography, www.marieramosphotography.com.au

melbourne | winter 2017 | Offspring

25

FUNNY MUMMY with Ari Chávez

Cat Tales Ari’s resolve for collecting strays is challenged as her son yearns for a pet.

T

here are children who love animals, and wish for nothing more than a lion on the bookcase and a crocodile

under the bed, and there are those who run screaming at the sight of a dog.

It goes without saying that I have the first

kind of child. In very many spades.

The other day, he picked up a feather and ate it – I know – and then told me he was now able to grow his own feathers and turn into a bird. He would soon fly far away from me, he confided. Far, far away. Despite my preoccupation with possible feather-eating-

skittish as a colt and as destructive as a hurricane. My own mother

diseases that the Child was no doubt incubating then and there, I

found me a great trial in this regard, clearly not wanting anything

was fascinated.

else to look after other than the four children she already had who

“What colour are your feathers?” I asked, wondering if he would choose to be a brightly coloured parrot, or perhaps a peacock.

I have, of course, become my mother. Once a collector of strays

“Grey!” the Child said, eyes sparkling.

and lost things, I now DO NOT WANT anything else that requires my

Ahem. A practical choice, grey. It seemed out of character. The

time, care, attention, money or organisational skills. I do not want to

child would, if he could, festoon our house with dinosaurs and

pick up more poop. I do not want to be woken at un-Godly hours for

cows and pigs and penguins. Tigers in the garage. Otters on the

food, cuddles, a heater, a blanket or just because. Nope, I do not.

roof. That sort of thing.

I stared at the letter, the longing in it. My heart remained

But most of all, the Child wants that most mundane of animals.

A cat. Last year he brought home a letter from school, a letter to Santa, in fact, which he’d deigned to write for his teacher, whom he loves fiercely and who has a rather enviable Way with him.

In sloping letters he asked for a cat like Slinky Malinki, no less, who would sleep on his bed, play hide and seek with him, and whom he would, unceremoniously, call Kitty. Obviously, this was terrible news.

When I was young and stupid, I brought home a kitten and insisted on a dog, whom my parents had to look after when I went travelling. When I was older, and should have known better, I turned up with a ridiculous Labrador puppy, who was as 26

were, just quietly, a Packet of Headaches for many, many years.

Offspring | winter 2017 | melbourne

stone but maybe not stone enough. I called my husband,

“In sloping letters he asked for a cat like Slinky Malinki, no less, who would sleep on his bed, play hide and seek with him, and whom he would, unceremoniously, call Kitty”

and put it to him. At this point, I should mention that the crazy Labrador puppy I bought is still with us, but she falls apart if left alone for more than an hour, so we have had to hire a Doggy Nanny for her for when we are at work.

“NOT A GODDAMN HOPE IN HELL!” he bellowed. “ARE YOU CRAZY??!! WE ALREADY HAVE TO EMPLOY A NANNY FOR THE DOG!!!”

Right then. Quite. Thank God one of us is being sensible.

I stared at the Child, all spider legs and innocence.

“Did you write this beautiful letter to Santa?” I asked, heart sinking.

“NOT A GODDAMN HOPE IN HELL!” he bellowed.

“ARE YOU CRAZY??!!

WE ALREADY HAVE TO EMPLOY A NANNY FOR THE DOG!!!”

“Yes,” he said. “I want Santa to bring me a cat like Slinky Malinki. He will sleep on my bed.”

“Hmmm,” I said.

“I also want a goldfish,” said the Child, shamelessly. “The goldfish will sit on my bookcase and watch me while I sleep.”

“That isn’t in your letter,” I said, worriedly.

“I also want a rabbit,” said the Child, eyeballing me. “I will play with my rabbit outside.”

I stared at the Child, and saw myself. This is a Bad Thing.

“I think,” I said, “that Santa may have run out of animals this year. That’s what I’ve heard, anyway.”

“No, he hasn’t” said the Child, his bottom lip jutting out. “He HAS NOT run out of animals.”

I looked at his beautiful sun of a face, his bottom lip quivering, and sighed.

“Let’s talk to Daddy about it when he gets home,” I said.

“Daddy might have some bright ideas.”

“Really,” said the Child, hopefully.

“Really,” I said.

HA! I kissed the Child’s soft head and told him to run outside and play. I grabbed an old shoe box, and tucked his letter to Santa safely inside for later.

For bookings and further information tathrabeachside.com.au

Tathra, Sapphire Coast NSW melbourne | winter 2017 | Offspring

27

Saving

BY TANIA CONNOLLY

IZZY

Twenty-month-old Isabella Crosby acts like an average toddler; babbling constantly, moving around at lightning speed and keeping her mother busy with her demands. However, a large scar, which snakes across her distended abdomen and around her back, indicates her life has already been far from normal. A rare, life-threatening disease has ravaged her liver and a transplant may be her only chance for a future.

I

sabella scoots across the timber floorboards on her bottom, pulls herself up by the edge of the coffee table and grins mischievously. Her 29 year old mother, Yani, watches intently. Her eyes are full of love but a sadness lurks in their depths.

Yani yearned to be a mother but thought falling pregnant would prove

extremely difficult, if not impossible, due to polycystic ovary syndrome. She buried hopes of ever holding her own child, until she conceived “a very amazing mistake”.

She tells me how her dream pregnancy turned nightmarish. From 14 weeks she battled constant nausea; at 16 weeks her blood pressure began to climb; and by 18 weeks she weighed an extra 20kg. Diagnosed with pre-eclampsia, her blood pressure soared and dipped, causing her to faint several times. This resulted in regular hospital stays, increasing in length when her baby appeared to cease growing. Yani’s placenta also began to rupture so at 27 weeks, her baby girl was born via emergency caesarean. On 21st March 2015, 13 weeks premature, Isabella weighed just 750g.

After her dramatic birth, a ‘very yellow’ Isabella spent 108 days in a Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Paediatric Gastroenterologist, Dr Madhur Ravikumara, who treated Isabella, confirms jaundice is common in newborns but should be investigated if it persists beyond two weeks. Isabella’s jaundice hadn’t dissipated and scans revealed issues with her liver. A needle biopsy showed Isabella’s bilirubin levels (pigments in her blood) were extremely elevated, revealing her liver was not functioning properly.

Doctors confirmed she 28

She buried hopes of ever holding her own child, until she conceived ;a very amazing mistake’.

Offspring | winter 2017 | melbourne

suffered from biliary artresia – a condition where malformed

Seeing her tiny baby in a crib surrounded

bile duct openings trap bile, forcing toxins to build up and

by tubes and ‘beeps’ she says was, “probably

damage the liver.

the most confronting thing that I’ve ever been

Yani says once Isabella’s weight reached one kilogram surgeons

Real Life

faced with …”

performed the Kasai Procedure (a portion of the intestine is used

Dr Ravikumara states that the majority of babies born with

to surgically bypass blocked bile ducts to allow bile to drain to the

biliary atresia require a Kasai procedure but achieving bile flow is

gut). The surgery took around eight hours.

not always attainable and the liver may continue to deteriorate.

“I panicked the whole time,” Yani recalls. “We left the hospital

Yani believes Isabella’s liver was too damaged for the surgery to

because my anxiety got a bit too much. The nurses kept me in the

be successful, explaining her daughter already has cirrhosis and

loop about what was going on and then I came back and just sat in

portal hypertension (partially blocked blood flow

the waiting room … and waited … and waited, until she came out.”

increasing pressure to the portal vein, which can cause gastrointestinal bleeding). This is evident by the venous pattern on her swollen belly. Bulging tummies, explains Dr Ravikumara, are due to enlarged livers and spleens and possibly fluid accumulation.

In her daughter’s instance, Yani views the Kasai as “just a preventative, it’s kind of

I think we’ve got to the point now it’s very factual instead of being emotion-based … It’s too hard. I think if I cry every time I get upset about it or something, I wouldn’t get up in the morning ...

like a Band-Aid.”

melbourne | winter 2017 | Offspring

29

Isabella undergoes regular blood tests to assess her bilirubin levels and ingests a “tonne of different medications” including vitamins (as her body struggles to absorb them) and a daily antibiotic to prevent infection.

Fortunately, her premature birth hasn’t manifested in other physical or developmental health issues and for that, Yani says, “We’re so blessed. She’s an absolute miracle.”

However, in August 2016, doctors advised Yani

The last two and a bit years have been the greatest years of our life but they’ve also been the most horrific years.

that “a transplant is inevitable” and will need to be done within the next 12 to 18 months. “I think we’ve got to the point now it’s very factual instead of being emotion-based … It’s too hard. I think if I cry every time I get upset about it or something, I wouldn’t get up in the morning ...”

Apart from watching for yellowing eyes - the first sign Isabella’s liver is failing - Yani has purposely not researched the transplant operation. “It’s hard enough hearing all these words that no parent

She may need to remain in Sydney for up to six months depending on the outcome.

Although medical costs, flights and living arrangements are met by the Government, Yani says the emotional strain of being away

from her support network, and the financial burden of losing one wage, will weigh heavily.

With support from her husband, Joe, and an au pair, Yani returned to full-time work in January 2016, looking to seek solace in keeping busy. She admits working and placing Isabella into day care has been the “best thing” for their family, and her daughter has thrived.

Interacting with others also gave Yani the impetus to become

should ever have to hear in their life … it gets to that stage where you

proactive in campaigning for a transplant facility in Perth, and to

just don’t cope, and I didn’t for a long time. [For] a long, long time I

raise awareness of Isabella’s plight - and those of other children in her

didn’t cope at all.” Yani’s voice quietens and tears glisten in her eyes

position - by fundraising for the liver foundation. “This is going to be

but she blinks them away and continues. “I think it benefits us this

our life. It’s going to be Izzy’s life. Why should another family have to

time not to know anything about it. I just sleep a little bit better at

go through what we, and families before us have gone through?”

night. I’m sure it’ll come and I’m sure they’ll start telling me about it in the new year. But until then, no, I don’t want to know anything.”

Dr Ravikumara’s comment justifies her fears, “Liver

30

transplants to be performed on children.

She adds, “The last two and a bit years have been the greatest years of our life but they’ve also been the most horrific years.” She admits that if her pregnancy had run smoothly she would definitely

transplantation is a major undertaking, associated with significant

have planned to have more children. Although biliary artresia is

morbidity and even mortality. In general, the bigger the child, the

not hereditary there is no known cause and Yani is reluctant to try

better the outcome.”

to become pregnant again as Isabella requires so much attention.

To add to Yani’s distress, Isabella must fly to Sydney for

Currently she must be taken to regular appointments, follow a diet,

the surgery as no paediatric liver unit in Perth exists to enable

and Yani isn’t sure how much care she will need after the transplant.

Offspring | winter 2017 | melbourne

After everything she’s been through, [I hope she’s] a happy, healthy, compassionate, kind little girl.

“I wouldn’t want another child to miss out or to feel like everything is dedicated to Izzy and not to them.”

Yani no longer relaxes with a glass of wine as she has chosen to give up alcohol, hoping that Isabella will notice and abstain as well. Before her daughter needs to worry about peer pressure, Yani hopes her toddler sails through the next 12 months “as unscathed as possible” and her memories of this time fade with her scar. “I don’t want her to grow up and remember being poked and prodded. I want her to grow up like any other kid.

After everything she’s been through, [I hope she’s] a happy, healthy, compassionate, kind little girl.”

To help raise funds toward a liver transplant unit in WA, please contact The Liver Foundation of WA on +618 9336 3178 or contact@liverfoundation.org.au

PROTECT YOUR FAMILY

BOOK YOUR SPIDER SPRAY Pre Purchase Inspections Builder’s Termite Protection Bees • Wasps • Mice Termites • Spiders • Ants

www.berwickpestcontrol.com | (03) 9705 8323 melbourne | winter 2017 | Offspring

31

Celebrated Australian author and parenting expert Michael Grose tells Chris Pritchard parents should remember clever techniques must be aimed at crafting a child’s success, not at increasing parental convenience.

Are we parenting a nation of wimps?

“T

hat’s putting it a bit strongly,” laughs Michael Grose

brought up in a large family means children continually hone

when asked whether Australian parents are producing

conflict-resolution skills on their siblings, which is great preparation

a nation of wimps. “Mind you,” he quickly adds, “it’s a

for negotiating in the many social situations that children encounter

very fair conclusion.”

at childcare, preschool, school - and beyond.”

Grose has been doling out parenting advice for 30 years since

Big families are rare nowadays, he sighs. Children in large families

first conducting classes at Melbourne’s Monash Parent-Teacher

have more “emotional space” than those in small units to resolve

Education Centre, a facility attached to the Victorian state capital’s

problems without constant parental intervention and control.

esteemed Monash University. What’s more, he’s the author of 10

A lesson for parents: even with a small family, develop a “big-

books focused on how to be a better parent. The latest of these,

family mindset” to aid children’s independence and resilience.

Spoonfed Generation, How To Raise Independent Children was

Don’t be too ready to drop in and resolve situations. “The real art of

published by Bantam Australia in February.

raising kids to be independent is giving them opportunities to solve

Parenting may be natural - but for many people it isn’t easy.

their own problems - without parental involvement.” Being a parent

Potential pitfalls are numerous. Grose himself was fortunate. A

shouldn’t mean always being there, ready to butt in. Sometimes

father-of-three, he watched his own offspring blossom into “welladjusted independent adults who no longer live at home”. As Grose sees it, they’re solid evidence that he’s “practised what I’ve preached”.

From talking to many thousands of parents over three

it’s better to keep out.

“Sometimes you have to take risks, whether you’re an adult or a child, in order to have memorable experiences.”

decades, he reveals “one common thread: parents treat kids as if they’re three years younger than they actually are - and kids think of themselves as three years older than they really are.”

He recalls the case of his own daughter. “When she was 15 and wanted to join a group going on a visit to Denmark I was horrified. I

smaller, children stick around longer. “Whether it’s free or cheap accommodation - to enable saving for a house or a long trip - or not having to shop for food, children often live with their parents well into their twenties,” Grose observes.

These days, childcare centres

expose young children to socialising and learning opportunities - but small families make good parenting all the more important.

“Kids who do best at childcare and school understand this ‘bigger

believed she wasn’t ready to travel without her parents. She, on the

family’ concept,” Grose says, adding that they do this even when

other hand, believed she was ready - and should go. It turned out she

they come from small families. “They learn when to wait, when to

was correct. Everything turned out to be fine.”

follow. When they don’t get what they want, they don’t fall apart or go

There’s always a risk of disaster, Grose agrees. “But sometimes you have to take risks, whether you’re an adult or a child, in order to have memorable experiences.”

Most Australian families now have a maximum of two children.

32

While families are mostly

home and complain - that’s what we call resilience.”

Grose notices parents often worry obsessively that they’re “over-parenting” - which he defines as “always being ready to make decisions for the child when decisions could just as easily

Often, adds Grose, there’s only one child. This is a fact of life in

be made by the offspring themselves and are part of the learning

current times and isn’t likely to change. As Grose explains: “Being

process.” Such parents agonise over whether others consider them

Offspring | winter 2017 | melbourne

“Parents treat kids as if they’re three years younger than they actually are - and kids think of themselves as three years older than they really are.” melbourne | winter 2017 | Offspring

33

Five keys to raising a well-adjusted child

n MANAGE a child visually rather than verbally. Have

rosters pinned up that include Mum and Dad, stating clearly whose turn it is to put out the garbage or whatever. Stick strictly to rosters so kids respect them. at home should be unpaid, not a way to earn pocket money. This shows kids they belong - they’re part of a family where everyone pitches in to do chores such as emptying the dishwasher and no-one expects rewards.

n HELP

n DEVELOP self-help skills as a parent. This means taking time to work out solutions to problems that inevitably present themselves. Once you’ve announced your decision, stick to it. n FREEDOM is important. Give a child freedom to explore the local environment. Kids don’t routinely get sent to the corner store anymore - because there isn’t a corner store.

There’s possibly a mall or strip of shops nearby. Tragic incidents get plenty of publicity - but they’re very, very rare.

Not everyone’s bad out there. Walking home from school is a possibility for some. n MAKE time for your own interests. (Grose played basketball.) These give you something additional to talk about – so the child isn’t the focus all the time. You’re less likely to be an over-protective parent.

Source: Michael Grose, parenting expert.

®

BRIGHTEN YOUR CHILD’S FUTURE

“neglectful parents”. Worse, do friends and neighbours consider them “too strict” or “not strict enough”?

Worry about “over-parenting” is common in Australia, Grose reveals. “Parents are often over- protective.” He recalls thinking of this in an Italian village where children were visiting each other’s homes on their bicycles. “That doesn’t happen nearly as often here in Australia.”

Becoming a successful parent is a trial-and-error process, says Grose. “It means not obsessing about what other people think and then changing your approach. All children are different and if you want to raise an independent, resilient child you need to back off from being over-protective.

“Always remember, it’s the child’s future we’re talking about - not yours.”

Award-winning tuition at Begin Bright B

School Readiness Primary Tutoring Holiday Workshops

Call now with code BBTRIAL for your free introductory class

LOCATIONS ACROSS AUSTRALIA NSW: Ryde, Gymea, Harrington park, Padstow, St George, Cronulla, South Hurstville, Engadine, Maroubra, Bondi, Burwood, Marrickville, Hoxton Park, Liverpool, Bella Vista, Shellharbour, Maitland, Kingscliff QLD: Burleigh, Tugun, Sorrento, Mackay VIC: Doncaster, Leongatha, Preston, Croydon, Frankston, Berwick WA: Bicton

Call 1300 234 462 Franchises Available Now

www.beginbright.com.au 34

Offspring | winter 2017 | melbourne

egin Bright is an awardwinning School Readiness and Primary Tutoring Franchise.

Their programs are uniquely designed by qualified educators in alignment with the Australian curriculum.

They run school readiness, primary tutoring and school holiday programs for children aged 3 to 12, comprising different levels according to the child’s ability.

Begin Bright works with children to support areas of need and help to develop a love of learning through positive support and fun learning activities. The lessons are taught in an engaging manner, using concrete materials and supportive games to ensure a brighter start to learning.

PRICE

MATCH PROMISE

We check our prices to the big supermarket chains, so you won’t pay more on 100s of everyday products.

IT PAYS TO SHOP INDEPENDENT

Participating stores only. Price matched weekly to lower of Woolworths or Coles everyday shelf price on hundreds of everyday products. Excludes promotions. Terms and conditions apply. To find out more, visit iga.com.au/pricematch

Dinosaur Train on stage!

Get ready to hop on board the Dinosaur Train as it prepares to come to Australia, out of the USA, for the very first time in theatres across the country and it’s coming to a station near you!

J

oin Buddy with his friends, in the Australian Premier of Dinosaur Train, as they ride the train and embark on ‘A Rainforest Adventure’.

See Don, Shiny, Tiny, Mr Conductor, Tank and King, as they sing

creative curriculum.

and dance their way through the deep canopies of tropical trees

Dinosaur Train promises to be a colourful, thrilling and

whilst exploring and discovering all the beautiful plants, animals

exciting adventure for the whole family, larger than life and live

and different levels of the ecosystem.

on stage with all the famous Dinosaur Train characters in a First

Dinosaur Train, a co-production between The Jim Henson

Class production. Already a major

Company and Sparky Animation, is set in a whimsically realistic,

television series, Dinosaur

prehistoric world of jungles, swamps, active volcanoes and

Train now comes to life on stages around Australia in

oceans,

June and July 2017, thanks

aimed at

to touring partners and

children

producers X-System

aged three to

International and

six. It allows kids

Zaccaria Concerts

to apply scientific

and Touring.

thinking as they

“DINOSAUR

discover new types

TRAIN LIVE”

of dinosaur species,

A RAINFOREST

compare and contrast dinosaurs to today’s creatures and embrace the living sciences of palaeontology and natural science.

Based on input from palaeontologists, science educators and early childhood education experts, Dinosaur Train promotes 36

critical thinking skills for pre-schoolers based on an engaging and

Offspring | winter 2017 | melbourne

ADVENTURE. Tickets on sale now! For full tour information, please visit: www.zaccariaconcerts. com.au

!

E V I L

A Rainforest

Adventure JULY SCHOOL HOLIDAYS LIVE STAGE THEATRE SHOW FULL COSTUMED CHARACTERS

ATHENAEUM THEATRE MELBOURNE Friday July 7 AND Saturday July 8 TICKETS ON SALE NOW THROUGH TICKETEK

Suspicious Minds

On this particular afternoon as the

Ann Marie Bradstreet, paddling in the shallows of investigative journalism casts light on a shadow of male vulnerability, as a school dad is labelled ‘suspicious’.

A

the footpath for school pick up, past my friend’s car, he caught sight of a police officer in his rear view mirror. Shortly after, his driver’s side window was tapped and he found his car surrounded by three more officers.

After being prompted for identification

friend was parked outside our local primary school

and asked to justify his presence he

recently waiting to pick up his kids as he does every

questioned, in understandable panic, what

school day. He arrived at his regular bay nice and

was going on? He was told a member of the

early, unlike me who generally shows up after the bell, ducking

public had alerted them to a suspicious person

and weaving corridors against the exiting tide, jostled by

outside a primary school and his number plate had been

excited, emancipated kids and harried parents stuffing errant

given. The suspicious person was him!

objects into forgotten school bags, as I claw my way to my son’s

38

punctual parent population idled up

After a relatively reasonable, yet humiliating exchange the

classroom and his teacher’s inevitable disapproval. This dad,

matter was resolved and he left to collect his sons, albeit shaken

however, is a good time-keeper, it’s a noble trait.

and confused.

Offspring | winter 2017 | melbourne

When he told me this story he was emphatic

Real Life

After some thorough probing on my part a police

for anyone who may have seen or heard about the

spokesperson provided the following statement.

incident to be aware of his innocence. My response

“Police take all reports of suspicious persons

was to laugh, heartily; I even cackled until I saw his face sink

seriously and investigate appropriately.”

and mutter indecipherable disappointment. It didn’t take long,

Phew! Thank goodness I cleared that up, we can now rest easy

thankfully (empathy intact: check!), to realise he was devastated.

knowing that it’s appropriate to be accosted by no less than four

I’d laughed because it was Him! Let’s call him – Rhett. It

officers on the odd chance a person reports you as suspicious. I

was ridiculous to me that he’d been considered suspicious. His

don’t make light of children’s safety or dubious activity around

wife works long hours and even though he balks at the “Stay at

schools but I think it’s sensible to recognise that a dad waiting to

Home Dad” tag because he has a job and is half-hearted with

pick up their kids is not an emergency.

housework (I keep good company on that point), he does a large

To be fair, though, after some off the record chit chat with my

portion of the child care. He’s at school in that park - on time,

new contacts in Blue it was clear they were only doing their job

every day, except weekends – that would be weird.

and I concede innocent dads are not regularly targeted by police,

I’m angling toward an argument of comparison, bear with

not in my world at least - but there’s another story.

me. Rhett’s duties mirror mine, he makes the lunches, performs the minor miracle each morning of having his kids dressed - with shoes on even, prying them from the Lego pile and depositing them to class on time. Long before me, I might add, who feels it necessary to get creative at the front office with my excuses, “Why was your child late this morning?” the clerk enquires with minimal interest, poised over her keyboard ready to enter “Overslept” into the system and get on with her day before I foil her with, “There was a philosophical difference within the

A member of the public had alerted them to a suspicious person outside a primary school and his number plate had been given, the suspicious person was him!

family about whether or not the knobbly seam of a particular pair of socks was or was not a bearable cross to endure,” or “My son took a toilet break like an octogenarian with a newspaper just as we were about to leave the house.” I think she’s sick of me.

Rhett doesn’t need to sign in late at the office, he’s a better parent than I in that regard but then, I’ve never courted the steely eye of the law at school pick up so I must be doing something right… right? Or is it, shock horror, that he just had the audacity to turn up too early and too male (whoops, I mean suspicious) for school that day?

It proved a curious question for me and an anxious one for Rhett, as to why his presence warranted not one but four police officers to investigate.

“Do I look dodgy? Maybe my car looks dodgy, does my car look dodgy? Maybe someone dodgy owned my car before I bought it, do you reckon?” he questioned.

I didn’t have a clue about his last query, nor did I relish considering the unjust prejudices that people endure based solely upon some aspect of their appearance, but Rhett just looks like Rhett to me, a decent looking forty year old with a Mazda

In a world where you can expect the unexpected to happen it’s important to protect the people you love the most.

Peace of mind is priceless, visit our website alinsurance.com.au to find out how we can help you.

At Ann Little Insurance Brokers we believe in putting family first.

We offer our clients and their families peace of mind through our unique approach of combining education and expertise with superior solutions topped off with unbeatable service.

Ann is qualified to provide Risk Advice for: • • • •

Life Insurance Income Protection Trauma Cover Total and Permanent Disablement (TPD) • Business Expense Insurance • Key Person Insurance

CONTACT US ON 08 9 317 3172 OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE

and a penchant for boardies and T-shirts, who, like the rest of us at school drop off, can often be seen clutching a morning coffee with the reverent tenderness you may normally bestow on a newborn puppy – nothing dodgy there.

These questions continued to fuel Rhett’s anxiety, however,

Tarj Pty Ltd ATF Ann Little Insurance Brokers Trust T/As Ann Little Insurance Brokers are authorised representatives of Synchron AFS Licence No 243313

so in the spirit of hard hitting journalism I sought some answers. melbourne | winter 2017 | Offspring

39

He caught sight of a police officer in his rear view mirror.

ife Real L

What it did reveal, however, on further discussion with Rhett and other dads, including my husband, was a common fear of

to call the police while he waited for his children, it wasn’t funny.

being perceived as a threat or a perpetrator. On one occasion, at

A deep fear had been realised, one that he’d combatted against.

an indoor play centre, Rhett saw a child fall over and start crying

He’d been deemed a threat, thought of as a perpetrator, someone

and despite wanting to help her, he didn’t. He was worried that

who might cause harm. It was distressing and humiliating and he

his actions could be misinterpreted. Rhett felt conflicted at not

worried that mud would stick.

going to the child’s aid but said he often found himself in similar

“At first I was embarrassed and then angry that it’d happened

situations and his sentiments were reiterated in the anecdotes

and now walking through the school I’m really anxious about

given by the other men I spoke with. They relayed encouraging

people thinking – there’s the guy,” he explains.

their kids to call them Dad loud enough for others to hear and thus, hopefully, find them less threatening.

When Rhett says, “There’s the guy”, I ask for a slight exertion in imagination to consider a rumour mill in overdrive after

A 2013 report on Personal Safety by the Australian Bureau of

an unmarked police car with four officers spring into action

Statistics revealed 95 per cent of all victims of violence in Australia

at the school gate. “There’s the guy” could mean any number

report a male perpetrator. I dare to suggest that such statistics

of embellished assumptions. I believe rumours become more

hold a place within our cultural psyche

colourful in direct correlation with the gossip’s need to boost their

that gives weight to the vulnerability

ego by how much they know and are

described by Rhett. I admit to being that

willing to share. I heard unsubstantiated

mother eyeing the man hanging at the fringes of the playground, relinquishing my vigilance only when some doughy little toddler calls out for Dad. I considered the heavy stigma being carried by nurturing non-violent gentlemen and potentially, in future by my three caring sons. As a woman and a victim of violence, I’m not unfamiliar with strategies used to avert, avoid and survive (too many times in vain) the level of violence within our society. It is sobering, however, to understand that it’s not only women and girls who must brace against it.

40

When someone within Rhett’s community felt strongly enough

Offspring | winter 2017 | melbourne

“At first I was embarrassed and then angry that it’d happened and now walking through the school I’m really anxious about people thinking – there’s the guy.”

claims of “known paedophiles” being on school grounds. With that in mind I empathise with Rhett’s anxiety.

“It was how it looked that bothers me.

All these things are going through my head as to who called, why they called?

There are people out there who’ll say ‘toughen up mate’ but it affects you,” Rhett shares.

I suggest we aren’t in need of more tough guys. Good (punctual) Guys like Rhett, though, they’re in high demand!

All names have been changed in the article to protect privacy. www.offspringmagazine.com.au

DELISH!

Slow Cooked Lamb WITH Onions and Rosemary

2kg lamb shoulder, bone-in

6 little brown onions, peeled

SERVES

6

6 rosemary sprigs

PREP

COOK

MINS

HRS

10

1 cup chicken stock (250mL)

8

1. Place the lamb shoulder into the slow cooker. Season heavily with sea salt and cracked pepper.

2. Remove the leaves from rosemary sprigs and scatter around the lamb. Add the onions and chicken stock.

3. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours, at which point, the lamb should be so tender that all you need to do is tear the meat away.

FRESH TIP

Delicious served with Oven Roasted Potatoes, see recipe online.

4. Serve the lamb on a platter with the onions and drizzle with delicious melty onion sauce.

FOR MORE GREAT 4 INGREDIENTS RECIPES GO TO IGA.COM.AU/4INGREDIENTS

Old fashioned service with expert advice thenappylady.com.au

Do you have a pet?

Are you expecting a baby?

More than just nappies!

Educating today, taking care of tomorrow.Š

The We Are Family Program provides expectant parents and parents of young children with information and strategies to help minimise the risk of dog bites in the home environment.

www.wearefamily.vic.gov.au

Natural skincare ranges Chemical-free cleaning products Chemical-free baby products We ship Australia wide, why not ring us or email us at info@thenappylady.com.au

thenappylady.com.au CELEBRATING 10 YEARS IN BUSINESS 03 9754 6334

Fostering the next generation Imagine a world where every child lived in a loving, nurturing family.

BY GLYNIS SMALLEY

W

hat a wonderful world we

to the rise in family violence and drug

works at OzChild as their Recruitment and

would have if every child had a

use such as ICE, and sadly this means

Training Officer.

caring family to provide them with the

more children are removed for their own

encouragement and life skills that would

safety. If these children aren’t able to get

“We certainly get more out of these

allow them to achieve their dreams.

a foster or kinship placement they end

amazing children than they do.

Unfortunately it isn’t the case.

up in residential care where there is a

It won’t have escaped anyone’s

38 per cent probability of being sexually

reasons; they feel they have something

exploited.

to give the kids, others feel being a Carer

attention recently, especially in Victoria, that if children get onto the wrong track

So what can be done? Well it takes

“Foster care is my life,” Glenda says.

“People become Carers for many

enriches their lives. We even have some

they can end up causing much destruction

all of us to work together to solve such

former foster children who are now

to themselves and the community.

complex problems, government and not

Carers wanting to pass on their positive

for profits can’t do it alone – it needs the

experiences.”

In fact, more than 40 per cent of children and young adults who end up in juvenile detention have come out of the residential care system.

The numbers of kids entering the out-of-

whole community.

There are many organisations around

OzChild currently supports more than 6000 families every year in Melbourne

Australia who provide foster care and

and the ACT and have 300 children under

are looking for people to become foster

a roof each night, but they could support

home care system (made up of residential

Carers; and the demand for people to

more children if they had Carers.

care, foster care and kinship care) has

become foster Carers has never been

increased significantly in the last decade.

greater.

Government services have seen the

Glenda Quinn and her husband Paul

Glenda said there was a great need for more Carers.

“Prospective Carers are screened

numbers of notifications to child protection

have been OzChild Foster Carers for over

for suitability, however there are no

in Victoria increase by 95 per cent.

21 years; they have fostered more than 100

limitations regardless of marital status,

children. As well as being a Carer, Glenda

gender, sexuality, ethnicity or cultural

The rise in notifications is attributed

background so long as they are over 21

“If these children aren’t able to get a foster or kinship placement they end up in residential care where there is a 38 per cent probability of being sexually exploited.”

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

years of age, and are an Australia citizen or permanent resident,” Glenda said.

“Training is provided and once Carers become registered they receive ongoing support from people like me.”

To find out more about becoming a carer visit the OzChild website ozchild.org.au or email fostercarerecruitment@ozchild.org.au

melbourne | winter 2017 | Offspring

43

FOOD & NUTRITION

How much is too much?

BY KATE BULLEN

Meal sizes have increased and consequently our bodies are getting consuming extra kilojoules that we usually don’t need. Take the quiz to see how switched on you are about knowing the right portion to eat?

L

et’s look at portions and how much we eat. Have you noticed that portion sizes of food have increased over the last few decades? The size of a slice of white bread has

increased by 11 per cent, blocks of chocolate are now readily

1. A serve of nuts is:

available as 350g giant blocks while 10 years ago the standard

a. 10g

block was 250g. Even the size of the standard dinner plate has

b. 30g

increased!

c. Unlimited as nuts contain good fats

When eating out, there is often the option to upsize your

a. True

a soft drink and there are those ginormous buckets of popcorn

b. False

at the movies – I don’t remember those when I was a kid!

3. A 600ml bottle of regular soft drink has around 16 teaspoons of

Unfortunately what our bodies are getting is extra kilojoules that

sugar and over 1000 kilojoules. This is equivalent to:

we usually don’t need.

a. 3 Tim Tams b. 3.5 whole apples

kilojoules (about one-third of an apple) each day for us to gain

c. 1 cup of ice cream

one kilogram of fat each year. It all adds up!

d. All of the above

It is easy to overdo food portions, so rather than avoiding the food, know your portions.

Here are a few quick quiz questions to help you get your portions right:

Offspring | winter 2017 | melbourne

4. One serve of pasta or rice is: a. One cup b. Half a cup c. Two cups

Quiz Question Answers 1 b. 2a. 3d. 4a. 5a. 6c.

Research out of America shows that it only takes an extra 82

44

2. A muffin bought from a shop can contain 10 teaspoons of sugar:

takeaway coffee, smoothie or soft drink. Meal deals come with

MEATBALLS Ingredients: l

1kg lean beef mince

l

Ground pepper

l

l

1 red onion, finely chopped

l

4 teaspoons Dijon or honey

mustard

4 tablespoons

l

2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

sundried tomatoes,

l

1 teaspoon tabasco sauce

chopped

l

2 egg yolks

Method: Mix all ingredients in a bowl and make into balls.

Cook on a BBQ or frypan over medium high heat until browned and cooked through.

plain wholegrain bread roll.

Soft drinks just don’t provide any value to our diet at all. They are high in sugar and kilojoules, and they are easy to drink too much of. Diet soft drinks are an option, but your health is going to thank you if you reach for a large water – still or sparkling. While on the subject of drinks, energy drinks, cordial, juice and sports drinks all fall into pretty much the same category as soft drink. They don’t offer any nutrition and can easily just add unnecessary extra sugar and kilojoules.

Pasta and rice are very easy to over serve. One cup – or about the size of a tennis ball – is one serve. Instead load your plate up with green leafy vegetables such as rocket, broccoli or spinach.

If you are cooking up a BBQ then this analogy of a meat serve is a good one to keep in mind – a deck of cards is all we need as a serve each day. Keep your meat trim and add flavour with marinades.

Avocado is a brilliant summer food – but it is easy to overeat. Certainly a fantastic choice and I would rather you chose avocado over soft drink, but always a good reminder that eating that one quarter of an avocado is a portion. And I

quite like adding avocado to a greek salad – it’s a great flavour

5. A serve of meat is:

a. About the size of a deck of cards

addition.

b. The size of your hand c. The size of your foot

Here are a few tips to help control your portions: l

Share a meal – halve your meal when eating out and your

6. A serve of avocado is:

portion will be much closer to what it should be. And you will save

a. 1 whole avocado

money – another bonus!

b. ½ avocado c. ¼ avocado Nuts are a great source of healthy fat – but they are easy to over eat. Limit the amount of nuts to a small handful and bulk it up with some freshly popped corn or puffed rice.

Store bought or even packaged cakes and biscuits often contain as much sugar as you need for the entire day. Choose a healthier option such as a punnet of berries, a banana or even a

l

Research out of America shows that it only takes an extra 82 kilojoules (about one third of an apple) each day for us to gain one kilogram of fat each year.

Use a smaller plate – we eat with our eyes

first. A smaller plate will look full, but you will be eating less. l

Skip second helpings – slow down your

eating and be more mindful of when you are feeling full. l

Don’t finish everything on your plate

– most of us have been brought up to eat everything served to us. Instead, eat slowly and stop when you are full.

And enjoy!

melbourne | winter 2017 | Offspring

45

a maternal Having a baby? Before you start shortlisting names or preparing the nursery it is important to work out where you are going to bring your bundle of joy into the world. We look into options to consider when it comes to deciding on the right maternity care option for you and your baby.

BY BROOKE EVANS-BUTLER

W

is involved at each step,” he says. “This relationship is important

hen I walked into my GP’s office (positive

equally for the most straightforward and complex of pregnancies.

pregnancy test in-hand) the first questions

Issues of primary elective Caesarean Section if desired tend to be

I was asked was regarding my choice of

more easily accommodated in the private sector.”

maternity care. ‘Congratulations! So, do you

have health insurance? Do you have a preference of obstetrician

have the option of a private room (having a bathroom to

and hospital?’ I must admit, my head was spinning…I had found

yourself after birth is always an added bonus!) and many

out I was going to be a parent an hour prior, and was already

private hospitals give you the option of having your

being asked about how and where I wanted to have my baby.

partner stay with you. The rooms (and meals) are

However, it is a big decision – and is ideally something that you

usually of a higher quality than at a public hospital

should research even before you get pregnant. But what is the

(some rooms are like lovely hotel rooms) as a general

right decision for you? We look into the options – whether you

rule, allow new mothers longer stays after birth than

are considering public or private care or a home birth.

public hospitals or some have arrangements with 5 star

Public or private?

hotels for part of the post-partum stay.

Dr Gary Swift, Vice President of National Association of

with private care, so find out your chosen obstetrician’s

Specialist Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (NASOG), says all

fee schedule and check with your health cover provider

who are involved in the area of pregnancy and childbirth strive

exactly what is covered so you can be prepared.

There is often some out-of-pocket costs associated

for optimal care and outcomes – however the public and private

Mother-of-three Monique Wilson chose private care for

models are inherently different.

all three of her children and says she would highly recommend

Private care

this care option. “I chose to have my baby in a private hospital because I had cover and liked the idea of having the same

If you choose private care, you get to choose an obstetrician to care for you throughout your pregnancy and for the birth of your child.

Dr Swift says private care is based on a one-to-one relationship between the woman and her specialist for antenatal care, detection of problems and ultimately safe and timely delivery.

“Personal wishes and concerns are easily addressed when the same clinician

46

An advantage of choosing private cover is that you usually

Offspring | winter 2017 | melbourne

obstetrician through my pregnancy and

Note

picking one that I felt comfortable with,” she says. “I ended up having my first child six weeks premmie and it was at my obs appointment

will Most private health providers that the obstetrician picked up an ics tetr obs for iod have a waiting per irregular heartbeat. The bill for his nths, so if (pregnancy) of around 12 mo r you on ion opt stay in hospital was $15,000 and this e hav you will need to e anc adv in icy pol ce we didn’t pay a cent. I also enjoyed health insuran (before you get pregnant) if you having my own room and we were h want private care. (Check wit given a choice from a buffet for all meals. ce ran insu lth hea r you I loved the treatment we received.” provider about their waiting periods). www.offspringmagazine.com.au

Choosing an obstetrician

An advantage of having private care is you can choose the obstetrician who will be caring for you throughout your pregnancy.

“The choice of obstetrician will be an individual one and is often based on several factors – GP recommendations, advice of friends and family and in modern times internet based research probably figure prominently,” Dr Swift says.

Note

“Women who have undergone IVF or other assisted reproductive options may stay with the same doctor if it is an option and many will see the same specialist for gynaecological issues prior to pregnancy and

It is important to remember that obstetricians are human too (they take holidays and can get sick) so it is not guaranteed that your chosen obstetrician will be present at your baby’s birth.

will have already established rapport. For some, the gender of the specialist will be important for personal, religious or cultural reasons. Ultimately it will be a personal choice and for a successful professional relationship, issues of personality, trust, experience and professionalism will be foremost.

“Some hospitals in capital cities will have a list of

accredited specialists so that if the choice of hospital is important

they will have to choose one from the list and some may not be available if they have reached capacity and closed their books.

“Women in Australia can be confident that specialists who hold the FRANZCOG qualification are suitably trained and credentialed to provide the highest quality specialist services.

The prices charged may vary but will generally reflect the level of experience and training and the costs of running a private practice in a particular area.”

BUILDING CONFIDENCE IN THE WATER • Boys and Girls designs from 1 - 4 year old • Stylish All in One Swimwear with inbuilt floats • Easily adjust the buoyancy • Lightweight, quick drying and UPF 50+ FREE SHIPPING within Australia

mywaterbubs.com www.offspringmagazine.com.au

mywaterbubs

melbourne | winter 2017 | Offspring

47

PRIVATE CARE PROS l You

have one-on-one care of your chosen obstetrician

l Many

private hospitals offer private rooms so your partner can stay overnight with you

l Generally,

private hospitals allow new mothers to stay longer after the birth of their baby for recovery.

PRIVATE CARE CONS Having a baby at a private hospital is more expensive than in a public hospital (check with your health fund about what you are covered for).

l

Public care

“Public hospitals fundamentally have to deliver the best service possible to a larger population within the government prescribed

Private Obstetricians must have visiting rights at the hospital where you choose to deliver your baby.

budget,” says Dr Swift. “Hence, antenatal care is delivered in a clinic format in which a different attendant is seen on each occasion and varying levels of qualification from intern to specialist. Specialists tend to see the more complex and high risk cases. Long waits are not uncommon in these clinics.

“Labour and delivery management will depend on level of risk and complexity with staff allocated accordingly. Midwives

48

Offspring | winter 2017 | melbourne

primarily care for low risk women for normal birthing and junior doctors attend

for suturing of tears or episiotomies. Trainee specialists provide the majority of services under the supervision of qualified specialists.

“Short stays are the norm with home visit services often covering breast feeding issues as lactation may not have been established before early discharge. Primary elective (maternal request) Caesarean Sections are not usually available in the

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

public system. There is no cost

PUBLIC CARE PROS

for Public Hospital Services for

l You

Australian Medicare Card holders so

do not get a choice of carer and often will see many staff throughout your pregnancy and birth

this will be the only affordable option

l Often

for many, especially without private

l Partner

health insurance.”

l Short

Jodi O’Callaghan decided on a birthing centre (through a public hospital) for the birth of her daughter.

“After falling pregnant I looked in to my options for birthing and decided

have shared rooms cannot stay overnight

hospital stays for the new mother and baby after birth.

PUBLIC CARE CONS There is usually no cost when you have your baby through the public system

l

with as little intervention as possible,”

with low risk pregnancies may have the option of giving birth at associated birthing centres, adjoined to the hospital

she says. “I also did a hypnobirthing

l Public

I wanted to be in control of my birth,

course to help me overcome any fear of

l Mothers-to-be

hospitals usually have lower intervention rates (such as caesareans etc).

birth and to empower me to bring my daughter in to the world with the help of my husband and a midwife.

“I was in the Birth Centre for no more than three hours

“When you go through a Birth Centre you are encouraged

and then spent one hour in surgery, under what I found to be

to labour at home as much as possible and attempt drug free

excellent care. I was then transferred to a private room in the

if the labour progresses as it should be. That coupled with my

maternity ward where I spent five nights being supported by

hypnobirthing techniques to draw on meant that by the time I

midwives to get the hang of breastfeed and get to know my baby.

got to the Birth Centre I was 8cm dilated. Two and a half hours

I had not requested a private room, so it was a lovely surprise. I

later my daughter Stella was born! I had some tearing and

received excellent care from the public system and was not out

needed surgery, but I had achieved my birth plan goal of being

of pocket for any expenses. If I have another baby, I would not

drug free for the birth.

hesitate to go through the public system again.”

safer materials, whole learning, and natural health

Mind & Body Perinatal Clinic For mothers, fathers, infants & families

Call today (03) 9769 5606

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

Suite 1 Level 1, 40-42 Clyde Rd, Berwick VIC 3806 reception@glowclinic.com.au

www.glowclinic.com.au

melbourne | winter 2017 | Offspring

49

Choosing a hospital

When choosing a hospital, there are various things to consider including:

Location

The location of your hospital is an important factor (remember you will be going to various appointments including your obstetrician appointments and antenatal classes) – and of course, no one wants

Some selected hospitals offer the ‘Look @ My Baby’ service. For a small fee, this service enables you to invite family and friends to see your baby without even coming to the hospital! Your family (even those interstate or overseas) can see the baby via a secure live video stream (straight from a special ‘cot cam’) to capture those first yawns and stretches and special moments. To find out more information go to www.lookatmybaby.com

a long drive when they are in labour. Some women will choose a hospital close to their workplace (or close to available babysitters for older children). If you are going through the public system, you usually cannot choose which hospital you would like to go to –

Obstetrician

Private obstetricians must have visiting rights at the hospital where you choose to deliver your baby. So if you have a

because due to high demand,

preference of obstetrician, this will limit the hospital you

some hospitals will only be able to accept mothers-to-

can choose from because you will have to have your

be who live locally.

baby at the hospital where the obstetrician practises.

Facilities

Is labouring in a big bath or birthing pool part of your birth plan? If you have any specific requirements or wishes, check with the hospital

Most hospitals offer tours Rooms of their maternity wards, Many private hospitals will have the option of your so take a look around partner staying with you overnight in a private room, so you are familiar with but it is best to check the possibility of this with your the facilities before hospital if this is important to you. Usually you will share a you are in room in a public hospital, although some public hospitals will labour.

regarding their facilities so you make

also offer private rooms, but if they do, this is usually dependant

the right choice.

on availability.

Hush little baby, go to sleep…

Sleep is essential for babies

For all your baby & toddler needs...

From the moment they are born, babies develop at a rapid rate, and sleep is essen-tial for their brains and bodies to keep up. By 6 months of age, babies can sleep through the night without a feed and resettle themselves after night waking. However, in 36-45 per cent of cases, parents’ reported that they are still having is-sues at this age.

Help your family avoid sleep problems and contact Hush-a-Bee on 0438 544 035 or visit www.hushabee.com.au

50

Offspring | winter 2017 | melbourne

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

Home birth

Some women choose to give birth at home with the support of a midwife – and Cherie Nixon, coordinator of Homebirth Australia, says being in the comfort of your own home with a good support team can create a calming birth experience. She says being in familiar surroundings can be good pain relief in itself – and at home women can also use a birth pool, TENS machine, massage and natural therapies like aromatherapy.

Cherie says choosing a home birth offers great

Most midwives recommend a one-on-one care – offering woman book into a hospital support throughout your prior to the bir th, so if in the event the pregnancy, labour and woman needs to be transferr birth, as well as postnatal ed to hospital during the labour, care, with some visits until the hospital already has the baby is six weeks old. “You have your own midwife caring the mother-to-be’s for you throughout your pregnancy – details on-hand. your midwife knows your past and your

medical history. They come to your house for appointments, which is great if you have other

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

children, and it is a good relationship offering one-on-one care,” she says.

Cherie says that word-of-mouth is the best way to find a midwife – however, you can go to the Homebirth Australia website, www.homebirthaustralia.org and find a midwife using their ‘search for a midwife’ search option.

Cherie says most midwives recommend a

woman book into a hospital prior to the birth, so if in

the event the woman needs to be transferred to hospital during the labour, the hospital already has the mother-to-

melbourne | winter 2017 | Offspring

51

HOME BIRTH PROS l You

are able to stay in the comfort of your own home

l You are under the care of a midwife throughout your pregnancy and birth l You

get to choose who is present at your birth.

HOME BIRTH CONS Aside from natural measures, pain relief (such as an epidural) is not available if you decide you want it

l

If there is an emergency you will have to be transferred to a hospital.

l

cannot be reliably predicted or catered for in the out of hospital environment. It is possible to understand the desire of women to birth in an environment which is secure and familiar, be’s details on-hand. It should be noted that a midwife cannot administer an epidural or perform a caesarean section, so if the

however the potential for tragedy in NASOG’s view supersedes this.

“Every child has the right to a safe birth and every mother

mother wants pain relief or if complications arise, they will have to

the right to survive labour and delivery. As clinicians we have

be admitted to hospital and their midwife can go to hospital with

the responsibility to provide this. We know that despite our best

them as a support person.

efforts adverse outcome occur in hospitals, but we at least have the

Dr Swift says NASOG does not support home birth. “The

opportunity and potential to rescue adverse events and monitor

intrinsic nature of childbirth is that although it is a wonderful

babies to prevent hypoxic injuries. We know from data in countries

event for most, it is intrinsically dangerous and unpredictably so

where out-of-hospital births occur that the maternal and neonatal

in some women,” he says. “Low risk can become high risk with

mortality is more than 10 times higher than it is in hospital births.

minimal notice. There are so many potential problems which can

Ultimately it comes down to compromising the birth environment

occur and lead to the loss of the mother of baby or both which

for safety for the mother and child.”

Little

Prints

Silver

Little Silver Prints

Unique fingerprint jewellery and keepsakes

www.littlesilverprints.com.au | 02 9191 7368 | info@littlesilverprints.com.au 52

Offspring | winter 2017 | melbourne

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

As a nurse, Jackie says

“Also at home it is your

choosing a homebirth was

environment, you are in

an easy decision. “I guess

control of every part of it,

this has come from my

you have invited people

experiences professionally

into your home to help you

and my knowledge through

have your baby, as opposed

my profession of all the

to hospital where midwives

benefits that come with a

are assigned to you, people

homebirth,” she says. “It

wander in and out of the

was really very important

birthing rooms and it can

to me to have a drug free birth, not

become a bit of a circus

because I wanted to be perceived

at times, this I knew wouldn’t At home it is your en vironment, work for me. I knew I needed you are in control of ev er y pa rt than a woman having a baby, but privacy, quiet and control. And of it, you have invite d people because of the benefits that a drugthen finally because my partner into your home to he lp yo u free, natural birth brings. felt like he could be a bigger part of have your baby, as opposed to “There are less bonding and the experience at home rather than hospital where mid w iv es breastfeeding issues with mums who hospital, especially afterwards, he wasn’t are assigned have fully connected with their bodies going to be rushed out the door because to you and babies throughout labour. The best place it isn’t visiting hours, he can help care for as a superhero or anything other

to have a drug-free birth is at home, as there are no temptations to be had. The gas isn’t in the corner as a constant reminder of what you could have, the doctors

our new baby in the comfort of our own home and bond with our baby 24/7 like me.

“I personally don’t have anything to compare to as this was

and midwives are not in your face saying things like “well the

my first baby but my homebirth water birth was the best experience

anaesthetist is here now so if you think you might want an epidural

of my life. I was never once scared, I never considered transfer to

later you best have one now so he doesn’t have to come back!”.

hospital, I never thought I couldn’t do it.”

Peninsula Private Hospital –

Maternity Services

Peninsula Private located just off Peninsula Link is the largest and most advanced private hospital servicing Mornington Peninsula and surrounding regions.

Their midwives are committed to supporting families through this special time whilst delivering quality care in a family friendly environment and providing a little luxury along the way. Fathers are welcome to stay.

Maternity Services are supported by on-call obstetricians, paediatricians and a special care nursery for babies needing a little extra care.

The hospital’s Emergency Department opened in August 2016 further enhancing quality care to the local community.

For more information; www.peninsulaph.com.au

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

melbourne | winter 2017 | Offspring

53

Breastfeeding is different for everyone Our society doesn’t live in tribes with other women any more, and we rarely see a baby attach on to the breast; so how can we learn to breastfeed easily? This is why breastfeeding can often feel overwhelming in the beginning and likely why the most common reason reported for stopping exclusive breastfeeding is low milk supply or “baby is feeding too often”. Becoming confident with breastfeeding takes time.

T

he breasts are amazing, they work on a supply and

are both different and have a different amount of cells

demand system. Each time your baby breastfeeds,

which make milk in our breasts. My breasts hold 80ml

this sends a message to your brain to make sure you

and your breasts hold 130ml of milk at each feed. Both

produce this feed again. When you send enough signals

our babies drink 800ml per day, so whose baby will

your body makes enough milk, likewise if you feed fewer

breastfeed more frequently? Mine!

times your supply reduces.

My baby needs to feed about ten times compared

So, what is normal?

to your baby who feeds six, but they both drink the

A recent study looked at breastfeeding babies who

same amount over the day! This is why comparing how

were 1–6 months old and showed us that there are big

frequently your baby feeds to your friends baby just

differences in how often babies feed.

causes stress! It’s much better to use this guide below to

• Babies feed between 4-13 times every 24 hours • Babies drink between 54ml - 234ml at each feed • Babies drink on average 800ml per day • 2/3 of babies feed at night up to 6 months Imagine you and I are breastfeeding our babies. We

let you know if your baby is getting enough milk.

How do I know my baby is getting enough?

• Listen to your gut instinct, is your baby mostly happy and content?

• Do you have to change at least five heavy, wet and at least two dirty nappies every day?

• Does your baby settle after feeds (it’s normal for most babies to need some help settling down first)?

• Is your baby gaining weight well?

• Is your baby otherwise healthy?

If Yes, then no matter whether your baby feeds frequently or your breasts recently settled down and no longer feel full….You have great milk supply! Keep doing what you’re doing.

If No, go and visit your Maternal Child Health Nurse or Lactation Consultant to have a look at how you and baby are feeding and to get some helpful tips.

It is normal to keep having ‘lessons’ until you feel confident with breastfeeding. Seeking help makes most women feel so much more confident and happy with breastfeeding. Don’t be afraid to ask!

54

Offspring | winter 2017 | melbourne

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

Award winning Breastpumps as voted

by Australian Mums

Freestyle™ all-in-one - innovative - time saving Swing - maxi™ highly efficient - comfortable - quick

Harmony™ small - convenient - clever

Swing™ comfortable - silent - efficient

Download the MyMedela App for free now at: www.mymedela.com.au

Incorporating Medela’s unique 2-Phase Expression Technology, based on Australian research conducted by the University of Western Australia. Mimics the baby’s natural sucking behaviour to optimise milk flow.

MAGAZINE

AWARDS 2015 M OS

GOLD 2011/12

P UM TP TP OPUL AR BREAS

St John of God Due to Deliver in late 2017 The new St John of God Berwick Hospital is currently under construction at Kangan Drive, Berwick and is due to open in late 2017.

T

he hospital, which has been located

attention following birth.

at its current Gibb Street location for

St John of God Berwick Hospital is proud

over 75 years, has a defined vision for how

to support new parents in their choices and

the new 22 bed Maternity Unit will operate

this too will continue within the new Unit.

and run. Maternity Nurse Unit Manager,

Parents are given access to information

Amanda Rentsch explains, “Our patients

throughout pregnancy and birth about a

have all the information, expert clinicians

variety of birthing options, feeding options

and facilities they need at their fingertips.

and also have their choice of Obstetrician.

AMANDA RENTSCH, MATERNITY NURSE UNIT MANAGER

This includes once they have left us to go home.�

The new unit will be a spacious, light and airy space which promotes calm, peace and wellbeing. The private rooms will see a clever use of space with comfortable beds.

The Level Two Special Care Nursery, which offers 24-hour access to Anaethestist and Paediatric care, will house six cots for babies who need a little extra medical

Expecting?

So are we.

We are expecting later this year.

Our new hospital is under construction and we will be delivering our new maternity ward in late 2017.

For more information on having your baby in our brand new hospital visit www.sjog.org.au/berwickmaternity Visit our website for info session times and dates

56

Offspring | winter 2017 | melbourne

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

FRANCHISEE AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE TO OWN A STAKE IN OFFSPRING MAGAZINE! We’re looking for business partners and advertising executives to join the Offspring Team.

Spring 2015

Nat Bass chats family & fashion

WIN tickets to The Wiggles!

Special feature

Having a Baby?

Birth story real life

Tips for vegies & kids

FREE

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

01 PERTH COVER.indd 1

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

Kids & meditation

30/09/2015 19:13

Offspring Magazine is an established and respected brand within the massive Parenting industry in Australia.

We have three separate hard copy editions – Sydney, Melbourne and Perth – which are all published as digital publications.

This is a wonderful opportunity for the right person to become a business partner or advertising sales executive at Offspring.

Offspring is now Australia’s largest gloss, A4 magazine with more than 1 million readers per year from the hard copy alone. We also have many online readers from our digital publications.

Australia’s largest parenting media

www.offspringmagazine.com.au www.facebook.com/offspringmagazine

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU? The opportunity to run your own business, working from home. There are very generous returns for the right person.

THE ROLE

To manage advertising accounts. You will have the opportunity to sell advertising space into Offspring Magazine hard copies and online, managing and ‘owning’ a specific territory, with the potential for fantastic monetary returns.

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.

SPECIAL FEATURE

Lights, camera, action

Most children delight in taking part in some sort of performing art, whether it is dance, drama or music, but did you know it is good for their wellbeing? And there is plenty you can do to harbour your child’s enthusiasm without the need to enrol them in formal classes.

Finding a teacher

BY CLAIRE ARMSTRONG

The

driving force behind many parent’s desire to encourage their offspring in performing arts isn’t

to create starlets of the future or precocious brats, it is about stimulating the body and mind and the wrath of emotional, social and educational paybacks including:

Confidence – Performing in front of an audience whether it

be parents or peers will help a child get comfortable stepping out of their comfort zone, allow them to make mistakes and learn from them and give them a voice to speak up for themselves.

Team work - Through the arts, children work together,

BRING IT INTO YOUR HOME:

• Have the radio or CD playing during the day instead of the TV. It will encourage you and your child to sing and dance along.

• Construct your own musical instruments such as shakers, drums and cymbals from pots and pans, household and craft items

Concentration - The ability to listen, retain and

share responsibility as well as accept responsibility, problem solve,

contribute involves a great deal of focus. The ability to

experience empathy for others and learn to compromise to achieve

concentrate for extended periods in an artistic setting will not

a common goal. By learning collaboration kids begin to see their

only assist when it comes to school work, it will also encourage

contributions have value even if they don’t have the biggest role. It

creative thinking and help a child be able to think on their feet and

is also a great way to make new friends with similar interests.

‘outside of the box’.

practice, patience and persistence. On the journey to success

performance is astounding, dating as far back as ancient Greek

children learn that receiving constructive feedback is a regular part

philosopher Plato who said, “I would teach children music,

of any arts instruction with a goal to improve skills, not personal

physics and philosophy; but more importantly music for in the

attacks, which will prove a vital skill in later life. Once completed,

patterns of music and all the arts are the keys to learning.”

Perseverance – Learning an instrument or dance requires

the sense of accomplishment will drive perseverance in the next endeavour.

58

Word-of-mouth is always a great way to start looking for a teacher is any art form. Check with your child’s primary school to see if they offer a music program.

Check the qualifications of the teachers and find out costs, expectations and ensure they match your child’s desires, some will be more casual and others will expect participation in examinations and recitals. Ask for a free trial class and the ability to hire instruments before committing.

Offspring | winter 2017 | melbourne

The link between performing arts and improved educational

With so many benefits, how can we most effectively engage our children in these activities? www.offspringmagazine.com.au

Wales this year, was designed to entertain and inspire kids to make positive, healthy choices

SPECIAL FEATURE

Queensland and launching into New South

for themselves through dance, puppetry, magic and song.

“There is nothing more important than our children’s health, well-being and happiness.

Nothing more valuable than their sense of spirit.” McColl says.

Dancing has recognised social and psychological advavntages to a child’s

Dance D

ance is active and a great way to improve fitness, body awareness, motor skills, strength, posture and flexibility.

“Dance, laughter and exercise trigger the release of endorphins

development from problem solving and critical thinking to developing resilience and empathy for others. Another wonderful attribute of dance is its suitability to a wide range of ages, interests and abilities. Many dance schools offer classes from toddlers to adults.

“Dance can cross all social and cultural barriers,” McColl says.

Dance classes focused on enjoyment and movement are perfect

which help reduce stress, prevent illness and relieve pain. It is

for younger children where technique, routines and costumes are

proven that people who exercise are happier, and that goes for

not so important. For older children looking for more structure

children as well,” former fitness instructor and founder of the

and the opportunity to become involved in concerts, there are so

Happy Feet Fitness program Donna McColl told Offspring.

many options including: ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, acrobatics,

Her program delivered primarily through child care facilities to around 10,000, 2-5 year olds in Western Australia, Victoria,

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

cheerleading and hip hop.

Talk to your child about their interests, visit a few studios and

melbourne | winter 2017 | Offspring

59

SPECIAL FEATURE

Drama D

rama puts children in exciting, funny, thought-provoking and interesting circumstances to expand their view of the

world and the people within it. It is not just limited to stage shows but encompasses circus acts, illusions, puppetry and theatre sports.

“Not every child that takes drama will become a famous actor, but they will walk away with the tools to speak in public and speak up for themselves. They don’t have to be the best, they just have to be involved,” Australian Performing Arts Centres Association (APACA) Executive Director Bronwyn Edinger says.

There is a healing power in drama. Edinger describes the success of an initiative by the Bell Shakespeare theatre company, of which she is a former General Manager, of providing theatrical opportunities to those of social and geographic disadvantage, including remote indigenous communities and juvenile detention observe a class or two and ask about trial options. Local dance

facilities, who would otherwise not experience the power and

schools will often advertise in parenting and local papers or can be

magic of Shakespeare or live theatre.

found online listed according to locality.

BRING IT INTO YOUR HOME:

• Y our little one doesn’t need to attend a formal dance class to start moving, there are plenty of free online tutorials to follow, computer games specifically designed to get you dancing in your lounge room. Or just put on some music and jump around!

60

Offspring | winter 2017 | melbourne

“The programs, like drama itself, are designed to develop life skills including decision-making, empathy, conflict resolution and self-confidence. After taking part in the program there is a notable improvement in behaviour and school attendance, interest in education and feelings of self worth,” Edinger says.

Drama, like dance, is suitable to a range of ages and abilities from three years through to adults. Many primary and high

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

provide opportunities to be involved in regular theatrical productions. Otherwise, ask for recommendations of a good drama club.

BRING IT INTO YOUR HOME:

• S et up a box of dress-ups and props to help children create imaginative scenarios, include a large sheet to use as the stage curtain.

• C reate your very own sock puppets.

• I nstead of simply reading a story with your child, why not role play and act it out?

Performing isn’t for everyone so don’t push too hard, there are other ways to expose your child to the wonders of the art form:

SPECIAL FEATURE

schools offer a drama program and some local youth centres

Not keen on the spotlight?

• A trip to the circus - there is nothing quite as awe inspiring as aerial acrobatics.

• A dance performance - seeing classical ballet at the theatre or a local dance school’s concert is a lively and colourful experience.

• A balloon twisting, puppet or magic show; the illusions will captivate your child’s imagination and open them to the possibilities within performing arts. Activities like these are easy to create at home and occasionally local c ouncils and libraries run demonstrations or workshops.

• A concert - there are many touring music acts specifically designed for young ones especially around school holiday times.

• Local community events - whether it is the local choir, carolling, a drama production or a idol contest there are often opportunities to see an array of performances in your own community.

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

melbourne | winter 2017 | Offspring

61

SPECIAL FEATURE

Music R

esearch indicates that the earlier music is included in a child’s development, the better. This does not need to be

limited to structured lessons. You can sing with your child at home, play music and expose your child to live performances.

Music educator and conductor Richard Gill believes physical education and arts education should book-end the Australian curriculum, with music being at the forefront, as early as possible in the life of a child.

“The impact this type of education would have on children, with respect to creative thinking, imaginative problem solving, resulting in classrooms full of engaged and interested minds with the capacity to think, perceive, analyse and act upon ideas, would turn the educational decline on its head,” he said during a speech to the Collegiate of Specialist Music Educators.

Vicki King, Artistic Director at the Australian School of Performing Arts, says, “The educational value placed on music and song seems less of a priority in Australian schools compared to some European countries, which is a great shame.

And sadly, parent’s singing to their children from infancy appears to have also declined somewhat in the past 20 years. Life seems so

music with a child, unstructured musical play is so important

much busier, plus lots of people don’t have the confidence to sing

because that is where children’s inspiration will come to life

even if it is at home with their child.

because they aren’t having to sit and learn the notes, they are

“You don’t need to be a wonderful singer or musician to share

simply enjoying the experience.”

REACH YOUR TARGET MARKET WITH OFFSPRING MAGAZINE! 270,000 READERS PER EDITION

Spring 2015

Nat Bass chats family & fashion

WIN tickets to The Wiggles!

Special feature

Having a Baby?

AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST GLOSS A4 PARENTING MAGAZINE

Birth story real life

Tips for vegies & kids

FREE

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

01 PERTH COVER.indd 1

A #1 US PA TRA TIT REN LIA LE TIN ’S G

Kids & meditation

30/09/2015 19:13

Also published online at www.offspringmagazine.com.au

Spaces are limited so call us now on 02 4326 1178 or 0415 267 414 or email advertising@offspringmagazine.com.au

www.offspringmagazine.com.au www.facebook.com/offspringmagazine

BOOK NOW

FOR SPRING 2017

62

Offspring | winter 2017 | melbourne

Australia’s largest parenting media

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

doesn’t have to be a prodigal musician to get involved either, King suggests a group participation activity such as a choir or a band is a great place to start a child as it removes the pressure and stresses associated with solo performances.

“For many of our senior students the Australian Girls Choir provide a beacon of light in their otherwise chaotic lives. A place to park their brain for a while and ignore homework and the politics of home and school life. Music gives them enormous stress relief, comradery and confidence,” King told Offspring.

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

Most formal music lessons start between the ages of five to nine, group classes are recommended for younger children. The Forte School of Music gives these ages and instruments as a guide:

SPECIAL FEATURE

Your child

choosing an instrument • The piano is highly recommended as a child’s first instrument, it can be played as soon as a child can reach the keys and has enough strength to press them down.

Recommended age: 5+ • The recorder is a common choice in a school setting.

It is cheap, children can play it easily and it provides a good introduction to making music.

Recommended age: 5+ • Stringed instruments often come in smaller sizes specifically for kids. Some children can handle a violin from the age of four.

Recommended age: 5+ (violin); 9+ (viola and cello) • Other wind and brass instruments should not be attempted before your child’s permanent teeth come in because of the pressure on the teeth when they are played, the actual size of the instrument, the lip strength required and the “puff” needed to make a noise. Recommended age: 8+ (flute, clarinet); 9+ (saxophone, trumpet, trombone, french horn) • Drum and guitars tend to be a big favourite among kids. Recommended age: 7+ • Singing is something that can be enjoyed at all ages, but it is best not to start learning formally until 9+ years.

melbourne | winter 2017 | Offspring

63

Bettina seeks child talent Bettina Management works with Australia’s BIGGEST FASHION AND LIFESTYLE BRANDS across all industries.

E

stablished in 1992, Bettina Management is an exclusive child talent agency and the industry leader in the placement of talent in TV commercials, TV shows, film and catalogues.

Their talent also feature in fashion parades, musical theatre, miniseries, productions, promotions and events. The odds are, you have seen their talent shine on your TV screens or on billboards across the country!

After 25 years in the industry, Bettina Management has developed long standing relationships and earned access to industry platforms that give the highest exposure for their talent.

Representing talent from three months to 16 years, they hold complimentary personal interviews to ensure they handpick children of engaging temperament and with unique looks.

The entertainment industry is one of the largest industries in Australia, and arguably the world. It is a busy, fast-paced and ever-changing industry which can be difficult to navigate for even the most seasoned professional.

At Bettina Management, they aim to provide parents with as much information and guidance, as there are a few myths and misconceptions about children in the entertainment industry.

Here are four common myths exposed!

64

Offspring | winter 2017 | melbourne

1. Only blonde haired and blue eyed children get work: Most clients value confidence, diversity and an engaging personality above all else. Interaction with the camera and the client is key, after all, they want to see a child who shines on screen and in print!

2. Children must have acting or modelling experience to get work: Clients rarely expect children under 12 to have experience. Of course, it helps to have a brief introduction to modelling or acting if possible as this may set you apart in the casting or audition. For demanding acting roles, some clients approach acting schools to book talent.

3. Clients choose the same children repeatedly: This may be true for a handful of talent but this will only last for a few weeks or months if a child is doing a particularly great job! Remember, children change clothing size, grow or lose teeth so clients are constantly on the hunt for new talent to fill the varied and diverse roles they receive.

4. Children are expected to wear make-up: It’s a common misconception that all jobs will be very glamorous and require lots of hair and make-up. This is very far from the truth – clients want children to look like children, natural and fresh faced. It is all about having fun. If the child is having fun in the shoot, this will show in the final product.

If you are interested in finding out more about the industry or would like to book in for a complimentary interview and information session, please contact Bettina Management on 1300 888 611 or info@bettina.com.au www.offspringmagazine.com.au

Australia’s leading model & talent agency for kids

Having discovered and developed many little (and big!) stars over the years, we take as much delight in seeing our talent in print and on screen as they do.

“over 20 years experience in the entertainment industry”

Our talent has featured in TV commercials, TV series, feature films, major ‘Hollywood’ films, catalogues, billboards, magazines and more!

Does your little star love the camera?

Our experienced staff will explain what makes the industry ‘tick’ and can give you feedback about potential opportunities for your child.

Expansive Client Base 1300 888 611 bettina.com.au

Making stars since 1992

Melbourne | Sydney | Brisbane | Perth

SPECIAL FEATURE

DYNAMIC, AFFORDABLE CLASSES AT KM STUDIOS E

veryone is a star the Karen Margaret Studio of Performing Arts. Offering Drama, Acting, Dance and Singing, this dynamic and professionally-run school offers something for everyone. KMStudios is definitely the place to be and after 22 years in the business they know what they are doing and do it well.

This vibrant school conducts weekly classes for children aged 3-18 years teaching them about the magical world of stage and screen. You will be amazed at what they learn and how much they grow in confidence and self-esteem. Not only do they develop their skills as actors, dancers and singers but they also grow and develop within themselves which is one of the most important aspects.

KMStudios’ dedicated staff offer a nurturing and supportive environment where students are encouraged to see their potential and reach for the stars. All this whilst having fun, building confidence and learning skills that will last a lifetime.

KMStudios offers everything under one roof and at prices you can afford. The first class is free and it’s clear to see why these

children keep coming back for more.

An added bonus is KMStudios is associated with talent agency, Triple Talent Management, and have many children working professionally in such productions as “Nowhere Boys” and “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang”.

Locations - Doncaster, Mt Waverley & Box Hill North. Enrol Now!

Where everyone is a Star Performing Arts • 3-18 years

ACTING & DRAMA • DANCE • SINGING Est 1995 Congratulations to all students who are working professionally within the industry.

Branches in Mt Waverley, Doncaster and Box Hill.

ENROL NOW • LIMITED VACANCIES 0408 58 1943 or 9898 1275 • karenmargaretstudios@bigpond.com

www.karenmargaretstudios.com.au 66

Offspring | winter 2017 | melbourne

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

SPECIAL FEATURE

BUILDING CONFIDENCE AND CREATIVITY IN YOUNG CHILDREN

B

eginners OnStage has been operating at locations across Melbourne for over 15 years teaching 5 – 7 year old children the performing arts and helping them build important life skills.

Head of Beginners OnStage, Emily Wilkinson, discusses a new performing arts program she has created for young children aged 4-5.

Emily has created Foundation for pre-school aged children that aims to foster their early love of song and dance.

Students will play, explore and create using their imaginations, bodies and voices which, Emily says, is a way of nurturing their natural progression from the story-telling childhood experience to musical theatre.

“As toddlers, children learn through nursery rhymes and action stories, so at Beginners OnStage we want to develop that natural creative energy,” Emily

says.

In addition to regular Beginners OnStage classes, Foundation will open in Epping towards the end of February in response to the many requests the company received from their students’

families for a multi-skilled performing arts class for 4-5 year olds.

“Children this age are often so open to expression through song and dance, so if we can provide a fun and exciting place for them to engage in these activities then hopefully this passion and skill will follow them into the future,” Emily says.

To book a free try-out session in Epping or other locations across Melbourne call 8199 8344 or visit www.beginnersonstage.com.au

“To say we were happy, thrilled, delighted and convinced this was a great thing for our child to do would all be understatements!”

A division of Stage School Australia

Performing arts classes specially designed for 5-7 year olds.

• • • • •

Fun weekly rehearsal classes.

Develop language and articulation skills.

Develop musicality and rhythm.

Develop coordination and spatial awareness.

Build confidence and social skills.

18 locations across metro Melbourne, including a NEW venue in EPPING!

Call today to book a free try-out!

8199 8344 | beginnersonstage.com.au www.offspringmagazine.com.au

melbourne | winter 2017 | Offspring

67

SPECIAL FEATURE

FORTE AWARDED SCHOOL OF THE YEAR F

orte School of Music Wantirna is still celebrating after winning the coveted “School of the Year” award for the second year running. From an international pool of 15 music schools, Forte was recognised for their outstanding exam results, ongoing student incentive programs and for their amazing Forte Festival.

The Forte Festival is an annual highlight in the school’s calendar and allows every student the chance to perform on stage. “We are one of the only schools in Australia producing such large-scale concerts and our students love the experience!” says Director Kia Leong. She adds, “Performing is such an integral part of learning music and helps our students develop confidence and resilience.”

Forte Wantirna has had continued success in the past year with excellent exam results, with more than 75 per cent of students receiving an A or A+ result in their exams. “The key to our exceptional exam results is that students

are thoroughly prepared and our aim is to create wonderful musicians, who have a thorough understanding of the music they are playing,” notes Kia. “Our school has had phenomenal success in the past few years because we have always kept true to our core values.

Every student can shine in their own way and music is a lot more than just learning notes on a page. It is to be enjoyed – and we believe every child should experience the gift of learning music”.

safer materials, whole learning, and natural health

www.forbabyandup.com.au 68

Offspring | winter 2017 | melbourne

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

Poverty hurts. You can stop it.

Kayla is one of the 1.1 million young Australians living in poverty1.

Without support, the poverty Kayla is experiencing today will follow her through school and into adulthood.

But by sponsoring a child, you can empower them. You will help them access the extra tools, resources and personal support they need to make the most of school.

Please help end poverty, one student at a time.

1 ACOSS Poverty Report, 2016.

SPONSOR AN AUSTRALIAN CHILD TODAY 1800 316 946 or visit thesmithfamily.com.au

SPECIAL FEATURE

For the love of the game There are so many reasons parents want their children to take part in a sport – after all, being physically active is important as part of a healthy lifestyle and of course it is fun! So what sport is best for your child? We look into some popular options to help you make the decision.

BY BROOKE EVANS-BUTLER 70

Offspring | winter 2017 | melbourne

Swimming It is an exercise that is good for all ages and provides a workout for the whole body - and with our hot summers and access to indoor swimming pools year-round - swimming is a wonderful sport to consider for your child.

Swimming lessons can teach children how to swim and about water safety (although it is important to note swimming lessons do not replace the need for parents and carers to always supervise children around water).

Swimming can also be a good option for busy families as there are various ways to participate. You can enrol your child for lessons through private lessons at a swim school or at a local pool or leisure centre held after school, on weekends or in the evening. Many schools run swimming lessons at the local pool (or at the school if they have a pool), or many swim schools offer vacation swimming programs during the school holidays. www.offspringmagazine.com.au

your child to have fun, learn

Athletics

about water safety and be

If your child has lots of energy to burn, Little

Another option if you want

Athletics might be the perfect choice! A

active is the Surf Lifesaving

modified athletic program for children,

Nipper program. The program is aimed at children

more than 100,000 children participate in

from five to 13 years old and

Little Athletics across Australia. Suitable

is offered at surf lifesaving

for children aged five to 15, children get the

clubs around Australia.

opportunity to try sprints, hurdles, relays,

For details go to

shot put, javelin, high jump, long jump

www.sls.com.au

and more. Little Athletics encourages children of various abilities to come and

Gymnastics

achieve their personal best.

Check out www.littleathletics.com.au

Gymnastics helps develop coordination, confidence, posture, agility and strength and is a

Multi-Sports

great boredom buster!

Multi-sport exercise programs offer exercise

Gymnastics Australia offers a ‘KinderGym’ program for young

programs for young children that enable them to

children, right up to programs for adults, including trampoline gymnastics (now, how much fun does that sound!). Check out

get a taste of various sports in a fun and age-appropriate way.

Jungle Sports WA have various programs – from Jungle Cubs

Gymnastics Australia www.gymnastics.org.au Another great option to consider is Jungle Gym – a fantastic

for toddlers, which focusses on developing coordination and ball

facility in Perth offering fun classes to introduce your child to

skills and for older children- Jungle Soccer, Jungle Rugby and

gymnastics from the age of three years – such as jumping on

Jungle Multi-Sports, which gives kids a taste of a different sport

trampolines, swinging on Tarzan ropes and more through their

each week, including rugby, AFL, soccer, cricket, basketball,

age-appropriate and fun obstacle course.

netball, hockey and more! Sports are held indoors, so the kids can

Contacts: Jungle Gym, www.junglegym.com.au Gymnastics Australia, www.gymnastics.org.au

participate year round.

For details go to www.junglesports.com.au

REACH YOUR TARGET MARKET WITH OFFSPRING MAGAZINE! 270,000 READERS PER EDITION

AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST GLOSS A4 PARENTING MAGAZINE Also published online at www.offspringmagazine.com.au - an emerging new digital parenting resource.

BOOK NOW FOR SPRING 2017

chats family & fashion

WIN tickets to The Wiggles!

Special feature

Having a Baby?

Birth story real life

Tips for vegies & kids Kids & meditation

FREE

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

01 PERTH COVER.indd 1

A #1 US PA TRA TIT REN LIA LE TIN ’S G

More than 85% of our clients are regular, repeat advertisers due to the great value, service and results they receive from Offspring Magazine.

Spring 2015

Nat Bass

30/09/2015 19:13

Spaces are limited so 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

Australia’s largest parenting media

melbourne | winter 2017 | Offspring

71

SPECIAL FEATURE

Australian Martial Arts and Fitness Academy, www. australianmartialarts.com.au KMA Champion Martial Arts,

Ready Steady Go Kids is a preschool sport and

www.maritalartsforlife.com.au

exercise program, suitable for children from two and a half to six

Netball

years old. Children are introduced

Netball is a non-contact team

to soccer, tennis, basketball, hockey, golf,

sport, suitable for children from

AFL, rugby, athletics, cricket and T-ball – so there

age five up to adults. Although very

is little chance they will get bored! The program is held indoors so children can take part year-round, and there are many locations throughout the country.

For details go to www.readysteadygokids.com.au

Martial Arts

popular with girls, boys are welcome and encouraged to play as well. Your child might be shooting goals or playing in an attack or defence role depending on their position. Netball is a great game to encourage team work and fitness.

Go to Netball Australia, www.netball.com.au for more information.

It’s easy to see why many parents enrol their children into some form of martial arts – not only is it fun and good exercise - it

Basketball

develops self-esteem, confidence and respect and teaches safety

Basketball is a wonderful way for children to

skills.

Some parents will find the life skills that children learn through martial arts very appealing – and some kids just love it for the fun! Contact your local martial arts centre to see what

As an indoor sport, basketball can be played year-round and children of all abilities are encouraged. ‘Aussie Hoops’ is a program to

programs they offer for children. Many offer programs for

introduce children from 5 years old to basketball in a fun,

children as young as three years old.

modified program.

Check out: Kanga Karate, www.kangakarate.com

72

learn ball skills and to burn off some energy!

Offspring | winter 2017 | melbourne

Go to Basketball NSW for details, www.nswbasketball.net.au

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

Soccer If your child loves kicking a ball around the backyard, soccer might be a perfect fit. With the approach ‘Play not Push’, Little Kickers offers four fun modified programs, suitable for children aged from just 18 months up to seven years.

For details go to www.littlekickers.com.au

AFL If your child is an Eagles or Dockers fan, they have probably asked to play football. However, before your hair starts to turn grey thinking about the rough and tumble; check out NAB AFL Auskick. The program introduces boys and girls to Australian Football and aims to encourage a healthy lifestyle.

For details go to www.aflauskick.com.au

Cricket There is a reason cricket is known as a ‘gentleman’s

FACT

ANZ Tennis Hot Shots is played at more than 2000 venues around Australia.

game’ – it highly focusses on the importance of teamwork

A great introduction to the game is through the

adulthood.

Indoor cricket is also an option, which is a fun, shorter version of the outdoor game, which uses a softer ball suitable for the indoor court.

To find out more go to www.playcricket.com.au

and sportsmanship, as well as physical activity, so is a great sport for boys and girls try.

may continue playing at their local club into

Tennis

MILOin2CRICKET program, which introduces girls and boys

If you have a budding tennis player on your hands, ANZ Tennis

from five to eight years old to the game of cricket.

Hot Shots is a great way to introduce them to tennis, with a

There is also the option of joining a local club to play club cricket. Local cricket clubs can become like a family and a child

modified game using lighter racquets on a smaller court.

For more information go to www.hotshots.tennis.com.au

BOOK YOUR FREE TRIAL NOW!

Supercharge your child’s sporting potential

Ready Steady Go Kids: Best National Pre-Schooler Activity

T

We are Australia’s largest multi-sport program for 1.5–6 year olds!

• Learn the basics of 10 sports • Low child/coach ratios • Physio-designed, structured & FUN! • Over 200 locations nationally Franchise opportunities available

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

readysteadygokids.com.au 1300 766 892

erm 2 enrolments are now open for Ready Steady Go Kids!

Covering 10 great sports: Soccer, Tennis, Hockey, Rugby, Tball, Athletics, Basketball, Golf, AFL & Cricket with a gross motor focus.

All classes are indoors, with small class ratios and loads of FUN! The program is structured and progressive so it keeps your child learning new developmental skills in every class.

Ready Steady Go Kids was voted as the Best National PreSchooler Activity in 2015 & 2016 in the Whatson4kids awards, so why not book yourself a FREE TRIAL and see what all of the fuss is about! www.readysteadygokids.com.au

melbourne | winter 2017 | Offspring

73

In a world where you can expect the unexpected to happen it’s important to protect the people you love the most.

Peace of mind is priceless, visit our website alinsurance.com.au to find out how we can help you.

At Ann Little Insurance Brokers we believe in putting family first.

We offer our clients and their families peace of mind through our unique approach of combining education and expertise with superior solutions topped off with unbeatable service.

Ann is qualified to provide Risk Advice for: • • • •

Life Insurance Income Protection Trauma Cover Total and Permanent Disablement (TPD) • Business Expense Insurance • Key Person Insurance

CONTACT US ON 08 9 317 3172 OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE

Tarj Pty Ltd ATF Ann Little Insurance Brokers Trust T/As Ann Little Insurance Brokers are authorised representatives of Synchron AFS Licence No 243313

Stay water safe with AUSTSWIM D

rowning is a silent killer - it takes just a minute for a child to start drowning. That’s the time it takes to answer a phone call or put the kettle on.

Irrespective of aquatic ability, children are never completely safe when in, on or around water and must be constantly supervised.

Learn water safety and swimming with a licensed professional.

An AUSTSWIM teaching licence is the internationally recognised industry standard.

To find an AUSTSWIM recognised venue in your area or to become a skilled AUSTSWIM teacher of swimming and water safety visit www.austswim.com.au or call AUSTSWIM on 1300 885 666.

LEARN SWIMMING AND WATER SAFETY A SKILL FOR LIFE!

TOLL FREE 1300 885 666

www.austswim.com.au

YOUR CHILD DESERVES THE BEST ASK FOR AN ACCREDITED AUSTSWIM TEACHER™

THE AUSTRALASIAN COUNCIL FOR THE TEACHING OF SWIMMING AND WATER SAFETY.

74

Offspring | winter 2017 | melbourne

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

AUSTRALIAN FAMILIES WANT TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES Maximise your impact and connect with a readership of 270,000 families this Spring with Offspring Magazine’s special advertising offers!

SPRING 2017 SPECIAL FEATURES CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE If your business provides Christmas gift ideas for families then this special feature is for you! This is a great opportunity for you to tell families how they can benefit from your services.

• Gifts for Baby • Children’s toys • Children’s clothing • Something for Mum • Dad’s gifts • Gifts for grandparents and so much more!

HAVING A BABY GUIDE Our feature will provide mums with all the information they need to make sure they’re prepared for their new baby.

• Selecting a pram • Preparing a nursery and all the must-have items that go into it • Buying and fitting a car seat • Nappy bags • Skin care and bath products • Dressing baby • Feeding baby • Baby gifts and so much more!

GETAWAY GUIDE • Accomodation • Getaway options • Family packages /offers and so much more!

BOOK AN AD IN THE FEATURE AND RECEIVE FREE EDITORIAL!

Spaces are limited so call us now on 02 4326 1178 or 0415 267 414 or email advertising@offspringmagazine.com.au

www.offspringmagazine.com.au www.facebook.com/offspringmagazine

Australia’s largest parenting media

® MERINO KIDS the natural choice

AUSTRALIA’S FAVOURITE 100% NATURAL BABY SLEEP BAG, BABYWRAP, SLEEPWEAR AND CLOTHING COMPANY www.merinokids.com.au | facebook/merinokids | @merinokidsnz_aus