Kids in the City Magazine - Brisbane - Issue 07 by Shore Media

kidsinthecity www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au

1 st Birthday

ISSUE 07 September/October 2014 BRISBANE

! e e r F

The family budget

Happy

Easing into a return to work

Teen peer pressure

Circumcising our boys

07 Contents ISSUE

Av a

September/October 2014

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old yrs 0 1 s, 4

FROM THE EDITOR

WHAT’S NEWS

FEATURE: The family budget

12 CHECK THIS OUT 14 THE ‘P’ FILES: Returning to work 18 CALENDAR OF EVENTS: Find out what’s happening in Brisbane during September & October 20 EDUCATION: Nature as a teacher 24 BABIES ON THE COAST: Circumcising our boys 28 TEENS: Standing alone 30 GOOD HEALTH: Eyes, iPads and UV 34 REVIEWS

EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS: CASSY SMALL, SANDRA SMITH, MAXINE ARTHUR, BELINDA HOPPER, JESSICA JANE SAMMUT, KATE GIFFORD COVER PHOTOGRAPHY: VERVE PORTRAITS Kids in the City Magazine

@kidsinthecityBR

kidsinthecitymagazine

KIDS on the Coast/in the City

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Printed with vegetable/soy based inks on paper supplied using pulp sourced from sustainable forests and manufactured to environmentally accredited systems. WE ENCOURAGE RECYCLING. Please keep this issue for future reference, pass onto your friends and family, use for craft projects or place into the recycling bin. www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2014 – Kids in the City

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WELCOME

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MEDIA PUBLISHED BY Mother Goose Media PTY LTD PO Box 491, Eumundi QLD 4562 PHONE: 1300 430 320 FAX: 07 5442 7253 ABN: 86 473 357 391 WEB: www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au

EDITORIAL / PRODUCTION PUBLISHER: Toni Eggleston EDITOR: Jackie Goldston ADMINISTRATION: Kellie Kruger admin@mothergoosemedia.com.au

I love September and October in Brisbane. It is a great time to get out and about and enjoy the many advantages that we have living in such an amazing environment. And the wonderful thing about Brisbane is that we have an array of activities that cost nothing or very little to enjoy. It is perfect weather for a birthday – and we are excited to be celebrating our first birthday for Kids in the City Magazine. We are very proud of what we have achieved over the past 12 months in Brisbane and look forward to many more years of being a part of the Brisbane parenting and family community. This edition we examine how to manage your family budget. The Government has been calling for us all to tighten our belts so we help you take a look at where your money is going and offer a few simple adjustments to help you spend less and still live well. We also delve into the experience of going back to work after taking time out with your family. It can be a nervous time for any parent starting a new challenge in the workforce or even going back to the same role after being on maternity leave. Speaking of new challenges, I am leaving Kids in the City magazine after more than 3 years. I am going back to my roots of strategic marketing. I am leaving with a heavy heart as Mother Goose Media (the owner of KITC) is an exciting and ever changing working environment, filled with passionate people. As always, our spring edition is full of fabulous articles, news, reviews and information. We would love to hear what you think. All of our articles are online and you can comment and discuss the topics on our website or Facebook page. We add topical news stories daily as well as blogs, new articles and movie, product, app and book reviews. Do you have something Visit our website that you want to share? Please feel free to contact our team via Facebook.com/ kidsinthecitymagazine, our website or email. Don’t forget to sign up for our What’s On eNews that comes out weekly at www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au.

PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT: Alana Falk production@mothergoosemedia.com.au GRAPHIC DESIGN: Michelle Craik & Alana Falk PRINTING: Print Works, 07 3865 4433 All editorial and advertising in Kids on the Coast and Kids in the City publications is published in good faith based on material, verbal or written, provided by contributors and advertisers. No responsibility is taken for errors or omissions and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. All material in Kids in the City is subject to copyright provisions. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Feedback/comments/suggestions? Send to: editorial@mothergoosemedia.com.au. We aim to reply to all correspondence but don’t guarantee to do so. Letters to the editor may be edited for length or clarity.

DISTRIBUTION Distributed directly to parenting hotspots across South East Queensland. Kids in the City (Brisbane edition) is a free publication circulating over 20,000 copies from North Lakes to Springwood and covering all suburbs to Jindalee. Separate editions cover the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. Kids on the Coast (Gold Coast edition) is a free publication circulating over 18,000 copies from Tweed Heads to Coomera, including Hinterland.

Jackie Goldston, Editor in Chief

Kids on the Coast (Sunshine Coast edition) is a free publication circulating over 20,000 copies from Caloundra to Noosa, including hinterland

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ADVERTISING Call 1300 430 320 or email your Sales Account Manager. BRISBANE Joanne - advertising@kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au SUNSHINE COAST advertising@kidsonthecoast.com.au GOLD COAST Nicole - gc@kidsonthecoast.com.au

Visit www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au BOOST EXPOSURE OF YOUR EVENT IN OUR NEXT GUIDE! Call 1300 430 320

For distribution enquiries phone: 1300 430 320 or email: admin@mothergoosemedia.com.au

Kids in the City – SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2014

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Whatsnews DID Stay up to date with your local community news. If you have any unique news that you’d like to share, please contact our editor at editorial@kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au

Visit our website for more news, www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au/news

BRISBANE FESTIVAL FAMILY FUN WILL BANISH BOREDOM

Brisbane Festival’s rip-roaring program of family fun at The Telstra Spiegeltent, featuring lively and adventurous shows for children of all ages, is on a mission to banish boredom during September’s weekends and school holidays. Brisbane Festival Artistic Director Noel Staunton said this year’s family program was sure to captivate audiences, both young and old. “We have lined up three mesmerising shows for the younger generation, but they also provide plenty of fantastic entertainment and laughs for the young at heart, too. This year’s performers really push the human body – and our imagination – to the limit and it makes for quite a spectacle,” Mr Staunton said. Brisbane Festival runs from 6 to 27 September 2014. For more information visit www.brisbanefestival.com.au.

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MINECRAFT BRISBANE CITY MAP

Brisbane City Council has developed a custom Minecraft map for the city of Brisbane which is available as a free download. The custom scaled map includes a number of city icons such as City Hall, the Brisbane River, South Bank lagoon, Brisbane Square, the Story Bridge and the Gabba. Users can explore these real life buildings which have all been built to scale using Council's Virtual Brisbane 3D modelling objects. The Brisbane City map is available for play in 'creative mode' and allows players to access most resources and items in the game through the inventory menu in order to build their own versions of the city. Visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au and search Minecraft for more information. 6

Kids in the City – SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2014

ONE IN SIX QUEENSLAND KIDS SKIP BREAKFAST

The latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows 15.9 per cent of Queensland school children skip breakfast, above the national average of 14.8 per cent. Cancer Council is calling on parents to boost the brekkie habits of Queensland kids. Cancer Council Queensland spokesperson Katie Clift said missing the first meal of the day was a worrying trend that was getting worse. “Five years ago 10.8 per cent of Australian school children skipped breakfast – that’s increased by four per cent in a very short timeframe,” Ms Clift said. “Eating a nutritious, substantial breakfast is an essential part of having a healthy, balanced diet. “Research reinforces the importance of breakfast in improving brain function in children – they can focus better, are more alert and able to concentrate while at school. Making breakfast a non-negotiable meal will give children a better chance of having a healthier diet overall, reducing their risk of a range of chronic diseases long term.” One in three cancers are preventable through lifestyle factors including eating healthily and maintaining a healthy weight. Having a poor diet can cause children to become overweight or obese, increasing the risk of a range of chronic diseases including some cancers. Visit cancerqld.org.au for more information.

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FEATURE

THE FAMILY BUDGET By Sandra Smith THE GOVERNMENT IS CALLING FOR US ALL TO TIGHTEN OUR BELTS, SO WE NEED TO BE PREPARED TO CUT EXPENSES AND LIVE MORE FRUGALLY. IF WE TAKE A LOOK AT WHERE OUR MONEY IS GOING AND MAKE A FEW SIMPLE ADJUSTMENTS, WE CAN SPEND LESS AND STILL LIVE WELL. BY CHANGING OUR SPENDING HABITS, WE’RE ABLE TO GET THE BILLS PAID ON TIME AND HAVE THE BENEFIT OF EXTRA CASH, LESS STRESS AND STRONGER FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS.

TIPS FOR SAVING MONEY

Australian families spend up to $1,900 per week on general living expenses, according to ASIC’s MoneySmart website. The biggest household expense for Australians is housing, followed by transport and recreation. Some of our costs are fixed, but we can look at saving money on variable household expenses. LOWER ENERGY COSTS - Reduce power bills by turning appliances off at the wall when not in use, and use the clothes dryer sparingly. Invest in insulation to minimise cooling and heating costs for your home. Install a water-efficient shower head, have two-minute showers and wash clothes with cold water. REVIEW LEISURE COSTS - Precious resources can trickle away unnoticed on poor choices. You don’t have to quit all the fun stuff, just reduce spending on extras like alcohol, takeaway coffee and magazines. Plan a picnic in the park, invite friends and family to play cricket on the beach or sit down with the kids for a game of Monopoly. LIMIT SPENDING ON GIFTS - Set an affordable limit for Christmas and birthday gifts and stick to it. Don’t get caught up in a credit card spending frenzy; the extra debt often takes months to pay off.

Kids in the City – SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2014

CUT GROCERY BILLS - Plan ahead and take a shopping list to the supermarket to avoid impulse buys. Buy generic brands and shop fortnightly to pick up bulk-buy bargains. Support local growers by buying fresh produce at a farmers’ market. COOK MEALS AT HOME - Take your lunch to work and send the kids to school with packed lunches. Look for recipes that use cheaper ingredients like beans, vegetables and pasta, and try baking your own biscuits and cakes if you have time. As well as being economical, home-cooked meals are more nourishing and tasty. USE ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORT - Cars are costly, with insurance, registration and petrol on top of financing costs. Combine shopping and business errands into one trip or leave the car at home. Try car pooling, walking, riding a bicycle or using public transport instead. GENERATE INCOME FROM YOUR HOME - Think outside the square and look creatively for ways to save some money at home. Plant vegetables in your backyard, rent out that spare room, turn a homebased hobby into a small business or start a weekend market stall. RECYCLE - De-clutter your home with a garage sale and turn unwanted items into cash. Look for good quality second-hand goods and make big savings. Have a “fashion swap party” with friends, where clothes, shoes and jewellery can be exchanged and shared with friends.

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FEATURE

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SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2014 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Kids in the City

FEATURE

SETTING UP A FAMILY BUDGET

Creating a budget for the first time and realising just how much money is needed to cover even the basic bills can be a shock. Is our spending greater than our income? If it is, then we’re headed for a financial crisis. Uniting Care Community financial counsellor Mark Bates says the more realistic the budget, the better. While the family budget doesn’t have to be carved in stone, Mark advises that even if it’s basic, it gets us thinking about our spending and our priorities. Maintain a spending diary to keep track of expenditure. Be honest and write down every expense, including the small purchases. Those cappuccinos and takeaway meals could be costing more than you think. “Spending diaries are good because they make your budget accurate and they also give you time to reflect on what you’re actually buying,” Mark says. The Raising Children Network website (www.raisingchildren.net.au) provides links to budget planners and money guides. There are also phone apps available to help with budgeting.

SPENDING PRIORITIES Mark says the most important priority for families is always housing, followed by medication and keeping the electricity and telephone connected. He says food is way down the line, because there are charities that can help with that. “Once you’ve paid those four things, what you choose to spend your money on is your choice, but you’ve got to cover those four,” he says. “The first one, a roof over your head, is the single most important thing. Go without food if you have to, but pay your rent.” People are much more savvy than they were three or four years ago, says Mark. They have already switched off the extra fridge or turned the air conditioning down a notch, but the cost of living is still rising. “If you look at the national figure, electricity usage is declining; people are using less. Consumption is down and prices are still up, and that’s what people are finding frustrating,” Mark says. “Whatever they do doesn’t make any difference; the bills are going up and up.” Mark advises that the old-fashioned values that we were brought up with actually still work, and he says that family and friends are more important than the latest iPhone. “Focus on the things that you need,” he says.

DEALING WITH A FINANCIAL CRISIS

says. “The problem is that they are all things that just happen to you. You’ve got no control.” In his role as financial counsellor, Mark provides people with information, support and possible advocacy. He may speak to creditors on the client’s behalf and walk people through the next steps in managing the crisis. [Call: 1800 007007 to speak to a Uniting Care Community financial counsellor.] Mark says there has been a big change in the demographic of families approaching Uniting Care Community for financial counselling, with more middle class and affluent families needing help. These people often have greater ambitions, explains Mark, but things can go terribly wrong if there’s a crisis. He warns that relying on credit and moving money around will catch up with them eventually. “They’ll have, generally, some more financial skills in the first place, and what that often means is they can actually access credit for longer. They can build the house of cards and it takes a bit longer for it to collapse,” Mark says. Long-term unemployment can lead to a loss of self-confidence and feelings of failure, particularly in men, who traditionally see themselves as the breadwinners. Mark says that families in financial hardship also tend to become very isolated. “Having no money is lonely. That’s part of the reality,” he says. “Their kids don’t go on school trips. They themselves tend to stay home because they can’t go out and spend money. And then they’ll feel guilty if they do go out.”

COPING WITH JOB LOSS

Making ends meet on a limited income when circumstances change isn’t easy. Sunshine Coast mother-of-four Amy has had to survive on a reduced income after a serious work injury in 2010 left her with a permanent impairment. Amy’s husband, Michael, also had to give up work to care for her. Raising four boys on a low income has been a challenge for Amy and Michael. They are careful with money, but they find it hard to stick to their budget and they often dip into their savings to get through the week. Rent is $420 a week and their last electricity bill was over $800, so covering these expenses is a struggle. Their eldest son, aged 17, is now working, but Amy says there are constant outlays for the other children, who are aged 14, nine and six. To get by, Amy tries to cut back wherever she can. She does a lot of home cooking and makes school lunches for the kids; she buys meat and vegetables in bulk and stocks up her chest freezer; and she uses shopper dockets and buys petrol using discount cards.

Even with careful budgeting, there may still be a crisis due to circumstances that are beyond our control.

The family goes beach camping in their camper trailer during the school holidays, and for a special treat they will go to the Gold Coast theme parks using discounted season passes. There is an initial outlay of money for the passes, but it’s an affordable day out because they can pack their own lunches and drinks.

“We can say with reasonable confidence that there are only three things that ever push someone into financial crisis: end of a relationship, ill-health, job loss, or a combination of all three,” Mark

Amy’s youngest boy plays soccer, funded by the Queensland Government’s Get Started program, which provides a voucher that helps pay for club membership or sporting fees.

Kids in the City – SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2014

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FEATURE

“We used that for him to do soccer, which is great because that paid for everything except his uniform,” Amy explains. The other two children want to do gymnastics but Amy says they just can’t afford it. Michael was a landscaper prior to Amy’s injury, and though he’s now able to return to work, he’s having difficulty finding a job. “There’s just no work around. We’re both 35 and the older you get the harder it is,” Amy says. Amy is worried about the impact on her family of the changes outlined in the 2014-15 Federal Government budget. “We’re pretty scared about it at the moment,” she says. “If it does come, I think we might be in a bit of trouble.”

MANAGING WITH A NEW BABY

Paid Parental Leave provides financial support for new mums so they can have time off work after their baby is born, but when these payments finish, there are tough decisions to be made about work and child care.

TOP TIPS TO SAVE MONEY › Turn appliances off at the wall › Switch off lights when not in use › Install a water-efficient shower head › Wash clothes with cold water › Plan your errands and save on petrol › Where possible leave the car at home: walk or ride a bike › Cut down on alcohol and coffee › Have a garage sale › Rent out a spare room › Cook meals at home › Take a packed lunch to work and school › Buy generic brand groceries › Go grocery shopping once a fortnight › Support your local farmers’ market › Limit spending on Christmas and birthday gifts › Review your mortgage every 3-5 years › Revisit your mobile, internet and energy plans

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Local mum Katie had to return to part-time work when her baby, Charlie, was six months old and her parental leave payments stopped. Katie’s partner, Ben, is a fisherman who relies on a percentage of the catch, but his income fluctuates and is dependent on the weather and season. With the birth of Charlie, there are now four children in the family, and Katie says they can’t survive on one wage. The family finances have improved since Katie returned to work, though there is now the cost of child care to take into account. As well as paying their mortgage and car loan, Katie and Ben also maintain an investment property, so getting all the bills paid on time requires good money management. Katie says they don’t have a strict budget, but they know how much has to be in their account at the end of the month to cover the major bills. Their household living costs are kept under control through a range of strategies. At home Katie has cloth nappies and she only uses disposables when she is out or when Charlie goes to day care. Katie doesn’t buy any luxury things for the baby and she goes without personal items, like her favourite brand of make-up, though she admits that is hard. “As a mum, you tend to miss out on a lot of things. You don’t get the stuff you would normally get,” she says. Instead of going to a restaurant for a meal, the family will get takeaway food for a treat, but it will be McDonalds for the kids and noodles for the adults. “We haven’t been out for dinner as a family or even just as a couple for a long time. It’d be a good six months to a year,” she says. Shopping around for bargains also makes the money stretch a bit further, so Katie does her research and buys good quality secondhand baby equipment on Gumtree or eBay when she can. She bought two little activity tables, a pram and other things. For Katie and Ben, it’s the small savings in a lot of different areas that make their money go further. During school holidays the older children may go camping for a few days with their Dad, and they go to the movies once or twice over the holidays, but it will be at an independent cinema where the tickets are cheaper.

WHATEVER OUR FINANCIAL SITUATION, THERE’S NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT TO SET UP A BUDGET AND CUT BACK ON HOUSEHOLD SPENDING. THIS WILL PREPARE US FOR ANY CHANGES THAT MAY LIE AHEAD, ON A NATIONAL OR A PERSONAL LEVEL.

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2014 – Kids in the City

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7 5 6 1. DIGIBIRDS: It’s no wonder these interactive birdy friends won Toy of the Year 2014. These virtual pets chirp, tweet, sing and move, responding to their owners’ whistles (using a whistle ring that doubles as a perch). Put two or more together and they sing in unison. From $14.95. In stores and online. 2. REVERSIBLE NAPPY CHANGE BAG: This Lyn’s Labels nappy bag is sure to inject some style into your baby items. The waterproof, Italian faux leather bag cleverly converts to a change mat, a stylish tote and great sports bag and comes with key chain and petite traveller bag. RRP: $198.50 (plus postage) www.lynslabel.com.au 3. ROAD TAPE: Now your car-obsessed child can turn every surface into a roadway or highway. This amazing tape will stick to everything: chairs, tables, shelves and floors. Donkey My First Autobahn Car Track Tape builds 33m of roadways and comes with a tiny toy car. Train tape also available. From $19.95, available online. 4. LOVE LOCKETS: Whether you’re capturing memories or creating new ones, Love Lockets is the perfect way to tell your story with interchangeable lockets and charms. Prices start from $6. Available in stores or online www.lovelockets.com.au 5. ABC DRAWERS: A fun yet practical piece of furniture for your child's bedroom. With 26 drawers, there is plenty of space for little treasures, clothes and toys! Made from Recycled Natural Timber, it will add a nostalgic feel to their space. $1,949 from Domayne www.domayneonline.com.au 6. FAIRY GARDEN KIT: Add a little wonder to your garden and ignite your imagination with a gorgeous fairy garden Kit. Perfect for all ages, makes a great gift for the young and the young at heart. Colourful and delightful....this kit will make you smile from the inside. All pieces are ready to go and suitable for the outdoors, fill a pot with flowers add your kit and let the wonder begin.... Range of Fairy Garden Kits starting from $29.00. Featured Pink Washing Day Kit RRP $37.00 + Post. FREE bag of fairy treasure added into every kit! www.etsy.com/shop/pinkydinkydesigns. 7. PIRATE ROCKING SHIP: Ahoy m’hearties! Sailing the seas has never been more fun. Let your little pirate indulge their imagination in in this rocking ship from Hip Interiors For Kids. RRP$300 www.hipinteriorsforkids.com.au

Kids in the City – SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2014

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SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2014 – Kids in the City

THE P FILES

“WHAT IF I CAN’T DO MY JOB AS WELL AS I USED TO?”

“CAN I MAKE IT THROUGH A DAY IN THE OFFICE?” “WILL MY LITTLE ONE BE OKAY WITHOUT ME?”

“WHAT IF I AM STUCK IN TRAFFIC ON THE WAY TO CHILDCARE?”

HI HO HI HO IT’S BACK TO WORK I GO By Maxine Arthur

It is normal for mothers returning to work to feel anxious about the many financial and logistical issues that need to be considered. Emotions such as guilt about leaving a child in someone else’s care and a loss of confidence in your work skills can also be difficult to deal with. Returning to work may be even harder if you have been out of the workforce until your children reach school age or older. You may be returning to work for financial reasons, the most common reason given in surveys. Perhaps you wish to continue in a career that you have worked hard to advance in or you are itching to try a new career path. Many mums miss the mental stimulation and social interaction of working outside the home.

CREATING A WORK–LIFE BALANCE THAT WORKS FOR YOU Emma Walsh is the founder and director of Mums at Work, a provider of return to work guidance that is family friendly. Emma recommends that you: “Look at all the aspects of returning to work to get a picture of what work–life happiness is for you and always make sure you prioritise your self-care (nurture and support that you need). Getting that balance right by figuring out what you need in advance is the key.” “To work out your balance, consider the following aspects: finances (e.g. does your family need you to go back to work and if so, what is the minimum salary you need?), childcare (what sort of care do you want for your baby/child?), what is it you want out of your next career move, and do you need support and guidance to work through these things to make the best choice possible for you and your family?” “Ask yourself what you can do to look after yourself. Be mindful of the foods you are eating and make time for relaxation activities, whether that is watching a movie, reading a good book or having a massage.” “However you choose to blend your career with your new family, it’s about working out what’s most important to you and for your future career and life. Every family is different: what works for one is different for another. Achieving ‘work and life happiness’ is about setting your own goals, running your own race, and then calling your fans and supporters for help along the journey and giving it in return! But you have to be prepared to adjust your plans and expectations as your children grow, and as you and your work change.”

Kids in the City – SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2014

PEACE OF MIND MEANS FINDING QUALITY CHILDCARE You cannot return to work successfully if you are worrying constantly about the welfare of your child. But first let’s separate the perfectly understandable fact that you will miss being together all day from the ‘mummy guilt’ of leaving your child in someone else’s care. Yes, you may both feel anxious about separation, though the evidence shows that most children find it less stressful than their mothers and it does get easier for you when you see that your child is happy. As for the guilt, don’t buy into it and don’t allow others to burden you with it. Quality childcare can play a positive role in your child’s development. You will soon realise that your child is benefitting from new social and learning environments. A US study looked at the influence of both childcare and the home environment on over 1,000 typically-developing children. They concluded that children who attend childcare have the same outcomes as children who are cared for at home. Whether a child attends day care or not, it is the family that has a major impact on their child’s development, with the parents’ interactions with the child being a critically important factor. The more difficult issues with childcare are availability and cost. Waiting lists can be long, and locations may be inconvenient to work and home. Care for Kids, a leading childcare organisation, reported in its 2014 survey that 30 per cent of working parents say that working is financially unviable due to the high cost of childcare. Many women report that they are working solely to advance their careers and are not financially better off. Emma suggests that childcare is the number one obstacle for mums returning to work. “Finding the right care for your child around the times you need to work is difficult. Many families do not have extended family nearby to lean on for childcare and so they have to rely on paid care. Choosing childcare for your baby can be one of the most important decisions you make as a new parent. Therefore, it is important that you thoroughly research your available options. Try discussing the types of childcare you may prefer (and can afford) with your partner or family, as well as what might suit your family’s needs (and that of your baby).” “Whoever you choose to care for your child, you must feel

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THE P FILES comfortable with your decision. The primary goal for most parents is that their child will be cared for in a nurturing, safe and stimulating environment. Planning is the key to a successful placement and you should start this planning well in advance of you needing the care. Many childcare centres and Family Day Care schemes have long waiting lists, and other options such as selecting a nanny can be very time consuming.” “Visiting and talking to the carers will be your best chance of finding the perfect place for your child. If possible, try to drop into the centre or Family Day care home outside of your appointment time so that you can see how things ‘really’ work and try to visit at a couple of different times of the day. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. You’re entrusting these people with your baby. For example, ask to see the meal prepared for that day, take a look at the nappy change area and assess its cleanliness, ask to see the baby’s sleep area, ask questions about how the staff would respond to a specific first aid or safety situation.”

PLANNING A CONFIDENT RETURN TO WORK Tips and tricks (adapted from Mums@Work website)

• B e organised, create a return to work and ‘to do’ list. Identify what you will need to tend to, what support will you need, how you will make the transition back. Be realistic and give yourself the time and space needed to work through it. • R eview your life and career plans; what’s important to you since becoming a parent? What interests you and what would you like to gain from return to work (RTW)? How do you see family and friends fitting in? • T ell your family and friends you’re planning on RTW. Get in touch with past colleagues and associates too. Ask parents you know who have RTW and ask how they did it. Join network groups you think will help with your RTW such as Linked In and Facebook or industry associations. • S et aside a certain amount of time per week to work on your RTW. When back at work expect the first few months back to be full of ups and downs, it’s normal. Use the mum-grapevine to vent the lows and get ideas to make it easier. • M ake a list of all the things you’ve done since becoming a parent: the skills you’ve acquired; the extra-curricular study or unpaid work etc and include these in your resume. Don’t leave an unexplained gap. Format your resume to highlight your strengths and experience not your absence.

Mothers returning to work can become stressed very quickly if they try to do everything at home they were doing before. Research shows that men aren’t always taking on more responsibility for home and children when their partners return to work. Talk to your husband about sharing chores, determining together which ones are absolutely necessary for the household to function and which can be done less frequently. Consider home delivered internet supermarket shopping. Emma suggests: “Have a discussion with your partner and brainstorm possibilities such as: tag team drop-off and pick-ups, get the grandparents to do one pick-up a week, prepare lunches and lay out breakfast the night before.” Make changes to family routines, including childcare, some weeks before you start work. Once you start back, concentrate on establishing new work and family routines before taking on any extras such as volunteering and socialising. Learn to say ‘No’ to avoid overload. Remember to organise back-up care for when your child is unwell. Do not underestimate how many bugs your child may pick up in early childcare days.

NEGOTIATING A FAMILY-FRIENDLY RETURN TO WORK Be confident in asking your employer for ‘reasonable’ job arrangements that will allow you to meet your responsibilities as a parent of preschool age children. Emma says that employers are increasingly open to such negotiation. “Largely due to Australia’s labour skill shortages in the last decade and our rapidly aging population, organisations are acknowledging the need to offer flexible working arrangements in order to attract and retain talented people.” “Employees have increased access to flexible work under the National Employment Standards (NES). Working parents with children under school age have the right to request a flexible work arrangement. Employers have an obligation to investigate the viability of the flexible work request and formally respond, in writing, to the employee’s request. The employer may not reject the employee’s request unless it is deemed ‘unreasonable’.”

• W e are often our own worst enemy. Have confidence in your skills and experience and the chances are others will too! Remember, being a parent is often the toughest job many of us will ever do — your patience, negotiation skills and adaptability will come in handy when back at work.

“However, access to flexibility is a high priority for many employees, not just parents and this is also reflected in the NES. Recent research reveals that with 67 per cent of employers in Australia using flexible working arrangements to retain their employees, it is now the most widely used staff engagement strategy.”

• S eek out a career counsellor to help you figure out what you want and how to find it. Register on job boards that support parents find flexible employment such as www.careermums.com.au

USEFUL LINKS

• T hink about your flexibility needs; propose a few options to your manager and how you see it working; present the benefits and how you plan to overcome any drawbacks; ask your manager for a meeting to discuss and to provide their response in writing. • G et out there, have a go and learn from setbacks. If things don’t always go according to plan then review your options and reassess next steps.

SHARING THE WORKLOAD

Kids in the City – SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2014

Mums at Work provides return to work guidance and job search skills. Under the Resources tab you will find a wealth of practical information. They also sell a Return to Work Toolkit for Parents for $39.95. See www.mumsatwork.com.au Career Mums is an employment site for working parents and parents returning to work. Under the Candidates and Resources headings at the foot of the Home page there is much useful advice for job seekers. See www.careermums.com.au

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SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2014 – Kids in the City

Stick this calendar on your fridge!

Brisbane

EVERY SATURDAY AND SUNDAY

WILD ENCOUNTERS Where: Walkabout Creek, The Gap When: 11am & 1:30pm (30min) Join a ranger to learn about parks and meet wildlife up close. Catch a glimpse of the elusive platypus and say hello to some creek creatures. Details: Admission price to Wildlife Centre. Sign up on the day. www.nprsr.qld.gov.au WEEKLY

GOLD ‘N’ KIDS Council runs GOLD 'n' Kids (GnK) activities (as part of the Active and Healthy Lifestyle program) for children, aged four years and over, and seniors to enjoy together. www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/whats-on/eventslisted-type/sports-recreation-programs/ gold-n-kids

SEPTEMBER 1 FOR 10 WEEKS

BUBACISE – FEEL GOOD FITNESS MOTIVATED BY PURE HEALTH CLUBS Where: Little Stanley Street Lawns, South Bank When: 9am to 10am A must for mums and bubs – Pure Health Clubs instructor, Emma, will help you bond with your baby while targeting all of the areas that need strengthening and toning post natal. Details: Free! visitsouthbank.com.au for further details.

ADVENTURE KIDS Sept 1, 8 - Cubberla Creek Reserve, 129 Fig Tree Pocket Road, Kenmore Sept 2, 9 - Booker Place Park, Sugarwood Street, Birkin Road, Bellbowrie Sept 5, 12 - Sherwood Forest Park, 57 Dewar Terrace, Sherwood, Australia When: 3:30pm to 4:30pm Activities include putting up tents, orienteering, parachute games, super rockets, bush walking, water squirting challenges, obstacle courses and treasure hunts! Ages 6 to 12 years. Details: Coolsports 3102 5437, www.brisbane.qld.gov.au

FRIDAYS

TINY TUTUS PRESCHOOL BALLET Where: Upper Mt Gravatt Progress Hall, 1873 Logan Rd, Upper Mt Gravatt When: 9am to 11am Ballet for princesses, 16 months - 5 years. Details: $50 Annual Registration + $175 10 Week Tuition. Phone 1300 245 060 www.tinytutus.com.au NEW!

TOP SECRET: LICENCE TO SPY Where: Sciencecentre, Level 1, Corner of Grey & Melbourne Streets, South Bank When: 9:30am to 5pm In Top Secret: Licence to Spy, act as a secret agent, uncovering facts and investigating leads to determine which of the suspects, if any, can be implicated in the crime. Details: Free with Sciencentre admission. www.sciencentre.qm.qld.gov.au UNTIL 12 DECEMBER

THE SPACE SHOW Where: Sciencecentre, Level 1, Corner of Grey & Melbourne Streets, South Bank When: Show times vary daily, check on admission Learn about our Solar System, gravity, light, rockets and more. Details: Free with Sciencentre Admission www.sciencentre.qm.qld.gov.au

LIBRARY EVENTS Find details of FREE events like storytelling, baby rhyme time, art and craft and free movie screenings at your local library by visiting: www.brisbane.qld.gov.au

CHINESE MOON FESTIVAL Where: Chinatown Mall, Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley When: 5pm to 10pm The festivities will include lion dances, traditional Chinese dancing, firecrackers, fire shows, roving entertainment, traditional market stalls and much more for all to enjoy. Details: www.brisbane.qld.gov.au SEPTEMBER 6

MEET ANDY GRIFFITHS Where: Brisbane City Hall, 64 Adelaide Street, Brisbane When: 5pm to 6pm Don’t miss the opportunity to meet Andy when he comes to Brisbane to speak about his latest book in The Treehouse series, The 52-Storey Treehouse. Details: www.brisbane.qld.gov.au SEPTEMBER 6 TO 27

BRISBANE FESTIVAL There’s a whole lot of fun for families during September at Brisbane Festival. With a delightful variety of acts across the city, your kids (and you) will be entertained for hours, in and out of September school holiday time. Details: www.brisbanefestival.com.au

SEPTEMBER 21

SEPTEMBER 20 TO 21

MONSTER MASQUERADE BALL

KAPUT - BRISBANE FESTIVAL Where: The Telstra Spiegeltent, Cultural Forecourt, South Bank When: 20th - 11am & 1pm; 21st - 11am A hilarious mix of chaos, comedy and acrobatics for all ages! Details: All tickets $20. www.brisbanefestival.com.au SEPTEMBER 20

WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE – INTERACTIVE STORYTELLING AND DRAMA Where: C A O’Sullivan Park, Acacia Ridge, Beaudesert and Mannington Rd, Acacia Ridge When: 2pm to 4pm. C A O’Sullivan Park, Acacia Ridge – Beaudesert and Mannington Road, Acacia Ridge Q 4110 Starting with a reading of the book Where the Wild Things Are, this workshop then offers a drama workshop based around the story. Details: Free. Bookings essential, visit www.bazilgrumble.com.au

Where: 10am to 12noon - Bowman Park, Bowman Parade, adjoining Ithaca Creek 2pm to 4pm - Oriel Park, Kitchener Road and Lancaster Roads, Ascot Come dressed in your finest monster gear and make a marvellous monster mask to scare all your friends. After that you will be ready for the monsters ball! Details: $5 per participant. Bookings essential, visit www.bazilgrumble.com.au SEPTEMBER 22

CREEK CREATURES Where: Old Inala Hall, Cnr Abelia and Rosemary Sts, Inala Dip-net for the creatures that live in Boss Creek, then create your own creek creature to take home using clay and natural materials. Ages 4 to 11 years. Details: Free. Bookings essential. Phone Council's Contact Centre 07 3403 8888. http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/whats-on/ audience/kids-activities#/?i=7

Soap, Brisbane Festival

SEPT 7

Father’s Day

SEPTEMBER 6

6to7

CLUBLINK

Sept 1, 8 - Gregory Park, 128 Baroona Road, Milton Sept 2, 9 - Harmony Gardens, Memorial Park Drive, Dutton Park Sept 3, 10, 17 - Perth Street Park, Perth Street, Camp Hill Sept 11, - Perrin Park, Josling Street, Toowong, Australia When: 3:30pm to 4:30pm Come along and experience a different sport each week. Find the sport that's right before signing up. Details: Coolsports 3102 5437, www.brisbane.qld.gov.au

SPORTS FOR LITTLE KIDS Sept 1, 8 - Gregory Pk, 128 Baroona Rd, Milton Sept 3, 10, 17 - Perth Street Park, Perth Street, Camp Hill When: 3:30pm to 4:30pm Build confidence in sport for 3 to 5 year olds through learning basic physical skills (throw, catch etc) while improving their social skills. Details: Coolsports 3102 5437, www.brisbane.qld.gov.au SEPTEMBER 3 TO 5

BRISBANE WRITERS FESTIVAL - FOR KIDS! Where: Held in and around the State Library of Queensland, QUT Gardens Point campus, University of Queensland and online. Word Play 2014 is the Brisbane Writers Festival program for students and young people.For students in Grades 4 to 10, Word Play is three days of literature, art, history and science Details: http://bwf.org.au/for-kids

Kids in the City – SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2014

Kaput - Brisbane Festival

SEPT

CALENDAR

Tiny Art Workshops

- in the city

SEPTEMBER 6 TO 7

SEPTEMBER 20

SEPTEMBER 23 TO 27

DO DO LAND - BRISBANE FESTIVAL

INVESTIG8 ART

LOOM BAND WORKSHOP

Where: Reddacliff Place Stage, 266 George St, Brisbane City When: 6th - 6:45pm and 9pm, 7th - 6:45pm Based on Alice in Wonderland, gaze in awe, as a troupe of world class acrobats fly to spectacular heights in front of the magnificent Treasury Casino. Details: Free. www.brisbanefestival.com.au

Where: D M Henderson Park, Macgregor – 434 McCullough Street, Macgregor When: 10am to 12noon If you love interactive arts experiences then this is the workshop for you. Details: $5 per participant. Bookings essential, visit www.bazilgrumble.com.au

Where: Toombul – Centre Court When: 10am to 1pm, daily Making loom bands is the latest craze! Come along to the Loom Band Workshop to make your own colourful accessories. Plus, all kids will receive their very own loom band pack to take home! Details: Free! www.toombulcentre.com.au

SEPTEMBER 7 & OCTOBER 5

TINY ART SCHOOL HOLIDAY WORKSHOPS

STEAM TRAIN SUNDAY Where: Departs and returns back at Roma Street station. When: 10:15am & 11:40am (times are subject to change) Travel through Brisbane on an historic steam train and relive the splendour of a bygone era. Details: Adult $22; Child $13; Family $65 www.theworkshops.qm.qld.gov.au SEPTEMBER 10 TO 21

SOAP - BRISBANE FESTIVAL Where: The Courier Mail Piazza, South Brisbane When: Various times, see website This hilarious variety show offers a wide range of dazzling water-soaked acts, from mop ballet to ariel trapeze which are all performed to an extravagant and eclectic soundtrack. Details: Adult $40; Child (under 18) $35; Family (2 adults, 2 children) $122 www.brisbanefestival.com.au

SEPTEMBER 20 TO OCTOBER 6

Where: Ground Level of the Scout Den, Jean Howie Dve (off Bennetts Road) Balmoral Park When: Various times School holiday workshops for 2 to 5 year olds and 6 to 12 year olds are a fun and stimulating way for your child to spend their school holidays.Choose from a range of exciting projects such as: 3D Robot, Jewellery Making, Screen Printing and Creating a Cartoon Strip. Details: www.tinyart.com.au

SEPTEMBER 23

ADVENTURE WALK AND CLAY CREATIONS Where: D J Sherrington Park, Blunder Road, Inala When: 2:30pm to 4:30pm An adventure and discovery walk around the parklands will be the source of inspiration for using natural clay to create interpretations of the flora and fauna that inhabits the area. Ages 10 to 17 years of ag. Details: Free, Bookings not required. www.bazilgrumble.com

SEPTEMBER 20 TO OCTOBER 6

SEPTEMBER 24

COOL AND CRAZY LEGO WORKSHOPS FOR KIDS

MINI OLYMPICS

Where: Brisbane LEGO Education Learning Centre - Shop 2/78 Merivale St, Sth Brisbane When: From 10am Choose from 7 different workshops which include Fun with Mechanisms, Cool Creations, Robotics, Movie Making and more. Ages 4+. Details: $12 per workshop. Bookings essential on 07 3844 6337 or brisbanelec@ bigpond.com. www.mooreed.com.au.

Where: New Farm Park, 1042 Brunswick St, New Farm When: 2pm to 4pm Enjoy a fun adaption of the Olympic Games with games like boffa hocket, earth ball relay, sock wrestling, tug of war, world surfing, sack and field relay race, egg and spoon race and more. Details: Free. Bookings 3822 1111 or 0403 221 676. www.brisbane.qld.gov.au

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JUNIOR RANGERS Where: Walkabout Creek, The Gap When: Phone for time. Experience what it is like to be a ranger! Learn how to protect native plants and animals with bush regeneration, games and a wildlife presentation. Ages 6 to 9 yrs. Details: Admission price to South East Queensland Wildlife Centre. Bookings required. Phone 07 3512 2300 between 9 am and 4 pm. SEPTEMBER 26 & 27

CLAY CRITTER ADVENTURE WALK Where: Hamilton Recreation Reserve, 40 Remora Street, Hamilton When: 10am to 12noon An adventure and discovery walk around the park is the inspiration for using natural clay to create interpretations of the flora and fauna that inhabits the area. Details: $5 per participant. Bookings essential, visit www.bazilgrumble.com.au SEPTEMBER 27

SUNSUPER RIVERFIRE

SEPTEMBER 21

SEPTEMBER 7 & OCTOBER 5

THE MUMMY TREE MARKETS

THE HANDMADE EXPO MARKET - MORAYFIELD

OCTOBER 4 TO NOVEMBER 29

ART FOR TEENAGERS Where: Brisbane Insititute of Art When: 12:30pm to 3:30pm, Saturday Provides students with a range of creative and technical skills through a variety of media and techniques. Details: www.brisart.org/index.php/shortcourses/children-s-art

Where: Leisure Centre, Morayfield Road (behind Bunnings) When: 9am to 2pm A wonderful indoor market with up to 100 stallholders selling everything handmade, hand baked and hand grown. A great family day out with something for everyone. Details: Free entry and covered parking. www.thehandmadeexpo.com.au SEPTEMBER 20 & OCTOBER 11

BRISSTYLE INDIE MARKET

SATURDAYS - OCT 4 TO NOV 9 MONDAYS - OCT 6 TO DEC 1

CHILDRENS’ TERM 4 ART CLASS Where: Brisbane Insititute of Art When: 3:30pm to 5pm, Monday or 10am to 12noon, Saturday The focus for this term will be painting. Ages 6 to 12 years. Details: www.brisart.org/index.php/shortcourses/children-s-art

Where: Ground Floor, Brisbane City Hall, Ann St When: 9am to 3pm Support local indie artisans and shop ethically at Brisbane’s most gorgeous destination for everything handmade. Details: www.brisstyle.com.au/2014markets SEPTEMBER 20 & OCTOBER 18

PERCUSSIMO: HIT, PLAY, LOVE

THE HANDMADE EXPO MARKET - IPSWICH

Where: Brisbane Powerhouse When: 8pm to 9:10pm From Mozart to Michael Jackson, bins to pots and pans, Percussimo infuses fun spins and twists into arrangements and works that are uniquely their own. Details: All tickets $39. A $6 transaction fee applies to all bookings. www.brisbanepowerhouse.org

Where: The Ipswich Turf Club, Brisbane Road, Bundamba When: 8am to 2pm Excellence in Making-Baking-Growing. Up to 70 stallholders - why not jump on the Swanbank Steam Train after some lunch and a spot of handmade shopping. Details: Free entry. Free parking. www.thehandmadeexpo.com.au

OCTOBER 2

Where: River Park Place, Col Gardner Drive, Morningside When: 9am to 1pm This ‘Family Boutique’ market provides beautiful high quality, unique products and services which are not mass produced or easily found in shops. Details: www.themummytreemarkets.com.au OCTOBER 11

THE MUMMY TREE MARKETS Where: Everton Park Hotel, Flockton Street When: 9am to 1pm This ‘Family Boutique’ market provides beautiful high quality, unique products and services which are not mass produced or easily found in shops. Details: www.themummytreemarkets.com.au OCTOBER 18

BILLYCART MARKETS Where: Sacred Heart Primary School, 92 Brighton Road, Sandgate When: 3pm to 7pm Stylish and unique products for little people. Details: Free. www.billycartmarkets.com OCTOBER 24

BRISSTYLE INDIE TWILIGHT MARKET Where: King George Square, Brisbane When: 5pm to 9pm With over 80 stalls, enjoy a lantern lit celebration of local independent art, craft and design. Details: www.brisstyle.com.au/2014-markets

EVERY SATURDAY AND SUNDAY

VALLEY MARKETS Where: Chinatown Mall and Brunswick Street Mall, Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley When: 8am to 4pm Showcasing various stalls selling vintage items, fashion, bric-a-brac, natural organic produce, and an eclectic range of arts and crafts. Details: Free. Contact 07 3403 3740 EVERY WEEKEND

THE COLLECTIVE MARKETS (SOUTH BANK MARKETS) Where: South Bank Plaza, Stanley Street, South Brisbane When: Saturdays from 10am to 9pm, Sundays from 9am to 4pm The new Collective Markets includes arts and crafts, homewares, object design, photography, furniture, food, fashion, jewellery, vintage and pre-loved clothing, unique wares and accessories. Details: www.southbankmarket.com.au EVERY WEDNESDAY

BLACK DRUM ARTS AND CULTURAL MARKETS Where: Queen Street Mall, Queen Street, Brisbane When: 12noon to 1pm Black Drum Arts and Cultural Markets aims to bring people together to celebrate, share stories and connect with culture with this free lunchtime performance. Details: www.brisbane.qld.gov.au

Potted Potter

Where: Vantage Points: South Bank, Kangaroo Point Cliffs, Victoria Bridge, Captain Burke Park, Wilson’s Lookout, City Riverwalk (including Riverside Centre and Eagle Street Pier) When: Fireworks at 7pm. Australian Defence Force activities including Super Hornet and ADF helicopter displays late in the afternoon and evening.In an explosive Festival finale, Sunsuper Riverfire ignites the Brisbane City skyline for a spectacular fireworks display. Details: www.brisbanefestival.com.au

MARKETS

OCT

SEPTEMBER 26

12to20

OCTOBER 2

OCTOBER 29

FLYING ORIGAMI MARATHON

POTTERY WHEEL FUNSHOP

BUSH BABIES STORY TIME

Where: C B Mott Park, 49 Abbotsleigh Street, Holland Park When: 2pm to 4pm Learn new and innovative folding techniques to make your own plane soar through the park flying higher and faster than ever before. Details: Free. Bookings essential, visit www. bazilgrumble.com.au

Where: St John’s Anglican College, Alpine Place, Forest Lake When: 10am to 12noon or 1:30pm to 3:30pm Throw yourself into the fun and engaging world of pottery. Experienced artists will guide you through the techniques of pottery wheel throwing and hand sculpting. Ages 10 to 17 years. Details: $5 per participant. Bookings essential, visit www.bazilgrumble.com.au

Where: Walkabout Creek, The Gap When: Phone for time, 1hr Get out and about with your little one and join a ranger to discover the wonderful world of wildlife with story time for families and meet an animal up close. Details: Admission price to South East Queensland Wildlife Centre. Bookings required. Phone 07 3512 2300 between 9 am and 4 pm.

OCTOBER 12

OCTOBER 31

GREEN HEART FAIR

HALLOWEEN EXPRESS

Where: Carindale Recreation Reserve When: 9am – 2pm Green Heart Fair is Brisbane’s biggest FREE bi-annual community and premier sustainability event, promoting innovative green living in a fun, family-friendly environment for all residents to come and enjoy. Details: www.citysmart.com.au/greenheartfair

Where: Departs from and returns to Roma Street station. When: Departs 6:40pm. Dress up as your favourite Halloween character & board vintage carriages for a special night-time steam train journey through the river city. Details: Adult $25; Child $16; Family $ 79 www.theworkshops.qm.qld.gov.au/ Events+and+Exhibitions/Events/2014/10/ Halloween+Express#.U-oN_fmSx8E

SEPTEMBER 30

INVADER RANGERS Where: Downfall Creek Bushland Centre, 815 Rode Road, McDowall When: 9:30am to 11am Identify the difference between native and invasive species of plants, animals and insects, and learn about the impact that they have on the local environment. Ages 7 to 13 years. Details: Free. Bookings essential on 07 3403 8888. www.brisbane.qld.gov.au SEPTEMBER 30 TO OCTOBER 4

AERIAL CIRCUS SPECTACULAR Where: Toombul, Centre Court When: Shows at 11am and 1pm, daily Roll Up! Roll Up! See awe inspiring aerial feats on the trapeze and laugh out loud with Wally the Clown. Not to be missed fun for the whole family! Details: Free! www.toombulcentre.com.au

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TICKETS

SEPTEMBER 27

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SEPTEMBER 23 TO NOVEMBER 8

NOVEMBER 15 TO DECEMBER 21

THE AMAZING MAURICE AND HIS EDUCATED RODENTS

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Brisbane Arts Theatre www.artstheatre.com.au/ children-2014 SEPTEMBER 27 TO JANUARY 25, 2015

THE LION KING Lyric Theatre, QPAC www4.qpac.com.au

Brisbane Arts Theatre www.artstheatre.com.au/show/ rapunzel NOVEMBER 27 & 28

PEPPA PIG LIVE! TREASURE HUNT QUT Gardens Theatre www.gardenstheatre.qut.edu.au/ whatson/2014/peppa-pig.jsp DECEMBER 12 TO 20

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QUT Gardens Theatre www.gardenstheatre.qut.edu.au/ whatson/2014/romeo-juliet.jsp

Lyric Theatre, QPAC, Brisbane www.qpac.com.au/event/ QB_Nutcracker_14.aspx

OCTOBER 16 & 17

DECEMBER 23

ELMO’S WORLD TOUR

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OCTOBER 7 TO 11

QUT Gardens Theatre www.gardenstheatre.qut.edu.au/ whatson/2014/elmo.jsp NOVEMBER 4 TO 16

Brisbane Entertainment Centre http://premier.ticketek.com.au/ shows/show.aspx?sh=WIGGLES14

POTTED POTTER: THE UNAUTHORISED HARRY EXPERIENCE

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SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2014 – Kids in the City

EDUCATION

Nature as a Teacher By Jessica Jane Sammut WITH THE GROWING NUMBER OF SCHOOLS INCORPORATING GARDENS INTO THEIR LEARNING STRUCTURE, JESSICA JANE SAMMUT TAKES A LOOK AT WHY THESE LITTLE GREEN HAVENS ARE BECOMING A VITAL CORNERSTONE IN CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT. You can picture it. A young student burying a seed in a school garden, gasping in wonder days later when that seed pushes through the soil and sprouts into a plant, bearing fresh produce weeks down the track to be picked and eaten. From ground to mouth, it is a natural lifecycle which sustains our environment and our health. It involves science, maths, literacy, art, design and social studies. It promotes an awareness of habitat, a love of the outdoors, a sense of patience and an understanding of where food comes from, together with an appreciation of what we put in our body. It offers hands-on learning, with nature as our teacher. So it is not surprising that the government in the last ten years has ramped up its grants to schools to initiate school gardens, for there is little else that cuts across such a broad range of disciplines in this unique and empowering way, with children able to put theory into practice and get out of the classroom to see for themselves what the world is truly made of.

Kids in the City – SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2014

we all benefit

With obesity in Australia rising to alarming heights in recent times and a deep concern about our ‘dying’ earth, a reconnection with nature is not only a welcome step, but arguably a necessary one, with our children the custodians of the future. This is the generation who must demand better of their world leaders, and at the very least ask where their food has come from and how it has been produced. “School gardens have a profound effect not only on our children, but also on the future of the planet,” confirms Ange Barry, CEO of the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation (www. kitchengardenfoundation.org.au), the not-for-profit body which runs a hugely successful national kitchen garden program in schools. “Growing, harvesting preparing, sharing – it’s the backbone of our culture. Through our program, kids learn about the connection between the environment and food and health, together with sustainability principles. They get exposure to where food comes from and why it is important to look after our world, and once they know why and how, they will keep on doing it.”

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EDUCATION

feel the power

And it’s not just an understanding of our surroundings which get a lift as a result of gardening in a school’s syllabus. Psychologically, there are immense benefits, both short-term and long-term. “Students who are involved in cultivating a garden at school are more likely to be interested in learning beyond the classroom walls,” explains leading Sydney paediatric psychologist Chiu Lau (www.psychpossibilities.com.au). “Benefits include a sense of responsibility and ownership, in addition to improved self-esteem and appreciation for diversity and teamwork from successful collaboration with peers and teachers.” “A school garden not only encourages an understanding of basic science concepts e.g. plants and animals, life cycles, growth, death etc., but also promotes nurturing behaviours in the caring of plants,” adds Dr Koa Whittingham, psychologist, research fellow at the University of Queensland and founder of Parenting from the Heart blog. “In addition, it is hugely important for confidence, offering children a space that is theirs that is linked to success.” Susan McKinnon, teacher and program coordinator of the garden at Seven Hills State School, agrees.

SCIENCE – learning by trial and error, understanding life cycles/erosion/soil elements/bacteria/fungi in compost making, undertaking pH and soil testing, enjoying microscope use and learning about biodiversity audits. TUDIES OF SOCIETY AND ENVIRONMENT – determining S rules and democracy in decision-making surrounding the gardening project, learning stewardship in caring for a habitat, understanding how to live sustainably, deciding what is rubbish and what can be recycled/reused/reduced, learning to live ethically, becoming aware of fair trade and food miles and the use of the planet’s resources and understanding the concept of the interconnectedness of all life. HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION – becoming aware of nutrition, learning safe practices when using tools and equipment, developing fine and gross motor skills and embracing general fitness. ENGLISH – honing communication skills, extending vocabulary, learning how to document and how to share information orally and in written form. TECHNOLOGY – understanding the need to use and invent tools to assist in the gardening process, awareness of levers/pulleys etc. to assist with gardening, learning how to record data, publishing gardening newsletters, becoming involved in garden progress blogs and social media to share findings and progress.

“A school garden not only creates a knowledge of where food comes from and how to grow it (including an awareness of weather, seasons and life cycles), it also provides hands-on physical learning outdoors and builds a child’s sense of belonging and contribution to their school community. It gives children ownership, and empowers them to make decisions and take on responsibilities for the wellbeing of plants and their habitat, while encouraging deep thinking, enquiry and knowledge. It also develops communication and social skills and the ability to work as a team.”

ART – practising the skill of observation in sketching the details of vegetable or fruit and having a creative representation of the growing world.

What is more, boredom, bullying and behaviour issues in schools has been seen to reduce following the introduction of a school fruit and vegetable gardening program, with improved attendance reported by many educational facilities also.

So what can parents do to nurture such a green-thumbed skill?

academic success And academic success? Red hot.

Gardening is seen to create a renewed interest in many subjects, together with a point of context for the theory that children learn. “It is amazing how a garden can educate our young academically,” says Susan. “As well as gardening and kitchen classes, the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation program is integrated into the curriculum at every level,” agrees Ange. “It is incredible what a skill base it covers, from using maths to take garden measurements, to English to describe textures, flavours and processes.” Susan even details an extensive list of key areas that school gardening actively engages with: MATHEMATICAL THINKING – includes measuring plant heights, using maths language to describe produce and seed weights/ sizes/shapes, counting and packaging and data reporting.

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how you can nuture your child’s interest in gardening “If there is a school garden, parents can support the program by volunteering to assist with it, modelling a positive involvement with the community and environment,” confirms Chiu. “For time poor parents, support can be provided via the donation of seeds and tools.” And if there isn’t a school garden, families can cultivate their own garden at home. You needn’t have vast amounts of green space to do this – a square foot garden is just as good, as are a few pots or self-contained raised beds. And with a plethora of information on the web to help break down the mystery that is the garden arena, there is no need to feel bamboozled in starting out. The ABC Vegie Guide app (available for free download on iTunes) is a particular beauty in this regard, talking you through what to do step-by-step.

"SCHOOL GARDENS HAVE A PROFOUND EFFECT NOT ONLY ON OUR CHILDREN, BUT ALSO ON THE FUTURE OF THE PLANET,”

“Families can also prepare meals together while discussing the benefits of a variety of natural plant-based foods,” adds Chiu. “Parents with no access to any type of garden can encourage their children to maintain a positive attitude towards their environment and health, and ensure their children continue to participate in and enjoy outdoor physical activities. “Remember, gardening is not just about pushing little seeds into the ground. It is about exploring our relationship with the earth we live in, nurturing the planet that sustains us and working with others to make our world a better place to live.”

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2014 – Kids in the City

EDUCATION

we love our school garden We take a look at three schools who love their school garden.

SUNSHINE BEACH STATE SCHOOL, SUNSHINE COAST What: Permaculture garden for selected classes from prep to year six. Growing: Raised garden beds growing many different herbs and vegetables, as well as a number of well-developed fruit trees. Story: “Our permaculture garden originally started about 15 years ago,” says Greg Brennan, permaculture garden teacher coordinator. “We have a remarkable parent who is employed one day a week to run lessons with a number of classes in the garden. The garden is very much used to promote the concept of sustainability. It has a worm farm and compost bins to ensure the students understand the process of a permaculture garden. The sustainability project is growing more and more, with pupils collecting food scraps from their lunches for the worm farm and compost, and recycling paper and cardboard from their lessons. The kids are involved in many ways with the garden including weeding, planting and composting. Once or twice a year the kids enjoy a shared harvest lunch with all the produce coming from the garden. The feedback from parents is very positive as they see it as a real-life experience.

SEVEN HILLS STATE SCHOOL, BRISBANE What: Food garden for prep to year three, supported every fortnight by their adopted barefoot farmer, Franco Cencig, introduced to the school by Food Connect (www. foodconnect.com.au). Growing: A variation of garden beds and cut-down rain tank beds growing organic seasonable vegetables including spinach, peas, tomatoes and corn, herbs such as rosemary, fruit including blueberries and pineapples, edible flowers and bug-attracting flowers. There is also an orchard which includes fruit trees and vines with seven varieties of bananas, white mulberry, star fruit, mango, lemon, mandarin, kumquat, chocolate sapote, passion fruit, ice cream bean, guava, Brazilian cherry, tropical vegetables and cassava. Story: “Five years ago we established our main garden with the help of some active community involvement after a permablitz, where a group of local individuals assisted in the setting up of new garden beds using permaculture methods,” explains teacher and gardening program coordinator, Susan McKinnon. “Prior to this, some teachers and parents had put in an orchard and two smaller garden beds when the school was much smaller. It is amazing to see how the children love it (they even have their own gardening gloves!) and how it has flourished. We now have a chook house named ‘Cluckingham Palace’ and a lunchtime environment club, with some children assigned as ‘Earth Champions’, responsible for encouraging class members and teachers to turn off lights and fans when leaving a room, to recycle, to compost and to bring a litterfree lunch to care for the waterways and ocean. The garden has knocked-on in so many ways in this regard, as well as creating a knowledge of where food comes from. It has greatly contributed to the children’s sense of belonging and responsibility to their community, while giving them a cherished hobby.”

ST HILDA’S SCHOOL, GOLD COAST What: Raised herb garden beds for years seven to nine. Growing: An array of organic fresh herbs including parsley, basil, chives, thyme, sage, mint, chilli and coriander. Story: “The garden at St Hilda’s is an extra-curricular initiative very much undertaken by the pupils as part of a school environment group,” explains head of middle school, Susan Sanburg. “Set up three years ago, the garden has changed forms many times, with its role decided upon by that year’s group. It is always very inspiring to see what the girls come up with. This year a herb garden was in favour, with the students very much influenced by what they were eating and wanting to cook. We had many plants donated and the others were planted as seedlings. The students have had to learn about preparing the beds, watering and maintaining the area, as well as the initial research and planning. The skills they are learning are life long, permeating deeply and encouraging an attitude towards the environment that will serve to benefit. The girls learn to appreciate what they have and gain a sense of achievement and pride from what they have done. They feel they are making a very real and tangible contribution to their school community.”

getting in on the action

For those wishing to implement a school garden, it doesn’t have to be difficult and you don’t need fields of space. “The Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation Program, for one, is affordable, flexible and attainable for all Australian schools with a primary curriculum,” confirms Ange. “The Australian Government funding associated with the program is directed to training school staff to deliver the program, supplying written and online resource materials and providing ongoing support to the school, so if you have the will, there is a way.” And for those wishing to dabble before committing more fully, a few raised beds are all it takes to get kids enthused. Keep it simple, and build from there.

Kids in the City – SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2014

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SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2014 – Kids in the City

BABIES

CIRCUMCISING OUR BOYS By Cassy Small

CIRCUMCISING OUR BOYS. IT’S A MEDICAL, RELIGIOUS AND ETHICAL MINEFIELD, BUT WHAT’S RIGHT FOR YOUR SON? Fortunately my son can’t quite read yet, so I’m sure he’ll forgive me for sharing with you all – because we’re all good friends here – that last year, at age four, we had him circumcised. From the first ‘Mummy it hurts when I pee’ we spent about six months procrastinating before persevering with a number of alternate options and finally sought the advice of a specialist who advised circumcision as being the only course of action. Suddenly every pre-conceived idea I thought I had about circumcision was irrelevant and what I originally thought was done for predominately cultural or religious reasons became a medical necessity for my baby boy. History tells us that circumcision has been practised as far back as Ancient Egypt. Over the course of time, its origins cite reasons such as religious sacrifice, hygiene, a symbol of status as well as both increasing and decreasing sexual pleasure as being the reasons behind the practice. Most commonly known is the Jewish faith’s institution of circumcision. Typically done on the eighth day of a boy’s life, it is followed as a commandment from the bible passage Genisis 17:10-14. “Every male among you shall be circumcised. You shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you. Throughout your generations every male among you shall be circumcised when he is eight days old, including the slave born in your house and the one bought with your money from any foreigner who is not of your offspring.”

Kids in the City – SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2014

If you’re the parent of a baby boy in 2014, the decision on whether or not to circumcise seems to be made for you, with circumcision rarely a discussion point following birth. Around the world circumcision rates are widely varied. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), in the United States approximately 65 per cent of boys are circumcised, yet the procedure is quite uncommon in countries such as South America, Asia and Europe. Here in Australia, WHO reports rates of circumcision peaked at 85 per cent in the 1950s and have since declined to now being between 10 and 20 per cent. But it’s a trend that some experts say is starting to turn, with requests for elective circumcision increasing across the country. Google ‘should I circumcise my baby’ and you’ll be bombarded with a mixture of fact, fiction and conspiracy on the subject. It’s an understandably touchy subject and those both for and against the procedure are all quite passionate in their arguments. The official line from the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) is this, “After reviewing the currently available evidence, the RACP believes that the frequency of diseases modifiable by circumcision, the level of protection offered by circumcision and the complication rates of circumcision do not warrant routine infant circumcision in Australia and New Zealand. However it is reasonable for parents to weigh the benefits and risks of circumcision and to make the decision whether or not to circumcise their sons.”

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SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2014 – Kids in the City

BABIES

IF YOU’RE THE PARENT OF A BABY BOY IN 2014, THE DECISION ON WHETHER OR NOT TO CIRCUMCISE SEEMS TO BE MADE FOR YOU, WITH CIRCUMCISION RARELY A DISCUSSION POINT FOLLOWING BIRTH.

So taking medical and religion out of the equation, what exactly are these benefits and risks? Dr Terry Russell of Russell Medical performs one of the highest rates of circumcision in Australia, He believes all boys should be circumcised as newborns to circumvent medical issues that may occur later in life. To other medical professionals such as Dr Russell, circumcision is seen as a surgical vaccine against a wide range of diseases. “The benefits tend to accrue right from the word go,” he says. “Infections and inflammation in the first 12 months of life via neonatal urinary tract infection can be common and quite damaging to the child, potentially leading to kidney damage.” Dr Russell’s method of choice is the plastibell which he’s been using since 1968, he describes it as being a ‘much more civilised method’ than the others previously available. The device is inserted under the foreskin and tied off with a string. Doing so squeezes all the blood out of the tissue and crimps blood vessels to minimise further bleeding. This reverts the thick foreskin tissue to a thin piece of skin which is snipped and the dead tissue will fall off three to seven days later. All up, including a post-procedure snack, it takes about an hour. Dr Russell says this method drastically reduces recovery time and post-op pain. “I tell parents it’s ok to go back to school the next day. It’s better for them to stay physically active than sit in front of the TV to avoid any physical activity. Contact sports wouldn’t be advised, but running, kicking a ball, swimming, that’s all ok,” he says. Increasing research is also finding compelling evidence that circumcision reduces the risk of HIV infection in men by approximately 60 per cent. So positive are these findings that the World Health Organisation is currently undertaking voluntary medical circumcision in 14 priority countries is East and Southern Africa. Those against circumcision regularly cite the pain factor as one of their first arguments. Fortunately, what was once a brutal procedure performed with a scalpel under no anaesthetic is, thanks to modern medicine, relatively pain free. Less invasive techniques and improvements in the use of anaesthetic cream mean that pain is only typically experienced post-procedure and in particular when performed using the cut and stitch method.

It’s also argued that making such an irreversible decision on behalf of another individual can cause long term psychological damage and many even liken it to mutilation. The Circumcision Resource Centre in the US counsels men who have been negatively affected from their childhood circumcision. While no official data exists on the psychological ramifications of circumcision, an unofficial survey conducted by the centre found 80 per cent to be ‘emotionally harmed’ from the experience. Psychologist Dr Carla Rogers says some men who have undergone circumcision can experience the same symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder with feelings of anger, resentment and loss. “Parents need to consider exactly why it is they are making the decision to circumcise their baby boys. Decisions made on the basis of ‘well your father is’ require further research and education on the full issue,” she advises. If you do decide to proceed with an elective circumcision it can prove to be difficult to arrange, as found Songul, who had her son circumcised at age five for religious reasons. “We left it a little late as we had planned to have a circumcision celebration overseas, but a family tragedy meant we had to have him circumcised in Australia,” she explains. Songul’s religion was a strong factor in her decision, but recurrent infections throughout his early years galvanised her decision. The generalised view against elective circumcision meant that the only option for her family was a small medical practice in the outskirts of Sydney. “His office was run down and dirty and I really did feel like I was in a third world country. He also charged us a cash rate without providing a receipt. But we felt we had no other choice,” she says. For many older boys, like my son, circumcision isn’t an option. “Tight, non-retractable foreskin also known as Phimosis, inflammatory conditions of the foreskin which may be precancerous and recurrent urinary tract infections are the most common symptoms presented in the case of a medically required circumcision,” says Dr Russell. Left untreated these conditions can cause permanent damage. A lot of parents who are faced with a medical circumcision scenario are suddenly confronted with a procedure they’d previously made a conscious decision not to do. Some parents, while understanding its necessity, still grapple with the idea that their child will be ‘different’, and boys being boys, may end up being the subject of ridicule later in life. Dr Russell wants to reassure parents by saying that today’s kids are much more accepting of each other’s differences. “People are largely becoming more knowledgeable about the benefits of circumcision and in the not too distant future I think it will be a 50/50 mix anyway. Kids encounter a wide variety of people today from many different backgrounds, this isn’t a big deal.”

Complications are a reality for any medical procedure, but Dr Russell assures that they are rare. “We’ve performed over 35,000 circumcisions now using the plastibell device and as a result of that we’ve PARENTS NEED been able to modify the technology to TO CONSIDER minimise the risk and any downside to EXACTLY WHY IT IS the procedure,” he says. Nevertheless, THEY ARE MAKING complications can include bleeding, THE DECISION TO excessive pain, inadequate skin removal CIRCUMCISE THEIR and infection. In a small minority of cases BABY BOYS. subsequent surgery may be required.

Kids in the City – SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2014

Like so many other aspects of parenting, circumcision will always prove to be a controversial and highly emotive topic of discussion. Education, information, kindness and respect are required from us all to navigate the topic with our children top of mind.

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SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2014 – Kids in the City

TEENS

STANDING ALONE WHEN TEENS FEEL THE SQUEEZE TO BELONG By Belinda Hopper We all want our kids to have friends and feel like they ‘fit in’, particularly in the teen years, when relationships with peers become all-important. Yet we are wary of the influences of peer pressure - a force that can be wielded for good or bad. There are bound to be scenarios that our teens will face where we hope they have the strength of character to stand alone, when going against the crowd is the right thing to do—and the hardest, because it may lead to social isolation. A daunting prospect for any teen whose most pressing social need is to feel accepted. Let’s face it, even adults find it hard to stand against peer pressure: studies show that only one in three adults speak out when they’re not happy with something in their peer group. So it’s a big expectation to hope that our teenagers will have the ability to resist all negative peer pressure. But there are measures parents can take to help equip teens to be confident to stand alone.

THE YOUNG YEARS

Parenting expert and author of Kids are Worth It! (1999), Barbara Coloroso, says the best way parents can prepare their kids to face peer pressure is by teaching them how to think, not what to think, when they are young. Coloroso says parents should seek to empower their children, not control them, so that they learn the skills to stand up to the power of negative peer pressure: “Parents need to start from an early age to build kids’ selfesteem, integrity, and a sense of their own power, by giving them a sense of responsibility and encouraging their decision-making skills.”

INOCULATING AGAINST PEER PRESSURE

In his article, Resisting Peer Pressure, Psychologist Dr Ian Wallace agrees that helping kids resist peer pressure begins at home and that unconditional love, genuine regard, and positive recognition are crucial: “A child who is criticised or judged at home will naturally seek more approval and recognition from peers or others, as well as being more susceptible to fears of being rejected by peers.” Wallace says kids need positive coaching in how to deal with peer pressure in primary school, ensuring they present as being confident, use the right tone of voice and show self-assured body language.

TEACHING KIDS TO ARGUE!

It’s tempting to think life would be easier if kids didn’t argue with their parents, but a recent study published in Child Development, headed by Psychologist Joseph P. Allen, found that teens who learn to debate with their parents are better at negotiating their way out of negative peer pressure situations; "The teens who learned to be calm and confident and persuasive with their parents acted the same way when they were with their peers." Statistics showed they were 40% more likely to say ‘no’ to negative peer pressure than teens who didn’t argue with their parents. Kids who felt it was pointless arguing with their parents, “would back down right away” and take the same passive approach to other relationships, succumbing to negative peer pressure to take drugs and alcohol. 28

Kids in the City – SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2014

The key is for parents to model calm, respectful debate, by listening and acknowledging their teen’s point, even if they disagree with it.

THE ODD ONE OUT

Parents and teachers exhort kids to choose their friends wisely, but some kids just hope to have a friend. It’s not every teen’s goal to fit with the ‘in’ crowd; some just want to know that it’s okay to be different, that they won’t be picked on because of their difference. Jason found the key to being “bully-proof” is thinking logically and seeing bullying as an illogical assertion that, “being like me is better than being like you”. His advice is to enjoy being yourself, “finding an activity you love and become the best you can be at it.” Cara says, “Give a person hope, encouragement, and reassurance that they are perfect the way they are, and that for no reason should they change to become anyone different than themselves.” In Erin Elisabeth Conley’s book, Uncool (2007), she gives light-hearted advice for teen girls on feeling good about being different: î B e kind to fellow misfits and take chances with fashion choices, hobbies, hopes and dreams. î D on’t be afraid to look weird (i.e. not “cookie-cutter normal”). î L et your inner geek speak—excel in your area of interest, whether it’s music, art, science or origami. î H ave patience with those who are different from you and don’t change just because someone else thinks you should. î J ust because you feel like a misfit in one context, remember there is always someplace in the world where you are welcome.

THE POWER OF PERSUASION

Being part of a group of friends can bring a pressure to conform, in order to keep those friends. Peer pressure is the power of persuasion playing against our deep-seated desire to belong. Rather than being forced to act in a certain way, it’s choosing to act in a certain way out of fear of rejection or not fitting in. It’s about gaining approval or respect, and the lower someone’s self-esteem or self-acceptance is, the more they will be willing to compromise in their attempt to seek approval and acceptance from others. But there is such a thing as positive peer pressure, which is often exerted more subtly than negative peer pressure. When the norm or group expectation is positive behaviour, peer groups are beneficial to teens, offering a place of security as they seek to form their own identity and try out their own ideas and opinions. It is also where they learn to make friends with both sexes, work out how to get along with others, and feel valued and accepted as they test out their choices. It’s where they share their concerns and questions with friends who are at the same stage in life, working through the same issues, promoting self-confidence and strengthening their ability to get on in the world, apart from their parents.

WHEN IT AFFECTS SCHOOL

Being part of a positive peer group makes school a fun place to be. But not everyone feels like they fit in, and not all peer pressure is positive, which can turn www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au

school into the last place a teen wants to be. Associate Professor Sue Roffey from the School of Education at the University of Western Sydney, says what is happening, or not happening, in school can make students not want to be there: “Feelings are critical. No-one learns well when they are scared, anxious or overwhelmingly miserable.” As Ben’s (15) testimony proves: “My best friend started calling me things, also spreading rumours…my breaking point was when they were shouting things about me in class and calling me things behind my back. I just had enough, so I walked out of school and ran home.” But sometimes it’s what happens outside of school that affects relationships, leading to kids feeling ostracised or targeted at school and on social media. So let’s look at ways teens can say no to peer pressure while saving face with their friends.

ADVICE FROM TEENS, FOR TEENS

Kids Helpline collated a list of tips offered by teens, for teens, on being prepared to stand up to others: î KNOW YOURSELF - if you know yourself well and understand what feels right to you and what is important to you, it can be easier to decide whether you want to do something or not. î THINK AHEAD - if you know that you are going to be in a situation where friends might push you to do things you don't feel comfortable doing, plan out what you are going to say and do before you even get there. î PRACTICE ASSERTIVE BEHAVIOUR - be really clear about what is OK for you and tell people exactly what you are thinking and feeling. Sometimes it can be useful to practice with someone before you do it for real. î STAND TALL - standing up to peer pressure (and helping people understand that you mean what you say) is easier if you stand confidently. Often, the way that you say something can have more impact than the words you say. î THINK ABOUT THE CONSEQUENCES - thinking about the likely or possible outcomes of what you are being asked to do can help you make a clear decision and stick to it.

SCHEME WITH YOUR TEEN

Raising Resilient Children and Teens author, Dr Kenneth Ginsburg puts forward strategies that parents and teens can implement to help them keep their cool when the peer pressure heats up. The first strategy helps kids say a firm No, but still keep their friends. It acknowledges that the “reverse pressure” traditionally taught (i.e. “if you love me, you’ll wait”) might strain a relationship, which teens are desperate to avoid. Rather, Ginsburg insists that teens need to learn the power of a simple No, which has to do with the conviction of tone that Dr Wallace referred to. That means No can’t sound like a maybe; it must be firm and unapologetic, with no room for change and no further explanation offered. Ginsburg then suggests the teen shift the focus by coming up with something else to do. It’s easier for teens to say no or remove themselves from a situation if they feel they will still be respected and belong with their peers. Ginsburg suggests coming up with a code word the teen can drop into a phone conversation so that it appears to their friends that they’re just checking in with their parents, but tells the parent they want to come home. It’s a cue for the parent to say their teen needs to come home and they are going to pick them up immediately. True, the teen is not upfront with their friends, but because it avoids confrontation with peers, it’s a first step in learning to recognise situations they need to get out of and provides a safe and easy exit. Ginsburg also urges parents to give their teen permission to ‘create a rumour’ such as, "my parents said they'll cut off my phone if I do that again," when they are pressed to do something they know you wouldn’t approve of.

ENCOURAGE AND EMPATHISE

Dr Wallace says the key in helping teens be confident to stand alone is to keep relaxed communication happening and encourage their attempts to resist peer pressure. It’s also helpful to share some of your own experiences of standing up to peer pressure, empathising that it’s a very hard thing to do. As J.K.Rowling writes in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone: “It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends.” www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2014 – Kids in the City

GOOD HEALTH

EYES,

IPADS AND UV

ENVIRONMENTAL VISION PROBLEMS IN CHILDREN Have you ever wondered what that iPad could be doing to your child’s eyes, or even to your own eyes? Or when should kids start wearing sunglasses? Or why so many kids seem to have glasses nowadays? We tend to think of childhood vision problems as being mostly genetic, but the impact of environment on a child’s vision is a burgeoning problem in our hi-tech, urbanized world. I have some sobering news for you. Around the world, children are becoming myopic (short-sighted) at speedy rates exceeding factors purely due to genetics.1 Children’s eyes grow rapidly in size from birth until puberty, by which time a child is normally mildly long-sighted. However if something trips the switch and an eye keeps growing, myopia results, where long distances are blurred but close vision is clear. Genetics, environment and a child’s individual vision factors can all trip the switch. While a pair of glasses may not seem like a big deal, myopia is associated with a higher risk of a host of eye conditions such as cataract, glaucoma and macular degeneration in adulthood.2 We can’t expect our kids to rest on our 20/20 genetic laurels in today’s world. While genetics does play a part – if one of your parents is myopic your risk increases 2-3 times, and up to six times if you have two myopic parents3 – environmental influence means that even a child of perfectly sighted parents can become myopic. While certain ethnicities have higher rates of myopia, a child of East Asian descent growing up in Australia has a lower risk of myopia than their East Asian resident counterpart4; and the reverse is true of a child of Middle Eastern origin growing up down under.5 30

Kids in the City – SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2014

By Kate Gifford,

BAppSc(Optom)Hons, GCOT, FBCLA., FCCLSA, FIACLE, FAAO

Our visual environment has just as much of an influence. Back to those iPads. Friend or foe? Accessible technology has revolutionized education, communication and even health care. It’s easy, though, for a child to wile away hours in the glow of a screen. This has important visual, eye health and even systemic health implications. Spending too much time indoors on close vision tasks and not enough time outdoors is linked to development of childhood myopia. To give you the hard numbers, if your child spends three or more hours on reading, homework and screens after school, and in conjunction gets less than 1.5 hours of outdoor time in that day, he is at threefold risk of myopia development.6 As he gets older and needs to spend more time on homework, it becomes even more crucial to ensure that leisure time is balanced between indoor and outdoor visual environments. Outdoor time doesn’t have to be playing sport. Walking to and from the bus, a weekend picnic in the park, and school break times spent in the playground all count. A savvy mother, herself and her husband both myopic, asked me recently about how to balance this with UV exposure for her two boys aged 7 (who is already showing signs of myopic predisposition) and 10. UV protection is paramount – a child’s eye filters UV less effectively than an adult, meaning greater penetration to the lens and retina. Commencing sunglass wear in childhood can dramatically reduce risk and prevalence of agerelated eye diseases like cataract and macular degeneration.7 www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au

THE IMPACT OF ENVIRONMENT ON A CHILD’S VISION IS A BURGEONING PROBLEM IN OUR HI-TECH, URBANIZED WORLD.

Inclusive of proper sun protection, outdoor time is important firstly due to the brightness of the light stimulating the cells in the retina. Even when wearing quality polarized sunglasses, which block 100% of UV and up to 85% of visible light, daylight is several thousand times brighter than artificial indoor light. The second reason is that your child uses more of her peripheral field of vision, and therefore more of the retina is stimulated, when taking in an outdoor view. Back on the iPad, only our central vision is used as the detail is finer – neglect of the peripheral retina has been shown to drive eye growth.8 There’s another message about screen time, which is important for you as well as your child. Digital displays emit a higher percentage of the blue end of the visible light spectrum compared to daylight. Blue light is less penetrating than UV light but much higher energy than the other colours which make up white light – excessive blue light exposure has been shown to be toxic to retinal cells,9 increasing risk of conditions like macular degeneration. Additionally, it has been shown that two hours spent on a screen at night can disrupt sleep through upsetting your circadian rhythm; your internal body clock which tells night from day.10 Limiting nightly screen time for yourself as well as your child means a better night’s sleep. It’s not all bad news, though. New technology in spectacle lens coatings allow selective blocking of the blue end of the visible light spectrum to protect eye health and your sleep. Precursor risk factors for myopia in your child can be assessed and identified – you don’t have to wait for complaints of blurry vision to take action. Measurements of your child’s current eye size compared to age-matched normal; and assessment of eye muscle coordination are crucial in understanding your child’s risk factors for myopia, as well as determining any visual impediments to learning. If your child is already myopic, there are specialty contact lenses and multifocal glasses which can be prescribed to slow down or stop the worsening of her vision. The impact of environment on your child’s vision matters now and into the future. Ensure you limit screen time and encourage various leisure activities both indoors and outdoors. Avoid screens before bedtime - this goes for you too! If you are myopic, your child should be assessed for precursor risk factors. Optometry Australia recommends that your child’s vision be assessed before entering school, and at least every two years thereafter. Your eyes won’t go square looking at a screen, as the old wives tale goes, but they can grow too big. Kate Gifford (formerly Kate Johnson) BAppSc(Optom)Hons, GCOT, FBCLA., FCCLSA, FIACLE, FAAO. Clinical Optometrist & Contact Lens Specialist – Gerry & Johnson Optometrists National Vice President – Optometry Australia PhD candidate – QUT School of Optometry and Vision Science To learn more about children’s vision and myopia control, go to www.gjo.com. au, or email Kate Gifford at kate@gjo.com.au. REFERENCES

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Take action on protecting your child’s vision and eye health with an internationally renowned expert, right in the Brisbane CBD. Kate Gifford (formerly Kate Johnson) of Gerry & Johnson Optometrists is the author of The Clinical Myopia Profile, which has been presented at optometry conferences in Australia, NZ, England and the USA. The Profile involves assessing your child’s risk factors for myopia against an evidence base from the scientific literature. If your child has a family history of myopia, or has already been diagnosed, you can take action to protect against their vision worsening.

1. Morgan I, Rose K. How genetic is school myopia? Prog Retinal Eye Res 2005;24:1-38. 2. Flitcroft DI. The complex interactions of retinal, optical and environmental factors in myopia aetiology. Prog Retin Eye Res 2012;31:622-60. 3. Pacella R, McLellan J, Grice K, Del Bono EA, Wiggs JL, Gwiazda JE. Role of genetic factors in the etiology of juvenile-onset myopia based on a longitudinal study of refractive error. Optom Vis Sci 1999;76:381-6. 4. I p JM, Huynh SC, Robaei D, et al. Ethnic differences in refraction and ocular biometry in a population-based sample of 11-15-year-old Australian children. Eye 2008;22:649-56. 5. Azizoglu S, Junghans BM, Barutchu A, Crewther SG. Refractive errors in students from Middle Eastern backgrounds living and undertaking schooling in Australia. Clin Exp Optom 2011;94:67-75. 6. Rose KA, Morgan IG, Ip J, et al. Outdoor Activity Reduces the Prevalence of Myopia in Children. Ophthalmol 2008;115:1279-85. 7. Young K. Sunlight and age-related eye disease. J National Med Assoc 1992;84:353-8. 8. F litcroft DI. Is myopia a failure of homeostasis? Exp Eye Res 2013;114:16-24. 9. Grimm CW, A. Williams, T. Rol, P. Hafezi, F. Reme, C. Rhodopsin-mediated blue-light damage to the rat retina: effect of photoreversal of bleaching. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2001;42:497-505. 10. Wood BR, MS. Plitnick, B. Figuero, MG. Light level and duration of exposure determine the impact of self-luminous tablets on melatonin suppression. Appl Ergon 2013;44:237-40.

www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au

Kate Gifford

BAppSc(Optom)Hons, GCOT, FBCLA., FCCLSA, FIACLE, FAAO. Clinical Optometrist & Contact Lens Specialist National Vice President – Optometry Australia PhD candidate – QUT School of Optometry

www.gjo.com.au | Phone 3210 1822 No referral is required & Medicare Easyclaim rebates on consultations are available.

Gerry & Johnson Optometrists Level 4, 217 George Street, Brisbane City SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2014 – Kids in the City

ADVERTISEMENT/LOCAL BUSINESS

Party on at Paradise Resort!

In a move sure to please both parents and kids, Australia’s favourite family resort– Paradise Resort – has introduced birthday party packages to suit all ages. Available seven days a week, the all-inclusive party options are suitable for boys and girls and take advantage of a family-friendly environment, loaded with fun extras. You can choose from an Ice-Skating or Waterpark party with your food and entertainment taken care of so you can sit back, relax and enjoy the party. if your kids are obsessed with the movie “Frozen” then Planet Chill Ice-Skating Rink provides the perfect backdrop with packages including up to 2 hours of ice-skating, balloons, party bags, invitations and yummy party food to ensure your kid has the coolest party ever! And if you can’t cut down the list of invites there’s even an option to book out the entire ice-rink. Resort General Manager, David Brook, believes the birthday packages will provide parents with an exciting and affordable alternative for kid’s birthdays. “Catering to families is our specialty and when you consider the cost and stress of hosting birthdays in parks, homes and other locations, what we offer is very competitive.” “Apart from the huge smiles and wonderful memories for party-goers another added benefit is that parents can simply walk out the door without worrying about cleaning up.”

Kids in the City – SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2014

You can even add on extras such as popcorn and fairy floss, balloon twisting and face painting as well as a menu of “parent platters” taking the stress out of party hosting for the parents. Or for that extra special touch you can even arrange a VIP meet and greet with one of the resort mascots Captain, Cleo, Dusty or Astro who would be only too happy to join in on the party fun. And while Planet Chill has a definite party vibe with flashing lights and glow sticks, they also offer a complimentary jukebox to select your own music (and yes “Let it Go” is on the list) the Zone 4 Kids Waterpark Parties are a firm favourite as the weather heats up offering hours of fun with a myriad of slides, water cannons, and climbing frames designed to entertain children of all ages. “We believe we have developed a birthday experience that is value for money and, more importantly, provides great memories for both the kids and the parents”, said Mr Brook. For more information visit: www.paradiseresort.com.au/parties/packages/

www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au

ADVERTISEMENT/LOCAL BUSINESS

Picture Perfect by Sue Foley, Verve Portraits I love photos. I love photos of my children, my parents, my in-laws, friends and holidays. These litter my home in various ways; leaning up again walls, cluttering bookshelves and my mantle piece. I save my walls for my special pieces. Photographs that not only provide me with abundant memories and reminders of feel-good moments, but also define my home and enhance my living space.

• Framing and finishing can be overwhelming. Bring photos of your interior

When you do decide to on a special piece, enlist the services of a professional and keep in mind these few tricks in the planning stages to ensure not just a beautiful photo and a matching frame for your decor, but also to ensure that your artwork perfectly compliments your home.

this within your artwork really provides a point of difference and becomes

• Decide what room or rooms you would like to hang a piece of artwork. Keep in mind that areas prone to humidity might need a different style of frame, such as acrylic or tile mount.

to your photoshoot and provide as much insight as you can so your photographer can really understand your home’s look and feel • Think about everyday objects that unite you as a family. Are you all obsessed with books, swimming or a particular type of food? Capturing completely unique to your family. Ultimately, if you’re still drawing a blank, there are experts who can help. Verve Portraits offer a Home Consultation service whereby one of their Interior Design stylists will visit your home, look at your space and really get a feel for what you want in terms of your artwork. They take any guesswork

• When considering the size of your artwork, use the “rule of thirds”. Your artwork should be no smaller than 2/3 of the size of the furniture piece sitting below. This will ensure a balanced look in your space.

out, and ensure that the shots taken in your photography session meet your

• When planning a session, make sure the colours of your clothing not only work together in the shot, but also work within the area of your home. If your bedroom is full of blues and greys and your toddler wears her beautiful red ballet skirt, no matter how perfect the shoot, it will never sit harmoniously on your wall.

weird, there’s a strange light through a frosted window and it’s a thoroughfare

www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au

Kids_city_ad_PRINT.indd 1

brief and compliment your home perfectly. My next mission is to decorate an entire wall in my hallway. The shape is for my now teenagers and their friends. This is one space I’ll be enlisting help for!

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2014 – Kids in the City

21/08/14 2:19 PM

BOOKS, MOVIES, APPS, GAMES

REVIEWS APPS

BOOK

MOVIES

For the kids

52 STOREY TREEHOUSE

For the Kids

DRAW WITH US! - STICKERS, PHOTOS, PENCILS & FUN FOR KIDS (iPad and iPhone) $3.99 Draw With Us! is a safe, easy to use drawing and creativity app built for just children. Kids can use different brushes, textures and colours to create their own amazing artworks. Insert or take photos and create funny faces. "Draw With Us!" contains 100s of free stickers. Developed for ages 6 – 8, recommended for ages 4+. For the teen

ASSASSIN'S CREED PIRATES (iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android, Fire phone, Kindle Fire) $4.99 - $6.49 Become one of the most feared pirates of the Caribbean in this exclusive Assassin's Creed adventure! Play as Alonzo Batilla, a young and ambitious captain, a pirate eager to take on the fiercest of enemies... Break all the rules, challenge empires and make your own fortune! Assassin's Creed Pirates is an action game based on the popular and successful Assassin's Creed console franchise. Although there are frequent naval battles, there's nothing gratuitous in the violence. Rated for ages 12+.

by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton, Pan Macmillan, RRP$12.99 Andy and Terry's amazing treehouse has 13 new levels including a chainsaw-juggling level, a makeyour-own-pizza parlour, a rocket-powered carrotlauncher, a life-size snakes and ladders game, a remembering booth, a Ninja Snail Training Academy and a high-tech detective agency, with all the latest high-tech detective technology, including a hotdonut vending machine! Well, what are you waiting for? Come on up! For boys and girls aged 6 – 12.

BOOK/MOVIE Tweens and Teens

THE MAZE RUNNER by James Dashner, Chicken House Ltd, RRP$16.99 Read it before you see it at the movies! Thomas wakes up in an empty elevator. He doesn't know who he is or how he got there. His memory is blank. When the doors open, he is surrounded by boys who welcome him to the Glade - a large, open expanse surrounded by gigantic stone walls. Just like Thomas, they don't know how or why they are there. All they know is that every morning the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night they've closed tight. And every thirty days a new boy has been delivered in the lift. Thomas was expected. But the next day, a girl is sent up--the first girl to ever arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers. For girls and boys aged 10 -16

THE MAZE RUNNER (THE MOVIE) In Cinemas September 18. Rating: M

BOXTROLLS (3D) In Cinemas September 18. Rating: PG STARLIGHT FOUNDATION ADVANCE SCREENINGS SUNDAY 14 SEPTEMBER, 11AM. ALL TICKETS $11 (PLUS $1.10 ONLINE BOOKING FEE $2 FROM EACH TICKET DONATED TO THE STARLIGHT FOUNDATION Visit www.my.starlight.org.au/blogs/september-starlightmovie-month for details The Boxtrolls is a comedic fable that unfolds in Cheesebridge, a posh Victorian-era town obsessed with wealth, class and the stinkiest of fine cheeses. Beneath its charming cobblestone streets dwell the Boxtrolls, foul monsters who crawl out of the sewers at night and steal what the townspeople hold most dear: their children and their cheeses. At least that’s the legend residents have always believed. In truth, the Boxtrolls are an underground cavern-dwelling community of quirky and lovable oddballs who wear recycled cardboard boxes the way turtles wear their shells. The Boxtrolls have raised an orphaned human boy, EGGS, since infancy as one of their dumpsterdiving and mechanical junk-collecting own. For the Parents

THE EQUALIZER

In Cinemas September 25. Rating: TBC In The Equalizer, Denzel Washington plays McCall, a former black ops commando who has faked his death to live a quiet life in Boston. When he comes out of his self-imposed retirement to rescue a young girl, Teri (Chloë Grace Moretz), he finds himself face to face with ultra-violent Russian gangsters. As he serves vengeance against those who brutalise the helpless, McCall’s desire for justice is reawakened. If someone has a problem, the odds are stacked against them, and they have nowhere else to turn, McCall will help.

To see more visit www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au 34

Kids in the City – SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2014

www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au

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