Kids on the Coast Magazine - Gold Coast - Issue 25

IssUe 25 FEB/MAR 2o10

FReE!!

laces to do, p for things g verythin the to go, e on arents kids & p GOLD Coast

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

Trials of new Australians The vaccination

dilemma Family holidays afloat

COMBATING

THE

BULLY

Teaching kids about money

Plus reviews, events and innovative products

CONTeNTS February/March 2010 20

10

6

FEATURE Proud diversity or assimilation?

Welcome to

Kids on the Coast

3

WELCOME

4

CHECK THIS OUT New and innovative ideas in parenting

5

WHAT’S NEWS

9

NEW TO THE COAST

10 EDUCATION School yard bullies and how to handle them

13 THE “P” FILES Teaching kids to handle money

16 WHAT’S ON CALENDAR

19 HEALTH Kids and stress

20 IT’S ONLY NATURAL The vaccination debate

24 LET’S CELEBRATE Anniversaries – a family affair

26 HAPPY HOLIDAYS Holidays afloat

29 REVIEWS AND COMPETITIONS 30 KIDS ON THE COAST DIRECTORY

The Kids on the Coast guide to Feb/March The steamy days of summer are a memory and many kids don a uniform for the first time. For some of you it’s a time to revisit your thoughts on childhood vaccination, prepare yourself for potential playground bullies. For others, new Australians, the challenges are even greater, as you adapt to a culture different from your own.

Many of you took a pledge to your new country on Australia Day and I wish to say welcome. It’s something I did 13 years ago, and I haven’t regretted it one bit!

Sarah Pye, Editor Letter to the editor: Dear Editor, Just wanted to let you know our family had a great day At Thomas the Tank Day Out, at the Workshop Museum in Ipswich. We won tickets through Kids on the Coast. The Fat Controller was a big hit as was seeing Thomas and all his other engine friends.

The activities and tours were great for the whole family: Such a fantastic day out! THE GRIFFIN FAMILY www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

18 PARENTVILLE When your birthday pales in significance

16

READ MORE ONLINE! om.au www.kidsonthecoast.c

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

PUBLISHED BY: THINGS 4 KIDS PTY LTD. PO Box 491, Eumundi QLD 4562 PHONE: 1300 430 320 FAX: 07 5476 6037 ABN: 86 473 357 391. All editorial in Kids on the Coast has been written in good faith based on material, verbal or written, provided by contributors. No responsibility is taken for errors or omissions and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. All material in Kids on the Coast 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@kidsonthecoast.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. PUBLISHER: Toni Eggleston EDITOR: Sarah Pye EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS: Maxine Arthur, Louise Duggan, Madonna Hirning, Cindy Mayes, Dr Roger Morris, Jane O’Hara, Sandra Smith, Justine Stewart, Sue Timms. ADVERTISING: For advertising enquiries please phone 1300 430 320 or email: gc@kidsonthecoast.com.au PRODUCTION COORDINATOR: Terri Sanderson, production@kidsonthecoast.com.au ADMINISTRATION: Kellie Kruger DISTRIBUTION: Kids on the Coast (Gold Coast edition) is a free publication circulating over 25,000 copies from Coomera to Coolangatta. A separate edition covers the Sunshine Coast. For distribution enquiries please phone: 1300 430 320 or email: admin@kidsonthecoast.com.au FRONT COVER: Simone Bell GRAPHIC DESIGN: Michelle Craik

FEBRUARY / march 2010 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

3

K C e CH

THIS OUT

Play to learn

I have been awed by the success of online maths program Mathletics. My daughter can’t stop playing and, unlike other electronic games, she’s learning heaps. The Intrepica online literacy program has the same effect. It is engaging, fun and addictive, but most importantly, your child learns while they play the 10,000 activities. As they succeed, they earn currency that lets them purchase items in the shop. Subscriptions for home use start at $19 a month. Visit: www.intrepica.com.au

Sock it to them

What is it with babies and socks? The more you put them on the more you lose… until now.

This new innovative product fits over your baby’s socks and they can’t get it off, no matter how hard they try…it’s virtually child proof! Imagine being able to find matching socks again! RRP: $10. Available at www.littlebarebear.com.au

our guide to interesting & essential bits & pieces Going up in the world

Going out to eat or visiting a friend’s house with toddlers can be a challenge at dinner time. We’ve all tried to prop kids up on pillows so they can reach the table, but that drama is a thing of the past with the Kaboost. Its adjustable legs fit to all chairs in seconds and raise the height to that of a high chair. It even stays attached when you move the chair and holds up to 140kg. Available with or without a handy carry-bag. RRP: $50. Available at Bubs Baby Shops: Helensville 5665 6500 or Logan 3808 5885.

Food at your fingertips

The transition from milk to solids can be daunting, but the Wean Machine takes a lot of the hassles away. This compact unit acts as a masher and bowl in one. It includes a cover to avoid messy left-overs and a built-in spoon. Now you can feed your baby fresh food anywhere! RRP: $40. Available at www.urbanbaby.com.au

Unleash creativity

Run out of places to decorate? Why not let the kids attack the windows? These window markers from Crayola are washable, yet stick well to glass, making almost every surface in your house a blank canvas. Even better, you can easily remove their creations when you’ve had enough. Also available in crayons. RRP: $10.

Available at most toy shops.

Sleep on the run

Visiting relatives? Going camping? Have more kids than the usual hotel room accommodates? There’s no need to worry when you have this blow-up travel bed. Designed especially for kids, they won’t fall out and you can even fold the sheets in under the mattress. It comes with its own pump, is covered with a soft material, is made of child-safe materials and folds away for travel. It is suitable for kids from age two and up to a maximum of 70kg. This bed is new to Australia and only available online at www.urbanbaby.com.au

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KiDs on tHe CoAst – FEBRUARY / march 2010

Back to school in style

Eco meets style with this great looking lunch box. The PVC cover is easy to keep clean while the sectioned plastic box interior makes plastic wrapping and Alfoil a thing of the past. It even comes with a name tag and the top of the box is attached to the bottom with a lanyard so it’s less able to get lost in the playground. RRP: $50.

Available in a range of cool designs at www.ubeautkidz.com.au

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

S ' WHAT

NeWS

Surviving the playground jungle With kids now back at school, it’s a good time to remind them about proper playground behaviour: no pushing, shoving, or crowding. Give your child some strategies for coping with bullies. Tell your child not to give in to a bully’s demands, but simply walk away or tell the bully to stop. If the bullying continues, talk to the teacher.

WEBCAM LINKING PARENTS AND NEWBORNS A Canberra hospital will soon allow parents with babies staying at their neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to monitor their children from home via a password protected webcam. ACT Health Minister Katy Gallagher says parents are not always able to visit their sick babies in the hospital, particularly if they live in regional areas, and the webcam helps parents bond with their babies.

“If parents can’t be around or families and friends can’t get into the NICU, then this is another way of seeing that baby. Some of these babies will spend four months in the NICU, that’s a long time and those babies will change enormously,” she said.

MUM BLOWS 0.325 WITH TWO KIDS IN CAR A Tweed woman has been caught driving six times over the legal alcohol limit with two young children in the car. The woman was breath-tested at 11am on a Sunday morning and recorded a reading of 0.325. Police have notified the Department of Community Services of the incident because her children (aged six and eight) were in the vehicle at the time. The woman was arrested at the scene.

NIPPERS’ FIRST RESCUE

Pic: Jay NelMcIntosh

Local nippers Jake Satherley and Spencer Jeans, both eight, braved dangerous conditions to come to the rescue of a middle-aged man caught in a rip at Surfers Paradise recently. The boys were paddling out to sea when they saw the man in trouble, south of the flags. “I went over and he jumped on my board, then Jake caught up and waited in case the man fell off and needed his board,” Spencer said. “The man was pretty grateful - we got into shore and he said thank you.” The boys have been training as nippers with the Northcliffe Surf Life Saving Club for three years and plan to become ironmen one day!

Early childhood sector to undergo changes From July 1 2010, improved laws for long day care, family day care, outside school hours care and preschool services will help ensure Australian children get the best possible start. Key changes include: • a new national quality standard and rating system to help parents make informed choices about which service is best for their child • higher staff-to-child ratios so each child gets more individual care and attention (to be progressively introduced from January 1 2012) • new qualification requirements for early childhood education and child workers

AIRPORT MARATHON RUNNING AT FAST PACE

Stuck on You label company has paired up with the National Breast Cancer The Gold Coast Airport Marathon is now Australia’s largest Foundation. From marathon event and a major tourism drawcard, with last now until March 31, year’s race attracting a record 23,398 participants from the company will Australia and overseas. To cater for its popularity, this year’s donate $2.50 every race will be held over two days (July 3-4 2010) and feature time a pack of Penny Scallan Basics labels a range of distances including the marathon, half marathon, 10km run, 5km challenge and ‘junior dashes’ of 4km and are sold. For more 2km. The event has certainly come a long way since it was information visit first staged 30 years ago with just 691 runners! www.stuckonyou.biz

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FEBRUARY / march 2010 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

5

FEATURE

Culture

Proud diversity or assimilation?

by Sandra Smith

Shion’s lunchbox is lovingly packed with rice balls, baked egg rolls, cherry tomatoes and her favourite dessert, adzuki bean jelly. It’s a typical Japanese lunchbox, but sandwiches and a piece of fruit are the norm at Shion’s Nambour kindergarten.

When Shion begins to eat the red adzuki bean jelly at lunchtime, her friend tells her it’s disgusting. He says it’s “yuk”, leaving five-year-old Shion confused and uncomfortable. She talks to her teacher afterwards and that night she tells her mum, Mie Suzuki, all about the incident. “I got a little bit upset, and even when I think about it, it makes me really emotional inside,” Mie says.

Shion’s experience confirms what Mie has heard from local Japanese mums – their children feel embarrassed about traditional Japanese food. They hide it in their schoolbags and refuse to eat it in public.

Food is just one of many issues that Queenslanders from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds have to deal with on a daily basis. As well as the obvious differences, like language, food, race and religion, there are also subtle differences in attitudes, values and social etiquette that can be difficult for immigrants to deal with.

Mie Suzuki, who came to Australia from Japan in 2004 with her husband David, says it wasn’t easy adjusting to the Australian way of life, and she admits that there is some conflict between her beliefs and Australian customs. When Mie was younger, she wanted to become “Western style” but she now has two daughters – Shion, aged six and Mizuka, aged three, and she feels it’s important to keep her Japanese culture alive. “I am pure Japanese and my beliefs…are based on Japanese beliefs,” she says.

Many new immigrants struggle to adapt to the new culture when they first arrive in Australia. They may be separated from families and friends, have little personal support and they may find it hard to access support services and build up social networks. Multicultural worker Naomi Wiley says it is difficult for migrants to build social connections and young mothers may feel especially lonely, as they find it hard to get out and meet people. Naomi encourages people to access the Family Support Program, a home-visiting service set up to help vulnerable families.

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Most community centres in South-East Queensland host regular coffee mornings and dinners as a way of meeting new people and connecting to the community, and through these first steps, isolation and loneliness can slowly dissipate. Mie now works proactively to bridge the cultural divide. She volunteers at her daughter’s school, teaching Year 1 students “very basic and easy Japanese language” mixed with “cultural play”. Traditional Japanese games, songs and folk stories are popular with the children, and Mie also teaches origami, the art of paper folding.

“It’s good for even young children to experience – it’s got a mathematical aspect to it, so it’s very good brain exercise,”she laughs.

The Japanese school system is quite different from the Australian system, and Mie’s daughters, Shion and Mizuka, travel to Japan for two months each year to attend a Japanese school. Mie wants to “build up the foundation” of Japanese culture,

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KiDs on tHe CoAst – FEBRUARY / march 2010

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and she hopes to continue this until both the girls are in Year 6. Mie admits that the annual trip to Japan is hard for her daughters, because they are travelling between two cultures and they have to re-adjust to different environments and different people, but she feels that the experience makes them stronger.

Young people, such as Shion and Mizuka, from diverse ethnic backgrounds, often feel as though they are caught between two cultures with differing standards and values, and psychologist Ian Johnson says it is hard for children to adjust. They feel a sense of loyalty to their parents and to their family’s culture, but they also want to be accepted by their Australian peers. When children from culturally diverse backgrounds embrace Australian customs (the music, books, slang and clothing), Ian says they are trying to work out “if they have allegiances to their family and their original culture, or to their peers and their new country”.

Seeing their children engage in culturally inappropriate activities is challenging for parents, but Ian says they have to remember that their children are not necessarily abandoning their heritage. He advises parents to focus on the core family values and to have open communication and healthy relationships with their children.

“Children need to develop a sense of tolerance for their parents, as well as parents develop a sense of tolerance for their children,” he says. “Just because their parents are different to their friend’s parents, it doesn’t mean they are not as competent as parents.”

More than 200 diverse cultural groups call Queensland home. The Multicultural Affairs Queensland report in October 2009 reports one in six Queenslanders was born overseas, and overseas migration is the main contributor to Queensland’s population growth. Without immigration our economy would suffer.

Many skilled migrants come from India and travel to Australia to take up professional positions where there is a skills shortage. Sujini Damodaran, for instance, arrived in Australia 18 months ago with her baby, Nijhit Arun. She came to join her husband, Dr Arun Bojarajan, who works as a paediatrician. Sujini and her family hope to settle permanently in Australia, and they will apply for Australian citizenship when the

required residency period has been served. “We like it here,” she says.

“We are a bit comfortable now, we are almost settling.”

The family’s support network has grown slowly and Sujini says they now have many friends, including both Indian and Australian families. “We didn’t know anyone when we came here. It was only the job,” she explains. “My husband got a few friends in the hospital, and then me too, and slowly the network is growing.”

Sujini finds that Australian and Indian parenting practices are quite different in relation to feeding, potty training and the use of nappies. Most young Indian children are spoon-fed until they are about four years old which caused problems when Sujini’s son started attending an Australian child care centre. “When he is going to day care, he wants someone to spoon-feed him at the day care,” she says. “It was a bit hard for him to get used to the system here.”

Indian children don’t have any kind of potty training and they start using the toilet at four or five years old. There is also no culture of using nappies, and Sujini explains that toddlers and young children just wear underwear and “then they try to pass sometimes”.

These practices are typical for most Indians, where several generations live together and the older generation provides care and support for the children. “We have a joint family system of living, where the grandparents live with the family, and then they are happy to feed and look after the children,” Sujini says.

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FEBRUARY / march 2010 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

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FEATURE

Sujini and her family often travel to Brisbane to attend the Hindu temple and meet up with other Indian families. “We are very happy for that,” she says.

The Australian nuclear family unit is a structure that does not exist in Indian society. Sujini and her husband miss their parents and their extended families and she admits that she feels lonely sometimes. “But we have come here for my husband’s career, so we have to sacrifice something,” she says.

Community worker Naomi says it’s a problem “not having extended family around to offer child care support”. Many immigrant families are reluctant to leave their children in child care in Australia as it is unfamiliar, and some families, like Sujini’s, are accessing mainstream child care services for the first time.

The Inclusion Support Agency has been set up across regional Queensland to help families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds adjust to child care centres. The agency works collaboratively with families and support networks to create an inclusive and comfortable environment for all children and their families.

Language is another integral aspect of cultural identity and Sujini feels it’s important for her son to learn the Tamil language spoken by his relatives in South India, so he can communicate with them on family visits. “We want our son to learn English as well as our mother tongue,” she says. “If he is not able to communicate then he has to be silent for the whole month if we are going to stay there.”

Nearly half of all Queensland’s migrants are from a country where English is not the main language. About 303,160 people or 7.8% of Queensland’s population speak a language other than English at home, and about 48,000 Queenslanders, or 1.2%, do not speak English at all or do not speak it well.

Regional Queensland doesn’t provide as wide a range of resources and facilities as Brisbane. Festivals and celebrations are an important part of Indian culture, and

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While it’s vital for immigrants to keep their own cultural identity alive, psychologist Ian Johnson believes that immigrants also need to make an effort to “assimilate within the main society”, rather than just mixing with people from their own ethnic background. He encourages immigrants to join community organisations. “It’s important that they try and expand their horizons, just like us,” Ian says. “That way they actually enrich the organisation as well, because they have so much to offer.”

Multicultural Support Services Gold Coast The Migrant Centre Phone: 5591 7261 or visit: www.migrantcentre.org Multicultural Communities Council Gold Coast Phone: 5527 80111 or visit: www.mccgc.com.au A.C.C.E.S Services Inc Phone: 3412 9966 (Southport) or 3808 9299 (Logan) or visit: www.accesservicesinc.org.au Multicultural Families Organisation Phone: 5571 0381 Inclusion Support Agency Gold Coast Phone: 5595 8999 Brisbane Multicultural Development Association Phone: 3337 5400 or visit: www.mdainc.org.au Multilink Community Services Inc Phone: 3808 4463 or visit: www.multilink.org.au ADVERTISEMENT/LOCAL BUSINESS PROFILE

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NeW

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a Kids on the Coast advertising feature

‘New to the Coast’ is a way in which Kids on the Coast can support new businesses that cater to Gold Coast parents and families. We think local kids and parents deserve just as much choice, style, fun, innovation and value for money as those living anywhere else. So if you agree, please join us in helping these new ventures to get off the ground by taking a look at what they’ve got to offer.

And if you’ve got a new business you want to spread the word on, let us know!

Language is child’s play For 25 years, LCF Fun Languages has given 2-12 year olds the opportunity to learn French, Spanish, German, Italian or Mandarin. Australian organiser Nickie Race-Jones thinks language skills enable children to take their place in a multicultural world and tomorrow’s job market.

“Children are uninhibited about learning a language and thrive on new sounds, absorbing vocabulary at an amazing speed,” she says. “ This also results in higher self-esteem, math’s ability, and earlier reading.”

The Club’s methodology makes learning fun and stress-free. While children play games, sing songs, and act out role plays, they absorb the new language subconsciously. The program is supported by the unique interactive language learning site Babelzone, which can be used at home or in the classroom.

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Gold Coast City Council and ‘The Wiggles’ have teamed up again to remind parents of the importance of supervising children when playing with dogs.

Each year in Australia, around 20,000 children receive dog bite injuries, with about half requiring hospital treatment. Most children are bitten at home by their family dog, and of course, young children are the most vulnerable.

To help prevent dog bites on the Gold Coast, Council and costume character Gee Cee, visit more than 100 pre-schools and care centres annually to remind children to always say, “May I please pat and play?” when around dogs. The campaign is supported by the Wiggles.

The educational sessions are entertaining and informative for the 6000 children who participate, and have contributed to a 30% reduction in dog bite reports over the last two years.

Top safety tips for parents to be mindful of include: • always supervise your child when playing with dogs • teach your child to be calm, respectful and gentle around dogs • ensure your child steers clear of dogs when they are eating, tied up, sleeping or growling

© 2009 The Wiggles Pty Ltd. The Wiggles, The Wiggles logo, Dorothy the Dinosaur, Henry the Octopus, Captain Feathersword, Wags the Dog and Big Red Car are registered trademarks of The Wiggles Pty Ltd.

Wiggles and Council say ‘May I please pat and play’?

Working for our future – today

Keep your kids safe these holidays Always supervise children around dogs For more information contact Council on (07) 5581 6664 or visit goldcoastcity.com.au/dogbiteprevention

• teach your child to keep still if approached by a dog they don’t know For more information contact Council on 07 5581 6664 or visit goldcoastcity.com.au/dogbiteprevention www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

FEBRUARY / march 2010 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

9

education Leave ME

Handling schoolyard bullies

by Maxine Arthur

Your child storms through the door declaring he is never going back to school because he is sick of being “picked on” and he “hates” someone at school. When he runs out of steam, the tears start. The desire to protect your child kicks in, along with a few memories of schoolyard bullies from your own school days. The temptation to confront your child’s tormentor immediately is strong, but is this in your child’s best interests?

Bullying is a problem as old as mankind, and bullying behaviour occurs across all age groups, in many workplaces and in many social relationships. But, as with all human behaviours, learning how to relate to others begins early in life. A belief in the unique and valuable contribution of every person to society needs to be modelled by adults and explicitly taught, first in the home and later reinforced at school and in the wider community. Everyone has the right to be safe, respected and included in our society, coupled with the responsibility to respect the rights of others.

Bullying is not about the occasional quarrel or fight between children of the same age, it’s a power struggle and it happens just as much between adults and children as peers. A child may be bullied because of his ethnicity, ability or disability, body size, physical appearance, sexuality or for no apparent reason at all.

The Australian Government’s National Crime Prevention Guide for Parents says bullying commonly begins when a child is “picked on” and not supported by others. It will continue if the children doing the bullying have little or no sympathy for the child they are hurting and if nobody stops them. In extreme cases, however, it can be dangerous to intervene and it is suggested that children are taught to inform an adult rather than try to stop the behaviour.

A 2009 Australian study of school bullying found that more than one in four students in Years 4-9 are being bullied every few weeks or more at school. Hurtful teasing and hurtful lies told about them are the most frequent bullying behaviours.

Much of the bullying is covert – verbal, or via text messaging and internet social networking sites. This type of bullying is much harder for schools to detect or deal with than the overt physical bullying that many adults remember from their own school days, but bullying hurts, whether it is physical or psychological. Far too many children have suffered bullying for years, feeling powerless to stop it and brushed off with advice from parents and teachers such as “It’s just part of growing up”, “Toughen up!” and “Just stand up to the bullies”. Bullying should never be trivialised because it can have serious long-term consequences.

Eight years after he dropped out of school, 23-year-old Russell Garrard is still haunted by the bullying he experienced at three Brisbane state schools, beginning in Year 1.

“Basically the bullying I experienced has destroyed my life,” he says.

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KiDs on tHe CoAst – FEBRUARY / march 2010

“I have no successful friendships or ability to relate to others socially, I am nervous whenever I am meeting new people I don’t know or don’t know very well, I’m on a constant state of alert which leads to extreme exhaustion throughout the day, and it’s extremely mentally draining as well.

“Not to mention the fact that I was so suicidal due to the bullying and trauma that I was forced out of school in the middle of Year 10, leading to employers just binning my resume whenever I apply for a job I know I can successfully do.”

Russell has no idea why he was the target of a “constant barrage” of bullying, both physical and psychological. He sued the state government for post-traumatic stress resulting from the schoolyard bullying and won an out-of-court settlement. But that doesn’t erase the cumulative trauma of his childhood at the hands of school bullies. “I would sooner walk into a room full of tigers than a room full of people,” Russell says.

In the past, the courts have ruled that the standard of care owed by a teacher to a student is the same as the standard of care owed by a parent to a child. Schools are now encouraging students, teachers, carers and parents to recognise bullying behaviours and work together to help children who bully and children who are being bullied to learn to live and play together in positive ways.

Like many schools, Matthew Flinders Anglican School at Buderim has an anti bullying policy which sends a clear message that bullying will not be tolerated. The policy defines what bullying is, and the rights and responsibilities of students, staff and parents in relation to the issue. It has two aspects – prevention and management.

When incidents of bullying occur, as they do in all schools from time to time, there is a clear management plan that is based on counselling the student engaging in bullying behaviour to reflect on their actions. In cases of severe or repeated bullying the school may institute a range of punitive measures including suspension.

Principal Anthony Vincent says the anti-bullying policy empowers students and holds all in the school community accountable for promoting a safe school environment “Bullying is present in all schools. The best way is to confront and deal with it and be ready when issues arise,” he says.

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

Bystander behaviour has been found to have a significant effect on promoting or discouraging bullying. Anthony said that students who observed bullying behaviour are encouraged to use strategies such as saying, “Stop it. Don’t do it”. He says the ‘don’t dob’ culture is changing though boys are still less likely than girls to report being bullied.

The school anti-bullying policy has an emphasis on helping students who engage in bullying behaviour to make better choices. “That’s what we are about. We are helping them to become more thoughtful and to reflect on their behaviour,” he says.

Life Education Australia believes prevention is better than cure. Since 1979 it has been providing programs in state primary schools aimed at giving children the skills to confidently make sound decisions in social situations.

Life Education Queensland educator on the Sunshine Coast Shirley-Anne Blunt says that the issue of bullying is part of the senior primary program, starting in Year 4.

The aim is to empower children by equipping them with strategies to deal with bullying and to help them build a support network they can turn to for help. “We work to build their self-esteem and self-confidence, to see bullying is not okay and they don’t have to put up with it,” Shirley says.

With internal and external programs such as these, the good news is support for children has improved since you were in school. Whether your child is suffering a bully, or IS a bully, the help is there to turn the situation around.

The “High Five” strategy for dealing with bullies 1. Talk in a friendly way. Stay calm and give a light-hearted response.

2. Talk firmly. No smiling and a straightforward request to stop the behaviour.

3. Ignore the bully. Don’t give the reaction they are looking for, usually fear.

4. Walk away. Walk with or to other students and ‘buddy up’.

5. Report it to someone from your support network.

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FEBRUARY / march 2010 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

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education What can parents do to help a child being bullied?

1. If your child says they are being bullied listen carefully and sensitively. Gently encourage them to tell you what has upset them.

2. If you suspect your child is being bullied find opportunities to open up discussion. Use a television show or a book example to ask “What do you think of this?” and “Has this ever happened to you?” or a real life experience of someone in the family and how they dealt with it.

3. Let them know you are pleased they have told you, you believe them, it is not their fault and you are sorry they have been hurt.

4. Remind them that everyone has the right to feel safe, respected and included.

10. If the bullying is happening on the way to school, arrange for your child to travel with older children or take them yourself until the issue is resolved.

What can you do if your child is bullying?

1. Parents can be bullies too: Ensure that you are modelling tolerant, non-aggressive behaviour yourself.

2. Take it seriously. Young people who bully others often get into serious trouble later on. Work with the school to help your child learn better ways of relating to other children.

3. Keep the lines of communication open. Try to work out why the child is bullying.

Do they feel hurt or powerless themselves? Do they lack the social skills to get on with others?

5. Take the problem seriously but don’t overreact. Don’t take any action until you really know what is going on.

4. Challenge any excuses for the bullying behaviour. Don’t accept “It was only a bit of fun”.

6. When you have a clear picture of what is happening talk with your child about how they have tried to handle the situation. Only then, offer to work through some strategies with your child. (See the High Five strategy)

6. Encourage your child to develop their own moral code. Teach them to treat others as they want to be treated.

7. Strategies help your child build resilience and empower them to take action to stop the bullying. Help your child with a positive plan of action and don’t buy into the ‘victim mentality’.

8. If the bullying is physical or the strategies aren’t helping, encourage your child to tell their teacher about the bullying. Check with the school that your child has spoken to a staff member.

9. If the bullying continues, approach the school for help in resolving the problem.

Resist the urge to contact other students or their parents. Ask the Principal about the school’s policy and practice on bullying and work with the school to ensure your child’s safety and well-being.

5. Try to get your child to see the impact on the bullied child.

7. Use non-violent consequences such as loss of video game privileges in line with the seriousness of the incident. Do not resort to physical punishment as this may reinforce the behaviour. Limit exposure to violence in the media.

8. Reinforce your love for your child by giving time and lots of hugs!

Need to know more?

Strategies to deal with bullies: www.breakthroughbullying.com.au Australian schools national website on bullying: www.bullyingnoway.com.au Tips for building resilience in children: www.apahelpcenter.org Practical advice for parents on bullying: www.eduweb.vic.gov.au Help for your child: www.kidshelp.com.au

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KiDs on tHe CoAst – FEBRUARY / march 2010

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THE ‘P’ Files

Kids

m

and

ney

Balancing saving and spending

by Jane O’Hare

When it comes to kids and money, the questions are endless. Do we give them pocket money? Make them earn it? Or indulge them in a way we weren’t as children? At what age should they get a bank account and start having to pay for things themselves? Should we tell them about the never ending bills, costs involved with their education and interests, or should they be blissfully ignorant of all money worries?

Pocket Money

Advanced Wealth Creations financial advisor Rick Gardner believes children need to be taught about money just as they are taught maths and English. He says they should be encouraged to, “work to earn”. Rick thinks chore charts are a great idea so children are given set tasks like making their bed, and if the chores are not done they don’t get paid. Along with the chore charts he suggests goal charts.

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

FEBRUARY / march 2010 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

13

THE ‘P’ Files HAVE YOUR SAY, COMMENT AT www.kidsonthecoast. com.au

These are designed to encourage the children to save for a specific item or holiday.

They can record the money saved and work out how much more they need to buy that coveted item.

While parents may be the regular givers of pocket money it is often the grandparents who are over generous. I spoke to a group of Year 4 students who have received birthday and Christmas gifts from grandparents of between $100 and $200. These are large amounts of money for nine year olds whose concept of numbers does not extend beyond hundreds.

Among the Year 4 students, the range of payments for work varied enormously.

One child got $4 for cleaning the bathroom and bedroom, while others received $5 for making the bed, and $10 for washing the car. It is good to work out a suitable amount remembering as they get older, and the chores get more complex, the amount earned will also increase.

Banking

Rick is in favour of children having bank accounts in primary school. He says it is never too young to start saving and tells of first home buyers coming to him for advice with their Commonwealth bank, Dollarmite account, in excess of $60,000.

The Dollarmites Club is for children under 10. St George has a similar system with the Happy Dragon Club for children under 13.

Each has a website with puzzles and games to encourage children to save.

Visit www.determinedtobedifferent.com.au or www.stgeorge.com.au

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With four sections and a see-through cover, this money box helps teach kids about dividing their income. They are available through www.kidsmoney.com.au. Boxes are labelled ‘giving’ for charity, ‘living’ for expenses, ‘saving’ when they want something special and ‘wealthing’ for long term savings. (The last two are screwed down to avoid temptation!). RRP: $35. Financial advisor Greg Smith has also written a series of wonderful books that enforce the concepts.

Understanding how to budget

The use of credit cards, Rick advises, is best left for teenagers. Before relying on plastic, they need to be taught about interest, minimum payments and consequences. The same applies with phones and he sees a lot of 19 year olds with a debt of up to $50,000 because they did not understand the mobile phone plan, or how interest works.

Rick suggests that primary school age children should only have cash when shopping. At that age, a cash card or credit card gives a false sense of having money. The child carefully carrying the $10 in a wallet should be more aware of how much money is spent when handing over the money to buy something. Why not start early? Encourage children to work out the change for tuck shop, or when buying an ice cream and make money transactions a part of everyday life.

Children need to understand that when parents purchase and hear the question from the cashier, “Would you like to take out cash with that?” and the parents reply, “Yes please, one hundred dollars,” that the children understand this money is coming out of their bank account and is not a gift from the store.

Paying the bills

It is a good idea to remind children that bills have to be paid and measuring bills over time can help instil conservation of the environment too. Instead of nagging kids not to leave lights on, or use too much water, why not show them the bill and make it a game to reduce the next one? (You can even build in a financial incentive if they manage to cut the costs!)

Preparing for the future

It is good for children to learn that they can’t have everything they want. Teaching children to enjoy what they have, value what they have worked to achieve, and accept that they can’t have something just because they want it contributes to a better understanding of the value of money.

Teach your children good money skills as they grow and you will be giving them a really good start to becoming financially independent when they leave home.

Rick says, “At the end of the day our children grow into adults and 99.9% of the time they have to earn their living, so I don’t see why they shouldn’t have to start earning for what they want when they are young.”

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

Members Number: 455

Date: January 2009

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Special Events CalendaR A calendar of regular weekly events is available online.

For details of playgroups, library activities, weekly sporting events, craft classes, Australian Breastfeeding Association meeting times and much more, visit www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

February 4

February 6

PJ STORY TIME When/where: 6pm-6:30pm – Robina Library, Robina Town Centre Drive, Robina Bundle the kids up in their pyjamas and head down to the library for a special evening story time. Suitable for kids up to the age of five.

Cost: Free Details: 5581 1600

COASTAL GRIND BMX WORKSHOP AND JAM When/where: Workshop from 11:30am and BMX Jam from 11:30am-1pm at Discovery Park, Discovery Drive, Helensvale On your bike! Beginner workshops hosted by a pro and a BMX jam for all riders to show off your latest tricks and moves. No bookings required.

Cost: Free Details: www.gcparks.com.au/activities

FeBRUARY February 6-7

LIFELINE FICTION FAIR When/where: from 8am-5pm daily at Gold Coast Parklands It’s time to fill the book shelves and stock up on some novels at the Fiction Book Fair. Thousands of books will be for sale for adults and children.

Cost: Free Details: www.parklandsgoldcoast.com/events

February 7

GOLD COAST WAITANGI DAY AND PACIFIC ISLAND FESTIVAL When/where: Carrara Sports Fields (next to Carrara Stadium) Indulge in a traditional Hangi and other Polynesian foods or check out the market stalls.

Live entertainment featuring local bands and cultural performances. There will be heaps for the kids with carnival rides, animal farm, pony rides, face painting and more.

Cost: Tickets $20. Under 16 free Details: www.waitangiday.com

February 14

February 16-21

February 19

February 20

When/where: 9am-12pm at Carrara Indoor Stadium, Nerang- Broadbeach Road, Carrara A huge range of preloved baby and kids’ goods from prams to cots and toys and books to clothes and shoes. Enjoy a morning of bargain hunting and grab a deal! (Note – cash sales only).

Cost: Entry $3. Kids free Details: 1300 554 476 or www.babykidsmarket.com.au

When/where: 9am-5pm daily at Burleigh Heads Professional surfing is coming back to Burleigh with the return of the ASP World Qualifying Series. See top Pro Juniors and tour champions compete.

Cost: Free for spectators Details: www.surfingqueensland.com

When/where: from 10am-11am – Helensvale Library, Cnr of Lindfield Road and Sir John Overall Road, Helensvale Visit the library to chat with a Queensland nurse who will be on hand answering questions on parenting, nutrition, sleep and more.

Cost: Free Details: Bookings essential. 5581 1625 or www.eventscalendarqld.realviewtechnologies.com

When/where: from 9am-11am - Phill Hill Environmental Park, Coombabah Enjoy a guided adventure in a two-person kayak including some help with your skills and safety equipment. You must be 10 years old to do it alone or six with an adult.

Cost: $5 Details: 0403 293 534 or info@ vertecadventure.com.au

BABY AND KIDS MARKET

BREAKA BURLEIGH SURF PRO

February 24

February 28

When/where: Birch Carroll & Coyle Cinema, Australia Fair, Marine Parade, Southport Join other mums for a cuppa and a movie and enjoy Lucy Hendricks from the Fashion Workshop who will be doing a Yummy Mummy workshop.

Cost: Member rates on movie Details: www.australiafair.com.au or 5556 6600

When/where: from 9am-1pm. Paradise Point Parklands, The Esplanade, Paradise Point Are you brave enough to conquer an 11 metre wall? There are eight different climbs and kids from six are sure to have a ball with this challenge.

Cost: Free Details: 0403 293 534. No bookings required

MUMZ WITH BUBZ MOVIE

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24

Calendar compiled by www.savvymama.com.au.

Sign up for weekly updates on their website.

Preference is given to community and non-profit organisations and businesses which support Kids on the Coast. Email your details to events@ kidsonthecoast.com.au as far in advance as you can!

We publish information based on what is supplied to us - to the best of our knowledge all details were correct at time of printing, however we do recommend you check event details with the organisers.

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Family Fun and value for money shopping Sick of boring and expensive supermarkets? For great value, the freshest produce and a fun atmosphere, Carrara Markets now offers you three different shopping experiences (all with free parking and free entry, of course): • The weekly Friday Farmer’s Market is a must for food-lovers, with the juiciest tomatoes, crispest salad vegetables and most stunning tropical fruit, and so much more, including fresh meats and seafoods, tempting sweets, just-baked goodies, exotic international treats and gourmet spices and ingredients. You’ll also find organic produce, locallygrown coffee, flowers and plants. But be early - it’s only on from 7am to 1pm!

• Want some family fun on any Saturday or Sunday? Kids will love the face painting, pony rides, merry-go-round, and clowns, and you can do your weekly shopping in a relaxed atmosphere, with fresh fruit and veg, bakeries, a butcher, fish and seafood and lots more on offer.

• Take the stress out of shopping, with the Weekend Carrara Markets - a bargainhunters paradise, open every Saturday and Sunday from 7am to 4pm. Kick off with a world-famous breakfast (or lunch, depending on when you get there…) at one of the licensed cafes, then wander through over 500 stalls full of colourful and creative

Carrara Markets offers almost anything you maybe looking for including most outdoor items such as pots, bali huts, water features, plants, garden ornaments and more.

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bargains. There are toys, fashions, homewares, furniture, gifts, handicrafts, jewellery, books, hair and beauty products, plants and flowers, kids’ clothing, bags, shoes even fishing gear, souvenirs, pets and holistic health products and services.

KiDs on tHe CoAst – FEBRUARY / march 2010

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Just ask any stall holder… Where is the new Bali Hut? Must present this voucher. Valid until 31.03.10

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

MARCH

Special Events CalendaR March 5-6

HI-5 SURPRISE! When/where: 2pm daily at the Lyric Theatre QPAC, Grey Street, South Bank, Brisbane Hi-5 is throwing a surprise party for their friend Chats and you are invited. It’s a big party with heaps of singing, dancing and party games!

Remember don’t tell Chats…it’s a surprise.

Cost: Tickets from $29.90 to $45.90 Details: www.ticketek.com.au

March 7

March 7

When/where: from 10am-12pm at Harley Park, Marine Pde, Labrador Fun outdoor workshop offering kids the chance to build their own kite and fly it with family and friends.

Cost: Free Details: Bookings essential.1300 780 447 or www.gcparks.com.au.

When/where: 9am-12pm - Upper Coomera State College. Gate 1, Reserve Road (take the Dreamworld Exit) Pick up ‘gently used’ maternity, baby, toddler & preschool items at the ultimate market for your children’s needs. Car seats, books, brand name clothing, shoes and more on offer all at market prices.

Cost: $3 entry. Kids free Details: www.zero2five.com.au

March 13

March 14

March 20

March 21

When/where: City Botanic Gardens, Alice Street, Brisbane CBD. Kids’ Zone from 10am4pm A Community event used to bring attention to environmental issues. Make a change and go green as a family.

Cost: Free Details: www.greenearthfestival.net

When/where: From 10am-1pm at Park Lake, Greenway Blvd, Maudsland Take the kids down to try their hand at juggling, hula hoops, tribal drumming and line walking – great ways to encourage coordination, not to mention have some fun too!

Cost: Free Details: 5526 0900 or www.threeworlds.com.au

When/where: 10am workshop and 11:30am Skate Jam. Varsity Youth Precinct, Cassia Drive, Varsity Lakes Calling all dare devils: Learn new tricks from the professionals, including a workshop for beginners followed by a skate jam open to all ages and abilities.

Cost: Free Details: 0419 772 060

When/where: Game time to be confirmed.

Gold Coast Convention Centre, Gold Coast Hwy, Broadbeach Queensland Firebirds take on arch rivals NSW Swifts. It’s like the State of Origin of Netball and a fun night out for your little netball star!

Cost: Tickets on sale January 14 from Ticketek www.ticketek.com.au Details: www.firebirds.net.au or phone 3848 6330

March 26-27

March 28

When/where: Gold Coast Arts Centre, 135 Bundall Road, Surfers Paradise Join Dora, Boots, Diego and friends as they Search for the City of Lost Toys. Help them count their way up the number pyramid and read the map to find the way to the City of Lost Toys.

Cost: Tickets from $24.90-$44.90 Details: www.gcac.com.au or 5588 4000

When/where: 9am-4:40pm at Parklands, Cnr Smith Street & Parklands Drive, Southport Bringing information, options and knowledge to expectant and new Gold Coast parents – all in one place. Enjoy seminars, Mum’s lounge, networking and find out what’s new in the marketplace.

Cost: $10 Entry Details: www.babylinks.com.au or phone 5531 3901

MAKE AND FLY A KITE WORKSHOP

GREEN EARTH FESTIVAL

13 March 22

NICK JR’S DORA THE EXPLORER LIVE

World Water Day

When/where: All day - around the world Created by the UN General Assembly in the hope we will achieve water usage goals this decade. Let’s step up and help save one of our most precious resources.

Cost: Free Details: www.worldwaterday.org

F R O M

A G E S

2

Y E A R S

March 7

ZERO TO FIVE MARKET

A N D

JUGGLE JUNGLE

BIRTH, BABY AND BEYOND EXPO

CLEAN UP AUSTRALIA DAY

When/where: Anywhere in Australia Get a group together and pick up rubbish at the kid’s school, the beach, bushlands or streets.

You can register online and show the kids how important it is to keep our community clean.

Cost: Free Details: Phone 1800 282 329 or visit www.cleanup.org.au

SKATEBOARD WORKSHOP AND JAMS

27

March 10

FREE FUN IN THE PARK WITH THE FUN TEAM When/where: from 9:30am-11:30am at Bischof Pioneer Park, Nerang Street, Nerang Two hours of fun (they say parents can relax) with a jumping castle and free drink and healthy snack.

Cost: Free Details: 5559 0957. Bookings essential

ANZ NETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

March 27-28

BUNNY EGGVENTURES When/where: from 9:30am-5pm - Workshops Rail Museum, North Street, North Ipswich An Easter themed ‘eggsploration’ of the Rail Museum. Themed crafts, cute animal babies, Easter treats and rides on the land train. You can pre-order a picnic hamper and enjoy lunch on the Museum grounds.

Cost: Regular entry costs Details: www.theworkshops.qm.qld.gov.au or phone 3432 5100

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FEBRUARY / march 2010 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

17

PARENT

ville

by Jenny Wynter

Kids on the Coast welcomes Jenny to the team. She is a comedian who has recently moved to the Sunshine Coast with her husband and three small children.

Visit: www.jennywynter.com

What happened to birthdays?

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have high hopes for my 30th birthday. Not that I expected to unveil a carved statue of myself in the middle of a tequila-spraying fountain while seven maids-a-milking sang the anthem from Fame, but to me, the 30th was a landmark that demanded at least a solid commitment to some sort of buffet.

Spiderman cake raised its ugly head), at which my hero-obsessed son, for the first day in months, blatantly REFUSED to wear any super-themed attire. That’s right – at his themed birthday party.

Then there was the extravaganza of ridiculousness that was my firstborn daughter’s first birthday. I stopped short of inviting every person we’ve ever been introduced to, but not by much. We opted for a ‘bring out your inner child!’ theme, which, while seemed like a brilliant idea at the time. It basically entailed nobody, except for yours truly, embracing the idea by dressing up in kids’ clothes, complete with a (gulp) bib. I know: stunning display of creative genius if ever there was one.

Oh yes. Let’s not forget the wonder that was Little Mister’s second affair. It all seemed so simple. Fruit kebabs. Check. Chocolate muffins. Check. Nudie run. Hang on, nudie run? That’s right. My son, done with the fun, frivolities and formalities decided to add his own twist on pass the parcel, appearing in complete undress – and various fractions thereof – for the remainder of the day, much to the amusement, and hastened departure, of many of the invited. Are you feeling a theme here?

Instead, there I sat, cucumber sandwiches in hand, week-old bubba number three on my lap – and while this exceptionally beautiful bundle of gorgeousness was indeed a present on which I could never put a price, I couldn’t help but marvel over what this scene represented. That is, that since having children in my life, wildly elaborate birthday fuss has been exclusively reserved for them.

Yet when it comes to the hubby and my birthdays, our celebrations these days are not only superhero, inner child and (thankfully) nudie-run free, they are, well, barely celebrations at all. We have gifts of course: perhaps a breakfast in bed, singing, cake and perhaps a greater commitment to not burning the dinner, but it’s about there that the party ends. There was a year when my poor hubby awoke to realise, horrified, that he’d actually forgotten my birthday completely. Fleeing to the car in a mad dash to make amends, he returned some twenty minutes later with, da da da da, a bag of Hungry Jacks. Yes, you read that right. Hungry Jacks. Be still my beating arteries.

Now, I should preface this by admitting that party organiser extraordinaire I am not.

Far from it and I have photos to prove it. Just ask anybody who attended Mister Five’s third birthday affair, in which my well-intentioned home-designed cake covered in Spidermen climbing to the top of a chocolate mountain collapsed in on itself and looked suspiciously more like Spidermen climbing an enormous pile of...well, you fill in the blanks. But the point is, when it comes to our kids’ birthdays, there is always effort.

As I find myself sometimes struggling to make an effort to keep some semblance of the old me alive in the throes of the wonderful, messy chaos that has become our life with children, I wonder if there may be something to the symbolism of our post-parental birthday celebration quashing. After all, it’s the one day of the year that’s special simply because you are who you are, parent or not. Perhaps it’s time to reclaim the day. Silly?

Maybe. But what’s wrong with that? We’ve got the whole other 364 to be sensible.

Oh the effort. There was the Superhero party (at which the now infamous

Now excuse me while I start thumbing through the Yellow Pages for fountain carvers…

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DR. ROGER MORRIS www.doc4kidz.com.au Dr. Roger Morris is a General Practitioner in Maroochydore, who has a special interest in Child and Adolescent Health

Kids and stress

Recent research conducted in Australia through the federal Department of Housing, Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs showed that highly stressed working mothers are risking their own health and also the emotional development of their children. The study suggested that children of highly stressed working mothers have poorer emotional and social outcomes. This is also affected by parenting style, which can deteriorate when parents are themselves under stress. Stability within family units is vital and the mental health of parents also has an impact on children’s ability to cope, as does the quality of the parents’ relationship. If parents are supportive of each other, share similar values and expectations about their children, and communicate well with each other, these are protective factors for the children.

In past decades, psychologists believed that psychological resilience in children to various forms of stress was somehow inborn. But more recent evidence shows that psychological and emotional resilience can be taught, enabling even the most vulnerable children to learn how to deal with life’s stresses. Research indicates that good early relationships with caregivers can help make children more stressresistant, and the earlier that resilience-building is started the better. Building up children’s tolerance for dealing with life’s ups and downs and changes in mood helps them develop a stronger sense of identity and self-esteem.

What makes kids more resilient?

Parents can help their children build resilience and develop healthy self-esteem by giving them a sense of being valued and respected. Children need to be listened to and encouraged to express difficulties they might be having. Children also need to have parents that are able to spend quality time with them to help their child maintain a sense of self-esteem even in the face of stressful experiences. Talking to children about stress is very important and it is also important to help children to understand that all people have strengths and weaknesses. Some psychologists suggest bedtime is a good opportunity to bring up positive events in a child’s day. Focusing on positive events during the child’s day is correlated with an increase in happiness.

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• Healthy self-esteem • The opportunity to feel valued, respected and listened to • The ability to organise themselves and set goals • A feeling of belonging at school • Positive community involvement: e.g. sport, art, drama, youth groups • Positive attitude Sources: http://www.abc.net.au/health/features/stories/2008/01/29/2148045.htm http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/stress-affects-mums-kids/story-e6frf7l6-1225806345495

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SPECIAL

FEATURE

Pro-vax Anti-vax

vs.

to jab or not to jab, that is the question.

by Justine Stewart

Some parenting decisions are easier than others. The easy ones include what colour to use in the nursery…and…uh….well, that’s about the only easy one, actually. Others can be more complicated, especially when you feel bombarded by wildly conflicting viewpoints. Recently, the issue of child immunisation has been in the news, with a measles outbreak on the Sunshine Coast, and the death, from whooping cough, of a young baby in Lismore.

Most Australian parents (on average, 93%) choose to vaccinate their children.* However, these numbers have dropped in recent years, especially in certain areas.

Recent reports have estimated that only around 70% of children are fully vaccinated in areas such as Northern NSW and the Sunshine Coast hinterland.

You may already know the traditional pro and anti-vax arguments, but if not, they go something like this (and, by the way, they’ve barely changed in 150 years): ANTI-VACCINATION

PRO-VACCINATION

“Vaccinations are dangerous; doctors, pharmaceutical companies and governments are more interested in profits than health; vaccinations do little or nothing to change rates of disease.”

“Not vaccinating is dangerous; doctors, pharmaceutical companies and governments are trustworthy (and/or all alternative health practitioners are quacks who are only interested in profits); low vaccination rates will increase the incidence of diseases.”

MORE EXTREME VERSION

MORE EXTREME VERSION

“Anyone who vaccinates their children is one of the ignorant `sheeple’, blindly going along with what they are told, thereby increasing the risk of diseases mutating and multiplying!”

“Anyone who doesn’t vaccinate their children is an ignorant conspiracy nut who increases the risk of others dying!”

State of confusion The internet, while a wonderful tool, can also encourage this kind of extreme thinking. There is a mountain of contradictory information to wade through, much of it involving the kind of scientific language you normally wouldn’t find outside of a university. Doing your own research is great, but you have to admit there’s a certain arrogance in thinking that internet access, a good brain and a medical dictionary is equivalent to having a degree in, say, microbiology. As you leap from one perspective to another and back again, it’s tempting to just go with whoever sounds the most persuasive.

Looking for the truth? Good luck. Assertions, graphs and statistics are thrown around like coins by a drunken sailor, sometimes with equal care as to their aim.

It’s a shame they don’t come with warnings: “May be out-of-date, missing vital information, or selectively scaled, edited or interpreted to reinforce a certain viewpoint”. If in doubt, get a maths-savvy friend to help you check them out.

Websites or organisations might claim to be “pro-informed-choice” or “information sites” although they clearly represent only one side of the discussion. Lumping all vaccines and diseases in together is certainly convenient, but it can be frustrating to those who are seeking accurate information.

It all adds up!

Then there is the psychological phenomenon called ‘confirmation bias’. Basically this means that each one of us is more likely to notice, remember, and put more faith in, information that agrees with what we already think. Conversely, we tend to forget, disregard, or not even notice information that contradicts our established opinion. If it’s hard for you to be open-minded, imagine someone who’s spent years with their feet very firmly in one camp or another suddenly switching sides! No wonder noone wants to admit that a particular point made by the ‘others’ could be correct.

Examples of flaws in the standard arguments

Okay, let’s pretend this argument breaks out at your next family barbecue. Just short of actual fisti-cuffs, they turn to you and ask: “What do you think?”

You can see the problem here. All the above arguments are over-simplified, overly emotive, and offer no room for any discussion. By seeking out the most controversial and conflicting opinions, then publishing the comments offered by the most ardent defenders of either viewpoint, many media outlets tend to encourage this `all or nothing’ mentality.

For example, arguing that pharmaceutical companies are above reproach, or that assurances of safety should never be questioned, is a bit rich when one considers the history of drugs such as Thalidomide and Vioxx. On the other hand, unless you’re prepared to deliberately or accidentally overlook a vast amount of evidence, it’s hard to seriously argue that vaccination does nothing to confer immunity or lower the rate of disease.

* Due to space restrictions, references for this article [and additional material] will be available online at www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

20

KiDs on tHe CoAst – FEBRUARY / march 2010

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So how do people decide?

Some researchers have now started looking at how parents make the decision whether or not to vaccinate.

• Risk/benefit analysis. After looking at the available scientific evidence, which shows that the risk of a serious complication or death from vaccine-preventable diseases is higher than the risk of a vaccine injury, parents may decide that the benefits of being vaccinated outweigh the risks.

• ‘Omission bias’ is the belief that it’s worse to have something bad happen as result of your actions than as a result of your inaction. Regardless of risk level, these parents would feel worse if their child suffered or died from a vaccine reaction, than if he or she suffered or died as a result of the disease. Therefore they decide not to vaccinate.

But what about…..?

In some cases, research studies are quoted, along with assertions that they support a particular argument, but if you actually go and read the original study (or studies) you may find otherwise. Both sides of the debate are keen on calling into question others’ motivations. Sometimes, however, it’s not as simple as the frequent call to ‘follow the money’. Reputations, subtle indirect pressures, and emotional factors also come into play. How many doctors, media organisations, and government bodies have links to pharmaceutical companies? Are any anti-vaccinationists connected to compensation law firms?

And it’s all so scary!

Meanwhile, back at the barbecue, your antivax sister-in-law is now yelling that most kids wouldn’t get so sick if they didn’t eat so much junk food. Your cousin, who’s a provax GP and father-of-four, screams that of course good nutrition and healthy habits are important, but they can’t provide the immune system with an antibody ‘test run’ the way a vaccine can.

As one anonymous commentator said, “it’s much easier to frighten than to educate”. Making a decision based on fear is NOT the best way to arrive at a clearheaded judgement on an important topic. Yet you don’t have to look far to find both anti and pro-vax information which focuses heavily on horrifying examples of children who have suffered death or disability as a result of either diseases or vaccination reactions.

She says her kids are homoeopathically immunised; he whips out a piece of paper and reads: “Both the British and Australian Homeopathic practitioners’ administrative bodies state that homeopathic prophylaxis shouldn’t be considered an alternative to immunisation.”

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SPECIAL

FEATURE “This never would have happened in my day,” whispers your mother, “We respected the medical profession. I still remember when polio crippled little Mary down the street – they had to close the swimming pool. And all those people having chest x-rays for tuberculosis….”

Some people say that vaccinations have become a victim of their own success – making childhood diseases so uncommon that we’ve become blasé about the risks.

Others say we’ve become ‘vax-happy’, wanting to vaccinate for too many things, and cramming too many vaccinations into a shorter time frame. (Although most doctors assert that if a child’s immune system wasn’t designed to cope with multiple challenges simultaneously, babies and children would be unable to survive in a world full of people, dust, dirt and bacteria).

Personal decision or not?

Now your sister-in-law is saying her choice not to immunise is a personal one, while your GP cousin says she’s a free-loader, taking advantage of herd immunity. Yep, you can forget going to bed early, because they’ll be going round in circles for hours.

Whether you’re pro- or anti-vax, you would most likely agree that the rate at which a disease spreads, and is passed on within a community, will rise or fall depending on the number of people who can mount a sufficient immune response.

No vaccine is 100% effective. Like it or not, most childhood disease vaccines `work’ (are effective in creating an immune response) on about 70% - 80% of those immunised. Immunity may be incomplete, and `wear off’ over time. That’s why an immunised person can still get the disease, although usually a milder version.

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Weighing up the facts: • Is the source credible? For example, is it based on reputable, peer-reviewed studies? (More than just one or two?)

Is it up-to-date? Is there an alternative explanation to the one given?

• Do you understand the information?

Need to know more about what peerreviewed actually means? Who can you ask for help?

• Is it widely supported, or do the same names and references keep popping up as the only ones with this viewpoint?

• When you check out the original studies or sources, do they agree?

• Is the provider of the information trying to advertise or sell anything?

Do they have an emotional or psychological bias? Does this have any bearing on the credibility of the information?

• Does the provider of the information have any other vested interest (obvious or hidden)?

Within each community, there may be some people who can’t, or choose not to, be immunised (including pregnant women and babies). So diseases can be spread by either immunised or non-immunised people, depending on the disease, the level of exposure, whether a vaccine (if given) worked, and how long ago it was given, and individual response.

Air and motor vehicle travel provide the means for diseases to be introduced within hours to a new population.

The statistical reality is that the greater number of people in a community who’ve recently been immunised, the harder it is for a disease to spread.

As the controversy deepens and continues, realistic and frank discussions are hard to come by. Here are a couple of things worth remembering: • The actual chances of your child suffering as a result of your decision to either vaccinate, or not vaccinate, for childhood diseases, are quite low.

• Diseases can sometimes cause lifelong effects and/or deaths, and vaccinations sometimes cause serious adverse reactions. Any of these things is tragic for all the families involved, and should not be discounted by either side.

Whatever you do, or don’t vaccinate, each choice involves a level of risk. Assess it realistically. And remember, just because you agree with something someone says, you don’t have to agree with everything.

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Anniversaries as a family affair

by Louise Duggan

Wedding anniversaries are usually considered to be a celebration of love between two people, an opportunity to call in the babysitter and escape the family home for a romantic dinner for two. But if babysitters are few and far between in your house, or you just don’t have the time to spare between school runs and extra-curricular activities, maybe it’s time to consider involving the kids in your anniversary celebrations.

Kids love to hear about how you met, when you got married, when they were born and can’t help giggling at the thought of you kissing! Moreover, ask either of my young daughters who they are going to marry when they grow up and without hesitation they would both answer “Daddy”, so they might as well get involved now!

My kids love playing weddings. On several occasions I’ve been coaxed into walking through the house in my wedding gown, to the glorious sound of my delighted girls humming “dum dum da dum, dum dum da dum”. Holding my train, they guide me eagerly to Daddy, located in front of the TV watching the cricket and glow with elation when he tells me how beautiful I look. I must admit, it’s a very romantic scene if you are prepared to overlook the fact that my undies are hanging out of the back of my unzipped dress which, 12 years after its first outing, is now unfortunately at least two sizes too small.

But if the thought of slipping on your wedding gown and parading through the lounge room is a bit much for you, here are a few less embarrassing ideas on how to celebrate your anniversary as a family and share your love for each other with your children.

One of the hardest things for young children to grasp is the concept of time. I remember telling our girls that their daddy and I had been married for 12 years. My five-year-old’s jaw dropped in amazement, “Wow that is like, soooo long! That even must have been before the dinosaurs were born!”

On our last anniversary, my husband came up with a great idea to overcome this by creating an album documenting each year of our relationship. He dedicated one page to each year, filling it with a picture and words which best represented that year. Rummaging through old boxes of photos and recounting the memories each hold is a wonderful way to bring your family together and when it comes to presenting them, my nine-year-old can whip up a PowerPoint presentation with revolving pictures, sound effects and a rainbow colour scheme faster than I can make a cup of tea. So it’s a win win result all round.

Another great way to mark the occasion with photographs is to have new family photos taken. If the idea of posing for a serious portrait is not for you, why not head for the outdoors? Professional family photographs have come a long way

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and most photographers are happy to escape the confines of the studio. Why not relocate the studio to your favourite seaside getaway, a local park or a location that holds special memories for your family?

Escaping for a romantic dinner on your anniversary takes a lot of beating, but if you don’t have a babysitter on hand why not bring the restaurant to you? Kids love getting their hands dirty in the kitchen and love role playing even more. While older children will soon get wrapped up in the planning of such an event, smaller children may need more guidance if you are to stand any chance of eating at all! Start by planning a menu that they are capable of making or at least serving themselves.

If that means vegemite crackers followed by icecream and sprinkles in a fancy bowl so be it, you can always order in pizza after they head off to bed. Once you have agreed on the menu it’s time to set the table. Let their imaginations run wild when it comes to decorating the table with balloons, streamers, flowers from the garden and home-made menus. Add a few candles and a full wine glass to finish the look and you’re all set! Then sit back and enjoy the delight in your children’s faces as they serve dinner.

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A great game to play round the table after dinner is the “I love you because...” game. We often play this game in our own home when we feel the children have been fighting too much and it always leaves everyone feeling warm and fuzzy. It goes like this. The first person works their way round the table telling each person in turn why they love them, starting with the sentence “I love you because....” Each person completes the task until everybody has complimented everyone else and everyone is glowing with happiness, mutual love and appreciation!

Now that you are all sufficiently mushy, why not finish off your in-home date night with a movie. Whether you have a professional wedding video or a range of home movies, kids love watching old movies, especially of themselves. It’s another great way to relive old memories and cement the very roots of your family bond.

At a time in our lives when our children seem to borrow every moment of it, we often neglect to honour that one special day where it all began. So why not make your next anniversary a celebration for the whole family. It will ensure your anniversary receives the attention it deserves while tightening the bonds between you, your children and your family as a whole. Not to mention having a whole lot of fun, with laughter, memories and perhaps even a few happy tears thrown in for good luck.

HAVE YOUR SAY, COMMENT AT www.kidsonthecoast. com.au www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

FEBRUARY / march 2010 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

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holidays

HAPPY

Holidays afloat Travel the world without unpacking!

by Sarah Pye

You are lulled to sleep by the gentle slap of water on the hull. The occasional stretching anchor line propels marauding pirates into your dreams. You wake when a single sunbeam flickers below your eyelids then dances away as your floating home swings five degrees. The kids are laughing around the saloon table and you stumble into the small bathroom feeling like the large version of Alice in Wonderland. Excitement for the upcoming day travels through your limbs. Will you catch the biggest flathead in the river? Land like an alien in a welcoming new culture? Swim with schools of Picasso-esque fish?

We all know the challenges of holidays with kids: their routines are interrupted which can lead to grumpy travel companions; they always want to eat outside of regular resort meal times; the cost of feeding the whole family can break the bank; by the time you arrive home you have lost half your luggage through constant packing and unpacking; travelling between destinations is a test of endurance.

Many of these challenges can be overcome with a holiday afloat. There are many ways to experience life on the water and we have chosen to focus on three: exploring new lands on a cruise liner, sailing through tropical waters in a family bareboat or plying calm waterways on a houseboat.

Fully catered escape Cruising has long been considered an activity suitable only after you have let your hair go grey and chucked in your job. The truth is, however, some of the same reasons that cruises suit seniors also make it a great option for families. Cruises offer the chance for exploration in a safe environment, package rates that allow you to budget before you even leave home and enough entertainment to keep the kids amused while you travel.

Leah Squires from BYO Kids has taken her family on numerous cruises and says there are a range of ages onboard and they offer kids’ clubs for children from toddlers to teens.

“There are many organised activities for kids like mini golf, remote control car races and competitions,” she says.

“Some cruises, like Disney cruises, are designed especially for families, but during school holidays cruise liners tend to tailor activities more to children.”

Leah suggests the most family friendly routes are those in the Pacific that visit Noumea, Vanuatu, Fiji and smaller Pacific Islands. “These islands are English speaking, safe and very friendly for shore excursions,” she explains.

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Did you know…On the P&O Pacific Sun:

but they’re a long way from here. Weighing up all the pros and cons, you really can’t beat the Whitsundays, right on our doorstep. Sailing distances (and initial travel distances) are short, the backup services are second to none and the 74 Whitsunday Islands offer a wealth of experiences for the whole family.

• 80 tonnes of food and drink are consumed on each cruise • There are 72 chefs, cooks and bakers • They produce 8600 meals each day • Food is delivered by 96 waiters

Having said that, bareboat sailing is great with a baby and wonderful when the kids are comfortable swimmers, but that bit in between can be a little uncomfortable in such close proximity to the water.

Queensland Yacht Charters owner Suzette Pelt says babies sleep well on boats. “But the moment they are crawling or climbing, you’ll not have a moment’s relaxation.”

• 123,000 plates, 10,000 glasses and 125,000 pieces of cutlery are washed each day • Luckily they have 29 dishwashing machines “Another favourite would be a Mediterranean Cruise and these start around $1190 per person with kids cruising free.”

I know many mums will agree that a real holiday is one where you don’t do ANY cooking, and cruises cater for this desire too. Besides these obvious benefits, there’s also the convenience of unpacking once and still being able to visit numerous destinations and that, when you travel with kids, can be a godsend.

Sail away to tropical islands While cruises suit many families they certainly aren’t for everyone. Some of us prefer a little more adventure and a bareboat delivers. Of course, it’s essential that you know how to sail before you cast off the dock lines and rummage around for a chart, but even if you need to brush up rusty skills, it’s possible to take along a sail guide to show you the ropes.

Sailing is one of my personal passions and I spent the majority of my youth sailing through the Mediterranean, Caribbean and Australian waters – including eight years skippering boats in the Whitsundays. Each of these destinations comes with its own advantages.

The ‘Med’, while relatively crowded, offers old-world style, different cultures and stunning scenery. Picture escaping to tropical palm-lined islands with English-speaking locals and easy sailing. The British Virgin Islands are certainly my favourite option…

While adult life vests are provided, I suggest you take along your own for kids, so you make sure they fit.

Suzette says she would prefer a sailing holiday over a resort any day. “It’s like having your own private holiday home, transport, adventure, sightseeing and restaurant all rolled into one perfect floating holiday resort,” she says, and I tend to agree. One of the big advantages is the cost: bareboating is not particularly expensive when you take into account the per person rates at a resort. All the costs are paid up front so you aren’t constantly digging into your wallet and a provisioning service is available with special children’s food options so, although you have to do your own cooking, you don’t even have to do the shopping.

The biggest drawback is that basic boating experience is essential on a bareboat.

Let’s face it, you are entrusted with a vessel worth a couple of hundred thousand dollars and the less experienced you are, the more stressful this responsibility will be, so pretending you are more experienced than you are doesn’t really serve you well. If bareboating is your dream, but you aren’t confident about your skills, Suzette suggests doing a competent crew sailing course together as a family. “Then everyone gets a turn on the helm and kids love nothing more than driving a dinghy around the anchorage and exploring with you,” Suzette says.

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holidays

HAPPY

QYC (and many other bareboat companies) send out extensive pre charter preparation materials including an interactive DVD, safety manual and planning chart so you can sit around the coffee table with the kids and plan your escape well ahead. Once you arrive, there’s another 3-4 hours of practical boat and navigational briefings to familiarise you with the boat and area. Before too long you are setting course for destinations like the fjord-like Nara Inlet, the deserted reef at Border Island or famous Whitehaven Beach (from the Qantas ads!). Each day, in the morning and again in the afternoon, QYC contacts each vessel and offers destination advice. This is something you won’t find anywhere else in the world and it’s a real confidence boost.

Messing about in a houseboat So, what do you do if you want the freedom of a bareboat, but you don’t have enough experience to skipper your own sailing boat? Perhaps houseboats are for you. Within only a couple of hour’s drive of where you are right now, it’s possible to escape on a houseboat up the Noosa River, explore the Great Sandy Strait or meander through the Broadwater. We might not have the offshore islands like they do in the Whitsundays, but we certainly boast plenty of calm water passages where you can get away from civilisation without much effort at all. Best of all, no special license is needed, so this type of escape suits even the novice boaties.

Starting at Noosa Marina Tewantin, Noosa Leisuretime Houseboats offers small cabin cruisers that suit a family of five or larger flat bottom vessels with room for up to 12. The former is easy to drive but boat-like in scale. The latter is more spacious with regular size furniture, all the mod cons in the galley and a huge sundeck with barbecue designed for lounging.

Distances are short through winding mangrove-lined estuaries and steering is easy because speeds are relatively slow. Once you’ve anchored safely in glue-like mud, it’s safe to swim right from the boat and, if you head upstream to Lake Cootharaba,

the crowds thin and wildlife increases.

Why not plan to be anchored at Boreen Point on a Sunday and wander up to the historic Apollonian Hotel for their Sunday spit roast?

Further north, the Great Sandy Strait (between Fraser Island and the mainland) is an unspoilt cruising ground inhabited by dolphins, rays and even the occasional dugong. The western side of Fraser is less explored than the east and offers quiet anchorages and wonderful sunsets over ‘Australia’. Luxury Afloat houseboats offer vessels that suit eight or 10. They give a detailed briefing and call twice a day to check on your progress.

The Gold Coast Broadwater, while a little busier, offers similar topography. Secluded bays, pumping for yabbies or exploring striking sand dunes are all on the itinerary. If you need a night of civilisation, you can even arrive at Couran Cove by boat, tie up at the Marina and take advantage of the resort’s delights! Broadwater houseboats and Coomera Houseboat Holidays recently joined forces and offer a range of vessels suiting families of 4-12.

Whether you choose calm waters close by or explore the world on a liner, Ratty (from the classic tale the Wind in the Willows) perhaps put it best. “There’s nothing . . . absolutely nothing . . . half so much worth doing as simply messing around in boats,” he said.

For more information: BYO Kids: 1300BYOKIDS or visit www.byokids.com.au; P&O Cruises: www.pocruises.com.au; Disney Cruises: www.disneycruise.disney.go.com; Queensland Yacht Charters: 4946 7400 or visit www.yachtcharters.com.au; Noosa Leisuretime: 1300 853 787 or visit www.noosaleisurtime.com.au; Lifestyle Holidays and Luxury Afloat Houseboats: 5486 4864 or www.luxuryafloat.com.au; Coomera Houseboat Holidays: 5502 6200 or www.coomerahouseboats.com.au

Fill in our readers

survey to WIN 3 nights at Paradise Resort!

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KiDs on tHe CoAst – FEBRUARY / march 2010

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WS e i REV

Ghost hunter Michelle Paver A fascination with the Stone Age prompted Michelle Paver to create the bestselling series Chronicles of Ancient Darkness. This is the sixth and final book in the series which began with Wolf Brother. It features Torak, a hunter gatherer whose story is wrapped in a world which existed over 6,000 years ago. This is Torak’s last adventure, which takes him up into the mountains to find the Mountain of Ghosts. Along with his friends, Torak faces terrifying dangers as they all finally fulfil their destiny. Ghost Hunter brings Torak’s story to a nail-biting finish.

Fox and fine feathers Narelle Oliver Brisbane-based author and illustrator, Narelle Oliver, finds her inspiration in her own backyard where birds and wildlife abound. This book is set in the Border Ranges, an area which supports an abundance of wildlife including over 170 species of birds, many threatened. The story features four bird characters who would only be found together in this unique location, along with a villain, the fox. It’s a simple, environmental story told in a gentle manner, and highlighted by Narelle Oliver’s superb linocut illustrations.

Where the wild things are Maurice Sendak First published in 1963, Where The Wild Things Are has become a worldwide children’s classic.

One evening, wearing a wolf costume, Max is playing around the house, and is sent to his room for making mischief. In his bedroom a wild forest and sea grow out of his imagination, and Max sails to the land of the Wild Things.

This timeless children’s picture book, with Sendak’s fabulous illustrations, has now been made into a feature film.

The world according to kids Sally Collings This heart-warming book makes a wonderful gift for grandparents or carers. It opens your eyes to a child’s view of life and it’s jam-packed with ‘kidisms’ like “People die but TV goes on forever,” or (a good one for New Year’s) “Can’t they turn the fireworks to mute?” With delightful black and white illustrations it posed questions like “where did the dinosaurs go?” or “What is the sun made of?”The answers will bring a smile to your face.

My Sister has a big black beard Duncan Ball This is a collection of quirky verses from Australian-based author Duncan Ball, who is well known for his Selby and Emily Eyefinger series of books. The poems will appeal to a child’s wicked sense of humour. For example, “My sister has a big black beard, my brother needs a bra....

My mother is a baritone and loves to smoke cigars...” Young readers will have fun whilst appreciating the poetic form.

website

www.savvymama.com.au Gold Coast mum Keeley O’Connor has created a wonderful resource for parents with information on fashion, food, travel, innovative products and a weekly newsletter highlighting kid-friendly events and things to do. The more information we all have, the better, so Kids on the Coast congratulates Keeley for her ingenuity!

www.discovermaroochy.com.au

website

Are family and friends visiting for the holidays? Are you worried about them outstaying their welcome? Putting them up in their own apartment might just give you the space you need, and them the holiday they deserve and some Sunshine Coast holiday accommodation options offer local discounts.

COMPS

FOR YOUR CHANCE TO GREAT PRIZES ENTER ONLINE @ www.kidsonthecoast.com.au www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

FEBRUARY / march 2010 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

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DIRECTORY Activities

Kids Parties

‘Magical, Wonderful, Delig h tful’

Childrens Fitness Centre A variety of Exercise and Nutrition classes for children aged 2yrs – 12yrs.

NOW introducing Kinder Yoga!

High Tea parties designed especially for kids & mums too! You don’t have to do a thing…we do it all for you!

See our website for program details or phone us.

Come and see for yourself the fun we have at Leaps & Bounds! book Phone now to AL CLASS your FREE TRI

this direct ory IS ONLINE AT www.kidson thecoast.com .au

Psychologists

Labels

Mums,why not use the Personal Training Studio whilst your kids are in class!

Special Occassions Tickle Pink Tea Party

ader Re Di

Dress Ups, Fun Fine Foods, Games, Prizes, Craft

s c o u nt

For inquiries and bookings phone

www.childrensfitnesscentre.com.au

NAMING CEREMONIES, WEDDINGS, RENEWAL OF VOWS

0431 245 338 ticklepink@isage.net.au

Email:info@childrensfitnesscentre.com.au P: 07 55 34 40 30

www.ticklepinkteaparty.com.au

PHONE: 07 5529 2571 MOBILE: 0414 498 229

Chemists

EMAIL: yourspecialday@bigpond.com

Speech Therapy

Do you have a Wild Child?

Why not give them a wild party to remember?

Be entertained and educated by having our stunning native animals at your event.

Infant Massage INFANT MASSAGE COURSE Dot’s

We can bring: • Crocodile • Snakes • Lizards • Turtles • Birds • Mammals • Frogs • Insects Also available for Child Care Centres, Schools, Parties, Corporate Events, Film/TV

Call Dionne on 0403 029 351 E: fun@wildrangers.com.au

www.wildrangers.com.au

Give your child t gif the wonderful e! g of infant massa Dot Bengough

Certified IMIS Infant Massage Instructor Enquiries/Bookings: Mobile: 0414 270 930 Email: dot@footprintsinthesand.com.au

www.footprintsinthesand.com.au

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KiDs on tHe CoAst – FEBRUARY / march 2010

Learning to Talk, Talking to Learn Optometrists

Looking for answers?

4/43 Tallebudgera Creek Rd, West Burleigh

Phone 07 5520 7860

Behind in school?

Bright child, but trouble learning?

Concentration difficulties?

Learning difficulties?

ADD/ADHD?

Your child may have a hidden vision problem.

We understand the link between vision and learning.

Optometry & Vision Therapy

Call 5520 5900

To advertise in the Kids on the Coast Directory call

1300 430 320 or email: gc@ kidsonthecoast.com.au

Harmony Vision Care Varsity Lakes www.harmonyvisioncare.com.au

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

“6 secrets to raising a bodybrilliant healthy drug-free family” chiropractic

Each year, right here in our community, thousands of people families experience episodes of asthma, digestive problems, back & neck pain, hormonal problems, sciatica, constant headaches, and more… problems that deeply affect their joy and happiness….and most people take a “pain killer” to cover up their pain... or some people actually ignore their problem hoping it will just go away.

These two decisions will only cause more problems. By treating the symptoms and not getting to the cause, you maybe actually creating more problems for yourself. But until now, you didn’t know. You just lacked the 6 secrets to a healthy pain free body.

Your spinal cord “links” your brain to the rest of your body, and makes everything work as a ‘System’. Why should you care?

“Health is a condition of wholeness in which all of the organs of the body are functioning 100% all of the time.” Webster’s Dictionary Well, what if something disrupts this “vital link”? Do you think you’d have some problems? Maybe some asthma, ear infections or sinus troubles? Maybe pain, tingling or numbness?

Consider this - The “guardians” of your spinal cord are THE VERTEBRAE! Your vertebrae protect your spine from damage or harm and also allow you to twist, turn, bend, and move around without much restriction. But, sometimes these “guardians” get knocked out of place. For example: The birthing process...falling while learning how to walk...poor posture…lifting…twisting, car accidents, playing contact sports, driving for long periods of time, etc.

What am I looking for? You guessed it:

What is your health and happiness worth to you?

Once I find out which vertebrae are of place (A subluxation) I can correct them and gently restore them to normal alignment. Even more importantly, we will provide a tailored program of unique exercises so that the spine remains in its healthy position.

• Create a better sense of wellness • Begin a program that will attack the cause of your pain, while relieving your symptons • Start saving money by ending over-thecounter drugs that don’t work and have side effects of their own • End the cycle of temporary relief and start a lifetime of better health today

SECRET #5: The power of the “ADJUSTMENT”!

SECRET #3: The secret of Nutrition: In today’s world the quantity of food required to feed the masses has altered the soil. The once mineral rich, vitamin rich soil has been depleted. Just eating the right foods is not that easy for a lot of people. I’ll teach you about the age old secrets of power nutrients to give you maximum energy, decreased stress, and a stronger immune system at our free half hour health workshops. Call to receive your complimentary tickets

Remember we talked about ALIGNMENT? Remember how we said that if you’re not properly aligned, your immune system, your brain - your entire body functions at less than 100%? Well, the magic of putting the vertebrae back into alignment so we can reconnect 100% of the normal exchange of information from the brain to the rest of the body so you have optimum function is called an ADJUSTMENT. This little-known (and virtually ignored) treatment flat out WORKS better than anything else I’ve ever studied. And I’ve seen it work on thousands of people with all types of pain and health problems. I use techniques - all PROVEN scientifically to work and all 100% “natural” that help return vertebrae back to where they belong. And, the most amazing part is:

I see a surprisingly wide variety of health problems, including, but not limited too:

SECRET #6: Consistency is the key!

Our goal is to make your family’s experience with me as pleasurable and informative as possible.

How many times have you ignored your pain and symptoms?...Or allowed your pain to get covered up with drugs? If medicine was able to get us healthy, nobody would ever get sick!

Yours for better health, Dr Anthony Golle BCSc., B.App.Sci (Clin. Sci.).

• Headaches, Migraines, Neck Pain • Pain, tingling, and weakness • Sinus problems, breathing difficulties • Burning into the extremities • Colic, Asthma and ear infections • Arthritic problems • Low Back Pain, Sciatica • Athletic problems THIS WHOLE PROCESS DOESN’T HURT • ADHD, depression, anxiety • Digestion problems ONE BIT!

Secret 6

The first step to eliminating your pain is a thorough examination by someone who really knows what to look for! I want to know things like what falls you suffered as a child, what sports you may have played, what you do for a living, and so on. This “vital information” will usually give me the secret clues and answers to some of your health problems. The next thing is, of course, a through chiropractic

I’ll tell you if I find any subluxations (misaligned vertebrae) and how it’s affecting your overall health and well being! (It’s quite amazing. Your body will show me visible signs of why you’ve been in pain or sick.)

Secret 3

Secret 2

SECRET #2: Posture is the window to the spine!

A DYSFUNCTIONAL NERVOUS SYSTEM! AND I CAN FIND OUT EVERYTHING I NEED TO KNOW IN JUST 15 – 20 MINUTES!

SECRET #4: Once I find the “problem” I’ll tell you HOW TO FIX IT!

Secret 5

examination. But this is unlike any “traditional” examination. This is a very specific Chiropractic examination. I look carefully at your posture with digital photography and take very specific spinal X-rays to allow me to look inside of you to see how well aligned you are.

Secret 4

Ron Pero, head of cancer research at the University of Lund, Sweden and Chief of Cancer Research at New York Preventive Research Centre says that restoration and correction of the spine can increase the strength of your immune system by 200% - 400%!!

B28H736064

Secret 1

SECRET #1: Your nervous system controls the function of every cell, tissue, organ, and system in your body...especially your Immune System.

You’ll Benefit from an Amazing Offer Mention this article within the next 14 days & you will receive my entire new patient $35! That’s a examination for only $45! complete consultation & examination with all necessary x-rays ….the whole lot. This exam could cost you $210 elsewhere. And, further care is very affordable and you’ll be happy to know that I have affordable family plans. www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

Our office is called BODY BRILLIANT CHIROPRACTIC and we are conveniently located at Suite 3, 166-170 Gooding Drive, Cararra.

Call Louise Jodi on 55227422 to schedule an appointment today. $65 your entire family can take advantage of this amazing P.S. For only $55 offer which includes consultation, examination and all necessary X-rays.

P.P.S. If for some reason you don’t think we gave you great service I will refund this money no questions asked.

www.bodybrilliantchiropractic.com

FEBRUARY / march 2010 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

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