Kids on the Coast - Sunshine Coast - Issue 62. May/June 2014

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ISSUE 62 May/June 2014 SUNSHINE COAST

DOWN WITH GI ANXIOUS CHILDREN

ART: MAKING THE MAKING NAPPY REVOLUTION THE REALITIES OF THE “BLENDED FAMILY”

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A TASTE OF DISCOVERY

62 Contents ISSUE

May/June 2014

Clothes from Junior Bardot

Lucas, 2

4 6 8

FROM THE EDITOR THE SOCIAL GATHERING WHAT’S NEWS

10 FEATURE: Being Beautiful 16 CHECK THIS OUT 18 THE ‘P’ FILES: Managing Anxiety 24 EDUCATION: Art – Making the making 32 STEP BY STEP: The blended family 38 CALENDAR OF EVENTS: Find out what’s happening on the Coast during May & June 40 BABIES ON THE COAST: Nappy revolution 46 ONLY NATURAL: Down with GI 54 GOOD HEALTH: Breast Screening 60 DESTINATION: Camping 62 PARENTVILLE: Party like a Ninja 64 CONVERSATION: Assist-a-Sista 66 REVIEWS

Hugo, 18mths

EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS: JUSTINE STEWART, DR KELLY BOWERS, KAREN BURTON, RACHEL DOWNIE, NADIA WOODS, ALENEY DE WINTER, KATIE CLIFT COVER PHOTOGRAPHY: VERVE PHOTOGRAPHY

Printed with vegetable/soy based inks on paper supplied using pulp sourced from sustainable forests and manufactured to environmentally accredited systems.

WE ENCOURAGE RECYCLING. Please keep this issue for future reference, pass onto your friends and family, use for craft projects or place into the recycling bin. www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

MAY / JUNE 2014 – Kids on the Coast

3

Jackie, Kellie and Toni at our recent tenth birthday celebrations.

WELCOME

mother

mothe

kids on the coast | in th

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

EDITORIAL / PRODUCTION PUBLISHER: Toni Eggleston ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER: Simone Bell EDITOR: Jackie Goldston ADMINISTRATION: Kellie Kruger admin@kidsonthecoast.com.au PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT: production@kidsonthecoast.com.au

It always seems to come as a shock when it starts to get cold. We have been particularly lucky here on the Coast with what has felt like a beautiful long summer this year (and an especially amazing Easter weekend!).

Over the past few years I have started packing the kids’ seasonal clothes that I think will fit them the next year into storage; however I always leave bringing out the winter clothes until I really need to and get caught out on the first cold night trying to find something that doesn’t smell dusty! I had promised myself that I would wash the winter clothes early this year and of course that didn’t happen – so I am already planning to be better organised on the return to warm weather… I would love to hear about how you keep your kids’ clothes organised – let me know on Facebook, our website or email.

This issue of Kids on the Coast magazine covers a diverse range of topics which will hopefully give you something to ponder, may challenge you or maybe even remind you to look after yourself. Our feature article examines what it means to be beautiful: how this impacts a child’s self-esteem and development. We also delve into the importance of art in education and why it does more than stimulate creativity, as well as investigate the different types of childhood anxiety and some strategies to assist parents.

I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to interview the team from the charity Assist-a-Sista for Conversation.

Assist-a-Sista works with families who have been impacted by domestic violence; they empower victims with the aim of breaking the cycle and enabling them to have a fresh start. Domestic violence is something that is not often spoken about and these women are doing an amazing job, in very difficult circumstances.

Have you missed an issue of Kids on the Coast magazine? All of our articles are online and you can comment and discuss the topics on our website or Facebook page. We add topical news stories daily as well as blogs, new articles and movie, product, app and book reviews. Do you have something that you want to share? Please feel free to contact me via Facebook.com/kidsonthecoast, our website or email. Don’t forget to sign up for our What’s On eNews that comes out weekly at www.kidsonthecoast.com.au.

Jackie Goldston Editor

GRAPHIC DESIGN: Michelle Craik & Alana Falk PRINTING: Print Works, 07 3865 4433 All editorial and advertising in Kids on the Coast and Kids in the City publications is published in good faith based on material, verbal or written, provided by contributors and advertisers. No responsibility is taken for errors or omissions and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. All material in Kids 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.

DISTRIBUTION Distributed directly to parenting hotspots across South East Queensland.

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

Separate editions cover the Gold Coast and Brisbane.

Kids on the Coast (Gold Coast edition) is a free publication circulating over 18,000 copies from Tweed Heads to Coomera, including Hinterland.

Kids in the City (Brisbane edition) is a free publication circulating over 20,000 copies from North Lakes to Springwood and covering all suburbs to Jindalee.

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

ADVERTISING Call 1300 430 320 or email your Sales Account Manager.

SUNSHINE COAST Renee - advertising@kidsonthecoast.com.au

Behind the scenes…at our cover shoot

GOLD COAST Louisa - gc@kidsonthecoast.com.au BRISBANE Joanne - advertising@kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au

Hugo leads the way!

Lucas ....

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Kids on the Coast – MAY / JUNE 2014

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The Kids on the Coast community expands well beyond our magazine. Last month we celebrated our 10th birthday and invited you to be part of the celebrations. Our online community helped us celebrate through our giant 10 Days competition and received a special VIP invite to our party.

Every day we are having interesting, challenging and sometimes outright silly conversations on Facebook. Our readers can discuss anything from parking experiences at school to recipe ideas or simply share a moment or meme that has made their day special. Check out crafty ideas or party inspiration on Pinterest. Our website is jammed full of articles and blogs, with news and stories added every day. Join with us online – we are more than a magazine!

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

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

WE PREFER TO PLAY HOST AT HOME THAN EAT OUT

YOU

Queenslanders prefer to host a BBQ at home while Sydneysiders would rather dine out, according to a new survey commissioned by RSL Art Union.

RSL Art Union General Manger Luke Traini said the survey was designed to uncover some home truths about what the perfect home is depending on which side of the border you’re on. “More respondents from Brisbane (22.8%) and the Sunshine Coast (24%) said they preferred to host an outdoor BBQ at home on a weekend, but for people in Sydney (18.9%) they’d rather dine out or go to the pub with friends,” Mr Traini said. “Maybe it’s because Queenslanders have better BBQ weather while Sydney has more pubs but I don’t want to speculate too much,” he said.

KNOW

CHOICE LUNCHBOX STAR RATINGS

Twenty thousand men took 22 years to build the Taj Mahal.

A CHOICE calculation using the Health Star Ratings has found that there are significant differences in the nutritional profile of products found in a typical school kid’s lunchbox. The results show how the front-of-pack labelling system would help parents make healthier choices between products that may seem similar and would benefit consumers if it were rolled out. The Health Star Rating scheme was developed by industry, consumer, and public health groups with support from the federal government. CHOICE’s campaigns manager Angela Cartwright said these ratings would help busy parents looking for healthier options for their kids. “It can be really hard for busy mums and dads rushing to get the weekly shop done to cut through the spin and find out which products really are healthy,” Ms Cartwright said, “We know that many consumers no longer trust health marketing claims like "97% fat free" and the Health Star Rating will provide an objective snapshot of products that shoppers can understand, at-a-glance.”

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Kids on the Coast – MAY / JUNE 2014

The Pacific Ocean is not as salty as the Atlantic Ocean

Community

LESS ACTIVE CHILDREN NO LONGER KNOW HOW TO ‘PLAY’

New research related to children’s physical activity levels suggests that less active children are at greater risk of injury during traditional school yard ‘play’. The research coincides with the recent release of new Australian physical activity guidelines which for the first time included a recommendation that children limit screen time for entertainment purposes to no more than two hours per day. The study examines different measures to reduce the injury risk of children during physical education, ‘play’ and commuting activities. Lead author Professor Evert Verhagen said the researchers decided on this study following a marked increase in arm and wrist fractures among primary school aged children. Read the full news story at kidsonthecoast.com.au and let us know what your experiences have been.

ONE 75-WATT BULB GIVES MORE LIGHT THAN THREE 25-WATT LIGHT BULBS.

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COMPANION PLANTING?

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Discover one of the oldest tricks in the gardening book and try your hand at gardening at the free Companion Planting sessions at Sunshine Coast Council library branches during May and June. Join Leonie Shanahan from Edible School Gardens as she discusses the what, where and why of companion planting. Learn how companion planting can assist with pest control and pollination and find out how to support plant growth and provide nutrient exchange for healthier plants and better crops. Bookings are essential by visiting council’s library website or by calling 1300 LIBRARY. www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

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FEATURE

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Kids on the Coast – MAY / JUNE 2014

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

FEATURE

Being

beautiful

By Karen Burton

Babies are born beautiful. They get smiled at, cooed over and admired pretty much indiscriminately not just by their parents but by everyone they meet.

H

owever, in return, babies are not so even-handed with their affection. By the age of six months, they will spend more time looking at pretty faces than at plain ones, even though at that age a baby is still unable to recognise his or her own face in the mirror. It’s not until the age of two (or toddlerhood) that children understand that their reflection belongs to them. By that time, the wide eyed, cherubic features that brought them so much attention as babies have made way for an elongated, less regular visage with the presence of both teeth and hair adding to the, sometimes messy, picture.

So do they like what they see?

That’s a hard one to answer. What we do know is that adults respond differently to children based on their appearance. And it’s not only strangers who fall into this trap; it’s apparently parents as well.

A minor uproar was caused recently when a Canadian researcher from the University of Alberta discovered that attractive young children are better cared for by their parents. The study tracked families around the supermarket, giving their two to five-yearold children marks out of ten for attractiveness and then scoring parental attention. It was discovered that the least attractive children (boys and girls) were allowed to wander further away from the trolley and were far less likely to be buckled up in the trolley seat. The “gorgeous ones” were kept close at hand and strapped

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in safely. “Attractiveness as a predictor of behaviour, especially parenting behaviour, has been around a long time,” said research team head Dr Andrew Harrell. “Most parents will react to these results with shock and dismay. They’ll say ‘I love all my kids, and I don’t discriminate on the basis of attractiveness.’ The whole point of our research is that they do.”

This is not to say that attractive children are loved more.

Sure, parents and the wider community respond differently to appearance (as they do to other distinctions like age, gender, and race) but we’re talking about supermarket behaviour here, not child abuse. Perhaps the good-looking kids are being wrapped in cotton wool, over-protected, never allowed to fill a bag of mushrooms for mum while she chooses the apples?

Whatever your take on this, it’s hard to resist the obvious point that appearance is a factor for children from a very early age. And if a response to attractiveness is somehow hard-wired into our brains (remember the babies who prefer gazing at beauty) then the current media bombardment only makes it worse.

Images of children – or more accurately of what children should aspire to look like – are everywhere these days. They are on the television of course, but also on the pages of the magazines that younger and younger children are buying and reading, on posters and on food packets.

MAY / JUNE 2014 – Kids on the Coast

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FEATURE

Music videos and commercials that use attractive, slim models and muscled men to link success and happiness with appearance have been shown to cause body image dissatisfaction in boys and girls.

According to Young Media Australia (YMA), a not-for-profit organisation committed to informing parents and children about media influences, a child’s body image begins to develop from infancy when babies first become aware of what their bodies feel like and what they can do. Caregivers’ reactions to the child’s body and appearance play an important role in shaping how they feel about their bodies through childhood. A gender difference emerges quite early as boys learn to view their bodies as tools to master their environment whereas girls learn that their bodies can be used to attract others.

“As children approach adolescence, they become increasingly aware of what society’s standards are for the ‘ideal body’ and social comparison plays more of a role in their self-perception,” claims a YMA fact sheet on body image. “In the last ten years however, there are many alarming reports of children as young as nine expressing dissatisfaction with their bodies, with one survey reporting 40% of the 9-10 year olds surveyed have tried to lose weight,” it warns. Children in this age group are also accessing beauty treatments like waxing as well as the more controversial plastic surgery to correct perceived failings in their physical appearance.

Media Influence

While television is seen as a major influence, it’s more what children watch, not how much they watch that’s important - although ironically being couch potatoes will take kids’ bodies away from the ‘ideal’ image portrayed on the box. Soap operas and other popular prime-time dramas are a major problem, having been linked with the internalisation of cultural beauty ideals and the drive for thinness in both girls and boys. Music videos and commercials that use attractive, slim models and muscled men to link success and happiness with appearance have been shown to cause body image dissatisfaction in boys and girls.

To counter the media onslaught on children, YMA suggests doing reality checks with your children from time to time while out shopping or in a public place surrounded by real people. Just stop for a moment and ask your kids how many people they can see that actually look like the people they see on television – soap actors, pop stars and the rest. The YMA also suggests that from an early age, parents should do whatever they can to develop self-esteem in their children which isn’t linked to appearance. “Myths that link beauty with happiness and success are mistaken”, the organisation says, “and more than that they are specifically designed this way in order to manipulate the viewer into buying the advertised products.”

Perhaps it’s not all myth. Studies show that there is actually a beauty factor linked to wages which means that tall, slender attractive women and men earn around 5% more than their more average counterparts.

However, whether they get better jobs because they are more attractive, or whether their looks give them higher self esteem (leading to better job success) is up for debate.

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Kids on the Coast – MAY / JUNE 2014

Self-Esteem – the key to happiness

Psychologists describe it as the experience of being capable of meeting life’s challenges and being worthy of happiness. Put simply, self-esteem is the way we feel about ourselves and how much we value our own worth and importance. Young children typically base their self-esteem on the feedback they receive from others with parents (as usual) having the greatest impact. A typical sevenyear-old will build his or her self-esteem from three separate areas: academic success (intelligence), social acceptance (friends), and physical attributes (looks). As children move into adolescence, parental feedback becomes less important than peer feedback, and some new domains join the old ones in building self-esteem; feeling unique, a sense of integrity, feeling in control of one’s life. During teenage years, the idea of popularity and physical (including athletic) success becomes especially important, but it’s still only one of many areas on which a healthy self-esteem should be based. Bring in the media and society’s emphasis on attractiveness and it’s easy to see why teenagers (and younger children) often get things out of proportion.

It’s sad too, that we tend to dwell on the one area (looks) that is almost certain to decline with age, while ignoring the other areas that are far more likely to increase as we get older.

So what do we do to help the situation? Throwing out the television and removing all mirrors might be one solution (the number of car accidents caused by the removal of the rear view mirror should equal the number prevented as drivers are unable to check their appearance), but we all know that isn’t going to happen. A more realistic approach might be to limit the type of television watched by children (not too many soap operas or commercial channels) while teaching them to be ‘media savvy’ and understand the truth about the images they are seeing. For instance, their favourite sports star or celebrity will probably have had their image digitally enhanced (and we’re not just talking red-eye removal) before ending up on the front cover of their favourite magazine.

The following suggestions might be worth considering too.

•B e a positive role model. Try not to criticise your own appearance in front of your children. If you have issues with the way you look, don’t let on to the kids (and get some assistance to help you with whatever issues you may have).

•P romote good health and nutrition. Kids who have a balanced lifestyle are less likely to become obsessed with their appearance.

•H elp build their self-confidence by encouraging children to get involved in sports, art or music.

•G ive positive feedback, not only about appearance but also about school performance and personality.

•R emind your children that you love and admire them for who they are.

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13

FEATURE

Send subtle messages to boost self-esteem.

The way you give praise to your children can also send subtle messages to boost self-esteem. Experts believe that descriptive praise (rather than evaluative praise) can help children become independent, creative thinkers and do-ers rather than looking to someone else for approval. Instead of evaluating what your child has done, this kind of praise describes the detail exactly and allows him to recognise the truth and praise himself.

Descriptive praise is harder work - and if it takes too long to come up with something appropriate when a painting is thrust under your nose, then saying “fantastic” is better than saying nothing at all. All praise is good, but descriptive praise is thought to be especially good in building self-esteem. Describing your children’s achievements lets them see their strengths more clearly, makes them feel more powerful and allows them to praise themselves. As they grow up and parental approval becomes less important, the person your child really needs to please is him or herself. And that – if our children could achieve it – would be beautiful indeed.

The good, the bad, and the absolutely gorgeous

If the research is to be believed, exceptionally beautiful children are going to be treated differently throughout their lives by teachers, adults and friends. As parents of a child that continuously turns heads, you may need to prepare your child for this, attempt to explain it, and put everything into a healthy perspective. A very young child might not understand why they are getting a lot of attention for just walking into a room (where other children are basically ignored) and depending on their personality they may not like the extra attention their physical appearance attracts.

The rulebook for developing healthy self-esteem in beautiful children is much the same as it is for everyone else. Physical appearance is still only one of six areas that contribute to a person’s sense of worth – a high score in that department won’t make him or her any happier in the other five.

Situation

Evaluative Praise

Descriptive Praise

Describing appearance

“you look gorgeous”

“that colour really suits you and you’ve chosen matching socks. Well done.

Admiring a picture

“that’s a beautiful painting”

“I like the blue trucks and red cars, they look very bright and cheerful”

Your child shares a toy

“you are so kind”

“Look how happy Katie is now. She didn’t have anything to play with until you gave her that teddy.”

Your child helps with a job

“Wow you’re strong”

“Thanks for your help, those boxes were very heavy”

What do you think?

Has beauty or looks impacted your family? Share with us on the online version of this article at www.kidsonthecoast.com.au.

Useful Links

The Australian Council on Children and the Media produces a series of fact sheets on making children media savvy.

Go to www.childrenandmedia.org.au/kidzone/kidzone-facts/ The Butterfly Foundation offers advice and support for parents of children with body image problems and eating disorders.

Go to www.thebutterflyfoundation.org.au

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Kids on the Coast – MAY / JUNE 2014

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Available from The Eumundi Emporium. Ph: 5442 7340 or email: giddygeckos@bigpond.com 2. VS SOCKS: Watch out, there are creatures about! Super soft socks/ puppets with grip on the bottom to prevent slipping over. Perfect for those snuggy, cold winter days at home. Sized for 4-8 year-olds with plenty of stretch. They come in a variety pack of dog vs. cat, dolphin vs. fish and owl vs. mouse. Funky and functional, kids love the feel and play-value of these socks... or...puppets...or socks... $20 from Lamington, Hastings St Noosa Heads 5447 5773 lamington.net.au 3. RICKY DEES FORT: Magical childhood toys: Ricky Dee's Toys from Camphor Trees are unique, hand carved, enchanting toys hand crafted at Eumundi on the Sunshine Coast. Designs include timber tree-houses, castles, farms, horse yards, fairy houses, eco log cabins, fairy doors, wishing wells & detailed miniature furniture for Pixies and peg people. Prices for the “ultimate castle” start from $270; accessories from $2.50. www.rickydees.com.au or 0408 8717 54 4. NATURAL PLAY HAIR DYE FOR KIDS: The Pure Poppet Natural Hair Colour packs will let Poppets go to the next level with their dressing up and character games. The natural, nonpermanent hair colour is all about having heaps of fun and doing it safely using natural ingredients that are Australian made. Easy to apply and wash out, the Natural Hair Colour is perfect for parties, special events or just because all Poppets want to add some extra fun to their day. $19.95 from www. purepoppet.com 5. PEEKABOO: Proudly show the world you are expecting! This comfortable tee is sure to become a staple of your maternity wardrobe. Featuring a flattering neckline and cute cap sleeves. The style and fit will enhance your growing belly and blooming shape. $59.95 from www. bubsnbumps.com.au 6. FINGER TATTOOS: A variety of themed finger tattoos to create little finger puppets or “toys”. From a farm theme to a fairy-tale theme, you can to create your own adventure with your fingers. $7.95 from www.australiangiftsonline.com.au

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Kids on the Coast – MAY / JUNE 2014

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

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Infinity offers more than just Martial Arts If you’re looking for a way to encourage your child to get active, become more vibrant and increase confidence levels, then enrolling them at Infinity Martial Arts may just be the answer.

Infinity Martial Arts offers a range of fun and interactive classes for 2-15 year olds that have been designed to make sure every child is challenged and given the chance to reach their full potential.

With classes starting for children as young as two. Infinity Martial Arts allows kids to get a head start on learning vital skills such as paying attention, listening and showing self-control. The classes focus on hand and eye coordination, which is extremely important in early learning development.

For the slightly older age groups the classes are a fantastic outlet for children to release energy and build confidence, while improving coordination, flexibility and balance. The students will further their knowledge in self-defence, safe rolling and grappling techniques.

Infinity Martial Arts Head Instructor, Neil Owen, said the classes were not just about learning the latest Martial Arts moves, but about character building and really allowing each child to grow and develop into the best person they can possibly be. “We are thrilled at the improvement in behaviour that we see as each child progresses in their martial arts journey, there really is so much more to the classes than just learning martial art techniques,” he said.“We have even just started a new leadership program that allows our older kids to help mentor the younger children and we are seeing some amazing results with self esteem growth and mentoring abilities.”

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All instructors at Infinity Martial Arts are full-time professionals that take pride in teaching quality, child-friendly martial arts as well as life lessons which include self discipline, strength, respect, honour and personal safety.

Each age group has been covered with the Cubs class for 2-3 year olds, the Koala’s class catering to the 3-5 year olds, the Python’s for children 6-8, Scorpion’s for 9-11 year olds and the Tiger Sharks for the 12-15 year olds.

If you want to give your child the best start in life, bring them along for a free trial class and let them see what all the fun is about. Academies are located in Noosa, Maroochydore and Currimundi. Call 1300 INFINITY for more details.

MAY / JUNE 2014 – Kids on the Coast

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THE P FILES

WHAT IS ANXIETY?

ANXIOUS CHILDREN Dealing with your child’s anxiety Dr Kelly Bowers

Youthrive Integrated Therapy Services

We hear the term ‘anxiety’ on an almost daily basis. While our awareness of anxiety has certainly improved in recent years, many families are still unsure of what it really means. In simple terms, anxiety means fear. But a fear of what exactly? Many people experience a range of different anxieties, but what is often misunderstood is that all anxieties relate to the same underlying thing – a fear that our most basic needs will not be met.

Food. Shelter. Survival. When we feel that we are under threat, our basic survival instincts kick in. Anxiety in this sense is a good thing as it serves to protect us and motivates us to take action against any potential danger. However, anxiety becomes problematic when we begin to overestimate the likelihood of a threat, or perceive a threat when it may never have actually existed.

Regardless of the source of the anxiety, the symptoms are often the same. These typically include: • physical symptoms such as heart palpitations, increased breathing rate, dizziness, sweating, and nausea • intrusive and persistent thoughts • constant feelings of apprehension and worry.

Anyone who has ever experienced a form of anxiety will testify that these symptoms often cause a lot of distress, and that they can become overwhelming and debilitating if they are allowed to take over.

Anxiety often becomes problematic when it begins impacting on several areas of our children’s lives and stops them from doing things that they enjoy. Unfortunately, symptoms of anxiety may begin to ‘snowball’ as other areas, such as social relationships and academic functioning, begin to be impacted. The good news however, is that there is a high success rate in the treatment of anxiety disorders via psychological intervention. The key is to first of all recognise the symptoms, and then seek support as early as possible.

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Kids on the Coast – MAY / JUNE 2014

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Aged 3 to 12 years www.swinghigh.com.au | Phone 0418 975 737 Suite 4/ 13 Margaret St, Palmwoods (above the Post Office) MAY / JUNE 2014 – Kids on the Coast

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THE P FILES

Any type of change can be anxiety provoking.

WHAT CAUSES ANXIETY?

TYPES OF ANXIETY Although reports of prevalence rates vary for each specific type of anxiety, the general finding is that approximately 6–10% of children and adolescents experience some kind of anxiety disorder. Approximately 50% of people who experience one anxiety disorder will also meet the clinical criteria for a second anxiety disorder.

GENERALISED ANXIETY: Children experience multiple nonspecific fears. Fear is not focussed on one particular object, situation or event. Children appear to worry about almost everything and anything.

This may include a fear of worrying about worrying.

SEPARATION ANXIETY: A fear of being separated from a parent or attachment figure. Children who experience separation anxiety often display clingy behaviour and/or refusal to go to school.

SOCIAL ANXIETY: Relates to a fear of being negatively evaluated by others, or of embarrassing oneself in front of other people. Social anxiety has an impact on social functioning and social skills, which may potentially have further impacts in later life (e.g. obtaining employment).

POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD): Occurs after the experience of a traumatic event. Trauma is usually perceived as life threatening to the child or others. It includes recurring fearful thoughts and memories after the traumatic event has occurred. Children who experience PTSD often try to avoid situations or events that remind them of the traumatic event.

SPECIFIC PHOBIA: Is a fear about a particular object, event or situation (e.g. fear of spiders, injections, heights, rollercoasters, small spaces). It often includes the overestimation of the likelihood that the particular object will cause harm.

OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER (OCD): Commonly known for repetitive or compulsive behaviours (e.g. turning a light switch on and off multiple times before leaving a room). These behaviours are often triggered by the intrusive, repetitive and obsessive thought that harm will occur if a particular behaviour is not performed correctly.

PANIC DISORDER: Relates to unexpected panic attacks, which include intense and extreme bouts of anxiety, which occur in short isolated periods. Attacks mainly consist of uncontrollable physical symptoms such as heart palpitations and rapid breathing.

For more information relating to each of these please visit www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/anxiety/types-of-anxiety.

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Anxiety typically develops based on the outcomes of a past experience. It is important to note here that the type of anxiety that a child experiences can be dependent on the developmental stage during which the child first experienced the threat or harm.

For example, a child who is not held or nurtured during infancy may develop a fear of being separated from their caregiver in later childhood. When thinking about the trigger for anxiety, it is often helpful to think about other events that were happening in your child’s life at the same time that their symptoms first occurred.

TRAUMATIC EVENT: If children experience a traumatic event, whether or not they are physically harmed, it is understandable that they may be fearful of that same event occurring again. Once a traumatic event has occurred, children generally overestimate the likelihood that the event will reoccur.

VICARIOUS TRAUMA: This refers to situations where children may not have experienced the trauma first hand but may have heard stories of harm occurring to other people, like media coverage of natural disasters. Again in these instances, children generally overestimate the likelihood that the event will happen to them.

LIFE TRANSITION: Any type of change can be anxiety provoking; particularly for children. Consistent home and lifestyle routines help kids to feel secure. When this changes, the predictability of their world is challenged. Lifestyle changes such as moving house, changing schools, parental separation, illness or the death of a family member, are all likely to evoke some degree of anxiety within children, as these changes challenge their idea of how their world works. If these changes are perceived to be threatening or dangerous in some way, children are likely to experience anxious symptoms.

LEARNED BEHAVIOUR: While genetics do play a small part in the onset of anxiety, environmental factors and learned behaviours usually have a larger influence in the development of anxious symptoms in children. It is well understood that children learn behaviours from their parents and caregivers – and this includes anxious behaviours.

Children who have a parent or family member who experiences anxiety are more likely to experience anxiety themselves when compared to children who don’t.

While parents may be able to pin point the situation or event that initially triggered their child’s anxiety, it is commonly reported that their child has gradually started to demonstrate anxious symptoms in areas that are not related to the initial circumstance. This is because anxiety often starts to generalise to other areas of life. Children begin to interpret the potential for danger across multiple situations that may not relate to the situation when the anxiety first developed. It’s important to ensure that anxiety is appropriately managed before it has the opportunity to develop further.

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In most cases if the eye condition is detected early enough, exercises can be given to avoid it developing into a vision problem at school. In some cases vision problems exhibit themselves in children who have short attention spans but often are undetected by the parents or carers.

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Phone: 5439 7844

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Near Coles at Pelican Waters Shopping Centre, Pelican Waters Blvd, Pelican Waters Email: info@LSOPTOM.COM MAY / JUNE 2014 – Kids on the Coast

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MANAGING YOUR CHILD’S ANXIETY

SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP: Psychological interventions have high success rates in treating anxiety disorders. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is recognised as an effective treatment. Families that feel that their child is currently experiencing symptoms of anxiety are encouraged to contact a psychologist for support. A psychologist can be found in your local area on the ‘Find a Psychologist’ website www. psychology.org.au/findapsychologist

EDUCATION: It is often difficult to treat anxiety when the cause or reason for anxious symptoms is not understood. By understanding why particular anxious symptoms occur, children are able to learn appropriate coping skills to overcome those symptoms.

REALISTIC THINKING: In an anxious state our mind can play tricks on us by overestimating the probability of a threat occurring.

By challenging negative and intrusive thoughts, children are able to identify the realistic probabilities of particular threats. By developing realistic thinking styles, children are better able to identify the difference between ‘real dangers’ and ‘false alarms’.

WHAT MAINTAINS ANXIETY?

AVOIDANCE: Avoidance occurs in all anxiety disorders. It makes sense that we want to avoid things that make us feel uncomfortable or uneasy. However, we need to ask ourselves whether it is possible to overcome our fears if we continually avoid them? Parents may unintentionally reinforce their child’s anxiety by promoting or allowing avoidant behaviour. It is unpleasant to see our children experiencing distress, so it is natural for parents to help their children avoid anxiety provoking situations. While this may reduce the anxious symptoms in the short term, this behaviour ultimately reinforces to our children that the situation they were avoiding was indeed threatening.

Similarly, constant or excessive positive reinforcement may also maintain child anxiety by sending the same message. It’s not uncommon for parents and caregivers themselves to become anxious about their child’s anxiety, and thus unintentionally model anxious behaviour.

FAMILY LIFE: Disagreement between parents about the best way to manage their child’s anxiety may also create further anxiety for the child. Children may feel guilty or anxious if they believe that their symptoms are the cause of their parent’s conflict. Inconsistencies in parenting styles may result in children receiving mixed messages about how to approach their anxiety. Children thrive on consistent family routines and structures.

SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT: Anxiety may also often be reinforced by children’s peers. The impact that anxiety has on social relationships may result in social isolation from others, and/or being bullied by peers. These experiences are likely to further increase the symptoms of anxiety and maintain the belief that their world is not a safe place.

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EXPOSURE THERAPY: Avoid avoidance. The best way to overcome anxiety is often for children to do the very thing that they feel anxious about. This helps children to gain first hand evidence that they have overestimated the likelihood of harm occurring. The most successful form of exposure therapy is a graded approach, which means starting with small steps to help develop a sense of success and self-confidence within the anxious child. For example, a child with a fear of dogs may start out by looking at pictures of dogs and holding toy dogs, before being encouraged to actually pat a real dog.

RELAXATION TRAINING: There are many forms of relaxation.

The most commonly known include deep breathing, muscle relaxation strategies, and guided imagery. The benefit of relaxation skills are that they reduce physical symptoms of anxiety, and allow a clearer mind for challenging unhelpful thought patterns.

MODELLING NON-ANXIOUS BEHAVIOUR: This is sometimes easier said than done, particularly if parents experience the same anxiety as their children. Nonetheless, parents who have an understanding of anxiety themselves are often better equipped to demonstrate coping strategies to their children. The rehearsal of coping skills during non-anxious times is often beneficial for both parents and children. Rewarding brave and non-anxious behaviour may also prove beneficial for children who experience anxiety. After being rewarded for their brave behaviour, children are able to build self-confidence and set themselves up for future successes.

Any strategy which is used to help children overcome anxiety is best served in supportive family and school environments. Patience, communication, and the display of empathy and understanding, often help children to feel supported. If a child has confidence in their parents and teachers, then they are much more likely to have confidence in themselves.

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

Mum’s & Bubs Yoga Dad’s & Bubs Welcome

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Occupational Therapy Speech Pathology, Psychology Adapt Health Care offer consultations at home, school or daycare

Adapt provides Children health services including:

Occupational Therapy, Speech & Language Pathology &Psychology

Early Intervention Therapy Adapt Health Care provides early intervention therapy services to children between 0-10 years with a focus on Speech and Language Pathology and Occupational Therapy. Adapt delivers a co-ordinated multidisciplinary approach to help your family and child achieve their goals.

Speech Pathologists assess and manage children requiring assistance in five main areas: • Speech • Oral and written language • Voice • Fluency • Swallowing

Adapt for Kids offers: • Speech & Language Pathology • Occupational Therapy • Psychology

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Therapy centre located at: 171 Brisbane Road, Mooloolaba HICAPS, Better Start funding, Helping Children with Austism, Chonic Disease Management, Private funding www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

Adapt Health Care Speech and Language Pathologists are also able to offer the Hanen Programs “More than Words” and Talkability”.

Occupational Therapists have an understanding of physical, cognitive (mental) and behavioural development and they aim to develop, restore, enhance or adapt a child’s abilities, to optimise functioning at home, at school and in the community. Occupational Therapists work with children who are experiencing, or are at risk of experiencing difficulties: • Fine motor development, including handwriting • Poor co-ordination • Sensory issues • Difficulties with play • Self care - dressing, eating • Attention difficulties For more information please contact 1800 085 030 | www.adapthealthcare.com.au MAY / JUNE 2014 – Kids on the Coast

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EDUCATION

"EVERY CHILD IS AN ARTIST. THE PROBLEM IS STAYING AN ARTIST WHEN YOU GROW UP." PABLO PICASSO

MAKING THE MAKING W

By Rachel Downie

hen my son was 3, I found him on the veranda in the throes of building what (he thought) was to become an iconic architectural structure. After surveying the collection of sticks, cardboard, wood glue and various other semi-authorised building materials “borrowed” from my wardrobe, the shed and the old lawnmower, I asked him what he was doing. “Making the making,” he scoffed (with the disapproval and contempt that only 3 year olds can express) and promptly asked me to leave him be because he was busy. So I left, thinking that council approval would need to be sought for the ensuing extension and wondering how on earth my old maternity bras were going to feature!

‘Making the making’ is something that I have specialised in for the past 17 years. You see, I am very luckily, a Visual Art teacher, having taught the subject from Prep to Year 12, in a variety of educational settings, including prison. And in every setting, I have seen Art make confident thinkers out of self-conscious kids and a sense of pride develop in those who have a lack of self-respect because making ‘stuff’, and thinking about making ‘stuff’ with your own hands feels great. Artmaking can not only sometimes reach places other areas of the curriculum can’t, it also helps our kids to invent, innovate and investigate, which are processes that are related to finding solutions for problems in every subject they will undertake.

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Kids on the Coast – MAY / JUNE 2014

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art supplies

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w w w. a l i t t l e c r e a t i v e . c o m . a u Contact us to join a class near you!

Our PARTIES are lots of creative fun!

- or shop online to be creative at home

Now you can BUY our art materials and kits online!

Follow our BLOG and facebook page for lots of art activities and ideas!

FOUNDATION COLLEGE (PREP TO YEAR 2) Specialist early childhood teachers support a strong focus on literacy, numeracy and problem solving.

A warm, stimulating, nurturing environment founded on Christian values, featuring: • Strong parent partnerships • High levels of teacher aide support • A fostering of creativity and imagination

PHONE Chris Henschke, College Registrar on 5436 7321 LOCATION Woodlands Boulevard, Meridan Plains 4551 www.pacificlutheran.qld.edu.au

SCAN to visit our website.

Open Day

4th May 12.30pm-3.30pm www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

MAY / JUNE 2014 – Kids on the Coast

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EDUCATION

"THINK LEFT AND THINK RIGHT AND THINK LOW AND THINK HIGH. OH, THE THINKS YOU CAN THINK UP IF ONLY YOU TRY." DR SEUSS

ARTMAKING?

PROBLEM SOLVING

Given that children develop their capabilities sequentially (from simple to complex abilities) and at their own pace, artmaking can provide them with sensory learning experiences that they are able to master at their own rate. There are not many other areas of the curriculum that are as flexible as this. Kids will use pretty much anything to make art (including maternity bras!) and each material they choose to use, brings with it, its own set of challenges and therefore a different level of skill and thought development.

Artmaking is a special type of problem solving. It is about finding solutions to problems that don’t have simple answers. Making art utilises adaptability and flexibility of thought which are both critical for your child to be a successful life-long learner. And because these types of thought processes are applied to every part of the curriculum, it is very important to nurture artmaking activities both at home as well as in your child’s academic world. Kids who ‘make the making’ are regularly proven to be more adventurous and innovative in their thinking across the board. This is because dealing with ambiguous situations or problems (like making anything one desires from an egg carton!) encourages divergent thinking or ideational fluency.

Remember The Useful Box from Playschool? Egg-carton caterpillars, paper plate masks and doily thingies were more often than not, the highlight of my week (I actually have no idea what we made from doilies but it was fun). The reason for this was because I didn’t have to do it the way everyone else did and I often felt stifled in my creative thinking process in all of my other subject areas. The power in artmaking for me, was not having to proffer the same ‘answer’ as everyone else. This sense of individuality in creative decision making and problem solving, applies to real-world problem solving because it’s not black and white. You see the real world, as in the world after school, does not have standardised answers for everything. How easy would life be if it did? Not to mention boring!

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Ideational fluency is giving as many responses as you can think of to a particular stimulus. We call it brainstorming. For example, when a group of four year olds were asked what they could make from an egg carton, one boy’s list was: a caterpillar, boobs, pimples, a holder for stuff, rocks and (my personal favourite) a lumpish decoration for Grandma’s special table!

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

Faith Diligence Love

Opening doors to fun-filled learning Suncoast Little Learners provides a warm and nurturing environment that ensures your child will feel secure and loved providing a wonderful first pre-school experience.

Get Ready for Prep! Kindy 3 ½ - 4 ½ year olds • A rich early learning program including performing arts, physical education lessons, library and computer lessons.

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Book a tour by calling Janelle on 5451 3600

E. info@suncoastcc.qld.edu.au | A. Cnr Schubert & Kiel Mtn Rds, Woombye

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Call Us Today 07 5477 3441

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MAY / JUNE 2014 – Kids on the Coast

27

EDUCATION

"MANY HIGHLY TALENTED, BRILLIANT, CREATIVE PEOPLE THINK THEY’RE NOT - BECAUSE THE THING THEY WERE GOOD AT AT SCHOOL WASN’T VALUED, OR WAS ACTUALLY STIGMATIZED." SIR KEN ROBINSON Sir Ken Robinson says that the problem with systems of education is that they supress creativity and divergent thinking (click here to watch his TED talk, it’s fabulous! http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=iG9CE55wbtY). Creativity is a function of everything we do and instead of promoting creativity, he says that we are educating our children out of it. This is because current education systems place a great deal of emphasis on academic development. As a result, arts programs are being reduced or even eliminated from classrooms because they are not valued as being academic enough, to accommodate more linear teaching methods and Art (the arts) is really anything but. Robinson also says that literacy and creativity should be given equal status in learning because we are in danger of educating our children to be good workers rather than creative thinkers. Unfortunately, my experience as a Visual Art teacher is that parents and colleagues often coach children out of doing Art because they’re not going to be a professional artist. What about learning through enjoyment? What about fun? With this in mind I would ask, why then are students allowed to spend so much time playing say, soccer or netball throughout their schooling, if they’re not going to be a professional sportsperson? You’ll say because it keeps them healthy. Well, expressing creativity keeps people healthy as well: on an emotional level, on a thinking level and on a skill level. Please don’t think I am taking sides, I’m not. I believe in a learning balance and I also believe in individuating each child’s way of learning because they are all so beautifully different. We have to be careful not to divorce our kids from their natural aptitudes through their educational journey, by predetermining the ‘how’ of their learning.

FINDING TIME The ‘busy-ness’ of life, financial pressures determining that both parents work, ‘technoplay’ and the omnipresent contemporary pressure to always be doing a plethora of new things, mean that many parents are time poor. They are precluded from finding those valuable moments to delve into their ‘useful boxes’, to make seemingly unimportant stuff with their children. In the classroom, we are seeing an overall decline in some of the abilities that kids are entering school with because of these factors. Some schools report that students are starting without being able to use scissors, glue shapes on a page, kick, throw or catch a ball or even ride a bike. I also see an everincreasing number of students who lack the confidence to begin an artmaking task, because they are so worried about not being able to make it perfectly; and they’re petrified of being wrong because society consistently stigmatizes mistake making. Our society is so perfection orientated that the potential to stifle a child’s creative learning process and confidence in taking a risk to try something new is significant. This is highly detrimental because some very important learning comes from making mistakes as well. Seriously, how can one judge whether or not a pair of egg carton sunglasses are perfect or not!

"HAVE NO FEAR OF PERFECTION, YOU’LL NEVER REACH IT." SALVADOR DALI

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Kids on the Coast – MAY / JUNE 2014

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Caloundra City Private School Excellence, Integrity, Learning Caloundra City Private School is an award winning Kindergarten to Year 12 co-educational and non-denominational school set in beautiful grounds at Pelican Waters.

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Pelican Waters Boulevard, Pelican Waters

MAY / JUNE 2014 – Kids on the Coast

29

EDUCATION

Kids have an innate high level of creativity because they muse, explore, investigate and experiment naturally, without fear of being judged on the outcome. They do all of this within their physical and conceptual environments and there are things we parents can do, to help foster their creativity and divergent thinking: nP rovide an environment to explore without undue restraint. Not only the space your child creates in but also the materials or “stuff” they are allowed to have access to. That is why the concept of a useful box is great; they are allowed access to everything in it but can make their own choices about what they will use. nP lease let them own their own ideas. We sometimes selfishly structure their ideas into an adult’s concept of a good idea. Believe it or not, we are mostly less creative than they are, so it is important for you to be able to facilitate their creativity without managing it.

"CREATIVITY IS CONTAGIOUS, PASS IT ON." ALBERT EINSTEIN

nA ccept the weird stuff too! Great divergent thinking is sometimes not what we expect. Ask them to explain what they have made, you’ll be entertained; the glitter and baby pooh coloured painting has a fantastical explanation for sure! nE mphasise process (exploring, thinking, doing) rather than the end product. nY our kids learn from watching you. You are valuable resources for facilitating learning, so be creative too; whatever they’re doing, join in but let them lead. nA sk questions at your child’s school. Are Art lessons provided? Does a specialist teach them? How often do they have these lessons?

POSITIVE EXPERIENCE Kids perform well when they are in touch with things that make them feel good and this needs to be applied to their learning world as well. Generating original ideas is the basis of creative potential and the creative process underpins learning in all areas of the curriculum.

Artmaking is “a critical link for students in developing the crucial thinking skills and motivations they need to achieve at higher levels."

(Deasy, & Stevenson, 2002) Having opportunities to develop aesthetic awareness, feelings and discernment through making arty stuff undeniably contributes to the development of your child’s wholeness and potential, as well as their confidence to try new things and challenge assumptions. I like to call it, thinking!

So, what are you waiting for, go on, get out the flour glue, dried pasta, egg cartons, pipe cleaners and doilies and start “making the making”.

You never know, the pasta necklace you have been emotionally bribed to wear to work today, may have fostered the thinking processes in some little being, who is going to discover a way to end child poverty.

Just in case you were wondering, the elastic from my maternity bras ended up being used to make a slingshot. The stick and glue Guggenheim was abandoned in order to do something else of utmost importance!

HAVE YOU DONE SOMETHING QUIRKY OR INTERESTING IN THE NAME OF ART WITH YOUR KIDS? Share with us online at www.kidsonthecoast.com.au.

Get started with some crafty ideas, visit our Pinterest boards KIDS on the Coast/in the City

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Developing brains benefit from the stimulation of visual arts Kids need to experience their world in a creative way for optimal development. No surprises there, we all crave a creative element in our work to keep us interested and enthusiastic. But did you know that this need is greatest in children, especially during early childhood? Growing brains need lots of stimuli. Research from neuro-science shows that the first five years have a greater impact on the long-term plasticity of human brains than any other time in life. While neurons are formed at birth, connections and networks develop as the child responds and reacts to his or her environment. Sensory experiences are key to this development, without them, the brain simply cannot develop properly.

Visual arts - gets those neurons connecting in several ways. You might be surprised at just how much learning happened when your little one made that artwork now stuck to the fridge. Working with visual arts develops motor skills, literacy, creativity and sensitivity and emotional expression. No wonder they are so proud of it!

Motor skills - While it comes naturally to us now, at some stage we call fumbled with pencils and glue trying to get the right grip. Working on art projects encourages preschoolers to flex the muscles they will need it later for activities like writing and tying shoes.

Literacy - The first words your child reads are pictures. It’s true! The seeds of reading are there when your child first connects a concept with the corresponding symbol. Essentially, this coding and decoding of symbols is what reading is all about. Similarly, writing skills originate in clumsy swirls

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made with thick crayons (hopefully not on the walls!). Drawing or painting pictures to make meaning provides children with the preparation they need to make reading and writing words a natural next step.

Creativity and Sensitivity - According to research from Griffith University, ‘Children make observations and judgments on their own art as well as the artwork of other children. These actions have the potential to influence children’s own views of themselves and others as individuals. Art teaches children to respect their class mates as creative individuals, even if they don’t draw a dog the same way. Learning to appreciate a variety of creative expressions with an open mind promotes tolerance and kindness, essential skills, not just for school, but for life!

Emotional Expression - The therapeutic benefits of art have been known for decades. Many psychiatrists use techniques involving art to unlock emotions where talking is difficult. Little children are grappling with the upheaval of a daycare environment and perhaps leaving mum & dad for the first time. Skilled early childhood educators can use art to gently guide a child through these tender moments. Sometime pictures are better than words for expressing an emotion, especially while language skills are still developing.

New Leaf Early Learning Centre is an initiative of the Sunshine Coast Grammar School and provides quality care to children from 6 weeks to school age. They believe in giving children the best possible start to life in an environment which is both nurturing and stimulating. For enquiries, please contact the Centre directly on (07) 5453 7077.

MAY / JUNE 2014 – Kids on the Coast

31

STEP BY STEP

The realities of the “blended family”

By Karen Burton

THERE IS NO RECIPE FOR THE PERFECT BLENDED FAMILY; NO MARITAL THERMOMIX WHICH WILL PRODUCE A HAPPY, LOVING HOME BY INSTANTLY SMOOTHING OUT THE HURT AND CONFUSION THAT OFTEN OCCURS WHEN TWO FAMILIES JOIN. THERE ARE, HOWEVER, A COUPLE OF INGREDIENTS THAT CAN MAKE SUCCESS MORE LIKELY: TIME AND UNDERSTANDING. Anyone who ever watched the kids on the Brady Bunch ironing each other’s flares and getting on as if life is just groovy man, might think that two families can be easily slotted together to create a blended family, every bit as functional as any other. Yet blended families face challenges that others do not.

About 3% of families identify as a ‘blended family’, although there are likely to be more who do use the term. Blended families are different from first-time round families. To begin with, there are many more family relationships, and are likely to be grandparents, uncles, cousins, and a parent living outside the family with no links with other members of the family. There are also more emotional upheavals, huge changes and adjustments to be made, more parent figures, and no common history of how things are done. According to Relationships Australia, understanding these differences provides a good framework for creating a new family: “The expectation for the new family to appear like a first-time round family, with two natural parents and their children living in one household together, can cause pain for everyone. It

32

Kids on the Coast – MAY / JUNE 2014

leads to a denial of the existence of other parents and relatives. It is important to accept that the step-family will never be the same as the first-time-round family and to see the benefits of being in a step-family.”

Adults must take responsibility for situations, eg separations, new partnerships, re-locations etc, which have come about through their own choices. Not only do children have no say in these decisions, they may be almost an “afterthought” in the case of new partners who are focusing mainly on their own relationship. Currently in Australia 40% of all marriages end in divorce, and ABS figures show that half of those divorces affect children. The statistics for re-marriages are even more depressing, with 60% of those ending in failure. If you’ve been troubled by relationship conflict in the past, maybe it’s time to see a counsellor and get some help. Many second marriages end up being bogged down by the same issues and patterns that were present in the first marriage, whether they appear to be present initially or resurface further down the track.

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PACIFIC LUTHERAN EARLY LEARNING Specialist early childhood teachers and assistants inspire a love of learning in children. Creativity and confidence are nurtured as children explore the Queensland Kindergarten Guidelines.

Pacific offers a kindergarten program within a long day care model for 3½ and 4 year olds.

PHONE Chris Henschke, College Registrar on 5436 7321 LOCATION Woodlands Boulevard, Meridan Plains 4551 www.pacificlutheran.qld.edu.au

SCAN to visit our website.

Open Day

4th May 12.30pm-3.30pm www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

MAY / JUNE 2014 – Kids on the Coast

33

STEP BY STEP

While all parents seek positive relationships with their children, blended families may find this more difficult. Suffering the loss of a parent, either through death (10%) or divorce (90%), is one of the most stressful events which can occur to a child. Blended families are born out of this trauma, and if there is on-going conflict between birth parents as well, then the situation is made far worse. For a new family to form successfully with healthy relationships (and it can!), everyone must help deal with the existing pain from the break-up of the previous family unit. This will take time, effort, and a great deal of listening and understanding on the part of all family members.

Relationship counsellor Ken Warren believes children face a number of challenges when they become part of a blended family. “Children may still be coming to terms with the fact that mum and dad are no longer together; they go through a real sense of sadness and even years later some are still coming to terms with that,” he said. “Children often have to get used to new situations, either with living arrangements, or the loss of friends or familiar routines,” he said “Wherever possible, parents need to quarantine their children from ongoing conflict. Children need to maintain a decent relationship with the other natural parent and be supported in thinking that the other natural parent is wonderful,” Ken says.

34

Another rule of thumb is to introduce your new partner to your children very slowly, bearing in mind that children of different ages may react very differently. “Children aged around 4 - 5 are particularly vulnerable because they have an understanding that loss is permanent but have few coping strategies,” Ken explains.

In recognition of the challenges faced by blended families, the Child Support Agency has recently published a free booklet aimed at helping parents to make things easier for the children in these situations. Me and My Changing Family calls for a reality check for repartnered parents, agreeing that blended families are very different from first-time families. Being aware of the realities of re-partnering, it says, can help parents have a realistic expectation of what’s in store and understand that their new family situation is “normal”.

Once two families have decided to blend, the CSA shows five stages of development which the new family often goes through on its journey to becoming a happy and loving, fully-functioning family unit.

Some families may remain in one stage for a long time, or may even repeat stages if issues are not being addressed correctly.

STAGE 1:

STAGE 2:

STAGE 3:

STAGE 4:

STAGE 5:

Fantasy

Confusion

Chaos

Stability

Commitment

This is when re-partnered parents have no idea of the challenges that lie ahead, and children may be hoping for mum and dad to get back together.

Things don’t work out as everyone hoped (reality takes over) and the parents have no idea what to do to make things better.

Here it feels like everything is falling apart, and the re-partnered parent has no energy to keep the new family together. Families often seek help at this stage.

Relationships are working much better with good communication.

Everyone feels they are part of a family, instead of a bunch of strangers living together.

Kids on the Coast – MAY / JUNE 2014

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A place of Inspiration and success...

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Pre-Kindy to Year 12

14 May ̶ 6.30pm

Attend our Prep Information Dinner Night - RSVP 9 May

OPEN DAY

Education at Caloundra Christian College is about partnering with your family as you raise your children

28 May ̶ 2-5pm Come and experience our College and tour our fantastic facilities

7 Gregson Place Caloundra 4551

www.uc.qld.edu.au

P: 07 5436 6777

Dr Kelvin Larwood

Obstetrics Gynaecology IVF Laparoscopic and Pelvic Surgery

W: www.calcc.qld.edu.au

WHAT’S ON FOR KIDS @ Nambour Civic Centre

The Lion King

Nambour Arthouse Cinema is very excited to screen the Walt Disney classic film The Lion King during the July school holidays. Embark on an extraordinary coming of age adventure with Simba - the lion cub who just can’t wait to be king! Bring the whole family to watch this classic film on the big screen. Every child receives a free small popcorn!

See our website for dates times.

DeepBlue Winter Workshops

• Full range of Obstetric and Gynaecolgy Services • Individualised Obstetric care with births at the Sunshine Coast Private Hospital • Offering continuity of care with a known midwife throughout your Pregnancy, Birth and Postnataly.

For more information please visit www.drkelvinlarwood.com.au or call (07) 5478 4470 www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

Join String-rock sensation DeepBlue for their Sunshine Coast Winter Workshops and for a chance to perform in the Who Are You show. From Thursday 10 until Saturday 12 July, DeepBlue will work with young local musicians during the school holidays, playing a huge array of instruments. DeepBlue’s fun and creative workshops in performance and technology culminate in a unique performance opportunity on stage with DeepBlue at the Nambour Civic Centre. The workshops are for young musicians aged between 8 – 18.

To book your place, please visit www.youngblue.net.au

www.scvenuesandevents.com.au /nambourciviccentre MAY / JUNE 2014 – Kids on the Coast

35

STEP BY STEP

In order to progress through the confusion and chaos to emerge triumphant at the happy ending, families can work through a number of strategies in their newly evolving relationships. Some key suggestions from Me and My Changing Family include: Take time to love and reassure your children that no-one will ever take their place. When children know that their relationship with their parents is not under threat, they are more likely to accept the new family and feel secure within it.

A lot of unnecessary confusion can be avoided if everyone is clear about the role of each family member. Discuss everyone’s expectations and how they see themselves within the new family (eg. will the step-parent collect children from school/cook meals, what will the children call them?). This discussion should take place at Family Meetings – set aside a time every week of around 30 minutes when everyone can be heard fairly and without being judged. Children should know that they can ask for a family meeting whenever they think it necessary.

Re-partnered parents should agree from the outset how they will approach disciplining the children. Early on, the biological parent should make sure the rules are followed, and should be responsible for disciplining the children. The step-parent should support them. If the biological parent can’t be there, they should let the children know that the step-parent is in charge. Eventually, the step-parent should start to discipline the children as well, with the biological parent’s support.

It is easy to dwell on what has been lost when a family splits up. When a parent re-partners and two families join, remember to create new family traditions which can help shape the family’s identity. Make sure these are discussed at family meetings, and be aware that children can be distressed about changes in traditions surrounding birthdays and other special family occasions. Listen to their feelings and make them feel part of the new family.

Re-partnered parents who are prepared to work through the difficulties can forge great relationships in their new blended families. Over time, a real loving relationship can grow between children and step-parents, and at the very least a respectful and caring relationship can be achieved.

Ken Warren is keen to stress that there are no perfect families out there, either first, second or third-time around, and that blended families can be very successful. “I would like to reassure people that there are a lot of decent step families out there that function pretty well most of the time. Remember, success (and this is true for all families) is when 85% of the time things are traveling pretty well, and 15% of the time they are not going quite so well.”

36

Kids on the Coast – MAY / JUNE 2014

Ken knows a lot of blended families who have achieved this, and says there are different roles for the step-parents (a second ‘parent figure’ or an ‘older friend’) which can both work extremely well. What is important, he says, is that both partners are on the same wavelength about the role the step-parent will play.

“The blended families that succeed also have an understanding of what the kids are going through, and cut them some slack. They tend to minimise conflict, and support one-on-one time for children with each of the natural parents,” he said.

“Finally they draw on their natural strengths, both of individuals within the family and of the family unit as a whole.”

The Blended Family Holiday A special place is reserved in the ‘How To’ book of blended families for the issue of holidays. For a first-time-round family, holidays can be the pinnacle of family life. A time when all family members can have fun, relax, enjoy each other’s company, create memories and continue traditions. However, in a blended family (and particularly in a newlyblended family) the holiday period is fraught with difficulties. And like all aspects of blended family life it is best to be realistic about the situation.

➽ Be flexible – holiday gatherings usually involve past relationships and there are multiple family plans to contend with. ➽ Be prepared for problems, and be careful not to lose control and damage relationships that you have been carefully maintaining all year. ➽ Create new family traditions for the holiday period. ➽ Afterwards, get back into your normal routine as quickly as possible. ➽ Keep a holiday journal every year so you can track progress over time.

Useful Links Me and My Changing Family is a free booklet published by the Child Support Agency. It contains comments and insight from real life step families and covers a wide range of topics. Download at www.csa.gov. au or phone 13 12 72 to order a copy.

The Stepfamily Zone www.stepfamily.asn.au is an Australian website providing information and support to stepfamilies. There are many other sites including www.stepfamily.org.au which offers advice and information and www.relationships.com.au. Follow the link from Advice to step-families for the information on blended families.

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Caring for women through all stages of their life

Providing services at The Sunshine Coast Private Hospital, Buderim

Suite 18, Building B, Nucleus Medical Suites, 23 Elsa Wilson Drive, Buderim, 4556 Phone 5444 4433 info@drkylieisaacs.com.au • www.drkylieisaacs.com.au

Teaching babies to swim in a safe, fun environment!

8 weeks - 5 years | Infant Swim School, Coolum

www.ginasbluewaterbabies.com.au 07 5446 1087 | MON, TUES, WED, THURS & SAT

A fun introduction to Dance for Pre-Schoolers Kinderballet Accredited Classes

New locations available

• Mummy & Me 18mths - 3yrs • Kinderballet 3-8yrs • Tinies Jazz & Tap 3-5yrs • Junior Jazz & Tap 5-8yrs Beerwah, Bokarina, Maroochydore, Peregian Beach, new! NOOSA & YANDINA - accepting bookings now!

Fun & imaginative classes • No uniforms/costumes to make or buy Limited class sizes • Affordably priced • Make-up classes available

Contact us on

advertising@kidsonthecoast.com.au • Competitive bi-monthly rates • Intergrated packages available

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

- on the coast

0405 478 909

miranda@danceempiresunshinecoast.com.au MAY / JUNE 2014 – Kids on the Coast

37

Sunshine Coast

CALENDAR

- on the coast

MAY 25 AND JUNE 22 MAY 3

KIDS CLUB

MAY 21

Where: Caloundra Regional Gallery When: 10am to 1pm QAGOMA Kids On Tour. Young visitors and families can make and display objects, create multimedia gunpowder drawings and watch a short animated film about the art adventures of Cai Guo-Qiang.

Details: Free. No bookings required.

Ph: 5420 8299. www.gallery.sunshinecoast. qld.gov.au

MAY

MAY 4 & JUNE 8

2

PREPARING FOR PARENTING COURSE

MAY 10

COOROY FUSION FESTIVAL Where: Butter Factory Arts Centre, 10 Maple Street Cooroy When: 9am to 12noon Come and celebrate children’s creativity through a range of family friendly art activities inspired by the current exhibition Journey Through Time and Place. Includes free face painting . All ages welcome.

Details: www.cooroyfusionfestival.com.au or ph 5329 6580 MAY 10

Where: Sunshine Coast Community College - Mooloolaba When: 1pm to 4pm This course is aimed at pregnant couples or singles. This course focuses on life after you go home from hospital giving you expert information and insight on many unspoken topics. All expecting parents will benefit immensely from this course.

Details: www.sunshinecoastcommunity college.com.au/courses/preparation-forparenting-course

NATIONAL SIMULTANEOUS STORYTIME Where/When: Caloundra Library - 10:30am to 11:30am, Beerwah Library 10:45am to 11:15am, Coolum Library 10:45am to 11:15am This year libraries and schools across Australia will be reading “Too many elephants in this house” by Ursula Duborsarsky at exactly 11am. After story time children are invited to stay and create elephant crafts.

Details: Free. No bookings required.

Ph: 1300 LIBRARY

ARTIST MARKETS

MAY 23 & 24

Where: Butter Factory Arts Centre, 10 Maple Street Cooroy When: 9am to 3pm The Artist Market celebrates the talent, expertise, creativity, innovation and products of local artists. Try your hand at a variety of arts and craft, learn new skills from an expert and buy a treasure to take home.

Details: Free event. All welcome. www.cooroyfusionfestival.com.au or ph 5329 6580

Where: Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre When: 23 May - 1pm to 7pm, 24 May - 9am to 3pm The Gluten Free Food Expo is presented

by Coeliac Queensland, a not-for-profit organisation established in 1974 to assist and support people who are diagnosed as requiring a gluten free diet for life.

Details: www.glutenfreefoodexpo.org.au

11 18

Mother's Day May

GLUTEN FREE FOOD EXPO

24& 25

UNTIL JUNE 24

MAY 7

MAY 18

MAY 24

ART FOUNDATIONS

MEET ANGELINA BALLERINA

WEET-BIX KIDS TRYATHLON

When: Eight week course on Tuesdays from 4pm to 5:30pm The class is aimed at children who want to develop their 2D drawing and painting skills and explore various mediums and techniques.

Details: $200 per term. Ph: 0411 790 211

Where: Sunshine Plaza When: 9am to 12noon Dream of being a ballerina and make a dance ribbon, plus have your face painted.

Details: www.sunshineplaza.com

BEACH PARTY

MAY 2 - 4

Where: Lake Kawana Community Centre When: 10am & 12pm Don’t miss out on the chance to see your children’s favourite television show live in concert when the Play School Concerts come to town.

Details: From $16.50, book through www.kidspromotions.com.au or ph 5413 1400

Where: Stockland Park & Kawana Aquatic Centre The biggest kids triathlon series in the world will be hosted in Kawana for the first time this year. Designed for kids aged 7-15 years no matter their abilities or experience. A chance to swim in an Olympic sized pool, complete a cycle leg and finish with a run into the Weet-bix Kids TRYathlon Village and receive a champions medal.

Details: $42.60 per child or $37.50 per child for 2 person team. Register now at http://try. weetbix.com.au/my-location/sunshine-coast

BOOKFEST NOOSA Where: Noosa Bicentennial Hall, Bicentennial Drive (Off Sunshine Beach Rd) When: 9am to 5pm A great family day out to share the passion of reading with thousands of books all at bargain prices, plus BBQ’s, drink stalls and raffles.

Details: For more information or to donate your books contact: Rotary Club of Noosa Heads Daybreak, phone 1300 791 226, www.noosaheadsdaybreakrotary.org, www.facebook.com/rotarynoosa MAY 2

CHILDREN’S THERAPY CENTRE LADIES 'TOGETHER WE CAN" FUNDRAISING EVENT Where: Events Centre @ Maroochy RSL Club When: from 6:30pm Come along and enjoy: light entertainment, fashion and accessory stalls, raffles and lucky door prizes, silent auction, complimentary drink on arrival, finger food and desserts.

Details: $35 per ticket. Children’s Therapy Centre on 5441 7199

38

MAY 9

PLAYSCHOOL CONCERT

MAY 10

UNDER THE SEA PARTY Where: Mystery Island Kids Club, Maroochy RSL When: from 7pm Come and hang out with us as we head under the sea to explore the deep with music, games and prizes.

Details: Entry into Mystery Island - $2.50 junior cadets, $4.50 visitors. Ph: 5443 2211 www.maroochyrsl.com.au/mystery-island, Facebook/MysteryIslandKidsClub

Kids on the Coast – MAY / JUNE 2014

MAY 21

NATIONAL SIMULTANEOUS STORYTIME Where: Cotton Tree Park When: 10:30am to 11:30am Libraries and schools across Australia will be reading “Too many elephants in this house”

by Ursula Duborsarsky at exactly 11am.

Maroochydore Library will moving to Cotton Tree park for a gigantic storytime session and elephant craft activities.

Details: Free. No bookings required.

Ph: 1300 LIBRARY

SUBSCRIBE to receive our weekly 'What's On' and our newsletter!

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

Where: Mystery Island Kids Club, Maroochy RSL When: from 7pm Winter is nearly here so let's pretend it's Summer all over again. Put on your Hawaiian skirt or shirt and let's try and Limbo.

Details: Entry into Mystery Island - $2.50 junior cadets, $4.50 visitors. Ph 5443 2211 www.maroochyrsl.com.au/mystery-island, Facebook/MysteryIslandKidsClub MAY 24

COUNTRY FAIR Where: Palmwoods State School When: 9am to 2pm Come along and enjoy an afternoon of entertainment, stalls, food, rides and fireworks.This is the school’s major fund raiser for the year.

Details: Ph: 07 5453 2444 www.palmwoodss.eq.edu.au MAY 24 & 25

THE SUNSHINE COAST HEALTHY LIFESTYLE EXPO Where: The Events Centre, Caloundra When: Sat 9am to 5pm, Sun 9am to 4:30pm Fast becoming known as one of the most professional and educational health expo’s in the world, gaining international acclaim due to the high quality of it’s Keynote Speakers, many of them medical doctors.

Details: Day Ticket Adult: $18.00, Day Ticket Concession: $12.00, 2 Day Pass Adult: $27.00, 2 Day Pass Concession: $18.00 www.scvenuesandevents.com.au

MINI STEAM TRAIN RIDES Where: Model Railway Park, Florence Street, Nambour When: 10am to 3pm Kids love riding on these mini steam trains and diesel locomotives. Bring a picnic and make a day of it. Enclosed footwear must be worn when riding on trains.

Details: www.scrms.org.au MAY 31

EXTREME MONSTERS & FMX LEGENDS UNLEASHED TOUR Where: Big Pineapple When: from 5pm 6 World Class Monster Trucks in Insane USA Style Freestyle, Monster Truck side by side racing, Extreme FMX Masters Comp, Flame throwing Jet Quad, Off Road Buggy Competition, Junior Motorcycles, Side Show Rides, Fireworks and lots more!

Details: Adults $45, Children (3-11) $30, Teens (12-15) $35, Family $135 (2 adults and 2 children), Under 3 years Free. www.monstertruckpromotionsaustralia. com/index.php/component/eventlist/ details/30-extreme-monsters-fmx-legendsunleashed-tour

4

JUNE JUNE 2

ST VINCENT DE PAUL ANNUAL CENT AUCTION Where: St Peter's Catholic Church, Elizabeth St, Coolum Beach.

When: 8:30am, auction begins at 10am A fun morning where everyone who attends has the chance of winning one or more of the thousands of dollars worth of goods, vouchers or prizes on offer.

Details: Entrance fee ($2.50), includes morning tea, Auction tickets $1 per sheet.

Ph: 5471 7648 JUNE 4

MEET COOKIE MONSTER Where: Sunshine Plaza When: 9am to 12noon Meet Cookie Monster, plus enjoy decorating your very own cookie and receive a novelty baloon.

Details: www.sunshineplaza.com JUNE 4

TIME FOR TOTS Where: Butter Factory Arts Centre, 10 Maple Street Cooroy When: 9:30am to 11am Time for Tots - Storytelling at the Butter Factory. Exhibition related art activities follow a guided tour for tots. Held in conjunction with Cooroy Library.

Details: Free event. Ph: 5329 6580 www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

MARKETS

To see more events visit www.kidsonthecoast.com.au/events

JUNE 6 TO 9 Where: Kiah Park Horse Ring Camp, 578 Beenham Valley Road, Beenaam Valley Camp includes full accommodation and each child is given their own pony/horse to love, care for and ride twice a day.

Details: $395. Bookings phone Tilana on 5486 6166 or email info@kiahpark.com.au, www.kiahpark.com.au, www.facebook.com/ KiahPark1 JUNE 7 TO 10

BRISBANE BOOKFEST Where: Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre Come down and buy a book for as little as $2 and make a difference to someone’s life.

Details: www.uccommunity.org.au/lifelinebrisbane-bookfest JUNE 7

KIDS CLUB Where: Caloundra Regional Gallery When: 10am to 12noon Get Green this Kids Club with creative activities inspired by the environment. Stay on for the ‘Spawning of the Sunshine Coast Satellite Crochet Reef’ project and learn how science, environment and art come together to give birth to a yearlong collaborative artwork.

Details: Free. Ph: 5420 8299 www.gallery.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au

12

JUNE 21

GET CREATIVE Where: Butter Factory Arts Centre, 10 Maple Street Cooroy When: 10am to 12noon The Butter Factory Arts Centre celebrates children’s creativity through a range of family friendly art activities inspired by the current exhibition Jandamarra. Includes free face painting. All ages welcome.

Details: Free event. Family friendly.

Ph: 5329 6580. www.noosa.qld.gov.au/ butter-factory-arts-centre

EVERY 3RD SATURDAY, MARCH 15 & APRIL 17

EUMUNDI MARKETS Where: Memorial Drive, Eumundi When: Wed - 8am - 1:30pm, Sat 7am - 2pm You’ll find original artworks, sculptures, furniture, handmade toys, homewares, skincare as well as cutting edge fashion and jewellery by local designers, all guided by the ethos “make it, bake it, sew it, grow it”.

Details: www.eumundimarkets.com.au EVERY SATURDAY Where: Big Pineapple, Nambour Connection Road, Woombye When: 6:30am - 1pm The biggest all-weather market with fresh fruit and veges plus an array of art, amazing food, clothing and more.

Details: www.bigpineapple.com.au/saturday-growers-markets EVERY SATURDAY

JUNE 25 TO JULY 2

OUT OF THE BOX FESTIVAL Where: The Cultural Precinct, QPAC When: Various activities and times Out of the Box is 8 days of cultural activity crafted to celebrate and support learning, play, curiosity and discovery for children and their families as they learn and grow together.

Details: www.outoftheboxfestival.com.au

EVENT: HOLIDAY PROGRAM Where: Sunshine Coast Libraries Sunshine Coast Libraries will have a range of activities to suit all age groups over the school holidays.

Details: Free. No bookings required.

Ph: 1300 LIBRARY

6to9

JUNE 12

JUNE 28

PEPPA PIG LIVE! TREASURE HUNT

SCHOOL HOLIDAY PARTY

THE MUMMY TREE MARKETS Where: Mountain Creek State School Hall, Lady Musgrave Drive When: 9am -1pm A large selection of unique products and services for hip and stylish families, children’s entertainment, yummy food and more.

Details: www.themummytreemarkets.com.au

EVERY SUNDAY

JUNE 15

Where: Bulcock Street , Caloundra When: 8am to 1pm There is something for the whole family with activities for kids, handcrafted locally made products and art, live entertainment and street theatre.

Details: Free. www.facebook.com/caloundrastreetfair

JUNE 30

ARTSCOOL

9

Where: Mystery Island Kids Club, Maroochy RSL When: from 7pm Time to celebrate playing all day and sleeping in. Join the fun as we play games and start the school holidays off with a bang!

Details: Entry into Mystery Island - $2.50 junior cadets, $4.50 visitors. Ph: 5443 2211 www.maroochyrsl.com.au/mystery-island, Facebook/MysteryIslandKidsClub

JUNE 13, 14, 15

JUNE 28 TO JULY 5, JULY 5 TO 12 AND JULY 12 TO 19 Where: Kiah Park Horse Ring Camp, 578 Beenham Valley Road, Beenaam Valley When: 7am Sat start day to 7am Satend day Camp includes full accommodation and each child is given their own pony/horse to love, care for and ride twice a day.

Details: $770 for the week.

Where: Arts & Ecology Centre, Maroochy When: Various. Program available May 26, from libraries, galleries and customer service centres.

This series of children’s art and ecology workshops will study the role of trees in our environment, the diverse textures, shapes and forms within our natural landscapes.

Details: Bookings essential, open 5 June.

Registration fee of $5 per child, book online www.community.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/events

JUNE 28 TO JULY 30

11, 12,12 JULY

JUNE 14

ENCHANTED PARTY Where: Mystery Island Kids Club, Maroochy RSL When: from 7pm Witches and Wizards, Fairies and Dragons, magical things are happening. Come dressed as your favourite enchanted creature for a chance to win!

Details: Entry into Mystery Island - $2.50 junior cadets, $4.50 visitors. Ph: 5443 2211 www.maroochyrsl.com.au/mystery-island, Facebook/MysteryIslandKidsClub www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

7 DAY HORSE RIDING CAMPS

TEENREADMONTH Where: Sunshine Coast Libraries Teens ages 12 to 18 are invited to participate in teenREADmonth. By registering then reading only 5 things, books, magazines, eBooks, comics, they will then go in the draw to win a bunch of great prizes.

Details: Free. No bookings required. Ph: 1300 LIBRARY

Where: Nambour State Primary, Coronation Drive, Nambour When: 8am - noon A locally owned market selling pre-loved, new and beautiful handmade items for the under fives.

Details: www.sunnycoastbabykidsmarket.com.au JUNE 15

Where: Nambour Civic Centre When: 1pm Join Peppa Pig and her brother George as they set off on a treasure hunt! There are fun-and-games, problems to solve and plenty of sing-along songs.

Details: $34.90 per ticket. Children under 12 months free. Bookings essential 5475 7777 or visit www.scvenuesandevents.com.au

Where: Nambour Showgrounds, Nambour Showgrounds, Coronation Ave, Nambour When: Gates open 8am each day The Show is jam packed with agricultural, community and entertainment features including Fireworks, Monster Trucks, Animal Nursery, Spirited Speedway Cars, Show Bags, and much more!

Details: www.sunshinecoastshow.asn.au

SUNNY COAST BABY AND KIDS MARKET

Where: Corbould Park Racecourse, Caloundra When: 7am - 1pm Showcasing the Sunshine Coast’s finest artists, designers, craftspeople, entertainers, fresh healthy produce and delicious food all in one fabulous undercover venue.

Details: www.thebazaarmarkets.com.au

Where: Caloundra Regional Gallery When: 5 to 7 years - 10:30am to 12noon and 8 to 12 years - 1:30pm to 3pm ArtsCool workshops are fun and creative, stretching imagination and building artistic skills.

Details: $15. Bookings online: http://gallery. sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au. Ph: 5420 8299

SUNSHINE COAST AGRICULTURAL SHOW (NAMBOUR SHOW)

Where: Old Gympie Station (Tozer St. Gympie) When: 5pm to 7pm Homemade wares, local produce, Gympie Radio Club and local organisation demonstrations, Silver Bullet Shuttles, great food at the Licensed Iron Horse café.

Details: www.valleyrattler.com or 5482 2750 (Tue & Fri)

BAZAAR SATURDAY MARKETS

CALOUNDRA STREET FAIR

JUNE 28 TO JULY 13

TWILIGHT MARKETS AT THE OLD GYMPIE RAILWAY STATION

MAY 19

BIG PINEAPPLE MARKETS

TICKETS

WEEKEND HORSE RIDING CAMP

EVERY WED & SAT

JUNE 30 TO JULY 12

TREES FOR LIFE

QUEENSLAND GARDEN EXPO

Where: Nambour Showgrounds When: 8-5pm Queensland’s premier gardening event. A ‘must see’ for green thumbs and novice gardeners.

Details: www.qldgardenexpo.com.au VARIOUS DATES

FREE OUTDOOR MOVIES! Visit www.starrynights.com.au for times and locations

SUNNY COAST BABY AND KIDS MARKET Where: Caloundra Talara Primary College When: 8am - noon A locally owned market selling pre-loved, new and beautiful handmade items for the under fives.

Details: www.sunnycoastbabykidsmarket.com.au

Cirque Mother Africa

Regular weekly events, playgroups, library activities, weekly sporting events, craft classes, Australian Breastfeeding Association meeting times and much more…

Out of the Box Festival

MAY 9

JUNE 12

PLAY SCHOOL IN CONCERT - PRINCE OF BEARS

PEPPA PIG LIVE!

Lake Kawana Community Centre www.kidspromotions.com.au MAY 19

PEPPA PIG LIVE! The J Noosa www.noosa.qld.gov.au/what-s-on JULY 1

MOTHER AFRICA The Events Centre, Caloundra www.scvenuesandevents.com.au JULY 4

CIRQUE MOTHER AFRICA Nambour Civic Centre www.scvenuesandevents.com.au JUNE 16 TO 21

THE THIRTEEN STORY TREEHOUSE QUT Gardens Theatre www.gardenstheatre.qut.edu.au/ whatson/2014/treehouse.jsp JUNE 10

PEPPA PIG LIVE! TREASURE HUNT The Events Centre, Caloundra www.scvenuesandevents.com.au

Nambour Civic Centre www.scvenuesandevents.com.au JUNE 25 TO JULY 2

OUT OF THE BOX FESTIVAL The Cultural Precinct, QPAC www.outoftheboxfestival.com.au JUNE 28 TO 20

DISNEY ON ICE PRESENTS TREASURE TROVE Brisbane Entertainment Centre http://premier.ticketek.com.au/ shows/show.aspx?sh=DISNEYIC14 AUGUST 21 & 22

WOMBAT STEW Nambour Civic Centre www.scvenuesandevents.com.au SEPTEMBER 4 TO 7

NOOSA JAZZ FESTIVAL Noosa Lions Park, Noosa Heads www.noosajazz.com.au SEPTEMBER 27, 2014 TO JANUARY 25, 2015

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

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

MAY / JUNE 2014 – Kids on the Coast

39

BABIES

NAPPY REVOLUTION

By Justine Stewart and Jackie Goldston 3.75 MILLION DISPOSABLE NAPPIES ARE DUMPED EVERY SINGLE DAY IN AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND ALONE. IN AUSTRALIA, MORE THAN ONE BILLION SINGLE-USE NAPPIES FROM DOMESTIC WASTE SYSTEMS ARE DELIVERED TO LANDFILL SITES FOR DISPOSAL EVERY YEAR, AND THEY MAY TAKE UP TO 500 YEARS TO BIODEGRADE. Short of doing away with nappies altogether (and that’s a whole other article - do a Google search on “elimination communication” if you’re curious), the nappy revolution that’s now sweeping, or wiping, the world is just about the biggest thing ever to happen to baby’s bottoms. So if you’re not already up to speed, and can cope with more acronyms than a teenager’s Facebook feed, read on!

Those white towelling squares our mothers used are so last millennium, darling. Modern cloth nappies, or MCNs, feature fitted and elasticised

40

Kids on the Coast – MAY / JUNE 2014

designs, funky patterns and colours, clever fasteners and an assortment of fabrics like wool, hemp, bamboo and microfibre, snuggled inside plush and/or decorative coverings, making them more absorbent, environmentally-friendly, better for baby and so darn cute you won’t want to put pants on the kid (there’s a work-around for winter, look up ‘baby legs’). You can forget about the stinky bucket full of chemicals too because even washing methods have been revamped. And let’s not forget the fact because you’re re-using you’ll save thousands of dollars.

Think of what you could spend that on instead.

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MAY / JUNE 2014 – Kids on the Coast

41

BABIES

Here’s a quick rundown of the different types (and by the way, you might want to sample a few different kinds and brands before you buy in bulk, to find out which one best suits you and your baby):

FITTED NAPPIES: Made of an absorbent fabric such as cotton, hemp, or bamboo, these are shaped to fit, hence the name, and are usually self-closing with either snaps or hook-and-loop fastenings (e.g.

Velcro). Usually they are adjustable and so “grow with your baby”.

Many have optional extra absorbency pads (sold with the nappy) if needed. They do need a separate waterproof cover - one cover usually lasts the whole day, just make sure you tuck all the nappy in under the cover or moisture can wick out on to baby’s clothes. A benefit of these nappies is that the whole nappy is absorbent making them fantastic for day sleeps, heavy wetters.

ALL-IN-ONES (AIO’S): Similar to fitted nappies, these are shaped and self-fastening and may have room for an extra absorbency pad, but they also have a built-in water-resistant cover - usually one of the newer breathable materials like polyurethane laminate (PUL) or premium quality polar fleece. These are much kinder to babies’ skin than the sweaty PVC covers of days gone by.

POCKET NAPPIES: Similar to the AIO, except that you decide how much absorbency you need - they’re basically a shell including a water-resistant liner, and you insert either pre-made “stuff-ins” or whatever you like that’s absorbent, into the pocket. The main advantage over AIO’s is that they dry faster because they come apart.

ALL IN TWOS: This style of nappy has a water proof outer shell & you adjust the absorbency by adding a snap in absorbent liner. The great thing about this style is that you can re-use the shell after the first insert is wet, simply add a new insert and you are ready to go again.

Quick dry, economical and generally the trimmest of all cloth nappies.

ONE SIZE FITS MOST: Probably the most popular modern cloth nappy, these are a fitted nappy which you can use from newborn to toilet training. Simply by adjusting the various ‘snaps’ on the exterior of the nappy you adjust the sizing of the nappy. This multi-fit style of nappy is the most cost effective in the long run as the one nappy will get you through years of nappy changing. They have a waterproof PUL exterior to keep them watertight and typically a microfleece or suede cloth lining so baby can be kept dry as wetness is wicked away from the skin. You adjust the absorbency by adding inserts as required by your baby.

NIGHT NAPPIES: Yes there are specific night nappies designed to get your baby through 12 + hours of sleep without needing a nappy change. Typically these nappies have extra inbuilt layers to hold larger volumes overnight and the whole nappy is absorbent, making it a great investment for dry night! These do require a waterproof cover and you can either use PUL covers or 100% natural wool covers are the perfect cover for nights as the wool absorbs more moisture and allows better breathability.

BUT WHAT ABOUT THE WASHING? Relax, it’s not as hard as you think. Many of us with younger siblings can remember an ever-present open bucket in the corner of the laundry containing a charming cocktail of water, chemicals and stained terry squares - and the ahem...perfume it produced. Those days are gone.

Flush anything solid down the toilet (the special properties of the newer fabrics make this a lot easier) and simply toss nappies into a dry bucket with a tight-fitting lid to keep the smells in. Yep, you read that right. No water, no chemicals (wow, think what you’ll save on bleach and Napisan!).

These days there are flushable baby wipes and flushable liners which you simply place inside the nappy and these are designed to let moisture through but collect solids. Simply pop the soiled liner into the toilet and your nappy into the nappy bucket.

Every two days, do a nappy wash. Give them a pre rinse, then a machine wash with warm water, using low enzyme detergent such as recommended supermarket detergents are Earth Choice, Planet Ark, AWARE, Ecostore and there is even special detergents made for MCNs. Line dry (sunshine is great for nappies) or use a dryer on low temperature, and that’s it. You may be using less water, and certainly less energy and resources, than what disposables take to manufacture and distribute.

It’s barely more effort than putting disposables in the bin and buying new ones every week and certainly a lot cheaper! And a lot better for the planet than thousands of nappies ending up in landfill each week.

There are many brands to try in the market now as modern cloth nappies have fast gained popularity. There are a lot of cheap Chinese imports which will not last nor give you the absorbency you need. Go with a trusted, experienced manufacturer and you won’t look back!

Tell us about your favourite natural, recyclable, Eco or environmentally friendly nappy on our website or email editorial@kidsonthecoast.com. au and we will add a photo and a website/information to our nappy article! Help us create a fabulous eco nappy resource.

DID YOU KNOW? AUSTRALIANS THROW AWAY ABOUT 2.1 BILLION DISPOSABLE NAPPIES EVERY YEAR. Disposable nappies use over 8 times more nonrenewable raw materials (different kinds of plastics made from non-renewable crude oil) and 90 times more renewable materials (paper pulp from wood) than modern cloth nappies.

Bamboo and Hemp do not require chemical pesticides, are quick to grow and can easily be produced on sustainable plantations.

Disposable nappies account for approximately 1/3rd of household rubbish in a family with a child under two years, this has a huge impact on the costs of waste removal and landfill management (which are passed onto us by our local councils).

Image courtesy Baby BeeHinds

42

Kids on the Coast – MAY / JUNE 2014

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

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MAY / JUNE 2014 – Kids on the Coast

43

BABIES

Image courtesy Baby BeeHinds

WHAT ABOUT DISPOSABLES? Hey, we understand, there are times when it feels like disposables may be the only thing standing between you and a fully-fledged nervous breakdown.

BUT AT LEAST THE MANUFACTURERS OF THESE NAPPIES ARE ON THE RIGHT TRACK. SOME OF THE BETTER BRANDS ON OFFER IN AUSTRALIA ARE:

At least you can now buy slightly “eco-friendlier” disposable nappies these days. While it’s doubtful that they’re better for the environment than modern cloth, despite studies which may claim to the contrary (about which debate is continuing) they’re certainly better than traditional disposables.

EENEE DESIGNS Endorsed by Compost Australia as the first and only disposable acceptable for commercial composting. Eenee 100% Compostable nappies have won a Keep Australia Beautiful Award for Environmental Innovation. No harmful chemicals. Renewable plant based materials ensure sustainability. Order from www.eenee.com

However, some of the claims of biodegradability need to be carefully considered. According to our information, nappies can only biodegrade properly if they are exposed to sunlight and air - which is not going to happen if they’re wrapped in plastic and disposed of in rubbish landfills - and let’s face it, how many of us compost our nappies?

Choice Magazine makes the following recommendations of what to look for in an environmentally friendly disposable nappy: üT hird party certified by a reputable and independent organisation üC hlorine free. üR enewable materials, biodegradable content. ü ‘ Ingredients’ noted, so you can avoid substances of concern to you, for example which you’ve discovered your baby’s skin is sensitive to. üC ompostable packaging: look for packaging that’s got ‘recycled content’ and is ‘recyclable’ üT ransport – a less obvious environmental impact. Is it imported which partially negates some of their environmental credentials?

Do the offset the emissions associated with importing the nappies?

MOLTEX ECO NAPPIES 100% biodegradable outer lining, 40% biodegradable inner lining with 100% FSC certified wood pulp (from responsibly managed forests).

Reducing carbon footprint with ‘carbon neutral’s’ Plant-a-Tree program and ‘Trees for Life’ Australian native bushland regeneration program.

Order from www.ecodirect.com.au BAMBO NATURE NAPPIES The only nappy to have been awarded the Nordic Swan Eco Label, which has assessed the nappy’s environmental impact during its whole life cycle, including the way it’s produced and the way the raw materials are chosen and handled. Contain no PVC, perfumes, moisturising lotions, optical brighteners or chlorine, reducing the likelihood of allergic reactions or rashes. Absorbent core of fluff pulp plus 100% biodegradable wheat starch. Order from www.natureschild.com.au GENTLY HYBRID NAPPIES A tough, reusable and fully washable shell. Disposable inserts, allowing for the benefits of disposable, without the unnecessary waste. No bleaches or perfumes. Made from bio-plastics and corn starch to aid in biodegradability. Order from www.natureschild.com.au

FOR MORE NAPPY IDEAS, NAPPY BRANDS AND NAPPY INFORMATION VISIT OUR WEBSITE. REMEMBER TO LET US KNOW ABOUT YOUR FAVOURITE NATURAL, RECYCLABLE, ECO OR ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY NAPPY ON OUR WEBSITE OR EMAIL EDITORIAL@KIDSONTHECOAST.COM.AU AND WE WILL ADD A PHOTO AND A WEBSITE/INFORMATION TO OUR NAPPY ARTICLE!

Go to our website to win a Bubeez Pro Pack visit www.kidsonthecoast.com.au/competitions 44

Kids on the Coast – MAY / JUNE 2014

Many thanks to Baby BeeHinds for assisting with the information for this article. They are a proudly Australian owned, award winning modern cloth nappy manufacturer who have been leading the revolution in MCNs for 10 years. As trusted & highly regarded leader in the industry, they have an excellent range of styles of nappies to suit every need. There is a great range of Trial Pack options available at great prices to get you started on your MCN journey! www.babybeehinds.com.au

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

Use them for:

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MAY / JUNE 2014 – Kids on the Coast

45

ONLY NATURAL

Down with GI!

By Nadia Woods ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING THINGS PARENTS WILL FACE, IS RAISING CHILDREN TO BE FREE FROM THE TRAPS OF SUGAR. NOTICEABLY, THE WORLD HAS CHANGED SINCE MY CHILDHOOD, AND SUGAR SEEMS TO BE EVERYWHERE, IN MOST FOODS, AND UNDER THE DISGUISE OF VARIOUS NAMES/LABELS.

O

ur bodies were never meant to consume such large amounts of sugar, and the consequences of doing so affect the entire body. Excess sugar leads to many poor outcomes, from dental caries, to gut bacteria overgrowth, and of course behaviour and mood imbalances.

WHY IS LOW GI AN IMPORTANT TERM FOR OUR CHILDREN?

Consuming low GI enables the body to stabilise blood sugar levels and insulin production. Did you know that we can train our body’s insulin production and keep it in shape through the food choices we make, and the timing of our meals and snacks? Insulin is a hormone, which ‘responds’ or ‘reacts’ to what we eat, and when we eat. Over eating

46

Kids on the Coast – MAY / JUNE 2014

and excessive consumption of sugar will lead to insulin being less responsive, thereby less effective. Just as relevant, under eating can switch our bodies into starvation mode, reduce our metabolism, and lead to unstabilised blood sugar levels.

It is extremely important, not only for children but us adults as well, is to ensure meals and snacks are timed according to your body’s needs. Hunger, no matter how brief, causes a drop in blood sugar levels, which snow balls by the mid-afternoon. I call this the ‘afternoon blues’. But symptoms can mimic mild anxiety, stress, and behavioural outbursts. As parents, regulating children’s meals and providing low GI diets can dramatically modify many behaviours and encourage relaxed and happy children.

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Mention this ad when enrolling in lessons to receive a FREE TRIAL PASS to our Child Minding Facility, Squad session or Aqua Class* * Child minding currently available at Cotton Tree, Coolum & Nambour. Offer valid for Mum’s Club, Adult Squad or Aqua Aerobics. Valid until 31st July 2014.

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(Valid till 30/08/2014) MAY / JUNE 2014 – Kids on the Coast

47

ONLY NATURAL

OTHER BENEFITS OF A LOW GI DIET

BREAKFAST

Adopting a low GI diet has been shown in studies to increase the amounts of essential nutrients consumed during the day. The reason for this is that most of the ‘go to’ high GI foods are heavily processed and therefore void of nutrition. When we think carbs, we need to think whole grains and fibre. These foods will regulate our insulin levels, sustain our energy throughout the day, and lower our blood sugar levels. Just as importantly, whole grains and fibre rich foods will provide amazing health benefits based on the minerals and nutrients that they contain.

Consuming brown rice, whole grain breads and pastas, quinoa and whole grain, unprocessed breakfast cereals are essential for maintaining adequate levels of magnesium. Magnesium is required in our bodies for many things, especially for relaxation and a balanced mood.

Another important nutrient found in whole grains is fibre. Fibre is every man, woman and child’s best friend. Yes, without fibre in the diet we all will suffer constipation, haemorrhoids, bloating and digestive discomfort. When it comes to reducing sugar, fibre will regulate insulin and reduce blood sugar levels.

World Health Organisation recommended daily limit

1 4 tsp

gram sugar

40-50 grams sugar

Insulin ‘training’ begins from the time you wake up. We all know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Research has shown the consumption of a good breakfast will: • increase the likelihood of meeting nutritional requirements for the day • increase fibre and whole grain intake • improve cognition and memory in children • is associated with a more positive mood • supports physical and mental wellbeing One of the most powerful things you can do to reduce your family’s sugar intake, and regulate mood, behaviour and energy levels is to choose whole grain, sugar free breakfast items. Shockingly, in some brands one cup of breakfast cereal can have up to 19 grams of added sugar!

Instead of reaching for the popular box of children’s cereals, try the following: • make up your own sugar free granola / muesli • buckwheat pancakes • whole grain toast with avocado or egg As a bonus for your wise food choices, a good breakfast will increase satiety (sense of fullness) throughout the day, which will decrease hunger and over eating.

HOW MUCH SUGAR CAN WE EAT?

Once digested, sugars and starches provide 16kj of energy per gram.

The World Health Organisation recommends no more than 10 percent of you daily kj requirements to consist of sugar. For an average person, 40 to 50 grams of sugar (or 10 to 12 teaspoons) per day would be the limit.

One teaspoon of sugar equals 4 grams of sugar, and one can of soft drink contains around 40 grams of sugar.

So determining how much sugar you consume takes a bit of work, especially when consuming processed foods and drinks. Start by being realistic about when and how you put sugar into your body, and allow sugar to enter your children’s diets. Take a stocktake and then you can visualise where to start in revamping your families diet.

40 grams sugar

48

Kids on the Coast – MAY / JUNE 2014

A good food detective knows how to read labels and identify hidden sugars. Bread, crackers, dressings and sauces, yogurt and bottled drinks all contain sugar, and you will be amazed by the variations between different brands.

Once you are ready to tackle the issue and reduce your sugar intake, use the following tips for success.

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

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Go to www.sunshinecoastcommunitycollege.com.au www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

MAY / JUNE 2014 – Kids on the Coast

49

ONLY NATURAL

TOP TIPS TO REDUCE SUGAR - FOOD SWAPPING

There are many ways to make nutritional ingredients taste fun and exciting for children. By ‘swapping out’ the high GI ingredients (cane sugar, honey, white processed flour) and ‘swapping in’ the low GI foods (coconut sugar, barley malt, wholemeal flours, quinoa, barley grains, brown rice) we suddenly have done double the work in the one move and are well on our way to being a SUPER PARENT. • coconut sugar (light) brown sugar still can be swapped ¾ cup coconut sugar for one cup sugar in recipes • did you know all recipes will work with reducing the sugar, start experimenting • applesauce or a table spoon of honey is enough to make sweet tasting banana muffins • using very ripe bananas will reduce the need for sugar at all • use sugar free products when choosing cocoa, cooking chocolate, cereals, drinks • muesli and granola do not need sugar and can be sweetened with coconut, goji berries, sultanas or pear. With dried fruit, it only takes a very small amount to dramatically sweeten the dish whilst adding fibre.

• agave, barley malt, rice syrup, maple syrup can be used in cooking and are lower GI to processed sugars and cane sugar. They come with added antioxidants.

• apple sauce (with no added sugar, or home made) can be used instead of a half cup of white sugar in baking recipes.

• processed dates can be swapped ⅔ cup for every cup of sugar • what is Rapadura? This is unrefined cane sugar, which means it retains its vitamins • have you tried this? cut fruit for a fruit salad, and squeeze some lemon over the top. The acidic lemon juice reacts with the fruit sugars and makes the fruit taste sweeter.

BE A FOOD DETECTIVE!

Learn to identify hidden sugars on labels. Sugars occur naturally in foods, but are also added a number of times during the canning, processing and packaging of foods, much in the same way as salt is added as a preservative.

Some ingredients to watch out for are (of course sugar), glucose, sucrose, maltose, corn syrup, fructose, high fructose corn syrup, hydrolysed starch, lactose, mannitol, dextrose, fruit juice concentrate, galactose, polydextrose, sorbitol, zylitol, maltodextrin, turbinado and honey.

When we read some of those ‘chemical’ sweetener names, it is motivating for some home cooking. Many of these ‘sugars’ or ‘chemicals’ are likely to be causing behavioural changes in your children. One of the best things I did with my son years ago was to experiment with his food. I simply swapped the bought baked goods with home-made ones (yes it was a challenge).

I noticed a dramatic difference to his coping skills when he was tired, or when things didn’t go his way. Generally, he was better able to manage his emotions especially during times of fatigue. Whilst children are individual, and will react or not react to different food additives, being a food detective means investigating and determining what are your child’s food triggers.

One quick strategy I use for food shopping on the run is to look at where sugar sits in the order of ingredients on the label. For instance, if purchasing dark chocolate for cooking and not sure which one is healthier? The higher the cocoa the lower the sugar is a good general rule. Take a couple of dark cooking chocolate packets and compare the ingredients list. You will see some will have sugar as the second or even first ingredient, meaning that sugar is the predominant ingredient in that product. Others may show sugar towards the middle or end. Whilst it isn’t as detailed as reading the quantities it is great for when you are in a hurry or when your little one/s need to be shuttled out of the store.

I must stress, always avoid high fructose corn syrup. Research studies around the world have demonstrated the adverse effects of this additive. This sweetener not only is a high GI food additive, but has been proven to reduce the body’s natural stomach hormone which tells your brain that you are full and to stop eating. This chemical has been therefore linked with obesity and over eating disorders.

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Kids on the Coast – MAY / JUNE 2014

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51

ONLY NATURAL

TEACH THE VALUE OF PRIVILEGES (OVER EXPECTATIONS)

Sugary treats should not be expected, but seen as something to look forward to at special occasions. Set the tone for your children’s education into the world of food. Although young now, repetition and simple education on the facts of sugar will eventually form stable opinions and awareness in the minds of your children. It is amazing how intelligent is the mind of a child! Their young minds are so open to new things. Which is why advertising is so potent for them.

Over the years, children have always fascinated me in how naturally they comprehend things which are good and logical. That includes healthy eating and good nutrition. Your children will love hearing about their body being like a car, and the food is the fuel. Too much bad food causes problems with the car and it can't work as well. If it is normal in their world, if they know that special food is a treat and desert is not for every day, they will keep that for life.

REVAMP YOUR PANTRY!

Have you ever looked inside your pantry and thought, “what is that?”

Switching to a low sugar or sugar free diet can only be successful if you have done the ground work first. That is, have stocked the pantry with the ‘swap’ list items, quality breakfast foods, ingredients to whip up a last minute batch of home-made healthy snacks or treats, and an emergency quick fix snack.

Yes, all of us need this emergency snack for those low times as a pick me up, or an attack of the sweet tooth. Let’s face it, we all have those moments. My favourite emergency sweet snacks (which are not that sugary and certainly not bad for you) are: • trail mix (made with pepitas, sunflower seeds, raw coconut, raw cacao nibs, and goji berries) • bliss balls (again full of seeds and raw cacao, plus a little barley malt or rice syrup).

Each of these work to appease a sweet tooth whilst providing protein (for blood sugar regulation), minerals (for relaxation), and are very filling in tiny amounts. Which is great.

Stock the pantry with homemade energy snacks

SET AN EXAMPLE

Again, what is normal and common place to children is what they will adopt. Snack on raw veg yourself if that is something you would love your kids to eat. Give it time and persist because once it has become a habit you will never look back.

Hide away the adult section of your pantry, meaning the really sugary treats such as last Valentine’s Day chocolate boxes and soft drink, and consume these when the kids are in bed. They honestly don’t need to know! And this is one thing you don’t need to share. Yes we may be setting a false example of a parent who never eats bad foods, ever, but I am sure we all do this in other areas. How many of us trick our children into thinking we have never said a bad word in our whole lives!

EASY ACCESS

Make alternatives readily available, and this will create opportunities for children to develop self modified behaviours. When they open the fridge, let them see a ready to go plate of chopped celery, carrots, grated cheese and sultanas.

At the risk of sounding dull, I remember one of my favourite afternoon treats as a child was to eat frozen green peas from a mug. I called them green ice blocks (or was tricked into naming it that). As funny as it seems now, I actually still love green peas! What a great idea it was.

Sure, as children we did eat sweet treats, it is comforting to know that we also ate plenty of fibre and nutrient rich vegetables. My introduction into food taught me that consuming fresh vegetables a couple times per day was and is normal. Thanks mum!

DRINK FOR HYDRATION ONLY!

When thirsty, drink water and expect your children to do the same.

‘Fizzy drinks’ are for parties only, and fruit juices should be fresh, void of added sugar and watered down for young ones. Drinking water for hydration is something which must be taught in our younger years.

I see many adults in clinic who, like me have to train themselves to reach for water throughout the day. If this is not something which we grew up doing, it becomes something to master later in life.

This leads me to my last topic on early introduction to food. And going back to the beginning with a baby’s first food experiences. Here lies a golden opportunity to set your child’s natural food cravings for life, based on some of the latest research which is emerging into the value of flavour and texture of baby foods.

The research demonstrated some amazing things, showing that toddlers who consume foods which are savoury (not always sweet) and have texture (not always pureed) made different (much healthier) food choices later in life. We don’t know exactly why, but it seems as though a young child’s brain forms a different idea of food when they are able to hold their own food, experience the textures and taste savoury flavours.

What can I do as a parent? Make as much home-made food as possible and never assume food needs to be sweet for children to enjoy it.

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Kids on the Coast – MAY / JUNE 2014

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53

GOOD HEALTH

BE

BREAST AWARE it could save your life

CANCER COUNCIL QUEENSLAND SPOKESPERSON KATIE CLIFT REMINDS US OF THE IMPORTANCE OF EARLY DETECTION IN THE FIGHT AGAINST THE MOST COMMON CANCER DIAGNOSED IN QUEENSLAND WOMEN. When is the last Before you had children? Last month? Yesterday? For 10 women in the target age groups for breast and cervical screening participated in the programs in 2011 or 2012 – similar to the rates in some of us, we can’t even recall the last time we took time you checked a few minutes to conduct a personal check for any previous years. changes.

Yet, early detection remains one of the most While some women are screened privately, these are still alarmingly your breasts? important factors in beating breast cancer.

More than 2900 Queenslanders are diagnosed with breast cancer each year in Queensland and around 500 die from the disease. Breast cancer remains the most common cancer diagnosed in Queensland women – and it’s the second biggest cancer killer of Queensland women.

It sounds simple and common sense enough – get to know your breasts, and if you notice any changes, make an appointment with your GP straight away.

So why are screening rates for women’s cancers so low? The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s latest figures show only 6 in

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Kids on the Coast – MAY / JUNE 2014

low figures. Some Queensland women may be missing out on or failing to follow up on reminder notices, or be simply too busy to make it to a scheduled appointment.

An improvement in the uptake of screening for breast cancer in the target age group is crucial – if cancer is found and treated early, there is an increased chance of surviving the disease.

So, Mums, do all you can to make it to your recommended screenings.

It’s equally important to be breast aware, to familiarise yourself with the normal look and feel of your breasts, and to see a doctor immediately if you notice any unusual breast changes.

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GOOD HEALTH

#itouchmyselfproject

In April, Cancer Council joined forces with marketing communications agency JWT Sydney to create a tribute to Chrissy Amphlett – the I Touch Myself Project. Chrissy was passionate about spreading awareness about the importance of early detection of breast cancer and wanted her song ‘I Touch Myself’ to become an anthem for women’s health around the world.

A music video was launched featuring leading female artists Olivia Newton John, Megan Washington, Sarah McLeod, Katie Noonan, Sarah Blasko, Suze DeMarchi, Deborah Conway, Kate Ceberano, Little Pattie and Connie Mitchell in a tender rendition of Chrissy’s song.

Marking the first anniversary of Chrissy’s passing on 21 April 2014, the campaign asks women to ‘touch themselves’, reminding them to get to know the look and feel of their breasts.

The campaign is supported by a website: itouchmyself.org, and a social media campaign that encourages people to share how they’ve been touched by breast cancer using the hashtag #itouchmyselfproject on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook & Google+.

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Kids on the Coast – MAY / JUNE 2014

Through the combined support of the female vocalists and celebrity ambassadors including Deputy Opposition Leader Tanya Plibersek, celebrity chef Kylie Kwong and RocWiz’s Julia Zemiro, the campaign is set to become a media and social media circuit-breaker.

Our hope is that through campaigns like this, all women would get to know their breasts better, becoming breast aware and participating in recommended screening. Visit the website and social media links to share the anthem and this important reminder with your friends and family.

It’s crucial – even if you’re a busy Mum – to make the time to see your GP and take care of your health. A little bit of inconvenience now could save your life in the future, improving cancer survival rates and enabling less invasive treatment.

Your personal health is too important to ignore. For more information or advice about breast awareness and screening, please visit www.cancerqld.org.au or call our Cancer Council Helpline on 13 11 20.

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57

GOOD HEALTH

BREAST CANCER: WHAT TO DO AT DIFFERENT AGES

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You know your breasts, but what is ‘your’ normal when it comes to look and feel?

Talk to your doctor and establish if a mammogram is right for you.

You should be having a mammogram every two years.

Call BreastScreen on 13 20 50 to book a free mammogram.

Talk to your doctor to ask if you should continue to have mammograms.

DON’T HESITATE TO SEEK HEALTH ADVICE IF YOU NOTICE ANY CHANGES. If there is a history of cancer in your family, talk to your doctor.

If you are aged between 40 to 49 you are eligible for a free breast screening.

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30 MINUTES EVERY TWO YEARS CAN OFFER PEACE OF MIND.

Women over 75 may also have free breast screening mammograms as recommended by your doctor.

Get to know your breasts, get to know what is normal when it comes to the look and feel of your breasts and seek health advice if you notice any changes.

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LIFESTYLE

CHOICES SOME RISK FACTORS FOR BREAST CANCER ARE NOT EASY TO CHANGE, LIKE BEING FEMALE AND YOUR AGE, BUT THERE ARE SOME THINGS YOU CAN DO THAT MAY HELP REDUCE YOUR RISK OF BREAST CANCER.

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Kids on the Coast – MAY / JUNE 2014

Maintain a healthy body weight: being overweight or obese increases the risk of developing breast cancer, particularly for women who have been through menopause.

Be physically active: regular exercise can help you maintain a healthy weight. Research suggests that vigorous exercise when you’re young might provide lifelong protection against breast cancer, and that even moderate physical activity as an adult can lower your risk of developing breast cancer.

Limit or avoid drinking alcohol: about 1 in 8 breast cancers may be attributable to alcohol consumption. If you do choose to drink, limit yourself to 1 standard drink a day.

Don’t smoke: there is no clear link between smoking and breast cancer, but toxins from cigarettes have been found in breast cells.

As smoking is a major cause of heart disease, lung cancer and many other cancers, not smoking is always a smart health choice.

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59

DESTINATION

ROUGHING IT W

By Justine Stewart

hen we were kids, our rather large brood spent many a Christmas holiday sweltering in a tent located at the daggy end of a coastal caravan park. I had memories of spending many hours packing, unpacking, setting up a tent, dealing with leaking air mattresses and spending an uncomfortable week sleeping much closer to the ground than I would prefer. Throw in a few (literally) freezing nights on a school camp, which was so bad I still get the horrors at the mere mention of that location more than twenty years later, plus a slight paranoia about snakes and spiders, and you’ll see why I wasn’t exactly itching to get back to nature.

In fact, until recently, the chances of me suggesting a camping holiday with the family were about the same as the odds of Britney Spears being awarded Mother of The Year. (I know, I should leave poor Brit alone but when you’re having a Bad Mother Day it’s nice to have someone out there who you can be pretty sure is doing a worse job than you). But all that changed when I encountered a display of camper trailers at our school fete a few months ago. I’d seen people towing them before, but had just assumed they were an ordinary trailer full of gear with a tarpaulin on top. How wrong I was!

For those who’ve never seen one up close, a camper trailer combines the “back to nature” simplicity of traditional “tent” camping with the ease and comfort of caravanning. When you arrive at your destination, you just undo the top of the trailer and unfold / push up the canvascovered aluminium frame to create a four-person tent with a high ceiling and full awning. The top of the trailer becomes a raised “mezzanine” floor of your tent…and is now your very comfortable double bed (complete with foam mattress). Meanwhile the back door of the trailer swings out to reveal a two-burner gas stove and plastic “sink”. You only need to bring sheets, (and something for the kids to sleep on, unless you have a very little one who can share a double bed with you), torches/lamps, a fold-up table and chairs and some food, and hey presto, you’re camping! (You can go rugged and bring an Eski or live it up and hire a camping fridge, like we did).

As soon as I saw the camper trailer, I was keen to give it a go. Best of all we could hire one for a few days, plus a table and camping fridge, for only a couple of hundred dollars, which meant we could actually afford to take a holiday! We didn’t need a four-wheel drive to tow it (just a tow bar on our car), it was easy to put up, had everything we needed, and we could sleep on a raised platform on a proper mattress.

(I still hadn’t forgotten those long winter nights in lumpy sleeping bags on top of even lumpier icy-cold ground sheets.)

Since it was our first time and we didn’t want to throw ourselves too far in the deep end, we chose a camping spot not too far out in the wilds.

Some would say access to water and a communal amenities block (toilets plus an open air shower) makes it all a bit too easy, but it was a great way to get used to the whole idea.

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Kids on the Coast – MAY / JUNE 2014

Unfortunately we’d left our decision to go camping a little late and almost ended up missing out, because most of the hire trailers in our area were already fully booked for the school holidays. However Johnno’s Camper Trailers in Gympie had just received a cancellation so were able to come to the party, and were incredibly helpful in getting us on our way.

Arriving at the campsite after dark (not recommended, but easily done when you’re travelling with two small children and an occasionally forgetful husband), tempers were starting to fray as we endeavoured to find a suitable spot in which to set up. We then put on an entertaining show for the rest of the families camping nearby as we struggled to see what we were doing while trying to control two very excited kids!

The experience of camping near other families was both positive and negative. If you’re lucky, your kids will find others around the same age with enough in common to form a “holiday friendship” that makes life more enjoyable for everyone. On the other hand, it wasn’t fun to listen to a particular family near us yell obscenities, threats and demeaning comments at their kids. People were probably annoyed by our noisy electronic pump inflating a mattress at 7pm…and we found the “neighbours” playing the same CD each night, and another group who shone their laser lights into the trees, were unwelcome intrusions into the quiet, reflective experience of an otherwise peaceful moonlit night in the country. Next time maybe we’ll try somewhere more remote, but that will probably mean pit latrines instead of proper toilets!

Whilst we tried a few different sleeping configurations, I ended up on the bed with our two-year-old (making sure she was on the “wall” side so she couldn’t roll off) while my husband shared our large inflatable blow-up double bed mattress with our 8 year old. We should have just brought small camping mats for the kids, but you live and learn.

In the light of day we could see a better spot to our left so then everyone, including the kookaburras, once more had a great laugh as we packed up, moved, and set up again (although we were getting the hang of it by then).

Our three-night camping trip flew by in no time as we spent the time relaxing, playing cards, eating, bushwalking and swimming in the local waterhole. It was so hot I was even brave enough to go in after we saw some cheeky little snakes swimming there! The kids were thrilled to see goannas, bush turkeys, wallabies, and even a stray cow up close, but we could have done with a few less midges, mosquitoes and flies.

Crazy as it sounds, I loved cooking in the great outdoors on our builtin stove, and our menu included Beef Goulash, Tuna Pasta, Mexican Wraps, pancakes, damper, and of course marshmallows roasted over an open fire. All in all, it was great to get away from mobiles, computers, phones and the dreaded television and spend time together as a family, and we can’t wait to do it again!

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61

PARENTville

By Aleney de Winter

PARTY LIKE A NINJA Those madcap medicos at Casa Conception (the wonderful IVF centre responsible for the existence of my children) must have embraced their inner mad scientist when they were shaking up my embryonic cocktails in the lab.

I swear that somewhere along the line someone gave our contributions to the petri dish a quick stir with a swizzle stick dipped in a spot of international DNA before serving them back to us with little embryo size cocktail umbrellas. Or at the very least they forgot to wash their hands after a sushi lunch because in spite of my offspring’s overwhelmingly Anglo-Saxon genetics, they both think they’re Japanese.

My son, who has his heart set on a career as a ninja when he grows up, has long obsessed over all things Japanese and is currently saving his pocket money for a trip to Japan, which should happen - based on his current savings and inflation - somewhere around 2078, give or take a decade. My daughter too has traded Peppa Pig for re-runs of a Japanese cooking show, a peculiar viewing choice for a three-year old, but that’s how she rolls.

So it came as no surprise when they both wanted to celebrate their recent birthdays in Japanese style.

The little one had simple desires and was satisfied with some noodles and a Hello Kitty cake. My son, however, is a small boy who is big on details, and simple is not his style.

You see he’d been planning his 6th birthday party for 363 and ¾ Days. At the end of his 5th birthday he’d announced that there would be ninjas at the next. And not just any old ninjas, oh no, that would be far too easy. There would be no cartoon turtles or spinjitzu for my boy. It was to be ninja - Japanese style. Tasuke!

A year later and my boy had planned his day to obsessive detail. An invitation had been sent to all the bravest warriors he knew and our living room became a weapons plant where dozens of foam nunchucks were produced for training. So efficient was the production line, we may just branch out into arms dealing if money gets too tight.

A giant ninja piñata was made and filled with Japanese sweets and treats. Though, in all honesty, I ate so many of them while filling it I’m surprised the kids didn’t come after me with a big stick. Platters of ninja bread men were baked and iced, enough sushi

was rolled to feed a small army and an epic ninja cake was created.

But still something was missing. And that something was an actual ninja.

Ninja’s tend to be thin on the ground in Australia. That or they’re just so good at hiding I haven’t spotted any.

And here lay my problem. I couldn’t make a ninja, my husband refused to take one for the team and, given that I have all the strength and agility of the average house-brick, I wasn’t going to cut the mustard (or should I say wasabi) as an invincible Japanese assassin. So I hired a real live ninja (read, a guy in a suit) to train my son and his warrior pals.

As a passionate DIYer it pained me to part with the cash, but as 20 enthralled six-year olds were put through their paces by the black clad warrior, I was able to sneak off - with the stealth of a ninja - to relax with a glass of sake, totally unmolested by sugaredup small folk. This is what they mean by money well spent. In fact, I’m outsourcing all my parties from now own... only next time I might hire a butler so I don’t have to fetch my own drinks.

Aleney de Winter is a travel, food and parenting writer. For more hilarious antics from her globetrotting five-year old foodie, Rafferty, and daredevil two-year old daughter Marlo, visit her blog www.boyeatsworld.com.au

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Kids on the Coast – MAY / JUNE 2014

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

leaner than Miranda Kerr in a bikini, on a beach, rolling around in the surf and sand while

chanting my name…errr…sorry got a bit carried away…bottom line is the bucks are few Are your kids driving you bonkers? Sick of scouring books I’m sure and that’s how it went?

Since the dawn of timecozzie kiddies have been spoilt by adults, and far between your kiddy just has to have the grousest or else!!! and websites for answers? Well Hot91.1 is here to help.

Are your kids driving you bonkers?

Sick of scouring even Jesus received OTT gifts from those wise dudes.

Sure at theyou’ll timehave Gold, Frankincen Send us your kiddie conundrums and our very own Todd Well never fear…the thrifty costume King is here…simply follow my tips and books and websites for answers?

Well Hot 91.1 is seamed a ridiculous the bestand fancyMyrrh dressed kids getting round. choice compared to a box Huggies infants, a zoo theme & Sami along with Jan from Settle Petal could be coming help. Send us your kiddie conundrums and Take onecot orpants a Bunnykins dining set, but they were posh prezzies nonblue the less. Of cour tohere your to rescue. setmobile of karate and an old brown dressing gown, paint a cricket wicket ourout very own Todd andPetal Sami along with Jan from and BAM!we all know now why jesus wasn’t born in Aus, they couldn’t find 3 Wise men or a Virgin Find more about Settle at www.settlepetal.com.

Petal could bequestion be coming your rescue. but I Miranda digress.

As ainkiddy weon were prettyrolling poor,around in fact in if Ithe wasn’t a boy, I wouldnt You’ve Obi Wan Kenobi from Star Wars.

If Settle you’ve got a parenting you’dto like answered leanergot than Kerr a bikini, a beach, surf and sand while have had TODD anything to play with, but my folks spoilt me with love and affection rather email it now to breakfast@hot91.com.au chanting my name…errr…sorry a bit been carried away…bottom lineI was is thea kiddy bucksshe are fewthan toys a Now I would’ve killed for my Mumgot to have this creative…when Are kids driving youyou bonkers?

Sick Sick of scouring books Areyour your kids driving bonkers? of scouring This is avideo common occurrence in our suburbs and I place theIblame solely and entirely Find out more about Settle Petal at www.settlepetal. games...everyone had the Sega Mega Drive had the dodgey 2nd hand Atari 260 and far between and your kiddy just has to have the grousest cozzie or else!!! sent me to school in a dodgey old set of jeans that were hand me downs from my cousin and websites for answers?

Hot91.1 is here help. books and websites for Well answers?

Well Hot to 91.1 is on the culdesac. This poor excuse for a dead end street has caused no end of dramas com.

If you’ve got a parenting question you’d like Damien, and 2 sizes too big, add to that my Dad’s blue terry towelling dressing gown, a with the fake woodgrain finish...interestingly my first car had the same vibe...sure I wou hereus toyour help.kiddie Sendconundrums us your kiddie and andconundrums our very own Todd Well never fear…the is here…simply follow tips and have for Australian familiesthrifty sincecostume the dawnKing of time.

You need look nomy further thanyou’ll Ramsay THISSend MONTHS QUESTION… answered email it now to breakfast@hot91.com.au silk scarf, her high heeled boots and her ladies straw “sun hat” and I was apparently “The our very own Todd and Sami along with Jan from have killed for a set of Reebok Pumps and a narly Tony Hawk skateboard, but I made do thepossibly best fancy round. & Sami along with Jan from Settle Petal could be coming St, thedressed nationskids mostgetting infamous culdesac, and home to multiples of tragedies My two toddlers love to dress up.

What are some quick and easy dress up ideas that don’ t Man from Snowy River”!

Settle Petal could be coming to your rescue. with the stuffand ipants got. to your rescue.

Take one setthe of karate and an old brown dressing paint aand cricket blue throughout 80’s 90’s.

They used to sing aboutgown, neighbours, howwicket everybody

break the budget? looked more neighbours like the “Dude from Kings Cross”. I still carry the scarsyou of this dress and BAM! good with a little understanding, apparently could findupthe How do out youmore stopabout aabout childSettle from becoming too self-entitled?! My I needs Find Petal at www.settlepetal.com.

Findout more Settle Petal at www.settlepetal. debacle today so remember it’s important to make the kiddies look ace!

My childhood nemisis, Tim Fitsimmons had everything.

Below ground perfect blend...and thefrom perfect SAMI daughter myaonly child so I can’t question help give herlike lots of You’ve got Obi Wanonce Kenobi Starblend Wars. was achieved, well, it’s at that point thatpool, flat top Ifcom. you’ve got parenting question you’dbut like answered Ifisyou’ve got a parenting you’d If Obi Wan Kenobi’s not your bag then hook up From aWars pair marriage of fake ears fromand thehis novelty neighbours became good friends.

Not breakups, to blackmail haircut, Nike Air Jordans, all thelikely.

Star action figures folks section drove a brand new Sheinemail also has two half siblings completely dote onNow I would’ve email it fame now to Myattention. one claim to lifebreakfast@hot91.com.au is the I went tobreakfast@hot91.com.au university withwho Karl Stefanovic.

You know killed for my Mum to have been this creative…when I was a kiddy she answered itfact now to atattempts, your local 2 buck shop and a set of budgie smugglers, mix them with some badpub, political to messy affairs, plane crashes, stalkers and even arson at the local this had it all...all the love and affection of his folks. worked way to theher The Today guyher. who got at the Logies a fewshe yearsfeels ago. Well, Karl always and show adore It’sdrunk wonderful that so loved but is she sent meFairlaine! to schoolFitzy in a dodgey old setbarr of jeans that were hand me downs from They my cousin policies and your kid is Tony Abbott. particular culdesac has ruined people’s lives.

(And in some cases people’s careers... hard to spend time with him, so they loaded him up with the best their moolah could b My and 8for year olds live in a street with a heap of kids.

It’s great as they hadheading star6power even when he was eighteen and just dagging out at the local uni pub.

He Damien, and 2 sizes too big, add to that my Dad’s blue terry towelling dressing gown, a spoilt-brat territory?!

Craig Mclachlan where are you now?) The answer is simple...you need to move! Maybe

QUESTION… forscarf, the girls…get 3 kilos of chuck (cheap as) string them together to create a“Theyou ask? Liv are inMONTHS the on street (dead so and it’s safe) playing together after school and Orsilk and rotten.

What sortladies of anstraw upbringing isand that?

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It’ll be a meat frock and badda bing badda boom…Lady Ga Ga! on weekends so it actually gives mum a bit of free time too to do those My two toddlersHelove to dress up. What arechristening some quickofand easy and dressSarah up ideas that don’t Man from Hugh Jackman. scored an invite to the Lachlan Murdoch’s Snowy River”!Starving for food and affection? NUP...He’s sailing the World in luxury cru on the streets? major factor in your kiddies happiness. I’d jobsthe around theif you house to come upofwith something for break budget? daughter.

Nice work canwithout get it. I dohaving have a photograph Karl and myself wrapped Having said thatlike make sure u keep your I looked more theoff “Dude from Kings Cross”.

I still carry thebusiness scars of this dress up yachts, living dividends of his parents vast empire!

The moral is spoil ya in the a “Lane” though them to every your 2 minutes.

They are great butCruise? a few are a bit self- certainly swerve living So you areofdo worried littleonone is turning into amates little with Suri in three rolls toilet paper while a group holiday camping a bunch Seemingly of buddies daughter away from the familyand dog.

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We were as Mummies. were to abehavior. dress up party my kids out a bit.

I know it’s part of growing up, but it kills me when my Clive If Obi Wan Kenobi’s not your bagwith then hook up a pair of fake ears from the novelty section a pair of Reeboks?

Desperate Housewives, affairs hot one claim tochild fame in life is the fact Iworrying went with Karl Stefanovic.

You know onMy the beach aand bonfire.

We thought it to wasuniversity genius.

And free.

Which meant we to pick onaround acomes poor Suri is no doubt suffering a lot with up of her My is2done… little one in crying and why little Amy upthe thebreak road won’t at job yourhere local buck shop and a set of budgie smugglers, mix them with some bad political gardeners and murder. the The Today show guy who got evil drunk at the Logies a wine few years ago.

Karl always could pour more ofbeing our scant money Stones Ginger to drink inWell, the sand dunes parents.

That said, the side ofwith me needs toHow tell you this, people: check out policies and your kid is Tony Abbott. tell her secrets and prefers tointo play Alice. do you explain to your - From Settle Petal had star power even when he was eighteen and dagging at the local pub.

He It JAN under theBurn stars.Book Good times.

However, ajust fault with our crafty craft. the kids that this ison all part of growing up, when really you just want to go Suri’s the internet.

Itthere is thewas funniest thing Iout have read in As auni long time. isJAN a Or for the 3children kilos of chuck steak as) string them together to create a of outside course onget to fame andstarted fortune and these days is buddies with James Packer night worewent onand our toilet paper toothers unravel/disintegrate and sag pitifully as we and Dressing upgirls…get a vital part(cheapfeels cranky at the for making your babies upset.

Yes itforisyoung wonderful thatis your daughter total tongue-in-cheek look at how the rich celebrity live, written from ‘Suri’s’ perspective.

Playing outside in the street with other meat frock and badda bing badda boom…Lady Ga Ga! see what grown-ups do and Hugh scored inviteexposed. to the christening Lachlan andWalking Sarah Murdoch’s were leftJackman. with our He white bodyanparts We did notoflook like the Dead from of discovering the world - itisisnot rolenecessarily play at its best.

Children loved andlike nothe she heading If only she really is this funny in real life.

Here is a snippet that cracked me up.

“It was children sounds good old days – how wonderful!

This social interaction is a work if you do have a photograph of Karlafter andamyself wrapped want Having said that make sure u keep your andaughter.

Egyptian sarcophagus butcan weget didit.inIfact resemble Lindsay Lohan big night to for do the same.

This makes dress ups acheap and easy if you keep it simple. Often SAMINice spoilt-brad territory.

Feeling sense of step further along the path of development from interacting in the sandpit as a two revealed today that Vivienne Jolie-Pitt was paid $3, 000 to appear in ‘Maleficent’ , her in three rolls of toilet paper while on a group holiday camping with a bunch of buddies daughter away from the family dog.

And out There clubbing. yearsthat andare dress is backFact on the my life, toddlers or pre-schoolers want to dress up and change their clothes are aFast fewforward facts intwenty this world set ups in stone. one:agenda DanielinCraig is belonging andofbeing to attach to other old.

These times socialable interaction provide opportunities to help children learn film.

Many people are fuming, but I think it’s allgoing a big to overreaction. $3,000 isyear Clive Palmer. onmother’s Stradbroke Island.

We were dressed as Mummies.

We were a dress up party but this time for our kids.

I love dressing my daughter up for birthdays.

I also love several times a day.

To save messing up the wardrobe and messing the sexiest man in the universe. The shower scene in his James Bond movie is to her aa box how topeople is significant share, how to becoming choose friends, how to walk away from situations onreally the beach around a bonfire.

We thought it was genius.

And free.

Which meant we not a lot of money, and it’s considered the fair price for small parts, even if the role dressing her up just because it is a Monday.

My former days of doing outfits on with your patience have or suitcase in their bedroom with My job here is done… incredible. Fact two: Nicholas Cage cannot act. I do not back this that make them feel unhappy and how to choose what to successful, socially could pour more of our scant money into Stones Ginger wine to drink in the sand dunes the cheap has encouraged me these days to buy her dress up costumes.

But several outfits and mix and match accessories.

Ideas that make was received because of blatant nepotism.

That said, it would statement up with any examples or evidence. It is what it is. Fact do appropriate when they don’t like whatadult. is happening at play.independent It is JAN - From Settle Petal self-assured child under stars.

Good there was a fault our crafty they arethe picked up at $2 at op shops or with on sale at the craft. As the great cheap andand easysecure dress-ups are A adult shoes (some take aoften LOT more zeroes toHowever, convince me to play opposite three: Cheesy bite istimes. in the fact farshops betteror than Vegemite.

I feel amy little anor opportunity to encourage andtoaccept them wanting night wore on our toilet paper started to unravel/disintegrate and sag pitifully as we a child who feels entitled preferential treatment (selfbig retail stores.

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Mum who of not heading for spoilt-brat territory.

Well, I have just copped a into adulthood and best learnt during these early anthis Egyptian sarcophagus but we did in fact resemble Lindsay Lohan after a big night and pompoms make great tails (charity stores often because trust me the day you NEED a pirate outfit is the day you want to do the same.

This makes dress ups cheap and easy if you keep it simple.

Often on their parents their physical, please stop whining and start being a better Mumsy. formative years. for Help children buildemotional resilience and and intellectual lot ofemail, criticism for banning presents from my daughter’s second out clubbing.

Fast forward twenty ups is back on the agenda in my life, haveParental cheap orchange men’s dressing gown toddlers or pre-schoolers wantcurtain tosupport dresstassels upisand their clothes will not be towould find one anywhere.

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Teawardrobe towels and or several times a day. To save up the andpegs messing about anything with paint.

And scraps material unsupervised andface potentially getsome the stuffing kicked out them I also love develop to allow for the natural progression of independence. years.

Give children coping skills rather than rescuing So I thought I was being oh so responsible as a parent by stating dressing her up just because it is a Monday.

My former days of doing outfits on old baby blankets with a hole cut out for with your patience have a box or suitcase in their bedroom with are very easily transformed into super hero capes/princess and be exposed to all sorts of behaviours that little kids do not need them from real feelings.

Every child has a different The term ‘helicopter parent’ isgreat used toIdeas describe parents that ho the cheap has encouraged me these days to buy her dress up costumes.

But the head make super hero capes. several outfits and mix and match accessories. that make veils/or magician cloaks.

Have fun and enjoy watching on the invite that guest could bring dog food for the animal to see. Okay, so let’s move on to some great parenting advice. My personalityorand therefore a different ability to cope constantly “physically hyper-present but somehow they are often picked atfor theour $2 shops orstay at opIdaughter shops or on sale at the Be are encouraging available to enter great cheap andwho easy dress-ups areand adult shoes (some the amazing imagination of little ones.

Just refuge instead of aup gift toddler.

My disowned littlie’s are only one and three years old, but am quite experienced with situations and disciplines.

It is important for are not allowin psychologically M.I.A. ” In this situation parents big retail stores.

Avalon has a tiger, lion, shark, butterfly and ladybird into the world of make believe.

It is with laces, some with heels and some bright colours), wellme. the toilet atclear baby my paper! eight andI eleven yearmad. old niece Myofsitting husband thought had gone And and all ofnephew. my friends parents to understand their own children because their discover and outfit.

Just because.

Thewe keyhook is to just lookX-out forand them all the time handbags, hats, ties,opportunity glasses and to scarves.

Wide ribbon a baby or child space to develop emotional self-regulation.

Eve When they stay over up the Box I load the TODD said I have done mental damage to my daughter that willlittle take what is done to help them may be different for each make sense oftails thethat world. and pompoms make great (charity stores often because trust me the day you NEED a pirate outfit is the day you if your daughter is an only child receives a lot of attention upparty on packets chips, lollies Coke. after UnlimitedforCoke child. Acknowledge that you understand they are years to repair!

Guess itofisanywhere. all about theand presents some It’s adarlings dress and stuck cheap curtain tassels or men’s dressing gown and will not beup able to findayou’re one And you canhouse do justsoallyou itupset canhave be attention.

Remain calm, supportive in fact.

They think mandarin is a treat at their can andhealthy help them find something to do with the for ideas and the bank balance is occasions! belts with tassels). Tea towels and pegs or about anything with face paint.

And some scraps of material imagine their brains exploding at Aunty Sami’s all-you-can-eat-buffetPlayfeel is how children learntime, about life.toAllow her sp aimencouraging. of helping them better.

Give them listen old baby blankets with a hole cut out for aremagic very easily transformed super capes/princess Willy Wonka land. into I also givehero them lollies in wrappers to take them divert themplay, intoleaving activitiesher that you know they mimic, try a forand open ended room to observe, the head make great super hero capes. veils/or cloaks.

Have andface enjoy home.magician Yes, sure they are offfun their on watching a sugar high but that is enjoy.

Some formProviding of expression if they are angry keep trying. suchhelps an environment Be encouraging and availablereduces to enter the chanc thewhat amazing imagination of little ones.

Just stay are meant to be.

Anyhoos, to the We point.

Myup advice Spoiltkids kids...yep they’ve been aroundback for yonks. grew with suchof asher painting, drawing, running around orinkicking a ball world an always looking to you for help this imperfect into the world of make believe. It is well clear of the toilet paper! is quite simply torhyme suck itbout up and letting and reading a happy book, cuddles, water play and bubble the old nursery thestop spoilt girl your “whoangels had a mix littlewith curl, not becoming a spoilt-brat unabletotodiscover solve problems herself. their opportunity and TODD muchinolder kids unless youforehead. want to raise wild feral rugshe ratswas blowing can help when they feel sad. Discover what works right the middle of her When sheand was good make sense of the world. who learn toparty swear can do long division. to comfort and encourage your child and seek professional It’svery a dress upgood, andbefore you’rethey stuck very but when she was bad she got a Versace coat a help early if their coping skills are not improving. forBMW ideasand andathe bank balance is studio apartment on the Goldy.

SAMI

JAN

TODD

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

MAY / JUNE 2014 – Kids on the Coast

63

CONVERSATION

WITH ASSIST A SISTA

REPAIR. REBUILD. RESTORE. S

Interview by Jackie Goldston

ometimes it feels easier to bury your head in the ground when it comes to tackling tough topics. Domestic violence is one of those topics that often is discussed in hushed tones.

In South East Queensland, Assist A Sista empowers victims, with the aim of breaking the cycle and enabling them, and their children, to have a fresh start; a comfortable home with all the basics, whilst they continue to heal. Nicolle & Manuela founded Assist A Sista on September 1st 2012. They explain that they are “two working mums with a passion to make a difference in the lives of others.”

Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over it became a butterfly.

Proverb

Until I spoke with them I didn’t know that one in three Australian women are affected by domestic violence. That each night one out of every two women are turned away from emergency accommodation due to lack of beds or that domestic violence is the leading cause of homelessness for women and children in Australia. Every week in Australia, a woman is killed by her partner or a previous partner. In fact, intimate partner violence is the top ranking cause of preventable and premature death among women aged 15 to 44.

Domestic violence affects nearly 500,000 Australian women per year.

Women are the majority, but men can also be subjected. It affects every community regardless of class, culture or background, young or old. Domestic violence is the misuse of power to gain control over another person. No one deserves to live in fear of domestic violence, especially not children.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE Assist A Sista is a Gold Coast founded community based volunteer organization that helps survivors of domestic violence. Nicolle explains, “We work together to help survivors of domestic violence to rebuild and repair by bringing hope and restoring faith. Through our Facebook page, we facilitate donations of clothing, furniture, non-perishable food items, toys and other essential and non-essential comfort items. We supply these items on a needs basis, to families (who always remain anonymous), via our contacts at Refuges from Northern NSW to Brisbane.”

“Our vision is to see Assist A Sista Australia become a household name and be present and active in every city and region across Australia. We currently support Northern New South Wales, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast and we are on the move!”

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Kids on the Coast – MAY / JUNE 2014

Since they started their work they have assisted more than 70 mums and 150 children by setting up their new homes. Nicolle shares, “We are currently in the process of helping another 5 Mums and 9 children and the number is growing each day as more and more organisations become aware of our service. These figures do not include the countless families that we have assisted through crisis calls of clothing, new underwear, pyjamas and shoes.”

“Assist A Sista Australia stands against violence of all kinds against all people – Men, Women and Children should not be subjected to violence. We do not solely assist women and children – in fact, in the time we have been going we have assisted 2 men who have also been subjected to domestic violence and we will continue to do so should men too require our assistance. The reality is, however, women make up the highest percentage of victims of domestic violence.”

SPREADING THE WORD Women (and men) can find Assist a Sista through word of mouth, Facebook and their website. A woman in a refuge may have been referred directly. Manuela explains, “We hope to provide the light at the end of the daunting tunnel for the ladies embarking on their journey of escape and recovery. They are not alone and there is lots of amazing help ready to assist them on their journey forward. Once upon a time a lady might have felt that she would need to return to her previous situation in order to provide her children with the resources and familiar “comforts” of home.”

With Assist A Sista on their side there is no need to jeopardize their safety or the safety of their children just for a few things. There is amazing support and encouragement waiting to cheer her forward and commend her for the safe choices she is making for herself and her children. They share, “We currently have 11 000 Likes on our page. Can you imagine the power of what that symbolizes? That means that 11 000 people are encouraging you, wishing you well and commending you for the safe choices that you have made for yourself and your children.”

“The most important message we need to get across is that the lady being affected by domestic violence need not feel ashamed or isolated anymore. This is not her shame to be felt. The shame

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

CONVERSATION

Words to live by sits solely with the perpetrator.

Violence is a choice.”

“Together we are breaking down the stigma attached to domestic violence. The time is here to speak out against this repugnant epidemic. With one in three Australian women being affected we need to stop and have a look around. We need to listen when our friends, mothers, sisters or even brothers talk to us and most importantly we need to believe them.”

MAKING IT WORK It seems hard to imagine how the founders of Assist A Sista manage their work and their personal lives as mothers. For Nicolle, life is about finding that perfect balance between work and play. “Just like other working Mums, we are constantly a work in progress to ensure that everything is covered to the best of our ability.

Assist A Sista is an organic creature that demands so much of our time just as our families also need us. However, we’ve made a commitment to make them both work - We work hard at making them work. I am lucky in the sense that Manuela and I have a strong partnership and we are both mothers and wives so equally busy, but we share the load of Assist A Sista. Where one needs time with the family, the other jumps in to make sure everything is covered. We’ve got this!”

For Manuela, knowing that their families are very supportive of what we are doing makes a huge difference. “They get involved with us and know how passionate we both are so we are very blessed that our families share our vision. Working full time can also be challenging but it’s being aware of having a balance in your life. People have different hobbies that help them relax; this is my hobby and I am very passionate of the cause.”

HOW DOES IT WORK?

1 2

Assist a Sista bridge the gap where support falls short.

They meet immediate Crisis Needs by assisting with emergency “Comfort packs” and other emergency supplies, they are relieving some of the immeasurable stress and duress felt by the family when they enter Refuge.

They create “Assista Havens” for the family, once they exit a refuge and are commencing their journey towards a safe new life in a new home.

There is little or no government support available for these brave families and the women and their children usually arrive to completely bare housing, without the basic necessities and financial security.

Assista Havens are completed by teams of passionate volunteer Assistas who create a comfortable home environment for the family using items donated by members of the “Assistahood”, following a specific, tailored call-out on their Facebook page. They then completely transform each house for the family by fitting it with enough beds, furniture, linen, kitchenware, toiletries, curtains, locks, appliances, etc., so it is ready for the family to move in and immediately start focusing upon their healing journey.

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

Nicolle: “Carpe Diem…Seize the day! My dream is to see apathy and inequality stamped out of our society, so each day I strive to live by what I believe in. I choose to surround myself with colourful, passionate human beings who care. This is Australia, the country where dreams flourish and simple folk can rise up and make a difference in society. Women and Men everywhere can choose to RISE UP AND JOIN THE MOVEMENT to break the cycle of domestic violence. Let’s unite against injustice; speak out for the voices struggling to be heard.

Let’s look outwards and see what is happening around us. Let’s SPEAK UP and RISE UP. It’s time to make a difference – because we can!

Manuela: “Live Life, give graciously and be kind to yourself. A big influence in my life was my maternal grandmother, who, not only being the Matriarch in the family, was always hardworking and an amazing role model to us as children right through to adulthood. Another was Princess Diana, her unselfishness, courage and hard work, facing many challenges, she continued to inspire everyone around her, a true role model to everyone young and old.”

HOW CAN YOU HELP? Assist a Sista team see the clear need to expand nationwide in order to continue to make a difference and break the cycle of domestic violence. If they have already helped 75 mums just here in southeast Queensland, can you imagine how many women and families across Australia are also in need of assistance? Nicolle believes the Refuges and support organisations “are truly amazing and do tirelessly unrecognized work; however they are feeling the pressure at the coal face of being underfunded, and under staffed to be able to adequately assist the women as they transition onto independent living from Refuge.

As one lady exits refuge after 12 weeks another enters straight away from one of many motels where there are more ladies awaiting entry into Refuge having been evacuated from the violence. We are extremely proud to be able to support the support organisations to lessen the burden they feel to adequately support their clients as they transition.”

Assist A Sista is a solely volunteer based organization and there are a few ways people can help: • Everybody has a particular strength – be it coordinating, organising, fundraising or even simply being able to utilise their networks to spread the word about Assist A Sista to grow awareness of the organization and the epidemic.

• Donations: If you would like to donate items (aka Assistas) “Like” their Facebook page to follow their daily newsfeeds. They post every time items are needed, either for immediate crisis needs, or for specific “wish list”: items requested by those we help via the refuges, or in preparation for the “Haven”.

• Spread the Word: As well as “Liking” the Assist A Sista Facebook page, talk about them to your friends, family and work colleagues.

The more people that they have involved the more survivors they are able to assist.

NEED HELP? Emergency - 000. If you are in danger right now, call the police or ambulance service.

DV Connect Womensline 1800 811 811. Assists women to obtain refuge accommodation, counselling and referral to other services.

Kids Helpline - 1800 551 800.

A free confidential telephone counselling service for five to 25 year olds Immigrant women’s support service - 07 3846 3490 Domestic Violence Prevention Centre Gold Coast Inc. www.domesticviolence.com.au

If you are a volunteer wanting to join the Assistahood you can make contact with them via their Facebook page Assist A Sista or via their website www.assistasista.com.au.

Alternatively you can email them at info@assistasista.com.au. Assist A Sista is a fantastic community driven organization that is looking for more volunteers from all over Australia. This is a community of passionate, change driven individuals who are banding together to make a difference.

If you are currently in a violent relationship, we urge you to act and make the call for help when you are in a safe environment to do so.

DV Connect 1800 811 811.

MAY / JUNE 2014 – Kids on the Coast

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BOOKS, MOVIES, APPS, GAMES

REVIEWS

APPS SLICE LAVA APP (Android USD$2.99, Apple $3.79, Amazon/Kindle Fire USD$2.99) With over 60 fun puzzles, Slice Lava is designed for kids and also challenging for adults! It’s all about maths and testing logic in a fun manner. Learn fraction concepts by slicing shapes. No words. No maths drill. Slice Fractions offers a safe digital environment, without banner advertising or in-app purchases.

For ages 5+

BUG ART (iPad, iPhone, iPod $0.99) Imagine, create, and play with Little Bit Studio’s newest app, Bug Art. Watch your child’s creations coming to life. Uniquely combining the abilities to create and play, Bug Art allows your child to paint, design, and explore in a whimsically styled setting. No third party advertising or in-app purchases. Fun for most ages.

BOOKS THE BOY ON THE PAGE Peter Carnavas, New Frontier Publishing, RRP $24.95 A small boy lands on the page and, quite by accident, discovers the joy and wonder of life. A beautifully illustrated, quirky book that questions our purpose – why are we here? A sweet and positive message is entwined in the developing story. Different meanings will be interpreted by different ages. From 4+

THE ADVENTURES OF SCOOTERBOY AND SKATERGIRL Andy Jones, ABC Books, RRP $12.99 Cool can mean a lot of things. Amazing, wicked, awesome, epic, radical, insane, ridiculously good and, of course – cold! Meet Skatergirl. She has cool hair, she wears cool clothes and she rides a really cool skateboard. Basically, she’s naturally cool.

Meet Scooterboy. He’s … well … let’s just say that being cool does NOT come naturally to him. But when Scooterboy and Skatergirl get together, HILARITY ensues. Cheeky, funny and packed with cartoon-style illustrations and moments that will have you laughing out loud, this collection of short stories from children’s entertainer Andy Jones is perfect for reluctant readers and fans of Andy Griffiths. For ages: 8-12

MOVIES HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2 (3D) In Cinemas June 19 The thrilling second chapter of the epic How to Train Your Dragon trilogy returns to the fantastical world of the heroic Viking Hiccup and his faithful dragon Toothless. The inseparable duo must protect the peace –and save the future of men and dragons from the power-hungry Drago. Starring Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson and America Ferrara.

TINKERBELL: THE PIRATE FAIRY In Cinemas June 26 When a misunderstood dust-keeper fairy named Zarina steals Pixie Hollow's all-important Blue Pixie Dust, and flies away to join forces with the pirates of Skull Rock, Tinker Bell and her fairy friends must embark on the adventure of a lifetime to return it to its rightful place. However, in the midst of their pursuit of Zarina, Tink's world is turned upside down. She and her friends find that their respective talents have been switched and they have to race against time to retrieve the Blue Pixie Dust and return home to save Pixie Hollow.

To see more reviews visit www.kidsonthecoast.com.au 66

Kids on the Coast – MAY / JUNE 2014

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au