IssUe 34 Sept/OCt 2oo9
FReE!!
laces to do, p for things g verythin the to go, e on arents kids & p shine Coast Sun
www.kidsonthecoast.com.au
Motherhood and magazines COSMO’S editor Mia Freedman talks about balancing both
YOU SCREAM, I SCREAM…
How to handle a supermarket tantrum
sday…
be Tue it must
r u o Are oo t s d ki
Tennis –
? y s u b
Is your child a wombat? How personality profiling promotes understanding
Welcome the whales: Nature’s largest mothers visit the coast
PLUS HEAPS OF competitions, REVIEWS AND HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES
CONTeNTS September/October 2009 30 20
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FEATURE Chipping away at Childhood
Welcome to
Kids on the Coast
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WELCOME
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CHECK THIS OUT Make life easier with these new products
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WHAT’S NEWS
12 NEW TO THE COAST 15 THE “P” FILES Shopping without tears – beating the tantrums
20 EDUCATION What’s in a name? Personality profiling your child
24 KID SPEAK Learning styles affect curriculum Welcome to our new look! Just like many of us, Kids on the Coast has recently started noticing a few wrinkles around the eyes and saggy bits. It was time for a face-lift and graphic surgeon, Michelle, has worked her magic and knocked a few years off the magazine’s image. We hope you enjoy our new shiny contents page, modernised Check this Out section and easily digestible news. When you peer a little closer, we hope learning about personality types might help you better understand your kids; you might feel a kinship with other parents who join you in suffering public tantrums; and we hope you enjoy our new Parent Profile section where Mia Freedman shares her thoughts on life, work and motherhood. So, settle the kids, grab a cuppa and enjoy! Sarah Pye, Editor www.kidsonthecoast.com.au
26 WHAT’S ON CALENDAR The Kids on the Coast guide to Sept/Oct
29 PARENTVILLE Cuddle Police – where did the private time go?
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30 PARENT PROFILE Juggling Act – Mia Freedman does it all
35 ADHD What is it and what can you do?
36 BABIES ON THE COAST Late arrivals – babies don’t come easy
40 IT’S ONLY NATURAL It’s just an allergy… or is it?
44 LET’S CELEBRATE Vegetarian kids’ parties made easy
46 HAPPY HOLIDAYS A whale of a time in Hervey Bay
49 REVIEWS AND COMPETITIONS 50 KIDS ON THE COAST DIRECTORY
READ MORE ONLINE! om.au www.kidsonthecoast.c
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
PUBLISHED BY: THINGS 4 KIDS PTY LTD. 101 Memorial Drive, Eumundi, QLD 4562. PO Box 491, Eumundi QLD 4562 PHONE: 07 5442 8679 FAX: 07 5442 8709 WEB: www.kidsonthecoast.com.au ABN: 86 473 357 391. All editorial in Kids on the Coast has been written in good faith based on material, verbal or written, provided by contributors. No responsibility is taken for errors or omissions and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. All material in Kids on the Coast is subject to copyright provisions. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Feedback/comments/suggestions? Send to: editorial@kidsonthecoast.com.au We aim to reply to all correspondence but don’t guarantee to do so. Letters to the editor may be edited for length or clarity. PUBLISHER: Toni Eggleston EDITOR: Sarah Pye EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS: Maxine Arthur, Mariel Dawson, Madonna Hirning, Cindy Mayes, Dr Roger Morris, Jane O’Hara, Alison Rodriguez, Sandra Smith, Brooke Tunbridge, Elissa Walker. ADVERTISING: For advertising enquiries please phone Tanya Ryan on 07 5442 8679 or email: advertising@kidsonthecoast.com.au PRODUCTION COORDINATOR: Terri Sanderson, production@kidsonthecoast.com.au ADMINISTRATION: Kellie Kruger DISTRIBUTION: Kids on the Coast (Sunshine Coast edition) is a free publication circulating over 15,000 copies from Caloundra to Noosa and through the hinterland. A separate edition covers the Gold Coast. For distribution enquiries please phone: 07 5442 8679 or email: admin@kidsonthecoast.com.au FRONT COVER: Funky Photography GRAPHIC DESIGN: Michelle Craik
SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2009 – KiDs on tHe CoAst
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K C e CH
THIS OUT
our guide to interesting & essential bits & pieces
Gifts from the heart
Showing someone special you love them doesn’t have to be expensive. These handy little I.O.U. Voucher Packs give you and the kids a chance to get inventive and give from the heart. A cardboard folder includes three favour vouchers and a few suggestions of possible ways to fill them in. There’s a special voucher designed for dad and, with Father’s Day looming, this might just solve your gift problems. Why not offer to clean the car? Water the garden? Produced by John Sands, vouchers cost $5.95 from newsagents.
No more sleepless nights
Babywedge is essentially a cushion with adjustable support that keeps your baby safe. It’s useful for elevating your baby to avoid colic and reflux but also helps mum as a back support, or pregnancy leg-lift. Like many simple solutions, once you have one you’ll find all kinds of other uses. RRP: $119.00. Babywedge is available at Toys R Us or Bubs Baby Shop, Noosaville. Phone: 5449 0035. Alternatively visit: www.babywedge.com.au
Dinner with a difference
Every now and again we find a product so unique we have to include it, even if you have to buy online. This Japanese bamboo tray and dining set is really innovative. Lined up in their proper order, knives, forks and spoons fit in cut out shapes and complement the beautifully simple bamboo plates and bowls. The entire set comes in a beautiful bamboo basket box. Seems funny for the Japanese to teach our kids how to eat with knives and forks, but stranger things have happened… The Funfam Table Set is available at www.littlefashiongalley.com. The company ships worldwide.
Your very own robot
Ask any parent for their wish list and more often than not it includes a house cleaner. That’s why we thought you’d love to hear about the Roomba vacuum. Rather like one of those automatic pool cleaners that inch their way along, it quietly perambulates around your house sucking up dust and grime. Imagine returning from work to find the floor clean! The in-built sensors tell you when the brushes need cleaning, dust bin is full or it needs recharging. RRP: $599. For a demonstration rush down to Harvey Norman or find out more at www.salton.com.au
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KiDs on tHe CoAst – SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2009
Less is more
Sometimes what kids don’t know won’t hurt them, and this is one of those times. New, Sweet William Mud Chocolate Spread boasts 60% less sugar than most other brands. It’s also nut-free, dairy-free and gluten free, so there’s no wonder it was highly commended for innovation and excellence in the 2009 Food Challenge awards. It still tastes just as good, but it’s better for them so it makes parents smile too. Mud is available at Woolworths. For more information visit www.sweetwilliam.com.au
Baby-proof nappies
A few months back innovator Melanie Sonter asked for your help trialling an innovative new product. Thanks to your help Button Up Baby is now available and it solves the problem of babies removing their nappies. Made of soft, washable cotton drill it’s easy to use (even in the dark) and, if you count the hours you have spent mopping up the mess, it’s worth every penny. To order visit www.buttonupbaby.com.au
Magic wand
Kids don’t listen? Can’t get them to do their homework? It may not have any electrical power, but the Control A Kid remote is powered by positive thinking. Buttons combat all those frustrating actions like sulking and tantrums, or encourage them to eat their greens. Just point, press and hope for the best. At least it makes you feel better and brings a smile to your face! RRP: $9.95. Available online at www.coolgifts.com.au www.kidsonthecoast.com.au
www.kidsonthecoast.com.au
SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2009 – KiDs on tHe CoAst
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FREE WHOOPING COUGH VACCINE Cases of whooping cough are four times higher in Australia and Queensland this year, with more than 15,000 adults and children already diagnosed in 2009. To help combat the outbreak, free whooping cough vaccines will be provided to all parents with new babies born since May 2009. While adults who contract whooping cough may end up with a persistent cough, it can obstruct a baby’s breathing and may be life threatening. Premier Anna Bligh said babies too young to be fully vaccinated can catch the disease from their parents who haven’t been immunised or missed out on booster shots as adults. Parents should see their normal immunisation provider to receive the free vaccination.
Support for postnatal depression Many new mothers suffer from some form of anxiety or depression in early parenthood. If you need help or just a confidence boost, the experienced team of mental health professionals at Nambour Selangor Private Hospital can assist through its group therapy program. To find out more, phone 5459 7411.
PRAISING GOOD BEHAVIOUR THE KEY Does your child throw tantrums, ignore your instructions or display aggressive behaviour? In a free program to assist parents of two to eight-year-olds, Kate Bartolo advises parents to focus on appropriate behaviour and create an incentive for kids to switch to more positive behaviour. “A kid who is being destructive, taking toys or harming others needs to know this is wrong,” she says. “Give consequences to the misbehaving kid without making them the focus of attention and remember to praise the child who is behaving.” If you want to know more, contact Parent-Child Interaction Therapy on 5452 8000. PCIT is based in Maroochydore (Mon – Fri) and Gympie (Thur – Fri).
NEW EARLY LEARNING CENTRE
Starting in 2010, Buderim’s Immanuel College will open an Early Learning Centre and Prep Centre. Including an outdoor covered learning area, it will support up to 500 students. Major features of the Early Learning Precinct include best practice play spaces, a parent meeting space, rainforest arbour and eco-friendly features. The new facilities come at a cost of $3.5 million, with $3 million being funded by the Primary Schools for the 21st Century Building the Education Revolution program.
Parents speak out on porn
Some patrons of Sunshine Coast libraries use free internet services to access pornography using computers located in both adult and child sections of the library. Although many libraries in Australia have installed filter software, the Sunshine Coast has not and mother of two Alison Sheldon recently started a petition to council to do so. To add your name, phone Alison on 0410 233 285.
LOOK for this logo FOR SPECIAL DISCOUNTS!
Readers Save money by shopping wherever you see the logo displayed, and mentioning “Kids on the Coast” for special offers and discounts!
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KiDs on tHe CoAst – SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2009
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Mention the KOTC Reader Discount to receive these great offers • Aussie world - Up to 25% off limited rides all day • Cooroy Gymnastics - First lesson free on presentation of ad • Gymbaroo - Free trial lesson • In Touch Physio - $20 off first hour massage for KOTC readers
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BUDDING PUBLISHERS GAIN INSIGHT Last month Sunshine Coast teacher Jodi Thomas contacted Kids on the Coast for help. A group of Year 5, 6 and 7 kids at Pacific Paradise Primary School were learning all about the publishing industry and planning to put together their very own magazine. They asked if Editor Sarah Pye could come and talk to them about the process of putting a magazine together. Sarah jumped at the chance and on Tuesday August 11 she was met by about 50 smiling faces. With student Hayden controlling the keyboard and advancing PowerPoint slides, the kids learned about story planning, writing, editing, advertising, printing and production. Jodi said the presentation was just what the kids needed and, with a few new tools in their editing box, they will soon be writing feature articles, book reviews and advertisements for their own publication. Watch this space as we follow their progress and celebrate with these budding publishers at their upcoming launch.
Noosaville students excel Students from Noosaville’s Good Shepherd Lutheran College lit up the big stage of the Caloundra Events Centre when they performed at Wakakirri, a national performing and visual arts festival for primary schools. The cast of 40 Year 3 students, one Year 1 student and 10 upper primary students were rewarded with gold awards in every category and public speaking and live singing awards.
Letter to the editor Hi I love reading Kids on the Coast, so much so that I have a friend send it to me while I’m living here in the Solomon Islands! Had to laugh though... It was interesting to see that you had an article on how parents worry too much about kids’ safety in the same edition as an article about kids’ safety and making your home (and friends’ homes) more kid safe! Cheers, Liz www.kidsonthecoast.com.au
SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2009 – KiDs on tHe CoAst
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FEATURE
Chipping away at
ChildHooD by Sandra Smith
Nambour grandmother Dolly Johnson grew up without a car, a television or a computer. She climbed the huge old Moreton Bay figs at the end of her street, and played amongst the bunya nut trees. When it rained, she’d go mushrooming in nearby paddocks with her dad. In summer, Dolly swam in a local waterhole and played on the river’s grassy banks with her friends. The bigger boys paddled canoes made from sheets of cast iron and scraps of wood. Those were the days: There were few scheduled activities, not many toys and not much money, but 77-year-old Dolly’s eyes light up as she remembers all the fun she had as a child. She spent a lot of time in a local park where she’d meet up with a couple of dozen kids from the street. “We’d take our cricket sets and balls, hopscotch and just generally muck around,” she laughs. “Most of us were tomboys.”
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Times have changed. Nambour’s Petrie Creek, once a pristine river with an abundance of fresh swimming holes, is now a struggling waterway. The paddocks and trees of the 1930s have been replaced by houses, shops and offices. The safe, uncomplicated world of Dolly’s childhood has vanished, and children are growing up in a vastly different world. US psychologist and author David Elkind says children are now rushed through childhood and they are forced to grow up too fast. “Today’s child has become the unwilling, unintended victim of overwhelming stress - the stress borne of rapid, bewildering social change and constantly rising expectations,” he says. Dr Elkind believes contemporary parents live in a pressure-cooker of competing demands, transitions, role changes, personal and professional uncertainties. Wellmeaning parents want to ‘get it right’ and they expose their children to a range of skills-based activities from early childhood, but children can feel overwhelmed by the pressure of excessive activities. He points out that chronic stress and emotional disorders are a result. Sunshine Coast psychologist Dr Robi Sonderegger warns that when parent’s ambitions for their children are unrealistic and unattainable, these children may develop stress, anxiety, poor self-esteem and depression. He sees many young people at his Mountain Creek clinic who believe they are ‘not good enough’ as a result of high and unfulfilled parental expectations. “It’s important that expectations are achievable, that a child feels free to develop into the unique person they were created to be, and that they feel unconditionally loved, supported, and valued by their parents,” Dr Robi says. “While teaching our children to strive for excellence is a valuable lesson, we need to realise that it’s not always possible for children…to achieve excellence at all times in everything they do.”
“Today’s child has become the unwilling, unintended victim of overwhelming stress…” Sunshine Coast mum Deanne Day agrees that kids are growing up in a much more competitive and time-poor environment. She has noticed that children seem more stressed these days, and she thinks that there is more pressure on children than ever before. Mother-of-three Deanne doesn’t believe her own children are growing up too fast, but she admits that her children have busy lives and very little free time. Emma, 10, plays soccer and guitar, while eight-year-old Kain plays rugby league and Brooke, aged five, plays fun-net. Emma and Kain also attend an extended learning centre one afternoon a week. “Saturdays are busy for us, because there are three sports to fit in,” Deanne says. Deanne tries to limit her kids’ after-school activities, but she sees other local families with up to four extra-curricular activities scheduled for their children each week. These busy children often don’t get home until six or 7pm – an exhausting schedule for any young child. Like Dolly, Deanne enjoyed a carefree childhood, with much more personal freedom than children these days. “There were about seven families – there used to be about 30 of us that would kick around together and we’d play bike ‘tiggy’ within four suburbs,” she remembers of her childhood in Brisbane. “Mum and Dad wouldn’t see us until the street lights came on.” Unlike parents of old, Deanne and husband Warren are both professionals who juggle successful careers with parenting responsibilities. They don’t have a lot of spare time either and Deanne manages by sharing before and after-school care with another parent, and by relying on Warren to finish work early two days a week.
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SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2009 – KiDs on tHe CoAst
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FEATURE Unlike Dolly’s youth, technology invades a modern childhood. It provides us with wonderful tools for communication, but at the same time technology is a double-edged sword that increases the frantic pace of our lives. It creates new problems for parents, as they try to manage their children’s engagement with multi-media and electronic devices. Steve and Jenny monitor the amount of time the kids spend in front of the television or computer. “There are times when we just say ‘the TV’s off, so go and do something else’,” Steve says.
Dr Robi says parents need to find the right balance between structured activities and free play for children, and this balance is important in the hurried lifestyles that many families lead. He is concerned that unstructured, free play has become virtually non-existent for many modern-day families. Australian author and educator Angela Rossmanith agrees. In 50 Great Tips for Healthy Kids she explains that free play allows children the time to build inner resources that provide firm foundations for adult life. However, it’s not easy for parents to create space and quiet time for their children to build these inner resources through imaginative play. Sunshine Coast teacher and fatherof-four Steve Plummer believes that some parents may not have found that balance. “Everyone just seems so overloaded and busy these days,” he says. Steve and his wife Jenny understand the importance of free play time so their kids can unwind and have fun together as a family. “You need downtime,” Steve says. “You need your family time, and I think the kids need their own time to experience new things and to gain confidence and to grow. But there must be a balance of those things.” Steve and Jenny make sure their kids have time for unstructured play each day but he admits that he and Jenny still struggle to get the balance right and some days are better than others. “It depends which day of the week it is,” he laughs. Steve and Jenny both work fulltime, and their parenting responsibilities include coaching their children’s sports teams. “In some respects we’d probably like to be less busy,” Steve says. “But then our lives would maybe also not be as rich as they are.” An effective slow-down tool for Steve and Jenny is setting aside one car-free day a week. He says they strive for that, but they don’t always succeed.
Dr Elkind argues that contemporary media hurries children as they receive too much information, too fast. He warns that information overload can produce an emotional overload, and the result is chronic stress. Symptoms include feelings of restlessness, irritability and difficulty concentrating, and children may suffer from what Sigmund Freud called “free-floating anxiety” as it is not attached to a specific fear. Dr Robi says media and communication technologies are problematic because they take the imagination out of play. Children may struggle to entertain themselves and they may even find the allocation of free play time stressful. “Many quite simply don’t know what to do with themselves, incessantly nagging mum with that beloved, whining question ‘what can I do?’” Dr Robi says. Dr Robi advises parents to limit the time their children spend on ‘technology’ activities. “As a general rule of thumb, a healthy guide for parents is to operate on a 2:1 ratio,” he says. “For example, for every minute spent on the computer, play station, or watching TV, two minutes should be spent outside or engaging in other imaginative play activities.” Although the quality of parent-child relationships is vital for a healthy upbringing, Dr Robi says parents who are overly focused on stimulating their child’s brain and body, with a variety of structured activities, often neglect the heart. “Real development often
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Parents and Educators…Dr Paula Barrett and Growing Early Childhood present
Building Confident and Resilient Children The author of world recognised programs for building life-long coping skills in children is here on the Coast! This is your opportunity to learn how children build confidence, happiness, persistence and resilience. Key note address: What parents and educators need to know about the risk and protective factors in children’s emotional development.
Lake Kawan a Community Centre 9am-11am
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KiDs on tHe CoAst – SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2009
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HAVE YOUR SAY, COMMENT AT www.kidsonthecoast. com.au comes not from what we do, but who we do it with and how positively engaging the experience is,” he explains. “If we are able to convey a clear message to our child that ‘there is nothing that you can do…that would make me love you any more or less’, we foster long-lasting emotional security and genuine personal development.” His advice to parents is to invest time in fostering the relationships with our children, by participating in fun and stimulating activities with them, rather than investing time in being a taxi driver for our children or a spectator at their events. “It is perhaps the greatest investment a parent can make,” he says, because children come to know they are loved for who they are, not for what they do or how well they do it. “By balancing structured, unstructured, and intentional family-relation activities, we set our children up for physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and even spiritual benefits.”
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We can often learn a lot from the past and grandmother Dolly urges parents to replace television and computer time with family activities. Almost 70 years on, she still has fond memories of childhood trips with her father and brothers to Noosa’s North Shore, where they would light a fire and toast sandwiches while they fished off the beach. Her advice to young parents is to slow down and enjoy the simple pleasures of life.
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SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2009 – KiDs on tHe CoAst
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NeW
TO THE COAST
a Kids on the Coast advertising feature
‘New to the Coast’ is a way in which Kids on the Coast can support new businesses that cater to Sunshine Coast parents and families. We think local kids and parents deserve just as much choice, style, fun, innovation and value for money as those living anywhere else. So if you agree, please join us in helping these new ventures to get off the ground by taking a look at what they’ve got to offer. And if you’ve got a new business you want to spread the word on, let us know!
Helping hands Running a household can be overwhelming at times, even for the most organised of us and, if you ask any mum what they would like the most the retort is often “more help!”. Mum of two, Lisa Thompson understands how it feels and she’s ready and waiting. Her business Mother’s Little Helper offers just what it says – help with anything you need. From cleaning to ironing and grocery shopping to cooking meals, Lisa takes the pressure off and lets you spend quality time with your family, or even get some extra sleep. Even if you don’t use her services yourself, imagine what a welcome gift this would be to a new mum. Lisa even offers a ‘de-clutter’ service where she helps you take back control of your home! Phone Lisa on 0410 446 535 or visit www.motherslittlehelper.net.au
H e lp e r le t it L ’s r e h Mot I can help you…
• Household help • Household cleaning • De-cluttering
Hourly rates start from as little as $20 p/h Gift certificates available Please contact Lisa on 0410 446 535 Email mothers.little.helper@live.com.au www.motherslittlehelper.net.au
Learning made fun Most parents don’t expect their child to become a rocket scientist, but they do want them to enjoy school and do well. Sometimes this takes a little extra learning support and Fast ForWord computer programs have helped all kinds of kids - from average students wanting to improve their grades, to kids with ADHD, Autism and Language Difficulties. Psychologist and teacher, Kay Manning says participants develop faster and more defined brain activity that allows them to discriminate, process and retain information more effectively. “This correlates with improved academic performance, enhanced self esteem and motivation for learning and better organisational skills,” she explains. Unlike teaching in a classroom environment, Fast ForWord is able to address each student’s learning needs by constantly adapting and focusing on areas they find challenging. Most importantly, Fast ForWord uses games and fun to stimulate learning so kids will willingly participate. Kay says this method shouldn’t be underestimated. “Research has found that when we are bored we learn very little,” she says. “So why not make brain training fun and motivating?” When you invest in the program, kids use Fast ForWord at home for 50 minutes a day (not necessarily in one sitting), five days a week. The program lasts up to 12 weeks and parents are sent regular progress reports by email. Kay says before too long, kids are having fun and learning more effectively as well as getting more out of the classroom and life in general. This program is based on the best selling book The Brain that Changes Itself by Dr Norman Doidge. The book introduces principles we can all use to overcome brain limitations and explores the implications of the changing brain.
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KiDs on tHe CoAst – SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2009
Fast ForWord your child’s learning Why Fast ForWord? Parents have been drawn to Fast ForWord for its unique features and capabilities: • trains the brain, building the student’s ability to learn • continually adapts to the individual’s learning needs • helps students make quick, lasting learning gains • teaches students via fun and interactive computer games
Contact us on 07 5435 2301 or 0412 767 275 or email kaymanning@ozemail.com.au to arrange a free Fast ForWord demonstration www.kidsonthecoast.com.au
Secure your financial future Even though many stay-at-home mums spend their adult lives balancing the family budget, it’s a sad fact that they accrue minimal superannuation and rely heavily on their partner’s ability to formulate a financial plan into retirement. This doesn’t pose a problem unless something unforeseen happens. Women going through separation, for instance, can find themselves in a worrying financial predicament. Financial advisor Rick Gardener says The Advanced Wealth Group can help women plan for their present and future financial needs. “Luckily women are more aware of the importance of personal financial security than they used to be,” he says. “We help them find avenues to fortify their financial needs and provide peace of mind for retirement and beyond.” It’s not just this generation’s adults who need money management skills. Rick believes our education system does not teach kids the skills needed to manage money effectively throughout their lives. “In this modern era with mobile phones and credit cards it is essential that our children are taught the basics skills of money,” he says. Using tools like special money boxes, financial guide books and budgeting software, Advanced Wealth Creations teaches various strategies to kids from Year one all the way to high school. The company is offering one hour consultation free to any family wishing to learn more – regardless of age. Space is limited and appointments are filling up quickly so Rick suggests you call as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Phone 07 5493 2713 or see us at www.advancedwealth.com.au
The key to your financial good health > Advice at every stage of your life > Educating kids to manage money > Stay at home mums > Specialist women’s financial advise > One hour free consultations for families
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No more wasted nappies!
Baby foiled again Some kids continually take off their nappy and Melanie Sonter’s daughter was one. At first Melanie found this game amusing but it wasn’t long before nap and bed times became a messy nightmare. “We tried putting the nappy on backwards but she soon mastered that,” she says, “so we ended up using duct tape and it often got stuck to her skin.” Considering the thousands of gadgets designed to make life easier for new mums, Melanie assumed there would be something on the market to help but, no matter how hard she searched, she couldn’t find one. As they say, necessity is the mother of invention so Melanie set to work designing a soft, belt-like device to foil her daughter. “I wanted it to be soft, easy to apply, machine washable and to look good,” she says, “and I wanted it to be something you could put on and take off in the dark.” Early this year Melanie approached Kids on the Coast because she needed willing victims to trial her prototype and we asked for your help on her behalf. Thanks to your support, and a few different versions of her innovative product, she created the baby-proof, machine washable Button Up Baby. Made out of comfortable cotton drill fabric, it fits around your baby’s waist and button’s up over the grip tabs making a unique, baby-safe solution. “There’s nothing else like it, it’s comfortable for the baby to wear and solves the problem,” Melanie explains, “and I want to thank all those people who helped bring my idea to fruition.” Call Button Up Baby on 0438 739 048 or order online at www.buttonupbaby.com.au
www.kidsonthecoast.com.au
Breathe a sigh of relief! Button Up Baby is the answer you have been looking for!
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Buy two, and receive a third one free! Save heaps of money!
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1. Un-wrap Button Up Baby and un-do all buttons. 2. Place over the tummy, buttons down and with the arch following the shape of baby’s legs. 3. Place nappy on a usual, with the front section going over the Button Up Baby. 4. Fold the top buttoned portion down over the nappy and bring the leg flaps up to meet it. Do up the buttons. 5. Bring the elastic band around behind baby and button up using the button hole that suits his/her size. 6. Done!
We accept most major credit cards via online payment.
www.buttonupbaby.com.au SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2009 – KiDs on tHe CoAst
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KiDs on tHe CoAst – SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2009
www.kidsonthecoast.com.au
THE ‘P’ Files
Shopping without tears
by Elissa Walker
By the time their kids reach four or five, most parents have experienced ‘the supermarket hissy fit to end all hissy fits’. Whether it’s the bright lights, the endless array of colourful packages just out of reach, the temptation of all those ‘no-no’ foods, or the boredom of having to tag along while Mummy or Daddy stock up on groceries, shops are definitely a danger zone when it comes to small children’s emotional explosions. As the parent in this situation, we may feel that every other person present is staring right at us, mentally tut-tutting about our inability to ‘handle’ our child; a combination of powerlessness, guilt, anger and embarrassment. In actual fact, most people glancing our way are probably feeling sympathetic or simply glad they’re not in our shoes!
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mon - fri 9.30am – 4.30pm
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sat & sun 9am – 1pm
KULUIN
(Maroochydore) Shop 3, 2-4 Melaleuca Street, Kuluin
5491 7743 SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2009 – KiDs on tHe CoAst
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THE ‘P’ Files Parenting expert and author Dr. Harvey Karp (The Happiest Toddler On The Block, published by Random House) believes toddlers are like mini-Neanderthals, with primitive brains and limited language, who need help dealing with life in the 21st century. After all, what would happen if you took a caveman to K-mart and expected him to be quiet and well-behaved? Put another way, the causes of toddler tantrums include: • Frustration (especially if they don’t have the language skills to express their thoughts and emotions) • Conflict between wanting ‘independence’ and wanting to be ‘babied’ • Not understanding what is required of them in new situations • Tiredness / hunger None of us PLANS to force a tired, hungry toddler to accompany us to the shops while we grab a few items for that night’s dinner. But of course, it’s when you’re having one of ‘those days’ that the dreaded shopping tantrum may very well occur. Parent and Family Support Centre at the University of Queensland Director and founder of the Triple P Positive Parenting Program Professor Matt Sanders knows it can be a stressful situation. “The parent wants to stop the noise and take the attention away from both them and their child,” he says. Unfortunately, common ways of dealing with the situation such as yelling, threatening, or ‘giving in’, send our child the message that we parents can’t control OUR emotions, and/or that whining and screaming are useful tactics for the child to try again next time.
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82 Sugar Rd, Maroochydore. Ph: 5443 6277
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KiDs on tHe CoAst – SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2009
www.kidsonthecoast.com.au
If your child is having a ‘force 10 tantie in aisle five’, firstly, remember that YOU’RE in charge. Take a few deep breaths and mentally prepare yourself to go the distance, whether it takes five minutes or 15. Secondly, remind yourself that this isn’t a battle with your toddler; you’re guiding them, and teaching them how to manage and control difficult emotions. Dr Karp recommends helping your toddler vocalise how they’re feeling, for example, “You feel sad” or “You feel angry!” This will often dampen down the intensity of their emotional frustration, allowing them to calm down. Get yourself down to your toddler’s eye level, and speak in a pleasant voice, in short sentences. Resist the temptation to lecture, as too much talking can make your child feel overwhelmed.
Top tips from the Triple P
Positive Parenting Program • Keep your child interested and active while shopping. “Try to get your child to find some items on the shelves, pass things to you, put them in the trolley, or spot different colours, shapes and sizes of items.” • Help your toddler understand what’s expected of them. Plan a series of short “practice” shopping trips, spending only about five minutes in a shop. Before you leave home, tell your child where you’ll be going, what you’ll be buying and when you’ll be back.
If necessary, go with your child to a nearby seat, or your car, to sit down quietly. (Sitting on the floor is uncomfortable, but very effective.) If you need to leave the store, but haven’t finished shopping, the service desk should be able to mind your trolley until you return. If your child is hitting or kicking, you can hold them and explain that they must stop hitting and calm down. Wait beside your child, without talking, until they’ve been quiet for about thirty seconds.
Preventing tantrums
before they happen Professor Sanders explains that there are ways to plan ahead, focussing not on stopping tantrums but on “teaching skills” – in other words, helping kids to develop positive behaviours. Even if things like sticker charts sound a bit over the top, “it will be well worth the extra effort to teach your child such a new skill when you both can later enjoy your shopping,” he says.
“Hello, I need a babysitter!”
• Decide on a few appropriate shopping behaviour rules and discuss them with your child. These rules might include: “Do as you’re asked”; “Walk, don’t run”; “Speak in a nice voice”; “Ask before you touch”; and “Stay close to Mum or Dad”. Get the children to recite the rules before entering the store. If your child doesn’t follow the rules, calmly remind them, telling them what you would like them to do instead. • Since kids, like adults, respond well to positive behaviour reinforcement, give kids praise and/or a reward, such as a play in the park, if they’ve done well with their shopping behaviour. If the problems are persisting, try a more formal stamp (or sticker) based reward chart system. (Take the sticker sheet or a self-inking stamp with you, and praise them as well as giving them a stamp or sticker for each aisle they pass through without problems.) As they get better at achieving rewards, start to increase the number of stickers they need and then gradually phase out the system. • Consequences for not following the rules should not involve removing stickers. Rather, use quiet time – telling your child to stand quietly in the aisle for about 30 seconds before resuming shopping. More serious ‘time outs’ can be done at home if needed.
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SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2009 – KiDs on tHe CoAst
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THE ‘P’ Files
Bread Milk Cheese Apples ms u r t n a T p o St
HAVE YOUR SAY, COMMENT AT www.kidsonthecoast. com.au
Weird and wonderful
tantrum busting tips • Shop online • Shop just after your kids have been fed • Take your own drinks, snacks and books, and avoid the chips / sweets / toys aisles • Give the kids an activity like “skip to the end of the aisle” or “find a label starting with S” • Ignore the tantrum • Get your child to breathe in and blow out slowly. If the tantrum has been relatively minor, and the child is young, give them a drink of water, calm them and/or distract them, and go on with your shopping. • Sing loudly, talk about the latest political news, or throw yourself on the floor and show your toddler how it’s done, thereby hoping to confuse, shock or embarrass them into stopping • Make comments like: “Look, everyone’s watching you. That man in the green shirt is watching you, and that lady with the blue bag is watching you”. This apparently has no effect on your toddler, but certainly makes any interested onlookers turn away quickly!
FURTHeR ReADING Sixty Second Parent is a practical guide to raising two, three and four year olds. Packed with hands-on advice, it guides you through many of the difficult parts of parenting in a no-nonsense, conversational style. Each chapter is written by a different doctor or child behaviour expert and subjects like building routines, choosing appropriate media, and facing parenting challenges are all covered. Available online at www.sixtysecondparent.com
Exhibition opens Sep 5 and closes Nov 1, 2009. For the first time ever, the world’s most famous wildlife photography exhibition is coming to the Sunshine Coast. Over 80 extraordinary images, all in amazing detail. This is a once-only opportunity, so snap to it before the tour leaves our shores forever.
www.underwaterworld.com.au
SNAPPY SNAPS Star in your own wildlife snapshot with one of our special guest animals these school holidays.
September 19 October 4, 2009
Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition is owned by the Natural History Museum and BBC Wildlife Magazine.
18 KiDs on tHe CoAst – SEPTEMBER1 / UWW21885_Press_HP_125x199.indd
OCTOBER 2009
www.kidsonthecoast.com.au 20/8/09 3:07:06 PM
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Give your child the best start at Immanuel Lutheran College Immanuel Lutheran College can give your child the best start to their education. Located in Buderim and with 30 years experience producing exceptional graduates, Immanuel is investing $3.5 million in a new Early Learning Precinct, complementing outstanding facilities which are already recognised across the Coast. At Immanuel, we pride ourselves on delivering a rich and diverse program for our youngest learners, right through to our senior secondary students. With a strong focus on pastoral care, we believe in nurturing each child to encourage his or her individual talents and abilities so that we produce exceptional well rounded members of society.
“In an ideal environment, learning comes naturally and these facilities will provide our students with an even greater opportunity to flourish,” said Mr Bliss. Major features of the Early Learning Precinct include: • 3 Prep classrooms • 3 rooms in the Early Learning Centre catering for 2 ½ – 5 year olds • 2 best practice experiential play spaces • A parent meeting space • Flexibility to cater for various age groups
The new precinct includes a custom designed Early Learning Centre and Prep Centre and will be finished in time for the 2010 school year. An outdoor covered learning area is also being built and will cater for up to 500 students with lessons delivered across multiple key learning areas.
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Principal David Bliss believes it’s vital to continually reinvest in the College to enhance the environment Immanuel has worked so hard to create.
$3 million of the project fund was obtained from the Federal Government’s Primary Schools for the 21st century, Building the Education Revolution (BER) program.
For further information, or to tour our facilities, please contact our Enrolment Registrar, Mrs Irene Dabinet on T: 5477 3441.
Give your child the best start to their education At Immanuel, we give our youngest learners the best start to their education by delivering a rich and diverse program that is engaging, challenging and fun.
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his or her individual talents and abilities.” David Bliss - Principal
For further information about 2010 enrolments, please contact our Enrolment Registrar Mrs Irene Dabinet.
Walk with knowledge. Walk with confidence. Walk with us at Immanuel Lutheran College. Walk as Children of the Light
Immanuel Lutheran College www.kidsonthecoast.com.au
T: 5477 3441 E: dabineti@immanuel.qld.edu.au
www.immanuel.qld.edu.au SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2009 – KiDs on tHe CoAst
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education
name? What’s in a by Maxine Arthur
Is your child a wombat? An eagle? A dolphin or a kangaroo? As parents we recognise that each of our children is unique. We often say things like, “My two kids are like chalk and cheese!” But how many of us actually know how to identify those differences, understand each child’s strengths and weaknesses and can use this information to help the child grow in confidence at home and at school? An understanding of temperament theory and personality profiling can give parents a much deeper understanding of a child and teachers a tool to enhance the effectiveness of teaching methods. Knowing how a child is wired and how he or she will respond can help us avoid conflict. If the child’s strengths are known and encouraged they will grow in confidence and self-esteem and can be taught strategies to improve areas of weakness. Essentially it’s about not trying to force
Inspired by Jung, Isabel Briggs-Myers and her mother, Katherine Briggs, created a self-report inventory called the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. To those personality types identified by Carl Jung, they added judging or perceiving to indicate the lifestyle people prefer. Judging people are organised and purposeful. Perceiving people are flexible and diverse. The inventory became very popular and has been widely used in managing staff, guiding careers, improving relationships and team building. In 1978 clinical psychologist Dr David Kiersey developed The Kiersey Temperament Sorter based on the work of Jung, Myers and Briggs. It groups people as Guardians (security seeking), Idealists (identity seeking), Artisans (sensation seeking) or Rationals (knowledge seeking). Kiersey’s aim was to help people get along better through an understanding of individual differences.
Coolum Beach Christian College Discover why parents love our excellent Prep facility and program. Still some places left for 2010.
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As far back as the ancient Greeks, scholars have been describing what makes people ‘tick’. Over the centuries four major patterns of human behaviour have been repeatedly identified with many common aspects looked at from different perspectives.
In modern times the Swiss psychologist Carl Jung identified eight personality types. He believed that people take in information using either their senses or intuition and they make decisions based on either objective logic or subjective feelings. The individual is either an extravert (motivated externally) or an introvert (motivated internally).
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square pegs into round holes but celebrating what each individual has to offer. It’s important, too, for parents and teachers to be aware of their own personality styles because communication is a twoway street.
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Modern facilities, caring staff and very competitive fee structure including sibling discounts and a scholarship program.
If you are interested in finding out more, please contact the school office on 5446 4780 to receive a prospectus, or arrange a school tour. Email: enrolments@cbcc.qld.edu.au
NOOSA PENGARI STEINER SCHOOL Places available Pre-Prep to Year 10 (2010) CALL NOW: 5471 0199 or visit www.noosasteiner.qld.edu.au 20
KiDs on tHe CoAst – SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2009
www.kidsonthecoast.com.au
Ka n
ga
roo
If all that sounds a little confusing, you aren’t alone. Sunshine Coast local Michael White identified a need to simplify all this important research so people could easily understand and use it. He created Aus Identities which offers a modern, simplified approach to personality profiling with a distinct Australian flavour. He says it’s “a unique way of looking at the world, of recognising the inherent differences between people and giving them a name”. The labels Aus Identities uses for different temperaments are based on the characteristics of well- known Australian animals: kangaroos, wombats, dolphins and eagles. This simplification allows Michael to convey complex information about temperament types to school groups in a playful and understandable way. It gives students a language to talk about their discoveries and a strong visual image with which to identify.
Wo mbat
Guidance counsellor Bronwyn Gillies divides her time equally between Nambour and Maroochydore State High Schools. She was motivated to do the Aus Identities facilitator’s course because she believed “it was a more adolescent-friendly version of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator”. Bronwyn says knowing a student’s temperament type can help a student understand why “some learning experiences work well for them, while others cause immense frustration”. Temperament theory and learning styles are not new to teachers. But Aus Identities has turned the theory into practical strategies which can be incorporated into a teacher’s current program. The Aus Identities Teacher’s Manual says that an understanding of temperament theory can help teachers “predict topics and techniques that will interest students so that they engage better”.
A Prep to Year 12 school with a tradition of providing excellence in Christian education since 1980. Contact our Registrar for a tour of our stunning campus and facilities.
McKenzie Road Woombye Ph: 5442 1866 Email: info@ncc.qld.edu.au Web: www.ncc.qld.edu.au
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SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2009 – KiDs on tHe CoAst
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“It enables teachers to match a temperament to a preferred learning style, as well as identifying the challenges for the temperament,” Bronwyn adds.
Do
education hin lp
Burnside State High School deputy principal Rick Cass saw the benefits of an Aus Identities workshop for staff at the last Queensland high school he worked in. He says it is important for teachers to identify their own temperament type in order to work as productively as possible with colleagues and students. Once a teacher understands temperament theory, a tool such as Aus Identities can be useful in giving students an understanding of individual differences. Rick says that he considers the students who have difficulty in complying in conventional classrooms (kangaroos in the Aus Identities framework) stand to benefit the most if both teacher and student understand the temperament type. Aus Identities presenter Pav Cosmatos recently conducted a workshop for the Nambour High School Year 9 Pinnacle class. This fun and interactive workshop was designed to give the students an insight into individual differences so Pav led the students through a series of activities designed to help them identify some aspects of their individual personalities. First they learned whether they were predominantly extraverts (who express their feelings easily, work well in groups and learn by talking) or introverts (who hide their feelings, prefer to work alone and learn by watching). Eagle
Next they discovered if they were sensing or intuitive learners. Sensing people rely on their five senses to understand the world. They are good on detail, like practical tasks, real-life examples and grasp facts easily but may miss the main idea. Intuitive learners use their imagination, rely on instinct and are big picture people who may miss important detail.
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KiDs on tHe CoAst – SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2009
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Strong focus on literacy & numeracy
Call Today 5436 7300
Fax: 5436 7301 | Email: admin@pacluth.qld.edu.au Woodlands Boulevard, Birtinya 4575 (via Erang Street, Currimundi)
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The students delved into their decision-making methods. The thinking group realised that they prefer to use logic, be objective and ask lots of questions. The feeling group is more subjective, relying on core values, keen to maintain harmony and help others. Lastly, they learned how different people perceive the world differently. Judging people take a purposeful approach to life. They like plans, lists, structure and rules. Perceiving people have a more laid back approach. They like to explore, they are flexible and thrive on change.
What animal are you? Eagle As eagles like to soar over their domain, eagle
personalities like to be competent in their area of interest. They are creative problem-solvers and global thinkers. Rational, logical and clinical, they like to run their own race and use their considerable organisational skills to motivate and lead others.
Dolphin
The dolphin smile says it all. Dolphins strive to create a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere around them. They are sensitive, imaginative, creative and kind-hearted. Dolphins are often drawn to the caring professions. Unassuming themselves, they like to motivate and support others to be the best they can possibly be.
Wombat
At times we have all thrown our hands in the air in frustration, wondering whatever possessed our children, or students, to act the way they did. Michael White, creator of Aus Identities, says identifying people using personality types leads to a better understanding of ourselves. “It can help us all resolve relationship issues,” he says, “Knowing what motivates them and understanding their own strengths and weaknesses can also help students to make better life choices and choose rewarding career paths.”
Wombats are the ‘solid as a rock’ type. They are organised and good with detail. Reliable, determined and diligent, wombats will deliver on time, all the time. They prefer routine and clear expectations. Wombats can find change unsettling and prefer the status quo. They are good team players and strong leaders.
For more information:
Kangaroos need plenty of action, variety and fun. Their natural inclination is to play. If they are not enjoying what they are doing they will find it difficult to conform. Kangaroos have a low tolerance of boredom and will create diversions to liven things up. They are happiest left to follow their own path.
Aus Identities also offers a Positive Parenting program which helps parents understand their children at a deeper level and gives them the support they need to increase their confidence, self-esteem and ability to make good choices. Visit www.ausidentities.com.au
www.kidsonthecoast.com.au
Kangaroo
SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2009 – KiDs on tHe CoAst
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speak
kid
by Brooke Tunbridge
Supporting your child’s learning Source: Queensland Department of Education
Times have changed My younger sister recently came home asking my mother if she had a tablet and piece of chalk to write with when she was at school. Her class had been discussing the difference between education now compared to then. The questions started, “Did they give you bottles of milk to drink? Did they have the strap?” Many more ensued. I hadn’t really thought too much about it myself before that so I listened in. Whilst the education syllabus is basically the same from class to class and school to school – the way in which it is taught has certainly changed. Years ago schooling was mainly based in the classroom – from the morning bell through until morning tea, then lunch, followed by more schooling until the end of the school day. The classes would go outside for a physical education break and that was pretty much it! How lucky my generation is to have a variety of education available! Comparing the past with the present the main difference I see in MY classroom is that teachers have a harder time finding ways to get children interested in learning the lessons required. While some subjects will probably always be classroom based learning, teachers today, luckily, have broader opportunities and resources with which to engage children. They can use activities that make learning a fun, enjoyable experience and at the end of the day that is how we
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KiDs on tHe CoAst – SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2009
Get involved The parent–teacher meeting is an important opportunity to discuss your child’s progress and talk about any concerns you or your child’s teachers may have.
Help establish and maintain routine This is an ongoing process. It is especially important to establish and maintain a regular homework routine.
Listen Provide your child with opportunities to express their feelings about school, sport, drama, friendships or any other topic and take a genuine interest in what they say.
Play your part Parents and guardians play an important role in the life at school. As well as being your child’s biggest fan and supporter, you can play a part in the quality of schooling your child enjoys. Join the P&C; put your hand up to help at school activities like sporting events, trips and camps; volunteer at the canteen or in the classroom; offer to pass on your vocational or other skills to students.
www.kidsonthecoast.com.au
really want to be taught! The ‘buzz’ word today would have to be the word ‘interactive’. After all, my generation is definitely a multi-tasking generation. The emergence of the internet has brought about many changes to how we are taught as well – using it for anything from research to weather reports, news and homework. However, there has been recent debate as to whether the same quality of learning exists via the internet. After all, while we may be researching, or completing an assignment – many of us will also have our MSN, Facebook or Myspace account open. While there are some teachers who are clearly willing to adapt to the interactive type of teaching, there are of course, and always will be, those who believe school is just for the old-fashioned style of learning. I think teaching, like so many other professions, should be an ongoing learning experience, because not only are teaching styles changing – we the students are ever changing. Many schools do provide training for their teachers, but on a state level I think that our teachers need as many opportunities to learn new skills as possible. Parents always want to send their children to the best schools, with the best reputation, or best results. I know from talking to a lot of my friends, (who all go to different schools), from a student’s perspective – the schools the parents think are the best are not always. My personal belief is that a school is only as good as its teachers, so appreciate and value the good ones!
FURTHeR ReADING Discover Your Child’s Learning Style by Mariaemma Willis M.S. Forcing every learner into the same mould can lead to frustrated children and underachieving students. Using assessment tests and exercises, this book helps parents measure their children’s unique strengths so you can nurture their learning years and help them reach their true potential.
www.kidsonthecoast.com.au
SUNCOAST CHRISTIAN COLLEGE SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2009 – KiDs on tHe CoAst
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Special Events CalendaR A calendar of regular weekly events is available online. For details of playgroups, library activities, weekly sporting events, craft classes, Australian Breastfeeding Association meeting times and much more, visit www.kidsonthecoast.com.au
August 29 - September 13
FESTIVAL OF THE WALKS When/where: Kondalilla Falls National Park, Kondalilla Falls Road, Montville Spend time outdoors in the beautiful Sunshine Coast hinterland. A number of walking maps, ranging from easy to strenuous are available. Take the family along to experience the sub-tropical rainforests, scenic views and breathtaking waterfalls. Cost: Free Details: www.festivalofthewalks.com.au
September 6
When/where: 7:30am-2pm, Maroochy River, Cotton Tree The Sunshine Coast Health Foundation will be holding surfboat, outrigger, ski races and junior life-saving competitions to raise money for Sunshine Coast cancer patients. Take part in competitions or take the family along to spend a day in the sun and sand. Cost: Varies Details: 5470 6770 or visit www.rowforcancer.org
When/where: 10am-4pm, Cotton Tree Park Now the largest Father’s Day event in southeast Queensland, this event (organised by Lifeline) celebrates the many different fathering roles in our community. Enjoy competitions, pony rides, show bags, food stalls, boys’ toys displays, interactive displays, workshops, a petting zoo, rides, entertainment and free entry into Cotton Tree pool. Cost: Free Details: www.doingdadsproud.com.au
HEALTH FOUNDATION ROW FOR CANCER
DOING DADS PROUD
September 19
When/where: 4pm until late, Chevallum School Not just another school fair, this event attracted 4000 last year and expects 6000 this year. The small state school grounds are transformed with lanterns, music, art, roving entertainment, incredible food and world-famous strawberry daiquiris for the adults! Cost: Free Details: www.chevalluss.eq.edu.au
When/where: Kenilworth Public Hall and Recreation Grounds, Kenilworth-Maleny Road, Kenilworth This year marks 90 years since the first Kenilworth show. Set in beautiful surroundings, this event includes everything you would expect from a country show including children’s entertainment, music, fireworks, show horses, a rodeo and more. Cost: Cost varies Details: 5446 0222 or visit www.kenilworthhall.org.au
September 19 - 26 and September 26 - October 3
CHOCOLATE WORKSHOP
HORSE RIDING CAMP
When/where: 11am Saturday to 7am the following Saturday During the school holiday your children could enjoy seven days on a farm, milking cows, feeding animals, collecting eggs, riding horses, completing survivor challenge courses and lots of other fun time activities. Cost: Cost varies Details: 5486 6166 or visit www.kiahpark.com.au
line! FIND more events on .au om t.c www.kidsonthecoas
September 5
September 18
CHEVALLUM STRAWBFEST
SePTEMBER
KENILWORTH SHOW AND RODEO
19
For your chance to win a family pass (Two adults and two children) to the Kenilworth Show and Rodeo, visit www.kidsonthecoast.com.au
Where/when: Nutworks, Yandina, 10am and 2pm weekdays during holidays If you have a little sweet tooth in your family (and let’s face it, most of us do), treat them to a chocolate making workshop these school holidays. Suitable for anyone over five, workshops are limited to 10 places so book well in advance. Participants choose from a wide range of moulds, decorate their creations and even take them home. Cost: $11.50 Details: 5472 7777
September 11 - 12
NOOSA COUNTRY SHOW When/where: Pomona Showgrounds, Pomona This community run and organised event promotes family fun. Kids will love the sideshow alley, complete with dodgem cars and mini-motorbikes. There will also be a jumping castle, animal nursery and a range of exhibits. Cost: Family weekend pass available Details: www.noosashowsociety.org.au
September 21
THE NEW DOROTHY THE DINOSAUR SHOW When/where: 10am, Nambour Civic Centre Jumping off TV screens and onto the stage, Dorothy the Dinosaur will be performing in a new show, written by blue Wiggle - Anthony Field. Children will love seeing their favourite dinosaur sing and dance before their eyes. Cost: All tickets $18 Under 12 months free Details: www.nambourciviccentre.com.au
September 30 – October 1
NOAH AND THE ARK September 29 - October 2
KAWANA LIBRARY BOOK SALE When/where: 9am- 5pm, Kawana Library, Nanyima Street, Buddina Grab a bargain for the kids or yourself. A huge range of books on sale including colourful children’s books at affordable prices. Cost: Cost varies Details: www.library.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au
When/where: The Lake, Kawana September 30, 11am and The J Noosa, October 1, 11am and 1pm Join the passengers on the Ark’s maiden voyage. This hilarious story includes plenty of participation from audience members as ‘special’ effects, animals or family members. Cost: $12 Details: 5455 4455
Baby & Kids Market Saturday, 5 September 2009 9am to 4pm Rides, Food, Entertainment, Prizes, Craft, Home Baking, Books, White Elephant. Loads of stalls, activities and fantastic fun for everyone!
Over 70 stalls • Quality preloved • Gorgeous new baby + kids gear • Never pay retail price again! Good Shepherd Lutheran College 115 Eumundi Road Noosaville Qld 4566 P 07 5455 8600 W www.gslc.qld.edu.au 26
KiDs on tHe CoAst – SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2009
Saturday 17 October 2009
Lake Kawana Community Centre, Sportsman’s Parade, Bokarina
From 9am to 12noon. Book a stall and have some fun!
www.babykidsmarket.com.au www.kidsonthecoast.com.au
O c TOBER Special Events CalendaR October 3
October 3
MONSTER TOUR OF DESTRUCTION 2009
October 2
THE KINGDOM OF PARAMITHI PRESENTS CINDERELLA
When/where: Gates open at 4pm, show starts at 6pm, Stockland Park, Nicklin Way, Kawana An action packed night of family entertainment featuring: monster trucks, crazy car crane drop, human inferno jet van. The night will also feature a massive fireworks sky show, motorcycle stunts and much more. Arrive early to see the trucks up close and meet the drivers. Cost: Super value family pass available. Under three free. Tickets available at Autobarn in Kawana, Nambour, and Gympie. Details: 0447 878 257 or visit www.monstertrucksaustralia.com
JEANS FOR GENES DAY Details: www.jeansforgenes.com
October 3 - 4
IGA COOLUM KITE FESTIVAL When/where: Coolum Beach, Coolum Some of the world’s best kite flyers travel to the region especially for this festival. View incredible kites, some based on popular children’s characters, plus kite surfers, music, food and entertainment make this event an ultimate family day out. Cost: Cost varies Details: 5446 2500 or visit www.coolumkitefestival.com.au
3
3
For your chance to win a Monster Tour of Destruction prize pack visit www.kidsonthecoast.com.au
October 10 -17
October 15
October 17
When/where: 4pm-9pm, Saturday October 17, Nelson Reserve, Gympie A week-long festival is held to celebrate Gympie’s birthday. Includes the Queensland Gold Panning Championships, a family movie night and a festival in the park which will feature great entertainment, bands, food stalls and amusements for the kids. Cost: Cost varies Details: www.goldrush.org.au
When/where: 10am, Lake Kawana Community Centre, Sportsman Parade, Bokarina Forget old MacDonald, the New MacDonalds Farm is an exciting stage-show, based on the popular children’s TV program. Children will sing and dance along as vibrant farmers Max and Milly and all of their barnyard friends perform live. Cost: Bookings essential, all tickets $16.50. Under 12 months free Details: www.kidspromotions.com.au
When/where: 9am-12 noon, Lake Kawana Community Centre, Sportsman Parade, Bokarina Find quality, pre-loved baby or children items at bargain prices. Need to clear out storage space at home? Why not register to open your own stall on the day. Cost: Adults $3, Children free Details: www.babykidsmarket.com.au
GYMPIE DISTRICT GOLD RUSH FESTIVAL
NEW MACDONALDS FARM
BABIES AND KIDS MARKET
October 22 - 25
October 28 - November 1
October 30
October 31
When/where: Kings Beach, Caloundra For three days Kings Beach area will be bursting with music and entertainment. With a beachside carnival, a street parade, street performers, markets, stalls and free kids’ entertainment this is a family event not to be missed. Cost: Cost varies, Under 5 free Details: www.caloundramusicfestival.com.au
When/where: Noosa It’s one of the biggest triathlons held in Australia but you don’t have to be an athlete to enjoy this event. The festival calendar includes live music, fire twirlers, fashion parades, kids’ treasure hunt, rock climbing wall, stunt bikes and so much more! Cost: Cost varies Details: www.usmevents.com.au/ntmsf
When/where: All day CanTeen is a national organisation dedicated to supporting and empowering young people living with cancer. Purchase and wear your special CanTeen bandanna on this day. If you would like to be more involved, register to become a volunteer and help raise money. Cost: Bandanna $3, Pens $2 Details: www.canteen.org.au
When/where: Australia Zoo, Steve Irwin Way, Beerwah Dress up the kids in their scariest Halloween costumes and celebrate the year’s spookiest day at Australia Zoo. There will be ‘trick or treating’, a costume competition and those who arrive early will receive a free monster muffin! Cost: Cost varies Details: www.australiazoo.com.au
CALOUNDRA MUSIC FESTIVAL
NOOSA TRIATHALON MULTI-SPORT FESTIVAL
When/where: 10am, Nambour Civic Centre The creators of The Wiggles have put together a magical show based on the tale of Cinderella and the hit TV show The Kingdom of Paramithi. With colourful characters, singing, dancing and laughing, children will love watching their favourite fairytale unfold live. Cost: All tickets $18, Under 12 months free Details: www.nambourciviccentre.com.au
CANTEEN NATIONAL BANDANNA DAY
Where kids create and learn
List your event for FREE!
HALLOWEEN AT AUSTRALIA ZOO
Preference is given to community and non-profit organisations and businesses which support Kids on the Coast. Email your details to events@ kidsonthecoast.com.au as far in advance as you can! We publish information based on what is supplied to us - to the best of our knowledge all details were correct at time of printing, however we do recommend you check event details with the organisers.
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SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2009 – KiDs on tHe CoAst
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ADVERTISEMENT/LOCAL BUSINESS PROFILE
Family relationship help for separating families Family break-ups are a difficult time for adults and children alike. They come with many challenges and decisions need to be made. The good news is they don’t have to be made alone. The Sunshine Coast Family Relationship Centre is the first point of call for families in the region who are seeking to make their relationships better. It provides family dispute resolution for those who are separating or are wishing to make ongoing parenting arrangements for their children and it can help extended family members adjust to the changes.
Dispute resolution and parenting plans A family dispute resolution session is an opportunity for parents to meet with a family dispute resolution practitioner to discuss and negotiate arrangements which are in the best interests of their children. Together with the practitioner, parents can decide on arrangements and, if appropriate, formulate a parenting plan outside of the court system.
How does the process work? The first step is a confidential interview between each individual parent and the family dispute resolution practitioner to determine whether this process is appropriate in the circumstances. Next, each parent attends a different group session to learn how to get the most from the process. Parents then meet together with the practitioner to discuss arrangements for their children. To complete the process, the practitioner will assist parents in the formulation of a parenting plan.
Child inclusive practice Sometimes when families experience problems it can be difficult to know what is best for the children. The Sunshine Coast Family Relationship Centre encourages parents to include their children in the decision making process and this may include children talking separately with a child consultant. Children often want to please both parents, so talking to somebody outside the family lets them talk about what is happening without feeling ‘caught in the middle’ and afraid of hurting either parent. If children are finding it difficult to express their feelings the Family Relationship Centre child consultant will be able to assist them. After spending time with the child/ren the child consultant provides feedback for the dispute resolution process. This includes an assessment of the child/ren’s needs, how they are coping with any changes and anything they may want the parents to know about their feelings and helps the parents reach agreement on parenting plans with the best interests of the child in mind.
Free information and advice You do not need a booking to get information about programs and available services and referral and individual sessions are also free of charge. This includes meetings to prepare for the dispute resolution process as well as three hours of joint dispute resolution. Charges may apply if further assistance is necessary, but you are under no obligation.
SEPARATING OR NEED HELP WITH YOUR RELATIONSHIP? Are you separating or already separated, and need help with family relationships? The Sunshine Coast Family Relationship Centre provides a professional and confidential family dispute resolution service. Sessions are free of charge.
The Sunshine Coast Family Relationship Centre • Helps separating families with family dispute resolution interviews and sessions, and formulating parenting plans • Helps families stay together with advice about relationships and information to access other services • Strengthens family relationships by providing information and referrals to other services, and involving children, grandparents, extended family members where appropriate For information and free advice contact the Family Relationship Advice Line on 1800 050 321 between 8am-8pm Monday to Friday. Or visit the Sunshine Coast Family Relationship Centre at 43-45 Primary School Court, Maroochydore, phone 5452 9700. It’s located close to the Sunshine Plaza shopping complex and public transport, with car parking available nearby.
Alternatively, visit your local Community Hub Caloundra Community Centre, Phone: 5491 4511 Coolum Community Centre, Phone: 5471 6655 Cooroy Family Support Centre, Phone: 5447 7747 Maleny Neighbourhood Centre, Phone: 5499 9345
For more information, contact the Family Relationship Advice Line on 1800 050 321 between 8am and 8pm Monday to Friday. Or contact the Sunshine Coast Family Relationship Centre at 43-45 Primary School Court, Maroochydore. Phone: 5452 9700.
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KiDs on tHe CoAst – SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2009
www.kidsonthecoast.com.au
PARENT
ville
by Louise Duggan
Cuddle police Cast your mind back for a moment, to those early years of your relationship, those stress-free pre-child years. Romantic walks on the beach holding hands, dinners spent looking into each other’s eyes with no need for conversation, Sunday mornings spent lying in bed cuddling, reading the papers and watching Rage. Well if you’re anything like me, a walk on the beach NOW is a full scale expedition with you as the pack horse. Dinner time is spent answering endless questions and negotiating how many carrots the kids must eat and as for Sunday mornings, well Disney Channel all the way in our house. It’s not that I don’t love spending time with my beautiful girls but with opportunities for intimacy in such short supply, I’m beginning to fear I’ll be married to a complete stranger by the time the kids leave home. When our girls were young, mummy and daddy cuddles were replaced with what the children liked to call ‘family cuddles’. The minute my husband put his arms round me it was a free for all. The girls devised a wonderful weight-based system of allowing five people to lie on top of each other in bed. It went something like this... Mum and Dad lay cuddling on the bottom and were referred to as the ‘ice-cream’.
www.kidsonthecoast.com.au
Then the eldest lay across us as ‘the chocolate sauce’. On top of the ‘chocolate sauce’ lay ‘the sprinkles’ (our middle child, age four) and last, but not least, came our youngest, ‘the cherry’, giggling profusely as she positioned herself in pride of place on the top of the sundae. “Family Hug” they’d all cry joyfully as my husband and I fought for air at the bottom. I must confess, on reflection, they were the best cuddles ever! Two years on the girls have become more independent and the opportunity for a little ‘us time’ more prevalent. But recently we have been faced with a new threat in our quest for intimacy, someone capable of policing all parental contact with lightening speed. The ‘cuddle police’ isn’t a 6ft burly man dressed in uniform and armed with handcuffs (would have been nice, I know). This enforcement officer is armed with far more persuasive artillery: freckles, shiny eyes and a heart-melting smile peeking out from behind her sucked thumb. It doesn’t matter how quietly we sneak upstairs to have a quick cuddle, our six-yearold arrives within a matter of seconds. Last week, in a desperate attempt to spend some time alone with my hubby, I resorted to texting him on his mobile. “Meet you in our room for a cuddle while we watch the news” I secretly requested (not exactly a romantic interlude, but beggars can’t be choosers). Seconds later we were happily spooning on the bed, watching the news and revelling in our success when our shadow appeared at the foot of the bed. It’s as if she was born with some sort of built in radar system, even the smallest release of oxytocins sends her endorphin detection monitor into frenzy and she rushes to the source. “Can I have a cuddle too?” she pleaded, smiling sweetly. “Mum and Dad just want a little time to ourselves, okay sweet,” my husband soothed, optimistically. “Hmmmm! You guys are meanies,” she replied softly, crossing her arms, with a look of complete desolation. Sucked in once again, hook line and sinker, I reached my arms out and lifted her onto the bed. Well, what can you do? I’m sure she’ll grow out of it soon and then I’ll be begging her for cuddles!
SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2009 – KiDs on tHe CoAst
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PARENT
profile
act
Juggling by Madonna Hirning
If anyone knows about combining work and motherhood, it’s Mia Freedman. At the age of 24 Mia gained public attention when she became the youngest person in the world to be promoted to Editor of Cosmopolitan Magazine and she had a baby nine months later! In the following years Mia rose to become Editor in Chief of Cosmopolitan, Cleo and Dolly and juggled family life all the way. After many years working in the magazine industry and following a brief foray into television, Mia currently chairs the National Body Image Advisor Group, makes regular appearances on television and radio, writes a popular column for the Sun-Herald and the Sunday Age and publishes an online magazine at www.mamamia.com.au. With her new book scheduled for release this month, she chatted with Madonna Hirning about her work, motherhood and the ups and downs of putting the two together.
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KiDs on tHe CoAst – SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2009
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Was it a shock falling pregnant immediately after landing the job of Editor at Cosmo at such a young age? It was and it wasn’t. I mean I wanted to do everything fast and yes, I sure did that! It was sort of unexpected but very, very welcome. I knew straight away that my partner and I would be in it for the long haul together and that he was ‘the one’ so there was never any doubt in my mind that it was the right thing to do. My boss probably wasn’t that thrilled about the timing of it but she hid it very well and she gave me great advice. She was a young mother herself. She said being a mother will make you a better editor, and she was right. It gave me so many things, it taught me perspective, priorities, how to manage my time better and it also taught me what was important. I’d always say to my staff, who could get extremely stressed, “you know nobody died today it’s just a magazine, go home and have a life,” and that’s the mantra that I’ve absolutely lived by.
What shocked you about motherhood? Nobody tells you when you have children that you’ll have an audience whenever you go to the toilet and when you have a shower. Sometimes I find myself saying “I just need five minutes when nobody is touching mummy - including daddy!”
Tell me about your family. My husband and I have three kids - Luca who is 11, Coco 3 ½ and Remy who is almost one. I lost a baby half way through a pregnancy when my son was a couple of years old and then I had some trouble with infertility and falling pregnant again which was a real struggle. Then eight years later our daughter came along. The big gap is really interesting. I was freaked out at the time but there was nothing I could do to close that gap. So at the moment I’m dealing with a baby who is about to walk, a preschooler and also a preteen so it certainly can be kind of dislocating at times. It’s certainly easier I think than having three little ones because my eldest is more independent and it’s like having another mini adult in the house. He’s also a really good cook!
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How do you juggle work and home life? The hardest thing for me is being present. I work at home now and have a nanny who comes four days a week so I see the kids all through the day when I’m working but it is a struggle to stay present. One of the hardest things about working at home is that you are always at the office. Sometimes I just have to say I’m going to sit down on the floor and read this story, or play fairies or help my son build blocks or talk to my eldest son about what he wants to do on the weekend. I’m very lucky that I get to work from home so I can be with my kids all day. I don’t for a moment forget what a luxury that is because I haven’t always had it and many women who would love to have that don’t - so I’m very grateful for that.
What has been your biggest parenting challenge? I’ve never liked playing. I’m a terrible player, I can’t stand it. I’d rather do anything else with my children but play. I mean, I love talking to them, I love cooking with them, hanging out with them, driving in the car with them, all those things. But just because you have children doesn’t suddenly mean you are going to suddenly enjoy playing fairies again. There are some women who do (and that’s fantastic) it’s just that I’m not one of them and I do feel guilty about that.
What would you most like your kids to do when they grow up? One wants to be a chef which I’m so happy about. I don’t know what my daughter is going to do and the baby, he’s just sunshine. I’ve never been much good at casting myself into the future let alone my children’s futures, but my eldest son is much more organised in that way so he’s fairly firmly focused on his future. He’s wanted to be a chef for several years so I’m encouraging that. Clearly it skipped a generation, it didn’t come from me!
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SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2009 – KiDs on tHe CoAst
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PARENT
profile
Mia Freedman’s favourite family things Movie: Our own home movies. I find it hard to have down time so when we go on holidays I make movies. They’re not very good really, but I edit them on my computer, put background music to them and the kids love it. Meal: Tuna and rice, that’s my fall back. Rainy day activity: Yum cha Sunny day activity: Yum cha, no, just kidding! Probably just going to the park to feed the ducks and hanging out with the family.
What are your goals for the next five years – individual and family goals? I don’t know! I’m terrible at five year plans. I never would have said five years ago that I’d be here now and five years before that I never would have said I’d be there. I just try to balance every day and every hour. I don’t know where I’m going to be in five years, hopefully happy with my beautiful family.
What do you hope to achieve with your book and website? I just want to connect women and normalise those experiences of being a woman and being a mother because both of those things can be isolating. Even if you’re not physically isolated you can sometimes feel like you’re the only one having
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HAVE YOUR SAY, COMMENT AT www.kidsonthecoast. com.au problems or feeling overwhelmed or not holding it together. I feel like it’s my responsibility, as a woman in the public eye, to be as open as I can be about the struggles I have had and continue to have as a mother. The website has been good for connecting with mothers because one of the hardest things about being home with young kids is the lack of adult conversation. People like to have their say and feel like they’ve been heard … whether it’s about Masterchef or Obama. In my book I wanted to touch on things that have happened to me that I’ve never really written about before. After I became an editor at Cosmo and fell pregnant with my son, I made the decision not to write about him in Cosmo because it just wasn’t appropriate so I sort of had this secret life. I start the book with an anecdote about hosting a raunchy Cosmo party with drag queens who were dressed like Kylie. Just as all my staff went out to party afterwards, I got a call from the babysitter to say that my husband was sick and a couple of hours after being photographed in a beautiful dress for the social pages I was on my hands and knees in my undies with my dress hitched up scrubbing vomit out of the carpet. I have also written about other experiences like the loss of a baby half way through a pregnancy… followed by struggles with fertility. These are common experiences that many women have had and I just wanted to write about them, partly to process them for myself, but also as a way to reach out to others struggling with these things.
What piece of advice your parents gave to you has been the most useful in family life? When I was freaking out about bringing a baby home (I was 25, didn’t know what I was doing and had never even changed a nappy) my mum said to me “just remember he’s never done this before either. He’s got nobody to compare you with.” That was unreal and just so helpful. We do so much comparing ourselves and beating ourselves up but it was true, he didn’t know any of what I was doing or that I was doing the wrong thing which is very good because I did so many things wrong!
Are your kids needing more room? Do you need your own space?
What advice would you share with our readers about parenting? Be kind to yourself and relax your standards. We are so good at beating ourselves up about all the things we do wrong. I write in my book about how every mother has an internal smug list and crap list. On the crap list goes all the things you’re certain you’ve done wrong as a mother and on the smug list go all the things you’re really proud of. In almost every case the crap list is about 10 times longer than the smug list and you’ve just got to get up the next day and say “it’s a new day, I did my best yesterday and I’ll do my best today” and just be realistic. Lower your expectations with yourself and be honest about your own experiences with other women. We’re all secretly ashamed of so many of our perceived inadequacies and failures as mothers so we don’t tend to talk about them and that’s a shame, because if we did we could support each other in such a better way. When you cover up it makes you feel worse because it makes you feel like “I’m the only one who’s ever forgotten to pick up her child from after school care or given my children frozen peas and corn with a can of tuna and called that a balanced meal”. Everybody does it to some degree and it’s not because we don’t care, we’re just trying our best.
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Toilet Training Tips by Carolyn Watson
As the warmer weather and the swimming season approach, it’s a good time for parents of toddlers to start thinking about toilet training. Of course, every child is different and there are no set rules, but there are some tips you can keep in mind to help make the process as relaxed and as hassle-free as possible. When you first begin training, there will be occasions when your child doesn’t get to the potty in time. Remember to give him or her praise for whatever he or she has managed, e.g. pulling down their pants, trying to get on the toilet or telling you when they want to go. Make sure that your child sees that your praise is for learning a new skill, not something they have to do to • Keep langua please you. Ignore the accidents. ge positive • Reward succes Starting toilet training is also the perfect time to start teaching children ses with praise and cudd about personal hygiene. They are too young to wipe their own bottoms les • Carry a spare and will need assistance with that, but they can learn to wash their set of clothes hands thoroughly every time.
Do
If a child is not responding or appears to be getting upset and stressed, leave toilet training for a while and try again at a later date. Every child is an individual and will master the skill when they are developmentally ready. Above all else, stay positive and don’t be afraid to ask friends, relatives or a childcare professional for advice.
Don’t
• Get angry or frustrated • Revert back to nappies • Make your ch ild sit on the potty for a long time
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Come, play with us! 34
KiDs on tHe CoAst – SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2009
www.kidsonthecoast.com.au
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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a developmental problem which results in poor concentration and control of impulses. It can affect children’s learning and social skills, and also family functioning. About 3-5 of every 100 children in Australia have ADHD. It is much more common in boys than girls.
DR. ROGER MORRIS www.doc4kidz.com.au
Dr. Roger Morris is a General Practitioner in Maroochydore, who has a special interest in Child and Adolescent Health
ADHD – An Overview
The diagnosis of ADHD must be made by a trained and experienced health professional (usually a Specialist Paediatrician or Paediatric Psychiatrist) using information from both the family and the school. A diagnosis can only be made after a range of information is collected – especially by parents. The symptoms must be obvious in most areas of the child’s life. There is no single, simple test for ADHD. If you are concerned about your child, see your GP who can arrange for a referral to the appropriate medical specialist for detailed assessment.
Medication: Stimulant medication is currently the single most effective treatment for the symptoms of ADHD (methylphenidate, dexamphetamine, atomoxetine). Stimulants act on the parts of the brain involved in self-control, helping to focus attention and may also help filter out unnecessary information. Stimulant medication is probably the most highly researched of any medication used in children. It greatly improves concentration, impulse control and over-activity in about eight children in 10 with ADHD. The main side effects of stimulants are decreased appetite, poor weight gain and difficulty falling asleep. Less common side effects include stomach aches, headaches and dizziness. These are usually dose related. Stimulants are not addictive in the dose used to treat ADHD. Non-drug options: Other strategies such as positive parenting techniques, home and classroom strategies, boosting self-esteem, building social skills and planning the physical/learning environment can all help. Cognitive behavioural techniques and counselling for both the child and the family are also often a great help. Other things to consider: • Acknowledge and reward achievements and positive behaviour frequently • Attend to learning difficulties promptly • Structure a quiet place without clutter for homework • Talk with the child about the consequences of their actions
Common symptoms of ADHD • Inattention • Difficulty concentrating, forgetting instructions, moving from one task to another without completing anything • Impulsivity • Talking over the top of others, losing control of emotions easily, being accident prone • Over-activity • Constant fidgeting and restlessness ADHD support services http://everydaywithadhd.com.au/adhd-support-groups.html#QLD Source: http://www.rch.org.au/
THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS ARTICLE IS NOT INTENDED NOR IMPLIED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR INDIVIDUAL PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE FROM YOUR PHYSICIAN OR QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER. www.kidsonthecoast.com.au
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arrivals Age related infertility: Hard facts about conceiving past 30. by Alison Rodriguez
Times have changed: humans live longer and our expectations of life are different than our grandparents, but through it all our bodies have stayed pretty much the same and the older we are the harder it is to conceive. IVF Sunshine Coast In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) Liaison Officer Kellie Campbell says many women don’t realise how quickly their fertility declines with age. “The Fertility Society of Australia carried out a study in 2006 and found that half of the childless women aged 30-49 thought they could still conceive whenever they wanted to,” she says. At the time of the study just 27% of women in Australia gave birth to their first child before the age of 30, compared to 92% in 1976. Why the change? Are we choosing to have fewer children or leaving it too late to have the children we want?
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KiDs on tHe CoAst – SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2009
Of course having a baby isn’t as simple as wanting one and it takes two. Career choices see us working longer hours and make it harder to meet a partner. “In fact” says Kellie, “the survey uncovered the number one reason women are delaying having children is the inability to find a stable partner.” That step overcome, couples often prefer to buy a house and save money before having a family which means many couples are well into their thirties before they get around to thinking about children. Unfortunately, female fertility begins to decline from age 27, and the risk of infertility for 35-44 year olds is double that of those from 30-34. It may be a surprise to learn a woman is born with a finite number of eggs that will last her for the length of her reproductive life. (In fact all her eggs are present when she is still inside her own mother’s womb, but that’s another story.) As a result the quality and number of eggs released declines as a woman ages. One of the major factors of infertility is thought to be a degeneration of egg quality. Ageing of eggs reduces their ability to be fertilised and to divide properly, meaning older women are more prone to eggs with chromosomal damage and subsequent miscarriage. Many couples wait too long to discover they waited too long. Age not only affects fertility, it can also affect the chances of success with fertility treatment. A woman’s ability to conceive falls rapidly at around 32 and is reduced even further after 40. Men also experience age related infertility. From 30, sperm quality begins to decline and by 40 there is an increased risk of poor sperm motility or greater likelihood of damage to DNA. It is now thought that the effect of age on male fertility may be connected with chromosomal damage and even behavioural problems in their children. So how does this effect family structure in our society? With couples choosing to start later, it means they need to get a ‘wriggle on’ (excuse the pun) if they want several kids, and the size of families has decreased. If you have one child, but want a decent age gap between your offspring, you have less time to wait, and your second or third child might only be possible with medical assistance. www.kidsonthecoast.com.au
Not all infertility is age related and even younger couples can have a ‘bumpy road’. Clare and Patrick, in their mid twenties and early thirties respectively, thought starting a family would be easy. Not so. Clare was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome – a hormonal imbalance which causes the ovaries to enlarge. After drug treatment to help stimulate egg production proved unsuccessful, the couple moved on to IVF. “It’s an emotional roller coaster,” Clare says, “We had success with only our second IVF cycle but the thrill of that success was completely and utterly devastated by miscarriage at eight and a half weeks. “We were shaken to the core after all we had already been through. If it had not been for the support of our family, friends and medical team, we might not have carried on. Kellie says help with any suspected infertility should be sought sooner rather than later, and women over 35 should seek help after only five or six months of trying to conceive without success. Women under 36 should do so after just 12 months. If you are over 36 and have not conceived after six months of trying there is an 80% chance that you will require medical assistance to become pregnant. Fertility treatment is not a cure for the effects of age on fertility, but can help to overcome any problems getting in the way of conception. “At IVF Sunshine Coast about one third of our clients are here due to age related reasons. Keep in mind, 35% of the time the issue will relate to her, 35% of the time the issue will be his, 20% of the time the issue is due to the combination of that particular couple, and 10% of the time we still don’t know,” she explains.
“We underwent more IVF and after several unsuccessful attempts at FET (Frozen Embryo Transfer) we conceived what could only be a precious miracle – after a journey of three and a half years.” As miraculous as the technology to create life is, it is fallible. Not all treatment is successful. After a series of treatment cycles, many couples find it putting incredible strain on their finances, their health and their relationship. Fertility Solutions Sunshine Coast’s Denise Donati says it takes a great deal of courage to undertake infertility treatment and even more to let go. “Some couples find it hard to consider alternatives to biological parenthood but donor gametes, adoption, fostering, caring closely for nieces and nephews or children of a close friend are all real options for fulfilment,” she says.
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the coast “We spent a long time grieving our loss before we were ready to move on…” Rachel and David were 39 and 41 when they started IVF treatment. Three years of unsuccessful cycles had taken its toll on their relationship and Rachel’s health. She had to undergo a hysterectomy, putting a definitive end to their quest for a biological child. “In some ways,” she says, “it was a blessing in disguise because we were so focused on having a child that we would never have decided to give up treatment on our own, even though it was beginning to hurt my body. “We spent a long time grieving our loss before we were ready to move on and consider adoption.” Once the couple looked at adoption they discovered the application process and waiting time was very long. “We met couples who had been waiting years to adopt, both here and within overseas adoption,” Rachel explains. “We opted to be foster parents in the meantime and found that a great experience.” It was four years before the couple were able to adopt Adam, who they had fostered before applying for adoption. “It has given us a chance to experience real parenthood, knowing that we are a permanent family unit now,” Rachel says. “Our only regret is that we didn’t start really considering adoption sooner – the whole process can take so long.”
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Common infertility treatments The biological wish to sire children runs deep and the social expectation that we will all find a partner and have a family just adds to the pressure. We’ve all heard tales of couples who were successful once they stopped trying but couples often find infertility the most difficult thing they have ever had to face. For some it brings them together and for others it tears them apart.
Intra Uterine Insemination or IUI Sperm from a partner or donor is placed inside the uterus at ovulation, as treatment for physical problems with the cervix or with ovulation or poor sperm motility.
“It takes a great deal of courage to undertake infertility treatment and even more to let go,” Denise says, “Some couples find it hard to consider alternatives to biological parenthood but donor gametes, adoption, fostering, caring closely for nieces and nephews or children of a close friend are all real options for fulfilment.”
FURTHeR ReADING
In Vitro Fertilisation or IVF Eggs and sperm are collected and fertilised in the laboratory. The fertilised egg or embryo is then transferred back into the uterus. Egg donation In women aged 44 and over, the chance of producing a viable egg, even with assisted reproduction, is low, making egg donation the only real option. Older women who receive eggs donated by a younger woman have a greater chance of successful conception, confirming theories that ageing eggs are a major cause of infertility. Assisted hatching The shell of the egg can become hardened making it difficult for the sperm to fertilise the egg or the embryo to ‘hatch out’, a process that usually requires the embryo to expend a large amount of energy. A tiny hole is made with a laser in the shell, making it easier for the embryo to ‘hatch out’.
Trying to conceive Michaela Ryan. Publisher: Finch Publishing. Many factors can play a role in a couple’s inability to conceive. This book tells 15 real-life stores from men and women who used a holistic approach to pregnancy and resolved emotional issues underlying their infertility. Before seeking medical intervention, it’s well worth a read!
Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection – ICSI The scientist selects one sperm and injects it into the egg. Sperm selection is critical and the more experienced the scientist is the better.
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First hand or not, most of us have experienced the unpleasantness of allergies. From watery eyes at the sight of a cat to life threatening symptoms from an asthma attack or anaphylaxis from an acute allergic reaction, allergies are a ubiquitous part of our lives. What causes these allergies? Why has the incidence of allergies in children grown alarmingly in the last 25 years? Why do some children suffer allergies while others don’t? A 2002 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found those children who were raised in homes with two or more cats and dogs in the first year of life were 75% less likely to have allergies at age six than children with no pets. Another study showed that children who grew up on farms were far less likely to develop allergies than children who lived in cities. Results like these raise interesting questions about whether societies need for cleanliness is causing allergic reactions in our kids. Despite our best efforts to eliminate germs from our kitchens, bathrooms, and bodies, our increase in allergies is not diminishing but growing rapidly.
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The Neurosensory Unit offers complete hearing health care for the whole family. Our experienced team strives for excellence in service and provides informed, objective advice. Services especially for children: • Diagnostic hearing tests from newborns to adults • Central Auditory Processing tests for children with learning difficulties (5 years +) • Full range of hearing aids and accessories including customised swim plugs Other services offered include: • Cochlear implant services • Balance tests • Tinnitus treatments
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What are the most common allergies in children? • Eczema is often the first sign of allergies in infants. Its
symptoms include dry, scaly skin, scratch marks, and weeping blisters. It can be aggravated by soaps, chlorinated water, some fabrics, skin infections and diet.
• Asthma may cause wheezing, coughing, and tightness in the
chest. The major triggers include respiratory infection, and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke.
• Allergic rhinitis does not often present during infancy
but affects children. Symptoms often persist for many years. Signs of this allergy include blocked and runny noses, sneezing, and an itchy nose. Sometimes recurrent sore throats and respiratory infections are allergies.
• Conjunctivitis often accompanies rhinitis and causes
red and itchy eyes, which may become infected due to constant rubbing. Triggers for these include pollen exposure, house dust mites, mould spores and indoor pets.
• Food allergies affect 2-3% of infants. Recent studies
from the US and the UK indicate that peanut allergies have doubled during the last five years. The most common triggers in children for food allergies are cows’ milk, hens’ eggs, peanuts, tree nuts and sesame seeds. Other triggers are wheat and soy. Some of these are outgrown by school age but peanuts, tree nuts, seeds and seafood generally persist.
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Some scientists believe we are not ingesting enough dirt and germs to activate our immune systems sufficiently. As our children tend to spend more time indoors, playing in the dirt is no longer a common occurrence. Children are no longer touching, even tasting, and playing in good old-fashioned grime and it is possible that their bodies overreact when exposed to allergens.
Zen’s Story
Every now and again a child comes along who suffers from just about everything. Zen is one of those kids and his mum Katrina has spent the last five years working hard to protect her child from allergies. “At just five days old Zen lost interest in feeding, lost weight, and slept a lot,” she explains. Katrina met with a lactation consultant, who correctly diagnosed the problem as an intolerance to foods, so Katrina removed all wheat and dairy from her diet. It seemed to work. By the age of three months Zen had regained his birth weight. He was still colicky so Katrina and her husband massaged him every day and Katrina carried him upright in a sling. At three months the enormous task of introducing solids began. “It was such a minefield,” Katrina says. She introduced a range of vegetables, removed wheat and dairy, but Zen developed really bad eczema, at the back of his knees, elbows and neck. She rang the consultant who suggested that the salicylates, natural occurring chemicals in food, were the problem. So she eliminated fruits and vegetables, containing salicylates, soy, rice and legumes and breast fed Zen for three years, her diet reflecting his needs.
Life returned to a semblance of normality until Katrina stopped breast feeding and the antibodies prevalent in breast milk were now no longer protecting Zen. He soon developed continual colds, vomiting attacks and severe asthma. At four he had a skin prick test which indicated he was extremely allergic to dust mites, cats, dairy, and nuts. With so many foods missing from his diet, Katrina wondered how she would be able to provide sufficient nourishment for her son. With help from the RPA in Sydney and specialist doctors on the Gold Coast, Katrina learned how to avoid Zen’s allergy threshold and keep his contact to dangerous substances to a manageable level. The family moved to a house with no curtains, no carpet, and one which boasts expensive dust mite proof bedding. With the enormous tenacity and sacrifice of his parents Zen is now a healthy, thriving beautiful little boy, who is managing his allergies well. Katrina justified this constant quest to keep her child healthy by saying, “The love of your child makes you do these things.”
Why do many schools ban peanuts?
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Did you know? Asthma and allergies can be prevented and controlled with One in three people suffer an allergy medication, and knowing what foods to avoid at some time Twice the number of people today suffer with allergies than 25 years ago
Babies born to mothers who smoke have a greater chance of suffering with asthma
Even a tiny amount of peanut can be fatal if the child is allergic to peanuts
For more information: Allergies (Children and Asthma) www.health.uab.edu Too Clean For Our Own Good www.tysknews.com The allergic child – Early Recognition and Diagnosis www.allergy.org.au The Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy – Common Myths www.allergy.org.au Anaphylaxis Australia www.allergyfacts.org.au Allergies – Food Allergies – Food Allergies in Children www.allergies.about.com
FURTHeR ReADING Allergy Safe Family Food by Suzanna Paxton. Filled with recipes of all your favourite dishes, this book is an easyto-use companion for parents. All the ingredients used are available from regular supermarkets and recipes are coded for their suitability for various allergies. Published by HarperCollins and available through most bookshops.
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celebrate
LET’S
Vegetmrian party food made easy
by Sandra Smith
Sausage rolls and snags are a familiar sight at kids’ parties, but times are changing and there’s no need to avoid holding a party if you are vegetarian. A few simple, well-presented food choices will tempt both vegetarians and non-vegetarians and you’ll be surprised at what fussy eaters will try when their mums aren’t around. If your family is vegetarian, you may decide on a party menu that avoids all meat products but, even if you’re meat eaters, there’s a good chance you will host some vegetarian guests and it’s a good idea to be prepared. With the wonderful array of fresh produce available in south-east Queensland, fruit and vegetable platters are quick and easy, and they bring a kaleidoscope of colour to the party table. What could be better on a hot summer’s day than biting into a wedge of juicy, pink watermelon, crunching a snow pea, or tasting the sweetness of a red capsicum slice? Provide easy-to-eat vegetarian finger foods that busy kids can snack on between party games, and when energies start to flag, bring out filling foods like miniquiches, spinach and feta pinwheels, wraps or tofu balls. Everyone loves cooking and if you’re hosting a small party, you could try a chef’s party theme. The kids will have a ball making mini-pizzas using pita bread bases and vegetarian toppings, but keep the broom handy for a quick sweep after the creative work is done and the pizzas are safely in the oven. There are plenty of no-fuss, tempting vegetarian choices for your child’s special day. Vegetarian food tastes great, you don’t have to spend hours in the kitchen and it’s good for growing kids too. So, next time your child adds a year, why not steer away from the cheerios and the party pies?
Spinach, fetta and capsicum pinwheels 100g (3.3oz) Danish fetta cheese 1 spring onion, chopped 50g (1.6oz) pine nuts, chopped 2 sheets reduced-fat puff pastry 30g (1oz) baby English spinach 100g (3.3oz) char-grilled red capsicum milk for brushing pastry Preheat oven to 220°C (425° F). Combine the fetta cheese, spring onion and pine nuts in a bowl. Lay the pastry out on the work surface. Arrange the spinach along one edge of the pastry, top with strips of capsicum and the fetta cheese mixture. Roll up to enclose the filling, then cut into 1cm (½ in) thick wheels and place on a baking tray line with baking paper. Brush with milk and bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden. Makes 22 pinwheels. Recipe source: Vegetarian by Jody Vassallo. For more information go to www.healthyfoodforlife.com.au
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KiDs on tHe CoAst – SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2009
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Easy vegetarian party food for kids Bruschetta Slice crusty Italian bread and grill until golden. Top with finely chopped fresh tomato, basil, garlic and red onion, or try a ratatouille topping.
Vegetarian pizza Toppings can include roasted pumpkin, sun-dried tomatoes, fetta cheese, grated carrot, pesto and rocket.
Tofu balls Mix tofu, nuts, oats, breadcrumbs, onion and spices. Roll into
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balls and bake in the oven. Serve with your favourite sauce.
Rice paper rolls Vegetarian fillings can include tofu, grated carrot, lettuce, cucumber and fresh mint. Serve with Vietnamese dipping sauce. Nori rolls Use traditional white sushi rice with fillings like avocado, mayonnaise and cucumber. Delicious on a hot day. Spicy roasted potato wedges Coat potatoes with a mixture of spices like cumin and coriander, and roast until golden-brown.
Mini-frittatas with asparagus and lima beans Bake mini-frittatas in a muffin pan and serve with rocket salad and wholegrain bread. Haloumi and vegetable kebabs Thread cubes of marinated haloumi cheese, bread, cherry tomatoes and capsicum onto skewers and grill or barbeque.
Fruit kebabs Thread fresh fruit cubes onto skewers, and serve with tahini cream or yoghurt and honey dipping sauce. Play equipment and age appropriate toys for babies and kids up to 10 years
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Parents can take a break with delicious coffee, tea, cakes, light meals
FURTHeR ReADING SNACK It out by Donalee Halkett. This book shows just how easy it is to provide healthy and balanced vegetarian food for children. Donalee shares her favourite recipes and tips for healthy eating, and the book is packed with ideas, including juices and smoothies, delicious dips, snack foods, lunch box ideas and sweet treats. For more details go to www.choiceliving.com.au
HAVE YOUR SAY, COMMENT AT www.kidsonthecoast .com.au www.kidsonthecoast.com.au
Healthy food choices for the kids too
Birthday Party packages available Private party bookings Phone for more information
ES OPENING TIM -2.30pm Mon-Wed 9am -4pm m 9a at -S Thur Sun 9am-4pm lidays And school ho
0-12 months........ Free 1-3 Years............ $6.00 3-10 Years .......... $9.00 Adults ............... $2.00 1 Adult free per Child admission
Unlimited play BYO socks
1 Gateway Drive,
Noosaville (Next to Officeworks)
P: 07 5470 2999
E: pandasplayland@bigpond.com SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2009 – KiDs on tHe CoAst
45
holidays
HAPPY
A whale of a time STARS
SWIM SCHOOL Where Kids Come First We hope you give us the opportunity to show you what we can do for your children. We know you will be happy with our program and the results your children will achieve, irrespective of how nervous or confident your child may be. This is a timely reminder that as parents we have a responsibility to ensure our children Learn To Swim!!
WE GIVE YOU YOUR FIRST LESSON FREE LS HEATED POO AR YE L AL
Water Babies, Learn to Swim, Squad Training, Private Classes, Holiday Intensives, Birthday Parties with Inflatable Ride, Lap Swimming, Adult Classes, Fitness & Surf Training
With Experienced & Highly Qualified Staff Australia Swimming Junior Excellence Coaching Award 2008 Parents Choice Supplier since 2006
81 Wises Road, Maroochydore
5479 1509 46
KiDs on tHe CoAst – SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2009
R BOOK IN FO D N A 4 M TER RECEIVE 2 LESSONS FOR FREE!
Whale migration in full swing by Sarah Pye
It was 6am on a Saturday and I was awake with anticipation. Today was the day we were going whale watching in Hervey Bay and I had been looking forward to it since my last similar experience four years ago. Now that might not sound like a long time, but if you have an affinity with these magnificent creatures, you’ll know what I mean! From late July to November every year, humpback whales arrive in the seaside town of Hervey Bay to relax in the calm, protected waters. The journey they have taken BEFORE they get here is mind blowing. Humpbacks spend their summers in the cold waters of the Antarctic where their food source of krill is abundant. Unfortunately, the cold waters that sustain them are not suitable for mating or giving birth. For these essential activities they need to swim to warmer destinations – one being the tropical north-east coast of Australia. In the classic catch 22, the warm waters are free of the krill soup they require. So, even though it might be tempting to stay, they eventually get hungry and need to head south again. If you think motherhood as a human is challenging, consider the life of a humpback cow… between one meal and the next she swims 5000km, gives birth, feeds her calf up to 600 litres of yoghurt-like milk every day and swims another 5000km. There’s no wonder she needs a mini-vacation in Hervey Bay to rest her weary fins and gather strength to continue south. The good news is, her need to rest offers us humans the chance to interact with her and her calf, and thousands of people travel from around the globe to do just that. Aren’t you lucky this experience is only a weekend away? So when was the last time you took the kids whale watching? Should this be your year? Only three hours drive from the central Sunshine Coast, Hervey Bay is bitten by whale watch fever at this time of year and there are a number of different cruise choices. From huge multi-decked vessels with glass viewing chambers to small, intimate, zippy boats, there is something to suit any family. www.kidsonthecoast.com.au
Four years ago, we joined a large vessel with lots of room to move. The advantages of this were room for kids to run around, space out of the wind and video commentary on the way out and back. Disadvantages were the long travel times (because the boats travel quite slowly) and the need to be on the water for a whole day. This time we decided to try something different. That’s Awesome is a rigid inflatable (rather like a huge rubber duckie) with seating for up to 35. Powered by four 300hp engines, this boat promised an exhilarating ride and less travel time. It didn’t disappoint in either respect. Excited tension was palpable as we joined fellow families onboard. We had bought an entire backpack of warm clothes for the windblown ride, and it turned out we hadn’t overestimated. Before long we were flying across the waves with huge grins on our faces and donning our beanies and jackets quickly. About an hour later the engines powered back and we were at once alert and scanning the calm water for telltale blows or shiny backs. Nothing happened. Then, when we thought luck had escaped us, the captain yelled, “Two o’clock!” He wasn’t referring to the time, but the direction. If you think of the boat as facing 12 o’clock, this type of reference helps determine where the whales are. We had two juvenile whales, and a few accompanying dolphins, on our starboard bow about 300m away. As we slowly powered towards them the humpbacks both blew in unison and the boat rocked as all 35 passengers headed for one side of the boat. We spent about an hour with these amazing creatures and they put on a good show. At times all we could see was their shadow and an indication of white flesh as they passed close to our vessel. As if wanting attention, they threw in a few tail slaps and, even though I madly clicked my shutter, I missed every one. Time passed quickly and before too long it was time to turn tail and speed for the harbour. Wooly clothes back on, and with the kids laughing over the squeal of the engines, it was a magical ride home. We had been and we had seen. For what more could we have asked? I left feeling VERY glad I was a human mum, not a whale one!
Did you know? • A humpback’s lungs are the size of a small car • Toothed whales have one blowhole and baleen whales have two • Baleen plates filter food like a sieve and they are made of the same material as finger nails • Each whale has unique markings under its tail like a fingerprint • When a whale dives it leaves a calm patch on the water’s surface called a ‘footprint’ • When a whale sticks its head out of the water it’s called a ‘spy hop’ • When it jumps out of the water it’s called a ‘breach’ • Whale milk is as thick as yoghurt • Humpbacks are the only whales that ‘sing’ • An adult whale can stay underwater for up to 40 minutes • White whale Migaloo has been sighted in Australia this year • Whales in the Northern Hemisphere never meet those in the Southern Hemisphere
Getting out there (Excerpt from Kids Welcome to Queensland. Visit: www.kidswelcome.com.au) Blue Dolphin Marine Tours Phone: 4124 9600 Web: www.bluedolphintours.com.au The area’s longest running sailing tour, this wide and stable catamaran is run by Peter Lynch who has been working with marine life for a quarter of a century (at Seaworld, in the Antarctic and here). Tour includes lunch and snacks and includes the added element of sail. Groups are smaller than other options, but there’s less opportunity for kids to run amuck. At other times of year, Blue Dolphin runs dolphin or sunset cruises.
HORSE RIDING CAMPS 7 DAY CAMPS • 19-26 September • 26 September - 3 October WEEKEND CAMP • 16-19 October (long w/end) DAY TRIPS • 23 September • 30 September • 18 October
Babysitting • Nanny • Respite Care • Relief staff
ader Re
Di
s c o u nt
Camps every school holidays with full accommodation & adult supervision Ages 6 to teens. Beginners welcome Childcare rebate BUS AVAILABLE • FULL INSURANCE
P 5479 1882 M 0402 314 809 E solutionschildcare@yahoo.com.au
www.kidsonthecoast.com.au
ph: 5486 6166 www.kiahpark.com.au
SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2009 – KiDs on tHe CoAst
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holidays
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Spirit of Hervey Bay Phone: 1800 642 544 Web: www.spiritofherveybay.com
HAVE YOUR SAY, COMMENT AT www.kidsonthecoast .com.au
This vessel was newly commissioned in 2008 and represents the most modern features in the industry including eight viewing windows in the hull that allows you to view the whales under the water as well as above. It’s a large vessel with room to run around and tours run for half a day which might be easier for little ones than a whole day cruise. Nibbles and drinks are provided but lunch is not. Hervey Bay Whale Watch Phone: 4128 9387 Web: www. awesomeadventure.com.au Brian and Jill Perry were the originators of whale watching in Hervey Bay way back in the mid ‘80s and now their daughter Sarah is one of the captains. They run a large vessel called Quick Cat and recently added a rigid inflatable to their fleet. That’s Awesome is fast and runs three different three-hour cruises each day at dawn, day and dusk. Smaller than most of the whales, the vessel puts these giants in perspective. It does include a toilet, but no air conditioned cabin and very little room to run around. The ride is exhilarating and there are only 35 passengers. Steve’s Whale One Phone: 1300 CRIKEY Web: www.australiazoo.com.au Join the only commercial whale watching vessel on the Sunshine Coast – Steve’s Whale One. Cruise times vary but last 3.5-4.5 hours. Run by Australia Zoo, this stable catamaran guarantees you an authentic Australia Zoo experience. Educational commentary is provided and an underwater hydrophone enables you to listen to the whales. Onboard toilet facilities, included breakfast or lunch and a full bar make it easy, even with kids.
School holiday fun and adventure!
h c S 48
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All in a safe and active environment!
7.30 to 5.30 Monday to Thursday Includes: Lunch, morning and afternoon teas
Active $55.00 a day Adventures
at Apex Camp Mudjimba
KiDs on tHe CoAst – SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2009
Fun activities: • Archery • Canoeing • Challenge ropes • Assault course • and much more
(claimable against child care rebate)
For bookings or further information call Apex Mudjimba on 5448 7637 or email stay@campmudjimba.com www.kidsonthecoast.com.au
S W e i REV
Book reviews are kindly provided by Annie’s Books on Peregian, 8 Kingfisher Drive, Peregian Beach. Phone: 5448 2053
JESSICA’S BOX Peter Carnavas Jessica’s Box is a wonderful, warm and witty book about the traumas of the first day of school for a little girl. Will Jessica find new friends? Will her friendship dreams come true? Watch carefully as she reveals the contents of her special box. This is a lovely book from a new and exciting author and would make a wonderful gift to someone who’s a little anxious about starting school.
EXCHANGING LIVES Kathy Buchanan Annie and Charlie used to be best friends, but somewhere in the last 12 months things have changed. They are both off to the USA for three months – Annie loves fashion and fashionable places, and is off to the bright lights of New York, whilst pacifist and animal lover Charlie is off to a farm in Ohio. Things turn out quite differently for both of them and the two 14-year-old Australian girls are challenged by their new lives. The views of each girl are given in first person narratives, which are interspersed with emails and the two voices are defined by different fonts.
ALL DOGS HAVE ADHD Kathy Hoopmann This delightful little book takes a refreshing approach to the understanding of ADHD. It combines humour with understanding to reflect the joys and challenges of raising a child who is different. Adorable animal photos are matched with particular traits of children who suffer the disorder. It is an accessible book which will help to make children and their families and friends feel more accepting of their situation.
FOUND: THE MISSING #1 Margaret Peterson Haddix Thirteen-year-old Jonah has always known he was adopted, and never thought it was a big deal. All of a sudden he begins to receive mysterious letters, telling him that he is “one of The Missing” and “Beware, they are coming back to get you!” Jonah and his friends are plunged into a mystery where they realise that they are caught in a battle between two opposing forces that want very different things for them. Do they have a choice? And what should they choose when both alternatives are horrifying? This is the first part in a brand new, exciting series.
ALLIE FINKLE’S RULES FOR GIRLS Meg Cabot Allie Finkle is a nine-year-old girl who is trying to make sense out of life in 4th grade, so she jots down rules to help her remember how to be a good sister, student and friend – and also not to eat anything red – that’s a rule! There are four books in the Allie Finkle series. Meg Cabot is the author of over 50 books for children, including the enormously successful Princess Diaries, which have sold literally millions of copies. There is also a fun website: www.alliefinkel.scholastic.com
DVD
WELCOME TO LAZY TOWN Originating in Iceland and on par with Hi 5, the Lazy Town beat is constant and characters are upbeat and positive. Probably not the CD you want to play on a long drive, but a good party CD for those kids growing out of the Wiggles. CDs include 20 Karaoke sing along songs and kids can join an online club and play games at www.lazytown.com
www.jacksonpollock.org
website
Controversy has raged for decades on whether the creations of Jackson Pollock were art but his paint-dripped style is easily recognisable. Feel a similar freedom of expression with this website which allows you to create your own Jackson Pollock with the click of a mouse, rather than the flick of a wrist, where every click changes the colour. It’s a great way to get preschoolers comfortable with a mouse and they can even print their creations.
COMPS
FOR YOUR CHANCE TO GREAT PRIZES ENTER ONLINE @ www.kidsonthecoast.com.au www.kidsonthecoast.com.au
SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2009 – KiDs on tHe CoAst
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DIRECTORY Child Care Centres
Kids Clothing
this direct ory IS ONLINE AT www.kidson thecoast.com .au
Labels
Skin & Personal Care
Quality Kids Clothing including Character Brands at Great Prices Free postage Aust-wide Or 15% discount for local pick up
www.scgs.qld.edu.au/newleaf
Visit us online today sales@kidsztrendz.com.au
www.kidztrendz.com.au
Chiropractors
• Care for Pregnancy, Babies & Children • Allergy/Nutritional Testing • Family Rates Available • 13 Years on the Coast!
Dr Gray Moritz
Dr Monique Sefton
5444 0711
Suite 8, 126-130 Golf Links Road Mountain Creek Medical Centre
National Pizza Champions
5499 7343 y
P a r t I ES
Fantas
193 Maroochydore Rd
5443 8888
neiaaron@gmail.com
We come to you Gold Coast to Hervey Bay. Lay-by terms available
5442 7769
Ph: (0407) 196 231 or (07) 5443 1352 www.fmni.com.au
Medical Practitioners
BABY &
CHILDREN’S
• Prenatal & Pregnancy Care • Child & Adolescent Health • Women’s Health • Vasectomies & Family Planning • Complementary & Nutritional Therapies Same Day Appointments Dr Michael Ryan Dr Roger Morris Dr Peter Hodgkinson Dr Glen Atwal Dr Scott Powell Dr Marie McDevitt ASK US Dr Nanu Grewal ABOUT Dr Tim Bradshaw Accredited First Aid Dr Tim Craven Training Dr Tanya Henderson Dr Peter O’Hara Dr Maree Lindsay
OPEN: MON-FRI 8am-6pm SAT 8am-12noon
Includes FREE professional photographic session and FREE photo for frame
Ph: 5439 7000 www.impressionablekids.com.au
50
50 Second Avenue Maroochydore Q 4558
0403 265 196
KiDs on tHe CoAst – SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2009
Markets Noosa’s
NOW OPEN 6am-10pm TUES & WED
Contact Suzel to make an appointment
The Esplanade, Mooloolaba ph: 5478 3199 www.augellos.com.au
MARKET Private Swim Teacher, Senior First Aid Certificate & Blue Card Holder
Enquiries: Aaron Neil 0415 793 338
3D impressions of loved ones great or small, young or old.
Mooloolaba Style
Kid’s parties with flair!
www.wellnessforlife.com.au
Gift Services
Modern Italian Cuisine
Call now to discuss your child’s party needs
Dr Ian Baker Dr Bronwyn McNamara
A wellness approach to health for the whole family
Est 1995
for fun, fantasy and laughter
www.wishingwoods.com.au
Maroochydore
Restaurants
Kids Parties
T: 07 5443 9455 F: 07 5443 9638 www.medicineonsecond.com.au
Last Sunday of each month 8 am to 12 noon Sunshine Beach Bicentennial Hall
For bookings phone Natalie: 0402 432 743
noosachildrensmarket@hotmail.com
Speech Pathologists Sunshine Coast Speech Therapy • Speech and language difficulties • Literacy concerns • Stuttering • Voice disorders
Shop 3C/66 Jessica Boulevard MINYAMA QLD 4575
Tel: (07) 5444 1037 To advertise in the Kids on the Coast Directory call
Tanya Ryan on 07 5442 8679 or email: advertising@ kidsonthecoast.com.au www.kidsonthecoast.com.au
A portrait of your child hand designed just for you !
Now Available
on Sunshine Coast Phone now to book your photo session 1300 204 282
5-18 First Ave, Maroochydore
www.wonderlandstudios.com.au
t s a o C e h t Kids on ! d l r o W e i s s u A e v o l
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