Eastside MamaMag Dec/Jan 2018 by MamaMag

EASTSIDE

mamaMAG Dec/Jan 2017

WIN A ZOOS VICTORIA MEMBERSHIP AND PRIZE PACK Eating out with toddlers Summer essentials Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time for wine Christmas crackers Waterpark wonders

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SUMMER LOVING So, this morning I sent my first born off to school camp. SCHOOL CAMP... He also collected his BYOD computer last week all ready for grade 4 next year. Umm, surely you are not big enough for either of these things yet... can you please stop growing up so fast. Lachie reaches double digits next year, and don’t get me started on miss 7 going on 17. How did this happen? They were 3 and 1 when I returned to Melbourne post-divorce almost 6 years ago. How I’ve managed them on my own for that long I’m still not sure! But they do make me smile every day. #blessed We’ve had a super fun couple of months lately. Ladies lunch for Oaks Day is always an annual highlight, albeit very child-free! Mama was lucky to be a part of the opening weekend of the new world record breaking waterslide at Funfields. Unfortunately, it was only about 11 degrees that day, but Lach loved being one of the first to ride it! Make sure you enter this month’s colouring in competition to win one of three family passes. Summer truly is my favourite season of the year. Fish and chips at the beach until late in the evening with gorgeous friends, weekend swims at the local pool, frolicking at a water play park (check out the Jane from Playground Finders guide inside for some other great ideas near you). Mama’s planning an epic camping adventure with four other families at Seaspray in Gippsland after Christmas. We haven’t camped for a couple of years so if you’ve got any amazing must do’s or tips, I’d love to hear from you. So, as we wind up for the silly season, it’s always a nice time to reflect on the year that was. I want to thank you all for being a part of my MamaMag journey. This year has been amazing. The support from both our readers and our advertisers has been sensational and without you all I wouldn’t be doing what I do. And I love what I do, so let’s not stop!! Have a gorgeous Xmas with your families and I can’t wait to connect with you all again in 2018 xxxx

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Local fun for everyone • Bayside • Eastside • Northside • Westside

Contents Toddler taming

Eating out with toddlers in the East

Watts that mum?

Yummy mummy Rachel Watts

Parklife

Central Gardens, Hawthorn

Summer essentials

Mama’s summer must-haves for fun

Turn the page

Christmas reads from Story Mama

Water wonders

Water play in the East

Christmas crackers

Christmas fun East-style

Lovely locals

Exploring Windsor

I think it’s wine time

Helpful hints to pick your tipple

The juggle is real

Juggling work and school holidays

We love a mother

Win

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Mama can cook

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From The Natural Nutritionist

Make Christmas meaningful Shopping wisely and ethically

Holiday petfection

Making pets happy while your away

Hydration station

Christmas craft

Keeping hydrated this summer Fingerprint fun

Colour to WIN

WIN Funfields family passes

Celebrating separately

Making Christmas and divorce work

Get your cleaning game on

Making cleaning fun

Summer safe Pool safety tips from Matt Welsh

MamaMag Dec/Jan 2018

10,000 copies per issue across Melbourne’s East including Stonnington, Boroondara, Yarra and Melbourne. 40,000 copies across all four areas: Bayside • Eastside • Northside • Westside Editor in Chief: Sarah Cavalier: sarah@mamamag.com.au Eastside Editor: Kara Wilson Local Advertising: advertising@mamamag.com.au Melbourne-wide Key Account Manager: Clare Betts: clare@mamamag.com.au Want to write for us or have an article idea? submissions@mamamag.com.au The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the publishing staff. Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited without permission of the publishers. Health related articles are designed to be informative and educational. They are not intended to provide specific medical advice or replace one-on-one advice from your health practitioner.

toddler taming Top tips for making dining out with a toddler easier… With Christmas shin-digs and balmy summer nights on the horizon, one of the great things about Summer in Australia is eating out with friends and family. Unless you have a toddler that is! There’s nothing that ruins a meal faster than a tired and whinging toddler, or worse, a complete toddler meltdown. Even the most placid toddler can have an almighty meltdown and with my daughter in preschool, a toddler son and baby on the way, I can vouch for that! We’ve certainly had our fair share of tantrums and while it can sometimes seem easier to turn down an invitation to dine out, it IS possible to eat out with your toddler. It just takes some preparation and planning: 1. Choose your venue wisely. When you have a toddler in tow, it’s not the best time to try that new fine dining establishment! Instead, think about finding a restaurant or café that understands kids – if they have highchairs and easy access or parking then that’s a great start. Extra points for having colouring sheets/pencils or puzzles and plastic cups. A venue that’s child-friendly makes everything easier right from the start. 2. Time your meal wisely and make sure you book for a time when your toddler is hungry but not tired. Consider the early slot when the restaurant is quieter and meals are delivered quickly. If there are two sittings then you definitely want to be firmly booked into the first session… and you’d better pack snacks! Try something fiddly but non-filling like rice crackers or chopped fruit to keep them occupied and happy until their meal arrives. 3. Study the menu ahead of time and order your toddler’s meal PRONTO! The combination of time of day, a change in routine and tiredness can send even the happiest toddler into a meltdown, and the only thing worse than having a screaming toddler at the next table is having one at yours! If you know 6

what you’re going to get and can place your order before the kitchen gets busy it will be easier to head off that ‘I’m hungry’ meltdown and you may even buy yourself some time for some adult conversations while they eat! 4. Never let them out of the highchair! You’ll never get them back in again and the fastest way to ruin your night is by having a toddler sitting on your lap for the entire evening, or worse still, trying to catch them again in a packed restaurant. It’s a sure fire way to trigger an early exit. Pack a selection of no-mess activities to keep them entertained. Board books, stickers and paint-with-water activity books are always a winner in my family. Consider toys that your child loves or considers a special treat 5. My final tip? Minimise the mess to make it easier. Don’t leave home without your full cover feeding smock to protect their little clothes and of course trusty baby wipes for faces and hands (yours and theirs). I designed the Little Chomps Messy Mealtime Smock for just these occasions. It’s extra-long to cover their entire outfit, it can go on over high chair or pram straps, it’s easily wiped clean on the spot so you can avoid outfit changes in the toilet, and it makes for a quick exit if things go pear shaped! The best way to manage a tantrum or meltdown (by your toddler or you!) is to avoid it in the first place, and a BIG part of that is knowing when to leave. When your toddler starts showing serious tired signs it’s time to hot foot it out of there! By being prepared, doing a little bit of research ahead of time into the venue and menu, and bringing goodies in the form of snacks, toys and activities, you’ll give yourself (and your toddler) the best chance of a great night out! By Bree Mackay - www.littechomps.com.au With a 5 year old daughter, a 3 year old son and a third bub on the way, Bree Mackay is well versed in the challenges of mealtimes with toddlers.

If dinner is too hard, try Mama’s fav local lunch spots.. The Foodrinkery, Burwood

The Stables of Como, South Yarra Beautiful family-friendly café set in lush historical gardens, just waiting to be explored by little ones. The outside eating area is perfect for wriggly toddlers, and is fully shaded (or heated during winter). There are highchairs, the main menu is very child-friendly, service is lovely, and most importantly, the babycinos are fabulous.

On a nice day, head to the courtyard of this welcoming café - it has toys to keep the kids entertained and opens straight onto a park. The menu has both indulgent and healthy options for everyone. Get either a nutrient boost into your picky kids with a delicious health-packed smoothie, or a cheese and ham toastie before heading to the playground.

Studley Park Boathouse, Kew Located on the banks of the Yarra River is Melbourne’s oldest operating boathouse. You and the kids can enjoy breakfast or lunch while taking in the beautiful surroundings, perhaps before hiring a rowboat. This casual and friendly café offers a ‘Gosling Menu’ that includes chicken/ fish and chips for lunch, or you might like to share a pizza, burger, or bowl of pasta.

Serotonin Eatery, Exercise + Education, Burnley

Cubbyhouse Canteen, Armadale Mama’s long-time favourite situated right in the middle of a park, here you can sit in the café or get takeaways to enjoy as a picnic. The little ones can choose from fun favourites and treats that will remind you of your own childhood. The staff all have experience in working with children, and they know what parents need – they have you covered for breakfast, lunch, and even early dinner twice a week.

If sitting on a swing to eat your lunch (yes, that’s right!) in the sunny courtyard doesn’t make you smile, knowing that your kids will leave with happy and healthy tummies definitely will. This ‘happiness café’ is a sanctuary from your busy lives with a beautiful plant-based menu. Fussy toddlers won’t be able to refuse the Positive Pancakes or Galaxy Acai Bowl.

The Pour Kids, Malvern This rainbow-coloured café offers an exciting and imaginative menu for the little ones to choose from. While they might select ‘Humpty Dumpty and friends’ (boiled eggs with sourdough soldiers) or ‘Three bears out hunting’ (porridge with fruit), you might like to go for ‘We need to talk about Kevin (Bacon)’. Often quite busy, the staff is friendly, the vibe is relaxed, and highchairs are provided. 7

watts that mum? Rachel Watts is a Melbourne celebrity mama of one, who is most known for her role on the Channel 7 hit show Yummy Mummies. Since the show finished filming in early 2017, Rachel is busy looking after her little boy Harvey (now 20 months old) and managing her ever growing popular Instagram account. Rachel was one of four of the hilarious characters in the show and she shares some of her experience being a yummy mummy and how she keeps it all so glam and together, whilst still being down to earth.

When you got approached by Channel 7 to take part in Yummy Mummies what were your first thoughts? Originally my best friend Lorinska approached me via text message about the show. I honestly thought nothing of it and replied “sure why not sounds like a lot of fun!” - within two weeks I kid you not we were filming the pilot and it was all full steam ahead . Due to our growing bellies the pilot got signed off really quickly and before we knew it we were filming Season 1!

How hard was filming being so heavily pregnant especially towards the end? And how did you deal with sharing such a personal journey to the public on TV? Let’s just say putting on 22kg, wearing sky high heels and filming for 10 hours a day was not always a walk in the park. Although there were some hard moments overall I had the best fun and have no regrets. I was so nervous before the show aired that my husband and I decided to go overseas for 6 weeks - we were actually away for the whole season! Once I finally watched the show myself I was pretty happy that I embarked on this journey and allowed the public to share my experiences!

Are you still close with your cast mates Jane, Lorinska and Maria? I am extremely close to Lorinska and Jane we have many things in common and share the same values in life. As a mothers group you need women who support each other and empower each other and that is exactly what we do. Maria on the other hand I have no contact with - I respect Maria has her own opinions however we are worlds apart. They say your tribe is your vibe and she was defiantly not my vibe.

If you could go back and do anything differently with the show what would it be? I honestly and thankfully say there is very little I would change. In fact there is only one thing! I wore an extremely unflattering orange dress that every time I see a photo or clip of it I cringe. I do wish I never wore it and could burn all content of it!

You were hilarious on the show and showed the nation your fun side. Any behind the scenes gossip you can share? Wow where do I start ? With the show being PG there was a lot of fabulous and really funny content however it just would not suit the PG time frame. The amount of times the producers would say “cut - girls you cant talk about that“ would blow your mind. We weren’t even allowed to say sperm! Now I can see that our fan base starts at such a young age I am so glad it went down this path and it has allowed young girls to love the show. Being a role model to this young audience is a blessing and something I take seriously.

Tell us about your Instagram/social media and how that has played a big part of your life since series one finished. My @rachelxwatts Instagram account has allowed me to continue to share my experiences with our Yummy Mummies audience. With Harvey only being 6 months when the show finished up people really were interested on what we have been up to and this has allowed me to show them in my own time and way.

You’re seriously into fashion and the finer things in life! What’s your personal style and what brands can you not live without? I have worked in the fashion industry since I was almost 15 - it has always been a part of my life and I feel it’s a part of my DNA. We are very lucky in this country to have amazing Australian designers and this is something I really could not live with out. Thurley, Asilio, Mossman, Alice McCall and newly launched Leo & Lin just to name a few.

Your son Harvey will be turning two in no time. How has the first year and a bit of motherhood been for you? I absolutely love being a mum and just when you think you can’t love a little human being any more, your heart just seems to grow bigger and bigger to the point where you think it might explode. Yes we have had our hard days, sleep deprivation and getting through illnesses, however overall I have a healthy and happy child and that is all a mother can wish for.

What has changed since becoming a mum? And what have some of your challenges been? Many things have changed since becoming a mum but the biggest one is prioritising. It’s not just about myself and my husband anymore, our #1 priority is Harvey and his happiness and wellbeing. A challenge for myself has been juggling social commitments and learning to say no. Both my husband and I love going out and being social however becoming parents you now need to pick your moments.

What can we look forward to seeing next with Rachel Watts? I am looking at going back to work part time and training for my second half marathon. My biggest wish is to become a mother for the second time and give Harvey a brother or a sister.

Parklife CENTRAL GARDENS, HAWTHORN

Welscome to Central Gardens! Whilst the playground itself is quite small it is hugely popular! Commonly called ‘Rocket Park’ among the locals, it features a huge rocket for the kids to climb up, either to the very top to steer it safely to the moon, or to zoom back down to earth from one of the slides. A word of warning for mums with pregnant bellies, or dads with a fear of heights: if your child gets stuck or scared, it is a very tight fit to scale the steel ladders! It’s possibly better suited for kids over 4 years.

a seesaw, and climbing structures. The miniature horse carousel, on the other hand, looks like something from the past, but the kids seem to love it as well as the rocking bike frame. Stroll the meandering paths around the beautiful gardens, and have a picnic on the manicured lawns. There is plenty of seating, picnic tables, and also BBQ and toilet facilities. Parking can be difficult but it’s only a fiveminute walk from Auburn train station, as well as the cafes in the charming Auburn village.

The unshaded play area features the usual selection of equipment, such as slides, swings,

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turn the page Pig the Elf by Aaron Blabey In this hilarious story, Pig has written to Santa and asked for lots of things. Like a drum kit, a rocket and a fairy floss maker. If you haven’t realised by now, Pig the Pug is a little bit greedy. He stays up late to see Santa and then bites him on the bum when he hasn’t delivered enough gifts! When Pig gets whisked off with Santa and then falls from a great height he is saved by a great big Christmas tree. Love this. Definitely one for the Christmas collection. Aaron Blabey makes such great books to read aloud to little kids. We particularly like the greed is not good message that comes through very important during the festive season! For ages 3-8

The Last Stop on the Reindeer Express by Maddie Powell-Tuck Mia misses her Daddy. Without him, Christmas has lost its magic. But when Mia discovers a world within a mysterious post box, she is whisked away on a truly wonderful adventure - one that she will never ever forget. This is a breathtaking, magical tale with peep-throughs and lift the flaps. This is a magical Christmas story and is particularly pertinent for kids who have parents who work away from home. When Mia makes a card for her Daddy, a little bit of Christmas magic lets her deliver it to him herself via the Reindeer Express. We love how Mia discovers that there are other families like hers who cannot be together for Christmas. The illustrations in this story are stunning and the peek-throughs and lift the flaps add lots of extra interaction. This is my go-to book for the Christmas stocking this year! Ages 4-7

The Naughtiest Reindeer Goes South by Nicki Greenberg “I’m zippy! I’m snappy! I’m raring to go....” “You’re naughty,” said Rudolf. “The answer is NO.” If only Mrs Claus had listened! Letting Ruby lead the sleigh is a recipe for disaster. Ruby’s wild ride lands her in a world of trouble and very far from home. Poor Ruby is stranded, the presents are scattered.... and the local penguins are very, very grumpy. How can the naughtiest reindeer avert a Christmas disaster this time? It’s hard not to love Ruby, who is a very cheeky Reindeer who gets up to no end of mischief. We love this happy and heart-warming tale which has a slightly unusual end. Told in rhyme with an easy to read rhythm, this is bound to become a Christmas read-aloud favourite. We highly recommend for ages 3-8.

My Merry Christmas by Rosie Smith and Bruce Whatley Whether big or small, feathered for furry, everyone loves coming together at Christmas! When Christmas comes we hang stockings and sing carols.... what about you? Cute animals prepare for Christmas with decorations, cake making, and present wrapping. This is a cute Christmas story for the very young. The animals are internationally appealing - giraffes, reindeer, squirrels, butterflies and birdlife are all included. We recommend for ages 1-3.

Debbie Hatswell is the Founder and Director of Story Mama. Story Mama is an online children’s bookstore featuring a huge range of carefully curated, parent recommended, high quality books for children ages 0-9. You can shop online by age, by interest, by award winners or even by milestone. Buy these titles online or find out more at www.storymama.com.au 14 14

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water wonders As summer finally comes to the suburbs families will begin to gravitate towards the water - however the beach or local pool is no longer the only option on a hot summers day. The East has seen a rise in the number of water and splash play areas in new and renovated playgrounds. While some splash play will get the children really soaked, requiring towels and a full change of clothes, others can provide hours of entertainment and cool relief for little hands and feet with a small flow of moving water. Here’s the top pick of water in the East

Seville Water Play Park Booran Reserve, Glen Huntly You must have been living under a rock if you haven’t heard about Booran Reserve. Glen Eira council spent over $10million to build this huge play space and it paid off as this playground is now a must visit for children across the state. The playground has a huge range of elements, structures and play spaces, all dominated by a huge rope climb dome to the top of a giant slide. The splash play at Booran Reserve is a dedicated space full of jets and sprays of water that really dance around. Kids will find it almost impossible to have a play here without getting a full drenching.

The Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden The Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden at Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria is a leafy oasis in the city - the connection the children make with the garden as they move around is beautiful. The whole garden is fully fenced (always a bonus!) and the perfect spot for an idyllic family picnic. The water play has a shallow snake like creek that flows from a rock mound through different sections of the garden, perfect for boat races and little feet, as well as a stone spiral water play area.

On a beautiful site that was once home to the Seville Memorial Swimming Pool the Seville Water Play Park is completely unique and fun for children of all ages. The water play area was thoughtfully designed to represent the surrounding mountains, gorges and deltas with a huge splash zone shooting water in all directions. If a full soaking isn’t for you Seville also has one of the simplest and yet loveliest little additions to its playground area - a huge natural rock with little channels carved into it. Children toggle a small water fountain and then watch as the water splits and runs into the white sand play area at the base of the rock, simple and so very effective.

Lilydale Lake playground Offering exceptional ‘bang for your buck’ the Lilydale Lake playground, is a winner for all ages and abilities. Located next to the beautiful lake and bike path, this huge, new playground has an abundance of fantastic play features like a liberty swing, double flying fox and even some parkour elements. It also has not one but two water play areas - the first is a huge splash pad with jets of water that alternate on timers. As a bonus it also has a simple rock bed river, shaded by lovely trees, where children can toggle the water and collect and release the flow with small dams.

By Jane Murphy. Jane is a mother of two energetic young boys who has managed to tie her love for exploring amazing playgrounds into a career with www.playgroundfinder.com a national database of over 5000 playgrounds! Follow their faves and features on Facebook or Instagram @playgroundfinder 16

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CHRISTMAS CRACKERS Mama’s picks for Christmas in the East Boroondara Carols in the Park

Christmas at Central Park

Saturday, 16th Dec, 6-9.30pm at Macleay Park, Balwyn North. Begin the evening with a picnic, or purchase a sausage sizzle, pancakes, drinks and ice cream.. Santa arrives around 6:30pm, with face painting and other children’s activities.

Saturday 9th December 5.30-9.30pm. Central Park, 83 - 141 Burke Road, Malvern East.

At 7.30pm, the carols begin with the Camberwell Salvation Army band and CHIME choir. Acclaimed soloists soprano Danielle Calder, tenor Michael Lapina and Balwyn High’s soprano Imogen Spendlove will delight us all, as will the St Bede’s and Balwyn Primary School choirs. Rhema Choir will sing in Mandarin. The evening concludes with the wonderful Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah sung by the CHIME choir and the sky lighting up with fireworks.

Carols at Como Park Sunday 17 December, 7.30-9.30pm. Como Park, 305 - 325 Williams Road, South Yarra. Carols at Como Park is one of Melbourne’s much-loved carols. Featuring a stellar line up of performers, visitors bring along a picnic and celebrate Christmas under the stars with a spectacular riverside pyrotechnic display to conclude the night. The one and only Cameron Daddo hosts Carols at Como Park 2017 featuring the iconic Christine Anu, performing some of her greatest hits and original Christmas songs..

Carols by Candlelight, Ivanhoe Ivanhoe Park, The Boulevard, Ivanhoe East is the place to be on Saturday 16 December from 6.30pm to 9.30pm. Bring family, friends, and a picnic or buy food from the food vendors onsite, and get into the spirit of Christmas. Pre-show entertainment and activities will run at 6.30pm, and the stage show will run from 7.30-9.30pm.

Christmas at Central Park is a joyous event of fun and traditional Christmas songs and carols, craft activities and unique performances for the kids from 5.30pm, including I Scream Nails, Smart Art, Bethany Fisher’s Christmas Spectacular, roving Giant Stilt Elves and The Kazoos Christmas Show...and of course, a special visit from Santa!

Santa’s Magical Kingdom On now – Dec 23rd, Caulfield Racecourse. The magic of Christmas will come alive at Santa’s Magical Kingdom with an interactive walk-through adventure land including everything that you love about Christmas, plus an International Spectacular Christmas Show that will amaze everyone. Fun rides for all ages including ferris wheel and giant slide. Santa’s Magical Kingdom is for every child and the ‘inner-child’ in all of us. www.santasmagicalkingdom.com.au

Kew Community Carols by Candellight Sun 3 Dec, 6:30-9:00pm, Petrie Square corner Cotham Rd and Charles St Kew. This wonderful local event has been bringing the community together for 25 years. It’s free, fun and an uplifting experience, with everyone and anyone welcome to participate. Enjoy a sausage sizzle, the local Kew Band, soloists and Christmas carols. This event is hosted by the Kew Churches Together.

Hello Music Carols by Daylight Sunday, 10th December 3-4.15pm. Carols by Daylight is a sing-along Christmas variety concert event for the whole family, featuring jazz and classical artists, the Australian Children’s Orchestra and Santa! Plus it proudly supports the Starlight Children’s Foundation. Deakin Edge Theatre, Federation Square www.hellomusic.com.au.

Monash Carols by Candlelight Sun 10th Dec, 4pm-10pm, Jells Park, Wheelers Hill. Hosted by well-known TV and radio personality Pete Smith, the magic of Christmas is captured under the stars each December at Jells Park, where the community comes together to enjoy the Monash Carols by Candlelight Concert. Now in its 29th year, this celebration has become the City’s most prestigious event, which has a strong sense of community and involves the invaluable work of volunteers. Two community bands come together on stage to provide the music, with a variety of talented performers leading the audience through all their favourite carols.

Festive Projections Now - Sun 25 Dec, 9-10.20pm daily, Federation Square and State Library. The City of Melbourne’s annual Projection Show will this year feature at both Fed Square, and the State Library. The projections will tell two stories, weaving together a narrative across the sites through a magical rendering of Santa’s workshop. From a Lego factory to a sports gear superstore, see Santa’s elves busily creating your Christmas wishes in his industrious workshop. fedsquare.com/events

Myer Windows and Santaland Tell Santa your Christmas wish, get your photo taken and enjoy lots of exciting activities including a ride on the Santaland Express train. Make a day of it, visiting Myer Melbourne. Start with the Christmas Windows and then on up to Santaland. The windows are located in the Bourke Street Mall, Santaland is on level six.

Epicure Gingerbread Village Fri 1 Dec – Sun 24 Dec, 9am-8.15pm daily, Melbourne Town Hall. Now in its sixth year, the Gingerbread Village by EPICURE returns to the Melbourne Town Hall. This year they will craft the F1 Grand Prix, to add to the village comprising 500 kilograms of gingerbread, 360 kilograms of royal icing, 150 kilograms of marzipan and around 800 miniature Christmas trees for the festive backdrop. www.epicure.com.au/about/ gingerbread-village-by-epicure

Luna Park’s Christmas Gala Lunch Sunday 10th Dec, 12-3pm. Luna Park, St Kilda. The kids will love all the Christmas cheer Luna Park has to offer! The Gala lunch has all the trimmings in a family-friendly setting, with carols, treats for the kids, and a special visit from Santa. Enjoy the delicious Christmas food and drinks on offer while the kids run free in the park with unlimited rides or join them on some of the most iconic rides and attractions in Melbourne. lunapark.com.au/event/christmasgala-lunch

lovely locals 1.

EXPLORING WINDSOR 1. Movement For Life Windsor – For the active kids Their unique gymnastics programs support and encourage children to explore, develop, and achieve. Head to their website to find details about their Kindergym programs for 1-5 year-olds, beginner to intermediate gymnastics, competitive classes for the more advanced, and lessons for children with special needs. In addition, they also run birthday parties, and both adults and children’s yoga sessions. 74 Punt Rd, www.mflw.com.au 2. Tommy Ruff Fish Bar – For a casual family dinner

Definitely not your average greasy fish and chippery, Tommy Ruff serves fresh catches cooked how you like it, mud crabs, prawns, seafood chowder, fish burgers, oysters, and fish tacos. The atmosphere is casual and has a modern beach shack feel to it. There is a kids’ menu, as well as gluten free and vegetarian. Why not sample one of the beers or wines they have made especially for them. 121 Chapel St, www.tommyruff.com.au

3. The Astor Theatre – For date night Technically located in St. Kilda, this iconic Melbourne landmark will transport you back in time both in its beautiful ambience, and the classic and cult movies it screens. Pre-book your tickets, and head to one of the nearby eateries for dinner before a movie with your special person. Cnr Chapel St & Dandenong Rd, www.astortheatre.net.au 4. Hawker Hall – For a fun meal out with friends Housed in an historic turn-of-the-century horse stable, Hawker Hall is a lively food and beer hall that takes its inspiration from the vibrant hawker centres of Singapore & Malaysia. Potent curries, fresh noodles, crazy stir-fries, soft buns and lots of spice will deliver the richness, variety and fun of eating in a true hawker market. 98 Chapel St, www.hawkerhall.com.au

5. Limber Sports Performance – For the active mama Whether you are an elite athlete, dancer, or an everyday active individual, there are classes that can help you improve your athletic performance and shape your body. Their specialist areas include flexibility, core strength, power, balance and stability. They offer personal training, group sessions, workshops, and nutritional advice. 41 Green St, www.limbersportsperformance.com.au

6. The Windsor Annex – For those who appreciate quality products This unique retail space is inspired by an urban, outdoor, and contemporary Australian lifestyle. It showcases a selection of handpicked products and accessories from around the world. You can expect to find the likes of Melbourne based womenswear label Elka Collective, OHxDAWN hailing from Copenhagen, coveted leather goods from Aussie label Bellroy and a selection of footwear from Clark’s Originals, Red Wing and Springcourt. 83 Chapel Street, www.thewindsorannex.com 20

I THINK IT’S WINE TIME Wine. There are days when some mums need it by the bucket - and style, blend, and how much body a wine has is utterly irrelevant. But, if you’re trying to be more civilised and match your drink to your food (when you have time to eat some…), finding the perfect wine to accompany your meal is not always an easy task. If you’re anything like us, matching cheese and wine is probably the extent of your pairing abilities, and even then sometimes the match is questionable. Luckily we got some helpful hints from Red Norrie, founder of Winebubble, an online destination for interesting and affordable international wines. His sometimes unlikely, but always delicious food and wine matches promise to give your taste buds the flavour sensation they deserve, while you get the drink that you have absolutely earned.

Sparkling Nothing says ‘let’s celebrate’ more than the pop of a bottle of bubbles, so it’s no wonder that bubbly tends to be the most popular go-to drink for any celebratory occasion. Milla took her first steps? Bubbles! The kids are at Nan and Pop’s for the weekend? Bubbles! Mum and Dad made it through the night without a kid ending up in their bed? Bubbles! Even though sparkling wines like Champagne are perfect wines for getting you in the mood to celebrate, they are also (surprisingly) one of the most food friendly wines. The acidity found in a dry Australian or French sparkling wine is the perfect palette cleanser after a mouthful of creamy, rich or fatty food. Plus the bubbles add a layer of texture to a meal, making it the perfect match for crispy, fried and crunchy foods. Do you know what this means? Next time you’re sharing fried chicken with the kids, pop a bottle and make your own dinner just a little bit fancy.

Italian Italian cuisine tends to be a family favourite in households around Australia and with cheese, tomato and carbs as the three main ingredients, what’s not to love? From spaghetti to pizza, the Italians certainly know how to keep the kids happy. Spaghetti bolognese is always a crowd favourite, although some of our little ones are yet to master the skill of spaghetti twirling, which can result in an unexpected makeover of the dining room. To ensure that you’re only seeing one shade of red, (preferably the one splattered across the table), it may be time to have a Sangiovese…the grape you may have previously enjoyed in its guise of Chianti. Made from what is considered Italy’s most popular grape, this wine takes the ‘red with red’ rule very seriously. Pairing perfectly with red meat and dishes that have a tomato base such as pizza and the infamous spaghetti bolognese, this wine is sure to transport you from your spaghetti stained home to the rolling hills of Tuscany or streets of Florence.

Mexican For many busy mums, Taco Tuesdays are almost as predictable as Friday night’s movie choice of Frozen…and we can definitely tell you which one we prefer. Tacos are fast, easy, and for the most part healthy, but mums know that kids aren’t always the biggest fans of including the “healthy stuff”. We also know that after the third explanation that just putting mince and cheese in your taco shell is not a sufficient meal and no, you cannot eat just the wrap by itself, you’re probably ready for a wine. Even though many of us tend to go straight for a beer when having a Mexican fiesta, the right wine can make the food even better. Red explains that because Mexican dishes pack a lot of flavour, your wine has to stand up to the food. Medium body reds like a Barbera or Tempranillo are fabulous for lighter dishes like your tacos. However, if you’re mixing up your

Tuesday night feast by putting some pork on your fork, opt for a Rosé Cava from Spain for a delicious but unexpected match.

Chocolate There’s a long held notion that chocolate and wine should not be consumed together, but we think it would be a crime to separate two of life’s greatest pleasures. Red explains that the trick to pairing wine with chocolate is to make sure that your wine is sweeter than your chocolate – or whatever sweet treat you’ve been hiding from the kids to consume in secret. Wines that have a fruitier flavour such as Merlots and the lesser-known Zinfandel are always a great option, especially when you want to relax and enjoy a mum’s night off. But if you’re not a red wine drinker there’s no need to worry, as there’s a variety of white wines that are the perfect accompaniment for your chocolate cravings. A gorgeous off-dry Riesling or a Chenin Blanc have enough sweetness to complement your chocolate of choice, or opt for a classic sparkling Moscato. A good rule to remember is the darker the chocolate the darker the wine, so save white wines for your favourite milk or white chocolate. By Red Norrie, founder of Winebubble www.winebubble.com.au

The juggle is real How to work from home during school holidays The longest school holidays of the year are just around the corner. Before you know, your kids will be home every day for five or so weeks!

Instead of letting them play with their usual toys, set up activities that will keep their interest and attention for long periods of time.

If you run a small business like me, and are not planning on taking a month-long holiday trip, this period can be challenging to say the least, and you might be feeling a bit anxious about it.

Consider things like: board games, puzzles, Lego, craft and painting, puppet theatre etc.

As a mum to two kids and a small business owner, I understand the struggles of keeping up with the demands of a business while looking after children. I can’t say I have it all figured out, but somehow I manage and I’m sure you can too.

As a business owner, you can’t afford to disappear for over a month and expect your clients, followers and subscribers to be there waiting for you. As the popular saying goes… out of sight, out of mind.

Here are my top 5 tips to help you get through this period.

To keep your marketing healthy, and take some of the pressure of your shoulders, automate as much as possible.

1. Negotiate & manage your time. How are your negotiation skills? You will need them! Negotiate with your kids, and agree that you can do something fun with them for half day, as long as they let you work the other half. Decide which half of the day is best for you to work, or for your kids to play. I’m planning on taking my girls out in the morning to play at the beach, park or zoo, and working in the afternoons when I find too hot to be outside. Make sure you are truly present. No checking emails on your phone while you are at the park with your kids. Make sure you have a to-do list ready, and focus on getting things done. I like to prepare my to-do list the night before when everything is still fresh in my mind, rather than spending half an hour trying to remember what the priorities are.

2. Activities not toys If you find difficult to keep your kids entertained for a long period of time while you work, organise some engaging activities for them.

3. Automate your communications

Newsletters: If you send regular emails to your subscribers, write and schedule them in advance. You can also automate your initial email sequence to welcome and nurture new subscribers. Set it up once, and it’s done. Social Media: You can prepare your social media posts all at once and schedule them. There are several social media schedulers out there if you don’t yet use one. Some popular schedulers include Hootsuite, Buffer, Meet Edgar, and Smarter Queue. E-mail auto-responders: You can prepare standard replies that are triggered when people email you. For example, you can have a standard reply to everyone contacting you informing them how often you read and reply emails. This helps manage the other person’s expectations. You can also use Gmail canned responses (if you use Gmail), which are automated responses to common questions, especially if you send the same type of information over and over. For example, you can refer people to your policies and procedures, or to FAQs etc.

4. Processes and Templates If you have staff or a team working for you, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s essential that you have processes in place. Your staff or virtual team needs to know exactly what to do, how and when. These can be things like answering inquiries, customer service, bookkeeping, website updates, and more. Effective processes will give you peace of mind that everything will run smoothly without you. If you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a team or staff, documented processes and templates will save you a lot of time on tasks that happen repeatedly.

5. Outsource It can be exhausting and counterproductive to run a business on your own. A great alternative to doing it all yourself is outsourcing. Make a list of all tasks you dislike, take up a lot of your time, and are not your area of expertise.

These may include admin tasks, marketing, copy writing, bookkeeping, photography, social media management etc. Perhaps consider outsourcing some of these tasks to a professional. Often it will be cheaper to outsource than doing it yourself. You will also find running your business becomes more enjoyable, less stressful and more profitable. I hope you find the tips above helpful, and find it easier to keep your business going while enjoying some well-deserved quality time with your kids.

Written by Fernanda Alberici, mum to two adorable girls, online marketing strategist, and founder of www.fabmarketing.com.au Fernanda helps creative and lifestyle brands stand out, and grow a profitable business without stress and overwhelm.

we love a mother Once upon a time Croydon girl Kelly Wall discovered her very best friend, who lived far, far away in the red dirt of Broome, was pregnant. Being all the way down in Victoria Kelly wanted to send a package full of TLC for her bestie, but alas every gift she found was old-school and not very fun at all. ‘Just because women have babies doesn’t mean they have to lose their identity and become giant dags!’ she exclaimed. So she searched high and low, far and wide to find all of the very best items from around Australia, then she wrapped them in super fun packaging and shipped them all the way to Broome. Her friend was ecstatic and said ‘You are the best friend ever and you should create these for all the mamas out there.’ So she did. And Hello Mama was born! Firstly can you tell us a little about yourself and your family? There are 4 of us at the moment, soon to be 5. That includes myself, my lovely husband, our 18 month old son Tex and our crazy LabradoodleStanley. I am currently 28 weeks pregnant and expecting our newest arrival mid-Feb!

What were you doing before you started Hello Mama? I was teaching English in a secondary school. Hence my aversion to bad spelling and grammar. Eeek! I also slept, like a lot. And ate out at fancy restaurants and washed my hair.

Well that’s the golden question isn’t it? Tex is 18 months old and has decided that climbing on anything and everything (the more death defying the better) will be his hobby from now on. It’s definitely a struggle on somedays, but I’ve learnt to leave chunks of my day allocated to the business and try to let the rest of the day be about focusing on our family.

You were frustrated you couldn’t find the right gift for your friend, but starting a whole business based around this is a big move. Did you grow gradually or just jump straight in the deep end?

Also the Wiggles are pretty good for getting things done, ‘Fruit Salad? Yummy Yummy....’

Well very typically, I did jump in head first and really go for it. I think you need to go with the momentum when launching a new business.

Yes we love supporting local businesses and are always on the look out for something a little different that would suit the Hello Mama style. Let’s face it, the market is flooded with baby items but I think we are so fortunate to have high quality and unique products created by some incredibly talented Australian businesses.

But I think as time went on, and my son’s needs were more demanding (plus a pregnancy thrown on top), I learnt to take things a little more slowly and step back a little.

26 26

You’re now a mum to little Tex. How old is he and how do you manage running a business, working part time and juggling parenthood?

How do you go about sourcing new products for your gift boxes. Do you try to support local up and coming brands?

What advice would you give mums who are considering starting a business? Be kind to yourself! It won’t all happen overnight and you’ll have days where you can’t possibly keep everyone happy. And that’s fine! It’s all about balance and understanding that running a business as a mum is a whole new league of busy.

There are a lot of online businesses out there today. What do you do to make sure you stand out from the crowd? Hello Mama has had a fairly strong brand identity right from the beginning and I’ve always tried to stay true to that. We are fun and quirky and try not to conform to the traditional baby and mum gifts that are out there.

Have you got any funny stories about being a mum you’d care to share? I’m just going to say “Aqua Poo” and leave it at that.

What can we expect next from Hello Mama? We have some great competitions to keep an eye out for leading up to Christmas. I’ll personally be laying around like a giant human watermelon until this baby arrives... But we have some exciting new products lined up for 2018 which I can’t wait to share.

And finally where can we find all the Hello Mama goodness? Website:www.hellomama.com.au Insta: @hellomama_au

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mama can Cook! Beetroot & Tahini Dip Serves: 4-6

Method:

Ingredients:

Preheat the oven to 200Â°C and line a baking tray with baking paper.

300g beetroot 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil 1 garlic clove, crushed 2 tablespoons tahini 1 tablespoon ground cumin 1 lemon, juiced 3 tablespoons toasted pumpkin seeds Sea salt & pepper, to taste Vegie sticks of choice, cut into matchsticks

Cut beetroots into half and place onto lined baking tray. Drizzle with the oil and season well. Bake beetroots for 30 minutes or until they have softened. Allow to cool. Once cooled, peel beetroots and place them into a food processor with garlic, tahini, cumin and the juice of the lemon. Season well and process until smooth, or your desired consistency. Transfer to a serving bowl and top with the toasted pumpkin seeds. Serve with your favourite vegie sticks. .

These festive Xmas snacks are from The Natural Nutritionist thenaturalnutritionist.com.au

These make great take home table decorations; simply buy small clip-lock jars and fill with a serve of the nuts; tie a Christmas ribbon on each one.

Spiced Nuts Serves: 10

Method:

Ingredients:

Preheat oven to 180°C and line a baking tray with baking paper.

1 cup almonds 1 cup cashews ½ cup pecans ½ cup pistachios ½ cup pumpkin seeds ½ cup chia seeds Spice mix: 50g grass-fed unsalted butter 4 tablespoons organic rice malt syrup 1 tablespoon cinnamon ½ teaspoon nutmeg ½ teaspoon mixed spice 1 teaspoon sea salt

In a large bowl, mix together the almonds, cashews, pecans, pistachios, pumpkin and chia seeds. Heat a saucepan over a low heat and add the ingredients for the spice mix. Cook, stirring regularly, for 2-3 minutes or until the butter has melted and all ingredients have combined. Pour the spice mixture over the nuts and seeds and stir together, ensure the nuts, seeds and spice mix are well combined and coated. Spread the spiced nuts evenly onto the lined baking tray and bake for 20 minutes or until golden. Ensure you keep a close eye on the mixture as it can quickly go from golden to burned! Allow the mixture to cool completely before storing in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to serve. 29

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If you can’t bear thought of fighting the masses at the big malls this Christmas why not head to Camberwell Junction. With over 400 stores you have plenty of choice for gift buying, food shopping or decoration. Plus it’s not just the same shops you see in all the malls, you can find something truly unique, and the only sure way to have a gift on the day is to take it with you. Don’t be caught waiting for online deliveries. The Camberwell Traders also put on a special day to thank their community with free family fun, rides with Santa and treats for the kids on Saturday December 16 between 10am and 2pm. Check online for details. January is also a great time to shop in Camberwell. Your favourite brands have outlets along the strip so you can get to the sales without the crowds. Strolling the streets or sipping cool drinks at the outdoor cafes gives you a chance to enjoy summer and if it’s too hot slip into the stunning art deco opulence of The Rivoli Cinemas and catch-up on the latest release. Get your holiday read or last minute necessities or craft activities for the kids during the school holidays. Camberwell has the big brands and the family run stores with friendly local service, connecting you to your community. In the Camberwell Fresh Food Market generations of stall holders have sold fresh produce to local families and the iconic weekly Sunday market offers trash and treasure to discover. You don’t find that in the malls! Find out more about Camberwell shopping precinct, including shop news, store offers, community events and competitions at Camberwellshopping.com.au

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Making Christmas Christmas is awesome! Our kids love it and are happy, we socialise more, we get time off work…it’s such a fun time of year!! On the other hand, there’s over-eating, too much drinking and oh dear… ‘did I really spend that much’? For a lot of us guilt is part of Christmas too. But it can be super easy to make your Christmas meaningful and feel really good without making massive changes or taking out a second mortgage. Shopping wisely and ethically is one of the easiest ways to do this.

Know what you buy Nothing makes you rethink the world around you like having children - little people watching and learning from you every day. So it’s no wonder that a lot of us are becoming increasingly interested in not just what we buy, but in how it was produced and the impact this has on our planet and the people in it. No one intentionally buys products made with slave labour or from things that cause grief to nature, however because supply chains are notoriously difficult to understand and track, this happens all the time. How else would slavery be flourishing today? There are more slaves in the world now than any other time in history. How we choose to spend our money makes a big difference.

The labels and the language If you want to do the right thing, but you find it confusing and wonder if you can trust an organisation’s claims, you’re not alone. For example, there’s no legal definition of ‘fair trade’ or ‘ethically made’. And newer terms like ‘social enterprise’ are equally nebulous. So how do you cut through and make sure your intentions are achieving the outcomes you seek? Looking for accredited providers is one way and the World Fair Trade Organisation is a reputable brand to watch out for. There are stringent requirements that must be met for an organisation to achieve this membership. But it’s not for all providers – the time and cost of obtaining certification can render it impossible for some groups. Alternately, there are organisations that do the research for you and some curate products from a number of sources. Find a vendor that knows their business well. Some are notfor-profits, where donations and grants are part of their make-up. Others might be social enterprises, which are organisations that tackle social problems, improve communities or help the environment. Social enterprises give at least 50% of profits to their cause. And because social enterprises don’t rely on donations or grants, they’re set up for financial stability to create lasting impact.

meaningful Find new ways to do a little good You might already buy ethical products – recycled paper, organic baby food and fair trade coffee are just some examples. Some products combine a number of benefits too. Take for example the work of Ocean Sole. This Kenyan organisation makes animal sculptures from recycled thongs. They pay locals to collect the thongs from the beaches, reducing dangerous and unsightly pollution, then they employ people under fair trade conditions (we’ll explain that in a minute) to recycle them into amazing sculptures. And they also give back 10% of profits to ocean conservation.

Little by little, a little becomes a lot You really don’t need to change your lifestyle to make a difference. All it takes is a willingness to make a few small changes and believe that the choices you make are important. This Christmas don’t forego the fun or the festivities, just include a few small changes and feel great about doing a little good. By Penny Stephens, Founder, A Little Good. Fair trade and ethically made toys and gifts for babies and small children. www.alittlegood.com.au

Fair trade is a term often associated with coffee or chocolate, but it can equally apply to other products such as toys and teddies. There are 10 key principles of fair trade and they include upholding people’s human rights and respect for the environment. You can read more here: www.alittlegood.com.au/pages/whatisfairtrade

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead

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HOLIDAY petfection How to make sure your pet is happy and cared for when you and the family are away! It’s holiday season! But you’re a pet owner... Even though you love seeing new places and revisiting old favourites, the one thing that is always difficult is leaving your pets behind. Here are some of my favourite tips on how to make sure your furry family members are happy and healthy while you’re gone!! Plan ahead. Before taking off, give yourself time to find the right person or service to care of them. Consider the dates your leaving, if it’s at peak holiday times get organised early to book your pet care. Leave your pets at home. We understand some pets are happier at home in their own environment with their usual smells, and surroundings. A lot of pet owners also have more than one pet and possibly fish, rabbits, birds the list can go on and on. See if you can have a friend house/pet sit or engage a professional service like My Pet Watch to come to visit them each day, walk them, play with them, clean the yard and feed them. This means your pet(s) get to enjoy the comforts of being in their own home. Insurance. A lot of pet owners these days have pet insurance, but what about the people who care for your pets? Using a professional service can alleviate this concern. Leave prepared. Leave your pet’s minder with detailed instructions about how to reach you if there’s a problem and what to do in case you are 80 feet underwater diving or staying in a safari camp and she or he can’t contact you. Your vet’s details, microchip numbers, your pet’s like and dislikes, food intake and meal requirements, favourite toys, beds, blanket and an emergency contact if you’re unreachable. The more information the better. That way you

can be assured that they can proceed until you can be reached. It also makes it a lot easier for you to relax when you’re gone. Collars and name tags. Even at home, have your dog or cat wear a collar that has your phone number on it. You’ll be happy you did this, in case they ever try to run away. Communicate. Take a tip from ET: Phone home. Your pets love to hear your voice! Thanks to technology nowadays, we can also visit “in person,” thanks to Skype and FaceTime. There is now even a PetCam device that you can hire through My Pet Watch and selfmonitor your pets through an app on your smart device. Take your pet with you — in photo form. Kids often miss their pets when away. Slip photos of them in your purse or wallet to pull out when they are needed most. Alternately you may have hundreds of photos of them on your smartphone. Sharing your photos with other animal lovers while you’re on holidays is always a great conversation maker! Don’t make a big deal when you leave and return. Long goodbyes and hellos can make your pets feel nervous and can lead to separation anxiety. To help keep your pet calm, walk out like you’ll be back in a minute, and when you return, greet them like it hasn’t been that long. Pretending like it’s not a big deal will help them think so too. By Natasha Morgan, security and pet care expert and founder of My Home Watch. myhomewatch.com.au

HYDRATION STATION Keeping the family hydrated this Summer

In Australia, it gets so hot in Summer and we are constantly reminded that we need to drink fluids to keep our hydration levels up. But what are some great ways to do this and, how can we do it safely?

Can I over hydrate? What many people don’t realise is that over drinking can be just as dangerous as under drinking, so it’s important to get your fluids levels correct and not ‘overhydrate’. Often we hear of celebrities that drink 3 to 4 litres of water a day and then people go off attempting to do the same thing, which unless you are undertaking a lot of sport or are working out in the heat of Summer, isn’t such a great idea.

How much do I need? How much fluid/water do we need per day is a bit of a tricky question as it depends on the season, your body size, sex and activity level. In general, men sweat more than women as they have more sweat glands. Also keep in mind that the more sport you do, the more fluids you will lose and need to replace. We are often told to have 6-8 glasses of fluid per day, which is a good general guideline, though these glasses are not meant to be large or 500ml water bottles, they are the smaller glasses that most people have in their kitchen. To express it differently, for the average adult the 1-1.5 litre range is a good guideline but not a ‘rule’. Intake needs will also depend on diet; the more fresh fruits, vegetables and soups you consume, the more fluid you are already taking in. Whereas 38

those who are eating more packaged and processed foods are likely not getting as much fluid via their food consumption. One of the best ways to get a handle on fluid intake if you do sports is to know your fluid losses per hour during sport. An easy way to calculate an approximate fluid loss is to weigh yourself before and after a one hour workout or sports session and see how much weight you have lost. If you have lost 500 grams in that one hour, then you on average lose 500ml of fluid per hour during that sport. It is best to weigh yourself on a digital scale for accuracy and without clothes, as they can hold a lot of water weight after you have been sweating in them for an hour. Obviously if you have been drinking fluid during the hour you need to subtract that amount from your end weight as well. Its best to do this calculation both in summer and winter, as we can experience extremes of temperature in Australia.

What should I have? So once you have your head around how much fluid to drink per day, the next question is, ‘what should you be drinking?’ Water is the obvious first choice and soda or cola are poor choices, but what other drinks can you consume to help encourage hydration, particularly for children who crave a more flavoursome way to get their fluids? By Kira Sutherland, Naturopath, Sports Nutritionist, mum to a 10yo girl and H2melon ambassador. h2melon.com

5 Tips to help you stay hydrated this summer: • Miso soup or bone broth are not only great snacks, but also increase your fluid intake. There is a theory that if you drink hot drinks in warm weather it will actually cool you down! • Hot water with lemon slices is a fabulous way to start your day no matter the season. • Plain sparkling water or soda water with lemon or lime slices can be very refreshing in the hea.t • Another favourite is mint leaves in water with ice. Mint is a herb that is cooling in itself and, when combined with cold water, can provide a much-needed reprieve from hot weather.

• Watermelon waters such as H2Melon can be a fantastic way to rehydrate. With far less sugar than your average fruit juice, they also contains many health benefits and antioxidants that are great for strengthening the immune system whilst keeping your fluids up. They also taste great with a few splashes of sparkling water. • Iceblocks or popsicles are also a great way to cool down and hydrate at the same time. It’s easy to make your own by blending watermelon water, coconut milk and yoghurt.

christmas craft Get the kids creative with these fun finger print ideas. These wonderful little finger print art works can be done with any age, from your one year old, toddler, big kids, parents and grandparents. They can be used for decoration, cards, gift tags or on present wrapping. Reindeer Brown paint, goggle eyes, tiny red pom pom, brown marker, glue and your thumb for the head. Snowman White and green paint, black pen, tiny piece of orange felt, glue, and your thumb for the body and pointer finger for the head. Christmas Baubles Gold paint, black pen, ruler and your pointer finger for the balls. Christmas Tree Green, red, yellow and brown paint. Use your pointer finger for the tree, trunk and star and your little finger for the red baubles. Christmas Lights Red, green, yellow, pink, blue and orange paint. A black marker and your pointer finger for the lights.

40 40

WIN

Wort h

1 of 3 Family Passes to

$180 each

Have a great day out at Funfields with 24 awesome rides and attractions, including 3 ProSlide World Record Holders; Kraken Racer, Typhoon and the new Gravity Wave, plus many other wet and dry rides including Aqua Shak, Pirate Ship, Go Karts, Alpine Toboggan Slide, Mini Golf and

See www.mamamag.com.au for terms and conditions. Parent’s email will be added to our monthly MamaMail. You can opt out at any time.

our Kids Zone. Simply colour in for your chance to WIN!

Post your entry by December 31 to: MamaMag, PO Box 8018, North Road LPO, Brighton East 3187.

Child’s name:

Age:

Parent’s name:

Mobile No:

Suburb:

Postcode:

Email: 41 41

CELEBRATING Separately

The Christmas and holiday period should be one of fun and joy, but for many families who are separated or divorced, this period can be a time of sadness, disappointment and disagreement and often caught in the middle of it all is the children. Here are 10 top tips to help families get through the festive season.

1 Set plans in place and stick to them Consistency for kids is important so set arrangements early and stick to them. This way there is less chance for anger and manipulation and the children know what to expect without any unpleasant surprises.

2. Don’t look back Try not to compare this holiday period with the ones before your separation. Change can be a positive thing and there is no point dwelling on the past. This is your new life, it might be different, but there is no reason not to embrace it.

3 Start new traditions If this is your first Christmas as a different family unit, now is a great time to introduce some new traditions that are unique for you and the kids. Handmaking Xmas tree decorations, giving a gift Xmas eve. Positive traditions are healthy for children and will help reset festive traditions in a positive way for everyone.

4. Set financial guidelines for gifts Remember money can’t buy love. So don’t feel pressured into buying presents you can’t afford. Set a budget and don’t try to compete with the other parent. Keep communication open with your ex about gift ideas, how much each is spending and if they are from the parent or the man from the North Pole. This will prevent cross over and avoid one upmanship.

5. Don’t forget the family Don’t forget that a lot of people love your children and are important to them. Unless it upsets the children, try to keep grandparents and extended family included in the holidays.

But make it clear to your family that things might be done differently this year and that they are to be positive about the new arrangements in front of both you and the children.

6. If you are alone, don’t be alone Don’t be afraid to ask for help and make sure you have plans so you don’t spiral into depression as this can impact children when they pick up on your emotions. If you are not with your children, reach out to friends who may be only too happy to include you in their festive plans.

7. Don’t cancel counselling If you are undergoing counselling sessions it is especially important during these stressful times to keep these going for both yourself and the children.

8. Look after yourself Eat well and keep active. Health and fitness is great for mental health Enjoy walks, take a yoga or pilates class, find a new hobby to keep yourself focused on your own wellbeing.

9. Don’t sweat the small stuff and have fun! If you are the primary parent it can be hard to be anything but the bad cop. Take the time to have fun and not sweat the small stuff. Leave the glitter on the floor, forget the dishes and do arts & crafts, let them stay up late to watch family movies together.

10. Share in the joy It is important to let your kids know it’s not their fault you are separated. Try to maintain that during the holidays and share the joy they have experienced with your partner even though you may feel hurt and left out. Try and make your kids feel secure and happy in the plans, even if you feel your ex is being unreasonable. If in doubt, be the bigger person. It will make your kids feel great. Heartlinks offers workshops and individual or family focused counselling to support you through challenging times in your relationships and personal life. Visit heartlinks.com.au for more info and workshop dates. 43

Get your cleaning game on! Today my five year old son Evan was playing Duplo with his toddler brother when he came up to me with a Duplo figure. “Mummy, I’ve made you a trophy!” he said excitedly. I looked down to see a colourful little construction that could well pass as a trophy. But what am I being awarded for?” I asked. “Cleaning,” he said, without missing a beat. I have an obscure hobby called cleaning. Please hear me out. I am well aware that most people have many other things they would rather do than clean. Once upon a time, I did not like cleaning either. But since taking certain steps, I have come to like the process and enjoy the results. Why not try out some of these tips and you’ll soon have a house as sparkling as that wine you’ll get to sip after.

Cleaning positively Changing your mindset about cleaning can make all the difference. Though I started out disliking cleaning and seeing it as a chore, I simply started telling myself that I like cleaning. Fake it till you make it. If you’re going to have to clean anyway, you might as well enjoy it. Rather than seeing yourself as picking up after your family, look at it as wanting to maintain a nice clean home for your own enjoyment.

Establishing and maintaining your cleaning routine Create a personal daily cleaning routine and stick to it. The aim of the daily cleaning routine is to maintain a fresh clean home to anticipate your next activity. How would you cook a meal if you don’t do the dishes from the meal before? The key is in the nightly set up. Most parents would find that the kitchen is the hub of the house, so completing the day with a clean 44

kitchen sets you up the next day on the right footing, right away. If you don’t like cleaning then your mission is about finding ways to clean efficiently for maximum results.

My top five cleaning tips 1) Declutter your surfaces. Having obstacle-free surfaces make for easy cleaning. If you’re wanting to vacuum, start by picking things off the floor or moving furniture as required. This means you can then focus on your task at hand. 2) Using efficient techniques. Do you spray your counter tops and then wipe in a circular motion? That’s bringing the dirt right back full circle. Try spraying your counter tops and then starting at the top left corner and wiping right horizontally till you reach the end of the surface then move down slightly and clean right to left. Continue going left to right and top to bottom until you’ve completed the surface. If you’re wanting to do a full room clean, follow the same concept and clean from top down. Any dust you clean off a higher surface will fall to a lower surface, so it doesn’t make sense to start from mid-level or floor level and then work upwards. If you’re vacuuming, start at the far end of the room and vacuum yourself out of the space. 3) Have the tools of the trade. Set yourself up with a designated cleaning carrier/basket that holds everything you need. You might have a bathroom kit, a kitchen kit, a dusting kit. This also makes it easier to hand a basket to another person with a polite request to do certain areas of the house. Younger kids would enjoy having a kit for dusting if you had

a few colourful microfiber cloths in it and a little spray bottle of cleaning solution with a scent that they have chosen. For “power tools”, two absolute game changers for me were my cordless vacuum and spray mop. 4) Designate a specific amount of time to your cleaning then stop. When you have a visitor that’s coming and your house is a mess, a ten-minute “panic attack style” clean up turns your disaster zone house into a presentable living space. As a mum of two pre-schoolers I often say that I don’t have an hour to clean, but I do have ten minutes. I use these intervals during the day that they’re actually playing nicely together where I go for it at full speed.

If you break down your cleaning into small chunks, it becomes less overwhelming and much more manageable. Having an end time gives you a specific amount of time so it never seems like you’re cleaning endlessly and it means that your goal is not “to clean the house” but “to clean the living room in ten minutes”. 5) Reward yourself. Remember that sparkling wine I mentioned before? Sip that as you enjoy your sparkling house. You’ll thank me! By Janice Zheng, Point Cook mum and self confessed cleaning nut!

Hands up if you need 3 or 4-year old kinder in 2018?

ECMS operates 70 high-quality three and four-year-old kindergarten programs all over Melbourne. Your child will benefit from: •

Quality three and four-year-old kindergarten programs that reflect the Government’s National Early Years Learning Framework.

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Programs that feature fun play-based activities designed to develop your child’s physical, social, intellectual and emotional skills.

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Regular incursions, and excursions in the local community, to expose your child to diverse experiences and environments.

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Talented and qualified educators who love what they do, and who continue to build their knowledge and skills.

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Educators who can connect your family with specialist support if your child has additional needs.

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Engaging outdoor learning environments for your child to explore.

ENROL NOW! Visit www.ecms.org.au or call 8481 1117 to learn more about quality early learning at ECMS.

ECMS is a leading community not-for-profit provider of early learning and care services across Melbourne.

Summer safe Summer is here and we have happily waved goodbye to the winter chill. Our long and warm summer days are often filled with time spent outdoors, BBQ’s, holidays and of course… swimming. As an Olympic swimmer, I have a great love for the water and believe that pools and spas can be a great addition to any household – especially to help cool off on those hot summer days. However, I am also aware of the potential dangers that the water can pose – particularly to young children. Being a father of four, I am a strong advocate for safety in and around water for children of all ages. A crucial point to always remember is that active adult supervision is the key to keeping children safe around water. It is important to remain within arm’s reach of children at all times - 20 seconds is all it takes for a toddler to drown. Drowning is one of the leading causes of death for children under 5 in Australia, with the home being the most common location for drowning incidents to occur. So, as we roll into summer we need to ask ourselves - are our backyard pools and spas ready to be used safely? Simply having a barrier around your pool or spa does not make it a safe space. Like many things around the home such as your car and even your heater, a regular service is necessary to ensure everything is still in working order. Your pool or spa barrier is no different. In fact, a large number of swimming pool drownings incidents are a result of faulty or non-compliant pool fencing. To make sure your pool or spa barrier is still in good working condition – regular maintenance is necessary. Over time, the functionality of your barrier can be affected by the weather and general wear and tear. It only takes 15 minutes to check your barrier thoroughly using Royal Life Saving Society Australia pool fencing app. By Olympian, father of four and Kidsafe ‘Safe Barriers Save Lives’ campaign ambassador, Matt Welsh. For more information visit www.kidsafevic.com.au 47

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