Northside MamaMad Dec/Jan 2018 by MamaMag

NORTHSIDE

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

free Local fun for the Northside mum 1

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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

@localmamamag

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

Contents Toddler taming

Eating out with toddlers in the North

Watts that mum?

Yummy mummy Rachel Watts

Parklife

Barly Gardens, Richmond

Summer essentials

Win

a Zoo Membership and Prize Pack! WORTH

$202

Mama’s summer must-haves for fun

Turn the page

Christmas reads from Story Mama

Water wonders

Water play in the North

Christmas crackers

Christmas fun North-style

The juggle is real

Juggling work and school holidays

I think it’s wine time

Helpful hints to pick your tipple

Summer safe

Pool safety tips from Matt Welsh

The real north dad

ABN: 26 042 138 550. PO Box 8018 Brighton East 3187 Phone: 1300 771 446 Email: info@mamamag.com.au www.mamamag.com.au | www.grizzledesign.com.au

From The Natural Nutritionist

Make Christmas meaningful

Shopping wisely and ethically

Holiday petfection

Making pets happy while your away

Hydration station

Keeping hydrated this summer

Christmas craft

Fingerprint fun

Colour to WIN

WIN Funfields family passes

Celebrating separately Making Christmas and divorce work

MamaMag Dec/Jan 2018

Entries are open to Victorian residents only. Competition starts December 1st 12.01am and closes December 31st 2017 at 11.59pm. Entries and prizes are not transferrable or redeemable for cash. Visit www.mamamag.com.au for full terms and conditions.

MamaMag is published bi-monthly for the mums of Melbourne’s North by Grizzle Design Pty Ltd

Eva Wintersberger - Tree Hut Village

Mama can cook

Enter at woobox.com/u2pgcu or www.facebook.com/localmamamag

Local agent Jayson Watts

We love a mother

Prize includes a 12 month Zoos Victoria Membership, Lion cub plush toy, Giraffe zootensils, Bubble maker and Giraffe backpack!

10,000 copies per issue across Melbourne’s North inc. Moonee Valley, Darebin, Moreland, Yarra and Banyule. 40,000 copies across all four areas: Bayside • Eastside • Northside • Westside. Editor in Chief/Creative Director: Sarah Cavalier: sarah@mamamag.com.au Local Northside advertising: Kate Thomas: kate@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 Chairman Cafe, Heidelberg Heights

Brother Hen, Moonee Ponds With a spacious courtyard, lush veggie patch and friendly hens, what more can be said? This café is bigger than most, yet busy and lively. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner it offers a colourful and quirky range of meals. Caters for private functions. Raw and rustic, yet kid friendly no hassle space to roam.

A quirky café in and outdoor space with mismatched deco. Bold and simple yet friendly and warm staff. Fantastic coffee with healthy gluten free option. This busy cafe offers lots of space, and plenty of menu choices for everyone including delicious. The homemade brownies are to die for! High chairs available

No 19, Ascot Vale Just 12 months old, No 19 is modern, fresh and spacious with room for highchairs and prams. This cafe’s menu is nothing short of masterchef standards! Plus, it’s ever changing. Friendly staff and great coffee makes this place buzzing. Can book weekdays, walk in weekends.

Serotonin Eatery, Exercise + Education, Burnley Located opposite a park they offer a unique experience when you order one of their picnic baskets full of healthy goodness. They even send a picnic blanket to enjoy the sunshine in the park. Named the happiness café they promote happiness and clean living. Small and quaint; very popular with young families.

Miss Marmalade, Brunswick

Tinker, Northcote A new celebrity blogger hot spot at the moment from the team that brought you @pentaelsternwick, @legacycamberwell @mob_ espresso @temperancesociety With a buzzing yet relaxed vibe that offers a range of tasty dishes. Meals are a sight for sore eyes and they have a range of twists on some old classics. Very fresh and healthy. Regular café size with outdoor seating.

Exposed brick and beams makes this double storey café very trendy, with a back area with couches and kid friendly clean books and toys. Two seating areas to choose from giving stacks of room. Highchairs and kid’s menu available with change facilities. A very relaxed atmosphere with reasonable pricing and good quality coffee. Food here is beyond creative and colourful!

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 Barkly Gardens - Mary Street Richmond Barkly Gardens is a beautiful green 19th Century oasis in the heart of residential Richmond. Having received a major facelift just last year, this park is popular and is available for event hire. The adventure playground includes some exciting new play equipment for children of all ages and abilities. For the younger ones, there are two small structures with steps and various climbing apparatuses and slides. From a safety perspective, the ground surfaces are of the soft, impact-absorbing type, and the large sandpit is fully shaded from the sun. All children can enjoy swinging on either the double swings or on the giant birdâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s next swing. For the older thrill-seeking kids there is

an Aeroskate, which is a type of glider where the user riding on the footboard swings their body from side to side along the rail. The giant frame net is the ideal place to practice balance and coordination skills (although not great for nervous parents!), and then experience the excitement of whizzing down the long tube slide. The park provides every amenity you would need for a day out. With ample seating and tables, BBQs, a pavilion if the weather turns bad, drinking fountains, a soccer ground, on-street parking, clean toilets, an ANZAC memorial, a dog off-leash areaâ&#x20AC;Śand an abundance of grassy picnic spots in the lush shaded surrounds.

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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. Melbourne 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 North.

Royal Park Playground, Parkville In 2016 it was awarded the best playground in the nation by the Australian Institute for Landscape Architects - and it’s easy to see why. It was designed to help inner city children find an element of unpredictable play, in a challenging and nature based play space. The gardens and structures are all beautiful and perfectly placed, and of course the water play is not an exception to this. It has hand pumps, water spurts, sprays and small channels to guide the water down to the sandpit below.

Ron Barassi Snr Playground, Docklands The very centrally located Ron Barassi Snr Playground in the Docklands is set almost directly underneath the Bolte Bridge, with a view to the Melbourne Star. The area has a large green football oval (an obvious nod to the great man), and the playground is marked by a huge timber tower with two slides snaking out. The water play here is great, the children toggle the water to make it flow through the shallow channels allowing feet to splash and boat races to run.

Community Bank Adventure Playground, Wallan The Community Bank Adventure Playground in Wallan is an exceptional, all-abilities playground that was opened in December 2016. It was actually funded in partnership 16

with the local council, State Government and Wallan & Kilmore Community Bank® Branches of Bendigo Bank - what a great This busy cafe offers lots of space, and plenty of menu choices for everyone including delicious! It has a fun and feature packed splash playground with splash pad of water jets, water tables with pumps, troughs and channels and even a dump bucket.

Bundoora Park Playspace If its not a full soaking you are after then the Bundoora Park Playspace might be your choice for the day - a simple hand pump activated by the children will allow the water to flow and the kids to do as they please. Its only a small amount of water play but since this is all just a short stroll to the nearby farm and cafe, Bundoora Park is certainly worth a mention.

Take a road trip The Seville 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 - a huge natural rock with small channels carved into it. Children can watch as the water splits and falls to the white sand play area at the base of the rock. By Jane Murphy. Jane is a mother of two energetic young boys who has managed to tie her love for exploring amazing playgrounds

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CHRISTMAS CRACKERS Mama’s picks for Christmas in the North Banyule Carols by Candlelight

Carols in Queens Park Sunday, 10 Dec, Queens Park, Moonee Ponds. Free children’s activities from 4.30pm, Carols Concert at 6.30pm. Celebrate the festive season with a free evening of carols and entertainment at this year’s Carols in Queens Park. Gather you family and friends, pack a picnic and get ready to sing along to your favourite songs. Songbooks, food and refreshments will be available onsite for purchase.

Carols in All Nations Saturday, 9 Dec, 6-9pm. All Nations Park, Separation Street, Northcote. It’s time to celebrate! Bring your best singing voice and celebrate Christmas with your community. Featuring: ARC Christmas Choir, High Street Bells, Koorie Tiddas Youth Choir and Gospel Sundays. Plus food and creative children’s activities, but no sign of Santa this year as he is very busy.

Moreland Carols by the Lake The Carols by the Lake 2017 will be held on Saturday 9th December , 6-10pm at Coburg Lake Reserve, Murray Road, Coburg. Bring a blanket and a picnic, and grab your friends and family to enjoy this festive season extravaganza. Pre-show entertainment from 6pm will feature pop-up performances by the Moreland City Vintage Marching Band, Brass House and the Mad Hatters. Get the whole family into the Christmas spirit and sing along to your favourite Christmas carols from 6.30pm with live on-stage entertainment.

Sat 16th Dec, 6.30-9.30pm, Ivanhoe Park, The Boulevard, Ivanhoe East. Get into the spirit of Christmas and enjoy Banyule’s very own Carols by Candlelight at Ivanhoe Park. Be entertained by The Australian Children’s Choir, Rhonda Burchmore, The Kazoos, school choirs, roving performers and a 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

Santa’s letter box and Spirit of Giving box On now – Fri 15 Dec. Australia Post is encouraging young Australians to write to Santa this Christmas. You’ll find the Santa’s letter box and the Spirit of Giving box just outside the Australia Post GPO, as well as a second letter box outside The District in Docklands. Send your letters, drawings and wish lists nice and early to Santa, North Pole, 9999. Letters received with a stamp on the envelope, and with names and return addresses clearly marked on the back, will receive a reply postcard from Santa.

Hello Music Carols by Daylight Sunday, 10th Dec 3pm-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.

Festive Projections Now – Sun 25 Dec, daily from 9-10.20pm, 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.

Christmas Kingdom Corner of Ascot Vale Road and Duncan Street Flemington. Christmas Kingdom is your one stop Christmas Shop in the North. A must for the best Christmas decorations. www.christmaskingdom.com.au

Gingerbread Village by Epicure 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

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.

Chris Humfrey’s

ZOO kEEPER experience AS seen on

Great School Holiday Fun! Program runs from 9am to 4pm (selected dates). Suitable for kids aged 5-17 years.

Spend a day with zoologist Chris Humfrey, from Animal Planet’s new series “Chris Humfrey's Animal Instinct”, at his very own private zoo in Mount Macedon, just 50min from Melbourne’s CBD. Get up close and personal with over 2000 animals with this hands-on experience which is offered nowhere else. Chris has personally designed this exclusive program, with strictly limited numbers of children, to ensure your child gets the best WILD experience possible!

Bookings and Enquiries ww.wildaction.com.au Phone 0419 385 245

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

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 24

9.8 out of 10 from over 1,000 reviews. “compassionate, sensitive and caring” Juliana – Northcote Choosing a real estate agent is hard, but in the past year, and from over 1,000 Trustpilot reviews, Nelson Alexander has achieved a review score of 9.8 out of 10. With a network of 17 offices working collaboratively as one, we reach further and search harder to achieve more for our clients. Nelson Alexander agents are trusted to sell more homes than any other real estate agent operating in Melbourne’s north. Whether you’re buying, selling or leasing, choose Nelson Alexander.

nelsonalexander.com.au 25

estate

the real north dad The real estate market has been HOT lately, so we decide to chat to local expert and dad, Jayson Watts, all about it. Jayson is proud to call himself a Northsider and even prouder to be a partner in the very same real estate office where he first launched his career in 2002 at Nelson Alexander. From humble beginnings as a personal assistant, Jayson has become an accomplished agent and auctioneer, and in recent years a dad to 18 month old Harvey. What drove you to become a real estate agent? And can you describe a day in the life of a real estate agent?

The market in the north has gone through the roof lately. What can you foresee for the future?

Growing up I always wanted to be a pilot and even got my student pilot licence before I got my learners permit to pursue this dream. I never thought of becoming a real estate agent until my mum said to me one morning when I had just finished school “have you thought of getting into real estate”? And after just failing physics in year 12 I thought it was a good idea!!

I think the housing market is going to level off and we may have a steady increase in values over the next couple of years but I don’t foresee the incredible growth to continue as we have seen over the past 18-24 months.

It’s a very demanding and often high pressure role, so I typically get up at 5.30am, do some stretching and meditating which is very important for me mentally and then I venture off to the gym. I get back home at 7am, just as my family are getting out of bed and get to spend time with my beautiful wife and my son. At 8.30am I get to the office to meet with my team to set up the day and cover our campaigns and make sure all of our clients are aware of how their property is performing. Selling a home can be an emotional experience so we always aim to ensure our clients receive as much information throughout the campaign so they are aware how their property is performing and don’t feel anxious. So most of my day is spent on the phone and meeting with past and existing clients, showing buyers through properties, conducting valuations, having pre auction meetings with my vendors and often finishing the day off with open for inspections. On a Monday and Friday I try and get home a little earlier to spend time with Rachel and Harvey as Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday I can finish work anywhere between 8-9.30pm. 26 26

Stock levels have been low for a long time which is also creating strong competition on the houses which are on the market and many people are concerned with the cost of upgrading and are deciding to stay and renovate their existing home rather than sell. Overall Melbourne’s North is still relatively affordable when you consider the proximity to the CBD, endless transport options, easy access to all freeway links, vibrant café culture, elite primary and secondary school options, local sporting clubs and very close knit communities which makes people want to live in this exceptional part of Melbourne. Getting a house ready to sell can be time consuming and stressful, any tips for busy mamas? Our job as your agent should be to assist in eliminating the stress from the transaction and make selling your house an enjoyable experience as possible. We have a number of tradesmen and property stylists we work very closely with who can assist in getting your property prepared for sale and ultimately this eliminates the stress of sourcing tradies, negotiating prices and getting the little odd jobs throughout the house fixed which is often very time consuming.

Stylists have become increasingly popular with for sale homes. Would you recommend a stylist? How do they benefit a sale over no styling? Presenting a house so a buyer can imagine themselves living in the property and not have the worry of spending any money when they move in will give you and your family the best opportunity to achieve an emotional sale price come auction day. In saying that not every vendor needs to meet or employ a stylist however we can arrange and offer a free consultation with a stylist to give you some fresh ideas on how you can best present the property for sale. Sellers often dread open for inspections, especially with children to juggle. What are your suggestions to make this manageable? Having a plan and open dialogue with your agent about what dates work best for your family for the opens to occur is important. If there are any days or times which simply don’t work as it’s when the kids are sleeping etc let your agents know so they can arrange inspections outside of these times and ensure it’s a stress free process for you and the family. What do you and your family like to do in your spare time? I love spending time with Rachel and Harvey, so we try to do as many family activities as possible in our spare time. Thankfully we are very close with our family and have a great group of friends who also have kids, so we are often visiting family for Harvey to play with his cousins or catching up with our friends for BBQ’s for play dates with the kids.

What’s your family’s favourite local hangout/ cafe to visit? The Walter Street Park and Wetlands across the road from our house is now our ‘local’. The Waterloo in Moonee Ponds on a Friday night is also a great family friendly place where they have a clown and a jumping castle for the kids. It’s awesome for the kids to be entertained and have fun whilst we can catch up with friends. If you could buy a new family home anywhere in Melbourne if you had an unlimited budget where would it be? Personally I love the Kensington / Flemington area, the character filled period homes, the unbelievable close knit community , the shopping villages, parklands, Maribyrnong River and walking tracks and its location on the door step of the CBD - I have worked in the area for over 16 years and I honestly love it. What advice would you give to those families looking to sell in the near future or buy in the Northside? Call me or anyone from my team at Nelson Alexander for a straight forward, honest, seamless & importantly human experience…. Got a house to sell? You can find Jayson in the Flemington office of Nelson Alexander or call him on 0415 940 2270.

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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 Meet Eva Wintersberger, the clever Northside mother behind Tree Hut Village, Australia’s first parent to parent baby equipment hire platform. Tree Hut Village connects travelling parents seeking to hire baby gear with local parents who have listed their unused baby gear for hire. It also provides an income source for mothers with unused baby goods they are not ready to sell or donate. Firstly can you tell us a little about yourself and your family?

Tell us about how Tree Hut Village works.

I’m originally from Austria and have lived in New Zealand and then Australia for the past 12 years. My husband is a kiwi and our little guy is Australian – so a bit of a mix! I love Australia for its entrepreneurial spirit and way of life – people work hard but generally have a healthier way of looking at what’s really important in life.

Tree Hut Village allows lenders to list their baby equipment for free and make a bit of extra money. Stuff that was hiding away in storage, waiting for the next baby to arrive, can now pay for itself within a few hires and that money can be put towards the next purchase or family trip.

What were you doing before you had children? I was working in the “Advisory team” at a large engingeering company – I travelled a lot and I knew I had to give that up when I started a family. I was a bit lost for a little while because I was scared of the change.

Where did the idea for Tree Hut Village come from? What was your inspiration? We first thought that it should be easier to borrow baby equipment when my family came to visit from Europe. We didn’t have children then and didn’t really think too hard about it – until we had our son and we went on holiday. We wanted to avoid the hassle of travelling with lots of baby gear such as prams and travel cots. After searching online, we ended up hiring from a local family and we thought this should be so much easier.

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Prior to Tree Hut Village, parents would lug their bulky baby equipment around on their travels or alternatively go through a lengthy hire process with brick and mortar hire businesses of 10 or more steps to get your booking confirmed. Our platform provides a simple 3 step, all online, process.

How do you manage running a business with juggling parenthood? I try to limit time spent working when I’m around my son. I try to be present with him and I work when he is sleeping. It means there’s not a lot of me time but Tree Hut Village brings me a lot of satisfaction – I love working on and in the business. Overall, I’m not fantastic at striking the balance and often feel like one area of my life is missing out on the attention it deserves.

What do you find most challenging about being a mum? The lack of sleep is truly the one thing that I have struggled with the most – and the guilt!

Do you have any funny travellingwith-kids stories to share with us? We spent some time in Germany and my son loved eating “Bretzels” – he ended up “blessing” everything with his half eaten Bretzel – friends, waitresses, food you name it. People thought it was too cute.

What other advice would you give mums who are considering starting a business? If you believe in your dream then go for it. Not everyone will see your vision so you will have to believe in yourself and draw strength from within you. The support will come.

Earlier this year you were awarded the Digital Innovation award at the annual AusMumpreneur awards. What did winning this award mean to you? That was a very special moment for me. I felt like I was part of the group of people who are “real” entrepreneurs. It made me feel like I can grow Tree Hut Village into something that all families can benefit across Australia and that we can become a household name. I’m so inspired by the amazing people I’ve met at the awards and it’s just made me dream even bigger. I’m now planning on taking the business overseas within the next two years and to offer more services (for example, soon you’ll be able to sell the item on Tree Hut Village as well and not just hire it out to other parents). You can find Eva at www.treehutvillage.com.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. 33

SING - DANCE - PLAY - CONNECT Award winning, pressure free, joyful FAMILY MUSIC CLASSES for 0-5 year olds and the grownups who love them

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A series of fun Circus performances and interactive workshops Saturday 20 January, 2018

Little Tops

Saturday 3 February, 2018 Saturday 10 February, 2018 Tickets and more information. clocktowercentre.com.au 9243 9191 750 Mt Alexander Road, Moonee Ponds

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Performing arts classes specially designed for 4-7 year olds. Singing, Dancing & Acting all in one weekly session, at one location. Great for busy parents & kids!

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“To say we were thrilled, delighted and convinced this was a great thing for our child to do would all be understatements!” Parent

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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Supervised visitation offered over the Christmas school holiday period

Bayside Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Contact Service provides a safe, neutral and child-friendly environment for children to spend supervised time with their other parent, extended family or significant other. The Bayside CCS is a social enterprise operated by Family Life. To find out more please call (03) 8599 5433 or visit familylife.com.au *except Christmas, Boxing or New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day.

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 42

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.

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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. 47

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