Westside MamaMag Feb/Mar 2019 by MamaMag

WESTSIDE

mamaMAG Feb/Mar 2019

WIN famIly tIckets to legolandÂŽ dIscovery centre Adventurous mums Market mama The drop off Safe swimming Separation success

free Local fun for the Westside mum 1

A kindergarten adventure like no other! At Niño Early Learning Adventures, our 3 and 4 year old kindergarten programs focus on teaching specific skills that empower children to strengthen their relationships, build positive emotions, enhance resilience, promote mindfulness and encourage a healthy lifestyle. Inspired by Geelong Grammar’s Model of Positive Education and led by Bachelor Qualified Teachers and Diploma Qualified Educators, our Kinder Curriculum places each child’s passions, interests and wellbeing at the core of what we do.

Enquire about our Kinder Information Nights Niño ELA Melton OPENING FEBRUARY 2019 1-7 Reserve Road 9421 6755

Niño ELA Newport OPENING MARCH 2019 519 Melbourne Road 9421 6755

Niño ELA Saratoga Estate, Point Cook OPENING FEBRUARY 2019 30 Tackle Drive 9111 8150

Niño ELA Point Cook 60-62 Florey Avenue 8878 2800

nninoela.com.au

schools back! Did you make it? Did you survive? Summer school holidays can be such a battle for many working mamas. Whilst some of you are not at that stage of term-based education yet, others know the juggle is all too real, sending kids off to grand parents, friends, holiday programs and the like. I think we all deserve a holiday after the school holidays! Thankfully for me the benefits of a good divorce mean I get the first two week of January off every year. Whilst the kids holiday with their Dad I get back to work producing the first mag for the year and working whatever hours I fancy! As I write this, I haven’t seen my kids in 16 days. I’ll pick them up tomorrow morning once I get this baby to the printers and I simply can’t wait for their giant Mummy cuddles. I’ve got a good feeling about this year. I’m not sure what it is but it gives me a sense of excitement. I know it’s going to be a great year at MamaMag. I’ve got a really awesome little team in place now who not only help inspire me, but also make creating this little mag so much more fun. Girls to have a chat to in the office, a sneaky lunch here and there, experts in all the local areas I’m ‘not expert’ in, after all Mama can’t live everywhere! I’ve included a little pic of us enjoying our end of year lunch celebration! Can’t wait for the next catch up! So what else is 2019 bringing you? Perhaps you have a preppie hitting school for the first time. I remember that like it was yesterday. But now my ‘baby’ is going into grade 3. How time flies. Not ready for school? If you’re popping your littlies into childcare for the first time, we’ve got some great articles to help you with that transition. Just remember, they will have a ball. There will probably be more tears from you, not them!! What about a holiday in 2019? Our upcoming April/May issue is themed ‘Home & Holidays’, so we will be sure to bring you some fun ideas. I still haven’t told you about all the mumcation fun I had in Bali last year! Got any other places you’d like to learn about? Let me know by email and I’ll do some digging! Until then, xxxx.

@localmamamag

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

WIN

Contents Adventurous mums

Theme park sisters

Parklife 8 Footscray Playspace

This little mama went to market 10 Local farmers’ market wrap-up

Bonjour! 14 French foundations

The power of play

One of four Family Passes to LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre! Worth

$130

Key skills from pre-school play

Safe swimming

each

Tips to keep your kids safe

Turn the page

Mama’s top book picks

The Drop Off

Meet the couple behind the show

Mama can cook

Tasty treats from Mel Katz

Relax and unwind

Mama me-time

If the show fits

Pick the perfect school shoe

The mummy matters

Laughs with Libby Gorr

Rescue my resume

How to make it great

99 au pairs

A mum’s story of au pairs

Back to school organising

40 42

Childcare anxiety

Colour to WIN

WIN 1 of 4 Globber scooters

Leap into childcare Helping your child adjust

MamaMag Feb/Mar 2019

Entries are open to Victorian residents only. Competition starts Feb 1st 12.01am and closes Feb 28th 2019 at 11.59pm. Prizes are not transferrable or redeemable for cash. Visit www.mamamag.com.au/competitions for full terms and conditions.

For more info visit legolanddiscoverycentre.com.au MamaMag® is published bi-monthly for the mums of Melbourne’s West by Grizzle Design Pty Ltd 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

12,500 copies per issue distributed bi-monthly across Melbourne’s West with 50,000 copies in total across all four MamaMag areas: Bayside • Eastside • Northside • Westside. Editor in Chief: Sarah Cavalier sarah@mamamag.com.au Westside Editor: Rebecca Gelsi

Projects to get you started

Separation success

Enter at https://woobox.com/wca3vc or www.facebook.com/localmamamag

Westside Advertising Manager: Olivia Wilson: olivia@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.

adventurous mums Mama has always loved uncovering fabulous mums running businesses and supporting their families, so you can only imagine my excitement when I discovered Victoria’s biggest water theme park is run by not one, but three fantastic mums, who are also sisters! Sisters Leanne, Carla and Bree are a true example of a modern family run business. Started by their father, now with five children of their own between them, the girls skillfully juggle motherhood and running a company and have created their own child friendly workplace culture. We chat to Leanne about life running a theme park.

Can you quickly tell us a little bit about each of your own families? Who are you kids and how old are they? I have a daughter aged 17 months, Bree has three boys aged 6, 4 and 2.5 and Carla has a little girl who is almost two.

Adventure Park started around 22 years ago with your parents. Can you tell us how it all began? Our parents always had a love for tourism and the park started off with a small lake with boats and some archery. It all slowly expanded from there.

Did you all grow up knowing you would one day be involved in the park, or did any of you have other career aspirations? We originally all did different degrees at university and I then went into the banking sector. We all pursued different fields to begin with, but we loved tourism, like Mum and Dad, and eventually came back to the park. We love 6

having a job in Geelong, close to family and the Surf Coast. In the end it came back to our passion to see the park grow and our love of being close to family.

What is the most exciting thing about running a theme park (besides making thousands of families smile every day)? The thing that I love most is that it is such a fun, positive, joyful place to work, where everyone is happy all the time. Who doesn’t want to work in a place like that?

What unique aspects have you added into the park to ensure it is the best family-friendly theme park in Victoria? A really important thing for families visiting the park is ensuring there is plenty of shade for them. We have installed lots of free undercover seating and shaded areas and if you really want to splash out and stay out of the sun you can hire one of our special poolside cabanas! We also have drinking taps around the park where you can refill your water bottles which I think is really important for a full family day out. Hydration is so important, especially in the Summer heat. We’ve got a number of different food and beverage options to suit everyone as well as the popular Ice Cream Parlour and Candy Land for a treat. But we also welcome guests to bring their own food and drink into the park (just no glass or alcohol), which many other theme parks don’t, and we also have BBQ facilities onsite for families to use. We’ve also made sure that there are a big range of rides that are suitable to kids of all ages, so nobody misses out. Rides are based on height, not age, and over half of the rides at Adventure Park require no contact with water so they are a perfect way to spend the day when the weather is a bit colder. But you are also more than welcome to bring a wetsuit for the water rides

in order to stay warm when it’s not so warm out.

With younger children not yet at school, how do you each juggle working and child care arrangements? Bree’s oldest two are at school and kinder, but the rest of the crew are little and are looked after by a nanny. We have a full-time nanny that the three of us share which works out brilliantly. Photo credit: Rebecca Adam & Bellarine Times.

What are your children’s favourite things about the park? They can’t get enough of Bonito’s Bay and Tiny Tot’s Splashzone, as being little still these waterplay areas are simply perfect for them on a hot day.

What do you love doing with your kids when you are not working? Hitting one of the amazing beaches around the coast of course!

And finally, what is the best and worst thing about working with your sisters? It’s actually brilliant working with my sisters. We are all very different but have the same vision and passion for what we do. Meetings are very honest and to the point that you can just cut through the red tape and get things done quicker. Adventure Park is at 1249 Bellarine Highway in Wallington, just outside of Geelong. Find out more at adventurepark.com.au.

Parklife Footscray Playspace The new all abilities playground in Footscray Park kept the kids playing for hours and the setting is lovely. There’s plenty of space to relax on the grassed areas and the gorgeous gardens adjacent feature established trees, flowerbeds, and even a duck pond. The playground is also surrounded by space for ball games, and a bike/ walking path along the Maribyrnong River. Some of the fun includes a four-way seesaw, gorgeous wooden bee springer, various sized slides, stepping logs, musical elements, a flush to ground roundabout, and dual flying fox (one side is a poma and one side has a bucket seat). There’s three regular swings, one with a harness, plus a bird’s nest swing. Stand out features are the magnificent metal wading bird with fireman’s pole, platform and climbing opportunities, and a wonderful tree house structure with many options for getting up and down.

Kids enjoy lots of climbing and balancing features including a wobbly bridge, tree trunks with hand/foot holds, cargo net, and rope ladders. Water play includes a creek bed with sand and water pump, and a more open area with water sprays. The all abilities features include wide paths, an accessible sand play table, swing with harness, in ground roundabout and a basket swing. Amenities include a drinking fountain, toilets, picnic tables with shade, BBQs in adjacent parkland, almost fully fenced, some shade over the playground and more in the surrounding parkland.

Maribyrong Boulevard, Footscray

Find the

ht fit rig for your f a m il y Book a tour 1800 222 543 goodstart

Going on a centre tour? Here are some considerations to observe or ask about when you’re on your centre tour: • Does the centre have a happy and energetic vibe? • Are the staff passionate, qualified and experienced? • Does the centre have a plan to ensure families receive regular communication about their child’s development? • Does the educational program cater to the needs of children at different stages of development?

• What are the steps or processes taken to ensure children’s safety and wellbeing? • How is the environment designed to stimulate learning? • How does the centre work with families to understand needs, routines or cultural practices? • Do staff receive regular training and professional development opportunities?

THIS lIttle MAMA New Years resolution to feed your family better food? Why not hit your local farmers’ market and buy fresh locally grown produce and value added products direct from the farm. It doesn’t get fresher or better than that.

Altona Beach Market The Altona Village Traders Association holds a local market every Tuesday featuring fresh local produce and local crafts and art. The market is extremely popular with both locals and other people from all over Melbourne. It is an opportunity for local traders to show off their wares, and for you to pick up some bargains! There is also entertainment if shopping is not your thing - so come along and experience a true traditional market! Every Tuesday 9am-3pm. Pier Street and Logan Reserve, Altona

Footscray Market Footscray Market is a large indoor market with a wide range of fresh produce and general goods. The market is always buzzing with activity, and you’ll be able to find produce and products ranging from fresh fruit and vegetable to meats, poultry, fish and seafood to exotic wares like lotus flowers, pigs’ ears, and cassava root and other Asian produce. Tue and Wed 7am-4pm, Thur 7am-6pm, Fri 7am-8pm, Sat 7am-4pm. Corner of Hopkins Street and Leeds Street, Footscray.

Eynesbury Market Visit Eynesbury Market for a great Sunday out and explore a terrific variety of fresh produce, craft and artisan stalls. You can grab some breakfast or lunch from some great food trucks and enjoy the fantastic atmosphere with live music and amazing food. Genuine farmers, producers and makers meet and sell directly to the public fresh, local and organic foods. The produce sold is locally grown, fresh, and is usually cheaper than the supermarket 4th Sunday of the month, 9am-2pm. 487 Eynesbury Road, Eynesbury.

The Slow Food Melbourne Farmers’ Market, Spotswood Slow Food Melbourne works with local producers, growers, makers and other food organisations to champion resilient food systems through their projects. Their awardwinning market is one of Melbourne’s premier heritage markets, providing a curated space for Victorian small-scale farmers and artisanal food producers to sell their good, clean and fair local produce direct to the public. This is a new location for 2019, having previously been at Abbotsford Convent. 4th Saturday of the month, 8am-1pm. Spotswood-Kingsville RSL, 16 Mary St, Spotswood.

WENT TO MARKET Riddells Creek Farmers’ Market

Flemington Farmers’ Market

This used to be Mama’s local and the kids still adore it. Locally grown produce, as fresh as can be.....Look out for beef, lamb, pork, seasonal fruit and vegetables, honey, olives and olive oil, eggs, walnuts, bread, pastries, homemade fresh pasta and sauces, wine, jams and preserves, alpaca fleeces and garments, eucalyptus products, dips, raw chocolate, cupcakes, live poultry to name but a few! Sample a gourmet snag on the community BBQ, enjoy live local music with a coffee and cake while kids get a free face paint!

A great weekly market to get your seasonal produce direct from farmers, this was Melbourne’s first weekly farmers market and offers a valuable resource if you miss your local monthly market but still want to catch up with your favourite producer or provider.

3rd Saturday of the month, 9am-1pm. Riddells Creek Primary School Main Road Riddells Creek.

Geelong Waterfront Makers and Growers Market Right in the centre of town on the beautiful water front, this picturesque market has been run by the Rotary Club of Geelong Central for the past 23 years and has raised much needed funds for the local communities. The market offers local produce, tasty gourmet treats, beautiful art and hand crafts from regional makers and growers in a stunning setting. There is also local live music and tasty hot food on offer. 1st Sunday of the month. 10am-2pm (Autumn/Winter) and 10am-3pm (Spring/ Summer). Steampacket Gardens, Eastern Beach Road, Geelong.

Weekly on Sundays from 9am-1pm. 169-175 Mount Alexander Road, Flemington.

Williamstown Farmers’ Market The Williamstown Farmer’s Market, part of the Regional Farmers Markets (RFM) group, is one of the most popular farmer’s markets in Melbourne. With a large team of growers and producers, the farmer’s market provides fresh local, seasonal food and produce. The market can also include plants and flowers, local art and culinary delicacies. 2nd Sunday of the month, 9am-2pm. Robertson Reserve, Williamstown. 4th Sunday of the month, 9am-2pm. John Morley Reserve, Williamstown.

Yarraville Village Farmers’ Market A great community gathering with fresh produce and great value from local farmers and producers as well as craft and a wellness room. There is always face painting for the kids and a jumping castle, weather permitting, and if you’re lucky you’ll catch local Alex entertaining on the classical guitar. Two minutes from the train and there’s even a playground. 3rd Sunday of the month, 8.30-1.30pm. Beaton Reserve, Fehon Street (off Anderson Street), Yarraville.

Queen Victoria Market A Melbourne icon and tourist attraction, this is still a fantastic place to shop. Wander through the bustling meat, fish and dairy halls, where you can pick up artisan cheeses, dressed meats and takeaway food, or discover the seemingly endless array of seasonal fruit and vegetables showcasing the best of Australian produce. Tue 6am-2pm, Thur 6am-2pm, Fri 6am-5pm Sat 6am-3pm, Sun 9am-4pm. Corner Elizabeth Street and Victoria Street Melbourne

Woodend Community Farmers’ Market If you fancy a bit of a road trip, this is the newest addition to the Macedon Ranges Farmers’ Market circuit. Woodend’s lovely market features great live entertainment from the delightful Sarah, free face painting for the kids by local artist Fiona Fraser, a community BBQ serving locally produced meats, plus organic vegetarian fare from Organic Sunrise and coffee and chai from Lotus Chai. Expect fresh vegetables and fruit, olive oils, beef, pork, free-range eggs, organic sourdough breads and other treats, honey, herbs, seedlings, livestock feeds, preserves and much more! Dogs welcome on a leash and of course please bring your bags, baskets and trolleys. 1st Saturday of the month, 9am-1pm. Corner High St and Forest St, Woodend.

Gisborne Olde Time Market Food, arts and craft, the Gisborne Market has over 250 stalls offering a large range of products. Food and wine, fresh produce, quality hand made items, arts and crafts, clothing, accessories, jewellery, books, plants and fresh flowers. Funds raised from the markets have been and will continue to be used for the beautification of Gisborne’s parklands, the provision of local facilities and in on-going support of other voluntary groups. Gisborne is also a historic town in the Macedon Ranges, 54 km north-west of Melbourne. First Sunday of the month 9am-2pm. Aitken and Hamilton Streets and on Howey Reserve Gisborne.

Early Learning Kinder Our centres offer:

Regular excursions and incursions

Indoor & outdoor play Long opening hours

Flexible session lengths

Book a tour of your local centre today

childrensprograms.ymca.org.au

(03) 8371 0500

Bonjour! French foundations Did you know that children have a natural gift for languages? They have an ear for languages, an unrivalled skill for imitation and they love to communicate. They have all the necessary skills to pick-up a foreign language like French, especially if they learn from the activities and games offered in an educational context.

Early learning

Besides the linguistic knowledge acquired when learning French, studies prove that learning two languages during childhood also strengthens the brain, especially the parts dedicated to LANGUAGE, MEMORY and ATTENTION.

The earlier that children start to learn the better. At three years of age, children have the intellectual capacity to imitate, to learn, to blend into another language and culture. In kindergarten, they learn foreign languages by singing, playing, making objects; effortlessly, in a playful manner. This is a unique window of opportunity for children to accumulate knowledge. They repeat the sounds they do not know in their own language. They do not have an accent. They do it because they enjoy it. The joy with which children explore their first language makes childhood the ideal time to learn a second language.

A child who learns two languages may:

A window into French culture

It goes without saying that an English-speaking child immersed early in the French language, for example once a week in an educational context, will not automatically become bilingual. Language learning requires time and patience. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s highly beneficial to seek native-speaking teachers capable of fulfilling this task. To pass on the desire to learn, to give your child greater confidence speaking French and a wider knowledge of French culture.

Enrolling children in French classes gives them a love for a new language and allows them to discover French culture: breakfast, typical French dishes, traditions, celebrations etc. French classes also give children the opportunity to reflect on their own culture, their own family. They acquire a different vision of languages. The main objective of classes is to engender cultural understanding, as students discover different countries, customs and ways of life. This is an integral part of the learning process â&#x20AC;&#x201C; it makes the language interesting and dynamic and also inspires children to learn additional foreign languages. 14

Learning two languages trains your brain and makes it stronger

- have better language and listening skills - be better at reading and writing - be more creative - be better at multitasking - have a better memory - solve problems faster - have more friends - have a better job later on

Why learn French?

By Fanny Raflegeau, Director and teacher at French Space, Yarraville. www.frenchspace.com.au Translated by Laure-Anne Latinier

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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

The Power of Play What are the key skills that preschoolers are taking home from child-led play? Preschool is an exciting fun time for young children and their parents! It’s that age where children are eager to learn about the world around them and take in new skills. Here are the key skills children are taking home from the play experiences of; modelling clay, water play, cooking and painting crafts.

Modelling Clay • Children learn about shapes: Shapes can be learned from different cookie cutter shapes. • Imagination: Children are eager to imagine the different creatures they build with modelling clay such as a flying dog or a purple snake. This encourages children to formulate their own ideas and descriptions. • Motor skill development: As children knead the modelling clay and use the rolling pins, and cookie cutters to press down shapes, they are strengthening their hands which contributes to developing their muscles to later prepare them for writing.

Water Play • Measuring: Children are learning what is a full cup, half full cup, a spoon full, a bucket full etc. • Problem solving: Children are learning to react to scenarios such as what to do when the water is dripping, how to clean up water, how to stop the water from spilling, how much water a container can hold. • Social cooperation: As children play in organised water play stations they learn to negotiate, as they wait for their turn, lining up to use the pitchers, watering cans, containers. They also learn sharing as they play amongst other children by the water play station. They learn to cooperate as they work together with other children to help clean the water station or keep the water from spilling or splashing. 16

Cooking • Mathematical concepts: Children are learning how to count the number of teaspoons, timing how long the baking time will be, measuring using spoons or cups. • Following instructions: Children are taught how to be safe in the kitchen by the preschool educators, as they are guided how to use the equipment safely. They are also learning how to care for the equipment in the process. • Science concepts: As the children are exposed to different foods in the kitchen, they grasp concepts of which foods are healthy for their bodies. They also learn about liquids, solids and textures.

Painting Crafts • Creativity: Children learn to be creative through the use of varied materials such as brushes, sponges, and their hands for painting. • Self expression: Children develop an understanding of how to express their thoughts through shapes, brush strokes, colours, letters and drawings. • Cleaning up: Children are taught self help clean up skills such as putting away their art smock, washing their paint brushes, washing their hands with soap and water and putting their artwork in the appropriate place to dry. Overall, preschool child-led play is indeed full of learning! Skills are being gained and taught everyday at preschool. That’s why play experiences need to be well thought out and supported by Parents and Educators. Written by Nicole Yaneza. Nicole is an Early Childhood Educator from Wyndham.

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Safe Swimming With the warm weather still upon us, there are still plenty of opportunities to grab the kids and head to the beach or the swimming pool to cool down. We are a nation surrounded by open water and being in and around the water is a significant part of our favourite pastimes. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s therefore important for both adults and children to be prepared with skills to help them swim safer. Drowning is still the leading cause of accidental death of children aged under 5 years according to Royal Life Saving National Drowning Report 2018. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s therefore incredibly important to teach children skills to swim safer and encourage adults to know what they can do to reduce the risk. You can start regular, formal swimming lessons with babies as young as 4 and 5 months old. By this age babies are able to regulate their body temperature for the duration of a 30 minute class. It is a great time to start water

Children who can reach distance swims of 1km or more will have both the skills and poise to manage the open water more confidently. familiarisation and a great opportunity for parents and carers to connect with their babies. Research also suggests that early swimming lessons can lead to better physical, cognitive and linguistic development in children. A study conducted in 2012 by Griffith University, which ran for three years and surveyed almost 7,000 parents with children under five, examined whether participation in early swimming lessons impacted subsequent milestones in child development. The results showed a clear 18

connection between children who participated in early swimming lessons developing a range of physical skills and meeting a number of developmental milestones earlier than their peers. Furthermore, according to the American Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, participation in formal swimming lessons was associated with an 88% reduction in the risk of drowning. Another big question that parents have is when to stop swimming lessons for children. Often we see our children swimming reasonably competently without aids and feel it is the time or that we can comfortably stop lessons. The big issue is that this is often too soon. The transition from swimming pools to open water is considerable - with 1km in the pool being the equivalent to around 100m in the open water. Therefore often children who appear strong swimmers in pools can still be at risk in the open water. Children who can reach distance swims of 1km or more will have both the skills and poise to manage the open water more confidently. For parents searching for the right swim school, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to ask questions about the programs and wherever possible, do a trial lesson. Swim schools that teach survival skills of treading water, safety circles and encouraging kids to build distance are a great place to start. Written by Cherie Keegan, Paul Sadler Swimland, paulsadlerswimland.com.au With 13 Paul Sadler Swimland centres across Victoria, now is the time to book in your FREE trial class and get your kids into swimming lessons in 2019! *Source: Royal Life Saving Society Australia.

Some other top tips for a Safer Summer include; Keep watch of your children A lapse in supervision is the number one contributing factor in toddler drowning deaths*. Active supervision is essential - be prepared, be close (within arm’s reach), and give all of your attention, all of the time. Don’t get distracted on your phone, answering the door or preparing food. If you’re at a pool party a good idea is to have a 30 minute roster for supervision.

Check the fence Ensure all pools have fences that comply with government regulations – this includes any neighbouring pools. Self-closing and self-latching pool gates should be used and checked regularly. A simple way of testing the gate is to see if it swings freely to close and latch from any open position. Don’t give them a boost Never leave chairs, bins, pot plants, eskies or outdoor furniture near pool areas. Children often use these items to boost themselves up to open a gate or climb a fence.

Keep it empty Keep eskies and ice buckets out of reach of children at parties and put them away when not in use. Regularly empty any containers in yards or anything that can hold rainwater. Store these under cover or upside down if possible. Wading pools should always be emptied after use and put away where they cannot be filled up with water following rainfall. Learn CPR and First Aid Prevention is the fundamental way to avoid drowning, however, as a last line of defence, CPR is a vital life skill that can help save a life.

turn the page How Not to be Popular by Cecily Anne Paterson Maddie tries so hard to be a ‘pop’ but the cool K-girls at school don’t think she fits the mould. She dresses in a unicorn onesie, likes knee socks and doesn’t listen to popstar music. ‘Being a unicorn was stupid. Embarrassing. Uncool … I should have known that being popstars was a better idea.’ Capturing Year 6 in all its glory, How Not to be Popular follows Maddie and the weird, hilarious and sometimes mean things she will do to be a ‘pop’ and have cool friends (because who wants to be an ‘ordinary’?). In all good bookstores on the 15th of March 2019, the National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence (NDA). wombatbooks.com.au

Where’s Bear? by Sarah Elliott Smyth Where’s Bear is a gentle book that encourages children to face their fears and to have courage, even if they are frightened or nervous. When Sophie returned from dinner, Bear was not where she had left him. “Bear, where are you?” Sophie called. Go on an adventure with Sophie as she attempts to find her best friend, Bear. Sophie has to be brave, just like bear, but the Shadow Monster is lurking in the dark. Available at www.empoweringresources.com.au

Shine From Within by Amanda Rootsey Shine from Within is the go-to guide to help girls navigate their teen years with a positive, fresh take on self-image and overall wellbeing. Amanda Rootsey brings a wealth of experience not only from her own teenage years but also from her work with teenage girls through her Shine From Within programs. This is a book that teens will want to read: big sister guidance written in a fun, caring, relatable style, which also makes it a perfect gift from mums, aunts, god mothers and friends for the teen girl in their life. Hayhouse Books. Available at Booktopia, Amazon Aus and all good book stores.

101 Small Ways to Change the World by Aubre Andrus 101 Small Ways to Change the World shows how you’re never too young to make a big difference. A practical, fun and creative book to inspire you at home, school and in your local community, it includes random acts of kindness, craft projects, energy-saving ideas and much more. Lonely Planet Kids encourages the next generation of global citizens to learn about the world around them with engaging books on culture, sociology, geography, nature, history, space and more. Find out more at www.lonelyplanet.com/kids

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the drop off With their two daughters, Finn (14) and Abbie (10), well into school, it hardly comes as a surprise that Melbourne husband/wife-writer/ actors Fiona Harris and Mike McLeish have taken school yard banter and turned it into comedy gold in their clever web series called The Drop Off. Don’t be fooled, The Drop Off might be set in the playground, but it is definitely adults-only viewing! Season one features plenty of flirting, Tinder mishaps, a hot sports teacher, a nasty principal and kids watching inappropriate YouTube clips. The series is based around a bunch of parents chatting at school drop off each morning and is so relatable and guaranteed to make you laugh. With series two launching in February we chat to this creative duo about working together, juggling family life in the entertainment business and what makes them tick as a family. Obviously you’ve been inspired by your own time doing the school drop off, but how did the idea for the series first come about? One day we noticed that we’d become part of the school community and had accidentally made these new friends. Fiona and I often send each other ideas to see if the other thinks it’s worth pursuing and Fiona sent me an email in late 2014 with the subject heading: Show idea The Drop Off. I replied something like “HELL YES”. Tell us a little bit about the four main characters in the Drop Off. Fiona: They’re an amalgamation of ourselves, as well as our real-life friends. The main characters are an odd quartet. They don’t have a lot in common, apart from their love of coffee and the art of talking shit, but somehow the friendship works. Be honest, are any of the characters based on people you’ve had real school yard banter with in your own playground? We won’t make you name names! Mike: Of course! And some of those-who-shallnot-be-named know full well that we’ve ripped off their mannerisms, speech patterns and fashion choices…and they LOVE IT! 22 22

What new fun can we expect from series 2 of The Drop Off? Fiona: We received funding from Screen Australia for series 2, so had more time to work on the scripts and bring together an incredible cast and crew. We feel like series 2 takes our characters and stories to a whole new level of crazy which we can’t wait to share with you. No doubt you guys met in the entertainment industry. Tell us more… Mike: We actually met at a property investment seminar... Fiona: Yeah. No. We met doing an amateur theatre show (sometime after Indecent Obsession and before The Backstreet Boys Reunion Tour). We played a couple in it and continued to do so in three or four more shows after that before deciding to give it a go for real. Mike you have a background in musicals as well. What has been your favourite show to perform in? Keating! The Musical still wins. It started so small, then became the little show that could. Casey Bennetto created something so brilliant and joyous and I remain incredibly proud to have been a part of it. Eddie Perfect’s Shane Warne The Musical is a close second. It must mean there is plenty of time when you are away from home. How do you both manage this? Mike: I don’t cope very well. Although when I’m touring, the diet of vodka and loneliness does wonders for the waistline. Fiona: It’s definitely exhausting, but I do okay most of the time because ultimately, I’m a control freak.

Fiona, I heard you actually went into labour with Abbie while Mike was on stage in Keating! The Musical playing ex-prime minister Paul Keating. Tell us what happened? Fiona: Exactly that! I had the stage manager’s mobile number and she knew it was a possibility. I called during Act 1 and made them promise not to tell Mike until the show had finished. They told him during Act 2. Mike announced it at the start of the encore and apologised to the audience before running off stage a bit quicker than usual. Fiona, you also have quite a few children’s books under your belt. Is there no end to your creative talent? Tell us more about them. Fiona: I’ve written a series of books called The Super Moopers, illustrated by Scott Edgar (The Drop Off’s very own Dave) and we’re releasing two more in 2019. I’ve also written numerous books in the Trolls and Miraculous series’ for Five Mile Press. And Mike and I are also adapting The Drop Off into a novel, due for release in 2020.

Do you think your girls will be following you down the acting path? Or do they have their eyes set on other things? Mike: We’re hoping they end up running a series of highly successful property investment seminars. Speaking of the girls, what’s your favourite thing to do together as a family? Fiona: Head down to the Classic Cinema in Elsternwick for a family movie date, then stuff ourselves with dumplings at Panda Mama afterwards. We also love beach outings in summer and a house full of friends, food, music and mirth. And finally, what’s the funniest thing you’ve heard in the playground? Mike: From a parent: “Sweetie, what would the Octonauts do?” From a kid: “Your apple looks like a bum.” Fiona: It’s not fit to print! The Drop Off stars, Fiona Harris, Mike McLeish, Christie Whelan Browne and Scott Edgar and Series 2 is directed by Tori Garrett. The series was filmed at Ripponlea Primary School. Visit facebook.com/thedropoffshow to view season one and keep up to date with the launch of season 2. Photo: Shannon Morris. 23 23

mama can Cook! Soba noodle salad with peanut sesame dressing Serves 4

Dressing

Ingredients:

1/3 cup water

180g Hakubaku organic soba noodles

1/3 cup peanut butter

Half a bunch of radishes

1 tbsp maple syrup

1 carrot

2 tsp Obento rice wine vinegar

1/4 small red cabbage

2 tsp Yeoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pure sesame oil

1/2 red capsicum

2 tsp freshly grated ginger

1 cup snow peas handful of watercress 2 tbsp black sesame seeds

1 tbsp Lee Kum Kee soy sauce

Method: Cook soba noodles in rapidly boiling water for 4 minutes, refresh under cold water, and set aside. Whiz the dressing ingredients together in blender. Finely chop the cabbage, capsicum, snow peas and radishes. Julienne the carrot using a julienne peeler. Combine the chopped vegetables and noodles in a bowl and stir to combine. Add your desired amount of dressing, divide among four small bowls and sprinkle over sesame seeds and watercress sprigs.

Thai red cabbage cups Serves 4 as a main, or more as a starter

Sauce:

Method:

1/3 cup peanut butter

Ingredients

1 clove garlic, minced

Preheat the oven to 200 degrees.

1-2 sweet potatoes

2cm ginger, minced

1-2 cups cooked rice, quinoa, or a combination

2 tbsp rice wine vinegar

1 avocado 1 long red chili Coriander leaves, to garnish Outer leaves from a head of red cabbage

2 tbsp soy sauce 2 tbsp maple syrup 2 tsp sesame oil

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Finely dice the sweet potato and cook in the oven for 20 minutes, or until soft. Once cool, toss with cooked grains and diced avocado. Whiz the sauce ingredients together in a blender or food processor. Spoon the veggie mixture into red cabbage leaves, garnish with coriander and sliced red chili, and finish with a drizzle of peanut sauce. 25

Berry muesli crumble Part breakfast, part dessert, this berry muesli crumble will entice even the latest risers to crawl out from under the covers. If you’re having friends over for brunch it’s the perfect makeahead meal. Pop it in the oven before your guests arrive and pull it out when it’s bubbling and golden, ready to be drizzled with coconut yoghurt. Perfection! Swap the butter for coconut oil and you’ll keep your vegan friends happy too.

Ingredients

Method

Base

Preheat the oven to 180C. Combine the berries, cornflour, maple syrup and water or lemon juice in a bowl, and toss to combine. Transfer to a baking dish (a bread pan is the perfect size).

500g frozen mixed berries, thawed 1 tbsp cornflour 1/3 cup maple syrup 2 tbsp water or lemon juice Topping 3/4 cup flour 1/2 cup chopped nuts, we used almonds and hazelnuts 3/4 cup fruit-free untoasted muesli, we used Sunsol 10+ Natural Muesli 1/4 cup raw sugar 125g cold unsalted butter or firm coconut oil Coconut yoghurt, to serve

To make the crumble topping, place all remaining ingredients (except the coconut yoghurt) into a bowl and rub together with your fingertips until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Spread the crumble mixture over the berries and bake for 40 minutes or until the crumble topping is golden. Serve with coconut yoghurt.

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Relax and unwInd Now the kids are back at school it’s time for some “you time” We’ve been waiting weeks for this day to come, when the kids are finally back at school and we can start to get life in order again. As much as we love our children it can get very full on, and at times very costly, having them on school holidays. But now that they are taken care of, it’s time to regain focus and start taking care of ourselves. Self-care is so important and most of all for mums. If we are out of action lets face it the whole family suffers. I have put together some quick and easy ways to start taking more care of ourselves so that we can keep going with the busy day to day lives that we all have.

Exercise: Sometimes it can be hard to find the energy to get up and get moving, but this one can be done with or without the kids. Whether you’re doing a full-on workout, or if you are taking the kids for a walk around the block, it’s scientifically proven that if you get moving it helps to boost endorphins, making you happier. You could start your day with a quick 10-minute workout, or maybe finish the night with a wind down yoga session. This is a great way to focus on you. For me, I love putting on my gym gear and taking the kids out, hitting the beach or finding a nice walking track with some beautiful trees where the kids can explore and I can run around with them, so I’m working out without even knowing I am.

A massage: Who doesn’t love a massage? When was the last time you booked yourself in? A massage is a great way to escape the busy happenings of life, lay down and switch off. Not only is a massage relaxing, but it also has many health benefits. A massage is great for anxiety and depression, to reduce muscle tension and improve your body’s overall health and 28

movement. For me, being a massage therapist, I love giving massages as it helps me to focus on my breathing and I slow everything down. But I LOVE getting them as well because my body feels free, I have more movement in my muscles and I feel so relaxed.

A bath: When was the last time you locked the kids out of the bathroom and ran yourself a bath? Well it’s your turn now. Light some candles, put some relaxing bath salts in, dim the lights and sit back with a glass of wine and enjoy the warmth on your body. Not only is a bath relaxing but it’s so great for your muscles as well.

Listen to music: Blast some music and dance around the kitchen. While you’re cooking dinner or getting the kids ready for school, put some tunes on and dance! Get those endorphins happening and have fun whilst you’re at it. Music is so motivating and such a great way to uplift your mood. Music can also be used in the opposite way; slow down with a cuppa on the couch and some soft relaxing music playing whilst you calm the body and take some deep breaths.

Meditation: To tone things down a little further, meditation is a great way to clear the mind. Switch off everything that is going on and focus on you. Meditation is proven to lower blood pressure and calm the body. It does this by focusing on your breathing. You can even jump online and find some really great meditation videos on You Tube or apps to follow. Find a quiet, comfy space in the house, close your eyes, relax your muscles and free your body and mind.

Reading: I was never a big reader myself growing up but over the years I have found myself picking up a good book and not being able to put it down. It’s something about the positivity in the words I’m reading, and the relaxed moment of sitting

there reading, that I really enjoy. And you can too. Grab a great book, sit by the pool or in a calm relaxing space and enjoy the time with just you and that book. And when it’s Summer and you’re reading by the pool the Vitamin D is great as well!

Retail therapy: Who doesn’t love shopping? It’s proven that buying something new makes us feel good. It might be a nice little pair of earrings or it might be a completely new outfit. But getting out of the house (with or without the kids) and flicking through the latest trends, takes our minds off of all the busy things happening and allows us to focus on ourselves for a few hours.

Coffee with friends: Have you ever called up a friend and just had to get something off your chest? Well there’s a reason for that. When things get tough and life’s looking very stressful, talking to someone and getting things off your chest helps. It helps to refocus on what’s important, but also by you saying it out loud it gives you food for thought and you may not be so worked up or stressed about the situation after all. It’s like getting a weight off your shoulders when you let it out. And a cocktail or a coffee with a friend is just perfect for that.

Date night: So, all the stunning goodies you picked up on your shopping day you can now put on and enjoy a beautiful date night with your partner (or a good friend). Get a babysitter and go out – just the two of you. Let’s face it, it doesn’t happen very often does it? But it’s super important to keep the connection between you and a loved one. You might be busy with work or maybe with the kids, but life swings on by and we often find that we have missed some important talks, or just some together time. It doesn’t have to be the fanciest restaurant in town, you can grab a towel and head to the beach or go to a local little place you love. And if you can’t find a sitter for the kids, don’t stress (we are de-stressing remember) head to the park with a picnic rug and some snacks and make it a date in the park whilst the kids play. By Tegan Charles, Relax and Unwind Massage, Whittlesea/Kinglake www.relaxunwind.com.au 29

IF THE SHOE FITS Podiatrist tips for picking the perfect school shoe Kids spend up to 40 hours a week in their school shoes, which is why picking the right pair of school shoes is incredibly important. Whether your child is standing, sitting, walking, running, jumping or skipping; their feet are always on the move. Purchasing shoes that support your child’s feet is usually at the top of the ‘back to school’ shopping list. Leading podiatrist, Lloyd Reed, has a few tips to ensure you pick the perfect pair. 1. Measure the feet: To determine the right shoe fit, ensure the feet are professionally measured for length, width, overall fit and shape. When checking the shape of the shoe, check to see there is approximately 1 cm of growing room beyond the longest toe.

Kids spend up to 40 hours a week in their school shoes, which is why picking the right pair of school shoes is incredibly important.

2. Look for heel support: Look for a firm heel counter to provide additional support. This is the little plastic insert used to reinforce the heel cup of the shoe. 3. Match the shoe style and features for the activity: Whilst formal school shoes are good general purpose shoes, a running shoe or cross-trainer will be better if your child does a lot of physical activity. Lightweight, flexible shoes are ideal for the early years whilst more supportive shoes may be better for junior primary and later school years. Look for buckles, laces or straps to secure the shoe appropriately. 4. Look for midfoot support: This will help support the arch and will also improve stability. For more information go to www.ascentfootwear.com.au

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The Mummy Matters There’s nothing more heartening to me than to hear a room full of parents howl with laughter over a shared foible. A universal truth about the flawed nature of parenting. Not that parenting children isn’t fun, exhilarating – liberating, in fact, if you call transcending the pain of love a form of freedom. One could even say parenting young children is the ultimate manifestation of Stockholm syndrome – where you are bound by love to your captor, with the power imbalance reversed. If you know what I mean. If you are reading this and nodding slowly to yourself, I think you do! That’s where the laughter comes into it. You have to laugh; otherwise you could drown in a sea of indignation, frustration and sheer shock as to how the Peoples Republic of Parenthood works. You know how it feels when the seams in a pant labelled one size fits all rip gently at the crotch before you’ve left the fitting room? It’s the same horror recognition that motherhood is NOT a one size fits all experience. Not all mums are the same. Not all mums react the same. Not all mums experience the same. And not all mums behave the same. Not just to the kids…but to each OTHER. That’s why we need Mummy Manners. It’s like a universal code, akin to road rules. Nobody needs a license, we’ve all realised that. But you can garner demerit points with the other mums if you insist on running a few emotional red lights. For about 5 years now, I’ve been popping into schools doing humour infused shows for the parents – no kids allowed - delivering the messianic message that making friends with other mums is the key to a successful singa-long in the bumpy road travelled by the 32

Motherhood Bus. Who else is going to pretend to listen endlessly to the frustrations of family life and remember parts of it for a follow up conversation – and not just so they can have a go at downloading too? It’s your mummy friend, that’s who. It’s your mummy friend who will spend afternoons at a park with you whilst the kids swing endlessly, filing half-finished conversations away to be revisited later just a like a favourite lolly pop. It’s your mummy friend who will store that secret gripe you have with your nearest and dearest, never to hold it against either of you when they see you together again, unless required. Nicole, a beautiful New Zealandish woman who lived two doors up when our kids were small, taught me about ‘the Mummy Manners’. When we moved in with our 2-year-old son, she was there, within the week, introducing us to her two sons and husband and showing me the ropes of how families living up the street help each other out. Play dates. Cleaning up the poo at play dates if her kids had missed the toilet bowl. Teaching me how to make pancakes from scratch. Minding for an hour or two so I could exercise, sleep, read a book, make a sibling. Which we did. Thank you, Nicole. Nicole found me one day, in the driveway, howling, because I’d just had a row with my one true mummy friend, the one I’d bonded with at mothers’ group because she’d been the only one who hadn’t tried to tell me about how versatile her vagina had been during childbirth. Inadvertently I’d given her son a piece of chocolate. Or rather, it was with full awareness, I just hadn’t disclosed it to her. Or well I’d actually asked him not to tell her. But that was because I was torn between the notion of sharing with him what MY son had found in my purse on pick up from child care - that was four pieces of chocolate wrapped in foil - and knowing that she always went mad when her partner gave her son chocolate. I chose to share the chocolate and asked a three-yearold to keep a secret from his mother. Well, you would think it worthy of a Royal Commission.

Fully castigated, I crawled home, wounded that not only had I lost a friend, but my son had too. Nicole rescued me from the foetal position in the drive way. She encouraged me to eat the rest of the said block of chocolate all by myself and to calm down, convinced it would sort itself out. It did. Nicole was brilliant. She reminded me I was still there, inside the Mothers Hood. There’s nothing that needs dismantling more than the notion that once you are a Mum you stop being you. You don’t. You need women around you that see you as you more than ever, and it’s handy if the kids get along as well. If they don’t, just pop them on the swing. Eat some chocolate. And most importantly, get together and have a laugh, without the kids. If you need help, just call. @Libbi_Gorr presents Weekend Breakfast Saturday 6-10am and Sundays 10-12 noon on ABC Radio Melbourne & Victoria.

“I’d just had a row with my one true mummy friend, the one I’d bonded with at mothers’ group because she’d been the only one who hadn’t tried to tell me about how versatile her vagina had been during childbirth.”

rescue my resume So, you’ve been happy in your nest nurturing the offspring, when out of the blue, you get a call from that old boss/dream organisation/cousin’s friend offering you a fabulous work opportunity. Can you send in your CV? You dig past the odd socks, recipes and bills to find it, rather happy with yourself, thinking, just a small tweak should do it, when realisation dawns. It’s 6 years out of date. You sigh and yes, almost give up the game… 34

You should always, always, keep your CV up-todate, as you never know when opportunity can come knocking. As a skilled resume writer and business owner, I spend days taking care of my clients’ needs. Yet recently when I was required to submit my own CV, I realised it had been nearly a year since it had been updated! Not only had my job changed in that time, but the whole focus of my CV needed to shift to my new business. I had to write my profile and skills sections from scratch. It needed to be submitted the following day for a volunteer role I was applying for, and it took me a good couple of hours to get it up to speed. And I’m a resume writer!

‘Be prepared’ is my motto! Writing, updating and tailoring CV’s is enormously time consuming. And more often than not you are required to submit your CV in a very short time period, given recruiters are working to tight deadlines. I’ve found that several of my clients have either been made to reapply for their jobs or been made redundant while on maternity leave. I suggest setting calendar reminders 3-6 monthly to regularly review and update your resume. By having the bones of your CV and LinkedIn profile up-to-date, when you do have to complete a job application you can focus on tailoring it for the position. According to recruitment consultants the basics are often lacking when they receive a job application. So I suggest the following helpful tips to keep top of mind when applying for jobs.

1. Always include a cover letter Not submitting a cover letter shows a complete lack of care and interest in the role. A cover letter is where you sell yourself, your enthusiasm for the role, and highlights how your skills meet their needs.

2. Tailor your application An application should be tailored to the role. This means having a customised, well written cover letter and a slightly tailored CV.

3. Always follow the application instructions Demonstrate to the employer that you can read and follow instructions! If it tells you to submit a one-page cover letter with your CV, do it. If it asks you to respond to the Key Selection Criteria specifically, do this in a separate document. If the instructions are unclear, call them to clarify.

4. Make it clear and concise There are typically 100-200 applications for most jobs. That’s a lot of applications for someone to read, so make it easy for them. Have all the important bits about you (your profile, skills, achievements, career summary) laid out clearly on the front page of your CV. Make sure the first paragraph of your cover letter is amazing! And don’t make the font so small it can’t be read.

5. Check your spelling/grammar Microsoft Word can check your spelling and basic grammar, so use it! Then triple check it and get a friend to read it too. And most importantly, make sure you have addressed the application to the correct person and organisation! Following these steps will allow you to submit a quality job application in a short time-frame that gets you an interview for your next dream job…whilst also avoiding stressful last-minute rushing around or all night endeavours! By Emma Maslen. Melbourne mum and owner of Rescue my Resume. After many years in the policy, government and not-for-profit sectors, Emma took her love for resume writing for friends and turned it into Rescue My Resume. Emma helps her clients with all aspects of the job application process, including a tailored resume, cover letter, LinkedIn profile and interview coaching. www.rescuemyresume.com.au

I suggest setting calendar reminders 3-6 monthly to regularly review and update your resume. By having the bones of your CV and LinkedIn profile up-to-date, when you do have to complete a job application you can focus on tailoring it for the position.

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I’ve got 99 problems but There is nothing I want more than to spend time with my family, making them happy and making sure they have everything they need. I give it my best in terms of our relationship, finances, and happiness overall. On the other hand, I want to be able to focus on my own career not only because of financial reasons and independence but also because I am good at what I do. The mental challenge, stimulation, and fulfillment beyond home are some of the things I’m deeply passionate about. I also believe mums are role models for the next generation which is why I want to help re-define what a mother’s role should be. Let’s be honest, juggling motherhood and developing a career is a lot to handle. I mean I’m not a superwoman (despite my hubby reassuring me). I can’t do everything all at once, although I have to agree, mums, are very good at multi-tasking. But there’s got to be a way to focus on one thing without sacrificing the others, right?

Let’s be honest, juggling motherhood and developing a career is a lot to handle. I mean I’m not a superwoman (despite my hubby reassuring me). Once my husband worked on a project out of town weekdays, for eight months. Still working a full-time job and placing our kid in childcare full time, I struggled to juggle it all. Working in the city, I had a daily hike to work each morning, rushing out at 5 o’clock in the afternoon (yes got the looks and the ‘part-timer’ comments too) just to get there in time to pick up my kid. My son often looked tired, sad and unhappy. And then I started receiving the calls from childcare asking me to pick up my child because he has got a strange rash (turned out a reaction to new food), he’s got a runny poo (teething), his temperature is high and that they feel uncomfortable to give him Panadol. My world started to crumble. I did not have my partner to help me – poor guy was working long hours each night and we would sleep in turns on weekends. We were miserable without our village. 38

I did a lot of research and found that most of the standard childcare arrangements, aside from their expensive costs, just don’t offer flexible childcare hours for many families. Like many others, we, unfortunately, did not have family support around us. However, I was among the thousands of lucky mums who discovered au pairs. They are young people traveling overseas to gain more experience working with children, learn a new language and experience a new culture. They usually stay with a family as part of an exchange. The family provides them with their basic needs while they help look after the children and do minor house chores. But it took a bit of time to adjust. Delegating was not my strength and I struggled with mum guilt. You know that decade-long conditioning through observations, subtle comments, and perfect Instagram feeds by well-meaning citizens around us that sediment over time in our brains as the minimum standards to be always upheld. Seeing my children being happy with the au pairs put me at ease, and I gradually learned to let go a portion of that guilt and my own expectations of myself as a mum. Often my au pairs felt like my partners in crime. They got it! The mum gig is tough, and they would pick up the slack so that I could spend more quality time with my children – read a book, play chase or just be silly. I stopped worrying about fixing everything in the house since our au pair was happy to take up some of those tasks. And along the way I felt like they have learned something for their future - If you want to have a career/business and a family, start to build your village around you.

The mum gig is tough, and they would pick up the slack so that I can spend more quality time with my children. There are some raising concerns that the cultural exchange is being turned into a ‘cheap housekeeper’ alternative. While most au pairs have their expectations met or exceeded

my au pair ain’t one! during their exchange, some fall trap to the lack of a written agreement or it’s missing to cover the most basic details (i.e. working hours and pocket money). Families can also get blindsided by making wrong choices and can be left in the lurch without childcare. Families and au pairs need to know what a cultural exchange entails. A significant investment in patience, understanding, and willingness to learn is required from both sides to ensure the families have the help they need, and the au pairs have the adventure and personal growth they seek.

we are still very close with a few chosen ones. Our son’s second au pair is now his godmother, if that’s not a bond for a lifetime, I don’t know what is. In our village, life is still a sometimes a struggle, but the moments of ease, joy and relaxation and quality time with my family are way more frequent! By Irene Becker, Melbourne mama and Founder of 99aupairs.com. The flexible support every mum should have. www.99aupairs.com

Most of our au pairs are smart and driven young people. And we pride ourselves in mentoring them and sharing our experiences with them to help to discover themselves and have a successful life. Most of them went on to study, got scholarships and

Back to School Organising Projects School holidays are a great time to reconnect with our family, without all the schedules. Racing from one place to another, all those drop offs, pick-ups and lunchboxes become so yesterday. On the flip side, trying to keep a sense of order in our homes over the holidays is just a losing battle and we all know everything takes longer with kids in tow.

40 40

As the holidays draw to a close, no doubt, your list of bugbears and projects are piling up and you’re ready to get back into the swing of things. Before you rush ahead and do a regular tidy up, consider these organising tips from expert accredited AAPO professional organiser Robyn Amott from Bless this Mess. They are sure to have you hitting the ‘go button’ on all those organising and decluttering projects from the minute the school bell rings

Tip 1: Assess

Tip 6. Storage

Take note of all your bugbears. Those zones/ spaces/stuff that have been driving you nuts throughout the year, or over the break, which you just never seem to find time to get to.

Measure your space to ensure storage items will fit the depth of the space and are size relevant to the content. Additionally, extra shelves can maximise your storage potential and provide greater flexibility in how you group items, whilst divisions within draws will provide homes for individual groups of items.

Tip 2: Prioritise Consider your list and focus on each one independently. How do you want this space to feel and function, what is its purpose? What does/doesn’t work within the space? Be realistic about how much time you have for each task/area, whilst also ensuring you set aside the time in your schedule over the coming weeks or months.

Tip 3: Group Start with one space or category of item at a time. Clear the contents of the space into the nearest hallway and group ‘like with like items’ together. Additionally, draw any items of the same category from other areas.

Tip 4: Sort Work through each pile deciding what needs to be de-cluttered/donated/kept or is garbage. Ask yourself – ‘Do I need IT’, ‘Do I use IT’, ‘Does IT have a purpose to me’, ‘Is IT age and stage appropriate’? Consider how much space you have available to allocate to each of these categories. This provides you with a guideline as to how much content you need to declutter, sets limits and ensures effective storage use.

Tip 5: Map Out & Zone Your space is now a blank canvas. So consider a new layout. Break each space into zones – prioritising items you access regularly in a central, easily accessible zone, with those rarely accessed items in higher zones. Consider too if you’re right or left handed as this will also impact on your zoning. Allocate only one space for a set function/purpose to assist in the location and return of items. You want to create homes for your items that make sense, saving you time and stress.

Choose storage items based on whether they suit the required function ahead of something that just looks pretty.

Tip 7: Pack Up Time to put it all away. Keep within the zones/ limits of your plan. If items within each category exceed their limit you may need to re-assess and declutter further or even rethink your plan or storage items. Group like with like items in a container or on the same shelf.

Tip 8: Identify Label your new spaces/homes/storage items to help the entire household know where to find and pack away for the future, to ensure all your hard work doesn’t go to waste.

Tip 9: Maintenance Items are constantly coming into our home. To maintain the balance, adopt this very simple rule. It’s called the ‘one in – one out’ rule. For every item that enters your home, an item of equal value or content needs to be moved on. Also reconsider purchases you don’t need. You’ll find you stay within the space limits and won’t need to set aside as much time to keep it all under control. By Robyn Amott, Professional Organiser and owner of Bless this Mess. blessthismess.com.au

Separation success Tips for managing separation anxiety in children when starting childcare.

Temper tantrums, hysterical tears, dramatic clinging. Separation anxiety might not be the most charming aspect of your toddler’s development but it is your child’s way of expressing how much they don’t want to say goodbye. Although it may not seem like it when you are dealing with an upset child, separation anxiety is also a good thing. Your child’s unwillingness to leave you is a great sign that the two of you have developed healthy attachments. When babies become more aware of their separate selves, they discover that you can actually leave them. And they can start to worry about being away from you. Your presence helps them feel safe in a world that is still largely foreign to them. Separation anxiety normally starts around 7 to 8 months of age. Although it generally peaks at 14 to 18 months old, it can last until 2.5 to 4 years old. But it usually settles down as your child grows older and more confident. The symptoms of separation anxiety in toddlers can appear in any number of ways, including your child: • Crying, screaming, whimpering, or frowning • Becoming more clingy • Losing interest in people or play time • Playing with the same toy over and over again • Waking and crying during the night more than usual • Waking up early and not falling asleep again unless you’re there • Crying when left with someone else. It is never easy leaving your child when they are upset, especially beginning childcare, teary scenes actually help your child bond with their new educators, and develop their own coping

skills, resilience and independence in a safe and supportive environment. Each child reacts to separation anxiety differently. Even their reactions can vary from one day to the next. Some children don’t show any anxiety in the first weeks of child care. It only begins to appear when the novelty of the situation has worn off. Others save their meltdowns till after pickup time (lucky you!). This is because your return reminds your child of how they felt when you left. There isn’t a magic formula or ‘one size fits all’ approach to ease separation anxiety, but we do have a few tips that may help you and your child deal with it when they’re starting at childcare.

1. Prepare your child Visit your childcare with your child before they start. Where possible, keep the first few days short and then build up the hours over time. Talk to your child about what will happen when they go to the centre, reassure them you’ll be back, and talk about what you can do when you see each other again.

2. Work together with your child’s educator Discuss with your Educators on strategies that will help ease the transition into child care. It’s important to share information with them so they know what’s happening with you and your child and vice versa what they have planned for the day.

3. Build trust Make sure you say goodbye to your child and let them know when you’ll be back. Try to keep the goodbye short, as lengthy goodbyes can actually make children more upset. Don’t ignore your child’s distress – respond and comfort them. The important thing is to find a balance between supporting your child and giving them the chance to gain experience managing how they feel.

4. Build feelings of safety Try and be as calm as possible. If you’re calm, your child will feel more secure. Reassure them that it’s OK to miss you or feel sad, and that they will be fine. But don’t dwell on these feelings.

By Jenny Kable – Early Childhood Educator and Curriculum Manager, Only About Children Early Learning & Kindergarten. www.oac.edu.au

5. Establish a regular goodbye routine Routines add a comforting predictability to your child’s day because they’ll know what happens next. In the long run a predictable routine can lessen the anxiety of daily separations. Some parents choose to read a book or engage in a single activity with their child each morning and then have a consistent spot for saying goodbye.

6. Take the time and effort to reconnect An adjustment that parents frequently overlook is pick-up time. Your child must now transition from the campus back to your care. Children often greet their parents with confused emotions: a mingling of happiness to see you, anger that you left in the first place, and a desire to stay longer. When you pick up your child, spend extra time with them to reconnect again. Find a quiet time to discuss with your child what they saw and did, and what was familiar or different from your home setting.

7. Pay attention to your own feelings Be aware of your emotions, such as apprehension, guilt, or ambivalence. Remember that your child looks to you for the reassurance that they are safe and that you are confident about their ability to adjust to a new environment. Finally, it might be helpful to keep in mind that adults also experience distress when separated from significant others, although we don’t usually find it as overwhelming as children do. Think of the last time you said goodbye to a loved one at the airport, knowing there was going to be a long separation ahead. Those feelings of sadness are similar to what your child feels, except they don’t yet understand when you’ll be returning.

Image: www.vickypalmieri.com

West Footscray Festival SUNDAY 24 MARCH

11am – 5pm Barkly Street, West Footscray Throwing of the colours • Cultural games • Roller disco Craft activities • Market stalls • Jumping castles Face painting • Henna tattoos • Food stalls • Street dancing Live music and entertainment

www.festivalofcolours.org.au wfnh.com.au Ph. 9687 3345

WIN

1 of 4 GLOBBER Foldable Flow 125 Scooters!

FLOW 2-wheel scooters are the perfect choice for children to transition to their first 2-wheel scooter. Intended for children aged 6 years and up, the Globber Flow 125 scooter grows as children develop thanks to its adjustable T-bar, and its new folding system which offers maximum sturdiness, comfort and practicality for tomorrow’s teenagers!

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.

Simply colour to win!

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

Child’s name:

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Email: 45

THE LEAP INTO CHILDCARE Starting childcare for the first time is an exciting time in a child’s life. It typically marks an exciting time when their sphere of influence, stimulation and discovery expands routinely and more formally out of their home environment. For some children, this is the first time they are being cared for and taught by someone other than their primary care giver, which can also be a daunting thought for some parents. There are many ways we can positively transition our children and ourselves smoothly into childcare. Here are some useful tips. The first step to helping your child adjust to childcare is to find a service that you think will cater the most to your child’s individual needs and learning styles. Investigating multiple services is a must for you to get a ‘feeling’ about whether the environment is right for your child and your childcare needs. Start by asking those in your local friendship groups or mothers’ groups for recommendations and ask them questions around what to expect from a service and their experiences settling their child in. Touring several services with your child can be overwhelming but is recommended. It is helpful to know some of the questions to ask each centre director during your visit. These should include: • Who owns and operates the centre? Is the service family owned? • Who are the educators responsible for my child day-to-day and how long have they worked at the service? (Staff turnover can be a sign of an unhappy workplace) • How does the centre incorporate my child’s individual daily routine into theirs? • What is included in the daily fees? (eg. nappies, meals etc.) • What is the transition and orientation procedure? Can the service tailor it to suit my child? • What types of early childhood philosophies or teaching styles does the centre use in their practices and programming? (eg. Reggio Emilia, Steiner, Montessori etc.) • What is your policy on food, food allergies and intolerances? 46

When it comes to the overall management of a service, often family owned services allow for a more homely, personal and responsive experience for you and a happier workplace for educators. It can be reassuring to know that the people responsible for management of the centre are present to attend to the overall wellbeing of their educators, resourcing needs and high operational standards Once you have chosen a service, it’s time to get prepared for starting childcare. This doesn’t just mean purchasing backpacks and extra dummies, this also means preparing your child for the exciting journey ahead. A great way to do this, if your child is old enough, is to have casual discussions with them about all the things that they can do while at childcare, who will be looking after them and the pick-up and drop off procedure. There are some great books that may also be a helpful resource to use at home in preparation for the transition such as, “Bye Bye Time” by Elizabeth Verdick, which looks at creating positive and comforting drop off and pick up routines between child and parent, emphasising that the parent/s always come back. Creating a familiar and settling goodbye routine is a sure way to a smooth transition. For the younger children starting, who don’t yet have the verbal and language skills to understand this new experience, it is still important to ensure they are prepared. Ensure that you bring along something that is familiar to the child, this may be in the form of a comforter, toy or even a book. These comfort items help to calm and settle your child during the times you are not with them,

while also assisting with routines times like sleep. Adhering to the same routine at childcare as your routine at home, is another key step to creating a smooth transition. It is important to pick a service that will cater to your childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s individual needs when it comes to orientating into the centre and their ongoing routine. Building strong relationships with the educators is another important component in transitioning to childcare. Be sure that you feel comfortable with the educators responsible for your child day-to-day and that communication will flow easily between you. Having confidence in the educators and their ability to care for, settle and comfort your child is essential. By Sarah Shelton, Educational Leader Sandringham Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Centre sandringhamchildrenscentre.com.au

FR EN EE TR Y

ts eelong Ca G s v m p EB – 7:15 bane Lions SAT 9 F – 7:15pm vs Bris Carlton FEB m vs SAT 23 MARCH – 4:05p 7 SUN 1 OVAL

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