Melbourne MamaMag Jun/Jul 2023

Jun/Jul 2023

1 OF 1O AWESOME

4SOME BOUNCE

FAMILY PASSES

Parties & Play

MamaMag turns 9

Elle Macpherson

Perfect parties

Bali high

Support and fun for the Melbourne mum

BIRTHDAY BUSINESS

So I finally did it. I went to Bali with my best friends to celebrate my 40th birthday! OK, so I'm turning 46 soon, but better late than never hey! Sometimes things in life don't go to plan. But that doesn't mean you should give up on your dreams. My dream was to celebrate my 40th in Bali with my besties and sure it took almost six years to make it happen, but it did, and it was incredible. And yes, that's me in all my body-confidence glory rocking an awsome new Infamous Swim bikini! #wheninbali

So, like every year, June/July issue is our Parties and Play issue. And this year it's also our 9th birthday! Little old MamaMag has come a long way in nine years from a little A5 mag in Bayside Melbourne to a national digital publication, but still with a local flavour.

It brings me so much joy creating MamaMag. Exploring new things for families, learning about wonderful new businesses or meeting women doing awesome stuff. They say if you do something you love you'll never work a day in your life and strangely I find I don't even have enough time to work on MamaMag. Between juggling two kids on my own, caring for my mother who is not doing so great, and being a domestic goddess (yeah, nah, my house is a mess) I wish I had more working days in the week to do what I love.

So what ever floats your boat, work, holidays (get to Bali girl), do more of it mama. And pop some champagne because it's always somebody’s birthday!

Sarah Cavalier Editor - MamaMag - @thecavaliermama

MamaMag is designed and published free online every two months for Melbourne mums, families and carers.

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CONTENTS

1 of 10 AWESOME 4SOME BOUNCE passes!

Entries are open to Australian residents only and only redeemable at BOUNCE centres in VIC, NSW, QLD, SA, WA & TAS. Competition starts June 1st 2023 at 12.01am and closes July 31st 2023 at 11.59pm. Awesome 4some passes are worth $52 Monday – Friday and $70 on weekends, public holidays and school holidays when you book online. Prize awarded as an online code for bookings made at bounceinc.com.au. Code valid for 3 years from competition end date. Bounce Terms and Conditions of use: www.bounceinc. com.au/terms-conditions. Visit www.mamamag.com.au/competitions for full entry terms and conditions.

The opinions expressed herein MamaMag are not necessarily those of the publishing staff. Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited without permission of Mama Creative Group. 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. Some articles may contain affiliate links for which MamaMag may be paid a commission when readers shop these links. Shopping affiliate links makes no difference to the price you pay but helps fund MamaMag allowing us to provide our family-friendly resource to you for free.

ELLE IS WELLE

Australia’s most famous model of all time, Elle Macpherson, is a one-woman phenomenon. Not only has “The Body” had an insanely successful 40 plus year modelling career, but she’s also helms a very popular wellness brand WelleCo. Launched nine years ago when Elle turned 50, WelleCo, which features plant-based, vegan supplements made with superfoods, herbal extracts, vitamins and minerals, is a venture close to Elle’s heart. Here she shares her personal wellness journey and lets us in on the loves of her life – her sons Flynn, 25, and Cy, 20.

You famously once said your family was your “greatest achievement”. What’s the most rewarding thing about being a mum? For me, it’s the most important thing I do. Obviously, we have a close biological bond, but I also really feel the responsibility to guide and nurture my boys who go onto show up as loving, creative, wonderful beings, to see them grow into that. That’s the best gift I can give the world – my very best work.

What’s your parenting style?

I try and be ‘real’ over laid-back or strict. I tell them what I think, guide them in the best way I know how and don’t pussy-foot around any of it! I’m lovingly real.

How do you find parenting young adults?

To be honest, I still find myself being hands on. Naturally, while respecting their freedom and independence, we remain close, and they still come to me when they need guidance. Happily, I don’t think that will change with age.

What was the best kid’s party you’ve thrown for Flynn and Cy and the most special times you’ve shared?

Oh, we’ve had many great party events over the years but for me, our happy place is the Bahamas or the ski slopes where we can unwind and reconnect as a family.

What inspired you to found WelleCo?

At 50, I began to notice how run down I felt. I was taking a host of vitamins and supplements, but nothing seemed to be working. I was struggling with sleep, my skin was dry and dull, my hair was brittle and I felt unmotivated. I didn’t feel like myself anymore. I wanted answers so I sought the advice of Dr Simone Laubscher PhD, a clinical naturopath, at her Harley Street clinic in London. Simone helped me to better understand my body and its functionality. It turned out inflammation was a severe problem.

Simone blended a custom anti-inflammatory formula for me which ultimately formed the basis of our iconic super-greens mix, The Super Elixir™. Within weeks, my energy surged back, I felt lighter and leaner, and my digestion improved. My hair thickened, my nails were stronger, and my skin was clear and glowing. It was life changing. So much so that I felt an undeniable calling to share it with others, so I launched my brand WelleCo in 2014 with The Super Elixir™.

Tell us more about The Super Elixir ™ –we’d love to know!

The Super Elixir™ was the first of its kind in Australia and for me was truly miraculous. That composition of greens proved to be remarkable — over 40 ingredients curated to work in synergy with each other to support all 11 systems of the body. It’s so effortless, you just take two teaspoons in water every day, consistently. I was so grateful for such a transformation.

WelleCo also has superfood-related products for kids – was that inspired by Flynn and Cy?

Yes, particularly Cy, who had a penchant for white foods! He’s much better now, but I also put that down to The Super Kids Elixir + Protein, developed in his honour. I told Simone I was worried about Cy – his blood sugar was all over the place, and he just didn’t look great,

so she packed this powder full of fruit, veggies, probiotics, vitamins and minerals. He’s taller than me now!

Your product The Goddess Elixir is aimed at those in perimenopause, menopause and post menopause – was that partly inspired by your own journey into your 50s?

Absolutely, The Goddess Elixir is important to me because I was able to cherry-pick the ingredients I most needed to support my journey. I’ve found there’s a kind of liberation in menopause — a freedom from cyclic responsibilities and uncertainties. It’s a time to fully discover who we are and what we truly love and want in life. Redirecting creativity into realising your personal dreams, this liberation can be one of the most fulfilling times in life.

That’s why The Goddess Elixir was formulatedto support you through this journey. It’s a blend of red clover, agnus castus and Siberian ginseng which supports a healthy mood balance and your nervous system. Taking two capsules daily can help you to awaken your inner goddess.

WelleCo is exhibiting at the Naturally Good healthy living trade event in Sydney on June 5-6, which showcases food, beverages, homewares, healthcare and beauty products to industry. What is the business hoping to get out of the show?

It’s a wonderful branding exercise for us. We love connecting with the greater WelleCommunity to not only spread our message that beauty begins within, but also to spark new relationships and maintain existing ones.

What’s your favourite healthy meal and sneaky treat?

Being plant-based, I prefer meals with those I love, made at home with love. All my groceries are locally grown and organic, handpicked from the farmer’s market. I love Dr Sara Siso’s miso mushroom soup recipe with Japanese sweet potato. A sweet treat might be my 4-ingredient chocolate mousse. I guarantee you’ll love it!

Find more about WelleCo and some of Elle's great recipes at welleco.com.au

I try and be ‘real’ over laid-back or strict. I tell them what I think, guide them in the best way I know how and don’t pussy-foot around any of it!

THANK YOU EDUCATORS

From the moment a child is born, their parents are their primary caregivers. But as children grow and start to explore the world outside their homes, parents might find they need additional support in their growth and development. As parents return to the workforce, early educators are employed to help our children thrive. They’re seen as an extension of a family, providing a nurturing and stimulating environment, helping children develop and thrive.

The journey into childcare begins with finding the right provider. This can be an overwhelming task for new parents, but it’s important to take the time to research and ask questions to ensure that you are making the best decision for your child. When you find the right early educator, you’ll know – there will be a sense of trust and connection that presents itself almost immediately. Of course, as a parent, it’s natural to feel anxious about leaving your child in the care of someone else, especially if you’ve never done it before. But when you have an early educator that you trust, you can rest assured that your child is in good hands. After all, they’re trained professionals who have the knowledge and expertise to support your child’s growth and development in a safe and nurturing environment.

One of the most important things that early educators provide is a sense of continuity and routine. Children thrive on structure and predictability, and early educators are experts at creating

a consistent and supportive environment that helps children feel safe and secure. From the daily routine to the learning activities and social interactions, early educators work to create a sense of stability and normalcy that helps children develop a sense of trust and confidence in themselves and the world around them.

In many ways, early educators become an extension of your family. Early educators are there for parents too! The relationship between parents and early educators is a unique and special one. It’s a partnership that is built on trust, respect, and a shared commitment to helping children develop and thrive. As a parent, it’s important to remember that early educators are not just providers of childcare – they are partners in your child’s development.

Care for Kids are dedicated to ensuring each and every educator, Australia-wide feels appreciated. That’s why they are asking every Aussie family to thank an educator.

Nominate an educator who has made a great impact on you, your family, or even the whole community, for THEIR chance to win a much deserved luxury weekend away!

Nominate your special educators today and YOU could win a $500 Visa gift card!

BALI-HIGH

After a solo trip to Bali for some much needed me-time back in 2016, I promised myself I'd come back here with my besties for my 40th birthday two years later. But life, timing and money (or lack of) kept getting in the way and here we are, seven years later and we'd still not been. Chats over the Summer break reignited the idea and we finally said 'fuck it, let's just book it'. So low and behold seven mamas were finally off to Bali and boy did we have the best time!

We weren't here for culture, rice fields or temples, although Bali has plenty of this. We were here to relax, have fun and reconnect. The term 'mums-gone-wild' was thrown around a few times! But whether you choose Bali for fun or relaxation (we clearly went more the fun route!), it's time to trade in the chaos of motherhood for some much-deserved me-time. Thinking about it? Well let me unravel our little adventure for you for some inspo...

Day one - flight and delyas

Look, I wanted to be able to tell you that our flight was amazing, and when we finally got on it, it was! But we had an 11 hour delay so getting on took some time, and yes we were flying Jetstar so that's probably enough said! We did get free inflight entertainment though. I'll take the small wins. By by the time we tackled customs, and found our driver, it was one o'clock in the morning by the time we got to our hotel. So much for an afternoon by the pool grabbing some much-needed sun. Thank god for spray tans! A couple of us did sneak up to the rooftop pool for a quick dip though.

Our first hotel was U Paasha, right in the heart of Eat Street Seminyak. I've stayed here before and it's really lovely, the pool is fab, the breakfast spot-on and it's just so central to great shopping, restaurants and fun.

Day two - getting out Sippy on

We were still one-woman-down as number 7 arrived that night, so trying not to peak too early we had a swim in the roof top pool (and a sneaky Bintang or two), did some shopping in Seminyak Square then spent the afternoon 'sipping' at Mrs Sippy. This spot is super-high on the ‘Instagram-able’ list, and gives good old “Mr Potatohead” a run for his money, but it seems so much quieter than precovid when it used to be heaving. The big draw card here is the fun 5m diving platform that towers over the whole venue and provides endless excitement watching people drop into the deep aqua pool below. But none of these mamas were brave enough this time. I saved that courage for Day four.

By Sarah Cavalier Editor, MamaMag, accompanied by six of her best mates!

Day three - getting out party on

After the late-night arrival of mama-no-7, today we were ready to get this party started! And where else but a beach club. If you haven't been to a Bali beach club, did you even go to Bali?! Ok, so maybe these mid-40's girls were pretending they were more like 30, but when Finns Beach Club invited us for the day, how could one resist? Located in the uberpopular Canggu, Finns have undoubtedly put beach club's on the map, and while there are new ones popping up all over the place, Finns still runs supreme. They even call themselves 'the best beach club in the world' and who was I to argue! Split into three sections, Finns Beach Club, Finns Beach Party and Finns VIP Beach Club, we opted for a huge day bed in the Party area which is dotted with circular pontoons in the pool (making it an Insta-dream) and a fabulous swim up bar overlooking the sea. I'll be honest, we kinda felt like rock-stars! The music was pumping, the sun was shining, and the cocktails... yum! And whilst we weren't quite as skimpily bikini clad as some patrons, I totally rocked my Infamous Swim bikini and have got 225 photos on my camera to prove a brilliant day was had by all. Day three ended with more partying, because whilst we were acting 30, why stop? We hit La Favela in Eat Street Seminyak. You can't find the words to describe this place. It's like a nightclub-jungle with the most intriguing decor. It's got to be seen to be believed. We totally carved up the dance floor, something I hadn't done in a long time, but jeez it felt good!

Day four - time to slip n slide

Taking things down a notch, and nursing sore heads, it was time for some water park fun. Usually high on the family must-do list, we decided that just because we didn't have kids didn't mean we should deny ourselves a day at Waterbom Park and I'm so glad we went. We booked a VIP gazebo which split between the 7 of us was only about $20 each and so worth it to have a spot to relax, eat and lock up our valuables. The lazy river was perfect to relax, but then we decided it was a good idea to go on the Climax. It was a trap door slide dropping me almost vertically down before I was caught and whipped into an inverted loop under 2.5G's of force on the way to being shot out in front of the crowd. It was both terrifying and exhilarating and I'm so glad I just gave in to my usual mumsy 'no thanks, bit much for me' and had a crack!

We celebrated a day out in the sun and water with dinner at my favourite Bali restaurant. Motel Mexicola. For years this amazing, unique venue has been serving the best Mexican food (hello $5 tacos), to-die-for cocktails (I’m all over the Mohito), all set amongst some fabulous and eccentric It's a Seminyak institution and not to be missed.

Day five - Hotel heaven

Today was moving day and time to swap the partying for some R&R with the much-anticipated check-in at Hotel Indigo Bali Seminyak Beach. This was recommended to me by the fabulous Caroline from Mums Grapevine, and we knew we were onto something good when our driver said "you very lucky to be staying at Indigo" and he wasn't wrong. I was fortunate to be hosted here #mamamagperks, but we split the cost of the other two rooms between the seven of us to make it cheaper for all! I've stayed in nice hotels before, but this was next level divine! Only six years old, our stunning rooms had the most unique contemporary design influenced by the local culture, history, and architecture, giant soft king size beds, a full dressing room and stunning bathroom and balcony. There are several pools including the main pool in the central lawn area with spa section, a smaller kids pool (kids are welcome here, but it's not marketed that way so whilst it's amazing for families, it's not full of screaming terrors!), and the stunning 'secret pool' which was like a secret jungle oasis but still serviced by the fabulous Cave Bar so a cocktail is only a button away!

Day six - Shopping and sun

Today was all about enjoying Hotel Indigo and it's surrounds. Indigo is opposite Seminyak beach, so plenty of action around like La Plancha with its iconic coloured umbrellas and bean bags for a bite and a drink. The shopping was excellent and since we'd left the kids home, adequate gifts would be required for their forgiveness! All the Bali usuals line the streets. Basketball tops, cheap dresses (we even got matching ones!), "designer" handbags, you know the stuff! The hotel is set on magnificent grounds and gardens and a quick stroll across the lush lawn will take you to their beach front cafe/bar complete with yet another pool, Sugarsand. We had sunset drinks here and I enjoyed the stunning a la carte breakfast poolside a few times too, but the hotel buffet breaky was equally incredible. You're going to love it!

Day seven - Brunch and bars

We got the 'good gear' out today and frocked up for brunch. Dubbed as one of the best brunches in Bali, Starfish Bloo's signature Sunday brunch at W Bali - Seminyak is an awesome experience and well worth the pricetag. We were greeted with French Champagne, shown to our table overlooking the bluest sea we'd seen so far, and enjoyed this incredible all you can eat buffet. Seafood (ceviche, sashimi, Nigeri, clams, prawns, mussels, oysters, crab), salads, a huge variety of cheese, Bao buns, satay, a whole pig, not to mention the desert options! It was incredible. We had a quick dip on their beautiful pool after. Not entirely sure this was included, but they happily handed out towel! Then we strolled along the beach home, stopping by the always iconic Potato Head for a quick drink for the girls who had never been. A few more drinks on the beach and the next day it was home time. My cup was full, my 40th achieved (almost 6 years late) and Bali once again has created a special place in my heart. Better book a trip with the kids!

HOLIDAY HELP

School holidays can feel like a marathon if all the kids want to do is watch TV, play Minecraft or repeatedly ask you for the iPad.

There are lots of things you can do inside the house that do not involve a screen. And will help ward off any whines along the lines of: “I’m booooooored”.

So to help a mama out, here are five creative ideas to try in every room of the house.

In the kitchen: make your own paint

Kids enjoy making potions in the garden by adding dirt and flowers and you can have similar fun in the kitchen making paint from ingredients in the cupboard.

Paint is made with pigment and a binder. The first paint on cave walls was made with charcoal, ochre, minerals mixed with water, saliva, blood, animal fat and even wee. The history of paint is fascinating and kids are intrigued by the stories, like how a certain purple (tyrian) comes from the glands of sea snails and how a type of yellow was cruelly made from cow wee, after forcing them to eat mango leaves.

You can make your own paint with spices like turmeric, curry powder and cinnamon or hunt through the house for chalk and eye shadow for a variety of colours.

Grind the pigments up with a mortar and pestle (some will need this more than others but it’s a fun part of the process). Then in a glass or jar, mix your ground pigments with a bit of egg yolk, a teaspoon of vinegar and a small amount of water as a binder and you have made egg tempera – a type of paint the Egyptians discovered and some artists still use today.

Experiment with other spices, berries, grass or charcoal. If it’s colourful, you can grind it and its not too lumpy, give it a go. See how many colours you can make, then make a painting.

In the living room: create a box masterpiece

Kids who may not like to draw or paint often love construction. So, collect different types of boxes and see what your child can create.

Apart from the boxes, you will also need masking tape. Kids can tear it themselves, or use a dispenser. Staplers and hole punchers are good connectors too. Also give them some thick markers, fabric scraps and glue to add details to their creations.

One holiday, we lived around my daughter’s construction zone as she worked with cardboard, other items from the recycling bin and things from around the house to make her own house.

An art expert suggests screenfree things to do in every room of the house

In your child’s bedroom: paint a mural

This won’t be possible for everyone, but think about letting your child paint a mural in their bedroom. My mum let us create fantastic scenes in our bedrooms growing up. Start by mapping out a basic design on paper. This slows the process down, allowing the child to think about what they would like on their walls. But be prepared for the plan to go out the window. Sometimes as artists we respond to the materials when we get them in our hands.

The trick to creating a successful mural with kids is selecting a good colour palette and you really can’t go wrong.

Get some sample-sized pots of water-based interior paint and bristle brushes from the hardware shop. Then tape a drop sheet to the floor and cover anything else you don’t want covered in paint and go for it!

If this is too freestyle for you, have a look at the wonderful “field of flowers” activity in Hervé Tullet’s book, Art Workshops for Children. This is a more structured approach to a collaborative painting and yields beautiful results (it starts with dots, then dots within dots and you end up with a field of flowers).

If this is not possible where you live, consider liquid chalk pens to create murals on the windows. This is so much fun and you can play with tracing things outside the window. Pick an array of colours and overlap line drawings to build up patterns on the glass. This is so easy to clean too – just wipe it off with a wet cloth.

In the dining room: make a comic

The dining table is the perfect spot for projects and drawing. I find kids love creating comics. The book Making Comics by Lynda Barry has excellent exercises to get you started on comic strips, storyboards and zines. Zines are mini DIY booklets. You can fill them with ideas using drawing, collage and words.

Why not take your child to see an exhibition, collect some flyers or postcards, and then

at home cut them up and stick them into a zine. This can extend your child’s museum experience, and provides a chance to discuss and make sense of what you saw together.

Children use drawing to make sense of the world around them. When my son was five, he made a comic about a gallery experience: how he didn’t want to go, how he felt about some of the artworks, and how he was relieved to get out because he was scared by some of the work.

This gave me the opportunity to see how strongly he was affected by the exhibition and we were able to talk about those feelings.

In the bathroom: crack open the shaving cream

Shaving cream is a great medium with endless possibilities for sensory play, which helps brain development, motor skills and more.

You can make slime by adding a cup of glue to two cups of shaving cream and sprinkling a teaspoon of baking powder in the mix, plus two teaspoons of saline solution. Add food dye for a marble effect, make prints and paint with it onto a mirror or bathtub.

You can also use it to make sculptures. Start with a shampoo bottle as your armature (inner structure) and build your form around it. Take photos of the sculptures as a way of recording the ephemeral creations.

Try adding cornstarch to the shaving cream and play with the proportions until you have developed a malleable substance. The transformation of the substance is quite remarkable and kids love the tactile quality of this mixture.

In the end, kids have the best ideas, so just take some time to ask them what kinds of creative activities they might like to explore over the holidays and let them take the lead. The important thing here is to let go, enjoy the process and play – worry about cleaning up later!

By Naomi Zouwer. Naomi is a visual artist and lecturer in Teacher Education, University of Canberra. This article was originally published in The Conversation. Read the original here.

Parklife

Eltham north adventure playground

This beauty opened late 2018 after fire sadly destroyed the original playground in December 2017. But a new play space has risen from the ashes, with its fiery bright slides, and has become one of the best play spaces in outer North/East and brilliant for borthday party celebrations..

Built similar, but bigger, than the original playground, the main feature is the huge wooden play space. It’s undercover, in a shed like shelter, providing brilliant year-round fun. Follow the stairs and bridges, climb to vast heights, scale the cargo nets and even play hide and seek. Whilst the structure is quite high, is really well enclosed for safe exploring.

Other great features include a massive sandpit with built in diggers, a fun tractor to ride, heaps of swings of all kinds including a liberty swing, a fantastic flying fox, climbing wall and even a fitness centre to keep mum busy! Follow the natural rocks and paths down to the cute and colourful cubbies by the veggie garden, each one a shop including a general store, post office or ice cream shop.

Toilets, BBQ area and sheltered seating are provided making this a one-stop-shop for endless fun.

The Parade, off Wattletree Rd, Eltham North.

TRY SOMETHING

Why trying something new, like playgroup, can be the best thing you can do.

Sometimes, the hardest part is beginning. What awaits on the other side of anything new is tinged with unknowns. Yet, with any risk, we also welcome a chance at reward. Getting out the door and gaining the momentum to get from A to B is the first leap. Having small children in tow can create even more barriers to forward motion - however, small steps can often lead to big change over time and one thing we think well worth your while is a trip to playgroup.

Playgroup is full of possibilities - possibilities for friendship, for support, for laughter, for fun, for commiseration during the challenging times and celebration during the milestones.

The profound thing about playgroup is often the consistency that is brings. Playgroup is something to look forward to. Something to provide structure. Something to create a routine, yet without the pressure of having to turn up and have anything prepared. Most of all, playgroup is full of play- it’s playful, bringing joy to both child and parent alike.

“It’s always worth it and we absolutely missed it during the ‘holiday’ break,” said Kaye, a Melbourne mother who relishes attending a local nature playgroup.

“A weekly event, that is pre-organised and at the same time, allows me to structure my week without added stress or cognitive load. I just need to get there.”

“It can be difficult to get there some mornings, but when you’re welcomed with smiling faces each week, you tend to leave whatever morning stress there was behind.”

For both Kaye and her child, it was an outing each week, in beautiful surrounds. Together they connected, immersed in the distinct Melbourne seasons, the stories, the environment. They connected with the

other families attending and had a shared experience in the gardens. In harmony, they disconnected- from chores, the phone, work, distractions, city noise.

“From a social perspective, it means I can feel good about the opportunity I’ve given my child to connect with other kids and learn in a really lovely outside environment. Mum guilt is real, and to be able to say, ‘look at the experiences you’re giving him!’, even if playgroup is the one thing we get to that week, it is super important. He adores it also.”

Sheridan, mother to Maisie, has felt the personal benefits of attending a community playgroup.

“As a sufferer of chronic fatigue and anxiety, I often struggle with committing to trying new things, going new places, and meeting new people. Some days it can be quite challenging to leave the house with a toddler, but I can confirm that attending playgroup and getting involved within our community has been such a positive experience for us. Take the leap!”

That leap while daunting can also break a cycle and spark new interests.

For many families, playgroup has greatly aided in breaking down the walls of isolation. Going to playgroup and volunteering within their community gives people a sense of purpose outside of their homes and day-today lives.

Sheridan works as the Membership Experience Officer at the peak body for playgroups in Victoria. She is in contact with both worlds, as a parent and assisting parents. She is in direct contact with families each week on the phone.

When speaking with families who attend playgroup there is often a consistent message, and that is the positive impact playgroup has on not only the children, but for the parent's and carers too! (A common misconception is that playgroup is just for kids).

NEW

Playgroup, while for your child, is indeed an outlet for you, too. The old adage that you cannot pour from an empty cup is true.

“The list of benefits linked to attending playgroups and local community sessions for children are endless,” said Sheridan. “I really wanted to simply highlight the importance and value it holds for the parents and carers too, surrounding yourself with other people who you can relate to, whilst we are all on our individual journeys navigating parenthood.”

The playgroup setting lends itself to openness. It creates room for you to simply be, with people who you have something in common with. In time, there is great opportunity to develop a sense of belonging.

“I think finding your tribe, in whatever playgroup setting that feels right with you, can only have a positive impact. In my case, it’s been absolute serotonin fuel,” said Kaye while reflecting on her own time at playgroup.

“There is also the opportunity to share the wild journey that having young children can be, with like-minded parents, and the outcome is you end up feeling less alone. I’ve made some really lovely friends, who I have met outside of the playgroup, which would never have happened without that common link that first joined us.”

Playgroup can take you by the hand and welcome you, slowly changing your mindset or your mood. There are many different types of playgroups- intergenerational playgroups, bush playgroups, cultural specific playgroups, baby playgroups, dads playgroups. Sometimes it might take a few attempts to find a group that feels right, but when you do, the benefits are abundant.

“Having suffered through postpartum depression and anxiety, leaving the house and connecting to other adults has had an incredible positive impact on my mental health,” said Kaye.

Kaye is also a skilled photographer and beautifully captures moments during her playgroup sessions. Playgroup provides an opportunity to express yourself, share your common interests, take a breather and reconnect with yourself as a person as well as a parent.

Physicist and great thinker Albert Einstein talked about ‘Combinatory Play’. The idea being that by playing in one area, you have the ability to open a different mental channel.

Combining and enjoying different types of play at different times can prompt new ways of thinking, creativity, new ideas and enjoyment that often lead to enlightenment and answers.

Whether it is having a morning tea and baking a cake, painting, yoga, suggesting an excursion to the zoo, suggesting an activity or sharing a skill with the group, there is a myriad of ways to enrich your own week at playgroup alongside your child and other local families.

A day at playgroup can get your brain thinking in new ways. Playgroup encourages you to embrace the unknown and try things out. Indeed, things keep changing, but playgroup friends and connections can last a lifetime- or at the very least, it can be what you need, at the time that you need it.

By Sinead Halliday, Playgroup Victoria

COLLECTIVE GIVING

The Fiver Party

Celebrating a child's birthday is a joyous occasion, but finding the perfect gift can sometimes be a challenge. However, one emerging trend, that fosters a sense of community and shared responsibility, is the 'Fiver Party'.

What's a Fiver Party, you ask? In short, a fiver party is an end to all of our kid presentbuying woes! It's simply a birthday party where each guest pops a five-dollar note in a card to go towards a ripper pressie that the child really wants. It's the end to wandering if a kid is actually into something and the end of worrying about how much is the right amount to spend. So why this concept is gaining popularity and why it is an excellent idea for celebrating a child's birthday?

It’s easy for parents

No more needing to dash to the shops to buy a present, or raiding the sub-standard present cupboard then wondering if the birthday kid already has that set of LEGO or isn't in to Build a Bots.

It promotes inclusivity and togetherness

By pooling together funds from multiple friends, the practice of contributing money towards a group present allows everyone involved to feel a part of something special. This collective effort fosters a sense of togetherness and inclusivity, emphasising that each person's contribution, no matter how small, is valuable and appreciated.

It’s budget friendly

If your child gets invited to lots of parties and you spend say $20 each time on a gift, it adds up, especially when kids start school and the ENTIRE class is invited to the parties.

It’s great for the environment

When selecting your own gift you run the risk of the child not really liking it. And even if they do love it, how long will that last? How many toys end up in landfill after being loved for a period of time and then ignored?

It's financially sensible

In an era where materialism often overshadows the true meaning of a birthday celebration, contributing $5 towards a group present offers a practical solution and removes the expectation of ‘stuff’ from birthdays. By pooling resources, individuals can collectively afford more significant and meaningful gifts that might be beyond the budget of a single person as well as the birthday child's parents. This approach encourages financial sensibility and teaches children the value of shared resources, budgeting, and responsible spending.

Variety and thoughtfulness

A group gift allows the child to receive a more diverse and thoughtful present. Instead of purchasing a single item, the pooled funds allow for the purchase of a larger or more comprehensive gift that could cater to the child's specific interests. This option broadens the range of gift possibilities and increases the likelihood of finding something that truly resonates with the birthday child.

Educational opportunity

By engaging children in the concept of collective giving, this practice offers an excellent opportunity to impart important life lessons. Kids can learn about the value of teamwork, collaboration, and the satisfaction that comes from working together towards a common goal. Additionally, they can develop a sense of gratitude for the contributions of others and understand the significance of appreciating the efforts made on their behalf.

But at the end of the day contributing $5 in a card for a child's birthday means the child gets one big and exciting present that they’ve been dreaming about, not lots of little cheap ones that break and have bits that get lost, and everyone is happy!

How to throw a fiver party

Simply write out your party invitations but state somewhere that this is a 'Fiver Party'. If you don't have enough room to explain what this is on the invitation, you could write 'PTO' and then explain it on the back. You could say something like: Lachie is having a fiver party! He really wants a new cricket bat so instead of bringing him a pressie, please pop a five-dollar note in a card to go towards his bat. He will be thrilled to get it!

Then you could either present your birthday child with the big ticket ('cricket!') item at the party for their mates to see what they all chipped in for, or you could take them shopping with the money so they can enjoy buying it. Also, if you think people will want to give more than five bucks, you could throw a 'tenner party' where mates give ten dollars or even a 'chip in' party where they can decide what they would like to contribute.

Happy party planning!

THE PERFECT PARTY

No matter what type of party your child wants, we’ve got you covered! Check out these great ideas for different styles of fun!

Little Jumpers:BOUNCEinc

7 locations in Victoria. www.bounceinc.com.au

Mama loves a BOUNCE party and BOUNCEinc is the perfect choice for those kids who love to fly high! With special packages for kids of all ages, they cater for ages 2-12! Junior Parties are specially modified it for Junior Jumpers, a Classic Party focuses on awesome games where everyone can get involved, and for kids over 8 the Freestyle Parties take it next level with adventure challenge games and team activities. This is the ultimate action packed party for the most bouncy bunch of kids!

Mini Golf Magic:Holey Moley

Eastland, Crown, Frankston, Chadstone and CBD. www.holeymoley.com.au

Looking for a kids birthday par-tee idea that will kick putt? Throw your caddy kid the best par-tee ever at Holey Moley. With mini golf, and par-tee food and drinks, we know the kids will be loving this one. Holey Moley turns traditional putt putt into a multi-sensory labyrinth of unique holes inspired by everything from your every day to the fun of your childhood faves.

adult admission tickets

• Child friendly menu

• Cut & serve birthday cake

• Gift for the birthday child

• Biscuit decorating activity

• Safari Bus (Werribee only)

• Colouring in and crayons

PARTY TIMES MELBOURNE

10.00am-12 noon

1.30pm - 3.30pm WERRIBEE

10.00am - 1.00pm

1.30pm - 3.45pm Times include Safari Bus

FOR A BIRTHDAY YOUR CHILD WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER, CONSIDER A CELEBRATION AT THE MELBOURNE ZOO OR WERRIBEE OPEN RANGE ZOO

Speed Demons:Le Mans Go Kart Parties

Dandenong South. lemansentertainment.com.au

Go karting is a fantastic way to teach kids the social skills they need to carry themselves with confidence. Le Mans has a range of birthday party options for all ages (yes dad, even you!) from Laserzone, to the VR Gaming Arena, and of course, out on the tracks.

The Best Bowling:Strike

Melb Central, Higpoint, Glen Waverley, Eastland, Chadstone and Frankston.

www.strikebowling.com.au

Strike offer a variety of party packages to suit every budget, from basic packages that include bowling and pizza, to deluxe packages that include pizza, soft drinks, and a variety of different activities. And with heaps of party add-ons, like our famous birthday cake, party favors, and extra games, you can make your child's party truly unforgettable. Book online for up to 20 kids!

Beauty Kings & Queens:Little Party Faces

Comes to you.

www.littlepartyfaces.com.au/glamour-parties

One and a half hours of pure indulgence, sounds perfect (for Mama). Spa foot soaks, mini manicures, mini facial treatments and so much more, this has got to be the most luxurious party package you’ve ever seen! Your party guests will go home feeling like pampered princesses!

Outdoor Adventure:Enchanted Adventure

Arthurs Seat.

enchantedadventure.com.au

From epic tube slides to tree surfing courses, giant brainteaser puzzles, canopy walk, sky scramble and more, kids will love celebrating their birthday here! Lose yourself in the colours of themed gardens, marvel at the structures of hedge topiary and giant sculptures or get tangled in one of their mazes.

Circus fun:Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq

Chadstone and Docklands www.archiebrothers.com.au

We've been to a few parties here and they are always super fun. It's dazzling, it's delightful, it's a spectacle for all ages! Run the kids ragged around the arcade and activities –dodgems, bowling and more! Their kaleidoscopic circus of arcade and ticket games and cocktails (for the adults of course) give old fun a new life! For parties they'll package up a bunch of activities, food and drinks. All the fun, none of the fuss.

Climbers:BlocHaus Bouldering

Port Melbourne and Marrickville. blochaus.com.au

BlocHaus is an indoor climbing gym specialising in fun, social bouldering. Bouldering provides a unique combination of physical and mental challenges. Every climb is a puzzle and the key is to experiment with how your body moves to figure it out. BlocHaus have two dedicated party rooms with packages for 10-20 kids. Best suited for children over 12, however there is a playground and section for the littlies.

High Flyers:iFLY Australia

Essendon Fields. iflyworld.com.au

A kids party at iFLY can be shared by anyone aged 3 - 17 years old whatever the weather. With all the gear ready to go, your group will get one on one instruction before their skydiving flights! You can make your child’s party experience extra special by booking the flight session exclusively for your group and enjoy all the thrills of indoor skydiving solely with your friends and family.

Science Whizz Kidz:TwistED Science

Moorabbin and Echuca. twistedscience.com.au

Mini Einsteins are going to love the hands-on Lab party science excitement creating things like slime, fizzy bath bombs and lava lamps!! Recommended for ages 5+this is a 2 hour 15 minute action packed science adventure with your own party host and access to the playzone!

VISIT BOUNCE BLACKBURN, ESSENDON, GEELONG, GLEN IRIS, HEIDELBERG, KEYSBOROUGH, WODONGA

BORN DIGITAL:HOW TO DEAL WITH CHILDREN’S PHOTOS ONLINE

We all love sharing photos of our kids online, especially around special occasions like births and birthdays, but aren’t we ignoring their right to privacy? Here’s how parents can strike a balance.

Proud parents beam over their newborn announcing the baby’s name, date of birth and weight. Friends and relatives gush over the new addition in comments and emojis. It’s a Facebook post that hardly seems original in this day and age – and is possibly the first step towards building this child’s digital footprint.

It’s near impossible for a modern family to avoid having photos of their children online. Even if you’re personally not much of a sharer, others, like proud grandparents, might be. And many schools today share photos online to communicate with parents or promote the school’s programs and student achievements.

Although children today are ‘born digital’, it’s worth considering that in many ways exposure in the online world presents more of a risk than in the physical one. As parents, you’re responsible for protecting them until they are old enough to make their own decisions about their online presence.

Why having photos of your children online is a risk

According to research conducted by cybersecurity company McAfee, 30% of Australian parents use social media to post a photo or video of their child at least once a week, with 12% posting at least once a day. This was despite 71% understanding that the image might end up in the wrong hands.

A 2017 University of Florida study found that “when children appear in Facebook photos,

45.2% of the posts also mention the child’s first name, and 6.2% reference the child’s date of birth”. On Instagram, it was worse: 63% of parents referenced their child’s first name in at least one photo in their stream and 27% of parents mentioned their child’s date of birth. Almost one in five shared both pieces of information!

But what’s the big deal if we share photos from little Jamie’s birthday party? The reality is that having images and identifying details can be used for a number of activities that put your child at risk, from paedophilia and stalking, to cyberbullying, identity theft and even kidnapping.

And that’s just the start. A bigger issue is that once the images are published, you can quickly lose control over who has access to them Abstaining from posting photos is the most privacy you can give your children, but we recognise that it is not the most realistic.

So what can you do to ensure better privacy practices?

Attain consent

Check with other parents before posting and sharing images of their children. You might be fine with your child’s photo being posted, but the parents of their friend who is next to them in the photo might not be.

Select the shots

Develop criteria of what you deem ‘appropriate’ and carefully select the shots to share. For example, you may wish to avoid full-frontal face shots, swimwear, and nudity.

Exclude details

Make sure the images do not contain personal details of your child, including their name (if they are wearing a nametag, blur it out),

location (no photos outside a recognisable home or school) and identifiable uniform. Do not share their date of birth. It’s tempting to announce the arrival of a newborn, but hold off and then post a less precise caption: “We welcome the latest member of our family born a few days ago…”

Scrub the metadata

Digital photos, especially those created on smartphones, often contain metadata that records the time, date and GPS coordinates of where the photo was taken. Be mindful that you may be unwittingly sharing this data when you share the photo.

There are different tools you can use to wipe the data, or you can develop a habit of creating a screenshot of the image and share the screenshot instead. This also makes the image low-resolution, reducing the risk of someone tampering with it.

Create a circle of trust

Only share images of your children with people you know and trust – don’t forget check your social media permissions and privacy settings. You should also communicate your concerns to people in this circle to ensure they understand the risks and are less likely to expose the images to outsiders.

Be in control

Every parent has the right to determine how their child’s photo is used, and every child has the right to safety and digital privacy. So, make sure your school obtains specific consent for the ways your child’s photo will be shared. If you’re happy for your child’s photo to be in the yearbook but not on their social media channels or website, then they are required to comply with those boundaries. Remember to S.N.A.P.: Check if your School Now

Asks Parents before sharing.

Privacy, once lost, is incredibly hard to regain. If you have a privacy-first mentality when dealing with your children’s digital footprint, it can reduce a lot of the risks associated with sharing their image and set them up for a healthier relationship with technology when they are old enough to protect themselves.

By Tammy Anson, a mum and Chief Operations Officer at child image protection and photo storage solution, pixevety. pixevety.com

FABULOUS FOLIAGE

There’s nothing like a trip away to relax, rejuvenate and refresh. That said, holidays might not always be attainable for everybody - heck, we haven’t had one in what seems like forever. So, we’ve decided to help you bring the holiday into your home.

Much like a trip abroad, indoor plants have been shown to boost your mood, help alleviate stress and improve air quality. Not only that, but they add so much colour and life to a space. So what are you waiting for?

We’ve come up with a few suggestions for house plants which are not only well suited to indoor life and easy to care for, but will add some major vacay vibes to your space.

Strelitzia Nicolai

This white bird of paradise variety is the sibling of the orange-flowering type you see in outdoor gardens. The Nicolai has broader, larger leaves and the flowers are a lovely white and blue. This is a great statement plant as it will grow quite tall over time, but just make sure it has a sunny spot to live in.

Spathiphyllum Sensation

The peace lily is no longer just the daggy plant your mum kept in the bathroom. This variety produces huge, soft, dark green foliage and can really transform a space. This guy will survive in lower light conditions but will really thrive in bright, indirect light.

Parlour palm

This variety of palm is great for indoors because of its compact size and fuss-free care requirements. Because it doesn’t grow as tall, it hasn’t got the huge, thick stem you see on most palms, which means you can focus more on that lovely, feathery foliage.

Alocasia / Elephant Ear

Most varieties of Alocasia/ Elephant Ear are great for indoors, as long as you have a nice, bright spot for them. They can grow into beautiful, big plants over time, but are a rewarding plant to grow at any size. They’re a tiny bit more complex than most other houseplants, but one of our personal favourites.

Monstera Deliciosa

This has probably been the trendiest houseplant of the last few years, and with good reason. It’s immensely satisfying to watch those beautiful, fenestrated leaves unfurl, and they’re one of the easiest plants to care for. Pop it in a bright spot, and watch it take over. We recommend staking this plant for support and to encourage it to grow upward as it matures.

Just remember that when shopping for plants, it’s important to familiarise yourself with each plant’s specific light and water needs, to ensure that you can provide the right conditions for each one.

MAMA CAN COOK

Little ricotta cakes

Makes 6 small cakes

Ingredients:

Plain flour, to dust

150g unsalted butter, softened

165g caster sugar

½ teaspoon vanilla bean paste

185g fresh ricotta, at room temperature

Finely grated zest of 1 lemon

2 eggs

180g self-raising flour

Pinch of salt

125ml full-cream milk

Icing sugar, to dust

Method:

Preheat the oven to 160°C fan-forced and grease six small bundt tins or extra-large

muffin cups (200 ml) well with melted butter. Dust with a little plain flour, tapping out any excess.

In the bowl of a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, cream the butter, sugar and vanilla until very light and fluffy. Add the ricotta and lemon zest and beat for another minute or two until well combined and light. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Fold half the dry ingredients into the butter and ricotta mixture before adding half the milk and stirring until just combined. Add the remaining flour and finally the remaining

milk and mix gently until the batter is smooth.

Divide the batter evenly between the tins, smoothing the tops and tapping the tins gently on the bench a few times to remove any air bubbles. Bake in the oven for 20–25 minutes or until the cakes are risen and cooked through. Allow the cakes to cool in their tins for 5 minutes or so before turning out onto a wire rack to cool further. Dust the cakes with icing sugar and serve warm or at room temperature.

Store any left-over cakes in an airtight container in the fridge for a day or two. Just return to room temperature before serving.

Some mornings we eat cake for breakfast and sit in the sun. We eat ours warm from the oven, simply dusted with icing sugar – but they would be beautiful served with a cloud of whipped cream and some macerated strawberries too.

This is a very simple chocolate cake. It’s a melt-and-mix number that delivers a nostalgically light, uncomplicated cake. Quite a lot of sour cream in the batter helps keep it lovely and soft, and topped with a simple chocolate icing and sprinkles or dried petal confetti, it’s pure childish delight.

A simple chocolate cake

Ingredients:

200g self-raising flour

65g Dutch (unsweetened)

cocoa powder

½ teaspoon baking powder

¼ teaspoon salt

220g caster sugar

300g sour cream

125 ml full-cream milk

3 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste

125g melted unsalted butter

Sprinkles or dried edible flowers to decorate (optional)

Chocolate icing:

200g icing sugar

30g Dutch (unsweetened)

cocoa powder

25g melted unsalted butter

2 tablespoons boiling water

Method:

Preheat the oven to 160°C fanforced. Grease a 22 cm round tin with butter and line the tin with baking paper.

Place the flour in a large mixing bowl. Sift in cocoa and baking powder, before adding the salt and caster sugar and whisking to combine. In a separate bowl, whisk the sour cream, milk, eggs, vanilla and melted butter (cooled) together until smooth. Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients and pour in the wet ingredients. Mix gently until the batter is smooth. Spoon the batter into the tin, smoothing the top and tapping the tin gently on the

bench a few times to remove any air bubbles. Bake in the oven for 55–60 minutes, or until the cake has risen and is cooked through. Allow to cool for 10 minutes in the tin before carefully turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely. When the cake is cool, make the icing. Place the icing sugar, cocoa and butter in a mixing bowl. Add the boiling water and stir until smooth. Spread over the cooled cake and top with sprinkles or edible flowers (if using). Store any left-over cake in an airtight container at room temperature for 2–3 days.

A comfortingly simple butter cake, with just the right ratio of cake to sunny passionfruit buttercream. This is the cake I make first when I’ve been away from home, and the one I crave with a big cup of tea when my mum is not around for a hug.

A plain cake with passionfruit buttercream

Makes: 1 20cm cake

Ingredients:

185g unsalted butter, softened

185g golden caster sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste

3 eggs

225g self-raising flour

pinch of bicarbonate of soda

pinch of salt

125ml buttermilk, at room temperature

PASSIONFRUIT BUTTERCREAM

125g unsalted butter, softened

240g icing sugar

2 tablespoons passionfruit pulp, plus extra to decorate

Method:

Preheat the oven to 160°C fanforced and grease a deep 20 cm round tin thoroughly with butter. Line with baking paper. In a mixer cream the butter, caster sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. Place the flour, bicarb and salt in a separate bowl and whisk together. Add half to the creamed butter mixture, stirring gently, before adding half the buttermilk. Once mixed add remaining flour, then buttermilk, stirring gently until smooth.

Spoon into the tin, smoothing the top and tapping the tin gently on the bench to remove any air bubbles.

Bake in the oven for 45–50 minutes or until golden, risen and cooked through. Allow the cake to cool in the tin for 10 minutes before carefully turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

When the cake is cool, make the passionfruit buttercream. Mix the butter and half the icing sugar in a mixer with a paddle attachment until smooth. Add the remaining icing sugar and passionfruit pulp and beat until light and fluffy. Spoon the buttercream evenly onto the cooled cake and top with a little extra passionfruit pulp, if you like. Serve at room temperature in thick slices, with a large pot of tea and a good friend.

Images and text from The Plain Cake Appreciation Society by Tilly Pamment, photography by Tilly Pamment. Murdoch Books RRP $39.99. Out July 4. Pre-order here.

STOP THE SMACK

Children have the right to be safe from violence inside and outside the home – and Australia’s corporal punishment of children legislation needs to catch up.

In all states and territories, parents or carers are permitted to punish children using physical force with the intent to cause some degree of pain or discomfort, however light.

It also remains legally acceptable for a parent or carer to hit or smack their child with the hand, pinch them, or wash their mouth out with soap.

But it’s illegal to hit a child who is not your own, a dog or another adult. Hitting or hurting anyone other than your own child can result in criminal charges of assault.

It’s important to note it’s not like this everywhere. Around the world, 65 countries have made corporal punishment illegal.

Australia still lags behind, favouring the idea that parents and carers will make the right choices. Australian state and territory governments are reluctant to change legislation that interferes with the right of parents in how they raise their children.

And yet there are many instances where legislation does affect family life. For example, it’s against the law to smoke in a car with your children under the age of 16, and it’s compulsory for children to use car seats and seat belts. Governments do legislate when it comes to children’s well-being.

Our team from the Parent and Family Research Alliance, led by myself and Professor Daryl Higgins from Australian Catholic University, has researched corporal punishment, published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, and believe it’s time to reform corporal punishment legislation in Australia.

Australia’s position on corporal punishment is inconsistent with international human rights guidelines. Picture: Getty Images

Australia is out of step globally.

Australia’s position on corporal punishment is inconsistent with international human rights guidelines that the country follows and is signatory to.

One of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals aims to “end all forms of violence against children”, and the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child urges countries to prohibit corporal punishment – taking all appropriate legislative, administrative, social and educational measures to eliminate “all forms of physical or mental violence”.

Currently, 65 countries around the world have changed their laws, banning corporal punishment in homes and schools. Canada is currently on the brink of changing the law, introducing Bill S-251, which would ban corporal punishment in the country.

Our failure to undertake legal reform and prohibit physical punishment by parents and carers has prompted harsh criticism from the international community.

Adverse effects of corporal punishment

Research shows corporal punishment is not effective as a method of discipline.

In fact, alternatives to corporal punishment are much more effective at guiding and teaching children. Research from countries that have prohibited corporal punishment shows that attitudes to using corporal punishment change once legislation is introduced and parents use it less.

Corporal punishment also has a wide range of adverse impacts that radiate across a person’s life span.

Physical abuse, at the extreme end of corporal punishment, has an even more severe impact.

Numerous studies have shown that the experience of corporal punishment in childhood is linked with mental health problems, negative parent-child relationships, aggression, antisocial behaviour, impaired cognitive ability, low self-esteem and, even in adulthood, domestic violence.

It also has a profound negative impact on brain development – similar to the effects of physical abuse.

Early data from the Australian Child Maltreatment Study shows that experiencing corporal punishment four or more times as a child almost doubles the risk for anxiety and depression in early adulthood.

The current Australian law

In most states and territories in Australia, hitting children is prohibited in schools or education environments but is allowed at home.

In New South Wales, the Northern Territory, Queensland, Tasmania and Western Australia, parents and caregivers are permitted to discipline children in the home using ‘reasonable’ physical force.

In Victoria, South Australia, and Australian Capital Territory, common law applies through the courts to permit reasonable corporal punishment. However, in these states, punishing a child who is incapable of understanding what they have done wrong, or exerting force that is unjustifiable, is illegal.

In all states and territories, corporal punishment is prohibited in early childhood education and care settings. In most jurisdictions, corporal punishment is prohibited where children are in state care. These prohibitions have come about in the last 30 years and have advanced children’s rights to protection from physical discipline.

They also indicate a legislative appetite to prohibit corporal punishment.

The hurdles in legal reform

To bring about legislative reform in Australia, there’s a variety of concerns held by different members of the community that may need to be overcome.

These include parental rights: Politicians make significant policy decisions that support child development, but they are often concerned about dictating how families raise their children and discipline them.

This idea is that the state should not interfere or have control over family matters that are private and influenced by culture and religion.

As a result, politicians tread carefully around the issue of parental privacy or parent rights, seeing their role as supporting families but not to interfere.

But this raises the question of what about children’s rights? Who advocates for children to have the right to live a life free from violence?

"Hitting children is prohibited in schools or education environments but is allowed at home."

Effective parenting strategies: Some parents believe that corporal punishment is effective to correct children’s behaviour. Punishment or the threat of it may result in short-term compliance.

However, a meta-analysis of over 70 international studies found corporal punishment decreases compliance over time and increases aggression.

Upholding a ban on corporal punishment

Prohibiting parents’ use of corporal punishment through legislation may result in prosecution and criminalisation of parents, fines that would disadvantage families, and put a strain on the justice systems. However, these concerns are unfounded, based on evidence from other countries, like New Zealand (see below), which did not have increased prosecution after law reform.

Impact on different communities: Some communities, such as Indigenous Australians, will need to determine what will help their community if legislation change occurs.

With a history of police intervention and child protective involvement fuelled by the forced removal of children, family separation and institutionalisation, it’s important that legislative change does not become another punishing experience, marginalising Indigenous families

Law reform may also be a challenge for culturally and linguistically diverse communities where corporal punishment is more commonly practised.

Parent education programs that provide alternatives to corporal punishment are important in all communities, especially where corporal punishment occurs more often.

Learning from other countries

Many other countries have made the change –and have seen the benefits.

In 1989, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child made corporal punishment illegal. Since then, 65 countries have changed legislation, including New Zealand, Wales, Ireland, Austria, Germany, France and Spain.

In most countries, legislative change is typically followed by educational campaigns highlighting the adverse impact of physical punishment in childrearing.

In countries with public health education about the new laws, the public has been made aware of the harmful effects of corporal punishment and provided with alternative parenting strategies.

In 2007, New Zealand passed a law prohibiting corporal punishment. This was done alongside a widespread public health campaign encouraging non-violent discipline, as well as consultation and work with different communities about the changes.

Police monitoring of smacking reports found an overall reduction in all types of child assault incidents. Attitudes towards corporal punishment also changed, with dramatic reductions in support after the change.

Changing legislation to end corporal punishment needs to be approached from the perspective of child rights and providing parenting support.

Children have the right to be safe from violence both inside and outside the home –in the same way that adults are protected from any form of violence. As a society, we have a moral imperative to protect children from all forms of harm.

It’s time to reform our current legislation. It’s time to increase public awareness of corporal punishment and its effects.

And it’s time for Australian parents to have information, support, and access to programs that promote alternative forms of discipline that are more effective and do not cause children harm.

Professor Sophie Havighurst PhD Leader, Tuning in to Kids Project Leader, Tuning in Online Programs (TOP); Mindful: Centre for Training and Research in Developmental Health Department of Psychiatry Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne.

This article was first published on Pursuit. Read the original article here.

new on the shelf

Sunday Skating by Andrea Rowe

Clancy’s friends skate through the quiet Sunday streets, while Clancy feels self-conscious, and embarrassed, that he’s just a beginner. His board stays tucked under his arm; his feet stay firmly on the ground.

But his friends aren’t giving up on him and Clancy realises the only way forward is to step on his board and try … even if he might fall.

Published by Hardie Grant Children's Publishing. RRP $24.99.

Harriet's Hungry Worms by Samantha Smith

A funny and engaging eco-story that invites young readers to follow the adventures of Harriet's ravenous compost worms. The worms munch their way through their wide and wonderful weekly menu, turning kitchen scraps into valuable compost for Harriet's garden. The book introduces children to composting and worm farms in an accessible, light-hearted, and intriguing way. It also features inventive illustrations incorporating recycled materials to invite young readers to delve deeper into the sustainability discussion.

Published by Exisle publishing. RRP $24.99.

Jack's best day ever by Gabrielle Bassett

Jack loves anything that zooms, digs and races but he doesn’t like change and he only ever wants to eat peanut butter sandwiches! This heart-warming, hilarious story of friendship explores how it feels to be neurodivergent, and introduces children to the idea that there is no one-size-fits-all way to be.

Gabrielle Bassett, is a mum of two and works in an Australian University. In her role she does a lot of disability, diversity and inclusion advocacy work with staff and students. Jack, the boy in the story, is based upon her son.

Published by Woodslane Press. RRP $24.99.

Mr Impoppable by Trent Jamieson and Brent Wilson

Mr Impoppable is, well… impoppable but Gerald is not convinced. Will ninja kittens and lightning bolts be enough to prove Gerald right? Or will this unlikely pair form an impoppable bond?

Trent Jamieson and Brent Wilson have brought a retro vibe to what is sure to become a contemporary classic. At its heart, this is a story of friendship. At its most outrageous, this is a story about a Popatron 3000 Megaburster and one child’s very unusual quest!

Published by Larrikin House. RRP $24.99.

Welcome to Sex! by Melissa Kang and Yumi Stynes

The longest standing expert behind Dolly Doctor, Dr Melissa Kang and award-winning Podcaster Yumi Stynes have united once again to write the sex education we never had – a little book packed with honest advice on everything tweens and emerging adults need to know about sex. This little book is packed with honest advice on everything you need to know about sex: how to know when you're ready and reasons not to have sex, exploring pleasure on your own to becoming sexually intimate with others, contraception and staying safe, how to communicate about sex, wobbly starts and awkward moments (including talking to your parents about sex).

Published by Hardie Grant Children's Publishing. 12+ RRP $24.99.

Spellstone by Ross Montgomery

Evie is used to not being noticed. But when she meets the mysterious Wainwright, she discovers that going unnoticed might just be what makes her unique. Recruited into a secret magical organization, Evie finds herself at the heart of an ancient and magical battle. Evil is returning to the land, and Evie is the only person who can stop it. But how can she defeat the most dangerous magician in the world, when she doesn’t even know her own powers?

Published by Walker Books. Age 9+ RRP $17.99.

This Book Thinks Ya Deadly! by Corey Tutt

An inspirational, illustrated compendium that celebrates the diversity and success of First Nations People. It features the profiles of 80 Blakfellas who are doing deadly things across sport, art, activism and science, through to politics, education and literature. It showcases the careers and Corey’s personal stories of First Nations People who have done great things in their respective fields, including Professor Marcia Langton, Miranda Tapsell, Tony Armstrong, Dr Anita Heiss, Danzal Baker (Baker Boy), Adam Goodes and Blak Douglas. Molly Hunt's deadly illustrations make this book the perfect gift for all ages.

Published by Hardie Grant Explore. 13+ RRP $34.99.

Where the Light Goes by Sara Barnard

A heart-wrenching exploration of grief from a bestselling YA author, set in a landscape corrupted by fame and the scrutiny that comes from living in the shadow of a star.

To the world, Lizzie Beck is a superstar: famous, talented and beloved. To Emmy, she is simply Beth: her brilliant older sister, her idol. But then Beth takes her own life, and all the light in the world disappears. Now Emmy is lost. Amidst the media storm and overwhelming public grief, she must fight to save her own memories of her sister – and find out who she is without her.

Published by Walker Books. Age 14+ RRP $19.99

Six Figures in School Hours - How to run a successful business and still be a good parent by Kate Toon

Most parents don't want to build a global empire or make a gazillion dollars a year. They just want to earn a decent income and have time to read their kids a bedtime story without having a meltdown in the process. Award-winning digital marketing coach Kate Toon shares practical and doable tips for parents to run a successful business, make serious money and not burn themselves to a frazzle in the process. A smart, honest business self-help book that gives you the skills, the tools and the confidence to never again need to choose between a successful business and a happy family life.

Out June 28. Published by Major Street Publishing RRP $32.99

Bringing Up Boys Who Like Themselves by Kasey Edwards and

Christopher Scanlon

Mums of boys... Gain more clarity and peace of mind about: How to give your boy the skills and confidence to resist peer pressure and the influence of unhealthy masculinity; The most effective way to stand up for himself without resorting to violence; How to motivate himto tackle new and hard things without the nagging; How to get your son to tell you about his day; What to do about screens and porn; How to teach your boy to be respectful and to take responsibility for his actions and How to give your boy the gift of rock-solid confidence and self-belief.

Published by Penguin Life RRP $35.00.

Dirty Laundry by Richard Pink & Roxanne Emery

Why Adults with ADHD Are So Ashamed and What We Can Do to Help

An unfiltered look into the chaos of real life with ADHD. It will transform your self-hatred into self-acceptance, with simple tips that actually work for your brain. From the husband-and-wife team behind social media phenomenon @ ADHD_Love, whose viral videos have been viewed more than 200 million times, comes a fearless, often outrageously funny, account of life, learning, and growing with ADHD. They share the strategies they have used to reduce shame, improve communication, and find happiness in their neurodivergent household.

Published by Random House. RRP $36.99.

Understanding Modern Spirituality by Inna Segal,

Understanding Modern Spirituality explores many themes of life, death, soul and spirit and examines all the numerous old, outdated, ambiguous teachings that have dominated the new age industry. When we think deeply, we have an opportunity to connect the pieces of our life in a profound and inspired way. Inna Segal challenges you to understand the differences between physical and energetic bodies.

Published by Rockpool Publishing. RRP $29.99.

DISABILITY REPRESENT...

We were super excited to see Mattel, Inc. introduced its first Barbie doll with Down syndrome in April, created to allow even more children to see themselves in our favourite doll.

The first Barbie doll with Down syndromepart of this year’s global Barbie Fashionistas collection, the most diverse doll line on the market - is meant to inspire all children to tell even more stories through play.

Barbie worked closely with the US-based National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) –a leading human rights organisation for people with Down syndrome - to ensure the doll accurately represents a young woman with Down syndrome and to ensure the doll would meaningfully and immediately connect with the community.

The guidance, real-world experience, and insight of the NDSS informed the design process from start to finish, including the doll’s sculpt, clothing, and accessories. Counselled by the NDSS, Barbie was purposeful with every design choice including:

• Sculpt: Barbie has a new face and body sculpt to be more illustrative of women with Down syndrome, including a shorter frame and a longer torso. Special care was given to the new face sculpt which features a rounder shape, smaller ears, and a flat nasal bridge. The eyes are slightly slanted in an almond shape and little white spots can be seen in the iris. The doll’s palms include a single line, a characteristic often associated with people with Down syndrome.

• Fashion and accessories: The pattern on the doll’s puff sleeve dress features butterflies and yellow and blue colours – symbols and colours associated with Down syndrome awareness. The doll’s pink pendant necklace with three upward chevrons represents the three copies of the 21st chromosome, the genetic material that causes the characteristics associated with Down syndrome. The three chevrons or arrows are a symbol that unites the Down syndrome community and are meant to represent “the lucky few” who have someone with Down syndrome in their life.

• Orthotics: Barbie wears pink ankle foot orthotics (AFOs) to match her outfit, and her sneakers feature a zipper detail. Some children with Down syndrome use orthotics to support their feet and ankles.

“It was an honour working with Barbie on the Barbie doll with Down syndrome. This means so much for our community who, for the first time, can play with a Barbie doll that looks like them. This Barbie serves as a reminder that we should never underestimate the power of representation. It is a huge step forward for inclusion and a moment that we are celebrating.”

Kandi Pickard, NDSS President and CEO

The development of the Barbie Fashionista doll with Down syndrome spanned more than a year including meetings, emails, sketch shares, and critical rounds of feedback and reactions to the design with the NDSS.

“A doll with Down syndrome has been one of the top asks I’ve received as the head of design for Barbie. The development of this doll spanned well over a year from initial ideation to production.”

Kim Culmone, Senior Vice President, Global Head of Design Barbie & Fashion Dolls, Mattel

This is the first Barbie doll to reflect a person with Down syndrome. It’s also a unique doll in the category. In the past, most dolls with Down syndrome have been baby dolls. The Barbie Fashionista doll with Down syndrome is breaking barriers by creating an adultform doll, allowing all children to play out future storylines.

Children’s early experiences help shape their thoughts and perceptions – and Barbie can play an important role in this process. When a child plays with Barbie, they play out their dreams and imagine they can be anything. Doll play has an incredible purpose during key developmental stages as it may help set children on a course for success by allowing them to develop empathy – fueling social skills needed to excel as they imagine their futures with an equal playing field. The Barbie Fashionista doll with Down syndrome allows more children to see themselves in Barbie, and to have Barbie reflect the world around them, which can help foster a sense of inclusivity.

“As the most diverse doll line on the market, Barbie plays an important role in a child’s early experiences. Our goal is to enable all children to see themselves in Barbie, while also encouraging children to play with dolls who do not look like themselves. Doll play outside of a child’s own lived experience can teach understanding and build a greater sense of empathy, leading to a more accepting world. We are proud to introduce a Barbie doll with Down syndrome to better reflect the world around us and further our commitment to celebrating inclusion through play.”

Lisa McKnight, Executive Vice President and Global Head of Barbie & Dolls, Mattel

Barbie is the most inclusive doll line on the market with more than 175 looks offering different eye colors, hair colours and textures, skin tones, body types, abilities, and fashions, to tell even more stories. Barbie has introduced dolls with vitiligo, dolls that use a wheelchair, a doll with hearing aids, and a doll without hair, and the Barbie Fashionista line is a consistent top seller. This year, Barbie continues to represent belonging and inclusivity with the full 2023 Fashionistas lineup, which also includes a new Fashionista doll wearing braces, and a Ken Fashionista doll with a prosthetic leg.

The Barbie Fashionista doll with Down syndrome is available to purchase at Kmart, Target and Big W, RRP $13.00.

WIN

A Funlab Family Fun Pass for up to $2500 worth of fun!

WIN a whole month's worth of fun with a Funlab Fun Pass. You’ll get up to 70 activities in a month, worth up to $2500, across four worlds of FUN - Strike, Holey Moley, Archie Brothers and B.Lucky and Sons. Enjoy arcade games, mini golf, karaoke, bowling, laser tag plus 10% off food and drink, yay! Enter online at mamamag.com.au/funlab and send us in your best colouring in for 5 bonus entries!

THE BUDGET BLUES

5 ways to conquer the winter blues without breaking the budget

Lower temperatures and shorter days have a way of making us feel blue. Doing something about it, however, needn’t blow a hole in your budget. In fact, there are many ways to stay warm and upbeat that cost very little, if anything at all. Here are five ways to avoid moping on the couch without going broke:

1. Lodge your tax return

Ok, not the most fun thing to do, I know. BUT the fun comes from all those things you could do with your tax refund!

Perhaps a well-earned family holiday; brightening your home with a cheery coat of paint and better lighting; a garden makeover; or taking up a new hobby.

Because it’s money that was effectively forced savings, you won’t need to dip into your everyday finances to pay for it. Plus, you’re saving yourself the hassle when things are busier – October school holidays and the preChristmas rush.

Be sure to claim your full entitlements to maximise that refund – it’s easy to miss things like work-related parking, travel, stationery, printing, and depreciation. Even financial advice costs and charity donations are generally tax deductible.

2. Spend for the long term

Most of us are guilty of looking for a quick fix when we’re feeling down – like comfort eating or reaching for the liquor cabinet.

Like most quick fixes, the long-term effects are anything but good, for your health or your budget. Poor health means higher healthcare costs, and more expensive health and life insurances.

Instead, look at things that deliver both a short-term mood uplift AND positive ongoing effects. Exercise is a great example –endorphins for an instant boost with longterm health benefits too.

Why not play group sports or take out a gym membership? It’s money you would have spent anyway, but a longer-term focus means you get more bang for your buck.

Or save the money altogether and exercise for free – going for runs with a friend or long walks with your dog.

3. Treat yourself, thriftily

Sometimes a shopping spree, pamper day or getaway is just what’s needed to put a smile on your face.

And there’s no need to raid your savings or delay paying bills to pay for such luxuries.

Consider alternatives to cash such as:

• Loyalty and credit card points – you may have accrued more than you realise. The latter generally offers greater value in stores or travel agencies than redeeming points for cash.

• Gift vouchers – a survey by Finder earlier this year found the average Australian has $95 in unused gift vouchers. Track them down and use them before they expire.

• Housesitting – avoid one of the biggest travel expenses – accommodation – and become a housesitter somewhere warm. Numerous websites offer housesitting services, or you could house swap with someone to take care of your home while you relax in theirs.

• Insurance – some health insurers cover certain natural therapies and alternative remedies, such as remedial massage and acupuncture. If a particular ailment is getting you down, get it seen to and claim a rebate if you’re eligible.

4. Embrace Christmas in July

Get into the festive spirit with Christmas in July – enjoying warm mulled wine and tasty holiday treats around a cosy fireplace.

Many restaurants and pubs offer Christmas in July specials – far cheaper than the real deal in December.

Alternatively, it costs nothing to pull out the Christmas decorations to breathe extra life into otherwise ordinary family meals.

You can even get a headstart on this year’s Christmas shopping, taking the pressure off later and snapping up any bargains you find.

5. Create extra income

Instead of spending money to feel happier, why not make more money!

There are loads of ways to get out of the house and lift your mood while simultaneously earning extra income.

For example:

• Do an early spring clean and sell unwanted items with a garage sale or on free sites like Facebook Marketplace.

• Put your DIY talents to use – people pay good money for homemade artworks, photography, furniture, crafts, foods… the list is endless.

• Become a tutor in something you’re good at to earn a little extra cash.

• Gain an extra qualification towards a promotion or higher-paying job

No matter what you choose to do, remember this one simple truth – it’s hard to feel those winter blues when you’re laughing all the way to the bank!

Helen Baker is a licensed Australian financial adviser and author of the new book, On Your Own Two Feet: The Essential Guide to Financial Independence for all Women (Ventura Press, $32.99). Helen is among the 1% of financial planners who hold a master’s degree in the field. Proceeds from book sales are donated to charities supporting disadvantaged women and children. Find out more at www.onyourowntwofeet.com.au

4 POWERFUL WAYS TO LOVE YOURSELF

Loving yourself is a process that starts from within. It is about accepting all aspects of yourself, including the light and shadow side. Each of us has our own set of archetypal patterns, which can help us understand our unconscious and subconscious behaviours and reactions. By embracing all aspects of ourselves, we can heal past wounds, release self-sabotage, and reach our highest potential. As human beings we each have our own archetypal patters such as: hermit, opportunist, martyr, investigator, role model, queen, prince, etc.

We also have archetypes that are part of all humanity and are connected to the base, sacral, solralpexus and heart chakras. Each archetype is the keeper of many gifts and challenges and can assist you in understanding your unconscious and subconscious patterns, behaviours, and reactions.

Working with archetypal energy can help you heal past wounds, release self-sabotage, let go of fearful and limiting patterns, reach your highest potential, reclaim your integrity, have more choices, and become self-empowered. Below are 4 steps that you can work with to accept your shadow, connect with your archetypes and to cultivate more inner love.

1. Define self-love

The first step to loving yourself is to define what self-love means to us. We can ask ourselves questions like "What does self-love mean to me?" or "How can I show more love to myself?" We can visualise a cup inside ourselves that represents our level of self-love and care. Is the cup full or empty? If it's empty, we can ask ourselves, "How am I giving myself away?" and "What steps can I take to fill my heart up?" This could include engaging in loving activities such as having a luxurious bath, getting a massage, or spending some relaxing time alone or with a friend.

2. Embrace all aspects of yourself

To love yourself fully, it is essential to embrace all aspects of yourself, including the parts we don't like or have pushed away. We can make a list of all the judgments we have made about ourselves and give each part a name. For example, if we discover a victim part of

ourselves that we don't like, we can call it Victim Vicky or Victor. We can visualise what this part of ourselves looks like and talk to it, letting it know that we want to understand and accept it. The more we can accept all of ourselves, the more alive we will feel. We can also work with the victorious Vicky and Victor which can empower us to be courageous.

3. Celebrate successes

Creating a daily practice of acknowledging and celebrating our successes can help us cultivate self-love. Every time we do something positive, we can stop for a moment, place our hands on our heart, and deeply acknowledge it. We can also do something special to celebrate our achievements once or twice a week. This could include treating ourselves to a nice meal, buying ourselves something we've been wanting, or spending time doing something we enjoy.

4. Practice positive affirmations

Practicing positive affirmations is another powerful way to love yourself. Every morning, we can focus on a part of our body or personality that we have been challenged by and say positive affirmations. For example, if we feel that we are overweight, we can say, "I love my body, and my body loves me. I will nourish it with healthy food, and it will take on the shape that makes me feel good." By repeating these affirmations regularly, we can shift our mindset and cultivate self-love.

Loving yourself is a journey that requires patience, compassion, and self-awareness. By embracing all aspects of ourselves, celebrating our successes, and practicing positive affirmations, we can cultivate self-love and live a more fulfilling life. Remember, the most important relationship we have is the one we have with ourselves. Let's start showing ourselves the love and care we deserve today.

Inna Segal is a bestselling, award winning author of several books and cards on wellness and healing. Her new book, Understanding Modern Spirituality (Rockpool Publishing $29.99), is now available where all books are sold and online at www.rockpoolpublishing. com.au