MAGAZINE.COM.AU
ISSUE 111 - DECEMBER 2020
chritsmas special
EDITOR IN CHIEF
Bianca Medina ART DIRECTOR
Bianca Medina DEPUTY EDITOR
Feba Maryann  CONTRIBUTORS
Sheree Hoddinett Amy Adeney Lance Green Katie E cottonbro Polina Tankilevitch Tatiana Syrikova Itati Tapia Lisa Fotios Laura Garcia Anna Shvets CONTACT
My Child Magazine North Parramatta NSW Sydney Australia +614 11 572 877 editorial@mychildmagazine.com.au
Contents 6
50
112
Brilliant Ways To Decorate Your
Christmas Gift Guide
Dad Read - Ways You Can Get
64
Yourself Involved With Your Child’s
House For Christmas
12
Education
118
Get The Look Interiors
Christmas Themed Ideas For Family
74
Game Night!
18
10 Tips For A Faster Recovery After A
How To Strengthen Your Marriage During Tough Times
124
C-Section
Celebrating Christmas During The
80
Pandemic
24
Blogger -How Are We Here Already?
128
Aqua Baby!
88
How To Co Parent During This Festive Month
Redefining Masculinity For A New Generation Of Boys
Movement Milestones For Your Baby
28
134
94
Book Reviews
Fashion
Toy Reviws
32
100
Parenting Tips That Help You Get
Common Behavioural Issues In
Through Christmas
144 Tommee Tippee All About Sleep
158
Toddlers
38 How To Deal With An Unplanned
106
not every child can be at home this
5 Powerful Parenting Techniques You
Pregnancy
Can Use In 2020
44
christmas…
164 Recipes
A Cloth Christmas
152
MY CHILD DIRECTORY
DISCLAIMER: It My Child Magazine and mychildmagazine.com.au are wholly owned by My Child Magazine (ABN 79 167 787 662). No other parties or individuals have any financial interest in the company or in My Child or mychildmagazine.com.au. My Child contains general information only and does not purport to be a substitute for health and parenting advice. Readers are advised to seek a doctor for all medical and health matters. The publisher and authors do not accept any liability whatsoever in respect of an action taken by readers in reliance on the recommendations set out in this magazine. Reproduction of any material without written permission by the publisher is strictly forbidden. We cannot accept responsibility for material lost or damaged in the post or for any unsolicited manuscripts and photographs. All reasonable efforts have been made to trace copyright holders.
Bianca Medina editor-in-chief
Editor’s Letter Hello Peeps, YAY YAY YAY - WE MADE IT!!! December is here! The countdown is on! I can’t wait to say “see ya 2020, it was not a pleasure!” I know it may sound a little harsh buy this year has tested every ounce of my patience, kindness and resilience so I cannot wait for it to end and to unite with 2021 and all that it promises! I would like to thank you all for your continued support throughout this crazy year and hope you all have a safe and as normal Christmas and New Year with your loved ones and family. For once I am lost for words and that is just because of the excitement! We will be back in 2021 Well, until Next Year,
Bianca oxo
editor’s picks
Floristique Verbena & Fig Leaf Candle $155 sunglasshut.com
Cotton Embroidered Nightdress $42.50 marksandspencer.com/au
The Eye Concentrate $315 cremedelamer.com.au
Michael Kors $90 macys.com
Classic North South Wallet $49.95 countryroad.com.au
L.O.L Surprise! Soft Toothbrush $3.98 smileboosters.com.au
Hanging Unicorn Night Light $49.50 mattblatt.com.au
Nintendo Switch Console with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Bundle $469.00 target.com.au
Liquifly Water Powered Bottle Rocket $38.00 amazon.com.au
BRILLIANT WAYS TO DECORATE YOUR HOUSE FOR CHRISTMAS written by: feba maryann
Out of all the main holidays in a year, Christmas is undoubtedly the one that we all look up to. The idea of celebrating Christmas is more than just rejoicing in the birth of the Messiah, as it has become all the more, something that is not bound to any particular religion anymore. It’s that time of the year, when families all around the globe, take immense efforts to keep up the traditions and celebrate to welcome Santa Claus himself. That gives us our reasons to style our homes and make them more Christmassy than ever. Here are a few tips that could help you decorate your home, and make sure that even Santa wouldn’t want to take leave too soon. Christmas Lights: Christmas is that season when the nights are longer, darker, and colder. Now, this calls for some brightening décor, and fairy lights are just what you need. Get a big bunch of fairy lights and just roll them over your roof or balconies. Don’t forget to add that extra bit of sparkle to your Christmas tree too! Mistletoe Hangings: Missing that extra luck factor? We’ve got just the right decor to raise your spirits. Traditionally, 8
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Mistletoe hangings are used to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck. Hang them on your doors and walls as wreaths and find yourself immersed in that ‘what-could-make-it-more-Christmassy’ vibe. Christmas Bell: The Jingle bells anthem wasn’t sung just for namesake, was it? So, get the bells jingling right on our doorstep. Hang a cute pair of Christmas bells on your door panels and welcome your guests to jingle along. Candles: Scented candles are a big game-changer for any occasion. They can up your aesthetic and instantly lift your mood, and if there’s one scent we’d all fall flat for, it’s got to be the aroma of some hot chocolate and freshly baked gingerbread. Go on! Don’t hesitate to try citrus scents or even balsam and rosemary scents too! DIY PRO TIP: Just use a wax fire starter with all the spices and herbs that you’ve got to get a nostalgic fireplace vibe. Christmas Crib: Cribs are always the most depictive element for Christmas, and possibly make it worthwhile for some DECEMBER 2020 | My Child Magazine Issue #111
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good family involvement. Have fun spending time with all your family members by arranging a welllit up Christmas crib, explaining the importance of each of its characters to your kids! Christmas Star: No Christmas is complete without that dangling star shining above your head! So don’t forget to get your home the shiniest star it deserves to mark the arrival of the lord himself. Christmas Feast: Food never runs out of style, and Christmas feasts are one such perfect example. Why don’t you give a break to the traditional feast arrangement and in turn introduce some modern twists, like hosting a self-service Christmas dessert bar that has the add on ingredients side by side or a cool Snowman shaped beverage dispenser. Themed Christmas Decor: Christmas for the Millennials means there’s got to be something more than just bells, trees, snowmen and reindeer. Well in that case, the wait for ‘something more’, has come to an end. Pick up a theme, or 10
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your favourite fan fiction series and accordingly, customise your home decor like Christmas tree hangings, crockery, stockings etc. Our favourite picks would be the Harry Potter series, because it’s got all the perfect Christmas elements you need, and The Grinch, for a Christmas that’s got all those grumpy kids having zero reasons to sulk anymore. Rustic Antiques: Celebrating Christmas also means we get to groove to our favourite music, so then why not bid adieu to new range music players and let an old Gramophone have its comeback! Add other unique antique functionalities to the deck and witness that rustic vibe return. Sprinkling Reindeer Dust: Don’t limit decor to the interior of your home, go the extra mile by bringing in reindeer magic! As part of celebrating an animal-friendly Christmas, sprinkle some reindeer dust to help Rudolph and his reindeer friends find their way to our homes. You can simply make some edible reindeer dust using cereals for the sprinkle and in reality, help some chirpy Christmas birds to feast on too!
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CHRISTMAS THEMED IDEAS FOR FAMILY GAME NIGHT! Written By: Feba Maryann
For most of us, 2020 has been an incredible binge-worthy thriller series that hasn’t failed to surprise us with its most absurd events. The fact that calendar pages just flipped at some crazy rpm level would receive the most popular opinion award of the year. But now that Christmas is around the corner! Kicking out 2020 couldn’t have gotten better. So how do you plan to up your game for the most sought-after event that we all would look up to? Check out these trending ideas, that would help you to ace the mood for Christmas family game night! Cosplay Night If there is someone who has truly benefited from this global pandemic, then it has got to be the OTT platforms. Quite arguably, they never failed us, by bringing in the most immersive content. Now that’s one good reason to opt for a cosplay night, dressing up as your favourite character couldn’t have got more fun! What are you waiting for? Get yourself a red hoodie jumpsuit and wear that Dali mask and just take over game night! 14
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Treasure Hunt
“For most of us, 2020 has been an incredible binge-worthy thriller series that hasn’t failed to surprise us with its most absurd events.”
As kids, the most exciting part of the holidays were the presents under the Christmas tree! This year why don’t you brush up your detective skills and just hunt them down. Planning an ‘all-aroundthe-house’ treasure hunt is not an easy task, but some great group effort could speed on the thrill. Song Battle Good music is always an instant mood lifter, so what could get better than singing them together? In fact, song battles give you abundant opportunities to remember your retro favourites, newbie playlists, and some good old-fashioned Christmas songs. Separate your family into groups, choose the songs, and start singing your heart aloud with your loved ones. Don’t forget to unleash your healthy competitive spirits though! DECEMBER 2020 | My Child Magazine Issue #111
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Do A Dare Dare games sure have become the irreplaceable constant in any party event. Be it a house party with your friends, or a game night, dare games can easily jazz up the vibes of the night. To make it more Christmassy, get one of those Santa Claus caps, and fill it with chits of your dare game ideas and start the fun. Who’s Most Likely To The best part about being a family, is, of course, the fact that you know everyone inside out. That makes this game one of the most apt options for a perfect family game night. Putting on your thinking cap and go overboard with situations developed in your imagination. Have fun judging who from your family would most likely put themselves in those situations and ace the fun by justifying why they would do so because sometimes it gets even funnier to know what exactly your family thinks of you and the consequences you could end up in. Lip Sync Battle If there is one thing that we love, it’s definitely got to be Tik Tok. That’s why we’ve got a game totally 16
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inspired by our most intense quarantine hobby, a lip sync battle. Get your playlist ready and don’t forget to include all songs that could broaden your musical horizons. The fun begins when a person tries to lip-sync the song, despite having zero clues of its lyrics. And the one who gets the job done with sheer confidence, perfect timing, and lip movements wins the battle! Blind Bowling Bowling could be an expensive recreational experience. But trying out easy DIY setups, like stacking a pile of cola or bottle cans for bowling at home could be a great idea! Try doing it blind-folded, to experience a whole new thrill. Lucky Table Gambling wasn’t a part of the plan, but who knew that a video in which someone put their dining table to such great use would go viral on the internet and become a potential game itself! So, here’s how it works: Horizontally divide the surface of the table into different zones with the help of some masking tape. Place individual treats for each of the zones. Treats could vary from money to food and even tasks to plot for some naughty dares. Start the game by slowly rolling a bottle and waiting for it to stop at the zone of your destiny! DECEMBER 2020 | My Child Magazine Issue #111
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CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS DURING THE PANDEMIC written by: Feba Maryann
Christmas is probably the only time of the year when we forget about other worries and spread joy and kindness by spending time with our families. With the pandemic marking it’s first year anniversary, celebrating Christmas might not seem as exciting as it used to be. However, we need to learn to be thankful for all the blessings we have. Here’s how you can turn your pandemic Christmas into a memorable one! Hosting and Attending Gatherings What is Christmas without people coming together and sharing the magic of the holidays? Getting together with family and friends is at heart of Christmas. This year, it’s better to avoid gatherings and keep it simple at your own homes. Take a collective decision to avoid large gatherings so things get better next year. Nonetheless, you can always continue your Christmas traditions by celebrating it with your immediate family. Some jurisdictions allow small gatherings of 3 households consisting a maximum of 20 people. Check with your local PD or Health Administration Department to know how many people can gather in your area. If your area 20
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has a high or increasing number of COVID cases, kindly abstain from holding or attending gatherings. If You Decide To Host A Party: • Try to host the party outdoors or in a wellventilated space. • Ensure that the attendees wear masks and take other safety precautions • Maintain social distancing • Limit the number of attendees to a bare minimum • Clean and disinfect commonly used spaces • Consider inviting people from different households at different times throughout the day. Travelling And Staying Over Christmas vacations usually mean, you take a trip with your family to either visit a close friend or your parents and have a great time. However, hitting the road might not be a good idea during the COVID pandemic. If you do plan to hit the road this Christmas, there are a number of factors you should take into consideration: • Do you, someone from your household or someone you plan on visiting have a high risk DECEMBER 2020 | My Child Magazine Issue #111
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of contracting COVID-19? • Does the area you are visiting have a high or rising number of COVID cases? • Is your area or the area you are about to visit have any restrictions on travel? In these cases, it is always wiser to put off the trip till a later time. If you do plan to go ahead with the trip, ensure you follow all COVID safety precautions on the journey and avoid public transportation systems. If you decide to stay over anywhere, regularly wash your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds. Wear a mask while you are indoors as well and avoid commonly used spaces as much as possible. Launder your own clothes and masks. Virtual Christmas How is Christmas ever complete without going to office parties or school/college parties? Given the dire conditions we’re in, most organisations are planning on conducting Christmas parties online. Ever since the Corona breakout in March, most institutions have relied heavily on online meeting applications such as Zoom and Google Meet. These platforms have now also introduced more features to ensure more user 22
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engagement. So, a virtual party could actually be a whole lot of fun. Right now, there are tons of websites that allow you to meet Santa virtually. This could be an amazing opportunity to get your kids to enjoy their pandemic Christmas. Host a virtual party with your family and friends. Come up with creative and fun games you can play. You could also get funky and plan a costume themed party. The Joy Of Gifting Gifting is an indispensable part of any Christmas. The restrictions on social gatherings and international travel can’t deprive us from the joy of giving. E-commerce sites allow you to get your hands on almost anything without having to step foot outside your home. Online sales and bonanzas boast huge discounts on most products during the holidays. Take advantage of this, gift your loved ones without burning a hole in your pocket. That’s about it for now. Stay home, stay safe. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from our whole team. DECEMBER 2020 | My Child Magazine Issue #111
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how to co-parent during this festive season WRITEN BY: FEBA MARYANN
With Christmas just around the corner, it’s the perfect time for families to come together and create unforgettable memories. However, this time of the year can turn out to be overwhelming for recently separated or divorced couples. Navigating separate households, family expectations, worrying about child custody can be stressful and frustrating. Despite this, your children deserve all the happiness and love they can get. No matter what else you and your ex might disagree on, chances are you’re both on the same page here. Let’s take a look into what you can do to be a better co-parent this festive season: Stick To Your Holiday Plan Usually, the child custody agreement will contain a holiday schedule as well. Try to stick to this to avoid conflicts. If you want to make any changes, make sure you inform your ex-partner in advance. Consult your lawyer before adjust your schedule. Sharing your kids with your ex can be very difficult time for you. However, try to be empathetic and think about how your ex-spouse may be feeling too. If you don’t have a holiday plan, communicate with your ex-partner and come up with a plan. If you find it difficult to face them, consider using an intermediary, this could be a mutual friend, a relative or a lawyer. Understand That Things Are Different Holidays are usually built around the time we spend with our family. A recent separation can cause emotional outbreaks and out bursts which can impact your children as well. Change is inevitable. The sooner you get accustomed to it, the better it will be; not just for you but for your kids as well. Being polite to your ex-partner isn’t particularly easy, because let’s admit it, it isn’t easy to go through a breakup. However, it is vital to communicate with your partner and ensure that the both of you are on the same page to prevent any conflicts during the festivities. You may also think that life is never going to be the same and it never would be perfect. Well, you are right, celebrations and festivities are not about being perfect but rather about trying to achieve perfection. 26
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Gifting Is Not A Competitive Sport Some co-parents keep trying to out-do their ex-partner’s with more expensive and better gifts in an attempt to compete for their child’s love. This is not healthy. This attitude not only increases friction between you and your ex-spouse but also takes a toll on your mental health. No matter you buy for your kids, it is not going to change the fact that their parents are not together. Instead of competing, try to coordinate the gifts with the other parent. This ensures that your child does not receive the same gift twice and also that you are spending equal amounts of money in raising the child. Consider What The Kids Want Understand that divorced or separated households can have a huge emotional impact on your child. It is necessary that you validate their emotions and take their preferences into consideration before making a plan. Inform your children about your plans you might make beforehand. Sometimes old traditions may trigger emotions for you as well as your children, so it is wiser to come up with new traditions. This ensures that you and your children have fun without reminiscing about past times. Yes, this Christmas is going to be different but you can still make it magical for your kids. Practice Self-Care With the above Holiday plan in place, chances are that you won’t have a very hectic time. Take extra time to take care of yourself. A divorce can be emotionally and physically taxing, its easy to ignore your needs. Find some time to exercise, start eating healthy and get good sleep. This will also improve your mood and help you deal with any anxiety you may develop. Talk to someone about how you feel and do something that you like in the free time you have. Go watch a movie or plan a night out with your friends. This festive season focus on compromising and being compassionate. Embrace the change and strive to be a better version of ourselves. DECEMBER 2020 | My Child Magazine Issue #111
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BOOK e
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s
by: Amy Adeney from Busy Bookworms
r
T H ER E IS N O M AG I C IN T H IS B O O K BY MI CHELLE MACW HI RTER A N D SO PH I E BEER Do you like magic? Well, you’ v e c om e t o the wrong place because there’ s d e f i ni t e l y NO magic in this book. Or i s t he r e ? I n this vibrant interactive sto r y , r e ad e r s are told by the insistent Bookk e e p e r t hat there’s no magic to be f ound i n i t s p age s, but eagle- eyed readers can d i sc ov e r enchanted surprises on every p age . T hi s wonderfully interactive book e nc our age s young readers to look f or magi c i n e v e n the most ordinary places. Th is la v ish ly illu st ra t ed b ook wi l l b e a n in st a n t fa v ou rit e f or rea d ers a g ed o f 2 -6 . Bot h t h e st ory a n d t h e a rt w o r k i n s p i r e c h ild ren t o b e a st u t e wit h t h eir o b s er v a ti o n s a n d t o c h a llen ge t h e in f orma t io n p r es en ted t o t h em.
R U DIE NU DIE CH R IST M A S B Y EM M A Q U AY Award-winning picture book creator Emma Q ua y h a s c r a f t ed a d elig h t fu l fo llow- up t o he r m od e r n cla s s ic Ru d ie Nu d ie , which c e le br a te s th os e g lo r io u s n u d ie moments b e t w e e n b a t h tim e a n d b ed . T h is t i me it’s C hr istm a s E v e an d t w o lit t le r u d ie nudies ar e o n t h e r u n ag a in ! Yo o - h oo , R u d i e Nu d ie. Ru d ie Nu d ie, where ar e yo u ? I t i s v er y n ea r ly Ch r is t m a s Day… fo r R u d i e o n e an d t w o .
This is a l o v e l y ce lebration of the joy of Christ m a s , p e r f ect for s haring with r ea d ers a g e d t w o a n d u p this holiday s e as on .
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LI T T LE LI O N : A LO NG WAY HOME BY SAROO BRI ERLY Can you imagine being lost and not finding your way home agai n? S ar oo Brierley became lost on a t r ai n i n I nd i a when he was only five. He sur v i v e d f or weeks on the streets, bef ore b e i ng t ak e n into an orphanage and ado p t e d b y hi s Australian f amily. Despite be i ng hap p y , Saroo always wondered abo ut whe r e he was from. And one day, aft e r y e ar s of searching, he miraculously f ound what he was looking for.
Th e ext ra ord in a ry t ru e st ory of S a r o o ’ s l i f e b ec a me a n in t ern a t ion a lly b ests el l i n g b o o k a n d a wa rd -win n in g f ilm, Lion . N o w r ea d er s a ged six y ea rs a n d old er c a n b e en th r a l l ed b y Sa roo’s st ory , in t h is b ea u ti f u l p i c tu r e b ook wh ic h c eleb ra t es t h e im p o r ta n c e o f h op e a n d n ev er giv in g u p , i l l u s tr a ted b y mu lt i-a wa rd -win n in g illu st r a to r , Br u c e Wh a t ley .
APRIL’S WINDOW BY GE OR G I N A L E FL U F Y AND F RA N CI S CO F O N S E C A Wande r i n g th e s tr eet s o f h er lo c a l vi llage dur ing th e i n t e n s e lo c k-d o wn o f CO V ID- 1 9 , April de v e l op s a n u n wa ver in g c u r io s ity f or w ha t is h a p p e n i n g in t h e w in d o ws o f her ne ig hbo u r i n g h o m es . Ap r il’ s exp lo r ation has t he f e e l o f a s h o r t film d ep ic t in g the fascina t i n g l i v e s of o t h er s , g en t ly fr amed by t he un i q u e a r c hit ec t u r e o f t h eir h o mes.
Reade rs ca n l o s e thems elve s in the intric a t e det a il o f th e s t u nning illus trations , wh ic h ar e sure to i g n i te their natural curi osit y abo ut t h e l i v e s o f othe rs . This is a be aut ifu l tal e o f th e t i m e s , which w ill be e njoyed b y rea de rs f r o m b i r th to s ix years old. A vai la b le exc lu sivel y f r o m the Ethicool B ook s web sit e. DECEMBER 2020 | My Child Magazine Issue #111
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PARENTING TIPS THAT CAN HELP YOU GET THROUGH CHRISTMAS WRITTEN BY: Feba Maryann
The Christmas season is usually associated with spreading kindness, showing affection, love and joy. We make plans, spend time together with our loved ones and do a bunch of Christmas activities. Amidst all of this happiness and warmth, the holidays can also trigger family spats and quarrels. Children who are prone to anxiety attacks and depression might find the holidays unbearable. Here’s what you can do to prevent anything from ruining the Christmas holidays with your children: Give Them Attention You may have to do a lot of extra chores, plan different activities and run errands during the holidays. It is tough to find the and attention your children need amidst your jam-packed holiday schedule. However, make sure to keep some time aside to bond with your child. Try to spend at least 15 to 30 minutes of quality time with your children. Ask them how their day was or read them something or even just play with them. This will help them feel connected to you, even when you are on a tight schedule. 34
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Think Before You Do Or Say Anything Amidst all the hectic work you do, you could be prone to emotional and angry outbursts for the silliest things your child does. Before you react to anything, take a deep breath and slowly count back from 10. This will reduce the chances of overreacting which prevents you from saying something you regret later on. Get Support Sometimes, your to-do list might seem overwhelming. Don’t hesitate to ask for help or support. It is not weak to ask for support, in fact it takes strength to do so. Get a trusted friend or family member to babysit your kids or help you with the chores. Talk to someone about your mental health and spend some time practising self-care. Dealing With Your Child’s Anxiety Some kids may exhibit anxiety when they see new people or experience certain changes from their normal routines. It is important to handle these issues delicately and provide your kids with the support and love they need.
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To help alleviate anxiety in your child you can adopt very simple steps like: • Staying close to your child when in a crowd or around new people. • If you think they are stressed out already, offer them choices and don’t force them to do something they dislike • Hug or kiss them and be emotionally supportive if they are stressed out. • Try to not alter their routines too much. Give your child some space and don’t force them to interact with strangers, let them interact if they want. Nice Or Naughty List It may be tempting to use this trick to manipulate your children into doing what you want them to do. It prevents us from actually understanding the child and causes us to overlook the actual problem the child faces. Parenting is more about guiding and supporting rather than trying to control or manipulate them. So, try not to take this shortcut to coax your child to do the right thing.
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The Four Gift Rule It’s Christmas, who wouldn’t love going on a shopping spree and get all the gifts they can for their kids, right? We’ve all been there, it’s fine. However, you need to understand that your child does not need all of these gifts. Some kids find it overwhelming when they receive a ton of gifts. So, the Four gift rule seems like a sensible choice to make. As the name suggests you buy four gifts, each with a specific purpose. One to satisfy the child’s needs, one to satisfy your child’s wants, one for your child to wear and another to read. You Don’t Have To Please Everyone Christmas is when all of your extended family and friends all come together. It is nearly impossible to keep everyone happy and have everything go according to plan. Understand that Christmas is supposed to be special, not perfect. If for some reason something goes south, don’t panic or overreact. Focus on showing and explaining the real spirit of Christmas to your child. Don’t let a single isolated incident ruin the rest of the holidays. Christmas has a magic of its own, but don’t expect everything to be magical, set realistic expectations for the holidays. Take care of your kids and teach them what Christmas is truly about. DECEMBER 2020 | My Child Magazine Issue #111
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how to deal with an unplanned pregnancy
Written by Feba Maryann
An unplanned pregnancy can turn out to be quite scary, but questioning everything about yourself and the universe isn’t the best coping mechanism. It is important to know that unplanned pregnancies are not as rare as you think they are. According to the data collected from 2010 to 2014, about 44% of all pregnancies in the world are unintended. Even if you are not ready to parent a baby, you still have your options. What Are The Causes Of An Unplanned Pregnancy? Understanding the common causes behind an unplanned pregnancy may help you prevent one. Improper use or malfunction of contraceptive methods Using contraceptives without following the instructions may result in an unwanted pregnancy. In some cases, the contraception may malfunction resulting in the same. Miscalculating Safe Days Sometimes miscalculating the safe days may cause an unintended pregnancy. You need to know your ovulation cycle really well to prevent anything unexpected from happening. Unavailability Of Emergency Pills After-morning pills are a popular method of contraception in today’s world. However, these pills usually require a prescription. Getting a prescription can be difficult, which results in a delay in consumption. Lack Of Knowledge And Myths Lack of proper knowledge of contraception and 40
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other urban legends may prevent people from using contraception.  An Abusive Partner There are cases where abusive partners force women to have unprotected sex, which could lead to an unplanned pregnancy. What Are The Available Options? In case you get pregnant accidentally you have two options available; to terminate the pregnancy or to put your baby up for adoption. The option you choose depends on what you and your partner want and the time you have. Let Us Now Take A Closer Look At Both Of These Options. Terminating An Unwanted Pregnancy If you decide to terminate the pregnancy, make certain that your partner is fine with the decision too. This is a very sensitive topic and if both of you don’t deal with it sensibly, it could potentially damage your relationship. Before you go ahead and take the procedure for termination, ensure that you plan ahead. Abortions can be taxing not only on your body but also on your mental health. Sadness and guilt often accompany women in this stage. Prioritize self-care and your mental health, talk DECEMBER 2020 | My Child Magazine Issue #111
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to your partner or someone you trust. You could also reach out for professional help. There are two methods available to perform an abortion: Medical Abortion In this method, abortion pills are used to terminate the fetus. The two drugs used in this process are Mifepristone and Misoprostal. It can be used to terminate pregnancies up to 10 weeks. Surgical Abortion This method can be used till the first and early second trimesters. There are two types of surgical abortions: Vacuum Aspiration, Dilation & Evacuation. Surgical abortions are very quick procedures that may take only 10 to 20 minutes. However, you should abstain from having sex or using tampons for at least two weeks for the uterus to heal.  It is common to experience bleeding and cramps after an abortion. Your doctor will be able to provide all the assistance you need to cope with these effects.  If you feel depressed or anxious after having an abortion, do not hesitate to contact a mental health expert.
Adoption If you don’t feel too good about having an abortion or if it’s too late to have one, you can still put the baby up for adoption. The procedures regarding adoption vary depending on the jurisdiction you live in. Usually you can perform this via public or private organisations. If you choose to go to a private agency, ensure that it is a legit licensed agency and research well about it. Measures To Take If You’re Going Ahead With The Pregnancy Here are some measures you should take if you’re going to carry on with the pregnancy in order to have a healthy baby. Abstain from alcohol, smoking and drugs Take prenatal supplements Contact a doctor so that you receive any treatments or medications necessary Maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly Practice self-care Rest well Using contraceptive methods effectively could help prevent unwanted pregnancies. But in case things didn’t go as planned, don’t panic. After all, It’s not like it’s the end of the world.
A Cloth Christmas Low-waste gifts to reduce your impact this festive season!
When it comes to Christmas, more and more families are getting on board the low-waste train. Being mindful about the gifts we purchase and their ultimate impact on our environment has never been more important. As we think about creative ways to become increasingly sustainable, the festive season can throw a real spanner in the works. Plastic plates, disposable oven trays, even the paper napkins we use, can all be replaced with reusable items. So, what can we do to make the gifts we give more purposeful? Bubblebubs have a range of reusable products that can easily replace single-use items this giving season. Doll Nappies: These sweet little diapers are the perfect gift for any toddler who is developing their capacity to nurture. Pretend play is such an important developmental step, the start of preparing them to become parents one day. Boys and girls alike will love changing their dolly and being just like mum or dad. The Bubblebubs doll nappies are made from the same fabrics as their regular range; the outside is either PUL or minky (fluffy) depending on the design and the inside is microfleece. There’s no absorbency in the nappy so if you do have a doll that wees this nappy will leak. It is purely for play. A snug Velcro closure means that most toddlers will be able to refine their fine motor skills with very little help from their carer. See the Bubblebubs website for a list of dolls to suit these nappies. Swim Nappies and Rashies: Perfect for beach and pool days, a reusable swim nappy is a sure-fire way to reduce single-use swimmers over the hot summer months. The Bubblebubs Droplet and Rashie 46
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gift sets are a practical present to stuff in the stocking. With a range of sizes to suit even the smallest of sunbabes you can mix and match tops and bottoms to meet your child’s needs. Not only do they have really cute prints, the Bubblebubs Droplets are also super functional. Combining so many great features like side-snaps and a zip through vest, it is clear they have been designed with ease of use for parents and carers in mind. They also come with a matching mini wet bag so no need to wrap! Travel Pods: Whilst pods are a popular product amongst cloth families, their use continues long after toilet learning. These PUL wet bags are super handy and can replace plastic bags in a variety of ways. Use them at the pool after a swim to house the togs you would normally stuff in a single-use bag, for dirty day care clothes or other soiled items when out to eat or play. For travel, they’re a neat solution for toiletries, shampoos, and other liquids that tend to leak all over the place. They’re even great for shoes when packing to keep your clothes nice and clean. Bubblebubs have a range of wet bags, from mini to extra-large, that can keep the chaos in check for any family member you might be buying for. While Christmas can create a whole lot of waste, if we’re more mindful about what we’re purchasing, the gifts we give can be reused over and over again. Bubblebubs reusable cloth nappies and low-waste products provide a clever solution to the challenge of finding practical gifts that are both cute and conscious. See more at: bubblebubs.com.au
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Christmas Gift’s
Guide
2021
Christmas
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VTech Crawl with Me Elephant $49 bigw.com.au
Gro Egg2 $59.95 tommeetippee.com
Baby Essentials $50 bondiwash.com.au
Kids’ Natural Wooden Climbing Cube $154
Mega Bloks Animal Bucket $19 bigw.com.au
Lamaze Peek A Boo Clutch Cube $19.95 myer.com.au
DECEMBER 2020 | My Child Magazine Issue #111
templeandwebster.com.au
Playgo Penguin 2 in 1 Bath Organizer $19.99 myer.com.au
HipKids 200 Balls $69.95 hipkids.com.au
Connect Smart White Light Bulbs $19.95 harveynorman.com.au
Gift’s
FOR BABY
LeapFrog Purrfect Counting Handbag $35 bigw.com.au
Disney Wooden Toys Winnie the Pooh and Friends Block Set $15 kmart.com.au
Vtech First Steps Baby Walker with Detachable Learning Centre $59 bigw.com.au
Kid’s Concept Stacking Rings $19 target.com.au
Petit Collage Wooden Milestone Blocks $39.95 myer.com.au
Winfun Polar Fiesta Gym $35 bigw.com.au
Bright Starts Zig Zag Zebra Walker $79 bigw.com.au
Playgro Jumbo Jungle Musical Piano Mat $18 bigw.com.au
Jellycat Blossom Bashful Cream Bunny $29.95 davidjones.com DECEMBER 2020 | My Child Magazine Issue #111
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Christmas
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Petite Hand Pamper Duo $4.99 bondiwash.com.au
VTech Toot-Toot Cory Carson Freddie’s Fire Station $29 bigw.com.au
The Hot Wheels Monster Truck Scorpion Raceway $69.99 myer.com.au
VTech Toot-Toot Cory Carson SmartPoint Vehicles $12 bigw.com.au
Groclock $59.95 tommeetippee.com
Yoga Cards $39 mettaplay.com
ECCO Flora Flat Sandal $79.00 au.ecco.com
Little Tikes Cozy Coupe $99.99 target.com.au
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UNO Junior $11 woolworths.com.au
Gift’s
FOR TODDLER
LeapFrog Pick Up & Count Vacuum $49 bigw.com.au
Country Manor Cubby House $149 kmart.com.au
Hape Adventure Van $69.99 kidstuff.com.au
Doll Sleeping Bag $24.95 ergopouch.com.au
Lego® Duplo® DC Comics Batcave $39 target.com.au
B. Whale Glow Zzz’s $39.99 kidstuff.com.au
Thomas & Friends Birthday Wish Thomas $34 bigw.com.au
B. Musical Crew Finger Puppets $16.99 kidstuff.com.au
Bluey Scooter $25 kmart.com.au DECEMBER 2020 | My Child Magazine Issue #111
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Christmas
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VTech Secret Safe Treasure Chest $49 bigw.com.au
Minecraft Dungeons: Hero Edition $49.95 ebgames.com.au
Ultimate Reveal Playset $49.99 target.com.au
VTech Myla’s Sparkling Friends Assorted $29 bigw.com.au
Build a Bot Light Pony $29 bigw.com.au
Hot Wheels Ultimate Garage $129.99 kmart.com.au
Moving Out $49.96-$69.95 ebgames.com.au
Barbie Dreamhouse $249 target.com.au
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Scrabble $25 kmart.com.au
Gift’s
FOR KID’S
Hand Spray School Bag Essential $16 bondiwash.com.au
Pictionary Air $34 bigw.com.au
VTech Hope the Rainbow Husky $69 bigw.com.au
VTech Kidizoom Studio $100 myer.com.au
LOL Surprise! Remix: We Rule The World $79.95 ebgames.com.au
TRAPPED The Carnival $19.95 gamesmen.com.au
LeapFrog Magic Adventures Globe $129.99 myer.com.au
Intelligent Robot $49 kmart.com.au
VTech Switch & Go Dinos Assorted $20 kmart.com.au DECEMBER 2020 | My Child Magazine Issue #111
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Christmas
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Jamie Oliver Cook’s Classic Cookware From $799.95 tefal-shop.com.au
Purifying Night Balm $50 bondiwash.com.au
Quick Cook Baby Food Maker $199.95 tommeetippee.com
ECCO Casper Small Backpack $429.95 au.ecco.com
Mama & Mini Matchy Newborn Pack $114.95 ergopouch.com.au
Stanley Rogers Pistol Grip Acacia 2 Piece Cheese Knife Set $19.95 stanleyrogers.com.au
Invisible Zinc Sheer Defence Tinted Moisturiser SPF50 $34 priceline.com.au
Fa La La La La $15.95 evohair.com
Passion Flower Fizz 420g Standard Candle $42.95 palmbeachcollection.com.au
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Gift’s
FOR MUM
Natural Complete Cleaning Collection $63.76 koala.eco
Angelic Ring, Blue, Rhodium Plated $249 swarovski.com
RALPH $108.50 sunglasshut.com
Angel Nova Eau De Parfum Gift Set $160 myer.com.au
Wedgwood Butterfly Bloom Teacup & Saucer $111 petersofkensington.com.au
Tefal Cook4Me+ $399 tefal-shop.com.au
Garmin Vivomove Smart Watch $499 myer.com.au
Snowcake $40 au.lush.com
Seafolly Belted One Piece $149.95 seafolly.com/au DECEMBER 2020 | My Child Magazine Issue #111
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Belkin BOOST↑CHARGE™ Power Bank 10K + Stand Play Series| $84.95 belkin.com
Godfall $124.95 ebgames.com.au
Lizard Skin $24.95-34.95 gamesmen.com.au
Bathroom Duo $50 bondiwash.com.au
Connect Smart Wi-Fi Plug with USB $19.95 harveynorman.com.au
ECCO Lars Men’s Laptop Bag $449.95 au.ecco.com
Luigi Bormioli Jazz Whisky 350ML Set of 4 $33 petersofkensington.com.au
Twist & Click Starter Set with 9 Refills $136.64 tommeetippee.com
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Tefal Optigrill Elite $399.95 tefal-shop.com.au
Gift’s
FOR DAD
NASCAR Heat 5 $69.95 jbhifi.com.au
UNO Card Game $7 target.com.au
Happy Socksrolling Stones 6-Pack Gift Box $119 myer.com.au
Ax Logo Cupsole Sneaker $250 davidjones.com
Tommy Hilfiger Core Flag SwimshortCore Flag Swimshort $119 myer.com.au
Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 $169.95 bigw.com.au
Farming Simulator 19: Platinum Edition $79.95 ebgames.com.au
Ultimate Fry Deluxe Airfryer $399.00 davidjones.com
Hand and Body Lotion - Lemon Scented Eucalyptus & Rosemary $19.95 koala.eco DECEMBER 2020 | My Child Magazine Issue #111
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Christmas
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Alcatel 3L $199 vodafone.com.au
Sparkling Grapefruit 420g Standard Candle $42.95 palmbeachcollection.com.au
ECCO Linnea Crossbody $329.95 au.ecco.com
Ingenio Titanium Fusion Cookware $799.95 myer.com.au
Icons Of Light Hanging Ornament $229 swarovski.com
The Alchemist $22.99 booktopia.com.au
Pink Wooly Slide $79.95 peteralexander.com.au
The Night Before Christmas Gift $21.50 au.lush.com
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Natural Fruit and Vegetable Wash $11.95 koala.eco
Gift’s
FOR GRANDPARENTS
Hand Pamper Duo $50 bondiwash.com.au
KitchenAid Electric Kettle $140 petersofkensington.com.au
Hand Woven Weighted Blanket $399 calmingblankets.com.au
Happy Pills: Daily Inspirational Messages $29.95 yellowoctopus.com.au
ECCO Men’s Golf Biom Cool Pro $369.95 au.ecco.com
ECCO Mens Golf Glove $24.95 au.ecco.com
Wiltshire Rose Gold Springform Pan $17 wiltshire.com.au
2021 A3 Art Series Calendar $19.99 cottonon.com
Tefal IXEO $699.95 tefal-shop.com.au DECEMBER 2020 | My Child Magazine Issue #111
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INTERIORS
get the look
nursery Photo: ellajames.co.uk
Solid Oakwood Evolution Crib - By Nobodinoz $1485 au-ellajames.glopalstore.com
Nobodinoz Play Mat $99 poemelifestyle.com
Ceramic Vase with Orchid $29 kmart.com.au 68
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Liewood - Lars Wooden Blocks $109 metro-baby.com.au
Kids Dreamy Bed Canopy $89.99 minibae-collection.myshopify.com
Stockholm Chest of Drawers $799 loungelovers.com.au
Nobodinoz Bag $89.90 jackandwillow.com.au
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k i d s Photo: moozlehome.com
Straton King Single Fabric Kids Bed $189 luxoliving.com.au
Animal Skin Children Rugs $49.99 ebay.com.au
Rainbow Textured Cushion - Multi $141 amara.com/au
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Cartoon Lion Hanging Decorations Handmade $48 aus.grandado.com
Bloomingville Hugh Canopy $314 amara.com/au
Bloomingville Tea Set $69.95 hipkids.com.au
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10 TIPS FOR A FASTER RECOVERY AFTER A C-SECTION Written by Feba Maryann
What is a C-Section? A C-section or Caesarean Delivery is a method to deliver babies with the help of surgical procedures. A C-section is usually used when normal birthing is risky due to a variety of reasons like: • Abnormal position of the baby in the uterus. • Obstructed labour which means the baby cannot come out of the pelvis • Posthumous birth, that is, when the child is delivered after the mother dies. • In cases where labour Induction has failed. • When there is an umbilical cord prolapse. • Foetal distress or when the foetus may not be well. In short, C-section is used in cases where the health of mother or child may be at risk. Tips for a faster recovery after a C-Section A C-section could be a very stressful ordeal especially if you were planning to have a normal delivery. Recovering from a C-section takes at least about 6 weeks and may increase depending on if you developed any complications during the surgery. Here are a few tips which will ensure a faster recovery. Get Some Quality Rest This may sound obvious but the role of rest is very crucial in your recovery process. After any surgical procedure, your body’s immune system and muscles are weakened. Good rest ensures that these muscles are repaired which helps you strengthen your immune system. 76
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After your C-Section, don’t immediately run around doing errands, give your body some time to get acclimated to the new normal. Try to sleep when your baby sleeps. Make sure you don’t lift anything heavy for at least a few weeks. Eat Healthy Your body just delivered a new human being; in order to recover it is vital that you maintain a healthy and balanced diet. Apart from your own recovery you also have to breastfeed your baby. Studies show that the food you eat may influence the flavour of your breast milk, this increases the chance of your child enjoying the food you eat during lactation in the future. Treating Constipation Constipation is a very common problem in women who have recently delivered a baby. This may be caused due to the supplements and drugs you’ve had during or before the delivery or due to hormonal shifts. It is imperative that you treat constipation as it may put strain on your body and could possibly injure the incision. To tackle constipation, ensure that you stay hydrated and eat fibre rich foods. Drinking warm fluids may also help. In severe cases your doctor may suggest a stool softener to help treat the condition. Take Help From Others You won’t be able to recover without the help of your friends or family. A C-section can take a toll on your mental and physical health.Never hesitate from asking for extra help. Your family and friends can complete your errands for you DECEMBER 2020 | My Child Magazine Issue #111
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and can babysit the baby. This allows you to rest and relax and enjoy some alone time. Apart from this, they may also be able to provide you with the emotional support through this difficult phase. Take your medications and supplements as prescribed by your doctor Doctors often prescribe painkillers to help you cope with the pain you may experience. Do not stop taking the prescribed medications even if you stop feeling the pain. Despite eating healthy, you may not receive ample amounts of nutrition that your body needs. Supplements are a great way to fix this problem. Taking Care Of Your Incision Your doctor will remove the stitches or clips a few days after your surgery. Once this is done, ensure that you keep the wound clean and dry. The site of incision may get infected if proper precautions aren’t taken. Using a good quality ointment to cover the site. Wear loose clothes to prevent fabric from causing any friction on the site and allow air to flow freely over it. When To Contact Your Doctor. If you develop any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor as soon as possible • If you develop redness, swelling or start oozing pus from the incision. • Experience very high fever.
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• Heavy bleeding or foul-smelling discharge from the vagina. • Breathing issues • Chest pain Generally, it is a good practice to keep your doctor updated about your health or your baby’s health. Make sure you schedule regular appointments and don’t miss any. Embrace Your Emotions Pregnancy and giving birth can take a toll on your mental health. It is common to experience mood swings, loss of interest and fatigue in the first couple of weeks after giving birth. However, if the problem seems to persist, contact your doctor. Do try to stay away from social media as it may lead to you comparing yourself to other people who’ve had a c-section. Every c-section is different, and it is better and healthier to focus on your body now. Preventing Blood Clots In the first few weeks you may experience bleeding as well as blood clots. It is not possible to prevent this but you can still reduce it by staying hydrated and taking any medications prescribed by your doctor. Light Exercising In the postpartum period, it is recommended to abstain from high intensity exercises. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean no exercises, you can still do very light exercises like walking or Kegel exercises. These light exercises improve blood flow and help with a faster recovery.
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Aqua Baby!
To celebrate the start of summer and the swimming season ahead, BabyLove Nappies has collaborated with the ‘learn to swim’ experts for practical tips to help your baby take to the water with glee. Whether it’s the bath, wading pool at your neighbourhood aquatic centre or the beach, now is the time to embrace the fun of being in the water. 5
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‘Introducing babies to swimming early not only ensures their future safety around water, but also leads to so many health benefits from gentle exercise, bonding through skin to skin contact, stimulating children’s appetites and improving sleep,’ said Emily McNeill, General Manager of the Australian Swim Schools Association, who promote learning to swim and water safety practices at over 350 Swim Schools around Australia. Learning to swim is an essential life skill for children, and they can commence swim classes as young as four months old at many swim schools. To look the part, BabyLove has introduced a contemporary range of Swim Pants that are reflective of the Aussie cossie, with their colourful designs and bright colours. The unisex range is especially designed for the water, so they won’t swell. They also have a comfy 360-degree stretchy waist band, so they can be pulled on; and easy to tear side seams will help you remove them after their dip. ‘Swim Pants offer babies a fun and safe way to enjoy the water, and provide parents confidence and peace of mind as well,’ said Michael Joel, Marketing and Strategy Manager at BabyLove. No matter which stage you’re at with familiarising your baby with the water and learning to swim, we’ve got some practical tips that will nurture a water baby. DECEMBER 2020 | My Child Magazine Issue #111
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Top Tips for developing a Water Baby: • Use bath time to develop an affinity between your newborn and water • Hold your baby gently and introduce buoyancy and movement of water on their skin • Use a flannel and eventually a cup, to familiarise your baby to the sensation of water on their face • In swimming pools, securely hold your baby and encourage greater movement in the water to build their muscles, coordination and confidence in the water • Start swimming classes! Babies readily embrace water so get started early. It’s also a great way to eliminate a fear of water developing later on. Six Tips for Your First Swim Lesson from Learn to Swim experts, ASSA: • Start with the right gear – Invest in a comfortable pair of goggles to see underwater and a swim cap to keep their hair off their face • Have a dress rehearsal – familiarise your child with their swim gear in the days leading up to their lesson. It’s also a great chance to practice getting the swim cap on • Safety first – Supervise your child before and after their lesson, and follow the pool’s rules • Arrive early, stress less – Arrive at least 10-15 minutes before class so everyone’s relaxed and ready to go • Try not to distract your child – Remember the teacher will need your child’s full attention • Have Fun! Swimming is important to your child’s development, but so too is enjoying the class! DECEMBER 2020 | My Child Magazine Issue #111
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‘Learning to swim is an essential life skill that every child should have the opportunity to access. Your local ASSA Member Swim School is ready to offer the highest quality lessons so that you and your family stay SAFER in and around the water all year round,’said Emily McNeill. BabyLove Swim Pants are available in three sizes – Small (6-12kg), Medium (9-14kg) and Large (1222kg). They are available at Chemist Warehouse, Big W and select IGA and pharmacies. For more information, please visit: https://babylovenappies. com.au/ or www.facebook.com/BabyLoveNappies To find your local ASSA Swim School at: australianswimschools.org.au 86
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MOVEMENT MILESTONES FOR YOUR BABY Written by Feba Maryann
Babies tend to grow and develop very fast. They double their weight within the first six months and triple in the next six months. A lot of significant changes occur during your baby’s first year. Movement milestones are major checkpoints in the developmental process of your child. Different babies have different growth rates, so movement milestones are not exactly a universal measure of a healthy baby. You don’t have to worry if your baby doesn’t strictly adhere to these milestones. However, it is best to consult a medical practitioner in case you think something is off. Movement Milestones Let us now take a look at the common milestones for babies of various ages. One Month Old Babies move various body parts as part of their reflexes, but as they grow, they should show more controlled and conscious movements. Some of the new born reflexes include: • Mouthing reflexes which include sucking and swallowing • Hold onto an object placed in the hand • Startle on hearing loud noises Ideally, towards end of the first month babies should: • Fast and spontaneous arm movements • Makes fists • Raises arms to the face • Moves head while lying 90
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• Recognise sounds • Can focus on objects 8-12 inches away At this age babies also tend to prefer looking at human faces than patterns. Two Months Old Two-month-old babies tend to push up while lying on their stomachs. Their arm movements start to look smoother. They also start recognising faces and they follow you with their eyes as you walk around. Three Months Old At this stage, the arm and hand develop at a very fast rate. Apart from clenching objects, your baby will start to grab onto objects and try to wave them. Their neck muscles also strengthen and you may see your baby holding their head up on their own. Apart from these babies also: • Stretch and kicks their legs • Push up their head and chest while laying on their stomachs • Opens and shut their hands • Push down their legs while placed on solid surfaces (Your baby’s legs still cannot support the weight so take caution) • Swipes at objects • Demonstrate some hand eye coordination. Six Months Old At six months, your child learns to use his/her sensory abilities in a more purposeful manner. DECEMBER 2020 | My Child Magazine Issue #111
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They will be able to: • Sit up with support • Use their hands to support them while sitting • Roll from stomach to back and vice versa • Reach for toys or other objects • Support their weight on their legs when held upright • Also have a fully developed vision • Move a particular object from one hand to the other At this age babies also start teething and can eat solid foods. They are usually happy when they are not hungry or tired. Nine Months Old During this time period, babies start crawling. They tend to get more mobile, so you should be more cautious. Crawling is an important aspect of their growth as it improves the neural networks in their brains. However, some babies do not crawl, they tend to drag their lower bodies or move while lying on their stomachs. Common movements include: • Crawling or creeping • Sit up without support • Get into hands and knee position • Moving from their tummy to a sitting position with relative ease • Turning their head to track objects • Picks up objects
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One Year Old By this age your baby may start to walk, after mastering the art of crawling. They also learn how to use their fingers. Your child will be able to: • Stand up by holding onto furniture • Try to take a few independent steps • Use their thumb and index finger to hold small objects • Throw objects while sitting and maintain their balance • Clap hands • Use simple gestures How to know if your child is experiencing fine or gross motor skill delays? As mentioned before, babies grow at different rates, so how exactly can you know if your child is experiencing developmental delays or is just having a slower rate of growth? If your child experiences small, short-term delays, you don’t need to worry. However, if they have multiple delays that seem to persist it could hint at a developmental delay. It is best to consult your paediatrician if your child shows any of the following signs: • Restricted motion in arms and legs • Stiff or floppy limbs • Can’t sit without support by 9 months • Cannot stand up or support body weight on the legs by the age of 1. DECEMBER 2020 | My Child Magazine Issue #111
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T O Y r e v i e w s
by: SHEREE HODDINETT
LEAPFROG 100 WORDS BOOK ENGLISH-CHINESE $39.95
5/5 Join a n i m a l f r i en d s T u r t le, T ig er and Monkey as you explore 1 0 0 - plus v oc ab ul ar y w o r ds i n t h e 100 W o r d s Bo o k - E nglish- Chinese with Learning Activity G ui d e . T ouc h the pi c t u r e s o n ea c h c o lo u r fu l p ag e to hear the animals say words and sh ar e e xc i t i ng fa ct s an d s o u n d effec t s . Im m er s e y our child in bilingual play by sliding the l anguage sw it ch t o h e a r t h e w o r d s , s o n g s , and instructions in Chinese (Mandarin ). T ouc h t he pict ur e s t o h e ar s illy s o u n d effec ts in Fun Sounds mode or press the l i ght -up st ar but t o n to h e a r t wo lear n in g s o n gs. The included 3 2 - page Learning Ac t i v i t y G ui d e pro vid e s p a r e n t s w it h h a n d s -o n a ctivities and teaching tips to help childr e n ge t t he mo st e n j o y m e n t an d lea r n in g o u t of this bilingual book. Using everyday item s, p ar e nt s ca n hel p c h i l d r en m a ke c o n n ec t io ns between the concepts and vocabular y and r e al li f e a c ti on s a n d o b jec t s .
Our Ve r d i ct – A s s ome one who did Ch in ese a s a su b jec t in h igh sc h ool I a c t u a l l y l o v e th i s b o o k! I t’s a n i ce little re fre s he r for me a n d t a kes me b a c k t o my ea rly lear n i n g o f th e la ng ua g e . P l u s with one daughter al rea d y lea rn in g a n d on e-soon -t o-b e lea r n i n g C h i n es e at sc h o o l , th i s b ook is coming in ve ry h a n d y . Wh ile it ’s c ert a in ly n ot t h e ea si es t l a n g u a g e to le ar n , th i s b r ight and colourful lit t le n u mb er h elp s t h e kid s t a c kle some of th e h a r d er aspe c t s o f th e l anguage w ith a bit more en t h u sia sm. I’v e fou n d it h elp s simpl i f y th i n g s a b it m o r e f o r t h e k ids , in a way they ca n u n d erst a n d it b et t er t oo. It a lso a d ds a n el em en t o f f un to w h a t i s a ve ry trick y langua ge t o get u sed t o. You n ev er kn ow, it m i g h t j u s t g et m e ba ck i n t o C hine s e all ove r again! ! A va i l a bl e fro m: B i g W , vtech . com.au 96
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VTECH SECRET SAFE TREASURE CHEST $49.95
4/5 Ke e p y ou r v a l u a b les s afe w it h t h e S ecret Safe Treasure Chest. This beautiful l y d e si gne d Tre a s u r e C h e s t is g r ea t fo r p r o t ec ting your most precious stash. Unlock the T r e asur e Che st w i th y o u r ver y o wn 4-d ig it password to keep your secrets safe ins i d e . U se t he built - i n a l a r m c lo c k t o h elp yo u wake up just in time to head off f or t he d ay . Pl ay nine g r e a t l e a r nin g ac t ivit ies t h at cover spelling, maths, logic and more. T he b ui l t -i n spe a k e r a l l ow s yo u t o p lay yo u r favourite songs by connecting it to an ext e r nal m usi c pla yer (n o t i n c lu d ed ) .
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COMMON BEHAVIOURAL ISSUES IN TODDLERS Written by Feba Maryann
Most toddlers are naughty, impulsive and stubborn almost all the time. As they grow, this might develop into more challenging behavioural issues that can be hard to manage. Even if it’s not be a huge area of concern during early developmental years, it is important to curb these issues so that they don’t develop into something worse. As a parent, it is your duty to identify these issues and implement some simple solutions. Let us now take a look at some common behavioural issues seen in toddlers. Defiance This is a problem that arises when your kid learns about independence and control. It’s common for toddlers to show defiant behaviour, but it is important to teach them self-control and discipline at an early age. At this age, they are still driven by their wants and needs. They might not know how to deal with the sudden surges of anger that rises within them when they don’t get their way. Here are some ways you can use to reduce the chances of the problem escalating to a serious issue: • Validating your child’s feelings. • Setting a limit and enforcing it without losing your temper. • Offering the child some options. Screaming Screaming is a very common issue in toddlers. They could just be amused by the fact that they can shout and scream at such high decibels. It could also be a ploy into get you notice and shower them with attention.
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It’s your task to teach your child that screaming isn’t okay. Do not shout back at your kid. It will just reinforce the fact that shouting at somebody isn’t a huge problem. Stay calm, restrain yourself and try to talk them out of it. Physical Aggression Biting, kicking, throwing objects, tantrums are all part of a toddler’s daily schedule. This is mostly used as a way to get attention from others. However, in toddlers with conduct disorders, this may put other people in danger. Hence, it should be dealt with utmost urgency. The best course of action is to avoid responding to the tantrums. There are high chances that the aggression could fade with time. However, in the cases of toddlers with conduct disorders, it is best to contact a medical practitioner right away. If your child constantly throws tantrums, it is ideal to not shout back at them, rather do things that may help calm them or wait till their tantrum is over and then talk to them calmly. Lying It might be hard to see your precious little baby tell fibs about not eating the cookie that was left on the kitchen table or not colouring the walls of the living room. Kids usually start lying when they start realising that you don’t know everything that happens. They are too young to understand the difference between telling the truth and lying. However, their mind is impressionable. The way you react to their lies is very important. Make sure you kid knows that you love them, no matter what they do. DECEMBER 2020 | My Child Magazine Issue #111
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It is important to encourage them to tell the truth and prevent them from lying. You can achieve this by: • Appreciating them when they say the truth • Calling out their bluffs right away • Emphasise on trusting each other Stubbornness Kids love to stick to monotonous routines. The smallest changes in their daily schedules can result in blown out tantrums and angry outbursts. However, they need to understand that change is good. At some point of time, their routines will have to change, and they will have to bear with it. So, get them accustomed to changes by tweaking their routines from time to time. Try not to argue with them, rather establish a connection and offer alternative choices to them. Some toddlers may turn out to be more defiant than the rest. They might not back down from getting what they want easily. Nonetheless, never give in. They need to realise that they might not always get what they want in life, they should be accustomed to adjustments and compromises. Behavioural issues are common in toddlers and can effectively be stopped with consistent and well-planned strategies. If your toddler doesn’t seem to respond to your strategies and their behaviour continues to be disruptive, you should consult a medical professional. A doctor can help identify any underlying conditions that might be the root causes of your child’s behavioural problems.
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5 powerful parenting techniques you can use for 2021 Written by Feba Maryann
2020 has been a really tough year for all of us, but it is during tough times that resilience really pays off. Parenting is never easy, even more so in 2020. Even if you were able to spend quality time with your child, the global pandemic issue drained us, emotionally and physically. However, you cannot let these factors weigh in on your performance as a parent. You don’t have to be perfect but you have to be at the top of your game at all times. Parenting is about being a guide to your child, being a pillar of support when they need you. It is not about achieving perfection but more about striving for it. It’s a constant struggle through which you constantly evolve and learn. Let us now look at some powerful parenting techniques. 1. Quality Over Quantity Given the global pandemic situation, you probably must’ve spent most of your time at home. So, it is easy to think that you have been giving your child enough attention just because of the amount of time you spent around them. But have you actually given them a hundred percent undivided attention to your child or were you distracted? Were you trying to finish some work while they were around? Were you 108
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preoccupied with some thought about work or the chores? Find at least 10 to 30 minutes each day to spend with your child. Avoid all distractions and give your undivided attention to your child. Forget about the laundry, or doing the dishes, just focus on your child during that time. 2. Don’t Resort To Physical Punishment When your child constantly keeps making mischief, you may be tempted to correct these using a good ol’ dose of spanking. Why not, after all our parents brought us up with stricter rules and plenty of caning, and we grew up to be alright, right? Wrong! Gone are the days when parents were seen as authoritative figures who control and punish their children for misbehaviour. Kids may display disorderly conduct due to a number of reasons. It is crucial that we identify these reasons correctly. The reason may help identify any underlying health condition your child may be suffering from. Spanking may show a short-term improvement in your child’s behaviour, but this method never teaches your child right from wrong. Your child DECEMBER 2020 | My Child Magazine Issue #111
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is taught to fear not to correct, so then your child will focus on not getting caught instead of correcting their behaviour. 3. Get Help And Practice Self-Care Raising a child isn’t an easy task, kids can be annoying and get on your nerves and make you feel like you’ll explode any second. If you find yourself getting close to this state, do not hesitate to get help. Find someone to babysit your child and take a break. Take a stroll in the park, watch a movie or do whatever you feel like, you deserve it. Having a child around often means you’ll have no time to take care of yourself. But to keep your sanity you’ll have to figure something out. Yoga or other aerobic exercises help calm your mind and refresh your body. Getting a good sleep is also more important than you may think. Try to sleep for at least 8 hours a day. And also stay hydrated. 4. Be Consistent With Routines And Rules You must’ve heard that change is the only constant factor in life and how you need to embrace change. Well, throw that little piece 110
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of advice out of the window while raising kids. For kids consistency and maintaining the same routines is key. If your child breaks a rule, be firm and let them face the consequences of what follows, do not give them second chances. Children are likely to push the boundaries and limits that you set and that is normal too. But it is important that you keep them in check. 5. Controlling Screen Time The overall usage of electronic media has steeply increased, especially with the global pandemic situation. It can be tough to control your child’s screen time. But it is important that you come up with strict screen time rules and enforce them to prevent over usage. Unchecked screen time in children has been known to create problems like obesity, irregular sleep and many more when they grow up. Check what content your child is consuming while using electronic media. Allocate a slot of time for passive screen time and ensure that you don’t let your child use electronic media on their own. DECEMBER 2020 | My Child Magazine Issue #111
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WAYS TO GET INVOLVED IN YOUR CHILD’S EDUCATION Written by Lance Green
Your involvement in your child’s education ensures a successful and versatile growth of your child. In this article we’ll be looking into how you can effectively get involved to help accelerate your child’s learning process. Why Should You Get Involved? Studies show that children tend to perform academically better and be well-behaved when parents are involved in their education. Being involved shows that you think their education is important, this positively reinforces your child’s perception about education When parents work together with the schools, children seem to get better grades, enrol for better courses and maintain a decent attendance record. Children also tend to be motivated to study when you help them out with tough assignments and subjects. Apart from improving your child’s performance, parental involvement also is found to improve the teacher’s performance. The benefits of parental involvement are not confined to elementary school children, they can even be seen in high school students. How can you get involved? Attend School Events Attending orientation events help you know 114
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your child’s teachers and other parents better. This is important as you’ll have to work alongside these people to guarantee the best possible outcome for your child. Attending other events that occur throughout the year ensures that you stay updated about your kid’s performance. Communicate With The Educator Ask the educator as to how they would like to communicate in case something comes up. Understand that they are humans too; they have their personal lives and priorities. If you want to talk to them, schedule it beforehand rather than calling them up when you feel like. Don’t be the parent who constantly keeps nagging and whining about the smallest things. Talk to them about your child’s performances and how you could help improve it. Offer to help them prepare materials or anything else that they need, provided you have the time. Volunteer At The School If you have the time, do offer to volunteer at your child’s school. Schools often need volunteers to help them organise events, or field trips, or
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even for tutoring children. If you decide to volunteer, ensure that you don’t bite off more than you can chew, that is make certain that you can complete the tasks you undertake. Also remind yourself that you’re doing this to help the school improve and your child not to spy on your child. Don’t give your child special treatment when you do volunteer. Nurture Their Reading Habits Try to develop reading as a daily habit in your child. Reading inculcates creativity and hones their imagination skills. Try to read books on your own in front of your child to let them know that learning is a lifelong process and reading helps in improving yourself. Benefits of reading books also include: • Better cognitive development • Improved empathy • Better understanding of the world around them • Building stronger relations Join the PTA PTAs usually work towards improving the school environment and imparting good quality education to the children. You can voice out your opinions and issues during these sessions and come up with efficient solutions for the same. You also get to network with similar families
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and people who want to improve the schooling system. If you cannot attend every meeting, consider attending them virtually or talking to another parent to update yourself. Help Your Child With Homework This does not mean that you have to do their homework for them, but rather help them with managing it. Remind them of any assignments or works they have. Maybe even fix hours for play and study separately. Talk to them about their studies and work they have. In case they have trouble understanding, offer to help them if you have the time to. Make Learning At Home Fun Try to come up with creative ways to make education fun. DIY projects can help teach your child and allow them to have a little fun. Stock your house with supplies like chart paper, sketches, or crayons. Educational games such as Legos or Scrabble are also great alternatives. Use positive reinforcements to help motivate your kid to keep learning. Small rewards like extra screen time or play time accelerates your child’s educational journey. As a result, your kid will enjoy learning new concepts and ideas. This outlook will help them immensely in their future. DECEMBER 2020 | My Child Magazine Issue #111
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w ays to st re ngth en y ou r mar riag e du ri ng tou gh t imes written by:Feba Maryann
Signing official papers that legalise your marriage is the easiest part of the long journey that lies ahead. The challenges that come into your life after your marriage could test your relationship, it requires both partners to work together for resolving it. Conflicts are common in any marriage, but it needs to be solved with proper communication and understanding before it turns into something ugly. It is interesting to note that couples who come out of tough times together tend to form stronger bonds. Respect Your Partner Your partner is a human being with his or her own sets of opinions and choices. Learn to respect those choices and opinions. Respect includes trusting them, being reliable, and encouraging them. You also need to understand that your partner has a set of boundaries, you need to respect it. Introspect And Change Your Ways If you and your partner had a recent fight and you think you have done nothing wrong, take a while to go through everything that happened. Ask yourself if whatever you’ve done it right, try to look at it from your spouse’s perspective. 120
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Rather than putting all the blame on your partner, try to figure out your mistakes and try to change it accordingly. Focus on changing yourself more than changing your partner’s ways. This ensures that you don’t point fingers at each other whilst working towards improving the relationship. Communication Communication is very important for any relationship to sustain. You should be able to talk to your partner about anything. If you choose not to talk much to your spouse about your problems, establishing a non-toxic relationship can be pretty hard. Be honest and don’t hide anything from your significant other. Try to ask thought-provoking questions every day, this’ll help you understand them better, significantly improving your bond. Work As A Team Know that you’re in this together and that both of you will need to work equally hard to resolve any issues you may face. Every issue you face may be unique and must be dealt with separately but it is imperative to remember you’re on the same team and not enemies. DECEMBER 2020 | My Child Magazine Issue #111
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Taking walks together may help reinforce this thought. Studies show that when you move in the same direction physically, your mind tends to think of it as you are both working towards a collective goal together. If your spouse feels low, be there for them and provide them with the support they need. Just like how any team works, have each other’s backs. If you think they may be going on a wrong path, try talking to them about it. If you criticise them, be constructive. Refuse to give up on them, no matter what. Give Them Space There are times in a relationship when either of you may need some off time from each other. It is difficult to find that balance between too much time together and spending too little. If you spend too much time together, your partner could feel pressured and constricted. It is necessary to understand that they need their space and personal time to themselves. So, if your spouse wants to spend a night out with friends, understand this and offer to manage their errands or babysit the children. Know that what goes around, comes around.
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Don’t Try To Control Your Partner As we mentioned earlier, your partner is a whole human who can make decisions and take choices on their own. What they do is their choice and you should respect that. Controlling your partner is a very toxic trait and should be dealt with severely or it could put your entire marriage at risk. You are part of the same team, neither of you are superior or inferior to each other in any way. You are equals and should have mutual respect for each other. Get Help If you feel nothing seems to work, don’t hesitate to get help. You could undergo counselling and couples therapy to rebuild or strengthen your strained marriage. You could also consult a social worker or family therapist. This will help you identify root causes and solve them accordingly.
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HOW ARE WE HERE ALREADY? WRITTEN BY: SHEREE HODDINETT
It’s that time of year again. We are in the midst of the silly season. We are approaching the end of another, well I definitely wouldn’t say glorious year, but it’s certainly been…interesting?! No one really knows what day it is, if they’re supposed to be somewhere and even the last time they ate a proper meal, so pretty much experiencing life as per normal for kids! While I’m usually a bit of a Scrooge at this time of year, I think we needed Christmas to look forward to after what can only be described as a year full of wave after wave of disappointment that continually rolled in. It has been a crappy year, so 2021 you have some serious making up to do!
I guess you could say it’s been a year of learning. One of extreme patience (which wore extremely thin at times!). A year where I truly experienced being part of a situation that I think my kids adapted to a little better than I probably did, haha! When you hear about how resilient our kids can be, there is some truth to it, obviously depending on what’s happening. I feel my kids aren’t very reasonable when told no for the umpteenth time but when told to wash their hands, off to the sink they trot without even a whimper. I suppose we can thank COVID-19 for making 2020 the cleanest year ever! What else can I take away from this “joyful” year that was 2020? Oh I’ve got a good one. How many times have I thought “I just love talking to myself”? No mother ever thinks this! I swear I have multiple conversations to no one in particular on a daily basis. Who’s with me there?! I’m not talking to myself on purpose (well, most of the time anyway, there’s work meetings or choosing the right chocolate, haha). I’ve even considered getting my children’s hearing checked just to make sure there isn’t anything going on. But if I ever mention that, it’s like magic and suddenly they can hear me again. Or if I threaten to throw away
something important to them and again it’s like magic and their ears pick up on all the words. And to think I don’t even have teenagers yet. Do you ever look at your kids and think how? How have we managed to get to this point? The end of this year for one thing but also just keeping them alive in general, I guess. I often think how has this happened, have I done something right for a change? Or possibly wrong, depending on the day and their attitude and whether they still like me or not! My girls are now 5 and 7, which I know is still quite young in the whole scheme of things, but on some days it feels more like an eternity has passed since I brought them into the world. But with my baby girl getting ready to start school at the end of January, it’s amazing to think how quickly time has passed since they were tiny babies. Although I think I’ll still be calling them my babies when they’re even bigger than me. I can hear their reaction already, I’ll be the worst mum ever! Bring it on!! I often think about how my girls will turn out once they become adults, even more so after watching them handle this year’s crazy events. What direction their lives may go
in and where they may end up one day. They are still little but growing at a rapid rate, in attitude as well as height. We all have hopes and dreams plus goals that we want to achieve. We can work hard and aim to reach as high as possible but never really know if it will actually happen. Sometimes it feels the same when raising your kids. You can guide them. You can show them paths to follow for their potential. But overall, you really have no control over how your child will turn out. It’s a hard concept to grasp. No one wants their child to become a thief or worse yet a scary clown, but if it happens, there is no way you can stop it. I guess, much like our own parents, we can only sit back and watch it all unfold and be proud of what they achieve and what they become – minus the scary clown of course! As 2020 draws to a close (with many thinking, thank goodness!), I hope that there is some good to have come out of this year for you and you made the most of what you could, even if your kids drove you crazy! Read more of how my offspring drive me crazy over at www. shereekim.com. Enjoy the festive season, however you choose to spend it and here’s hoping 2021 is a better year for all of us! DECEMBER 2020 | My Child Magazine Issue #111
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REDEFINING MASCULINITY FOR A NEW GENERATION OF BOYS
When I wrote Love Your Body, I let myself imagine a world where every girl learned to love her body. When I wrote Be Your Own Man, I dared to dream of a world where every boy was free from the pressure of being a ‘real man’. As a part of my research for Be Your Own Man, I visited a school to ask a group of 40 children aged 10-12 what they thought about gender. I read them Love Your Body, and then we did an exercise where the children drew a man on a blank piece of paper and a woman on the other side. I then asked them to write words around their drawings that they associated with men and with women. Some children were confused by the exercise, and much to my delight told me that men and women could do and wear whatever they wanted and that they thought it was a trick (it kind of was). However, the vast majority drew heavily on gender stereotypes. The most concerning was the boys who had written ‘pushes down feelings’ next to their drawings of men. After they had completed the activity we all sat on the floor and I told the children to close their eyes. I then asked them a series of questions and if their answer was yes they were to raise their hand. I asked them if they felt they had to act a certain way or do certain things because of their gender. Every child raised their hand. I then asked them to raise their hand if they had ever made someone else feel like they had to act a certain way because of their gender. Over half of the students raised their hand. I then asked them to raise your hand if you want to live in a world where everyone is free 130
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to be themselves no matter what their gender is. Every child raised their hand. When they opened their eyes I told them what had happened. I told them that this change started with them, in the classroom. That they make the decision to either embrace difference and celebrate all the parts of their classmates, or to restrict and shame one another. After this powerful experience, I knew two things for certain 1. Children felt restricted by gender stereotypes at an early age and 2. They wanted to be free from them. I hoped that Be Your Own Man would be an important tool in helping young people realise that they can be anything and everything no matter what their gender. Both girls and boys are restricted by gender stereotypes. However, their experiences of gender are different. Girls whilst often valued for their appearance first and foremost are widely encouraged to be strong and step into the masculine parts of themselves. However, we are far less comfortable with encouraging boys to express the feminine parts of themselves. This rigid male stereotype is particularly harmful to the mental and physical health of boys. Emotional expression, for example, is an incredibly important part of staying mentally and physically well but boys are not given the space to cry freely or be vulnerable. A survey of 1,000 young Australian men aged 18 to 30 conducted by The Men’s Project found that young Australian men who believe in outdated masculine stereotypes such as ‘men don’t show emotions’ were themselves at higher risk of using violence, online bullying, and sexual harassment, engaging in risky drinking DECEMBER 2020 | My Child Magazine Issue #111
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and reporting poorer levels of mental health. For a long time masculinity or ‘the man box’ or masculine stereotype has remained largely unexamined. Today if you google the term ‘toxic masculinity’ you’ll find around 8.5 million results. Never had the male stereotype been under greater scrutiny. This is a good thing, we are beginning the process of freeing boys and men from what has been a limiting and harmful ‘box’ that they felt they needed to squish into. However, the second part of the conversation, what is the opposite of toxic masculinity and what healthy masculinity looks like is not being had nearly enough. I wrote Be Your Own Man to support boys (and their parents) to move towards creating a new world where boys are free to be themselves and to support them in navigating a changing landscape for males. I intentionally reframed soft qualities, the ones that boys are told to fear such as asking for help or vulnerability to be both brave and strong. And in the book, I hold the reader’s hand as together we break down male stereotypes and rebuild a new male identity that is grounded in softness, respect for others, and authenticity. Jessica Sanders is the award winning and bestselling author of Love Your Body and Me Time. Her new book Be Your Own Man is available to purchase at Booktopia and all good bookstores
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not every child can be at home this christmas‌
Hundreds of children undergoing grueling cancer treatment will this year spend Christmas in hospital. Imagine if there was something you could do to make them feel a little bit better… As Claire and Matt Bermingham prepared for their little boy Archer’s third birthday, little did they know that their entire lives were about to be thrown upside down. The night before his big day, Archer developed a fever. A dose of Panadol soon put things right, but when the fever continued to spike over the next couple of days, Claire thought it best to get him checked over by a doctor. A UTI was suspected and then quickly ruled out when urine tests came back clear. The next day, Claire noticed Archer had developed a limp and a tiny red speckled rash on his abdomen. ‘Our GP recommended taking him straight to our nearest Emergency Department for imaging and blood tests,’ explains Claire. ‘We were still pretty relaxed at that stage, we weren’t expecting anything sinister and were more concerned about Arch getting distressed at the hospital - he was one of those kids that hated even having his temperature taken back then.’ Almost immediately, the Bermingham family were swamped by medical staff and all number of terrifying possibilities. Doctors discovered that Archer had no white blood cells (neutrophils) and so he was hooked up to intravenous antibiotics. Archer’s blood tests were sent to Brisbane in order to confirm a diagnosis. Within an hour, the Bermingham family’s worst fears came true. Archer was diagnosed with B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia; an aggressive blood cancer affecting the B lymphocytes (a specialised type of white blood cell). ‘Archer’s bone marrow was found to be full of leukaemia and overflowing into his blood stream. We were just devastated. It’s not something you ever imagine you’ll hear, and I remember feeling like I just couldn’t catch my breath. I was holding onto my baby daughter so tightly just to keep myself upright. In that 160
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instant, you imagine losing your child and having to go through life without them. That feeling never quite leaves you.’ Archer needed an immediate platelet transfusion, requiring the family to leave their home in Lennox Head and travel to Brisbane. ‘Arch was accompanied by a specialised nurse to monitor the transfusion. We arrived in Brisbane just before midnight and the rest is a blur’. After the initial shock wore off, Claire and Matt went into ‘fixit’ mode, sourcing as much information as they could around Archer’s treatment, drugs and possible clinical trials and reorganising their lives around Archer’s medical needs. ‘I just tried to keep busy and give Arch as much normality as possible. But I don’t think we slept or ate for a week after diagnosis’. 11 months on, Archer is still undergoing treatment. ‘We lived in the hospital coming and going at all hours, moving through three different charity units in six months with a 3-year-old and an 18month old. I still wake up in the night and have to check where I am.’ ‘His treatment has included steroids alongside intensive chemotherapy, which he’s received as intrathecally (directly into the spinal fluid) intravenously, subcutaneously and orally’. So far, Archer has experienced hair loss, nausea, mouth sores, damage to the lining of the digestive system, vomiting and changes in appetite and tastes as a result of the chemo. He is frequently fatigued, has spent weeks at a time on morphine drips for pain, and can be irritable when his Haemoglobin is low. Early on, Archer also experienced frightening hypothermic episodes due to steroids and high blood pressure from the various medications. ‘Arch stopped walking for 3 months at diagnosis and has struggled with mobility throughout treatment. This is potentially a long-term effect. We just have to hope that it slowly improves.’ ‘Although these are all pretty standard treatment side effects that families like ours have to deal with, Archer’s treatment is DECEMBER 2020 | My Child Magazine Issue #111
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the thing that really keeps me up at night. We’ll do anything we can to give him the best possible chance, but chemo is a cruel beast and for all the good it does fighting the cancer, it does just as much bad to his tiny body.’ ‘In the early stages we were just so focused on survival, we didn’t give much thought to anything else. But the further we get into treatment, the more we can see the kinds of long-term scenarios we might be facing. There have been days when I’ve just felt so helpless and frustrated that there isn’t a kinder option. Our kids’ bodies have to process ancient, adult drugs which can cause a lifetime of side effects - impairments, organ damage, learning difficulties and the ever-looming risk of secondary cancers. We’ll just have to wait and see what combination comes our way.’ Today, Claire tries to focus on the positives. Archer is responding to treatment and his recent Bone Marrow Aspiration was found to be clear. ‘He’s doing really well and we’re so lucky to be where we are. He’s still in the ‘hangover’ period from treatment so there’s a lot going on in his body, but we’re constantly reassured that it’s all part of the process and he should be more comfortable in the next few months. He’s looking much healthier - his hair has grown back, his skin has a bit of colour and he’s having longer bursts of energy.’ Archer will continue treatment for the next 15 months, at which point he will have another BMA to make sure there is no disease still present. He is now in a transitional phase of treatment, meaning he doesn’t currently have to attend numerous appointments and undergo procedures. ‘We do relatively normal things all day long and come home and administer chemo in our kitchen. It just feels bizarre, like I’ve been running on a mouse wheel for 11 months and I don’t know how to slow down. Archer has suffered from a lot of anxiety and procedural trauma. It was hard to get him to leave the house for a while. We still have tough times, but he’s slowly rebuilding confidence and enjoying things a little more.’ 162
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Archer was recently gifted a Buddy Box by supporters of Australian cancer research charity, Cure Cancer. Filled with fun, interactive and practical items such as water bottles to stay hydrated during treatment, cosy bed socks for overnight hospital stays, and games and toys to help take little minds off grueling therapy rounds, the boxes are produced in consultation with children’s hospitals and cancer treatment centres across Australia. ‘The day of a child in hospital is often filled with traumatising, scary, painful procedures, and a whole lot of strange faces, big words, weird smells, lots of noises…it’s overwhelming, terrifying and completely foreign for a child. The Buddy Box gives them a chance to think about something else. It breaks up the fear and allows them to focus on something positive, something to enjoy and distract them. But most of all, it reminds them that despite what they’re going through, they’re still a kid. And that’s just priceless!’ All profits from The Buddy Box will be invested into supporting groundbreaking research from scientists like Dr Laurence Cheung, whose work is specifically focused on reducing the impact of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia and lessening the short- and long-term side effects of traditional treatments for children like Archer. ‘Until you see someone you love suffer through this, you just can’t appreciate how much we need changes to treatment options,’ says Claire. ‘Change takes research and research takes funding. By purchasing a Buddy Box, you’ll be contributing to this funding whilst bringing joy to a sick child. It’s a no brainer!’ Help Cure Cancer deliver 1,000 boxes to little hands in need this Christmas. Purchase a Buddy Box today: curecancer.com.au/buddy-box
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recipes sourced from: betterhealth.vic.gov.au
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Delicious
Bran Fruit Loaf INSTRUCTIONS 1
pre-heat oven at 180°c.
2
combine bran and fruit in a bowl.
3
add sugar and milk. mix well and leave for 1 hour.
4
add flour and mix well.
5
spoon into lightly greased loaf tin and bake in a hot oven (180°c) for 1 hour.
6
remove from oven and turn onto wire rack to cool.
7
slice and serve.
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prep and cooking time: 70 mins serves: 12 INGREDIENTS 1 cup bran cereal 1 cup fruit medley 3/4 cup brown sugar 1 1/2 cup reduced fat milk 1 1/2 cup self-raising flour
Quick & Easy
Banana Breakfast Drink INSTRUCTIONS 1
place all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.
2
pour into a large glass to serve.
3
optional: top with a few slices of banana
prep and cooking time: 5 mins serves: 1 INGREDIENTS 1 1 1 cup 1/4 cup
breakfast wheat biscuit banana, chopped low-fat milk low-fat yoghurt
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Creamy Corncakes prep & cook time: 60 mins serves: 6 INSTRUCTIONS 1
pre-heat the oven to 180°c.
2
blend corn, milk and eggs in a bowl.
3
add the polenta and baking powder and mix well.
4
stir in the onion, carrot, peas and capsicum.
5
pour mixture into a lightly greased baking dish (approximately 20x30cm) and top with grated cheese.
6
bake in oven at 180°c for 45-50 minutes. cool then slice.
INGREDIENTS 300g 125 mls 2 120 g 2 tsp 2 lrg 1 cup 1 cup
can creamed corn low-fat milk egg polenta baking powder brown onions, chopped carrot, grated cooked peas chopped red capsicum, 1 cup chopped 1/2 cup low-fat cheese, grated
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Zucchini Carrot Bake prep & cook time: 75 mins serves: 8 INSTRUCTIONS 1
pre-heat oven at 180째c (160째c for a fan forced oven). lightly oil and line a 20cm round cake tin
2
combine all ingredients in a large bowl, mix well to combine.
3
pour mixture into the cake tin.
4
bake in the oven at 180째c (160째c for a fan forced oven) for one hour or until lightly browned on top.
5
slice and serve. can be served hot or cold.
INGREDIENTS 1 1/2 grated zucchini cups 1 lrg onion, finely chopped 1/2 cup soy flour gluten free baking 1 1/2 tsp powder 1/4 cup skim milk 1 cup grated carrot grated reduced fat 3/4 cup tasty cheese 1/2 cup rice flour 3 eggs, lightly beaten 1/2 tsp teaspoon salt
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Bok Choy Stir-Fry INSTRUCTIONS 1
spray a non-stick wok or frypan with oil and heat.
2
stir-fry garlic and chopped vegetables for 3 to 5 minutes until cooked but still crisp.
3
add boy choy and cook until just wilted.
4
stir in soy sauce and chilli sauce and heat.
5
serve sprinkled with roasted sesame seeds.
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prep & cook time: 25 mins serves: 4 INGREDIENTS 1 olive or canola oil spray 1 clove crushed garlic, crushed chopped vegetables (carrot, 3 cup celery, capsicum, zucchini, snow peas) bunch bok choy, washed and 1 chopped 2 tbsp reduced salt soy sauce 1 tbsp sweet chilli sauce - optional 1/4 cup roasted sesame seeds
Curried Lentil Patties
prep & cook time: 55 mins serves: 4
INSTRUCTIONS
INGREDIENTS 1 cup red lentils 2 cup water 1 tsp curry paste packet (reduced salt) vegetable 1 based soup mix 2 tbsp parsley, chopped 2 tbsp wholemeal plain flour 1 tbsp canola oil
1
rinse lentils and place in saucepan with water. bring to boil and simmer 15 minutes or until all the water is absorbed.
2
add curry paste, soup mix and parsley to lentils.
3
refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, overnight if possible.
4
shape into 8 patties and roll in flour.
5
heat oil in non-stick frypan and fry 4 to 5 minutes on each side until golden brown. serve hot.
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Apple Custard prep time: 65 mins serves: 4
INSTRUCTIONS 1
place all ingredients in a food processor or blender and beat until well combined.
2
pour mixture into four individual greased ovenproof dishes.
3
place dishes into a larger pan of water and bake in a moderate oven (180°c/350°f) for 40 mins or until the mixture has set.
INGREDIENTS 400g can pie apples 1 tsp cinnamon lemon rind, finely 1 tsp grated 2 tbsp honey 1 cup evaporated skim milk 2 eggs
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Plum Swirl prep : 20 mins serves: 4
INSTRUCTIONS 1
put plums, sugar, water, cinnamon and vanilla essence in a saucepan and simmer for 10 minutes until tender.
2
remove the stones, puree the mixture and leave to cool.
3
spoon yogurt and plum puree alternatively into serving glasses and gently swirl with a knife to give a marbled effect.
4
sprinkle each glass with grated chocolate.
INGREDIENTS plums (or you can 750g substitute rhubarb for variety) sugar (or to taste 50g depending on ripeness of the fruit) 4 tbsp water 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp vanilla essence 1 cup reduced fat yoghurt sprinkle grated chocolate
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