My Child Magazine Issue 119 August 2021 by My Child Magazine

MAGAZINE.COM.AU

ISSUE 119 - AUGUST 2021

single parenting

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Bianca Medina ART DIRECTOR

Bianca Medina DEPUTY EDITOR

Feba Maryann  CONTRIBUTORS

Sheree Hoddinett Amy Adeney Lance Green Liza John Ron Lach Emma Bauso Yan Krukov Kindel Media Monstera Any Lane Valeria Ushakova Sarah Chai Pixabay Allan Mas Elizabeth Zernetska Victoria Borodinova CONTACT

My Child Magazine Newcastle NSW Australia +614 11 572 877 editorial@mychildmagazine.com.au

Contents 6

10 Ways To Reduce Single-Parent

How To Deal With Sibling Fights

Stress

Sleeping Positions During Pregnancy

Celebrating Holidays With Your Kids As A Single Parent

Dad Read - Top Tips For Single Dads Raising A Daughter

Get The Look Interiors

18 5 Challenges Of Being A Single Parent

54 9 Tips To Tighten Belly Skin After Pregnancy

24 How To Raise A Happy, Successful Child As A Single Parent

60 Bottle Feeding Your Baby

90 Is Your Partner Jealous Of The Attention You Give To Your Child?

96 Blogger -Growing, Going, Gone

100

Toy Reviws

Book Reviews

Fashion

110

How To Promote Child Safety At

Maintaining Mental Health As A

Home?

The Lane & Co Feature

Single Parent During Covid-19

122 Recipes

136

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 My Child Mamma’s and Papa’s, August already! Goodness time goes fast, even in lockdown! Well, this has certainly been a trying time for parents and not just locally, but globally. Personally I can’t wait for all our lives to return to the new normal that awaits us! As much as I have loved the extra time I have gotten to spend with my daughter, she needs her peers! I can admit that I am just not enough and that’s ok! As much as the lockdown has caused parents and adults in general a level of inconvenience, I believe that those who have been most impacted have been our children. I can’t imagine what it must be like to be a child, living through a pandemic, resulting in being cut off from family, friends and feeling isolated at the same time. FaceTime can only offer so much! Children are generally resilient, but these past months have really shown us how resilient children are. The point of this rant, if you’re like me, sometimes you just need a little reminder, that sometimes it’s ok if your not enough and it’s ok to not be enough! As we can now see the light at the end of a very long tunnel, be patient in the coming months and know that soon enough you will be able to provide the things your child most longs for! For me, my daughter just wants to go back to school and play with her friend and I love that I am able to tell her that days is approaching soon!! Well, until Next Issue,

Bianca oxo

editor’s picks

Havana Blues $109.50 net-a-porter.com/en-au

LIPMD Ultimate Hollywood Lip Kit $59 lipmd.com.au

Clinique Even Better Eyes Dark Circle Corrector $59 adorebeauty.com.au

Chloé Woody Logo Print Canvas Slides $540 net-a-porter.com/en-au

My Perfect Eyes $99 priceline.com.au

The Fader $955 lackofcolor.com.au

B. Toys B. Whale Sprinkler $29.95 davidjones.com

Dindi Kids Palm Oil Free Soap Animals $5.95 biome.com.au

Wooden Balance & Play Board - Natural $89 toytitans.com.au

10 WAYS TO REDUCE SINGLEPARENT STRESS written by: Liza John

It is rightly said that it takes a village to raise a child. Having to do this on your own can be extremely difficult. No matter whether circumstances led you to be a single parent or if you chose to raise a baby on your own, the stress faced by a single parent is no joke. To have a healthy relationship with your child and bring them up in the best way you can, you need to maintain your wellbeing. From managing finances to packing lunches, single parenting can take a toll on anyone. Here are 10 ways to reduce your stress as a single parent. Be Open With The Kids At the earliest, discuss your family with your children. Explain to them why they only have one parent, unlike other children they meet. Letting your child know about such facts helps them in coming to terms with them. It also prevents feelings of resentment and, in worst cases, rejection of the parent. Sorting Out Finances Being a single parent means your family has only a single source of income and, maybe, child support. Raising babies can be very expensive, so sort out your finances from the very beginning. If you are not skilled enough to deal with money-related issues, take a course to help you figure out the basics or ask a friend to guide you. Being safe when it comes to money can reduce a lot of 8

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stress for single parents. Spend Time With Your Family As a single parent, you might find that you are always short of time. From working to cleaning the house and preparing meals, you may not get to spend some quality time with your children. Understand that taking some time to share a hobby or a talk with your child is extremely important. It can help your relationship with the child as well as relax all the parties involved. Setting A Routine Unpredictability can be a single parent’s worst enemy. Since you have very little time on your hands, establishing a routine to stick to can be of immense help. Considering the changes that are happening in your life and your child’s, a routine can also help both of you feel settled and calm. Enlist Childcare Parenting is not an easy task with two people involved full-time, and single parents need not force themselves to this job alone. Get a qualified babysitter to help you out with your baby or get your parents or friends to watch your child for a few hours while you run errands or do chores. AUGUST 2021 | My Child Magazine Issue #119

Besides giving you a helping hand, getting someone else to watch the child means they get a chance to interact with someone else for a change and broaden their social circle. Find A Support System It can be your friends, your family, or another group of single parents in your neighbourhood. Sharing your experiences and knowledge with others in the same situation can equip you to deal with life better. Having a group of people to fall back on can be beneficial on those days when nothing seems to go your way. Establish Consistency In Discipline Just like setting a routine, establish rules for behaviour as well. If your child knows what kind of behaviour you expect from them and appreciate, life can become easy for both of you. Make sure to let your ex-spouse or anyone else taking care of your child know to hold your child to these rules as well. Avoid Feelings Of Guilt Most single parents feel guilty about raising their children in a family different from others. Understand that there is no need for subjecting yourself to feeling this way.

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Express your love and care for your child, and you will see that your child’s upbringing is no different from what society deems as normal. Try To Look For The Positives Things may seem bleak on some days but find a way to stay positive throughout it all. Spend some time with your child, re-evaluate your choices, and assure yourself that you are making the right decisions for your family. Look for advice from others in the same positions to get a better picture of everything. Take Some Me-Time Yes, being a single parent means more work, but that does not mean that you cannot take a break. Get yourself at least two hours in a week, away from everything, to take care of yourself. Meditate, draw a bath, go for a walk, or do something that you love to rejuvenate your mind. Take a break, you deserve it. Final Thoughts No one ever said being a single parent was easy. But with proper planning, understanding, and a lot of help, you can avoid most of the stress that comes with single parenting.

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CELEBRATING HOLIDAYS WITH YOUR KIDS AS A SINGLE PARENT Written By: Liza John

Being a single parent is stressful. You always have to find time to spend with your children, no matter how busy you are. All single parents, agree that holidays are a pain in the bum. With no classes, your ankle-biter, is going to wreak total havoc at home. Additionally, the pressure to make the holidays memorable and cheerful can be overwhelming. But we got you covered. Here are some tips for celebrating the holidays with your kid as a single parent: Let Your Child Decide Ask your kids how they would like to spend their holidays. Then you can make a list of all the ideas to make their holiday memorable. Make memories that the children would remember as they grow older. They can travel around, have a one-day picnic, watch movies together and do such things that both the parent and their child loves. Invite People Over It’s always good to seek help from a friend or invite them over to your house to spend time with your child. You can even ask them for ideas about making the holidays happy and memorable. You can also pair with another single parent and their children to celebrate the holidays cheerfully. It will lighten the burden for both of them in some ways.

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Gifting Within Your Budget As the child grows older, parents find it extremely difficult to buy gifts without having to bust a fortune over it. Being a single parent, the sole breadwinner of the household, it might be a nightmare for you.

“All single parents, agree that holidays are a pain in the bum”

As single parents, many try to make up for the absence of your spouse by buying stuff out of their budget at the child’s whims. Do not fall into this, you can’t possibly make up for an absent parent with pricey goods. More than that, you’re spoiling your child if you get them everything they ask for. Prepare a budget and buy gifts for them within the budget. Go On A Trip! Make sure you plan the trip flawlessly. Both you and your kid must enjoy the events that you have planned. You could even get your kid’s bestie to join you on the trip. Be responsible and plan the trip, ensuring that you follow any Covid restrictions if applicable.

AUGUST 2021 | My Child Magazine Issue #119

With the current global pandemic situation, a trip might not be the first thing that comes to your mind. From desert safari in the UAE to scuba diving in the Maldives, plenty of countries have opened up their borders. Besides, you can even go on small trips within the country. Help Them Learn A Skill As there is plenty of free time during holidays, provide your child the opportunity to learn new skills such as instruments, arts, dance, music by enrolling them in a class. This might be a foundation for their future and can even become their passion later on as they grow older. Picnic With Your Child You can take your child for a picnic outdoors. Spend a day with your child in the broad daylight under the sun. Have fun by making a light healthy meal and take some fruits along with you. Even play some music and dance to its tune like you fancy. Surprises Are The Best Who doesn’t love surprises! Give your kids a surprise. Take them on a trip, bake them their favourite cookies, or better yet adopt a pup.

AUGUST 2021 | My Child Magazine Issue #119

Find Joy In Little Things Engage in small activities that will calm your mind and bring you joy. Go out for an evening walk, watch movies, cook something your kid loves, or talk to them about how their day went. This will strengthen the parent-child bond you have with your child. Show Your Love. You should praise them for their good deeds. Life’s short, you don’t know what would happen tomorrow, so unleash your love and care. Moreover, keeping everything inside might harm your relationship with your child. Bottom Line Being a single parent is an arduous task. Getting separated from your partner brings you sorrow, anxiety, and stress. Despite all these issues, you still have your child to look after. Celebrate holidays with your child in the most wonderful way. Ask them about their interests and plan holidays accordingly. Spend as much as possible time with your child and make their days memorable.

AUGUST 2021 | My Child Magazine Issue #119

5 CHALLENGES OF BEING A SINGLE PARENT written by: Liza John

Being a parent is a difficult task as it is. Usually, parents share this responsibility equally to keep up with the requirements. But some of us, have to deal with this arduous task all by ourselves. Whether you are a single parent by choice, or if you have had to go through a major life-changing event, you’ll have to tackle a few major challenges. So here we have put together 5 challenges that every single parent will have to face at some point of time in their parenting journey. Loneliness Single parents often report feeling like they are in this by themselves, all alone. This is especially true in cases where they don’t have family or good friends nearby. However, know that you are not alone. You can seek out local support groups for single parents or talk to your bestie to help you breathe easier. Having someone dependable to lean on when you need help can be a boon. As single parents, dads more often tend not to seek help. Again, you are never alone, there are other single dads out there. Society has framed men to be strong and

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independent. Seeking help is portrayed as less manly. But by connecting with other parents, you not only help yourself but also help others in the process. Financial And Social Concerns Single parents often fear if they’ll be able to make ends meet. Being the sole breadwinner is incredibly difficult. Cutting down on numerous extras, paying the bills, properly budgeting, and investing some for the future can be harrowing for some. Society always has had a stigma around single parents, who usually have to face harsh judgements from society. While most receive advice to get married again. Single moms often have to face preying eyes from men. Nobody knows what you’re going through until they get in your shoes. Find people who understand you and believe in you without judging you. Do stuff that you love to build back your self-esteem and confidence. Finding Work-Life Balance Full-time working parents almost always complain about not being able to find time for themselves. We can only imagine what single parents must be going through.

AUGUST 2021 | My Child Magazine Issue #119

From diaper changes to sending emails, single parents have to be on the balls of their feet at all times. It is no wonder that they might experience difficulty maintaining a work-life balance. Some parents may even have to put in extra hours to provide for their families. Again, asking your neighbours, friends, or family for help will help you breathe a little easier. Try to coax your employer to give you flexible work hours and work from home if possible. Disciplining The Children Single parents usually find it difficult to discipline their kids. The emotional stress of being brought up by a single parent affects children too. They may throw tantrums or engage in other troublesome behaviour in a bid to get attention. Subsequently, this leaves the parent in a fix, drained of all their energy and helpless. Additionally, in a bid to provide for the family, single parents may not have enough time to spend with their families. The children, left on their own with no proper guidance, may demonstrate defiance.

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Feeling Guilty Single parents may feel guilty, especially after a bad divorce or breakup. There may be tons of questions that flash through their minds. Should I have been more patient? Maybe I shouldn’t have got a divorce? How will the children treat my decisions when they grow up? Pondering over whether you did the right thing, and blaming yourself for the situation, is never healthy. Take a look back at why you decided in the first place. Write down your feelings in a journal. Vent it to a friend. Accept your choice and be confident in what you did. Bottom Line Being a single parent is a daunting task. Single parents have to battle societal judgement, financial constraints, emotional breakdowns, loneliness, and more. Needless to say, the journey is going to be stressful, not only for you but your child as well. Having a good support system, proper planning and budgeting can help you succeed in this battle. Stay strong, we know you will come through.

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HOW TO RAISE A HAPPY, SUCCESSFUL CHILD AS A SINGLE PARENT WRITEN BY: LIZA JOHN

“Unconditional love” is another word that can be used in place of the word “parent’’. Whenever a couple has a child, they always wish to raise their child in the best way they can and always want their child to be happy and successful. They are always ready to face many problems for the betterment of their child’s future. In today’s modern world, divorce is a common thing, and many times splits can cause situations in which a single parent has to take care of the child. In such situations, a child’s better upbringing also gets hindered. So here are a few ways by which you can raise a happy and successful child, and it doesn’t matter whether you are a single parent or a couple. Puss Your Child’s Self Esteem Always encourage your child in every situation, whether he is doing up to the mark or not. Make them feel that there is a hero in everyone, and they can achieve and everything they want for themselves. And if in case they fail, always be ready to back them, not that if they fail you tease them instead of helping them to increase their self-confidence and give hope and power to rise and fight again. Make them learn how to face failures along with wins. Make Them Learn What Is Right And What Is Wrong One of the major things that every parent should do is make their child learn what is right and what is wrong at the scientific as well as social level. If a child is taught from birth to know the rights and wrongs of a particular topic or a situation can do a lot of betterment to the life of a child as well as society. Can save your child from getting trapped in bad habits which may result in ruining your child’s future. Give Them Charge Of Their Life It is very much necessary that a child should be given the freedom to choose what they are interested in doing. They should be given the freedom to choose their career goals themselves. They should be allowed to follow their passion, and you should support and back them in whatever they are doing. 26

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And in case they are going on the wrong track, you should be ready to correct them. Academic performance alone is not something that decides the future of a child. As it is well said, a good artist doesn’t need to know good maths, not necessarily that a good sportsman should know good physics. All have their capabilities and their interests. Getting grades is a good thing, but being average is also good. As it is well said, one should expect effort, not perfection. Try To Keep Them Down To Earth Making your child know the importance of every small thing going around in this world is a good way to make your child down to earth. This will make your child more respectful and caring towards other people as well as himself. This will make your child more honest and strong. Generate a feeling of gratification in your child on small things like food, work of maids, public workers, etc. Teach Them The Importance Of Relationships As we all know, human beings are social animals, it is almost impossible in this world that a person will be all alone throughout his life. In every person’s life he/ she comes into contact with many people hence, for smooth flow of life it is very much necessary that they maintain good relations with everyone. And according to research, it is proven that it doesn’t matter how good you are at your career, according to the happiness index, those persons who have good relationships are the happiest of them all. Try To Make Them Self Disciplined A major resistance between being successful and not being successful is one thing that is self-discipline. How good a parent you are, and you teach your child about all things or back them every time, and if they lack self-discipline they will always be at a back place. So it is very much important that your child is self-disciplined and always ready to maintain self-discipline in every harsh condition. AUGUST 2021 | My Child Magazine Issue #119

AUGUST 2021 | My Child Magazine Issue #119

BOOK e

by: Amy Adeney from Busy Bookworms

T H E CU R I O SI T I E S BY ZANA FRAI LLON AND PHI L L E SN I E Miro wakes one morning to find t he wor l d isn’t quite the way he thought i t was. When the Curiosities choose M i r o as t he one they nest on, Miro is led t o d i sc ov e r all the marvels waiting in the shad ows where no- one else looks. S om e t i m e s though, the Curiosities can m ak e M i r o feel alone and invisible in th e d ar k ne ss. But perhaps Miro isn’t as al one as he thinks...

Th is is a ly ric a l a n d mov in g st or y i n s p i r ed b y t h e p eop le wh o see t h e world d i f f er en tl y A b ea u t ifu l c eleb ra t ion of d isa b il i ty , d i v er s i ty a n d p rid e in wh o y ou a re, t h is is a n ex c el l en t c h oic e for rea d ers a ged 5 a n d u p .

WE GO WAY B ACK BY ID A N BU NT IN G

B E N-B A R A K

AND

PHI LI P

Wha t is l i f e ? H ow d id it s t ar t ? Lo n g , long ag o , n o on e k no w s exac t ly wh ere or whe n, a ti n y b u bb le fo r med t h a t was a L itt le B i t D i f f e r en t . It w as t h e fir s t l iving c e ll. E v e r y o n e ’s an c es t o r . An d s o the s to ry of l i f e b e g i n s ...

In t his v i s u a l l y s tunning and brilli a n t ly de v ise d p i ct u r e b ook , readers are ta ken thro u g h th e o r i gin of life on our pl a n et , an d h o w a n o d d little bubble gave ri se t o the incr e d i b l e w eb of life on Earth. Th is en t e rt a i n i n g s ci entific ex ploration, wit h i ts sim p l e a n d e ngaging illus trations, will ap pe a l to r e a d e r s aged 5 and up.

AUGUST 2021 | My Child Magazine Issue #119

LE T ’S E AT WEED S BY ANNI E RASER- ROW LA N D , GRUBB AND EVI E BARROW

ADAM

Ever thought weeds were just p e sk y p l ant s to pull out and throw away? T hi nk agai n! From salads to main dishes, e d i b l e we e d s are delicious! This inf orm at i v e , f unny , and beautif ul book will show y ou j ust how great edible weeds can tast e . L e ar n t o smell your way to an angled oni on, b ak e weeds ‘n’ cheese pie, and s af e l y har v e st the juicy f ruits of a prickly pe ar .

Th is is t h e u lt ima t e c omp an i o n f o r th e y ou n g u rb a n or ru ra l f ora ger . F i n d o u t h o w t o id en t ify ed ib le weed s, wh er e a n d wh en t o fin d t h em, a n d h ow t o c ook th em . T h i s i s a grea t b ook for rea d ers a ge d 6 a n d u p to sh a re wit h t h eir f a milies.

LITTLE BIG CHATS SERIES BY J AY N E E N S A ND E R S & C H E R IE ZA M A Z I N G T he Li t t l e B I G Ch at s s er ies h as been wr it t e n t o a s sis t p ar en t s , c a r e givers an d e d u c a to r s t o h ave o p en a n d ageap pro p r i a t e c on ver s a t io n s w it h early l e a r ne r s a r o u n d c r u c ial, an d yet a t times, ‘to ug h’ t o p i c s . A n d w h a t b et t er wa y than u sing c h i l d r e n ’s p ic t u r e b o o ks ! T h e re are 12 bo ok s i n t h e s er ies , o n t o p ic s r anging fro m co n s e n t a n d m in d fu ln es s t o empathy an d div e r s i t y . Thro ug h o u t e a ch book are ques tion s t o en c o ura g e i n t e r action and dis cu ssion , de sig ne d to b r i n g childre n’ s own ex perien c es and u n d e r s ta n d i ngs into the conve rsa t ion . The se r i e s i s a fantas tic way to rai se b ig top ic s wi t h y o u n g readers age d 2 -6 .

AUGUST 2021 | My Child Magazine Issue #119

MAINTAINING MENTAL HEALTH AS A SINGLE PARENT DURING COVID-19 WRITTEN BY: Liza John

The global pandemic has shaken the very roots of the world we live in. It has changed everything; from the way we receive education to the way we purchase our groceries. It has impacted all aspects of our life. The WHO and public health administrations worldwide acknowledge the mental health impact caused by this pandemic. Temporary unemployment, fear of contracting Covid-19, being isolated from friends and family, and the unfortunate loss of our loved ones, all contribute to aggravating our mental health. For single parents, this situation, can be all the more overwhelming and taxing. Juggling between taking care of the kids and working from home or facing unemployment, combined with isolation from other adults, can make single parenting an insuperable task. In the rest of this article, we cover some tips to help you maintain your mental health as a single parent during this pandemic. Self-Care This pandemic and the challenges it pose’s will take a toll on your mental health, not only as a single parent but as an individual. To be a good happy parent, you first need to be a healthy, happy individual. There is nothing that can aid your mental health like self-care. However, being a single parent, you might 34

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associate self-care with selfishness and carry feelings of guilt around it. Society, and sometimes even our close ones, portray parenting as a full-time job where you can never think about yourself. Self-care doesn’t mean that you should go on a shopping spree or go to a spa and get a full body massage. While this pampering is a way of self-care for some, the selfcare we imply is to take care of your emotions and taking small breaks to do stuff you love. Here are some activities you must include in your selfcare routine: Asking For Help And Taking It When Offered Asking for help, or accepting that you need help, is often portrayed as a sign of weakness, or not something a good parent does. Says who? Asking for help when you really need it is not weak, and it doesn’t make you dependent on anyone. Being Kind To Yourself Being a single parent, one might often have a sense of guilt or doubt. Maybe I shouldn’t have got the divorce. Will I be able to fill the void created by the absentee parent? Will I be able to take care of the kids? I’ll tell you what, stop beating yourself up about it. You’ve made the decision, trust in yourself and trust in time. You’ll do just fine. For the time being, focus on the stuff you can do and give them your best effort. AUGUST 2021 | My Child Magazine Issue #119

Consulting Doctors Or Mental Health Providers This one is straightforward, if you feel it slipping out of control, give the doc or your therapist a visit. To be a good parent, you must be the best version of yourself. Engage In Activities You Love No matter how packed your schedule is, find some time to do things you love. Maybe watch a movie after you’ve put your kids to sleep or put on some music in the evening and dance your heart out. Support Groups Do you often think you are alone in this journey? Do you feel lonely and isolated being a single parent? Are you craving interaction with an adult, but you can’t seem to find time or people who understand what you are going through? Well, support groups are the answer. You’ll come across other single parents who are going through or have been through what you are experiencing right now. Besides giving you some hacks, sensible advice, and tips from their experience, your support group will have your back when you need them, provided you reciprocate. Go online and search for a single parents support group in your locality and join away.

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Work and Childcare Many parents relied on school or daycare to take care of their children when they had to work. But since the pandemic shut them down, single parents even whose employers stayed open couldn’t go to work as they had to take care of their children. Other single parents had to work from home and handle their children by themselves. This whole situation might be overwhelming for any individual, but here are some strategies you can try. Talk To Your Employer Try to coax your employer to give you flexible work hours or split up the work tasks to times that help you take care of your child as well. Using Lights Or Stickers On Doorknobs When you are working, leave a sticker or card on your doorknob, so that your kids don’t disturb you. Using lights that go from green to red could do the trick too. Final Thoughts Understand that this situation is out of the ordinary. You can’t control everything and be perfect with everything you do, and that is okay. Be kind to yourself, love yourself, and do the stuff that you can. Be realistic and sensible with your goals and expectations. AUGUST 2021 | My Child Magazine Issue #119

SLEEPING POSITIONS DURING PREGNANCY

Written by Liza John

As the baby bump grows week after week, it will be difficult to find a comfortable sleeping position. Some positions also affect the carrying person’s health or that of the baby, so it is important to know which position to sleep in is the best. Like any other aspect of pregnancy, sleeping too comes with an extensive list of dos and don’ts. As overwhelming as it sounds, it is essential to stick to these guidelines to prevent harm to the baby and your body. Research suggests that 78% of women have trouble sleeping when they are pregnant, and 15% of them face this issue, especially after the third semester. At least eight hours of restful sleep is important to an expecting parent and the fetus, so here are a few tips and positions on how to catch some much-needed shut-eye during pregnancy. Best Sleeping Positions During the first three months, pregnant women can sleep in whichever position they find the most comfortable. Even if it is on their back, side, or stomach, it is safe. The uterus has not grown big enough to cause disruptions and be uncomfortable. However, other conditions like nausea and heartburn might be aggravated by the position one lies in. Therefore, positions that elevate the upper body are suggested to stave off 40

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these persistent conditions that characterise the first trimester. As they progress into their second and third semester, pregnant folk find it extremely difficult and uncomfortable to sleep, especially on their back. During the later trimesters, experts recommend sleeping on the left side, as it will enhance the amount of blood and nutrients that reach your uterus and the baby. Additionally, sleeping on the left side does not put pressure on the liver, which is on the right side. No research shows one should refrain from sleeping on their right side, so if that’s what you prefer and are comfortable with, then go ahead unless strongly discouraged by your doctor. Those who experience pregnancy-related pains in their hips and back should place a pillow or two between their knees, and a pillow under the abdomen while sleeping, as it provides some relief. Keeping the upper body propped with pillows is best for those who experience heartburn during the night. These positions may sound uncomfortable on paper, but these are highly recommended by experts. Also, you simply need to focus on finding a position that does not exert much pressure on your vulnerable body parts and the fetus. If you are used to lying on your AUGUST 2021 | My Child Magazine Issue #119

back or stomach, falling asleep can be trickier. For resolving such problems, making use of ambient noise machines and soothing teas are recommended. Sleeping Positions To Avoid Sleeping on the Stomach: Those who prefer sleeping on their stomach are usually the ones who panic about falling asleep in this position while pregnant. As much as it is discouraged, falling asleep on your stomach in the first few days of pregnancy or rolling onto your stomach in sleep is alright because the uterus protects the fetus well. But it is best to prevent it as the days go by, especially as you progress into the second or third semester, it becomes extremely impractical to sleep on your stomach. To prevent yourself from ending in the prone position, use pillows to balance or restrict your movement. In the first few weeks of pregnancy, if you find yourself waking up on your stomach, don’t fret, but try to prevent this. Sleeping on the Back: During the third semester, sleeping on the back puts extreme pressure on the main blood vessels that deliver blood to the uterus, and it also causes irritating symptoms like heartburn and dizziness. It is usual to roll in sleep, so you may find yourself sleeping on your back, but you can use pillows to support your body and prevent yourself from rolling.

Other Tips For Sleeping Better: • Stay hydrated - Staying dehydrated can throw your sleep cycle off the rails. It is essential to drink lots of fluids during pregnancy but plan the timing of the drinks because if you need to use the washroom too many times during the night, getting back into a comfortable position might prove to be tricky. • Small and healthy diet - It is beneficial to eat little and less fatty meals to decrease heartburn. • Limiting caffeine - It is advised to cut out caffeinated drinks and not to drink them after 3 pm. • A routine - Having a proper regime of going to bed and waking up on time each day helps. • Exercise - Skip exercises that require too much energy. Try yoga, meditation, or other similar activities that help in relaxation. Final Thoughts With the help of these tips, you might be able to find safe positions to sleep as your bump grows. Disruptions in sleep despite being in a comfortable position are common during pregnancy. Try to reduce the effect of such disruptions by taking nap during the day or by relaxing yourself before you get into bed with a warm bath. Consult your doctor to know more about positions that you should avoid to reduce the risks of harming your baby.

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AUGUST 2021 | My Child Magazine Issue #119

9 TIPS TO TIGHTEN BELLY SKIN AFTER PREGNANCY Written by Liza John

Pregnancy is a beautiful life process that brings a lot of changes to your body. Obviously, most of the changes disappear after delivery, but sometimes they necessarily don’t or take too long to go back. One of the changes many women dislike is weight gain, especially belly fat. Our skin is made of collagen and elastin, which expands with weight gain. Once stretched, it is hard to get the skin back to its original shape. It frustrates many, how hard it is to lose the weight gained, unlike how it was to gain. Just because it is not easy does not mean it is impossible to get back to the previous shape. The sagging belly skin can be reduced with effort. And here are a few steps to help you get a speedy recovery. Eat Healthily The skin needs nutrients to maintain its elasticity. So, it is important to take enough nutrients for the skin to remain soft and proper. Extremely crucial to have a balanced diet that contains lots of fruits, vegetables, proteins, and fats to tighten the loose skin. And it is also important to check and maintain the proper diet according to the exercise you do. Keep Exercising Everyone knows the importance of exercise; how extremely useful it is to our health. Exercising 56

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helps tighten the sagging skin by strengthening the abdominal muscles. It helps one to lose excess weight and tone muscles along with shaping the body. It also promotes circulation, improving oxygen supply to all the necessary parts. Both cardio routines and strength training exercises are great. And variations to the exercise routine are always a great thing. One should never forget to warm up and stretch before starting the exercise. Make sure from your doctor that it is okay to start exercising before you begin. Proper Breathing Before starting any exercise or activity, correct your breathing rate. Inhale deep breaths through your nose and let the air fill in your lungs, and then exhale slowly through the mouth. Meditating also helps you gain easy control of your breath rate. Breathing also has another benefit; it helps in tightening the loose skin with its expanding and contraction. A Healthy Mind A healthy mind is crucial for progress. Nothing can be achieved with a negative mindset, so make sure to keep yourself healthy by doing things you love. Here are a few tips to keep your mind healthy: AUGUST 2021 | My Child Magazine Issue #119

• Meditation and practice self-love. • Play with your little one • Think of all the good things when you feel disappointed • Make sure to get fresh air • Do any outdoor activities like gardening or walking • Get in naps, very important, which people usually discard You need to focus and take care of your emotional and mental well-being, just like your physical wellbeing. Even if you don’t get the results in just a few weeks or months, so do not get frustrated. Stay Hydrated Drink water. Lots of water. Staying hydrated promotes and maintains the skin’s elasticity. Make sure that you have a proper intake of water. Keep drinking regularly throughout the day. It helps in burning calories and makes the loose skin less noticeable. Breastfeeding Breastfeeding is important and helpful to both you and your baby. Research shows that it helps in reducing extra calories daily.

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Massages An abdominal massage is very helpful as it promotes blood circulation. Using olive oil to rub the belly is a nice step. Spa Who wouldn’t love a day at the spa? Well, here is a legitimate reason. Getting a skin wrap helps in tightening the skin and also detoxifies. It also keeps your stress and frustration at bay for a few hours. So go ahead and pamper yourself. Lots Of Sleep Our body uses lots of energy to repair itself, and it is essential to get plenty of sleep so that you are healthy and get your desired results. Being sleep-deprived is not going to help in any case. Bottom Line These are a few steps in your long journey to get back into your pre-baby shape. Do not be disheartened, even after your attempts with exercise and nutritious food. Continue maintaining a healthy mind and be happy, you deserve it.

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BOTTLE FEEDING YOUR BABY Written by Liza John

From preparing the formula to holding your baby while breastfeeding, here are the basics every parent should know before they start bottlefeeding their baby. In cases where the baby cannot be breastfed, you may choose bottle feeding. Nipple pain, swollen breasts, and other issues may often hamper direct breastfeeding. In such cases, new mums could try pumping or expressing their breast milk and feeding the baby with a bottle. There is no question that breast milk provides the best nutrition for your baby. But for many breastfeeding may not be possible, in which case, formula feeding is the best alternative. Breastfeeding requires a huge commitment, and new moms often find themselves restricted due to it. Mums may have to return to work, in which case bottle feeding is the best choice. Formula feeding provides the added benefits of not having to pump or worry about not having enough breast milk. Any caregiver can prepare a bottle of formula and feed your tot whenever she needs it. Preparing And Storing The first step is to wash your hands well with soap. Ensure that the bottle and any other equipment you use are clean. 62

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It is best to prepare the formula just before you start feeding your baby, or prepare just one bottle in advance. Boil fresh water and add the formula after the water has cooled down. Refrigerate it at 5˚ Celsius within an hour of preparation and use it within 24 hours. If you are finding difficulty in pumping milk without the baby, do something that reminds you of your baby. This may include looking at a photo, or a clothing item that has your baby’s scent on it. Once you have pumped the milk, it can be stored for up to 4 hours at room temperature or refrigerated for about 4 days. The Right Flow You must find the right teat for your baby and ensure that the milk or formula flows properly. If you hold the bottle upside down at room temperature, the liquid should be dripping steadily without pouring out. If you have to shake the bottle for the liquid to drip, the flow is too slow. Giving The Bottle Warm the bottle of formula by running it under hot or warm water. Check for temperature before you feed the baby by pouring a little on your wrist. If the liquid is lukewarm, you’re all set to go. You do not have to warm freshly pumped breast AUGUST 2021 | My Child Magazine Issue #119

milk. But refrigerated milk could be heated like above. Find a comfortable, relaxed position while feeding your baby. Support your arms with a stack of pillows so that it doesn’t tire out. Hold the bottle at an angle instead of holding it straight up. This enables your baby to have control over how much she takes in and also avoids taking in too much air. While feeding, you could also switch sides. Your baby could often fall asleep during feeding. You could wake them up by changing their nappies or burping. Offer the bottle only when your baby is fully awake. But don’t worry too much if your baby doesn’t finish the bottle. Your baby knows how much they need. At the same time, do not store the formula or milk for future use, as it may get contaminated. Cleaning Bottle-Feeding Equipment All bottle-feeding equipment must be cleaned after each use. If immediate cleaning can’t be done, rinse them in water. Check the teat for any cracks as bacteria may often grow in these. If you find any, it is better to throw them away. 64

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Wash all equipment with hot soapy water and clean thoroughly with a bottle brush. Squirt water through the teat. Finally, rinse everything with clean water and sterilise. Burping After Feeding While bottle-feeding, your baby may tend to swallow a lot of air, more than breastfed babies, so burp them frequently. You could burp them by drooping them over your shoulders and lightly patting or rubbing their backs. Or place the baby in your lap and firmly pat or rub their backs. Final Thoughts Bottle-feeding is a convenient way for new moms and parents to nursing their children. It also allows other caregivers or family members to be a part of feeding the baby. Experts recommend stopping bottle-feeding by about 18 months as it may cause tooth decay. But consult your paediatrician about when to stop bottle-feeding. Every baby is different; while in some cases, you can stop bottle feeding by 9 months, in other cases, it may extend further.

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T O Y r e v i e w s

by: SHEREE HODDINETT

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Sui t a b l e fo r : 12-36 m on th s Me e t th e f u n a n d p layfu l P o p p in g Surprise Seal. This happy and mischi e v ous se al re a lly i s b a b y ’s b es t fr ien d . P la c e Seal’s ball on his tail to see him perf or m hi s t r i c k a nd t o h e a r f u n s o u n d s an d p la yfu l melodies. Seal also magically moves, wob b l e s and flips h i s ta i l . Pr es s o n e o f t h e t h r ee shape buttons to hear fun phrases, co l our s, si nga lo ng s o n g s , m elo d ies a n d s o u n d s. Bop his nose to make him move and t o he ar f un phra s e s a n d s i ng -a lo n g s o n g s . Featuring 3 catchy songs and f un melodies, S e al he l p s de ve lo p m ot o r s kills an d t ea c h es cause and ef f ect relationships. Our Ve r d i ct – A t firs t glance , I almost t h ou gh t t h is wa s goin g t o b e on e f or t h e b a th , b u t it ’ s no t! T h a t d oes n’ t mean there isn ’t st ill some f u n a n d en t ert a in men t in i t f o r y o u r lit t le o n e . P l u s a little le arning add ed in a s well. A c u t e lit t le t ric k of p lac i n g th e b a l l o n h is ta i l a n d flipping it tow ards h is h a t will h a v e y ou r lit t le on e gigglin g i n n o ti m e. T h e re ’s a l s o f u n s ongs and tune s to b op a lon g t o a s well a s lea rn in g c olou rs. I t’ s g r ea t f o r ke e p in g ch i l d r e n entertaine d while d ev elop in g t h eir fin e mot or skills a n d t ea c h i n g th em the c o n ce p t o f caus e and e ffect - press t h e sea l’s n ose t o wa t c h h im mov e a nd p l a y wh i l e p e rf o r m i n g tr i cks . If nois y toys aren ’t u p y ou r a lley , t h a n I’d h igh ly rec om m en d g i v i n g this o n e a m i s s . W hile enriching for y ou r c h ild ’s lea rn in g, t h e mov in g, wob bl i n g a n d ta i l fl ip pin g ca n g e t a little annoying. W i t h my girls, t oy s like t h is on e a re grea t ei th er o u ts i d e o r in a n o th e r r oom, haha! Ava i l a bl e fro m: vtech . co m . a u , B ig W, g ood toy stor es and online r eta i l e r s 68

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Sui t abl e fo r : 5 - 12 yea rs B e t he s t a r o f yo u r o wn vid eo u niverse with the Kidizoom Studio! Crea t e awe som e vide o s w i th t h i s h ig h -d efin it io n v ideo camera kit, that comes with eve r y t hi ng y ou ne e d to c r e a t e t h e s h o w o f yo u r dreams! Take still photos or create vi d e os on t he HD vi d e o c a m e r a wit h a b u ilt -in microphone and a f lip- up lens for self ies. S e t up t he pe rf e c t s h o t w i t h t h e in c lu d ed t a bletop tripod to film your very own unbox i ng v i d e os o r co n v e r t i t to a 5-in c h s elfie s t ic k and f lip up the camera lens to frame pe r f e c t se l f i e s o r o n - t h e - m ove s elfie-vid eo s . P lus, play in between takes with the thre e i nc l ud e d g a m e s ! U s e t h e g r een s c r een an d 2 0 + animated backgrounds to set th e st age f or a ll yo u r v i d e o ad ven t u r es - p r et end to host a show, give tours, create di sap p e ar i ng illusion s o r g e t c h a s ed b y a T -R ex ! You can even create new backgrounds f r om y our o w n p h o t o s f or mo r e c r eat ive fu n . When it’s time to edit your video, use t he e asy onca m e r a e d i ti n g t o o ls t o t r im c lip s and add intros or music. Cut scenes t oge t he r f or a w e so m e t r i c k effec t s o r jo in p h otos to create time- lapse and stop- mot i on v i d e os. Le t yo u r c r e a t i v it y lo o s e! Our v e r d i ct – I fe el lik e there’ s a run wa y set u p b eh in d me…my t wo lit t le s u p er mo d el s are al r e a d y f i l ming their ow n fas hion sh ows. N ot t o men t ion p u llin g a ll kin d s o f f a c es f o r t he ir mo s t f a v o urite photo of all, the selfie. Th e wa y we c a n t a ke p h ot os n ow ( a n d s o c a n o u r ki d s ) i s a f a r cry from the “ old” d a y s of p u sh in g t h e b u t t on , d rop p in g t h e c a m er a r o l l o f f a n d w a i ti n g to s ee if your photos a c t u a lly t u rn ed ou t . P lu s kid s c a mera s wer en ’ t mu c h o f a t h i n g , o t h e r than pre te nding of c ou rse! My girls a re ma d a b ou t p h ot os. T a k i n g th em , b e in g i n t h e m , talk ing about the m, y ou n a me it . I d on ’t u n d erst a n d t h e fa sc i n a ti o n , b u t t he joy th e y g e t out of playing with a c a mera a n d h a v in g f u n wit h it a t t h e sa m e ti me, i s kind of i n f e ct i o us . I won’ t lie, I may h a v e h a d a lit t le p la y wit h t h is c a mera t o o … th e a b i l i ty t o b e a b l e to d elete any photos I don ’t like is d ef in it ely a n a d d ed b on u s, h ah a ! T h i s o n e is d e f i n i t e l y a winner. If only, I had t wo, t h a t wou ld sa v e t h e a rgu men t s! Ava i l abl e fr o m : vtech . co m . a u , Tar g et, M y er , g ood toy stor es and onli ne r e t ai l e r s 70

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HOW TO PROMOTE CHILD SAFETY AT HOME? Written by Liza John

So, your child is on their feet or crawling on all fours, all set to conquer the world. Every day they try to seek new escapades, from crawling into crannies to toying around with new stuff. As much fun as it may seem, things can get a little dangerous at times. Your adult-friendly home may have numerous potential hazards for your child. Therefore, it is crucial to educate your child on safety. At the same time, work on detecting and removing potential hazards. Home is one of the most common places for children to get injured. But the good news is that most of the injuries are predictable and preventable. In the rest of the article, we’ll go through some potential child-safety hazards commonly found in homes: Falls At Home Falls are a common cause of injury at any age. From stairs to other raised surfaces, there are numerous places from which your child could tumble down and possibly injure themselves. Take a look at what your child does and make the necessary adjustments to prevent your child from injuring themselves. For example, if your child starts crawling, you could install railings or other safety guards at balconies, stairs, and other areas from where they could fall. Even if you have installed safety guards, always supervise your child around the stairs or balconies. Electrical Safety Kids might get curious and start playing with electrical switches or sockets. Educate your child on the dangers of playing with electricity.

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To keep you and your children safe, install safety switches and safety caps on all of the electric sockets. Don’t leave any exposed or worn-out wires around, better yet discard them. Burns Stoves, hot utensils, or heaters and more can potentially harm your child, so keep them away from fire and hot surfaces. Hot food, drinks, or even baths in very hot water can be dangerous for your child. Prevent your child from getting too close to hot food or drinks. Always check the temperature of the water before bathing your child, add cold water if it is too hot. Furniture Running around the house, screaming at the top of their voice. A small trip would mean disaster, so it is crucial to childproof your furniture. Cover up any sharp edges, add soft padding wherever possible, and keep them away from your child’s racetracks, namely the hallways or doorways. Your child may bring out the inner mountaineer by trying to conquer the highest peaks of your wardrobes or bookshelves. Strap them to the wall to prevent them from tipping over and causing serious injuries. Poisoning At this age, you may be finding it difficult to get your child to eat right. But well, your child may want to explore the various options available and try tasting a coin or a battery. Ingesting coins and other materials are quite common in children, and these may be toxic. Don’t let loose change lie around and keep them away from the reach of children.

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Similarly, keep any chemicals like disinfectants, house cleaners, or medicines away from where your child can find them. Strangulation Safety Plastic bags, a pile of clothes, chords or ropes could choke or strangulate your child. Keep any hanging cords or cleats at least 1.5 m above the floor and away from furniture or other raised surfaces. Keep plastic bags out of your child’s reach and keep soft toys or a pile of clothes out of the pram or cot. Water Safety Always keep a watch on your child whenever they are near pools, ponds, or even bathtubs. Do not leave them alone. If you have a pool, set up a pool fence with a self-locking gate. Do regular checks and ensure it is in working condition. While bathing, never let children below five be alone in the bathroom without adult supervision. Do not leave your older children to supervise. Final Thoughts You might not always be able to keep an eye on what your child does, so teach them what they should stay away from. Set up no-entry zones, where your child can’t go without adult supervision. Another concern you have to deal with is sexual abuse, so teach your child about their body as early as you can. Moreover, this will also ensure that they do not get misguided by the Internet.

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HOW TO DEAL WITH SIBLING FIGHTS Written by Liza John

Every relationship has conflict – it’s normal and inevitable to disagree. However, the determining factor in the quality of the relationship is how the fights get resolved. Conflict happens between spouses, partners, relatives, friends, neighbours, co-workers, group members, governments, countries and everyone else. Why would the sibling relationship be different? You know it’s going to happen. But like many things in parenting, it’s better to know what you are dealing with and have some planned strategies to try. The following are a few ways to prevent the kids from fighting: During A Fight Between The Siblings, Do Not Take Sides: If you support any one of the children, that makes the other one feel bad. This also increases the hatred between the children. Even if there’s a clear mistake in one child’s part, but do not make them feel less prioritised. Teach Them How To Negotiate: Make them learn how to deal when a fight or argument happens. Develop the skills in children such that they can solve the issues between them. This not only helps the children during fights, but 80

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also increases the ability of children to solve the problems. If Things Do Not Work, Separate Them For A While: If things go out of control, and you cannot do anything about them, then separate the kids for a while. This solution not only calms down the issue, but also makes the children understand how they need each other. This may help the children to increase their affection towards each other. Do Not Worry About Who Started The Fight: Whoever may start the fight but treat both the children in the same way. Solve the issue by giving equal importance to each individual. This makes the children more capable of avoiding fights. Corporal Punishment Is A Huge No: Maybe what they did was a mistake, but never hurt them physically. This causes more pain to them, mentally and physically. If you hurt them, there is a chance of children hiding things from you. So never do that. Moreover, if you hurt the children physically, you are the one who feels bad in the end.

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Don’t Ever Compare Your Kids To Each Other Or Any Other Child: By constantly comparing our child to other children, we increase his anxiety and stress levels. Children want to please their parents, and not being able to do so can make them anxious. It may foster resentment towards their parents, siblings or other children they are being compared to. Be Attentive To The Individual: Kids who feel loved and accepted for who they are will be less likely to fight. Kids who spend a good amount of time with their parents are less involved in fights when compared to other kids. Before, they get bored and a fight erupts. Give attention before they fight. Teach Both Kids Healthy Self-Management Techniques: This can be a challenge. Most of us never learned to regulate our own emotions as kids, so these are skills we don’t necessarily model so well. Sometimes when they’re calm, make a game out of working with your kids on a list of healthy ways to handle anger. Do Not Give The Younger Child’s Responsibility To The Elder Child: This may make the elder one feel less prioritised, and they may treat the younger one as a burden. 82

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However, if the child herself takes the responsibility, then thank her for that. Help Them To Be A Team: By making them do their things together, we can help them to build mutual understanding skills. This increases the necessity of each other. This helps in working together and is less likely to have fights between them. Create An Atmosphere Of Appreciation: Appreciate your kids for their little achievements. This makes them feel valued, which helps in increasing the positive attitude towards fellow beings. Let Your Children Know That Violence Is Unacceptable: Make sure your children are made aware that you will not stand for any violence between them. Praise your children when they solve their arguments peacefully. Show Your Love: Spend time alone with each of your children. Do special activities with each child that reflects his or her interests. Remind your children that you’re there for them, and they can talk about anything with you. AUGUST 2021 | My Child Magazine Issue #119

TOP TIPS FOR SINGLE DADS RAISING A DAUGHTER Written by Lance Green

Raising children is not a task meant for the fainthearted. Having this responsibility thrust on your shoulders alone can be overwhelming. Generally, single dads are the most underestimated breed of parents, considering that men are viewed as not suitable for childbearing. When it comes to a single father raising a daughter, it seems even more daunting. Since dads remain unaware of most of the milestones in a girl’s development until they have to raise a daughter, most of them feel unequipped for the task. Understand that there is no special power that is necessary for raising daughters, all you need is a bit more help and information to handle all that is thrown at you. Here are some tips to help you tide over while raising a daughter as a single dad. Avoid Being A One-Man Army: That’s right. Don’t isolate yourself from everyone else while trying to raise your daughter. Join support groups for single dads and share your experience with others in similar walks of life. At the same time, reach out to your female 86

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relatives and other women in your life who can help you figure out what to expect from your little girl. This is critical during the age of adolescence because you might not be able to connect with your daughter on topics like menstruation, hormonal changes, and safe sex practices otherwise. Communicate Often: Traditionally, men are described as having the disposition to take control of everything. If you are someone with such tendencies, it might bring you success in your career but while raising a daughter, can cause issues. Failing to openly communicate with your daughter to make key decisions about her life can make her feel unseen. Moreover, strong arming your daughter into falling in line with your choices can breed resentment. Listen to your daughter and her opinions to make your daughter feel heard. Teach Them To Be Independent: While most daughters would describe their dads as their ‘knight in shining armour’, you do not need to play this role that often. If you take it upon AUGUST 2021 | My Child Magazine Issue #119

yourself to resolve all the conflicts and causes of pain in your daughter’s life, you will be actively hindering them from getting a well-rounded development. Especially if you are that guy who decides that your way of doing things is the best without discussing it with others, your daughter might start rebelling against or being overly dependent on you. This can affect their adult life as well. Encourage Them Often: An aspect that most single dads raising teenage daughters struggle with is affirming their daughter’s confidence and self-esteem. Being overly critical of their actions can harm their self-confidence. Give them small compliments occasionally to boost their self-esteem. The father’s approval is essential in the development of a girl’s personality, so keep that in mind when you interact with your daughter. Compliment everything from their fashion choices to academic skills to foster healthy ideas of body image and career success.

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Establish Support Systems For Your Daughter: As much as you need a support system while raising a daughter on your own, your daughter needs a network as well. While they may add people to this list as they grow and meet new people, you need to lay the foundation of this system. It can include female role models, health experts, relatives, or other kids who have single parents. This support network can aid in your child’s social development at a young age and later be a source of advice or second opinions. Final Thoughts: The idea of fathers raising daughters without the help of a partner can seem downright alien in some cultures. Since they say men are from Mars and women are from Venus, as a single dad raising a daughter, you have to find a middle ground to give your little girl the best life you can. Long story short, to raise your daughter without another partner to help you out, you need to take help whenever it is offered. Stop trying to shield your child from the negatives in life while supporting them in whatever they choose to do. It becomes quite simple once you start communicating with them. AUGUST 2021 | My Child Magazine Issue #119

IS YOUR PARTNER JEALOUS OF THE ATTENTION YOU GIVE TO YOUR CHILD? Written by Liza John

When you love someone, you expect that the other partner should give you a priority, the same attention as you are giving to them, and you might get that too. But as said, life is all about unexpected twists and turns. You might be someone’s priority, but when you are blessed with a child, the priority changes. You have to give more attention to the child, and sometimes you may ignore your partner. It is common to have such things. You or maybe your partner will get jealous of this thing, and it is completely normal to have jealousy because your partner is giving attention to someone other than you, After all jealousy is also a sign of love. Having a child indeed brings joy and happiness to your home, but it is also true that with a child comes different responsibilities, which means you have to face certain challenges and stress. Having jealousy in a relationship is common, but when the jealousy is because of the child, then one should discuss it. Keeping silent about this may lead to toxic relationships in the future. Let’s understand what the signs of jealousy are.

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Jealousy In Men In the phase before teenage, the man may feel jealous about the child as the woman gives all her attention to the child. The feeling of becoming a father is indeed another level of happiness for the man, but sometimes man feels like he is left in between. He starts to think like he is an outsider. Even during the teenage phase, as the child starts to grow, women get more concerned and more stressed about the future of the child and the man may again start to feel ignored. The relationship that one used to have before having a child started to lose its existence. The love gradually became divided between child and man and in general, the more part of love goes to the child. This sometimes becomes the main reason for jealousy in men. Jealousy is sometimes good in relationships, but it can be damaging as well. Men may lose all interest in household chores and get into other relationships to have love. Sometimes the men AUGUST 2021 | My Child Magazine Issue #119

may feel emotionally drained and feel lost in a relationship. Jealousy In Women The woman is more concerned about the child and scared about the future of the child, therefore because of the societal norms and worry about the future of the child, the woman may scold her child. Because of this, the child becomes closer to the father, as the father gives all the love to the child without scolding. A special bond is created between the father and the child. This type of relationship is normally seen when you have a daughter. There is always a special bond between the father and the daughter as the daughter is the most loving child of the father and the mother used to scold the daughter to teach her according to societal norms. This is the main reason where jealousy starts in the mother. Women may get depressed because of this, and she started to scold her partner and make him think like he doesn’t care about his children. The woman may sometimes also scold 94

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her daughter for not understanding the needs of beauty, self-esteem and drive. Should You Be Concerned About It? At the starting phase, when the jealousy is normal, it will not affect the overall relationship between you and your partner. But when one starts to give more attention to the child, the jealousy may increase, and it may lead to damaging relationships. At such a level of jealousy, one should be concerned about the jealousy factor. You may find out the jealousy in your partner when he starts to get angry with the child for any reason. The partner may start feeling stressed. If you noticed such signs in your partner, communicate with your partner and resolve the thing that is going on because of the jealousy. Because only after proper communication, things will get resolved. Even if you are feeling jealous about the attention your partner is giving to your child, talk with your partner about it, as he or she might not know what you are feeling.

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growing, going, gone WRITTEN BY: Sheree Hoddinett

When your kids are little, they take up every spare second you have. You pretty much live and breathe (well, exist really) to ensure their needs are met. It’s what you do as their mumma (or their dad too). It’s no real secret that my girls are getting bigger every day. It feels that way at the rate I’m buying clothes and shoes! Part of me is sad at the realisation that they aren’t tiny little babies anymore (insert tears here) and the other part of me is pretty stoked to watch them gain their independence. Not too much though because I still end up cleaning the mess they leave behind when they attempt something they shouldn’t, like opening a new bottle of milk. I think every parent knows that pain well. Or even when they pour their own cereal to go with said milk. More often than not, your feet find the pieces of cereal before you spot the mess. Sometimes it’s funny and other times, you feel like bashing your head against the nearest wall….that is the fun of parenting. As we head towards the next round of birthdays for myself (37, yikes!) and my rug rats, I’ve found myself reminiscing a lot about how quickly the last 8 years have gone. I say 8 because that’s the age my eldest daughter is fast approaching. It feels like closer to 15, given the attitude I cop on a regular basis. But as is the reality of life, we all grow up and there’s no slowing it down. Sometimes I wish I could rewind and bask in those newborn days a little longer, taking it all in and savouring every moment. Those days were a lot easier than I gave them credit for at the time.

Fast forward to now and I suppose you could say there are a few perks to having kids who can do a lot more for themselves. I keep hoping that involves cleaning up their mess when first asked or even doing things without even being asked at all, but I think I may be waiting an eternity for that to happen! I do often wish there was a mute or even a pause button when they’re getting ready to crash tackle each other…and yes I know, I have two girls! When they’re good, they are really really good kids but when they go bad, they are chaotic, feral and don’t listen to anyone or anything. A lot of friends, extended family and even the school community we’re a part of, see my girls as polite, wellmannered and pretty much little angels. There’s no denying they can be somewhat angelic, like every

other child out there. If you see it happen, record it so I can replay it to them over and over and over again to remind them when they’re being naughty, haha! I’ve been told by many who have travelled the path of motherhood before me that it goes by fast and to enjoy it while it lasts. While it’s great advice, I’m not really enjoying myself when I go off my brain for the 20 millionth time in one morning. Okay so a slight exaggeration but you know what I’m saying. We are only human after all and can only handle being pushed so far. I guess the way I like to see it (doesn’t mean I’m right of course) is you do you. By all means listen to everyone’s advice, some is good and some isn’t but only use what you think will benefit you in the long

run, otherwise what’s the point?! Although they grow so fast and leave us wondering where the time has gone, I love the fact that we now have photo evidence, haha! For one thing, to remind my dearest darling children of all the silly things they did when they were little and two because I have so many memories to look back on, good and bad. In the end, it’s all part of our story and makes us who we are. I do quite often get a laugh out of the photos of my girls attempting to wear my bras though. They will certainly make an appearance (amid many unhappy groans) at their 21st birthday <insert evil laugh here>. On that note, feel free to check out more of my musings at www.shereekim.com. Until next time….

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fashion AUGUST 2021 | My Child Magazine Issue #119

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girls FASHION

UNDER $17 kmart.com.au

BABY Gingham Set $17.00 Baby Slipper Boots $9.00

UNDER $20 kmart.com.au GIRLS True Knit Hoodie $17.00 Fleece Leggings $7.00 Junior Sneakers $20.00

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UNDER $25 cottonon.com/au BABY Quinn Ruffle Legging $14.99 Tate Sweater $10.00 Mini Classic Trainer $24.99

UNDER $35 cottonon.com/au GIRL Flora Long Sleeve Dress $34.99 Classic High Top Trainer V $29.99

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SPLURGE melijoe.com/au

BABY Sonia Rykiel Gray Latte Sweatshirt Set $179.00 ikks Blue Glitter Crib Shoes $53.00

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GIRLS Sonia Rykiel Sequined Knit Dress $216.00 Young Soles Black Francis Chelsea Boots $190.00

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boys FASHION

UNDER $20 kmart.com.au BABY Organic Set $19.00 Baby Shoes $10.00

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BOY Printed Pullover Hoodie $12.00 Cargo Pants $15.00 Hi Top Sneakers $20.00

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UNDER $25 cottonon.com/au BABY Jamie Long Sleeve Tee $5.00 Emerson Quilted Trackpant $10.00 Mini Classic Trainer $24.99

UNDER $25 cottonon.com/au BOYS Milo Hoodie $10.00 Lennie Pant $19.99 Classic Trainer $24.99

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BABY Bonpoint Blue Knit Sweater Set $300.00 Burberry Black Alan Crib Shoes $380.00

SPLURGE melijoe.com/au BOYS Emporio Armani Black All Over Logo Sweatshirt $451.00 Dolce & Gabbana Orange Dg Royals Star Sweatpants Black $697.00 Converse Leather Scratch Trainers Star Play 3v Ox $90.00

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MIDNIGHT ROMPER $32.95

BILLIE JEAN SUSPENDER SKIRT $49.95

FOSTER WOODCHOPPER $59.95

ZIGGY STOMPER $54.95

LAVENDER SWEATER $49.95

PRIM BIB DRESS $62.95

SPARROW OLDTIMER $44.95

ROAN PANTALOONS $44.95

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recipes sourced from: healthywa.wa.gov.au

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Delicious

Banana Toastie

prep time: 15 mins serves: 2 INGREDIENTS

INSTRUCTIONS 1

combine egg, juice, ricotta and sugar.

mix in the banana, sultanas and cinnamon.

lightly spray sandwich maker with oil.

place two slices of bread on the sandwich maker, divide mixture over the two slices.

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top with remaining slices of bread and toast until heated through and egg is cooked.

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1 sml 1 tsp 1 tbsp 1 tsp 1 1 tbsp

egg, beaten orange juice reduced-fat ricotta cheese caster sugar banana, sliced sultanas pinch of cinnamon

4 slices multigrain bread olive or canola oil spray

Quick & Easy

Fruity Mix Toast Topper INSTRUCTIONS 1

spread cottage cheese on toast.

top with banana, strawberry and blueberries.

serve immediately.

prep time: 5 mins serves: 1 INGREDIENTS 1 slice wholegrain bread, toasted reduced-fat ricotta or low-fat 1 tbsp cottage cheese 1/2 banana, sliced 1 strawberry, hulled and sliced 2 tbsp tablespoons blueberries

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Quick Tuna Couscous Salad prep & cook time: 25 mins serves: 5 INSTRUCTIONS 1

place couscous in a small heatproof bowl, pour over boiling water; cover and set aside for 3 minutes.

in a large bowl combine the tuna, corn, peas, spring onions and coriander.

fluff couscous with a fork to separate grains and stir through sweet chilli sauce, lemon juice and curry powder.

add couscous mixture to salad ingredients, mix well and serve.

INGREDIENTS 1 cup couscous 1 cup boiling water tuna in spring water, 420g drained and flaked reduced-salt corn kernels, 420g drained 2 cups frozen peas whole spring onions, 4 finely sliced fresh coriander, finely 1 cup chopped 2 tbsp sweet chilli sauce 1 tbsp lemon juice 2 tsp curry powder, optional

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Zucchini And Squash Carpaccio prep & cook time: 20 mins serves: 4 INSTRUCTIONS 1

INGREDIENTS

place the sliced zucchini and squash in a bowl. 500g

combine the oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, mustard and pepper in a small bowl. mix well to make the dressing.

toss the dressing gently through the zucchini and squash, ensuring it coats all the slices. leave to marinate for 10 minutes.

when ready to serve, spread the zucchini and squash slices and their dressing across a platter. scatter with almonds, mint and freshly ground pepper.

serve immediately.

500g 3 tbsp 2 1 tbsp

100g 1

green baby zucchini, sliced into thin rounds (cutting on the diagonal) yellow squash, sliced olive oil lemons, zested and juiced wholegrain mustard freshly ground or cracked black pepper flaked almonds, lightly toasted bunch fresh mint, torn

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Pesto Baked Mushrooms With Roast Tomatoes INSTRUCTIONS 1

preheat oven to 180°c (160°c fan forced).

place tomatoes on a tray lined with baking paper and drizzle with vinegar.

trim mushroom stems and spread pesto onto the underside of the mushrooms.

add mushrooms to the tray and bake for 20 minutes.

just prior to serving, toast muffins and place on plates.

top muffins with mushroom, divide tomatoes between plates and sprinkle with basil. serve immediately.

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prep & cook time: 25 mins serves: 4 INGREDIENTS 250g 1 tbsp 8 sml or 4 lrg 1 tbsp

punnet cherry tomatoes 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar flat field or Portobello mushrooms basil pesto wholegrain English muffins, 4 halved fresh basil leaves, torn, to serve

Quick Veggie Pizza

prep & cook time: 45 mins serves: 4

INSTRUCTIONS

INGREDIENTS

preheat oven to 200ºc and position rack in middle of the oven.

heat large nonstick frypan, brushed with olive oil and add onion, herbs and capsicums. cook until soft and slightly charred about 10 minutes.

add the mushrooms and cook for 2-3 minutes. set vegetables aside.

mix tomatoes with herbs in a small bowl.

place pita breads on baking paper lined oven tray, smooth spoonfuls of tomato sauce over base, sprinkle with half the parmesan and then arrange grilled vegetables in a single layer over the sauce.

bake in oven for 10 minutes until edges of pita are crispy.

serve with sprinkling of the remaining parmesan, oregano and sweet paprika, cut into slices.

4 small wholemeal pita breads 1 tsp olive oil capsicum, (red, green and 3 med yellow), chopped 1/2 sml red onion, diced 1 cup button mushroom, sliced 1 tsp dried oregano 1 cup canned crushed tomatoes 2 tbsp parmesan cheese,finely grated 1 tsp sweet paprika

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Kebab Rockets prep time: 5 mins serves: 2

INSTRUCTIONS 1

assemble fruit onto kebab skewer using smaller fruits at the bottom and larger at the top to create the rocket shape.

INGREDIENTS 4 strawberries 10cm x 1-2cm slice of 1 rockmelon cut into 4 pieces slice of pineapple cut 1 reg into 4 pieces kiwi fruit peeled and 1 quartered 4 red grapes

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Apricot Lassi prep & cook time : 5 mins serves: 2

INSTRUCTIONS 1 2

Blend all ingredients in a food processor until foamy. Serve immediately.

INGREDIENTS 2 cups 1 tsp 1 cup 6

canned apricot, with juice honey (optional) low-fat vanilla yoghurt ice cubes

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AUGUST 2021 | My Child Magazine Issue #119