My Child Magazine Issue 113 February 2021 by My Child Magazine

MAGAZINE.COM.AU

ISSUE 113 - FEBRUARY 2021

back to school

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Bianca Medina ART DIRECTOR

Bianca Medina DEPUTY EDITOR

Feba Maryann  CONTRIBUTORS

Sheree Hoddinett Amy Adeney Lance Green Taryn Elliott Emma Bauso Ali Meddah Alexander Dummer Jonathan Borba Yan Krukov Mateusz Dach Dominika Roseclay Ketut Subiyanto Rodnae Cottonbro CONTACT

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

Contents 6

How To Encourage Independence In

Managing A High-Risk Pregnancy

Dad Read - How To Be A Great

Dad When You Didn’t Have A

Toddlers

Dad

Get The Look Interiors

How To Pick Books For Your Toddlers

Ways To Make A Stronger Decision Together

Effective Pregnancy Exercises To

How To Reduce Your Toddler’s

Train Your Body For Childbirth

Separation Anxiety

96 Blogger -It’s A Girly World!

Newborn Warning Signs

Preparing Your Toddler For A New Baby

66 Toy Reviws

Book Reviews

How To Toddler Proof Your Home

Tips To Prevent Aggressive Behaviour In Toddlers

100 Fashion

110 Pea Pods Feature

124 Recipes

Dealing With Anxiety In Children

138

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 to My Child Mamma’s and Papa’s, Well, Well, Well, hasn’t 2021 been a little pocket rocket so far! Can you believe that we are in February already!!! This year is moving at lighting speed and I just can’t seem to keep up! Just so you know, I love Newcastle aka Newy (the whole fambam seems to love it, but I LOVE IT!). The traffic, oh let me tell you about the traffic, it’s nonexistent compared to Sydney - that’s all that needs to be said! We can drive to the beach in under 20 mins and guess what, park the car and not have to walk a postcode to bury your feet in the sand! The best part is if we want a change in scenery, we can drive for 45 mins or so inland and are in the Hunter Valley which is just spectacular! The people are so friendly here and have time to help and guide you in the right direction if you get off track. It really is a different lifestyle here! There is so much to explore here and I’m just getting started and will keep you posted of my finds! Well, until Next Issue,

Bianca oxo

editor’s picks

Jenga Reversible Bed $69.95 fuzzyard.com/au

PREAH KO CRYSTAL CANDLES $35 preahkomaitland.com.au

Nike Air Force 1 Pixel Women’s $180 jd-sports.com.au

Australian Pink Clay Smoothing Body Sand $49.90 au.sandandsky.com

Deluxe Unicorn Tutu Dress Girls Costume $39.95 blossomcostumes.com.au

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 $69 bigw.com.au

Linen Look Glass Jewellery Box $9 kmart.com.au

DNS Large Foot Rasp White $16.95 diamondnailsupplies.com.au

LEGO Super Mario Master Your Adventure Maker Set $89 bigw.com.au

HOW TO ENCOURAGE INDEPENDENCE IN TODDLERS

written by: feba maryann

When it comes to parenting there is no such thing called the ‘ideal syllabus’ that needs to be followed. Needless to say, you can never prepare your child for all that’s out there. But that is what independence is also about. It is about succoring your child to tackle their problems on their own. It is about conceding that their journey to self-discovery can be set foot on only if independence is encouraged from a very young age. Beyond question, it is affirmative that allowing your child to exercise the right aggregate of independence will help them refine themselves into a self-efficient and valiant individual. The world is a melange of distinct cultural backgrounds that allows various kinds of upbringings to be offered, but in totality, the sole aspect of parenting lies in how individualistic your child feels irrespective of his or her’s cultural rooting. Being headstrong right from the toddler age can have added benefits too. Studies have reportedly found that introducing children to the right amount of independence respective to their age can help them be more emotionally mature as this is the time they experience immense socio-intellectual changes as well. So let’s take this from the top, here are a list of 7 tips to stir up an independent fostering for your child: Pick Out Their Scope Of Freedom To raise your child in an independent atmosphere, you 8

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first need to recognize the areas where there can be scope for their exercise of control. Try making a list of things that you think they can do. And if you think the tasks are slightly beyond their ability then ask them if they feel capacitated enough to take on. This can inculcate the much-needed skill of self-awareness and analysis right from a very young age. Have zero expectations though, children set their own pace, and toddlers especially start showing up signs of progress gradually. Fortify Consistency Once you’ve marked their territory of authority, the next task is to instill a habit of being consistent. Remember while we were young when our parents taught us to brush our teeth as the first thing in the morning to be done once we wake up? The reason why we were compelled to do it every day, irrespective of whether we liked it or not, is because when it had become a habit, we’d never feel like missing our daily routine. Likewise, when you capacitate your children to meet their own primary needs, make sure it becomes a recurring habit that they carry forward with them. Corroborate Their Involvement As a parent, you might be doing a lot for your child but if your child does not know what you go through to provide them with the kind of backing that you give FEBRURY 2021 | My Child Magazine Issue #113

them now, then eventually all your efforts may die in vain because there can be chances that your child might feel privileged, ergo take things for granted. So, whenever possible, try to involve your child’s presence and give them a fair share of what they need to know. Refrain From Juggling With Their Tasks Children have a greater tendency to become overwhelmed when they deal with new circumstances. Ergo, this should be foreseen by parents and hence they should refrain from stacking duties one on top of the other. Remember to be patient, and focus on just one step at a time. Adjust Accordingly As baby steps towards independence, when you sanction tasks to your toddler, like brushing their teeth or wearing their clothes, do not expect him or her to get the job done exactly according to your expertise. As aforementioned, children get tasks done concerning their own pace, So instead of buzzing around them, plan accordingly and avoid being in haste.

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Children Will Be Children In the pursuit of moulding your child into an individualist, do not overlook the fact that your child is still a beginner, who is meticulously learning each day as it comes by. So when they’ve finally accomplished something that they consider grand, forget about perfection and genuinely appreciate their amateur efforts. Tell them that you believe in their abilities to get better than themself. Perceive From Your Child’s View Quite often, we all make the mistake of bringing up our children with the same old conventional methods and try reinforcing notions that often stem out of reckless generalization. But disregarding the fact that every child comes from a different background can lead to awful consequences. If a child is dealing with an unprecedented situation, dependence (especially in the emotional foreground) is quite inevitable. As an appropriate solution to this, parents are required to take an intermediary approach where they understand what the child is facing but also foresee and act for what has to be done instead of criticising them for their setbacks.

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HOW TO PICK BOOKS FOR YOUR TODDLERS Written By: Feba Maryann

One of the best things about motivated parents is that they always focus so much on the influence of even the smallest practices in which their children engage in. Quite recently, the call for salient approaches to encourage good reading habits in children has been trending all over. Though, it is first essential for the parent to be a good reader for the child to imbibe from, being a voracious reader needs stimulation from the parent too. One of the easiest ways to achieve the aforementioned is by selecting a few books that may seem to interest your toddler. We’ve got you covered with our 7 tip toolkit, to help you make the right choice. Visual Presentation While selecting books for our toddlers, it is a prerequisite that we need to tune the age of our minds into those of our toddlers. In general, when toddlers read a book, they don’t just read it owing to how fascinating they feel its words are. They give equal importance to the incredibly detailed illustrations almost at the end of every page. So when you pick books for your toddler, make sure they are not merely wordy but visually interesting too. Vivid portrayals in such books have an impact like no other in the realms of your child’s imagination and oral communication. 14

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Toddlers And Their Span Of Attention

“Can’t get your restless kid to read even for a short period of time? Why worry when we’ve got rhymes to our rescue!”

Let’s think about it this wayour toddlers are tiny little humans with tinier brains (or maybe not so tiny!) and hence have a smaller span of attention! So when you pick a book- short and sweet does the trick. Try selecting books that are short and fit just the right amount of time your toddler would most probably invest in reading. Focus On Having Fun The aim is to inculcate a genuine liking to read. Yes! You can pick books that manifest maths lessons and alphabets as stepping stones in the pursuit of their education but reading at this age can be more inclined towards having fun. Select books that constitute the familiar interests of your toddler. And who says books FEBRURY 2021 | My Child Magazine Issue #113

always have to be rigid and unbending in their hardcovers? Let your toddler unlock the aspects of having fun with movable books or even tactile ones! Moral Of The Story! Though the highest share of brain development happens during the age of toddlers, we still need to focus on first making the most fundamental things clear in their minds. Be it fiction or nonfiction, children at a smaller age, especially toddlers need books that cut the long story short with a virtuous moral of the story accompanied by an epilogue that reads-’the end’. But these underrated morals surely come of use, when we scale their impact on the toddler’s enhanced ability to solve everyday problems righteously as they start to realize how effectively they can be related to in real life. Rhymes To The Rescue! Can’t get your restless kid to read even for a short period of time? Why worry when we’ve got rhymes to our rescue! Toddlers are fond of rhymes and not to mention the funny ones that they can’t help but laugh at. Needless to say, this aspect of learning rhymes from books aids them with an epic sense of jocularity. 16

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Like It? Repeat! If you find your toddler reading the same book over and over again, don’t stop them. It is seen that if children are fascinated over things that they read in a book, then they tend to enjoy memorizing the text or words more often. This in turn helps in increasing their oratory skills as it helps them with a better range of words to choose to use. The Hand Rule! One of the easiest ways to help clear your dilemma as to which book to choose is to use the Hand rule. It goes by the simple steps of picking a book of either a familiar author or interest and reading its second page. When you survey the words, hold a finger up when you don’t know the word. If you end up not knowing more than five words on an average then consider not choosing it because it scales harder in your vocabulary. However, do not judge the book blindly and use this rule with your toddler by reading the book with him and making him count for the new add-ons to his vocabulary. If the intensity seems to be significantly hard then consider choosing another book. FEBRURY 2021 | My Child Magazine Issue #113

HOW TO REDUCE YOUR TODDLER’S SEPARATION ANXIETY written by: Feba Maryann

If we were to talk about separation anxiety a decade ago, then almost no one in the room would have a clear answer to brief on. But, sometimes things may seem going so off the limit that it could make us realize that this is more than just a significant sign of attachment. The subject has been so negligibly considered that now eventually it gained importance invariably amongst children and adults, due to its rising commonality. Yes! Separation anxiety is for real and can owe to the peculiar behavior that your child exhibits upon feeling detached. Working parents are often blamed for being the inculcating factor of their child’s separation anxiety, especially in a nuclear household. But let’s not continue the blame game, and seek perspective on what needs to be taken care of. Here are some tips to go by, towards reducing your child’s separation anxiety: Toddler Dependence It’s quite natural for your child to feel extremely attached to you because of their apprehension that they depend on you for their primary existence. So when you are gone for a brief time, it can leave them devastated as they feel as if the separation is permanent. This can be avoided to an extent, by trying to adjust to 20

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your child’s routine and conveniently doing your thing when he or she is either sleeping or seems to be tenaciously occupied with something else. Add-Ons To Anxiety We all know that adults sometimes pose themselves in a situation where they’re just a tad bit weird owing to their growling hunger. If this can be the case in adults then imagine the magnitude of the aggravation that factors like hunger, fatigue, and sleep issues can cause in adding on to your child’s anxiety. So as inching steps towards taking the edge off your child’s separation anxiety, try to focus on smaller issues like these to make some progress. Fight Your Fickle-Minded Notions Facing some reckless behavior from your child upon being separated, even for the smallest period can be emotionally draining for you. Sometimes when you witness their hysterical tantrums remain attached to you, for a second you might even feel it wouldn’t seem wrong to think of your actions as ruthless selfishness. But here’s the thing, you are not doing it all wrong by trying to earn a livelihood to support your kid! It is a civilized necessity and something FEBRURY 2021 | My Child Magazine Issue #113

that needs to be done for the better good. Promise Is A Promise When you leave your child on their own or with someone, it is the pivotal trust that they have in you that helps them overcome their anxiety, especially in their initial years. So keeping your word in the case of when you will be returning can help diminish their anxiety, as they would somehow look forward to passing their time in between. Try to do so in a way that they can easily decipher, like mentioning returning in the afternoon by saying you’ll be back once he or she is done with the second meal of the day! But here’s the tricky part, separation can be mutually disheartening for both kids and their parents. So if you lose that steadfast control over your mind and maybe return sooner than your toddler was told, you could be lighting the unwanted flames of hope in them in the consecutive days to come. Try to maintain your promise in terms of coming back-Remember! Nothing more, Nothing less. Hugs And Kisses To The Rescue! A nice way to deal with your child’s hefty antics is to practice a sweet way of parting 22

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when you’re off to somewhere. Offer tight hugs or generous kisses when you leave but make sure you’re not too effusive because when you are, you tend to dramatize the separation and in turn widen the transition that your toddler has to face. Keeping it short and sweet is the knack and try not to linger around too much despite your child’s tenacious gestures. Don’t worry, move ahead and consistently follow the ritual because hopefully once you’re out of their sight, they might soon get distracted with other occupying interests that are provided. Get Them Being Used To Be Without You Ensuring your toddler has the opportunity to come out of their habitual lifestyle once in a while, equips them to fight their insecurities on their own. In their fledgling times especially before pre-school make use of all extended family support like vacations, and sleepovers with cousins and playdates with friends to enable your toddler to familiarize what it is like to be without you so that they can prepare to survive independently. Just In Case! Mostly it seems atypical, but if your child still doesn’t fit in after prolonged times, then feel free to have a chat with your doctor. FEBRURY 2021 | My Child Magazine Issue #113

PREPARING YOUR TODDLER FOR A NEW BABY WRITEN BY: FEBA MARYANN

Toddler jealousy could be adorable from an on-looker point of view, but it certainly isn’t when it comes to the child’s sentiment. As kids, it could take them forever to understand why infants need so much attention. So when their emotional insecurity gets the best of them they can feel out of the way. As parents, it certainly comes under our jurisdiction to help them out with a better understanding of how things were going to change for the better. Read on to discover how you can sow the seeds for a meaningful conversation with your toddler, and prepare them to welcome the newest member of your clan! Tell Them About Breastfeeding To help your child adjust to the new breastfeeding routine, which is gonna take up most of your time, you must explain the phenomenon, in the simplest way possible. This helps them understand that it is the only source of nourishment for newborns. Explain Why Newborns Are Biologically Different From Us As a toddler, your child’s mind could be racing with some laughable expectations about the newborn. Though it wouldn’t be nice to kill the source of their creativity, it is vital that you clear things in their mind regarding the newborn baby. Explaining why they need so much attention in a child style process helps them become more aware as to how to behave in the presence of the baby. Try elaborating on the flabby necks, soft spots on the skull of a newborn, and those cute ruckled legs. Ergo, explain why being gentle is essential to take good care of the newborn baby. Crying - Is Such A Primitive Language! Before making other small noises in about the first nine months of age and speaking at the age of around 12-13 months, babies’ resort to the most basic language they know- which is to cry. After a point of time, your firstborn could become irritated at the hint of a cry almost for anything and everything - be it because the baby is hungry or sleepy, or simply uncomfortable. Prepare your firstborn to tolerate all such tantrums and never lose his cool over the baby. Try backing them with your newly profound knacks to handle your newborn’s insistent cry. Major Missing There are chances that when a newborn arrives into the family, 26

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the firstborn sibling could feel quite lonely, though it is completely unintentional. Apart from that, they might have an intimidating experience whilst they miss all the attention. Especially when gifts are presented to the baby, knowing that those were not meant for the toddler, can push him even further. The all-time occupancy of his mother’s arms by the newborn baby can also bring him down. It is in these situations, that either of the two parents must take the responsibility of consoling your toddler whilst the other manages the newborn. Try to tell them how he was pampered when he was a baby too and talk about how the newborn would appreciate its elder sibling’s joyous love and care. Quiet Time Essentials! In the eyes of your toddler, the fact that your newborn has to sleep almost all day could be nerve-wracking as simultaneously he or she is being denied the freedom to have fun too. But explaining that the reason for it is that - the baby eats often, ergo, she also needs to sleep often. Replacing all those noisy play-time activities, with some quiet time essentials such as books or soft toys can be a great alternative to choose from. Complimenting Each Other Being a toddler means all time is playtime and when the news of the newborn’s arrival pops in then he just can’t wait to see his new playmate. But after a few days, the excitement might die in vain, as he’d realize that all that newborns do all day is eat, sleep, and poop. But show your toddler how genuinely babies feel for some human presence and remind him how subtly the baby can entertain him even without being actively involved in his playtime. There’s Never An Undersupply For Your Love. Through a series of changes that might occur in the household as part of the baby’s arrival, it should be well understood by all that those will be just for the time being. Even as parents sometimes, you might feel as though the newborn takes up so much of your time that everything and everybody else feels secondary. But all these feelings are just the passing clouds that shouldn’t be given much thought. Instead, charge yourself with all those positive vibes, encompassing the laughter of all your children, and keep intimating them about the fact that there will always be enough hugs to satiate all their yearnings for your love. FEBRURY 2021 | My Child Magazine Issue #113

FEBRURY 2021 | My Child Magazine Issue #113

BOOK e

by: Amy Adeney from Busy Bookworms

I H AT E R E AD I N G ! BY BETH BACON OK. So we all know reading i s har d . A nd boring. Want to know how to ge t out of it? If someone’s nagging you t o op e n a book, grab this one! Inside y ou’ l l f i nd perf ect tips on how to f ool p e op l e i nt o thinking you’re reading. You m ay e v e n find yourself turning the pages af t e r al l . . . Th is is a c olou rf u l, b old a n d c h eek y l o v e son g t o t h e joy s of b ooks, f o r th e m o s t relu c t a n t of rea d ers. Kid s a ge d 6 a n d u p will b e lit era lly la u gh in g ou t lou d , a n d ma y ev en b e c on v in c ed t h a t rea d i n g i s n o t a s b a d a s t h ey t h in k!

DAYS LIK E TH E SE BY P IP L I N CO L NE M um s are t h e g r eat es t yet least a ppr e c i a t e d h u ma n s , an d it ’ s t ime they h a d t h e i r o w n h u g g a b le b o o k all about m um c a r e ! Wh et h er yo u r c h ild is 2 or 2 0 , i t ca n b e e a s y t o g et lo s t in d a y- to- day s urv iv a l m o d e a n d fo r g et t h e lo n g game tha t t h e y r e a l l y will b e OK in t h e end. Da y s L i k e T h e s e is an ex quis itely illust ra t ed , u plif t i n g g u i d e to s upporting yours elf a n d ot he r m u m s y o u k now . L e t be s ts e lling a u t h or P ip Lin co l n e r e m ind you that it’ s fin e t o go s lo w a s s h e h e lps you s hift e x pec t a t ion s ( so m a n y e x p e c tations !) , drop the gu ilt , cho o se f r e s h w a ys to meas ure s uccess, f in d y o urse l f a g a i n and remembe r the t h in gs th at d e l i g h t y o u in the life -changing jou rn ey of m o th e r h o o d .

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T H E BI R D I N T H E HER D BY KATHRYN APEL & RENÉE T RE M L Look! A herd of cows. There’ s a b i r d i n t he herd that stalks as it walks, e at i ng sl ugs and the bugs that the herd st i r r e d . W hat else can you see as you f ollow t he c he e k y bird? Take a romp around an A ussi e f ar m in this rhyming picture book p e r f e c t f or animal- loving little ones. Brigh t a n d p la y f u l, t h is roll i c k i n g p i c tu r e b ook, wit h it s gorgeou s s u n -s o a k ed illu st ra t ion s, will h a v e rea d er s a g ed 3 a n d u p mooin g, n eigh in g, woofin g a n d c h i r p i n g a lon g wit h t h e st ory .

ICEBERG BY CL A I RE S A XB Y & JE SS R A C K LY EFT I n t he f i n a l f r e eze o f an An t a r c t ic winter, gr e e n ta i l s w a ve ac r o s s a s t ar -full sky, as if t o f a r e w ell en d les s n ig h t s . If this w o rld l oo k s e m p t y, lo o k c lo s er ...With the adv e nt o f s u m mer , b en ea t h an iceberg, the se a i s t e e m in g w it h life. O c ean, sky, sno w a n d i c e dan c e a d elic at e d ance in this e v oc a ti v e p o r t r aya l o f t h e life cycle of a n i c e b e r g . T his is a v i s u a l ly s tunning, lyrical st ory for o u r t i m e s , from re now ned A us t ra lia n pi c t ure b o o k cr e ators Claire Sax by and Jess Rac kly e f t. R e a d e rs aged 5 and up w il l en joy bein g ta k e n o n a ye ar-long journey throu gh th is A n t a r ct i c w onde rland.

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TIPS TO PREVENT AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOUR IN TODDLERS WRITTEN BY: Feba Maryann

‘Potpourri’! What a word for an effervescent mixture of emotions. Now that’s what our toddlers are. Sometimes, bubbling with enthusiasm, sometimes, overwhelmed by anguish, and even sometimes boiling with anger or just being in their usual tranquil state of mind. They’ve got an emotional range that flickers faster than light. To exhibit assorted traits of all these emotional characters is quite normal in the case of toddlers owing to the tremendous series of developments that occur inside their brain. Whilst the dynamic flux of neurochemicals keeps churning their brains, sometimes it makes them wreak havoc on a scale that even outgrows the aggression of a fully grown adult. So, what do you do when things go beyond your line of control? How can you avoid infelicitous situations and defuse the aggressive side of your child? Read on to find out. Understand The Intensity Of Their Choices Do you remember that one stereotypical argument that a parent would raise when their child tries to express their notions“You are still a child, What do you know about the world out there!”. See, though 34

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the aforementioned has some sense to it, it also implies that you are disregarding your child’s opinions. In the early stages of their lives, though with lesser experience, children would still have a lot to feel for. So, when you deny them the freedom to do so, they might simply resort to a more roughhewn way of communication that pushes them to get physically aggressive. Watch Out For The Trigger Warnings! Being a parent gives you the perquisite of having a better insight into the true shades of your toddler. Since they tend to spend a majority of their time with you, they wouldn’t mind being true to themselves around you. This helps you with a better perception of their likes and dislikes. If your toddler acts differently when he or she is overwhelmed, heed to those factors which cause an upsurge in your child’s mind. Though completely avoiding those situations sounds like a great option, it is also vital for them to face it on their own as time advances. Do Not Dismiss Their Feelings A human can never be happy or sad always and this equilibrium must be kept intact at FEBRURY 2021 | My Child Magazine Issue #113

all costs. As a result of not knowing how to deal with their emotional mess, children often express themselves through violent means. Educate your children to feel all their feelings and allow them to vent their anger, either by being there to talk or even providing them with objects to release their agitation on. Bean bags or other toys can be of great help to channel their angst upon. Endure With Patience When you reside with your toddler then it goes needless to say that drama is what they look up to. Having a heated environment can give them excitement for no particular reason. That’s when you need to play smart and maintain your serene persona throughout. Though it may sound easier than done, try not to respond to all the dramatic tantrums your child puts up, as it will eventually diminish his or her’s need for attention. Be patient even at the fiercest moments of exhaustion yet be firm and assertive in telling them that physically hurting someone or abusing them is not fine. Interfere whenever necessary to discourage their exposure to violent content in media and entertainment and even while playing with other kids. You can do this by either having 36

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a meaningful conversation with your toddler then and there, or later once your child is separated from that agitating situation. Be The Change You Want To See In Them We are the best examples our kids can learn from. So, if we don’t model good behaviour, it would seem ridiculous to expect it from our children. As parents, our mental age proves to be an added benefit which aids us in identifying and responding appropriately in most situations. Focus even on the most trivial things like refraining from speaking aggressively over the phone or to a pesky neighbour especially in front of your child. All Is Well Showing signs of aggression in their early years does not suggest that your child holds the nature of criminal interests or other disorders. Learn to accept the fact that these are just some add-ons to an immature restless nature of a toddler. As time progresses, with better learning experiences your child will come of age and act like a fully sophisticated and mature adult.

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MANAGING A HIGH-RISK PREGNANCY

Written by Feba Maryann

There are very few moments in life that can match the rhapsody and happiness of being pregnant. However, pregnancies come with their own set of difficulties and any pregnancy is challenging as it is. Usually, after the pregnancy period women go into labor near their due dates and deliver their bundle of joy. Then they leave the hospitals, going back to their lives with the latest addition to their family. But not all pregnancies are as smooth and some women experience what is known as a high-risk pregnancy. A high-risk pregnancy refers to a situation wherein there are potential complications in the pregnancy that could affect the mother, the foetus or both. Being diagnosed with a high-risk pregnancy can be an overwhelming experience filled with anxiety and worry. Statistics show that 6 to 8 percent of all pregnancies are high risk pregnancies. Once diagnosed with a high-risk pregnancy you may have to adopt lifestyle changes and be surrounded with a good support system. Here are some tips that will help you manage a high-risk pregnancy better. Understanding A High-Risk Pregnancy 40

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Pre-existing health conditions, multiple miscarriages, maternal age, foetal abnormalities are some of the various factors that go into deciding if a pregnancy is high risk or not. You must be aware of any conditions that you may have and understand the risk it poses. You should be clued-up on the symptoms of a high-risk pregnancy and seek medical attention immediately if you spot any. Common symptoms include harsh pain in the lower abdomen, decreased foetal movement, blurry or reduced vision, headaches, vaginal bleeding. If you think you may be at a high risk before getting pregnant, it is advisable to consult a pregnancy specialist to go through your options. Mental Health And Attitude Being diagnosed with a high-risk pregnancy could trigger an irrepressible flurry of sorrow and mood swings. It is common for women to blame themselves for the conditions and fall into a pit of despair. But it is crucial that you understand you are not alone, seek help from your doctor if you experience any mental stress or extreme sorrow or feel any hindrance in completing your daily tasks. FEBRURY 2021 | My Child Magazine Issue #113

It is imperative that you try to stay calm and relaxed throughout the pregnancy period. Yes, being diagnosed with a highrisk pregnancy could be very stressful and trigger anxiety attacks. You need to find ways to alleviate the negative energy, do the things you love even though everything seems downhill. Take a walk with your pet! Talk to your best person! Get some good food! You do you! These activities will help you find a ray of light in the darkness. Practice Self-Care Studies show that women with healthy lifestyles have significantly smoother and healthier deliveries than others. A healthy lifestyle does not mean you have to hit the gym 5 times a week and follow a fad diet. All you need to do is eat healthy, do light exercises regularly and get good sleep. Couple of habits you must do away with are smoking, drinking alcohol or doing drugs. By following a healthy lifestyle, you reduce the odds of potential complications. Your body is wiser than you think, listen to it. If you feel like you need rest, take it. If you feel something is off, consult your doctor. Get Support

Communicate your needs with your support system and keep them updated on how things are going. Feel free to ask them for help when you need it. Based on your conditions, you may need to adopt lifestyle changes that may force you to let go of certain commitments and habits. Consider joining a support group to spend your time with people who have similar problems in a safe space. Consulting A Medical Health Professional A medical health professional like a gynaecologist or pregnancy counsellor will help you in coming up with an effective plan to better cope with the given conditions. Communicate openly with them and ensure that you attend all appointments. They also will advise you on what delivery method to choose to provide the best outcome for both the mother and the child. Managing a high-risk pregnancy can be a very emotionally draining ordeal. However, with the right mindset, good support, selfcare and a good medical team, you have a better chance of having a healthier pregnancy and delivery.

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Wooden Pull Along Crocodile - Monty $54 happygoducky.com.au FEBRURY 2021 | My Child Magazine Issue #113

EFFECTIVE PREGNANCY EXERCISES TO TRAIN YOUR BODY FOR CHILDBIRTH Written by Feba Maryann

Childbirth is a milestone in a woman’s life and breakthrough processes like these are never easy to handle. Women who plan to have a normal vaginal birth are advised to exercise consistently so that their body can prepare itself for the major game-changer. Exercising before childbirth is said to have its benefits like a quicker delivery and speeding in the time it takes to switch back to their pre-pregnancy weight.A wide range of exercises can be followed but right before you set things right consult your doctor and verify the absence of any barriers to physically exert yourself. The following are the list of exercises you can look into: The Pelvic Tilt When it comes to a woman’s body, the pelvic muscle is considered to be one of those muscles that need to be really strong because it essentially supports the vital organs in the lower half of the body to control the flow of body fluids and is proactively involved in the sexual functioning of the body. So pelvic tilts help in muscle strengthening which is highly beneficial in dealing with backaches and increasing the flexibility of the lumbar back. 56

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Though pelvic tilts have numerous variations, you can try the most basic one for a start. It looks like doing a plank not on your toes but comfortably on your knees. Make sure your head is at the same level as your back and stretch your back upwards. Exhale and return to the same position after a few seconds and repeat this a maximum of 10 times. The Kegel The exercises developed by American gynecologist Arnold Kegel are known as Kegels and undoubtedly, have made life a lot easier for all our women. These can be so effective for vitalizing the pelvic floor muscles that quite so often these muscles are colloquially known as Kegel muscles. After-effects of pregnancy (especially after a c-section) like hemorrhoids can easily be dealt with if you begin to fortify these muscles. All you’ve got to do is try to control your muscles responsible for the outflow of urine. Do not stress on other body parts like your thighs or buttocks and independently control it. When you can easily stop or start passing urine when your mind aims at it, you will feel the muscle strain down there. Repeat the process about 10 times, with a holding FEBRURY 2021 | My Child Magazine Issue #113

duration of 10 seconds each. The Butterfly Stretch One of the most commonly advised kinds of exercises for women in the pursuit of a healthier body for pregnancy is the Butterfly stroke stretches. Again, it helps in making your pelvis stronger and the best part about these stretches is that it enhances your posture. Sit on the floor with a straight back with your legs wide open. Now join the heels of your legs, whilst maintaining the posture. Now flap your thighs as if you were a butterfly and feel the stress in your hips. Repeat in this motion about 10 times. The Squat We all know the squats are essentially the allrounders when it comes to having a heavy impact on the overall strengthening of our bodies. The reason for this is rooted in the fact that by doing squats there tends to be an increase in the width of the pelvic gap that eventually leads to giving more outlet space for the baby to come through. But to see the change, consistent practice is

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required, so make sure you do it frequently. To do squats, stand on a flat surface with your feet apart with shoulder distance and then slowly sit on your toes with the heels touching the ground. Then gradually raise upward after the hold duration of 10 seconds. You can also find support by doing the same adjacent to a wall with your hands placed on the wall. Repeat the exercise about 10 times. The Perineal Bulge The perineal muscles are responsible for controlling the contractions during childbirth, ergo, that’s what makes it highly intense. Easing those muscles, by enhancing the blood flow, aids a woman to even reduce the risk of an episiotomy due to an increase in the flexibility down there. To do a perineal bulge, sit in what is called the child’s pose and lean forward to the maximum. Then hold the position and gently press the stress over your perineum that is the region between the rectum and vagina. Hold for about 10 seconds and feel the stress circulating all the way up to your tailbone. Repeat for a maximum of 10 times.

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newborn warning signs Written by Feba Maryann

Having a baby for the first time can translate itself as an experience loaded with both joyful and strenuous events. But it all doesn’t end just after you’ve given birth to your newborn. The post-pregnancy period relatively needs the mother to be vigilant and requires her to be more cautious than ever. Having a pregnancy for the first time poses a wide range of things to be confused about and that includes the advice given on the warning signs newborns show. Having an eye on your child’s responses in a day-to-day routine can help you with a better insight into what is normal and what should not be taken lightly. Here are some things that you can check over to make sure your baby is as fit as a flea. Too Hot Or Too Cold! Fever can be one of the most significant signs that a baby can show to indicate anything wrong with their body. It is considered that having a body temperature over 38 degrees Celsius is too hot- and it is an alarming sign for you to rush with your newborn to the doctor. Likewise, if your baby has a body temperature less than about 36 degrees Celsius, then that’s your call to do the aforementioned too. 62

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Watch Out For The Trivial Ones Do not reckon all is well when your baby seems to show symptoms like diarrhea, nausea, or just crying a lot more. Though these signs may look trivial, it is fundamental that you visit the doc immediately if they prolong consistently. Relentless Cries Babies and crying go hand in hand but things may go out of hand once your newborn starts to cry relentlessly or even in a very strange, frantic manner. Notice these as warning signs especially when the intensity of their shrieks increases. Heed especially when groaning noises underline in their breath. Loss Of Appetite And Other Symptoms Related To Breastfeeding Newborns have a pretty much less sophisticated routine that just includes eating, sleeping, and pooping. And when it comes to eating, they have a frequent appetite, or more appropriately, they need to drink their feedings. But if you notice any difference in the way they FEBRURY 2021 | My Child Magazine Issue #113

drink, like not being able to finish what they are fed or just don’t feel hungry then chances are that your newborn might be feeling sick. Some babies even refuse to suck the breast milk or just weakly suck that too for not much time. Babies can even sweat so much whilst they eat. These are serious signs that again need the attention of a doctor. Unreasonable Fatigue And Physical Signs Though babies, especially newborns in their fledgling period, sleep a lot, some might outdo themselves by sleeping more than normal. It reaches a point where they don’t even wake up feeling the need to eat. This unreasonable fatigue is an example of how confusing it can be to tell if something’s wrong unless things fall out of the way. Similarly, though babies are known to have wobbly heads and ruckled limbs, it can be hard to tell if there’s something peculiar in the case of a change in muscle tone or colour unless the limbs turn palpably grey or blue. If the skin colour has a yellowish tinge in the beginning, then it can be a harmless case of jaundice, but if it persistently continues get alert! Another physical sign to look for is abdominal distension, which may be due to constipation 64

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or some underlying intestinal malfunction. Dehydration In Newborns Yes! You heard it right, dehydration even occurs in children and things are harder for them because they still wouldn’t be physically independent enough to quench their thirst on their own. A few signs to look for are the decreased levels of urination which you can scale by witnessing a proportional decrease in the number of their wet diapers. Besides, if the baby has a dry mouth or has chapped lips, then you might need to up their water levels. Keep Calm And Ask Your Doc! Being nervous is quite inevitable when it comes to even the tiniest things concerning your newborn’s health. Some conditions may just be signs that prolong in the first few weeks and there’s nothing to get stressed about. Whenever you feel the dilemma of whether to take things lightly or not, keep calm and just have a chat with your healthcare service provider. Ask your doc about the signs to watch out for and tiny home remedies for them too. Besides, a doctor’s advice can always be more soothing and reassuring that all is well. FEBRURY 2021 | My Child Magazine Issue #113

FEBRURY 2021 | My Child Magazine Issue #113

T O Y r e v i e w s

by: SHEREE HODDINETT

LEAPFROG 2-IN-1 TOUCH & LEARN TABLET $39.95

4/5 E njo y a n e w t wis t o n lear n in g w it h the 2 - in- 1 Touch & Learn Tablet! Thi s t wo-si d e d , scre e n - f r e e , p ret en d t ab let h as six double- sided pages with 1 4 + touc h-se nsi t i v e in t e r a c ti v e l e a rn in g ar eas o n ea c h page. The innovative design encour age s m ot or sk ills a s k i d s t w is t an d flip t h e c o ntrol handle to change from portrait sto r y m od e on o ne si d e to l a n ds c ap e ac t ivit y m o de on the other. Twist and f lip to f ind ac t i v i t y p age s tha t t ea c h s h a p es , an ima ls , n u mb ers, emotions and early science concept s.

Our Ve r d i ct – I t ’s not quite the s ame a s a rea l t a b let , b u t h ey t h ey n eed t o st a r t s o mewh er e rig ht ?! A n d b e t ter a play one than the rea l t h in g! Bein g a p ret en d t a b let , y ou d o n ’ t h a v e to wo r r y w h e n your child ine vitably t h rows a t a n t ru m a n d t h e f irst t h in g t o h i t th e d ec k will b e th e to y t hey’ re playing w ith. N o c ra c ked sc reen s h ere. Wh ile it giv es t h em a s ma l l se n se o f h a v i n g a table t jus t lik e mummy , d a d d y or a n old er sib lin g, y ou c a n r es t a s s u r ed kn o w i n g th e y a r e n’ t getting into s om et h in g t h ey sh ou ld n ’t b e. It ’s fu n , b righ t a n d a g r ea t le a rni n g to o l f o r little ones s tarting to b ec ome more a wa re of t h eir su rrou n d in g s . Wh i l e i t’ s a g re a t to y t o h a ve in the play room a t h ome, it ’s a lso h a n d y a n d c omp a c t en o u g h to k eep in t h e ca r f o r t hos e long journe ys or ev en p op it t h e n a p p y b a g f or some en ter ta i n m en t while o u t a n d a bout s hopping or catc h in g u p wit h frien d s. It ma y b e a grea t to y f o r s o m e kids bu t i t m a y als o be a bit on the b orin g sid e f or sligh t ly old er kid s (t h in k 4 -p l u s ) s o b e p re pa r e d f o r t h em to get over it after a wh ile! A b et t er p ic k for t h ose on t h e yo u n g er s i d e! Ava i l a bl e fro m: B i g W a n d l ea pfrog .com.au 68

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VTECH SECRET SAFE NOTEBOOK $29.95

4/5 Ke e p a l l of y ou r s ec r et s s a fe w it h the Secret Safe Notebook. This stylis h e l e c t r oni c jo urna l c o m e s w it h an A6-s ized notebook and pen f or you to write do wn any t hi ng a nd e v e r y t h i n g yo u ’ d like. P r o t ec t your notebook with a 4 - digit passcode so onl y y ou ca n a c c e s s i t a n d keep yo u r s ec r e ts hidden f rom prying eyes! Record up t o 10 v oi c e e nt r ies a n d a p p ly fu n n y effec t s t o your voice. See how good your counti ng sk i l l s ar e by pla y i n g th e fu n ‘ G u es s my Nu mber’ Maths game or listen to the 1 0 built -i n m e l od i e s w hilst w r i ti n g in yo u r n o t eb o o k. Your secret’s saf e with me!

Our v e r d i ct – G one are the days of h id in g y ou r well-lov ed a n d sc rib b led in p a p er d i a r y / jo urna l i n t h e b ack of your cupboard or u n d er y ou r b ed . Ev ery t h in g n ow ha s a s p ec i a l c o de f o r y o u to e nter to k e ep your ju ic y sec ret s h id d en f rom t h e p ry in g ey es o f y o u r sibling s o r p a r ents . Maybe becaus e I’m a writ er I st ill like t h e old sc h ool w a y o f wr i ti n g and h i d i n g a d i ary/ journal but it is t h e c h a n gin g wa y of t h e world t o h a v e a t ec h n o l o g i c a l t w ist on e v e r y t hing. A nd to be fair it is more t h a n ju st a h id d en writ in g d ev i c e, th er e i s t he a d d e d b o n u s of mus ic, game s an d t h e c h a n c e t o ma ke silly v oic e rec ord i n g s . E v en I ’ m n o t t o o o l d t o d o that, haha! It’ s a g rea t t ool f or a n y c h ild t o h a v e t h e op p o r tu n i ty to j o t d o w n th e i r i d e as , be cre ative and ab ov e a ll else exp ress t h emselv es freely . Ava i l abl e fro m: K m a rt a n d vtech.com.au 70

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HOW TO TODDLER PROOF YOUR HOME Written by Feba Maryann

Having toddlers at home is a supposed epitome of entropy. It is just when you feel everything is perfectly in place that your child may attract the wildest possibility of an upsurge to chaos. Childproofing or more specifically ‘toddler proofing’ is quite a recent initiative to judge all opportunities for most of the unprecedented things that can happen. The pros of toddler proofing your house include the advantage of helping them see the house in a more different way that looks less attractive to all unsafe corners. For example, providing a blunt edge for all the sharp corners of your furniture is a sophisticated way of dealing with the anxiety of your child’s safety. Likewise, here’s a stepwise guide that can be followed according to each designated room in every typical house to grab a guard by maximizing childproof care: Dining Area Toddlers are curious beings whose imagination goes beyond your idea of unintended chaos and hunger can be the stimulus to make them even go the extra mile. And that implies that you’d have to watch out for things like their tendencies to get a little clumsy, especially where they eat. If you have a tablecloth spread across the dining table, make sure the ends do not touch a distance where it becomes easier for the toddler to pull. As far as possible, provide latches to all cabinets, especially the ones which happen to possess fragile things. Do not keep items at the edge of the table. 74

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Bathroom In the rankings for the most dangerous zones in your house, a bathroom poses to be one of the most threatening ones. So, refrain from using glass or any fragile material soap dishes Lower the toilet seat and if possible latched too. Maximize the usage of bathroom mats that don’t slip away easily to prevent accidental falls. Keep things like razor blades, pins, scissors, trimmers, petroleum products, and perfumes, or other hazardous objects out of the reach of your toddlers. Living Room As a common room that gets used by everyone, a living area holds a wide variety of things for different purposes. But this assorted collection can also become a long list of hazards for your toddler. Use more cantilevered lamps and wall sconces. Organize your library areas as toddlers just love creating chaos over a pile of books Provide cover to all technological equipment like remotes, Wi-Fi modems, VCR controls, etc. Keep souvenirs and other items on the display rack out of reach for your toddlers. Kitchen Kitchens are the unsaid forbidden grounds for trespassing by toddlers. As toddlers have a lesser resistance than elders to hold hot beverages, try your maximum to avoid these situations. Keep objects such as knives and lighters out of reach for your children. All sorts of cleaning agents and FEBRURY 2021 | My Child Magazine Issue #113

poisons must be secluded out of reach by storing in latched cabinets. Toddlers can be restless at times and ergo, once they grow enough, they can even start climbing kitchen counters. Hence, push all chairs inwards to their maximum. Never leave any of your electronic appliances such as food processors, ovens, toasters, etc on power-on mode. Increase the usage of unbreakable materials like fibre plastics for crockery. Wall Openings All wall openings such as doors, windows, and ventilators can escalate threats into accidents to your child especially under extreme lack of supervision. Provide safety grills to all windows to prevent accidents. Keep the doors closed whenever it is not being used. Whenever you close or open a door, please make sure that your toddler isn’t in the scene in a situation where he or she is coming across, since their dwarf height makes it harder for us to look for. Any chords of the curtains, blinds, or other lamps must be shortened to prevent your toddler from pulling them. Staircases If you have steep staircases or ones which do not have a proper mid-standing then watch out for any mishaps by creating a small gate to block the entry of your child. In the case of sharp corners of the steps or balustrades, you can choose to either blunt the edge or even carpet them.

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DEALING WITH ANXIETY IN CHILDREN Written by Feba Maryann

Anxiety is something that every child has to face growing up and usually goes away with time. It is completely normal for children to be anxious or worried. So, when should you be concerned? If anxiety starts hindering their everyday routines or work and is affecting their wellbeing then you should start being proactive. We all have experienced anxiety in some form or the other at some point in time and know that it is totally fine. But when it is our kids that are affected, we respond very differently. Parents tend to be protective and try to get rid of anything that triggers anxiety in their child. However, this only works to aggravate the situation. So, what can you do to help your child? Here we have compiled some tips to help you deal with the anxiety your child is facing. Teach Them To Face Their Fears It is often seen that parents try to remove the stressors that may trigger their child to feel anxious. Yes, it is difficult to see your child being unhappy and scared but remember that the aim is to teach them to face their fears on their own. You cannot possibly be able to be there with them forever and get rid of any stones that are 80

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on their way. There are obviously going to be times when your child will have to deal with such obstacles alone. Helping them to cope with their anxiety and making them perform as well as they will result in the anxiety slowly fading away. Acknowledge Their Emotions Your child may be anxious for the silliest reasons, some kids are anxious about visiting a doctor, others may be anxious about going to crowded spaces or may be scared of meatballs maybe. But one key thing to keep in mind is to never belittle their emotions. Acknowledging their emotions does not mean you have to agree with them. Rather you should let them know that it is okay to be scared or anxious. Make it a point that you’ll be there with them and will help them face their fears. Everyday try to spend time with them, maybe have a free space where they can vent out whatever they want and you together can cerebrate towards a practical solution. Set Realistic Goals If your child is, say, scared of water; you cannot FEBRURY 2021 | My Child Magazine Issue #113

tell them that they’ll never drown as they are invincible. But rather you should let them know that you have confidence that they are going to be okay, that you know they’ll learn swimming. This isn’t restricted to children who are scared of water but was just an example to portray how you can set realistic goals. It actually is important that you set these goals for anxious children but do not try to force rapid changes. Let them take their time, give them room for error, and support them when they need you. Don’t Let Them Neglect Their Health Adults with anxiety tend to skip meals, have disturbed sleep or be insomniac, and sedimentary. The case in kids is no different, your child may become dull, inactive and may have difficulty with sleeping. Emphasize on taking care of their basic needs, like healthy meals, proper sleep cycle, and a good amount of exercise. Aerobic exercises especially have been found to be excellent mood boosters.

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Empathise Put yourself in their shoes, try to think from their perspective. When you were younger was there something that made you anxious or scared? Maybe your neighbour’s dog or maybe a bully at school or walking alone in the dark. Think about what you wanted to hear from your parents, what helped you overcome that fear. Use your experiences to help your child. Conclusion Dealing with an anxious child could be an exhaustive task, therefore it is important that you look after yourself too. Take breaks, eat well, get proper rest and take the necessary steps to stay calm and collected at all times. If you yourself are under stress or anxious, this could be a good opportunity to demonstrate how to deal with anxiety to your child. This also normalises anxiety and teaches them more than your words could. Your goal here is clear, help them learn how to cope with anxiety. They are the ones learning; this too is a part of their growth and these phases will give them strength to face other obstacles thrown at them at later stages in life. FEBRURY 2021 | My Child Magazine Issue #113

HOW TO BE A GREAT DAD WHEN YOU DIDN’T HAVE A DAD Written by Lance Green

When you take a closer look at that greatest ambition in your life you will discern the rooting of some of your biggest losses as a human. Remember one of the quotes by Anne Frank which said regret is stronger than gratitude? Though it might seem a little out of context, let’s dig into a different and deeper perspective of her words. For example, an impoverished man’s biggest dream would be to satiate all his necessities, besides a prosperous man would never really realise how well off he’s doing in life. To sum it up, it would be wise to say that it is a man’s desideratum that fuels his drivein life, and this can be witnessed especially when a man who was once denied the care of a father later decides to rise above it all. So, here’s the map to help you on your journey to master the art of being a complete father. Good luck! Be Active In Your Social Support Circle. We’ve all been there when we wished we knew something earlier. That’s when you need to start considering joining a bunch of supporters who proactively participate in helping each other out by being there as a support system. Yes! Fathers can have 86

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their consortium for this too, and it can sound a lot better than you think. Talk, which was pretty much underrated, will finally be given a vent to surge through. You can share your take on fatherhood and its downturns and also apprehend how other fathers endured throughout their journey. Get The Examples Set Right! Modelling good behaviour on your own so that your children readily have access to knowing what’s best, needless to say, certainly does the trick. But quite often, when you catch sight of an ideal father doing his thing, make sure you have a chat on their perspectives and insights. Become an ardent observer of the way they mingle in general, especially in the presence of children. Ask them how life has changed, and what it means for them to be a father. Focus on the positives and keep seeking inspiration around you. Share Your Responsibilities As Partners There’s no particular role that has to be gender appropriate. All rights and duties of parenthood can be shared equally

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without any prejudice. Trying different ways to set the balance right should be the responsibility of both the mother and father. As an example, things like discipline, and cleanliness should be professed and effectuated by the father as well. Prioritise Your Brood There’s nothing better to make you the quintessential father than to make your family your priority. Rooting for them and being a tad bit traditional on that front, can go miles in strengthening your character as a father. Though sometimes it may sound a little too sacrificial, it’s worth being a family man and considering yourself secondary as an individualistic member of the family. Make time for your children and be enterprisingly involved throughout all realms of their lives. The key to being a good father is to let them know you’ve got their back no matter what. Adhere To Your Set Of Virtues Everybody has their first-hand notions as to how a father should be. Introspect and find out which virtues you primarily want to adhere to while being a father. After all, though you can be the idealised version of 88

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a father, it still matters that you are true to yourself and your children. Changing for the good is welcome, but do not try to live in someone else’s skin. Set your morals straight. Take inspiration and get the better of yourself, because the only person you want to compete with is yourself. It can be guaranteed that with time and experience, this will reflect in the way you make many steadfast decisions when it comes to your child. Take It Easy Do not take the pressure of being an ideal dad. Forget perfection and just be genuine in your parental approaches. Not being able to grow alongside the support and care of a father could be traumatising for you so do not add on to the pressure, by considering it all as a tumultuous path. Since not having a father would have taught you your life lessons, just try to be a strong pillar of support to your child. Yes, they will face problems as children but give them time and guidance to come up with a fix to it. Do not solve it for them. Though the whole experience cannot be called gratifying, you will certainly come off as a better man than you were because of the things you learned from your kids. FEBRURY 2021 | My Child Magazine Issue #113

WAYS TO MAKE A STRONGER DECISION TOGETHER written by:Feba Maryann

Decision-making is often the less-talkedabout aspect in life but then why does making a decision ‘together’ grab some extra eyeballs? Well, sorry to break it to you, but it’s for real! Decision-making is not as easy as it used to be when you were living a solo life. Remember those times when you would spontaneously just do your thing and face what it takes? But things don’t work that way once you start sharing your life with a partner. Ergo, this acceptance of transition can be facilitated with our 6 proven ways to make a decision better together. Ready for a great head start as strong as your solid partnership? Here we go: Ask For Help A brighter outset towards making a decision together is to ask for help when you need it. We’re sure you’ve already got the baby steps right if you’re reading this article. You could choose from a hodgepodge of both family and friends, both elder and young, to rely on for guidance. Make sure you don’t always form your decisions stationed upon hearsay and apply yourself to the advice you’ve been given. 92

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Judge The Purview Of Your Roles As Partners Whenever it comes to making a decision, humans naturally cast their vision on the outcome of the situation. So, here’s the tip, judge the impact by the need, that is, if it requires a unilateral or bilateral involvement of partners for decision making. For example, trivial decisions such as which Netflix show you want to binge on or which new restaurant in town, you’d like to visit next can be made based on your free will. But you cannot afford to be the maverick in decision making when it comes to the most crucial things, like changing jobs or moving into a new country. Forecast The Upshot After a series of discussions, with your partner, family, and friends you will have sufficient information to foresee the outcome of the situation. Embrace yourself for a range of upshots and be prepared. But this doesn’t mean you have to be pessimistic about a consequence, because agonizing over things you cannot control, simply kills your effort. Be the one with a plan, and to perform some nominal risk management especially if the decision can have an impact on your children and extended family. If you lose FEBRURY 2021 | My Child Magazine Issue #113

an opening considering the risk it calls for your family then do not regret it either. Keep making plans and go after your goals till you eventually run out of digits to count them. Drop The Blame Game And Simply Commit The blame game may not look as malicious as it sounds, but don’t even reckon about it. The underlying effects of inculpating your partner can tarnish your bond sooner than you’d think. Not all decisions end up having the desired after effect and just because you are right doesn’t mean your partner was wrong. It genuinely feels better to share the responsibility of an outcome and to just commit without pointing at each other. Solitary Struggles Of A Partner In Decision Making In a partnership, sometimes, either of the two might be terrible at making a decision particular to a subject. This might be due to their inabilities or lack of presence of mind or even the influence of their past traumatic experiences. In such a scenario, some

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decisions might be taken single-handedly by one of the partners. Though this can seed the upsurge into an ego-clash, this should be seen from a rather different perspective. When looked upon as decision making done on behalf of one another, the clashes harmoniously suffice themself. The Golden ‘RRR’ Rule Remember that grade 3 lesson on recycling materials with the ‘RRR’ rule for a healthier natural environment? When it comes to joint decision making, our RRR rule comprises three fundamental propositions to nurture a healthy partnership as well. The first ‘R’ stands for RELAY; it simply means communication between both partners about their opinions and this enhances their bond. The second ‘R’ stands for RESPECT which infers that mutual respect towards each other, irrespective of their choices equals great rapport in the relationship. Finally, the third ‘R’ stands for RELIANCE which signifies that trusting each other consistently is the best thing you can do to make a stronger decision together.

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it’s a girly world! WRITTEN BY: Sheree Hoddinett

Girls, girls, girls. Dresses and hair bows. Barbie dolls and make up kits. Sparkling shoes and lip gloss. Sassy attitudes and arguments over what they can wear (at the ages of 5 and 7 mind you!!). There’s a lot involved in raising girls. Kids in general, really. One of the hardest things I find about having two girls is I haven’t always been really girly myself. Although I grew up as a girl, doesn’t mean I know everything. I have my moments, but more often than not I’m most comfortable in shirt and shorts and my hair pulled back in a mum bun. Getting dressed up is a rarity. Make up on my face is like hidden gold. It’s hard to come across. But when the occasion calls for it, sure I make an effort. I’m definitely no expert on raising girls at all. While I was once their age, I was living it and that’s a whole other story in itself. But there’s many things I’ve learned (more like had to adapt to) and I’m still learning, in the short space of time my girls have been Earth side with me:

- Girls can be gross too. From funny noises to bodily functions (I think you can guess what I’m talking about), little girls and boys can be just as bad as each other! - Little girls can be tough creatures. My youngest daughter likes to be rough (she punches her older sister all the time, multiple times) and can climb, jump and wrestle with the best of them. I can say with a lot of certainty that she will likely handle herself pretty well. - Hair brushing can sometimes be a mission. There’s screaming, crying and lots of pain. I’m not just talking about the child having their brushed either, haha! - While we’re still talking about hair, when it comes time to washing it, especially in Summer when we’ve been sweating a lot and swimming, I cop more arguments than anything else. - Much like all other siblings, they love each other one second and the next a fight ensues over pretty much nothing. I already know this will continue for many, many years!

- The drama! So I have one daughter who is a bit (ahem, a lot) on the dramatic side. She trips and falls and the world ends. Her sister has her moments, but she seems to cope a lot better. When they’re tired and emotional, it’s all over. All bets are off and you just need to buckle in and sit back to enjoy the ride. - Try not to sweat the small stuff. I have been told many times I’m hated and not liked. It hurts. But 5 minutes later I’m back at the top of the favourite list again. - The crying over absolutely nothing. Sadly as a woman, I do relate to that. But even with that in mind, it can still be hard to tolerate! - I thought I had better put something good in the list. The cuteness can make your heart swell. My girls have been through some tough times but their resilience does show, as does their soft side. They know how to lift Mummy’s spirit at the best of times but when I’m feeling a bit low, they can make things even better!

I’ll be the first to admit that although I feel fairly clueless with two girls, I’m not really sure how I would have dealt with boys. I have enough trouble dealing with the grown up version, haha! I keep hearing from friends that raising boys is just a whole other level in itself. They can have it, haha! As painful as it can be, and yes I know the worst is yet to come, I’ll stick with my sassy pair. They may drive me to the brink of insanity (and to drink) all the time but yeah I guess they’re alright. They’ll do, unless someone wants to swap? I’m kidding! Except when it’s an emotional meltdown and then they can go to whoever wants them! On that note, feel free to drop by my website anytime www. shereekim.com for a free laugh, a bit of commiseration or just to get lost in someone else’s crazy parenting world. No matter what, my girls are pretty good, most of the time anyway. Until next time….

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fashion FEBRURY 2021 | My Child Magazine Issue #113

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girls FASHION

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UNDER $75 myer.com BABY Jack & Milly Bea Organic Knit Dress & Legging Set $34.95 Converse Chuck Taylor Boys Cribster Shoes $39.95

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boys FASHION

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UNDER $40 myer.com BABY Sprout Finley Trackpant $39.95 Converse Chuck Taylor Boys Cribster Shoes $39.95

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peapods.com.au

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recipes sourced from: betterhealth.vic.gov.au

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Delicious

Apricot Lassi INSTRUCTIONS 1

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blend all ingredients in a food processor until foamy. serve immediately.

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prep time: 5 mins serves: 2 INGREDIENTS canned apricot, with juice 1 tsp honey low-fat yoghurt, natural 1 cup or vanilla 6 ice cubes

2 cups

Quick & Easy

Melon Platter INSTRUCTIONS 1

cut watermelon into wedges and place in the centre of the serving dish.

remove skin and seeds of rockmelon and honeydew. cut into 2cm thick slices. stand on dish

prep time: 5 mins serves: 4 INGREDIENTS slices watermelon, 2cm thick rockmelon, cut 1/2 crossways honeydew, cut 1/2 crossways 2

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Savoury Toastie prep & cook time: 8 mins serves: 2 INSTRUCTIONS 1

microwave mushrooms on high (100%) for 45 seconds and strain excess moisture.

in a small bowl combine mushrooms, baked beans and spinach.

lightly spray sandwich maker with oil. place two slices of bread on the base of the sandwich maker then divide the filling over the two slices. top with two slices of bread and toast until heated through and golden brown.

INGREDIENTS small mushrooms, finely chopped 1/2 cup baked beans (or 130g can) leaves english spinach 6 or rocket, washed and chopped 4 slices multigrain bread olive or canola oil spray 3

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Zucchini & Sweet Corn Soup prep & cook time: 18 mins serves: 6 INSTRUCTIONS

INGREDIENTS medium zucchinis, chopped vegetable or chicken 4 cups stock 310g can creamed corn low-fat evaporated 1/2 cup milk 2

place zucchini and stock in a large pot and bring to the boil. simmer over gentle heat for 10 minutes or until zucchini is tender.

remove from heat, puree in a blender until smooth. stir through creamed corn and milk.

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Stuffed Potatoes INSTRUCTIONS 1

pierce potatoes several times with a skewer or fork. microwave on high for 12 minutes. allow to stand for 5 mins.

place baked beans, tomato and capsicum in a microwave safe bowl, cook on high 1 minute, stir, then cook a further minute or until heated through.

cut potatoes in half. scoop out a spoonful of the cooked flesh. pile bean mixture back into potato skins.

top with grated cheese. reheat in microwave for 3 minutes.

serve with a garden salad on side.

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prep & cook time: 15 mins serves: 4 INGREDIENTS 4 large potatoes, washed 425g can baked beans 1 large tomato, chopped 1 small green capsicum, chopped 1/2 cup grated low-fat cheese

Potato Frittata

prep & cook time: 20 mins serves: 4

INSTRUCTIONS

INGREDIENTS 250g sweet potato, sliced 250g potato, sliced 1 tsp olive oil 1 onion, thinly sliced bunch baby spinach, washed and 1 drained 3 eggs, beaten 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese 1/4 tsp nutmeg

preheat grill. boil potato for 4-5 minutes until tender, or microwave on high (100%) in a covered dish with 1 tablespoon water for 5-6 minutes, stirring after 3 minutes. drain well.

heat oil in a non-stick frypan, add onion and cook for 2 minutes until golden. add potato, toss to combine and brown.

stir in spinach and stir-fry until wilted and moisture has evaporated.

mix eggs, cheese and nutmeg in a small bowl and pour into pan. cook over low heat until set.

place under hot grill for 2 minutes to brown the top.

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Plum Sponge Pudding prep & cook time: 45 mins serves: 6

INSTRUCTIONS 1

preheat oven to 180 °c. lightly spray baking pan (20cm x 20cm) with oil. place fruit in pan.

whisk eggs and sugar in an electric mixer for 4–5 minutes until very thick and creamy.

with a spatula fold in flour and hot milk as lightly as possible.

pour over fruit to cover and bake for 25–30 minutes until golden brown and firm to touch.

INGREDIENTS stewed, poached or 2 cups canned plums, well drained 3 eggs 1/2 cup caster sugar self-raising flour, 3/4 cup sifted 1 tbsp low-fat milk, hot olive or canola oil spray

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Apricot Strudel prep & cook time : 40 mins serves: 6

INSTRUCTIONS 1

preheat oven to 200 °c. combine apricots, honey, cinnamon and dates in a small bowl.

lightly spray pastry with oil. lay pastry sheets on top of each other then spoon apricot mixture along the centre length.

fold pastry to encase, tucking neatly into a roll. spray top with oil and sprinkle with almond flakes. bake for 20–25 minutes until golden brown and crispy.

INGREDIENTS 800g 1 tbsp 1 tsp 1/2 cup

can apricots, drained honey cinnamon dates, chopped sheets filo pastry (27cm x 4 47cm) 2 tbsp almonds, flaked olive or canola oil spray

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directory 138

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