My Child Magazine December 2018 Issue by My Child Magazine

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ISSUE 87 - DECEMBER 2018

How to be organised this Christmas

THE COLD, HARD TRUTHâ&#x20AC;¦OR IS IT?! BY: SHEREE HODDINETT

EXCELLENCE Awards 2019 NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN!

The importance of friendship How to juggle Christmas expectations with your family

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5 things to know a family pet before getting for Christmas

By: Kylie Steenkamp

“Purchasing a pet should never be an impulsive decision.” - RSPCA

December 2018 | mychild

A pet can be a great gift and a wonderful contribution to the family. It is important to know that a pet is the whole family’s responsibility. Pets need constant love, care and attention. Animals are adorable when they are little, however, as they grow older, their needs start to grow too. The animal shelters are overflowing because people get a pet impulsively and then don’t know how to care for it, or it does not fit in with the family dynamics. There are a few things to consider before getting a family pet this Christmas

1. Do your research Just like humans don’t always get along with other people, so do animals. Not all types of pets will fit into your lifestyle and family. Many dogs and cats are great with kids where some breeds would better be suited to a home where children are all grown up. It is important to do proper research about the type and breed you want. Look at different aspects like:Is this • is this type of dog child friendly? • How much exercise it needs? • How much it eats? (yes, this is important) • What environment is best for it? Don’t forget to look at your local animal shelters to see what dogs are up for adoption. Animals in shelters are there for different reasons and the shelters are great at pairing the animals with their furever homes.

2. It is a commitment Having a pet is a full time commitment; there are no days off or breaks. The love for a pet is a beautiful thing and they often become an honorary family member. When you adopt a pet, you need to make sure that it fits in with your lifestyle. If you are an active family then an active dog will be great, but if exercise is the furthest thing from your mind, make sure you get a pet that does not require regular exercise. A pet needs check-ups at the vet and needs to be groomed regularly. When you go on holiday, most times you can’t take your pet with you; someone needs to look after your pet.

3. RESPONSIBILITY It is a huge responsibility to have a pet. Just like with kids, you will need to make sure your home is safe for the pet. Pets that are babies are going to have a few teething issues and try and eat anything they can find. You have to make sure that there is nothing poisonous or harmful lying around for the pets. You will have to get toys for the pet so that your furniture, hopefully, will be left unchewed. Depending on the type of pet, they will need to played with and walked daily. A scheduled feeding and walking time will be good. Toilet training can take a lot of effort with cats and dogs. They can train fairly quickly, but effort, consistency and praise is key. Animals also need to be up to date with their vaccinations to help them stay healthy.

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4. Do you have the right accommodation? Lots of animals end up at the shelter because people move or they do not have permission to have an animal. Before you adopt a pet, make sure that you have permission to keep it if you are renting. If you do have permission, make sure that it is a long-term plan because you do not want to give the pet away after a year or two. Most pets love to explore and it is necessary that you make sure that your house is secure and your animals can’t get out. You must have enough space for the pet. You can’t keep a large dog in a small garden; that is when all kinds of mischief can start.

5. Affordability Animals can be fun to have around, but they have their own needs which can be quite costly. You have to register your dog and pay an annual fee to the government. Animals need to be spayed or neutered, which can be quite expensive. They also need to be microchipped with your contact details in case they get out or lost. Annual vaccinations and check-ups help your pet stay healthy, but you also have to budget for the emergency vet visits when they get sick or hurt. Luckily there is pet insurance that you can take out for your pet, but that is another added cost. Animals need to be groomed regularly. Their food needs to be of good quality so that they can stay healthy and strong. If you do want to go away on a holiday and can’t take your pet with you, you will need to get a pet sitter or a kennel. Animals can be a blessing in your life. Many people believe animals feed your soul and can be a lifelong companion. When you adopt a pet, it is your duty to care for it and look after its needs. Animals end up in the shelter because they are bought or adopted without thinking about the bigger picture. It should not be an impulsive decision, but a well-researched, thought out plan.

Resources: Petmd RSPCA

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Expectation a

By: Kylie

12 December 2018 | mychild

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at Christmas

e Kaden

December 2018 | mychild

Before becoming a parent, Christmas with children seemed like a dreamscape; think angelic children with a twinkle in their eye, frolicking around a colour-coordinated hand-picked tree, opening presents with sheer delight. Yet, Christmas, as with life, doesn’t always play out like a greeting card and can easily decline into a rushed day of family arguments, overtired children and broken dreams. To avoid Christmas feeling like an event you need to survive rather than something you look forward to, here’s some tips on how you can best manage your children’s expectations at Christmas, and your own sense of responsibility in meeting them.

1. Keep it Real With all the commercial hype, it’s easy to get sucked into the myth that your child’s eternal happiness depends on whether you chose the right Oshie or secure the right Minecraft Lego. The busyness gets to you and as the to-do list grows, so do the expectations to make the day Instagram-worthy. At Christmas, it’s easy to feel like if it’s not unforgettable – it’s on you. That normal standards of home presentation and entertaining no longer apply – it’s the festive season - won’t guests expect home-made custard as smooth as Nigella Lawson’s voice, and a twelve-lemon decorative centrepiece? In reality, few parents of young children without hired help have the time or energy to make sage gravy from scratch. Your family shouldn’t expect white linen service, nor should you feel like an underachiever for not giving it. Think simple pleasures and basic decorations - expensive ornaments often become chewtoys, or found in the sandpit mid-December anyway…

2. Be mindful of raising expectations by over-giving Start as you mean to go on. Many kids have toy-overload, resulting in gifts being abandoned, broken or boxed up for donation fairly quickly. By consciously deciding to purchase less when they are little (and often prefer the wrapping to the gift itself) you are also paving the way to limit their future expectations. Christmas will look different as your child grows – and older-kids’ wish lists are far harder to fulfil financially than a few cheap plastic toys that may satisfy the rambunctious toddler. Limit yourself to a few gifts you know your child will enjoy using throughout the year, and don’t be tempted to ‘fill a gap’ under the tree with last minute additions if your budget has been reached.

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3. Start an inexpensive tradition you can maintain. An important part of childhood memories is time spent as a family. One way to do this is through establishing traditions. But try to avoid fancy, time-consuming rituals that are hard to maintain. They might be as simple as opening one present the night before (a book, perhaps?), a stroll to the local lights, or a family recipe (not to mention the start of ham-fiftyone-ways). Your kids may balk at the idea as they age, but it’s more about spending time together than the tradition itself.

4. Expect a need for downtime – and plan for it. Once babies and/or toddlers are on the scene, the day’s arrangements should consider their needs first - for the good of all. Avoid overtired kids by getting in first on the schedule of how and when to see various relatives. If you have different groups to catch up with, organise the festive season as just that – a series of opportunities across the week – or split the day into a Christmas brunch, afternoon downtime and an early dinner.

5. Avoid the trap of demonstrating love through material possessions. Gift-envy, disappointment, unfair distribution of presents (whether real or imagined) – Christmas morning can quickly spool out of control when impulsive young minds and high expectations are in play. The ‘I want’ mentality and the idea that getting less somehow makes you ‘less worthy’ (or naughtier in Santa’s books) can manifest into ungrateful attitudes, and spoilt, insecure kids. These diva-like attitudes are hard to unlearn if kids are consciously comparing their ‘haul’ to siblings or cousins, and somehow equate what they get with how much they are loved. Make the day special by sitting down with them, exploring a new present together or assembling a Lego set – these are the memories they’ll remember, not the price-tag.

6. Take the opportunity to teach gratitude. Being polite, thankful, and considerate of the time, money and thought the giver has put into a gift are important skills kids need to practice (even when gifts are double-ups or not what they wanted) It may take years, but eventually having a deeper understanding of the joy of giving and receiving will benefit their social development, and make for easier family relations in future years. By planning well, expecting a few extra tantrums and tears, and keeping expectations low you might just glimpse the odd twinkle of perfection amidst the crazy; a moment of joy as your youngest stares in wonder at the lights, or the warmth of a lingering goodnight hug from the eldest (despite being too old for Santa). Keep things real, but still bank on a few flashes of extraordinary. They’ll happen when you least expect them. With a surfing-lawyer for a husband and three spirited sons under her wing, she is the only female in a house of males, and stays sane (and avoids the housework) by making things up for a living. While Kylie has an honours degree in psychology, she says it helps little in wrangling her sticky brood of boys, and can typically be found purging out the day’s fermented thoughts on her laptop (sometimes in the laundry so she won’t be found) while the washing mounts around her.

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How to be

organised this

Christmas By: Jana Angeles

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Christmas is the busiest time of the year. Being organised around this occasion is important to avoid the stress of missed gifts, shopping centre traffic and putting up Christmas decorations around the household. If you’re like most families who celebrate Christmas, you’re aware that prior to the big day of the year, there is a lot of planning involved that requires the input of everyone. It’s essential that you and your family work together to make sure everyone knows what they have been assigned to, so taking action now before the Christmas rush can do you wonders. We give you some of the best tips to ensure that you and your family are on top of your to-do lists this Christmas.

Share the meal planning duties If you have taken turns when it comes to the meal prep and cooking each Christmas, it makes sense to assign each family a dish. It can be stressful trying to prepare food for everyone, especially when you are cooking several main dishes to cover the dietary requirements of your friends and your family. Tips for sharing meal planning duties • Make sure you’re aware of your family and friend’s dietary requirements. If some are vegan/vegetarian, gluten-free or have allergies, make dishes that are inclusive of everyone’s diets. • Grocery shop ingredients early, at least two weeks before Christmas. This will save you time having to rush and get everything last minute. • Cook enough food for everyone. The last thing you want to do is to cook more than what your fridge can fit in. If you have leftovers, make sure you pack some away so your visitors can enjoy them when they are back home.

Put your decorations up early It isn’t Christmas without the decorations! Putting your Christmas tree up as well as the lights early can put you ahead of the game. Even though it may seem like a chore at first, it’s always fun to get the family involved when it comes to attaching baubles, placing the lights and various ornaments on the tree. Tips for Christmas decorations: • If you have children over the age of five, get them to place ornaments around the tree. It can be a fun way to get them involved and feel the Christmas spirit. Avoid giving them any glass ornaments or decorations that may break easily.

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FEATURED ARTICLES • Put your tree up at the end of October or early November. This will give you time to place the tree in its designated space. It will also help you assess whether or not you need to upgrade or downsize a tree depending on how much space your house offers. • Try and avoid keeping your Christmas lights on all night. The last thing you want is to pay the price with a high electricity bill.

Start planning and purchasing Christmas gifts early It can be easy to go to the shops and spend hundreds of dollars on gifts without thinking even thinking about it. With tap and go being the most popular pay method in stores these days, you may not want to even look at how much you’re spending, which could lead to a large amount of debt and stress for your own finances. It can help to plan what gifts you need to buy for your family and friends. Tips for Christmas gifts • You don’t need to blow your budget during Christmas. Only spend what you can afford. Depending on the person, sometimes it’s best to buy practical gifts at a reasonable price. • Avoid the Christmas rush and start doing your shopping early as possible. If you get it done before December, you avoid the hassle of trying to fight over parking spots, long queues and out-of-stock shelves.

Being organised this Christmas doesn’t have to be stressful. As long as you and your family are working together, this will help shape the path of a less chaotic, more relaxing Christmas. Organising meal prep, putting decorations up early and beating the Christmas shopper rush are just a few things to keep in mind when you want to keep organised this year.

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Managing your finances this

Christmas

By: Jana Angeles

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Christmas can be one of the most stressful times of the year for some people, if not planned properly. With guests coming over, presents to buy and a lot of planning involved, the last thing you want to do is blow out every single cent in your bank account for this year’s holidays. Managing your finances this Christmas may sound like a boring subject, but it will help you avoid living life frugally once January comes around. Here are some top tips below to help manage your spending this Christmas time.

Put aside budget for presents Set a certain amount for gifts and only stick to that spending budget. You may want to please your kids and other family members when it comes to the gifts, but we often lose sight on the meaning of Christmas because of society’s view on the necessity of Christmas shopping. There is a simple mantra all must follow eventually: if you can’t afford it, don’t buy it. Other budget tips: • Do a deep clean and chuck out any items or clothing you don’t need anymore. If some of them are still in good condition, consider selling them online or go to stores which allow you to swap with other items you could give to a loved one. • Leave your credit card at home and only use your debit. It’s much easier to max out a credit card because you immediately assume that you can pay it all back later. Avoid the trap at all costs. • Be smart when it comes to gifts. Does your relative really need that Pandora bracelet? If not, consider something that they will use and offers practicality.

Shop around for the best deals With access to the internet, this is especially handy for those preparing meals this Christmas. You don’t have to be loyal to just one supermarket store this time. Look at the online catalogues available in each and shop where you can get the best deals on certain items. This is applicable for gifts too. If you hate going in and out of the stores, you can purchase gifts you need at the comfort of your own home when you online shop. Other budget tips: • Take advantage of Black Friday sales in November. This is a great opportunity for you to save money and get great discounts on exclusive items. • Purchase second-hand versions of high-priced items. If your child is starting high school/ uni next year and needs a new laptop, you can get refurbished ones for a slightly cheaper price. Normally refurbished ones, depending on model and year are discounted from their normal retail price by up to 30%.

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• Only cook enough for your family and friends. Measure out how much food you actually need during the festive season and only cook enough to avoid having tons of leftovers. This will help you save money and also avoid chucking out extra food after the holiday season.

Participate in cheap family activities Organising a getaway or travelling overseas during Christmas is one of the most memorable ways you could spend time with your loved ones and an opportunity to make heartwarming memories. However, the expenses that come with travelling interstate or overseas can be a bit extreme. Remember that you aren’t obligated to travel every year if you bank cannot afford it. There are cheaper alternatives to spend Christmas with your family without spending thousands of dollars to make memories. Activities to consider: • Have a family BBQ. This is a great way to be outdoors and catch up with family and friends. It will allow the kids to play outside and gives you the opportunity to cook cheaply with sausages, salads and snacks to share around. • Have a city adventure and leave the car at home. Use public transport and have a fun day out with the family by seeing the Christmas decorations in the city. • Road trip it to the beach. Spend the day with loved ones and soak up the warm sun for the day. Pack some light food such as sandwiches and fruit to keep the hunger at bay.

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teaching

and appr to your

chris By: Jana

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WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S IN OUR STORES THIS MONTH

gratitude

reciation kids this

stmas Angeles

December 2018 | mychild

Gratitude and appreciation are qualities we should encourage our children to instill during the festive season. While receiving and giving gifts has been a known tradition during Christmas, it’s important that we don’t lose sight of the true values of the occasion and making the most of the time we spend with our friends and family. There are plenty of ways to teach our children the value of gratitude and appreciation this Christmas. Being creative and adapting new activities could make the occasion that much special depending on what you choose to do as a family.

Give back to the community Giving back to the community is a great way to show your kids the value of Christmas. It allows you to do your part and give back to the people who need it the most. Whether it’s serving people food at the homeless shelter, doing meals on wheels runs or singing carols to the elderly, having that drive to give back to the community can be one of the most rewarding ways to teach your children about gratitude and appreciation this Christmas. Tips to consider when giving back to the community • Do a bit of spring cleaning around the house and get rid of clothing items you may not need anymore and donate them all to your nearest charity box. There are homeless and disadvantaged individuals out there who may need them. • Participate in Wishing Tree Appeals. Kmart run one every year with The Salvation Army. You can purchase a gift and specify what age and gender it would be suited for and put it under the tree. • If you are the owner of a restaurant, business or catering company, you can choose to regularly donate food. OzHarvest is a food rescue organisation delivering meals from different companies all year round to those less fortunate. This will help your children understand the value of food they receive on their plates and how lucky they are to be well-fed at home.

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Introduce the art of sentimental gifts Sentimental gifts can be treasured for a lifetime and it’s a great way to show your children that you don’t need to spend a lot of money just to make another person happy. Being thoughtful and showing a bit of creativity can also be an opportunity for them to showcase their artistic talents. Sentimental gift ideas • Making portraits, whether it be hand drawn or painted, makes a great gift for relatives. They can be framed and be treasured for many years to come. • Scrapbooking pins together all the best photos in one album. You can spend time with your children by decorating each page and reminiscing about the great memories you’ve spent together. • Writing letters for a specific milestone in the future or when you get the blues can be a beautiful gift for a loved one if you have a way with words. There is nothing more deep and insightful than penning together a letter with words from the heart.

Teach them the value of family time There is no substitute in spending quality time with your relatives. This is important if you want to highlight the value of gratitude and appreciation to your kids this Christmas. You may have relatives coming interstate or overseas, so tell your children that some of them travelled greater distances just to be with family. Let them know that this is important because it shows that they are committed in making time despite living in a completely different place. Ways to spend family time • Let your children hear some of the stories your relatives may have, swapping “when I was your age” stories. It will help them learn about their history and how they got to be who they are today. • During dinner time, go around the table and ask each family member what they are most grateful for. This will help strengthen bonds you have with your family and teach your children the value of gratitude when it is seen and heard. • Pick a tradition such as pulling on a Christmas cracker and laugh at the jokes it contains. Having one with family each year can help your children understand why traditions matter.

Christmas is a wonderful time to spend with family and friends. However, it’s important to remind our children that there is more to look forward to besides the gifts they receive from Santa. To teach them the power of gratitude and appreciation during this time of year will set them up for the rest of their life with a different mindset

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TOP TIPS

help you c

Obstetr

By: Eve

28 December 2018 | mychild 28 December 2018 | mychild

PREGNANCY

S TO HELP

choose an

rician

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Pregnancy is a time not only of big changes, but big decisions too. One of the first of these that may seem to be thrust upon you far too soon is who to trust to look after you and your baby for the duration of your pregnancy and during birth. It pays to do your research and start thinking about antenatal care early (even before conceiving) as many private obstetricians’ lists fill up quickly. Your choice will depend on many variables, including finances, whether you have private hospital cover, previous obstetrics history or complications, your personal values and priorities, and what services are available in your area. Private or public? The first decision is whether to see a private obstetrician or use a public hospital. The main benefit of seeing a private obstetrician is that you can choose your obstetrician and you know that you will see that one doctor for the duration of your pregnancy. This can be extremely reassuring if you’re at all anxious or have health issues or have had pregnancy complications and would like the security and predictability of knowing you will always see the one person. Scans are likely to be more frequent if you see a private obstetrician, too, which can benefit you if you want the extra reassurance. On the other side of the coin, if you’re concerned about the safety of unnecessary scans, this might be a reason for you to avoid seeing a private obstetrician – or to check their policies on scan frequency before booking. You’ll also more likely to have your own room in a private hospital and may be able to have a longer hospital stay, if you choose to, than in a public hospital. One disadvantage of choosing to see a private obstetrician is the cost. Private health funds have a twelve month waiting period for obstetrics services and even with top-level cover, out-of-pocket expenses are likely to run into the thousands. The actual amount will vary depending on which fund you’re with, your level of cover, any required interventions and your obstetrician’s and hospital’s fees. Another thing to be aware of is that intervention rates are higher in private hospitals, even for low risk pregnancies. If it’s a high priority for you to minimise the chance of intervention, perhaps you should consider using the public system, which means you won’t be able to choose your obstetrician (and most of your appointments will be with midwives rather than an obstetrician), but you will save money and reduce the chance of intervention. 30 December 2018 | mychild

PREGNANCY Of course, there are other options too, including birth centres in some large hospitals, which focus on low intervention births, a share care arrangement between your GP and a public hospital or seeing a private midwife to assist you with a home birth. Choosing a private obstetrician My husband and I chose to see a private obstetrician, mainly because after many cycles of IVF and one traumatic miscarriage I was anxious about things going wrong and I wanted the security of continuity of care. After paying for IVF, forking out a few thousand more dollars for this peace of mind didn’t seem like a big deal. Let’s say you’ve decided to take this path too. Now you have another decision to make: which obstetrician? These are some of the factors to consider: • Your GP is your first point of call when you’re pregnant and will be able to outline your options. • Do you have a preference for a female doctor or would you be equally happy with a male? • Word of mouth can be valuable – both friends and local Facebook parenting groups can be a fantastic source of knowledge. • Some obstetricians deliver babies in public hospitals, so if finances are a factor and you’re not particular about hospitals - or perhaps you prefer a particular public hospital because of its birthing policies - this question is worth asking. • Obstetricians usually work within particular private hospitals. So, if you have a preference for a certain hospital - perhaps the one closest to you to minimise travel time when in labour! - you need to take this into account. • Consultation fees, hospital costs and other out of pocket expenses vary. These are important questions to ask early on. • Intervention rates and policies regarding going past the due date vary between obstetricians and it’s totally reasonable to ask about these before booking an appointment. • Remember, you can change obstetricians during pregnancy if you feel that you’ve made the wrong decision.

Pregnancy and birth are intense and life-changing experiences like no other, a time of dramatic physical change, emotions driven by hormones, excitement, love, anticipation and sometimes fear and anxiety. Perhaps the most important thing that will help support you through this time is having trust in the professionals that are caring for you. We are extremely fortunate in many parts of Australia to have a range of birthing options and lots of information available, which should make it possible, with just a little forward planning, to find the right fit for you and your circumstances. References / links: Possible risks with scans: https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn1670-ultrasound-scansmay-disrupt-fetal-brain-development/ Dahlen HG, Tracy S, Tracy M, et al. Rates of obstetric intervention among low-risk women giving birth in private and public hospitals in NSW: a population-based descriptive study. BMJ Open 2012; 0:e001723. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2012-001723 Birth choices: https://www.babycenter.com.au/a536330/birth-choices December 2018 | mychild

How to distract pre-long

By: Karli S

32 December 2018 | mychild

BABY ARTICLES

yourself during g labour

Steenkamp

December 2018 | mychild

When you are in labour, you have finally made it to the end of your pregnancy. You are so close to holding your baby in your arms. Unfortunately, it can be a couple of hours or even days before that happens. Labour has different stages. If you have period pains, backache, nausea or vomiting, diarrhoea or a small amount of bloody discharge then you are probably in labour. There is no rush to get to the hospital straight away unless your water has broken, you are bleeding more than the small amount of discharge or your contractions are more than five minutes apart. It is always a good idea rather to phone a midwife and they can tell you exactly what is normal and what is not and if you should go to the hospital. To go to the hospital straight away might just mean that they send you home until your contractions get more frequent. Labour can last on average about 18 hours for a new mum. It goes quicker with the next child. If you have been in labour for about 20 hours, they will classify you as being in pre-long labour. When labour starts, no one can tell how long it will take, so it is good to have some ideas on how to get your mind of it by distracting yourself.

1. Work on your to-do list There is never enough hours in a day. This is the perfect time to focus on things you have not had time for, as long as it is not too strenuous. You do want to keep your energy levels up. If you have not packed your hospital bag, it is a great time to do so. You can cook a few meals to put in the freezer to make your first couple of days with the newborn a little easier. If this is your second child, you can write little notes and make little gifts for him or her while you are in hospital, so that they can feel just as important and have something extra to look forward to.

2. Rest, Sleep, Relax You are probably tired of people telling you that you need to sleep before the baby comes, because sleep will be something you do not get much. The reality is that they are right. Whether you have a baby that sleeps through the night or one that wakes up constantly, you will have to adjust to their schedule. So, in your last few hours of having your baby nestled inside your tummy, allow yourself to put your feet up and rest or sleep.

3. Food You are about to have a baby and may feel nauseous or want to devour anything you see. Have a good meal before while you are waiting. You can also snack on food so that you can build your strength up for labour. You and your partner can go out for a last supper before the new addition comes into the world. Make sure it is one not too far from home and the hospital, just for when things escalate faster than you thought.

4. Entertainment Make a list of things you enjoy before you go into labour. You can prepare and get everything ready so that you can choose what you will be in the mood for. A movie could kill a couple of hours or binge watch a series you have always wanted to see.Something light and funny always makes time pass faster and laughing will help ease the nerves. 34 December 2018 | mychild

PREGNANCY

Get a board game or two that you could play. If you are competitive, it could keep you entertained for hours. Art is always good therapy. Another idea is to start your babyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first album. You can put sonogram photos in and pictures from your baby shower. Going into labour is exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time. You are going to need support to help pass time. Whatever you do, just relax and try to enjoy the moment. If you are unsure if anything is normal, phone the hospital and speak to a midwife. They will guide you and know what is best for you and the baby. Labour is your body preparing for this amazing miracle. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t rush it, your body will let you know when it is ready.

Resources: Webmd Queensland health Better health

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Peace of mind for every mum.

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BABY

What to do when your baby has

FOMO

By: Jana Angeles December 2018 | mychild

What is FOMO you ask? FOMO is a great acronym for Fear of Missing Out and your baby may have it. Having FOMO means that your baby may not be sticking to their usual nap schedules, they may choose to cling on to you when you are trying to put them back in the cot or worse, they stop to self-soothe themselves to sleep. All these things we’ve mentioned may drive you crazy, so here are some steps to take to help you keep your sanity in check and deal with your baby’s FOMO phase.

Help them relax when they are about to nap Your baby may have lots of energy, which can encourage them to stay up when you do. Do activities which help them mellow out and relax. These activities can help them fall asleep much easier without you having to keep coming back and forth in their room. Relaxing activities to consider • Giving them a bath can help them relax and unwind. The self-soothing properties of water and soap cannot be underestimated. There’s nothing quite like a lukewarm bath! • Make a mix of soothing tunes for your baby to listen to while they nap. There are plenty • albums to choose from which are specifically made to help them relax and snooze for longer. • You don’t need a rocking chair for this one (but it’d be handy if you do) but lulling your baby to sleep while humming away could do the trick too!

Minimise noise and interruptions to help them self-soothe Most parents would know that sleeping is something babies are slowly learning everyday. Your baby experiencing FOMO may be witnessing certain noises and interruptions that prevent them from actually sleeping because of their own curiosity. Ways to help bub self-soothe • Minimise any loud distractions such as turning down the volume of the TV/Radio. Your baby hearing sounds is maybe what keeps them awake and can only spark their interest on ‘what’s that noise?’ than sleeping. Dimming the lights can help them sleep, especially if they are napping during the day. This will help them recognise that when the lights go down, it’s time to get some shut eye! • If you give them a certain toy or blanket each time they go to bed, they can associate these items to sleep. 40 December 2018 | mychild

If they don’t want to be put down, consider getting a carrier It’s a nightmare if your baby refuses to be put down despite following their routine feed, getting their nappy changed and receiving plenty of rest time. Sometimes, it’s just a matter of separation anxiety, which generally occurs in babies from the ages of 6-18 months. It’s common for babies to cling on to their caregivers, especially when they have just been born. So, if your baby is resisting being put down in their cot, consider getting a carrier. Benefits of a carrier • It lets you watch your favourite TV show or movie without having to leave your baby because they are strapped to you. Babywearing has been considered an effective way to relieve symptoms of Postnatal depression (refer to November Issue 2018). • Skin-to-skin contact with your baby will only help strengthen the bond you have with each other. It can take a little while for your baby to adjust again if they are experiencing FOMO, however, following the key considerations above could help you be on track again when it comes to your baby’s schedule. Here are some key takeaways to ensure that your baby’s FOMO does not get the best of you: • Let a trusted family member or friend take over the duties of being a parent for a little while. Take a break during the middle of the day and dedicate some ‘me’ time to yourself. This could be a great opportunity to read more chapters of the book you got from store or have a lovely brunch at a local cafe. • Remind yourself that your baby having FOMO is not a unique situation and it can happen to parents who are doing their best to minimise the distractions that take place in their house. Don’t panic if you have been dealing with this for a while. • Have a little patience and understand that it may simple be a phase they’ll eventually get over. If you give it time, your baby will learn how to sleep effectively during the day and night again.

December 2018 | mychild

42 December 2018 | mychild

KAZ COOKE on her new book Babies & Toddlers

December 2018 | mychild

Kaz Cooke, journalist, cartoonist, author and mother. She is the writer of the best selling pregnancy book for the past 20 years, Up the Duff. In addition to that book, Babies & Toddlers, the sequel from Up the Duff, was released in November this year. Kaz Cooke’s does not see herself as a parenting expert but rather someone that translates all the knowledge of the experts. She is funny, down to earth and humble. She shares her inspiration for Babies & Toddlers with a spark of humor and also a sincerity that makes her a trusted author by her readers. Kaz started her career as a journalist at The Age in Melbourne and wrote her first book by the age of 25. “I think of myself as an author, but also as a journalist. I could not have written my non-fiction books without the training and experience as a journalist. One of the things journalism taught me was the ability to be fearless. I can phone any expert and ask for advice.” Kaz’s books undergo yearly updating to bring to light the newest modern technologies and the newest information on parenting. Babies and toddlers is a big book full of everything. It is laid out in a way that is easy to use with information that is up to date and carefully checked with experts. It is a full time job for Kaz to update her books to make sure that it has the newest and best advice for parents from green poo to cradle cap. Every section is well-thought of which explains every aspect of that section with advice on what to do and where you can find further help. The book is funny and takes you back in time by giving blast of the past snippets on parenting advice many years ago. At the back of the book is an index where you can look up what you are looking for. “When my editor, designer and I started to put the book together we kept saying that it is 3 o’clock in the morning. And what that means was a parent might be reading this, completely sleep deprived at 3 o’clock in the morning. They need to understand it and get to the section that they need,” Kaz states. “There is so much information on the internet and as a parent when you Google something you can get lost in it for hours and not come out of it any wiser. I wanted to cut through that so they can look at something quickly and present them with lots of options and information. Her inspirations for her books comes from her own experiences as a mother. Kaz can relate to the challenges and wonderful times of being a parent. “Sometimes parents are told that they are failing at something when actually they just haven’t found the balance - the thing that works for them. I wanted to give them as much of a choice to fit in with their philosophy and their baby.”

44 December 2018 | mychild

TODDLER 2-4 YEARS Parenting is a tough job, Kaz agrees. It can be overwhelming when you become a parent. “I think the most important thing to understand is that you don’t have to get everything right all at once and there is no such thing as perfect. You actually just have to get through every day. Just keep remembering to be kind to yourself as well as the baby. The baby doesn’t care if the house is a mess. Toddlers have their own challenges and as parents it doesn’t necessarily get easier. Kaz included a toddler section for parents.“Toddlers don’t know how to express their feelings and that’s why I’ve put into the section about teaching them because they love to learn words. They learn new words every day, so if you can teach them words for why they are feeling a certain way, they become less frustrated and try and communicate with you better. The section on toddlers and emotions helps parents teach their kids to talk about their feelings.” There are developmental milestones in the book where you can measure your child’s development and know what is normal and what is not. One of the fears that Kaz as journalist and writer has is that people will get the wrong information. Information is constantly changing and so is each edition of her book. Babies and Toddlers is a great gift for mothers-to-be. It is easy to understand and covers everything. Dads would find this book helpful too. She addresses sensitive issues like immunisations, as well as children with special needs. The book is honest about how new parents feel, so that you can relate and know that you are not alone. A book like this can help you feel a little more connected to other parents.

December 2018 | mychild

46 December 2018 | mychild

KID 5-8 YEARS

HOW WILL CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACT MY KIDS? By: Eve White

December 2018 | mychild

I was a scientist once, before I had kids. I remember sitting in conferences as my climate modelling colleagues presented data on sea level rises and temperature increases. It didn’t feel personal to me then. Now, as a mother, it does. The recent IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) report that you might have heard about starkly outlines the difference between 1.5 and 2 degrees warming*. That teeny half a degree could mean the difference between life and death for millions of people. But it’s important to remember that a two degree temperature increase is actually the worst best case scenario, with the world currently tracking towards at least three degrees warming by 2100, by which time I won’t be around, but my children still might be. As a mum of young kids in 2018, I worry about my kids eating too much sugar, getting enough sleep and having friendship problems at school. I dread the teenage years: social media, cars, sex, drugs, eating disorders, parties. And I worry that I might be completely stuffing up this parenting business without even knowing it. These are my concerns in my privileged, white, two-car-family existence. What will my daughters and their kids lie awake and worry about in 2100? What hopes and fears will they hold for their children and grandchildren? There are some things about climate change that are certain - or as certain as they can be when it comes to science predicting future events. It is known that with three degrees of warming, we will lose the coral reefs and many other ecosystems, that there will be global food and water shortages on a huge scale, economic impacts of a magnitude that the world has never seen before, mass migration, more frequent bushfires, floods and other natural disasters and that the world’s major coastal cities will be under water and large areas of the world uninhabitable due to drought and heat. These are the certainties, or the as-certain-as-we-can-bes, which alone are awful enough. But then there is an infinite cast of maybes and unknowns. Diseases like dengue fever and zika virus will spread and evolve due to climate change and a greatly impoverished world may struggle to keep on top of them. 48 December 2018 | mychild

KID 5-8 YEARS Civil and military conflicts are likely to increase due to mass migration and limited water, food and inhabitable land. We can’t blithely assume that our children will be safe from these threats in Australia. Another unknown is the threat of untested geoengineering strategies – making large scale changes to the earth and its atmosphere in an attempt to cool the planet. Some scientists have expressed concern that a desperate nation might implement an untested solution, like spraying sulphur into the atmosphere, with unforeseen catastrophic consequences for the whole world – my daughters included. These are possible and plausible scenarios put forward by scientists, not science fiction authors. Every aspect of society as we know it could be changed by climate change in ways that we can’t even imagine now. Whilst I’m here worrying about my kids eating too much junk food, I wonder what they will be worrying about in the year 2100 in a warmer, hungrier, harsher world. A Tasmania without the kelp forests that they loved snorkelling in as kids; a world without polar bears, koalas and giraffes, and a world in which most people are so busy struggling for their own day-to-day survival that they can’t muster the emotional energy to care about things like koalas or kelp - and no government in the world has any revenue to dedicate to conservation anyway. In this world, millions of refugees will be fleeing lands rendered uninhabitable through no fault of their own, some of them arriving in drought-stricken Australia where the future may not be looking much better, with food shortages, regular natural disasters that impact millions of people, a severely struggling economy, social problems, and my girls’ home state of Tasmania becoming increasingly overcrowded. I wonder how my kids will feel as they look to the future. Will they feel hope or only anxiety and despair for their children? And how will they feel looking back and knowing that our generation could have chosen a different future for them, but didn’t? The good news is that this future is not locked in - yet. We can still choose a different future for our children by limiting warming to 1.5 degrees, but the world needs to make changes urgently and on an unprecedented scale. The other good news is that we as individuals are not powerless, there are lots of things that we can do to make a difference to our children’s future world. At a personal level you can: eat less meat, buy local food as much as possible and reduce food waste; drive less and fly less; minimise energy usage and choose green sources of power; and buy less new stuff. But we need help from above too. Our governments need to know that this matters to us. Email your MP expressing your concern and asking how they plan to support an urgent transition to renewables for the sake of our children’s future. We can choose a different future for our kids but we need to do it now before it’s too late. *average g lobal temperature increase since pre-industrial times. Author’s Bio Eve White is a mum of two girls and a part time editor with a PhD in ecology. She is a founding member of the group Australian Mums for a Safe Climate. December 2018 | mychild

The impo

Friend By: Jana

50 December 2018 | mychild

DAD READ

ortance of

dship Angeles

December 2018 | mychild

Friendship is important. As parents, especially us dads, we need to be able to have friendships in our life to help us get through the curve balls it offers. Just because we have less time now than before we had kids, doesn’t mean we should take our friendships for granted. Here are some of the reasons why dads should value their friendships now, more than ever!

Good for your mental health Having the occasional catch up with your friends can do wonders for your mental health. Being a parent can be mentally and physically exhausting, so sometimes you just need to leave the house for a little while and have a good time, exchanging jokes with your friends and have dinner and a few drinks.

You also have the opportunity to: • See how your friends are doing. Friendship is a two-way street and sometimes, it gives your friends the opportunity to open up to you. They may be going through some rough times in their life and having a catch up will allow them to open up to you about their problems and have a bit of a rant. • Remind yourself that it’s okay to have fun once in a while. It’s understandable that if you’re a new dad, you may want to stick around at home and take on the baby duties, but it’s always good to take the time to relax. Being with friends and having a good time gives you a bit of a breather and the chance to reconnect again. • Feel less isolated. You may feel that with juggling work and family, you don’t have time for a social life. It’s important to make room to catch up with your friends every so often. It’s not only good for your self-esteem, but it also stops you from overthinking that your friends have drifted from you on purpose!

You have people you can relate to When your changing nappies, talking in baby speech and doing the errands, the routine of it all can feel a bit repetitive. However, when you catch up with your friends, you have people you can relate to and talk about things that are happening in the news, what recent TV shows you have been watching and more. Sometimes when you’re a parent, you forget to be your own person because you’re too busy putting the kids’ needs above yours (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing), however, when you see your friends, it helps you value your own individuality!

Having friends you relate to allows you to be: • Confident in who you are as a person. When we’re attached to our priorities, we might neglect our own needs and wants once. Seeing friends encourages you to seek out your goals and recognise your own wants are as an individual. • Thankful that you have people to turn to when going through problems. There’s nothing more reassuring than to hear your friends go, “I feel you” or “I know what you mean”. 52 December 2018 | mychild

DAD READ

It can be mind-boggling sometimes that we have to juggle so much as parents but it really puts things in perspective when you know that the people in your life are going through the same hurdles as you too. • Imperfect in your own perfect way. You may have friends who are parents too, sharing hilarious stories about their own kids and parenting troubles. If you’ve placed so much pressure on yourself lately, hearing stories like this can make you realise that we need to make the most of the imperfect journey that is parenting and embrace it while we can. While we as dads play an integral role in our children’s lives, we also have to be mindful the importance of nurturing our existing friendships as adults. No matter how crazy our schedules are, we must learn that having meaningful friendships can help boost our selfesteem, remind us that perfectionism is a pure myth and that it’s okay to be that ‘fun’ adult again once in a while. You don’t need to sacrifice your social life entirely just to fulfill your parenting duties. At the end of the day, just know that some people in your life have your back no matter what. In the words of Dionne Warwick, that’s what friends are for!

December 2018 | mychild

teaching gratitude Mum is all ears when it comes to her

Son's Health Written by: Karli Steenkamp 54 December 2018 | mychild

AWARENESS

Through a difficult pregnancy, Emma McDonald and her husband were relieved when their baby boy, Clancy was born. His parents soon realised that there were going to be a few challenges with their special baby boy. Clancy was diagnosed with Microtia and Atresia. Microtia is the malformation of the outer ear and Atresia is the absence of the ear canal. The ear and ear canal develop together, so usually, both these conditions go together. Emma’s pregnancy was difficult. Doctor’s were worried at her routine scan that something was wrong with Clancy. They thought it was chromosomal and that he wasn’t developing as well as he should. “They kept on saying that there is something that is not right, but they didn’t tell us what, they thought it was a hormonal type thing, so when he was born, my husband and I were both happy he was alive.” They didn’t realise that he was missing his ear until an hour after he was born. The doctors could only give them a proper diagnosis two days later, leaving them worried and confused. Microtia and Atresia affects 1 in 6000 babies worldwide. Microtia happens more often in the right ear and boys are prone to this condition.

December 2018 | mychild

TClancy had to see an audiologist at 3, 5 and 7 weeks and they found that he does have hearing on his left side and on his right side, but because his right side has no ear canal there is a blockage, which is called conductive hearing loss. When he was two months old, he got fitted with a hearing aid. Because he has no ear, he has a headband that keeps it in place. It was important for them to get him a hearing aid to not hinder his development. “You have to be an advocate for your child and give him the best - it’s like if I had a child with one leg. He is different in the way that your brain develops in two parts, so it is really important that you hear with both ears.” Emma and her husband try to give their children a normal life and take these challenges in their stride. “We just wanted to put him in the best playgroup and best support network we could have. We have two older kids and we kind of wanted to normalise it for them. Let them be included and let them be aware that he is missing an ear and that is okay.” Clancy, who is four months old, loves his hearing aid. “When he wakes up after a sleep and we put it on, he just lights up as soon as it is on. He is starting to turn his head towards the aided side, which is really cool to see.” Emma wants to take the stigma away that people with hearing loss will have difficulty and be teased. “People will say he will probably get bullied for not having an ear and I think you know. people get bullied for the type of shoes they wear. Don’t take away giving your children the best opportunities because you are worried that they are going to be bullied. “I am still at the beginning of this journey with Clancy, so I am still learning, but this is for the parents particularly. Don’t be ashamed of it.” Emma says that in the beginning, she was thinking about what could happen to him. “I asked myself why I am thinking so negative about it? Why can’t I see it in a different light? What can we do to make him build resilience and teach him that he is okay?”

56 December 2018 | mychild

AWARENESS

They got involved with Hear and Say - a Queensland organisation. Clancy receives fortnightly therapy. They have to only pay a minimal amount and as a thank you, Emma, did a fundraiser to raise awareness. There are many kids that have one-sided hearing loss. “We did a cupcake day at a local park and one of the local cupcake stores donated half of it. We made some play dough, mum packs to give to the mums. It is important to raise awareness and let people know that there are organisations that can help. It is important to have the function of both ears. “I recently learned that even if you have one good ear like if Clancy gets a cold, his good ear could get blocked up and then he might not have any hearing. I think it is good that the free hearing screening is available. Because people label kids as naughty but sometimes it just comes back to hearing.” Clancy will in a few years time, hopefully, get his ear reconstructed. But he will have a normal childhood, thanks to his parents. “I just want him to be a kind kid and to be accepting of other people. And not to put limits on himself. He is going to be completely fine. I have three kids and I teach them to be resilient and they don’t have to have what everyone else has. I teach them to be accepting of other people that are not the same.” References: Hear and say With thanks to Emma McDonald and Sarah Matulin

December 2018 | mychild

Written by Karli SteenkampÂ 58 December 2018 | mychild

From Ricotta Pancakes to Zucchini Fritters, Sophie Guidolin has nailed the recipes in her newest cookbook ‘My Kids Eat Volume 2”. There is something for everyone in the family. It is fun, delicious and healthy. Sophie has created a fun-filled recipe book with recipes like Humpy Dumpty Toast and The Hulk Pasta. She has really made sure that her recipes are for the best cooks and the people who don’t even know how to use a spatula. Sophie is a nutritionist, master trainer, gym owner and world-renowned fitness model as well as a mother of four. She has over 1 million followers on social media, which proves what an impact she makes on people’s lives. When Sophie was pregnant with her first child, she gained 28 kilos and developed gestational diabetes because of an unhealthy lifestyle. That made her change her diet and started weight training and over 12 weeks she lost 30 kilos. This inspired her to share her views and ideas with the world. Sophie shared her thoughts and inspiration about ‘My Kids Eat Volume 2’

My Kids Eat Volume 2 has over 65 recipes and there is something for everyone to eat in your cookbook. What was your inspiration for your cookbooks and where do you get your ideas? I love to encourage my own children to choose their own meals as I believe allowing them to have the choice gives them a greater sense of independence and they tend to eat the meals they select. Having four kids, I don’t have time to make different meals for each child, so I let them all choose a different recipe for each night. My eldest is now 11 so he is able to make the recipes now, which is amazing.  Many of my ideas are adapted from other recipes or altered according to my own children’s palettes.

December 2018 | mychild

Each recipe only has about five steps each, which make it easy for anyone to do. Anyone can be healthy and creative with these recipes. Why is it so important for you to be an ambassador for a healthy lifestyle? I believe that we are our greatest role models for our children. Often our kids may try new things or stray from their childhood routines, but normally we go back to our favourites. My goal is that my own children develop an understanding for nutrition and know how to cook and what certain foods do to fuel their bodies.

What advice do you have to help parents encourage their kids to be healthy and stay away from junk food?  I think everything in balance, I also believe that kids are our greatest mimickers. They pick up on what we do so vastly. If we choose mangoes for dessert, pretty soon they will be begging for them- that’s the case for us anyway.

What is your philosophy for eating?  My philosophy is pretty simple. Keep your foods as close to their natural state as possible, and eat a lot of variety. Remember food is our fuel, we need food and it is never the enemy.

You had a difficult pregnancy and you developed gestational diabetes. Was that a driving force for your success or have you always been passionate about healthy eating? I was pregnant with my first son. It certainly was my first step as a wake-up call that I needed to change! Growing up my mum was very passionate, so it was instilled into me from a very early age. We grew up eating no processed foods and only foods we grew or harvested. It really did set me up for life.

You have a large household and everyone has their own tastes. What do you do if your children don’t want to eat what is on the table?  We don’t push it. I believe like us adults, kids appetites vary and change often. Sometimes our children eat seconds or thirds, other nights barely a plate. I also believe it is important for them to be able to select their favourite foods and preferences.

60 December 2018 | mychild

Why do you think it is important to encourage kids to help in the kitchen?  I like that my 11 year old is able to make us a whole family dinner and cooking is an integral part of a healthy lifestyle. This is really important to me.

Your cookbook is visually beautiful, it has cool names and the food looks delicious. What is your favourite recipe and why? Chicken Meatballs, they serve well, store well and are so versatile- lunchboxes, dinners or snacks. The kids love them but so do adults.

You have so many followers. How does it feel to know that you inspire so many people?  It’s a pretty crazy thought. I remember one of my friends telling me it was like having an entire grandstand full of people/ that was overwhelming!

What is next for you?  My philosophy is pretty simple. Keep your foods as close to their natural state as possible, and eat a lot of variety. Remember food is our fuel, we need food and it is never the enemy. We have so many incredible projects we are working on now and I am certainly one who is always looking forward so I cannot wait to show you what’s coming! Sophie is an inspirational woman, who helps all parents to see how easy it is to make food fun. Her cookbook is creative, her ideas are brilliant and the pictures make your mouth

Book: My Kids Eat Volume 2 by Sophie Guidolin, rrp: 44.95; Paperback. December 2018 | mychild

Plan 1 Meal Breakfast

Ingredients

Veg Fruit Grain Serves Serves Serves

Porridge:

Daily Lean Serves Meat Serves 1

cup oats, 1 cup low fat milk and 1 medium banana

Morning Tea

Crispbreads with tuna, cheese, & tomato

3 crispbreads, 1 tin tuna, 2 slices low fat cheese, 1 tomato

Lunch

Wholegrain Egg Sandwich

1/2

2 slices wholegrain bread, 1 boiled egg, 1 cup mixed salad

Afternoon Tea Dinner

Potato Salad

1/2

1/2 cup potato salad made with greek yoghurt

Spaghetti Bolognese

65g cooked lean beef mince, 1 cup pasta, 1 cup “hidden” vegetables- carrot, broccoli, mushrooms, cup tomato pasta sauce

Evening Fruit Salad & Yoghurt Snack 1 cup mixed fruit, 200g yoghurt Total Serves

1 5

3.5

2.5

Plan2 Meal

Breakfast

Ingredients

Eggs and Soldiers

Veg Fruit Grain Serves Serves Serves 1

Daily Lean Serves Meat Serves 1

2 boiled eggs, 1 piece wholegrain toast, cup baked beans

Morning Tea Lunch

Grapes and Yoghurt

150g grapes, 200g yoghurt

Wholegrain Chicken and Salad Wrap

1/2

40g chicken, 1x cheese slice, 1 cup mixed salad (lettuce, tomato etc. )

Afternoon Rice cake with peanut butter, carrot Tea & celery sticks with cottage cheese 2 rice cakes with 1 tbs peanut butter, cup celery and carrot, cup cottage cheese

Dinner

Lamb Kebabs with Vegetables

65g cooked lamb, ½ cup brown rice, 1 cup cooked vegetables- carrot, broccoli, peas, pumpkin

Evening

Banana & Milk

1 medium banana, 250ml low fat milk

Total Serves 62 December 2018 | mychild

3.5

2.5

December 2018 | mychild

64 December 2018 | mychild

RELATIONSHIP

sleeping in separate beds:

What it means for your

relationship

By: Jana Angeles December 2018 | mychild

Sleeping in separate beds doesn’t mean your relationship is hitting rock bottom - it may be a smart move for you and your partner. If you have come to the conclusion that you both rather sleep in separate beds, it doesn’t mean you lose the intimacy of your relationship. Being apart is is keeping you together and if you are having problems sleeping in the same room as your partner, consider being in separate rooms and see how you feel about the situation. There are numerous benefits to sleeping separately from your partner, which may help improve your relationship with each other:

You’ll be waking up happier There’s nothing quite like waking up from a nice, long sleep. If you and your partner have had your fair share of arguments because one of you isn’t getting a good night’s rest, it’s a quick and easy fix to sleep in separate rooms instead. Waking up happier not only contributes to a person’s wellbeing, but it has a positive impact on their health too.

Less pressure on intimacy When you’re sharing the same bed, you may feel pressured to have sex with your partner because of you being so close together. Sleeping separately means that there’s less pressure from you when it comes to intimacy with your partner. You also save the embarrassment of rejecting one another for sex if either one of you is simply too exhausted to do it.

You have some alone time to yourself If you’re an introvert, you will understand that having some alone time is what you need to feel recharged and ready to socialise again. It’s nothing personal, you just want to be left alone. When you have some time to yourself, you get to do the things that you want without any distractions. As much as you love and care for your partner, sometimes you just need silence to read a good book in your own bed. This is where sleeping in separate rooms could come in handy! Before you decide to sleep separately with your partner, here are some key takeaways you should consider before making the move: • Assess your living situation. If you only have a two-bedroom apartment and have a child together, take turns sharing the couch until you both can afford to upgrade to a house with more rooms. • Identify the problems that may occur when you and your partner share the bed. If you’re concerned about your partner snoring or if they go to the toilet more often than you do, communicate how both of you will approach the issue. • Don’t let other people judge you. If you have decided to take the step in sleeping separately with your partner, then good for you. There’s no need to feel ashamed that you have your own rooms. It just goes to show that you and your partner have a forward-thinking mindset when it comes to making these type of decisions together.

66 December 2018 | mychild

RELATIONSHIP

• Show respect for your partner if they are encouraging you to sleep separately. Don’t dismiss their wishes just because they no longer want to share the same bed as you. Put yourself in their shoes first before coming to the conclusion that they no longer have romantic feelings for you anymore. • Talk to your children about sleeping separately. They may feel very confused and wonder why you and your partner have decided to not sleep together anymore. Reassure them that you are not fighting, showcasing maturity in your decision-making. • Embrace the change. You may have been sleeping with your partner in the same bed for years and only now have decided its best to sleep separately. It may feel weird at first but if it’s a decision that both of you felt strongly about, it was one worth making! Sleeping in separate beds does not make you and your partner different from any other relationship out there. Many couples eventually make the switch to sleep in their own beds and it may be because they wanted to respect their partner’s wishes of personal space, convenience as well as minimising any distractions that could cause interrupted sleep. You are only doing what’s best for your own relationship so don’t let other people’s judgements get you down.

December 2018 | mychild

The cold, hard truth...

or is it?!

By: Sheree Hoddinett 68 December 2018 | mychild

BLOGGER I don’t know how I do it. I just do. Do what, you ask? Live. Be a mum. Get work done. Try to have somewhat of a relationship with my partner. And somehow stay on top of everything, like housework, groceries and all the other mundane aspects of life we have to do. So, how do I do it? I’m not really sure some days, well most days, but I just do it because I have to. And you know what, I don’t go out to a full time job either. Nope, I have the “fun” of working from home. So, hats off to you ladies (and full time dads too, we can’t forget them) who manage to pull off the complete package, a full time job and full time parenting! No matter which heading you come under, you’re doing well (especially if the kids are still on the go, haha!).  I am realistic and I know we can’t have it all. But, as always, expectations often surpass reality. Whenever I need a reality check, my girls are pretty quick to bring me back down to earth. “Mummy I’m finished” (on the toilet that is, so my bottom-wiping services are required) or someone has thrown up, spilt food or drink everywhere, you know all the “fun” stuff kids literally throw your way. Essentially, we are their full-time slaves for at least the first five or six years, in varying degrees of course, as they learn and forge their own path in the world. It’s a catch-22 really. You want them to learn and do things for themselves, but a small teeny tiny part (okay, so it might be a bit bigger than I let on) of you worries about the day they won’t need you anymore. Although, I still need my mum now, but it’s different. She’s my shopping partner in crime, when we can find the time! But she’s just there when I need her. As a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on or just for some company; I know I’d be lost without her. I hope I can have the same relationship with my beautiful girls in the coming years. Although, I do worry about the two-to-one ratio, seeing as they fight over me enough now! The sooner we realise we can’t have it all, the sooner we realise there is no such thing as a perfect parent. Haha, who I am kidding?! We don’t live in a perfect world and we mums - parents in general really - will continue to impose unrealistic expectations on ourselves for many generations and years to come. Why do we it ourselves? We live in a world where there’s this “ideal” way things should look. We all acknowledge it and try to conform in varying amounts because we feel like failures if we don’t. Well, maybe not everyone but I’ve certainly felt my fair of judgement for not conforming to what is deemed the “way it should be”. I’m very much an individual, I’ve usually always done things my way (just ask my family, haha). But I certainly felt and still do feel a huge amount of pressure as a mum to do things a certain way because that’s just how it is. I can’t explain exactly what it is, but it certainly had a huge impact on my depression and anxiety. There is no right or wrong way to do a lot of things when it comes to parenting but we will continue to judge ourselves and others for who knows how long to come. Maybe one day we’ll move past the barriers but until then, chocolate and wine will still be my very good friends, but only in small doses of course! If you’re up for some more reading, feel free to drop by my website sometime www. shereekim.com. You might get a laugh or just commiserate along with me, haha! On that note, after yet another crazy year has passed by in what feels very much like a blurry whirlwind, I’d like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. However you choose to spend it, enjoy it as much as you can and maybe throw in a sneaky glass of something special too, I might just join you! Until next time... December 2018 | mychild

TO REVI

By: Shere

70 December 2018 | mychild

OY IEWS

ee Hoddinett

December 2018 | mychild

TOY REV I E W S By: Sheree Hoddinett JELLYCAT LEFFY ELF

$ 44.95 RRP

Leffy Elf is a helpful pal, making toys and games for Santa. It’s cold at the North Pole, so Leffy’s cheeks are as red as those boots and candy cane socks! They go so well with that fine grassy coat, mittens and gold stitched buttons. But why does an elf need pointy, foldy ears? To listen for sleighbells in the snow! OUR VERDICT

4/5

Christmas is upon us and it’s time for the cute and festive toys to make an appearance. Leffy is one cheeky looking elf and has already made an impression on two very excited little girls in my house. We all know Christmas is coming here! You can’t help but feel the excitement and magic of Christmas by adding that little touch with a soft toy. Leffy gives great hugs but also looks just as cute sitting on a shelf. Maybe a different approach to elf on a shelf this year?! Available from: Independence Studios – www.isgift.com MAGIC CRYSTAL CHRISTMAS KIT

$ 19.99 RRP

Add even more magic to Christmas by growing your very own Christmas tree, snowman and Santa. Watch them grow in 10 hours. Follow the instructions included and your first crystals will start to appear in 1 to 2 hours. Crystals will be fully formed in around 10 hours. OUR VERDICT

5/5

The little kid in me may have gotten a little bit excited about the prospect of giving this one a go! Although Christmas can be a mad, busy and rushed time of year, there is so much magic about the season and awesome toys like this one make it even better! It really is as simple as following the instructions and watching the magic happen before your eyes. Two little impatient people in my house may have gotten sick of waiting but were still very excited to see the finished product. Bring on the silly season! Available from: Independence Studios – www.isgift.com, Kidstuff, Embellish Gifts, Buy My Things 72 December 2018 | mychild

VTECH FIRST STEPS BABY WALKER

$ 69.95 RRP

Watch your little one take their first precious steps with this award winning 2-in-1 walking and activity centre. The house-shaped activity panel encourages independent play and first words, while the textured wheels, easy grip handle and durable design, give babies the support they need to take their first steps. The fun-filled activity panel has more than 10 different activities to capture your baby’s attention, including bright light up number buttons, moving gears, shape sorters, a wobbling bird, opening door and rollers, or pick up the phone for role-play fun. The activity panel can also be removed from the walker for extra sit-down play. With lots of exciting activities, OUR VERDICT

4/5

One of the many things you look forward to as a parent is those cute little first steps. This walker is a bright, colourful little helper in that department. As an added bonus, it doubles as an activity (entertainment) centre as well, so those little babies not quite on their feet, can enjoy some bright colourful fun in the lead up. There’s lots of walkers/activity centres to choose from out there, but this bright, melodic number is a great choice and will keep your cheeky munchkin happy for hours! Available from: Target, Big W and other toy retailers VTECH SECRET SAFE DIARY COLOUR

$ 53.95 RRP

Keep your secrets safe from prying eyes with the Secret Safe Diary Colour. This beautifully designed diary has a large colour screen, great for diary entry writing and playing games on. Unlock the diary with your voice, create your own voice password to protect all of your memories and secrets and add a number OUR VERDICT

5/5

Oh the drama has begun already, haha! With two girls, when anything pink and pretty turns up, it doesn’t take long to capture their attention and this diary was no exception. Diaries have certainly come a long way from the old pen and paper little lock and key number from when I was little. Even I can admit, I wanted to play with it as well. Someone had to help set it up (wink wink!). What makes this diary even better is its voice activation, meaning no older, or possibly younger, siblings can go reading all your lovey dovey entries that you don’t want anyone else knowing about! Every little secret is safe in this diary and it’s lots of fun too. Available from: Crayons, Mr Toys Toyworld December 2018 | mychild

74 December 2018 | mychild

reviews BOOK

By: Amy Adeney

December 2018 | mychild 75 October 2018 | mychild

ANIMALPHABET by: Julia Donaldson & Sharon King-Chai From acclaimed children’s author Julia Donaldson comes an interactive and charming adventure through the animal kingdom. Each page is filled with interesting questions about animals, bold colours and shapes, peep-through holes and flaps to life, enabling readers to explore a beautifully vibrant world of huge elephants, slithery snakes and growling tigers. This would make a fantastic gift for animal-lovers aged 2 and up.

ALL THE WAYS TO BE SMART by: Davina Bell & Allison Colpoys This is the highly anticipated new book from the author-illustrator team who brought us last year’s beautiful book Under The Love Umbrella. Once again, Bell and Colpoys have created a modern classic with an important message – being smart is about much more than academic success. With a unique and vibrant colour palette and lovely rhyming text, this book is a reminder that in today’s achievement-driven society, all children are smart in their own ways. This is sure to become a family favourite for children aged 3 and up.

76 December 2018 | mychild

RAINBOW MENAGERIE by: Linda Jackson This is the first picture book from Linda Jackson, an Australian pioneer of fashion and art. It is a kaleidoscopic introduction to native Australian animals inspired by Jackson’s wanderings through the outback. The brilliant colours and bold patterns make this book a celebration of the rainbow, and a spectacular way to introduce young children to this Australian icon’s distinctive style. Each page also ends with an interesting question to spark discussion, making this a fantastic book to share with children aged 3 and up.

TRICKY’S BAD DAY by: Alison Lester From the author-illustrator of Australian classics such as Kissed by the Moon, Imagine and Magic Beach comes a fun and engaging new book for kids aged 3 and up. Inspired by spending time with her seven grandchildren, Lester wanted to share the important message that even the worst of bad days can be turned around by spending some time in the great outdoors. Considering that 66% of Australian children don’t spend adequate time in physical activity for healthy development, and that outdoor play is a proven remedy for increasingly common disorders such as anxiety, ADHD and depression, this book could not be

December 2018 | mychild

Karen McDermott:

How does She do it all Written by: Karlie Steenkamp

Karen Mcdermott is an ambitious mum of six, who has the recipe for a great balance between motherhood and her career. She is a mother, an author, owner of Everton Publishing Company, speaker and runs an academy for aspiring writers. In 2016, she won an Ausmumpreneur award. She is a humble woman that knows what she wants. Her path wasn’t always easy, but she surely does not let any obstacle get in her way. She shared her secrets on how she does it all. Karen moved to Australia in 2008 when she was 35 weeks pregnant with her third child. “It was the best thing ever. I started writing when we came over,” says Karen who had three more children in Australia. When asked how she gets to do everything with six kids she says, “One takes up so much more time, when you start to put other kids in the mix, they help each other. They are playing and I am able to write my book. That is my happy flow. That is the essence of success for me. 78 December 2018 | mychild

I take my kids to school and pick them up. That is my non-negotiable. During school holidays I take off because that is where my balance is.” She suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder due to an incident that happened before she moved to Australia. She also suffered a miscarriage and lost twins, a boy and a girl. “When I lost the twins I woke up. That is why I started writing. I wrote a book about what happened to me. It is a novel called ‘The Visitor’ .” Her quote that she strongly believes in “In every negative situation is the potential for a positive outcome,” is a motto she lives by. Having a bad self-publishing experience, she got the opportunity to become a publisher for a company. “I always believe that when time and circumstances align, magic happens.”

REAL LIFE She started her academy because she wanted to help more people publish their books and be successful while doing it. Karen doesn’t mind sharing her secrets to success and she doesn’t do anything half. “I hire a castle in Ireland and I bring authors of Australia to Ireland to experience what it’s like. It is like a Downton Abbey experience on a writing retreat. I do big things, but I don’t fear, because I challenge my knowing and I know that it is exactly what I must be doing at that time and it’s all aligned.” She believes if you enjoy your journey, it happens much more. “Once you start to take action and its aligned with your vision, these opportunities that you never really thought of start coming to you.” Karen works hard during the term to take off during the holidays. Parenting never takes a holiday. She finds the balance by prioritising what needs her focus at that time and that is where she put her energy to. Her advice for other parents is to find a balance. “People talk about the perfect balance, that’s not going to happen. Make it work for you. Just remember that by doing something for yourself and following your passions, you are being your best self for your children. And I never compare myself to others and I don’t worry about what other people say.” If you want to start a business, start with what you know and build on it. “Magic happens right outside of your comfort zone.” With her busy schedule and six kids, it can be difficult for her and her husband to spend time together. They will try and watch a movie together or take time whenever they can. It is not always easy trying to juggle her lifestyle and that is why she writes. “Writing is like a meditation to me. It is my selfish time.” There are days that are a bit overwhelming and then she takes a time-out, has a coffee, go to the beach and rebalance. The next day she can work hard again to catch up. “If I push to get it done then it doesn’t have my good energy. It won’t get done as efficiently as when I just rebalance.” She definitely makes it look easy. “If I can do it as a mother of six, then so can you. She proves that you should not give up on your dreams and you do not have to sacrifice things. It is about a balance that works for you. “When everything is aligned it works. People must embrace it.”

December 2018 | mychild

GET THE LOOK

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K: INTERIORS

December 2018 | mychild

KIDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ROOM 82 December 2018 | mychild

WESTEROS Pouffe, White

$119.00

Oscar bed - double

$799.00 Plush Luxury Shag Rug in Crisp White - 225x155cm

www.incyinteriors.com.au

$335.00 www.livingstyles.com.au

December 2018 | mychild

Dalmatian Spots Wall Stencils

$57.00

Table Lamp Mercury Glass Base

www.etsy.com/au

$301.50 www.golights.com.au

Clear Acrylic Floating Shelf

Piper 2 Drawer Bedside Table by In Home Furniture Style

$60.00

$114.00

www.ebay.com.au

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www.templeandwebster.com.

Waffle Quilt Cover Set â&#x20AC;&#x201C; White

$29.00

Horse Pinto with Saddle noble by Bocchetta Plush

www.target.com.au

$36.00 www.stuffedwithplushtoys.com

Bashful Lemon Bunny

$28.00 www.mightyape.com.au

December 2018 | mychild

NURSERY ROOM 86 December 2018 | mychild

Silver Moroccan Pouf

$179.00 www.cushandco.com.au

Cloud Rug

$29.00 www.fantasticfurniture.com.au

Hugh Arm Chair Linen White

$599.00 www.blackmango.com.au

December 2018 | mychild

Grotime Chateau Cot - White Washed

$649.00 www.babyandtoddlertown.com.au

Sonya Table Lamp by Mercator

$139.00 www.templeandwebster.com.au

Alimrose Tulle Cloud Mobile Pale Pink & Silver

Piper 2 Drawer Bedside Table by In Home Furniture Style

$38.36

$114.00

www.sillymillymoo.com.au

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www.templeandwebster.com.

Grotime Chateau Chest - White Wash

$649.00 www.babyandtoddlertown.com.

KIDS BY PILLOW TALK Aurora Canopy

$129.95 www.pillowtalk.com.au

Swan Princess Cloud Shape Cushion by Pilbeam Textiles

$26.95 www.templeandwebster.com.

Miffy LED Lamp Small

$289.95 www.mynightlight.com.au

December 2018 | mychild

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SHOP:

KIDS

FASHION

December 2018 | mychild

SHOP KIDS Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in our store this month

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BABY

UNDER

GIRL Baby Chambray Star Print Dress

$ 20 RRP

Baby Caris Prewalker Ballet Flats

$ 12 RRP

Sista Slogan Sequin T-Shirt

$ 15 RRP

Tutu’s & Tambourines Hydrangea Scuba Skirt

$ 20 RRP Tutu’s & Tambourines Hydrangea Scuba Skirt

$ 16 RRP www.target.com

UNDER

Sista Slog rosie ra ra dress

kiera dress

$ 69.99 RRP

glitter baby shoe

$ 39.00 RRP www.bardot.com

splurge

milly studded sandal

$ 54.99 RRP

RALPH LAUREN Print shirt dress and matching knickers

KENZO KIDS Sequined dress with flounces

$ 131.00 RRP

$ 334.00 RRP

CHLOÉ Mini me leather baby Mary Janes

$ 216.00

DOLCE & GABBANA Patent leather sandals

$ 332.00 RRP

www.melijoe.com.au

December 2018 | mychild

BABY

UNDER

BOY Baby Shirt And Braces Romper

$ 15 RRP Tutuâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s & Tambourines Hydrange Baby Carey Pre-walker Chambray Shoes

$ 12 RRP

Fixed Waist Chino Shorts

$ 12 RRP

Super Nintendo Controller T-Shirt

$ 14 RRP

Enzo Junior Twin Tab Canvas Shoes

$ 12 RRP

www.target.com

slub ashton tee

UNDER

1st boss grow

$ 34.99 RRP

$ 44.99 RRP denim chino shorts

$ 54.99 RRP baby trainers

$ 39.99 RRP contrast velcro sneaker

$ 59.99 RRP

www.bardot.com

slub ashton tee

splurge

$ 277.00 RRP ADIDAS ORIGINALSStan Smith leather sneakers

$ 43.00 RRP www.melijoe.com.au 94 December 2018 | mychild

slub ashton tee

$ 165.00 RRP BURBERRY Check print shorts

$ 191.00 RRP

SHOP KIDS Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in our store this month

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tropical jumpsuit for $ 45.95

98 December 2018 | mychild

striped dress for $ 15.95

December 2018 | mychild

jacquard dress for $ 19.95

100 December 2018 | mychild

leaf print dress for $ 25.95 December 2018 | mychild

101

dress with frilled sleeves for $29.95 102 December 2018 | mychild

three-tone printed dress for $39.95 dress with frilled sleeves for $29.95

December 2018 | mychild

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strappy checked jumpsuit for $25.95 104 December 2018 | mychild

dress with embroidered shoulder ruffle for $25.95 December 2018 | mychild

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Recipes december 2018

December 2018 | mychild

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Three-ingredient Nutella crepes METHOD • Step 1. Sift the flour into a bowl and make a well in the centre. Whisk the eggs, Nutella and 125ml (1/2 cup) water in a jug until smooth. Pour the egg mixture into the well and stir until combined. Set aside for 10 minutes to rest. • Step 2. Grease a small non-stick frying pan and heat over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons batter to the pan and swirl to make a 16cm crepe (it won’t be as thin as a traditional crepe). Cook for 2 minutes or until lightly browned underneath and almost set on top. Carefully turn and cook for a further 30 seconds. Transfer to a plate and keep warm. • Step 3. Repeat with the remaining batter to make 12 crepes. Divide the crepes among serving plates. Drizzle with the extra warmed Nutella. Serve with ice-cream and strawberries, if you like. 110 December 2018 | mychild

0:20 Prep 0:30 Cook Makes 12 Easy INGREDIENTS • 75g (1/2 cup) self-raising flour • 3 eggs • 150g (1/2 cup) Nutella, plus extra, warmed, to serve • Vanilla ice-cream, to serve (optional) • Sliced strawberries, to serve (optional)

break

The ultimate breakfast toastie METHOD 0:15 Prep 0:10 Cook 2 Servings INGREDIENTS • 2 eggs • 4 thick slices white country loaf or ‘toast’ bread • 4 tablespoons Obela Classic Hommus Spread 375g • 140g thinly sliced leg ham • 20g baby spinach • 2 roma tomatoes, thinly sliced • 4 slices cheddar

kfast

• Step 1. Place the eggs in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to the boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and simmer for 5-7 minutes for hard-boiled or until cooked to your liking. Drain and cool under cold running water. Peel. Thickly slice. • Step 2. Preheat a sandwich press. Spread 4 slices of bread with 1 tablespoon Obela Smooth Classic Hommus each. Divide the spinach, egg, ham, tomato and cheese between 2 slices. Season well. Cover with remaining slices, hommus side down. • Step 3. Place in the sandwich press. Close lid and cook for 1-2 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Cut in half to serve.

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Egg and rice parcels METHOD • Step 1. Cook rice following absorption method on packet. Set aside to cool slightly. Meanwhile, heat oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic. Cook, stirring, for 2 minutes or until tender. Add carrot and capsicum. Cook, stirring, for 2 minutes or until vegetables start to soften. • Step 2. Add rice. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute or until combined. Add peas and corn, soy sauce and kecap manis. Cook, stirring, for 2 minutes or until combined. Transfer to a bowl. Cover with foil to keep warm. • Step 3. Crack 1 egg into a bowl. Whisk with a fork. Spray a 16cm (base) non-stick frying pan with oil. Heat over medium-high heat. Pour egg into pan. Swirl to coat base of pan. Cook for 30 seconds or until set. Transfer to a plate. Cover to keep warm. Repeat with remaining eggs. • Step 4. Place 1 omelette on a flat surface. Place 1/4 cup rice mixture in centre. Fold in corners to form a parcel. Transfer, seam side down, to a plate. Repeat with remaining omelettes and rice mixture. 112 December 2018 | mychild

0:25 Prep 0:40 Cook Makes 8 INGREDIENTS • 1/2 cup brown rice • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil • 1/2 small brown onion, finely chopped • 2 garlic cloves, crushed • 1 small carrot, peeled, finely chopped • 1/2 small red capsicum, finely chopped • 1/2 cup frozen peas and corn • 2 teaspoons salt-reduced soy sauce • 2 teaspoons ABC kecap manis • 8 eggs

lun

Salmon patties METHOD 0:05 Prep 0:08 Cook 2 Servings INGREDIENTS • 2 Tassal Fresh salmon portions, skin off • 1 red onion • 2 eggs • 1 tablespoon parsley • 1 tablespoon lemon juice • 1 cup breadcrumbs • Coleslaw, to serve

• Step 1. Dice salmon into cubes and chop onion and parsley • Step 2. In a blender, combine salmon, onion and parsley with eggs and lemon juice and blend into a paste mixture. • Step 3. Shape mixture into patties, coat lightly in breadcrumbs and pan fry for 6-8 mins, turning once, until golden. Serve with coleslaw.

nch December 2018 | mychild

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Roast dinner meatloaf METHOD • Step 1. Heat oil in a small frying pan over mediumhigh heat. Cook onion, stirring, for 5 minutes or until softened. Add garlic. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute or until fragrant. Remove from heat. Set aside to cool for 10 minutes. • Step 2. Meanwhile, make Pumpkin Mash Topping: Place pumpkin and potato in separate saucepans. Cover with cold water. Bring to the boil. Boil, uncovered, for 12 to 15 minutes or until tender. Drain. Mash potato. Add butter and milk. Season with salt and pepper. Mash pumpkin until smooth. Cover to keep warm. • Step 3. Preheat oven to 180C/160C fan-forced. Grease a 4.5cm-deep, 20cm square cake pan. Line base and sides with baking paper, extending paper 3cm above the edges of the pan. Place mince, zucchini, peas, egg, breadcrumbs, barbecue and worcestershire sauces, mustard, parsley and onion mixture in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Mix well to combine. Spoon mixture into prepared pan, pressing with the back of a spoon to level. • Step 4. Bake for 30 minutes or until browned. Remove from oven. Increase temperature to 200C/180C fan-forced. Spoon mashed potato and mashed pumpkin alternately on top of meatloaf. Using the back of a spoon swirl mixtures together. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake for 25 minutes or until potato is golden. Stand meatloaf in pan for 10 minutes. Lift onto a plate. Serve meatloaf with gravy and beans. 114 December 2018 | mychild

0:25 Prep 1:15 Cook 6 Servings INGREDIENTS • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil • 1 brown onion, finely chopped • 3 garlic cloves, crushed • 750g beef mince • 1 zucchini, coarsely grated • 1/2 cup frozen peas • 1 egg, lightly beaten • 1/2 cup dried breadcrumbs • 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce • 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce • 1 tablespoon dijon mustard • 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves • 1/2 cup coarsely grated cheddar • 1 1/2 cups gravy, to serve • 300g green beans, steamed, to serve

din

Bubble and squeak dinner 0:10 Prep 0:45 Cook 4 Servings INGREDIENTS • 30g butter • 1 leek, trimmed, halved, washed, thinly sliced • 4 cups leftover roast vegetables (see related recipe) • 1 tablespoon dijon mustard • 2 teaspoons olive oil • 4 eggs • Baby spinach, to serve

nner

METHOD • Step 1. Melt 20g butter in a 20cm (base) heavy-based, non-stick, flameproof frying pan over medium heat. Add leek. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes or until softened. Add roast vegetables. Cook, stirring, for 5 to 10 minutes or until heated through. Transfer to a large heatproof bowl. Add mustard. Season with salt and pepper. Roughly mash. • Step 2. Melt remaining butter in pan over low heat. Add vegetable mixture. Spread over base of pan, pressing down firmly. Cook for 12 to 15 minutes or until base is crisp • Step 3. Preheat grill on high. Place pan under grill. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until top is golden. Stand for 5 minutes. Turn out onto a plate or board. • Step 4. Meanwhile, heat oil in a non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Cook eggs on 1 side for 2 minutes or until eggwhites are set and yolks still soft. Cut bubble and squeak into wedges. Serve with baby spinach and eggs. December 2018 | mychild

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Creamy banana sesame desserts METHOD • Step 1. Divide bananas among six 250ml (1 cup) serving bowls. Top with half the Sesame Snaps, then yoghurt, then remaining Sesame Snaps and dates.

116 December 2018 | mychild

0:10 Prep 6 Servings INGREDIENTS • 4 (about 700g) ripe large bananas, peeled, chopped • 4 40g pkts Sesame Snaps (Golden Days Natural Product brand), separated, roughly chopped • 3 200g containers Lite French Vanilla Yoghurt (Yoplait brand) • 6 fresh dates, halved, pitted, sliced

dess

Bubble and squeak dinner 5:15 Prep 6 Servings INGREDIENTS • 85g pkt strawberry jelly crystals • 425g can fruit salad, well drained • 9 Unibic sponge fingers biscuits (savoiardi), chopped • 600ml carton custard • Strawberries, to serve

METHOD • Step 1. Make up the jelly according to packet instructions. Set aside to cool slightly. Divide the fruit among 6 small glasses. Pour the jelly evenly over the fruit. Refrigerate for 3-4 hours or until set. • Step 2. Sprinkle the biscuits evenly over the jelly. Pour over the custard. Refrigerate for 2-3 hours to allow the biscuits to soften. • Step 3. Top with the strawberries, to serve.

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guide gift

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Babies

Harper Grey Elephant Mobile

Alimrose Abigail Baby Christmas Fairy

$79.00

$39.95

www.potterybarnkids.com.

www.hipkids.com.au/

Fisher-Price Chatter Phone

$13.95 www.myer.com.au 120 December 2018 | mychild

Bunnykins ABC 5-piece Melamine Dinner Set

Beatrix Potter Peter Rabbit building blocks

$29.95

www.myer.com.au/

www.hipkids.com.au/

Playgro Ball Activity Nest

$99.95 www.myer.com.au

Hiccups Spidey Novelty Cushion

Woodland Activity Gym

$149.00

$29.95

www.potterybarnkids.com.au/

www.myer.com.au

Silicone Animal Teethers

$9.50 www.potterybarnkids.com.au/

December 2018 | mychild

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toddlers

STACKING TOY - UNICORN

UKULELE - PINA COLADA

$24.95

$49.95

www.sunnylife.com.au/

www.sunnylife.com.au/ Wooden Moon Doll Pram

$109.95 www.hipkids.com.au/

122 December 2018 | mychild

Baghera Rider Car

$229.95

Discoveroo Aeroplane Play Set

www.hipkids.com.au/

$45.95 www.hipkids.com.au

Nightlight Panda

$49.95 www.hipkids.com.au

Kids Steel Toy Wheelbarrow LEGO Duplo Gentle Giants Petting Zoo

$39.95

$29.00

www.hipkids.com.au

www.myer.com.au

Le Toy Van Honeybake Chococchino Kids Coffee

$41.95

Aquadoodle Classic Colour

www.jellybeankidz.com.au

$39.95 www.discounttoyco.com.au/ December 2018 | mychild

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DIVE BUDDIES - MERMAID

$19.95 www.sunnylife.com.au

Porcelain Princess Tea Set

$89.95 www.potterybarnkids.com.

BEACH SOUNDS - RAINBOW

$69.95 www.sunnylife.com.au December 2018 | mychild

125

Toolbox Set

$69.95 www.potterybarnkids.com.

Barbie Ballet Wishes

$49.95 www.myer.com.au

EMERSON Cubby House

$1999.95 www.hipkids.com.au

126 December 2018 | mychild

Farmington Dollhouse

$129.00 www.hipkids.com.au

Ridleys Games Room Table Tennis Set

$49.95 www.myer.com.au

Tobbie the Toy Robot by CIC

New Classic Toys Large Fire Station

$69.95

$134.95

www.templeandwebster.com.au

www.jellybeankidz.com.au

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Mum and Dad 128 December 2018 | mychild

PICNIC BASKET LUXE MONTEVERDE

$199.95 www.sunnylife.com.au

mamaRoo 4 Little Royal Limited Edition

$599.00 www.theamazingbabycompany.com.au

Moby Evolution Wrap Lattice

$79.95 www.theamazingbabycompany.com.

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Secure860 Touchscreen Video Monitor Axis Backpack â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Trio

$200.00

$299.00 www.oricom.com.au

www.hipkids.com.au

Peg Doll Family Portrait

$210.00 www.etsy.com/au

Bamboo Cheese Board

$49.00 www.innovations.com.au/

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Layered Name Necklace in Sterling Silver

$94.00 www.mynamenecklace.com.au

FUNK YOU! ODD SOCKS WITH ATTITUDE - 3 PAIRS

$38.99 www.yellowoctopus.com.au

family tree wood slice art

$145.00 www.etsy.com/au

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directory 132 December 2018 | mychild

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MYCHILD DIRECTORY

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December 2018 | mychild

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136 December 2018 | mychild