My Child Magazine October 2016 Issue

MAGAZINE.COM.AU

CALMING AN ANGRY

CHILD

Travel

Issue

Tips & Advice

Travelling While Pregnant Interview:

Lah-Lah

What to take when

Travelling with kids ISSUE 61 - OCTOBER 2016

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32 CONTENTS COVER STORIES

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CALMING AN ANGRY CHILD TIPS AND ADVICE

TRAVELLING WHILE PREGNANT

WHAT TO TAKE WHEN TRAVELLING WITH KIDS

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CELEBRITY READS

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TINA HARRIS THE ADVENTURES OF LAH-LAH AND MOTHERHOOD

EVERY MONTH

6 7 20

EDITORS LETTER EDITOR PICKS BOOK REVIEWS

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THE MUMMY BLOG DEFINING MOMENTS

YOUR CHILD

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THE PROS AND CONS OF CIRCUMCISING BABIES 7 TRAVEL TIPS TO HELP YOUR CHILD KEEP BUSY IMMUNISATION

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REAL READS

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LIVING A NIGHTMARE ONE MAN SHARES HIS STORY OF LIVING WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

RELATIONSHIPS

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WHAT’S HAPPENED TO OUR INTIMACY?

LIFESTYLE & HEALTH

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MONEY, BUDGETS AND PROVIDING FOR YOUR FAMILY

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4 WAYS TO SAVE FOR A FAMILY TRIP

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MEASURING ANXIETY IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS RECIPES

SHOPPING

58 64 74 80

SRRING SUMMER FASHION - CHILD BY PETALSINK SHOP KIDS FASHION GET THE LOOK INTERIORS TOY REVIEWS

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EDITOR BIANCA MEDINA

ASSISTANT EDITOR JANA ANGELES

ART DIRECTOR CRAIG BURKILL

SALES DIRECTOR KATALIN CSARDAS

CONTRIBUTING EXPERTS APRIL DAVIES LIZZY FOWLER LEAH SHANNON OLIVIA ARROW SHIREE ECHLIN ANVI SHARMA

EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES EDITORIAL@MYCHILDMAGAZINE.COM.AU

ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES ADVERTISING@MYCHILDMAGAZINE.COM.AU

CONTACT: CRE8 PUBLICATIONS PHONE: 0411 572 877 8 GROSE ST, PARRAMATTA, NSW 2150

My Child magazine and mychildmagazine.com.au are wholly owned by Cre8 Publications (ABN 70 141 165 675). No other parties or individuals have any financial interest in the company or in My Child or mychildmagazine.com.au. My Child contains general information only and does not purport to be a substitute for health and parenting advice. Readers are advised to seek a doctor for all medical and health matters. The publisher and authors do not accept any liability whatsoever in respect of an action taken by readers in reliance on the recommendations set out in this magazine. Reproduction of any material without written permission by the publisher is strictly forbidden. We cannot accept responsibility for material lost or damaged in the post or for any unsolicited manuscripts and photographs. All reasonable efforts have been made to trace copyright holders.

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Baby Carrier One The ultimate ergonomic edition www.babybjorn.com.au The Parallel Line Design is a sign of a genuine BABYBJĂ–RN product. october 2016 | mychild

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EDITOR’S LETTER Hello Everyone I hope you’re all well!

I’m great and really excited to be writing my first editor’s letter.

Let me take a moment to introduce myself, I’m Bianca and I am the new editor of mychild Magazine. I’m really looking forward to the new adventure of being the Editor of such an amazing publication and learning all the ropes, so please bare with me as I get my head around all things mychild related, I promise it won’t take long!

Here a little bit about me. After working most of my professional life in sales roles, I decided on a career change. As I’m super passionate about my role as a mum, working on a magazine that is purely child focused seemed like a no brainer.

I’m 35 and have a 1 1/2 year old daughter Max who is also known as Maxie or Maxine whenever I am trying to get her to climb down off the entertainment unit. Max who is the absolute love of my life (ok, my husband is also the other love of my life) has by far been the best thing that I have ever done. I adore my role as a mum and couldn’t imagine my life without Max. I love traveling and feel like I’ve seen a far it of the world. I love reading trashy romantic novels (Yep, I’ve loved them since I was 18 and can’t believe that I just admitted that- haha) and I am a foodie at heart. I love Greek and Italian food and if I had to choose 3 things to be stuck on an island with it would be a bowl of spaghetti bolognaise with extra parmesan and a dollop of sour cream, my hubby and daughter (and maybe a trashy novel to pass the time).

Ok, that’s enough about me…Now back to the magazine. This month we have covered travel tips and tricks so that you can prepare yourself for your family holiday. There is also a great interview with Tina Harris from Lah-Lah Big Live band as well as all our regular features including interiors, fashion, yummy recipes and much more.

That’s all for now. Chat next month

a c n a i

B

Bianca & the mychild Team xxx

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xxx

editor

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KIDS

Things to bring while travelling with the

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Written by Jana Angeles The day arrives and you’re ready to go on a big trip you’ve been planning for months. Of course, there’s always going to be that terrible feeling where you’ve missed something. Travelling alone allows us to take responsibility for our own checklists but with kids, it’s a different story.

Once you start travelling with your children, there’s more things you need to bring along so it’s important to have everything before you head off to another exciting adventure!There are a few things required when you’re going on a family vacation so we’ve made it easier for you and come up with a handy checklist to ensure your travel plans run as smooth as possible.

BEFORE YOU LEAVE FOR THE TRIP… • Make sure you are aware of your flight schedule! Know what time you need to check in and most importantly, know what time your actual flight is. It’s also handy to know what airline you’re catching. You’d be surprised how much of these things slip away from us!

• Pack smart. Make sure you bring all your travel necessities with you before you bring anything extra in your luggage.

Remember that you are bringing your children with you so it’s important that you’re aware of what to pack for them too. When you have a lot to carry around the airport and your kids are running around, it can be difficult to keep your eyes out for them. Don’t bring anything you can’t carry!

• Print your boarding passes at home.

Saving you time and hassle, airlines

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have allowed people to print their boarding passes at home instead of queuing up for one. This will definitely keep your stress hairs at bay!

• Educate your kids on security checks. It doesn’t hurt to give your kids a heads up when they have to go through some weird machine that detects whether or not they’re carrying something dangerous with them. Make sure you tell your children the purpose of these security checks to ensure safety on our planes so they feel less freaked out if some random guy starts scanning them with some electronic device!

• Leave your car at home and get a rental with a car seat! It’ll be wise to drive a rental car instead of using your own one, and if you have a little bub, it’s important that you have a car seat as well. Another way is asking a willing friend or family to drop you off at the airport too!

WHEN YOU ARRIVE AT THE AIRPORT… • Take note of the guidelines for baggage.

Make sure you’re aware of the maximum kgs you can pack for in your luggage bags to avoid those hefty costs that come with overpacking. Be aware also of what you can/cannot bring to the airport. There are some rules and regulations so taking note of these will save you time and hassle when it comes to hopping on that plane!

• Prepare for security. Even though you’ve followed the rules and regulations for packing, you may have missed something. Be prepared to let go of items you’ll never see again. Also don’t be afraid of security, they’re just doing their job. You might

hate them for chucking out stuff you may need so just keep in mind they’re just worried about people’s safety!

Since you’re bringing your kids along too, explain to them why certain things are being thrown out so they have a better understanding of what’s happening.

• Avoid bringing wrapped gifts. Security will open them to check through if anything is unsafe and can cause harm. If you do intend on bringing gifts for family overseas such as packaged foods etc, pack them in your carry on bags. Security will be able to see them easier and the checks will be made quicker!

• Avoid wearing your baggy coat. It’ll be much easier to just pack it in your suitcase instead of security having to fiddle through to see if anything is hidden. Saves you from getting weird looks from your kids too.

SOME HANDY THINGS TO REMEMBER! • There are rules and regulations on how much liquid, gel and aerosols can be taken with you in your carry-on bags.

If you are packing for yourself and your children, ensure that you do not overpack any toiletries.

• It’s good to know what you can and cannot bring with you when you’re at the airport. If you’re unsure, hop online and see if you’ve brought something considered unsafe to security. If you’re based in Sydney, using this web page to cross-check if your travel items are safe is a good idea: www.sydneyairport.com.au/ prepare/security/what-you-cannottake-onboard

• For those travelling with their little bubs, bring as much baby formula, food and breast milk to last you the flight. And don’t forget your older kids! They need snacks too.

Depending on how long your flight is, packing as much as you can is always a good idea because delay of flights can happen. Also bring in some entertaining activities for the kids to do during the flight. This can include puzzles, colouring books etc.

ALSO NOTE… • Even if you are tired from travelling, remember to always find the positive reasons on why you decided to take the family trip in the first place.

• Be patient with your children and just remember that they don’t realise how big of a deal this is to you. Even if this is the case, be supportive and always communicate to your kids while travelling. Keeping them informed can be very beneficial and they may also show a little more patience during those long hours of travel.

• Find time to relax and don’t be afraid to indulge. You’re on holiday - live the life the way you want it!

Bringing your kids along to your trip can add more stress to your life but it doesn’t mean they have to take the fun out of it. Just because the long, painful hours of travel can act as a deterrent, remember that you are a family and the trip is a memory you’ll have for keeps.

Life is meaningless without adventure.

Why not start now?

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WHAT’S HAPPENED TO OUR

Intimacy ?

Written by: Olivia Arrow Intimacy is important in any relationship and it’s something built up over time. There is no magic wand in making it happen, and it takes a lot of work, especially after having kids!

A lack of intimacy is one of the most common reasons for relationship breakdowns. It can be difficult to achieve intimacy for some couples and if you have achieved intimacy, it seems to be slipping away after the arrival of a tiny human in the family. However, there are things you can do to get it back on track.

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RELATIONSHIPS

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There are many reasons why we feel as though we have lost the intimacy in our relationship and each couple will have their own unique story. Here a few common themes to consider: LACK OF COMMUNICATION Sometimes one partner or both simply don’t know how to express themselves and it can be hard to put into words what you’re feeling.

UNRESOLVED EMOTIONAL DIFFERENCES Anger, hurt, resentment, lack of trust or feeling under appreciated are just a few examples that can affect the development of intimacy in a relationship.

PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES Money worries, pressure at work, concern about the kids, or just being too busy to connect with one another can also reduce the level of intimacy in relationships at different times.

CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES When a person that has experienced a great deal of hurt as a child, it can stir up a lot of mixed emotions and they can find it hard to trust their partner regardless of how much they love them. Carrying the burden of your childhood when becoming a parent can make it difficult in establishing intimacy.

Here are some helpful steps towards getting your intimacy back on track: • Make sure that you are positive about your relationship and make sure you tell your partner why you value them, and the relationship you have. Don’t assume that they already know. Everybody needs to be told that they are loved and appreciated.

• Plan some couple time each week so you can focus on your relationship.

Creating opportunities for intimacy can be hard to do with kids, work and

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other commitments so it’s important that you do it! Maybe a mini date at home (sit together at the table and enjoy a meal alone), once the kids are in bed. Maybe you can ask your parents to look after the kids so that you can go out for a bite to eat and have a glass of wine.

• It’s important to make “I” statements about how you feel. For example “I feel hurt you didn’t ask me....etc” instead of “Why didn’t you ask me first?” This avoids putting your partner on the spot, and may help him/her do the same.

• Accepting that you have differences in opinion can lead to disagreements is key. When you have an argument, always try and make sure that you fight fairly. Once you have had a moment to calm down, looking into what caused you to get upset. Were you hurt, anxious or did you feel let down? Once you have made sense of this, sit down with your partner and talk about your feelings.

Intimacy is not always easy. It’s a skill set and it takes lots of practise and hard work. Being hesitant is expected, but don’t stop trying. Achieving intimacy involves an element of emotional risk especially if you open up and the other person does not react the way you expected. Trusting someone with your feelings can be scary, however this will usually lead to them opening up to you as well. If you’re waiting for your partner to open up first, you may never achieve the level of intimacy you need and crave.

Remember you can always seek help from a relationships counsellor if you are not getting the intimacy that you need. A counsellor acts as an independent and nonjudgemental guide to help couples talk things through so that you can get back on track.

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DAD READ

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MONEY, BUDGETS AND PROVIDING FOR YOUR FAMILY WRITTEN BY OLIVIA ARROW

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Becoming a provider for your family can be worrisome for many dads. The sudden responsibility of relying on a single income if your partner is taking maternity leave can especially be stressful.

The question of whether or not you’re going to be a good enough provider for your family is completely normal. Most dads worry about this and it’s way more common than you think.

Trying to live on one income is a struggle for most parents, especially if you were having trouble managing on two salaries.

Becoming a dad may even feel like you have bitten off more than you can chew.

We give you a little outline of tips and what to expect when you’re introducing a tight budget into your life.

STUFF FOR BABY Babies don’t care much for material stuff.

Let’s face it, they have no idea if they are being dressed in Armani or Target. What they do care about is being showered with love and affection with millions of cuddles and kisses.

Getting ready to add a little munchkin to the family is still an expensive exercise.

You’ll need all the basics and that can still set you back for as much as $4,500 if you are frugal, and up to $16K for those not counting their pennies. These figures are only for the first year alone.

Don’t put yourself under too much strain and look into options that will suit your budget.

Save money by buying second hand items (when it’s safe to do so), avoiding luxury brands and looking into borrowing or hiring equipment when you can.

ACCEPTING HELP Family and friends will no doubt want

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to help with smaller things like baby essentials, nappies, clothing and toiletries, and maybe some big-ticket items like a cot or pram.

Some dads might feel like they are being judged and being looked down upon for not being able to provide for their family.

When people offer to help, they’re not judging you - they just want to help. If you have a great support system around you, willing to lend a hand, let them so that you don’t have to do it all on your own.

NEGOTIATING FOR HELP Most offers of help come with a no-stringsattached policy. Sometimes it may feel like there are conditions or expectations.

Have a chat with your partner to make sure that you are both happy with how often you’re willing to accept help from

your in-laws, family and friends. Setting up some boundaries for help may take time, negotiation and compromise, but in the long run, no one can have unrealistic expectations when it comes to help being offered and accepted.

MONEY STRESS Money worries even before becoming a dad can occur. If you’re on a low income, paying off HECS or other debts or have recently lost your job, the ongoing financial worries can be a burden.

Getting help with money issues is a great way to assist you in setting up goals. This can work out perfectly if you are planning on making these big changes in your life, especially when you’re becoming a dad.

Getting your finances in order is the responsible thing to do if you haven’t been

able to do this yourself. There’s no shame in getting help so that you and your family have a better financial situation. Seeking a financial counsellor’s input for dealing with bills can help you create a budget that works for your family.

• Check out the Commonwealth Financial Counselling program for free financial counselling to individuals, families and small business operators who are experiencing financial difficulty.

• Centrelink also offers free information through its Financial Information Service.

Working towards a budget presents a list of challenge, but just remember that the rewards are worth it. If you fall off the wagon, just be resilient and get yourself back on track. Try to learn from the mistakes and don’t be hard on yourself or your partner.

REMEMBER THE FOLLOWING: • Discuss and agree with your partner ahead of your baby’s birth about how and when you’ll accept help and from whom. Also think about what you’ll say when people offer help so you’re not caught off guard.

• Learn about managing money and budgeting. This will ensure that you will be spending time with your new family and not be worried about cash flow.

• Look into Dad and Partner Maternity Pays and any other Government parenting payments that you may be entitled to.

Share your experience with other dads so they know they aren’t alone when it comes to these financial struggles but also remember why the sacrifice is worth it.

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BOOK

reviews 20

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Pig The Elf Aaron Blabey Christmas is fast approaching, and no one loves Christmas more than Pig. Of course, whilst most of us wait patiently until morning to unwrap our presents, as the world’s greediest Pug, Pig stays up all night trying to get at his gifts. Not even Santa’s pants will get in his way!

As the fourth book in Aaron Blabey’s incredibly popular Pig the Pug series, this new release is a laughout-loud funny means of introducing your child to the excitement of Christmas, and will gently encourage appropriate manners through Pig’s mistakes.

Pig The Elf is written for children aged between 3 and 5 who will want to read it over and over again, no matter what the season.

Noni The Pony Goes To The Beach Alison Lester Noni the Pony is friendly and funny.

She loves going down to the beach when it’s sunny. With her two very best friends Dave Dog and Coco the Cat, and the cows from next door, it’s going to be a wonderful day.

Newly released as a board book, Noni The Pony Goes To The Beach is the perfect read for children aged 1 to 4. Written by one of Australia’s most loved illustrators and first ever Children’s Laureate, Alison Lester uses this book to focus on the importance of friendships and learning to take care of one another.

ZOG And The Flying Doctors Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler In this fantastically successful sequel to the international bestseller, ZOG, Zog the dragon reprises his role as the trusty air ambulance, flying Princess Pearl and Sir Gadabout around the country as they tend to a sunburnt mermaid, a distressed unicorn and a sneezing lion. But should Princesses be allowed to be doctors? It’s up to Pearl to prove that they should!

As expected from the superstars of the children’s book world, Zog And The Flying Doctors is a wonderful book to read aloud with your child, featuring faultless, bouncing rhymes. Written for ages 2+, not only does this book contain beautiful illustrations, it also carries a strong message of helping others, and believing in your abilities.

The Sisters Saint Claire Carlie Gibson and Tamsin Ainslie Featuring five fabulous French mice, The Sisters Saint-Claire tells the tale of Harriet, Violet, Beatrice, Minette and little Cecile – all of whom love fashion, food and family. As gourmand mouse sisters, they love to visit the markets, but it’s little Cecile who sets up her very own delicious pie stall with food fit for the Queen!

Written for children aged between 4 and 8, The Sisters Saint-Claire is a beautiful story of how greatness can come in any size. With enchanting, intricately detailed illustrations of buttery croissant and plump cherry pies, this book is one to be treasured.

Written in rhyme with a strong beat, it’s perfect for reading aloud and your child will love joining in with the words they know when they become familiar with the story.

by

REVIEWED

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THE

MUMMY

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DEFINING MOMENTS WRITTEN BY: SHEREE ECHLIN

Lately I swear every day has been one of those days. You know where it feels like the whole world is against you? Nothing goes right, everything that can go wrong, does and there are absolutely no positive vibes to be found. Throw in a couple of whingy kids and things get super epic.

Okay, so maybe it isn’t quite that bad, but I feel a little broken at the end of some days.

What keeps me going is the little voice of reason.

“It’s okay mummy” is whispered in my ear while Miss Izzie pats my shoulder as I prepare to lose it for the billionth time in a day. I swear I don’t know whether to laugh or cry when this happens but you know you are doing something right when a threeyear-old is trying to cheer you up. To the outsider or those without kids, I must paint the “best” picture when it comes to parenting…..I do enjoy it, I swear….when they are asleep is the best time ever.

Honestly though, I do love my girls and I wouldn’t know myself without them now, but then again they have scrambled my brain a bit so I almost forget….. well lots of things (haha!).

On the subject of my girls, I “love” being asked whether I have a favourite child. It’s like asking me would you ever give up chocolate? I’m not going to answer that....right now. Maybe ask me on a really bad day, about the favourite child part, that is. I’m never giving up chocolate! No seriously, you will often find me with a piece (or 10) of sweet tasty chocolate and my fridge is always stocked!

I do love both my girls equally....most days. I may not always like them equally the same amount but I’m sure every parent with a toddler and a younger

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child would be the same. Hell children of any age will do. Unless of course you have the perfect child (or children) which pretty much means we can’t be friends. Mind you, I often wonder if my mum ever had a favourite when it came to my brother and I (yep my brother, haha!). I know she would say no but there were moments when we were teenagers I think she was ready to ditch us both (just kidding, love you mum!). Children really do test your patience, your relationships and your financial balance. This is likely the main reason I will never give up chocolate, wine too perhaps but that’s a whole other story!

Isn’t it funny when it comes to relationships we (by we, I mean us girls) say what’s mine is mine, what’s his is mine. But when you have kids it’s just all theirs.

No questions, just assumptions that everything belongs to them. We may as well just hand over everything at birth. The fun of parenting continues to amaze me every day. There are days where I enjoy every chance I get to spend with my girls and others not so much. And bedtime is still very much one of the best times of day, both theirs and mine!

“Watch me mum, watch me, mum, mum, mum, watch me!” It’s one of Miss Izzie’s new sayings, especially now she’s becoming more adventurous.

Jumping off garden edges, riding her bike and climbing, there isn’t much stopping her anymore.

She’s definitely growing up and of course the attitude is growing right along with her. I’m a mix of emotions as I watch my eldest daughter carve her path in the world and strive even more solidly for her independence. I’m proud, I’m bewildered, I’m in awe, I’m also going even crazier but I’m amazed at

how much kids will do and how far they will go to let you know they are there.

In saying that, there is still definite testing moments and of course pushing the limits to see what she can get away with.....on a daily basis! I know we’re supposed to cherish each day but sometimes there is only so many times I can handle hearing “mum, mum, mum, mum, MUM!!!” I only want the best for my girls but sometimes I think I forget they’re still my little babies. There are days I think I expect a little too much and I’m probably a little too hard on them. I have to remember to take a step back and put myself in their shoes, highly unlikely they would fit me these days!

Lastly, I know you aren’t supposed to compare your children (something I’m finding myself more and more guilty of) but it’s funny how different my two girls are. In some ways Miss Phoebe makes Izzie look like a saint (not sure I’d use that description often) but they really are two very different little people and more than keep me on my toes.

Now where’s my chocolate and maybe some wine....

There is never a dull moment in our house and you can read about more of the fun at www.shereeechlin.com.

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BABY

“You are going to do what?”

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THE PROS AND CONS OF

CIRCUMCISING BABIES Written by Jana Angeles Are you anticipating on having a boy? Are you still unsure if you want him to undergo a circumcision? Well, you’re not alone considering how many parents still ask the most pressing questions when it comes to whether or not they should circumcise their boy’s penis. People from Jewish and Muslim backgrounds have made it part of their religious traditions for all boys to go through circumcision however, the practice of circumcision may not be for everyone. In this article, we explore the pros and cons of circumcising babies and what you can do as parents to ultimately make the decision for yourself.

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WHAT IS CIRCUMCISION? Circumcision is the process in which a baby’s skin or tissue is surgically removed from the genitals of a boy or girl. However, female circumcision of all kinds is illegal in Australia.

When baby boys are born, they have a sleeve of skin covering the end of the penis and this is called the foreskin. When they undergo circumcision, the skin is cut from the penis and this results in revealing the head of the penis.

• Normally, circumcision is performed a few days after birth. During the process, local anaesthetic is used. There is also the option of not using anaesthetic at all.

• Some parents may opt out for this option where they wait until their babies are a couple of months older and have their little one circumcised using local or general anaesthetic.

UNCIRCUMCISED VS. CIRCUMCISED WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE? UNCIRCUMCISED • When a boy is uncircumcised, the foreskin of the penis cannot be pulled back due to its attachment to the underlying glans of the penis.

• Overtime, the foreskin becomes a protective layering for the sensitive glans.

• During childhood, most boys find that they can pull back the foreskin, exposing and creating separation from the glans.

• Special care for an uncircumcised penis isn’t necessary and boys can easily clean underneath the foreskin because of how easy it is to pull back the skin. Essentially, the foreskin can look after itself.

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CIRCUMCISED • When a boy is circumcised and once the scar from the operation heals, the glans of the genital area are exposed.

• How the penis looks depends on how much skin was removed and the location where the cuts were made to remove the foreskin of the genital.

• There is no special care needed when it comes to taking care of a circumcised penis.

Some parents worry that deciding to circumcise their boy’s penis will make them feel different from their peers.

Normall y boys aren’t as fussed and will more than likel y ask one of their friends why it’s different - circumcised or uncircumcised. Ultimatel y, you’re the decider to whether or not you want their penis to be circumcised. Don’t feel pressured by other people in making the decision for you. Decide what you think is best for your child and for yourself.

If you can’t decide, we’ve outlined the reasons to leave your boy’s penis circumcised or uncircumcised.

REASONS TO BE CIRCUMCISED • It reduces their risk of contracting a UTI (Urinary Tract Infection).

• In 2007, WHO (World Health Organisation) found research that if boys or adults were circumcised, it reduced their risk of getting HIV (AIDS).

Even though it provided them with partial protection, being circumcised in a high-risk country like Africa proved to be helpful.

• Reduces the risks of getting genital

warts. This is particularly useful for countries that have no vaccination against genital warts (Australia does have a vaccination for it).

• It’s very uncommon to get cancer of the penis but it is possible. Being circumcised can aid in protecting the penis from this disease.

• There is a lot of well-researched sources that are all for circumcision because of its numerous health benefits.

REASONS TO BE UNCIRCUMCISED • Parents and doctors are against circumcision purely because they believe that the foreskin is a natural part of a male’s body. Because it has a rich source of nerve endings, it plays an essential role in sexual sensation, especially for boys growing up.

• Like all operations, there is a risk of the circumcision practice going wrong.

However, the problems are normally short-term. This could be bleeding after the operation.

• In rare instances, surgically removing the foreskin can cause severe damage to other parts of the male reproductive system such as the urethra and penis.

Sometimes this results in death.

• There are also long-term problems that exist in circumcision such as restricted urine outflow (meatal stenosis) and the appearance of the penis (with the foreskin being taken away, this could make the penis look uneven).

• People are also strongly against infant circumcision, purely because they don’t have a say in their body. At least when they reach adolescence or early adulthood, they can decide if they want to circumcise their penis.

If you are going ahead with circumcising your baby, there are a few things you should do before the operation…

• Make sure you prepare early. Do your research and know what to expect from the operation. Ask questions to your medical health professional and learn as much as possible.

They should respect your decision and provide you with unbiased information on circumcision.

• Make sure that whoever is undertaking the operation for circumcision is confident and experienced. The last thing you want is someone lacking experience. Don’t be afraid to ask the doctor how many circumcisions they’ve performed and how many of them went through complications.

• Ensure that during and after the circumcision, your son takes pain relief medication.

• Make sure you follow up with your doctor on how the procedure went and ask about any costs you need to cover.

• Be aware that some Australian states do not allow circumcision to be performed in public hospitals.

Let your parental instincts sink in and decide if your baby boy being circumcised is something you need.

With the pressures of society and how we should take care of our children, it’s not a matter of doing what you think is the “popular” option or following the advice from your family and friends.

Remember you’re doing what you think is best for your child.

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KIDS

CALMING AN

angry child TIPS AND ADVICE Written by Anvi Sharma Young children often don’t have the right words to express what they are feeling, and often this can lead to anger – which they can portray in a physical or verbal manner.

Angry children can be extremely difficult and exhausting to deal with. We can’t expect children to be completely calm all the time – after all, no one is that perfect and even adults have trouble managing their anger.

Here is some advice we have compiled to help you with dealing with your child’s aggression and assisting them to calm down.

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WORKING OUT COMPLEX FEELINGS Most of the time, the aggression your child is displaying is not deliberate – they just may not have the right words to explain their feelings or wants and hence, can lash out in other ways. Anger is a normal feeling, we all feel it from time to time when things don’t go our way.

Most of us have had years of experience dealing with anger, which is what your child will eventually grow into. In the meantime, help them figure out exactly what it is they feel and how to express that with their words rather than physically.

Try asking them questions like, “Were you angry?. “Do you feel sad?” or “Were you scared of something?”

It’s also important that you help them work through their feelings from a young age. Be attentive, listen to them, ask questions and explain things to them if they are confused. Not only does this help them understand and make sense of what they want and feel, but it also encourages them to be more open and builds positive relationships. Use soft language such as “Take it easy”, “Don’t let that bother you”, “Try not to give up”, “It’s okay” and “Take some deep breaths”. Try and look beyond the anger, and figure out if there is a bigger root to the problem. Often, anger comes from other feelings such as feeling threatened, hurt or sad. Look at their surroundings and see if something could be setting them off. Work out how to solve what’s making them angry and offer alternate solutions.

TEACHING KIDS ABOUT EMPATHY Little kids are often unaware of the impact their words and actions have on others.

It’s our job to teach them that if they behave in an inappropriate manner (such as hitting, biting, scratching someone,

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pulling hair, yelling at someone or saying something rude in anger) that this has an effect on others. Calmly ask them how they would feel if someone was to do that to them, and why it is they wouldn’t like it. Then explain that it is the same with other people. Saying something along the lines of, “Imagine if your sister bit you, you wouldn’t like that, would you?” This instils a bit of empathy in them, and hopefully makes them realise their actions have consequences.

UNDERSTANDING AND SETTING LIMITS Acknowledge their anger, but let them know that it is not okay for them to unleash their anger in physical ways so that everyone is safe. Give them alternate options for them to express how they feel. Saying something along the lines of, “I know you’re angry, and you’re allowed to be as angry as you

want – but you’re not allowed to hit, no matter what.” This way they know that you understand how they feel, but also know the limits. Tell them that you are sorry that they are angry. You don’t always have to explain yourself, e.g. “I understand you’re angry because you wanted that toy, and I’m sorry you can’t have it.” In the heat of the moment, there often isn’t much use trying to evaluate, explain or rationalize as children don’t have the same complex thought processes as adults, and are only focused on things in the moment. You can talk to them after they’ve calmed down, as it is hard for children to listen and think rationally when they’re angry.

COUNTDOWNS AND ACTIVITIES If your kid is prone to emotional outbursts, give him/her ways to deal with this.

Brainstorm some solutions, either alone or

with them that would help when they get into a situation that makes them angry.

Countdowns are a widely suggested option where you can teach your child to count in their head before they get mad, giving them some time to cool down.

You can also teach other self-coping techniques such as mottos they can repeat to themselves, including “I need to relax” or “I won’t let this bother me”. Other suggestions include activities to do after your kid has had a meltdown to help them calm down a bit. Quiet time activities such as reading, crafts, building blocks, doing a puzzle etc. are great options. You can even encourage your child to do a quiet activity when you feel a tantrum coming, diverting their attention to something else instead. It may not always be the solution in the heat of the moment, but is a good way to allow them to let go of their anger afterwards.

KIDS LEARN FROM OTHERS Everyone knows that young children tend to model their own behaviour after those they see. In most cases, kids learn from their parents so it’s imperative that you manage your own anger. If you get physical when you’re angry, chances are your kids will too. Before trying to help your child work through their anger issues, you need to ensure you have done the same for yourself. As with anything else, it’s important to be a good role-model for your children. When you’re peeved off about something, let them know, but also show them how you’re dealing with it in a calm and responsible manner, such as taking a break or waiting it out until the aggression passes. Remember, they’re learning from you, so next time you’re angry about something, think about how you act in front of your children and whether you’re behaving how you would want them to.

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AWARENESS

MEASURING ANXIETY IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

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You are invited to take part in a study that will assist in Developing a measure for children and adolescents with anxiety including anxiety in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). If you decide to take part you will be asked to complete online questionnaires involving some demographic questions and a series of questions about child anxiety. The study will take between 20-30 minutes to complete.

Your answers will be entirely anonymous and confidential.

Completing the study will make you eligible for the chance to win one of five $100 Coles Myer Gift Vouchers.

We are looking for parents of children and adolescents aged 6-18years. To participate in the study: • You must be an Australian resident • You must understand and speak English fluently We need parents of children who meet any of the following criteria: • Have a child who does not have emotional or developmental problems • Have a child who struggles with fears, worries and anxiety • Have a child who has an Autism Spectrum Disorder (who may or may not also struggle with anxiety) Your involvement is warmly appreciated!

To find out more about the study and to participate, please visit: http://bit.ly/MQanxietysurvey Please feel free to share this research advertisement with others who might also be interested in participating.

The study is being conducted by Ramona Toscano to meet the requirements for the degree of a Doctorate of Clinical Psychology under the supervision of Professor Jennifer Hudson and Associate Professor Andrew Baillie in the Centre for Emotional Health, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University.

The ethical aspects of this study have been approved by the Macquarie University Human Research Ethics Committee.

If you have any complaints or reservations about any ethical aspect of your participation in this research, you may contact the Committee through the Director, Research Ethics (telephone [02] 9850 7854, email: ethics@mq.edu. au). Any complaint you make will be treated in confidence and investigated, and you will be informed of the outcome. october 2016 | mychild

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PREGNANCY

TRAVELLING WHEN

Pregnant Written by Jana Angeles

It’s always an exciting time to be pregnant and adding travel to the balance can add even more harmony to our lives. How great is it to explore parts of the world? Visually taking in your unique surroundings and being far away from home.

Sometimes, when we’re carrying our bubs with us in those long, horrendous flights, travelling can get a little stressful for us.

So how can we make our travel experiences worthwhile when pregnant? Is there even a way to enjoy our holiday? You’d be surprised how easy it is to manage travel while being pregnant and who says we have to take away fun from the equation?

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Here are some handy tips to take on board to help your travel adventures feel like an R&R session instead of a nightmare.

FIND WAYS TO REDUCE STRESS WHILE ON YOUR TRIP • Make sure you do your research when you are about to embark on your next adventure. Because you’re pregnant, you have to take extra health precautions when reaching to your destination. Be aware of the places you’re going to and see if you need any required vaccines before leaving home. You can also register your trip so an immediate family member or friend can help you during an emergency. You can register by going here: http://smartraveller. gov.au/Pages/default.aspx • Leave early and be prepared for delays. To put it simply, the earlier the better. It’s more stressful having to feel like you should rush especially when pregnant. Train and flight delays are the inevitable.

• Long queues and delays can create haywire for your hormones. Read a book or listen to music to help you relax. Having a sense of humour can also go a long way!

DO YOUR BEST TO EAT FOODS THAT ARE GOOD FOR YOU • Being hungry is the norm when pregnant so it’s really important that you do not skip meals. If you do, this will leave you feeling sick. If you’re about to undergo a 16-hour flight, make sure you pack lots of healthy snacks to nibble on while you’re on the plane. Some suggested snack foods include cereal bars, nuts and dried fruit.

• It’s a good idea to bring a water bottle with you to avoid dehydration. Pregnant women have a high risk of dehydration while flying so drinking extra fluid can avoid you from getting swollen feet and ankles!

• Eating schedules go out the door when you’re travelling so make sure you have a nourishing meal when you finally arrive at

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your destination. Make sure you eat plenty of fruit and vegetables. Also consult your doctor if you are planning on travelling to a country where not many healthy options are available and speak to them about taking more vitamin and mineral supplements.

• Instead of eating three large meals per day, break it up into smaller portions and have 5 or 6 smaller meals during the day.

This will avoid you from getting heartburn.

• To avoid feeling nauseous during your flight, suck on a sweet lolly or mint to help alleviate the effects.

FREQUENTLY TAKE BREAKS • When you’re pregnant, peeing frequently is the norm. When you’re booking flights, make sure you choose the aisle seat. This will save you hassle from going in and out of the bathroom, avoiding any disturbances for passengers nearby you.

• Most of the public toilets at airports can be dirty if you find one that’s clean, use it so you feel comfortable. If you are travelling by car on a long road trip, make sure you take some quick pit stops to the bathroom at service stations.

• Sitting for long periods of time can really make your ankles and feet swell up so be sure to take some time to walk around every 90 mins, especially if you have a long drive ahead of you.

• Pregnancy puts a big strain on your circulatory system, meaning that you’re much more vulnerable in experiencing blood clots (thrombosis) and varicose veins. Flying increases your risk of contracting either so be sure to wear support stockings to help alleviate swollen veins and get your circulation pumping.

• Wear comfortable shoes! Wearing sport shoes (aka trainers) is always a good idea especially if you know you’ll be walking for long periods of time. Bringing blister pads can also be helpful too.

RESERVE YOUR ENERGY AND DO SAFE AND APPROPRIATE ACTIVITIES • Before you were pregnant, you were able to juggle a lot of activities especially when you had a busy week ahead of you. If you are travelling for work or for leisure, make sure you pace yourself and find time to reserve your energy. Try not to take on things you cannot handle.

• Even when you’re travelling with family and want to do a whole bunch of activities, it’s really important to schedule some down time for yourself. You need to relax and re-energise so having a bit of quiet time helps!

• Take a bath or nap where needed. You’re pregnant, it’s tough work!

• Be sensible when choosing activities to do while you’re away. Doing some yoga classes, brisk walking and swimming are all appropriate. Avoid doing rollercoasters, scuba diving and anything that puts you and your baby at risk. Safety comes first.

• If you’re unsure if you can do a particular activity, research and ask questions.

Knowledge is power.

WEAR COMFORTABLE CLOTHING • Avoid wearing anything tight especially when choosing your bottoms to wear. If you wear jeans or tights, this can make you more vulnerable in getting thrush.

Wearing anything cotton will make you more comfortable especially when it’s hot and humid at your travel destination.

• It’s always a good idea to pack anti-fungal cream to treat vaginal thrush just in case it does happen. Always speak to your doctor about appropriate treatment options.

No matter what stage of pregnancy you’re at, always remember your safety comes first when you travel. You are way more delicate and fragile when you’re pregnant so be cautious of your surroundings and take care of yourself. Most importantly, don’t forget to relax and enjoy your much needed holiday!

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7 TRAVEL TIPS TO HELP

Your Child KEEP BUSY Written by Jana Angeles I’ve heard some interesting stories from parents taking their child travelling overseas. It can be tough work but if you’re determined and resilient enough, you can make it manageable and painless.

Considering how most road trips and airplane rides take huge chunks of time, you can find yourself having to reassure your child that everything is fine, everything is okay but in reality, they’re swimming in a pool of tears while bystanders taking the same flight as you give you the most disapproving stares unimaginable.

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KIDS

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We understand that the inner travel bug within us wants to see the world and go on new adventures from time to time; to learn new perspectives and experience something fresh and exciting. If you consider yourself a travel bug and are willing to take your child on your next holiday somewhere, here are some tips you can follow to help them keep entertained while you reach your destination.

1. GET YOUR CHILDREN EXCITED FOR THIS TRIP! This is probably the easiest thing to do but sell it to your kids. Let them stand on their tippy-toes and see their faces light up when you say that the place that you’re going to beams excitement and joy for the family.

Giving them some high expectations on this trip will encourage them to be patient when it comes to sitting in a long car or plane ride. If you at least communicate to them that the trip is worth it, then they’ll most likely be cooperative and less cranky when it comes to those long, dwindling hours of travel time.

2. SURPRISE THEM WITH LITTLE REWARDS Pack a goodies bag before you go on your trip and surprise them with a little gift every hour for being patient and respectful.

Not only will this act as an incentive for your kids to be on their best behaviour, it will also showcase some positivity and encouragement for their efforts. Having that element of surprise can really keep them entertained, so feel free to mix it up a bit by putting snacks, toys and books to read in the bag.

3. SET UP SOME RULES DURING THE TRIP Of course, it’s inevitable that your child will become squirmy during the trip, especially considering the amount of hours they have to sit around patiently.

Communicating with your child with

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some ground rules can help them understand the consequences if they do misbehave during the trip. Also note that there are incentives if they keep being good throughout the trip. You could also perhaps let them know what happens when they are getting punished; this could mean taking away their favourite gadgets or having no dessert after dinner.

Be creative and most importantly, stick to the rules and don’t feel like you need to soften up when they look at you with those puppy eyes. Be firm and let them know you’re serious.

4. REMEMBER TO LOOK AFTER THE OLDER KIDS In this day and age, the Nintendo and iPad are necessities 10-year olds can’t live without so remember to not deprive your older kids from technology. If you don’t want them gaming too much, hand them over a Kindle tablet to read their first novel of the Harry Potter series or even bring a portable DVD player so they can watch their favourite movies. Variety is key so remember to mix things up so the complaints and the repeated ‘are we there yet’ is kept to a minimum.

5. BRING A MIX OF NEW AND OLD TOYS Your little ones should never go without being with their favourite toys, especially when you’re about to board a 16-hour flight to some far away country. It’s important to bring along their favourites so they don’t become easily upset. Bringing in some new toys can help too so it avoids boredom. They can also get creative and make stories with the toys and you never know, they can hold an interesting puppet show that can keep you entertained on the long trip too!

6. DOWNLOAD SOME CHILDREN’S GAMES AND APPS ON YOUR SMARTPHONE/TABLET If playing with toys is becoming old for

your kids, download some appropriate games for children on your smartphone/ tablet before hopping into the car for a long road trip or boarding your next flight.

You can even be sneaky by downloading games that are educational, so your kids won’t even realise that you’ve set them up a fun teaching lesson.

Maybe your children need to work on their addition and subtraction or need to brush up on their reading skills, with the amount of overwhelming technology we’re spoilt with, the possibilities are endless!

7. BRING FOOD THAT WILL LAST THEM A WHILE It’s a smart tactic to bring on-board some healthy fruit for your child to eat in your upcoming road trip or plane ride.

Not only will this fuel them for a long

time but you can offer them food in short bursts while also keeping them well-fed during the trip without going hungry.

You can give them the occasional sweets from time-to-time but we all know too well that children and sugar are a bad mix. Instead, opt-out for healthier alternatives such as grapes, sultanas and strawberries.

Travelling light does not exist when you’re taking your little ones on an adventure but it will definitely be worth it if you all have a good time. Make the most of your travel adventures while your kids are young.

Even though they might not remember those trips when they’re older, it will encourage them to see other parts of the world on their own accord, discovering the beautiful people, places and things that exist outside of their home country.

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Tina Harris

The adventures of Lah-Lah and motherhood Written by Jana Angeles Tina Harris is known for her charming musical talent in Australia’s favourite kids series Lah-Lah’s Adventures. Being in a fivemember band and entertaining the hearts of children around the country, Harris has combined her passion for Music and Early Childhood education by bringing the gift of song and dance to little ones nation-wide.

With her experience in music and cultivating a career she absolutely loves, her and her husband (Mark Harris) have had quite a journey building the forefront of Lah-Lah’s Adventures.

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CELEBRITY INTERVIEW

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“So my background is with Opera Australia.

I used to sing and tour with them for many years and then Mark and I moved overseas and came back to have our first child,” Harris continues. “We’ve got two daughters; Lily is thirteen and Emily is ten. When we had babies, my world changed dramatically and it wasn’t about work, it was really about the children.

“A friend at the office said to me, ‘Why don’t you teach early childhood music?’ And it seemed like a really good fit and it was you know, all the things I was interested in, so I opened up a class. The class was so popular, it turned into a school and the school turned into four schools at the end of every term.”

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After holding a family concert with her husband, encouragement from her loved ones formed into a bigger and better idea. From there, Tina and her career as Lah-Lah was built through networking and her enthusiasm in entertaining kids through live entertainment.

“Mark would come in with his double bass and we would do a little concert for the family and it was from there they said, ‘You guys are great!

You should do a show - a live show,’ she says. “I thought it was a great idea, so we got our friends together. We’ve been friends with the guys in the band for years, and Mark [has] played with them in a whole lot of other different bands and we self-produced our first live show.”

“We produced our first CD and I invited along the Sydney Opera house, The Enmore Theatre and Nickelodeon. All three of them signed us up afterwards. When we met the beautiful lady from Nickelodeon, she wanted us to make some video clips together and that’s what really started the desire to make TV; it’s a great niche to work in and it’s really fun so yes, that started our crazy journey.”

Even with Lah-Lah taking off and being a brilliant success for children, Tina still had some bright ideas in mind for the rest of the year. With many projects lined up, this fueled her creativity even more as a music professional in kids entertainment. She wanted to educate children through song

and dance, creating a positive impact and highlighting the importance of the creative arts in Early Childhood.

“We signed to Sony Music last year and we’ve got a brand new Christmas album, which is being launched later this year after this tour,” She says. “I’m really passionate about Early Childhood Education so we have a program that we’ve crowdfunded called Music room, which basically has been designed to help provide more Early Childhood Music resources for schools and daycares. We’re really passionate about making new music for our YouTube channel so I just love making stuff.”

With her bubbly personality, Tina juggles her job with motherhood, noting that there’s no such thing as balance when it comes to her role as a parent and child entertainer. Sharing her close bond with her daughters, she gives insights on how much she appreciates the quirks of parenthood, forming an acceptance that even if she’s much older and wiser, doesn’t necessarily make her a perfect individual.

“You have to let it go and understand that there is no such thing as balance,” Tina continues.

“I’m the mum in the playground; you never know what time the school bus from camp is getting back or if the kids are meant to wear a yellow t-shirt. I’m always texting - they all know that I’m hopeless. I just think as a mum, we all strive for this sense of perfection of being a ‘perfect mum’ and that’s just not me.

I really am bit of a walking disaster and once I embrace that, life just runs really smoothly.”

But she does add that she can’t start the day right without spending a portion of her time meditating.

“The one thing I do, which I really think helps my life-work balance is to get up 20 mins

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earlier than the kids every day and I meditate between it,” Tina says. “Before the house wakes up, I just find that it defrags my mental hard drive and that’s how I kinda get through the day. If I don’t do that, I’m a chaotic mess.

I need those 20 mins in the morning and everything runs smoothly.”

the merchandise, we book the venues, we do the marketing, we’ve got a fantastic publicist but we do all the marketing and the day-today [so] running of the tour is a massive job.

It’s really special for us to be able to travel right across Australia and meet so many families in so many different areas.

Tina shows that she is a strong and determined woman, always striving for the best for herself and her family. Even while touring around Australia, she never leaves any family member behind. The Lah-Lah franchise has deemed to be successful and has channeled the hearts of families to enjoy song and dance with their little ones. With Tina and her drive for creativity, it’s no wonder Lah-Lah has come with amazing opportunities and little moments that make her career worthwhile.

“I think the biggest challenge for us is that a lot of people don’t realise that we’re a family business; we’re a mum and dad who are running everything in-house so we do everything ourselves,” she states. “We design

“What I really love about the shows is how engaging it is with the audience, so there are some beautiful moments where we get right down to the edges. We have this great song which starts off on small instruments to really big instruments, and just the look on the children’s faces - it’s just magic. I think we’re probably the only band in Australia that does this after every show; the entire band comes down into the audience and we invite families to come over so they can feel and touch the instruments. For us, that tactile experience of when a child actually touches a musical instrument, and sees it being played by a professional musician that’s magic.”

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TODDLER

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Written by Jana Angeles As humans, we’re not invincible when it comes to infectious diseases. Same goes for our little ones, even if they are young and healthy at the start. I t’s important that as parents we become aware of the importance of immunisation and to ensure that your child gets all the shots needed to aid in protecting them from various diseases. Health always comes first no matter what.

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WHAT IS IMMUNISATION? In this day and age and with the amount of technology evolving and research undergone, immunisations have been proven to protect us from a numerous amount of diseases. They aid in improving the health of our children and also gives our community better protection from contracting disease that may affect the way we live.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS? • Some diseases that exist in today’s world can be life-threatening. Thankfully, immunisation can help protect your child from them.

• There are specific vaccines for certain diseases and if your child receives them, they will be protected from that particular disease. For example, there are vaccines for polio, whooping cough etc and if your child receives them, they’ll be better protected from whooping cough and polio.

• Remember the plague and how it wiped out thousands people from the planet?

Because of immunisation, we don’t have a huge number of “breakout” diseases coming through in our society.

Not only will your child benefit from taking the vaccines, the overall health of the community will be sustained and protected.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE NATIONAL IMMUNISATION PROGRAM • The Australian National Immunisation Program is responsible for recommending and providing immunisations against 13 diseases for children aged between 0-4 years old.

• When immunisations are scheduled, they coincide depending on the age of your child, how vulnerable they are

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to certain diseases and what are the best times to undergo certain vaccines.

All vaccines have been tested and have been declared safe to take at the recommended ages.

To make it easier for you, we’ve provided you with a table to help you know what immunisations are needed for your child and at what age they need them.

AGE

IMMUNISATIONS REQUIRED

Birth

Hepatitis B shot

6-8 weeks

1st shot: hepatitis B, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, Haemophilus influenzae type b and polio; 2nd shot: pneumococcus, 3rd shot: rotavirus

4 months

1st shot: hepatitis B, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, Haemophilus influenzae type b and polio; 2nd shot: pneumococcus; 3rd shot: rotavirus

6 months

1st shot: hepatitis B, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, Haemophilus influenzae type b and polio; 2nd shot: pneumococcus; 3rd shot: rotavirus

12 months

1st shot: Haemophilus influenzae type b, and meningococcal C; 2nd shot: measles, mumps and rubella.

18 months

Measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox shot

3 1/2 - 4 years

Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and polio shot

WHY IS IMMUNISATION IMPORTANT? • When you want to enrol your children into childcare, kindergarten and school, there are certain requirements that need to be met with immunisation.

• It’s a requirement by law that your children’s immunisations are up-todate when you want to enrol them for primary school. This will be a certificate which you will need to present to the school on the immunisation status of your child.

• This certificate can be automatically provided by The Australian Childhood Immunisation Register when your child turns 18 months of age and five years of age. You can also visit your local doctor and council as they can give you an immunisation certificate as well.

• If you are receiving family assistance payments, for example the Family Tax Benefit Part A, you are required to have your child fully immunised by the end of financial years in which your child turns one, two and five years old.

This acts as an incentive for parents to follow the immunisation schedule specially made for their children.

If your child is not fully immunised, you will not be able to receive this money from the Australian government. For more information, you can check out www.humanservices.gov.au/ customer/subjects/immunising-yourchildren or visit your local Centrelink or Medicare centre.

• Eligibility status is also dependent on your child being fully immunised if you are applying for Australian Government Child Care Benefit and Child Care Rebate.

DO I NEED TO TAKE EXTRA IMMUNISATIONS? Children that are considered at highrisk need to take extra immunisations to prevent future health problems from occurring.

These include: • Children travelling overseas • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children • Children who were born prematurely • Children with special medical conditions like conditions affecting the immune system, any specific heart conditions or chronic lung The National Immunisation Program (NIP) will fund some immunisations for children who pose as a high-risk for specific diseases. For example, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children need extra immunisation for diseases such as influenza and Hepatitis A. If you’re unsure whether or not your child needs any extra immunisations, seek advice from your doctor or health professional.

WHERE CAN I GET MY CHILD IMMUNISED? There are a number of places where you can get your child immunised. These include: • GP clinics • Local government clinics (keep note that these only run for specific days only) • Community health clinics and Aboriginal community health services GPs can give your child other immunisations that aren’t listed on the NIP schedule if they do have special medical conditions.

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There are also travel clinics that can give immunisations for travel if you are planning on bringing your bub to your next overseas trip.

With immunisations not funded by the NIP, you are required to get a prescription from your child’s doctor in order for them to receive these particular vaccines.

In addition, there are also specialist immunisation clinics where if your child has had an adverse reaction to any immunisations or considered in a highrisk age group. You are only allowed to go to these clinics if you have been given a referral from your doctor or specialist.

WHAT ABOUT IMMUNISATION COSTS? If you get your child immunised at a community or council health clinic, you normally don’t have to pay for them. If you do prefer to go to your local GP, you may be required to pay a consultation fee, even though the vaccine itself is free-ofcharge.

Some take-home tips to take when thinking about immunisations: • Always remember immunisations are worthwhile when it comes to looking after the health of your child and for the rest of the community.

• It’s important to follow the NIP schedule for immunisations so the vaccines work more effectively in your child’s body.

• Immunisations are needed especially if you want your kids to be placed in childcare or at school.

• Be prepared to wipe some tears!

Needles suck. Let’s be real.

Immunisations are important and have proven to be beneficial for the health of

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our overall society. If you’re not convinced, do some research and see what certain vaccines have done as a whole. Australia is very lucky to have a health care system that allows most immunisations to be done free-of-charge. Even though they may not guarantee full protection of certain diseases, it can certainly help your child be free from harmful diseases during their childhood.

COMPACT WITHOUT COMPROMISE

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FASHION

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Child by petalsINK are occasion wear specialists, offering beautiful and timeless designer clothing for the modern girl from 2 to 10 years of age.

Every piece is designed to enhance a child’s beauty and spirit.

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Left Top Sara Dress - $89 Left Bottom Carla Dress - $139 Right 1. Bethany Dress - $229 2. Carolina Dress - $269 3. Kristy Shirt - $109 Lola Skirt - $169

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Top Gigi Top - $119 Zoe Skirt - $189 Bottom Theresa Dress - $289

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30% discount for My Child Magazine readers at PLUM online store ( D i s c o u n t c o d e : P T C 3 0 v a l i d u n t i l 31/ 10 /16 ) ~ baby & toddler fashion ~ sleepbags ~ swimwear ~ nurser y & accessories ~ w w w. p l u m c o l l e c t i o n s . c o m . a u f a c e b o o k : p l u m b a b y w e a r i n s t a g r a m : @ p l u m _ c o l l e c t i o n s october 2016 | mychild

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shop

KIDS

fashion

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shop

KIDS

WHAT’S IN OUR STORES THIS MONTH BABY

GIRLS

Verity Short Jumpsuit $26.95 rrp Pegasus Sandal $15.96 rrp

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UNDER

COTTONON.COM/AU

Charlotte Dress $29.95 rrp Baby Queenie Crown $6.96 rrp Baby Primo $14.95 rrp

$

COTTONON.COM/AU

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UNDER

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SPLURGE

Baby Girl’s Gold Bow Grow $39.95 rrp Baby Girl’s Satin Harem Pant $44.99 rrp Penny Metallic Shoe $39.95 rrp

Wilson Baseball Cap $29.99 rrp Baby Girl’s Kitty Cat Tee $29.99 rrp Baby Girl’s Lace Denim Short $59.99 rrp

BARDOT.COM.AU

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Guess - Denim Tie Front Dress W/Mesh $79.95 rrp Armani Junior - Girls Ballet Flat $169.95 rrp

SHOP.DAVIDJONES.COM.AU

Tahlia Cocoa Beach Dip Dye Dress $129.95 rrp Clarks - Holly Li Sandal $79.95 rrp

SHOP.DAVIDJONES.COM.AU

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shop

KIDS

WHAT’S IN OUR STORES THIS MONTH BABY

30

BOYS Bass Short Sleeve Tee $16.95 rrp Arlo Short $26.95 rrp Printed Flip Flop $6.95 rrp

UNDER

$

COTTONON.COM/AU

Michael Short Sleeve Tee $14.95 rrp Riley Pants $29.95 rrp Dribble Bib $6.95 rrp COTTONON.COM/AU

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UNDER

$

Baby Boy’s Dobby Spot Grow $49.99 rrp Otis Baby Blunny $39.99 rrp Baby Boy’s Basic Chino $54.99 rrp

Little Boy’s Spot Tie Tee $44.99 rrp Little Boy’s Floyd Knit Short $54.99 rrp Top Gun Sunglasses $16.99 rrp BARDOT.COM

BARDOT.COM

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Hugo Boss All In One $119.95 rrp

SHOP.DAVIDJONES. COM.AU

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Armani Junior Print Tee $119.95 rrp Armani Junior Basic Short $149.95 rrp SHOP.DAVIDJONES.COM.AU

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4 WAYS TO SAVE FOR A

Family Trip Written by Jana Angeles Saving for a family trip can be a daunting task to do especially if you find that your bills are raking up high, you have a mortgage to pay for and all other things in-between you have to worry about. Of course, you have to learn how to budget effectively and be thrifty when it comes to certain purchases. Gone are the days where you’re able to eat out for lunch in your one hour break and more days where you do have to make your own instead. There comes a time in your life where you need to relax and recharge with the ones that you love.

Saving for a family trip shouldn’t pose as a challenge if you are willing to work together and give your 100% effort for your dream holiday. Life is too short to dream, so we’ve put together some of the best tips to save for your family trip quicker.

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SORT OUT A BUDGET THAT YOU CAN FOLLOW THROUGH Setting up a budget is really important when it comes to saving money for your upcoming trip. How you manage costs can be on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis. Of course you have to factor in essential costs such as food, housing expenses and other bills you have to pay for. If you are used to the luxury of going out every week for expensive dinners, try and cut them back into a monthly treat. You need to be super strict when it comes to saving up for your family trip.

Putting away as little as $50 a week can save for a trip at the end of the year. You don’t have to necessarily go overseas.

There are plenty of opportunities to go interstate for a week or even drive up the coast and rent a holiday house near the beach.

OPEN UP A HIGH-INTEREST ACCOUNT AND PUT YOUR SAVINGS THERE Shop around and see which banks offer high-interest savings account. Although you’ll be getting a couple of extra dollars a month, these dollars can add up and you’ll be closer to your dream holiday.

There are some banks who make it an incentive to save, so if you follow their special conditions, you can get even more interest if you are disciplined enough.

With the beauty of online banking, you can also schedule in automatic money transfers; this will definitely help overtime and will prevent you from spending the money you’re meant to be saving!

SPEND LESS ON LUXURY/ENTERTAINMENT GOODS Can you live without streaming your favourite TV show on Netflix? What about your favourite music on Spotify? These

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are luxury items you can definitely live without for a couple of months. You can also cut back on buying your favourite pizza or Chinese takeout. Even though they may cost cheap, having them every month/week can really add up. Be strict when it comes to spending on your wants.

Don’t be afraid to sacrifice some of your entertainment services just to save up some more cash. Your family trip will be well worth it!

WORK OUT WAYS TO EARN EXTRA INCOME Do you have an expensive coat you don’t use anymore? Do you also have other skills you can use to do other small jobs on the side? With eBay and Gumtree existing, it doesn’t hurt to sell some of the things you don’t use anymore. Not only is selling your old clothes/items a good idea, but you can definitely get some extra cash if you have many things you don’t use anymore.

In addition, if you work full-time, you can do some extra jobs on the side.

There are many freelance jobs online or you can open up your own business where you provide something useful for people. This can be cleaning and ironing services or babysitting children. There are plenty of opportunities to earn extra money.

Overall, saving can be a challenging thing to do if you feel like you barely have money left after paying all your bills. Have a look at your recent transactions and highlight any bad spending habits you have and do your best to cut back. Saving for your dream holiday may be difficult but you can definitely improve your life/work balance if you take time off and spend it with the ones that you love.

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Visit www.oricom.com.au to find your nearest stockist.

Babysense2 is intended for use as an Infant Apnoea Alarm. ALWAYS READ THE LABEL AND USER GUIDE, USE ONLY AS DIRECTED.

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GET THE LOOK:

interiors

Leah Shannon is a designer and owner of Parade and Company, a lifestyle brand specialising in decor for children’s rooms. She has 15+ years experience in design and a passion for creating children’s spaces that inspire, educate and spark the imagination.

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INTERIORS

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@Hudson_and_Harlow

Canopy Numero 74 $220.00 rrp growingfootprints.com.au

Star Garland - Mailbox Happiness $16.00 rrp etsy.com/mailboxhappiness Knot Pillow - My Little Echo $65.00 rrp mylittleecho.bigcartel.com

Art Print Schmooks Art $79.00 rrp schmooks.com.au

Name Pillow Luvi Shell $29.00 rrp luvi-shell.com

Star Cushion - Essi & Co $30.00 rrp essiandco.com.au Gold Cot - Incy Interiors $799.00 rrp incyinteriors.com.au

Gold Name Plaque Rock Melon $28.00 rrp rockmelononline.com

Play Gym – Lilac & Co $169.00 rrp lilahandco.com.au

Rug – Kmart $19.00 rrp kmart.com.au

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OYOY Lion Cushion – Jack and Willow $99.00 rrp jackandwillow.com

Pax & Hart Print Jack and Willow $59.00 rrp jackandwillow.com

Artecnica Prism Mobile $70.00 rrp kidsinteriorsdesigns .com.au

Pull Along Train Bloomingville Mini $89.00 rrp wigglespiggles.com.au

OYOY Adventure Rug Scandi Kid $99.00 rrp scandikid.com.au

Oeuf Cot - Urban Baby $1,099.00 rrp paradeandcompany.com

Throw Mint Interior Design $175.00 rrp mintinteriordesign. com.au

Sweater Shirley Bredal $119.00 rrp shirleybredal.com Eiffel Tower Cushion - Shirley Bredal $58.00 rrp shirleybredal.com

Knit Throw - Woollen Collective $509.00 rrp woollencollective.com 78

october 2016 | mychild

Chair - Sitting Pretty Furniture $649.00 rrp sittingprettyfurniture.com.au.

interiors GET THE LOOK:

Cross Blanket $299.00 rrp norsu.com.au

BOLD GRAPHIC october 2016 | mychild Tarina Lyell @oh.eight.oh.nine

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TOY

Reviews

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TOYS

october 2016 | mychild

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TOY

Reviews

REVIEWED BY APRIL DAVIS

5/5

DREAM CLOUD NIGHT LIGHT

The Dream Cloud Night Light makes bedtime fun! The portable colour changing mood light plays ten different lullabies and four soothing nature sounds, as well as a soothing heartbeat sound. You can hang the night light in the pram, car or above your little one’s cot, thanks to the handy velcro strap that can be adjusted up to 24cm. With the option of light only, music only or a combination of both, the Dream Cloud Night Light will send your baby off to dreamland in no time.

Our verdict Cute and soothing, the Dream Cloud Night Light is the perfect addition to any nursery. The soothing sounds are soft and relaxing, and the lights send beautiful pastel colours floating across the walls and roof. This is a worthwhile purchase that you won’t regret. .

RRP $29.95 – AVAILABLE FROM BONZA BRATS/ WWW.BONZABRATS.COM.AU

BASHFUL UNICORN MEDIUM This sweet mythical plush toy is the perfect bed companion for little girls - or boys - with big imaginations and even bigger hearts. Made from super soft polyester, each bashful has a bag of beans incorporated into its design to help make it sit.

The unicorn is also safe for children and beyond adorable!

Our Verdict I first came across the bashful range of plush toys in London a few years ago, and have never been able to find fault with them. Plus, kids absolutely love them! This particular unicorn was a newborn gift to my newest little niece, Isabella, who has clung to it in her crib every night for weeks! It’s a real winner in both baby and mum’s eyes!

RRP $39.95 - AVAILABLE FROM LIME TREE KIDS / WWW.LIMETREEKIDS.COM.AU

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5/5

childs FROM A VIEW

3/5

EMOJINAL LIQUID PENCIL CASE Primary school-aged children will look at this quirky pencil case as their latest accessory! Made from bright pink plastic, with a pink and yellow zip and zip-pull, this compact pencil case is just the right size for storing all of your child’s essential stationery!

Plus, they’ll have a great time watching the red glitter hearts and flirty emoji float around the sides.

Our Verdict Although cute and practical, the pencil case can be distracting for young kids, as they’re more interested in the pencil case than their work, it also gets very messy if the plastic gets torn.

Essentially, this pencil case may be a little too fun for school purposes, but a wonderful at home crafting essential!

RRP $13.95 AVAILABLE FROM LARK STORE/ WWW.LARKSTORE.COM.AU

DINO TRUCK Available in four styles - Triceratops, T-Rex, Dilophosaurus and Carnotaurus - your kids will love this new take on the traditional racing car or truck. Combining trucks with dinosaurs is literally a recipe for success!

Jack

My brother, and me have one of these each, but I wish we had more - they’re so fun! They’re only little, so I keep losing mine, but Lucas is really good at finding stuff, so it’s okay! I much prefer these to my normal racing cars.

Our Verdict

It’s surprising how much entertainment such a small, affordable toy can provide! Simple hand them over and watch your kids play for hours!

RRP $6.99 AVAILABLE FROM KIDSTUFF / WWW.KIDSTUFF.COM.AU

5/5 october 2016 | mychild

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REAL READ

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LIVING A NIGHTMARE One man shares his story of living with Domestic Violence

On the 19th of June, 2012 shortly before 1am, my 2 1/2 year old boy woke with a wet nappy.

Normally I would jump up and take care of him but for the previous 4 nights he had been sick with a gastro bug which took a minimum of 10 nappy changes a night.

I did 80% of these and was, understandably buggered so I asked his mother to tend to him and to my surprise she agreed. I knew that we had run out of wet wipes so I told her that they were outside the cabin she would need get them. Her reply was “Well f*%k that, you can do it�. Not surprised by this, I got out of bed I murmured how I thought she was a lazy bitch.

These words would have a chain reaction that I never dreamed of happening.

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As I was heading down the little corridor towards the front door to get on with nappy changing duties, she came running at me from behind. Let me explain that this had become somewhat a ‘normal’ behaviour in our relationship, she had done this on several other occasions previously. She would come at me from behind and then launch at me and bite my neck/shoulder muscle. I heard her coming and turned to defend myself and pushed her down to the floor pre-launch and I am not proud of this but I didn’t know what else to do to keep her away.

I continued to head to my car to get the wipes and as I went to close the door, I felt a really strange sensation in my shoulder and lower back. I turned around and instantly dropped to my knees, I was in agony and was having difficulty breathing.

I didn’t know what was happening or why?

I heard her screeching and asked her to turn the light on, which she did. Once the light was on, I noticed blood splatted on the floor in front of me and I remember thinking this is not going to end well! The pain hit me full force and as I pulled my shirt away from chest to inspect what had happened and I saw her smiling at me. I knew in that moment she had stabbed me.

I buckled again and went into shock. A shock reaction is how your body tells you of the severity of your trauma. I had never experienced such a severe and intense shock reaction and that is when I started to become frightened. Up till then I just thought ‘ Well I’m definitely going to need a bloody doctor this time’.

I realised that I was losing blood faster than was good. I got to my feet and kneeled with my head on my elbow on

a small couch that was there, my other hand was covering my front wound in an attempt to put pressure on it. I concentrated on slowing my breathing to get my heart rate down and slow the loss of blood. She phoned her mother first and when she got off the phone she asked me if I wanted and ambulance, to which I replied “YES!”.

I knew somehow that I needed to stay conscious and put everything into breathing as slowly and deeply as I could as well as keeping my wits about me. I wonder how long it has been since the ambulance had been called, it felt like forever and then suddenly the door was thrown open and a voice yelled “Where’s the knife? Where’s the knife?”, it was a police officer and he literally leaped inside the door. As soon as I saw him, I knew the ambulance would be right behind him and I just let go. Next thing I remember is being wheeled out the door on a gurney and hearing a voice say “Look at how far up the blade goes!”. I found out later that it took the ambulance approximately 25 minutes to get to me.

I was in a critical condition. The knife had penetrated my liver and gall bladder. As soon as I arrived at the hospital, I was immediately taken in for emergency surgery which saved my life. The surgery involved a laparotomy (which is when they cut you open from your belly button to your sternum and remove your insides and inspect and repair the damage. The surgeons then put it all back and sow and staple your tummy together). I had over a litre and a half of blood that had collected internally on top of the copious amount of blood which I had already lost due to the injury. Because of the massive blood loss I had encountered, I was not expected to survive the night.

I woke up and started to choke, this was because of the life support I was on, a voice told me to stay calm and the tube was slowly removed from my throat. Once I could breathe ok, I opened my eyes and re-joined the land of the living. I was in the ICU, at the wonderful Goulburn Valley Base Hospital in Shepparton. I spent about 3 days in the ICU. No-one had informed my Mum or Dad what had happened to me and I did this from my hospital bed. It must have been terrifying for them as they didn’t even recognise my voice. I was transferred to a surgical ward and put on hourly observation. I was being given pain medication and a cocktail of other pills. I had a tube in each side of my belly to drain the blood and bile out of my upper abdomen. I was on oxygen, was catheterised and cannulated in each arm. The cannulas had left marks in this short time and the worst thing was, that evil woman had put in an affidavit stating that the scarring was from heavy illicit drug use!

Melbourne from the Gold Coast by herself at 63 years of age! What a Woman! I was so grateful to have a familiar face around to care for me. Everyone needs someone when the have experience this level of trauma. I was transferred back to Goulburn Valley Base Hospital and a little under a week later was discharged with 28 metal staples and uncounted stitches in my belly.

I had not seen my kids in all this time.

The Department of Human Services had taken the kids from their mother’s care and they were now in foster care. I was forced to have supervised access for the next three months due to their mother and grandmother accusing me of being violent, mentally ill, drug addicted, an alcoholic and the best one was that I was a woman and child abuser. I couldn’t believe it.

After nearly a week in hospital I still had bile leakage into my upper abdomen and it was up to a litre a day. This was also quite dangerous as I went into tachycardia (a resting heart rate of 180 bpm). My right lung had also partially collapsed, which was extremely painful. I underwent a second laparotomy to fix the bile leak issue and they also removed my gall bladder and appendix. After this surgery, I was transferred to the Box Hill Hospital.

The staff were fantastic, they managed to stabilise my condition and they inserted a stent in my liver, which fixed the bile leak.

I spent several more days at the Box Hill Hospital.

Unfortunately, these lies were accepted with very little evidence and I was never given the chance to tell my side of the story. I was treated like a criminal. She had made my life a living hell. She didn’t spend a single day in jail for what she did to me. But if the tables were turned, I fear that my fate would have been much worse than what she experienced. We had our day in court and she was given a 1-year community corrections order for her crime of Intentionally causing Serious Injury. I was horrified, were they kidding!

We successfully appealed the sentence on the grounds of Manifestly Inadequate Sentence and she was re-sentenced to 100 hours of community service and a 3-year community corrections order. This was the best result I could hope for as she was apparently remorseful!

My Mum turned up during this time. She had jumped in her car and driven to

I can remember our conversation clearly when she told me that she wishes she

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would had killed me, then I wouldn’t be trying to steal her children. Her children, was she joking. She was given custody of our children and used them against me whenever she could.

I am sharing my story to help raise awareness around domestic violence against men. I cannot bear to think that my sons or yours will think it is ok to be treated like this.

I found out that she started seeing someone while I was still in hospital.

She is now in a relationship with this man and they have a 6 month old son together. What hurts the most is that she encourages our children to call him Dad! I am their father and nothing can replace the love I have for my children and step-children. I know I am a good father and my concerns are purely for the welfare of my kids. I have been a single Dad to my oldest son for over 12 years, since he was eight months old. I am more than capable of bringing these boys up to be good men. Statically children that grow up in abusive environments usually repeat the patterns that they were raised in and I will fight for them to have a better life than that.

Some interesting facts around male victims of domestic violence sourced from www.oneinthree.com.au:

The stigma around men being abused by women is frightening. Many men are in abusive relationships and are too scared or ashamed to say or do anything about it. Men are expected to control or dominate and be the stronger partner in relationship which is not true.

Male victims of domestic violence are real and we have to stand together to raise awareness around this issue to help breakdown the stereotypes in our society. I have learned a lot from the relationship I was in and the domestic violence I lived with. All that she did to me and all happened to me has made me a stronger and better person in the long run. I know my worth and will never tolerate this type of behaviour from someone that claims to love me. For that I am forever thankful.

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• At least one in three victims of family violence is male • One male is a victim of domestic homicide every 10 days • Almost one in four young people are aware of their mum/stepmum hitting their dad/stepdad • Male and female victims of reported domestic assault receive very similar numbers and types of injuries • Men who have experienced partner violence are 2 to 3 times more likely than women to have never told anybody about it • Post-separation, similar proportions of men and women report experiencing physical violence including threats by their former spouse MensLine Australia is the national telephone and online support, information and referral service for men with family and relationship concerns. The service is available from anywhere in Australia and is staffed by professional counsellors, experienced in men’s issues.

MensLine is a 24/7 service and you can reach them by calling 1300 78 99 78.

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Fast FOOD GET THE LITTLE ONES INVOLVED TO HELP CREATE MASTER MEALS USING OUR RECIPES THAT ARE KID FRIENDLY & CAN BE MADE WITH LITTLE EFFORT.

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breakfast

BRUSCHETTA 0.50 Prep 0.02 Cook

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS 1 large firm ripe avocado, stone removed, peeled, diced 250g cherry tomatoes, halved 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn 2 teaspoons olive oil 1 teaspoon lemon juice

METHOD Step 1 Place avocado, tomatoes, basil, olive oil and lemon juice in a medium size bowl. Season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Gently stir to combine.

Toast or grill bread until golden. To serve, spoon ¼ of the avocado mixture over each slice of bread. Serve with a wedge of lemon.

“Prefect for those days you are running late”

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berry breakfast TART 0.50 Prep 0.15 Cook

Serves 6

INGREDIENTS 1 cup natural muesli 2 tablespoons honey 1 cup plain flour 8g sachet instant dry yeast 2 teaspoons caster sugar 30g butter, chilled, chopped 1/2 cup strawberry jam 150g fresh strawberries, thinly sliced 100g fresh or frozen blueberries 50g fresh or frozen raspberries icing sugar mixture and Farmers Union Greek Style Yogurt, to serve

METHOD Step 1 Combine muesli and honey in a bowl.

Step 2 Preheat oven to 220°C. Sift flour into a bowl. Add yeast, sugar and butter. Using fingertips, rub butter into flour mixture until mixture resembles breadcrumbs.

Add 1/2 cup of warm water to flour mixture. Mix until dough comes together, adding more water if necessary.

Turn dough onto a lightly-floured surface. Knead for 8 minutes or until elastic. Place in a lightly-oiled bowl.

Cover with plastic wrap. Set aside in a warm place for 25 to 30 minutes or until dough doubles in size.

Step3 Lightly grease a large baking tray. Turn dough onto a lightly-floured surface. Roll out dough to form a 2cmthick, 20cm x 30cm rectangle. Place on prepared tray.

Spread jam over dough. Top with fruit, and muesli mixture. Bake for 15 minutes or until base is crisp. Dust with icing sugar. Serve with yoghurt.

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pasta prawn salad GARLIC PESTO 0.20 Prep 0.30 Cook

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS 400g penne 1/2 cup (125ml) olive oil, plus extra to drizzle 6 garlic cloves, skin on 100g rocket leaves, plus extra to serve Zest and juice of 2 large lemons, plus lemon wedges to serve 1 cup (100g) grated parmesan 500g cooked prawns, peeled

METHOD Step 1 Cook the penne according to packet instructions. Drain, toss in a little olive oil and refrigerate.

Preheat the oven to 170°C. Step 2 Place garlic on a sheet of foil, drizzle with a little oil, wrap in foil and roast for 20 minutes. Cool slightly and squeeze cloves out of skins into the bowl of a food processor. Add rocket, the 1/2 cup oil and lemon juice, and process to combine. Transfer to a bowl, stir in parmesan and season with salt and pepper.

Step3 Place the pasta in a large bowl with 4 tablespoons pesto (remaining pesto can be kept in the fridge for 2 days) and zest. Toss to combine and pile onto plates. Top with prawns and extra rocket and serve with lemon wedges. If desired, top salad with some remaining pesto, combined with good-quality mayonnaise.

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falafel & hummus WRAP 0.10

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS 4 multigrain wraps 1/2 cup hummus dip 1/2 baby cos lettuce, leaves separated, torn 150g tabouli 1 Lebanese cucumber, cut into ribbons 6 (225g) falafel with sesame seeds, halved

METHOD Step 1 Place wraps on a flat surface. Spread hummus along centre of each wrap. Top with lettuce, tabouli, cucumber and 3 falafel halves. Roll up firmly to enclose filling.

Serve.

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roast dinner with GARLIC GARVY 0.20 Prep 0.55 Cook

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS 4 (300g each) chicken marylands 4 medium desiree potatoes, thickly sliced 1 bunch baby carrots, trimmed, peeled 2 small parsnips, peeled, halved 4 garlic cloves, unpeeled 3 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves 25g butter, melted 1 tablespoon olive oil 2 tablespoons plain flour 1 cup Campbell’s Real Stock Chicken

METHOD Step 1

Preheat oven to 200°C/180°C fan-forced. Cut 2 deep slashes through the skin and flesh of each chicken piece to the bone.

Step 2 Arrange potatoes, carrot, parsnip and garlic in a large, heavy-based flameproof roasting pan. Top with chicken, then thyme. Drizzle with combined melted butter and oil.

Season with salt and pepper.

Step 23Roast, uncovered, for 40 to 45 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender.

Step 4 Transfer vegetables and chicken to a large plate. Cover.

Place baking dish with pan juices over medium-high heat.

Squeeze garlic from skins and add to pan. Add flour. Cook, stirring, for 2 to 3 minutes or until mixture bubbles and is well-browned. Gradually stir in stock. Cook, stirring, for 3 to 4 minutes or until gravy boils and thickens. Strain gravy into a gravy boat. Serve chicken with roasted vegetables and gravy.

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antipasto polenta TART

0.40 Cook

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS 1L (4 cups) Campbell’s Real Stock Vegetable or Chicken 1 1/3 cups (225g) polenta 1 cup (90g) grated parmesan 2 tablespoons thyme leaves 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced (using a mandoline) 1 zucchini, thinly sliced into rounds (using a mandoline) 100g each marinated roasted capsicum and chargrilled eggplant, drained, sliced into strips 100g cherry bocconcini, torn Extra virgin olive oil, to drizzle 1/4 cup (40g) pitted kalamata olives Basil leaves, to serve

METHOD 1. Preheat the oven to 200C. Grease a 26cm loosebottomed tart pan.

2. Combine the stock and 1 cup (250ml) water in a saucepan over medium heat.

3. Bring to a simmer, then add the polenta in a slow, steady stream, whisking constantly. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 10-12 minutes until slightly thickened.

4. Add the parmesan and thyme. Season, then cook, stirring, for a further 2-3 minutes until melted and combined.

5. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 20 minutes or until slightly crisp on the outside. Remove from oven and top with the onion, zucchini, capsicum, eggplant and bocconcini. Season well and drizzle with olive oil, then bake for a further 5-7 minutes until the zucchini is slightly tender and the cheese has melted.

6. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly in the pan.

7. Remove tart from pan, scatter with olives and basil leaves, then serve.

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berry waffle SUNDAES 0.10 Prep 0.07 Cook

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

500g Coles Brand Frozen Berries 1 tablespoon caster sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla essence 4 Toscano Traditional Belgian Waffles 4 scoops ice-cream

METHOD 1. Remove skin from mangoes. Roughly chop flesh.

Place into a blender or food processor with soy milk, ice-cream and sugar. Blend or process until smooth.

2. Spoon into chilled serving glasses. Drizzle with passionfruit. Serve with almond bread.

all recipes are sourced from taste.com.au

y t s at october 2016 | mychild

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october 2016 | mychild