My Child Magazine July 2017 Issue

MAGAZINE.COM.AU

Adoption & Surrogacy A Dirty Weekend Away

Cultivating Your Child’s Talent Adopting From Overseas ISSUE 71 - AUGUST 2017 1 august 2017 | mychild

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CONTENTS COVER STORIES

EVERY MONTH

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- SURROGACY VS ADOPTION - ADOPTING FROM OVERSEAS

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CULTIVATING YOUR CHILD’S TALENT A DIRTY WEEKEND AWAY

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EDITOR’S LETTER

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RECIPES

YOUR CHILD EDITOR’S PICKS

BOOK REVIEWS

MUMMY BLOG: RANTING AND ROCKING IT

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HOW TO GET YOUR TODDLER INTO A SLEEP ROUTINE HOW TO GET YOUR KIDS TO LISTEN TO YOU

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SURROGACY IN AUSTRALIA

HOW TO BREASTFEED YOUR ADOPTED OR SURROGATE BABY CARING FOR YOU SURROGATE WHEN THEY ARE PREGNANT HOW TO BE INCLUDED IN THE BIRTH OF YOUR ADOPTED OR SURROGATE CHILD

CELEBRITY

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MICHAEL WIPFLI - AKA WIPPA

DAD READ

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HOW TO GET YOUR KIDS TO LISTEN TO YOU

INSPIRATIONAL READ

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SYDNEY HEARTS OF GOLD

SHOPPING

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FASHION: BOBBY G

SHOP KIDS FASHION

GET THE LOOK INTERIORS

TOY REVIEWS

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EDITOR BIANCA MEDINA

ASSISTANT EDITOR JANA ANGELES

ART DIRECTOR CRAIG BURKILL

CONTRIBUTING EXPERTS APRIL DAVIES SHEREE ECHLIN LEAH SHANNON AIMEE YORK CARA BARILLA PAUL TREVINO LORETTA CAREY KARLI STEENKAMP GENIE PRICE

EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES EDITORIAL@MYCHILDMAGAZINE.COM.AU

ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES ADVERTISING@MYCHILDMAGAZINE.COM.AU

CONTACT: MYCHILD MAGAZINE PHONE: 0411 572 877

My Child magazine and mychildmagazine.com.au are wholly owned by MyChild Magazine (ABN 79 167 787 662). No other parties or individuals have any financial interest in the company or in My Child or mychildmagazine.com.au. My Child contains general information only and does not purport to be a substitute for health and parenting advice. Readers are advised to seek a doctor for all medical and health matters. The publisher and authors do not accept any liability whatsoever in respect of an action taken by readers in reliance on the recommendations set out in this magazine. Reproduction of any material without written permission by the publisher is strictly forbidden. We cannot accept responsibility for material lost or damaged in the post or for any unsolicited manuscripts and photographs. All reasonable efforts have been made to trace copyright holders.

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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.

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EDITOR’S LETTER Hi Everyone, Hope you’re all happy, healthy and surviving the cold!

WOW - I cannot believe that it’s August 2017. I know I whinge about how quickly time goes by frequently but seriously it just floors me. I’ve been doing this mummy thing for 2 years now, however before Max’s arrival, 2 years felt like 5.

I’ve decided that in my editor’s letter I am going to share a little bit about my life as mum and this crazy journey of parenthood that keeps me on my toes. Max is my 2-year-old toddler. She is the most adorable little girl with a big bossy personality. Every week since she arrived in my life, there is something new she achieves which makes me think she is just an amazingly talented child and that I have the next Einstein leaving under my roof, but hey let’s get real, most of us have this feeling – lol.

Max has had an interesting end of July and experienced her first bout of gastro! Goodness, nothing can prepare a parent for that. Seeing your child that sick is awful and what makes it worse is there isn’t much you can do to help. Have you ever tried telling a toddler that is crying after throwing up and wants to have some water, that they are only going to throw it up again, so probably not a great idea!

Well, let me tell you it’s not fun and honestly, it’s a little heartbreaking. She’s had to stay home with me all week and miss out on daycare which has only added to her misery. She actually loves her social interaction with anyone that isn’t her family – haha. Anyhow, I’m sure she’ll be better next week and then we’ll have some new tales to tell you in the next issue.

Now let’s take a look at what’s in the August Issue. This month is the Adoption and Surrogacy Issue.

We have some great articles for you on Surrogacy vs. Adoption, How to find a Surrogate, Adopting from Overseas, Caring for your Surrogate when they are pregnant, How to be included in the Birth of your Adopted or Surrogate Child, How to breastfeed your Adopted or Surrogate Baby as well as some handy hints on How to get your toddler into a sleep routine, Cultivating your Childs Talents, How to get your kids to listen to you and a good relationship read on having a dirty weekend away!

This month’s inspirational read, Sydney hearts of gold is a must as is the amazing interview we did with the ever so talented Wippa from Nova. All the usuals, interior, reviews, blog and much more can also be found in this issue too.

Bianca xxx

Until next month my lovelies,

Bianca and the mychild Team xxx 6

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Surrogacy in Australia Written by: Karli Steenkamp Many couples struggle to have a baby of their own for various reasons. Adoption might not be something you want to pursue. Surrogacy is a beautiful phenomenon helping people have a baby when no other means are possible. It is the process where a female carries a baby on behalf of someone else. There are two types of surrogacy: Traditional surrogacy is when the surrogate not only carries the baby, but her eggs are also used. In Gestational surrogacy, the baby is not genetically link to the surrogate.

The surrogate will undergo IVF treatment to conceive. Either type of surrogacy gives you the result you want: a baby. Every state has its own laws regarding surrogacy. It is a complicated process and it is advised that you get all your facts before you start this worthwhile process.

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ADOPTION & SURROGACY

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Your first step in this process is to find out what Surrogacy options are available in Australia. It all depends on your state or territory, however most states and territories only have the Altruistic surrogacy. This entails that the surrogate gets no financial gain out of the surrogacy. Commercial surrogacy, where you pay someone to carry the baby for you, is illegal in some states or territories .

How do you find a surrogate? If you don’t have a family member or friend that can carry a baby for you then you need other means to find a surrogate. Many couples look for a surrogate overseas where the laws might be different. This is a risk you take as some of those laws might not be accepted by the Australian government. You will need to seek independent legal advice in each country to see what the laws are and how to get your baby citizenship by descent or permanent residency.

To find a surrogate in Australia might be an easier option. In some states or territories, you are not allowed to advertise for a surrogate. You have to rely on word of mouth or social media. IVF clinics also offer surrogacy services. When choosing a surrogate, your state or territory will decide the age the surrogate needs to be. Other factors to consider is that the surrogate needs to be financially stable, have a good support structure at home and have a family of her own, with easy pregnancies. This will make the journey easier.

It is very important that you find a fertility counsellor to work with. They work with many people going through the exact same process and they prepare you for each step of the way for you and the surrogate.

There are a few things to consider before you make this big decision. The good versus the bad:

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There are no Medicare rebates for IVF in surrogacy. It can cost between AUS $12,000 – 18,000. You will have to pay the medical expenses, any loss of income that the surrogate might experience, prenatal classes and other expenses. The pregnancy is in the hands of the surrogate and the intended parents don’t have much say.

The surrogacy agreement is not legally binding. The surrogate is considered the baby’s mother at birth and she will have to register the baby. The baby must be in your care for 28 days before you can apply for a parentage order. This parentage order is when the court will name you as the legal parents of the baby. This process must take place before the baby is 6 months old.

This agreement between the intended parents and surrogate is not an enforced arrangement. In other words, both parties can change their minds before the court date, however, this is does not occur often.

Both parties receive counselling to prepare them for the process.

Here is a step-by-step guide: 1. The surrogate and intended parents need to find legal advice. It must be someone who knows the laws of your state or territory. A contract needs to be drawn up and signed with witnesses. It is important to prove what everyone’s intentions are with this process.

2. Get counselling for the surrogate and yourselves. It is not an easy journey and you will need the guidance of an objective professional.

3. When you get a positive pregnancy result, you are one step closer to having a baby of your own. This step is what reassures you why you are doing this.

4. The birth mother will register the baby once the baby is born. She is currently considered the mother of the child, in some states and territories.

5. Both parties will need to get a Surrogacy

guidance report. The intended parents and surrogate can’t have the same one and it can’t be with the same counsellor you had before birth. This is to support both parties with this emotional transition.

6. Intended parents can apply for parental order.

7. The court will make its decision and grant you as legal parents of the baby, meaning the surrogate mother has no more legal rights over them.

8. You can now register the baby in your name.

This information can be very overwhelming.

You will have all the support you need to get you through this process. There are counsellors and agencies to help you along the way. On social media, there are support groups that you can join, Facebook has an FTS Facebook group and there is an Altruistic Surrogacy Australia Forum that you can join. Luckily, surrogates are screened before the process to see if they are emotionally ready to be a surrogate and because of the advances in the medical field relating to IVF, there is a high pregnancy rate.

It won’t be long before you have a baby of your own.

Karli Steenkamp References: • Surrogacy Australia (www.surrogacyaustralia.org) • Families through surrogacy (www.familiesthrusurrogacy.com) • Fertility connections (www.fertilityconnections.com.au) • Australia Department of Immigration and Border Protection (www.border.gov.au) • Queensland Government (www.qld.gov.au) • Modern family surrogacy (www.modernfamilysurrogacy.com)

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Adopting from overseas What you need to know about adoption outside of Australia Written by: Karli Steenkamp Adopting a child from overseas is an exciting and daunting process. You are considering the idea of adopting a child internationally, but don’t know where to start. According to UNICEF, there is 140 million children that are orphaned in this world. You can make a difference in a child’s life and give them a future.

It will be an emotional journey, but well worth it. You can either do a private adoption or do an Intercountry adoption.

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ADOPTION & SURROGACY

With private adoption, you already know the child you want to adopt through an in-country visit. You don’t need an adoption agency to find you a child, however you will have to find legal help as you go on this journey. Intercountry adoption is a mutual relationship between two countries to help people adopt children in that country. That entails all local options for that child has been exhausted. Adoption has its advantages and disadvantages. It is good to get as much information as possible before you make a decision and start the process.

It is important to know the advantages and disadvantages around international adoption. A few pros are: • There are so many orphaned children that it will not be difficult to find a child.

• If you find a child to adopt, you are basically guaranteed to get that child.

• You are aware about what this process will cost you.

• You get to travel to a new country and see the culture of the child you are adopting.

The cons regarding adoption overseas are: • You will not get a newborn baby.

• The child’s background and family medical history may not be available.

• There can be developmental delays in the child. It can be due to the lack of stimulation or not having proper prenatal care.

• Lots of paperwork will be involved.

• Travel fees and accommodation need to be accounted for.

• It can be a lengthy process. However, if you adopt a special needs child, the process could be faster. Gender and age also plays a role.

What is the first thing you need to do after making your decision?

1. The first thing is to find out if you

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qualify to adopt a child. You will do this by contacting your state or territory to see if you are eligible to adopt.

If you choose to do the Intercountry adoption, they will send your application to the country of your choice. They will then see what child is best fit for you and your lifestyle.

Every country has their own criteria you have to meet before they match you with a child.

You will receive a Placement Proposal, telling you more about the child you’re adopting.

You will have to keep in mind that you will travel to meet the child as well as collect him or her.

A post-placement report will have to be done to see if the child adjusts well to his or her new life.

International adoption can be costly.

The adoption fees do not include any medical treatment or any other assessments the child might have to do. Travel and visa fees need to be taken into account as well. These costs are different in every state or territory.

It can range from AUS 3000 – 11 000.

These costs will not guarantee finding a child that matches your criteria. As soon as the child is in your care, they will be a permanent resident with all the benefits.

To adopt privately can be very risky as you are not guaranteed that the child’s visa will be granted even if the adoption was successful. It will be good to get legal advice from both countries involved.

Adopting is a wonderful way of giving new life to a child. International adoption is a lovely way to see how other cultures live. It does seem overwhelming starting the process and there are cons involved, however, being granted a successful adoption enriches your life and the child’s. If you are interested in adopting

overseas, go to Intercountry Adoption’s website and they can answer questions that you might have. You will also see what countries are involved in the Intercountry adoption. Phone your Central authority in your state or territory to find out if you are a good candidate for adopting. It is a well worth it process.

References: 1. Intercountry Adoption Australia 2. Adoption.com 3. Australian government border website 4. SOS.usa.org

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KIDS

WHAT LIES BENEATH? HOW TO HELP CULTIVATE YOUR CHILD’S PASSIONS

By Genie Price

As every parent will attest – babies are curious beings.

From the moment they are born, they are exploring. They mimic others and they also learn their own ways as they go. However, when curiosity is lost, so is a passion for life.

While some children come out of the womb knowing what they want to do in life, others wander around without any inkling of a specific focus until early adulthood.

It’s hard to think about their future and what they want to be when they “grow up”, while still trying to figure out how to be kids. Every day our kids send us signals about what interests them that can translate into a lifelong passion.

What can we do to help our children nurture these desires and their purpose without taking over?

Here are some ways in which you can foster their curiosity and help them discover what lies beneath.

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GIVE THEM THE FREEDOM TO EXPLORE: One way to help your child discover a passion is to let them be just that – a child. Let them explore the world around them and expose them to new things. By visiting such places as museums and libraries and by reading about creators, inventors or great leaders, you can open the door to a potential desire.

By doing this, you have to make a few sacrifices. You may have to open your basement for science experiments’ to take part in or you may have to begrudgingly eat that blackened cake, made by your one and only, for your birthday. But, the exciting thing is, when parents can give their children the freedom to explore and choose what they enjoy, only then can this desire be nurtured.

Give them music lessons and see how it goes. Let your daughter volunteer at the local pet shop so she gets a feel for the “role and responsibility” and if they are both still there after twelve months, it’s most likely you have hit the nail on the head.

That’s not to say they won’t later change their minds, but for now, it’s a pretty good start.

MODEL YOUR OWN PASSION: Children learn by imitation. Therefore, to introduce your children to have an ongoing hobby, show them first by being their teacher.

While experts believe identifying your child’s natural talents will help them be successful, it can also help parents make the most of the resources available to them.

An environment rich with opportunities to learn can give your child the best chance of developing their full potential.

Many parents have hobbies. Maybe you like to sketch and your daughter wants to be an artist. Let her watch and learn everything she can from you! Afterwards, give her the opportunity to try and let her lead the way; she could very well become the next Gwendolyn Knight.

LET YOUR CHILD PLAN A WEEKEND: This one is fun!

Let your child decide on the events for the weekend. Put them in charge. Give them a budget and help them to research ideas that they would enjoy. Make only one rule: that it has to be something that motivates and excites them. The options are (almost) endless – your child’s imagination will run wild with ideas – ideas which you can later use to foster the continued journey.

If you don’t already have a hobby you are passionate about, find one that fits you. If necessary, try a few that meet your needs and ones which can be cultivated easily.

You never know - you may find yourself climbing trees to catch butterflies or end up engineering a four bedroom fort out of drift wood!

INTRODUCE YOUR CHILDREN TO OTHERS IN THE FIELD: So, your baby (teen) girl wants to be a vet

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nurse and your boisterous boy wants to play in a band. Another great way to cultivate the passion that lies beneath is by letting them experience it firsthand.

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When our young are encouraged to explore and create, they will start to feel that they are “good” at something, like music, sports, math, or something else. This is where they gain an authentic sense of achievement and of self. They become more confident in themselves and believe that they have what it takes to succeed at school, work, and other areas of life. By being an active parent and playing facilitator, you will be able to start connecting your child’s natural passions to clubs at school, summer programs and, eventually, a career. Along the way, they might even think that you’re pretty cool, too.

About the author: It’s been about 25 years since I first set foot in a day-care. Since then, I never left and I never looked back. I knew it’s what I wanted to do from a very young age. I started out volunteering to read to the children and had work placements at the local Kindergartens. I also became an afterschool childminder.

I basically lived and breathed babies and

children. I am now 35 with my Degree in Earl y Years Education and Care as well as an Australian Diploma in Children’s Services, as well as my own two boys. I guess you could say – I found my passion and I ran with it. I also found my passion for writing at a young age, and here is where I combine the two for you all to enjoy. Which I hope you do.

My blog can be seen here at: http://genies1. wixsite.com/thekiwihummingbird

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ECZEMA IN INFANTS: A PROBLEMATIC BUT COMMON SPREAD CONDITION Put three Australian infants in a room, and chances are, one in three of them have suffered from – or will suffer from – eczema.

In a nutshell, eczema refers to chronic skin conditions caused by inflammation. The most common form of eczema is Atopic Dermatitis (AD) – this refers to inflammation of the skin due to hereditary allergies (which may also result in asthma and hay fever).

According to statistics from the University of Melbourne, Australia is one of the most susceptible nations to eczema. Eczema affects between 10 to 15 percent of Australia’s population in general; infants, specifically, have a 38.5% likelihood of suffering from eczema. This begs the question – what causes eczema, and why does it occur?

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Unfortunately, it’s pretty much impossible to pin down your infant’s eczema to one specific factor – but what we do know is that it’s caused by a combination of genes and environmental factors. Firstly, infants with eczema tend to have dry skin which is prone to irritation and itching. When exposed to allergens in the environment, this dry skin breaks out in a rash, and when your infant scratches himself or herself – which is bound to happen – this makes it even harder for his or her skin to heal.

There are several things that parents can do to prevent and treat eczema; these include moisturising their infants’ skin, avoiding skin irritants (such as scented lotions), and avoiding allergic triggers (such as dust and

HEALTH

mould). However, the one most important thing to do when it comes to infant eczema is to control the itching – unless you do this, your infant will continue scratching, causing his or her skin to be even more inflamed and itchy. This is a downward spiral – one that you need to ward off at all costs.

So how do you control itching? the most common choice is a topical steroid cortisone cream, which is typically seen as the “gold standard” in minimizing eczema-related itching.

A word of caution, though – these cortisone creams can result in side effects, especially if they’re used over a prolonged period of time. Side effects include thinning of skin and stretch marks forming; generally speaking, due to the potential risks, these aren’t the best option for children under the age of two.

Most people have antimicrobial defences within their skin which can prevent harmful microbes from attacking skin cells. People suffering from atopic dermatitis, on the other hand, either don’t have these defences or they are impaired. For this reason the harmful bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, amongst others, resides on the skin of 90% of eczema sufferers which disturbs the immune system of the skin. The skin is the body’s natural barrier to allergens and when harmed, these allergens can enter the body causing, amongst others, eczema and skin irritations.

Under these circumstances, you’ll need a product which specifically targets the bacteria in your infant’s eczema, and stops it from aggravating his or her condition. A highly recommended option is Dexem Repair Cream, which is clinically proven to relieve the symptoms of eczema and irritated skin by blocking harmful bacteria.

which binds to harmful bacteria and neutralises them. Under extensive clinical trials, Dexem Repair Cream performed well on the Eczema Areal and Severity Index (SCORAD) index, with application of Dexem Repair Cream resulting in a 75% improvement in eczema conditions.

Other than having its patented 2QR complex neutralize bacteria, Dexem Repair Cream also acts to normalize the pH of your infant’s skin – this forms as a protective barrier that will shield your infant from bacterial overgrowth. Needless to say, Dexem also relieves itch and redness; it’s also completely steroid free – so you can use it on your infant with peace of mind, knowing that it won’t cause any side effects or irregularities further down the road.

Dexem Repair Cream is highly recommended by pharmacists across Australia due to its efficacy in treating eczema in infants and children. For more information about Dexem Repair Cream, visit www.dexemrepair.com.au

How does Dexem Repair Cream work? It contains a patented bio-active 2QR complex, august 2017 | mychild

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PREGNANCY

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CARING FOR YOUR SURROGATE SUPPORTING HER DURING THE PREGNANCY Written By: Loretta Carey Gestational surrogacy is undeniably a sensitive and difficult process for both parties. To make the process a bit easier, some intended parents purely treat it as a business arrangement. On the other hand, there are some people who find forming a relationship with the surrogate a rewarding experience. After all, the surrogate is carrying their precious baby in her womb.

While many surrogacy centres can handle all the physical and mental care essentials for your gestational surrogate, you too can be involved in the pregnancy. Surrogacy relationships can go deeper than a business transaction.

It is also worth noting that some surrogates do not carry babies just to get compensated. They do it because they want to help people who struggle to make babies.

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Your baby is connected to your surrogate and you can form a bond with her so in a way, you are also forming a bond with your baby during the pregnancy. You can offer support to the surrogate so your baby can develop in a healthy and happy environment. Here are some tips you can follow on properly caring for your gestational surrogate during the pregnancy.

OPENLY COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR SURROGATE One of the upsides of gestational surrogacy is that you are free to communicate with the surrogate. You get to talk to potential surrogates and choose someone who you feel comfortable with.

Once you’ve selected your surrogate and the pregnancy has been confirmed, you have to make sure that you treat her how you would want to be treated. Openly communicate with her and get to know her. Ask about her dislikes, what makes her happy and what worries her.

Early in the process, it is important for expecting parent/s and the surrogate to set clear boundaries. While this can be dealt with legally, there are still some things that can be settled out of the contract. For instance, you can ask them what kind of communication they would like to maintain after the birth.

You can also ask them if they would be comfortable having you inside the room while she delivers the baby.

It would also be helpful if you can consult a therapist who specialises in fertility. There may be aspects of the process that you might feel awkward talking about with your surrogate. Since most surrogates’ purpose is to help people struggling with pregnancy, they become emotionally invested in the process. You might wonder what your surrogate will feel when she delivers the baby and when that baby is given to you.

A therapist would be able to open the communication between both parties in topics such as the aforementioned.

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REGULARLY CHECK ON HER An excellent way to show your support for your surrogate is by regularly checking on her. A phone call at least once a week would be enough. However, if you feel the need to visit her, ask her how often you can schedule meetings with her.

On the other hand, no one enjoys being micromanaged. So, remember to keep a perfect balance between your concern and your surrogate’s personal space.

Another thing you have to keep in mind is that the process requires a lot of trust.

Surrogacy agencies make sure that they meticulously screen the potential surrogates and that they are educated about the process. It goes without saying that the person carrying your baby would have common sense and you just have to trust her to use it. Trust her to take care of herself throughout the pregnancy—that she’s careful with what she eats, she’s well rested and that she’s showing up to all her OB appointments.

MAKE THE PREGNANCY COMFORTABLE FOR HER Going through pregnancy is difficult enough, and carrying a stranger’s baby can be more challenging. Aside from the physical challenges, a surrogate goes through a lot of emotional and mental stress. So, it is also important for you to ask her how you can make the pregnancy a little more comfortable for her. Give her a gift every now and then to show her how much you appreciate what she’s doing for you.

LISTEN TO HER SPECIAL REQUESTS You can also ask her whether she has any special requests. For instance, some surrogates may have tried delivering a baby without an epidural and they did not like the experience. If she asks for an epidural for the delivery, then do not hesitate to allow her request. There are also some surrogates who do not like seeing the baby right after delivery.

They do not want to have that first

bond as they know that the baby is not theirs to keep. As long as the surrogate’s requests are reasonable then go ahead and fulfil them.

OFFER RELIEF FOR PREGNANCY-RELATED ACHES Lower back pains and aches are part of the pregnancy process for a surrogate.

So, why not offer relief for your surrogate to make her experience a little less difficult? There are many options available for you and getting chiropractic care is one of them. You may think that it is not safe for a pregnant woman to see a chiropractor during pregnancy, but the truth is, complications from this treatment are rare.

There are many trusted chiropractic clinics in Perth and across Australia.

Many of them are qualified to provide chiropractic treatment for pregnant women. Their treatments are safe and they do not involve surgery or drugs.

What chiropractors do is maintain the health of a pregnant woman’s spinal column and adjust misaligned joints. On the other hand, it is still best to get a doctor’s approval before subjecting your surrogate to a chiropractic treatment.

enough space to grow. Moreover, having a balanced pelvis lowers the chances of the baby moving into a breech position.

There are a lot of things you can do for your gestational surrogate. What is important is you set clear boundaries with your surrogate so that both of you won’t go overboard. Respect your surrogate and try to make her experience comfortable. Sometimes, a simple gesture of appreciation can be enough to make her happy.

Author Bio: Loretta Carey is a young blogger who is very passionate about her work. Her deep experience as a blogger made her an expert on different niches like parenting and pregnancy.

As a blogger, she believes in quality content with relevant research information

BENEFITS OF CHIROPRACTIC CARE FOR YOUR SURROGATE During the pregnancy, your surrogate may experience physical and hormonal changes. Some of them can affect her posture and make her feel uncomfortable.

As your baby inside her womb grows, your surrogate’s centre of gravity shifts and her posture accordingly adjusts. During the pregnancy, your surrogate may suffer from a misaligned spine or joints.

Regularly bringing your surrogate to a chiropractor frees her from the pain caused by the changes in her posture.

Aside from that, chiropractic care also brings benefits for your baby. When a chiropractor properly aligns your surrogate’s pelvis, your baby gets

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SURROGACY VS. ADOPTION

By Jana Angeles There comes a time in your life where you may need or want to choose surrogacy or adoption if you want to start a family. Unfortunately, life may have other plans due to health or personal reasons. Both surrogacy and adoption are great alternatives, and it’s really up to you to decide which process you’ll be happier with. Like with all ma jor decisions, it’s important to consider the pros and cons of each.

Speak to professionals and immediate family members to get second opinions, but remember that the decisions you make are totally up to you. Having children is a wonderful yet crazy experience you’ll have in life, but it’s worthwhile to watch them grow and see them become their beautiful, confident selves.

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ADOPTION & SURROGACY

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SURROGACY In the process of gestational surrogacy, the surrogate mother carries the baby of the parents. In this case, she becomes pregnant through an embryo transfer, carrying the genetics of one or both parents.

put families in financial strain.

• Surrogate mother needs to take fertility medications and undergo egg transfer procedure. This could be an uncomfortable process for them.

• Very unlikely to keep in touch with the family once the child is born.

Pros and Cons of Surrogacy Pros • Parents have more control over the surrogacy process compared to adoption.

• It’s a popular choice for parents because of the genetic link for the child, simplifying the legal process.

• Parents are able to choose their surrogates and they undergo a ‘matching process’. They have the opportunity to go through the profiles of surrogates, seeing if the goals and plans of the surrogates match their own.

• Substance abuse (alcohol and drugs) is prohibited and all surrogates require a medical screening.

• There are legal binding contracts required between the parents and the surrogate mother. Making it a smoother and faster transition for parents to receive their baby.

• Surrogacy is well-planned so there are few surprises that come up.

• If you are eligible for Medicare, you have the option of not paying the fees upfront associated with surrogacy.

Cons • Expensive. There are not many financing options available for parents if they choose surrogacy as an option. Families could easily fall into debt because of the amount of fees that need to be paid for.

• There are lots of medical expenses that need to be covered. Lab testing, doctor appointments, medication (if needed) and more.

• Payment needs to be paid in full if you are not eligible for Medicare, which could 28

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ADOPTION Adoption is the process where a single or couple become the non-biological parent(s) of a child from a different family. People from Australia can either adopt locally or internationally, but they do have to be aware of the long wait times and expenses that come along with it.

Pros • Rewarding. If you’re going to adopt overseas, especially from third-world countries like China and the Philippines, you can change a child’s life in an instant.

Providing them with the basic needs and raising them in a supportive environment will help them become happy and healthier individuals. Same thing applies for adopting locally, you could help a child escape from an abusive parent or help someone who has an unplanned pregnancy.

• Parents are able to choose the criteria of their adopted children. This includes race, medical history, substance exposure, etc.

• Pregnant women who are choosing to adopt do not have to undergo thorough medical screenings, saving them from invasive procedures that surrogate mothers are required to go through.

• There are no legal binding contracts, making the process less intense for parents and the birth giver.

• Birth mothers have the option to stay in touch with their child once they are adopted.

Cons • Parents have less control over the adoption process compared to surrogacy.

• Like surrogacy, the costs of adopting a child isn’t cheap.

• There is no certainty for parents, especially if they are planning on adopting a child who isn’t born yet. Birth mothers are allowed to change their minds and keep the child.

• Parents who plan on adopting overseas can expect to be waiting long periods of time (can vary from years to months) to be approved or to even find a birth mother in the first place. It is not uncommon either for this to happen.

• Though there are no legal binding contracts involved, the adoption process can be purely based on the mother’s commitment. This can vary depending on the circumstance of the mother - if the pregnancy is unplanned, there are more emotional implications to worry about.

• Most children who are up for adoption overseas have special needs and/or need more attention spent on their health.

Some parents may not feel comfortable over this or do not have the finances to be able to support this.

While surrogacy and adoption are both great options for people wanting to be parents, they all come with their pros and cons. Always discuss with your partner or trusted confidant before making a decision.

We recommend you thoroughly research before forming your own opinion.

Here are other sources you can take a look at if you want to learn more on surrogacy and adoption: Surrogacy: IVF Australia: www.ivf.com.au Rainbow Fertility: www.rainbowfertility.com. au Genea Australia: www.genea.com.au Adoption: Barnados Australia: www.barnardos.org.au You Gotta Believe: www.yougottabelieve.org Intercountry Adoption Australia: www.intercountryadoption.gov.au

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BABY

What’s So Special About Newborn Nappies?

Okay, so I’m not that long out of the haze that was the newborn phase… I’ve since turned the corner into the 10-month sleep regression, but that’s a story for another day! And I’m the sort of first time mumma who proudly did my Goldilocks share of baby research, you know – not too much to totally scare the pants off me and my husband, and not too little to feel totally unprepared. In my mind, I did “just enough” research and actually felt pretty happy about welcoming a new addition to the family!

I was prepared for some all the confronting stuff that is labour and birthing, and was totally onboard with the newborn crawl to the boob, but I must admit that I really hadn’t given much thought to the number of newborn nappies me and my husband would be changing for our little poop-machine!

Of course it does vary, but most newborns will require 10-12 nappy changes per day!! Yes, you read correctly!! Cloth or disposable, you will be changing *that* many!

Up to 84 in the first week…360 in your first month….over 1000 within the first three months of your newborn’s beautiful existence! Seems crazy!?

WHY SO MANY NAPPY CHANGES? The liquid diet of a newborn is plentiful.

Although they only consume in walnut sized doses, the volume soon adds up and ends up in their nappies. Some babies poop after every feed, some every three days.

A “normal” pooping schedule for a baby can vary heaps! Always chat with your child health nurse, midwife or GP if you’re concerned.

As with any routine you find you and your bubba settling into, the nappy routine of your newborn will soon change. There is light at the end of the newborn pooping tunnel.

Anywhere between 4 and 6 months, you will start to see a reduction in THE frequency of nappy changes. As your bubba grows, so too does the size nappy, even for adjustable size or one-size-fits-most (OSFM) nappies and this allows more absorbency to be fit into the nappy.

WHY A SPECIALISED NEWBORN NAPPY? From my experience, it was all to do with fit.

My bustling 11kg 10-month old bubba was once a delicate little flower and she needed a tiny little nappy to fit around her tiny little waist and tiny little thighs. Even though she tipped the scales at 3.9kg at birth, so clearly wasn’t one of the super tiny ones, I had real problems getting a good fit from my OSFM nappies. So, we tried Bambams instead and had a great experience with newborn cloth nappies as a result. Even my husband loved them and I thought he would prefer the ease of the all-in-two style nappy. But he loved how delicate and beautifully fitted the Bambams were on our newborn and was a bit sad once she grew out of them which for her was around 5-6 months mark. That was also around the time, for us, where we dropped to using around 8-10 nappies per day and now at 10 months, it’s more like 6-8 per day. So if you can get into the habit of cloth nappy-ing from the start, it just gets easier!

Side note: being able to fold down the top of the Bambams to avoid the umbilical clip was super helpful! I was really paranoid of

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knocking the peg and I was worries about the nappies rubbing – but we had no issues at all!

WHY INVEST IN CLOTH FOR A NEWBORN? 1. COST FACTOR: For me it was quite simply because it was more cost effective!

2. CUTENESS FACTOR: I also got very used to seeing my beautiful baby in cloth especially when summer rolled around and she only needed the addition of a cute top to her nappy and she ready to roll!

3. GENTLE ON BABY’S BUM: Touch wood but we’ve never had a case of nappy rash in cloth!

4. ENVIRONMENTAL FACTOR: We love that we are reducing waste by choosing cloth.

Here’s my little Maeve – 3 days old….bless!

That was just my experience with cloth with a newborn. There are PLENTY of cloth options for newborns including flats, prefolds, fitted and all-in-one nappies (coming soon!) which vary the costs associated with the initial outlay so if you have ANY questions, get in touch with us. We would LOVE to help you find the solution that works best for you and your family!

Bubblebubs Bambams have the title of BEST NEWBORN NAPPY from the Australian Cloth Nappy Association which we are super proud of. We just love supporting people in their cloth journey and would love to help you find the newborn nappy for you!

We guarantee that our nappies will fit (see above) and have a money-back guarantee – you’ve got nothing to lose!

www.bubblebubs.com.au

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TODDLER

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How to get your toddler into a sleeping routine

By Paul Trevino Setting up a sleeping routine for your toddler is tough. When they’re small, babies want to sleep with their parents; they’re extremely attached to the mother, meaning that you’ll have difficulties putting them to their own bed.

However, it’s not something impossible to do. The secret is to understand them and attempt to make the transition step-by-step.

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Step 1: 12-18 months During this period, you should expect your toddler to want to walk a lot. Frequent walking, or attempt to walk is something natural. In some cases, the urge to walk happens at night. You shouldn’t ask yourself why they wake up. In most cases, toddlers wander around the house at night because they have a hectic routine during the day.

You could read them a book, or play them a story to soothe them down. From a child’s development point of view, it’s a tricky age. Your toddler now realises that if his eyes are closed, you will leave. Music and storytelling will help them fall asleep peacefully. Teach your toddlers how to drift off, and be there when they fall asleep. He must know he’s not alone.

Step 2: 18 months - 3 years After 18 months, your child’s sleeping issues may start earlier. Most toddlers have an insane amount of energy. They never want to go to bed. Their imagination runs wild around this period and they’re eager to play all the time. You should be prepared.

Toddlers should be in bed by 9 pm.

Otherwise, they’ll be sleep-deprived, and they won’t want to go to bed at all after that hour. Soothe them or read them a story before bedtime. It’s very important to have patience, and try to instill them a sense of responsibility. It will also help later as they grow up.

Step 3: 3 - 6 years old By this age, your child should sleep all alone. Some won’t want to do that because they crave attention from their parents.

Others are terrified that if they fall asleep something bad will happen. Talk to them and explain in detail you’ll be by their side all the time. After they’ve fallen asleep, check on them to see how they’re doing.

Do the “I’ll be back trick” for a few weeks to see how it’s working. After 2 weeks, expand

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the timeframe to 10 minutes, and then 20 minutes. A lot of toddlers are very attached to their parents - that’s okay. But you need to set some boundaries early on, otherwise your kid will want to sleep in bed with you several years in a row.

Step 4: Negotiate at 6+ years If you haven’t had much luck teaching your toddler to sleep alone by the age of 6, you should adopt another strategy: negotiation. Don’t use sweets and treats to bribe them. This is a very bad habit and you won’t be able to handle it forever.

As an alternative, you should offer them something else.

For example, you could tell them that if they behave, you will take them some place nice the following day; or that you’ll spend the day together, doing something fun.

The options are endless because the child now has the ability to understand what they want. There are special cases when the toddler is still terrified after being left alone in the room. Leave the lights or the TV on; their favorite childhood toy can also help soothe them.

Regardless of your child’s age, sleeping problems should be seen as common. It is important though to be consistent. Talk to them about the importance of sleep, and tell them that 8 hours of sleep every night helps them be healthy and energised.

Use tricks to get them into bed, like bedtime stories or an educational movie.

If you’re persistent, you’ll see in time that everything will work out just fine. Don’t forget to reward your toddlers for good behaviour; this will motivate them to sleep alone at night, and not whine all the time that they’re afraid.

Author Bio: Paul Trevino is interested in writing about health and fitness related issues. He has a deep knowledge in this field. He also recommends https://smiletutor.sg to get home tutor services in Singapore.

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BIRTH

HOW TO BE INCLUDED IN THE BIRTH OF YOUR ADOPTED OR SURROGATE CHILD

By Jana Angeles

When it comes to adopting or receiving a child from a surrogate mother, the excitement is a little different than your average pregnancy. It is a unique way of receiving a child - there’s no doubt about it. While most people won’t understand the joy of adoption or surrogacy, you might feel slightly disconnected from the child because they aren’t coming from you. This might create anxiety for some parents, especially if they have appointed a surrogate mother.

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Some feelings of jealousy may happen and you may feel like the second option during the process. It’s hard to ignore any negative emotions once you start to feel them, but there are ways to create happiness for yourself if you choose to.

Getting excited for the arrival of your child is normal, but we understand how nervous you may feel if it is your first time doing this. We have come up with some of the best ways to get yourself prepped for the arrival of your child: ATTEND ALL THE DOCTOR’S APPOINTMENTS Involvement is the important part of the process for any parent, so attending all the doctor’s appointments scheduled is imperative if you want to feel like you’re part of the journey. Instead of doing several follow-up calls after work on how the health of your baby is, get involved and be there yourself. Attend all ultrasounds and general check ups and see if your baby is nice and healthy. This way, you won’t feel disconnected from the adoption or surrogacy of your child. Their health is a number one priority, but being present in all doctor’s appointments shows how dedicated you are as a soonto-be parent.

DECORATE THE NURSERY Get to know your creative side and start decorating the room for the arrival of your baby. If you don’t know the gender of your child, choose gender-neutral colours and put together furniture/items in the room you feel will create a welcoming and cosy presence for them. Decorating the room will keep you busy, but it will also show how much you care about your child’s happiness. That is an important step to parenthood; putting the child’s priorities above your own.

THROW A BABY SHOWER / WELCOME PARTY Baby showers are a great way to get your friends and family involved. There’s

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nothing more enjoyable than to get your nearest and dearest people helping you prepare for the biggest moment of your life, which is anticipating the arrival/ birth of your child. Though you’re not necessarily “pregnant”, it still marks an important moment in your life where you want to celebrate it.

Preparing delicious food, playing fun baby shower games and catching up with everyone will definitely keep the excitement intact, helping you forget the feelings of anxiety you had before.

TALK TO YOUR BABY It may feel awkward at first, but communicating with your baby before they are out of the womb can be beneficial for you. Though you won’t feel an instant connection, it will help you feel closer to them. Just remember that talking to your surrogate’s belly bump may put you in a place of discomfort, especially if the relationship you have with them is still too new. Just keep in mind that the bond you will have with your child will only strengthen if you nurture and love them over time.

Parenting is a chaotic journey for everyone, but it also allows us to experience some of the most rewarding moments we can share with our family. Though adoption and surrogacy are unique pathways of receiving a child, it doesn’t change your dedication as a parent. You are making this decision because you are willing to give this child all their needs and wants to the best of your ability.

If you’re already willing to have a child in the first place, then you will never regret the choice of having one from adoption or surrogacy. Enjoy the experience while it lasts, and embrace the fact that it may be outside the norm for other people.

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BOOK

Reviews

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BOOK

Reviews

THE RABBIT HOLE GOLF COURSE Written by Ella Mulvey, Illustrated by Karen Briggs This tale of children searching for a pet rabbit in the desert is drawn from the author’s own experiences living with an Indigenous community in the outback as a child. As such, she has managed to authentically capture the sounds of the land and the people, helping to bring the tale to life with the repetitive rhythm of her words.

Children aged 3-6 will enjoy following along with the characters on their desert adventure, and will learn about a uniquely Australian childhood experience along the way.

TO LOOK AFTER YOUR DINOSAUR Written & Illustrated by Jason Cockcroft

While this tale is presented very factually - almost in the style of an instruction manual - readers cannot help but laugh at the idea of bringing home a dinosaur as a pet. The far-reaching implications, from dinosaursized poo to the difficulties of getting the new pet to sleep, are explored in a quirky, lighthearted way that is sure to appeal to 3-6 year old children.

The story’s message of caring for and adapting to a new family member would make this book a lovely choice for readers with a new pet or baby in the family.

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THE SLOTH WHO CAME TO STAY Written by Margaret Wild, Illustrated by Vivienne To Amy’s family is always in a rush, until the day she brings home a sloth she found in the park. The unhurried new houseguest shows Amy’s parents the delight of slowing down and taking the time to enjoy all the wonders that life has to offer them together as a family.

This gorgeous, richly illustrated book is a fantastic addition to the library of any 3-6 year old, and holds a timely message for parents to make sure they are not missing the everyday pleasures of life with young children.

COLOUR ME Written by Ezekiel Kwaymullina, Illustrated by Moira Court This striking book features a rainbow shape on every page, creating a consistent visual theme exploring each of the rainbow’s individual colours in turn. Each colour is brought to life with classic imagery of nature and its ma jestic creatures.

The book’s moral is delivered on the final pages, where all the colours come together to form the complete rainbow, with the message that, “We are all different, but together we colour our world amazing!”

This beautiful thought takes Colour Me a step beyond many other children’s books about colour, making this a wonderful choice to share with children aged 3-5.

REVIEWED

by

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THE

MUMMY

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RANTING AND ROCKING IT WRITTEN BY: SHEREE ECHLIN

I’m sure there are people out there that think I am going insanely mad. I mutter expletives under my breath, well most of the time anyway (haha!) and I repeat myself all the time. All the time (see what I did there?!). Nope, that’s just life as a mum, well at least I’m hoping so or I’ve been duped somewhere. Ahhhh yes, life with children, there is nothing quite like it…

You have to love the constant battle to get anything achieved, especially when it comes to the littlest people in the household. I can yell, scream, whisper if I dare and it makes no difference, everything is “too hard”. And that’s usually just to pick something up off the floor two seconds after it has been thrown or dropped. Yep, I’m beginning to feel like I am already dealing with teenagers.

Although I have to laugh when my eldest daughter tells me she’s mummy. It doesn’t go so well when I tell her she needs to do the washing, cooking, cleaning and take care of her sister and I. Then we go back to everything being too hard again.

And of course, we have days where it’s meltdown central. One child cries for no reason and the other one goes out in sympathy, sometimes I join in too. There’s snot and dribble everywhere and nobody is making any sense, almost like everyone’s

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drunk (actually that might make more sense and be easier to understand, haha). No matter how hard I try, nothing will stop them, well until bribery comes into it. Chocolate anyone?! But I still love the kisses and cuddles, especially the unexpected ones - they melt my heart and make everything okay again. Well for five seconds until they remember why the world was ending and we’re back to square one. But as I always like to say that’s the fun of parenting, never a dull moment.

I usually like to keep things light and airy when I write about my life with my girls. Well, if we can’t have a good laugh sometimes what’s the point?! But on another note, I recently shared a post on my own blog about my personal battle with anxiety and depression. It wasn’t easy to put it out there, but I felt it was something I needed to do. As parents, we put ourselves under a lot of pressure to excel in a job that we have zero training for. You are very much flying blind and it’s easy to become lost and struggling.

I became that person who was smiling on the outside and pretending everything was okay when it really wasn’t. For some reason, I felt ashamed to admit I couldn’t do it all. I don’t know why I felt that way, but life seems to have a funny way of

teaching us a few things. Even now it’s still all very raw and I’m dealing with a lot of massive changes in my life but I have no shame in saying I wasn’t okay.

Life smacked me in the face pretty hard, but I’m doing something about it through counselling and trying my absolute best to keep smiling, especially for my girls. I guess what I’m trying to put out there is that being a parent is hard and nothing prepares you for this massive change in your life. It affects you as a person, your relationships with others and sometimes you can’t control everything, no matter how hard you try. But don’t be afraid to say you aren’t okay and take all the help that’s on offer, even if you don’t think you need it!

I’m still scared that I have no idea what I’m doing as a mum and that I’m going

to mess up my girls. I’ll probably feel like that for a long time to come - I guess it’s only natural to feel that way. But you know what? They’re pretty much the best thing I have achieved in my life and they are amazing little girls… well, until it’s “too hard” anyway. But in those cases, there’s always chocolate or some other form of bribery, right?! Just know that you aren’t alone in this crazy world of parenting - that you can and will get through the toughest of days and still love your kids even when they are driving you up the wall. There are always going to be good days, bad days and everything in-between; we are only human after all.

Head over to my page shereeechlin.com - it might just make you feel a bit better if you’re having “one” of those days! Until next time…

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BABY

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HOW TO BREASTFEED YOUR ADOPTED OR SURROGATE BABY WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP PRODUCE BREAST MILK?

By Paul Trevino Have you recently adopted a baby? Do you want to breastfeed and strengthen their immune system? You can do that with the help of a gestational carrier or surrogate.

The process differs from breastfeeding if you had been pregnant. All you need is perseverance and determination.

Breastfeeding is a wonderful experience and you should be part of it, even if you made a choice to adopt a baby.

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A CLOSER LOOK AT THE BREASTFEEDING PROCESS Breastfeeding a baby who doesn’t belong to your body comes with two core issues: you can’t physically breastfeed because you can’t produce the milk. To tackle this pain, you should start by setting reasonable expectations. Not all women can produce the right amount of milk a baby needs to grow up strong and healthy.

The relationship between a mother and her baby is very close. The emotional attachment can’t be described in plain words. But there are ways to adopt and get your baby the milk they need from a surrogate.

CONVINCING THE BABY TO ACCEPT THE BREAST MILK A lot of women don’t think that a baby suffers when introducing the bottle early. However, some are convinced that artificial nipples can affect a baby’s upbringing. The sooner a baby is introduced to the breast, the better chances they have to grow up strong and healthy. Needless to say, you shouldn’t force them to accept the bottle too soon.

• A baby is in constant need of milk from the breast; they need to keep sucking, particularly if they’re already used to drinking the milk from the bottle. Here are some steps to consider when juggling both breast and bottled milk.

• At the hospital following the birth of the baby, talk to the nurses and doctors. Tell them about your plans to breastfeed with a surrogate mother. They should listen to your demands.

• Afterwards, move on to feeding the baby milk from an open cup; or you could opt for finger feeding. After birth, they will immediately want to be fed. But if the birth mother plans to give the baby for adoption, and doesn’t want to breastfeed, you should be prepared.

• Hold the baby as close to your skin as possible. It’s a very important step because you need to get them ready.

You are the baby’s new mother, and this

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technique helps tie the bond even closer.

• By holding the baby close to your body, a sensory connection is established. Several metabolic and psychological processes happen: breathing rate, heart rate, oxygen saturation, and blood pressure.

• Skin-to-skin contact keeps germs at bay.

Keep them as close as possible to your body, and you’ll get the baby’s tiny body accustomed to yours faster. They’ll adapt to the new habitat and you’ll convince them to accept new breast milk sooner.

BREASTFEEDING FROM THE BIRTH MOTHER IS FUNDAMENTAL Adopting a baby with a surrogate mother is an opportunity to convince the birth mother to breast feed. Some are more willing to do so for the sake of the child. However, most social workers are concerned that breastfeeding may compel the birth mother to change her mind. If there’s a possibility and you feel that it could happen, you may not want to take that risk.

Surrogacy may trigger feelings of resentment and remorse; usually between the biological mother and the surrogate mother. It’s merely a theory, and it’s definitely a good idea for the baby to get milk from the birth mother.

Unlike artificial feeding or breast milk pumps colostrum, it helps build and strengthen their immunity. These are fundamental elements that matter when raising a child, whether if they’re adopted or yours.

There’s another option you can go with: ask the birth mother to give her milk for the next couple of weeks; the milk can be stored in bottles and given to the baby when needed.

Always think in the best interest of the child when adopting, or using a surrogate.

Proper nutrition helps with the upbringing of the child. All you have to do is think twice before making a choice.

Author Bio: Paul Trevino is interested in writing about health and fitness related issues. He has a deep knowledge in this field.

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How to get your kids to listen to you!

By Cara Barilla educational columnist and journalist Whether your child has an introverted, extroverted, communicative, placid, stubborn, eccentric or free-spirited personality, your child will always come across the stage of “selective hearing” and freedom of hearing.

This stage ultimately defines how your child’s character wants to communicate, retaliate, respond and freely interact with their surroundings.

Understanding your child’s behaviour traits can be a hard one, especially on how to interact and constantly gain attention from your little one.

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DAD READ

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Here are some ways to assist in your child’s developing needs of free speech, responses, mood management and understanding a parent’s ability to reach out verbally and get an opening ear in return: Eye contact and connectedness: ensuring you and your child has a strong understanding on when to use eye contact or not is very powerful. This not only shows respect and a power for engagement, it translates to the child’s motor skills and attention span. Before you begin to talk to your child, ensure your child cannot be distracted by the television, toys or any device that they may turn to in times of “quick escape” out of a conversation that they feel they cannot contribute to for whatever reason.

Understand what the child’s needs are: each individual has different ways of showing their need; whether it’s vocal tone or volume, behaviour or passively.

By understanding your child’s needs you should ask them and show them empathy and respect. This will translate into conscious signs of “safe zone” without any intimidation - your children can warm up to you, feel love and security thus listen to you more easily. Taking your initiative of being the “parent” can be weaved around to another angle to make your child feel confident and less scared without the “authoritarian” mode clicking on. Sometimes, this can lead to children responding naturally with retaliation or fear.

Reflect on what gains their attention: Your child may be attracted to song as opposed to eye contact, or colourful visuals as opposed to the “parental” voice. Studies have shown if you converse with them in their “safe zone” - either singing them their favourite song or playing a “mini game” can weave them in their delegated task. Subliminal ways of order are not only powerful, but more light-hearted and fun!

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Simplify: Simplifying conversation highlights the points of importance to your children. When a parent gives a child a long sentence, they may become lost in the words and miss the point and principle of the conversation. Keep the topic short, powerful and clear to create more successful points of understanding.

Never repeat your message: when the parent asks or tells their little one to do something, it should only be said once. If it gets repeated over and over, the sentence loses importance. Ensure you gain eye contact with your child and maintain engagement with your child at all times. This will give your child the message that this conversation has value.

Create structure: delegate your child tiny responsibilities from a very young age. From feeding the fish once a day or teaching them how to set the alarm clock, following and repeating these steps each day will strengthen your child’s ability to listen, attention span, manners and self-sufficiency.

Create routine: when a child has routine in their life, they are more prone to understand the value of structure, listening and understanding duty.

Routine strengthens developmental stages, prevents unpredictable behaviour and assists in patience, responsibility and the principle of time management.

Overall, the importance of the connection between parent and child is vital. Having your child to understand, trust, respect and care for your words on a deeper level, will positively contribute to their all-rounded development. If you feel like your child is not connecting with you on a verbal level, it’s best to speak to a professional to identify what the core causes are for your child’s behaviour. Your local GP can give you a referral to a family specialist, psychologist and behaviour therapist. j

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CELEBRITY READ

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Witty Wippa - It Looked Like a Hell of a Lot of Fun!!

It’s not every day that you get to Interview one of Sydney’s bestknown morning radio show voices.

You’d have to be hiding under a rock to not know who Michael ‘Wippa’ Wipfli is! He’s one half of the duo for Nova’s 96.9 Popular Breakfast Radio Show Fitzy & Wippa.

Knowing that a radio career was a risky move and there weren’t many jobs in the industry, Wippa never shied away and knew this was exactly what he wanted to do as it looked like a hell of a lot of fun. His father, a smart and wise man, made sure that he had a back-up plan and completed a qualification in Building for the “just in case” scenario, however, he won’t be needing Plan B any time soon.

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Wippa got his first regular gig on the “Hamish and Andy” Saturday morning slot and went on to host a Perth Radio show in 2005. Moving to Nova in 2009 to join the Drive Show, Wippa has had a stellar career, resulting in him and Fitzy taking over Nova’s morning show in 2011.

Wippa loves what he does and everything it entails, even those early morning starts driven by choice. He has a real passion for making sure that the show is full of entertaining segments and brainstorming great ideas with the team like “Would Matt Shirvington outrun a Kangaroo”?

Yep, this is a day in the life of this super talented radio host.

With all his radio duties, you would think that Wippa couldn’t fit any more into his busy schedule, but hey, this guy finds the time to work on projects that are important to him and City2Surf is one of them. Wippa is an ambassador for this year’s City2Surf and he loves the tradition this community event has started since 1971. He loves going to City2Surf with his wife and two sons, building fond memories in the process. Being his fifth City2Surf and second with his kids, Jack who’s just turned one and Ted who’s two-and-a-half years old, Wippa’s looking forward to the 14km adventure that will involve pushing a pram, chasing a toddler, but most of all, finishing up with his feet in the ocean and cooling down at the iconic Bondi Beach.

When Wippa’s not working his morning show or being an ambassador, he’s a hands-on dad and loves spending time with his family. Living in a city pad doesn’t give them the space they’d love, so they also enjoy short breaks with a big area that the kids can go crazy in.

So, what would Wippa be doing if he had to retire tomorrow? Maybe write a food blog was his first answer - he’d love to have food being sent to his office to sample and critique, “Nice croissant, I’ll give that 5 stars”. His second retirement idea he wouldn’t say no to is being on The Bachelor as “The Bachelor” and having his pick of twenty-two women that are fighting to get his attention. As much as he might like this bachelor idea, his lovely wife Lisa is probably not going to agree on letting him leave to be single for TV purposes anytime soon, and he knows it.

Wippa is as funny off air as he is on and has such a down-to-earth approach to life and parenting.

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His parting parenting advice is… “Treat your kids like they are really little humans and without a bump and a fall they won’t grow. When your kids fall over say, “You’re alright” instead of “Are you alright?” As much as we want to protect our kids from

everything, if they do happen to fall over, they will get back up. He also said…“If it’s raining outside, go play in the puddles like Peppa the Pig and make sure your kids are getting involved in real life!” We couldn’t agree with you more Wippa!

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BABY

Newborn Parent’s Sleep Survival 101 The homecoming of your beloved newborn baby can be an amazing experience, you are adding a new member to your family and building beautiful memories in the process.

However, whether it’s your first or fourth baby, there will be a period of significant adjustment to your lifestyle and everyday routine. For most parents, this period is only temporary and will not greatly disrupt your existing daily routine to much as you work to fit in your new responsibilities.

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One thing that all newborn parents experience in the first few weeks of bring home their baby, is a lack of sleep. Between the nappy changes and late nightly feeds, you will no longer get the standard 8 uninterrupted hours you were used to before your baby’s arrival.

No parent can go without sleep for very long and a lack of good rest can quickly lead to paranoia and a fear of the worst. Repeated

restless nights getting up to check that your newborn is alright, is warm or cool enough, is breathing normally or even when you are just lying in bed listening out for any sound of distress and waiting to be hastily awakened by your baby’s sudden cry, are all very common issues you’ll experience during the newborn phase. It can be overwhelming, exhausting and can very quickly take its toll on any parent’s health and patience, resulting in an unhealthy situation for both parent and child.

Parents of newborns, especially first timers, are constantly on the lookout for any solution that will help to comfort them that their precious baby is OK sleeping in their cot, most parents are looking for the reassurance that their baby is fine.

Choosing to get a baby monitor is a great idea.

Choosing a baby monitor that also monitor’s breathing will give you a complete peace of mind when your baby is in their cot. A baby monitor will not only provide you with the added reassurance that everything is ok, it can also help you in redeveloping your ordinary sleeping habits. Survival is the key, you need to be well rested too and anything that can help you get a good night’s rest is worth it. You can’t be a superhero monitoring your newborn 24/7 and more importantly, you need to look after yourself so that you can look after your precious baby.

With all of this in mind, Oricom have a solution which works to reassure parents that they can still have a normal quality of life, reduce their worrying and stress and assists them in sleeping with a greater peace of mind.

Oricom’s Babysense2, a breathing movement monitor, lets you rest easy by monitoring the breathing movement rate of your sleeping baby.

When used in conjunction with any of Oricom’s range of audio and video baby monitors, Babysense2 offers the ultimate in reassurance.

Babysense2 is suitable for infants from birth to one year of age. It features proven technology, used around the world for over two decades.

The integrated system comprising of two ma jor parts: firstly, the control unit which is placed on the outside of the cot or bassinet and connects to, secondly, the sensor pads which are placed under your baby’s mattress. The complete unit works to continually monitor the breathing movements of your sleeping baby.

Babysense2 is more than just a movement monitor, as it also works if your baby’s breathing movement slows to a rate of less than 10 breaths per minute, or cannot be detected for more than 20 seconds, an audible alarm will sound to alert you.

Because Oricom are communication experts, they focus on the best monitoring technologies to bring you peace of mind while your body rests and recovers. True peace of mind is about alleviating stress, and restoring the body back to full health so that parents are ready to conquer the challenge and stress often associated with living with a newborn.

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RELATIONSHIP

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Clear the guilt and pack your bags, you’re going on a dirty weekend!

Written by Genie Price Relationships are hard work. You have four kids, work, doctors and dentists - you are both busy. With little time for yourselves or each other in this hectic journey that is parenting, why not plan a “dirty weekend” away to recoup?

Dirty weekends are no longer a thing of the past. Indeed, relationship experts insist that not only is a “dirty weekend” away beneficial, it’s a necessity in helping keep the romance alive and the relationship healthy, and here is why.

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BECAUSE IT’S FUN: Parenting comes with good times and bad.

It also comes with mess followed closely by an array of mundane domestic duties.

Taking a dirty weekend away with your partner is and should be, far from boring - it should be fun. Whether it be a quick trip to Bali for the weekend or a few nights out in the city, being together without the kids around is fun and can help rekindle any feelings of “lost love” in a relationship.

Parenting overshadows your relationship: Screaming babies and routine bed times are all part of the parenting blur. You may forget that you are someone’s’ husband, wife or lifelong partner while engulfed in the busy-ness that becomes you. The children’s needs always come before your own.

IT’S NICE TO HEAR YOUR OWN NAME: “Mummy this” and “Daddy that”, followed by one hundred questions about the moon and stars, this is the way of life for parents.

When you take a trip away without the children, you will be surprised how you enjoy hearing your own name and how much you miss holding uninterrupted adult conversations with the one you love.

IT’S IMPORTANT FOR DEVELOPING IDENTITY: From the time they’re born, kids observe everything. It’s good for children to know that their parents are individuals, too, with their own wants, needs and passions.

Experts suggest that by taking time out from the hustle and bustle of “family life” not only are children able to build trusting relationships with other people, but also gain varied perspectives on life and establish their own identity while Mum and Dad are playing away.

Another benefit is that your children will learn what a healthy relationship looks like

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as they grow and develop their own ones.

Alone time allows for spontaneous intimacy: The sex. That’s right, being alone together with your partner might bring out the “wild” in you. Take the candles, the massage oil and pack the new lingerie. Plan to enjoy each other in ways that you may not have done so for a while. Embrace the fantasies and enjoy the “wild side” as you share each other and create a loving experience that both of you most likely will not forget.

YOUR KIDS WILL LEAVE YOU SOMEDAY: The point of parenthood is to raise children who will live independently in the world.

This means they’ll eventually leave home and want to explore what’s on offer. You need to be able to function as an individual when they go and vice versa, your children need to learn to be on their own.

IT HELPS MAKE YOU A BETTER PARENT: You will find that after honouring yourself for

a while, you’ll be able to return to parenting energised and ready to jump back into everything it entails. You will breathe more deeply and you’ll feel a sense of peace.

Taking a trip away helps you to reconnect with yourself and your significant other, making you feel better as a whole.

THE REUNION MAKES YOU FEEL THANKFUL: Whether you have been away for a night or three, chances are you will miss your kids.

Some of you may not. Either way, when you return to them, the reunion is grand.

You will look at each other with fresh eyes and be ready to focus on all the things you love about each other.

Whether your relationship is new or you are in it for the long haul, taking time to be with each other is important. It not only helps to rekindle the “lost flame”, but the benefits for your children are also great. Look at it as an investment. Bite the bullet. Plan the weekend away and never look back.

About the Author: I’m a Mum of two rambunctious boys and a dedicated partner to a wonderful man of 14 years. As busy parents and dedicated employees – we both recently began to understand the importance of needing these times away from our kids. We don’t plan these nights out because we don’t love our children, we plan them because we do.

We want our boys to grow up identifying with a healthy relationship, understanding sleepovers and other family structures. And we also want for each other, our relationship to survive another 14 years!!

You can see more at my blog: http://genies1. wixsite.com/thekiwihummingbird References: For the ultimate in dirty weekend getaways visit http://dirtyweekend.com.au/

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INSPIRATIONAL READ

By Cara Barilla educational columnist and journalist.

Within the midst of inner Sydney’s leafy bayside suburbs of Drummoyne, hosts a contemporary vs. morally traditional method of running a business. Mrs. Silvana Gittani, owner and founder of Abbotsford family practice has reached out to the community on another level of humanity, selfless measures and togetherness. A level that encompasses new growing families,

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established families and family planning.

The Abbotsford Family Pharmacy recently hosted a complimentary first aid course for kids open to the community of Sydney, which was held in the inner Sydney’s Canada bay club. The course was successfully enlightened all walks of life from nannies to parents. Mrs. Silvana Gittani had once again reached above and beyond measures to maintain togetherness in the Drummoyne

SYDNEY HEARTS OF GOLD A BUSINESS FOR THE CHILDREN -

community, whilst rejoicing what local communities should uphold when gaining insight to local family education and medicinal product advice.

The assisting team at Abbotsford Family Pharmacy have brought together many new mums from various local mothers’ groups, support groups and introducing locals for “just because” support. From Peppa Pig to balloon blowing, this business is one that always leaves a smile on your child’s face!

The formality of this business is unique as they produce many upcoming and useful gift packages, makeup, children’s education, parental advice, product & ingredient knowledge, home care and mental & physical support.

The local team have left their customers coming back for more - forever being exciting and innovative with their ideas, grasping the local attention and high-end approach to customer support and courtesy.

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BABY

Why do babies find White Noise Relaxing?

Babies can easily be kept awake with unfamiliar sounds, sights and smells. This can lead to them becoming stressed, over-tired and end up with you caring for a very unhappy bub that is really hard to settle. Helping your baby and yourself get a better sleep is essential is your survival. We are often told to try relaxing activities with baby before bed or nap time ensuring that they have a restful sleep and you can have a well-deserved break too.

White Noise is a hot topic for new and existing parents, it’s an easy way to help your baby relax and it’s super easy to implement into your bubs daily routine. If you’re not familiar with White Noise and its benefits, keep reading and we’ll shed some light on what you need to know.

SO, WHAT IS WHITE NOISE? White Noise is a type of noise that’s produced by combining sounds of many different frequencies with equal intensities. Think of White Noise as 20,000 tones all playing at the same time.

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Still can’t understand what White Noise is? Just imaging you are at a nice quiet library and you are able to pick up the voice of the librarian and maybe one of two other’s visiting. Now imagine you are at a concert just before the opening act starts, everyone around you is chatting at the same time, this ends up sounding like blur - this is the best way to describe what White Noise sounds like.

WHY DO BABIES LIKE WHITE NOISE? Being in the womb isn’t a quiet place, babies become accustom to listening to constant noise and White Noise helps to replicate the sounds heard while they were in the womb. White Noise sounds are reassuring and familiar and can help relax an overtired or overstimulated baby.

HOW DOES WHITE NOISE WORK? It helps to block out those distracting or sudden outside noises that could potentially wake baby.

If you are sharing a room with your baby, White Noise can help mask all the little

sounds that baby’s make while sleeping, this will not only aid your sleep but will help set a better routine for baby because your need to comfort at every sound will be reduced. White Noise can be really soothing for you too and you’ll probably miss it when baby moves out of your room and takes it with them!

White Noise can also be beneficial for larger families with multiple children. It will help to muffle the sounds of other family member that are still awake so that your baby and younger children can keep the sleep routine you’ve worked so hard in establishing.

We can all use a little help when we are all shushed out. From the sleep experts at the Gro Company, Ollie the Owl is a cuddly new companion designed to help you and your baby get a good night’s sleep.

The perfect sleep companion! It’s suitable from birth, plays 4 soothing sounds including Heartbeat, Rainfall, White Noise static and Brahms Lullaby for 20 mins and has adjustable volume – High, Mid, Low. A gentle warm glowing tummy with 4 different levels of light that shines for 30 minutes, Ollie the Owl creates a lovely calming environment for your baby to drift off to sleep in. The built in CrySensor cleverly listens in and reactivates to help calm them should they stir.

Ollie is an adorable, portable baby sleep essential for any nursery. He is soft, plush and grey in colour to easily coordinate with any decor.

For more information visit: www.gro.co.uk/au

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Florida Jacket – Fleur Noir print - $79.95 / Atlanta Bodysuit – Solitaire print - $39.95 Lakewood Bloomers – Marseille Zebra Cream - $39.95 72

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FASHION

Burnt Orange Bomber Jacket (RRP $66), Black Hakuna Matata ($32) & Mocha Roar Leggings (RRP $34) august 2017 | mychild

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Girl 1 (Left) Wears: Maroon Bomber Jacket (RRP $66), White Hakuna Matata Tee (RRP $32) & Mocha Roar Leggings (RRP $34) Boy (Middle) Wears: Maroon Bomber Jacket (RRP $66), Mocha Roar Leggings (RRP $34) & Black Hakuna Matata Sweatshirt (RRP $38) Girl 2 (Right) Wears: Black Hakuna Matata Tee (RRP $32) & Mocha Roar Leggings (RRP $34)

Boy 1 (Left) Wears: Khaki Bomber Jacket (RRP $66) & Grey Long Sleeved Romper (RRP $40) Boy 2 (Right) Wears: Khaki Bomber Jacket (RRP $66), Roar Pants (RRP $36) & White Hakuna Matata Sweatshirt (RRP $38)

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Girl 1 (Left) Wears: Maroon Bomber Jacket (RRP $66), White Hakuna Matata Tee (RRP $32) & Mocha Roar Leggings (RRP $34) Boy (Middle) Wears: Maroon Bomber Jacket (RRP $66), Mocha Roar Leggings (RRP $34) & Black Hakuna Matata Sweatshirt (RRP $38) Girl 2 (Right) Wears: Black Hakuna Matata Tee (RRP $32) & Mocha Roar Leggings (RRP $34)

Girl Wears: Striped Romper (RRP $38)

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Boy 1 (Left) Wears: Khaki Bomber Jacket (RRP $66), Camel Long Sleeved Tee (RRP $33) & Roar Pants (RRP $36) Boy2 (Right) Wears: Khaki Bomber Jacket (RRP $66), Camel Long Sleeved Tee (RRP $33) & It Means No Worries Pants (RRP $36)

Girl (Left) Wears: Burnt Orange Bomber Jacket (RRP $66), Plum Hakuna Matta Sweat Shirt (RRP $38) & Grey Harms (RRP $36) Boy (Right) Wears: Burnt Orange Bomber Jacket (RRP $66), Grey Long Sleeved Tee (RRP $33) & Mocha Leggings (RRP $34)

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Girl 1 (Left) Wears: Maroon Bomber Jacket (RRP $66), White Hakuna Matata Tee (RRP $32) & Mocha Roar Leggings (RRP $34) Girl 2 (Right) Wears: Burnt Orange Bomber Jacket (RRP $66), Mocha Roar Leggings (RRP $34) & Black Hakuna Matata Sweatshirt (RRP $38)

Boy Wears: Black Hakuna Matata Sweatshirt (RRP $38) & Aztec Jungle Pants (RRP $36)

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Girl 1 (Left) Wears: Plum Short Sleeved Romper (RRP $38) Boy 1 Wears: Maroon Bomber Jacket (RRP $66), It Means No Worries Sweatshirt (RRP $38), It Means No Worries Pants (RRP $36) Girl 2 Wears: Plum Short Sleeved Romper (RRP $38) Boy 2 Wears: Maroon Bomber Jacket (RRP $66) & Roar Long Sleeve Romper (RRP $40)

BABY WEAR

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Girl 3 Wears: Striped Short Sleeve Romper (RRP $38) Boy 3 Wears: Plum Hakuna Matata Sweatshirt (RRP $38) & Plum Harms (RRP $36) Girl 4 Wears: Plum Hakuna Matata Tee (RRP $32) & Aztec Jungle Prints (RRP $36) Boy 4 Wears: Plum Hakuna Matata Long Sleeved Romper (RRP $40)

www.bobbygbabywear.com

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shop

KIDS

fashion

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shop

KIDS 30

UNDER

WHAT’S IN OUR STORES THIS MONTH BABY

GIRLS

Kardashian Kids Baby Knit Top $25.00 rrp Dymples Girls Puff Print Tee $8.00 rrp Dymples Print Leggings $5.00 rrp BIGW.COM.AU

$

B Collection Girls Long Sleeve Striped Tee $12.00 rrp B Collection Padded Foil Vest $15.00 rrp Emerson Junior Cube Print Leggings $6.00 rrp BIGW.COM.AU

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Jack & Milly - Elki Knit Dress $44.95 rrp Milkshake -Heart Quilted Bomber Jacket $49.95 rrp

UNDER

MYER.COM.AU

$

Bebe - Alana Hooded Knit Poncho $54.95 rrp Marquis - Scandi Dress, Bloomer and Tights 2pc $46.95 rrp MYER.COM.AU

Dolce & Gabbana - Cotton jersey longall $545.00 rrp MELIJOE.COM

SPLURGE

Dolce & Gabbana - T-shirt Peter Pan Collar $245.00 rrp Petit Bateau - Quilted Skirt $52.00 rrp Mayoral Stylish Coat $118.00 rrp MELIJOE.COM.AU

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shop

KIDS

WHAT’S IN OUR STORES THIS MONTH BABY

BOYS Dymples Photo Print Tee $8.00 rrp Kardashian Kids Baby Print Pant $25.00 rrp Underworks High Top Tot Booties $4.00 rrp

30

UNDER

BIGW.COM.AU

$

B Collection Boys Super Fashion Tee $8.00 rrp B Collection Boys Block Short Sleeve Hoodie $12.00 rrp B Collection Boys Wood Trackpant $15.00 rrp BIGW.COM.AU

60 UNDER

$

Bebe - River Hooded Bear Jumper $59.95 rrp Sprout - Long Sleeve T shirt $19.95 rrp Indie Kids Monster Jogger $44.95 rrp

Jack & Milly Kit Bug Tee $26.96 rrp Jack & Milly Star Puffer Jacket $59.95 rrp Jack & Milly Lenny Cargo Trackpant $24.95 rrp

MYER.COM.AU

MYER.COM.AU

Gucci - Combilong en laine et bonnet assorti $505.00 rrp MELIJOE.COM

SPLURGE Dolce & Gabbana Milano Jersey Blazer $625.00 rrp Dolce & Gabbana - White Blouse $265.00 rrp Il Gufo - Boy Regular Fit Fleece Jeans $170.00 rrp 84

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MELIJOE.COM

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INTERIORS

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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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Sleep Tight Pax and Hart Poster $55.00 rrp talointeriors.com.au

Rainbow Weave Wall Hanging $66.00 rrp urbanoutfitters.com

Large Kewpie Doll $39.00 rrp kewpiedolls.com.au Miffy Money Box $39.00 rrp annabeltrends.com.au

Sheets and Pillowcases $59.00+ rrp kipandco.com.au

Bedside Table $129.00 rrp thefamilylovetree.com.au Mini Replica Bertoia Chair $49.00 rrp sokol.com.au

Large Round Jute Rug $65.00+ rrp templeandwebster. com.au 88

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Strawberry Blanket $249.00 rrp kipandco.com.au

Round Side Table $39.00 rrp www.kmart.com.au

Bed Head $459.00 rrp thefamilylovetree.com.au

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Bunting $39.00 rrp leoandbella.com.au

Circus Bear Decal $50.00 rrp mimilou-shop.fr available via cantfindit.com.au

Lamp $20.00 rrp kmart.com.au Mint Spotted Doona $139.00 rrp littlelouli.com.au

Lucky Boy Sunday Soft Toy $109.00 rrp designstuff.com

Side Table $79.00 rrp templeandwebster.com.au

Car Money Box $44.00 rrp potterybarnkids.com.au

Yellow Taxi Cushion $80.00 rrp etsy.com/estellatoys

Rug $75.00+ rrp potterybarn.com.au

Honeycomb Balls $5.00+ rrp poppiesforgrace.com.au

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TOY

Reviews

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TOYS

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TOY

Reviews

REVIEWED BY APRIL DAVIS LEAP FROG SING & SNUGGLE SCOUT

4/5

The Sing & Snuggle Scout puppy talks and sings, while playing games that will teach your child about songs, shapes, colours and letters. It includes soothing, classical tunes and is 100% interactive.

Our verdict Perfect for babies over the age of six months, this adorable little puppy will teach your child core learning skills, like colours, shapes, letters and music. The toy is easy to use, but the only downside is that sometimes it keeps talking long after you think it’s finished.

RRP $16.95 – AVAILABLE FROM: BIG W TOYS R US AND INDEPENDENT TOY RETAILERS

FISHER-PRICE LAUGH & LEARN SMART STAGES SIS This cute teddy bear is a lot more than just a cute face. Her learning content changes from stage one, explore, stage two, encourage and stage three, pretend. She teaches parts of the body, the alphabet, counting from one to ten, and much more!

Our verdict Cute, cuddly, and oh-so-fun, what’s not to love about this adorable and educational doggy?! Designed for children aged between six and 36-months, you can press her heart, hands, tummy, foot or ear to learn lots of fun and cute things! Her voice is soft and encouraging, her songs are cute and playful, and her fur is soft enough that she’s perfect for play time and learning!

RRP $44.99 – AVAILABLE FROM BIG W, TARGET, MYER, KMART, TOYS R US 94

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4/5

childs FROM A VIEW

LEAP FROG ‘MY OWN LAPTOP’ Boasting 16 songs and melodies, ABC mode (where you can hear a letter, the sound it makes, and a word that’s spelt with it), message mode (where your child can send and receive pretend emails) and games mode (fun trivia and letter games to reinforce learning), the ‘My Own Laptop’ is the perfect educational toy.

5/5

Our Verdict This children’s laptop is am interactive and fun way for small kids to start learning new things. Not only does it help children develop very early computer literacy skills, it also teaches them the alphabet and early vocabulary skills. Plus, it will keep your little one entertained for hours on end, so you can get a little peace and quiet!

Lucas

I really like this laptop – I’ve never had my own computer! I like how it sings the alphabet, but some of the animals in the guessing games are a little hard. The computer even writes me emails and lets me write them back (although my mum has to do most of the writing) RRP $39.95- AVAILABLE FROM: BIG W, TOYS R US, AND INDEPENDENT TOY RETAILERS

THOMAS & FRIENDS ADVENTURES CRANKY AT THE DOCKS Load cargo and raise the drawbridge, this cute Sodor Shipping Co takes Thomas the Tank Engine playsets to an entirely new level. Your child will be able to set up their train set and control how it functions.

Our verdict While this toy isn’t as educational as some of the other products featured here, it is a whole lot of fun! However, your child will have the opportunity to diligently learn the art of patience and how different maneuvers will help the train sets functionality. This classic toy will get all train lovers pouring over their awesome new set-up for hours on end.

5/5

RRP $39.00 – AVAILABLE FROM TARGET, MYER AND INDEPENDENT RETAILERS august 2017 | mychild

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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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french toast stars 0.10 Prep 0.15 Cook

Servings 4

INGREDIENTS • 8 thick slices fruit bread • 2 eggs, lightly whisked • 1/3 cup (80ml) milk • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract • 30g butter • 100g strawberries, hulled, halved • 50g fresh raspberries • Maple syrup, to serve

METHOD Step 1: Use a 9cm star-shaped pastry cutter to cut a star from each slice of bread. Whisk eggs, milk and vanilla together in a shallow bowl.

Step 2: Melt half the butter in a large frying pan over medium heat until foaming. Dip a bread star into egg mixture to coat. Allow excess to drain from star. Add to frying pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes each side or until golden brown and cooked through. Repeat with remaining stars and egg mixture.

Step 3: Layer stars on plates with strawberries and raspberries. Drizzle with maple syrup to serve.

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Photo: Guy Bailey

pesto scrambled eggs with spinach & avocado 0.05 Prep 0.10 Cook

Servings 2

INGREDIENTS • 4 eggs • 2 tablespoons milk • 75g baby spinach leaves • 1 tablespoon basil pesto, plus extra to serve • Olive oil spray • 1/2 large firm ripe avocado, stone removed, chopped • 2 slices whole grain toast, to serve

METHOD Step 1: Whisk the eggs and milk together in a medium size bowl, season with salt and pepper. Heat a medium size frying pan over a medium heat and spray lightly with olive oil spray.

Step 2: Add the baby spinach leaves, cook stirring, until just wilted. Remove from pan.

Step 3: Return pan to a medium heat, spray with a little more oil. Add egg mixture and using a wooden spoon, stir and bring the egg mixture on the edge of the pan to the centre. Continue until the eggs are almost set, add the pesto and baby spinach, and stir until just combined. Season to taste with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Serve immediately with toast, chopped avocado and an extra dollop of pesto if desired.

Photo : Andrew Young

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mediterranean lamb rice salad 0.35 Prep 0.20 Cook

Servings 4

INGREDIENTS •

1 1/2 cups Basmati rice

•

400g lamb backstrap

•

olive oil

•

ground cumin

•

salt and cracked black pepper

•

1 large carrot, grated

•

1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted

•

2 1/2 tablespoons currants

•

1/3 cup coriander, roughly chopped

•

1 teaspoon ginger, finely grated

METHOD Step 1: Cook basmati rice, following packet instructions or until tender. Cover and refrigerate.

Step 2: Meanwhile, brush lamb backstrap with some olive oil and evenly sprinkle each side with some ground cumin, salt and cracked black pepper. Set aside for 15 minutes to allow the flavours to develop.

Step 3: Heat a stovetop grill over high heat. Cook lamb for 3 minutes on each side or until cooked to your liking. Remove from heat, cover for 5 minutes to rest and slice.

Step 4: Toss rice with carrot, almonds, currants, coriander, ginger, 2 tablespoons olive oil, salt and cracked black pepper. Divide rice salad between four plates and top with lamb.

Photo: Tanya Zouev 100

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sweet potato & almond pappardelle 0.10 Prep 0.20 Cook

Servings 4

INGREDIENTS • 1 large kumara (orange sweet potato), peeled, cut into 3cm pieces • 1 tablespoon olive oil • 300g pkt Latina™ Fresh Basil & Cracked Pepper Pappardelle • 80g butter • 1 garlic clove, thinly sliced • 1/4 cup toasted slivered almonds • 1 bunch rocket , coarsely torn • 1/4 cup coarsely chopped chives, plus extra, to serve • Shaved parm

METHOD Step 1: Preheat oven to 200°C. Line a baking tray with baking paper. Arrange kumara over the lined tray and drizzle with oil. Season with salt and pepper.

Bake in preheated oven, turning occasionally, for 20 minutes or until golden and tender.

Step 2: Meanwhile, cook the Latina™ Fresh Basil & Cracked Pepper Pappardelle following packet directions until al dente. Drain well.

Step 3: Melt butter in a large frying pan over high heat until foaming. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute or until fragrant. Add pasta, kumara, almonds, rocket and chives and toss to combine. Divide among serving plates. Serve immediately with extra chives.

Photo: Guy Bailey august 2017 | mychild

101

spinach and lentil salad 0.10 Prep

Servings 4

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 bunch silverbeet (about 7 leaves) • 1 small red capsicum, halved and seeded • 1 small red onion, peeled and halved • 1 white nectarine, halved and stone removed • 400g can brown lentils, rinsed and drained • 1 tablespoon chopped dill or lemon thyme leaves Dressing: • 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil • 2 teaspoons white wine vinegar • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard • Pinch brown sugar

METHOD Step 1: Trim the white stalks from the silverbeet.

Place the large flat slicer blade into a food processor and adjust thickness setting to 4.5.

Process the silverbeet leaves. Transfer to a bowl. Adjust the width setting to 3 and slice the capsicum. Transfer to the bowl with the siverbeet.

Step 2: Adjust the blade setting to 2. Slice the onion into thin half moons. Combine in the bowl with the silverbeet. Cut the nectarine into thin wedges.

Step 3: To make the dressing, whisk all the ingredients in a small jug or bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Add the lentils and herbs to the salad.

Pour over the dressing and toss to combine. Serve.

Photo: Andrew Young 102

august 2017 | mychild

broccoli & ricotta stuffed chicken with parsley sauce 0.20 Prep 0.30 Cook

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS •

1 x Gravox Parsley White Finishing Sauce 165g

•

8 small chicken thigh fillets, excess fat trimmed

•

190g (1 cup) quinoa, rinsed

•

150g broccoli, trimmed, cut into florets

•

150g fresh ricotta cheese

•

1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest

•

2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives

•

2 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan cheese

•

Steamed baby carrots, to serve

•

Steamed zucchini, to serve

METHOD Step 1: Place quinoa and 450ml cold water in a medium saucepan over a high heat. Bring to the boil, cover, reduce heat to low. Simmer for 12-15 minutes or until water has evaporated and quinoa is al dente. Keep warm.

Step 2: Meanwhile, boil, steam or microwave broccoli until tender. Drain well, and finely chop.

Place broccoli, ricotta, zest, chives and parmesan in a medium size bowl, season with salt and pepper.

Step 3: Preheat oven to 180°C (conventional).

Line a large baking tray with non stick baking paper. Place chicken thigh fillets, smooth side down on a clean work surface. Top with a piece of baking paper and gently pound with a meat mallet or rolling pin until an even thickness.

Remove paper, place 1/8 of the ricotta mixture in the centre of each, roll to enclose filling.

Secure with toothpicks.

Step 4: Heat the oil in a large non-stick frying pan over a medium-high heat. Cook chicken, in, for 2-3 minutes, turning, or until golden brown. Transfer to baking tray, bake for a further 12 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove toothpicks.

Step 5: Meanwhile, heat Gravox Parsley White Finishing Sauce according to packet instructions. Serve chicken on the quinoa with steamed baby carrots and zucchini.

Photo: Andrew Young august 2017 | mychild

103

fruit kebabs 0.15 Prep 0.20 Cook

Makes 18

INGREDIENTS • 2 medium bananas (300g) • 1 tablespoon lemon juice • 1/2 cup (25g) desiccated coconut, toasted • 1 punnet (250g) strawberries, washed, hulled, halved • 3 kiwifruit, peeled, sliced • 18 pink marshmallows (85g) • Cottee’s Ice Magic • 18 Paddle Pop sticks

METHOD Step 1: Peel bananas and cut into 2cm slices. Toss gently in lemon juice and coat lightly in coconut.

Step 2: Thread Paddle Pop sticks with fruit and marshmallows. Drizzle with Ice Magic and refrigerate for 20 minutes or until needed

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Photo: Louise Lister 104

august 2017 | mychild

creamed rice 0.05 Prep 0.45 Cook

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS • 1 litre (4 cups) milk • 1/3 cup caster sugar • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • 1/2 cup uncooked white medium-grain rice • Fresh strawberries, to serve • Fresh blueberries, to serve • Fresh mint sprigs, to garnish • Honey, (optional) to serve

METHOD Step 1: Combine milk, sugar and extract in a medium saucepan, stirring over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Bring mixture to a simmer. Add rice.

Step 2: Cook partially covered over low heat, stirring occasionally for 40 minutes or until rice is tender and creamy. Serve warm or cold, with fresh berries, if desired. Garnish with mint and a drizzle of honey (optional).

ALL RECIPES SOURCED FROM TASTE.COM.AU

Photo: Mark O’Mearar august 2017 | mychild

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august 2017 | mychild