PakMag Australia September 2015 Issue 3

ISSUE NO.3 SEPT 2015 AUSTRALIA

Maddi, Lloyd & r e t r a C y b a B JOURNEY TO JAPAN

CELEBRATING FATHER'S DAY

TRAVEL SERIES

IDEAS FOR DAD

Free

HELLO

er Wright art

Introducing... C

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CONTENTS ISSUE NO. 99 SEPT 2015

06 What's On: September 10 Parenting: Switching Off 12 Cover Story: Meet Maddi, Lloyd

Hello and welcome to our September Father’s Day edition.

and Baby Carter

15 Generation Dad

This month we celebrate dads and their important role in our communities. I have so many amazing dads in my life, and as a mother of two boys I am so blessed to have such great role models for them.

18 Biz Profile: UberKate

This month we also feature a story on travelling to Japan, give you some great ideas for Father’s Day, and meet new parents, Maddi & Lloyd from House Rules.

22 Win: Dad Will Love

21 Meet The Voice of Siri

24 Parenting: Raising Boys

A big happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there and a special mention to my husband Trent - you are an amazing dad and we love you!

27 Education: Ready, Set, Read!

31 Education: Back To Basics 33 When Baby Won't Sleep

Until next month, have a great month and don’t forget to tell everyone, you read it in PakMag.

34 Bump & Bub

Bree x

36 Hypnobirthing 38 Snapped 40 Food: Cooking in the Kitchen

BREE JAMES / PAKMAG PUBLISHER

42 Super Mario Party Ideas 44 Home: Man Cave Must Haves 47 Health

PAKMAG P 4053 3331 F 4053 3350 E admin@pakmag.com.au PO BOX 7433 Cairns QLD 4870 FB www.facebook.com/PakmagAustralia T #pakmag DISCLAIMER No part of this magazine, including the advertisements within it may be reproduced, in part or in whole without the expressed permission of the editor. Whilst the greatest of care is taken to ensure that the information in the magazine is correct at the time of going to press, readers are advised to check details before visiting. The publishers cannot accept responsibility for errors, inaccuracies or omissions.

The expressions expressed within PakMag are not necessarily the views of the publishers, but those of individual writers.

Dashing Designer Sara

Events Extraordinaire Kelly

Darling Designer Clare

Sales Guru Angelina

Grand Poobah Bree

50 Travel Series: Journey To Japan 52 Camping and Kids 54 Craft Corner: Animal Attraction

Admin Ace Janelle

Sales Star Cherie

Sales Golden Girl Tammy

Content Captain Jenna

www.pakmag.com.au SEPTEMBER 2015

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WHAT'S ON SEP NATIONAL Lah-Lah Live in Concert

Meet Andy Griffiths

WHERE: Various locations WHEN: VIC: 19th to 22nd September NSW: 24th September to 3rd October QLD: 27th September to 1st October $: Cost

WHERE: Various locations in Victoria, New South Wales, Western Australia, Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania WHEN: 28th August to 27th September $: Free

MORE INFO

MORE INFO

Snow Queen’s Aussie Freezing Show WHERE: Various locations in New South Wales and Victoria WHEN: 1st September to 23rd October $: Cost MORE INFO

Broadway to Oz – Hugh Jackman Live in Concert TICKETS ON SALE MON 31 AUG WHERE: Various locations in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth WHEN: November and December (Dates vary) $: Cost

NEW SOUTH WALES

MORE INFO

Manly Sea Life Sanctuary Free Entry for Dad this Fathers Day WHERE: West Esplanade, Manly, Sydney WHEN: Tuesday 25th August. $: Free for Dad when accopanied by a full paying customer

Once Upon a Time Live Show

MORE INFO

Beams Arts Festival

WHERE: North Sydney Leagues Club, 12 Abbott Street, Sydney WHEN: Sunday 27th September 2.30pm – 3.30pm $: Cost

WHERE: Central Park, 2 8 Broadway, Sydney WHEN: Saturday 19 September 2015 5.00pm - 10.00pm $: Free

MORE INFO

MORE INFO

"Elise picks OzAsia Festival 24th Sept - 3rd Oct"

www.whatson4littleones.com.au

SOUTH AUSTRALIA OzAsia Festival WHERE: Various locations WHEN: 24th September to 3 October $: Cost and free events MORE INFO

Polly’s Pirate School 2!

Blackbeard!

Royal Adelaide Show WHERE: Adelaide Showground, 39 Goodwood Rd, Wayville WHEN: 4th to 12th September $: Cost

WHERE: Hopgood Theatre, Ramsay Place, Adelaide WHEN: Thursday 1st October 11.00am $: Cost

MORE INFO

MORE INFO

QUEENSLAND Brisbane Festival – Music for Little Monkeys WHERE: The Spiegeltent, Cultural Forecourt, South Bank WHEN: 12th and 13th September 1.00pm $: Cost MORE INFO

The Gruffalo’s Child WHERE: Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), South Brisbane WHEN: 29th September to 2nd October $: Cost MORE INFO

Birdsville races

Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers

WHERE: Birdsville, Queensland WHEN: 4th & 5th September $: Cost

WHERE: Toowoomba, QLD WHEN: 18th September to 27th September $: Cost and free events

MORE INFO

MORE INFO

WHAT'S ON SEP VICTORIA Bunyips and Dragons: Australian Children's Book Illustrations WHERE: The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, Federation Square, Melbourne WHEN: Event runs until 4 October 2015 $: Free entry MORE INFO

Children's Festival

2015 Royal Melbourne Show

Cirque Africa World-renowned acrobatic circus performance

WHERE: Melbourne Showgrounds, Epsom Road, Melbourne WHEN: Saturday 19th - 29th September $: Cost

WHERE: Burnside Shopping Centre WHEN: 28th August to 13th September (times vary $: Cost

WHERE: SkyHigh Mt Dandenong, 26 Observatory Rd, Mount Dandenong WHEN: Monday 21st September Thursday 1st October 10.00am - 5.00pm $: Cost

MORE INFO

MORE INFO

MORE INFO

NORTHERN TERRITORY Alice Desert Festival WHERE: Various locations around Alice Springs CBD WHEN: 27 August - 06 September $: Cost MORE INFO

Julia Morris - I Don’t Want Your Honest Feedback Tour WHERE: Darwin Entertainment Centre, 93 Mitchell Street, Darwin WHEN: Friday 18th September 7.00pm $: Cost MORE INFO

"Elise picks OzAsia Festival 24th Sept - 3rd Oct"

www.whatson4littleones.com.au

WESTERN AUSTRALIA Zest Festival WHERE: Kalbarri Foreshore, Grey Street, Kalbarri, Western Australia WHEN: 19th - 20th September $: Cost MORE INFO

Michael Flatley’s Lord of The Dance: Dangerous Games WHERE: Crown Theatre, Perth WHEN: 15 – 20 September $: Cost

KINGS PARK Festival WHERE: Kings Park & Botanic Garden, Park Ave, Perth WHEN: Saturday 12 September 10.30am - 2.30pm $: Gold coin donation

MORE INFO

MORE INFO

TASMANIA Swan Lake

Red Racing Hood

WHERE: Theatre Royal - Hobart, 29 Campbell Street, Hobart WHEN: 16th and 17th September 8.00pm $: Cost

WHERE: Theatre Royal - Hobart, 29 Campbell Street, Hobart WHEN: Friday 25 September to 3 October $: Cost

MORE INFO

Junction Arts Festival- Multilingual Rock & Rhyme WHERE: The Junc Yard, 53-59 St John St WHEN: 2 September to 6 September (times vary) $: Free MORE INFO

MORE INFO

Switching OFF EXPERTS AGREE THAT THE MORE YOU CONNECT ONLINE, THE LESS YOU CONNECT WITH YOUR FAMILY. BUT JUST HOW OUT-OF -CONTROL IS OUR ONLINE ADDICTION? The average Australian child is spending 11.5 hours online each week, according to the latest Neilson survey. This amount has increased three-fold since 2007 and there are no signs of it slowing down. Teens aged 13 to 15 spend an average of 18.7 hours online each week, which is equivalent to more than three days at school.

connect to their screens rather than each other.

Whilst some of this time may be spent researching for school papers, there is no doubt that online gaming and social media come into play as well.

“Personal screens and shared screens, such as televisions, are completely different. There is no social interaction with personal screens, and this is the concern.”

ARE OUR CHILDREN TOO CONNECTED? A study conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics found that 69 per cent of children went online to play games while 48 per cent of children aged 12 to 14 spend time each week on social media sites.

Mobile internet growth among young mobile users has grown by 600 per cent since 2007. And 81 per cent of kids and teens are hopping online after school before 6pm.

FAMILY TIME VS. FACEBOOK TIME What this means is that more families around Australia are choosing to

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“As screens become more and more universal we are starting to reflect on how technology is influencing relationships with our children and partners,” Ms Laura Demasi, Research Director at Ipsos Australia says.

With the rise in fear of Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD) a term being used to explain the impact technology is having on children's development and temperament, it is clear that cutting back on our online addiction is something all families need to consider.

However, DeMasi adds, “Despite these concerns about technology, Australians are still hugely enthusiastic about electronic devices and are definitely not about to give up their screens.”

Personal electronic devices, such as smart phones and tablets continue to

be among our most used appliances (75 per cent) across all age demographics. But, unsurprisingly, it’s not just our kids who are addicted to the internet.

ANTI-SOCIAL MEDIA AMONG ADULTS Parents are just as bad, claims Pew Research Center, as more and more parents are turning to social media for parenting-related information and social support.

The most common form of social media for parents is Facebook, with 75 per cent of parents actively participating in liking, sharing and commenting.

28 per cent of parents use Pinterest; 25 per cent use Instagram and 27 per cent use LinkedIn. Twitter ranks as the fifth most popular form of social media with 23 per cent of online parents using it.

Of course, many parents, myself included, are guilty of using all five (and often all in the same day).

THE COMMUNICATION GAP Despite the fact that social media brings people from around the world together, it also has the opposite

FEATURE

effect for those living in the same household. The Pew Research Center discovered that 25 per cent of married adults have texted their partner when they were both home together, rather than simply walking ten metres to speak to them.

And 9 per cent of adults in a committed relationship even admit that they have resolved an argument with their partner online or via text message rather than speaking face to face about their concerns.

CUTTING BACK ON YOUR CONNECTION Origin's Energy Expert, Anne Armansin, says while technology will forever play a role in Australians’ lives, everyone could make some simple changes to the way they use it to ensure quality family time doesn’t suffer as a result of being too plugged in.

“Parents should try to set some house rules for the amount of time their children spend using a device, and help them understand why this is important.”

“There are also several apps out there that can help people realise how much time they’re spending on specific devices, and allow them to unplug from your device for a nominated period of time.”

PLUGGED IN BUT NO LONGER PRESENT Social media networks and online interactions are host to a wide range of human experiences; they help connect people with one another in both good times and bad. But there is no denying that they can be addictive.

The bottom line, DeMasi says, is “the more time we spend on our screens, the less time we interact with each other.”

There have been several times when I have looked up from my phone and caught my husband on his phone, and my children on their iPads.

Sure, we are all in the same room.

Sure, we are enjoying one another’s company. But, the scary reality, is that while we are together, we are spending this time alone.

pakmag

parenting series

WHERE TO LEARN MORE • Pew Research Center www.pewinternet.org • Neilson www.nielsen.com • Australian Bureau of Statistics www.abs.gov.au

What is Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD)?

HOW CAN WE CONTROL IT? Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD), also known as Problematic Internet Use (PIU) or Compulsive Internet Use (CIU), is a term originally coined by Ivan Goldberg, M.D and refers to an addiction to online activities, including shopping, gaming, gambling and social networking.

There are six criteria of internet addiction which include salience, conflict, mood modification, tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, and relapse.

and the PRIUSS, the Problematic And Risky Internet Use Screening Scale.

GAINING CONTROL OF YOUR FACEBOOK Facebook isn’t just a form of social media – it is the gateway to happenings near and far. It can connect you to friends hundreds of kilometres way, it can keep you updated on news and stories of interest and it can inform you on events coming up in your area. But, when not monitored properly, it can also be a portal to privacy problems and safety concerns.

Check out next months story on "Gaining Control of Your Facebook" where our resident social media expert shares her tips on using Facebook to your advantage and ensuring your security settings are watertight.

In recent years there have been tests designed to monitor PUI including the Internet Addiction Test (IAT), the Chen Internet Addiction Scale (CIAS), the Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS)

The Technology Trap... by Numbers According to recent surveys: • More than 50 per cent of Australians are trying to decrease their usage of personal electronic devices to spend more time with family.

• On average, children are now introduced to electronic devices at the age of two.

• Among parents, the average number of Facebook friends is 150. However, only one third are ‘actual’ friends.

• 75 per cent of Australians would prefer to go without their personal grooming appliances for a week, than without personal technology.

www.pakmag.com.au SEPTEMBER 2015

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SEPTEMBER 2015 www.pakmag.com.au

COVER STORY

A new residence. A new business. And a new baby!

It’s certainly been a crazy year for House Rules’ sweethearts, Maddi and Lloyd.

From watching Maddi, 28 and Lloyd, 29 with their new baby boy, Carter Wright, it is clear that there is a new passion in the young couple’s lives.

And he is as sweet as can be.

Born at Cairns Private Hospital, 15 July 2015 after a relatively quick (but intense) three hour labour, Carter, which is Maddi’s maiden name, was immediately at ease with his mum and dad.

“He was put on my chest and calmly looked up at us,” Maddi recalls with a loving smile.

The natural parents are enjoying every moment with their new little man, even the unexpected ones.

And, as PakMag discovered, there have been plenty of unpredictable moments so far.

As we prepared for our photo shoot, for example, Maddi calls out from the other room, “I think we have a

problem,” only to reveal a large wet patch all over her beautiful dress.

“You never know what to expect,” Maddi laughs as she cuddles her cheeky little man, who is a spitting image of his dad, and ignores the wee.

At six weeks’ old, the parents have certainly found their footing and Carter is racing through the milestones.

“He just started to smile,” Lloyd tells us.

“And he’s putting weight on like crazy!” Maddi adds. “He’s a hungry little human, feeding every 1.5 hours.”

While he’s a great feeder, he’s not the best at sleeping and Maddi admits that the lack of sleep hasn’t been easy to adjust to.

“It’s definitely challenging having to work day and night shift [as a firefighter] and then not being able to sleep because Carter doesn’t want to sleep,” Lloyd adds.

“But when you look at little Carter it makes it all worth while.”

pakmag

Aside from growing a teeny human, what have the couple been up to since leaving House Rules? A wedding (in Port Douglas), a new business, a new dream home and a move from Townsville to Cairns to start!

“Lloyd grew up in Cairns so we moved here to be closer to family,” explains Maddi. “Cairns provides a perfectly balanced lifestyle that really does make you realise what is important in life – family and fun.”

The active lifestyle offered in Cairns certainly agrees with the couple, who are passionate about health and fitness and enjoy spending their down time strolling along the beach, shopping for local produce at Rusty’s Markets, training at their family’s gym, Crossfit Dungeon and running Maddi’s recently-opened business, Hypoxi Studio Cairns.

Balancing a new baby and a new business can be tricky but, after seeing the couple on House Rules last year and watching Maddi and Lloyd with Carter last month, we have no doubt that these two will pull it off flawlessly.

Introducing... Car ter W r i g ht www.pakmag.com.au SEPTEMBER 2015

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n o i t a r e n e G DAD

PARENTING

pakmag

Story Jenna Gallina

The rules of fatherhood have changed. Gone are the days where the roles of mum and dad are set in stone.

And, when it comes to raising our children, leading parenting expert, Noel Janis-Norton suggests it may be time for mums to let go of the reins and let dads take on a more important role in child rearing.

what does fatherhood look like in the 21st century?

The role of the father has significantly evolved. A study conducted by McCrindle Research uncovered that men under 30 are less likely to be adept at building a cubby house, fixing a tap or a punctured tyre, but more likely to be able to change a baby’s nappy, bake a birthday cake, wash clothes and drop the kids off at school (bonus points to the daddy’s that can do all of the above!).

is for boys to copy their fathers. And it’s hard for a boy to do that when he doesn’t spend enough time with dad,” she explains.

Fathers now spend roughly four hours a day caring for their children compared to mums who spend 8.5 hours caring for their children, according to the McCrindle report.

“Mothers need to allow dads to be dads and to have their own relationship with their children – and in particular with their boys – without trying to micromanage,” she said.

And, while the number of Australian stay-at-home dads has almost doubled over the past decade, from 58,000 to over 144,000, in most households, mum is the primary caregiver.

LEAD BY EXAMPLE

Even if mum is doing most of the childrearing activities, the importance of a male role model in children’s lives is invaluable.

“LET DAD BE DAD”

Noel Janis-Norton, who is the author of Calmer, Easier, Happier Boys, says building the bond between a male role model – whether it’s dad, uncle, grandpa or stepdad – is a job for both parents.

Dads need to find time to be there, to provide support and to realise just how important he is in the lives of his little ones, especially for his sons.

This male bond is vital to boys learning how to handle their emotions and physical strength, and how to respect others and themselves.

“The genetically pre-programmed urge

However, mums need to allow dads to step up, to find their own parenting style and to let go of trying to control it all. Janis-Norton explains that mums can be too possessive and this can be detrimental to their children.

Deborah Storer from Backstreet Mentoring suggests that fathers need to understand just how important they are to their children.

“Value the importance of your role,” she suggests to dads. “Your child looks up to you. They are inspired by you. Remind yourself how much of a difference you make.”

By just being there, showing support and taking pride in your child doing the little things they do, dads are doing more than they may realise.

“Be present for your child and be a positive role model,” Storer explains.

“Don’t just tell your son how to live.

Live. And let him watch you do it.”

Regardless of who cooks their meals, who washes their uniforms, who does the nightly homework session and who reads the bedtime stories, the bottom line remains the same – children need love and support from mum, from dad and from anyone else who plays an important role in their lives.

THE FIGURES ON FATHERHOOD McCrindle Research has crunched the statistics on what fatherhood looks like in 21st Century Australia: • 20 per cent of Australia’s population is made up of dads • There are approximately 4.6 million dads in Australia, with an estimated 2.2 million dads currently with children aged under 18 • There are approximately 144,000 stay-at-home dads with dependent children • The average new father is 33 years of age • Fathers spend an average of four hours a day caring for their children and 8.2 hours a day (42 hours per week) at work • 16 per cent of dads agree that they are rarely or never in balance in terms of their work and family responsibilities

DADS...

• Find time every day for one-on-one time with your children, even if it’s only for a few minutes • Look for activities to do with your children Let them learn by your example MUMS...

• Allow dad to be dad. Trust he is doing the right thing and avoid the urge to micro-manage • Give him a chance to make his own schedule and follow his own parenting rules • Do not criticise, especially in front of the kids

www.pakmag.com.au SEPTEMBER 2015

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celebrate dad It’s time to celebrate that special man in your life. Father’s Day is all about dad. But that doesn’t mean the whole family can’t have fun. And what’s more fun than throwing a themed party? Give your dad a day to remember with these fun Father’s Day themed party ideas.

BACKYARD BUSH CAMPING

SUPER DAD DAY

You don’t have to travel far to celebrate your dad. If he likes the great outdoors, set up the tent in the backyard, take out the camping chairs, stage a backyard fire and watch the stars.

Show your dad that he’s the true hero of the household with a super-hero themed party. Get costumes for the entire family (or make your own) and serve a buffet of super foods for your super special dad. You can find super-hero themed decorations at Overflow and, as a bonus, you can keep the decorations to re-use for another birthday party.

Roast marshmallows, throw some steaks on the barbie and toast the main man in your life.

YOU NEED: • Your camping gear • Camp food (marshmallows, hot cocoa, sausages and bread) • A small outdoor fire (you can buy outdoor fire pits at home improvement stores or make your own out of an old gas drum) • Wood and paper to light the fire TAKE IT UP A NOTCH: Make a playlist of some of the classic camping songs and bring the speakers outdoors with you. Include plenty of The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Crowded House, The Eagles, Pink Floyd, Cold Chisel and Neil Young tunes.

If anyone is musical in your household, bring the guitar and host a sing-a-long.

Plan an adventurous activity for everyone – go karting perhaps?

Maybe a trip to a rock climbing centre? The only rule - the whole family has to remain in character.

YOU NEED: • Super hero snacks – Captain America (red, white and blue) cupcakes, strawberries and blueberries in the shape of an S, crackers topped with cheese shaped like a bat, Hulk cakepops • Superhero costumes and decorations PLAN THE PERFECT ENDING: End your day of adventure with a movie marathon of your dad’s favourite superhero themed shows. the X-Men trilogy, the Avengers series or the Spiderman movies.

Other Fun Father’s Day Ideas BEER AND WINE FESTIVAL Throw your own beer fest by inviting your guests over to sample different flavours from around the world (or your local Bottle O).

NEIGHBOURHOOD BLOKE PARTY Get the neighbours together and host a joint Father’s Day BBQ on the street. Every family brings a dish and comes up with a game to play with the kids and adults.

SPORTS DAY Head to the beach, creek or park with a bucket load of sport equipment, Dad’s favourite sporting attire and host a sport themed day. Set the stage with paper plates, napkins and tablecloth of his team’s colours.

THE MEN AWARDS Show your appreciation for all the men in your lives – uncles, grandparents, brothers and dads by inviting everyone over for a banquet night. Set up the tables in a cabaret style, plan funny speeches and mock awards to suit their different personalities. Make your own medals or trophies to take home at the end of the evening.

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SEPTEMBER 2015 www.pakmag.com.au

www.pakmag.com.au SEPTEMBER 2015

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g n i l B r e Ub n

Kate Sutto with Uberkate’s

YOU’VE PROBABLY HEARD OF UBERKATE. AND, IF YOU HAVEN’T, YOU’VE MOST LIKELY COME ACROSS HER GORGEOUS RANGE OF JEWELLERY IN PASSING.

What started as a small idea has grown into something uber-fantastic.

Uberkate is now a global jewellery store based out of Sydney, which thrives on Kate’s passion for jewellery design and her own desire to wear pieces “that means something”.

While some of our favourite Aussie personalities have been snapped wearing Uberkate, from Georgie Gardner to Melissa Doyle, and the Uberkate range has made its way into over 70 stockists in Australia plus they ship direct to customers internationally, it is Kate’s personalised touch that really stands out.

The busy mum of two, Kate Sutton, sits down with PakMag Australia to share her secrets on her ubersuccess, her signature piece, the Ubercircle and her uber-special talents on a paddleboard.

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How would you describe yourself?

A creative, obsessive, loving, loyal, optimistic designer and supporter of everyone’s big creative dreams.

What’s the best thing about living in Sydney’s Northern Beaches?

I love the laid back lifestyle, where a pair of thongs can take you from day to night (as long as you have the right jewellery on!)

What made you get into business?

I fell into business 13 years ago when I handmade my first personalised silver circle – the Ubercircle. It was designed as a way to keep my family close while I was travelling for work [as a television producer].

There was nothing like it on the market and I wore these circles to work at Channel Nine and a few on-air presenters asked me to make some for them. Shortly after friends and friends of friends wanted them too. I quickly had to leave my TV producing job and start a business.

What’s the best thing about your business?

That I can dream up ideas, go straight to the jeweller’s bench and make the dream a reality. I am so lucky to be so hands-on in our business. Making and designing jewellery fuels me and I am never short of ideas or designs!

INTERVIEW

pakmag

What is your best tips for managing family life and business life?

Don't sweat the small stuff. Get help as soon as your business is turning over enough so you can pay someone to do the things you don't have time to do.

cook for your family?

And remove the GUILT gene! We guilt ourselves all the time - are the kids getting enough time with me? Is my husband being nurtured enough by me? Do my friends see enough of me?

What’s the funniest memory since having kids?

What are you renowned for?

Our signature design, the Ubercircle, is what Uberkate is best known for But, personally, I’m renowned for my chocolate hazelnut baked cheesecake and doing a headstand on a paddleboard!

Tell us something most people wouldn’t know about you I am obsessed with shoes and a hand-made shoe course is on my bucket list. I even have the design I want to make all sketched out.

What is your favourite meal to

Moroccan chicken with spicy cos cos and harissa yogurt dressing.

I convinced them that I have "eyes in the back of my head" in the car (while using the rear view mirror). It went on for years!

What are three things you can’t live without?

My hubby and CFO, Adam. We laugh each and every day. Working with him is like hanging out with a friend (but I have sacked him twice!)

My kids, 8 year old Lulu and 12 year old, Cameron, because I have to say that (no, really I couldn't live without them) And… chocolate, ice cream, cheesecake and wine…all together at once.

What’s the best advice you have been given?

Your gut instinct is there for a reason; if it goes off, it's usually right. Listen to your heart and your head at the same time and understand that everything can’t be perfect. When things are good or great, stop and really pay attention to how good that feels!

What’s is the motto you live by?

It's not what it is… it's what you make it!!

www.pakmag.com.au SEPTEMBER 2015

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Meet the Mum Behind

THE VOICE OF SIRI Dubbed “The GPS Girl”, Mackay-born Karen Jacobsen sits down with PakMag Australia to discover what brings her back to her hometown and what it’s like being “the friendly voice that gets you home every time.”

A Mackay girl, who is one of the most recognised voices the world over, Karen Jacobsen is now based in New York and best known as the “GPS Girl” or the voice of ‘Siri’.

She is also a singer, songwriter, entertainer and voice-over artist.

Karen is returning to Mackay this September to celebrate her school, Mackay North State School’s centenary and is excited to be able to join Aussie Mackay to raise funds for CQ Rescue and give some winning directions to business owners in the community.

We were lucky enough to sit down with the mum of one and uncover the secrets to balancing motherhood and career in the Big Apple.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR FAMILY: I was born and raised in Mackay and think of myself as a Mackay girl.

My great grandfather was mayor of Mackay and one of my ancestors was a pioneer in business in Queensland which makes me very proud. Now we (my husband and my seven-year-old son, Hayden) live in Midtown on the edge of the Theatre District in New York.

DESCRIBE YOUR LIFE IN FIVE WORDS. Life is a global, fun, sparkly, inspiring adventure.

What are your favourite things to do when not working?

What’s the hardest aspect of your career?

Travel, sing, write songs, entertain at home, watch movies with my family, indulge in my husband’s cooking and visit the spa.

Being a parent is a full time job.

Running a business is a full time job. I have to constantly remind myself of this, especially when I feel like I am not doing both of my jobs perfectly.

You would not believe the number of times something really important is happening at Hayden’s school and it clashes directly with a game changing business appointment or opportunity.

What are some of the main things you miss about Mackay?

The sky. I love to be under a Queensland sky. There is nowhere like it.

What are some of the differences between being raised in Mackay and raising your child in New York?

In New York we have a very indoor life for three quarters of the year. We walk or take the subway and I have to say I do love not owning a car. Living in a walking city is very freeing.

What does your son think of hearing your voice in the phone and GPS system?

Sometimes I wonder if my son thought everyone’s Mummy’s voice is in GPS units! He is now seven years old so it is occurring to him this is something special.

You can also have just about anything delivered in New York. I really love this part of life. It reduces the need to run around doing errands as much as possible so I can streamline our lives and free up my time.

www.pakmag.com.au SEPTEMBER 2015

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l l i w d a D LOV E

Boxes of Babylon New Daddy Mini Box RRP $95.00 WEB www.boxesofbabylon.com.au Boxes of Babylon, implores customers to rediscover the art of thoughtful gift giving by providing the opportunity to send and receive premium gift boxes. These gift boxes have been carefully crafted through consultation with international design studios. The result is a collection of thought provoking gift boxes that showcase the finest in beauty, functionality and above all, luxury.

The New Daddy Mini Box is the perfect gift for soon-to-be dads or those experiencing their first Father's Day. It provides the essentials plus some fun advice!

ENTER www.pakmag.com.au

Chamberlain HandyLift Plus

WIN

RRP $249.00 WEB www.chamberlaindiy.com.au Chamberlain’s HandyLift Plus garage roller door opener offers an easy way to automate a garage roller door in less than two hours.

The HandyLift Plus can be installed to existing single or double manual roller doors and offers a soft open and close for a longer opener life.

It features obstruction reversal technology, meaning the door will automatically stop and reverse if it senses an obstruction, ensuring children, pets and the family car are out of harm’s way.

Backed by Chamberlain’s 5 year warranty, the HandyLift Plus is available from Bunnings and Masters and comes with remote controls and easy to follow step by step installation instructions.

ENTER www.pakmag.com.au

WIN

3 pack of Beard Oil & wooden beard comb RRP $99.00 WEB www.milkmanaustralia.com

This is a fantastic Australian hand made product. These make great gifts for the bearded man that has everything and wants for nothing.

THE PACK INCLUDES 1 x MILKMAN Chai Latte Beard Oil -50 mL; 1 x MILKMAN Citrus Supernova Beard Oil - 50 mL; 1 x MILKMAN King of Wood Beard Oil - 50 mL; and 1 x MILKMAN Beard Comb These are exceptional products for conditioning your beard and skin. Especially designed for those that have beard itch.

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WIN

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pakmag

Remington Hyperflex Shave & Trim RRP $199.95 WEB www.remington-products.com.au The Remington Hyperflex Shave & Trim features an interchangeable rotary shaver and trimming head for a total grooming solution. For smooth shaves, the rotary head features a multi-directional pivoting neck and dual track blades for improved comfort, speed and cutting performance.

Beard maintenance is also made easy with a 5-length setting self-sharpening trimmer attachment. Additional features include hardwearing stainless steel blades, 100 per cent waterproof functionality, folding charging stand, a long-lasting Lithium Powered battery and a handy storage pouch perfect for travel.

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BOG OUT 4wd RECOVERY device RRP $159 (Single) / $279 (Twin Pack) WEB www.bogout.com BOG OUT is the latest 4WD recovery device to hit the tracks. It’s simple and effective. Essentially, it is a very strong harness designed to turn your wheels into winches. Just tie one end to a wheel that has lost traction, and secure the other end to an anchor point. Then slowly drive out of trouble!

Developed and tested in the tough tropics of northern Australia, Bog Out has completed many recoveries where other devices have failed.

It’s economical, can even double as a tow rope, and is compact enough to fit in your glove box. It’s a ‘must have’ for any off road enthusiast.

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Bog Out works equally well for forward or reverse as it can be tied to either the front or rear wheels. Mud, sand or snow makes no difference to Bog Out’s effectiveness either. Extremely durable, and 4 tonnes tough, Bog Out offers true self-recovery. It works by taking the rotational capability of any vehicle’s wheel and turns it into a strong winch.

Vehicles already have massive winch capability by way of their driven wheels. Bog Out captures that force and simply turns it into movement, which is exactly what you want when you’re stuck.

Bog Out fits all vehicles and comes in single or twin packs. One Bog Out will get you out of a lot of trouble, Twin Packs are a 100 per cent recovery solution. They come in a handy back sack, complete with connector ties and full user manual.

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MAN LAW Digital BBQ Tongs RRP $29.95 WEB www.mrgift.com.au This handy set of Digital BBQ Tongs features an audible alarm, seven pre-set meat types (beef/veal/lamb/pork/poultry/turkey/burger), five seconds quick response time, temperature range: 0°C - 200°C (can interchange display from °F and °C), detachable LCD display for easy cleaning and a backlit LCD display that is perfect for night grilling.

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www.pakmag.com.au SEPTEMBER 2015

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pakmag

PARENTING

Raising Boys STORY Carly Hammersley

Let’s face it. Boys are just… different. In recent years there has been much debate about the effects of gender stereotyping children and even a movement known as genderneutral parenting. Regardless of your stance and the environmental factors they may experience during their early years - many mums and dads will tell you boys seem to have something hardwired that just makes them different from their sisters, female cousins or classmates.

F

or mums, parenting a little girl can often come naturally.

There is always the option of falling back on your own childhood memories to guide you as a parent.

Even if you grew up with brothers, there are some aspects of raising boys that just can’t be prepared for.

From the infatuation at a very young age about certain (ahem!) body parts to the rough and tumble of daily play here are some things mums have told us they wish they’d known.

HE WILL LOVE YOU LIKE NO OTHER Boys can be boisterous, abrupt, rough and above all, larrikins - but they can also be incredibly gentle and loving, loyal and proud. It’s often said that a little girls first love is her father; the same can be said of little boys. The relationship mums have with their sons is often unparalleled. Any woman who has ever had a mother-in-law knows that the mother-son relationship is a mighty one indeed. Mums will also speak fondly of the joy of seeing their partner and son bond - whether it be over lego, sports or dolls.

BOYS LOVE PLANES, TRAINS AND THINGS THAT GO BUMP! Even if you go to pains to stock the nursery and play area with play kitchens and unisex doll houses, chances are your little guy will seek out anything with wheels that drives, digs, mixes or flies. Matchbox cars

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SEPTEMBER 2015 www.pakmag.com.au

will seem to breed in your handbag and you’ll be able to extract a solid 30 minutes of entertainment watching activity on a construction site.

BOYS DON'T STOP MOVING There is just something in their nature that doesn’t allow them to sit still. From the moment they get out of bed in the morning to the moment you tuck them into bed at night, they will bounce from one thing to the next, scale the dining room table and give you a near heart attack approximately every 15 minutes. Their daredevil side will only grow as they get older - from scooters, to bikes and skateboards - chances are you will spend a decent amount of time patching up skinned knees or driving them to Emergency.

CLOTHES SHOPPING IS EASY AND THE ARGUMENTS ARE FEW! Anyone who has a little girl, as well as a boy, will tell you dressing a girl can be a much tougher challenge!

Dresses, skirts, tops, hairbands, clips, matching hats and later - jewellery. It is endless. Then they start deciding they simply must have a say in what they wear and dressing a girl becomes a lesson in patience and fashion styling every. single. day! On the whole, boys are much easier to dress and buy for.

A range of t-shirts (long sleeve for winter, short sleeve for summer), jeans and shorts - and you’re set.

PENIS OBSESSION It really is true - it starts from a young age. From the moment they’re aware of it, boys are obsessed with their body parts. The size comparisons seem to start almost as soon as they’re able to talk and when you start toilet training be prepared for pee to be EVERYWHERE. BOY HUMOUR Boys seem to come with their own rudimentary versions of “Dad” jokes.

You can almost guarantee at some point you will be called “poopy head” or “poopy bum”. “They have to incorporate poo into anything and everything,” Bree, a mum of two boys, said.

MUM'S INSIDE WORD “The boys were both playing in the backyard and I looked away for a few minutes to turn back and see Harrison doing a squat and wiping his butt with leaves. When I asked him what he was doing, he proudly exclaimed he was ‘being a nature man’!” - NATASHA, MUM TO HARRISON AND COOPER.

“Charlie has a fascination with slimy worms, slugs, snails and all things gross.

He keeps putting them in my tupperware to keep as pets.” - ROBYN, MUM TO CHARLIE AND WILL.

“Jack at three years LOVED Dora and of course everything Dora was pink but since that was his favourite colour no problem! He asked Easter Bunny for pink Dora PJs which he got and wore proudly until they were far too small for him.” - CATHERINE, MUM TO BRAD, JACK AND IMOGEN.

DON’T COMPARE YOUR BOY TO GIRLS It’s scientifically proven that boys develop and mature at a different pace to girls. They mature more slowly, particularly when it comes to language development, social skills and their fine motor skills.Try to resist the temptation to compare your son to your daughter, or a friend or family member’s little girl. Just like girls, they will mature at their own pace, intellectually, physically and emotionally. Sometimes that means they’re still very much a boy trapped in a man’s body by age 25 (just ask any woman who has dated one!) - but think of it this way - he’ll still be your little boy regardless.

“Fascination with his penis. Determined to work out how far it can stretch and doing the "helicopter dance" around the lounge room. The way he was automatically a bloke from birth, and hung out with blokes, and did blokey things, despite no gender stereotypes in our house. They seem to come complete with in-built bum and fart humour.” - KIRSTEN, MUM TO ANGUS.

“Ollie loves playing mums and dads, looks after all the other kids at daycare and rocks his Elsa dress, but is right into cars, trucks and bum jokes.” - LIZ, MUM TO OLLIE AND ABIGAIL.

“Beautiful! The bond and connection you have with them is just pure adoration! They are clingy and sensitive one minute and big brutes the next.

I love raising my boy. Watching him soak everything up then make a big joke out of it a week later! Clever little things they are.” - ANNALISA, MUM TO KYIUS.

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Ready,Set,

EDUCATION

pakmag

Read Story Jenna Gallina

LEARNING TO READ DOESN’T HAPPEN OVERNIGHT. IT TAKES PLENTY OF TIME, PATIENCE AND PRACTICE. As a mum with a five year old who is currently learning his sight words, I know all too well the struggles and the concerns that come with reading. There have been days where I want to throw his sight words in the bin and keep my non-reading little baby for just a little while longer, and other days when I tear up with pride when he recognises a word in a book or on a menu.

Reading is a lifelong journey with an ever-lasting reward but children who are struggling to read, whether they are five or fifteen, have a hard time seeing this end result. It is up to us to encourage them, to support them and to help them improve their reading each and every day. So, how do we do it? Here are 21 tips to try:

1. READ ALOUD New readers need to read aloud.

They need to hear themselves say the word to process this new skill. They need to be comfortable sounding each letter out and eventually blending each sound into a full word.

So encourage this skill by reading aloud often and showing them how to do it.

2. READ WITH EXPRESSION Read with lots of expression to help your child see the different facial movements and understand the sounds.

3. CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING Beginner and early reader books typically don’t have a complicated

storyline to follow, but you still want to encourage your child to think about the story they have read. After a few pages of reading, ask “What has happened in the story so far,” or “what has been your favourite part so far?”

4. BE AWARE OF THE READING REQUIREMENTS It’s good to know what is expected at each grade level, as a general guideline.

5. FOCUS ON YOUR CHILD’S JOURNEY With that being said, try not to get caught up with where other kids are in relation to your children (easier said than done, I know!). Track your own child’s progress with the general

curriculum in the background.

6. MAKE READING AN INTEGRAL PART OF YOUR CHILD'S LIFE Reading is all around us. Have your child read menus, roadside signs, game directions, movie time listings and anything else. For children who are not yet that advanced, ask them to identify words or just letters that they are familiar with.

7. BRING A BOOK Always carry a book in your bag.

When your child is waiting at the doctor’s office, rather than reaching for the iPhone, give him a book to look through.

pakmag

EDUCATION

8. RE-READ YOUR CHILD’S FAVOURITES Even if this means you’re re-reading them so often that you can easily recite the stories word for word in your sleep.

9. CHOOSE NURSERY RHYME BOOKS Your child already knows the songs and can follow the words with his fingers when reading. This is great for early word recognition.

10. GET IN THE RIGHT FRAME OF MIND You need to be calm and patient when helping little ones read. Try to choose a time when you are not stressed or rushed so you can focus your attention entirely on your child and the reading journey. The dirty dishes can wait.

13. WRITE, WRITE, WRITE! Reading and writing go hand in hand.

Encourage writing every day, whether it is asking your child to add a few items to the shopping list or to write his name on a birthday card.

14. FIND BOOKS THAT WILL INTEREST THEM Does your child love superheroes?

Look for books that feature superheroes. Perhaps Elmo is your child’s favourite character. Look for books with Elmo.

15. TRY ‘ECHO READING'

11. READ TO ME, READ TO YOU

Depending on the text, read a sentence, paragraph or page aloud first, and then get your child to re-read it back to you.

Take turns reading at bedtime – you read one and then they read one.

16. DO WORD SEARCHES

12. ENCOURAGE THEM TO READ THE ‘NEXT ONE’ Find ways to encourage your children to pick up another book. Introduce

SIGHT WORD SUCESS Sight words, or “tricky words” are normally the first introduction into word recognition for your child. They are introduced in prep and are words that are commonly seen but not always easy to spell. Teaching your children these words can be difficult, especially if you have a child like mine who would rather eat dirt than recite his tricky words. Vary it with these ideas: • Make a word puzzle and ask your child to circle the sight words she recognises in the puzzle.

• Play Sight Word BINGO. • Choose two sight words and use them as passwords before your child goes to bed/brushes her teeth, etc.

• Circle sight words in books. Give your child a special pen that she only uses for this task.

• Look through magazines and cut out the letters to make a sight word collage.

• Use magnetic letters, foam letters, stickers and play dough to write each word.

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them to a series like The Boxcar Children or Harry Potter or to check out a second book by a favourite author.

SEPTEMBER 2015 www.pakmag.com.au

You don’t have to limit reading to basic books. Word searches and other word games can help your child identify letters and words.

17. SET UP A FAMILY READING TIME We used to call it USSR- You Sit Down, Shut Up and Read. But DEAR is probably a better acronym to use – Drop Everything And Read.

18. MIX IT UP Don’t just focus on books (readers or textbooks). Kids’ magazines, comic books, graphic novels, apps and even YouTube channels are great reading helpers.

19. CONSIDER “SHARED READING" Take turns reading sentences or paragraphs. You read the first sentence and your child reads the next.

20. PLAY BOARD GAMES Three good ones are Scattergories, Scrabble and Pictionary.

21. MAKE A READING CORNER Complete your reading corner with cute bookshelves, a cosy mat, plenty of comfy pillows and blankets and possibly even a Teepee.

APP: LEARN TO READ RRP $ FREE AVAILABLE The App Store.

A curriculum for kids to learn to read in many reading comprehension levels.

APP: eggy 100 RRP $ FREE AVAILABLE The App Store.

The online program where kids aged 3-13 learn to read with fun reading lessons and phonics games!

APP: kids abc RRP $ FREE AVAILABLE The App Store.

Knowing how the letters are pronounced is a separate educational goal, which is covered in Intellijoy's separate app, Kids ABC Phonics

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EDUCATION

pakmag

Back to BASICS Story Jenna Gallina

Parents across Australia can expect an overhaul of the curriculum as schools return “back to basics”, focusing more on phonetics, spelling and handwriting.

Many parents will agree that it seems like the written word is dead. Why learn to spell when you can use spellcheck? Why learn to handwrite when you can type? Why learn the difference between long and short vowels when there are apps that sound it out for you?

But, under the latest curriculum buzz according to the ACARA, basic writing, phonetics, spelling and handwriting are making a comeback. Here is what you can expect for your kids: Slight changes will take place across the board, from prep to year 10.

• Prep students will be expected to write their name and spell simple words.

• Year two students will now focus on vowels, silent letters, syllables and digraphs to spell words.

• Year three students will be expected to recognise most high-frequency words and know how to use common prefixes and suffixes.

• Year five students will learn to write words that share common letter patterns but are pronounced differently, such as “your”, “tour” and “sour.”

• Year 10 students will now focus on delivering presentations, speaking clearly, using logic, imagery and rhetorical devices in order to engage audiences.

Encouraging Writing at Home With the changes occurring in schools across Australia, what changes can be made at home to help encourage the dying art of writing?

WRITE LOVE LETTERS Okay, so maybe love letters are a bit sappy, especially for your older kids, but get in the habit of leaving them notes around the house. Make a game out of it by hiding the notes for them to find and encourage them to do the same.

WRITE STORIES TOGETHER Rather than switch the TV on at night, grab a notepad and get every family member to write a word, a sentence or a paragraph to create a funny family story. Mad libs is also a fun family game and can be customised to all writing levels, even preppies.

MAKE MENUS Encourage them to write a menu of foods they want to eat for the week. Yes, you’ll most likely be cooking chicken nuggets and chips for dinner, but hey, at least they are writing!

COPY OUT SONG LYRICS If your child has a love of music, get them to write out the lyrics of their favourite songs. This also works with movie quotes.

as many superheroes, chocolate bars, capital cities, Pixar films, etc. that they can think of in five minutes.

ENCOURAGE JOURNAL WRITING Purchase a special diary just for your child – one with a lock, special pen or beautiful box. Having their own writing book is the first step to actually getting them to write something in it.

HANDWRITING HELPER MAGNATAB KID O MAGNETIC WRITING BOARD Trace the lines with the magnetic stylus and follow the arrows to learn to write numbers and letters.

Available in Uppercase, Lowercase, Numbers and Free Play through Tiger Tribe.

RRP $39.95 WEB www.tigertribe.com.au

MAKE LISTS List-writing is another fun game. Ask your kids to write down

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When Baby

BUMP & BUB pakmag

Won't Sleep

Story Jenna Gallina

An overtired baby is harder to settle, harder to feed and harder to handle. While it may seem simple to us - “You are tired, baby. So GO TO SLEEP” – it’s not so simple for newborns. Most babies need to be trained to sleep properly and the best way to do this is to establish a good sleep routine as soon as you can.

WATCH FOR TIRED SIGNS Wide eyes? Jerky hand movements?

The desire to suck? These are tired signs. Some more tired signs to watch for include rubbing of the eyes, turning the head to one side and the inability to focus for a long time.

So don’t beat yourself up if your self-settling attempts are not going quite as planned. You’ll get there… eventually. And once you do, I can guarantee that you will miss those late-night car rides, those two-hour shushing sessions and those midnight rocking chair marathons.

As soon as you see a tired sign, it’s time to send bub back to bed.

TEACH BABY HOW TO SELF-SETTLE Self-settling is a term that new parents will be very familiar with.

Teaching baby to self-settle can take days, weeks, months, even years.

While some babies will catch on right away, others will not.

There are several techniques to self-settle you can try including the No-Cry-Sleep Solution, the Ferber Method and the Gentle Sleep Approach.

LEARN THE SLEEP CYCLE Everyone will go through light and heavy sleep cycles. For newborns, one sleep cycle is 40 minutes long.

What this means is that bub may only sleep one cycle, then wake up and be unable to go back to sleep without assistance, even though baby is still tired.

Around the 30 minute marker, watch baby for stirring and movement.

Gently shush or pat your little one to ease baby into the next sleep cycle.

CONSIDER FALL BACK METHODS Sometimes babies just won’t sleep.

And resorting to putting bub in the car, to taking baby on a bumpy ride in the pram or to circling around the kitchen table 235 times lightly bouncing your little one in your arms, happens. A lot.

Baby Sleep Basics One of the hardest things about being a new mum is getting used to a completely new sleep routine.

With a tummy the size of a small nut, you can expect bub to be waking frequently for top ups which means very erratic sleep for the first little while. Here is a basic guideline of what you can expect for the first year: 1 MONTH

SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR A FANTASTIC DOWNLOADABLE THAT WILL GIVE YOU AN OVERVIEW OF EXPECTED FUSSY PERIODS.

• 16 hours of sleep in a 24 hour period • Frequent waking day and night every 2 to 5 hours • Up for 60 to 90 minutes at a time before back to sleep 3 MONTHS • 15 hours of sleep in a 24 hour period • 10 to 12 hours of sleep at night • 3 daytime sleeps 6 MONTHS • 14 hours of sleep in a 24 hour period • 11 to 12 hours of sleep at night • 2 daytime sleeps 12 MONTHS • 13 to 14 hours of sleep in a 24 hour period • 11 to 12 hours of sleep at night • 1 to 2 daytime sleeps

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line of innovative winter for Kids have an l splash into rfu lou SKEANIE Shoes co a de $29.95). These ma ned to Wellingtons (RRP flex grooves desig tplace. Featuring rke ma EANIE’s SK . ing ion sh the Australian cu heal t movement and ort in a colour support natural foo xibility and comf fle um xim ma joy en ns tti Fruity Rainbow gto Tu llin k, We Green, Barbi Pin ed gg Fro y dd palette of: Fre Red. and High Wattage

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PLAYLATES APP RRP Free to download AVAILABLE The App Store.

Explore active, developmental games with your newborn and young bub in a way that is safe and fun. Playlates is a new app that assists children as they tackle the vast range of developmental milestones in the first year of their life.

Using the app for guidance, parents can help their baby stretch and coordinate their arms and legs, practice rolling over, build strong back and core muscles safely and eventually develop motor skills for crawling and walking.

MINBIE’S BABY’S TEAT RRP $17.99 WEB www.piccolopr.com.au MINBIE's baby's teat is revolutionary and Australian designed. Just as form follows function, the Minbie teat looks distinctly different to the generic baby’s teat design that has been around for about 100 years. Features of the Minbie teat include a tapered nipple that sits closer to the soft palate helping a baby to create a vacuum for feeding, and a stream lined bulge assisting a baby’s instinctive breast feeding-action.

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BUMP & BUB

MOCKA WOODEN PLAY SET

pakmag

WIN

RRP $29.95 WEB www.mocka.com.au Mocka’s Wooden Play Sets are bright and fun toy sets that your child will adore. The classic wooden sets are durable enough to withstand countless hours of play. The fun and durable carry case provides your child with a classic backdrop that sets the scene for imaginative play with the fun wooden figurines and props.

It also makes it easy for your child to transport to play dates.

With four different themes to choose from your child will love playing with their Mocka Wooden Play Sets. Available in Fairies and Toadstools, Farm Yard, Hospital or Pirate Ship.

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BARE BEE HINDS NAPPY BALM

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RRP $35.95 WEB www.mnmyg.weebly.com Proudly made in Australia by mums who've 'been there and bummed that', the Nappy Balm is formulated from 100 per cent natural ingredients including slowly-infused certified organic calendula and chamomile (known for it's antimicrobial properties and ability to reduce inflammation), to soothe and nourish sensitive skin. With a little help from Mother Nature, it'll leave your precious one's bottom looking and feeling just the way it did the day they were born!

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BABY SHOWER SUPPLIES FROM THE PARTY PEOPLE

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RRP $50.00 WEB www.thepartypeople.com.au Win a $50 voucher for ThePartyPeople.com.au to purchase baby shower party supplies.

They have a huge range of party supplies to celebrate your special occasion.

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www.pakmag.com.au SEPTEMBER 2015

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pakmag

BUMP & BUB

BUMP &BUB

HYPNOBIRTH Our Publisher Bree utilised hypnobirthing for the birth of her second son Sean, back in 2011. Recently she had the opportunity to act as a birth partner for one of her good friends who also utilised the technique.

STORY Carly Hammersley

Many expectant mums may have heard the term ‘hypnobirthing’ in passing but been hesitant to look into the concept more closely.

these classes made me feel confident and positive that I could have a good birth. And I needed to believe that was possible.”

The philosophy of hypnobirthing is that childbirth is a normal, healthy function that can be accomplished naturally, gently and safely. “When I undertook my hypnobirthing course prior to Sean’s birth I learned more about the actual process of childbirth as well as relaxation techniques and how to work with my body rather than against it.”

Natural birth is not a new concept.

Throughout history women have birthed naturally without the use of anaesthesia or many of the interventions that are common today.

“My first labour was traumatic - I had to be induced because I was two weeks overdue and then it all turned into a blur of immense pain and medical intervention. IV drips, epidural, episiotomy and a suction cap for baby left me feeling utterly exhausted and I felt like a failure.”

Bree says when she discovered she was expecting a second child she immediately knew she wanted to have a more empowering experience of labour. Her research led her to discover hypnobirthing after also preparing herself physically though acupuncture, chiropractic and pilates.

“I really didn’t know what hypnobirthing was but by doing the course I learned why I had the birthing experience I had the first time and how to make it different. Rather than approaching this birth with fear and trepidation,

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SEPTEMBER 2015 www.pakmag.com.au

Studies have shown that hypnosis and self-hypnosis during childbirth may lead to: • decreased average length of labour • lower caesarean section rates • decreased use of pain relief medication such as gas and epidurals • increased ease and comfort of labour and birth (self-reported and observed) • emotional satisfaction of having their birthing partners informed, involved and supportive.

In addition to this, the majority of women experiencing hypnosis during childbirth in their second or subsequent births reported feeling more in control, confident, relaxed and focused, and less fearful, than during their other birthing experiences.

Bree says her friend, who was having her first child, had to be induced and found hypnobirthing very beneficial in her quick labour. “It was her first baby and she totally rocked it, she did so

well. I would definitely recommend hypnobirthing to all mums who want to be in control of their birth experience.”

WHAT IS HYPNOBIRTHING? • It is a philosophy and an approach to birthing.

• It is understanding the physiology of natural undisturbed birth.

• It is about how our mind affects our body in childbirth.

• It is learning techniques to deeply relax.

• It is about how to manage the sensations of labour.

• It is about how your partner can support you.

• It is about a gentle experience for mum, dad and baby.

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SNAPPED AUS

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7 8

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15 1. Jordan Ingham QLD 2. Ryanna Yellow Waters NT 3. Georgia and Oscar Top of Mount Wellington TAS 4. Adam Lake Leschenaultia WA 5. Blake, Wayne2015 and Emarni at the WACA 6. Candice and Charlie Ingham QLD 7. Hannah Sydney Harbour NSW 8. Tim & Kingston Cottesloe Beach, Perth 38 SEPTEMBER www.pakmag.com.au 14. Kylara Yellow Waters NT 15. Kayden Baldivis WA

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12 PHOTOS THANKS TO:

PAKMAG READERS!

Email photos, name/s & locations: photos@pakmag.com.au (Deadline 15 SEP for the OCT 2015 Edition) 10

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9. Blake & Leah Parliment House ACT 10. Ben and Maddi Taronga Zoo NSW 11. Caitlin, Aimee & Jack Flinders Station VIC 12. Chella John Forrest National Park WA 13. Salene and Sean Cairns Inlet QLD

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pakmag

Cooking in the kitchen FOOD

kpea

Chi c

Fritters

r r e y Panca b w a r t S ke

S

tack THY HEAL HOOL S R- C AFTE NACK S

INGREDIENTS

500g chickpeas 1 onion, grated 1 tablespoon mint, finely chopped 1 tablespoon dill, finely chopped 2 large ripe tomatoes, grated 1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika 30mL olive oil, plus extra for frying 150g plain flour Salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste Drizzle lemon juice to serve HOW TO MAKE

INGREDIENTS 2 beaten eggs 1 cup milk 3 tablespoons melted butter 1 teaspoon baking powder 3/4 cups plain flour 1/2 teaspoon salt (optional) Fresh strawberries Sugar for dusting (optional) HOW TO MAKE In a mixing bowl, add baking powder, flour and salt. Mix well. Make a well in the dry ingredients and add the butter, milk and eggs. Mix well.

Heat a large nonstick frying pan over a medium heat and add a knob of butter. As soon as the butter is melted and starting to bubble, ladle the batter into circles in the pan.

When the pancakes begin to bubble, flip them. When they are golden both sides, remove from the heat and allow to cool completely.

Stack the pancakes on a plate, dust a little sugar on top of the stack and top with fresh halved strawberries.

Soak the chickpeas in salted water overnight. Drain and wash the chickpeas well, then using a food processor or wooden spoon mix until it resembles a paste. Add the onion, herbs, tomato, paprika and oil and season well.

Slowly add the flour, mixing well as you go, until the mixture looks like a thick paste. Cover and place in the refrigerator for about one hour to rest.

Heat extra olive oil in a frying pan and add large tablespoons of the chickpea mixture, cooking on all sides until golden, about 8 - 10 minutes.

Do not overcrowd the frying pan. Place cooked fritters on absorbent paper while cooking the rest of the mixture.

Arrange fritters on a serving platter and squeeze over a little lemon juice and serve at room temperature.

Chickpea fritters recipe from Everyday Mediterranean by Mary Vale From mezedes (small plates) to hearty meat dishes, Everyday Mediterranean provides not only a great insight into the Mediterranean diet, but also offers the reader a spectrum of tastes and flavours.

RRP $35.00 STOCKISTS Available from all good bookstores or online from www.newhollandpublishers.com

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FOOD

pakmag

Caulifloower

Cr

ch White Pizz a n i p a tS

n Fingers Chicke

us

leo

Pa

INGREDIENTS

INGREDIENTS CAULIFLOWER CRUST 1 small head cauliflower, cut into small florets (should yield 3 cups of cauliflower rice) 1 free-range organic egg, lightly beaten ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese ½ teaspoon fine grain sea salt ½ teaspoon dried oregano ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper TOPPING ¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese ½ cup cooked spinach ¼ cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese Handful sun-dried tomatoes, chopped HOW TO MAKE 1) Preheat oven to 220°C. Place a rack in middle.

2) Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and liberally grease with olive oil. Set aside.

3) In a food processor rice the cauliflower florets.

4) Transfer cauliflower rice to a microwave-safe dish and microwave on high for 8 minutes, until cooked.

5) Place the cauliflower rice in a tea towel and twist it to squeeze as much moisture as you can. This is very important. The cauliflower rice needs to be dry, otherwise you’ll end up with mushy dough.

6) Transfer the cauliflower rice to a mixing bowl, add egg, mozzarella, oregano, salt and pepper and mix well.

7) Using your hands, press the mixture onto the baking sheet and shape into a thin pizza “disc”.

8) Bake for 15 minutes, until golden. Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes.

9) Scatter mozzarella cheese evenly over the pizza base and spread the spinach over this. Sprinkle the Pecorino Romano and add a pinch salt. Return to the oven and bake for further for 10 minutes.

450g chicken tenders (or skinless chicken breast, cut into strips) 1 egg, beaten ½ cup Almond Meal ½ tsp Salt ¾ tsp Paprika ¼ tsp Ground Coriander Seed ¼ tsp Ground Cumin Seed HOW TO MAKE 1) Preheat oven to 220°C. 2) Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

3) Combine almond meal with spices on a plate or shallow dish.

4) Place beaten egg in a separate shallow dish.

5) Dry chicken with paper towel. Dip in egg then dip in almond meal mixture, coating all sides.

6) Place on baking sheet.

7) Repeat until all chicken tenders are coated.

8) Bake for 16-18 minutes, turning once in the middle of baking, until completely cooked.

CREAMY HONEY-MANGO DIPPING SAUCE ½ cup mayonnaise ½ cup frozen mango chunks, thawed 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro leaves 1 tablespoon honey Pinch (small) curry powder 3-4 drops Sriracha sauce ½ teaspoon fresh lemon juice HOW TO MAKE 1) Add all ingredients into the bowl of a food processor, and process until completely combined and well blended; serve immediately, or cover with plastic wrap and store in the fridge for a couple of days.

www.pakmag.com.au SEPTEMBER 2015

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pakmag

CELEBRATE

SuperMario Get inspired by these Super Mario themed party ideas for your little gamers. Super Mario themed parties aren't only fun for little ones, but also a great way to relive a classic for a 30th or 40th birthday celebration. Think cute mushrooms, man-eating plants, red bricks, pink princesses, star power, one-ups, question marks, gold coins, funny hats with matching coveralls, climbing vines, smiling clouds, evil turtles and, of course, fuzzy moustaches.

Sweets and Treats: • Mini pizzas • Mushroom kebabs (marshmallows with Red Delicious apple slices as the top) • Princess crown cake pops • Star shaped biscuits • Rainbow road jelly • Devilled "yoshi" eggs • Chocolate moustaches • Star-shaped cheese and crackers • Turtle cupcakes

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SEPTEMBER 2015 www.pakmag.com.au

Party!

HOW TO MAKE IT SUPER Party Games:

Decorations:

• Mushroom Ring Toss

• Moustache straws

• Colour-in Your Own Super Mario Mask

• Super Mario Cake Toppers (Icingbits.com)

• Decorate Your Own Princess Crown

• Printable centrepieces of all the characters (Etsy Store – PeribosPen)

• Yoshi Egg Hunt or Yoshi Egg and Spoon Race • Pin Mario in the Castle • Turtle Stomp (blow up green balloons with white spots glued to them and let the kids stomp on as many as they can in a certain amount of time) • Super Mario Obstacle Course (bring the game to life with climbing obstacles, jumping obstacles and plenty of ‘bad guys’ to dodge) • Musical Tunnels (decorate each chair with green fabric and outline in black fabric pen to create various tunnels)

Costume Ideas:

• Brick and tunnel inspired bunting • Mushroom lanterns (red paper lanterns with white spots glued on them) • Yellow star balloons (with black eyes glue onto them) • Question-mark printables to glue to the plates, napkins and juice containers • Nintendo-controller-shaped wall art

Lolly Bag Ideas: • Gold chocolate coins • Super Mario stickers • Glow in the dark stars • Crayons with printable Mario colouring-in sheet • Plastic "Yoshi" eggs filled with red and green M&M's

• Mario and Luigi • Yoshi • The Princess • Toad • Koomba and Goomba

www.pakmag.com.au SEPTEMBER 2015

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e v a C n a M S E V A H T S MU

STORY Jenna Gallina

Marble Platter urbanoutfitters.com (RRP $49.00)

Beer Can Track Light Etsy Store: ZALcreations, (RRP $121.15ea)

Man sheds, man caves or men dens are a place where the boys in your life can go to relax, to unwind and to do those ‘boy’ things that you really don’t want to be a part of. Sure, it may sound unfair that your partner gets a den, a shed in the backyard or an area in the basement to keep his boy’s toys, but think about how much space it will free inside the house (and how you can use this to your advantage down the road!).

You never have to fight over the remote; you never have to rearrange the fridge to make room for his beer; you never have to trip over his weights, and, best of all, you never have to hear that awful drone of his power tools. These are a problem for the man cave now.

The average cost of a man cave is somewhere in the $5,000 to $10,000 range, according to Money Crashers editor, Andrew Schrage. However, hubby can make a pretty impressive man shed with just a few essentials.

Daddy Cool Wood Wall Art Print Etsy Store: PrintsToFrame (RRP $37.50)

Off Duty Cussion theclubofoddvolumes.com (RRP $45)

• An extra-large fridge • An indoor hammock • Cosy chairs, beanbags or an extra-large lounge for all those bromantic sleepovers • A keg or bar • A “No Girls” allowed sign • At least three televisions to watch multiple sports games or play simultaneous video games

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Handmade Maple & Walnut Nintendo Controller Coffee Table Etsy Store: BohemianWorkbench (RRP $6,217)

Bold Modern Wall Clock Etsy Store: zeststrategydesign (RRP $62.00)

Mr T Toilet Paper Holder Ebay Seller: gimmick-world (RRP $23.99)

Reclaimed Wooden Pallet Coaster scoutmob.com (RRP $24 for set of 4)

n ber Sig , ave Tim ganDesigns Man C ri ou tore: H S y ts E 95.00) (RRP $

DIY Concrete Succulent Pots

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HEALTH

HEALTH

pakmag

Chemical-free Awareness: Air fresheners Story Jade Vogler, Health Coach, HEALthee Living www.jadevoglerhealtheeliving.com For parents who like to burn pretty scented candles, oils, or plug-in air fresheners in order to ‘freshen’ up the air, eliminate odours or provide a warm ambience, you might want to read this important information so that you can still do what you like to do but with safer alternatives.

Made up of synthetic ingredients, which are known toxic chemicals (some even carcinogenic) such as formaldehyde, petroleum-derived substances and artificial fragrances, air fresheners simply mask odours. They have been linked to many health issues such as headaches, asthma attacks, allergic & skin reactions, respiratory problems, hormone disruption, cancer and can also affect learning and behaviour.

Enclosed rooms also increase the exposure of these harmful chemicals to our children as they are ingested via their skin, upper airways, brain and lungs and are of most concern as their brains and neurological systems are still developing and growing.

What are some safer, toxic-free alternatives?

Some free ways to freshen up your home without the chemical concerns include placing a bowl of baking soda on the table to help neutralise odours or opening all the doors and windows in your home.

Add a bowl of fresh herbs, such as mint or thyme, to the kitchen table or invest in fresh flowers once a month. Some great products to consider include 100 per cent beeswax or soy candles which contain 100 per cent essential oils and electric diffusers that use only water and essential oils.

Is there a link between the month of birth and illnesses?

A recent study conducted by Columbia University researchers shows that 55 diseases are “significantly dependent on the birth month.” Children who are born in January, for example, could be faced with an increased risk of hypertension as they get older.

DISEASES BY MONTH • January: Hypertension • February: Lung and bronchial cancer • March: Cardiac failure, arrhythmia, mitral valve disorder • April: Angina, cardiac • May: No increase likelihood of disease • June: Heart conditions such as angina • July: Asthma • August: No increase likelihood of disease • September: Vomiting • October: Insect bites, STIs and respiratory infections

THINGS We Love: Aroma-Bloom in Tangerine RRP: $110.00 www.livelyliving.com.au

Fresh Flowers RRP: Free from your garden

Blisume Scented Candle Coconut & Lime RRP: $24.95 www.nourishedlife.com.au

Are Illnesses Predetermined

by Birth?

• November: Most likely to develop arrhythmia, mitral valve disorder, lung cancer and ADHD • December: Bruising Despite the findings, the authors concluded that “the risk related to birth month is relatively minor when compared to more influential variables like diet and exercise”.

Do these findings hold true in your family?

Fresh Mint RRP: Free from your garden

www.pakmag.com.au SEPTEMBER 2015

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pakmag

HEALTH

HEALTH Secret Men’s Business The Magic of Oil Story Mario Calanna Oil is used as a lubricant for engines. It reduces rust, wear and tear and basically reduces inflammation of the engine parts.

Cancer Council Queensland spokesperson Katie Clift has five tips to improve men’s health and happiness.

Most of us know the importance of eating well and exercising, but there’s more to being a healthy bloke than lifting dumbbells and packing protein.

Many men don’t realise that their daily diet and lifestyle decisions can impact their health and wellbeing – affecting the way they look, feel and perform.

With that in mind, we’ve got five guaranteed ways to amp up men’s health and happiness.

1. MEDITATE Just 10 to 20 minutes of daily practice can help you think more clearly, build self-awareness, enhance sleep and reduce feelings of stress. Who knew that sitting and doing nothing could be so good?

There are three main classes of essential fatty acids – Omega 3, 6 and 9. As these oils are not produced in the body, they must be part of our food intake.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF GOOD FATS: There are many studies that show the health benefits of essential fatty acids. A plethora of supportive clinical data suggests that this one, simple, convenient, cost effective step – increase Omega 3 fats in your diet – and your health outcomes will be impressive: OMEGA 3 OIL • Reduces triglycerides

2. SLEEP It’s no surprise that most hardworking men are sleep deprived, but just because it’s common doesn’t mean it’s cool. Lack of quality sleep can affect our judgement, mood, manner and ability to absorb and retain information.

Get into a good sleep routine, sleeping and waking at about the same time each day, and aim for at least six hours.

• Reduces cholesterol

3. EAT FIBRE FOR FITNESS Fibre is a key component to a healthy diet, and it doesn’t just come from your morning bowl of Weet-Bix. It’s recommended Aussies eat at least 25-30g of fibre each day, which can lower your risk of obesity and lifestyle diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, even reducing your risk of certain cancers.

• Reduces stroke risk and aids recovery

4. SEE RED… AND GREEN Our old mate Popeye plugged spinach for a good reason. Veggies such as broccoli, spinach, Swiss chard, kale and bok choy are a rich source of nutrients, with essential vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients. And go for antioxidant-rich foods, such as tomatoes, carrots, watermelons and papaya to promote general health and provide protection against some cancers.

• Improves focus and behaviour in ADHD and ADD children

5. SPEAK UP Health and wellbeing is something men often have trouble talking about.

This year, 14,500 men will be diagnosed with cancer – talking about signs and symptoms can encourage awareness and early detection.

• Improves bowel problems including inflammatory bowel symptoms

Take the time to follow these five tips and set a new personal best.

Remember guys, it’s not all about the abs. The most attractive feature about a man is a healthy twinkle in his eye!

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In this same way, essential oils or fatty acids are critical to our body parts. They reduce inflammation, wear and tear and disease.

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• Lowers inflammatory levels • Reduces blood pressure • Improves heart attack survival rates • Improves cardio vascular circulation • Improves growth and development of children • Improves learning and brain function, lowering chances of dementia, Alzheimer’s and depression

• Reduces inflammation in all arthritis forms and joint flexibility • Improves skin – eczema, psoriasis and other skin allergies

So increase your intake of good fats - fish, capsules of EPA/DHA, cold pressed olive oil, macadamia oil, coconut oil, avocado, a little butter and benefit from the magic of oil.

HEALTH

pakmag

STAYING HEALTHY THROUGH PREGNANCY STORY Dr John McIntosh In the nine months of pregnancy, your body goes through the most incredible changes and creation of a new human being. Keeping healthy during this time is very important for both of you.

FIVE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE FLU If you’ve been unlucky enough to get influenza – also known as ‘the flu’ – then you’ll know it’s horrible. The virus is more than just a bad cold and, in some cases, can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia or even death.

“It’s a very serious virus,” Omega Health Medical Centre’s Dr Anthony Mahler said, “and one that is constantly mutating. That’s why you need to get vaccinated against the most recent strain of the virus every year.”

1. THE FLU ISN’T JUST A COMMON COLD “While a common cold does cause a mild fever and a runny nose, the symptoms only last for a few days. The flu, however, causes a high fever, muscular pains, shivering, a headache, and a dry cough that can become quite severe,” says Dr Mahler.

“In the more severe cases it can progress to pneumonia and other potentially life-threatening conditions.”

2. THOSE AT HIGH RISK OF COMPLICATIONS ARE VACCINATED “The flu is easily spread through coughing, sneezing, or by touching contaminated surfaces,” Dr Mahler said. “Serious complications occur most often in those whose immune system is not as strong – such as young children, pregnant women and people with a chronic illness. All people are higher risk of complications should be vaccinated.”

3. IMMUNISATION TAKES 10 TO 14 DAYS FOR FULL EFFECT “You aren’t protected against the flu immediately because the vaccine takes up to two weeks for your body to process. As the flu season starts in the dry season here in Cairns, we strongly encourage you to visit your family doctor and get vaccinated in March.”

4. GOOD HYGIENE ALSO HELPS TO STOP THE SPREAD OF FLU “Although a yearly vaccination is the best way to avoid spreading the flu, it is also very important to practice good hygiene,” said Dr Mahler. “Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze, and regularly wash your hands with soap or an alcohol-based hand cleaner.

5. IF YOU’RE SICK, DON’T GO TO SCHOOL OR WORK

The first thing to consider is that pregnancy is not an illness but one of life’s normal stages – so you need to keep active and involved in life with only a few changes. Because your growing baby needs quality nutrition, you should be eating well – as always you need plenty of fresh fruit, vegies, protein, with extra calcium being needed from milk and dairy products.

How much weight should you gain?

The good news is that for once in your life, those few extra kilos aren't cause for concern. If you were underweight to start with, you might need to gain a few more kilos than the average mumto-be. But if you were heavier before your pregnancy, you'll probably need to keep your weight gain in check.

Being overweight or gaining too much can lead to complications such as high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, birth defects or having a big baby. The average weight gain for a woman with a normal BMI is around 12.5kg.

If you are physically well there is no problem keeping fully active and maintaining your usual exercise regime right up until your belly is so big that you can’t actually do the activity. Giving birth requires a lot of endurance - it will probably be the biggest physical test of your life - so staying fit and healthy will make that process much easier.

Stay happy, positive and enjoy your time as you create a miracle!

“You should avoid going to school, work or crowded places when you’re sick to prevent spreading the virus to others,” he said. “If you or your children are unwell, stay home and rest. Paracetamol and fluids will manage mild cases of the flu.

If symptoms are severe or you are at higher risk of complications visit your family doctor."

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Journey TO JAPAN STORY Bree James

Konnichiwa!

Thinking about taking the family across the pond on a journey to Japan?

If you are like us, Japan has been on your bucket list for some time.

We recently ventured out of our comfort zone and took our two boys there for a family holiday.

We, as a family don’t speak any Japanese, had never been to Japan before, and we really didn’t know what to expect. The most experience we have had with Japan is Sushi Train for dinner. But I can honestly say we had the best time, felt very safe and loved every minute of our trip.

TOP TRAVEL TIPS Take your mobile, leave your SIM behind. There is free WiFi everywhere so you can use the internet wherever you are. Or, you can buy pocket WiFi for $3 per day.

Get familiar with the train system. All trains run on time. If it is early, it is not your train 40 minutes of travel may seem like a lot but it’s really not. Stay in one hotel and travel for the day rather than move hotels every few days The transport system is amazing.

Don’t be afraid to catch two or three trains to get to somewhere. If you miss a train or make a wrong move, in most cases it doesn’t take much to get back on the right track as trains come every few minutes When on trains, ensure you all hop on and off at the same time. Hold hands with the kids to make sure you stay together Communicating in Japan is difficult, but as they say, communication is only 7 per cent verbal, 55 per cent body language and 38 per cent tone of voice. Stick to a handshake or a

slight bow upon meeting with little or no eye contact. Touching, standing too close to a Japanese person and prolonged eye contact are considered rude.

Tokyo Disney

land

WHAT TO TRY • Hot Sake & Sapporo Beer • Dango Japanese dumplings served on sticks of three or four • Taiyaki Fish-shaped pancake • Teppanyaki Style of Japanese cuisine that uses an iron plate to cook infront of guests

Tokyo Disneyland

• Nikuman Pork Buns • Gyoza Dumplings with mince, cabbage and other yummy ingredients) • Ramen Noodles • Sushi • Tempura Meat or vegetables that have been battered and deep fried • Yakitori Meat or vegetable skewer grilled over hot coals

ios Osaka

Universal Stud

WHAT TO DO OSAKA CASTLE MUSEUM With beautiful gardens, eight stories to explore with a rich and vibrant history, there was plenty to see, do and learn.

NARA PARK

A beautiful and idyllic park about 40 minutes outside of Osaka, here you will see gorgeous deer that are happy to feed from your palms.

SHINKANSEN BULLET TRAIN

a Island

Legoland on Odaib

Prepare for a heart-pounding journey with the “Shinkansen” or Bullet Train. The train is very luxurious and spacious and a great way to travel and still see the sights such as Mount Fuji.

LEGOLAND ON ODAIBA ISLAND

With over 3 million Lego bricks inside, plus a Master Builders workshop area, indoor play centre, Mini Land where you can see a Lego version of the city of Japan (amazing!), there is plenty to explore at Legoland.

SONY EXPLORA SCIENCE MUSEUM ON ODAIBA ISLAND

See how your voice works as a visual, try the motion-censored puppet where a character on screen will do the same moves and facial expressions as you, and even have a “smile fight” with Mum or Dad to see who has the best smile.

Bullet Train

TOKYO TOY MUSEUM

With three levels, each will encourage your children to play, create, and learn.

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS OSAKA

The official Hollywood theme park in Japan, there are attractions a plenty with literally hundreds of things to do. Snoopy’s Great Race Rollercoaster was a firm favourite but our boys also loved the Spiderman and Jurassic Park boat ride and the Universal Wonderland, Hello Kitty and Sesame Street themed areas.

TOKYO DISNEYLAND

Tokyo Disneyland is as magical as you expect. Our children had stars in their eyes for days after.

DISNEYSEA AT DISNEYLAND RESORT

DisneySea is a part of Disneyland but you will certainly need an entire day to explore it! The rides were the highlight, especially the Volcano, and the Indiana Jones Raging Spirits but our kids also loved Mermaid Lagoon, the Arabian Coast and the American Waterfront areas.

Tokyo Toy Mus

eum

FAMILY KARAOKE SESSION IN TOKYO

You can’t go to Tokyo and not try out a Karaoke booth! Order food, and drinks, and sing your heart out in you private sound proofed room. Let It go!

WORDS TO KNOW • Yes - Hai

• Please - Douzo

• No - Lie

• Goodbye - Sayounara

• Thank you - Arigato

• I do not understand - Wakarimasen

Nara Park

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CAMPING

pakmag

CAMPING

AND

Camping and kids - two words that can go together harmoniously. Right? The joy of camping can lose some of it's sizzle when things go wrong. Poor weather, poor preparation and poor attitudes can really put a dampener on a weekend away. We have put together a few helpful hints to ensure nothing but happy memories are made when you embark on your camping adventure with the kids.

ANSWERING “ARE WE THERE YET?”

This phrase is inevitable. No matter how many games, books and electronic devices you provide to the little darlings, you will hear this.

Accept it. It’s been going on for several generations and it is not going to stop anytime soon. Think pleasant thoughts.

Before the car trip has begun, it's helpful to have set some expectations about the trip and length of time in the car. Show the kids a map, explain the length of time so the younger ones will understand (we are still two Disney movies away) and slice your road trip into different parts.

ENCOURAGE CAMPING CHORES. At the campsite (where you have done all of your research, of course, and therefore know what facilities are on offer), try to get the children to "help set up the campsite", by giving them easy tasks to do. Setting up an area for their toys and putting out the foldable camping chairs are easy

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tasks to keep little fingers busy.

After set-up, keep them busy with collecting firewood (if allowed), getting fresh water, finding marshmallow roasting sticks and sweeping the outdoor area.

PACK SUITABLE RAINY ACTIVITIES.

Rain happens. Books, colouring activities, board games and cards are a good stand-by items. LEGO and puzzles are not as good as all those tiny pieces can go missing. Keep electronic devices on stand-by, in the event of seriously poor weather only. If it’s nice outside, the electronic devices stay hidden.

GIVE EACH CHILD THEIR OWN BACKPACK.

Fill this with essential items such as a headlamp, water bottle, tissues, sunscreen, repellent and snacks. You may also like to include a whistle so if they get lost or wander too far, they can use it to advise of their location.

Their involvement in packing this bag prior to the camping trip is a good way to get them interested in the trip and take a little bit of responsibility for their own belongings.

ALWAYS PACK EXTRA CLOTHING.

Just in case. The trip where you don’t pack enough clothes is the one where it will rain, or your children will fall into the creek the moment they arrive at the campsite. Bring along clothes suited to the location you are visiting, plus plan for accidents, change of weather and dirt.

TEACH THEM CAMP COURTESY AND SAFETY. Some basic rules include: • Don't run through people's campsites. Go around them.

• Be quiet early in the morning. Not everyone wakes with the birds.

• It is not polite to impose yourself upon other campers when they are eating. Take the hint and return to your family at mealtimes.

KIDS STORY Bella Irwin, Top End Adventure Gear

USE THIS CAMPING TRIP AS A GREAT ADVENTURE FOR ALL.

Camping is all about creating memories that you and your children will cherish for years to come. There are lots of new sights to explore and new experiences to enjoy. Prepare meals together, take day hikes to see animals in natural habitats, collect unique plant clippings to bring back to the campsite, jump into the freezing cold creek water, roast marshmallows and tell ghost stories around the fire and spend time together as a family.

We often don’t realise how busy life can get. Research has shown that being outdoors promotes happiness, health and helps with cognitive development in children. And nothing beats escaping your strict schedules (even if it’s just once a year or for a sneaky weekend away) and spending time with your family outside of the home.

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ANIMAL ATTRACTION Let their imaginations run wild with these extra adorable animal-themed craft ideas. If you have empty toilet paper rolls in your bathroom, an assortment of plastic eggs left over from Easter or a pile of clothes pegs in your laundry, then you have the makings for these clever and creative creatures.

Magnetic

Fun Cheet ah

YOU NEED • Wooden clothes pegs

• Elastic cord

• Craft paint and paint brushes

• Hole punch

• Hot glue and glue gun

• Scissors

• Felt

• Crayons or markers (optional)

• Google eyes

• Black pipe cleaners

• Magnetic tape strips

HOW TO MAKE 1. Draw the outline of the mask as shown above and two eye holes, 2. Colour in the mask in the theme of a cheetah (you can also make it a lion, zebra, or leopard).

3. You can dress yours up a little more by gluing a black pom pom for the nose and black pipe cleaners for the whiskers 4. Punch a hole in each side and tie on a piece of elastic cord large enough to fit snugly on your head..

Thanks to Free Kids Craft www.freekidscrafts.com

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in Creatu r e sP s he

k as M

YOU NEED • White cardstock or heavy paper

• Tacky glue (optional)

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Cl ot

HOW TO MAKE 1. Cut your animal heads out of the felt. You can find animal head templates online.

2. Using your glue gun, glue the animal heads to the clothes pegs.

3. Glue the googly eyes onto your felt heads.

4. Paint your clothes pegs to match the colour of the animal you are making.

5. Secure a magnet on the back of the clothes peg with glue.

Thanks to Repeat Crafter Me www.repeatcrafterme.com

CRAFT CORNER

pakmag

Craft Corner

Toilet

Plas tic

E

ls Pa

e itt Cr

gg

Ro ll

rs YOU NEED

YOU NEED • An assortment of toilet rolls

• An assortment of plastic Easter eggs

• Coloured card

• Pipe cleaners

• Fine tipped black pen

• Mini pom poms

• Stickers, feathers, glitter and other embellishments

• Felt or colourful card

• Coloured felt

• Fine tipped pen

• Googly eyes

• Craft glue

• Craft glue

• Scissors HOW TO MAKE

HOW TO MAKE 1. Cover the toilet paper roll with coloured craft (based on the animal that you want to make).

2. Add embellishment made out of felt, stickers, feathers, coloured card, etc. Secure with craft glue.

3. Glue googly eyes to your critter.

4. Finish your critter off by adding a nose, mouth or other features with the fine tipped pen.

Thanks to Art Craft Gift Ideas artcraftgiftideas.blogspot.com.au

1. Cut out the tails, ears and other body parts you will need, either from the felt or coloured card, and glue to the egg 2. Glue pom poms to the bottom of the eggs as the animal feet.

3. Add a pipe cleaner to the back of the egg for a curly tail.

4. Using a fine tipped pen, draw the details of your critter such as the eyes, the whiskers and the mouth.

Thanks to Flat Ideas www.flatideas.com

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