Peninsula kids Autumn 2015 by Peninsula Kids

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Autumn 2015

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PENINSULA KIDS AUTUMN 2015

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Autumn 2015

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Cover Photo Lacey at a farm in Tyabb Editor and Publisher Melissa McCullough melissa@mpnews.com.au Creative Director Maria Mirabella maria@mpnews.com.au

Editor

Melissa McCullough

Design Evan Stampe evan@mpnews.com.au

When you look at a field of dandelions, you can either see a hundred weeds or a hundred wishes.

Content Director Anna Brown anna@peninsulakids.com.au

–Unknown

General Enquiries info@peninsulakids.com.au

Much like my daughter in her first year of school, putting together this edition of Peninsula Kids has given me the opportunity to meet many extraordinary people and make a few new friends. From shop owners to co-workers and contributors, I have been overwhelmed by kindness and generosity. Distribution

Marilyn Saville

This publication is not intended as a substitute for the medical advice of physicians. The reader should regularly consult a physician in matters relating to health and particularly with respect to any symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention. Peninsula Kids is produced quarterly. 15,000 copies distributed between Mordialloc and Portsea.

A wonderful team of helping hands came together for our Autumn fashion shoot in this edition. The pages are filled with breathtaking landscapes, delicate faces and very stylish clothing. I had no idea how difficult it would be to corral multiple kiddos into a cohesive spread! The results speak for themselves. Here’s hoping they appeal to most of your senses – the sight of the golden yellows and browns, the smell of the outdoors, the taste of something sweet, the sound of the wind rustling through the trees and paspalum, and the feel of the end-of-day sun on your face. I think this is what Autumn is all about. Also, for those of us with little ones, not long now till it’s actually dark at bedtime! Don’t forget to move your clock backward one hour at 3am on Sunday 5 April.

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Hands up from anyone exhausted already – and it’s only the beginning of the school year. I’ve had to hang a new bulletin board in our house to keep track of activities, sport days, picnics and which days My Kitchen Rules is on this season. It’s impossible to keep track of it all! But isn’t it great? Seeing their little, happy, exhausted faces at the end of the school day, the swimming lesson, ballet class, footy practice (the instant restaurant) makes the craziness of life all worthwhile.

Distribution Marilyn Saville distribution@peninsulakids.com.au

Disclaimer: The authors and publisher do not assume any liability to any party for any loss, damage, or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause.

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All material is copyright, and may not be reproduced without the express permission of Mornington Peninsula News Group, or the original copyright holder in the case of contributions. Copyright of contributed material rests with the contributor.

ed’s letter...

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Contributors

Special thanks go to the gorgeous and talented group of contributors who breathe life into every issue by sharing their best with us.

Lorraine Aitken

Family-friendly adventurer

Stacey Anderson

Little Things in Common littlethingsincommon.com.au

David Hawkins www.bigkidlittlekid.net

Lauren Skelly

The Mumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Word themumsword.com.au

Rebecca Stephens

Seeing the Lighter Side of Parenting rebeccastephens.com.au

Karli Duckett

Mumma Duck Says Mummaduckblog.wordpress.com

Jane Flynn

Almost Jane almostjane.com.au

ENINSULA KID P S If you would like to advertise in our next edition

please contact miriam on 0421 085 974 or email miriam@mpnews.com.au

Peninsula Kids â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Autumn 2015

Contents 42

10 PE N

INS UL

76 DS

49 Spotlight 10

Kasey Chambers Country music sensation and mum of three talks about life, love and parenting.

12 Sorting Out Sibling Squabbles Parents taking an active approach can help long term.

Where the Wild Things Are Bringing up non-violent teenagers in Australia.

38 Resilience What is it and how do you get it?

18 The Good Goodbye Guideposts for when itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s over and you are separating.

Mr. Men Interview Peninsula kids ask Adam Hargreaves questions about their favourite characters.

20 A is for Autumn Peninsula Kids fashion photo shoot.

Mummy Dating Making new friends AB (After Baby).

10 Secrets to Creating Strong Parenting... And a happy family life.

Without My Mum Learning to live with a grateful heart after loss and grief.

www.peninsulakids.com.au

.........Contents Local

Flinders Park Playground Playgrounds of Western Port Daddy Zone – Geocaching Tree Surfing at Enchanted Adventure Garden Point Nepean National Park

16 17 31 80 93

Celebrate 40 44 45 46 49

Beware of the Pirate Party Ideas for your own Pirate Party Paint a Pirate with Faery Emma How to make a balloon sword with Twisted Tam So, ye want ta be a pirate cut-outs

Pregnancy and Baby 51 52 54

This is the year I will let go of the guilt Go away! I only want Mummy – or Daddy 10 tips for a happy and healthy pregnancy

Recipes

Family recipes with Mumma Duck Says

Health 72 74 75 76

Creative 82 82 83 84 84

Cloud Dough Bath Tub Paint Edible Sand Magical Dough Puffy Paint

Education 84 87 88

School Holidays Zone Dear Teacher… How to beat head lice

In Every Issue 36 Things we love 96 Book reviews 97 Giveaways

60 8

New rule – no steroids before bedtime Ask the Experts To encourage healthy eating Help for special needs children

Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2015

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Kasey Chambers COUNTRY MUSIC SENSATION AND MUM OF THREE TALKS ABOUT LIFE, LOVE AND PARENTING. By Melissa Walsh

“I’m really excited about getting out on tour again. My voice has had its ups and downs in the past few months but I’ve been really looking after it,” says Chambers who had to reschedule her Bittersweet tour in October when she was diagnosed with voice nodules.

of my best friends lives in our granny flat and she helps out a lot with the kids, and they love her.”

“I had to learn how to look after my voice again: no screaming at the kids for a few months for not having their room tidy,” she says with a laugh.

“The kids don’t come out on the road with me all the time but would be very upset if we didn’t take them to Tamworth,” she says of her brood, a 12-year-old, seven-year-old and three-year-old. “It’s a real family event.”

Chambers’ down-to-earth attitude is infectious as she talks about day-today life with her three children. “Kids have a way of keeping you grounded. We live such a normal life even when they come out on the road with us; it’s just every day to them. They don’t really have a clue about the awards and albums. When we’re at home or down at the school, I’m just Arlon and Poet’s mum. My life is non-celebrity like, it’s definitely not glamorous.” Just like any other mum, Chambers is dealing with the fact that her eldest son is about to start secondary school. “He’s super ready, not nervous at all, he’s totally got this. He won’t be able to come on tour with us but it’s not like we’re away for three months at a time. The tour is set up so it’s away for a few days then home again.” On the subject of balancing motherhood and career, Chambers says she couldn’t get by without the support of her family and friends. “I’m so lucky with my family who come on the road with me. Also one 10

Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2015

One of the family traditions has been for all of them to go to Tamworth at the start of the tour and this year is no different.

With a reputation as one of Australia’s most famous performers, Chambers grew up in a home where listening to country music was a way of life, singing with her family’s “Dead Ringer Band” and travelling all across the country. Quarter of a century later, she is releasing her seventh solo album, and has no plans for slowing down. There is a wonderfully natural flow to Chambers’ life, however, with the singer–songwriter determined to maintain a good work–life balance, and a healthy attitude to parenting. “I used to feel a lot more guilty and wanted to be a supermum. Then I realised that there’s no such thing. I think it’s a mum thing to want to please all the people all the time but you just can’t so now I weigh up different situations and try to be as balanced and fair as possible. Just like any parent, sometimes there are work commitments, which mean you miss out on things. Last year my son made an AFL footy rep team and I had a

I had to learn how to look after my voice again: no screaming at the kids for a few months for not having their room tidy,” she says with a laugh.

tour planned then but I knew this was important to him so we moved the tour,” says Chambers, who believes that it’s also important for our kids to see us make mistakes. “When my children first started school I would freak out if I took a note in late. I thought I had let them down but they actually didn’t care. It made me realise the things that are important to our kids are not always what we think. My child doesn’t care if I have a note in late; he cares if I hang out with him after school. It’s unrealistic for our children to see us as perfect. Nobody’s perfect. They just need to see you doing your best.” After just taking home another ARIA award for Best Country Album for her album Bittersweet, Kasey now adds this to her collection of 10, so the country singer must be doing something right. “I believe in positive energy in my life and in my songwriting but I also believe in telling the truth. Songwriting is my outlet for recognising all the emotions that we go through in life,” says the woman with one of the brightest personalities in the business. “The reality is that even though I am a positive person most of the time, I do have to recognise the other side. Sometimes my songs come out sounding sadder than I am.” Chambers says her album Bittersweet is a leap of faith, being the first solo album in five years.

Chambers, whose new album shows she still has the ability to tap in to raw emotion. “I tried to do something different with this album as it signifies a new chapter in my life. I’m sure people will expect it to be a depressed divorce album but it’s not. I really am a positive person but the funny thing is the title song Bittersweet is one of the saddest songs on the album,” says a laughing Chambers, who wrote half the album before the divorce and half after. Chambers split from her husband Shane Nicholson two years ago after eight years of marriage but, in true Kasey style, she remains philosophical. “I believe you learn more from the negative things than the positive things in your life,” she says of her new journey and becoming a single parent. “My writing allows me to reflect and use my creative world as an outlet and my new beginning is also reflected in the album.” Chambers says she learnt a lot about herself as a mother, as a partner and as a failure, with Bittersweet a way to step outside the box and reflect the changes in her life. “I wasn’t positive every day. Some days I would wake up and be sad but it’s not my personality to stay that way and eventually I started looking on the bright side. Life is not about being happy all the time but I believe in positive energy. If you put good things out in the world it will come back to you.”

“Like all my records, it is still a testament to who I am at the time,” says www.peninsulakids.com.au

Sorting Out Sibling

Squabbles

WHEN PARENTS TAKE AN ACTIVE APPROACH TO HELPING THEIR CHILDREN RESOLVE THEIR SQUABBLES, THEY ARE TEACHING THEM A VALUABLE LIFE SKILL AS WELL AS REDUCING THE INCIDENCE OF FIGHTING OVER THE LONG TERM. By Michael Grose

If your kids constantly fight with each other, don’t despair. All that emotional energy isn’t going to waste. According to a recent study, sibling fights teach kids important conflict resolution skills. In fact, parents who stop their children from arguing may well be depriving them of important learning opportunities.

“Yep, it would make me mad too if someone said that to me.” Usually someone’s feelings get hurt when siblings argue so make sure you recognise their emotions without taking sides. This focus on feelings helps kids develop emotional literacy and promotes empathy.

Anecdotally, it seems that sibling fighting is one of the biggest impediments to parents enjoying family life. Many parents tell me that if their children stopped bickering their lives would improve dramatically.

Explain why siblings may have behaved the way they do: Ask questions like, “What do you think she meant by that?” Kids are faulty observers and only see one side during disputes. It’s the job of parents to round out the picture and help kids see that there are two sides to any dispute.

Many parents also worry that children who fight with each other will not get along as adults. The evidence doesn’t support this view. The test for strong families is more about the willingness of kids to pull together when the chips are down than the frequency of squabbling.

Coach them on sorting out disputes: Kids need the chance to sort out their conflict themselves, but sometimes they need a little coaching. Don’t waste time trying to sort out who started an argument. Instead make some suggestions such as taking turns, giving way, bargaining and swapping.

Healthy families know how to fight well. When parents take an active approach to helping their children resolve their fights, they are teaching them a valuable life skill as well as reducing the incidence of fighting over the long term. Here are some ideas.

Encourage them to restore their relationships: Kids often get over disputes far quicker than adults. They can be squabbling one minute and cuddling up the next, so it gets tricky intervening sometimes. However, there are times when you need to encourage a child to mend bridges with an aggrieved sibling. This can mean kids have to swallow their pride, admit that they may be wrong, make an apology or make some sort of restitution such as doing a special favour. This type of restoration means kids must take responsibility for their behaviour and is a sign of growing maturity.

Model good conflict resolution skills: Kids wear L-plates when it comes to solving disputes. Some kids will yell, get abusive or even get physical when they are settling disputes. Show them better ways of sorting out problems by talking things through with your partner, compromising and apologising when you’ve said something upsetting to your partner or your children. Focus on emotions: When kids come to you for help, say something like: 12

Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2015

Children without siblings can learn conflict resolution skills by spending time with other peers and friends and having parents who are willing to argue with them without coming on too strong or laying down the law.

Conflict and siblings tend to go together like bread and butter. While sibling squabbles can be annoying, they also offer parents great opportunities to help kids to handle conflict effectively, which is a great life skill. For a weekly supply of great tips, techniques and tools to help you be at your parenting best, join my Parentingideas Club. Join now and you’ll receive a full set of my fabulous Developmental Maps so your parenting will always match your child’s age. Go to www.parentingideasclub.com.au

H O EA R F T F PS H U E N K ID S!

Parents need to be aware of the following 10 common ways children involve parents in their sibling disputes: 1. Beware the teller of tales because they can draw you into disputes you don’t need to be in. 2. Beware the blame gamers for it is never, ever their fault! 3. Beware the tantrum-throwers as they divert attention away from themselves. 4. Beware of children’s tears as they can make us feel pity rather than look at the whole story. 5. Beware of children who say that they couldn’t help hitting, hurting or misbehaving. 6. Beware the child who is always, always the victim. Sometimes they revel in this role. 7. Beware the child who acts like the deputy sheriff, always giving orders and bossing others around. They can make life unpleasant at home. 8. Beware the donkey that whines and whinges about his siblings –“Hee Hawlways picks on me!” 9. Beware children who bring home poor attitudes and behaviours that they learned at school or preschool. 10. Beware of the home environment that uses power to resolve disputes and conflict.

Sometimes parents get drawn into sibling disputes when they don’t involve them. Parents become embroiled in the conflict and help create the problem rather than solve it.

The MOrnington Peninsulas Freshest Market An independent market showcasing Melbourne and the Peninsula’s very best makers, creators, growers and collectors. Over 200 stalls, amazing kids entertainment, live music, craft workshops, gourmet food & local fresh produce!

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Michael Grose is a parenting expert and founder of Parentingideas, Australia’s leader in parenting education for parents and schools. For more than two decades Michael has helped thousands of Australian families raise confident kids and resilient young people.

www.peninsulakids.com.au

ON BEI N

P R ES E N T YOUR

s. .

am e i ily’ r s Memo

DO YOU TAKE LOTS OF PICTURES OF YOUR CHILDREN BUT RUN WHEN THE CAMERA IS POINTED AT YOU? By Jody Scott-Greer

Do you make endless excuses as to why you cannot feature in the making of some important photographic memory?

beloved role in life yet; a mum, next to a very special little person whom I adore.

Maybe you think you are too old? Or overweight? Unattractive? Or awkward in some self-perceived way; spouting a multitude of excuses as to why you cannot be photographed at a particular moment?

Overcoming this fear of being photographed got me thinking about how motherhood is intrinsically focused on being the instigator of good things for others, and being a proud observer in life (of others), and less about being a participant in the joy we engineer for those around us.

I was looking through the 3500 or so images on my smartphone recently and noticed that there’s not too many of me in there. I take ample shots of my kidlets for sure – they are my main subjects. I like to catch them doing the many millions of ordinary or fantastic things they manage to get up to every day. This is one of the benefits of living in the digital age; the megastorage of memories, easily and efficiently. I snapped the image above a week or so ago. I hadn’t really intended to feature in it at all. It was meant to be a shot of my baby doing something cute at the time. She tricked me however and slid off the bed to jump on the wrong side of the camera next to Mummy, where she pulled this most delightful little pose. Celeste has worked out what picture taking is all about these days and rushes to see the image on my camera, sometimes before I have even taken it. I now have to do many selfies with her just to get any shot at all. And so I was trapped into this picture in order to capture the cutest moment ever. I was nervous taking this as I felt idiotic and vain despite no one being around to witness my hesitation and I reluctantly took this image.

An unexpected delight I have to admit, I love this picture and I am loving the pictures I have been taking since, featuring me with my children. I don’t think I look too fantastic in this image at all (or anytime really for that matter), but the point is, this came out as a surprisingly good mother and baby shot, which I am set to treasure for a lifetime. It is us, as we are, right now, naturally and it portrays me in my most 14

Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2015

How frequently do we find ourselves in the role of the carer, the cleaner or the cook while the fun rolls on around us a little distance away, as we worry and fuss in our duties? So little of our time seems to be in front of the camera where the memories are happening and that’s more than a little sad. It’s wrong. It is important to capture these moments while our babies are babies, and to be in your pictures with your children as active participants in their lives and not just the cogs behind the scenes. No matter how old, overweight, unattractive or unphotogenic we may perceive ourselves to be (or whatever your unique excuse is), time will guarantee we will look back in a different light a decade from now. Your grown children will appreciate your presence in the stills of their childhoods and perhaps we ourselves will instead marvel at how darn good-looking we were when we were younger. Please don’t let these beautiful years slip past without being present in your own treasured memories. Cherish the moment and place yourself in the heart of the picture where you belong.

Jody is a mum of six young kids and blogs about parenting, food, product reviews and Melbourne events at www.sixlittlehearts.com. Follow her journey at www. facebook.com/sixlittlehearts

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Flinders

Park Playground ALL CHILDREN LOVE A GREAT PLAYGROUND, SO WE ARE HAPPY TO TELL YOU THAT THE REPLACEMENT PLAYGROUND AT FLINDERS PARK IS NOW COMPLETE AND READY FOR EXCITED YOUNG CHILDREN TO EXPLORE AND DISCOVER ALL THE BRAND NEW EQUIPMENT. By Lorraine Aitken

The old wooden structure was simple but fun and included three slides in a jungle gym-type construction that was a family favourite over many years, however in recent times the playground was in need of repair and rejuvenation as the timber was deteriorating and the big slide was removed. Fast forward a few months and the seaside township of Flinders now has a brand new playground for everyone to enjoy. The playground has a boat theme with a dry river bed that leads to the sandpit. Above the sandpit is a mound with a slide that overlooks the rest of the playground’s four swings, cubby/shop, flying saucer net swing, bowl swing, hand-operated spinning cup, tree trunk rock climbing, a long zigzag balance beam, a climbing frame with slide, monkey bars and other play equipment along with the old netball–basketball court adjoining the playground. The area has two play zones with the sandpit, slide, swings and cubby at one end of the playground while the other end is aimed at 5–10 plus year olds with the climbing frame, higher slide and monkey bars. As with the previous one, the ages most suitable for this playground are 10 and under but there are a few things the over 10s may enjoy as well as playing footy on the lawn or making use of the basketball–netball court. Parents with prams will appreciate the new gravel paths, the two wooden deck chairs perfect for relaxing with a Sunday paper along with new picnic table and bench seats under the shade of mature trees. Overall I think the playground will be popular, especially on long weekends and school holidays. I think barbecues would be a great addition to the park along with toilets (currently located on the opposite side of the road behind 16

Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2015

the shops) and an undercover area for inclement weather. For the size of the town I think the Flinders playground is a great addition that will be appreciated by all. The children say the bowl swing that everyone can fit in is the most fun while the slides are very slippery, which makes you go really fast (a positive in their mind) but they miss the obstacle-style wooden playground as you could climb through a tunnel, go across a wooden bridge and down slides or a pole. Flinders Park is at the corner of Cook and Norman streets. Flinders Bakery is opposite.

PLAYGROUNDS Of WESTERN PORT BALNARRING

RED HILL

•Balnarring Village on Frankston-Flinders Road (pictured) •Mechanics Institute Park, Balnarring Road •Seascape Avenue Reserve, Seascape Avenue •Stumpy Gully Reserve, Stumpy Gully Road/Haisey Street •Campbell Court Reserve, Campbell Court, Balnarring Beach •Robertson Park, Library Road, Balnarring Beach

•Red Hill Recreation Reserve, Red Hill Road •Koopalandra Reserve, corner Koopalandra Close & Beauford Road

SHOREHAM •Shoreham Hall Reserve and Tennis Club, Byrne Road •Pine Grove Reserve, Pine Grove

SOMERS BAXTER

•R W Stone Reserve, Camp Hill Road

Bittern

(pictured)

•Harold Reid Reserve, Oldstead Drive •Austral Crescent Reserve, Austral Cresent •Jacanranda Drive Reserve, Jacaranda Drive

•Clifton Court Reserve, Tower Hill Road •Kennedy Road Reserve, Kennedy Road •Nisson Court Reserve, Nisson Court

BITTERN

SOMERVILLE

•Graham Myers Reserve, Creswell Road

•Colchester Park, Conway Court

(pictured)

Somerville

(pictured)

•Bittern Hall, Frankston-Flinders Road •Flinders Street Reserve, Flinders Street

CRIB POINT •Railway Reserve, Stony Point Road

Hastings

(pictured)

•Crib Point Recreation Reserve, Colin Parade •Dartnell Reserve, Lowerson Close •Osment Court Reserve, Osment Court

FLINDERS •Flinders Township Reserve, corner Cook and Norman streets •Flinders Foreshore Reserve, Bass Street •Flinders Recreation Reserve, Barker Street

HASTINGS •Fred Smith Reserve, Marine Parade

•Barber Reserve, Sullivan Drive •Clairmont Close Reserve, Clairmont Close •Deanswood Drive Reserve, Deanswood Drive •Fruitgrowers Reserve, Jones Road •Jones Road Reserve, corner Jones and Blacks Camp roads •Somerville Recreation Reserve, South Park Lane •Todd Grove Reserve, Todd Grove

Balnarring

TYABB •Central Recreation Reserve, Frankston-Flinders Road (pictured) •Bunguyan Park, Frankston-Flinders Road •Tyabb Park, Mornington-Tyabb Road •Rotaract Park, Tiga Court

(pictured)

Crib Point

•Babington Park, Thornhill Street •Hastings Foreshore Reserve, Marine Parade •Rotary Park, Kurrajong Street •Tara Drive Reserve, Tara Drive •Villawood Drive Reserve, Villawood Drive •West Park Reserve, Kimbla Court •Westernport Lions Club Park, Gaskin Avenue

Tyabb www.peninsulakids.com.au

the Good GOODBYE THE JOURNEY FROM THAT FIRST GLANCE, THROUGH DATING, TO MOVING IN TOGETHER AND MARRIAGE AND KIDS IS FULL OF UPS AND DOWNS WITH A GREAT DEAL OF DELICIOUS UNCERTAINTY. EVEN SO, IT IS A PATH WITH PROTOCOLS, SET WAYS OF DOING THINGS AND GUIDEPOSTS. By Gerard Thistleton

How about the journey the other way, when it’s over and you are separating? Are there guideposts, and does it help to know what they are? It turns out there are, but often you only get to see them in the rear-view mirror. Even so, knowing where you have been can help with the path ahead. Separation, just like falling in love, is a journey for two, though with separate timing. Separations take hold during periods of poor communication. Whether the poor communication is the cause of the separation or a result is a chicken and egg argument. The point is that one person usually decides to separate before the other. Statistically speaking, women usually leave men, but whoever decides to leave first usually does not come to the decision overnight. It takes months, even years of asking, “should I stay or should I go?” This is a time of depression and sadness. “How could things have gone so wrong?” “What have I got myself into?” “How did I make this mistake?” “What about the kids?” At other times there is great anger. “They really rile me.” “This is not fair.” “I’m sick of this.” And at other times there is denial – or hope for the future. “This is just a patch.” “It could be a lot worse.” “It will be better after Christmas when we all get back to work and school.”

The person leaving is still on a journey. There might still be feelings of sadness for what has gone. “If only things had worked out differently”, “If only the good times had been longer and more frequent”. And anger: “How come they can’t get that it’s over and leave me alone?” But more than anything else the person leaving feels relief, glad that at last they have made a decision and can start a new life. Of course anyone feeling like that usually feels guilty about making their former partner devastated and heartbroken. If you do leave be sure to cut the other person some slack. Of course they don’t believe it’s over. After all it took you months, maybe years to come to the same conclusion and during a lot of that time you were in denial, too. Sure, feel sorry for them but do not – repeat do not – contact them just to find out how they are going because you feel so guilty about what you have done. Why? Remember they are cycling through the separation process, one characterised by periods of denial. If you ring up and be nice, what do you suppose they will think? Of course they will think that it’s not over. You know it is, so you will have to go through the whole separation thing again and renew their heartbreak. Ringing up to make sure they are OK is all about your guilt. It’s not helping.

The other person might be sharing the same external experiences but these do not have the same significance. Inwardly partners have already begun to live apart.

And if you are left, what do you do about that anger and depression?

How often have you heard about the conversation that goes this way?

Secondly, express them, but do it safely. See your GP to arrange some psychological help (it’s Medicare-funded) or go to a psychologist direct. Psychologists let clients vent, get teary. That’s their job and it’s also their job to teach you how to manage your emotions and get them to bearable levels.

Partner 1: “I think we need to go to counselling.” Partner 2: “I’m OK. If you need counselling, you go.” This is the classic denial conversation indicating that one half of the couple is in denial about the state of the relationship. Separation usually comes as a shock to the person in denial; an affair is discovered, someone moves out or “suddenly” someone announces “It’s over”. Whoever is being left has to play catch-up. From shock, to anger to depression they have to start the same journey the person leaving began maybe years ago. And just as the person leaving took years to come to the decision, it’s going to take the other person some months at least to come to terms with the separation. Indeed just as the person who is leaving spent some time in denial, it’s only natural that the person who is being left will cycle through periods of denial (“They can’t be serious; they’ll be back.”) Okay, that’s all the rear-view mirror stuff. Can it help with where things are now? 18

Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2015

First of all take responsibility for it. It’s your feeling. You’re not a victim whose emotions depend on someone else. They belong to you.

Whether you initiated the separation or you are the one left in the lurch it’s a good idea to get a mediator to help you negotiate the business side of things: what to do about the kids, and how to sort out money so that these things become a business problem and not a battleground. There’s no easy way through separation but one day when the sun comes up you will be on the other side of it. That day can come a lot sooner if you understand the process and how to get effective help.

Gerard Thistleton loves his wife, sons and daughter, a lunatic dog and five horses variously lame. Now cats own him. He also likes good wine of any colour and loafing in his slippers. A mortgagee bank and a posse of creditors spoil the peace and quiet of an otherwise benign existence.

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Without my

mum

LEARNING TO LIVE WITH A GRATEFUL HEART AFTER LOSS AND GRIEF Perhaps the only thing that can impact and shape a woman’s life with the same power as her mother’s love and guidance is her mother’s death. In without My Mum, Leigh Van Der Horst shares her own honest, heartfelt story of losing her beloved mother to cancer in 2008. She invites us on a journey that is at times heartbreaking as well as heartwarming, yet is ultimately comforting and inspiring. With genuine warmth and candour, Leigh tells of her transformative passage through devastating grief to rediscovering and redefining her own identity. Her book reveals the sisterhood among motherless mothers. Featuring stories from mothers around the world, it offers resounding reassurance that no motherless mother is ever alone. Leigh further reaches out to her motherless “sisters” supported by contributions of motherly wisdom from a collection of encouraging mothers worldwide together with a host of inspiring popular personalities such as Jools Oliver, Lisa Wilkinson, Amanda de Cadanet and Natalie Bassingthwaighte. The motherless mother’s heart needs to know that she can and will move through grief to reclaim a fulfilling, grateful and loving life. The book addresses this need by providing a definitive source of emotional and practical resources specifically for women dealing with the loss of their mum.

EXCERPT FROM WITHOUT MY MUM Chapter 2 8th March 2005 I’m devastated and so scared. We had some sad news last night. Mum came over at 10pm to tell us that she has bowel cancer. I’m hoping she will be ok. I don’t know much about the type of cancer that she has – or any cancer really – but I’m sure it can be fixed. It’s not in my plan to lose her early… On a warm March evening in 2005, there was a knock at the door. I had finally put baby Josh to bed and settled on the couch. Tim got up to answer the door and to my surprise, Mum walked in. I could see her from where I was sitting and I could tell that something was wrong. Mum looked pale and frightened – a look I had never seen her wear before. I stood up, gulped and asked what was wrong. She told me that she had cancer. All of the blood in me drained to my feet. In disbelief, we hugged immediately. I could not believe what I was hearing. My mum – who was so careful of what she ate, who regularly walked and did yoga, who loved every inch of her life – had cancer at age 52. We sat and talked and cried. Tim made us cups of tea. Mum explained to me that she had bowel cancer. It could be operated on and the outlook was quite good. They may have to do chemotherapy but only 28

Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2015

time would tell. The good news was they had found it at the right time. I tried to listen to the details but it was as though my ears had shut down their capacity to hear. The sound of my charging heart took over instead. I was in shock. After explaining the situation to me, she embarked on a long drive to break the sad news to her brothers and sister. I felt numb. My foundations had been rocked for the first time. My Mum was never sick. She always worked hard and she never complained. For the first time, I had witnessed my Mum look vulnerable. All of my life up to this point, my Mum was a confident, strong, very focused and driven woman. I was uncomfortable with her new vulnerability. It was something that I was definitely going to have to get used to…..’

16th March 2005 Mum had her operation yesterday and the doctor was really confident that he got all of the cancer out – thank God! I saw her last night and she looked quite well, considering. I’m sure she will be sore for a while but we are all relieved that it is over. Thank God she will be OK! I couldn’t bear losing my Mum. Mum underwent surgery and it really knocked her around. It was

major surgery. The doctors cut out some of her bowel to remove the tumour. My aunty stayed with Mum and looked after her at home. I would have loved to help, but with the boys it was really difficult. Mum became rather unwell for a while and I couldn’t bring them over much. I did what I could though. My heart ached to see her struggle to get better. She rapidly lost weight and was so tired. My aunty fed my Mum healthy soups and gave her support and company without smothering her. Once Mum was strong again, she went back to work. We all believed that we could put the revolting disease behind us. Life continued on as though nothing bad had happened – until we got our second round of bad news.

24th March 2005 Mum needs chemotherapy. The cancer has spread to her lymph nodes. I’m so scared. I have no idea what any of this means but I’m positive it’s not good. I’m completely shocked. People keep saying ‘I’m sure she will be OK’ and I’m sick of hearing it. She might not be! What if she isn’t going to be OK? Then what will I do? I saw her yesterday and she looked terrible, so pale and thin. I hope so much that she will be OK. She just has to be. I’m too young to not have a mum. I need her here with me.

For the first time, I had witnessed my Mum look vulnerable.

Mum’s cancer has spread and a course of chemotherapy was recommended. At first Mum was not sure whether or not she wanted to have any treatment. It scared her so much. The decision as to whether to undergo chemo was left entirely up to her and thankfully she decided to give it a go. Mum took long service leave from her teaching job and began her chemo cycle. It’s very hard to watch someone go through the motions of chemotherapy. Mum’s schedule was one week of medication followed by two weeks of recovery. The week that she had the filthy stuff was OK. But the following week would cause vomiting, extreme fatigue, diarrhoea, painful mouth ulcers, itchy skin, lack of appetite and no energy. By week three, Mum would slowly come good only to start the process again. It broke my heart. Just before the dreadful reaction from the medication would hit, we would head out to the shop, have coffee and do the things that normal mothers and daughters do. One particular time, Mum felt a bit sick. She had to run off through the shopping centre, holding her mouth, desperately trying to reach the toilets to vomit. So many people stopped and stared. Jack and Kye were horrified and demanded to know why Nanny was sick. I had to pull together all of my strength to be calm for them and just play it down. All the while I wanted to tell the onlookers to mind their own business then run after my beautiful mum. As time went on, Mum lost her hair. This was very hard for her. She was never vain about her hair, but she much preferred having it on her head. Bit by bit, Mum’s hair came out. She clung on to what she had for as long as she could until, one day, she asked me to shave what was left. I was happy to do that for her in the privacy of her own home. Mum dealt with this as I’d commonly seen her deal with things that were out of her control – with courage and grace. It was bittersweet having Mum home a lot. There were enjoyable times where she got to spend precious time with the boys and I loved having her home for my own selfish reasons. There were many hard times too though. When she was sick, I generally left Mum alone as that is what she wanted. Mum continued her treatment as per her oncologist’s orders until she was given the “all clear” in October 2005. She would have to have six-monthly check-ups for a while but we were all so thrilled that the imminent threat was gone. Mum went back to work – I went back to being a mum. Life went back to normal. Mum had beaten cancer. Or so we thought.

Available for purchase at Farrell’s Bookshop in Mornington or by visiting www.vividpublishing.com.au/withoutmymum Leigh Van Der Horst is a mother of four boys and a nurse who lives on the Mornington Peninsula. Leigh discovered a passion for writing when her beloved mother died from cancer and now regularly writes for her inspiring website “Leigh V Loves”. Leigh believes that with a positive attitude, life can be a wonderful adventure and hopes to encourage others to live their best lives and believe in themselves. Photography by Katie Toland

www.peninsulakids.com.au

A DAD’S WORTH By David Hawkins

My ears are clammy and there’s a weird itch on my middle toe. I’ve known that my yearly review has been coming for, well, a year, but now that it’s here I’m getting all panicky. I sit down at the table and flash a winning smile to open the negotiations. I’m relatively sure it was winning. Could have been a constipated smirk but, maybe, it’ll be mistaken as a tough negotiator’s grimace. The boss is a blank slate, on the other side of the table. “Um, honey. Do we really have to do this? It’s kind of weird.” “For a ship to sail smoothly you need to make sure that every cog is operating at full capa city,” my wife assures me. “What if the ship is a yacht? They don’t have cogs,” I point out. “Do you really want to get sassy before you’ve any points on the board?” Okay. That hasn’t actually happened – yet. This month marks the first anniversary of swapping traditional household roles with my amazing wife and becoming a stay-at-home dad. I love this job! It’s the best career move I’ve ever made, except for one small issue – the pay rate has yet to be confirmed. I understand that, when I started out, it was more of an internship. I had no qualifica tions, experience or not-pretend references, but Phenom-A-Mum handed over a breath ing human boy with the understanding that he would be returned in, mostly, the same condition (talk about trusting!). Now, after 12 months of on-the-job-training I think I’ve become a valuable commodity. A hot piece of

property, even. Perhaps our household man agement needs to review the current employ ment agreement. This dad is smart enough to know that you don’t go into any negotiation without doing your research first, so I hopped onto Seek. com and searched for the latest salary figures for stay-at-home dads. What? Nothing at all? Let’s think laterally; I look after a toddler, so what do childcare workers earn? A quick Google aaaaand ... average of $20 an hour. Cool, that’s a good starting point. But they only work a 10 hour day while I have to have my game face on from 6am to 8pm. That’s 14 hours. So I’ll need to add four lots of overtime at $32 an hour. I’m also on-call during the night and it looks as though night nannies charge about $300. And then there’s weekends, missed turnarounds, holiday pay... Hold up. This is silly. I’m only looking at the dad jobs. The other week Phenom-A-Mum referred to me as a House Husband; I’ve completely forgotten a whole bundle of assigned tasks. There’s fulltime chef, uh, er, occasional cleaner. I plan and schedule games and entertainment, so that probably falls under something like “Ac tivity director”. Child psychology, spouse sup port, paediatric nurse (in-training of course). Where’s that calculator app? Add this to that, times that – a grand total of ONE BILLION DOLLARS! I wonder if Phenom-A-Mum can afford to keep me?

David Hawkins is a Mornington Peninsula based stay-at-home dad who realised that he needed to improve his Dadding. So he set himself the simple task of being an Awesome Dad. He now challenges all dads to be Awesome Dads by doing something out of the ordinary with their kids every month, via his blog at bigkidlittlekid.net

DAD ZONE Dad Rating: 5/5

When Peninsula Kids magazine asked me to review geocaching, I said “That word makes me think of geckos. I like geckos”. And so I took on the challenge. It ended up being the greatest family weekend we’ve had all year!

Dad+ It’s a treasure hunt using mobile technology. When you geocache you literally become a techno-pirate (just need to find a captain’s hat made out of motherboards). You can geocache anywhere in the world, and discover places you never knew existed, even in your own hometown. You’ll also have mum and the kids begging for more hunts, so it makes for the perfect family day out.

DadIf you don’t like the outdoors then geocaching probably won’t hit the spot. And if you have a short attention span when it comes to problemsolving, brought on by playing modern, easy-to-finish video games, then this just might drive you insane. Let me answer the first big question: WHAT IS GEOCACHING? Geocaching is a digital treasure hunt. Remember how, as kids, we used to follow clues from place to place and eventually find a prize at the end? Take out the trail of clues and replace with your GPS or mobile phone. Geocaching is all about tracking coordinates to find a devilishly well-hidden cache and then leaving your mark. The best place to find out about getting started is the Geocaching Australia website: geocaching.com.au Our first Geocache hunt I had no idea what this geo-something-or-other was all about. Oh well, it’s always best to jump in blind and see what funny stories you can survive. But just so I don’t die alone, I’ll drag along my energetic toddler and ever-supportive (suffering) wife. I downloaded the Geocaching Intro app to my smartphone and opened up the map. Woah! There were little dots everywhere. I couldn’t see the streets for all of the markers, indicating hidden caches. Maybe this is actually a “thing”. Phenom-A-Mum, Little E and I piled into the car, armed with the app, a pen and some little Moshi Monster toys. “Where are we going?” she asked. “Turn right. And left. We’re here.” The first stash was just around the corner from our house! Only problem is that we were sitting in a busy shopping centre car park, surrounded by Muggles. The geocachers have borrowed this term from the Harry Potter books, to describe someone who doesn’t know about geocaching – especially someone who might maliciously steal the cache. First rule of Geocaching Club Never let a Muggle see you find a cache. I may have looked kinda dodgy standing in the middle of the centre’s

GEOCACHING By David Hawkins

garden, whistling innocently while waiting for shoppers to disperse. My cursory looks couldn’t spot any sort of cache (what do these things look like anyway?) and when the centre staff began looking at me with a funny squint, I decided that our first attempt had to be abandoned. “To the geocache-mobile!” Alright. That was a flop. Not sure why this activity is so popular. So far it just seems embarrassing. We’ll give it one more bash and this time I’ll look for a location that’s more isolated. I found another dot on the map just a few streets away, in the middle of the local sports fields. Holding the phone like a water-divining stick, the three of us followed the compass until we arrived at a tree. I thought this was supposed to be a little challenging – clearly it’s in the tree. I swaggered up to it and searched all around. Hrmm. Maybe it’s up the tree? I couldn’t see anything from the ground and the lowest branches looked quite high. Is it bad form to make a pregnant woman scale a tree? “What if it’s not in the tree?” Phenom-A-Mum asked. Clearly she wasn’t excited at the prospect of climbing. “Not in the tree? Ho, ho, ho. Just leave the treasure hunting to the experts, love,” I responded, patting her condescendingly on the rump. As I attempted to get my leg above my own head, she called out, “Is this it?”. In her hand she was holding a small length of PVC tube. “I guess that’s the one they leave for you beginners to find,” I responded graciously. Little E was hopping with excitement (literally) so we pulled open the pipe and found a rubber stamp and a notepad. We each stamped the back of our hand, and returned it to the cache. The most important part of a find is to note the date in the logbook (notepad), and come up with a team name to record. The supplied pencil had gone missing; luckily we had our pen.

I WAS SCEPTICAL AT FIRST, BUT GEOCACHING IS

AWESOME! Second rule of Geocaching Club Always take a pen and record your find in the supplied logbook.

Surprise toy. In return he “buried” some cool, limited edition Moshi Monsters, which, I hope, the next kids will love just as much.

Wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

I’ve read rumours that there are large caches hidden around in more remote areas that contain big swap items for grown-up finders. I wonder what they could be? And would a Moshi Monster be sufficient currency in return? Maybe three would cover it.

Our first find. I gotta admit that I was elated, and a little addicted. But I wasn’t the only one. “So – one more?” enquired Phenom-A-Mum. We followed the map and compass to three more cache sites that afternoon. Two successful finds and one “wanh-wanh” fail. With these wins, however, we joined in the swap game that’s an integral part of the fun. A lot of caches are big enough to hold items, some small, some large. These have been left by previous geocachers, and you are welcome to take one as a prize for your hard work but you must replace it with a new treasure for the next person to find. Third rule of Geocaching Club Carry a range of small items to swap that will be equal or greater value than what you find. The treasures we found were for kids, as this is such a great family activity. And it’s the part Little E loved the most! He scored a lollipop and a Kinder

I was sceptical at first, but geocaching is awesome! My family is hooked and we are already planning to fire up the app next weekend and head to a few nearby suburbs. I’m going to put together a “hunt bag” with pens, pocket knife, water, snacks and swap items ready for our new adventures. And if we really get into it, we can hide our own caches for others to find. Just need to find a tricky hiding spot and craft a weatherproof container of some sort to stash in it. Maybe we could leave a really amazing item for that first brilliant geocacher who finds it. You know what? According to the map there’s a cache just off the main road on my way home tonight. Maybe I’ll tell Phenom-A-Mum that I might be a few minutes late.

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Danielle Peebles Smallprint Mornington Peninsula est 2007 m: 0402 474 146 e: danielle@smallp.com.au w: smallprint.com Smallprint Mornington Peninsula Find me at Red Hill Market - 2nd Saturday of month Mornington Racecourse Market - 2nd Sunday of month Boneo Community Market - 3rd Saturday of month or by appointment at my Mt Eliza studio www.peninsulakids.com.au

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9 ARE F 15 AND 1 O S E G A E 7 H LIA. AGE 1 ETWEEN T A B R T S S R U E A G A RIES TEEN EOPLE IN GS, ROBBE VIOLENT P IN T H S S O A B M F E TH ESE CTS O ENT OF TH RST FOR A IS THE WO IONS. AND 90 PER C CT . AND ABDU OMMITTED BY BOYS EC CRIMES AridRge rt

By Anna Pa

It is believed that the three major contributors to teenage violence are increased prevalence of violent electronic games, increased access to drugs and alcohol, and changing family structures. I recently spent time at the Sydney Writer’s Festival and had the pleasure of listening to some of Australia’s most prominent writers and influencers talking on this topic. The standout speaker was Steve Biddulph, author of Raising Boys and one of Australia’s leading writers on parenthood. Steve believes we have always taught young men to be fighters. Over the past century, 100 million people have been killed in wars. And now we want a sudden reversal. We don’t want men to fight. The coward’s punch controversy is evidence that Australia will not tolerate men who fight. The outrage over David Gyngell and James Packer fighting in public was telling. Steve notes it is actually difficult to get men to be violent in combat. After working with Vietnam soldiers, he believes it takes years of training to put enemies into our psyche, and when young soldiers are expected to pull the trigger in a combat situation. It takes years of difficulty to overcome this feat. “We start off violent as toddlers but empathy stops us. We start to think that this is another human being like me and, in general, we stop,” Steve said. He describes the scenario of a kindergarten boy being sad because his friend is leaving; he will punch him. He doesn’t yet know how to feel about it or how to react to that feeling. Teaching resilience and how to react to situations is hopefully now taking precedence in schools and Steve hopes we are arming our boys with the right tools to react to situations they will inevitably get into. One of the big stands Steve talked about was a study of boys done in the 1960s by James Prescott. It has resounding relevance today. There is a strong, predictable correlation between touching and cuddles on your parent’s knee between the ages of birth and three years and violence in teenagers. The lack of valuable, non-violent touching as a child leads to increased violence in all teenage groups. “The capacity for empathy is learned on a mother’s knee. If the culture is 34

Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2015

gentle and affectionate, it leads to a thawing out of emotions and not teaching boys to be fighters.” Steve noted that both ends of the income brackets are at risk – those families with boys who are in poverty are neglecting their children’s emotional wellbeing and similarly at the other end of the scale, where the wealthy are not taking the time to hold their children close at this tender age and teach them empathy. Myriad factors are getting in the way but certainly increased reliance on daycare and change in family structures are affecting this trend. It is also a known fact that role modelling is significant in teenage violence. Little boys who are hit are twice as likely to be violent as adults and if they see their father hit their mother, they are seven times more likely to be violent. Given that domestic violence is a major problem with one woman dying at the hands of their partner each week, this is cause for concern. Brendan Cowell was also on the panel. Brendan is a prolific writer for screen and wrote the Aussie drama Love Thy Way. He is also an actor. Growing up in the Cronulla area, he had his fair share of aggression and moments with his mates, but fled the fight scene and opted for writing and the arts instead. “Being a teenager is stressful. Your internal life is vivid and intense, and you have this type of inner raw. Women have an intimacy of language and express themselves admirably. For men, it’s not about talking things out – it’s about connectivity and being together. It’s talking about football and other sport. Proximity and connectivity is more useful than the big chat.” Brendan likens the teenage years to feeling a bit like an alpaca. “You don’t know if you are a donkey, a camel or a horse and you are trying to find yourself. There is an inability to express what is going on inside yourself. You don’t know why you and your mate just drove an hour, caught some yabbies and then stabbed them to death with a compass, jumped back in the car and drove back.”

He saw mates commit suicide in the teenage years and believes that most violence is not to other people but self-violence, with five men a day in Australia taking their own lives. Think about that for a minute – five men a day. That’s nearly 2000 a year. There must be a better way to support our young men in this culture and world we live in. Two other authors doing great work in this area that I have followed closely are Maggie Dent who runs “Boys, Boys, Boys” seminars about nurturing your boys, and Dr Arne Rubenstein who takes dads and their sons into the bush for ritual sessions to celebrate boys moving from boyhood to adulthood in their teenage years and makes it a celebration to be in this gangly phase. It is certainly time to think about how we are bringing up our boys to be the next generation of men. How much are our men as dads nurturing their boys and how much are the mums instilling a value of empathy when our boys are mere babes?

Anna Partridge is mum to three beautiful, highly spirited children aged nine, eight and five. She created BombardedMum to share inspirations and joys about raising the next generation and to allow mums to think about the “big picture” of parenting and instilling the right habits, values and beliefs in their children from the start. Anna is a parent educator, holds a Bachelor of Education (Primary), a Bachelor of Communications and is a freelance parenting writer. She is privileged to work alongside families to create calm and balance, help raise confident and resilient kids, and maintain strong and connected relationships. Anna offers private parenting and family coaching at www.annapartridge.com

What Makes A

TOY APPEALING? WE WONDER WHAT MAKES A TOY SO APPEALING TO A CHILD WHEN THEY FIRST SEE IT? By Renee Ferro

The awesome graphics on the box, the photo of the girl on the back having fun playing with the toy or the suggested age group suitable for the toy are probably not the top three answers. What makes receiving a preloved toy exciting? The fact that you don’t have to cut away plastic for ages just to get the tiny ruby slipper in the Cinderella Magic Fun Play set is probably on Dad’s short list. “That I don’t see bits of paper, an instruction manual on how to play Hungry Hungry Hippos (really, it’s just one lever) and the mutilated box lying in the lounge room” would be among Mum’s top reasons. “The fact that I can cuddle my new teddy straight away, see the way the little pony doll walks around, and check how tall those wrestling figures actually are” is probably toddler’s first priority. When you hand a child a new toy – whether it’s a birthday present, Christmas present, reward or just because you saw it and thought they’d love it – do you really think they are gasping in shock that it’s not in a box? That it’s not sealed? That it isn’t in plastic or cardboard and has little metal pieces that go all over the floor and you don’t realise until you step on them at 2.15am while grabbing a snack from the kitchen? A toy, board game, book, wrestling figure or doll – they all have one thing in common: they make children happy, excited and gleeful. What two-year-old wants to sit around on Christmas morning, waiting for Daddy to open the awesome, new, interactive kitchen toy Santa left them? And then wait 30 minutes while Daddy fumbles with the instructions, decides not to read them, grabs the wrong screwdriver from the shed, and has to stop halfway because he needs to check the roast chicken. Imagine waking up on Christmas morning or your birthday morning to receive a toy that is already set up? It’s already working, batteries installed, no annoying boxes to muck around with – just an awesome, great-looking toy! I have a six-year-old cousin and the look on her face when she’s checking out toys at a secondhand store or market is priceless. She gets super-excited, and is surprised at how much she can buy with her pocket money because it doesn’t cost the earth for just one doll or plush toy. The musical dance mat already had batteries and was ready to be used, the plush teddies cost $3 all up and a Little Mermaid pillow (which I hadn’t seen in retail stores at all) were all a big hit. It’s also OK to cry “Oh my gosh!”, “Wow that’s cheap!” and “No way, I’ve been looking for one of these for ages!” while out browsing local op shops. I have done this numerous times after coming across difficult-to-find goods. The numerical value that is the price of the items is relevant to the loudness of your cry.

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So next time a birthday comes up or it’s Christmas or you’re looking for a reward for the kids, think preloved. Think already in working order, already set up. Just imagine getting home, not having to get the scissors out to open that annoying box, and not having to worry about plastic all over the floor. Just imagine your kid blissfully playing with their new toy straight away because it’s right there in front of them. www.peninsulakids.com.au

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Peninsula Kids â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Autumn 2015

www.peninsulakids.com.au

By Lyn Worsley

RESILIENCE. WHAT IS IT AND HOW DO YOU GET IT? There are many times I have been asked by parents and teachers how to help a child to be resilient. They ask this particularly about a child who either appears to be anxious or acts out and attracts negative attention when they finds things hard. However, resilience is something that every person needs in order to cope with the inevitable challenges that life brings. Life happens, and because resilience is a process that develops through out a lifetime, the question that comes from many parents is how do we help our child to become resilient in this current stage of their lives?

storm. This in turn, builds their “I am, I have and I can” internal statements and increases their resilience.

Resilience is having the personal and social competence to navigate through inevitable challenges in life. For parents the task of developing resilience in their children is about setting up a set of contexts where resilience skills and competencies can be nurtured.

EDUCATION FACTOR – there is a sense of being accepted within the school culture.

At the Resilience Centre, when we talk about resilience we refer to the available resources a person may have at any one time. This can be when a person is two or 92 years old. The available resources may be in the form of relationships and life skills and they feed the person’s self-esteem (I am), and efficacy (I can), and support (I have). Strong and positive resources build personal and social competence, which in turn helps an individual to cope with the challenges they are facing at the time. The best explanation of resilience comes from the Resilience Doughnut model (Worsley, 2011)and is a great model for parents to use throughout a child’s life. It is also a great model for parents to use for themselves, as they need the resilience to thrive through their children’s developing years. I love that it is so positive and gives parents something practical to do. It also feels good to use the Resilience Doughnut as it makes everyone more positive as a result. So with that in mind what can we do to help our kids increase their resilience? How can we help them to cope with life’s challenges? The Resilience Doughnut teaches children to understand their strengths and how to actively increase their resilience. So firstly lets explain a little about the doughnut, and then let’s see how to apply it to our children and ourselves. The two circles of the Resilience Doughnut represent the essence of the resilience framework. The inner circle represents the internal characteristics of an individual. These are self-esteem (I am), self-efficacy (I can) and awareness of available resources (I have). Because a child’s temperament or internal world can never be assumed to be acting alone, we need companionship, human interaction and to feel that we belong. Therefore, the outer circle represents the external contexts within which an individual develops (peer, community, money, parent, skill, family and education), each of which has been shown in the research to contribute to building an individual’s resilience. For kids experiencing difficult times, harnessing their supportive, external resources can help them navigate through adversities – much like having an anchor of stability during a

Each of the seven external factors are considered quite strong for a child when: PARENT FACTOR – there are equal amounts of control and warmth. PEER FACTOR – they feel connected with one or several others from their peer group.

COMMUNITY FACTOR – there is active involvement in community groups. MONEY FACTOR – there is a healthy balance of both giving to society and taking responsibly from society. SKILL FACTOR – they can work at something and achieve “Yes!” moments through accomplishment. FAMILY FACTOR – there is a sense of belonging and acceptance within the extended family and culture. The beauty of the Resilience Doughnut model is that only two or three of the factors need to be present for resilience to develop or increase. Yes, just three. After all, a three-sided object is very strong. Let’s look at an example to see how this works. Ten-year-old Ben loves playing soccer (Skill factor) loves spending time with his little brothers (Family factor) and has a teacher who looks out for him (Education factor). The Skill, Family and Education factors are Ben’s three greatest strengths and resources. He only needs to focus on these. This, in turn, will increase his internal feelings of self-efficacy and self-esteem. In fact, going a step further and combining the three strengths is called a “Doughnut Moment”. For example, a Doughnut Moment would happen for Ben if he were to play soccer (skill) at school during lunch break with his brothers (family) and his teacher’s assistance (education). He would be using all his strengths at once. It would be a hugely empowering situation for him. Of course, Doughnut Moments can be much simpler such as Ben and his brothers showing photos of their games on the weekend, and discussing the scores with their teacher. Even this small moment would be reinforcing Ben’s external strengths and building his inner “I am, I have and I can”. For Ben’s parents the intentional connection of strong doughnut factors resulted in Ben feeling more connected, being affirmed in the process of his challenge, and perhaps navigating and negotiating with his brothers in order to play. Quarrels may result but these build the skills he needs to negotiate in the wider world around him. So essentially by orchestrating doughnut moments to occur in Ben’s life, his parents are giving him a

more positive platforms where he can learn and practice the resilience skills he needs for later life. At the Resilience Centre, in Epping, NSW, we monitor and measure resilience through the online Resilience Report and we have found that by linking the three strengths (Doughnut Moments) we can increase personal and social competence, which in turn reduces stress and emotional difficulties for our children. The Resilience Doughnut model has been designed for personal or group use and a comprehensive strategy for teaching the Resilience Doughnut process to primary and secondary school students, teachers and parents has been developed (L. Worsley, 2014). It is easy to access the Resilience Doughnut tools through the website www.theresiliencedoughnut.com.au Follow the links to the resilience report and see what yours and your child’s doughnut strengths are as well as your competencies and responses to the adversities in your lives. You never know, boosting your own doughnut strengths may in turn boost your child’s strengths, which would help develop everyone’s resilience in the family.

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References: Worsley. (2011). The Resilience Doughnut. The secret of strong kids. Sydney: Wild and Woolley publications. Worsley, L. (2014). Building Resilience in Three Australian High Schools, Using the Resilience Doughnut Framework. In S. PrinceEmbury & D. Saklofske (Eds.), Resilience Interventions for Youth in Diverse Populations (pp. 217-257). New York, Heidelberg: Springer.

S AGEE EN W  Purpose built architecturally designed centre T E B eeks & 6 w years  Qualified friendly & Experienced staff 6  Educational Programmes  funded 4 year old kindergarten programs  Fees include all meals, hat and nappies

Lyn Worsley is a clinical psychologist with a background in nursing, teaching, and youth work. She is the director of the Resilience Centre in Epping, which has a reputation for innovative solution, and focused approaches to client change through individual and group therapies for more than 17 years. At the centre, Lyn supervises specialist psychologists, and coordinates community seminars, training workshops, and resilience groups for people of all ages. Lyn and a team of alpha psychologists at the centre have also recently opened an eating disorders clinic using a family intervention model for effective change with young adolescents. Lyn is the author of the Resilience Doughnut, a pioneering model showing the strong contexts where resilience is enhanced, both during development and throughout adulthood. The model has become a foundational ecological model of resilience used by practitioners all around Australia and is quickly spreading to other countries including Singapore, Canada, South Africa and the United Kingdom. The work of the Resilience Doughnut across a whole organisation builds student and staff awareness of the coping resources available and enhances a culture of resilience. To date the Resilience Doughnut has worked directly with more than 60 state and private schools as well as corporate and community organisations to build the resilience of young people, adults, staff and the community. Lyn has a dynamic style of relating and teaching across disciplines, and her presentations focus on personal application to enhance learning.

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Celebrate

* Pir ate Party

Peninsula Kids â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Autumn 2015

www.peninsulakids.com.au

Peninsula Kids â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Autumn 2015

Credits and links: Event design and candy buffet Chic n Sweet, Candy Buffets by Junelle (chicnsweetcandybuffets.blogspot.com.au) Photography Garden Babies Fine Fairy Art/Portraits and Photography (facebook.com/gardenbabiesfairyart) Jumping Castle Peninsula Jumping Castles Cake and party games Homemade with love www.peninsulakids.com.au

Ideas for PIRATE party * Pin the eye patch on the pirateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s parrot * Pass the parcel (with a prize for each child) * Bomb the pirate ship (3 buckets and a packet of water bombs. The buckets were easily transformed into pirate ships with a stick and a printed out sail). * Large empty boxes (to construct your own pirate ship). * Treasure hunt (for gold chocolate coins) * Washing basket pirate ship - make a mast by taping the two sticks together and tape on a printed out pirate flag then wedge stick through holes of basket. * Make newspaper sailor hats - get instructions from: www.peninsulakids.com.au/newspaper-sailor-hat/ * Paint or wrap with paper empty paper towel rolls black with gold detail so guests each have their own spyglass. * Use blue jelly to make an ocean looking treat.

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Peninsula Kids â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Autumn 2015

2nd Friday of every month

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Faery Emma is a real life fairy, enchanting and captivating children at birthday parties, kindergartens, and corporate occasions with her magical storytelling and fantabulous face painting. Only leaving her magic garden for special events, Faery Emma loves to flutter her wings over to your party for fairy dancing, storytelling and painting. “I’ve been fluttering around humanland for 20 years, I was one of the first in the Fairy Melbourne Forest running mobile fairy parties,” says Faery Emma, who started her love of fairying from her first part time job in the fairy shop in Mornington. “I now travel all over Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula with my Stardust Fairies, even though I now live in a tree in Starzumbleland.” With a fairy giggle and flutter, Faery Emma slips down the rainbow slippery slide to captivate the young and the young at heart with her wacky and zany antics. Enjoy a party time chock full of stories, dance and creative face painting. “Each child receives a present and we do creative magical fairy dancing or pirate ship shanty dancing,” Faery Emma explains. “We use a fabulous rainbow parachute with spells and potions or have a piratey treasure hunt. Then all the children can have their face painted.” Faery Emma says that her parties are magically suitable for ages 2 to 10 year olds and can fairy cater up to 25 children, and all the activities are done within an hour and a half. “I’ve always been a fairy,” says Faery Emma proudly. ““The thing I love is seeing that little light bulb go off, that sparkle in their eye and thinking oh my God she is truly magical. It’s a little sparkle that no one else sees but me, have opened their world to their imagination again.”

We all need people like Faery Emma in our world, to put a little sparkle in our life and remind us that the world is truly magical. “ It’s always sunshine and lollipops in my fairy world,” says Faery Emma. “That’s my fairy buzz.” Phone Faery Emma on 0414 470 522 or go to www.startdustfairies.com.au

Paint a Pirate Put whichever hand you’re not painting with firmly on crown of the “pirate’s” head to help keep them steady.

Step 1: Step 2: Step 3:

Paint a magical red patch shape covering half of the eyelid (or use a colour of your choice). Run a black line from ear on opposite side of face over forehead and outline patch around eye.

Add details by accentuating patch with white dots and making Xs along the “strap”.

* CURLY MOUSTACHES AN D SCARS ENHANCE THE PIRATE LOOK! Faery Emma is a real life fairy, enchanting and captivating children at birthday parties, kindergartens, and corporate occasions with her magical storytelling and fantabulous face painting. “I’ve been fluttering around humanland for 20 years. I was one of the first in the Fairy Melbourne Forest running mobile fairy parties,” says Faery Emma, who started her love of fairying from her first part-time job in a fairy shop in Mornington. Enjoy a party time chock-full of stories, dance and creative face painting. “Each child receives a present and we do creative magical fairy dancing or pirate ship shanty dancing,” Faery Emma said. “We use a fabulous rainbow parachute with spells and potions or have a pirate treasure hunt. Then all the children can have their faces painted.”

FAIRY HAPPY TO MEET YOU FAERY

Faery Emma says that her parties are magically suitable for ages two to 10, cater for up to 25 children, and all activities are done within an hour and a half.

Emma

“I’ve always been a fairy. The thing I love is seeing that little light bulb go off, that sparkle in their eye. It’s a little sparkle that no one else sees but me. I have opened their world to their imagination again.” We all need people like Faery Emma in our world, to put a little sparkle in our life and remind us the world is truly magical. Phone Faery Emma on 0414 470 522 or go to www.startdustfairies.com.au

www.peninsulakids.com.au www.peninsulakids.com.au

45 45

A BALLOON TWISTER WITH A TWIST When Tammie found herself making balloon animals in exchange for a beer at her local pub one night, she knew she had a problem, and so decided to make a career out of balloon twisting. “It all started seven years ago when my mum bought a balloon twisting book. I started looking through it and straight away I was hooked,” Tammie says. Since then Twisted Tam has created some extraordinary balloon sculptures for children’s birthday parties as well as for engagements, weddings and Valentine’s Day. She’s even made a balloon dress. A self-taught balloon twister, Tammie says you learn as you go and there are many people to mentor you.

To make a funkier, more advanced handle, create three more 4cm bubbles after loop on long end of balloon in step 3. Three twists are recommended to hold securely.

When it comes to twisting, Tammie says it is important to use special quality balloons and not go for cheap alternatives. Twisted Tam is at your service to make any balloon sculpture you can think of. Check out the website at www.pimpmyballoons.com.au or call 0425 766 930.

Step 1: Fill balloon with air leaving one finger-width uninflated. Knot end.

How to make a balloon sword

Step 2:

Create a 4cm bubble at the knotted end of balloon.

Step 3a: Grab a 30cm bubble after the first bubble. 3b: Twist and join the two twisted ends together. 3c: Twist again to form a loop. 46

Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2015

3c Step 4: Pull long end of balloon through loop made in step 3.

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Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2015

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Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2015

Pregnancy & Baby

THIS IS THE YEAR

I will let go of the guilt SOME PEOPLE CHOOSE ONE WORD THEY WILL ASPIRE TO FOLLOW: HAPPINESS, SUCCESS, CREATIVITY. INSTEAD, I’M CHOOSING ONE WORD TO TRY TO ELIMINATE. ONE EMOTION TO TRY TO GET PAST – GUILT. SPECIFICALLY, MOTHER’S GUILT – THE OVERWHELMING, OVERPOWERING, CRUEL EMOTION THAT HAUNTS EVERY MUM IN SOME WAY OR ANOTHER. By Stacey Anderson

We’ve all carried guilt throughout our lives, but nothing compares to the guilt associated with being responsible for another human.

• I will be accepting of any labour I have, whether it’s natural, C-section or anything in between.

It often niggles at us during pregnancy as we realise our bodies are not our own.

• I won’t feel guilty when I drop off my little one at childcare, knowing how much he gets out of it.

But the real guilt comes flooding in from the time you meet your baby.

• I will do my best to juggle two children, knowing that I’ll often feel like one is missing out on my attention.

Day dot: Oh baby I’m sorry you had to get yanked out with forceps! If only I could have had a better birth for you. Oh baby, I’m sorry I can’t get this breastfeeding thing sorted. You must be so hungry, you poor thing. Oh baby, I’m sorry I don’t really know what I’m doing. You deserve so much better.

• I will put myself first because if I don’t look after myself I can’t look after anyone else. • I will do my best to make time for family and friends, but will say “no” when I don’t have the time.

The guilt seems to spread through every situation, every phase and every relationship.

• I will exercise to feel happy and healthy but will not beat myself up if I’m not feeling up to it or cannot find the time.

The childcare drop-offs, returning to work, dinner time, TV time and sitting here reading this story when there’s a million things you “should” be doing.

• Cleaning the house will not be a high priority and therefore I’ll be OK if the house is messy.

Then there are the feelings of neglect. Neglecting your partner, friends, family and ultimately yourself.

• I will take time to do things that make me happy because being happy makes me a better mum.

Yes, almost three years of daily guilt and counting.

• I will not feel guilty about working because it is what is best for my family and me.

I know it will never leave, but as I welcome my second baby to the world, I will do everything to let it go.

Here’s to a happy, healthy, guilt-free year!

So here is a list of all the things I refuse to feel guilty about from here on in. • I will not feel guilty if my kids watch TV. • I will not feel guilty if we eat tinned spaghetti on toast for dinner. • I’ll breastfeed my new baby if I can for as long as I can, but I will not feel guilty when it ends, knowing I’ve done my best.

Stacey Anderson is the founder of “Little Things in Common”, an online community where you can meet other parents and carers, and discuss all the little things you have in common www.littlethingsincommon.com.au

www.peninsulakids.com.au

GO AWAY! I ONLY WANT MUMMY – OR DADDY When your child prefers one parent

“I can’t leave the room without my 15-month-old screaming the house down even if she’s in Daddy’s arms,” says Kate, also the mum of a fouryear-old. At the same age, Kate’s first child was also a “Mummy’s boy” and Daddy was relegated to second-best. This “Daddy rejection” hurt the first time round – for Kate and her husband. “My husband felt rejected and I was frustrated that I couldn’t have a break without all sorts of screaming or insistence of ‘No! Mummy do it’.”

By Pinky McKay

“No! Mummy do it.”

This time round Kate is much more relaxed. “I know this is just a stage and it will pass. When our son was about two and a half, he switched to Daddy and now they are great mates while I am second-best in his eyes. That worked pretty well when I needed to focus on a new baby but it is getting a bit tedious now Ivy is a toddler.” It’s common for babies to initially prefer mum – after all, she is usually the one who feeds and nurtures more of the time so is more likely associated with comfort and familiarity. Also, until about age two, babies see themselves as an extension of mum. Then as they develop more independence and begin to separate emotionally, there is a whole new world of people to explore relationships with. As Kate discovered, this is when Daddy becomes the hero and it can translate to Daddy preference and Mummy rejection. Toddlers can show a preference for either parent. For instance, you have been giving and giving to your child all day but as soon as the other parent walks in the door, it’s squeals and laughter and you feel like a rotten old piece of meat. Or, as Dave, father of a three-year-old discovered, the bond with his partner and daughter meant that he was often excluded. One day when he came home and greeted his partner and child, his daughter told him, “Go away! I’m having a tea party with Mummy”. Ouch! Parent preference is a normal stage of development for babies, toddlers and preschoolers and it isn’t just about exerting control. At this stage, the frontal cortex is not yet fully developed and they can only manage to focus on one relationship at a time. So if you have been home all day with your child and your partner arrives, they can’t focus on both parents simultaneously. However, although you don’t need to take it personally and allow hurt feelings to affect your interactions with your child, this doesn’t mean you have to dismiss or allow rudeness and rejection as “just a stage”. In Dave’s case, for instance, his partner could take control of the situation by telling her daughter, “Let’s invite Daddy to have a cup of tea, too” and being firm about including him. You can also encourage connections with the other parent by stepping back a bit. For instance, if your little one is insisting on Daddy putting her shoes on and he is busy, you could say, “We can go to the park when you have your shoes on. Daddy is busy, here let me help and you will be all ready when he’s finished doing (whatever)”. Often a parent preference can be due to routines that we have implemented for convenience, such as who puts the children to bed. If your baby has been breastfed to sleep or your toddler is usually in bed before your partner gets home, you can gently help your little one accept changes by including your partner in parts of the bedtime routine or helping with naps on weekends. We can’t force children’s development by pushing them onto the other parent or punishing them for our own hurt feelings. In fact, this can backfire 52

Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2015

! “go away a I’m having with tea par ty mummy.”

OUCH!

as they start seeing you as the “grumpy” parent and your partner as the “nice” one. We also need to respect littlies’ capacity to manage relationships and switch from one parent to another. For instance, if your child wakes in the night and needs comfort from one parent, this isn’t the time to insist the other parent will fix it. This is about your child’s security and sense of trust that their “comfort person” is there for them when they are scared or hurt. If your child has a parent preference right now, you and your partner can work together to encourage strong relationships with both parents. Take heart – as kids grow, they will work out ways to connect with both parents all by themselves.

Pinky McKay is an internationally certified lactation consultant, certified infant massage instructor and author of Sleeping Like a Baby, 100 Ways to Calm the Crying and Parenting By Heart. In her baby massage DVD, Pinky shows parents how to give their baby a full body massage, a mini-massage (for when you are in a hurry) and specific stroke to help with colic and tummy discomfort.

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10 TIPS FOR A HAPPY & HEALTHY

PREGNANCY FOR MANY WOMEN, PREGNANCY IS A FUN-FILLED, NINE-MONTH ADVENTURE. FOR OTHERS, IT’S A LONG AND ARDUOUS JOURNEY. HERE ARE SOME TIPS TO HELP YOU HAVE A HAPPY AND HEALTHY PREGNANCY.

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I woke up in the middle of the night to find my boobs were trying to take over the world! I actually had to wake little Max to relieve me of some milk... Meryl, Sydney

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Not only will exercise help to strengthen your muscles and joints, but also it will increase your stamina and boost your mood. Pregnancy is not the time to start an intensive training regime but you can usually continue to exercise, with the exception of contact sports and activities like horse riding or scuba diving. Walking, swimming, aqua classes and yoga are great ways to maintain fitness. There are a number of pregnancy-specific classes that will also enable you to make friends with other expectant mums-to-be. Jo Ford of Bodybump says: ‘It is always important to listen to your body and if something doesn’t feel right then don’t do it.” WATER

During pregnancy you only need to increase your calorie intake by a small amount to cater for the needs of your growing baby. Eat plenty of nutritious foods such as leafy green vegies and try to minimise your consumption of foods that are high in sugar or refined carbohydrates.

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Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2015

BREASTS

Now is the time to get measured for a supportive bra. Your breasts will enlarge as the months progress and it might be the case that you need to go up a few sizes as the months tick over. Choose soft fabrics that are comfortable against your skin and make you feel good about your changing body.

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2 3 4 5 6

Now is a great time to make the switch from wine to water. It is advisable to avoid alcohol during pregnancy and minimise your caffeine intake, particularly in your first trimester. (Maximum two or three cups of coffee or tea per day.) Herbal teas such as chamomile, peppermint and ginger are good alternatives or choose decaffeinated drinks. If you are really thirsty, nothing beats good old water. FOOD CHOICES

Individually wrapped cookies now come in 3 delicious flavours:

STAY ACTIVE

As your tummy grows, your centre of gravity changes and may leave you a little off-balance. Stick to sensible shoes to avoid taking a tumble. You may also experience swelling in the legs and ankles so make sure you take some time putting your feet up when you get the opportunity. STAY INFORMED AND EDUCATED

It’s really hard to avoid information overload when it’s at our fingertips at an instant. Many women are quickly led to fearing the worse on sight of some slight spotting or a sudden cramp “down there”. While it’s sensible to be knowledgable about the goings on in your body, googling symptoms every five minutes is something to be avoided. If you really think something is wrong, call your GP or care provider rather than making a self-diagnosis.

ASK FOR HELP

7 8

Tasks become rather more challenging toward the end of your pregnancy. Simple tasks like picking things up from the floor (a constant source of angst when you have other children) and tying up your shoelaces can lead even the most headstrong woman to tears! Asking for help is the way to go. Friends and relatives will be more than happy to take the dog out, pick up milk or even paint your toenails. BE OPEN-MINDED

Every woman has a picture in her mind of how she wants to birth her baby. We are lucky to live in an age where we have excellent medical facilities. That aside, it is important to be open-minded: if you are set on a natural delivery and end up needing a Caesarean section, or you wanted to avoid an epidural but ended up requesting one, don’t beat yourself up about it. The health and safety of you and your baby is paramount. CHILDBIRTH CLASSES

Photography by Michelle Pragt

9 10

It’s sensible to get to know where you will be having your baby. Attend your hospital’s childbirth classes and write down a list of questions you would like to ask. It’s a great way to meet other prospective parents, too. If you prefer a non-medical setting, try GentleBirth2Babies, set in a very picturesque Mt Martha setting and run by two midwives. MINI-BREAKS

Spending some time away from home will allow you to wind down and fully relax. A mini-break with your partner, a friend or by yourself can be revitalising. Indulge in plenty of sleep, read a book (unrelated to pregnancy!) and perhaps treat yourself to a massage or pedicure. It’s your chance to be self-indulgent and enjoy some proper “me” time before baby arrives. If nothing else….try to enjoy your pregnancy. There will be easy (or easier) days as well as more difficult ones. This is just the beginning of the most amazing and life-changing journey. So take lots of pictures of your changing body (one of my biggest regrets) and keep a journal or blog. It’s really useful to look back in subsequent pregnancies and compare. It’s also a wonderful thing to pass on to your children.

Jo Ford divides her time between running Bodybump (pregnancy and post-natal aqua and fitness classes), teaching at Toorak College and bringing up two gorgeous girls, Lily and Rose. In her (limited) spare time, you’ll find her at the gym, practising what she preaches. www.bodybump.com.au

Registered Midwife and Hypnobirthing Australia Practitioner Hypnobirthing prepares parents to approach their birth without fear and provides them with knowledge, support, and tools for a calm & positive birth experience. Regular Group classes & Private classes available across the Mornington Peninsula.

0413 167 609 www.tranquilbirth.com.au www.peninsulakids.com.au

A DAY TRIP TO THE

Yarra Valley THE PICTURESQUE ROLLING HILLS OF THE YARRA VALLEY – ONE OF THE MANY PLACES I LOVE TO ESCAPE TO ON ANY GIVEN SUNDAY. By Lorraine Aitken

For anyone who isn’t familiar with the Yarra Valley it’s east of Melbourne and less than 100km from the Mornington Peninsula or about 1hr 20min travel time (depending where you’re travelling from and which part of the Yarra Valley you’re travelling to). The cool climate wine region is ever popular with daytrippers and tourists who flock to sample gourmet food along with great chardonnay and pinot noir. While the region is highly regarded for its food and wine, there is a great range of activities that will keep families coming back time and time again.

need to do 20km to enjoy the rail trail as there are plenty of places to start from along the way with the most scenic part of the ride being from Millgrove to Warburton, an easy, flat 3.5km (one way). Warburton is a cute little town on the banks of the Yarra River and at the base of Mount Donna Buang. It has various shops, plenty of cafes, a playground near the river and a great information centre that can assist you with various things to do.

Some of our children’s favourite things to do are:

Healesville Sanctuary is no doubt a place that everyone

McKenzie Reserve playground in Yarra Glen is arguably one of Victoria’s top 10 playgrounds. Our children never get bored and with luck, yours won’t either. Play equipment includes a huge bird’s nest swing, a familysized seesaw, a big sandpit complete with a manual hand-pump and river pebbles, a pyramid climbing frame, wine barrel stepping stones, cubby, shopfront, spiral slide, wave slide, scrambling wall, five swings, a skate park, and basketball hoop as well as with some interesting bug sculptures make up a small part of this brilliant playground. The variety in the playground along with the surrounding lawn areas makes it a perfect balance of play and relaxation space. Facilities include toilets, barbecues, picnic tables and benches, plenty of shade, undercover areas and car parking all within a short stroll of the main street shops.

Yarra Valley Railway, Healesville is run by dedicated

volunteers who have restored the track enough to have the Walker rail car take passengers from Healesville station to Tunnel Hill and return in a 30-minute, 9km journey. The ride is the perfect length for smaller children and the scenery is pleasant with in kangaroos and horses often seen. In time to come the line will run from Healesville to Yarra Glen. The train runs on Sundays, public holidays and Wednesdays during school holidays on the hour between 10am-4pm. Tickets cost $39 for a family of four and proceeds go to the restoration fund. For more information call 5962 2490 or visit www.yvr.com.au

Warburton Rail Trail is a fun and free way to get the kids out and about on their bikes enjoying nature and learning about the towns and the historical railway sights you pass along the way. The rail trail starts at Lilydale and ends at Warburton which is a 40km one-way ride so it’s best to break it down by starting a little closer to Warburton. We started from the Launching Place car park next to the Home Hotel and made it a 20km round trip, which our seven- and eight-year-olds rode comfortably while the two little ones went in a bike trailer. When I say comfortably, we stopped every few kilometres, taking advantage of the playground at Yarra Junction, the railway museum, grabbing some jam doughnuts from the Millgrove Bakery, lunch in Warburton, feeding ducks near the river and breaking the ride up generally. However, there is no

*Hire bikes from the Cog Cafe in Warburton. knows about but is still worth a mention for those who don’t. I enjoy visiting the sanctuary as it showcases Australian animals in as near their natural habitat as possible. It’s important kids know what they can find in the Australian bush. The sanctuary is open daily 9am-5pm and entry costs $30.80 for adults with children being free on weekends and school holidays. For more information visit www.zoo.org.au/healesville

Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery is a Willy Wonka of chocolate shops and despite its over-the-top tourism pull, it’s a place everyone should visit at least once. You can watch chocolatiers at work while testing the goods from three giant bowls each containing many kilograms of pastilles. I found the crowds a little overwhelming inside but enjoyed getting the kids an ice cream and heading out to the lawn for a ball game or just to take in the great view. The chocolates aren’t cheap but the ice creams are reasonable value for the size and quality at $4.80 for a waffle cone. This place gets a big tick of approval from the kids. It’s at 35 Old Healesville Rd, Yarra Glen. Maroondah Reservoir is a good spot for a picnic and a stroll to the top of the dam wall. Entry is free and facilities include plenty of car parking, toilets, barbecues, picnic shelter/rotunda, playground, information boards and plenty of sulphur-crested cockatoos to fascinate young children. Maroondah Dam is popular in the warmer months when visitors take comfort in the cool, shaded lawn areas while in autumn the deciduous trees in the surrounding gardens are ablaze with colour. Maroondah Reservoir entry gate is located on the Maroondah Highway 3km east of Healesville. Nature walks: Badger Weir picnic ground is the starting point for three short walks with the longest and most scenic at 1.4km that takes you through ancient fern gullies with towering mountain ash trees. The weir is also a perfect picnic spot and is on Badger Weir Rd, Badger Creek (just out of Healesville). Another pleasant walk is La La Falls in Warburton, which is a 3.2km return walk through fern gullies. The start of the walk is well signposted at 25 Irruka Rd, Warburton (about 2km from the town centre). Although there are no picnic facilities or toilets, you will enjoy being surrounded by nature.

Markets: Markets are plentiful in this region and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re likely to

find at least one every weekend. The most popular markets include Yarra Glen Racecourse Craft Market on the first Sunday of the month, Healesville Community Market on the first and third Sundays, and Yarra Valley Farmersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Market at Yering Station on the third Sunday. Of course these are just a few of the many things to do in the Yarra Valley and I am sure we will share many more ideas with you in editions to come.

t u o b A n r a e L ids K a l u s n i n e P Mornington

MR. MEN

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dad, what does a tickle look like?â&#x20AC;? Adam Hargreaves asked this question when he was eight years old. In response, his father, Roger Hargreaves, drew a yellow-orange man with long arms and a blue hat. Sketched in a bold style in strong, basic colours, Mr Tickle was born and became the first character in what would be the stratospherically successful Mr Men Little Miss series. It was a simple sketch that would change both of their lives.

Some peninsula kids chatted to Adam when he visited Australia recently. HAMISH, 8: WHAT WAS THE VERY FIRST CHARACTER YOUR

DAD CREATED AND WHY DID HE MAKE HIM? The first character was Mr Tickle. When I was very young I asked my dad one of those impossible questions that children like to pose to their parents. Mine was, “What does a tickle look like?” which set my dad thinking and the result was Mr Tickle.

AMELIA, 7: WHO WAS YOUR FAVOURITE CHARACTER? I have two favourite characters. I like Mr Bump to draw, but my favourite story is Mr Silly. The daft idea perfectly captured my dad’s sense of humour.

Adam and

Little Miss

Hug.

HENRY, 5: WHAT IS MR GREEDY’S FAVOURITE FOOD? Mr Greedy has many favourite foods as you might imagine. However, I think that sausages and mash would be his all-time favourite. Adam Hargreaves’ latest release Little Miss Hug is in book stores and retails for $4.95.

CHARLOTTE, 3: DOES MR HAPPY EVER GET SAD? Mr Happy gets sad when other people are unhappy. He likes everyone to be as happy as he is.

MISSY, 7: DO YOU THINK MR CHATTERBOX WOULD LIKE

KENNEDY, 6: WHY DID HE START MAKING GIRL MR MEN?

TO HAVE A TALKING RACE WITH MY MUM? SHE TALKS A LOT, TOO!

I’m not absolutely sure because I was still at school when he created the Little Miss, but I would imagine that he wanted to write stories for girls as well as boys.

Mr Chatterbox would happily talk to anyone, your mum, your next door neighbour, your teacher; he’s not fussy. In fact he even talks to himself if there’s nobody around.

SARAH, 10: ARE THERE ANY NEW MR MEN BOOKS COMING OUT?

ESTHER, 5: DO YOU THINK MR BUMP SHOULD WEAR A

There are lots of new stories coming over the next year. At the moment I am writing a new book for Christmas this year. It’s all about Mr Quiet and Mr Noisy and will be called Silent Night.

That sounds like a very sensible suggestion, but do you think he could find one to fit?

ALEX, 6: DOES MR TICKLE REALLY TICKLE EVERYONE ALL

THE TIME? Yes, or at least, everyone he can catch! AYLA, 3: WHAT DO THEY SMELL LIKE? That’s an interesting question. I think that as they are all a little bit of each of us then they probably smell just like us. JAKE, 6: DOES MR RUDE EVER HAVE TO GO TO THE TIME

OUT CORNER? Mr Rude spent most of his childhood in the naughty corner, but now that he is older, sensible people just ignore him. JESSIE, 9: ARE THERE ANY NEW CHARACTERS BEING MADE? None are planned at the moment. I am waiting for inspiration to strike!

HELMET?

BEN, 4: HAVE YOU EVER LOST MR SMALL? Not this week, but last week it was very windy and he got blown away. It took us ages to find him because he’s so small he’s not very easy to spot. LIAM, 8: HOW DID YOUR DAD COME UP WITH THE DIFFERENT MR MEN AND LITTLE MISS PEOPLE? Once my dad had thought of Mr Tickle then he quickly realised that he could make lots of different characters based on other human characteristics and emotions. Alongside Mr Tickle he created Mr Greedy, Mr Happy, Mr Nosey, Mr Sneeze and Mr Bump in the first series of books that were published. AUSTIN, 7: WHO MAKES ALL THE BOOKS AND DOES THE DRAWINGS NOW? I write and illustrate all the books now and have done so for about 20 years.

Mummy Dating By Michelle McCullough

Once I’d met my husband, I thought I was set for life. Never again would I sit nervously in a restaurant waiting for my date to turn up. Never again would I spend hours picking the right outfit to make a good impression for personal gain. Never again would I unsuccessfully try to climb out of a toilet window, skin my knee and then have to ask the date I was trying to escape from if he had a plaster. Yep, once I met my other half I thought that was it. No more awkward first dates for me! But then I had children. Being the first of my girlfriends to spawn I realised I needed to get some new friends quick-smart or I would go insane. Don’t get me wrong, my established circle of friends are pretty awesome but they didn’t quite get that I couldn’t do all the things I used to, like brush my hair, wear stainfree clothes and willingly stay up later than 9pm. However, I soon discovered that mummy dating is almost, if not worse, than dating to find a potential life partner.

Traditionally, once you have a baby your local maternal child health nurse will connect up with a playgroup, which I am told can be fantastic for making friends – in my case it was a complete disaster. As I proudly pushed my new baby through the doors of my first playgroup meeting, inwardly patting myself on the back for managing to change out of my PJs and into my fat pants for the first time in three weeks, I was excited about the potential new friends I was about to make. Within five minutes I realised I had made a terrible, terrible mistake. I should not have worn the fat pants. The women in my mums’ group were preened, polished and styled like they were being filmed for The Real Housewives of Melbourne and I, well, I looked like I’d been raised by a posse of stray cats. As the weeks went on it became glaringly obvious that my grand plan to make new friends was not going as well as I hoped. The women were nice enough but we just didn’t have anything in common. After a few more unsuccessful attempts at making playgroup friends I decided that the internet held the key to my mummy-friend destiny and I joined a few local online mums’ groups. As per group protocol I introduced myself to the other women in the groups and explained that I was a mum of two, new to the area and in desperate need of some mummy friends. I was completely blown away by the number of responses that I got and amazed that there were so many other mums in such close proximity who wanted to have playdates with me. I’ve never felt so popular! Online mummy dating is a bit like blind dating – you just never know who you’re going to meet. Before each of my mummy dates I found myself getting just as nervous as I did in my younger days when I was dating romantically. I made an effort to dress nicely and even brushed my hair, but like regular dating it was a bit hit and miss. I had one very awkward mummy date with a woman who talked nonstop for two hours about her stalker, which was comforting. Being a mum, I’m permanently set to “worst case scenario” mode and within 10 minutes of our date I had formulated a plan on how I would deal with her stalker when he eventually emerged from the bushes. I would run him over with my pram. Obviously. I had another date with a mum who thought it was hilarious every time her five-year-old spoke nastily to my two-year-old and prevented her from playing on the swings. My potential new friend thought it was comedy gold but I thought it was bullying so I quickly made a lame excuse and left. I’ve had dates that I thought went really well only to have the mum blank me in the supermarket a week later. I’ve had mummy dates with

Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2015

super-competitive mums, and mums with a vocabulary range of “yes”, “no” and “don’t know”. I’m not proud of it but I’ve used the line “I’ll call you”, which we all know means “I won’t call you but I am trying to be polite because I don’t want you to think I’m a horrible person”. I’ve also been on the receiving end of it, too, so in terms of karma I think it evens out. I’ve even been stood up by one mum and “defriended” on Facebook (even though she added me and I only accepted to be polite) before we actually went on a mummy date! I guess she browsed though my pictures and decided she didn’t like the look of my face. After about 15 dates I started to get mummy dating fatigue and figured I was set to be a lone wolf mummy friend until my current friends stopped being so selfish and had babies. I am not 100 per cent sure where I was going wrong in my quest to find friends. Maybe I am not as likable as I thought? Maybe my semi-Irish accent put people off? Or maybe I was oozing too much desperation? Men can smell desperation so maybe mums can too. Whatever the reason, I am glad I stuck at it because after a lot of awkward first dates I now have a small circle of mums who I hang out with on a regular basis. Women who I can be myself with, who don’t judge me for having vomit in my hair and who understand how hard mummy dating is. And best of all, our kids love playing together. On a serious note, it is incredibly hard to make new friends as an adult. Unfortunately as you get older it doesn’t seem acceptable to walk up to someone and ask if they would like to be your friend – unlike at primary school where this was the key ingredient to making new friends. It can be isolating being a first-time mum, especially if you are the first person in your group to have children, or have no family support nearby, but hang in there because it does get easier! Tips for successful Mummy Dating from someone who probably shouldn’t be giving advice but will anyway: • Be yourself – when it comes to mummy dating there is no point in pretending to be something you are not: you just won’t have time. It might work the first time you meet but when you have little humans to look after, the facade will fall apart very quickly. A good mummy friend won’t care that you haven’t had a chance to shower and/or haven’t vacuumed your house in weeks. • Be brave – if you come across someone who you think could be your friend, take the initiative. Ask if she would be interested in having a playdate some time. If you don’t ask you don’t get! I kick myself when I think of all the women I have encountered since becoming a mum who I have liked but have been too shy to talk with. • It’s about quality not quantity – having one or two good mummy friends is much better than having eight so-so mummy friends. Remember, just because you both have children does not automatically mean you have to be friends. If you’re not feeling the friendship vibe, move on. • Be safe – if you arrange a mummy date with a stranger, make sure you pick a public place. Not only is it important to keep yourself safe but also your children. I usually meet my potential mummy friends at my local park, which is close to a safe but busy road, frequented by walkers and joggers, and surrounded by houses. • Don’t give up – it might take time to make some good friends but do not give up! Good things come to those who wait.

Michelle McCullough is a journalist, mum of two, amateur photographer and, when she has time, a meerkat enthusiast. She lives in the eastern suburbs and spends her days trying to find new and fun ways to keep her two little monkeys entertained.

www.peninsulakids.com.au

A letter to our child This is our journey, little one – one we are sharing together: you, mummy and daddy as we help you make your way into this world. We love you and know that you will make it up to us in time. This is a journey that just we can share. So where did it all start, my darling? ev

Well, we knew quite early that you would be conceived by IVF for a number of reasons. d-

I always knew that assisted conception may be on the card for me after ovarian cysts and emergency surgery at 19. Then I met the love of my life, my darling husband, your father and the fate was sealed for us as he had had a vasectomy much earlier in life for his own reasons.

a Lind

e Re

So in 2005, with our dreams of the white picket fence and family, daddy and I married and committed ourselves to the IVF journey. This is when my research started. I read everything I could find on the web and started talking to GPs about our journey. The hardest part is that we had to wait 12 months until our private health insurance would cover us for IVF procedures. So we planned our wedding, were happily married, and moved to Queensland to start our new life. Our first step in this IVF journey was in 2006 and I was hopeful and maybe naive. I went through every day of injections and planning with excitement and fear. For me it had been a long wait for the 12 months to pass. My memory of the first appointment is a bit hazy. I remember them telling me I was young and that falling pregnant should not be a problem for me. So again up went the excitement. This should be easy. One try for me and our baby would be on the way. I will be pregnant for our first wedding anniversary! Off I skipped to the chemist with my script for the pill (we were doing a down reg cycle) and looked forward to the day I could take pill number one. The day came to start my pill. I was excited and happy to take them. I started to buy baby books to assist in my journey. My thirst for knowledge about pregnancy was to others a little unnerving I suppose. I read and wrote to myself, excited about the journey that you and I were about to take. Then Syernal day came. This is the drug I like to call the morning sickness stimulator, as for me the side-effects were nausea and headaches. But this was all worth it as my baby was on the way. Injections were next and that was when I felt your energy in the embryos growing inside me. My tummy became swollen, round and cute as if I was a few months’ pregnant and we were on our way to egg pick-up. The egg pick-up came and we had 12 healthy eggs, which became six embryos and I could feel your energy as they transferred one embryo back. Time passed and we waited the two weeks. But you were not going to be rushed. Mummy xxxx

(new) , 4.30pm 19 March ats) Thursday (limited se pm 30 & 6. Tuesday 30 June, 10.30am & 6pm

Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2015

Wednesday 8 July, 6pm Thursday 9 July, 10.30am

With her enthusiasm for new experiences and love of finding new things, Linda Reed-Enever was destined to grow to be either a professional geocacher or the inspiring leader in communications that she is today. PR and marketing was a career that found Linda because it is the place she is meant to be. Linda leads the teams at Media Connections and ThoughtSpot PR www.lindareedenever.com.au

Tickets: All tickets $20, Family (4) $75

03 9784 1060 thefac.com.au

Enquiries:

Frankston Arts Centre is a Business Unit of Frankston City Council

Recipes

s e p i ec

By Karli Duckett Karli is a mum, domestic personal chef, Thermomix consultant, sub-standard house cleaner, dog walker, wannabe food photographer and lover of caffeine. Follow her Mumma Duck Says blog and Facebook page for more food adventures, recipes and handy hints. mummaduckblog.wordpress.com facebook.com/mummaducksays

SWEET & SOUR Pork Salad

(Serves 4)

3 nectarines, stones removed 1 TB honey 1 TB apple cider vinegar

1 TB olive oil 300g pork fillet Âź red cabbage, shredded or finely sliced

1 carrot, grated 1 green apple, grated 3 spring onions, sliced Â˝ pineapple, diced

Using a food processor or hand-held stick blender, puree nectarines. Add honey, vinegar and olive oil and whisk to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Place pork fillets in a glass dish and add half of nectarine mixture (set aside remaining half). Stir well to coat fillets and place in refrigerator to marinate for 30 minutes. Heat a large frying pan and add some cooking oil. Fry pork fillets for about 20 minutes, sealing the sides as you go. Remove fillets from heat and allow to rest for 5 minutes, then thinly slice and place in a large salad bowl. Add cabbage, carrot, apple, spring onions, pineapple and parsley to bowl. Drizzle over remaining nectarine mixture and toss to coat.

4-6 sprigs flat-leaf parsley or coriander, leaves only and finely chopped

Try sub for o stitu ting ther nec they stone fr tarines To s become uit as tre rip furth er, yo tch this s e. u cook a ed ve could a lad d rmic elli n d some oodl es.

These can be eaten at room temperature and would make a good lunchbox snack!

retty p d n r up’ a ing suga n w o a ‘gr st with ic op of ice r o F t, du th a sco syrup. r e s s de e wi ocolate v r e s d ch and n a m crea

MAPLE BERRY Pancake Bites

(Makes 12) 25g melted butter 70g plain flour 120g milk 3 eggs, lightly whisked ½ tsp salt 6 large strawberries, halved 2 TB pure maple syrup

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Preheat oven to 180 degrees C and grease a 12-hole muffin tin. Add butter, flour, milk, eggs and salt to a large mixing bowl and whisk well until a thin batter has formed and no lumps remain in mixture. Pour batter evenly between the 12 holes of your muffin tin and place in oven to cook for 10-15 minutes, or until puffed up and lightly golden. Remove from oven and allow to cool in tin for 10 minutes. You will notice your pancake bites “cave in” or collapse during this time. Gently ease each bite from tin using a knife or spoon and serve each one topped with strawberry half and drizzled with maple syrup. www.peninsulakids.com.au

curls e t a l co s, ed cho v a h do thi s o e t – m ake d so colate ach c o I adde e h f c o in top o of pla r to the a eler t b e e p l g e l sin tab om bu y a r vege u rls fr o u y c e l s l a and u eel” sm ocolate. p “ y l ul ch caref of the e d i s the

BANANA CHOCOLATE CHIP CAKES with Cream Cheese Icing

(Makes 16) 125g unsalted butter, cubed and softened slightly 165g (3/4 cup) coconut sugar (or brown sugar)

1. 2.

2 eggs 2 tsp vanilla bean paste 225g (1½ cup) self-raising flour

½ tsp bicarbonate of soda 1 tsp mixed spice 2 ripe bananas, mashed

230g milk chocolate chips 120g (½ cup) sour cream 60ml (¼ cup) milk 120g cream cheese

5. 6.

60g unsalted butter 210g (1½ cup) icing sugar 66

Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2015

Preheat oven to 160 degrees C and line 2 x 12-hole muffin trays with 16 patty pans. Using either a food processor or electric mixer, beat butter and coconut sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and 1 teaspoon of the vanilla (keep aside rest for icing) and beat until combined. Transfer to a large mixing bowl and add flour, bicarb soda, spice, banana, chocolate chips, sour cream and milk, and stir until well combined. Spoon evenly among patty pans (or until each one is about two-thirds full) and bake in oven for 15-20 minutes, or until lightly golden. Allow to cool completely. To make icing, add cream cheese, butter, icing sugar and remaining vanilla to the bowl of an electric mixer or food processor and beat until smooth. Spread or pipe icing evenly among tops of cooled cakes.

CHERRY RIPE Truffles

(Makes 34) 5 x 52g Cherry Ripe bars

1. 2.

250g packet Marie biscuits 2 TB cocoa powder 395g tin condensed milk

1 cup desiccated coconut

e a slic o t n i ture x i into a g m g s i n i h t s s Turn ad by pre nd coverin inste lice tin a ted dark mel ow s shall layer of te. la with a choco

Roughly break chocolate bars into large pieces. Add chocolate bars, biscuits and cocoa powder to the bowl of a food processor and blitz until mixture resembles a fairly fine crumb. Add condensed milk and mix (or stir by hand) until mixture comes together and is well combined. Place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Roll heaped teaspoon-sized amounts of mixture into balls and coat in coconut. Place back in refrigerator to set.

TUNA, PUMPKIN & LEEK Pasta Bake

(Serves 6) 1 TB olive oil 350g butternut pumpkin, peeled and thinly sliced 1 leek, trimmed and thinly sliced 375g dried pasta (penne, macaroni, etc) 250g ricotta cheese 160ml cream 2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed 800g tin diced tomatoes 425g tin tuna 100g baby spinach leaves 50g grated Parmesan cheese 50g grated tasty cheese 68

Peninsula Kids â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Autumn 2015

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Preheat oven to 180 degrees C (fan-forced) and grease a large, rectangular oven-proof dish or tin. Layer pumpkin slices over base of dish, followed by leek slices and drizzle with olive oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Place in oven for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large saucepan according to packet instructions. In a large bowl, combine ricotta, cream, garlic, tomatoes and tuna. Set aside. Drain cooked pasta and return to saucepan, adding ricotta mixture and baby spinach leaves. Stir well to combine. Carefully remove hot dish from oven and spoon pasta mixture over top of pumpkin and leek. Top with grated Parmesan and tasty cheese and return to oven for another 15-20 minutes or until golden on top.

T intro his is a gre du oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ce fish i at way t o n over diet as i to your ly td lit try s strong. oesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t ta tle tinn ubstitu If you p ste ed s ting tuna refer, or ev almon, for b en s hred acon pi ec chick ded, c ooke es en b d reas t.

BRIE & CRANBERRY (Makes 48)

Bites

Spray oil 6 x sheets frozen puff pastry, thawed 2 x 125g pieces of Brie cheese 150g cranberry sauce Bunch fresh chives

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Preheat oven to 200 degrees C and generously coat 2 x mini-muffin trays with spray oil. Using either a knife or shaped cookie cutter (I used a star-shaped cutter) to cut 48 squares (or circles, stars, etc) from the sheets of puff pastry. Do a test run first to ensure it will fit inside each muffin hole well. Press pastry into muffin holes. Cut Brie into 48 even-sized wedges and place a piece on top of each bit of puff pastry. Top each bite with a small dollop (about Â˝ tsp) of cranberry sauce and place in oven for 10 minutes, or until evenly golden and crispy. Allow to cool slightly in trays, then ease each bite out of tray using a couple of small spoons. Serve, topped with finely chopped chives.

These m party fo ake great finge r or od an for little d are sweet eno ug ones to enjoy to h o.

She asked me to hold the phone up to the boy so she could hear his breathing. She told me she was sending an ambulance. I gave her our address and tried not to panic.

NO before bedtime! By Rebecca Stephens

It’s not a rule I ever imagined I would need to propose, let alone enact. Son No. 2 (now 20 months old) recovered from a bout of gastro just in time to go downhill again with a snotty nose and rolling fevers. A couple of days later he seemed to have perked up so we thought nothing further of it until the next afternoon when the fevers started again. Neither son or I got a whole lot of sleep that night. By 5am he was huffing and puffing as though he had just finished a marathon. Every few huffs he would stop puffing altogether. I phoned Nurse on Call (if you’re in Victoria and haven’t heard of this service, put the number in your speed dial. It is absolutely gold, especially in the middle of the night!). The nurse asked questions, I gave answers.

The paramedics arrived with their box of tricks, puffing clouds of mist in the freezing morning air. They took his temperature, 38.4 degrees. They recommended a one-off, super-sized dose of paracetamol. They checked his chest: the air was getting to the bottom of his lungs. They put that clippy thing on the end of his finger to check his oxygen levels. They were borderline but normal. I stopped panicking (a little). No need for a trip to hospital. I thanked the paramedics and sent them back out into the dark, cold morning. I battled with my son to get the extra-large dose of revolting generic paracetamol down his throat (note to self: splash out for the tastier name brand next time) and put him to bed. He slept until 8am. Son No. 1 was up bright and early at 6.10am and Daddy had to head off to work at 6.45am. No sleep-in for Mummy. As soon as our usual medical clinic opened I dropped off my healthy son with Nanny for a few hours and took the unwell boy for diagnosis. A doctor checked his temperature, now under control. He looked in his ears and mouth. He listened to his chest, heard him cough, and frowned. Doctor turned back to his computer, tapping out words and mumbled “I’m going to give him a course of reddymix”. Or at least that’s what I heard. I regarded him quizzically. “Has he had it before?” he asked me. Let me see, has anyone prescribed him concrete for a cough before? Um, no, I don’t think so. I shook my head. “It’s a course of steroids; it will help with his breathing.” Ah, I see. “Three days, in the morning each day.” I strapped the coughing, pale and miserable boy back in his pram, took the script from the doctor, signed out at reception and trudged over to the nearby chemist. The pharmacy assistant inspected the script and smiled at my forlorn toddler,

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Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2015

“Aw, poor love, not very well at all, is he?” In my anxious and sleepdeprived haze I nearly burst into tears and hugged her for her kind concern.

•Hyperactivity.

A few minutes later, as she handed over the tiny bottle of sunshine, she issued the following instructions: “Keep it in the fridge, measure the dosage carefully and give it to him with or immediately after food.” OK, got it. So between the doctor and the pharmacy I had gleaned that I had to give it to him in the morning, with food, for three days and at the correct dosage (obviously).

•”Difficulty falling or staying asleep. (Giving the last dose late in the afternoon instead of bedtime may help with this. Discuss this first with your child’s nurse or doctor).”

I took the boy home, fed him what little food I could coax him to eat, fought with him again to convince him to ingest the liquid steroids, gave him some warm milk and put him to bed. He was rubbing his eyes and yawning by the time I left the room. With son No. 1 safely at Nanny’s house and son No. 2 asleep, I settled down on the couch to catch up on some shut-eye. Except he didn’t. Sleep, that is. He sang to himself, he rearranged his bedding, he chatted over the baby monitor and eventually he threw Hoot, Monkey and Teddy out of the cot and stood at the railing, yelling. I got up from the couch, stumbled into his room, rescued the stuffed toys from the floor and folded everyone, including the protesting, wide-eyed toddler, back into bed.

•Anger.

Right, so, giving the toddler steroids immediately before putting him down for a nap – not smart. I gave up on the nap. Son No. 2 ran around like a madman for the rest of the day (which was actually very nice to see, given his recent health, though exhausting to supervise). Fortunately he crashed out pretty quickly that evening and we all got some sleep. I’m also glad that course of steroids is only for three days.

Rebecca Stephens lives in the outer eastern suburbs of Melbourne with her longsuffering husband and two young sons (aged four and two) who are both quite delightful, especially when they are smiling or sleeping. For more funny little stories about raising little people, visit www.rebeccastephens.com.au or look up www.facebook.com/SeeingtheLighterSideofParenting.

After doing this twice more during the next half-hour, I grabbed my phone and started googling “side-effects of steroids on toddlers”. Apparently there are another couple of side-effects that it would have been useful to know. Side-effects of steroids in toddlers: According to the UW Health website (in the United States), side-effects can include: •Mood changes. •Mood swings.

Peninsula Speech Pathology Services

Our team of specialised therapists work with you and your child to give them a voice. We are registered with Medicare Private Health Funds and are members of the Better Start and Helping Children with Autism Provider Panels.

‘Home visiting paediatric physiotherapy service for infants and children. We provide a family centred and play based FUN therapy service to enhance your child’s development. Specialising in a variety of paediatric conditions including: developmental delays, movement and posture concerns, head shape, torticollis, talipes and more.’

CALL BUBBLES PHYSIO PH: 0420 940 573 bubblesphysio@gmail.com www.bubblesphysio.com Frankston, Mornington and surrounding suburbs

Speech, Fluency, Language, Social, Feeding, Literacy

t: 59751500 Mornington Mt Eliza Frankston School Visits www.peninsulaspeech.com.au www.peninsulakids.com.au

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Whooping cough (pertussis) is a highly infectious respiratory disease that is most severe in infants under one year of age. When severe it can cause pneumonia, convulsions, coma or death in 1 in 200 infants. In adults it can also cause serious respiratory illness. Parents and family are the main sources of infection for babies. Babies are usually vaccinated at 2 months, 4 months and 6 months of age. Unfortunately the vaccine wears off over time. It is therefore recommended that women and their close family members are vaccinated to reduce the risk of the baby catching it. It is safe in pregnancy and the benefit of having the vaccine for women in the third trimester of pregnancy is it will provide some early protection by passing antibodies through to the baby before it is born. Jolyon Ford Consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, The Bays Hospital and Frankston Hospital.

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While not typical, such a situation is not necessarily cause for panic. What is important are the signs of language readiness. * Does your child point to objects? Pointing to a toy they want or to a picture in a book is closely related to the beginning of actual speech.

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Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2015

* Do they seem to understand what you say? Do they react when you call their name when you’re out of sight? The ability to understand language precedes the ability to talk. If your child seems to comprehend a great deal of what others are saying, they’re on their way to talking. * Does your child use gestures and facial expressions to communicate? Many kids communicate what they need non-verbally, and in fact most two-year-olds develop a repertoire of non-verbal signals. * Does your child make sounds/babble? Don’t worry about the clarity of words at this point. Listen for sounds or “words” that are consistent, for example, nuk for milk. Children who aren’t yet talking and don’t verbalise are more likely to later be diagnosed with a language delay.

If your child isn’t showing these signs of readiness, you should make an appointment for a speech and hearing screening. Talk with the child’s GP, paediatrician or maternal and health nurse. In general, the earlier a language delay is detected, the easier it is to treat. Many language problems can be treated effectively in the years before starting school so that your child will have no longterm deficits. Megan Ingram Owner and principal speech pathologist, Peninsula Speech Pathology Services.

My children are very fussy eaters. How do I get them to try different foods without all the fighting? There are lots of reasons why kids might be fussy eaters Some kids are “supertasters” and will rebel against any food that is different (particularly anything that is slightly bitter). Some kids are zinc deficient, which affects their sense of smell and taste (kids who are super-tasters are also often zinc deficient). Some kids have sensory issues that make new textures a problem. Some kids are just plain stubborn and want to try our patience! Strategies can vary depending on the cause but here are a few tips to get you started: * Put the same new food on their plate at every dinner time for the next two weeks. Try to encourage them to have just one bite each night. Repeated exposure is often the key to acceptance. * Purchase a “Dinner Winner” plate. It’s a great tool for helping children try all the foods you’ve given them. * Use encouragement such as sticker charts or other non-food based rewards when they try new foods (“treat” foods should never be used as a reward for eating healthy foods). * Never punish them for not finishing what’s on their plate. * Make meal times fun. Use food to make patterns or pictures on their plate or cut foods into fun shapes. Good luck! Rebecca Milham Naturopath, nutritionist and owner, The Natural Health & Wellness Clinic.

y d n Ha

s p i T

TO HEALTHY EATING By Aunty Rozzy

• Make food entertaining through song and dance. Try singing along with Aunty Rozzy’s fun and catchy songs such as Nanna’s Carrots or dance with them to The Brocco Rock. You will find that by making healthy food a fun experience, your children will have a more positive approach to eating their vegies and fruit. • Engage your children by taking them shopping. Let them choose a different fruit or vegetable to try. By involving them in the process, they will have a sense of ownership, which helps create a stronger interest in what they are eating. • Educate children by giving them their own vegie patch in the garden where they can grow, water and look after their own plants. Make it fun by designing herbs that spell out their name. They’ll love being part of the process. • Bring the children into the kitchen and teach them to cook. Of course, you control knives and the heat, but they can help add ingredients and do some mixing. • Make eating vegetable fun by letting the kids eat them with chopsticks. Kids love a bit of a challenge. • Set a good example by eating your vegetables. Children look to their parents and older siblings as role models so you have to practice what you preach. • Remember to keep it fun, simple and tasty! Keep your kids happy and don’t be too serious. You want mealtime to be an enjoyable experience for everyone.

Aunty Rozzy is one of Australia’s much-loved kids’ “edutainers”. Together with her sidekicks Perry the Parrot and Harriette the Rabbit, she is doing her part in the vegie revolution by providing a fun way to encourage healthy eating. www.auntyrozzy.com

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PUBLIC SERVICES

Before Starting School

SUPPORT ON THE PENINSULA

ChildFIRST

ChildFIRST Frankston Mornington Peninsula is the central entry point for all enquiries and referrals to Family Solutions. Family Solutions programs include: Family support, child and family counselling, social support groups, parenting groups, parenting strategies, and volunteer and mentoring support programs. Family Solutions ChildFIRST Frankston Mornington Peninsula on 1300 721 383. A ChildFIRST intake worker will answer the call

Early Childhood Intervention Services (ECIS) support children with a disability or developmental delay from birth to school entry and their families. Phone: 1300 720 151 Office: 8765 5600 Fax: 8765 5784 Email: ecis.intake.sevr@edumail.vic.gov.au

LIVING WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM Resource Support Group Parents and carers supporting each other. Exploring own skills and wisdom, an opportunity to discover and share new tools.

Support agencies for children with

Where: Wallaroo Community Centre, 6 Wallaroo Place, Hastings. When: Mondays: 9.30-11.30am every 4th Monday of the month Contact: Gaye Hart on 5971 9444. Parentzone is a newletter produced by Anglicare each quarter. It contains a long list of supports for peninsula families. Go to: www.anglicarevic.org.au and click on “newsletters”.

Special Needs

SUPPORTIVE ACTIVITIES BAM ALL STARS Phone: Lisa 0425 721 848 Special Olympics Victoria Phone: Adine Neill, 5978 5250 or 0407 046 916.

BETTER START

By Megan Ingram

•A Medicare rebate for the development of a treatment and management plan for eligible children up to the age of 13 •Medicare rebates for up to four allied health diagnostic/ assessment services for eligible children under the age of 13, the results of which contribute to the development of the treatment and management plan, and Medicare rebates for up to 20 relevant allied health services in total for each eligible child under the age of 15 provided the treatment and management plan is in place before the age of 13. Facebook groups Smart apps for special needs Resources for special needs children and their mums Our Rainbow Kids – Parents of children with autism. – Heidi Wombat

k c e Ch e thes ! ou t 76

Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2015

Peninsula Speech Pathology Services

HELPING CHILDREN WITH AUTISM PACKAGE (HCWA) •Up to four diagnostic assessment sessions with a private speech pathologist, occupational therapist and/or psychologist. The sessions are in total and shared across the relevant professionals. An initial consultation with a paediatrician is required so that the necessary Medicare item is generated for the rebate to be claimed. •Following diagnosis, the child is eligible for 20 funded individual treatment sessions with a private speech pathologist, occupational therapist and/or psychologist. Again this requires a paediatrician or psychiatrist to register the diagnosis under a specific Medicate item number so the sessions can be claimed. These rebates can only be used once in the child’s lifetime (not per calendar year), must be written by the child’s 13th birthday and used by the child’s 15th birthday.

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PAEDIATRIC DEVELOPMENT AND BEHAVIOURAL ISSUES OUTPATIENTS – PENINSULA HEALTH REFERRAL: 97847044

AFTER STARTING SCHOOL Speech pathologists, psychologists and social workers operate in schools but arrangements vary. Contact your school for more information.

Paediatric clinic for vulnerable children with behavioural and developmental issues. Located at Hastings Community Centre.

ADVICE FROM A LOCAL MUM After Milla was diagnosed with ASD, one of the first support groups I visited was “My Time” at Biala Peninsula. My Time is a really informal gathering for parents of children with additional needs. There is a facilitator to answer questions, help you with resources, or even just make you a coffee and lend you a shoulder to cry on. There are activities set up both inside and outside for the kids, and a play helper who supervises and supports them. There are also two online support groups on

Facebook that I have found extremely helpful.

Peninsula ASD Meet and Support Mothers Group: www.facebook.com/groups/ ASDMothersSupportGroup/ and Mornington Peninsula Autism Support: www.facebook.com/ groups/358589810850358/ Both of these groups provide a “safe” place to vent frustrations, seek advice, share resources, and also organise regular social meetings. – Jane Flynn www.almostjane.com.au

MENTAL HEALTH CARE PLAN The Mental Health Care Plan is an option available to anybody with a diagnosis of a specific mental health disorder. Examples include anxiety, depression, conduct disorders, sleep problems, and ADHD. The program provides: •10 sessions of individual therapy with a psychologist, occupational therapist, social worker or psychiatrist. •10 sessions of group therapy with a a psychologist, occupational therapist, social worker or psychiatrist.

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PRIVATE SERVICES FROM BIRTH ONWARD To find private providers from paediatricians to allied health providers, see the National Health Service Directory at: www.nhsd.com.au There is also an app available through the Apple store or Google.

MEDICARE REBATES CHRONIC DISEASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM Your GP will determine if you are eligible and, if so, coordinate a Team Care Plan and referral for relevant allied health services. This program provides: •Maximum of five services in total (not per health professional) per patient per calendar year. The services are eligible for a Medicare rebate.

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www.peninsulakids.com.au

10 Secrets

for creating strong parenting and a happy family life Secret #1 Have a parenting framework that creates a strong parenting partnership Never let your children split you as parents. The majority of parent disagreements are about how to discipline children; this means parents sometimes blame each other when a child behaves badly, or they abdicate from parenting and leave it to the other parent or they “parent parallel”, which means they both do their own thing when guiding the children. You must have a united front as parents. This means agreeing to support each other, being aware of your parenting beliefs and using the same strategies at least 30 per cent of the time. Strong parents don’t let children come between them by playing one off against the other.

Secret #2 Set time aside each week with your partner to talk about your parenting, relationship and family life. Get away from the business of life to talk to each other about what matters most to your family and how you can achieve it. This is the simplest and most effective way to parent purposefully.

Secret #3 Plan a family discussion or family meeting that includes the children. This can be sitting around a table or something more casual like a walk and talk with older children. Discuss family plans and issues in a way that provides teachable moments and shared problem-solving. Even if your children are very little you can talk to them about what is important to you as well as your values. Do this by casually commenting and including children in your thoughts and discussion about what you want in life.

Secret #4 Invest in your relationship. Invest in your relationship so that the partnership lasts longer than raising the children. This sounds a bit harsh but consider the statistics that 40 per cent of relationships fail, 20 per cent simply live together without satisfying relationship, and 20 per cent separate. Turn that around and see that only 20 per cent of marriages go the distance. Sadly many parents strive to make their children happy and sacrifice their own happiness, which causes resentment and anger if adult needs go unmet. Some couples stop taking care of each other believing that caring for the children is enough. When this happens, parents sometimes find themselves empty and unhappy, emotions that can erode the quality of family life. Always remember happiness between parents creates security and certainty, which provides a strong foundation for both child development and a wonderful family life. Loving each other will teach your children concepts like loyalty, acceptance, love for life, and problem-solving. Remember that your daughter or son will be a lover one day so create a healthy pattern for them to follow.

Secret #5. Develop a mutual agreement in parenting. When both parents are involved in parenting, both the relationship and the children benefit. As much as possible they need both role models of a mother and a father. This provides both masculine and feminine energy and allows children to develop more trust in the world around them. It builds self-esteem and helps children understand family values. Above all else you want to show children that you are united and on their side. Spend enough time with them so that you get to know them and they get to know 78

Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2015

By Rosie Bell

you. Make time to talk about what is important in life. Follow your child’s interests, delight in them and help them deal with emotional issues that arise. Always allow them to talk to you about their troubles and worries. Become a leader – someone your child knows they can rely on. Teach them how you make choices and decisions.

Secret #6 Discover what your children need from you at each stage of development. Doing this ensures your expectations of your children match your children’s temperament, capacity and stage of development. Tune in to what your child needs in terms of emotional support, educational, recreational and personal development. The rules and social norms of the world we live in are changing so fast children are easily confused by events and happenings in the world, and they rely on your guidance and adult wisdom. Regardless of your religion, culture or political stance, become very clear about what you want for your children. Clarify your parenting values and your parenting style and then you can work out the likely impact of the way you are raising your children on a daily basis. Does your parenting style strengthen your family or does it limit your child’s potential? You must identify your child’s temperament and how to accommodate the individual differences in your children.

Secret #7 The key to raising a successful child is being a successful influence. You must find out who you are as a person, become confident in what drives you and then you will be less confused about other people’s ideas and solutions. You must become aware to discover your own meaningful solutions that match your life’s values – not someone else’s. Then you can teach your children success principles to communicate, solve problems, make decisions and to make a contribution and get positive outcomes at school and in the community. Your children want to be worthwhile, they want to be connected and to find their own significance as they grow up. Just like us they want to belong, to be loved and to feel that they are enough. If you feel these things they most likely will too.

Secret #8 Remember children are learners in life. There are times when they may not obey, times they will follow a course different to what you want for them. This means sometimes they will not comply with what you asked of them and this makes some parents angry because many feel threatened by non-compliance in their children. You cannot force another human being to do anything. However, children do best with boundaries that allow them to make choices within acceptable limits. You don’t want to be so rigid that you win the battle but lose the war. Use consistent limits to allow your children to be involved in setting up family rules and apply logical consequences when the limits are broken. Without limits and an understanding of consequences, it is difficult for children to fit in at school, when at other people’s houses or in the community. Don’t shy away from the responsibility of teaching your children they are not dinosaurs that hatch out of eggs and hop away. They need you to teach them and help manage their emotions because it is usually emotions that are behind any behaviour. Avoid punishment that results in anger and revenge. Instead, find ways to redirect or decrease negative behaviour. Stand together as parents. This means refusing to allow your children’s behaviour to divide you. Always keep learning so you remain abreast of what is ecologically good for children and in life.

Secret #9 Accept childishness ways because they are still children. Recognise the following as childish exploration or idiosyncrasies: • Children do not think like adults. They will do weird things sometimes. Let them be kids, which means if it doesn’t hurt anyone or damage property, let them explore. Children need variety and the opportunity to experiment and be playful. • Children are learners, which means they do foolish things sometimes. Give them the freedom to learn from their mistakes. • Children do as you do without exception – not as you say. Don’t expect more from them than you are prepared to demonstrate yourself. • There is always a reason for children’s behaviour. Just like us they will do nothing that does not serve them in some way so find out what motivates them and work within their field. • They may test you to see if the boundaries you set are for real. It is your job to draw the line in the sand and stick by the boundaries you have set. Help them stay within the boundaries by providing more choice and less rigidity. Use logical consequences for misbehaviour and discuss the impact of their behaviour. In this way you help them rise up from mistakes and mischief.

Your family checklist

How well do you work together as parents? (The following checklist may serve as a guide to help understand your strengths and needs as parents)

Do you and your partner argue about the kids and do you argue about how each of you discipline differently? Would you like to change that? Do your kids play one parent against the other? Are you aware of your own parenting beliefs and can you describe them? How differently were you and your partner raised? Do these differences get in the way of how you want to parent in your own home? How can you and your partner set aside regular time for family discussions? This could happen while you are out walking or dining together. How can you make another regular time to include the children in family meetings?

• Embrace opportunities to learn with them because children often turn out to be our best teachers.

What are you prepared to do to ensure your relationship lasts longer than raising the children? How can you grow your own adult relationship?

Secret #10 A child’s behaviour is in some way a response to who they are, what they want in general and what they know and what they want from you.

Are both parents involved in parenting, and are you prepared to let go of control to develop mutual agreement, shared responsibility and cooperation?

Typically they want more security, positive reinforcement or to try and avoid something. Get to know your child, communicate often and be consistent as partners in parenting. As much as possible be available, know what you want for your family then go out and develop the support and systems you need to create a positive family life. Understand the three worst things you can be as a parent are being too mean, too weak or too gone – which includes being present but not available. Lastly take care of yourself and build confidence in yourself as a person. Then you will be able to guide your children through infancy, toddlerhood, middle childhood and the teenage years.

Contact Rosie Bell on 0417 939 434 Find us on Facebook at http://facebook.com/parentingmindworksprogram Website: www.seethelighttransformation.com Email: coaching@seethelighttransformation.com Address: 20 Stinson Square, Iluka, WA 6028

How do you make time to spend with each of your children? Do you know what their interests are, their favourite friend or do you know what their fears and worries are about? How do you purposefully find ways to teach your children family values and to help them understanding what is going on in the world around them? How does your parenting style differ from that of your partner? Have you ever considered your parenting style and do you understand how each different style is likely to impact on how children turn out as young adults? Can you as parents accept what is different about the temperament, ability and the confidence of each of your children? Do you have a set of family rules? Do you talk about them often and are children aware of the impact or consequences for breaching the rules? Are the children involved in rule-making? How do you encourage play in your family? Do you encourage playfulness, fun and variety? How do you provide role models for the children in the things that are important to you? How do you keep up with changes and are you able to reach out for family support? Inevitably what matters is that your children feel loved and that they trust you. Do you have deliberate strategies for making them feel secure and confident? I hope this exercise provided some insight for parents. Take a moment to reflect on your strengths as a family and recognise how valuable you are to your children. Then take stock of any areas you want to work on and decide on the actions you must take to change what will make family life even better for everyone because children are important but parents matter too. Never forget the magnitude of your role – after all, you are raising the next generation who just happen to be all of our futures.

www.peninsulakids.com.au

TREE Surfing

ENCHANTED ADVENTURE GARDEN By Lorraine Aitkens

The Enchanted Maze started from humble beginnings in 1997 with Michael and Sally Savage wanting to create a family-friendly attraction for residents of and visitors to the Mornington Peninsula. What started as a restaurant with a lovely garden and a few mazes has grown substantially over the years and continues to be one of the most successful businesses on the peninsula, even taking out the 2014 Telstra regional business of the year award. In 2013 The Enchanted Maze became Enchanted Adventure Garden after three years of planning resulting in the opening of Tree Surfing, a popular, family-orientated aerial adventure course set among eucalypt trees. Although we had visited the maze several times over the years, spending hours on the grass tube slides, getting lost in the mazes and admiring the gardens, looking at the sculptures and trying to solve the brain teasers, we had never been tree surfing as we thought the children were too young. As it turns out there are two tree surfing areas, one for the Nippers with three courses and the Grand Course, which has five courses (people taking the Grand Course must be 135cm or over). With our children measuring in at under 135cm we were kitted up with harness and helmets for the Nippers’ course. I must say at this stage the children were a bundle of nervous energy with the excitement of being able to walk and swing among the tree tops, yet realising that they would only be held by a harness and safety line while doing it. With our gear on it was time to head to the course for a quick safety briefing and to be shown how to attach to the cable. The safety system on the Nippers’ course is excellent – it’s simple and there is no clipping or unclipping to cables; it’s only a matter of sliding the start of the cable through an attachment on the harness and it doesn’t come off until the completion of each course. Not once were we worried about safety as they leapt, climbed and flew down the zip lines backwards. Surprisingly our children volunteered to go first and their confidence grew with every challenge successfully passed. It wasn’t long before they were heading down the zip line independently, ready for the next level. Course number two challenged our younger one when he became tangled on 80

Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2015

the swinging steps; he thought it was funny that one of the staff had to jump up and “save him” before continuing. Being a boy he tried to do it the unconventional way by sitting on the steps like a swing and lurching for the next one. Alas the steps twisted and he couldn’t work out how to rearrange them. After having so much fun on the Nippers’ course I couldn’t resist the temptation to try out the Grand Course with its 50 aerial activities including the Tarzan swing that drops off the platform and swings across to a cargo net, which you then climb to get to the next platform and its 100-metre zip line. The course is fun and challenging but not difficult. It was built to be family friendly and it fits the description perfectly. At one stage of the Grand Course I had a girl in front of me and she was having the time of her life. She laughed and said her mum and dad were afraid of heights. We couldn’t leave without trying the newest adventure, the “Big Zip”, a 300-metre long zip line split into two sections. The walk out to the zip line on the swing bridge is stunning. You get to see the best views of the entire maze garden from here and it’s worth the extra $10 to fly above it all. The Nippers’ session runs for an hour and the course is designed for all ages but is most suited to four- to 10-year-olds. It has very similar obstacles to the Grand Course but on a smaller scale. Children cost $29 and adults $39, which I think is pretty good value as it’s only $10 more a person above standard maze entry. The price includes full entry to the maze, use of tube slides and 3D maze. My tip is to pack a picnic and spend the whole day there. If your kids are a bit older the Grand Course may be more to their liking. The sessions run for two hours and costs a fair bit more at $59 a person but includes the use of all facilities with the exception of the Big Zip, which is an additional $10. Would I go back? Absolutely. It’s perfect for a special birthday treat and the smiles on children’s faces have remained days after visiting. The confidence they gained has got them excited about going back to tackle the Grand Course. Now they just need to grow an extra five centimetres!

www.peninsulakids.com.au

creative

Cloud Dough By Lauren Skelly

Ingredients 8 cups of flour 1 cup of baby oil Method Mix flour and oil

Bath Tub Paint By Lauren Skelly

Ingredients 1 tbls cornflour 1 tbls of bubble bath Food colouring 2 tsp water Method Mix all ingredients together 82

Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2015

MUM’S

WORD

Lauren is the mum of two gorgeous lil’ ones and loves to find simple and fun arts & craft activities to enjoy with them. She shares her ideas at themumsword.com.au or facebook.com/themumswordau

A WORLD WHERE EVERYONE PLAYS! Simply Music is the largest playing-based music education institution in the world.

The The revolutionary revolutionary Australian-developed Australian-developed Simply Simply Music Music Piano Piano program program offers offers aa breakthrough breakthrough in in music music education, education, and and has has students students playing playing great great sounding sounding contemporary, contemporary, classical, classical, gospel, gospel, blues blues and and accompaniment accompaniment pieces pieces from from their their very very first first lessons. lessons.

FREE INTRODUCTORY LESSON

Mitchell Piano Studio Ashleigh Avenue, Frankston e: info@mitchellpianostudio.com phone: 0450 354 342

Edible Sand By Lauren Skelly

Ingredients Fruit loops Biscuits or breadcrumbs Method Process fruit loops by colour

Dance has an enormous amount of benefits to childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s health. It improves your childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s co-ordination, creates lasting friendships in new surroundings and all while boosting confidence, developing motor skills, creating a love of music and most importantly it gives a glow and happiness to our students. DanceStruck has been a part of the dance community for over 20 years teaching the international Royal Academy of Dance syllabus. Our teachers are recognised industry professionals and we would love to see you at one of our classes for a FREE trial session!

P: 9558 7227

e: office@dancestruck.com w: www.dancestruck.com www.peninsulakids.com.au

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS ZONE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO KEEP THE KIDS BUSY THIS SCHOOL HOLIDAYS? WHETHER YOU’RE STUCK IN THE HOUSE OR FEEL LIKE GETTING OUT, PENINSULA KIDS HAS GOT YOU SORTED!

Magical Dough By Lauren Skelly

Ingredients 1 1/3 cup flour 1 packets of jelly 1/4 cup salt 1/2 tsp cream of tartar 1 cup of boiled water 1 1/2 tsp of oil

Peninsula Skateworld

3/2 Amayla Crescent, Carrum Downs P: 9773 6799 www.skateworld.com.au

Easter Fun Festival

Method Mix ingredients together Add boiled water and oil Mix then knead.

Lego Event Churchill Island www.penguins.org.au P: 03 5951 2882

Puffy Paint By Lauren Skelly

Dinosaur World

Step through the gates at Dinosaur World and travel back millions of years... P: 5977 3018 www.dinosaurworld.net.au

Pure Peninsula Honey Farm outlet 871 Derril Road, Moorooduc P: 5978 8413 www.purepeninsulahoney.com.au

Don’t forget to head to

www.peninsulakids.com.au for lots of other ideas.

Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2015

Ingredients 1 tbls self-raising flour Food colouring 1 tbls salt Water Method Mix ingredients together Paint as desired on thick card Microwave for 10-30 secs until puffy

Monterosso

PENINSULA Living & visiting on the Mornington Peninsula

early learning

Monterosso NOW OPEN

Monterosso Early Learning

Bringing you all the best the Peninsula has to offer

LIMITED POSITIONS AVAILABLE

LOOK OUT FOR THE FREE QUARTERLY MAGAZINE IN OUTLETS THROUGHOUT THE LOCAL AREA

Catering for children 3 yrs until school commencement Child care rebate and benefit available

1006 Mornington Flinders Road, Red Hill Ph: 5989 3158

email: monterossoel@hotmail.com

www.peninsulaessence.com.au

‘Lessons come from the journey’ Dromana College is a school which allows students to develop and fulfil their potential. An exceptional academic learning environment is built on offering a range of diverse learning experiences. With outstanding facilities, a committed professional staff and a caring school community, students are challenged to explore their interests and use their talents to achieve their best.

A high performing provider of education on the Mornington Peninsula

Open Night Wednesday 22 April at 7:00pm

• Outstanding VCE results; consistently the highest performing local school • Single gender classes for the core subjects of Mathematics and English • Select entry academic enhancement program (LEAP) • Comprehensive Digital Learning Program including Laptop & iPad • Purpose built Language Centre auspice by RMIT University • Accredited International School • Performing Arts Centre, Design Centre • International Sister Schools Program and study tours • Elite coaching programs including Basketball and Cycling • Instrumental music tuition including voice, piano and brass • Monash University Mentoring Program • Diverse and engaging extra curricula events • High expectations of all students • A clear and consistent code of conduct for all students • A uniform policy that we insist upon as part of your commitment to us

For further information and personalised tours please contact the college on 03 5987 2805

110 Harrisons Rd Dromana 3936 (entry via Old White Hill Rd) • E: Dromana.sc@edumail.vic.gov.au • W: www.dsc.vic.edu.au

RE S PONSIBILIT Y, RESP E CT, I NTE G R I TY , P E R S O NAL B E S T www.peninsulakids.com.au

education

Mornington 03 59 761022 | www.paduakindergarten.com.au | info@paduakindergarten.com.au 86

Peninsula Kids â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Autumn 2015

DEAR TEACHER... March 5, 2015

Dear Ms Smith I am not from around here. I mean, I am, but I haven’t always been. And while, for eight years, I have been adjusting to the ways of living in a different country, after 30 years elsewhere some things aren’t so easy to reprogram. The lady that bore me…she’s my mom. During my childhood when I had baby dolls and I spoke to them and they spoke to me they called me Mommy. So please excuse me for drawing a little arc over the U when you send my daughter home with a Mother’s day card for mum. I know you meant well, but, but…that’s just not my name. I remember when Pankil arrived at our elementary school, (er, um – primary school), and we made fun of his accent, pronunciations and how he spelt, (spelled), things different. It wasn’t until I was a teenager and began to travel abroad that I realis(z)ed the error of my ways. He was doing everything correct for where he was from. And just because you might say something one way and I say them another that doesn’t make either wrong. ..or right…or wrong. We spend a large portion of our child-rearing putting particular attention toward teaching them right from wrong. In doing this, it is also important to explain the shades of grey residing between these two polarities. I would feel really bad for my kids if they were criticis(z)ed on the way they speak or spell. (I didn’t purposely meet that cool guy on the net from Australia and fall in love. It just happened. Sorry future children!) They are dual citizens and I work at great lengths making them understand how fantastic that is for them. That although cultures vary it is important to respect all of them. So when daddy offers to put to-mah-toes on their dinner plate and mommy offers to-may-toes it’s all good! They are equally delicious and ultimately the same. I worry I’ll get called in to the dean’s office. I worry my blood pressure will rise when the kids come home with red marks up and down their papers because I correct their homework and keep forgetting to put U’s into words that I was taught not to. (For more examples of how I can screw up the kids please see chart 1.1 for total confusion.) Please be patient with me. And with my child. We’re all still learning. In the meantime, be on the lookout for me at the supermarket – I’ll be the one at the deli counter holding up the line while I convert grams to ounces in my head. Oh, the heck with it! Just give me ten slices! Sincerely

Melissa Kershes

WHAT ARE HEAD LICE? Head lice are small insects that live in hair. They also lay eggs in hair. By Angela Kelly

WHY DO LICE LIKE HAIR? Lice are a nuisance because they can make the head really itchy. They like to live in hair because they can feed on the old, dry skin on your head and they can also lay their eggs in hair. A louse (the singular of lice) cannot jump or fly. Instead it uses its claws to cling to hair so tightly that it cannot be shaken off.

WHAT ARE NITS? Baby lice grow inside eggs and while the babies are inside the eggs, they are called nits.

A LOUSE HAS SIX LEGS WITH A CLAW AT THE END OF EACH

A BABY LOUSE HATCHES FROM ITS EGG ABOUT EIGHT DAYS AFTER THE EGG IS LAID, AND THEN NINE TO 12 DAYS LATER IT BEGINS TO LAY EGGS.

HEAD LICE GLUE EACH EGG TO A HAIR. THEY FAVOUR THE HAIR BEHIND THE EARS AND NECK.

HEAD LICE LIVE IN BOTH CLEAN AND DIRTY HAIR.

What Do I Need? • Any type of hair conditioner, including generic home brands. Using white hair conditioner may make it easier to see head lice.

• A metal, fine-toothed nit comb (available from most pharmacies).

What To Do • Apply plenty of hair conditioner to the dry hair until it is saturated. • Comb through with an ordinary comb or brush to remove tangles. • Section and comb the hair thoroughly with the nit comb in four directions – forward, backward, left and right. • Wipe the comb on a white paper towel to check the dark adult lice or paler hatchlings (young lice) are being removed. You may need to use a magnifying glass and a strong light to see lice and eggs. • Continue combing the hair in sections until the whole head has been checked.

se Has Once The Lou e Empty Egg Hatched, Th Glued To The Shell Is Left our. White In Col Hair And Is

HOW DO PEOPLE GET HEAD LICE? Usually people catch head lice from someone else who has them. Head lice can move very quickly from one person’s head to another, so in school and at home head lice can spread very fast.

HOW CAN I GET RID OF HEAD LICE? If you have head lice, special shampoos, olive oil or hair conditioner can be used to kill the live lice. These products stop lice from breathing. Once lice have been killed, they can be combed out with a nit comb. The hair must be treated every two or three days for a week so that newly hatched lice can be killed.

HOW DO I TREAT HEAD LICE? Head lice can be removed by applying plenty of hair conditioner to dry hair and then combing to remove live lice and eggs. The conditioner makes it hard for the lice to move and traps them in the teeth of the comb. The conditioner also detangles hair, making combing easier.

WHY DOES THE TREATMENT TAKE 10 DAYS?

Eggs generally hatch 7 to 10 days after being laid on the hair shaft (the part of your hair closest to the scalp). The 10-day treatment period helps break the reproductive cycle of head lice. Even if only one or two adult lice are missed, they can lay about 6 eggs a day, and the cycle of outbreaks will continue. Combing out new hatchlings every 1 to 2 days also means they cannot lay further eggs, which can happen about a week after hatching.

• Some eggs will be removed by combing but you may need to use your fingernails to remove as many eggs as possible from the base of the hair shaft near the scalp. Hatchlings that emerge from missed eggs will be removed by combing with conditioner over the 10-day period. Only eggs within 1cm of the scalp will hatch. Eggs that have grown further out with the hair shaft will have already hatched or died. • When you have finished checking, rinse the conditioner out and dry the hair. • Repeat this process every 1 to 2 days over the 10-day treatment period. To save time during a school week, consider this combing schedule: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday. • Check the waste material you comb out for adult head lice each day after combing. If any are found, this indicates a new outbreak and you will need to start again from day 1, as new eggs may have been laid by the adult lice. • Check for head lice once a week for at least 4 weeks after you complete the 10-day treatment. You may wish to do this on the weekend when you have more time. Applying plenty of hair conditioner makes combing easier and more effective. • Check all other household members for head lice and treat as necessary.

Insecticide treatments Three groups of insecticide (chemicals used to kill or control insects) have been shown to be effective and safe for head lice. They are permethrin, pyrethrin and malathion. Some other treatments may not have been properly tested and may be ineffective, expensive or even unsafe. Check the product labels for active ingredients. Warning: To avoid adverse reactions, the following people should not routinely use insecticide head lice treatments: • Babies under 6 months. • People with asthma, epilepsy, insecticide allergies, scalp conditions or very sensitive skin. • Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Key points about insecticides • No insecticide is guaranteed to kill all eggs. Eggs not killed or removed manually will hatch 7 to 10 days after being laid.

• Following insecticide treatment, remove as many remaining eggs as possible with your fingernails. Use a magnifying glass in strong light, and concentrate on live eggs, which are found within 1 cm of the scalp. • If insecticide alone is used, it should be applied on days 1, 7 and 14 to kill any hatchlings before they lay more eggs. However, if after the first insecticide treatment the 10-day conditioner method is used, there is no need for the second and third insecticide treatments. www.peninsulakids.com.au

#valuechildhood Campus locations

At Woodleigh School we know that the experience of childhood is unique, special and fleeting. That’s why our youngest students grow up in an expertly staffed environment where exploration and play are core to the curriculum, responsible risk taking is encouraged and children develop as individuals and grow as a group. Search Woodleigh ECC and see what a Woodleigh education can offer your child. #valuechildhood

WOODLEIGH CAMPUS 7-12 MINIMBAH CAMPUS ECC-6

PENBANK CAMPUS ECC-6

MINIMBAH CAMPUS: 3yo ECC - Y6 3 Minimbah Court, Frankston South t 03 9788 6488 e minimbah@woodleigh.vic.edu.au PENBANK CAMPUS: 3yo ECC - Y6 460 Mornington-Tyabb Road, Moorooduc t 03 5978 8425 e penbank@woodleigh.vic.edu.au WOODLEIGH CAMPUS: Year 7 - 12 485 Golf Links Road, Langwarrin South t 03 5971 6100 e office@woodleigh.vic.edu.au

Three Unique Campuses. One Shared Vision. The best in contemporary coeducation, from Early Childhood to VCE. Visit our website to see our creative curriculum in action, discover our student successes and understand why Woodleigh is A SCHOOL of INDEPENDENT THOUGHT.

MINIMBAH – ECC-Y6 • PENBANK – ECC-Y6 • WOODLEIGH – Y7-12

Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2015

woodleigh.vic.edu.au

Want to know whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s on for families?

Offering quality educational programs for 3 and 4 year olds. Enrolments now open for 2016 via Mornington Peninsula Shire website:

JOIN OUR MAILING LIST! Sign up to our free newsletter to get regular updates on events and things to do with kids on the Mornington Peninsula.

www.peninsulakids.com.au

www.mornpen.vic.gov.au 32 Amelia Avenue, Mornington.

E e ew ng g AT N iti han T ST c c E ex e W A AR nu O ST ve N G IN

A new event is coming to the Mornington Peninsula!

Please call 59753300 to arrange a tour.

MARCH 15 2015

MORNING STAR ESTATE|MT ELIZA A celebration of the Peninsulaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bays and its world-class marine and land-based produce.

info@grazethebays.com.au

www.grazethebays.com.au www.peninsulakids.com.au

MONTESSORI Do you want your child challenged to their full potential? Take advantage of your child’s

‘most precious years’

when their minds are so capable and they have a thirst for knowledge. Education focus with a broad Montessori curriculum encompassing literature, maths, science, culture, arts, music, dance and sports promoting a well-rounded learning experience. Core values are an integral part of our program encouraging courtesy, kindness and respect. Great indoor and outdoor environments with large natural playgrounds. Be a part of the Piccolos family developing friendships and enjoy some great social activities with other families. Cycle 1 Montessori provides a solid foundation for school readiness and develops a ‘love of learning’ for life. Montessori Long Day Care / Kindergarten 7:30am – 6:30pm Ages: 2.5 to 6 years Government rebates apply 118 Overport Road, Frankston South Phone 03 97876730 to visit our school.

Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2015

Point Nepean National Park EXPLORING QUARANTINE STATION AND FORT NEPEAN WITH CHILDREN. By Lorraine Aitken

Point Nepean is a place to get lost in thought, a place of rich history, stunning scenery and a brilliant place to take children to learn and explore. Here you can discover the buildings at Quarantine Station; look at tunnels, forts and gun emplacements at Fort Nepean; cycle or hike the many trails; picnic overlooking the water next to the croquet club; or just watch the ships pass through Port Phillip Heads. For anyone that hasn’t visited Point Nepean for a while you will notice that the visitor information centre is now in the administration building at the Quarantine Station. Often people miss the turn-off to the Quarantine Station when driving so make sure you keep a look out for the side road (Danson Drive). Getting around Point Nepean couldn’t be easier with gravel walking and cycling paths from the first car park all the way to the Cheviot Hill bus stop where you continue on asphalt to Fort Pearce. The last 800 metres is walking or bus only with bicycle stands located at this point. The total distance from the first car park is 5.2km one way or 2.7km if you park at Gunners Cottage (the last parking area) although I think starting from the Quarantine Station is the best option especially with children. We rode from the first car park and found the gravel track to be quite slippery going up and over the sand dunes but once you get to the Quarantine Station it flattens out until you get back on the asphalt. The other option is to board the hop-on hop-off bus that stops at six locations including the first car park. Tickets cost $10 adults, $7.50 concession/child and are purchased from the driver. Bikes can be hired from the info centre for $28.80 each, which gets you a good-quality mountain bike for the day. While there, pick up a self-guided brochure or hire an audio tour iPod for $13.20. If you have an iPod, download the tour free of charge from iTunes or from the Parks Victoria website. With kids I suggest keeping it simple and picking up a Kid’s Discovery Trail sheet where they can find answers to all of questions in the park. Pens and pencils are not provided so take some.

and was used for quarantine purposes until 1979 and closed in 1980. It was also used as a cadet school from 1952-85 and as the School of Army Health from 1985-98. In 1999 the buildings were used to accommodate Kosovo refugees. As you can see it has a very long history and the buildings really tell the story. With about 50 heritage listed buildings here there are four you can enter and look around, including the disinfecting building, the hospital, boiler house and part of the administration building. The beach is accessible here, although swimming is not recommended due to strong currents and proximity to The Heads. Further along Coles Bay track (cycling) or Defence Rd (driving) you come to Gunners Cottage, from here it’s onto Cheviot Hill, Harold Holt memorial, Eagles Nest, Fort Pearce, Pearce Barracks and Fort Nepean at the tip of the park, which is considered one of the best examples in Australia of a major fort complex. The area is significant for its military history and was the site of the first shot fired by the Allies in both the first and second world wars. Here you can walk the tunnels, feel how cool they are and imagine what it may have been like to have worked and lived here during the war years. Explore the trails that lead to observation points, gun emplacements, upper barracks and trolley tracks, parade ground, engine house and more. Children may or may not like exploring the tunnels. One of our children was scared by the darkness and an automated voice that talks about the history of the tunnels but our other child thought it was brilliant and wanted to find all of the tunnels. All children we saw loved riding bikes around the park, running around the lawns and enjoying an ice cream from the info centre. Overall, Point Nepean National Park is a perfect spot to visit whether you’re going for a picnic lunch, viewing Port Phillip or Bass Strait, cycling or walking coastal trails, looking at flora and fauna, exploring the history of the Boonwurrung people or finding out about Victoria’s early quarantine and defence history. The experience you get out of it is totally up to you.

(More pictures next page)

First up on the tour is the Quarantine Station, which was established in 1852 www.peninsulakids.com.au

POINT NEPEAN IS A PLACE TO GET LOST IN THOUGHT, A PLACE OF RICH HISTORY, STUNNING SCENERY AND A BRILLIANT PLACE TO TAKE CHILDREN TO LEARN AND EXPLORE.

Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2015

New Season

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rock your baby

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plus loads more

bentons square shopping centre, shop 21/210 dunns road, mornington 3931, vic (03) 5975 4350 treehouserepublic.com.au

POP UP ESSENTIALS

Kiddies Essenials Kiddies Essenials

Pop Up Essentials is a showcase of local businesses, showing the community who POP UP ofESSENTIALS they are and what they do. A showcase local small businesses showing the POP UP ESSENTIALS

MARKET DAY EVERY THURSDAY

community who they are and what they do.

A showcase of local small businesses showing Every Thursday is Market Day in store the P lease change wording look the community( who they areany and whattothey do.best )

Every Thursday is Market Day in store

Benton Square Shopping Centre Shop 19/210 Dunns Road Mornington

Tanya Graham 0412 755 546 tanya@kiddiesessentials.com.au ( P lease change any wording to look the best ) facebook.com/KiddiesEssentials

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Books

Reviews The Last Thirteen #12: 2

Blue Lily, Lily Blue

Square Eyes (with CD)

by James Phelan, 10-12yrs, Scholastic, p/b, $14.99

by Maggie Stiefvater, 14+yrs, Scholastic, h/b, $24.99

by Craig Smith, 2-6yrs, Scholastic, p/b, $16.99

With the final countdown now only days away, Sam and Eva must brave the dangers of Antarctica to rescue Alex, and find the 12th Dreamer and Gear. An impossible, amazing discovery underneath the ice will bring them all closer to the end of the race, but with betrayal on every side, how can they make it out alive? Sam must unite the last 13. Time is running out.

Blue Sargent has found things. For the first time in her life she has friends she can trust, a group to which she can belong. The Raven Boys have taken her in as one of their own. Their problems have become hers and her problems have become theirs. The trick with found things, though, is how easily they can be lost. Friends can betray. Mothers can disappear. Visions can mislead. Certainties can unravel.

Panda and his friends sit inside on the couch all day, glued to the TV screen or multi-screening with tablets, too, so in this fun song, singer–songwriter Smith encourages them to get up, get outdoors and exercise. From Craig Smith, creator of the phenomenally successful Wonky Donkey, is another hugely popular song for kids and now in picture book format.

Knockabout Cricket

Wheelnuts! #2: Spooky Smackdown

Tom Gates Absolutely Brilliant Big Book of Fun Stuff

by Knife & Packer, 7-10yrs, Scholastic, p/b, $12.99

by Liz Pichon, 9+yrs, Scholastic, h/b, $14.99

Six crazy cars, five outlandish courses, one winner – buckle up for Wheelnuts, the craziest race on earth. Eccentric billionaire Warren “Wheelie” Wheelnut has decided to mount the biggest, maddest, most off-the-scale competition ever. Themes include teamwork, practical jokes and humour, racing and competition. Includes full-colour illustrations throughout and 20 awesome stickers.

The Absolutely Brilliant Big Book of Fun Stuff is a must-have for all Tom Gates fans. Packed with drawing guides, fun games, brilliant puzzles and perfect pranks to play on older siblings, this is the annual everyone will want.

by Neridan McMullin, 6-8yrs, One Day Hill, h/b, $24.99 In the 1860s the game of cricket was hugely popular and often played between neighbouring pastoral stations in western Victoria. One day at Pine Hills Station, a tall Aboriginal boy steps out from the phalaris grass and joins in a game. He shows them all how to play the game with skill, grace and flair. Fifteen years before Test cricket began, Johnny Mullagh became a true sporting legend, his feats making him one of Australia’s first international cricket stars.

Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2015

The Farmer in the Dell (with CD) by the Topp Twins, 2-6yrs, Scholastic, p/b, $16.99 Another rollicking singalong with the Topp Twins. This favourite traditional children’s song is sung in schools and preschools around the country (and sometimes in the car on family holidays). Swing and singalong with the incomparable Topp Twins, while enjoying the hilariously illustrations by Jenny Cooper.

Australia’s Great War: 1915 by Sally Murphy, 9+yrs, Scholastic, p/b, $16.99 When Australia throws its support behind Britain in its fight against Germany, young teacher Stan Moore is one of the first to join up, swapping the classroom for adventure in Europe. But the 11th Battalion is sent with the newly formed Anzac Corp to Gallipoli where Stan is confronted by the hard lessons of war. Though conditions are dismal and death is everywhere, so is the humour and bravery that is the true spirit of Anzac.

TombQuest #1: Book of the Dead by Michael Northrop, 8-12yrs, Scholastic, p/b, $7.99 Nothing can save Alex Sennefer’s life. That’s what all the doctors say, but his mother knows it’s not true. She knows that the Lost Spells of the Egyptian Book of the Dead can crack open a door to the afterlife and pull her son back from the brink. But when she uses the spells, five evil ancients – the Death Walkers – are also brought back to life. An ancient evil has been unleashed. Mummies are awakening. New York is overrun with scorpions. And worst of all for Alex, his mum and the Lost Spells have both disappeared. He and his best friend Ren will do anything to find his mum and save the world, even if this means going head-to-head with a Death Walker who has been plotting his revenge for 3000 years.

Embassy Row #1: All Fall Down by Ally Carter, 12+yrs, Scholastic, h/b, $19.99 Grace Blakely is absolutely certain of three things: she is not crazy, her mother was murdered and some day she is going to find the killer and make them pay. As certain as Grace is about these facts, nobody else believes. Everybody wants her to put on a pretty dress and a pretty smile, blocking out all her unpretty thoughts. But they can’t control Grace – no more than Grace can control what she knows or what she needs to do. On Embassy Row, the countries of the world stand like dominoes – and one wrong move can make them all fall down.

Secret Agent Derek ‘Danger’ Dale and the Case of the Really, REALLY Scary Things by Michael Gerard Bauer, 8+yrs, Omnibus Books, p/b, $12.99 Evil Doctor Evil MacEvilness is at it again. With his new evil device he’s using people’s own nightmares against them. To defeat him, Secret Agent Derek Danger Dale will have to overcome humankind’s greatest fears. But is Derek really prepared for the horrors that await him in the Four Rooms of Getting Scarier and Scarier? Danger Dale knows he has nothing to fear but fear itself – and that’s what he’s afraid of.

y a aw

One lucky reader will win a prize pack of all the reviewed books valued at more than $130. To enter, visit

www. peninsulakids. com.au/ giveaways/

WIN

e v i G SPECIAL MOTHER’S DAY! New from international bestselling picture-book author and illustrator Nick Bland, creator of the ABIA awardwinning The Very Cranky Bear. Features hilarious and heart-warming illustrations of animal mums, from loud hippos and plunging polar bears to softly singing whales. SCHOLASTIC PRESS | HARDBACK PICTURE AGES 3+ | $16.99

10 copies to give away!

ADVENTURE AWAITS! WIN a family pass to Enchanted Adventure Garden.

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Go to www.peninsulakids.com.au/giveaways to WIN one of these fabulous prizes. www.peninsulakids.com.au

LEARN TO SWIM AT

KINGS

Children’s Learn To Swim Specialists Over 30 years experience teaching kids to swim on the Peninsula! •Baby Play 3 - 6 months • Parent & Child 6 months - 3 years • Independent from 3 years • Squad • Fitness Squad • Kings Swim Club

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www.kingswim.com.au

1300 054 647

ENINSULA KID P S M A G A Z I N E

n o i t i d E r e t n 5 i 1 w 0 2 e n ju To secure your place contact Miriam Doe 0421 085 974 Download our media kit at www.peninsulakids.com.au/advertise-with-us www.facebook.com/MorningtonPeninsulaKids

Springfree takes

Safety to the edge!

Visit us in store and get

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Melbourne, come and bounce on the World’s Safest Trampoline at our Experience Centre today and receive an official Springfree Ball when you mention Peninsula Kids*

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Centre Rd

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1800 586 772

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672 Warrigal Road, Oakleigh South, Victoria, 3167