Volume 7
Contents Regulars
5 Stay in touch The latest news, products and ideas for families. 46 Quick and easy recipes Make fond family memories with these classic Fairy recipes.
Travel 12 The best Aussie farm stays Escape to the country with these charming rural retreats. 17 Pet-friendly holiday parks Your furry family members are welcome additions at these holiday parks. 22 Dog travel checklist What to pack for your next holiday with pooch.
Stay in t he loop
by subscribing to our enewsletter, full of travel news, tips & tricks, competitions, hot deals and more.
17
Education 25 How to raise a reader Foster a love of books from an early age with these simple steps.
Tips & tricks 31 How to celebrate Father’s Day this year Some creative ways to spoil dad on his special day. 36 Getting real with our feelings Author and creative couch shares advice on how to have more open communication with your kids. 40 Pet separation anxiety tips Tips for adjusting to new routines with doggo – without the stress. 44 Apps for pet parents The best downloads to make your life (and your pet’s) easier. Cover image © Shutterstock/Maria Symchych Above image © Shutterstock/Pawle
~ LETTER FROM THE EDITOR ~
While global travel remains off the map, why not take the time to experience everything that is great in your own backyard? There has certainly never been a better time to slow down and breath in the country air, which is why we have rounded up the most charming farm stays around Australia for your family to experience a slice of rural life. Does pooch need a holiday too? Check out the holiday parks around the country that cater for four-legged family members – we’ve even included a dog travel checklist, so you know exactly what to pack. If you are gradually making the move from working from home back to the office – or simply have adopted a new furry friend recently – we share some tips on how to avoid pet separation anxiety and list the best apps for pet parents. With Father’s Day around the corner, this year we will all need to be extra creative to come up with exciting ways to celebrate. From premium steak delivery to beer tasting from the comfort of home, these ideas will have dad smiling from ear to ear. In this issue, we also chat to the writer of The Lockdown Blues, Penelope Jane Jones, about how to have more open conversations with your kids about feelings, divulge three classic Fairy recipes that have been passed down through generations and reveal the simple steps you can take at an early age to foster a love of books in your little one. Stay safe and happy reading!
Natarsha Brow n and the team at HWK
@holidayswithkids
@holidayswkids
3 familymattersbyhwk.com.au
familymattersbyhwk.com.au CEO & Group Editor Cathy Wagstaff cathywagstaff@signaturemedia.com.au Editor General Manager Publisher Head Designer Digital Managers Guest Contributor
Natarsha Brown Tina-Louise Jackson Cara Wagstaff Gemma Kightly Samantha Rowntree, Lisa Wagstaff Penelope Jane Jones
Business Development Managers Colleen Hinch, Nicola McClean, Howard Shaw, Virginia Shirley Advertising Enquiries sales@signaturemedia.com.au General Enquiries admin@signaturemedia.com.au +61 2 9406 4400 Subscriptions subscriptions@signaturemedia.com.au Family Matters is published under the Holidays with Kids umbrella. Holidays with Kids is Australia’s #1 multi-platform family travel network, reaching more than 900,000 Australian families each quarter. Our portfolio includes Caravan & Camping with Kids, Ski & Snowboard with Kids and The LUXE Edit.
Published by Signature Media PO Box 1825 Chatswood NSW 2057 Australia
A ray of hope The Australian Reptile Park has welcomed nine koala joeys into its conservation breeding program this season – the first newborns since the devastating summer bushfires. Koalas are on track to become extinct in the wild in New South Wales well before 2050 without urgent intervention, so this ray of hope comes at a crucial time for our native wildlife. Located on the Central Coast, the park is currently open to visitors.
h c u o t n i S tay The latest news, products and ideas for families.
Glamping with The Ritz Add a little extra adventure to your next stay in WA’s capital by spending a night under the stars with The Ritz-Carlton, Perth’s Night Safari. The in-room glamping experience includes a safari-style tent, special Ritz Kids amenities and a premium mattress and bedding.
© Adam Bryce
A taste of trans-Tasman travel New Zealand has officially launched the trans-Tasman travel zone… virtually, that is. The Land of the Long White Cloud is inviting Aussies to experience its exciting sights and sounds on PLAY NZ, a content hub taking online visitors through the country’s most popular travel hotspots in video game-style, guided by Kiwi celebrity Julina Dennison.
Water fun for everyone Do your kids love all things sunshine and splashin’? Oaks Sunshine Coast Oasis Resort has welcomed back travellers with the launch of an expansive new water park. Located on-site and spanning 500 square metres, the heated multilevel play area offers a splashtacular host of activities including interactive fountains, three water slides and a fun-filled splashdown zone.
6 familymattersbyhwk.com.au
Dream course for sports lovers The brand-new ‘Train Like a Bomber’ course being offered to schools all over Oz is a dream for many sports-loving students, who will get to learn all about the life of an athlete as part of the curriculum. Designed by Leaders of Evolution and the Essendon Football Club, the program is available for trial now.
Explore with Dora from home Did you know this August marks the 20th anniversary of Nickelodeon’s beloved Latina heroine, Dora the Explorer? To celebrate, kids can join Miss Marquez and her friends on amazing adventures with an array of activity sheets, educational games and yummy recipes. Click here to download a range of Dora-themed activities
© James Horan
Parrtjima to go ahead The rescheduled Parrtjima festival – the only Aboriginal light festival of its kind – will take place between 11 and 20 September 2020 in Alice Springs, with a new program of exciting installations, music, workshops, talks and more.
12 holiday parks the whole family will love this Winter With standard powered sites reduced to $28 and 30% off cabins, ensuite powered and premium powered sites for stays of 3 nights or more. Visit holidayhaven.com.au/hot-deals for more information.
holidayhaven.com.au Camping | Caravan & RV | Safari Tents | Cabins
Join the mission From a deep-dive into underwater robotics to a scavenger hunt across Australia and live panel discussions, the Sydney Science Trail is bringing budding scientists a host of virtual expeditions to explore from the comfort of home. Starting this National Science Week and running from 15 August to 15 September, kids aged five to 15 years (and their adult friends) can learn about the Earth, plants, animals, technology, space and much more by registering here.
You come and relax... we’ll wear the kids out!
Mowbray Park Farm
Just 1 hour from Sydney, 9km from Picton NSW
Kids under 2 stay for free!
Animal nursery • Pony & Horse rides • Hay rides • Campfires • Cow milking (it’s from where?) • Collect the eggs • Crack a whip... • Pool, tennis, canoes, archery & much more fully catered / self-cater / camping / day visits / short breaks / weddings / events
Days of fun for everyone, this is life in the country www.farmstayholidays.com.au mowbray@farmstayholidays.com.au 745 Barkers Lodge Road Picton NSW P: (02) 46809243
Travel
Stay inspired for future holiday plans, explore the world through virtual travel experiences and more.
Image Š Curringa Farm
Slice of
rural life
Breath in the country air on a picture-perfect retreat to one of these charming Aussie farm stays.
01 © Unsplash/Adalia Botha 02 & 03 Bunyip Springs Maidenwell © Tourism & Events Queensland 02
Bunyip Springs Farm Stay Maidenwall, QLD Trade in the hustle and bustle of the city for a couple of nights in the bush at Bunyip Springs Farm Stay. The 251 hectares are home to a large array of farm animals: kids will adore leading and feeding the alpacas, milking the cows, grooming the horses before taking a led ride, and collecting eggs and feeding the poultry. Families can choose between The Lodge, a grand house perched high on a hill with views of the bushland plateau below, The Bunyip Springs Cottage or the Farmstay Family Unit – all fully self-contained with woodfired heaters to cosy up around in winter.
03
where
Rivendell Farm Cottages Tambo Upper, VIC Not a fan of ‘roughing it’? Then Rivendell Farm Cottages is for you. Enjoying vistas of the Tambo River, this former dairy is now host to two pet-friendly cottages: the three-bedroom Arkenstone and Bag End, which started life as a water tank. While away the hours exploring the mish-mash of orchards, trufferie, veggie patches and pastures brimming with cows and sheep – and be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the roaming peacocks. where
13 familymattersbyhwk.com.au
04 04 & 05 Activities at Mowbray Park FamrStay
Mowbray Park FarmStay where
Picton, NSW
This family-owned and -operated property just 90 minutes south of Sydney has been running since the 1980s, so the team knows a thing or two about life on the land. The animal nursery will undoubtedly be a winner with littlies, along with getting up close and personal feeding local residents great and small, which include donkeys, alpacas, chickens, ducks, goats, cows and sheep. In your own time, try some archery, go canoeing, bring your own bikes for a leisurely ride, have a game of tennis or relax at the pool during warmer months.
05
14 familymattersbyhwk.com.au
Mary’s Farm Cottages Kukerin, WA Located along the Western Australian Wheatbelt – a region full of quaint yesteryear townships and rolling farmlands – Mary’s Farm Cottages is run by fifth-generation family members excited to share their home among the gum trees with you. Spend the day jumping on a tractor ride, touring the nearby yabby farm, checking out the giant wheat bins and machinery, eating lunch in the shearing shed, tasting honey straight from the beehive or just sitting on your verandah watching the kangaroos hopping about. A playground and sand area will keep little ones entertained while mum and dad cook up a barbecue… on the bonnet of an ancient Austin Truck! where
06 06 Mary’s Farm Cottages © Tourism Western Australia 07 Kings Creek Station © Tourism Australia
Kings Creek Station where
07
Petermann, NT
Situated at the foot of the stunning George Gill Range and surrounded by desert oaks, Kings Creek Station is a working camel and cattle station offering families a taste of everyday outback life. Brave an adrenaline-filled quad safari, enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the bordering desert plains and water holes on a scenic helicopter flight, embark on a day hike at the nearby Kings Canyon or delve into Indigenous art and history with a cultural tour, before returning to your safari cabin, glamping tent or bush swag camp for a quiet evening under the stars.
Curringa Farm where
08
Hamilton, TAS
Run by sixth-generation farmers Tim and Jane Parsons, this 300-hectare sheep and cropping property in the Derwent Valley is the perfect spot for relaxing over a cuppa and immersing yourself in a slower-paced lifestyle. The nine tuckedaway cottages overlook the picturesque Lake Meadowbank, perfect for watching sunsets and wildlife spotting, and come with freestanding baths, spacious decks and barbecues. Up for some action? Tours of the working farm include viewing a shearing demonstration, rounding up sheep with the farm dogs, guided forest walks and an afternoon tea of scones and cream.
08 Doggo at Curringa Farm 09 Rounding up sheep at Curringa © Tourism Tasmania 09
Pooch
Paradise Your favourite furry family members are welcome additions at these pet-friendly holiday parks.
BIG4 Bungalow Park on Burrill Lake About three hours’ drive south of Sydney is this dog-friendly paradise. It has a range of sites and cabins that dogs are allowed in, and a tonne of options for on- and off-leash walks. There are two nearby reserves that welcome leashed dogs, but if you drive 10 minutes north to Ulladulla, Colliers Beach and the beach north of the northern breakwater are off-leash all day.
02
BIG4 Koala Shores Port Stephens Holiday Park On the waterfront at Port Stephens, BIG4 Koala Shores Holiday Park is not only pet friendly, but also surrounded by dog parks and exercise areas. Both Tanilba Bay Boardwalk and Kooindah Park have off-leash areas and are only five minutes’ drive (or a half-hour walk if you’re game) from Koala Shores. Almost the entire foreshore around Lemon Tree Passage is walkie-friendly as well, as long as your pup’s on a leash, and you could easily spend half a day exploring the area.
Pooch policy
Dogs are welcome in certain accommodation during nonpeak and non-holiday periods at the manager’s discretion.
Pooch policy
Small dogs are permitted during non-peak and non-holiday periods at the manager’s discretion. 01 © Shutterstock/Drago Nika 02 BIG4 Koala Shores Port Stephens Holiday Park 03 © Unsplash/Klara Kulikova 03
Holiday Haven Shoalhaven Heads The team at Holiday Haven understand that dogs are another member of the family, which is why the majority of their parks spanning the NSW South Coast – from the rolling hills of Kangaroo Valley to the peaceful inlets of Bendalong – welcome them with open arms. The pet-friendly cabins at the Shoalhaven Heads location are particularly lush, offering stunning views over the Shoalhaven River, undercover decks with outdoor seating and a barbecue, spacious open plan lounge and dining areas, and large corner spas in the bathrooms. The park is also a hop, skip and a jump away from a 24-hour off-leash exercise area.
Pooch policy
Holiday Haven’s dog-friendly parks accept pets at the discretion of the on-site manager.
19
familymattersbyhwk.com.au
05
BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park With a huge off-leash doggie park, 20 dog-friendly cabins, around 173 dog-friendly campsites, a Puppy Pampering Palace and Doggy Day Care Kennels, your four-legged friend will be spoiled for choice at BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park. In fact, the park’s team wants to make your dog feel as comfy as you, which is simply mind-beagle-ing.
Pooch policy
Dogs are welcome in certain accommodation at the manager’s discretion. All dogs must have vaccination papers.
04 © Unsplash/Patrick Hendry 05 & 06 BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park 07 © Unsplash Fernanda Greppe
06
BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Cairns Coconut Following the increasing number of requests from guests at BIG4 Ingenia Holiday Cairns Coconut to bring their doggo, the team decided to open a dog agility park as a value add experience for all. Featuring ramps, rings for jumping through and a tunnel, as well as plenty of space to stretch their legs, this pooch playground is sure to keep your four-legged family friend paw-sitively beaming. All the park’s caravan and campsites are pet friendly, as well as a number of cabins. 
Pooch policy
Pets can join you at certain times of the year.
Dog travel checklist What to pack for your next holiday with pooch. A travel crate, harness and/or booster seat Portable water bowl and bottle (and water) Food bowl, food and treats Calming chews if your dog suffers from anxiety when travelling Collar and lead Poop bags Toys Brush and shampoo (in case your dog rolls in something particularly nasty) Warm/waterproof jacket Bed and blanket Towels First aid kit and any medications Pet sunscreen Dog life jacket (if you’re planning water activities) Cooling or heating mat (pending weather) Canine coat (check out some of our fun and fashionable favourites here)
Read
our latest issue of HWK for
free!
Give me my free mag!
Education
Make sure your child has all the resources at his or her fingertips for a well-rounded and captivating education.
Image Š Unsplash/Jonathan Borba
How atoreader raise The benefits of reading are wide and well known. With these simple steps, you can foster a love of books in your little one (and inspire them to dream big for the rest of their lives).
Lead by example It’s simple: if you want to raise a reader, be a reader yourself. Young ones are like sponges; they model their behaviour on those around them. Even if you are not a dedicated bookworm, pick up a cookbook, magazine, photobook or whatever else tickles your fancy – the focus shouldn’t be the material but the joy of learning.
02
Fill your home with tales Research has shown that the strongest predictor of a child’s reading is the sheer volume of books in the home. Be sure to keep a basket full of stories anyplace they might get bored, such as in the car, bathroom or underneath the dining table. This also encourages reading during the day, allowing them to dissociate books with bedtime (and viewing it as a fun activity to do anytime, anywhere instead). Also, kids often need a steady and changing flow of options to stay engaged and excited.
On a budget? Host ‘book swaps’ with
friends and family to help mix it up.
03
Keep it positive Parents often worry that their kids aren’t learning to read quickly enough. Of course, if a child is truly struggling, early intervention is key. However, it’s crucial that reading doesn’t have ‘winners and losers’ and that it’s not seen as a chore (with worksheets, timed sessions and the like). Connecting with books should be fun and full of adventure.
04
Reading = the reward On this note, you want to make reading the ‘dessert’ and not the ‘vegetables’. In other words, make reading the reward. If kids want to stay up later for one more story, let them if they completed their chores that day. If you have a doctor’s appointment they are grumpy about, promise them a trip to the bookstore afterwards. 01 © Unsplash/Sincerely Media 02 © Unsplash/Fabiola Penalba 03 © Unsplash/Radu Marcusu
27 familymattersbyhwk.com.au
Let them choose what they love
05
Try not to focus on whether the pages your child is consuming are “challenging enough” and don’t try to push classics or your tastes on to them. They will love what they love and you should embrace this – whether this is rereading their favourite story over and over again (which is great for literacy skills anyway) or taking the time to figure out what their individual interests are.
Enjoy the moment Reading increases your ability to emphasise, reduces stress, builds vocabulary, aids sleep, and inspires creativity and curiosity (among many other benefits). Yet, when you curl up with your little one and a copy of Where The Wild Things Are, health and educational benefits should not be front of mind; there’s a closenness and comfort that comes from reading together, at any age. Enjoy the moment!
04 © Unsplash/Ben White 05 © Unsplash/Suad Kamardeen
28 familymattersbyhwk.com.au
Join our newly launched Facebook community to connect and share tips, resources and information on spending quality time together as a family. Click here to join our Facebook group
Tips+ Tricks Read our tips for helpful advice about self-care, entertaining kids at home and much more.
Image Š Shutterstock/Yuganov Konstantin
01
How to celebrate
Father’s Day this year Father’s Day is around the corner and this year, we will need to be extra creative to come up with ways to celebrate this special day with your dad, grandpa or father figure. 31 familymattersbyhwk.com.au
Serve a hearty brunch Instead of brunching at dad’s favourite eatery, cook up a feast fit for a king as an early morning surprise, complete with bacon, waffles or whatever else you know will tickle his taste buds. Not much of a chef? Lots of restaurants are offering special delivery deals this Father’s Day, so splash out with a to-your-doorstep spread.
02
Get some fresh air Does your dad love all things outdoors? Get outside and enjoy some fresh air: challenge dad to a game of golf at the local course, take a hike together, rent a boat and indulge in a spot of fishing, or fire up the grill and invite some family friends over for an afternoon of catch-ups. If restrictions mean you are limited to the home, pitch a tent in the backyard or in the living room and recreate a night of camping in the bush.
03 Set up an at-home beer tasting
If your dad is missing his pub visits, order a flight of beers in advance and set it up in the comfort of your home for a tasting session. Brewquets deliver a range of themed hampers Australia-wide, while Slow Beer’s gift packs focus on local microbreweries and obscure exports.
03
Dish up some premium steak 04
If your dad considers himself a steak connoisseur (and you live in Sydney or Melbourne), place a delivery order with familyowned Vic’s Meat – the exclusive sellers of the famed Kurobuta Berkshire Pork, Black Market by Rangers Valley and Blackmore Wagyu. Whether you opt for rib-eye or rump, scotch or sirloin, these cuts are guaranteed to be some of the best in Oz. Yum!
Plan a family game night Let your competitive streak run wild with a family game night: play dad’s favourite board game, have a trivia session or get silly with some charades. If your old man is a sucker for puzzles, gift him with a Tiger King or The Office-inspired jigsaw from Smith Street Gifts’ funky new range and piece it together as a family, or if he prefers his contests with a controller, challenge him to a Nintendo Switch tournament.
Rewatch his favourite match Although many sports are still on hold, that doesn’t mean you can’t relive winning moments from games past. Hunker down for a rewatch of your dad’s favourite games on streaming services such as Foxtel or YouTube – serve some hot dogs, loaded fries and chicken wings to make it feel like old times.
05
34 familymattersbyhwk.com.au
Give him a day off
Make it personal
Dad is probably in need of a break. So why not keep it simple and plan to give him a couple of hours of uninterrupted ‘me’ time? For example, stock up on his most loved snacks and leave him alone with the remote. Sounds easy, but trust us, he will appreciate the quiet.
Father’s Day is really all about letting that special someone know how important they are to you. Write a handwritten letter, get creative and make a DIY card or collate an album of your favourite photos together. Just remember it’s the thought that truly counts!
06 01 & 06 © Shutterstock/4 PM Production 02 © Unsplash/Caleb Jones 03 © Unsplash/Josh Duncan 04 © Unsplash/Nanxi Wei 05 © Shutterstock/Africa Studio
35 familymattersbyhwk.com.au
Getting real
with our feelings
Whether you are hoping to have open discussions around the lockdown blues or simply want to check-in with your little ones, writer Penelope Jane Jones offers some advice on how to have family conversations that build trust, authenticity and empathy.
1
Make time
To make a safe space to talk about emotions as a family set aside some time during the day, separate from mealtime, and put the phones and tablets away. Then establish that it is a judgement-free zone for everyone to talk about their emotions. It’s better to have regular but short conversations on a weekly basis to teach your children emotional intelligence rather than having infrequent but longer conversations.
2
Identify the emotion
One parent should start by modelling the behaviour of authentic communication by identifying the main emotion with feeling language: “I have been feeling…”. Remember children are still learning to communicate their feelings and they often express themselves in different ways, such as through their facial expressions, body, play and behaviours. To show that feelings are expressed in nonverbal ways, also include how your feelings are linked to your behaviours: “I have been expressing my feelings by …”. Share openly and honestly in a way that is appropriate for the age of your children. 02
37 familymattersbyhwk.com.au
03 01 © Shutterstock/Alena Ozerova 02 & 04 © Shutterstock/Cosmaa 03 © Shutterstock/Soloviova Liudmyla
3
Build empathy
4
Emotional strategies
Understanding how other people feel creates empathy – so every time you discuss emotions, you’re therefore building empathy. This creates awareness, which is the first step to behavioural change. If a child knows how their negative behaviour makes another person feel, they are less likely to continue this behaviour. By everyone equally sharing their feelings regularly, you will feel more emotionally connected as a family.
We all need strategies when our emotions are overwhelming us – solving the situation or lessening the problem via action. Model how you deal with your big emotions like stress, anger or upset. For example, do you take a ‘time-out’ when you need some alone time? Use the same language and model the same behaviour so when your child is upset you can offer them a time-out if they need a moment to process their feelings. This turns it into an empowered strategy rather than a punishment.
4
Reinforce and reward
When you see the emotional behaviour at play, ensure you recognise the empathy your child is showing or their emotional intelligence. Praise them for identifying their emotions, when they ask for alone time or breathe before reacting. Conversations in childhood are especially important to start having before they reach teenage years; you want your young adult to come to you for emotional advice and support and this is built in their formative years. The good news is it's never too late to start having authentic conversations that are a safe space for emotions to be expressed and heard. 
04
Find out more
Penelope Jane Jones is an Australian-born writer and creativity coach, teaching clients how to use their creativity with courage and confidence. To help children and parents have conversations about their feelings in the pandemic, Penelope has written The Lockdown Blues, available to read for free on Google Play.
39 familymattersbyhwk.com.au
Pet separation
anxiety tips
If you have been spending extra time with pooch during lockdown or have simply added a four-legged member to the clan, new dog mum Cara Wagstaff shares top tips to help you and your family adjust to life together and apart from your furry friend.
What is it? Pet separation anxiety is defined as a condition where your pet becomes extremely stressed when it is separated from a person it is attached to.
Signs and symptoms • Whining, barking and/or howling • Urinating inside when they’re toilet trained • Chewing, digging and/or scratching things they’re not meant to • Drooling, panting or excessive salivation • Pacing • Trying to escape
02 01 © Shutterstock/Alena Ozerova 02 © Unsplash Sebastien Lavalaye 03 © Unsplash/Jay Wennington 04 © Unsplash/Jamie Street
Ok. So now we know what to look for, what can you do to prevent this behaviour? The goal is to teach your pooch to be calm and relaxed when you’re not there, and this is done through managing your interactions with them. This includes changing your leaving and returning routine, reducing stressors associated with your departure and building up their own confidence.
41 familymattersbyhwk.com.au
Make it fun Give them a toy that they can play with while you’re gone. Try peanut butter in a kong, treats inside an empty egg carton or whatever you can think of, as long as it is safe for your dog to use without supervision. Once you return, remove this toy so your dog only has access to it (and its yummy treats) when you’re not home.
Normalise coming and going
03
Practice leaving your furry friend alone multiple times throughout the day by going to different rooms. Whether it’s for 30 seconds or three minutes, each session will help build up their confidence that you are coming back.
Preparation is key
Pretend to leave
A tired, happy dog will be less stressed when you leave so – if possible – play or exercise with your pup before you go out. Go for a long walk, visit the park or use puzzles and enrichment activities to help exercise your dog’s mind as well as its body.
Normalise and remove stress signals your pup associates with your departure, such as putting on a coat, shoes or picking up keys. Instead, spend time each day putting on your shoes and simply sitting down or picking up your keys and walking to another room.
42 familymattersbyhwk.com.au
04
Reward good behaviour
Leave something smelly
Keep it calm
Ask for help
Before leaving and when you return, ignore your pup for some time. When arriving home, encourage all family members to be quiet and use soft voices, only greeting the dog when it is also calm.
Know you’re going to be gone for a while? Ask a neighbour, friend or family member to check in on your pup or take them for a walk, or check out your local dog walkers and doggy daycare providers.
When your dog does something good, for example not jumping on you when you return, give them a treat to show them that this is the preferred behaviour.
Please note :
An old sock, a towel or a piece of clothing... it can be anything you like. Dogs have a heightened sense of smell, so leaving your scent behind will help keep them relaxed.
If your dog’s symptoms are more extreme, we suggest contacting your local vet.
43 familymattersbyhwk.com.au
Apps for pet parents From training to finding sitters, we’ve combed through the endless choices to find the best apps to make your life – and your dog’s – a little easier.
Pawshake for
Puppr
Hiring dog sitters
for
As much as you’d like to, you can’t always take your dog with you on family holidays or be at home for walks throughout the day. That’s where Pawshake comes in – giving you easy access to pet sitters in your area (which have all been vetted, of course). Just type in your postcode and arrange a meet and greet!
Learning new tricks
From basic obedience training to more crafty manoeuvres, Puppr includes step-by-step instructions and images to teach your dog all sorts of fun (and helpful) tricks. You can track your pet’s progress and earn badges along the way, and it also includes 50 moves by America’s Got Talent finalist Sara Carson & The Super Collies.
44 familymattersbyhwk.com.au
FitBark for
Chewy
Monitoring fitness
for
Ordering pet products
It’s FitBit for doggos! After attaching activity monitors to your dog’s collar, FitBark will do the rest – monitoring and tracking your pooch’s health (and sleep patterns) and comparing the results to others of the same breed and age.
This delivery app lets pet parents effortlessly order food and supplies from 1,000-plus trusted brands. Make a profile for your pooch, find the right products for their breed, check out recommended toys and track your packages. Easy peasy.
BringFido
Baxta
for
Planning holidays
for
If your doggo is joining you on vacay, there’s a lot of research you need to do ahead of time, including where the best petfriendly hotels, restaurants, parks and beaches are. BringFido can help answer your questions – simply search by location.
Staying connected
Pets can now like, comment and share with their very own social media app. The recently launched Baxta allows parents to upload pics, tag pet friends, share stories and much more... your four-legged friend could be the next influencer!
45 familymattersbyhwk.com.au
Making family
memories
Cooking and making fond childhood memories have always gone hand in hand. Bringing families together for generations, try one of these classic (and delicious) Fairy recipes in your own home.
Ingredients • 125g Fairy Cooking, chopped • 2/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar • 2 cups rolled oats • 1/2 cup self-raising flour • 1 cup pepita seeds • 3/4 cup sunflower seeds • 1 tsp ground cinnamon • 2 tsp vanilla essence • 1 egg, lightly beaten • 50g dark chocolate, melted
Method
Nut-free super-seed oat bars 25 mins cook 25 mins servings 24 prep
These easy to make nut-free bars – loaded with oats, sunflower and pepita seeds – are a healthy lunch box snack for the kids.
Watch a how-to recipe video here
1. Preheat the fan-forced oven to 160°C. Grease and line a 30x20cm slice tin with baking paper, leaving a 2cm overhang. Melt the Fairy Cooking in the microwave on high or in a saucepan until fully melted. 2. In a large bowl combine the sugar, oats, flour, seeds and cinnamon. Add the vanilla, egg and melted Fairy Cooking and combine well. Press the mixture into the tin. 3. Bake for 25 minutes, or until golden brown and firm. Cool completely in the tin. Remove from the tin and drizzle with the melted chocolate and set for 10 minutes in the fridge. Slice into 24 bars to serve.
47 familymattersbyhwk.com.au
Choc-mint brownie slice Ingredients
30 mins cook 30 mins servings 15 prep
Brownie base
A gorgeously rich chocolate brownie base with a light mint filling is perfect for an afternoon delight to share with friends and family.
• 250g Fairy Cooking, chopped • 50g dark chocolate, chopped • 1 cup caster sugar • 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar • 4 eggs • 3/4 cup plain flour • 1/4 cup cocoa powder
48 familymattersbyhwk.com.au
Peppermint cream
Peppermint cream
• 3/4 cup Copha, chopped 3. Melt Copha in a medium • 3 cups icing sugar mixture, saucepan over low heat. Add sifted the icing sugar and mix well to combine. Stir in the milk • 1/4 cup milk and pepper-mint, then • 1 tsp peppermint extract carefully add drops of food • 3-4 drops green food colouring colouring until desired colour. Chocolate topping 4. Pour over the brownie slice • 150g dark chocolate, chopped while still warm. Allow to set • 1/3 cup Copha, chopped for 5 minutes.
Chocolate topping
Method
5. In a medium heatproof bowl, combine the chocolate and Copha. Place the bowl over a saucepan of lightly simmering water. Stir occasionally until melted. Remove from heat. 6. Pour the chocolate over the peppermint, tilt to cover and put in the fridge to set for 10 minutes. Slice into 15 squares.
Brownie base
1. Preheat the fan-forced oven to 180°C. Grease and line a 20x30cm slice tin. In a large heatproof bowl, combine Fairy Cooking and chocolate. Place the bowl over a saucepan of lightly simmering water. Stir occasionally until melted. Remove from heat. 2. Place the sugars, eggs, flour and cocoa in a large bowl, add the Fairy mixture and mix to Tip combine. Pour in the tin and bake for 30 minutes, the centre You can leave out the food should still be moist. Set aside colouring if you prefer a to cool for 15 minutes white mint slice.
Watch a how-to recipe video here
49 familymattersbyhwk.com.au
Orange cream • 1/4 block Fairy Cooking, softened • 1 cup icing sugar, sifted • 1 tsp grated orange rind • 1/2 tbsp orange juice • Raspberry jam to serve • Icing sugar to dust
Method Biscuits
Melting moments 20 mins cook 12 mins serves 10 biscuits prep
Melt with glee the moment you bite into one of these rich, finetextured biscuits with a sweet orange filling.
Ingredients Biscuits • 1/2 block Fairy Cooking, softened • 1/2 cup icing sugar, sifted • 1/2 tsp vanilla essence • 1/2 cup cornflour, sifted • 2/3 cup plain flour, sifted
1. Preheat the oven to 160°C. Line baking trays with baking paper. 2. Cream Fairy, icing sugar and vanilla together until light and fluffy. Add flour and cornflour and mix well. 3. Roll heaped teaspoons of mixture into balls and place on the prepared trays. Flatten with the back of a fork to make an indent. 4. Bake in the oven for 10 to 12 minutes until golden.
Orange cream 5. Beat the Fairy until smooth. Gradually add icing sugar. Beat until light and creamy. 6. Add the rind and juice and beat until combined.
Assembly 7. Sandwich two biscuits together with the orange filling and some jam.
50 familymattersbyhwk.com.au
Lead image: Fairy lemon meringue pie Above image: Fairy coconut slice
What is Fairy?
Fairy has been helping create magic in the kitchen for more than 90 years. Developed in the 1930s, it quickly became popular with busy families who wanted a fail-proof, traditional margarine for home baking and cooking. From waking to the smell of grandma’s pie to baking a tray of slice with mum, Fairy has always been associated with making sweet childhood memories, and can be found at Coles, Woolworths and your local independent store. fairybaking.com.au 
For more classic family recipes, click here
Never miss an issue! Family Matters by HWK will be hitting the shelves (aka your devices) every two months. Don’t miss the next copy, coming out on 29 September and be sure to share this one with your friends.
Subscribe at
familymattersbyhwk.com.au
