DECEMBER/JANUARY 2014
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Keeping the kids Entertained during The school holidays Kids and roadtrips
Christmas Crafts & Recipes Your Free local Parenting magazine
Contents Regulars 5 10 11 14 16 26 27 28
December/January 2013
Letter from the Editor Ask a professional - questions from readers Monthly Recipe - Gingerbread cookies Your Story - How birth led me down an unexpected path Make a change Kid’s fun Business Directory Community Noticeboard
Articles 7 Top tips on saving money this school holidays 8 Kids and road trips 12 How baby wearing can help settle your baby 18 Tips from a Super Nanny 25 Making “me” time in the holidays
Special Features 21 Christmas crafts Road trip games 22 Keeping the kids entertained during the school holidays 24 Road trip games
Cover photo is by Jennifer Haas—blog Plain Vanilla Mom
Letter from the Editor Dear Reader, This issue marks our six month anniversary of Small Steps Parenting Magazine. I must say it has been a very exciting and very busy six months. We are so blessed to have so many supportive readers and it is because of you that we are able to bring out a free magazine each and every month. We would also like to welcome those of you who are new to Small Steps! This issue is packed full of fun for the whole family including some travelling with kids tips, Christmas crafts and activities for the school holidays. Make sure you enjoy this time with your families and try to take some time to relax. Also may I remind you about our Twilight Market on the 7th December. This event was created to raise money for breast cancer research. Sadly many women are diagnosed with this dreadful disease and there isn’t anyone I know who hasn’t been affected. This market will be a day that the whole family can enjoy. Along with all the fantastic activities, food and shopping we will be running the world’s largest community colouring in! So join us to be a part of this awesome event! Hope to see you there. Our next issue will be out to you in February as we take this season to enjoy family time and have a break. Please take care of yourselves and your families this season. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a blessed new year!
Julie-Anne England info@smallstepsparenting.com www.smallstepsparenting.com www.facebook.com/smallstepsparenting
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Top tips on saving money these school holidays How to survive on the School Holidays without breaking the budget! Here are ten tips on what to do with the kids (and get them away from the computer) without going broke: 1. Instead of going out to restaurants, unless it's a special occasion, go on picnics or take your own lunch (sandwiches, fruit, drinks, etc) when you go out as a family (beaches, parks, bushwalks, etc). It's not only healthier but less expensive! 2. Use public transport instead of the car when going out. Using the car you may incur parking fees when you get to your destination. 3. If you go out as a family (movies, game parks, sporting events, etc) enquire about group discounts. If you combine with other families, you may get a group discount or at least a family discount. 4. Go to weekend markets to purchase second hand 'stuff''! Kids grow out of clothes and get bored with the same books, games and toys quickly. So buy them second hand. They wont know the difference by the time they move on the next 'thing'! 5. See if the kids can set up a stall at your local markets and sell home made cordial or cakes. Keeps them busy and they may earn some pocket money! 6. Take them to the markets (fish markets,
fruit markets, flower markets,etc) to show them where their food comes from. They will not only see fresh unpackaged food but you can normally purchase it at less expensive prices than the supermarket. 7. Teach them how to cook a meal. In due course they may enjoy it and give the house a second chef! 8. Take the kids to museums, libraries, and other monuments (War Memorial, heritage buildings such as the Mint and the Courts or Parliament). They may just learn something about Australia's history that gives their learning some real context. These excursions are not expensive but gives them a day out. 9. Plan ahead for your next holiday. Often prepaying or paying in advance you will get a cheaper price on travel and accommodation. Enter 'give away' competitions! It costs nothing and gives the kids some hope of winning something. You never know they may get lucky and win some gifts! Written by Michael Voss, financial planner and one of our professionals on our expert panel. Learn more about Michael on our “About Us� page on our website.
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Kids and Roadtrips It’s summer and you have planned a fun week away with the family. While a long drive may not seem like a bad thing to you, it can be incredibly long and boring for a child. So Small Steps has put together a list of ways that you can make the car (or plane) ride a lot more enjoyable for the little ones in your group (and therefore probably more bearable for you)! allow the kids to use up some energy. 3. Pack strategically - know what is where when you are packing the car. It’s no use stuffing everything into the car only to have to pull over in half an hours time to look for the nappies, a change of clothes or a special toy. Place the things that you may need to use during the trip in easily accessible places. An idea is to also have a separate small bag packed for each child which you can have under their seat. .1. Plan ahead - any trip with kids is going In this bag, pack a change of clothes, a to require a lot more planning. Have lists drink bottle, a few snacks, their favourof what to pack and start gathering all ite toy and maybe some travel games. the items together at least a week before 4. Plan your journey around naps - if your the trip. If you are leaving early in the child is still young enough to be taking morning for a long trip, try to pack the day time naps, plan your trip with this in car the night before and make sure you mind. Make sure the kids are comfortget a good night’s sleep. able, give them a good feed and they 2. Plan your trip - Work out how many should sleep for quite a bit of the trip. hours the entire trip is going to take you. Make sure you don’t plan any stops durIf you are in the car, plan for specific ing this time as that is often all it takes stops to break up the trip, such as a mid to wake them up. morning toilet break, a longer lunch 5. Choose snacks that travel - sometimes break with somewhere for the kids to the only thing that can distract a bored stretch their legs and an afternoon treat child in the car is snacks. Plan ahead for like icecream. Have a look at a map bethis by packing snacks that will travel fore you go and try to make pit-stops well and aren’t too messy. This could where there are playgrounds or places to include cereals such as mini wheats, 8
cheese sticks, bread sticks, small biscuits, let them eat in the car. plain pikelets, rice cakes, sultanas, fruit 7. Have age appropriate entertainment bars and dehydrated fruits. Try to stay babies are often unable to see out of the away from fruit, yoghurt and sticky treats car window especially if they are rear as they will make too much mess. Sugary facing so make sure you have a mirror foods are fine as a treat (and will please and an activity mat to hang down to give any child) but don’t go overboard… you them something to look at. Toddlers can don’t want to have to deal with a cooped be easily entertained with a story book, up child on a sugar high! 6. Have realistic expectations - car trips can some CD’s to listen to, or some chilbe long and boring and although as adults dren’s TV if you have a portable DVD we love to watch the scenery, kids often player. Older children are much easier don’t. Plan activities to make the time go these days to entertain with a variety of quickly and don’t forget some fun family technology such as iPods, portable games games such as “eye spy” and “the licence systems, smart phones and tablet complate” game. (We have lots of fun road puters. Make sure you get them off their trip games on page 24). Also don’t expect the kids to sit down to eat when you devices now and then though for some stop for meal breaks. Since they are havquality family time with games and stoing to sit all day in the car, allow them ries. this time to run around and play and get their meals for takeaway if you can and
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Ask a Professional... QUESTION: I am four months pregnant with my first child. What exercises are safe for me to do until I deliver? Under the ongoing guidance from your medical professional throughout your pregnancy, exercising for pelvic stability with aerobic fitness like short stride walking, stationary cycling, freestyle swimming, and specific aqua natal /prenatal pilates / yoga classes up to 3 times / week are generally regarded as highly beneficial for aerobic fitness and promotion of appropriate weight gain for the facilitation of labour, without significant risk to either mum or unborn child. Avoid rapid direction changes and bouncing. Forget about your abs during this time, rather focus on strengthening legs for extra weight support and labour (wall squatting is great, squeeze your buttocks to lift you from a squat), calf raisers from standing upright raise your heels off the ground to tip-toe to strengthen your calves. Shoulder shrugs (pinching shoulder blades together) for good posture whilst growing baby belly’s gravity pulls forward and support of increasing weight of breasts, as are standing push-ups off the wall. Regular Pelvic Floor exercises – ‘lift’ rather than ‘squeeze’ your pelvic floor muscle. Practice both long 10 sec holds and short 2 sec pulses (for both slow and fast contractions / holding for the toilet and sneeze reflexes). This answer has been supplied by Kirsten Mitchell who is our qualified fitness professional and personal trainer. Learn more about Kirsten on our "About Us" page on our website.
Monthly Recipe
Gingerbread cookies Ingredients: 125g butter 1/2 cup lightly packed brown sugar 1/3 cup golden syrup 1 egg 2 cups of plain flour 1/3 cup self raising flour 1 tablespoon of ground ginger 1 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda
1. Using electric beaters, beat butter, sugar and syrup in a bowl until light and creamy. Add the egg and beat well. 2. Sift in the flours, ginger and bicarb of soda. Use a knife and mix until just combined (add up to teaspoon of water if the mixture seems especially dry). 3. Turn mixture onto a lightly floured board and knead gently until smooth. Don’t over handle as the dough will become tough. Icing: 1 egg white 4. Roll out the dough between sheets of baking paper until it is about 1/2cm in thickness. 1 cup icing suagr Food colouring 5. Refrigerate the dough for approximately 15 minutes until it is slightly firm and easy to cut. 6. Preheat oven to 180°C. Line 3 baking trays with baking paper. Cut the dough into shapes using various cookie cutters. Press remaining dough together and re-roll and cut into shapes. 7. Bake in oven for approx 8-10 minutes or until cookies look lightly browned. Cool on trays before decorating with icing. 8. Use premade store icing for a quick decorating job or simply beat egg white with sifted icing sugar until peaks form. Add food colouring and use a piping bag to decorate the gingerbread. 11
Baby hard to settle? 8 reasons baby wearing can help you and your newborn Stay in touch with Mum Babies feel safe when they can “feel” their mother. They’ll put up with a lot e.g. change in routine, being overtired, being a little hungry, a little too full, another visitor etc. etc., as long as they can be close to you. The provision of multiple carry Positions Some babies like to be held upright with their tummies pressed against your shoulder, some like to be cocooned in a newborn breastfeeding position and some like to face out and watch the world go by. With a sling, you can position bub anyway you like. There are no fiddly straps to adjust to set up the new position - that’s why mums around the world have been using the sling happily for centuries. Sling security When using a carrier, it's very important that you are able to see your baby’s face at all times and for their spine to be in an upright or gently curved position (rather than huddled). The new ring slings mimic the way you would naturally hold your baby in your arms, most importantly keeping baby in an upright position with the airways open and clear. Comfort for Two Slings are very easy on your back and shoulders and a good quality one will be carefully designed to fan across your back. This distributes bub’s weight evenly so that no one part of your body is taking all of the strain. It is also especially comfortable for your little bub. Why? Because, a good quality sling will support your baby in all the right places. Ease of packing Your nappy bag may seem enormous when you first purchase it. But after you’ve stuffed it full of nappies, wipes 12
and all the spare outfits you need, the thought of trying to get a bulky baby carrier in there as well is simply too much. Slings are designed to fold into a perfect little pocket just right for taking with you wherever you go. Completely washable It’s hard to imagine that something so tiny can make so much mess. But little people certainly can. Don’t fret about trying to wipe a milky mess off a carrier that isn’t washing machine friendly. Instead, buy a sling that is completely machine washable and throw it directly in a wash bag and straight into the washing machine. Then a simple air-dry on your washing line will make it ready for use once again.
successfully breastfeed bub? It can be especially difficult to do so when you are out of the comfort of your own home. Having your baby in a sling not only helps to take bub’s weight while you adjust to a comfortable position for breastfeeding, but it also works as a cover to shield you while you and bub are getting all set up. Quick as Lightning Newborns do not understand time. Because of this, they can get distressed very quickly and it can be very overwhelming when you have an upset baby. With the new quality slings that are now on the market, once you have the knack, it’s super easy to get bub in and settled ASAP. Written by Emily Longshaw
Handy feeding Ever felt like you needed an extra hand to
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Your Story How birth led me down an unexpected path I was a little naive when I fell pregnant with our first child. I read up on all of the theory about having a natural, blissful birth. I wrote a birth plan, I took up yoga, and did all of my birthing exercises. I did everything I could in my power, to guarantee myself a beautiful natural birth. But the birth that eventuated was not what I expected. It became a turning point in my life that led me down a new unexpected path. I had a trouble-free pregnancy. My baby was slightly off position, but I was not concerned. I would do exercises to get her into the right position (which she did), but as soon as I would stand up, she would go straight back into that off position again. Later I would come to realise that this was the first sign our baby had the umbilical cord around her neck. The early stages of labour started late one Sunday night. We went to the hospital to confirm my waters had broken (I had more of a trickle than a gush). We were advised to head home and expect that our baby would be on its way in the morning. After 24 hours we returned to the hospital. A midwife checked on my progress. I was 4cm. After 24 hours, meditation, and exercises to help with dilation, I was just 4 cm. Four hours later, I was still... 4cm. Nothing. Not even half a centimetre. I knew then that I would need to save my energy for the birth. Starting with morphine the midwife said this would help me to relax and dilate. I was already relaxed from the meditation but willing to try anything.
On my next progress check... 4cm. Again. Nothing. I remember the midwife’s puzzled face, saying “Why did this not work? This should have worked.” Another sign something was not right. It was now Tuesday morning and Silvia, one of my pregnancy midwives arrived. A familiar face, I was so relieved. We made a plan that she would catch our baby! I was induced and started down the epidural path (due to complications I had two epidurals). Finally, I could rest in time for the big push. Before I knew it, that time came (now Tuesday evening). I pushed and pushed. With every push, that cord tightened. During that time I checked the monitor for my baby’s heart rate and it was around 140. A good strong heartbeat. An obstetrician came in to help with the delivery and I was told to stop pushing. I looked over to the monitor and saw that our baby’s heart rate was now 40. I thought I must have been mistaken. This was the warning sign that set the medical team racing. Suddenly there were between 10 and 15 staff in the room. The obstetrician asked me about my last ultrasound as she started to do one. I told her it was around week 18 and the room fell silent. She stared at the ultrasound. Everyone stared at it. They could all see the cord. The obstetrician then went on, very calmly, to tell me that some births required forceps, and sometimes it would be necessary to make cuts to help the baby out. Quickly, she pulled our baby’s head out. This was as far as the umbilical cord would reach. It was so tight and so difficult for the obstetrician to cut it away. 14
When she did, she quickly pulled our baby out and gently placed her on my stomach. Our baby was moving slightly. She did not cry. Seconds later a specialist took her and as they placed her on the bench I saw that her body was lifeless. I still have that image with me today. She was not moving. Her legs and arms were still. Not one single twitch. The doctors revived her and I saw her little arms and legs move (relief set in) before the doctors gathered around and I couldn’t see anymore. After some time, our daughter was given to us to hold, and then quickly whisked away again to intensive care. She was in the Newborn Care Centre for two days. Silvia and the obstetrician who delivered our daughter came to visit separately over that time. I found out later that both had left crying. I thought it was a pretty traumatic birth. To hear that both had cried made me realise just how bad it was. This story has a happy ending (my daughter is now a happy and healthy three year old... with a one year old sister). We were lucky. Very lucky. We were lucky she was alive, and we were lucky she was not born with any kind of brain damage (a very real possibility at the time). Faced with this experience, I could not help but feel grateful for the second chance we had been given. I felt so grateful for the expertise and care we had received (i.e., the obstetrician who was so experienced and focused; the specialists who revived our baby; the Newborn Care Centre staff who cared for our baby as if she were their own; and Silvia who was so wonderful during the birth). I wanted to thank them in a special
way, to shout it out into the world. I decided the best place to do this was the internet. But when I searched online, there was no special place where I could do this. Rather than giving up, I went about making such a site myself. Even though I had never touched internet programming before, I started building a website that I called Thanknest. Giving birth was one of the most traumatic experiences I have had in my life. It became a turning point for me to create something positive, meaningful, and beautiful out of this. I was so grateful for all of the care we had been given, and this was my way of giving something back. Written by Dr Linda Hamilton, creator and owner of Thanknest.com (see more about this fantastic website in our Make a Change section on the next page).
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Change
Make a
When Dr Linda Hamilton started developing Thanknest.com (see Your Story page 14) she built it with the concept of ‘Praise in Public’ in mind. This concept was taught to her by Dr Roberto Parada during the years she completed her Doctorate in Psychology. Here’s how it works. When you say something about someone, people will look for (and will generally find) evidence for what you are saying is true. For example, we all know that when you hear something negative about someone, no matter how untrue the comment is, it sticks. The good news is, it works with the positives too. The concept also works for the person being talked about. When they are appreciated, they will look for evidence within themselves that what you are saying is true. If they believe it to be true, the great qualities you mentioned will form a stronger part of their identity. It can empower someone to feel good and proud of themselves, and this in turn sees them go into the world with a smile, touching the lives of others who they meet along the way. Giving thanks is one of the simplest ways in which we can brighten someone’s day. It can help us form stronger friendships, create more productive and happier work teams, and it can also help us to reconnect. Plus, when you say it on the internet, it becomes permanent. It allows them to go back to your message and no matter how much time has passed, someone will still feel that same feeling of being appreciated as they did the first time they read your thank you message. This is empowering because you never know when someone may need a little extra lift in their day. To make your thank you meaningful: Be specific about what you are thanking them for; Write as if they are sitting there with you; Stick to the positives; Make it about them and leave your own ego out; Put it online so that they can return to your message at any time; and Make it public to allow others to see the good in them too. Do you know someone worth thanking? Maybe someone who gives selflessly in our community. Or perhaps someone who inspires you? We would like to help. Small Steps is going to bless someone in the community with a special keepsake book of thank you messages. All messages will be beautifully presented in a professionally printed and bound keepsake book, and added to www.thanknest.com to allow them to return to their messages at any time. Send us an email to tell us who you would like to thank! 17
Small Steps would like to say...
Thank You!! To all the incredible people and businesses who make us what we are today. Thank you to all our readers for loving the magazine, thank you to our close family and friends for believing that we could run a magazine and thank you to the following amazing local businesses who have donated products and services to our “Make a Change” section so that we could bless people in our local community!
FITZGERALD PRINTING
SANITY’S COLLISION
Tips from a Super Nanny Working as a nanny for over 12 years, I have been forced to rely on my imagination and often a limited supply of toys and objects around the house, particularly in school holidays and rainy weather. So, here are a few ideas to help you in those desperate and noisy moments. Infants To prevent babies from becoming overwhelmed and bored with toys try sorting toys into a few separate boxes and rotate them every few weeks. In each box place toys of different textures, colours and purposes to stimulate all the senses. For those moments in the high chair right before dinner give your baby a large piece of ice on the high chair tray, your baby will have a great time sliding it around the tray and learning about the sensation of different temperatures, be sure it's not small enough to present a choking risk. Toddlers Use everyday objects such as washing baskets, buckets or hats and let the child throw balls into it. Start with a big basket at a close distance and move it further away gradually or swap it for a smaller basket. This will give them plenty of entertainment as well as help them develop their gross motor skills.
Toddlers enjoy playing hide and seek, although it takes time for them to learn the concept of not peeking. So, try placing toys around the room, sit on the floor with your child and ask them to find specific toys. It will develop their spacial awareness, language skills and bond with you as you encourage and praise them for listening. Create a sorting game by placing several small containers side by side and having your child sort small items into them. Items such as froot loops can be sorted by colour, various dry pasta can be sorted by shape or size. Just make sure your child is supervised and that the objects will not pose a choking hazard. Primary age Obstacle course - use everyday objects such as ropes, chairs, bed sheets, washing baskets and tables to create endless
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variations of obstacle courses. Encourcreate to release their pent up energy. age them to climb under, over, around They may even be able to sell their and through various things to make it creations to family and friends for more fun. It wears out their energy, it's some extra cash. You may even wish great exercise and they can even race to add to the cupboard for birthdays against the clock. and Christmas. Movies - rather than simply putting on Scrapbooking - creating a scrapbook a movie for the kids, help them set up a allows a child to use their creativity cinema. They can draw and cut out and make something that they can keep their own tickets, make healthy snacks or give as a gift. They may decide to and sell them to each other at the theme it around an event such as a "theatre cafe" and even transform a birthday party or make like to do it as a cardboard box into a car to drive there. yearbook. Provide photos and lots of You'd better be quick to buy a ticket, markers, printed papers and embellishor the teddies and dolls will get all the ments such as stickers and photo corseats! ners. High school For the creative teens start building up Written by Alison Bosanquet, nanny. a cupboard of wrapping papers, old or broken jewellery, old belts and recycled cards, beads and more to encourage them to draw, cut, glue, sew &
Overwhelmed as a new parent? Want to know what to expect? Understanding what to expect after the birth of your baby will help you enormously as you adjust to your new role as a mother. Midwife and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, Lynne-McKensey Hall takes the old wives’ tales and shows them the door with her gentle, practical, science-based approach to breastfeeding and caring for your baby. From the importance of skin to skin contact at birth to getting everyone settled into bed for a good night’s sleep, this is one of many “must have” books by Lynne to get you through your baby’s arrival and those early parenting days. Purchase books separately or as a set and choose from topics such as: Before Baby arrives Baby’s arrival Breastfeeding Issues and the Unexpected Expressing Returning to Work Partners Grandparents and Carers Multiple, Pre-term, Adoptive and Surrogate Babies and Relactating
Order at www.betterbeginnings.com.au Ph: 0419 245 966 or email lynne@betterbeginnings.com.au
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Christmas crafts Christmas is a time to wind down after the year, spend time with family and enjoy some fun with the kids. Here are three quick and easy crafts that you can easily do with the kids to start decorating your home for Christmas. Find these with full instructions plus more on our blog. Reindeer Noses A very simple craft which makes a great gift. All you need is some cellophane bags, malteasers, jaffas and a cardboard tag for the top that says reindeer noses.
Lolly Christmas Tree What makes a nicer table topper for Christmas than a tree you can eat. All you need for this fun and simple craft is a few bags of lollies that are wrapped (minties, fruit chews), a foam cone and some sewing pins .
Reindeer Candy canes Kids love making these cute reindeers for gifts for kids at school and to keep. Simply glue eyes, a pom pom nose and twist a pipecleaner on the top for antlers. See what different personalities you can create! 21
Keeping the kids entertained during the school holidays It’s often a challenge to keep the kids entertained during the long summer holidays so here are a list of things you can do to keep your kids happy and busy. 1. Grab a bat and a ball and get outside for 3. Christmas crafts are a fun and creative a fun game of cricket. Split into teams way to have the kids use their imaginaand play against each other. tion to create decorations and gifts for 2. Some water guns, water balloons and family and friends. We have three buckets of water will allow for some hot Christmas crafts in this issue on page 21 day fun with the kids. Specify an area plus more on our blog. for the play and allow them to get wet. If 4. For younger children you may want to you have younger children you may create a sensory experience for play. Get want to specify a “safe” area where they a large container and fill it with some can go if they have had enough. Let the sand, some marbles, a few rocks, some older kids know that they aren’t to wet toy animals and maybe some shells. It the littlies if they are in this area. can be a miniature beach scene. 5. If you have a video camera you might get the kids to make a skit and dress up and film it. It would be a great gift to send via email to any Grandparents or family that live far away. 6. Pack a picnic lunch and spend the day out in the Australian bush doing some bush walking. You may find some great spots that you never knew about nd enjoy some time out in the fresh air. 7. Create your own mini golf course in the backyard. Grab some golf clubs (or even make your own) and a ball and try to hit them around obstacles and aim for the hole. 8. Make a indoor cubby house on a rainy day by using pillows and blankets from around the house. Drape them over lounges or tables to create small crawlspaces and places to play for your kids. 9. Do you have neighbours that the kids like to play with? Why not play a posting game by writing letters to each other 22
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and putting them in the mail box. If you then have a prize waiting! It might be a don’t have neighbours that you can do tasty lunch, a new toy or a fun game. this with have the kids write letters to 14. Do some paper-mache. Make a sculpture their siblings and post them under the out of cardboard and tape and then use bedroom door or even make your own strip of newspaper dipped in glue to mailbox. make a paper-mache object. Top with Have a pizza party. Provide ready made white paper and then allow to dry. Then mini pizza bases plus toppings and allow you can paint your creation (paperthe kids to make their own lunch. After mache glue can be simply made at home they are cooked, set up a table outside by mixing flour and water to create a and let the kids each their creations. You paste). might even let them make spiders as a 15. Give the kids some cookie dough and treat (soft drink with icecream in it). rollers and cutters and allow them to Use some chalk and draw a hopscotch make their own cookies. Once they have on the pavement. Join in the with the finished their masterpieces, simply bake kids for some energetic fun. them and serve them as an afternoon Let the kids do some indoor fishing by treat. Save a couple for the neighbours making a fishing rod with a stick and and take them over as a small gift. some string. Tie a magnet onto the end 16. Have a game of Naughts and Crosses. and draw some paper fish. Put a paperUse a piece of paper and a pen to teach clip onto each fish so they stick to the the kids O’s and X’s. Or print them on magnet rod. magnetic paper to play on the fridge. Create clues and make your own treasure hunt. Follow the clues to get the end and
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Road trip games Need games to pass away the time while on the road? Why not give these a try: Eye spy - an oldie but a goodie. One person chooses an object and starts by saying “I spy with my little eye, something beginning with” and then choose a letter. Everyone else has to guess what it is. The person who gets it starts the next round. If your kids are too little to guess with a letter try a colour instead. The licence plate game - this is good for learning your alphabet for littlies or just fun for the older kids. Have a list of the letters of the alphabet on a piece of paper or wipe-off board. As you see each letter on a licence plate you may cross off that letter. First person to have found all 26 letters, wins! Travel bingo - choose a list of objects that you are likely to see on your drive and print them in a grid onto a sheet of paper. The first person who is able to cross off all objects in a row shouts “BINGO” and wins that round. (Travel bingo cards are available for download from our website) Use a cookie tray and supply your child with magnets to play out scenes or create words with alphabet magnets. Tell a group story. Have one member of the family start telling a story by just saying one sentence. The next
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person must add to the story. Keep going around the group until you are able to finish the story. This one can give a few laughs. Sensory guessing game - place an item inside a fabric bag. Have the child reach inside and guess what the object is just by feeling with their hands, not looking. When they get it right, allow them to look and then use a different object. Food necklaces - use cheerios or fruit loops and thread them onto pieces of string for some fun and edible jewellery. Travel scavenger hunt - make a list of items that the children have to look for. Have them work together to find each item and then tick it off the list… or make it even more fun by giving them a digital camera and have them take a picture of the object. Mini puppet theatre - bring along some finger puppets and rein act favourite stories such as the three little pigs or red riding hood. Add your own twists or imagination to the story to make it more fun. Take turns telling a different story. Create a dry-erase board out of a picture frame and use different inserts to keep busy. Our website has lots of fun inserts such as hangman, find a words and draw that face. Print them from www.smallstepsparenting.com
Making “me” time in the holidays With the Christmas season upon us, it seems that our to-do list gets longer by the day. Along with our normal chores and daily tasks we now have to think about Christmas parties, gift giving, family traditions and more. So when do we have time for ourselves, and how can we make sure that we are able to put away some time for a small break? As a parent we are constantly thinking about our family, their needs and their plans and the more family focused we are, the less we tend to make time for ourselves. It is important to understand that making “me” time a priority is not a selfish thing to do. In fact, it is actually extremely important and should be a priority. People who take time out for a reprieve from daily life tend to be happier and therefore healthier. This allocated time just for yourself serves as a wind down. It allows you to relax, de-stress and replace your sense on calm. Having a regular time out will allow you to think clearer, have more patience and generally deal better with the things in your day-to-day life. So how do you fit in time for yourself during this busy season? Firstly, think about what you would like to do in your “me” time. What would you do with a spare 15 minutes, half hour, hour, half day or whole day? Write down a small list and carry it with you. Plan for “me” time everyday even if it is just for 15 minutes or so. At least once a week try to allocate larger blocks of time so you have
time to do some things you enjoy that allow you to relax. Ask for help with chores that don’t necessarily need to be done by you. Can your partner cook dinner once a week to give you a break? Can your mother watch the kids for an hour so you can go have a massage? Schedule your week and note down the things you must get done. Pay attention to blocks of time that could be available for you to have some time out. Also watch for time that is being wasted such as, too much time checking emails or Facebook, going to grocery store every couple of days instead of planning ahead and shopping once a week. Create a daily ritual. Whether it is a relaxing bath, a quiet walk on your own or some time to write in your journal, plan this time into your day. This may be once the kids are in bed at night or you may even choose to get up half an hour earlier than everyone else just to have some solitude before the day begins. Whatever you do, know that creating time for yourself allows for your family to have a happier, healthier you!
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Kids Fun!
Untangle Use the letters in the following mixed-up words to create new Christmas words 3. derereni 4. rats
5. sintle 6. keytru
7. eret 8. selbl
ANSWERS: 1. santa 2. present 3. reindeer 4. star 5. tinsel 6. turkey 7. tree 8. bells
1. ansat 2. perestn
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Business Directory Mention this ad for a FREE 8x12 print with each package purchased
Shazam Photography
Any full set only *November only
www.shazamphotography.com.au Ph: 0416 957 592
Appointment only, mobile service available
South Windsor NSW 2756
Perfect for Weddings Baby Showers Parties Contact Lisa 0416 030 584 info@tuttifruttilollybuffets.com.au
McGraths Hill Children’s Centre Inc
Open 6.30am-6.30pm From birth to 6 years Nutritious meals daily Community based Not for profit centre Preschool transition programs 69 Andrew Thompson Dr, McGraths Hill Ph: 4587 7141 or email: mhcc@westnet.com.au
Replace your blue book with these gorgeous covers
www.bubbafly.com
Are you stressed at work? Or a hardworking parent? If yes, you are in need of a revitalising massage at cost price!
Accredited Massage Therapist Remedial Massage MOBILE 1 hour $65 1/2 hour $30 Hot stone therapy 1 hour from $85-$115 Call Natarsha 0450 011 980
Advertise your business here for as little as $45 a month
Community McQuade Park Twilight Market Sat 7th December 2pm-7pm
Raising money for Breast Cancer Research Petting zoo Stalls Jumping Castle Band Plus the World’s Biggest Colouring In! Go to our website or Facebook page for more information www.smallstepsparenting.com
Do you have children aged 0-8 years?
This 5 Week program will leave you feeling more confident and competent and ready to deal with common child behavioural and emotional issues. Dates: Wed 6th, 13th Nov Time: 10:00am—12:00pm Where: South Windsor Family Centre, 6 Greenhill’s Way, South Windsor Ph: 4577 9804
Peppercorn Family Services offers support for you and your family for a period of up to 3 months
- Home Visiting - Answering questions & provide advice on parenting - Links to other services - Behaviour management & child development.
This is a FREE community service. Ph: 4577 9804
Noticeboard
If you have a free event that you would like to advertise on our community noticeboard, please send us an email. All free events for the community will be listed here for free. This is a great place to tell people about your playgroup, free classes or public events. Email info@smallstepsparenting.com
PLAYGROUPS: Free, fun activities facilitated by a Family Worker An opportunity to meet parents in your local area Information on child development and parenting
Hobartville
Tuesdays 9.00-11.00am
Windsor South
Thursday 9.30-11.30am For more information call: Peppercorn Family Services (02) 4577 9804
CHRISTMAS PARTY BRUNCH Are you a parent/carer of a child 0—8 years? Or are you expecting a child?
Photo with Santa Children’s craft Yummy food A surprise visitor Christmas gifts for everyone!!! Date: Wed 11th December Time: 9:30am—11:30am Where: South Windsor Family Centre, 6 Greenhill’s Way, South Windsor Ph: 4577 9804 FREE EVENT
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Don’t miss next month...
Our
cial e p s e coupl
Plus see the makeover from our make a change section 39
Artwork designed and donated by Stacey Pegrem
McQuade Park Twilight Market
Sat 7th December 2pm-7pm Raising money for Breast Cancer Research Petting Zoo Jumping Castle
Stalls Food
Band Plenty of fun for all!
Plus join us for the World’s biggest community colouring in!! Cnr Hawkesbury Valley Way & George Street, Windsor