December / January 2011
Christmas crafts for kids! Nummy nutrition!
Healthy holiday treats for kids
Fun fashion with Foschini
Healthy happy holiday pets RaisingKids digimag free online at www.raising-kids.co.za!
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RaisingKids - December | January 2011
Publisher TLG Publishing (Pty) Ltd. Managing Editor Tracey Garde editor@raising-kids.co.za 082 460 6007 Advertising sales@raising-kids.co.za Copy Editor Sharon de Beer info@raising-kids.co.za 012 667 3935 Art Director Heidi Amrouni eye2design@iafrica.com General enquiries info@raising-kids.co.za Photographer Wayne Potgieter 082 853 6873 wayne@digisky.co.za Visit our website for advertising deadlines, technical specifications and advertising rates www.raising-kids.co.za Printing Seriti Printing General competition rules: Winners will be notified telphonically or by email. Prizes are not transferable nor may they be exchanged for cash. The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
Postal Address PO Box 67269, Highveld, 0169 South Africa Tel: 012 667 3935 Fax: 086 515 5487 ISSN 2070-6219
editorial comment www.raising-kids.co.za
T
he good, the sad and the sustainable The good news is that we have managed to survive another hectic year and we are looking forward to the challenges of another one! I remember feeling, whilst growing up, that the years used to drag on forever. Nowadays, I regret not heeding parental advice to enjoy the (then) seemingly slow passing of time. Once you hit adulthood (especially after 30), you blink and another year has flown by and you wonder where it went! It often makes me feel sad, as I wish there was more time to spend with my hubby and kids. Although I do try to spend ‘quality time’ with them, life just seems to keep getting in the way. So, as this year winds down to an almost complete standstill, I am looking forward to heading for the ocean (where granny and grandpa live) to enjoy some mindless, fancy-free days with my family and I hope you get to do the same with yours. The sad news is that our readers who don’t have online facilities will not be able to read RaisingKids next year. The reason for this is that RaisingKids has been aware for some time that printing magazines comes at a cost to the environment – printing RaisingKids can destroy up to 21 trees* per issue. As a parenting magazine, we feel that ignoring this concern would be remiss of us, especially since the very children whose issues we address in our magazine are those who will benefit from an improved natural environment in the future. We have therefore decided to tackle the challenge head on, by converting the magazine to digimag format in entirety and excluding a print run completely. Thus far this move has been greeted with resounding enthusiasm from the parenting and parenting product market, as we are the first and only South African parenting magazine to take this leap of faith. So from February 2011 RaisingKids will be available exclusively and still freely, online at www.raising-kids.co.za (or via our mobisite) in digimag format. The good news is that this means we will also be able to make RaisingKids available monthly! Our digimag already incorporates innovative technological advantages which cannot be duplicated in print form and we plan to improve on these continually. Our aim is to provide you, the reader, with a completely interactive portal which is different to what is currently offered in either print or on standard websites. You are already able to flip through the digimag pages as effortlessly as flipping through printed pages, but what makes the digimag great is that should an editorial piece or advertised product interest you, you are able to source more information on it immediately by simply ‘clicking through’ to the related website in an instant by means of hyper-linking. It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3 and it’s the way forward in achieving a sustainable future for our children. See you in cyberspace. *Average calculation done on www.replanttrees.org where 1 magazine weighs 5.29 ounces (150 grams) and the print run is 12 500 copies.
Cover credits: Baby Ella Loots
MAGAZINE PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH AFRICA
All work published in RaisingKids Magazine is protected by copyright. Only with written permission from the publisher may any part of this magazine be reproduced or adapted in any form. We welcome contributions to RaisingKids Magazine, but the publisher of this magazine retains unrestricted rights to edit submitted material. We do not accept responsibility for material submitted and can not guarantee the return of any original material. The publisher’s opinion is not necessarily that published in RaisingKids Magazine and the publisher does not accept any liability of any nature that may arise from the contents of this magazine.
RaisingKids - December | January 2011
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contents News and reviews
6 - 12
Seven pages of fantastic offers and giveaways on reviewed products in this issue!
Infertility: Alternatives to invasive intervention
18
Non-invasive treatments may be all that is needed to overcome issues of infertility for couples who are struggling to conceive.
Our pregnancy diary
20
Colleen and Rick are well on their way into the second trimester of their pregnancy.
Water workout!
22
Beat the heat by exercising in water – our fitness expert, Yolandi, shows you how. Our pregnancy diary. Page 20.
Cry mommy, cry baby
24
When a mother suffers from Post Natal Depression it can trigger Infant Depressive Disorder. Liesel van der Sandt, expert Play Therapist, enlightens us on the issues.
Travelling with tots?
28 - 31
Sister Lisa Park offers some wise road-trip advice, while Debbie Preston has flying with tots all sewn up!
Nummy nutrition!
32 - 35
Jeske Wellmann and Gabi Steenkamp share a few nutritious recipes from their book Sustained energy for kids.
Thinking naturally
36
Acupuncturist and Homeopath, Dr Catherine Knight, encourages people everywhere to to accept the cyclical nature and to embrace the natural order of life. Nummy nutrition. Page 32.
Breaking through barriers
42
manda Press, Speech & Language Therapist, shares her insight on making the A most of communication opportunities with autistic children.
Healthy, happy holiday pets
51
Taking proper care of your pets means providing them with more than just a meal.
Fun fashion with Foschini!
54 - 57
Four fabulous pages of fun Foschini fashion.
Caitlin’s Castings
58
A children’s modelling agency ‘with a difference’ and one intent on ‘making a difference’.
MySchool
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MySchool and Toys R Us make a difference with their Donation Station drive. Healthy, happy holiday pets. Page 51.
RaisingKids - December | January 2011
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Huggies® Little Swimmers save the day! Summer is here and with it comes long days of fun outside with the family. Children of all ages love water – whether they are at the beach, swimming or running around in the sprinkler. With Huggies® Little Swimmers you no longer need to worry about bulging nappies or little accidents that can cause embarrassing moments. Huggies® Little Swimmers are South Africa’s only disposable swimpants that are made of unique materials that prevent the nappy from swelling in water as a normal nappy would. These swimpants have a protective dual barrier layer that keeps everything in to avoid little embarrassing moments. They fit snugly to keep the contents of the nappy sealed and have stretchy tear-away sides for easy removal. With the fun Disney© Nemo and Tigger outer cover designs, they look just like a swimming costume. With Huggies® Little Swimmers you can now join your little one in the fun and make the most of the warm summer months.
Giveaway! Huggies® Little Swimmers is giving away three Huggies® hampers containing a Huggies® branded swimming towel, a drawstring bag, Huggies® Little Swimmers product as well as a photo album and photo frame to capture your summer memories. Each hamper is valued at R1000. For your chance to win a hamper, SMS ‘Huggies’ to 34509 before 31 January 2011. Please note that all SMS entries are charged at R2 each.
Protect your family this summer with Second Skins new sun protection gear Not only are they super trendy, but according to the institute of the International Testing Group for Applied UV Protection, they are also the best sun protection garments made in SA. This means that Second Skins fabrics have been tested wet, stretched and washed. The range is vast with popper suits for babies and toddlers, surfer styles for tweens and rash vests for adults. For more information visit www.secondskins.co.za or call 0861 sskins/ 775467.
Giveaway! For a chance to win one of 12 popper suits for kids up to 24 months, valued at R250 each, SMS ‘Secondskins’ and your child’s age to 34509 before 31 January 2011. Please note that all SMS entries are charged at R2 each.
Speedo launches new, anti-fog Speedo goggles that warn when UV is too high The world’s leading swimwear brand, Speedo®, is passionate about life in and around the water, creating revolutionary new technologies, designs and innovations. Enter Speedo’s Futura Shade Goggles, which are designed for juniors aged 6 – 14. They comprise of a unique UV reactive system of colour changing frames which indicate to parents when to get their children out of the sun. The goggles are available in three unique colours: Clear/blue – the clear area (the frame) changes to orange to warn of high UV levels, clear/pink (changes to purple), clear/purple (changes to pink). Speedo Futura Shade Goggles are available at Sportsman’s Warehouse and selected sports outlets. For product details, visit www.speedo.com or call Speedo on 080 077 3336 or email sales@speedo.co.za.
Giveaway! Speedo are giving away two Futura Shade Goggles valued at R225 each! For your chance to win, SMS ‘Speedo’ to 34509 before 31 January 2011. Please note that all SMS entries are charged at R2 each.
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Elizabeth Anne’s & Purity has developed a range of Fragrance Free products specifically suited to baby’s sensitive skin This new ‘Sensitive Baby Fragrance Free range’ consists of moisturising bath wash and shampoo; moisturising cream; petroleum jelly and aqueous cream. Research conducted amongst mothers with babies younger than 18 months indicates that most mothers consider their babies to have sensitive skin by virtue of their ‘newness’ and lack of exposure to both environmental factors and products. Many mothers also advised that they preferred to use unscented products especially where their little ones have sensitive skin. Elizabeth Anne’s & Purity’s ‘Sensitive Baby Fragrance Free range’ is fragrance and colourant free which is highly suitable for a new born baby’s sensitive skin. This mild and gentle range is Consultant Dermatologist and Paediatrician approved. For more information visit www.purity.co.za.
Giveaway! Elizabeth Anne’s & Purity are giving away 10 hampers of their new ‘Sensitive Baby Fragrance Free range’ valued at R600 each. For your chance to win a hamper, SMS ‘Baby’ to 34509 before 31 January 2011. Please note that all SMS entries are charged at R2 each.
Nighty night with Nestlé Nestum Happy Dreams! Nestlé has introduced four new variants to its NESTUM Infant Cereals range: NESTUM Happy Dreams Chamomile, NESTUM Happy Dreams Orange Blossom, NESTUM Stage 3 Strawberry and Banana, NESTUM Stage 3 Carrot and Spinach. The ingredients in the Happy Dreams range are known for their soothing benefits and aim to encourage a long and peaceful night’s sleep, essential for baby’s growth. The inclusion of two new variants in the textured range offers babies the different flavours of Strawberry and Banana (for the sweet tooth) and Carrot and Spinach (to encourage the appreciation of vegetables). Exposure to more textured foods is essential for your baby’s development; it strengthens jaw muscles and gums, helps with the development of speech and allows your child to develop preferences for certain tastes. The new Nestlé NESTUM range also contains the probiotic Bifidus BL. Probiotics which are the ‘good’ bacteria that help to maintain the natural balance of For your chance to win organisms (microflora) in the intestines. Probiotics, a Nestlé hamper valued together with the supporting immunonutrients (Iron, at R1200, SMS the word Zinc, Vitamin A and Vitamin C) found in the Nestlé ‘Nestum’ to 34509 before NESTUM range, ensures that baby will receive all 31 January 2011. Please the necessary nutrients to build a strong immune system. note that all SMS entries
Win!
are charged at R2 each. RaisingKids - December | January 2011
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Playtime for tots, tweens, teens and even over-grown kids with Tevo and Razor scooters! Look out for the E-Series electric scooters (E100 and E300) for youngsters and adults alike, the Spark Scooter (a kick scooter with a step on spark bar), the Pro Model trick scooter for aspiring freestyle riders, the patented Sole Skate (a ‘seriously stealth ride’) and the Ripstik Air Pro. Now our ‘kids in the hood’ can scoot around on some of the world’s most innovative gizmos… whether self- or battery-powered. The Razor range is priced from R399.95 and available from Game, Makro, Sportsmans Warehouse, Toys R Us or directly from Tevo on 0861 77 88 88 or www.razor.za.com.
Giveaway! Tevo is giving away two A125 scooters valued at R399.95 each, as well as two Sole Skates valued at R599.95 each! For your chance to win either of these, SMS ‘Tevo-scooter’ or ‘Tevo-skate’ to 34509 before 31 January 2011. Please note that all SMS entries are charged at R2 each.
Toys R Us Sandton City launches a whole new gaming experience with a world-first PlayStation Zone The Zone enables tweens, teens and families to play with and explore the full range of PlayStation products in one place. Get to grips with PlayStation®Move, the brand’s first motion-sensing game controller platform introduced to South Africa only a few weeks ago, using the 60-inch Sony Bravia video screen. Try out the PlayStation Portable (PSP) and PlayStation 3 (PS3) as well as the latest game releases: from Sports Champions, Start the Party and EyePet to version 5 of Gran Turismo, PlayStation’s trendy racing simulation video game. In fact, you can go hands on with Gran Turismo in the state of the art GT®5 simulator that has been built into this PlayStation Zone. See you there!
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A scene fro m Riverdan ce Composed by Photo: Jack Bill Whelan, Produc ed by Moy Hartin © Ab a Doherty, hann Prod Directed by uctions Jo
Experience the phenomenal flying footwork of the original Riverdance Of all the performances to emerge from Ireland – in rock, music, theatre and film – nothing has carried the energy, the sensuality and the spectacle of Riverdance. The show, featuring the remarkable Riverdance Irish Dance Troupe and a spectacular array of talent from Spain, Russia and America, will grace the stages of The Teatro at Montecasino, Johannesburg from Tuesday, 25 January 2011 to Sunday, 20 February 2011 and Cape Town’s Grand Arena at Grand West Casino for just six shows from Thursday, 24 February to Sunday, 27 February 2011. Due to exceptional demand, the show has just been extended by two weeks, making its Johannesburg season a full three week run! Book now at Computicket by calling 083 915 8000, go to www.computicket.com or visit your nearest Computicket outlet.
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Giveaway! For your chance to win one of three sets of double tickets to the Riverdance show at the Teatro at Montecasino on Tuesday, 25 January 2011 SMS ‘Riverdance’ to 34509 before 30 December 2010. Tickets are not transferable and may not be exchanged for cash or for an alternate date. Please note that all SMS entries are charged at R2 each.
Summer in Stellenbosch Valley
A magical day for dreaming…
Enjoy a fun-filled celebration in the Stellenbosch winelands this December with the Summer in Stellenbosch Valley holiday programme. From 16 to 19 December 2010, wineries in the Stellenbosch Valley are offering a jam-packed calendar of events with wonderful wines, fabulous food and exciting entertainment for the whole family! Children are catered for, with fun activities to keep them occupied while parents enjoy the fruit of the valley’s vineyards. Most of the wineries have their own restaurants where visitors can enjoy a wide range of gourmet offerings from fine dining, traditional local dishes, deli products, fusion foods, bistro and tapas style eating to outdoor cuisine such as picnics and the traditional South African braai. For more information on participating wineries, visit www.wineroute.co.za and follow the sun for a full listing of events. Alternatively contact 021 886 4310 or email info@wineroute.co.za.
The Reach For A Dream Foundation is very excited to introduce their first children’s book, A Magical Day For Dreaming, written by Lara Rosmarin, the Foundations Fundraising Manager. Rosmarin says that the idea to write a children’s story came to her about two years ago when her second child, Sam, was born and subsequently admitted to hospital after contacting a respiratory infection. During this time she began to write stories and A Magical Day for Dreaming is an adaptation of those stories. The main character in the book, Jay Jay, is a magical clown that makes even the most fantastic dreams come true. You will be taken on a magical journey and share in the joys of children who had the courage to believe in their dreams. The central theme is that no dream is too big or too small – the trick is simply to believe! All royalties from book sales will go towards the organisation’s Jabulani programme which is a project where hospital entertainers visit children who are confined to hospitals for extended periods of time. For more information on Reach For A Dream or ways to become involved visit www.reachforadream.org.za.
Giveaway! For your chance to win a traditional ‘boere braai’ experience on 18 December 2010 for a family of four at the beautiful Middelvlei Wine Estate (valued at R450), SMS the word ‘Middelvlei’ to 34509 before 15 December 2010. Please note that all SMS entries are charged at R2 each.
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Nido helps kids grow Toddlers need more nutrients, vitamins and minerals in proportion to their growing bodies to help develop teeth, bones and muscles. Milk and other calcium-rich foods such a yoghurt are very important, after all, calcium is a key building block for strong, healthy bones. According to current recommendations, toddlers between the ages of one and three should be consuming 500mg of calcium every day. Whilst cow’s milk is a good source of calcium, it simply cannot meet all the nutritional requirements that a toddler has. Normal milk lacks sufficient amounts of iron, essential fatty acids and other important vitamins and minerals vital for the growth of a young child. Cow’s milk also has higher levels of saturated fat and sodium chloride (salt) than what is required by toddlers. Growing Up Milks (GUMS) are able to provide a child with the right balance of carbohydrates, protein and fat. The fact that GUMS start off as cow’s milk means that this milk product is already a good source of calcium. The addition of vitamins and minerals (and in the case of Nestlé NIDO 1+ and Nestlé NIDO 3+) Prebio for digestive comfort, means that this highly specialised milk product is able to meet all a toddler’s nutritional needs. Prebio, Nestlé’s unique mix of natural carbohydrates that are able to sustain the digestive system, acts as a prebiotic, promoting the growth of friendly bacteria in a toddler’s gut and assisting in achieving a healthier immune system. For further information about NIDO, please contact the Nestlé customer care line on 086 009 6789 or visit www.nestle.co.za.
Giveaway! For your chance to win a hamper valued at R2000 from Nestlé containing Nido product to the value of R600, a Barney toy, a R400 Naartjie clothing voucher and Pick n Pay vouchers valued at R800, SMS ‘Nido’ to 34509 before 31 January 2011. Please note that SMS entries are charged at R2 each.
Have you seen our Digimag?
Celebrate the festive season with a family meal at Maxi’s! Maxi’s recently celebrated their 17th birthday! In celebration of this and in keeping with festive season traditions of family, friends and never-to-be-forgotten tasty meals, Maxi’s is giving RaisingKids readers the opportunity to treat your kids to a fabulous free meal at a Maxi’s near you these holidays! And don’t worry mom – Maxi’s serves superior quality food made from the best ingredients and the portions are never stingy. Best of all, Maxi’s offers a quick, sit-down-service as well as great tasting food and you don’t even have to order for the kids because Maxi’s interactive kiddies’ menus are so easy to understand! Now that’s scrummylicious! Congratulations to Tania Drinkrow, the winner of the Maxi’s competition posted in our October/November 2010 issue. Tania wins the Maxi’s Kiddies Birthday party for ten children, for describing her Maxi’s eating experience as ‘scrummylicious’.
Giveaway! For your chance to win one of four R250 meal vouchers up for grabs, all you need to do is simply SMS ‘Maxi’s’ to 34509. Please note that all SMS entries are charged a R2 each. For more information and a list of Maxi’s restaurants closest to you visit www.maxis.co.za or contact 011 608 1999.
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RaisingKids - December | January 2011
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news&reviews Healthy and glowing pregnant skin with Meadowsweet Meadowsweet – South African producers of high quality natural skin and body care products which are Paraben free and invigorate mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually – have devised a range of Nourishing Vitamin E products that will keep your skin healthy, soft and glowing. The range includes a Vitamin E body scrub and bath milk which is a mild and gentle cleanser, the luxurious Vitamin E body butter which is rich in anti-oxidants and nourishes skin with vitamins A, E and F, as well as the Vitamin E hand and body lotion which can be used by all skin types as it gently nourishes to create soft and supple skin. The Meadowsweet range is available at reputable selected stores throughout South Africa. For more information on stockists or to purchase online visit www.meadowsweet.co.za.
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True blue spirit! Prevent pneumonia now! Pneumonia kills more children under the age of five than any other disease, claiming a young life every 20 seconds! But pneumonia can be prevented through vaccines, better nutrition and reducing risk factors. On the 12th of November 2010 RaisingKids staff supported the prevention of childhood
RaisingKids Staff: Sharon (Copy Editor) Tracey (Editor) and Heidi (Art Director)
Giveaway!
pneumonia by
For your chance to win a hamper of the Meadowsweet range valued at R350, SMS ‘Meadowsweet’ to 34509 before 31 January 2010. Please note that all SMS entries are charged at R2 each.
is committed to actively drive awareness about this tragic disease
wearing blue jeans and blue shirts. RaisingKids, together with Inzalo Communications, which claims approximately two million babies and toddlers lives every year.
Supermamas are delighted with Mama Mio! Mama Mio is a range of luxurious facial and quality body care products imported from the UK. They are super rich in Omega 3, 6 and 9 which all help increase the skin’s elasticity and all products contain the maximum amount of active ingredients to ensure absorption efficiency. Even if you’re not a mama at all, Mama Mio products will restore your body shape and skin tone with a product that is free of any harmful ingredients. Tummy Rub Oil – goodbye stretch marks! This oil is packed with the natural goodness of Omega 3, 6 and 9 which provides 100% moisture without being oily. Thirsty skin soaks it up immediately leaving it super soft with a protective sheen. Boob Tube – aim North, not South! This light protective cream will help you defy gravity! Rich in Omega 3, 6 and 9 as well as nature’s amazing antioxidant CoQ10 it helps to increase the strength and elasticity of delicate décolletage skin. Boob Tube will be your new BBF – your boobs’ best friend! Recommended retail price for Tummy Rub Oil is R425 (120ml) and retail price for Boob Tube is R475 (100ml). Mama Mio products are sold via top spas and salons around the country. Visit www.maternalbliss.co.za for more information or to source stockists.
Giveaway! To win one of three Mama Mio hampers valued at R1000 each, SMS ‘Mama Mio’ to 34509 before 31 January 2011. Please note that all SMS entries are charged at R2 each. RaisingKids - December | January 2011
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news&reviews Goldilocks and the Three Bears and Santa – all in one Christmas Musical!
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The Lilliput Children’s Theatre Company will be performing their brand new show Goldilocks and the Three Bears at the Baxter Theatre from 11 December to 24 December at 10h30 (Monday to Saturday). After each public show the audience will be able to meet Santa Claus, who will be handing out sweets to all of the children. Parents are requested to kindly contribute a present for an underprivileged child which will be placed under our Christmas tree. These presents will be distributed to various children’s homes and hospitals in Cape Town. Tickets are R38 per person and bookings can be made at Computicket, any Shoprite or Checkers store, or online at www.computicket.com. For school and block bookings call 083 364 8284 or 021 558 2650.
To win a double set of tickets to Goldilocks and the Three Bears, SMS ‘Goldilocks’ to 34509 before 10 December 2010. Please note that SMS entries are charged at R2 each.
Brainee – A tuffy mobile tablet for kids The Brainee has a rotating touch screen which easily converts from traditional laptop format with keyboard entry to a resistive touch tablet. The included stylus allows control of the touch screen as well as digital pen text input. This convertible functionality enables usage options for use and control of the Brainee. Built on the Intel® Atom™ processor, the Brainee is an Intel-powered Classmate PC which features durable, drop and spill resistant construction with a sturdy plastic case and removable carrying handle to withstand demanding everyday use at school, home, on the job or when travelling.
2 Simple – Get Creative PhotoSimple is a photo editing programme that introduces the necessary tools and skills for enhancing and manipulating digital images. Open or scan in a photo, edit, enhance and even email images! Support videos are included to help meet ICT and Art & Design objectives and other titles in the 2 Simple range include 2 Type, Alphabet Soup, 2 Create a Story, 2 Animate and Music Toolkit.
Fuzz & Ditto – School Readiness The range consists of two volumes: Fuzz & Ditto on Safari and Fuzz & Ditto at the Sea. Each volume has 15 original games, catchy songs, stories and activities, covering 40 essential school readiness skills. The uniquely South African product features the endearing creatures Fuzz (a cuddly green alien) and his adorable pink space dog, Ditto, who befriend and share in adventures with Thandi, Cathy, Thulani and Greg. Learners play interactive games and in doing so learn essential school readiness skills such as counting, number recognition, phonics, alphabet, etc. Visit www.edumall.co.za or call 011 450 4578 for more information.
Giveaway! Win Fuzz & Ditto or PhotoSimple software! Simply SMS the word ‘brainee’ to 34509 and you could win one of four 2 Simple software packs up for grabs. Please note that SMS entries are charged at R2 each.
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Bennetts - The Bottom Line Question from Sandra Bistel, Nelspruit: I am breastfeeding my baby who is four months old, but she has caught a cold and is battling to breathe at the breast because her nose is blocked, so she stops feeding to breathe through her mouth and that causes her to gulp in air and experience colic. What can I do? Unfortunately, with the change in seasons, colds and hay fever can cause little noses to run or become congested. It is distressing when baby is battling to breathe, especially when she is still unable to blow her little nose. It is advisable to try and clear the nostrils of mucous before feeding baby, to prevent the ‘stopping and starting’ and gulping in of air. You can either use breast milk directly into your baby’s nose or you could clean the nostrils out by using non-medicated, alcohol free saline nose drops which will break down mucous. Remember to use the saline drops well before every feed so that nostrils have time to clear before feeding takes place. Bennetts saline nose drops are safe to use at any age. It may also help to tickle the inside of your baby’s nose with the tip of an ear bud as this will induce a sneeze which will help to clear out the mucous. You can also use a nasal aspirator with a soft, flexible tip to clean away the mucous from the nostrils. Vapour gels assist in clearing blocked nasal passages. These contain aromatherapeutic oils such as Eucalyptus oil which you can apply on baby’s upper lip. Incidentally, if baby’s chest is tight or congested, you can even massage this gel on baby’s chest and back, as long as the product is mild enough for baby’s delicate skin. Bennetts Eazi-Breathe gel and balm can be used from three months of age. Remember that the mucous (especially if there is a post-nasal drip going on) could also be upsetting baby’s tummy, causing cramping and you may find her stools to be more ‘mucousy’ and ‘loose’ than usual. The mucous in the tummy may be making baby feel nauseas so this may also put her off her feed or even make her bring up her feed. Try and feed her smaller amounts more regularly if this is the case, as it will not overload her tummy and in so doing make the nausea worse. Wind baby for longer after each feed while she has the cold. You can try other methods of winding too: fill up a hot water
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bottle with warm water and place it on your lap, add a few drops of diluted Eucalyptus oil onto the surface of the water bottle and lay baby across it on her tummy. Gently massage her back in an upwards motion, pushing from the base of her spine upwards. Be careful not to put too much pressure on the stomach by pushing down too much as baby may bring up her feed, in which case you will have to start all over again! Winding your baby in the over-the-shoulder position when her nose is congested may aid in alleviating the congestion; you can also try and keep baby in an upright position after feeding – even if she is sleeping – by using a baby carrier. The warmth of your body will act like a hot water bottle and winds will be easier to dislodge. Try these methods before resorting to colic remedies which may upset baby’s tummy further, however, if all us fails use homeopathic remedies such as Mag Phos and Chamomilla/ Millefolium drops that may help reduce the spasms and cramps, or consult a doctor or pharmacist for a suitable colic remedy – most of which are available over-the-counter. Sleep when baby sleeps so that should the colic continue you are not too exhausted to deal with the situation. Call on your partner, granny or friend to take over after a feed while you grab some shut-eye. Continue to avoid eating foods which may have an effect on your breast milk (caffeine, nuts and chocolate) and cause baby to cramp up, and cause colic-like symptoms. Try to limit your dairy intake as your baby may be sensitive to dairy and this in turn can cause nasal congestion too. Try to relax – remember that anxiety can affect your milk supply and that is the last thing you need. Hopefully, once baby’s cold is over, you will both be back on track. If baby didn’t present with colic at three weeks of age, chances are the colic will come to an end with the cold. If not, try not to despair as most babies outgrow colic at 6 months of age once the gut is more mature – so you’re almost there! Sister Lisa Park R/N, R/M, R/PN, R/CN
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Our winning letter Snips and snails and puppy-dog tails... I am the mother of two boys, no girls. Complete strangers have walked up to me and confessed conspiratorially that they also only have boys, so I have quickly come to realise that I seem to have joined a ‘fraternity’ without realising it! What perplexes me is that other women believe they have somehow drawn a short straw if they have only delivered boys and no girls. It is almost as if you have failed in some way by not having a girl. The perception seems to be that mothers of two boys are supposed to continue trying for a girl and that they couldn’t possibly be happy with just two sons! I once met the mother of four boys at a tea party and throughout the afternoon people made comments like “You poor thing, how do you manage”, etc. Eventually she, somewhat exasperatedly, exclaimed that she actually enjoyed being the mother of four boys! I have been the mother of two boys for five years now and I have come to realise that I really enjoy it: I like being the only woman in the house, I like that nobody is interested in playing with my makeup, my shoes or my nice smelling lotions and potions, I like boy
toys, I like helping them to build robots and monsters, play active running games, swim until we are all wrinkly and cold. I like catching bugs, slugs and frogs. There are also obvious advantages of not having a pigeon pair: they love the same toys and games and are therefore almost constant playmates. I can pass down clothes and I can put them in the same bath and same bedroom, the latter for the rest of their childhood if need be. In Durban, co-ed schools are rare and I can have them in the same school for easy dropping and fetching. Maybe I will miss out on some things in the future such as matric dance dresses, being the mother of the bride, having a daughter share my more crafty female hobbies, etc. On the upside though, I will also never have someone else using my craft supplies or rummaging through my makeup and clothes. Ultimately, I think I can do more for the world by raising two decent men who respect women and treat their wives as they would want their mother to be treated. Anneke
Whose bump is it anyway? winning tip Planning ahead With both my pregnancies I chose not to find out the gender of my
months clothing lasts, as baby isn’t crawling or running around yet.
unborn baby, so all my pre-baby shopping resulted in the choosing
My advice to first- and even second-time moms is that, even if you
of clothes in all shades of pale green, yellow or plain white. It was
do know the gender of your baby and especially if you are planning
only after I fell pregnant a second time that I realised how clever it
to have more, rather stock the cupboard with neutrally coloured
had been to purchase neutral clothing as it didn’t matter whether I
outfits because it will save you some money down the line!
was to have a girl or boy the second time round, because I had a cupboard filled with baby clothes that would be fit for either gender.
Virginia Westbury
All of us with little ones know how well newborn and the first few
Letterbox: The author of the winning letter in each issue of RaisingKids will receive a Huggies® hamper to the value of R500. Simply send us your ‘Letter to the Editor’ to editor@raising-kids.co.za. RaisingKids - December | January 2011
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RaisingKids - December | January 2011
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Infertility: alternatives to invasive intervention It is estimated that one in every five couples in South Africa are affected by infertility issues. Cases of infertility are increasing in general worldwide, due to a myriad of reasons including the fact that couples are choosing to start a family much later in life these days and since they are no longer in their ‘prime’ for conception to occur, this should come as no surprise. Stressful modern lifestyles can also impact heavily on the fertility of both women and men, so what is to be done? Common fertility issues in men can include blockages in the male reproductive organ (a damaged or blocked vas deferens or epididymis which can prevent sperm from being transmitted to the ejaculate, resulting in infertility), varicocele (a condition similar to that of varicose veins except it is the veins in the scrotum that are enlarged which has the effect of increasing the temperature of the testes inhibiting the production of healthy sperm) and irregular sperm i.e. sperm that have poor motility (movement), abnormally shaped sperm or a lack of sufficient sperm. Common fertility issues in women may include: endometriosis (when tissue from the uterine lining grows outside the uterus in the abdominal cavity); problematic ovulation (of which there may be many causes); polycystic ovarian syndrome (a condition which prevents the release of a healthy egg from the ovaries); poor egg quality (characterised by damaged eggs or chromosomal abnormalities that result in an inability to sustain a pregnancy); age (as a woman grows older the incidence of ‘sticky chromosomes’ may increase and this is associated with abnormalities such as Down Syndrome); blocked fallopian tubes (the tubes connecting the ovaries to the uterus) and sperm allergy. Stress may also be the culprit for infertility in both men and women; stress is interpreted by the body as a threat to its survival, therefore the body becomes focused on maintaining itself and will ‘shut down’ the procreation function to do this. It’s nature’s way of ensuring that we are able to sustain pregnancy and care for infants born. Invasive medical intervention in the way of surgical procedure, the taking of fertility medication, artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization (IVF) can be expensive (costs start at about R20 000 per treatment, normally with multiple treatments being required). Often though, the only intervention required is the restoration of the body’s balance, addressing lifestyle issues and/or detoxing a ‘polluted’ body system. Non-invasive treatments such as light therapy, acupuncture (a European study performed in 2001 found that acupuncture could increase the success of an assisted fertilisation by up to 40%), alignment therapy, reflexology and other health treatments are being looked to as ways to address infertility issues. Historically, these treatments have all been used in the treatment of infertility with great success and they offer couples
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RaisingKids - December | January 2011
a viable alternative to invasive procedures especially with regard to cost. Treatment costs at The Generation Fertility Centre for example, range from approximately R3 500 per person for a two day focused fertility treatment programme, to R6 800 per person for the optimal five day fertility treatment programme (both packages include all specific fertility therapies, meals, drinks and access to spa facilities). This is not just any spa – dieticians, doctors and nurses are made available at the centre to advise couples and an integral part of the programme is the lifestyle consultation offered with a trained professional to ensure that the mental side of infertility is also dealt with; the latter is often overlooked or not dealt with at other treatment facilities. As mentioned, non-invasive therapies for the treatment of infertility which focus on restoring the body’s internal balances include: Light therapy as a treatment for infertility is based on the theory that a woman’s ability to become pregnant relies heavily on the regularity of her menstrual cycle. Women with consistent 28 to 34 day cycles are much more likely to conceive than those with irregular cycles or cycles over 35 days. Fertility is thought to be directly related to the amount of light received: women who live near the equator or in sunny locations are theoretically much more fertile than women who live in northern and darker regions; women who receive more light have more consistent and stronger menstrual patterns. Light therapy is seen to aid fertility in two ways: bright light during the day helps increase fertility and scientists theorise that bright morning and evening light sends a signal to the body clock that it is the right time of year to conceive. It is therefore more difficult to conceive during short winter days. Bright light also controls the overproduction of melatonin, which is thought to stifle fertility. Reflexology as a treatment for infertility is based on the theory that on the plantar and dorsal surfaces of the feet, as well as on the area around the ankles, are reflex zones that connect to all the major organ systems of the body. When our bodies are out of balance, stimulation of these reflex zones on the feet can clear blockages, restore balance and leave a person with an all-encompassing sense of well-being. One of the major benefits of reflexology is the balancing of the endocrine system (the set of glands that produce the body’s hormones). Hormones play a key role in fertility and pregnancy, and can be affected by stress. Stress is an increasingly serious issue in modern society and given that male sperm rates have fallen by 29% over the last decade and women’s hormonal disorders have increased, it’s no wonder that more and more healthcare
Conception
professionals are now recommending reflexology as a way of aiding fertility. Alignment Therapy is a gentle form of specific spinal manipulation designed to stimulate the body’s ability to self-correct. It achieves the objective of creating self-awareness within the nervous system of tension and injury response patterns. It is able to stimulate the nervous system to increase flow along pathways that are blocked, either from injury or a loss of vital energy. Its specific role in the treatment of infertility is to restore normal function of the autonomic nervous supply to the sacral neural plexus, which is responsible for the function of the reproductive system and to reduce any interference at the level of the spinal cord that might decrease the efficiency of the nervous signal leaving the spinal cord
and reaching the target tissues, namely the reproductive organs and the glands that secrete the hormones that control fertility. Acupuncture for the treatment of infertility dates back thousands of years. One of the central benefits of infertility acupuncture has been its ability to regulate ovulation and menstrual cycles, as well as improving sperm mobility. It has been particularly useful in the area of in vitro fertilization (IVF). Studies have shown that acupuncture treatment aids in the production of better quality eggs. There is a correlation between women being more relaxed during fertility treatments when undergoing corresponding acupuncture treatment. This relaxation has had the effect of aiding better egg transfer which in turn has led to higher pregnancy rates.
Generations Fertility Centre is a non-invasive fertility centre which has recently been established as part of Hoogland Hydro. Couples who are looking for an alternative to invasive medical and artificial treatments will immediately feel welcome with our personal approach to the miracle of life. All of our treatments are specifically designed and administered by trained professionals to ensure couples receive the maximum benefit from each treatment. Our holistic programme is designed to highlight problem areas and rectify imbalances to ensure optimal conditions are present that will allow for successful reproduction. Couples stay over at our facility for the 2 or 5 day packages, where meals and drinks are aimed at detoxification and revitalisation of the body and mind. Our facility is based in the natural setting of a beautiful nature reserve, conveniently located close to Pretoria and Johannesburg, where couples can relax and take time to reconnect and refocus. Dieticians, doctors and nurses are available at our centre along with the use of our other facilities such as indoor and outdoor pools, jacuzzis and game trails. Visit www.generationscentre.co.za for additional information on our packages and therapies, email info@generationscentre.co.za or contact us telephonically on 012 380 4000.
Win! A two day, two night package at the Generations Fertility Clinic Package includes: • Doctor and lifestyle consultations
• Light, Alignment Therapy, Acupuncture and Reflexology treatments per day
• Choice of 2 additional treatments (full body massage, aromatherapy, hot stone massage, lymph drainage)
• All meals and a 24 hour health buffet
• Complimentary use of the additional facilities at Hoogland Health Hydro
Value: R3 600 per person (mid season), R3 960 per person (high season). The prize is valid until end March 2011, excluding school and public holidays. To enter, SMS ‘Generations’ to 34509 before 31 January 2011. Please note that all SMS entries are charged at R2 each.
RaisingKids - December | January 2011
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RaisingKids - December | January 2011
Pregnancy
Our pregnancy diary Pregnancy weeks 20 to 27: Colleen and Rick are well into their second trimester now! She says…
The second trimester has been much easier than the first. We’ve started our antenatal classes at Morningside Clinic and we’re enjoying them immensely. It is really informative and great meeting other expectant parents. It’s great for Rick to be attending too – he really is part of this experience. Splodge (our nickname for baby) is kicking and moving all the time now and Rick is able to feel baby move when he places his hand on my tum. I’m starting to feel the heat quite a bit, so whenever I can I try to take a dip in the pool – my bikini looks somewhat small on me nowadays and this has elicited a few tongue-in-cheek comments from our male friends, but I refuse to take offence as most of them sport ‘beer and boerie boeps’ that are bigger than my pregnant tum! It is definitely time to invest in a preggie cozi soon though – I’m going to look like a beached whale these holidays, that’s for sure! I am experiencing ‘stretching pains’ now as baby is growing fast – it is really unbelievable how much your skin is able to stretch and I have been dreading the inevitable stretch marks. Nothing yet, thank goodness! My mother joined us for our 22 week scan and it was wonderful to share the experience with soon-to-be Granny! ‘Splodge’ now weighs just over half-a-kilogram and we decided to ‘let the cat out of the bag’ as to baby’s gender… we are having a little girl folks! We had another scary moment recently when I discovered that I had begun to bleed for the second time during my pregnancy. It was just awful, my heart sank and panic set in immediately. I called Rick straight away and he sprung to action, reminding me that the best course of action was to get to hospital first and phone and ask questions later! He is so supportive and great in a crisis – I am so glad he is here. We went straight to the labour ward where I was immediately hooked up to a foetal monitoring machine and examined internally. Fortunately it was determined that I was not in labour and the scan revealed that all was well, in fact my obstetrician reported that Splodgy was “a great sized baby!” It seems that the bleeding was only vaginal, caused either by a urinary tract infection or Candida (thrush) – ah, the joys of pregnancy! I have been prescribed a pregnancy-safe antibiotic together with some other medication and I am taking it easy. It hasn’t been rosy all the way, but the challenges have made me realise that even though we haven’t met yet, I already love this
little person growing inside me and I am absolutely ecstatic at the thought of becoming a parent!
He says…
The weeks seem to be flying past; 26 weeks into the pregnancy and suddenly we are already talking about Splodgy being ‘viable’ (24 weeks)! I am starting to realise how much having a child changes one’s routine… already. Sleeping in on the weekends is definitely what I will miss the most when baby arrives and I am starting to feel the loss of this freedom already, as Colleen and I normally drag ourselves out of bed at about 10am, but Coll is struggling to sleep late as baby is moving around and kicking, so she is getting up earlier. What I don’t understand, is why I have to get up too! Coll just can’t stay up late anymore either, so she hits the sack earlier – I guess I’ll be doing that soon too. I suppose this is nature’s way of ‘training us’ for the inevitable sleep-deprived days ahead. Gee, I am going to miss those weekend lie-ins though. Coll’s recent ‘false alarm’ was scary and it did bring home the fact that Splodge can be born at anytime between now and February next year. For me, this feels like the deadline on what we need to get done just moved forward by four weeks! If I can offer any advice to the pregnant dads out there, it would be that there is no such thing as overreacting if your wife is in a similar situation to what we found ourselves in. Don’t panic, keep your partner calm and phone the doctor on the way to the hospital. The stress that I felt in the three hours that we didn’t know what was happening was huge and I’m glad we were in good hands. Coll is positively glowing – in fact my mother recently commented that she should stay pregnant permanently because she is looking so good! (I’m not sure whether that will fly well with Coll though!) I have to agree wholeheartedly with my mom; Coll’s hair is lustrous, her skin is luminescent and at 26 weeks, she looks great. We are looking forward to setting up the nursery soon and we have started filling the house up with various pieces of furniture. It seems that there are plenty of ways to get second hand baby stuff that just needs a little sanding and painting to be as good as new. We will be hard at work doing this in December… Wow! Next year we will have our own little family Christmas! I can’t wait!
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Water Workout!
If you are pregnant and in your third trimester these summer holidays, you will undoubtedly experience extreme discomfort on hot days and the last thought on your mind will be excercising. But it needn’t be uncomfortable… all you need is a swimming pool! Whether you are pregnant or not, exercising in water is an excellent way of minimising the strain on your body while maximising the benefits of exercising. It is ideal because the water’s buoyancy reduces your body weight to half of what it is! Water will also support you and your growing tummy while you exercise – should you lose your balance there is little chance of you hurting yourself.
The 1st trimester
Swim for at least 30 minutes 3 to 5 times a week. Swimming early in the morning may counteract nausea and invigorate you for the rest of the day.
The 2nd trimester
You probably won’t need to modify your exercise programme, but a maternity swimsuit may be more comfortable as your body expands.
The 3rd trimester
The water will support your joints and ligaments as you exercise, preventing injury and also protecting you against overheating.
Single squat Figure 8
This exercise may be done in shallow water or sitting down on the pool step. Slowly trace a figure 8 in the water with your foot. This can be done vertically (up and down) or horizontally (from one side to another).
Face the pool wall in shallow water. Squat using one leg; submerge yourself as far as possible or as far down as you are able to comfortably go. Your other leg should be positioned behind you and should not bear weight, but touch the pool floor with your foot to assist balance only.
Hip in and out
Stand with your back against the pool wall. Secure your arms or elbows along the edge of the pool wall for balance. Raise your leg as high as is comfortably possible while keeping your back against the wall. Swing your leg out away from your body then swing it back across the body in one continuous motion. Your other leg and knee should remain straight with your heel flat on the pool floor.
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RaisingKids - December | January 2011
Heel rock and rolls
Face the pool wall. Your feet should be straight this time, toes pointing ahead. Raise yourself up on your toes as far as you are able, then lean back and rock onto your heels. Your legs should remain straight with knees locked at all times.
Fitness
Yolandi Langeveldt Fitness expert and personal trainer Our fitness expert, Yolandi, is a personal trainer with seven years experience. Yolandi has completed her BComm Sport Management degree and currently specialises in pregnancy fitness. She is the proud mom to Lianri (15 months old) and she will be welcoming a new addition to her family soon.
High kicks
Stand with your hand resting on the pool wall for support. Straighten your foot and lift your leg up as high as it can comfortably go. Your legs should be straight and your knees should be locked; your opposite leg should be straight with your heel flat against the pool floor. Do not lean forward or backward when kicking. After kicking forward, push your leg backwards in one continuous motion.
Abdominal press downs
Lean back against the pool wall. Hold the ball with arms straightened in front of you. Push the ball under the water and down toward your pelvis, keeping your arms straight. Slowly release and repeat the exercise as many times as you are able to.
Double squats
Face the pool wall in shallow water. Your feet should be pointing outwards. Squat down as far as you can while keeping your heels flat against the floor.
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Cry mommy, cry baby Postnatal Depression and Infant Depressive Disorder By Liesl van der Sandt
“I was afraid of her and ashamed of myself. I used to watch her (my baby) sleeping and wonder with pride at how perfect and beautiful she looked. Then I would cry because I felt so sorry for her for having such a screw-up for a mother� -Katherine Schiver24
RaisingKids - December | January 2011
Play Therapy
Liesl van der Sandt, Play Therapist Irene Trauma & Play Therapy Clinic Liesl van der Sandt is a registered social worker and Play Therapist with over 12 years experience in dealing with childhood trauma. She was trained at the Gestalt Institute in London and co-founded the Child Trauma Clinic. She is currently the founder and Principal of the Irene Trauma & Play Therapy Clinic.
When a mother suffers from Postnatal Depression (PND), the stakes simply become much higher. The clinical literature on depressed mothers divides the symptoms neatly into two categories, namely ‘angry/intrusive’ and ‘withdrawn’. Mothers with PND describe their condition as automatically and directly affecting their relationships with other members of their family. A mother who suffered from PND once described it by saying, “My two daughters and my husband have to pick up the slack for me on a daily basis whenever I am ill. I wish so much that the energy I use to keep going, to put one foot before the other and to master my anxiety, may otherwise be spent on my children, playing with them, talking to them, listening to them.” Mothers who suffer from PND will describe their greatest burden as the tug-of-war period which is at its height during a child’s early years when they need constant physical supervision and mental stimulation. Another mother described it as, “I ignored whatever I didn’t really have to deal with. I let things get out of control and then went ballistic over the level it had escalated to.” Often mothers experience feelings of guilt after an ‘over-the-top’ reaction and will withdraw from family and social interaction, experience periods of exaggerated irritability and intense sadness. The cycle of depression which includes emotions like rage, anger, guilt and sadness will repeat itself over and over again if not properly addressed. PND is a ‘needy’ condition and more often than not, every bit as irreplaceable in its needs as any four-year-old child with an empty sippy cup. Major trigger factors that bring on a PND episode can be insignificant; a child that asks the same question over and over or constantly taps the car window out of boredom may be all that is required – in fact childhood boredom and adult depression are a volatile mix and should depression be left untreated, the situation may end in abusive emotional and/or physical behavior towards the child. The challenges facing mothers with PND are daunting and it is tempting to conclude that motherhood and depression are seemingly incompatible. However, the good news is, that help is available in various forms, be it medication (anti-depressants) prescribed in consultation with your Health Care Practitioner, counselling by a Counsellor or even consulting a life coach.
Whatever route, choose one, as it is not a situation to ignore. In treating PND, it is recommended that a dual approach of treatment is applied, where the mother is treated by a Health Care Practitioner in conjunction with a Counsellor. The importance of the mother’s support network of family and friends must also be emphasised. Infant Depressive Disorder A baby is helpless in the first two years of life and totally dependent on a mother’s care. A newborn reacts by way of reflexes; if he cries, mommy will pick him up, but he does not cry to ‘call’ her – his crying is a reflex action – a reaction or response to pain or discomfort and not something he controls specifically. As he grows, a baby learns to manipulate his environment. He learns that when he cries, his mother will pick him up and comfort him. Bonding is important at this stage, as the first two years of life form the starting block of baby’s mental-wellbeing. Should a child be neglected or feel uncertain of his situation in terms of a mother’s love and affection in these early years, it could result in disastrous consequences. This is why many specialists feel that a baby cannot be ‘spoiled’ during this stage and that even babies can present with depression. If a child’s environment or personal circumstance is in any way neglected it can contribute to infant or toddler depression. Infant Depressive Disorder has been noticed in babies as young as four to six months old. These babies do not laugh or make any emotional contact with people or their environment. They lack expressive responses and disconnect themselves from the world around them. They do not sleep well, do not socialise, do not eat well and their weight fluctuates. They are also non-energetic and listless. Babies are exceptionally sensitive to any stimuli in their environment. When a mother suffers from PND it could have a significant influence on a baby’s emotional and even physical wellbeing. It is therefore of utmost importance that a mother suffering from PND seeks help, to help herself and to protect her child’s emotional wellbeing in the long term. Need support? Visit The Postnatal Depression Support Association of South Africa at www.pndsa.co.za.
Should you have an issue with your child that Liesl could advise you on, please send your query to info@raising-kids.co.za. RaisingKids - December | January 2011
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Beating the ‘back to work’ blues Returning to work after you’ve had a baby can be an emotional time. It’s the one thing you may put off thinking about and before you know it, your maternity leave is up and it’s crunch time. There are very few moms who don’t feel some guilt at having to return to work and it is often at this time that previously exciting, fast-paced and lucrative careers lose their appeal. While handing over your little one to someone else to take care of may seem unimaginable to you, the reality may be that you simply cannot afford to be a stay-at-home mom. Many moms are spurred on into investigating other options where they are able to juggle a career and raising kids, such as working from home or starting a business. These options allow for more flexibility whereas a nine-to-five job usually means that you will only see your baby briefly in the morning before going to work and briefly in the evening before baby goes to sleep. But if you’re not a ‘mompreneur’ you will have to consider one of the following options:
The Granny
If you have a mother or close relative who can take care of your child and is able to do so, then this is probably the route to go. Ideally, your baby will have already bonded with granny, smoothing the way for your return to work. Not all mothers (or mothers-in-law) and daughters agree on child-rearing practice however, so you would do well to consider how this may affect your relationship with her. Granny may love your little one to bits, but you need to ask yourself whether she is physically able to do the job as well. Looking after a baby that sleeps all day long is one thing, but as baby grows the job can be physically and emotionally taxing on an older person.
The Nanny
This is still an affordable option in South Africa, but finding the right caregiver for your child can be a challenge. Your nanny-to-be may have been a part of your household for a while in a housekeeping function, during which time she has assisted and bonded with baby. Having built up an understanding of your requirement and trust this can be a win situation, however, be sure that you discuss the added requirement with her and as her employer review her new job description and salary in this regard. You should not be expecting her to simply
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RaisingKids - December | January 2011
Your baby
assume the additional workload without added assistance and remuneration. Should you wish to appoint a nanny from scratch, make sure her references are sound and that she has experience with babies. It is to be recommended that you send your nanny on a basic first aid training course and that you appoint her at least one month prior to you returning to work so that you can get to know her and vice versa. You will worry less once back at work knowing that your child is in trusted hands, so although it may seem like an added expense, it is worth it. It is important to remember, especially if a nanny has a different cultural and educational background to your own, that she may not automatically relate to the way you wish your child to be raised; it is natural for people to draw on their own experiences and knowledge, so you may need to consider additional training or education in this regard. It is important that you feel confident about your choice. The nanny you finally decide upon must be able to take care of your little ones physical, emotional and developmental needs. Training tips: • Introduce the new nanny to your baby (within your home context) as soon as possible. Remain present initially, affording the nanny and your baby the opportunity of building a relationship under your watchful eye. After a while, allow the two to bond when you are not physically present in the same room, so that baby gets used to the nanny without you being there. • Try to be supportive; don’t hover or interfere and remember that the nanny is not there to replace you. It can be tough, but you need to allow her to develop her own approach when dealing with your baby. • It is not advisable that you allow the nanny to interfere with baby’s routine, as this will cause baby a great deal of confusion on weekends when you are at home. • Prepare yourself for the fact that your nanny is going to do some things differently from what you would do; try not to sweat the small stuff, but rather remain firm on bigger issues. • View your relationship with your nanny as a partnership; going through a nanny a week because you don’t wish to relinquish control will not be conducive to your baby’s happiness – that does not mean you should put up with sloppy care either though.
The Day Mother
Finding a day mother in your area is another option worth considering. Day mother practices need to be registered with your local authority and one should be very wary of anyone offering a service that is not. This option is appealing in that day mothers are
www.babeeze.co.za
very often moms who have their own littlies and will be therefore sympathetic to the needs of your baby. The environment is still a home environment, but it is difficult to know what really goes on when you are not there, so word-of-mouth and reference checking is important.
The Nursery School
These childcare facilities also need to be registered with a local authority and while they offer similar care to that of a day mother practice, they usually have quite a few babies in their care so it can be a more impersonal environment than what baby is used to at home. Your baby may also be exposed to more than one child minder in a day. Your child may or may not take to this, as all children are different and some naturally more sociable than others. Another disadvantage can be that your baby will need to fit in with the nursery school’s routine, which you may even have to adopt at home to ensure some form of continuity and stability for baby. Your baby will also most likely be exposed to more childhood illnesses depending on the amount of children there are at the nursery school so, if possible, choose a nursery school that doesn’t have too many babies in their care – taking care of a baby that is always sick can mean time off work and costly medical bills. On the upside though, your baby may enjoy the social interaction with the other children as he or she gets older, possibly staying with the same group as he enters preschool. If the nursery school is reputable, he will be able to enjoy a diverse array of toys and activities on offer that being at home with a granny, a nanny or day mother facility may not provide. Tips for choosing a nursery school; • Make sure that the nursery school you choose has trained staff and has the credentials to take good care of your child. • Referral; nothing speaks louder than word-of-mouth, so chat to other moms about the nursery schools in your area. • Pop in once in a while when you’re not expected in order to see how things run when parents aren’t about – it’s not generally encouraged by nursery schools as it can upset your child when you leave again, so if you do, try not to be seen by him. Whatever route you decide to take, give your child some time to adapt to the new situation. If after a week or two, he or she is still unhappy, look at other options. It is sometimes difficult to know when you are over-reacting or whether your gut feel is right. Remember mom, you know what’s best for your child… make that work for you and you will find a solution where everyone is happy. Good luck!
Babeeze.co.za is a local South African website that takes you step-bystep, in an easy-to-read format, through the stages of pregnancy and parenthood. Readers are referred to local doctors, clinics, products, services and various other local websites are linked to facilitate easy web-browsing on related topics. This website cuts through the clutter and is designed with today’s busy parents in mind who now have online access to any information they need at the touch of a button.
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The road well travelled! The ‘silly’ season is almost upon us and that means holidays and travelling with children for most folks.
Travel
Lisa Park, Clinic Sister
Little Steps Clinic, Fourways Lisa Park is originally from Harare, but was trained at Addington Hospital and has practised in South Africa since 1988. She has been married for 17 years and has two children of her own. Lisa currently runs her own baby clinic in Fourways, Johannesburg. Car seat caution... • If you have a baby or toddler, always remember that she needs to be strapped into a car seat. No excuses! Purchase a new car seat and not a second hand one; if the car seat has been in an accident there could be unknown structural damage that may jeopardise your child’s life. • The car seat must be SABS approved – nothing less will do for your precious tot. Remember that most baby car seats are designed to last for at least one, if not two, stages of your baby’s development, so it will be worth spending a little more on an item that will hold up for longer. It is important to note that it is the weight of the baby and not the age that determines the type of seat. • Make sure your child has not outgrown the car seat. • Another important point to note is that rear-facing baby seats are not designed for use in the front seats of cars; never place a rear-facing seat on the front seat with the air bag still enabled and always ensure that the passenger air bag has been disabled if a child is sitting in the front seat. • Always ensure that the seat is fitted in the car in accordance with the manufacturers guide lines. • Never travel with your baby on your lap. Meals on wheels... • Try not to travel at feeding times. If you do have to travel at these times, then remember to pull over in a safe place to feed your baby. • If possible, try and travel when baby is due for a nap. • Remember that travelling for a long time is tiring for both you and your baby, so stop for a while, get some fresh air and stretch your legs. Niggles and wriggles: toddler tips when travelling... • Pack finger foods for the journey – a toddler can feed herself after all, but avoid any foods that could cause choking. • Music is a winner on long journeys, but yes, you will probably be able to recite the words off-by-heart by the time you reach your destination – at least your toddler will be calm on arrival. • Picture and story books are also a must have on a long journey – invest in one or two new ones for the trip. • Try and stop at a garage stop that has a jungle gym, swing or slide when refuelling.
Hygiene headaches... • Always take a roll of toilet paper or tissues with you – not only are they handy in the car, but peak season travelling can mean that pit stops can be crowded and facilities lacking when it comes to toilet stock and hygiene. • Do not leave home without wet wipes – even if your kids are teenagers! Sticky fingers, along with snotty noses, are every mother’s nightmare! • Pack a change of clothes for the journey; something will inevitably be spilt or your toddler may become car sick on the way. Always have a damp cloth (or two) available for a quick clean up and take a plastic bag along that can be used to seal away the smelly items... trust me, if it is a hot day and you can’t open a window, you will regret not heeding this advice! Car comfort... • An air conditioner is a must for a long journey – if your car doesn’t have one, dress your baby in layers that are easy to strip off and put back on. • Air conditioners re-circulate the air inside the vehicle, so let fresh air in and stale air out now and then. • Take a blanket with to cover your little one with in case it becomes cold. • If baby perspires, make sure you have a cool cloth to wipe her down with. Holding a cool (not icy) object to the forehead, inside of wrists or soles of the feet will bring body temperature down quickly. • Even if your car is cool, never be tempted to leave your baby or toddler in the car unattended when you stop at a garage. • Don’t smoke in the car with your kids. Stop for smoke breaks if necessary. First aid... • Don’t pack your medications in the boot – you may need them. • Purchase homeopathic drops for motion sickness, have plasters and pain medication on the readily available. • Invest in a syringe rather than a spoon for administering meds, pouring liquids in a moving vehicle can be a challenge! Buckle up and drive safe. Happy holidays everyone! Sister Lisa Park R/N, R/M, R/PN, R/CN
If you have a question that Lisa may be able to help you with, please send your query to info@raising-kids.co.za. RaisingKids - December | January 2011
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Travelling overseas with a tiny tot (or two) may seem somewhat daunting for the bravest among us, but if, as in my case, the thought of spending Christmas away from the ones you hold dear is an even worse prospect then you really have no choice but to take the challenge.
Travel
By Debbie Preston Prevention is better than cure… Before embarking on the journey, make sure you call the embassy of the country you are visiting to confirm the visa requirements for your child. This may seem obvious, but when I (a British Citizen) took my own biological daughter to the UK, I was required to procure a full price adult visa even though she was only 6 months old! Baby baggage… Call or check the airline’s website for information on baggage allowance. You are usually allowed to check in a pram, cot and car seat in addition to your suitcases. Children are usually allocated an average check-in allowance of 10kg and a hand luggage allowance of 5kg… that’s to carry things for your baby, not the pair of shoes you couldn’t fit into your case! Cot to go… Contact the airline to secure a cot booking and seat allocation or you may find yourself travelling with tiny on your lap – neither of you will get any sleep and he will kick kick kick the seat in front of you, keeping both you (and the poor traveller in front of you) awake. Have two hands, but need four… Register for assistance if you think you’ll have your hands full. While passengers with children are invited to board first, there’s rarely anyone to help you collapse the pram as well as carry your child and bags, so you end up boarding with everyone else anyway. With a little bit of help you may just miss the crush of people trying to find their seats. Beating the bottle blues… Bottle feeding (or breastfeeding) your little angel needn’t be any different from your routine at home so try to stick to it as much as possible. When bottle feeding, try to work out how many bottle feeds you’ll need and add another two for ‘just in case’. Stash enough empty bottles and pre-measured formula in your hand luggage, carrying one prepared bottle in a thermos bag. When the latter is finished ask the Stewardess to fill up an empty bottle with enough boiled water, pop it in the thermos and it’ll be just right for the next feed. Airlines offer a range of meals for older kiddies that you are able to book in advance of flying – if you have a finicky eater then make sure you do so. Placestation… Build yourself a ‘travel station’: design it to make sure everything you need is within arm’s reach without compromising your leg room. This really works well especially if you have requested a cot which will be set up after take-off. Pop a few books and a cuddly toy into the magazine pocket in front of you; take a small nappy bag containing a few nappies, wipes, cream and (many) dummies and stow it under your seat; tie the bottle bag underneath the cot on one of the metal arms and pop the formula tub in at the end of the cot at baby’s feet… you’ll be ready for almost anything without having to reach up into the overhead locker every five minutes.
Clean and comfortable… Take your own changing mat. While the toilets do have changing facilities, they’re very basic at best and cold against little bottoms (not ideal when you want to keep your little wriggler still). A small fold-away mat will make a huge difference to changing baby in such cramped conditions. Any mode of public transport is a challenge when it comes to hygiene, so you will need to keep things as hygienic as possible, especially if your baby is under 6 months of age: pack in a small packet of hygiene wipes, plus a tube of waterless hand sanitizer. Don’t be a dummy, mummy…. Little ears may find the change in air pressure at take-off and when landing, uncomfortable. Try to time your feeds for these events as the sucking and swallowing motions will help equalise pressure in baby’s ears. A dummy is also effective in this scenario, although (heaven forbid) you lose it underneath the rows of seats; attach it to baby if possible. It would stand you in good stead to have an assortment of medication on hand for a variety of scenarios; blocked noses and sinuses are aggravated on planes which can cause baby a great deal of pain and you a great deal of consternation. Plane sailing…. Entertaining your baby or toddler in a confined space may seem like a challenge, but don’t underestimate the novelty of playing peek-a-boo with the hundreds of people seated behind you! Books and toys will buy you some time and when all else fails there is always the cartoon station on the in-flight TV channel; few children can resist SpongeBob SquarePants thank goodness. Rest assured that at some point the drone of the engines and the excitement of take off will lull your little terror to sleep, allowing you time to enjoy a nerve-calming glass of wine. Help! Ask for it. Most cabin crew would rather deal with a cute, gurgling baby than Mr ‘One Too Many’ in aisle 27C. If you’re worried about how (and if) you’re going to eat, then you should know that (fortunately) children’s meals are generally served first. Ask to be served after the other passengers have eaten and see if the cabin crew will take care of the children whilst you eat… using both your hands. Sorry … This is the most important tip I can offer: never apologise. It’s inevitable that the strange environment, the funny noises and disrupted routine will result in a few tears during your flight. It’s also inevitable that this will raise a few eyebrows, roll a few eyes and generate some annoyed tutts from fellow passengers. The best thing to do is to ignore it, but if you can’t hold your tongue, politely tell the offended person that his or her snoring is the reason your child can’t settle down – that generally shuts anyone up! A handy website to visit for more useful tips on flying with kids is www.flyingwithkids.com. Have tiny tot – will travel! Happy holidays everyone. RaisingKids - December | January 2011
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Nummy nutrition! Healthy holiday snacks for kids According to dietician Jeske Wellmann, who together with co-author Gabi Steenkamp have put together the two inspiring recipe books Sustained Energy for Kids and Snacks and Treats for Sustained Energy, instead of ordering take-aways or allowing your kids to tuck into chocolates, you should be offering them homemade, nutritious alternatives… and no, it really isn’t that difficult to do with these easy recipes! According to Jeske and Gabi, the urge to snack usually occurs when blood glucose levels become depleted, so snacks should assist the body to control blood glucose levels and contribute to the nutrients needed for your child’s optimal growth and development.
Kiddies ice tea (Serves 16: 125ml or ½ cup per serving) 1L Hot rooibos tea (made with two rooibos tea bags) 3 Mint leaves, optional 1L Orange / apple / apricot / cranberry & kiwi juice 15ml Lemon juice (1T) • Pour the hot rooibos tea onto the mint leaves in a litre jug. • Pour the fruit juice into another large 2-litre jug. • Add the warm rooibos tea through a sieve (to catch the mint leaves) to the fruit juice and mix gently. • Stir in the lemon juice. • Chill and serve ice cold in frosted glasses. Dietician’s Notes Any lower GI fruit juice can be used. See the South African Glycemic Index and Load Guide available from GIFSA www.gifoundation.com, www.wellmann.co.za or www.gabisteenkamp.co.za. Fruit juices are very concentrated sources of carbohydrate and should always be drunk in small amounts, preferably diluted with water or tea, as has been done in this recipe. Never give a child more than ½ cup of neat fruit juice at a time. No more than 250ml of this iced tea (or any other diluted fruit juice mixture) should be consumed at a time. All fizzy drinks contain at least double the amount of carbohydrate than this iced tea and should be restricted to no more than 100ml at a time as a special treat. One ½ cup serving of iced tea is equivalent to consuming half a fruit.
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Healthy holiday treats
Fruit is the best snack nature can provide. Eat fruit fresh, in a fruit salad, on a stick (Rainbow fruit sticks) or add fruit to a salad or a smoothie. Fresh fruit provides the body with the nutrients needed to build the immune system and aid in the functioning of the digestive tract.
Rainbow fruit sticks (Makes 12 fruit sticks) 24 Watermelon balls (make with a melon ball tool) 24 Green grapes ½ Pineapple, peeled and cut up into 24 equal size cubes 12 Spanspek balls 1 Large apple, cut into 12 cubes (with skin) and dipped in lemon juice 2 Kiwi fruit, peeled, each cut into 12 equal sized wedges 12 Black grapes 12 Wooden skewers • Prepare all the fruit as indicated above. • Thread the fruit onto the skewers as follows: first a watermelon ball, then a green grape, pineapple cube, spanspek ball, kiwi Dietician’s Notes:
wedge, black grape, apple cube,
This is a great example of how nature’s colour and form can be used
pineapple cube, green grape and
to make food exciting. You can use any fruit that is in season, but vary
lastly another watermelon ball.
the colour, shape, texture and flavour if you can. By combining small
Leave about 1cm of skewer at the
portions of many different fruits, your child is likely to eat all or most of
end.
it, thus achieving variety. With a glycemic load of 6, this makes an ideal dessert or snack. Eating one fruit stick is equivalent to eating a whole fruit!
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Pita burger (Makes 12 mini pita burgers or 24 mini meatballs) 1
Small onion, finely chopped
2 Eggs, preferably omega-3 rich 500g Lean beef mince 2ml Salt (½t) 1ml Black pepper 5ml Parsley, dried (1t) 60ml Oat bran (4T) 5ml Oil, canola or olive, (1t) to fry patties 3
Pita pockets, cut into quarters
•
Chop the onion finely.
•
Beat the eggs in a large mixing bowl.
• Add the onion, all the seasoning and oat bran to the eggs and mix well. • Add the mince to the egg mixture and mix well, ensuring that all the ingredients are wet. • Allow this mixture to stand for 15 minutes for the oat bran to absorb the moisture. • Meanwhile grease a baking pan with a little oil or use non-stick spray. • Shape the mince mixture into 12 patties and put on baking tray. • Place under a grill and cook on each side until brown on both sides. Do not turn too often, as these patties will fall apart. • Cut pita pockets into quarters then insert one patty. Add lots of finger vegetables and chilled cubed fresh fruit for dessert. These patties can be made smaller into mini meatballs (two mini meatballs equal one portion) to enjoy as lunch box treats or party foods.
Dietician’s Notes: Allow your child to help you with shaping the mini meatballs and patties. It is very important that you use lean or extra lean mince and only one teaspoon of oil to coat the baking pan or else the fat content will increase. Remember not to add butter or margarine to the pita pocket. Red meat is a good source of zinc, which is not readily found in plant foods. Zinc is essential for good health as it plays a role in immunity, wound healing, sensory functions and skin health. An adult can have two pita burgers with lots of vegetables or salad as a meal. These pita burgers are a much healthier option than bought burgers or pitas as they are lower in fat, glycemic index and glycemic load.
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Healthy holiday treats
Frozen yoghurt lollies (Makes 8 x 100ml portions) 360g Fresh fruit of your choice 500ml Vanilla or fruit yoghurt, low fat (2 cups) • Wash and peel all the fruit and remove the pips. • Cut the fruit into chunks and add half of the yoghurt to the fruit and liquidise to make a pulp. • Add the rest of the yoghurt and mix well. • Pour into ice-lolly containers and freeze overnight. • Serve as a dessert or summertime snack.
Dietician’s Notes: This is a much healthier snack than commercially made ice cream – appreciably lower in fat and higher in fibre and antioxidants. Different fruits will give different colour to the yoghurt lolly, so choose brightly coloured fruit i.e. strawberries will make it pink, mango makes it bright orange, etc.
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Thinking naturally
Your health
By Dr Catherine Knight When I find myself explaining the various physiological (how things work in the body) and pathological (how they go wrong) processes to my patients, followed by the explanation of the different phases of healing (how the body recovers and regains its balance), it occurs to me that ‘thinking naturally’ is but a mindset and as such, one that I would like to encourage everyone out there to embrace. Most of us realise that narrow-minded thinking in any area of life is going to get us nowhere. One needs to broaden one’s views and incorporate 'thinking naturally' – by this I mean that we should consider returning to a way of thinking about things the way nature intended them to be; I believe that if we can understand the basic laws of nature we should find the answers to most of life’s questions and this includes how nature works in physical health and how this balance may be upset and then restored through natural remedy. For me, as a Homeopath and Acupuncturist, thinking naturally is simple. Nature provides us with the answers: modern day man has gone against the grain, competed against nature and has, in a ridiculously short space of time, made this planet a precarious place to live. We live in exciting times on a technological level, but at what cost? Man needs to make a change and not soon... now! If we don’t want to be shaken off the planet we need to change how we think about things. When the tipping point is reached, Mother Nature will just shrug us off and start again, as she did in Pakistan, Indonesia, Haiti and in all the other 100-odd places that have been victim to her wrath in 2010 to-date. Indonesia was dealt a double-wammy after a sea-bed earthquake caused a tsunami on one side of the island and a volcano erupted on the other side, all within a few hours of each other! Nature knows how to bounce back too though: there’s noone directing her and left to her own devices she restores the balance and re-creates order. There may be some turbulence along the way, but in the end balance is restored. A mere 24 years after the Chernobyl disaster, the irradiated city that was entirely abandoned by mankind has bounced back to a thriving ecosystem, with wonderful flora and fauna: the first few years after people evacuated the zone, rats and house mice flourished and packs of feral dogs roamed the area despite efforts to exterminate them. The native fauna has begun to take over with wild boar 10 to 15 times as prevalent within the Chernobyl exclusion zone as outside it and big predators are making a spectacular comeback. For many of us it’s clearly a case of ‘we need the Earth, she really doesn’t need us’. I believe that it’s time for us to stand up and be counted, to realise our own significance in the greater scheme of things and not believe that individual effort is insignificant as we are so often taught, but that our individual actions do have an
impact on the earth. We need to stop being selfish and begin to respect Mother Earth and the wisdom of creation. We need to stop chasing the ‘quick fixes’ which are chemical/technological and often toxic answers that only leave devastation in their wake... it’s time to leave the ‘Age of Convenience’ behind, apologise to Mother Earth and return to an understanding, a symbiotic relationship with our world, our creator and ultimately each other. Everything works in cycles: time and calendar; planetary and astronomical cycles; climate, geology, agriculture, biology, medical (brain waves, menstrual cycles, heart rhythms); physics – waves, frequencies and amplitudes, the electromagnetic spectrum; sound waves – music and rhythm; in religion, social and cultural cycles; in economy and business, as well as in military and war. The sooner one realises that there is an ebb and flow in life, one may relax in the knowledge that ‘this too shall pass’, that nothing is forever or permanent and that the only constant in life is change! This is what it means to be alive. Change is a process, a movement of smaller changes/oscillations towards an extreme and then a movement back towards a midpoint. When something blocks/alters the natural flow of things in any area of life, but with particular reference to one’s health for purposes of this article, then it must be stopped or removed so that the balance can be restored. The process of removing blockages throws the normal cycle off course and may often include an unpleasant process in order to remove it; however generally this is short-lived and balance/order is restored. These processes happen in all of life’s cycles; I think people are now beginning to see that financial markets go through ups and downs too. What the recession taught us was to prioritise, get back to basics and to take note of the important things in life first, to stop being materialistic and question whether something really is important enough to spend money on. The same thinking must follow with your health, because we are natural beings, created by the same Creator as the rest of nature and we are meant to live in harmony with the earth. If you understand that all things are cyclical and that there are natural processes for how things work and respond, then you are more likely to embrace the fact that there are also natural and normal processes for the removal of blockages from the system (healing) that make perfect sense and are not pathological (diseased). If you understand all of this, then it is simply illogical (and in my personal opinion, stupid) to intefere and prevent the body from doing what it is quite able to do – heal itself! Natural medicines help to unblock natural processes and to restore balance without interfering with the healing process. They can be used very effectively in many and most conditions. Obviously professional help is always needed when things are serious, but start with at least choosing some Natural OTC meds next time your body is fighting something. Start thinking naturally – make it your New Year’s resolution for 2011! RaisingKids - December | January 2011
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Learning through play (6 to 12 months)
Push me, pull me By Sharon de Beer
From the age of 6 to 12 months your baby will learn to sit unaided, crawl, pull himself up against furniture and take his first few tentative steps. Your baby will start to develop a whole new set of skills that will help him explore his environment, assert his will and discover his independence. From six months baby’s muscles and balance should have developed so much that he will be able to straighten his arms and push himself up when lying on his tummy. He will also be able to
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roll over and by clutching your hands he may even pull himself into a sitting position. Even if he is somewhat wobbly initially, he will eventually develop the muscle strength to sit upright, (propped up with pillows at first) and then on his own. At eight months, baby may already be able to sit for extended periods unaided and once he is able to do this he will start reaching for toys – sometimes toppling over with the effort! It’s a good idea to invest in a variety of age appropriate toys to keep baby entertained when he is awake, but be warned, no one item will hold his interest for long as he is still developing his concentration skills and will be easily distracted. Curiosity is king by nine months – baby will reach for and try to grasp everything that catches his eye! Make sure that everything within reach is safe for him to handle, as very often it will also land up in his mouth too! Satisfy baby’s natural curiosity by providing him with household objects and toys of different shapes, sizes and textures. Moving toys and toys that ‘pop up’ unexpectedly at the press of a button are great for baby now; by teaching baby how to push down the pop up toy and repeating the game, you will be reinforcing cause and effect learning. The effort required to play the pop-up game will develop baby’s arms and co-ordination. Baby is also ready to start learning about the relationships between objects: stacking cups and towers are excellent in keeping baby entertained and although it may still take many months before he masters the art of creating the tower on his own, you will marvel at how he keeps trying thereby developing his concentration skills. Some babies exhibit great glee when, having stacked the cups successfully, they topple over with a little push. Aha! Baby is also learning about the power he has to change an outcome with an action; he is starting to learn how to control his environment. Toys that move are of great assistance at this point. Soft balls that can be rolled to baby and which baby can roll or throw away from himself, are useful in that baby will eventually attempt to follow them when they roll out of reach. From a sitting position
Learning through play
he will learn to reach forward and sideways and very soon he will discover that he is on his knees and ready to begin crawling after toys. Push and pull toys are fun for baby now too; he will be able to propel cars forward and backwards which is lots of fun when he starts to crawl as he will be able to move along with the toy, especially if there is a handle attached to it for this purpose. At ten months baby may already be able to point at and pick up smaller objects as his fine motor skills have improved. He will love imitating sounds from musical activity centres and toy telephones (or cell phones nowadays!). Interactive musical toys such as toy pianos and xylophones will be of great interest now and for a long time to come, so invest in sturdy, well-made toys that will last. Simple, hardcover board books which often incorporate textures in the pages are an excellent way to start introducing your baby to the world beyond your home and to the world of books in general. Spend 15 minutes with baby on your lap before nap time going through the book and encourage him to point at objects and assist in turning the pages. Nursery rhymes may make little sense to baby now, but he will be delighted with the rhyming words and sounds. Teach baby to clap along to the sounds and invest in some musical CDs which are great in keeping him entertained when you are travelling in the car. Soft toys serve a new purpose other than purely offering baby sources of comfort now; use them to help him learn and gain understanding of social rituals. Kissing teddy goodnight, saying ‘goodbye’ and ‘hello’ or ‘good morning’ to a favourite dolly are the first steps he will take towards acquiring social skills. Once baby is able to crawl and ‘cruise’ (pull himself up on furniture and by doing so move around a room) he may lose interest in his toys temporarily – after all, there will be so many more interesting things to discover now! While you may not deem a toilet brush a practical plaything, baby will have no such qualms and it is the last thing you want him sucking on! Alas, the only option at this point is to close all doors to certain out-of-bound areas and remove all objects or heirlooms that may injure him or that he may break. Pack them away as you won’t be seeing them for a while yet! You will have to be more vigilant than ever before now, as baby can wind up in heaps of trouble: unguarded stairs, pools, wires, plug sockets and heaters will all grab his attention. Rather than having to constantly follow him around or caging him in a play pen, try and keep him entertained by supplying him with a small plastic laundry basin filled with splash and pouring toys. Water toys are a great way of keeping baby entertained and you could invest in a sturdy bath ring, once he is sitting, for extended bath time fun. A word of caution though, it is not wise to allow your baby to play unattended in or near water, no matter how shallow you deem it to be. Some babies are already walking at 12 months, while others may reach this milestone later. Remember, this is not necessarily an indication that all is not well, as babies develop at their own individual pace. When baby can stand and hold on, cautiously introduce him to a toy that he can push along, but which won’t zoom off leaving him flat on his face! Once he has ‘found his legs’ you had better invest in some running shoes yourself – you are going to need them!
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Amanda Press Speech and Language Therapist Amanda qualified at City University in London (UK) and has gained 12 years experience in her field as a Speech and Language Therapist specialising in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). She has worked in Canada as an ASD Consultant and is currently a Consultant SLT with Autism Action. She is also involved in outreach work with the Alpha and Agape schools in Cape Town and runs her own private clinic for children with Autism, ADHD, Dyspraxia, general learning and language disorders. For more information and contact details, visit www.amandapress.co.za.
Breaking through the barriers Making the most of communication opportunities with your autistic child By Amanda Press
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a term used to describe a subset of Persuasive Developmental Disorders. This subset includes Autistic Disorder (autism), PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified), Rett’s Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder and Asperger Syndrome. These disorders are characterised by qualitative impairments in social skills, verbal and nonverbal communication, restrictive and repetitive interests or behaviours. Often there are associated challenges related to sensory, anxiety, motor skills and learning. Autism Spectrum
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Disorders (ASDs) are complex neurological disorders that have a lifelong effect on the development of various abilities and skills of the child. The prevalence of ASDs is currently said to be 1 in 150 according to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. ASD is also more common in boys than girls, at a ratio of 4:1. Autism is the most commonly diagnosed disorder within the spectrum. While severity of the symptoms will vary, children with autism are less likely to develop functional speech (about 50%) and may be either completely non-verbal or echolalic (the immediate or
Special needs
delayed repetition of words or phrases). Children with autism are also more likely to demonstrate repetitive, unusual or stereotypical behaviour (tantrums, hand flapping, self-injury or lining up toys). Each autistic child is unique and will often exhibit strengths which should not be overlooked. These strengths include: a visual learning style, strong visual recall, strong memory skills, task orientated focus, strong areas of special interest, ability to work well within structure and organisation and an ability to follow routine. In the course of my work with ASD children over the years as a speech and language therapist, I have observed that creating and providing as many communication opportunities as possible is of great benefit. Some autistic children will communicate using words, signs, pictures or simply reach out for things that they want. No matter what means of communication is used, there are many ways that you, the parent, can create more communication opportunities for your autistic child. Consider the following when establishing communication with your autistic child: • Position, position, position It is important when communicating with your child to physically position yourself in a way that easily allows communication to occur. For example, you might need to sit or kneel at the same level as your child or bring the child up to your level (e.g. by sitting the child on a stool) in order to facilitate engagement. It also helps to position yourself so that you are facing your child, facilitating eye contact and so that facial expressions are visible. However, if the child does not make eye contact, this should not be viewed as a barrier for communicating; forcing the issue or waiting for eye contact before engaging is strongly discouraged. • Fun and games By using anticipation and suspense (e.g. pausing) when playing with your child, you can create many opportunities for your child to practise communication skills. For example, if you pause just before you press a button on a pop-up toy, your child will have a chance to practise requesting you to continue with or repeat the action. It is fun and motivating for the child to see the toy animal pop up and make a noise. You can also extend your autistic child’s communication skills by providing your child with choices e.g. offering to press the red button or the blue one. • Now you see it, now you don’t Create communication opportunities by withholding items. There are many motivational toys that lend themselves to this as they come in multiple parts, such as ‘Mr. Potato Head’, marbles, train sets and puzzles. Instead of giving your child all of the parts of the toy at once, you can create many opportunities for your child to practise his communication skills by presenting only one or two pieces initially and then waiting for your child to ask for
more, bit by bit. You can also do this with your child’s favourite food, colour pens or crayons, etc. • Picture it Provide your child with a pin board and pictures. Encourage your child to look at the pictures and choose from the board (e.g. by pointing to the picture, picking the picture up or verbally communicating the choice). Picture boards are a useful tool which can assist your child in communicating his or her needs and this method can also be used to extend the range of choices, particularly where your child becomes ‘stuck’ on asking for the same thing each time. • Stringing it together Some autistic children are able to verbalise one or two words, ask for basic things only or have difficulty forming longer sentences. By using picture supports or using the ‘Picture Exchange Communication System’ (PECS) and other visuals, you can help a child learn to organise words to form sentences so that he or she is able to ask for what is needed more specifically; for example, when playing with marbles a child may be able to already say the word ‘marbles’, but with the use of pictures he will be able to point at and then say, “I want two big marbles”. • Toys and topics There are many children with autism that really enjoy specific toys and topics, but they may tend to become ‘stuck’ on only wanting to play or talk about these things. Common interests among autistic children are toys or topics pertaining to trains, letters or numbers, dinosaurs, characters from their favourite cartoon or latest Disney movie, etc. It is important to encourage these children to extend their interests in order to gradually include other activities and skills. For example, if a child typically lines the alphabet puzzle pieces up before putting them in the puzzle frame, you can suggest that you turn the puzzle into a fishing game by putting paper clips on the letters and making rods out of string and magnets. Your child will still be able to enjoy the letters but the activity introduces social skills such as turn taking and conversing; for example commenting on which letter was ‘caught’ on the rod. Getting to gaining your child’s attention and maintaining his or her motivation to engage and communicate with you sometimes requires some creative thought, trial and error as well as planning on your part. Children with autism have strong preferences for a variety of things and these may change over time. By observing, recording and offering these to your child, you will be creating and making the most of everyday communication opportunities. If necessary seek out a professional speech and language therapist knowledgeable in working with children with autism to assist you in creating and furthering communication possibilities with your autistic child – whatever you do, don’t give up.
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Christmas crafts
for Christmas kids crafts Stencilled paper What you need: • Brown book cover paper, cut to the size of a standard sheet of wrapping paper • Cardboard • Stencil designs (you can use designs from the templates or make your own) • Pencil • Scissors • Small sponges • Craft paint (white and red work well on the brown paper) • Container for the paint • Metallic felt tip pens or glitter glue for decoration What you do: Lay the brown paper on a large work surface, with the shiny side up. Draw the stencil design on cardboard and cut out. Place the stencil on the paper and use the sponge to apply a thin layer of paint on the inside of the stencil. Wait for it to dry before you do the next one and repeat until the sheet is covered.
Visit www.momsbigbook.co.za for more information. 44
RaisingKids - December | January 2011
Christmas crafts
Cone angels What you need: • Patterned paper • White paper • Adhesive tape • Pipe cleaner • Round objects to trace around (one large for the wings and one small for the angel’s face) • Pencil • Scissors • Feathers or wool, for the angel’s hair What you do: Fold an A4 size patterned paper into a cone shape. You will notice that one corner of the paper wraps right round to the front of the cone angel. Cut this piece off so that the place where you stick the paper down with adhesive tape is at the back.
Giveaway Simply SMS
You will also notice that the cone is not flat at the bottom. To make it flat so that the angel can stand upright, flatten out the cone and draw a pencil line across the bottom. Cut along the line. Smooth out the fold again and the angel should be able to stand upright.
'Moms Big Book'
To make the wings, use a round object to trace a circle on patterned paper and cut it out. Then cut the circle in half. Secure the wings to the back of the angel with adhesive tape.
January 2010
Cut out a small, white circle for the face. Draw in eyes, a nose and a mouth with black felt tip pen. Stick the pipe cleaner to the back of the face. Drop the pipe cleaner into the opening at the top of the angel cone. Hold it in place by slotting the face over the front edge of the cone. Make hair for the angel with a folded feather or wool.
Paper ball What you need: • Three different patterns of decorative paper (scrapbook paper works well). • Round object to draw a circle with, like a plastic cup • Pencil • Scissors • Craft glue • Piece of ribbon What you do: Use the plastic cup to draw a circle on the patterned paper. Make a fold down the middle of the paper with the patterned sides facing towards one another.
to 34509 by 31 and you could be one of five lucky readers to receive your very own Mom’s Big Book of Things To Make! Please note that all SMS entries are charged at R2 each.
Glue one half of the first circle onto one half of the second circle. Make a loop with the piece of ribbon and glue it to the inside of one of the circles. Next, glue the third circle onto the two halves of the other circles that are still open, so that the three circles make a ball. RaisingKids - December | January 2011
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Naughty or nice? Santa is going to have his hands full again this year… we went undercover as Santa’s helpers to find out what the Grade Ones at Irene Primary School are putting in their letters this year…
nta Dear Sa . naughty le t t li a n ee I have b ar? ve a guit a h I y a Please m m Aimee Love fro Well, she’s we honest… think she the deserves r! a it u g
Dear Santa
I have been go
od because
I have helped
my mom
with her cookin
g. I was
bad because I
sister and I sa
her.
pinched my
id sori to
Love Darryn
Dear Santa I have been waiting four
He did say sorry!
you to please forgive me. Can I have a guitar? Koki Dear Santa I have been helpful helping my friends and listening to my teache r. Sometimes I do not
listen to my mom and dad. Love you, Ziyanda
How do teachers get it right?
Oops moving forward then!
Dear Santa I’ve been a little bad because I had a fite with my baby od sister. I’ve been go y
because I helped m daddy too wash the car. Love from Owen
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Well that sorts that one out – one all to Owen!
Dear Santa nta. I love you Sa . I’ve been good y? Do you now w d I helped my da rden. water the ga Love from Renda
Dear Santa I wus good todey. I wus nis. Hapi
Christmas. Hapi dey to evrywun. You are cute. I like you r cheeks.
And now we know ‘wy’!
Love from Simph iwe And the winner is...
What a salesman!
Dear Santa I’ve been naughty because I put things in my mouth and also pick my nose with my hand.
Kennedy gets first prize for honesty!
Love Kennedy
Dear Santa I wish for a Ben 10 a watch please and bole full of lasagna and I’ve been super good. Love Lutho
Lasagna?
Dear Santa I love my famil y and my teacher. I love to work but I don’t listen to my teacher but I ♥ her. Love Mbali The teacher wins again!
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What’s
in store? What is it? Hello Kitty Toddler Bed For what ages? 15 Months + What does it do? This is the ultimate Hello Kitty accessory for any little girl’s bedroom. What is it good for? This toddler bed is great for the transition baby will make from cot to her very own first bed. It will guarantee sweet dreams! R799.90 (Product code: 50256)
Available at all
stores
What is it? Chatimals For what ages? 4 Years + What does it do? Collect Max, Sophie and Oscar – press their paws, talk and they will repeat what you say! What is it good for? A Chatimals hamster is the perfect pet – one that doesn’t poop! Your child will enjoy hours of fun with them. R149.90 (Product code: 45303)
Available at all
stores
What is it? Kiddieland Vanity Table For what ages? 3 Years + What does it do? It comes with its own stool and has loads of beauty accessories that every little princess is sure to need. What is it good for? It enhances role playing – an important part of a child’s development. R299.90
(Product code: 14395)
Available at all
What is it? Zhu Zhu Pets For what ages? 4 Years + What does it do? These cute hamsters chatter, scatter, scoot and scurry while making hilarious sounds. What is it good for? Kids can collect all 18 hamsters and enjoy hours of fun with these cute critters. R99.90 (Product code: 16302)
Available at all
stores
Prices are valid at time of going to press and while stocks last. E&OE
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stores
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Available at all
stores
What is it? Bakugan Brawlers Game Pack For what ages? 5 to 12 Years What does it do? A premium set of Bakugan for the advanced Brawler action Bakugan morph as they land on the magnetic Bakugan cards. The set contains 2 Bakugan, 2 Battle Gears, a Super Assault, 3 Metal Gate cards, 3 Ability Cards and a rule book. What is it good for? Keeping little boys busy these holidays! R199.90 (Product code: 50394)
Available at all
stores
What is it? LEGO Big Chill For what ages? 5 to 12 Years What does it do? Have fun building the Big Chill character from the Ben-10 series. What is it good for? LEGO is great for improving concentration and motor skills in children – what’s more, your child can collect and build all the characters; a Ben-10 enthusiast’s dream come true! R99.90 (Product code: 42113)
Available at all
stores
What is it? Zyclone Ring Blaster For what ages? 6 Years + What does it do? Pull, twist and launch the Zyclone.RING™ flying! What is it good for? This is a great toy for the holidays and for energetic fun on the beach. R199.90 (Product code: 49000)
Available at all
stores
What is it? Fast Lane Remote Control Crazy Shaker For what ages? 8 Years + What does it do? With a full function remote control and deep-tread rubber tyres, it offers amazing grip on rough terrain and the innovative controls allow the player to perform flips. What is it good for? It’s great for active boys who will love the thrill of performing dangerous tricks; moms will love the fact that it’s the toy in danger and not their children! R249.90 (Product code: 04189)
Available at all
stores
Prices are valid at time of going to press and while stocks last. E&OE
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Healthy happy holiday pets By Sharon de Beer
It’s easy to be taken in by a cute puppy or precocious kitten and there are very few of us who can resist the temptation to bring a cuddly creature home, only to find out that puppy/kitty is not quite so cute when it is chewing your shoes, peeing on your carpet and eating you out of house and home! Many people, upon realising that they have fallen for nature’s trickery, may find an alternative home for the now not-so-cute creature, but more often than not we acknowledge that we’ve ‘been had’ and resign ourselves to having to put up with ‘the beast’ that we’ve either bought or adopted; after all, we rationalise, one doesn’t put one’s kids up for adoption when they become bolshy teenagers – no matter how tempting the thought may be on occasion! Yip, before you know it you may have two, four or even six petulant pets as well as a couple of cantankerous kids and a long-suffering husband to contend with; and to all extents and purposes, this is what makes up ‘a family’ (hamster/snake/rabbit not intentionally excluded, of course). Which brings me to the next consideration: once these pets have infiltrated our lives and made themselves part of the family, we owe it to them to provide the best possible care – as we would for our children. Safety: Your pet, like your child, should not be able to leave your yard. If your pet is walked regularly, neutered and spayed, chances are it won’t be trying to escape out of boredom or from a desire to ‘meet and greet’ the neighbourhood females. The amount of road kill we see on our roads bears testimony to how many pet owners are negligible in securing their properties properly. Agreed, cats are tricky to keep under lock and key, but at least collar or tag your kitty so that if she strays you have a chance of locating her. Again, if kitty is fed, neutered/spade and happy, chances are he/she ain’t gonna wander very far from home.
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Your pet
Automatic gates should have motion sensors to prevent your pet from a nasty (ugh!) fate and pools should be fitted with a cover to prevent accidents (both pet and child related). While cats will rarely wind up in the drink, dogs are another story – make it your mission to teach your dog to swim to the steps in order to get out should he fall in. This is not as difficult as it sounds: get into the pool with your pooch and allow him to swim to the closest edge (he will do this instinctively) then guide him to the steps. Make sure you repeat the exercise every now and then to reinforce the lesson and after a while he will understand that that is the correct way out. A drowned pet is an avoidable scenario – take the time to teach your pets, as you would your toddler, to swim to the steps! Many people go away, sometimes for long periods of time, leaving their pets unattended. This is a recipe for disaster; book your pet in at the kennels or find a reliable house-sitter; at the very least have someone look in on them regularly. Neglect and hunger will drive a pet to resort to desperate tactics, often with fatal consequences. Good nutrition: No, I’m not suggesting Fido eat with the family, but it is important to scrutinise the ingredients listed on your dog or cat food as you would when purchasing food for your human family. As with most things in life, ‘cheap’ is (normally) ‘nasty’ and while you may pat yourself on the back for saving pennies when it comes to your pet food, the truth will make itself known when you have piles of poop to pick up because the food has no absorbable nutritional value and you will probably spend the saved pennies (and more) on vet’s bills when your pet breaks out in skin rashes, etc. Don’t guess when it comes to quality or amount; obtain a vet’s opinion if you’re not sure what your breed of pet requires nutritionally. Of course, every pet likes the occasional treat, but avoid giving bones as they can at best cause constipation or worse, can become stuck in throats, perforating oesophagus and intestines; a taxing situation for you, your pet and your finances. A really large bone that can be gnawed without causing damage may be used to keep teeth clean though, just make sure it’s thrown away once it has been whittled down so that it is not swallowed whole. If you have the type of dog that eats/chews everything in sight, you have your job cut out for you – even a chewed and swallowed tennis ball can cause irreparable complications. As with kids, be aware of what you leave around your home and garden, and that includes garden pesticides. Hygiene and grooming: If you thought brushing your toddler’s teeth was tough, then you’re in for a shock, but brushing your pet’s teeth can prolong its life. If your hound has been raised on table titbits chances are his teeth are already rotten and you will know about it – it is not for nothing that we refer to halitosis as ‘dogbreath’ and this is the first sign that your pet has a problem. No, false teeth will not save the day, you will wind up pureeing and spoon-feeding your pet if you don’t take care (while I may consider spoon-feeding my Maltese, I balk at the idea of spoon feeding my Boerbul – think of the time it would take, nevermind all that drool!)
There is nothing wrong with grooming your own dog if you can’t afford the latest coiffure at the poodle parlour; treat this exercise as an opportunity to bond with your pet. Pets love the brushing and attention, and seriously won’t mind if your grooming skills are somewhat lacking! Luckily cats are able to do their own thing, but check kitty for ticks and fleas regularly too. Always check all pets for fleas and act immediately the moment you spot even one by dipping and flea-collaring; this is not a bug to mess with – the situation can deteriorate into a nightmare of epic proportions if left unattended. Make sure you de-flea the whole house appropriately and not just the flea-bitten, especially if pets have access to your home. Deworming is not a once-off activity either. Most vets will deworm your pets when you take them for their vaccinations, but you should be deworming your pets (and your kids) at least 3 to 4 times a year. Exercise: While we all seem to be highly enlightened these days on the benefits of exercising our human bodies, we often overlook the requirements of our pets. Cats have this generally sewn up; you don’t need to put your cat on a leash, thank goodness, but you do have to provide kitty with space to roam safely.
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Your pet
The incidents of pet obesity is on the increase as some pets are inclined to emulate their sedentary human counterparts; the couch-potato-cat is no stranger to the family home nowadays, while ADHD-exuberant dogs often resort to digging up the garden in sheer frustration, others bark incessantly or simply sink into a depressed overweight despair, leaving their baskets only to ‘fill-up’ as mealtime becomes the highlight of their day. Neglect is abuse and it can have serious health implications for your pet; make a concerted effort to take your dog for a walk and chase your cat round the room if necessary to get her off the couch; you will all be happier, healthier and fitter for the exercise!
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Safe sex: Sadly, there is no such thing for a pet, so unless you’re planning a pet pregnancy, there is only one option. The cost is the main reason why people put off spaying or neutering their pets though: “It’s just so expensive and Fiffi never leaves our garden, so she doesn’t need it” followed a couple of months later by: “I can’t imagine how Fido got in!” Where there’s a will (or a female in heat), there’s a way – rather spay/neuter one cat or dog than have the expense of a whole litter. With the amount of homeless animals lining up on death row at SPCA’s nationwide, it is downright negligent to ignore spaying and neutering your pet, so be a responsible pet owner – just do it! Health: This is a biggie and probably the paragraph you would like to avoid reading, because let’s face it, maintaining your pet’s health can be a costly business when it comes to vaccinations, especially if you have a menagerie at home: yes, we dread the cost of it until we have had the experience of Fido (having passed a couple of ‘bloody stools’) being hospitalised overnight for possible Parvovirus at the vet. Take my word for it – an overnight stay at Sandton Clinic is cheaper! And if whatever Fido had was contagious, then you’re looking at the whole menagerie (kids included possibly) winding up in hospital, after which expense you will probably need to be hospitalised for shock yourself! Vaccinate your pets people! Close your eyes, take a deep breath and just do it regularly. The cost may make you foam at the mouth, but if your dog contracts rabies (which kills ¹50 000 people annually throughout the world), the consequences for your family would be fatal. For good reason therefore, ²Rabies vaccinations for dogs and cats are compulsory in South Africa. Due to an outbreak of rabies in South Africa this year, which proved fatal for a toddler in Soweto, this vaccination is currently being offered freely nationwide, so you really have no excuse not to have it done. Love: We are often so exhausted meeting the emotional demands of our children and spouse that when Fido fondly licks our hand and stares at us with that ‘love me please’ stare, we often find ourselves too emotionally spent to show much interest. Just remember though, when you adopted Fido or Fiffi you became responsible for meeting their requirements for attention and affirmation too. Loving your pet, as with loving a child, means providing kind but firm discipline, establishing a routine (feeding time, play time and sleeping time) and sticking to it as far as possible. The more you adhere to this, the easier your life and the happier (and more stabile) your pet. As with children, pets are less likely to display behavioural problems if their emotional as well as physical requirements are being met. Sadly, once we have children, our pets often take a backseat in this regard, but you can make a change, starting today; your pet will forgive you in a second – that’s what makes having pets so wonderful, they love you unconditionally. Who could put a price tag on that kind of loyalty? ¹www.worldrabiesday.org ²www.pfizer.co.za Important Canine Infectious diseases
Your pet
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Model 1: Dress (R140) Model 2: Dress (R160) Model 3: Top and pants (R180) Model 4: Dress (R180)
2
3
1
4
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Model 1: Top (R120), pants (R200) Model 2: Top (R150), pants (R200) Model 3: Top (R160), pants (R170) Model 4: Top (R160), pants (R170)
4 2
3
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Model 1: Top (R220), pants (R180) Model 2: All-in-one (R190) Model 3: All-in-one (R220)
1 2
3
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Model 1: Top (R100), pants (R70) Model 2: Top (R200), pants (R130) Model 3: Top (R160), pants (R130) Model 4: Top (R150), pants (R170)
1
2 4 3
Credits: Clothing - Foschini Kiddies Range (Carnival and Nautical) available countrywide; Style Directors - Addi Lang and Mandy Rhodes; Models - Caitlin's Castings; Digisky Photography - Wayne Potgieter
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Community
CAITLIN’S CASTINGS is a ‘boutique’ character casting agency for TV and film, based in Sandton, which works with toddlers, tweens, teens and adults, the proceeds from which are donated to various charities.
Have you ever thought about your child appearing in a TV advert or being in a fashion shoot for a good cause? Your child will have fun, gain self confidence and self esteem. He or she will also have the opportunity to attend auditions for TV advertisements or to participate in fashion shows. If selected, your child will earn money and a portion of the agents commission will be donated to various childrens shelters. Register as a family (mom, dad and kids) for only R400 per year which covers the cost of the training sessions to enhance audition techniques. To register or to find out more contact Addi Lang by email at addi@netactive.co.za or find us on Facebook.
About the founder of Caitlin’s Castings Addi Lang, who has a background in the performing arts, is a qualified dance instructor with the Royal Academy of Dancing (UK). She has performed in numerous stage productions in South Africa for many years and felt the need to “make a difference to those around us”. After a chance meeting with Sue Adkins, business strategist and guru in developing CRM (cause related marketing) in South Africa in 2000, Addi felt inspired to utilise this marketing medium and began Caitlin’s Castings as a way to support worthy causes – not by asking for charity, but by donating the proceeds from a viable entity to charitable causes – in this way ensuring that the consumer, business and cause all benefit.
Addi’s success over the years has seen her being placed as runner-up (2003) and then finalist (2004) for the Nedcor Business Achiever Award, being nominated to the panel of judges in 2007, and being nominated for Shoprite Checkers’ Woman of the Year in 2005. Addi has also judged the Mrs South Africa 2005, the King David’s Got Talent Competition, The Miss Schools Lifestyle Pagaent in 2009 and Caitlin’s Castings will be involved in the judging of The Miss Schools Lifestyle Pageant 2011. Addi enjoys being able to nurture and encourage young spirits. She also has a passion for developing entrepreneurial skills amongst women and youth by facilitating mentorship programmes.
Credits: Caitlins Castings models Style Director - Mandy Rhodes - Maraschino Media and Marketing Accessories - Fifth Ave Collection, JHB Make Up - Adele Mans - Steps2Light Digisky Photography - Wayne Potgieter
Caitlin’s Castings is an agency founded by Addi Lang as a tribute to Caitlin Veltman, who was killed in a tragic accident in 2008.
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Courtney Pillay - 17 years Bokang Shibambo - 6 years Dina Shibambo - 28 years
Tayla Rhodes - 14 years
Izaiah Mannikam - 2 years old
Phehello Monyane - 2 years
Hughen Smith - 11 years Simone Markham - 13 years
Lorrianne Sass - 15 years
Pearline Mannikam - 30 years
Dylan Steiner - 4 years Neo Shibambo - 2 years
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Career mom
1st for... everyone! Most women aspire to being the best they can be both in their professional careers as well as in their personal lives. Unfortunately, for many of us, the pressures of family life far outweigh our desire to succeed career wise and so we end up believing that we will never be able to have both, successfully that is. Liesl Viljoen is the General Manager of 1st For Women Insurance and with a young family in tow she seems to be mastering the art of juggling a highly pressurised job with her familial responsibilities. But just how does she do it? Liesl says she can’t imagine her life without her career as she has always been driven and focused in this arena. When she accepted the General Manager position at 1st For Women in 2006, her children were just one and four years old, so there were some adjustments to be made in her personal life without compromising on her policy of ‘family comes first’. Liesl believes that time management is essential as she is wary of any negative impact her career may have on her kids. Her children remain her priority, so she has one diary for scheduling both her work and personal commitments which means that everything is slotted in, whether it’s a brand strategy meeting or her son Damian’s swimming lesson. This, together with the help of a dedicated PA, enables Liesl to manage her hectic days. A highly pressurised job comes with long working hours of course and Liesl often finds herself feeling a bit guilty in this regard, she admits. So she tries to make up lost time with her family to compensate and she sticks to her standard rule that she will only work at home once her kids are asleep. Breakfast and supper is ‘family time’ and they have the occasional ‘family meeting’ where each family member gets a chance to raise any issues that they then discuss together. “On these occasions the kids usually end up telling a joke or putting on a show which is really entertaining!” says Liesl. Liesl looks forward to spending weekend quality time with
her family, “The weekends begin with us taking turns to pick a restaurant for Saturday morning breakfast. Then my kids choose a different activity each week that we can do together as a family. We recently went to Sun City and had an amazing time. My ideal holiday destination is Cape Town – the sun, sea and my family!” Another ground-rule she and her husband, Pierre, have agreed upon, is that they won’t commit to work functions that keep them both away from home at the same time after hours. “Having a strong support structure in place is key,” advises Liesl. “I have an amazing husband, a lovely au pair with whom I am in constant communication, my mother and mother-in-law who are almost always on standby, as well as my domestic worker who really cares about my family and has looked after my son since he was four months old.” Liesl also feels blessed to have incredible friends, the support of moms from her kids’ schools and an understanding employer. Believe it or not, she still manages to find time for herself (a skill many of us still need to master – even if we are stay-at-home moms!). Book club once a month with seven of her friends provides the down time required to ‘let her hair down’ and have some fun. These ladies share and discuss one another’s daily challenges and pamper themselves because they feel they deserve it: as Liesl puts it, “There’s nothing like sisterhood!” Liesl maintains that a good 45 minute soak in the bath permits her enough time for reflection and relaxation. She and hubby make sure they plan a date-night at least once a month. Although Liesl attributes her success to keeping the two aspects of her life separate, she likes to keep her kids involved in her career. “For example, my daughter walks the 'Sisters with Blisters' event every year and my son counts all the 1st For Women pink Guardian Angel cars in our area. They also sometimes accompany me to 1st For Women’s advertising filming which is very exciting for them.” So there you have it: this is how a career-focused mom manages to keep her family a priority as well as excelling in her career... and she makes it sound so easy!
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HURRY WHILE STOCKS LAST! PRICES VALID 1 JANUARY – 31 JANUARY 2011.
E&OE
Double points when you swipe your MySchool card at Toys R Us 1 – 31 January 2011
R99.90 What is it? Double Desk Easel For what ages? 6 Years + What does it do? Stands upright on desk at a convenient height for loads of artistic fun! What is it good for? It keeps art work off the walls! From toddler to preschool, your child will enjoy developing drawing and writing control. (Product code: 44509)
What is it? Colour Magnetic Drawing Board For what ages? 3 Years + What does it do? It includes 4 magnetic stamps and a magnetic pen so that your toddler can create her own magical pictures, erase them with ease again and again. What is it good for? Develops fine motor, concentration, pencil-grip and drawing skills.
www.toysrus.co.za R99.90 (Product code: 22657)
What is it? Minnie and Daisy Trolley Bag For what ages? 3 years + What does it do? It features a convenient handle so that your little angel can push or pull the bag along easily. The padded straps adjust as your little angel grows. What is it good for? It has loads of space for all the things little angels need… (Product code: 49213)
R99.90
What is it? Toy Story 3 Back Pack For what ages? 3 years + What does it do? It has plenty of space and is made from a sturdy canvas material with adjustable straps for growing kids. What is it good for? Snips and snails and puppy dogs tails… it can carry all the things little boys like to collect. (Product code: 49215)
R99.90
Dear Mommy and Daddy... ♥ My hands are small – please don’t expect perfection when I make my bed or throw a ball. My legs are short – slow down so that I can keep up with you. My eyes see many things from a different view point and often for the first time – enjoy my excitement and joy.
♥ Take the
time to explain things to me about this wonderful world – do this willingly and without irritation.
♥ I have not seen the world as you have – allow me to explore it safely and don’t restrict me unnecessarily, but make sure I am safe at all times. ♥ My feelings get hurt – don’t be sarcastic or mock me. Treat me as you would like to be treated.
♥ I need encouragement to grow,
but not empty praise – go easy on criticism, rather praise me when I achieve or try hard.
♥ Give me freedom to make
decisions concerning myself – allow me to make mistakes and learn from these by experiencing the consequences.
♥
Don’t do things for me – this makes me feel that my own efforts are not good enough. Please don’t compare me with my sister or brother.
♥ Set a good
example for me to follow – remember I will do that which I see being done.
♥ I am a special gift – treasure me as God intended you to do. Hold me accountable for my actions, give me guidelines to live by and discipline me in a loving and fair manner.
♥ Thank you for being my parents and standing by me so that I can have a bright future.
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Over the last two weeks of September 2010, Toys R Us and MySchool called on the public to generously donate good quality, second-hand toys and baby goods at various in-store ‘Donation Station’ collection points across the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. There were 10 Toys R Us stores that participated in this public donation drive and MySchool cardholders were eager to “pay it forward” to children in need. In total, 98 boxes – weighing in at a little less than 1,630kg – were collected and distributed to a specified MySchool beneficiary in each region. These beneficiaries included NOAH Orphanages in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal as well as The Friends of the Children’s Hospital Association at the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital in Cape Town. Toys play an important role in any child’s development and growth. The orphanages and hospital will use them to inspire the imagination and curiosity, stimulate creative thinking and also to be a trusted friend to the children at these centres. Toys often become trusted companions. This initiative has created an opportunity for MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet supporters to also teach their own children about the value of giving to those in need. MySchool and Toys R Us would like to give a special thank you to all those who generously donated their toys and baby goods as well as Kargo who kindly ensured delivery of the toys to the chosen charities. You have all made a significant difference to these children’s lives.
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Spot the kids‌ pictured here, amidst a mountain of toys and fluffy characters donated.
Children photographed from Friends of the Family Hospital; Western Cape, Noah Siyawela; Kwazulu-Natal and Noah Reomogetse Ark; Gauteng
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www.digisky.co.za
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