WORKING FROM HOME IS WITHIN YOUR REACH Now Recruiting Family Daycare Providers
Fun, Flexible, and Playful Small care groups Build your own flexible business Determine your own income Benefits you and your children
Family Daycare supports you in everything you need to get started Training
Resources
Toy library
Contact us now to start your career
www.familydaycarecairns.com.au BOTANIC HOUSE • 108 COLLINS AVENUE / PO BOX 462 • EDGE HILL, QLD 4870 Sponsored by Cairns & District Child Care Development Assoc Inc
ILD C A R E C HWITH A HEA R T
4032 1259
AMANDA MILLYARD Family Law Expert - WGC
Naomi Wilson Family Counsellor
belinda coldebella Nutritionist
helen gamble Midwife
KERAN THOMAS Child & Family Therapy Specialist
LIZ cHAPPEL General Practitioner
Amanda Millyard is a Solicitor and a Queensland Law Society Accredited Specialist in Family Law. Amanda finds the practice of family law both challenging and rewarding as she helps people through a legal process to move forward in their lives.
Naomi Wilson is a trained & widely experienced early childhood teacher and lecturer, counsellor and life coach. She offers counselling on relationships and parenting at her clinic “Spectrum”, situated at Calanna Pharmacy complex, Woree.
Belinda Coldebella is a clinical nutritionist & founder of Healthkicks Allied Healthcare and Healthkicks.com.au which is an interactive healthcare business enabling acces to a healthy lifestyle, Australia wide.
Helen Gamble has been a midwife for 20 years and has worked both in the UK and Australia. She currently offers antenatal and postnatal care to women and their babies at Draper Street Family Medical, Cairns and Apple Tree Medical Smithfield appletreemedical.com.au
Keran Thomas and her team at Birdwing Therapies are mental health social workers that offer counselling and therapy to children, teenagers, adults and families. They specialise in assisting parents with child/ teen behaviours, developmental issues and trauma related problems. birdwingtherapies.com.au
Dr Liz Chappel is a Cairns GP working at both Draper Street Family Medical and Apple Tree Medical Smithfield. She is the mother of 4 children and a Stepdaughter. Her Medical interests include paediatrics, adolescent health, women’s health, sexual health, rheumatology and elderly.
For enquiries contact Juanita on 0438 811 027
bettina ruhl Amanda Gale Physiotherapy
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Well done in filling a void and creating a
Hi, I have recently relocated with my family from
great resource for families in Cairns.
the blue mountains NSW to Cairns.
I am a first time mother and found sometimes the
I am pregnant with my fifth child.
small things were difficult in the beginning - like going out for dinner. When I was breastfeeding, I would have loved to have had a resource which featured restaurants & cafes that were ‘breastfeeding and baby friendly”. I look forward to future editions! Regards, Yvette
ut our Check o t Guide u o g Dinin 2 page 4
Dear Juanita and Bec, Congratulations! Thought your Autumn Edition of Cairns Parenting Companion was the best yet! I really enjoyed the diversity of your well-written articles. Also as a Mum with a 4 year old, feel that most of the companies advertising are excellent references for your readers. Thank you! CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR PREVIOUS WINNERS New Release Books Belinda Hilton, Liza Barr, Jody Payne, Yvette Petters, Kate Wilkinson, Charlie Aubin & Fiona Fuller Clever Patch Craft Alison Daniels & Miranda Streeter Illumiboard Tracey Meade Kids Caricature - Squids for Kids Rayleen Cristaldi
Paul & Charlotte Aubin Cairns Bed n Boat
While waiting for my first midwife appointment, I picked up your magazine and was pleasantly surprised. It is well put together, full of interesting reads. I have bought & read other parenting magazines over the years but none have I found offered such a warm welcome. The fact I can open up your magazine and find information that is directly relevant for me with information about things local to me, was lovely. Reading about peoples birth experiences with CBH was nice. All of my kids have been born in the same hospital down south so it was nice to read the good things about CBH and know that these are real stories from real local people. SO
I
just
wanted
to
say
thanks
for
the
welcome, I think I have found a new friend in
Thanks to Cr Linda Cooper for putting
your magazine.
herself out there and helping me feel
Fiona Fuller - Brinsmead
like I’m not alone. Reading about what you went through with post-natal depression and your complete honesty had me in tears. Your story also helped me explain how I was feeling to my
• A Mummy Makeover see pg. 65
husband and I’m now getting help. Thank you.
• 200 6x4 Prints from Michael Aw The
Anonymous
Good Guys see pg. 56
I finally just got down at my desk and found my copy of the Mag in
• Nelson Mandela
my bag ...well I thought I would just have a flick through and half an hour later
‘Conversations with Myself’ book see pg. 20
I was still flicking through a third time...it had me hooked...I have never read a
• ‘The Salvation Road’ by Steven Horne see pg. 15
magazine and mainly wanted to look at all the ads...wow so many businesses out there I never knew about...I have kept all of your copies so far and this one is
• A camera package worth over $1000 thanks
another one I am keeping (out of reach of little hands)...so that I can refer to the ads
to Michael Aw The Good Guys see pg. 24
as I need these services...some of them I could of used before I had the boys....
• ‘Additive Alert’ Book see pg. 57
Congratulations to you all – it is hard work putting this together – but wow I just love it – this is one I will be reading from cover to cover and referring back too regularly.... Annette Jarrett Bentley Park
• A Personalised Bracelet see pg. 18
Juanita and Bec
We value your feedback. Please email your comments to
feedback@parentingcompanion.com.au 1
WINTER 2011 EDITION
PREGNANCY
the day we welcomed twins
When we made the decision to try for a third child, little did we know what lay ahead of us. After having two beautiful boys, aged 8 and 5, we decided that after a break, and before age got the better of us, we should add to our family.
My goodness….we were having twins. Throughout our pregnancy we discussed with our gynaecologist our birthing options. There was no reason why we couldn’t have a natural birth if all went to plan. We felt more comfortable with a natural birth as this was how our boys had been delivered. However we would make our decision based on what we believed would be the safest option for our babies. As long as they were safe was all that mattered. Twin 1 was the bigger of the two and was
engaged quite early but twin 2 was happy to lie wherever it could fit. During one of our visits we had discovered twin 2 had turned and was also facing downwards. We were excited that we perhaps could deliver naturally. However, within one week twin 2 had turned again and was lying horizontally, right up as high as it could possibly go. Just because one baby may be ready to be delivered did not mean the other would want to come out at the same time. We had made our decision that we were going to deliver these babies by C Section. Their birth date was to be 9 March 2007. At 37 weeks we headed on our early morning drive into the hospital. Before I knew it I was prepped up and ready to go into theatre. At 8.51am, little Cleo Jazz, weighing 2810g, was born. Our emotions flowed knowing that we had a healthy little girl. She looked beautiful. Then just two minutes later, another perfect baby was raised before us.
Trevett-Lyall family Little Halle Jule, weighing 2280grams, was blessed into our world and the worries of having twins dispersed immediately. We had just welcomed two little girls into our family. I recovered from my caesarean without any concerns and after four nights in hospital we were able to bring the girls home and start life as a family of six. The twins shared a cot for the first six and a half months of their life and now continue to share a bedroom. They have just turned four and watching them grow beside each other everyday is indescribable. All of our four children were welcomed into the world with love and regardless of the way they were delivered it really doesn’t matter. I wouldn’t change any of my experiences.
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At around six weeks gestation we were referred by our GP for a pregnancy ultrasound. Hearing the news that there was a strong heartbeat found, we were over the moon. We were going to have another baby. The sonographer then shifted the monitor and asked both my husband and I if we could see it. Before we could be concerned she said ‘look there’s another heartbeat’. It was at this moment when our short burst of joy joined hands with fear.
JUNE/JULY
Release of design concepts & public consultation sessions
A vibrant new social and entertainment heart is coming for the Cairns region… state-of-the-art facilities for the use and enjoyment of residents and visitors for the next 50 years. CAIRNS
Entertainment Precinct Aerial illustrates site location not site boundaries
Check the website for upcoming community consultation sessions:
www.cairnsep.com.au Phone 4044 3322 www.parentingcompanion.com.au
2
149 English St Cairns QLD 4870 | Buy online today
PREGNANCY
pACKING YOUR HOSPITAL BAG What you haven’t thought of... You have the nursery set up and the capsule in the car. It’s now time to get your hospital bag packed. Where do you start? You can ask your obstetrician or midwife for their recommendations or you will receive a list in your antenatal classes. Here are some suggestions and some advice from local mums of things you may not have thought about. Diary, note book, baby book – it’s a great idea to write all the details down while it’s still fresh in your mind.
TENS pain relief machine – Never heard of one?! Check out www.mama-tens.info. These can be purchased at Phoenix Health Equipment on Lake St or hired through Hire for Baby Cairns for only $10 per week. Extra big undies or men’s undies – they are so much more comfortable than women’s and allow enough room for maternity pads and/or ice packs for tears or swelling, and they come up over your stitches if you have a C-section.
From our Mummy contributors: Emma Kohen... What I wouldn’t go without – my stress balls. I read a book about over-stimulating the senses during labour to help with contractions. They were also great for throwing at my hubby when he annoyed me!! Music – having a good mixture of music was great. Some upbeat and some relaxing.
Make-up for the photos, especially if the Cairns Post is coming round to do their baby shots. Lynda Hay, Doula from Chrysalis Birth...
Knee Pads x 2 - there’s often lots of kneeling in labour and pillows, blankets etc aren’t stable and hard to move around.
Chuppa Chups or ball type lollipops - they are great for when the mother needs a quick energy boost. But also, there’s an acupressure point in the roof of the mouth that encourages contractions to become regular and stronger. Sucking on a lollipop activates that point.
Raspberry Leaf Tea & Raspberry Leaf Tea Ice Cubes - Make up a thermos to take to hospital to sip on. If you pre-make ice cubes, bring them along in a small esky or cooler bag to suck on during labour. Helps with contractions and is refreshing.
Miso Soup – great, if only fluids are allowed, but it still contains lots of electrolytes to recharge the mum. Also, some mums don’t want sugary drinks (eg. sports drinks) in labour as it makes them nauseous, but may tolerate something salty. Vanessa Allen...
EvErything you nEEd for your baby CotS • nUrSery eqUipMent • toy paCkageS Car SeatS • HigH CHairS • praMS Corner Mcleod & Upward Streets, Cairns • P: 4041 0468 info@babyequipmenthire.com.au • www.babyequipmenthire.com.au
Affordable quality maternity clothing CaSUal wear • evening wear • Corporate lingerie • SwiMwear • all aCCeSSorieS Corner Mcleod & Upward Streets, Cairns • P: 4041 0468 info@hotmummies.com.au • www.hotmummies.com.au
What I wouldn’t do without – lip balm! I remember having really dry lips at the end of the labour and it was a godsend!! Water bottle - because they are easy to carry around and I remember needing lots of water. Chocolate. I think it’s also called ‘energy food’…
The Local Hospitals provide some items for your labour and stay afterwards, and here is a quick wrap up. Cairns Private Birth Suites: Birthing Suites are equipped with en suites, television, birth ball, bean bag, birthing matt, oil burner & CD player. Maternity:Nappies, blankets, dressing gowns, beanies, mittens, and socks are all proved for baby. Cairns Base Birth Suites: Birthing Suites are equipped with en suite, television and CD player. Available on request are birth ball, beanbag, birthing seat & oil burner. Maternity:Blankets, bubs first nappy and outfit are provided (if you haven’t got something handy when it comes time to dress bub).
www.parentingcompanion.com.au
4
PREGNANCY
preparing for pregnancy Pre-pregnancy tests It is a good idea to see your GP to make sure you are physically fit and healthy for an impending pregnancy. Some of the tests you may consider are: General examination Pap smear Tests for any sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), such as Chlamydia, which can interfere with fertility Blood tests to check for anaemia, your blood group and rhesus factor and your immunity against rubella (German measles), chicken pox and whooping cough Urine tests to check for diabetes If you have a cat or dog or eat very rare meat, a test for toxoplasmosis infection Check with your GP whether any prescribed medications could impact on your ability to conceive or have implications for a healthy pregnancy. Discuss your family medical and genetic history. Start taking folic acid (folate) Taking folic acid supplements will help prevent neural tube defects like spina bifida.
If you are considering having a baby, whether it is your first or an additional child, there are some simple steps to help ensure both partners are in the best physical condition to conceive and enjoy a healthy pregnancy. Below are some things for both of you to do to prepare for pregnancy.
Ideally start taking folic acid three months prior to conception. A dose of 400mg until the 12th week of pregnancy is ideal.
exceed four units of alcohol per day and again have at least two alcohol free days per week.
Folate can be found in a number of foods, some of which are listed below: Spinach Broccoli Asparagus Beef /yeast extracts (e.g. vegemite) Eggs Chick peas Berries
Health eating and exercise You don’t need to follow a strict regime that’s impossible to keep up with but aim to be in a healthy weight range for your body. A body mass index (BMI) below 29kg/ m2 is important for sperm health, and for a woman a BMI of between 19-29kg/ m2 is recommended to maximise chances of conceiving. Drink plenty of water; eat a balanced diet from the five food groups, including plenty of fresh fruit and vegies, and exercise regularly.
Smoking, alcohol and recreational drugs Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and the use of recreational drugs have been shown to damage sperm health and can also lower a woman’s fertility. They have all been associated with a higher miscarriage and stillbirth rate. There is also an increased risk of death due to sudden infant death syndrome from maternal smoking. A woman should not exceed two units of alcohol daily pre-conceptually with two alcohol free days per week, and abstain from alcohol whilst pregnant. Men are advised not to
Avoid contact with chemicals at work and in the home. Pesticides, chemical fertilisers and petrochemicals can lower sperm quality and quantity and can also lead to pregnancy complications. Having regular sex at the right time The most important factor when trying to conceive is to have sex during the woman’s fertile phase - that is, the five days leading up to ovulation and the day of ovulation. The more often a man ejaculates, the less dense the semen will be, so it’s important to maintain a gap of two days between ejaculations. Sex every two to three days optimises the chances of pregnancy. Recognising ovulation mucous A woman produces a particular type of mucous during her fertile phase, which can help the couple in the timing of sex. Mucous which is thin and stretchy to touch is vital for sperm to survive. Taking time out to relax and avoid stress Stress can affect a couple’s relationship and is likely to reduce libido and how often you have sex. Taking some simple steps and making a number of lifestyle changes will certainly increase you and your partner’s chances of falling pregnant. All the best for a successful road to conception!
Article written by Helen Gamble Midwife at Apple Tree Medical ph 4038 1277
5
WINTER 2011 EDITION
PREGNANCY Having a baby is not only the biggest responsibility you will ever have, it is also the most life changing. It all sounds glorious and lovely in theory, but in reality, the introduction of this beautiful little person into your life will turn it upside down. You need to make sure you and your partner have had some pretty serious discussions. You need to be ‘on the same page’ about your future children and their upbringing. Some of the questions you need to ask are: Are you both committed to becoming parents equally? Are you both willing to sacrifice certain things? Sleeping in? Me time? Personal space? Uninterrupted Sleep? – I’m not saying you will never have them again, just not for a few good years.
What else do you need to consider
Are there any religious or cultural differences between you and your partner? How will they affect your child? And how are you going to handle these differences? What sort of impact will a baby have on your relationship with your partner, and on those around you? How will you deal with this?
before having a baby
Who will work and who will care for the children? What will this look like and how will you handle the change in your financial situation? Other factors you need to consider: Finances – the Baby Bonus vs. Paid Parental Leave. Visit www.familyassist.gov.au for more information. If returning to work - Childcare costs and availability. It is not unusual for Day Care Centres and Family Day Care Schemes to have a wait list of six months or more.
Servicing cairnS & TroPical norTh QueenSland, froM PorT douglaS To MiSSion Beach, and acroSS The aTherTon TaBlelandS
Health Insurance – does your health insurance cover you for pregnancy? If you choose a private obstetrician and your private health insurance doesn’t cover it, you could be out of pocket thousands of dollars.
• TENS Machines and Dopplers now available! • Baby Capsules, Bassinettes, Hammocks & Breast Pumps!
Life Insurance and/or Income Protection – If you become a one income household it is important to make sure you and your family are covered.
• Check out our fantastic Newborn Combos!
Legal Will – it is important to make sure your estate is in order and you have plans should the worst happen and your children need to be cared for. Make sure you and your partner have this discussion early and have your wishes put on paper. Otherwise the courts have to make the decisions and they may not be choices you would have made.
• Short and Long Term Hires! • Free advice on all your baby needs! • Accredited restraint fitter! • Compare our prices!
Family Home – You don’t need to live in the biggest and best, as long as you have a safe and loving environment for your baby.
Check us out on on Facebook! CS733344
P: 07 4032 1984 M: 0423 959 648 cairns@hireforbaby.com W: www.hireforbaby.com
Family Transport – is your car suitable for a family? A single cab ute would not be considered a suitable car, so you need to make sure it’s road worthy and safe enough to carry the most important people in your life. Keep the tyres in good condition and have it serviced and the brakes checked regularly.
www.parentingcompanion.com.au
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Kids Parties Book your next Birthday Party at Tjapukai • • • •
Weddings
Corporate Functions
Birthday Parties
Baby Showers
Tea Parties
Festive Seasons
Safe & clean environment Venue suitable for all ages Unique cultural party theme Heaps of fun activities
Cultural activities available for your Tjapukai Birthday Party: Rainbow Serpent Party Pack Boomerang Includes: party pies, chips, Throwing pizza slices, sauces, choice Hunting Tjapukai of 3 cultural activities and & Weapons Dance invitations. Cultural Talk Theatre $17.00 per Child Didgeridoo A Journey Show
4051 1600
Spear Throwing
Creation Theatre
Bush Foods & Medicine Show
Bundarra Dingal Party Pack Includes: party pies, chips, pizza slices, sausage rolls, sauces, jugs of cordial, all activities as listed and invitations. $21.50 per Child
Conditions: Minimum of 10 party guests (aged 4 to 14 years). One Adult receives free admission per booking. Initial booking must be made minimum 7 days prior. Party must be booked, numbers confirmed and prepaid 48 hours in advance.
How to Book (07) 4042 9922 l marketing@tjapukai.com.au
NEWBORN
mumbalates
On The Esplanade
Around 4 years ago, Simone Kay created ‘Mumbalates’, a program that is low impact for new mums giving them a chance to have fun, exercising with their babies.
“My vision was a workout that mums could do with their babies and that created an opportunity for bonding other than breastfeeding and cuddles. As a Pilates instructor I found that after delivery I had a lot of muscles that no longer worked the way they were supposed to and needed to get them back on line so that I could do all the things I needed and wanted to do,” said mother of two, Simone. And you couldn’t find a more perfect setting for an exercise class than down on the Cairns Esplanade. Check out the ‘Mumbalates’ classes with Simone every Wednesday at 9.30am provided free to the community by the Cairns Regional Council as part of the Active Living – Fun Free Fitness program. A typical class will run for about 50 minutes. Benefits of Mumbalates include: 1. Feel great, laugh lots and meet other mums and bubs 2. Keep baby close and bond whilst having mummy time 3. Learn and practice correct methods for activating pelvic floor
muscles and abdominal stabilisers
4. Improve mobility and flexibility throughout the body 5. Gain strength and muscle tone 6. Learn new exercises that you can practice anytime and anywhere 7. Breathe fresh air in the great outdoors of Cairns Mumbalates is a great way to get back in touch with your body after what it goes through with childbirth! And knowing Simone the instructor has gone through it herself, we know she understands our bodies completely. I always feel so fresh and relaxed after a class, ready for the day. It’s fun exercise and we also have a play with our babies with lifting and bending ... it’s the best sound when they are all giggling and smiling at their mums. I have noticed a big difference now I have started the classes. I feel it has helped with my posture, strength, balance & coordination, but best of all... my pelvic floor! Me and my little man Jacob (5 months) LOVE IT! Rennae Brant Our mother’s group decided that we would go to Mumbalates as a change from our normal coffee catchups. The exercises are gentle and designed for new mums regardless of whether they had a natural birth or caesarian (as I did) and Simone is so encouraging and motivating. It’s great to exercise outside in the fresh air, even on hot days, under the shelter or on the grass under the trees. It’s really nice to be able to exercise with my daughter Gwendolyn (7months now) and not have to worry if ever she’s cranky - and she really enjoys the classes too! - Nicola Whitney To find out more contact Simone on 0411 027 883
www.parentingcompanion.com.au
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FEATURE
One of the first reactions most of us have when our new, healthy baby is born is one of relief. This story is all about four local families who didn’t experience that and who now live a ‘life less ordinary’ than ours; doing an amazing job at raising their children with a chronic illness and all the challenges that come with it.
ANGELMAN SYNDROME About Molly... People speak of a life defining moment; I still remember the moment that mine, and that of my family, veered way off its expected path. I recall with absolute clarity the knot in my stomach on seeing a child, sitting in a trolley, feeding himself a rusk; the realisation that my daughter Molly could not do either task was the catalyst for a heart breaking investigation into her developmental delays. The youngest of our two daughters was diagnosed after six months of exhaustive searching, shortly after her first birthday, with a rare condition called Angelman Syndrome (AS).
Although I’ve almost earned an honorary genetics degree and can explain AS in great length, the simplest way to explain this complex condition is to say that Molly is missing a single protein in her brain which means that she cannot walk, although we believe she will one day; she won’t ever be able to talk; has hard to treat seizures; has a sleep disorder and problems with balance and coordination. A silver lining is that people with AS often have an extremely happy demeanor earning them the affectionate label “angels”. Pre and post diagnosis were very dark times for our family, the grief of a future that will not be as you expected for your child, her sister and our whole family. At times, Molly’s disability and her struggles almost jump out
and slap me in the face - in the form of a newborn baby, a toddler learning first steps, or an inconsiderate stranger commenting that Molly should get out of her stroller and walk. As time goes on, Molly’s disabilities have become our norm, Angelman Syndrome isn’t who she is – it’s just something she has; we treat her as we do her older sister Eva and put no limitations on her abilities or future. Molly’s diagnosis has in fact defined my life; my bright and bubbly girl has taught me a great deal about the world; I no longer “sweat the small stuff” and I savour her hard earned milestones. As Molly gets closer to walking I am continually inspired by her courage and resilience. Although I dream of the day that medicine allows me to hear my daughter’s voice, her everpresent smile says more than words ever can. Meagan Cross
FEATURE
CEREBRAL PALSY FROM A TWIN-TO-TWIN TRANSFUSION SYNDROME About Emily and Kate... This was our first pregnancy. I was very fit and, as a twin myself, I was very happy to be having twins. My 18-week morphology scan had been normal. My severe TTTS was diagnosed at 23 weeks gestation and I presented with a huge increase in abdominal girth. The scan was performed by a good friend and work colleague who was crying as she scanned me. The options given to me by a Fetal Medicine Doctor were to euthanase the donor twin as she was struggling to survive, or to undergo amnio-reduction, the first time this had been performed in Australia. I chose the latter as there was no way I could agree to actively kill off a baby that was already struggling to survive. Our beautiful twins were born at 29 weeks gestation with Emily weighing 990 grams and Kate 675 grams. Emily stayed in hospital for ten weeks, gained weight well and came home on the day she was due to be born. Poor little Kate had a very different story. She was born flaccid, pale and not able to breathe for herself. She was immediately placed on life-support where she remained
for months. After eight months in the neonatal ICU, Kate was eventually transferred to the Children’s Hospital at Camperdown where she again deteriorated and was diagnosed with RSV bronchiolitis, a virus that is very dangerous for premature babies. Kate once again ended up in intensive care on lifesupport and we were called during one dreadful night to come in, as she was unlikely to survive the night. Geoff and I sat with Kate for hours, waiting for the inevitable. At sunrise, the nurses told us to go home and they would ring us to return for Kate’s final moments. The phone didn’t ring and at 10am I finally summoned the courage to call the ICU, dreading what they might say. Kate’s nurse came to the phone and said, “Actually, she is much better this morning!” This was yet another miracle – another bullet dodged and Kate was finally allowed to come home after a full year in hospital. With family help we survived these difficult and sleepdeprived early months.
I am delighted to report that Emily is now a healthy and happy young lady and is studying Classical Voice at the Qld Conservatorium. Our darling Kate is also a very happy, much-loved and spoilt young lady. She has been left with severe cerebral palsy and is dependent on us for everything. She is nonverbal, but has the best body language. She is very good at getting her message across! Kate has had only two hospital admissions in the eighteen years since she finally came home. In the poignant words of a lovely Italian grandmother who was visiting the intensive care unit on that fateful and near final day “don’t give up on her – if her family gives up – she has nothing to fight for”. Sheila Ryan and Geoff Turner
RUSSELL SILVER SYNDROME About Dylan Dylan was born on the 14th of May 2004 weighing 6lb 4oz (small for 38wks but not anything to be overly concerned about - or so they said). For the next long while it was a huge battle to get him to simply eat, keep his food down and put on weight. Then in January 2006 Dylan was diagnosed with the growth disorder known as Russell-Silver Syndrome or RSS. FINALLY! After so long of not knowing, it was like opening a book and reading about the first twelve months of his life! From then on things improved. By his second birthday he weighed 10.8 kg. His eating too, improved over time; and by the age of two and a half he could chew and swallow lumps, and actually ask me for food – something that I never imagined he would do! Dylan started Prep in 2009, although his speech was slightly delayed (due to his underdeveloped facial muscles from taking
so long to suck, chew, and swallow), and he was tiny compared to most of the other children (so a few adjustments had to be made to uniforms, and access to toilets, sinks etc), but he fit right in and loved the social side of school, quickly making friends and using his “cuteness” to his advantage! This was also the year that Dylan started on growth hormone injections by his paediatrician making a HUGE difference! In the two year period (3-5years) before he commenced the injections Dylan had only grown 4cm in total and put on 1kg. In the past two years on the GH injections however, (5-7years) he has grown 12cm and put on 4kg!
(Dylan occasionally wakes with some intense growing pains from the GH), we have had a couple of years of (fingers crossed) no major health issues, and Dylan is slowly but surely getting taller, putting on weight, but even more importantly is a happy and confident seven year old who fits in amongst his peers! Jenny Maher
At the end of last year I made the decision, upon recommendation from his teachers, to repeat Dylan in year one. I am so glad I did. He is the same size as the children in his cohort, his speech delay is down to one or two sounds, and he is happy! Though it is still hard
www.parentingcompanion.com.au 10
FEATURE
DOWN SYNDROME About Benn... Benn was born at 7:50am on the 23rd February 2003, two weeks early and weighing in at 2.965kg. As second time parents we were very excited about having our little boy. We were comparing Benn to his elder brother Shaun when the Paediatric Doctor came in to give Benn some oxygen and do his Apgar test. That is when we were told that Benn had characteristics of Down Syndrome. Two days after having Benn we found out that he had a heart problem and would be scheduled for an operation in Brisbane in July. Handing over our baby to go to theatre was the worst moment that we had ever endured. The next four hours was no better, before we could see him again in I.C.U. His tiny body was on a full sized bed with tubes and wires going everywhere, but he was very well looked after at the Prince Charles Hospital. After having his heart operation Benn’s health improved and thus far has had no further health issues.
Benn reached his early milestones at about the same times as his elder brother Shaun. He was a happy baby. Loved cuddles. Benn started walking when he was 17 months old. He loved to climb and was always on the move. By this time our third son Deyne was born. Having Deyne we realized that Benn did need extra care and help in doing things. These things we just did for Benn automatically as that was what was needed, so life got even busier. We were very lucky to have support from our local Down Syndrome group, which met up once a month. Once a year Benn visits his Paediatrician for a general health check. Benn will also have his heart check next year and will continue for the years to come. Benn started going to early intervention at the age of three at the Parramatta State School. We learnt that we had to show Benn what we needed him to do, not just say the words.
cpc Quick facts Dr Liz Chappel FRACGP MBBS BSc Appletree Medical at the Smithfield Shopping Centre Angelman Syndrome (AS) • This is a rare disorder which occurs in about one in 20 000 births. • As the developmental problems are non-specific it is sometimes not picked up until the children are between 3 and 7 years old. • They have a near average life expectancy. (Depending on the severity of their symptoms) • There is no cure for Angelman Syndrome. Russell Silver Syndrome • This affects between one in 3000 to one in 100 000 births. • There is no one specific test to determine if someone has it. • It is a type of growth disorder or dwarfism and in some cases is treatable. Treatment is based around careful control of calorie intake to provide optimal growth opportunity. Growth hormone supplements may be used. Down Syndrome • This is thought to occur in approximately one in 700 births. • Children with Down Syndrome are more at risk of some medical problems such as heart disease, reflux, and recurrent ear infections, sleep apnoea, thyroid problems, leukaemia, & obesity. • There is no cure for Down Syndrome . • Treatment and support is from a multi disciplinary approach and geared towards the individuals needs Twin to Twin Transfusion syndrome (TTTS ) and cerebral palsy • Some studies suggest up to one in 58 twin pregnancies may be affected by this. • There is no known cause (except having a multiple pregnancy) & can often be fatal to the foetuses, more so if it occurs before 26 weeks gestation. • There are a few possible treatments such as fetoscopic laser ablation but these are only carried out in specialised centres. The mother is usually on total bed rest from the diagnosis of the condition.
11 WINTER 2011 EDITION
Benn is an amazing little boy with a fantastic sense of humour, loves computers, playing with his action figures, trying to sing and keep up with his brothers. As parents, Bruce and I are very proud of our three boy’s achievements in life so far. Benn definitely changed our lives, our outlook on life, our goals and our priorities eight years ago, but not in a bad way. Leanne Ayling
Early Education House
Your childs’home, away from home. The freshly renovated Just Kids Early Education House is a unique child care environment which, resists the institutionalisation of child care, preferring to create a home away from home for your child. Established in 1984, Just Kids qualified staff create a stimulating home learning environment with carefully designed child centred educational programs. At the heart of Just Kids is a cross-cultural curriculum, which embraces the national Early Years Learning Framework. Programs are of a very high educational standard with flexibility to meet the individual needs of your child. Proudly locally owned and operated by Hayley and Heath Williams.
Call the Just Kids team on 40519788 or visit our website www.justkids.net.au for more information.
NEWBORN
when you come home The nursery is ready, you’ve read all the books, but there’s really no preparation for the real thing when you bring home your new bundle of joy for the first time….
First things first: Pre-prepare
but if it doesn’t happen it’s best to wait at
pronto, put your screaming baby down
easy to heat meals for adults and
least six months after the birth.
and give your other child a cuddle, then
children. The first few weeks can appear less stressful, especially when help is near and at hand. It’s when your partner goes back to work and guests aren’t as frequent that a supply of organised meals will really come in handy. Individual serves of nutritious meals for your partner and other children will help ease the burden at meal times.
perhaps make a joke that we’d better go
Siblings after birth Expect changes in your first child’s
sort out that crying baby!
behaviour. It can be particularly more
Lower your expectations for the
difficult in ages eighteen months to three
initial weeks and take it easy!!
years, they don’t understand the concept
During your first few days at home, it may
of co-operation or sharing so try to ignore
be wise to limit guests, ask well wishers to
negative behaviour as is reasonable and
give you perhaps a week or two to settle
give lots of attention for positive behaviour.
and recuperate. Obviously immediate
Include them as much
family and very close friends are exempt
Preparing siblings before baby
as possible, and
from this but do set some limits. Forget
I find parents very conscientious about
hey, if they
about a clean house and having all the
preparing their first child for the arrival of
need some
the second; however things can still be a
attention
bit difficult for a while. Some ways to help them be prepared: make any big changes like bottles, dummies, toilet training, bedroom swaps and starting kindy before baby is born, try do this well in advance,
13 WINTER 2011 EDITION
laundry done before you go to bed. Accept help offered by others, even if it’s not quite how you would do it. Sleep when your baby sleeps, the housework can wait.
NEWBORN
Make time to spend together
Reality Check - and this is MASSIVE!!
What to do when it all gets too
New fathers often feel left out and isolated.
Often, babies just want you to put them in
hard…
Involve your partner in bathing, feeding (if
their beds and let them go to sleep!. If your
possible), burping and changing your baby.
baby is cranky and you can’t settle them
They may not wipe bub’s bum as meticulously
through your normal means of feeding or
as you but give them a break!
soothing etc, try swaddling them, put them to
If you decide to give your baby a dream-feed
bed and use a pacifier if they have one (or
as part of their routine, it’s a great opportunity
will take it!). Walk away and give your baby
to get your partner involved. These feeds
a few minutes to settle. When you master this,
are best given from a bottle and if you
you will make bedtime for the rest of your
are breastfeeding, it’s a great time to start
parenting career a lot easier.
expressing. This really is a crucial time to stay
It’s important to acknowledge that even the most seasoned mother sometimes needs help. Ask family and friends to step in, there’s nothing worse than sleep deprivation, especially when you’re new to the game (or even when you’re out of practice as often is the case with second or third time mothers). When all else fails, call in the professionals. Maternity nannies can be a godsend and
The Blues
a great option when loved ones live out of
You may feel down in the dumps, or simply
town. This option can work as a short-term
Babies CRY!
get overwhelmed with the realisation of
strategy to get you over the ‘hump’, allowing
Entirely healthy newborns will cry up to three
what this new little person needs, however,
rest and even a little downtime to spend with
hours per day. Firstly let’s talk about crying.
you may not necessarily have post-natal
your partner.
connected to each other.
depression (PND). You can feel overwhelmed
A baby’s cry signals the
just thinking about their dependency on you
release of the hormone
or the lack of time you’ll get from now on, but
prolactin, “the mothering
know that help is never far away. If you or
hormone”, that creates a
your partner feel that you may have symptoms
panic in us to tend to the
of PND, it’s important to talk to your local GP.
baby. Prolactin also helps with your milk production. You’re hardwired to soothe your baby and when this doesn’t happen, you might feel inadequate. So when you feel your anxiety rising from bub’s cry, take some breaths and
The Women’s Health Information Line is a free service staffed by nurses and midwives and
Finally, enjoy the moments… The first few days at home with a new baby is one of life’s most rewarding and challenging experiences. The newborn stage is exciting, fearful and truly delightful but remember it’s relatively short. Take some steps to enjoy the moments as you’ll treasure this
operates a toll free number for Queensland
time for the rest of your life.
residents outside of Brisbane on
Flip over to read more...
1800 017 676 or 3839 9988.
know that your baby is perfectly okay.
By Abby Young from Nanny Network Australia Ph 0403 357 436
Give your child the Jump Start they deServe phone 07 4036 8111 PO Box 110E, Earlville Queensland 4870 email tas@tas.qld.edu.au | fax 07 4036 8222 TAS White Rock, Progress Road TAS Kewarra Beach, Poolwood Road
The first year of school sets a vital platform for your child’s future education. When you enrol your child in the TAS Prep Programme, Jump Start, you can be assured they will receive the best possible start to their schooling life. TAS Jump Start provides an enjoyable and nurturing environment with a stimulating curriculum that develops skills and confidence to set your child up for a prosperous TAS education from Jump Start to graduation.
Ju mp Start taS prep
TAS White Rock Prep - Year 12 TAS Kewarra Beach Prep - Year 7
Visit www.tas.qld.edu.au or email our Admissions Officer at admissions@tas.qld.edu.au to make an appointment with one of our Early Childhood Specialists.
www.parentingcompanion.com.au 14
NEWBORN
what to expect
when you come home
“Waiting at home was our 21-month-old daughter, Kinley. We were very worried about how it would impact on her. But Kinley has astounded us with her patience, she loves her baby sister Archer so much already and uses her ‘gentle touches’ every chance she gets.” Alyce, Mooroobool
Tips from some of our E-newsletter subscribers: If you run out of breast pads use panty liners instead as they are just as absorbent and have a sticky side. I would just cut them into a round shape to fit. Suzanne Williams
Hayden, Kinley, Archer
Always go on your gut instinct. There are no wrongs or rights with raising children. Try to sleep when
“I look around with joy at being alone with Molly for the first time and at home. Then panic hits, I am home with a newborn baby. ON MY OWN! What do I do with her now?” Amanda, Cairns
your baby does and ignore the housework. Things will get easier. Remember you are only human and everything will feel better when you get some sleep. Lisa Reffold
Bronte and Molly
I am a mum of four and I feel I have only just got it right with the last one! My advice is to give them lots of cuddles, “It feels like Ryan has never not lived with us – we can’t imagine our lives to be any different!” Michele, Cairns
because they don’t stay little for very long. Treasure your close moments, watch them sleeping, imprint their little features in your mind. But don’t fuss too much. Take time to do your own things. It is okay to leave their side if they are awake. It is okay to have coffee with your friends. It is okay for you to
Michelle and Ryan
go to the toilet even if they are having a little cry (just make sure they are safe). Be relaxed and enjoy every moment. Jenelle Morris
For your chance to win a copy of the new book “The Salvation Road by Steven Horne” tell us what happened when you first came home with your baby? email win@parentingcompanion.com.au
ALLERGIES? Sme l Dust l Call ? US! 15 WINTER 2011 EDITION
NEWBORN
Queensland Health community health The aim of the program is to help support new parents in an informal setting, with education and also to introduce them to other new parents in their area to help build their support networks. This is vital for helping to raise children.
Feeding
There is a range of topics covered in the New Parents Program over a 6 – 8 week period with each session covering one or two new topics, and allowing time for parents to ask any questions that arise. It is a free service and many parents find this useful and a great way to meet others going through the same thing.
Immunisation
The topics covered are a little different in each centre, but all cover the important points:
centres offer a New Parents Program for first time mums and dads in our region.
Teeth care Triple P Safety Development Attachment
Looking after ourselves as parents After the program has finished parents are encouraged to meet as a group to continue the
Settling
relationships they have formed
Sleep
whether it be through play
Crying
dates or even playgroup.
Smithfield The following centres Community Health do not specifically run the ‘New Parent’s 16 Danbulan St 10-12 Roberts Rd 277 Mulgrave Rd Program’ but do have Ph: 4226 4800 Ph: 4226 4900 Ph: 4226 4333 Child Health Nurses Babies 0-4 Months Babies 0-4 Months Babies 0 – 7 Months on hand should you Every Monday Every Monday Every Monday 10.30am – 11.30am 10.00am – 12.00am have any questions or 9.30am – 11.00am Call for further details. Call for further details. Call for further details. require any support. Westcourt Community Health
Edmonton Community Health
Atherton Community Health Louise St Ph: 07 4091 0215 Mossman Community Health 9 Hospital St Ph: 07 4084 1200
Innisfail Community Health
Mareeba Community Health
87 Rankin St Ph: 07 4061 5444 Call for further details.
2 Lloyd St Ph: 07 4092 9333 Call for further details.
With Nicole
skills. Give your child life der musik class. in K a in em th l ro En
Classes recommencing 18 July 2011. Go to: www.kmusikcairns.com or call Nicole m: 0418 772 258 Providing babies and children with music education in Cairns continuously since 1998.
www.parentingcompanion.com.au 16
Smithfield Shopping Centre – Parent’s Room
The Parent’s Room is located in the food court behind Nectar Fine Foods At the Smithfield Shopping Centre – Parent’s Room, you will find all the baby changing and feeding necessities right at your finger tips. The tranquil setting removes you from the hustle and bustle of shopping. Take a break and recharge your batteries. The Parent’s Room is located within the food court behind Nectar Fine Foods.
coles I kmart I woolworths I smIthfIeld tavern I dan mUrPhY’s Cnr Captain Cook & Kennedy Highways, Smithfield QLD 07 4038 1006 www.smithfieldcentre.com.au
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TODDLER
anger management
and why yelling does not work
Do you wonder why, when you yell or swear at your children they look at you and yell or swear back, but louder? The answer is simple! They are copying you, as you are their teacher. Do you then clip them across the ear for being
that is how the behaviour anger occurs. If we
someone and that is the behaviour they will
rude and shouting and swearing at you, when
remember to TALK about our feelings (i.e. let
have as adults.
they have merely copied you? No wonder
off steam to our partner, family member, friend
they look amazed.
or colleague) then things will be different.
It is a vicious circle. Yelling only brings about
Should you be unable to let off steam for
yelling which brings about more yelling, then
whatever reason, then take a break from the
more anger, and more anger again.
situation by going for a walk, or move outside
Every family experiences the stress of
If there are families reading this that have
parents at the end of the day. The thing to
been in constant anger mode, and the family
remember is, if you are feeling stressed and
communication has been reduced to yelling
about to blow, step back and think about your
or shouting or to crisp silence, then it is time to
feelings.
do something about it. Let the others involved
important to be able to identify your feelings and acknowledge them. When we are angry or pressured for whatever reason, many of us get verbally or physically angry with our
short period of maybe ten minutes to have a walk to help you to simmer down and get back to normal, after which issues can be discussed. Talk to the family as a whole. TALK. I am asked many times “how can I be a
afterwards.. Why do we feel remorseful?
good or better parent”? The answer is simple.
Because we have allowed ourselves to
Show love and affection, courtesy and
become disempowered and angered. Talking
understanding, and have quality time together
about it and letting the family member or
and COMMUNICATE. Also physical contact
partner know HOW we feel minimises angry
is a must with three to four hugs a day being
communication.
my recipe for expressing love.
Yelling and angry behaviour is merely a cover
Ask yourself “do I speak to my friends
and a reaction to your feelings. Ask yourself,
and work colleagues like I speak to
“why am I doing this and what is causing this
my family? Do I shout, use put down
behaviour”? Talk about this with your partner,
words or swear at my colleagues
and if you do not have one, then a close
and friends?” If the answer is NO, then
friend.
question “why”. Why do we have the power
gradually. If the volcano lets off steam
always....”, and “You never.....”
know that you will be taking “time out” for a
partner or family, and generally feel remorseful
I liken anger to a volcano that builds up
like “You must...”, “You should...”, “You
and take some deep breaths.
balancing work and home, and having tired
If you are angry, frustrated or stressed it is
Just a couple of little hints: avoid words
(anger management) to be polite to friends, and yet resort to angry words with family?
constantly, it possibly will not blow because
Why is it important to not argue in front of
it defuses. However, if no steam releases,
the children? Because THEY will learn that
chances are the volcano WILL blow, and
when you are angry, you shout or possibly hit
By Naomi Wilson of Spectrum Counselling Ph 0418 772 615 www.spectrumcounselling.com.au
19 WINTER 2011 EDITION
TODDLER
and try not to use the word “YOU” when you feel argumentative. The word “YOU” immediately heaps an argument back to the listener. For example “Why is it that you never have the meal on time?” The receiver immediately hots up and thinks “I don’t always have the meal late. I am angry about that, it’s not true”. And so an argument is born. Body language and voice tone is also something to be aware of. An angry stance and a shouting voice in communication is intimidating to the receiver. Talk WITH your
FROM BOOGERS TO BUG BITES
V Pharmacy is here to help
partner and family, instead of at them. A recent study “What Make s a Good Parent” Identified ten most effective child-rearing practices by 2000 parents who took part. Interestingly, managing stress (anger) and showing love, top the list. Communicating is one of the most important factors in relationships. When people develop loving communication the rest will follow on. Yelling only brings on stress, and we don’t want that. Manage your anger, take time out, and breathe deeply. Don’t yell at the family.
If you are interested in improving your parenting skills, gaining confidence or learning some strategies around managing your kid’s behaviour, the staff at Hambledon House can provide support and information to help you. The family support programs can be oneon-one or group activities, tailored to your needs. Hambledon House Community Centre at Edmonton is part of Cairns Regional Council’s Community Development (South) unit. They offer free services including two family support programs, a counselling service for children, mobile playgroups, crisis support, parenting information and family activities in local parks. For more information phone 4045 0222 or drop into 177 Bruce Highway, Edmonton (next to the library). Open 8.30-4.30pm weekdays.
If your child is unwell, or if you feel something just isn’t right, head to your local V Pharmacy. You’ll be greeted by one of the friendly pharmacists who will be able to offer advice to put your mind at ease. And remember, there’s no such thing as a silly question when it comes to the health of your kids.
V Pharmacy is your trusted source for family health advice Cairns 86 Lake Street, Cairns T (07) 4051 2137
For your chance to win a copy of the new
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Smithfield Shop 121 Smithfield Shopping Centre T (07) 4038 8900
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TODDLER
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PRIMARY SCHOOL
A local Father’s Story
For over 2 years now, there is not a day that passes that
streaming down my face I could not but wonder if I would ever see
I am not in fear for my son. Sometimes I watch him walk
my son again. He was found when I received a call from a friend of
through the school gates and I wonder if I will ever see
mine a couple of hours later telling me that he was with him. He had
him again. He is just 11.
walked several kilometres crossing major highways and the worst part
My son used to be such a happy little boy. He was very social and outgoing, enjoyed playing different sports and going to friends’ houses. He was just a normal little boy wanting to have fun with
is that he had no recollection of how he got there. He did not know where he was going. He said he just kept running as he had to get away.
friends.
To have your 10 year old son tell you that he wishes he
The bullying started in grade 5. It started with just one boy that for
was dead is a heart wrenching conversation that I do not
some reason decided it would be funny to pick on, tease and get him into trouble. After several months, it became physical and then when he entered grade 6, the cyber bullying started when a facebook page was set up to further destroy a beautiful 10 year old boy. It started with just one boy doing it but has grown as the other kids think it’s
wish upon anyone. At first, I thought it was just a comment made at a time when he was distraught but for him to go on and explain how he would do it and where he would do it made me realise he had given this plenty of thought.
funny and try and get in on the act. All at the cost of my child.
To see my son now, he is a different little boy. He no longer
I thought my fears were realised one day when I received a call from
have friends come to our house. He has not been to a birthday party
the school telling me that my son had had a fight with another student
for 18 months and his lunchtimes at school are spent in the classroom
and then did not come back to class. They had the whole class as
reading a book as he is afraid to mix with other children. He has no
well as several teachers out looking for him but they could not find him
self-esteem, no self-confidence and is very withdrawn. He has become
anywhere. I raced to the school and the next 2 hours were the worst
a recluse at just 11 years of age. The inconsiderate actions and
of my life. Walking through the bushland around the school with tears
behaviour of one child so long ago has destroyed my son.
25 WINTER 2011 EDITION
participates in any sports. He doesn’t go to any friend’s places or
PRIMARY SCHOOL Woree State School says “NO to Bullying – Pink Day” Friday June 10. Gold coin donation for students. Students and Staff will have the choice to purchase and wear Pink wristbands marked “Woree says NO to Bullying” All profits raised will go to the School Council to organise anti-bully signage around the school.
We all desire to see our children happy and content.
This day is based around the idea of two Canadian students, David Shepherd and Travis Price, who in 2007 after seeing a student being bullied for wearing a pink shirt to school, decided to do something about it.
As parents, we certainly hope to protect our children from harm and danger. This article is aimed at giving you a better idea about what bullying is, signs of bullying, seeking help and ‘bully proofing your child’. By Amanda Flynn – Social Worker and Therapist for Birdwing Therapies Teach your child to be assertive Start early in your child’s life and teach them that it is okay to speak up when they don’t like something. Many parents force their children to use their manners not to hurt peoples’ feelings, to be nice etc, not realising that this can actually make your child become a victim. Instead encourage your children to say things like “I don’t like that”, “you can’t talk to me that way”, “you’re not the boss of me”, and even “you’re nothing but a big bully”. Try role playing at home to teach your child that it is not okay to be pushed around and how to respond to such scenarios. Help build your child’s confidence Low self esteem and poor confidence are not uncommon traits. Help your child learn to make friends and engage in activities that build character and self confidence; find things that your child is interested in such as music, art, swimming and get them involved. Extracurricular activities should always be supervised as well. Teach your child how to use the buddy system (and improve socialisation) Most bullies target just one child at a time because that is all they can handle. If your child is often alone or seems to be quiet and shy, encourage them to walk with friends at school, eat lunch with a group. If your child walks home from school,
They got the word out online and organised for their friends to wear pink to school the following day. Surprisingly the message had spread and hundreds of students turned up in pink shirts to not only support the one student being bullied but to send out a message to all other bullies. As David said “…enough was enough.” The boys’ idea has now turned global with many other schools taking up their campaign.
find someone that they can walk home with. It may take time, but some children just need some careful coercion to come out of their shells. And remember to talk to your children about bullying and internet safety, show your child you understand how they feel and let them know they have options, and remember to become involved if you think your child may be a victim of bullying. Below are some obvious signs of bullying.
Signs of Bullying:
Bullying often starts slowly, victims are often extremely reluctant to report bullying; therefore it is often entrenched before mum and dad are even aware; however there are many warning signs that your child may be experiencing bullying: unexplained mood swings/changes of mood withdrawal from usual activities unusual sadness depression or sadness unexplained changes in academic performance academic ‘dumbing down’ social anxiety social withdrawal/school refusal disturbed sleep unusual bedwetting bruising torn clothing damaged possessions self harm or self injury.
A few Do’s and Don’ts for parents.
do advocate positively for your child do be persistent & determined in finding solutions do follow up, until resolution is reached do practise to perfect skills with your child. don’t ever enter the playground to sort it out don’t confront and threaten the bully yourself don’t confront and battle the bully’s parents don’t threaten a school that you will ‘sort it out’ yourself. Remember that if you suspect your child may be a victim of bullying, first talk to them, and then talk to the school or organisation where it may be happening. Schools and community settings have policies to be able to deal with bullies in appropriate ways. Contact us at Birdwing Therapies if you would like to find out more about our child and family counselling or children’s social skills groups.
“Developing Emotional Resilience in Children" Workshop at the Edge Hill State School’s Performing Arts Centre. 10th June 7-9pm. $10 per person. Ph 40324411
www.parentingcompanion.com.au 26
ZINC FM
zinc fm column with Dave Warner
Every time I ask my four year old to do something he replies “why?” or “or you’ll what?”. What can I do to stop this constant questioning of my authority? Natalie - Balloons etc
Dear Dave, I have two kids aged 3 and 18 months. Kind hearted onlookers often refer to them as “energetic and determined”. This energy and determination carries on all throughout the day as well as at regular intervals throughout the night....every night. It comes in different forms from gently singing nursery rhymes in their beds, to jumping on beds and wanting ‘horsey rides’ whilst screaming the house down. I NEED THEM TO SLEEP! I NEED TO SLEEP! It’s been over three years since I’ve slept through the night and I’m now a desperate, frazzled mess. Any suggestions? Julianne Steer - Owner of Hire for Baby
Hey Nat,
Hi Julianne,
I’m hoping Mr Four year-old has siblings, so that you can do what any good parent does and play them off against each other. As with any great football club Nat, you have to fight for and earn your position on the team, week in, week out. You can’t keep telling the coach to get stuffed and expect to get a guernsey when they hand out jumpers on pie night. My four year old daughter Summer recently questioned my authority when I asked her to get up on the roof and Gerni out the gutters. ‘Why?’ she whinged. ‘Because your two year old brother Lloyd would!’ I replied. And what was said next Natalie is the Black Pincer move of parenting… ‘And that’s why he’s my favourite’, I said. BOOM! Right there! Being ‘favourite’ in a family isn’t just a label, membership has its privileges. I’ve made it pretty clear to my kids that the favourite gets to choose where they sit in the car on long drives. Any spot they want… except for the front passenger side. That’s reserved for the esky.
What a lovely description. ‘Energetic and determined’. A polite way of saying your kids are ‘Atomic Pit Bulls with lockjaw and rabies’. No wonder these ‘kind hearted’ commentators are just ‘onlookers’… they’re not game to get close. Soft. Softer than a strawberry blancmange. I’ve often said Jules that determination isn’t admired enough. We could all be spraying cans of WD8 if the bloke who invented WD40 didn’t have the energy, persistence and determination to have a crack at it 40 times over. WD40: officially man’s best friend. But I totally get the sleeping thing Julianne. It sounds like your kids have taken the sage advice from the poet Jon Bon Jovi who said ‘I’m gonna live while I’m alive and sleep when I’m dead’. If that’s the case Jules just remind them that in the same song he also said ‘I’ve got an overcoat for a pillow and the Earth was last night’s bed’. So with that logic put the precious little pit bulls out on the street, shut the gate and sleep tight! Nigh Nigh Jules.
Make it your Mantra Nat…’And that’s why they’re my favourite’. ’And that’s why they’re my favourite’. The word ‘why’ will disappear out of his life faster than a father owing child support. BOOM!
P.S. Just wait till they’re teenagers… they’ll be so rusted to their beds you’ll need two cans of WD40 and a pinch bar to get ‘em out.
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Shri Glass Deco, ttoos, Art, Glitter Taoon and coming s SPIN ART.
0410 041 633
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321 SHERIDAN ST CAIRNS PHONE 07 4080 4000 W W W. B LT. C O M . A U We understand that travelling with babies, through to primary school aged children, can sometimes be a challenge. Families often travel through necessity – either relocating or for work. Other times it’s the family trip of a lifetime. Getting the right advice when catering to the needs of everyone can mean the difference between a stressful, exhausting holiday, or a holiday filled with fun and relaxation that enables you to come back refreshed. The key to a successful family holiday is in the planning. Make an appointment today to see your Travel With Kidz specialist to discuss your various family holiday options, with their expertise and knowledge in family travel, your plans will become a reality. Some helpful tips have been collated by our specialists!
1. Purchase Travel Insurance when you make your booking!
Remember how quickly children can fall ill, develop ear infections and colds.
2. Involve the children in the planning! Show them the brochures ask them to select some things they want to see. Enlist their help to research the destination.
3. Pack a small medical kit with the various sizes of BandAids, gastrolyte tablets, eye drops, Betadine sachets, aqua ear & ziplock bags.
4. Childrens ‘earPlanes’ are safe, soft ear plugs which equalise
the air pressure on each side of the ear drum and reduces harsh noise naturally. Safe, soft and comfortable. They are available from chemists for ages 1 year and over. Adult sizes are also available.
5. If you’re travelling to a far away destination, break the journey up by staying a few nights in between at your stopover city.
Vast expertise on family-friendly destinations - Holiday Savings Accounts Eliminate the unknown - Ensure a successful family holiday Travelling with Teens - Cruising with Kidz - Join the BLT Cruise Club Family adventure experiences - Create wonderful memories Fully accredited with Travel With Kidz - We are the family travel experts! Also located in Townsville, Thursday Island and Weipa
READER DISCOUNTS
HELP SUPPORT AN O R G A N I S AT I O N THAT SUPPORTS OUR COMMUNITY. Crime Stoppers is a not for profit organisation and relies on fundraising and donations!
Purchase an Entertainment Book for only $50 and you will receive over $10,000 worth of valuable offers. $10 from every book sold goes towards local committee fundraising.
To order your book.. Contact Cheryl Sayer on 0431 143 010 or email cairns@csqld.com www.parentingcompanion.com.au 30
Foster Carers
make a difference! Children and Young people need someone; who is kind, who is caring, who will listen, who is patient and will be forgiving, who never Give up, who will understand that life has been tough and at times neglectful.
Can you be someone? The difference you could make for a child is unbelievable.
Contact us If you are interested in making a positive difference in a child or young person’s life, please contact Will on 07 4032 8300.
www.lwb.org.au
Our foster families and individuals go through a rigorous assessment and training process to ensure they are able to provide a suitable care environment. Each child and young person is then matched to an approved foster carer based on a range of criteria that aims to promote stability and long lasting relationships. All foster families receive ongoing support and training to maintain their capacity to care and assist them to meet the changing needs of each child or young person.
PRIMARY SCHOOL
Monday 27th June – Friday 8th July
To get a full list of school holiday activity in your area don’t forget to subscribe to Cairns Parenting Companion’s monthly E-newsletters! Head to www.parentingcompanion.com.au
www.parentingcompanion.com.au 32
NORTHERN PRIDE
“On the Bench” with Rod Jensen – Northern Pride
Northern Pride player Rod Jensen might appear to be just your regular ‘footy’ guy, but just spend a bit of time with this Bentley Park father of two and you’ll soon realise he’s got more on his mind than just footy. Cairns Parenting Companion caught up with Rod and his young family to find out his game plan when it comes to raising a family and following your dreams. My name is Rod Jensen, and along with my partner Melissa Penna, we have two young boys, Ezekiel (five) and his little brother Xaviar (two). I have been fortunate to play professional sport for over ten years and Melissa has been at my side from the beginning. Our journey has seen us leave the sleepy town of Ravenshoe on the Atherton Tableland and travel through the rugby league circles of Adelaide, Canberra, Townsville, and England. Now with a return to Cairns and a place in the Northern Pride team. While professional sport has played a huge part in both our lives, I believe some of our greatest challenges lay ahead in our role as parents. With our eldest son just starting school we have had to examine our expectations towards education and the attitude we would like to instil in our children in regards to learning.
But as parents, who have a small insight into the business that is sport, we feel that there is something very positive to take out of educational goals running alongside sporting aspirations. From my experience many players who dream and strive with the greatest intention can leave the sporting arena with their dreams and lives in disarray, which highlights the importance of a career ‘safety net’ or contingency plan. So hopefully we can instil in our own children a love of learning and a respect for the importance of education. But at the end of the day what we really want, is what most people want, for them to follow their dreams, reach their goals and be healthy, happy, contributing members of society.
Sons of rugby league players often wish to emulate their fathers, but I have seen firsthand the importance of a proactive educational outlook. Your playing career will only span in most cases less than a quarter of your working life. If you don’t have an educational base or a skill set in place by the end of it, where then does that leave you? I myself did my teaching degree while playing full time in the NRL. Currently I work in the area of mentoring adult learners. Education has been an important focus for me. I personally have loved the challenge and the cut - throat mentality of professional sport. As a player I experienced great peaks and persevered through the lows, and I would not change my journey at all.
Rod, Melissa, Ezekiel (5) and Xavier (2)
For all your Families Podiatry Needs Cairns | Innisfail | Tully | North Queensland
Shop 1, 157 Mulgrave Rd Showgrounds Shopping Centre Cairns, Q, Australia, 4870 info@insteppodiatry.com.au Ph: 1300 INSTEP (1300 467 837) shoe advice and gait (walking) analysis
33 WINTER 2011 EDITION
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DIRECTORY
hot mummies and baby equipment hire Corner of Mcleod Street & Upward Street, Cairns Ph: 07 4041 0468 Fax: 07 4041 1176 Web: www.hotmummies.com.au Email: info@hotmummies.com.au
Come and visit the one stop maternity and baby shop. Hot Mummies sells beautiful maternity wear. Baby Equipment Hire has capsules, bassinettes, rockers and more for your little one as well as pre-loved items for sale. We are also a certified car seat fitter. Refer to page 4
queensland health community health centres Smithfield - 16 Danbulan Street, Smithfield Ph: 07 4226 4800 Westcourt - 277 Mulgrave Road, Cairns Ph: 07 4226 4333 Edmonton - 10-12 Robert Road, Centenary Park Ph: 07 4226 4900 Web: www.health.qld.gov.com.au
Queensland Health provides child health services which operate from Smithfield, Westcourt and Edmonton community health centres. Services include support for parenting, infant feeding, growth and development and referral for complex family issues.
zoe strickland Ph: 0420 504 421 Web: www.zoestricklandmassage.com.au Email: zoe@zoestricklandmassage.com.au Specialist pregnancy and post natal massage service with experienced and certified therapist to facilitate relaxation, relief from discomfort and to help manage stress and fatigue. Positive nurturing support in preparation for birth. Gift vouchers available. Contact 0420 504 421 for clinic times and addresses.
brothers world of entertainment 99-105 Anderson Street, Manunda Ph: 07 4053 1053 Fax: 07 4053 1098 Web: www.brotherscairns.com.au Email: admin@brotherscairns.com.au
Great children’s dining deals at Sunsets Family Buffet Restaurant and a fully supervised Kids Play Room for 3-12yr olds! Playstations, Games, Toys, Colouring in and so much MORE. Open 6pm- late every day and Sundays 9-2pm, 6-9pm. Refer to page 43
CAIRNS WILDLIFE SAFARI 2577 Kennedy Highway, Koah Ph: 07 4093 7777 Fax: 07 4053 1098 Web: www.cairnswildlifesafarireserve.com.au Email: info@cairnswildlifesafarireserve.com.au
Cairns Wildlife Safari Reserve is home to many of the world’s exotic and endangered animals. Set on 200 acres, 40 km west of Cairns. Experience Breakfast with the Beasts - surrounded by 19 lions while you enjoy your morning coffee. Refer to page 74
DUNDEE’S RESTAURANT ON THE WATER FRONT 1 Marlin Parade Harbour Lights, Shop 3 Cairns Water Front Ph: 07 4051 0399 Fax: 07 4031 4292 Web: www.dundees.com.au Email: dundees@dundees.com.au Dundee’s Restaurant on the Waterfront specialising in Australian Beef, Fresh Seafood and Pastas.Warm welcoming atmosphere. Free parking when dining! Lunch and dinner seven days a week from 11:30am to late. A great family dining experience.
Shaz Spannenburg Digital images
baby yeti Shop 1, 72-74 Grafton Street, Cairns Ph: 07 4031 6767 Fax: 07 4031 6767 Web: www.babyyeti.com.au Email: info@babyyeti.com.au Baby Yeti is Cairns’ first eco-friendly baby shop offering eco and skin-friendly products for pregnancy, birth, and beyond; specialising in certified organic clothing, bedding, carriers, and skin-care. Good for you, bub, and the environment! Refer to page 53
baby beehinds - cairns product consultant Ph: 0431 606 797 Email: juanslade@gmail.com Contact me for a free product demo and learn about our gorgeous, modern cloth nappies – use cloth the easy way! *Natural Fibres, *Soft Comfort, *Ultra Absorbent, *Fashionable – We’ve got your baby’s behind covered
women’s psychological health 2/325 Sheridan Street, Cairns Ph: 07 4031 8095 Fax: 07 4031 8096 Email: wphealth@bigpond.com Psychologists: Charlene Halfhyde and Suzanne Habib Psychological services for women. Pregnancy support, post-natal depression, anxiety, relationship issues, parenting support, trauma/abuse, grief/loss; pain management; communication skills; self-esteem building; stress management.
fuller sports club edmonton 24-26 Armstrong Street, Edmonton Ph: 07 4045 4757 Fax: 07 4055 4599 Web: www.fullersports.com.au Email: info@fullersports.com.au The Family club on the Southside. Great children’s meal deals at the restaurant, and a state-of-the-art supervised Kids Play Area. Superb Dining, Bar, Café, Gaming and Entertainment facilities for mum and dad.
granite gorge nature park 332 Paglietta Road (off Chewko Rd) Mareeba Ph: 07 4093 2259 Web: www.granitegorge.com.au Email: info@ granitegorge.com.au
Kids friendly, bush setting with a maze of awesome boulders, caves, pools and lookouts to explore. Hand-feed rare rock wallabies and petting animals, go swimming, fishing or just relax. Power sites & camping by open fire, stay in new cool, self-contained cabins or just come for the day.
gecko’s indoor play centre Smithfield Centre, Northern Carpark (Next to Overflow) Ph: 07 4038 1181 Fax: 07 4034 2187 Web: www.geckosplay.com.au Email: info@geckosplay.com.au
Our fabulous cafe serves Genovese Coffee and a huge variety of cakes, sandwiches and treats. Enjoy reading the newspapers and magazines, grab a coffee and let the kids wear themselves out on the jumping castles or double-speed slide! Refer to page 67
stuart frost photography
Lot 32 The Rocks Rd, Redlynch Ph: 07 4039 0442 Fax: 07 40390551 Web: www.digitalimages.com.au Email: shaz@digitalimages.com.au
4 Boombil Cl. Mt Sheridan Ph: 0424 035 547 Web: www.frostyphoto.com Email: stu@frostyphoto.com
Shaz specialises in producing beautiful pregnancy and baby images from the privacy of her studio in Redlynch. Shaz is an accredited member of the AIPP and has been a full time photographer for 10 years. Refer to page 66
Stuart Frost Photography creates a truly memorable photgraphic experience to look back upon and cherish. Call now for a no obligation quote
37 WINTER 2011 EDITION
DIRECTORY
just kids EARLY EDUCATION HOUSE 219 Draper Street, Cairns Ph: 07 4051 9788 Fax: 07 4031 5216 Web: www.justkids.net.au Email: admin@justkids.net.au
Established in 1985, Just Kids is focused on providing quality early education for young people. A home away from home. Come and visit us and check out the new renovations. Proudly owned and operated by Heath and Hayley Williams. Refer to page 12
sheridan meadows child care centre 2-6 Fretwell Rd, Whiterock Ph: 07 4036 2777 Fax: 07 4036 2201 Web: www.childcarecairns.com Email: vicki@childcarecairns.com A locally owned 75 place custom-built early learning daycare centre with trained staff, large air-conditioned rooms and wonderful facilities. Highly accredited/ parent friendly. Looking for the best in your child - visit Sheridan Meadows
CATHOLIC EDUCATION DIOCESE OF CAIRNS 130 Lake Street, Cairns Ph: 07 4050 9700 Fax: 07 4051 2859 Web: www.cns.catholic.edu.au Email: enquiries@cns.catholic.edu.au
The Cairns Diocese’s 20 schools that offer Prep to Year 7 provide a quality, faithbased education. Fourteen schools also provide Before School, After School or Vacation Care. Catholic schools are affordable and welcoming to all.
executive babysitting Tari Place, Trinity Beach Ph: 07 4055 6510 or 0417 612 975 Web: www.executivebabysitting.com.au Email: pauline@executivebabysitting.com.au
Professional, reliable and affordable babysitting, servicing Cairns and Port Douglas since 1986. We service hotels, resorts, weddings, conferences and locals. Our team is committed to providing a safe, nurturing and supportive environment. All babysitters are holders of “blue cards”
tRINITY ANGLICAN SCHOOL Progress Rd, White Rock and Poolwood Rd, Kewarra Beach Ph: 07 4036 8111 Web: www.tas.qld.edu.au Email: tas@tas.qld.edu.au
TAS offers Kindergarten through to year twelve at White Rock and Prep through to year seven at Kewarra Beach. TAS has built a reputation for academic excellence, service to the community and leadership in technology, the arts and sport. Refer to page 14
unique 4 kidz
REDS SALON and SPA The Lakes Resort, 2 Greenslopes Street, Edge Hill Ph: 07 4032 0445 Fax: 07 4032 0448 Web: www.redssalon.com.au Email: info@redssalon.com.au Reds offers complete hair, spa and beauty treatments in glamorous surroundings. Refer to page 65
peak physique coaching and nutrition Ph: 0415 310 990 Web: www.yourpeak.com.au Email: cliff@yourpeak.com.au We are a locally owned personal training and nutrition supplement provider. At Peak Physique we provide One on One Training, Buddy Training, Bali Fit, Corporate Training, Fat Loss and Muscle Strength Coaching. Refer to page 55
cairns beauty academy 97 Spence Street, Cairns Ph: 07 4051 3882 Web: www.beautyacademy.com.au Email: cba@beautyacademy.com.au For a more reasonably priced beauty treatment with a prompt and professional service. Treatments available by a qualified beauty therapist and nail technician or with a practicing beauty student. Pregnancies massage or learn how to massage your baby also available. Refer to page 28
the skin care centre of cairns 1st Floor Traveltown 19 Lake Street, Cairns Ph: 07 4051 3087 Fax: 07 4051 3197 Web: www.skincarecentrecairns.com.au Email: info@skincarecentrecairns.com.au
Since 1972 we’ve been helping you with your skincare. Try ‘Environ’ – proven to be one of the world’s most effective skin care products. For a natural look that is concealing with a sun-block you can’t go past Jane Iredales 100% pure mineral make up.
brothers world of entertainment 99-105 Anderson Street, Manunda Ph: 07 4053 1053 Fax: 07 4053 1098 Web: www.brotherscairns.com.au Email: admin@brotherscairns.com.au Kids Disco Parties for 3-12yr olds with Crazy Bron and the Disco DJs, every Sunday from 3:30-6pm. Dancing, games, music, prizes, food and fun fun fun! Birthday Parties book fast so call now. Refer to page 43
cairns recreation centre
PO Box 2890, Cairns, QLD 4870 Ph: 0404 020 741 Web: www.unique4kidz.com.au Email: diane@unique4kidz.com.au
44 Behan Street, Manunda Ph: 07 4053 5353 Fax: 07 4053 3606 Web: www.cairnsrecreationcentre.com.au Email: geoff@cairnsrecreationcentre.com.au
Unique personalised gifts for children. Specialising in Music, your child’s name is used to create the songs, titles include all their favorite characters, Elmo, Wiggles, Mickey Mouse, Disney Princess, Barney, also the Kids Jukebox range.
Cairns Recreation Centre is Cairns’ true rock n roll centre! For skating, rock climbing, parties, functions, conventions, trade shows and much more. Cairns Recreation Centre – promoting family, fun and fitness. Refer to page 71
GECKO’S INDOOR PLAY CENTRE Smithfield Centre, Northern Carpark (Next to Overflow) Ph: 07 4038 1181 Fax: 07 4034 2187 Web: www.geckosplay.com.au Email: info@geckosplay.com.au
Gecko’s are the experts in children’s parties. Themed rooms and hosts, with wonderful food and games are all available. Open 7 days, it is the perfect place to relax and have a coffee while the kids play in a safe, air-conditioned playground. Refer to page 8
cheeky monkey club cairns P.O BOX 571 Trinity Beach 4879 Ph: 07 4057 5412 Web: www.cheekymonkeyclub.com.au Email: sian@cheekymonkeyclub.com.au
Cheeky Monkey Club specailise in creating designer themes parties with a lot of fun and imagination. Catering for children of all ages, Cheeky Monkey Club can design games, activities and characters to make any theme come to life. Whatever the age, celebration or size, let the kids hang with Cheeky Monkey Club. Refer to page 28
www.parentingcompanion.com.au 38
DIRECTORY
CUPCAKE CREATIONS Civic Shopping Centre, 113-117 Sheridan Street Ph: 07 4051 1600 Web: www.cairnscupcakes.com.au Email: info@cairnscupcakes.com.au
Cupcake Creations involves a spoonful of laughter, a pinch of fun, sprinkle in some happiness and decorate with love! Cupcakes are available for Birthdays, Weddings, Baby Showers, Work Functions, Charity and Corporate Events and for those of you with a sweet-tooth. Refer to page 7
paradise palms resort and country club Paradise Palms Drive, Kewarra Beach Ph: 07 4059 9999 Fax: 07 4059 1120 Web: www.paradisepalms.com.au Email: sales@paradisepalms.com.au
Children’s birthday parties have never been made easier at Paradise Palms. Prices start from $15 per child and include food, drink and access to Pelicans in Paradise Playground and swimming pool. Call 4059 9916 for further information Refer to page 30
Sumphun KidzcrafT Ph: 0410 041 633 Web: www.sumphunkidzcraft.net.au Email: sumphunkidzcraft@gmail.com Sandart, Glass Deco, Shrink Art and other great crafts available to keep the kids happy and occupied. Ideal for Birthday Parties, Christmas Parties and Functions. Add some creative flare to your childs next birthday. Available for hire or retail sale. Refer to page 28
zoo to you PO Box 335 Redlynch 4870 Ph: 0415 696 439 Web: www.zootoyou.com.au Email: info@zootoyou.com.au Zoo to You provides an interactive, up close wildlife experience. A variety of Australian native wildlife will be brought to you, in a range of educational or entertainment presentations for school groups, daycare centers and birthday parties with a difference! Refer to page 58
cuddles the clown PO Box 480N Cairns North QLD 4870 Ph: 0412 713 343 Email: marcellekerse@hotmail.com Cuddles the Clown is available for children’s parties, family and corporate events, shopping centres etc. All materials and props supplied, prices reasonable. Covered by public liability insurance and childcare suitability card. Call or email me!
MUDDY’S CAFE 174 Esplanade, Cairns Ph: 07 4051 0388 Fax: 07 4051 0388 Web: www.muddyscafe.com Email: muddyscafe@gmail.com
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, 7 days a week. The #1 spot for casual family dining and takeaways, with the best views in Cairns. And now catering for children’s parties and playgroups. Refer to page 28
tjapukai aboriginal CULTURAL PARK Cairns Western Arterial Road, Smithfield Ph: 07 4042 9999 Fax: 07 4042 9990 Web: www.tjapukai.com.au Email: bookings@tjapukai.com.au
Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park offers a showcase of indigenous culture, allowing guests to watch theatrical performances and engage in interactive activities, to learn the traditional culture and customs of the Tjapukai people (the people of the Rainforest) Refer to page 7
39 WINTER 2011 EDITION
Amanda gALE pHYSIOTHERAPY & wELLBEING cLINIC 17 Anderson Street, Cairns Ph: 07 4041 7717 Fax: 07 4041 7718 Web: www.amandagalephysio.com.au Email: info@amandagalephysio.com.au Physiotherapy and Wellbeing super clinic for all of your physiotherapy, wellbeing and fitness needs for the whole family. Specialist services for physiotherapy, pilates, massage, naturopathy, personal training, pregnancy fitness classes, beauty, yoga and health retail. Refer to page 46
Apple Tree Medical Shop 61, Smithfield Shopping Centre Cptn Cook Hwy, Smithfield Ph: 07 4038 2777 Fax: 07 4038 3077 Web: www.appletreemedical.com.au Email: reception@appletreemedical.com.au Apple Tree Medical at Smithfield Shopping Centre is the Northern Beaches newest General Practice offering a full range of GP services with male and female GPs and a midwife for postnatal and ante-natal support. Refer to page 23
Awakening Therapies 13 Anderson Street, Manunda Ph: 07 4031 1124 Web: www.awaken.com.au Email: julie@awaken.com.au
We are a multimodality clinic dealing with a wide range of health issues. We offer acupuncture, massage, kinesiology, psychotherapy, dietary and nutritional advice, live blood analysis and specialised regimes for weight loss, fertility and stop smoking. Refer to page 63
CAIRNS AUDIOLOGY GROUP Suite 17, Calanna Medical Centre, Cnr Bruce Hwy and Toogood Rd, Woree Ph: 07 4054 5561 Fax: 07 3036 6928 Web: www.cairnsaudiologygroup.com Email: info@cairnsaudiologygroup.com Cairns Audiology Group is an independent Audiological practice which specialises in Paediatric hearing assessments from newborn babies through to school age children. We have the experience and skills to make the hearing assessments fun and easy for you and your children. Refer to page 48
HEALTHKICKS 2/163 Lake Street, Cairns Ph: 07 4041 6675 Fax: 1300 635 243 Web: www.healthkicks.com.au Email: reception@healthkicks.com.au
Healthkicks Nutrition, Dietetic & Exercise Clinic specialise in individually designed health and wellbeing programs. Our fully qualified nutritionists, dieticians and exercise specialists use a team approach to help you achieve your health and fitness goal Refer to page 54
gps painting pty ltd PO Box 19 Bungalow 4870 Ph: 0408 988 683 Fax: 07 4052 1999 Web: www.gpspainting.com.au Email: info@gpspainting.com.au GPS Painting is a local family run business available for all your painting needs, residential & commercial, inside and out. We also provide Coolit roof painting. Call us for a free, no obligation quote and check us out on the web.
under pressure cleaning Ph: 0407 994 906 Web: www.underpressurecleaning.com.au Email: craig@underpressurecleaning.com.au Beat that ‘wet season’ mould! High pressure cleaning of your roof, eaves & gutters (gutter guard fitted), driveways, paths, patios & pool surrounds. Clean & seal timber decks, paint your roof and provide pre-paint prep for your house exterior. Call Craig now for a free, no obligation quote.
DIRECTORY
spectrum counseling and life coaching Suite 9, Calanna Medical Centre, Cnr Bruce Hwy and Toogood Rd, Woree Ph: 0418 772 615 Web: www.spectrumlifestylecoach.com Email: naykww@austarnet.com.au Sometimes it helps to talk with someone about an issue of concern - be it personal, a relationship, work related or the need to change a lifestyle. Visit our website or contact us for an appointment. REFER TO PAGE 19
v pHARMACY – CAIRNS and SMITHFIELD 86 Lake Street, Cairns or Smithfield Shopping Centre Ph: 07 5051 2137 (Cairns) Ph: 07 4038 8900 (Smithfield) Web: www.vpharmacy.com.au Email: cairns@vpharmacy.com.au smithfield@vpharmacy.com.au When you leave a V Pharmacy, you don’t just leave with a product or prescription, you leave with a total health solution. At V Pharmacy you’ll feel V good, look V good. Refer to page 20
CAIRNS precision dental group 546 Mulgrave Rd, Woree Ph: 07 4054 2203 Fax: 07 4033 0102 Web: www.cairnsprecisiondental.com Email: contactus@cairnsprecisiondental.com Cairns Precision Dental Group offer complete children and family dental care: prevention care programs, comprehensive treatment planning and general family dental procedures. Regional leaders in dental services for children Refer to page 21
Neil’s organics 239 - 241 McLeod St, Cairns North Ph: 07 4051 5688 Fax: 07 4051 1898 Web: www.neilsorganics.com.au Email: caring@neilsorganics.com.au The team at Neil’s Organics can help you with all your organic grocery needs, including personal care and household cleaning products. Refer to page 53
tas aquatic centre Progress Rd, White Rock Ph: 07 4036 8195 Email: aquatic@tas.qld.edu.au From learn to swim through to advanced lessons. Fun and friendly environment with experienced staff; class sizes that allow individualised instruction; for ages six months to adults with classes to cater for all skill levels; swim squads and fitness swimming groups. Refer to page 57
AMAZING CLEAN Ph: 07 4033 5283 or 0414 582 961 Web: www.amazingclean.com.au Email: amazingclean@tropicnet.com.au Bring your dirty or damaged blinds back to life! The Amazing Clean ultrasonic process will rejuvenate all types of blinds removing all types of stains & odours. Venetian, timber & roman blinds, vertical drapes, upholstery, leather and even mattresses! On-site curtain cleaning also available.
williams graham carman solicitors 1A Water St. Cairns City Ph: 07 4046 1111 Fax: 07 4031 3146 Web: www.wgc.com.au Email: cairns@wgc.com.au Williams Graham Carman Solicitors (often referred to as WGC) have been providing quality legal services to the FNQ region for over 35 years. Contact our team for advice across a wide spectrum of the law. Refer to page 70
essential skills swim school 32 Fishburn Street, Bentley Park Ph: 07 4045 2782 Web: www.swimskills.com.au Email: info@swimskills.com.au Boutique swim school offering small class sizes: BABIES MAX 4 PER CLASS, LEARNERS MAX 3 PER CLASS, STROKERS MAX 4 PER CLASS. Now with 2 specifically designed pools, fully enclosed and heated to 33 degrees all year round. Refer to page 47
C-ME SWIM 70 Russell St Edge Hill - Paradise Palms Country Club Sportsworld Fitness Centre - Gatton St. Ph: 07 4053 2549 Web: www.cmeswim.com.au Email: bookings@cmeswim.com.au
C-Me Swim is a boutique learn to swim school which offers quality learn to swim lessons for children as young as 5 months of age. With 3 locations, friendly, professional teachers and staff, and classes scheduled at various times to suit your routine.
cairns pcyc 91-97 McNamara Street, Manunda Ph: 07 4053 1532 Fax: 07 4053 6268 Web: www.cairnspcyc.org Email: scott.pottle@pcyc.org.au The Cairns PCYC now provides more activities including Badminton, Basketball, Circus, State of the Art Gymnasium and ZUMBA. We also offer kindy gym, recreation classes up to level 4 for your kids. PCYC for FAMILY FUN and FITNESS. Refer to page 22
KINDERMUSIK WITH NICOLE 9 Donnelly Close, Brinsmead Ph: 07 4034 2219 Fax: 07 4034 2886 Web: www.kmusikcairns.com Email: kindermusikwithnicole@yahoo.com.au
Music and movement developmentally appropriate classes for children 0 – 7 years. Classes held in air-conditioned studio in Brinsmead. Business established since 1998. Call or email Nicole for more information.
BIRDWING THERAPIES Ph: 07 4041 3504 Fax: 07 4041 4359 Web: www.birdwingtherapies.com.au Email: birdwingtherapies@bigpond.com At Birdwing Therapies, Keran - Social Worker and Therapist specialises in counselling and therapy for children, adolescents and families. Keran is able to do home and school visits to assist parents and carers of children having emotional and behavioural difficulties. Refer to page 71
kids moves Ph: 0408 772 590 Web: www.kidsmoves.com.au Email: sheridan@kidsmoves.com.au Need to get your kids moving? Kids Moves does just that. We get your kids moving in daycare centres, schools, special events and play days. We come to you! We play, learn and have FUN! Refer to page 50
CHEEKY MONKEY CLUB CAIRNS PO Box 571, Trinity Beach Ph: 07 4057 5412 Web: www.cheekymonkeyclub.com.au Email: sian@cheekymonkeyclub.com.au
We offer fun performance dance classes for boys and girls aged two and up. Encourage your child to explore their imagination and creative talents through singing, dancing, costumes and props. Students also have the opportunity to work towards two performance shows a year. ALSO - Hip Hop Classes start from age five and up Refer to page 8
www.parentingcompanion.com.au 40
DIRECTORY
Experts have said it is important for children to be introduced to situations outside the home, such as dining in restaurants, in order to develop behaviour and social skills. Whether it’s placing an order, waiting for the food or just making conversation – children learn from observing. They need to do that in social situations such as restaurants as well as at home. Here are a few suggestions that may help to make the dining out experience a better one. 1. Find out the places where kids are not only welcomed but are really catered for. 2. If possible, go early and order the kids meals early too. Most restaurants open from 5.30 or 6pm and you might even find they have some ‘early bird’ dining options available. 3. Make sure the kids are aware of your expectations before you leave home. Talk to them about how you are expecting them to behave and if needed, throw in a reward for good behaviour. 4. Meltdowns do happen. If problems arise mid-meal, go outside, if possible, cool the child off and then return. If near the end of dinner the child gets antsy, or difficult, then pay the bill and go
KIDS EAT FREE
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41 WINTER 2011 EDITION
4031 6661 108 Grafton Street CAIRNS
5. Be prepared to leave. No use threatening to leave if there is poor behaviour at the restaurant – make sure you actually DO IT. You can always request a doggy bag. 6. Bring activities to amuse the kids. Crayons, colouring books are a must! 7. Bring things from home such as Sippy cups, utensils and toys. If you have older kids let them order their own meal. This will make them feel more grown-up. 8. Dining with friends. It’s not a bad idea to bring some friends along as they can make the experience of dining out more enjoyable for kids of all ages. Inviting friends and family can change the mood and make the experience more memorable for everyone. It's also a great way to get to know your kids' friends. 9. Make it fun. Make it an event. You are unlikely to eat out every night, so make going out an event. Dining out should be an adventure – a wonderful one. Getting the kids to dress up for the event sometimes helps to set the tone.
I always make sure the kids have had a good afternoon sleep because ultimately it’s sure to be a later night than usual. I try not to feed them too much leading up to dinnertime to ensure they are really hungry. That usually stops them from playing up because they’re so keen on eating. I arm myself with activities for the little one and lollipops for the older kids.
DIRECTORY
KIDS EAT FOR FREE
Every Wednesday Evening (When accompanied by a paying adult) All kids’ meals include one free soft drink & ice-cream
the deck
www.parentingcompanion.com.au 42
DIRECTORY
43 WINTER 2011 EDITION
DIRECTORY
UpSTairS OrChid plaza, abbOTT ST CairnS
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LE
HEALTH
ACUPUNCTURE
… more than little needles and poking tongues! By Bettina Ruhl of Amanda Gale Physiotherapy Ph 4041 7717 Conversations over a few wines shared by friends and work colleagues almost turned into a full educational lecture with a live demonstration. This might not normally be an interesting read, but when you combine a group of women from many walks of life all holding their hands up high to try something new that combines sharp needles and poking tongues, it does deserve a second thought.
body’s energy systems. These points, when stimulated, allow the practitioner to correct imbalances and restore harmony, not only to the affected area, but to the body as a whole.
This is done by inserting very fine sterile stainless steel needles into specific points on the body to stimulate the body’s own healing processes. The points lie on channel pairs (paths?), which run throughout our whole body and Mariah Carey used it every day until she through which “qi” (pronounced conceived… that is how the conversation “chee”) flows. Qi is the “vital started and that is where I would like to start life force” of our body. It it for you all. If something is good enough for tinsel town then it has to be good for everyone keeps our blood circulating, else, right? Well why not, as this is something keeps our organs functioning, fights disease that has been practised in China for thousands and keeps our mind and emotions free and uncluttered. of years and is becoming more popular in Australia and other parts of the western world. When we are healthy, qi flows evenly and freely throughout our body. When the balanced flow This is not surprising because acupuncture is a simple, natural, drug-free and very effective of qi is disturbed qi can stagnate anywhere along the channels and result in some form of way of treating a wide range of everyday illness or disease. There is much more to this problems. And yes, it is safe and relatively process, and therapists who practise traditional pain-free! At this point there were questions Chinese Medicine will commence by checking from every corner. your tongue and the six pulses in your wrists “Oh I bet it cannot help treat before begin. PMT”, yes, “what about Back to our friendly conversation from earlier. my morning sickness?”, The first person to raise her hand was our yes. Migraines, insomnia, new mum to be, equally nervous about the depression, infertility, sinusitis, idea of being medically induced and coping endometriosis, hot flushes, yes, with labour. Bringing a new life into the world yes, yes and yes. is an amazing process, but the time spent in The amazing point is that there is no age labour and delivery takes a toll on the mother’s limit for treatment. body. After giving birth, a woman’s body is This left everyone asking more specific depleted and being able to avoid fatigue in questions about what acupuncture is really the first few weeks, was heavy on her mind. all about. So for those who do not know, There is a solution for this – Acupuncture for acupuncture works by utilising specific points recovery can help soothe an aching body on the body that act as gateways into the after the strain of labour and restore the
energy levels after the loss of blood in delivery and sleep deprivation. There are also acupoints that practitioners use to help with post-partum blues due to hormonal changes. We all know that pain is a common association of child birth, but the thought of those thin needles still made our mum-to-be go a little pale. But even those who have a passionate dislike of needles will be pleased to know that needle insertion is relatively painless. Once the needle is in place there may be a mild tingling, numbness or slight ache at the needle site. The positive is the electric sensation that some people feel that travels up or down the affected acupuncture channel. One thing I always like to prepare people for is the peaceful night’s sleep that many experience the night of the treatment. Acupuncture is a holistic treatment approach and aims at finding the root cause to a problem. It can also be used as a preventive measure, helping us to simply stay healthy. Acupuncture aims at balancing the body, mind and spirit and is a wonderful alternative treatment or complement to your current therapy so you should consider learning more about it!
Amanda Gale's
‘STRONG KIDS’ program
The way children walk, sit, stand and run are things that are taken for granted but there is a right way and a wrong way, even for these simple tasks. Even active kids can sustain injuries - some are just unlucky, but many are due to poor technique. For example, we commonly see active kids with knee pain due to faulty biomechanics in the way they jump, land or squat and all that is needed is for the correct technique to be learned. JUST $30 per claSS. DiScoUnTS for groUp or SporT & rec clUb bookingS
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HEALTH
PERSONAL MUSIC PLAYERS
?
how loud is too loud
We are all aware of the detrimental effect of industrial noise in precipitating noise induced hearing loss. But research has shown that the incidence of noise-induced patterns of hearing loss is increasing amongst much younger age groups. The most significant contributing factor is the increased and un-moderated use of personal music players in a much younger demographic. The prolonged use of personal music players at high volume levels can damage the tiny hair cells in the inner ear in the same manner as working around significant levels of industrial noise without adequate hearing protection. The problem with damaging the cells in the inner ear is that these do not regenerate and this damage is irreversible with significant long term consequences.
Use output limiting earphones – Some manufactures of earphones produce products which limit the maximum volume output to 85 decibels regardless of the volume setting on the personal music player. This is most important in the absence of parental control features. Ensuing proper fit of earphones – Every ear is different in size and shape and an improper fit can create a situation where sound is not directed efficiently into the ear canal. Circumaural headphones (fit over the ear) or custom made moulds (used with standard earphones) can assist in providing a proper fit for the ear. By limiting competing factors such as external noise interference, this in turn reduces the need for higher volume level to compensate for the level of the competing noise. Check your child’s hearing – If you are concerned about your child’s hearing book an appointment with a University trained Audiologist for a comprehensive assessment of their hearing. Should problems be identified by the Audiologist they will provide you with appropriate advice to ensure long term preservation of your child’s hearing. To schedule an appointment with a University trained Audiologist for a hearing assessment, please call the Cairns Audiology Group on (07) 4054 5561.
The decibel is the unit with which we measure Sound Pressure Level. The ear does not discriminate between loud music at a high Sound Pressure Level and industrial noise at a high Sound Pressure Level. High Sound Pressure Levels damage hearing irrespective of whether the noise is wanted (non-intrusive) or unwanted (intrusive) sound. It has been recommended that personal listening players be limited to Sound Pressure Level outputs no greater than 85 decibels. Some devices have been shown to produce maximum outputs in the range of 105 decibels which has the potential to induce hearing loss in an alarmingly short time.
So what can we do to preserve our hearing? Set a good example – Promote safe listening practices within your household and discuss these issues with your children. Limit the maximum volume – Set the volume of the device so that your child can still maintain awareness of the sound around them. As a general rule, if you can clearly hear the music while standing one meter away, the volume is too loud. Use parental controls – As a result of a 2006 lawsuit, Apple placed parental controls on iPods, allowing parents and caregivers to set maximum volume level. This output limiting technology is now available on most personal listening devices. If you are considering purchasing a device for your child, ensure this feature is available. Limit exposure time – Permanent noise induced hearing loss has been shown to occur in children and adults from prolonged listening periods at moderate volume levels, or shorter listening periods at significant volume levels with headphones. Even at the recommended 85 decibel limit, usage of such devices should be carefully moderated.
www.parentingcompanion.com.au 48
HEALTH
Get the Facts! By Anita Tyrrell – Dietician with Healthkicks Ph 4041 6675
For most of us, food is more than a daily necessity. We get enjoyment and pleasure from it, we use it to socialise with our family and friends and we nurture our children with it. For some people though, foods can cause distressing, even dangerous reactions or chronic ill health. Calling any reaction to eating a certain food an “allergy” is a common misconception. Different food problems cause different reactions and require different management strategies therefore it is important to identify and distinguish between these. What is the difference between food allergy and food intolerance? A food allergy involves an immune response where the immune system recognises a unique protein component of a specific food as dangerous, causing a reaction. In contrast, intolerances don’t involve the immune system at all. They are triggered by various natural food chemicals and/or additives, which may irritate nerve endings in the different parts of the body causing reactions.
Food Allergy Food allergies are relatively common in infants and children affecting up to 10 per cent in this age group. The affected infants are usually highly atopic and have eczema. The eczema tends to be worst between 4-8 months of age and may settle even though the baby still has food allergies. Forty to fifty per cent of infants with eczema have an associated food allergy. The foods most commonly involved are egg, milk, peanut, tree nuts and seafood. Wheat and soy can cause allergies but they tend to be mild and transient. Fortunately most children eventually grow out of their egg and milk allergies, but allergies to nuts and seafood often persist into adult life. Acute reactions begin soon after ingestion and can vary in severity. Mild/moderate reactions can be transient, but may progress to life-threatening anaphylaxis with rapidly spreading hives, tissue swelling, breathing difficulty and/or collapse. Typical food allergy symptoms: Rash around mouth Hives and swelling Nausea/Vomiting Breathing difficulty Dizziness or confusion Anaphylaxis People with a documented food allergy who are considered to be at risk of anaphylaxis should be provided with an adrenaline auto-injector (EPIPEN) to have on hand at all times.
49 WINTER 2011 EDITION
HEALTH
Allergy Testing: IgE antibodies to specific allergens can be detected by skin prick tests or blood tests (RAST). Skin prick tests can be reliably performed after 6 months of age. Other tests such as IgG testing or hair samples are invalid and should not be used. Food Chemical Intolerance Food intolerance, in contrast to food allergy, involves more subtle reactions – there is never any threat of sudden death. Food intolerance can be hard to pinpoint because the symptoms can be vague, multiple, intermittent, vary in severity and are different from person to person. Unlike food allergy there is a dose effect, which means the more sensitive you are, the less you are able to tolerate.Food intolerance tends to be a lifelong problem although the severity of a particular symptom can wane over a few years. Symptoms can change from one type to another depending on lifestyle, illness, medications and hormone fluctuation. Food intolerance does tend to run in families and will usually affect the same system across generations. Common symptoms: Recurrent hives and swellings Stomach and bowel irritation Headaches General feeling of unwell with flu-like aches and pains Unusually tired, fatigued or run-down Irritable and restless Aggravation of behaviour problems such as ADHD In babies colicky irritable behaviour, reflux, loose stools, eczema and/or nappy rashes
The food chemicals that cause reactions can be naturally occurring – such as salicylates, amines and glutamates – or added, like flavour enhancers, preservatives and colours. Avoiding food chemicals can mean excluding a wide range of foods, or even a whole food group and this could mean a gap in nutritional adequacy. To explore a food chemical intolerance it is best to seek guidance from a dietitian who can advise you on trialling an elimination diet and conducting food chemical challenges to determine which chemicals are triggering your symptoms, and enable you to liberalise your diet. Other reactions to food Lactose Intolerance Lactose intolerance occurs in people who have a problem digesting the milk sugar lactose, because they are deficient in lactase (the enzyme required to digest lactose). When the undigested lactose gets through to the large bowel it is fermented by bacteria, and this will cause symptoms of abdominal discomfort, bloating, excessive wind and diarrhoea about an hour or two after ingesting lactose. Lactase deficiency can occur as a secondary problem to chronic gut disorders, and is more prevalent in some ethnic groups such as Aboriginal, African, Asian, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern. Most people with lactose intolerance can tolerate small quantities of milk, yoghurt and low-lactose foods like cheese. Coeliac Disease Coeliac disease is caused by an immune reaction to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. The reaction causes inflammation and damage to the lining of the small bowel which impairs its ability to absorb nutrients. Since coeliac disease is a permanent gut reaction to dietary gluten, a life-long gluten free diet is necessary for gut integrity. Untreated coeliac disease carries a long-term risk of nutritional deficiency, osteoporosis and/or bowel malignancy. Possible symptoms include constipation, fatigue, headaches, abdominal cramping, bloating, diarrhoea, low-blood iron, miscarriages or bone fractures. As these symptoms are common to other symptoms further investigations will be needed. Screening blood tests to detect antibodies to tissue transglutaminase are available but definite diagnosis requires a small bowel biopsy. Fermentable Sugars It has been found that a group of sugars in the diet including fructose, lactose, fructans, galactans and polyols can be poorly absorbed in the small bowel, particularly in people with a sensitive gut condition like irritable bowel syndrome. When consumed in excess these
YOGA AND DANCE CLASSES STARTING SOON!
fermentable sugars are not completely absorbed and can travel into the large bowel where they are fermented by bacteria that are naturally present. This process can cause symptoms such as gas, pain, bloating, diarrhoea or constipation in susceptible people. Although fermentable sugars can cause stomach and bowel symptoms, they do not cause other symptoms such as headaches, fatigue or skin rashes. These are more likely to be due to other food chemical intolerances. If you think fermentable sugars trigger your symptoms seek advice from a dietitian about how to safely reduce these sugars in your diet.
www.parentingcompanion.com.au 50
Want your feedback to make a difference to your children’s future? Council is seeking participants to join an online consultation panel by registering on the Your Say website http://yoursay.cairns.qld. gov.au. Our panel members will be invited to take part in online surveys and discussion forums. Your views will help improve services in your community and the region. Issues like sporting facilities, parking, waste or leisure – with many more in between – will be up for discussion, with residents getting their say about the things that matter to them. Absolutely anyone who lives in the Cairns Regional Council area can apply to join the panel; we want men, women, young, old, and people from all over the region. Choose your own username and comment anonymously. It’s free to join and take part, and anyone can register at http://yoursay.cairns.qld.gov.au.
Meet Council at the Cairns Show Come and chat with Council. The Cairns Show is a great opportunity to meet everyone face to face and find out more about what your Council does, and what services are available to the community. Staff from all departments of Council will be on hand at the Fred Moule Pavilion at this year’s Cairns Show (20-22 July) to answer questions and provide information on Council services, like water and recycling, and major community projects, such as the Cairns Entertainment Precinct.
Outdoor fun! This time of year the best place to be in the far north is outside enjoying the sunshine and tropical climate. Cairns Regional Council provides a varied range of facilities including parks and gardens with BBQ and picnic facilities, public swimming pools, sports parks and playgrounds, for the whole community to enjoy. For a full list of Council facilities available to your family, visit www.cairns.gov.au.
Staff will be joined by the Mayor and other Councillors, all of whom will be found at the stands or mingling throughout the showgrounds meeting and chatting with people. Find out more about parks, pets, new ways of recycling and rubbish removal. Gather information on Council awards and funding opportunities, see what’s coming up on the arts and outdoor calendars for the year, and grab information on important issues such as weed identification and eradication. Plenty of other activity will be happening on Council’s ever popular Community Stage, found in the Heritage Area, with free entertainment ranging from singing, dancing, novelty acts and plenty of laughs. Cairns Regional Council: P: 07 4044 3044 | A: 119-145 Spence Street, Cairns | E: council@cairns.qld.gov.au | W: www.cairns.qld.gov.au
BUSINESS ON THE MOVE Last February local couple, Kayci and Rodel Browning became the new owner/managers of Muddy’s Café, which accompanies the popular waterpark and playground on the Esplanade. With a passion for buying and renovating houses, Kayci and Rodel look forward to giving Muddy’s a long-awaited facelift. “The cafe is getting a fresh new look. We’ll be making some additions to the menu to incorporate some healthy options for children and families, and stay tuned for our new website featuring lots of exciting upcoming events”, says Kayci.
Muddy’s Café
Tjapukai Cultural Park Looking for somewhere different to hold your child’s next birthday party? Tjapukai Cultural Park now caters for kids birthday parties with unique cultural party themes. Activities include the bush foods and medicine show, spear and boomerang throwing, free traditional face-painting, didgeridoo - a journey show, hunting and weapons cultural talk plus the world famous Tjapukai dance theatre. Choose from the Rainbow Serpent Party Pack and the Bundarra Dingal Party Pack. Call Tjapukai for more information on 40 429922.
B a c k s t r e e t D a n c e
Deborah Storer has moved her dance school ‘Backstreet Dance’ to a bigger location - a huge warehouse built by her hubby Jeff - on Mayer Street, Manunda. Catering for 3-year olds right through to adults, Backstreet Dance aims to provide a fun place to learn to dance. “We don’t do exams or eisteddfods, but rather focus on fun, positive energy and confidence,” says Deb who started dancing as a young adult to help with her low self-esteem and body issues. Call Deb to find out about her dance classes on 0407995182.
Brothers World of Entertainment Brothers Leagues Club’s resident clown “Cosmo” recently visited and performed for the wonderful kids in the children’s ward at the Cairns Base Hospital.
Kids Moves
He also brought with him a cheque for the amount of $9,198.44, which was money, raised throughout the year by Brothers Leagues Club and Fuller Sports Club. Well done guys!
Sheridan Meadows Child Care Sheridan Meadows Child Care in White Rock is celebrating the awarding of Vicki Tier as the Australian Family Queensland Director of the Year. Congratulations Vicki! Along with that, two of the staff received high commendations as did the Centre itself. Well done to all.
Sheridan Dolan is taking her newly acquired business ‘Kids Moves’ to a new level, introducing Kids Zumba, Kids Yoga and Baby Bootcamp group fitness classes for 3 to 12 year olds at Club One Fitness. And that’s not all. Her plans are to implement a fun-filled nutrition program for kids as well! So if you want to see your child having fun learning some new sporting skills contact Sheridan to find out how she can help. Visit www.kidsmoves.com.au or ph 0408 772 590.
www.parentingcompanion.com.au 52
LA NATURAL
la natural NURTURE NAPPIES
NEILS ORGANICS
Nurture Nappies is your local specialist in modern cloth nappies and organic products designed to nurture your baby, you and our earth. We are stockists of bumgenius organic, itti bitti, baby beehinds, Green Kids and the funky new Designer Bums range! Drop in to our store in sunny Mossman or visit us online for simply irresistible cute cloth bottoms!
Have you tried coconut yoghurt yet? Neil’s Organics now stocks CoYo – a luscious yoghurt made from coconut milk. This means it is dairy, gluten, lactose and soy free! The natural flavour has no sugar added, and the fruit varieties of mango, mixed berry, and passionfruit have xylitol instead of sugar! RRP $9.95 for a 400g tub. 239-241Mcleod St Cairns
Nurture Nappies 13 Front St Mossman. 9-3 weekdays. Ph 07 4098 3778 www.nurturenappies.com.au
BABY YETI
GREEN UR LIFE The plastic-ware revolution of the last 60 years has meant that plastics are commonplace in our kitchens. But now, with an increased awareness of plastic toxins, and knowledge of the detrimental effects plastic has on our health and the environment, alternatives are required. GreenUrLife, Australia’s eco-friendly kitchenware specialist, evolved as a result of the lack of options available in Australia that provided the same function as plastic items but without the associated issues. So jump online at www.greenurlife.com.au and sign up to our newsletter to keep yourself up-to-date with the latest in non-toxic news and research; Eco events; and new product information. 0417 757 977 enquiries@greenurlife.com.au www.greenurlife.com.au
15% OFF Redeemable in
store when you present this voucher. NOT TO BE USED WITH ANY OTHER OFFER.
53 WINTER 2011 EDITION
Come and check out the beautiful Purebaby winter range at Baby Yeti. Purebaby is Australian owned and all about creating unique, certified organic clothing for babies and children using methods and materials that have a low environmental impact. Purebaby PJ’s are wonderfully soft, come with their own storage bag and make great gifts. The PJ’s come in legging (footed and not footed), long sleeve onesies, long sleeve tees and PJ sets. Pepita is wearing the Purebaby Scarlet Stripe PJ Set RRP at $34.95 with her favourite toy ‘Wheely Bug’ RRP$99 also stocked at Baby Yeti.1/72-74 Grafton St Cairns. 9-5 Mon-Fri and 9-3 Sat. Ph 07 4031 6767 www.babyyeti.com.au
Sustainable Living Expo 26th June 26th June, Cairns Esplanade (western events lawn) from 11am - 4pm. Visit www.cairns.qld.gov.au for more info
www.neilsorganics.com.au Fruit Vegetables Dairy Meat Bread Biscuits Crispbreads Grains Seeds Meals Flour Household cleaning supplies Personal hygiene, skincare and more..... 239-241 Mcleod St. Cairns North. p 4051 5688 f 4051 1898
Free Parking
Friendly, helpful service
OPEN 7 DAYS Locally owned
Great range of fruit & veg Dairy -(Cow, Goat, Sheep) Frozen - Beef, Chicken, Pork, Goat & Lamb Yeast Free Breads Grains, Flours, Meals
LA NATURAL
junk wave Australians are the second highest producers of waste, per person, in the world. We each send over 690 kilograms of waste to landfill each year. Landfill eventually finds its way into our waterways and oceans. Plastic bottle caps have eclipsed cigarette butts as the number one item found on the world’s beaches. There is a floating plastic garbage dump in the Pacific Ocean: plastics spun together by a vortex of currents. Produced for our disposable lifestyles, plastic is forever. It never totally breaks down. In our oceans, it looks like food to marine life. They eat it and they die. In Cairns, a not-for-profit program is reducing our environmental footprint by reducing waste in landfill. The Junk Wave saves our oceans, our marine life and the tourism that comes with it, by turning junk into items for the collage/art and craft trolley. The love child of Social Worker, Megan Bayliss, The Junk Wave is a “student at risk” program of My Other Mum Training College.
Access to child care centers means The Junk Wave has an ever ready base of little fingers to create treasure from clean junk and a clientele who aim to reduce their craft budget and their environmental footprint. The Junk Wave also works with students at risk to teach them about sustainability (recycling), business (social enterprise and triple bottom lines) and to develop skills in hygiene (everything is cleaned) and craft. Plus, the program takes two local youth work students on placement who assist with students at risk. The Junk Wave collects from industry, manufacturers, corporate and private households. After being cleansed and categorised the junk is sold by the box full and used in monthly art and craft workshops for adults and children.
For smart art ideas and information about becoming sustainable in your home visit www.thejunkwave.com
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Healthkicks | Nutrition, Dietetics & Exercise Clinic 2/163 Lake St, Cairns | Ph: 07 4041 6675
www.parentingcompanion.com.au 54
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HEALTH We are bombarded with conflicting information on diet and so many food marketing ploys it’s hard to see straight - sugar free, fat free, reduced salt, lean, light. We hear so much about these but no one really talks about food additives in any detail. We all know that we should be eating wholefoods but the reality is that the western diet is heavily based on processed foods. Just look around your local supermarket, there are over 5000 products in there waiting to be bought.
For centuries food additives have been added to food to improve the shelf life, taste and appearance. Unfortunately, these are no longer the natural ones that were used by generations before us.
There are over 300 substances that are approved for use in Australia with most of these considered to be quite safe. The negative side to this is that the approved additives are not just the natural additives of sugar, salt, vinegar and spice that were once the norm. Food manufacturers now have access to, and can add a number of artificial chemicals to, the products we buy and consume. There are food additives that are considered beneficial and necessary to stop decay, prevent bacteria and other contaminants. But many are only added for cosmetic purposes such as flavour enhancers to give taste to otherwise bland products, thickeners to ‘bulk up’ watered-down products and vibrant colours to appeal to children in particular. Many of the food additives, even though permitted, are extremely unnatural and, in some cases, considered extremely unsafe. They are having a negative impact on our health, both physically and mentally with our children being far more vulnerable to these impacts as they are still developing, still growing. Additive Alert dispels the myth that sugar is what sets those tantrums and behaviours off. There are a lot of studies linking additives back to behaviour and learning difficulties. For a list of the additives to avoid visit www.additivealert.com.au. These are widely regarded as suspected carcinogens, and are banned in other countries, or are linked to other serious adverse health problems. Come along to the Additive Alert presentation to find out: Startling facts about the way our foods have changed Which food additives are linked to health problems, especially in children Where harmful additives are hiding in our every day foods How to shop smarter, avoid harmful additives and improve your health. Learn how to make a safer, healthier lunchbox. The Additive Alert talk will provide you with the information you need to make an informed choice about what you feed yourself and your family. Brothers Leagues Club Sunday 24th July. 2.00 - 3:30pm Tickets: $20 presale.
Proudly Supported by Cairns Parenting Companion
THEY’LL LEarn THE ropEs, so THEY don’T HavE To Hang on To THEm TAS AQUATIC CENTRE LEARN TO SwIm
TAS AQUATIC CENTRE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Phone: 07 4036 8195 Email: aquatic@tas.qld.edu.au www.tas.qld.edu.au Progress Road, White Rock.
• • • • •
Held in a fun and friendly environment with experienced staff Class sizes that allow individualised instruction For ages six months to adults with classes to cater for all skill levels All new TAS Aquatic Development programmes Private ‘Learn to Swim’ classes available
To FinD ouT more, SPeAk To one oF our FrienDLy STAFF ToDAy by CALLing 4036 8195 or emAiL AQUATIC@TAS.QLd.EdU.AU
57 WINTER 2011 EDITION
MUMS COLUMN
It amazes me that second children ever see the light of day. It’s easy to understand the birth of a first child. Boy meets girl, girl meets boy, they fall in love, look into each other’s eyes and see this little fantasy world of gaga (not the Lady type, the baby type). It’s so easy to go through that first pregnancy, full of love and excitement and an utter lack of reality. However, if you really knew that your nipples were going to feel like a grated lemon for months, would you logically choose this as an option? Even the screaming cry of a baby when it’s first born is romanticised. What’s the baby screaming about? You’re the one who’s been trying to push it out for the better part of a day …. a day that you’ll be expected to relate in detail for years to come. Heaven forbid if you’re trying to bury the memory of a thousand strangers looking at your swollen bits and a “I blame it on the nappy ads; husband whose vocab is stuck on “Blah blah blah … happy smiling babies and I’m so proud of you …blah their god-awful perfect mothers blah blah”. who have obviously spent too I understand the naïve emotion of much time at Professionails.” being overwhelmed with happiness with the birth of the first child but the birth of a second child is truly remarkable. Having sex ever again (knowing the consequences) is one of life’s biggest mysteries, unless of course you’re married to someone who thinks you’re still sexy with baby vomit in your hair. Having sex on the kitchen table is a sensible option, since this is where you hang out most of the day, plus there’s the added excitement of the sperm donor wiping everything off the table before making love to you for two minutes. The table is a mess anyway because you haven’t had a chance to clean it since you had his first child. I blame it on the nappy ads; happy smiling babies and their godawful perfect mothers who have obviously spent too much time at Professionails. Honestly, the only time I had spare to visit Professionails was to see what kind of pedicure I could get in exchange for a 3-month old. Show me the real nappy ad – the one where the baby is squirming around for five minutes, screaming because you’re trying to smear its backside with tenmillimetres of rash cream. I should have seen the real ads before having my second. I probably shouldn’t have had sex with my husband again but he did promise to let me have a nap on Saturday so it seemed like a good deal at the time. As they say; a minute on the lips - a lifetime on the hips. Hence my rationale of the second baby being a miracle; no sane person would choose years of interrupted sleep, a body that sways constantly (and not in a sexy, look at my dance moves kind of way) and a shopping partner who wants to suck on your boob while you’re trying to find the Farex in Coles. But go figure (which it does), most of us do.
To You Zoo to You is celebrating their 2nd birthday and they would like to give you the presents! For parenting companion readers only, Zoo to You is offering readers a special for any birthday parties booked, with a free gift to the value of $30! So get in quick this special is valid for the first 20 bookings only.
Phone: 0415 696 439 http://www.zootoyou.com.au Covering the Greater Cairns area Conditions: Quote Parenting Companion to receive your free gift. Bookings are for any time in the year. Special expires August 31st.
www.parentingcompanion.com.au 58
CALENDAR
winter Calen cairns
JUNE
3rd – 5th Cairns Home
Show & Caravan, Camping and Boating Expo Pullman Hotel Reef Cairns Showgrounds Fri & Sat 9am – 5pm. Sun 9am – 4pm. www.australianevents.com.au
2nd – 5th Cairns
Airport Adventure Festival and Challenge Cairns will host a number
of amazing sporting events over the few days www.usmevents.com.au
7th
Learn to Tango at the
Salthouse from 7.30pm Great for Date Night. Come for some dinner then stay for the Tango.
9th
Kitty Flanagan ‘Charming & Alarming’ 8pm $34.90pp www.ticketlink.com.au
11th
Festival of the Knob 11am - 5pm Annual Community Festival
11th – 13th
Queen’s Birthday Holiday – Long weekend
15th
State of Origin
16th
Vinnies CEO Sleep Out.
Game 2 ANZ Stadium Sydney
If you want to take part or learn more visit www.ceosleepout.org.au
17th – 19th
The 19th
Laura Aboriginal Dance Festival www.lauradancefestival.com
18th
Jemma Myers Charity Auction All proceeds go to the Jemma Myers
Appeal to help support her fight against Cancer. Fred Moule Exhibition Centre 6.30pm Tickets $10 pp
18th & 19th Relay for Life at Barlow Park
see page 63 for details
20th – 26th Bush Week Festival
www.bushweekfestival.com
Cairns Show visit..
24th
School Holidays Start
24th
Red Nose Day
www.rednoseday.com.au
26th
Sustainable Living Expo at the Esplanade Lagoon
www.cairnsshow.com.au
24th 30th
26th
11am – 4pm www.cairns.qld.gov.au and follow the links.
Body Mind Soul Market Day 9.00am – 3.00pm FREE
as part of the Sunday Markets. A day of Inspiration and Information. www.tanksartcentre.com
JULY
1st & 2nd Kuranda
Roots Festival Camping, out-door stage, world class performers. www.kurandaroots.com
2nd Ben 10 Live: Time Machine at the Cairns Convention Centre 10.00am $32.90 pp
2nd
Karnivool 18+ show at Brothers World of Entertainment. 8pm $47 pp
3rd
Cairns Ukulele Fesitval
from 10.00am at the Tanks Arts Centre Full, half and evening tickets available on www.ticketlink.com.au
6th State Of Origin
Game 3 Suncorp Stadium Brisbane
11th
Back to School
16th
Richmond Vs Goldcoast Suns at Cazaly’s Stadium
David Strassman
Chucks Revenge (MA15+) 6pm $54.90pp Ventriloquism at it’s best! www.ticketlink.com.au
Cairns. Main game at 2.10pm Tickets start at $20
59 WINTER 2011 EDITION
20th-22nd
Picnic by the Lagoon for Cerebral Palsy Family fun day 10am - 3pm
31st
‘Often I find I am
naked’ at the Cairns Civic Theatre An 18+ show all about dating in the 21st Century. Date night must do! 7.30pm $31 pp www.ticketlink.com.au
AUGUST
1st & 2nd
Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder Conducted by Autism QLD. Brother’s Leagues Club 9am-12pm $100
9th
National Census Night Your Census form will be collected from this date so have it completed and ready!
13th Cairns Underwater
Film Festival In it’s 5th year the Cairns
Underwater Film Festival includes a selection of short and medium length award winning movies. ‘Sold out last year so book early’ $29 pp 7.30pm
20th Great Pyramid Race
Not just a mad run up a hill – The Pyramid Race and Country Fair brings together community and is a great day out for all. With loads to do and see. http://pyramidrace.com
CALENDAR
alendar
A R DISE A P N I 20th – 28th PARADISE 26th – 31st Seniors Week Do something good for a ‘Senior’ in your life!
Circus OZ 1.30pm
or 7.30pm shows – see website for details. www.ticketlink.com.au Prices starting at $32
Other events in our region!
4th June Babinda Boulders Burst Fun Run 3km or 12km Anzac Park, Munro St Babinda www.roadrunners.org.au
EVERY 2ND TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH Hosted by Cairns Parenting Companion at Paradise Palms Resort & Country Club.
12th June Queen’s Birthday
Cooktown Trip Take a Quicksilver vessel from
Port Douglas to Cooktown to re-enact Captain Cooks Landing Call Quicksilver for bookings 4087 2100
2nd July Miallo State School
Centenary Open Day 9am - 3pm. Dinner Dance at Mossman Hall from 6pm- midnight www.mialloss.eq.edu.au
8th – 10th July
BRING YOUR MOTHERS GROUP OR MEET SOME NEW PEOPLE!
JUNE’S PLAYDATE IN PARADISE
TUESDAY 14TH JUNE
JULY’S PLAYDATE IN PARADISE
TUESDAY 12TH JULY
AUGUST’S PLAYDATE IN PARADISE
TUESDAY 9TH AUGUST
Townsville V8 Supercars Championship Get along to 2 days of Fun and Fast Cars www.townsville.v8supercars.com.au
2nd – 17th July Mareeba Rodeo Festival
www.mareebarodea.com.au
5th August
Dinner and Show Verdi’s La Traviata Karnak Playhouse 6.30pm dinner - 8pm show www.karnakplayhouse.com.au
14th August
$19 per adu
lt (children free)
Includes mor ning tea,
kids entertainment & entry to the Adventure Playground
ail.. To reserve your place em om.au n.c nio playdate@parentingcompa n.com.au www.parentingcompanio
2011 Warbirds Aurshow. Mareeva Airport 11am - 3pm Gates open from 9am $25 adult $5 children $50 per family 2a+2c www.warbirdadventures.com.au
www.parentingcompanion.com.au 60
PARENTS
Drumming
Singing
Drum up Big
Soul Song
DRUMMY MUMMIES! Let Off Steam! Connect With Others! Do Something For YOURSELF!
Soul Song is a fun, informal choir that brings together non-singers, shower singers, car singers, air-guitar singers and even real singers to sing pop, Motown, soul and gospel classics. We sing great music in an environment that is low stress and high fun. So many members find rehearsals are the perfect place to escape from the rest of their week.
Being a Mum is demanding, and all too often your own needs come last. Isolation can also be an issue. Drumming is a great way to let go of life’s stresses, make some noise (your turn!), connect with others and express yourself. You don’t need a musical background, just an open mind and the will to have some fun. Drum Up Big has special Drummy Mummy classes for mums who want to step outside of the day-to-day and have some fun time for themselves. Drumming Sessions start in July. Contact Tara Tucker on 0432 399 332 or visit www.drumupbig.com
61 WINTER 2011 EDITION
If you’ve always wanted to sing as part of a group but been put off by the formal repertoire, the need to read music or the thought of an audition - Soul Song is the place for you. Rehearsals held every Tuesday during school terms from 7.15-9.30pm Call Jacqueline Larsen – 0412 255587 / 4054 7598 Website - web.me.com/soulsong Email - soulsong@me.com
PARENTS
Dance Zumba ZUMBA 2XS
Come and experience Zumba 2XS and their dynamic Latin inspired dance fitness classes. Friendly instructors will motivate you through your fat burning workout in a fun, easy to follow format that will have you hooked in no time. You don’t even need to know how to dance – anyone can do it! Why is Zumba so popular? It’s FUN and it really works. You will lose weight, get fit and have so much fun you will forget you are actually working out! It’s your turn to see what everyone is talking about! Grab a friend and join the party with Zumba 2XS! For more information - 40 335315 Email zumba@2xs.com.au or visit www. zumba2xs.com.au for our full class schedule
VHS to DVD tranSfer
Special!
Includes VHS-C, Video8, MiniDV Tapes. ($10 an hour) Also: Neg/slide scanning, VHS tape cleaning, Photo Restoration, Photo Slideshows, Audio Transfers.
$10 per hour
Phone 0410 177 364 info@romyphotography.com.au Shop 2, 101 Mulgrave Rd, Cairns Qld 4870
www.romyphotography.com.au www.parentingcompanion.com.au 62
Awakening Therapies
694636
specialise in women’s and children’s health including natural fertility and IVF support.
Buy a voucher for any treatment including: • kinesiology • homeopathy • cosmetic acupuncture • massage • psychotherapy • weight loss and nutritional advice • smoking treatments and recieve a complimentary
gift
Want the experts in natural therapy?
1124 open 9-5 Mon to Sat
694636
Call us today on 4031
n u F y a d i l o H School IDAN AT MT SHER
PLAZA
There is always something happening at Mt Sheridan Plaza during the School Holidays. Visit our website www.mtsheridanplaza.com.au or call us on 4036 3150 to find out what's happening now.
DAD’S COLUMN
When a woman does a man’s work None of the following is representative of the views of Parenting Companion and for reasons of personal safety the author wishes to remain anonymous. Yep! He’s a bloke. And he’s confused!
When I’m at work, I work hard. Always
never lifted a finger to help. I defended my
have. And so, for a brief, blissfully ignorant
threatened masculinity with the claim that I
period in my married life I thought I deserved
do a “man’s work”, toiling all week to “put
to put my feet up once I got home. And, if
bread on the table”. Stepping down onto
the little lady felt the need to put in a few
the floor she shoved the extension ladder
“man” hours mowing the lawn or digging an
into my face by way of acknowledging the
Wednesday; all clear. The calm before the
agi drain in the backyard while I shamelessly
irony of my statement. And, as she packed a
storm.
watched cricket on telly ... where’s the harm
bag to storm off to her mother’s she muttered;
in that?
“the kids and the house ... all yours you
But, the pressure was building. And it finally let loose with a muffled crash one Sunday afternoon. It was the wife, who I thought was using the gurney to clean the pebblecrete on the front drive. No. She’d actually climbed into the roof cavity to get a head start
lazy bugger...one week! You’ll never last”. Considering that the kids were all school age and it was a light week at work, I thought ... “this’ll be easy”. “You just take a load off for
drive you to the next stop.
lunches on the kitchen table. Off to the
end.
above the hallway.
Poop. That’s your bus? Hop in the car and I’ll
Arrive back home to see three out of four
Batts. She’d accidentally stepped through
attractive leg modelling a new trap door
wearing undies? Do you all have your lunch?
till the baby’s due”. Now ladies, you know how this is going to
shredding Gyprock I discovered her very
Have you had brekki? Bangers, are you
a while”, I said, “after all ... it’s only 4 weeks
on a job I said I’d do. Putting in the Pink the ceiling and by following the sound of
Thursday; sport day? What sports uniforms?
school to deliver, then back home to find the laundry flooded where I’d left the tap dripping in the sink over the parmesan bed
Running a household is a full time job. Worse still, it rained for the week so no clean school uniforms. Then boys numbers three and four; “Bangers and Mash” otherwise known as
sheets from two nights before. Friday, made it to work by 9.30am. Work? It felt like a holiday compared to
“Hello Darl,” I said
“Seek and Destroy”, stayed home sick on
innocently. Then stupidly;
the Tuesday. And sick they were. Everywhere
“Give you a ... leg up?
smelt like parmesan cheese. I had to take
... Ha ha”.
the day off work to clean up. By 11am
... and guess who’s come home early? My
they’d both got better, trashed the house, ate
wonderful spouse and she’d managed to
a packet of delta cream biscuits and two
get the washing on, cleaned the kitchen and
packets of Aeroplane Jelly crystals, had a
started dinner? Lesson learnt, I was never so
soggy teabag fight and then got sick again.
glad to see the cheese and kisses.
the garage. It started with; how every time
By Tuesday night I was so buggered all I
“Nice to see you too, Hon” she said. “Now
something needed to be done around the
could to do was spray the dirty dishes with
... make us both a cuppa while I hop out
house she always has to do it herself and I
Mortein and go to bed.
and gurney the front drive”.
In spite of the sound suppressing qualities of Pink Batts her response came through loud and clear as she disengaged her leg and trod her way to the real trapdoor in
housework. Home again by 3.30pm
www.parentingcompanion.com.au 64
MUMMY MAKEOVER
“Wash and Relax”
“The Cut”
65 WINTER 2011 EDITION
“BlowDry”
MUMMY MAKEOVER
For your chance to win a mummy makeover
email win@parentingcompanion.com.au
www.parentingcompanion.com.au 66
y or Sell pre-loved ki ds toys, clothing & fu rniture. t for FREE at our online GARAGE SALE ave a comment on ou r BLOG Buy or Sell pre-loved kids toys, clothing & furniture. er some great COMP ETITIONS List for FREE at our on-line GARAGE SALE d a local business ca tering for families in o ur DIRECTORY Leave a comment on our BLOG d something to do w ith the kids on our C ALENDAR Enter some great COMPETITIONS ister to receive our E -NEWSLETTER to k eep you in the loop! ww.paren Find a local business catering for families in our DIRECTORY tingcompanion.com .au Find something to do with the kids on our CALENDAR
REGISTER TO RECEIVE OUR E-NEWSLETTER TO KEEP YOU IN THE LOOP! VISIT WWW.PARENTINGCOMPANION.COM.AU
PARENTS
By Michelle Cormack – a host parent So you want to travel but can’t afford to go anywhere? Ever thought about bringing a country and culture to your place? That’s basically what happens when you become a home-stay parent – that is, provide a home for an international student. It’s a great way to learn more about another culture, introduce your kids to a different language, and as a host, you end up re-discovering how beautiful your own backyard is. And did I tell you it pays well too - tax-free! Our family has been hosting students since my oldest child was 18 months old and we’ve had guest students from Japan, Germany and Switzerland. They’ve ranged in age from 8 year olds through to 40 year olds. Most have been able to speak enough English to get by and have been a pleasure to have around. I’d even go so far as to say having a student has come in very handy when you need the kids entertained at the end of the day while you start cooking dinner. The Japanese especially love playing with my kids and the feeling is mutual. We’ve kept in touch with a lot of the students and now have some great contacts around the world. And just a tip, don’t be afraid to let the students cook up their favourite dish. It’s a great way to learn how to cook international cuisine and gives you the night off! Janine from ASAP Homestays adds that many of her host families have travelled overseas and stayed with past students who extended extreme hospitality during their stay. Over the past 15yrs, they have hosted students up to the age of 74! This season, the nationalities include Japanese, Chinese and Americans.
Families wanted to host international students!
OTHER THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BECOMING A HOMESTAY PARENT:
You need a suitability card or what is sometimes nicknamed as the ‘blue card’. The homestay company will have the forms you need to fill out. This can take up to eight weeks to process so it is best to sort out the blue card as early as possible.
Your home will need to be checked out by the homestay company to ensure it meets their requirements. Usually this means a spare room with a standard bed, hanging and cupboard space plus a comfortable place for them to study.
So call today! 07 4041 7990 or email info@edrec.com
You are never obliged to continue hosting a student if they are “not working out”.
“Locally owned and operated”
Remuneration can be anywhere from $180 per week to $300 per week depending on the requirements.
• Give your children an international experience without leaving Cairns!
It’s easier if you have children but it’s not necessary and can be a great experience for retirees or couples who haven’t had children yet.
• Share the beauty of our region and the Aussie lifestyle with our international visitors!
You can be picky about who you want to host. For example, you may choose only to host female adults from Japan, who don’t smoke. Long or short-term stays are also your choice.
Hosting an international student is a unique and rewarding experience. We do provide training and YES we do provide remuneration. We have students of all nationalities!
• Learn another language and sample international cuisine!
Cairns Office: Phone 07 4041 7990 www.asap-biz.com ASAP– A division of Banora International Group, since 1996
Depending on whether you host adults or children, you’re required to provide either 2 or 3 meals per day. Transportation is required for underage students but the homestay company will ask you to host students that are attending a school near you and coordinate itineraries that fit around your family’s schedule, where possible.
It’s amazing how children can communicate, regardless of their language ability. Suddenly they will appear multi-lingual and what a great learning opportunity!!
www.parentingcompanion.com.au 68
PARENTS
DIVORCE Separating from your partner is not easy unless you are lucky enough to be two very amicable people who agree about everything. Generally though, that won’t be the case. What most people have to try to reach agreement about is money and children, as well as working through their emotions on the ending of a relationship.
Going to see a Solicitor specialising in
out what living arrangements you would
calling or threatening text message, ring
Family Law is an important first step to get
like for your children. Your lawyer can then
a psychologist to help you deal with your
advice on what your legal position is and
reality test these desired outcomes with you,
emotions in a positive way and give your
how your interests can be protected. If you
including by talking to you about how judges
mobile to a friend to mind.
are thinking about separating, then you
have decided previous cases that have
should see your lawyer first to discuss your
similar facts to yours.
position and what prior steps may need to be taken to advance or protect your interests
3. Think Lab Rat
before you separate.
If you are involved in a case where your
Below are some summarised tips to help you.
acrimonious and litigation is likely, or
relationship with your former partner is you’re already in the court process, then
1. Listening to Advice Prior to your first appointment with your lawyer, you should remind yourself to be open to listening to what your lawyer tells you, especially if you don’t like what you are hearing. You are paying your lawyer to give you legal advice that will deliver the best possible outcome to you, including advising against you taking actions that will only backfire upon you in the worst way in the courtroom (such as hiding property from your former spouse or persisting in litigation with an ‘unwinnable’ case).
2. The Reality Check Jot down on a piece of paper before your first appointment with your lawyer the outcome you would like, whether this is how property is divided or a calendar that sets
compare yourself to a rat in a science lab. You’re going to be (or are already under) exactly the same level of scrutiny, particularly once you’re sitting in the witness box at the final hearing of your case. Think before you speak (or act). It is very easy to unknowingly set off the “non-reward” type of alarms to the presiding judge. It will also help you build a civil relationship with your former partner which will be so appreciated by your children and help them develop into
5. Your X is addicted to drugs/ alcohol/has a mental health issue and will not follow through with treatment If your former partner falls into the above category, you are not going to have an easy time of things. Prepare yourself for the possibility of continuous litigation for up to a year until the final trial, involving much expense and a lot of frustration. Make sure you build a support network of friends/family/counsellor. Your lawyer will be working to obtain forensic evidence to support your case, and to narrow the issues for the judge, which can reduce the duration of your trial and as a consequence, your legal fees. An Independent Children’s
healthy, functioning adults.
Lawyer will usually be appointed in this style
4. Social Media
Independent Children’s Lawyer represents the
of case, however you must remember that the
Yes. Extracts from facebook/twitter/my
interests of the child and does not represent
space can and will be tendered to the Court
you nor act to run your case for you.
as evidence. Text messages can also be tendered as evidence. If you are tempted to send repetitive text messages, a name
*Amanda Millyard is a Queensland Law Society Accredited Family Law Specialist at Williams Graham Carman Solicitors, Cairns Ph 4046 1111
69 WINTER 2011 EDITION
PARENTS
Family Dispute Resolution at the Cairns Family Relationship Centre Currently, the separation rate for couples is approaching 50 per cent. Seventy eight per cent of these people manage to solve their own issues and move on with their lives, but the other 22 per cent need help, and that’s where the Family Relationship Centre comes in. The Centre, one of 65 throughout Australia, was set up by the federal Attorney-General’s Department, to help separated/divorced families make effective decisions about their children’s future. Some separating parents have difficulties in communicating with each other, but they still have to face issues such as:Day-to-day living arrangements for their children. Longer-term issues such as schooling, health and on-going. financial support. Property issues that impact on the children.
We may also be able to help with other services and support for parents and children. If the parties cannot agree on a Parenting Plan, they will need to resolve their issues in the Family Court, a time-consuming, traumatic and expensive process. There’s no doubt that separation is a difficult time for many, and that parents may find it difficult to communicate with one another. But, given the fact that the law says that both parties are equally responsible for the care and welfare of their children until they reach 18, parents do need to focus on what they must do in the future for the best interests of their children. Mediation, and if appropriate, counselling and educational services, all help with respectful outcomes.
The Family Dispute Resolution Process at the FRC is a three step process: 1. Intake – each parent has a one-on-one session with the Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) practitioner, to explain their background and circumstances. 2. Group Information Session – a 90-minute session to explain the Family Law Act more fully, to prepare people for the mediation process, and if necessary to try and change people’s focus from their ex-partner to their children. 3. Mediation Session – A joint session with an impartial, child-focused, future-focused FDR practitioner/mediator. The mediator will manage the process using his/her professional training to facilitate the best possible outcome for both parties – a win-win solution. Of course, this is all done in complete confidence. The benefits of attending mediation at the FRC are many:The children are at less risk of being harmed by ongoing and unresolved conflict There are greatly reduced financial, emotional and time costs, compared with going to court The parents make their own decisions about their lives, and the lives of their children, rather than letting a judge decide for them The FRC services are free Future relationship as co-parents can be improved and new skills can be learned in co-operation and communication. Co-operation leads to faster and better outcomes!
By Mike Friganiotis, Community Education Officer. Contact the Cairns FRC, 125 Grafton Street, Cairns on 4041 6063 for more information and assistance.
www.parentingcompanion.com.au 70
At
Therapies
Party
at the
CRC
Birdwing Therapists offer: Counselling and Therapy Sandplay and Expressive Therapies
CAIRNS RECREATION CENTRE
Strength Based and Solution Focused Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy Behavioural and Family Therapy Relaxation Therapies
Group work programs for children Women’s Group Work Programs Parent & Carer Workshops Practitioner Supervision and Training
• Rolle
more! g • and n i b m i l r Skating • Rock C
Various Party Plans available to suit your special occasion. Including food platters, birthday song, party bags, tea and coffee for mum and dad and so much more. Visit our website for more information on packages.
www.cairnsrecreationcentre.com.au Phone: 4053 5353 Address: 44 Behan Street, Manunda 4870
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Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited (ANZ) ABN 11 005 357 522. ANZ’s colour blue is a trade mark of ANZ.
WORK AT HOME PARENTS
FACEBOOK for Business
With over 500 million active people on Facebook not only are your friends on Facebook, so are your prospects, your customers and, of course, your competitors. You need to be on too.
Firstly, people have friends and businesses have ‘likes’. Any business that sets up a personal profile is contravening Facebook’s Statement of Rights and Responsibilities. Should it come to Facebook’s notice that a business has set up a personal profile it will be deleted. The only way to get the profile re-instated is to prove that your real name is ‘XYZ Company’. Whilst it may seem unlikely that Facebook would find out it only takes a disgruntled customer or employee to report it and all your hard work is gone. Why limit yourself? Pages can have unlimited “fans” whereas personal profiles can only have 5000 friends. Pages can be created at www. facebook.com/pages/create.php Choose the category for your page. This will determine which tabs are automatically created for the page and what type of information will be on the info tab. Fill out as much information as possible using keywords, just ensure you are writing it for people to read not just search engine robots. This can be a part of your Search Engine Optimization strategy as pages are indexed by search engines. Profiles are not. Upload a picture. The dimensions can be up to 180 pixels by 540 pixels and this is good real estate to promote your business with more
than a logo, e.g. your website address and a call to action. Post some content. The idea is to Educate, Entertain and Engage. Buy-buy-buy messages won’t fly. Make it less about selling and more about interacting. Engage with fans and critics. Listen to what people are saying, good and bad. You may even pick up ideas on how to improve your business. Keep content fresh. Use status updates and news feeds to tell fans about specials, events, contests or anything of interest. Ask questions and then answer them yourself as the first comment. People are often more inclined to contribute when others have. ‘Like’ your own content.
compared to 23% conversion without. Use the landing tab to give reasons to like the page (discounts, information, opt-ins) and have a call to action (e.g. a big red arrow pointing to the like symbol on the page). Facebook may seem daunting but following these few rules will put you ahead of the vast majority of other pages.
Content from your page will appear in fan’s newsfeeds dependent on how much they interact with your page, how much other people interact with your page, and the number of likes and comments. When someone posts on your page acknowledge them using their first name. After all they are a ‘friend’. Remember to also share to your personal profile, not all your friends may be fans. Keep them up to date with what is happening. Use a Welcome Tab. Testing done by BrandGlue discovered that 47% of people liked the page when using a landing tab
By Tori Sugden - Social Media Outsourcing www.socialmediaoutsourcing.com.au Ph 0438552210
Curtis Pitt MP
Curtis and his wife Kerry - pictured with son Tristan - understand the issues being faced by young families.
State Member for Mulgrave
‘Working for you’ Phone 4056 3175
Fax 4056 3340
www.curtispitt.com.au www.parentingcompanion.com.au 72
WORK AT HOME PARENTS
Build a better tomorrow with the lessons of yesterday. “May you have the hindsight to know where you’ve been, the foresight to know where you are going, and the insight to know when you have gone too far.” Irish Blessing. It seems really unfair but life has an annoying knack of teaching important lessons after hardship. We know, from a financial sense that this happens for most people, most of the time and so many of the mistakes people make in life could have been easily avoided with more information and education. I think that the education system has a lot to answer for in failing us by not giving us any real economic skills whatsoever. Sure, we go through Trigonometry, we struggle with Calculus... we learn to use letters in equations instead of numbers... but who has actually been taught how the financial system works? What asset choices you have in life and how to use them to generate wealth? Whoever learnt real world finance in simple, easy to understand language? NO ONE! Until now! Our Psychology of Investment workshops have been running for nearly a decade and hundreds of families and thousands of individuals all over Australia have benefited from learning about life finance 101. It is our real life approach and simple speak that has helped regular mums and dads to understand that investment is not a result for the rich and famous – but a journey for the every man and
woman. The decisions we make over time lead us to the result and never the other way around. We have been offering these workshops for free for nearly 10 years, with no obligation, and though we end up helping a few others beyond the workshop, everybody who comes leaves with a new and refreshed perspective. If you get the feeling that there is an intimidating world of finance out there and you don't deserve to be a part of it, think again. In the evening you will learn things about your own circumstance and ways to help improve your future, that don’t cost a cent! If you have ever felt like you’d make better decisions if only you had more information, then stop feeling like a victim and start taking control of your financial future. It won’t cost anything but will be more valuable than you may ever know. Call BDO Private Wealth on 07 4046 0000 to find out more or book in for the next workshop.
time for a
Change? does your i m a g e , website and marketing need a new look?
B9, Level 1 Traveltown 19-21 Lake Street, Cairns QLD
Phone 07 4035 8700 Email info @ smartz.com.au view our portfolio at
73 WINTER 2011 EDITION
www.smartz.com.au
WORK AT HOME PARENTS
Nurture Nappies Next time you spot a gorgeous cloth bottomed bottom, chances are the nappy has come from Nurture Nappies, specialist in organic and modern reusable nappies.
Nurture Nappies was established in 2003 with Jayne Miller at the helm. Jayne is the mum of three and is married to a domestically inclined chef. Armed with a dozen cotton terry squares for her first child, Nurture Nappies started simply with a couple of crates of nappies at a market stall in Port Douglas. Before long, word of mouth spread far and wide, surpassed only by clever innovation in nappy design. Today, Nurture Nappies is a sunny real life store and warehouse, a national distribution business and one of the longest standing cloth nappy retail businesses in Australia. Jayne says that she honestly never had a vision for the business; she simply wanted to facilitate making reusable nappies more accessible for other mums, and as an environmental scientist, has an absolute passion and belief in her product. Nurture Nappies took on a life of its own, filling a niche in the market, until the demand far outweighed her capacity to keep up! Jayne says it’s ‘passion and hard work’ that propels the business. Plus, the timing was impeccable, because the popularity of cloth nappies skyrocketed in the first few years of their business. After eight years, the business outgrew its ability to be operated from home, and in 2009 Jayne’s family opened a retail store and warehouse in the main street of Mossman. Moving the business from home established a more enjoyable balance between work and family. Jayne does not describe herself as a very good ‘business role model’- never having had a business plan to start the business, and still not having one today. Nurture Nappies is a labour of love, with
extraordinarily long and unusual hours, dedicated over quite a few years. Jayne also has a strong social and business network that helps spread the love so that her business has survived well into its eighth year with no signs of slowing down. With a wonderful local team, Jayne is happy with the balance of running her own business and taking care of her three children (her husband works away!) but reports that she certainly couldn’t do it without the support of her family and her genuine love and belief in what she does. No matter which direction the company grows in the future, Jayne says their enduring philosophy is to provide beautiful, thoughtful, healthy products that nurture families and our earth. They do that with love and enthusiasm, which is working very well to sustain the business! Life is incredibly busy but joyous!
Nurture Nappies - 13 Front St, Mossman. Qld 4873 www.nuturenappies.com.au www.thetribestore.com.au Phone 07 4098 3778
www.parentingcompanion.com.au 74
FAMILY FINANCE
Many challenges lie in the economy of the future, and at such times any advantage for your child in the workplace increases their chances of leading a financially sound and prosperous life. By Rob Gaul of Cairns Wealth and Insurance
75 WINTER 2011 EDITION
A quality education in this way may be seen by many to be a sound investment. However it should also be noted that the cost of education (particularly private schooling, tuition and university education) can be daunting. The catch cry for this need is “To be prepared”. With university education often running to well in excess of $50,000, a well laid plan will win the race over arriving at the day and hoping you can afford the expense. Today, in order to get your child placed in a private school, you must lodge your child’s candidacy years in advance. In much the same way it would benefit you to approach several potential educators to get an idea of pricing the education (eg a local university and two others). With the goal in mind, you are now able to backtrack, work out what rate of return you can reasonably expect from your savings (less inflation) and then work out what your weekly savings need to be to meet the expense.
FAMILY FINANCE
For example... John will need a university education in 17 years. The cost of that education today would be $70,000 We may estimate the average return of a particular managed fund may be 7% (less 3% inflation) We will require savings of $2954 per annum Now we have a clear idea of cost and what we need to save to meet the expense. Taking advantage of time means making small affordable savings, and allowing the value of time and interest to do a large part of the work. Incidentally the actual savings made to the account were slightly over $50,000, the rest of the work was done by time and earnings. The next question is “How do I invest the money”. There are a wide range of answers to this question including bank deposits, managed funds, and education bonds to name but a few. There is a range of tax, volatility and return questions that each investor must answer to arrive at a reasonable
balance between concern for risk, against expectations and desire for return. Term deposits – with interest rates cyclically high at the moment interest rates may seem a good capital stable investment with a solid level of return But beware of relying on term deposits for long term needs as long term returns have historically been poor, and have no protection from the rising cost of living. Managed Funds – Diversified funds in particular carry an element of shares, property, fixed interest and cash. The benefit of this is that there is some exposure to asset classes with good growth and inflation protection, but also elements of capital stable investments such as cash to help smooth the journey. The benefits lie in historically higher returns and tax advantages (eg dividend franking), but come at the cost of volatility, albeit reduced somewhat by the inclusion of cash. These investments typically are not good short term investments due to the volatility, but have been good long term investments as their earnings increase approximately in line with rising profitability of our companies.
Education bonds offer further tax benefits which are gold because they increase your final return. However doing your homework with these bonds is essential as the sector has had its fair share of poor performers. The importance of savings and being ready to meet this expense cannot be understated. We’ve all felt our budget tighten in recent times due to escalating costs of groceries, energy such as electricity and a range of other essential services. With concerns over the current high cost of housing and a range of new taxes under discussion, budgets of the future, as well as government funded assistance, may well be tighter again. In this environment your child’s education is an important consideration, and preparing your savings is a vital step in giving your family the best chance to meet the cost. One final note, make sure your life and disability insurances allow for the cost of education. If you find yourself unable to work, and have not allowed for your family’s income and other needs such as education, your family will miss out.
Start making the most of your finances today. At ANZ, we offer a personalised A-Z Review™, which provides recommendations to help you achieve your financial goals. To arrange your complimentary, no-obligation review, or to speak to an ANZ Personal Banker, drop in to your local branch.
anz.com Any advice does not take into account your personal needs and financial circumstances, and you should consider whether it is appropriate for you. ANZ recommends you read the Terms and Conditions and the Financial Services Guide (ask for this at your local branch) before acquiring the product. Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited (ANZ) ABN 11 005 357 522. ANZ’s colour blue is a trade mark of ANZ. Item No. 84503 01.2011 W218443
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www.parentingcompanion.com.au 76
ATO
Accomplish The Outstanding While we are approaching the end of the financial year, we encourage you to meet with us and start planning for 1 July 2011 and beyond… Join our financial planning team at one of our evening workshops to discuss investment philosophy, decision making, risk, gearing and market updates or any other areas that may be of specific interest to you. The entire evening, including dinner and drinks will be FREE OF CHARGE with no obligation. For more information or to make a booking please contact Courtney on 4046 0006 or email courtney.smallwood@ bdo.com.au RSVP ESSENTIAL Cairns 25-27 Aplin St 4046 0000 Distinctively different - it’s how we see you AUDIT • TAX • ADVISORY www.bdo.com.au
Cairns, Whitfield House, 5.45pm for a 6.00pm start Wednesday 29 June Tuesday 26 July Wednesday 24 August Yungaburra, Eden House Retreat, 5.45pm for a 6.00pm start Tuesday 30 August
FAMILY FINANCE
I first introduced money into my boys’ lives as an incentive to manage their behaviour in the mornings. Some call it bribery but according to 1, 2, 3 MAGIC it actually works. My husband and I both work so our mornings can sometimes be a tad challenging. They now have a list of six simple tasks they are responsible for accomplishing every morning. Each of these tasks, if completed on time and without fuss, means we get out the door on time, no stress. Each task is now worth 10 cents. If they get all their tasks done they earn 60 cents a day, behaving every day earns them $3 a week. Pay day is Sunday. I chose Sunday because it reminds them to behave on Monday. If they misbehave in the mornings they lose the money associated with
the task they have failed to do independently. In other words I charge them 10 cents for every task I have to do for them. (Like put their lunch box in their bag for instance). It works a treat with the boys - because on every pay day, they get competitive about who will be the best behaved child next week. Now that we have opened up their own Kidz Club accounts with Queensland Country Credit Union, it also gives them the satisfaction of knowing that the money they take in to the branch, is money they have earned themselves. And they can even earn prizes by saving their dollars!
Oliver and Rohne Standen Next step - setting savings targets for the boys for the things they really, really want to buy themselves. Of course once they hit their target we will buy it for them, but it is another way of teaching them good savings habits while they are young. - By Sarah Standen To find out more about Queensland
As an added benefit to the great bonus rate the bank offers, we double whatever the boys decide to deposit. It means they generally choose to save rather than spend.
1. Shop at the end of the day. There’s always plenty of marked
down bread, fruit, vegetables, meat, yoghurt, cooked chickens, cheese and salad. And don’t be afraid to freeze some of this stuff – it will save you plenty.
2. Lay-by large purchases so you’re not paying interest on your
credit card. The mid year sales are great for lay-bying as you then have a good 5 months to pay it off.
3.
Country Credit Union’s Kidz Club account contact your local branch or visit www.qccu.com.au
7.
Research before you buy. Shop around and check out clearance houses on-line such as eBay
8.
We always buy the much cheaper generic brands for our toilet paper, foils, paper towels, plastic wrap, dishwashing tablets, toilet blue etc.
9.
Planning your meals. If you plan ahead then you’re only buying exactly what you need and there’s no wastage. Plus the pantry stocks are more manageable.
Always try to leave the kids at home. We find shopping with the kids in tow makes it harder to make smart choices because you rush things. Kids are also good at putting things in the trolley you just don’t need.
4.
Cook meals instead of buying takeaway and save left overs for next day lunches.
5.
Turn off power at the wall instead of putting things on standby mode. Switch of A/C at main power board in winter.
6. Compare unit prices. When shopping at the supermarket
look at the price ticket on the shelf, which should show what each 100 grams or litre is worth.
www.parentingcompanion.com.au 78
CONFESSION BOX
“Fess up and get it off your chest!” I confess . . . sometimes I wish I was back working full-time. I knew that changing roles from full time working mum to stay at home mum would be an adjustment, however I must confess I never fully anticipated just how much it would impact on my self-esteem & confidence. My husband had been at home with the kids for almost four years and in this time I went through periods of resentment because I had always wished it was me who got to do that. Now I fully understand the saying ‘be careful what you wish for’! Within the first couple of weeks of getting my ‘wish’, I realised how much I had to bend myself to the kids’ routine as they had been doing things dad’s way for so long. It hardly felt fair that I change it all to suit myself, after all it wasn’t wrong it just wasn’t my way, and at work as a general rule things were done my way. Then the big stuff really started to set in, loss of identity. I’d been the owner of a business for 20 years. I instantly had something to talk to people about and I was part of something big, plus I set the routines so I knew I confess . . . that if I’ve rocked up to your place, or a play date
exactly what was happening. The sense of loss has been huge, at work I had endless lists of tasks for the business - marketing, training, budgets, financial planning - but there was always a regular sense of achievement. Goals reached,
late recently…. I’ve done it on purpose!! I have reached a point and I am sick and tired of some of my fellow mums arriving to play dates, gatherings or meetings late!
happy staff etc. I get a blast out of seeing the kids grow however it’s
I can cope if you’re five or ten minutes late once in a blue moon,
sometimes hard to judge your effectiveness and achievements. The
because the reality is that we have all been stuck in traffic or had
learning curve is so huge it’s overwhelming and above all apparently
a last minute nappy explosion, BUT when you are at least 15 to
it’s meant to come naturally. Now I know that being a parent is the
20 minutes late every time, it gets a bit hard to handle. And please
most important job in the world, but I have to confess that this transition
don’t take offence when you get a text message from me, asking
is the hardest thing I have ever done. By rights I am just completing my
if you have left home yet and your ETA at our destination because
three month probationary period and I’m kind of glad there is nobody
if it means I don’t have to be sitting there for waiting for extended
to give me a key performance review because I think I would be
periods I can spend my time doing more of the stuff that needs to
marked as ‘needs improvement’.
happen. I figure with 2 kids, a husband and a house to look after, if
I confess . . . I recently read that the ‘glass ceiling’ for a working
I can be there on time, then I would hope you could be too.
mum should rather be called the ‘guilt ceiling’ because every
I confess . . . I hate it when you go to the playground and end up
promotion or success at work somehow always meant that just a little
babysitting somebody else’s kid because their mum/dad/carer is
bit more was sacrificed at home. Long live mother’s guilt.
too busy relaxing.
Email your anonymous confessions to confessions@parentingcompanion.com.au or submit your blog at www.parentingcompanion.com.au
79 WINTER 2011 EDITION
Available from
tart your s k c i K vings with a s s d ki nd Country a l s n e ion's... Que n U t di e r C
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Contact your local Branch manager or visit qccu.com.au Earlville Branch manager David Smith - 4033 5299 Smithfield branch manager Dianne Smith - 4038 3998 Queensland Country Credit union limited. aBn 77 087 651 027. aFsl 244533