Child Of The Universe - Montessori Mag-nificence

*FREE DIGITAL MAG *ISSUE 45 AUGUST 2018

Montessori

Advantages of the Multi-age Classrooms

Raising Adults Not Children

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CHILD OF THE UNIVERSE MODEL: Carmen Ché

ABOUT US www.childoftheuniverse.co.za PUBLISHER 2Luni Media EDITOR/OWNER Linda Navon 071 346 8138 linda@childoftheuniverse.co.za

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CHILD OF THE UNIVERSE MONTESSORI MAG We strongly support and believe in the Maria Montessori Method of teaching and learning, and would like to see as many children as possible be fortunate enough to experience Montessori as a lifestyle.

We also believe in the ‘FIRST DO NO HARM’ principle and therefore select our content and advertisers accordingly.

We cover topics around Montessori teaching, learning, lifestyle – in the classroom and at home – and much more. We always include links to our articles and encourage you to follow them for loads of insightful Montessori literature. We include a mix of topics relevant to family life, health and well-being.

TO SUBSCRIBE Subscription to Child of the Universe digital magazines is free of charge. Simply send an email to subscribe@childoftheuniverse.co.za with the subject line: Subscribe Montessori Mag and we will email your mag to you monthly. Alternatively you can pop your information onto our website www.childoftheuniverse.co.za

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DISCLAIMER The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the editor, advertisers or endorsers. While every effort has been made to ensure that the contents of this publication are both accurate and truthful, the publisher and editor accept no responsibility for inaccurate or misleading information that may be contained herein.

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Conscious Life Magazine

ADVERTORIAL

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Conscious Life Magazine

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Conscious Life Magazine

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Advantages of Multiage Classrooms

By Marnie Craycroft The top question I hear from parents and friends is about multiage classrooms.

This concern is real and ripe out there in the parenting world. Multiage classrooms have always made sense to me. Teaching and learning isn't about a specific age, it is about a pace and a stage of development. So, there are overlaps and discrepancies across a variety of learning areas over a range of ages. Since I do hear this question a lot, I thought I'd write up a few ideas for you to ponder either on your quest as a parent or on your quest to educate parents.

Leadership Opportunities Often parents worry that the younger children in the classroom will distract the teachers and take attention away from the older children. This is not the case. Older children benefit from the ability to lead younger children. Leading, whether in guiding a new student or giving a bit of attention to a younger student who may be having a difficult time away from his parents, is a critical experience for a young child.

These “soft” skills are vital in emotional and social development of the child.

Academic Opportunities Many parents worry that if their child is the oldest in the classroom then he will not be challenged academically. In multiage classrooms, teachers engage older children to “give” lessons to younger children.

Younger children are encouraged to observe the older child's more advanced work. Older children benefit from the ability to teach.

Teaching ingrains a concept.

Older children model more sophisticated, complex problem solving and critical thinking. So, younger children are able to develop skills without the guidance of an adult teacher. In other words, if it weren't for the older child, the younger child would most likely have to seek, or rely on, the adult. So, the younger child develops independence and feels secure about his capabilities.

Same Teacher, Same Classroom The child and her teacher are able to truly get to know and to trust one another over the years. The child becomes intimately familiar with the environment, and begins to understand himself as a learner and as a person of the world.

The classroom community is strong and family like in the children and teachers supporting and caring for one another.

Child Develops at his Own Pace The “five year old” who isn't reading yet is not labelled as “behind” in a multiage classroom. He is able to develop at his own pace and within the range of typical development (3 to 6 years old for language, for example) without feeling inadequate.

The child has years to develop, rather than a shorter amount of time under loads of pressure, thereby allowing the child to progress and succeed according to his ability.

The child sees himself as a unique individual able to learn as he needs to learn.

Child Led Learning Environment A child in a multiage classroom is able to develop over time within a supportive community according to his ability. As a result, he is able to lead his own learning. He is able to take control of his learning, to own it. The result is a lifelong love of learning. The child discovers reading, writing, math, science, geography, and so on his own. That is powerful.

Find out the Big Deal with the "Montessori Lesson"

Top 10 Questions Parents Ask About Montessori OK, Parents: you’ve got questions, we’ve got answers!

Age of Montessori understands that as a parent, you’ve got some important decisions to make. And that means you’re going to have some important questions. Parents need the facts in order to make the best choices for their children, and we’d like to help. In the words of Maria Montessori: “The universe is an imposing reality and an answer to all questions. We shall walk together on this path of life, for all things are part of the universe and are connected with each other to form one whole unity.”

So here’s the reality regarding some of the most mystifying facets of the Montessori Method of education. If you have a question that isn’t answered here, feel free to leave it in the Comments section and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can! So here we go…

Question #1: Isn’t Montessori Education Only for the Elite?

Many people consider Montessori’s educational method to be exclusively for the elite or wealthy. This misconception likely originated in the 1950s and 1960s, a time when few children attended preschool, and public schools rarely parents questions Montessori www.ageofmontessori.org offered kindergarten. During this time, expensive private schools were usually the only option for an early education. Truth is, the pioneering educational method developed by Maria Montessori has a far more humble beginning

Question #2: According to Montessori, You Should Never Tell Children What to Do/Not to Do, Right?

The misconception that Montessori children are always allowed to do “whatever they want” is a common one. In truth, discipline is an integral part of every Montessori classroom, with the ultimate goal to teach children to regulate themselves. It is important to understand that self-discipline is not a skill that is learned overnight; rather it is the result of many years of development.

Question #3: Do Montessori Schools Discourage Children from Using their Imaginations?

Many parents have heard that Montessori schools discourage the use of creativity, fantasy, and imagination. This is an unfortunate and inaccurate generalization of what Maria Montessori was actually teaching us. She did not discourage children from engaging in make-believe play. Rather, she observed that children under the age of six parents questions Montessori www.ageofmontessori.orgpreferred “real” to fantasy when given the choice. She watched as, time after time, young children chose cleaning, cooking, and other practical life activities over fantasy play.

Question #4: Will my Child Learn Social Skills in the Montessori Classroom?

The Montessori Method does foster independence through individual work.

Children under six years old often choose to spend much of their time working by themselves. However, the Montessori Method also places great importance on the strong development of social skills.

Montessori schools teach children how to be courteous, polite, and respectful according to the customs of their local culture. This part of the Montessori program is called “grace and courtesy.” Every school day, Montessori students practice things like proper greetings, using “please” and “thank you” and making eye contact while speaking.

Daily group time allows children to learn listening skills, turn-taking, and following directions. Children in the Montessori setting are encouraged to express their feelings politely and to show respect toward adults and peers. In fact, respect is a big part of the classroom environment. Children are spoken to respectfully and taught to value one another, teachers, parents, and their environment. By treating them with the esteem they deserve, children learn to behave considerately toward others

Question #5: How Will My Child Adjust to Traditional School after being in a Montessori School?

One of the most common questions parents ask is how will my child fare when he or she transitions from Montessori school into traditional parents questions Montessori www.ageofmontessori.orgschool? Whether it be kindergarten, college or somewhere inbetween, most Montessori students will eventually switch to another type of school.

Parents worry that children accustomed to learning through the Montessori Method will struggle to adapt in different schools and classrooms. The truth of the matter is that everyone’s life involves change. And this is actually a good thing, as long as you are equipped with the necessary coping tools and skills…

Question #6: Montessori Works Only for Preschool-age Children, Right?

Many people are under the impression that older children need a more conventional model of education, and that a Montessori education doesn’t work after preschool. This likely comes from a lack of understanding all that the Montessori Method really encompasses.

Other myths about Montessori can also feed this belief, myths such as: “Montessori children do whatever they want,” or “Montessori does not prepare children for the real world.” I am happy to report that none of this is true. On the contrary, the Montessori Method is all about meeting the changing needs of each individual child at every age and stage in his or her development.

Question #7: What Are “The Four Avenues of Learning?”

I have heard Montessori teachers refer to “The Four Avenues of parents questions Montessori www.ageofmontessori.orgLearning”; what are these four avenues and how will my child benefit from this teaching method? The Montessori Method for very young children (ages 2½-6 years) is structured around four main avenues of learning: Practical Life Sensorial Development Development of Language Early Preparation of the Mathematical Mind

Question #8: What Do You Mean by “Normalization?”

In the right environment, children will engage in lessons of their own choosing.

They will naturally find their inner teacher or innate desire to learn. Parents and teachers can help guide children toward tasks that foster skills such as concentration and selfdiscipline . The child, after a period of intense focus, will “emerge” seeming particularly content and peaceful. This is the process that Montessori called “normalization.”

Question #9: Is There Such a Thing as Montessori for Elementary School-aged Children?

Many people are under the impression that Montessori schools are only for preschoolaged children. While it is true that the very first Montessori school, Casa dei Bambini, was established for children under the age of seven, Dr. parents questions Montessori www.ageofmontessori.org Montessori Elementary - Intro to the Cosmic Plan Maria Montessori continued throughout her life to develop her teaching method for children of all ages.

Question #10: I’ve Heard that Montessori Schools Don’t Have Textbooks, Homework, or Even Grades. Can This Be True?

It is true that Montessori classrooms do not emphasize the use of textbooks, grades, or homework.

This is because Montessori students are encouraged to take ownership of their own learning. This is an essential step in fostering the child’s natural, in-borne desire to soak up knowledge. Why take this approach, you ask? Because children who are internallymotivated are far more likely to become responsible, self-disciplined, confident, initiative-takers, with strong academic skills and a lifelong love for learning. This is the key to education as it should be: to teach the way children really learn

BONUS Question: I Am Not A Teacher; How Would Learning the Montessori Method Benefit Me? In a nutshell: learning the Montessori Method is beneficial to parents (and grandparents) because you will gain insight into how your child’s mind works and how she really learns. With this understanding, you will have a greater awareness of what children need to thrive academically, emotionally, and spiritually. Adults can also benefit from Montessori’s teachings through their own personal and spiritual growth.

Independence

By Maren Schmidt from Kids Talk We are raising adults, not children.

Our job as parents (and parent support systems) is to guide our children to complete independence.

Little by little, day by day, we help our children develop skills and take on more responsibility until they can run at full speed on their own two feet.

Unfortunately, it is often easier for us to do skill-building jobs ourselves or hire someone to do it, than to teach our children these skills.

If we don’t teach skills, how can we expect our children to act with responsibility, or “respond with ability� when opportunity knocks?

When we allow our children to be coddled too long, we help create adults without clear direction and who have a failure to take on the challenges of adulthood. We even have a popular phrase for this phenomenon, failure to launch.

A three-year old is able to do a multitude of tasks independently when given the tools and environment to do so. Three-year-olds should be able to dress themselves, get themselves a drink, fix a simple snack, wash hands and face, brush teeth, and much more.

In order to dress themselves children require several considerations. Clothes should be easy to put on and off, for example, t-shirts and pants with no zippers or buttons. Shoes with Velcro fasteners are helpful for self-dressing, though for five-year-olds shoelaces to learn to tie are important. Tags in back of clothing can help avoid backwards dressing. Sets of clothes grouped together help choosing an outfit easier. Low shelves or hanging rods help a child get clothes without adult help. Of course, a hamper or basket helps establish a habit of putting dirty clothes away and not on the floor.

Children can pour themselves a drink of water if glasses are placed in a low cabinet and a small pitcher of water is available on a tray placed on a low table. A child-sized table in your kitchen with a pitcher of water available along with a lesson or two on how to pour will be of great help to your child.

Preparing a snack or sandwich are other activities that children can do in their quest for independence. Small jars of crackers on low shelves can help your child prepare his or her snack and eat it at the child-sized table in your kitchen. Peanut butter in small jars (think pimento jars) and a small canapĂŠ knife can help your child make peanut butter crackers or a sandwich.

Place a slice of bread in a sandwich bag or plastic sandwich container for easy availability.

A step stool in the bathroom or kitchen can help your child wash hands and face, as well as brush teeth independently. Washcloths work as child-sized hand towels, and a basket full of washcloths by the sink can make hand washing inviting.

Be an adult raising an adult. Help your child attain independence by providing tools and an environment that promote independence.

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What To Expect When You’re Expecting a Teenager

By Elizabeth Spencer

When I was expecting my babies, I never got too attached to books telling me what I was getting myself into.

TEENAGERS AND PARENTS I appreciated some of their practical advice, but they lost me with warnings like, “You may crave sweets, but be sure to limit your splurges to a scoop of frozen yogurt once or twice throughout your pregnancy.” It made me want to run straight for the cookies-and-cream, and yes I would like hot fudge sauce and whipped cream and a cherry, thanks very much.

All of which is just a round-about way of saying that I’m not going to try to tell anyone what life will definitively be like when their baby turns into a teenager. Consider this instead a guide to what it could be like. Unless it’s like something else.

Either way, you might want to stock up on ice cream.

What to Expect When You’re Expecting a Teenager •

You can expect to be amazed, frustrated, thrilled, bewildered, delighted, and infuriated by your teen, often all within the same 24 hours.

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Your teen may be happy, sad, moody, agreeable, relaxed, and edgy, often all within the same 24 hours. (Possibly all before 9 a.m.)

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You can expect the unexpected.

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You will love your teen even when you don’t particularly like her.

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And your teen will love you, even when he doesn’t particularly like you.

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Expect to blame a lot on the hormones.

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You will need patience like you’ve never needed it before.

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Expect to have a lot of conversations via text.

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When you’re the parent of a teen, you can expect to start keeping track of every activity your teen does that in any way shows leadership or initiative or community service, in case it might someday turn into a college scholarship.

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You can expect to want to hold on.

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And expect that you will have to let go.

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You can expect to never have any cash on hand.

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You will wonder what version of your teen is going to show up on any given morning.

Expect to choose your words carefully.

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You will think that your teen is one of the most amazing people you know.

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Parenting a teen means scrolling right past social media posts about college visits and graduation party ideas because you don’t have to worry about those until later…and then to realize that “later” is now.

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Expect to be inspired.

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And then stretched.

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When you’re baby becomes a teen, you can expect to always be running out of groceries.

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You will wonder if and how you’re going to make it through.

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You can expect to want to slow time down.

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Expect to cheer.

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And to cry.

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When you’re parenting a teenager, expect to listen.

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Expect to think that having a teenage driver is expensive and terrifying but that if you have a good one, it’s also pretty much the best thing no one ever talks about.

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Anticipate that you didn’t expect to feel this tired at this stage of the game.

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When you’re the parent of a teen, you can expect to be bursting with pride.

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You can expect to look back on the years when your son or daughter was little with nostalgia and longing.

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You can expect to be excited about the future.

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And know you will spend a lot of time waiting.

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You will feel your entire life has become an acronym: SSN, SAT, GPA, FAFSA. (SOS.)

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Expect to worry.

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And although you are a parent to a teen, you will still feel like you have absolutely no idea what you’re doing.

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You can expect to think that no one talks about how hard this is.

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Or that no one talks about how amazing this is.

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You can expect to redefine “special occasion” as any night when everyone in the family is eating dinner together at the same time in the same place.

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You can expect to always be checking off a list.

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Finally, you give up on the idea that you’ll ever be caught up on the laundry (or, really, anything else).

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Know that you will love your teen’s true friends like they’re your own kids.

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But you will always be paying for something.

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You can expect to look at your teenager and still see the toddler she was ten minutes and a lifetime ago.

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When you’re the parent of a teen, you can expect to automatically answer “busy” when someone asks how you are. Which will be a little cliché but also true.

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You can expect to have your heart broken and built up.

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And you can expect to be hit over and over again by a love so fierce, you never could have expected it.

Elizabeth Spencer is mom to two teenage daughters. When she’s not avoiding housework by spending time on her blog, Guilty Chocoholic Mama, or on Facebook, she plays the piano badly, bakes chocolate-chip cookies, and tries to keep up her lone talent of being able to stand on her head.

How to Talk to Your Kids About Death When your child asks about death, it's often difficult to find the right answer. Providing a safe space that allows kids to explore their feelings can help ease anxieties—for both them and yourself.

By Heather Grimes

Death is everywhere. The lifeless bugs on the windowsill. The dead mouse in the crawl space.

My preschooler, Opal, started plying me with questions when she was four. “Were you the one who died that mouse?” Or, “Do you think that moth knows he’s dead?” Cute out-of-themouths-of-babes comments tossed off as she buzzed on to her next activity. I’d gotten used to her frank, unemotional curiosity about death, but when her questions shifted from light banter to a source of terror, I was caught completely off-guard.

It happened just before her fifth birthday. She and her dad, Jesse, were settled on the couch with a copy of The Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly, a book we’d read to her a dozen times. She swallowed the spider to catch the fly. / I don’t know why she swallowed the fly. / Perhaps she’ll die. Opal suddenly started to cry and said, “When I die, will I still be with you and Mommy?”

Jesse scooped our daughter into his arms and held her as she sobbed into his shoulder. “We love you. We’ll take care of you. We love you,” he assured her.

The next day was filled with more questions, increasing in urgency. Over breakfast, Opal asked, “Mommy, do you still eat when you die?”

I tried to keep my tone matter-of-fact, the way I always had. “No, honey, your body doesn’t need food anymore when you die.”

“It doesn’t? Can you see?”

“No, honey, you can’t see anymore, either.”

At this point in the past, she would have lost interest and moved on to hugging the dog or arranging her stuffed animals on her bed. But not now. “Then how will I know where to find you guys when I die?” The look in her eyes swung to terror and confusion. Then came a rushing stream of tears.

Oh dear, I thought to myself, what have I done? Not only that, I wondered how I, a seasoned mindfulness practitioner, could be so flummoxed by questions about death—the exploration of which is an important part of my practice?

It didn’t matter. I realized I was no more prepared to answer Opal’s questions than many parents of young children, meditators or not. Several other mothers I spoke to with kids around Opal’s age were as confused as I was. One mom told me that her son hasn’t asked about death yet, but she has no idea what she’ll say when he does. Another woman said her daughter is under the impression that “death is something that happens when you are very old, and we’ve just kind of let that assumption ride for now.”

As it turns out, these moms and I are not alone in our confusion about how to talk to our children about death. Former hospice chaplain Joseph Primo, president of the National Alliance for Grieving Children and author of What Do We Tell the Children?, told me that the discomfort and befuddlement so many of us feel is common in our Western culture. “The fact that parents have to ask that question is really a symptom of a much bigger problem,” he explained. “It’s been multiple generations since we’ve been able to talk about death and dying in an open, healthy, constructive way.” This, he adds, despite the fact that death happens to every single living creature.

What’s more, Primo said, this state of affairs is really unfortunate for kids. “As a result, they wind up making sense of death and loss on their own, when the subject could be a way for adults to give them the tools and resources they need to explore their world, to imagine their life, and to begin wrestling with this part of the human condition.”

When Opal started asking me about death, I didn’t want to lie to her or overlook the fresh wound of her concern. But I didn’t want to cause her nightmares either. I navigated her questions with simple, generic responses and lengthy hugs until I was able to get a better grasp on how to respond.

I began by researching kids’ books on the subject, including Lifetimes by David Rice, and The Fall of Freddie the Leaf by Leo Buscaglia. Both stories focus on the cyclical nature of life. “We all fear what we don’t know,” The Fall of Freddie the Leaf tells us. “Yet, you were not afraid when spring became summer. They were natural changes. Why should you be afraid of the season of death?”

Not a bad start, still I needed more. I needed to know what information was appropriate for Opal’s age group so that I could answer her questions with confidence instead of panic.

Keep It Concrete “School-aged kids don’t do well with symbolism and metaphors,” advised Joe Soma, a psychologist in Boulder, Colorado. “They need concrete details. It’s best to explain death in simple, scientific terms. Everything lives and dies. The trees and animals have to die to make room for new things to be born.”

“But what if saying that makes Opal even more afraid?” I asked.

“You can acknowledge her fear and tell her that adults feel scared, too,” he said. “But always bring it back around to something concrete like, ‘What did you do to take care of your body today?’”

Opal’s first reprieve from death-angst came during a trip to the farm with friends, days into her questioning. Animals and nature were just the ticket; she didn’t mention death for hours. Her daddy and I had talked to her about the cycles-of-life earlier that morning when we found her crying in the bathroom, toothbrush dangling from her lips. She seemed to take in our words, to understand death and rebirth in her five-year-old way. At the farm, I pointed out the baby pig and the fresh leaves on the trees. New life. But, on our way home, in the vulnerable place of post-play emptiness, she whispered, “Mommy, I’m thinking about it again.”

When we returned, Opal took stock of the life spans of everything in the house. “The fish will live the shortest. No, the plants will. Then the dog will die next, then the cat.” She paused to brush a clump of bangs from her eye. “You and daddy are next, right? But not for a long, long time, right, mama?”

Perhaps Opal was trying to escape thoughts of her own death by assembling lists of things she felt she understood. Mommy and Daddy are at the end of the list. The fish, the cat and the dog have to die before we even think of Mommy and Daddy dying. It’s almost as if those names and that list had the power to stave off death for Mommy, Daddy and Opal. Especially if repeated aloud.

Like Joe Soma, New York City psychologist— and my uncle—Richard Zuckerberg also stressed the importance of using concrete details when talking to kids about death. Moreover, he said, sometimes questions that seem to be about death are really about separation, about losing Mommy and Daddy. He thought this might be the case when I mentioned that Opal had been unusually volatile in the weeks leading up to her pressing questions.

He suggested I use concrete details to reassure her by saying, “I understand that you are worried, but remember how we came back after school today? We’ll always come back. We are taking good care of ourselves and plan to live a very long time, but if something ever happens to us, you will be totally cared for.”

I expected those words to breed more fear in Opal, but I was pleasantly surprised. Instead, she wanted to know who would take care of her. I recited a long list of friends and relatives who would be there for her, no matter what. I could see her taking in the names, one by one, as if she were using them to weave a huge safety net around herself.

Model Emotional Intelligence In my quest for answers, I met with Michele Bourgeois, an educator, social worker, and school counselor in Lyons, Colorado, who teaches yoga, mindful breathing, singing, and art to elementary school children. She believes that, “If you give kids many avenues of expression on an average day, you are laying the groundwork for them to have ways in which to process grief when the need arises.”

Joseph Primo pointed out that, “If our end game is to prepare children for life and to give them the tools they need to be resourceful, empathic beings, then we are required to model warmth, encouragement, and a willingness to not know, yet to be present. We want our kids to know that they can tackle all things when they are surrounded by people who love them,” he said.

When Death Is a Reality So far my talks with Opal were about death in the abstract. But I couldn’t help wondering what to say when she experiences the death of someone close to her. Her 92-year-old Papa Jack and our grumpy but sweet old cat, Gilda, are beloved members of our family nearing the end of their lives.

Joseph Primo offered some guidelines: “The D-word is critical, not ‘passing away.’ To help children understand ‘deadness,’ they need language and facts to imagine it and to wrestle with it.” He added that metaphors and commonplaces can be incorporated into the conversation if they’re important to you, but that’s not the best place to start.

He also recommended saying essentially the same things to a five-year-old as you’d say to a 10year-old or a teenager. “Name the specific disease or reason for dying, otherwise the child will imagine something worse,” he advised. “Give enough information to help the child understand the situation and what’s happening. That’s the ultimate goal. Then pause, create the space for her to process, to explore, to ask questions. Prioritize how many facts you give. See how the child responds, then say more, depending on what they’re looking for.” Chances are, you won’t go into the same kind of detail with a five-year-old as you will with older children, since younger kids are less able to absorb a lot of information.

When I asked Primo if he could provide me with a specific list of things to say to different age groups, he told me he couldn’t, emphasizing that every situation is different, as is every child.

“There’s a lot of room for judgment calls, and parents making choices with what they’re most comfortable with at the time,” he said. “Ultimately the parent knows the child best, so they have to trust their instincts.” However, letting the child know that their feelings are normal is key. “There’s plenty of room for anger, sadness and confusion,” he added. “Create a space where they can safely discharge their emotions without judgment.”

“So I didn’t traumatize my child that morning over breakfast when I told her that dead people don’t see?” I asked him.

“Hardly,” he replied. “Parents need to be OK with their child being scared and uncertain. Often, it’s not about us providing them with the answers, as much as creating the space for them to explore their own feelings.”

My friend Misty Lebowitz is one of the moms I spoke to during the course of my research. She learned the importance of telling children the truth about death the hard way. When her own father died when she was just 14, no one in her family talked to her about it, leaving her heartbroken and confused. So when her sons’ grandfather was diagnosed with cancer when the boys were eight and 12, Misty delivered the news straight. “Your grandfather has cancer,” she told them. “The doctor said he would live only for a few more months. He loves you, but he doesn’t want any visitors. So let’s make him some videos to tell him we love him.” Misty set up the video camera and gave the boys privacy to express themselves. “There were a lot of tears after Grandpa died,” she told me, “but at least we knew the boys were aware of what was going on.”

Two years later, she recounted, the family’s beloved dog, Maddox, died unexpectedly late one night. She was rushed to the vet, but nothing could be done to save her. Misty insisted on waking up the boys so they could see their dog before she died. “My mom told me I was crazy,” she said, “but I knew it would be worse if Maddox just vanished.” The boys got to hold her and kiss her before she took her last breath. “They were grateful to get to say goodbye to her and to see that she wasn’t in pain,” Misty said. Months later, her 14-year-old son wrote a heartwrenching poem about Maddox, and the grief and loneliness he felt without her. He read it to his entire school.

Still, I wondered, what about kids and funerals? Should we take them or not?

In What Do We Tell the Children?, Primo writes, “Funerals can help kids do their grief work if the children themselves have a voice and a choice.” He explains that some kids will not want to attend, which is fine as long as they have the information they need to make that decision. But if children think they’d like to go, it’s important for parents to let them know exactly what to expect.

He elaborates: “The majority of children, however, will want to be there every step of the way.

And they will want to talk about it, explore the meaning of it, question the process, and revisit the ritual in the future.” On the other hand, he says, kids who are not involved in the process may harbor resentments and feelings of exclusion well into adulthood.

Primo recalls a story of a little girl who, at three, requested to hold the body of her newborn brother, who had died of complications during birth. Her mother honored her request. “She held him tight, kissing his forehead over and over. Then she returned him to the table and asked, ‘Mom, can we go get ice cream now?’”

Luckily, the subject of death continues to be hypothetical for Opal. Not long ago she brought it up again while I was slipping a sundress over her head, but her tone was far less anguished than before. Her focus had shifted, too, from the act of dying to what happens afterward. “So,” she said, as if re-visiting a topic to review for an exam, “tell me what happens after you die.”

“People believe different things happen when you die, sweetie. We believe that even though your body stops working, your spirit…” I paused, knowing she was not familiar with the word spirit. “Love, your love continues to live on in another body. We believe you are born again. And all the goodness you create in this life will follow you to your next life.”

Opal smiled. “So,” she said, “we come back as babies? I love babies. They are so cute! It’s like all of our hearts are connected by a rainbow. One long thread of a rainbow. I get it now.”

Later that day, she strolled into the kitchen after watching one of her favorite cartoons and announced, “It’s time for me to have a sister! How do we get one, Mommy, pleeaase!?”

I looked up from my computer, took a long sip of tea and thought to myself, wait—can’t we talk about death?

This article also appeared in the October 2015 issue of Mindful magazine.

The Particular Joy of Being a Grandparent

By Jim Sollisch

I have raised five children. But I have never felt this pure, unfettered happiness.

I never thought I could hold a baby for an hour — my head a few inches from hers, hanging on every sigh, waiting intently for the next scrunch of her lips or arch of her barely visible eyebrows — perfectly happy, an idiot entranced by a magic trick. But there I was on my granddaughter Avery’s first day of life, so happy I didn’t recognize myself.

I have raised children. Five of them. I have held my own babies in their first minutes of life; I have felt that shock of recognition — this is a version of me. I have kvelled (a Yiddish word meaning a giddy mixture of pride and joy) at the things my babies did that all babies do.

But I have never felt this thing that stopped my brain, that put all plans on hold, that rendered me dumb.

O.K., I’ve had glimpses of this thing. But this was my first uninterrupted hour of it.

In the first moments of my own children’s lives, I couldn’t turn my brain off. When will we be able to leave the hospital? Is his skin sort of yellow? Will she take to the nipple?

Did my brother feed our dog like he was supposed to? Should I get my parents from the waiting room now? Does my wife need another blanket? Does the baby look like her brothers? Does she look like a Zoey?

And more existential concerns: What the hell were we thinking?

Becoming a father was a lot like becoming a German shepherd if German shepherds were capable of constantly calculating the risks of SIDS and peanut allergies.

When my second child, Max, came, I should have been more relaxed. After all, Zack had somehow managed to live till his third birthday. But whenever I held Max, whenever I started to get lost in his impossibly perfect newness, I’d remember that his older brother might at this very instant be about to fall off a bookcase and split his head open, which is exactly what he did a few weeks after Max was born.

Worry, vigilance — these are the things that keep us from experiencing rapture. These are also the things that keep children alive.

But that’s not my job with Avery. It’s her parents’ job.

I worked part time for the first two years of my firstborn’s life. I got to spend a lot of time with Zack. He had terrible colic. I became a one-armed man:

Oh, I’m sure I’ll have lots of chances to exercise my highly advanced worrying skills, but I will always be the second line of defense, a bench player. Her parents will watch her sleep and weigh the newest research on side sleeping versus back sleeping. They will never have a moment as free as that first hour I had with her.

By the time he was 2 months old, I could do almost any task with Zack cradled face down in the crook of my arm, where his own weight applied constant, soothing pressure to his sputtering digestive tract.

But in keeping her alive, they will become fully alive. They will feel the awesome power of joy tinged with vulnerability. Only when you have everything to lose, do you have everything.

Then the ear infections started. One night when he was 4 months old and had a high fever, I went to check on him in his crib. His face had a bluish cast, and it appeared he wasn’t breathing. The paramedics assured us that it was just a febrile seizure, benign, except for the permanent heart damage it causes parents.

That’s what parenting teaches you.

Now that I am a grandparent, I look forward to learning more about this other kind of joy.

Sure, I spent time staring at Zack’s beautiful sleeping face. But my joy was always crowded by more questions, namely, “What are you going to throw at us next, little guy?”

Article courtesy of The New York Times.

Follow The New York Times Opinion section on Facebook and Twitter (@NYTopinion), and sign up for the Opinion Today newsletter.

Jim Sollisch is a creative director at Marcus Thomas Advertising in Cleveland, Ohio.

Conscious Life Magazine

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Conscious Life Magazine

by Dan Scotti A lot of companies are now encouraging naps.

That’s a direct quote from Michael Breus, clinical psychologist and sleep specialist whose research might catch you napping on the benefits of light sleep throughout your workday.

According to Breus, a 25- to 30-minute nap during your work day can help you feel energized and alert for more sustained periods, and companies are buying into it.

As Breus explains: Google and AOL, among many others, are beginning to accommodate their sleepy workforces with special “sleep rooms.”

These rooms designed solely to be napped in are becoming increasingly available to employees, not because of the notion that “employees are lazy,” but on behalf of a

recent surge in scientific data linking naps with productivity.

I, for one, have always been a major proponent of “workplace napping.”

It’s been that way ever since I saw George Costanza sneak a pillow to the office so he could sleep under his desk. I mean, for a young snoozer like myself, he revolutionized the game. Come to think of it, Costanza really paved the way.

By the time I got to high school, I was hitting Conscious Life Magazine

naps in the back of class with more regularity than I was the books. No joke. It was 11th grade — I remember distinctly.

I was playing football (yes, tackle football), chasing honeys, experimenting recreationally with marijuana and alcohol — you know, typical high-school-dude sh*t – so, naturally, I was perpetually tired.

In order to catch up on some much needed sleep, I started napping for like 20 minutes in the back of my Spanish class. I figured of all the classes for me to nap in, why not opt for the one that’s spoken entirely in language I can’t really understand?

It worked great, or so I thought, until my parents met with my Spanish teacher for one of those dreaded parent-teacher conferences. When my parents got home, following the meeting, they were mortified.

OMG, Dan. WE DIDN’T RAISE YOU TO SLEEP IN CLASS. THAT’S DISRESPECTFUL. YADA, YADA, YADA. I mean, I didn’t intend for any disrespect. I was just tired, and napping made me less tired. It was rather simple arithmetic. I wasn’t trying to curve my teacher in the slightest.

Anyways, after my parents met with my Spanish teacher a SECOND time, during the follow-up meeting a few weeks later, they returned home with a much different disposition. They were glowing.

DAN. NOW, THAT’S THE SON I RAISED. YOUR TEACHER SAID YOU DIDN’T FALL ASLEEP ONCE SINCE LAST MEETING. MUCHAS GRACIAS. WE’RE SO PROUD. YADA, YADA, YADA.

Little did they know that I was still sleeping.

Oh, I was sleeping, all right. Arguably with

even more vigor. But, wait, here’s the best part: Ironically, like a day or two after that first meeting, it was Daylight’s Savings Time, so the clocks fell behind an hour.

My body clock had been so trained to nap at the same time, every f*cking day, that my circadian rhythms were conditioned to falling asleep for like 20 minutes at 12:35 pm. While the clocks’ might’ve gotten moved back, my body clock certainly didn’t get the memo, and thankfully so.

Instead of napping in Spanish class, I now fell asleep exactly ONE hour earlier, during chemistry (the period before). Sadly, THIS issue didn’t get resolved until second semester, in the spring, when the clocks ultimately “sprung ahead.”

Needless to say, I’ve been advocating the end of nap-shaming long before Michael Breus – although I probably would’ve benefitted from one of those sleep rooms.

Regardless, I’m overjoyed with the recent onslaught of research in our favor.

In a recent article by Teresa Meek of Forbes, more light has been shed on the perks of shuteye during the workday. I recommend you check it out before checking out entirely.

Naps will settle your worktime nerves.

Once again, the key to all our problems seemingly comes down to our good friend cortisol. Cortisol is essentially the stress hormone, which, yeah, explains why I write about it so frequently.

Anyways, according to Mandy Oaklander of Prevention, napping for only 15 minutes during the workday can cut your cortisol levels in half! Didn’t get a great night of sleep before the day of a big presentation, and now you’re starting to get butterflies in your Conscious Life Magazine

stomach? Try sneaking a quick nap in during lunch. You’ll feel less stressed as soon as you wake up — just don’t forget to set your alarm.

Naps prevent “worker burnout” According to ABC News, Harvard researchers proved the existence of “worker burnout,” or the decrease in productivity of an employee as the day wears on.

To gauge the impact of napping on worker burnout, these Harvard researchers conducted a study incorporating naps in between intervals of labor.

Findings showed that a 30-minute nap improved the productivity of workers immediately after the nap – and a onehour nap could actually boost performance well into the latter stages of the workday.

Just make sure you don’t nap TOO long.

It’s important to pay attention to the length of your midday naps. In the case of dozing off during the workday, less is more.

While you might think opting for a double lunch provides the perfect scenario for a “double dose of NyQuil”– so you can come back utterly rejuvenated for your afternoon work – think again.

According to Breus, optimal nap durations are between 25-30 minutes. If you sleep for longer than 30 minutes, make sure you complete a full sleep cycle, which is 90 minutes. If not, you’ll find yourself waking up groggier than you were before the nap.

Conscious Life Magazine

Curing Acne Naturally Is It Really Possible?

by Nina Geraghty for BaoCare

Acne vulgaris, the term for a group of skin conditions that causes most acne symptoms, is the 8th most common disease in the world affecting more than 633 million people globally. It’s a long-term skin disease which occurs when hair follicles are clogged with dead skin cells and sebum and primarily affects skin with a relatively high number of oil glands i.e.: the face, upper chest and back.

You know you have acne if you have any of the following symptoms: • blackheads or whiteheads (also known as comedones) occur when debris gets trapped in the follicle • pimples (papules and pustules - the technical name for pimples) which cause small or medium sized bumps on the skin that are round, red and don’t always have a visible “head”) • cysts or nodules which are inflamed • excessively oily skin • scarring from squeezing or scratching acne pimples.

There are different types of acne: • non-inflammatory acne (whiteheads, blackheads but not cysts or nodules) • inflammatory acne – usually caused by infections due to excessive growth of the bacterium Propionibacterium acnes.

• cystic acne (also called nodulocystic acne (an intense form of acne that results in large inflamed cysts and nodules) The main causes of acne are thought to be: • inflammation and infection of the sebaceous glands of the skin as a result of clogged pores, caused by excess oil Conscious Life Magazine

• •

production and dead skin cells.

Bacterial overgrowth of Propionibacterium acnes.

Hormone fluctuations or imbalances which is why acne is most often seen in teens and young adults, especially women experiencing PMS, irregular periods, pregnancy, early menopause, and other hormonal conditions such as poly-cystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

Treatment of Acne Conventional methods of dealing with acne include prescription medications such as Acutane, antibiotics, birth control pills and heavy-duty skin cleansers with Benzoyl peroxide and Salicyclic acid. All of these can have unwanted side effects, with the cleansers also having a strong drying effect on the skin.

If conventional methods have been unsuccessful, we encourage you to consider taking a natural approach to healing acne.

There’s promising evidence that natural solutions can be extremely effective.

Acne Skin Care Let’s look at a 4-step skin care routine with some suggestions that may surprise you.

replacing the dirty oil with beneficial ones extracted from natural botanicals, vegetables and fruit that heal, protect and nourish your skin. When done properly and consistently, the OCM (Oil Cleansing Method) can clear the skin from issues like oily skin, dry skin, sensitive skin, blackheads, whiteheads and other problems caused by mild to moderate acne– while leaving your skin healthy, balanced and properly moisturized.’

See Wellness Mama’s excellent article on how to use OCM with botanical oils for acne here.

2. Toning Apple cider vinegar can be used externally for cystic acne. Dab a Q-tip in raw apple cider vinegar and then onto your cysts. This should be done twice a day. You can also make a 50/50 dilution of water to apple cider vinegar and use it as a toner.

For this to be effective, you need to use raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar that includes the ‘mother’. The ‘mother’ is the substance which ferments the apple cider into vinegar and comprises beneficial healing bacteria, enzymes and acids. It is the ‘mother’ which gives raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar its characteristic cloudy appearance.

3. Topical Tips

1. Cleansing To suggest cleansing with oils seems counterintuitive given that acne is often associated with an over-production of sebum. However, even Acne.org promotes the idea persuasively, explaining it this way: ‘Fact: Oil dissolves oil. One of the most basic principles of chemistry is that “like dissolves like.” The best way to dissolve a non-polar solvent like sebum/oil, is by using another non-polar solvent similar in composition: Other oils. By using the right oils, you can cleanse your pores of dirt and bacteria naturally, gently and effectively, while

Lavender essential oil can be applied to acne cysts with a q-tip several times a day. Most people can tolerate lavender essential oil neat (without diluting) If you find the oil to be too strong, dilute it with some coconut oil or castor oil first.

Tea tree essential oil can be a very powerful all natural remedy for acne, as it is antibacterial. To apply it, mix a small amount (5 to 10 drops) in a 1/4 cup water. Dip a cotton ball into the mixture and apply it to your skin. You can reapply throughout the day or leave it on under your makeup Conscious Life Magazine

Raw,unfiltered honey can be used topically for cystic acne a couple of times a day. Honey is a wonderful "medicine" because of its strong antiseptic and antibacterial effects.

Moisturise!

Contrary to popular belief, acne-prone skin still needs to be moisturised. It’s well established that acne can only heal if the skin is sufficiently hydrated. However, great care needs to be taken in choosing a moisturiser that won’t irritate and further inflame already traumatised skin.

Baobab oil This nourishing amber-gold oil is cold pressed from the seeds of the baobab fruit pod. It’s a rare, naturally light oil which doesn’t clog pores and absorbs rapidly without leaving a greasy residue. Baobab oil has a unique fatty acid profile with exceptional quantities of Omega 6 and 9, helping to retain moisture and regenerate new skin cells. It’s also particularly recommended for healing scar tissue.

Linoleic acid is a natural component of sebum and plays a significant role in strengthening the lipid barrier of the epidermis and normalising skin metabolism. Applying it to problem skin can result in improved sebaceous gland function and the prevention of acne formation. A recent study on baobab oil shows that it has high levels of linoleic acid making it an excellent therapeutic choice for acne.

Coconut Oil Coconut oil can be an excellent moisturizer for acne-prone skin. A study found that lauric acid found in coconut oil demonstrates the strongest bacterial activity against acne caused by bacteria.

Rosehip oil Rosehip oil is full of essential fatty acids (80 percent omegas 3 and 6), which work exceptionally well to calm and soothe skin, while also helping treat scars and uneven skin tone.

Conscious Life Magazine

Evening Primrose Oil Acne-prone skin is deficient in linoleic acid and it is this deficiency which triggers pore-clogging and leads to acne and breakouts. Clogged pores are a perfect environment for bacterial growth which leads to inflammation. Evening Primrose oil contains exceptionally high levels of linoleic acid making it an excellent product for helping to resolve acne.

Ultimately, as the acne project says, curing acne is not a product, it’s a process. Everybody’s experience with acne is different and there isn’t a single solution that works for everyone. It’s likely, however, that at least one of the solutions we’ve proposed above could turn out to be exactly what you need. Experiment with what works best for you – acne can be cured naturally!

References: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18456568 https://wellnessmama.com/26504/natural-remedies-acne/ https://draxe.com/home-remedies-for-acne/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acne https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/eat-your-way-fabulous-skin https://www.faithful-to-nature.co.za/blog/natural-solutions-for-problem-skin/ http://www.clearskinforever.net/aloe-acne-does-aloe-really-help-acne/ http://theacneproject.com/best-moisturizers-for-acne-prone-skin/ file:///C:/Users/Nina/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/16A0SAGY/Komane%20et%20al% 202017%20Beauty%20in%20Baobab%20a%20pilot%20study%20of%20the%20safety%20and%20efficacy%20of%20Adan sonia%20digitata%20seed%20oil.pdf https://www.healthyskinglows.com/prevent-breakouts-future-acne/ http://www.minimalistbeauty.com/oils-specifically-for-acne-prone-skin/

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Conscious Life Magazine

By Down To Earth

Warm clothes protect your body from the effects of winter. What protects your skin?

When the temperature drops, humidity tends to drop with it and your skin dehydrates. Dehydrated skin becomes vulnerable to flaking and cracking, especially the hands and face. You need to give your skin a defence against the elements.

The good news is that you can tackle most winter skin problems with the simple act of regular moisturising. We explore how it can help prevent and assist with some common winter skin conditions.

The sensitive area around the nose Does the skin around your nose become irritated during winter?

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The winter months may bring on a runny nose and constant wiping can cause red and flaky skin. In severe cases an inflammatory rash can develop. It is important to keep the thin skin around the nose clean and hygienic, as well as moisturised.

Clear Skin Gel is the perfect solution to treat broken and damaged skin around the nose. It is a soothing and purifying antimicrobial gel and uses a blend of healing plant extracts to calm inflammation while moisturising the skin.

Cold sores Has winter weather triggered cold cores?

Winter is tough on the lips. Protect your lips from getting chapped and potentially infected by applying a moisturising balm. In severe weather conditions, cover your lips with a scarf.

If you experience a cold sore outbreak, use Clear Skin Gel to disinfect the affected area and to moisturise the skin. It will help accelerate healing and reduce further outbreaks.

Read our blog post, Self-conscious about those persistent cold sores? to learn more.

Shaving rash Does your skin become sensitive after shaving, especially in winter?

Folliculitis is an inflammation of hair follicles that is generally caused by shaving and which is more likely to occur in winter. Dry winter skin can provoke an irritation of the hair follicles.

Keep skin moisturised to help soothe sensitivities and prevent further irritation.

African Potato Cream is a hydrating antiinflammatory cream which helps to reduce dryness and inflamed skin.

Conscious Life Magazine

Cracked skin from hand washing Keeping hands clean is one of the most effective ways to stop the spread of germs and stay healthy during winter. It does however leave the hands vulnerable to drying out and cracked skin.

To prevent this, use a gentle soap and warm (not hot) water. Then moisturise to protect your skin from drying out and to keep it healthy. Our African Potato Cream is a deep penetrating, protective balm, perfect for dry winter hands.

Dry skin from soaking in the bath During winter a great way to end the day is with a warm bath. It promotes relaxation. You can add some soothing essential oils like lavender or bath salts to enhance the experience. However, soaking in the bath strips away your skin’s protective barrier of natural oils. So remember to moisturise afterwards and to make it part of your bath-routine.

African Potato Cream is an ultra moisturising and nourishing balm, that absorbs fast without leaving an oily residue. Perfect for the winter months when you layer clothes over your skin.

There are of course more ways to prevent dry winter skin which we explore in our blog post, Dry skin culprits and saviours.

Conscious Life Magazine

Conscious Life Magazine

Plant Based Pancakes

Photo & Recipe: Pieter Kotze Ingredients – Serves 2 • • • • • • •

3 cups Cake Flour 3 ½ cups of water Pinch of sea salt 1 leveled teaspoon of bicarb soda 1 leveled teaspoon of baking powder 2 tablespoons of Vinegar ¼ cup of vegetable oil

Method • • • • • • •

Sift dry ingredients together.

Mix wet ingredients together Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and fold in.

Add a drop of oil to a Crêpe Pan. Use a soup spoon to had a batch of pancake mixture to the pan.

Cook until ends curl up and flip over to other side.

Sprinkle cinnamon in the middle, roll up and enjoy.

Conscious Life Magazine

Protein-Packed Pesto Pasta

By Liz Moody Ingredients – Serves 2 • • • • • • • • •

4 cups dried pasta of choice 2 cups raw, shelled pumpkin seeds ⅓ cup hulled hemp hearts Juice and zest of 2 lemons ¾ teaspoon salt + an additional ¼ teaspoon 4 packed cups spinach 1 cup olive oil 6 cloves raw garlic, peeled with ends chopped off 2 tablespoons raw honey

Method •

•

•

•

Add a generous amount of salt (a small palmful) to a large pot of water. Boil, and cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente.

Heat a small saucepan over low heat; add pumpkin seeds and hemp hearts and toast, tossing occasionally, until fragrant and just beginning to become golden brown, about 3 minutes. Let cool and put ½ cup of seed mixture in food processor.

Pulse with lemon zest and ¼ teaspoon salt; remove from food processor and set aside.

Pulse together olive oil, greens, remaining seed mixture, lemon juice, garlic, honey, and ¾ teaspoon salt until a smooth sauce forms (a bit of texture is totally fine).

Toss pasta with pesto sauce until generously coated. Top with crushed nuts and zest mixture and serve immediately.

Conscious Life Magazine

Conscious Life Magazine

TAP DOGS

Coming to Cape Town and Johannesburg in August 2018 – Presented by 947, CapeTalk and Channel 24

“TAP DOGS” SET TO ELECTRIFY THE WORLD WITH A 2018-19 INTERNATIONAL TOUR South Africa, 26th March 2018: Australia’s most successful theatrical export, Dein Perry’s TAP DOGS, is coming to South Africa for a strictly limited season starting in Cape Town on 22nd August at the Grand Arena, GrandWest followed by Johannesburg on 29th August at Montecasino.

Tickets available from www.bigconcerts.co.za and Computicket from 9am on Monday 26th March 2018.

The global dance sensation has appeared in over 330 cities, and 37 countries and 12 million people have now been dazzled by the energy and imagination of these unique performers.

Dein Perry’s TAP DOGS continues to take the world by storm and it set to tap, beat and dance its way through 2018 and 2019. Now it’s South Africa’s turn to experience the award-winning show that has been described as "Part theatre, part dance, part rock concert and part construction site!” BBC UK. Dein Perry’s TAP DOGS features high-energy dance, theatrical performance and live music performed by a cast of six dancers and two musicians who will bring the steel works to life in a fast paced, unstoppable spectacular that is the perfect show for anyone from 8-80.

Conscious Life Magazine

COMIC CON COMES TO AFRICA 14 -16 September 2018 at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit & International Convention Centre Reed Exhibitions Africa and, ReedPOP have partnered with VS Gaming on a South African first and will be bringing Comic Con to South Africa.

Comic Con Africa will showcase comic books and science fiction/fantasy related film, series and similar popular arts.

The exhibition will also feature a large range of pop culture and entertainment jkhbbbbbbkjhkjh elements in animation, toys, gadgets, clothing, anime, manga, collectible card games, video games, webcomics, and fantasy novels and an Artists' Alley, where comic artists can sign autographs and sell or do free sketches.

Superhero or sidekick – there will be exciting activations to enjoy that include professional gaming tournaments and activations, cosplay competitions, and new movie and series promotions. Comic Con Africa visitors can also enjoy international and local celebrity panel discussions, seminars, workshops and autograph sessions.

“ReedPOP has always stayed true to its core beliefs of always putting the fans first, creating killer events and being as transparent and authentic as possible. We try our hardest to bring massive amounts of fun and excitement to the lives of our audience by creating content and experiences that are original, exciting, memorable and exceptionally awesome. So, we are very excited for this new launch into Africa.”

“We are also very excited to be partnering with VS Gaming to bring this world-renowned convention to South Africa. Comic Con Africa is a fantastic opportunity to promote this growing industry on the continent,” says Carol Weaving, MD of Reed Exhibitions Africa.

On the strategic alignment with Comic Con Africa, Lenushka Parannath, spokesperson of VS Gaming shared, “VS Gaming has been at the forefront of a couple of firsts, last year we successfully hosted the largest e-football Festival in Africa and now we’re the first to be involved in Comic Con to Africa.”

Parannath continues, “We always aspire to bring gaming to life in a way that has never been experienced before and what better way to do that in 2018 than to align with Comic Con Africa. We are looking forward to hosting this incredible global brand for a 3-day out-of-this-world experience.”

ReedPOP has many global entertainment brands in its stable, including Comic Con New York, Star Wars Celebration (Lucas film), TwitchCon (Twitch) and PAX (Penny Arcade), and in collaboration with Reed Exhibitions Africa, will set the stage for Comic Con Africa - a first of its kind - to join the international league of epic comic book and industry enthusiast conventions.

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The winner of over 15 international awards including an Olivier Award (UK), an Obie Award (New York) and a Pegasus Award (Spoleto Festival in Italy), Dein Perry’s TAP DOGS is a 75-minute show combining the strength and power of workmen with the precision and talent of tap dancing.

Whether they are in water, upside-down or jumping through scaffolding, the “Tap Dogs” have been performing to the beat of their own drum since their world premiere at the Sydney Theatre Festival in January 1995. Success quickly followed with seasons in London, New York, Tokyo, Paris, Berlin and many other cities. A worldwide television audience of over 3.4 billion saw 1,000 Tap Dogs performing in the Opening Ceremony of the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Produced by Broadway Entertainment Group, created by Oliver Award-winning choreographer Dein Perry, Dein Perry’s TAP DOGS was originally directed and designed by Nigel Triffitt, with music by Andrew Wilkie and lighting by Gavin Norris.

Dein Perry’s TAP DOGS will play at: Cape Town Venue: Grand Arena, GrandWest From 22nd August 2018 Price: R215 – R360 *Up to 50% off all off-peak performances.

Johannesburg Venue: Montecasino From 29th August 2018 Price: R310 – R410 *Up to 50% off all off-peak performances.

Media enquiries, please contact: Dionne Domyan (Johannesburg, and National publicity) +27 (0) 833261776, prwork@iafrica.com Gwen Ironsi (Cape Town Publicity) +27 (0) 72 656 1906 gwen@pamberi-communications.co.za For more information please visit www.tapdogs.co.uk

Conscious Life Magazine

Conscious Life Magazine

FIND & BOOK ECO-FRIENDLY ACCOMMODATION IN SOUTH AFRICA lovetostay.co.za is your green heart guide to eco-friendly accommodation throughout beautiful South Africa. We partner with all kinds of accommodation establishments that operate in an eco-friendly, sustainable and responsible way. So whether you opt for a luxury boutique hotel or rustic tree house, you can feel good knowing your holiday supports a place that serves the environment and community in a positive way. To help you make these good choices, we are committed to growing a wonderful selection of urban and country, luxury and rustic green accommodation options where you will love to stay!

Search for your next green getaway on www.lovetostay.co.za by location or type; the Check Availability & Book Online green button will enable you to check real-time availability, make a booking & secure online payment through the Nightsbridge booking system at no extra charge.

WHAT IS ECO-FRIENDLY ACCOMMODATION? Eco-friendly accommodation is defined as a lodging establishment with structural features that minimize the impact and footprint on the environment; as well as well as those that follow green living, sustainability and eco-friendly practices.

WHAT ARE GREEN HEARTS? Look out for the Green Hearts Seal of each establishment. We are proud to showcase all of our members and love to highlight their specific efforts to protect and conserve the environment. Seals display between 1-5 Green Hearts as awarded to them for their positive Green Acts. Here`s more info!

Conscious Life Magazine

Conscious Life Magazine

Conscious Life Magazine

The Antbear Drakensberg Lodge is a thatched, whitewashed lodge built high on a natural platform overlooking the Bushman's River and Giants Castle.

Antbear Drakensberg Lodge offers various Drakensberg accommodation options in en suite double rooms, luxury suites, family units and also boasts a luxury cave too.

Antbear Drakensberg Lodge is one of those smaller intimate kind places which has been lovingly put together. The natural setting of the accommodation is stunning and we have managed to encase all this beauty with an atmosphere of comfort and ease.

The cottages are smartly appointed and individually designed and the fact that we are a small place makes for an intimate and personal accommodation experience. Each of the accommodation units are different and are decorated with uniquely eccentric and artistic wooden furniture.

It is a bit off the beaten track and is more of an insider tip than just another bed and breakfast. We cater for small intimate groups and never have more than 45 guests at a time. It's a laid back, lovingly cared for kind of place where you feel a sense of happiness and peace. Honeymoon stays turn into anniversary commemorations just as guests become friends. Even foreign tourists return for a second and third taste.

Attractions Drakensburg Hiking Trails Bushman Rock Art Giant’s Castle Kamberg Weenen Game Reserve Royal Natal National Park Drakensburg Boys Choir

Horse Trails Injasuti Nature Reserve Monks Cowl Natal Midlands Tugela Falls Sani Pass Fly Fishing

Retreats The Antbear Drakensberg Lodge is the ideal retreat venue where we can provide all the services and accommodation for your retreat. Situated 4 hours from Johannesburg and 2 hours from Durban with easy access from the N3 Antbear Lodge is easy to get to but has the feeling of being far from the madding crowd. This wonderful place for group retreats offers spectacular views, vast spaces, wild winds, rain, sunshine, clouds and rainbows and in all of this – silence and peace.

Retreat groups can book the whole lodge for their exclusive use.

The Lodge can accommodate 44 persons in 15 separate accommodation units Antbear Drakensberg Lodge has a spacious dining room with a wood-burning fireplace, a comfortable lounge with a fireplace and spectacular views, a breakaway meeting room, a large veranda and a large meeting room for retreat, team building or training activities. We provide excellent meals and will fit our menu to your expectations.

Conscious Life Magazine

Conscious Life Magazine

Because food is an important part of your stay Meals are part of the real surprises that the Antbear Lodge has to offer where home grown cooking is part of the deal. We like to use our own home grown organic vegetables and if we haven’t got, then we lean heavily on those local providers with similar attitudes to our own. Conny and Andrew both like cooking and are up to changing just about anything to suit tastes or philosophies. Our cooking experience is in part a journal, a record of events and memories expressed in recipes. In the course of our travels we have filed away many recipes and with them images of people and places and their lives. How food tastes has much to do with the associations we make and if you would like to hear the tales of our meals we would love to tell them.

Sustainable & responsible tourism is our social responsibility and what we do to give something back to our community and environment We believe in sustainable tourism and social responsibility. We live is a spectacularly beautiful place called the Drakensberg and our standard of living here is exceptional.

But around us lie contrasts of poverty and lack of development. If we are to keep our way of life then it surely follows that we must do everything in our power to contribute to the upliftment and prosperity of this rural area. We believe that the future of South Africa is linked to the prosperity of the people, and that upliftment is linked to education. And as such we have chosen to support our local primary school called Vulakani Primary School.

Pet friendly accommodation Drakensberg One of the few pet-friendly places in the Drakensberg. Beautiful, vast views of the Drakensberg with plenty of ground for my dogs to roam. Walk for hours.

Your dogs will be happy with lots of dams to swim in and horses to discover. One of the accommodation units at Antbear Lodge is fenced in so its really easy to leave your dog behind if you would like to explore some of the sights where pets are not that welcome. If country life is for you and you would love to take your pet with you then Antbear Lodge is a great accommodation choice. Your hosts will advise you on all the activities available. Antbear Lodge prides itself on being both family-friendly and petfriendly.

CONTACT Mobile 076 441 2362 Email: reservations@antbear.co.za Web: www.antbear.co.za

Conscious Life Magazine

Conscious Life Magazine

Conscious Life Magazine

According to AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association), 50% of deaths in pets (over the age of 10) can be contributed to cancer, and dogs are more cancer prone than cats. Cancer occurs when seemingly normal cells start to run rogue.

Feline cancer however tends to be more aggressive than those in dogs, and owners also seem to do less for treating their cats than their dogs.

Ever stopped to think how second-hand cigarette smoke, insecticides, pesticides and household chemicals increase their risk factors? What about their refined diet and exposure to additives, preservatives, colourants and flavouring agents in their food? Just like their human counter-parts, animals can also get cancer from various environmental pollutants. Pollution, infectious organisms, electronic waves, contaminants and preservatives strain the body’s defenses. This is partly why many animals seem to suffer from more and more problems.

This is where Eco-Vet’s Eco-Immune can play an important role. Eco-Immune assists in improving the ability of the animal’s body to improve its resistance to disease. If puppies and kittens are given the treatment from an

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early age it helps them grow up with higher resistance to viral diseases. Boosting the immune system and give them a great start: much like a flue shot.

There are certain cancers that are commonly found in pets that one would just as likely find in humans e.g. lymphomas, melanomas and bone cancers.

Typical cancer in Cats • Feline Leukemia and the Feline Leukemia Virus It may cause various blood disorders, and may lead to a state of immune deficiency that hinders a cat's ability to protect itself against other secondary infections • Squamous Cell Carcinoma A malignant tumor of the squamous epithelial cells.

This tumor is more common in cats than dogs. Risk of nasal tumors is increased through exposure to inhaled chemicals including indoor use of coal, cigarettes, and air fresheners.

• Feline Mammary Cancer The third most occurring tumor in cats.

Typical cancer in Dogs • Canine Transmissible Venereal Tumor These living cancer cells are usually spread during mating. These tumors are usually associated with the external genitalia of both male and female dogs.

• Canine Osteosarcoma Malignant cancer of the bone • Canine Hemangiosarcoma Malignant tumor of the cells that line blood vessels.

Occurs most frequently in large breeds, especially German Shepherds, Labrador and Golden retrievers.

• Cutaneous Mast Cell Tumors Most commonly reported skin tumor in dogs Typical cancer in Horses • Melanoma Mainly occur in horse with a grey colouring.

• Sarcoids A sarcoid is a tumor "like a sarcoma.”

However where sarcomas are generally malignant, Sarcoids tends to be benign.

Resembles a wart

Some of the main positive factors of colostrum are the following scientifically established areas of interest: Anti-viral. Herpes virus in the cat responds well to supplementation with colostrum and its associated lysine content.

The high levels of IgA are of great value in those breeds; including many of the shepherds, that are known to be commonly affected by auto-immune or immune mediated conditions.

Anti-aging properties that are of immense value in the aging animal.

Anti-allergic conditions associated with skin problems.

Immune boosting effects for all animals affected by any kind of chronic bacterial infections.

Its anti-cancer properties have been well established in a number of clinical conditions.

REMEMBER: Early detection of cancer drastically increases the treatment success rate. Visit your vet!!

Erika Bornman CEO-Eco-Vet www.ecovet.co.za

Natural medicine has an important part to play in dealing with cancer in animals, however it is important not to overload the system through our good, but often misguided intentions. Eco-Vet Colostrum plays an important role in cancer treatment, and the combination of Eco-Immune and Colostrum is often integral in the treatment protocol, and has proved to be very effective in dealing with inter-alia feline aids.

Conscious Life Magazine

Conscious Life Magazine

EVERY HOME NEEDS A LOVING PET! THERE ARE SO MANY BEAUTIFUL ANIMALS WAITING TO BE ADOPTED – PLEASE REACH OUT! WE ALSO ENCOCURAGE YOU TO REACH INTO YOUR HEARTS FOR THOSE WHO ARE LESS FORTUNATE AND REALLY NEED OUR HELP.

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At Operation Smile we believe every child suffering from cleft lip or cleft palate deserves exceptional surgical care.

For too many families around the world, safe surgery is not an option.

At Operation Smile we believe every child deserves exceptional surgical care. We believe all children deserve to be treated as if they were our own.

EVERY 3 MINUTES, a child is born with a cleft lip or cleft palate and may suffer from torments, malnourishment and difficulty with speech.

We dream of a world where no child suffers from lack of access to safe surgery. Learn why we do what we do in the video below.

That’s what drives each and every one of us: our global network of medical professionals, who donate hundreds of thousands of hours toward the care of children around the world each year, and our supporters who are moved every day to make a difference in the lives of children they’ve never met.

How you can help Operation Smile South Africa Building 17, 103/104, Waverley Office Park 5 Wyecroft Rd, Observatory 7925 (+27) 021 447 3608 infosa@operationsmile.org NPO number 083-117 NPO

A child’s cleft lip or cleft palate can be repaired for as little as R5500 and in as few as 45 minutes, but your gift is more than a surgery. All of our supporters give renewed hope to children and families around the world.

Dear Reader, Because of animal lovers like you, Humane Society International is working around the clock to fight the gruesome dog meat industry – to end it for good.

We’ve slammed the doors permanently on nine dog meat farms in South Korea and rescued more than 900 dogs. Not only that, but we’re lobbying hard for better laws throughout Asia to fight the cruelty, transition farmers out of the business of cruelty, and so much more.

Here is one transformation that we can't stop smiling about. Sophie was rescued just this year from a horrible life on a dog meat farm. Now, she is running free and playing in the grass, surrounded by the love of her forever family:

This kind of ending never gets old, but so many other dogs still need you.

You can make a difference for dogs caught up in this brutal industry: Sign the dog meat pledge today.

With you by our side, we're committed to this huge fight against the dog meat trade. We’re closing farms and rescuing the animals; we’re raising public and political awareness of the cruelty involved; and we’re growing substantial support for a phase out and ban of South Korea’s dog meat farms. Become a part of the global campaign to end the dog meat trade—sign your name right now.

Thank you, for protecting animals from cruelty all across the globe.

Sincerely, Kitty Block President Humane Society International

Open your Hearts and your Homes PLEASE!! ADOPT BARNEY We have never received a single enquiry to adopt Barney đ&#x;˜˘ please share this boy has gone through so much.

Hard to believe this is the same boy, Barney, from April who was tied up and burnt with boiling water, before being rescued.

Animals are truly remarkable creatures and never cease to amaze us. When we first got him he was petrified of people.

Now he can't get enough of being loved and cuddled and will demand attention even nibbling He is good with other dogs of medium size and loves to play!

He would be best suited to a medium size, female companion. He shouldn't be with any cats, birds or small dogs as he has a high prey drive. on you to get you to notice him.

It is truly astounding to observe how forgiving a dog is.

They live in the moment and don't hold grudges. Even though this boy suffered extreme abuse he just wants to be loved by anyone who will show him attention.

He has the most expressive face and is so eager to please and learns quickly.

He's approximately 1 year old. Please can everyone share so he can find his forever home.

Email jhb@pets.org.za if you are interested in adopting

About Wags & Whiskers Rescue Team We are a small group of people who are dedicated to helping all furr-kids. Located in Fourways & Midrand JHB. Email wagsandwhiskers7@gmail.com Robyn: 084 593 1292 of Cheyna 082 307 2377

NEVAEH NEVAEH (Heaven spelled backwards) is being looked after

by Robyn herself until she can find her forever home. “She is beyond amazing. Can be skittish with strange men but she has been amazing with all the kittens, puppies, kids and whoever else comes through my door. Please someone offer her a forever home.�

Bone Marrow Stem Cell Donation and Leukaemia Awareness Month is commemorated annually from 15 August to 15 October. With very little focus and fanfare around this very important topic, The Sunflower Fund is calling out the hero in all South Africans. The fight against leukaemia and other blood diseases is all about you, your family, friends, peers and the community. You can do something to make a difference to patients needing a blood stem cell transplant. The action is simple: Purchase your TOPE (Tube of Hope) and celebrate Sunflower Day. A TOPE is an appealing, trendy and multi-purpose accessory which can be worn as a headband, mask, scarf, cap or arm band. TOPES will be available for R30 each at Pick n Pay stores across the country, selected independent pharmacies or online at Zando during August and September 2018. “We are very excited about this year’s design, which comes in six vibrant colours, with an introduction of a grey option and inspired by a message of hope” says Alana James, CEO at The Sunflower Fund. “We hope to see everyone wearing their TOPE on Sunflower Day in support of our patients and survivors and to raise awareness about the very important and urgent topic of blood stem cell donation.”

The theme of this year’s campaign is ‘There is a hero is all of us’. The campaign aims to draw people out of slacktivism and get them mobilised and engaged around a simple action. Just choosing to do something for someone else and expecting nothing in return brings out the hero in all of us!

“To see our TOPES being worn with pride is not just an honour for us, but a salute to our survivors, our fighters and our memories of loved ones; it is a show of support, a statement of HOPE.” James continued.

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The Sunflower Fund will again be running their school’s competition. “Youngsters across SA are able to play their part by helping us to raise funds and awareness about the need to recruit donors for stem cell donation” added James. “I love our Sunflower Day campaign; the social media engagement and the support from our partners, patients and communities is truly inspiring but most importantly, it also serves as a reminder to the nation of one of our very critical goals: to ensure that South Africa has an ethnically diverse source of potential blood stem cell donors, who are committed to help save lives”, she added.

Blood diseases are no respecter of age, gender or race and the patients impacted cover a broad age spectrum and all race groups. Funds raised will offer the hope of life to patients in need of a life-saving blood stem cell transplant. All monies raised goes towards recruiting donors to The Sunflower Fund’s blood stem cell registry. “We once again, aim to sell 200 000 TOPES and encourage both our loyal and new supporters to rally together and get on board to help us reach our goal,” James concluded.

You can further support the campaign, by downloading collateral for posters and social media from The Sunflower Fund’s website.

You can also help The Fund with financial contributions to assist the fundraising efforts for the tissue-typing test costs and the patient support fund. Visit www.sunflowerfund.org.za to make a quick and easy cash donation. For more information or to register please contact The Sunflower Fund on toll-free number: 0800 12 10 82.

About The Sunflower Fund: The Sunflower Fund is a donor recruitment centre and stem cell registry that is part of a global network, dedicated to creating awareness about blood diseases and stem cell donation, recruiting blood stem cell donors and maintaining a registry of committed donors.

The Sunflower Fund pays for the cost of the tissue-type testing. This is fundamental to saving the lives of South Africans who need a stem cell transplant. The chance of finding a matching donor is 1 in 100,000 – and as ethnic origin plays a significant role in the search for a donor, South Africa’s rainbow nation is at a distinct disadvantage, requiring a large pool of prospective donors.

Should you wish to become a donor, support one of the fundraising projects or make a financial contribution, please contact The Sunflower Fund on toll-free number: 0800 12 10 82. Visit www.sunflowerfund.org.za to learn more or look out for the DONATE button to make a cash donation via the website.

Conscious Life Magazine

Conscious Life Magazine

with much appreciation to our advertisers, contributors, endorsers and our readers namaste