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welcome.
HELLO! Welcome to edition 3! Time has flown and our beloved western suburbs are changing before our very eyes. Since our first edition, just seven months ago, so much has happened – new parks and community centres have been built, fantastic new kid-friendly businesses and charities have popped up, and the west is starting to make itself known to those on the ‘other side of the Yarra’. Bubba West, too, has made some exciting changes, teaming up with the fabulous Jade Wisely (of Jade Wisely Photography) to bring you this edition’s cover, featuring local cutie Audrey against one of Footscray’s vibrant street murals. You’ll see Jade’s gorgeous photographic work brightening up the pages of this edition as you flick through, too. As always, we like to showcase projects that bring our westerly community together, and we sure weren’t short of news to bring
you! This edition, we look at Toni Osewald’s Travelling Cake Tin, and how it’s putting online communities face to face (page 5); we chat with Kiah Hinson about her new food charity supporting local parents (page 23); we find out what’s new and special in kids’ books (page 19); and, as we start to spot the brand new shoots of spring sprouting all around us, we get some tips from ABC’s gardening guru Costa Georgiadis about how kids of all ages can make the most of the great outdoors (page 7). We hope that reading this edition brings you something new, too – an idea, a recipe, inspiration, or maybe even a new perspective.
INSIDE 05 Feature 07 Gardening 09 Your body 11 Raising beings 17 Health and wellbeing 19 Read 21 Education
See you ‘round the west!
23 Food
Emily and Eden.
28 Party
Connect with Bubba West online at www.bubbawest.com, via Facebook at www.facebook.com/bubbawesthub, or by email at admin@bubbawest.com. We’d love to hear from you!
29 Handmade 30 Relationships
SNEAK PEEK 5 The travelling cake tin
7 Get out, get gardening!
11 Parenting after separation
Disclaimer: All reasonable efforts have been made to trace copyright holders. The editorial team, their staff and printer are not responsible for the accuracy or correctness of contributions in this publication, both advertisements and editorial, or for the consequences of any use made of any products, and the information included in this publication. The editorial team and their staff expressly disclaim all liability of whatsoever nature for any consequences arising from any errors or omissions, whether caused to a consumer of this publication or otherwise. The views expressed in the articles herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial team. It is impossible for the editorial team and their staff to ensure that the advertisements and other material herein comply with the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth). Readers should make their own inquiries when making decisions and, where necessary, seek professional advice. © Bubba West 2015. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited.
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feature.
THE TRAVELLING CAKE TIN WORDS EDEN COX | PHOTOGRAPHY JADE WISELY PHOTOGRAPHY
Some say modern technology is making us lonely. Others will tell you that we've forgotten how to connect with our fellow humans, or that community spirit is dying in the wake of status updates, hashtags and tweets. While that might be true for some, there are lots of people in the west who are using technology creatively to build better neighbourhoods.
M
eet Braybrook mum Toni Osewald and her Travelling Cake Tin (Tin). If you frequent the Facebook group Inner West Buy, Swap & Sell (IWBSS), you might have read about this mysterious cake tin. Toni says she came up with the concept as a kind of 'pay-itforward' project – one that wouldn't be possible without local neighbourhood forums like the IWBSS Facebook group. The project works like this: one person bakes a cake (or other homemade food) and posts it 'for sale' (but at no cost) in the group; the first person to comment 'sold' on the item is the recipient, who must then bake something of their own for the next lucky participant. 'The idea is that when they go to collect, both parties sit down and share some cake or a biscuit, or whatever has been baked, over a cup of tea,' says Toni. 'The recipient then takes it home and, once they've eaten the item, they bake something else and do the same. It's a great way to meet people in the neighbourhood and build community relationships.' Recent Tin participant Williamstown mum Nikki Eyes agrees; 'I really loved the idea of getting to know our community through the sharing of homemade goods, feeling like we can add to others by giving our favourite treats, and being able to share them over a cuppa, not just grab the goods and run.' Nikki says she received some 'really delicious lemon biscotti biscuits', and because she ended up doing the pick-up on a Friday night, her cuppa catch-up became a glass of red.
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Toni Osewald and her son with the Tin.
‘The concept of catching up with the community can take on various meanings depending on the giver and the receiver,' she says. Once the biscotti were all eaten, Nikki filled the Tin with her homemade energiser balls and re-posted it in IWBSS for whoever got in first. In addition, she added her name, the date and her recipe to the Tin's accompanying notebook, which is fast becoming a unique record of local community interactions. So, two complete strangers living in the same community had the chance to meet one another, share a glass of wine, swap a recipe and build a meaningful, face-to-face connection.
While it would be difficult to organise without the assistance of online local forums, the project, and its aims, are quite old fashioned. Toni says she does think that modern communities are missing some good old-fashioned neighbourliness – 'but I don't think it's on purpose,' she adds. 'I think most people want to be friendly with their neighbours, but don't necessarily know how to do it. The Tin is a great way to make use of social media, and go from online relationships to real-life ones.' Nikki believes the west is a unique environment in which community is well promoted and participated in. 'The Tin is well suited to our community, and would ‘I think most people want to be friendly with probably work in regional areas, too. I don't think it their neighbours, but would work everywhere in don’t necessarily know Melbourne.'
how to do it.’
A strong community gives all of its members, including its youngest, a sense of belonging. The saying, 'it takes a village to raise a child' has become something of a cliche these days, but the idea that children grow up as part of their community is still true. Toni says she believes it's important to teach children about community involvement. It's a sentiment backed up by
research; Early Childhood Australia states that as children grow and develop, community involvement helps them find their place in the world, and begin to understand society and the values that sustain it. 'I think teaching our kids about community involvement is a great thing,' says Toni. 'I would love to see the Tin continue for as long as possible.' With no sign of stopping anytime soon, the Tin is likely to have a long future ahead – especially with the involvement of local kids like Nikki's eight-year-old daughter, who Nikki says jumped at the chance to help create her family's contribution to the well travelled Tin!
Werribee Park Once you
go you know!
Discover your very own garden oasis today Enjoy a coffee and catch up with friends surrounded by lush green lawns, stunning gardens and plenty of safe outdoor space for your kids to play. Werribee Park is less than a ten minute drive or bus ride (# 439)
from the heart of Werribee town centre and entry to the park is free so there’s never been a better reason to swap a little screen time for a bit more green time!
For more information call 13 1963 or visit www.parks.vic.gov.au
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gardening.
GET OUT, GET GARDENING! In the west, we don’t always have access to sprawling backyards and local bushland to explore. But inner city and suburban kids can still have great nature experiences that will educate them about plants, animals and the local environment. Bubba West spoke to Costa Georgiadis, landscape architect, garden guru, and host of ABC’s Gardening Australia for some fantastic tips on getting kids interested in all things green! Bubba West (BW): Why is it important to get kids out into the garden? Costa Georgiadis (CG): Getting kids out into the garden is a way to connect them with nature – to drag them away from indoor environments and screens, and to allow them to feel nature under their feet, blowing through their hair and squishing between their fingers. It also gets them off the clock of urban life – the metronome of time that dictates their before- and after-school hours, between waking up and going to sleep. Being outside is a chance to operate under a different clock – one where time seems to stand still because they’re focused on other things... a chicken pecking around its coop, a beetle walking across a leaf, or a worm slinking into a pile of compost.
BW: What are some kids’ gardening activities for different age groups? CG: Seed saving is a great activity for young primary school students. Dry out sunflowers, then separate, count, and store the seeds in paper bags for planting in spring. It’s a great mathematics project that illustrates just how many seeds can be saved from one flower head. For preschool kiddies, take some wool and wrap it around branches like a rainbow. The branches and sticks look fantastic and can be stuck into garden beds.You can also make stick figures wrapped in wool to use in the garden as little colourful scarecrows. 7/BUBBA WEST
Older primary school students can make wicking garden beds out of plastic bottles, either 600-millilitre bottles, or even the larger one- and two-litre containers. Simply cut the containers in half and place a 10-centimetre-square piece of chux or hessian into the neck of the bottle. Place this neck- down into the bottom half of the bottle (which you have half-filled with water). The hessian/chux acts as a wick that will bring the water into the upper half of the bottle, which you can fill with soil and use as a planter for either a seed or seedling. The water well in the base will keep the plant happy for close to a week, depending on the season. These could then be used to make a vertical garden if suspended with an appropriate frame.
BW: What are some good plants for children to cultivate? CG: Easy plants for children to cultivate include all your leafy greens, like lettuce, coral leaf, oak leaf, cos and silverbeet. Herbs like oregano and thyme are very hardy, and bush basil can be cut and placed in water until shoots emerge within a couple of days, and then placed in a pot with some potting mix to establish. Succulents are a lot of fun and easy to start off with for young kids, too. With many succulents, like jade, it’s as simple as cutting off a piece, putting it into a pot with some potting mix, keeping it damp until little roots grow, and then transferring the small plant to another pot after a couple of months. Cactii are also a lot of fun to grow, particularly when the little baby
pups spring up next to their mother and can be separated to a new pot and grown on. Then, of course, there are native plants that inspire a whole new world of learning. Species like dietes or bush iris are very easy to split and propagate, and have a lovely flower for all to see. And dianella, or, ‘the blueberry lily’ is a great plant to easily separate off existing plants – the blueberries are edible bush tucker, too!
BW: What lessons should we teach kids about insects in the garden? CG: We need to teach kids that we share the garden with many other animals and insects, which all have roles. Bees are some of the most important, as they pollinate the plants, enabling them to flower and fruit. Without them, many plants would not be able to produce food for us to harvest. So, we need to think about creating safe homes and habitats for insects like bees, wasps and butterflies, as well as birds. By planting certain plants in the garden, and making safe homes and pathways by which insects can fly from house to house, and street to street, we are guaranteeing a healthy and balanced ecology – an ecosystem in which all insects, birds and bugs have a place and are respected for the important role that each and every one of them plays in the big picture.
BW: What are insect hotels, and how can kids make one for their own gardens? CG: Insect hotels are just places where insects can make a home in the garden. Making an insect hotel can be as simple as collecting different-sized branches, twigs and pieces of bark, binding them together with some string, and hanging this little bundle in a tree. The spaces between the branches, twigs and bark are perfect for insects to use as a home. Once they have ‘checked in’, they become part of the local community.
BW: How can families include nature and gardening in their everyday lives? CG: The simplest way to start is for a family to acquire a sealed bench-top scraps container so that the whole family can cease placing food scraps and compostable
material in the waste bin. This can then be taken outside every couple of days and put into either a worm farm or compost bin. The next step could be some backyard chickens. These actions create tasks, responsibilities and a conversation pathway into waste reduction, soil building and food growing. Growing some herbs and salad greens in pots is a very simple and easy way to start the conversation around the seasonal growing of fresh produce. Visiting a local growers’ market and talking to the farmers on a regular basis to build connections and friendships is an easy way to get families talking about their food and, hence, becoming friends with it. And the more food is talked about and understood, the more likely children are to think about, and then ultimately stand up and fight for, the environment that supports and feeds them.
BW: Do you have any other tips? CG: If you don’t have a garden, investigate your nearest community garden at the Australian City Farms and Community Gardens Network website (www.communitygarden.org.au). Go along and meet local growers for tips on how best to get growing in your conditions and climate. Start small in whatever you do, and then slowly expand your growing capacity. Jump online and follow my Facebook page (CostaGeorgiadis Official) and website (Costasworld.org.au), and ask your questions, and check out the Gardening Australia website for fact sheets and information on all your growing needs. Food matters, and your food choices matter. Every dollar we spend dictates the type of food future our children will inherit.
Who is Costa Georgiadis? Costa is a landscape architect and the host of Gardening Australia. He has an all-consuming passion for plants and people – he knows how to bring out the best in both of them, and takes great pleasure in bringing them together.
Turn your garden into a little piece of heaven for your angels to enjoy! Paul’s landscaping services are specially created with you and your kids in mind! Using only child- safe, pet and eco- friendly products, our experts are here to make your home complete with a beautiful garden. Call us now on 03 8566 7541 and quote BUBBA15 promo code to get 15% OFF your gardening services.
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MOTHERHOOD AND YOUR ‘BREAST ASSETS’ WORDS MAXINE WINDRAM, BRA FITTING EXPERT
Have you had a bra fitting recently? If not, you’re with the majority of Australian women who are likely to be wearing the wrong bra size.
A
bra fitting is not high on the ‘fun things to do’ list, and is often put off until your favourite bra disintegrates or you can’t deal with the discomfort for a moment longer. Many women stick with the same bra size for years. Maternal health experts say the most important life stage in which to have a bra fitting is during pregnancy and breastfeeding – when your normally compliant breasts need extra respect! Wearing your pre-pregnancy bra size can cause discomfort to your shoulders, neck and back. During the first trimester, pregnancy hormones increase blood supply to your breasts, resulting in a feeling of fullness. This can be a painful awakening, and the quest for the Holy Grail of maternity bras begins.
What is a maternity bra? Maternity (or nursing) bras have
clasps that allow easy access for breastfeeding. A maternity bra isn’t essential during pregnancy, but it’s designed to comfortably support, with wider straps, a soft, cotton lining and extra hooks and eyes on the band to allow for growth.
When should I buy a maternity bra? Most of your breast growth will happen by week 16 of pregnancy. The right time to be fitted is when your breasts begin to noticeably swell and your bras no longer fit, or become uncomfortable (around the time you are busting out of your jeans!). However, there may be further changes, so some women will need to be fitted again during their pregnancy. How much more will my breasts grow? No one can predict the change in breast size, but the average increase is one to three cup sizes. Your breasts will change shape and your expanding rib cage may mean a bigger band size. Don’t buy a slightly bigger bra to allow for growth, as quality maternity bras are designed in fabrics that allow for organic change. Can I wear an underwire bra? Many women prefer
underwire bras for the shape and support. Some maternal health practitioners will not endorse traditional underwired bras due to the increased risk of mastitis. However, bra design advancements now include soft, flexiwire bras. Make your choice based on fit, comfort and support. Most importantly, get fitted by an experienced maternity bra fitter, and if there is any discomfort, don’t risk it – don’t wear it.
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Should I wear a bra to sleep at night? If this
makes you more comfortable, opt for a wire-free, crop-style top or a nursing tank, as they have no hooks or wire to dig in and you can slip nursing pads inside.
How many maternity bras will I need?
Maternity bras are the workhorse of the bra world (after sports bras), and breastfeeding mothers usually find that their bras start to lose elasticity after six months. As a general rule, you will need three: one to wear, with one in the wash and one in the drawer.
Is there such thing as a maternity bra that is pretty enough to make me feel feminine again? Gone are
the days of beige, white or cream... the best maternity lingerie brands are creating bras that are pretty and supportive: some even downright sexy! Once I’ve stopped breastfeeding, will my breasts ever go back to ‘normal’? Maybe: a new kind of
normal. Women do often return to their prepregnancy size. Whether they’ll be less firm after weaning depends on the individual. Around two months after weaning is the perfect time to seek the help of a professional bra fitter for some lovely new bras that will make you feel so good.
Not sure if you’re in the right size maternity bra, or finished breastfeeding and need to be refitted? Visit Brava for a bra fitting and discover beautiful and supportive D-K cup-sized swimwear, sports bras, lingerie and more. Our professional bra fitters and child-friendly stores will help you find your perfect fit Brava Prahran 03 9529 3046
Brava Melbourne 03 9642 0666
WWW.BRAVAWOMAN.COM.AU
Brava Highpoint 03 9318 3555 10/BUBBA WEST
Parenting after separation can be challenging, as adults contend with their own feelings while also focusing on the needs of their children. Kerrie Buchanan provides some invaluable advice for helping children to adjust to the new family arrangement.
PARENTING AFTER SEPARATION
WORDS KERRIE BUCHANAN, MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH NURSE, LACTATION CONSULTANT AND FAMILY THERAPIST
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ary and David have been together for nine years and have three children: seven-year-old Jack, five-year-old James and 12-month-old Lily. After James was born, Mary and David began to argue a lot, mostly about parenting, but also about money. Mary felt let down by David, who worked long hours. She felt she was sole parenting the three children and was lonely and isolated since she had finished work. David was very conscious of paying the bills now that Mary was not working, and the stress made him moody and distant. Mary resented David more and more for being away so much. Eventually, they decided they were not enjoying each other’s company anymore, and David moved out. The children’s behaviour had been hard for Mary to manage, but it was now much worse. Jack often refused to go to school and his teacher said that he was bullying another child in his class. James began crying a lot where once he had been happy and outgoing. The two boys fought when at home. Lily was waking several times each night, and was very clingy during the day. Mary was exhausted. She was also angry at David. His access was sporadic and there was no routine in the children’s lives.
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A friend commented that maybe the children were also feeling the effects of their parents’ strong emotions towards one another. Mary and David were shocked because neither of them had considered the children’s feelings in their fight. Even when children are very young, as with Lily, they can sense when their parents are upset or feeling strong emotions. This can mean the children are constantly on alert, leading to sleep difficulties, unwanted behaviour such as aggression, and problems with concentration. Explain to the children in simple terms, depending on the child’s developmental age, what is happening (without animosity) and allow them to ask questions. Be honest with them, but remember that they do not need to know the intricate details of your relationship breakdown. Put yourself in the shoes of each child and feel what that child feels. It is important that you allow them to express their feelings; name the feelings, be empathetic, and be available to each child so that they know they have your love and support. Remember that your children love you both and need you to communicate with each other effectively so they can see each of you regularly and have a routine in each home. It is
raising beings.
not helpful to children for you to talk negatively about your ex-partner in front of them; remember, walls have ears, so if they are in the house, they can probably hear or at least sense your mood. And don’t ask them for information about the other parent when you see them; it is not fair for a child to be a go-between for their parents. Mary will also need to give David time to learn to be a parent, as he has not had the same amount of time with the children as she has. Even though David will have his own way of parenting, a routine in each household will provide the children with a sense of consistency and security, and the children will eventually learn what they can and can’t do in each household. If you are finding it hard to communicate with your ex, consider counselling – either for yourselves or for the children – to help you all get to a better place in your relationships with one another.
Who is Kerrie Buchanan? I’m a maternal and child health nurse, lactation consultant and family therapist. I’m also a parent of three children who have grown like weeds and are now older teenagers! I have worked (for too many years to count) with families with young children, helping them to navigate the trials and tribulations, and also the joys, that come with parenting. Currently, I am working as team leader for the in-home service at Tweddle Child and Family Health Service (www.tweddle.org.au).
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raising beings.
LOVE AND ADOPTION WORDS CHRISSIE DAVIES | IMAGE SUPPLIED
My daughter came into my life two years ago. She was just 16 weeks old when I first got to hold her in my loving arms, and I will NEVER forget that day. It had been a long and difficult day at work; I’d had a meeting with my principal and was extremely frustrated by the things we’d discussed. As I walked down the school’s long corridor, I had said to myself: ‘When is my baby coming? Get me out of here!’ I’d sat in my car and checked my phone – there were seven missed calls from my husband, and two from our adoption agency. In that instant, I just knew we had been matched with our child. Throughout the whole adoption process, we had been told that when it happens, it happens fast. As much as you can prepare yourself for that moment, it is still such a shock when the time arrives. We had not allowed ourselves to buy anything for our child, as we had no idea what age or sex the baby would be. Our gorgeous little daughter had been lovingly taken care of by the most beautiful 70-year-old couple who had been fostering babies for over 40 years. They had dedicated most of their lives to taking care of other people’s babies, and they had three adult children of their own.
To say they were two of the most adorable people I have ever met is truly an understatement. Jean was as dry as a glass of chardonnay, with the most wicked sense of humour, and Roy was just the warmest and gentlest soul. They were ‘salt of the earth, do anything for anyone’ type of people, and were still going strong at the ripe old age of 70. Jean would be out for a walk, pushing my daughter in her pram every morning. They even took her to church on Sundays. My daughter was extra special to them because she was the only non-drug dependant baby they had cared for in all their years. They were also retiring from fostering, and our daughter was to be their very last baby. As a part of the transition process for our daughter’s adoption, we spent four whole days in their home with them, bonding with our child and hearing all about her routine, as well as Jean and Roy’s stories about their lives as foster carers for newborn babies. Jean made us cups of tea and offered us shortbread, and we sat in awe, listening to how much the adoption process has changed over almost half a century. We laughed as they told us about all the interesting couples who had come to meet their children for the first time. ‘The hospital used to call us up and say “we’ve got another baby – do you know anyone who would want it?”’, Roy told us. Continued on page 15
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raising beings. Continued from page 13
Jean spoke quietly about a couple who sadly had not bonded at all with their new baby. I cried as she told me that once she’d had to make the very difficult decision to inform the Department of Human Services that she did not feel the couple would be suitable parents. This couple left their home without a child. We were horrified by this, especially after the in-depth, 16-month application and approval process we had just been through with our adoption agency. The stories of adoptions from the past still make my heart ache with sadness, as we have now come such a long way in understanding how important the role of the birth family plays in the adopted child’s life. Many people are shocked to learn that our daughter’s birth mother CHOSE us to be her parents. She has since told us about this agonising decision she had to make – choosing the couple to give her child the life that she could not. It was out of sheer love that she chose a forever family for her daughter. I spoke to Jean recently. She called me to say that she had received the photos of our daughter that I had sent her
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in the mail. I could hear in her voice how thrilled she was to hear about our little family, and how our daughter had grown into a vivacious and confident little girl. I can still hear Jean’s last words of advice to me as we hugged and cried, ready to leave their home on that freezing May morning. ‘Don’t spoil her,’ she had said, ‘Only with love. Children can never have enough love’.
Who is Chrissie Davies? Chrissie is an educator, consultant, loving mama via open adoption, and a passionate supporter of children with social and emotional behavioural issues. She is committed to using her vast experience to support families to create their own emotionally healthy and happy homes. Read more by Chrissie, or find out how she can assist your family, at her blog (www.chaostocalmconsultancy.com).
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Hidden Hazards at home WORDS KIDSAFE VICTORIA
Did you know that the home is the most common place for childhood injuries to occur? This is a scary thought – but don’t worry! There are a few simple solutions that you can use to reduce the risk of serious injury to your child. There are widely known strategies that you have probably heard of: for example, making sure babies sleep on their backs, and never leaving them unattended around water. But there are also some lesser-known dangers to look out for that can be just as deadly to young children.
Button batteries
T
hese tiny batteries (the size of a ten-cent coin) can be extremely dangerous for young children. If ingested, button batteries can become lodged in a child’s throat and cause severe burns and long-term damage to their airways that can require extensive surgery. It’s hard to imagine that such a small item could do so much damage to a young child, but battery injuries are not uncommon. In Australia, approximately four children per week are taken to an emergency department with a button-battery related injury, with children under five being at greatest risk. But why do these incidents occur so frequently? It’s because button batteries can be found in a surprising number of
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household items. They are used in remote controls, watches, keyless car remotes, flameless candles, calculators, singing greeting cards and even children’s toys – how many of these items do you have in your home? The best way to prevent battery ingestion is to check your home for any devices that may contain button batteries, and keep these items out of sight and reach of children. Keep loose or spare batteries locked away. If you suspect that your child may have ingested a button battery, take them to the emergency department immediately, as every second counts. Symptoms of coin-sized button battery ingestion may be similar to other childhood illnesses, such as coughing, drooling, and discomfort. Do not let a child who may have swallowed a battery eat or drink, and never induce vomiting.
Furniture tip-overs Is your flat-screen television anchored to the wall or cabinet? What about your bookcase or dresser? Many parents and carers are unaware that unstable furniture can pose a
health and wellbeing.
significant risk to young children. Naturally inquisitive, children will often use an item of furniture as a ladder to reach an item that is stored up high, causing the furniture to fall on top of them. More than one Victorian child per week is presented to an emergency department due to television tip-over injuries. Fortunately, there are simple measures that you can take to reduce the risk of injury for your child, including: • •
• •
fixing unstable items to the wall using brackets or anchors anchoring flat-screen televisions to the wall or cabinet (Brackets and anchors can be purchased from hardware stores and television retailers – they are relatively cheap to purchase and easy to install.) removing items from the top of the television and furniture that might tempt young children to climb, such as toys and remote controls choosing furniture that has a broad and stable base.
These are just two of many child safety risks in and around the home. For a comprehensive list of hazards to look out for, download our free Home Safety Checklist from kidsafevic.com.au. And remember, child safety is no accident!
Safety tips you might not have you thought of. • •
• •
Investigate the plants in your home and garden to make sure there are no poisonous varieties growing. Remove any that could pose a risk. Make sure there are no large containers of water in your home and garden, including mop buckets, pet bowls, barrels and pots. Toddlers are top heavy, and it is very hard for them to get out of a bucket of water if they fall in head first. Close the doors of your washing machine and dryer when not in use to prevent curious kids from climbing inside. Keep your handbag, and those belonging to visitors, out of reach of your child. Handbags contain many hazardous items for young children, from medicines to loose coins.
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read.
WHAT’S NEW AT THE LIBRARY? WORDS SARAH LAVELLE, OUTREACH LIBRARIAN: CHILDREN AND YOUTH, HOBSON’S BAY LIBRARIES
Every week is Book Week in our library world, but we still love August, when all the gold and silver medallions for the best books are handed out! We have a special celebration this year, with homegrown author Claire Saxby helping us to unveil our brand new Kids’ Own Publishing Book Cubby at Altona North Community Library. The following books are sure to be winners in your family. Bogtrotter | Written by Margaret Wild, illustrated by Judith Rossell | Walker Books, 2015 Can you remember what it was like to do things for the first time? Sniff a flower, make a daisy chain, swing from a tree, dance in the rain? Bogtrotter lives in a bog and is at that delicious point in life where he is discovering all these things and more. This book makes me want to go out and pick some flowers, explore a new park and make a new friend.
ever so excited when I came across the first instalment in this series I’m a Dirty Dinosaur; I had found a real artist who uses a rainbow pencil! Not only that, but she does her shading with mud. Real mud. Here comes the second book, and instead of feeding the gorgeous little rainbow dinosaur mud, she has fed it cake. Real cake. WITH SPRINKLES! The words are also incredibly fun and catchy. You’ll be bouncing, singing, chanting and baking cakes.
Chooky-doodle-doo | Written by Jan Whiten, illustrated by Sinead Hanley | Walker Books, 2015 This one has everything: bouncy rhymes, counting, mystery, problem solving, chicken noises and incredibly cute pictures. Nothing more can be said – just go out and get it.
If You’re Cheeky and You Know It | Written by P. Crumble, illustrated by Chris Kennett| Scholastic, 2015 ‘If You’re Happy and You Know It’ is one of my favourite songs for both kids and grown-ups. Everyone gets involved and it’s quite an uncontrollable joy to participate in. We have a few different versions that we do at the library, but this book has brought it to a whole new level. The pictures of the animals as they do the actions to ‘if you’re a meerkat and you know it, sit and stare’ cracked me up. I cannot wait to bring this version to one of my sessions. Watch out everyone – get ready to ‘wriggle your rump’ like a hippo!
Grandad’s Island | Written and illustrated by Benji Davies | Simon and Schuster, 2015 Oh my, this is cute! We all know how important imaginative play is for child development. At first, I thought this was an adorable story about a boy and an imaginative adventure with his grandfather. That alone would have made this a perfect book for me. It is a really lovely, and happy, book about saying goodbye. It won’t make you cry, but it will make you smile and say ‘aaw’. I’m a Hungry Dinosaur | Written by Janeen Brian, illustrated by Ann James | Penguin Australia, 2015 Do you remember the joy of using a rainbow pencil? You know the ones – a single pencil with multiple colours in the lead. I was
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A Nest is Noisy | Written by Dianna Hutts Aston, illustrated by Sylvia Long | Chronicle Books, 2015 This book is for everyone: older readers, younger readers, those who like a story, those who like facts, those who like words, those who like pictures, those who like to learn, and those who like to dream. This book magically weaves gentle prose with facts and gorgeous illustrations about different
animals that live in different nests all around the world. Get this one now and put it aside for a Christmas or birthday present. It will last the kids years and years.
Smick! | Written by Doreen Cronin, illustrated by Juana Medina | Viking, 2015 The front image alone makes me feel happy. The rest of the book just increases this happiness and the size of the smile on my face. If the popularity of Doreen Cronin’s other books (the ‘Click Clack’ series, the ‘Diary of’ series, Bounce, Stretch and Wiggle) are anything to go by, this one is going to be a hit. Her catchy, simple text paired with the gorgeous minimalist illustrations by Juana Medina make this book quite the package. And let’s face it… we all love unexpected friendships between cute animals.
The Trail Game and The Game of Lines | Illustrated by Herve Tullet | Phaidon, 2015 I was a bit slow on the uptake here... it took me a little while to figure out what was going on with these two books. Once I figured it out, I couldn’t put them down and had to show everyone around me. The pages are split in half, and you have to follow the pattern from top to bottom as you find your way through the book. It’s a lot of fun and great for building those early maths and literacy skills.
Cut me out - I’m a bookmark
Teddy Took the Train | Written and illustrated by Nicki Greenberg | Allen & Unwin, 2015 We are huge fans of Nicki Greenberg at Hobsons Bay Libraries. I would even go so far as to say we love her. She is a genius. In her latest book, the bouncy little protagonist leaves her teddy on the train. I’m sure many children have had similar experiences and will therefore be able to relate to this story. Look out for the punk man knitting a scarf with red love hearts. I think he is the highlight of the book for me.
The Umbrella | Illustrated by Ingrid and Dieter Schubert| Book Island, 2015 Lately, I have found myself with a bit of a soft spot for wordless picture books, and this book certainly fits the bill. There is so much adventure in these gorgeous illustrations as a small dog is blown around the world while holding onto his umbrella. I keep ‘reading’ it again, and again, and again, and again, and each time there is more to be found and another story to be told.
Magazine 20/BUBBA WEST
Education.
THE BEAUTY OF BOOKS: Ideas for reading with your child WORDS DEE WARDROP, SPEECH PATHOLOGIST
Babies learn to love the sound of language long before they notice printed words on a page. Sharing books with children stimulates their imaginations and expands their understanding of the world. It helps them develop language and listening skills and prepares them to understand the written word. As a speech pathologist, one of my great hopes when working with families is that they will make reading a part of everyday family life. Our main goal when reading with children should not be to teach children to read, but to share a love of books. Children who enjoy reading will practice reading independently and become fluent, lifelong readers. Parents can help by sharing books with their children and choosing great stories and poems to read. As children begin a lifelong relationship with the printed word, they will grow into adults who read easily and frequently, whether for business, knowledge or pleasure. Reading starts with talking Most parents know that they should read to their children, but few realise how important talking with your children is for building the foundation of literacy and language success. In 1995, an American study* recorded interactions between parents and preschoolers for two and a half years. By age three, the differences in how many words each child had heard were significant; some children had heard over 11 million words per year, while others had heard only three million. This study showed a direct link between a child’s academic performance 21/BUBBA WEST
at age seven, and the number of words spoken in their home from birth to age three, regardless of race, ethnicity and socioeconomic status. The study showed that 30,000 is the 'magic number' of words children need to hear each day to predict academic success. (This is the equivalent of reading Dr Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat 18 times). All parents in the study used instructional language, such as 'put that down', but children who heard more than 30,000 words per day lived in families that talked about what they were doing, commented on things they saw or heard, and read books every day! How often should I read to my child each day? As often as you possibly can! The table opposite shows how many words your child hears when you read aloud – and how many extra words parents can provide by adding just 10 extra minutes of reading time each day. Encouraging your preschool reader The most important thing to remember is that reading should be an enjoyable, playful experience. Your child doesn’t need to sit through a whole story to gain the benefits of reading with
Minutes of reading per day
Number of words per year
Extra words per year if you add just 10 minutes of reading per day
5 10 15 20
282,00 622,000 1146,000 1823,000
895,043 1269,917 1953,042 2686,981
65
4,358,000
5,028,462
you! Talk about what interests your child: There’s no need to read a book from cover to cover; you can ignore the text, focus on the pictures, name the items you see (or make the noises), and enjoy turning pages and looking together. Also: • Model good reading habits: Help your child understand that reading is important by letting them see you reading. Keep books that are of interest to your child in an easy place for them to reach. • Visit your local library: Let your child choose some books to take home, or attend for storytime sessions with the librarian. • Repetition: Preschoolers love reading the same books over and over again. They enjoy the reassurance and anticipation of knowing what will happen next! Books for early readers (12–18 months): At this time, children are often interested in learning the names of objects and will point to, and ask adults to name, objects. Look for interactive books (such as ones with flaps, cut-outs, and touch-and-feel panels), books with simple photos and pictures of objects, illustrated songs and repetitive books. Encouraging your school-aged reader Once your child begins school, there is a big focus on learning to read. Ensure that reading remains fun at home – if children enjoy story time, and have access to good books and adults who enthusiastically read books aloud to them, they will remain motivated to improve their reading skills through a love of reading itself.
Other ways to encourage your school-aged child to read: • Continue being a good role model: Let your child see you read! • Encourage your child to read on her own at home: Offer varied reading materials for enjoyment, for reference and for reading together. • Establish a shared reading time, even if it’s only 10 minutes each day. • Encourage family activities that require reading: For example, write short notes for your child to read, cook using a recipe, build something using instructions, or identify a bird’s nest using information on the internet. • Give your child writing materials: Reading and writing go hand in hand. Children want to learn to write and to practice writing. If you make the materials available, your child will be more inclined to initiate their own writing activities. • Continue to visit the library regularly: Get your child their own library card, and ask them to choose books to read to younger siblings. Encourage stories on CD or tablets for long car trips. *(Hart & Risely, Meaningful Differences in the Everyday Experience of Young American Children, 1995.)
Who is Dee Wardrop? Dee has been a speech pathologist for over 15 years and is the clinical director of Dee Wardrop Speech Pathology Services. Dee and her colleagues work in clinics in Seddon and Thornbury. www.deewardrop.com.au
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food.
FOOD FOR NAUGHT WORDS EDEN COX | PHOTOGRAPHY JADE WISELY PHOTOGRAPHY
All over the west, generous people are using their time, energy and resources to help others around them. A new charity called Food for Footscray Families is one example – run by local mum Kiah Hinson and her partner Brendon – whose aim is to provide an inclusive environment and free, fresh food for local families in need, regardless of gender, race and religion.
K
used the next day by other agencies, so there is no waste,' says Kiah.
Kiah says many parents told her that the environments of many local food charities do not feel safe for children, or the services are restricted to certain specific groups.
The program is open to all local families in need – both those that need regular help, and those with occasional hardship caused by things like high utility bills or unexpected expenses. 'We don’t want to have to regulate our program too much by checking IDs or concession cards,' says Kiah. 'If someone turns up at the hall, we believe that they need the service, and they are as entitled as the next person.'
iah, who is studying youth work at Victoria University, came up with the idea for the charity when she discovered the hardships experienced by some of the parents at her son's school.
Kiah's partner Brendon works at Secondbite – a not-for-profit food rescue and distribution program – and the pair consulted with some of his co-workers about the issue. 'We realised that some families in the local area were slipping through the cracks because they did not fit into one of the local genre groups,' says Kiah. 'So, we set about finding a venue to start our own program.' The charity was lucky enough to be donated a space by the Women's Circus at the Footscray Drill Hall, and Brendon and Kiah run the program themselves during the school term, every Wednesday afternoon from 3 pm until 5 pm.
Kiah and Brendon believe that everyone is entitled to nutritious food, regardless of their circumstances, and the program has had a very positive response from everyone involved. 'All of the recipients are very appreciative of the service. Just to be able to give the children of some of the families fresh fruit has been a positive thing...' says Kiah. 'For some families, just a little bit of help can make all the difference they need.'
The food distributed is donated by Secondbite in Kensington, which collects unsaleable food from Coles, Woolworths, Aldi and other outlets around Victoria. On a typical Wednesday afternoon, Brendon borrows a Secondbite van and transports the donated food to the Footscray Drill Hall.
Kiah recalls the program's first customer, an elderly Sri Lankan woman who she says looks forward to visiting every week. 'It is not just about the food, it is also the social side of coming that she looks forward to. It’s nice to know that there are other side benefits like this that have come from starting the program.'
'As clients arrive, they select what types of items they would like and fill a bag or trolley with what they need. Any excess food at the end of the day gets taken back to Secondbite to be
Food for Footscray Families has had great support from school communities, which have been instrumental in getting the word out to families they think may use the program.
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Kiah says lots of children have taken an interest, volunteering their time to help out and deliver food to families in need – a great start for the future leaders of the local community. 'Knowing that you are helping to make someone else’s life better is its own reward,' says Kiah. 'More importantly, our son has learnt about helping others and having awareness of other people in the community who may not be as well off as he is.' The program offers its special thanks to Secondbite for the food donations and use of a transport vehicle, as well as to the Women's Circus for providing a venue. 'A lot of venues told us what a great idea it was, but couldn’t help us with a space. The Women’s Circus made it a really easy process and have been so positive about the program.' As for the future of Food for Footscray Families, Kiah and Brendon say the plan is to continue helping as many local families as possible, for as long as their resources allow.
Kiah and her partner Brendon.
If you child is experiencing any of the following, Osteopathy may be able to help! Osteopaths aim to relieve pain and discomfort by releasing tension and balancing body alignment. At Ferguson St Osteo we also spend time advising on home management strategies.
• Back pain • Posture issues • Growing pains • Plagiocephaly • Headaches • Sports Injuries • Trouble settling • Feeding problems • Ear infections • Foot/leg pain • Reflux/colic • Constipation Osteopathy can also be effective in alleviating many of the pains and discomforts felt during pregnancy. To see if osteopathy is suitable for your family, give our osteopath Julie a call today!
91 Ferguson Street, Williamstown | (03) 9397 3263 | 0415 412 500 | www.fergusonstosteo.com
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food.
COOK LIKE A CHEF WORDS ALI WEBB
Our son can sense a vegetable from a mile away. He knows the word ‘yuck’ and definitely knows the word ‘no’. He also knows how to make a fake vomit noise, throw and climb, and hide food under his thigh. And he certainly knows how to ‘share’ food with the dog. I’m married to a chef – a really good one, who has worked in the finest dining establishments in Melbourne for over half his life, and is now at Cornershop in Yarraville. So, lots of people think our family meals must be fit for a fancy cookbook, but there are no fancy recipes or specially curated menus that would make Heston Blumenthal sweat. We are just a normal family, surviving each dinnertime with the most basic of ingredients. A key part of our crazy 5pm – 7pm busy period is having options and a good, well stocked fridge and pantry. So, what does a chef feed his two-year-old son? For us, a good meal for our boy is all in the name. Favourites include Monkey Muffins, Tiny Tacos, Meallion (makes a million meals), Froggy Fritters and Por Favor Patties. Here’s some inspiration for tea from one normal family (with a chef) to yours. Bon appetite!
Monkey Muffins
Por Favor Patties
Method
Method
1. Mix all ingredients into a batter and pour into a muffin tin. 2. Set the oven at 180 degrees Celsius and cook for 15–20
1. Mix ingredients until it has come together, then mould
1 cup self-raising flour ¼ cup caster sugar 50 grams melted butter ¼ cup milk 2–3 very ripe bananas 2 eggs A good handful of prunes, dates or other dried fruit.
minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the muffins comes out clean.
1 can of sustainable tuna 2 potatoes (boiled and smashed) 1 small sweet potato (boiled and smashed) ½ cup peas 2 cobs of fresh corn or 1 can of corn Lemon zest 1 cup breadcrumbs (or enough to combine the mixture).
the mixture into balls the same size as golf balls. 2. Add olive oil to a hot pan and lightly pan-fry the patties until they are a golden-brown colour on the outside. 3. Take out of the pan and place them on a paper towel to absorb any oil. 4. Serve with smashed avocado, scrambled eggs or even a little bit of Kewpie mayonnaise. Por favor, please. I’m always happy to share our meals and recipes, but I would love to hear about what your kids have for dinner. Tell me what you have for tea at www.facebook.com/houseofwebb, or follow my blog at www.houseofwebb.blogspot.com.au.
Who is Ali Webb? I am a circus performer juggling the duties of being a mum,
an arts publicist, a chef’s wife, and a pal. I steal clippings of succulents from nature strips and can take my bra off through my sleeve using one hand. I want to watch old Jack Lemmon movies with you in leggings. (Read more from Ali at houseofwebb.blogspot.com). 25/BUBBA WEST
COOKING WITH TEFF - the new super food WORDS SABA ALEMAYOH, SABA’S HEALTH FOODS | IMAGE SUPPLIED
Teff is an ancient grain of Ethiopia being hailed as the new 'super food'. It’s one of the world’s smallest grains, is packed with nutrition and is naturally gluten free. In Ethiopia, teff flour is a staple, used to make fermented flat bread called ‘injera’.
Why teff gets 'super food' status • It's high in fibre: 21 per cent of your daily requirement is found in just 100 grams of teff. • It's high in resistant starch (important for intestinal balance), as well as manganese, and it also contains potassium and magnesium. • Teff is high in protein relative to other grains, with more than 10 grams of protein in every 100 grams. • It contains all eight essential amino acids, including lysine. • Teff contains calcium and vitamin C, which is unusual for a grain. Not only is Teff one of the most nutritious foods on earth, its also great to cook with.
How to cook with teff Teff has a mild, nutty, and slightly sweet flavour. Unlike other gluten-free grains, it tends to be more gelatinous, making it hold better in baking. It's versatile to cook with as it can 'carry' flavours, so it's perfect for use in both desserts and savoury dishes. Teff is great for pancakes, cakes, bread, crepes, wraps, muffins, cookies and almost anything else you use flour for. It is also great to add to white sauce or gravy as a thickener, or to vegetable loaf and veggie burgers to bind your ingredients in place of egg. You can buy teff flour from health food stores, including the following in the west: Village Store Yarraville A. Bongiovanni and Son, Seddon Replenish, Williamstown Sofia's African Variety Shop, Sunshine Bharat Traders, West Footscray.
Two-Ingredient Pizza Base Pizza base ingredients: 3/4 cup teff flour 1/2 cup Greek-style yoghurt Topping 2 tablespoon pesto 1 cup shredded baby kale 100g shredded bocconcini 1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced 1 teaspoon parmesan cheese Method: 1. Pre-heat your oven to 200 degrees Celsius. 2. Put the yoghurt and teff flour in a bowl together and mix it using your hands until it feels soft but holds its shape. If it’s sticky, add a bit more teff flour. (Runnier yoghurt will require a little more flour). 3. Once you have a ball of pizza base together, roll it out using a rolling pin and place in the oven to par-bake for 10 minutes. 4. Take it out, add your toppings and put back in the oven for another 10 minutes or so until golden brown. 26/BUBBA WEST
Teff Cinnamon Doughnuts Makes approximately 12
1 cup teff flour 1/2 cup crème fraîche (or sour cream) 1 egg 1/2 tsp vanilla essence 1/4 cup canola oil (or coconut oil) 1/2 cup coconut sugar (or icing sugar) 1/2 tsp of bi-carb soda 1/4 tsp salt Icing 100g melted butter 1/2 cup icing sugar 1/4 cup cinnamon sugar Method 1. Pre-heat oven to 180 degrees Celsius. 2. Spray doughnut pan with oil or butter. If you don’t have a doughnut pan, you can use a cupcake tin. 3. Combine the crème fraîche, egg, vanilla, oil and sugar on a medium speed using a handheld mixer.
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4. Add the remaining ingredients and mix until all ingredients are combined. 5. If you are using a doughnut pan, spoon mixture into a piping bag for easy transfer from bowl to pan. If you’re using a cupcake tin, add enough mixture to each cupcake to bring it to two-thirds full. 6. Bake for approximately 15–18 minutes, or until the edges starts to brown a little. Use a skewer to check they’re cooked through. 7. Allow to cool in pan for approximately 5 minutes, then remove and place onto a cake rack to cool down. 8. Mix the icing and cinnamon sugar together on a plate. Dip the tops of the doughnuts into the melted butter and sift the icing ingredients over the doughnut.
Who is Saba Alemayoh? Saba runs Saba’s Health Foods, which sells teff flour online with free delivery. A portion of proceeds from each teff pack sold is donated to Beyond the Orphanage, an Australian-based not-for-profit helping vulnerable orphans in Ethiopia (www.beyondtheorphanage.org). For more recipe ideas, visit: www.sabashealthfoods.com.au
party.
PARTY PLANNING WITH EASE WORDS NIKKI EYES
How long do you allow to plan and organise a party? Your child’s birthday party is coming up... when do you think about selecting the theme, and do you choose with or without your child’s input?
I
used to think that discussing things too far in advance would only lead to lots of future discussions about new ideas, and confusion about what they really want, but leaving things to the last minute creates a lot of extra stress around organising, and it limits your options. Think about giving yourself more time to plan things and you will reduce the chaos and stress. If you want a great event without too much stress, then preparing a week, or even four weeks, beforehand isn’t going to give you enough time to source the items you need. It may sound quite ridiculous to plan three months out or longer, but if you want choices to suit your budget and style, then the longer the better, especially for cakes and styling items. Most cake makers (and other baked good makers) are booked at least two months ahead, so if you are planning to outsource this task, ensure you allow time. So, where do you start? Pick the theme – this should be suited to your child’s age and interests, if including your child in this decision, check their choice with them only a few times and reassure them that you have it locked in and there can be no change of mind. Even a two-year-old can be reminded how much they really want to be a fairy, ballerina, pirate or builder! If they really want to change their mind, simply drop the discussions and keep planning the theme because when party day comes around, they really just want to have friends, fun, food and, of course, presents! The next step is easy; theme in hand, select the date and venue – at home or a venue, outside or inside. If it is a venue,
then establish whether you want them to do the catering, or just provide the venue; most offer both options. Personally, I love parties at home, because then I have more time for decorating, and that’s the part I love most! If you’re choosing a location, you have to take into account that there may be weather challenges or time restraints, so while it may provide you with the atmosphere and no stress on mess, a tight timeframe or a windy day may mean you are busy installing decorations, setting up the table and getting the food ready, instead of enjoying yourself. Now that you have the theme, date and place, simply match the food, tableware and decorations to suit. Make these yourself or outsource – either way, you need plenty of time if you really want to enjoy your child’s party on the day! There are plenty of suppliers for cakes, baking supplies, cookies, cake pops, party supplies and decorations (like ourselves at www.littleginger.com.au), but if you know what your theme is and plan ahead, you really can save yourself a lot of time and sanity in the lead-up to the day. Planning really helps to achieve a better budget, as well! At the end of the day, to make it really memorable for your loved ones, all you need to do is be there on the day with a big smile on your face as they enjoy all their little friends. My two gorgeous kids now both know that Mummy loves a great party, so they tend to get in early with their preferred theme, so it’s sure to be a great outcome. We have a rule that we stick to the chosen theme after a few early discussions. Enjoy!
Who is Nikki Eyes? Nikki is an expert in party ‘wow factor’, and the owner of Little Ginger – Party Supplies and Gifts. She loves a good party and the connection to others that it brings. Nikki is also mum to two little ones (aged four and eight), and step-mum to two bigger ones (aged 26 and 27)
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HANDMADE.
TRIBE FOR ART IN THE WEST IMAGE DANIELLE SMELTER
Tribe for Art is a new studio space and community for artist mothers and their children, run by local mum Holly Block. After its launch on July 20th this year, Bubba West asked Holly about Tribe and what is in store for creative mums of the west! Bubba West (BW): Tell us about Tribe for Art Holly Block (HB): Tribe for Art is open to mother artists/ creatives in all fields, both professional and those just starting out. We share a huge studio space where the mums can create and collaborate, but they can also still see their kids, who are playing and creating in their own way. The kids' creative time is lead by the mums sharing their artistic talents. It basically works like a mothers group, where everyone takes turns interacting with the kids – we are all responsible for making Tribe work. We believe it takes a tribe to raise a child; mums need to band together to achieve great things. We are located at the Scout Hall in Seddon, just opposite Seddon Train Station. The Hall is huge, with a great kitchen, storage and even a little stage… we even have a piano!
BW: What do the kids do while mums are working? HB: The environment at Tribe is set up with lots of different play stations for creative play. The mums will lead the creative play; so far, we have mums who love reading, crafting, dancing, dramatic play, painting and music. Tribe will also bring in external workshop operators to free up some time for the mums, and to offer some cool stuff we don't know how to do. We will also offer workshops for mother and child to inspire us about how to involve the kids in our creative process, and for bonding. BW: What gave you the idea? HB: The idea came from when I was a single mum. I knew that when I was creating, I was a happier mum, able to create a happier home environment. But really finding the time, space and opportunity to do it was almost impossible. I didn't have 29/BUBBA WEST
parents close by, and and could not find studio space where kids were welcome. I have always thought, 'if you need it, create it'! I knew there would be other mums who craved being creative, and just needed a supportive tribe of mothers around them, with the same vision.
BW: Why should women continue being creative after having kids? HB: If you have a creative calling, it is SO important. It's about being happy and joyful and sharing that with your family. I also think, for me anyway, it was how I reclaimed myself. I definitely got a little lost in my role as a mother, and although I always loved it, I wish I had realised earlier how much I could have benefited by simply creating again. We have attracted an amazing group of mums so far. There are dancers, performers, painters, those who work in film, writers, drawers and a couple of dabblers!
BW: Anything else you want to share? HB: Being a community, I am excited about what is possible for Tribe. Its intent is to serve and support these mums and their children, and to promote women in art. I foresee Tribe expanding to be able to offer members things like Yoga and meditation (I am a meditation teacher). We will also exhibit/ perform alongside our kids at the end of year – who knows what that will look like! We are now accepting applications for membership to Tribe for Art. Email tribeforart@gmail.com
relationships.
ASK ANNIE
Anne Hollonds is a child and family psychologist. She has been helping families for over 20 years, and here, she answers your burning questions about children and family relationships. You can follow her on twitter @AnneHollonds. 'I have two sons, aged five and two. The five-year-old is very challenging. He pushes back about packing up his toys, doing his reading homework, eating dinner... I find myself threatening to confiscate things if he doesn't cooperate, which is not resourceful. Our relationship is becoming strained and I worry he'll grow up to resent me. It's not nice to say, but I'm not really enjoying parenting at the moment. How do I move back to a fun and loving relationship with my child?' Simone.
Dear Simone, It might sound strange, but sometimes being a parent is not much 'fun'. Your love for your children comes through in your letter, and your honesty about how tough things are right now will be refreshing for many readers. There are some periods in a child's development when getting attention – even negative attention – is especially important. It doesn't make sense to us as parents that a child would continue behaviour that he knows we disapprove of. This typically happens when he feels he needs to compete for attention. Sometimes, kids mistakenly feel that a sibling gets more approval from parents, especially a cute younger one! Sometimes, there are other family stresses, and kids play up so that we focus on them, even if it's in a negative way. Sometimes, however, there is no clear reason for the behaviour. It sounds like you are concerned about being stuck in a 'policeman' role, having to constantly reprimand your child. It's exhausting; but, Simone, don't panic.
things more often. Even better, find an activity he likes, and make it the special thing you do together – just the two of you.
3. Have a think about which negative behaviours you can
safely ignore – ones that don't matter so much. Use a low-key, matter-of-fact approach to correct his behaviour, then redirect attention to something constructive. Try to focus on small moments of positive behaviour for which you can praise and reward your son; such as sitting and eating a meal, playing with his little brother, or small acts of kindness. Invent things he can do that you can reward him for, like setting the table for dinner, or getting the mail from the letterbox, and make a big deal about how grown-up he is as the big brother. Just watch his face light up! Sharing jokes and having fun together can also help compensate for the inevitable negative moments that arise. 4. To do all this, you need support and practical help. How well are you collaborating as a team with your child's dad? Who else can help you? Speak with your child's teacher for some classroom strategies. Using similar techniques at home can make it easier for your child to choose positive behaviours. Some kids try so hard to be 'good' at school that when they get home, they are emotionally exhausted and let it all out on you. This can be a temporary phase as they get used to the new routines and expectations.
Have a question for Annie? Send your questions to admin@bubbawest.com.
Your love for your child is evident and you just need to find ways of letting him experience you as 'positive mum' more often at this challenging time. You need to rebalance how you spend time together. Here's some tips that may be useful:
1. Don't take it personally. Sometimes, it's hard not to feel
rejected; but remember, it's not about you, it's just a tricky stage of child development.
2. Is there someone who can take on more of the 'policeman' duties for a while? For example, agree with his dad that he will supervise the homework and chores instead of you. Rearrange the schedule so this can happen as often as possible, or ask a family member or friend to help. This will allow you to be the one who plays the games, reads the stories, and does other 'fun'
Natural Fertility Education, Awareness and Wellbeing Practicing From: Superior Health Care| 69 Anderson St | Yarraville, Vic 3013 | (03) 9318 0799 www.fertilefoundations.com.au | info@fertilefoundations.com.au facebook.com/fertilefoundations | 0407 879 228 - Enquiries 30/BUBBA WEST
WHERE TO FIND ME Keep an eye out for Bubba West Magazine at your local shops and cafes. If you miss out on your copy, visit one of our core distribution points listed below. CITY OF MELBOURNE
MARIBYRNONG
Kensington Maternal and Child Health Centre, 81a Altona Street, Kensington | North Melbourne Library, 66 Errol Place, North Melbourne | North Melbourne Community Centre, 49–53 Buncle Street, North Melbourne | State Library Victoria, 328 Swanston Street, Melbourne
Footscray Angliss Maternal and Child Health Centre, Corner Vipont Street and Seelaf Square, Footscray | Empire Street Maternal and Child Health Centre, 8 Empire Street, Footscray | Footscray Library, 56 Paisley Street, Footscray | Town Hall Maternal and Child Health Centre, Community Services Building, Hyde Street, Footscray
BRIMBANK Braybrook Community Centre, 107–109 Churchill Avenue, Braybrook | Sunshine Library, McCracken Street, Sunshine | Sunshine Maternal and Child Health Centre, 20 Alexandra Ave, Sunshine | Sunshine West Maternal and Child Health Centre, West Sunshine Community Centre, 25 Kermeen Street, Sunshine West
Maribyrnong & Maidstone Burns Street Maternal and Child Health Centre, Corner Burns and Sonley Streets, Maidstone | Highpoint Shopping Centre, The Colour Club, 120–200 Rosamond Road, Maribyrnong | Maidstone Community Centre, 21 Yardley Street, Maidstone | Maribyrnong Community Centre, 9 Randall Street, Maribyrnong | Maribyrnong Library, 200 Rosamond Road, Maribyrnong | Maribyrnong River Maternal and Child Health Centre, 6 Wests Road, Maribyrnong
HOBSONS BAY Altona Altona Library, 123 Queen Street, Altona | Altona Maternal and Child Health Centre, 27 David Street, Altona | Hobsons Bay Council Offices, 115 Civic Parade, Altona Altona North Altona Gate Shopping Centre, 124–134 Millers Road, Altona North | Altona North Community Library, Corner Millers and McArthurs Roads, Altona North | Altona North Maternal and Child Health Centre, 180 Millers Road, Altona North Altona Meadows Altona Meadows Library and Learning Centre, Central Square Shopping Centre, 2 Newham Way, Altona Meadows | Altona Meadows Cooraminta Maternal and Child Health Centre, Central Ave and Skehan Boulevard, Altona Meadows | Altona Meadows Maternal and Child Health Centre, 65–71 Powlett Street, Altona Meadows Newport & South Kingsville Famous Blue Raincoat, 25B Vernon Street, South Kingsville | Leroys Cafe, 5 Mason Street, Newport | Newport Gardens Maternal and Child Health Centre, 51 Maddox Road, Newport | Newport Library, The Substation, 1 Market Street, Newport | South Kingsville Maternal and Child Health Centre, Corner Brunel and Paxton Streets, South Kingsville | The Substation, 1 Market Street, Newport Spotswood Candied Bakery, 81A Hudsons Road, Spotswood | Chase Kitchen, 80 Hudsons Road, Spotswood Williamstown Williamstown Library, 104 Ferguson Street, Williamstown | Williamstown Maternal and Child Health Centre, 105 Ferguson Street, Williamstown | Jellybean Kids, Shop 4/17 Douglas Parade, Williamstown | Enchanted Years, 30 Ferguson Street, Williamstown
Yarraville Clare Court Maternal and Child Health Centre, 30 Court Street, Yarraville | Norfolk Street Maternal and Child Health Centre, 2 Norfolk Street, Yarraville | The Younger Sun Bookstore, 9 Ballarat Street, Yarraville | Yarraville Library, 32 Wembley Avenue, Yarraville West Footscray Church Street Maternal and Child Health Centre, 47 Church Street, West Footscray | Recwest, Corner Essex and Market Streets, West Footscray | Roberts Street Maternal and Child Health Centre, 35a Roberts Street, West Footscray | Vari's Fresh Fruit and Veg, 590 Barkly Street, West Footscray| West Footscray Library, 539 Barkly Street, West Footscray Seddon Seddon Foodworks, 85/87 Charles Street, Seddon | Finch Emporium, 86 Charles Street, Seddon | Rhubarb Wholefoods, Corner Buckley and Victoria Streets, Seddon | Sedonia, 41 Gamon Street, Seddon | Soul Scissors, 170 Victoria Street, Seddon
WYNDHAM Point Cook Let's Celebrate Parties, Shop 41, 22–30, Wallace Avenue, Point Cook | Hijinx Play Centre, 2/6 Wallace Avenue, Point Cook | Wyncity Bowl and Entertainment, 36 Wallace Avenue, Point Cook | Oz Tenpin Bowling, 1 Linmax Court, Point Cook Werribee Chevron Market events, 601 Heaths Road, Werribee | Wyndham City Council, 45 Princes Highway, Werribee VIC | Wyndham Library Service, 177 Watton Street, Werribee Hoppers Crossing Western Leisure Services, 80 Derrimut Road, Hoppers Crossing
WWW.BUBBAWEST.COM YOUR PARENTING MAGAZINE FOR MELBOURNE’S WEST 31/BUBBA WEST