Child Magazine | Joburg April 2010

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JOBURG’s

APRIL 2010 Issue 52

Circulation 40 135

JOHANNESBURG’s

bes t

gu i d e

f or

p aren t s

www.childmag.co.za

cancer jab

will you immunise your children?

wriggly worms

you want in your kitchen

health &

31ways to love the planet

wellness

health

education

entertainment

Since July last year we’ve been living in rented accommodation… …while our house is renovated. The thing I miss most about our home is our vegetable patch. Perhaps I’m a country girl at heart but, somehow, as soon as you have lettuce, gooseberries and baby tomatoes sprouting in your garden, it feels like home.

Plus healthy eating seems so much more appealing when you’re tucking into the fruits of your very own soil.

We’d send our girls off to choose veg for supper and they’d devour rocket and spinach almost as if it were pancakes. It’s not that they’re natural lovers of greens – store-bought vegetables somehow don’t get the same reception, no matter how fresh they are.

There’s just something appealing about eating what you’ve grown.

As soon as the builders are finished (which is soon, I hope), we’ll be getting stuck into restocking and tending our veggie patch – I can’t wait.

The other thing I’m looking forward to is starting a worm farm (see page 32 for inspiration). Although we’ve been recycling for some years now, we haven’t quite got round to running a worm farm. Turning kitchen scraps into super food for our veg garden is our next step in being friendlier to the environment.

Here’s to a healthy 2010, for you and your family and, as we all do our bit, the planet.

Hunter House P U B L I S H I N G

Publisher Lisa Mc Namara • lisa@childmag.co.za

Editorial Managing Editor Marina Zietsman • marina@childmag.co.za Features Editor Elaine Eksteen • elaine@childmag.co.za Calendar Editor Chareen Penderis • joburg@childmag.co.za

monthly circulation Cape Town’s ChildTM 40 162 Joburg’s ChildTM 40 135 Durban’s ChildTM 35 019

to advertise Tel: 011 807 6449 • Fax: 011 234 4971 Email: jhbsales@childmag.co.za Website: childmag.co.za

Editorial Assistant Lucille Kemp • lucille@childmag.co.za Copy Editors Nikki Benatar Debbie Hathway

Art Designers Mariette Barkhuizen • mariette@childmag.co.za Nikki-leigh Piper • nikki@childmag.co.za

Advertising Director Lisa Mc Namara • lisa@childmag.co.za

Client Relations Client Relations Manager Michele Jones • michele@childmag.co.za Client Relations Consultants Renee Bruning • renee@childmag.co.za Natasia Cook • natasia@childmag.co.za

To Subscribe Helen Xavier • subs@childmag.co.za

Accounts Helen Xavier • helen@childmag.co.za Nicolene Baldy • admin@childmag.co.za Tel: 021 465 6093 • Fax: 021 462 2680

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Free requested Oct 09 – Dec 09

Joburg’s ChildTM is published monthly by Hunter House Publishing, PO Box 12002, Mill Street, 8010. Office address: Unit 5, First Floor, Bentley Office Park, cnr.

Rivonia and Wessel Rd, Rivonia. Tel: 011 807 6449, fax: 011 234 4971, email: joburg@childmag.co.za.

Annual subscriptions (for 11 issues) cost R165, including VAT and postage inside SA. Printed by Paarl Web. Copyright subsists in all work published in Joburg’s ChildTM. We welcome submissions but retain the unrestricted right to change any received copy. We are under no obligation to return unsolicited copy. The magazine, or part thereof, may not be reproduced or adapted without the prior written permission of the publisher. We take care to ensure our articles are accurate and balanced but cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage that may arise from reading them.

April 2010

contents

april 2010

upfront 3

a note from lisa

6

ver to you o readers respond

26 health

herbal tea can be as good for your health as it is refreshing 30 r eader’s blog stay-at-home mom Leonora Found takes a well-deserved break, but struggles to check out of mother mode

features 14 l ittle litterbugs you’ll turn your child into a responsible citizen if you teach them not to litter, says Laura Twiggs

32 r esource: going green we tell you how to build a worm farm, how to economise your home, where to drop off your recycling and who will pick it up for you

18 m oving on out Donna Cobban chats to two families who have traded city lights for a peaceful life in the country 22 life saver or lifestyle changer

t he vaccine for cervical cancer has caused a heated debate. Donna Cobban investigates 27 living proof

L ucille Kemp finds out about the benefits of Pilates for pregnant women

regulars 8

32 36 a good read new books for the whole family to get stuck into 38 what’s on in april

wins

10 u pfront with paul Paul Kerton ponders the perfect age difference between siblings 11 h ealth when buying a drinking cup for your toddler, it pays to read the fine print, says Elaine Eksteen 12 d ealing with difference Marina Zietsman looks at Asperger’s syndrome

50 l ast laugh for the first time, both Sam Wilson and her husband have full-time office jobs – and she is somewhat petrified

classified ads 42 family marketplace 46 it’s party time

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this month’s cover images are supplied by:

KIIDS BOUTIQUE 021 762 8935

April 2010

thinkstockphotos.com

thinkstockphotos.com

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April 2010

letters

over to you February 2010). We really have to take control of our own lives. Many times we stray from our callings when trying to fit into the roles prescribed to us. Being a good mom does mean taking care of our own needs first and foremost. It is a great relief to shed the burden of guilt.

Reshma Khan

fond memories A friend recently sent me the article that you published in Child Magazine “what my teachers taught me” by Donna Cobban (February 2010). It was about her primary school years and what she learnt there. As I am the Mrs Hounsell she wrote about in that article, I would love to contact her again and say “Thank you for the pat on the back”.

Teachers don’t get them too often, and I was thrilled to read her article.

In fact, I remember Donna well and still have photos of her, and of that fair she mentioned. I am also in contact with a few of the people she will remember from that class.

thanks for a great magazine I picked up the February issue of Child Magazine thinking it was an advertising brochure. I was pleasantly surprised at how informative it is. Apart from the very useful articles, the details of the advertising companies are also very helpful. I am now going to contact a

April 2010

What a small world it is! My friend read your magazine in Edinburgh and sent the article on to me in Australia! You are obviously doing a great job there.

Olga Hounsell, Perth

company that specialises in yoga for children as well as one for art classes. I’ve also decided to visit a lot of the places mentioned in your “what’s on” section. I have been looking for exactly this kind of information, and your magazine is the answer to a prayer. I want to add: I totally agree with Maritza van den Heuvel (“over to you”,

I’d like to let you know how much I enjoy each edition of Child Magazine that’s sent home from school with my daughter. The articles are relevant and well written and even the advertising is useful – the advertisers represent vendors and services that are helpful to me as a mom.

I went on to your website in the hopes of downloading an electronic copy of the magazine to send to some of my friends and relatives whose children’s schools are not in your distribution chain. Could you consider this option for the near future? It would allow the magazine to reach a wider audience at no extra cost and would enable readers to access back copies for reference purposes.

Dominique Bolligelo-Smith [We are currently working on our new website, which will be filled with helpful resources. Watch this space.]

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Child Magazine is one of the items I cannot go without.

The articles are informative, relevant and to the point. As a working mom and student, I enjoy having a magazine I consider to be “on the go” – it’s a great help. As a result of your approach, my husband also finds the magazine a worthwhile read. I am grateful for the interesting discussions on parenting it leads to. Well done to the team.

Marcia Arthur-Neveling I got my “paws” onto a copy of Child Magazine for the first time recently and can’t believe what I have been missing out on. What a magazine!

Arno

what’s normal sleep behaviour for a toddler?

My 20-month-old son has never been a great sleeper.

Naturally, as a mom, I started becoming concerned when he still woke up on nights that he wasn’t teething or sick.

Let’s be honest, getting up every two hours when your child is no longer a tiny baby becomes annoying rather quickly, especially when every mother you meet is telling you how their little angel is sleeping through the night, and has been since they were three months old!

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My son has struggled with breathing at night for as long as I can remember and, after going through all of the obvious things like “he must be coming down with a cold” or “maybe he’s teething again”, I started thinking perhaps it was something a little more serious… and so began my investigation.

We went through the whole allergy testing rigmarole, which let me tell you is not something any mother wants to subject their child to. (Imagine trying to hold down a 16-month-old while some stranger sticks a needle into his arm saying “shame, why didn’t mommy get you an Emla patch?”, and thinking to yourself, over the anxiety, “because no-one told me to!”)

Next on the list was going to three different paediatricians to figure out that he had general seasonrelated allergies, so we put him onto allergy medicine and changed our washing powder to an even milder one.

That seemed to work for the other allergy symptoms but not the breathing or night waking. Further investigation on the Net led me to sleep apnea and its causes. We then took him to an ENT, which resulted in him having his huge adenoids taken out a month ago (another unpleasant experience for any mom). We were sure our

troubles were over… we were sorely wrong. My son still wakes at night and, although the snoring has stopped he still seems chesty and snotty more often than he should.

Our last visit to the doctor has left us with an asthma diagnosis, which I really do hope is the last. We have come a long way through a tiring process.

My point is: parenting isn’t for the faint-hearted and it certainly comes with its challenges. Parents can use every bit of help and advice they can get. Thank you for a magazine that provides us with this and more.

Taryn

write to us We would like to know what’s on your mind.

Send your letters to: marina@childmag.co.za or PO Box 12002, Mill Street, 8010. We reserve the right to edit and shorten submitted letters.

The opinions reflected here are those of our readers and are not necessarily held by Hunter House Publishing.

April 2010

wins

giveaways

in april

support for moms

show time

Launching in South Africa is the Nurture Nest – Baby Sense’s feeding and pregnancy pillow, which was voted Mother and Baby Best Breastfeeding Product in 2009. The Baby Sense® Nurture Nest is a specially shaped pillow that provides support for mom and baby, ensuring comfort for feeding, as well as offering great support for a heavy bump in the last weeks of pregnancy. This year also marks the launch of the new edition of the book Baby Sense. While the book continues to deliver practical solutions for baby’s sleep, calming and development, it has been updated to reflect current research, and address questions and requests from moms and professionals. For more information, visit babysense.co.za.

Joburg’s Child readers stand a chance of winning one of 12 hampers, which consist of the new edition of Baby Sense and a Baby Sense ® Nurture Nest pillow, valued at R500. Email your entry, including all your details, with ‘Baby Sense Joburg Win’ in the subject line to competitions@babysense.com before 30 April 2010. Only one entry per reader.

High School Musical, a Disney Channel movie, has an entire generation of adoring fans. It’s an obsession that has seen big little girls the world over hankering after everything High School Musical. There is a new range of High School Musical merchandise available in Ackemans stores, which is as affordable as it is sought after. The range includes the rucksack for R89,95; a snazzy trolley bag at R119,95; an apron for R39,95; a lunch box at R49,95 and a pencil case for R29,95. For more information, or to locate your closest store, call 0860 900 100.

Ackermans is keeping your child in vogue by offering three readers a pack of these High School Musical products, valued at R330 each. Simply text ‘HSM JHB’ and your name and surname to 41568 before 30 April 2010. Standard rates apply. Only one entry per reader.

April 2010

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the organic way

extreme fun

Parents often wonder what nutrients baby needs, how much of each they need, and what the best sources of those nutrients are. Happy Baby offers detailed nutritional guidance for parents and provides ideas for a range of premium organic meals for babies and toddlers. For more information and to place your order, contact Baba Organics on 072 593 7135, lizelle@organixsa.co.za or visit happybabyfoods.com.

Baba Organics is giving away two R500 hampers containing Happy Baby products such as organic probiotic dry cereal with DHA, organic puffed grain snacks for babies and toddlers and organic freeze-dried yoghurt snacks with preand probiotics. To enter, email your details to win@childmag.co.za with ‘Happy Baby Win’ in the subject line or post your entry to Happy Baby Win, PO Box 12002, Mill Street, 8010 before 30 April 2010. Only one entry per reader.

Avalanche ski slope, situated at Cedar Square Shopping Centre in Fourways, Sandton, has a 65-metre sliding slope that allows you to try a bout of bum boarding or perhaps, if you prefer, you can relax at the juice bar while your children let off some steam. The setting is perfect for children’s parties, corporate functions and team building and presentations. For more information, call 011 476 2426 or visit avalanche.co.za.

Joburg’s Child is giving away one Avalanche birthday party for 10 children, valued at R2 200. The winner will be able to book their party from Monday to Friday between 3pm and 5pm. To enter, email your details to info@avalanche.co.za with ‘Childmag Win’ in the subject line before 30 April 2010. Only one entry per reader.

best dressed baby Little Lumps makes clothing especially for premature, newborn and 0- to 3-month-old babies, which is practical and made to fit according to weight. The soft cotton and special attention paid to seams and elastic waistbands are extra gentle on your baby’s sensitive skin, and they’re cute to boot. To order, or to find out more, call 011 680 5107 or visit littlelumps.co.za.

Joburg’s Child is giving away three hampers of Little Lumps baby clothes to the value of R350 each. The hamper consists of a blanket, track pants, jacket, hat and shoes. To enter, email your name and contact number to celia@littlelumps.co.za with ‘Little Lumps Giveaway’ in the subject line before 30 April 2010. Only one entry per reader.

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Congratulations to our February winners Ryan Bayliss-Lane, Philippa Glogauer, Logendri Mudaly and Lauren Marie Woollcott, who each win WallCandy wall sticker sets; Wendy van den Heever, Linzi Burgess, Elizabeth Moura, Dayle Cornelissen and Cheri Kaye-Eddie, who each win a Build-A-Bear membership and, Kirsty Searle, Carine Homann, Geoff McGee and Bianca Kritzman, who each win a Disney Interactive hamper.

April 2010

upfront with paul

mind the gap PAUL KERTON wonders about the perfect

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Paul, Sabina and Saskia

hen we embark on the architecture of our “ideal” family, the big question on everyone’s lips is: how big should the gap be between your first and second?

And – if you are completely bonkers and haven’t had enough challenges with the first two – the third and fourth? There is much debate about what the ideal gap is, regrettably none of it conclusive.

I first thought it best to have twins, since you get everything out of the way at the same time, but then think of the cost, both emotionally and financially. Two of everything, all at the same time, all the way through life – babyhood, toddlerhood,

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schooling, puberty, further education, first job, marriage, divorce ­ – you are always a parent to your children no matter what their age.

No gap means there’s no room to learn from your parenting mistakes and improve.

At least if there is a year (or more) gap, you can pace yourself and have a better understanding of what to expect and how better to deal with it. Also, you can pass things on. That is, if you have two of the same. If you have a girl first and a boy second, it’s unfair to have him swim in his sister’s old pink Minnie Mouse bikini.

A boy first followed by a girl isn’t so bad; your daughter can get away with Camo pants and Spider-Man T-shirts but risks the lifelong moniker “tomboy”, as she secretly craves a flouncy, frilly party dress.

For me, two girls (or two boys) is the ideal. Children are never in their clothes long enough in the early days to wear them out and they still look newish on the second.

And the younger one is always desperate to dress like Big Sister or Brother.

Does the size of the gap really matter?

Siblings will squabble whatever the gap. It is in the nature of the beast, as they vie for supremacy, attention, love, pocket money, bigger portions of food, the stickiest sweets, most expensive toys and the TV remote.

Younger children benefit from being second in that they learn quicker, particularly if the older sibling has any nurturing sinews in her body. Most early learning is copying; I’ve watched so many times as Sabina has become Saskia’s echo. “Can I sleep over at India’s tonight?” asks Saskia, aged 10. Five

minutes later: “Why can’t I have a friend to sleep over?” asks Sabina, aged 5. The fact that Saskia wasn’t allowed any sleepovers until she was eight and a half is lost.

Often, it’s nature that has the final say on the gap, and maybe that’s a good thing.

We would probably have had Sabina a little earlier than we did, but try as we might, it didn’t happen that way. And if we had, we wouldn’t have had the Sabina we’ve got, who we love dearly and count our blessings for. It’s strange to think that a couple of minutes either way, and we would all have very different children to the ones we have.

So, “love the ones you’re with”*.

Paul Kerton is the author of Fab Dad: A Man’s Guide to Fathering. *Apologies (for the change of lyric) to Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.

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PHOTOGRAPH: JILL BADER

age difference between siblings.

health

sipping pretty Buying a drinking cup is like buying a car: you’ll need to study the specs to know it can go where you need it to, says ELAINE EKSTEEN.

a

couple of months ago I headed off in search of a drinking cup for my son.

There are lots of drinking vessels on offer, but somehow I struggled to find something simple (no built-in snack pot necessary) that was also BPA* free. I eventually settled on a non-spill cup with a silicon flip-up straw, albeit in a brash luminous orange and purple.

When I unpacked it at home I was surprised to read on the packaging: “do not microwave… Do not boil, or steam sterilise parts”. I have no idea why I expected it to be indestructible simply because it was BPA free… but somehow I did.

I later mailed the customer service centre to find out the reason for the instructions on their packaging. “All Munchkin cups, including all sippy and straw parts, are not to be boiled or steam sterilised because they could melt or warp,” came the reply.

According to Sally Shuttleworth of DizzyDots, distributors of Amadeus drinking cups, “The difference in instructions about care for bottles and drinking cups comes down to the type and quality of plastic from which they are made.” Heat can

shrink, or change the shape of the various components, she explains. This means the non-spill seal you paid for might not work very well once the juice bottle has been through the dishwasher’s hot wash on the bottom shelf.

The cup I bought is top-rack dishwasher safe but, since I only purchased one and we don’t run our dishwasher every day, I wash the parts in hot soapy water and then pop the straw into sterilising solution for the night, which works for me. (My son is already 14 months old and only drinks water from his cup.) But, if you don’t have a dishwasher or would find my method too much PT, you probably wouldn’t be happy with my flip-top straw cup.

Deciding which drinking cup to buy is therefore much like purchasing a car.

If you need a vehicle that can cope off road, you purchase accordingly. And you wouldn’t take your city runaround through Baviaanskloof! I guess it all boils down to reading the fine print before you leave the store. *For the reasons many parents are choosing BPA-free baby bottles and cups refer to “invisible dangers” in our April 2009 issue.

PHOTOGRAPH: THINKSTOCKPHOTOS.COM

taking the hassle out of germ free • It’s generally accepted that you need to sterilise bottles, teats and cups until your child is at least one year old, when he has begun producing his own antibodies. After that, hot soapy water is fine but you might like to do a once-a-week sterilising blitz. If you prefer a more cautious approach, you can continue to sterilise the containers from which your child drinks her milk – the curdled milk is where the unfriendly bugs tend to grow.

• Choose the sterilising method that works best for you.

• If you fancy an electric steam steriliser but can’t afford one, ask around. Somebody is bound to have an unused one they’d love to sell.

• If you sterilise by boiling, make sure you keep a pot that’s exclusively for this purpose.

• Any large container – like a 5l icecream tub – will work for cold-water sterilising, and you can simply weigh things down with a plate. Remember to replace the water and sterilising solution or tablet as regularly as indicated on the instructions.

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avoid buyer’s remorse • Read the instructions before you leave the store. If you want the convenience of a bottle or cup that’s dishwasher and microwave safe, make sure it says so on the packaging.

And if it says top-drawer dishwasher safe, stick to the top drawer.

• When buying a drinking cup make sure you select one that can be fully disassembled so that you can wash each of the individual parts separately. Try to choose a brand with replacement parts that are easy to come by.

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dealing with difference

a world apart When a child is diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, there is a window of hope.

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n her book, Life Behind Glass, Wendy Lawson writes: “the world is noisy, confusing and full of contradictions.

And the people in it are distant and make no sense: why do they laugh and cry? Why don’t they say what they mean?” Lawson lived with feelings of disconnection, anxiety and confusion for 40 years before she was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome.

Asperger’s is an autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) of which the exact cause is not known, although there seems to be a strong genetic component. The disorder also seems to be linked to structural abnormalities in several regions of the brain, though children and adults with Asperger’s syndrome are often of average, or aboveaverage intelligence.

taking notice Because of the similarities between advanced ASD and Asperger’s syndrome, it’s hard to diagnose these in young children. Melissa Braithwaite, an educational psychologist from Cape Town, says the difficulties associated with Asperger’s syndrome are more subtle than those you would see exhibited by a child found on the more severe end of the autistic spectrum. “There are a set of distinct diagnostic criteria for the diagnosis of Asperger’s syndrome,” says Braithwaite. When talking about autistic spectrum disorders, you always look at the “triad of impairment”, she explains, “impairment in language and communication; social interaction; and imagination and flexible thought processes.”

Children with Asperger’s syndrome have severe difficulties in reciprocal social interactions. This means they struggle to consider and understand other people’s

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thoughts and feelings, which makes social interactions confusing.

Secondly, as with all children with ASD, but to a lesser degree, children with Asperger’s have all-absorbing and narrow interests, which might include rote or repetitive behaviour (also called stimming), such as lining up toys in a specific order. They are usually obsessive about routine and have a strong resistance to change. If not supporetd, this can negatively affect a child’s progress and development. They also display an unusual sensitivity to sensory stimuli (they may, for example, be bothered by noises that don’t annoy others.)

Children with Asperger’s struggle with speech and language issues. “These children have either delayed, superficial and sometimes good expressive language, which sounds almost formal or rehearsed.

But they are confused about the meaning of what is said or cannot comprehend what is said,” says Braithwaite. “Their non-verbal communication skills are a problem. It’s difficult for them to read the facial expressions or body language of others. They themselves can display inappropriate body language or use inappropriate facial expressions.”

Though, reiterates Braithwaite, “It is always important to remember that a diagnosis is only important in so far as it guides intervention and should not be used as a box in which to keep children. With support and team work, we are always amazed and surprised by the wonderful progress children can make.”

Braithwaite adds that the most important area to assess when looking for signs of Asperger’s is the child’s development – especially your child’s own development joburg’s

PHOTOGRAPH: THINKSTOCKPHOTOS.COM

By MARINA ZIETSMAN

as an individual and that of your child as a social being with children of a similar age.

“As a parent you get a sense if something is not right and it is important to seek out advice or support. Generally, around the age of two and upwards, you can look at starting to confirm that there is a problem in your child’s development.”

Janet Robson’s 13-year-old son James is attending a mainstream high school this year. But this Durban teacher did not always feel confident she would see this day. “James was a very difficult baby. He was fussy and had a weak immune system. He was also exceptionally sensitive to sound. Everyday noises that we didn’t even pick up, would disrupt his routine. He would clasp his little fists over his ears, and wail for hours.”

When James was only six months old, Janet was aware that her son could not perform a simple social task like waving goodbye, and at 18 months she realised his speech was behind those of his peers.

That’s when the long journey to diagnosis began. First they visited a paediatrician, and then suspecting a hearing difficulty, the audiologist. He was then referred to a speech therapist. But all the tests showed James was fine.

Not much was known about Asperger’s syndrome then. Janet and her husband did hours of research and when James turned four, they realised he might have Asperger’s, though it was only officially confirmed when James was seven. “It was a very difficult time, but once we knew what was wrong, it was a relief. We now had a name and could start towards helping our child achieve better health.”

a teenager now and it’s a very emotional phase in life. We know and he knows that we have to work on his socialisation skills.

He will get anxious and we’ll have to control the angst. But as with anything else, we plan ahead and try to foresee obstacles and give him tools to cope with them.”

James’s primary school facilitator, Lynn Gibson, says that it was an amazing journey to see him progress. “Social norms that other children take for granted he just didn’t understand. For example, because he is so bright, it was very frustrating for him to know the answers in the classroom, but be unable to grasp that he had to put up his hand if he wanted to answer. Small things like this can make life exasperating for the child with Asperger’s, as well as for the people around them. But gradually James started to understand the social environment in a classroom and on the playground. When he went to high school I did not go with him, because he didn’t need me anymore. I was so sad (for me), but delighted for him. That’s what we had been working towards.”

Psychologists, paediatricians and neurological paediatricians are equipped to assess a child and make a diagnosis. A psychologist can continue the long-term support these children need in developing social awareness, while physiotherapists and occupational therapists play an important role in working on the child’s sensitivity to sensory stimuli.

Diet intervention is another route that has given some parents success, while other parents have found an intervention programme useful. Janet strongly believes that the parent-based Relationship

“

It was a difficult time, but once we knew what was wrong, it was a relief. We now had a name and could start working towards helping our child achieve better health.

When it comes to continuing support, it is important parents find a school environment that will nurture and develop your child. If your child doesn’t need special schooling, make sure you find a school that will understand and support your child’s needs. “Look for a school that has a passion for inclusivity and is knowledgeable about Asperger’s and the accompanying needs your child will have,” says Braithwaite. “You are looking for a partnership where you are able to communicate openly and work towards solutions for your child.”

James has always attended a mainstream school and was assisted by a facilitator from Grade 00 to Grade 7. Now he attends school on his own.

“He is an exceptionally bright boy and a very pleasant child,” says Janet, “but we are aware that no-one can ever outgrow Asperger’s. The most important thing is that James has grown to know himself. After much intervention, James had accumulated sufficient skills to cope in a main stream environment on his own and was able to make some real friends to boot! We know there will be more obstacles ahead. He’s joburg’s

“

team work

Development Intervention (RDI) programme, which helps parents teach their child how to participate in emotional relationships by exposing the child to natural scenarios in a gradual and systematic way, was the turning point in James’s development.

Autism South Africa cautions parents about doing proper research and getting first-hand referrals before putting their trust in a specific programme.

looking ahead The bottom line is that children with Asperger’s who receive proper support and professional assistance can lead a good and productive life.

Lawson who received her PhD last year says, “Today, I connect more readily with life and enjoy both family and friends around me. I am happy alone especially when I can pursue my own interests and I have developed strategies that enable me to more than cope with life’s demands.

One of the best tools we can equip our youngsters with is that of teaching them strategies to cope with change. One of those is that it is okay when things don’t go exactly to plan.”

April 2010

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feature

If you’re not making a point of teaching your children not to litter, you are losing a valuable opportunity to teach them a number of important lessons, says LAURA TWIGGS.

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can no longer simply drive past children who drop their chip packets, cool drink cans and, sometimes entire fast-food packaging, as they walk home from school. Something inside me snaps and I tend to stop my car, interrogate them, and demand they pick up after themselves. “Why did you throw that down in the street, when there’s a rubbish bin a metre from where you dropped it?” I yell. The guilty 10-year-old glares at me as though I am insane, or dangerous – perhaps I look it?

Curiously, it seems the whole idea of putting discarded wrappers into a bin designed for that purpose is a foreign

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concept to many of them. When pressed to answer my question, some of the responses have left me flabbergasted. “But I am creating jobs,” said one indignant little litter lout!

And it’s not a stab in the dark to conclude that children like him are only doing what children everywhere do best: following the example set by their parents and the caregivers in their lives. But attitudes like this are extremely dangerous.

According to Alderman Clive Justus, Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Utility Services, there seems to be a growing tolerance by the public, not only of litter,

but of those responsible for it. What’s more, this attitude is increasingly threatening the city’s rating by international tourism organisations as one of the world’s most beautiful cities and desirable holiday destinations, as residents continue to illegally dump refuse and indiscriminately fill our outdoor public spaces with litter.

“A depressing example of this was the state of our beaches during the holiday season,” he says. “Litter bins remained empty when people went home and City employees had to then clean the beaches of everything, from used nappies to bottles and food wrappings,” he

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PHOTOGRAPHS: THINKSTOCKPHOTOS.COM, ILLUSTRATION: MARIETTE BARKHUIZEN

little litterbugs

says. Durban and Johannesburg face similar problems, along with all major South African urban centres.

According to published statistics, Johannesburg collects 1,4-million tons of rubbish a year (of which 244 200 tons is illegally dumped and 1 779 tons is litter from the streets). But, if the overall figure is correct, then with a population of just 2,3-million, each Joburger produces 0,78 tons of garbage per year. And it all starts at home.

creating responsible citizens What’s more, just this one thing points to the very crux of personal responsibility, perhaps one of the greatest lessons children need to learn. “Children need to develop a sense of responsibility for themselves, others and the world in which they live in order to be contributing members of society,” explains Johannesburg-based educational psychologist Melanie Hartgill. “If parents create a loving and supportive home environment and teach their children to understand the enormity of their behaviour and decisions (like choosing to place litter in bins and to clean up after themselves) and also teach them morals, values, and respect for others, then they will be providing a good foundation for social responsibility.

One small thing that has a tremendous impact is littering, though this is not something our children will be able to appreciate if all of their spare time is spent indoors or in front of computer and television screens,” she notes.

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Moreover, the very basic question we need to be asking ourselves continuously is: “What is the impact of this behaviour?” Until parents and children can adequately answer that, anyone who stops children at the side of the road and makes them pick up their discarded flotsam will be a Mother Grundy at best, and an interfering, nosy old bag at worst.

Simply put, littering is dangerous, and when children and parents are aware of this, the habit of picking up after ourselves and even after others becomes a no-brainer. Says Dr Garth Japhet, CEO of Heartlines For Good: “Clean and cared-for open spaces in our neighbourhood become safer places for everyone. Children can play without getting hurt by the contents of litter, and because the space is being used and cared for by the community, criminals are less likely to commit crime.” Several studies have shown that the presence of litter encourages a range of far more heinous social problems, including drug abuse, crime, and even cruelty. There is a direct link between the presence of litter in our neighbourhoods and the invitation to criminals and criminal behaviour.

You don’t have to wait for your children to be older before introducing them to the principles of taking pride in their environment and becoming aware of the difference that their actions can make.

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Shockingly, a UK study by environmental group LivingLand showed that while nine out of 10 parents tut at young people dropping rubbish, they do it themselves in front of their children. Nearly 50% of children in the survey said they had seen their moms and dads throwing stuff on the streets. What’s more, it is estimated that there is now five times more rubbish strewn around our social spaces than there was in the 1960s, leading to a sharp rise in the numbers of injuries to animals and children, too.

It doesn’t take much effort to avert these litter casualties. It has to start with us, the parents. And it’s not enough merely to make sure your child doesn’t witness you tossing cigarette butts out of the window while you’re driving. “Spend time outdoors, go for walks and picnics, and spend time in your own garden,” suggests Hartgill. “Encourage and help your children to plant and look after their own small patch of garden. (This can even be done as small plants in pots.) These activities allow children to learn about the environment and provide many opportunities to discuss the delicate balance of nature and our responsibility to preserve it. A sense of social responsibility in terms of protecting and preserving our environment is an investment in our future and it encourages children to think beyond themselves.”

when to start?

You don’t have to wait for your children to be older before introducing them to the principles of taking pride in their environment and becoming aware of the difference that their actions can make. “Even preschoolers and very young children can be educated about not leaving rubbish behind and throwing things away responsibly. Remember that toddlers love being given little ‘jobs’ and ‘responsibilities’,” says Hartgill.

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In addition, you can make social responsibility fun and an adventure. For instance, visit the closest municipal dump with your children, get involved in recycling at home, and walk around your neighbourhood or community centre with your children, identifying areas that could benefit from a serious clean-up.

With research showing that the vast majority of eating and lifestyle habits are formed in children by the age of 10, it really is a case of the sooner the better.

arrange a neighbourhood clean-up • Before the event, parents should visit the site and identify or remove any asbestos, old carpets, old fridges and metal.

• Look out for any drug-related litter, and remove this before the children arrive.

• All volunteers should wear protective gloves and closed footwear.

• A particular group should be equipped with a brush, shovel and a container, and be placed in charge of collecting glass.

• Take a first-aid kit along.

• Explain possible hazards to everyone before the clean-up begins.

• Make sure that no-one wanders off on their own; children should be organised into groups of no fewer than four and be under adult supervision.

• Ensure that children wash their hands at the end of the event.

contacts • Turn to page 34 for our directory of recycling options, and get your family caring for the environment in this way.

• Illegal dumping can be reported to PikiTup on 011 712 5200.

• The penalties for contravening the new Integrated Waste Management bylaw are severe – there’s a minimum fine of R500 for littering, and up to R10 000 for more serious dumping offences, including possible imprisonment and payment for a clean-up of the site.

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feature

DONNA COBBAN finds out about what it takes to shift gears and head in the direction of a small town – for good.

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t’s late December 2009 and I am standing in front of the Pam Golding Properties offices in the small town of McGregor, idly perusing the pictures of pretty houses and thinking: “What if…?”

What if I could sell my Cape Town home and get a whitewashed cottage with enough space to have a small orchard, throw in a few chickens and still have room for a hammock and a haystack? The agent whips his head around the door, hungry for a sale. I tell him I am merely

fantasising and he quickly skulks back into his lair. But, am I…? Could I…?

The idea of downshifting starts to take over and I swiftly recreate the idea of me. I am bottling berry jams, kneading dough, collecting eggs and picking the spoils from my veggie patch. My son is bare bottomed and making mud pies. I throw in a dog, a sewing machine and some knitting needles for good measure – the picture is almost complete… bar the many hours of daily income-

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PHOTOGRAPHS: COMSTOCKCOMPLETE.COM, jamesedwardjohnson.blogspot.com

moving on out

generating work I would need to perform in order to sustain the picture financially.

We’ve heard the stories of how so-and-so left the big city to go and live in a little hamlet where she makes handcrafted hammocks from hashish rope. The picture is idyllic, the sound of highways and byways left far behind.

But is it doable?

To find out, I head off to visit my own left-it-all-behind person to see for myself if sitting in peak-hour traffic SMSing my children that I’ll be late again can, in fact, become a thing of the past. I find Alex Gotte and his family in Cape St Francis, a small coastal village with a pristine five-kilometre beach. “Tell me about your downshifting experiences,” I ask, already conjuring up images of evenings listening to the lapping water while sipping chilled white wine…

Alex starts likes this, “It may seem like a really romantic idea – growing your own vegetables in the garden and having early-morning strolls on the beach. But the reality involves

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generally living with an older community, holidaymakers who drive at 10km/h, town gossip, and family members who consider your house a cheap getaway.” At this point he’s already almost cured me of any desire to head for the hills, but Alex is only just getting started. “Going into the local hardware and telling Bob you will drop off the money tomorrow is great, except you will need to spend 20 minutes there as you need to greet and chat to everyone.”

Why bother then? I ask, ready for some more hardhitting truths. Alex tells me that one of their decisions to leave Joburg came when he and his wife started meeting in airports more often than at the dinner table. When I ask him if there is anything he really misses, predictably it’s not the lattés or lunches – it’s the summer afternoon thunderstorms with the smell of the Highveld earth thick in the air. The deciding factor for Alex and his wife was that they wanted to be happier and have more time available, instead of just being financially successful people.

The idea of downshifting starts to take over and I swiftly recreate the idea of me. I am bottling berry jams, kneading dough, collecting eggs… My son is bare bottomed and making mud pies.

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“Tell me about your downshifting experiences,” I ask, already conjuring up images of evenings listening to the lapping water while sipping chilled white wine…

The coast is one thing – attracting, one likes to imagine, barefooted surfer types. But what about inland hamlets, such as those well-trodden academic streets that attract another kind of downshifter? Cath moved from Cape Town to Grahamstown four years ago. I remember her first visit back to Cape Town, part of which was spent in search of sushi and strong espressos. She bemoaned the lack of a “Woolies Food” and sighed heavily at the thought of having to return to her newly adopted dorp.

Today nothing could be more different, and she is now a fierce proponent of smalltown living, where the balance between work and soccer-mom duties are made possible by shorter travelling distances and more-relaxed employers. Due to a higher staff number, she tells me, “Bigcity employers seem to have set a trend in terms of not allowing flexitime, which is always something to be negotiated in small-town jobs.”

But the word “employer” varies from small place to smaller place. Alex scoffs at the idea of having an employer, as he says the pay is often paltry and what you

may save on fuel and gadgetry upgrades (the urge apparently soon leaves you as the competitive element in you is quickly eroded), making a living wage can be tough in a small place. Alex’s advice for anyone wanting to make the move is to start your own business, but he cautions against starting a competitive business (locals often support locals).

He further cautions that when buying an existing business you need to take that client list with a pinch of salt as “locals tend to support the owner first and then the business”. Contracting to the company you once worked for until you find your financial feet is another option, or if you or your partner are lucky enough, relocate an existing business, drop a few clients and become remote suppliers.

While I am still hooked on the idealisation of a simpler country life, replete with dogs, bottled jams and fruit trees, I am not sure I could pull it off. It takes hard work, a heap of faith and a great leap into a new way of living. So I’ll continue to garner information from the likes of Alex and Cath, but for now I’ll stick to fantasising.

shifting gear: food for thought

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In Praise of Slowness: Challenging the Cult of Speed by Carl Honoré (Orion, R140)

Slow is Beautiful: New Visions of Community, Leisure and Joie de Vivre

by Cecile Andrews (New Society Publishers, R188)

Downshifting: How to Work Less and Enjoy Life More

by John D. Drake (Readhowyouwant, R335)

The Happy Minimalist: Financial Independence, Good Health, and a Better Planet for Us All

by Peter Lawrence (Xlibris Corporation, R217)

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relocating tips 1. Be really sure that you want to leave. Don’t decide on a Monday morning that life sucks, believing that moving to a small town will sort it out.

2. Pick a town that suits your lifestyle. Don’t go to the coast if you love the bush and don’t go to the Karoo if you hate dry weather.

3. Be very realistic with what you will do to make a living. Do not rush into buying a local business or hope that something will come up when you arrive.

4. Make sure the whole family is committed to the move.

Teenagers could become bored and restless in a small town. Your partner could be your only family and friend for some time so you need to be on the same page.

5. Acknowledge when things are not working out and make a plan to rectify the situation quickly.

6. Take advantage of the free things, such as walking on the beach or floating down the river. It’s surprising how many people don’t.

7. Stayout of the local gossip and if you do make comments, be prepared to stand by them.

8. Once settled, join a club or go to the pub to meet the locals. Be friendly and don’t try and impress – no one cares if you owned a Bentley and half of Sandton. You’ll have to show staying power to earn street cred.

9. Believe in yourself. Family and friends might make you doubt yourself, things might get really tough, money will almost certainly get tight but stick it out and the pleasure will be all yours.

Courtesy of Alex Gotte, Cape St Francis

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feature

life saver or lifestyle changer DONNA COBBAN takes a look at the debate

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arly last year, Jade Goody, the ubiquitous, loved by many, scorned by just as many, British celebrity gave the fight against cervical cancer an enormous boost. Sadly, this was through her diagnosis and subsequent death from the disease at the age of 27. The routine request for screenings (Pap smears) was at an all-time low, but with Jade’s publicity, Britain saw a sharp reversal in this trend – the request for screenings and subsequent vaccinations went through the roof when she was diagnosed as terminal.

Love her or hate her, the publicity surrounding her cervical cancer has, no doubt, saved more than one life.

I lean over my garden wall and ask my neighbour, a soon-to-be qualified gynaecologist what she thinks about

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it all. She gives me the nicest patronising look and tells me it’s not every day that a way to stop cancer is found and concludes: “This makes us pretty excited”. I can see why she is more than a little irked that I appear lacking in enthusiasm. Particularly, given that cervical cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women in southern Africa with an estimated lifetime risk of one in 26. The absence of a sound healthcare system available to all means that many women are diagnosed late, resulting in a poor prognosis for survival.

Yet, despite all this, the controversy over the newly available vaccine rages on. Since the vaccine can be given to girls as young as nine, many are arguing that it sends

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PHOTOGRAPHS: THINKSTOCKPHOTOS.COM

surrounding the cervical-cancer vaccine.

Cervical cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women in southern Africa, with an estimated lifetime risk of one in 26.

out a mixed message: don’t be sexually active but, just in case you are, here’s a vaccine. The reason behind giving the vaccine at a younger age is that it is believed to be more effective if immunisation takes place before the girl becomes sexually active; that is, before she is exposed to human papillomavirus (see points on page 24). So the vaccination should then come with some wise counsel and sound sexual education. Smoking, early sexual activity and multiple partners (in the case of both partners) are also factors that increase chances of contracting the virus.

I ask Mandy*, mother of two teen girls, if she is going to have them vaccinated. Absolutely not, she tells me, as it will encourage them to be sexually promiscuous. But will it

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really? I cast my mind back to my teens and to a time when our family GP put me on the pill to control the eruption of pimples that was threatening to pockmark my face forever.

My mother seemed a bit alarmed that I might now become a little footloose and fancy free. I was morally outraged at such an insinuation and it was only many years later, with a glowing skin, that I gave import to such a thought.

Perhaps young girls won’t see the vaccination as a “promiscuity jab” – which is what it has been dubbed in the United Kingdom, where there is a national immunisation drive to the tune of about £9-million a year. Sweden, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Greece are all currently offering the vaccine free of charge and in most of these

countries immunisation is taking place at schools. In Kenya, the vaccine costs more than most people’s annual earnings – a tragedy considering the fact that in developing countries, cervical cancer is the leading cause of death among women – with an estimated 190 000 deaths each year. This certainly needs the world’s attention and perhaps with an ever-increasing number of girls being vaccinated in the developed world, we might soon see a drop in vaccine prices and an increase in their availability to all.

what is cervical cancer?

Cancer of the cervix is mostly caused by various strains of a virus known as the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV

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is a sexually transmitted infection and most of the time the immune system will eradicate the virus itself and you’ll be none the wiser. However, in some cases, the virus remains and over time has the potential to convert normal cervical cells into cancerous ones.

HPV is a group of common viruses that are responsible for almost all forms of cervical cancer. In addition to this, HPV causes a variety of other problems such as common warts and genital warts, as well as cancers of the vulva, vagina, anus, and cancers of the head and neck.

Additional symptoms may include: • Anaemia because of abnormal vaginal bleeding; • Ongoing pelvic, leg or back pain; • Urinary problems because of blockage of a kidney or urethra; • Bleeding from the rectum or bladder; and • Weight loss.

Courtesy of the Cervical Cancer Campaign, USA

how is HPV transmitted?

which vaccine and at what cost?

Affecting both men and women, HPV can be passed through skin contact, the most common being through intercourse. Condoms can help to prevent the transmission of HPV but they are not 100% effective. CANSA reports that it is thought that there may be other ways of spreading the virus that have not yet been identified.

There are two vaccines available in South Africa, Cervarix and Gardasil. CervarixM protects against the two strains of HPV responsible for 70% of cervical cancers (HPV types 16 and 18), but does not prevent genital warts, which can be caused by HPV. Gardasil protects against HPV types 16 and 18, as well as HPV 6 and 11 that together cause 90% of genital warts.

For effective immunisation you need three injections over a six-month period. Cervarix costs around R700 a dose, while Gardasil costs around R1 200 a dose. The vaccines are currently only available in the private sector. These are the most expensive vaccines ever developed and for this reason, even with subsidised sales to developing countries, the cost is unlikely to fall until companies have recouped costs and met targeted profits.

what is HPV?

what are the symptoms of cervical cancer?

During the early stages of the cancer there are likely to be no symptoms, but as the conversion to cancerous cells progresses, some but not all of these symptoms may be experienced: • Blood spots or light bleeding when you’re not having your period;

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• Unusual discharge from the vagina; • Bleeding after menopause; and • Bleeding or pain during sex.

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… and their moms?

Dr Hennie Botha, Head of the Unit for Gynaecological Oncology at Tygerberg Hospital and Stellenbosch University says that there is enough conclusive scientific evidence to indicate that the vaccine will improve protection against cervical cancer when given to women over the age of 26.

However, he recommends adult women also follow a secondary prevention route and go for regular Pap smears. He suggests that, “When an older woman has her cervical cancer screening she should have a Pap smear every year for three years in a row. If there are no abnormalities in these first three tests then the woman’s chances of contracting cervical cancer become markedly lower and she then only needs to have a Pap smear every three to five years.”

what about boys?

in developed countries on a national scale. In

And what of boys, who can’t contract cervical

a recent paper published by the International

cancer but who are at risk of genital, anal and

Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, it was

throat cancers as a result of HPV? In October

stated that in developing countries, “…there may

2009, the Food and Drug Administration in the US

be a better case for vaccinating young men, as

approved the use of Gardasil to prevent genital

in some settings increased coverage of young

warts in boys. It’s an expensive vaccine and,

women may not be possible beyond a certain

therefore, not a popular one, but with ongoing

threshold”. This makes good common sense in an

research the vaccine may soon be implemented

attempt to control transmission.

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health

a cup of goodness Brewing a cup of herbal tea might just keep

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hen it comes to eco credentials it’s hard to beat tea brewed from herbs organically grown in your garden. While for some this might be reason enough to put on the kettle, there are other benefits too. Herbal teas are wonderfully refreshing and have great therapeutic qualities.

So, even if you’re not into throwing handfuls of basil into Jamie Oliver-style meals, you might like to plant herbs in your garden (or in pots on your balcony or windowsill), and start your day sipping on a mug of mint-infused tea.

Brewing herbal teas is very simple. Simply pour boiling water over the fresh leaves, allow the tea to steep for three to five minutes, then strain and serve.

To get you started, here’s a list of kitchen herbs that make great teas – plus their health benefits.

Basil is a source of vitamin K, iron, calcium and other nutrients. Herbal lore recommends basil for intestinal problems, headaches and ulcers. Studies indicate the herb may have anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory health benefits. It can also reduce bloating in infants.

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Thyme is a common remedy for stomach complaints, lung congestion, coughing ailments and flu symptoms. It’s also helpful in controlling cholesterol levels.

Rosemary regulates blood pressure and assists circulation. It fights bacteria and is a good decongestant.

Mint is the herb to choose for aiding digestion.

Lavender is calming and helps relieve stress, fatigue, headaches and insomnia. Drinking a cup of lavender tea before going to bed can promote restful sleep.

Fennel has relaxing properties and can provide relief for digestive problems and menstrual cramps. It’s recommended for patients after radiation or chemotherapy.

It nourishes organs such as the liver, kidneys and spleen.

The tea is gentle enough for babies and can relieve colic.

Oregano is a very good source of dietary fibre, vitamin K, iron and manganese. It is also a good source of vitamin A and C, calcium, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids.

Oregano has anti-bacterial properties and can be used to treat stomach infections and parasitic problems. It can also boost the immune system, improve the respiratory system, and help reduce fever.

The following two are not as easy to grow (rooibos thrives only in the Cederberg region; and you’ll need to dig up your

ginger plant to get to its rhizome (underground stem), but their medicinal properties make them pantry necessities: Ginger (grate or cut the rhizome into slices to make an infusion) is used for morning sickness, abdominal cramps, nausea and motion sickness. It helps with indigestion and is a powerful antioxidant.

Rooibos, says pharmacist Felicia Rubin, is “one of nature’s best kept healing secrets”. Rich in antioxidants, it boosts the immune system and removes harmful free radicals from the body. It is low in tannins and will therefore not interfere with the digestive system.

Rooibos has anti-allergy, anti-cancer, anti-viral and antiinflammatory properties, and with no side effects, it is something even babies can drink. It also has soothing and calming properties, which relieve colic in infants.

The asthmatic or allergy prone can also benefit from drinking rooibos. *Herbs have medicinal properties so it’s best to talk to your health care practitioner before including these in your or your child’s diet. Pregnant women need to be particularly careful of herbal teas as certain of them can promote uterine contractions.

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PHOTOGRAPH: THINKSTOCKPHOTOS.COM

you from digging into the medicine chest.

feature

living proof LUCILLE KEMP finds out why Pilates has so many pregnant devotees.

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PHOTOGRAPHS: THINKSTOCKPHOTOS.COM

regnancy can be a taxing nine-month marathon. With hormonal morphs bringing on rapid physical changes, Samantha, a 27-year-old graphic designer, was fighting a whole new kind of stress brought on mostly by a crazy chemical flux that left her feeling overwhelmed and out of control.

The closest I’ve come to experiencing something of Samantha’s difficulties is my battle with PMS before I went on the pill.

The only thing that saved me from my hormones were my trips to the gym. The exercise-induced endorphin rush gave my body that much-needed jab of energy.

While letting morning-sick Sam off the hook (she was, after all, struggling just to breathe without throwing up), I believe that when it

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comes to fighting the hormonal topsy-turvy of pregnancy, the same rule applies.

Only now, your exercising needs to be low impact to keep any undue stress off your joints, and needs to equip you for childbirth and your recovery. Strong core muscles – the abdominals, pelvic floor and lower back – can be a huge advantage in labour and delivery. Popular pregnancy exercises include swimming, Pilates, yoga and walking. Of all of these, however, it seems Pilates is the most revered among women for the stand-out difference it has made to their bodies during pregnancy and after.

“Pilates is more than an exercise, it is a lifestyle,” says Renee Watson, a Pilates practitioner for the last 17 years. Katya

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Kinski, a former ballet dancer who made the career switch to become a Pilates teacher nine years ago, cuts to the chase: “The traditional ab workouts you are used to doing at gym only access the external abdominal layers. When you learn how to include those remaining two deeply embedded muscles, you start to see a real difference. Pilates addresses this.”

Katya also adds, “People generally prefer to work the muscles that are already strong, while they consistently underutilise the weaker ones.” This scenario speaks for the all too familiar case of the “flabby triceps”. For all that’s said it’s really what these buff instructors don’t say that has me believing.

I’ve given them the once-over and there’s not a loose piece of skin in sight.

will stave off some of this discomfort by improving ribcage mobility.

Tracy, a 33-year-old mother of two who works in publishing, is reminded of her deteriorating pelvic floor every time she jumps on her children’s trampoline. She tells me about a 29-year-old friend whose pelvic floor collapsed after her third child. It is probably because of situations such as these that Renee can’t tell me enough about how Pilates teaches you to control your pelvic floor muscles, where you will be able to tighten and relax at will. For your pregnancy, this control will help with delivering your baby (relax and release) and also help with possible incontinence during and after pregnancy (tighten up).

A strengthened core means lengthened muscles, which means a toned physique that… will make recovery from childbirth easier.

fine tune your fitness core facts As a woman’s pregnancy progresses she needs to draw more support from her lower back and pelvis. When going into labour she relies heavily on her core muscles, particularly her pelvic floor, so it’s important these are strong. Pilates strengthens the core, which supports the lumbar spine and postural muscles, and enhances stamina.

Your strong core also helps maintain hip flexibility and reduce back pain. Katya and Renee both tell me that all these adjustments will aid in a much quicker and safer delivery. Plus, a strengthened core means lengthened muscles, which means a toned physique that Renee promises will make recovery from childbirth easier.

Pilates also teaches lateral breathing, which uses the diaphragm to fill up your lungs. (Give it a try: when inhaling it should feel like you are drawing breath from the pit of your stomach and you should feel your ribcage expand.) Lateral breathing helps to control pain and promote relaxation.

Also, in the third trimester movement of the diaphragm is limited because your baby is positioned high up – lateral breathing

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What further fuels my interest in Pilates is the backing it receives from medical professionals. Physiotherapists prescribe it to their patients as a physical therapy and biokineticists consult at various Pilates studios. According to Renee: “Top triathletes use Pilates to cut seconds off their times.”

I chat to physiotherapist Andrew Seymour who says, “Often athletes are strong, flexible and hyper-mobile but their cores are underworked and weak, making them susceptible to injury.” Take Janine, a 28-year-old marketing manager, who was ordered to stop her strict training schedule due to major muscular damage and was “prescribed” Pilates by Andrew.

After two months she is a sworn devotee of Pilates, she’s entered the Two Oceans half marathon, plus she’s dropped a dress size.

playing safe While observing a session, I notice how intently Katya watches her client’s every movement. While subtle, Pilates is also exact, deliberate and detailed. Without understanding the principles behind Pilates, says Katya, you will probably be wasting

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your time and could do damage to your body. For this, I’m inclined to think that if you’re a beginner you’re going to need expert guidance to keep you on track. The alternative to these intense studio sessions is a Pilates class offered at a gym. By sheer virtue of the fact that classes are larger, and have a high rotation of instructors, you may not get the personal attention you need.

When it comes to exercising, the bottom line for a pregnant woman and her baby is safety. Renee and Katya both insist on assessments and some private sessions, before you attend one of their group classes.

They gauge your fitness, any special needs you may have and the limitations your

pregnancy presents. Saying this, I am surprised to learn that not many exercises are a no-no for pregnant women. It is simply modified. Both instructors will, if necessary, consult with your midwife or gynae.

I watch a fresh-faced pregnant woman’s Pilates session with Katya. Fifteen minutes into the body twisting, contorting and solid breathing, I discover Mechaane, a 27-year-old restaurant manager, is 7½ months pregnant.

She doesn’t look it, she has a healthy glow and her frame is small but strong and seems to hold everything together quite compactly.

She is the only evidence I need, which is why I’m taking my precious pelvic floor off to my first class at the end of this month.

what works for you?

Pregnancy exercises do not have to be strenuous in order to be beneficial, and intensity should depend on pre-pregnancy fitness. Always consult with your midwife or doctor before signing up for any classes. Below are some other safe alternatives. swimming Aim for three to four 30-minute swimming sessions a week. Find a stroke that’s comfortable for you. Enquire at your gym or local swimming pool about antenatal swimming classes. benefits • improves circulation; • increases muscle tone; • builds endurance. tips Swimming is safe throughout pregnancy, as your body is supported by the water and there is little to no strain on your weakened joints and ligaments. The feeling of weightlessness will be very comfortable for you, especially in your third trimester.

yoga It is best to find a specialised pregnancy yoga class, as some of the positions and breathing exercises aren’t appropriate during pregnancy. benefits • tones your muscles with minimal impact on your joints; • breathing techniques are good preparation for childbirth; • improves posture, which helps minimise back pain; • increases flexibility, making birthing positions, such as squatting, easier. tips Don’t try new and advanced poses. Focus instead on improving your technique. As you move into the second trimester, your centre of gravity shifts, and you’re more likely to lose your balance, so move slowly into your yoga positions. Use support such as a wall or chair, for standing postures if you need to.

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walking A brisk 1,5km walk three times a week is helpful. benefits • the cardiovascular workout keeps you fit; • the fresh air might also help to combat morning sickness. tips Carry water with you and drink it regularly.

Do not let yourself get out of breath. If you can’t talk while walking, you need to slow down. Don’t exercise during the hottest part of the day. Wear supportive shoes and stay on level ground.

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blog

disengaging the mother ship LEONORA FOUND, a stay-at-home mom of three, escapes from suburbia

i

am a 38-… and-a-half (as my children like to remind me) -year-old mother of three. My daughter M is nine (oh yes, and let’s not forget the half), Mx is seven, and J is 18 months. My husband, let’s call him George, purely because he would think it ludicrous, heads a finance department of a not-being-mentioned corporate firm in town. We live in the suburbs where having “been there and done that”, I find myself getting re-acquainted with Barney, a black plastic push bike, and playing peek-a-boo with someone who is very obviously standing right in front of me with 10 tiny fingers spread widely across his little face, which in his mind makes him extremely well hidden.

We also do the morning Moms and Tots thing and swimming lessons. In the afternoon, I become an extramural taxi driver; my main objective being to get each child to the right extramural at the right time on the right day. This is followed by homework (perhaps I will achieve academic recognition the second time I complete Grade 7). In between, I am sibling negotiator, tantrum tamer, cook, cleaner, and movie director. When I say: “Cut – that’s a wrap” at 7pm, the children disappear into their respective beds, the house radiates peace and tranquillity, the dinner table is set for two, with candles softly flickering, and George walks into a home that smells of slow-cooked something or other to be greeted by a perfectly groomed wife. Realistically, everything before the word “Cut” is true!

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Don’t get me wrong. I love my life. I love M, Mx and J. And I love George. But, really, sometimes my life feels like the luggage conveyer belt at Heathrow airport. I don’t feel like I ever stop.

checking out About a month or so ago, after doing the taxi-teacherperfect-housewife-cook thing, I dropped into bed (where my husband had been for some time) and blurted out – with little thought – that I needed to go on a conference.

“Mmm,” he said, flipping the page to an article entitled “Best companies to work for in the world”.

“I would like to go on a conference,” I repeated a little more confidently into the semi-dark bedroom. “Oh,” he said, “have you found something you want to attend?”

(Now, this wasn’t a response I was expecting. No! I hadn’t found something to attend. All I was thinking is that he travels a lot, goes to exotic places [anywhere other than suburbia is exotic] and, hence, is able to break the monotony of his daily routine.)

Stumped, I said nothing for a good 10 minutes while I studied that dark void above my head wondering whether I could actually find a conference. More staring.

More darkness. More page flicking. And then it occurred to me: perhaps I didn’t really need a conference. What I needed was some space. I love my family dearly. I have chosen to be a stay-at-home mom and I greatly

appreciate the privilege. But, just a little bit of my own agenda, my own routine, the opportunity to prioritise my own needs, would be so much appreciated. And so, with the possibility card on the table, I began to plan and ponder.

Lucky for me, I not only have an incredibly generous husband but an incredibly generous father who has some very nice contacts. Enter Dream Hotel at an unbelievable price. Before I knew it, Operation Escape was a reality.

George took two days’ leave so I didn’t have to give up weekend time. I secretly giggled with glee at the thought of him rushing in from a late afternoon extramural and then listening to a Grade 1 reading Biff and Chip at snail’s pace, as well as trying to force feed an 18-month child (who regularly clamps his lips shut at mealtimes), and test a nine-year-old on her spelling while she insists on j-boarding round and round the table.

Being gracious and kind, I had no intention of making him suffer. He is, after all, our breadwinner and I am not naive enough to think that his conferences don’t involve work. So I put together an hour-by-hour plan for the troops left behind. I included ‘what to make for school lunches’, ‘when to drop who, and where’, ‘what to send to school on what days’, ‘what homework would need completing’, ‘the extramural timetable’, and a detailed reminder of the routine of an 18-month-old. And I preprepared two suppers.

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ILLUSTRATIONS: NIKKI-LEIGH PIPER

for some time on her own but struggles to switch into off-duty mode.

ready, get set And so here I am. But the question is, why on earth am I awake at five in the morning? Who does that when they are staying in a five-star sea-facing room at the Cape Town Waterfront for three nights without children, husband, or any concerns of home? Clearly, I do. What I also did on arrival last night was neatly unpack my clothes into the cupboards, and unpack my toiletries neatly on the bathroom shelf. I replaced the hotel’s pathetic toy hairdryer with my supersonic 2 000-watt mean machine, and arranged my books from tallest to shortest on the bedside table. I even went as far as putting my pyjamas under my pillow. This morning I even straightened my bed… Clearly, I have not disconnected from the mother ship.

Last night’s arrival is also worth a mention. I arrived with a neat compact suitcase on wheels. Very stylish.

What wasn’t so stylish were the three giant plastic storage containers with luminous green lids. These contain the last 12 years of photographs, which I have been trying to sort for about the same amount of time.

This, I have decided, is my “conference”. It was when my luggage was kindly lifted out of my car by the friendly porter that I began to feel like an unpaid guest. And so I took on the persona of an extremely important paralegal on a top-secret investigation who needs to be holed up in a hotel to review evidence. (Clearly, I read too much

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John Grisham.) The porter wheeled out a beautiful, big brass trolley to transport my green plastic boxes, and I confidently marched off in search of reception.

In the foyer, my paralegal confidence evaporated and, with, what felt like a mixture of toddler saliva, snot and Bovril still smeared across my right shoulder, I made my way to the desk trying very hard to appear as

I arrived with a neat compact suitcase on wheels. Very stylish.

What wasn’t so stylish were the three giant plastic storage containers with luminous green lids. if I belonged. I then realised that my porter would most certainly need a tip and all I had were the nice crisp R100 notes supplied by the ATM. The concierge was helpful, despite the fact that it felt slightly criminal to be asking for “change” in such an establishment.

That done, I headed (key card in hand) to the glass lift, which would take me to my room. I was nearly there… just one small obstacle ahead – operating the key card.

How difficult could it be? Place card in slot. Press required floor. Doors close and… nothing! Remove card. Try again.

Nothing. Then on my third attempt, the lift moved and I relaxed for the two seconds it took for the lift to travel to the basement and for me to realise that it was not me who had got it going, but some more clever soul below.

As luck would have it, he was travelling to my floor and I was able to exit.

A few more metres to go and I would be home free, except for the fact that there was another slot, this one taking me directly into The Promised Land. And so, I tried again, and again… at which point my fabulous porter arrived and effortlessly opened the door. It’s quite simple, really. Place card in slot quickly. Remove the card, and then open the door. Once “Uncle Remus” had unloaded the trolley, treating my luggage as if it was matching Louis Vuitton, I tipped him lavishly (feeling like an idiot about organising change earlier) and closed the door. I then took a few steps into the centre of the room and laughed hysterically. I’d like to add that I decided to be totally child-like and jump on the bed… but this you’ll never know.

Readers, this is your column – it’s a space to air your views, share a valuable parenting lesson, vent your frustrations or celebrate your joys.

Send your writing to elaine@childmag.co.za

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resource

going green Practical tips on being good to the planet (and your soul): from a directory of people who’ll pick up your recycling to ways to save electricity at home and instructions for creating your own worm farm.

little wrigglers

We live in a consumer-driven society that has a habit of using up natural resources and not giving anything back.

Can we fix what’s been broken? The permaculture movement thinks so – simply by integrating our human environment with natural cycles.

One easy way of doing this is to use organic waste like peels and pips, dead flowers and leaves to start a worm farm.

This gets an organic loop going. Worms eat waste and turn it into vermicompost, which you dig back into the soil and then grow healthy food and flowers, and so on. Worms are one of the major players in the decomposition of organic matter.

A worm farm is practically odour and fly free (see page 33 on how to avoid fruit flies breeding), and compact enough to keep on your balcony, in the kitchen or

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even in your bedroom. What it produces is agricultural gold that will recondition the soil for generations to come.

how to create your own worm farm If money is no object, buy a readymade worm farm. Check the web to find a supplier near you. If not, make your own, which is much more fun anyway.

You need three wooden or plastic containers that fit on to one another – they can be bins, buckets or crates – and one lid.

Drill about 50 very small holes in the bottom of two of the containers.

Place a piece of cardboard snugly in the bottom of one and put some shredded newspaper soaked in water on top as bedding for your worms.

Now you’re ready for some composters.

Worms thrive in a rich, heavily mulched environment where moisture and food is supplied. Most popular are red wigglers and red earthworms. You can get them from, or order them through, certain local produce markets, nurseries and speciality stores.

Place the worms on the bedding and cover with shredded kitchen waste

PHOTOGRAPHS: THINKSTOCKPHOTOS.COM/DUANE HOWARD/EVAN HAUSSMANN

JUSTIN BONELLO tells you how to turn a couple of plastic crates and your kitchen scraps into fertiliser for your garden. Just add a handful of worms.

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economising your house and some sheets of wet newspaper, and then place this container on top of the one with no holes. Put the third container on top and close with the lid. The worms will eat their way to the top of the middle container and, when this one is filled with “processed” food, they will start moving up into the crate above into which you must now put the food. The middle container is now full of compost, so empty it out into your garden and place it on top.

In the bottom container you’ll be gathering the liquid fertiliser, which drips through. Use this on your pot plants and watch them turn into superplants.

Keep feeding the worms and repeating this cycle and, in no time whatsoever, you’ll see the benefit in your garden and know that you’ve started giving back and become part of the solution.

Extract from Cooked in Africa by Justin Bonello (Penguin Books)

how to handle the fruit flies 1 Always bury food waste under damp sheets of newspaper as these will act as a barrier to smells that attract fruit flies.

2 Make a trap by putting a little vinegar, wine or fruit juice into a jar covered with cling wrap into which you have pricked a few small holes. The flies will go in through the holes and get stuck.

3 Kill the eggs or larvae by first freezing, boiling or microwaving the fruit and vegetable skins before placing them in the worm bin.

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• Compost food waste: have a tub in the kitchen for all veg and fruit waste, egg shells and egg cartons. Find a corner in your garden to start a compost heap, or buy a compost tumbler. Save money on compost, and reduce your landfill footprint. Or start a worm farm (see “little wrigglers” on page 32).

• Use appliances before 6am, between 10am and 3pm, and after 8pm, not in peak times.

bathroom

By conserving energy in your home, you can save money, and help save our environment, says JUDITH PENNY.

kitchen • Tumble dryer: use sparingly and preferably not on very wet items.

• Washing up: don’t wash dishes under a running tap.

• Kettle: only boil what you need. When replacing your kettle, buy one that shows water levels.

• Fridge: open as infrequently as possible. Don’t overfill, and allow good airflow to ensure optimum use. Dust the top and back of the fridge regularly.

Turn the temperature down a little in winter. Note: fridges with dispensers on the outside use more energy.

• Oven: consider investing in a small convection oven (these use less electricity). When still using your existing oven, try and double up on cooking – freeze and use later.

• Washing machine: don’t overload, or under fill. Use a cold cycle for everything except bed linen. (About 90% of energy used to wash goes into heating the water.) Use the shortest cycle for lightly soiled clothes. When replacing, buy a front loader. These use less electricity and water than top loaders.

• Shower: this is better than bathing. Use a timer when showering to reduce time and therefore water consumption and money spent on water bills.

• Bath: share bath water where possible.

• Basin: don’t leave the tap running when brushing teeth or washing hands. Always use cold water, unless hot is essential.

• Toilet: put a brick in the cistern to save water and money.

general • Switch off lights when not in use.

• Convert all lamps to CFLs (compact fluorescent light bulbs) or LEDs (lightemitting diodes).

• Use hot water bottles in winter, rather than electric blankets.

• Turn off all appliances at the plug when not in use. Appliances on standby use 80% of the energy they would use if switched on.

• Open curtains and use natural light.

• Geyser: check to see if it can be turned down to 55˚C. Have the geyser and pipes in your ceiling insulated. Your geyser should be switched off when you’re away for more than two days.

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• Halogen downlighters are a very efficient light source and low on energy. Again, try and turn off when not in use.

• Solar lights in the garden are good.

• Install outdoor lights with daytime sensors.

• Pool pump: only use when needed and not on a timer.

• Insulation in ceiling: is a good investment for winter.

• Appliances: turn off TVs, DVD machines, computers and cellphone chargers at the wall plug and unplug where possible.

• The biggest energy guzzlers are geysers, the fridge and freezer, washing machine, tumble dryer, stove and dishwasher. By simply watching your use of these, you’ll be making a good start.

For more tips on saving energy in your home visit eskom.co.za (type “conserving energy” into the search bar) or read How to Reduce your Carbon Footprint: 365 Simple Ways to Save Energy, Resources and Money by Joanna Yarrow.

ditching the dirt

Loving your neighbourhood – and the planet – means sending less rubbish to landfills. We’ve done the work and compiled a list of organisations in your city that collect recyclables and other venues where you can offload them. By CHAREEN PENDERIS

pick (me) ups These places collect recycling from your doorstep.

Cartridge Depot collects and recycles empty printer cartridges in the Johannesburg and Pretoria area. Contact: 012 342 8882, info@cartridgedepot.co.za or visit enviro-cartridge.co.za Collect-A-Can collects cans from all Johannesburg suburbs, pays cash for them and assists with job creation. Contact: 011 466 2939, info@collectacan.co.za or visit collectacan.co.za Computer Scrap Recycling collects computers and peripherals, printers, fax machines and copiers from all Johannesburg suburbs. Contact: 011 740 4330, computerscraprecycling@gwisa.com or visit computerscraprecycling.co.za

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Desco Electronic Recyclers collects all types of electronic waste from Johannesburg and Pretoria. Drop-off bins are also provided at Makro stores. Contact: 011 979 3017, info@desco.co.za or visit desco.co.za Ecomonkey provides household and wheelie bins for the collection of glass, metal, paper and plastic from Johannesburg, Midrand, Centurion and Pretoria. Cost: from R79 per month.

Contact: 076 641 4330, gina@recyclenow. co.za or visit ecomonkey.co.za Freecycle connects people who are throwing things out with those who might like their unwanted items. Contact: freecyclejohannesburg-owner@yahoo. groups.com or visit freecycle.org Green Mamba Oil Refinery collects and pays for used industrial and automotive oil in Pretoria and Johannesburg. Contact: 012 661 9890, lorinda@greenmambaoil. co.za or visit greenmambaoil.co.za

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Green Office provides collection bins for empty ink and laser cartridges. Contact: 0860 000 444, info@greenoffice.co.za or visit greenoffice.co.za Mondi Paper Pick-Up collects office and household paper free of charge throughout Gauteng. Contact: 0800 002 2112, ronnie_recycler@mondigroup.co.za or visit paperpickup.co.za Project Plus collects printer and fax cartridges from all Johannesburg suburbs. Proceeds go to EWT (The Endangered Wildlife Trust). Contact: 011 849 5402, info@helpus2help.com or visit helpus2help.com Remade Recycling collects office and household glass, metal, paper, plastic and wood from Johannesburg, Midrand and Pretoria. It also provides bins for office and household recyclables. Contact: 083 325 4755 or visit remade.co.za Whole Earth provides bins for glass, metal, paper and plastic from Johannesburg’s northern suburbs for R70 per month.

Contact: 011 704 6096, info@wholeearth. co.za or visit wholeearth.co.za

drop & go Here are some options if you prefer to offload your recyclables at a central point, plus places that will happily dispose of your used batteries, ink cartridges and unwanted office equipment.

Fourways Garden Pavilion has drop-off bins for glass, metal, paper, plastic and batteries. Address: Leaping Frog Shopping Centre, cnr William Nicol Dr and Mulbarton Rd, Fourways. Contact: 011 465 4541, fourways@gardenpavilion.co.za or visit gardenpavilion.co.za Mondi Recycling Bins offers orange “Ronnie Recycler” bins at various drop-off sites nationally. Contact: 0800 022 112 or visit paperpickup.co.za Petco offers drop-off bins for the recycling of PET plastic (cooldrink bottles) as well

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as Polystyrene. You’ll find drop-off points at various sites as well as PikiTup garden sites throughout Johannesburg, Midrand and Pretoria. Contact: 0860 147 738, info@petco.co.za or visit petco.co.za Polystyrene Packaging Council offers bins for Polystyrene recycling. Dropoff points at various sites as well as PikiTup garden sites throughout Midrand, Johannesburg and Pretoria. Contact: 012 259 0554, info@polystyrenepackaging. co.za or visit polystyrenepackaging.co.za Reclite recycles fluorescent and HID lamps and other products that contain mercury.

Look out for boxes at all Pick n Pay, Makro and selected Woolworths stores For more info visit: reclite.co.za Rose (Recycling Oil Saves the Environment) Foundation has specialised containers for used motor and industrial oils at various PikiTup drop-off points throughout Johannesburg. Contact: 011 712 5400 or visit rosefoundation.org.za Ry-ma-In has drop-off bins for paper and cardboard. Funds go to the Ry-Ma-In self-help home for quadriplegics. Address: cnr 7th St and 4th Ave, Linden. Contact: 011 888 2550, rlombard@iburst.co.za or visit ry-ma-in.co.za The Glass Recycling Company is a nonprofit organisation that assists with job creation.

There are various drop-off points at PikiTup garden sites throughout Johannesburg and Pretoria. Contact: 011 803 0767 or visit theglassrecyclingcompany.co.za Whole Earth has drop-off depots for glass, metal, paper and plastic. Addresses: Hobart Shopping Centre, Grosvenor Rd, Bryanston; and Michael Mount Waldorf Organic Market, Culross Rd, Bryanston.

Contact: 011 704 6096, info@wholeearth. co.za or visit wholeearth.co.za

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books

a good read for toddlers Go For It, Ruby!

By Jonathan Emmett and Rebecca Harry (Macmillan Children’s Books, R90) Ruby is a careful duckling who likes to take things slowly, in her own time. But her new friend Errol is bustling and bold. Together they make the perfect team. When they go exploring in search of the golden pool, Ruby’s thoughtful approach helps them navigate the winding reeds. But when they come to a rushing waterfall, Ruby learns that sometimes you just have to go for it. This charming story, featuring everyone’s favourite duckling, is the third in the popular Ruby series.

Donkey’s Busy Day

By Natalie Russell (Bloomsbury Publishing, R101) Donkey feels proud. Farmer has asked him to look after the farm for a day and to make sure all the jobs are done. But donkey runs into trouble when he has to persuade the animals to do some hard work. This is a very funny book about the art of persuasion. It comes with a fruit and vegetable reward chart and stickers, which aims to make healthy eating fun for little readers.

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for preschoolers The Cat in the Hat

By Dr. Seuss (Harper Collins, R110) When Sally and her brother are left alone one rainy day, they think they are in for a dull time.

That is until the Cat in the Hat steps in, bringing with him mayhem and madness. First published in 1957, The Cat in the Hat has had more than 11 million copies printed. This is a classic book that every child should have the joy of reading.

audio book

Butterfly Kidz

By W. H. Miller

(butterflykidz.com, R89,95) Butterfly Kidz empowers children to believe in themselves.

This two-hour double CD set includes seven beautiful songs with magical stories for children with themes such as “teaching children to believe in themselves” and “how to overcome fear”. In each story, there is a lesson to be learnt to help your child develop emotional intelligence. By buying this product, you are helping to create jobs for people with disabilities and the disadvantaged. The CD set is available from Pick n Pay or visit butterflykidz.com.

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for grade 1 to grade 3

for preteens and teens Easy Answers to Awkward Questions

By Ilze van der Merwe and Nikki Bush

The Greatest Intergalactic Guide to Space Ever by The Brainwaves

By Carole Stott, Lisa Swerling and Ralph Lazar (Dorling Kindersley Limited, R161) In this book, children can take the controls and enjoy a space-hopping, out-of-thisworld ride around the Universe. From big bangs to rings of rubble, shooting stars to gas giants, there is so much to discover.

Brainwave and his friends are the astroguides to the magnificence of the Universe, revealing its spectacular secrets and exploring the deepest, and most mysterious places. This book is packed with information that has been cleverly and educationally illustrated with loads of humour.

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(Metz Press, R112) Many parents dodge sex education or avoid the topic completely because of their own ignorance and fears. This book is written for children between the ages of eight and 13 in an easy question-andanswer format, with delightful illustrations to add a fun element. It will double as an invaluable guide for parents so that they can answer their children’s questions candidly.

The Secret of the Black Moon Moth

By John Fardell (Faber and Faber, R98) A shy old man has approached Professors Gadling, Gauntraker and Ampersand with a strange archaeological find: early human remains quite unlike anything known to science. Soon Sam, Zara, Ben, Marcia and Adam join an expedition to a remote island to investigate. But the island contains a secret more astonishing than anything they could have imagined, and a dangerous enemy is also on their trail. Your teen will struggle to put down this story, the third in a series of adventure novels, which started with The 7 Professors of the Far North.

parenting book pick of the month

Ask Your Father: The Questions Children Ask and How to Answer Them

By Emma Cook (Short Books, R139) All parents know the moment: you are preparing the lunch box when your child asks one of those impossibly embarrassing, unanswerable questions – the sort you’d like to palm off on your partner. In Ask Your Father Emma Cook offers the answers. Collected from her highly successful column in The Times UK, the book provides on-the-button advice to almost every question with which you could have the misfortune of being faced.

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calendar

what’s on in april

For a free listing, fax your event to 011 234 4971 or email it to joburg@childmag.co.za. Information must be received by 8 April for the May issue and must include all relevant details. No guarantee can be given that it will be published.

COMPILED BY CHAREEN PENDERIS

1

1 thursday

1

Whether you choose to visit the consumer stands, enjoy an acrobatic or aerobatic show or experience the adrenalin rush on a roller coaster, you’ll find entertainment to thrill young and old alike at this iconic Johannesburg Easter festival.

Ends 11 April. Time: Monday–Friday, 10am–8pm; weekends and public holidays, 9am–8pm. Ticket sales close at 6pm. Venue: MTN Expo Centre, Nasrec. Cost: adults R70, children R25.

For more info: visit randshow.co.za

Contact Sarianne: 011 626 3426 or visit woodlandsboulevardmall.co.za Cooking and craft combo class Moms and little ones can spend a morning making delicious apple and courgette mini-loaves and mini-pizzas, and painting ornaments. Time: 10am–1pm. Venue: Little Cook’s Club, Fairlands. Cost: R200. Booking essential. Contact Heidi: 079 497 2694, heidid@littlecooksclub. co.za or visit littlecooksclub.co.za Children and the chocolate factory Children can watch chocolatier Marc Geldhof at work in his mini-factory and they can taste the yummy treats. Ends 5 April. Time: 9am–5pm. Venue: Sandton City Fountain Court. Cost: free. For more info: visit sandton-city.co.za

2 friday

The Jungle Book Based on Rudyard Kipling’s famous book, the play follows the story of Mowgli, the man-cub, who grows up in the forest among the animals. Mowgli’s life is threatened by Shere Khan, the tiger who hates humankind. The only way that Mowgli can survive is by outwitting the tiger, who is faster and stronger than he

Get creative, get arty, get jamming

Whether you’re painting, spraying or sponging, you can create a masterpiece at this fun, new art studio. Mix paint and imagination and you’ll be amazed at what you can do. Time: Monday–Friday, 9am–5:30pm; Saturday, 9am–4pm; Sunday, 10am–3pm. Venue: Artjamming, Blubird Shopping Centre, cnr Athol-Oaklands Rd and Fort St. Cost: varies. Contact Kayla: 083 379 2069, blubird@artjamming.co.za or visit artjamming.co.za

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Rand Show

is. Baloo and Bagheera become Mowgli’s protectors against the jungle dangers. Ends 18 April. Time: call to confirm time as they differ for school and private performances.

Venue: People’s Theatre, Joburg Theatre, cnr Loveday and Hoofd St, Braamfontein. Cost: R85. Contact: 011 403 1563/2340 or visit peoplestheatre.co.za The Great Moscow Circus The circus is recognised as one of the world’s greatest entertainment attractions and is gracing South African shores with world-class performances. Ends 11 April. Time: 2pm, 5pm and 8pm. Venue: Big Top Arena, Carnival City Casino. Cost: R90–R260. Book through Computicket: 083 915 8000 or visit computicket.com Camp Nelu holiday camp Children can enjoy a week of fun and adventure.

Activities include abseiling, climbing, paint ball, zip line and archery. The camp caters for children from Grade 1−Grade 8. Time: varies. Venue: Camp Nelu, Magaliesberg. Cost: R1 000, including transport. Contact: 083 457 7848, graeme@kidscapeadventures.com or visit kidscapeadventures.com or visit campnelu.org

2 Swan Lake Just a few days left to see The South African Ballet Theatre performing the world’s most well-known and best-loved ballet, Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake.

This performance is presented in the tradition of the grand Russian classic and tells the tale of a princess held captive as a swan by the spell of an evil magician.

The spell can only be broken if a prince swears true love to her. Ends 4 April. Time: 3pm and 8pm. Venue: The Mandela at Joburg Theatre, Loveday St, Braamfontein. Cost: R50–R270.

Contact Edgar: 011 877 6898, visit saballettheatre.co.za or book through Computicket: 083 915 8000 or visit computicket.com

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PHOTOGRAPHS: THINKSTOCKPHOTOS.COM

Holiday Club Moms and dads, rest assured that your children will be entertained with a host of fun daily activities. This is suitable for children 2½–5 years. Ends 9 April.

Time: 7:30am–5pm. Venue: Bryanston Montessori, Kensington B. Cost: half-day until 1pm, R60; full-day until 5pm, R80.

Booking essential. Contact Caroline or Lexi: 011 326 0367, bryanstonmontessori@ worldonline.co.za Stomp This show ran for six years on the West End and now graces Joburg’s stage in a revamped, Las Vegas-style performance.

Zippo lighters, rubber tubes, bin lids, brooms and even the kitchen sink are all musical instruments to the 12 talented performers. This show is fast, furious and filled with fun. Ends 11 April. Venue: Teatro at Montecasino, cnr William Nicol and Witkoppen Dr, Fourways. Cost: R75–R295.

Book through Computicket: 083 915 8000 or visit computicket.com St Stithians rugby and hockey festival This popular annual sporting event showcases talent from schools around the country so make your way there to support tomorrow’s champions. A hospitality tent, children’s play area, relaxation pavilion and food vendors ensure a day of fun.

Also 3 and 5 April. Time: 10am–4:30pm.

Venue: St Stithians College, 40 Peter Place, Lyme Park. Cost: R30. Contact: 011 577 6000 or visit thesaintsrugbyfestival.co.za Lindt Chocolate Easter treasure hunt A host of Easter chocolate fun for the whole family. Treasure hunts, face-painting and colouring-in competitions. Mom and dad can win a R1 000 shopping voucher just by buying a Lindt chocolate.

Excluding Good Friday and Easter Monday.

Time: Monday–Saturday, 10am–3pm; Sunday and public holidays, 10am–1pm. Venue: Woodlands Boulevard Mall, Garsfontein Rd, Pretoria East.

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World Autism Awareness Day sheds light on autism as a growing global health issue. It aims to increase knowledge of autism and provide information regarding the importance of early diagnosis and early intervention. For more info: visit worldautismawarenessday.org

3 saturday

Two Oceans Marathon nappy dash and toddler trot If you’re in Cape Town to support an athlete competing in “the world’s most beautiful marathon”, then there’s a race for your aspiring junior athletes too. The 56m nappy dash is for children under three and the 300m toddler trot is for children 4–6 years. Time: noon and 12:30pm. Venue: UCT rugby fields, upper campus, Rondebosch. Cost: R20. For more info: visit twooceansmarathon.org.za Mad Hatter birthday party at Lory Park animal and owl sanctuary, a safe-haven for abused, confiscated and abandoned animals. Wear your craziest hat and join in the celebrations at their “Mad Hatter’s tea party”. This is a day packed with fun including a best hat competition, facepainting, flying owls and animal petting.

Time: 10am–4:30pm. Venue: Lory Park, 180/1 Kruger Rd, Midrand. Cost: adults R50, children under 12 R30. Contact Marina: 011 315 7307 or visit lorypark.co.za DIY workshops for women Ladies can learn basic electrical and plumbing skills, and are introduced to power tools. Time: 9am–noon. Venue: Builders Warehouse stores nationwide. Cost: R250 includes refreshments and a snack. Booking essential.

For more info: visit easy-diy.co.za Strengths for K’dz workshop helps youngsters from 9–14 years and their parents and teachers to identify and unlock their innate strengths. All participants will complete the Strengths explorer test designed by the world-renowned Gallup Organisation. Time: 8:30am–12:30pm.

Venue: Rosebank Union Church, Sandton.

Cost: R500. Booking essential. Contact Janet: 076 626 6047, bzikdz@toolsofgreatness. co.za or visit toolsofgreatness.co.za

4 sunday

Market in the Park This popular monthly market offers crafts, jewellery, games, tasty treats and more. Time: 9am–2pm.

5

6 April – Children’s theatre workshop

Venue: River Café grounds, Field and Study Centre, Louise Ave, Parkmore. Contact Lorraine: 011 465 1281, 083 655 8012 or info@employability.org.za

5 monday

International Tennis Academy holiday clinic Mini-, half­-day and full­-day clinics for the Sharapovas and Federers of the future.

Suitable for children 3–16 years. Ends 9 April. Time: mini-tennis 3–6 years, 8:30am– 9:30am; half-day, 6–16 years, 9:30am– 1pm; full-day, 6–16 years, 9:30am–5:30pm.

Venue: Pirates Club, Lonehill and Craighall.

Cost: mini-tennis, R350; half-day, R880; full-day, R1 800 (includes lunch and a drink). Booking essential. Contact Michele: 083 443 3391, michele@itatennis.co.za or visit itatennis.co.za Take the Easter Bunny’s Diamond Express train to Cullinan and enjoy a day at this small mining town. Go on a mine tour or visit craft shops and museums. Braai fires are provided during the trip, but there are many quaint restaurants in the village. Time: 8:30am– 5pm. Venue: departs from Hermanstad Station, Miechaelson St, Pretoria. Cost: adults R175, pensioners R150, children 13–18 years R125, 7–12 years R100, 2– 6 years R75. Booking essential. Contact: 012 548 4090, sales@friendsoftherail.com or visit friendsoftherail.com Handel’s Messiah Acclaimed conductor Richard Cock leads the Johannesburg Festival Orchestra with a line-up of

Creative Hothouse art and drama holiday programme

An inspirational five-day creative journey including art, dance, music, games, swimming and more. The children also record a CD. Ends 9 April. Time: 9am–4pm. Venue: Craighall Park. Cost: R1 600 includes materials, lunch, snacks and CD. Contact: 082 230 0319 or suegrealy_studio@hotmail.com

4

The up-food market The focus of this market is on artisan products as well as organic vegetables, a decadent outlay of freshly baked breads, cheese, pies and patés. Enjoy a morning of outdoor shopping every Sunday.

Time: 9:30am–1:30pm. Venue: Atrium area, Design Quarter, William Nicol Dr, Fourways.

Cost: free entry. Contact Lee: 076 469 8995 or lee.anderson@ wol.co.za

acclaimed soloists and choirs to bring you this 250-year-old masterpiece in true African style. Proceeds from programme sales go to Women for Peace. Time: 3pm.

Venue: Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton.

Cost: free entry. Contact: 011 217 6000 or visit nelsonmandelasquare.com Starfire Soccer holiday programme This five-day programme develops children aged 4–12 years through the fun of soccer.

Children are taught technical skills as well as match play. Younger children can also enjoy soccer-ball painting. All children participating in the clinic stand the chance of winning two World Cup match tickets.

Time: 9am–11:30am. Venue: Parkmore, Zoo Lake and Fairmount. Cost: full week, R400; per day, R100. Booking essential.

Contact: 072 501 5444, info@runninrebels. co.za or visit runninrebels.co.za

years. Spend days riding, doing crafts and games, and learning how to manage a stable. The evenings are spent singing around the camp fire and doing quizzes.

Ends 8 April. Also 13–16 April. Time: varies.

Venue: Chartwell Stables, 112 Runnymead St, Chartwell. Cost: R850 for three-day camp or R300 per day. Contact Shirley or Lizette: 083 500 0103, 073 952 8572 or visit chartwellstables.co.za Creative fun for children Children can get creative and make a variety of different crafts from T-shirts to tool boxes and photo frames. Moms can sit back and relax in the gardens while the chef prepares tasty meals or teatime treats. Time: Tuesday–Friday, 10am– 5pm; Saturday, 9am–4pm; Sunday, 9am– 3pm. Venue: Serendipity, 48 Keyes Ave, Rosebank. Cost: first child, R40; second child, R30; additional children R20.

Contact: 011 447 7386, 078 804 4868 or serendipityplay@gmail.com Children’s theatre workshop This fourday interactive drama workshop will keep budding thespians entertained and they will put on an acting extravaganza. The workshop ends with a performance for parents and grandparents. Ends 9 April.

Time: Tuesday–Thursday, 10am–3pm; Friday, 10am–7pm. Venue: Kid’s Café, The Square Shopping Centre, cnr Leeuwkop and Naivasha Rd, Sunninghill. Cost: R1 000, including lunch. Contact: 011 234 0448/9 or info@dancecafe.co.za Holiday fun at the zoo This fun, interactive programme familiarises children with the zoo and the sights, sounds and smells of its animals. They also participate in fun games, craft-making and story time.

Ends 9 April. Time: ages 3–6 years, 10am– noon; 7–13 years, 9am–1pm. Venue: Johannesburg Zoo, Upper Park Dr, Forest Town. Cost: adults R30, children R55.

Contact Lebo: 011 646 2000, info@jhbzoo. org.za or visit jhbzoo.org.za

Easter Parade at the zoo There’s so much happening at the zoo today: entertainment for moms and dads as well as a treasure hunt for the whole family. Time: 9am– 3pm. Venue: Johannesburg Zoo, Upper Park Dr, Forest Town. Cost: adults R41, children R23. Contact: 011 646 2000, info@jhbzoo.org.za or visit jhbzoo.org.za

5

6 tuesday

Easter holiday pony camp This threeday fun-filled camp is for riders and beginners between the ages of 5 and 16

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7 April – Heidi Meet the adorable Heidi and her friends, Clara and Peter, in the stage performance of this wellknown

children’s

story.

Ends

17 April. Time: school terms, Monday–Friday, 9am and 10:30am.

School

holidays,

Monday–

Saturday, 10:30am and 2:30pm.

Venue: National Children’s Theatre, 3 Junction Ave, Parktown. Cost: adults R70; children R60. Contact Sue: 011 484 1584, admin@jyt. co.za or visit jyt.co.za

Holiday fun at the Bird Gardens Children can enjoy a morning of exciting activities including the bird show, fun, games, crafts and a delicious lunch. Ends 9 April. Time: 8am­–2:30pm. Venue: Montecasino Bird Gardens, Montecasino, Fourways. Contact Jenny: 011 511 4864 or visit montecasino.co.za

7 wednesday

Cooking and craft class Spend the morning with your little one morning learning fun new crafts and making delicious treats. Time: 10am–1pm. Venue: Little Cooks Club, Fairland. Cost: R150.

Booking essential. Contact: 079 497 2694 or visit littlecooksclub.co.za

Half-day mosaic workshop Children can create their own mosaic tortoise. Time: 9am–noon. Venue: The Seedpod Studio, Broadacres Garden Centre. Cost: R240.

Contact: 011 465 0375, info@seedpodstudio. co.za or visit seedpodstudio.co.za BabyGym Firm Foundation Programme This fun-filled five-week course is suitable for moms with babies, who are two weeks and older. It’s an easy-to-follow programme, which allows you to get the most out of your baby’s early years. Ends 5 May. Time: Wednesdays, 10am–11am. Venue: The Children’s Therapy Centre, Petervale.

Cost: R550. Booking essential. Contact Joanne: joannebradley@global.co.za or visit babygym.co.za

painting on canvas, doing beadwork and dry brushing. Time: 9am–noon. Venue: The Seedpod Studio, Broadacres Garden Centre, Cedar Rd, Broadacres. Cost: R180. Contact: 011 465 0375, info@seedpodstudio.co.za or visit seedpodstudio.co.za Children’s stress management course Lessons on research-based stress management and relaxation techniques.

The course is designed to decrease stress and anxiety while increasing self-esteem and self-awareness. Children learn the empowering techniques of progressive muscular relaxation, breathing, visualisations and affirmations in a safe, fun, interactive environment. Ends 30 April. Time: 2pm– 3pm. Venue: 6th Ave, Highlands North. Cost:

R520. Booking essential. Contact Christa: 079 527 1008 or visit stressfreekids.co.za Children’s wellness course addresses the difficult issue of bullying. Children, who have been teased or excluded by their peers, will benefit through various stress management and coping techniques presented in this course. Suitable for children 6–14 years.

Ends 30 April. Time: 3pm–4pm. Venue: 6th Ave, Highlands North. Cost: R520. Booking essential. Contact Christa: 079 527 1008 or christa@stressfreekids.co.za

10 saturday

Tom Jones live in concert This Welsh showbiz legend graces South African shores with favourites such as “What’s New

8 thursday

Baby massage course This four-week course will teach you how to massage your baby. Massage is an enjoyable way to enhance your baby’s development, deepen communication and help relieve physical problems such as colic, sleep or constipation.

Ends 29 April. Time: Thursdays, 10am– 11am. Venue: The Children’s Therapy Centre, Petervale. Cost: R450. Booking essential. Contact Joanne: joannebradley@ global.co.za or visit babygym.co.za

9 friday

Arts and crafts morning Children can get creative and enjoy a fun morning

7 April – BabyGym Firm Foundation Programme

family marketplace

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Pussycat?”. Time: 8:15pm. Venue: Sun City Superbowl. Cost: R330–R580. Book through Computicket: 083 915 8000 Cooper’s Cave picnic Budding palaeontologists can enjoy a rare opportunity to explore a 1,5-million-yearold fossil site. This new site features several species of animal fossils. Enjoy a day of fossil hunting, and learn how to make tools like our ancestors did. Time: 9am. Venue: Cooper’s Cave, near Sterkfontein Caves, Maropeng, Magaliesburg. Cost: R350, includes picnic lunch. Online booking essential. Contact: 014 577 9000, info@ maropeng.co.za or visit maropeng.co.za Irene Village market offers over 300 stalls of arts and antiques, numerous food stalls and a licensed tea garden with a safe children’s entertainment area. Also 24 April. Time: 9am–2pm. Venue: Smuts House Museum, Jan Smuts Ave, Irene.

Cost: free entry. Contact: 012 667 1659 or visit irenemarket.co.za

11 sunday

Ventriloquist Paul Zerdin is hailed as the man that’s made ventriloquism cool.

He was a hit at this year’s Royal Variety performance and had his audience, which included the Queen of England, in hysterics.

Time: 7:30pm. Venue: The Mandela at Joburg Theatre, Braamfontein. Cost: R186–R315. Book through Computicket: 083 915 8000 or visit computicket.com

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8 April – Baby massage course

12

New term for little yogis

Dynamic, interactive yoga classes for children aged four and older. Moms can also enjoy Hatha and Vinyasa yoga classes in the mornings. Time: varies. Venue: Illovo. Cost: varies.

Contact Nadine: 082 771 6105

Zoo trot Participate in either a 5km or 10km walk or jog through the beautiful zoo grounds. Time: 7am–10am. Venue: Johannesburg Zoo, Upper Park Dr, Forest Town. Cost: R30. Contact Sophia: 011 646 2000 or visit jhbzoo.org.za

12 monday

Little Cooks Club Second term starts today for 2–6 year olds and their moms.

Have lots of fun with exciting recipes while making tasty treats. Time: varies.

Venue: varies. Cost: varies. For more info: 083 556 3434, christine@littlecooksclub. co.za or visit littlecooksclub.co.za

13 tuesday

Baby and toddler special needs class Moms with special needs children

under two years can enjoy a morning of stimulating and educational fun. Time: 11am–12:30pm. Also 15 April. Venue: Toptots, Fairlands. Cost: free entry. Contact Lydia: 083 260 1800, lydiao@global.co.za or visit toptots.co.za “A Family Affaire” scrapbooking workshop Learn a wide range of clever techniques to transform your family photos into scrapbooking masterpieces. You’ll need to take along 8–10 of your favourite blackand-white family photos and your basic scrapbooking tool kit. Time: 9am–4pm.

Venue: Gardenworld, Beyers Naudé Dr, Muldersdrift. Cost: R450. Includes tea/ coffee, all materials to make your scrapbook page and lunch. Booking essential. Contact: 011 957 2545, 083 997 6142 or visit gardenworld.co.za

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Grease – The Musical Since the original stage performance in 1971 and a big-screen debut in 1978, Grease is still going strong with a full-circle return to the South African stage. Ends 13 June. Time: varies. Venue: Teatro at Montecasino, Fourways.

Cost: R100–R350. Book through Computicket: 083 915 8000 or visit computicket.com

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Sisters in Song Some of the country’s top vocalists entertain you with ballads, pop and rock songs originally performed by the world’s pop divas such as Tina Turner, Beyoncé, Rihanna and Aretha Franklin.

Time: varies. Venue: The Lyric at Gold Reef City Casino. Cost: R62,50–R87,50. Book through Computicket: 083 915 8000 or visit computicket.com

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Make a mosaic house number Spend a morning learning a new craft and making something beautiful for your home. Time: 9:00am–12:30pm.

Venue: Gardenworld, Beyers Naudé Dr, Muldersdrift. Cost: R380 includes all materials and refreshments. Booking essential. Contact: 011 957 2545, 083 997 6142 or visit gardenworld.co.za

16 friday

World Holiday and Travel Fair Time to plan your next holiday? Enjoy this showcase of holiday venues and destinations, and attend travel workshops. Entertainment for the whole family including The Royal Caribbean Kids Zone and a dedicated Youth Travel Pavilion. Ends 18 April. Time: 10am–6pm. Venue: The Coca-Cola Dome,

Explore natural health care Dr John Veltheim, founder of the internationally acclaimed Body Talk system, is talking about your body’s potential to heal naturally. Time: 7pm. Venue: African Leadership Academy, 1050 Printech Ave, Honeydew. Cost: R100. Contact Christine: 084 222 8833 or visit bodytalksystem.com

14 wednesday

15 thursday

“Siblings without rivalry” parenting course This five-week course teaches specific tension-reducing skills to create harmony among your children. Ends 12 May. Time: Wednesdays, 9:30am– 11:30am. Venue: Jabula Recreation Centre, Sandringham. Cost: R1 200 (the course can be claimed from most medical aids).

Contact: 011 454 1709 or 082 292 7999

16 April – World Holiday and Travel Fair

Northgate. Cost: R40. Book through Computicket: 083 915 8000 or visit computicket.com

17 saturday

Talk on children’s homeopathic remedies Genie Rowson, author of the homeopathic book There’s a remedy for that, will talk on how to deal with children’s ailments the homeopathic way.

Time: 10am. Venue: Words Bookstore, Health Emporium, cnr Church and Market St, Midrand. Cost: R55, includes tea and cake. Contact Maria: 082 896 0182 or maria@wordsbookstore.co.za Friends of the zoo fun walk A monthly 5km fun walk through the lovely zoological gardens for the whole family.

Every participant is awarded a medal.

Time: 6:15am for 6:30am. Venue: Pretoria Zoological Gardens, 232 Boom St, Pretoria.

Cost: adults R30, children R20. Contact: 012 328 3265, info@nzg.ac.za or visit nzg.ac.za Left-Handed Learning parents’ and childrens’ workshop Fun, informative and interactive workshop to help you ensure that your left-handed child flourishes in a right-handed world. Time: 9:00am–11:30am. Venue: Norscot Manor Recreation Centre, 16b Penguin Dr, Norscot.

Cost: R250 per parent and child. R50 for additional adults. Includes refreshments and workshop material. Booking essential.

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Contact: 072 300 7066 or programmes@ lefthandlearning.co.za

18 sunday

Blubird Wholefood Market Experience the “United Flavours of Nations” at this fine food market. Enjoy wholesome, delicious food or fill your basket with an array of goodies to take home. Also for sale are all kinds of organic goodies.

Time: 9am–2pm. Venue: Blubird Shopping Centre, Athol-Oaklands Rd, Athol. Cost: free entry. Contact Robyn: 083 311 4768

Young

Orienteers

short

course

challenge Orienteering is a great way to get the whole family into nature in a fun, healthy and interactive way. It’s a sport in which the competitor, aided only by a map and compass, locates a number of features, marked in the terrain and on the map. Time: 8am–9am. Venue: Stirrup Glen, Walkerville. Cost: R50 per group.

Contact Tania: 082 902 6097 or visit orienteering.co.za Lights, camera, action You and your child have the opportunity to be in the

18 Highveld treasure hunt for the family Test your navigational skills at this fun morning event. Reading maps and finding routes will help you find the elusive treasure. Time: 9am.

Venue: Kloofendal Nature Reserve, Galena Ave, Helderkruin. Cost: adults R40, children R20.

Booking essential. Contact Karin: 011 674 2980 or 072 595 6991

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spotlight on stage with full lighting, sound and an audience. This interactive workshop gives you a good idea of the audition process for television commercials and film auditions. Time: noon–4pm. Venue: Cantare Supper Club, Montecasino, Fourways. Cost: R400 annual registration fee, which includes cost of this workshop and video footage. Contact: 082 559 6702 or addi@netactive.co.za

19 monday

Story time at the library Teach your children an appreciation and love for reading. Story time will get their creative juices and imagination flowing. Time: children under three, 10am; children over three, 3:30pm–4:30pm. Venue: Parkview Library, 51 Athlone Ave, Parkview. Cost: free entry. Contact: 011 646 3375

20 tuesday

Toddler food-making class Join chef Christine Philips as she demonstrates and shares many of her tried and tested toddler food recipes. Time: 9:30am–noon.

Venue: Little Cooks Club, Rivonia. Cost: R350. Booking essential. Contact Christine: 083 556 3434, christine@littlecooksclub. co.za or visit littlecooksclub.co.za “How to talk so kids listen” parenting course The goal of this six-week course is to teach practical, effective methods of communication that will make your

relationship with your children less stressful and more rewarding. Ends 25 May. Time: 9:30am–11:30am. Venue: Jabula Recreation Centre, Sandringham. Cost: R1 440 (can be claimed from most medical aids). Contact Wendy: 011 454 1709 or 082 292 7999

21 wednesday

André the Hilarious Hypnotist Some people do the funniest things under hypnosis. Comedy meets hypnotism with this popular performer. Ends 30 May. Time: varies. Venue: Studio Theatre at Montecasino, Fourways. Cost: R95. Book through Computicket: 083 915 8000 or visit computicket.com

22 thursday

Bryanston Organic Market Joburg’s original organic market where the emphasis 20 April – “How to talk so kids listen” parenting course

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Stargazing dinner Enjoy a relaxing dinner at the restaurant before astronomer Vincent Nettman takes you on a fascinating journey through our night skies. Time: 5pm. Venue: Tumulus Restaurant, Maropeng, R400,

24

Magaliesburg. Cost: adults R195, children R90.

Accommodation specials also available. Booking essential. Contact: 014 577 9000, info@maropeng. co.za or visit maropeng.co.za

is on hand-crafted, healthy and wholesome goods. Browse through stalls offering children’s clothing and toys as well as those selling delicious coffee and freshly prepared cakes and pizzas. Time: 9am–3pm. Venue: Culross Rd, off Main Rd, Bryanston. Cost: free entry. Contact: 011 706 3671 or jules@bryanstonorganicmarket.co.za or visit bryanstonorganicmarket.co.za

journey around the world. Be wowed by the talent of these young performers and chat to them after the show about joining their school. Time: 10:45am.

Venue: Old Mutual Theatre on the Square, Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton. Cost: R50. Children under five free. Contact: 082 871 0034, shaye@kto.co.za or visit kto.co.za

24 saturday

25 sunday

The genius of nature three-day camp Learn practical and magical ways to connect, and live in harmony with, nature. Course includes soil alchemy, touching on homeopathy, permaculture and biodynamics.

Express your creativity through green designs for your own home. Time: varies. Venue: Sima Kade Bush Camp, Magaliesburg.

Cost: adults R1 200, teenagers R600, children under 12 free. Camping facilities also available at reduced rates.

Booking essential. Contact Claire: 076 578 6574, claire@geniuslab.co.za or visit geniuslab.co.za Around the World in 60 Minutes Join the students from Kidz Take Over drama school as they take you on a whirlwind

Predators by night Enjoy a bush braai while listening to the sounds of wild animals. When the sun sets, you’ll set off with your guide on your tour through the zoo with spotlights. Time: 5pm–9pm.

Venue: Predator World, on the R556, 5km from Sun City, about 40km from Rustenburg. Cost: adults R250, children R210. Booking essential. Contact San-Mare: 076 817 6869, info@predatorworld.co.za or visit predatorworld.co.za Art in the garden Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy a wonderful day in nature as you browse through a collection of artworks in the beautiful gardens. Time: 8am–6pm. Venue: Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens, Malcolm Rd, Poortview.

Cost: adults R25, children R10. For more info: botsoc@sisulugarden.co.za or visit sanbi.org

26 monday

24

Spur adventure series and bushbaby trail

This off-road triathlon offers an adventure challenge for young and old alike. Serious athletes can tackle a 16km mountain bike ride, 5km trail run with obstacles and a 2,5km water course. The bushbaby trail is for children 6–10 years and features elements of Survivor, Amazing Race and Treasure Hunt.

Time: 9am. Venue: Groenkloof Nature Reserve, Pretoria. Cost: adults R70, children R35. Contact Quantum Adventures: 021 789 0188 or visit spur.co.za/adventure

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A day at Maropeng with granddad and granny Pensioners can make use of the Old Fossil special at the visitor centre at the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site in Magaliesburg. The old fossil special includes a Maropeng tour at R55 (normal price R65), tea and coffee in reception on arrival, and lunch in the Tumulus Restaurant at R35. The special also exempts pensioners from a parking fee. Time: 9am–5pm. Venue: Cradle of Humankind, R400, Magaliesburg.

Cost: adults R95, pensioners R90, children R45. Contact: 014 577 9000 or visit maropeng.co.za

28 wednesday

State St Petersburg Male Ballet This ballet group was founded in 1992 by acclaimed Russian dancer, Valery Mikhailovsky. The all-male group performs the legendary feminine ballet roles in pointe shoes. The ability to perform these tip-toe routines has delighted audiences worldwide. Ends 2 May. Time: varies.

Venue: The Mandela at Joburg Theatre, Braamfontein. Cost: R135–R235. Book through Computicket: 083 915 8000 or visit computicket.com

29 thursday

it’s

party

time

Fun in the garden Enjoy a cup of coffee in the secluded gardens while the little ones have fun on the bicycle track, in the craft room, the computer room or outdoor play area. Time: Monday­–Friday, 10am– 6pm; Saturday and Sunday, 8am–6pm.

Venue: Grannies Garden, 138 Barkston Dr, Blairgowrie. Cost: free entry. Contact: 011 326 4265 or visit granniesgarden.co.za

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World Book Day special offer Enjoy a cup of tea or coffee at this relaxing, French countrystyle book store before shopping for some amazing books. In celebration of World Book Day, you’ll receive 7% off any book purchase. Time: 7am–6pm.

Venue: Words Bookstore, Health Emporium, cnr Church and Market St, Midrand. Cost: free entry. Contact Maria: 011 315 3801, 082 896 0182 or maria@ wordsbookstore.co.za

30 friday

27 tuesday

Montecasino Bird Garden turns nine Montgomery, the bird garden’s mascot, wants you to celebrate his birthday with him. Enjoy the Magical Flight of Fantasy bird show, your children can have their faces painted, receive a sucker from Montgomery, watch performing magicians or enjoy some fun and games and stand the chance to win wonderful prizes. Time: 8:30am– 5pm. Venue: Montecasino Bird Gardens,

“Ag please daddy won’t you take us to the drive-in” This is no ordinary drivein − it’s the only one in the world that’s built on the roof of a shopping centre, and even has vintage cars that can be booked for the evening. Rekindle the good old days of popcorn, bubble gum and Eskimo Pies. Show the children the way movies were enjoyed way back when. Time: Monday­–Saturday, 7:30pm and 9:30pm (double screening); Sunday, 7:30pm (single screening). Venue: Menlyn Park Shopping

William Nicol Dr, Fourways. Cost: adults R35, children under 10 R19,50. Contact: 011 511 1864, mbirds@mweb.co.za or visit montecasino.co.za

Centre, Atterbury Rd and Lois Ave, Menlo Park. Cost: Monday–Saturday, R65 per car; Sunday, R30 per car. Contact: 012 348 8766 or visit menlynpark.co.za joburg’s

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it’s

party time continued...

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last laugh

two office jobs, one family.

gulp

For the first time, SAM WILSON’s family finds itself without a parent working from home.

a

s of this month, Andreas and I both have fulltime office jobs. I know, I know… many of you have been parenting like that forever but for us, this is a first.

In the decade we’ve been parents, we’ve each done a five-year spell as the work-from-home parent, who is also in charge of the shopping, lifting and cooking side of things. Obviously, the office parent chips in, but the family buck stops with the Primary Parent (or Primary Caregiver or Mom or House Spouse or Dad or One to be Phoned First… we’ve never found a term that sits comfortably with us).

We both know what it’s like to come home to a family in full flow of dinner/bath/ bedtime – and to feel enveloped by the love, but a little cheated about the bits you missed. We also both know what it feels like

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April 2010

to be so tired of family that you pounce on your partner as soon as their key scrapes the lock, handing over all clingy children before locking yourself in the bathroom to stare blissfully at blank tiles for a bit.

You know? I know you do.

But all of a sudden we find ourselves with two full-day jobs, and two expectant sons carrying extramural art supplies, soccer boots and musical instruments. And even though our home is stocked with quite frighteningly wonderful folk (our housekeeper runs marathons for our province and sports a black belt in karate, and our brand-new au pair is studying education), I am having a hard time getting over all the outsourcing that’s going on in the family.

And though I am probably seeing more of the boys, as I race home a little anxiously

each day, I feel less in touch than I did when Dreas was the one helping to compile the science dioramas and expertly ferreting coloured pencils from inside the couch.

I want to know how everyone else handles it. In the meantime, I can tell you the things we have started doing to make sure we are still very much part of each other’s days.

First, meal times have become much more important. Now, sitting around the table for breakfast and dinner feels essential, and nonchalant mealtime chatter has been replaced by earnest sharing. I hope we relax into a happy medium soon, but at the moment I am really enjoying the dinnertable go-around games, such as “tell us your best and worst thing from the day” and Benj’s favourite “mad, sad, bad or glad”.

We’ve also stepped up the ritual. Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights all have set activities – from pizza night to swimming in the nearest public pool or watching a classic movie together. (You’ve forgotten how cute Kevin Costner was in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. Trust me, you want to see it again.)

I know it’s early days and we’re possibly overdoing it a little – but it’s times like these when I want to tip a cap at families without a stay-home, lift-available parent – be they two-office-jobs or single-parent families – and say: “Gosh it’s not easy, is it? Here’s to the love that keeps you going.”

Sam Wilson is the Editor-in-Chief of Women24.com, Food24.com and Parent24. com. She has noticed her columns becoming soppier recently. She promises to buck up soon.

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PHOTOGRAPH: Andreas SpÄth

Joe, Sam and Benj