Offspring Perth Spring 2013 issue

Spring 2013

Australia’s favourite family lifestyle magazine

Health, beauty and fitness tips for busy mums

At home with Ada

Can mums really have it all?

Read what celebrities have to say

TIPS & TRICKS TO GET YOUR KIDS EATING MORE FRUIT & VEG

HOLD THE CLAMP! Why it’s vital to delay clamping the umbilical cord

FREE www.offspringmagazine.com.au

The essential baby checklist

Are you ready?

contents

spring

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EDITOR’S NOTE

8

THE CONTRIBUTORS

12

10 OFFSPRING FACEBOOK COMPETITION

Join Offspring Magazine Facebook

page to WIN great prizes!!

KIDS FASHION 12

FUNKY KIDS Uber cool gear for kids this spring.

14

SWIMMING TIME Fabulous swimwear fashion for kids.

16

COOL CLOTHS Fresh fashion for kids this spring!

20

TIMELESS STYLE Quaint designs & vintage prints for cherished bubs.

22 46

FEATURE ARTICLE 22

AT HOME WITH ADA Diminutive Home & Away star, Ada Nicodemou, talks babies, baking and being a working mum.

OFF THE AIR 28

THE BARBIE EXPERIENCE Lisa undergoes a whacky social experiment, dressing as a Barbie doll for a day.

30

BUSINESS MUM 30

STAMPED WITH A SILVER LINING From humble beginnings in rural Australia, today, the Koolaman Designs collection encompasses more than 100 individual creations and is recognisable locally, nationally and internationally.

FUNNY MUMMY 34 LOVE IN THE TIME OF TECHNOLOGY

The digital age has its benefits,

but it isn’t always straight-forward

for the technologically-challenged,

as Ari shares.

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

NATURAL HEALTH 36

A MISSION TO HEALTH Local naturopath, Shannon Burford, explains why a correct diet, herbal medicine and nutritional balance have such an impact on our health, and can even help with allergies, asthma, Autism, ADHD, infertility and cancer.

DAD’S WORLD 42

FIVE GOING ON FIFTEEN Gary shares what it’s like being Dad to a daughter who’s growing up.

INTERNET PICKS 44

Our selection of websites offering great products for your family.

BABIES - SPECIAL FEATURE 46

THE NEW BABY CHECKLIST Everything you need (and a few things you don’t, but might find useful) to welcome your perfect firstborn into the world.

Offspring | spring 2013

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78 PREGNANCY & BIRTH 56

HOLD THE CLAMP! Midwife Devon Plumley explains why it’s so important to delay clamping the umbilical cord.

64

INTERIOR DESIGNS 58

TODDLER TRANSITION Smart ways to transform a nursery to a toddler’s bedroom.

REAL LIFE 60

HELPING MAX From frustration to diagnosis: what’s it really like living with a child with Autism? Beth Johnston sat down with the Major family to find out.

CELEBRITY MUM 64

CAN WOMEN REALLY HAVE IT ALL? CelebrityBabyScoop.com finds out from celebrity mums whether they can enjoy a high-flying career while also being a hands-on mum!

MAKING TIME FOR MUM Health, beauty and fitness tips for busy mums.

73

FERTILE GROUND Former engineer and Perth mother-of-four Loretta Hill has found a new career penning best-selling novels about life and love on the mines.

81

PARENTING

FAMILY TRAVEL

76

TOILETING TIPS FOR PRESCHOOL (3½ - 6 YEARS) Ngala provide tips for toilet training preschoolers.

SPECIAL FEATURE

FOOD AND NUTRITION

67

78

VEGIE SMUGGLERS Tips and tricks to get your kids to eat more fruit and vegies.

81

85

UP, UP AND AWAY! If you’ve ever dreamed of, or decided, to take the family to London and beyond, now’s a good time to get the ball rolling.

86

GENERAL DIRECTORY

PARTY DIRECTORY

ISSUE 15 SPRING 2013

Ada Nicodemou

Produced and published by Offspring Magazine Pty Ltd. ABN: 95 159 474 245 PO Box 724 Claremont 6910 Website www.offspringmagazine.com.au Editorial enquiries editorial@offspringmagazine.com.au Advertising enquiries Phone 0415 267 414 advertising@offspringmagazine.com.au Subscription enquiries subscription@offspringmagazine.com.au

Publisher / Editor Kate Durack Contributing writers Ari Chavez, Gary Ausbruch, Lisa Fernandez, Ngala Parenting Education Team, Claire Armstrong, Kate Bullen, Brooke Evans-Butler, Zoe Deleuil, Colleen Willis, Tara Dryland, Devon Plumley, Celebritybabyscoop.com, Jane Millington, Beth Johnson.

Graphic Designers Steven Lillywhite, Sally Travis Printed by Scott Print

Distribution 30,000 copies distributed by paid subscriptions and for free at selected locations throughout Perth.

Also available online via www.offspringmagazine.com.au Offspring magazine is an independent magazine published quarterly by Offspring Magazine Pty Ltd. Opinions represented are not necessarily those of the publisher. Offspring magazine contains general information and does not claim to substitute for health or parenting advice.

All content is subject to copyright, and may not be reproduced without permission.

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Offspring | spring 2013

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their Friday nights, and their his edition includes an article in which Hollywood days. All of them. Cocktails celebrities were asked whether women can really with the Girls, Date Nights ‘have it all’ (p. 67). Our profile pieces are also centred with Hubby, Pink concerts, on women who seem to ‘have it all’, such as this issue’s exotic, overseas holidays, interview with Ada Nicodemou (p. 22), a woman who instagram pics of families certainly seems to have it all - good looks, husband, child, playing in the sunshine and sea, prize-worthy Women’s great career.

Weekly birthday cakes, chic hairdos, designer dresses, newSo, can women really have it all? season shoes, new cars, new houses, new babies...and the Some say Definitely. Others say No Bloody Way. I say, it’s rest of the world HAVING A LOT MORE FUN THAN ME. an interesting idea. And, firstly, what does “Having It All” It suddenly seems I am the only person who is stuck really mean? at home, always working, servicing children instead of If you’ve ever spent time in a South African township or relishing in them, friendless, frumpy and confined to a been to the back streets of India, or were a Syrian national house. about now, you’d probably think that indeed nearly all of What was my idea of having it all again? That’s right, us reading this very page ‘Have it all’. We presumably have yes. Getting married to a caring, understanding, modern food, safety, a roof over our heads, education, health care man, having beautiful babies that would turn into happy and freedom. We’ve got it pretty good, many would say. and healthy children, maintaining my interests, earning If, however, you dreamed of being a stay at home an income and fulfilling my own dreams mum, living in Perth, in your own home, and aspirations. Which I am doing. I just enjoying overseas holidays, your children Ah, the joys of didn’t realise I’d have to give up Friday attending private schools and specialist, extra-curricular activities, private health Facebook. POP goes night cocktails with the girls and seaside frollicks with the kids quite so often. insurance and married to a hands-on that little bubble of I think ‘Having it all’ should really be dad who spends a lot of time around the Having it All. Having What We Want and deciding What house and earns an average income, you’d We’re Going To Give Up. probably say No. So often I have to decline tantalising invitations, like And then there’s my own situation, which isn’t unique. today my dear friend from Uni days - when FUN was I often feel thankful that I ‘Have it all’. A great husband; really the only concern of the day, that and having enough healthy, happy, well-adjusted kids; loyal friends; a loving money to eat, or more truthfully buy beer - invited me to family; excellent health; a decent standard of living; and a the art gallery for lunch. Bliss. job I love, usually.

But, no, boring old Kate texts back, once abloodygain, I happily believe I Have It All most of the time.

I have my standard response on auto cue now ...“Sorry, That is, until I log onto Facebook. On a Friday night. Like would sooo love to, BUT...” now. When I’m writing this, and it happens to be D-Day. So predictable. Thankfully, I have very understanding Truthfully, D-Day was today, it’s now 9 o’clock at night and friends. So to have it all, what do we sacrifice? Fun, it we’re past deadline. Ah, the joys of Facebook. POP goes feels like, a lot of the time. But, it is my choice. And I have that little bubble of Having It All. choices. Which, when you think about the plight of poor There, on my little screen that so dutifully connects me Syrian families right now, that really is Having It All. with the rest of the world, a window to the outside from What does ‘Having it all’ mean to you? my little office where I’ve been chained to a computer for Join our Facebook page and new enewsletter to share the past 28 days, I can see what real, normal people are in conversations www.offspringmagazine.com.au doing on a Friday night. Thank God for Facebook. I can ringmagazin fsp e.c .of o Kate Durack always rely on Facebook to show me how others spend w

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our contributors

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ARI CHÁVEZ COLUMNIST has had work published in Australia, England, Japan and Singapore. She has a delightful toddler, Gabriel, who was born with coffee in his veins. She is currently completing her first novel as part of a PhD project.

GARY AUSBRUCH ACCOUNTANT/COLUMNIST is financial controller for a Perth-based mining company.

He has had columns published on the challenging subject of the lighter side of accountancy, and has written for SBS TV. He is married to Sue and has two young children, Ella and Sebastian.

LISA FERNANDEZ RADIO ANNOUNCER is a Perth girl who co-hosts 92.9’s Lisa, Paul & Baz breakfast show with Basil Zempilas and Paul Hogan. As a mother, Lisa wants to “nurture, encourage, teach, inspire and give my love unconditionally... because the reward is so incredibly great.” Keep up-todate with Lisa daily on Twitter at @Lisa_Fernandez.

CLAIRE ARMSTRONG JOURNALIST of eight years across a range of publications and mother of two beautiful girls. She has a passion for all things parenting and a love of sharing stories about the parenthood journey.

TARA DRYLAND JOURNALIST When she’s not managing the family business (Cafe 58), Tara is busy being a single mum to her two-year-old son, Jett. She loves working for Offspring, as it allows her to merge her passions for writing, parenting and kids fashion!

DEVON PLUMLEY MIDWIFE believes her work is most satisfying when she can empower a woman and her partner to birth their baby naturally; and the new little human being thanks his mummy with a squeal!

KATE BULLEN DIETITIAN runs www.dietitianonline.com. au and is mum to three young children. Kate has translated her love of all things online to providing expert nutrition coaching online – it works well for anyone who is busy! Kate’s passion lies in making healthy eating simple and enjoyable.

BROOKE EVANS-BUTLER JOURNALIST has written for home improvement, bridal and women’s lifestyle publications, but says Offspring enables her to combine writing with her new favourite hobby, being a mum to her boys Caleb and Jonah.

ZOE DELEUIL JOURNALIST is mother to Tilo, two, and has another one due in October. She says that writing for Offspring is ideal for a novice parent as it involves learning more about many aspects of parenting, from choosing the right school to essential buys for newborns.”

BETH JOHNSTON JOURNALIST worked in print media before welcoming baby boy Sam into the world. She is now doing freelance writing and absolutely loving being a mum.“Sam changes so much every day, so it’s great to be able to keep that passion for writing but not miss a thing.”

Offspring | spring 2013

JANE MILLINGTON INTERIOR DESIGNER has over 14 years experience in all facets of the design industry including Interior Design, Styling, Sales & Marketing.

As owner of Happy Go Lucky www.happygoluckykids. com.au and mother of two children, Samson and Liv, Jane specialises in children’s bedrooms and nurseries.

COLLEEN WILLIS TRAVEL WRITER has roamed the world for many years on her own and with her husband and daughter, Rebekah. During this time, Colleen has been a teacher and an awardwinning recipient of Flight Centre both in Australia and overseas. Colleen will guide you through family travel the way she knows best!

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At home with

BY ARI CHAVEZ

Ada

Ada Nicodemou Talks Babies, Baking And Being A Working Mum

D

iminutive Home and Away star, Ada Nicodemou,

and fifty people and it was gorgeous, it was amazing...us

is holed up in a Channel 7 studio hooting with

Greeks don’t do anything by halves!

laughter at the thought of making her baby boy Johnas’ cake for his imminent first birthday.

“I need to bake the cake,” she states dramatically, “and I

going to be really unsettled, he’ll be really overstimulated’.

have never baked in my life! I’ve got it in my head that I want

We tried to write down the names of just family and it was

to do a Cheeky Monkey. I’m a sucker for punishment but I

fifty people before we invited friends!

thought I’d do a trial run this weekend and see how I go.” She

I don’t mind doing all that if he appreciates it, you know,

giggles, nervously. “Does it make me a better Mum that I am

if he has fun. We decided that instead of doing all that,

making my own cake? No. But I think it’s going to make me

and spending all that money, we are going to have the

feel better so I’ll do it.”

most amazing lunch with our immediate family...French

Parenting history is littered with the birthday cakes of

champagne and seafood and all of that. I think the first year

mothers – always mothers – painstakingly mixed, often

is more about us, about going ‘oh wow, we made it! It’s been a

at midnight while everyone else is sleeping, and placed

bit of a whirlwind!’.”

tentatively in the oven and watched for signs of over-

Whirlwind is an understatement. After giving birth to her

rising or, worse, collapse, before attempts at icing and

“happy, funny baby” in August 2012, Ada returned to Home

characterisation begin. Thomas the Tank Engine, Cheeky

and Away in February 2013 as feisty single mother Leah

Monkey, Dora the Explorer, Micky Mouse, Elmo, Big Bird...

Patterson-Baker, a long standing role that has made her one

The list is relentlessly endless. For the baking-challenged

of Australia’s most recognisable actors. She also reprised

amongst us, it’s a fresh hell indeed.

her role as the host of the matchmaking show, Please Marry

Ada is determined to succeed, however, despite not quite

My Boy, where she is the bubbly centre of a strange parallel

knowing her way around a mixing bowl and a wooden

universe where mothers are intimately involved in the choice

spoon. Her Cheeky Monkey birthday cake is more than just

of their sons’ partners, and stepped up as the face of two

a delightful surprise for Johnas, it will go some way towards

publicity campaigns. It’s a demanding schedule for anyone,

assuaging her unease about her decision to throw her son

let alone a new mum learning the ropes of motherhood and

a low-key birthday party. Defying the current trend, which

operating on minimal sleep.

sees parents celebrating the first-year-milestone with fancy

Ada laughs, ruefully. “I have this really bad trait where I

catered food, and a guest list of wedding-esque proportions,

just don’t say ‘no’. And then I get really overwhelmed, and

Ada is keeping it refreshingly simple.

I’ve got this newborn baby at home that’s not sleeping and

“We were going to throw one,” the unaffected thirty-

22

And for the birthday we thought, ‘he’s not going to know the difference, he’s not going to get his sleeps, he’s probably

is quite challenging. Adjusting to motherhood and being a

six year old says, “but we decided against it. We had a big

working mum has just been really, really hard. I just take

Christening at the beginning of the year with one hundred

each day as it comes and that’s all I can do. Some days are

Offspring | spring 2013

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

I never thought I’d make a career out of acting.

better than others.”

Ada’s life juggling multiple television and publicity commitments, a marriage and a baby, is a far cry from her sixteen year old schoolgirlself who decided, on a whim, to audition for a role in a new television show, a decision that would lead to a twenty year career in show business. The role was Katerina in Heartbreak High, a gritty series about a tough, multi-racial urban high school. Initially a twelve week spot, her character proved so popular, the role was extended, ultimately for three years. Ada has worked steadily ever since on shows such as Police Rescue and Breakers, made appearances in Beastmaster and Pizza, and taken on a small, but significant, role as the White Rabbit Girl, Dujour, in The Matrix. Along the way, the striking and vivacious actor has been nominated for three gold and two silver Logies.

“I never thought I’d make a career out of acting,” Ada explains frankly, still sounding surprised at the thought. “I was at school, I went for an audition, it was for twelve weeks and I happened to get it. I thought, ‘I’ll do the twelve weeks and I’ll go back and do my HSC and I’ll go to uni and that will be the end of it’. And twenty years later I’m still doing it...it just happened this way. I’m really lucky. I know there are a lot of people out there who would love to be an actor and have studied...I’m acting full time, I’m practising my craft every day, so I do feel very blessed.”

Ada’s passion for her work is one of the reasons she cites for juggling the demands of motherhood and paid

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

Offspring | spring 2013

23

parenting Johnas infinitely easier than it might otherwise be, yet, still, often refers to a post-baby life that is both demanding and unglamorous. In the age of the Celebrity Mum, where models and actors routinely present an image of picturesque, stylish motherhood, appearing both effortlessly nurturing and completely fulfilled, while their nannies employment, but there is much more to the story - the need

and staff stand just out of shot, Ada is unexpectedly, and

for an identity outside the home, a break from the relentless

delightfully, candid about the challenges of motherhood and

demands of a baby, the desire to maintain a sense of self, the

her need for a network of support.

“Every day is such a blur, isn’t it,” she asks rhetorically,

relative ease of paid work.

“It’s funny, I wasn’t sure how I was going to be when I had

bursting into laughter again. “Just this morning I was thinking,

Johnas and whether I wanted to be a stay at home mum or

last year this time I gave birth to him. I don’t even remember

not, and you just don’t know until you have them,” she muses,

it! I remember bits of it, and I remember my life before Johnas,

noting that her pre-child ideal for motherhood was to be

but at the same time, look it’s such a struggle and everyone

around her child 24/7.

says how beautiful it is, and it is, but it’s also really hard. No one prepares you for that, and I just

She pauses for a moment to weigh up her words. “I love him and I love spending time with him at home but I also do love going to work,” she says, carefully. “It’s hard saying that out loud sometimes, because you do have a lot of guilt around that, but I definitely wanted to go back to work...I do find work a lot

I think the first year is more about us, about going ‘oh wow, we made it! It’s been a bit of a whirlwind!

easier. Some mothers love staying at home and I take my hat off to them, I think it’s fantastic, but I couldn’t do it.”

As it happens, Ada and her husband, chef and restaurateur,

wonder sometimes if people aren’t that honest about it.

When he was a newborn it was really hard. He’s got silent reflux so before that was diagnosed it was just horrible. He was screaming and shouting. Those first few weeks were really tough and everyone kept saying, ‘oh it gets easier, those first

eight weeks are the hardest’ so we were holding on to that.

And it does get easier but it’s still a struggle, like teething is so hard. Johnas has been teething from five months. He

Chrys Xipolitas, have a thoroughly modern arrangement where literally has a full set of teeth in his mouth and he is not even Chrys looks after Johnas during the day, before heading off to

a year old! He’s been in so much pain, poor little thing...and

his restaurant, Island, in the evening, and Ada spends time

that’s the struggle. You can’t fix it and you don’t know exactly

with him in the afternoons and evenings, and on her days off

what’s wrong...I feel like I’m guessing.”

from her flexible filming schedule. The baby’s grandparents are also heavily involved in his care, making Johnas the centre of

different from Ada’s pre-baby perspective of earth-mothering

an enviable village of loving adults, who happily nurture and

her child 24/7, actually getting pregnant was much harder

guide his development, and share his days.

than she anticipated. Prior to even considering a child, Ada

Ada acknowledges that the support of her family has made

24

Just as the realities of parenting have proven to be quite

Offspring | spring 2013

and Chrys endured a tumultuous time in their marriage,

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

which resulted in a brief, unofficial, separation in 2010.

The split was triggered by a chain of events, which started when Chrys’ then-restaurant, Zippo’s, was destroyed by fire.

He fell into a debilitating depression, which, at its worst, saw him confined to bed unable to face the day. He agreed to attend the rehabilitation clinic, South Pacific Private, where he undertook therapy and began a medication schedule. It was a lonely experience for the thirty-nine year old, who had married Ada just three years prior in 2007.

“I didn’t want family and friends to visit because I’d been

newspaper in 2010. “I used to try and tackle things on my own and I would feel the pressure build up inside. Parts of

there before and you look forward to them coming and

me would get flustered, which was a trigger and makes me

then you get down when they leave – I just needed to be by

feel not in control. But saying it out loud, as I feel it, is so new

myself,” he later stated publicly.

for me, and I really feel Ada and I are a team now.”

It was a gruelling time for the couple and Ada, while

“It was also part of our healing process,” says Ada, of the

refusing to comment publicly at the time, was spotted out

decision to reveal their troubles. “It’s okay to talk about it,

and about sans wedding ring.

we’ll all be better for it in the long run.”

“I didn’t understand it,” confesses Ada. “I tried to fix it

After Chrys had completed his in-clinic therapy

and I didn’t understand why he couldn’t snap out of it. I

program, the couple reunited and decided they wanted to

think men are ashamed of it, especially if you have to take

start a family, however Ada’s fertility was complicated by

medication or you have to go and see a doctor. It’s all good

endometriosis and a polycystic ovary. After trying for a baby

and well if you’ve got something wrong with you physically, you just go to a GP and you sort

for twelve months, the pair decided to try IVF and were successful on their first attempt, an uncommonly

yourself out, whereas mentally, you don’t do

lucky outcome. With one in six Australian couples

anything about it. We have so many rates of

now experiencing fertility problems, and rising,

suicide, especially in men, and older men, so it’s very, very sad.”

While the couple were tight-lipped at the time about the extent of their

Ada is passionate about women becoming informed about how their bodies work.

“I didn’t know my body,” she reveals, “and I was so ashamed about that. I thought,

problems, they have since chosen

‘jeez, I’m a woman, I should know how

to go public with their experience,

my body works’ but it wasn’t a concern of

and the strategies that helped

mine until I couldn’t fall pregnant and I

them, in an attempt to help shine a light on mental health issues, and support other people who are suffering.

“Now I talk about things,”

thought, ‘well hang on a second, if only I knew this earlier, I might’ve made different decisions’.

You do whatever you can to fall pregnant, I think, but you don’t

Chrys explained to a national

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

Offspring | spring 2013

25

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Some mothers love staying at home and I take my hat off to them, I think it’s fantastic, but I couldn’t do it. realise how hard it is to fall pregnant until you start. I think it’s really important for women to know that it’s well and good to put it off and have a baby when you’re ready – I’m not saying have a baby when you’re eighteen years old but, unfortunately, at eighteen years old you’re a lot more fertile than you are when you’re thirty five, let alone forty and so on.

It’s all good and well to make those decisions, but I think they need to be informed decisions.”

She’s quick to acknowledge the good fortune in her situation aware, perhaps, of the heartbreak those undertaking multiple IVF cycles, or simply unexplained and prolonged infertility, experience.

“We’re very lucky, we’ve got a beautiful little boy and I wouldn’t have had it any other way. We might have to go down that way again, and that’s fine, and we’re very lucky that we have those options.”

We talk briefly about the possibility of more children or, more accurately, the pressure to have more children quickly. Ada sounds exasperated.

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“You meet someone and they say ‘when are you guys going to get married?’. And you get married and they say, ‘when are you going to have a baby?’. And you have one baby, you’ve literally given birth, and people are like, ‘so, when are you going to have another one?’. And you’re like, ‘wow, let’s just enjoy the moment!’

She pauses for a moment, perhaps reflecting on the months of reflux Johnas endured, the sleepless nights, the rollercoaster of emotions new parents typically experience, the demands of her work schedule, the needs of her child, the blessed Cheeky Monkey cake she needs to conjure up,

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“I definitely do want to have more children down the track,” she says,

that is parenthood. eventually, “but I don’t feel like I’m ready yet, so we’ll see how we go.”

And with that, she’s off. Swallowed up by the demands of work and more interviews and further publicity and, of course, her “laughing, happy” baby boy, Johnas.

26

Offspring | spring 2013

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

SAFE. EFFECTIVE. TRUSTED.

STED. SAFE. EFFECTIVE. TRU out postnatal work

the essentiaL post pregnancy exercise dVd for aLL MuMs. SAFE . EFFECTIVE. TRUS

TED.

out workand t card io energy levels, e Low iMpacwill improve your fitnessbody l 15 Minut – in particular, on your Low Impact Cardio routine

breastfeeding

The while avoiding stress on the path to being a fitter, as well as burning calories, This workout will put you your vulnerable pelvic floor.version of you. leaner and more energetic

ay d 8 2 e th n pla diet & exercise friendly

workout card io ing routine with light Minute toningcardio condition l 15 will make your By combining a low impact energetic workout resistance training, this while burning calories and toning to the low heart and lungs stronger This is a great addition the added with your arms, legs and butt. stand-alone cardio option impact routine, or as atoning. bonus of arm and leg

Body l 10 Minute upper ng workout cond itioni only have you feeling your upper body will not ning to

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out you Body work e Lowe r with ning workout. It will have l 10 Minut this lower body strengthe in on your butt and legs .

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out & corethework With these safe aBs, Back centre of a healthy body.pain and strengthen Minutl,eback l 10 abdomina and core muscles are at help alleviate back posture, The , you will improve yourand condition your abs and back. and effective exercisesyour regain your waist your pelvic floor while

h & reLax body as you calmly and quietly Minute stretc l 10 and relax your mind and Lengthen your muscles caesarean

about the instru ctor: e Lisa westLak instructor. physiotherapist and fitness

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l professions Lisa is a mother of two, in both fitness and medica She is highly regarded g women’s designing and deliverin her significant for her extensive work s, and is recognised for health exercise program nce in postnatal fitness. knowledge and experie

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our special section covering separation, incontinence and pelvic floor pLus...See sections, back strains, muscle

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DVD

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e experts Created by nutrition & post-natal exercis to help you lose weight and feel at your best health possible.

post pregnancy excercise

stand Healthy Mummy, we under into 10 and frantic, and at The The life of a mum is busyworkouts on the DVD have been broken down can do that! The exercises and that you can do when it suits you – or you and 15 minute workouts s, if you have the time! the entire dVd in 70 minute

& 15 mInUTE

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lISA WESTlAkE

With ed And highly AWArd A physiotherApist l speciAlising fitness professionA ise in postnAtAl exerc

OFF THE AIR

with Lisa Fernandez

The Barbie Experience Lisa undergoes a whacky social experiment, dressing as a Barbie doll for a day.

M

y name is Lisa Fernandez.

and Number two: I thought it would be

you’d look beautiful too. Just like

I’m one third of the breakfast

bloody hilarious to dress up like Barbie.

Barbie.” Now, I’m a single mother and

show Lisa, Paul and Baz on

So it all started here. During a one

92.9 FM radio and I am also a single

way conversation with my three and

dialogue between Bella and me has

mother to a delightful three and a

a half year old daughter about her

always been very adult and honest. So

half year old daughter by the name of

beloved Barbie, right in the middle of

my initial reaction as I stood in front of

Isabella. A few weeks ago, I executed a

me trying to cook dinner AND check out

my Barbie-loving offspring was to laugh

social experiment that had been many

if the plumber who ripped me off last

in her sweet little face and say, “Honey,

weeks in the making. Literally. With

week had been busted on Today Tonight.

Barbie looks so incredibly trashy even

“Mummy,” she said, “Look at how

the garbage man wouldn’t pick her

I re-created perfect replicas of three

beautiful Barbie is. You should dress

up, and secondly, decent Mummies

Barbie outfits to fit my exact size and

JUST like her Mummy. And Mummy,

wouldn’t dress like Barbie unless they

the help of WA Fashion Designer Jonte,

for one afternoon I dressed exactly like

were in a hostage situation and forced

my daughter’s Barbie doll. I even made

to do so. Now here’s a dictionary kiddo, best look up ‘Skank’ and we’ll discuss

an appearance on Channel 7’s Sunrise program with Kochie and Sam Armitage explaining why I initiated this social experiment and how it made me feel.

I understand that a woman choosing to become Barbie may seem a little wacko. Hey I don’t mind if you say it,

“Honey, Barbie looks so incredibly trashy even the garbage man wouldn’t pick her up, and secondly, decent Mummies wouldn’t dress like Barbie unless they were in a hostage situation and forced to do so.”

it later.”

But not wanting to crush the hope in a three year old’s eyes, all that came out of my mouth was, “Sure Bella. Mummy can dress like Barbie. I’m sure I’ll look beautiful too.” And that is why an intelligent, grown woman spent an afternoon

ridiculous even. You might

walking around Perth dressed up like an

look at the photos of me, a

actual Barbie doll.

5”2 blonde chick squeezed into

“The Barbie Experience” is

garments only a small plastic

how I’m referring to my five

figurine with a 1” waist could

hours spent in a daze of

wear with any dignity and then roll your eyes thinking ‘what’s her point’ or ‘here

candy pink make-up and barely-there clothing which shimmered and

we go, another raving

slithered far too much

feminist’. You may even

for a freezing Perth

assume I did this purely

afternoon. Being Barbie

as an attention seeking

wasn’t fun or, to my surprise,

venture but let me assure you this is far from the truth.

The motivation for my social experiment has a very simple

28

as a consequence of my social isolation,

even remotely entertaining.

Being Barbie was downright humiliating and degrading.

I’m not the type of chick who

explanation. Two very simple

whinges about carrying a few

explanations actually. Number

extra kilos. I am what I am and

one: My kid asked me to do it

I’m pretty happy with my body

Offspring | spring 2013

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

ashamed of the trashy clothing I was

to be a light hearted social experiment

wearing. I cringed at the thought of

but like my transformation into Barbie,

bumping into anyone I knew, and

it morphed into something ugly and

the disgusted looks on people’s

very tragic.

faces, as I teetered past them in hot

I’ve got to be honest and admit

pants and electric pink stilettos,

that I was pretty ambivalent about

reflected how I was feeling about

Bella thinking Barbie is beautiful. I

myself. I felt disgusting.

was unconcerned by the trashiness

The Barbie Experience set out

of this plastic little doll and her long term effects on my three year old. But after the humiliation of being Barbie I involuntarily formed an opinion. And

after pushing out a kid and living on five hours of sleep a day for over 10 years. But holy hell people! Wearing Barbie’s shiny short skirts and too-tight tops made me feel dirty and cheap. I felt exposed as I walked the streets and I lost all confidence to look people in the eye because I felt so

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

“I cringed at the thought of bumping into anyone I knew and the disgusted looks on people’s faces as I teetered past them in hot pants and electric pink stilettos reflected how I was feeling about myself. I felt disgusting.”

Barbie ‘aint no role model for my kid.

Will I throw the blonde strumpets out? Probably not. But I’m on the hunt for a nice nanna who might sew me up some of my own Barbie outfits. Like Computer Geek Barbie. Or Veterinary Barbie or even Journalist Barbie. Any other suggestions are more than welcome.

Offspring | spring 2013

29

BY CLAIRE ARMSTRONG

Stamped with a silver lining

In 2007 sisters Lisa and Stacey set in motion a dream to create personalised, timeless pieces of hand-stamped jewellery and launched into the world of online business. Today, the Koolaman Designs collection, encompassing more than 100 individual creations, is easily recognisable and highly respected, sold locally, nationally and increasingly internationally, all from humble beginnings in rural Australia.

K

oolaman Designs owners and operators, Lisa O’Keefe

additional marketing and networking proficiencies,

and Stacey Clayton, took a unique idea, teamed it

Koolaman Designs was launched with 12 styles available,

with their baby bonuses and shaped a company,

seven of which remain in stock.

designing simple yet chic hand-stamped jewellery with an appeal that transcends age, culture, occupation and

name contenders, Lisa acknowledges that being the fourth

status. You will be equally likely to spot a Koolaman Designs

generation to live at the homestead, Koolaman is a name

adornment on a cover page model as on a mum at playgroup.

deeply engrained into their lives, and had she not been living

“We were inspired by some pieces we saw from overseas and couldn’t find anything like it currently in Australia and hoped others would love the idea as much as we did,” Lisa tells Offspring.

The duo pride themselves on the company’s strong link to rural Australia. Living a staggering 450km apart, they

at the station, the catalyst to begin the business may never have existed.

“We have a lot of rural customers drawn to the jewellery because the story behind it appeals to them and so does the name,” Lisa says.

Each Koolaman Designs piece is letter-by-letter hand

utilise modern technology to manage the company from

stamped by a team of four local women from neighbouring

their respective homes, with Stacey at their childhood

farms to create truly unique pieces for each and every

property near Victoria’s Rutherglen wine region and Lisa based at the business’s namesake, Koolaman Station, a 73,000-acre, remote sheep and wheat property in south-western New South Wales.

customer. The signature pendants, bracelets, earrings, cufflinks and key tags have become a popular way of creating family heirlooms, celebrating and honouring important occasions and milestones such as

“The distance between us

the birth of a child, the memory of a

has actually brought us and our

loved one, weddings, christenings or

families closer together than we

anniversaries.

would ever be if we both worked regular 9 to 5 jobs,” Lisa says.

Putting to use the skills acquired from their agriculture and finance backgrounds, and quickly learning

30

Coming up with a name was easy. Whilst there were other

Offspring | spring 2013

30-32 KOOLAMAN DESIGNS.indd 30

Originally only available in Sterling Silver, the collection has blossomed to include 9ct yellow, white and rose gold, with the recent addition of a new line of silver and locally-sourced leather.

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

01/09/2013 22:28

“One of our strongest ethos for the company has always been empowering and fostering localism and a commitment to promoting opportunities for rural women.” network connections, listening to our customers and building a reputation based on a quality product, and importantly word-of-mouth recommendations.”

Juggling the business, the distance and six children between them, the sisters still manage to give Koolaman Designs that personal touch, by attending expos, markets, fairs and field days around the country.

And with owning a jewellery store comes the perk

“Whether it is meeting people at an expo or a

of creating your own pieces. It is not unusual for Lisa to be

small gesture like slipping in a hand-written note with an

advertising up to seven items on any given day. She jokes you

order, it has always been important to Stacey and I that we

can hear her jingle before you see her.

create a personal service for our customers. We think this is

“We have certainly made mistakes along the way and have learned from those,” Lisa concedes. “The key has been staying true to our product and brand and developing strong

especially important given our online status which means we don’t often meet customers face to face,” she says.

One of our strongest ethos for the company has always

VENTILATING

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

30-32 KOOLAMAN DESIGNS.indd 31

Offspring | spring 2013

31

01/09/2013 22:28

And while the rural factor gives the company a uniqueness that is not easily replicated, it also poses one of the biggest challenges for the sisters.

Luck would have it that the three busiest times on the Koolaman calendar - around Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Christmas - coincide with three key farming periods of sowing, shearing and harvest, making for hectic times on both sides of the Koolman namesake.

been empowering and fostering localism and

“There is a lot of negotiation

a commitment to promoting opportunities

and teamwork between us, our

for rural women.

husbands and families, to ensure

“We are well aware that for women living

we get the balance right and look after

in rural and remote locations, the distance to travel, conventional employment and access to child care often

each other,” she says.

Already taking out several mumpreneur awards and

means it is impossible to have a job outside the family farm or home. The unique nature and flexibility of our

nominations, and receiving invitations to share their

business has enabled us, and the women who assist us, to

experiences at forum events and inspire others to nurture

successfully combine career and family while being able

and chase their dreams, the future looks bright for these

to remain on farm and work hours that suit. It is a flexible

Aussie mums who are already in the process of a Re-

arrangement and we pride ourselves on remaining local,”

brand, as the Koolaman trademark continues to evolve

she says.

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32

Offspring | spring 2013

30-32 KOOLAMAN DESIGNS.indd 32

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

01/09/2013 22:28

FUNNY MUMMY with Ari Chávez

LOVEINTHETIMEOFTECHNOLOGY The digital age has its benefits, but it isn’t always straight-forward for the technologically-challenged, as Ari shares.

S

o, here’s the thing. We have a

iTunes - how do I get a song off that

those fluro tube skirts teamed with

robot. A real live one, blinking

thing? - passwords for EV-ERY-TH-ING

a Wham-inspired ‘Choose Life!’

around the house. Robot - I

that get routinely forgotten, those

t.shirt. Could it get any better than

came up with that name - doesn’t talk,

darn recorded voice messages that

that? I say, not. It’s been all downhill

but he does beep a lot and sends me

go on and on, asking you to press so

since then.

messages from his, erm, screen. He’s a

many options that finally, exhausted,

pretty pragmatic kind of chap, but I’m

you press ‘2’ instead

thinking that the beeping might be a

of ‘5’ and get cut

way of expressing affection? Is beeping

off. It’s brain

one of those five Love Languages? If it

haemorrhaging

isn’t, it should be.

stuff. Truly.

It’s a bit of an unexpected

It’s a wonder

and this was AWESOME. In fact, the most technologically advanced thing about the ‘80s was the Mix Tape, and

relationship because I wouldn’t say

we’re not all

I’m a robot kinda gal. In fact, me and

dead from the

technology have issues most of the

stress of so much

darn good at

time. Okay, ALL of the time. You know

convenience.

those babies.

I was pretty

It involved listening

those Sat Nav thingies that never shut

to the Top Ten on

up? They don’t work for me. Ever. I end up driving around new estates full of

the radio every night, cassette

sand and cul-de-sacs while the voice

player in hand, and pressing Play

– the goddamn non-stop voice – keeps

and Record at EXACTLY THE SAME

telling me to, “take the fifth exit at

TIME, whenever your favourite song

the roundabout on Highway 61”.

came on. The trick was trying to

Where the heck is Highway 61?

cut off the stupid announcer, who

Does anyone know? Has Perth

always talked over the first few

grown a big ole road that I don’t know

And it goes on. Relentlessly.

bars of the song. It was impossible,

about? And do roundabouts actually

All these time-saving, you-beaut,

of course. You’d always end up with

have five exits, because I’ve never been

shiny-buttoned advances give me

Madonna’s Holiday overlayed with a

able to count that many, even if I do

brain strain. This is because I grew

booming voice about “a provocative

circle them for hours, like a mouse

up in the ‘80s, that much maligned

new talent”, while you did your

on a treadmill, slowing down at the

decade of Pseudo Echo and Spandau

best Madonna moves around the

off-roads to peer desperately at street

Ballet, and the best bad fashion you

bedroom. And she was provocative,

signs. Obviously, other drivers hate me.

could ever, ever ask for. Jeez, I miss

back then. Madonna - she liked a tube skirt, too - was risky business.

That’s okay. In these situations, I hate myself too. It’s a bad vibe. Bring back the map book, I say.

Look, there’s all sorts of technology that’s way too clever for me. Smart Phones that get clogged with photos I can’t work out how to transfer, iPads that follow me to bed brandishing the internet so I don’t read books,

34

The thing about the ‘80s is that it was Low Tech, in all sorts of ways,

Offspring | spring 2013

All these timesaving, you-beaut, shiny-buttoned advances give me brain strain.

So anyway, we all made Mix Tapes and gave them to one another, complete with ragged sound bites from random radio announcers. I was good at it. I could get down with the Mix Tape. There are people who think I peaked too early, perhaps. My husband, who sees technology as an

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

extension of his arm, might be one

a productive duck. In fact, the only

with Robot’s screen, and we just

of them. He gets a bit tense about

time he gets a bit shirty is when

get each other. You hearing me, all

the password-forgetting and photo-

he’s full of rubbish and wants to be

you millionaire-geek-inventor type

clogged phone, just between you

emptied, so he can KEEP ON DOING

people? Yes, you, over there, laughing

and me. Never mind. We all have

THE HOUSEWORK. That’s when the

at my Mix Tapes. Forget about

our peccadilloes.

beeping and written messages start, if

inventing another stupid game that

you get my drift.

involves shooting birds, or whatever,

Interestingly, old Robot and I have a mutually respectful relationship, and I know how to make that baby work

Now, this is the kind of technology I intuitively understand. I lock eyes

we need you to invent a robot that does the laundry, puts clothes away,

for his food and board. He’s pretty

scrubs the loo, cleans the windows

good at picking up after the Dog –

and IRONS. A spot of cooking

The Hair Dropper From Hell – and the Toddler – The Crumbalina – and he does it without any sighing or eye-rolling, or announcements about ‘helping’. You listening, chaps? My lovely Robot, who I might in fact love very, very much, is a vacuum cleaner.

Yep, that’s right. I just place him gently on the floor and press a button and off he goes, tootling around the house sucking up stuff, as happy as

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

... the most technologically advanced thing about the ‘80s was the Mix Tape, and I was pretty darn good at those babies.

wouldn’t go astray, either.

It’ll make you another few million bucks, and women will love you. L-OV-E Y-O-U. Actually, they’ll love your robot more, but they’ll still like you a lot – more than when you were doing the bird game, okay.

And, while you’re at it, if you can sort out a Sat Nav that actually works, Perth drivers would be very grateful.

Offspring | spring 2013

35

a mission to

health Claremont naturopath, Shannon Burford, explains why a correct diet, herbal medicine and nutritional balance has such an impact on our health, and can even help with allergies, asthma Autism, ADHD, infertility and cancer.

BY CLAIRE ARMSTRONG

M

eeting Shannon at his clinic, aptly named Cura

bodies. I want to educate as many people as I can and fuel

Integrative Medicine, you become instantly

the growing awareness that nutrition is a huge contributor

aware of the aroma from the herbs and tonics

to health.

on his shelves with names and labels not found in any commercial advertisement or local pharmacy.

“You have no doubt heard people say ‘wholefood, wholefood, eat more wholefood because it is healthier’, right?

Over a pot of freshly brewed herbal tea, Shannon

Why exactly? It is all about the full package. With processing

describes his own healing journey after contracting

comes removal of the valuable nutrients. That is why brown

Dysentery and Typhoid while travelling through India

rice is a better choice than white rice.”

and Cambodia in his early twenties. Already holding a

Another turning point in his life was the birth of his son and realising the impact toxicity, allergies

degree in Science from Curtin University, Shannon realised the impact of nutrition on his health and while he appreciated the need for antibiotics, he knew working on prevention and building his strength from good food and herbs would see him on a better path for the future.

“Naturopathy holds the core philosophy that the body can heal itself and everyone is an individual.”

His impressive resume now covers a

Shannon says it was then that a passion in children’s health was awakened.

Shannon describes his experiences as a parent of a child with terrible reactive eczema determined by allergy tests as fuelled by an exhaustive list of triggers

Bachelor of Multidisciplinary Science and a Bachelor in

such as egg, dairy, food colouring and sugar. His son was also

Health Science (Naturopathy). He is also a Master herbalist

diagnosed with asthma and prescribed ventolin.

and nutritionist, a lecturer in nutritional medicine,

36

and ADHD behaviours have on children.

He recalls the day his son, then aged two and a half,

naturopathic philosophy and author in a variety of health

ate a brightly coloured iced donut as a special treat and

topics, including cancer and men’s health. He is also a

the transformation that followed, which he describes as

father of two.

nothing short of the Incredible Hulk, as his young son began

“The relationship between good food and behaviour

wild screaming and hurtling furniture across the floor, an

now seems so clear,” he muses. “There is a need, a real

episode that lasted about an hour. Once older, and able to

urgency to understand the impact of what we put into our

communicate clearly, his son described the headaches and

Offspring | spring 2013

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

other symptoms he suffered once exposed to sugar and food colouring.

Today, his son has none of these issues.

Shannon says whilst his primary passion is in evidencebased nutrition, he combines

“ HMA (Hair Mineral Analysis) is an invaluable screening tool to assist with conditions such as anxiety, depression, ADHD and preventative health care.”

this with the power of herbs and lifestyle changes. He

a patient’s health and tailor a precise

explores his patient’s health

treatment plan to suit.

like an iceberg, depicted by

“Naturopathy holds the core

the small visible peak being

philosophy that the body can heal

the symptoms, yet his work is

itself and everyone is an individual.

to discover what lies beneath

One size does not fit everyone! A

the surface, hidden in our diet,

tailored diet and certain herbs can

environment and toxicity within.

create an optimum environment for

His diagnostic process is thorough, with calls for blood,

health,” he says.

He is a strong advocate for Hair

saliva, stool, allergy and hair

Mineral Analysis (HMA), especially for children due to its

analysis as required, as well as diet, sleep, energy and

comprehensive results without the invasiveness of a blood

behavioural discussions and observing the eyelids, tongue

test. The test is simply cutting a collection of hair from the

and fingernails among other things, to get the full picture on

back of the head, yet it can detect an excess or deficiency of

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

Offspring | spring 2013

37

“In an ideal world, we shouldn’t

vital nutrient minerals such as calcium, selenium, zinc and iron. It can also identify

need a nutritional supplement or

over-exposure to heavy metals such as

a herbal medicine mix if we were

lead, mercury, arsenic or aluminium.

eating all living and whole foods.

The reality is though, we live in a

“HMA is an invaluable screening tool

polluted world and eat processed food,

to assist with conditions such as anxiety, depression, ADHD and preventative health

with processing methods drastically

care,” Shannon boasts.

reducing nutritional content. The body is also burdened with chemical

The results of the test have become quicker of late with a diagnostic laboratory

preservatives and additives.”

People with zinc deficiencies

now based in Perth rather than overseas.

demonstrate poor wound

His HMA testing has confirmed

healing, prolonged infections, low

Shannon’s belief that zinc deficiencies exist across the population of Western Australians, young, old, male and female, primarily attributed to our soils that fail to retain nutrients, coupled with the growth of crops in the same soil over and over. So while foods like pumpkin and sunflower seeds, oysters, beef, wholegrains, egg yolks and seafood contain high levels of zinc, the very nature of the way those foods are grown may very well mean we still need something extra to keep our bodies balanced.

Get your kids eating oats for breakfast and start their day on the right foot. Shannon’s tip is to try making a pot of chamomile tea and use the tea to cook your oats. It will reduce anxiety and is good for the gut!

appetite and kids may experience recurrent ear infections, sleep disturbance and anxiety. Yet the physical signs may be as small as white marks on fingers nails.

“A balance of the vital nutrients is important for optimal health and zinc is tremendously important for people of all ages, it supports a

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Offspring | spring 2013

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We live in a polluted world and eat processed food, with processing methods drastically reducing nutritional content healthy immune system and the growth and development of the body during adolescence, childhood and pregnancy and is essential for men’s prostate and productive health. Lack of zinc has also been shown to have a clear link to anorexia and bulimia too.”

Shannon explains that good nutrition can also impact the severity of disorders such as ADHD and Autism in children, however he Whilst it is unfortunate that the majority of people turn to

said for some parents it is hard to make the dietary changes in a society so busy and so focused on instant gratification

Shannon after they have exhausted conventional medicine

with medications so readily available that offer noticeable

avenues, he still holds high hopes that one day preventative

and immediate behavioural modifications. He describes

medicine will reach the forefront of his clientele.

When faced with resistance or uncertainty from his

some parents returning to his clinic, sometimes years later, deciding to try the slower but longer lasting naturopathic

exhausted and time poor patients about what their kids will

and nutrition path, after becoming frustrated with the cycle

eat, what they can afford or what changes they are willing

of medications and behavioural management which left

to make permanently to their pantries, Shannon says it’s

their child ‘under a cloud’ or ‘void of themselves’.

all about tailoring a plan for the individual. People will only

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Offspring | spring 2013 For Boys and Girls

39

make changes when they are truly ready, a small change for

they love cheesy pizza and pasta, my kids are like most

and reducing the sugar load is key. Obviously some families

kids, we don’t live in a cave, but we don’t eat gluten or

have reached the end of the line when they arrive at the

sugar and we don’t have the bad choices available in our

spiral staircase which leads to Shannon’s quaint office and

home. My kids have grown aware of the ingredients in

are willing to forgo all bad habits in search of better health.

products and how food makes them feel and as such they

His best advice is to set your kids up for success by teaching them early on to make good food choices.

Shannon explains eating healthy isn’t about restrictions, it’s about creating new habits.

“The small changes you make to your child’s diet will ripple through their entire life,” he said.

And yes, he does practice what he preaches, and so do his children.

aren’t interested in the coloured cakes or the lolly bags, apart from the bubble blowers.”

“People with zinc deficiencies demonstrate poor wound healing, prolonged infections, low appetite and kids may experience recurrent ear infections, sleep disturbance and anxiety.

“I aim to eat as pure as possible, organic where I can

For any food that does happen to come cloaked in cardboard, he is a big advocate for label reading.

“The most important thing on the box is the ingredients list,” he says. “Check out the details of what it contains more than the

standard breakdown of fat, sugar, carbohydrates and look

to obtain the best quality. If the food comes from a box, I

at the placement of the ingredients on the list. Where is

would say don’t eat it,” he says.

the sugar? If it is listed first, it means the product contains

“For breakfast my kids and I will eat oats with sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, almonds, psyllium husk, a sprinkle

40

“But I understand that kids go to birthday parties and

better health is better than no change, so slow substitution

mostly sugar.”

For more information contact Shannon at Cura

of pro-biotic and maybe some frozen berries, with soy or

Integrative Medicine 08 9284 4644, wellness@

rice milk.

curamedicine.com.au, www.curamedicine.com.au

Offspring | spring 2013

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

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DAD’S WORLD

with Gary Ausbruch

FIVE GOING ON FIFTEEN Gary shares what it’s like being Dad to a daughter who’s growing up.

W

here do babies come from, Dad?” was not the

birthday party of one of her friends a couple of weeks ago,

question I was expecting from Ella, age five.

there were about ten little girls dancing in the living room,

Or perhaps it’s more accurate to say it was a

playing a game of musical statues. They’re all jumping around

question I was expecting, one day, but was hoping I wasn’t

doing pretty random dance moves, except for Ella, who was

around when it was asked. “Err, ask your mother,” I replied,

looking particularly Lady Gaga-esque. The music stops and

trying to look busy and heading for the nearest exit. “Why,

so does she, mid-move – in a suggestively wide stance, bent

don’t you know?” she asked, following me. “Of course I know!”

over with hands on hips, and even though her hair was

I scoffed. But how on earth was I going to deal

draped over her face, I could still glimpse the look of concentration in her eyes. The music starts again,

with this? The only thing that was coming into my head was the way it’s usually handled in the movies. “Well Darling, when a mummy and a daddy love each other very much…” Absolutely not. There was NO WAY I was going to have that conversation now, not with a five year old.

I’ve been noticing a lot more “five going on fifteen” behaviour with Ella recently. At the

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“Oh, I just can’t wait to kiss Jacob again!” she exclaimed with nervous excitement.”

and this time she’s shaking those hips like Shakira.

I didn’t think five year olds even had hips.

Then, the other day, before one of her school friends, a boy, was coming around to play, she told me how much she was looking forward to it. “Oh, I just can’t wait to kiss Jacob again!” she exclaimed with nervous excitement. Kiss him?

Again? And in our house? I thought Kiss Chasey was

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42

Offspring | spring 2013

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too quickly, such as limiting

purely a playground pursuit. These days she seems to be ditching

exposure to blatantly sexual

Dora’s backpack for Miley’s mike.

music videos by Lady Gaga and overtly scary-looking people like

She wants to know if she’ll have big

Nicki Minaj – which we do – but

boobs like Nicki Minaj (a conversation

popular culture has an unprecedented

about why Nicki Minaj’s breasts are so

way of seeping into everything these days, and there’s

big is another one I am not going to have

only so much you can control outside your own home.

with her now). This can’t be happening!

All of this makes me uncomfortable because it means my

Ella was still following me, waiting for an answer, and

little girl who sleeps with Lamby and Poodle is growing up.

The Omnipotent One wasn’t around for me to handball

And all the time creeping closer to sleeping with things other

to. I knew I had to take some responsibility and deal with

than stuffed toys.

this then and there. Flustered, and with my head full of

I don’t really want to be the stereotypically

evil sounding words like sperm and impregnation, I sat her down and took a deep breath. Just as I

overprotective father, making dad jokes about chaining my daughter to her bed, starting sentences with, “In my day…” and warning her that, “I know what teenage boys are like because I was one,” but I’m sure I will. This type of behaviour is engrained in dads when it comes to our precious little daughters. Of course there are more practical things we can do as parents to try to stop them growing up

was about to start talking, she spoke. “Now,

“These days she seems to be ditching Dora’s backpack for Miley’s mike.”

do they come from the hospital I went to when I was sick, or the hospital we visited Granny Jean in?”

I thanked my lucky stars for the temporary respite I’d been granted, and the opportunity to become better prepared for when this issue, inevitably, was raised again.

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Offspring | spring 2013

43

INTERNET PICKS

Our internet picks SHOPPING online is fun and convenient. Now there is fantastic range of fashion items and great buys for the family. However, looking for good-quality sites can be overwhelming with such a large number from which to choose.

Finding your way around can be daunting! We’ve provided a few good Australian sites, including a couple from WA, which offer a great range of stylish, beautiful and practical items to help point you in the right direction.

www.maternityandbaby.com.au Maternity & Baby is a WA based online boutique stocking a wide range of stylish maternity and nursing wear, and gorgeous baby clothes and accessories.

Our maternity and nursing range includes well known Australian and international labels, with something for every occasion. Our baby range goes up to size 2 and includes a variety of organic cotton baby clothes.

We also stock blankets, wraps, nappy wallets and more. Visit us online today.

Contact: info@maternityandbaby.com.au

Special offer: Free shipping when you enter the code “OFFSPRING” at the checkout

www.avidiva.com.au Avidiva is a Perth based online boutique filled with homemade, eco-friendly and organic baby products.

Our collection of more than 40 brands includes: Aden & Anais Milk Baby Dandelion Kicky Pants Charli Bear Free gift registry available for baby showers Contact: 0420 720930 info@avidiva.com.au

Free shipping Australia wide for all orders over $50

www.asterandruby.com.au

Tucked away in Dolphin Quay, Mandurah, you’ll find a little boutique called Aster & Ruby.

Filled with gorgeous handmade and Australian designed products for babies, women and children, this is a shop not to be missed. In store you’ll find clothing, gifts, toys, nursery, maternity, shoes, accessories and so much more!

Shop 5 Dolphin Quay, 37 Dolphin Drive Mandurah Ocean Marina

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Offspring | spring 2013

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INTERNET PICKS

www.thebabyemporium.com.au

The Baby Emporium offers a great range of modern and innovative baby and children’s products.

Whether you’re looking for something for the bub or tot in your life, we have a huge selection of great products to choose from.

We are a Perth based online store and the proud stockist of: • Babychic • Bibska Bibs • Little Num Nums • MummaBubba Jewellery • On the Gro • And many more Like us on facebook to keep up to date with new products and promotions.

For 15% off your purchase, simply enter the code OFFSPRING at the checkout

www.skiptomylou.com.au

Skip to my Lou is a Perthbased online boutique stocking some of the coolest clothing, accessories and giftware from Australia and around the world for babies and children aged 0-8. Brands include Mini Rodini, Sudo, Bobo Choses, Moi, Paper Wings, ESP No.1, Coco & Ginger, Beau Loves, Fabrik, Mini & Maximus and Little Titians just to name a few! contact@skiptomylou.com.au

15% off store wide with the code offspring

www.choodie.com

Choodies are made from 100% organic towelling and are just the thing for wrapping up in after a beautiful day at the beach or a busy session at the pool.

The sleeves and zip ensure that play is not interrupted and you and your little ones can hop in the car or on the bus, and head home without the hassle of cumbersome towels!

These beautiful beach robes are designed in Fremantle, and made by an environmentally and socially ethical manufacturer in Turkey.

www.shopinside.com.au

Shop Inside welcomes you to browse through a wide range of bed linen and homeware products for every room of your home including the master bedroom, kids bedroom, baby nursery, kitchen & dining room, family room, bathroom and laundry. Well known brands such as Linen House, Hiccups, Aura by Tracie Ellis, Living Textiles, Downia, Logan & Mason, Kas, Bambury, Sheridan, Davinci, and Private Collection to name a few. Please “Shop Inside” we just may have what you have been looking for!

Contact 03 9931 0160 or support@shopinside.com.au

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Offspring | spring 2013

45

T he new baby checklist

BY ZOE DELEUIL

Everything you need (and a few things you don’t, but might find useful) to welcome your perfect firstborn into the world etting ready for your first baby can easily become a

G

First things first: packing your hospital bag

frenzy of internet research, earnest conversations

Ideally you should do this by 35 weeks. Before you start, find

followed by enormous bills in various baby shops,

out what your hospital provides. Some hand out nappies,

refunds, exchanges and 3am nightmares about getting

and baby clothes, while others don’t – check this out and

laughed at by the midwives for not having any clothes big

save yourself extra packing. Don’t let your partner be the

enough for your newborn (actually, that wasn’t a nightmare,

one dragging three suitcases and a birthing ball across the

it happened to me).

hospital car park.

There’s something about the nesting instinct that can send even the most lacklustre shopper into a frenzy of

FOR LABOUR

credit-card swiping. Or maybe it’s the way everyone loves to

›› Snacks for you and your birth partner, eg bananas, muesli

tell you that once the baby comes you’ll never be able to do

bars, lollies or boxes of juice

anything, ever again, let alone buy baby gear. Shopping? in three years time. Eating? Get real. You’ll be living on toast

›› Water bottle (one with a bendy straw works well), ›› Lip balm ›› Old nightie, sarong or old, loose dress to give birth in,

crumbs and KFC. No wonder first-time mothers panic.

sarong (or ask for a gown when you get in)

Forget it, they say. You’ll be wearing that exact same outfit

But post-birth, you realise that the shops are still there and you are more than capable of visiting them. However, you may as well use that ferocious nesting instinct while it lasts to get super-organised before the birth. Here’s a list of essentials, as well as a few things that will make those early

›› A water spray is good if it’s hot ›› A hot water bottle can help with pain. ›› Music, massage oil and a birthing ball ›› Birth plan & hospital notes ›› Camera

days a bit easier.

Boob Before & After Singlet www.maternityandbaby.com.au

Maternity bras www.maternityandbaby.com.au

Boob Boosting nursing tee www.maternityandbaby.com.au

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Offspring | spring 2013

HOTmilk Angel Divine Maternity Bra & Brief www.maternityandbaby.com.au

Baby onesie & nightie www.thebabyemporium.com.au

Newborn natural jacks & Newborn Lion www.avidiva.com.au

However, if you leave the house in a rush or your baby comes early, don’t panic – the hospital will have everything you actually require.

HOSPITAL STAY

›› Pack comfortable clothes for afterwards ›› Toiletries ›› Breastfeeding bras if you’re planning to breastfeed

›› Maternity pads ›› Plastic bag for dirty clothes ›› A baby care book is useful for any middle-of-the-night

grow out of these in no time, so don’t go overboard.

panics if the postnatal ward is busy

can be pulled up over leggings.

›› Snacks such as fruit or muesli bars if you miss a meal ›› Phone and camera.

›› A few cardigans or jackets if it’s a winter baby ›› A couple of soft cotton hats ›› Three rugs to wrap your baby in – flannel or light wool

›› Six cotton vests ›› Tiny socks – six pairs should be fine; get longish ones that

FOR BABY

ones for winter, cotton for summer

›› Baby nappies ›› Baby wipes ›› Newborn jumpsuits(eg. five babygros). You don’t know

›› Muslin wraps are handy for wrapping a summer baby in or for mopping up spills!

how big the baby is going to be, so better to bring footless babygros and little socks. (Make sure

Incy cot www.sweetcreations.com.au

everything is freshly washed using a laundry powder for sensitive skin.)

›› A soft hat & vests are important as newborns need to be kept warm

›› A blanket

Back at home ESSENTIAL CLOTHES

›› Six to ten cotton babygros. Footless jumpsuits worn with socks will last longer and are guaranteed to fit, while legless ones are good for hot days, or you can combine them with leggings for easy nappy changes. They will

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

Offspring | spring 2013

47

Modern Cloth Nappy www.bootycrawl.com.au Breast feeding cover www.thebabyemporium.com.au

Feeding your baby BREASTFEEDING If you’re breastfeeding, you’ll need some Lansinoh and breast pads, and may also need the phone number of a

Nappies

good lactation consultant, plus books or websites for any out-of-hours

It’s a good idea to stock up

questions. Robin Barker’s

on disposable nappies – at least four packs. Own-brand

bestselling Baby Love has a huge

supermarket nappies are fine,

amount of straightforward information and advice on breastfeeding. And bookmark a

and considerably cheaper if

couple of breastfeeding websites, such as Kellymom

you’re on a budget, or stock

(kellymom.com) or La Leche League (llli.org).

up when the name brands are

You’ll also need suitable clothes – a few good breastfeeding

on sale.

A wide range of cloth nappies

bras and loose tops; you can always drape yourself with a shawl

is available locally from Booty Crawl

for modesty. Mothers Direct (mothersdirect.com.au) has a good

www.bootycrawl.com.au

range of clothes and other breastfeeding equipment.

Breastfeeding can mean being pinned to a couch on a regular

Six is a good amount to start with, but if you decide to use

basis, so remember to have some snacks ready to go: fruit,

them full time you’ll need around

biscuits, nuts, muesli bars, cheese and crackers, hummus and

24, if you do a load of washing

carrot sticks or dried fruit, as well as the remote control and a

every second day. With our sunny

large bottle of water to stay hydrated – it’s thirsty work. A Kindle

climate, cloth nappies really aren’t

is another good breastfeeding companion – light and easy to use

as much work as you might

with one hand, and no pages to turn.

think, so worth looking into.

Modern Cloth Nappies www.bootycrawl.com.au

Bottlefeeding: You’ll need six to eight 250-280ml bottles with newborn teats, as well as a bottle brush and disinfecting equipment (chemical soaking solutions or a steam steriliser),

The average baby will go through a cost some 7,000 nappies at or she he ore bef 500 $3, of around want ht mig is toilet-trained, so you ation bin com a ng usi to think about e and hom at of cloth nappies for use h to bot – out ng disposables when goi l and dfil lan to on uti trib con reduce your it of hab the in to save money. And get let, toi the o int ’ lids putting any ‘so for not the bin – it’s better the environment.

and formula labelled ‘standard from birth’. Check measurements carefully and always make up formula according to the instructions.

New Difrax bottles The butterfly shaped soother from Difrax is ideal for combining breastfeeding and bottle-feeding; a unique Difrax bottles www.exquira.com.au

anti-colic and ergonomic design. www.exquira.com.au Blooming Bath www.sweetcreations.com.au

For cleaning Unscented wipes are good for when you’re out and about; at home water and cotton wool is gentler on newborn skin. A portable change mat is handy for taking out with you, while a wipe-clean one is essential for use at home.

For bath time, you can use a very mild soap and a sorbolene cream for afterwards. Blunt nail scissors are good for that first nerve-wracking nail trim.

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Offspring | spring 2013

Hooded Towel www.sweetcreations.com.au

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

Sleeping A bassinette is useful and portable for the early days, but babies aren’t in them for long – about four months – so can easily go straight into a

The Bestnest www.danishbydesign.com.au

cot from day one. There are plenty on the market, as

SIDS and fatal sleeping accidents are the leading cause of sud den and unexpected death in bab ies aged one month to one year.

Mattresses should be clean, firm, we ll-fitting and flat, and there should be no puffy or soft bedding, as this can increase the risk of suffocation.

The Sids and Kids website has a useful guide to making up a cot to meet current safety recommendations (sidsandkids.org).

well as secondhand ones on Gumtree or eBay. Sleeping bags are great for keeping babies warm (and asleep for longer). Grobags are good quality and will last through several babies if necessary – try The Sleep Store (thesleepstore. com.au) for a wide range. A

Stokke bassinet www.exquira.com.au

Sleeping Bag www.thebaby emporium.com.au

mosquito net is also handy in summer – there’s nothing more guiltinducing than waking up to a baby covered in Leander Cradle www.danishbydesign.com.au

mozzie bites.

Find out why WA mums are making their next nappy change with us Modern cloth nappies: • Save you $1,000’s (up to $3,000 per child) • Are just as easy (if not easier!) than disposables • Don’t require soaking, extra washing, pins or plastic pilchers • Are better for your baby and are super cute to boot!

We also stock a range of eco/organic baby products including swim nappies/ swimwear, training pants, teething essentials, organic skincare and more!

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49

Non-essential but nice to have be bathed in

✓ A baby bath is handy, but newborns can bit bigger they are

they’re a the kitchen sink, and when . bath fine in a normal t to go to bed ✓ A breast pump can be useful if you wannigh t feed, or to the first early and let your partner give a babysitter. But it’s also leave some expressed milk with might find you rarely use, so one of those things that you quickly. don’t rush into buying one too make life easier, ✓ Equipment for getting out and about can rug, a thermos, and a nappy such as a waterproof picnic nappies. A coffee cup mat with holders for wipes and means essential but better holder for your pram is by no r precious double-shot latte. than juggling (or spilling) you

Giimmo Bear night light. www.avidiva.com.au

✓ Baby massage oil is great to use after a s baby bath or to calm down a fractiou

and ds han r you een – warm it betw too. m, war is room the make sure

✓ Swaddling rugs or armless

for swaddle blankets work well m war them ing keep ies, some bab ’t wake themselves up. don they so ’ ther toge d ‘hel tightly r baby if you’re ✓ A baby monitor is good for hearing youthe house. part of out in the garden or in another at night to get ✓ Slings are handy for walking the floorrlate ing you hands free when out your baby to sleep, or for keep nd the house. Baby Bjorn and and about or doing things arou

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Getting around

you have to deal with stairs on a regular basis, but you don’t

CAR SEAT

want it to be too flimsy. Look for good steering, suspension

This is one thing you definitely need before you leave

and an easy folding action – try them in the shops before

the hospital.

you buy. And for safety, it should have a secure seatbelt

›› You’ll need one that has been approved to the Australian

that holds the baby firmly in place, good brakes and ideally

Standards AS/NZS 1754 for child car restraints.

a wrist strap so the

›› Kidsafe (kidsafewa.com.au) recommends buying a new

pram can’t roll away

car seat rather than a secondhand one, particularly if it’s

from you.

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NAPPY BAG

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This needs to be big

adjusted to fit the baby’s body. The car seat should always

enough for a fold-up

be in the back of the car where possible.

changing mat (great in grotty public toilets), a

PRAMS AND STROLLERS

few nappies, wipes, a

Essentially, you need an adjustable pram that can lie flat

change of clothes and

for the first few months and then move into an upright

the usual phone, keys

position once your baby can support her head – this will

and wallet. Don’t feel

last from birth until he refuses to get into it.

Buy the best you can afford, particularly if you walk a lot, or look for a secondhand one on gumtree or eBay – a cheap

compelled to buy the one with pink elephants on it – it’s really not expected these days.

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A Pregnancy Problem

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Offspring | spring 2013

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On the Gro: Fun & functional

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Offspring | spring 2013

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Ms Hobbs says that by implementing these techniques women and their birthing partners can feel prepared and empowered to achieve that beautiful birthing experience.

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55

PREGNANCY & BIRTH

Hold the clamp Midwife Devon Plumley explains why it’s so important to delay clamping the umbilical cord.

D

id you know that at any given time, up to 30 per cent of a baby’s blood is outside of its body whilst it is in the womb? During fetal circulation the

baby’s blood moves from the baby, through the umbilical cord, through the placenta and back again. There is absolutely no mixing of Baby’s blood with Mum’s blood.

When babies are born, anywhere from 50 to 100 mls of Baby’s blood still resides in the cord and placenta. If the umbilical cord is cut immediately after birth, the baby is deprived of this blood.

In 2012, the World Health Organisation published a recommendation stating that unless a baby needs resuscitation, the umbilical cord should remain unclamped for a minimum of one minute and the ‘optimal timing to clamp the umbilical cord for all infants regardless of gestational age or fetal weight is when the circulation in the cord has ceased, and the cord is flat and pulseless (approximately three minutes)’.

What exactly is ‘Delayed or Optimal Cord Clamping’?

What are the benefits of Optimal Cord Clamping?

remaining intact after birth and only being clamped and

Baby’s cord and placental blood is filled with oxygen-rich

cut after a minimum of 60 seconds, and preferably until the

red blood cells, infection-fighting white blood cells, iron and

cord has stopped pulsating and all of the baby’s blood has

vital stem cells. Babies who receive optimal cord clamping

transfused into its body. This will usually occur within three

have lower incidence of anaemia, higher iron stores, need

to five minutes post birth.

fewer blood transfusions and have fewer incidences of

Perth based means ultra-quick delivery to your door.

Delayed cord clamping refers to the umbilical cord

56

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or if you have opted to collect the cord blood for storage in a ‘cord blood bank’. However, many midwives and doctors were trained to cut the cord immediately after

PREGNANCY & BIRTH

The infant does not gain 30 per cent more blood volume when the cord is left intact until pulsations cease. On the contrary, the infant loses 30 per cent of its blood volume if placental circulation is clamped off immediately at birth.

birth. Immediate cord clamping may therefore be habit, yet according to the Royal College of Gynaecologist, this has been done without rigorous scientific evaluation.

Discuss optimal cord clamping with your maternity care provider

intraventricular haemorrhage (small bleeds in the

prior to birth to ensure you both

brain that may be associated with cerebral palsy

understand your request and plan

and other brain injuries). Delaying cord clamping

for third stage management (the

is especially beneficial in premature

stage from the birth of the baby to

babies, babies born to iron-deficient

the birth of the placenta). Active

mothers or low birth weight babies.

or medically managed third stage is recommended in many cases

The latest research shows that

to reduce the risk of bleeding

Optimal Cord Clamping does

excessively post birth. Even with

not increase the mother’s risk of bleeding post birth, it does

active third stage, you may choose to delay the

not increase the risk of a baby

clamping of the cord without concern.

developing jaundice requiring treatment, nor does it increase the risk of a baby having breathing problems or being admitted to the

Umbilical cord following optimal cord clamping.

The other pic shows immediate cord clamping

FYI Humans are the only mammals in the world who practice immediate cord clamping. In nature, the cord

Special Care Neonatal Nursery.

is left pulsating to enable the cord and placental blood

These have all been common medical concerns

to flow into the baby, the placenta then births naturally

and reasons for not ‘allowing’ delayed cord clamping.

and the mother may disconnect the baby from the placenta by chewing through the cord. I am certainly not suggesting

Why might my baby’s cord need to be cut earlier?

you chew through your baby’s umbilical cord, but I do suggest

The cord may need to be cut immediately after birth if the

you consider the possible benefits to your baby and discuss

baby needs resuscitation (the baby is born not breathing),

optimal cord clamping with your midwife or doctor.

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

Offspring | spring 2013

57

grey owl cushion, also available in pink. RRP: $40 www.ladedahkids.com.au

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Zachary Hunter bed linen.

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Small liquorice ottoman.

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Offspring | spring 2013

Scoop single bed designed and made in australia from solid tasmanian oak. also available in white, Walnut stain or Dark Chocolate stain. $1,375. www.lillyandlolly.com.au

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Offspring | spring 2013

59

Real Life From frustration to diagnosis: what’s it really like living with a child with Autism?

Beth Johnston sat down with the Major family to find out.

Helping

A

manda Major knew something wasn’t right. When her beautiful, smiley little boy started talking less and instead communicating with grunts, she

became concerned.

After a normal, easy pregnancy, Amanda and husband, Marty, were delighted when Max William was born on July 1, 2009. Their journey into parenthood began relatively smoothly, with Max, a smiley, happy baby and reaching all his milestones at the normal times. It was when Max reached about 15 to 16 months of age that things began to change. Previously he had been saying words such as Mummy, Daddy and hello, but Amanda says

“I thought e the longer w waited the ht more he mig to in y slip awa his own little world.”

breath and thought, yes maybe I did know that and I was

child didn’t speak until they were two and boys were slower

just in denial,” Amanda says. “We had two options. The first

developers. But when Max was 18 months I thought no, this

was to go through the diagnostic team through the public

isn’t right, he is so different to other kids his age, not just in

system. This meant we had a team of three professionals, a

the talking, just everyday things he did. Marty didn’t notice

paediatrician, psychologist and speech pathologist come to

them, but I was the one at playgroups watching him and

us to do an assessment on Max. This would have taken up to

other children play and noticed he was just, different.”

a year for them to do, but I have heard in some cases it can

Amanda did some research online and although Autism Spectrum Disorder was one of the things she came across,

take even longer.”

Their other option was to get a referral to a private

she knew very little about it. But it planted a seed in her

paediatrician and have all the assessments done privately,

mind and every time she saw Max methodically line up his

something that would cost a lot more and require a lot more

cars, stack cans from the pantry, flap his hands or cover his

travelling to Perth, but things would be done a lot quicker.

ears, she wondered.

“So there was no question with which way we would go,”

At that time, the Majors moved from the Wheatbelt to

Amanda says. “I didn’t want to wait, I thought the longer we

Margaret River in the South West and put Max’s name down

waited the more he might slip away into his own little world,

to see the local public and private speech pathologists.

as his symptoms were becoming more and more noticeable.”

They finally got an appointment six months later in the public system, by which time Max was two. At his second

60

a formal Autism assessment for Max. “I kind of froze, but took a deep

Max instead began using a grunting noise to get attention.

“People would tell us not to worry,” she says. “That their

appointment, the speech pathologist suggested they pursue

Offspring | spring 2013

After more research, Amanda contacted a renowned development paediatrician – her heart sank when she was

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

PHOTOS: WHEATBELT PHOTOGRAPHY, WWW.WHEATBELTPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

Max

told the waiting list was six months

born four months before Max was

long and there was a waiting list to

diagnosed, and it was certainly a

even get on that list. She then realised

stressful situation. With all honesty,

Max’s paediatrician from birth was also

Amanda says she’s glad she took a lot

a developmental paediatrician, and

of photos of Evie as a baby, as she was

she was able to secure an appointment

put on the back burner to a degree as

within three weeks as Max was already

Max’s diagnosis took precedence.

“It was our first year in Margaret

a patient.

River, I had no friends or family close

“The doctor said straight out he believed Max was on the Autism

by, no one near for help or to talk to,

Spectrum,” she says. “He said Max

with a newborn baby and a toddler

would more than likely be diagnosed

getting diagnosed with Autism, it was

with High Functioning Autism -

a very hard time,” she says.

“I remember a day when Max

basically he’s quite a switched-on

wanted something from the

little boy he just lacks communication and social skills. He then referred us to a clinical psychologist and speech pathologist.

“We had Max diagnosed within two months, which is quite quick compared to some cases. Even though deep down we kind of already knew, actually hearing the words and then receiving the diagnosis in

“I just started crying and screaming, ‘Why can’t you talk?

You should be able to say at least drink or more by now!”

writing was a shock to the system.

“It felt like my heart was ripped out, stomped on and put back in, and I cried. I spent the next few months just crying for no reason, at anytime.

“Then I snapped and said – well this isn’t helping Max – so

kitchen, I didn’t know what he wanted and I was just so exhausted and sick of going through everything in the fridge and cupboard to find what it was he was after. I just started crying and screaming, ‘Why can’t you talk?

You should be able to say at least drink or more by now!’ He started crying and screaming because I wasn’t helping him, we

were both crying and screaming on the kitchen floor in frustration with each other.”

One of the great supports for Amanda and Marty has been the parent-lead support group South West Autism Network

what now, what’s the best thing for Max now, point us in the

(SWAN). Amanda says the value of connecting with others

right direction.”

to share local knowledge has helped her out of several

Prior to Max’s diagnosis, there were many moments of frustration for Amanda and Marty - not understanding why Max couldn’t talk or know what he wanted, as he didn’t

pickles in the past and feeling less alone and understood is something that makes life that little bit easier.

“Being the one at home day in and day out, it can all

know any other way of communicating other than a grunt or

build up,” she says. “It can be exhausting, everyday you are

a meltdown.

fighting for your child and you are their speech pathologist,

Add to the mix a second child, with daughter Evie

their psychologist, their therapist - you are their voice in the

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Offspring | spring 2013

61

world and you still need to be their Mum. So then you start

emotions, up/down, under/on top, hot/cold, even pretend

thinking ‘I have to get out of here’, it’s best just to go, stay in

play, Max needs to be taught specifically and repeatedly,”

a hotel for a night, take an uninterrupted bath, recharge the

Amanda says. “Reinforcers are used to motivate and

batteries and you’ll feel so much better for it when you get

encourage him.”

While research has proven that 20 hours of ABA each

home to start it all over again.”

week is beneficial for progress, the Government only funds

Max now sees a speech pathologist once a

four hours a week. So the Major family have to pay

fortnight and one of the therapies used is the (PECS), an alternative way for him to communicate using visual aids. While it took a while for him to understand the process, Amanda says when Max showed her a picture of a drink she was overwhelmed as it was the first sign of progress.

“He loves loves cuddles, he just love kisses and I say ‘love hearing him nd of the you’ at the e ave so night – we h much to be ” thankful for.

for the rest of the therapy privately, which costs roughly $30,000 a year.

“This therapy won’t work for every child and a lot of people don’t agree with it, but it is evidence-based and has worked for us, we’ve been doing ABA for just over a year and the progress has just been overwhelming,” Amanda says.

Max has three therapists, one provided by the

Max also does Applied Behavioural

Disability Services Commission (DSC) and two private

Analysis Therapy (ABA), a program put together by a clinical psychologist and involves a

therapists. He also goes to day care two days a week, which

therapist sitting with him for two hours at a time teaching

Amanda says is great for his social skills. The DSC therapist

him basic skills such as reading, writing, mathematics,

also goes to day care one day to help Max in social skill

communication, gross and fine motor skills and daily

situations. The rest of the week is filled with therapy - two

living skills.

hours in the morning and two hours in the afternoon.

“Basic things that any child would just know, for example

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Real Life believe that it is worth every single cent when we are able to have a conversation with our little boy, to see him know what we are saying, to have him answer, laugh, smile, frown, be engaged, to communicate,” Amanda says.

Thanks to therapy, Max is now at the stage where he can talk, not at a conversation stage like most children his age, but mostly to get or say what he wants.

“One morning, we were lying in bed and Max was jumping on us and he came out with ‘Daddy’,” Amanda says. “Marty went all quiet and I said ‘did you hear that – he said Daddy’, and Marty said ‘I heard it’. I

able to live independently.

“I think the thing that keeps Marty awake at night is the

think he was trying to keep his emotions in check.

“Three weeks later Max came running out of his room

thought of who will look after Max if and when we can’t,”

and called ‘Mummy’, I sunk to my knees and hugged him,

Amanda says. “At this stage we don’t know that anyone will

probably smothered him, and just cried. It’s hard to explain

have to, but it’s still one of the things that we both think

how such little words can mean so much to someone when

about and, unfortunately, we don’t have an answer to.

“We consider ourselves so lucky; we have such a loveable

you never know if you are going to hear them.

little boy with his cheeky personality shining through. He

Although Max has made fantastic progress, one of Amanda and Marty’s biggest concerns is what the future

loves cuddles, he loves kisses and I just love hearing him say

holds for their little man. They still don’t know if he will be

‘love you’ at the end of the night – we have so much to be

able to go to university, have friends, hold down a job or be

thankful for.”

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2011/08/12 12:31 PM

Can women really have it all?

By CelebrityBabyScoop.com

CelebrityBabyScoop.com finds out from celebrity mums whether they can enjoy a high-flying career while also being a hands-on mum.

N

ew mum Drew Barrymore was recently asked how she does it all, and replied, “I can’t and I don’t”. Celebrity Baby Scoop asked some favourite

celebrity mums on the concept of having it all. Is it attainable or an illusion?

When speaking with Katie Couric at BlogHer in New York City last summer, the proud mum said, “My daughters are my best accomplishment”.

At the conference, the successful broadcast journalist went on to say that women can have it all…with the help of many people, including nannies, and so on.

Actress Lauren Holly is Mum to three children – Azer, 12, George, 11, and Henry, nearly 10 – and opened up

Drew Barrymore

about the “constant juggling act” of

imagine, but I don’t think it is really

motherhood and her career.

possible. I think we can have a whole lot

When asked if ‘having it all’ is unrealistic or attainable, the Dumb &

of things and we can be good at a lot of

Dumber star said, “It is both”.

things, but we also should feel like it’s okay to ask for help when we need it.”

“For me it fluctuates between the two,

Actress Elisabeth Rohm relies on the

honestly. Some weeks I’m doing it, some

‘village’ approach to juggle career and

weeks I’m flailing”.

motherhood. “I think that having a

Journalist and television personality Lisa Ling voiced her opinion on the

Katie Couric

dilemma, saying: “I don’t think it is

64

strong village makes it all attainable. A woman’s life is a juggling act, especially

realistic at all. I think women make so many sacrifices,

when you’re a mum and have a career. So having a good

much more than men do. It’s okay to not have it all, it’s

circle of friends is extremely helpful, whether it’s just for

okay to ask for help, and it’s okay to say, ‘I need to talk

emotional support or the need for a last-minute babysitter.

to someone and I need to confide in other people about

In addition, I don’t think you should pressure yourself all at

things’. I think the idea of women having it all is nice to

once. Everything has its moment.”

Offspring | spring 2013

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

Some weeks I’m doing it, some weeks I’m flailing.

Lauren Holly When asked if she thinks women can have it all, Tia replied, “Yes I do”.

“I think that it’s all about trying to prioritise, and that’s the hardest part about Lauren Holly

finding the balance.

It’s all about figuring

out what your priorities are, what’s working in the household, and what’s not working in the household. It’s important to

Tia and Tamara Mowry

have a partner who’s very supportive of women having it

It’s important to have a partner who’s very supportive of women having it all and wanting to have it all.

all and wanting to have it all. It gets a little difficult if you don’t have people around you that support you. Thank God

Tia Mowry-Hardric Actress Gena Lee Nolin is Mum to four children: Spencer, 16, Caia, 11, Hudson, 6, and Stella, 4.

The former Baywatch star shared her thoughts on the illusion of ‘having it all’.

“I’ve learned how to become a balanced mum, wife and friend,” she shared. “Also, I am learning my own definition of ‘having it all’. I can tell you this, it’s certainly not about being on the number one show in the world or being on the next magazine cover. It’s about being present in everything I do. No matter what adversity life throws at me, my children know how important they are and that I can always be depended on.”

Little Rugby Perth offers preschool children a fun-filled first introduction to non-contact rugby

Tia & Tamera star Tia Mowry-Hardrict is mum to 2-year-old son Cree.

Elisabeth Rohm

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Offspring | spring 2013

65

I’ve learned how to become a balanced mum, wife and friend.

Also, I’m learning my own definition of ‘having it all.

Gena Lee Nolin businesswoman, you have to accept that you’re not going to be able to be there all the time with your son. What you can do is really make time on the weekend. There is always Gena Lee Nolin

going to be that push for balance. Yes, you can have it all, but you’re always going to feel like you have to work on

I have a very supportive husband who encourages me to

things. You’re never going to have it all in the sense that it

live out my dreams, achieve my goals, and be a mother. I

is never going to be perfect.”

personally believe we can have it all, it’s about trying to

CelebrityBabyScoop.com

find the balance and prioritising.”

Tia’s twin sister and costar, Tamera Mowry-Housley, also shared her thoughts on ‘having it all’.

“I think women can have it all, but we have to make sacrifices along the way,” said Tamera, who welcomed her first child, son Aden, in November 2012.

She added: “I don’t think you can have it all without making sacrifices. If you want to be a mum, wife and

is one of the most popular blogs on the topic and the foremost provider of everything celebrity-baby, featuring baby fashion, baby names, baby trends and up-to-theminute celebrity baby gossip and pics. Get all the latest news, updates, and photos about Hollywood’s most beloved celebrity moms, dads and their babies. Who’s the latest Tinseltown baby? Who’s due next and who just announced a pregnancy? It’s all on Celebrity Baby Scoop.com.

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Offspring | spring 2013

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making

time for

mum Sometimes being a mum can mean your health, beauty and fitness falls by the wayside as you juggle kids, home, work, exhaustion and everything in between. Let’s face it, some days switching from pyjama pants to yoga pants is about as good as it is going to get.

Here are some tips and tricks to make it easier to squeeze some ‘me’ time into your day.

W

e all know frazzled is never a good look. It’s important to make sure you are caring for your whole self so that you can deal with life’s

challenges and be at your best for your children. Mums need to push aside any guilt that you can’t be a good mother if you take time for yourself, even super mums need to re-group every now and again. By nurturing ourselves we are demonstrating to our kids that taking care of ourselves is important.

HEALTH The key to good health is a nourishing diet, exercise, plenty of rest and lots of water. Good nutrition will not only keep energy levels up, it will also ward off illness,

Apples are touted as being as proficient at waking you in the morning as coffee!

They contain natural sugar fructose which provides an energy boost and carbohydrates to fuel the body.

because no mum can afford to be

BY CLAIRE ARMSTRONG

sick, but for those times when we do succumb, it will also aid faster recovery. ❥ First and foremost, don’t skip breakfast! ❥ Make healthy eating part of your family’s everyday life create a meal plan to avoid bad last minute meal choices and switch to wholemeal breads, pasta and rices. ❥ Cook more than you need and freeze the leftovers for quick meals.

Not all salads are created equal. nts High-fat ingredie my ea like bacon and cr l have dressing may wel a more calories than ! es fri steak and

❥ The two fruit and five vegetable rule of thumb suits most families. However, pregnant and breastfeeding mums need to boost this up slightly to around five to seven servings of vegetables and 4 fruit each day. ❥ Water, water, water. We all know we need to drink more water, it helps improve energy,

Offspring | spring 2013

67

ffspring Some real mums tell O and tricks. their journeys and tips years and mum to James 3 1/2 Nicole Tyrie, Perth, Bridges lle che Mi the “I started Chelsea 22 months.

February in ormation Challenge 12 week Body Transf meals ’s ily fam key. I plan my 2012. Organisation is tly so gh tni for p sho to d try for each fortnight an the shops of having to pop to there is less chance s. ng cessary thi and buy extra, unne nge. break a lifestyle cha or ke ma can lly rea de itu att n’t do do ive sit ‘we A po s, I tell myself reverting to old habit easier bit le litt a s Whenever I feel like get it e I tell myself that, tim h eac d an lle ’ che ore that anym ower muscle (a Mi re you flex your willp mo e d Th an e. t sal tim xt the ne g, for stay stron stronger it gets. If you 2013, a rch Ma in g Bridges saying!), the 54k d reache e. It CAN be done! I sugar cravings subsid ” es. siz ss loss of 40kg and 6 dre

skin, digestion and weight loss. The usual Nisha Smith, Perth, mum to Tahlia 5 years and Xavier 2 year s.

“As a busy working mum I don ’t have the time or budget to spen d on the expensive treatments and products I previously used .

However, I am a firm believer in a happy mum equals a happy family and nothing makes me happier than having my hair done. It instantly lifts my spir its and confidence. I don’t have the time to have it done every 4 weeks anymore, so I made the decision to get fantastic quality hair extensions. This mea ns I only have to have my hair done every 4-6 months and there’s no excuse for not finding a few hours 2-3 times a year! The colour lasts the whole time with no fading or regrowth and I feel fabulous.”

recommendation is eight glasses a day, but that can depend on your size, physical activity, climate, diet and

Weight loss can change many aspects of your life, even your marriage.

Some bariatric surgeo ns list divorce as a possible po stoperative complication with rates as high as 85 per cent!

medical factors. ❥ You always pack snacks for the kids when you go out, but what about yourself? Start bringing your own fruit and a water bottle, it will help avoid take-away snacks. ❥ Some mums might need a little something extra, especially breastfeeding mums, so take a multivitamin to ensure you are getting everything you need. ❥ We have all heard people say “Sleep when your baby sleeps”, and it is true, even a cat nap or lying down on the couch will help restore energy and clear your mind. ❥ Mental health is just as important as physical health.

Keep connections and communications strong with

friends and family and schedule time for you and your Lisa Brune, Sydney, mum to Archie 5 1/2 years and Ruby 3 years. “I joined partner, it can boost your mood and your outlook on life. a gym last year which cost $17 a week. I made new friends there who taught me how to get maximum results in minimum time, which We all know we should moisturise and use sunscreen was important to me with two kids for healthy, brighter, younger-looking skin, we’re all at home. I discovered High Intensity looking for ways to shave off time.

Interval Training (HIIT) which changed the shape of my body, increased my The key is to prioritise and find confidence and it was actually fun! products that double up on tasks Beauty or Plus, I knew each workout was relatively short and ry st du In g ? guessin body ns my kept ai like foundation with added br changed every day which and my mind entertained. atcher IbisWorld w sunscreen.

I also started Zumba and loved it so much I ed in 2012 at tim es ❥ A beauty routine became an instructor. In a year I lost 19kg! So olds spent Australian househ doesn’t have to mean even though it was tough to take that first step, on beauty and then suffer through those first few weeks of around $7 billion an expensive trip to the on spent muscle soreness and embarrassment, it was all versus the $2 billi salon and organising care worth it. I’ve never been happier!” ncing brain

BEAUTY

on enha power.

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Offspring | spring 2013

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Premature ageing is a reality for many sun-loving Australians. Other facto rs that contribute to crows feet include cigarette smok e, lack of exercise, exposu re to cold weather, alcoh ol, stress and a lack of sleep.

water helps polish completely dry — and we can all spare a

for the children. Get the kids involved.

Older children can help do mum-minimakeovers with nail painting, hair brushing

The average beauty routine takes each woman 24 minutes a day.

That’s 146 hours a year or six full days!

measly five minutes. ❥ For hair, get regular trims to keep your ends healthy and your style fresh. Tell your stylist you would like a fuss-free style. This may mean you have to embrace your natural texture, no matter what it is. ❥ For those days when you don’t have time

and massages. ❥ For those with younger children, treat them

to wash your hair, try using dry shampoo - a bit

to a bubble bath and use the time to be in the bathroom

of talcum powder on your scalp works just as well. As a

supervising yet also doing any necessary plucking,

bonus, shampooing less helps preserve hair colour.

waxing or shaving.

❥ Above all, the best thing you can do for your skin and

❥ Trade babysitting with another mum and use the

beauty will not be found in a salon, it is to make sure you

time to rejuvenate, not catch up on housework.

Stay at home mums lift the ly one equivalent of near caring tonne every day based on for their babies 10kg a baby weighing down t picked up and pu 90 times a day.

❥ If you don’t have a lot of time to do your makeup, reach for

get enough sleep, it is called Beauty Sleep for a reason.

FITNESS The old saying “Those who think they have no time for

concealer, mascara and a lip

exercise will sooner or later have to find time for illness,”

gloss as a minimum.

sums up perfectly why we need to keep up physical

❥ If you enjoy having

fitness. If you wait until you find time to work it in, you’ll

painted nails but can’t spare

be waiting forever. Put exercise on your list and do it!

enough time to let them dry, then leave your nails for two minutes and submerge in ice

water for three minutes. The cold

❥ Exercise decreases stress hormones such as cortisol and increases endorphins, adrenaline, serotonin and dopamine, the body’s natural feel good chemicals, which re-energise and revive us, so it is worth making the

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Offspring | spring 2013

69

time. Once you get the all

alongside other mums. Find

clear from your doctor

a local pram walking group,

after the birth of a

zumba, bootcamps or Mum

baby, usually after six

and Baby yoga.

Topping the list of women’s choice of physical recreational activities is walking, aerobics and gym workouts (The Australian Fitness Industry Report 2012).

weeks, you can start

❥ If the exercise that suits

slowly getting back into

you best is in a gym, find a

exercise.

centre with crèche facilities.

❥ Start small with walking

❥ Why not try something a little

and pelvic lifts. Some

fun and fancy like lap dancing or pole

hospitals offer post-natal

dancing lessons or joining a roller derby team?

exercise classes such as

So ladies, if you don’t like the extra kilos, the black

low impact yoga and

roots against blonde hair or the unibrow, then get it

pilates, or aqua-natal.

on the family calendar, in the budget and resist the

❥ Once you are ready

temptation to cancel.

So, a quick re-cap. Drink lots of water,

to step it up a notch, you can save money by doing fitness DVDs at home. ❥ Just 10 minutes of moderate exercise is enough to improve your mood, your vigour and decrease fatigue. However, to obtain all the benefits aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise every day. ❥ Some mums may find the motivation to keep fit by enrolling in group training or working out

Tuesday is the most popular gym day for both en genders with wom ng ni preferring mor sessions.

eat your veggies, fight to get more (if not enough) sleep, exercise and it will all start combating stress. And when you let a few things slide, don’t worry. These tips are intended to help you find ways to feel better about yourself, so do what you can do and be proud of that.

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Offspring | spring 2013

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Finally a fitness solution for time poor parents!

We’ve been told time and time again that when it comes to achieving body beautiful, there are no quick fixes and certainly no shortcuts. Yet the folks behind a new fitness craze beg to differ.

T

it, meaning maximum results in minimum time.

“Then I came across Speedfit”.

“It did feel strange, in a good way, for the first session but you get used to it and you can quickly see and feel the results.

I love it,” she says.

he Speedfit concept is based on personal fitness training with electro muscle stimulation (EMS). Speedfit

“It’s been five months now and I love the feel of my newly redefined muscles, my post-baby body and

is the first EMS studio in Australia. According to their

how much stronger I feel. I’m so proud of myself that I’m

site, “Speedfit is the perfect fitness solution and all round

setting a good example of fitness for my child.”

training. It quickly produces effective, visible results and fat content and weight are reduced. Your muscles are gently defined as your physical strength and endurance increases. This highly effective training method has been used by professional athletes and sports rehabilitation centres for decades and has recently taken Europe by storm with more than 1000 gyms operating overseas in 2013.”

Research shows that EMS training is up to 18 times more effective than conventional fitness training.

20 minutes with Speedfit is as effective as three 90

to the Ball’: A fresh fun guide to taking control of your life and creator of www.JoinUsAtTheBall.com.

Dee is one of Speedfit’s biggest fans and advocates as well as practices. “Mums are increasingly time poor in this day and age,” she says.

“I know it was hard to find time for myself, my fitness and health, in between juggling a toddler, looking after two elderly grandparents,

20 minutes with Speedfit is as effective as three 90 minute workouts in a gym.

work, and publishing a book,” says Ms Shelton.

“I wanted something that could accommodate my toddler so she was no longer an excuse and that would fit into my life not take over

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Offspring | spring 2013

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Fertile ground Former engineer and Perth motherof-four, Loretta Hill, has found a new career penning best-selling novels about life and love on the mines. She chats to Zoe Deleuil about how she combines writing and motherhood.

M

ine sites in the Pilbara aren’t generally considered

“I felt like a workaholic, and I never saw my friends and

the most romantic of settings, but for Perth

family,” she says. “In the mining industry, I worked twelve

author and mother-of-four, Loretta Hill, they’ve

hour shifts for five weeks straight, and at the end of that

provided the inspiration and characters for two successful romance novels, The Girl in Steel-Capped Boots and The Girl in

you’re so zonked, it takes you half your week off to recover.”

She found another job in Perth as a design engineer, meeting her husband and starting a family soon afterwards.

the Hard Hat, which was published in January.

Although she always loved writing, publishing her first short story in The West Australian at the age of 11,

Throughout those years of work interspersed with maternity leave she continued writing. She’d completed her first novel, The Girl in Steel-Capped Boots, when she’d

Hill followed her father’s advice to pursue a ‘sensible career’ and completed degrees in both engineering and commerce at UWA. Upon graduation she was offered a scholarship and a job with a West Australian engineering company and went straight to work in outback Queensland and the Pilbara. But, after three-and-a-half years, she’d had enough.

“I was so sleep deprived that I decided to focus on editing rather than writing, and I ended up spending about three years revising it.”

returned from the Pilbara and her experiences were still fresh in her mind.

“But real characters kept walking onto the page, so I left it for awhile and then I had my first child, Luke. I was so sleep deprived that I decided to focus on editing rather than writing, and I ended up spending about three years revising it.”

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Offspring | spring 2013

73

Eventually the original publisher rejected her novel, but her agent sold it to Random House soon afterwards. It was published in January 2012 and became an immediate bestseller, enabling Loretta to employ a part-time nanny with the royalties while she began work on a second book.

“I had Beth, my third child, in January 2012. Random House wanted another book within nine months, so that was a busy time,” she says. “Mum helped out a lot and my husband gave me all day Sunday to write.

I got the second book done but didn’t have much family time, which was hard. Luckily my editor said the quality was The next step was finding a publisher. “I’ve been very lucky,” she says modestly. “In 2010 I

still good, otherwise she would have pushed it back.”

went to a writers’ conference in Melbourne where

Loretta now has four

writers could give five-minute pitches about their

children, Luke, 5, James, 4,

manuscripts, and I managed to get someone

Beth, 2, and Michael, 7 months.

interested. Normally you need an agent to send your work

Writing is squeezed in between

to publishing houses, but by pitching it directly I managed to

the demands of raising a family, with the two worlds

skip that step.”

sometimes colliding in unexpected ways, such as having to

While waiting for news, Loretta found a literary agent, which was easier with a publisher already interested.

bribe her children with Freddo Frogs to return the missing ‘f’ key of her laptop, which had become a little loose and then

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Offspring | spring 2013

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vanished after creating a particularly foul-mouthed character in her second novel.

“I have a nanny on Fridays and my mum does a half day once a week. Anything else I can snatch is a bonus. Sometimes my husband gives me a couple of hours on the weekend, but generally we try to reserve those for family time. I suppose I love writing too much to not do it.

When I’m looking after my kids, my stories are always playing in the background. I can’t seem to escape my alternate reality.”

The novels are page-turning romances that capture the tensions and intensity of living day-

“I had Beth, my third child, in January 2012.

Random House wanted another book within nine months, so that was a busy time.”

(L-R) Luke (5), Beth (2), Loretta, Michael (7 months), Todd and

James (4).

generates, remains mysterious to many Australians.

The success of her novels, after years of work, hasn’t stopped Hill, who is already hard at work on another FIFO

in, day-out with the same faces, the rough humour, the harshness and physical beauty of the desert landscape. Hill has drawn heavily on her

novel, The Girl in the Yellow Vest, this time set in Queensland.

“I get a lot of fan mail from women in the industry, as well

own experience of working on a port construction site where

as FIFO wives who want to find out more about life in the

men outnumbered women 350 to five.

mining industry. It’s a gruelling way to make a living, hard

Online reviews enthuse about the characters, the

on relationships, and I think people who know that life enjoy

confident storytelling and the detailed picture Loretta builds

my books. Other readers are simply curious about life in

of life as a FIFO worker – something that, for all the wealth it

outback Australia.”

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75

3 1/2 - 6 years

Toileting Tips for

Preschool

BY TERESA DIX AND WENDY MULLER, NGALA EDUCATION TEAM

Spring has arrived, and for Ngala helpline staff, this also means many calls for information on toileting from parents of preschoolers. Here are some tips to help get your child toilet trained.

T

oileting is something that varies from one child

Consider whistling or

to another. All children are unique and as such

blowing bubbles while

develop awareness and readiness for bowel and

your child is on the toilet

bladder control at their own pace. This is not a race, just

as this will assist in

part of your child’s learning journey. Children learn to

pushing (yes, it involves

roll, sit, crawl and then walk in order but the last motor

the same muscles).

When out and about, make sure you know where the

skill to learn is toileting.

nearest toilet is located.

A plan…

Offer plenty of water, fruit and vegetables and exercise to promote a healthy bowel.

What do you need?

The long term goal is for your child to wee or poo into the toilet. To develop this skill you need to teach them to

Can your child reach the door handle of the toilet? If not,

listen to and respond to their body.

leave the door open.

Does your child need a step or two? Children need to have their feet resting on the floor or a step.

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To take ownership and responsibility of the

toileting process. l

To communicate the need to go to the toilet and be

able to identify what that need is (wee/poo). l

To discuss their feelings and progress at any time.

What is your role as a parent during this time? l

Praise your child – do not punish or criticise (ensure

that praise is directed at the effort not the end result (i.e. the poo or wee) eg. “It was great how you listened

www.jojinglesperth.com.au 76

Offspring | spring 2013

to your body”.

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l

Nurture and encourage your child –

l

be a positive role model and avoid

time to develop.

power struggles. l

Contact the Ngala Helpline, your Child Health Nurse, or your GP if you have any

It is important to use words that can be

concerns or need further information.

easily understood like ‘wee’ and ‘poo’ as

Remember, each child is unique and

well as appropriate words to describe

some children may need more time and

your child’s anatomy. l

Stay calm- toileting is a skill that takes

assistance to achieve successful toileting.

Assist your child by giving him/her

the language to describe what is happening eg. “Is your body telling you something?”, “Have you got a feeling in your tummy?”, “Do you

Ngala facilitates Successful Toileting workshops regularly.

Ngala can also provide parenting workshops for your school or playgroup. For more information go to www.ngala.com.au or call the helpline on 08 9368 9368 or for country callers 1800 111 546, between 8am – 8pm, 7 days a week.

need to do a wee?” (if you observe them doing the ‘wee dance’). l

Keep a diary – this gives you an

accurate picture of how your child is going with his/her toileting skill as well as give information on any patterns that may cause possible disruptions to their daily routine (eg. illness, travel, changes at home – i.e. a new baby).

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Offspring | spring 2013

77

FOOD & NUTRITION

Only 50 per cent of Australians eat the right amount of fruit and vegetables. Here are some tried and true tips, tricks and strategies to include more fruits and vegetables in our family diet.

Tips and tricks to get your kids to eat more fruit and vegies

BY KATE BULLEN

Vegie Smugglers W

e all know that fruits and vegetables

What is a serve?

are good for us, and there is very good

A standard serve of vegetables is about 75g or:

research confirming this. Not only

n ½

cup cooked vegetables

do fruit and vegetables have protective effects for

n ½

cup cooked or canned beans, peas or lentils

reducing our chance of getting cancer and heart

n 1

disease, but anyone who eats the recommended

n ½

amounts of two fruits and five vegetables are more

n 1

likely to be a healthy weight.

cup salad vegetables

A standard serve of fruit is about 150g or:

Adults are recommended to eat two serves of fruit

n 1

medium apple, banana, orange or pear

and five serves of vegetables, legumes or beans. The

n 2

small apricots, kiwi fruit or plums

recommendations for children can be seen below.

n 1

cup canned fruit (no added sugar)

Vegetables and legumes/beans

Fruit

Tip

Serves per day*

1

Chat about Fruits and Vegetables

13-23 months

2-3 years

4-8 years

9-11 years

12-13 years

14-18 years

Boy

2-3

2½

4½

5

5½

5½

Girl

2-3

2½

4½

5

5

5

to ask my children. My seven year old

Boy

½

1

1½

2

2

2

daughter said mango and broccoli,

Girl

½

1

1½

2

2

2

Food Group

*Additional amounts may be needed by children who are taller or more active

78

medium potato (no chips!)

medium tomato

Offspring | spring 2013

Do you know what

your children’s favourite fruit and vegetable is? I found it a fun exercise

and my three year old son said banana and carrot. This question led into a chat about fruits and

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Berry Smoothie

FOOD & NUTRITION

important for our blood cells to grow. Mandarins and oranges have Vitamin C to help us stay well and heal cuts and bruises.

Broccoli and baby spinach contain Vitamin A which is

Serves 2

important to help us see at night and grow strong teeth. An easy way to find out more about fruits and vegetables is to

1 cup milk

Google them!

1/2 cup baby spinach 1/2 cup frozen berries

Tip

2 tsp vanilla essence

2

1/2 cup ice il a blender and blend unt Place all ingredients in ired. e honey to taste if des smooth. Can add som ! ries ber us by the delicio The spinach is hidden

Are they really hungry?

If only I had a dollar for every time I heard one of my children say ‘I’m hungry’! My three year

old will say this often after finishing his breakfast of three Weetbix, some oats and sultanas. So I am pretty confident that he isn’t hungry and I use this opportunity to ask him if his tummy is making hungry sounds or if he would like to play with his trains, get out his crayons or read a book.

vegetables and why they are so important in our diet. It is important to keep any conversation about food fun,

Usually it is just boredom and once I have set him up in an activity he is happy.

Children have little tummies and can easily fill up on milk or juice (which I say doesn’t count as a serve of fruit because

light-hearted and age appropriate.

I like to tell my children that fruits and

most juices don’t contain fibre). It can be useful to keep a

vegetables are ‘super’ foods because of their different colours.

food diary for a few days of what your child is eating as this

For example, strawberries have folate in them which is

can provide some clues on areas to improve.

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FOOD & NUTRITION

Tip

3

Encouragement and Praise

Children are often wary of foods, particularly foods

Children need to be offered, and encouraged, to

that they haven’t enjoyed previously. Dinner time can be a

eat foods. Vegetables are the most often rejected

particularly difficult time of day to encourage children to

food – but each vegetable needs to be offered at least eight

eat as they are often tired after a long day. If this is the case

times before becoming a trusted and accepted food. The key

try lunch time and snacks to offer new fruits and vegetables

is repetition, encouragement and praise.

when they are likely to be more receptive. Whole pieces of

The jury is still out on rewards. The long standing ‘eat all

fruit such as bananas, apples and pears, or offering tomato

your vegetables and you can have some ice cream’ can do

and avocado on crackers or some vegetables sticks with

more harm than good. If this is something that you are saying

peanut butter or a dip, are some easy, healthy snack options.

most nights then it probably isn’t working. The time when rewards of this nature can work is to encourage a child to try a food. If your child is refusing to even try different fruits or vegetables, a promise of a reward can work to encourage

Tip

5

Shop together Visit a fruit and vegetable market or your local farmers market with your child or children as

tasting, but after this it loses its value and may even cause a

an outing and opportunity for them to choose a fruit or

child to dislike a food even more. Beware of this backfiring!

vegetable that is in season that they would like to try. The

Noticing when they have made an effort and commenting on

rule is that whatever your child chooses you must buy and

this goes a long way to improving eating habits.

prepare, and you as the parent must try the food too.

Empowering your child to make decisions about fruits

Tip

4

Plan to eat fruit and vegetables

and vegetables means they are more likely to try the food

As parents we are in the powerful position of

because they have been involved in the process.

influencing what our children eat – but of course

Finally, consistency plays a big role in getting children to

we aren’t the only influence – and our level of influence

eat their fruit and vegetables. There are always going to be

decreases as the children get older. So start early is my

those days where it comes down to a boiled egg and toast for

advice! If children see their parents eating and enjoying

dinner – but it is all about what happens most of the time.

plenty of fruit and vegetables, then children are more likely

Kate Bullen is an Accredited Practising Dietitian

to do the same. Children are more likely to adopt healthy

and Mum to a seven year old, three year old and 15

eating behaviours when they have more than one person to

month old. More information can be found at

imitate – so recruit as many family members as possible!

www.dietitianonline.com.au

Tips from other Mums rs to cut ✓ Be creative and use cutte into shapes fruit and vegetables ✓ Hide the vegetables! ✓ Eat together as a family pare and ✓ Get the children to help pre age about the cook the meal. From rt to use of two children can sta potatoes/ peelers to peel carrots/ sweet potatoes s – puree ✓ Make fresh fruit ice lollie d add some some watermelon an fruit and sliced bananas, kiwi t in ice moulds strawberries and pu

80

Offspring | spring 2013

✓ Grow some vegetables in

your backyard ake great ✓ Frozen peas and corn m er months snacks over the warm fferent ✓ Vegetable pizzas with di ch as a vegetable pictures, su trees, carrot garden – broccoli for and peas for flowers ✓ Lots of different

vegetables in small

rk wo amounts often better than just a

couple of vegetables in big quantities

! y a w a d n a p u , p U

BY COLLEEN WILLIS

If you’ve ever dreamed of taking the family to London and beyond, now’s a good time to get the ball rolling.

E

with anyone under 10, then keep reading!

the end of the year airlines release what they call their

kids on the block,” Qatar airlines, and were really happy with

“Earlybird” fares. These fares are usually sold at rates that are

them. The airline staff were pleasant and helpful to all the

cheaper than normal.

families on board.

urope is towards the top of many people’s wish list for places to visit. Here are some useful tips and ideas for planning a trip with the family to London and Paris.

Now’s a great time to start arranging such a trip as towards

If you’re like me and dread the thought of a long haul flight Earlier in the year I travelled from Perth to London with my family and then flew home from Paris. We flew with the “New

For more information visit: www.qatarairways.com/au

Helpful hints to find the best deals available:

1300 640 600

• Use a travel agent. This can often save time as a good agent will be able to access many fares quickly.

• Check out the airlines own websites and join their

Something that we took advantage of during our transit time at Doha airport was the Oryx Lounge. Normally you need

email list.

to be either a business or first class passenger to access

• Follow the airlines on

the lounges. However, for Qatar airways, you can pay to

social networks as

use this lounge if in economy.

sometimes they offer

** Please note it is free for first and business class

sales on their sites.

travellers and there are also separate complimentary

• Word of mouth. If you

lounges for gold and silver frequent flyers **

know someone who got

Highlights include:

a great deal on their last

• Washroom and shower facilities (wonderful!)

trip ask them who they

• Complimentary food and drinks

went with and how they

• Free Wi-Fi

booked it.

• Rates are USD 40.00 per person

While cheaper airfares can be a great incentive to travel, there are some things you must be aware of and some simple

** Places are limited and are subject to availability. **

Once all the preliminary work has been done the next step is the flight itself!

Some tips include: • Pack snacks – good for

precautions to take when

between meal times and

booking them:

possible delays.

• If possible, know your departure and

• Order special children’s meals.

return dates.

• Pack wipes

• Decide if you want a stopover or not.

• Take a change of clothing in

• Make sure you are fully aware of all

case of spills/accidents or

fees and charges. If you need to change

baggage delay.

dates or cancel your trip, the fees can be quite high and in some cases, not

• Technology can be a life saver.

I-pads, smart phones, DVD

even possible to do.

players have all diverted many

• Check that everyone’s passports are

an argument when travelling!

up to date.

• Books shouldn’t be ignored

• Insurance, insurance, insurance.

either, especially for older

NEVER travel without it! Ever!

children.

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

Offspring | spring 2013

81

There are many fantastic things to do and see in London • Take something to alleviate ear pressure for take-off and

for all the family, from a leisurely garden stroll to a fast paced

landing e.g. lollipops, dummies.

day at a theme park.

• Make a toilet run before the food and drink service commences. Trust me, it’s often inevitable that someone

Highlights include:

will need to go when the aisle is blocked!

• The Tower of London

When we arrived in London we decided to hit the ground

• Big Ben

running (a good way to help with jetlag is to get outdoors as

• Legoland Windsor (take

soon as possible). We had researched what we wanted to do

the train to Windsor for

before we left and took advantage of the good weather to

the day – this is a winner!)

go straight to the London Eye and get a magnificent view

• The London Dungeon

of London.

• V & A Museum

For more information visit: www.londoneye.com

of Childhood • Buy a London “Hop on hop off” sightseeing bus pass. This is a terrific way to get around to many of the attractions on a double decker bus and learn a few things on

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• The British Museum • Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew • Buckingham Palace. Don’t forget to say hi to the Queen if she is there!

For more information visit: www.visitlondon.com www.londontoolkit.com; www.visitbritain.com; www.hop-on-hop-off-bus.com

Accommodation There are just so many different options for London accommodation that you need to decide what your parameters are: • Hotel or apartment?

• Is it family friendly?

• Location – if possible stay near a “tube” station (this is the nickname for the Underground rail) • Pricing.

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Offspring | spring 2013

For more information visit: www.visitengland.com www.visitbritain.com

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

F

or most children, a visit to Europe isn’t complete without the chance to see Disney Paris. It has all the magic and wonders that that we come to expect

from such a place. Whether it’s your favourite characters walking around right before your eyes, or just the sheer magnitude of it all, there’s something here for everyone.

Disney Paris is located in Marnela-Vallee which is 32km from the centre of Paris. There are two

Walt Disney Studio’s Park has plenty of

separate parks to visit, Disneyland

action and rides too.

Park and Walt Disney Studios Park.

• Production Courtyard

Disneyland Park is divided into

• Toon Studio

five lands:

• Backlot

• Main St U.S.A.

• Frontlot

• Frontierland • Adventureland

Accommodation

• Fantasyland

Disney has several of their own branded hotels, which are

• Discoveryland

located closer to the parks than other properties. One of

Each land then has its own rides and attractions that are specific to each theme.

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them, the Disneyland Hotel, is right at the main park itself.

For more information visit: www.disneylandparis.com

Offspring | spring 2013

83

Travel Tip

stayed in an apartment at

yet still If you are short on time sy to catch want to see Paris, it’s ea u get to see the train in. This way yo eg. the Eifel some of the main sites French pastry Tower, have an authentic you are ready. and then go back when out 100m from There is a train station ab -la-Vallee the parks called Marne ur ticket. and it’s easy to book yo The train takes about 45 minutes into central Paris.

the Marriott Village d’lle–deFrance which was fantastic and then hired a car (a shuttle was also available to the parks).

For more information visit: www.marriott.com

Getting there If arriving by plane into Charles de Gaulle airport, you can either hire a car or take a train from the airport itself. The train is fantastic as it is high speed and takes less

Things to consider when booking a Disney hotel:

than 10 minutes to the station!

• They are closer to the parks

run from both airports.

• They are ‘theme’ orientated which can very appealing • Some rooms are apartment style However, these rooms can be expensive and if you choose to stay a bit further out, the savings can be significant. We

84

Offspring | spring 2013

Bus services and taxis also If coming from London, the Eurostar goes directly there! It takes approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes.

For more information visit: www.sncf.com/en/trains/tgv www.eurostar.com

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