Families Magazine - Brisbane Families Health & Parenting Issue 2018

Issue 27: April / May 2018 www.FamiliesMagazine.com.au

Brisbane

TM

From North Lakes and Samford in the north to the Redlands and Logan in the South and out through the Western suburbs of Brisbane

FAMILIES HEALTH & PARENTING ISSUE

Easter Activities & Events for Kids Raising a Giver in a Gimme World School Open Days – Find the Right School Introducing Your Toddler to Your Newborn

The Clever Resource for Thinking Parents

April / May 2018

Contents Welcome to our Families Health Issue ZOMG I’M A COVERGIRL! FINALLY! I got those photos taken by an amazing family photographer (Danielle O’Brien - look her up). I had it booked in for months but on the morning of the photo shoot I realised my daughter had no clothes that weren’t stained and no shoes, and also I need to confess she didn’t cut her own fringe - that was me. With the blunt kitchen shears. And by ‘cut’ I mean hacked at until even I had to concede I didn’t know what I was doing.

Whatever, we have bigger problems than a wonky fringe - all my kids are wonk.

All of them. The eldest has bony exostoses (bone lumps) forming on all her long bones which I didn’t know was a thing but the specialist at Lady Cilento assures me it is. The middle kid is celiac and had a major heart operation at age three for his faulty heart and the littlest has had his Ear Nose Throat operation but now needs speech pathology for his fricative sounds (which is my new insult now - ‘go fricative yourself’). We are the Special Needs X-Men. I wasted all that effort on pregnancy yoga and a natural birth, I should’ve tried for an UNnatural birth and solved some of these issues with cybernetic replacement parts.

If you, like me, spend hours in waiting rooms and shuffling between GP’s and specialists then stuff our magazine in your bag so you have something to read when your phone inevitably goes flat from the excessive app use by your kid/s. Whether you are managing long term health issues or just the endless rotation of colds/ flu, nits, school sores and gastro we have you covered.

4-5

Families News Find out about news for families

6-7

Education School Open Days Parent/Teacher Meetings

8 - 11

Parenting Attachment Strategies 3 Ways to Manage Your Child’s Online Life How to Raise a Giver in a Gimme World

14 - 19

Families Health Which Medicine to Use Introducing your Toddler to your Newborn

26 - 30

Families Fun Circles the family events you plan to do during April & May

Yours in sickness and in health (till we run out of carers leave/ patience),

Simone Eclair

Simone Eclair insists she is a Brisbane comedian (but you can decide for yourself ).

Follow her on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram (simone.eclair) if you are inclined or enjoy her blog and videos at www.simoneeclair.com

Cover photo courtesy of photographer Danielle O’Brien www.danielleobrien.com.au

CONTACT US:

Next issue June/July 2018 Deadline by 5pm on Friday 4 May 2018

Families Magazine, PO Box 1018, Brighton 4017

Focus on Winter Day Trips & Kids Parties

☎ 07 3265 5738

Readership over 167, 200 every issue. Published 6 times a year. Local magazines for families in Brisbane, Ipswich, Redlands, Logan and the Moreton Region, Toowoomba and Gold Coast.

Editor@FamiliesMagazine.com.au

www.FamiliesMagazine.com.au

© Families Magazine 2018

Your Local Families Magazine April / May 2018

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Families News

LOCAL FAMILIES NEWS

Sponsored by

Looking for the latest local news and views? We've got it covered!

ACTING CLASSES FOR KIDS

CREATING OVER 25 YEARS OF ARTS EDUCATION EXPERIENCES FOR CHILDREN QPAC’s Out of the Box festival is curated to offer connected arts and educational experiences for children aged eight years and under.

Over five days, this year’s festival is jam packed with in-theatre experiences, workshops and activities. For the cost of a Day Pass, you can experience all the festival has to offer. Open to both families and school groups, book your tickets now to secure your attendance!

From 26 June - 1 July, excluding Friday 29 June 2018.

More information https://outoftheboxfestival.com.au

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Your Local Families Magazine April / May 2018

Brisbane Arts Theatre offers children aged 8 to 16 from all over Brisbane the opportunity to attend Brisbane Arts Theatre’s Performing Arts’ Workshop from 9am – 11am on Saturday mornings at the Lavalla Centre in Paddington. At each class, there are three specialist instructors teaching singing, acting and dancing in rotation. The children are taught introductory stagecraft, acting techniques, improvisation, singing (solo and chorus) and movement (mime and dancing). Intakes at the beginning of Terms One and Three.

For more information 3369 2344 www.artstheatre.com.au/childrensworkshops

Families News

EASTER & ANZAC DAY RECIPES FOR KIDS

If you are looking for easy to make recipes for the kids over the school holidays, then look no further than our website.

We have recipes for: ANZAC Biscuit Bliss Balls Bunny Down a Hole Mini Carrot Cakes for Easter How to Make Creme Easter Eggs Anzac Biscuit Ice Cream Sandwich EASY 2 Ingredient Fudge Recipe

ROMA STREET PARKLAND EVENTS Sprouts in the Park Let your little ones get crafty these school holidays as with a range of fun art, craft and gardening activities with Bazil Grumble themed around the Commonwealth Games such as making Byrobi masks, crowns and batons. The activities are free and will take place at the Children’s Garden Lawn from 10am-12pm from the 4th to the 14th April.

Find out more here www.familiesmagazine. com.au/organiser/roma-street-parklands-2

A bunch of snacks that wont ruin dinner and healthy lunchbox ideas…. Turn to page 13 for some inspiration and then visit our website for more ideas.

You’ll find them all here: www.familiesmagazine.com.au/ brisbane/recipes/all

DISCOUNTED PARKING

THROUGHOUT THE EASTER HOLIDAYS

Families Magazine’s partner, Secure Parking offers discounted parking in Brisbane city, South Brisbane and Fortitude Valley throughout 2018.

To secure the discount, just book with them online, in advance and use the code: FAMILIES at checkout to gain an additional 25% off the already discounted online price!

Booking online at www.secureparking.com.au

Your Local Families Magazine April / May 2018

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SCHOOL OPEN DAYS LIST

Brisbane and Ipswich’s most comprehensive For prospective students & parents

To promote Your School Open Day in the next issue (June/July 2018) contact our Editor Email: Editor@FamiliesMagazine.com.au Tel: 3265 5738 Please check the details of the events listed before setting off in case anything has changed since going to print.

Anglican Church Grammar School (East Brisbane) Anglican Boys’ School Reception - Yr 12. Open Day: Wed 2 May. They also provide personalised tours at all times and an interactive tour on their website. www.churchie.com.au Bethania Lutheran School (Bethania) Co-ed Primary School Prep - Yr 6 Every day is Open Day. Contact school for a tour 3200 5363 www.bethania.qld.edu.au Brigidine College (Indooroopilly) – Catholic Secondary Girls’ College Yr 7-12 Visitation Days: Mon 6 & Tues 7 Aug; Mon 22 & Tues 23 Oct (9.30am - 10.30am). Twilight Open Evening: Tues 22 May (4 – 6pm). Book on 3870 7225 as places are limited. www.brigidine.qld.edu.au Brisbane Christian College (Salisbury) Co-ed Pre-prep - Yr 12.

Open Days: Tues 22 May, Tues 14 Aug, Tues 30 Oct www.brisbanechristiancollege.com.au Canterbury College (Waterford) Indep Co-ed Kindy–Yr 12 Open Day: Sat 26 May. Tours Morning: Wed 1 Aug. Canterbury@Twilight: Fri 12 October www.canterbury.qld.edu.au Clayfield College Independent School (Clayfield) Co-ed Pre-Prep to Year 6, Girls Pre-prep-Yr 12. Open Morning: Tues 22 May 8:45am 11:00am www.clayfield.qld.edu.au Genesis Christian College (Bray Park) Indep Co-ed School Prep-Yr 12 Open Day: Tues 1 May 9:00am to 11:00am personalised tours can be made by appointment www.genesis.qld.edu.au Grace Lutheran College (Rothwell) Co-ed Secondary College Yr 7-12 Open Day: Sun 20 May www.gracecollege.com.au Grace Lutheran College (Caboolture) Co-ed Secondary College Yr 7-12 Open Day: Fri 18 May www.gracecollege.com.au Lourdes Hill College (Hawthorne) Catholic Girls’ Secondary School.

Open Day: Fri 12 Oct 3.30pm -7.00pm. Morning Tours: Mon 14 May 9.3010.30am, Mon 6 Aug 9.30-10.30am www.lhc.qld.edu.au Mary MacKillop College (Nundah) Girl’s Secondary College Yr 7 – 12 Open Day – Sun 20 May – 10.30am to 2pm, Principal’s Open Morning – Mon 22 June, 9.30am to 10.30am. Enrolment Information Evening – Tues 1 Aug, 4.30pm to 6pm www.mmc.qld.edu.au Moreton Bay Boys’ College (Manly West) Boys’ College Prep-Yr 12 Head of College Tours: Wed 2 May, Fri 8 June, Fri 20 July, Wed 10 Oct, Wed 7 Nov www.mbbc.qld.edu.au

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Moreton Bay College (Wynnum West) Girls’ College Prep-Yr 12 Open Day: Fri 17 Aug www.mbc.qld.edu.au Mount Alvernia College (Kedron) Catholic Girls’ Secondary School Open Day: Sun 20 May 10am - 1pm www.mta.qld.edu.au Northside Christian College (Everton Park) Co-ed Kindy – Year 12 Prep Open Morning: Thurs 3 May. Twilight Tour: Tues 16 Oct www.northside.qld.edu.au Ormiston College (Cleveland) Independent, Co-Educational, NonDenominational Christian, Prep to Year 12 with an Early Learning Centre.

Showcase (Open Day): Sat 18 Aug 10am - 2pm. Headmaster’s Tours (4.30pm - 6pm): Tues 22 May, Thurs 6 Sept, Tues 23 Oct. Personal tours may be arranged www.ormistoncollege.com.au Prince of Peace Lutheran College (Everton Hills) Co-ed Kindy - Yr 12 Prep – Year 6 Open Morning: Thurs 14 June 8:45am – 10:15am.

Year 7 – 12 Open Morning: Wed 2 May 8:45am – 10:30am www.princeofpeace.qld.edu.au Somerville House (South Brisbane) Co-educational Pre-Prep, Girls Prep to Year 12 and Boarding Years 6 to 12. Private School tours can be arranged throughout the year by contacting the Admission Office on 07 3248 9202 or visit www.somerville.qld.edu.au Southern Cross Catholic College (Scarborough) Catholic Co-ed Prep -Yr 12 Open Day and Family Fun Day: Sun 20 May 10am – 1pm www.sccc.qld.edu.au St Peter’s Lutheran College (Indooroopilly) Indep Co-ed Prep – Yr 12 Open Day: Sat 2 June 10.00am – 2.00pm www.stpeters.qld.edu.au Stuartholme School (Toowong) Catholic Girls’ Secondary School Action Tour Mornings: 27 April, 21 May, 23 July, 17 Sept, 19 Oct. Register to attend www.stuartholme.com The Springfield Anglican College (Springfield) Co-ed Anglican College Kindy-Yr 12. Open Days: Primary Campus - Sat 26 May, Secondary Campus - Sat 1 Sept www.tsac.qld.edu.au West Moreton Anglican College (Karrabin, Ipswich) Anglican Co-ed Prep - Yr 12. Open Day: Sat 26 May 11am - 3pm. College Open Morning: Fri 3 Aug 8.30 - 10.30am www.wmac.com.au

Education

MA K E THE MOST OF

Parent Teacher Evenings Parent Teacher Evenings are a wonderful opportunity for teachers, parents and students to share information to enhance learning outcomes. An involved parent who supports their child’s education is creating an engaged student.

These meetings are useful adjuncts to the formal reports that are sent home and allow further dialogue and feedback as to how a child is progressing with their education and how they can improve.

There are two purposes for Parent Teacher Evenings.

The first purpose of parent teacher evening The first is to ensure teachers, parents and students have a shared understanding of expectations for study and homework, and the types of assessment that will be occurring. It gives parents an opportunity to discuss their child’s strengths and weaknesses, any particular interests or concerns, and to enquire how they could best support their child with their learning. Teachers and students can discuss helpful learning behaviours and identify unhelpful ones before they become entrenched as habits.

The second purpose of parent teacher evening The second purpose is to provide feedback. Positive strategies can be reinforced or, if a student is having difficulty, alternatives or support mechanisms can be discussed. There is also an opportunity to canvass avenues for extension where appropriate.

The secret of the successful parent teacher evening

child break the journey into smaller chunks that the teacher can help identify. Finally, it is imperative that parents and students are realistic in their expectations in regards to their academic performance. Help your child set clear and achievable goals.

Ongoing communication between parents and teachers is vital for student improvement. There is a wealth of evidence that indicates that positive parental involvement leads to improved student outcomes. Make the most of this opportunity with your child/ren to maximise their learning potential.

Jane Elliott, Dean of Pastoral Care, Clayfield College www.clayfield.qld.edu.au

The key thing to remember for any Parent Teacher meeting is to go prepared.

It’s a good idea for parents to study their child’s report, identify concerns raised and seek to clarify recommendations. You could also encourage your child to reflect on their semester and to analyse their approach and organisation.

Rather than sitting and listening passively to their parents and teachers talk, the student needs to be involved in the conversation, too. It is a positive challenge, as students mature, to lead these discussions as a type of workshop in which they direct conversations about their own progress, achievements and areas for improvement.

This approach encourages students to take responsibility for their own learning, and develop an awareness of their academic approach and engagement in learning. The student needs to reflect on their learning journey, identifying the study techniques and attitudes that helped foster academic success as well as identifying and acknowledging current practices and attitudes that are not allowing him/her to achieve to their full potential.

Dealing with negative feedback Sometimes feedback is not going to be palatable. If a result is disappointing, it is important not to focus solely on the result but to emphasise what has been learned from that disappointment, look at what could have been done differently and examine strategies that need to be put in place to lead to a more successful outcome next semester. It is vital that the student sees a supportive relationship between teacher and parent. If a discussion is starting to become heated, make an alternative time, without the student present, to raise your concerns.

Renowned psychologist, Dr Andrew Martin, has some clear advice for parents who want to improve or maintain their child’s motivation to achieve. Some of his tips are particularly important in preparation for Parent Teacher Evenings. Firstly, encourage selfbelief. Challenge the negative thinking that turns one poor result into blanket failure. Avoid comparison with others and focus on comparison with previous performance, and strategies for improvement which can be discussed with the teacher. Secondly, encourage persistence. If the road to success appears to go up a mountain, help your

Your Local Families Magazine April / May 2018

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Parenting

5 Way to Use

Attachment Strategies for a Calmer Goodbye

Making Tricky Transitions Easier with Attachment Strategies Childhood is filled with transitions. Some transitions are common (like entering Day Care, Kindy or moving house), other transitions are inevitable (e.g., starting school), and some may be unfortunate (such as separations or losing someone important). Irrespective of the type of transition, your child will experience some form of change during their early lifespan that may give rise to normal apprehension, stress, butterflies, worry or anxiety. However, change can equally present a great opportunity for learning, and helping our little ones feel secure as they transition from one place to the next (be that environmentally or emotionally) can also encourage their longer-term resilience.

What can parents do to help?

The easiest and most effective method of supporting your child through a tricky transition is by you applying attachment strategies. By using that beautiful, natural and unique attachment between child and primary carer, we can help soothe transition jitters and help our children feel more confident and secure in whatever change they are facing.

What are attachment strategies?

Attachment Theory was introduced by the research of John Bowlby (1958), who explored the importance of the physical and emotional connection between babies and their primary caregiver/s, with importance on the lifelong impact of healthy, early attachment. In latter years, Attachment Parenting developed out of this foundation research with varying interpretations on postnatal care. More recently, attachment theory has been integrated into parenting programs such as Circle of Security.

On a basic, naturalistic level, attachment simply refers to the foundation relationship between you and your child that they will carry with them for a lifetime. Even when you are not visible to your child, their sense of connectedness to you remains critical to their emotion wellbeing, sense of security, and resilience. Often the trickiest of transitions for your child involves you not being available, so how then can we help our children cope with change, in the absence of our physical presence?

Five Attachment Strategies That Work

Comforters

One of the first tricky transitions a baby will make is learning to sleep without mum after nine months of being rocked to sleep by the rhythm of your movement and the beat of your heart (full disclosure: they will learn to do this eventually!). In the proliferation of baby product merchandise (think: cute bunnies, silken blankies, bamboo muslins, etc.) I think we have lost the original definition and purpose of the security blanket: a transitional object that provides comfort in the absence of the motherchild bond. Be it that they are now commercialised to be impossibly cute, I am a strong advocate for a well-developed relationship between baby and comforter to initially help them learn to self-settle to sleep, and later to self-sooth in day care environments. To facilitate a comforter as an attachment tool, it is commonly recommended for the primary carer to place the item under their shirt for a day (such that baby associates the comforter with your scent) or tickle your baby’s face or palm gently with the comforter while feeding (to pair the association between comforter and nurturance).

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Books

There are a number of fantastic books that reinforce carer-child attachment: • ‘The Kissing Hand for Chester Raccoon’ by Audrey Penn • ‘The Invisible String’ by Patrice Karst • ‘Owl Babies’ by Martin Waddell • ‘You Have My Heart’ by Corinne Fenton and Robin Cowcher • ‘Hush, Little Possum: An Australian Lullaby’ by P Crumble and Wendy Bink • ‘I Love You All Day Long’ by Francesca Rusackas • ‘When I Miss You’ by Cornelia Spelman • ‘Kiss Kiss’ by Margaret Wild While reading these books (and others) are a great way to explore feelings and provide comfort in preparation for tricky transitions, we need to be mindful that no child has a sufficiently mature theory of mind to take prose and relate it to themselves. Therefore, when you read, make sure

Parenting Belonging

A sense of belonging (to any group) has been earmarked as a resiliency factor, and reminders of people that are important to your child can help fill their emotional cup in your absence. This is why many Kindergartens and Prep rooms have ‘Family Trees’ or ‘my family’ books as part of their curriculum. You can also put small photos of family, pets, loved ones, carers, etc., in key rings to attach to your child’s bag, belt or pocket when they are away from you. During separations, continuing to have photographs of mum and dad and past family times visible in both care homes can be helpful.

you enact or symbolise the story to help your child create a connection.

Hence, irrespective of what other parent’s think my day job might be, at the bequest of my sons I often complete day care drop off with garish lipstick, to make that Kissing Hand last! Try touching your child’s belly button when reading the invisible string and tracing an invisible line to yours and re-enact this at the transition. And (trust me on this) no matter how much your voice approximates a strangled cat: sing the Lullaby book: it encodes on your child’s limbic (emotional brain) system in a more powerful way via song.

Tokens

Small, cheap representations of your love that can be carried by your child throughout the day can symbolise your connection. Examples could be wristbands, inexpensive bracelets, small items in pockets or bags (e.g., a small shell you collected on the beach together), soap stones, etc. Sensory Necklaces may be helpful in transition anxiety accrues to your child chewing their sleeves, etc. You will need to check with your school to ensure that these tokens are acceptable. Again, create an attachment narrative with the token. For example: “this wristband is a symbol of my love for you. Every time you look at your wristband I want you to remember how important you are to me.” Little written notes (“I’m thinking of you”) hidden in lunch boxes, once your child is of reading age, can serve as cute reminders.

Use Your Words

Above all, I think that parents can create their children’s emotional worlds with their words. This was key for me during my own separation, where my sons started sleeping away, which was as much a tricky transition for me as it was for them. So every second Friday I would ask: “Where will you be this weekend?” [“Dadda’s”] “Yes, but where will you really be?” [“In your heart, Mumma”] “That’s right. No matter where you are, no matter what you’re doing, for now and forever, you will be in my heart. And any time you think of me, know that I will be thinking of you and loving you.

Years on, they now giggle and protest, but I can see them glow, because that parent-child attachment is strong and has contributed to their resilience and ability to cope away from home.

Similarly, saying things like: “I’ll check on you” as part of your Goodnight-routine, or “I’ll be thinking of you” at drop off, or “Picking you up this afternoon is going to be the best part of my day” – are simple attachment words that can help your child feel supported, loved and secure as they move in and out of their tricky transitions.

“Making Tricky Transitions Easier with Attachment Strategies” is a written by Dr Rachell Kingsbury – Guidance Counsellor (Clin. Psych & Clin. Neuropsych MAPS) and mum of two boys.

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Parenting

3 Ways

to Manage Your Child’s Online Life Does it seem like your child always has a screen in front of them?

If it’s not a laptop or iPad for school, then it’s a phone or an iPad at home for relaxation, or they’re on the laptop/ desktop to play games or watch YouTube – when you add it all up, that’s a lot of screen time. Essentially, it might feel like they’re always online!

We use tech at school as part of our education and then at home for school work and research. We use it as entertainment, to watch shows and play games, and we use a variety of apps and websites to stay connected to family and friends. With the added applications of a camera and video camera, allowing the easy documentation of the moments in their lives, for the most part, our children’s digital device might rarely leave their hand.

It’s also a device that can expose our children to a world of things we don’t ever want our kids to see. From pornography to buying unnecessary stuff (and ‘borrowing’ our credit card without asking), to hate crimes - it’s the single most distracting thing in our homes when it comes to getting kids to do something offline.

Technology is empowering and its now a necessity for both us and our kids, but what do we need to put in place to help our kids, who are growing up as digital natives?

Here are 3 essential things we can do to help parents and kids manage the online world.

1) Set up the device safely: this is imperative. You need to ensure

that the devices your children have access to have been setup to ensure maximum security is in place. Devices have a range of options for parents to monitor or limit internet connectivity. From time to time, check that they are still in place, these kids know their way around these devices better than we do and some will challenge the restrictions you put in place.

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Your Local Families Magazine April / May 2018

2) Set firm boundaries on use: This is vital, and consistency is the key.

If your children don’t have their own device and use yours, then a simple boundary is for the rule to be that they ask before they use your phone. This is to minimise the risk of them getting on the web and seeing or accessing something you don’t want them seeing. If your child is older, a boundary might be that access to screens is only in the family rooms of the house, or that phones have to be out of the bedrooms at night.

3) Ask questions: Ask your kids if they’ve ever had a stranger talk to

them online? Ask them if they’ve ever seen something online by accident.

Perhaps their friends have seen something online that made them uncomfortable or they know of someone being bullied via social media….

If we ask what’s going on online we at least have a better chance of helping them manage what they’ve seen or heard, and can put in place measures to stop it happening again or to help them deal with it.

It is far too easy for us parents to become frozen around our kids and the technology they use. But its essential that we stay on top of what they are doing and using so that we can help them to navigate their way through this online maze.

Written by Jane Webster: The driving force behind Code9 Parent producing easy to follow videos that address one or two points on the social media platform, so you can pick and choose what you need to see and learn then apply it immediately.

Parenting

HOW TO RAISE A GIVER IN A GIMME WORLD… It’s nine pm and the children may not be quite asleep but at least they’re in bed and you can collapse on the couch.

who himself grew up with next to nothing, showed us in a moment how we might give.

You’ve no more to give. You’re 110% out of everything. You tell yourself “Surely it’s not going to be like this forever!”

Dad had his reasons for giving to strangers, whilst treating them as friends.

We each have our own reasons for wanting to give. We want to show our own children they can do the same. Your children will hear you. I know this because I asked the girls in my class at Brigidine College to tell me their own family advice about ‘giving’.

Our children certainly know how to ask. They expect us to give so much of ourselves. Whether you’re in the middle of the whirlwind that is life with children under 5, or banging your head against the brick wall that life with children 6 and up can be, soon enough you will ask “How am I going to teach them how to give?”

WHEN KIDS EXPLAIN:

We’ve heard of the many ways we can help our children to be givers at times such as Christmas, when the gifts avalanche under the tree or on their birthdays, when we face the ‘Do I let them open their gifts in front of the guests?” dilemma.

“My Dad tells me that ‘just because you give, it doesn’t mean you are going to get something.”

But how do we teach our children to be givers on any other day, on the most ordinary of days and in the smallest of ways?

“My family love the Beatles. We say, ‘The love you make should be equal to the love you take.’”

The first step in learning to give may begin in receiving. The simple words “Say ‘Thank You’” prompt our children each time they take, of the value of gratitude.

We know words alone aren’t what get us through the pile of laundry that needs to be sorted or change the face of poverty. Can we inspire our children to give?

REFLECTING ON LEARNING TO GIVE: One childhood memory is the time Dad pulled the car over to the footpath one morning as we travelled through the centre of our small town. He told me to wait in the car and he got out, crossed over to talk to a man in the shadow of a building awning. He stood there for a while, as my brothers and I tried to work out how he might know this man dressed in worn, shapeless clothes and a hessian sack at his feet. When Dad came back to the car, we were bursting with curiosity. It was a moment when my father,

“My mum started me off on small chores when I was little. She tells me ‘You can’t just take, you have to give as well.’”

BE AN ACTIVE ROLE MODEL It might be asking for help with the laundry or it might be spending an extra five minutes to take a less able person’s trolley back at the supermarket, but know that every time you do, you are showing your child what ‘giving’ means to you. They see. They listen. They will step up.

So tonight, when you finally get to put your feet up, take a short moment to think about what ‘giving’ looks like to you. And as parents, know that our words tell our children the importance of gratitude and the joys of giving but it’s our actions that show them the way.

Written by: Nicole Kapernick B.Arts (Drama) , Grad. Dip. Sec. Ed., Cert IV Teaching and Assessing. Secondary school teacher at Brigidine College and mother of two boys (aged 9 and 13) and one daughter (aged 15)To find out more about a Brigidine Education for your daughter, go to: www.brigidine.qld.edu.au

Your Local Families Magazine April / May 2018

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Your Local Families Magazine April / May 2018

Recipes

Funfetti Easter Cookies Recipe Want to make amazing sugar cookies? Sweet, buttery, sugary cookies that hold their shape when baking? Who are we kidding? We had you at cookies, right?

Directions

Sugar cookies that hold their shape

• Add in the egg and vanilla, mixing well

Nothing is worse than cutting out a cookie in a cute shape and then watching it morph into some unrecognisable blob monster in the cooking process. But not these cookies, they are dependable and delicious.

You can eat them plain or get creative with the icing.

• Preheat oven to 180° • Cream the butter and sugar together until light and soft • Gradually add in the flour and baking powder, the mixture will come together to form a dough. If the dough is too wet add a little more flour or if it is too dry add the tsp of water • Divide the dough in two and add the sprinkles to one of the divided portions • Roll the dough out between two sheets of baking paper. Roll the dough to approx. ½ centimetre thickness • Place it on the cookie tray to keep it flat and pop it into the freezer for 5 minutes (this will help with keeping the shape when cutting and baking) • Cut out shapes using your favourite cookie cutters

Sugar Cookies Ingredients: • 160 grams of butter (room temp) • 1 cup of sugar • 3 cups of plain flour • 2 tsp of baking powder • 1 tsp vanilla extract

• Pop into the oven on a cookie tray for 12-18 minutes • Set them aside to cool before icing and decorating They are so yummy without icing but if want to decorate your cookies like the ones in the pictures I highly recommend the recipe for royal icing from Taste.com.

The nitty gritty

• 1 egg

• Makes about 40 cookies with mix of small and large cut outs (would make 25-30 standard size cookies

• 1 tsp of water *optional (dependant on texture of dough)

• Double the number of sprinkles to make the entire batch ‘Funfetti’

• 3 heaped tsp bright sprinkles • Extra sprinkles and 100s & 1000’s for decoration

Recipe and images by Elise Clarkson from Wild Mountain Child http://blog.wildmountainchild.com/

Your Local Families Magazine April / May 2018

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Family Health

Five Ways That Studying Online Can Help You Be A Better Mum When you become a stay at home mother your world can become a whole lot smaller. Your time becomes taken up by nap times, feedings, nappy changes, tummy time and everything else that comes along with it. All too soon (or maybe just in time, depending on how you feel about it!) the time may come for you to re-enter the workforce.

This can be an incredibly daunting prospect for many of us, particularly if our maternity leave was quite long. You may well be concerned about having lost out on skill sets and being behind the eight-ball in terms of workplace knowledge. You may worry about being left behind or overlooked – or forgotten about all together. You may be wondering what direction to head in while you continue to provide care for your children both inside the home and plan for where they’ll be going once you’re back into the workforce.

There’s a light at the end of the overwhelming tunnel that could see you through to the other side. Electing to begin a course of online study prior to going back to work has potential untold benefits not only for you but for your kids as well.

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Your Local Families Magazine April / May 2018

HOW CAN STUDYING ONLINE BENEFIT MY CHILDREN? Studying online will demonstrate to your children the importance of lifelong learning and education. You’ll be promoting a strong model of female empowerment as you show them that you can wear different hats at once.

You can be a mum and a student and a worker and a colleague. You don’t just have to fit into one box and by demonstrating this to your children you are introducing them to concepts like autonomy, choice, ownership and independence.

HOW CAN STUDYING ONLINE HELP ME? In addition to providing an excellent female role model to your children and opening the door to a more flexible family income, there are many ways that studying online can dramatically improve your life and your parenting.

1. Upskilling

Family Health

Completing a course of study online prior to returning to work is a fantastic way to ensure your skills are at the level they need to be. Doing this from the privacy of your own home means that you can structure your study around your family commitments. You won’t be rushing off to classes and tutorials or shovelling food into the kids in order to make a night-time class. Online study with an institution like College Australia is the perfect way to bridge the gap between home and the office.

2. Boosting Your Confidence Imagine the confidence boost that having completed a thorough course of online study will bring! Not only will you be more excited and confident about your return to work, but you’ll also potentially find that you’re more confident in your day-to-day life. The sense of achievement and participation that comes with being involved in active learning can provide a real morale boost that can seep through into other areas of your life. You may find you feel more social, more energised and more willing to take on the world!

3. Expanding New Horizons Completing a course of online study in your chosen professional area will open doors to other areas that you previously may not have considered.

College Australia have a vast network of online courses to choose from.

You may find something that sparks a new interest, reignites an old passion or takes you in a completely different direction from where you first thought you might be going.

4. Providing You With Formal Accreditation Completing a course of online study before returning to work will make sure that you have the appropriate skills, qualifications and certifications required for your workplace. This will mean your return to work will be very much on the front foot rather than racing to upskill or complete professional development in the first few months of your return. A recently completed course of online study is key to being able to relax back into the workplace, safe in the knowledge that your practices are appropriate and up to date.

5. Laying Foundations For The Future It cannot be stressed enough how important learning in the home is for children. When they see their parents engaged in study, reading, upskilling, writing and assessment they connect the dots with what they are doing at school. Learning is a life-long journey. College Australia makes it possible for stay-at-home parents to continue along the path of education without having to completely restructure their lives around time tables and campuses. It’s the perfect solution.

STUDYING ONLINE AS PART OF YOUR RETURN TO WORK PLAN Don’t be intimidate by the prospect of returning to work. While you may well be feeling a little lost right now, completing a course of online study with College Australia is the perfect way to make that jump from home back to the office.

If that time is creeping up, don’t wait too long. Make your start on study NOW so when you begin making your transition into the workplace you’ll be able to put your best foot forward.

Your Local Families Magazine April / May 2018

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Family Health

PARACETAMOL OR IBUPROFEN Which should I use for my child and why?

Paracetamol and ibuprofen are the two most commonly used options available for children for relief of mild to moderate pain. Both are available without prescription. Both are equally effective. Both can also be used to lower a fever (discussed below). If either are used for more than 48hrs a doctor should be consulted.

The big question is paracetamol or ibuprofen, which should you use and why. There are a lot of factors at play here. Is it for pain or fever? If its pain is there any inflammation? Does your child have any allergies, take any medication or have any medical conditions?

All medication should be taken at the lowest possible dose for the lowest possible duration possible. If your child has any pre-existing medical conditions or is on other medications you should check with your doctor before using any medication.

Let’s take a further look at the two options.

PAIN RELIEF

ALTERNATING PARACETAMOL AND IBUPROFEN

Ibuprofen and paracetamol have shown a similar impact on pain relief. As paracetamol, when taken according to directions, has less potential for side effects it should be the first choice for pain relief in children.

There is no benefit of doing this to lower a fever and an increased risk of negative effects. If one choice alone is not working it may be worth trying alternating between these two pain relievers. However it is very important to record what you use and when to ensure you get the dose correct and to show your medical professionals if you need to consult them at any point.

FEVER A low-grade fever (eg <38–38.5°C) in children will often respond to fluids and comfort, without the need to medicate. There is no evidence that treating a fever prevents febrile seizures.

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Your Local Families Magazine April / May 2018

Family Health QUICK REFERENCE TABLE

Pain

Inflammation

Fever

Suitable from

Time to work

How long it works for

Side effects

Paracetamol

✓

✓

1 month

30 minutes

4-6 hours

fewer

Ibuprofen

✓

✓

3 months

15 minutes

8 hours

more

✓

PARACETAMOL

IBUPROFEN

When to use paracetamol

Ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory pain reliever.

• Paracetamol is useful for mild to moderate pain. Paracetamol lowers fever. Paracetamol has no anti-inflammatory effects. Paracetamol is the preferred choice compared to ibuprofen for mild-to-moderate pain as it has fewer adverse effects.

Dose:

Dose: Paracetamol can be given from 1 month old, however it is recommended to consult your doctor if your child is under 6 months old. Paracetamol needs to be given strictly according to the dose and frequency instructions on the packaging and if pain and/or fever lasts for more than 48 hours, talk to your doctor.

Ibuprofen can be given to children from 3 months of age. Always check with your doctor or pharmacist if it is appropriate for your child before using. Ensure the correct dose is given, ibuprofen comes in several different strengths and so doses should be checked before each time it is given.

How long does it take to work?

Ibuprofen starts working within 15 minutes and works for about 8 hours.

Side effects:

How long does it take to work?

Paracetamol takes about 30 minutes after taking an oral dose to start working and will last for about 4 to 6 hours.

CAUTION! Get the dose right: There are many brands of paracetamol. It is also contained in many cough and cold products and it is important to avoid using more than one paracetamol containing product at the same time. Too much paracetamol can cause liver damage.

Please be aware that paracetamol is available in different strengths. Be sure to check correct dosing before giving. If you are unsure ask your pharmacist or doctor.

Ibuprofen has been shown to be more likely to cause adverse effects including nausea and diarrhoea when compared to paracetamol. For a full list of potential side effects see the product information.

CAUTION! Ensure your child is hydrated when taking ibuprofen to minimise the risk of adverse effects.

NON DRUG OPTIONS Consider non-drug options where appropriate for pain relief. For example heat or cold applications, massage, exercise, immobilisation and relaxation techniques may help.

Eg for teething sucking on something cold (ensure it is safe and not a choking risk) may soothe sore teeth.

Reference: Australian Medicines Handbook 2018, Australian Medicines Handbook Pty Ltd; Adelaide.

Tanya Burgess is a registered pharmacist and mother of 3 girls. When she’s not wrangling her tribe or talking healthcare you’ll find her online at Baby Hints and Tips. This non-judgemental community is a hub for advice on all things pregnancy, baby, kids and parenting. Enjoy the support and fun at www.babyhintsandtips.com

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www.todaysunshine.com.au Your Local Families Magazine April / May 2018

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Family Health

5 Things to Consider When Introducing Your Newborn to Your Toddler

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Your Local Families Magazine April / May 2018

When you start nearing the end of your second pregnancy you might begin to wonder what life is going to be like with two kids, or more specifically â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a toddler and a newborn. There is a good mix of excitement with a healthy dose of nerves, but one of the biggest things to consider is how you will introduce your toddler to their newborn sibling.

Family Health Here are five simple ideas to make the transition from only child to big brother or sister a smooth transition.

1. Read story books about the new baby When you’re trying to prepare your firstborn for the pending arrival of their new sibling, a great way to engage their interest in the new baby is to read story books about becoming a big brother or sister. There are some fantastic books available but here are some of our favourites.

• I am a Big Brother/I am a Big Sister by Caroline Jayne Church • Olivia; A guide to being a big sister by Natalie Shaw • Little Miss, Big Sis by Amy Krouse Rosenthal • My new baby by Rachel Fuller • I just couldn’t wait to meet you by Kate Ritchie

2. Encourage your toddler to have some ‘other grown-up’ time You might be starting to feel quite nervous about the fact that you’ll be leaving your little one to go to hospital for the birth of your second baby.

In the weeks leading up to the arrival of your new baby, encourage your toddler to have some more one on one time with another adult; your partner, your parents or another significant care giver. If you usually do bath time or bed time, let them handle some of those activities to get your toddler used to you being elsewhere. You might feel sad that this special one on one time that you have with your toddler is coming to an end, but you will soon realise that bringing home another little person for the whole family to love is such an incredible gift, you will wonder why you were so worried in the first place.

3. Take your toddler shopping for a gift

soft teddy bear or toy is a lovely gift for an older sibling to give to their new brother or sister. And be sure to get a gift that is packed into your hospital bag for the new baby to give to their older sibling. Something they will love and be excited about. If there’s any uncertainty on your toddler’s part about the new baby, their new gift will be a great distraction and keep them busy while everyone is visiting.

4. Help your toddler to cuddle and bond with the baby Even the littlest toddler will want to have a hold of the baby so find lots of ways for your toddler to be close to the new addition.

Always tell your toddler how to support the babies head and how to hold her arms and legs. Perhaps find ways for them to lay down next to each other and be close and encourage your toddler to touch the baby gently. Before long you’ll have a baby that can’t take her eyes off her big brother or sister, and a toddler who loves to talk to her baby and be close to her.

5. Enlist your toddler’s help Find little jobs your toddler can do to help parents and care givers take care of the new baby. It could be to go and find the baby wipes while you are doing a nappy change, or choose which outfit baby is going to wear today. There may be some jealousy, so make sure you praise your toddler for being such a good big sister or brother and being such an excellent helper.

Written by: Amanda Nicholls from Baby Hints and Tips. This non-judgemental community is a hub for advice on all things pregnancy, baby, kids and parenting. Enjoy the support and fun at www.babyhintsandtips.com

Make a special date for you and your toddler to go to the shops specifically with the purpose of buying a gift for their new baby brother or sister. A

Your Local Families Magazine April / May 2018

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#FamiliesMagFun

Our Favourite Waterfalls IN SOUTH-EAST QUEENSLAND

We’ve been out looking for and photographing our favourite waterfalls in the South-East for your enjoyment these Easter school holidays! Check out our favourites here then jump online to find out how to get there and what facilities you will find there too! So please… go chasing waterfalls!

SPRINGBROOK WATERFALLS These are some of the most gorgeous waterfalls in SE QLD. The Natural Bridge, Purling Brook Falls and the Twin Falls provide a wonderful outlook in the Gold Coast hinterland region. Truly spectacular. Make sure you are aware of the hiking and swimming restrictions before you set off. Find out more www.familiesmagazine.com.au/springbrook-waterfalls-with-kids

It’s one of our absolute favourite things to do on the Gold Coast with kids – for very good reason! Currumbin Rock Pools in the Currumbin Valley are the not-so-secret hidden gem on the Gold coast you simply must make the time to visit with your family.

Find out more www.familiesmagazine.com. au/currumbin-rock-pools

CEDAR CREEK, SAMFORD

KONDALILLA WATERFALL

Not to be confused with Cedar Creek at Mt Tamborine, our article will take you to a behind the scenes look at what this traditional waterfall is like. Brisbane families on the northside have long been aware of this spot – it’s a firm favourite! The falls themselves are quite small (comparatively at least) but the swimming, exploring and lounging options make this a great choice for families with children. Find out more www.familiesmagazine.com.au/ cedar-creek-samford-day-trips-from-brisbane-with-kids

Kondalilla Falls is located near Montville, in the Sunshine Coast hinterland. The swimming hole is easily accessible and only a few minutes’ walk from the car park. It is large and lusciously green with a 4m cascade, all great for swimming with kids as long as you keep a watchful eye. The best part is that it is only a few minutes’ walk from the car park along a reasonably steep, but manageable decent. Find out more www.familiesmagazine.com.au/ kondalilla-national-park

CEDAR CREEK FALLS MT TAMBORINE Cedar Creek Falls at Mt Tamborine has three rock pools in which you can swim. The water is often very cold, but it makes a great place to cool down on a hot day. The top rock pool is quite deep, and it has a couple of ledge areas which children can sit and paddle their feet quite easily. The two other rock pools were further down the rock face. There are no stairs, so you must walk over the mostly flattish rock. Find out more www.familiesmagazine. com.au/cedar-creek-falls-mt-tamborine

BOOLOUMBA FALLS, INLAND SUNSHINE COAST The Booloumba Falls bush walk is ideal for families who love a bit of adventure in the great outdoors. Along the way you’ll be treated to the beauty of waterfalls, creek cascades, tall eucalypt forest, rich lush rainforest as well as spectacular boulders, which line the creek and will be a big hit with the kids who will enjoy climbing them! We’ve even got info about camping if you’d like to extend your stay! Find out more www.familiesmagazine.com.au/booloumbafalls-conondale-national-park

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CURRUMBIN ROCK POOLS

Your Local Families Magazine April / May 2018

COOMBA FALLS Coomba Falls, at Maidenwell, is an exceptionally beautiful place, featuring a deep natural swimming hole and striking granite cliffs. The water is icy most of the year, so it’s the ideal site to cool down on a hot day.

Coomba Falls is a waterfall located 2 km east of the small town of Maidenwell in the South Burnett Region of Queensland, Australia. Find out more www.familiesmagazine.com.au/coomba-falls-swimming-holemaidenwell

GARDNERS FALLS, NEAR MALENY This picturesque spot is almost too beautiful and an easily achievable day trip. Our overview has all kinds of information – from what to bring to where to park. Make sure you check it out! Find out more www.familiesmagazine. com.au/gardners-falls For more ‘days out’ ideas for you and you family visit our website: www.familiesmagazine.com.au, choose your location (Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Cost, Ipswich or Toowoomba and then use the drop down menu under ‘Things to Do’.

E AGAZIN

Lost & Loving It

SM FAMILIE

Families Travel 1

L E V A TR S E I R E S

YOUR TICKET AZINE FAMILIES MAG

TRAVEL SERIES

2

To inspire your 2018, we’ve asked 6 Australian families who ‘prioritise travelling’ to tell us how and why they travel with kids!

Joe, Noela, Rob and Abby tell us about their experiences...

Tell us a bit about your family We are Joe, Noela, 8-year-old Rob and Abby aged 5. We really are just your average family; however, we choose to do one thing very differently – we travel indefinitely in Australia and overseas, which means every day with our kids is guaranteed a new adventure!

We realised that being in a house and settling for the 9-5 hectic lives we were living, just wasn’t making us happy. We were giving away too much of our valuable time on jobs, debts, and endless chores; which ultimately was disconnecting us from each other and we were missing out on the best parts of our kid’s childhood. So, instead we decided to take one bold step and launched ourselves into embracing adventures, home education, living more simply, re-connecting as a family and living with no regrets.

We document our family’s fun, travelling tips and experiences through our travel blog, “Lost and Loving It”

Tell us where you are right now We are in one of the most culturally rich areas of Australia; East Arnhem Land, the Indigenous owned land of the Northern Territory. We have loved exploring all the untouched, pristine and secluded beaches of the area, but even more so our time being welcomed in by a local Aboriginal (Yolngu) family. It is here, our kids are receiving an education of a lifetime; learning first-hand the language, traditions, art, history and culture of our Indigenous people.

Where have you travelled to as a family?

Our kids have experienced each state and territory of Australia; standing at the northern most point, Cape York Queensland, and even hiking the 15-kilometre return trek to the most southern point of Tasmania together as a family!

We’ve experienced Bali with a baby and toddler in tow but are very much looking forward to

our upcoming 6 months of overseas travel and education to New Zealand and South America as a family.

Why have you made travelling a priority?

In a house we found that there always seemed to be endless chores or numerous distractions that often left us too exhausted to spend that quality time with our kids. Holidaying with kids, regardless of the duration, provides you that opportunity to be fully engaged and connected.

Travel also allows you to re-assess your lives prioritise, how important it is to work well as a tight family unit, and surprisingly how happier and freer you are with much less stuff!

How do you afford to travel?

I would love to tell you we are millionaires, but sadly this is not the case, so in fact with some preparation and planning, other families could achieve this too!

As a budget conscious family, we can afford to travel on $500 per week in Australia utilising the many wonderful free and low-cost camps.

This for us, is cheaper than a house! Prior to departing though we worked hard and saved even harder. We currently generate an income from renting out our house, travel blogging and Joe now works on the road as a digital nomad (although this only came about after working for a temporary employer on the road!)

Where is your favourite family holiday and why?

Our family has voted – Cairns and the surrounding areas. The Tropical North is close enough to Brisbane by plane, but far enough to feel like a holiday. In Cairns, our family enjoyed everything from Army tank rides, butterfly and wildlife sanctuaries, waterfalls with natural swimming holes and mysterious castles to explore. But Cairns doesn’t need to break your family budget either, as we found 10 of the best free things to do in Cairns with kids, which we share here: http://bit.ly/2nPNpBp

When travelling, no parent should be without...

Their sense of humour!

All the rest can be bought, borrowed or found.

Kids are still kids, regardless whether you’re in a house or on a holiday. They will still get sick, make mistakes and things will go wrong. Have a laugh, be grateful, move on and just enjoy your special time together, because we all know it will be over way too soon.

If you could inspire another family to travel, what would you say?

Do not wait.

Do not wait for a perfect body, the right ages of your kids or the best of every travel set up.

Honestly, your memories and family don’t care if its new, used or how you look in that swimsuit.

Relax, be silly often and just have fun with travelling with kids.

We are always looking for cheap holidays for families. What’s your hot tip for our readers?

Where else can you get some of the best views of Australia, than in a National Park!

Queensland offers some of the most amazing locations as well. Everything from low fuss camping on the beach, to peace and tranquillity in the hinterland, all for low price of $25 per night for a whole family! Let the kids run free, build fires together and take yourself back to nature.

Noela Dowling www.lostandlovingit.com.au www.facebook.com/lostandlovingit1 www.instagram.com/lostandlovingit1

Your Local Families Magazine April / May 2018

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Local Clubs & Classes Directory

Clubs, Classes & Activities

around Greater Brisbane for adults and children aged 0 - 17.

If you would like a listing for your club, class or activity in our next issue’s inclusive directory, contact us now!

Email: Listings@FamiliesMagazine.com.au Compiled by Regina Gleeson NS = Northside SS = Southside

CLASSES FOR ADULTS CareerSmart Mums (NS) Struggling to find your way back to work? CareerSmart Mums is a proven program which gives you the skills, confidence and support to revitalise your career. Engage in a flexible online course, or in-person workshop over 4 sessions at Everton Park. Participants receive a comprehensive career guide, ongoing support, monthly newsletter and Facebook network to accelerate your successful return to work. The program is delivered by qualified career coach and mum, Donna Thistlethwaite. Next in-person workshop starts 27 February, then 4/6/18, 22/8/18 and 8/11/18. Call Donna to learn more on 0419 120 601 or visit CareerSmart Mums on Facebook and www.careersmartmums.com.au.

Flipside Circus (NS) Leave your dramas, inhibitions and spandex at the door and avoid crowded gym rooms and repetitive workouts. Achieve fitness goals in a supportive and encouraging environment.

Learn circus tricks that will amaze your friends (and yourself!) All circus activities are scalable to suit your individual goals.

3352 7233 www.flipsidecircus.org.au

Men’s Shed (NS & SS) An organisation that is accessible to all men and whose primary activity is the provision of a safe and friendly environment where men are able to work on meaningful projects at their own pace in their own time in the company of other men. A major objective is to advance the well-being and health of their male members.

1300 550 009 www.mensshed.org

Paediatric First Aid Courses Kidsafe QLD (NS & SS) Injury prevention and first aid instruction Recommended for pregnant couples, parents, grandparents, babysitters and other carers of children, this 4.5hr programme includes an in-depth injury prevention talk followed by practical paediatric first aid including CPR for babies and toddlers. Other injury prevention talks and tours available.

3854 1829 www.kidsafeqld.com.au Kidsafe QLD (NS & SS) qualified staff can install and check your child car seat. They also hire baby seats for a couple of weeks or 6 months as required. When you purchase a child car seat from Kidsafe you get 10% off the RRP and installed at half price! If that seat doesn’t fit in your car or is not suitable for your child their professional staff can assist in the selection of another, more suitable seat. Call for an appointment.

3854 1829 www.kidsafeqld.com.au

CLASSES FOR CHILDREN Arts & Craft ZoomArt for Kids (NS) Art classes for children in a fun and friendly environment. 6 different age levels from 2 yrs to Grade 12. Designed for the intentional development of the child’s skills, observations, thinking, and experiences in the visual arts.

3855 1528 www.flyingfoxstudios.com.au

Cooking Classes Come and Cook (NS) Stop in and Drop off your mini-chefs for an action-packed Make Bake and Take cooking workshop. Eager cooks? Fussy-eaters?

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Your Local Families Magazine April / May 2018

Creative kids? 7-12 year olds / Teenagers After-School classes and School Holiday workshops. Personalised cooking birthday parties priced on request. Join our commercial-class kitchen in The Gap which is run by a passionate and highly experienced teacher (and mum) who previously ran a London-wide food education business within schools for 7 years.

Benefits: Hands-on learning, practical life-skills, kitchen confidence, exciting recipes and fun themes.

All dishes and recipe books to take home. Food allergies and additional requests catered for.

0488 249 595 www.comeandcook.com.au

STEM CLASSES Coding Kids (NS & SS) is developing the next generation of coders, creators, innovators and change makers. They run after-school coding clubs, school holiday code camps and professional development workshops for educators. Children build their own computer games, animation movies, artwork and digital solutions. Through fun and play children discover computational thinking, design thinking and entrepreneurship.

0449 162 677 www.codingkids.com.au Fox Blocks (NS) is a unique and innovative engineering and construction program for kids.

Developed by Flying Fox Studios educators, and run in Brisbane since 2009, Fox Blocks is one of Brisbane’s longest running STEM focused kids extracurricular activities. Fox Blocks classes combine STEM concepts in a fun and creative way, with weekly classes for children from 3.5 years of age to Grade 7. The Fox Blocks program is so much more than one single branch of the STEM tree. Whether it be learning about physics by building a theme park, discovering historical engineering with the wonders of the world, or coding an arduino powered traffic light, Fox Blocks 3855 1528 is unique in every way. www.flyingfoxstudios.com.au

LANGUAGE & BABY DEVELOPMENT Flipside Circus (NS) Flipside circus offers classes for people aged 1 and up! Their Wriggles and Giggles classes introduce toddlers and parents to the world of circus through fun, interactive workshops designed to improve gross and fine motor skills, social 3352 7233 development and physical abilities. www.flipsidecircus.org.au LCF Fun Languages (SS) Designed over 25 years, their methodology teaches French, Spanish, Mandarin, Italian, English and German with a fun and active approach that will get your child using the 1300 707 28 language quickly and naturally. www.lcfclubs.com.au Yoga, Massage and Music Classes (NS) Neighbourhood Creche has a new location for Baby classes. With a flexible pay as you go system, you and your baby will love this bonding experience. Learn many great ways to play with your baby, perform baby physio, slowly get fit with Mummy Yoga and a soothing baby massage all in one beautiful 45 minute class. This class called YMM for short is in the top 5 Best Post Natal Classes in Australia and is perfect for babies aged 6 weeks to 10 months of age.

Book online at www.neighbourhoodcreche.com.au or email info@neighbourhoodcreche.com.au

Sign Language Deaf Services Queensland (SS) offers a range of Community Auslan classes aimed at introducing basic Auslan conversational skills to participants. The community courses are informal and relaxed, follow the school terms, and run for two hours per week for a total of 8 weeks. DSQ has a wonderful team of experienced teachers who are all fluent users of the language and who make the classes engaging and fun. DSQ also offer accredited courses in Auslan for those wanting a more formal qualification in the language.

3892 8500 www.deafservicesqld.org.au/learntosign

ACTIVITY CENTRES Chipmunks Playland & Café (NS & SS) Visit Chipmunks for unlimited play for kids aged 0 – 11 years old and relax over a coffee or lunch with friends and family at their café in one of their 3 Brisbane locations. They feature state of the art equipment and are fully air-conditioned, clean and comfortable. They also have party facilities. www.chipmunks.com.au

Flipside Circus (NS) has a professionally appointed circus training facility that is available for individuals or small groups to use during our open training sessions.

Open training is perfect for industry professionals and advanced students who wish to work on enhancing their skills or developing new acts.

3352 7233 www.flipsidecircus.org.au Lollipop’s Playland & Café (NS &SS) Are great kids party venues or giving kids a treat while parents relax over a cup of coffee and a treat from their quality cafe. Their indoor play centres are safe and secure where kids can have hours of fun climbing, sliding, jumping and spinning. 4 Brisbane locations. www.lollipopsplayland.com.au

Skyzone Indoor Trampoline Park (SS) Sky Zone Macgregor isn’t just any indoor trampoline park. It’s hundreds of trampolines, connected to form a single massive trampoline that literally allows you to jump off the walls. If that’s not enough excitement for you, Sky Zone Macgregor now has Sky Climb! Over 20 different climbing obstacles for you to reach new heights on...but wait...there’s more...Skyland Laser is a 3-storey laser tag arena that holds up to 40 players battling it out in a cloud-filled wonderland. That’s right, you read correctly. A Trampoline park with a climbing arena and laser tag! So, what are you waiting for?

13 75 99 www.skyzone.com.au Tiddlywinks Dance & Play Café (NS) Tiddlywinks Dance and Play Cafe is a family owned and operated entertainment venue, providing a unique dance and play experience for children up to 11 years old. They also have dance programmes and party facilities.

3266 8484 www.tiddlywinks.com.au

MUSIC Kindermusik at Flying Fox Studios (NS) Music and movement classes from newborn to 7 yrs.

Kindermusik classes encourage babies & children to develop language, social, emotional, & physical skills as well—all in the context of joyful, musically rich play!

3855 1528 www.flyingfoxstudios.com.au

Local Clubs & Classes Directory Queensland Show Choir (NS & SS) With programs for babies up to adults, QSC provides quality music education and choral experiences for the whole family. The benefits of early childhood music can be seen in many areas from language development to social skills, not to mention it’s 3257 4905 great fun! www.queenslandshowchoir.com.au

Wee Make Music (NS & SS) Awaken a lifetime love of music and watch your child grow and thrive in all areas of their musical and personal development. Classes in Wilston. Bulimba and New Farm 6 days a week for babies (3mths) to Pre-Prep.

Free Trial for all. info@weemakemusic.com.au www.weemakemusic.com.au

SPORTS & EXERCISE Brisbane Basketball (NS & SS) Basketball is a non-contact sport and provides a safe and enjoyable opportunity for players of all age groups.

3371 0200 www.brisbane.basketball.net.au

Brisbane Martial Arts (NS & SS) Whether Taekwondo, or Brazilian Jiu-jitsu is your preferred martial art, if you’re looking to start martial arts training, or take your training to the next level, there’s only one place to go, the home of martial arts in Brisbane.

1300 303 583 www.brisbanemartialarts.com.au

Flipside Circus (NS) offer a wide range of classes from beginners to experienced from ages 0 - 100.

There is something fun and suitable for every age and every ability. The classes are fast moving and full of action – never a moment to spare. Go and learn all the skills of the circus including tissu, static trapeze, lyra, juggling, hoops, acro balance and tumbling.

3352 7233 www.flipsidecircus.org.au Gymnastics Queensland (NS & SS) Gymnastics

Their kids’ classes for 5-7 and 8-12 years old focus on age appropriate activities to develop kids in the martial arts, musicality, rhythm and acrobatics aspects of Capoeira. Physical activities, playing music instruments, singing and interacting with one another are all part of the class. Positive self-image; development of strength, power and flexibility; social skills; respect for others; and learning to deal with winning and losing situations are just some of the benefits your kids will experience by practicing capoeira.

Their after-school classes are held in Yeronga on Tue & Thu. First class free then $16/class or $65/month.

0414 433 083 www.beribazuaustralia.com

PCYC (NS & SS) Gym fun, kids dance, tiny tots, cheerleading, boxercise, teen yoga karate, tumble and stunt, glee club, circuit and gymnastics is just some of the activities at PCYCs. Please contact your local club to see what is on offer for you and your children.

3909 9555 www.pcyc.org.au

is one of the most fundamental and exciting of all physical activities. Basic gymnastic skills develop attributes that are perfect stepping stones for other 3036 5600 sports, activities and life in general. www.gymqld.org.au

Hockey Queensland (NS & SS) Hockey is a team sport, children learn the value of working with others.

They figure out how to rely on teammates and understand that cooperation is key to success.

3399 6577 www.hockeyqld.com.au

Iceworld (NS & SS) Do you want to learn to Ice Skate?

• Skaters of all ages welcome.

• Participate in a program that is designed to allow everyone to progress at their own pace.

• Have the opportunity to move into a variety of ice disciplines.

For more information contact the rinks Acacia Ridge 3277 7563 Boondall 3865 1694 www.iceworld.com.au

Capoeira Beribazu Australia (SS)

aged 5-10 and is designed for teaching the basics of netball while fostering fun and friendship in a team environment.

3848 6330 www.netballq.org.au

Infinity Martial Arts (NS) program teaches children healthy and active habits from a young age, it also endeavours to give every student 6 core lessons for life. These are Self-Discipline, Strength, Respect, Honour, Personal Safety and Self-confidence and self-esteem. Infinity Martial Arts has a range of classes and age groups: 2-4 years, 4-7 years, 7-11 years, 11-15 years, Elite squad and junior MMA. Infinity Martial Arts develops lifelong skills and friendships in a sport and environment that your child will enjoy and feel safe.

1300 Infinity or 0452601966 infinitymartialarts.com.au Little Athletics Queensland (NS & SS) A uniquely Australian sport for children 5-16 years. Based upon the sport of athletics (track & field) the events are specially modified to suit the ages and abilities of children. A wide range of running, jumping, throwing and walking events is conducted.

3255 9436 www.qlaa.asn.au Netball Queensland (NS & SS) For young children interested in playing netball for the first time, there is NetSetGo! This program is for children (girls and boys)

QLD Cheer Elite (NS) Their classes are a mix of gymnastics, dancing and acrobatics - rolled into one.

Combine this with music, performing and costumes and it’s a mix that kids absolutely love. In cheerleading, every student in the team is important and everyone’s strengths are celebrated. Athletes of all shapes and sizes are embraced and everyone has a role to play. Cheer is about team work, encouragement, trust and commitment and it allows everyone the chance to shine. To find out more about our free trial classes for ages 4+ www.queenslandcheerelite.com.au Queensland Fencing Association (NS, SS) Fencing teaches problem solving and patience while building strength, stamina and flexibility.

Boys and girls train and compete together in a safe and supportive environment, getting fit, having fun and forging friendships that last a lifetime. Many Brisbane clubs offer free come-and-try sessions with all equipment supplied. Contact your nearest club for 0417 611 623 www.qfa.org.au details.

Tennis Queensland (NS & SS) Tennis Queensland Registration is automatically included when you join your local affiliated club as a member. This will also give you access to all the exclusive benefits that the club chooses to offer. Find a club near you.

3120 7900 www.tennis.com.au

YMCA Bowen Hills caters for all ages and abilities.

From walking to adults they deliver classes designed to maximise fitness, fun and gymnastics skills. They offer competitive MAG and WAG up to Level 8. Their passionate and experienced coaches ensure everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

3851 8800 www.ymcabrisbane.org

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Local Clubs & Classes Directory YMCA Acacia Ridge is a specialist gymnastic centre focussed on giving your child the best possible gymnastic experience. From 10 months to teens we cater for beginners and up to Level 7.

Our friendly and experienced coaches ensure every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

3276 7793 www.ymcabrisbane.org YMCA Stafford is a specialist gymnastic centre focussed on giving your child the best possible gymnastic experience. From 3 years to teens their friendly and experienced coaches ensure every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

3355 7176 www.ymcabrisbane.org

YMCA Jamboree Heights caters for all ages and abilities. From walking to adults they deliver classes designed to maximise fitness, fun and gymnastics skills. They offer competitive MAG and WAG up to Level 8. Their passionate and experienced coaches ensure everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

3376 4266 www.ymcabrisbane.org YMCA Victoria Point caters for all ages and abilities. From walking to adults they deliver classes designed to maximise fitness, fun and gymnastics skills. They offer competitive MAG and WAG up to Level 8. Their passionate and experienced coaches ensure everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

3820 5300 www. ymcabrisbane.org

Horseriding Gumnuts (SS) Gumnuts is a 140 acre horse farm located in the Biddaddaba Valley. They offer a farm stay experience as well as horseriding, which is their primary focus. They have expanded to include day & ½ day riding tours operating from both the Gold Coast and Brisbane.

5543 0191 www.gumnutsfarm.com.au

Indarra Equestrian Centre (SS) provides a safe riding environment with qualified, professional staff so you can enjoy your love of horses. You can choose either group (max 4 riders) or private lessons. Indarra also hold fun filled day and overnight camps during each school holidays.

0409 475 040 www.indarraequestrian.com.au

Kiah Park (SS) Offers 7 day horse riding farm stays for children ages 6yrs - teens every school holidays.

Includes full accommodation and each child is given their own pony/horse to love, care for and ride twice a day. Includes full accommodation, arena lessons, horse care – grooming & tacking up, trail rides and gymkhana. Fun night activities include night walk,

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talent show, camp fire with stories and marshmallow roasting, bingo and movie night.

5486 6166 www.kiahpark.com.au

Nag Nanny (SS) Nag Nanny & Equine Resolutions is passionate about teaching all aspects of looking after horses. Children will not turn up to a horse that is saddled and ready to go, do their lesson and leave.

They will teach them all about getting to know a horse. www.nagnanny.vpweb.com.au

Riverside Equestrian Centre (SS) Riverside Equestrian Centre is located at Moggill in a park-like setting on the banks of the Brisbane River. It is a short drive from Brisbane City. They offer lessons for groups and single riders from junior to senior riders.

Each lesson runs for 2 hours instead of the normal 45mins.

3202 6526 www.riversideequestriancentre.com.au Wattle Creek Riding School (NS) At Wattle Creek, they specialise in one on one lessons. This gives 100% of the Coach’s attention to the rider. This allows the experienced and inexperienced to work at their optimum pace. No riding experience is needed to start as they teach from the first riding lesson to the highly experienced rider.

3300 6422 www.wattlecreekridingschool.com.au

College, Boondall. With both their 25m and 50m pools being heated, it allows them to operate all year round. They have an extensive Learn to Swim Program from 10 months old. This program then filters through to their high level squads ranging from Junior Development to Age Nationals. They also run an Aqua Fitness program, which includes deep water running, aqua aerobics and adult swimfit. The talent of swimmers is maximised by their quality environment where all swimmers can achieve the many benefits of this sport such as health, self-discipline, fitness and fun.

3865 0516 www.ncswimmingclub.com

Shapland Swim Schools (NS & SS) Learn-to-swim with only 3 per class. Shaplands have been teaching swimming for 3 generations and through that time have trialed many class sizes and found a class of 3 is the most successful for a child to learn their aquatic skills. A class size of 3 allows each child to receive more individual attention and accelerates their learning through less time wasted waiting for their turn to perform a skill and more time spent with the teacher. Shaplands offers a semi-private class where students can progress quickly through the Shapland unique Swim-in-Five program. www.shapland.com.au

Swimming Aquatic Achievers Swim Schools (NS & SS) specialize in teaching babies through to stroke correction and squads. Their innovative SOLO-1 teaching program advances skills in easy, achievable progressions. The pinnacle of their SOLO-1 program is for children to swim One Kilometre unassisted. www.aquaticachievers.com.au Dipadees (NS) They have a FREE four-week program for bubs aged approximately 3 to 4 months old is designed as a gentle introduction to water as well as classes for babies and Toddlers, Kindy Kids & Preppies, Primary Schoolers, Big Kids, and Squads.

3355 1550 www.dipadees.com

North Lakes Aquatic Centre (NS) Concentrates in infant water familiarization, safety and personal development. Their swim program in conjunction with the Royal Life Saving Society caters for children from 6 mths through to Junior Squads. Their instructors pride themselves on their wealth of experience, understanding and enthusiasm.

3886 2022 www.northlakesac.com.au northlakes@belgravialeisure.com.au

Nudgee College Swimming (NS) welcomes both girls and boys, and is based at St Joseph’s Nudgee

Superfish (SS) Free swimming assessment & Free trial lesson - No obligation! All levels & ages.

Under 3’s also includes - free 45Min orientation lesson. Under 6-month bubs also includes – free water familiarisation lessons. 25m heated, indoor pools.

Specialist Drowning Prevention Program - babies, toddlers & under 5’s. School age stroke correction program - small, structured classes. Children’s squads. Free pool entry for Superfish families, 6 days/ week, once booked in lessons! Sunnybank.

33233188 www.superfish.com.au

Local Clubs & Classes Directory FILM & TV, THEATRE & PERFORMING ARTS Australian Acting Academy (NS & SS) Looking for Fun, Exciting Acting classes that will build confidence increase communication skills and give real life experience and opportunities in acting for stage and in front of the camera for your child? The Australian Acting Academy is the best place to go, and has been since 1994. Your 7-12 year olds and 13-16 year olds can explore weekly classes and holiday workshops with teachers that put their needs first, with the most up to date curriculum in town. All Skill levels catered for, and great outcomes guaranteed.

Call 0412 728 628, to book your $10 trial class.

New locations opening all the time. www.actingacademy.com.au Brisbane Arts Theatre (NS) Every Saturday morning, children aged 8 to 16 from all over Brisbane attend Brisbane Arts Theatre’s Performing Arts’ Workshop from 9am – 11am at the Lavalla Centre in Paddington. At each class, there are three specialist instructors teaching singing, acting and dancing in rotation. The children are taught introductory stagecraft, acting techniques, improvisation, singing (solo and chorus) and movement (mime and dancing).

Saturday mornings during school term time. Cost $600 per year or $350 for two school terms. Intakes at the 3369 2344 beginning of Terms One and Three. www.artstheatre.com.au/childrensworkshops

Flipside Circus (NS) Performance Program Flipside Circus Trainers support students in every step of the way ensuring each student is ready as they take the steps from performing in small in-house shows to roaming performances at fetes and festivals to touring large scale performing works in major 3352 7233 festivals! www.flipsidecircus.org.au

DANCE Dance Masala Bollywood Dance Company (NS) believes in creating community through dance, everyone is welcome, even if you have never danced before! Bollywood is vibrant, energetic and diverse – the perfect complement to your exercise routine, guaranteed to uplift the spirit and leave you smiling. Dance Masala’s children’s classes follow a unique curriculum for Bollywood Dance, focusing on developing confidence and technique through play based learning, and performance opportunities.

Bollywood is spectacular for physical wellbeing and a wonderful way to experience India’s diverse culture.

Dance Masala is the missing ingredient to provide joy 0422 512 991 in your life!

www.dancemasala.com.au

Elite Dancers (NS) Their many different classes are structured to suit the needs of every dancer, whether you want to dance for a career or for fun and fitness.

We have classes for ages 3 and above on a registered 0427 999 909 or casual basis. www.elitedancers.com.au Kick Dance (SS) in Bulimba provides classes in Ballet, Hip Hop, Jazz, Acrobatics, Contemporary, Tap and Irish and caters for all ages and abilities from toddler to adult. Kick Arts provides classes in Singing and Acting as well as producing biannual musicals. Kick provides a fun and enjoyable class environment that also caters for students wishing to excel in exams, eisteddfods, musicals and concert performances. They are very proud of their students’ national successes and they are recipients of many Eisteddfod titles including Classical Ballet, Jazz and Tap Championships and aggregates. Whether you are keen to have fun or ‘Kick’ start your dance career, Kick 0414 308 248 Dance and Arts have classes to suit. www.kickdance.com.au

Learn 2 Dance (NS) Their Tots, Kids and Teens

training to acquire skills and tools to achieve therapy goals in the home and broader community. To find out more about how they can support you and your child, visit aeiou.org.au or phone 1300 273 435.

Kumon (NS & SS) The Kumon Method is an individualised learning method. The starting point for each Kumon student is determined individually.

Students start with the level where they can attain a perfect score by studying on their own.

1800 458 666 www.au.kumonglobal.com Scribble Ink Writing Classes (NS) Brisbane’s Most Dynamic Two Day Holiday Writing Course for Students @ Griffith University.

“So engaged after 6 hours! Improvement... staggering!” D. Rotili “Highly recommended.” R. Corcoran.

Their Junior, Middle and Senior Scribblers writer’s courses will take your child’s writing to the next level.

Using advanced techniques mastered over 27 years of teaching experience, allow Mister C to take your child on a journey of writing enrichment. The power to completely transform your child’s writing.

0409 075 838 www.scribbleink.com.au

classes are designed to introduce your children to the fun of their art form and sport, Dancesport. With a concentration on the fun, social side of dancing they make sure your children learn all they need to have a successful start to a promising future in dancing.

0417 713 222 www.learn2dance.com.au

Movements Academy of Dance (NS) A well-established, friendly, family based studio that believes in teaching students to be all that they can be. They handpick their teachers who are qualified, encouraging & inspiring so that every student can have the very best dance education possible.

3886 4098 www.movementsdance.com.au Seriously Dance (SS) They truly believe their philosophy of respecting each student for their individuality & challenging each student to obtain 0416 477 703 personal excellence. www.seriouslydance.com

HEALTH, WELLBEING AND SCHOOL SUPPORT AEIOU Foundation: Creating lifetime of opportunities for children with autism (NS, SS) AEIOU Foundation’s specialised early intervention program helps children aged 2 – 6 years to develop essential life skills, fostering greater independence, confidence and inclusion.

With an evidence-based program delivered by a team comprised of behaviour therapists, speech pathologists, occupational therapists and skilled educators, AEIOU supports the individual needs of each child. Parents and carers are involved in their child’s program and are provided with regular

Synchrony Occupational Therapy (NS) Fostering happiness, confidence, independence and success. Synchrony Occupational Therapy is a Brisbane-based private practice that is helping children between the ages of 3-18 years to reach their potential. Clinic and mobile options are available. Helping Children with Autism, Medicare and Private Health rebates are available for eligible families.

0400 788 459 www.synchronyot.com.au If you would like a listing for your club, class or activity in our next issue’s inclusive directory, contact us now!

Email: Listings@FamiliesMagazine.com.au Compiled by Regina Gleeson

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FAMILIES FUN

Listings for everyone in every family!

To promote your local family friendly event including school fetes and fairs, community groups, get-togethers and local festivals in the next ‘Families Fun’ listings (June/July 2018) send your entry by 5pm on Friday 4 May 2018. Email Regina – Listings@FamiliesMagazine.com.au Listings in this section are FREE for most non-commercial ventures. Please check the details of the events listed before setting off in case anything has changed since going to print.

WHAT’S ON IN THE CITY? - APRIL/MAY 2018 BRISBANE SOUTH BANK PARKLANDS

Sally and Possum Live Best friends, Sally and Possum do everything together. Follow the fun adventures of Sally and Possum as they explore, discover and learn about the world around them using Auslan sign language. Part of Festival 2018 - a free state-wide celebration of arts and culture, showcasing Queensland’s creativity to visitors during the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games. Sat 7 Apr. The Owl and the Pussycat The Owl and the Pussycat is an enchanting and intimate theatrical experience, based on Edward Lear’s beloved childhood poem. Created for children aged four to 10 years, this charming work melds live performance, puppetry, operatic vocals, music and theatre. Flowstate – bookings required. 11 – 15 Apr

Little Days Out These school holidays, visit South Bank Parklands for a range of exciting free kids’ activities as part of the Little Days Out program every Thursday from 9am-1pm. The Easter school holiday program features Tiny Dancers - Ballet Athletics, Brisbane City Council Libraries First 5 Forever and games and craft activities with Commonwealth Games themes. Following the school holidays, don’t miss the Mother’s Day themed activities as part of the May program.

Activities are planned to suit children aged five years or younger. No registration or booking is required. For full program details head to www.visitbrisbane.com.au/south-bank/ things-to-do/little-days-out

Revolve is ‘circus jazz’, bringing together a live DJ and performers to create a complex and unique performance. It poses the question: “how will young people re-imagine our world?”.

A combination of the highly rehearsed and the improvised, Revolve takes ideas from the audience and transforms them into looping movements and tumbling routines. 14 & 15 Apr Buddha Birth Day Festival Buddha Birth Day is an annual event that celebrates the birthday of Gautama Buddha. The celebrations at South Bank are the largest in the world and include free entertainment for the whole family. 4 – 6 May. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/venue/ south-bank

BRISBANE CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban in Concert The Harry Potter Film Concert Series returns to Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre with Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban in concert, the third film in the Harry Potter series. On Saturday 19 May 2018, Queensland Symphony Orchestra will perform the magical score to Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban live while the entire film plays in highdefinition on a 12-metre screen. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/venue/ brisbane-convention-exhibition-centre

QUEENSLAND MUSEUM Wild State takes visitors through five breathtaking environments – the arid outback, iconic eucalypt forest, tropical rainforest, sundrenched coastal zones and teeming marine environments.

Egyptian Mummies: Exploring Ancient Lives Meet six mummies and unlock the secrets behind their wrappings using the latest CT scanning technology in Egyptian Mummies: Exploring Ancient Lives from 16 March. Featuring more than 200 artefacts from the world famous Egyptian collections of the British Museum, gain insight into the life and death of those six individuals who lived in Egypt between 3000 and 1800 years ago.

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#FamiliesMagFun QUEENSLAND GALLERY OF MODERN ART Me, Myselfie and I is a Collection-based exhibition which explores representation of self.

In addition to select artworks from the Gallery’s Australian, international, and Asian and Pacific collections, the exhibition will feature interactive making and multimedia artist projects, inviting children to consider different ways of creating their own portraits. Until 22 Apr.

Museum Detectives Looking to entertain the kids these Easter school holidays? Our popular school holiday workshops are back and sure to keep hands and minds busy. Children aged 7–12 years will don their detective caps and investigate objects in the lab. Inspired by our latest exhibition, Egyptian Mummies: Exploring Ancient Lives, children will get hands-on with their detective skills and use cameras, UV light, magnifiers and x-rays to reveal hidden clues. 9 – 14 Apr. Bookings essential. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/venue/ queensland-museum

QPAC Disney’s Aladdin – The Musical Breathtaking sets, mind-blowing special effects, over 300 lavish costumes and a fabulous cast bring the magic of Disney’s Aladdin to life on stage. Featuring all the songs from the classic Academy award winning film, including “Friend like Me”, “A Whole New World” and “Arabian Nights”, prepare to experience the unmissable theatrical magic that is Aladdin. From 20 Feb. Cinderella and Scheherazade You only have to look at current hit TV shows, Once Upon A Time and Grimm to see that fairytales will always be popular. The Romantic composers knew this years ago so made sure many of their large-scale classics had a liberal sprinkling of sprites, wraiths and princesses. 6 May. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/venue/qpac

MUSEUM OF BRISBANE 100% Brisbane In an exciting world-first, Museum of Brisbane has collaborated with celebrated Berlin based theatre company Rimini Protokoll to create a powerful and unforgettable interactive exhibition experience which brings together 100 residents who currently call Brisbane home.

artist. Activities include: Chinese Kite Workshop, Drawing with Anne Spudvilas, Badge Making Workshop, Stop Motion Animation, Scene in a Box, 100% Me Mobiles and Diji Youth Arts.

3 – 13 April.

Patricia Piccinini: Curious Creatures ‘Curious Creatures’ encourages children to engage in imaginative play as they discover strange and curious creatures that inhabit a burrow-like environment. Children can interact with these soft creatures of the artist’s design, which they can move around and nestle into in a tactile, immersive space. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/venue/ queensland-gallery-of-modern-art

www.familiesmagazine.com.au/organiser/ museum-of-brisbane-2/

ROMA STREET PARKLAND Sprouts in the Park Let your little ones get crafty these school holidays as with a range of fun art, craft and gardening activities with Bazil Grumble themed around the Commonwealth Games such as making Byrobi masks, crowns and batons. The activities are free and will take place at the Children’s Garden Lawn from 10am-12pm from the 4th to the 14th April. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/organiser/ roma-street-parkland

SCIENCENTRE Perception Deception Mind melting illusions, sensory sensations, playing with perception, and discovering the world inside your head are all part of the exhibition Perception Deception. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/organiser/ sciencentre

The Kite Wishes Project Mao’s Last Dancer Li Cunxin has a life-long love of kites, creating and flying them as a child in rare and precious moments with his father. Visit Museum of Brisbane during Mao’s Last Dancer the exhibition and design your own kite or be inspired by the koinobori fish template created by Brisbane artist Elysha Rei. Until 29 April MoB Kids Holiday Activities Join the team of arts educators as they deliver their most exciting MoB Kids program yet this school holidays that guarantees to shape your child’s inner Your Local Families Magazine April / May 2018

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#FamiliesMagFun APRIL 2018 Throughout the School Holidays Family Tickets at Dendy, Portside & Coorparoo These school holidays, you can take the family to any family movie at Dendy for $40 for 4 people! What a great deal! You can choose from A Wrinkle in Time, Peter Rabbit and Early Man at either of their locations – Portside or Coorparoo. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/ event/family-tickets-dendy-portside-coorparoo

Throughout Apr/May Powerkids: Little Artists at Play, New Farm Powerkids: Little Artists at Play is a collaboration between Brisbane Powerhouse and Imaginary Theatre. Imaginary Theatre is a Brisbane based company creating outstanding art and arts experiences for children aged 0–12 and their communities. Powerkids: Little Artists at Play is a relaxed and inclusive environment where you and your children are invited to participate in the activities together. During Powerkids: Little Artists at Play Bar Alto will open at 8.30am to accommodate all your coffee and babychino needs. Brisbane Powerhouse. FREE www.familiesmagazine. com.au/event/powerkids-little-artists-play-new-farm

Until 15 Apr Mad Hatter’s High Tea, Brisbane Don’t be late for a very important date! You are invited to the bonkers and brilliant world of the Mad Hatter’s High Tea at Stamford Plaza Brisbane hotel. These Easter school holidays take a dive down the Rabbit hole and open your mind to the Mad and deliciously wonderful Mad Hatter’s High Tea! Bookings required. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/mad-hatters-high-teastamford-plaza Until 16 Apr Under Construction, Ipswich Get your hard hats on for a construction zone like no other and create a masterpiece with LEGO® and other construction systems. Workshops Rail Museum 9.30am – 4pm daily. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/under-construction-ipswich Until 25 Apr Circus Rio, Mt Gravatt Bursting through the backstage curtain and into the ring, you will find the tribe of samba dancers stomping to that Brazilian rhythm, aerialists who will dangle from the ceiling, FMX bikes that will flip over your seats, ballet dancers, tightrope walkers and a dangerous capoeira fight! Bookings required. Mt Gravatt Showgrounds. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/circus-rio-mt-gravatt Until Sat 12 May The Witches, Petrie Terrace Something is up at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children! It turns out these lovely ladies are actually witches in disguise, with a plot to turn all children into mice. The world of Roald Dahl returns in this captivating, family-friendly adventure sure to excite even the oldest of your clan. Brisbane Arts Theatre, bookings essential. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/ witches-petrie-terrace Fri 30 Mar Bluewater Festival, Shorncliffe The Bluewater Festival attracts thousands of visitors to the Shorncliffe Pier and Moora Park, Sandgate on Good Friday to take advantage of the best waterfront views for the start of Australia’s second-biggest Yacht Race, The Brisbane to Gladstone, which has been held annually at Easter since 1949. Fireworks at 7.30pm! www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/bluewater-festival-shorncliffe

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Fri 30 Mar Redcliffe Festival of Sails, Redcliffe Looking for something to do this Good Friday with friends or the family? Be shore side for the spectacular start of the Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race. The Redcliffe Festival of Sails is an annual event which takes place on the foreshore of Suttons Beach on the Redcliffe Peninsula with markets, family activities and a prime possie to watch the yachts race by. 9am – 4pm. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/redcliffe-festival-sails-redcliffe Fri 30 & Sat 31 Mar North Brisbane Easter Festival, Mitchelton This event will be free entry and family friendly, with jumping castles, an inflatable soccer field, a petting zoo, a graffiti wall, face painting, balloon animals, food vendors, crafts, games, competitions and more! www. familiesmagazine.com.au/event/north-brisbane-easter-festival-2018 Sunday 1 Apr Easter Sunday Family Fun Day, Victoria Park Take the kids to Victoria Park Bistro for the eggs-citing 3rd Annual Easter Sunday Family Fun Day! There will be plenty to keep the entire family entertained with free activities, Easter treats and special menus on offer. A wonderful selection of activities for families will be offered between 10am and 2pm on Easter weekend including face painting, petting zoos, jumping castles, sack races, tug of war and giant games. The kids’ playground will also be open all weekend too! www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/eastersunday-family-fun-day-victoria-park

#FamiliesMagFun differs according to the seasons and to include a diversity of activities.

9am – 3pm. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/earth-kidsprograms-windsor Mon 9 – Fri 13 Apr Flipside Circus School Holiday Classes, Alderley Flipside Circus offer a school holiday workshop program based at their training centre. The classes are suitable for everybody from 18 months – adults, all skill levels, and all abilities. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/ event/flipside-circus-easter-holiday-program Thu 12 – Sun 15 Apr Children are Stinky, New Farm All children are stinky, right? Against a backdrop of high calibre circus, a rocking ‘90s soundtrack and genuine belly laughs this acrobatic duo’s attempts to prove kids STINK are met with messy, ridiculous and hysterical twists. Expect daredevil stunts, incredible acrobatics, lightning fast hula hoops, loads of laughs and mischievous fun. Brisbane Powerhouse. Bookings required. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/children-stinky-new-farm Tue 3 – Mon 16 Apr Wiggle Wiggle Wiggle! Tour, Various Brisbane Locations The Wiggles are coming to perform for you as part of their Wiggle Wiggle Wiggle! tour! This brand-new show will see Emma, Lachy, Anthony and Simon performing in over 150 locations in every state and territory in Australia. Various locations. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/ event/wiggle-wiggle-wiggle-tour Wed 4 – Sun 15 Apr Festival 2018, Gold Coast Take the plunge into 12 days of arts and cultural entertainment at Festival 2018. The Festival 2018 Gold Coast program has been unveiled, presenting a spectacular line-up of more than 1,000 performances that will light up the streets, beaches and waterways throughout the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018). Showcasing world-class music, theatre, circus, dance, ideas, visual art and film, Festival 2018 is set to surprise, delight and entertain. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/festival-2018-gold-coast Mon 9 – Fri 13 Apr Earth Kids Programs 2018, Windsor This is an experiential program of outdoor discovery, in which kids will learn about the animals and plants at the Farm through observation and supported questioning; explore Indigenous knowledge; experiment with Earth Arts and bushcraft skills; and put permaculture into practice. Each program

Thu 12 – Sun 22 Apr Ipswich Festival The two-week long Ipswich Festival is the Ipswich community’s pre-eminent event in which all sectors of the community - mum & dad grass roots, amateur and special interest groups, amateur and semi-professional arts, historical and cultural groups, aspirants and the accomplished, and businesses of every persuasion - are invited to participate and contribute. The Festival is especially significant in that most of the events are totally FREE. www.familiesmagazine.com. au/event/ipswich-festival-ipswich

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#FamiliesMagFun

Tue 17 – Sun 29 Apr Gold Coast Film Festival (GCFF) The Gold Coast will host film enthusiasts, filmmakers and families from across Australia to celebrate the burgeoning Queensland film industry at the 16th annual Gold Coast Film Festival (GCFF). Over 100 film and film-related events will be showcased over the 13-day festival in an action-packed program.

The Festival will premiere screenings of some of the latest feature films from around the world, boasting a combination of Australian indie gems, European dramas, fascinating features, engaging documentaries and intriguing American arthouse films. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/ event/gold-coast-film-festival-gcff Wed 25 Apr Brisbane Anzac Day Parade, Brisbane The Brisbane Anzac Day Parade is held annually for the citizens of Queensland to recognise the sacrifice of those members of the Australian Defence Force who have not returned from wars and conflicts encompassing the Boer War through to modern operations and conflicts such as Iraq and Afghanistan. The 2018 Brisbane Anzac Day Parade marks the centenary of the Armistice signed in November 1918 and the concept will recognise the contribution of service animals and a booklet, Mounts to Motors Transport in War, will be distributed free to spectators. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/brisbane-anzac-day-paradebrisbane

MAY 2018 Thu 10 – Sun 27 May 2018 Anywhere Theatre Festival, Brisbane From 10-27 May 2018, the nooks and crannies of Brisbane will explode with over 500 performances anywhere you don’t expect it. Theatre in car parks, comedy in laneways, opera in reservoirs, dance in stairwells and quirky workshops exploring arts and craft from cooking to jewellery making. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/2018-anywhere-theatrefestival-brisbane Mon 14 & Tue 15 May Yo Diddle Diddle, Cleveland One cow, one moon, one mission ... what if your dream was one jump away? The hilarious rhythm and rhyme of Tony Wilson’s best-selling book The Cow Tripped Over the Moon (awarded honours for The Australian Children’s Book Council Book of the Year 2016) comes to life on stage in this heart-warming and highly visual production of one cow and her desire to jump over the moon. RPAC. Bookings required. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/ event/yo-diddle-diddle-cleveland

Sat 19 – Sun 20 May Paniyiri Greek Festival, South Brisbane For more than four decades, Paniyiri has grown to become Queensland’s signature celebration of all things Greek. Celebrate over two joyous days with traditional music and dancing, along with traditional food stalls showcasing the tastes and recipes from all corners of Greece. On the main stage, the Zorba, Sirto, Kalamatiano and Sousta will be performed to music played on traditional Greek instruments including the bouzouki, lira, tarabuka and laouto. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/paniyirigreek-festival-south-brisbane Fri 25 & Sat 26 May MAYO Arts Festival, Ascot The MAYO Arts Festival is a vibrant and inspiring two day arts spectacular. The 2018 event will be held at St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School in Ascot. Named in honour of one of Australia’s finest sculptors, Daphne Mayo, the festival showcases emerging local and national artists with a focus on exhibiting three-dimensional art across various disciplines including: jewellery, glass art, ceramic art and sculpture. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/mayo-arts-festival Sun 27 May Dayboro Day Festival The annual Festival is a celebration of the town of Dayboro, and everything that makes it one of the best places in QLD to live and visit! Entertainment, demonstrations, market stalls, Chopper rides, Wildlife Displays, lots of food and drinks, activities, displays, Antiques & Collectables Fair plus much more! 8am to 3.30pm. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/dayboro-day-festival Sun 27 May BYB, Bracken Ridge BYB18 will see approximately 5,000 people converge on McPherson Park in Bracken Ridge to enjoy three stages of entertainment, including children’s character shows, a professional band and community and school-based choirs, dance groups and instrumental ensembles and so much more. 9am – 1.30pm. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/byb-bracken-ridge

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Your Local Families Magazine April / May 2018

Families Freebies

Fantastic Prizes

Families

Freebies for the whole family!

Enter Online!

Enter at www.FamiliesMagazine.com.au/competitions

WIN! A Kids Bedroom Makeover Pillow Talk are offering two lucky families a kids’ bedroom makeover. Designed for kids, by mums, they have sought to bring you a collection of stunning quilt cover sets, cushions, rugs, lamps and more that is sure to be loved by little boys and girls (and their parents!). The collection has been carefully designed and curated by their team of in-house artists and is intended to grow with your child from their first bed until they hit double digits.

As Australia’s favourite bed linen specialists for 40 years, Pillow Talk is proud to present you with their new kids range and hope you, and your family, will love it as much as they have enjoyed creating it. Check out the range here: http://bit.ly/2AhaKDW

2 x $250 vouchers to win

WIN! A Night’s Accommodation at Royal on the Park!

We’ve teamed up with our friends at Royal on the Park Hotel & Suites, in Brisbane CBD, and they want to give away a free family-friendly city escape package to our readers. For those of you who have been staying up-to-date on our Facebook page, Royal on the Park Hotel & Suites gave away a free family-friendly city escape package to one of our readers in December.

How awesome is that!

What does the package include?

• Overnight accommodation with x 2 Queen beds or x 1 King bed • Breakfast for up to two adults and two kids (12 & under) • One on-site car park Royal on the Park Hotel & Suites combines a convenient location in the heart of the Brisbane CBD! Free WiFi, outdoor pool and in the middle of all the excitement the City has to offer. So, go ahead and enter to win! You deserve a night away with the family.

Get an idea of what else they have to offer by checking out their website at www.royalonthepark.com.au

WIN! 4 Tickets to Disney on Ice on Sunday 1 July at 5:30pm – valued at $540 The absolute MUST SEE magical event of the year has been announced – this year Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic will tour the country, bringing the much-loved stars to Brisbane from June 29 to July 2 with tickets on sale Tuesday 6 March!!

The 2018 tour of Disney On Ice will bring to life more than 14 timeless Disney tales including Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, Toy Story, The Lion King, Finding Nemo, Frozen and more. Tickets are available www.Ticketek.com.au/DisneyOnIce

3 x 4 tickets prize packs to win

WIN! 1 x Planetbox Rover complete kit with green globe magnets and 1 x Planetbox JetPack - Starry Blue Biome is giving you the chance to win a PlanetBox school pack including a lunch box and backpack. A PlanetBox lunch box guides you in packing a well-balanced, litterless lunch. The bento style, food safe stainless steel lunch box keeps food separate while helping you replace single-use plastic and paper.

The new JetPack Backpack is specifically designed to transport everything you need for your busy day, including your PlanetBox® lunch box which fits perfectly in its own docking compartment. Made from recycled fibres derived from plastic bottles, and independently certified to be safe from lead, phthalates, BPA, and other harmful chemicals. Live waste free, toxin free and ethically with www.biome.com.au

1 x Night’s accommodation for a family to win For full competition terms and conditions and to enter, log on to: www.FamiliesMagazine.com.au and click on ‘Competitions’

Remember to join our Facebook page to enter our Facebook ONLY competitions

UPCOMING ISSUES Families Magazine is made with love by

June / July 2018

Janine Mergler - Editor

WINTER DAY TRIPS & KIDS PARTIES

Regina Gleeson – Listings Editor

Advertising deadline: Friday 4 May 2018

Suzie Porter – Designer

August / September 2018

Jesse Stanger – IT Systems & Support Lou Lavery – Online Content Manager

The information contained in this publication and on our website and social media forums is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by Families Magazine and its contributors as detailed on individual articles. While we endeavour to publish information that is up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the information, products, services, or related images contained in print, on our website or in our social media forums for any purpose. Information received via our publication or online should not be relied upon for personal, medical, legal or financial decisions. You should consult an appropriate professional for specific advice tailored to your need and situation.

LOCAL SCHOOL & EDUCATION Advertising deadline: Friday 6 July 2018 We do not endorse contents or advertisers in our publication or on our web pages and will not be responsible for any content of any linked site or any link contained in the link site. In no event shall we be liable for direct, indirect, punitive, incidental, special, consequential damages or any damages whatsoever arising out of or in any way connected with the use of or performance of information, products, services or reliance on the contents of the advertisements.

All material including, but not limited to adverts, editorial, images and part thereof sent to Families Magazine remain the property of Families Magazine. All materials and personal details will be handled appropriately with respect to data protection laws. No material published by Families Magazine in print or online may be reproduce whatsoever without prior written consent.

Your Local Families Magazine April / May 2018

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