Kid Magazine Issue Twenty Five

october/november 2015 - issue twenty Five

Behind the blog Fat Mum Slim

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SUPER STYLISH SPRING FASHION FOR THE KIDS Champagne style on a beer budget

Baby-led weaning What's the fuss?

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Editor’s letter

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Cover image: Photography by Elise Garner lecoco.com.au Check out the rest of the shoot on page 14

S

ometimes you just have to stop, embrace a slower pace and let it all go. Last week Olivia was sick. I thought she was better so I sent her to daycare only to get a call two hours later saying she had a temperature and I needed to come and pick her up.

The guilt set in. Why did I send my baby off when she needed me? But then the panic followed. How am I going to get the magazine finished by next week? My parents (aka the best babysitters in the world) were on holidays and hubby was too busy at work to take a day off.

But I just had to let it go. I spent a week of playing with my girl, cuddles on the couch, worrying about her cough at night and slowing everything down. The emails piled up and so did the dishes but none of that mattered.

The magazine is still out on time, the dishes have been done and most importantly my baby is now feeling better. That is what matters.

So as we start coming into that busy time of year, when work is ramping up and the social invitations are flying, just remember to take some downtime. Don’t lose yourself in the rush. Enjoy the little moments. The gifts of kisses, the tiny hand in yours while you walk through the park.

Enjoy them and more. They are what life is all about.

Until next issue, you can find us at www.kidmagazine.com.au for more of the things you love.

Sara

Editor and Chief Kid sara@kidmagazine.com.au kidmagazine.com.au

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Life through the lens of our Editor and Chief Kid, Sara. Join us at instagram.com/kidmagazineau

Keep up to date with our Facebook posts, full of fashion tips, latest articles, competitions and interviews. Follow us at facebook.com/kidmagazine

INSIDE

49

06 34 Behind the blog Fat mum slim

Expert tips for the perfect nursery

10

champagne style on a beer budget

36

Pregnancy ailments the weird & not so wonderful

12

50

Thriving with a newborn 5 easy steps to an organised wardrobe

54

42 Baby-lead weaning What’s the fuss?

perfect little angels

14 holiday planning tips

44

PLUS...

5 minutes with Sara Fraga 32

spring vibes

3 things your child’s teacher 38 wishes they could tell you Kid Magazine Loves 40

surf & sand

New Kids on the Block 46 Showered with love 52 Books & screens 56

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Giveaways 64

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BEHIND THE BLOG Fat Mum Slim I’ve long been a reader of Fat Mum Slim and marvelled at the amazing community that Chantelle has created. She is a talented photographer and blogger, gives generously to her readers and the blogging community and is mum to two gorgeous girls. I met Chantelle at Problogger this year and when I came home I plucked up the courage to ask her to share a little behind her blog with us. Here’s what she had to say…

Tell us a bit about Fat Mum Slim Fat Mum Slim is pretty much my third baby, but she sleeps much better than my real children! Honestly though, Fat Mum Slim is my personal blog where I get to write every day about anything that I’m thinking about.

It’s a space where I talk parenting, inspiration, travel, photography, love, food and whatever else I’m interested about. I have the most beautiful, open, friendly readers who make up my awesome community.

When you aren’t blogging, what are you doing?

I wish I could say something glamorous like sailing around in my yacht, drinking champagne… but the reality is that I’m being mum. I’m changing nappies, cleaning up mess, making dinner again for the billionth time, and

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hanging out with my husband. I love traveling so I’m often dreaming about that, or actually doing it. I also photograph pretty much everything, so I do that too.

How do you manage the balance between being a mum, blogger, wife?

This is something I struggle with, but before I had children I knew that I wanted to create a life where I didn’t have to leave my kids for work. I was a nanny before I was a blogger, so I’d cared for other people’s kids for 12 years.

I wanted to make sure I had the situation where I could care for my own children. This has been super hard at times, and really hard to juggle… but each day I do it.

Everything is quite merged together, but I make it work somehow.

What has been your biggest blogging achievement?

There have been so many great moments, but the biggest highlight for me was the night I launched my App, Little Moments. It was a big deal, bigger than I realised at the time. I had this big dream for so long, to create a photography App, and it seemed so unattainable for so long. That night, I juggled putting the kids to sleep, and launching the App. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was super fulfilling. I’m so proud of Little Moments.

Why do you love blogging?

If I had to pick one thing, it would be the community.

I just love that blogging and the internet can connect people from so many different corners of the world so beautifully. In those early months of first having my daughter Lacey, I just felt quite alone. Not lonely, but alone. My friends weren’t having kids, my siblings were years away from having children, but by writing about my journey with sleep deprivation and parenting, I was able to find comfort in people going through the same thing.

That’s pretty amazing.

stories. I guess my dog doesn’t know about my blog, so she’s not impacted much at all. Perhaps that’s the only thing!

What is your favourite quote/mantra?

I’m addicted to quotes, and always have been. Right now I’m loving, “Make your dreams happen” because life is short and it’s so fulfilling to have your dreams become a reality, no matter how much hard work it takes to make it happen.

What advice would you give to other mums thinking of starting a blog?

Did you ever think your photo a day challenge would become so big?

I started my blog as a hobby. I don’t think as many people do that anymore, people start blogs because they think of the earning potential. Don’t do it for the money. Do it for the love of sharing a story, or a message, or bringing people together. If the money comes, great, but if not, you’ve created a great space and shared your story.

Oh gosh, never. It was just an idea I put out there. There was no strategy. I hate strategy. I do things because they feel good. I didn’t care if it was just me playing along. I remember creating it, and I was snapping photos. I was on holidays at the time, and I was checking my Instagram and was dying at how quickly the photos were growing.

There was thousands, and then tens of thousands and now we’re up in the 20 million area. It’s pretty crazy and awesome.

What impact has blogging had on your life?

I would struggle to tell you the areas it HASN’T impacted my life. It’s huge. I feel like I was born to do it, not because I’m doing great things (hey, I’m not a horn-tooter!) but because it feels good to be living this life, and sharing my

What is it about Instagram that you love so much?

I’m a visual person, so I just love how I get to see life in pictures, and share my life in pictures too. It’s a really fun platform.

Can you share a few tips for mums on how to take amazing photos of their kids?

Take lots of photos, is my biggest tip. Don’t think that you’ll take one photo and that will be the perfect one. I take about 20 to get the one photo. Also, get down lot and shoot them at their level. Use natural light; stand near a window, or go outside. Be mindful of what’s in the background too (i.e. move the piles of laundry first!)

What is next for Fat Mum Slim?

I’m working on lots of fun things for the new year, and have decided that 2016 will be the year of fun for me. I want to up the fun factor in my life, and really enjoy the things that I do. I can’t wait to share them with everyone.

END

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Pregnancy Ailments The weird and not so wonderful Renée Harwood, Née Say

Morning sickness, headaches, indigestion and backache are all symptoms synonymous with pregnancy. However, all those hormones raging around your body can trigger other symptoms which folk are less keen to talk about. Thanks to your new abundance of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG), Progesterone, Oestrogen, Relaxin, Prolactin and Oxytocin, you may in fact experience some other aspects of pregnancy that might have you wondering what on earth is going on with your body.

pillow so you can’t roll onto your back. Make sure you drink plenty of fluids and seek pharmacist advice before taking any over the counter medications.

To give you a heads up, we’ve complied a list of weird and not so wonderful pregnancy ailments, along with some tips on how to get relief.

Try: Eat small regular meals that include plenty of fibre and avoid trigger foods like cabbage, onion and fried foods. Wear loose clothing to reduce pressure on your belly. Mater Mothers’ Hospital Clinical Midwifery Facilitator, Cherie Hodgson recommends a probiotic once daily.

“Slippery elm can also help and avoid straining so as not to exacerbate haemorrhoids,” says Cherie.

Bleeding gums All the extra blood in your body can make your gums swell and become extra sensitive, causing them to bleed when you brush.

Try: A soft toothbrush. Keep up your twice a day brushing however, as teeth are more susceptible to problems during pregnancy. It’s a good time for a dental check up.

Blocked or runny nose Those pesky hormones cause the inside of your nose to swell and the mucus there to thicken. Relaxin can also affect your sinuses and give you the sniffles even if you don’t have a cold. It can even lead to snoring!

Try: Saline nose spray can help clear a blocked nose as can a humidifier or a neti pot. For relief at night try sleeping propped up on pillows, or on your side using a body kidmagazine.com.au/subscribe 10

Gassy, Bloated & Constipated With all that relaxin and progesterone relaxing your muscles, your gastrointestinal tract gets sluggish. As your pregnancy advances, pressure from your growing uterus also contributes to abdominal pain and discomfort.

Haemorrhoids Would you believe haemorrhoids are actually varicose veins? Thanks to the extra blood supply in your veins combined with added pressure from the uterus and constipation, haemorrhoids or piles can cause great discomfort.

Try: Treating constipation by increasing your fibre intake and drinking plenty of water. “Soaking haemorrhoids in a warm sitz bath made up of half a bag of salt in a small amount of warm water will help reduce swelling,” says Cherie from Mater. You can also try using wipes soaked in witch hazel. Avoid long periods of sitting or standing.

Speak to your pharmacist about suitable cream if haemorrhoids persist.

Pelvic pain & leaky bladder

not the time to cram your footsies into those gorgeous stilettos you’ve been eyeing off.

“Common pregnancy ailments include pubic symphysis pain (the part at the front of your pelvis) and SIJ pain (at the back where you lower spine joins your pelvis). This is due mostly to a combination of weak muscles supporting the area and the pressure down into the pelvis if the baby and fluid etc.” explains Suzie Williams, physiotherapist and Director of “Take Control” Active Rehab. “The pelvic floor is under significant load during pregnancy, as it a complex web of muscles that sling underneath the pelvic cavity.

The pressure on the pelvic floor along with the bladder do make controlling leakage of the bladder more difficult.”

Try: Ditching the heels and investing in a good pair of supportive shoes. “Arch support, heel support and cushioning is essential + adjustability for those pesky swelling feet. This ensures correct foot and leg alignment whilst the cushioning helps to alleviate some of the impact associated with carrying around your growing bundle of joy,” recommends Caroline McCulloch, podiatrist, physiotherapist and designer behind the Frankie4 footwear range.

Try: Suzie recommends working on pelvic floor exercises from the beginning of pregnancy as it can be helpful both during pregnancy and after delivery. “Many women are doing pelvic floor exercises incorrectly. Devices such as the PeriCoach can help ensure you are getting the correct contraction, or see a women’s health physiotherapist who can provide guidance and feedback,” says Suzie.

Skin Changes As well as acne, varicose veins and the dreaded stretch marks, your skin may change in other ways during pregnancy. Conditions such as eczema or dry, itchy skin can worsen, and your skin will be generally more sensitive.

Patches of skin can also darken, called pigmentation, including a vertical line on your belly called the linea nigra.

Try: Keeping out of the sun, applying a good quality moisturiser and stay hydrated. Ensure you get sufficient Vitamins E and C, and zinc and silica for skin health. Also beware of the chemicals in your cosmetics as they are absorbed through your skin into your blood stream.

Sweating

Vaginal Discharge For the same reason your nose is stuffed, your vaginal secretions increase due to thickening of mucous in your body. This produces a white or pale yellow sticky discharge.

Try: Wearing a panty liner and be sure to it change regularly to minimise discomfort. If there are any changes in smell or appearance such as purulent green discharge, or if itching or burning develops, Cherie from Mater recommends checking with your doctor as you may have an infection.

“Other general holistic approaches to improve pregnancy ailments include hydro therapy, acupuncture and yoga, which also all have positive effects on birth outcomes,” says Cherie from Mater.

When you are pregnant, especially for the first time, it can be hard to know what is “normal”. Keep in mind that everyone is different and your body may respond to growing a human in a different way than your friends, neighbours or even your relatives. Always seek the advice of the healthcare professional overseeing your pregnancy if you have any concerns.

Your body has literally turned into an incubator and with all that extra blood pumping around, your system is in overdrive.

It produces sweat as a way to cool down.

Try: Selecting clothes with breathable materials and try layering so it’s easy to adapt to your body’s temperature fluctuations. Deodorant, talc-free powder and anti-chafe cream will be your new BFFs.

Swollen fingers and feet Fluid retention and weight gain can cause your hands and feet to swell. Your rings may no longer fit and your feet might be swollen and aching at the end of the day.

Relaxin also affects the ligaments in your feet. Now is

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END Renée Harwood is a freelance writer, aspiring novelist and mother to three rambunctious children. When she’s not being distracted by social media or drinking copious amounts of coffee, Renée can be found wandering along one of her beautiful local beaches with her two dogs. Her lifelong dream is to earn enough money to afford a housekeeper. Renée blogs about all these things at Née Say (neesayer.com).

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Baby-led weaning What's the fuss?

Michaela Fox, freelance writer and blogger If your 6-month-old baby is eyeing off your food with great curiosity, you may be thinking about introducing solids into their diet. “At around 5-6 months babies tend to show an interest in picking up food and putting it into their mouths,” says Michelle Kelly, Midwifery Manager at Mater Health Services.

“If they grab the toast out of your hand and start chewing on it, that’s a cue that they’re ready.” If your little one is showing these signs, you may consider baby-led weaning.

How does it work?

A word on weaning

What are the benefits of BLW?

The word weaning takes on different meanings in different countries. If you live in Australia, New Zealand or the United States, weaning refers to the process of stopping breast or formula feeding. But if you live in Britain, weaning means adding solid foods to a baby’s diet. For the purpose of this article “weaning” refers to offering foods other than just milk.

For babies with no underlying medical conditions, BLW has many benefits. It encourages shared and social eating as well as independence. Playing an active part in mealtimes can help make mealtimes more enjoyable. “It’s about not being too strict around baby’s food and meal times so they don’t associate food with being controlling or stressful,” explains Kelly. “Babies are often snackers so you don’t have to force a baby to eat a full bowl of food.

They’ll eat when they’re hungry and eat to fullness.”

What is BLW? Baby Led Weaning (BLW) is an approach to introducing solids to babies from the start of weaning. BLW, quite simply, means letting your child feed themselves. It’s about skipping the purees and weaning spoons in favour of finger “table” food. Like breastfeeding on demand, BLW is a method that encourages baby to decide what, when and how much to eat. The advantage of weaning at around six months is that by then, children are generally developmentally capable of sitting in a high chair and feeding themselves. Self-feeding enables them to listen to their own appetite and choose what they want to eat. kidmagazine.com.au/subscribe 12

BLW is an organic process that gradually evolves. “It’s about introducing different textures and flavours and not being restrictive,” explains Kelly. “The idea is that you don’t prepare food for the baby that’s completely different to what you’re eating,” she adds. Simply start by providing safe food options for your baby’s developmental stage. Sit your baby in the high chair and instead of pureeing food put something on their tray that’s on your plate.

It’s also important to relax, says Kelly. “Negative associations with food can begin in early infancy and childhood and may be associated with being too restrictive or too dogmatic about when meals need to be eaten.” Naturally, when you’re first introducing them to solids, they’ll need a little more input and supervision, says Kelly. “But the more it becomes expected that the baby eats with the family and doesn’t get too much attention, the more it becomes a way of life.” Another benefit of BLW is you don’t need to make mountains of purees, which can be time consuming and fiddly. Provided the parents’ diet is healthy, you can easily adapt your meals for your baby.

What is the best food to start with?

Can I do a combination of both?

If your baby has no identified allergies and is otherwise healthy you can start offering suitably sized fruits and vegetables. Offer food with the most nutrition and limited sugar, like legumes and healthy grains, suggests Kelly.

Gradually introduce a variety of textures and tastes, and a healthy protein. And it doesn’t have to mean the end of spoon-feeding altogether, says Kelly. “Many parents feel more comfortable doing a combination of spoonfeeding and BLW. Unless you’ve got a family disposition to allergies to certain foods, then introduce all sorts of foods as it may help to avoid allergies.”

Yes you can. You can offer pureed food, but try to encourage your baby to self-feed, although this can be messy, concedes Kelly. “There’s no denying it can be messy but think of it as mess that matters; it’s important to let your baby touch and explore food.”

"Babies are often snackers so you don't have to force a baby to eat a full bowl of food. They'll eat when they're hungry and eat to fullness."

Are there any dangers with BLW? Understandably many parents worry about choking but babies and children have a very good gag reflex explains Kelly. “Babies are pretty resilient but as parents we’re so hyper-vigilant and we panic. In general, a gagging baby is a good thing. It’s the body’s way of saying it’s too big to go down, and it brings it back up.”

When is it not right to pursue?

If a baby is failing to thrive, nutritionally deprived or they’re not meeting their milestones, BLW may not be appropriate. In these cases you have to be a bit more vigilant about scheduling food and ensuring there’s an adequate intake, so it’s important to seek advice from your health care provider. “If your baby is healthy and in the correct percentile, then the organic approach to introducing your baby to foods that the family eats is a great approach,” says Kelly. “Babies that are allowed to make their own food choices early (so long as those food choices are good ones) end up having a better relationship with food.”

While there aren’t a lot of downsides to BLW with a well baby, it’s important to recognize that BLW is a philosophy and won’t be right for everyone. “There is no point adhering to a philosophy, if you’re finding it stressful, says Kelly. “If it’s not working for your family then modify and find a suitable alterative that does work. All children are different and how they approach food is no exception.”

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What do some BLW mums say?

“We’re doing BLW successfully with our second child after a failed attempt with our first-born. Our first baby was born with a sensitive gag reflex. Instead of working any chunks forward and out, he would vomit. We ended up doing a mix of purees and finger foods. He went to town on the puree with his hands and spoon. Messy, but fun.

He was breastfed until 14 months so I always had peace of mind that he’d have a full tummy at bedtime even if he vomited at dinnertime. Our second has taken to it like a champ, and has fed himself since five months.” Sarah Flood, mum of two.

“I loved the BLW approach and used it with my first two children. They enjoyed it and developed great fine motor skills. They never had a problem with texture and although we had a couple of minor gagging incidents (most of which didn’t even need any assistance), we never had any choking. It taught me to trust my babies and give them time to work things out for themselves before jumping in and sticking my fingers in their mouth. They are clever little things.” Mel Campbell, mum of three.

“I have used the BLW method with all three of my kids. It was fun and relaxed and I loved how it supported their ability to manage their intake and trust their instincts. All three became happy, healthy eaters. Of course, it can be messy but nothing a good clean up system can’t handle (we favoured a drop sheet, a smock plus bib and of course, a sense of humour!) Kate Jennings, mum of three.

END * The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months and then for breastfeeding to continue alongside complementary (family) foods for 2 years or beyond.

Michaela is a writer, blogger and mother to three young girls. She is passionate about family, food, books and art. On her parenting blog, Not another slippery dip, she writes about the nuanced experiences of motherhood; the good, the bad, the exasperating and the amazing. Michaela is passionate about supporting mums and inspiring them to stress less, play more and slow down. And she loves to laugh; often at her own expense.

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Minutes with Sara Fraga

Sara Fraga is the mum behind organic baby & kids apparal label, Me&Tata. Drawing on neutral colours and minimalist and Scandinavian design, Sara has created a truly gorgeous range. I asked Sara a few questions about style, beauty and mum life...

Three words to describe your style Simple, Minimalistic, relaxed Top fashion brands for you and the kids For kids, I’d have to say Me&Tata of course :) but I also love to support other independent Designers like tiny cottons from Barcelona, and Grey Label. For me, there are lots but some of my favourites are Little Tienda, Vale and Morrison.

Beauty product you swear by I don’t wear Make Up but I think drinking lots of Water, clean eating and wearing sun protection keeps me happy.

Advice for juggling motherhood and work I struggle with this all the time myself but I think having quality time with my girls as well as doing things for myself like meditation and yoga is really important.

Words of wisdom to new mums Patience, be gentle to yourself and ask for help.

Quote/mantra you live by “How can you treat yourself better today than you did yesterday”. I think this is my favourite quote it’s a little reminder that we try our best everyday and to not be too hard on ourselves.

Shopping - online or bricks and mortar?

Both, the convenience of online and the personal of bricks and mortar Technology you can’t live without My Mac and Iphone Ultimate holiday destination Snorkeling in Fiji would definitely be on my wish list.

Best toy you ever bought your kids A camera made from recycled and eco-friendly material.

Both Salome and Lola love it so much.

END

Favourite room in your home Kitchen is where all the fun is, we love cooking as a family.

And our backyard I love working on our Veggie Garden with my girls.

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5 tips to a champagne style on a beer budget Alisa Nyquist, Smart Mummy Saver

When Sara first asked me to write for Kid Magazine, well, she had me at ‘Hello’ - especially after telling me Kid Magazine was all about mums who like style, pretty things and looking after themselves and their families. I knew from this description that Smart Mummy Saver and Kid Magazine was going to be a great fit.

A bit of about me and then it’s about you and how you can achieve champagne style on a beer budget.Firstly, as I’ve hinted, I love pretty things, however, paying pretty prices for pretty things - was never going to be my thing.

So after working in television for a bit under 20 years (okay, that just made me feel old) I’ve turned my sights on saving mothers thousands. I’m all about lifting the lid on how to mix savings with style. Because, let’s be honest, the two seldom meet.

I live a champagne life on a beer budget - THAT’S my thing.

I believe whether you have a little or a lot, you can be savvy with what you’ve got. So here are my Top 5 tips on how you can keep style and reduce spend.

Make a kid-free day out at your local markets or car boot sale.

These tights here? New with tags for $1. No, that’s not a typo. They were purchased from a car boot sale (worth $80). A car boot sale is basically that, a market stall consisting of anything and everything that has come via the sellers car. These type of markets are probably the best

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bang for buck. I am yet to meet another that will beat it in price and variety. That’s why it was given prime position of being No.1 tip. * FYI The tips to follow are in no particular order or preference.

Buy summer in winter, winter in summer for the lowest prices.

This alpaca wool knit cost $20. I purchased this heavily reduced item at a mall, during the height of summer! It was such a hot day it was hard to even look at this knit, let alone try it on.

But, of course, that’s why it was still on the rack - everyone felt like that. So even if you don’t feel like trying something on out of season, you may be glad you suffered in the change room for that minute and a half once the change of season. I sure was.

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Next time you donate goods to a charity store have a look around, you may be surprised.

This leather designer bag was $30 (worth $280) found at a Red Cross shop.

Hold a clothes swap with friends.

These are way too much fun! I’ve hosted many of these at my place, with fellow mummies, and everyone goes away on a high. Send the word out, “Girls go through your cupboards and bring items you haven’t worn, are ill-fitting, or you don’t like anymore.” It’s that easy. It’s amazing what people find. Take these bed socks for example, I had no idea how much I needed them until a girlfriend bought them to a clothes swap! Ha ha. The clothes that haven’t found a new home are then donated to charity.

Red Cross have an affiliation with Country Road, so... you might just get lucky!

And how’s this for bang for buck? This entire outfit was from a charity shop. $8 skirt, $5 black silk shirt and $7 jacket.

Mix beer with champagne - ONLY when it comes to styling!

Cheaper and quality items can mix beautifully. Take this watch for example; $12.95 from a chain store called Temt.

How do you find the best items quickly? There is a technique peoples.

Stand back and scan the racks. What catches your eye? Let it be your favourite colour or the quality of fabric. Then pull only that item out for closer inspection.

This simple tip is a massive time saver as I know many people have had little luck in charity shops as they can never find anything. The amount of clothes etc. can be overwhelming. Because of this, look for only the things that your eyes are drawn to.

Unsure what to look out for? I know a fellow smart mummy saver who loves to visit charity stores. Before she does, she flicks through several fashion magazines for inspiration, then takes these ideas to the charity store and more often than not, finds a stylish steal.

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Teams perfectly with other quality clothes and accessories.

I often mix a cheaper t-shirt with quality jeans, cheaper top with a quality skirt or a bargain dress with quality heels.

Anyway, you get the drift. What I would steer away from is cheap with cheap. Too much cheap and you can end up looking... yep, you guessed it. When the look we are going for is: champagne!

So here’s to you and your champagne style on a beer budget! You’ll have to share your finds with me. You can do this on the Smart Mummy Saver facebook group. It’s open and inclusive for all mums who want to swap ideas, share savings tips and great finds.

Alisa is a former TV producer, now stay-at-home mum and the creator of the Smart Mummy Saver ebook, full of practical ways you can save dollars everyday. She is a budgeting queen, lover of a bargain and an expert at not paying full price!

WARDROBE ORGANISATION IN FIVE EASY STEPS Amanda Lecaude, Organising You

Can you feel the change in the air? The warmer weather is approaching and many of us are starting to think about changing what we wear and possibly putting away our winter clothing for another year.

Unfortunately we often get teased during spring and have to endure several seasons in the coming weeks but be assured the sunshine and warmth isn’t too far away!

Firstly let me ask you a few questions when it comes to what is in your wardrobe. These are to get you thinking and provide food for thought: 1. Are you happy with your wardrobe and its contents?

2. Do you often say I haven’t got anything to wear?

3. What do you like about your wardrobe?

4. What are your dislikes about your wardrobe?

5. Do you often say I can’t find …..?

6. When was the last time you went through your wardrobe – this year, last year or a long time ago?

7. Do you change over your wardrobe according to seasons?

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8. Do you want to avoid wasting money and get the most out of what you already have?

9. Do you love looking at glossy magazines and dream of having one of those beautifully organised wardrobes you see in pictures?

10. Do you have an idea of what you spend on clothes per annum?

There is no right or wrong answer to any of the above questions and the approach you take at the end of the day needs to be what works for you and you only. It is important to understand what you want from your wardrobe before you go about organising it.

When it comes to wardrobe organisation you need to be able to find what you need, when you need to wear it and for it to be clean and ready to just put on (not needing to be repaired or dry cleaned).

Let me share this with you - Do you know that most people only use 20% of their wardrobes 80% of the time!

This means that the other 80% of your clothing is simply taking up valuable space and often isn’t used.

The challenge is not to own as many clothes and shoes as possible but to wear all of your clothes and to only wear what you love and feel great in.

Here are a few more questions for you to consider: • What is in your wardrobe now?

• What should it contain?

• If you share your wardrobe space is there any friction over sharing it?

• Has your wardrobe overflowed to other rooms?

• Are you holding on to clothes that don’t fit you but you would like to again?

• Are you high use items easily accessible?

Step One - picture the type of wardrobe you want and then it is time to start action!

Usually organising a wardrobe is not a high priority so it is one we often put it of. If this is something you would like to do then I am going to get you to make a time in your diary. You will need to consider if you haven’t done it for some time it might be quite a task so keep this in mind.

If your wardrobe is large you can also break it down into sections. Remember to set aside a time of day that works best for you.

Step Two – You will need several piles to be able to put things – create the following piles or spaces for those items you wish to keep, sell, donate, trash, recycle and repair/clean.

Step three – you need to pull everything out - you can do this in one or two ways – you can sort as you pull items out and put them into the relevant pile or you can pull all of it out and then sort as you put back in. Either way works and it probably depends upon the space you have around you.

A handy tip is to put a sheet over your bed and use that as your keep pile.

Step four – questions to ask yourself when sorting through and making decisions about your clothes: • When did I last wear it?

• Does it fit?

• Is it in good condition?

• Do I feel great in it?

• Is it difficult to wear?

• Is it dated?

• Does it match anything else in my wardrobe?

your lifestyle i.e. if you are a mum then why is more than half your wardrobe corporate clothing. Where as if you spend most of your time working in an office you should have suitable clothing. You get the picture.

Step five - Now that you have culled it is time to put your items away. For those items that hang you need to consider what is prime real estate in your wardrobe.

You need to have those items you use the most easily accessible.

When working with clients, and in my own wardrobe, I like to hang garments by type i.e. all pants, dresses together. Then within that system I tend to sort by colour.

By sorting by colour it also allows you to quickly see if you have too many of something or not enough of something too. You can also use this type of system when it comes to shoes – sort by type and then colour.

Whatever system you decide on remember to be consistent and take that extra minute or two when putting clothes or shoes away in the correct spot and not just anywhere. You will maintain a much neater wardrobe and not have to reorganise it as frequently either!

So what next? Will you take the plunge and reorganise your wardrobe?

Good luck, enjoy a more organised wardrobe space and enjoy the sunshine!

END

Amanda Lecaude is professional organiser who loves being able to help people – her clients – get organised. She see’s the difference it makes in their everyday lives, particularly families, just to have a way to create some TIME, SPACE and BALANCE! She also very passionate about equipping school students with organising skills for life to maximise greater results primarily in secondary school and limit the overwhelm and frustration for both them and their parents.

Get in touch 0409 967 166 amanda@organisingyou.com.au

Another tip - your wardrobe should also be reflective of

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3 THINGS YOUR CHILD’S TEACHER WISHES THEY COULD TELL YOU Marie Cullen, LessonBuzz

As a parent it is hard to juggle all the ins and outs of daily family life. Between school drop off, dance class, dinner and homework, it can be difficult to familiarise yourself with what is going on in your child’s classroom. Knowing what to do to further encourage positive learning habits is not only important in developing fundamental skills, but also in creating a positive environment for families to learn together. As an experienced teacher of 35 years, here is my advice on how to connect with your child’s education and encourage learning in the classroom and at home.

Home Learning is Essential Many education professionals stress the importance of continuing your child’s learning at home to reinforce the education process. Though it sounds a little daunting, at home learning doesn’t have to be about reciting multiplication tables or guessing your way through quadratic equations. Home learning can be as simple as playing interactive games, engaging with books, being supportive with homework, and role playing. Creating a reading culture at home is an especially important focus for home learning as it stimulates learning to improve your child’s abilities throughout their early school years.

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Get involved in your child’s learning journey Parental involvement is said to positively affect a child’s academic performance as it connects children to learning materials in a more familiar and interactive way. Even before children enter formal education, they begin to learn, so the earlier that parents get involved in their child’s learning journey the better. When parents provide opportunities for learning at home they are actively bridging the gap between school and the ‘real world’.

For example, involving children in writing shopping lists, talking about nature, or counting how many potatoes you have, can all contribute to an effective crossover between the classroom and the backyard. Aside from the obvious academic benefits, parental involvement is also essential in encouraging communication, building independence and relationships. Continual involvement ensures that parents remain informed and involved about their child’s education, social successes, dreams and plans for the future.

Technology is key for child development Technology is playing an increasingly dominant role in children’s development, with traditional ideas of education being transformed for a new generation of

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‘online learners’. Education provided through the use of computers, tablets and game consoles is continually evolving, and the benefits are significant. Parents are encouraged to welcome quality interactive media such as educational apps, to allow their children to engage in multisensory technology. As most parents will know, children nowadays seem to be born with tech-savvy abilities, successfully navigating technology from an incredibly young age.

These learned skills can be used to encourage positive learning outcomes, by giving children the independence to interact with educational apps on tablets, and participate in self-motivated learning. Interactive programs can allow your child to unlock their own potential, with the use of built-in productivity tools and physical learning features on the devices. One of the greatest aspects of technology as a learning resource is that it is a portable tool for parents, so that wherever they go, education and entertainment follows! Of course, it is recommended that technology use should be managed to maintain a healthy balance between screen time and active play. Going to the park to play is still just as

important, and despite the lifelike graphics of some apps, we all know that a digital playground isn’t the same thing!

END Marie Cullen is a teacher with 35 years experience, a love of teaching children and a commitment to developing the potential in every child. Her passion for education led her to create the LessonBuzz app, to further engage children in a fun and interactive learning.

Marie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of New South Wales, a Diploma in Education from Sydney Teachers College and a Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from the Australian Catholic University.

She has appeared on the ABC’s 7:30 Report and has been featured on Australian Story and in The Daily Telegraph and Sydney Morning Herald for her personal and academic achievements.

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Kid Magazine Loves

I’m about to embark on six weeks without a kitchen and I’m bringing the Tefal Cuisine Companion along for the ride. This multi-cooker chops, mixes, blends, kneads, whips, stirs, cooks and steams. And it looks great too. I’ll be decluttering the cupboards and making way for my new favourite appliance! www.cuisinecompanion.com.au

Heat packs are so amazing for relieving aches and pains and warming you up o a cold night. But for a little one cuddling a doll is so much nicer! I love the Warmheart Girls from Intelex which combine a cuddly doll with a warm heat pack.

Candy, Ellie and Olivia are super cute and can also be chilled for those hot summer days! www.intelex.com.au

Anyone who knows me knows that I drink an inordinate amount of tea. I have always stayed away from fruit teas but then I discovered Red Seal. They are hot or cold brew so perfect for a summer iced tea and come in six delish flavours (Peach and Pineapple is my favourite). redseal.co.nz kidmagazine.com.au/subscribe 40

If you are seeking some inspiration, a new favourite hub of mine is the 52 Weeks blog. Each week they feature a different inspirational mum in business. The images are gorgeous and the stories so inspiring. Keep an eye out for yours truly who will be featured soon! www.fiftytwoweeksblog.com

I am so in love with the Modibodi range of bras, underwear and singlets which use moisture wicking, absorbent, antimicrobial and leak proof technology to create bras, underwear and singlets for women (and maternity too!) to help make leaking breasts, periods and weak pelvic floor that much easier! www.modibodi.com.au

I love using Catephil products on my skin and I am so thrilled that they have now launched a new baby range.

Just like the regular Cetaphil products, the baby range is focussed on creating the foundation for health skin development. The range is gentle and nourishing using botanical extracts and are free of all the nasties. www.cetaphil.com.au

If your kids heads are always off in the clouds then bring the clouds to them with the amazing lights from Lil Spaces.

I am in awe of these cloud lights and think they would be a fabulous statement piece in a kids bedroom or play space.

Indulge imaginations and do it in style! lilspaces.com

Peppa Pig has a lot to answer for with kids running around wanting to jump in muddy puddles! I’m always one for style and if you are going to be jumping around in muddy puddles like Peppa then SKEANIE Wellington Boots are what you should be wearing. Stylish, comfortable and practical! www.skeanie.com.au

You know when you get your kids out of the swimming pool, the change rooms are full and you have to stand around waiting? The Great Aussie Swim Parka is the answer. Your kids can throw on the swim parka and head home staying warm and not leaving a big damp spot on your car seat! www.swimparkas.com.au kidmagazine.com.au/subscribe 41

I’m always looking for beautiful artwork for my walls at home and I recently came across these divine Giclee fine art prints from Wolfgang and Rose. I love the amazing colours, the gorgeous designs and everything about them really. They are also affordably priced ranging from $20-$50! wolgangandrose.bigcartel.com

Babycinos are my saviour. I can head to a café and sip my coffee in peace while Olivia downs her babycino. Sure it ends up all over her but it’s worth it. And appararantly a love of babycinos extends to the book version. This simple book has become one of our bedtime favourites! And the bib doesn’t hurt at babycino show time either. idtee.com.au

If you thought magic beans were just the stuff of kids fairy tales then you were wrong! I have just discovered Magic Beans from Live Love Bean and I can’t wait to plant some at home. The beans are engraved with inspirational words and messages.

When they sprout the reveal the message and grow into a beautiful flowering vine. Now that is gardening that speaks to me. livelovebean.com.au

Six things to ask yourself before booking your next holiday Christine Knight, freelance writer and blogger With warm weather fast approaching, it’s time to plan your summer holidays! Whether you’re you’re road trip or resort, here are some questions to ask yourself before booking your next vacation.

Where will you go?

There are two kinds of destinations for a holiday - accommodation with activities on site, and accommodation near activities. Destinations with activities include farm stays and all-inclusive resorts, where you don’t leave the property for your entire stay.

Destinations near activities would include areas such as the Gold Coast and Surfer’s Paradise. Lots to do nearby, off the property. Both are great choices with kids, particularly destinations that include activities. With babies and toddlers this is my biggest tip - go somewhere that you don’t have to go anywhere else once you arrive.

If you can walk out of your room and splash in a pool, dig sandcastles on the beach or pat a horse, it’s a winning holiday for small kids. Taking the extra travel around a town out of the equation makes it a much easier trip and, let’s face it, babies and toddlers don’t need much to keep them entertained. Staying in a location where everything is provided also means you don’t have to wonder where you next meal is coming from - how much nicer is it to just head downstairs to breakfast, or up to the lodge for lunch? It’s as close to relaxing as holidays with kids get.

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Some hotels offer great facilities on site for families, such as the Paradise Resort and Sea World Resort on the Gold Coast. Hotels like these cater particularly for families with big water parks attached. A pro to a hotel like this: the kids have plenty of entertainment on-site. A con however, can be how busy these facilities get with kids of all ages. They are popular destinations for families with young teens, tweens and school-aged kids.

A happy medium is a hotel with a family-friendly pool. A great example is the Surfer’s Paradise Marriott Resort and Spa, which has two pools, including one that graduates slowly from a beach area into deeper water. Perfect for little kids. The pro of a hotel like this is there is a wider range types of guests staying there and less kids on average, making the facilities quieter.

What type of accommodation should you choose?

A few things to consider when booking a hotel or cabin.

Do you need a separate room from your baby/children?

Can they sleep in the living room? Can you all sleep in one bedroom or one hotel room? Do you need a kitchen or kitchenette? With a baby/toddler we preferred to have a separate sleeping area for our child as we would put her to bed at night quite early, and then want to watch a movie and eat dinner together. With a preschooler who stays up later, this isn’t necessary anymore, and we are

now fine in a smaller room as we all go to bed and get up at the same time when we are on holidays. A kitchen or kitchenette is always valuable with kids.

How will you get there?

Will you drive or fly? We prefer to fly purely because we hate driving. We fly to places where we don’t need a car, such as the Gold Coast. If you’re flying, choose accommodation that is centrally located and you can walk everywhere, or has plenty of public transport nearby.

After our 3 year stint in New York with a baby, we became so accustomed to taking public transport everywhere that we continue to find this the easiest way for us to get around when we travel. If you’re more of a driving family, a road trip might be your best bet. When planning a road trip, factor in additional travel time for journey there.

"If you can walk out of your room and splash in a pool, dig sandcastles on the beach or pat a horse, it's a winning holiday for small kids." facebook.com/ChristineKnightWriter

How will you survive the journey?

With a road trip, consider breaking the journey up with an overnight stay (or a few nights if you have time). Kids plus a 12-hour car trip is not the most fun in the world. If your kids will sleep in the car, plan to depart in the early hours of the morning (and yes, go to bed yourself super early the night before), moving the kids straight into their car seats, so you can get several hours done on the road before the kids wake up for breakfast.

If you fly or road trip, either way you’ll need entertainment for the kids. I pack small new toys or activity packs and slowly dole them out each time the kid has reached her limit. If you have an iPad, load it up with new shows, movies and games.

Where will you stay?

Consider: What time of year are you going? What will the weather be like? If you’re doing a summer holiday to somewhere beachy, does the place you’re heading to offer activities indoors or out of the sun when it gets too hot? Similarly if you’re going to the snow, are you staying close enough to the snow so exhausted kids don’t have to travel far at the end of the day to get back to your lodge, and does it offer activities for kids who are too young for (or get tired of ) skiing?

What will you do there?

Lastly, consider if the place you’re going offers enough activities and amenities for you and the kids to enjoy.

Are there bad weather options like a movie theatre? Do you have to travel far to get to beaches, wildlife parks or playgrounds? Check if you have adequate food options nearby. Is there a supermarket? Kid-friendly restaurants?

Pack activities to entertain the kids too, like sand buckets for a beach holiday (if you’re flying, however, buy them there!), activity books, and either DVDs or movies on your laptop so you’re not stuck with only bad TV shows as an option at night.

END Christine Knight is a Sydney-based writer. Her blog, Adventure, Baby!, is a guide to navigating the world and parenthood. Follow her travel, food and parenting adventures over Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram.

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Eden swimsuit – sand, $104.95 aquamaternity.com.au

Bikini top M&M ($129.95) and bottoms ($59.95) www.sunflair.com

surf & sand Get beach ready with the hottest swimwear pieces for you and the kids this season.

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Bronze Sacrum V Swimsuit, $220 www.million-dollar-mermaid.com.au

Agua Maillot, $99.99 www.neontide.com

Amoralia nursing swimsuit – emerald, $99.95 aquamaternity.com.au

Maui Spring swimsuit, $174.95 www.sunflair.com

Retro car swim short, $44 www.platypusaustralia.com

Toucan print board shorts, $25 www.kasanasea.com.au

Swimshorts – Moreton Beat, $24.95 minisandcrabs.com.au Sailor short sleeve rashie, $24.95 www.plumcollections.com.au

Short sleeve rashie – Mooloolaba Carabean, $44.95 minisandcrabs.com.au

UPF 50+ Singlet Kini, $49.95 www.platypusaustralia.com

Spotti Dotti red polka dot swimsuit, $29 www.kasanasea.com.au

Floral swimsuit, $24.95 www.plumcollections.com.au

Mila Bikini, $39.95 heavenleeswim.com

Kids Pacific short sleeve rashvest, $49.99 www.neontide.com

Polka dots short sleeve rashie, $24.95 www.plumcollections.com.au

New kids on the block

Popular maternity label, Mamá y Bebé has taken the leap and launched their first range of sleepwear for every woman. Building on the range maternity and breastfeeding pyjamas, Lina (the mum behind Mamá y Bebé) has developed a range that is stylish, simple and comfortable – exactly what you want in sleepwear! www.mamaybebe.com.au

Give your child a comforter that will become their best friend with a gorgeous Kippins softie. The playful suite of seven friendly little characters with BIG personality; each have been inspired by what children love.

Completely GOTS certified, breathable, non-toxic and hypo-allergenic, Kippins are super soft and kind to that precious baby skin. kippins.com

Add a touch of whimsy to your child’s room with the delightful selection of prints, bed linen, rugs and garlands from Toucan. With designs for boys, girls and even some for the big kids in the house, the Toucan range is affordable, stylish and modern making them perfect for gifts or a bedroom makeover. www.toucanonline.com kidmagazine.com.au/subscribe 46

The fresh and contemporary towels from Cosi are a refreshing addition to the kids space with bright and fun designs to delight kids and enhance your interiors. The towels are generously sized to wrap children of all ages. www.cositowels.com.au

Natalie Bassingthwaighte’s super popular and adorable Chi Khi range of clothing has now extended to skincare with Chi Khi bare. Initially launching with two products – Wonder Cream and Natural Nappy Balm. Both products are made with natural ingredients and ideal for sensitive skin. www.chikhi.co

Bedtime style just got cooler with the arrival of Moodie – quirky loungewear and sleepwearwith funky design and lots of colour! The range is made for kids from infants through to 9 in a variety of styles and fun filled designs. Made from jersey cotton knit fabrics, Moodie sleepwear is comfy to boot! ilovemoodie.com

If you haven’t yet fallen in love with Attipas shoes then maybe the new Animal Leopard style will get your heart racing. Attipas shoes are easy to slide on your kids’ feet, lightweight, flexible and endorsed by Australian podiatrists. The shoes retail for $29.95 and are available in four sizes (S-XL). www.attipas.com.au

If your kids are Tree Fu Tom fans (you know the little guy with the magic belt who turns into a tiny but might magical super-hero??) they will love the new range of toys and DVDs. There are figurines, action figures, magic belt and Holopax plus four great DVD titles. Time to get started on the Christmas shopping! abcshop.com.au

Dinnertime with kids is messy, no doubt about it. But the new silicone placemats from Tiny and I are here to help with the clean up. Silicone is my favourite material to wipe and go for quick cleaning without the stress. The placemats feature simple and stunning designs that will add a pop of colour to your dining table. www.tinyandi.com.au kidmagazine.com.au/subscribe 47

There is a new player in the maternity fashion market and she has nailed it! The bold prints, block colours, classic stripes from MammaBelle are striking, stylish and seriously fun. The range features gorgeous dresses to flatter your bump and make you feel amazing! www.mammabelle.com

You are probably familiar with the popular Bounce Balls packed with super foods and protein. Well they now added to the range with something for the little people in your family with two new Superfood Milkshake products. The milkshake powders are packed with supergreens, gut protective probiotics and protein and available in vanilla and chocolate. au.bouncelifestyle.com

The Herbie’s Spices Baby and Toddler Spice Kit is a great place to start if you are planning to make your own baby food at home.

The kit contains 5 spices and spice blends suitable for babies and toddlers and recipes for making a number of dishes that are sure to be a hit! www.herbies.com.au

Mum Li f e Join now!

A facebook group for mums who like style, pretty things & looking after themselves & their families www.kidmagazine.com.au

expert tips for the perfect nursery Romy Dankner, Homeroom Studio Keep it simple and add playful decadence! A neutral colour palette is the key to a great child’s room because you can subtly or dramatically change the room by adding cost-effective accessories like KIPPINS comforters to the space- not only are the functional, but they also add a little colour to our kiddies cots.

SPACI-AL Awareness. There’s a lot of paraphernalia that comes with kids so good storage is essential. Invest in something that can adapt as your child grows with shelves, drawers and hanging space so you can hide the contents behind closed doors. Or… Get Smart and Get Storage! SmartBox is an efficient and hassle-free storage solution that cuts out double handling often associated with moving, by combining moving and storage. Space time!

Frame it. Bring your child’s room to life with characters from their favourite storybooks.

Add a little dimension and inspire conversation by placing these in different sized picture frames around the room.

Show me a Sign! add positive statements, words of love and encouragement to the nursery with ‘scriptured’ wall decals.’ Toucan is the latest company to launch positive and motivational feature walls for our little darlings to dote on.

Something New. Not just Pink and Blue. Paint is your best friend. Use it. Don’t be scared.

It’s cost-effective, has loads of impact and can be modified over time. For those who are a little conservative, exercise a ‘light-minded’ attitude when selecting colours and accessorise with colour!!

Growth Spurt. Stretch your style and select versatile pieces of furniture that can grow when your child does! Teeny cots by Incy Interiors feature rounded corners and sturdy, removable sculptured side rails that can be transformed into a ‘big bed’ as baby grows.

Now, that has stylistic stretch!

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Thriving with a newborn Bloggers share Sara Keli, Kid Magazine

Those first few hours, weeks and days with a newborn is exhilarating, exhausting and emotional. It is the best time of your life but also the hardest. I went out to the parenting blogging community and collected some gems of advice from these experienced mums.

Here’s what they had to say...

Take it one hour at a time, no pressure and enjoy every second. They really are all grown up in the blink of an eye.

Tracy - Blue Zone

Holly Connors Don’t put pressure on yourself to get lots done. Accept that some days they will just want to be in your arms, and just enjoy it. Those days don’t last long enough.

Holly - Simplify Create Inspire Make time for self-care & don’t feel guilty about it. Your capacity to care, love & nurture is greatly diminished if you’re running on empty!

Danielle - Seeker Lover Mother

Think LOVE, FOOD and SECURITY. Take time for you and your baby to get to know each other with the cries (your bubs and yours) the smiles, the poos and everything else in between. Relax into the new you “being a mum”.

Kerry - Kids in Harmony

Don’t get weighed down with the expert advice, like following a ‘feed, play, sleep routine’ . You’ll waste that precious time with your newborn trying to do what you’re meant to do but if you trust your instinct everyone will be much happier for it!

Lu - Looking for mama me

Watch the baby, not the clock. Don’t stress if they don’t eat, sleep, poop, whatever “on time”. As long as baby is happy and healthy, you are doing a great job!

Lisa - With A Fork

Get some sleep when you can, stare at the amazing creation you’ve made, cuddle and take a million photos!

Those new born days go way too quickly and they change so much.

Samantha - Sinchies

Set up a routine that works for you and your family... Don’t stress if BF doesn’t work for you, just ensure your baby has a full belly... Sleep when your baby sleeps... Don’t be afraid to ask for help from friends & family - someone else simply folding the washing, or cooking dinner is one less job for you.

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Take every day (and hurdle) as they come. Putting additional pressure and stress on yourself will do no one any good. Some days will be better than others but on the days you do struggle, doesn’t mean you are any less capable!

Kell - All Mum Said

Treat the first 12 weeks like the “fourth trimester “, because it is. Try to keep a peaceful environment and be mindful of over-stimulating your baby. Think zen! For the first 6 weeks at least, all a baby needs is milk, warmth, sleep (lots of sleep) and skin-to-skin contact (lots of that too).

Bron - Maxabella Loves Your baby is used to being held and rocked while inside your belly, so buy a good quality carrier and ‘wear’ them.

They’ll feel safe and protected being that close to you, and you’ll actually be able to get some sh*t done!

Rachel - Toilets Aren’t For Turtles Relent and just be. Allow people to offer help, but also don’t be afraid to say no to visitors if you’ve had a bad night the night before. It’s ok to be selfish in those first few months. Timing a hair dressing appointment between feeds can make you feel so much better too.

Rebecca - The Plumbette Samantha Scott Just be. Be present, be in the moment, each day will bring an amazing new experience and first for your baby. Explore the world with them, grow with them, share in their adventures.

Samantha - Wholesome Mummy Life The postpartum period is about your relationship with your baby. It is about recovery. It is about falling in love with one another and with yourself in your new role and life. Challenging other social assumptions is worth doing, to give us the best chance to settle in to new mamahood Alex - Ally Grace Contrary to what everyone says, they don’t get easier as they get older, they get different and there’s different issues to deal with. The bit that gets easier is in how you deal with the curveballs, by trusting you know what’s best at any age.

Cate - Life Behind The Purple Door Cuddle your baby has much as you want. Let your baby fall asleep in your arms. Your baby will no doubt get bad habits no matter what you do. So don’t regret not holding your precious newborn. It is a magical (yet insanely sleep deprived and incredibly humbling) time which passes way too quickly. Take time to smell the roses and just sit and watch that glorious newborn you created fall asleep, so content, in your arms.

Nadia - City Mum Rural Life

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Lauren Jackman It gets easier. Feeding, sleeping, recovering from childbirth all get easier. In the meantime, get support, lots of it! Ask lots of questions and listen to your maternal instincts - they are rarely wrong.

Lauren - Canberra Mummy Follow the lead of your baby - feed on demand, go with the flow. Tap into your baby’s cries - they can only mean a few things! Sleep when your baby sleeps - it’ll get you through the next night!

Hayley - Herself Happened Breastfeeding can be a learning process get help qualified help don’t listen to friends and relatives it can really confuse you, keep in mind 6-8 weeks to get things sorted.

Just trust your instincts if the avalanche of advice you are getting from well meaning people including family doesn’t feel right then it’s probably not, parent on feeling and how you want to mother, your instinct is always right never doubt it.

Natlie - Eastern Suburbs Mums You are allowed to both love and hate it simultaneously. I give you permission.

Alysha - Feminist Mummy Blogger Trust your instincts. No one will ever know that baby better than you do.

Eva - Eva Van Strijp If you can just get to that 6 week mark with breastfeeding is gets SO much easier.

Maraya - Stuff Mums Like Bad days don’t make bad mums (or bad babies). Treat each day as a fresh start.

Renée - Nee Say Accept all the help you are offered and don’t try to do it all. I had bad PND with both of mine (looking back now it’s mainly because of my ex husband, his family, abuse and I felt stuck).

One tip I was offered, leave the vacuum cleaner out. Then when people come over it’ll look like you’ve been trying to clean. They are also more likely to offer to help clean or do something while they visit.

Kylie - Kylie Travers

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Move Mountains print, from $15 www.toucanonline.com

GAIA Nipple Balm, $12.95 www.gaiaskinnaturals.com

Stretched to the Limit ™ massage oil, $29.95 aromababy.com

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Showered with love

If you are looking for a unique baby shower gift here is the place to start. With a little something for mum and a little something for bub, these gifts are sure to please.

Penguin rattle, $16.50 nanahuchy.com.au

Peanut T ww

Winter blues balm, $10.99 littleinnoscents.com.au

Mother to Be Bindle hamper, $110 bindle.com.au

SEBRA 10 Village Stacking Blocks, $54 www.designstuff.com.au Moroccan Smoke, Morocco Summer and Rose Smoke organic cotton baby wraps, $39 each www.thegathercollective.com Peggles pram pegs in lemon, $19.95 www.hodgepodgebaby.com.au

Baby Massage Butter, $12.50 littleluxeco.com

The Dachshund – Pink, $49 ww.mintchi.com.au

Book of Very Valuable Vouchers, $14.95 www.flatoutmum.com.au Rocking horse, $49.95 www.mocka.com.au

Wilson & Frenchy Tutti Frutti sheet set bassinet ($39.95) or cot ($59.95) www.wilsonandfrenchy.com.au

PERFECT LITTLE ANGELS Carla Caruso, romantic comedy author Alessio stands looking at me amid the playroom, his hazel eyes wide, the picture of innocence. ‘Mum … door!’

It’s Saturday morning and I’ve only just dragged myself out of bed and into my usual home wear—a tracksuit (not the Juicy Couture kind, but an ultra-daggy one).

Alessio and his two-year-old twin, Sebastian, meanwhile, have been up since five a.m, their new waking time and a middle finger to daylight saving not starting yet. Predawn, my bleary-eyed husband, James—bless him— changed their nappies and outfitted them, deposited them in the playroom with their toys and the TV, and staggered back to bed for another hour or two of shuteye.

I should have known it’d been too quiet.

Behind Alessio, the door to our home office, which we firmly shut every night, is now ajar. And there’s a little wooden chair alongside of it—just the right height for a two-year-old to stand on and turn the door handle.

‘Oh no,’ I whisper to myself, barging past Alessio.

I fully push open the door and grind to a halt, the air hissing out of my lungs. If I hadn’t had twin boys wrestling inside of me for nine-and-a-half months and knew we had anything pristine (and, hence, valuable) left, I would have thought we’d been burgled. The office is a disaster zone. Important documents spill out of desk drawers, my husband’s camera bags (he’s a photographer) are all unzipped and in disarray, receipts litter the carpet like

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oversized confetti, picture frames hang askew … and Sebastian cheerfully plays in a corner with his dad’s prized model cars. Seb shoots me an impish grin, though I know this can only be the handiwork of two.

‘James!’ I yell, because sharing the nightmare will somehow halve the pain. Even more so if the incident’s shared on Facebook. ‘You won’t believe this.’

My husband stumbles in, wiping the sleep from his eyes and mutters darkly under his breath. I didn’t realise he knew French.

‘Think we’ll make that trip to IKEA this morning,’ I clip.

‘We’ll be needing a few replacements.’ Because some days you’ve just got to get out of the house and let the kids go feral elsewhere.

A few hours later, we’re at the busy furniture-chain store, slightly delayed by James having trouble locating his credit cards amid the office chaos (which has since been tamed). We’ve bought a gazillion knickknacks we didn’t know we needed, the boys (James included) have eaten more meatballs than a competitive eating champion, and I’m now hovering alongside the indoor playground as the boys excitedly test out the monkey bars and tunnels. The hubs, meanwhile, has ducked off to the loo— Hang on a sec. A grubby little hand has popped out from inside a yellow tunnel and is now reaching to swat Sebastian on the cheek. In case I missed it, the hand makes contact again. Sebastian’s smile promptly turns upside down.

My inner Mama Bear rears its ugly head. I march over, sweep up a shocked Seb, who now has a glaring scratch on his nose, and squat down faster than a Bodypump addict. I’m face-level with the snivelly-nosed culprit, who also looks about two. There’s nothing that riles me up more than a hitter, especially one who isn’t promptly told off by their parents. My pair are mischievous, but they’re not nasty.

‘You don’t hit,’ I scold the little brat, my eyes narrowed.

‘That’s mean. Where’s your mother?’

Seeming unfazed, the kid points a grimy finger at a nearby café table, where a thin, stringy-haired mother sits with a coffee and a newborn in a sling. Well, we all had newborns once! I’m going to give her a piece of my mind.

Oops, I might have said that out loud. I barrel over to her table, still clinging onto Sebastian. Alessio continues having his own fun, oblivious. Lucky I have eyes in the back of my head.

‘Excuse me,’ I say, knowing I sound shrill and short of breath but unable to help it in the heat of the moment.

‘Do you realise your child is hitting other kids? He scratched my son’s nose!’

The woman just stares blankly back at me. Sleep deprivation’s a bitch, but she’s not the only one dealing.

James suddenly reappears at my elbow, looking nervous. He’s seen me in Mama Bear mode before. ‘Uh, is everything all right?’

‘No,’ I spit. ‘This boy hit Sebastian and refuses to apologise.’

Actually he looks like he could barely string two syllables together, but that’s beside the point. ‘The good news is we’ll no longer be breathing in the same air, because we’re leaving.’

With that, I turn on my heel with Sebastian in tow, pointing James in the direction of Alessio. Then I’m storming over to the lifts, James rushing to catch up with the pram, while I pray my perfect little angels, who upturned our office only that morning, don’t crack a fruity and make a hypocrite of me before we get to the doors.

END Carla Caruso is an Adelaide romantic comedy author and mum of two-year-old twin boys… yes, this story may have been inspired by a real-life incident. Carla’s behind the ebook, A Pretty Mess (which features a character who’s a nanny to triplets), and many other titles. Visit www.carlacaruso.com.au or her blog, www.theunitalianwife.com (pretty please).

A darkhaired, curvier woman steps into view, now holding The Hitter in her arms. I gather she’s a friend of his mum’s.

‘C’mon, they’re just being kids,’ she tries to placate me.

‘My boys don’t hit. They’ve been brought up right!’ I protest. ‘And you’re meant to watch your kids, not just scoff cake. Haven’t you read the signs?’

I know it’s not her fault, but she put herself in the firing line.

There’s a beat of silence, then the brunette opens her mouth to speak again. ‘Say sorry.’

‘What!? I’m not saying sorry,’ I explode. ‘That boy should be apologising to my child.’

The brunette shoots me a funny look. ‘I was talking to him.’ Oh. She edges closer and lowers her voice. ‘Look, his mum’s having a few issues at the moment. And he really didn’t mean any harm.’

‘She’s having issues?’ I shrill. ‘Doesn’t everyone? I have twins!’

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Books & Screens

History is oh so fun with this guide to the characters and events that have made our world what it is. Kids will be able to relate to the simple langauge and cool illustrrations for major events in both modern and ancient history.

Quattro Group UK, $29.99

In a world so dominated by gender stereotypes, I’m a Girl is a refreshing take on what it really is to be a kid. Full of fun and energy, Yasmeen Ismail has turned the world upside down and sings her message of staying true to yourself loud and clear.

Bloomsbury Child, $22.99

Is that a …? The Crocodolly is a cute story of the determination of a toddler to achieve what she really wants. Adelaide makes a friend in Ozzy the crocodile but what will happen when he gets to big for his dolly dresses? A cute story of friendship and growing up.

Omnibus Books, $24.99

There are many things that Claude can do that Finlay can’t. Finlay wants to be big like Claude but he soon realises that being little has it’s advantages. A gorgeous celebration of the little people in our lives and the many things they can do.

Growing up is over rated!

Scholastic Press, $24.99

If you’ve been struck with the multi-cooker bug then ThermoStruck is the book for you. Packed with recipes designed for these ultimate kitchen machines, from breakfast to lunch, dinner and dessert. From Kim McCosker, the woman behind the ever popular 4 Ingredients series. www.4ingredients.com. au, $19.99

Busy-ness has become a badge we wear with honour.

A victory we all aspire to.

But what is the impact of our busy lives? Sheehan and Pearse explore the power of our attention and how it can transform our lives back from the brink of busy. A truly eye opening read for those wanting to reconnect and experience more!

Hay House, $19.95

Winner of The Great British Bake Off, Frances Quinn, has put her bake smarts into book format to help everyday bakers turn their simple creations into fancy works of art. Move over the Women’s Weekly Children’s Birthday Cake Book, there is a new player in town!

Bloomsbury, $45

This memoir from Jessica Rowe is raw, real and emotional. She writes about her struggles in her career, conceiving, parenting, suffering from post-natal depression and balancing it all. Never one to shy away from sharing her experiences to help others, Rowe is inspiring and honest in this story of her life and what having it all really means.

Allen & Unwin, $29.99

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A lot of the kids shows we watch tend to be quite fast paced with colours and music and movement. Puffin Rock is a pleasant change to that with a slower, softer pace and a storyline about a family of Puffins. Chris O’Dowd (Bridesmaids) lends his dreamy voice as narrator for an all round delightful series.

Available on Netflix

Spring is in the air! Put a spring in your kids step and ignite their imaginations with this compilation DVD from ABC Kids. With episodes from Play School, Bubble Bath Bay, Timmy Time, Hoopla Doopla, Toby’s Travelling Circus and Thomas & Friends it will have the kids ready to hit the sun and the sand in no time! $9.95

Anything that endears kids to vegetables is a winner in my book and Veggietales in the House are so cute you can help but love them!

These veggies see more drama than your average supermarket greens but they always come together for the win. The graphics are pretty cool and the characters are the cutest veggies you will ever see!

Available on Netflix

Lovers of bows and dancing everywhere will love the new DVD from the first female Wiggle, Emma. The major complaint about the TV show was its length, and the DVD solves that. It is full of singing, dancing and wiggly fun that will have you moving along with the kids.

Emma is so captivating for little audiences and her DVD certainly delivers. $19.95

I love Jason Bateman. Add in Tina Fey, and what you have is actually one of the funniest movies of 2014.

This movie didn’t get the box office recognition it deserved. With their fathers passing, four grown siblings return to their hometown, living with their over-sharing mother, their spouses and exes. This is a dysfunctional family at its best.

Available on Netflix

Ari Gold is back, not to mention Vinnie Chase, Eric, Drama and Turtle. If you’re a fan of the Entourage TV series, then this is a must see. With a simple and easy to follow storyline, Entourage delivers on almost every level – with plenty of cameos and lots of laughs (mainly at Drama’s expense). $39.95

By now you’re probably already familiar with Arrow a spoilt rich kid whose dad is killed when his boat sinks in thunderous seas. So you do what anyone else would do, become a Vigilante, right?

Sounds all too familiar, but surprisingly, Arrow is actually a fresh take on the vigilante story. If you like Batman, Gotham, Dare Devil etc, this is worth a watch. $69.95 (Blu-ray) $59.95 (DVD)

I’m a total latecomer when it comes to Mad Men, but I made up for it with the veracity with which I watched all 7 seasons in one month. Mad Men is a view inside a mid 20th century New York advertising agency and it abounds with fashion, flirtations and more sexism than one could normally handle. Be warned though - season 7 part 2 isn’t yet available on Netflix.

Available on Netflix

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shop where the cool kids shop

With the plethora of online businesses popping up all over the web, knowing where to shop can be the hardest decision you need to make. We’ve done the leg work for you and tracked down some of the hippest places to shop for you and the kids. Whether you are after funky party supplies, new maternity clothes, a fabulous photographer or toys for the kids, you will find it all plus more in the new Kid Magazine DIrectory.

Want to find out how you can join the directory? Email sara@kidmagazine.com.au for the details on our affordable packages.

www.kidmagazine.com.au/directory

giveaways

To enter visit www.kidmagazine.com.au/win Competitions close Monday, 30 November 2015 at midnight AEST. Full competition terms & conditions at www.kidmagazine.com.au/terms--conditions

A Kids First Aid Course and DVD valued at $104

A Banana J Creations personalised teepee valued at $179+

A $100 GUESS KIDS prize pack

A $100 gift voucher from Smiley Organics

An ALCATEL ONETOUCH PIXI (7) Tablet valued at $99

A $100 voucher to spend on Mamá y Bebé sleepwear

A QUUT beach toys prize pack valued at $103 from Tiger Tribe

Two Smiggle prize packs valued at $102 each

Two Tree Fu Tom prize packs valued at $94 each

A beautifully styled event will remain in guests’ memories for years to come.

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october/november 2015 - Issue twenty five