Kids on the Coast Magazine - Gold Coast - Issue 29 by Shore Media

IssUe 29 Oct/Nov 2o10

FReE!!

laces to do, p for things g verythin the to go, e on arents kids & p GOLD COAST

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

Are you a workaholic? When the baby blues become serious

HOMEWORK HEADACHE ? L U OR HELPF A family affair:

WEDDINGS with kids

Kim McCoskerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s recipe for success

PLUS things to do, books to read and innovative parenting products!

“The Secret that can improve your health and save you thousands in 2010” bodybrilliant chiropractic

Would you like to save lots of money this year, and every year? Well, if you’re like most people, the answer is a resounding yes! The funny thing is, most people have no idea about the secret I’m about to tell you, but more and more are learning about it each day. Have you ever wondered why there is so much talk these days about having good posture and enjoying vibrant health? Well, we are going to tell you. In fact, we are going to tell you some things about this amazing body of yours that you’ve probably never heard before. Things that could possibly transform your health. And some things that just might stop you from automatically running to the medicine cabinet. You probably already know that your body is an amazing creation. When you don’t feel well or have pain, your body is trying to tell you something. It’s giving you a warning signal. That sounds simple enough. But here’s what it means. When your car’s oil light comes on, it’s telling you that something isn’t right under the bonnet. What’s the solution? What would you think of a mechanic who tells you “stick a piece of sticky tape over that annoying light” or “reach under the dash and snip the feeding wire?” Insane! Of course you wouldn’t do that. You’d find a new mechanic. Suppose you have a headache. So you take some sort of painkiller. Maybe the headache eases a little. If it does, has the drug done anything to correct the cause? Not a chance. The only thing that drug has done is cover up the pain. You’ve eliminated the oil light but you haven’t fixed the engine. So the problem will keep coming back until it is addressed properly, or just stops working altogether. We have worked with hundreds of people who have been in that boat. We are sure you can relate to this. In fact, maybe you are in that situation right now. People want options. We find that people are thinking more these days. They are sick and tired of just having their pain or symptoms covered up with drugs. They want options and they want the truth. And, they want to save money whilst doing so. As a result, we see all sorts of people with all sorts of problems.

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People come to us for help and advice with headaches, migraines, chronic back pain, neck pain, shoulder/arm pain, whiplash from car accidents, asthma, allergies, numbness in the limbs, colic, bedwetting, stomach problems, sports injuries, and fatigue, just to name a few. Several times a day people thank us for helping them with their health problems. But we can’t take the credit. We have never healed or cured anyone of anything. What we have done is shared with them the secret… So what is it that people are learning that can improve their heath and save them thousands? They are learning that it is just plain smart to focus on correcting their poor posture, addressing the cause of their health issues, and implementing strategies to improve their health first, before taking other measures (like covering warning lights up, snipping the feeding wire or ignoring the problem altogether). Poor posture is a lifetime scenario for most people. A lot of health practitioners talk about the importance of having good posture, and know that poor posture is bad and good posture is good. But few can offer assistance towards the long term correction of poor posture. Having your mum or nanna, or someone else ell at you to “stand up straight” is all well and good, but what if you can’t? Continual poor posture could be costing you thousands! Nobel Prize winners and brain researchers state that “over 90% of the brain’s energy is tied up in relating the body to gravity. The more postural problems that exist the less energy one has for thinking, metabolizing and healing”. Other researchers have found that “just the weight of a 5 cent coin pressing against a nerve can shut down that nerve’s function by up to 60%. ”If you or a loved one is needlessly suffering from poor posture or other health issues, you have another option. It all begins with a thorough history and consultation, including a complete spinal exam, vital nerve testing and specific weight-bearing x-rays, if indicated. Normally this evaluation would cost $210. However, through this special offer, you can receive this complete evaluation for just $45. Because of the response expected, we can only guarantee availability for the first 20 people who call and schedule for an appointment.

BODY BRILLIANT WELLNESS CENTRE www.bodybrilliantchiropractic.com Call 5522 7422 for an appointment Suite 3, 170 Gooding Drive Carrara

CONTeNTS October/November 2010 26

6 Welcome to

Kids on the Coast

FEATURE Are you a workaholic? 3

WELCOME

WHAT’S NEWS

FEATURE When work overshadows life

10 CHECK THIS OUT 14 THE “P” FILES The importance of play

19 NEW TO THE COAST Editing our feature article caused me much self-reflection this week because it coincided with my daughter saying “you never have time to come into my classroom anymore”. I had been excusing myself with pressures of work, my own business, moving my mum into a nursing home and being a single mum, but her words reminded me that my most treasured role is as her parent. So am I a workaholic? Maybe. It’s possible kids feel the same over-scheduled pressure we do. Extracurricular activities and homework can gobble their free time and we discuss these issues in our Education and P Files sections. By filling their free time with structured learning, perhaps we are training the next generation of workaholics. At Kids on the Coast we don’t aim to prescribe our own beliefs about parenting, but simply give you cause for thought. Sometimes we need a little reminder to slow down (and allow our kids to do the same). For one, I have taken the hint. Sarah Pye, Editor www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

20 WHAT’S ON CALENDAR The Kids on the Coast guide to October / November

22 EDUCATION

36 HEALTH

Homework: Headache or helpful?

26 BABIES ON THE COAST Postnatal depression: an update

30 PARENT PROFILE Kim McCosker’s recipe for success

Healthy eating habits

37 REVIEWS AND COMPETITIONS 38 KIDS ON THE COAST DIRECTORY

32 PARENTVILLE The ‘S’ word

Find us on Facebook

32 HAPPY HOLIDAYS Once in a lifetime trip to Kenya

34 LET’S CELEBRATE Family weddings

READ MORE ONLINE! www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Kids on the Coast magazine is printed with vegetable/soy based inks on paper supplied using pulp sourced from sustainable forests and manufactured to environmentally accredited systems. Kids on the Coast encourages recycling. Please keep this issue for future reference, pass onto your friends and family, use for craft projects or place into the recycling bin. PUBLISHED BY: THINGS 4 KIDS PTY LTD. PO Box 491, Eumundi QLD 4562 PHONE: 1300 430 320 FAX: 07 5476 6037 WEB: www.kidsonthecoast.com.au ABN: 86 473 357 391. All editorial in Kids on the Coast has been written in good faith based on material, verbal or written, provided by contributors. No responsibility is taken for errors or omissions and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. All material in Kids on the Coast is subject to copyright provisions. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Feedback/comments/suggestions? Send to: editorial@kidsonthecoast.com.au We aim to reply to all correspondence but don’t guarantee to do so. Letters to the editor may be edited for length or clarity. PUBLISHER: Toni Eggleston ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER: Simone Bell EDITOR: Sarah Pye EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS: Maxine Arthur, Katharine Bogard, Kim Lahey, Meghan Halverson, Fran Maguire, Cindy Mayes, Jane O’Hare, Scott Parsons, Sandra Smith ADVERTISING: For advertising enquiries please phone Tanya Ryan on 1300 430 320 or email: advertising@kidsonthecoast.com.au LOCAL BUSINESS DIRECTORY: Speak with your advertising coordinator or email: advertising@kidsonthecoast.com.au Production Department: Email: production@kidsonthecoast.com.au ADMINISTRATION: Kellie Kruger DISTRIBUTION: Kids on the Coast (Gold Coast edition) is a free publication circulating over 25,000 copies from Coomera to Coolangatta. Separate editions covers the Sunshine Coast and Townsville. For distribution enquiries please phone: 1300 430 320 or email: admin@kidsonthecoast.com.au FRONT COVER: Andrea Sproxton LOCATION: Strawberry Fields GRAPHIC DESIGN: Michelle Craik, Leisa Jones

october / NOVEMBER 2010 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

S ' WHAT

NeWS GRANDPARENTS GET THEIR SPECIAL DAY IN NOVEMBER Nannas and Grandpas will now be honoured with their very own special day, with the Premier announcing that Queensland will hold its very first Grandparent’s Day on November 7. With around 14,000 families in Australia now relying on grandparents as the main carer for their children, Grandparents Day is a chance for grandchildren, children and the community to say thanks for their love and support.

EVIAN BABIES CAUSE YO

UTUBE SENSATION

Haven’t heard of the Evian roller-skating babies? The 60-second advertisement mineral water company Evia for bottled n appears on YouTube fea turing cute babies in vests nappies perform skate par and k stunts to the hip-hop bac king track and rap lyrics. The part of Evian’s ‘Live Young’ ad, international TV and web campaign, has become a with almost 4 million view sensation s. There is now even a ran ge of limited edition t-shirts!

KIDS ALIVE PANTO PROMOTES WATER SAFETY Laurie Lawrence’s Kids Alive Do the Five pantomime will be seen by an extra 16,500 children in South East Queensland, thanks to a $227,000 from the Federal Government in a bid to reduce the number of child drowning deaths. The show teaches school kids about the five steps of water safety: fence the pool, shut the gate, learn to swim, be supervised and learn how to resuscitate. Founder Laurie Lawrence said “it is absolutely achievable to have zero drowning fatalities among children.” The show has visited more than 225,000 students since the year 2000. To find out more, visit: www.kidsalive.com.au

KINDY KIDS GET PHYSICAL More than 300 Gold Coast children aged 3-5 years are getting healthy and active, as part of the Healthy Active Kindy exercise program run by personal trainers at 10 local childcare centres. Healthy Life Clinic Director Marco Renai said the program aimed to improve coordination, enhance balance, teach team work and reinforce the importance of being active from a very young age. Kids enjoyed playing with hula hoops, soft balls and doing simple activities. Childcare director Renee Berry said the children absolutely loved it. “We were hearing children talk about how they play sport on their WII games, but now we see them playing the games they learn in the playground,” Ms Berry said.

DID YOU KNOW?

DOES THE COAST HAVE QUEENSLAND’S CLEANEST BEACH? Keep Australia Beautiful is encouraging locals to show the nation how they sustainably care for Gold Coast’s iconic beaches and foreshores. The Clean Beaches competition applauds heroes who prevent litter, protect the environment, manage waste, save water or preserve heritage and culture. Queensland’s Cleanest Beach will be eligible to compete for the title of Australia’s Cleanest Beach. To find out more, visit: www.kabq.org.au.

Men are six times more likely to be struck by lightning than women ad lice An infestation of he s is called pediculosi

KiDs on tHe CoAst – october / NOVEMBER 2010

Tuesday is the most popular day for babies to make their arrival into the world www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

Brad Hutchinson – Audiologist / Speech Pathologist

Claire Corbitt – Occupational Therapist

leven year old Max began to fall behind at school in and the information wasn’t getting through. It wasn’t until year three. Up until then, he was doing fairly well - his he had some specialised tests that we found out that he teachers reported that he was a good boy in class and his had an underlying learning problem. reading was coming along nicely. However, in year three he “Max participated in a cognitive training program called began to struggle to pay attention and do what he was told, Fast ForWord and I couldn’t have imagined how much it and all of a sudden he was behind in reading, spelling and would help him. His teacher has noticed a huge improvement writing. in his behaviour, his ability to follow instructions, his capacity Brad Hutchinson – Audiologist / Speech Pathologist Claire Corbitt – Occupational Therapist This came as a real surprise to his parents since Max had to keep up in class and his grades are a lot better. He’s a always been a bright child. Max’s mum Lisa shares his story: different boy altogether in that he’s happy to go to school until he had some specialised tests that we found out that he had an underlying Eleven-year-old Max began to fall behind at school in Year 3. Up until then, he “As a child, Max was a thinker and we couldn’t believe some andlearning we’veproblem. noticed a big improvement in his self-esteem. was doing fairly well - his teachers reported that he was a good boy in class and of the things he would say. He seemed to have a level of “The reason we chose to put Max on the Fast ForWord his reading was coming along nicely. However, in Year 3 he began to struggle “Max participated in a cognitive training program called Fast ForWord and I wisdom that was beyond we expected him in program is because it’s not just another tutoring program. to pay attention and do what he his wasyears. told, andI guess all of a sudden he was behind couldn’t have imagined how much it would help him. His teacher has noticed a reading, spelling and writing.without any problems. to sail through school The program really got him to think and concentrate and huge improvement in his behaviour, his ability to follow instructions, his capacity “My husband and Itoput his learning down to he enjoyed doing it because as far as he was concerned, he This came as a real surprise his parents since Max problems had always been a bright to keep up in class and his grades are a lot better. He’s a different boy altogether Max being a boy. I guess we thought that he was just being was playing fun computer games. I can’t thisin his child. Max’s mum Lisa shares his story: “As a child, Max was a thinker and we in that he’s happy to go to school and we’ve noticedrecommend a big improvement couldn’t of the he would say. He seemed to started have a leveltoof program lazy andbelieve he’dsome catch upthings in his own time. But we enough.” self-esteem. wisdom athat was beyond years,” she when says, ” I guess we expected him to sail worry year and ahishalf later he was even further The award winning Fast ForWord programme is suitable “The reason we chose to put Max on the Fast ForWord program is because it’s through school without any problems. behind and it was really affecting his self esteem. He didn’t for almost all primary and high school students, particularly not just another tutoring program. The program really got him to think and “My husband I put his learning down tointo Max trouble being a boy. I guess those want to go and to school and heproblems was getting more needing learning boost. concentrate anda he enjoyed doing it because as far as he was concerned, he was we thought that he was just being lazy and he’d catch up in his own time. But and more frequently. If playing your child is struggling school like Max to,enough.” contact fun computer games. at I can’t recommend this used program we“He started worry a year a halfwhich later when he wasaeven didtotutoring forand a year, helped bit, further but it behind didn’tand Sonic Learning’s team of health and education professionals The award winning Fast ForWord program is suitable for almost all primary and it was really affecting his self esteem. He didn’t want to go to school and he was hit the nail on the head. We could see that something was nowhigh onschool 1800students, 188 338 to book a free demonstration or to particularly those needing a learning boost. getting into trouble more and more frequently. holding Max back. It was like he had a traffic jam in his head discuss how to change your child’s life.

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october / NOVEMBER 2010 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

FEATURE

When work overshadows the rest rest of of life life the overshadows When work by Fran Maguire

You’re finding you or your partner spending more and more time at work at the expense of family time. What’s the answer? The Australian lifestyle is famed for its laid-back nature and in Queensland that often appears to be the case. It might surprise you then that a 2007 survey by the International Labour Organisation found that 20% of workers in Australia work more than 48 hours per week (that’s third highest in the developed world and perhaps surprisingly, more than in the US).

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People work long hours for all sorts of reasons: simply to make ends meet, to maintain a preferred lifestyle for the family, because it’s an overtime requirement or they hold a belief that long hours prove they are doing a ‘good’ job. Pam, a 36-year-old full-time mum thinks it is something else. She says her husband, Phil, lives for his work at the exclusion of everything else. “Over the past few years the time he spends on work has become more and more – it invades every part of our lives,” she says. Pam and Phil have been married for 12 years and she says long work hours didn’t affect their early days together. “We were both in full-time work then and we just moved seamlessly between work and time together,” she explains.

You know you’re a workaholic when…

“We were building our life, getting a home together and enjoying ourselves, all of those things.

You’ve started taking your laptop to bed

Now we just seem to be further and further apart – all he thinks about is work.”

You find yourself driving to work when you’re headed somewhere else

Working long hours when needed shouldn’t be confused with an addiction to work.

Your family feign shock when you’re home in time for dinner

Some of us work long hours, some or all of the time, but when we get home we are able to turn our attention to the other parts of our lives and can happily leave work behind us. A workaholic is not able to make that distinction. They work, or think about work, not because they’re forced to, but because they need, or choose, to. This obsession with work can have negative effects on home life, as Pam attests to. She says she is starting to resent more and more the way in which Phil continually turns his attention to work.

Your kids look confused when you get home

You’ve been caught again sneaking a look at your Blackberry Your dreams are about work Your boss is number one on your speed dial You’re always wondering how you can get back to work You’re sure the world will end if you’re not available to work Your partner gets dinner delivered to your desk

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october / NOVEMBER 2010 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

FEATURE “A workaholic needs to ask themselves ‘why am I working so hard?’, ‘who am I trying to please?’, ‘what am I needing to prove?’ and ‘is this a healthy way of doing it?’” “I often go to the kids’ events on my own now,” she says. “Our eldest just accepts that more often than not Daddy won’t be coming.” She and Phil are increasingly having disagreements about the time he spends focused on work.“I know much of it is that he wants to provide a good lifestyle for all of us,” she says, “but some days I just want our old life back.” Being work addicted isn’t just the domain of those in paid employment. Full-time mum Danielle was shocked when she drew up her weekly schedule.“I just don’t stop from morning until night,” she says. Danielle’s two children are aged seven and five and she says since her eldest started school she’s become more and more busy. “My day is book-ended by the school runs,” she says, “but I’m always busy during the day and in the evenings too.” Danielle has become involved with what she says is an ever-increasing number of school committees and projects.“I help in pre-school with remedial reading and writing and another class with maths, I’m involved with the P&C and the environmental sub-committee and the canteen working party,” she says. These days when I take the girls to school I find I’m trying to hide. “There’s always someone wanting to get me involved in something else. I think I’m seen as someone who will get involved.” As well as attending committee meetings at school, Danielle is often there working on projects in the gardens and she’s actively involved in its waste management initiatives. Between all those activities she squeezes in housework, shopping and out-of-school activities.“I don’t stop until at least eight o’clock at night,” she says, “and all day I’m rushing from one thing to the next.” Danielle can’t believe she’s recently started up a gardening business with a friend. “Right now it’s just one morning a week, but if that gets bigger then I’ll need a rethink.” What about time for herself and family time? “I have a personal trainer twice a week, that’s really important,” she says, “and I plan in a couple of hours to spend with my friends each week. “The girls have a couple of things on Saturdays that I get them to, but the rest of our weekend is time we spend all together whenever we can.” Danielle says the way she manages her very full schedule is by having a strict structure.“My days are mapped out around my commitments at school,” she says. “I just want to know I’m doing things that are making the girls’ life better and making their surroundings better too. “That’s why the environmental committee is important. “I do feel I’m on a fairground ride that never stops some days, and the girls have to be a bit regimented. What drives people to spend more and more time focused on work? Life coach Marc de Bruin looks at work addiction in a personality-based context. He says there’s nothing wrong with being a workaholic as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone else.

KiDs on tHe CoAst – october / NOVEMBER 2010

“An issue of work-life balance only comes up when something goes wrong,” he says. “When life gets out of whack, then you need to do something.” Marc works with his clients using AusIDentities’ temperament types. AusIdentities give a distinctly Australian nature to four personality types; Wombat, Kangaroo, Eagle and Dolphin. He says it is underlying values, dictated by type, that drive behaviours. “Take the Wombat,” he says. “The values that drive this temperament are duty and responsibility which can lead to self-sacrifice.” “Personal success for many, not all Wombats, is usually around providing for the family and living up to the expectations of others, work or non-work related and they will persist with that even if it’s not good for them.” For this temperament, he says, the norm is to achieve belonging and acceptance and the Wombat will work hard towards that. Marc says the Eagle is driven by perfectionism and generally, no matter what they do, nothing is good enough.“The Eagle has a need for things to be done better and they can’t stop until it’s right,” Marc says. “Of course, it’s never right.” Kangaroos constantly need to do more to get better results more quickly and are motivated by instant gratification.“They’re more sensory, for a Kangaroo life revolves around making an impact,” Marc says. “They need to experience life in terms of results.”

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

HAVE YOUR SAY, COMMENT AT www.kidsonthecoast. com.au Lastly, a Dolphin’s sense of self-worth is normally related to how they portray themselves to others, they need acknowledgement.“They have a constant hunger for knowledge too,” Marc says. “Dolphins can become stuck in a world of constant learning.” Recognising behaviours, Marc says, is the first step in self-awareness. “A workaholic needs to ask themselves ‘why am I working so hard?’, ‘who am I trying to please?’, ‘what am I needing to prove?’ and ‘is this a healthy way of doing it?’” Marc says if you don’t like the results of long work hours, look at the values driving them. Daring to admit that something might be wrong can take a lot of guts and redressing the balance isn’t necessarily easy. “A change might involve a reduction in working hours,” Marc says. “It doesn’t need to be drastic.” “You can do that gradually and look at different ways of using free time, spending it with the family or on yourself.” What would Marc say to someone in Pam’s position? “Get together and discuss what each of you want and don’t want from your relationship, the positives and negatives,” he says. “List them, see where the differences are and how to approach them. “Find a workable medium for how to bring the results you want, and keep the conversation going. “The most important thing is to keep an open and honest line of communication going.”

Putting life in balance Identify real and attainable short term goals that will bring your life closer into balance Don’t try to go it alone. You need the support of your family, friends and workplace Set boundaries between your work space and personal space Consider your employer’s position and approach them with practical and reasonable ways to achieve a better and mutually beneficial balance ADVERTISEMENT/LOCAL BUSINESS PROFILE

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Mother Wolves feed before Cubs Medical Sanctuary naturopath Cassi Cowlam encourages her clients with young children to think like a wolf. With all the work involved in raising children, mums tend to forget about themselves. “A mother wolf knows if she is under nourished and fatigued she is unable to provide for her cubs.” Cassi says the workload of being a mum can “lead to physical health problems such as hormonal imbalances, weight gain and immune deficiencies”. The Medical Sanctuary specialises in women’s and children’s health issues, including hormones, stress and reduced immunity. The Sanctuary’s holistic philosophy uses good nutrition and herbal medicine to develop wellness plans specifically customised for each client’s unique needs. So, bring renewed energy to your life and think like a wolf! Phone 5564 5013.

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K C e CH

THIS OUT

Homespun tunes

If the Wiggles and Hi-5 have been making your kids hyperactive, the Gold Coast’s Nadia Sunde has created a calming alternative. Homespun is a 14 track CD with original words and music written by this mum of two. The music has gentle tones, making it suitable for the gradual wind down for sleep time. The songs have simple rhythms, and an easy sing-along feel. Nadia’s songs can be purchased on iTunes for $1.69 each. Nadia’s songs can be purchased on iTunes for $1.69 each, or purchase the album at Borders Bookstore, Robina Town Centre Drive, Robina or visit www.nadiasunde.com

Vegies can be fun

The veggies you see in the grocery department are chosen for popularity but, wild and wonderful organic veggie seeds are still available. Raise Derik the Dragon Carrot or Lucy Lettuce from seedlings and reap the goodness. This little brown paper bag will give you and your little farmer all the information you need about which crops grow well with one another, how to plant, nurture and when to harvest. RRP $4.50. Dig into them at 783 Tallebudgera Creek Road, Tallebudgera Valley or www.heirloomorganicseedlings.com

Tactile baby

Now, I know I’m not the target market for these baby beads, but I have to admit I couldn’t let them go! Rather like stress balls, you can roll them through your fingers, clack them together and generally de-stress. Babies can do the same, plus chew the non-toxic bright colours. Such a simple, yet appealing design and makes a great shower present for the stylish baby. RRP $24 Available in natural or colours at www.urbanbaby.com.au

KiDs on tHe CoAst – october / NOVEMBER 2010

our guide to interesting & essential bits & pieces Easy Asian

Teaching your kids to hold cutlery in each palm was difficult, let alone attempting two pieces in one hand! Now there is a simple solution, where two chopsticks become one. A rubber figurine holds the chopsticks together at one end making the pincer motion easy for your child to grasp. The chopstick slips neatly into the bowl lid, which doubles as a plate. Brightly coloured with an eye-catching pattern this set is sure to bring ease and fun to the dinner table. RRP$24.95 a set. Available at www.urbanbaby.com.au

Foiled throwers

Your toddler may no longer have the satisfaction of throwing their cutlery to the floor when using the Groovy Gripper, but you’ll never have to crawl under the table again for that elusive spoon. The Groovy gripper attaches to the child’s clothing with a clip and string, and can be transformed from a fork to a spoon and even a rusk holder. RRP $24.90. Available from Bubs Baby Shop, Hope Island Road and Helensvale, or Hurley Burley Toys, The Brickworks Centre, Ferry Road, Southport. See how it works at www.groovygripper.com.au

Making faces at the table

You’ve already recognised the seemingly endless entertainment that decorating a meat pie with tomato sauce holds, so why stop there? Microwave and dishwasher safe, this plate allows the parent or child to decorate a face – with food! Make each meal exciting with a different face to create and eat. If mashed potato is not appealing, perhaps a white-haired grandpa would be easier to swallow. RRP $16.50. Discover this Food Face at www.urbanbaby.com.au

Self-warming bottles

In this era of eating on the run, it’s about time food products became simple for baby too. Now you can warm his or her bottles without a microwave! Organic warming cartridges enable iiamoGo baby bottles to self-heat, so milk is stored at the optimum temperature of 37 degrees Celsius. The bottles meet international safety standards and are BPA and phthalates free. RRP $49.95, warming cartridges $14.95 for a 6 pack. Find them at Nappy Supplies, Paradise Avenue, Miami, Gold Coast or visit www.ittybittygreenie.com.au www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

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Exceptional Education Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School on the Gold Coast has been a leading school for 30 years, providing your child with a diverse education and enabling them to become a well-rounded individual. Lindisfarne covers co-educational schooling at preschool/kindergarten through to Grade 12. School Principal, Chris Duncan says Lindisfarne has forged a strong reputation as being “the ‘all rounder school’ where every student has the opportunity to achieve their own personal best in a wide range of academic, vocational, sporting, cultural, spiritual and co-curricular activities within a supportive and values rich learning environment”.

The school has also incorporated an Apple Macintosh computer platform. The school is currently enrolling students for its Kindergarten (equivalent to Prep in Queensland) for 2011 and encourages prospective parents to contact the school. To arrange your personal tour and discover the campus and schoolyard life at Lindisfarne Grammar, telephone 5590 5090 or visit the website www.lindisfarne.nsw.edu.au

Ranked in the top 100 Australian schools by The Australian newspaper for outstanding literacy results in the Grade 7 and 9 NAPLAN tests, your child’s exceptional educational experience at Lindisfarne will continue throughout their academic career This outcome is evidently the result of Lindisfarne’s high academic standards and teaching practices. “Parents entrust their children into our community because we provide quality education complemented by a pastoral care program that nurtures personal, social and academic wellbeing,” Chris says. Director of marketing and enrolments David Stonier says the school has recently embarked on a $4 million building program to expand its current science, library, sporting and performing arts facilities. “This ensures that students have a state-of-the-art learning environment to assist in progressing towards their future career pathway,” he says.

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We’re taking Australia by storm

Oasis Homewares has taken Australia by storm… Hundreds of Oasis parties are taking place throughout suburbs each week! by Sharon Barclay Managing Director Oasis Homewares

asis Homewares revolutionises shopping.

After 20 years in the fashion industry as a designer Sharon Barclay, founder and managing director of Oasis Homewares, saw an opportunity to carry the fashion trends into homewares. The concept was born when she was shopping with friends for a wedding present and was obnoxiously ignored and asked “not to touch”. A light bulb went off in Sharon’s head and she wondered “Why not bring shopping for homewares into the home?” From that thought, Oasis was born. What started as a mere idea has turned into a fruitful business for not only Sharon, but her many representatives. Oasis Homewares has quadrupled in the last seven years and is getting bigger and better even during these tough economic times. The business enables busy people to shop in their own homes, with a group of friends and a glass of wine - no queues, no traffic, and no parking problems! Sharon and her team travel the world to bring back the latest exciting designer homewares which Sharon then develops within her factories (mainly based in Vietnam). The new Oasis Spring/ Summer 2010 catalogue has just been launched and it’s packed with delectable products perfect for Queensland. The Oasis consultants have a genuine love and understanding of their product. “Imagine having your own interior design consultant visit your home for free,” Sharon says. “Oasis products are fully coordinated and, with the help of a fully trained Oasis consultant, you and your friends can have a fabulous home makeover within a couple of hours. “Oasis offers amazing freebies and incentives for the hostess and customers,” she adds. Not only is Oasis a wonderful way to shop, but it also offers the perfect opportunity to mums wanting to get back in the workforce. The flexible hours enable them to fit work around their family schedule. Not only does this ensure quality time with their children, but also saves on potential high childcare costs. Eighty percent of Oasis consultants have young families with varying motivations for joining the dynamic Oasis team. Some just want to get out of the house and stop the ‘Wiggles’ talk, others want to gain self confidence and meet new people while having fun at the same time. “Most of all, they are interested in earning an income to supplement the family budget,” Sharon says. Sharon loves watching her fabulous consultants not only grow their own business but also grow as people. “I have a great working relationship with all the girls and they become one big family with the same vision and goals,” she says. To find out more, visit www.oasishomewares.com

KiDs on tHe CoAst – october / NOVEMBER 2010

I just love watching our fabulous consultants not only grow their own business but also grow people. I have a great working relationship with all the girls and we just become one big family with the same visions and goals. Oasis Homewares empowers women and gives recognition. Here are just a couple of stories from two of our consultants.

Cheryl, NSW I have worked for Oasis for over three years. Before Oasis I worked in a club for 10 years where I was made redundant when the club went bankrupt. I have three children aged four, six and 17 and I had to find a way to make an income that would fit in with my husband and the kids. Oasis has turned out to be the best thing, career-wise, that has ever happened to me. I absolutely love the work, it’s easy and the products are gorgeous and so easy to sell. I have never had any problems getting party bookings as everyone loves Oasis so much and there are no other party plan companies out there like it. I had done a party plan about 12 years ago and the problem was that I had to order, pack and deliver everything myself. Oasis is much easier – all I do is the part I love best – the parties – Oasis does the rest! I am making more money than I have ever in my life. I have 32 girls on my team and am earning an average of $900 and $1100 per week for around 20 hours work. (That’s approx $55/hr!) As well as my amazing income in this short time I have also won fabulous prizes to the value of approx $10,000 which includes dinners, a weekend stay at the Sydney Hilton Hotel, various pamper packages and a holiday to Port Douglas and another to New Zealand for the whole family! I looked into different party plan companies before joining the Oasis team and I think by far that this is the best party plan around, especially with my passion for homewares. You can work when it suits you and your family and make huge dollars doing it. If anyone is thinking of getting into the party plan business I definitely recommend Oasis. If I can accomplish all this – anyone can!

Bree, VIC Already working full time, I wanted to make some extra income but wanted something that didn’t really feel like work. After much research, I found that Oasis offered the best hostess and consultant rewards. I have now been with Oasis for over two years and have just won the Oasis top sales queen award, a trip to Hong Kong valued at $4000 and lots more! I also have a team of fantastic girls. I have been able to achieve all of this plus more while, not only still working fulltime but also living in a small town of only 1200. All my customers are overwhelmed by the freebies they receive and I never have trouble getting party bookings for this reason. I’m now doing something I really love, work the hours that suit me and get paid a fantastic commission to do it. www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

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Be in a business for yourself, but not by yourself! Work with the largest and most exciting Australian owned designer homewares party plan company. Visit www.oasishomewares.com or phone (02) 8399 0136 to find out more about your exciting new career in designer homewares that will suit your family’s lifestyle! Otherwise, why not book a party to find out first-hand what Oasis is all about.

www.oasishomewares.com october / NOVEMBER 2010 – KiDs on tHe CoAst 13 “The mobile designer homewares store that comes to your door”

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

THE ‘P’ Files

pLay The importance of

by Sandra Smith

Children are naturally curious, and every day is a new adventure. Simple things are a source of wonder and delight as our children explore the environment and learn about themselves, the world around them and their place in it.

Play is a vital part of our children’s healthy development and through play they acquire a range of competencies including independence, problem-solving, coordination and social skills. Psychologist Dr Rhiannon Penny says play should form a major part of children’s life, and it helps them develop confidence and resilience. “Play also assists with children’s imagination, flexible thinking and abstract reasoning,” Dr Rhiannon says. As parents we want to guide our children and we tend to ‘hover’ when they play, however, if the play is child-driven, they naturally engage in age-appropriate activities. Dr Rhiannon says supervision is important so children stay safe, but they also need personal space to play freely without adult intrusion, and parents need to step back and let their children take charge.

through free play, including creativity, the ability to interact with the world around them, social skills, conflict resolution, turn-taking, decision-making, self-expression and the ability to entertain themselves. “A large amount of free play time is important to the development of younger children’s social, cognitive, emotional, and physical well-being, while older children should also be afforded adequate downtime in their day where they are free to be kids,” Dr Rhiannon says.

Playgroup Queensland’s Maria Grigg says it’s about finding a balance between letting children do things for themselves and being actively involved with extending their play.“Allow kids to discover for themselves and be themselves, and make mistakes and learn things the hard way and explore,” she says.

The kind of play that children engage in depends on their age she explains. A baby’s play involves interaction with others and with simple objects, as they begin to develop gross and fine motor skills that enable more complex play. Until the age of two or three, children may engage in solitary play or parallel play where they play side-by-side with other children, or onlooker play where they observe other children’s activities.

Maria says that in a quality playgroup, the play is still child-led but parents learn how to help their children build on their experiences. “It’s quite tricky to not take over and think that as a parent you know best,” she says.

Associative play develops as children learn to engage with peers and interact with each other. By school-age, relationships with other children are the main focus, and they move into more structured cooperative play.

There are 1,300 playgroups in Queensland, and Maria says the majority of the playgroups are parent-led and run by volunteers. Affiliated playgroups meet weekly and provide a safe and supportive environment for families with young children.

Types of Play

Young children are likely to remain engaged in free play when parents take the time to sit and play alongside their children, while being careful not to direct or control the play, explains Dr Rhiannon. “This concept of ‘floor time’, during which a parent will intentionally spend at least 10-20 minutes each day playing alongside their child in an activity of the child’s choice is great in providing the child with quality parent time and fostering the parent-child relationship,” Dr Rhiannon advises. Spontaneous play gives children the opportunity to switch off and relax, without the pressure of structured extra-curricular activities. Children of all ages need time to engage in unstructured play, and Dr Rhiannon says children acquire many skills

KiDs on tHe CoAst – october / NOVEMBER 2010

Encouraging different kinds of play helps children acquire a range of skills needed for healthy growth. Dr Rhiannon suggests having a dress-up box to encourage dramatic play, craft supplies to inspire creative play, and arranging play dates for social play.

Creative PLaY

Activities like painting, craft activities and playing musical instruments help children express their individuality and activate their imagination Dr Rhiannon explains. “This self-expression also provides parents with the opportunity to learn about their child’s passions,” she says. www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

“Physical play assists in developing fine and gross motor skills, strengthening muscles, and is important in healthy development,” Dr Rhiannon explains.

A basic craft kit for creative play can include crayons, glue, paint, cardboard, beads and buttons, however, simple natural resources like sand, shells, twigs or leaves will also inspire creative play. Building a sandcastle or exploring rock pools at the beach are examples of active creative play that teach children problem-solving and resourcefulness. Dr Rhiannon says active creative play provides children with the benefits of physical exercise while also encouraging them to express themselves uniquely.

Dramatic Play

Fantasy play allows children to imagine what may be possible, and children can extend their world and explore different experiences in a safe way as they become completely immersed in ‘pretend’ characters through dressups and role-play. “Dramatic and creative play allows children to develop their imagination and creativity, and is important for cognitive development,” Dr Rhiannon says. “Children engage their imagination through role-playing and fantasy play, and learn different avenues for self-expression.” ‘Pretend’ can start at around 12 months of age, when children engage in simple games that resemble real-life activities.

Physical pLAy

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Social plaY

Board games are great for developing social skills, as children engage positively with family and friends. Cooperative outdoor games are another fun way to learn important social skills and resilience. Dr Rhiannon explains playing with other children helps with social and emotional development, as children learn to interact with each other and make friends.“Playing with peers also allows children to learn how to work in groups, share, negotiate, cooperate, and resolve conflicts,” she says. “Many opportunities to develop these skills in childhood can lead to the child being able to function more effectively as an adult.”

sensory pLay

Children explore colours, textures, shapes, sounds and smells through sensory play and activities can be as simple as making play dough shapes or beating a drum. “Sensory play is often associated with infancy and involves the engagement of different senses such as sound, movement, tactile, and visual experiences,” Dr Rhiannon says.

Crawling, running, jumping and throwing a ball are all activities that help with coordination and balance, and are an essential part of gross motor skills development, while playing in a sandpit or garden will improve fine motor skills. SC

Exercise is important for healthy, happy young minds, as it releases certain chemicals in the brain that help children feel calm and relaxed. There are many non-competitive and fun ways to engage in physical activity, whether it’s jumping on a trampoline, throwing a Frisbee or crawling through a tunnel at the local playground.

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Technological play

THE ‘P’ Files

Modern media and technology have removed the imaginative element from many of today’s play activities, and children often gravitate towards passive play options like the Xbox. Images and structures are provided, and children do not develop creative skills through this type of play, but they do learn other competencies. “Although passive play often requires little engagement of a child’s imagination and creative skills, it can offer benefits such as developing problem-solving, teaching strategy, and improving hand-eye coordination,” Dr Rhiannon says. She warns, however, that parents need to monitor the time their children spend playing electronic games. “As a general rule of thumb, a healthy guide for parents is to operate on a 2:1 ratio, for example, for every minute spent on the computer, play station, or watching TV, two minutes should be spent outside or engaging in other imaginative play activities,” she says.

Finding the balance Children may gravitate towards a specific type of play, for example, technological play, but they need to engage in all types of play, including physical and creative play, for their overall healthy development. Maria says play is the best way for children to learn, and having free time as well as structured activities is important. “Different children learn in different ways,”she says. Parents can help by creating appealing alternatives for their children and by encouraging all kinds of play. “Through balancing structured, unstructured, and intentional family-relation activities, we set our children up for physical, social, emotional, and cognitive benefits,” Dr Rhiannon says. ADVERTISEMENT/LOCAL BUSINESS PROFILE

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a Kids on the Coast advertising feature

Kicking goals Little Kickers Gold Coast has its eye on the soccer ball when teaching children in a fun atmosphere. At Little Kickers, your child is sure to achieve goals, whether it is coordination, confidence, interacting with others or just enjoying exercise. Little Kickers Gold Coast’s Abbey Madden explains, lessons are “informal yet professionally run training classes where enthusiastic boys and girls (2-5 years) are given a helping hand”. Little Kickers started in the United Kingdom and has passed the ball onto Australian shores. Now Australian owned and operated, Little Kickers Gold Coast uses approved “ground-breaking techniques” to introduce children to the sporting environment.

‘New to the Coast’ is a way in which Kids on the Coast can support new businesses that cater to Gold Coast parents and families. We think local kids and parents deserve just as much choice, style, fun, innovation and value for money as those living anywhere else. So if you agree, please join us in helping these new ventures to get off the ground by taking a look at what they’ve got to offer.

Trial a class for free when you call Abbey on (07) 5574 9027 or get the soccer ball rolling at www.littlekickers.com.au

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And if you’ve got a new business you want to spread the word on, let us know!

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October 1-3

SEASONS ON THE MOUNTAIN When/where: From 9am-4pm at Tamborine Mountain Spring is in the air and it’s time to soak up all the glory of what blooms this time of year in a lovely day trip up to Mt. Tamborine. Enjoy the galleries and shops as you make a day of it. Cost: $5 per garden and children are free Details: 5545 3334 or wwww.tmbotanicgardens.org.au

October 2

MOVIES BY THE SEA

BABY BOOT CAMP

When/where: From 6.30pm at Palm Beach Parklands, Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach What a beautiful spot to gather for movies under the stars and a picnic dinner (or get a takeaway). Get a group together and enjoy a relaxing night featuring the movie … Cost: Free Details: 5534 7999

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FAMILY FUN DAY AT CARRARA MARKETS When/where: From 7am-4pm at Carrara Markets, Cnr of Goodin Drive and Manchester Rd, Carrara It’s the 11th Anniversary Celebration of Carrara Markets and the biggest family fun day out yet! Enjoy free pony rides, face painting, merry-go-round, animal farm, entertainment and of course lots of shopping. Cost: Free entry and free activities for the kids Details: www.carraramarkets.com.au

October 8

When/where: From 10am-12noon at Macintosh Park, Gold Coast Hwy, Surfers Paradise The hunt is on…solve clues with the kids to find the chest filled with treasure! The kids will love the adventure and of course hanging-out with you. Cost: Free Details: Bookings are required for this Active and Healthy GC program. Phone Kids Quest on 0414 861 428.

When/where: From 5.30pm-10pm at Mudgeeraba Showgrounds, Crn Mudgeeraba and Worongary Roads, Mudgeeraba A night out at the rodeo featuring saddle, bare-back rides, barrel races and open bull rides. There will be country fun for the kids including entertainment and comedy routines with the animals. Cost: TBC Details: 5530 2754

October 9

October 10

When/where: From 6pm at Kurrawa Park, Old Burleigh Rd, Broadbeach BYO blanket and picnic and sit back under the stars to enjoy Opera in the park. Past performers of Phantom of the Opera will be showcased as well as the Australian Youth Chamber Choir. Cost: Free Details: www.broadbeachgc.com

When/where: From 9am-2pm at the Gold Coast Arts Centre, 130 Bundall Rd, Surfers Paradise New to the Coast, this boutique market is for families with children from newborns to teens. Check out works of art from selected vendors and handcrafted clothing, toys, bedding, accessories and much more. Find one-of-akind stylish items for the kids in a spacious family-friendly indoor venue. Cost: Free entry Details: www.thebutterflytree.com.au

BROADBEACH OPERA IN THE PARK ALL OUR VENUES ARE INDOORS

October 3

FAMILY TREASURE HUNT ADVENTURE

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OCT

Special Events CalendaR

MUDGEERABA RODEO

BUTTERFLY TREE MARKET

BRISBANE – Sunday October 10 Clem Jones Centre, Zahel St, Carina

GOLD COAST – Sunday October 17 Runaway Bay Indoor Stadium, Sports Dve, Runaway Bay

NTH GOLD COAST – Sunday November 21 Upper Coomera State College Stadium, 137 Reserve Rd, Upper Coomera (take Dreamworld exit from M1)

Stallholder enquiries contact Karren 0433 831 140 or email info@zero2five.com.au

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Preschoolers Love Little Ninjas Ages 4 through 6 are the most important years of your child’s development. Our specialised age specific Little Ninja program offers you a curriculum that will target your child’s key areas of development, giving them a great start in life. Focus ✔ Balance ✔ Discipline ✔ Fitness ✔ Control ✔ Teamwork✔ Co-ordination ✔ Memory ✔

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October 11

October 14

When/where: From 7am-11am at Palm Beach Parklands, Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach There will be events for the whole family to conquer with 5km runs, ocean swims and even a 150m swim and a 1km beach run for the little ones. Cost: $20 and free for spectators Details: 5522 5534 or visit www.easport.info

When/where: 11am and 1pm at the Gold Coast Arts Centre, 130 Bundall Rd, Surfers Paradise What a fairy fantastic day for the kids – dress up and enjoy the Fairies from the popular TV show in concert. See Harmony, Rhapsody, Barnaby, Elf and Minuet bring their classic songs to life. Cost: $23.50 Details: 1300 633 022 or visit www.thefairies.com

October 16

October 22-24

When/where: 10am - 4.00pm at Biggera Waters State School, Morala Avenue, Biggers Waters A great day for all the family with rides, entertainment, baby animal petting area, food, stalls and lots more. Cost: Free Details: 5537 1033

When/where: Gates open approx 8am daily in Surfers Paradise Car lovers rejoice that the ultimate V8 supercar series is here. Exciting racing by day and rock by night with concerts like Empire of the Sun, Sneaky Sound System and more. Cost: Tickets range from $39-$136 for a three-days pass and children under 12 are free Details: www.goldcoast600.com.au

BEACH FESTIVAL

BIGGERA WATERS STATE SCHOOL FAIR

THE FAIRIES

ARMOR ALL GOLD COAST 600

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OCT-NOV A calendar of regular weekly events is available online. For details of playgroups, library activities, weekly sporting events, craft classes, Australian Breastfeeding Association meeting times and much more, visit www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

October 24

MAD SPORTS When/where: From 10am-11am at Highland Reserve Parklands, Rose Valley Drive, Upper Coomera A fun and energetic way to spend the morning with the whole family. Try your hand at some mad sports like soft rockets, scoop ball, noodle hockey, relays, water soakers and lots of ball games. Get active and have heaps of fun DTD_TS_GoldCoast_125x97mmv2.ai 10/5/10 5:30:26 PM along the way. Cost: Free Details: 0431 323 076 or email info@madsports.com.au. DON’T Bookings required. MISS OUT!

October 30

DOROTHY THE DINOSAUR’S TRAVELLING SHOW When/where: 10am at the Gold Coast Arts Centre, 130 Bundall Rd, Surfers Paradise Our favourite dinosaur is in town with a brand new show. Dorothy has her own plane and travels around the world in search of the perfect rose to make the best ever rosy cake! Sing and dance along to one of your Wiggly favourite friends. Cost: $20 Details: www.gcac.com.au

October 31

October 31-November 7

When/where: Southport Sharks, Cnr. Musgrave & Olsen Avenues, Southport Kids Scariest Dress Competition, Mr Sharky & Fairy Face Painter, Live Entertainment - Deluxe Trio Cost: $26 Members $29 Non-Members Halloween Buffet Prices *Bookings essential Details: 5532 1155 or www.southportsharks.com.au

When/where: O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat, Canungra It’s the 33rd Annual Bird Week and a great time to head to the bush and check out over 200 species of birds. You can enjoy guided walks, four wheel drive excursions, lectures and spotlighting. Cost: Phone for package details Details: 1800 688 722 or visit www.oreillys.com.au

Halloween family night

BIRD WEEK

SAT 30th OCT

The Arts Centre Gold Coast For tickets phone (07)7 5588 4000 November

October 31 & November 28

or visit www.theartscentregc.com.au

SPLASHTASTIC FUN

MAD SPORTS

When/where: from 10am-1pm at Harley Park, Marine Official Partners: Parade, Labrador. From 10am-1pm at Palm Beach Parklands, Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach November 28 You won’t be able to hold the kids back from cooling off and playing on this inflatable water park. Bounce on the trampolines, balance your way across the water rolls and have a ball splish-splashing around. Make sure your kids are sun safe and pack a picnic Cost: Free Details: bookings@vertecadventure.com.au

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*Booking fee applies to online bookings When/where: From 10am-11.30am at Justins Park, The Esplanade (meet at southern end of markets), Burleigh A fun and energetic way to spend the morning with the whole family. Try your hand at some mad sports like soft rockets, scoop ball, noodle hockey, relays, water soakers and lots of ball games. Get active and have heaps of fun along the way. Cost: Free Details: 0431 323 076 or email info@madsports.com.au. Bookings required

November 12-13

KIRRA SURFSTOCK When/where: In and around Kirra Beach Support the Kirra community and celebrate surf culture while raising awareness for coastal management. There will be surfing, music and bikini parades. Cost: Free Details: www.kirrasurfstock.com.au

21 November 21

November 21

When/where: From 10am-6pm at Kirra Beach, Musgrave Street, Kirra. Plus a night event on November 20 from 6pm-9pm. Enjoy the inaugural Kirra Kite Festival showcasing the area’s natural beauty with a fun interactive kite experience. There will be music and yummy food during the day and check out the night markets and night sky diving on Saturday. Cost: Free Details: www.kirrakitefestival.com

When/where: From 9am-12noon at the Upper Coomera State College, 137 Reserve Rd, Upper Coomera (take Dreamworld exit from M1) The Ultimate Market for your children’s needs! A huge range of pre-loved baby, maternity and kids’ goods from prams to cots and toys and books to clothes and shoes. In amongst the bargain hunting, there will be something fun for the kids too like a jumping castle or face painting. Cost: Entry is $3 and kids are free Details: www.zero2five.com.au

KIRRA KITE FESTIVAL

ZERO TO FIVE MARKET – COOMERA

November 24

MUMZ WITH BUBZ MORNING TEA When/where: From 9.30am-10.30am at Birch Carroll Coyle Cinema, Australia Fair, Marine Pde, Southport A great morning out for mums to connect with other mums, enjoy a flick, complimentary morning tea and the expertise of a guest speaker. Movie TBC. Cost: free for members/cost of a movie for guests Details: Register at www.australiafair.com.au and RSVP to 5556 6600

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

Calendar compiled by www.savvymama.com.au. Sign up for weekly updates on their website. october / NOVEMBER 2010 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

education

Homework: headache or helpful? by Maxine Arthur

“Homework should be abolished” is a popular topic for school debates, guaranteed to inspire lively argument and the faint hope the teacher might agree. Until recently it’s not a proposition teachers or parents have entertained seriously, believing that “practice makes perfect” and with more practice comes a higher level of academic achievement. But this assumption is now being questioned, particularly for primary school students. Parents want their children to succeed in school but many believe after-school time might be better used spending quality time with the family, pursuing interests such as music and sport, or simply playing.

KiDs on tHe CoAst – OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2010

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

Can I go out to play? In the mid 1980s a US Government report Nation at Risk reported that American children were not achieving at expected levels. Political and parental pressure on schools to improve standards intensified. Teachers were expected to cover more material in greater depth within the same school hours. One solution was to increase the amount of homework and, over the years, the pressure to achieve filtered down to the earliest years of schooling with homework increased – even for the very young. The University of Michigan found that the amount of homework expected of 6-9 year olds had tripled between 1981 and 1997. Eventually, American parents began to question the cost of “the more homework the better” approach as the cracks began to appear in family relationships due to homework stress.

Australian schools rethink homework Australian schools started down the same path about the mid ’90s, piling on the homework. In 2004, consultant adolescent psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg called for a review of homework practices in Australia. “The reality is that homework, as currently constituted in primary schools, is a largely ineffective and overly burdensome practice and, for the physical and psychological health of our young people, it is time to reconsider,” he said. Michael believed homework interferes with family life, creates tension and limits time for individual and family activities. Parent Roxana Pereyra agrees with that view. “Primary school children spend six hours a day at school on average – not including the children who have to spend longer periods of time in before and after school care,” she says. “When you are working parents and don’t get home till after 5pm, there is little time left (exactly three hours in our case) to prepare dinner, eat together as a family, have showers, prepare uniforms and get bags packed for the next morning, cram in homework and then get the kids to bed by 8pm!”

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Research shows that homework can: •

Develop good study habits, build character and self-discipline.

•

Provide review and practice of concepts taught at school, and consolidate learning.

•

Promote independent learning using a range of resources such as the internet and libraries.

•

Promote parental involvement which positively affects school achievement.

Arguments against homework include: •

Homework leaves little time for leisure, social relationships, extracurricular interests, sharing of household chores, general play and relaxation.

•

Homework interferes with an active lifestyle, including sport, and may contribute to obesity.

•

Homework causes tension in the family when tired children and equally weary parents are under pressure to complete homework.

•

This pressure may be worse for single parents, for children already struggling to keep up at school, and for children with special needs.

•

Homework contributes to existing inequities – students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds may not complete homework because the home environment is not conducive to study, they may have extra home duties or, in the case of older students, be working part-time.

october / NOVEMBER 2010 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

education

How much homework is enough?

Roxana feels participating in sport, music and the arts would be of more benefit to primary children than homework. She believes homework should be abolished from the primary school curriculum.

International best practice suggests, as a rule of thumb, no more than 10 minutes of school homework per school day in Year One, increasing by up to 10 minutes a day with each year level to a maximum of two hours per day in Year 12.

“Once they hit high school, that’s when it’s really necessary,” she believes.

Education Queensland policy suggests a lighter load:

Fortunately, Australian educators have avoided the worst excesses of the American homework experience. Practices have been reviewed and policies changed in the light of recent research. In 2004 the Queensland Department of Education and the Arts published a Homework Literature Review-Summary of key research findings to examine the impact of homework on students. Research on the relationship between homework and achievement indicated that students who do homework generally outperform those who do not. However, this applies much more strongly to high school students and there is little evidence that links homework to subsequent achievement for primary students.

• In the Prep Year, generally students will not be set homework.

Homework policy for Queensland state schools The Queensland Education review concluded that some homework seems to be better than too much or none at all but time spent needs to be related to age. It also found homework activities seem to be more effective when linked directly to class activities so that homework is part of the whole learning process. Based on the review, Education Queensland developed a Homework in State Schools policy. It gives guidelines as to the maximum amount of time students at each grade level should spend on homework (see fact box) and suggests homework tasks suited to each level. The trend is towards smaller amounts of better-designed homework, though some primary schools have done away with homework altogether.

• Years 1-3: Up to, but generally not more than, 1 hour per week. • Years 4-5: Up to, but generally not more than, 2-3 hours per week. • Years 6-7: Up to, but generally not more than, 3-4 hours per week. • Years 8-9: Up to, but generally not more than, 5 hours per week. • Years 10-12: The amount of time devoted to homework and independent study will vary according to the student’s learning needs and individual program of learning, determined through their Senior Education and Training (SET) Plan.

Has homework become more family-friendly? Jess Schepers is a working mum of four children in Years 1-10. She feels teachers and parents are close to “a comfortable balance” regarding homework. “I’m not sure if it is because the homework load has eased over the years due to policies being changed or because my children are using their time more wisely and being more efficient, but it seems we aren’t as bogged down (by homework) as we used to be,” Jess says. “I find the homework level to be within reason and suited to their age group.”

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“It’s normal for us all to be in the kitchen in the evening with homework books open – one on the computer and the others at the kitchen table, while I make dinner.

As a mother of two primary students, Libby understands that family life doesn’t always run to plan. “Everyone’s wheels fall off at sometime, and sometimes a child just needs to have a night off,” she says. “One night of missing homework is not the end of the world.

“I will communicate either by a note or a message in the homework book if we don’t understand a question or need assistance.”

“I also say it is important to set boundaries regarding homework and try to keep a simple and achievable routine! That way the kids know what they have to do and so do the parents.”

Parents Rachelle and Matt Hatton say sport and fitness activities take up a large chunk of their leisure time so homework with their four children is tightly scheduled. “Homework time in our house is at 5pm for half an hour,” Rachelle says, “We are lucky I work from home so we can allocate this time – Matthew is just getting home then as well so he usually helps the big boys while I help the little ones.”

What do the teachers think? Queensland primary school teacher Libby has been teaching for 20 years and is currently teaching Year Two. “At this age level, developing a love of reading is the focus. I would expect 10-15 mins of quality reading with a parent each night,” Libby says. “but I would have to say that there is always someone who cannot get the homework completed. “Many kids make it up on the weekend or we do it during school with me as the supervisor. “My parents are fantastic and I understand that some nights it just is not possible or not worth it depending on a family’s commitments, extra after school activities, or a child’s fatigue.”

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Anthony teaches science and maths to Years 8-12, in a regional Queensland school. He points out that homework is expected by parents as well as being school policy. For Years 8-10, homework generally means completing class work and for Years 1112, revision of class work or assignment work. A teacher of 23 years’ experience, Anthony says, “I’m very easy going about homework. I believe there is more to life than having to go home and do more ‘work’ after being at work! I have school age children as well. If they do not get it done, I don’t care.” Anthony says studies have shown that homework does not really improve one’s performance and his advice to parents about homework is “If it gets stressful, stop, do no more, and talk to their teacher the next day. If this occurs over many nights, something needs to change. Many teachers are quite flexible when you talk to them face to face in a mature way. If you go in with the ‘boxing gloves on’ it becomes messy for everybody.”

Communication is the key to de-stressing homework If your child is having difficulty with a particular homework assignment, try substituting a practical activity or some gentle guidance through a few examples. Let the teacher know about the difficulty and the steps and time you took to help. Constant negativity over homework may discourage your child from learning. Make an appointment to talk to your child’s teacher and talk about your concerns, remembering that you are on the same team – you both want your child to be a successful learner.

Support their learning: • Provide guidance, not answers. • Encourage children to share their school work with the family: Showing and talking about their school work reinforces the learning. • Foster a thirst for learning by demonstrating it yourself: Think aloud, write, gather information, explain, discuss, demonstrate, draw, sketch or make things.

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• Help children understand where to increase their knowledge of topics that interest them: Use books, people, libraries, media, and the internet. • Help them understand that no-one knows everything but we can find answers to our questions. • Use everyday tasks, (such as cooking and shopping, looking up the TV Guide, planning a family outing and playing games), as ‘teaching moments’. • Look for fun ways to reinforce basic skills. If your family follows football, track the score as you watch. How many points is your team winning/ losing by? How much time is left in the match? How many points do they need to win?

october / NOVEMBER 2010 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

BABIES ON

the coast by Kim Lahey

Nip post-natal

depression in the bud

Marg was at the brink: New house; Newborn baby; New feelings. “All I could think was, ‘this was not how motherhood was supposed to be, it was too hard’,” Marg says. “I felt I was at the worst point in my life.” Parenthood has been called the profession created to re-jig our expectations. The perfect-mum-and-dad myths we are fed can be a sure-fire recipe to make us feel like we’re not up to scratch if we stray from the ‘norm’. We’re not talking about the times when we are just too damn tired to put in the effort and everyone’s grizzly. And we’re not talking about the baby blues, which around 80% of women experience up to 10 days after giving birth. We are talking about when we sink into a lower-than-normal hole and struggle to climb out. “I was a big emotional mess… I was borderline suicidal…I wasn’t capable of hurting Georgia, but I was hurting her just by my actions,” Marg confesses.

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Stages and stats

Little do we know how common our feelings and struggles can be, until we seek help. Postnatal depression (PND) is defined as depression in the months after the birth and it affects one in seven women. November 14-20 is Post Natal Depression Awareness Week. Interestingly, recent studies show antenatal depressive symptoms (those occurring during pregnancy) are just as common. Studies also show depression identified postnatally begins antenatally in up to 40% of women. That’s the good news because it means problems can often be detected early. But despite the prevalence and far-reaching effects of perinatal depression (the term used to describe both antenatal and postnatal depression) most sufferers remain unidentified and untreated.

What causes perinatal depression ? A melting pot of factors cause perinatal depression and anxiety. A history of depression or anxiety, a stressful pregnancy, a family history of mental health problems, a drawn-out labour with delivery complications and problems with the baby’s health can all be part of the build-up. Changes in our lives may be difficult to handle. These changes, as well as other psychological and social risk factors, can make certain women candidates for depression and anxiety.

Uncovering anxiety

Recent studies suggest anxiety disorders may be as common as depression in the perinatal period, and even more frequent than depression during pregnancy. Early intervention specialist and psychologist Kathrin Veal says anxiety throughout pregnancy is a key postnatal depression indicator. “Anxiety during and post pregnancy is only beginning to get the attention that it deserves,” she says. A third of women will suffer from an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives, so it’s hardly surprising anxiety is common among pregnant women and new mums. Kathrin explains some anxiety at this time is universal. “In fact, it would be unusual

for mums-to-be and mums to not be anxious during this time,” she says. But for many this normal level of anxiety can escalate and become an anxiety disorder, meaning that it gets more and more difficult to stop the worry. Kathrin says character traits like perfectionism (buying into the myth of super mum) are strongly related to anxiety. Other key factors to predict anxiety are life experiences such as a miscarriage in the past, high risk pregnancies and IVF. Perinatal mental health nurse Melissa Homan says the first noticeable symptoms may be social withdrawal and sleep disturbance (as opposed to sleep deprivation) which means a mum cannot sleep when the baby is asleep, because they are anxious. “The anxiety is like they are in a constant state of fright 24-7 – agitated, restless, tight chest and mood changes, Melissa says. And the dad’s most common comment is ‘It doesn’t matter what I do, it’s not good enough’,” Melissa says.

Swinging the focus to life skills

A mental health nurse of 21 years, Melissa says her role is about prevention. She helps parents develop life skills from the moment they conceive. Melissa attended the recent national Mental Health Summit and explains how its prevalent theme was primary prevention by detecting early warning signs. “Perinatal depression is so treatable early enough, she says. But if it’s left for more than 12 months it has a huge ripple effect on the whole family.” Melissa says her sessions bust myths like “mothers just know instinctively what to do”. “I tell them the reality is it takes six to 12 weeks to form a relationship with anyone,” she says. Marg says she made an urgent appointment to see Melissa at what was “the worst point” in her life, nine weeks after the birth of daughter Georgia. “At that time I felt like I was being judged, I felt useless, fat, ugly… I just knew I was meant to love this child but I didn’t,” Marg says. “All I could think was, I hate this, I want to go back to work, and my husband was devastated.”

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BABIES ON

Melissa agrees the key reason mums don’t seek help sooner is because of the stigma. “The only thing that keeps people from accessing help is pride – my definition is playing ostrich therapy,” she says.

the coast

What about dads?

The two-and-a-half hour appointment turned her life around. “When I walked out, I felt 10kg lighter, just getting it all off my chest,” Marg says. She explains how Melissa showed her how to handle Georgia’s 5pm ‘fussy’ period. “At 5pm every day I lost it,” Marg remembers. Then there were the simple sleep tips. “Georgia went from waking up 10 times a night to sleeping 13 hours a night…. within four days!” Marg says. Melissa believes a marked change in women’s childbirth age impacts on life skills training. “Nowadays they are having children a lot later and it’s a huge issue because they have been in control of every aspect of their life and are goal orientated and babies don’t fit that criteria,” she says. “Everything they are used to changes and they come crumbling down.”

Why don’t we seek help sooner?

Yes, society may be more understanding. Yes, there is more support these days. So why is depression during pregnancy and motherhood still having such a shattering affect on so many families? Psychologist Lisa Lindley, says there’s still a lack of understanding in the general population and one reason mums still delay seeking help is because of the fear of being thought crazy. There are many other reasons: “They do not want to be seen as a failure, they do not like to admit that they are not coping, they don’t know where to turn, or believe that it will soon get better,” she says. Well-meaning friends might tell them to get over it while guilt, fear and shame often blocks the path to help. This can include “the fear of their baby being removed or being labelled a bad mother,” Lisa says. NEW R NOW A ANGE V ALSO C AILABLE A FEET, H PTURING ANDS ARTWO AND RK

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Recent research shows 50% of men think women get PND because they have unrealistic expectations of motherhood and 25% believe it is a normal part of having a baby. Marg says lack of knowledge about depression holds men back. “We need to help educate them,” she says. Marg says she was abusive to her husband during her illness. “He was scared of me and then he stayed away from home even more.” Melissa feels women are allowed to be vulnerable but men are conditioned not to be vulnerable. “If they are staying away from home more often than usual and are angry and withdrawn… then getting them to come in is hard enough,” she says. “If a mum is depressed for months, the dad may have had to be mum, dad and caregiver then once the mum gets better he may have reached the stage of male depression.” Levels of depression for fathers do increase significantly in the year following childbirth, with studies showing 10% of fathers had depression during their partner’s pregnancy and the baby’s first year.

The recipe for recovery

Lisa says a combination of support and treatment helps recovery. Sometimes medication is needed when the condition is moderate to severe, and this can be assessed by a GP. A support network of a GP, psychologist, child health nurse, partner, family and friends is the key. Individual counselling which focuses on looking at negative thinking patterns and ways to replace these thoughts with healthier thought patterns can really help. And she says group support offers a chance to meet other mothers who are feeling the same. This way the sufferer can feel accepted and not have to pretend to be coping. Lisa says we need realistic expectations about motherhood: It WILL be a challenge, most babies DO NOT sleep through and babies DO cry for no apparent reason.

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Down came the Rain

Hands-up for prevention

Brooke Shields We know her from the silver screen (and her famous family) but many of us were shocked when Brooke Shields confessed to suffering PND. This heart warming, and beautifully penned account of her struggle offers solace and comfort to others. In this brave memoir she lifts the lid on this crippling illness.

Clinical psychologist Dr Emma Harley says perinatal anxiety and depression are still very much under-reported and under-diagnosed by GPs due to time-limits. “Given the real demands on GPs the best hope is we can make women and their partners better educated about the issue so that they’re able to raise their concerns with their GPs directly, and ask for appropriate referral for help,” Emma says. If those at risk are identified during pregnancy, postnatal depression could be prevented altogether. Beyond Blue is sponsoring a national program which standardises procedures and encourages all GPs to use the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale antenatally, so the help can kick-in during pregnancy if need be. But one thing many parents (and many GPs) don’t know is specific Medicare funding is available for mothers to see a perinatal mental health specialist. “They just need to speak to their GP about this,” Emma says.

Rewards a plenty

Seeking help pays off in a multitude of ways. Clinicians see pregnancy and motherhood as a window of opportunity to get to know ourselves better – to reflect on our own childhood, face our fears about losing our identity and respond to our anxiety about our ability to be a parent. Because the well-being of the whole family is at stake, the better understanding we glean from seeking help ripples out to everyone and creates a strong base for future challenges. Mental health champions like Melissa find their work enormously rewarding. “I get a lot of job satisfaction. “I tell them ‘I’m your coach and cheer squad and I expect to be made redundant’,” she says. Marg wonders why she waited so long to act during that low point of her life, because now she feels so different. “Georgia is the best thing that ever happened to us,” she says.

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Symptom checklist – Simple checklists that will tell you (or someone you know) if you have symptoms tha t are common in people wit h depression, anxiety or related disorders and ind icate whether you may nee d to talk to a health professional. Visit: www.b eyondblue.org.au/index.aspx ?link_id=103.991 The Emotional Health dur ing Pregnancy and Early Par ent hood guide – provides information abo ut symptoms and effectiv e strategies to deal with them. It includes an outline of local services for perina tal depression in each state. Visit: www.beyondb lue.org.au/index.aspx?link_id =94

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Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636 or www.beyondblue.org.au Breastfeeding Association Australia Helpline: 1800 686 2686 Community Child Health Services 1800 177 279 Child Health Information and Advisory Service 13 43 25 84 Child Health Line: 1800 177 279 Health Information Line Women’s Health Queensland: 1800 017 676 Maternal and Community Health: 13HEALTH (13 43 25 84) Parent line 8DTD_TS_GoldCoast_125x97mmv2.ai am–10 pm: 1300 301 300 10/5/10 5:30:26 PM Postnatal and Antenatal Depression Association Support line (PANDA): 1300 726 306 DON’T MISS OUT!

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recipe for

success by Sandra Smith

Cooking family meals with just four ingredients is a simple concept, but turning that idea into a bestselling cookbook has involved a lot of hard work and determination for mother-of-three Kim McCosker. It’s been an amazing three-year journey for the Sunshine Coast author and entrepreneur, and she is now an international celebrity with four bestsellers and two television series under her belt. Kim and lifelong friend Rachael Bermingham co-wrote 4 Ingredients for busy mums who are “out of inspiration” and often do not have exotic ingredients on hand for the family’s evening meal. When Kim and Rachael self-published 2,000 copies of 4 Ingredients in 2007, they never imagined that they would go on to sell more than 2.5 million books worldwide. Tell us about your family. I have been blessed with the best family in the world. I have a wonderfully supportive husband, Glen, and three happy and healthy little boys who are the absolute loves of my life. Everything I do, I do for them and based around them and their schedules. My husband Glen is just the most wonderful man. He enables me to do what I do, because he gave up his career to stay at home. He doesn’t get stressed out – he just takes it all in his stride and because he is so comfortable doing that, it allows me to travel and do the things I have to do with 4 Ingredients without feeling bad. We are a close, supportive family. My mum and dad live one km from me and are the best parents and grandparents I could ever have hoped for. How did you learn to cook and who was your main influence? Without a doubt my mum and grandmothers were my main influence in the kitchen. I grew up on a citrus farm in a little country town called Mundubbera. There were no 24-hour supermarkets, and still aren’t. We were on a really tight budget as Dad was building the farm, which forced my Mum to be really creative in the kitchen. She would use the zest of an orange to flavour our pancakes and use the juice to complement tomato soup. She had the knack of taking something simple and making it taste quite spectacular. What impact has the success of 4 Ingredients had on your family? 4 Ingredients has been a gift to our family. Although I am far busier than I ever was, essentially I am able to work around Glen and the children. I can still help at school, I can pick the days I travel and the jobs I accept to do. It has taught me so much never in a million years would I have thought I’d be involved in designing our iApp or creating the packaging for our cookware range. How to deal with media, how to film a TV show...who would ever have thought? 4 Ingredients has brought so much to my life and that of my family. It’s like a fourth child.

KiDs on tHe CoAst – OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2010

How do you balance family time with your busy work schedule? I try to prioritise my day. I have an online diary that select people can access (to add, delete and alter what is there). At the beginning of every term, I get my children’s schedules and enter them into that diary or anything important our family has to attend. Then my office knows when I am available for work commitments. I try to limit the time I am away so that I am rarely away for more than two consecutive nights. Eighty per cent of the time this works beautifully, but even in the most ordered of schedules there are times when the enormity of what I have to do is quite overwhelming and the work/life balance doesn’t feel so balanced. But that’s life and those moments will always be, so I have learnt the best way to deal with them is just to move forward. Is it important to have goals? I think it’s really healthy to have goals, even if sometimes you can’t reach them in the time-frame you originally set. I do have clear goals but I don’t for a second think that they’re easily achieved. Whether it’s a relationship or a job or motherhood, it all requires time and effort and energy. Big things come from a lot of little things. We’ve just got to concentrate on the little things and we’ll get to the big things eventually. It’s good to have the dreams and desires and the goals, but you know that they’re not going to happen without a significant amount of hard work and a little bit of a plan. It doesn’t always work to plan, but you just reassess and alter it accordingly and give it another shot. What parenting advice can you share with our readers? Don’t let ‘mother guilt’ rule your life. Mothers are the backbone of a vast majority of homes and often the most neglected. We mums need time out for us, without feeling guilty. Get your girlfriends and have a girls’ weekend – it’s so good for the soul – or treat yourself to a monthly facial. Your face is your window to the world and it needs to shine. Look after number one, so that there is plenty left in reserve for others.

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

WIN! To win a pack including The 4 Ingredients and 4 Ingredients calendar, visit www.kidsonthecoast.com.au Why did you collaborate with Deepak Chopra for your latest cookbook in the 4 Ingredients series? He had a belief about food that really appealed to me. When Rachael and I first met Deepak, I was heavily pregnant with Flynn and feeling as big as a house. I remember him telling us “Daily diet isn’t just about protein, carbohydrates and fat. You need to understand food and how it reacts in your body; you should derive enjoyment and nourishment from food.” This was just music to my ears, so we started to read about Ayurveda principles, which is what Deepak and millions of others around the world follow for their health and well-being, I was pleasantly surprised to learn it was much easier to follow than pronounce. Why is eating healthy food important for families? Food should be your medicine, we hear it everywhere – “you are what you eat”. Deepak says that food is often responsible for the way we feel mentally, emotionally and physically – it’s all interlinked. What 4 Ingredients has allowed me and so many others to realise is that cooking good, healthy food doesn’t have to be complicated. Eating out is expensive and generally take-away isn’t the healthiest option, but when cooking at home is a chore or too hard, it’s because we make it so. Cooking at home is just so important, because this way you know exactly what you are putting into your food and your body – just keep it simple.

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

Kim’s favourite things Food Chicken, pasta and chocolate – not necessarily in that order. Rainy day activity The kids love games, including Guess Who, Connect 4, Memory, Battleships and most recently, Boggle. Fine day activity Anything to do with the water – we are all water babies. Pool, river, ocean, swimming, skiing, surfing, building sandcastles, chasing crabs on Bribie Island and fishing. Movie Our current favourites are Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park and Aladdin. We make homemade pizza (the kids’ favourite is pepperoni), hamburgers, or popcorn (buttered or dusted with icing sugar) and all sit down to enjoy.

october / NOVEMBER 2010 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

holidays

HAPPY

A family trip of a

lifetime by Wendy Buckley, Travel With Kidz www.travelwithkidz.com.au

Australians love to travel both locally and overseas so when your family decides to take a well earned holiday, knowledge is the key to success. Having travelled with our two children Tim and Jessica, and more recently our granddaughter Emily, I appreciate how different the needs are when travelling with children especially to some of the more remote and adventurous areas of the world like Africa. Today’s parents juggle their time between children, work, family, and friends and if lucky you fit in some ‘me’ time. Holidays are an essential part of reconnecting with your kids and removing them from today’s daily influences like Facebook, mobile phones, school work and friends. Kenya offers a fun filled holiday for the whole

family, though more importantly allows children of all ages firsthand experience to view the most amazing game, history, geography and culture - all in one country. Families often have a perception that Africa is not a child friendly destination though, due to an increase globally in demand safari camps and lodges, guides and tour operators are now taking into account the needs of children of all ages from babies through to teenagers. Families are looking more for experiential and unique holidays and Kenya delivers the ‘family trip of a lifetime’. Experience afternoon tea on the deck of your tent overlooking a watering hole with over 100 elephants drinking at Satao Camp Tsvo East, view giraffe and hyenas with Mt Kilimanjaro in the background at Amboseli National Park, walk the shore of Lake Manyara to where thousands of pink flamingos migrate and view the highly endangered white and black rhino from your private 4x4 Land Cruiser. Even have a Rothschild giraffe lick your face at the Giraffe Centre Nairobi, (don’t panic giraffe’s saliva is antiseptic) and watch lion cubs play with their parents in Maasai Mara National Park.

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KiDs on tHe CoAst – OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2010

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Kenya is home to 42 different local tribes located around the country : the most famous being the Maasai. The Maasai continue to respect and honour their culture and live a traditional Massai lifestyle. Women are the workers caring for the children, preparing the meals, building the family’s manyetta (house) which is made from cow’s dung and sticks, fetching the water daily and making traditional jewellery. The male Maasai are tall and strong. They continue to wear the red traditional wrap (blanket), care for their herds of cows and goats, hunt and generally walk around with other males. The Maasai dance includes jumping, singing and showing their very white teeth while laughing. Families are able to visit, learn and interact personally with many of the Maasai villages and we assure you from first hand experiences it is not ‘put on’ for the tourist. They welcome you into their village where they will teach you to make fire as you sit inside their manyetta, teach you to dance like a Maasai and showcase their beaded jewellery. There are various types of safaris available to families depending on your budget and the ages of the children. Transport comes in two types: 4x4 Land Cruiser with your own private guide for the duration of the seven night safari or Toyota minivan catering for up to eight people. There are dedicated family departures or private departures allowing far more flexibility while on safari.

Tips on travelling to Kenya

The family wanting the ultimate Kenya experience, now has the opportunity to fly from camp to camp on a brand new 14-seater private or scheduled air safari. Made to order in 2010 by Southern Cross Safaris, this Kenyan ground operator has taken into consideration the needs of children with the back seat comfortably sitting three kids across. Travelling by aircraft eliminates road drives, saves time and gives you amazing scenery of Kenya from the air. The camps and lodges offer various accommodation and even the fussiest of eaters will be catered for while on safari. Karen Blixen Camp located in the North Conservancy of the Maasai Mara National Park opened in October 2009. On a recent visit in July 2010, I personally met up with several family groups during the two-night stay. Kids started at six months and many groups included grandparents. The children were relaxed and very happy interacting with the Maasai, downloading their photos from the day’s game drives to their laptop and exploring the camp with staff. Finally after your safari around Kenya what better way to end than on the beach at Diani, one hour’s drive south of Mombasa? There are many family-friendly hotels here - from the big hotel styles to the small and intimate ‘bure’ on the beach. There are endless water sports and Mombasa nearby steeped in history. Children learn from firsthand experience and nothing beats sharing the real thing with your children.

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e h t n so

Go to

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E FOR TH E C CHAN

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Avoid the rainy months: April, May and November Visas cost Australian passport holders US25pp upon arrival or US$50pp at the Kenyan Consul in Canberra The great migration of wilder beast commences May in Tanzania and crosses the Mara River into Kenya during June and July. Up to 2.5 million gather in the Maasai Mara National park. Be warned, it is carnage at the river with vultures eating dead carcasses. The upside is the ‘big cats’ are plentiful including lions, cheetah and leopards A yellow fever immunisation certificate is required to re-enter Australia Malaria protection is recommended. Malaron is suitable for children 11kgs and over Book early - camps are small Don’t miss the Elephant Orphanage and Giraffe Centre in Nairobi Access from Australia is via Johannesburg, Dubai and Asia

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www.campezy.com.au october / NOVEMBER 2010 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

celebrate

LET’S

A family affair:

weddings with kids by Jane O’Hare

Traditionally, marriage comes before kids but, in our ever-changing world, one third of Australian marriages involve at least one person who has been married before. Many of these marriages include children from a previous relationship. Marriage, therefore, often becomes a celebration of the creation of a new family, not just a commitment between two people. Bill Scurry, who has been a marriage celebrant for over 30 years says, “Marriage needs more work the second time round”. If people have been divorced for a while, particularly if they have children, it can be difficult for everyone to adjust to a new adult becoming part of the family and, in the case of blended families, for all the children to learn to live together. Bill believes children play an important part in the marriage ceremony, and that their age dictates their level of participation. He says, “Children are a part of what marriage is all about, let them be where they want to be.”

Involving

the children

• Girls may like to be a flower girl. Boys may like to be a page boy or ring bearer • Older children may like to read a poem or some prose • They may also like to write their own welcome letter to the parent who is joining their family • They might like to sing as part of the ceremony or before or after the formalities • If they are musicians they could play music for the bride’s arrival • If not musical there is always the option of being in charge of the taped music • They may like to hand out singing sheets or order of service leaflets • Older children can welcome the guests and show them where to sit or stand • At the reception they can be responsible for handing round the cake • They may also like to open the gifts and display them

Making them

feel special

• Include the children in your vows

• During the ceremony, perhaps after the rings have been exchanged, give a special gift to each of the children. This could be a piece of jewellery like a watch or bracelet • Read out a letter you have written to the children reminding them publicly of your love for them as part of your new family • Read a poem or piece of prose that depicts your new family, and love for your children • Ensure the children have some input into the ceremony. This can be as simple as asking their advice about the dress, venue, or wedding breakfast • Allow the children to choose their own wedding attire, even if it clashes with your ideas, as it is their day too • Ask the children where they wish to be during the ceremony. Let them decide if they want to be with you or seated or standing nearby

KiDs on tHe CoAst – OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2010

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

Coloured sands

Beck ’s

story

Beck was 16 when her mother married her stepfather. “Mum talked to us before she agreed to marry Corey, making sure we were happy to have him as part of our family,” she remembers. “Actually, my brother, sister and I all liked Corey when we first met him.” Beck believes this was because, “Corey was lovely from the start being nice and normal and did not try to impress us.” Being the new person in the family can be difficult so it is best to be yourself, and not rush into being accepted. Allow the children to get to know you slowly, be interested in them and be an interesting person. “My aunt, sister and I were bridesmaids, and my sister and I made a speech welcoming Corey into the family,” Beck says. Her brother Ben was groomsman for Corey, and although only 13 at the time, felt very important. He and Corey have a very close relationship now.

John’s

story

John was an only child, and the very much loved son of Julie and Peter. When he was 10 his parents divorced, and he was devastated. He lived with his mother, and visited his father every second weekend and Wednesday nights. Julie talked to him alone before the announcement of her second marriage was made, seeking his permission to include Richard in the family. When his mother married Richard, who had no children, he was consulted on every aspect of the ceremony and enjoyed his role as page boy, and ring bearer. John said, “I was happy to share my mother with Richard, and today we enjoy an interest in rugby and cars, neither of which are of any interest to Mum.” When his father Peter remarried it was very different. Peter’s partner Anne had been married before and had two sons. John at first resented sharing his father with these two older boys and Anne. The wedding was very small and the boys played a very minor role welcoming the guests at the church. It wasn’t until some time later when John discovered the magnificent bikes Anne’s sons had, that the relationship among the boys began to improve. “I now have a good relationship with all four of ‘my parents’ and have two great older brothers, who may tease me at times, but are also a lot of fun,” John says.

Tips for creating wedding vows:

• Don’t use vows that require kids to respond because they might be embarrassed or suffer stage fright • Don’t refer to yourself as their ‘new’ parent: this might cause animosity • Keep it basic and genuine

Don’t know what to say?

Wedding vows should fit your own style and commitment. These, however, might give you a good starting point! “(children’s names), I want you to know that I dearly love your mother/father. As you have so graciously shared this wonderful woman/ man with me, so will I share the love I feel for her/him with you. Together, we will learn much more about each other. I promise also to be fair and to be honest, to be available for you as I am for your Mum/Dad, and in due time, to earn your love, respect and true friendship. I will not attempt to replace anyone, but be a friend, and I will cherish my life with all of you. On this day when I marry your Mum/Dad, we create a new family, and I promise to love and support you.” For more information: Relationships Australia: www.relationships.com.au Better Health Channel: www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

If candles aren’t your thing (or the kids are too young to handle fire) why not use coloured sands instead? Give each member of the new family their own colour sand. Taking turns, each family member pours their sand into a tall glass vase or shapely bottle. The resulting layers represent their individuality, but the vase represents their new family.

The unity candle ceremony

Lighting a candle together has long been a traditional element of many marriages and this ceremony can be adjusted to include all new family members. Prepare a display with one large candle in the middle and smaller candles on the outside (one for each family member). The outside ones are lit and each family member takes theirs. Together they light the large candle while the celebrant recites: “The lighting of this candle represents the unity of this new family in which your lives will now shine as one”, or “As you light this candle and the flames become one, let this signify the blending of two families.”

www.crocodilesanddragons.com.au

Phone Brian 07 5501 5964 or mob. 0439 738 025 email: brian-reptiles@bigpond.com

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october / NOVEMBER 2010 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

health

good

DR. SCOTT PARSONS

Don’t make a meal of it An early childhood memory for me was the evening meal. It was not good. I remember quietly clicking my fingers under the dining table, attracting the canine disposal unit to dispatch the spinachy stuff on my plate. (Everything that was green was spinach to me.) This was tricky. I would distract Mum by pointing at something out the window, and those few seconds were enough for me to offload into the labrador. Unfortunately the over enthusiastic pup would engulf the spinach, meat, potatoes and anything else. Busted, I would have to blame the dog. I was then presented with another meal, but with more spinach as there wasn’t much of the other stuff left. Damn that dog. Mealtimes can be a stressful time, particularly during the toddler period. Usually the concern is around picky eating. This results in unsuccessful attempts by parents to encourage, coerce and even force a toddler to eat a meal. This is not recommended by nutritionists, and stems from previous generations where food was sometimes rationed, and/or scarce. “Eat up, who knows where your next meal will come from?” There is also a misheld belief that carrying a little extra will help fight illness and infection. Not true. So what actually happens nutritionally during this period? During the first 12-15 months infants will eat what is necessary for adequate growth. As they move to the toddler age a few things happen. Firstly their calorie requirements drop significantly as the rate of growth lessens. So the parent will perceive this as loss of appetite. The other issue is that as the toddler realises he can influence his parents’ emotions and behaviour he will start to refuse food. The more a parent enforces eating the more stubborn the toddler becomes. Exasperated

KiDs on tHe CoAst – OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2010

parents will sometimes make the mistake of giving bottles of milk thinking that this will suffice. This unfortunately can sometimes lead to an iron deficiency, which is the most common nutritional deficit in toddlers in our country. So how should you approach the picky eater? Firstly check and chart the child’s height and weight. The child health nurse or doctor can help you do this. If it is clear the growth is fine and there are no signs of illness then you can follow these simple guidelines. • Make meal times fun and have low expectations. (Decrease portions) • The parents choose (appropriate) food. • The toddler decides whether and how much he or she will eat. The parent is not to be involved in this part. If the toddler refuses to eat then remove the food without comment. Do not punish for not eating food, and do not reward for finishing food. i.e. remain passive. • If the toddler asks for food, return the plate. Try not to offer anything different, particularly milk. • Some toddlers snack on many small meals throughout the day and so do not need to eat an evening meal. There is no problem with this as long as the snacks are healthy. Meal time battles can continue during the school years. As a parent it becomes frustrating if you go to great lengths to prepare a meal only to find the kids don’t like the ‘yucky bits’. Children will not understand your frustration as you implore them to ‘just try it’. Take the pressure off, present easy to prepare simple healthy foods and slowly introduce new tastes and textures. It would be great if children ate like labradors. However I can remember my Mother taking him to the vet wondering why he was gaining so much weight. Must’ve been all that yucky spinach. For more information, check out the nutrition section of www.raisingchildren.net.au The information contained in this article is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for individual professional medical advice from your physician or qualified health care provider.

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

WS e i REV

Queen Victoria’s Underpants Jackie French and Bruce Whatley These two continue to work together to provide us with entertaining books for young people. Jackie French always manages to convey a story with an underlying piece of history in a way that is fun and educational at the same time. Apparently very few women wore underpants at the beginning of Queen Victoria’s reign so approaching the dilemma of what sort of underpants to make for her from the point of view of a child presents a wonderful collection of suggestions and illustrations. Suitable for children 4+. $25.00

The ABC Book of Australian Poetry Compiled by Libby Hathorn This is a thoughtful collection of classic and contemporary Australian poetry suitable for young people. The selection follows the subject of ‘Along the River’ and is grouped into different themes. The illustrations by Cassandra Allen are charming and enhance the poems which ideally should be read aloud. A great way to introduce children to the wonderful world of poetry. Suitable for all ages. $25.00

Potato Music Christina Booth and Pete Groves What a gentle and yet powerful book this is! Beautifully illustrated, this story indirectly describes the struggle of a family to survive during what seems to be WWII. The events are alluded to as the story takes place in the home of a young girl and her parents who manage to nurture their souls with the use of music. As her parents say, “Music helps to keep your soul warm” and “It helps to keep our dreams and hopes alive”. Suitable for children 5+ but worth a look at even if you are not a child.$27.00

Flyaway Lucy Christopher Here is a sensitive novel dealing with relationships, family life, grief and joy. While there are moments of sadness, it is not a depressing book. It manages to deal with difficult issues but still offer hope and happiness amidst the ups and downs of life. There is also poignant use of the journey of a swan which adds a symbolic and almost magical quality to the story. Suitable for children 10+ (particularly girls). $17.00

You Stephen Michael King If you haven’t come across the work of this author/ illustrator then you should certainly look out for him. He has a quirky yet charming and sensitive style which has won him awards. This is a book about appreciation of someone you value. It is the sort of book you could give a child or an adult to show that you care for them. Suitable for all ages. $20.00

ITE

BS WE

www.boysgerms.com.au Online shops are sometimes light on products for boys and this website fills in the gaps. Much of the content is unisex, and the majority suits kids under school age, but a good start and worth watching as the site expands.

Because you are with me Kylie Dunstan A delightful story of a girl who celebrates the way that her father gives her the courage to face all sorts of things in her day to day life. The illustrations by this artist are quite unusual as she uses a rough collage technique which is very effective. Suitable for children 3+. $17.00

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BABY NAMING WEDDINGS • BABY NAMINGS COMMITMENTS • VOW RENEWALS

What’s coming up…

in the Dec/Jan issue

• Favourites in families: handling family dynamics at Christmas Hit • Choosing a school: what to look for

• Step parenting: Are the rules different?

your target market now!

• Afternoon snacks: avoiding nutrition pitfalls • Contraception after birth

Rosemary Logan 0412 663 484 www.weddingcelebrantgoldcoast.com

• On a high: celebrating the move from primary to high school

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KiDs on tHe CoAst – OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2010

• Tips for road trips with kids

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