Kids on the Coast Magazine - Sunshine Coast - Issue 45

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o go, aces t arents l p , o to d s&p things ing for kid th every

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

Miscarriage – a personal story Is Hemp the fibre of the future?

IssUe 45 JULY/AUGUST 2o11

sunshine coast

Winter in the water with Laurie Lawrence Documenting Delight

Why one love doesn’t fit all

Untangling Shared Care Agreeing on what’s best for the children

plus Babies on the Coast, what’s on Calendar and lots more!

It’s Chocolicious!

Hmmmmmmmm chocolate

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and te Factory has ARRIVED Pannys famous Chocola de. ma are nnys chocolates you can now see how Pa te. THINK HAND-MADE! THINK PREMIUM chocola clusters, gift boxes, Select from truffles, bars, even Pannys FAMOUS and animals (yes animals!) nas. na ba n ze fro choc-dipped VOURITE – and as Panny Pannys is everybody’s FA olate is just about right”. choc says: “A little too much ts. for the finest ingredien Pannys scours the world chocolate from Belgium, ure Imagine a RICH couvert d ate a richer chocolate. Ad cre to a co co A with EXTR a d an ts URS, fruits and nu carefully selected FLAVO u ss (no we can’t show yo SECRET tempering proce S! IOU tes are YUMALIC that!) and Pannys chocola nt of 190 deliciously decade Yumalicious to the tune , choices, CHOICES! es varieties. Hmmmm choic

PLUS with the World’s Largest Ginger Factory, TOURS GALORE, Gingertown, SUPER BEE LIVE BEE SHOW, YE OLDE GINGER TRAIN, The Ginger Shop, BLISS ICE CREAMERY, our fun OVERBOARD RIDE and the BUDERIM GINGER COOKING SCHOOL, you’ll find there’s FUN FOR ALL AGES and tons to do at The Ginger Factory. So DROP IN anytime... AND GET CHOCOLICIOUS!

50 Pioneer Road, Yandina, Sunshine Coast Queensland Freecall 1800 067 686 Phone (07) 5446 7100 *Admission to complex and gardens is free. Ticket prices apply to tours and rides only.

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CONTeNTS July/August 2011

‘Like’ us on Facebook

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FEATURE Untangling Shared Care

From the Editor

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Kids on the Coast COMMUNITY

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WHAT’S NEWS

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CHECK THIS OUT

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Looking out for the best interests of a child

THE ‘P’ FILES: Why one love doesn’t fit all

T he heritage of Aborigines and Torres Straight Islanders in the school system

A taste of cruising for families

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REVIEWS

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HEALTH: Don’t forget your eyes

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CRAFTY MUMS: Outside of the Square

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ONLY NATURAL: Hemp A product that won’t cost the earth eet Georgia Brizuela, capturing life on film M and online

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Spotlight on Erin Law, SCWAHMS

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CRAFTY MUMS: Handpicked Our selection of “work at home mum” finds

PARENT PROFILE: Documenting delight 53

CRAFTY MUMS: Business Directory

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KIDS ON THE COAST DIRECTORY

special feature: Swim safety Winter in the Water with Laurie Lawrence

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

HAPPY HOLIDAYS: Out to sea

PARENTVILLE: The Great Escape!

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EDUCATION: Learning and sharing

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.

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Differing styles for different children

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BABIES ON THE COAST: The Silent Loss

LET’S CELEBRATE E ntertaining the kids when you’re entertaining the adults

Miscarriage, the reasons, the emotions

FEATURE: Untangling Shared Care

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46

F ind out what’s happening on the Coast for July and August

New, fun and funky things

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WHAT’S ON CALENDAR

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thecoast.com.au

kidson Read more @ www.

WHAT’S ON CALENDAR

PUBLISHED BY: THINGS 4 KIDS PTY LTD. PO Box 491, Eumundi QLD 4562 PHONE: 1300 430 320 FAX: 07 5471 2372 WEB: www.kidsonthecoast.com.au ABN: 86 473 357 391. All editorial and advertising in Kids on the Coast is published in good faith based on material, verbal or written, provided by contributors and advertisers. 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: Jackie Goldston EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS: Sandra Smith, Belinda Hopper, Justine Stewart, Kim Lahey, Maxine Arthur Jackie Goldston, Aleney de Winter, Wendy Buckley ADVERTISING: For advertising enquiries please phone 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 (Sunshine Coast edition) is a free publication circulating over 18,000 copies from Caloundra to Noosa and through the hinterland. Separate editions cover the Gold Coast and Townsville. For distribution enquiries please phone: 1300 430 320 or email: admin@kidsonthecoast.com.au FRONT COVER: Andrea Sproxton GRAPHIC DESIGN: Michelle Craik

JULY / AUGUST 2011 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

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Welcome to

Kids on the Coast

oAST C e h t n so OUR KId

COMMUNITY

Our online community is growing rapidly, both through our website and on Facebook. For those of you who haven’t had a chance to check us out and look at the variety of information we have online, visit us today! This month we also introduce our new Kids on the Coast Community Top Tips (below), which are a collection of helpful tips by parents from our Facebook page on different topics. Visit our Facebook page or website for more topics, competitions more tips and a great group of parents!

Is there anything better than a bright, clear day on the Sunshine Coast? I really don’t think so. Having grown up on the Sunshine Coast, moved away for too many years and returned with my husband and two beautiful children, I am still delighting in all that we have here on the Coast. Winter offers so much to do and a great time to get out and visit the growing array of Sunshine Coast markets.

There are an incredible number of hugely talented mums (and a few dads) who are letting their talents shine and turning their craft into a home business.

This edition sees our very first Crafty Mums section, featuring ‘mumpreneur’ Erin Law, our new work at home mums business directory and our pick of some of the creative and clever items in Handpicked.

We are never ones to shy away from tough topics and this edition is no exception with an insight into the pain of miscarriage. And with an ever changing landscape, we look at how to keep the children as the priority when making shared care decisions.

I am very excited to bring you this edition of Kids on the Coast – my first as editor. I am looking forward to getting to know what you, our readers, want. So please feel free to contact me via www.facebook.com/kidsonthecoast, our website or email and let me know what you would like to see in our magazine.

How do you beat the daily homework blues with your child or teenager?

Pamela: “The key is to make sure you know what homework needs to be done and when. Then help your child manage the time they have to complete the homework. Complete a daily planner sheet on the fridge weekly with a timetable of when they are going to work on each task.

Make conversation about the tasks and give your point of view, not only will your child get the homework done, you spend valuable time showing your kids you are interested in them and what they do.”

Pettina: “Knowing your child’s “currency” is vital and making it their problem not yours. In my practice I see so many parents who have taken on their kids problems to the point it becomes “theirs”. Punishment and reward is less effective than parenting by relationship and making a map of goals and secondary gains from goals can assist in keeping teens on track. Also don’t protect your children from negative consequences from the school... So many parents want to avoid having their kids in detention, for example, feeling it reflects badly on them as a parent; however, often discipline from teachers/ mentors are more effective than from parents.”

Lisa: “Make homework time family time. Have the whole family sit round the dining table with their ‘work’ the very littlest can be colouring in, mum and/or dad can be doing paperwork or reading and older kids can be doing homework. This way, you are seeing what they are doing and you are available to help without making it seem like you are hovering or pushing them. They are also getting their homework done without being isolated and (hopefully) without it feeling like a punishment. This can also encourage siblings to help each other out. and can possibly help those children who are reluctant to do homework or sit still to at least still feel like they are a part of what’s going on and it takes the pressure off a bit.”

Sneak peek at our next issue: advertiser alert!

Jackie Goldston Editor

• Raunch culture, how does it affect our children?

• Kids and exam stress • Interpreting your babies cries • Chooks and worm farms Got a product or service that has something to do with these issues? Like to tell our readers all about it?

Call 1300 430 320 for advertising info.

‘Like’ us on Facebook

www.facebook.com/kidsonthecoast …and tell your friends!

What is the best advice you have received for managing daily life with a tantrum throwing toddler?

Cass: “Two choices normally work: Choice 1 - do what I have asked you to do (or if cracking a tantie) stop cracking up; or Choice 2 - time out mat for three minutes.

You choose. He now will put himself on the mat or stop (most the time)!”

Kristen: “I have always firmly told my children they will not get what they are asking for until they stop crying/screaming and ask for it properly. The key is to not give into them, which is sometimes easier said than done. It only takes a few times until they realise you mean what you say.”

Amanda: “A friend of mine once told me if your child (of any age really) is screaming/crying. Rather than try to shout over the top of them, whisper in their ear. Usually they will stop crying to try to hear what you’re whispering.”

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KiDs on tHe CoAst – JULY / AUGUST 2011

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

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DOLL CAUSES BABY RESCUE DRAMA Police officers smashed a car window to rescue a seemingly unconscious baby from a locked vehicle in Gympie recently only to find it was an extremely lifelike doll. Selling for up to $1000, the painstakingly hand-painted dolls are so lifelike with eyelashes, fingernails, milk spots and wispy hair that they were constantly fooling people, their creator Vynette Cernik said. Ms Cernick said the dolls can easily be mistaken for the real thing, and there was a similar incident in the US. Ms Cernik said she felt sorry for police and members of the public distressed by the situation and suggested owners should put warning cards on the dolls. Gympie Sen-Sgt Phil Edwards said last week’s incident had been frightening for both police and people who genuinely believed a baby was dying.

Broncos get behind child safety

The Art of Giving Entries are now open in the annual Kmart Art of Giving competition where students are invited to draw, paint a picture or make a collage that represents what helping others means to them, with entries closing on 9 September 2011. Guy Russo, Kmart Managing Director, explained, “Many communities have been doing it tough this year so we thought it fitting to choose helping others as our theme for 2011. I’m really looking forward to seeing how students use their experiences to express the values of caring for, and helping others.” To register, submit entries or look at winning artwork from 2010 go to www.kmart.com.au/artofgiving. Students can win a share of up to $50,000 for their school.

WS e N

COMMUNITY

SUNSHINE COAST WHOOPING COUGH CASES DOUBLE

Broncos players Darren Lockyer, Corey Parker, Ben Hannant and Dane Carlaw have joined forces with Kidsafe Queensland to help fellow parents protect their children from injuring themselves around the home. Hannant, who has three children with the fourth on the way, is a big supporter of Kidsafe. “You hear some tragic stories and you don’t want that to happen to your kids.” Major tips to keep children safe include barriers at the top of stairs, safety plugs on power points, securing heavy furniture such as TVs, cabinets and bookcases, having guards on heating systems, hot water temperature gauges and a locked cabinet for any poisons. For more tips, visit www.kidsafeqld.com.au

TAX TIME: DON’T FORGET THE CHILD CARE REBATE

If you have kids in child care or out of school hours care, you may be eligible for financial assistance through the Child Care Rebate, which isn’t income tested. The Rebate covers up to fifty percent of your out-of-pocket expenses, up to an annual limit, for each child in approved child care. From July, the Rebate can also be paid fortnightly to your child care service or to you. For more details, visit www.mychild.gov.au.

The number of whooping cough infections on the Sunshine Coast has nearly doubled, with 426 confirmed cases from January to May this year, compared with 218 cases in 2011. While young babies are routinely vaccinated against whooping cough, newborns are often infected with the potentially deadly disease by adults close to them. Queensland Health is offering free booster vaccines to parents (birth, foster and adoptive), grandparents and other adults living in a household with babies aged less than six months old. Nambour GP and former Australian Medical Association Queensland president Wayne Herdy said only a small percentage of adults had taken up the offer so far, but urged them to protect their babies by getting vaccinated.

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KiDs on tHe CoAst – JULY / AUGUST 2011

CHARITY SWIM TO RAISE FUNDS FOR SPECIAL SCHOOLS

If you fancy an 11km open ocean swim and want to support a good cause, many local teams are now in training for the eleventh annual Island Charity Swim on 13 August. Each year, around 100 entrants complete the course over several hours from Mudjimba Beach, around Old Woman Island, and back to shore at Mooloolaba Beach. The 2011 event is aiming to raise $10,000 for special needs equipment at Currimundi and Nambour special schools. Individual swimmers, teams and support paddlers are invited to register by calling 0438 797 613.

NEW SLIDE RIDE FOR AUSSIE WORLD Another new ride is being built at Aussie World, the fun park alongside the iconic Ettamogah Pub. The Giant Slide, a much loved attraction at the Sydney Royal Easter Show, is coming to the Sunshine Coast – measuring 150 feet long, 50 feet high and 30 feet wide! General Manager David Thompson said entrance prices will stay the same to ensure Aussie World remains “an affordable and fun day out.”

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

K C e CH

THIS OUT

our guide to interesting & essential bits & pieces

Beyond the highchair

Made using marine grade foam, the Tot Riser is light, portable, water resistant and easy to clean, making it the perfect “boost” for your child at the dinner table.

RRP $44.95. Available online at www.totriser.com

Bag this one!

TrayKit® is the all-in-one kid’s travel carry-on backpack and play-tray solution - a kid’s backpack which can strap to train and plane tray tables and hang from the seat in front in a car to provide an extendable play surface with raised sides.

RRP $54.95, available from www.flossymoo.com.au or 1300 855 101

Early to rise?

How do you get your children to understand when it’s time to get up? Simple… “Stay in bed until you see the sun!”

The glowing screen of the Gro Clock shows images of stars and sun to communicate ‘sleep’ and ‘wake-up time’.

RRP $79.95. Available online at www.bonitobaby.com.au and selected retail stores.

Warm in the water

Babywarma® wetsuits help make babies feel safe and secure, and most importantly, keeps them warm in the pool or at the beach. The fabric also ensures you can keep a firm grip on your baby. RRP $39.95. Available online from www.konfidence.com.au

No more BURNing buckle-prongs!

Lunchboxes with Love

Who would have thought a boiled egg could be so fab? Just boil a small egg as normal, take off the shell while still hot and pop in the mold. Put the mold in a bowl of cold water and leave for just a few moments and voila … an egg shaped like a bear or rabbit - no child could refuse! RRP $9.95 at www.lunchboxeswithlove.com

Make your own beautiful button hair ties The Sunshine Coast’s Itty bitty buttons sells gorgeous handmade fabric covered DIY button products.

The fun range includes hair ties/ bobby pins, magnets, bookmarks and rings in boys and girls colours.

RRP $14. Order online www.ittybittybuttons.com.au www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

BucklePodz fit onto those hot metal buckle-prongs in your child’s car seat, to keep them hidden and insulated, protecting baby’s delicate skin from burns when entering the car-seat. When you’re ready to buckle-up, simply flip them up and off you go! RRP $24.95 Order online at www.bucklepodz.com.au

Discover the World

Every child learns at a different pace. With Interactive World Map and Tag Reading system your child can learn the world’s continents and countries, build geography and map skills, learn words in other languages and discover how kids live around the world. RRP $69.99 for Tag Reading System, RRP $29.99 for the World Map, order online at www.peedeetoys.com.au JULY / AUGUST 2011 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

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FEATURE

In the best interests of a child…

by Sandra Smith

Cradling a fragile, red-faced newborn is a life-changing moment for new parents starting out on the journey of parenthood. It’s a road that most parents imagine they will travel together, but the traditional nuclear family is breaking down at an alarming rate with more than one third of all Australian marriages now ending in divorce.

The casualties of divorce are often the children, as the family home is fractured and lives are disrupted. Children’s loyalties are torn between warring parents, so it’s vital for separated parents to set aside their differences and work cooperatively to come to an agreement about their children’s care arrangements.

“When you start to think about children’s rights, you focus less on numbers of nights at each house or numbers of hours,” she says. “If you’re thinking of children’s rights, you start to think about stability, security, the ability to get on with their childhood free of being burdened by adult problems.”

Even through it can be challenging, when the needs of the children are prioritised, parents consider how they can both remain very involved in their children’s lives, while ensuring that care arrangements are not causing major disruption to the children every week or every few days.

Research shows that children are more likely to feel secure, confident and happy if both parents remain involved and interested in their lives, and while shared care is not mandatory, some families decide it is the best option.

Parents want their children to have positive, warm memories of a happy childhood, says Anne, and they need to focus on what they can do to contribute to those positive memories.

Shared care depends on many factors, such as the age of the children, the distance between households, the level of flexibility in the schedule and the ability of parents to communicate with each other.

Anne says the vast majority of separated and divorced parents are “doing a fabulous job” and are “really working hard to continue to find ways of agreeing and cooperating with the other parent”.

The Australian Institute of Family Studies reports that the number of children in shared care has increased since the 1990s, however, statistics show that most children still spend more time with their mothers and only a small proportion of children spend equal or shared time with both parents.

Mediation services like Relationships Australia can help parents negotiate through the hard decisions about the care of the children, with an emphasis on cooperating and developing the skills for solving disagreements into the future.

Relationships Australia CEO and psychologist Anne Hollonds says it’s important for separated parents to try to understand objectively what’s best for their children and to separate their own needs from that.

She warns that having a consent order registered through the Family Court or having a judge hand down a decision is no guarantee that arguments about care of the children will stop.

“First and foremost, children have a right to a meaningful relationship with both parents,” Anne says. “As long as it’s safe for children, then they have a right to know their parents and if possible be cared for by both parents.”

“The chances are that both or one of you will be unhappy with the outcome, and you’re going to find things to keep arguing about,” she says. “You’ve got to understand that what damages the children most is the ongoing arguments, whether it be about money or about the number of nights or about anything else.”

“What we try and do is help parents to rebuild that bridge that is actually meant to support that child,” Anne says.

Anne says family law changes have shifted the focus from parental rights to children’s rights and parental responsibilities.

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KiDs on tHe CoAst – JULY / AUGUST 2011

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

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Coast kids love Kiddie Kicks soccer Over the past 12 months, Kiddie Kicks soccer has become so popular with Sunshine Coast kids that the number of classes being offered is doubling from July.

Kiddie Kicks offers introductory soccer skills for two to five year old boys and girls. Coast families have been quick to sign up for these classes which encourage children to learn team work and progressive ball skills in a fun and interactive way.

Founding coach Dave O’Reilly says “Kids love being active, learning new things and playing with mates. Kiddie Kicks ticks all these boxes.” New coach Terii Rahui is enthusiastic about the new classes starting and is looking forward to kicking off soon at a location near you.

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www.lccq.org.au Have you separated from your partner?

Need help deciding ongoing parenting arrangements?

Or are you seeking general relationship advice and information?

The Sunshine Coast Family Relationship Centre can provide child focused Family Dispute Resolution, child consultive and family therapy FREE OF CHARGE We can support you: In the development of a parenting plan By providing family relationship advice and information By linking you with other organisations who may be of further assistance For additional information please contact the Sunshine Coast Family Relationship Centre 43 - 45 Primary School Court - Maroochydore P: 07 5452 9700 Or the Family Relationship Advice Line on 1800 050 321 www. familyrelationships.gov.au

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

JULY / AUGUST 2011 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

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FEATURE

Most dads are much more involved with the hands-on care of their children than their own fathers were. They have learned how to change nappies, cook and clean and soothe restless children at night. This cultural shift means that fathers expect to be closely involved with their children after separation, and the traditional presumption of contact with dad every second weekend and part of the school holidays has been abandoned.

Fathers might be very keen to have a 50:50 care agreement, but Anne says that an equal care arrangement won’t hold up if it’s not practical or if the dad has no experience with domestic tasks.

“Fathers have the best chance of optimal shared care arrangements when they’ve already shared care before separation,” she explains.

Some fathers end up spending limited time with their children and about one third of fathers never see their children, according to a 2004 Australian Bureau of Statistics report. When fathers lose access to their children, they can feel depressed, angry and out of control.

Lone Fathers Association Australia (LFAA) president and founder Barry Williams has worked tirelessly for men’s rights since the early 1970s, when he first became a single dad.

“It’s a real battlefield out there,” he says. “I’m highly trained in suicide prevention, and I’ve taken ropes from around people’s necks, stopped them burning themselves up in their houses, stopped them from crashing their cars and…it’s all because they can’t see their kids.”

Barry says shared care works well when parents live in close proximity to each other and the LFAA is opposed to any family law changes that may impact on fathers spending time with their children.

Ferguson Cannon Lawyers senior associate Michelle Beatty says there is a lot of misunderstanding about shared care in the community, following family law changes in 2006.

Under the 2006 family law amendments, the court looks at “equal parental responsibility”, which means that parents are required to make joint decisions about major long-term issues for the child, including education, religious and cultural upbringing, health and living arrangements.

The 2006 amendments require the court to consider whether or not “equal time” with both parents is appropriate, but Michelle says that equal shared time doesn’t always apply.

If equal time is not suitable, then the courts must consider “substantial and significant time” with each parent, which generally includes spending time midweek as well as on weekends and holidays.

This allows both parents to participate in the children’s everyday lives and in significant events like sporting events, birthdays and other special occasions.

“They’re taking them to or from school or involved in doing their homework, those sorts of things,” Michelle says. “It gets them involved in the children’s daily routine rather than it being simply weekend time.”

While shared care is considered by the court, Michelle says that in the majority of cases 50:50 care is simply not practical, for example, if a newborn baby is being breastfed.

“Shared care is only going to be appropriate when the parents live relatively close to each other and they can communicate and actually achieve things, because it takes a fairly high level of communication to get a shared care regime working when children are going between households,” she says.

Michelle advises parents to seek legal advice if they’re not in agreement about what they think should occur, or if they need some help with documenting and implementing an agreement.

It’s often the little things that end up causing problems, says Michelle, and having a parenting agreement documented in detail clarifies any misunderstandings.

There are 34 metropolitan and regional community legal centres in Queensland that provide free family law advice by phone and face-to-face consultations.

Lawyers can inform parents of what the court may be likely to order, and if the parents agree on either a parenting plan or consent orders, they can make an application to the court for orders by consent and thus avoid costly and stressful legal battles.

“If the registrar thinks the arrangements are in the best interests of the children, fair and reasonable, then they would make those consent orders,” Michelle says.

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KiDs on tHe CoAst – JULY / AUGUST 2011

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

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Shared Care laws explained “A lot of mums and dads come to me saying, `shared care (equal time) is now the law’, but that’s not true,” says Michelle Beatty, Senior Associate with Ferguson Cannon Lawyers. “The 2006 changes to the law specifically says parents have `equal parental responsibility’. So parents must both agree on long term decisions for children - education, name (including surname), health, religious and cultural upbringing and changes in a child’s living arrangements that would affect them seeing the other parent,” she adds.

to implement a shared care regime; the level of communication between the parents and the impact of a shared care regime on the child.”

“If equal parental responsibility applies, then the first thing the court has to decide is whether shared care (equal time) would be practical and in the child’s best interests. As to practicalities, a court will want to know, amongst other things - how close the parents live to each other; the parents’ ability

“Essentially, the changes in the law require parents to agree on the big issues. Orders like we used to see in the past, for children to only spend alternative weekends with Dad, are rare, rather than the norm, if Dad does want more time. The Court’s position is: `The welfare of the children is the paramount consideration,” Michelle adds.

Michelle explains that if shared care isn’t appropriate, the Court must consider whether the child should spend `substantial and significant time’ with each parent: time on weekdays, weekends and holidays that allows both parents to be involved in the child’s daily routine as well as occasions and events of special significance to both the parent and the child.

Everyone wins when you put kids first.

Kids F irst

A uniq ue for sep information ara how we ting parent kit s and can help you.

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

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Separation or relationship breakdown can put you into conflict affecting your whole family. Advice from a family law professional, who is focused on achieving positive outcomes, p for fo you and your children can put you in safe hands.

For Fo our free information booklet email info@fclawyers.com.au

Level 1, 17 Southern Drive Maroochydore L L Level 25, 239 George Street Brisbane 1800 640 509 fclawyers.com.au JULY / AUGUST 2011 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

11

FEATURE

Parenting Plans A Parenting Plan is a written agreement that gives details of arrangements about time spent with the children after separation or divorce. It is not legally binding, but it can become the basis for a Parenting Order (also known as a Consent Order).

Parenting Orders If separated parents reach agreement about the care arrangements of the children, they can submit a Parenting Plan to the Family Court, using the relevant application form. The plan then becomes a Parenting Order, which is a binding and enforceable document, if the Family Court considers the agreement to be fair and reasonable.

Determining what is in a child’s best interests The Family Court considers: 1. The benefit to the child of having a meaningful relationship with both of the child’s parents 2. The need to protect the child from physical or psychological harm and from being subjected to, or exposed to, abuse, neglect or family violence

One of the biggest issues affecting existing shared care agreements is when parents’ circumstances change and Michelle sees many clients who run into difficulties as a result.

The bill may lengthen the time that parents spend in court, and Michelle says it could be open to manipulation and abuse, if it includes situations that wouldn’t ordinarily be considered violent.

A parent may want to relocate to another area if they re-partner or want to change jobs, and they need help renegotiating parenting agreements. Even moving to another suburb in the same region can be difficult for families with shared care agreements.

Family counselling groups, including Relationships Australia, support the reforms as they see the protection of children’s rights and safety as a top priority.

What is best for the parent may not always be in the best interests of the children, and after the move, children may spend long hours travelling to and from school or extra-curricular activities.

“The court will look at it from what’s in the best interests of the children and why they have moved,” Michelle says. “They look purely on it as a case by case basis. Who do they primarily spend their time with, how could it work if they moved somewhere else, what would be the expenses associated with it, what are the options?”

Challenging situations arise where there is a poor level of communication, and this is when professional mediation is helpful.

Fathers’ groups, such as the LFAA, argue that the proposal is gender-biased and they are concerned that fathers may be prevented from seeing their children even if claims of family violence are false or exaggerated.

The family law reforms will require the courts to give more consideration to family violence and this could have widespread implications for separated parents who are in dispute about care arrangements.

Resources Family Relationship Services Australia Phone: 1800 050 321 or visit: www. familyrelationships.gov.au Family Court of Australia Phone: 1300 352 000 or visit: www.familycourt.gov.au Kids Helpline Phone: 1800 551 800 or visit: www.kidshelp.com.au

The Gillard government is proposing more family law reforms, and a Family Law Legislation Amendment (Family Violence and Other Measures) Bill 2011 is currently being debated by parliament.

At the heart of the 2011 bill is a strengthened domestic violence definition, designed to improve the way the Family Court protects children from exposure to family violence.

Lifeline Phone: 13 11 14 or visit: www.lccq.org.au Men’s Line Australia Phone: 1300 789 978 or visit: www.menslineaus.org.au Queensland Association of Independent Legal Services Inc (QAILS) Visit: www.qails.org.au Raising Children Network Visit: www.raisingchildren.net.au Relationships Australia Phone: 1300 364 277 or visit: www.relationships.com.au

Michelle says the legislation broadens the definition of domestic violence to include a range of non-physical behaviours, and this will change how the Court deals with family violence and allegations of violence.

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KiDs on tHe CoAst – JULY / AUGUST 2011

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

JULY / AUGUST 2011 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

13

THE ‘P’ Files

Why One Love Doesn’t Fit All

by Belinda Hopper

If I told you my husband brought a freshly brewed cup of coffee to me in bed every morning, you would probably think he was a sweetheart.

You may even be jealous. But I would roll my eyes and complain, doesn’t he know by now that I don’t like coffee! (If it was a cup of tea, I’d think he was the most wonderful person in the world.)

What is intended as a loving action might not be perceived as such: Why? Because there can be a chasm between the intent behind an action, and how it is received. We need love to be tailored to us uniquely, in order to feel loved. Essentially, it’s a confirmation that we are known, listened to, and validated in our personality and preferences.

Love makes the world go round

Queensland psychologist, Dr Jacqueline Boon, says being nurtured in love teaches the capacity to love, and is important to aid a young child’s healthy development.

“Skin-to-skin contact between mother and child is essential for brain neurons to connect with other neurons and form important long-lasting pathways, creating a neurological code of love. This, as well as maternal responsiveness can lead to self-confidence and self-reliance in later childhood years. A strong parent-child connection is considered essential for optimal brain development.”

Love is crucial not only to your child’s internal physical and emotional development, but also to their external development; helping them to learn empathy and compassion for others. Dr Boon says, “There is a saying, ‘how we treat the child, the child will treat the world’. By treating children lovingly, they in turn will learn to love themselves and others.”

So how can we tell whether or not we are meeting our child’s need for love? Dr Boon says, “Increasingly unco-operative behaviour, without any known trigger, could be a form of communication from a child that their needs for attention/ connectivity/love are presently unmet.”

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KiDs on tHe CoAst – JULY / AUGUST 2011

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

iTh w ES i R T i a V i E T ib ac g o y

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l o o T h N c E S M R N i o a f T S R E U T JoiN ay EN id l o Yogi Bear Live Show h 27 June - 1 July riverwalk Stage 11am & 1pm daily

Yogi Bear Craft viLLage 4 - 8 July riverwalk Stage 11am - 2pm daily

TM & © Hanna-Barbera (s11)

YOGI BEAR SHOW Watch Yogi BEAR, Boo Boo and Ranger Smith sing, dance and all work together to help stop Jellystone Park from closing!

11Am And 1pm dAIlY - RIvERWAlk StAGE www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

YOGI BEAR CRAFt vIllAGE Children can decorate their very own Yogi BEAR Gingerbread to take home and enjoy.

11Am-2pm dAIlY - RIvERWAlk StAGE *Please note the character will not be appearing at this event.

JULY / AUGUST 2011 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

15

THE ‘P’ Files “The theory is: If we do not understand someone’s primary love language, it is difficult to express love to them in a meaningful way.”

Loving your child

The common response from parents I interviewed is that we don’t appreciate how straight-forward the young years are while our children are in them. Those with primary-aged children said meeting the emotional needs of babies or toddlers is easy, just as the parents of teenagers argued that meeting the emotional needs of primary-aged children is easy, in comparison to the complex needs of teenagers.

As children grow and develop their individual personalities and temperaments, meeting their emotional needs becomes trickier for parents.

Have you noticed that children respond differently to the same expression of love?

One child might adore cuddles, while another recoils from affection. Or perhaps the child who once enjoyed cuddles, is now less interested in them?

The love languages

It might be fun and beneficial to first work out your own preferred love language.

Have a look at the list and see which you’re most responsive to.

Quality Time: You don’t mind what activity you do, just as long as you’re together.

Undivided attention makes you feel well-connected and loved.

Physical Touch: You’re tactile by nature. You enjoy giving and receiving cuddles, kisses and maybe even a massage. Physical touch speaks love to you.

Gifts: To know someone has been paying attention to your interests and puts thought into buying you the perfect gift fills your emotional tank. You also take great satisfaction in finding the perfect gift for your loved ones.

We need to observe and listen to our children, in order to meet their individual needs for love effectively.

Acts of Service: If someone goes out of their way to do something for you, you feel loved and appreciated. You also show love to others by doing something thoughtful for them. Actions speak louder than words for you.

The Theory

Affirmation: You value communication. For you, words speak louder than actions.

You like to hear and say the words, ‘I love you’. Your emotional tank is filled by sincere compliments and expressions of appreciation.

The theory is: If we do not understand someone’s primary love language, it is difficult to express love to them in a meaningful way.

It makes for interesting conversation to discuss the love languages with your partner. Sometimes it can be hard to immediately place yourselves or each other.

And it can be hard to appreciate someone else’s love language, if it is one we could take or leave ourselves. Leanne says, “Initially, I thought my husband’s love language of gifts was immature. But when I consider his mother is the most exquisite giftgiver; it makes sense that he would consider a well thought-out gift an expression of love. He could take or leave the card, whereas I could take or leave the gift. My husband has pinned me down to ‘words of affirmation expressed in written, poetic form’—a tall order for a male to fill!”

According to Doctors Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell, in their New York Times bestseller, The Five Love Languages of Children, there are five main categories or languages in which we all (not just children) give and receive love: physical touch, words of affirmation, giving and receiving gifts, acts of service, and quality time. While we might think we like all of them, there is usually one or two that speak love more tenderly to us. (One friend’s husband thinks there should be a sixth category: acts of silence, to be expressed lovingly while the footy’s on).

Now that you have worked out which love language you prefer, what about your children—how do you decipher their love language, if they’re not self-aware enough to tell you?

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KiDs on tHe CoAst – JULY / AUGUST 2011

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

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JULY / AUGUST 2011 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

17

THE ‘P’ Files “We need to observe and listen to our children, in order to meet their individual needs for love effectively.”

The Clue

The clue is in the way they express love to you. We treat others the way we like to be treated. Mother of three, Isobelle, says, “I’ve noticed one of my children is very tactile; she blossoms with cuddles, and often snuggles up to me. Another just likes to have me all to herself for a while, asking if I can read to her on her own. Another likes to be affirmed; I know this because he keeps asking me, ‘Do you like what I did? I’ve been good, haven’t I? Watch me!’ He’s fishing for affirmation. I try to show love to my children by imitating the way they show love to me, and initiating it with them.”

The universal kids’ language

Dr Boon says that play is the universal language of children, and that “Communicating our love, laughing together and being playful are very powerful ways of connecting and meeting little one’s needs for love. Physically active play meets a child’s need for attention, for touch and deep connection.” This is especially the case for boys, whose rumbling is a form of affection.

As for teens

According to Shaunti Feldhahn and Lisa Rice in their research-driven book, For Parents Only, the best way to meet a teen’s need for love is through listening. We need to give them the security of knowing we are making an effort to understand them and will be there for them regardless of their mistakes—but kids will emotionally shut out a parent they see as judgmental.

Feldhahn and Rice offer good news to parents of teens, “our kids actually want to talk to us. The bad news is the reason they don’t—we are simply rotten listeners.”

Gender differences

Is there a difference between how boys and girls give and receive love?

Jane, mother of four, two boys and two girls, doesn’t think so. “Both my boys and girls delight in showing love. I feel that there are differences in the way love is given and received, but it’s not necessarily related to their gender, more to their individual characters and personalities.”

Never ending love

It’s crucial to pay attention to those we love, particularly our children; to learn the best way to express our love to them individually. As Dr Boon says, “Across our lifespan, from infancy to old age, our hearts, minds and brains are sponges for love.

As such our health, development and general well-being depend on receiving it.”

We’re all different in so many ways; it makes sense that we would give and receive love uniquely. We just need to appreciate one another’s differences and communicate openly. If my husband brings me a coffee in bed, I can either speak up, and say while I appreciate the gesture what I would really like is a cup of tea or, I can take the hint that he would appreciate a morning coffee in bed!

Further reading The Five Love Languages of Children

For teens to feel loved, they need to feel heard. And to feel heard they need us to acknowledge what they are feeling rather than jump straight in to try and fix their problem. This is partly due to their hormonally-charged state, but it cannot be dismissed as simply that. The teens surveyed strongly agreed on their list of don’ts for parents;

By Dr Gary Chapman & Dr Ross Campbell. RRP: $14.99 If you and your child speak different love languages, your affection might get lost in translation, affecting their attitude, behaviour, and development. This book gives practical suggestions for learning how your children interpret love and creating a sense of security in which they can thrive.

• Don’t dismiss their feelings

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• Don’t make up your mind before hearing them out

by Shaunti Feldhahn & Lisa A. Rice. RRP: $14.99 More than 1,000 real-life teens and tweens were surveyed and personally interviewed to tackle those things parents often don’t “get” about their kids. Here are their answers: everything a teen wishes their parents to know about relating to them.

• Don’t be more concerned to make your point than hear them • Don’t care more about enforcing rules than your relationship • Don’t overreact—for good or bad.

It seems in their tumultuous emotional state, teens need to know their parents are emotionally stable and available for them.

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KiDs on tHe CoAst – JULY / AUGUST 2011

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

Happy 4th Birthday

Curious Kids Can Curious Kids Can has improved me a lot. Before I started I always came home with some trouble but now I just come home with positive things to say. PW-R

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w w w .b e l l a g r a c e .c o m .a u JULY / AUGUST 2011 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

19

education

Sharing and growing together

by Justine Stewart

When you first hear someone talking about “EATSIPS” as part of the new national curriculum, you might think it’s got something to do with morning tea. But in fact, it’s a terrific way to help all Australians understand the history and heritage of our first people, and help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kids to achieve their full potential.

EATSIPS stands for Embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Perspectives in Schools. Launched in 2006, it’s now starting to become part of more and more kids’ classroom experiences around Australia, from kindergartens right through to high schools.

Sharron Lindh works with kids to help them share and appreciate Aboriginal Culture in fun and creative ways.

“I’m a proud Gamilaroi Wiradjuri woman. My people come from Moree and Cootamundra,” she explains.

“Gamilaroi and Wiradjuri Country are two of the biggest nations in New South Wales. I’ve always been brought up to believe in myself and be proud of being Aboriginal. I have always felt and known that our people are very spiritual, positive and come from a beautiful place. But I guess as I got older, I found out not everyone had the same views. For me, that challenge became a positive; now I can share with people a way that they can embrace Aboriginal Culture.”

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KiDs on tHe CoAst – JULY / AUGUST 2011

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JULY / AUGUST 2011 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

21

education Turning around negativity Having spent time studying education and working in C&K (Creche & Kindergarten Association) Centres as an assistant and teacher aide, Sharron now spends two days a week as an Aboriginal Education Support Officer in a school, and spends the rest of the week visiting various kindergartens, preschools and Prep classes to introduce young children to Aboriginal Culture, (she also works as artist, painting and making jewellery).

“We do painting, music, dancing, talking about plants, animals, bush medicine and foods, about how we need to take care of the environment - it’s a mixture of everything.

“I say to the kids, ‘this Aboriginal culture is a part of every single one of you, because you’re all Australian. This was our first history…and by that, I mean all of us here together, as one people. You live, breathe, work and play on this land, and this land was and is loved and cared for by our first people, who are the Aboriginal people’. It gives everyone a whole new way of looking at it.”

Sharron’s positive attitude is infectious, and she doesn’t like to dwell on the incident that eventually led to her chosen career. But for those of us who grew up in the 1970s and 1980s, especially in regional Australia, it’s an important reminder of the attitudes that prevailed at the time.

“I had, I guess, a bad incident when I was in high school, when I was thirteen or fourteen” she says, when I press her about what made her want to work in Aboriginal education.

“The teacher pointed at me (the only Aboriginal person in the classroom) and said we were savages who didn’t know how to live properly. He said our people weren’t evolved and challenged me to stand up and share with him how I thought they were. I knew that our people had an amazing culture, but at that moment I felt like he was calling my Mum and Dad liars for having brought me up to believe in that,” she says.

“It just devastated me. I grabbed my bag and I ran. My desk fell over, my chair fell over. I ran for miles, blocks and blocks away from school. After that day, Mum and Dad had all hell trying to get me to go back to school. I just totally disengaged.

I didn’t want to be there. But even though it was a bad thing to happen, it’s ended up bringing so much positivity,” she says. “I thought, well, we need to do something about this.”

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KiDs on tHe CoAst – JULY / AUGUST 2011

Embracing Aboriginal Culture Sharron now helps teachers embed Aboriginal perspectives into their learning, and loves working with younger children especially. Not only because they’re great fun, but because, as she says, “if we get in and share with our little people, when they’re young, hopefully they have good positive attitudes to start with”.

“With the older kids, at school, I’m there to support the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, through literacy and numeracy and also to help them with their self-identity and self-awareness. Whether they’re Aboriginal or not, if kids aren’t confident about who they are they’re not going to learn for themselves, no matter how much you try to pump reading and writing into them. For a lot of our people, our self-esteem is low because of what happened in the past.

“Once people get to high school it’s like: ‘oh quick, we need to do something, these kids aren’t doing well’. We can still help those kids, but it’s much better to be proactive when they’re younger and give them some techniques to understand their feelings and develop self-worth.”

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If you are interested in finding out more, please contact the school office on 5446 4780 to receive a prospectus, or arrange a school tour.

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JULY / AUGUST 2011 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

23

education In the classroom Year 2 teacher Greg Pickering says a classroom needs to be a welcoming community where all students feel safe, valued and wanted, and explains how the EATSIPS approach has helped achieve that.

For example, young kids can be offered beginners’ storybooks with a variety of settings, including Indigenous children, families and communities. Stories might take place in central Australia, and show landscapes of red dust or lush green trees or houses beside rivers. The books don’t need to specifically say ‘this is an Indigenous setting’ but they give an understanding that not everyone lives in a city or on the same part of the land.

When Year 2 and Year 4 classes looked at how the Australian continent is broken up into different ‘countries’, it led on to discussions about differences within Aboriginal culture.

“When I grew up we had a picture of one Aboriginal person [and some] Aboriginal tools and weapons and that was it,” says Greg.

“Even if kids just learn that Aboriginal people can look and sound different depending on where in Australia they come from and not just that one stereotypical image, that’s a start,” he says.

“I think as Australians, we need to know about our history and embrace Indigenous heritage and perspectives. I know I’m proud to teach it,” he adds.

Greg says he also noticed the positive effects of an activities program designed to help Indigenous children value their culture and themselves. He says students who’d been hesitant presenters in class became proud and enthusiastic when performing at a special assembly to showcase what they’d been learning about, and their families felt more welcome at the school.

“It lifted their self-esteem, made them prouder of who they are and where they come from,” he says.

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KiDs on tHe CoAst – JULY / AUGUST 2011

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

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Could you be a Montessori teacher?

It is amazing how often people ask, “Are Montessori teachers’ real teachers?” Montessori teachers often hold multiple degrees. For example, the staff at Montessori International College hold undergraduate and post graduate qualifications from mainstream tertiary institutions. In addition to these credentials they must complete a rigorous course of training in order to gain their Montessori diplomas.

The role of the Montessori teacher is quite different to that of the mainstream teacher. Typically, in the early years and primary environments the teacher will give a lesson to an individual child or to a small group, and then step back to enable the child to pursue the work independently, constructing their knowledge actively, rather than mechanically memorising knowledge from the teacher or the textbook. With the younger students, the teacher is more active, demonstrating the use of materials and presenting activities based on an assessment of the child’s requirements. Knowing how to observe constructively and when, and how much, to intervene, is one of the most important skills the Montessori teacher acquires during their training.

While each child is working independently, the teacher continues to observe them in order to help overcome any difficulties that may arise and to redirect the child’s interest whenever necessary. In this way, Montessori teachers transform the student from a passive recipient of information to an active participant in the learning process, teaching them not just what to learn, but how to learn.

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JULY / AUGUST 2011 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

25

education

Skin deep “Little kids don’t see colour, they don’t see difference,” says Sharron Lindh.

“A long time ago, when my daughter was little, we were out shopping she said ‘Look, there’s a doll who looks like Jemma.’ This was her friend Jemma, who was a beautiful very dark skinned Aboriginal girl. There were two dolls, a fair skinned one and a darker skinned doll. And I thought to myself: ‘Gee, that doesn’t look like Jemma at all’. Then she pointed out the fair skinned Barbie and said: ‘See, she has the same eyes and hair as Jemma’. The skin she didn’t even see. I got tears in my eyes, then another woman who I didn’t even know asked me was I alright, and I told her, and there we both were in Big W holding hands and crying. I just thought: ‘how beautiful is that?’ It’s just that whole purity and innocence that these little children have and we can all learn so much from their openness and their acceptance.”

Sharron explains that when she leads teachers in professional development workshops, she establishes up front that dealing with the past is not about blame, guilt or shame, or wanting to make others feel bad: “It’s about understanding and having knowledge about what’s happened. We need to know our past to live in the now to move forward in the future. For our people, everything was hidden and shoved underneath the carpet, and the carpet got lumpier. Terrible things happened. We need to know what happened so we can help make the carpet a smoother road for all, then we have solid ground to walk together on, only then can we move forward. Acknowledgement and understanding is the key to unlock a brighter future.

“I’ve never had any really negative reactions, no-one’s ever said to me: ‘oh this is a load of garbage’. I’ve had people that you can see might be thinking something negative, but, you know, I don’t know how they’ve grown up, I don’t know what’s happened in their life and how they’ve perceived Aboriginal people in their life, and that’s coming from their past, their grandmothers, or great-grandmothers or uncles or whoever, and that’s okay, because all it takes is just a little seed that can be planted somewhere. This is a new generation, experiencing something different.

“Change brings a lot of fear to people. I try to embrace change because it helps my brain stay active and not just do the same old, same old. With the embedding Aboriginal perspectives, when I go into do a workshop with the preschool teachers and the kindy teachers, I say to them: ‘It’s about focusing on what you do already.

Stress less is best. Every day, you sit in circle. Sitting in circle is something our people have done for thousands and thousands of years. This is our time when we come together and share. You call it group time – you could change the name to Yarning Circle, and talk about it.’ Empowering our educators and enhancing the already established day-to-day routines at your centre is a positive way to share an Aboriginal perspective. It’s not about you teaching Culture; we have our people – the experts – for that. And that’s what I love – it’s not about changing the entire system, it’s bringing a new way for all to take part and enjoy.”

26

KiDs on tHe CoAst – JULY / AUGUST 2011

Making it happen at your child’s kindy or preschool Sharron’s suggestions for introducing and embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives include: • Find out who are the Custodians of the land where your centre is based.

The local council will usually know, and there may be a Circle of Elders within your community.

• Show you welcome everyone. Have some Aboriginal artwork around your centre. Display all three flags – the Aboriginal flag, the Australian flag, and the Torres Strait Islander flag.

• Have an Aboriginal map and Australian map both on display. (For copies of the Aboriginal Australia map, go to the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies: www.aiatsis.gov.au) • Learn a song like “Head and Shoulders Knees and Toes” in an Aboriginal language.

• Display and read books with Aboriginal and Islander language and stories.

• Have an open mind – don’t believe everything you see on TV. If you have the opportunity to go to an Aboriginal festival, don’t be fearful, go and be involved, you’ll be surprised at how welcome you’ll be.

Sharron can come to visit centres on the Sunshine Coast. She can be emailed at: slindh@optusnet.com.au Dare To Lead is a Commonwealth funded national project with a focus on improving educational outcomes for Indigenous students. For more information go to: www.daretolead.edu.au For more information on EATSIPS, go to the Qld Education Dept website (www. education.qld.gov.au/schools) and select Indigenous, then services, then EATSIPS www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

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Healthy cooking with kids

Ingredients

by Carolyn Watson

Students at New Leaf Early Learning Centre have enjoyed cooking lessons every Friday this term as part of their specialist lesson timetable (which also includes music, sport and library). Here is one of our favourite recipes!

Easy Quiche 1.

Cut pastry and line mini muffin tin with a piece in each section

2.

Put a layer of cheese on the bottom of the pastry

3.

Then add a layer of bacon

4.

Mix eggs, cream, mushrooms, capsicum and nutmeg and pepper.

5.

Pour mixture over bacon and cheese

6.

Bake in oven at 190degrees for 30mins or until custard is set.

7.

Allow to cool, then serve

1 Piece Puff pa stry 200g cheese, th inly sliced 200g bacon ch opped 6 mushrooms finely chopped ¼ capsicum fin ely chopped 3 eggs ¾ cup cream Pinch of nutm eg Pinch cayenne pepper

If you would like to hear more about the Pre-Prep Program at New Leaf Early Learning Centre, go to www.scgs.qld.edu.au/newleaf or contact the centre on (07) 5453 7077 for a tour.

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

JULY / AUGUST 2011 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

27

What’s on CalendaR Thanks to the assistance of Gillian Griffiths at Sunshine Coast Council.

Further events can be found under the “Events Calendar” section of www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au

June 29, June 1, 6 and 8

July 1-8

Healthy kids cooking classes

JULY

The Magic Science show

Where: Ginger Factory When: From 10am Inner chef yearning to be unleashed, then kids (from 8yrs) will be in for a treat with the return of the Ginger Factory’s hugely popular healthy kids cooking classes with Michelin-starred chef, Erik Van Alphen.

Cost: $50 Details: Bookings essential, contact www.buderimgingercookingschool.com.au or call 1800 067 686

Where: Ginger Factory When: Run three times a day, during weekdays, Ginger Factory open 7 days 9am to 5pm Seasoned children’s performer, Rainbow, will delve deep into her kooky bag of tricks to introduce children to the fascinating world of science through a series of experiments with lots of fun gags and magic thrown in.

Cost: General admission to The Ginger Factory is free, ticket prices apply to tours and rides.

Details: www.gingerfactory.com.au or 1800 067 686

July 1

July/August – every Monday

Winter ArtsCool Where: Caloundra Regional gallery Ages 5 – 8 from 10 – 11am & 11am – 12noon Ages 9 – 12 from 12:30 - 2pm Children’s winter holiday art workshops Cost: $15 per workshop Details: Bookings essential. Phone 5420 8299

July 2

Art Kids Club Where: Caloundra Regional Gallery When: 10am – 12noon Free children’s art activities, based on current exhibition, first Saturday of each month.

Cost: Free Details: Phone 5420 8299

July 6

Eco Relief printmaking Where: Noosa Regional Gallery When: 1.30 – 3.30pm Children’s activities (8 to 12 years): Think reduce, reuse & recycle and explore the construction of relief printing and create colourful patterns inspired by Javanese imagery.

Bookings and pre-payment essential.

Cost: $20 Details: Phone 5449 5340 or email gallery.noosa@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au

AIKIDO Classes for Kids and adults

Where: Maroochy Sailing Club, Chambers Island, Bradman Ave, Maroochydore When: Every Monday from 6:30 – 7:30pm Aikido for kids classes combine Aikido along with Rock and Water both taught worldwide to promote self-awareness, anti-bullying and self defence strategies.

Cost: 5 lesson intro program $80 Adults, $60 cons/ jnr; family discounts available Details: Jim 0401 866 414

1-8 July 2-9 /August 26-28

July 2

July 4 – 8

Where: Kiah Park When: Daily Trail rides and day trips during the school holidays and long weekends, from age 6 to teens. Beginners welcome.

Cost: Contact Kiah Park for pricing Details: 5486 6166 or www.kiahpark.com.au

Where: Maroochy RSL Mystery Island When: From 5:30pm Quick jump into your warm PJs and warm up in the Mystery Island theatre.

Cost: May apply Details: www.maroochyrsl.com.au

Where: Sunshine Plaza Riverwalk Stage When: 11am – 2pm daily Children can decorate their very own Yogi bear gingerbread to take home and enjoy Details: www.sunshineplaza.com

Horse Riding Camp

Winter PJ Party

Yogi Bear Craft Village

oast.com.au

Find more @ www.kidsonthec

July 6 Printing from Nature

July 7

ALADDIN AND HIS MAGICAL IPOD

July 8

July 7 Exploring Patterns in Where: Noosa Regional Gallery When: 10.30am - 12noon Children’s activities (4 to 7 years): Using nature based objects and pigments; children will explore the infinite possibilities of exploring art in nature through simple printmaking techniques.

Cost: $15 per day. Can attend one day or both.

Details: Bookings and pre-payment essential.

Phone 5449 5340 or email gallery.noosa@ sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au

Where: Lake Kawana Community Centre When: 10am to 12noon Presented by Jally Productions, an interactive and educational play for children.

Cost: $13 / $11 groups 8+ (adults at children’s prices) Details: To book please phone 5413 1400

Where: The J, Noosa When: 10am to 12noon Presented by Jally Productions, an interactive and educational play for children.

Cost: $13 / $11 groups 8+ (adults at children’s prices) Details: To book, phone 5455 4455 or online www.scvenuesandevents.com.au

Printing

July 10, August 14

Noosa Gallery Family Day Where: Noosa Regional Gallery When: 11am – 2pm Free children’s art activities, based on current exhibition Cost: FREE Details: Phone 5449 5340

July 9

From July 13

Where: Buderim War Memorial Hall, Cnr Main St and Gloucester Rd, Buderim When: 9am – 1pm Mamma’s Market is a high quality boutique style monthly market with a focus on handmade, unique items and services catering to pregnancy, baby, children and family.

Cost: Free Details: www.mammasmarket.com

Where: Maroochy Baptist Centre, Wises Road Buderim When: Every Wednesday 1-3pm, for 8 weeks The course provides support for women, education and strategies to help overcome PND with a registered psychologist.

Cost: Free Details: Please call Lisa to register on 0417 540 820

Mamma’s Market

Postnatal Depression Women’s Support Group.

ALADDIN AND HIS MAGICAL IPOD

July 16

Christmas in July

Where: Maroochy RSL Mystery Island When: 6 – 9pm Is it Christmas already? No, but you can join in the Christmassy fun at Mystery Island.

Cost: May apply Details: www.maroochyrsl.com.au

July 1-9

Sandwizard Activites Where: Noosa Civic Shopping Centre Food Court When: 10am – 4pm daily Every child will receive one free Sandwizard Activity each per day. (should Children wish to do more than one then there will be a minimal cost of $2.50) Details: Phone 5440 7900

July 2

Comic Club Where: Cooroy Library When: 9:30 – 11:30am Great if you are interested in Manga, Chibi, drawing or just reading.

Cost: Free Details: Phone 5454 9000

July 4

Music time Where: Cooroy Library When: 11:00 – 11:30am Music and movement session for 0-4 years with Kindermusik teacher Verna Hewitt.

Cost: Free Details: Phone 5454 9000

July 4

Teen Read Month Meet Where: Cooroy Library When: 1.30 – 4pm School Holiday Activity for teens aged 13+,read and write book reviews, blog, chat with other teen readers.

Cost: Free Details: Bookings essential. Phone 5454 9000

July 9

Pokemon Club Where: Cooroy Library When: 9:30 – 11:30am Great for 7-15 years. Bring along your DS games, trading cards and Wii games for some Pokerrific fun!!

Cost: Free Details: No bookings required. Phone Jackson for more info on 5442 7374

July 21

Kaleido-play Where: Kawana Family Centre, Iluka Ave, Buddina next to the tennis courts When: 9am – 12pm A variety of activities including crafts, gold coin massage, stories, food, coffee/tea and so much play time.

Cost: Adults $5, kids free Details: www.kaleidoscopeevents.com.au

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t s u g u a July 23 Sunny Coast Baby and Kids Market

Where: Nambour PCYC, Youth Ave, Nambour When: 8am – 12noon Preloved and handmade clothes for under 5’s Cost: Entry $2 Details: sunnycoastbabykidsmarket@hotmail. com or phone 0410 466 402

August 1

Child safety Sessions Where: Cooroy Library When: 10:00 – 11am The 1 hr sessions will be a combination of showing Bruce and Denise Morcombe ‘Foundation Red’ DVD and a talk (plus Q&A) on the Morcombes personal experience Cost: Free Details: Bookings essential. Phone 5454 9000

We publish information based on what is supplied to us - to the best of our knowledge all details were correct at time of printing, however we do recommend you check event details with the organisers.

July 30 BABY & KIDS MARKET

Where: Lake Kawana Community Centre, Sportsmans Parade, Bokarina When: From 9am – 12noon The original Baby & Kids Market! Quality preloved goods by great brands at bargain prices, and some unique new goods. Prams, toys, clothes, books, shoes & more! Everything you need for kids 0-7 years.

Cost: $3 entry, kids FREE Details: www.babykidsmarket.com.au

August 6 Art Kids Club

Where: Caloundra Regional Gallery When: 10:00 – 12 noon Free children’s art activities, based on current exhibition, first Saturday of each month, drop in style Cost: Free

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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

July 31 -August 6 CEREBRAL PALSY AWARENESS WEEK

To celebrate Cerebral Palsy Awareness Week, Australians are being asked to make their community more inclusive, more accessible and more welcoming for people living with Cerebral Palsy.

Details: www.cerebralpalsyaustralia.com

6 August 6 Fruehlingsfest

Where: Immanuel Lutheran College When: 10am – 5pm Join the fun of side-show alley, rides, international food stalls and much, much more Cost: Entry free, rides cost extra Details: www.immanuel.qld.edu.au

August 26

Daffodil Day

August 21

Where: Coles, Millers, Rockmans, BeMe, ANZ, Crossroads, Autograph stores and selected newsagents. You’ll also find Daffodil Day sites near local shopping areas, train and bus stations.

When: The official date is Friday 26 August but merchandise is on sale throughout August In 2011, Cancer Council aims to raise $9.5million nationally to continue to help fund vital cancer research, prevention programs and support services (like the Cancer Council Helpline – 13 11 20).

How: Getting involved is easy. Register to volunteer, order a merchandise box or donate by visiting www.daffodilday.com.au, phone 1300 65 65 85 or find us on facebook.

Kaleidoscope market

Where: Millwell Rd, Maroochydore When: 9am – 1pm Packed full of unique stalls, spacious marketplace, kaleido-kid playroom, crafts, songs & yummy food and coffee. It’s a place that both parents and children can enjoy.

Cost: Free entry Details: www.kaleidoscopeevents.com.au

August 7

Tour De Kawana Charity Ride Where: Stockland Park, Lake Kawana With different Rider categories, post-ride entertainment, terrific incentive prizes and BBQ breakfast available, the 2011 ANZ Tour de Kawana Cystic Fibrosis Charity Cycle offers more fun than ever Cost: See website for details Details: www.tourdekawana.com.au

August 20 Super Hero Party

Where: Maroochy RSL Mystery Island When: 6 – 9pm Is it a bird? Is it a plane? It is the Mystery Island Super Hero Party! Quickly fly over to join in the fun, dressed as your favourite super hero.

Cost: May apply Details: www.maroochyrsl.com.au

August 29

September 2-4

Where: The Events Centre, Caloundra When: From 10.30am Dora the Explorer is back by popular demand with NICK JR.’s Dora the Explorer LIVE! Search for the City of Lost Toys. The audience will use their map-reading, counting, musical and language skills to successfully get Dora and friends to the City of Lost Toys.

Cost: $28.50 pp Details: For bookings please call 5491 4240 or www.theeventscentre.com

Where: Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre South Bank, Brisbane When: 9.30am to 4.30pm daily.

Your little ones will delight in singing and dancing with characters from children’s TV or romping in the Fisher-Price Playground. The Baby & Toddler Show brings together experts and organisations ready to answer your questions.

Cost: $20 at the door, early bird discounts online; children under 14 free Details: www.babyandtoddlershow.com.au/brisbane

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BABIES ON

the coast

I had a deep-down dread that something would be wrong I felt so lonely and wanted to know how other people coped

Miscarriage

There was that fear, ‘what if we can’t have a baby?

the reasons, the emotions, the healing

by Kim Lahey

“I felt so lonely and wanted to know how other people coped.” That’s why Lea agreed to share her story. And miscarriage, the loss of a pregnancy before 20 weeks gestation, is a more widespread story than most of us imagine.

One in five babies take the chapters of parenthood back to a blank page within the first twelve weeks of their life.

Maybe more. Up to 20% of women who know they are pregnant have a miscarriage some time before 20 weeks of pregnancy, advises worldwide clinical information resource UpToDate. But many women who have very early miscarriages don’t realise they are pregnant, and when detected and included, increase the total miscarriage rate to 31%.

Fertility Specialist and Gynaecologist Petra Ladwig tells her patients at the outset that miscarriage is not unusual. “We re-assure them it is normal and the chances in the long term of a normal pregnancy are good,” Dr Ladwig says.

Many people have had a miscarriage, people who have been trying a long time, she explains. “If you have been trying for five years to fall pregnant, it is a very big loss, there has been a big investment,” she says.

Past the twelve week mark though, the figures plummet. 80% of miscarriages happen within those first twelve weeks, UptoDate advises.

Wondering why Integral to miscarriage recovery is freedom from self-blame.

“People often do wonder if it was their fault. They ask me, was it because I did this?” Dr Ladwig says. “Often we need to tell them it was not the jog they went on or the tablet they took,” she explains.

Miscarriage causes and ‘medical unknowns’ co-exist.

So what do we know? An undeveloped embryo accounts for one-third of miscarriages that occur before eight weeks. In other cases, the embryo develops but is abnormal. Chromosomal abnormalities are common, they account for around 41% of early miscarriages, UptoDate advises. Medical conditions, or structural problems in the reproductive tract, like uterine fibroids, can also lead to miscarriage.

More than one miscarriage usually prompts medical investigation.

“In the old days when people had five or six children, they may have had three or four miscarriages before it was investigated, but these days, we do investigate after two miscarriages,” Dr Ladwig explains.

30

KiDs on tHe CoAst – JULY / AUGUST 2011

First time around First pregnancy, first ultrasound. “I had a deep-down dread that something would be wrong,” Lea says.

And during that ultrasound she was told the baby had no heartbeat and was the size of a 6-week-old. Lea knew her dates; she knew she was 11 weeks pregnant.

“We hadn’t told our families, as they were coming to our place in 2 days’ time for Mother’s day lunch, where we were going to announce our exciting news.”

Instead they called their families to tell them they had lost a baby. Lea thinks deep down she knew when something was not right. She dreaded both the ultrasounds where she found out the babies had died.

“Yet I was looking forward to the ultrasounds of the three that resulted in my children!” Lea says.

Reactions Miscarriage might be ‘normal’ and it probably does not mean anything is wrong medically, but what about how we feel?

Now-mother-of-three, Lea, felt an overwhelming sadness when her first baby died. It was her first pregnancy and she knew friends who had lost a number of pregnancies.

“There was that fear, ‘what if we can’t have a baby?’ ” Lea says.

After her first miscarriage, Lea had a successful pregnancy; she welcomed her first baby girl into the world. But 18 months later Lea had her second miscarriage, which led to a secondary infertility. During this time she had a number of friends having children.

“It was very hard to separate my sadness and frustration from my happiness for them,” she says.

The ticking clock The subsequent miscarriage hit Lea hard. “I think because I had a baby and it was more real to me that I’d lost a baby,” Lea says. Her idea of what her family would look like (she’d always wanted a less-than-two-year gap) was changing. The first time she felt her plans had just been delayed, she’d try again.

“But with the second one, I felt acutely that the age gap between my children was increasing with every month that I was infertile,” Lea says.

Lea’s first three pregnancies had only resulted in 1 baby. It was a real discipline to enjoy early pregnancy and to stop herself wishing the first trimester would hurry up.

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31

BABIES ON

the coast “It was even harder for my husband,” she says, because they both wanted to be excited. So Lea would say ‘until I know any different: we’re going to have a baby!’

Lea’s third pregnancy was successful; she has a three-and-a-half year gap between her first two children.

A helping heart “A kindy mum told me ‘remember, it’s not your fault’ - boy that helped” shared mother-of-two, Jill.

Talking, listening, healing.

Lea tells of a friend who, after Lea’s miscarriage, sat with her and asked questions, like when her baby was due. And then offered support around the time of the due date.

Support groups advise if you cannot find the right words to say to a friend or family member who has lost a baby, it is better to say “I’m sorry” than nothing at all.

Lea’s own experience taught her how to support friends who then had miscarriages.

She was able to sit and cry with them “to listen to their story and share their sadness,” she says.

But she says if people don’t want to talk, it is best to just acknowledge their sadness and let them be.

“It’s just such a personal sadness and I really didn’t believe anyone could understand it unless they had experienced it themselves,” Lea says Lea recalls how difficult it was to share her grief with friends the first time around.

“It was too raw and I couldn’t talk about it without sobbing. I couldn’t tell anyone but my very closest friends until I had my first child,” she says.

For family and friends sometimes there is just nothing to say. Just be quiet, be with them, hold their hand, touch their shoulder, or give them a hug, support groups advise.

When Lea could not share her grief, journaling helped. “I wrote to the baby, I wrote about my feelings and my sadness that we weren’t going to be mother and child together, after all,” she explains.

Lea also kept the photographs of the flowers her sisters gave her, and the ultrasound.

Eventually, after she had her first child, “I think that happiness finally surpassed the sadness,” Lea says.

Her first miscarriage was 12 years ago now and Lea says she is so busy with her children she rarely stops to think about it.

Good signs “To have conceived is a positive sign for the future,” Dr Ladwig says.

Once people talk to others, they may discover family members or people they work with who might not have talked about their own miscarriage. Dr Ladwig explains, “They find out it is quite common …they find out others have gone on to have a normal pregnancy, and that their own chances are high.”

Dr Ladwig highlights to her IVF patients that to have reached pregnancy shows plenty. “For the embryo to have the potential to reach that stage is a good prognostic sign in terms of the future,” she says.

People are told the chances of miscarriage are about one in five, Dr Ladwig explains.

“Just because it’s IVF does not make it higher, it’s more age related.” Chromosomal abnormality tests are available for those in the older age-group, to at least help them understand why it happened, Dr Ladwig explains.

Regardless, “we try reassuring them that to have conceived in the IVF cycle is a good sign for the future,” Dr Ladwig says.

32

KiDs on tHe CoAst – JULY / AUGUST 2011

Art therapy

Heart2art provides angel-baby tribute paintings of babies lost through miscarriages, stillbirths and neonatal death. For Heart2art’s owner Missi Woollard her work is about turning her own loss into a positive by helping others with theirs. “Through losing my baby I found myself painting again... It was the only way I could control my anger, as I didn’t want to wake the next day with my first thought being, I lost a baby,” she says.

Missi paints lost baby ‘angels’ the way parents want to remember them, as tiny sleeping babies. She has painted 100 of the tributes in seven months and feels mothers who have lost babies have coped better by remembering their babies and being able to talk about them. “People out there do want and need something for themselves when they have nothing physical to show in remembrance,” she says.

(Heart2Art.info) Missi supports a small local Sunshine Coast Charity, Jakes Gift which raises funds to provide ‘memory keeper’ tins to hospitals for grieving parents who have lost a baby due to heart disease. (Jakesgift.org.au)

Stage of loss: Stages of pregnancy loss present very separate challenges. Here, we have discussed early pregnancy loss – miscarriage – the loss of a pregnancy before 20 weeks gestation. Later loss presents its own heart-rending challenges. The contacts below may also assist those who have experienced later loss.

For more information: www.health.qld.gov.au – to find local hospital and health professionals’ contacts Grief counsellors are available at IVF Units, and local hospitals have extensive local contacts for patients, appropriate for the type of loss they have experienced.

Fertility Specialist and Gynaecologist Dr Petra Ladwig, Suncoast Women’s Centre 07 5437 7244.

Medical Helpline 13 HEALTH (13 432 584) – medical advice and assistance from a registered nurse, available at any time.

National Pregnancy Support Helpline 1800 422 213 – a national 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week helpline which offers peer support services for those experiencing grief following miscarriage, as well as other losses.

Angel Babies Foundation www.angelbabies.org.au - free counselling through psychologist trained volunteers to those challenged by infertility, touched by the loss of a baby through miscarriage, stillbirth and neonatal death, as well as supporting parents of premature babies.

The Small Miracles Foundation 1300 266 643 - provides free telephone, online and face-to-face counselling for Australian families dealing with fertility issues, miscarriage, neonatal loss, still birth, premature birth or infant loss.. Or visit www.smfoundation.org.au www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

Bambini Emporium Children’s Clothing Unique Clothing | Gifts | Toys|| Accessories | Accessories || Gifts For boys and girls premmie to 14yrsQld 4557 Shop Shop 3A 3A ‘Seamark ‘Seamark on on First’ First’ // 29 29 First First Avenue, Avenue, Mooloolaba, Mooloolaba, Qld 4557

Stockists of: George Gina & Lucy, Louis Epstein, Princess Ratbag Pettiskirts, Next Page, Alex & Charli, 5477 7810 www.bambiniemporium.com.au One Redp: Fly, 07 Milky, Kiniki, Earlybirds, Bornsage, Shanghai Ruby Jewellery…and many more! p: 07 5477 7810 www.bambiniemporium.com.au Hours: Monday-Friday: 10am-4.30pm, Saturday: 10am-4.00pm Shop 3A ‘Seamark on First’ / 29 First Avenue, Mooloolaba, Qld 4557 p: 07 5477 7810 www.bambiniemporium.com.au

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Noosa through to Caloundra and into the Hinterland Buderim Goodlife Centre launches 16 July 2011

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JULY / AUGUST 2011 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

33

PARENT

ville

by Aleney de Winter

The Great Escape It’s a simple enough concept. Find a ridiculously tall mountain of sand.

Sit on a piece of board. Go downhill very fast! Squeal loudly. Repeat.

Your Local Stress Free Movers!!!

Try ab fab for the best value move on the coast…

With the least amount of stress • Home and Office removals at a competitive rate • New or used packing boxes available for purchase or hire • Pack and unpack service available • Secure Storage – short or long term • Stress-Free online enquiry

Unit 1/100 Enterprise St, Kunda Park P: 5445 8797 www.abfab.com.au

‘the baby osteopath’ Dr Roger Kingston DO Osteopath & Cranial Osteopath

Roger has been treating babies, children and pregnant mums for 18 years having taken extensive extra training at the London Osteopathic Centre for Children.

He only uses very safe, gentle techniques and cranial osteopathy.

BaBies

Birth trauma Premature delivery Colic / Reflux Sleeping / feeding difficulties Misshapen heads Constipation Continual crying

Children

Developmental delay Asthma Headaches Sinusitis Joint and back pain

Pregnant MuMs

Pubic Symphysis Dysfunction Breathing problems Back pain Difficult previous delivery Preparation for delivery

dr roger Kingston dO | 30 King street, Buderim 4556 tel: 1300 739 345 / 5477 1599 | www.babyosteopath.com HICAPS available and registered with all major Health Insurance Companies

34

KiDs on tHe CoAst – JULY / AUGUST 2011

And that is precisely what we did on Stockton Beach, or as the toddler dubbed it, the “big sandpit”. We slid, we tumbled and we giggled as we went faster and faster down the 40 metre dunes. Who knew hanging a sandy ten down a steep sand dune with a tot tucked between your knees could be so much fun? Eventually growing weary of the slippery fun (especially the muscle tearing climb back up) and with every last orifice filled with fine grains of sand, we explored the dunes from a relatively sand free 4WD - a train of camels disappearing slowly into the golden mounds of sand only adding to the surreal desert feel of our location.

The toddler is embracing the “terrible” part of his two’s with great gusto and we are, to put it mildly, exhausted. So we figured that getting back to nature and away from it all in ‘sunny’ Port Stephens might be just the thing for a quick recharge. A weekend in a cabin surrounded by bush, beach and wildlife sounded perfect for our plan and in the spirit of getting back to nature, we stayed on the site of a former nudist colony. These days the resort is strictly clothes on and thank goodness for that I say, for seeing us frolic naked through the wetlands with only the key to our cabin for company is something nobody needs to see.

Our plans to embrace the great outdoors, clothed or not, were somewhat scuppered on the first day of our break when we awoke to find it raining, biblical style, leaving us three options. Remain trapped in a small cabin with a crazed toddler and nothing to do. Find some indoor amusements and attractions in town.

Build an ark.

Option one seemed only slightly less unpleasant than spending the day chained to a nest of bad-tempered vipers and the thought of collecting all those animal twosomes in a two-door hatchback whilst the boys toiled away constructing a large boat also lacked appeal. So off we went to see what the area had to offer a wee man on a rainy day. And so we found ourselves knee deep in a tank full of sharks.

To say my son likes sharks is like saying seagulls like chips – so to discover an indoor shark centre, where inclement weather couldn’t spoil the fun, was like an aquatic dream. We fed “tiny, little sharks” (which were actually several feet long) and patted silky stingrays before deciding to throw our boy to the big ones. Donning a wetsuit, my pint-sized Jacque Cousteau braved the not-so-deep to meet a two-anda-half-metre shark called Mungo and a 100kg black “stungray” that “tickled mine feet, mummy!”

An afternoon dolphin spotting cruise, participation in which is virtually a legal requirement when visiting Port Stephens (I’m sure there are on-the-spot fines if you don’t have proof of dolphining), was less successful as the little man was far more interested in admiring the one dimensional dolphin silhouette on the boats dirty carpet, rather than the flesh and blood dolphins merrily flipping about outside the boat.

The sun returned the following day allowing us not only our induction to the joys of sand boarding but a quick stop on the way home to a farmyard where sheep, goats, chickens and kangaroos wander freely, stalked by predatory toddlers. And where my little man, though captivated by the camels and delighted by a donkey, saved most of his excitement for a metal rocking horse…

Just like the one in our local park. Sigh. www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

ADVERTISEMENT/LOCAL BUSINESS PROFILE

health

good

By Dr David O’Neill, Optometrist Looking Smart Optometrists

Don’t forget your eyes!

Often as parents, we look after our children first. However, sometimes it is good to realise that we are important too. Without eyesight, it is difficult to work or to function independently. Yet taking care of our eyesight couldn’t be simpler.

Optometrists are often confused by the fact that we see people for their first eye exam at 40-years-old, when their arms are not long enough to read anymore.

We generally prefer to see patients from 6 months old, then every year until 6-yearsof-age and every two years after that.

Regular eye checks should not stop if a patient does not require glasses; it should continue for a lifetime.

There is great pleasure in seeing patients who are perfectly healthy. Yet most people only see someone when things go wrong. The danger is, by waiting until something is wrong, it may medically be too late to fix a condition once it is present. But there are a lot of treatment plans that focus on prevention.

Restoring your confidence with bladder control Dr Petra Ladwig from Suncoast Women’s Centre understands the problems most women face after giving birth. One of the most embarrassing side effects is often incontinence which can occur due to weakened pelvic floor muscles.

A lot of women simply put up with this as the natural course of being a woman after child birth but this need not be the case. If addressed early these problems can be managed, improved and even cured by something as simple and painless as sitting in a chair, fully clothed for 20 minutes!

The pelvic floor controls your urinary, bowel and sexual functions yet these muscles are your most neglected. The new ‘Wave Brilliance’ Magnetic Pelvic Floor Stimulation chair (magnetic chair) uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve impulses which rapidly flex and tighten your pelvic floor muscles. This is the equivalent of approximately 200 pelvic floor contractions every minute at 20 times greater the intensity than the patient can do themselves! It is the ideal way to kick start or regenerate the pelvic floor and surrounding muscles to restore strength, endurance and continence.

Treatments are tailored to individual patients but a typical therapy program consists of two 20 minute treatments per week for eight weeks. Of course children are most welcome to attend with you and can simply sit and play whilst you undergo your treatment. For more information about the new Wave Brilliance magnetic chair treatment phone the Suncoast Women’s Centre on 5437 7244 or visit Suite 5, 5 Innovation Parkway, Birtinya (Kawana). Medicare rebates available.

    There are multiple conditions that can affect adult eye health. One of the most   common is Glaucoma. There are around 500,000 Australians with this condition.  The reason you don’t often hear about it is because there are excellent medications to treat it. Generally these patients are on 1-2 drops a day, but unfortunately there  is no cure.

 

      The current theory on Glaucoma directly relates to a relationship between eye      pressure and blood pressure. If the blood pressure is lower than the pressure of the        fluid in the eye, nutrients cannot be supplied to the retina. This stops proper blood     flow and therefore the retina starts to die.         What signs or symptoms are there in Glaucoma? Well, there are generally none.       And it normally affects people who are healthy with low blood pressure or people     on blood pressure medication. It is treated separately, because having low or normal     blood pressure is good for the rest of your body.     

 Unfortunately, for most patients there are no warning signs. The first time you ever  hear about Glaucoma is when your optometrist talks to you about the topic. And  only then do you find out whether it is caught in time.  Having a routine eye health check every two years is the only way we can prevent this type of blindness. A lot of Optometrists bulk bill their eye examinations, so there is no reason not to make looking after your eyesight a priority.

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

           

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JULY / AUGUST 2011 – KiDs on tHe CoAst 35  

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natural

Hemp

a product that won’t cost the earth Vote for sustainability – think hemp

by Maxine Arthur

Hemp has the potential to be an environmental hero if its value is recognised and supported by government, investors and public demand. Unfortunately, the oldest and most versatile cultivated plant in the world is also the most misunderstood in Australia. The fact that industrial hemp and marijuana both derive from the cannabis species creates widespread confusion and political sensitivity.

The truth is that products made from industrial hemp do not contain drug substances.

The Department of Primary Industries Queensland explains, “The Cannabis sativa plant contains tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) the psycho-active (mindaltering) ingredient produced in specialised glands found primarily in the flowers surrounding the seeds, and to a lesser extent, on the leaf surface of the plant.

No THC is found in the seed. The difference between industrial hemp and marijuana used for illicit drug purposes is that the THC exists in significantly lower concentrations in industrial hemp.

“It is generally accepted that only Cannabis sativa with a THC concentration of 3% and above is considered attractive as marijuana, and less than 3% is considered as industrial hemp. However, it is important to know that commercial-grown industrial cannabis plants grown for seed or fibre production in Queensland must not exceed 1% THC.”

Hemp: the great all-rounder Rembrandt and Van Gogh painted their masterpieces on hemp canvas and the Declaration of Independence was signed on hemp paper, but hemp was in common use much earlier than that.

Hemp is believed to have originated from the Himalayas where it still grows wild today. The Chinese have been growing hemp crops for thousands of years, using it to make clothes, shoes, rope and paper. Hemp was also used as a food and a medicine. By 3000 BC, 80% of the world’s textiles were hemp.

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KiDs on tHe CoAst – JULY / AUGUST 2011

By the 16th century hemp was in demand for making canvas sails, rope and rigging for the trading ships venturing from Europe to the Orient and the New World. Only the long fibres of hemp were strong enough for sails that could survive the arduous journey. Many ships also carried hemp seeds in case of shipwreck, to grow crops to replace sails and as a source of nutrition.

The industrial revolution led to a decline in the use of hemp as cotton and synthetics took over. Steam powered ships and steel cable rendered hemp sails and rope obsolete and the hemp industry stalled.

After the Great Depression of the 30s and the deprivations of war, people embraced new products and technologies. Plastic, nylon and polyester replaced natural, renewable and sustainable – and we are now becoming aware of the cost to our environment.

Queensland hemp industry company, Ecofibre Industries, puts it this way: “Hemp was replaced by cheap or free trees and petroleum that was seen as inexpensive and infinite. Now we have come full circle. We know we need the trees to sop up all the millions-of-years-old carbon we’ve been carelessly spewing into the air for over a century and we know now that the petroleum was not infinite.”

Why hemp?

Hemp is practical. It’s softer, more absorbent, stronger and more durable than other fibres. It’s warmer in winter, cooler in summer and more UV resistant. It can be used in 100% hemp products or blended with other organic fibres such as flax, cotton and silk.

Hemp is environmentally friendly. It requires few pesticides and no herbicides.

Hemp enriches the soil, uses less water and produces 2-4 times as much fibre per hectare than other sources. It grows quickly and puts down a very deep root which breaks up the soil and leaves it in good condition for next year. Hemp doesn’t require bleaching with chlorine, which produces toxic water.

Hemp is versatile. It has hundreds of current and emerging applications. It is used in oil-based paints, cosmetics, textiles, cooking, plastics, fuel, paper, food and medicines. Newer products include building composites, fibreglass replacement products, automobile interior panels and trims, and absorbency products (kitty litter, potting mix, nappies). www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

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Children: • Learn how to be brave and use assertive communication skills • Develop an understanding of their own and others feelings • Learn how to recognise and self-regulate feelings • Learn strategies to change unhelpful thinking into more helpful thinking • Become aware of their self talk and that they can control what they are thinking • Recognise that our thinking affects the way we feel and the way we behave • Develop empathy skills and ways to use strengths to help others • Learn how to achieve goals or overcome fears • Develop ways to reward themselves for doing their best and having a go • Look for role models and support networks • Explore friendships- what makes a good friend and how to be a good friend Groups at Maroochydore and Peregian.

Book now for term 4, 2011

For more information or to book your child’s place, call Donna Farman Mobile: O414 674 674

Groups are run by registered teachers and facilitators of the Fun Friends and Friends for Life Programs. These programs are authored by Brisbane psychologist Dr Paula Barrett (www.pathwayshrc.com.au) and have been recognised by the World Health Organisation. Research has shown the positive effects of the strategies and skills taught in the program in the prevention of anxiety/depression as well as for general well being and ability to cope with life for all children.

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ONLY

natural FSANZ says that an application in 2002 was rejected because of “State, Territory and Federal health ministers. Ministers were concerned that the availability of hemp foods may increase consumer acceptance of illicit Cannabis use and pose problems for drug enforcement agencies”.

Matt says that this rejection has ‘spooked’ investors. “Our industry colleagues from the Northern Hemisphere (China, Canada & Europe) are seeing strong economic growth within the value adding sectors of the hemp food and fibre industries while here in Australia our government and opposition roll around within the climate change debate and fail to acknowledge the potential of an innovative industry like industrial hemp,” Matt says.

“Here in Australia we are seeing new innovative products being developed for the construction, marine, automotive industries and textile industries using industrial hemp fibre but the industry struggles to move forward due to the lack of investment. This would change overnight with positive policy direction and promotion by government and improve the economic viability of many rural communities in Australia.”

Matt acknowledges that the cannabis connection still causes problems. “The image (of hemp) can be improved by positive marketing and this has to start with policy change from government first. The bad jokes that come up in conversations (Can you smoke it?) do plenty of damage to the industry. Also, marketing industrial hemp products using the leaf as a logo can give the wrong image to the product.”

Why aren't we using more hemp?

Think globally, act locally

Five Australian states are now allowed to grow industrial hemp under licence, but industry growth has been slow because, unlike other industrialised nations, Australian law prohibits hemp as food. The Industrial Hemp Association of Victoria explains why growers are currently lobbying the government for the second time to make hemp food legal:

Hemp products are not exactly main-stream. They don’t yet appear in your junk mail catalogues and shout their virtues in the television ad-breaks. But if you decide to join the growing band of people who want to leave the planet in better condition than it is now, a little online research will reveal several Australian businesses who can supply hemp products.

“To develop the industry in Australia, farmers need to see a viable crop. To make this crop viable, there needs to be a market for the end product. Because industrial hemp has so many end uses, it is logical to start with the product that is most cost effective to produce – hemp seed oil and hulled seeds. We currently have many different types of oils produced in this country so the infrastructure already exists.

With enough farmers taking the first step, the industry can grow. With industry growth, then further infrastructure such as processing equipment for the fibre for textiles and building products are feasible.”

Matt Stapleton (IHAQ secretary) and his wife Michelle attend markets such as Baby and Kids Market held at Kawana in May where they promote their business, Sustainable Hemp Products (SHP). Michelle said that theirs is a family business that makes and sells products made from industrial hemp, bamboo, organic wool, organic cotton and other natural fibres.

The Industrial Hemp Association of Queensland (IHAQ) secretary Matt Stapleton supports the call to legalise industrial hemp for human consumption. He believes there is consumer demand for such a move.

“The use of the internet and other information sources has enabled the public to be better informed about the benefits and nutritional properties of industrial hemp as a food. It is widely used in the northern hemisphere and Australia is one of the last western countries that continue to ban the use of industrial hemp as a food.”

Matt also points out that the government regulatory body Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) acknowledges that there are no known reasons to reject industrial hemp as an approved food. In an article titled Industrial hemp as food, FSANZ says: “Hempseeds are rich in the essential fatty acids, omega-3 and omega-6, which are required for vital body functions, including the immune response, lipid hydrolysis, blood clotting, vascular dilation and cardiac function. These and other polyunsaturated fatty acids also play a vital role in maintaining cell membrane structure.

“Hemp is currently used in other countries, including in Europe, Canada and the United States, in a range of foods including health bars, salad oils, non-soy tofu, non-dairy cheeses, and as an additive to baked goods, as well as being used as the whole seed, raw or roasted.”

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KiDs on tHe CoAst – JULY / AUGUST 2011

They specialise in products for babies and young children such as modern cloth nappies and accessories, hats, socks and leggings, tiny shoes and knitted nappy covers. Michele, an ex-nurse, explained the advantages of the different natural fibres she uses – breathability, softness, durability, absorbency, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. The variety of colours and patterns and quality workmanship was impressive. Natural and organic certainly isn’t code for boring and unfashionable.

If we are serious about finding practical and environmentally sensible alternatives to finite resources such as timber and oil, hemp is a prime candidate.

Information about industrial hemp and the industry: www.ihaq.com.au www.ecofibre.com.au http://industrialhempaustralia.com.au Online retailers: www.sustainablehempproducts.com.au http://www.babybeehinds.com.au http://www.hempgallery.com.au Retail outlets: The Hemp Hut, Memorial Drive, Eumundi Country Hemp, Main Street, Montville,

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

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Change for the better If relationships, parenting, and life in general are making you feel stressed or unhappy, The Integrated Life Centre may be able to help.

“We often feel like we should be controlling things and making them `right’, which creates stress because it’s not realistic,” says Pettina Stanghon, behavioural practitioner, parent, and psychotherapist. “I show you how to adjust your perceptions and responses for greater peace and contentment,” she says.

Pettina has been helping people on the Sunshine Coast for six years now, and prior to that worked in all major cities of Australia training counsellors and therapists to effectively treat depression and anxiety.

WHEN LIFE FEELS TOO HARD… IT’S TIME TO DO IT DIFFERENTLY

The Integrated Life Centre specialises in working with families to understand and overcome behavioural challenges—from toddler tantrums and preschool anxiety to “tween” rebelliousness. Pettina also helps new parents, especially mothers, to deal with the demands of a new baby and post-natal issues, aiming to return them to integrated wellbeing.

The Integrated Life Centre offers a variety of services such as: • Easy-to-access counselling through Skype packages and online support • Residential retreats or one-on-one counselling, initially in your home if preferred, for post-natal problems • Working with whole families to address behaviours and develop better relationships In addition, The Integrated Life Centre’s bookshop has an extensive collection of workbooks and stories to support the therapeutic process and empower parents, as well as nurturing the child-parent relationship. There’s also a monthly online newsletter, with practical parenting tips, case studies, and the latest audio material and articles from international psychological and behavioural journals.

Pettina Stanghon Specialist in Behavioural Change

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JULY / AUGUST 2011 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

39

PARENT

profile

Documenting delight!

by Belinda Hopper

Not many people can say the birth of their child has been viewed by over 100,000 people! Georgia Brizuela is passionate about capturing precious moments and is unafraid of sharing them with the world. She has thousands of followers of her blog, Gregarious Peach, and hundreds more on Facebook. She asked her sister to film her second child’s Theo’s water birth, which was then uploaded to Vimeo and Youtube.

Georgia is intent on documenting precious moments in her children’s lives. She was inspired by her sister, Hailey, who undertook a 365 project; taking a polaroid photo of something she was grateful for every day for a year. Georgia says, “It changed her life and spread rapidly around the world. Thousands of people started doing her ‘Grateful 365’. I was so inspired by how it impacted her, on the morning of January 1, 2010 I picked up my camera and declared I was starting a 365 project with our daughter.”

Being heavily pregnant with her son and an unmotivated procrastinator at heart, Georgia suspected it would turn out to be a ‘365 missing 360’ project. She had no idea how addictive her project would become. She now says it’s one of the best ideas she’s ever had, as it led her to start her blog, Gregarious Peach.

Georgia says of her project, “it has taught me how precious my role as a mother is, how fleeting these moments are and how utterly grateful I am to be exactly here – with my babies.”

Can you share with us a little about your family? Errol and I got married when I was 19. I struck it lucky meeting my best friend so early and being able to start our life together right away. He completes me. I studied Education at Uni and dropped out to get married and have Priya, who’s three. Our son Theo is 15 months old.

Has motherhood been what you expected? No, not at all! I spent Priya’s first six months waiting for it to ‘get hard’. It has been more rewarding, more challenging and more empowering than I ever imagined.

What are your greatest joys in parenting? The things that give me the greatest joy are the things that simultaneously break my heart. Being mildly vain, I thought I’d be one of those parents who want their children to be just like them - I am surprised that it gives me supreme delight to see them become THEM. This process of them growing up is almost as much a process of me letting them go and I am constantly in this state of awe, pride and joy… and begging the universe to keep them little forever.

What are your parenting challenges? Oh, I have a lot! I was so lucky to have my husband parent with me nearly full-time the first year of our daughter’s life (he was working casually) but I’ve found it very hard parenting now he’s working very long hours, often for eight days straight, with only one day off.

Presently I am finding it hard to find a balance of compassion and understanding with clear boundaries for our little girl. Part of me is rejoicing in this little person she’s becoming and the other part is quietly plotting ways to enforce blind obedience.

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What was your aim in starting your blog? It has evolved; initially it was just because I disliked the way Facebook made my photos look and because I wanted a place where I could share my work and customise it to my liking. However, after a year of blogging, and having ‘met’ so many incredible people online, I’ve become passionate about blogging in itself. My ultimate aim for my blog is to ‘document delight’. To share these incredible moments I’m blessed to witness. I want to encourage mothers in their own lives and feel so very honoured that so many mothers have been inspired to start their own 365 project with their own children.

What inspired the name Gregarious Peach? The name ‘Gregarious Peach’ has been in my life for years. My middle name is Peach, it’s also our nickname for Priya, and a favourite school teacher used to call me Gregarious.

What is a typical day like at your place? Happy chaos! And the ideal day would be happy chaos with less mess.

What are your school plans for Priya and Theo? I intend to follow natural learning with my children. We won’t send them to school and we won’t mirror ‘school’ at home. We already have quite an active life at galleries, libraries and museums. As the children get older we will follow their own natural curiosity to build their education from. I am already blown away by the innate intelligence of children and cannot wait to help my children flourish at their pace and their readiness.

Can you share your life philosophy with our readers? There is a beautiful cover by Cat Power (I Found a Reason) which I think sums up my core beliefs – that what comes is better than what came before. Truly I have found that no matter how broken I might have felt – that everything has happened exactly the way it should have, and what has come from terrible things or from wonderful things is always better than what came before. There is a remarkable beauty in the way things work out.

Where do you hope to see yourself in 5 years’ time? On a permanent adventure in the Philippines! It has been our long-term goal to someday achieve that. I hope to still be blogging. I hope to be just as amazed and in love with my little family in the future as I am today. www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

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Kids’ posture under strain Posture, or how we hold ourselves, is very important for our health, but our kids’ posture has never before been under the strain it is today, says chiropractor Dr David Hendrey of Hendrey Chiropractic at Lake Kawana.

There are three major factors why our children’s posture is deteriorating at alarming rates, he says.

“Firstly, 21st century recreation is often via handheld games and mobile phones, and sitting slumped over these devices for hours on end is taking its toll; when we’re distracted by the game, we shut out distractions including our posture,” he says.

“Combine that with lack of exercise and heavy school bags and we have a trifecta of trouble.”

Dr Hendrey has some suggestions for concerned parents who want to help improve their child’s posture, including: • Limiting the amount of time your kids play with handheld games • Playing outside with your children every day • Encouraging them to take up a sport that keeps them active and having fun, and • Ensuring their school bag is a backpack style, and aiming to keep it at or below 10% of their total weight.

If you would like a professional opinion about your child’s posture or tips and exercises to help keep their back strong and healthy, call Dr David Hendrey on 5437 7222. The first session for all children under 18 is free. www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

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13/5 Innovation Parkway (Level 1) Kawana Waters JULY / AUGUST 2011 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

41

special

FEATURE

Winter in the

Water

by Laurie Lawrence

I’ve been in the game a very long time. The swimming game that is.

And although I have coached world class athletes that have gone on to win gold at various Olympics my best achievement is no doubt, Kids Alive Do The Five; an initiative aiming to eliminate drowning deaths in children under five.

“When children are happy and having fun – they learn” – Gina

Teaching babies, toddlers and preschoolers how to swim is one of the most important and rewarding roles in the world, and the other is undoubtedly preaching our water safety message to every resident in Australia Last year drowning accounted for 33 little lives lost; a tragic and timely reminder that our message – while strong, is simply not enough. It is not simply rested on the shoulders of parents to practice water safety – everyone needs to stand up and take responsibility.

While a majority of these drowning deaths occurred in the summer months, 6 percent happened in winter, proving that although the weather doesn’t support swimming, accidents continue to happen.

I am lucky enough to have living proof of the amazing benefits continual swimming lessons can have. My granddaughter and all round best mate, Evie has been swimming since she was just a couple of weeks old.

“Teaching babies, toddlers and preschoolers how to swim is one of the most important and rewarding roles in the world”

Specialising in babies from 6 weeks and children up to age 5 years • Survival and swimming skills • Heated pool and heated change room We offer a personal and nurturing environment for your child

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Call Gina on 5446 1087 for more information 21 Banksia Avenue, Coolum Beach Email: ginaswaterbabies@bigpond.com

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KiDs on tHe CoAst – JULY / AUGUST 2011

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Laurie Does the Five with these water safety tips:

special

FEATURE “I emphasise that swimming has made her safer in the water but not safe.”

At 6 months she had learned to hold her breath and float for three seconds. By 12 months she was launching herself off the side of the pool and swimming over to me a couple of metres away, able to pull herself up onto my chest. By 18 months I could throw her into the middle of the pool she could turn and swim back to the side – unaided with no floatation devices.

Now two years old, Evie loves to play independently in deep water close to the side of the pool under strict adult supervision. She has learned a healthy respect for the water and knows the difference between shallow and deep depths.

I emphasise that swimming has made her safer in the water but not safe.

While her skills are great – they are not uncommon. Every child can do what Evie is able to, if they stick with regular lessons.

And while swimming lessons are a big part of water safety, there are four other equally important factors that need to be considered. Take a look at my water safety tips and lets all put our hands up to ‘Do the Five!’

So instead of curling up with a woollen blanket and eating comfort food for the next few months I urge you all to find your local Sunshine Coast heated pool and continue lessons – your kids will love you for it!

1 2 3 4 5

Fence the pool: ensure your fence meets legislation and there are no climbable objects up against it. There are also products on the market that exceed safety regulations.

Shut the gate: make sure your fence is closed and the latch works. A D&D Latch is the safest and most reliable option.

Teach your kids to swim: From day one you can be teaching your children to swim. Regular lessons will prevent skills being lost over winter months and will help your kids learn a healthy respect for the water.

Supervise: Remember drowning is silent – so supervision is paramount. The pool, bath, bucket of water, pond or dogs drinking bowl all pose potential threats.

Learn how to resuscitate: St John Ambulance provides resuscitation training and I can’t tell you how important it is. Put simply – like swimming lessons, it is a skill that you will have for life.

The information in this article is not intended or implied to be a substitute for individual professional advice.

Outdoor - 25 metre 6 lane pool Indoor - 10 metre teaching pool Heated to a comfortable 32 degrees!

Bookings OPEN NOW Term 3 commences Mon 11th July

Make a splash! at Wises Road

Swim Centre

All l evel s from babies to squads

ALL LESSO NS $ 8, Making swim lessons affordable 44

Book in today!

Ph: 5451 0020

81 Wises Road, Maroochydore www. wisesroadswimcentre.com.au

KiDs on tHe CoAst – JULY / AUGUST 2011

Holiday Learn To Swim Intensive commences Mon 27th June

NOW totally weatherproof and enclosed Babies from 6 months Lessons For Life

Present this pass for Term 3 bookings and receive a polyester swim cap FREE! NEW CUSTOMERS ON

LY

Girraween Court, Sunshine Beach | Ph 5448 0288 www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/noosaaquaticcentre

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

Aaagh!

Get kids up

School drop off time) et to work (on

G

ONE STOP KIDS SHOP ON BUDERIM

Save me from my ‘to do’ list..

School pick up

Music lessons

School projects Homework

Sports trials

e Clean the hous Walk the dog

Adult tim

SLEEP??

Cook dinner

e

Not enough hours in your day to be

SUPERMUM?

Every superhero needs a side kick! Call Style Marshall today

We take care of the

Cleaning for you

Ph: 0449 697 161 www.stylemarshall.com.au ceive RefeR 5 fRiends Reean! cl e us ho a fRee e cleans

Cleaners who care

letion of 5 hous

*offer applies on comp

MAE REUSABLE FABRIC

Looking for something different to the usual birthday party norm? Kuddly Kids is now hosting parties for 7-12 year old young ladies. We will include the fun, party bags and refreshments, all you need to bring are the smiles and laughter!

Call now as bookings are essential.

www.kuddlykids.com.au

Y PRODUCTS FRIENDL

OPEN Mon-Fri: 9:30 - 4:30 Sat: 9:30 - 1:30 Sun: by appointment

whats on

Open 7 n ights a w eek, and all da y Saturda y, 10.00am till 10.00p m

Winter PJ Party

Christmas in July

Saturday July 2

Saturday July 16

From 5.30pm Brrrrrrr, it sure is cold. Quick jump in to your winter PJ’s and warm up in the Mystery Island’s theatre

From 6.00pm - 9.00pm WHOA!!!!! Is it Christmas already?

No but it’s Christmas in July. Come join us for Christmassy fun in Mystery Island

State of Origin Game 3

Super Hero Party

Wednesday July 6 From 6.00pm - 9.00pm Watch the State of Origin game live on the big screen and play mini ball games!

Join us on Facebook

Buderim Mall Shop 6, 86 Burnett Street, Buderim.

Tel: 5445 2486 Email: kuddlykids@hotmail.com

100%

find us on facebook

WALL STICKERS

Saturday August 20 From 6.00pm - 9.00pm Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No it’s the Mystery Island SUPER HERO PARTY! Quick fly over to Mystery Island as your favourite Superhero

Supervised Kids Club Catering for kids from 4 - 17 years old Pirate Ship | Pirate Cove | Mini Cinema | Arts & Craft Xbox | Playstation | Wii Sports | Internet Access

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

JULY / AUGUST 2011 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

45

celebrate

LET’S

Dinner Party

Distractions At Kids on the Coast, we know how hard it can be to keep any resemblance of your previous social life once you have kids. We asked for your assistance on Facebook and many of you had some fabulous ideas for keeping the kids entertained whilst you’re having a dinner party. So what can you do when you would like to enjoy adult company over dinner? Here are some of the great ideas from our creative readers: Maryanne “Give the children their own dinner party at the same time” Kate “My kids love camping in the garden. Set up a small tent in the yard, put lots of those safety camping lanterns around and pre-make a selection of food and snacks. Guaranteed that they will be entertained for ages!”

Debbie “If you have older children (maybe 8 and up), you could have them as your butlers and wait staff.

Dress them up, have a head butler and waitress” Vanessa “Hire a babysitter or take the kids to the babysitter’s house” Suzanne “Hire an entertainer for a couple of hours...an art lesson, a magician” Alana “Glow stick bracelets are a huge hit when they are outside and keep the kids entertained. I bought about 5 packets for a 40th we went to and the kids loved it. Throwing them up in the air and playing. Kindy teachers are always good to hire as well.”

Luke “Pull out all your old favourite board games and challenge the kids to create a new one of their own by mixing the old ones together” Gill “I create a kids version of our menu and allow them to replicate our dinner as much as possible. It helps them to learn how to behave during an adult’s dinner. That said, I always have something ready for them to do after dinner, usually games and DVDs” Alicia “Play dress up’s and putting on shows and dancing upstairs away from the adults.”

Charmaine “When we have dinner parties, our guests arrive just as we are putting our littlie to bed! Most of our guests have older or adult children, so we are very lucky that they don’t need to be entertained!”

Kelly “At a party we went to recently they had party bags for the kids on arrival - bubbles, pencils, colouring and activity books; it was a lovely touch and kept my kids busy for hours!”

46

KiDs on tHe CoAst – JULY / AUGUST 2011

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

The

Cupcake Teahouse

opening Hours

Mon - Sat 9am - 5pm Sunday 9am - 4pm

entry

tHe Biggest indoor play struCture on tHe Coast!

1-4 Years $8.80 5-12 Years $11.00 Under 1 free Adults free

Book y ou party r kids today Great p ! arty p ackage se from s

to choo

Find us at Unit 6-7, 10 Capital Place, Lake Kawana dont Forget to Phone (07) 5493 4690 • www.kidzown.net.au Bring your soCks!

Cupcake Creations Birthday & Wedding Cakes All Special Occasion Cakes Corporate Logo Cupcakes Specialising in gluten and dairy free cakes

P: 5476 8467 M: 0409 065 626 E: thecupcaketeahouse@gmail.com www.cupcaketeahouse.com.au

To order a personally designed cake Call Suzie (formally of Kiddies Cakes)

Book your birthday party now!

Full use of Resort Facilities

• Birthday parties • Family gatherings • Get togethers Or simply book in as a day guest and feel like you’re on a holiday at home! Only $10 per person

Only minutes from Buderim

Call 07 5476 6646 • www.forestglenresort.com.au

The Coast’s newest indoor play centre now open

BOOk yOur BirThday party nOw

• Large play structure • On-site cafe Bring yOur sOcks

2 Sydal St, Caloundra

With a fully equipped function room, a choice between traditional movie candy bar combo deals or great party food, and of course the latest and greatest movies .

Let us take the worry out of planning your next birthday party.

Next to Chemist Warehouse

Opening hours: Mon - Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 9am – 4pm Website: www.skidaddle.com.au Email: info@skidaddle.com.au Twitter: @skidaddle_kids Facebook: ‘Skidaddle’ www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

5438 2412

Call today for more information on 07 5409 7222 JULY / AUGUST 2011 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

47

holidays

HAPPY

Out

to

a e S

A taste of cruising for families

And then there’s small...

by Wendy Buckley, Travel with Kidz, www.travelwithkidz.com.au

Discover Fiji with Captain Cook Cruises Fiji Cruises offering tropical beauty and diversity. Why choose one of the Fiji Island resorts when there are over 300 islands to discover? There’s a Fiji Cruise adventure for the whole family - learn to dive Fiji, swim in the blue lagoon, discover ancient limestone caves, snorkel spectacular coral reefs, visit traditional villages and meet the locals. When snorkelling or diving Fiji you may even come face to face with a majestic manta ray.

A cruising holiday offers amazing experiences, fun and variety for the whole family. With the convenience of unpacking once, they deliver outstanding value for money for families as everything is paid up front.

Is bigger better?

The ships just keep getting bigger and bigger so the big question to be answered “is big better?” Each family has different expectations and needs of their holiday.

Today’s state-of-the-art cruise ships offer something for everyone. With rock climbing walls; ice-skating rinks; roller blade tracks; swimming pools; hot tubs; exercise facilities; movie theatres; Internet cafes; sports bars; libraries; video arcades; kids programs; spa services, shopping; gambling; cooking classes; enrichment seminars; guest lecturers; computer classes; yoga and more, there is plenty to keep the whole family entertained while cruising the oceans of the world. Others prefer small intimate ships which discover small ports allowing families the opportunity to mix with the locals including the wildlife and are far more educational.

Choosing a big ship The Allure of the Seas cruise ship is operated by Royal Caribbean Line and holds the current distinction of being the world’s largest passenger ship ever constructed weighing in at a massive 225,000 tonnes. A Royal Caribbean International® cruise is an adventure for all ages offering delicious dining, spacious accommodations, Broadway-style entertainment, Adventure Ocean® youth program and the most innovative ships on the high seas for one great price. Climb the signature rock-wall, hang-ten on the FlowRider®, play a round of mini-golf, or glide around the iceskating rink - all without spending another dime.

A family favourite is the Carnival ship line operating out of Alaska, Europe, Caribbean and the Mexican Riviera. The new Carnival Conquest, for example, dedicates 4,200 square feet of its indoor space for kids, while the Carnival Pride offers family-friendly activities on its private island. Your home away from home is a ship that’s about the length of three football fields, with every square inch packed with things to do, see, taste and try.

Another great option amongst the big ships is the Holland America cruise line.

On Holland America ships they provide a wide variety of exciting youth and teen friendly activities with facilities for guests aged 3 to 17. With supervised fun for younger guests, the entire family can have the cruise vacation of their dreams. They have a fleet of over 14 ships sailing the world and operate out of Australia over the summer months.

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KiDs on tHe CoAst – JULY / AUGUST 2011

There’s more to Vietnam than motor cycle’s and shopping, a Halong Bay Cruise is an exciting and fun experience for families. Not all junks are family friendly and choosing the right junk is crucial to ensure safety for children.

Halong Bay is a picturesque easy 3 hour drive from Hanoi and covers an area of 1,500 square km’s. With more than a thousand limestone peaks rising up from its crystalline emerald waters this area is rightly viewed as one of the natural wonders of Vietnam and is one of five World Heritage-listed sites. A two-day one night cruise on board Paradise Cruises gives your family the chance to enjoy the bay on a traditional junk.

Here you can swim in the clear waters, wake to morning Tai Chi on deck, cruise through the caves, relax on deck and enjoy fabulous cuisine on the bay. There is also the option of exploring some of the bay’s most secluded lagoons using the fleet of modern kayaks for some unforgettable scenery only accessible by kayak. All the while you will be looked after by a dedicated and attentive crew. The cabins have panoramic views and offer connecting cabins and suites suitable for families.

The Celebratory Cruise More and more families are turning to a cruise holiday as a great way to bring the entire family together to celebrate a milestone anniversary or special event. Whether it’s a 50th Anniversary or a Wedding Party for 100 guests, cruise lines will go out of their way to welcome your group with special group rates, private cocktail parties, group photos, and more. A cruise ship is the ultimate place to host your family reunion and offers tremendous value as they are virtually all-inclusive holidays. They appeal to kids, grandkids, uni-age young adults, Mums, Dads, Aunts, Uncles, Grandmas and Grandpas.

Forget dealing with the sleeping arrangements as cruise ships have a number of different types of staterooms for any budget including Suites, Balcony Staterooms, Oceanview Staterooms, and Interior Cabins. Each family can choose which type of stateroom best fits their budget. Imagine dining in the resturant, sleeping in your cabin, waking and looking out your window to the cliffs of Santorini Greece, watching a whale in the Inside Pasage of Alaska, having breakfast with Mickey Mouse on board Disney Cruise Lines or diving off the back of the boat in the blue waters of Fiji all from the comfort of your ship or boat!.

Cruises can take the stress off the family budget, as the one price includes accommodation, all meals, activities, kids programs and entertainment . www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

ph: 5486 6166

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Yearning for some quality family time?

In our overly hectic lives, we often yearn to slow down, reconnect with the kids and live a life less complicated. Living on the coast is fantastic, but sometimes it’s nice to escape for a temporary “tree-change”. It might not be possible to run for the hills permanently, but at Cedar Glen Farmstay you can at least escape for a little while.

Cedar Glen has been in the Stephen’s family since 1882. Located at the foot of World Heritage Lamington National Park, this spectacular 1050 acre property is home to beef cattle, Arabian horses, milking cows, sheep, pigs, kangaroos and poultry. With clear mountain views, cooler nights, and crackling fires, Winter and Spring are great times to visit.

A real highlight of Cedar Glen is the activities they have to offer. Imagine the kids’ excitement as they get to feed the animals twice daily, or try their hand at milking the house cow each morning. Don’t miss the opportunity to embark on a horse ride through some of South East Qld’s most spectacular country – riders of all ages and experience are catered for. You can also learn how to throw a returning boomerang and crack the Australian stock whip while enjoying a cup of billy tea and freshly made damper.

Guests can stay in the original 1901 homestead, or choose one of three historic cottages which have been renovated to maintain the charm and authenticity of a bygone era. All buildings are surrounded by wide verandas perfect for soaking up the country views. Mums in particular will love the optional fully catered holiday. Imagine leaving even the cooking behind!

Escape to

Contact us now for great rates on your Winter or Spring getaway

info@cedarglen.com.au | (07) 5544 8170 | www.cedarglen.com.au Lost World Valley, Qld

If watching Discovery channel is the closest you’ve been to nature in a while, do something for yourself and the kids, and visit Cedar Glen. www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

JULY / AUGUST 2011 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

49

WS e i REV ovies! m d n a pps BOOK, A

BOOK

BOOK Trouble Twisters

by Garth Nix & Sean Williams. Allen and Unwin RRP $16.00 p/b Twins, Jack and Jaide, are plunged into an adventure involving talking cats, the unusual Grandma X and a strange whispering voice that keeps calling them. This is a great new fantasy series by a well-respected and prolific author. There is also a linked website. Suitable for boys and girls aged 9 - 13. Reviewed by Books of Buderim

The Aunties Three

by Nick Bland Scholastic Press RRP $24.99 h/b This is a great rhyming book about three children and a visit from their scary Aunties. The pictures help you imagine being there and with lots of funny words, it makes you want to read it over and over again. Suitable for boys and girls aged 3 - 6. Reviewed by Declan, aged 5

BOOK The Rainbow Necklace

Kung Fu Panda 2: The Kaboom of Doom

by Jacqueline Larsen Wombat Books RRP $14.95 p/b When five girls are brought together in the middle of the outback, the last thing they expect is the start of a lifetime of adventures. In just a few hours, friendships are forged as Matilda, Emily, Amy, Belle and Jasmine adventure through Australia’s outback and history.

Suitable for girls aged 7 – 11

MOVIE

Release: June 23 Rated PG Po, The Dragon Warrior, protects the Valley of Peace alongside his friends, The Furious Five. But Po’s new life of awesomeness is threatened by the emergence of a formidable villain, who plans to conquer China and destroy Kung Fu.

MOVIE

Cars 2

Release: June 23 Rated PG Star race car Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) and tow truck Mater head overseas to compete in the first-ever World Grand Prix to determine the world’s fastest car. The fast-paced fun includes a colourful new all-car cast, complete with menacing villains and international racing competitors.

MOVIE Mr Poppers Penguin Release: June 30 Rated TBC Mr. Popper (Jim Carrey) is a high-powered New York business man who suddenly inherits six penguins and finds his life turned upside down. Taking care of the animals is no easy matter and he quickly hits major hurdles both at home and at work, learning the value of family and friendship.

Crayon Physics Deluxe iPhone App. RRP $5.99 This award winning 2D Physics PC puzzle is now available for iPhone/iPod touch! Paint a picture by dragging your finger across the screen... Presto! The picture becomes an object. This app replicates the feeling of drawing with crayons, whilst being a puzzle that can be challenging to all ages.

Recommended for ages 4 +

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KiDs on tHe CoAst – JULY / AUGUST 2011

APP MOVIE Transformers 3: Dark Of The Moon Release: June 29 Rated TBC When a mysterious event from Earth’s past erupts into the present day it threatens to bring a war to earth so big that the Transformers alone will not be able to save us. www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

IN THE

spotlight

Welcome to our new section dedicated to the talented, creative Mums on the Coast who work from home. Each issue we will profile a special crafty mum, so don’t forget to keep us in the loop! We will also showcase some of our favourite products (please send in your favourites), share our directory and let you know when and where the local markets will be held. Enjoy!

From shy mum to confident business woman Erin Law is taking success in her stride.

by Jackie Goldston

In just 6 months, Erin Law has developed a small home business that is helping thousands of Sunshine Coast work at home mums connect, learn from each other and develop new business opportunities, both online and in person. And she has achieved all this while ensuring that she meets the needs of her two girls, Cooper, 5 and Bailey, 3.

Erin has a unique perspective on her growing business, Sunshine Coast Work at Home Mums (SCWAHMS). She says a lot of what she does is a fluke and that she has simply been lucky, but it appears that Erin has a natural instinct for social media which, when coupled with the understanding of a work at home mum’s needs, has created a fast growing and in demand business.

Can you give us a snapshot of your family? Our house is one of chaos and madness, but so much fun! Growing up in a family that doesn’t take anything too seriously, I’ve raised my girls to see the lighter side in just about everything. Most of the time it’s just the three of us, but my partner Kyle does spend quite a bit of time here – although does escape the crazy and head back to his own place on regular intervals! It’s not uncommon to wake to a morning game of “guess what’s been mashed into the rug” or spend half the day playing “find Mummy’s keys”. I happen to have not one, but two children whom many would describe as “spirited”. I wouldn’t trade them though (well, perhaps I would – what’re you offering?)

What has been your most life defining moment? Aside from the birth of my girls, the birth of my “new” baby, SCWAHMS, has been pretty pivotal. The transformation from “Just a Mum” to business-owner has been somewhat fast paced, but I’m loving every minute of the ride!

What business advice has had the biggest impact on you? I’m very privileged to have the guidance and support of so many knowledgeable people, but the one thing that sticks is Donna Hamer’s (Simple Online Solutions) advice to me, to put a value on my time. All too often we give ourselves away, and for what? It’s important to realise that our efforts as Working Mums are worth being compensated for!

What has been the biggest learning curve for you working from home?

Time management! I’m sure I’m not alone here though. Trying to juggle so many www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

responsibilities, and perform at 110% at all times, can be gruelling, but I think once you find a rhythm it all does seem to fall into place.

Do you have any business role models and what have you learned from them? I look up to many members of the SCWAHMS group – it’s just amazing the diversity and knowledge that these women (and men!) possess. Each one has given a part of themselves to me at one point or another, and I hope to make the most of the hand that I’ve been dealt!

What would be an ideal day for you? I’m a huge nerd, so an ideal day would be one where I log into the stat counter of my website and see lots of traffic heading in, and then back out to all the pages of the SCWAHMS community! That, and a massage, a good coffee and perhaps a spot of shopping!

How do you balance family and work demands? I try to “block out” time for each of the important people/things in my life. I carry a diary, and ensure that I book work around other commitments. The joy of being a work at home mum (WAHM) means you shouldn’t have to miss that concert or award presentation. Highlighting/ colour coding periods of time to ensure you aren’t neglecting your household chores, partner, or friends, is also important!

What’s the motto you live by? Do, or do not – there is no “try”. There is no point hanging around waiting for things to happen. You’ve got to get the ball rolling!

What would you consider your greatest achievement so far? Of course the standard answer here is becoming a mother, which of course is high on my list... but to think outside the square, I’d have to say that overcoming my social awkwardness, and putting myself out there has been a huge leap for me! I’m so proud of how far I’ve come on a personal level, and of course with that, comes success in my work life too.

Where do you see yourself in five years – personally and professionally? In 5 years I’d love to be continuing to support others in their efforts to live their dreams. I’m all for giving something a go, and will happily support anyone who wishes to do so.

Ideally, I’d be able to do this on a full time basis, but with the flexibility to be a stay-athome-parent to my girls. I was fortunate enough to have my Mum home with me, and I feel it’d be nice to be able to be here for the girls as they grow, too.

JULY / AUGUST 2011 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

51

d n a h D e k pic

our selection of work at home mum finds

Little hands, little feet

Hand & feet sculptures by Impressionable Kids are a magical way of capturing how cute & tiny your child’s hands and feet once were – how quickly we forget! www.impressionablekids.com.au

Capture this

Fresh, fun and fabulous photographs... just what you would expect from Funky Photography. www.funkyphotography.com.au

Music and fun from day one

Little Musos offers fun and interactive early music experiences for kids from birth through to five years of age on the Sunshine Coast. www.littlemusosmusic.com

Get creative

With Fun and Funky Sand Art your child can use an array of coloured sands to create layered patterns and funky designs – bring out their inner artist. www.funandfunky-sandart.com

Big who?

Who wants to celebrate being a big sister or brother... or a little one for that matter? We do! Get the shirt at Gonna Creations.

Phone: 0413 539 283

Born gorgeous!

We just cannot get enough of these cute outfits from Born Gorgeous, with a great range for boys and girls in sizes 00 – 8. www.borngorgeous.com.au

Party Time?

Save the time and stress of organising a kids party with Ezy Kids Parties who offer a great range of themed kids party packages and supplies. www.ezykidsparties.com.au

Nits no more

With so many products to chose from, The Lice Fairy’s range of organic head lice removal and prevention will have your kids itch free and smelling fabulous! www.thelicefairy.com.au

52

KiDs on tHe CoAst – JULY / AUGUST 2011

Colour me not No more messy clothes with the Pimpernel Clothing playwear collection which provides a wonderful sense of fun and protects your child’s clothes. www.pimpernelclothing.com.au

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

Markets Mamma’s Market July 9 and August 13. Buderim War Memorial Hall 9 – 1

DIRECTORY

Little Musos Music classes, Piano tuition, Birthday party entertainment - and MORE! www.littlemusosmusic.com

KaleidoKids July 21. Kawana Family Centre, Buddina Kailedoscope Markets August 21. Millwell Rd Community Centre, Maroochydore Sunny Coast Baby & Kids Market July 23. Nambour PCYC Nambour Moonlight Market Last Friday of the month, from 5pm – 9pm.

Born Gorgeous Stunning designs to luxury fabrics - Born Gorgeous caters for boys and girls sizes 00-8 www.borngorgeous.com.au

Funky Photography Fresh, Fun and Funky Photography across the Sunshine Coast www.funkyphotography.com.au

Pimpernel Playwear Clothing for imagining what the world could be www.pimpernelclothing.com.au

Baby & Kids Market July 30, 9-12. Lake Kawana Community Centre

A little further afield!

Mathilda’s Market Saturday August 6. Brisbane Racing Club at Eagle Farm, 230 Lancaster Road, Ascot. From 9am to 1pm. Free parking all around Racing Club

Ezy Kids Parties Kids party supplies, hosted party packages, entertainment, cakes and catering. www.ezykidsparties.com.au

Gonna Creations For big brothers and sisters to be!

T-shirts only $5.95 + $2 p/h Phone 0413 539 283

Résumés for Results, Sunshine Coast Professional Résumés, Application Letters Selection Criteria, Interview Coaching www.resumes.net.au

Check out www.bris-style.com for the hugest range of all things handmade. Info for their upcoming markets including the Mother & Child Market.

If you’re wanting to start your own business, but not really sure where to begin – here are a couple of websites to check out www.workathomemums.com.au www.careermums.com.au Fun and Funky Sand Art Fill bottles and get creative!

Great for kids parties and events www.funandfunky-sandart.com

Impressionable Kids Free professional photo included with every frame. From Caloundra to Noosa www.impressionablekids.com.au Next Market Dates July 9 Aug 13 Sep 24 Buderim War Memorial Hall Saturday 9:00am - 1:00pm Mamma’s Market is a high quality boutique style monthly market with a focus on handmade, unique items and services catering to pregnancy, baby, children’s and family needs and delightful decor items!

stalls@mammasmarket.com www.mammasmarket.com Find us on Facebook www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

The Lice Fairy Organic head lice treatment, prevention and education by Linzi, a qualified hairdresser www.thelicefairy.com.au

Or for local support and networking contact Erin www.scwahms.com

Let us help you in the work at home revolution Ask us NOW about how you can be included in the Work at Home Mums Directory and get your business noticed by thousands of readers today! Email for our affordable rates now advertising@kidsonthecoast.com.au JULY / AUGUST 2011 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

53

DIRECTORY Education/Tuition

Health

Find more @ www.ki

dsonthecoast.com.a

Markets

Auslan (Sign Language) Courses Term 3

NeW! Playgroup for mums+bubs Thurs am

0417 831 681

www.honeybee-creations.com Internet bASed

Draw and paint in your pyjamas!

Complete 42 week art course Curriculum (Studying on average 2 to 6 hours a week) • Fully supported by your personal Instructor • Study at the times that suit you • Grading optional • Certificate of Completion awarded • Adults and children 12yrs plus www.Drawpj.com Email: info@drawpj.com

Gift Services

Dr Gray Moritz Dr Louise Christophersen

5444 0711

Suite 8, 126-130 Golf Links Road Mountain Creek Medical Centre

Counselling Psychotherapy Counselling Psychotherapy Craniosacral Therapy Remedial Massage

Health Rebates available and Blue card Holder

Ph: (0407) 196 231 or (07) 5443 1352 www.fmni.com.au

io P ia no Tuit

Join us for a fun-filled morning of shopping!

Saturday 30th July, 9am-12pm

Lake Kawana Community Centre, Sportsmans Parade, Bokarina

www.babykidsmarket.com.au Tel: 1300 55 44 76

Labels

a Private tuition avail

bl e

all for

a ge

s!

Learn for fun or challenge yourself with exams!

Also available as an Accompanist and Performer

P: 0420 277 695 E: ccundall@hotmail.com

ALEX HEADLAND HEALTH CENTRE Phone 5309 6818

3D impressions of loved ones great or small, young or old.

THE biggest range of preloved Baby & Kids goods under one roof

Anne-Marie Rossouw

www.ntpages.com.au/annemarierossouw

Lay-by terms available

L AL D N C LA R E C U n

• Care for Pregnancy, Babies & Children • Allergy/Nutritional Testing • Family Rates Available • 13 Years on the Coast!

2/26 Alexandra Parade, Alexandra Headland We come to you Gold Coast to Hervey Bay.

Music CLASSICAL/MODERN PIANO AND THEORY

for Adults: Community Workers, Teachers, Child Carers & Mums

Auslan in the Community Auslan for Early Childhood Sign-Singing for Early Childhood

u

To advertise in Kids on the Coast call 1300 430 320 or email: advertising@ kidsonthecoast.com.au

Head Lice Treatment We c

om to y e ou!

The Itchy & Scratchy Nit Control team is a Mobile Nit treating and Combing Service covering the Sunshine Coast from GYMPIE TO BRISBANE! You can now relax and let us take control and get rid of that itching!! Treating children, parents and grandparents!

Phone: 0451 278 763

Check us out on Facebook!

Tourism Queensland

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KiDs on tHe CoAst – JULY / AUGUST 2011

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

JULY / AUGUST 2011 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

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Be Thrilled at Aussie World!

VALUE FOR MONEY FAMILRiYdesFAULL NDAY!!

Includes Unlimited Mini Golf!

Unlimitesentd this coupon ANY DAY before or on ader Re

ly $20 each!  Unlimited Fast & Fun Passesononly $70 each!  Unlimited 4 Person Passes

Normally $25

Normally $80

scoun

t

Di

Pre : eive the following offers 31 August 2011 to rec

WOW!

Great for Kid’s Birthdays and ! s ie rt a P p -U k a re B p u ro G g in Sport Golf all day, a i in M d an es rid d ite lim un es ud cl In ts FREE!! ul ad 5 to Up h. nc lu d an e bl ta ed reserv ther information.

KOTC 0711

om.au for fur *See www.aussieworld.c ild can come for free! k how the Birthday Ch Bookings essential. As

Open daily 9am to 5pm, rides start at 10am.

56 KiDs on tHe CoAst – JULY / Coast, AUGUST Qld 2011 Phone 07 5494 5444 Bruce Highway, Sunshine

email: fun@aussieworld.com.au

www.aussieworld.com.au

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au