Bayside MamaMag Jun/Jul 2019

BAYSIDE

mamaMAG Jun/Jul 2019

WIN 1 of 2 money can’t buy dIsney on Ice experIences MamaMag’s 5th b’day Discover DUPLO Perfect presents Toy library fun The big sisters

free Local fun for the Bayside mum 1

ENROL NOW

COME AND VISIT US

CHILD CARE & KINDERGARTEN 296 GLEN EIRA ROAD, ELSTERNWICK

FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED | WHERE EVERY CHILD MATTERS Contact us TODAY on 9528 6967 or centre@ourplaceelc.com.au to secure a place for your child ourplaceelc.com.au

happy bIrthday People say getting a puppy is like having another child (both things I wasn’t planning on doing). I tell you what, they were not wrong, except at least babies only poo in one spot, their nappy. And they don’t chew on your shoes, or your ankles, or... practically everything. My daughter has been desperate for a puppy for years. I had said she could have one when she started school so we could walk it to school (she’s now half way through grade three!). Well it seems I couldn’t drag it out any longer, especially when I started getting little letters about her wish for a puppy for her birthday tucked under my pillow!

So Mama caved, a big cave as her birthday isn’t till the end of July! Let me introduce you to the newest member of the MamaMag team, Marley the Jug! (That’s a Jack Russell cross Pug if you’re not sure.) She is completely adorable and completely crazy, and she makes a fabulous office companion and a great excuse to work from home as well!

So, besides the birthday puppy, it’s birthday time all round.

Can you believe MamaMag has hit the big FIVE? She’s practically ready to graduate from kinder to school! I know I say this every year, but time flies when you’re having fun.

It seems like yesterday I was producing my first 5,000 little mags for the families of Bayside and now I’m creating mags for mums right across Melbourne and printing 10 times that amount across our four publications.

Now, it wouldn’t be a party without presents, right? But not for us, for you! We’ve partnered with some of our favourite businesses across Bayside and Melbourne to bring you the ultimate “Year of Fun”. A family pass to use at least every month for the next year! We’ve gotten to know so many fabulous businesses over the last five years, so it’s great to be able to share their fun with you.

And speaking of fun, make sure you enter the Disney on Ice competition too and your kids could be part of the show going out on the ice rink in the special show-cart!

You can’t even buy that experience, it’s a mama-special!

So happy birthday to us, and my two July-baby kids! >> Make sure you all pop a champers for us in celebration!

XOX Sarah Cavalier @sarahcavalier77 @localmamamag

4

Local fun for everyone • Bayside • Eastside • Northside • Westside

WIN

Contents Time to party

6

Toy library party fun

Parklife 8 Linear Park, Carnegie

Year of fun

9 ©Disney. All Rights Reserved.

MamaMag’s 5th birthday giveaway

Discover Duplo

10

Farm fun in their 50th year

The big sisters

14

Helping raise happy girls

Present perfection

16

Top gifts from our favourite toy brands

We love a mother

20

Tanja and Kathrin from TK Tribe

Turn the page

22

Mama’s top book picks

Mama can cook

24

30

Fun in the snow

The perfect party

34

Great local party ideas

Capturing your newborn

40

Baby photography tips

Colour to WIN

45

Win Mt Buller lift tickets

My first drama class Benefits of drama

MamaMag June/July 2019

You must have two children aged between 4-10 years old available for the cart ride.

Tickets are valid to the Disney On Ice celebrates Mickey and Friends show on Monday 9th July 2019 - 10am performance at Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne only. Entries are open to Victorian residents only. Competition starts June 1st 12.01am and closes June 27th 2019 at 11.59pm. Entries and prizes are not transferrable or redeemable for cash.

Visit mamamag.com.au for full terms & conditions. Tickets available through Ticketek.

26

Keeping kids in cars happy

Outside adventure

Two lucky winners will receive 4 A Reserve tickets, a ride in the cart during the show for two children (aged 4-10 years) plus two Disney On Ice merchandise bags!

Enter at www.mamamag.com.au/disneyonice

Check out the fun at www.DisneyOnIce.com.au

World famous Aussie Tanina Holder

Commute friendly snacks

1 of 2 Disney On Ice celebrates Mickey and Friends experiences!

46

MamaMag® is published bi-monthly for the mums of Melbourne’s South by Grizzle Design Pty Ltd ABN: 26 042 138 550. PO Box 8018 Brighton East 3187 Phone: 1300 771 446 Email: info@mamamag.com.au www.mamamag.com.au | www.grizzledesign.com.au

12,500 copies per issue distributed bi-monthly across Melbourne’s South with 50,000 copies in total across all four MamaMag areas: Bayside • Eastside • Northside • Westside.

Editor in Chief: Sarah Cavalier sarah@mamamag.com.au Local Advertising Manager: Olivia Wilson: olivia@mamamag.com.au National Key Account Manager: Clare Betts: clare@mamamag.com.au Want to write for us or have an article idea? submissions@mamamag.com.au The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the publishing staff.

Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited without permission of the publishers.Health related articles are designed to be informative and educational. They are not intended to provide specific medical advice or replace one-on-one advice from your health practitioner.

5

TIME TO PARTY So you’ve decided to host a kid’s birthday party yourself.

A courageous decision! The invitations have gone out, plans for a cake are underway and now you’re left with the question of how to entertain a bunch of little rascals who will most likely be revved up on cordial and fairy bread and need some fun.

active and amused for hours? And toy libraries across Melbourne hire these party packs to members and non-members at a range of affordable prices (well under $100)!

You want to keep them happy without breaking the bank. You want to keep them happy without having your house destroyed.

Most party packs include mini roller coasters - a perennial favourite which the kids will be talking about for weeks. Create some oldfashioned fun with a games set – remember having egg and spoon or sack races? Even the adults will want to have a crack at Giant Jenga, hula hoops and bocce. Twister, anyone? You could add on additional outdoor games like croquet or mini golf, or cater for younger bubs with a small ball pit.

Mama and papas, may I introduce…the toy library party pack.

You might have passed your local toy library (there are more than 100 across Victoria). You may even be a member. But did you know toy libraries offer packages of party-minded toys and games, just perfect for keeping youngsters

Toy libraries have it all. Swing sets, rockers, Cozy Coupe cars. Tunnels, parachutes, climbing frames.

In short, everything you need to build a playground in your yard. They include larger games and toys which encourage kids to have fun together and enjoy active play.

On a sunny day (sure you might have to wait a bit for a guaranteed one of those!), a water play table is perfect for some splashy fun.

Party packs offer an easy and affordable option to help make kids’ parties less stressful (you’re going to have enough on your hands without worrying about the entertainment).

If you do feel like going all out, some toy libraries offer a bouncy castle. For families in smaller homes, games and ride-ons are a great option.

Having a themed party?

Toy libraries can help. How about a dinosaur treasure hunt, or borrow some jungle animals to keep your little monkeys playing. Builders’ sets, princess paraphernalia – let your imagination take over.

Why not borrow some musical instruments and let the kids form their own band? For older kids, “old school” board games like Pictionary, Charades or Cluedo offer fun teambased entertainment, or borrow some sports equipment and set up your own mini Olympics!

Toy libraries can even help out when it’s time to sit down and cut the cake, offering child-sized tables and chairs for hire.

And if you’re going to a child’s party, why not consider a toy library gift certificate as a thoughtful present that will keep giving long after the party is over? (Note that members are usually required to volunteer a few hours of their time each year to help keep the toy library running.)

Toy libraries offer children access to hundreds of toys, carefully chosen by staff and volunteers to fire the imagination and encourage development of important skills like fine motor, literacy and numeracy.

Borrowing toys means kids are less likely to get bored (it’s like their birthday comes every few weeks!) and is a great way to teach them about sharing, recycling and looking after things.

Check out your nearest toy library online or drop in during opening hours, and get this party started.

By Pia Akerman Lower. Pia Lower loves a good kids’ party and is on the management committee of Caulfield Community Toy Library in Carnegie. www.caulfieldtoylibrary.com Find your closest toy library at toylibraries.org.au

Some great local Bayside Toy Libraries are: Elwood Toy Library 87 Tennyson Street, Elwood Caulfield Community Toy Library 12 Munro Avenue, Carnegie Bayside Toy Library 212 Dendy Street, Brighton East

Middle Park Toy Library Corner Richardson Street & Nimmo Street, Middle Park6 Moorabbin Area Toy Library 90-92 Bignell Road, Bentleigh East

Carrum Downs Toy Library Inc 203-205 Lyrebird Drive, Carrum Downs

Monash Area Toy Libraries - Oakleigh Branch Cnr Germain St and Huntingdale Rd, Huntingdale

Dandenong Toy Well Dandenong Primary School Community Hub 182 Foster Street Dandenong

Port Melbourne Toy Library Port Melbourne Town Hall, 333 Bay St, Port Melbourne

Doveton Toy Well Doveton College, 62 Tristania Street, Doveton

South Melbourne Toy Library 400 Clarendon Street, South Melbourne

Frankston Toy Library 20 Ebdale Street, Frankston

Springvale Service for Children Toy Library 23-28 Lightwood Avenue, Springvale

Kingston Toy Library 2b Lewis Street, Mordialloc

South Melbourne Toy Library 400 Clarendon Street South Melbourne

ParklIfe Skyrail. Love it or loathe it, but the truth is the elevation of the train tracks, from Caulfield to Dandenong, has opened up 22.5 hectares of new public space, equivalent to the size of 11 MCGs. Beneath the tracks at Carnegie the area adjacent to the station has been transformed into a linear park. Various types of sport and exercise equipment encourage local residents to get active and embrace the outdoors.

Sport sure is a real focus here, with the hero being a fantastic half court basketball court.

Brightly coloured park tables and seating, that feature funky bright citrus coloured brick and wood, provide somewhere to sit and watch, and don’t forget to bring your table tennis bat and ball as there are a couple of tables to play on.

8

There is a climbing structure, that is most likely more for fitness use, but provides some fun levels to scale, hang and traverse and kids can climb and jump from the giant black balls dotted around as well.

Bring your bikes down as there are km’s of perfect bike track to follow. You might even end up at the next great play space along the track for double the fun.

Grab a coffee from across the road at Tailored Cafe. They offer a 13 hour cold drip coffee and serve a mean looking crispy chicken burger too!

Opposite Carnegie Station, Koornang Road.

Image: Lark Industries

LINEAR PARK, CARNEGIE

N I W

Value d

at

$970 ay

rthd i B h t s5 aMag’

Mam

f o r a e y

! y a w a e v I g fun

Sa PLU it Co. ! lo K Hel y pack t r pa

It’s our birthday, but you get the presents!

One lucky winner will receive a family pass* to every single one of these great places!

Enter at www.mamamag.com.au/birthday

*Or equivalent. Entries are open to Victorian residents only. Competition starts June 1st 12.01am and closes July 31st 2019 at 11.59pm.

Prizes are not redeemable for cash and will be issued as vouchers valid for 12 months from date of issue. Additional venue terms and conditions are outlined in our full terms & conditions which can be viewed at mamamag.com.au/yearoffuntandc.

dIscover duplo Celebrating its 50th birthday this year, LEGO® DUPLO is so much more than just a toy!

DUPLO was launched in 1969, 11 years after traditional interlocking LEGO bricks and the same year the first person set foot on the moon! You can decide which was the bigger moment for mankind, although could Apollo 11 be dismantled and rebuilt into a racing car?!

DUPLO products are carefully designed for fun, in the heart and hands of every small child, and are used to inspire and help toddlers unlock their full potential through creative, playful experiences.

A 50th birthday means ‘party time’ and lucky Melbourne kids are getting ALL the fun! The new DUPLO Farm Adventure at LEGOLAND Discovery Centre has recently launched and it’s super-fun! This new soft play zone for toddlers and pre-schoolers has been designed specifically to inspire interactive social play, support development and encourage kids to have fun!

Behind the giant barn doors, children can explore a multi-level farmhouse where they can build with thousands of DUPLO pieces and climb, crawl, slide and swing. And no farm would be complete without animals! DUPLO Farm Adventure will surprise and delight the smallest of farmers with life-size DUPLO animals. Kids will love climbing on the cow, calf, goat, pig, chicken and hare, which even come to life with animal noises.

The urge to play is nature’s way of helping us make sense of the world.

Through play we come to know what it means to belong, to be loved, and feel happiness.

10

From birth to the age of four, children undergo intense neurological transformation. The most rapid period of learning and development a human being will ever experience takes place in those four years, and by the end, a ‘blueprint’ has been drawn for the adults they will become.

That’s why all LEGO DUPLO products are carefully designed to inspire and help toddlers unlock their full potential through creative, playful experiences that will further shape their future.

Did you know the name DUPLO derives from the Latin word ‘duplex’ meaning double?

To take kids’ DUPLO experience to the next level, LEGOLAND Discovery Centre also runs DUPLO Kids Club on weekdays. The interactive workshops take place inside the DUPLO Farm Adventure zone and are hosted by experienced team members who teach young children about numbers, letters, colours and animals through games, building challenges and storytelling.

LEGOLAND Discovery Centre also has 15 different LEGO experiences with LEGO themed rides, a 4D Cinema, a Melbourne miniland and thousands of bricks to build with. It is ideal for families with children aged 2-10 years who enjoy the fun and creativity of LEGO. And if you’re looking for a special way to celebrate your child’s birthday, LEGOLAND Discovery Centre is a venue like no other offering a range of birthday packages complete with private party rooms.

LEGOLAND Discovery Centre is a great choice for those looking to create and share new experiences with family and friends. Find out more at LEGOLANDDiscoveryCentre.com.au

Six reasons LEGO DUPLO is perfect for kids aged 2-5: 1. Learning as child’s play. LEGO DUPLO may benefit your child’s motor, language, cognitive, social, and emotional development. Every time children build, they’re potentially developing coordination, communication and confidence through constructive play – and that’s just the beginning! Exploratory play through LEGO DUPLO may cultivate imagination, creativity and problem-solving skills. And with so much possibility, children become part of the action they’ve constructed, exploring emotion and adventure through pretend play.

2. Safe play is the best play. Since 1958, LEGO bricks have been providing generations of young innovators with high-quality play products that parents can depend on. The LEGO Group knows even the smallest hands love building big dreams, so LEGO DUPLO bricks are designed to be twice the size of standard LEGO bricks for safe and accessible fun.

3. Creativity is constructed. Young minds require tools that can keep up with active imaginations, and so LEGO DUPLO blocks can be easily transformed from beautiful butterflies and exotic zoo animals to wheeled wonders and whatever else the wildest imaginations come up with. If they can dream it, they can build it!

4. Fun comes in infinite forms. Whether a child is constructing a masterpiece through solo play or collaborating on a brilliant build with family and friends, the fun never ends! With LEGO DUPLO, each new build produces a fresh and fun play experience for builders of all ages.

5. LEGO DUPLO lasts. In fact, it lasts so long that you can pass it down from older sibling to younger sibling and even from parent to child – without worrying about the bricks breaking or wearing out.

6. Sharing and caring. With plenty of pieces for friends and so many ways to share in the fun, LEGO DUPLO can bolster social development through the process of creative collaboration and team construction. With friendships built one brick at a time, more hands mean more fun!

11

Book a free trial now

Ignite your child’s passion for sport!

Enrol Now for Term 3!

Australia's largest and most reputable multi-sport and exercise program for kids (aged 1.5-6 years)!

• Learn the basics of 10 great sports • Develop listening skills • Learn how follow instructions • Meet new friends in the area!

Your local locations: Albert Park/MSAC Bentleigh/GESAC Beaumaris Brighton

Sandringham Springvale

readysteadygokids.com.au 1300 766 892

EE OOKKRE ENTNT BBOOR F FMRE! E U RSS M !

YOOSUEENSOSWW AYSSS NO

A

Franchise opportunities available

88%

FORMAL SWIMMING

LESSONS YEAR ROUND

REDUCES THE RISK

OF DROWNING BY

STATISTICS SOURCE: the USA’s National Institute for Health – Ruth A. Brenner, et al., 2015

SWIMMING IS a skill for life, NOT A SEASON! LEARN FROM THE SURVIVAL SPECIALISTS Paul Sadler Carrum Downs 149 Hall Rd, Carrum Downs (03) 9782 9444 carrumdowns@paulsadlerswimland.com paulsadlerswimland.com

12

Paul Sadler Narre Warren 101 Seebeck Drive, Narre Warren (03) 8790 5540 narrewarren@paulsadlerswimland.com

Live Local - Shop Local - and don’t forget to mention MamaMag!

THE BIG SISTERS’ top three secrets to raising happy girls Raising girls has never been an easy feat. Today more than ever young girls can be vulnerable in a world where there are more issues and pressures they need to consider and be aware of.

As parents, you want to be able to provide all the tools and knowledge you can to assist your daughter in making the best decisions for her happiness, safety and wellbeing. It is our duty to provide unconditional

love and a safe space for our girls to discover who they are, make and learn from mistakes, and flourish as young women.

The Big Sister Experience facilitate school workshops and have worked with countless teen and pre-teen girls, and their families. These are their 3 tips for raising happy, resilient and compassionate girls.

1. Trust and share reasons for rules For most of us, we can remember our teenage years. A period of uncertainty where we tried our best to fit in, whilst also learning who we were and what we wanted for ourselves. Very few people like rules – but even less people like rules that we don’t understand.

Don’t be afraid to set boundaries, but be clear and communicate the reason for setting them.

Not only does this make your intentions and motivations unambiguous, but it also opens up an expectation of communication and talking things through.

Not all conversations will be pleasant, in fact, some might be downright awkward. But leading by example in this regard will teach your daughter valuable communication and listening skills, and will result in a higher likelihood of her following your expectations as she understands the reasons why these expectations have been set.

If boundaries or rules are disrespected and disregarded, have clear repercussions in place, and follow through. We see the results in children as young as preschool who are threatened with consequences if they don’t follow rules, yet are allowed to get away with their behaviour when repercussions are not implemented. This problem is magnified as children grow, so it is imperative to set the expectations early on.

2. Teach a gratitude mindset There have been many studies done in recent years to show the positive health benefits of practicing gratitude. The key here is focusing on what you have instead of what you don’t.

As parents it can be overwhelming to deal with the emotional rollercoaster ride of raising young girls. Know that you are not alone, and the problems and issues you are facing are the problems and issues facing countless parents in your position. Reach out and ask for help if needed, and share support to others as well.

We strongly believe that parents do what they believe is right and best for their child.

So communicate the reasoning behind your expectations with your girls. Encourage recognising the positive and the learning in every situation. And practice judgement free, unconditional love for your child, the phases

Focusing your energy on the positives can be taught from an early age, but it’s never too late to refocus. Even adults who keep a gratitude diary of three things per day develop an overall more positive disposition after 21 days. If writing seems like a chore, why not have a dinner conversation about the ‘best bit’ of the day or the ‘top 3’ things that happened in the past 24 hours? Encourage gratitude for ‘moments’ and ‘people’ instead of ‘things,’ and you will usually find that even on the bad days there is often things to be thankful for.

3. Allow mistakes and respect her choices It can often be easy, as an adult with years of experience, to see how certain situations can produce specific, often undesired, outcomes.

Recent studies have shown that a teenager’s frontal lobe, the area that is responsible for making decisions and weighing and judging action and situations, is actually the last part of the brain to fully develop. This means that it’s not so much what teenagers do think about, but more about what they don’t think about.

It is vital that as well as guiding and encouraging open communication, you allow your girls to make their own mistakes and learn through their own life lessons. This can be difficult for parents to watch, but it’s so important for us all to experience the failures, hurts and tests in life.

Ensure you are having conversations with your girls about the lessons they can take from each situation. Remind them that both the good and bad times will pass, and assure them that it’s never too late to do better, to try again, or to make changes.

she is going through, and the mistakes she is making. These small suggestions can make massive changes in your girls’ lives if practiced regularly, increasing the likelihood of your girl growing into a confident, communicative and compassionate young woman.

The Big Sisters are a Melbourne based project founded by two sisters teaching life education programs to young girls and their families via school workshops and webinars. bigsisterexp.com @bigsisterexperience You can download their free eBook on raising happy girls here mailchi.mp/8e6483551d5c/parentebook 15

present perfectIon Check out what’s hot from some of our favourite toy retailers!

4

3 1

2 5 8

6 7 9 1. 3 Pack Treasure X: Quest For Dragons Gold Treasure Set: Join the quest to discover the Dragon’s gold with this treasure set. Buried inside a dragon’s lair is an exclusive legendary golden dragon and it’s guaranteed golden treasure waiting to be found. But also within lies other great discoveries!

Let your kids break open and discover all new treasure hunters and mini beasts who became trapped on their quest for gold! Ages 5+ RRP 39.

Available at Kmart and other leading toy retailers.

2. Ty Beenie Boo Fashions: Taking Beenie Boos to a whole new level, you can now get your favourite glitter eyed friends as accessories. Sequin slides RRP $29.99, slippers RRP $29.99 and fashion purses $34.99 to suit each little girl! Available from NewsXpress and Toyworld.

3. Smiggle Fluffy Sand: If you love goo and you love the beach then this fluffy sand is perfect for you!

The sand-like texture can be stretched and moulded.

Each bucket contains approximately 300g. $9.95. www.smiggle.com.au

16 16

4. Mighty Beanz™ 8 Beanz Slam Pack: Mighty Beanz - The collectable Beanz that come alive! Slam the top of the Bean Pod and be amazed as the Bean Pod expands and bursts open! Inside you will find 8 Mighty Beanz and one Collector’s Guide! There are 120 Mighty Beans to collect in Series 1. Look for Rare, Ultra Rare, Super Rare, Mighty Rare Beanz!

Maybe you will find a Limited Edition Golden Hero Mighty Bean! Ages 5+. RRP $15. Available at Big W, Target and other leading toy retailers.

5. Cabbage Patch Kids Lots of Licks 14-inch Kids: Celebrate 35 years with Cabbage Patch Kids! Each Kid comes with a fun fashion and lollipop that interacts with Lots-of-Licks Adoptimals plus official adoption papers with a unique name & birthday! RRP $79 Available from Mr Toys Toyworld.

6. Peppa’s Secret Surprise: Unbox Peppa Pig party fun with Peppa’s Secret Surprise! Unwrap the brightly coloured box, to find secret drawers with 6 surprises inside! Each box includes a figure with glittery party dress, party hat, large party accessory, present, gift box and stickers or gems! There’s lots of different options to collect! Who will you find inside your Secret Surprise? RRP $20.00. Available from Big W and Target.

7. Power Action Pikachu: This plush toy has action sensor technology and comes with over 15 responses and is motion activated. With its lights and sound interactions, this will soon become their favourite toy. Suitable for ages 3 and over. RRP $59. Available from Big W. 8. VTECH Secret Safe Diary Selfie Music: This electronic diary features a colour screen and front and back camera that will make your diary and personal organiser really stand out. You can load your favourite songs to listen to on your diary or enjoy the built-in songs. There are 20 different activities that include three virtual pets for you to look after, lots of great games that cover words, maths, logic and much much more. RRP $69.95. 6-11 years Available from Big W. 9. TNT: HOWDY PARTNER! Did you hear the Gold Rush is back? Blast the cards then go for the gold!

With real plunger action and 25 rock/ nugget shaped ‘blast cards’ that fly through the air, TNT is fun for all the family! For kids 6+ to adults. RRP $29 from Big W and Toyworld.

17

12

10

11

13

14

15

17 16

10. Monster Mash: Monster Mash is a race to see who can catch the most monsters! Simply press down on the monster maker and search for the matching monster card. But you’d better be quick!

Thwack to capture your monster, whoever catches five monsters first wins! Ages 4+ RRP $25 from Big W and Toyworld.

11. VTECH Magical Lights Unicorn: Go on an enchanted adventure with Starshine the Bright Lights Unicorn. Place the seven charms on any of the three magic hearts to see her horn light up and hear colours, objects and phrases in English or Spanish. Use the charms to answer quiz questions or add sound effects to create your own special song. Squeeze the unicorn’s tail to see her beautiful wings flap and hear whimsical phrases and sound effects that encourage imaginative play. Starshine’s majestic hooves feature wheels so you can push her as you head off on your next adventure! 1.5-4 years RRP $39.95 Available from Target.

12. Smiggle sleepy sprouts: While we sleep our magical minds are at play. Whatever you dream to achieve we’ll be here each step of the way! So whether it takes a second or even a little while chase those dreams that make you smile. 5 different

18

18

sprouts to collect each with a unique scent! Sleepy Sprouts pencil case $19.95 and keyring $14.95. www.smiggle.com.au 13. Leapfrog Shapes & Sharing Picnic Basket: This LeapFrog Shapes and Sharing Picnic Basket Set is a space for fun, learning and sharing! The Shapes and Sharing Picnic Basket helps little learners explore shapes, colours, manners and more! Over 30 audio responses encourage pretend play, and the 14-piece set helps children build motor skills as they sort, match, stack, empty and fill. 6 months +. RRP $34.95. Available from Big W and Target 14. Smiggle Squishie pens: Our favourite squishies now come in a pen with 6 awesome characters to collect! $7.95. www.smiggle.com.au 15. Shake Off: Shake Off is a hilarious new active game for young and old alike! Take the Shake Off challenge and prove who is the best at shaking their butt! Simply clip on your shaker, connect to your opponents and then it’s ready, set, shake! Try not to be last! The slowest player gets the flick! Ages 5+ RRP $25 from Big W and Toyworld.

16. Globber FLOW 2-wheel foldable scooter: The perfect choice for children to transition to their first 2-wheel scooter. Adjustable features, robust design and new folding system. FLOW scooters offer maximum sturdiness, comfort and practicality for tomorrow’s teenager. Ages 6+. RRP $160 www.globber.com.au 17. Cry Babies Magic Tears: Based on the YouTube sensation, unbox the mystery bottle house to unveil the cutest little cry baby magic tears that comes with 6 fun accessories: a bottle, a bow, a dummy, a chair, and 2 accessories unique to each doll! Open the final compartment to see if they have any surprise glitter accessories, exclusive to only a few bottle houses! Fill the bottle with water to feed your magic tears, watch as they cry real tears when you squeeze their bellies. RRP $19.95 from Big W, Target and Toyworld.

18. Teamsterz Micro Motorz: Get ready to drift and race your friends with Micro Motorz, the hottest new collectible car range. Each Micro Motorz is a micro-size drifting car that comes with a cool unboxing experience. Tear the wrapper off and find three inter-connected packs - kids then twist and snap off the first pack to find a tuning tool that works with the car. For 3 to 8-year olds. RRP $12.95 from Big W, Toyworld, Kidstuff, NewsXpress and other leading independent toy stores.

HAPPY

&

HEALTHY

HIGH ACHIEVING Mentone Grammar’s academic, cocurricular and wellbeing programs are designed for the holistic development of our students so that they can achieve their personal best and be happy and healthy young people.

This is delivered within our highly acknowledged Together-Apart-Together coeducational model.

From our Early Learning Centre through to Year 12, we provide age and stage appropriate programs designed to engage the modern learner in a dynamic environment.

EXPERIENCE MENTONE GRAMMAR AT A SCHOOL TOUR Book online or contact us for more information at:

www.mentonegrammar.net

www.mentonegrammar.net 63 Venice Street Mentone T: +61 9584 4211

we love a mother Our fabulous Bayside biz-mamas, Tanja & Kathrin, are the founders of TK Tribe which produced the cutest friendship book you’ll ever see. These fabulous mamas, both originally from Germany, met at a German playgroup and ‘My Friendship Book’ was created after their own fond memories of popular friendship books they had as kids growing up in Germany.

Firstly, tell us a bit about each of yourselves and your kids/families.

We are both working mums with two children each in kindergarten and early primary school.

Our families are bilingual, and we mainly speak German at home, but outside we speak English.

We love embedding both cultures in our dayto-day family life and merging our traditions with our chosen home-country Australia. That means while we celebrate traditional German events like “Advent” during the Christmas season, we are all cheers for Australia Day. When did you arrive in Australia and what brought you here?

Kathrin: My husband and I arrived in Australia in 2004 on a two-year work commitment.

We were both keen to explore and travel the world and we chose Australia because it is a beautiful yet English-speaking country. Work was the reason we came here, but we realised quickly that Melbourne was the place where we belonged. Two years quickly turned into more than a decade and we still feel lucky to call Melbourne our home.

Tanja: As a teenager it was my dream to live in the country of kangaroos and koalas. The idea of constant sunshine, beach and surf convinced my husband quickly and when I got the opportunity to transfer from Munich to Melbourne in 2009, we were both quick to ship our household belongings down under. Since then this has become our so much-loved home and we are grateful to raise our kids in such a beautiful environment and stunning city.

How does a friendship book work?

It’s a simple concept, but it has a deeper meaning and purpose. Children will pass 20

their friendship book among their friends and teachers and have them write a little bit about themselves, include a photo and do a drawing.

Kids who get to fill out their friend’s book will also share their interests such as favourite book, animal, food, colour, and much more. More importantly, our friendship book fosters positive interactions between kids with questions like: I’m grateful for …, I am really good at …, and when I grow up I want to … . It encourages creativity with handwritten notes and drawings in a fun way and helps kids to develop a love for books and connect with their peers and teachers outside of the digital world.

Tell us about your own memories of the friendship books you had as kids.

In Germany, every primary school student in our region had a friendship book. We had plenty of fun filling them in, sharing them and reading what our friends’ favourite things were. Looking back at them now, we see the value those books brought to us personally when it came to build strong bonds with our classmates. But really the best part of these friendship books is looking at them now, 30 years later. We’ve had some great laughs and giggles reminiscing over them, bringing back the joy from our childhood days – just priceless.

What were you doing before you started the business?

Before we started TK Tribe, we both had successful careers in management consulting and were trying to balance demanding projects and tight timelines with parenthood. Which all working moms know all too well. We also feel very lucky that we found each other.

Favourite part about living in Bayside?

Living close to the beach, being able to go for a run, play or swim anytime we want is just the best – especially when coming from Germany where the closest warm sea is hundreds of miles away. Also, we are just amazed over and over again by this caring and friendly community. The people here in Melbourne are very open and welcoming to all cultures and backgrounds. It’s a fabulous place to raise kids.

What’s your fav thing about being a mum?

It’s the hardest job we’ve ever done but the early morning cuddles in bed and kisses at school drop offs and pickups are priceless.

Where do you love to hang out as a family?

We are both very outdoorsy and active families.

We take advantage of all the playgrounds, skateparks, beaches and love the abundance of amazing cafes and restaurants in Bayside.

What’s the best bit about running a business?

No day is the same, the learning curve is steep, but having the opportunity to do something we truly believe in and working for something we believe will have a positive impact on the next generation is the best part of it.

What can we expect next from TK Tribe?

We are also super excited about planning our next unisex edition of the friendship book. We will be seeking input and feedback from our community of TK Tribe followers, and hopefully readers of MamamMag – who we’d love to invite to join us. We’ve been getting great feedback on our first friendship book, but now we want to hear from our new tribe on the theme and illustrations they would like to see to help us shape our next edition.

And finally, care to share with us a funny parenting story?

We all know how kids mimic their parents, but it’s truly amazing when you experience it yourself.

Our 4-year-olds have recently started using incentives, just like we do with them sometimes, to get their way. Statements like “If you don’t let me eat ice cream today, I won’t give you any more hugs and kisses” or “If I can’t have this you are not my best friend anymore” make us laugh and appreciate how clever kids are – their ability to adopt your way of thinking and speaking.

Check out their gorgeous friendship books at www.tktribe.com

21 21

turn the page Kindness Makes Us Strong by Sophie Beer Whether we share a toy or include someone in a game, all acts of kindness – no matter how big or small – make the world a better place.

Kindness is doing what you can, where you are, with what you have, and in Kindness Makes Us Strong, Sophie Beer introduces us to a bunch of cute kids doing just that.

Published by Hardie Grant.

Once by Kate Forsyth Once. A long time ago. My grandmother’s grandmother travelled far, far across the seas. Over the rim of the world to where the stars were new.

Kate Forsyth’s new picture book recounts the epic history of her ancestry — a dynasty of women who were storytellers and trailblazers linked through stories. Stories link us to other humans, both those that came before us and those who follow us. Telling our own story is a crucial way to understand our own lives, and to grow towards compassion and empathy.

Available from all good bookstores or online at www.wombatbooks.com.au.

Claris: Fashion Show Fiasco: The Chicest Mouse in Paris

by Megan Hess ‘But oh no!’ Claris cried, and her heart gave a tug. Madame’s invitation was still on the rug! Without it she would be declined at the door. She’d miss out on Chanel, and perhaps even more ...

When Claris’s family leaves behind their invite to Paris Fashion Week, this brave little mouse has only one choice: an exciting dash through the streets of Paris in a race against the clock! The best-selling Claris series follows an adorable mouse who moves to Paris to follow her fashion dreams, for fans of Eloise and Olivia. Destined to delight fashion-obsessed readers of all ages!

Published by Hardie Grant.

Love Your Body by Jessica Sanders Your body is strong. Your body is your own. Your body can do amazing things! At a time when young girls are bombarded with unrealistic body images and expectations about beauty, Love Your Body encourages young girls to admire and celebrate their bodies for the amazing things they can do, and to help girls see that they are so much more than their bodies, seeking to normalise diverse body types and teach self care.

For girls aged 8-10 as well as an incredible resource for mothers teachers and health professionals. Published by Five Mile Press.

22

“I like playing with my friends, we share our toys and do drawings.”

Levon, 3 Year Old Kindergarten

3 Year Old Kindergarten

Start your St Michael’s journey

2020 limited places

Co-educational | K–12 | St Kilda | 8530 3310

Apply today: stmichaels.vic.edu.au/enrolments

Get more from mama - www.mamamag.com.au | Get social with mama - @localmamamag

23

mama can Cook!

Floral bouquet chocolate bark Ingredients

Method

500g white chocolate, broken into pieces

Place the white chocolate into a heatproof plastic bowl and melt on high in the microwave for one minute. Remove from the microwave and determine if it needs more time. This amount of chocolate will probably take a few minutes, but don’t over do it. Once the centre has started to melt, stir vigorously to melt the surrounding chocolate. Return to the microwave in short bursts until fully melted.

3-5 drops gel colour suitable for chocolate (we used ruby pink) 1 handful ruby chocolate buttons Assorted edible flowers, dried or fresh, petals separated Few micro mint leaves Colourful sprinkles of choice

Meanwhile line a large flat baking tray with either a silicone mat or baking paper. Divide the melted chocolate into two batches and colour one of them, stirring vigorously to combine.

Spread the white chocolate onto one end of the prepared tray.

Place the coloured chocolate on the other end and swirl them together. Tap the tray gently on the bench to level the chocolate then go to town with all the decorations. Start with the ruby buttons, and finish with the sprinkles. Refrigerate to set and then chop into pieces and wrap for gifting.

24

Get the party started with these tasty treats from Tanina!

Perfect pea puree crostini Ingredients

Method

150g frozen peas

Place all ingredients into a small saucepan and cook for a few minutes until the cream is just hot and the peas are bright green. Use a stick blender to puree until smooth.

40ml cream 40g unsalted butter 1 Pinch salt flakes 1 baguette, sliced 1-2 garlic cloves Hot grill pan with extra virgin olive oil as needed 80g blue cheese or brie or more as needed

Serve on grilled toast, that you have rubbed with a garlic clove prior to toasting. Top with soft cheese of choice and thyme sprigs.

We suggest a soft blue or a brie both work really well with the sweetness of the peas.

Fresh thyme sprigs

Recipes by Tenina Holder.

Bestselling cookbook author and recipe developer Tenina has spent over a decade teaching keen home cooks how to dominate their kitchen.

Once dubbed the Thermomix Queen by Delicious.com, and formerly Thermomix Australia’s first official ‘Recipe Developer’, Tenina has since embarked on a journey to spread her love of food and bold flavours across the world to cooks of all ages and abilities – Thermomix-user or not!

25

Commute-frIendly Snacks Commuting to and from childcare and school can be a challenge on the best of days, as many parents tell Kellie Connor, the Centre Manager at Guardian Childcare & Education, South Melbourne.

Chunky fresh fruit salad: Serve this in a spillproof snack container. Make it extra fun at home by serving the salad in an ice cream cone (line the cone with cupcake paper to stop it from going soggy).

When faced with a tired and hungry child it can become more than a little difficult, so we like to offer fruit near the door so little ones can grab something for their journey home.

Raisin bread or a date scone: Spread with a little margarine or butter.

If you’re looking for things to carry with you for the commute, there are a number of factors one must consider when choosing the right snacks: • Is it nutritious?

• Will it ruin their appetite for dinner?

• Is it going to be smeared or splattered all over the car/bus/train?

To help keep the belly rumbles at bay, Vanessa Schuldt, Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) at Nutrition Speak, recommends the following tasty and nutritious snacks for the commute – that won’t ruin their appetites!

Plain popcorn: It’s an awesome ‘wholegrain’ snack with a high fibre and antioxidant content.

Home-made trail pack: Combine a mix of sultanas, mixed nuts, sunflower or pumpkin seeds and popcorn. Keep them fresh and portable in a zip-lock bag.

Fresh fruit: Think portable fruits that are easy to eat like mandarin segments, grapes, bananas, apple slices, rockmelon chunks, cherry tomatoes, blueberries etc.

Home-made mini berry muffins: Make these with wholemeal flour, wrap individually and freeze for future snacking.

26

Reduced-fat fruit yoghurt: Choose a yoghurt in a squeeze tube to reduce mess. Reusable squeeze tubes are even better.

Vegetables: Choose easy to eat and transport veggies like carrot sticks, celery sticks, capsicum slices, green beans, grape tomatoes and serve with a healthy dip like hummus or tzatziki.

Corn on the cob: Corn leftover from last night’s dinner makes for a tasty snack the next day.

High-fibre breakfast cereal buds/bites eg.

Sultana Bran or Fruity Bites: Great to eat even without milk. Keep fresh in a zip lock bag.

Wholemeal crackers: Serve with cream cheese and pickled gherkins.

Rye or chia mountain bread with avocado: Assemble this before you leave work/home.

Rice cakes: Smear this with a little peanut butter or Vegemite.

Note: A child’s ability to grind food with their teeth and is limited until they are at least four years old, which puts babies at risk of choking.

Some foods that pose the greatest choking risk for babies and toddlers include raw apple pieces, grapes, raw carrots, celery, raw peas, dried fruits, nuts and seeds (including popcorn kernels). So please take your child’s developmental readiness and skills into account before offering any new food and always supervise your child as they eat.

27

For prompt, ethical & experienced service contact Michele: 0425 784 296 advice@equityvision.com.au equityvision.com.au

Fun

grows

HERE JULY SCHOOL HOLIDAYS Hatchimals Craft Village is coming!

Monday 1st to Friday 5th July 11am - 2pm, near Target Kids get to join in the FREE craft activities and meet with Draggle daily.

For more details, head to the Waverley Gardens website.

HATCHIMALS™ & © Spin Master Ltd, used under license.

| Cnr Police & Jacksons Road, Mulgrave | (03) 9547 6088

28

Live Local - Shop Local - and don’t forget to mention MamaMag!

Limite spacesd availa ble

Precious Cargo Heatherton offers Montessori Child Care and Early Learning for children from 6 weeks to school age.

Visit our website to request a prospectus or book a tour and see the difference for yourself.

MONTESSORI EARLY LEARNING CENTRE

67 CORPORATE DRIVE HEATHERTON

Tel: 03 9588 0655

PRECIOUSCARGOEDUCATION.COM.AU

precious cargo

29

outsIde adventure Remember how your mum used to flip off the TV and shoo you into the backyard to ‘go outside and play in the fresh air’? Turns out Mum was right.

Fast forward a decade or so and we are spending more time inside, much more time glued to screens of different sizes and everyone seems to agree this is leading to stressed and depressed kids.

If you are looking for fun ways to keep your kids active and happy during the colder months there are lots of good reasons to plan a day (or more) in the snow!

Unplug

Skiing and snowboarding are also great opportunities for your kids to experience the challenge and satisfaction that comes with mastering a new physical skill. There is a lot to be said for kids having the chance to try, to fall, to get up and try again and feel the pleasure of achieving that first run on their own, that first turn and stop and then the sheer delight of being better at something than Mum or Dad! With safety gear, helmets and great ski instructors you can give your kids a chance to take some risks and enjoy the rewards.

Present

There is nothing like fresh snow and the promise of snowball fights to get kids off the iPad and out the door. You’d be amazed how quickly kids will stop nagging you about Minecraft when there is an igloo to build with friends or skiing to do; and the best part is you have pink-cheeked, tired and happy kids at the end of the day.

Give your kids the present of being present.

There is nothing quite like having to focus 100% on a physical challenge like skiing or boarding to sharpen the mind and clear out all other distractions. Combined with the exhilaration of sliding on snow it’s a great way to blow off the cobwebs and leave distractions and worries behind.

Nature is the best classroom and the mountains are a magical place to learn for kids of all ages.

Where do snowflakes come from? How do I stop on skis? Where do the wombats go when it snows? What is the weather today? Does water take longer to boil at altitude? Being in an environment so different to the everyday stimulates young minds and makes learning new things fun. Even Ski School doesn’t feel like ‘real’ school. Kids embrace the challenge of learning to ski and snowboard and instructors are experts at making learning feel like play.

There is a tonne of evidence that active kids are smarter kids, and much happier than their couch-bound counterparts. So log off, put the screens down and get the family up into the mountains this winter.

Connect Snow brings out the kid in everyone and it’s hard not to smile at strangers up on the slopes.

Must be something to do with wearing bobbly hats and falling in snow that breaks down the social barriers! Snow time is a chance to really connect as a family, spend time on the slopes together, toast marshmallows and slow down the pace. Build a snowman. Play jenga. Really talk.

30

Brave and Bold

Just 3 hours from Melbourne Mt Buller has “Kids Stay Free” accommodation deals and more.

Plan & book a winter escape at mtbuller.com.au”

Only 3 hours from Melbourne

For full details:

Mt Buller Kids Stay Free In June and September, up to 2 kids (under the age of 15) can stay free of charge when accompanied by two sharing adults

Australis Water Purifiers Safe guard your family’s water the natural way • Easy to install • 3 cents per litre • No more plastic bottles • Great for home, office, holiday house or gift Australis water purifiers use a ceramic 3 stage filter candle to remove and block 99% of harmfull chemicals, bacteria and toxins from your water.

From

$185

For FREE delivery use the code MAMAMAG

Available from selected health food stores or buy online.

Visit auspurifiers.com.au or contact 9088 3131

School fees due? Try Edstart.

At Edstart, we believe education is the world’s most powerful investment. Our mission is to help people pay for it.

We offer flexible payment plans you can control, so that school fees don’t hold back your family’s finances.

To see how Edstart can help you, visit edstart.com.au

1300 139 445

contact@edstart.com.au

Edstart Australia Pty Ltd ABN 48 611 024 205 holds Australian credit licence number 485096.

32

Live Local - Shop Local - and don’t forget to mention MamaMag!

Melbourne’s Best Indoor Playcentre and Party Venue!

Come in, GO WILD! We have 5 fully themed party rooms to choose from.

Beautifully decorated, providing a totally immersive birthday experience.

Party Packages for all budgets, including a Pancakes Breakfast option!

A great range of delicious platters to feed adults too.

362-364 Boundary Rd, Dingley. 9551 7559. www.superzu.com.au Get more from mama - www.mamamag.com.au | Get social with mama - @localmamamag

33

Children’s Boutique and Party Venues

New Party Themes for 2019: Dinosaur Lego Harry Potter Peter Rabbit 529 Highett Rd Highett. 9555 7722 353 Bay St Brighton. 9596 0455

www.rokabye.com.au

Fairy Party

High Tea

Pamper Party

Magic Show

the Perfect Party No matter what style of party your child wants, Bayside has you covered!

Climbing - Crazy Climb 6 Elonera Road, Noble Park North. www.crazyclimb.com.au Crazy Climb is a super exciting indoor rock climbing facility with 26 different climbs to challenge kids and adults alike. After the 15 minute safety briefing, climbers are free to explore amazing themed climbing walls including Treasure Island, timed speed climbs and the beanstalk climb.

Inflatables - Inflatable World Oakleigh and Dandenong. www.inflatableworldoz.com.au Inflatable World parties combine fun, sport and physical activity all in the one safe environment. Kids can run, jump and play around with their friends on the Inflatables and play against their friends on the brand new courts in a variety of sports. Packages include catered and self-catered options with café and bar facilities available.

Animals - Wild Action The zoo that comes to you www.wildaction.com.au Imagine having a live koala, endangered owl, salt-water crocodile, baby kangaroo, green-tree frog, gecko, goanna-lizard, bearded dragon, stumpy-tailed lizard, tawny frogmouth, python snakes, and vibrantly coloured birds inhabiting your house or party venue! All animals are hand-reared at Chris Humfrey’s private zoo in Mt Macedon.

Craft - Artea Art School

9A Raglan Street, Port Melbourne. www.artea.com.au Artea offer exclusive hire ideal for low-key celebrations and can organise the party of your dreams whether it’s for a 1st or 50th!

They offer simple to fully styled events with hand made decorations and the team love a challenge, so any theme is possible.

Mini golf - Sandy Mini Golf

18-20 Wangara Road, Sandringham. www.sandyminigolf.com.au Sandy Mini Golf is a new mini-golf course (opened last August) which is ideal for parties for kids of all ages. Children under the age of 10 will however require an adult supervising each group of 4.

They offer fabulous fun parties for all ages and abilities playing 18 holes of mini golf. Chose from a Self-Catered, Catered or Deluxe Mini Golf party package.

36

Sleep over - Teepee Dreams Comes to your home. www.teepeedreams.com.au A Teepee Dreams slumber party delivers the most magical and fun experience for your child and their guests. It’s the little touches that make our Teepee Dreams parties so special and unique. Gorgeous themes and event styling will transform your space. Simply choose from one of their themed packages and they take care of the rest!

From delivery, to set up, styling and packing up on collection!

Trampolining - Bounce .

2 Weir Street, Glen Iris. www.bounceinc.com.au An action-packed trampoline adventure. Whether they’re a beginner, intermediate or advanced, kids love learning tricks or just having a go at something new. All party packages include 60 minutes of greestyle fun, 15 minutes of tailored activities and games and 30 minutes access to your own party room. Delicious food options will feed the crew and official BOUNCE grip socks for everyone.

Skating - Mordialloc Skate World 209 Boundary Road, Braeside. skateworldmordialloc.com.au Mama’s 10yo son had a ball at his party here last year. Parties are held during their general sessions and we recommend the Fri/Sat night disco sessions for the most fun. They can cater or you can bring your own food, order pizzas and grab bottles of water and icy poles for $1 each! 1!!And make sure you strap your own skates on like I did! The kids love it!

Playcentre fun - Crocs Moorabbin, Carnegie, Clayton, Lyndhurst and Narre Warren. www.crocsplaycentre.com.au Kids will be entertained by the fabulous play area, multi-level ball battle zone, slam dunk basketball room, bike lanes with ride-ons, giant speed slide and toddler play area. Kids parties will include a dedicated party host in a themed party room.

Party venue - Rokabye Brighton and Highett. www.rokabye.com.au Two of Bayside’s newest party venues, create your own stunning themed party in either their Brighton Tea Party Room or Highett’s enchanting Garden Party Room. 90min themed parties include a party host, music, stories, games and prizes for the children, themed invites, decorations, party bags and balloon on a stick.

Assorted fun - Supaworld 1 Fiveways Boulevard, Keysborough. supatramp.com.au Supaworld have moved into the old Xtreme Air site and are currently giuving it a ‘supa’ makeover! It will no doubt be one of Bayside’s hottest party venues! If it’s anything like their Geelong centre, you can expect trampolines, climbing walls, dodgeball courts, an air mat, supa slam arena and a toddler playground!

Follow them on insta for updates: @supaworldkeysborough 37

Ba . y k id si d e 's ri n g e nt u t a s a e ' p a nd o nl MI y m i n i g o lf f a c il it y f rt a i n m I E S rt NI T G O L i e s a n d f i r s t- c l a s s f a m i l y e n t e AR F YP

| SCH

O OL H OL

RT I D AY F U N | B I

HDA

18-20 Wangara Road, Sandringham www.sandyminigolf.com.au

VISIT US IN-STORE BOUTIQUE GROOMING

FF 15% O arel* All App

19. ires 31/07/ *offer exp AMAMAG M n tio Men m. to redee

38

PLAY TIME 156 Martin Street Brighton VIC p: (03) 9596 0048

dogue.com.au Live Local - Shop Local - and don’t forget to mention MamaMag!

OPEN 7 DAYS

PLAYCENTRE and FUN PARTIES • Huge PLAY STRUCTURE with 3 Lane Slide • TODDLER Area • OBSTACLE Course • 14m-TRAMPOLINE PARK with Basketball Rings • Inflatable JUMPING CASTLE and SPORTS Court • Cafe area with delicious food Themed party rooms • High tea parties • Art parties • Sport parties • Nerf parties • Pamper parties

300 BOUNDARY RD, DINGLEY VILLAGE PH:9551 3919 info@kidfactoryplaycentre.com.au www.kidfactoryplaycentre.com.au

Get more from mama - www.mamamag.com.au | Get social with mama - @localmamamag

39

CapturIng your Newborn Hints & Tips for photographing your baby in hospital.

In the moments and hours after giving birth, most of us remember to take a few snaps of baby. Baby and mum, baby and dad. Great, done! And that’s brilliant, it’s those pictures that we’ll pore over and stare at for hours and hours in the future… the future where our kids are much bigger, when the baby smell has long gone from their giant heads and the teenage sock-smell is ever present in their bedrooms!

The baby days, where did they go? At the time they can feel like they’ll last FOR-EVER! Endless days and nights melding into one long blurry fog of night feeds, sweet baby snuggles, milk vom, korma sauce poos, and so many firsts!

First smile, first roll, first word, first steps… every baby taking their milestones in their own time, in their own order. But one thing remains true, that when we’re all a little older, the memories aren’t so easy to recall.

In this world where everyone has a camera in their pocket, there’s no reason to be stuck with one or two generic shots after birth. OK, you’re right, there’s a VERY good reason, and that’s called exhaustion. So give this article to your partner, your husband, your wife, your birth partner… because this can then be their job.

But it’s an important one because this is the moment you’ll want to remember forever.

As a documentary photographer I am a big believer in visual storytelling, starting where possible in the first few hours after birth. I’ve compiled a list to help you capture your own Fresh 48 Newborn photoshoot in the most visually appealing and authentic way.

A

40

1. Lighting The toughest aspect of hospital photography is lighting. The lighting in hospitals is very low, often resulting in blurry,or dark and grainy shots on both camera phones and Digital SLRs. To bring out the best in your newborn, you need to get in as much natural light as possible.

Open the curtains, lift the blinds, but leave a sheer blind down if the sun is shining straight into the room as this will be too bright for baby and will result in harsh shadows and squinting from everyone in the shot!

2. Composition You’re going to want to get lots of different shots of baby, but for the main baby composition, you might want to include most of their body, or just head and shoulders. For this try and shoot from above (*pic A) so their whole body looks in proportion. Shooting from an extreme angle is also great to get that artistic look (*pic B).

3. Timing One of the main reasons that I hear for not capturing those newborn baby moments is timing. Baby was always feeding / sleeping / had its eyes closed / needed a nappy change / doctor visit… etc. To me these are the absolute best moments to be capturing. There’s no way you’re going to get baby with open eyes, staring lovingly down a camera lens every time, so go with the points of difference, embrace every moment, and snap, snap, snap. And those

B

crying photos? They’re absolutely adorable in black and white, remember, you can’t hear the heart-string tugging cries in a photograph!! (*pic C).

4. Capture all the details So you’ve got your shots of baby swaddled and asleep (gorgeous!) now move on to all of the other things you’ll want to remember. If it’s warm enough, unwrap baby and get a few shots of baby in their nappy, then go in for the close-ups, ears, fingers, feet etc. (*pic D) When I’m doing my close-ups of baby’s details, I like to blur out the rest of the image by using a low f stop (1.6-2.2) which really makes the viewer focus on the details at hand. You can use portrait mode on the newer iPhones to get this effect.

5. Moments with family members These are just gorgeous to capture. Mum sniffing baby’s head, dad staring with adoration, snuggles with Nana Sue. Don’t forget to focus on the look in Nana’s eye as she gets her first hold of her long-awaited grandchild!

If your new baby has an older sibling, the moment that they meet can be absolutely priceless! (*pic E) It can be wonderfully heartwarming, but equally it can also be unceremoniously ordinary! You never know what to expect!! This is a huge day for the big brother / sister and can sometimes be daunting or confusing, but no matter whether big sibling is ‘into’ the moment or not, this can be a truly gorgeous time to capture.

6. Camera settings Flash OFF! Let in as much natural light as possible. If you’ve got a DSLR I recommend setting it to Aperture Priority mode - AF (Canon) or A (Nikon). This allows you to set your f-stop as low, letting in as much light as

C

possible. Remember, if your f-stop is very low, your point of focus will be more precise, so make sure you get your point of focus (often set to centre spot by default) on the spot on your subject that you want to stand out, especially in close ups.

7. Editing I recommend downloading your photos to your laptop and giving some basic editing a go!

Most free photo editing software has enough versatility to allow you to bring a little more atmosphere into your images. Give black and white a go, try upping the contrast and see the effects change the mood of the image.

Don’t go overboard though, you don’t want your images to end up looking like Warhol’s Campbell Soup posters!

8. Practice!

So you’re 4 weeks away from baby’s due date, the nursery’s ready and full of teddies. Pick a teddy, and practice! Angles, low lighting, composition, points of focus, practice your camera settings. You could even print and frame a few for the nursery wall!

9. Shot list Here’s a shot list that can help you remember on the day: Full body, naked/nappy, toes, fingers, ear, lips, wispy hair, feeding, family and hospital room.

Utilising photography to capture actual moments in time, not only brings back memories of your perfect newborn, but also evokes memories of the moments and love you shared bonding in that hospital room.

By Bella Jordan, Bella Jordan Photography www.bellafresh48.com

D

E

BeDWETTING Our friendly psychologist puts you and your child at ease and works with you individually, tailoring our bedwetting solution to your child’s needs.

A 92% success rate in just 6 to 8 weeks A highly effective, evidence-based solution Recommended by GP’s and Paediatricians A positive, confidence-building approach

The bedwetting solution that simply works Call 0413 255 451 to discuss your child’s needs and get started www.drytimekids.com.au | info@drytimekids.com.au | Cheltenham

18 months - 6 years

“Comprehensive high quality General Practice and Allied Health services for all ages”

Women's & Children's Checkups GP Breastfeeding Consultant Skin Cancer Checks Travel Medicine Mental Health 328 Bluff Road Sandringham Phone 9598 6244 www.bluffroadmedical.com.au 42

2 x free trial classes

hampton community centre & hampton uniting church

0419 641 477 alanna@atads.com.au www.atads.com.au Live Local - Shop Local - and don’t forget to mention MamaMag!

! in g S Jump, Dance, W r ig gle a n d Cool and Creative Music & Movement classes for ages 6 months to 5 years. fun Have ile h w ng i learn

15 expeyrears+ ience

Learning music uses more parts of the brain than any other activity.

At Little Feet Music the music is all live!

Albert Park Port Melbourne

Beaumaris Black Rock

As heard on the ABC Kids Listen App and Qantas, Virgin and Singapore Airlines inflight entertainment

0410 600 060 | 9587 1216 | info@littlefeetmusic.com.au littlefeetmusic.com.au

Need a Nanny, a babysitter or just a break?

OzSuperNanny Consulting and Recruitment Services is now available in your area.

Angela Jacobsen, aka the OzSuperNanny, has retired from working as a VIP Nanny following the birth of her own baby, and is now helping connect other great Nannies with great Melbourne families.

Having worked with many families both locally and internationally, Angela knows what you need and want in a Nanny. All her candidates have a minimum of 5 years experience, childcare qualifications, WWCC and first aid.

When only the best will do for your family contact Angela on 0404 212 450. ozsupernanny@gmail.com ozsupernanny.com Get more from mama - www.mamamag.com.au | Get social with mama - @localmamamag

43

www.wildaction.com.au

PH 0419 385 245 44

LI VE Di AN re I Yo ct MA u! To LS

THE PERFECT WAY TO CELEBRATE YOUR NEXT CHILDREN'S BIRTHDAY PARTY!

WIN

Two Mt Buller Kids Worth one-day lift passes! $128

Introduce the kids to snow and ski fun this season at Mt Buller, Melbourne’s most accessible all season alpine resort, located just an easy 3 hour drive from Melbourne.

See www.mamamag.com.au for terms and conditions.

Parent’s email will be added to our monthly MamaMail. You can opt out at any time.

Simply colour to win!

Post your entry by July 31 to: MamaMag, PO Box 8018, North Road LPO, Brighton East 3187.

Child’s name:

Age:

Parent’s name:

Mobile No:

Suburb:

Postcode:

Email:

45

My FIrst Drama Class I remember walking in, knowing no one. I was nervous, anxious, what would we be doing?

What if I wasn’t good at it, who are these people that I would be with? In a drama class there are so many different things we will experience, and each has different benefits depending on the person.

But what are the real benefits?

There are key social skills that are developed in drama. Like sport, it requires team work and collaboration, they will all get their moment to shine but knowing that the only way to complete the activity is working together, they are driven to succeed, breaking boundaries instantly.

Communication skills are developed, which we need at any age, and reminders through life to listen and learn from others as well as thinking about the best way to express our ideas. In a drama class we often have to play both parts, the performer and the audience, and that way we learn how to be receptive in conversation, be patient and focus.

Active expression, as adults we all know that stress can lead to feeling like we might burst.

We know it’s proven that movement is key to providing an outlet for built up energy. It’s great to keep active, through free dance or exploring our voice with song, or creating a character and being in a safe environment where it’s ok to maybe shout or be silly. It’s therapeutic to let it all out.

Creative exploration of different topics in drama allows us to use our thinking in a different way, to learn narrative and storytelling is a great skill in life and topics that may seem boring in certain formats are suddenly fun and creative.

Fun and making friends is always fabulous.

One of my best friends was made in my drama class. Sharing an immersive experience with someone and being part of creating and performance is a special moment.

This social interaction builds our confidence.

It is our peers and a safe space that often 46

gives us the belief and drive that we can do something, and when everyone else is having fun doing it, we want to join in!

Through this we find our voice – not only literally, but we recognise how we are different to others and what part we play the best. What we are good at, what we are comfortable with, and how other people take enjoyment in watching us.

In my teaching I think performance is key to demonstrating our development, however it is not the whole emphasis, it’s merely the product of creative play. It is an end goal and an achievement and overcoming the fear of sharing that creativity and expressing all the amazing skills we have explored.

A chance to be confident, be creative, collaborate and communicate well and the more we do it, the better we will get. These I believe are all great life skills and as we live in such an fast paced changing industry, although it is great to be the expert in your field, we know that these enterprise skills that you can perfect, will see you perform well in any education environment or job!

For me drama has not been about the fame and glory, more about the creative expression and I love to share that with others – of any age!

By Gemma Flannery, Immerse Drama, www.immersedrama.com

Try your first CLASS for FREE! Unleash creativity, build confidence, communication and collaboration skills Exploring Stories, Themes, and Narratives with Music, Songs, Movement and Character Roleplay.

Drama Dots - Classes for 2 - 3 with Guardians After School - Ages 4 upwards Kindergarten - In Centre Incursions Party Time - Have a Dramatic Adventure at your Party with Fun Games, Music and Costumes and Characters!

a multidisciplinary paediatric specialist team dedicated to your child

bhckids.com.au www.immersedrama.com 0456 090 716

03 8525 2377 | 202 - 204 Bay St, Brighton

Get more from mama - www.mamamag.com.au | Get social with mama - @localmamamag

47

CITY OF STONNINGTON PRESENTS

CHILDREN’S ARTS FESTIVAL TUESDAY 2 TO FRIDAY 12 JULY 2019 INSPIRING CHILDREN AGED 2 TO 12 YEARS roolaboola.com.au

MAGIC

THEATRE

MUSIC

DANCE

CIRCUS