Westside MamaMag Dec/Jan 2018

WESTSIDE

mamaMAG Dec/Jan 2017

WIN A ZOOS VICTORIA MEMBERSHIP AND PRIZE PACK Eating out with toddlers Summer essentials It’s time for wine Christmas crackers Waterpark wonders

free Local fun for the Westside mum 1

Kids FREE

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every weekend Healesville Sanctuary Melbourne Zoo Werribee Open Range Zoo Plan your zoo adventure today!

zoo.org.au *Children under 16 receive FREE entry on weekends, Victorian Public Holidays and Victorian Government School Holidays

NEED TO REST AND RECOVER ON A SICK DAY?

WANT TO PICK UP AN EXTRA SHIFT AT WORK?

NEED TO GET THROUGH YOUR TO-DO LIST? YMCA Early Learning Centres offer casual bookings, designed for any busy parent that needs an extra day here and there to get things done.

Visit our website to learn more: childrensprograms.ymca.org.au/casualbookings

SUMMER LOVING So, this morning I sent my first born off to school camp.

SCHOOL CAMP... He also collected his BYOD computer last week all ready for grade 4 next year. Umm, surely you are not big enough for either of these things yet... can you please stop growing up so fast. Lachie reaches double digits next year, and don’t get me started on miss 7 going on 17. How did this happen?

They were 3 and 1 when I returned to Melbourne post-divorce almost 6 years ago. How I’ve managed them on my own for that long I’m still not sure!

But they do make me smile every day. #blessed We’ve had a super fun couple of months lately. Ladies lunch for Oaks Day is always an annual highlight, albeit very child-free! Mama was lucky to be a part of the opening weekend of the new world record breaking waterslide at Funfields. Unfortunately, it was only about 11 degrees that day, but Lach loved being one of the first to ride it! Make sure you enter this month’s colouring in competition to win one of three family passes.

Summer truly is my favourite season of the year. Fish and chips at the beach until late in the evening with gorgeous friends, weekend swims at the local pool, frolicking at a water play park (check out Jane from Playground Finders guide inside for some other great ideas near you). Mama’s planning an epic camping adventure with four other families at Seaspray in Gippsland after Christmas. We haven’t camped for a couple of years so if you’ve got any amazing must do’s or tips, I’d love to hear from you.

So, as we wind up for the silly season, it’s always a nice time to reflect on the year that was. I want to thank you all for being a part of my MamaMag journey. This year has been amazing. The support from both our readers and our advertisers has been sensational and without you all I wouldn’t be doing what I do. And I love what I do, so let’s not stop!! Have a gorgeous Xmas with your families and I can’t wait to connect with you all again in 2018 xxxx

@localmamamag

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

Contents Christmas crackers Christmas fun West-style

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Parklife Braybrook aeroplane park

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Summer essentials 10 Mama’s summer must-haves for fun Watts that mum?

Yummy mummy Rachel Watts

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Turn the page 14 Christmas reads from Story Mama Water wonders Water play in the West

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Toddler taming Eating out with toddlers

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I think it’s wine time Helpful hints to pick your tipple

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Summer safe Pool safety tips from Matt Welsh

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We love a mother Councillor Mia McGregor

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The juggle is real 26 Juggling work and school holidays Mama can cook From The Natural Nutritionist

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Make Christmas meaningful Shopping wisely and ethically

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Holiday petfection 38 Making pets happy while your away Hydration station Keeping hydrated this summer

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Colour to WIN WIN Funfields family passes

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Celebrating separately 46 Making Christmas and divorce work

MamaMag Dec/Jan 2018

Win

a Zoo Membership and Prize Pack!

WORTH

$202 Prize includes a 12 month Zoos Victoria Membership, Lion cub plush toy, Giraffe zootensils, Bubble maker and Giraffe backpack!

Enter at woobox.com/u2pgcu or www.facebook.com/localmamamag Entries are open to Victorian residents only.

Competition starts December 1st 12.01am and closes December 31st 2017 at 11.59pm.

Entries and prizes are not transferrable or redeemable for cash.

Visit www.mamamag.com.au for full terms and conditions.

MamaMag® is published bi-monthly for the mums of Melbourne’s West 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

10,000 copies per issue across Maribyrnong, Brimbank, Hobsons Bay and Wyndham areas.

40,000 copies across all four areas/magazines: Bayside • Eastside • Northside • Westside.

Editor in Chief: Sarah Cavalier sarah@mamamag.com.au Westside Editor: Rebecca Gelsi Local Westside Advertising: Brooke Briggs: brooke@mamamag.com.au Melbourne-wide 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.

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CHRISTMAS CRACKERS Mama’s picks for Christmas in the West Carols at the Castle

Carols in Yarraville Gardens Yarraville Gardens, Hyde Street, Yarraville.

Saturday 16 Dec, 7 – 10.30pm. A family favourite on the Festival City calendar, this free event will showcase performances by several special guest artists including opera singers, who have performed regularly with Opera Australia, Victoria Opera, and Melbourne Opera, including internationally acclaimed soprano, Margaret Haggart; a mass choir; and the Footscray-Yarraville City Band, Hyde Street Youth Band and Western Brass. The evening will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display commencing at approximately 10pm.

Braybrook Christmas Picnic in the Park Friday, 15 Dec, 6 - 11pm. Skinner Reserve, Churchill Ave, Braybrook. Come and join us for food, fun and activities, followed by a twilight screening of Jingle all the Way. Activities will include face painting, magician show, Made in Braybrook pop-up market, Snuff Puppets performance, sausage sizzle and much more.

Movies in Christmas Square Maddern Square, Chambers St, Footscray.

Bring a chair, beanbag or blanket and head to “Christmas Square” in the heart of Footscray to get a selfie with Santa from 7.30 - 8.15pm then settle in for a screening of a FREE Christmas movie. Fri 1 Dec - The Santa Clause (PG), Fri 8 Dec - Elf (PG), Fri 15 Dec - Arthur Christmas (PG). Let your taste buds get into the festive spirit with the on-site candy bar, ice-cream van and rotating food trucks.

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Overnewton Castle, Keilor. Friday 15 Dec, 5-9pm. Now in its fifth year, join in the fun of with a spectacular program of festive favourites and holiday cheer, raising money for local charities through the Brimbank Community Fund. Visit Santa in his magical grotto. Pack a picnic, or purchase food and drink. Tickets from www.carolsatthecastle2017.eventbrite.com

Carols at Werribee Park Sat 9th of Dec, 5.30pm gates open, starts 8pm.

Werribee Mansion. This year’s program will feature a depiction of the nativity, complete with camels and donkey, with the much loved Wyndham Combined Churches Carols Musical Team leading us as we sing through our favourite carols.

Carols by Candlelight Altona Sunday 10th Dec, Logan Reserve, Pier Street Altona from 7pm to 9pm. Bring a chair or picnic rug. Candles and programs for sale. Presented

by Altona Laverton Council of Churches. Carols will move to St Mary’s Catholic Church in the event of inclement weather.

Carols by Candlelight Altona Meadows Sat 16 Dec, outdoors at the Trafalgar Avenue Community Park, Altona Meadows from 7pm. Presented by Hobsons Bay Churches there will be children’s activities and pre carol entertainment from 7pm, Carols from 8pm 9.30pm. Candles for sale. Bring a picnic rug or chair. Carols will take place indoors at Altona Meadows Community Centre , same address, in the event of inclement weather.

Carols by Candlelight Newport Sunday 17 Dec, outdoors at Commonwealth Reserve Nelson Place, Williamstown from 7.00pm Children’s activities 8.00pm Carols.

Candles for sale. Bring a picnic rug or chair.

In the event of inclement weather carols will take place in St Mary’s Catholic Church, Cecil Street, Williamstown. Presented by Hobsons Bay Churches.

Williamstown Christmas Night Market 8th Dec, 5pm to 9.30pm in Ferguson Street and Douglas Parade. Presented by the Williamstown Chamber of Commerce, celebrate the festive season at Williamstown, with vibrant and beautiful shops and hospitality Christmas style, including face painting, music, a visit from Santa and lots of local stores open for business.

Held from 5pm to 9.30pm in Ferguson Street and Douglas Parade.

Santa’s Magical Kingdom On now – Dec 23rd, Caulfield Racecourse.

The magic of Christmas will come alive at Santa’s Magical Kingdom with an interactive walk-through adventure land including everything that you love about Christmas, plus an International Spectacular Christmas Show that will amaze everyone. Fun rides for all ages including ferris wheel and giant slide. Santa’s Magical Kingdom is for every child and the ‘inner-child’ in all of us. www.santasmagicalkingdom.com.au

Festive Projections Now – Sun 25 Dec, daily from 9pm 10.20, Federation Square and State Library.

The City of Melbourne’s annual Projection Show will this year feature at both Fed Square, and the State Library. The projections will tell two stories, weaving together a narrative across the sites through a magical rendering of Santa’s workshop/ From a Lego factory to a sports gear superstore, see Santa’s elves busily creating your Christmas wishes in his industrious workshop. fedsquare.com/events

Myer Windows and Santaland Tell Santa your Christmas wish, get your photo taken and enjoy lots of exciting activities including a ride on the Santaland Express train.

Make a day of it, visiting Myer Melbourne. Start with the Christmas Windows and then on up to Santaland. The windows are located in the Bourke Street Mall, Santaland is on level six.

Gingerbread Village by Epicure Fri 1 Dec – Sun 24 Dec, 9am-8.15pm daily.

Melbourne Town Hall.

Now in its sixth year, the Gingerbread Village

by EPICURE returns to the Melbourne Town Hall. This year they will craft the F1 Grand Prix, to add to the village comprising 500 kilograms of gingerbread, 360 kilograms of royal icing, 150 kilograms of marzipan and around 800 miniature Christmas trees for the festive backdrop. www.epicure.com.au/about/ gingerbread-village-by-epicure.

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Parklife BRAYBROOK AEROPLANE PARK Braybrook’s much-loved Aeroplane Park, which tragically burnt to the ground in December 2015, has risen from the ashes just in time for summer. Retaining the theme of flight, the new playground provides a fantastic community focal point for the neighbourhood.

Key features of the new playground include a giant steel aeroplane covered in a fun red climbing web with a taller end for the big kids and a smaller end for our little ones. A tall ‘traffic control’ play structure features a great red spiral slide. There is a toddler area featuring plane rockers and wooden bridges with inbuilt chimes that you sound with your feet. Fun bouncy sea-saws feature at the tail of the plane,

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and the bigger kids will love the double flying fox.

The plane’s wings which house the swing sets, are inspired by classic aluminium planes like the DC-3, with just enough detail for kids to imagine that they may have flown once upon a time. The wings also feature a ‘registration number’ at each end with the postcode of Braybrook and the year.

Rubber matting, which looks like a runway keeps the kids safe and is another nod to the original flight theme first put in place to recognise the influence flight has had in Braybrook on immigration, employment and the local industry. Churchill Ave, Braybrook

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watts that mum?

Rachel Watts is a Melbourne celebrity mama of one, who is most known for her role on the Channel 7 hit show Yummy Mummies. Since the show finished filming in early 2017, Rachel is busy looking after her little boy Harvey (now 20 months old) and managing her ever growing popular Instagram account. Rachel was one of four of the hilarious characters in the show and she shares some of her experience being a yummy mummy and how she keeps it all so glam and together, whilst still being down to earth.

When you got approached by Channel 7 to take part in Yummy Mummies what were your first thoughts?

Originally my best friend Lorinska approached me via text message about the show. I honestly thought nothing of it and replied “sure why not sounds like a lot of fun!” - within two weeks I kid you not we were filming the pilot and it was all full steam ahead . Due to our growing bellies the pilot got signed off really quickly and before we knew it we were filming Season 1!

How hard was filming being so heavily pregnant especially towards the end?

And how did you deal with sharing such a personal journey to the public on TV? Let’s just say putting on 22kg, wearing sky high heels and filming for 10 hours a day was not always a walk in the park. Although there were some hard moments overall I had the best fun and have no regrets. I was so nervous before the show aired that my husband and I decided to go overseas for 6 weeks - we were actually away for the whole season! Once I finally watched the show myself I was pretty happy that I embarked on this journey and allowed the public to share my experiences!

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Are you still close with your cast mates Jane, Lorinska and Maria?

I am extremely close to Lorinska and Jane we have many things in common and share the same values in life. As a mothers group you need women who support each other and empower each other and that is exactly what we do.

Maria on the other hand I have no contact with - I respect Maria has her own opinions however we are worlds apart. They say your tribe is your vibe and she was defiantly not my vibe.

If you could go back and do anything differently with the show what would it be?

I honestly and thankfully say there is very little I would change. In fact there is only one thing!

I wore an extremely unflattering orange dress that every time I see a photo or clip of it I cringe. I do wish I never wore it and could burn all content of it!

You were hilarious on the show and showed the nation your fun side.

Any behind the scenes gossip you can share?

Wow where do I start ? With the show being PG there was a lot of fabulous and really funny content however it just would not suit the PG time frame. The amount of times the producers would say “cut - girls you cant talk about that“ would blow your mind. We weren’t even allowed to say sperm! Now I can see that our fan base starts at such a young age I am so glad it went down this path and it has allowed young girls to love the show. Being a role model to this young audience is a blessing and something I take seriously.

Tell us about your Instagram/social media and how that has played a big part of your life since series one finished.

My @rachelxwatts Instagram account has allowed me to continue to share my experiences with our Yummy Mummies audience. With Harvey only being 6 months when the show finished up people really were interested on what we have been up to and this has allowed me to show them in my own time and way.

You’re seriously into fashion and the finer things in life! What’s your personal style and what brands can you not live without?

I have worked in the fashion industry since I was almost 15 - it has always been a part of my life and I feel it’s a part of my DNA. We are very lucky in this country to have amazing Australian designers and this is something I really could not live with out. Thurley, Asilio, Mossman, Alice McCall and newly launched Leo & Lin just to name a few.

Your son Harvey will be turning two in no time. How has the first year and a bit of motherhood been for you?

I absolutely love being a mum and just when you think you can’t love a little human being any more, your heart just seems to grow bigger and bigger to the point where you think it might explode. Yes we have had our hard days, sleep deprivation and getting through illnesses, however overall I have a healthy and happy child and that is all a mother can wish for.

What has changed since becoming a mum? And what have some of your challenges been?

Many things have changed since becoming a mum but the biggest one is prioritising. It’s not just about myself and my husband anymore, our #1 priority is Harvey and his happiness and wellbeing. A challenge for myself has been juggling social commitments and learning to say no. Both my husband and I love going out and being social however becoming parents you now need to pick your moments.

What can we look forward to seeing next with Rachel Watts?

I am looking at going back to work part time and training for my second half marathon.

My biggest wish is to become a mother for the second time and give Harvey a brother or a sister.

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turn the page Pig the Elf by Aaron Blabey In this hilarious story, Pig has written to Santa and asked for lots of things. Like a drum kit, a rocket and a fairy floss maker. If you haven’t realised by now, Pig the Pug is a little bit greedy. He stays up late to see Santa and then bites him on the bum when he hasn’t delivered enough gifts! When Pig gets whisked off with Santa and then falls from a great height he is saved by a great big Christmas tree. Love this. Definitely one for the Christmas collection. Aaron Blabey makes such great books to read aloud to little kids.

We particularly like the greed is not good message that comes through very important during the festive season! For ages 3-8

The Last Stop on the Reindeer Express by Maddie Powell-Tuck Mia misses her Daddy. Without him, Christmas has lost its magic. But when Mia discovers a world within a mysterious post box, she is whisked away on a truly wonderful adventure - one that she will never ever forget. This is a breathtaking, magical tale with peep-throughs and lift the flaps.

This is a magical Christmas story and is particularly pertinent for kids who have parents who work away from home. When Mia makes a card for her Daddy, a little bit of Christmas magic lets her deliver it to him herself via the Reindeer Express. We love how Mia discovers that there are other families like hers who cannot be together for Christmas. The illustrations in this story are stunning and the peek-throughs and lift the flaps add lots of extra interaction.

This is my go-to book for the Christmas stocking this year! Ages 4-7

The Naughtiest Reindeer Goes South by Nicki Greenberg “I’m zippy! I’m snappy! I’m raring to go....” “You’re naughty,” said Rudolf. “The answer is NO.” If only Mrs Claus had listened! Letting Ruby lead the sleigh is a recipe for disaster.

Ruby’s wild ride lands her in a world of trouble and very far from home. Poor Ruby is stranded, the presents are scattered.... and the local penguins are very, very grumpy.

How can the naughtiest reindeer avert a Christmas disaster this time?

It’s hard not to love Ruby, who is a very cheeky Reindeer who gets up to no end of mischief. We love this happy and heart-warming tale which has a slightly unusual end. Told in rhyme with an easy to read rhythm, this is bound to become a Christmas read-aloud favourite. We highly recommend for ages 3-8.

My Merry Christmas by Rosie Smith and Bruce Whatley Whether big or small, feathered for furry, everyone loves coming together at Christmas!

When Christmas comes we hang stockings and sing carols.... what about you?

Cute animals prepare for Christmas with decorations, cake making, and present wrapping. This is a cute Christmas story for the very young. The animals are internationally appealing - giraffes, reindeer, squirrels, butterflies and birdlife are all included. We recommend for ages 1-3.

Debbie Hatswell is the Founder and Director of Story Mama. Story Mama is an online children’s bookstore featuring a huge range of carefully curated, parent recommended, high quality books for children ages 0-9.

You can shop online by age, by interest, by award winners or even by milestone. Buy these titles online or find out more at www.storymama.com.au 14 14

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water wonders As summer finally comes to the suburbs families will begin to gravitate towards the water - however the beach or local pool is no longer the only option on a hot summers day. Melbourne has seen a rise in the number of water and splash play areas in new and renovated playgrounds. While some splash play will get the children really soaked, requiring towels and a full change of clothes, others can provide hours of entertainment and cool relief for little hands and feet with a small flow of moving water. Here’s the top pick of water in the West.

Riverwalk Water Park, Werribee The Riverwalk Water Park is top of the list and a winner for Werribee - it’s also one of the biggest dedicated water playgrounds in the State. The parklands in this Estate are a huge asset to its residents with lush grass areas - perfect for picnics, huge playground, basketball courts and native gardens. But the water play is the feature here - the top end of the park has huge boulders and jets of water that form a small waterfall a few steps below. The main splash play space seriously has it all - pumps, troughs, fountains, misters, spurts and dump buckets it’s impossible to come of out this area dry!

Royal Park Playground, Parkville In 2016 it was awarded the best playground in the Nation by the Australian Institute for Landscape Architects - and its easy to see why.

It was designed to help inner city children find an element of unpredictable play, in a challenging and nature based play space. The gardens and structures are all beautiful and perfectly placed, and of course the water play is not an exception to this. It has hand pumps, water spurts, sprays and small channels to guide the water down to the sandpit below.

Ron Barassi Snr Playground, Docklands The very centrally located Ron Barassi Snr Playground in the Docklands is set almost directly underneath the Bolte Bridge, with a view to the Melbourne Star. The area has a large green football oval (an obvious nod to the great man), and the playground is marked by a huge timber tower with two slides snaking out. The 16

water play here is great, the children toggle the water to make it flow through the shallow channels allowing feet to splash and boat races to run.

Saltwater Coast Crocodile Park, Point Cook It doesn’t actually contain actual crocodiles but it is still most certainly worth a visit for some great splash play!! The parklands were built for the local community to enjoy in many ways but the elements of water are all for the children.

There is a stream of water that flows around stepping stones, and then the feature crocodiles that have water spurting from their mouths into a shallow wading area.

Take a road trip The Community Bank Adventure Playground in Wallan is an exceptional, all-abilities playground that was opened in December 2016.

It was actually funded in partnership with the local council, State Government and Wallan & Kilmore Community Bank® Branches of Bendigo Bank - what a great initiative! It has a fun and feature packed splash playground with splash pad of water jets, water tables with pumps, troughs and channels and even a dump bucket.

By Jane Murphy. Jane is a mother of two energetic young boys who has managed to tie her love for exploring amazing playgrounds into a career with www.playgroundfinder.com a national database of over 5000 playgrounds! low their faves and features on Facebook or Instagram @playgroundfinder

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toddler taming Top tips for making dining out with a toddler easier…

With Christmas shin-digs and balmy summer nights on the horizon, one of the great things about Summer in Australia is eating out with friends and family. Unless you have a toddler that is! There’s nothing that ruins a meal faster than a tired and whinging toddler, or worse, a complete toddler meltdown.

Even the most placid toddler can have an almighty meltdown and with my daughter in preschool, a toddler son and baby on the way, I can vouch for that! We’ve certainly had our fair share of tantrums and while it can sometimes seem easier to turn down an invitation to dine out, it IS possible to eat out with your toddler.

It just takes some preparation and planning: 1. Choose your venue wisely. When you have a toddler in tow, it’s not the best time to try that new fine dining establishment! Instead, think about finding a restaurant or café that understands kids – if they have highchairs and easy access or parking then that’s a great start.

Extra points for having colouring sheets/pencils or puzzles and plastic cups. A venue that’s child-friendly makes everything easier right from the start.

2. Time your meal wisely and make sure you book for a time when your toddler is hungry but not tired. Consider the early slot when the restaurant is quieter and meals are delivered quickly. If there are two sittings then you definitely want to be firmly booked into the first session… and you’d better pack snacks! Try something fiddly but non-filling like rice crackers or chopped fruit to keep them occupied and happy until their meal arrives.

3. Study the menu ahead of time and order your toddler’s meal PRONTO! The combination of time of day, a change in routine and tiredness can send even the happiest toddler into a meltdown, and the only thing worse than having a screaming toddler at the next table is having one at yours! If you know 18

what you’re going to get and can place your order before the kitchen gets busy it will be easier to head off that ‘I’m hungry’ meltdown and you may even buy yourself some time for some adult conversations while they eat!

4. Never let them out of the highchair! You’ll never get them back in again and the fastest way to ruin your night is by having a toddler sitting on your lap for the entire evening, or worse still, trying to catch them again in a packed restaurant. It’s a sure fire way to trigger an early exit. Pack a selection of no-mess activities to keep them entertained. Board books, stickers and paint-with-water activity books are always a winner in my family.

Consider toys that your child loves or considers a special treat 5. My final tip? Minimise the mess to make it easier. Don’t leave home without your full cover feeding smock to protect their little clothes and of course trusty baby wipes for faces and hands (yours and theirs). I designed the Little Chomps Messy Mealtime Smock for just these occasions. It’s extra-long to cover their entire outfit, it can go on over high chair or pram straps, it’s easily wiped clean on the spot so you can avoid outfit changes in the toilet, and it makes for a quick exit if things go pear shaped!

The best way to manage a tantrum or meltdown (by your toddler or you!) is to avoid it in the first place, and a BIG part of that is knowing when to leave. When your toddler starts showing serious tired signs it’s time to hot foot it out of there! By being prepared, doing a little bit of research ahead of time into the venue and menu, and bringing goodies in the form of snacks, toys and activities, you’ll give yourself (and your toddler) the best chance of a great night out!

By Bree Mackay - www.littechomps.com.au With a 5 year old daughter, a 3 year old son and a third bub on the way, Bree Mackay is well versed in the challenges of mealtimes with toddlers.

Chris Humfrey’s

ZOO kEEPER experience AS seen on

Great School Holiday Fun! Program runs from 9am to 4pm (selected dates).

Suitable for kids aged 5-17 years.

Spend a day with zoologist Chris Humfrey, from Animal Planet’s new series “Chris Humfrey's Animal Instinct”, at his very own private zoo in Mount Macedon, just 50min from Melbourne’s CBD. Get up close and personal with over 2000 animals with this hands-on experience which is offered nowhere else.

Chris has personally designed this exclusive program, with strictly limited numbers of children, to ensure your child gets the best WILD experience possible!

Bookings and Enquiries ww.wildaction.com.au Phone 0419 385 245

I THINK IT’S WINE TIME Wine. There are days when some mums need it by the bucket - and style, blend, and how much body a wine has is utterly irrelevant.

But, if you’re trying to be more civilised and match your drink to your food (when you have time to eat some…), finding the perfect wine to accompany your meal is not always an easy task. If you’re anything like us, matching cheese and wine is probably the extent of your pairing abilities, and even then sometimes the match is questionable.

Luckily we got some helpful hints from Red Norrie, founder of Winebubble, an online destination for interesting and affordable international wines. His sometimes unlikely, but always delicious food and wine matches promise to give your taste buds the flavour sensation they deserve, while you get the drink that you have absolutely earned.

Sparkling Nothing says ‘let’s celebrate’ more than the pop of a bottle of bubbles, so it’s no wonder that bubbly tends to be the most popular go-to drink for any celebratory occasion.

Milla took her first steps? Bubbles!

The kids are at Nan and Pop’s for the weekend?

Bubbles!

Mum and Dad made it through the night without a kid ending up in their bed? Bubbles!

Even though sparkling wines like Champagne are perfect wines for getting you in the mood to celebrate, they are also (surprisingly) one of the most food friendly wines. The acidity found in a dry Australian or French sparkling wine is the perfect palette cleanser after a mouthful of creamy, rich or fatty food. Plus the bubbles add a layer of texture to a meal, making it the perfect match for crispy, fried and crunchy foods. Do you know what this means? Next time you’re sharing fried chicken with the kids, pop a bottle and make your own dinner just a little bit fancy.

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Italian Italian cuisine tends to be a family favourite in households around Australia and with cheese, tomato and carbs as the three main ingredients, what’s not to love? From spaghetti to pizza, the Italians certainly know how to keep the kids happy. Spaghetti bolognese is always a crowd favourite, although some of our little ones are yet to master the skill of spaghetti twirling, which can result in an unexpected makeover of the dining room. To ensure that you’re only seeing one shade of red, (preferably the one splattered across the table), it may be time to have a Sangiovese…the grape you may have previously enjoyed in its guise of Chianti. Made from what is considered Italy’s most popular grape, this wine takes the ‘red with red’ rule very seriously. Pairing perfectly with red meat and dishes that have a tomato base such as pizza and the infamous spaghetti bolognese, this wine is sure to transport you from your spaghetti stained home to the rolling hills of Tuscany or streets of Florence.

Mexican For many busy mums, Taco Tuesdays are almost as predictable as Friday night’s movie choice of Frozen…and we can definitely tell you which one we prefer. Tacos are fast, easy, and for the most part healthy, but mums know that kids aren’t always the biggest fans of including the “healthy stuff”. We also know that after the third explanation that just putting mince and cheese in your taco shell is not a sufficient meal and no, you cannot eat just the wrap by itself, you’re probably ready for a wine.

Even though many of us tend to go straight for a beer when having a Mexican fiesta, the right wine can make the food even better. Red explains that because Mexican dishes pack a lot of flavour, your wine has to stand up to the food. Medium body reds like a Barbera or Tempranillo are fabulous for lighter dishes like your tacos. However, if you’re mixing up your

Tuesday night feast by putting some pork on your fork, opt for a Rosé Cava from Spain for a delicious but unexpected match.

Chocolate There’s a long held notion that chocolate and wine should not be consumed together, but we think it would be a crime to separate two of life’s greatest pleasures. Red explains that the trick to pairing wine with chocolate is to make sure that your wine is sweeter than your chocolate – or whatever sweet treat you’ve been hiding from the kids to consume in secret. Wines that have a fruitier flavour such as Merlots and the lesser-known Zinfandel are always a great option, especially when you want to relax and enjoy a mum’s night off. But if you’re not a red wine drinker there’s no need to worry, as there’s a variety of white wines that are the perfect accompaniment for your chocolate cravings. A gorgeous off-dry Riesling or a Chenin Blanc have enough sweetness to complement your chocolate of choice, or opt for a classic sparkling Moscato. A good rule to remember is the darker the chocolate the darker the wine, so save white wines for your favourite milk or white chocolate.

By Red Norrie, founder of Winebubble www.winebubble.com.au

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Summer safe Summer is here and we have happily waved goodbye to the winter chill. Our long and warm summer days are often filled with time spent outdoors, BBQ’s, holidays and of course… swimming.

As an Olympic swimmer, I have a great love for the water and believe that pools and spas can be a great addition to any household – especially to help cool off on those hot summer days. However, I am also aware of the potential dangers that the water can pose – particularly to young children.

Being a father of four, I am a strong advocate for safety in and around water for children of all ages.

A crucial point to always remember is that active adult supervision is the key to keeping children safe around water. It is important to remain within arm’s reach of children at all times - 20 seconds is all it takes for a toddler to drown.

Drowning is one of the leading causes of death for children under 5 in Australia, with the home being the most common location for drowning incidents to occur.

So, as we roll into summer we need to ask ourselves - are our backyard pools and spas ready to be used safely?

Simply having a barrier around your pool or spa does not make it a safe space. Like many things around the home such as your car and even your heater, a regular service is necessary to ensure everything is still in working order. Your pool or spa barrier is no different. In fact, a large number of swimming pool drownings incidents are a result of faulty or non-compliant pool fencing.

To make sure your pool or spa barrier is still in good working condition – regular maintenance is necessary. Over time, the functionality of your barrier can be affected by the weather and general wear and tear. It only takes 15 minutes to check your barrier thoroughly using Royal Life Saving Society Australia pool fencing app.

By Olympian, father of four and Kidsafe ‘Safe Barriers Save Lives’ campaign ambassador, Matt Welsh.

For more information visit www.kidsafevic.com.au 22

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we love a mother This month we talk to Mia McGregor, Councillor at Maribyrnong City Council... as well as mum of two and one of the most community-minded people we know. We first met Mia not long after she started West Welcome Wagon, a completely volunteer run organisation that redistributes material goods to asylum seekers living in the West. Her election as Councillor is a natural fit so we were keen to find out how it’s been going.

Tell us a little about your children.

I have two delightful little boys, who are as different as night and day and great friends.

They are at a local kinder and primary school.

What inspired you to become a councillor?

It was a combination of having passion for our community and the relevant skills, plus lots of encouragement and support to run.

I love our community and the wonderful place we live with its gritty vibrancy. I see the changes taking place here, which bring both opportunities and challenges. I want to see the special and diverse neighbourhood character of our area retained, whilst encouraging a thriving economy. Plus I really wanted everyone in Maribynong to feel they are being listened to and that Council is acting on their ideas.

Experience and skills wise I studied law and post graduate psychology and have held senior management roles. I’ve sat on boards and started the asylum seeker charity West Welcome Wagon. Then I met a number of Councillors, including Catherine Cumming, who demonstrated that being a solo parent is no barrier. She encouraged me to run and once I started talking about the possibility I was overwhelmed by community support. It was truly heart warming.

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And what’s your favourite part of the role?

Every day I come home from work uplifted and excited about the work we’re doing! I feel truly blessed to love my job so much. I enjoy the mental challenge, the community engagement and working with a terrific, dedicated team whose primary focus is our community’s welfare and prosperity.

How do you juggle serving your community and being there for your children?

I’m very much in the thick of the parenting/ work balance. When I started a year ago I had two pre schoolers and had just become a single parent. I won’t lie, it was a challenge.

My littlest had been at home with me or other family members his whole life and suddenly he was in childcare. The other was just about to transition into his first year of school. The election results were announced on a Saturday and our first meeting was that Monday evening.

It was on! Most evenings of the week I’m out at meetings or events so I’ve come to relish all the opportunities to put my children to bed myself. Because of the erratic hours of Council duties I needed a nanny and it took some time before we found the right people. My parents were brilliant and helped out a lot. It was a big adjustment for all of us. And the mama guilt, oh the mama guilt! These days we’re all settled into our routine but it brings tears to my eyes remembering those first few months.

In other ways this is the perfect job for a parent, especially one on parental leave or solo parenting. It’s not full time and we can largely choose our schedules during the day. The large majority of the time I’m there for school and kinder drop off/pick up. I volunteer in the classroom and support play dates. My three year old still naps and many a day I arrange my commitments so that I’m there to lay down with him. Bliss!

Right now I’m keeping half an eye on the water fight play date going on in the back garden, writing this and conscious that in 45 minutes I have to be in business wear sitting in Council chambers for a public meeting! The juggle is real.

Council also bends over backwards to try and be accommodating and supportive. One really key aspect is that they cover the cost of childcare during Council business. There’s only a basic allowance associated with the role, but childcare means it’s doable.

What advice do you have for women thinking about running for council?

Do it! It’s a wonderful job. Women are generally very under represented on Council and diversity is so important. And parents - in many ways the skills we learn as parents, such as multi tasking, prioritising, delegation, time management and the like make us perfect for the role. If you have any questions or would like help, please contact me. Email is the best way: Cr.McGregor@maribyrnong.vic.gov.au

Do you see politics in your future?

I love Council because it is so close to the community. There’s a real opportunity to make a practical difference and remain really engaged with what matters to people. I’m not sure that’s as true for other levels of government.

Later on in my Council term I’d love the opportunity to represent our community as Maribyrnong Mayor. I can’t actually imagine a more satisfying next-step. But at the same time if I was successful I would be giving it 100%, doing it full time, all hours of the day and night, at a time when I’d have a very young child just starting prep and potentially needing his mum around more not less. It is something I would need to weigh up carefully.

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The juggle is real How to work from home during school holidays The longest school holidays of the year are just around the corner. Before you know, your kids will be home every day for five or so weeks!

Instead of letting them play with their usual toys, set up activities that will keep their interest and attention for long periods of time.

If you run a small business like me, and are not planning on taking a month-long holiday trip, this period can be challenging to say the least, and you might be feeling a bit anxious about it.

Consider things like: board games, puzzles, Lego, craft and painting, puppet theatre etc.

As a mum to two kids and a small business owner, I understand the struggles of keeping up with the demands of a business while looking after children. I can’t say I have it all figured out, but somehow I manage and I’m sure you can too.

As a business owner, you can’t afford to disappear for over a month and expect your clients, followers and subscribers to be there waiting for you. As the popular saying goes… out of sight, out of mind.

Here are my top 5 tips to help you get through this period.

To keep your marketing healthy, and take some of the pressure of your shoulders, automate as much as possible.

1. Negotiate & manage your time.

How are your negotiation skills? You will need them! Negotiate with your kids, and agree that you can do something fun with them for half day, as long as they let you work the other half.

Decide which half of the day is best for you to work, or for your kids to play. I’m planning on taking my girls out in the morning to play at the beach, park or zoo, and working in the afternoons when I find too hot to be outside.

Make sure you are truly present. No checking emails on your phone while you are at the park with your kids.

Make sure you have a to-do list ready, and focus on getting things done. I like to prepare my to-do list the night before when everything is still fresh in my mind, rather than spending half an hour trying to remember what the priorities are.

2. Activities not toys If you find difficult to keep your kids entertained for a long period of time while you work, organise some engaging activities for them.

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3. Automate your communications

Newsletters: If you send regular emails to your subscribers, write and schedule them in advance. You can also automate your initial email sequence to welcome and nurture new subscribers. Set it up once, and it’s done.

Social Media: You can prepare your social media posts all at once and schedule them.

There are several social media schedulers out there if you don’t yet use one. Some popular schedulers include Hootsuite, Buffer, Meet Edgar, and Smarter Queue.

E-mail auto-responders: You can prepare standard replies that are triggered when people email you. For example, you can have a standard reply to everyone contacting you informing them how often you read and reply emails. This helps manage the other person’s expectations. You can also use Gmail canned responses (if you use Gmail), which are automated responses to common questions, especially if you send the same type of information over and over. For example, you can refer people to your policies and procedures, or to FAQs etc.

4. Processes and Templates If you have staff or a team working for you, it’s essential that you have processes in place.

Your staff or virtual team needs to know exactly what to do, how and when. These can be things like answering inquiries, customer service, bookkeeping, website updates, and more.

Effective processes will give you peace of mind that everything will run smoothly without you. If you don’t have a team or staff, documented processes and templates will save you a lot of time on tasks that happen repeatedly.

5. Outsource It can be exhausting and counterproductive to run a business on your own. A great alternative to doing it all yourself is outsourcing.

Make a list of all tasks you dislike, take up a lot of your time, and are not your area of expertise.

These may include admin tasks, marketing, copy writing, bookkeeping, photography, social media management etc. Perhaps consider outsourcing some of these tasks to a professional. Often it will be cheaper to outsource than doing it yourself. You will also find running your business becomes more enjoyable, less stressful and more profitable.

I hope you find the tips above helpful, and find it easier to keep your business going while enjoying some well-deserved quality time with your kids.

Written by Fernanda Alberici, mum to two adorable girls, online marketing strategist, and founder of www.fabmarketing.com.au Fernanda helps creative and lifestyle brands stand out, and grow a profitable business without stress and overwhelm.

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mama can Cook!

Beetroot & Tahini Dip Serves: 4-6

Method:

Ingredients:

Preheat the oven to 200°C and line a baking tray with baking paper.

300g beetroot 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil 1 garlic clove, crushed 2 tablespoons tahini 1 tablespoon ground cumin 1 lemon, juiced 3 tablespoons toasted pumpkin seeds Sea salt & pepper, to taste Vegie sticks of choice, cut into matchsticks

Cut beetroots into half and place onto lined baking tray.

Drizzle with the oil and season well.

Bake beetroots for 30 minutes or until they have softened.

Allow to cool.

Once cooled, peel beetroots and place them into a food processor with garlic, tahini, cumin and the juice of the lemon. Season well and process until smooth, or your desired consistency.

Transfer to a serving bowl and top with the toasted pumpkin seeds. Serve with your favourite vegie sticks. .

These festive Xmas snacks are from The Natural Nutritionist thenaturalnutritionist.com.au

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These make great take home table decorations; simply buy small clip-lock jars and fill with a serve of the nuts; tie a Christmas ribbon on each one.

Spiced Nuts Serves: 10

Method:

Ingredients:

Preheat oven to 180°C and line a baking tray with baking paper.

1 cup almonds 1 cup cashews ½ cup pecans ½ cup pistachios ½ cup pumpkin seeds ½ cup chia seeds Spice mix: 50g grass-fed unsalted butter 4 tablespoons organic rice malt syrup 1 tablespoon cinnamon ½ teaspoon nutmeg ½ teaspoon mixed spice 1 teaspoon sea salt

In a large bowl, mix together the almonds, cashews, pecans, pistachios, pumpkin and chia seeds.

Heat a saucepan over a low heat and add the ingredients for the spice mix. Cook, stirring regularly, for 2-3 minutes or until the butter has melted and all ingredients have combined.

Pour the spice mixture over the nuts and seeds and stir together, ensure the nuts, seeds and spice mix are well combined and coated.

Spread the spiced nuts evenly onto the lined baking tray and bake for 20 minutes or until golden. Ensure you keep a close eye on the mixture as it can quickly go from golden to burned!

Allow the mixture to cool completely before storing in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to serve.

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Making Christmas Christmas is awesome! Our kids love it and are happy, we socialise more, we get time off work…it’s such a fun time of year!! On the other hand, there’s over-eating, too much drinking and oh dear… ‘did I really spend that much’? For a lot of us guilt is part of Christmas too.

But it can be super easy to make your Christmas meaningful and feel really good without making massive changes or taking out a second mortgage. Shopping wisely and ethically is one of the easiest ways to do this.

Know what you buy Nothing makes you rethink the world around you like having children - little people watching and learning from you every day.

So it’s no wonder that a lot of us are becoming increasingly interested in not just what we buy, but in how it was produced and the impact this has on our planet and the people in it.

No one intentionally buys products made with slave labour or from things that cause grief to nature, however because supply chains are notoriously difficult to understand and track, this happens all the time. How else would slavery be flourishing today? There are more slaves in the world now than any other time in history.

How we choose to spend our money makes a big difference.

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The labels and the language If you want to do the right thing, but you find it confusing and wonder if you can trust an organisation’s claims, you’re not alone. For example, there’s no legal definition of ‘fair trade’ or ‘ethically made’. And newer terms like ‘social enterprise’ are equally nebulous. So how do you cut through and make sure your intentions are achieving the outcomes you seek?

Looking for accredited providers is one way and the World Fair Trade Organisation is a reputable brand to watch out for. There are stringent requirements that must be met for an organisation to achieve this membership. But it’s not for all providers – the time and cost of obtaining certification can render it impossible for some groups.

Alternately, there are organisations that do the research for you and some curate products from a number of sources. Find a vendor that knows their business well. Some are notfor-profits, where donations and grants are part of their make-up. Others might be social enterprises, which are organisations that tackle social problems, improve communities or help the environment. Social enterprises give at least 50% of profits to their cause. And because social enterprises don’t rely on donations or grants, they’re set up for financial stability to create lasting impact.

meaningful Find new ways to do a little good You might already buy ethical products – recycled paper, organic baby food and fair trade coffee are just some examples. Some products combine a number of benefits too. Take for example the work of Ocean Sole. This Kenyan organisation makes animal sculptures from recycled thongs. They pay locals to collect the thongs from the beaches, reducing dangerous and unsightly pollution, then they employ people under fair trade conditions (we’ll explain that in a minute) to recycle them into amazing sculptures. And they also give back 10% of profits to ocean conservation.

Little by Little, a little becomes a lot You really don’t need to change your lifestyle to make a difference. All it takes is a willingness to make a few small changes and believe that the choices you make are important. This Christmas don’t forego the fun or the festivities, just include a few small changes and feel great about doing a little good.

By Penny Stephens, Founder, A Little Good.

Fair trade and ethically made toys and gifts for babies and small children. www.alittlegood.com.au

Fair trade is a term often associated with coffee or chocolate, but it can equally apply to other products such as toys and teddies. There are 10 key principles of fair trade and they include upholding people’s human rights and respect for the environment. You can read more here: www.alittlegood.com.au/pages/whatisfairtrade

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

Margaret Mead

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HOLIDAY petfection How to make sure your pet is happy and cared for when you and the family are away!

It’s holiday season! But you’re a pet owner...

Even though you love seeing new places and revisiting old favourites, the one thing that is always difficult is leaving your pets behind.

Here are some of my favourite tips on how to make sure your furry family members are happy and healthy while you’re gone!!

Plan ahead. Before taking off, give yourself time to find the right person or service to care of them. Consider the dates your leaving, if it’s at peak holiday times get organised early to book your pet care.

Leave your pets at home. We understand some pets are happier at home in their own environment with their usual smells, and surroundings. A lot of pet owners also have more than one pet and possibly fish, rabbits, birds the list can go on and on. See if you can have a friend house/pet sit or engage a professional service like My Pet Watch to come to visit them each day, walk them, play with them, clean the yard and feed them. This means your pet(s) get to enjoy the comforts of being in their own home.

Insurance. A lot of pet owners these days have pet insurance, but what about the people who care for your pets? Using a professional service can alleviate this concern.

Leave prepared. Leave your pet’s minder with detailed instructions about how to reach you if there’s a problem and what to do in case you are 80 feet underwater diving or staying in a safari camp and she or he can’t contact you.

Your vet’s details, microchip numbers, your pet’s like and dislikes, food intake and meal requirements, favourite toys, beds, blanket and an emergency contact if you’re unreachable.

The more information the better. That way you

38

can be assured that they can proceed until you can be reached. It also makes it a lot easier for you to relax when you’re gone.

Collars and name tags. Even at home, have your dog or cat wear a collar that has your phone number on it. You’ll be happy you did this, in case they ever try to run away.

Communicate. Take a tip from ET: Phone home. Your pets love to hear your voice!

Thanks to technology nowadays, we can also visit “in person,” thanks to Skype and FaceTime.

There is now even a PetCam device that you can hire through My Pet Watch and selfmonitor your pets through an app on your smart device.

Take your pet with you — in photo form. Kids often miss their pets when away. Slip photos of them in your purse or wallet to pull out when they are needed most. Alternately you may have hundreds of photos of them on your smartphone. Sharing your photos with other animal lovers while you’re on holidays is always a great conversation maker!

Don’t make a big deal when you leave and return. Long goodbyes and hellos can make your pets feel nervous and can lead to separation anxiety. To help keep your pet calm, walk out like you’ll be back in a minute, and when you return, greet them like it hasn’t been that long. Pretending like it’s not a big deal will help them think so too.

By Natasha Morgan, security and pet care expert and founder of My Home Watch. myhomewatch.com.au

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HYDRATION STATION Keeping the family hydrated this Summer In Australia, it gets so hot in Summer and we are constantly reminded that we need to drink fluids to keep our hydration levels up.

But what are some great ways to do this and, how can we do it safely?

Can I over hydrate?

What many people don’t realise is that over drinking can be just as dangerous as under drinking, so it’s important to get your fluids levels correct and not ‘overhydrate’. Often we hear of celebrities that drink 3 to 4 litres of water a day and then people go off attempting to do the same thing, which unless you are undertaking a lot of sport or are working out in the heat of Summer, isn’t such a great idea.

How much do I need?

How much fluid/water do we need per day is a bit of a tricky question as it depends on the season, your body size, sex and activity level. In general, men sweat more than women as they have more sweat glands. Also keep in mind that the more sport you do, the more fluids you will lose and need to replace. We are often told to have 6-8 glasses of fluid per day, which is a good general guideline, though these glasses are not meant to be large or 500ml water bottles, they are the smaller glasses that most people have in their kitchen. To express it differently, for the average adult the 1-1.5 litre range is a good guideline but not a ‘rule’. Intake needs will also depend on diet; the more fresh fruits, vegetables and soups you consume, the more fluid you are already taking in. Whereas 42

those who are eating more packaged and processed foods are likely not getting as much fluid via their food consumption.

One of the best ways to get a handle on fluid intake if you do sports is to know your fluid losses per hour during sport. An easy way to calculate an approximate fluid loss is to weigh yourself before and after a one hour workout or sports session and see how much weight you have lost. If you have lost 500 grams in that one hour, then you on average lose 500ml of fluid per hour during that sport. It is best to weigh yourself on a digital scale for accuracy and without clothes, as they can hold a lot of water weight after you have been sweating in them for an hour. Obviously if you have been drinking fluid during the hour you need to subtract that amount from your end weight as well. Its best to do this calculation both in summer and winter, as we can experience extremes of temperature in Australia.

What should I have?

So once you have your head around how much fluid to drink per day, the next question is, ‘what should you be drinking?’ Water is the obvious first choice and soda or cola are poor choices, but what other drinks can you consume to help encourage hydration, particularly for children who crave a more flavoursome way to get their fluids?

By Kira Sutherland, Naturopath, Sports Nutritionist, mum to a 10yo girl and H2melon ambassador. h2melon.com

5 Tips to help you stay hydrated this summer: • Miso soup or bone broth are not only great snacks, but also increase your fluid intake.

There is a theory that if you drink hot drinks in warm weather it will actually cool you down!

• Hot water with lemon slices is a fabulous way to start your day no matter the season.

• Plain sparkling water or soda water with lemon or lime slices can be very refreshing in the hea.t • Another favourite is mint leaves in water with ice. Mint is a herb that is cooling in itself and, when combined with cold water, can provide a much-needed reprieve from hot weather.

• Watermelon waters such as H2Melon can be a fantastic way to rehydrate. With far less sugar than your average fruit juice, they also contains many health benefits and antioxidants that are great for strengthening the immune system whilst keeping your fluids up. They also taste great with a few splashes of sparkling water.

• Iceblocks or popsicles are also a great way to cool down and hydrate at the same time.

It’s easy to make your own by blending watermelon water, coconut milk and yoghurt.

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Hands up if you need 3 or 4-year old kinder in 2018?

ECMS operates 70 high-quality three and four-year-old kindergarten programs all over Melbourne.

Your child will benefit from: •

Quality three and four-year-old kindergarten programs that reflect the Government’s National Early Years Learning Framework.

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Programs that feature fun play-based activities designed to develop your child’s physical, social, intellectual and emotional skills.

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Regular incursions, and excursions in the local community, to expose your child to diverse experiences and environments.

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Talented and qualified educators who love what they do, and who continue to build their knowledge and skills.

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Educators who can connect your family with specialist support if your child has additional needs.

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Engaging outdoor learning environments for your child to explore.

ENROL NOW! Visit www.ecms.org.au or call 8481 1117 to learn more about quality early learning at ECMS. ECMS is a leading community not-for-profit provider of early learning and care services across Melbourne.

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Have a great day out at Funfields with 24 awesome rides and attractions, including 3 ProSlide World Record Holders; Kraken Racer, Typhoon and the new Gravity Wave, plus many other wet and dry rides including Aqua Shak, Pirate Ship, Go Karts, Alpine Toboggan Slide, Mini Golf and

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.

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

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45 45

CELEBRATING Separately

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The Christmas and holiday period should be one of fun and joy, but for many families who are separated or divorced, this period can be a time of sadness, disappointment and disagreement and often caught in the middle of it all is the children. Here are 10 top tips to help families get through the festive season.

1 Set plans in place and stick to them Consistency for kids is important so set arrangements early and stick to them. This way there is less chance for anger and manipulation and the children know what to expect without any unpleasant surprises.

2. Don’t look back Try not to compare this holiday period with the ones before your separation. Change can be a positive thing and there is no point dwelling on the past. This is your new life, it might be different, but there is no reason not to embrace it.

3 Start new traditions If this is your first Christmas as a different family unit, now is a great time to introduce some new traditions that are unique for you and the kids. Handmaking Xmas tree decorations, giving a gift Xmas eve. Positive traditions are healthy for children and will help reset festive traditions in a positive way for everyone.

4. Set financial guidelines for gifts Remember money can’t buy love. So don’t feel pressured into buying presents you can’t afford. Set a budget and don’t try to compete with the other parent. Keep communication open with your ex about gift ideas, how much each is spending and if they are from the parent or the man from the North Pole.

This will prevent cross over and avoid one upmanship.

5. Don’t forget the family Don’t forget that a lot of people love your children and are important to them. Unless it upsets the children, try to keep grandparents and extended family included in the holidays.

But make it clear to your family that things might be done differently this year and that they are to be positive about the new arrangements in front of both you and the children.

6. If you are alone, don’t be alone Don’t be afraid to ask for help and make sure you have plans so you don’t spiral into depression as this can impact children when they pick up on your emotions. If you are not with your children, reach out to friends who may be only too happy to include you in their festive plans.

7. Don’t cancel counselling If you are undergoing counselling sessions it is especially important during these stressful times to keep these going for both yourself and the children.

8. Look after yourself Eat well and keep active. Health and fitness is great for mental health Enjoy walks, take a yoga or pilates class, find a new hobby to keep yourself focused on your own wellbeing.

9. Don’t sweat the small stuff and have fun!

If you are the primary parent it can be hard to be anything but the bad cop. Take the time to have fun and not sweat the small stuff. Leave the glitter on the floor, forget the dishes and do arts & crafts, let them stay up late to watch family movies together.

10. Share in the joy It is important to let your kids know it’s not their fault you are separated. Try to maintain that during the holidays and share the joy they have experienced with your partner even though you may feel hurt and left out. Try and make your kids feel secure and happy in the plans, even if you feel your ex is being unreasonable. If in doubt, be the bigger person. It will make your kids feel great.

Heartlinks offers workshops and individual or family focused counselling to support you through challenging times in your relationships and personal life. Visit heartlinks.com.au for more info and workshop dates.

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FIREWORKS IN FOOTSCRAY PARK

6.30 PM -10.30 PM SUN 31 DECEMBER 2017 cARnivAl gAmeS AnD RiDeS FooD tRuck couRt Alcohol-FRee event

StAge line-uP

• mc Rusty Berther • Burundi Drummers • Ali Barter • Footscray – three-0-double-1 • Sol nation • immaculate madonna

FIREWORKS FiRewoRkS At 9.30Pm

All the excitement without the lAte night!

N FOOTSCRAY PARK

the event is for the whole family but for their own safety please leave your dog at home. no parking available

.30PM -in10.30 DEC 2017 FootscrayPM Park.SUN All public31 transport is FRee from 6pm. Plan your journey with the Ptv Journey Planner. festivalcity.com.au #myfestivalcity