Westside MamaMag Jun/Jul 2020

WESTSIDE

mamamAg Jun/Jul 2020

WIN 1 OF 4 FAMILY WEEKENDS AWAY WITH BIG4 MamaMag turns 6 Back to normality We missed you grandma You’ve got a friend She’s on the up

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out of Iso Gosh, where does one start when thinking about the last two months? Talk about an emotional roller-coaster. The first few weeks were a bit of a blur to be honest. Perhaps from too much wine as I spent every night alone on the couch with my dog and my glass (or three) of red. It was hard coming to terms with the strange reality of having my kids with me 24/7 and without being able to go anywhere. Trying to explain why they couldn’t see their friends, or Grandma, but it was still ok to go up to Dad’s house. Add in eight weeks of school at home and yikes, I did lose my shit a few times! My dining table became my desk with my trusty puppy (who has grown so big is now affectionately called the Pony) by my side. Crazy times!

But thankfully there were some really amazing things to come out of this Covid-19 shit-show as well.

Social isolation brought a new meaning to social catchups, which worked out quite well for me as many of my best friends live far away. Friday nights became Zoom with quarantinis with the girls and we’ve had more catch-ups in a few months than we’ve had in years.

If you didn’t get out in the street and draw rainbows with chalk, were you really in iso? Very early on, having nabbed the last jumbo box of Crayola chalks at Woolies, we set out to decorate our entire front fence, colouring in every brick its own colour. To hear the squeals of kids passing by, or see the cars slow down for a look, was really heart-warming.

Many people stopped to take a photo and it was so nice that we had brought some joy to their daily outing.

But now it feels like we are slowly heading back to our new kind of normal and I can feel that roller-coaster slowing down. Our June/July issue is always our Party Issue and this year we celebrate turning 6. But it’s hard to celebrate when so many of our favourite party venues, who usually grace our pages, have been closed for months. It has been so hard for so many businesses we love, MamaMag included.

With no possibility of a print issue this time round, I hope you enjoy our first ever digital magazine. Please share the links with your friends so we can ensure we reach as many mamas as possible. And like everyone else, we aim to be back bigger and stronger than ever soon. xxx Sarah Sarah Cavalier Editor - MamaMag @thecavaliermama

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

WIN

Contents

1 of 4

Back to normality Tip toeing our way there

6

Challenge accepted A 3 step guide to expenses

8

Big4 family weekends away Wo up rth to

$50 eac 0 h

Parklife 10 Jubilee Linear Park, Wyndham Vale We missed you Grandma Connecting with those we missed

12

Learn to play Helping kids is important

14

You’ve got a friend in me Louise Larkin’s mission

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Isolation essentials What go Mama through

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She’s on the up Felicity Ford from Uppercup

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Skin freaking out in isolation?

Here’s some reasons why

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Penelope Perfect Project stay at home

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Take a walk on the wild side Zoo party fun

26

Mama can cook Tiffiny Hall’s Snack Power

28

Animal magic Pets in early education

32

Turn the page Mama’s top book picks

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Colour to WIN Win a SEA LIFE family pass

36

Missing the drop-off Did you miss your community?

38

Boost your immunity Give yourself a happy gut

40

A woman’s work Under valued, under paid

42

Boots make me merry Dani Holloway from Merry People

44

Growing out of dummies Plant them and watch them grow!

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MamaMag Jun/Jul 2020

WIN two free nights at any Australian BIG4 Holiday Park for two adults and two children in a fully self-contained cabin!

Entries are open to Victorian residents only. Competition starts June 1st 12.01am and closes July 31st 2020 at 11.59pm. Subject to availability at individual parks; Not available during Christmas, school holidays, long weekends, or peak seasons. Valid 12 months from date of issue.

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

Enter at www.mamamag.com.au/big4 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

Westside MamaMag is bi-monthly mag for Melbourne’s West and this issue we’ve gone fully digital. You can read all our issues online: Bayside • Eastside • Northside • Westside.

Editor in Chief/Creative Director: Sarah Cavalier: sarah@mamamag.com.au For advertising enquiries contact: Olivia Wilson: olivia@mamamag.com.au Want to write for us or have an article idea? submissions@mamamag.com.au

Click to Subscribe and get MamaMag straight to your inbox 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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TIP TOEING AND DIVE BOMBING BACK TO NORMALITY As my young child stood at the door for their first day back at school, yelling at me that we were going to be late, I felt my emotions pulling me all over the place.

I felt relieved that this little person was buoyed and excited. I felt sad that my long days at home with her were coming to an end. I felt a bubbling of nerves in my tummy. Yet, overwhelmingly, I felt that she was ready.

My emotions were that of many a first-time parent sending their child off to school.

However, this was a first day like no other.

This was the first day of S.P.R. School. Post. Restrictions.

Seemingly on my own, but in the company of millions of other parents around the world, I had steered my offspring through a life like no other. For now, at least, it was time to release the reins a little and let her have a glimpse of the normal.

Parenting during a pandemic has seen the mental health of many parents come crashing to the ground. None of us had trained for this, there was no Parenting Bootcamp for 2020.

What was asked of us was near on impossible and whether we waltzed out of lockdown declaring a new lease of life and intending to homeschool forever - or if we hauled ourselves over the line, our eyes firmly fixed on the school gates dragging our iPad clutching offspring behind us … we all deserve a firm pat on the back. As do our children.

Kids had no inkling of how their lives were going to change when they left school on

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that final Friday yelling to their friends that they would see them on Monday. Pandemicrelated jargon now so familiar to us must have felt strange and intimidating to their tender ears. The loss of community contact felt to the core by so many adults would have been bewildering to them. Fun at first, when house rules inevitably slackened, and snack intake increased exponentially… but then as the novelty wore off questions were asked – where did this come from and when will it go away? Will I get sick? Will you get sick?

Will Grandma die?

At least, this was the way it was in our home.

Whilst restrictions are easing, and Australian life does seem to be moving in a direction for which we can all be grateful, we should acknowledge that our lives will contain a degree of uncertainty for the foreseeable future. And, like anything else that we cannot personally control, we must get comfortable with that disconcerting feeling.

I believe this is key for our kids too. They must be comfortable. How they look back on this time and how their future mental health is impacted, I believe, depends very much on their level of comfort now.

The impact of the virus on our mental health is well documented; the Victorian government has published frightening statistics suggesting that without urgent action the next three years will see 370,000 Victorians hospitalised or seeking treatment for mental health issues directly related to this COVID-19 outbreak.

This is not meant to be fearmongering.

As a person with a tendency to let anxiety take hold, I take comfort in the fact that we live in an age where predominantly mental health is valued and protected. With communication, conversation and free access to professionals when required I hope that the above statistics will prove to be inflated.

I recognise the need to take gentle care of my mental health as we transition to the next stage of this crisis – whatever that might entail. I blew an isolation bubble to protect my loved ones – now Daniel Andrews is holding a pin to that closely guarded bubble and he intends to pop it. I must start getting comfortable with the gentle easing in of the outside world.

I’m a huge believer in open and honest communication with children; for me, it’s ok that my kids know that the health crisis shook me to my core. Yet it is imperative that they feel safe. It is fine for me to feel nervous about us all stepping back into the big, bad world but I need for them to feel stable and confident to do so.

There is no COVID-related secrecy or taboo in our household. Weird and wonderful questions are welcomed - even when the question “how did it jump from species to species” sees me inadvertently debating the potential of a romantic union of a bat and a pangolin. We also have our basics covered. The kids know the simple safety measures they must take.

They know that we might all retreat into our homes and resume our wearing of day pyjamas once more. They know that Australia has been fortunate. They know that they are in safe hands. They know that we are in this together, and vitally they know that there is an end in sight.

Just as I have open communication with my kids, I also need it with my friends. For now, we’ll keep our catchups digital, each finding comfort in the fact that we’re feeling our way blindly, but competently, through this together.

By Charlie Golding, Melbourne mama and author of When The World Went Inside a book talking to young kids about COVID-19. www.whentheworldwentinsidebook.com

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challenge accepted A 3-step guide to challenging your every expense Amid the COVID-19 crisis, which has caused many Australians significant financial stress, why not challenge yourself and see how much you can save for the rest of the year? Use your savings to pay down ‘bad debts’ or invest in something that will grow your money.

Some live by the mantra ‘the less I spend, the less I have to earn’ to help them understand just how much of their money is heading

Here is my 3-step ‘challenge every expense’ plan: STEP 1: List every recurring expense that occurs weekly, fortnightly, monthly, and yearly.

Regular expenses and bills add up. We often have numerous little outgoings that do not seem significant but end up contributing over a year towards reduced cash flow.

Listing your regular expenses enables you to find a starting place to ‘challenge’ them. To do this, review bank statements, credit card bills and direct debits to list all of your outgoings (while excluding larger ticket items like council rates.

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outbound. It’s hard for people to have the same level of motivation when they are busy focusing on other aspects of life. However, I have broken it down into three core components to save maximum money. Ultimately, the goal is to review daily expenses, sneaky spending habits, and establish new ways to save money by trimming them back (or finding a better deal).

STEP 2: Sort your list of expenses and make a plan to ‘challenge’ them.

Using your list of regular expenses, begin by assessing which items are required and whether or not there is wiggle room to challenge them, reduce their cost, or simply cancel.

Here are some common expenses people have and what their thinking may be: • Mortgage: I need this, though there is the potential to find a cheaper loan.

• Groceries: I need to eat, but there is the potential to optimise shopping budget.

• Petrol: I need to drive, so not much wiggle room.

• Mobile: I need this, but I am open to reviewing my plan to cut costs.

• Internet: A good deal already.

• Health insurance: Necessary, especially as I have a family, but I could find a cheaper policy.

• Netflix: I enjoy this too much.

• Stan: I don’t watch often, and it’s more expensive than Netflix (with less value).

• Swimming lessons: our child’s swimming lessons are important.

• My income protection insurance: potentially pause*, due to me not working.

• Husband’s income protection insurance: will keep as we rely on his wage.

Based on the above, an individual may be able to cancel their Stan subscription, which would save them $144 per year, as well as seek advice from their financial advisor about *pausing their income protection insurance if they aren’t working, potentially saving them up to $984 a year.

In the space of just 10-minutes, you could put more than $1,000 back in your pocket per year.

STEP 3: Find a better deal on the other items.

Now that you’ve analysed what you’ll be keeping, it’s time to search for a better deal.

• Mortgage. Look for a low-rate lender that has the potential to save you thousands per year for a small switch over fee. The cash rate is currently at 0.25 per cent low, so find a new home loan on a competitive rate. You could also consider going interest-only for a little while to minimise the cost (while still trying to pay above that to not go backwards).

Depending on the size of your mortgage and the interest rate on your loan, you could save $8,000-plus per year.

• Groceries. Split your shopping between one of the major supermarkets and ALDI, to reduce costs by 30 per cent. That’s around $150 per month, equating to $1800 per year.

• Mobiles. A lot of partners both pay for their handsets as part of a mobile phone plan. If this is you, as soon as you get to the end of your contract, consider continuing the plans without these charges and look to reduce the costs by keeping your current phones and finding a cheaper plan. A lot of people continue to pay the ‘with handset’ price even after they don’t have to.

• Health insurance. Many see this as vital, especially since the COVID-19 outbreak.

However, if you are going to start reviewing the costs of your health insurance, compare it against other providers to see whether they can get you a better deal. A quick online comparison can reveal there is at least a few hundred dollars per year in savings to be had.

As you can see, my ‘challenge every expense’ plan could help you save around $9168 in outgoings this year, or $764 per month. You could be seeing even more savings, based on your own circumstances. That’s hard to pass up on!

By Helen Baker, financial adviser, author, speaker and spokesperson for online finance information platform Money.com.au. Helen has a passion for empowering Aussies to find financial freedom through strategic planning and goals-based financial advice. For more information, visit www.money.com.au

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Parklife JUBILEE LINEAR PARK, WYNDHAM VALE This beauty opened three years ago as part of the thriving Jubilee estate and it certainly still packs a punch. If you have a kid that loves climbing then this is the playground to visit! It’s highlight is a wooden and white steel structure housing two custom built towers, and interconnecting rope tunnel and two curved stainless-steel slides, providing a challenging and an exciting space for children aged between 5-10 years old to explore and enjoy. The silver slides are impressive in their look and are designed to create a cool surface

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to slide down in the Summer months thanks to the enclosed tubular design. Not burnt bottoms here! Accessible by a interesting rope climb though, these slides aren’t great for the younger kids.

But there is plenty more to be found. The spinner, swings including a nest swing, water pump, stepping stones, sand pit with digger and some fun mini trampolines.

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oh how WE mIssed you grandma The love grandparents have for their grandchildren is incomparable. It’s a special love that knows no bounds and brings endless joy to both generations.

Their role is to simply enjoy their time with their grandchildren and to care for them in the best way they can. Grandparents provide an escape from the rigours of daily life and can help take the pressure off tired and overworked parents.

Grandparents not only love their grandchildren unconditionally but they enrich their lives in a way that no one else can.

Grandparents teach their grandchildren lessons that will stay with them for the rest of lives. They’ve lived through difficult times and overcome life’s biggest challenges. They understand the value of life and don’t sweat the small stuff. Grandparents are kind and patient and can be a wonderful source of support for children going through difficult times. They also have an amazing ability to convince their grandchildren to take to their advice when no one else can.

Spending time with grandparents is one of the most rewarding experiences a child can have and can positively impact their lives, long into adulthood. Sadly spending time with grandparents hasn’t been possible lately, but we are all more than ready to make up for that now.

Grandparents play an important role in their grandchildren’s lives. They are teachers, mentors, and loving companions who are there to guide and support every step of the way. A study has found that children who spend time with their grandparents experience fewer emotional and behavioural problems, compared to children who do not have grandparents involved in their lives. A close grandparent-grandchild bond has also been linked to a decrease in symptoms of depression in both age groups.

For children, being with grandparents is like stepping into a fairytale world. A magical place where they take centre stage and all of their wishes come true. Grandparents don’t have to worry about being providers or disciplinarians.

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When grandchildren spend time with their grandparents, they are taken on a journey back in time. They learn about their family history, where they came from and the traditions that make their family unique. Grandparents love showing their grandchildren old photo albums and sharing recipes that have been passed on through the generations, and may even have old family heirlooms they would like to pass on.

Grandparents have a special connection to their grandchildren and love them in a way that no-one else can. By spending time with their grandparents, children learn valuable skills that will help them grow into confident and caring adults. But most importantly, children get to connect with their grandparents in a meaningful and heartfelt way and make beautiful memories that will last forever.

10 fun activities that grandparents can do with their grandchildren Grow sunflowers – Plant sunflower seeds in a nice sunny spot in the garden. Tend your sunflowers whenever you’re together and take photos to remind you of your journey.

Have a book day – Cuddle up with a pile of books and spend the day reading to each other.

Make sure you introduce your grandchildren to classic stories from your childhood.

Make a memory book – Gather all your favourite photos of when you were together and stick them in a scrapbook. Write the date and place where the photo was taken so you can remember the special times you shared.

Go on a picnic – Pack a picnic with your grandchild’s favourite foods and head off to the park. Make sure you also bring a frisbee, ball, or kite to add an extra element of fun.

Paint a portrait – Set up a painting table and paint a portrait of each other. When your pictures are dry, sign and date them, then pop them in a special frame.

Bake something special – Teach your grandchildren how to make a treasured family recipe. Explain where the recipe came from and why it means so much to you.

Draw a family tree – Grab a sheet of cardboard and draw your family tree. Talk about your family history and explain who each of the people on the leaves are.

Share old photos – Pull out your old photo albums and flick through the pages. Tell your grandchildren about the people in the pictures and the story behind each photograph.

Make a nature mobile – Head outside and collect some treasures from the forest floor like sticks, pine cones, leaves, berries, nuts, acorns.

Use a string to tie your treasures together and then hang them from the stick.

Find a hobby – Choose something that you would both enjoy doing and that you can do whenever you’re together. Building a birdhouse, a railway, or a model care are some popular options – but the list is really endless.

By Ashling Kwok. Ashling is an Australian children’s author and her debut picture book ‘Lola and Grandpa’ is available from Little Pink Dog Books and all leading bookstores.

For more information, visit www.ashlingkwok.com.au

Collect shells – Spend the day at the beach collecting shells. When you get home wash the shells, then pop them in jar with a label saying when and where they came from.

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HELPING KIDS LEARN TO PLAY Play is an important part of a child’s development; but it doesn’t come easily to everyone.

Tarneit mother of three, Liane, says her children, Kye, 9, and 6-year-old twins Lyla and Ayva, all struggle with anxiety and social situations. But small-group therapy, customised to her children’s NDIS plans, has helped them each begin developing the skills to better manage these challenges.

‘I often find that it takes quite a while to see the true benefits of programs and therapy.

You don’t realise how beneficial they are until something happens and your children handle the situation beautifully,’ Liane says.

‘Some of the things we notice is how they’ll handle a social situation afterwards. They adopt things they’ve learnt and put it into practice.

Things as simple as turn taking.’

Children might not realise it, but while they play in many and varied ways, they are in fact learning and developing the whole time.

Physical skills As children play, they use their whole body to hone their muscle control and strength, coordination and balance. Think dancing, skipping, jumping, running down a hill, climbing play equipment or joining in organised sports. Children also develop their use of hands with small muscle movements through things like threading, pouring, measuring, cutting and pasting, making activities like cooking and crafting ideal.

Thinking skills Play builds cognitive or thinking skills. It helps them develop knowledge, remember, plan and pay attention; all important skills for the classroom and beyond. They use mental processes of judgement, reasoning and decision-making. For example, construction games use problem solving and use mathematical skills of counting and classifying, while drama involves imagination and telling stories in a logical order.

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Social skills Play helps children learn how to interact with others, which is turn helps them make and maintain friendships. Through play, children develop their communication, social and emotional skills, including the ability to share ideas, express feelings and regulate emotions.

They also need to negotiate group dynamics including compromise, recognising and responding to others’ feelings, sharing and resolving conflicts.

Helping your child Play is a complex ability that does not always come easily. You can help your child by sharing activities that address their challenges in a gentle and fun way. Karen Stagnitti has some great resources as does The Genius of Play.

In a therapy setting, children play while practicing their skills in a controlled environment designed to help them develop at their own pace. Look for a quality accredited, NDIS registered provider with experience in developmental delay.

Liane says small group therapy works for her three children because it involves therapists working on social behaviour in line with each child’s goals.

‘And the fact they are learning while having fun is just perfect,’ she says.

By Delia Backstrom-Symons.

Delia is an occupational therapist with Gateways Support Services, a quality accredited, NDIS registered provider of early and school aged therapy programs. www.gateways.com.au

New NIDA Online courses for ages 3–18!

Delivered via moderated Zoom classrooms and supported by digital learning resources →

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nida.edu.au/online Get more from mama - www.mamamag.com.au | Get social with mama - @localmamamag

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YOU’VE GOT A FRIEND People often ask me, where, when and how I came up with the idea for Friend in Me, and I instantly think back to the day it was created.

I remember it as if it was yesterday. One morning whilst driving to work I heard the voice of a broken mum who had called into the radio station to say her little boy Logan had never been invited to a party before. As a mum this instantly pulled on my heart strings. How could a child never have been invited to a party before? Who was this boy and why on earth was he being excluded? From that instant, I knew I had to make a change, and quickly.

I wanted to make a difference, not just for Logan, or my daughter and her friends, but for every child who felt left out, alone or friendless.

Friend In Me was born in an instant, and three years into this journey, has helped thousands of children feel included, loved and appreciated.

The main focus, when I created Friend in Me, was to create wonderful events for children who had never had the opportunity to have their own party. We created special parties for exceptional children, to make them feel cherished. It was a joy to see their faces light up and experience a real party just for them.

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Friend in Me has evolved so much since our first beautiful community event three years ago, and has now grown beyond anything I could have ever imagined. Who knew that so many children felt left behind?

I have now left the corporate world and my full time job to focus on making inclusion a priority. I can’t begin to tell you how big this mission has become; to make sure no child is left behind.

Friend in Me are proud to be hosting the country’s largest inclusion focussed community events for children, however, we don’t want to stop there. Behind the scenes we are busy working on developing a program that will encourage inclusion and educate children on the importance of acceptance. This programme will go a long way to help decrease the mental health concerns that come from children being ostracised from society. It is going to make a huge difference to parents and children in our communities.

Face to face events were halted during the Covid-19 pandemic which was heartbreaking, however we made sure that we diversified like other businesses, and carried on making a

IN ME difference in the lives of so many children. We were privileged to be able to create a range of awesome digital celebrations to send out to the world and have begun hosting so many magical ‘virtual’ birthday parties globally.

One party that really stands out for me and is a recent virtual celebration. One of our messages reached all the way across the ocean to the United Kingdom. Beautiful Alice who suffers from a rare chromosome disorder, epilepsy, cyclical vomiting syndrome and global developmental delay was turning 15 and we got to share the celebration. Friend in Me were on the case straight away! We organised all of her favourite characters for a LIVE ZOOM call.

We invited Supergirl, Elsa and Anna and Captain America. We sung to her, we danced and we read her favourite book by Dr Seuss. She was smiling from ear to ear.

We knew at that moment we had changed this little girl’s world and for that we are so proud.

These are the moments that fill my heart and drive me to go even further, reach even more children and families, and to grow Friend in Me to be the biggest and the furthest reaching inclusion focussed charity.

We’re celebrating our 3rd birthday in a few weeks and I cannot believe how many lives we’ve touched in that time. I truly had no idea where we were heading when I had a little idea all those years ago to put on a small community event for children who felt left out. I am committed, more than ever, to making it my priority to be the voice for these little people. I am determined to be the social change maker that they need and make a very big difference to their little world.

How does the future look for Friend in Me? We are excited to be working on some really wonderful collaborations with some very inspirational young humans and we cannot wait to see what is around the corner.

Watch this space!

By Lousie Larkin, Founder of Friend in Me. www.friendinme.org.au

PARTY

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IsoLATION ESSENTIALS This is the wood of my dining table that became my desk for the last 10 weeks. No one could foresee being stuck at home for months, and let’s be honest, no one was ready! Working from home, forced into endless Zoom meetings and catch ups. Overnight our beauty and hair salons closed, and hitting the shopping centre was a no-no. Here are some of Mama’s essentials that got me through isolation.

1. Bronze be gone: As a blonde (natural I swear!) when I couldn’t get to the salon, Evo Platinum

Blonde Colour Boosting Treatment was a life saver. It can instantly refresh and tone your hair to extend the life of colour-treated blonde and lightened hair. Game changer! RRP $39.95

2. Zoom hair: Not washing your hair as often anymore. Not leaving the house will do that to you!

But no one wants greasy hair falling in their face all day while you’re trying to work! Save yourself from oily roots with Evo’s water killer dry shampoo. 35g RRP $16.25

3. Home office smells: Make your home office (in my case dining room) smell and feel amazing with these beautiful scents from iconic Aussie brand Palm Beach Collection. This Lilies & leather 420g standard candle is super yummy. RRP $42.95

4. Protect yourself: Finally ready to step outside into the big wide world again? Be sure to

apply your everyday essential sunscreen to keep your skin protected. The Invisible Zinc’s Sheer Defence tinted moisturiser is perfect to add both protection and a little bit of colour. Mama’s practically forgotten what foundation is, so this is a real winner RRP $25 at Coles

5. Walking wonders: We hit the local dog park twice a day rain, hail or shine. These Merry

People gumboots are not only super stylish, but they are unbelievably comfy too. They come in heaps of fun colours. Bobbi Gumboot in Mustard Yellow and Black RRP $139.99

6. Warm and toastie: A black puffer jacket is total mum uniform where I live, but I like to

brighten things up with a bit of colour. The Rainbird Elara Puffer pulls in at the waist so it gives you a nice bit of shape! RRP $189.99

7. Good guts: Good health starts in the gut so to counteract all the junk and alcohol that seems

to have increased in iso we stocked up on Remedy Kombucha. My kids love these tasty, live cultured sparkling drinks and they are full of organic acids, antioxidants and no sugar, naturally!

8. Warm feet: Jazz up your lounge or workspace with a fun rug from M&M’s Rug Shop. This

Volume Sweet Orange chunky woollen pile rug is perfect for keeping your feet warm over tiles or floor boards and make your home office that more fun. RRP $550

9. Sound blockers: When you’re all working and schooling at home some good noise cancelling

headphones are essential. These Bose beauties not only look sensational, but they have up to 20-hour battery life and noise-rejecting dual microphone for calls and Zoom. Bose QuietComfort 35 (Series II) Wireless Bluetooth Headphones. RRP $359

10. I’m puzzled: If you didn’t do a jigsaw puzzle in the last 3 months, were you even in iso?

This stunner from Okay Lady isn’t just a jigsaw puzzle. It’s a map to mindfulness. Give your fingers something tactile to do and rest your buzzing brain. 400 piece puzzles $79.95

11. Hello handwash: So we’ve been washing out hands flat out! No need to toss away that

empty handwash bottle. Single Use Aint Sexy get reused by simply adding a new disolvable tablet in hot water, and boom, you’re back in business. Starter pack (1 bottle, 2 tablets) RRP $18.50 18

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she’s on the up There are three words that are important to Melbourne mama Felicity Ford.

Sustainable, ethical and local.

So it comes as no surprise that she is the founder of Uppercup, a certified B-Corporation and Melbourne-made reusable coffee cup business with EVERY supplier to the business located within 25km of their Eastside head office…

Tell us a bit about how and why you started Uppercup?

I have been passionate about the environment and sustainability since I can remember. Before Uppercup, I co-founded numerous not-forprofits but realised what I wanted to do was focus on sustainable products. My family create reusable industrial plastics, so I have always been around Australian manufacturing, so Uppercup was a great fit as it is an Australian manufactured product.

How does Uppercup work to eradicate single use coffee cups from circulation and landfill?

We strive to be as sustainable as possible so on top of fantastic reusable coffee cups we also offer the Uppercup+ which is made from recycled end of life Uppercups! We also offer spare parts to extend our product life. Our Swap & Go Cup program is aimed at the corporate market where we work with head offices who allow every single staff member to borrow a made-to-order Uppercup and return it. You can brand and match them to the company plus you can fit a non-reusable lid on the cup, which is the part of the non-reusable coffee cup that can be recycled. You are removing the barrier to entry of not having to remember a cup, as you can always get one and take back your reusable cups at another time. Remembering a cup is often something people struggle with when going out for a coffee.

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Supporting Australian jobs and manufacturing seems to be a key component to the business structure of Uppercup and you ensure that all your suppliers work within a 25km radius of your head office. What suppliers does this include?

Printing, packaging, raw material, employees, warehousing, distribution and manufacturing.

We are lucky enough to work within a metro Victorian business hub, where most of our supporting suppliers have been around for over 35 years. We find small choices around using local suppliers makes a big difference to our local community.

Tell us more about the female leaders of Uppercup who are pioneering such responsible and ethical business procedures that make Uppercup more than just a business.

We are passionate young women who are striving to make a difference not just within the sustainability goods sector but also within manufacturing in Australia. We want to be a part of the revolution of reusable product systems being implemented and made locally in Australia over the next 10-20 years. We see a fantastic opportunity for responsible and ethical business to be located in Australia.

You’ve recently become a mum to a gorgeous daughter. Tell us a bit about your little family.

Our family live in inner-city Melbourne, and we have an 18-month-old daughter, who is hilarious. On the weekend we love hanging out with family and friends, and you can probably find us at the local café, museum or playground.

How do you manage and juggle running a business with personal and family commitments? “A constant juggle� is most definitely how we would describe our lives. For us, we wouldn’t have it any other way. But we have become strong in owning a life that works for our family.

My husband and I choose to co-parent, which means we strive to have 50% of the work done by each of us. When we had our daughter, we had the opportunity to both take primary carer parental leave of three months each. We found this was an excellent opportunity for both parents to bond plus it allowed me to step out of my business briefly and integrate back in sooner.

What advice would you give to other businesses wanting to create a positive impact on society and the environment?

Supply chain, supply chain, supply chain. The companies you choose to receive services and goods from has a huge impact on how ethical and sustainable your business is.

Everything we do focuses on our three pillars: minimisation of environmental impact, ethical products and community focussed supply.

Manufacturing overseas would be cheaper but the reward for us to produce locally, from

control, relationships, and community impact, is so much more significant. You should choose to work on becoming a certified B-Corporation as well. This certification highlights companies that meet a high level of ethical and sustainable business.

What does Uppercup have planned for 2020?

We are excited to be expanding our Swap & Go Uppercup program to more head offices and locations. Three years ago, we implemented a Swap & Go cup program at the Woolworths Head Office. Implementation and uptake were hugely successful, and we have started some other fantastic projects in some exciting companies since. We work with procurement and sustainability managers to make sure it works smoothly for every company. This area is new and exciting, and we look forward to helping companies reduce their waste as this can make a really positive impact on our environment.

Finally, where can we find the fabulous Uppercup?

Uppercups can be purchased at www.uppercup.com

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WHY YOUR SKIN MIGHT BE FREAKING OUT IN ISOLATION Most people would assume that spending all our days in isolation sans make up would result in glowing skin, right? With less makeup and exposure to environmental pollutants, it would make sense that glowing complexions are one of the more positive benefits of the COVID-19 crisis. Well, unfortunately this is not the case for everyone. Whilst some have been lucky to reap the benefits of letting their skin breathe, others not so much. From dryness, to redness, through to blemishes and patchiness, isolation skin is not what it seems. Lifestyles have changed dramatically since staying in has become the new normal. This means we’re spending far more time indoors, where the air quality is generally weaker and we’re exposed to less natural sunlight. On top of the environmental differences, changes in our habits and routine are also having a detrimental effect on our skin. Here are some of things that might be contributing to a skin freak out whilst in isolation.

Lack of morning routine With morning routines out of whack, it can be easy to get up and forgo skincare altogether.

Whilst you might not be wearing makeup or showering until noon, your skin still needs active ingredients to repair skin on a cellular level. However your day starts and ends, ensure that you use active ingredient serums every morning and evening. This will benefit the cells which will drink in the active ingredients that can reverse the signs of ageing, repair barrier function, hydrate and reduce inflammation.

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Increase in stress and anxiety There’s no denying that these uncertain times are bringing significant challenges to many people. Unfortunately, an increase in stress can mean an increase in skin problems too. Higher cortisol production caused by stress can cause inflammation leading to breakouts, irritation, red patches and sensitivity. Right now is a great time to go back to your stress management techniques which may involve meditation, regular movement or even limiting exposure to the news and social media. It’s important to stay informed but do so in a balanced and controlled manner that will help keep cortisol levels down (which your skin will thank you for)!

Lack of cleansing If makeup is a thing of your pre-isolation past and you’re using less now, you’d expect your skin to be glowing, right? Well unfortunately for many this isn’t the case because makeup removal and cleansing often go hand in hand.

Whether you’re wearing makeup or not, it’s still important that you cleanse your face every day. Household toxins caused by dust, cleaning products and even bedding will still sit on the skin’s surface impacting the microbiome so they must be washed away daily. Ensure that you use a gentle cleanser and microfiber pad to remove invisible toxins and surface dirt just as you normally would. Not only does this clear away any impurities from the skin, but it also opens up the pores to help serums penetrate deeper.

Increased alcohol consumption With working from home, a lack of routine and nowhere to go, it’s easier to reach for a drink when you wouldn’t normally. Apart from sinking into poor food choices increased alcohol consumption can lead to problematic skin. The reason being is that alcohol is a diuretic which means it dehydrates skin cells at a faster rate than regular drinks. The best way to combat this is to limit alcohol consumption whilst ensuring you keep skin cells hydrated. If you do happen to succumb to a few espresso quarintinis or prosecc-isos, give your skin a big hit of hydration the next morning to replenish lost moisture. We love Biologi’s Bf Hydration Serum which is unique blend of fruit acids and vitamin C that hydrate, soothe and repair, leaving the skin feeling smooth and supple.

Irregular sleeping patterns A disruption in your normal 9 to 5 routine likely means that you’re going to bed later than normal or that your sleep may be disturbed. Lack of sleep leads to obvious signs such as dark circles and bags under the eyes. Furthermore, cellular turnover and hormone production can be impacted by less zzzzs. Turns out that there’s some truth in the term ‘beauty sleep’ – in fact there’s a direct correlation between the quality of your sleep and the quality of your skin. From 11pm onwards, cell mitosis accelerates. The more rested and relaxed you are during this time, the more effective the process. Try to aim to get to sleep before 11pm each night and for a minimum of seven to eight hours of uninterrupted rest. The result will be a beautifully glowing complexion and a more youthful appearance.

download an app or join an online PT class.

There are lots of options to keep moving during isolation and your skin will thank you for every single one of them!

Lack of professional treatments With many beauty salons closed, it’s likely your skin may be missing the extra TLC that regular facials and treatments can provide. However, remember that you can still show your skin some love by implementing a facial routine at home, ensuring that you continue to protect and nourish your skin cells. Just be sure not to overdo it and stick to natural products that – too many synthetic ingredients can throw skin out of whack or cause toxicity over time. Invest in some quality natural serums like Biologi’s Bd Face Luminosity Serum which is a storehouse of antioxidants that will leave skin looking refreshed, radiant and luminous.

By Lucy Macdougald, Biologi’s Dermal Specialist www.biologi.com.au

Not enough exercise Yes, the gym is closed and there are no more boot camps so it makes it harder to keep up a normal exercise routine. However, exercise isn’t just good for the waistline, it’s good for the skin too! Regular exercise encourages blood flow which delivers nutrients to the surface of the skin leading to a radiant complexion. Sweating also helps purge bacteria and toxins from the skin to help maintain a healthy PH and give you back your glow! The advice here is to keep moving! Walk or run daily, set up a home gym,

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Project Stay At Home Even before COVID19, Penelope Kingston liked all her old teddies to be facing the same direction – towards the window, where she secretly thought they enjoyed the view.

But since so many people had been stuck at home, loads of kids (and probably quite a few grown-ups) had started putting bears in their windows too.

Penelope loved going for bear-hunt walks with her mum. She actually didn’t even mind (very much) if people put other toys in the window with the bears. Obviously, it was a bit annoying (and dangerous) if they hadn’t thought things through and put a fox next to a chicken. Penelope had come across that very window just last week and had to go back and leave a note.

Can you write a note to the person who put a fox and a chicken next to each other in their window? What will it say?

(It can be funny or serious).

wandering duckling would be okay. In fact, this window made her giggle quite a lot Can you make a creative window display in your house? Which toys will you choose?

Penelope had heard that it wouldn’t be very long now before school went back. She couldn’t wait to play with her best friend, Bob. She looked forward to chatting with Oscar before school each day and was excited to see her lovely teacher, Ms Pike, in person instead of on a screen.

And honestly, as much as Penelope loved her mum and brother, they were terribly messy, even in a pandemic! For instance (and there were a lot of instances to choose from) when it was Harry’s turn to pack up the Monopoly set, he just threw all of the notes in together at the bottom of the box!

It was Truly Terrible to see.

Mostly, though, people were (quite) responsible about their window dressing choices. Penelope ADORED the one with a mother duck followed by her ducklings. Of course, it was a bit worrying that one of the little ducklings was upside down and going in the wrong direction.

But the way mother duck was craning her neck to look back reassured Penelope that the 24

Yes, Penelope Kingston was very much looking forward to getting back to school.

Can you write a list of the things you’re most looking forward to when school goes back?

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take a walk on the wIld sIde Why not take a walk on the WILD SIDE for your next kids party?

As a professional zoologist and a wildlife fanatic, I have been teaching kids about all things WILD for over 25 years! The one thing that still puzzles me most from children when I teach them about animals is the outcry ”I’m not an animal!”, and I sigh… yes you are!”

In my opinion, children these days are far removed from nature. I spent most of my youth jumping the back-fence of the family home in the search for blue-tongued lizards, tadpoles and even Sshhhh snakes!

How can we possibly conserve the remaining wild places on our planet, and the animals and plants which inhabit them, if kids don’t have an intrinsic love and compassion for them? This is where zoo parties come into play! Why not celebrate your next child’s birthday, and at the same time give them a passion for nature and wildlife. Your children will have such a fun and adrenalin packed time…. they won’t realise that they are learning too!

It’s overwhelming to discover how many reptile, farm and zoo party operators are out there in the market place. Like all industries, some animal parties are good and some absolutely ‘SHONKY!’ The purpose of this article is to give you a few tips on what to look for, and to help make your child’s birthday the WILDEST and most memorable of them all!

The beauty of a reptile party or zoo party is that the animals are brought to your event or party. Kids can have the amazing opportunity to touch and interact with a wide variety of Australian animals. This interactive concept provides for a truly three- dimensional 26

experience, unlike a large zoo in which the animals are kept behind glass or in an enclosure.

Not only should a zoo party be fun and entertaining it must have an educational element. For me, there is nothing more gratifying than encouraging children to get in touch with their wild side.

The first of my tips is to do your homework.

Talk to your friends, colleagues and read testimonials about any wildlife company.

The company must not only handle and control the animals, but also manage and engage 30 ’rowdy’ kids. Most zoo parties run for one hour. Does the Company need to setup outside, or can the party show be performed indoors. It’s probably a good idea to vacate your pets for the day, after all you’d hate for them to be on the menu for the visiting wildlife!

Were the animals in good condition?

Did the creatures look stressed?

Did the presenter have a good knowledge of their wildlife? Did all of the kids get a chance to touch and hold the animals?

Make sure that the company you are choosing is ethical and conservation minded. A zoo party shouldn’t just be a ‘free for all’ in handling animals. Don’t be scared to ask questions about where the animals are kept, the experience, qualifications and background of the operator, and how long they have been operating for.

Compare web sites and ask exactly which animals will attend your party. Anyone who displays wildlife in the State of Victoria must be licensed with the Victorian State Government, Department of Environment and Primary Industries.

At present there are over 30 wildlife demonstration companies performing children’s parties with wildlife in Victoria. It’s also a good idea to ask to see a copy of a company’s Public Liability Insurance. If the individual is ‘coy’ about this, then it’s best to keep searching. It’s buyer beware I’m afraid!

One thing that I can guarantee you is that your birthday child will remember a zoo party for the rest of their lives…..I mean who wouldn’t!

Imagine having a koala, crocodile, behemoth python snake, kissable frog, endangered owls, fresh-water turtle, eye-licking leaf-tailed gecko, giant monitor lizard, laughing kookaburra (which actually laughs I might add), baby joey kangaroo…and so much more inhabit your lounge room!

A zoo party should be fun, yet educational to empower young minds to make a difference to conserve. Oh and make sure your party guests 100% wash their hands. This is of paramount importance before the party food is served.

It’s such a refreshing idea to move away from super hero parties, fairy themes and magic shows, and let your kids discover the gift of wonderment, beauty and life pulsating joy in Australian wildlife….or is that just me?

Well…regardless of your position, the photos and memories will be priceless! I’m even sure that some of the photos taken will end up ‘show-cased’ at your child’s 21st!

By Chris Humphrey, Wild Action www.wildaction.com.au

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mama can Cook!

Makes 12 Prep 15 min Cook 20 min

Dinosaur bites Ingredients

100g broad beans, podded (thawed and drained, if frozen) 100g edamame (soya beans) (thawed and drained, if frozen) 100g green peas (thawed and drained, if frozen) 30g kale, stems and spines removed, coarsely chopped 10g mint, coarsely chopped 2 spring onions, sliced 1 egg, beaten salt and pepper 40g pepitas (pumpkin seeds) 1 teaspoon tahini 2 tablespoons Greek-style yoghurt

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Method Preheat the oven to 180°C. Line a baking tray with baking paper and set aside.

Combine the beans, edamame, peas, kale, mint, spring onion, egg, salt and pepper in a food processor and pulse until combined. Portion the mixture into 30g balls, then roll these in the pepitas to coat completely.

Place the balls on the prepared tray and bake for 20 minutes, or until brown and cooked through.

Combine the tahini and yoghurt in a small bowl and mix until smooth. Serve the balls drizzled with the tahini–yoghurt as a snack, or tossed through a green salad for an extra hit of protein.

Pumpkin doughnuts with chocolate frosting Ingredients

1 teaspoon coconut oil, melted 150g pumpkin, peeled and diced 40g unsalted butter ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon 100g wholemeal spelt flour ½ teaspoon baking powder 1 egg 2 tablespoons milk 1 tablespoon maple syrup ½ teaspoon ground turmeric, for dusting Frosting 50g dark chocolate (70%) 2 teaspoons coconut oil ½ avocado ½ teaspoon natural vanilla extract

Makes 8 Prep 20 min Cook 20 min

Method

Preheat the oven to 150°C and lightly grease an eight-hole doughnut tin with coconut oil.

Place the pumpkin in a microwave-safe bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Cook on high for 3 minutes, or until the pumpkin is tender. Alternatively, place the pumpkin in a steamer over a saucepan of boiling water and simmer, covered, for 5–10 minutes, or until tender.

Transfer the pumpkin to a food processor while still warm.

Add the butter, cinnamon, flour, baking powder, egg, milk and maple syrup, then blend until smooth.

Spoon or pipe the mixture into the doughnut holes and bake for 10 minutes, or until lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into a doughnut comes out clean. Cool in the tin for 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

To make the frosting, put the chocolate and the coconut oil together in a heatproof bowl and microwave for 30 seconds at a time, stirring after each time, until melted and smooth.

Place the avocado in a food processor and blend until very smooth. Add the melted chocolate mixture and the vanilla, and blend again until smooth and combined.

Use a small spatula to cover the doughnuts with the frosting, then dust lightly with the turmeric. Store in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.

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Images and text from Snack Power by Tiffiny Hall. photography by Brent Parker Jones.

Murdoch Books RRP $32.99.

Chewy raspberry oat bars Ingredients

60g unsweetened apple sauce 60ml maple syrup 1 ripe banana, mashed 1 teaspoon natural vanilla extract 160g rolled oats, or quinoa flakes if gluten free 2 tablespoons chia seeds 100g raspberries

Makes 6 Prep 10 min Cook 20 min

Method Preheat the oven to 160°C. Line a square 20 cm baking tin with baking paper.

Combine the apple sauce, maple syrup, banana and vanilla in a bowl. Add the oats and chia seeds, and mix to combine.

Gently fold through the raspberries and transfer the mixture to the prepared tin. Press down gently with the back of a spoon to even out and smooth the top.

Bake for 20 minutes then cool completely on a wire rack before cutting into 6 bars.

Tip If you are resistance training and trying to build lean muscle and sculpt your body, I recommend three snacks per day.

Choose snacks that contain protein and carbohydrates

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Keep your community safe.

Download the COVIDSafe app today.

Visit health.gov.au Download the COVIDSafe app today to keep yourself and your community safe by helping our health workers to notify you quickly if you’ve come in contact with someone who has Coronavirus.

Download the COVIDSafe app

With your privacy protected by law, COVIDSafe keeps a secure note of other users you’ve been near if you have to go out. So, if they test positive for Coronavirus, you’ll be notified. It’ll help us stop the spread sooner, so we can all get back to the things we love.

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ANIMAL MAGIC Animals have long been embraced by early childhood educators as a valuable resource in supporting and enriching children’s learning and many childcare services have resident pets which provide invaluable animal experiences for children. Chances are you’ve encountered a feathered, finned or fur-like creature at your centre. You might have had the good fortune of bringing Bluebell the budgie home for the weekend, ensuring she stays fed, watered (and in her cage) - the highlight of a little person’s week.

More and more early childhood settings are incorporating pets into the learning environment so children can observe, interact and learn to care for an animal which can be a valuable part of a child’s education and care experience.

The inclusion of animals in childcare services is directly linked to the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) where learning outcomes focus on helping children to connect with and contribute to their world and have a strong sense of wellbeing. There are also ties to the National Quality Standard (NQS) where services are required to show care for the environment and support children to become environmentally responsible which includes 32

helping them understand and appreciate the interdependence between people and animals.

There are numerous benefits for children, families, educators and the wider community to include animals in childcare services:

1. Care, empathy and respect Caring for an animal gives a child a sense of pride and achievement and a healthy respect for life. Animals provide opportunities for children to practice care-giving and nurturing, and to carefully explore issues of power and vulnerability. They see directly how their behaviour and actions affect others and they learn to appreciate the needs of others, not just animals. Children learn that living things need more than just food and water for survival and become sensitive to what else an animal might need to stay happy and healthy like a warm bed to sleep in, cuddles or something to play with.

2. Responsible pet ownership Children learn early on that taking care of an animal is a big responsibility because they rely on us to keep them fed and well cared for. They learn how to be a good pet owner through active participation in feeding routines, cleaning their living environment, monitoring

their health and wellbeing, and using good hygiene practices like hand washing before and after handling. Educators recognise that not all families have pets at home and children are taught how to interact safely and care for different types of animals. Where possible, services offer opportunities for families to take a pet home for the weekend or holidays which helps to strengthen the bond between the child and the animal and enables the child to share information and meaningful experiences with his or her family.

3. Sustainable practices Quality childcare services take an active role in caring for their environment and contribute to a sustainable future. The National Quality Standard (NQS) sees services embedding sustainable practices within their operations.

Keeping animals like chickens in early learning settings helps to support sustainable practices in obvious ways like using eggs for cooking but also in other ways like using eggshells as a natural repellent in herb and veggie gardens or using composted chicken manure as fertilizer.

4. Transition from home to childcare When children separate from a parent or family member, it can be a very stressful and disturbing experience for them. For many children, animals, represent safety and security.

They are familiar, they are safe to talk to, and they are a source of comfort and love. Because animals are appealing and reassuring, they are often a source of comfort that children will seek out to process their feelings. Animals can provide a source of comfort during transitions from home to the care environment or when transitioning from one place to another during the day.

5. Improved communication and social skills Children love animals for the simple reason that they can just be themselves – no rules, expectations, or outcomes – just pure love and natural wonder. Socially, animals can be a wonderful catalyst for helping children to communicate and interact with one another.

Children are more prone to approach and interact with another child who is playing

with an animal. Dr. Nicole Grant, Paediatric Occupational Therapist from Early Start Australia says children with delayed social skills and impaired communication skills are often motivated and excited by the opportunity to interact with animals. Having the opportunity to do so can encourage increased joint attention, speech production, gesturing and other important verbal and non-verbal elements of communication. Practicing social skills and communication skills with an animal can help kids to develop the foundation skills required for generalisation to their peers and caregivers.

6. Learning and discovery While some early learning settings have the space and resources to permanently keep an animal like a fluffy bunny, chirpy budgie or slippery turtle, many centres organise animalbased incursions that provide opportunities for children to have direct contact with animals, develop bonds with them and to inspire them on their learning and discovery journeys.

At Story House Early Learning, we use programs like Henny Penny Hatching which provide all the equipment for children to learn about the life-cycle of a chicken; children observe eggs that hatch and grow into cute, fluffy chicks. Recently, a couple of the chicks found themselves a permanent home. Roast and Barbara are now living at our Kew service as permanent pets and are about to start laying eggs in the coming weeks!

There are many organisations which specialise in providing up close experiences with all types of animals such as worm farms, butterfly gardens, travelling zoos and marine programs. Quality early childhood services will be incorporating these into their programs regularly.

Animals provide companionship, entertainment, and an opportunity for children to learn responsibility. Exposing them to various creatures from a young age helps to not only deepen this connection but significantly contribute to their growth and development in all areas.

By Nicole Kilpatrick, Story House Early Learning. www.shel.edu.au

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turn the page

ki

ds

When the World Went Inside by Charlie Golding Covid-19 has had a huge impact on us all. Not least our young people whose world has changed beyond measure and perhaps beyond their current understanding.

When the World Went Inside is a beautifully illustrated children’s book designed to build a bridge over this gap, to provide a conversation starter between you and your children and to reassure everyone that this will not be forever. www.whentheworldwentinsidebook.com RRP $20, ebook $10

Where Happiness Hides by Anthony Bertini We all know happiness can be found in little things, but sometimes we simply forget. We forget because life gets in the way. The weather changes, things don’t go to plan, a global health pandemic takes over our news cycle and our lives, our borders are closed down… and we forget what really matters.

This an extraordinary tale in an extraordinary time that reminds adults and children across the world that happiness is free and that it exists eternally in the little things around us.

Available FREE online at www.wherehappinesshides.com

Arya’s Flying Dreams by Nagma Dawn Datt Arya dreams about flying. Like a bird, like a plane or like Superman!

Can he make his dreams come true? Even though he fails to fly time and time again, he tries and tries again. With his mum’s encouragement, Arya keeps inventing and learns to have fun along the way! An imaginative tale about dreaming big and believing in yourself. A fresh perspective on taking good risks, because that is where the real discoveries are made and resilience is born. With the help of nutrition and rest to boost the mind and body with energy, anything is possible!. www.creativemama.com.au RRP $19.15

The Rainbow Season by Ally Thickett When a virus makes the world seem gloomy and grey, it’s up to the kids to brighten the day! As the world battles a nasty flu, children get creative spreading joy and colour by making a rainbow trail.

The Chalky works of art keep communities connected in a time of quarantine and remind us of the important things in life: Love and Kindness.

Based on the events surrounding the Coronavirus pandemic, this picture book offers families a light hearted perspective of the importance of social distancing and staying home. allythickett.square.site. RRP $24.95.

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The doors are open and it’s time to get back under the sea. SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium is home to thousands of mesmerising marine creatures, right in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD! Simply colour to win!

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PH 0419 385 245

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

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

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MIssIng the drop off In our novel, The Drop-off, one of our three main characters is dobbed into helping out with the school concert. For someone with no interest in baking lemon tarts for the cake stall, painting fences at working bees, or taking part in any community activities in general, it’s an unwelcome disruption to her busy life. In fact, her very first thought is “How the hell do I get out of this?”

But it wasn’t until I was an adult with kids of my own that I experienced the real rewards of being an active part of a community, and that happiness and fulfilment you feel when you’re giving back. The older I’ve gotten, the clearer it has become to me that doing things for others and seeing the joy on their faces, is far more fulfilling than any personal accolades or professional success.

I know quite a few people who have the same attitude towards volunteering at their kids’ school. Truth be told, when our eldest daughter first started school, I was one of them. I had no interest in making new friends, convinced that I had enough, and was way too busy to help out at a primary school, especially when I wasn’t being paid to do it. I was a struggling actor and writer for God’s sake! I couldn’t afford to be doing work for free!

All over the world, community spirit seems to be taking shape in entirely new and different forms.

Then someone at school got wind of the fact that I was an arty type and asked if I could help out with the upcoming school production. Cut to the following seven years when my husband I found ourselves writing, directing and stage managing the bi-annual school productions, as well as co-ordinating all of the stage events at the school fetes. And, unlike the character in our novel, we loved every second of it. For us, it was all about taking that first step, and in hindsight I can now see that being part of a community has always been a major part of my life. Growing up, I spent every weekend at either the Altona North Cricket Club or the Newport Football club - barbecues, fundraisers, car rallies… you name it, our sporting community was all over it.

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What my husband and I initially perceived as a chore – something we should do or had to do – turned out to be incredibly addictive, thanks to the warm and fuzzies those experiences inevitably bring. We found ourselves looking around and asking, “what else can I do?” because we wanted to continue having those feelings, and in a weird way this could be interpreted as quite selfish since what you’re doing makes YOU feel good. Whether it was sitting through kids’ auditions for the talent show, stage managing a school production or teaching three hundred kids to sing a song you wrote, there’s no greater feeling than seeing how much fun those kids are having, or the pride you feel when you know they were scared as hell to get out on that stage but they did it anyway. There’s no feeling like it.

But right now, all of that feels like ancient history. The rehearsals, the gatherings, the mum’s nights, the working bees, congregating at the school drop off…it all feels like a lifetime ago. And now, more than ever, it feels as though people are realising just how important

those community connections are. I was talking about this recently with my friend, Kylie, on one of our beach walks. As someone who was heavily involved in our school community (she pretty much ran the joint), she admitted that her sense of community has changed somewhat since the pandemic. She’s had to work harder to remain aware of how friends and family are coping. When in the old world she would naturally bump into other parents and friends at sporting games or school events, now – like so many of us – she spends many more hours in front of her computer, and the vast majority of her day interacting with no one except her three kids and husband. She admits that it was nice for a while to not have the pressure of attending the school information night, or helping out at the sustainable garden working bee, or driving the kids to three different sporting games in the same two-hour timeframe on a Saturday morning. But now she’s missing her community and is making more of an effort to call people and find out what’s going on with them.

dropping a note in their letter box letting them know we were here if they needed anything.

It feels as though people are suddenly looking outward a lot more than inward, and that’s pretty damn special and heart-warming.

All over the world, community spirit seems to be taking shape in entirely new and different forms. I’ve witnessed it and experienced it myself; friends dropping off groceries when we were in quarantine, or the friendliness of total strangers standing on the designated cross in front of me at the café as we wait for our takeaway coffees, or when the daughter of our elderly neighbours texted to thank us for

By Fiona Harris. Fiona is a Melbourne writer, actor, director and a mum of two and the co-author, with her husband Mike, of The Drop Off.

All we can hope for is that this awareness of the importance of community stays with us long after the world finally goes back to whatever the new normal is. The character in our book has to find her own way, kicking and screaming, into her community, but right now it seems downright frivolous to ignore the countless benefits of connecting to and appreciating the other humans who share the same neighbourhood as you and your family.

One thing my family and I have really been missing is netball, so I’ll end with a gentle suggestion that if you haven’t already, write your name and number on a piece of paper, along with the following classic netball phrase, and slip it under your neighbours’ doors: Here if you need.

The Drop Off by Fiona Harris & Mike McLeish (Echo Publishing, Published May 2020, $29.99) is available now from all good book stores.

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BOOST YOUR IMMUNITY WITH HAPPY GUTS Wondering how to keep your loved ones well this chilly season? Well the first place to start is your gut.

While most people are aware of the importance of good gut health for digestion, many forget about its crucial role in boosting our overall immune health. Now is the time to get your guts in check to help you and your loved one recover and bounce back quickly when illness strikes.

The simple fact is a huge portion of our immune systems are actually in our gastrointestinal tract – the gut, which is why the gut microbiota that resides our gastrointestinal tract provides essential health benefits to our immune system.

It’s in here that our gut microbiome, home to trillions of bacteria, plays a vital role in maintaining a strong immune system, digesting the food we eat and helping to absorb and synthesise nutrients. By improving our gut health, it in turn, will improve our immunity and all the other flow-on effects from absorbing nutrients better, like improved mood, metabolism and brain health.

What happens when your gut isn’t up to scratch? An imbalance in any bad bacteria in your gut will essentially confuse your immune system and leave you more exposed to colds and flu’s when they arrive. In essence, what you eat, drink and do now will help you and your family’s immune response later.

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Happy guts are in reach with these four hacks for good gut health and improved immunity: 1. Aim for plant diversity in your diet: Try to increase the variety and number of plants in your diet each week or each fortnight even if just by one. Building a diet rich in plant foods and diverse in its sources can lead to greater diversity in the gut microbiome which is critical to the strength of your immune system. In nutrition we always say – EVERYTHING begins in the gut, so we need to give it the most love we can through our food. Whether it’s each week buying one extra plant-based ingredient, even a new herb is great, or each fortnight, make it your mission to create as much variety in your diet through plants as you can.

2. Embrace fermented foods and drinks for good bacteria: Nourish your gut by eating and drinking fermented products packed with probiotics such as miso, sauerkraut, kombucha, kimchi or coconut water kefir. If you’re craving something fizzy, my fermented go-to is Remedy Kombucha Ginger Lemon as it’s packed with ginger, lemon, tea polyphenols, organic acids and live cultures from the slow fermentation process. If you’re looking for something warm, stock up on miso soup as it’s a great one to sip on between meals.

3. Avoid sugar: Sadly, it’s time to self-distance yourself from sweet stuff as it’s the worst thing you can feed your microbiome. The more sugar you eat unfortunately, the worse off your immune system will be as it suppresses the immune function. While ditching your sugar-loaded dessert or 3pm biscuit may be tricky, there are lots of great healthy and cheap alternatives that are also immune-boosting such as a frozen banana blended to make ice cream as it’s loaded with prebiotics.

4. Ditch the booze: Alcohol can weaken your immune system in a variety of ways because it causes an inflammatory response in your gut and imbalance in your gut bacteria. This imbalance in bad bacteria can make you more susceptible to colds, flu and viruses by having a low immune system with a disrupted gut barrier.

Not only does alcohol impair your immune system, excessive drinking can also affect your respiratory system. If you’re craving something else with dinner, get creative with a nonalcoholic mocktail or enjoy a fermented fizzy.

By Jacqueline Alwill, Nutritionist from The Brown Paper Bag and Remedy Kombucha. thebrownpaperbag.com.au www.remedydrinks.com

“The simple fact is a huge portion of our immune systems are actually in our gastrointestinal tract – the gut.”

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A woman’s work COVID-19 has laid bare how much we value women’s work, and how little we pay for it The COVID-19 pandemic has turned our lives upside down. Amidst the upheavals, it has laid bare how little we normally pay for “women’s work”.

Australia has very low gender equality when it comes to remuneration, ranking 49th on the World Economic Forum Gender Participation and Opportunity Index 2020 that measures workforce participation, remuneration and advancement.

Partly this is because paid women’s work is more concentrated in the caring and service industries than men’s work, and is more likely to be low paid, casual and part-time.

But also, compared to many other countries, Australian women do more unpaid domestic work and care, 311 minutes per day compared the OECD female average of 262.

Over their adult lifetimes most Australian women move in and out of the paid workforce or limit their paid work hours or career prospects to care for children and other family members.

This unpaid caring work supports society. It reproduces and sustains the workforce, and saves the government from spending much more on public services such as aged care and childcare.

Yet unpaid care has long been taken for granted, its value discounted by governments as if it were a costless renewable resource, like a magic pudding.

The costs in lost lifetime earnings fall privately, on individual women and their families. An indicator is that near retirement women’s average super balances are less than half those of men. Older women are the fastest growing group of homeless in the country.

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Yet unpaid care has not been counted in GDP figures and has been largely invisible in economic policy.

It is not so invisible now. The fact that care is an essential bedrock to the economy has become more obvious in these last few chaotic weeks.

Faced with a collapsing economy, the prime minister announced that he does not want Australians to have to choose between earning money and caring for their children.

All of a sudden, childcare is an ‘essential service’ After years of it being treated as a commodity, formal childcare is for the moment free.

Until this crisis measure, Australian childcare was among the most expensive in the world – more expensive than private schooling.

In a strictly financial sense it wasn’t worthwhile for most parents to put their kids in formal day care for more than two or three days a week.

Many mothers have been working for no extra net income. Many more have had to choose between earning and caring for their children.

Paid employment is not the only productive activity.

The belief that it is has obscured the deeper truth that caring work, most of it performed unpaid by women in families, is also productive.

It turns out that through the clarifying lens of a global pandemic, the government can see its value more clearly.

Indeed, it is striking how many of the jobs that are now seen as essential involve care, and how many of them are female-dominated.

Not coincidentally, they also pay well below the level the skills and qualifications would require if they were predominantly done by men.

Childcare workers, aged care and disability workers are among the lowest paid workers in the country, so much so that during the last election Labor promised to top up childcare wages.

Nurses and teachers earn less than equivalently or less qualified professionals in similar occupations. 32% of police and 27% of ambulance officers earn more than $2000 per week, compared to 10% of nurses and 12% of teachers.

And it is now clear teachers do much more than educate the nation’s children.

One of the prime minister’s stated reasons for keeping schools open has been to provide safe supervised spaces for the children of essential workers.

It’d be wise to pay our essential workers well In addition to its day job of educating, one expert female-dominated workforce is expected to provide childcare for another.

Alongside care workers we are also newly realising our debt to the public facing workers in retail and food supply. And our need to keep them safe and well.

Even if schools and childcare centres remain open, many families will decide to care for their children at home. For many women in these families that won’t remove the stressful daily juggle between time in paid work and time in care. It will move it to the home, under more trying and confined conditions.

The coronavirus crisis has made brutally clear that care work, both paid and unpaid, is fundamental to our economic and social survival.

We should not continue to undervalue it, or to free-ride on those that do the most.

We should pay our care workers properly for the skilled and expert work they do.

We should arrange our workplaces to allow both men and women enough time to care for children and loved ones as well as earn a living.

And keep childcare free. It’s an essential service.

By Lyn Craig, Professor of Sociology and Social Policy, University of Melbourne.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

BOOTS MAKE ME MERRY Tell us a bit about yourself.

I live with my partner Nick Pearce in Richmond.

Nick is the co-founder and CEO of an amazing social enterprise called HoMie. Our lives are pretty busy and we have been focused on trying to grow our respective businesses.

What were you both up to work wise before the idea for Merry People came about?

I was working at a bank (ANZ). I worked in many different positions around change management. Whilst banking is very different to gumboots and eCommerce, there were many skills I developed during my time which have helped me with Merry People.

Towards the end of my time at ANZ I was also the Victorian lead for the Pride Group which I LOVED! We were a small team that worked to ensure diversity and inclusion for LGBTI staff, and customers through processes and policies. (I also got to dance at Mardi Gras for ANZ a couple of times which was an amazing experience!)

Your mum is from India and moved to Leongatha in the 80’s with your Dad. Tell us a little bit about her journey and how she influences you.

My mum moved to Leongatha at a time when there were no coloured people in the region (well, none that I remember.) She tells a story of a time when Dad dropped her at the local

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supermarket to do some grocery shopping wearing a saree and her bindi dot - she said everyone was just staring at her like she was a creature from space!

As a young child I remember her (and my Dad) telling me about the poverty in India and continually telling me how lucky I was to have basic things like clean water, a warm house and food on the table every day.

I think because of my mum’s (and dad’s) travel/ living experiences and values around kindness, I have always felt grateful and been a kind person to anyone I interact with, whether they are sleeping on the streets or a business contact. I try to treat everyone with the same level of kindness and respect.

What’s been the hardest part of starting your own business?

I loved my market days when I started, but they were very challenging at times. My confidence was low, I had no money in the bank (struggling to pay rent) and I was still learning the ropes of being a business owner. (I did many markets with no/or hardly any sales.)

I just kept showing up every day at my laptop at 10am and every weekend at the markets. I eventually I got better at selling and understanding my customer, which markets worked and which didn’t.

There are continually new challenges in running a business, however I have recognised that times I felt the most challenged have been the times I have grown and learnt the most.

,

Frustrated with getting wet boots on her daily Winter commute to her banking job in the Docklands, Dani Holloway went on a search for a quality pair of gumboots. But when she couldn’t find any that weren’t overpriced or didn’t look silly with her corporate attire, she set about creating her own. Inspired by her time growing up in country Victoria Dani created Merry People, high-quality, comfortable and fashionably understated gumboots for both adults and kids.

What’s your favourite part of running your own business?

Hearing how happy our product makes our customers (on socials or through reviews or through the emails we receive.)

We get customers contacting us to tell us they were stopped in the street by a stranger telling them how great they looked and how confident and stylish it made them feel - and that literally makes my day!!

Equally, I really love my team! Tim, Emma, Katey and Elgie. I feel so lucky to work with such amazing, intelligent and fun people who love and care for Merry People as much as I do.

How has Covid-19 affected Merry People?

We have had some negative things like higher costs (as we buy our product in USD/the very weak AUD), international orders are having extreme postal delays and all our retailers have been shutting down their physical stores.

We’ve experienced the uncertainty of stock deliveries/custom and stock delays as our product is made in China. And of course the uncertainty and fear of staff losing employment.

However we are fortunate to be mostly an online business and we have been able to send orders throughout COVID19. I think moving into cooler weather has also really helped us.

What places in Melbourne have you been missing the most during isolation?

I have missed going back to Leongatha the most, missed my family and cuddling my niece and nephews! In Melbourne, I have probably missed going to the gym the most (I am not sure if that sounds sad) but I really love fitness. I have adapted and also enjoyed doing my own thing at home.

What’s next for Merry People?

So much! Develop new products, keep growing in the US, work on some more collaborations with like minded brands (like our recently collaboration with Blunt Umbrellas) and keep finding ways we can make our customers Merry!

Find out more at merrypeople.com Get more from mama - www.mamamag.com.au | Get social with mama - @localmamamag

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GrowIng out of dummIes Mama, look! Lollipops are growing in the garden!’ said excited little person with a big imagination. The look of awe on our toddler’s face when he saw his favourite treats in bloom and in place of where his dummies had been planted will always be a magical memory.

There are many ways of getting rid of the dummy, including weaning it off slowly, calling upon the dummy fairy to take it or simply saying goodbye to it. Then I learned of a creative approach to completely ditch the dummy; planting them! Since digging is one of our son’s favourite things to do, this approach was fun, imaginative, gentle and meaningful.

As a parent, you are best placed to decide on the right time for your child to transition to a time without dummies. Experts suggest that a good time to try is when there is not much change happening in the household, your child is feeling settled, he has transitioned from using the dummy all day to only using it to soothe to sleep and he has an alternative favourite comforter or soft toy to soothe to sleep.

Our son only used his dummy to soothe himself to sleep. When he was about 2.5 years old, we started to tell him how big he was growing and how he wouldn’t need his dummy by the time he turned 3. So, it was a great parenting win to see him ‘grow’ away the dummy sooner, with the help of magic and Mother Nature!

On the morning of planting the dummy, I explained to our son that today he would be saying goodbye to his dummy by planting it in the garden. I told him that when he woke from his nap, something special would have grown in its place.

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Before nap time, I helped our son dig a hole in the garden, filled it with his dummy and watered the dirt down. When he settled down for his nap, I ensured he had his favourite comforter to snuggle with to sleep. When he called for his dummy, I reminded him that he had planted it and it would be growing into a surprise, by now.

While he was sleeping, I dug out the dummy from the dirt and replaced it with a lollipop. You could also replace the dummy with another edible treat or a special gift, such as a colourful windmill. When he woke, I ran to the garden with him and marvelled in the magic of nature when he saw his favourite treat in bloom and in place of where his dummy had been planted!

While he enjoyed his treat, we connected over how special it was for his much-loved dummy to transform into something he loved, as well. At night time, I ensured he had his favourite comforter to snuggle with to sleep.

When he asked for his dummy, I recounted his experience of it growing into something special. I reminded him that his treat was now snug in his tummy.

Persevere in this way to help ease the transition and the story of the dummy is a magical memory.

By Nagma Dawn. Dawn is passionate about reading and creating meaningful stories. Dawn aspires to empower mothers with insights to have fun connecting creatively with their kids on her blog, www.creativemama.com.au

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