Mums At The Table - September 2018

THE ENVIRONMENT ISSUE

REAL WOMEN | REAL CONVERSATIONS | REAL ISSUES

FREEDOM

IN SMALL SPACES

SEPTEMBER 2018

HELP FOR YOUR CHILD’S

ANXIETY

BUILDING A

E R U T U F E L B A IN A T S SU

AS SEEN ON NEW ZEALAND

REAL WOMEN | REAL CONVERSATIONS | REAL ISSUES

contents

Jo in us

SEPTEMBER 2018

just for you

6 HOME HACKS Organising mess with everyday items.

18 SIMPLE, HAPPY, FREE How one mum found peace and contentment through small spaces.

24 RAISING AN AUTISTIC CHILD Why his mother would not change anything about him.

28 LIVING WITHOUT WASTE

Is it actually possible to avoid single-use plastic?

32 BOOK CORNER

188

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31 10

PANELLISTS Fiona, Rachel, Shona, Melody, Rachel and Maryellen discuss a range of topics including current events, issues and family life.

parenting

14 DEVELOPING RESILIENCE AND STRENGTH

Providing an environment for your children’s brains to thrive.

17 SCHOOL HOLIDAY IDEAS Our show’s panellists share their experiences.

31 FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

Teaching children to be more environmentally conscious.

22

food & wellbeing

8 ANXIETY IN CHILDREN How to recognise it and what to do about it.

12 ASK THE EXPERTS 22 COOKING WITH GIA & OLIVE Oatmeal biscuits; chickit seasoning; dry potato curry; Italian pasta sauce.

27 EXERCISE WITH ALISHA Greening your workout.

34 NATURE AND YOUR HAPPINESS

Activities for a better mood.

PLUS healthy recipes, exercise tips, DIY projects and awesome hacks for around the home.

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EDITOR Melody Tan

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VOLUME 2 NUMBER 9 The Environment Issue

COPYEDITOR Tracey Bridcutt 150 Fox Valley Road Wahroonga NSW 2076 MumsAtTheTable.com

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September 2018

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I

editor

am writing this on my first day back at work after a 10-day holiday in Thailand with my son, husband and all 12 members of his family. (My husband has three siblings and one of his sisters has five children aged between three and 12.) It made for a rather lively trip. I don’t think Elliott knew quite how to deal with that many playmates all at once!

While we were overseas, the logistics of moving six young children and one 79-year-old grandfather from where we were staying to dining options were such that a group decision was quickly made to send a few representatives out for takeaway instead. It was a convenient decision—except when it came to the number of styrofoam boxes we saw we were discarding at the end of every meal.

We came up with a few strategies, such as bringing back washed containers to be reused or asking for two serves of food to be merged into one styrofoam box—much to the vendor’s confusion and bemusement—but the amount of waste still felt overwhelming. This was amplified when we would drive past open rubbish tips or go on longtail boat rides in polluted riverways.

Environmental responsibility is a personal passion of mine but in a timepoor world filled with easy conveniences, it can sometimes be challenging.

And as our show’s panellist, Maryellen, found out, things like single-use plastic can be so ubiquitous, cutting them out from our lives can be near impossible (see page 28).

But we can only try. Try our best to tread lightly on earth and try our best to teach our children to care for our world, so that it continues to provide— exist—for their children and their children’s children.

Melody

find us @MumsAtTheTable

WHAT'S ON OUR SHOW THIS MONTH? • • • •

Do dads treat daughters differently?

How parents can raise resilient children.

Research suggests you’re predisposed to have a favourite child.

CEO of Asthma Australia answers frequently asked questions about this common condition.

16–22 SEPTEMBER

• •

•

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September 2018

WOULD YOU DITCH DISPOSABLE NAPPIES FOR THE ENVIRONMENT?

9–15 SEPTEMBER

•

What did we get right? What can we do better? What are the conversations you're having? What are the issues you're facing?

The author of our letter of the month wins a free copy of Reflections, an adult colouring book featuring hand-drawn Bible verses and designs! Write to us at editorial@thetabletv.com.

Did you know we have a Facebook community where you can join in the conversation on our show segments, magazine articles and much more? Recently, we asked our members:

2–8 SEPTEMBER

Why this parent says no to sleepovers before the age of 10.

The pros and cons of siblings sharing bedrooms.

23–29 SEPTEMBER

Drop us a line and win a gift!

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September

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Exploring the secrets to a long (and happy) life.

The importance of body image.

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Heidi: I am becoming a first-time mum in September and I plan to use cloth nappies, for the environment and also to save money.

Ngareta: I’m part-time cloth. Night-time cloth can be hard to get sorted and everyone’s sleep is important. The bonus with cloth nappies is when you finish, you can pass them on!

Sarah: We did cloth with Baby #2 and it was great. But once #3 came along and #1 started school, it was just so much washing. Now #4 is on her way and we will be going to disposables straight away.

I barely have time to pee, let alone do extra daily washing. I do love the cloth though, so much cuter!

Claire: I tried using cloth nappies . . . but my little one was such a heavy wetter. . . . I kind of wish I had the perseverance with them because I do hate how much of our rubbish is disposable nappies.

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home HACKS

AS SEEN ON NEW ZEALAND

PROBLEM: MAGAZINES

SOLUTION: USE A DISH RACK

PROBLEM: TODDLER PLAYING WITH AND UNROLLING THE TOILET ROLL

SOLUTION: WHEN NOT IN USE, TIE AN ELASTIC BAND AROUND IT

PROBLEM: SCARVES

SOLUTION: USE A COAT HANGER

PROBLEM: USED TISSUES

SOLUTION: USE ELASTIC BANDS TO ATTACH AN EMPTY TISSUE BOX TO USE AS A BIN

PROBLEM: CONDIMENTS TAKING UP TOO MUCH SPACE IN THE FRIDGE

SOLUTION: USE FILE HOLDERS

HOME HACKS

Time-saving easy projects to bring some sanity back to your life. Watch how we make these and other hacks on the Mums At The Table TV show.

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September 2018

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IMAGES TAKEN BY DANIEL KUBEREK

Organising mess with everyday items

7

ANXIETY

in children

Anxiety disorders in children have grown to become the second highest mental health issue they face. How can parents recognise if their children have anxiety and what can they do about it?

By Claire Marsh

A

to as many new and different situations that require them to adapt and develop new skills.

It is common for children to have fears as they are developing and learning about dangers and threats. However, younger children often don’t have the words to let you know how they are feeling, so we have to be attuned to them and know what is normal for our own child.

There are two typical reactions parents have when faced with an anxious child:

AUTHORITARIAN • • •

High in expectations and strict rules, low in warmth.

Interpret anxious behaviour as being naughty or defiant and respond with discipline.

Will not alleviate a child’s anxiety.

PERMISSIVE • • •

Lack of limits and rules.

Step in to make the situation easier for the child by doing the task or solving the problem for them.

Can be enabling the child in their avoidance by not

requiring them to go to certain places or do certain tasks because it’s distressing for them, and for the parent to see their child in a fearful state. Constantly shielding and removing obstacles for a child means they don’t get the chance to learn they are capable of coping in that situation, that perhaps the danger isn’t real but perceived or have positive experiences in that situation that will help them to feel less fearful about it in the future.

Anxiety is not something a child will necessarily just “grow out of”. Early intervention is the key and there are some practical ways parents can respond to their child’s anxiety:

HELP THEM CALM DOWN If you believe their reaction is indeed anxiety, some simple relaxed breathing can help them to calm down. Guide your child to breathe in slowly and deeply for three seconds, hold for three seconds, then exhale for three seconds. Repeat as necessary.

Talking with them will have a greater impact when they are calmer because they are able to think and reason. While they are anxious, they are not likely to process your words, but your calm tone of voice could be calming for them.

GETTY IMAGES

nxiety disorders are caused by a number of different factors, including family history (a genetic predisposition), environmental factors such as ongoing stressful situations, brain chemistry, personality factors, medical problems (for example, anaphylaxis creating fear around certain triggers) or a combination of these.

The growing prevalence of anxiety in children is likely a result of a faster pace of life. With globalisation and the internet, young people receive a greater amount of information about what is happening in the world, which can cause worry. Research has shown the more time we spend on the screen, the more anxious and isolated we feel.

In general, children are spending more time on screens and not being exposed

PHYSICAL SIGNS

Stomachaches

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Changes in toileting habits

September 2018

Changes in appetite

Difficulty sleeping

Appearing restless and sweaty

BEHAVIOURAL SIGNS Displaying avoidance of certain situations

Seeking reassurance from a parent frequently

Refusing to do things or being irritable when asked as a way of avoidance

Getting easily upset over seemingly small matters or things they should be able to do

September 2018

Not wanting to try new things, trying to get a parent to do something for them

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Children may have very real fears about what’s happening in their lives . . .

Anxious children respond very well to this as without it, their worry can be consuming their thoughts throughout the day.

Create a space and time for your child to let their worries out, for example a “worry box” where they spend 10–15 minutes per day during their “worry time” writing or drawing what worries their mind got stuck on during the day. When the time is up, the box gets closed and put away. This gives a child reassurance and validation that their thoughts matter, but that they don’t have to listen to what their fearful mind is telling them all the time.

BUILD THEIR CONFIDENCE GRADUALLY Expose them to their fear triggers in little steps. For example, if your child is afraid of the water or swimming, don’t avoid taking them to the pool, but maybe start out by having them sit and watch other children swimming, slowly building up to putting their feet in the shallow end and eventually more of their body in the water (with your support) until they can be in there on their own. This might happen over a number of weeks or even longer, so be patient.

trigger anxiety with a thought that is equally as likely and more helpful in building courage. For example, “What if I go to school and no-one talks to me?” could become “What if I go to school today and have fun with my friends?”. The reality is we don’t know and can’t predict what will really happen.

LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE

MODEL

13 SECRETS TO A HEALTHIER YOU

Voice your own fears and anxiety. For example, “I’m doing a presentation at work today and I’m feeling kind of scared. I’m worried I might mess it up, but I know I have prepared for it and I will give it my best shot.”

From the latest superfoods to the perfect workout, juice cleanses to gym classes - everyone has an opinion.

TALK TO A HEALTH PROFESSIONAL Start with your GP who can refer you to psychology services such as counselling. Having individual attention from a trained professional with experience in evidence-based strategies can be hugely beneficial and can fast-track your child’s progress.

The idea is not to try to get rid of anxiety altogether, but to help our children gain skills to manage difficult emotions so they can lead fulfilling and functional lives.

Being healthy doesn’t have to be so hard. In this free series on health, you’ll receive expert advice to give you an overview of the essentials of good health.

What could they do if things don’t go according to plan? Create time and space to talk about their fears. Children may have very real fears about what’s happening in their lives and the world, for example, the death of a pet or loved one, natural disasters or car crashes. It’s important we don’t sugar-coat our explanations to minimise these fears but to validate them and explain them in a very realistic and factual way. This will help children to understand and cope better.

CHALLENGE THE “WHAT IF” THOUGHTS Help them counter a negative and unhelpful thought that will

Claire Marsh is a registered psychologist at Sanctuary Lifestyle Clinic and the manager of Adventist Counselling Services. She is a trained facilitator of the Cool Kids anxiety program designed to help young people between the ages of seven and 17.

For more resources, the Brave Program is available free and can be done at home with your child or teenager.

BRAVE4YOU.PSY.UQ.EDU.AU

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e h t k as experts

Q How long is it OK for my baby to cry?

Cecilia, via email Remembering babies cry to communicate, consider if the crying is normal for your baby or is a sign of baby being unwell. Seek medical advice if you have any concerns.

In the first few months, babies’ cries should be answered promptly, since it’s normally a sign they need attention or affection—they might be hungry, tired, wet or have wind pain. A parent’s quick and effective response to their needs helps to promote parent and child bonding.

What is often helpful is the establishment of a good routine so that baby learns it is time to sleep.

A bath, massage, feed, low lights, placement in the cot and quiet time can all help with this. Routines take time to develop and babies learn to self-settle at different stages in their development.

Parents who are experiencing difficulties with uncontrollable crying in an otherwise healthy baby can seek help from their early childhood health centre, or the Tresillian or Karitane 24-hour helplines. —Heather

OUR PANEL:

NEIL GINSBERG PAEDIATRICIAN SYDNEY ADVENTIST HOSPITAL

TRISH GUY KAREN HOLFORD ANDREW DARON PRATT NUTRITIONIST FAMILY COUNSELLOR PENNINGTON KIDS' CHAPLAIN SANITARIUM HEALTH HEARTWORDS GP SEVENTH-DAY & WELLBEING SANCTUARY LIFESTYLE ADVENTIST CHURCH CLINIC

PETER WOOD OBSTETRICIANGYNAECOLOGIST SYDNEY ADVENTIST HOSPITAL

Q I’ve noticed a trend towards seeking alternative therapies. Is this really better than pills and drugs? Sarah, via email As an integrative GP, I do not believe drugs and complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) therapies should be mutually exclusive. I believe the best approach is to combine evidence-based approaches from orthodox or conventional sources with CAM therapies.

Each therapy (whether pharmacological or CAM) should be weighed up on its merits and individualised to each person.

Someone having an acute asthma attack should be given a synthetic drug (Salbutamol, commonly known as Ventolin), which is lifesaving. Someone having a heart attack should be given aspirin. CAM therapies are not likely to help in these situations.

However, someone with recurrent hives, eczema or hay fever may well benefit from CAM therapies. In some cases, I find CAM therapies are more closely targeted at treating the cause of the problems, rather than masking it with a drug.

As a general rule, a wholistic or integrative doctor seeks to go deeper to try to find the root cause wherever possible, and this often takes time, which can be the enemy of modern medical practice set-ups with short consult times. Naturally, seek advice from a suitably qualified health practitioner who has knowledge to guide the patient in these areas. —Andrew

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MADELEINE STEINBACH, TATYANA TOMSICKOVA, PRINCESSDLAF—GETTY IMAGES

HEATHER WINTER MIDWIFE SYDNEY ADVENTIST HOSPITAL

Q My child is two and still has a stork bite mark on the back of her head. Is this something I should worry about?

Nicole, via email A stork bite, also called nevus simplex, is a common birthmark affecting one in three newborns and is mostly temporary. This often occurs with a similar mark on the eyelids or forehead. As these birthmarks are a result of tiny blood vessels under the skin, the colour can deepen when a baby cries or gets hot. These birthmarks are superficial and facial marks, in particular, usually disappear by about 12–18 months. The mark can remain, as it sounds like it has in your child’s case, but will probably be hidden under the hairline and is therefore of little concern. While birthmarks that persist can be laser removed, this is very rarely needed. To be certain, let your GP see your child and discuss the options available if indeed treatment is needed. —Neil

September 2018

SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION TO OUR PANEL OF EXPERTS Write to us at: editorial@ thetabletv.com THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IS GENERAL IN NATURE AND DOES NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT YOUR PERSONAL SITUATION. YOU SHOULD CONSIDER WHETHER THE INFORMATION IS APPROPRIATE TO YOUR NEEDS, AND WHERE APPROPRIATE, SEEK PROFESSIONAL ADVICE.

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deve loping

The local environment and early experiences shape and develop our children’s brains in deeper ways than we can imagine.

By Dr Sarah McKay

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B

y the time children start school, they’re social little creatures who are developing relationships separate from their immediate family. They have their own friends, temperament, likes and dislikes. They can tell stories, create art and are ready to learn to read, spell and do simple maths. Their capacity to think, problem solve, interact with others, show empathy and even develop a theory of mind (their awareness of others’ states of mind) is emerging.

Children don’t learn these skills in isolation. Every neural process, every thought, feeling and behaviour they develop, is embedded in and influenced by the world around them. Interaction with people,

ARTMARIE—GETTY IMAGES

RESILIENCE & STRENGTH

places and things is an absolute requirement for healthy brain development.

Children learn best by play. They’re driven by a natural urge to play, do, taste, explore, feel, smell, experiment and interact—with people and animals, pots and pans in the bottom drawer, and puddles of rain. It’s by interacting so intensely with the world that their brains develop.

Young brains are primed to learn and grow by experience, and the requirement for experience to refine synapses and develop skills is unconditional. Our large, complex, social brains require a long experience-rich childhood to develop. It has been said our

extended childhoods enable our brains to better match the rich experiences and diverse environments we humans inhabit. A long childhood is also the foundation of our mind and sense of self— those amorphous mental attributes that make each of us the devastatingly charming, adaptable and distinctive individuals we are.

“It’s possible we’ve underestimated the importance of childhood,” says Professor Richie Poulton, head of the Dunedin Study, a research program that has closely tracked every aspect of the lives of 1037 people born in Dunedin, New Zealand, in 1972 and 1973.

Early life experiences shape developing brain architecture and strongly affect whether children grow up to be healthy, productive members of society. During early childhood, enhanced brain plasticity is a double-edged sword: increased opportunity for learning is paired with increased vulnerability to deprivation and stress.

Toxic stress is defined as stress that is extreme or long lasting or occurs outside an environment of supportive, attached caregiver relationships. Toxic stress derails brain development, with damaging effects on learning, behaviour, and physical and mental health across the lifespan.

This vulnerability is clearly demonstrated by the Dunedin Study.

Professor Richie has been able to predict with reasonable accuracy which children will grow up with social or health problems.

Growing up in a socioeconomically deprived family, exposure to maltreatment, low IQ and poor self-control are proven predictors of poor adult health and social outcomes, including criminal convictions, prescription fills, welfare claims and hospital visits.

This “high cost” group of adults could be reliably identified by three years of age. Rather than blaming the victim for economic burden following on from childhood disadvantage, Professor Richie suggests we focus on early-years intervention or what he calls “grey-matter infrastructure” so we can lift health and social wellbeing as disadvantaged children grow up.

Another group of children living a few hours north of Dunedin has given us additional insights into how extreme stress in infancy impacts social, emotional and cognitive development in childhood.

Starting in September 2010, my hometown of Christchurch was hit by a series of massive earthquakes. The most devastating was on February 22, 2011, when 185 people died and 6600 people were injured. Everyone, including my family, was deeply affected.

Over the next two years there were 14,000 aftershocks, including 32 earthquakes over magnitude five. People called living with continual shaking, damaged infrastructure, insurance battles and unrelenting psychological stress “the new normal”.

In the past few years I’ve started hearing stories of Christchurch schools struggling with large numbers of children starting school with learning difficulties and behavioural problems. For example, I knew of one class of 22 children that required four extra learning support teachers. There was a general consensus among my friends and family that this was the impact of children growing up in “the new normal”.

Researcher Kathleen Liberty, an associate professor of child development at the University of Canterbury, is following the lives of a cohort of Christchurch children, who she calls her “post-EQ children”. In New Zealand, children begin school on the day of or near to their fifth birthday, and Kathleen has been gathering data on the social, emotional and cognitive development of these new

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our show's panel lists'

. . . parents, in particular the mother, are to blame for how resilient or stressed children are.

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September 2018

were equally affected by growing up with earthquake stress.

However, a study of 525 Christchurch teenagers six months after the earthquakes reported clear gender differences in the development of PTSD. Only 13 per cent of boys showed clinically significant PTSD symptoms compared to 34 per cent of teenage girls. This finding is consistent with other disaster zone research and PTSD research in general that finds higher prevalence of PTSD amongst post-pubertal girls and women compared to boys and men.

Intriguingly, one of the buffers against distress was being part of a Maori community. Other researchers have also found the social connectedness, spiritual support and collective dynamics associated within the indigenous community contributed to the resilience of the Maori children in Christchurch.

Kathleen tells me she is now working with schools and families to help children learn to regulate and understand their own emotions and to build resilience. One myth she is working hard to dispel is ing grow ive? that parents, in particular the o d t r Wha ed to th mother, are to blame for how e n s n brai resilient or stressed children T RE A T MO ble. are.

U O FIND sAtTheTa “Children are not having f Mum /freestuf problems because of how mum m co reacts during an earthquake,” she says. “Mothers don’t cause the problems, the earthquakes did. But parents are in a unique position to teach their children how to manage their stress response.”

SCHOOL HOLIDAY IDEAS SHONA

When my boys were little, we mostly had friends over to play, we would go to the movies or we visited the grandparents during school holidays.

RACHEL L A

US BON

EDITED EXTRACT FROM THE WOMEN’S BRAIN BOOK, BY DR SARAH MCKAY (HACHETTE, 2018).

GLENN—GETTY IMAGES

Dr Sarah McKay is an Oxford-educated, respected neuroscientist and the founder of the Neuroscience Academy.

My mum used to make my brother and I do worksheets for the grade ahead of us . . . fun.

Also, I remember going to the water park during the summer, watching classic TV and making forts with the couch and blankets, and diving, running, jumping and tumbling around the house with my brother.

DGL IMAGES—GETTY IMAGES

entrants since 2006. After the earthquakes she has been able to revisit the same primary schools and gather data on post-EQ children, then compare them to the “old normal” baseline.

Kathleen confirms there are significantly more behavioural problems and post-traumatic stress symptoms in the children who started school after experiencing the earthquakes. In her 2016 paper, published in PLOS Natural Disasters, she reports that 21 per cent of post-EQ children showed six or more post-traumatic symptoms such as being withdrawn, clingy, irritable, defiant, unhappy or having sudden mood changes (six or more symptoms is highly indicative of post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD, in children). Less than nine per cent of pre-EQ children showed as many symptoms.

One of the strongest predictors of whether children would experience difficulties was the age the child was when the earthquakes began. Surprisingly, children younger than two when the sequence began were more vulnerable than older children. But Kathleen suggests this is because the older children experienced a buffer period of normal stress-free brain development. She guesses older children possessed the behaviours, language and cognitive skills to communicate with parents and perhaps make some sense of what was happening when the room was shaking, people were screaming and the world was literally falling down around them.

Because earthquakes strike without warning, the post-EQ boys and girls have grown up in an unpredictable world, many in highly stressed families. During a period of incredible neural plasticity, the children’s stress response systems were activated thousands of times. Exposure to extreme stress before the age of two activates the immature stress response system, including the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and brain regions that regulate its activity, with enduring consequences for children’s behaviour.

You may be wondering if there were gender differences in how children reacted to the quakes. Kathleen told me that gender differences weren’t detected. Primary-school-age boys and girls

JULIE

We just did really simple things such as meeting at a park for a picnic or the kids would go to a friend’s house or come to my house to play. Nothing particularly exciting that I can think of.

RACHEL H

We don’t often have big holidays away, so during the school holidays we tend to do a couple of day trips or spend time with friends.

I am working part-time, but we try to have at least one fun outing a week, such as heading up the mountains for a fire and marshmallows in winter or a day at the lake in summer. We might go to a local attraction or a day trip to Sydney.

Often at home, the kids play outside and create their own fun. Not that exciting!

MELODY

I went to school in Singapore where homework during school holidays is the norm, so my only memories are study, study and more study. I’m not sure what I’ll do when Elliott gets to school age!

FIONA

Activities included going to the local swimming pool, movies with cousins if we were really good, running errands, plenty of sleepovers at cousins’ homes and vice versa, and sometimes spent at my parents’ places of work.

MARYELLEN

I remember my mum used to take us to plant nurseries in spring to see all the flowers. My sisters and I would push each other in the plant trolleys (and only sometimes got in trouble).

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SIMPLE, HAPPY,

free

Most people with two children under the age of four wouldn’t consider moving to a 25-square-metre tiny house, but Sarah Woden not only contemplated it, she did it!

I

t was the wettest it had been in the Lake Macquarie area of New South Wales in months. Heavy rain had fallen for days, sometimes roaring like a waterfall. Mercifully, there had been a break in the weather for my interview with Sarah Woden today, but as I make my way to her home, I find myself alternating between tiptoeing and skipping down the unsealed driveway, trying to avoid getting any mud on my pastel pink sneakers.

I round a corner and catch a glimpse of Dora Creek in the distance. I pause. My feet sink a centimetre into the mud, but potential mud stains don’t matter when you’re gazing at a body of water, birds skimming its surface. I breathe in the fresh air, smile

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to myself and make a mental note to return to this spot for a photo. For now, I’m running late.

Sarah’s story fascinated me when I first heard about it: A mother of two young children who moved into a tiny house with her husband. I have had an interest in the tiny house movement for some years now. People—usually individuals or couples— who for environmental, financial or some other reason, decide to squeeze into a residential structure of no more than 50 square metres (the average size of a new house built in Australia last year was around 200 square metres) and call it home. The idea of living in a tiny house appealed to me as the lifestyle is often

MELODY TAN

By Melody Tan

associated with a self-sustaining, anti-consumerism ethos. Then I had Elliott, and the idea of raising a young child in a tiny house just seemed so impractical, I abandoned the idea altogether.

Then Sarah’s story came along.

While living in a five-bedroom house (in Sarah’s words, “It was huge”) and raising a baby, Sarah and her husband, Jeremy, an electrician, decided they “wanted the ability to grow our own fresh food, have less expenses and commitments so we had more time and more freedom”. The solution, they concluded, was a tiny house on wheels. On wheels, because they wanted the “portability . . . to relocate it when the time came to buy our own land”. Sarah is quick to emphasise that what they wanted was a house they could move when needed and not something they could easily move around so they could see the country. “If we wanted to travel, I would renovate a bus,” she explains.

The “foundations” of their tiny house—a trailer—arrived on Boxing Day 2016 and they started work as owner-builders.

Partway through, Sarah fell pregnant with Abigail, their second daughter, and complications meant Jeremy was left to shoulder the construction alone, sometimes with help from family and friends. In late November last year, the family of four moved in.

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As I approach Sarah’s house, all I see is what looks like a caravan clad in corrugated iron and wood panels. There is a goat bleating loudly from somewhere in the far bushes and I can hear the faint chatter of a young girl determinedly explaining something to an adult male. I climb up the three steps to a landing that acts as the verandah for the tiny house, and find the front door swung wide open.

“Hello?” I call out as I see a kitchen bench with what looks like a full-sized oven underneath, all basking in the warm glow of three industrial-chic pendant lights. This definitely does not feel like a caravan, I thought.

Sarah, looking fresh and dressed in a simple black top and cream cardigan, appears at the doorway and cheerfully welcomes me into her home. It is a strange sensation walking into the tiny house. On the one hand, I am struck by the somewhat oppressive knowledge that this tiny 25-square-metre (including the two loft sleeping areas) one-room construction contains everything you would expect from a “normal” home 10 times its size. But on the other, the natural light flooding in, the high ceilings and the open plan give it a sense of cosiness and warmth.

As Sarah says, “We love the closeness and the togetherness

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ABOVE: Sarah and Jeremy with their two daughters.

RIGHT: The view of Dora Creek from the driveway to Sarah's home.

[our tiny house brings. There is] less stuff, less clutter. It feels more spacious in here to me and it feels cleaner than the house we were in before.”

Sitting on their living room couch, which can double as two single guest beds and houses the children’s toys and clothes underneath, I ask Sarah if moving into the tiny house has brought her the time and freedom she wanted. She nods vigorously.

“I spend a lot less time cleaning, there’s a lot less laundry to do, a lot less dishes to do. We just don’t have the same amount of stuff to get dirty,” she says. “The house does get messy. But I had some friends watch the girls yesterday and I had time to sit down, have some lunch and clean the whole house, including sweeping and mopping. There was no way I would have got a normal-sized house clean to that extent in four hours.

“And because there’s not as much stuff to tidy up, if there are four dishes left in the sink, it doesn't bother me. We can still go out and play and do other things. We go on a lot more excursions or we go see friends a lot more often. We’ve got more time to see the museum or art gallery and do things that we didn’t used to do before.”

Watching Sarah as she tells me about her life, you can tell she feels a sense of liberation from moving into, paradoxically, a

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smaller, seemingly more enclosed space. But when you understand it’s a release from the responsibility of keeping up with household chores and the weight of all the stuff that used to surround her, you begin to realise her freedom comes from having less.

“I was cleaning all day, every day and I could never keep up,” she says. “You know when you walk into a room, you can almost feel the weight of the room on you. It’s not dirty, it’s just heavy.

There’s just stuff everywhere. Even if I did clean, I never felt that I’d actually cleaned because there was just that clutter everywhere.”

In trying to keep up, Sarah could foresee the family relationship disintegrating: even when she spent time with her daughters, the mental toll of needing to clean drained the emotional energy required to invest in them. She wasn’t really connecting with her husband either as even though they were under the same roof, they were often in different parts of the house. Either that, or they would be together, but not communicating.

“We tended to fall in front of the TV a lot because we were tired, stressed and overwhelmed,” Sarah says. “It was easier to turn on the TV, eat dinner and forget about everything else for a while.

MELODY TAN, SUPPLIED

Jeremy's wardrobe fits under the stairs in three drawers and the first step doubles as shoe storage for the family.

“We don't need to do that now because we don't go home and the space feels heavy. You don’t feel that weight. Sure Jeremy will come home and I’m all stressed because I’m trying to cook dinner or do something and the kids are there, but he’ll take them out and roll down the hill or play. They’re together, which is really different from before.”

And it’s that family togetherness that far outweighs any inconvenience that may occur from living in a tiny house, although according to Sarah, there aren’t really any significant issues. Storage can sometimes be challenging (they do have a shipping container “that mostly serves the same role as a shed”, where they keep the tools they bought to build the house, her husband’s Army Reserve gear and camping equipment), and she misses a flushing toilet (they have a composting one) and her rocking chair, but she has no desire to move into a “normal” house just for those.

“We eat dinner together at the table every day, and we spend more time sitting and talking than we ever have before. There’s just a closeness of all being together,” Sarah says. “Lydia [now aged 3.5] knows where her Bible is and goes and gets it out. Just sitting on the couch and reading it is really special. We were so stressed before that it wasn’t something we did. We don’t do it all the time but we have a lot more time for it and it is a lot more

US f BON ro o at u

e. natural to do such things Take iny hous t s now.” h' Sara Their tiny house is curO .

GO T heTable rently sitting next to JereT t A s um my’s parents’ house, but a ppy_ ww.M imple_ha w s recent inheritance means com/ free Sarah and her family will be moving to an 8-hectare hobby farm near Ballarat at the end of the year to have a go at homesteading.

Sarah is also in the process of establishing herself as a mentor for others building their own tiny houses, helping them through their journey by sharing hers.

For the moment, however, I have the distinct feeling she’s simply enjoying her freedom and her daughters’ cuddles, which she admits have increased because they are spending more time together and she’s feeling less stressed.

Melody Tan is editor of Mums At The Table magazine and a regular panellist on Mums At The Table TV show. She lives in Sydney with her husband and her son.

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COOKING with Gia & Olive 1.

PREPARATION TIME: 5 MINUTES COOKING TIME: 12 MINUTES MAKES: 12 BISCUITS

2.

3.

4.

INGREDIENTS 2 ripe bananas 1 cup quick oats Optional: chocolate chips, walnuts, sultanas, cranberries or whatever you like

5.

Dry Potato curry PREPARATION TIME: 15 MINUTES COOKING TIME: 30 MINUTES SERVES: 4

Preheat oven to 200oC (fan-forced).

Mash ripe bananas in a mixing bowl.

Add oats and any extra ingredients and mix well.

Spoon tablespoons of dough onto a baking tray lined with baking paper, flattening a little to resemble thick discs.

Bake for 12 minutes or until golden brown.

METHOD 1.

2.

INGREDIENTS 500g potatoes, peeled and diced 1½ tbsp oil 1 tsp panch phoran 1 medium onion, finely chopped 2 tbsp fresh mint or coriander, chopped 1 tsp turmeric ground 1½ tsp salt ¼ cup water 1 tsp garam masala 1–2 tbsp lemon juice Optional: ½ tsp chilli (flaked, powder or fresh)

METHOD

Oatmeal biscuits

AS SEEN ON

Italian pasta sauce

3.

4.

5.

2.

PREPARATION TIME: 10 MINUTES COOK TIME: 15 MINUTES SERVES: 8 3.

INGREDIENTS FOOD STYLED AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY ADAM KAVANAGH

Chick-it Seasoning

22

PREPARATION TIME: 5 MINUTES COOKING TIME: 0 MINUTES INGREDIENTS 1 tbsp sea salt or Celtic salt ½ cup savoury yeast flakes ½ tsp turmeric ground 1 tsp garlic powder 1 tbsp onion powder

½ tsp dried marjoram ½ tsp dried sage 1 tbsp dried parsley 1 tsp dried celery

METHOD Mix all ingredients together and store in glass seasoning jars or airtight container.

Use in soups, sauces, gravies, burgers, homemade chips, popcorn and more.

SOURCE: THE GUILT-FREE GOURMET BY VICKI GRIFFIN & GINA GRIFFIN

2 onions chopped 5 garlic cloves 4 x 400g tinned tomatoes 1 tbsp Italian herbs 3 tbsp date puree or sweetener of choice 1 tsp salt 2 tbsp olive oil 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

METHOD 1.

In a pan, sauté onions until translucent.

4.

Par boil potatoes in a saucepan of salted water. Set aside.

In a heavy fry pan, add oil and panch phoran.

When the mustard seeds begin to pop, add the onion and fry, stirring until soft.

Add chopped herbs, turmeric, salt and chilli, if using.

Add potatoes, stirring well, sprinkling pan with hot water and shaking pan occasionally to prevent potatoes from sticking. Cook until potatoes are warm through.

Sprinkle with garam masala and lemon juice.

Blend all ingredients, including onions, in food processor until well combined.

Transfer mixture into a pot and cook on medium– low heat for 15 minutes.

Alternatively, freeze mixture in muffin tins. Once frozen, transfer into a plastic storage bag and store in freezer. To cook, melt frozen sauce in pot on medium heat, then stir and simmer on low heat for 10 minutes.

By l p s ecia f, h c e guest w’s o our sh ist l panel n Sho a

GIA & OLIVE The world's cutest sous-chef and her talented mother show us how easy it is to be healthy.

Watch how quickly Gia and Olive can make these recipes on the Mums At The Table TV show.

FOR MORE

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NEW ZEALAND

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23

RAISING AN

Gail Simpkins’ son (pictured left, with his sister, Sam) was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder when he was two. She looks back on her journey and the changes he has undergone over the years.

autistic child

SUPPLIED

I

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remember the day Lachlan was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. He was just two years old.

The doctor had tears in her eyes as she gave me the diagnosis, but it explained some of the curious moments Lachlan and I shared, one of which was the main reason I sought an assessment: Lachlan would often line up toys from the front of the house to the back of it. It was cute, funny and quirky and I knew it made sense to Lachlan even if it didn’t to me.

At the time of diagnosis, Lachlan had never slept well and was an extremely fussy eater. He spoke a few words but not nearly as many as I remembered his sister saying at the same age. But he could spell words out using foam letters and would often spell his own or our names with them. He did puzzles and appeared to be very good at doing them. He even did them upside down! Other than that, most of my other parenting experiences with Lachlan were similar to that of my daughter, who does not have a disability.

He was definitely just as much fun as any other child I had known.

After receiving the diagnosis and being upset for six weeks, I knew I needed to re-examine my thoughts and perspective.

I had been distraught not knowing what having autism would mean to Lachlan.

What would he have to miss out on?

What could he do? What couldn’t he do? What sort of school would he go to?

Would he be able to have friends, a relationship when he was older, a job?

No-one could tell me the answers to these questions.

There were so many unknowns for his future, but one thing I could control was my own perspective. Lachlan was still the same child, only now, there was a label for some of his actions. He was no less happy than before, and he deserved and needed me to still be happy.

As time went on, I noticed Lachlan just did some things a little differently, such as playing computer games in many different languages. He also has an excellent memory and can direct you to his favourite places all around Sydney, no GPS needed. He has incredibly detailed knowledge of the books and DVDs in our local libraries, as well as the DVDs in all the local stores. When he was a toddler, he remembered all the flags of different countries.

I first noticed people staring at us when we were out in public when Lachlan was a toddler. Perhaps it was because of Lachlan’s lively manner or vocalisations, but over time, I have learned to keep my focus on him, so much so that I now barely notice if we are being stared at. All parents have awkward situations with their children and when in public places, I find it most helpful when people give us the space and time we need to resolve the situation ourselves. As parents, we know our own children the best.

Haircuts have always been very uncomfortable for Lachlan and we were so blessed to have a friend come to our house for many years to cut Lachlan’s hair. Recently, this young woman became a first-time mum and we explained to Lachlan that he now needed to go to the barber. Thanks to her years of kindness and patience, Lachlan had the confidence to go to the barber shop and have his hair cut.

When Lachlan was eight years old, he received an autism assistance dog named Itsal through Righteous Pups Australia, a notfor-profit organisation that raises and trains assistance dogs for children and adults with mobility issues, and to act as companion dogs for the elderly and socially isolated. It helped him immensely.

Lachlan would become distressed in shopping centres and unfamiliar places but with his new best friend by his side, he was calm and confident to go wherever he wanted.

Lachlan was able to visit many places that he hadn’t been to

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EXERCISEwith Alisha

. . . there is not very much we would change about him.

GREENING YOUR WORKOUT

We can recycle products and cut down on our use of plastics in our bid to reduce our carbon footprint. But can we also make our fitness and workout routine environmentally-friendly? Here are some ways you can turn your exercise routine green:

EXERCISE OUTDOORS

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along this journey and have had some amazing and very dedicated therapists and wonderful friends and family.

Lachlan has matured and changed, which has made him much more open to negotiation than when he was younger. We are super proud of him as he always tries his best at everything he does.

Quite honestly, there is not very much we would change about him. He is usually happy, has a great sense of humour and cares about others.

The hardest part of having a child with a disability is seeing your child being excluded by others. It is also difficult to see others who have low expectations of him because there has never been any doubt in our minds that Lachlan can achieve his goals and dreams.

We have seen him do so much already.

GETTY IMAGES, UNSPLASH

WIN CHILDREN'S BOOKS!

Submit a personal story on your parenting journey, thoughts or experience and if we use your story, we’ll send you a selection of books featured on our book corner page (see page 32)! Write to us at editorial@thetabletv.com

EXERCISE AT HOME Your own lounge room: it’s convenient, private and difficult to avoid! Jump on our website or YouTube channel for some workout inspiration and get your sweat session done without leaving the house.

Setting yourself up at home with basic workout equipment doesn’t have to be an expensive ordeal. You can nab bargains for second-hand equipment in good working condition on websites such as Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace and local buy, swap, sell groups. There are also many eco-friendly companies that provide excellent quality workout clothes and equipment that have “environment-friendly” as one of their top values.

Gail Simpkins works and studies in the area of social science, welfare and education in disabilities, and lives with her family in Sydney. She is the author of Praying for Strawberries, which documents Lachlan’s story with his assistance dog, Itsal.

WIN

Find a workout buddy, join an outdoor group fitness challenge or join a local sports team. That way, you’ll reduce the use of energy required to run a 24/7 gym and get the benefit of social interaction.

USE SECOND-HAND OR ECO-FRIENDLY WORKOUT GEAR AND EQUIPMENT

SUPPLIED

before. For the first time ever, with Itsal, Lachlan was able to go to the movies, which is now one of his favourite activities. Itsal also helps keep Lachlan safe and is trained to track, should Lachlan become separated or lost. He sleeps on Lachlan’s bed each night and wakes us during the night if he is concerned about Lachlan or anything in the room. Itsal will wake us if he senses Lachlan is unwell during the night or if he finds the room too hot or cold. When Itsal first came to live with us, he even woke us if Lachlan’s pillow fell onto the floor during the night, but after a while, he realised we were not concerned about the pillow, so he does not wake us for that reason anymore.

As Lachlan does not worry about social norms, it has led us to some interesting adventures. We were at the park recently and Lachlan spotted three women sitting on a rug having a picnic. He approached them and sat down on their picnic rug. I tried to lead him away, but the women were very friendly and welcoming (even though they did not appear to speak very much English), and invited us to stay and eat with them. Lachlan was delighted; however, he did not accept their kind offer of some biscuits and nuts as he is still an extremely fussy eater. While focused on chatting over something with the ladies, I noticed Lachlan running off, so I thanked the ladies hurriedly and ran off after him!

Lachlan is 11 years old now and communicates through his iPad, which speaks out his requests and allows him to have twoway conversations with us. He also uses it at school. It is a godsend. He loves surfing and has participated in local surfing groups for the past four years. He enjoys school and is looking forward to high school next year.

We have been very blessed to have met so many helpful people

GET EXERCISE-SOCIAL

Electrical equipment such as treadmills and cross-trainers and places such as gyms use a lot of energy.

By exercising outdoors, we are not only reducing our personal contribution to energy consumption, we also get the benefits of fresh air and sunshine!

BUY A REUSABLE WATER BOTTLE

FUEL-FREE COMMUTES

It’s a little investment and may require some effort to remember to bring along to your workout, but using a plastic-free reusable bottle—instead of buying single-use bottled water— will do much for the environment.

If you live close enough, why not bike it or jog to your workout location and use it as your warm up and cool down?

ALISHA Ten minutes every day is all you need to start on your journey to become fit and healthy. Watch Unleash Fit Living's Alisha share her workouts on the Mums At The Table TV show.

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Our Mums At The Table TV show panellist takes on yet another challenge.

By Maryellen Fairfax

LIVING WITHOUT

T

hree months ago, major supermarkets around Australia stopped providing single-use plastic bags*, following a ban in several states. This decision attracted strong criticism by some who argued that all it would do is force consumers to buy plastic bags at the checkout, generating more revenue for the supermarkets. Others, however, showed strong support for the decision, even signing petitions for other retailers to do the same.

Up until a few months ago, I would have happily considered myself to be in the first category. I’ve always been a bit cynical towards major retailers: at the end of the day, they’re only after an extra buck, right? But after doing another Mums At The Table challenge where I had to go “zero waste” for one week, I’ve become a lot more environmentally conscious.

My zero-waste challenge began quite haphazardly. I was excited to start and didn’t do very thorough prior research (as a student, skim-reading and Ctrl+F play a big role in my life, and zero-waste challenges are no exception). I had already witnessed the zero-waste trend in popular culture, read a couple of articles

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that confirmed that plastic waste was a huge environmental problem and watched some YouTube vlogs by prominent zero-waste personalities who vilified single-use plastics and ate everything out of coconuts. So naturally, I decided to do the same (minus the coconuts. Unfortunately, they weren’t in season). I took a look in my fridge and pantry, listed all the items that were wrapped in plastic and avoided them at all costs.

But let me tell you folks, if I could do my time again, I would have done a lot more prior research—avoiding plastic was insanely difficult.

Walking through the supermarket and avoiding plastic is like going to the beach and managing not to get sand in the crevasses of your car seats—it’s effectively impossible. I was limited only to things contained in paper, glass, aluminium cans, or fruit and vegetables (a large proportion of which came in plastic film, netting or punnets anyway). I couldn’t buy necessities such as bread, rice, milk or butter because they were all contained in plastic.

So there I was, one day into my challenge, stranded in a super-

UTPOIA 88—GETTY IMAGES

WASTE market that was suddenly so foreign to me and desperate to find something to eat. I eventually found myself in the tinned vegetables section buying lots of beans and corn, and managed to scrounge a few different fruits and vegetables. Basically, I was going to have to eat almost completely non-processed foods for a whole week.

Great.

It wasn’t until four days into my challenge that I stumbled across a special screening of the film, A Plastic Ocean. Realising this was the most perfect coincidence ever, I decided to go along. The film talked about the damage plastic waste does to our oceans, marine wildlife and also to humans.

Most notably, footage was shown of a boat sailing out into pristine, azure waters, a place you’d associate with a honeymoon paradise or the movie Moana. They lowered a special sieve device into the water and after leaving it there for a 20-metre distance, raised it up again to reveal hundreds of microplastics. These tiny, less-than-fingernail-sized pieces of plastic break off from larger pieces and perpetually float in the water, usually until eaten by

wildlife who mistake it for food. This happens because plastics never actually decompose; they simply break down into smaller and smaller pieces over time, without ever disappearing.

This fact hit me like a ton of bricks. I couldn’t believe that even the most pristine areas of the world were contaminated, and that I was actively contributing to this problem. The rose-tinted glasses I’d been wearing my entire life fell off my face and smashed on the floor. But this was just the beginning of many revelations.

Having lived a relatively typical middle-class Australian life, I’ve attended many birthday parties, family functions and church events throughout my years, and eaten plenty of processed and takeaway food. In other words, my life has been filled with lots and lots and lots of single-use plastics. This had never bothered me before because once my rubbish was in the bin, it was out of sight and out of mind. Never before had I considered that innocently, albeit ignorantly, using a plastic fork once and throwing it away could kill fish, birds and even humans.

The film showed footage of little dead sea birds scattered

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FOR A

. . . I can ensure that families in developing countries don't suffer because of me.

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FUTURE

Rather than throwing scraps in the bin, start a compost bin.

Teach your children which items can go in the compost and make it a game.

You can even allow for rewards when they have done it correctly!

sons. Firstly, just because everyone produces plastic waste doesn’t mean I shouldn’t feel compelled to make a change in my own life.

The average person produces 2.25 kilograms of waste per day, which equates to nearly a tonne per person, per year. That’s a lot, and by making more conscious lifestyle choices, I can ensure that families in developing countries don’t suffer because of me.

Secondly, I realised that zero-waste lifestyles tend to place the onus on individuals to make changes, rather than companies. We are encouraged to buy certain consumables and boycott other consumables, but I don’t think it should have to be this way. I think the onus should be on the companies. I think governments should be legislating changes that prevent companies from using plastic and other non-compostable materials unnecessarily. After all, there’s only so much that individuals can boycott (especially mums, when disposable nappies and plastic toys are often the only option).

Finally, this challenge has made me realise that while ignorance might be bliss, ignorance also threatens to destroy the world we live in. Supermarkets such as Woolworths actually deserve huge congratulations. They’re making a positive change when so many other companies aren’t, and they are encouraging both ignorant and environmentally-conscious consumers to make positive lifestyle changes.

If you’re not sure where you stand on this issue, I encourage you to educate yourself: watch the documentaries and learn how to recycle. Don’t make the naïve mistakes that I did! And together, we can ensure the world we live in will remain beautiful for our children, grandchildren and then some.

Maryellen Fairfax is a regular panellist on Mums At The Table TV show.

GARDEN

By Sarifa Younes The earlier you expose children to the topic of environmental responsibility and good eco-friendly practices, the easier it is to excite and inspire them.

Here are some suggestions as to how parents can start implementing environmentally conscious teachings and actions at home:

RECYCLING BINS

SUPPLIED, GETTY IMAGES

* EDITOR'S NOTE: AT THE TIME OF PRINTING, COLES ANNOUNCED THEY WOULD BE HANDING OUT PLASTIC BAGS FOR FREE AT THEIR STORES INDEFINITELY.

DOWNLOAD THIS AS A PRINTABLE FROM MumsAtTheTable. com/freestuff

COMPOST BIN

FANGXIANUO—GETTY IMAGES

across beaches by the hundreds, their stomachs filled to capacity with microplastics. They died because they couldn’t fit any food into their stomachs due to all the plastic already inside and starved to death. Just when I thought my conscience couldn’t take any more, the film showed families in developing countries living on “islands” of plastic waste, crippled by health problems as a result of the chemicals leaching from the plastics. These communities struggled with birth defects, infertility, skin diseases, asthma, hormonal issues, weight gain, eye problems, cancers and even death.

I felt helpless, paralysed. What could I do to help the people?

The animals? Obviously, my plastic consumption was contributing to their suffering and I needed to stop! But I also couldn’t live zero-waste for my entire life! I needed to survive, too, and that involves clothes, shoes, water and food, all of which have plastic in them in one form or another.

Just as these questions were circling around my head, the film addressed something that I naïvely hadn’t considered during my zero-waste week: recycling. Here I was, struggling to navigate the supermarket, when all I had to do was educate myself and learn more about recycling. In school, this was never emphasised or taught, so I only had a vague understanding of what could actually be recycled. And ah boy, did I have some learning to do!

I soon learned that everything from yoghurt containers to shampoo bottles, and even soft plastic wrappers and plastic bags, could be recycled! Suddenly, I felt empowered instead of guilty and determined to leave a much smaller environmental footprint.

That being said, plastic can only be recycled between five and eight times on average, meaning that eventually, it can still end up in the ocean. And, items such as certain toys and whitegoods can’t be recycled, so it’s important to be mindful when shopping.

Accordingly, I went out and bought a reusable coffee cup, some reusable utensils and reusable bags so that I wasn’t unnecessarily creating plastic waste. Buying a compostable toothbrush is next on my list.

Throughout this challenge, I realised three very important les-

su st a i n a b l e

Much like composting, make recycling fun.

Involve the whole family and make sure everyone follows the rules.

Allow your children to help with the cleaning process (such as drying the plastic or tin items before they go in the recycling bin).

GREEN-THEMED FAMILY DAYS

Once a month, have a green-themed day. Eat green foods, watch environmentally-friendly movies and TV shows (Sesame Street, The Magic School Bus and Playschool are great examples) and get the whole family together to do an eco-friendly activity. Ideas include planting a tree, visiting a plant nursery or volunteering at an environmentally-focused organisation.

Children learn best when they see and do. If you decide to set up a vegetable or herb garden, let them pick out the plants and guide them as they “grow” (plant, water, pick and nurture) them.

This encourages clean eating and educates children on how our planet works. They’ll see first-hand the process of how food is made, the time constraints involved and how precious the process is.

ARTS AND CRAFTS

For younger children, empty milk bottles, cartons and plastic jugs make great musical instruments. As they get older, these items can be used for arts and crafts projects, such as dioramas, pots for flowers and plants, and art pieces for the home.

Sarifa Younes is the president of the International Academy of Marawi (IAM), director of the Training College of Australia and centre director for the Arndell Park Early Childhood Learning Centre. Her IAM students recently won first place in the 2018 Global Youth Summit “Action for Earth” in Singapore.

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PRESCHOOL

BOOK CORNER MAISY GOES TO A WEDDING Lucy Cousins Walker Books $19.99

WIN

Based on the popular children’s animated character Maisy, this is a perfect book to read to your child to build up the anticipation in the lead up to a wedding they will be attending.

The bold outlines and vivid colours will provide plenty of fun and capture their attention.

FOR MUMS

PRIMARY

MIGRATION

32

Mike Unwin & Jenni Desmond Bloomsbury Children’s Books $22.99

WIN

For the animal-obsessed child, this book tracks the migration journey of 20 incredible creatures. Packed with some astonishing facts about animals such as the southern pilchard, monarch butterfly and blue wildebeest, this gorgeously illustrated book is designed to be a treasured resource.

WHAT'S THAT THERE & BUSH TRACKS

OI CAT!

Kes Gray & Jim Field Hodder Children’s Books $15.99

Ros Moriarty & Balarinji Allen & Unwin $12.99

Lots of funny and silly rhymes, perfect for reading out loud.

Filled with cute illustrations of numerous animals, this might be one that will generate some laughter at home. It does feel like it goes on for a bit too long, but the ending would elicit at least a wry smile from the adults.

THE TRAVEL ACTIVITY BOOK Phil Hunt DK $9.99

You could use this book to prepare your child for an upcoming holiday, but perhaps the best use of this book is while they are actually travelling. Filled with plenty of stickers and write-and-draw-in activities, this will keep children entertained during long plane rides or car trips, while learning interesting travel facts.

BACKYARD

WIN

Filled with vibrantly coloured Indigenous drawings, these are two in a series of children’s books that will introduce the culture’s unique art and literature to little ones. The narratives don’t tell a story per se, but are general descriptions of the excitement and beauty of life around us.

WIN

NEVER LOSE HOPE Mark Wilson Lothian Children’s Books $26.99

Help your child imagine Australia’s convict past and appreciate the luxuries they enjoy when it comes to learning. A picture book with a touching storyline and glorious illustrations, inspired by real people and real events. Notes are available to help encourage deeper discussions.

THE ERRATICS

HELL SHIP

Intensely absorbing with a deeply disturbing storyline.

Such is the strength of the writing style and the seemingly incredibility of the narrative, you have to remind yourself this is a memoir and not a work of fiction. The author’s beautiful prose is juxtaposed against her rather terrifying family dynamics, and as shocked as you might be, you cannot help but want to keep on reading, delving deep into the author’s reflective and resilient mind. Unsurprising that it won the 2018 Finch Memoir Prize.

Understandably, the author needed to familiarise the reader with the historical context of which the story of the book is based. However, it still feels like it takes a while to get to the interesting—and main crux—of the story, that of the 1852 journey of some 800 emigrants from Britain to Australia. And even then, the narrative occasionally meanders back to providing background information, making this is as much a book about the climes of Britain and Australia in the 1800s as it is a story about the plague ship Ticonderoga, where a quarter of its passengers would die from typhus. An absorbing story—if you are historically inclined.

Vicki Laveau-Harvie Finch Publishing $27.99

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September 2018

Michael Veitch Allen & Unwin $32.99

Ananda Braxton-Smith & Lizzy Newcomb Black Dog Books $24.99 Who said you can’t find any form of wildlife in the city? Help your child discover just how much their own backyard is teeming with God’s curious and wonderful creations, and you may even learn a thing or two yourself! Encourages children to look closely at the world around them.

GRANDMA DANGEROUS AND THE DOG OF DESTINY Kita Mitchell & Nathan Reed Orchard Books $14.99

Fantastical and hilarious, the storyline is a little far-fetched, but is adventurous, entertaining and fun nonetheless for your older primary schooler. There are some moral dilemmas, especially pertaining to secrets and lies, that you may need to discuss with them after reading.

WIN THESE ! !

S K O BO HOW T U O D FIN E 26 ON PAG September 2018

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MUMS AT THE TABLE MAGAZINE

NATURE AND YOUR

happiness

By Collett Smart

Being outside and in nature engages all of our senses. This is important because there is evidence that smell and touch are linked more closely to the emotional centres of the brain than vision or hearing. Depriving our bodies of these senses could actually have psychologically damaging effects. Here’s how you can balance your habits and get that muchneeded daily dose of nature.

REAL WOMEN | REAL CONVERSATIONS | REAL ISSUES

CAMPING

Go camping with your children. There are many places where you can pitch a tent overnight, not too far from home. Most children don’t care about the dirt or not being able to shower for one night. In fact, that’s part of why they love it so much!

F RE E*

Y MONTHL COPY!

BACKYARD SPORT

Play croquet, backyard cricket or jump on the trampoline in the garden.

READ OUTSIDE

Join the mums at The Table community today and enjoy:

Take a book and read under a tree. You could have a special “outside reading” book that you only read when you are outdoors.

It can even become an incentive to get outside for reading time.

ENGAGE YOUR SENSE OF TOUCH

A monthly magazine delivered for free to *your mailbox

Bury your feet in the beach sand (adults too!). Walk barefoot in the sea in winter and relish the icy feeling on your skin. Go to the park and do some leaf or bark rubbings.

* This week’s best videos emailed to you

Bulk copies available for mothers’ or play groups.

EMAIL Julie@thetabletv.com PHONE +61 2 9847 2222

SILENT WALK CHALLENGE

Find your closest nature reserve and do a 15-minute silent walk challenge. See who can name the most sensations they experienced during that time.

m o .c e l b a T e h T t MumsA

Take a picnic lunch to the park and notice the different insects and birds you see.

If you work or live in the city, take a walk outside at lunch time and find a tree to sit under if you can and listen to the birds’ sounds.

FINISHED WITH THIS MAGAZINE? PASS IT ON TO YOUR FRIENDS!

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D THIS DOWNLOA BLE TA IN AS A PR FROM Table.

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September 2018

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