My Child Magazine September 2016 Issue

MAGAZINE.COM.AU

Father's Day Gift Guide

PUTTING WIFE’S CAREER FIRST

Interview with

Lisa Chimes

sudo

2016 Spring Fashion

ISSUE 60 - SEPTEMBER 2016

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12 CONTENTS COVER STORIES

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STAY AT HOME DADS: PUTTING WIFE’S CAREER FIRST FATHER’S DAY GIFT GUIDE

SPRING SUMMER ‘THE BRAVE’ - SUDO FASHION

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CELEBRITY READS

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LISA CHIMES: ANIMAL DOCTOR TO THE RESCUE

EVERY MONTH

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EDITORS LETTER EDITOR PICKS BOOK REVIEWS

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THE MUMMY BLOG THE GUESSING GAME

YOUR CHILD

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5 COMMON BABY ILLNESSES

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WHAT TO DO WHEN A CHILD DISAPPOINTS

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IMPLEMENTING FAMILY RULES AND REWARDS

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BONDING TIPS FOR NEW DADS

REAL READS

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A STORY OF A RARE GENETIC DISORDER IN NEWBORNS

RELATIONSHIPS

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HOW A RELATIONSHIP CHANGES AFTER HAVING A BABY 6 WAYS FOR A DAD TO PREP FOR PREGNANCY

LIFESTYLE & HEALTH

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MENSTRUAL CUP WHY ITS BETTER THAN TAMPONS

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RECIPES

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CHOKING FIRST AID

SHOPPING

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REVIEW: ORICOM SECURE850 BABY MONITOR SHOP KIDS FASHION GET THE LOOK INTERIORS TOY REVIEWS

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EDITOR IN CHIEF BEAU MEDINA

EDITOR BIANCA MEDINA

ASSISTANT EDITORS ANVI SHARMA JANA ANGELES

ART DIRECTOR CRAIG BURKILL

SALES DIRECTOR BIANCA MEDINA

CONTRIBUTING EXPERTS APRIL DAVIES THE LITTLE READING ROOM DR AMANDA WAALDYK CATH HAKANSON OLIVIA ARROW LISA-MARIE D’ALONZO LEAH SHANNON

EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES EDITORIAL@MYCHILDMAGAZINE.COM.AU

ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES ADVERTISING@MYCHILDMAGAZINE.COM.AU

CONTACT: CRE8 PUBLICATIONS PHONE: 0411 572 877 8 GROSE ST, PARRAMATTA, NSW 2150 My Child magazine and mychildmagazine.com.au are wholly owned by Cre8 Publications (ABN 70 141 165 675). No other parties or individuals have any financial interest in the company or in My Child or mychildmagazine.com.au. My Child contains general information only and does not purport to be a substitute for health and parenting advice. Readers are advised to seek a doctor for all medical and health matters. The publisher and authors do not accept any liability whatsoever in respect of an action taken by readers in reliance on the recommendations set out in this magazine. Reproduction of any material without written permission by the publisher is strictly forbidden. We cannot accept responsibility for material lost or damaged in the post or for any unsolicited manuscripts and photographs. All reasonable efforts have been made to trace copyright holders.

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Baby Carrier One The ultimate ergonomic edition www.babybjorn.com.au The Parallel Line Design is a sign of a genuine BABYBJĂ–RN product. september 2016 | mychild

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EDITOR’S LETTER Hi Peeps So we here we are, the September Issue already! We still can’t believe that we are only 3 mths away from the end of 2016. Where has the year gone? It’s going to be Christmas soon and I’m in no way ready for that…..

September is a time that we get to thank all the wonderful dad’s out there. With Father’s Day around the corner, it can be hard to think out the perfect gift and sometimes life can get in the way and we forget to get one (yep that’s happened to me – lol). Not to worry, we have a last minute gift guide included in this issue to help you out in case you’re stuck for ideas.

We have some great editorial in this issue as always, below are some of the articles that I found particularly interesting.

Dr. Amanda Waaldyk was kind enough to contribute an article on the menstrual cup vs. tampons.

I would never have known the benefits of a menstrual cup and never consider it an option before reading this article. Check it out.

For those of you struggling with making sure that your kiddies are doing as they are told and getting them to help around the house, check out the article on implementing rules and reward. It’s a great read and has some handy hints that can help you get some order in the house around chores and behaviour.

We also have a heartbreaking story about a family who had their children diagnosed with rare genetic condition, called hereditary tyrosinaemia type 1 (HT-1). This disease effects approx. 1-2 babies in Australia every year. The family share their story on how it not only effected 1 but 2 of their children.

We have plenty of other articles to help you on your parenting journey as well as your favourites like fashion, interiors, mummy blogger and much more.

We hope you enjoy this issue as much as we loved putting it together for you.

Beau and the mychild Team xx

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editor

PICKS 2

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NESTI DANTE PHILOSOPHIA GIFT SET $49.95 saison.com.au, 2. DANNII MINOGUE PEONY ROSE CANDLE $10.00 target.

LAMP $149.00 harveynorman.com.au, 4. METAL COOLER $12.00 kmart.com.au, 5. METAL ROSE LIGHTNING CABLE $12.00 kmart.com.au, 6. WOLF FAUX FUR THROW $99.00 templeandwebster.com.au, 7. SOS SKIN RESCUE $14.99 priceline.com.au, 8. LIGHTBOX WITH INTERCHANGEABLE SLIDES $15.00 kmart.com.au, 9. RECEIPTS ORGANISER $29.95 kikki-k.com, 10. SOS LIP RESCUE $7.99 priceline.com.au, 11. GLOBBER 5 IN 1 SCOOTER $199.00 globber.com.au. com.au, 3. EDEN

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PREGNANCY

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6 WAYS FOR DAD TO PREP FOR

Pregnancy

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Written by Jana Angeles Have you had the baby talk? Are you ready to take on the responsibility of being parents?

That’s great news if you’ve said yes to both!

Being ready to conceive is an exciting part for couples and it’s really important that we as parents look after our health too. Not only is mum’s health important when it comes to conceiving but dad’s health is just as important too!

Even though we don’t think about how our lifestyle affects the process of conceiving, it’s beneficial to start making those changes now rather than later. Preparing dads for pregnancy is a big step for them - especially when they have to cut down on things they enjoy the most. In the end, the sacrifice is all worth it when you finally get to hold that bundle of joy in your arms.

There are 6 crucial ways to ensure that dads are ready for pregnancy. Implementing these lifestyle changes will make all the difference if followed through appropriately.

AVOID TOXINS • Dads who work with certain chemicals on a daily basis such as pesticides, chemical fertilisers, lead, nickel, mercury, chromium and benzene can be detrimental to their fertility. Be sure to wear protective clothing and a face mask if you do handle these toxins on a daily basis.

• Be familiar with your environment and see if there’s anything that could be impacting your sperm’s health. It’s also a good thing to keep an eye out on what food you consume on a daily basis. Wash fruits and vegetables before consumption.

GO TO THE DOCTOR • Schedule an appointment with your local doctor and tell them that you’re ready to have a baby with your partner. Even if it means waiting around in those long queues, it’s worth talking to your doctor about your plans of having a baby. They will be able 10

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to assess your lifestyle and implement any necessary changes that need to be made.

• If you’re someone that works 9-5 and haven’t had time to get adequate exercise in you, now’s the time. If you’ve been buying too much take out food, save your money and cook healthy, home-cooked meals.

Staying up late and binge-watching your favourite TV show? It’s time to cut back and get some sleep!

• If you’re taking any medications, your doctor will review them and see if they’re affecting your health in some way.

TAKE A BREAK FROM TECHNOLOGY • Experts believe that the electromagnetic radiation from wireless communication (smartphones etc) can decline the reproductive health of males. It’s also been mentioned that laptops (when hot) can terribly affect semen.

• It’s important that dads take time off from wi-fi technologies such as your laptop and smartphone. Leave them outside the bedroom because it’ll help you fall asleep even better!

ADAPT AN APPROPRIATE EXERCISE ROUTINE • For a successful conception and a healthy pregnancy, dads need to make sure their mental and physical health are in tip-top shape.

• It’s important that dads avoid anything that makes them feel stressed, they’re at a healthy weight and are getting adequate amounts of exercise.

• Adapting an appropriate exercise routine can enable you to sleep better and will help you stress less from everyday living.

• If you have a busy lifestyle, having 2 x 15 minute workouts a week can be beneficial to your health.

• If you catch the bus to work, get off one stop early so you can have a bit of a walk before you clock in. This will get your blood pumping and it’s a good excuse to get some physical activity for your body.

LIMIT ALCOHOL INTAKE AND AVOID DRUGS • Taking alcohol and drugs can really affect the levels of zinc in your body. Furthermore, this can reduce sperm production and cause sperm abnormalities.

• If you’re a dad-to-be it’s important to limit your alcohol intake and stay hydrated inbetween drinks.

to when you and your partner decide to conceive. For dads, your health matters too! Just because you won’t be carrying the baby doesn’t mean you don’t play a huge part in the pregnancy journey.

• Alcohol consumption can affect conception; it’ll be harder to get your partner pregnant earlier if alcohol is in the equation.

If you’re taking any medicinal drugs for health purposes, always check with your doctor to see if they are safe to take while trying to conceive.

YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT - MAKE CHANGES TO YOUR DIET IF NECESSARY • It’s common sense to look after your health but it’s even more necessary for dads-to-be to take extra precaution when eating. The food that you eat determines the health of your sperm and the chances of fertility.

• Seek the advice from a dietician to know which foods are nutritious and wholesome and have them come up with an eating plan for you.

• Foods with high zinc levels such as meat, seafood and eggs can increase your chance of fertility.

• Sunflower seeds or almonds have been known to produce stronger semen quality due to their high levels of Vitamin A. Although these tips aren’t absolute guarantees, this will surely have a great impact

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STAY AT HOME

Dads ARE WORKIN’ IT

Written by Lisa-Marie D’Alonzo

In thousands of homes across the nation, modernisation is gaining momentum as we see a change in caregiver trends.

Traditional gender roles previously portrayed fathers as the main breadwinners in families with women being responsible for domestic duties and being the care providers for the children.

In 2016, we are seeing an increase in FIFO mums, increased female participation in the formal labour force and more equal earnings between men and women.

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DAD READ

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This has caused a shift in parenting roles as we see men are putting their careers on hold to raise their children and be stay-at-home fathers.

Perth father of three Paul, 41 says the decision for him to become a stay at home dad was inevitable as his wife has the potential to earn more than the two of them combined.

“My wife has been studying a degree at Edith Cowan University for the past four years as well as working part-time,” Paul said.

“When she became pregnant with our third child, we knew we had to swap the primary parenting roles so I phased out my home fencing business to take care of the kids.

“The rewards of being a stay-at-home dad surprised me to be honest. I love having the opportunity to spend more time with my children and have developed deeper relationships with them that I would have never been able to do if I was working fulltime.”

Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2013 show that the number of stay-at-home dads in Australia has more than doubled in the past decade, with 12,100 men aged between 25 and 34 alone staying at home caring for children.

Social demographer Mark McCrindle said the number of stay-at-home dads in Australia will continue to grow at a staggering rate as we see up to 40 per cent of women aged 25-34 earning a degree, 11 per cent more than their male peers.

“What follows university education is income, successful career paths and based on the figures, we are going to have more female breadwinners than males into the future,” Mr McCrindle said.

“There is also an expectation that dads are more hands-on with kids and an acceptance of that, we have seen the introduction of parental and paternity leave.”

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Adam and his wife Renee made the decision for him to stay at home with their two boys aged five and two when his company merged, accompanied with a salary cut and an office relocation forcing a hefty commute to and from work each day.

“The work environment became challenging and it was affecting my mental health.

“Renee was working part-time when I resigned but in six months, she was able to gain fulltime employment which was close to home and with a robust salary. So we made the decision for me to be the primary caregiver for our boys.”

Being a primary caregiver is a demanding and challenging role. Further McCrindle research in 2010, found that men are less likely to be changing the oil in the car or fixing a tap but changing a baby’s nappy, washing clothes and dropping the kids off at school.

Fast forward to a normal day in the life of Adam and he is doing just that.

A typical day starts with breakfast, getting Adam’s eldest son ready and dropping him to school, visits to the park to burn off some energy with his youngest, grocery shopping, school pickups, afterschool activities and dinner preparation.

How does Renee feel about working fulltime to support the family?

“We are pretty happy with our decision and I am extremely proud of Adam and happy that he is getting to spend some amazing quality time with our boys,” she said.

“I love my job but I really miss my boys and I would love to have more time with them.

“Since we exchanged roles, I think we appreciate each other more and have a better understanding of what it is like to be in each other’s shoes.”

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One of the most important elements of having a successful and enhancing parenting experience, is to accept support and reaching out to the community finding comradeship with other fathers with common threads.

Jake is a father to a 2.5 year old boy and says his parent support group helps keep him wellbalanced.

“We started a Perth Stay at Home Dads Facebook page where we meet regularly and are able to continue the adult interaction that is omitted after leaving the workforce,” said Jake.

at-home dads Facebook group every few months or so. Being a stay-at-home dad can be socially isolating.”

Recognising the significant role of fathers and acknowledging the shift in parenting roles is important to support fathers and to strengthen the relationships with their children.

Gary Segal, Program Leader of Dads in the Early Years at the Meerlinga Young Children Services Inc. in Leederville WA says that it has been extremely difficult for stay-at-home dads to find others in similar situations, so Meerlinga has been providing opportunities for them.

“We try to have a night out with the stay"We set up the Playdads playgroup in Woodvale eight years ago and dads have been bringing their children every week.

We’ve provided several series over recent years of a wonderful parenting course called Circle of Security.

“Our Dads in the Early Years’ service receives funding from the WA Department of Local Government and Communities for us to encourage other not-for-profit organisations to establish their own programs and events for dads.”

Gary says that men are showing courage by upsetting society’s normal expectations of a father being the main income provider and the less essential parent.

“Stay-at-home fathers are often questioned, sometimes ‘half-jokingly’ or innocently with questions such as ‘When are you going back to work?’ or ‘are you baby-sitting?’” he said.

“There are also men who are challenging normal expectations of men by showing that nurturing children is just as much a feature of masculinity as it is of femineity.”

For information on your local stay-athome fathers parenting group, contact the Department of Communities or Family Services in your state.

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TODDLER

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How to teach your child the names of their private parts (without getting them or yourself into trouble)

BY CATH HAKANSON

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Teaching your child the correct name for their genitals (or private parts), is one of the first steps in sex education and in protecting kids from sexual abuse.

You are also opening the door for open and honest conversations on questions that they may have about their body and sexuality.

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? Research tells us that kids who know the correct names for their genitals: • Are less likely to be sexually abused • Are more likely to report sexual abuse if it happens • Have a positive body image • Have a higher self esteem GETTING STARTED The best way to start, is to just start incorporating the correct names into everyday language. At first you may feel awkward, but the more you say them, the more comfortable you will become.

If you struggle with saying them aloud, practice saying them in front of a mirror or with your partner, before starting with your child.

WHAT TERMS TO USE For girls, the current trend is to use the terms vulva and vagina.

Ideally, we should start off talking about the vulva as the outside part, and the vagina as the inside part. Don’t stress if you started with the word vagina, just start including the vulva as well.

For boys, we use the terms penis and testicles.

Technically, the testicles are the inside part (they feel like a peeled boiled egg) and the scrotum is the skin or sack on the outside that holds them.

If you have one of those kids who wants to know what each individual part is, just google ‘female/male external genitalia’ for some diagrams to refer to. Don’t worry about

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whether it will be too much information for your child. If they are asking the question, it means that they are ready for the answer.

WHEN TO USE THE CORRECT NAMES You can start using the correct names for the body parts during nappy changes, bathtime, when getting dressed, during toilet training – the opportunities are endless.

EVERYDAY LANGUAGE It is important to make the correct names sound natural. You want your child to think that their genitals are equal any other part of their body, and are nothing to be ashamed of.

IF YOU ARE ALREADY USING OTHER NAMES If you’ve already been using other names, that’s fine, just start using the correct names as well. It is okay to use appropriate slang, just not all of the time.

If you need to, you can explain the change in names simply by explaining that you think that they are now old enough to start correct names and not baby names.

If they are older, you can just explain that you heard that kids should know the correct names for their private parts, and that they will now hear you saying those names.

RULES ON USING THE CORRECT NAMES Sometimes, kids will get in trouble by adults for using the correct names.

So you need to let your child know that the names for our genitals are private words, that refer to private parts of our body. And we don’t use private words in public places, like in the playground or at school or they will get in trouble.

Also explain that some adults get embarrassed by those words and may get cranky if they hear kids saying them. If this happens, they needs to tell you. Kids aren’t stupid, they work out pretty quickly what is and isn’t socially acceptable.

An upside is that kids who have these words as a normal part of their vocabulary are less likely to use them in a silly way – there is no power in a word that is everyday.

BOOKS TO HELP Books are a great way to normalise it all.

Plus they provide you with the right words to explain it all. Some fantastic Australian books that you can use are: • My Body! What I say goes!’ by Jayneen Sanders • ‘Everyone’s Got a Bottom’ by Tess Rowley • ‘The amazing true story of how babies are made’ by Fiona Katauskas AND REMEMBER You are not just educating your child – you’re empowering them with the right information about their body, before they receive the wrong messages through the media and from their peers.

BIOGRAPHY Cath Hakanson is a mother, sex educator and founder of Sex Ed Rescue. Bringing her 20+ years clinical knowledge, a practical down-to-earth approach, and passion for helping families, Cath inspires parents to talk to their kids about sex so that kids can talk to their parents about anything! Sex Ed Rescue arms parents with the tools, advice and tips to make sex education a normal part of everyday life. http://sexedrescue.com https://www.facebook.com/Sxedrescue https://twitter.com/SexEdRescue

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BOOK

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Petunia Paris’s Parrot Katie Haworth and Jo Williamson Petunia has everything she wants, everything except a talking parrot.

Petunia Paris’s Parrot deals with themes of gratitude and greed, through the childfriendly premise of a birthday request gone wrong. The pastel colour palette is infiltrated by the bright red and blue of the parrot, visually representing the parrot’s upheaval of Petunia’s perfect life. In a heartwarming and colourful ending Petunia learns a valuable lesson in selflessness.

Petunia Paris’s Parrot is recommended for readers aged 3 and over and is a charming story for young readers with an important moral lesson.

Squishy Taylor in Zero Gravity Ailsa Wild and Ben Wood (July) Whilst on the roof watching a Meteor Shower Squishy thinks she spies a spacewoman building a rocket and decides she needs to investigate.

The theme of astronomy is central, with the characters repeatedly discussing the solar system, orbit patterns, gravity and additional mathematical facts about distance. The theme of blended families is also pertinent and rare in this genre, as Squishy deals with her ‘bonus sisters’, new baby and evolving relationship with her stepmother. Talk of google, skype, iPads and apps make this a relatable and age-appropriate text.

The Squishy Taylor series is recommended for readers aged 6 years and over and promotes imagination and ingenuity, whilst teaching a moral lesson about the potential perils of curiosity.

The Ultimate Guide to Being a Superhero Barbara Beery, Brooke Jorden and David Miles All the tips, gadgets, recipes and maneuvers necessary to become a top-notch superhero.

Young readers will feel empowered to be in possession of this classified material,detailing everything from making a superhero mask, choosing a secret identity and beating villains with mind control. Diagrams, charts, photographs and illustrations are included so that the instructions are practical and simple to follow, whilst adding a sense of authenticity to the superhero guise.

The Ultimate Guide to Being a Superhero is recommended for readers aged 3 to 8 years who will be entertained for hours with this extensive and humorous superhero handbook.

Colours of Australia Bronwyn Bancroft The Australian landscape if full of many shapes, shades and colours.

The lyrical text personifies nature, as the sun dances and stones slumber and the descriptions of hills cloaked in green velvet are evocative and imaginative.

The colourful illustrations in Bronwyn Bancroft’s Indigenous style use line and shape to form abstract impressions of water, trees and hills and the bold primary colours are used in a variety of shades to create depth and depictions of naturally occurring light and dark in images of day and night.

Colours of Australia is recommended for readers aged 3 years and over and is a both emotive and visually stunning.

by

REVIEWED The Little Reading Room

thelittlereadingroom.com.au

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THE

MUMMY

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THE GUESSING GAME WRITTEN BY: SHEREE ECHLIN

FOR SALE or going cheap, one soon to be “threenager”. Some basic training but could be great with traffic direction or even mime as she has perfected the stop sign with her hand! The joys of toddlers, angelic one minute and mini devils the next. Some days it leans more toward one than the other and I like to clean the house with lots of vacuuming (also known as “disappear”) on those days, usually when daddy is home too (wink wink).

I am really starting to appreciate my mum more and more as my children grow. Not that I never appreciated her before but more towards viewing her in a different light. Like how on Earth did she cope with two young children, my father away for work and relatives living in another state??! My mind really does boggle! She really is one in a million and the one person I will always turn to for advice (thanks mum!).

I knew children would be a challenge but I wasn’t expecting it to be as hard as it is. Some days feel like a real struggle while others can be rewarding.

Can you tell I’m currently living on small amounts of sleep?! By day I battle with a “mini tornado” or a toddler in laymen’s terms and by night a vampirelike teething screaming bundle of a baby. I thought dealing with one child used to be hard work, but two can be very demanding. To think I want more children, haha! Welcome to parenthood, where the days are long and the nights, well they’re endless…. endless barrels of fun.

It’s not all bad, well not entirely. I still love unexpected cuddles or cheeky smiles and of course I will never tire of hearing “I love you mummy”.

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But now our dearest darling eldest daughter (yep I’m gearing up to something good here) also likes to tell me when she doesn’t like me (sometimes multiple times a day) or that I’m “yucky”. I know, plenty more years of that still ahead of me. Maybe I thought I had more time before the insults kicked in. Is it bad that I sometimes tell her I don’t like her either?!

Toddlers are almost like teenagers in a mini form and less hormonal….thankfully, we need some time to build up to those danger years! They test your patience, your wallet and your mind, but also leave you bewildered and wondering what they will come up with next. Some mornings I wake up thinking about what could possibly be thrown at me in a both a figurative and literal sense.

The joys of raising children, each stage comes attached with new surprises. Just when you think you have a handle on things, bam, they throw you another curve ball and leave you guessing all over again, well that or curled up in the foetal position. As long as you know you are not going to win, you’re set! And as long as you remember it is going to get a lot worse before it gets better, you have a better chance of surviving.

Like the days we have where Miss Izzie eats fruit bars and biscuits for breakfast. Yep “mum of the year” right here and I know it’s not ideal, but you know what, it’s only taken me all this time to realise you really do have to pick your battles.

Of course that train of thought doesn’t always work but it is worth a try, especially when it comes to food.

Every now and then I’ll have the occasional thought about my old life. You know that time when I really thought I was “busy”….cue hysterical laughter. Expensive dinners, uninterrupted sleep, a full-time deadline driven job, uninterrupted housework, time for friends, uninterrupted television (I’m noticing a pattern here), it certainly filled the days. Now it’s more like early home cooked dinners, find time for sleep, a fulltime demanding job known as “Mummy” plus find time for writing, what is housework??, who

has (time for) friends these days unless they have kids too and television is all about ABCKids until at least 6pm. Wow I’m exhausted just thinking about it, plus I can’t get the Play School theme song out of my head. Come on you know you want to sing along “there’s a bear in there.....”

Head over to my personal page shereeechlin. com and follow the rest of this crazy wild ride we call parenting.

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5 COMMON BABY ILLNESSES WRITTEN BY ANVI SHARMA

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BABY

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Written by Anvi Sharma Not only is it distressing when your baby catches those pesky little childhood stomach bugs and colds, the smallest signs of illness can be extremely nerve-wracking for firsttime parents.

Unfortunately, being sick is a part of childhood that’s never going to change. Knowing the signs to help your little one is the first step needed to get them back to being the happy little camper you know and love.

To make life just that little bit easier, we’ve created a list of the most common baby illnesses and what you need to know about them.

1. RSV Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common virus that causes a respiratory infection. It is most common in infants under the age of 2, and in most cases, is not too serious. However, if symptoms persist or if your child has a heart or lung condition, a weak immune system or has been exposed to extreme cold weather, then it can cause pneumonia if it spreads to the lungs. Its important to contact your paediatrician when you start noticing any RSV related symptoms.

Symptoms include a runny nose, nasal congestion, coughing, irritability, breathing problems, low fever and wheezing.

Treatments are similar to those of a common cold, but prescription medication is also available.

2.

COMMON COLD As the name suggests, colds are unfortunately very common and occur multiple times a year due to the weaker immune system of children.

Some symptoms include mucus-filled nasal passages, coughing, wheezing, fast breathing, irregular sleeping patterns (yes – more than

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usual), low-grade fever, runny nose and sneezing.

Caused by viral infections, the most important thing when it comes to treating these annoying colds is lots of fluids and rest. Hot steam from a shower or nasal sprays are good options too – both of course requiring parental supervision.

Antibiotics aren’t any good for colds, and it’s

important to always check labels before using cold medicines. We suggest checking with a doctor as well just to be on the safe side.

3.

EAR INFECTION Usually caused by fluid accumulating in the ear and causing bacteria and germs to grow, ear infections can produce intense pain for children.

The easiest way to tell if your baby may have an ear infection is by their mood. If your baby is being extremely cranky, fussy and irritable, crying more than usual or tugging/pulling at their ears, then this could be a sign he/she is in pain. Other symptoms include difficulty sleeping or lying down, an unpleasant smell, yellow/white fluid draining from the ear, unwilling to eat or crying while feeding, diarrhoea or vomiting.

Appropriate pain relievers can be used to help the baby through the night when earaches can prevent them from getting some sleep. It’s important to get a doctor to examine your baby’s ears as they can prescribe relevant antibiotics. Also, keep in mind that while most infections are mild, if left untreated, they can lead to hearing loss.

4. PINKEYE Inflammation of the tissues lining the eyes is referred to as pinkeye, or conjunctivitis, and can cause a certain redness around the eyes, a yellow coloured fluid discharge, blurry or limited vision and crusty eyes. It can mostly be cured by antibiotic drops and is usually caused by a bacterial infection. In some cases, it can also be due to an allergic reaction of sorts so it is best to contact a doctor and seek medical help.

Placing a clean, warm, wet cloth on the baby’s eyes while feeding is suggested.

Keep in mind that pinkeye can spread across your household, in class or preschool very quickly so it’s a good idea to take precautions against that and keep your child at home until it heals (give it at least a day or two).

If your child is old enough, have them wash their hands regularly and avoid touching their eyes. Wash their blankets, towels, pillows and clothes as well so that the infection doesn’t spread further.

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5.

STREP THROAT Strep throat is more common in children, rather than babies and toddlers and is usually caught through someone else, such as a child from school or an older sibling.

recommended that you go see a doctor for help. As with pinkeye, strep throat can be passed on to others, so try and keep your child at home for at least 24 hours so that they don’t risk passing the bacteria on.

The most obvious symptom is throat pain, which can be very severe in some cases not allowing for swallowing of food or liquids, or even talking. Other clues include swollen tonsils that are bright red or flecked with white showing signs of an infection.

Some children also suffer from headaches, stomach aches and vomiting at the same time as well.

We recommend contacting your doctor or seeking professional medical attention if symptoms seem severe.

Antibiotics given by a doctor are the most common treatment and it is highly

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The information given above is onl y a brief guide. Professional advice is recommended, especiall y if symptoms persist or worsen.

Contact a doctor if your child is feeling faint, not eating, having difficulty breathing or has a high fever.

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KIDS

WHAT TO DO WHEN

your child DISAPPOINTS Written by Jana Angeles

As much as you love your children, there will be a time in your life where they won’t be as small anymore and will be making decisions - good or bad. Even if you classify yourself as a good parent and know what’s best for them, you need to understand that communication is key, and there’s no point slapping them or verbally calling them names when they do something wrong.

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As quoted by Shannon L. Alder, “Most misunderstandings in the world could be avoided if people would simply take the time to ask, “What else could this mean?”

From this quote, parents should learn the concept of helping your child understand what’s right and wrong. When they have misbehaved or disappointed you in any way, as parents, we have the power to teach them the consequences of their actions and the privileges that could be taken away from them.

So what can we do as parents to help our children learn from their mistakes?

HOLD YOUR TONGUE Parents can get desperate when their child consistently misbehaves. Things such as not listening, talking back and continuously doing things which make you angry can easily lead to desperate measures for yourself calling them names or resorting to slapping them as punishment. Holding your tongue and not reacting so harshly to your child’s wrongdoings is the best way to go. They say “sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me” and despite what the quote says, words do actually hurt.

Imagine saying mean things to your child; how would that make them feel hearing a mean word from mum or dad? It’s heartbreaking to let your child believe that they’re hopeless or unworthy. Help them understand that they did the wrong thing but also let them know that humans make mistakes; we just need to learn from them.

BE THEIR TEACHER Parenting is a continuous journey and no matter how many children we have, we constantly learn new things about them and ourselves. How we act as people and how we approach situations is projected towards our children. And if you’re disappointed by your child’s behaviour, look around you. Are you communicating with them on a regular basis?

Are you listening to them when they need to talk to you? Are they in a safe and protected environment? What we do as parents and what we provide to them on a daily basis is what impacts their behaviour. Look at the choices you make and how that influences your child. You ultimately have the power to be their teacher; to help them learn the important stuff and the way of life.

REMOVE THEIR PRIVILEGES Does your child have a Playstation they treasure? Or maybe even the iPad you got

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them for Christmas? Take them away if they misbehave. Take anything they use for their enjoyment for about a week and use this opportunity to let them do some extra house work. This way they’ll understand the concept of making wrong choices and how their privileges can be taken away if they repeat any actions that make us unhappy. This way they can learn that doing the wrong thing only makes life harder for them, encouraging them to make the right decisions.

honest than that statement. As parents, we shouldn’t expect so much from our children; we have to understand that they’re still learning and growing. How we treat them creates a larger impact, more than you know.

It’s important we understand our role as parents and to never get discouraged when our children disappoints us. All it takes is some time out of our day to hear them out and help them not make the same mistakes again.

BE CONSISTENT Never cave in, even if your child wants you to give back something you’ve taken away from.

Stand strong and never feel like you can’t win this war. Always stick to the rules and don’t let your child bend them for you. If they have disappointed you by the choices they’ve made, they should understand that the rules you’ve implemented need to be followed. If not, they just need to deal with the consequences of their actions.

PROVIDE MOTIVATION Obviously your child needs a push to the right direction if they have disappointed you, so motivating them is the only way to go from here. There are a lot of ways to motivate your child when they have done the wrong thing and this may be sitting them down and having a family discussion with them. Ask them open-ended questions and let them talk. Some questions you could ask are: How did that make you feel? How did this make us feel? What can you do next time? It’s crucial to provide your child with guidance and some motivation that will lead them to grow as respectful human beings. This shouldn’t feel like a chore - no matter how busy your life may be. Take some time out of your day and talk to your child and ask them the important questions.

Ryan Reynolds once said “When you have expectations, you are setting yourself up for disappointment” and there’s nothing more

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HEALTH

MENSTRUAL CUP WHY IT’S BETTER FOR YOU THAN TAMPONS

By Dr. Amanda Waaldyk, founder of Angea Acupuncture and Yoga (Angea) Clinic

For years, women have used either tampons or pads for menstruation. Today there is a new trend towards women using an alternative method called the menstrual cup.

WHAT IS A MENSTRUAL CUP? Menstrual cups (or moon cups) are a fantastic alternative to regular sanitary pads and tampons.

The cup works by collecting blood rather than absorbing it. As it does not absorb your body’s natural lubrication, there is no dryness or pain on insertion, which can be a problem with tampons.

SO WHY SHOULD YOU USE ONE? A Menstrual cup can hold more liquid than a pad or tampon, so you have longer intervals of time before needing to empty it. Most brands recommend no longer than 8-­12 hour periods without emptying.

You will be pleased to know that cups are environmentally friendly as there is no monthly waste to dispose of and they can last up to 10 years. You never have to worry about having enough pads or tampons with you, which is especially handy when travelling.

Menstrual cups help you become more in tune with your cycle and your body. They make it easier for you to observe any changes in colour, consistency and flow, which is always useful information know and pass onto your medical practitioner in the future, if need be.

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There is also no risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome, as the cups are made from medical grade silicone.

Added bonus – you can swim with it stress free!

HOW OFTEN DO YOU NEED TO EMPTY IT? Most women find they only need to empty their menstrual cup a couple of times a day. As each woman’s body is unique the number of times will depend on her flow. After using the menstrual cup for a couple of cycles you will soon learn what works best for your body.

IS IT EXPENSIVE? A menstrual cup costs around $40. This is a once off expense for a product you will own for years.

This is opposed to paying for pads and tampons every month…for decades!

HOW DO YOU CLEAN IT? Clean with warm soapy water after removing the cup and before re-­‐inserting. If you are in a public toilet, wiping with a tissue is fine (always handy to have toxin-­‐free hand sanitiser in your bag for your hands), and you can clean it properly when you get home. There is also the option of boiling your menstrual cups at home in a pot between periods to give it a thorough clean.

CAN YOU FEEL IT? DOES IT HURT? IS IT REALLY BIG? It may take a little bit of practice to get the hang of inserting and removing a menstrual cup. It is a good idea to practice inserting and removing

it when you don’t have your period. This is great preparation for the bigday when you use it with your period. Once inserted correctly, you cannot feel the menstrual cup as it is flexible and molds to your body.

To insert, the cup is folded and then pops open into place once in the proper position covering your cervix. To remove, pinch the base of the cup and give it a little wriggle and pull (make sure your pelvic floor muscles are relaxed – remember to breathe), then it will slide out. Importantly, when removing the cup, be sure to keep it upright so it does not spill.

All menstrual cups come with instructions and diagrams showing different methods for insertion and removal. They also come with a little pouch for you to keep your cup in when you’re not using it.

About Dr. Amanda Waaldyk, founder of Angea Acupuncture and Yoga (Angea): Dr. Amanda Waaldyk, a renowned Doctor of Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture, founded Angea Acupuncture and Yoga (Angea) clinic in 2007, and has been growing the business from strength to strength ever since. Dr. Amanda specialises in fertility, helping thousands of women (and men) achieve their dreams of pregnancy through a method she realised and termed, The Angea Method™ in 2009.

For more information on Angea Acupuncture and Yoga clinic visit www.angea.com.au. Follow Angea Acupuncture and Yoga clinic on Instagram @angea_ acupuncture_yoga, on Facebook www. Facebook. com/AngeaYogaStudio, and on Twitter: https://twitter. com/angeafertility.

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FATHERS DAY

Gift

Guide

$45 THERMACELL REPELLER For dads that love camping and the great outdoors but hate pesky mosquitoes, Thermacell Mosquito Repellent is the perfect gift. Used by the US military, this portable repeller can create a 21m2 protection zone with the flick of a switch.

RRP $45.00 - AVAILABLE FROM / WWW.THERMACELLREPELLENTS.COM.AU

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$60

TWO TREES FAMILY HAMMOCK Product Description: Let dad relax this Father’s Day and all year round with a Two Trees Family Hammock.

With a 170kg weight capacity, there is room for the whole family. Manufactured using a quality blended cotton, this hammock is comfortable, durable and will allow dad the perfect opportunity to escape.

$80

RRP $60.0 AVAILABLE FROM/ WWW.TWOTREESHAMMOCKS.COM.AU

BREWSMITH BEER KIT – AUSSIE WATTLE PALE ALE Product Description: Let dad relax this Father’s Day and all year round with a Two Trees Family Hammock.

With a 170kg weight capacity, there is room for the whole family. Manufactured using a quality blended cotton, this hammock is comfortable, durable and will allow dad the perfect opportunity to escape.

RRP $80.00 AVAILABLE FROM / WWW.BIOME.COM.AU

WEWOOD WATCH Product Description: WeWood timepieces are sophisticated, stylish and as natural as your wrist. Each WeWood watch is made from 100% natural wood and uses state-of-the-art Miyota movements resulting in a unique watch that’s handsome, earth-friendly, and splash-proof.

$129

RRP $129.00 AVAILABLE FROM / WWW.BIOME.COM.AU

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FATHER’S DAY GIFT GUIDE

SONY WATERPROOF WALKMAN (NW-WS413) Product Description: Whether it be for his morning swim, afternoon run, cycling commute or a family skiing trip, Sony’s newest Waterproof Walkman is the ideal companion for active dads. Built to handle almost any weather condition, the Waterproof Walkman is dustproof and waterproof – even in salt water - for up to 30 mins at a depth of 2m. It comes in a range of eye-catching colours and features an ‘Ambient Sound Mode’ that lowers the music volume so he can still hear his surroundings.

$169

RRP $169.00 – AVAILABLE FROM / WWW.SONYNDATOY.COM.AU

$289

MAUI JIM RED SANDS Product Description: Put on a pair of Maui Jims and instantly, 99.9% of glare disappears. 100% of harmful and damaging UV is gone. The world’s true colors come shining through like never before: bolder, richer, crisper... all with more contrast and clarity.

RRP $289.00 - AVAILABLE / WWW.MAUIJIM.COM

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$699

BEEFEATERÂŽ BUGG WITH STAND Product Description: This compact portable barbecue is perfect for busy dads who love to cook up a storm whether at home or out and about with family and friends. Featuring quality stainless steel burners, quartz start ignition, two handy side shelves, a stand with a built-in shelf and a roasting hood, dad can grill, hot plate or roast great tasting barbecue food with this barbecue beauty. Choose from gas or solid fuel varieties with amber or black roasting hood for a smart look.

RRP $699.00 AVAILABLE FROM / WWW.HARVEYNORMAN.COM.AU

HOT LAPS

$399

Product Description: The ultimate driving experience including 5 driving laps for Dad and 4 hot laps for a teen age 14+.

Join us for the ride of your life in a F1-style open-wheel race car, just like the pros! Our team will conduct a safety briefing with instruction on braking, cornering and full track orientation for driving and provide everything you need to prepare youngsters for hot laps. All laps are in genuine Formula Ford racing cars including 4 blistering hot laps in Australia’s only 2 Seater! Your teenager will love it! Make sure to bring your driving licence.

RRP $499.00 AVAILABLE FROM JUNIOR REPUBLIC / WWW.JUNIORREPUBLIC.COM.AU

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RELATIONSHIP

HOW A RELATIONSHIP CHANGES AFTER HAVING A

Baby Written by Anvi Sharma

Gone are the days where you’re young and in love thriving off weekly movie dates and snuggling up in bed while the morning unfolds. The dynamics of marriage or a relationship changes after having a baby and the first year of becoming parents is one of the toughest to get through. You may begin to feel like you loathe your partner or spouse right to the core; everything that they do annoys you but the last thing you want to do is feel like you’re resenting them for everything so what do you do?

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There’s so much that happens after having a baby and this really puts relationships to a test. What you go through in your first year really determines how you will survive the journey of parenthood. Though your relationship feels like it has lost the initial spark where everything was romantic and exciting, it’s time to officially work together and make sure you balance each other out, making your lives easier for the both of you.

SHARE THE WORKLOAD WHEN IT COMES TO HOUSEHOLD CHORES • This may be a given but sharing household chores will do wonders on the dynamics of your family and lifestyle.

Working together and getting things done while taking care of the baby can be really beneficial and will also lay off any surfacing arguments you could potentially have together.

• One way to do this is by creating a list of things to be done and assigning the tasks to each person. After a week, swap these tasks so in that way, you can call yourselves even when sharing the workload.

• Don’t be afraid when it comes to asking for help when you really need it. It’s best to ask rather than keep to ourselves and resenting our partners for being unhelpful and not taking initiative.

• Avoid having expectations on what you should and shouldn’t do. Be fair when it comes to assigning each other tasks.

This will make the transition of taking care of a baby and doing household chores a lot easier.

MANAGE YOUR FINANCES EARLY • Surviving on a one-person wage is a struggle so the best way to go about it is to plan early. Even with maternity leave, some work policies don’t really give great allowances and most times, 48

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you’ll be receiving much lower pay for the time off you’ll be receiving.

• Be sure to set up an emergency fund just incase anything happens. Having a safety net of income can be really beneficial especially when it comes to unexpected costs. Prior to giving birth (maybe six months beforehand), try and see if you can live off a oneperson’s salary while you’re both still working and put the other paycheck into a savings account (preferably one with a high interest rate) so in that way you’ll be even more prepared for your baby to enter the world.

• If you feel like you’re headed for financial strain, talk to each other and communicate properly on how you can improve things, remember you’re in this together!

UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER’S PARENTING STYLES • Dad may be laid-back, you on the other hand are not. This can drive you up the wall if you consider yourself someone that likes to take direction and wants to keep things organised. While having an overly-relaxed partner may be a good thing, you may disapprove of their parenting style. Talk to each other about your unique parenting styles and set up some boundaries you can both take from each other. The last thing you want is to yell each other for handling things in a different way.

• Read articles, watch informative videos and borrow/purchase helpful parenting advice books and gain some knowledge on the styles of parenting. Knowledge is key to any relationship but then again, you’d be lying if you didn’t admit you were winging it. Sometimes seeking the advice of third-party resources is where you can both draw a line and try agree on some of the things you do while being parents.

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SCHEDULE A SPECIFIC TIME WHEN GRANDPARENTS CAN COME OVER • Whether we’d like to admit it or not, our in-laws can drive us mad.

Grandparents (from both sides) may feel like they can come over at anytime just to take care a few things and help us. Sometimes, it can feel overbearing and draining to be around them - especially when they constantly want to visit the baby.

Don’t feel obliged to always having to have them come over, no matter how generous they’ve been pre to postpregnancy. It’s not a priority for them to visit all the time especially when they come over and the house is a mess. Be firm and tell them politely that due to overtiredness, you’d appreciate not having them over just yet - instead schedule a time where they can come over so at least in that way, you’ll have time to tidy up and look presentable.

• There’s a thing where for some weird reason, the daughter-in-law can’t be taken seriously by her husband’s parents. If you feel like you’ll appear cold and heartless when announcing to your baby’s grandparents they cannot come over as they please, let your partner break the news to them. It’ll save them the drama of blaming you for creating an unwelcoming presence to the household. It’s a bonus if they’re totally understandable because in all honesty, raising a child is like running a marathon - you cannot stop.

ORGANISE SOME ALONE TIME!

COUPLE

TIME

AND

• Having a date night is important.

Organise a sitter to look after your child and have some time to yourselves. Go watch a movie, go and eat at a fine

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dining restaurant or have a picnic outside the nearby park. No matter what, it’s crucial to separate your couple hangouts from your child. Being together with your child isn’t couple time - that’s family time.

• Allowing your partner to have some alone time is just as important too. Whether it’d be a jog around the block, hanging out with their mates or just having a solitary trip somewhere, give them that freedom where they can just have some time to themselves. Giving them the chance to have that time can really highlight all the positives within your relationship and can also lessen the fights because you’ve allowed them to recharge the batteries. YOU also need time alone. Have an R&R with your girlfriends (spa, getting your nails done etc), read a book in your local library or take yourself out to lunch - the possibilities are endless.

• When both of you feel like getting intimate (we know, the amount of times you have sex decreases when you have a child), make sure your baby isn’t in the room and remove all toys and things that may ruin the mood.

As silly as it sounds, planning when you have sex can really do wonders to your relationship and you’ll both appreciate spending the quality time together.

Whoever said marriage or relationships are a walk in a park don’t know what they’re talking about. How you function as a couple, especially after having a child, really determines how you survive through the challenges that may come up in the future. Always remember that communication is key and that allowing yourselves to have that bit of compromise can help that transition of being new parents be a lot easier.

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BONDING TIPS TIPS FOR

NewDads Written by Anvi Sharma

Having a new baby enter your life can be quite an overwhelming experience for dads. The addition of a little human brings a new set of life challenges that you thinking your ready for, but until that time actually comes, the dream of parenthood can be very different from the reality.

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DAD READ

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Some dads find it particularly difficult to bond with their baby straight away., but don’t fret, it can take time to build this relationship and in the end it will all be worth it!

Here are a few tips to help you with spending time with your little one and creating a more intense attachment and emotional connection.

START EARLY You may have seen or heard about parents-to-be that sing or read out loud to the pregnant belly and think that’s a little strange? Well its not so strange after all, actually it’s proven to establish a connection before the baby is even born, so put your reading hats on and get ready to belt out your favourite lullabies so you can get a head start.

It’s important that you get involved in the entire pregnancy process, so make time and attend check-ups, appointments, classes or any pregnancy related doctor’s visits with your partner. This way, they feel supported and you are also up to date with everything that’s going on.

PHYSICAL CONTACT Studies show that holding the baby often from a young age is an extremely important factor in bonding. Physical touch – including tickles, cuddles, massages, bathes and holding the baby with bare arms – are really useful when trying to establish an initial connection with your newborn.

Skin-to-skin contact for fathers can be just as intimate as breastfeeding is for mothers.

A lot of fathers also prefer carriers or slings when out with the baby instead of using a stroller or pram as they find it easier and

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it allows them to keep the baby close to a warm body.

BE ATTENTIVE Being able to respond to the baby’s needs and wants is an important skill and is also one of the best ways to bond with a newborn. It may take a while for you to pick up on what the baby needs, whereas your partner might be a complete natural at it - but don’t be disheartened, you will eventually be able to realise the signs and tells.

Be there to soothe the baby when he/she is crying – try walking around with them, gently rocking them, singing to them or having a gentle conversation with them.

Studies also show that looking into the baby’s eyes and paying attention to them as you have a conversation can help them have more sophisticated social interactions as they grow older.

GET INVOLVED There are some things such as nursing the baby that you won’t be able to do for obvious reasons, but everything else you can get involved with. Babies actually start to recognise their main carers at a surprisingly early stage so make sure that you get in as much bonding time as possible.

Being involved in the baby’s daily routine is important. Taking turns with your partner not only gives them some time off, but will also give you some one on one time to bond with your bub. Take the time to bathe them, feed them, change their nappy and put them to bed whenever you can. If you’re at work during the day, take turns to attend to the baby at night when they are crying – although you may be

exhausted, you don’t want to miss out on these precious moments.

ALONE TIME It may seem daunting at first, but of course, one of the best ways to bond with your baby is to spend some alone time with them.

Playing with the baby, singing or reading to them, or simply talking to them is another way to create a more intimate connection between the two of you at an early stage.

Making silly faces or playing peek-a-boo are common favourites.

Spending alone time with the baby will also help you to be more confident in being a father as you start to be more attentive and calm as time goes on.

At the end of the day, it’s not the end of the world if you don’t bond with your baby straight away. Give it time and be patient instead of trying to rush things and overdo it. Give yourself enough time to get adjusted to this new little person in your life.

Seeking advice from other parents, nurses, doctors or your own parents is nothing to be ashamed of, so lean on them if you need too.

It’s important not to assume that the mother will have a stronger connection to the baby than you. Some mothers take longer to bond, so make sure you are there for your partner as well.

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Lisa Chimes Animal Doctor to the Rescue

Known to be the passionate vet on Australian

television, Lisa Chimes has been a household name for quite some time as the co-host for Bondi Vet and host for Dr. Lisa to the Rescue TV shows. With her wealth of experience and knowledge, Chimes also graduated with a degree in Veterinary Science with first class honours at University of Sydney.

Though she’s in the spotlight while doing what she loves, the cameras do no justice to what she deals with in her day-to-day job.

Dealing with the nitty gritty parts all while seeing the most heartwarming moments for the animals she’s managed to treat, Lisa loves the idea that the camera crew capture the best aspects of her career as a Veterinarian.

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“Essentially it’s just me doing my normal day job and the cameras just following up around for stories that would be appropriate to show to the public obviously,” Chimes says. “Not everything we treat at work is something people want to see so the film crew try and sort of filter it a little so that it’s actually enjoyable for people to watch. I love doing the show it sheads a spotlight on the veterinarian profession and I’m really proud to be a vet. I love that we get to showcase that for people around the world.”

Chimes states that she’s “always had a very strong interest and love for science and medicine” so combining this love with her adoration for animals made total sense for her. Though many people often pursued this career path, it required a competitive and studious nature while also accepting the challenges that came with it. Even in this interview, Chimes didn’t hesitate to share her top tips when introducing a new pet into the family.

“The most important thing is to make sure that you’re choosing your pet that you have the means to be able to look after your new pet. Your family needs to match the pet as much as the pet needs to match you,” she says. “It really is something that you need to look at and you also have to consider some factors such as how much you can give to the pet, the age of your children, your lifestyle and your financial situation - all of it has to be taken into account.”

Through her generous advice and her positive attitude towards animals, Chimes is still constantly trying to master the things that come with motherhood. As a parent, things have changed for her ever since. With her son, Hudson and daughter,

Darcie, Chimes reveals the interesting lessons she’s learnt while raising her kids who are only a few years apart.

“It really feels like there’s so much more love in the family. I never imagined that we could love another child and then Darcie came along and your heart just kind of expands; you just have the ability to love so much and it’s quite amazing,” she says. “Seeing them play together as she get’s older and following her big brother around, it just melts you. When you can see that relationship forming it’s so exciting, I’m really looking forward to seeing it develop.”

Even with such a small age gap, Chimes has already noticed the different personalities both her children have as people. With Hudson being three and Darcie being one, each of her kids have unique qualities she’s grown to love.

“They’ve got very different interests and I’m hoping over the next few years - as that sort of gap narrows - they’re going to start playing together and I’m really excited for that.” she explains.

Though motherhood has had its perks, she’s had to come across some challenging moments during her journey - some of which have been mostly internal struggles. It’s taken a while for her to adjust to parenthood but she’s becoming more accepting of the messy and carefree ways that come with raising two kids.

“You never really feel like you’re doing your best job at anything. You’re torn in a million different directions between the two kids and the dog, and there’s a lot of guilt,” she says. “You feel like

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you’re just not giving everyone the best of your ability and I’m a bit of a perfectionist so it’s quite hard to wrap my head around that. As the days go by, I’m learning to kind of just accept that things are never going to be perfect and that there are so many creatures in my life to take care of [laughs].”

Chimes has managed to squeeze some time to write a couple of children’s books titled My First Kitten and My First Puppy.

Both of them aim to teach younger children how to take care of their first pet - either a kitten or a puppy. Even though Chimes was very keen on becoming a vet originally, she pondered for a bit on architecture during the days of her senior years in high school. However, she knew in her heart that becoming

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a vet was something she wanted to do claiming, “it was the best decision she’s ever made.”

Filling up her days with her job, her pets and her kids, Chimes is content with how things are going right now, and as a mother, she’s realised that the little things in her life do count for something.

“At the moment I’m just happy with the things I’m doing,” she says. “I’m really grateful for the way my life has panned out and if I can keep on teaching people about their pet, and be a voice and an advocate for the pet, then I would be really, really grateful if I could keep on doing that.”

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KIDS

IMPLEMENTING FAMILY

Rules & Rewards Written by Jana Angeles When your child becomes unaware of the impact of their actions (unknowingly being rude, talking back etc), we become tempted to repeatedly tell them that ‘it’s the wrong thing to do’ or ‘you need to have some time out and think about what you did’. In the end, you sound like a broken record using overused statements without explaining how and why their actions were wrong in the first place. Rules are a nifty thing for parents worldwide and implementing some for your child can consistently keep them well-behaved.

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Families go through many challenges together and it’s important as parents to be reasonable when it comes to implementing rules for our children. Having the chance to sit down and getting them involved can really help them understand why these rules are being made in the first place. This in return can encourage good behaviour, emphasising the real rewards given if children are able to showcase acts of kindness and be extremely helpful around the household. In the end, we want our children to do these things without having to ask them.

Of course, when rules are broken, it’s important as parents that we’re able to explain the consequences to our children on what happens from there. This is why sitting down and having a chat to them can help them clear their minds and make better decisions without having to disappoint you or themselves. Some parents may see rules in a negative light to famil y life and may not realise how important they actuall y are. Rules are there to encourage your children to be good citizens in the near future.

There are some key areas when developing rules for your children. These include: • The treatment of other family members • Safety • The daily routines you undergo • Manners • Politeness Only having a few rules implemented can be beneficial for your children as they only have to remember a couple of things.

Overwhelming them with too many can discourage good behaviour as this notes that you are expecting too much from them.

Some tips to take on board when developing rules with your children: • Write down the set of rules on a sheet of paper so that all family members can view it. It’s a good idea to stick it on the fridge so in that way, your children (and yourselves!) can remember them. It also prevents any arguments from occurring just incase one

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of the children assumes you’ve “forgotten” them.

• Take the opportunity to change the rules if necessary. Always have your children involved in these discussions and work out new ways to encourage good behaviour.

Having a rewards system provides an incentive for the children to work even harder so this could be an effective way to maintain good behaviour.

• Always explain the consequences if one of the rules are broken. This will not only encourage good behaviour from your children but this will teach them the impact of their decisions.

• If you’re children are young, provide them with constant guidance and acknowledge when they have done the right thing.

Making a rewards system for your children Setting up a rewards system is a really effective way to encourage your children to maintain good behaviour. Having something they can work towards will give them a chance to see the difference when making good decisions, and will avoid any sense of rule-breaking at all costs.

Most parents and teachers opt out in using a star chart to acknowledge and reward children for following the rules and/or modeling good behaviour. As a parent, you can make your rewards systems central to what you believe needs to be worked on, especially when you find that your children are becoming too lazy when doing chores, constantly fighting with siblings or refusing to partake in basic hygiene.

Some important points to keep in mind when implementing a rewards system for your children: • Be realistic when it comes to following a rewards system. It’s important to aim high but really, we want our children to actually get a star for doing something we know they’re capable of. There’s no point setting up something impossible for them

to achieve!

• Give out the stickers!! When you know that your child has done something good without being asked, reward them with the sticker immediately. They’ll feel really good about themselves and they’ll be one sticker closer to the prize!

• Alter how many stickers you give out for certain things. This applies to your older children when their chores have more responsibilities attached. For example, if washing the dishes equals one sticker, you may change it by giving them a sticker every two days instead. In this way, the children will be working even harder to earn more stickers. Avoid removing the rewards system altogether. Your children may be tempted to go back to their old ways…

• Stay positive and be encouraging! It helps when you’re there encouraging them to do the right thing. Showing your support will motivate them in making the

right decisions and modeling appropriate behaviour around the household.

• Instead of a toy prize, reward them with an experience. Who needs that shiny, electronic gadget when you can make memories instead? You could go for bowling, the zoo, the nearest entertainment park, have lunch at a nice restaurant and see a movie afterwards or even spend the day at the local pool. There are so many places to see and do as a family, you’ll have the children cheering!

Overall, the challenges of parenting come with a lot of wisdom and power and soon, your children will no longer be little anymore; they will be adults, exploring the confusing yet exciting path of life. The time and care we spend on our children is well worth it and in the end, there are no rules or rewards system that can change who they are as they grow older but what they will know is that doing good makes the world a better place.

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FASHION

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spring summer ‘be brave’

The upcoming release of the Spring Summer ‘Be Brave’ Collection by Melbourne based design group Sudo Kids, captures the essence of what being young is all about.

Clean lines, well cut designs, mixed textures and a coordinated blend of colours, draws together to create this unique and stand-out range that Sudo Kids is renowned for.

Head designer Terry Lay drew inspiration from the concept that childhood knows no boundaries and has no limitations. Should you be brave enough to dream that you can – you will.

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Left Girl - Neo 2-Piece Swimsuit rrp $64.90 Centre Girl - Rosey 1-Piece Swimsuit rrp $54.90 Right Girl - Glitteratzi 2-Piece Swimsuit rrp $54.90

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Below: Left Boy - Top: Think Tank Crew (Light Marle) $59.90 Bottom: Axel Denim Short (Vintage) $64.90 Right Boy - Top: Bold moves T-Shirt (Shrouded) $44.90 Bottom: Flashlight Cargo Short (Khaki) $59.90

Right: Left Girl - Jasmine Dress (Milk) $69.90 Centre Girl - Top: Raindance Knit Hoodie (Silver) $64.90 and Lunar Shell Top (Ivory) $59.90 Bottom: Valentine Dress Short (Star Burst) $59.90 Right Girl - Florence Dress (Parchment) $69.90

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Left Boy - Seastorm Board Short $49.90 Centre Boy - Driftwood Board Short $49.90 Right Boy - Blu Bamboo Swim Short $49.90

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LEFT TOP Hux Bear Slub Sweatshirt $49.95 rrp Slub Shorts $43.95 rrp LEFT BOTTOM Fruit Mix Drop Back T-shirt $43.95 rrp Fruit Mix Skinny Legging $43.95 rrp Big Cat Drop Back T-shirt $43.95 rrp Big Cat Drop Crotch Pant $44.95 rrp RIGHT Bear Hug Swirl Dress $49.95 rrp

Left Left Girl - Stella Dress (Emerald) $84.90 Centre Girl - Top: Mirror Mirror T-Shirt (Smudged) $44.90 Bottom: Valentine Dress Short (Retro Chambray) $59.90 Right Girl - Top: Alice Blouse (Milk) $59.90 Overall: Harper Denim Overall (Triangle) $79.90 Above Left Boy - Seastorm Board Short $49.90 Centre Boy - Driftwood Board Short $49.90 Right Boy - Blu Bamboo Swim Short $49.90

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shop

KIDS

fashion

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shop

KIDS

WHAT’S IN OUR STORES THIS MONTH BABY

GIRLS Chiffon Lace Trim $25.00 rrp CHARLIEANDMEKIDS.COM.AU

Pleated Skirt $6.00 rrp KMART.COM.AU

30

UNDER

Elyon Senior High Tops $20.00 rrp

Tutu Dress $29.95 rrp Daisy Quilted Dress $30.00 rrp

$

TARGET.COM.AU

MYER.COM.AU

Polka Dot Ballerinas $20.00 rrp Flutter Dress $20.00 rrp

CHARLIEANDMEKIDS.COM.AU

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Glitter Star Dress $59.95 rrp Jersey Dress $59.95 rrp

UNDER

$

ESPIRIT.COM.AU

Top & Tulle Skirt $44.95 rrp Drop Sleeve Dress $36.95 rrp

Bow Headband $12.95 rrp Glitter Bow $9.95 rrp MYER.COM.AU

MYER.COM.AU

Gazette T-Shirt $49.00 rrp Cloth Overalls $43.00 MELIJOE.COM/AU

SPLURGE

Mary Jane Shoes $49.00 rrp

TRENDYKIDZ.COM.AU

Stretch Dress & Bloomers $97.00 rrp Leopard Silk Dress $239.00 rrp MELIJOE.COM/AU

Long Sleeve Lace Denim $59.99 rrp MYER.COM.AU

Emily Rose Dress $99.95 rrp MYER.COM.AU

Embroidered Playsuit $69.95 rrp WITCHERY.COM.AU

Zebra-Printed Sandals $105.00 rrp MELIJOE.COM/AU

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shop

KIDS

WHAT’S IN OUR STORES THIS MONTH BABY

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BOYS Bear Stripe T-Shirt $10.00 rrp Pique Polo $10.00 rrp Cuffed Fashion Pants $15.00 rrp

UNDER

$

TARGET.COM.AU

Cuffed Chinos $15.00 rrp ESPRIT.COM.AU

Ethan Denim Shorts $24.99 rrp PUMPKINPATCH. COM.AU

Jetplane T-Shirt $19.95 rrp Baby Shirt & Vest $23.00 rrp TARGET.COM.AU

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Lonsdale Leo Polo $39.95 rrp

UNDER

$

MYER.COM.AU

Marc Jacobs T-Shirt $49.00 rrp TRENDYKIDZ.COM.AU

Denim Pant $44.95 rrp

COUNTRYROAD.COM.AU

Canvas Sneaker $14.99 rrp

Arrow Shirt $34.95 rrp

COUNTRYROAD. COM.AU

Drop Crotch Short $49.95 rrp WITCHERY.COM.AU

CHARLIEANDMEKIDS. COM.AU

SPLURGE

Reversible Shirt Jacket $69.95 rrp Chino & Belt $50.00 rrp MYER.COM.AU

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Baby Boots Knits $70.00 rrp T-Shirt & Overalls $82.00 rrp Burberry Jump Suit & Hat $214.00 rrp september 2016 | mychild

MELIJOE.COM/AU

Embroidered Sweatshirt $395.00 rrp Burberry Suit Pants $386.00 rrp MELIJOE.COM/AU

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A Story of a Rare Genetic Disorder in Newborns Written by: Olivia Arrow

Victorian couple Faye and Youssef share their story on how not just one but two of their children were diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder known as Hereditary Tyrosinaemia Type 1 (HT-1). HT-1 is a condition where the body cannot break down a protein building block called tyrosine. As a result of this deficiency, toxic substances build up in the blood and can cause liver failure, kidney dysfunction and neurological problems.

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REAL READ

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Victorian couple Faye and Youssef share their story on how not just one but two of their children were diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder known as Hereditary Tyrosinaemia Type 1 (HT-1). HT-1 is a condition where the body cannot break down a protein building block called tyrosine. As a result of this deficiency, toxic substances build up in the blood and can cause liver failure, kidney dysfunction and neurological problems.

children they may have would likely be diagnosed with HT-1 as well.

Six weeks after giving birth to a baby girl named Jeanette in 2001, Faye Azer and her husband Youssef from Dandenong in Victoria suspected that their newborn daughter was very ill. She had a number of concerning symptoms including an enlarged tummy, severe jaundice and was constantly projectile vomiting with traces of blood.

In 2003, two years after Jeanette’s passing, Faye fell pregnant with her third child.

Faye took her baby to the doctor and was told by the GP that the traces of blood may have been a result of the continuous bouts of projectile vomiting and that jaundice was fairly common amongst babies. Faye wasn’t convinced and something wasn’t sitting right with her. Faye hadn’t experience this with her first child and she knew that there was something going on but she didn’t know what.

Jeanette’s condition began to seriously deteriorate and the Azer’s took her to hospital where she was admitted. For three weeks, doctors frantically tried to diagnose her condition but they were unable to find anything wrong with Jeanette as the test kept coming back negative. Three weeks after being admitted to hospital, baby Jeanette passed away at 9 weeks of age.

Baby Jonathon was born later that year and after undergoing a heel prick test 2 days after his birth, he was diagnosed with HT1. Faye explains that she was in hysterics when she learnt of Jonathon’s diagnosis. “I had little confidence that anything could be done for Jonathon. I was crying all the time.

Even though I had prepared myself, I couldn’t believe it and was still in shock.” she said.

Six weeks after her passing, the autopsy was released and it was found that Jeanette was born with a life-threatening rare condition known as hereditary tyrosinaemia type 1 (HT1). It wasn’t diagnosed at birth or tested for during pregnancy.

Faye and Yousef’s world turned upside down following Jeanette’s death. They were given genetic counselling and were told by doctors that there was a 1 in 4 chance that any future

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Faye knowing this information was reluctant to have another baby. She would blame herself if anything happened, knowing the risks of exposing another baby to this condition.

However, she and her husband decided that they were not going to completely rule out future children.

Faye contacted staff from The Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne to inform them of her pregnancy. She wanted to ensure that every precautionary step was being taken to make sure her third baby was healthy.

Faye and Yousef recall Jonathon’s symptoms mirroring those of his elder sister’s when she first became ill and still grieving the loss of their daughter to this disease, it was a surreal moment for the Azer’s to be going through it again.

A few days after Jonathon’s birth, he was taken to the Children’s Hospital and the doctor’s informed the family that there was a drug called Orfadin that was available in Australia and could potentially treat Jonathon’s rare disease.

The Azer’s didn’t hesitate and Jonathon was given the drug and was kept in the Intensive Care Unit to see how his body responded.

Faye recalls being told by doctors to take life one day at a time, which was a difficult thing for them to hear with everything going on.

Miraculously 24 hours after taking the lifesaving drug, Jonathon’s condition began to improve and there was hope. Maybe, just maybe this drug could save their baby son’s life.

The drug that Jonathan was prescribed was not on the list of subsidised Life Saving Drugs Program (LSDP) medications and could cost up to $120,000 in his first year of treatment alone. As this was a life time treatment for Jonathon, the bill would end up costing hundreds of thousands of dollars. Without thinking twice, the Azer family told doctors they were prepared to put their house on the market to pay for the treatment that would save their son’s life. They knew that the treatment was the only thing keeping their beautiful baby boy alive and they were prepared to do whatever it took to keep him healthy.

As luck would have it, they were told that they wouldn’t need to resort to such measures as selling their home because they had the opportunity to participate in a clinical trial.

As long as the trial and hospital received funding, there would be no out-of-pocket expense. Without the hospitals dedication to assisting the Azer family, they might have lost 2 children - not to mention the life they had worked so hard to build.

The Azer’s got a crash course on how they were going to manage their son’s condition and his special low protein diet for life. They were then sent home with their beautiful baby boy.

Now aged 13 years, Jonathon is a happy and active kid. He understands all too well at his young age that the special low protein diet and medication he takes twice a day is keeping him alive. Whilst he is still coming to terms with not being able to go on school camps or trips with friends (in fear that he will accidently skip a dose of treatment), he accepts that he needs to strictly adhere to his treatment to live a happy, healthy and long life. It’s a lot to manage at his age, but the

way he handles his condition would make anyone proud.

The HT-1 condition is often not diagnosed at birth. HT-1 symptoms can include: • Fever • Failure to gain weight • yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice) • development of a distinctive cabbage-like odour to the skin and urine.

In Australia, only 1 or 2 babies are diagnosed with HT-1 every year. Without treatment, the ma jority of those affected would not make it past their 5th birthday.

With over 2 years in collaboration with the Department of Health. Menarini’s commitment to ensuring Australians have access to this life-changing treatment was granted. On the 1st June 2016, eligible Australian children with HT-1, now have access to fully subsidised treatments of the drug following its listing on the Life Saving Drugs Program (LSDP).

Saving your child’s life shouldn’t be narrowed down to affordability. This will benefit many families and save them thousands of dollars in expensive treatments.

For many years Faye and Youssef became accustomed to living in the moment and they never allowed themselves to dream about their son’s future for fear that something might happen to him. Now, with the drug that saved their son’s life on the LSDP and not having to worry that funding for the trail may one day stop, they can clearly visualise him as a young man who is able to be in a relationship, getting his first job and all those wonderful things that can be taken for granted.

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GET THE LOOK:

interiors

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INTERIORS

Interior Decorator: Melissa Barling from Winter Daisy

INTERIOR: NORSU INTERIORS september 2016 | mychild 87

interiors GET THE LOOK:

PASTEL WOOD 88

september 2016 | mychild

Interior Decorator: Melissa Barling from Winter Daisy

Gold Mirror – Safavieh $169.00 rrp allmodern.com

Abacus Table Lamp Mercury – West Elm $299.00 rrp westelm.com.au

Dolls – A Good Start $61.00-75.00 rrp agoodstart.etsy.com

Feather Light – Eos 1 Light Globe Pendant $169.00 rrp allmodern.com

Star Cusion - Colette Bream $38.00 rrp colettebream.etsy.com.au

Jute Rug West Elm $399.00 rrp westelm.com.au

Name Sign The Lettered Lane $100.00 rrp theletteredlane.etsy.com.au

Gold Polka Dots $20.00 rrp happywaltz.com.au Cot - Babyletto $700.00 rrp designkids.com.au

Canopy Numero 74 $220.00 rrp growingfootprints.com.au

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Alphabet Dachshund Pillow – Parade and Company $39.00 rrp paradeandcompany.com

Rock On Timber Sign – Parade and Company $25.00 rrp paradeandcompany.com

Alphabet Art Print Yorkelee Print $43.00 rrp yorkelee.com.au Teepee Hanging Rack $129.00 rrp kimberleyjakedesigns. bigcartel.com.

Big Doug Into The Fold $180.00 rrp intothefold.com.au

Teepee Cushion $25.00 rrp junejet.bigcartel.com

Fox Hanger - Zilvi $30.00 rrp zilvi.com.au

Bear Money Box Devine Design $45.00 rrp devinedesignbyderya. bigcartel.com

Leather Strap Shelves $110.00 rrp interiormotivesaus.com.au

Chunky Knitted Throw $360.00 rrp urbanmojo.com.au Rug - Milk Tooth $129.00 rrp milktooth.com.au

Teepee - Little Drifter & Co $129.00 rrp littledrifterandco.com

Ply Wood Cactus $24.95 rrp gunnandjackson.bigcartel.com

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Knotted Cushion $65.00 rrp mylittleecho. bigcartel.com.

interiors GET THE LOOK:

Cross Blanket $299.00 rrp norsu.com.au

BOLD GRAPHIC september 2016 | mychild

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Interior Styling by: Kate at myhomestyle89

TOY

Reviews

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TOYS

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TOY

Reviews

REVIEWED BY APRIL DAVIS

5/5

JELLYCAT BASHFUL BEIGE BUNNY SOOTHER

The perfect gift for a newborn, the Bashful Bunny Soother is specially made to ensure little ones can wrap their fingers around its tiny arms. Presented with a ribbon, the bunny’s hands are attached to the blanket, meaning the little blanket won’t get lost. The bunny is filled with polyethylene beads to make it sit upright. This toy is suitable for babies aged up to 12 months; however, it is a cute bed buddy for children of any age.

Our verdict Soft to touch, super cuddly, and absolutely adorable, any baby would be lucky to have this bunny as a bed companion.

RRP $22.95 – AVAILABLE FROM SEND A TOY / WWW.SENDATOY.COM.AU

ISGIFT CHATTERMATE KOALA This clever plush koala takes playing copycat to a whole new level. When you switch it on it will repeat everything you say, while it’s cute little head bops up and down. Made for children aged 12 months to three years old, the koala comes with three AAA batteries and is also available in a range of other designs.!

Our Verdict When I first received this koala I was hesitant about its appropriateness for children. The toy does exactly what it said it does, however, its voice is very loud, and slightly distorted, and so it comes across a little scary. The girls in the office thought it was hilarious, and so did my husband - but I still wasn’t sold on whether children would like it. When presented to my two nephews, aged three and one, I quickly changed my mind. They both thought it was wonderful! They were talking to it and laughing at its responses, and the minute it laughed back, they laughed twice as hard! This koala has been a hit with absolutely everyone I have showed it to - it’s great for kids and as a talking point at your next dinner party.

RRP $26.99 - AVAILABLE FROM YELLOW OCTOPUS / WWW.YELLOWOCTOPUS.COM.AU

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5/5

childs FROM A VIEW

4/5

APPLES TO PEARS FARM IN A TIN Stored in a compact metal tin, your children will have an entire farmyard at their disposal. Described as ‘a taste of the good life for the little ones’ the collection of wooden farm animals and buildings, which come complete with a playmate, is a great rainy day activity. The pieces are small, so the play set is recommended for children aged four plus.

Our Verdict Easy to store, and lots of fun, this play set encourages creativity and is great for teaching your children about animals. The only real downside is that the pieces are small and easy to lose.

RRP $23.95 AVAILABLE FROM BABY VEGAS/ WWW.BABYVEGAS.COM.AU

ISGIFT RAINBOW CRYSTAL SEALIFE A multi-coloured crystal sea creature is only ten to 20-minutes away. Simply follow a set of simple instructions and your kids will be quietly entertained by this fun craft project.

Lucas

I liked making this, but I made a bit of a mess and pulled it out of the mould too soon, so it was a bit sticky when I pulled it out. Mum put it away to dry a bit longer though and it came out well.

Our Verdict

This craft project is great for the school holidays, but some adult supervision is required. The crystals are non-toxic but you might have a grumpy kid on your hands if things don’t go to plan!

RRP $8.95 AVAILABLE FROM JUNIOR REPUBLIC / WWW.JUNIORREPUBLIC.COM.AU

3/5 september 2016 | mychild

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REVIEW

What’s the Oricom Secure850 baby monitor really like?

BY OLIVIA ARROW

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3 mums’ tested and reviewed the award winning baby monitor and now you can find out why it won Gold in the Baby Monitors Category of the 2016 mychild Magazine Excellence Awards!

In my mother’s day when I was a wee little baby myself, my mum had to listen out for me crying. There were no such things as baby monitors back then. Move forward 35+ years or so and how technology has improved our mum quality of life. We now have pretty much every gadget needed to help us on our parenting journey and the one I have to say is my favourite is the baby monitor.

However, when it comes to the wonderful world of baby monitors, it can be completely overwhelming and downright confusing on which one suits our needs best. There are monitors for just sound, breathing movements and camera monitors. Choosing a monitor can be somewhat intimidating for mum’s to be as we all want to make the best choice possible for our babies.

We decided to do a review of the Oricom Secure850 to get an inside look into what’s made this monitor the Gold Winner of the 2016 mychild Excellence Award. To help us with our review, we reached out to 3 everyday mums to give us their honest feedback about the monitor.

Amanda monitored 1 child, Sheree monitored 2 kids and Sarah (who we take our hat off too) has 3 kids under 3 that she monitored.

All mums were excited to receive the unit and quickly got around to unwrapping and setting it up. They all agreed that the monitor was easy and simple to set up, Sarah who had 3 cameras said: “I was really excited to receive this baby monitor and after reading the instructions I quickly jumped into setting it up. The first camera was already paired with the parent monitor and I found that pairing the other

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two cameras was really easy, 3 button presses and it was all ready to go.” – SARAH

camera unit in a close enough spot you can have it that bit further away and just zoom in.”

“An added bonus is the unit allows multiple cameras to be hooked up to the main parent unit, with switching between cameras as simple as pushing one button.” – SHEREE

Sarah said: “Firstly, I absolutely love that the cameras are motorised! I have 3 young children, 2 which like to climb out of bed and play so to be able to move the camera around and see what they are doing no matter where I am in the house is awesome. The cameras have a great range of motion both vertically and horizontally so I am able to see my children wherever they are within the room.”

“After receiving the monitor, I was straight to setting it up and seeing how it all worked. Will it be easy, do I need to read all the instructions, will it be a quick set up so I can use it straight away are my thoughts when unwrapping it.

Setting it up was easy, it's all self-explanatory no instructions needed for this part.” – AMANDA So what were the features they loved most about the Oricom Secure 850? They all loved the camera functions and were amazed and delighted with the options it offered.

Sheree said: “The pan-tilt camera is amazing, giving full views of the room (not just the cot) and also covers any “wandering” toddlers with a digital zoom option. Picture perfect clear images are on offer during the day with infrared taking care of your night view. The hardest decision you will have to make is where you will set the camera up. “ Amanda told us: “I can move the camera around from the parent unit which is easy and moves around a fair bit, up down and to either side, as well as your ability to zoom in if you can’t get the

 NIGHT VISION  MULTI-CAMERA SCAN  MOTORISED CAMERA WITH ZOOM  LULLABIES  PARENT TALK-BACK  ROOM TEMPERATURE

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They also loved the parent unit. They were all impressed with the image quality especially the infrared camera images, the ability to control the cameras positions and the lullaby and talk back options that could all be controlled from the parent unit.

“The parent unit can either be set to stay on a single camera or it can scan through the cameras every 10 seconds. It’s good to be able to set it just to the one camera if only one child is sleeping. Again, really easy to change between the two, with just a single press of the camera button.

The picture quality is great, even in the dark when the image turns to black and white I can still see everything really clearly and the range is also really good as i could take the monitor out to the shed and still be able to see and hear everything.” - SARAH “I move the camera around from the parent unit which is easy and moves around a fair bit up down and to either side, as well as your able to zoom in if you can’t get the camera unit in a close enough spot you can have it that bit further away and just zoom in. Setting the temperature, volume, and the voice activation on the parent’s unit was easy to use. The instructions where easy to follow as well.

Having the ability to play a lullaby to your baby from the parent unit I found was one of my favourite features if he woke through the

day or stirred a little I could turn this on and he would settle and drift off to sleep again without any disruptions to him.” - AMANDA “This product has many bells and whistles in the form of lights, soothing lullabies and you can even be the voice of comfort from another room with a parent talk back button.

But with winter and two sick kids on our hands the temperature feature has also been great in our house lately, helping keep the right balance of clothing/blanket layers ideal in each room.” – SHEREE The most confusing thing Amanda and Sarah found about the monitor was the control for the lullaby volume on the parent monitor.

converted. I have found peace of mind through an easy to use product that I would highly recommend to other parents out there.” – SHEREE With its large 4.3” display, Pan-tilt camera, digital zoom on parent unit, infrared camera for night vision, parent talk back to comfort your baby, room temperature display and alert, digital volume control, soft, comforting night light, five soothing lullabies, the rechargeable parent unit with up to 8 hr battery life, they loved the endless features that the Secure 850 had to offer.

It’s no wonder that it won the Gold Award for 2016.

”It did take me a little bit to work out that I could turn the volume down on it so it doesn’t play through the parent unit but so that it still is playing a lullaby on the babies unit. I thought that if the volume was off there would be no sound coming through from the baby unit but this was not the case, it does” - AMANDA The verdict?

All our mum’s thought the monitor was fantastic and they loved that is was easy to set up and use.

“Overall it’s a fantastic unit. Like I mentioned before the volume for the lullaby function I got a bit confused with but when I figured it out, it worked well.” – AMANDA “I really like this monitor. It is easy to set up and use, is great to move the cameras and the sound and picture quality is really good and one that I would definitely recommend to my mum friends!” – SARAH “From a once sceptical mummy, I think I have been

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CHOKING FIRST AID

Written by Anvi Sharma We all hope we’re never in a dire situation that put’s a child’s life at risk, but unfortunate things can happen and it’s always best to be prepared. can be. Here are some things to consider when you’re seeing someone who has a child so that you know what you’re getting into.

Choking is a real risk for children who are prone to putting small objects in their mouths. It can be an extremely stressful and dangerous for a parent.

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AWARENESS

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Choking usually involves a small object such as food or a toy, lodged in a child’s throat which can prevent air from flowing into their lungs. If airflow is blocked, the brain can be deprived of oxygen which can be a life-threatening emergency.

Of course your first call would be to contact the ambulance, but in serious cases, there often isn’t enough time to contact emergency services and therefore, knowing what to do in a risky situation such as this can help save a life.

Here are some of the first aid

basics for choking.

PREVENTION Of course, the best way cure for something is prevention. Keeping small hazardous objects away and out of reach from children and babies is an important habit to learn.

Cutting up food into small pieces and supervising children when they are eating and drinking is also advised, particularly when they are still under the age of five. Don’t try and feed a child when he/she is laughing, crying, running around or behaving hysterically as this can also cause them to choke.

It’s important to talk to your children about the dangers of choking and why they should be careful, remain calm and eat sitting down.

WHAT SIGNS TO LOOK FOR: Assessing the situation is key, and knowing what to look for can save crucial time when it comes to choking. Unfortunately, babies can’t communicate such things clearly and that is why it is up to you to recognise when the child is in danger of choking.

A child may need help if he/she: • Has unusual breathing sounds such as gasping, wheezing or coughing • Is unable to talk, cry or make any noise • Is grabbing at their throat • Is waving their arms around/panicked behaviour • Is turning pale or blue • Has watery eyes • Is unconscious or limp It’s important to note that sometimes a small object may be stuck in your child’s throat, but if they can breathe and talk normally, then the airway is not completely blocked.

Try getting them to cough the object out or down, they will most likely be fine and there isn’t much cause for concern.

It’s advised that you don’t reach into the mouth to grab the object as this could make the situation worse – just remain patient until the coughing fit passes.

WHAT TO DO: If your child is old enough to understand you, begin with asking them to remain calm and encourage them to breathe and cough to try and remove the object lodged in their throat. If you have come to the conclusion that the child is choking, shout for help if there are people nearby and ask someone to call an ambulance. If you are alone, call 000 immediately and stay on line with the operator while you attend to the child.

If the child is unconscious, you should remove any obstructions from their mouth and attempt CPR after ensuring an ambulance is on the way.

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BABIES: 1. Get the baby into position by holding them face down on your forearm, supporting them with your thigh. Make sure the baby’s torso region is positioned higher than their head so that gravity can do its job.

2. Using the heel of your hand, thump the child in between the shoulder blades. Give them up to five back blows and check to see if the blockage has cleared.

3. Turn the child over, face up, and keep supporting their head and neck. If the object isn’t out yet, place them back on your forearm but facing up this time.

4. Using two or three fingers, push the centre of the baby’s breastbone around five times. Repeat the back thumping and chest thrusts until the object comes out.

5. Open the baby’s airway by putting your thumb in their mouth and grasping the lower gums so the jaw is lifted up – so that you can look for the object and try and remove it only if you can see it clearly.

6. If the object is still lodged in the throat and the baby begins to lose consciousness, perform CPR and call 000.

CHILDREN:

5. Alternate between the two steps, checking to see if the blockage has cleared each time.

6. If the object still remains lodged, call 000. The child may start to lose consciousness after a while, wherein you should perform CPR until the ambulance arrives.

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND: • Don’t slap or pat the child on the back if they are able to cough – doing so may cause the object to be lodged further into the airway. Always try and get them to cough as a first option. Also, do not slap them when they are upright as gravity may cause the object to move further down the windpipe.

• Keep reminding the child to try and breathe or cough and remain conscious.

• Do not try to dislodge the object by squeezing the child’s stomach – this may move the object into a worse situation and cause the child more harm than good. Only remove the object from the child’s mouth if you can see it, otherwise it is imperative that you do not try and pull it out.

1. Tell the child to remain as calm as they can, and to try and cough the object that is stuck in their throat out.

• Don’t let the child out of your sight – stay with them and monitor their breathing.

2. Bend the child over, either while sitting on a chair or standing up, and use the heel of your hand to give their back a sharp blow between the shoulder blades.

• Take the child to a doctor if they continue to have trouble breathing even after you think the object obstructing their airways has been removed.

3. Repeat step 2 up to five times, and see if the blockage has cleared before continuing. If the object is still there, try step 4.

4. Placing one hand in the middle of the child’s back, use the heel of your other

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hand to do five chest thrusts (similar to CPR compressions but slower and sharper).

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Note: All information provided here is only a basic guide. Further advice should be gathered from qualified professionals, and first aid courses are highly recommended.

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Fast FOOD GET THE LITTLE ONES INVOLVED TO HELP CREATE MASTER MEALS USING OUR RECIPES THAT ARE KID FRIENDLY & CAN BE MADE WITH LITTLE EFFORT.

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mango passionfruit SMOOTHIE 0.10 Prep

Serves 2

INGREDIENTS 1 large mango, peeled, flesh roughly chopped (see tip) 1 cup passionfruit frozen yoghurt 1/2 cup milk

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METHOD Step 1 Place mango, frozen yoghurt and milk in a blender.

Blend until smooth and thick.

Pour into glasses and serve.

“Prefect for those days you are running late�

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berry & apple

BIRCHER MUESLI 0.15 Prep

Serves 2

INGREDIENTS 4 tablespoons untoasted muesli 2/3 cup berry yoghurt 1/2 apple, coarsely grated 2 x handful of fresh or thawed frozen berries sunflower seeds

METHOD Step 1 Combine muesli, berry yoghurt, apple, berries. Sprinkle with sunflower seeds.

“Place brekkie in a container for those mornings that you’ve run out of time and the kids can eat in the car”

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september 2016 | mychild

healthier LCM BARS 0.10 Prep 0.05 Cook

Serves 18

INGREDIENTS 120g (4 cups) rice bubbles 45g (1/2 cup) desiccated coconut tablespoon chia seeds 1 tablespoon sesame seeds 2 tablespoons sunflower seeds 75g (1/2 cup) craisins, roughly chopped 175g (1/2 cup) rice malt syrup 140g (1/2 cup) peanut butter

METHOD Step 1 Line a 16 x 26cm (base measurement) slice tin with baking paper, allowing paper to overhang two long sides of tin to form handles. Combine the rice bubbles, coconut, chia, sunflower seeds and craisins in a large mixing bowl. Set aside.

Step 2 Place rice malt syrup and peanut butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook stirring, until melted, well combined and just coming to the boil.

Step 3 Add to rice bubble mixture and stir to combine.

Working quickly, spoon into prepared tin, pressing down firmly with the back of a spoon.

Step 4 Refrigerate for 1-2 hours or until firm. Cut into 18 bars.

“A healthier version of a LCM bar that kids will surely love�

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date crunchy

HEDGEHOGS 0.10 Prep

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS 4 fresh dates 1 tablespoon peanut butter 1 tablespoon shredded coconut

METHOD Step 1 Use a small, sharp knife to cut dates in half lengthways.

Use your fingers to remove the stones. Discard the stones.

Spoon peanut butter into each date half.

Spread coconut over a large plate. Dip 1 date half, peanut-butter side down, in the coconut to coat.

Transfer to a serving plate.

Repeat with remaining date halves and coconut.

Serve.

“The kids will love these sweet and crunchy hedgehogs�

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spinach mushroom FETA GOZLEME 1.00 Prep 0.15 Cook

Serves 8

INGREDIENTS 2/3 cup warm water 2 teaspoons (7g sachet) instant dry yeast 1/2 teaspoon caster sugar 1 1/2 cups plain flour 1 teaspoon salt 1/4 cup olive oil 1 green onion, thinly sliced 200g button mushrooms, thinly sliced 2 tablespoons currants 100g baby spinach 50g feta, crumbled 50g tasty cheese, grated Lemon wedges, to serve

METHOD 1. Combine warm water, yeast, and sugar in a jug. Whisk with a fork to dissolve yeast. Stand in a warm place for 10 minutes or until frothy.

2. Sift flour and salt into a large bowl. Add yeast mixture and 2 teaspoons olive oil. Mix to form a soft dough. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 5 minutes or until elastic.

Place in a lightly greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap. Stand in a warm place for 20 minutes or until dough doubles in size.

3. Meanwhile, heat 2 teaspoons olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add onion. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute or until softened. Add mushroom. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 to 4 minutes or until softened. Add currants and spinach.

Cook for 1 minute or until spinach has just wilted. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat. Transfer mixture to a sieve placed over a bowl to drain excess liquid. Cool for 10 minutes.

4. Divide dough into 8 equal portions. Roll 1-piece dough into a 10cm x 15cm rectangle. Combine feta and cheese in a small bowl. Place one-eighth spinach mixture over one half of rectangle. Top with cheese mixture. Fold dough over to enclose filling. Press edges together to seal. Repeat with remaining dough, spinach mixture and cheese mixture.

5. Preheat a barbecue plate on medium-high heat. Brush one side of each gozleme with half the remaining oil. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until base is golden. Brush uncooked side with remaining oil. Turnover. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until golden and crisp. Transfer gozleme to plates. Cut in half. Serve with lemon wedges.

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chicken vegetable

RICE PAPER ROLLS 0.20 Prep

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS 12 large rice paper rounds 1 green oak lettuce, leaves separated, washed, dried 1/2 large barbecued chicken, skin and bones removed, meat shredded (see note) 1 red capsicum, thinly sliced 1 Lebanese cucumber, halved, thinly sliced 1/2 cup beansprouts, trimmed sweet chilli sauce, to serve

METHOD Step 1 Half-fill a shallow dish with warm water. Dip 1 rice paper round in water. Place on work surface. Stand for 20 to 30 seconds or until soft enough to roll without splitting.

Step 2 Place lettuce along edge of rice paper. Top with chicken, capsicum, cucumber and beansprouts. Roll up, folding up edges to enclose filling. Cover roll with a damp tea towel to prevent it drying out. Repeat with remaining rice paper rounds and fillings to make 12 rolls. Cut in half. Serve rolls with sweet chilli sauce.

“a yummy alternative to a sandwich�

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september 2016 | mychild

chicken kimchi BURGERS 0.20 Prep 1.20 Cook

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS 3 cups shredded Chinese cabbage 1/3 cup (115g) Sriracha chilli sauce 4 spring onions, chopped 2 long red chillies, thinly sliced 1 garlic clove, crushed 2 teaspoons grated ginger 1/4 cup (60ml) rice wine vinegar 3 teaspoons fish sauce 3 teaspoons caster sugar 500g Chicken Mince 1 carrot, grated 1 Egg, lightly beaten 1/3 cup (25g) panko breadcrumbs 1 tablespoon peanut oil 1/2 cup (150g) mayonnaise 2 lebanese cucumbers, cut into thin ribbons 6 Kaiser Rolls, split, toasted Oven-baked chips, to serve

METHOD Step 1 - Combine the cabbage, 2 tablespoons chilli sauce, half the onion, the chilli, garlic, ginger, vinegar, fish sauce and sugar in a bowl. Set aside for 15 mins to infuse.

Step 2 - Meanwhile, combine the chicken, remaining onion, carrot, egg and breadcrumbs in a bowl. Season. Shape into 6 even-sized patties. Place on a plate in the fridge for 15 mins to chill. Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Cook the patties for 4 mins each side or until cooked through.

Step 3 -Drain the cabbage kimchi, squeezing out excess liquid. Combine the remaining chilli sauce and mayonnaise in a small bowl. Place the roll bases on serving plates. Top with the mayonnaise mixture, cucumber, chicken patties, kimchi and bun tops. Serve with the chips. “Hold off on the chilli for the little ones and these Korean-inspired chicken burgers are sure to be a hit�

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slow-cooked lamb SHEPHERDS PIE 0.20 Prep 1.20 Cook

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS 1 tablespoon olive oil 2kg lamb shoulder, bone in, meat cut into 2cm cubes 1 brown onion, sliced 2 carrots, sliced 2 bay leaves 2 thyme sprigs 2 tablespoons tomato paste 2 x 400g cans diced tomatoes 1 1/2 cups (375ml) beef stock 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley 2 x 600g tubs Mashed potato 1/2 cup (60g) grated cheddar cheese Mixed salad leaves, to serve

METHOD Step 1 Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add lamb in 2 batches and cook for 5 mins or until browned all over. Transfer to a heatproof plate.

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Step 2 Add onion, carrot, bay leaves and thyme to same pan and cook for 5 mins or until onion has softened. Add tomato paste and cook for 1 min. Add diced tomato and beef stock and bring to a simmer. Return lamb to pan. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 1 hour or until lamb is tender. Stir in parsley. Season with salt and pepper. Discard bay leaves and thyme.

Step 3 Meanwhile, preheat grill on high. Heat mashed potato according to packet instructions.

Step 4 Place lamb mixture in a medium ovenproof dish. Top with mashed potato and cheese. Grill for 3 mins or until top is golden. Serve with mixed salad leaves.

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lemon curd mandarin TIRAMISU 0.30 Prep 0.20 Cooking

Serves 6

INGREDIENTS 2 mandarins, zested, juiced (about 1/2 cup mandarin juice) 1 tablespoon caster sugar 6 mandarins, extra, segmented 250g mascarpone 1/2 cup (125ml) bought lemon curd 6 savoiardi (sponge finger biscuits), coarsely chopped

METHOD Step 1 Combine mandarin juice, mandarin zest and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring, for 2 mins or until sugar dissolves. Add mandarin segments. Set aside for 5 mins to soak.

Step 2 Strain mandarin mixture, reserving the liquid.

Combine the mascarpone and 2 tablespoons of the lemon curd in a bowl.

Step 3 Dip half the biscuits in reserved liquid to lightly coat. Divide biscuits among serving glasses. Top with one-third of mascarpone mixture. Repeat with the remaining biscuits and liquid. Top with the remaining lemon curd, half the remaining mascarpone mixture and half the mandarin. Repeat with remaining mascarpone mixture and mandarin.

Step 4 Set tiramisu trifles aside for 10 mins to soak before serving.

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september 2016 | mychild