Spring 2014

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Cover Photo: Kennedy at The Briars in Mount Martha Editor Melissa McCullough melissa@mpnews.com.au Creative Director Maria Mirabella maria@mpnews.com.au

Editor

Melissa McCullough

Design Evan Stampe evan@mpnews.com.au

Hi there and welcome to the first edition of Peninsula Kids!

While I would NEVER claim to be an expert in any of these trades, I do believe in telling it like it is, (for me), and also respecting how it is for others. In filling these glossy pages with kiddos, products, crafts, recipes and articles, I hope I can reach out to readers and discover things we mutually enjoy, lend some advice, and gain new perspectives. In no way am I presenting these pages as law. Please, please get loads of opinions, look at all of your options, and shop around.

Advertising Miriam Doe 0421 058 974 miriam@mpnews.com.au Publisher Cameron McCullough General Enquiries info@peninsulakids.com.au

Disclaimer: The authors and publisher do not assume any liability to any party for any loss, damage, or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause.

Creative Director

I’m a wife. I have a job. & I have kids.

Content Director Anna Brown anna@peninsulakids.com.au

All material is copyright, and may not be reproduced without the express permission of Mornington Peninsula News Group, or the original copyright holder in the case of contributions. Copyright of contributed material rests with the contributor.

ed’s letter...

Publisher

Cameron McCullough

In trolling through Pinterest late one night, (WAY after the time I should have been asleep), I stumbled across this quote from Albert Einstein - “If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be very intelligent, read them more fairy tales.” It struck a chord with me. He’s right! Let’s fill our children’s minds with knowledge, both creative and factual. Giving them the gift of adventure, curiosity, beauty and skill through words is something that can never be taken away. Making them feel safe and secure even when the road has twists and turns is our job as caregivers.

Sure, it’s not all perfect. Sometimes we send them out into the world with two shoes and they come home with one. They will often make bad choices…i.e. beans as payment for a cow. A few will befriend beasts and others will pretend to be someone they’re not. Oh, let’s not forget how a good haircut can change your life! This all sounds perfectly normal to me.

This publication is not intended as a substitute for the medical advice of physicians. The reader should regularly consult a physician in matters relating to health and particularly with respect to any symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention.

Peninsula Kids is produced quarterly.

15,000 copies distributed between Mordialloc and Portsea.

Please enjoy flipping through Peninsula Kids Magazine, just as I’ve enjoyed working with this wonderful team which put it together…and remember to live happily ever after.

Registered address: 2/1 Tyabb Road, Mornington 3931

Advertising www.facebook.com/MorningtonPeninsulaKids

Proudly published by

Maria Mirabella

Miriam Doe Content Director

Anna Brown

Design

Evan Stampe

Contents

34

42

08 74

60

27 59 Spotlight 08

Jimmy Rees Get up close and personal with ABC2’s favourite presenter.

12

Why Kids Push Your Buttons Do your kids behave one way for you and another way for your partner?

14

Bullies Don’t Rule!

Stopping the cycle of bullying is proving to be harder than ever.

16

Date Night Planning a night out with your partner is like co-ordinating a military operation.

20

Little Red Riding Hood She travels in style with her basket full of goodies!

31

A Toilet Training Dilemma One dad’s adventures in concealing the evidence.

38

Being a Good Mum is Making Me a Bad Wife Only seeing me at the start and end of the day means my husband never sees me at my best.

40

Ava & Ella – Two sisters, forever together Life moves on after miscarriage, but we never forget.

60

Elmo’s Interview Local kids chat with our favourite Sesame Street resident.

62

Tips for Eating Out with Kids Helping take the stress out of restaurant dining. www.peninsulakids.com.au

5

Contents

...continued

Local 36

Top 5 Bushwalks with Children on the Mornington Peninsula

59

Local Spots to Feed the Ducks

88

The Best Free Spring Activities

94

Three Hidden Mornington Playgrounds

Recipes

Celebrate

64

42

Little Bakers Party

47

How to Make Chocolate Covered Oreos

Health

48

Enjoy a Train Party with Mornington Heritage Railway

50

Allergy Free Parties

Pregnancy & Baby 52

Why Would You Have A Baby?

54

The Super Baby Hoax

56

The Meeting of the Midwives

20

6

75

Food Allergies, Intolerances & Anaphylaxis

77

Ask the Experts

79

Protect your Child from Sexual Abuse

Creative 82 Tips for Creative Kids

36

Peninsula Kids – Spring 2014

Family Recipes with Mumma Duck Says

84

Frozen Arts’n’Craft Activities

87

Music to Their Years

51

YEAR 23 at Woodleigh

By the end of Year 12, students should be equipped with all the skills they need for the years ahead.

That’s why at Woodleigh, we strive to develop their confidence and independence, as well as their intellect.

Our students are presented with a range of activities designed to expand their academic, creative and social horizons.

Diverse experiences prepare them for whatever the future may hold.

At Woodleigh, Year 12 is just the beginning Information Session details, tour times and application forms are on our website • INTAKE YEARS – ECC, YEAR 5, YEAR 7 • Limited places available for Year 7 2015.

Sophie Ciszek (2003) Volvo Ocean Race competitor 2014/15

woodleigh.vic.edu.au www.peninsulakids.com.au

7

Jimmy Giggle What does a day in the life of James Rees/Jimmy Giggle include?

On the days we record Giggle and Hoot, I wake up, change out of my pyjamas, get to work and put them back on! We record early morning until afternoon, recording as many segments as we can in the day. A day can consist of many different set ups in the studio; we could be going to space, under the Giggle seas, become magician Jimmy Giggilini and look at the artworks in the Giggle Gallery. All in all it’s a whole lot of fun and every studio day is different which is exciting and fantastic!

What’s your favourite memory growing up on the Peninsula?

theatre groups to keep performing. Community theatre groups are brilliant for kids and adults to perform in shows, meet people and ultimately (for me anyway) give them the confidence to pursue performing as a career.

What similarities are there between James Rees and Jimmy Giggle?

Well Jimmy Giggle is really the child within. I suppose I just raise my voice a little and I’m in character!! Haha!!

Did you hide your role as Jimmy Giggle from your mates when you first got the part? Do they think it’s a pretty cool jig now?

Probably messing around in the reserve next door to the family home when I was growing up. My brothers and I would pretend to be on missions as we explored the ‘forest’! It felt like it went on forever but as we grew up we realised that it was tiny. I have thousands of memories of the Peninsula from the beach to the bush; it’s possibly the best place in the world.

Yeah it was a little strange telling them my new job involved prancing around in bright yellow pyjamas. But now they are used to it and think it’s a laugh.

How did your involvement in local theatre groups help springboard your career into TV?

The relaxed nature of the whole community. Sydney is a little busier so finding a peaceful community with great restaurants, cafés, near the water that isn’t crowded is unique to the peninsula. I think we have found a similar feel up on the Northern Beaches in Sydney.

At school I performed in the annual musicals and took drama and theatre studies as subject in my VCE, but after school I joined local 8

Peninsula Kids – Spring 2014

What do you miss most about living on the Peninsula now that you’ve made the move to Sydney? Do you ever have any plans to move back in years to come?

Maybe there will be a time we move back to the peninsula, but for now we are giving Sydney a go as the majority of my work is there.

The lure will always be there though.

Are you excited to be joining Magda Szubanski and Kyle Sandilands on stage soon for the stage production of Snow White?

Yes I am excited to see how Magda goes about her business.

She has been in the industry for a while and has produced many hilarious performances. So yes, I am very much looking forward to working with her.

Any chance you’ll be bringing the show to Melbourne?

I’m not sure at this stage. That’s a question for the producers but I’m guessing they will see how they go in Sydney and make some decisions from there.

What’s the best piece of advice you would give to any local kids wanting a career in television?

If you really want it, stick at it. It’s a funny old industry and has changed a lot with the popularity of reality shows. A lot of people say you have to be in the right place at the right time, so my advice is ... just do that!! www.peninsulakids.com.au

9

Contributors Special thanks go to the gorgeous and talented group of contributors who breathed life into our first issue by sharing their best with us.

Lorraine Aitken

Family-friendly adventurer

Samantha Dunne Dunne with Style dunnewithstyle.com

Stacey Anderson

Little Things in Common littlethingsincommon.com.au

Lauren Skelly

Carly Pountney

The Mum’s Word themumsword.com.au

The Creative Journal thecreativejournal.com.au

Rebecca Stephens

Seeing the Lighter Side of Parenting rebeccastephens.com.au

Karli Duckett

Jane Flynn

Mumma Duck Says Mummaduckblog.wordpress.com

Almost Jane almostjane.com.au

If you would like to advertise in our next edition please contact miriam on 0421 085 974 or email: miriam@mpnews.com.au

10

Peninsula Kids – Spring 2014

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11

Have you noticed how your kids will behave one way to you but not to your partner? They may whine at you to get what they want, but they wouldn’t do the same to your partner.

Perhaps they’ll cry crocodile tears for your partner when they have done the wrong thing, but they won’t cry for you as they know that tears won’t work.

Why kids push

your buttons

As the good TV professor Dr. Julius Sumner-Miller used to say, “Why is it so?”

Kids tend to keep the behaviours that work in terms of getting a desirable response from adults, and discard those that don’t get a response. This may sound like a devious plot, but it’s just human nature.

The Austrian psychologist Alfred Adler calls this ‘purposeful behaviour’. That is, kids, like adults, repeat the behaviours that get a response and discard those that don’t work. Adler advised parents not to ask why a child behaves in a certain way but to ask, “What’s the purpose of a child’s behaviour?”

The purpose is usually tied up in your response. So the purpose of a child’s whining may be to get a parent to give in; similarly, tantrums are a form of emotional blackmail aimed at getting parents to give in.

There’s a simple test you can apply to check for purposeful behaviour.

If your child always whines at you, but he doesn’t whine to his or her teacher then it’s a fair chance that the whining is aimed at breaking your resistance......it certainly does for me as whining is definitely a ‘hot button’ of mine. I can’t stand it.

Most misbehaviours fit under one of four broad purposes.

Kids misbehave: 1. To get attention or be noticed; 2. To show power or regain control; 3. To hurt you or make you feel guilty; 4. To make you give up or lower your expectations of children.

(For more information on the four goals of misbehaviour check out my book One Step Ahead (www.parentingideas.com.au/Parents/Shop/ Michael-Grose-s-Books/One-Step-Ahead)

Michael Grose is a popular parenting expert and founder of Parentingideas, Australia’s leader in parenting education for parents and schools. For over two decades Michael has helped thousands of Australian families raise confident kids and resilient young people. For a weekly supply of great tips, techniques and tools to help you be at your parenting best join his Parentingideas Club. Join now and you’ll receive a full set of his fabulous Developmental Parenting Guides so your parenting will always match your child’s age.

Go to www.parentingideasclub.com.au.

12

Peninsula Kids – Spring 2014

We all have ‘hot buttons’ that kids will press to make us feel guilty or to get a little control back. One of my children was an expert at making their mother feel guilty.......because guilt was quite a hot button for her. She’d only have to say......”but you don’t really love me........” to have her mother second-guessing a decision she made.

I obviously don’t have a very big guilt gland because she never tried to squeeze mine!

Sometimes our ‘hot buttons’ will reflect long-held views about parenting, and we simply overreact when kids misbehave.

Some parents have strong views about parenting and will overreact when even the mildest of words is uttered by a child. These types of hot buttons can make family-life hard work as everyone tends to walk on eggshells to avoid pressing those hot buttons.

Here are some ideas to help you respond appropriately when kids ‘press your hot buttons’: 1 Recognise what gets you upset or gets a response that kids want.

‘Hot buttons’ always get a strong emotional response, including annoyance, anger and feelings of hurt.

2 Avoid the first impulsive reaction when kids misbehave.

As a great deal of children’s behaviour is purposeful, avoid reacting impulsively when kids behave poorly. This generally only reinforces the behaviour. Stop and think what may be going on. Think, “Is this behaviour for my benefit?”

Sometimes our ‘hot buttons’ will reflect long held views about

parenting, and we simply over react when kids misbehave.

3 Respond differently.

If the behaviour is for your benefit, try something different. Perhaps take the wind from the sails of a child who squeezes your guilt gland.

Respond to “You don’t love me........” with “You know you could well be right.” Alternatively, smile and give a child a kiss saying “I love you though” and show that the comments have no impact.

For a weekly supply of great tips, techniques and tools to help you be at your parenting best join my Parentingideas Club. Join now and you’ll receive a full set of my fabulous Developmental Parenting Guides so your parenting will always match your child’s age.

Go to www.parentingideasclub.com.au

Planner

5

Fe i s ty

If a child continually presses your ‘hot buttons’, then recognise that you may not be able to change your child, but at least you can alter your response to their button-pressing. Kids don’t act in a vacuum so they are less likely to behave in ways that get the response they want...at least that’s how the theory goes!

DEVELO PMENT AL Fi

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Sometimes we overreact to kids or have extreme views that kids will take advantage of, or that make family life hard work. Check with a partner or a friend to see if your views are healthy. I know I had an unrealistic view of bedroom tidiness for a time, which my wife reminded me meant I was constantly at loggerheads with one of my children, who was messy by nature.

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www.peninsulakids.com.au

13

Bullies

Don’t Rule!

We seem to be trying to stop bullying at schools, in the workforce and through the legal systems, but stopping the cycle of bullying is proving to be harder than ever. Bullying programs, warning procedures and punishment schemes are just a few of the strategies that many schools are implementing, but is it really changing anything? With increased use of technology by kids such as email, social media and text, the spread of bullying is becoming more volatile and harder to stop than ever before. But a new-found resource to help conquer bullying right from the source has become available to both parents and children to open up conversations about bullying and to further understand what warning signs to look out for if your child is being bullied.

can ask/tell you anything no matter how big or small, and while you may be angry with them, you will always love them and help them. If your kids can’t tell you the small stuff, they are never going to feel they can tell you the ‘big’ things that are happening to them.

Bullying can affect everyone—those who are bullied, those who bully, and those who witness the bullying. Not to mention the parents and family members of a bullied child. Bullying is linked to many long term negative outcomes including impacts on mental health, substance abuse, eating disorders and, in the worst cases, suicide. It is important to talk to your kids about bullying before it becomes a problem.

With younger kids you can read stories to them that are about bullying and then discuss how they think they could handle that type of situation. Get children who are able to read independently to read stories about bullying on their own and then you can open up discussions about the stories. Sometimes kids like to role play a story they have just read and they can add various outcomes to the ending.

Bullying can start at a very young age. It is not uncommon to see bullying in preschools and our wonderful early childhood educators spend time teaching and working with our children from this stage about bullying. Whilst the language may be toned down, the lessons remain the same. Once our children are in primary and high school, the bullying can rapidly increase.

There are 4 difference types of bullying: • Verbal bullying includes name calling, humiliation, insults, teasing, abuse, sarcasm and threats • Social bullying includes ostracising, excluding, ignoring, alienating and making inappropriate gestures.

• Physical bullying includes punching, hitting, tripping, kicking and scratching.

• Psychological bullying includes spiteful and malicious SMS, email and social media taunts, unsavoury use of phone cameras, spreading rumours and damaging or hiding belongings.

Nicholas Bold, Age 11 and author of Amazon #1 best-seller Bullies Don’t Rule! says, “many kids will not tell anyone they are being bullied because they think they will be the one who will get in into trouble”.

Make your home a safe haven, a place where kids can ask you anything and I really mean anything. Let your kids know that they 14

Peninsula Kids – Spring 2014

Utilise everyday activities to open up conversations about bullying with your kids. If you see bullying depicted on TV or in a movie you can ask your kids if that has ever happened to them or someone they know. Start a family discussion about why they think the bully was behaving in a particular manner and how they thought the person being bullied felt. You can brainstorm strategies to deal with the bullying just witnessed with your kids to arm them with useful resources to fall back on if they find themselves being bullied.

Teach your kids of all ages to stand up for their friends and not keep silent if they witness bullying. Educate kids to have 5 key people they trust that they can talk to when they have a problem.

This can include parents, grandparents, teachers, coaches, aunties and uncles just to name a few. This is a great strategy to help them realise that they have a strong and supportive ‘help’ network around them and this adds to their self-confidence.

Jaclyn Bold is the mother of three primary school children, one of whom, Nicholas, was severely bullied in his younger years. Now aged 11, Nicholas has written an Amazon #1 best-seller – Bullies Don’t Rule! to help other kids who are experiencing bullying. Nick has set himself a huge goal – he wants to reduce the amount of childhood bullying by getting every child in the world to read his book. You can follow Nick’s journey and find more information on bullying at www.bulliesdontrule.com and on Facebook www.facebook.com/bulliesdontrule

www.peninsulakids.com.au

15

Date NIGHT

By Rebecca Stephens

Remember when you would turn to your partner at 6pm on a Friday and say “What do you feel like doing tonight, honey?” And he or she would say “How about we go and see a movie?” You would haggle for a few minutes over Jackie Chan or Ryan Gosling, settle on Daniel Craig and off you went. Movie was followed by dinner which was topped off by a few drinks at the adjacent Irish pub, a late night, a sleep-in and mild hangover the next day.

Factor a couple of little munchkins into that scenario and suddenly you end up with something like this: The Proposal Your child-free friend peers at the dark circles under your eyes as you sip your double shot, full fat, four sugars cappuccino with a shaking hand. “When was the last time you had a night off?” she enquires.

“Oh, I have nights off all the time,” you lie. Six months, you calculate as you try to focus on her bright, witty conversation about… ummm… six months? Really?

That night, as your partner falls into bed beside you after doing the 1am feed (you congratulate yourself on what a wonderful father you found for your children), you mumble, “Honey, how about we organise a date night some time soon?” “Sure,” he says, as you both start snoring.

The Arrangements Ten days later you have managed to coordinate all the text messages and missed calls between yourself, your Mum and your sister to arrange for the kids to be separately farmed out for the night on a Friday, three weeks into the future, which is convenient for all (you then congratulate yourself on having such wonderful family members).

The Cancellation Three weeks later, on the Thursday night, both kids come down with gastro. You spend Friday rinsing out spewy bed sheets, towels and clothes (yours and theirs) and feeding them through the washing machine. You and your partner spend Date Night with your head over a bucket because, of course, gastro is a family affair.

The Day of Date Night Having rescheduled for two weeks into the future, the day arrives and everyone remains healthy. You spend Friday explaining to the toddler that he doesn’t need a whole suitcase for one night, and 16

Peninsula Kids – Spring 2014

(having lost that battle) negotiate to squeeze a set of clothes and pyjamas into the space that is left in between the Lego, two helicopters, a few bits of train track, teddy and Thomas.

You then realise the toddler was the easy one to pack for, because for one single night the baby needs: portacot, cot sheets, cot blankets, sleeping bag, singlet, onesie, jumper, socks, coat, hat (just in case it gets cold… in March…) triplicates of all of the above in case of spew and overnight nappy seepage, blankie, bottles, formula, dummies, baby food, bibs, teething rusks, teething gel, baby paracetamol (in case the teething gel isn’t enough), baby ibuprofen (because we all know paracetamol actually does nothing for teething), and the pram.

You repack the baby’s bags several times thanks to the toddler, “What’s this, Mummy?” “Baby don’t need that, Mummy.” “Baby need have helicopter too, Mummy.” “Where my green helicopter go, Mummy?”

Evening preparations Kids packed off to their respective retreats for the night, you rush home and open your wardrobe. Trying on and discarding one outfit after another, you finally realise that the only appropriate attire which actually fits (must sign up for Weight Watchers soon) is the black long-sleeved maternity dress which you inherited from a friend of a friend of your sister and has frayed at the hem. You accessorise with dangly, spangly jewellery that you forgot you owned (because last time you wore it your baby tried to choke you with it and tear a hole in your earlobe) and pair it with the high heeled black boots at the back of the wardrobe (which are a little tight as your feet stayed half a size larger after your second pregnancy).

You have just enough time to smear on the little make up which hasn’t congealed, hardened or discoloured and dab on some perfume before you hear a key in the front door.

Hubby walks in, smiles at you and says “What do you feel like doing tonight, honey?” You shrug and reply, rather flippantly, “Oh, I don’t know, a movie maybe?”

Rebecca Stephens lives in the outer eastern suburbs of Melbourne with her long-suffering husband and two young sons (3 years; 9 months), who are both quite delightful, especially when they are smiling or sleeping. For more funny little stories about raising the little people in your life, visit: www.rebeccastephens.com.au or www.facebook.com/SeeingtheLighterSideofParenting

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Peninsula Kids – Spring 2014

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Peninsula Kids – Spring 2014

You know, my dear, it isn’t safe for a little girl to walk through these woods alone.

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As you are pretty, so be wise.

Wolves may lurk in every guise.

22

Peninsula Kids – Spring 2014

Once she gave her a little riding hood of red velvet, which

suited her so well that she would never wear anything else; so she was always called ‘Little Red Riding Hood.’

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Little girl, this seems to say... never stop upon your way.

24

Peninsula Kids – Spring 2014

‘But, grandmother, what big eyes you have!’ she said.

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Peninsula Kids – Spring 2014

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How to

:

1. Cut each of the templates out 2. Place the puppet on your child’s finger and wrap the flaps around the finger 3. Use sticky tape or glue stick to join flaps at the right size 4. Enjoy!

28

Peninsula Kids – Spring 2014

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Peninsula Kids – Spring 2014

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A Toilet Training Dilemma

By Reservoir Dad

We toilet trained Archie while on holiday in Queensland when he was two and a half. He lived nude for two weeks in the warm weather and roamed the apartment depositing his fluids and solids onto the tiled floors with a crude kind of freedom us adults can only dream of.

We’d point at his accomplishment and say, wow look at that and if there was music playing – and there most often was – I’d do a celebratory dance and say whoop whoop or pretend I was riding a horsey around it and then we’d put him onto the toilet to show him where it should go.

He returned home a nappy-free kid and it was such a successful treatment of the toileting issue that we decided to do the same thing with toddler Lewis when we flew back up to Queensland for a holiday a few years later.

Five days into the holiday and the boys have been living the nudist lifestyle and it’s been going great and although Lewis hasn’t quite cottoned on to the toilet thing yet he is fully aware of what his body can do now, watching as the stuff comes out and pointing as we dance around it whoop whooping.

So as I walk out to the balcony to drink a coffee in the balmy morning weather on the shaded balcony I’m head-bopping with a feeling that RM and I are doing okay at this parenting thing and I even feel a sense of duty to write an educational story about it to inspire the pooped-up masses when I find the two nudes standing at the balcony railing.

‘What are you boys looking at?’ I say, sing-song.

Archie turns around to say, ‘Lewis pooed.’

‘Did he?’ I say, scanning the balcony floor. ‘Where is it?’

‘Over there,’ Archie says, pointing over the railing to the steep three meter embankment that ends at the edge of a communal footpath.

‘Over there?’ I laugh, disbelieving.

Archie turns back to join Lewis in staring intently through the railing and whispers, ‘He threw it away.’

‘Oh,’ I say, smiling wide and pressing my teeth together, chimpanzee-style.

To give myself a few moments of avoidance I throw my head back and close my eyes and like a lamb at the petting zoo biting at an artificial teat in a feeding frenzy, I drain the entire cup of coffee.

When my eyes open my gaze falls directly on the poo which is sitting at the edge at the foot of the embankment, right on the edge of the footpath.

‘Well, there’s no way I can dance around that,’ I say, which reminds me that I have to somehow address this situation without freaking Lewis out and setting his toilet training back months or even years.

When I squat down to his level and say, ‘Hey mate, did you do another poo-poo?’ he looks at me wide-eyed and excited and points, saying, ‘Over dair’ and I see the remnants on the directional finger and lining the palm of his hands and, on further inspection, find a trail down his legs and, oh gee, look how he’s mired the railing with his efforts, and suddenly this holiday apartment feels a little dairy-farm-ish at milking time.

‘Who wants to have a shower?’ I say.

The boys scream yay! and I grab Lewis by the wrists to guide him through the house to a packet of wipes but as we pass through the sliding doors I glance over my shoulder one more time with the thought that I really should head around at some stage and kick some dirt over the poo but then I see a man there battling to stop his dog from eating it and even though I feel totally embarrassed about the mess we’ve made I’m also hopeful that another animal will happen along to just make it go away.

An hour later the boys are watching cartoons inside while RM and I are eating bacon and eggs at the table on the balcony. The sun has eased its warmth into the morning and the birds are chirpy and there are people out jogging and pushing prams and walking in their holiday daze and the poo is still there.

A woman walks past hand in hand with her husband and looks directly at it but then looks straight ahead, saying nothing.

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31

‘Do you think it could pass as a dog’s?’ I say.

‘I don’t know,’ RM muses. ‘It somehow looks human.’

‘Do you think we should just leave it there like that?’ I ask. ‘I mean, really, it’s our responsibility, isn’t it?’

‘Probably. You’re even supposed to pick up your dog’s poo…’ she says, as Archie and Lewis swing the sliding door open and run straight for the railing.

Lewis points and Archie comes to tug at my arm. ‘Daddy,’ he says.

‘It’s still there.’

‘I know mate,’ I say, kissing him on the head. ‘It’s a dilemma.’

it I’m going to look back up the embankment at my family. I’m going to point directly at Lewis. I’m going to wave my free hand over my head like I’m winding up a lasso. I’m going say whoop whoop three of four times. And I’m going to dance.

When I get back I have a plastic bag and even though I have steeled myself for the task ahead I’m a little jazzed by the craziness of the situation.

Clint Greagen is a Melbourne writer and stay-at-home dad to four boys.

His hilarious book, Reservoir Dad, published by Random House, is available in book stores, major retailers and online. Follow his writing at www. reservoirdad.com

I’m going to climb the railing and I’m going to get that poo – because it’s my son’s and it’s the right thing to do – and once I’ve got

For more blogs from dads go to daddybloggers.com.au

‘What’s a dilemma?’ he says.

‘It’s a poo at the foot of an embankment,’ I say, as I stand up and head inside.

DAD ZONE

, Dad s Pumpkin Soup

forward to catching a bit You’ve arrived home on a Friday night looking to be met by your wife, all of the footy. You hear the click of heels on entry h of the kids and is enoug dressed up in pre-children clothing. She’s had girls. the with es pagn going out for a couple of cham is a forgotten dream as you The reality of the situation soon dawns. The footy the kids. Never fear. You for r dinne ring grapple with the new reality of prepa ly that an entire box unlike is It elf. yours for cook to were once single and had kids though, and the le for of Barbeque Shapes and a beer would be suitab ed by heart to get learn be can that you begin to panic. Here is a little recipe !

SOUP KIN PUMP ions. you out of those difficult situat 32

Peninsula Kids – Spring 2014

1. Chop up Pum pkin 2. Boil 3. Blend 4. Serve

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What would you tell your childhood self?

Sophie Falkiner

“Don’t stress too much, everything will turn out ok. Enjoy every moment because your childhood will fly by. If you work hard and be a good person your life will turn out how you hoped. Have fun, it’s going to be a crazy ride!”

Scotty Cam “Be good to your mum.”

Natalie Bassingwaithe

“Enjoy every single moment and don’t waste a minute. Don’t sweat the small stuff.”

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“I would tell myself to read more, take more time to relax and never believe this is as good as it gets.

It can ALWAYS get better!”

Chloe Maxwell

“Don’t let the opinions of others ever phase you. Stay focused and you will be blessed with success and a beautiful family.

PS – try not to drink too much!”

Scherri-Lee Biggs

“To hold on to that carefree feeling, that feeling of just wanting to enjoy every minute and have fun. Remember it and draw on it when life gets that little bit too tough.”

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Peninsula Kids – Spring 2014

MP Kids Magazine_2014 doc.indd 34

27/08/2014 12:10:59 PM

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35

27/08/2014 12:11:00 PM

By Kate Parlin “I’m losing my mind. I’m trying to make dinner and they won’t stop demanding things and there are THREE of them and only ONE of me and I can’t get the flipping LIGHT BULB into the bathroom LIGHT!” That’s how I greeted my husband when he came through the door last night. No hello. No smile. Certainly no kiss, but I hadn’t showered that day anyway, so he probably dodged a bullet there.

Just rage and profanity and some nonsense about light bulbs. It was me at my worst and that’s what he was met with the second he got home. He’s witnessed my meltdowns plenty of times before, but right as he walked in the door? It was a new low.

Things calmed down after everyone was finally fed. I was cleaning up the kitchen when he came in, gave me a hug, and said, “I’m sorry you had such a rough day.”

Being a Good Mum Is Making Me a

BAD WIFE

And at that moment I felt really terrible because the thing is that it wasn’t a rough day. It was a pretty normal day. There were good moments and difficult moments, but nothing all that stressful had happened for most of the day. The girls drew pictures and then we used their colourful creations to decorate their cardboard tunnel.

They loved their lunch because it involved apple sauce and cheese.

And although the twins didn’t nap, the baby slept for almost three hours. So as a whole, the day could have been much worse.

It’s just that everything came down on top of me all at once.

I was sautéing mushrooms and stirring beans and microwaving rice.

The twins “needed” me to commune with them while they sat on their potties and insisted that I replace the bulb in our obnoxious old-house bathroom light fixture because it was apparently “too dark to pee.”

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Peninsula Kids – Spring 2014

The baby ripped apart the pictures that everyone had so carefully coloured and I had so carefully taped to their tunnel. And then screeched about it. So her sisters started screeching about it too.

There are weekends sure, but weekends with little kids aren’t very weekend-y. We get out for dates every once in a while, but not nearly enough.

The dog puked on the floor and that smell mingled with the smell of beans and spices burning to the bottom of a pan.

I love that I can be myself with my husband. He honestly doesn’t care if I’m wearing makeup or anything like that. I know that he loves me. I know that he loves how we’ve created a family together. We’re partners and we signed up for this life together.

So of course all of that was going on at exactly the time that my husband was walking through the door.

He came home to a sweaty, angry wife and assumed that it had been a rough day. Once I had a second to think, I felt terrible because I realized something huge: My husband never sees me at my best.

At my best, I’m witty, creative, and enthusiastic. At my worst, I’m short-tempered, grouchy, and cold. I can usually be found somewhere between those two, and although my kids often get my best, and my writing sometimes does, my husband just doesn’t.

I worry that this is how marriages fall apart.

I worry that he thinks I’m always stressed out and yelling when I’m home alone with the kids. Because I’m not. He doesn’t see me on a good day at about 10am when I’ve had coffee and the morning rush is over. Sometimes I’ve managed to clean the kitchen, brush my teeth, and maybe even sneak in a shower by then. That’s when we snuggle and have a book-reading marathon. Or we dance. Or I decide it’s a good idea to take out some pipe cleaners and glue and make a “craft.” That’s when I have fun with my kids and they get my best self.

But my husband? He sees me first thing in the morning when I’m groggy and up to my eyeballs in cups of milk and custom orders for toast. Then he sees me at the end of the day, when I’m just plain worn out.

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But I want to be fun and interesting and sexy when I’m with him, at least sometimes. I want him to know that I’m more than just a frazzled nut-case in an apple sauce-covered Target t-shirt. And I’m sure he does know that, in a sense, but how long is he going to believe it without any evidence to the contrary? How do I give him my best? How do other stay-at-home-moms do it? Does he worry about any of these things too?

Maybe this is just a by-product of the baby-and-little-kid years of parenting. Maybe once I get some time to myself for things like reading, writing, thinking, and exercising, I’ll have enough energy to be my best when my husband is actually around. Maybe then I can stop yelling about light bulbs and put on a clean t-shirt once in a while.

We both deserve that. We really do.

About the author...

Kate Parlin is a writer and a stay-at-home mom to three girls. Two of them are twins. She spends most of her time cleaning up pee and wishing it mattered when she doesn’t brush her teeth until one in the afternoon. She writes with honesty about all of her parenting experiences – the funny, the frustrating, and the infuriating – at her blog www.shakespearesmom.com. You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter..

CHEERLEADING ON THE PENINSULA

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MP Kids Magazine_2014 doc.indd 39

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27/08/2014 12:11:03 PM

By Jane Flynn In 2007, I sat in a small room on my own while a sonographer told me that not only was I carrying identical twins, but they had both died. I walked into a hospital, with two tiny babies inside me, and woke up from a general anaesthetic empty; a gaping hole not just where my babies had been, but also in my heart.

For so long, I suffered in silence, not understanding my grief, thinking I should be over it. I cried every day, in secret, trying to ignore the ache in me that just wouldn’t go away.

Eventually I discovered an online support group, and a group of amazing women, who understood how I was feeling and what I had lost. It was with the support of these women that I started to heal. I still carried that ache inside me, but eventually it didn’t consume me anymore.

Time passed. Life went on. I met my husband, and we had our beautiful daughter. I am now living a wonderful life, with my family of three. A life I wouldn’t be living, if my twins were here. I struggle to make sense of this.

How can I grieve them, miss the possibility of them, yet know if they were here, I wouldn’t have this life? I wouldn’t have my daughter.

My heart aches for all that I lost, those two little souls, my children. I was their mother, and I would have given them a beautiful life, but it 40

Peninsula Kids – Spring 2014

wouldn’t be this life. They would not have had a father in their life. They would not have had the loving strong family unit that my daughter has. They would not have had financial security. We would have made it, the three of us - I have no doubt. None of that mattered, then. I would have fought, and struggled, and done everything in my power to give them the life that they deserved, if I had been given the chance. I never got that chance.

And time keeps moving. And now I have this life. This life, my little family that I wouldn’t give up for anything in the world. I try to understand how the twins fit in this life. I know that they are my daughter’s siblings. I believe that they delivered her to me, safely. I know that I think about them, wonder what they would have looked like, what their little personalities would have been like. I know every time I see twins, there is a twinge inside me, a tiny stab, a vision of what could have been.

People say that everything happens for a reason, but I don’t think I believe that. No matter how awful, and difficult my circumstances were, I don’t believe there was ever a good enough reason for them to have been taken from me. And even now, whilst I live happily ever after with my husband and daughter, I can’t believe that they had to die, so I could have this life.

Maybe there is no plan? Maybe sometimes really awful, shitty things happen to people,

and sometimes wonderful, beautiful miracles happen to those same people? Maybe life just doesn’t make sense, and all you can do is keep getting up each morning, keep putting one foot in front of the other, and have faith that the world keeps turning, no matter what happens.

I don’t have to understand how my beautiful angels could fit into the life I have now. All I know is that I can grieve for them, cry for them, wish everything was different, long to hold them in my arms. I can feel all of that, and still be grateful for all that I have now, for my husband and my daughter. One thing does not cancel out the other. Life does not make sense. The ‘what ifs’ cannot change a thing.

This is my life. I am a mother to a daughter on earth and two angels in Heaven. I will love them, remember them, cherish them, until the day comes that we will be together again. That is all I know.

I’m Jane, and I am finding my way from dysfunction, to becoming a domestic goddess . . . or at least a wife, mother and woman I can be proud of. I am a stay at home mum to an adorable and high spirited little lady living on the Spectrum.

You can read more of Jane’s stories at www.almostjane.com.au or follow my daily journey at www.facebook.com/almostjane

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Celebrate 42

Peninsula Kids – Spring 2014

www.peninsulakids.com.au

43

Little Baker’s Party My daughter (Amelie) loves helping in the kitchen so it wasn’t hard to choose the theme this year! As soon as she hears me getting the

Credits & Links:

KitchenAid out she is running straight for her apron and doesn’t leave

Styling & Cakes

my side until she is allowed to lick the spoon, so creating ‘Amelie’s Bakery’ (established in 2011 of course as that was when she was born!) was a very quick decision!

This year I decided to brave it a little and make most of the goodies myself. Aside from the cookies and cupcakes (which I enlisted Danielle from Sweetcheeks to create) I made virtually everything else - including the 4 cakes! (Caramel Mud, White Choc Mud, Choc Mint Mud & Chocolate Mud...there was a lot of chocolate in the house that week!)

We set up a table outside for all of the guests to decorate their own

Carly from The Creative Journal (www.thecreativejournal.com.au) Photos Fran from Pebbles Photography (www.pebblesphotography.com.au) Cupcakes & Cookies Sweetcheeks Cookies & Cakes (www.sweetcheekscookiesandcakes.com.au)

cupcakes and cookies to take home (in little personalised bakery

Backdrop & Paperie

boxes of course!) and each child also had their own apron to wear

Ham & Pea Paperie (www.hamandpea.com)

handmade by a dear friend of mine.

Mini Table & Chairs

Even Amelie’s outfit matched the theme with her cupcake top and red

Sara Jade Party & Events

shorts - a very well chosen Christmas gift by her cousin!

(www.facebook.com/sarajadepartyandeventstyling)

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Peninsula Kids – Spring 2014

www.peninsulakids.com.au

45

Ideas * * * * * * * * *

for Bakery Party

Kids could put toppings on pita bread bases to make their own pizza.

Cut up lots of fruit and the guests can make their own fruit kebabs.

Older kids could bake the cakes or cookies themselves, before decorating later in the party.

Decorate doughnuts for a bakery item with a difference.

For younger kids, make different coloured play-dohs, get some silicone cupcake holders to make and decorate cupcakes.

A cute invitation would be to have the birthday child bake cookies and then wrap in cellophane with a note card attached with party details on it.

Purchase disposable chefs’ hats and aprons. Customise by printing out each child’s name and sticking on. Some cupcake papers can make great ‘flower’ embellishments.

Running out of time - your local supermarket or bakery will be able to supply everything you need.

Another decorating idea is to thread cupcake papers onto a string, making garlands that can be hung everywhere.

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Peninsula Kids – Spring 2014

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1

2

3

4

5

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How to make Chocolate Covered Oreos!

Materials Standard Oreo Cookie Mould 1pkt Oreos 1 block of white chocolate (we used Cadbury Dream) 20 grams of Copha Americolor oil candy colour in whatever colour you prefer NB: This will leave you with some extra chocolate but I always like to have a little extra so I can make more rather than run out!

Instructions Pop the chocolate and copha into a bowl and use the microwave to melt down until smooth. (You’ll need to stop and stir!)

Start by adding a small spoon or two and then gently working the chocolate down the side. You don’t want the chocolate to overflow over the top of each mould.

Drop the filled mould lightly on the bench to release air bubbles two or three times Pop in the fridge until set (At least an hour) Once done simply turn them out of the mould!

Carly & Amanda The Creative Journal

www.thecreativejournal.com.au

Celebrate your child’s birthday with us! It’s fantastic fun, it’s healthy & we guarantee every child leaves with a huge smile & a shiny medal.

Take to the sidelines whilst our qualified soccer coaches ensure your child & their friends enjoy a party to remember! You take care of the drinks & party snacks & leave the excitement & sports equipment to us.

Once smooth and runny you can add colouring if you wish. Make sure you use a ‘Candy’ colouring otherwise the colour won’t blend properly.

Fill 1/3 of each mould with chocolate making sure it is spread out to cover the base.

Pop a cookie into each mould.

Cover the cookies with chocolate – but not too much!

Call our Party Hotline on

(03) 5975 8637

melbourne@littlekickers.com.au

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47

Enjoy a Train Party

KIDS ‘N’ CLAY CREATIVE

with Mornington Heritage Railway

BIRTHDAY PARTIES

At Mermaids Tale Sculpture Studio *Adult birthday WE C parties also COM AN E TO available.

YOU

Contact Antoinette Ph: 5986 6667 Mobile: 0425 794 760 1567 Point Nepean Road, Rosebud West

antoinette@mermaids-tale.com.au

www.mermaid-tail.com.au

Option 1.

Looking for a birthday party with a difference? Why not try a train party with Mornington Heritage Railway. They offer party cabins for hire where the guests are able to travel in a private dining car for two hours that has already been decorated with balloons, streamers, party hats and serviettes.

Paper plates and cups are also supplied. Food, drink and cake are BYO, allowing you to spend as little or as much as you like on supplies. Space is provided inside the private cabin for you to lay out your buffet of goodies.

The kids will love the experience of opening the windows and travelling along with their heads and arms hanging outside. Those enjoying the party carriages get to enjoy two round trips from Moorooduc to Mornington station, with the journey taking two hours. Children aged 3-16 years are $12pp, adults $16pp and children under 3 years free. There is an extended stop when the train is at Moorooduc Station, allowing party guests to explore the station and the engine, before quickly returning for the ride.

Mornington Railway runs the first three Sundays of each month, with party carriages not available on any of their special event days. Check their website at www.morningtonrailway.org.au to also find out what dates the steam engine is in operation and which dates have a diesel engine, allowing you to plan around the birthday child’s preference.

Option 2.

Another option is to just take a return trip in a regular carriage. We enjoyed this for my train-loving son’s 2nd birthday, taking along a picnic basket for afternoon tea for family members to enjoy as we journeyed.

Beside Moorooduc Station is Mt Eliza Regional Park and home to the Eliza Express train playground. Focused more towards younger children, those seeking older equipment only have a short trip to reach the playground and Mt Eliza Skate Park at Emil Madsen Reserve on Wooralla Drive.

If the sun is shining you can enjoy your party utilising one of the two undercover areas that each house a picnic table and gas BBQ. A number of toilets are located close by, accommodating a large number of guests. There are a number of walks around the park should you need to burn off the sugar high before going home, or some quiet time watching the ducks by the lake can be another wind down option.

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Peninsula Kids – Spring 2014

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49

A LL E RG

Want to know what’s on for families?

EE

If you are catering for a child with food allergies, it can be helpful to consider the following:

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1. Always call the parents and ask whether it is okay for you to provide food that is suitable for their child. Discuss with them the recipes that you plan to use.

2. Children with food allergies can get nervous about food they are not familiar with so never try to force a food on a child, even if you know it is allergy-free.

JOIN OUR MAILING LIST! Sign up to our free newsletter to get regular updates on events and things to do with kids on the Mornington Peninsula.

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Peninsula Kids – Spring 2014

3. Try to avoid having food at the party that could possibly cause a severe reaction. Some examples are peanut butter, eggs or cheese-based snacks.

It is easy to cater for all children at a party by remembering measures as simple as choosing plain potato crisps instead of cheese-flavoured snacks.

4. Be aware of the concern that parents of children with food allergies have in regard to food and parties. Make the parents feel comfortable if they need to stay for the duration of the party.

Choc-Chip Cookies

(nut-free, dairy-free and egg-free with gluten-free option if required) A delicious all-time favourite! If making these cookies with gluten-free flour, flatten well as they will not spread much.

Preparation time: 15 minutes Servings: About 30 cookies 1⁄2 cup Nuttelex (or other dairy-free spread) 1⁄4 cup caster sugar 1⁄4 cup brown sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla essence 1⁄4 cup soy milk 2 cups SR flour (or gluten-free SR flour) 1⁄2 cup dairy-free, nut-free chocolate chips Preheat oven to 180ºC (fan forced) and grease and line biscuit trays with non-stick baking paper.

1. Mix Nuttelex and sugars together in a large bowl with a large metal spoon until well combined (use back of spoon to push mix together).

Honey Fruit Bars

(nut-free, dairy-free and egg-free with gluten-free option)

2. Add vanilla and soy milk and mix well.

These are a great addition to the school lunch box!

3. Add flour and chocolate chips and use back of metal spoon to mix until well combined.

Preparation time: 20 minutes Servings: About 18 bars

4. Roll teaspoons of mixture into balls and place on baking trays, allowing room for spreading.

Flatten slightly with a fork.

1 cup Nuttelex (or other dairy-free spread)

5. Bake for 10–12 minutes or until golden brown.

1 cup raw sugar

6. Remove from oven and cool slightly on trays before placing on wire racks to cool.

2 ½ cups mixed dried fruit

1 tablespoon honey

1 ½ cups SR flour (or gluten-free SR flour) 1 cup coconut 1 cup natural bran (or gluten-free bran) Preheat oven to 160ºC (fan forced) and grease a 24 cm x 30 cm lamington tray or line with non‑stick baking paper.

1. Stir Nuttelex, honey, sugar and fruit in a medium saucepan over low heat until melted and combined.

2. Combine flour, coconut and bran in a large bowl and mix well.

3. Stir melted mixture into dry ingredients and combine well.

4. Press mixture into tray and bake for 20–25 minutes or until golden brown.

5. Allow to cool completely in tray then cut into bars.

Linda is a Mornington Peninsula Mum and author of the Cookbook “One bowl allergy free baking”.

The book contains 100 easy baking recipes that are all nut, dairy and egg free with many gluten-free also.

For more information or to order a copy, please visit the website www.onebowlbaking.com.au or email Linda directly linda@onebowlbaking.com.au

www.peninsulakids.com.au

51

Why Would You Have A

By Stacey Anderson Let’s be honest, in a lot of ways life was better before I had a baby. More specifically, sometimes it feels like my days were more enjoyable in my old life.

Let’s look at this in more detail shall we? Sleeping in is nicer than being woken up by a crying baby.

It’s nicer when the first thing you do in the morning is have a shower compared with changing a nappy.

It’s nice to be able to drive to work without singing “The wheels on the bus”. 20 times.

It’s nicer when you can eat lunch. At all.

It’s nicer when you get home from work and make a decision whether or not to spend some time cooking a lovely dinner whilst drinking a wine.

And when the alternative is ducking out for dinner. Compared with having dinner on the table by 5.30pm only for it to be thrown on the floor.

It’s nicer to be dancing at midnight compared to battling with a teething toddler.

It’s nicer when your weekend involve brunches, lunches, dinners and parties or even sweet nothingness, as opposed to ensuring the inclusion of playgrounds and naps. (Oh - baby naps, not yours.)

It’s lovely when you can plan your holiday around adventure and not convenience.

It’s nicer to watch the TV shows you want, to go to the cafés you want, to listen to the music you want, to do everything in your day that you want to.

And I know that my friends who don’t have kids see this.

And I know that they question why they would ever have kids.

It’s lead me to question it myself. And I easily found the answer.

Think about the person you’ve loved more than anyone in your whole life.

Whether it’s your husband, your boyfriend or even your ex. The kind of love that makes your heart ache and your lips involuntarily smile.

Times that love by a thousand.

That’s why.

This is where I belong now. And on those early mornings, those midnight wakings, all those playground visits and play dates, even those messy meal times, there’s no where I’d rather be.

Adventure is still here. It just has a new meaning.

www.peninsulakids.com.au

53

uper Baby Hoa S e Th & what’s the difference between x

Want More Mummy Milk?

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I woke up in the middle of the night to find my boobs were trying to take over the world! I actually had to wake little Max to relieve me of some milk...

Recently, I was flicking TV channels and came across a show where parents were attending a baby class.

The parents were perfecting their ‘peekaboos’ (“No, no, Amy’s mummy, that’s too aggressive! Like this … no, more this … or that … now, open your hands just so …”).

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The show was obviously a send-up, but there was a scary element of truth, not only because parents were being coached about normally spontaneous and fun interactions, but a chilling example of mummy competitiveness as one mum asked another, “Is she crawling yet?” Clever Mummy then bragged about the crawling class she was attending with her child and said, “But of course, you’re a career mummy so you won’t have as much time for enriching your baby!”

We like to believe that as informed, modern parents we’re aware of the hazards of projecting our own unfulfilled dreams onto our kids. But are we really? The culture we live in values winning, success and being number one. We’re the generation who values ‘having it all’, and part of this is having children who excel. Having children who are advanced also validates our role as parents: we can parade our clever kids as badges of our own competence, and an ‘up yours’ to all the other parents, especially the ones who don’t do it ‘our way’ (whatever that is).

Our expectations for our children are also likely to be influenced by the enormous pressure we put on ourselves as we worry our kids will be left in the dust of higher achieving peers. And as the baby classes in the comedy show demonstrated, clearly there are fortunes to be made from hitting parents in their most vulnerable spot: fear for their children.

Hence, you don’t have to look far to find a plethora of classes and ‘essential’

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Peninsula Kids – Spring 2014

products to stimulate the tiniest mind.

Every time you glance up from gazing into those trusting blue eyes, you’re bombarded with pressure to give your baby a superior educational headstart. Increasingly, parents are being encouraged to see their little ones as ‘product’, manufactured on an assembly line, with Mummy and Daddy in solemn charge of every detail of quality control.

According to Melbourne developmental psychologist Larissa Sampson, a lot of parents feel pressure to buy their baby expensive toys or enrol in programs that claim to be ‘educational’ to give their child a good start in life.

“There is nothing wrong with attending a baby swim or music class – in fact, these can stimulate interaction between you and your baby, and provide an opportunity to meet other mums and bubs,” she says.

But one of the problems with the ‘make your baby smarter’ programs, Sampson explains, is that many involve screen time on the computer or TV, or ignore vital one-on-one experiences between parent and child.

“Research on early brain development shows that babies and toddlers have a critical need for direct interactions with parents for healthy brain growth and the development of appropriate social, emotional and cognitive skills. Providing your child with ‘first-hand’ experiences that engage all their senses will promote deeper understanding – your child will learn far more from going to visit a real farm than having you hold up a flashcard with the word ‘cow’ on it!”

So there’s no need to feel that your baby or toddler is missing out on achieving his potential if you don’t have a fully booked schedule of ‘educational’ activities, or a cupboard – or ipad – full of ‘make your kid smarter’ products. If your toddler resists being rushed off to

one more class because he’d rather ‘just play’, you can relax and take heart – he could be learning more than his super scheduled peers!

Play, to the toddler, is his work. Your child is ‘at work’ (and learning) all day, every day: the spirit of a child’s work as he constructs a cubby or creates a finger paint masterpiece isn’t that different from the spirit of a scientist’s laboratory or an architect’s office. Through play, your child is learning to get along with others, solve problems and handle stressful situations. He’s developing perceptual motor skills, strength, balance, coordination and concentration, and the ability to listen to others, learn rules, express ideas and cooperate with playmates. Play also encourages creativity and language skills as your child uses his imagination, discovers his feelings and learns how other people feel, a sound base for emotional intelligence.

So where do we draw the line between healthy experiences and pushy parents? Simply, we should take our cues from our own child.

Even tiny babies can communicate whether their environment is appropriate or not. As psychologist David Chamberlain, author of The Mind of Your Newborn Baby, advises, “Infants seem to welcome and thrive on stimulation, providing it is not overdone. When it is, your child will send out distress signals, retreat, habituate, or just go to sleep. Take your cue from the preferences your baby shows.”

Pinky McKay is a best-selling author, lactation consultant and mum of five. Her titles include Sleeping Like a baby, 100 Ways to Calm the Crying, Toddler Tactics and Parenting By Heart. An International Board certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), she runs a private practice in Melbourne. Pinky’s reach extends worldwide with support for parents via teleseminars and webcasts to provide tips on gentle, responsive baby care.

Pinky’s books, resources and her free newsletter ‘Gentle Beginnings’ are available through her website www.pinkymckay.com

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55

THE MEETING OF THE Midwives

Be afraid. Be very afraid!

As if being pregnant and having the responsibility of carrying another human being inside me for nine months wasn’t scary enough, I’d built up an unrealistic, sci-fi idea of what my first meeting with the midwives would entail.

It all started when my GP told me to book the appointment. “Call and book in for your meeting with the midwives.” Why did she have to phrase it like that? I swear I heard a subtle, “Muwahahahaha…” seep out from the corner of her grin. I imagined something similar to a parole hearing scenario, but with a touch of crazy. The scene from Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure where Bill and Ted were standing before the Elders of the future’s Utopian Society comes to mind. Or maybe they would have me, hooked up to suction cups, wires and lie detection apparatus sitting uncomfortably in front of rows and rows of women with shadowed faces, clip boards, check-lists, and sticks to poke me with. Hesitantly, I made the appointment for the good of my unborn child. I WILL be a good mother.

For almost eight weeks I dwelled, worried, pondered and sweated over what the meeting was going to entail. I started to eat 32 serves of fruits and vegetable daily just in case that was one of the items on the check-list. Short walks daily, check! What ‘expressing’ means, check! I crammed like a year 12 student for my final exams.

Little did the midwives know that I had the cheat sheet of all cheat sheets; 300 hundred pages of ‘Pregnancy Do’s & Don’ts’ courtesy of a relative from overseas.

Mornington Peninsula Family Physiotherapy Physiotherapy for Men’s & Women’s Health • Continence and pelvic floor disorders • Children’s Injuries & bed/day wetting • Pregnancy and post natal care • Soft Tissue & Joint Injuries • Massage • Clinical Pilates • Exercise prescription • Child Birth Education

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By Melissa McCullough

As it turns out, I’ve done fourteen things that I shouldn’t be doing during pregnancy. And I’m only on chapter three! I’ve been on a ladder, been near wet paint, cleaned the kitty litter, flea-dropped my dog… aaaaaaaaaah! Now I’m stressed.

Fifteen! I’m going to fail. From what my imagination tells me, I doubt the midwives will let these infractions go with just a slap on the wrist. We’re talking hard time here. Can they revoke my rights to be a parent? Is there enough time for me to turn things around?

Over the next few weeks I worked hard at being the model robotic pregnant woman. The fear was keeping me up to par. I growled at unsuspecting wait staff and fish and chip shop owners, “Have the vegetables been washed properly?!?”

“How big was that fish when it was whole!?! I said no chicken salt!” Nothing was getting past me. It’s time.

I rocked up to my 9:15am appointment sharp with my husband in tow. Right outside of the automatic sliding doors I made him swear on his favourite abstract t-shirt that he would swing into my defence if things looked like they were getting out of hand. Hmm, maybe swear was the wrong word to use.

It was more like threatened. “You WILL tell them I’ve been good. You will NOT tell them that the cat sleeps with us.” He nodded and we were called in.

The office, consisting of one examination table and one desk with a couple of chairs on either side looked just like a standard doctor’s office. There were no sharp objects for poking and it certainly didn’t look like the floor under my chair was a trap door to where they kept the hungry lions. Why had I been so afraid? The midwife, (just one!) was lovely, tender, understanding and kind. All of my tensions washed away as we talked. Sure, there was a bit of questioning, but nothing out of the ordinary. Nothing I couldn’t handle. We scheduled all of my appointments for the rest of the pregnancy, discussed breast-feeding, visiting the maternity ward at the hospital and family illnesses, of which there were none. The appointment ended on a positive note.

As we walked out of the office, giggly and jovial, the midwife interrupted with one more question. “Do you plan to take the six sessions of pregnancy classes?”

I froze in my tracks and responded, “Will there be a test??”

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GingerMonkeyHalfPage.pdf 1 11/08/2014 2:59:14 PM

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Ducks

Feeding the

Looking for somewhere to take your kids to feed the ducks?

Try one of these local spots.

Mt Eliza Regional Park Moorooduc Hwy, Mt Eliza George Pentland Gardens Williams St, Frankston Lakewood Heatherhill Rd, Frankston Mornington Peninsula Civic Reserve Dunns Rd, Mornington Hillview Community Reserve Boundary Rd, Dromana Beauty Park Lake Young St, Frankston McClelland Sculpture Park McClelland Dr, Langwarrin Kannanook Creek Station St, Seaford

Always remember, too much feeding is unhealthy for ducks and other waterfowl. Don’t go too often, and if you see other people there feeding, think about coming back another day.

Good Foods for Ducks: - Source: birding.about.com • Oats (uncooked; rolled or quick) • Rice (cooked or uncooked) • Birdseed (any type or mix) • Grapes (cut in half) • Frozen peas or corn (defrosted, no need to cook) • Earthworms • Chopped lettuce or other greens or salad mixes • Vegetable trimmings or peels (chopped) • Duck feed pellets

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or Fe eding ys ch Duck eck t s! o see if indica t t here ing fe Be w is a s eding a ign is pro they ry of birds h ib can b it t e h d a . t e agg ressiv approach clo e and g – especia sely as eese lly sw Only o ans ffer b Stop ite-s feedin iz ed pie g if th Do no ces ey ap t allow p e a r unin pets teres or ted Don’t distu children to rb th leave c h a s em e or any r ubbis h, it c an inju re or kill .

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59

Elmo’s Interview

Mornington Peninsula Kids What do you eat for breakfast? Amelie, 2 Elmo loves eating breakfast and Elmo’s favourite thing to have is cereal with milk and a delicious red apple—like the colour of Elmo’s fur. Elmo wants to know what Amelie eats for breakfast?

Who are your best friends? Aya, 2 Elmo’s best friend is Dorothy, Elmo’s pet goldfish. But Elmo loves playing with all Elmo’s friends at Sesame Street like Abby Cadabby, Zoe, Big Bird, Snuffy – they make Elmo laugh every day.

Do you get a cold bottom because you don’t wear any pants? Amelie, 2 No, actually Elmo’s a monster so Elmo’s fur keeps him warm when it’s cold and cool when it’s warm! Elmo just loves being a monster.

Do you have a bunny that you cuddle at night time?

Poppy, 3 Elmo has a very special bunny to cuddle at night that Elmo’s mummy and daddy gave him.

When are you coming to visit again? Lily, 3 Oh, Elmo can’t wait to visit Australian again. Elmo will be there in October! Elmo has so many friends there, just like you, Lily. Elmo LOVES you!

My favourite vegetable is cauliflower. What is your favourite vegetable? Lily, 3 Elmo loves cauliflower too Lily. Elmo’s favourite vegetable though is corn. Elmo loves corn on pizza!

Do you have any pets? Amelia, 8 Elmo has a pet goldfish named Dorothy. Elmo loves her very, very much. Elmo has to help look after Dorothy, like cleaning her bowl, and feeding her each morning. It’s a lot of work, but Dorothy is Elmo’s best friend so Elmo likes doing it.

What number do you live in on Sesame Street?

Hamish, 6 Elmo is just learning numbers but Elmo’s Mommy and Daddy always tell Elmo how important it is to know Elmo’s full address.

Elmo lives with Elmo’s mummy and daddy and we live at number 3. Can you count to three Hamish?

Who is your favourite superhero?

Mine is Spiderman Heath, 4 Elmo’s superhero is Elmo’s Mummy and Daddy because they love Elmo very much and look after Elmo. Elmo thinks that you’re a superhero too Heath.

What is your favourite dance? Yassmina, 3 Oh, Elmo loves to dance and show off Elmo’s dance moves. Elmo once did the chicken dance, and that was fun. Elmo loves all kinds of dancing – it helps keep Elmo healthy too!

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Peninsula Kids – Spring 2014

What is your second favourite colour? Alice, 3 That’s a very good question, Alice. Elmo’s favourite colour is red, but Elmo’s second favourite colour is orange, just like Elmo’s orange nose!”

Are you friends with Mickey & Minnie Mouse?

Charlotte, 3 Elmo has never met them before but Elmo would love to have a play date with them….and you of course, Charlotte.

Do you like playing the piano? Do you play any other instruments? Henry, 4 Elmo loves playing the piano, because Elmo loves music and singing. Elmo would like to learn more instruments one day.

Elmo’s favourite song is called ‘Elmo’s Song.’ La lalala, La lalala, Elmo’s song…

What type of birthday cake do you want for your birthday? Henry, 4 These food questions are making Elmo hungry! Elmo would love a red velvet cake for Elmo’s birthday. It’s a sometimes food, but birthday’s happen only once a year. Elmo;’s turning 3 ½ again.

Do you ever get sad? Emmy, 2 Elmo does get sad sometimes. But, whenever Elmo is feeling sad, Elmo talks to a grown up, like Elmo’s mummy and daddy, about how Elmo is feeling. That usually makes Elmo feel better.

Sometimes Elmo also draws a picture about how Elmo is feeling and that does the trick too sometimes.

Do you really brush your teeth every day?

Ben, 5 Hello Benny. Yes, Elmo does brush his teeth every single day. Actually, Elmo brushes his teeth twice each day.

Once after breakfast, and once before going to bed.

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Tips

For Eating Out With Kids

By Anna Brown Who has had a disastrous eating out experience before?

Nervous to try again? Try some of these advance planning tips to help make your next visit a success.

1. Eat your meals with your kids at the table when you’re at home.

You can’t expect your kids to sit quietly at a restaurant table in public if they are not used to eating this way!

2. Choose an appropriate restaurant or café to visit. A child-friendly establishment will mean you are not as uptight and avoid your children picking up on any tension you may have.

3. Go at an appropriate time – half an hour before you would eat at home is perfect. This gives you time to arrive, order, get organized, visit the toilet and allow meals to arrive before your child gets over hungry. If you are going to be arriving on or after regular meal time, give your child a small snack in the car. Nothing that fills them up, but just to subside the overwhelming hunger pangs that may result in tears if there is no food to eat as soon as they sit down.

4. If dining out with young children, bring along a drink container from home with lid and straw. You can pour your purchased drink into here for your child to use and not have to worry about spilt drinks all over the table, your child or yourself.

5. Take along some table appropriate activities. If you dine out frequently (even for café lunches or coffees) prepare a small bag with age appropriate activities that your child only gets to play with on these occasions. The excitement with getting access to the ‘special’ toys will help make them interesting for longer! The main key here is

to pick activities that are interactive – there is nothing more depressing than watching a family in a restaurant where every member is glued to an electronic device and there is not interaction at all.

6. Have reasonable expectations – this is not a romantic dinner for two! If your kids aren’t used to eating out, they will most likely find it difficult to sit still for a long period, will want to investigate this new, interesting space, will want to try out a different toilet, will need to sing loudly or stand on their chair and point and comment loudly about another patron. Remember practice makes perfect, and the more you dine, they more they will be skilled at eating in public.

7. Set some ground rules with your child before your leave home.

Let them know what behaviour is expected of them and set boundaries. Make sure that you acknowledge throughout the meal how great their behaviour is.

8. Introduce your children to the restaurant staff (or have them introduce themselves). Getting the staff “on side” will help make the experience go smoothly. Remember to leave a tip if they are great and help you out a lot!

9. Make sure you let your children try out your adult meals. This is a great way to help introduce new foods in a fun environment and make them feel great they are getting to try special food (especially if you all eat the same meals at home).

10. Have your kids help clean up as much as possible with your assistance before leaving. Pick up food from the floor, pile up plates and cutlery, wipe down table with a nappy wipe. The staff will of course clean up after you leave, but it’s important to teach your children that they still need to be respectful of the staff and establishment.

11. Have your kids thank the staff when leaving.

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Peninsula Kids – Spring 2014

Karli is a Mum, domestic personal chef, Thermomix consultant, substandard house cleaner, dog walker, wannabe food photographer and lover of caffeine.

Follow her Mumma Duck Says blog and Facebook page for more food adventures, recipes and handy hints. mummaduckblog.wordpress.com facebook.com/mummaducksays

10 minute meal {Serves 4} Whole roast chicken, meat removed and shredded 8 tortillas 250g tasty cheese, grated 400g tin red kidney beans, rinsed ½ red onion, finely chopped 1 avocado, chopped 1 tomato, chopped ½ bunch fresh coriander, finely chopped 125g tin corn kernels 300g jar salsa

100ml sour cream

1

Prepare avocado topping by mixing avocado, tomato, corn, red onion and coriander in a bowl and set aside.

2

Using a flat-surfaced sandwich press, place a tortilla on press. Layer some cheese, chicken, kidney beans and salsa on one half of the tortilla.

Fold other half over to enclose filling and press gently in sandwich press.

Cook until lightly browned on outside and cheese melted. Note: if you don’t have a sandwich press, you could fry these in a non-stick pan greased with spray oil.

3 4

Use left ove ise sauc r e beef ver to make a sion!

bologna

Repeat with remaining tortillas, chicken, cheese, beans and salsa.

Cut each quesadilla into wedges and serve with avocado topping, extra salsa and sour cream. www.peninsulakids.com.au

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20 minute meal {Serves 6} 6 thin slices prosciutto 50g rocket or baby spinach leaves 75g feta cheese 6 eggs ¼ cup milk 3 cherry tomatoes 300g jar salsa 100ml sour cream

1

Preheat oven to 200°C (fan-forced) and line a Texas (extra large) muffin tray with 6 large patty pans.

2

Cut each prosciutto slice in half and layer both halves in a cross shape in base of each patty pan.

3

Divide leaves and cheese into 6 portions and layer on top of prosciutto.

4

Whisk eggs and milk in a jug until combined and pour evenly amongst each patty pan. Gently place a tomato half on top, cut-side up.

5

Season to taste with salt and cracked pepper, then place in oven and bake for 15 minuntes or until golden and set.

6

Remove gently from patty pans to serve.

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Peninsula Kids – Spring 2014

Change up your ‘addition use wha tever is s’ to in your fridge and pan try.

Cooking in patty pans only helps with making your cleaning up easier afterwards.

www.peninsulakids.com.au

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10 minute meal {Serves 4}

3

¼ cup soy sauce

4

¼ cup plum sauce

¼ cup tomato sauce ½ cup water 1 ‘heaped’ TB of honey 1 TB white vinegar 1 TB cornflour 500-600g skinless chicken thigh fillets, trimmed and sliced 1 pineapple, skin removed and diced 125g baby corn, diced

Prepare noodles according to packet instructions and set aside until needed.

Heat a wok or large pan over medium-high heat and spray with cooking oil. Cook chicken pieces 5 minutes or until browned and set aside.

5

Add pineapple and vegetables to wok with a splash of water and fry for 5 minutes or until slightly softened. Return chicken to wok with noodles and remaining sauce mixture and heat through for 2 minutes, stirring to coat evenly.

6

Serve immediately!

150g cherry tomatoes, halved 6 spring onions, sliced 2 carrots, sliced 440g Hokkein Noodles Spray oil

1

In a bowl, mix plum, soy and tomato sauces with water, honey,

vinegar and cornflour and whisk until combined.

2

Place chicken pieces in a separate bowl and add ¼ of the sauce mixture. Stir to combine.

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Peninsula Kids – Spring 2014

Tomato es may seem lik odd ing ea redient to add t n stir-fry, oa bu t wor ks well in this sweet ve rsion.

25 minute meal {Serves 4} 4 skinless salmon fillets spray oil 1 lemon cut into 6 wedges salt and pepper 2-3 TB olive oil 4 capsicums 1 cup couscous 1 cup boiling water 75g sundried tomatoes, chopped 100g feta cheese, crumbled or diced

4.

Place salmon fillets into oven-proof dish and drizzle lightly with olive oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Arrange lemon wedges around and on top of salmon fillets.

5.

Arrange capsicums cut-side up on baking tray. Lightly drizzle with olive oil.

6. Set aside approx. 20 g feta. Stir remaining feta cheese, sundried

tomatoes and chives through couscous, then spoon into each capsicum.

Fill to top and press down as you go to fill each one entirely. Sprinkle top of full capsicum with a little of the reserved feta cheese.

7. Place salmon and capsicums into oven and cook for 15-20 mins or until salmon cooked through.

1/3 cup chives, chopped

1.

Preheat oven to 180°C (fan-forced). Line a small baking tray with baking paper. Lightly coat a rectangular oven-proof dish with spray oil.

2. To prepare capsicums, slice off just the top of each capsicum.

Using a spoon or knife, remove seeds and white parts as best as possible. Set aside.

3. In a medium heat-proof bowl, add couscous and water. Stir, then cover and leave to sit for 5 mins while it absorbs water.

Uncover and ‘fluff’ with a fork lightly.

Bakin g helps your fish w in that r ith the pun the oven esults g from ent odour pan f rying . www.peninsulakids.com.au

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15-20 minute meal {Serves 4} 500g lamb mince 2 garlic cloves, peeled 1 tsp ground cumin Bunch fresh mint, leaves only 8 filo pastry sheets 100g butter, melted 2 TB poppy seed

6

Cut each pastry stack into sixths and spoon some mixture in middle of each piece. Tuck in pastry ‘ends’ and then roll up along length of roll.

7

Brush some melted butter along edge to seal. Also brush top of roll with melted butter and sprinkle with poppy seeds.

8

Place a few centimetres apart on baking tray and when all ready, bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.

1

Preheat oven to 180°C (fan-forced) and line a baking tray with baking paper.

2

Crush garlic into a large mixing bowl.

Add mince and cumin to bowl.

3

Finely chop mint leaves and set aside approx. 1 heaped tablespoon worth. Add remainder of chopped mint to bowl with mince mixture and mix well with your hands. Set aside.

4

Lay out a sheet of filo pastry onto your work surface and brush lightly with some of the melted butter. Take another sheet of pastry and place on top. Repeat process until you have 4 sheets of pastry layered on top of each other.

5

Repeat with remaining filo pastry sheets, using 4 sheets each time. You should end up with 2 ‘stacks’ of pastry.

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Peninsula Kids – Spring 2014

Serve th homema ese with de Tzat dipping sauce (p ziki g6 a Greek Salad o 3) and r vegetabl roasted es.

You may want smaller sized rolls for little hands or party food and larger ‘parcels’ for hungry adults!

www.peninsulakids.com.au

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2 minute meal 200g Greek yoghurt 1 garlic clove, peeled 1 Lebanese cucumber reserved mint leaves (1 heaped TB) from ‘Lamb & Mint Sausage Rolls’

1 Crush or grate garlic into a medium-sized mixing bowl.

2 Grate cucumber into same bowl.

3 Add reserved mint and yoghurt to mixing bowl. Season with salt and pepper to preference and mix well to incorporate.

4

! y o

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j n E

Peninsula Kids – Spring 2014

Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Use left ov made w er Tzatziki in ra ho niment ps, as an acco memp to a ‘dri zz veggie sticks o ale’ over r a homem as lamb pi ade zza.

For fus sy e process aters, use your or to ch op vegg food ies and smuggl e the go odness in!

40 minute meal {Serves 6– 8}

½ butternut pumpkin, skin removed & sliced 2 zucchini, sliced thinly in long strips spray oil 1 TB olive oil 1 brown onion, diced 2 garlic cloves , crushed 2 carrots, grated 1 red capsicum, diced 150g mushrooms, sliced thinly

1

Preheat oven to 180°C (fan-forced) and grease a large, rectangular oven-proof dish with spray oil. Also line two baking trays with baking paper.

2

Place pumpkin and zucchini slices onto baking trays, spray with oil spray and roast in oven for 20 mins

3

Meanwhile, add oil, onion and garlic to a frying pan with oil and sauté for 3 minutes.

Add carrot, mushrooms and capsicum and sauté for 5 mins, stirring occasionally.

4 Add diced tomatoes and tomato puree, stir and simmer for 10 mins, stirring occasionally.

5 Add spinach and lentils and gently stir through. Simmer for 2 minutes.

6 Spoon just enough tomato mixture on base of baking dish to create a thin layer. Place

400g tin diced tomatoes

enough lasagna sheets across dish to create a single layer, cutting to fit as needed.

400g tin tomato puree

7

400g tin lentils 200g baby spinach leaves 1 cup tasty cheese, grated 375g fresh lasagna sheets 1 egg, lightly beaten 200g natural yoghurt 200g cottage cheese 50g parmesan cheese, grated

Layer half of the pumpkin and zucchini slices on top of lasagna sheets. Spoon half of tomato mixture over this and sprinkle over half of the tasty cheese evenly. Top with another layer of lasagna sheets.

8

Repeat with remaining pumpkin and zucchini slices, tomato mixture, tasty cheese and lasagna sheets.

9

Mix the yoghurt, cottage cheese and egg in a medium-sized bowl with a whisk, then pour over top of lasagna. Sprinkle with grated parmesan.

10 Bake in oven for 20 mins or until golden. www.peninsulakids.com.au

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Peninsula Kids – Spring 2014

Hastings Foreshore is home to a number of pelicans. They can be found walking along the sand through the mangroves and nesting on the pier. It’s a great FREE fun activity to enjoy with your kids.

Food allergies, intolerances and anaphylaxis

It seems that everyone either has or knows someone with a food allergy or intolerance and an increasing number of people are at risk of an anaphylactic reaction, the most severe and life-threatening form of food allergy.

Food allergies occur when the immune system responds to a harmless food as if it were toxic. Symptoms are generally quick to appear, developing within 20 minutes of consuming the food. Most are mild – swelling around the mouth, stomach upsets and skin rashes – however severe anaphylactic reactions can be life-threatening and require immediate treatment. Watch out for breathing difficulties, swelling of the tongue or throat, a persistent cough, difficulty talking, pale skin colour and floppiness or a loss of consciousness. A person suffering a severe reaction requires an immediate injection of adrenaline, which is generally carried by the person in the form of an adrenaline auto-injector.

They also require immediate treatment by a medical professional.

Some of the most common food allergy triggers are milk, eggs, peanut, tree nuts, sesame, fish, crustaceans, wheat and soy. These foods trigger 90 per cent of food allergic reactions in Australia. It is estimated that approximately one in 20 children and one in 100 adults have food allergies.

Food intolerances occur when the body has a chemical reaction after eating or drinking a particular food. It is not an immune system response. Symptoms can be immediate, as with allergies, but many take between 12 and 24 hours to develop. The intensity of the reaction

health

By Linda Bosnic

can often be related to the amount of food consumed.

In many cases, no symptoms appear until a certain amount of the food is eaten. This threshold amount varies from person to person.

Reactions can include sweating, hives, headache/migraine, diarrhoea, breathing problems or palpitations. Intolerances have been linked with conditions including asthma, chronic fatigue syndrome and irritable bowel syndrome.

Some of the most common foods that can cause intolerance are dairy products, eggs, flavour enhancers such as MSG, food additives, strawberries, citrus fruits, tomatoes, wine and chocolate.

Food allergies and food intolerances are on the increase worldwide.

The best way to treat an allergy or intolerance is to eliminate the food from the diet. Avoidance of the food is the only way to prevent a reaction. Accidental exposure can occur so in the case of anaphylaxis, the person and their caregivers need to be educated in the symptoms and be prepared to give adrenaline if required. Anyone who suspects that they may have a food allergy or intolerance should see their doctor for a correct medical diagnosis.

For further information, go to the Anaphylaxis Australia website which has very comprehensive information on food allergies (www.allergyfacts.org.au).

www.peninsulakids.com.au

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Do you know the effects ar tificial colours, flavours and additives have on your children?

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Peninsula Kids – Spring 2014

Ask the Experts!

How do I know if my child will ‘grow out’ of his stutter, or if I should get professional help? He is 3.5 years old.

If your child has difficulty speaking, tending to hesitate on or repeat certain syllables or sounds, they may have a stuttering problem or may simply be going through a period of normal dysfluency. This is experienced by many children when learning to speak. The normally dysfluent child occasionally repeats syllables and may use fillers such as uh, or um. It can occur between 18 months to five years, with many children presenting around 3 years.

The dysfluency tends to come and go, indicating that the child is progressing through a new stage of learning.

I’m reading everywhere about pureeing veggies (like when I made baby food) and adding them to regular evening meal recipes so there’s no fighting with the kids. I have always only lightly steamed vegetables for my family, believing this to be the most nutritious way to cook them. My question is if a vegetable is cooked and pureed and then cooked in a meal again is there any nutritional value left? And are there any vegetables you would recommend this process for - things kids don’t usually like, but are high in nutrients and easy to hide in the weekly spaghetti bolognaise!

Deciding whether or not to take your child to a speech pathologist can be a difficult decision. Some parents are concerned that it will highlight the stuttering and have a negative effect on the child, or have conflicting advice about whether to wait and see, or intervene. Although research suggests that 75% of children will resolve with no speech therapy, the concern lies with the remaining 25% who don’t grow out of it and whose difficulties persist into adulthood. As there is no way of knowing which child will have ongoing difficulties it is recommended that children start therapy within 6-12 month of first noticing the stuttering (if it is ongoing).

If the child is distressed or reluctant to talk seek advice straight away.

It is more the heating of the purées than the actual puréeing itself that will alter the nutrition of the food. All enzymes in food, and some vitamins, are very sensitive to heat and can be lost during the cooking process. Vitamin C and the B vitamins are some of the most susceptible vitamins with vitamin C levels dropping by around 25% during cooking (depending on the cooking method), but the fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K) are much more stable when heated. . Yet cooked vegetables still retain enough goodness to make them very worthwhile eating and adding to meals.

It is definitely better to include some extra goodness than none at all!

Most speech pathologists use the Lidcombe approach. This involves parents giving children positive feedback at certain times during the day.

Speech pathologists teach parents how to do this. This therapy is based on positive feedback so therapy is fun and positive.

- Buy organic when possible and choose produce that is ripe (there is optimal nutrition in food that is at it’s peak ripeness)

If you have any concerns ring a speech pathologist to discuss.

Megan Ingram Owner & Principal Speech Pathologist Peninsula Speech Pathology Services

Here are some tips to ensure you get the most nutrition from your produce:

- Steaming is the best way to prepare your vegetables for puréeing if they have to be cooked first. However lots of veggies can be very finely grated or blended raw and then added to meals so that they are only cooked once instead of twice. Often the kids won’t see them in the food if it’s grated finely enough.

- Use the steaming water to add to soups or other dishes as some of the

nutrients will leach out into the water below, and this way you can add them back to other meals.

- Leave the skins on whenever possible (be sure to wash them well first) The sky’s the limit when it comes to adding hidden veggies to food but some of my favourites to use are capsicum, mushrooms, zucchini, cauliflower, broccoli, carrot, beetroot and spinach (or kale). I also find my children hate bits of onion in their food, but if it’s blended really well before cooking so they can’t see any ‘bits’ and will get eaten with no problems!

Rebecca Milham Naturopath/ Nutritionist Owner, The Natural Health & Wellness Clinic, Somerville Recently I have heard people discussing products having hidden ingredients in them.

I always make sure I buy products free from artificial colours and flavours - what am I missing?

Firstly there are three elements to look out for on packaging 1) artificial colours 2) flavours and 3) preservatives. If you ensure that all three missing, then you are a step closer to avoiding bad additives. There are also a couple of natural additives that are good to avoid - 120 (cochineal), 160b (annatto extracts) and 407 (carrageenan).

In addition, there is what we call the 5% loophole in the labelling laws in Australia. What this means is that if an ingredient makes up less than 5% off the overall total it does not have to be disclosed. The only way to find out this information is to contact the manufacturer. The most common hidden ingredients are antioxidants in vegetable oils. The ones to be aware of are 310, 311, 312, 319, 320 and 321. All have been linked to adverse health effects, with the worst ones linked to cancer.

Karen Cardy Owner, Healthy Angels Foster a Positive Start

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77

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• group therapy - run each term at several locations, including: • Ready for Prep (for Pre-school children entering Prep) • Tots Talk (for 2-3 year old children with limited language) • Super Speech Groups (targets speech sound) • Social Skills Groups • Early literacy learners (pre-schoolers)

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Please do not hesitate to call Janelle Curry on 0414071488 if you have any questions or concerns regarding your child’s speech and language development.

Peninsula Kids – Spring 2014

MP Kids Magazine_2014 doc.indd 78

27/08/2014 12:12:08 PM

Protect YOUR

CHILD FROM SEXUAL ABUSE

By Jayneen Sanders

The statistics on the sexual abuse of children are staggering. Some estimates place the incidences as high as 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 6 boys being sexually abused before their 18th birthday (Aust. Institute of Criminology, 1993). As parents, teachers and community members, what can we do to ensure both our children and children we come in contact with are protected, informed and safe?

These 4 key points are crucial: 1. Education Learn how to protect your child from sexual abuse by educating them in body safety, and educating yourself and your community.

2. Awareness Become aware of the statistics surrounding child sexual abuse and grooming techniques used by paedophiles.

3. Know the Signs Understand and recognize the signs of child sexual abuse.

4. Believe a Child Believe a child when they disclosure sexual abuse—it is paramount for their future recovery and healing.

EDUCATION Teaching Your Child Body Safety The most vulnerable age for children to be exposed to sexual abuse is between 3 and 8 years with the majority of onset happening between these ages (Browne & Lynch, 1994). We teach road safety and we teach water safety—it is imperative we teach children body safety. If you are concerned about teaching your child these skills, just keep in mind they are age-appropriate, non-graphic, and they also encourage your child to be assertive—a crucial skill in any bullying situation, and a great attribute to have when your child becomes a teenager!

1. As soon as your child begins to talk and is aware of their body parts, begin to name them correctly, e.g. toes, nose, eyes, etc.

Children should also know the correct names for their genitals from a young age. Try not to use ‘pet names’. This way, if a child is touched inappropriately, they can clearly state to you or a trusted adult where they have been touched.

2. Teach your child that their penis, vagina, bottom, breasts and nipples are called their ‘private parts’ and that these are their body parts that go under their swimsuit. Note: a child’s mouth is also known as a ‘private zone’.

3. Teach your child that no one has the right to touch or ask to see their private parts, and if someone does, they must tell you or a trusted adult straight away. Reinforce that they must keep on telling until they are believed. (Statistics tell us that a child will need to tell three people before they are believed.) As your child becomes older (3+) help them to identify five trusted adults they could tell. These people are part of their safety network. Have your child point to each digit on their hand and say the names of the people on their safety network.

4. Teach you child that if someone (i.e. the perpetrator) asks them to touch their own private parts, shows their private parts to the child or shows them images of private parts that this is wrong also, and that they must tell a trusted adult straight away. Reinforce that they must keep on telling until they are believed.

5. At the same time as you are discussing inappropriate touch, talk about feelings. Discuss what it feels like to be happy, sad, angry, excited, etc. Encourage your child in daily activities to talk about their feelings, e.g. ‘I felt really sad when … pushed me over.’ This way your child will be more able to verbalize how they are feeling if someone does touch them inappropriately.

6. Talk with your child about feeling safe and unsafe. Discuss times when your child might feel unsafe, e.g. being pushed down a steep slide, or safe, e.g. snuggled up on the couch reading a book with you.

Children need to understand the different emotions that come with feeling safe and unsafe. For example, when feeling safe, they may feel happy and have a warm feeling inside; when feeling unsafe they may feel scared and have a sick feeling in their tummy. www.peninsulakids.com.au

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7. Discuss with your child their early warning signs when feeling unsafe, i.e. heart racing, feeling sick in the tummy, sweaty palms, feeling like crying. Let them come up with some ideas of their own. Tell your child that they must tell you if any of their early warning signs happen in any situation. Reinforce that you will always believe them and that they can tell you anything.

8. As your child grows, try as much as possible to discourage the keeping of secrets. Talk about happy surprises such as not telling Granny about her surprise birthday party and ‘bad’ secrets such as someone touching your private parts. Make sure your child knows that if someone does ask them to keep an inappropriate secret that they must tell you or someone in their safety network straight away.

9. Discuss with your child when it is appropriate for someone to touch their private parts, e.g. a doctor when they are sick (but making sure they know you must be in the room). Discuss with your child that if someone does touch their private parts (without you there) that they have the right to say: ‘No!’ or ‘Stop!’ and outstretch their arm and hand. Children (from a very young age) need to know their body is their body and no-one has the right to touch it inappropriately.

10. Read your child ‘Some Secrets Should Never Be Kept’ on a monthly basis when your child is young. The book can be read and reread to children 3 to 12 years. It is also ideal to read before camps, sleepovers, etc. Go to www. somesecrets.info for more information and purchasing details. Also teach your child ‘The Body Safety Song’ at www.somesecrets.info/body-safety-song/ Lastly, sexual abuse prevention education is not only a parent’s responsibly, it is also the community’s responsibility. Ask your child’s kindergarten or elementary school if they are running such a program. If they are not, ask why not. And PLEASE lobby for it. Remind them that sexual abuse is irreversible but it can be preventable.

AWARENESS Statistics tell us that 95% of sexually abused children will know their perpetrator (Child Protection Council, 1993). They will be an immediate family member, a close family friend or some-one the child has regular contact with.

Grooming • Be aware of any person who wishes to spend a great deal of time with your child, seeking out their company and offering to take care of them at any time. For example, an abuser will often ‘help out’ the targeted family at short notice, appearing as a reliable and trustworthy friend. This is the persona a paedophile will go to great lengths to establish.

• Be aware of any person who pays special attention to your child, making them feel more special than any other child; providing them with special treats, presents, sweets, etc. These ‘treats’ may be provided without your knowledge, and be the first of your child’s secrets they are being groomed to keep.

• Be aware of any person who spends a large percentage of their out-of-hours recreation time with children—often without other adults present or preferring to be ‘alone’ with the children.

In saying the above, of course we want our children to spend quality and loving time with the special adults in their lives. However, it is important we stay alert.

Important Things to Know About Paedophiles • Paedophiles can be any person in the community and from any social democratic. They can be single, married and have families of their own. Up to 95% of child sexual abusers are male (Bagley, 1995).

• 1/3 of reported offenses are committed by adolescents (Bagley, 1995) and increasingly a child can be abused by another child slightly older than themselves.

The most vulnerable age for children to be exposed to sexual abuse is between 3 and 8 years 80

Peninsula Kids – Spring 2014

• Children who live with a single parent that has a live-in partner are at the highest risk: they are 20 times more likely to be victims of sexual abuse than children living with both biological parents (Sedlack et al, 2010). However, children living with both biological parents or in foster care can be targeted.

• Paedophiles plan their abuse in detail, sometimes over years—grooming both the victim and their family by portraying the persona of a friendly, helpful and reliable person.

• Paedophiles will actively encourage the targeted child to keep secrets. The secret at first may not be of a sexual nature. These ‘fun’ secrets are intended to build up a sense that the abuser and the child have a ‘special’ relationship.

• Paedophiles convince the victim that the abuse is normal and love-based. They will use ‘guilt’ and ‘blaming’ techniques to coerce the child into believing that they are an equal participant in the ‘shameful’ secret, and therefore are equally too blame. The child can be so ‘guilt ridden’ they may never disclose.

• Paedophiles use threats and bribes to ensure the child keeps the secret. ‘Keeping the secret’ is of extreme importance to the offender — if the child does tell, the consequences for the offender are catastrophic. Therefore, they will use whatever means they can to ensure the child never tells. This includes subtly discrediting the child by making them out to be a liar—so if they ever do disclose, they won’t be believed.

BECOME ALERT Note: one or more of these indicators does not mean your child is being sexually abused, but if they do show some of these indicators, then there is good reason to investigate further.

General Signs of Sexual Abuse (0 to 12 years): • overly interested in theirs or other’s genitals • continually wants to touch private parts of other children • Instigating and/or forcing ‘sex play’ with another child (often younger, more than 3 years difference in age) • sex play that is not appropriate i.e. oral genital contact between a 7 year old and a 4 year old (note: with the increase in pornography viewing on the internet by young children, sex play is becoming more worrisome among similar-aged children)

In Older Children (Adolescents): Note: they may also display some of the above indicators • self-destructive behaviour such as drug dependency, suicide attempts, self-mutilation • eating disorders • adolescent pregnancy • persistent running away from home • withdrawn, angry • pornography interest; verbally sexually aggressive obscenities

BELIEVE A CHILD I cannot reinforce strongly enough how important it is to believe a child if they disclose sexual abuse. In 98% of reported child sexual abuse cases, children’s statements were found to be true (NSW Child Protection Council, Cited In Dympna House, 1998). Our reaction to a child’s disclosure is crucial to their ongoing well-being and healing. It we react with disbelief, they may never tell again and their suffering will only increase. It we react with shock, horror and/or anger, the child will most certainly take their cues from us, and believe that in some way they are to blame. It takes an enormous amount of courage for a child (or adult) to disclose sexual abuse that may have been ongoing for years. They will, no doubt, have been threatened with horrific consequences were they to tell. To find the bravery to overcome such threats, is a true act of courage. But what a child needs more than anything from the person they disclose to—be it a parent, relative, teacher or friend—is compassionate reassurance.

Therefore, stay calm and: • reassure the child you believe them • reassure the child they have done the right thing in telling

• sex play with another child happening more than three times, despite careful monitoring and discussion about inappropriateness

• reassure the child that they are incredibly brave and courageous

• persistent masturbation that does not cease when told to stop

• reassure the child that they are loved

• sexualized play with dolls or toys

• reassure the child that they are safe and will be looked after

• sexualized play involving forced penetration of objects vaginally or anally

• reassure the child that you will do everything you can to stop the abuse.

• chronic peeping, exposing and obscenities

It is our responsibility and duty of care to the child, to remain calm as well as receptive and compassionate, once the child begins to disclose. If they disclose amongst a group, take the child aside and find a safe place for them to continue. A disclosure from any sexual abuse victim takes an enormous amount of courage—so please, as the trusted recipient, respond to such bravery with kindness and compassion.

• touching or rubbing against the genitals of adults or children that they do not know • persistent use of ‘dirty’ words • describing sexual acts and sexualized behaviour beyond their years • strong body odour • sores around the mouth • bruising or bleeding in the genital area; bruising to breasts, buttocks, lower abdomen or thighs • withdrawn and anxious behaviour • secretive or say they have a ‘special’ secret that can’t tell (this may be to gauge your reaction) • child or child’s friend telling you about interference directly or indirectly • going to bed fully clothed • increase in nightmares and sleep disturbances • regressive behaviour, e.g. a return to bed-wetting or soiling • unexplained accumulation of money and gifts • not wanting to go to a certain person’s place or to an activity • indirectly dropping hints about the abuse (again, to gauge your reaction).

• reassure the child that they are in NO way to blame

Key Organisations for Further Help RAINN: www.rainn.org/get-help Childhelp: www.childhelp.org/pages/hotline-home

About the author...

Jayneen Sanders is a teacher, author, mother of three teenage daughters and an active advocate for sexual abuse prevention education both in the home and in schools.

For more information on this topic and Jay’s children’s book on safe and unsafe touch: ‘Some Secrets Should Never Be Kept’ go to www. somesecrets.info Now available on Amazon in 7 seven languages. www.amazon. com/Jayneen-Sanders/e/B00BDCGZ1W/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

www.peninsulakids.com.au

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creative

TIPS

Better than OK editor Dr Helen Street’s top tips for creative kids!

The best way for our kids to develop their creativity is through unstructured free time. Simply put, kids of all ages need unstructured time to learn to create and engage in life. It seems such a simple task... yet, increased structure at school, increased numbers of extracurricular activities and the increased use of electronic media all add up to a highly structured and highly monitored life for today’s young minds. It is hardly surprising that highly respected academics such as Professor David Whitehead (from The University of Cambridge in the UK) and Sir Ken Robinson are expressing concern over the lack of creativity in today’s young people, and in the associated cost to their mental health.

Creativity is a skill that crosses all domains and all abilities. Far from being a luxury, creativity

is an essential ingredient of well-being.

Creativity enables young people to develop a voice of their own, to create their place in life, rather than simply to be caught in the business of reacting to the voices of others.

So how can we help our kids to develop their creative voice within the confines of a busy life?

HERE ARE MY TOP TEN CREATIVITY TIPS FOR PARENTS. 1. VALUE IMAGINATION. Encourage your kids to use their imagination wherever possible.

2. GIVE YOUNG PEOPLE A VOICE. Help your kids decide on the rules for good behaviour at the table, for a successful morning routine or for bedtime. Where possible, make decisions together as a family.

3. ENCOURAGE COLLABORATION. Young people learn more effectively and more creatively when they work collaboratively. Far better to let kids help each other on homework tasks than to leave them to strive alone.

Cast Members Wanted

3 day holiday workshop for ages 5-16 years.

September school holidays, Mt Eliza or Rosebud.

Filling fast, enrol online.

www.lifelongmusic.com.au or phone Rebecca on 0409 863 617 82

Peninsula Kids – Spring 2014

for Creative Kids 4. SUPPORT DIVERSITY IN LEARNING. There is more than one way to do everything in life, and we need to accept that traditional methods of learning may not suit everyone.

My husband remembers the beautiful Easter card one of our daughters made for us when in grade one…after admiring it with great enthusiasm he was surprised to discover that it had actually been made by another child in the class…an easy mistake to make when every child had produced an identical card for their family. Sometimes it is preferential to have an original, if flawed, end result rather than a great copy of someone else’s idea.

5. NURTURE APPROPRIATE RISK TAKING BEHAVIOUR. Being creative means being able to move outside of your comfort zone and take a risk. Kids need to understand the benefits of appropriate risk taking in life and then be supported in taking risks as they are ready to do so.

6. HELP YOUNG PEOPLE DEVELOP A SENSE OF MASTERY – EMBRACE MISTAKES. We expect little kids to get messy when they learn to eat and to fall

over when they begin to walk. Yet, we often become intolerant of mistakes in older kids and in each other. We need to take a breath and remember that mistakes are to be embraced. They are a vital part of every learning journey.

young people’s motivation and engagement in learning. They also reduce creativity. As soon as our attention is taken away from what we are doing – and placed on an anticipated reward, we become less engaged and less creative.

7. SUPPORT INTRINSIC MOTIVATION. Engagement in learning comes from attention to the details of what we do. The more that we can focus on the details, the more that we can value what we do with a sense of ownership and creativity.

10. EMBRACE OPPORTUNITIES FOR FREE TIME AT HOME. Make sure the kids sometimes switch off the TV or computer for an evening, or even a week.

Encourage them to invent a game, or simply play with friends.

8. VALUE STRENGTH. Although it is certainly important to help young people to improve in areas of weakness, we must also make sure we give adequate time and attention to helping them build on their strengths. Young people who are engaged in their passions are happier and better able to learn across all domains.

This list not only embraces the need to nurture creativity in our kids, it embraces free time as vital time to help young people find and develop their own voice in the world.

9. REDUCE EXTRINSIC REWARD SYSTEMS. It is vital that we understand that stickers, stars and other extrinsic rewards may lead to short term compliance but they reduce

young people to flourish at school and beyond is co-edited with Neil Porter and available online from Fremantle Press and from bookshops Australia wide.

Dr Helen Street is an applied social psychologist with a passion for education.

She presents her work in books, articles and in seminars and workshops for schools.

Her latest book Better than OK: helping

www.peninsulakids.com.au

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Frozen Ice

By Lauren Skelly

Lauren is the mum of 2 gorgeous lil’ ones and loves to find simple and fun arts & craft activities to enjoy with them. She shares her ideas at themumsword.com.au or facebook.com/themumswordau Disney’s Frozen movie was released in November 2013, making it the 53rd animated feature in the Walt Disney Animated Classic series. Originally inspired by Han’s Christian Andersen’s fairy tale ‘the Snow Queen,’ Frozen quickly became loved by children and parents alike. No doubt many of us find ourselves singing along to the movie’s catchy songs, which include ‘Let It Go’ ‘Do You Want to Build a Snowman,’ and ‘Love Is An Open Door.’

In the movie, Elsa has cryokinetic powers that produce ice, frost and snow and she ends up setting off an eternal winter. This activity allows your children to have their own cryokinetic powers and make frozen ice. They can then build their own Frozen world just like Elsa, ensuring hours of imaginative, creative play.

Materials • Epsom Salts • Iridescent (Pearlescent) Glitter

Added Fun *Frozen Characters *Snow Flakes *Sand Play Toys

Directions 1. Place Epsom Salts and Glitter into a freezer bag or container and freeze overnight (we crushed ours to make a finer texture) 2. If your kids are excited and can’t wait for the snow to freeze, you can use just use the Epsom Salts straight from the packet and mix with the glitter.

3. Pour you freshly made “ice” into a sensory bin, container or baking tray.

4. Add props and let the fun begin!

Frozen Characters 1. Visit www.peninsulakids.com.au/frozen-crafts and print the ‘Disney’s Frozen Craft Puppets’ for FREE. 2. Laminate and cut out the figures.

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Peninsula Kids – Spring 2014

5

3 2

4

Snowflakes Materials • Template found at www.peninsulakids.com.au/frozen-crafts • Baking Paper • Hot Glue Gun • Glitter

Directions 1. Print out the template from the website.

2. Place a sheet of baking paper over the top.

3. Use the template as a guide to trace over with the glue gun (only do one section at a time).

4. Cover with glitter and let dry.

5. Continue to next section and repeat steps 3 & 4 until finished......

Tip – if you’re having a Frozen party, you can make edible snowflakes using the same method, but use melted white chocolate instead of a glue gun. Make sure your chocolate is quite thick to make the snowflakes stronger.

Peninsula

CHILDRENS SHOES Shoe Fitting Specialists

CnrCrn MainMain & Barkly St, Mornington 5975 8255 St & Barkley St Mornington Ph 5975 8255 www.peninsulakids.com.au

85

Do You Want To Build a

SNOWMAN?

1 Next time your kids sing to you ‘Do you want to build a snowman?’ answer YES! This is a quick and easy Frozen inspired activity that requires minimal materials to be purchased.

Have the kids use their imagination and recycle items from around your home as well.

All aged kids can join the fun, the littlies just need help with pins and glue.

Materials • Polystyrene balls of different sizes (we purchased a bag of 12 with 3 different sizes for $4) • Toothpicks • Coloured sewing pins (available from supermarkets and craft stores) • Sticks • Textas • Craft supplies such as ribbons, buttons, pipe cleaners, lids, googly eyes, wool • Optional: hot glue gun

2

Directions

3

1. Insert a toothpick into a polystyrene balls.

2. Join with another ball.

3. Use sticks found in the garden to make arms.

4. Sewing pins can be used to make eyes and nose and draw a mouth on.

5. Decorate – we used ribbons to make scarfs, glued buttons down the front, pinned some wool for hair or used a recycled lid as a hat.

Other ideas

4

5

• see what your can borrow from other toys – we used a hat and glasses.

• paint or textas could be used to decorate the snowman if you don’t have any craft supplies.

• pipecleaners could be used for scarves or arms.

• cut a square of a cereal box and glue the snowman to it so he stands up.

Tip: Hot glue guns are a great investment for parents costing only $10. They provide strength to your child’s creation, allowing it to be played with all day. They also help school projects survive the trip to school.

themumsword.com.au 86

Peninsula Kids – Spring 2014

Join us on Facebook for easy kids’ activities, simple recipes, party planning ideas or to chat about motherhood facebook.com/themumswordau

Music to Their Years

By Jill McPartlane Everyone has a love for music. You’ll find it in every culture, every age group and every heart. Most music starts with a beat and a baby’s first introduction is the heartbeat. It begins in utero with the beating of the mother’s heart. The consistent drumming sound of comfort and familiarity is talked about frequently in birthing hospitals. Mothers are encouraged to hold their babies to their chest so they can hear their heart. Children are drawn to music and possess a fascination of music in every regard. They were born to bounce, sway and jiggle, even to their own beat.

We also know the benefits of music. Studies show that music for children of any age, especially babies to 6 years old helps develop their brain in numerous ways. So how do we begin? How can we encourage learning in our children and show them the many delights music has to offer? It all begins at home.

0 to 6 months Simple music. Singing is always the best option at this age. Nursery rhymes are short and sweet and often have actions or hand signals. Sign language is a powerful tool of expression and, when used early in conjunction with speaking, can help babies and toddlers communicate even before they speak. Babies also respond well to bells, clapping hands, whistling, cooing, raspberries and even the spoon stirring your coffee. Use your imagination and your baby will let you know what he likes best!

6 months-12 months Joining in! So now your baby has discovered their hands! What an amazing instrument in itself. Clap hands, hit the pots and pans with spoons and crumple up paper to experiment with all the different sounds. You can make your own instruments with empty water bottles filled with different sounding materials. Try rice for a softer sound. Split peas and beans can create a louder sound. This is a great age to teach them simple songs with repeating words as they’re learning to speak.

1-2 Years Let them lead! This is a wonderful age of expression and self-discovery. Music of all sorts should be used at this age and different tempos introduced. Teach your child about dynamics of music; high, low, soft, loud, fast, slow. Find songs they’re interested in and learn the words so you can sing them too. It’s best to sing in a higher key at this age as it helps them become aware of correct pitch as our talking voices are often low which makes it harder to hear the note.

2-3 Years Put your left foot in! Can you pat your head and rub your tummy at the same time? Music intertwined with Kinetics is the perfect way to help the brain develop. Crossing the midline is not only fun but it also creates new synapses in the brain, connecting the left and the right side of the brain. Try crawling on the floor games, swinging your elephant trunk across the front of your body and hug yourself! Music works brilliantly to initiate packing up time and mealtime. It’s also enjoyed before bed to soothe and relax.

3-4 Years What an actor! Music can express almost every emotion. They’ll be able to tell the difference between a happy song and a sad song just by the tempo itself! Talk about the story behind the song, its emotional story, and encourage your child to demonstrate their emotions too. Role play is important at this age and encourages confidence and self expression. Roar like the lion, squeak like the mouse and let them teach you a song and dance.

4-5 Years Steals the show! Music is an excellent tool for self expression. Give preschoolers opportunities to perform which, in turn, is invaluable rehearsal for public speaking. This is a great age to pick up an instrument. Choose instruments that allow for easy comprehension as nothing inspires the child more than the feeling of accomplishing their first song.

Join a local hey dee ho music class to see, first hand, how music can be fun and educational at the same time! Children learn while they’re having fun and finding a love of music will last their whole life long.

About the author...

Jill McPartlane is the owner of Hey Dee Ho Music • Phone 1300 139 631 • www.heydeehomusic.com.au www.peninsulakids.com.au

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Peninsula Kids – Spring 2014

The

Best Free Spring Activities Despite the weather still being cool there’s nothing better than having the kids out being active and discovering the many things on the Peninsula that make it truly unique. As the saying goes some of the best things in life are freeand these activities are all FREE.

Rock pooling is the perfect thing to do when the water is too cool to swim in. Discover some of the sea creatures within the seaweed and grasses. Look for crabs, starfish, anemones, tiny fish, shells and more. Some great places for rock pooling are at the Mushroom reef at Flinders, Point Leo, Bushrangers Bay, Sorrento Back beach and anywhere where rocks are exposed on low tide. Remember to take nothing but photos and leave nothing but footprints.

Briars Information Centre is perfect if the weather is inclement. Within the small centre is extensive information on the local area which include The Briars, local flora & fauna and a ranger on hand to answer any queries you or the children may have. There are also a few live exhibits such as yabbies, turtles and blue tongue lizards (which we have been lucky enough to hold in the past). There are also bushwalks, bird hides, veggie patch and chickens to visit near the homestead.

Balcombe Estuary Boardwalk is a fun place for the kids to let off steam. This former camping spot has much to offer with a small playground, a great boardwalk with a new audio trail app as well as beach access. In the cooler months take some fire wood for the fireplace and enjoy a BBQ (electric) under the shelter or in the old camp laundry.

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Playgrounds and skate parks are a great way for the kids to warm up and keep moving on the Peninsula and we have some great playgrounds. My favourites are: Sorrento Historic Park, Rye’s Up! Community playground, Flinders township reserve playground and the Eco Park in Mt Martha.

For skate parks have a look at the Civic Reserve on Dunns Rd in Mornington, Sherlock Family Playground at the Dunns Rd Reserve Mornington, Hastings Foreshore on Marine Parade, Mt Eliza at Emil Madsen Reserve, Rye at R J Rowley Reserve, Sorrento at David McFarland Reserve, Somerville near Edward St and the brand new Balnarring skate park in Civic court, Balnarring.

Point Nepean National Park is a great place for families to take their bikes (or you can hire them from the visitor centre if need be). Have a look around the historical sites and learn about Australia’s early military history.

Devilbend Reservoir is the perfect place to try your luck at fishing with the reservoir being stocked with Brown/ Rainbow Trout and Estuary Perch which can be caught in the designated fishing areas or from one of the two purpose built platforms. If you’re not into fishing then it’s also a great spot for a stroll or a BBQ with brand new facilities and walking tracks after a major redevelopment of the reserve.

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Peninsula Kids – Spring 2014

A wonderful experience at any time of the year but in winter and spring you’re most likely to breathe in the cleanest air in the world.

Cape Schanck Boardwalk is a wonderful experience at any time of the year but in winter and spring you’re most likely to breathe in the cleanest air in the world. The CSIRO have reported that when the winds are southerly or after big storms it’s the purest air which comes straight from the Antarctic. The boardwalk is a pleasant 1.6km round trip to the car park to where there is a kiosk and the lighthouse. Tours of the lighthouse are available but in my opinion are expensive with a family of four costing $44.

Coolart Homestead and Wetlands may not be the ideal spot for a picnic on the lawns when it’s a bit damp and cool but it’s perfect for bird watching in the hides. It’s possible to spot up to 60 species of birds in one day. If you would like to learn more about the Coolart wetlands there is an audio – visual presentation shown daily at 1:30pm in the wetlands observatory. *devil bend and coolart

www.peninsulakids.com.au

91

ECSES PLPAILLCA ABLLAEBLE AVAI AVA

 designed centre Purpose Purposebuilt builtarchitecturally architecturally designed centre  Qualified friendly & Experienced staff  Qualified friendly & Experienced staff  Educational Programmes  Educational Programmes  funded 4 year old kindergarten programs  funded 4 year old kindergarten programs  Fees include all meals,  Fees include all meals, hat and nappies

hat and nappies

S AGEE EN W ly designed centre T E B eeks & 6 w years rienced staff 6

S E C A L P ABLE AVAIL

garten programs

Homework ACES Help

PL ILABLE

Would you like to give your kids the extra study help they need, but just don’t have the time or ability?

AVA

There are a couple of FREE local services to help both you and your child.

 Purpose built architecturally designed centre Homework Club  Qualified friendly & Experienced staff The Frankston & Carrum Downs libraries offer free homework clubs, with volunteers available to help point them in the right  Educational Programmes direction. It allows students to do their homework amongst peers in a supportive and comfortable environment. There is access to  funded 4 year old kindergarten programs computers and the internet, as well as lots of homework resources in the library collection.  Fees include all meals, Thursday (during school term) from 4pm – 6pm Carrum Downs library: hat and nappies suitable for Prep to grade 6 students Frankston library: suitable for grade 4 to year 8 students

Online Tutoring

Both the Mornington Peninsula and Frankston Libraries offer access to your tutor via their websites. It offers FREE tutoring to students in years 4-12 with experts in english, mathematics and science available to help. You can also access a tutor online Monday to Friday, 4pm – 8pm.

Opening Hours Monday to Friday 6:30am-6:30pm

www.ourlibrary.mornpen.vic.gov.au

239 High Street, Hastings Ph (03) 5979 2831

www.library.frankston.vic.gov.au

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Peninsula Kids – Spring 2014

Where futures begin...

hinking C or Prep 15 or 2016?

An Enriching Education

Toorak College’s Junior School, Wardle House, is so much more than a primary school and early learning centre. The girls and boys find their place in a small nurturing environment whilst also making the most of all the facilities Toorak College offers.

Toorak College welcomes boys and girls from its 3 year old program to Year 4, with a girls’ only approach to learning from Year 5 onwards. It is dedicated to educating the whole child through inquiry learning with the implementation of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (PYP). This allows learning to be authentic and meaningful, enabling students to explore complex issues that cross traditional subject boundaries. The ELC program centres on the belief that children learn best in a play-based environment, where they can explore ideas and relationships, hypothesize and make connections.

ted places available

nrolments office on 9788 7234 re details or to book a tour.

A key to the success of the Wardle House program is the belief that

all students respond effectively when teachers communicate high expectations. Head of Wardle House, Mandy Whitworth explains, “It is crucial for effective learning and academic success, that students take charge of their learning, are confident in their ability to meet challenges, and make considered choices in order to reach their personal best.”

Thinking ELC or Prep in 2015 or 2016?

At Wardle House, your child will benefit from the latest teaching methods in a safe and supportive environment. Small class sizes for literacy and numeracy set each student up for success. For more information or to book a tour call 9788 7234.

AdPlace 355TC

At Wardle House there is a strong focus on developing the values and dispositions that will enable students to think clearly, act with integrity, and to make decisions for themselves to readily tackle challenges in learning. “We want students to be tolerant, creative, curious, appreciative, enthusiastic, confident, respectful, committed, co-operative, independent, and to be people of integrity and empathy,” says Mandy.

Limited places available

Call our Enrolments office on 9788 7234 for more details or to book a tour.

AdPlace 355TC

orakcollege.vic.edu.au www.toorakcollege.vic.edu.au www.peninsulakids.com.au

93

With Mornington having over 27 playgrounds a few are tucked away on roads less travelled. One in particular we’ve nicknamed the ‘secret playground”.

For anyone living in Mornington or Mt Martha they may know of these three playgrounds but for the remainder of residents on the Peninsula I am sure they will be pleasantly surprised to know they’re here.

three Hidden

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Peninsula Kids – Spring 2014

By Lorraine Aitken

The ‘secret playground’ is affectionately called so as nobody seems to know the official name of the playground. The official name is quite appropriate, though, as it is hidden in the back of the Summerfield’s estate and you will only ever find a few locals here. It took me a couple of years of living in Mornington before being invited to the ‘secret park’ for a birthday party.

It turns out Summerfield Wetlands is the official name and it is located on Lakeview Grove. The playground has a swing, slides, climbing frames, monkey bars and so on. Facilities include toilets, electric BBQ, picnic tables and car parking. Next to the playground is a walking track that takes you on a 500 metre loop around the wetlands and onto the viewing platform where you can feed the birds and ducks.

Take a ride on the Brim Brim Express at this playground tucked away in a newish estate opposite the racetrack. You will find this playground on Samantha Drive in Mornington (off St Mitchell circuit). The playground is small but has two swings, two slides, a wooden train, rock wall and stepping poles. It’s situated within a pleasant wetland area with a walking track around the perimeter along with exercise stations. No BBQ, toilet facilities or picnic tables are available. But great take away coffee from Grazen café is on the way to the playground.

For a playground with old-fashioned fun check out the S.L Butler Reserve that can be accessed via Herbert St or Lucerne Ave Mornington. This playground isn’t hidden as such but unless you know it’s there you wouldn’t go looking for a playground in the location. The playground has a high spiral slide, an old fashioned stand on carousel for eight children, swings, a climbing frame, flying fox, monkey bars and a large lawn area perfect for kicking footballs or running around. Facilities are limited to the playground and bench seat with no toilets or BBQ’s and parking is on street parking only.

www.peninsulakids.com.au

95

books

Early & Young Readers

Mornin Spo 7 Mil Mo

The Children’s Book Council of Australia’s short-listed titles are always a beautiful selection of children’s literature and a great guide if you are looking for a book for your child or for a gift.

EARLY CHILDHOOD BOOKS Banjo and Ruby Red

BOOK

Granny, Grommet & Me The Swap

by Libby Gleeson, Little Hare, h/b, $24.95 by Dianne Wolfer, Walker Books Aust, h/b, $27.95 This beautifully illustrated book captures a part of farm life that many children may not have thought HONOUR about before, the BOOK* relationship formed by different animals co-existing on a farm. Two unlikely characters, a dog and hen form a close bond when the possibility of one of them dying becomes a reality. The lively illustrations are created from laserprint on watercolour paper, combined with oil paints and charcoal. A sensitive, hopeful book.

This book is about the sharing of pastimes between generations and how old and young can share the excitement of exploring new places together. Empathy and inclusion are concepts explored as Granny shares her love for the ocean.

by Jan Ormerod, Little Hare, h/b, $24.95

OF THE

YEAR*

Fr Indo 81 Ha S

This delightful story explores sibling jealousy through the scenario of animal characters. It lends itself to discussions about actual family situations. Joyner’s illustrations are whimsical and full of expression, with subtle add-ins to the text.

GIVEAWAY!!

One lucky reader will win a prize pack of all the reviewed books valued at over $200. To enter, visit www.peninsulakids.com.au/giveaways/

A fun way to learn A fun way and grow to learn

ng 6 year olds!

and grow

Your local Ready Steady Go Kids classesYour are heldlocal at: Mornington Indoor Sports Centre 7 Millgate Drive Mornington

Your local Ready Steady Go Kids Ready Steady Go Kids classes are held at: classes are held at:

Indoor Mornington Mornington Indoor Sports Centre Sports Centre 7 Millgate7Drive, Mornington Millgate Drive Mornington

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We are Australia’s leading We are Australia’s leading sport program for 2.5–6 year olds! sport program for 2.5–6 year olds!

• 5 sports covered per term• 5 sports covered per term • Small class sizes • Small class sizes • FREE trial available • FREE trial available readysteadygokids.com.au Franchise opportunities available

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Peninsula Kids – Spring 2014

Franchise opportunities available

1300 766 892

readysteadygokids.com.au 1300 766 892

PICTURE BOOKS Silver Buttons

by Bob Graham, Walker Books, $27.95

HONOUR

BOOK*

Jodie likes to draw pictures and while she draws her baby brother takes his first steps. In that moment, the story tells of the diverse happenings in Jodie’s neighbourhood as it goes about its daily business. This book encourages the reader to think about a more global picture of the world.

HONOUR

BOOK*

Parachute

King Pig

by Danny Parker, Little Hare, h/b, $24.95

by Nick Bland, Scholastic Press, h/b, $24.99

This is a story about a little boy called Toby. Toby wears a parachute everyday to help him get through his daily routines. It helps him to feel safe until he eventually needs it less and less. One day he leaves it behind. It deals with insecurities and how to deal with them.

This story tells of King Pig who ruled the land of sheep and could make them do anything he wanted except like him. They never smiled or listened to him, but rather ignored him. The story is a lesson in kindness. Bland’s characters are portrayed well through his illustrations. The facial expressions of the sheep need no words to describe how the pigs are feeling.

YOUNG READERS

HONOUR

Song for a Scarlet Runner My Life as an Alphabet

by Julie Hunt, Allen & Unwin, p/b, $15.99

by Barry Jonsberg, Allen & Unwin, p/b, $14.99

Peat is on the run – forced to flee for her life when she’s blamed for bringing bad luck to her village. She heads for the endless marshes, where she’s caught by an old healer-woman who makes Peat her apprentice and teaches her the skill of storytelling. Suitable for children 9-12yrs

Introducing Candice Phee: 12 years old, hilariously honest and a little . . . odd. But she has a big heart, the very best of intentions and an unwavering determination to ensure everyone is happy. So she sets bout trying to ‘fix’ all the problems of all the people (and pets) in her life. Suitable for children 10-13yrs.

BOOK OF THE

YEAR*

City of Orphans: A Very Unusual Pursuit

by Catherine Jinks, Allen & Unwin, p/b, $14.99 A clever adventure with feisty characters, set in a time where science clashes with superstition and monsters lurk in chimneys. Birdie, the singing bogler’s apprentice, will win your heart in this fantastic beginning to an action-packed series.

Suitable for children 10-12yrs.

BOOK*

Violet Mackerel’s Possible Friend

by Anna Branford, Walker Books, h/b, $19.95 Violet Mackerel has moved into her new house and she doesn’t have any friends nearby. There is a girl next door who could be a possible friend. Her name is Rose and she has a pink and white bedroom. Part of the hardback illustrated fiction series that will appeal to all young girls. With short chapters and sweetly rendered storylines, Violet is a wholesome and endearing character.

SAVE

$100 off your next holiday booking *conditions apply

ARE YOU PLANNING A HOLIDAY? Contact Heather Taylor, Your Personal Travel Manager M 0412 182 112 E heathert@travelmanagers.com.au http://my.travelmanager.com.au/HeatherTaylor * Voucher must be redeemed by 31/12/14 and cannot be redeemed for cash. Valid for international bookings valued at a minimum of $2000 (excluding airline taxes). Not valid for air only bookings. Please quote Peninsula Kids Magazine when making your booking. Can only be redeemed via the above mentioned Personal Travel Manager.

Limit of one discount per booking.

ABN: 35 113 085 626. Member: IATA, AFTA, CLIA

www.peninsulakids.com.au

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The electronic paper alternative

WIN! one of 4

Would you like to win one of 4 Boogie Board Original 8.5 eWriters we have to offer?

FEATURES

BENEFITS

• Reflex® LCD writing surface is shatter-proof, scratch-resistant (has hard-coating like eyeglasses) and easy to clean/maintain. Reflex LCDs are completely reflective and use ambient light to display an image - just like paper.

• No power is needed to create or retain an image – again, just like paper.

• Thin and compact - fits easily in backpacks, schedulers, book bags and purses.

• All plastic construction is durable, impact-resistant and non-toxic.

• Long life – the coin cell battery in Boogie Board Original and Jot 4.5 models is rated for over 50,000 erase cycles (that’s 20 erases a day for almost seven years). Some models feature replaceable/rechargeable batteries.

• Variable pressure response – creates thick and thin lines based on the amount of pressure that is applied.

• Improves student engagement in learning activities (they love the “magical”

• Accessories include protective sleeve and portfolios.

myboogieboard.com

writing experience and flash of the LCD when the tablet is erased).

• Reduces paper and energy consumption.

• Reduces the risk of injuries related to paper and pen/pencil use.

• Reduces cost and management of school supplies – fewer things to buy (e.g., paper, pens, pencils, erasers, markers, crayons) • Improves classroom air quality – no smell like dry erase markers or chalk dust!

• Reduces the number of items students transport from school-to-home, class-to-class.

• Eliminates the problem of lost pencils and pens – no dedicated writing instrument is required – you can even use your finger nail!

• Improves student interest in science – many are fascinated in how LCD technology, which they know mostly because of TVs and computers monitors, can be used in a writing device.

Use the QR code or go to www.peninsulakids.com.au/giveaways and get your entry in before October 31, 2014 for your chance to win!

EDUCATIONAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL TOYS, GAMES, ART AND CRAFT

ENINSULA KID P S M A G A Z I N E

WOODEN BLOCKS, TREE HOUSES & TOYS

SCIENCE & NATURE STUDIES

n o i t i d E r e m m u S December 2014

MODELLING MATERIALS, ART & CRAFT SUPPLIES

FAIRIES & FANTASY

LITERACY & S HANDWRITING AID

SENSORY & THERAPY AIDS

MATHEMATICS & NUMERAC Y DEVELOPMENT

To secure your place contact

Miriam Doe 0421 085 974 Download our media kit at Open Monday to Friday 10am-4:30pm

28 / 1140 Nepean Highway Mornington (Between Bata Shoes and Officeworks) Ph: 5975 7399 Shop or Browse online

www.growingchild.com.au

• find us on facebook • view us on instagram

www.peninsulakids.com.au/advertise-with-us

www.facebook.com/MorningtonPeninsulaKids

PENINSULA KIDS SPRING 2014

Book A Bounce Bounce in to the Springfree™™ Bounce in to the Springfree Trampoline Experience Centre Trampoline Experience Centre in Melbourne and try the in Melbourne and try the World’s Safest Trampoline.

World’s Safest Trampoline.

How to buy: How to buy:

©2014 Springfree Trampoline Inc. All rights reserved.

Centre Rd

Lu Luntar Rdntar Rd

Centre Rd WarrigalWRadrrigal Rd

www.springfree.com.au www.springfree.com.au 1800 586 772 1800 586 772 Visit us at 672 Warrigal Road, Oakleigh South Visit us at 672 Warrigal Road, Oakleigh South

Visit us in Visit us in MELBOURNE MELBOURNE

www.peninsulakids.com.au

Spring 2014

FREE

What did

Little RED RIDING HOOD GET UP TO ON THE WAY TO GRANDMA’S? WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/MORNINGTONPENINSULAKIDS

Every Springfree™ Trampoline model is on displayEvery and our team will spend time helping you Springfree™ Trampoline model is on which best suits family. displaychoose and our teammodel will spend timeyour helping you choose which model best suits your family.

And best of all, the kids can bounce theofwhole time there!

And best all, the kidsyou’re can bounce the whole time you’re there!

ENINSULA KID S P

Hanging Out with Jimmy Giggle

WHY KIDS PUSH YOUR BUTTONS Pinky McKay

RESERVOIR DAD

FREE Local Family Friendly Things To Do

WIN! WIN! WIN!

©2014 Springfree Trampoline Inc. All rights reserved.

Front Cover - MPKids_SP14.indd All Pages

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