MAGAZINE.COM.AU
ISSUE 95 - AUGUST 2019
single parenting issue
EDITOR IN CHIEF
Bianca Medina ART DIRECTOR
Bianca Medina DEPUTY EDITOR
Caroline Meyer CONTRIBUTORS
Sheree Hoddinett Amy Adeney Lance Green Jessica Rockowitz Elin Gann Christin Hume Daiga Ellaby Diego Rosa Deviyahya Caroline Hernandez Blake Barlow Ion De La Rocha Insung Yoon Allison Archer Mota Junior Daria Shevtsova
CONTACT
Andrew Neel
My Child Magazine
Kelly Sikkema
North Parramatta NSW
Shitota Yuri
Sydney Australia
Court Prather
+614 11 572 877
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editorial@mychildmagazine.com.au
Contents 6
40
Adopting As A Single Parent
Your Baby Is Overdue, Now What?
10 Tips To Raising A Child Alone
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44 Continuous Electronic Or Intermittent Monitoring What Is Best?
Picking Up The Pieces After Losing
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A Partner
20
Get The Look Interiors
60
Single Parent Support Groups
26
Dealing With Night Waking
66
Balancing Work And Homelife As A Single Parent
Speech Delays Linked To
30
Technology Use
70
CosiFit Nappies, Make Your Little One Happy!
Are My Kids Too Clean?
36 Book Reviews
144
74 Toy Reviews
80 Tips For A Stay At Home Dad
84 He Wants More Kids, I Don’t
90 Blogger - Every Day Is A New Chapter
94 Fashion
104 Fashion Feature: Cadenshae
118 Our Very Own Kylie Kaden
124 Red Nose Knows Safe Sleep
130 Recipies
MY CHILD DIRECTORY
DISCLAIMER: It My Child magazine and mychildmagazine.com.au are wholly owned by My Child Magazine (ABN 79 167 787 662). No other parties or individuals have any financial interest in the company or in My Child or mychildmagazine.com.au. My Child contains general information only and does not purport to be a substitute for health and parenting advice. Readers are advised to seek a doctor for all medical and health matters. The publisher and authors do not accept any liability whatsoever in respect of an action taken by readers in reliance on the recommendations set out in this magazine. Reproduction of any material without written permission by the publisher is strictly forbidden. We cannot accept responsibility for material lost or damaged in the post or for any unsolicited manuscripts and photographs. All reasonable efforts have been made to trace copyright holders.
Bianca Medina editor-in-chief Editor’s Letter Hi Everyone, I hope you are all well and have enjoyed the last month as much as I have! Things have been very busy here and I’m so excited to be launching the new look and feel of My Child Magazine. After much debate in my own mind, I’ve decided to take a very simplified approach to the magazine and brand’s style and as a result of this, over the next 3 month or so, you will start to see the changes on our site and social platforms that reflect the new branding. I really hope you love it as much as I do and would love to hear your feedback, so feel free to drop me a line at: editorial@mychildmagazine.com.au Let’s talk about the newest challenge I am facing as a mother - The Should I or Shouldn’t I Mummy Guilt! My darling daughter is 4 yrs (secretly going on 24) and has been at day care for the past 3 years. I was recently told that she would be ready for school in 2020 by her early learning teachers. The issue for many in our circle seems to be her age and maturity level. It seems that everyone I know has an opinion about her readiness. I am not sure how everyone is more insightful than the carers that teach Max day in, day out are. These professionals that I trust to watch my child daily have an idea about the signs and milestones a child has to meet to be ready for school. Navigating this mind field of a job with no handbook, then having to endure other people’s opinions is exhausting. Take a leaf out of my book and smile and nod politely and then do what you think is best for your child and family. Until Next Time!
Bianca oxo
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ADOPTING AS A SINGLE PARENT Written By: Caroline Meyer
There are over 46,000 children in Australia that are in and out of home care. For more than three quarters of these children, they are unlikely to ever go back to their biological family permanently. Most of them have already been in the system for over 2 years. There are many different foster care agencies and adoption services in Australia and the regulations can change from one jurisdiction to another. There isn’t a single central body where people can apply. Each territory has its own regulations and rules. You must investigate the regulations specific to the area where you are wanting to adopt. At this point in time, all of the states and territories besides the Northern Territory allow same sex couples who meet all the other criteria to adopt. They also allow for adoptions by LGBT individuals
although it is only under undisclosed “exceptional circumstances� in the Northern Territory. Most territories do allow for single people to apply for adoption except in Victoria. There is a decided bias to allowing couples to adopt over singles in most situations though. Australia practises open adoptions though, for both international and domestic adoptions. This means that there is full disclosure and the children can have contact with the birth family under most situations. The relationships with the biological family are encouraged and the adoptive children are made aware of their past circumstances.
Challenges For Single Adoption Although there is a lot more acceptance for single parent adoptions, there is still a marked bias towards dual parent adoptions. It is believed by various mental health experts that a two-parent household is the ideal, based on a heterosexual marriage where both parents are loving and compatible. This can seem like an unrealistic expectation in many circumstances. For some children, this ideal is impossible. This bias is seen as unfair and often not in the best interest of the child. Another obstacle may be the friends and family of the single person looking to adopt. People may try to convince you that the responsibility is too great and that you cannot cope alone. They may put out all sorts of reasons why a single parent cannot raise a child successfully and still pursue their own dreams. If this is something you really want, you need to ignore the naysayers. You will also have a lot of research ahead of you. Many agencies will not even allow for singles to sign up to adopt. Some have very strict policies in place, while others will have regulations relating to the adoption which may not be the same as a dual parent adoption. Some agencies will accept your application but will not process your application if there is a chance of finding a two-parent placement for adoptive children. You may also be offered children that may be unsuitable to your circumstances. These would generally be hard to place children such as those with disabilities or those that are already a lot older than what you are looking for. You can look at an independent adoption which is not done through an agency, but this can be costly, and many mothers may not be prepared to have their baby adopted by a single parent. The road ahead may be quite a tough one. This is especially true for single men wanting to adopt. They may be interrogated about their sexuality, living arrangements, friends and their motives will be scrutinized intensely. Even after passing all the screening, they will often be turned down in favour of dual parenting families or even single women. 8
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The sad truth is that studies that have been done comparing children adopted by single parents to those that are adopted by dual parented families have just as good outcomes, if not better outcomes. Yet, even with the statistics, the adoption agencies will still show a decided bias towards a “traditional� parenting situation. Some of the reasons giving are reduced access to finance and more pressure on the one parent to cover all costs related to the child as well as there being no dedicated person to share the child raising responsibilities. Some of the advantages of single parent adoptions is related to emotional and physical trauma that the children may have experienced. A child that has been abused by a parent may have a harder time adjusting to a family which has parents of both genders. They may also feel a closer bond and better emotional safety having just the one parent that can dedicate all their love and support to the child. Even in biological families, it has been noted that many children are raised in single parent households, especially single mothers. This is not just in situations where there was an accidental pregnancy and the mother was abandoned by the father, which was the age-old stereotype. Today, many professional women choose to fall pregnant and raise their child alone or seek to adopt a child. The good news is, although there is still a bias, there has been an increase in single parent adoptions over the past two decades. With the increase in families with only one biological parent and the research surround this, more agencies are starting to consider adoption by singles. This means a wider range of prospects for singles wanting to adopt. There is fortunately a lot of support both online and offline when it comes to adoptions in Australia. Do your research and approach agencies that are more likely to be unbiased towards single-parent adoptions. You will still have to undergo the stringent checks that are done, but at least you are not put on the backburner indefinitely. Agencies will also help you prepare for a life with an adopted child and fostering the relationship with the biological family as well. Make sure you can show them that you have done your homework and will be able to take care of the child long term and this should go a long way to improving your chances of being able to adopt a child and creating your own little family. AUGUST 2019 | My Child
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Tips To Raising A Child Alone WRITTEN BY: CAROLINE MEYER
Although there may be times when you feel you are struggling and that no one knows what you are going through trying to raise a child or children on your own. The fact is, there are many singleparent families today and each has their own challenges to raise a child that is happy and well adjusted. The fact is, if you can give your child the basics for survival, a good emotional base and are able to guide them in their behaviour, with clear boundaries, they will most likely turn out okay.
Common Challenges Being a single parent can be tiring, especially if you do not have a large support system. Having to care for a child, work and handle all the other pressures and stresses of everyday life can leave you fatigued. You may also suffer emotionally and mentally yourself and not always offer consistent discipline and support that a child may need, which can lead to behavioural problems. Statistically, single parent homes work with lower incomes and may also have less access to general health care. There is also usually a lack of a social life when taking care of a child on your own. You may also be concerned about the lack of role models of either gender if your support system is small or non-existent. Making It Easier Set a routine and structure in place for your child. This helps your child know what to expect. This will also help you plan your day and ensure there is enough time for not just the essentials but also play time and time to just enjoy each other’s company. If you are working, you will also need to find good childcare to take care of your child when you are at work. Do some research, meet the carers, and examine the environment. You need to feel secure in the knowledge that your child is safe and receiving the right type of stimulation during the day. When it comes to after care if you need someone to take care of your child for a period of time while you are not at home, try and get a member of your family or a close friend that you trust to look after your child. Beware of teenage babysitters that you don’t know well or new friends that you are still getting to know. Set clear boundaries. Your child will need to know and understand the house rules and you will need to enforce them. You will also need to decide on how to treat deviations from them. Anyone that you have look after your child at 12
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“If you are a single parent due to a bereavement or a divorce, your child may also be affected by the strong emotions related to these events”.
any point will also need to be aware of the rules and boundaries so that these are kept consistent. As the child grows older some of the boundaries will shift, so you will need to re-evaluate the rules on a regular basis as well. Don’t spoil your child or allow them to get away with breaking the rules out of feelings of guilt or inadequacy. This will only result in long term problems if your child feels they can manipulate you. Take care of your own health and wellbeing. You are a single parent, but you are also a person in your own right. You need to ensure that you still have time to pursue your hobbies and interests as well. You also need adult company and perhaps some time alone now and then. While your time may be a little more restricted, you should still make some time for yourself so you can recharge. If possible, build a strong support system with family, friends and other parents. You can even join single parent support groups. Some single parents are able to seek support in their faith communities, through neighbours and even social services. Don’t despair. There will be some rough patches and there may be times you feel you can’t cope, and that is okay. This is when you can reach out to people to support you and help you get through it.
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Talk To Your Child If you are a single parent due to a bereavement or a divorce, your child may also be affected by the strong emotions related to these events. You can tell your child that you are sad and that it is okay for them to feel sad or angry. Allow them to express how they feel as well. Assure them that none of what has happened is their fault. Try and explain as best as possible, depending on the child’s age, what is going on. You can also talk to them about some of the issues you will be facing as a single parent household and allow them to ask questions so they can understand. Reassure them that they are loved. Be as honest as possible without being negative about the other parent. You can also look at having your child talk to a counsellor, especially if they are showing signs of emotional trauma or depression.
Statistically, children from single parent households are generally just as happy as children from two parent or dual parenting homes. Being brought up in a loving environment where people care about him or her is the most important factor to a good outcome for the child. So, whether you are a single parent, co-parenting or part of a two-parent family, all you really need apart from the basics is to show interest in your child. Give them one on one time, appreciate the special moments together and shower them with love. 14
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written by: CAROLINE MEYER
PICKING UP THE PIECES AFTER LOSING A PARTNER
Loss is one of the most difficult obstacles we have to face in life. Whether it is a bereavement, a divorce, the end of a friendship or even a job termination, this can leave you floundering and unsure of yourself and your life going forwards. You may feel stripped of an integral part of your identity; you may find yourself sliding into depression and helplessness. Loss is painful and for most of us, very hard to cope with. How do you move on after a devastating loss?
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While there is no cure all and only time lessens the pain, we look at a few coping strategies that may help you get back on your feet after losing a partner. Some of these might work for you and some may not, and that is okay. Everyone copes differently. The main thing to do is to keep on moving forward.
Reduce Negativity
Whether this is a therapist, a friend or family member or someone in a support group, having an outlet for your pain is good. Find someone you are comfortable talking to that is a great listener and this will also help relieve some of the emotional pain that goes with loss or bereavement. This may also help you think clearer when you can articulate your thoughts to someone else. Preferably someone who is non-judgemental and who will listen with an open mind. If you do not have friends and family you feel you can talk to, there are support groups you can try or consult with a therapist that can help you cope.
Let Go Of What Cannot Be Changed
Guilt and blame can play a big part in a loss. Cut out the negativity as far as possible. Focus on the positives and surround yourself with positive people and emotions. Find something that you have made a bad habit and change it. Changing a bad habit for a good one can also help Set Plans And Goals you improve your mood and even your health. Cutting out the negativity opens This may seem impossible at the outset you up for positivity and being able to see and many of your future plans may have a future where you can better cope and died along with hopes and dreams you are able to be happy again at some point. had with your partner. The main thing is to gain back some control of your life. Set Be Thankful some goals for your future and plan how While you are going through this rough you are going to reach them. Start small time in your life, it does help to find things to increase your successes so that you to celebrate. Be thankful for the small persevere. This gives you some form of things and this will help improve your control over your life again and can help positive outlook and make your world a you through the rough times. The goal little richer. It is easy to focus on what is and long-term plan can be anything you lost and this hurt can cause a downward want to achieve. Just make sure that it is spiral. By changing your focus to the achievable, even if it is going to take a little things you have to be grateful for, you can work to get there. improve your outlook and learn to cope Find Someone To Talk To better.
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Too often we spend too much time on the “what ifs� and this does a lot more harm in the long run. There are things that cannot be changed. You cannot go back in time and undo something that has already happened. Change your focus to the future and the way forward. Chasing after impossible answers will also not help you going forward. Accept that sometimes there are no reasons and no answers to your questions. You have to let it go and move on with life.
That being said and done, a loss can be extremely debilitating and hard to cope with. It can impact on your family in a dramatic way and change your lives forever. If you need it, make sure you reach out to people that can help you during this time. If you have children that are affected by the loss of your partner through divorce or death, make sure they also get the support and counselling they need. This may seem insurmountable right now, but time does help you cope better and getting assistance during the adjustment period will go a long way to making it a little easier on you.
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Single Parent Support Groups written by: Caroline Meyer
While you might feel very alone at times as a single parent, you should not be afraid to ask for help if you need it. Asking for help is not a sign that you cannot manage as a single parent and is often the smart decision to make when it comes to making things better for your family. If you have a great support structure made up of family, friends and other parents that you can trust, that is a great resource to have. For many single parents, even though they may have some kind of support structure, it may not be adequate. Some of the support that you may look for as a single parent may include assistance with finances to help you budget and improve the way you use your money and even to find cash saving tips, emotional support when you need it and social support when you need some time out. Single parents and couples all need this type of support, but it is often more difficult for single parents that do not have a partner to offer some relief from these concerns. As a single parent, don’t be afraid to accept help when it is offered. This is especially true in situations where you can reciprocate such as arrange play dates to allow you some time out for your own needs. Suggestions On People That Can Offer Support: • Family including your siblings, grandparents and other close family. • Friends can offer support that may not be as emotionally charged and probably less complicated than family. • Work colleagues may be able to offer advice and if they are parents maybe even occasional babysitting. 22
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• Clubs / Church groups / Childcare centres: People you meet through your child’s childcare or school, through social or sports clubs and church groups may be able to offer support of various kinds even if it is just someone to chat to on an adult level. • Therapists, doctors and counsellors: You may need someone who is professional and can offer advice from a neutral perspective without any emotional involvement. In these situations, if may be better to consult with someone outside of your social group. • Online forums, counselling and telephone hotlines: If you are not able to get out as much, you can make use of the internet to do some research, connect with parents in similar circumstances and benefit from advice and the experiences of other people. You can also try the online counselling services or use a hotline to talk to people who can offer help and support. There are many online support groups for single parents in Australia. You can also use the internet to connect with local single parents and perhaps form your own support group. • The local library and community centres may also offer information such as playgroups and toy libraries which can be helpful. You can also look up when there are events locally that you might want to attend with your child. Family health nurses can also help with information and advice especially when it comes to the health and well being of your little one. It may be quite difficult when you first start building a support structure and you may be quite nervous of meeting new people, no matter allowing other people to AUGUST 2019 | My Child
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be involved in your child’s life. Remember, you don’t have to go out and make 10 friends to get started. Just one or two contacts that you can get to know better and that you feel you can trust is a good start. They will often introduce you to people they know, and trust and you can grow your group in this way. Being able to talk to people who are positive and supportive will help you a lot. Try and avoid people who are negative and judgemental as they do more harm than good. Some of the forums available that you can try online in Australia include: Beanstalk Anonymous Single Mother Forum: This caters mostly to single moms, but dads can also use it to get information. The site allows for in-depth discussions on some of the questions you may not feel comfortable asking others. Australian Single Parent support Group: This is a closed Facebook group for single parents. The page for chats, questions, venting and a wide variety of other posts including funny ones to give you a smile. This can be a good place to start looking for local single parents that you may connect with in real time as well. If not, it can still be a good place to get some questions answered or just to rant about the latest bout of flu going around.
If you take the time to do a little research, you will find there is a lot more resources available for single parents than you may expect. You never need to be totally alone when raising your child or children as a single parent. You can find like minded people to talk to as well as people that can offer support physically and emotionally. If you do feel overwhelmed, there are several support lines you can call such as Lifeline and PANDA. 24
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BREASTFEEDING ESSENTIALS for mums
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Rite Aid Hydrogel Breast Discs has won gold in this category for the 3rd straight year!
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Balancing Work And Homelife As A Single Parent WRITTEN BY: CAROLINE MEYER
Having a career while raising kids is not easy for anyone. This becomes even more apparent when you are trying to do both as a single parent. The main problem is trying to find a balance between focussing on your family and their needs, building your professional standing and still ending up with a little time for yourself. It is possible, there are people doing it every day, but that isn’t to say that it is easy. Accept that there will be successes and failures along the way until you find a way that works for you and your family. Schedule, Schedule, Schedule A schedule for you, a schedule for the kids, a schedule for caregivers, everyone involved will need to be working on the same schedule. If you have a schedule drawn up at work, you are more likely to get your daily tasks done in time and leave with a sense of accomplishment. Setting a routine for your children will also help them get the things done that they need to as well as have time to spend together as a family. A nightly routine can include a family dinner where everyone gets to talk about their day and interacts together. A set bedtime is also great and allows for a little one of one time with story time and tucking them up before sleep. Make sure you have something up at home, so the schedule is easy for everyone to follow. You can also include other caregivers in the schedule, so they know what must happen when. This may even assist if they spend time with their other parent or grandparents so that they are kept to a similar routine. Your schedule can also include laying out clothing for the following day and packing lunches to make the start of the new day easier and less stressful. 28
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Choose Schools And Childcare Carefully It is hard having someone else take care of your child when you are at work. You don’t want to have to stress that they are not getting adequate care. Do your research on the educational and childcare facilities in your area, check them out and have meetings with the principals before enrolling your child. Do regular follow up meetings at the start and discuss any concerns you may have about your child or the level of care they are receiving. Make sure you have contact numbers for all the carers/teachers involved and that they have your details to reach you if there is a need. Make sure you have a plan in place for aftercare if the school closes earlier than you get to leave work. Most schools will offer an aftercare facility, or you can arrange for the child to spend time with family or friends during that time period daily. Once your kids hit their teens, you may allow them to be alone at home for short periods. Make sure they are aware of safety precautions and who to contact in an emergency. Build A Support System If you ever want to have some time to yourself again, you will need to have a plan to build a support system that you and the kids are okay with. Family and friends will often help out and help take some of the burden of raising a child alone off your shoulders. Friends with kids
may also be prepared to have play dates and swap baby-sitting duties to allow you and them to have a few hours off now and then. It is important that the kids also know and get on with the people in the circle as far as possible to reduce strife for everyone. Be aware of warning signs that something may be wrong if a child behaves strangely around a person in your support structure, shows extreme reluctance to spend time with them, appears afraid of them or any behaviour that is different to how they usually behave. Go with your instincts in these situations. Discuss Your Situation With Your Boss When you are or become a single parent, you may need to discuss the situation with your boss as you might find that you are not able to put in as much extra time or may need time off to take a sick child to the doctor and so forth. You can explain to your boss that this does not reduce your commitment to your job but that your family is your priority. Most companies will not have an issue with this, especially for loyal, hardworking employees. They will generally appreciate being given a heads up on your situation. In some cases, you may even be able to work flexible hours or even work from home occasionally when needed. Don’t overload your plate at work. You need to ensure you can meet the requirements for your job,
but still have the time in your schedule to meet your family commitments.
No one said it was going to be easy, but it is worth it! Make sure to schedule in some fun time with the kids which will also allow you to shed some stress and maybe enjoy a laugh or two. Spend a little time before bed doing yoga or meditation or simply some deep breathing exercises to relax and unwind before you get some welldeserved rest. AUGUST 2019 | My Child
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CosiFit Nappies, Make Your Little One Happy!
when you welcome a new baby into your family there are so many things that you have to consider, and one of those things is what nappy brand to choose! In today’s market, there’s so much information about what nappies are best and why you should choose a particular brand over another, but really, it comes down to the 3 key features that your baby needs: • COMFORT • ABSORPTION • FIT BabyLove Nappies designed the CosiFit range to not only meet these 3 ‘must have’ features from a nappy, but went above and beyond to ensure that your most precious treasure would be well looked after in their nappy. Here’s how BabyLove has gone above and beyond: • Super comfortable nappy thanks to CosiContour technology – it’s designed to wrap snugly and evenly around baby’s body, preventing leaks and red marks. • Rapid absorption using DRIwaveTM - which instantly absorbs liquid and pulls it away from the surface, keeping baby’s skin dry. • The Snug Fit Indicator - which is unique to BabyLove and ensures a balanced nappy fit to prevent leakage. There’s also handy Wetness Indicators on the Newborn and Infant sizes to make your nappy experience as effortless as possible. 32
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Jess and Sooks from our mummy review army, had the chance to review the products and this is what they said:
“When given the chance, I love reviewing products. There are never enough nappies at our place so when I got the call the review BabyLove CosiFit range, I’ll admit I was a little excited. As a mum of 2 energetic little girls (a 4-year old and a 1-year old), I like products that make parenting easy. When I received the package, I was immediately impressed. The nappy is quite compact and a lot fits into the one pack. The designs are super cute and unisex which I also loved. My 1-year old daughter is so small and petite, finding nappies that have a good fit has been somewhat challenging. I was surprised by the fit that the BabyLove CosiFit nappy offered. It was snug, but not too tight around her waist and although the leg area did seem a little big, I assume it is just a very comfortable fit as we had no leakage. As the little explorer that she is, I loved how BabyLove seemed to allow her to walk better and move more freely. I loved these nappies for night time use! From 8pm to 7am we had no accidents in bed, and she woke each morning nice and dry. BabyLove CosiFit are extremely absorbent and offered my daughter comfort with no red marks between changing which had me very pleased.” - Sooks – Mother of 1-year old girl AUGUST 2019 | My Child
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“I have a strong willed little 18mth old and she is very fussy about a wet nappy, so when My Child approached me to review BabyLove CosiFit I was a little sceptical that they would be able to live up to the brand we have used since her birth. Firstly, let me start by saying that the nappies are cute there is no doubt about that. They have a pastel style colour palette and patterns and great and can be used for both girls and boys (I actually have to check that as the brand I use is gender specific). At a first glance I was worried that they wouldn’t be as absorbent as our brand, but after the first 48hrs of use I was excited with how much they can hold, even overnight. My daughter is a big drinker, so absorbency and leakage are big factors in our brand choice. I really loved that the BabyLove CosiFit product met and exceeded my expectations here. My little one had no red marks when changing nor did she whinge about being wet. With so many boxes ticked, I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending these nappies to others as they have converted me too.” - Jess – Mother of 18mth old girl
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The BabyLove CosiFit range are trusted by parents around the country and it’s really not surprising why. They feature an Australian-first patented technology which helps prevent harsh, red marks on baby’s delicate skin while providing advanced leakage protection, absorbency and value for money. If you haven’t tried BabyLove yourself, get a free sample today by visiting: www.babylovenappies.com.au/sample-products AUGUST 2019 | My Child
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BOOK e
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by: Amy Adeney from Busy Bookworms
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THE ULTIMATE SURVIVAL GUIDE TO MONSTERS UNDER THE BED WRITTEN BY: MITCH FROST & DARON PARTON
This is a hilarious – and v e r y scientific! – look at the t e n e sse nt i al steps to rid yours e l f of t he troublesome problem of m onst e r s under the bed. From t i d y i ng y our room and brushing y our t e e t h (because of course monst e r s ar e disgusted by minty fresh b r e at h) t o whispering silly jokes and ge t t i ng rid of bed socks, thes e st e p s wi l l have even the scariest m onst e r s running for the door.
Th e fa b u lou sly wa c ky i l l u s tr a ti o n s a n d wit t y t ext ma ke T h i s a g r ea t c h oic e for rea d ers a ged 3 -7 .
ELLA MAY DOES IT HER WAY WRITTEN BY: MICK JACKSON & ANDREA STEGMAIER
When Ella’s mum tells her that it’s good to try new things, Ella takes this as an invitation to try doing everything backwards, just to see what it feels like. She tries walking backwards, reading backwards, sleeping backwards, and has lots of backwards adventures in the playground. But when being backwards begins to feel quite straightforward, Ella decides that it’s time again to try something new.
This charming story is a great reminder for readers aged 2-7 of the wonders of walking one’s own path, and of trying new things.
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PLASTIC: PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE WRITTEN BY: EUN-JU KIM & JI-WON LEE
This book takes read e r s on a journey through the li f e c y c l e of plastic – how plastics are p r od uc e d , their many uses throughout t he l ast century, how our plast i c use has spiralled out of control , and what we can do about it.
Th e en ga gin g illu st ra t ion s a n d th e st ra igh t f orwa rd , ea sy -t o -u n d er s ta n d n on -f ic t ion t ext ma ke t h is a n ex c el l en t b ook t o get rea d ers a ged 5 a n d u p t h in kin g a b ou t wa y s in w h i c h th ey we c h a n ge ou r b eh a v iou r t o h el p p r o tec t t h e en v iron men t .
ARTHUR AND THE WHATIFS WRITTEN BY: HEATH MCKENZIE
A rt h u r l o v e s n o t h in g mo r e than play i n g h i s lit t le r ed vio lin …a s l ong a s n ob od y is ar o u n d t o h ea r him! H e i s to r m e n t ed b y fea r – w h a t if no o ne e l s e l i k es h is m u s ic ? W h at if he m a k e s a m i s t a ke? W h at if s o m eone la u g h s a t h i m? U n t il o n e d a y Ar thur co n s i d e r s a n en t ir ely d iffe rent que s ti on : W ha t if…it ’ s g o o d ?
T hi s i s a b e autiful s tory for rea d ers a g e d 3 - 8 a b out the magic that c a n ha p p e n w h e n w e ’ re brave enou gh t o s h a r e o u r cre ative purs uits wit h others.
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Your Baby Is Overdue, Now What? written by: CAROLINE MEYER
You due date seems like a magical number of the exact time to expect your little bundle of joy. It is worked out from your potential conception date, plus 40 weeks. The truth is, this date is just an estimate. Most people give birth before or after their due date. It is not really considered overdue or post-term until 2 weeks after your due date.
An overdue pregnancy is more likely if: • You are very overweight • This is your first baby • You have had a previous overdue pregnancy • You are carrying a boy baby • Your due date was calculated incorrectly • There are issues with the placenta or baby (very rare) 42
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RISKS OF POST-TERM can include postpartum PREGNANCY bleeding, severe vaginal F r o m 4 1 w e e k s tearing and postpartum onwards, in a confirmed bleeding as well as the overdue pregnancy added risk of surgery there may be some risks being needed. of health problems. These include the baby being larger than normal which can result in a Caesarean or operative vaginal birth. There is also a chance of shoulder dystocia where baby gets his shoulder stuck behind your pelvic bone. The amniotic fluid may be at a lower level than normal (oligohydramnios) which can cause compression on the umbilical cord during labour as well as cause fluctuations in baby’s heart rate. There may also be a lower level of fat under the skin, a coating on the skin which feels greasy (vernix caseosa), staining of the amniotic fluid and skin from the meconium (first bowel movement) and baby being covered in lanugo (soft, downy hair). This is often referred to as post maturity syndrome. Issues for mom to be
a little and see if baby comes on his own. This might be a little difficult to wait when you are already impatient to meet your little one, but sometimes this is NEXT STEPS the best option for you If you are a week or and the little one. more past your due date, you should Make sure that you be having regular are under the care prenatal monitoring of a medical service including foetal heart provider if you are post rate monitoring via a term to ensure that foetal ultrasound or you and your baby are non-stress test or a monitored closely. In combination of both. most cases, baby will There should also come naturally in his be an amniotic fluid own time. If he is being volume assessment a little stubborn and it done to check levels. is posing a risk to either If labour does not of you, you will more begin normally, your than likely undergo health care provider an induction or if the may recommend an doctor considers it induction. An induction warranted, possibly a consists of medication caesarean section. which is used to ripen In the meantime, the cervix and stimulate uterine contractions. keep up your The cervix may also be h e a l t h and dilated via a catheter strength with good filled with saline. Your amniotic sac may nutrition, gentle also be broken to exercise, rest and stimulate your body to commence labour. If even meditation. everything looks okay Enjoy what rest and both you and baby you can before are healthy, you may be encouraged to wait baby arrives! AUGUST 2019 | My Child
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continuous electronic or intermittent monitoring! WHAT IS BEST? written by: Caroline Meyer
It is important for carers to know how your baby is doing during labour and birth. By listening to your baby’s heart, they can get an idea of how well your baby is tolerating the blood flow changes that happen during contractions. There are 2 methods that are usually used to monitor baby’s heart rate. The first is periodic or intermittent assessments known as intermittent auscultation (IA). The second type is when a foetal monitor is used for continuous assessment (EFM). Intermittent assessments are done used a Doppler device which is a handheld device known as a fetoscope which is similar to a stethoscope. Intermittent assessment may also be done using one part of an electronic foetal heart monitor. Continuous assessment is done via two transducers (electronic disks) that are strapped on to your abdomen with wide, stretchy bands. One of the bands tracks your contractions while the other measures your baby’s heartbeat. Neither methods are painful. Some women do complain of discomfort from the transducers especially if they do not want to be confined to a bed. EFM can be done using an internal monitoring system as well. For most women, continuous EFM is unnecessary. If there are no issues with the pregnancy and the mother is healthy, intermittent monitoring should be all that is needed. There are a few aspects that may require you 46
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to undergo continuous monitoring. Your doctor will discuss the best system to use during your labour and birth. There is no evidence that low-risk pregnancies benefit at all from continuous monitoring. As a comparative, in low risk pregnancies there was no significant change to risk of cerebral palsy, infant mortality or admission to the ICU of women monitored via EFM as opposed to IA. When it came to Apgar scores, there was also no measurable difference. There was a lower risk of non-harmful seizures in newborns monitored via EMF, but this was also minimal. One of the main issues with EMF is that the mum to be is attached to a machine which monitors and records the information received. This restricts movement and comfort. With IA you are still able to more around freely. This can result in faster labour and less risk of having to undergo a caesarean. It is also notable that women who can walk around require less pain relief. Women monitored via EFM on a continuous basis are more likely to undergo a caesarean due to readings on the machines appearing atypical. A caesarean results in a longer recovery than natural birth, there is risk of infection and there is a lot more pain. Caesareans can also cause risks for future pregnancies. There may be injury to the baby during the surgery and higher risk of respiratory issues. Constant monitoring can also lead to a higher risk of forceps and vacuum assisted deliveries. This can also cause injury to the baby as well as increase the chance of vaginal tears. Continuous monitoring is also a lot more expensive than intermittent monitoring.
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When Should Continuous Monitoring Be Used? EFM on a continuous basis is recommended in pregnancies where there are risk factors that may result in complications during the labour and childbirth. It would also be used if your baby demonstrates an abnormal heartbeat when being assessed intermittently during labour. If you have been given medication to start labour such as oxytocin, you will also be monitored continuously. If you have had a caesarean in the past and are attempting vaginal birth, you may also need to be monitored closely. If you have had an epidural, EFM would also be in order. If you are showing bleeding or have developed a fever during labour, your doctor will also recommend continuous monitoring. You may start with intermittent monitoring and certain factors may present themselves during the labour which would then result in continuous EFM to try and improve the outcome for you and your baby.
If you are in doubt, always discuss with your doctor. He or she can discuss the option with you and inform you should the requirements change during your labour. This type of monitoring is designed to help improve the outcome for your baby and reduce the risk of baby mortality during childbirth.
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• Soft bamboo lining & outer • Waterproof & breathable inner • Built-in absorbency • Allows your child to feel wetness for speedy training AUGUST 2019 | My Child
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INTERIORS
get the look
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nursery 52
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Uncle Goose Upper and Lowercase ABC Blocks $48 knockonwoodtoys.com.au
Babyletto Hudson 3 in 1 Cot – White $699 thebabycloset.com.au
Wooden Train $32.95 zanui.com.au 54
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Iconic Moon Stardust $640 maisondeux.com
Belle Bunny Girl Gold Spot $33.95 missnmaster.com
Salt & Pepper Oink Money Box Gold $39.95 davidjones.com
Baby Bunny Watercolour Print BicyclePrintables $9.00 etsy.com/au
Exley 64.57” Tripod Floor Lamp $899 wayfair.com
Babyletto Hudson 3 in 1 Cot – White $699 thebabycloset.com.au
Coil Laundry Hamper $149 freedom.com.au AUGUST 2019 | My Child
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k i d s 56
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Giraffe Watercolour Print Wall Art ChelseaChelseaHome $8.00 etsy.com/au Drive 1 Drawer Bedside Table, Walnut $199 freedom.com.au
Hazel Trundle Bed $499 templeandwebster.com.au
Braided Jute Round Rug $89 aurugs.com
Kneeling Oak Desk Lamp $54.95 templeandwebster.com.au 58
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Grey Teddy Bear $79 hardtofind.com.au
Rhinoceros Statue Resin Bronze Gold Colour $56.50 ebay.com.au
Bistro School Chair $99.00 vorsen.com.au
Shorebird $38.00 finnishdesignshop.com
Lion Statue Bronze VeroneseDesign $34.35 etsy.com/au
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Dealing With Night Waking written by: CAROLINE MEYER
Night waking can be extremely stressful and even heart-breaking for a parent. When baby wakes up in the night, we usually try and get up quickly to deal with the crying baby.
We give a bottle, change a nappy and anything else we can think of to get baby back to sleep quickly. For more than 50% of parents, this is a common complaint in the first year. Lack of sleep due to a baby that won’t sleep for at least 6 hours uninterrupted can be very stressful. For some parents this can mean they are up every 1.5 to 2 hours. Research shows that 50% of babies under 3 months slept less than 5 hours straight while 50% of 5-month olds slept for up to 8 hours a night. For 15% of parents, babies were still not sleeping 5 hours uninterrupted by the age of a year, with some not sleeping 6 hours by the age of 2 ½ years old. What Causes Night Waking? Common causes include hunger, a wet nappy, illness, rash, overexcitement or something else that is causing irritation. It may also be due to bad habits having been formed so that baby isn’t cued to sleep time. You may also have an irregular sleep routine. If baby goes to bed too early, they may not be ready for sleep or if it is too late, they may be overtired, which can also cause sleep problems. Creating a regular routine and alleviating the above issues could go a long way to reducing the amount of sleep lost due to a frequently waking baby. Remedies For Night Waking • ROUTINE: Get into a good routine and start preparing baby for bed at least half an hour before sleep time. A gently baby 62
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massage or a nice warm bath will help baby relax and be ready for sleep. You can also read a story in a soft soothing voice or play some light white noise or relaxing sounds at a low level.
“For
some babies that battle to selfsoothe, you may want to work with a blankie or teddy after the age of 12 months to help them with night waking.”
• ADDRESS HUNGER: Make sure that baby had been fed well during the day and completes the evening feed before putting him down for bedtime. You can also try waking baby up gently and giving an extra feed before you go to sleep if he wakes constantly to feed during the night. This may reduce at least one wake up once you are asleep. • DON’T BE EXCITING: Bedtime should not be treated as playtime. No rowdy playing, keep your voice low and soothing, avoid having conversations or lots of baby talk. Make sure the nappy changed happened in the half hour leading up to sleep so you limit the activity during this period. Keep the lights dimmed (preferably only a night light / red light or no light if you can work in the minimal light in the room). • SETTLE DOWN BEFORE SLEEP: Try and get baby lying down and relaxed before they fall asleep. This will help them learn to sleep without being rocked or held, improving independent sleep in future.
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• BE PREPARED: If baby wakes up during the night, have the feed prepared if this is the usual issue. Have the nappy and changing materials ready. Feed, burp, change and soothe baby back to sleep without talking or unnecessary movement. After month two, you can probably skip the nappy change unless this is a major problem for your baby. • DON’T MAKE EYE CONTACT: This may cause undue stimulation and baby may see it as play. Keep it uneventful and all business to help baby go back to sleep again easily. • GENTLE TOUCH ON THE CHEST: Withdrawing immediately may stress baby and lead to tears and waking fully. Once baby is lying down and is settled, you can rest your hand gently on baby’s chest until he is sleeping soundly. This can take from 5 to 20 minutes at the start, so you may need to be patient. • MAKE BEDTIME ROUTINE START EARLY ENOUGH: An overtired baby is much harder to get to sleep and they also sleep less. Don’t keep baby awake to “wear them out”. Start the routine early and get baby to bed by 7:30pm and even earlier if that works for your little one. • LARGER NAPPIES: Some parents swear by using a nappy one size larger than normal for bedtime. The larger nappy absorbs more and might reduce night waking due to an overly wet nappy overnight. • LEARN FROM YOUR BABY: Babies are not all the same and you will have to trust your instincts and let your baby guide you. Learn what works to soothe your little one and if their bedtime habits suddenly change for the worse, you need to figure out the cause. Do what feels comfortable for you as a parent, even if it means picking baby up and shushing them back to sleep. If you have tried everything and nothing seems to be working, you might want to consult with your doctor to check for any health issues that may be causing the night waking. For some babies that battle to self-soothe, you may want to work with a blankie or teddy after the age of 12 months to help them with night waking. 64
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motion
music
volume
speed
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Speech Delays Linked To Technology Use Written By: Caroline Meyer
There have been several studies done over the past couple of years in relation to the effect of smartphones and tablets on toddlers and babies when it comes to speech delays. A conclusive link between the use of handheld technology and language and speech delays, especially in expressive speech has been discovered. Even just a half hour of handheld technology daily can increase the risk of a speech delay by almost 50%. This was true for babies and toddlers from a variety of backgrounds. While further investigation and clinical trials still need to be done, the current studies have highlighted the need to reduce the use of technology such as these for very young children. Technology has grown a lot of the part couple of decades and almost all households have some form of handheld device. For babies and infants under 2 years old, there is no real benefit from watching a 2D screen. While they might be engrossed in the colours and movement on the screen, they do not understand what they are seeing and there are no learning benefits from staring at the screen. For children under 18 months, screen time should be limited to video-calling only. This includes TV, PC and other technology. This may go a long way to reducing the risk of speech delays. Many children who are exposed to a lot of screen time as infants are unable to express themselves verbally as well as they should be able to. This often leads to attention seeking behaviours and frustration. Not being able to express their emotions verbally can also lead to them acting out. While it is possible for some children who experience speech delays to catch up, for some, this just does not happen. Speech delays in early childhood can lead to potential academic issues later in life as well. Other risks include not getting enough sleep. Children that made use of technology from an early age slept less and took longer to fall asleep. The “blue light” from screens can disrupt the body clock and cause problems with sleep patterns. Technology should not be used as a baby-sitter. It is no substitute for human interaction. Allowing baby to play with the tablet for 5 minutes while you make a call or to listen to songs in the car on the way home to prevent screaming is fine. It is when the machine becomes part of the daily routine and the use exceeds 30 minutes a day, that it can become a problem. Don’t substitute human interaction with handheld devices. There are many ways to stimulate and interact with your toddler that will improve their skills as opposed to reducing their coping skills and language development. 68
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“Speech delays in early childhood can lead to potential academic issues later in life as well”
Basic language development starts from infancy. Baby will make little sounds when tiny and will start to recognize objects. They will eventually respond to their own name and understand simple questions. They will learn to name objects and actions and by 3 years old, should have a vocabulary of over 1000 words. This leads to being able to have a conversation, understanding time (past, present, future) as well as learning Pronouns. The more involved parents are, the more a toddler’s vocabulary grows. Stimulating activities and games contributes even more to a child’s verbal development at an early age. Research suggests that there should be no screen time from 0 to 18 months, under 30 minutes to 2 years and under an hour a day for children from 2 to 5 years. Even then, the screen time should be made up of high quality, educational games and programs and should be monitored by the parents. Rather spend time having a conversation, playing, reading and otherwise engaging with your toddler to stimulate expression through speech. Language filled activities are the best ways to improve speech and language as well as pick up any issues. SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES TO IMPROVE SPEECH AND LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT INCLUDE: • Reading: Make story time interactive so that your child can also talk and get involved. Have your toddler tell you what they think might happen next. Help stimulate their imagination while developing their language skills. • Playing Board Games: Board games help with more than just language. They teach a range of cognitive and emotional behaviours. Play appropriate games suitable for their skill levels to reduce frustration. This will stand them in good stead later in life having learned how to play with others, lose well and win well. • Play Dress Up: This is another activity that stimulates a range of skills. Let your toddler dress up and talk like their imaginary characters. This game improves co-ordination, cognitive abilities as well as speech development. • Go For A Walk: Take a stroll and have your toddler name things (you can help when they don’t know), count items, say colours, groups the items fall in to (such as ducks are birds) and any other form of word play. This will help improve their vocabulary, understanding and speech development. • Car Chat: Just as you can talk while walking, you can also do some chatting in the car. You may not be able to look around as much, but you can let your toddler tell you what they see. Ask them questions and engage with them, even if you can’t understand everything they are saying at this point.
There are many other, creative ways of keeping your toddler busy, happy and developing at the right pace. This isn’t to say that technology does not have its place and in later years you may be rather grateful for an hour of peace, but restricted technology in the formative years is important to stimulating your child’s language and speech development. Restricting or cutting out phones, PCs, laptops, tablets, TV etc. before the age of 2 and certainly making it minimal until at least 5 years of age will help reduce the risk of language and speech delays for your little one. AUGUST 2019 | My Child
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Written by Caroline Meyer
ARE MY KIDS TOO CLEAN?
We have become a culture of ultra-cleanliness. We know about germs and dirt and try and find ways to limit exposure to all types of germs and microorganism. Over the last few years a number of studies have shown that it is quite important to actually be exposed to some germs growing up. Germs stimulate the immune system which in turn helps reduce the risk of allergies later in life. Children today are mostly kept indoors and only exposed to clean, sanitised surfaces. This means they are not exposed to much germs and bacteria. This doesn’t mean we should immerse children in a miasma of microbes. Hygiene, clean water and basic healthcare is extremely important to reduce the risk of infant and child mortality.
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hat this does mean, is that we need to allow little ones to be exposed to some of the natural microbes found in our general environment. Infectious diseases are a concern, but maybe we are restricting the immune system too much with bleach, hand sanitisers and the like. When kids are exposed to some parasites, viruses and bacteria earlier in life they are less at risk for asthma, allergies and various autoimmune disorders when they are older.
SO, WHAT CAN YOU DO?
The main thing to look at is trying to establish a balance. Where possible, reduce the use of antibiotics for every little fever. Work with your doctor to allow your child’s immune to fight minor infections or illnesses where possible without the use of antibiotics. You also do not have to sanitise and sterilise everything. In most instances, soap and water will work effectively without the use of bleach to clean surfaces. You don’t want to expose your child to harmful or It has conclusively been shown that aggressive infections, but you also don’t children brought up on farms or who want a home that is too sterile to allow attended day care centres as toddlers for the immune to develop. or infants have a much lower risk of Let them play outside. It is okay for allergies developing than those who them to get a little dirty. Most germs didn’t. We stimulate out children’s and microbes picked up from playing in intellect by interaction. The immune the outdoor environment are harmless system needs germ exposure to become and even beneficial. Let them have a stronger and to regulate itself. There pet or at least be exposed to animals is also a potential correlation between from an early age. It has been shown early germ exposure and reduced that exposure to animals when young inflammation later in life. Inflammation helps the body learn to protect itself in adults is linked to diabetes, heart from many pathogens. disease and Alzheimer’s. Early immune stimulation may have far reaching Teach them hygiene. They do need to effects if the inflammation factor is wash their hands, but no need to use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser at considered. every step. In general, soap and water We live with microbes in symbiosis will take care of most of the harmful and many have lived with humans in a bacteria or germs that may be on their beneficial way for millennia. With the little hands. advent of super-sterilisation, many of these microbes, especially those in out Stop bleaching everything! For most gut are dying off and disappearing. areas, soap and water will give a good These microbes are needed for clean without completely stripping important physiological functions in the surface of every possible microbe. the body. The overuse of antibiotics Save the stronger chemicals for the may also come in to play in this aspect. bathroom if you can’t stop using them It may be very difficult to get a balance all together between too dirty and too clean.
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Children benefit from being exposed to some germs and microbes from infancy by reduced risk of allergies later in life. Allowing them to play outside also stimulates Vitamin D production, improves mental acuity and curiosity and even improves activity levels. Clothes and little bodies can be washed, let them get a bit dirty. It is good for them! AUGUST 2019 | My Child
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T O Y r e v i e w s
by: SHEREE HODDINETT AUGUST 2019 | My Child
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JELLYCAT SWELLEGANT LANCELOT LION $59.95
5/5
S w e lle g a n t L a n c elo t Lio n h as s o m e serious swagger - just look at that beaut i f ul nav y blue m a n e a n d vib r a n t mu s t ar d f ur! This growly buddy has a chunky b l ac k nose a nd s k i n n y ta i l w it h a fin e b lu e plume - perfect f or any party. Don’t b e f ool e d b y his dr e a m y b l u e eyelid s . Lan c elo t is a disco knight! A hilariously quirky st uf f e d t oy co mp a n i on f o r t h e yo u n g an d t h e young at heart. Our V e r d i ct – W ith the late s t ins talmen t of Th e Lion Kin g rec en t ly relea sed i n c i n ema s (July 1 7 ) , w h o could pas s up the op p ort u n it y t o sh a re a lit t le lov e wit h a cu te l i o n l i k e La nc el o t. H e ’s v ery cuddly, s oft and t h e b lu e h a ir ma kes h im a s in d iv id u a l a s h e c a n b e! I’ v e m a d e n o s ecre t of my love of s of t a n ima ls a n d La n c elot h a s join ed t h e ev er -g r o wi n g c irc le ! H e d e f i n i te ly k e eps me feeling y ou n g a t h ea rt , a lt h ou gh I d o h a v e t o sh a r e h i m wi th m y c h i l d r e n I s u ppos e , haha! Ava i l abl e fro m: D i scou n t Toy Co , L il T r easur es, M ig hty A pe, Send A To y , E nc han t e d Ch i l d 76
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INSTANT SNOW $4.95
4/5
J ust a d d w a t e r t o m a ke b r illia n t ly fluf f y snow. Use again and again! It’s s o e asy ! J ust a dd 60m l s of wat er t o 1 t eas p o o n of instant snow granules to make sof t f l uf f y snow. R e use b y l e t t i n g t h e s n o w d r y o u t and adding more water. Makes approxi m at e l y 3. 5 cups o f s n ow p er t u b . Our v e r d i ct – I t ’s s now ing at our house, t h a n kfu lly it ’s n ot t h e c old , wet a n d f r eez i n g r ea l thin g , a l th o u g h I’ m s ure it would be if my girls h a d t h eir wa y . Of c ou rse t h e y wa n ted to m ake i t a l l b y t he ms elve s and I relu c t a n t ly a greed b u t y ou h a v e t o let t h em h a v e s o m e f u n rig h t? ! A b i t of a mes s he re and t h ere a n d we h a v e ou rselv es some sn ow o f s o r ts , n o t e n o ug h f o r th e m to “ play in” of cou rse (a n d sh ou ld I sa y t h a n kfu lly ?!) b u t e n o u g h to g et the ide a a n d p r e te nd w e ’ re at the s n ow a n d h a v e a few giggles! Ava i l abl e fro m: Li ttl e Urba n , Presents of Mind
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LEAPFROG PEEK-A-BOO LAPPUP SCOUT $24.95
4/5
S Le a r n i n g i s i mp o r t an t b u s in es s with the Peek- a- Boo LapPup! Open the t oy l ap t op a nd s a y h e l l o to S c o u t o r V io let bef ore getting to work on learning about r hy m e s, s ha pes , c o l ou rs an d n u m b er s . P ress Scout or Violet’s name tag butt on t o m ov e the ir p a w s i n fr o n t o f t h eir eyes and hear cute peek- a- boo phrases. Pre ss t he ot he r b ut t o n s t o a c t iva t e mo r e t h an 50 learning activities and songs. Five cray on b ut t ons l ight u p p i a n o k eys t o t ea c h n u m bers, shapes and colours. Three shape b ut t ons p l ay r hym e s a b o u t s h ap es , c o lo u r s a n d numbers. Slide the clicking mouse u p and d own f o r a d d i t i on a l i m it at ive p lay. Clo s e the lid and say goodbye! Great f or b ot h at -hom e a nd o n - t h e -g o lear n in g fu n . Ou r V e r d i ct – A mini laptop, s orry I sh ou ld “la p p u p ”, ma kes y ou r lit t le on es f eel j u s t a s i m p o r ta n t a s y ou whe n they join you a t workt ime! As someon e wh o sp en d s a l o t o f ti me wo rkin g …s o I ’m on my laptop mos t d a y s…my girls q u it e oft en like t o c op y mu m m y a n d tel l me t h e y ’r e d o i ng the ir work too. It’ s c u t e t h ey wa n t t o b e like mu mmy , b u t i f o n l y th ei r “ wo rk ” w a s a l i t tle bit quiete r, haha! You c a n ’t go p a st a n ot h er grea t lea rn in g to o l th o u g h wit h s h a p e s , colours , numbe rs and of c ou rse p len t y of son gs. I a lso lov e t ha t i t’ s s ma l l e no ug h to b e p ortable and can come in h a n d y wh en ou t a n d a b ou t . Ava il a bl e fro m: l ea pfrog. co m . a u, Big W, g ood toy stor es and online r e t ai l e r s 78
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VTECH MYLA THE MAGICAL UNICORN $79.95
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E x pe r i e n c e th e m a g ic o f Myla t h e Magical Make- Up Unicorn with songs, p hr ase s, mo t ion s a n d m ag ic a l ma ke-u p . Myl a plays 5 sing- along songs and 1 0 melod i e s. W he n yo u pu t t h e m i c r o p h o n e c lo s e t o her mouth, she sings; when you remove i t , i t ’ s y our tur n to s i n g a l o n g t o t h e m elo d y. Press the charm on Myla’s magic neckl ac e t o l e ar n mo r e a b o u t h er . S h e c a n t ell yo u your lucky number and daily predicti ons. M y l a’ s he a d a n d e y e s m o ve w h en s h e s in gs and talks; and she will respond to your c ar e and k indne s s w h e n yo u t o u c h h er b ac k . Five sensors on Myla’s horn, eyes and wi ngs l i ght up w h e n y ou to u c h t h em wit h t h e make- up brush to display an array of c ol our s. Mi x a nd ma tc h y ou r fa vo u r it e c o lo u r s to create a new look f or Myla. The ma gi c al m ak e up bru s h a n d po w d er p alet t e w ill help you beautif y Myla, with many acc e ssor i e s t o a do r n h e r g or g eo u s ma n e. E ver yo ne needs a magical Myla in their life. . Our v e r d i ct – With another unicorn ma kin g it s wa y in t o t h e h ou se, M y la l a s ted a b o u t 5 m in u te s i n t h e box . I don’ t k now wh a t it is a b ou t u n ic orn s b u t my girls g o c r a z y o v er the m a n d th i s one was no e x ception! Ch a n gin g c olou rs f req u en t ly wit h t h e m a g i c ma k e u p bru s h a n d p laying w ith he r hair h a v e b een t h e f a v ou rit e t h in gs t o d o a lon g wi th u s i n g the mi cr o p h o n e. Myla w as s o popul a r sh e ev en a c c omp a n ied u s t o t h e d octo r wh en my e lde st d a u g h t e r w as s ick , s o s he wa s q u it e t h e c omp a n ion a n d d ef in it ely gr a b b ed s o m e at t e nt i o n . T h i s one is a mus t for all u n ic orn lov in g girls a n d b oy s ou t t h ere! Ava i l abl e fro m: vtech . com . a u a nd Good toy stor es and online r etaile r s. AUGUST 2019 | My Child
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Tips For A Stay At Home Dad WRITTEN BY: LANCE GREEN Gone are the days when Mum was the home maker and Dad had to bring home the bacon. Over the past 5 decades, many families have become partnerships where both parents work or even in some cases, where Dad stays home with the children and Mum works. Many Dads are enjoying spending the formative years with their offspring and loving it! While this is not for everyone, for some families it makes sense for Dad to be the caregiver while Mum works on her career.
FOR MUMS AND DADS, STAYING AT HOME AND CARING FOR THE LITTLE ONES IS NOT AS SIMPLE AS MANY WOULD THINK. A full time, stay-athome parent has a lot of responsibilities and don’t be mistaken in thinking that it isn’t work! It may be a very fulfilling type of work, but it is work, nonetheless. It can be frustrating, lonely and you may feel that no one appreciates you. There is no pay, no time off and you have to do the same thing day after day. You do get to enjoy your children and get to know each one as an individual. Each child develops at their own pace and different kids will take up more of your time than others. If you have special needs children, you can expect even more of a learning curve and a lot more of your time invested. Here are a few tips to help you get through the day: Love What You Do
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You don’t have to hide your role in the family. If you are a stay at home Dad, embrace the role. There is no need to be embarrassed about what you bring to your family. Love what you do and don’t let anyone AUGUST 2019 | My Child
make you feel less of a person for being a stayat-home Dad. There are still people out there that will pass judgement on you, but don’t let this get you down. Give no apologies and make it clear it is something you choose to do, and you will find that the haters can’t get to you. Don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself as a confident, competent parent. Show pride in what you bring to the table and in the importance of your role in the family. As things change, more people will recognize that Dads can be full-time carers as well without being compared to Mums and many activities will also become more inclusive than they currently are. Don’t Let Anyone Disparage Your Partner The opposite end of the stick is when people try and make your partner feel guilty for not being the stay at home parent. Sometimes the guilt may also be self-inflicted. This may also be done in front of the children. Don’t allow anyone to
run your partner down and make sure they know that your choices are intentional, and no one was forced into their roles. As your children see your reaction to the nay-sayers, the more they will come to appreciate that both parents can be the caregivers, which may also bode well for equality of the genders in the future as well. Make sure your partner also knows how much you appreciate what she does. Include her in decisions with regards to the home and children and discuss any issues or concerns you may have. Been open and honest with your partner will go a long way to ensuring a peaceful, happy home. Don’t drop everything into her lap when she gets home as your role does not change when she walks in the door. You can, however, share some responsibilities as well as allowing her quality time with the children when she is home. Work together as a time for the good of the family.
Share The Housework As the primary caregiver, you will be doing the tidying up after the children, making them meals, doing the laundry and so forth on a daily basis. This may mean that you do not have the time or energy to do many of the other household tasks such as grocery shopping, vacuuming, cooking meals for the adults, dusting and everything else that goes in to keeping a home. While you will be carrying a lot more of the burden on cleaning and cooking, you can also ask for help if you need it. You are the primary caregiver, but that doesn’t mean you are the housekeeper as well. If you can afford to, you might want to get in a service once a week, arrange a laundry service or at least hire a gardener. You can also discuss chore sharing with your partner so that she can handle some of the work that you are not able to manage with everything else that is required. Enjoy Time Out Of The Home Being a stay-at-home Dad only means you don’t go in to work, it
doesn’t mean you are trapped in the home. Take the kids out sometimes to the park, to the beach, to the zoo, go for a walk, visit a museum or anything else that is kid friendly in your area. It helps you get out and is often a good educational experience for the kids as well. You could look for groups in your area of Dads (or even Mums) for a more communal experience. This also helps you with more support, ideas and offers resources that may not be available to you otherwise. It also allows you to plan play dates so that you get some time off to do personal things such as go to the bank or the dentist.
own initiative. Ask for help from family and friends if your need. Talk to your partner if you are struggling. With the support of your partner and other people, things will go a lot smoother.
Don’t Try And Do It All
Being a stay-at-home Dad can be a blessing and a joy. Embrace the role and have fun with your little ones. They won’t be little for long. This is a time to bond and enjoy your kids. Make sure that you still take the time out to relax a little and have some personal time to enjoy a hobby, go to the gym or just have an hour or two relaxing with friends.
Yes, there is a lot to do and while some people will expect you to do the bare minimum and praise you for it, it’s important that you do what needs doing for the benefit of your family. You also cannot go the opposite route and try and do everything yourself. You will be given tons of advice but what works for some people does not work for everyone. Use your
Have A Routine One of the biggest tips for a stay-at-home Dad is to have a routine. The routine may change as the kids get older but knowing what is planned when and being consistent will make your life easier and also get the little ones feeling comfortable, knowing what to expect and when. If need be, have a white board set up at home to help you stay on track and make sure nothing gets forgotten.
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He Wants More Kids, I Don’t written by: CAROLINE MEYER
Having babies is a big step in any relationship. Having babies is not the same for both partners though. There can be a big difference in the experiences and views of both partners that can lead to strife.
This is one discussion that doesn’t really allow for compromise. When one partner wants a child or more children and the other partner does not, someone is going to end up unhappy. DON’T COMPARE WITH OTHERS Families are all different and the people in different families have different challenges, strengths and resources as well. Comparing with friends or family when discussing increasing the size of your family will muddy the waters without allowing for a discussion related to your own relationship. Just because one partner comes from a big family, does not mean that they should automatically want a larger family or demand their partner does. If he is using a comparison as a reason for growing your family, you need to insist that the focus remains on the 86
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dynamics of your own your babies, and relationship instead. this can be a very valid reason not to EXPLAIN YOUR have more. You may REASONS have had a difficult You need to know why pregnancy or labour it is that you do not in the past and this want more children. is preventing you Before you have the from deciding to discussion, which is grow your family essential that you do, further. There could make sure you have be many reasons and a coherent argument at the end of the day, as to why you do if you are looking at not want a larger natural children, it is family. This could be your body. If you are a financial decision, it prepared to adopt, could mean a physical the conversation may problem, it could be be quite different. If that mentally you you are firm about not don’t feel you could adding any further cope with another kids to the family, child. You may want then you need to be to go back to work ready to stipulate this and further your is how you feel and career without it why. being interrupted by the advent of another IS THERE A MIDDLE baby. There may be GROUND? no support structure Sometimes when to assist with raising d i s c u s s i n g t h e
reasons why you are not looking to grow your family any further, there may be some workable compromises that come up. If it is financial, there may be ways to reduce debt or increase income to get rid of this concern. You may then decide it is okay to add another person to the family is this was no longer a problem. You may be able to build a support base or get addition assistance for another baby, which may change your mind about your decision. There are many scenarios, when discussed, which may allow for a middle ground and the possibility of a bigger family. If there is no possible room for change in your mind, after all discussions, then your partner needs to know this as well. DON’T BACK DOWN You have had the discussion with your partner, laid out your reasons for not wanting to add another baby to the family, listened to his argument for having one more as well as all the possible compromises. You still do not want to have another child. At this point, you can close the discussion, or you can allow him leeway to discuss it again in future if circumstances change. If, not matter what changes, you know that you do not want more children, you must be prepared to stand your ground. This may become a sore point in your relationship and maybe even lead to a dissolution of your marriage if you are not able to discuss the situation in a mature way. Most couples can work past the issue, but for some it is a deal breaker. GET HELP Sometimes counselling can help when it comes to volatile discussions such as these. A mediator may be able to help both of you see the situation from both sides. You can also have your doctor discuss the issues with your partner if your lack of interest in another child or your inability to have another child is due to medical reasons, physical or psychological. A marriage therapist is also recommended in relationships where a consensus cannot be reached. The therapist can help get to the root of the issue and may be able to help you understand each other’s points of view better to eventually reach a solution beneficial to the relationship. AUGUST 2019 | My Child
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Having the discussion with your partner on the issue of not increasing the family any further can be a difficult one, but it is essential in every relationship. Sometimes a compromise can be reached, but in cases where this is not possible, sometimes the relationship will reach a breaking point due to the differences in the planned size of the family in each person’s mind. A strong relationship will usually overcome the situation, but you have the right to stand your ground, especially if you are the one that would be carrying the baby and being the prime carer.
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Every Da y Is A New Chapter WRITTEN BY: Sheree Hoddinett
Do you remember those choose your own adventure books from when you were a kid? Where you had the choice of a couple of different scenarios, each leading to a different path you could follow in the book? Admittedly I used to skip back if I didn’t like the first choice I made where it all ended badly and I’d go again. Sometimes I wish there was an option like this for parenting. Those days where you say yes instead of no or vice versa and end up with what can only be described as the worst day ever? I know there’s plenty more to come but it certainly doesn’t detract from the “fun” of right now! With a 5-year-old going on 15 and her 3-year-old sister tearing up a path of destruction most days, I’m beginning to wonder if maybe I did make a wrong turn somewhere along the way! 92
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You don’t realise you have the patience of a saint until you’re dealing with something your child has done that is out of this world. Or when no one admits to who the culprit truly is. “I don’t know”, “it wasn’t me” or “what are you talking about?” roughly translates as it was no one or someone else did it. Sound familiar out there?! I always tell friends who have kids younger than mine that I’m not going to lie to them, it doesn’t get any easier, well as far as I can tell anyway. Each new age bracket tends to bring with it a whole new set of challenges and teaches me so much more about what I must have put my parents through. They say life goes around and around in circles, feels like the story of my life these days. I never hide how my kids make me feel, I don’t see the point. I love them dearly but there are also days where they drive me crazy and I’m far from their biggest fan. But I know I also forget they are just little and still need me to do things for them. It just isn’t helpful when that happens to be when I’m in the shower or even on the toilet! And to them it’s always got to happen this very instant! It’s funny how you long
for them to do so many things independently, but I know when the day arrives they don’t need mummy anymore, I’ll feel the pull of sadness too! You can never win; this mum guilt thing just never goes away! It all does go by very fast, although it may not feel like it when you’re dealing with a not so sleepy child at 1am. Or hoping for your sick child to get better and not having to clean up more vomit from the bed, floor or someone’s hair. There’s always something and that’s what we deal with because that’s what mums (and dads) are all about! We put aside our own selfish wants and needs (most of the time) to do what is best for our kids. Okay I’ll admit I have plenty of “me” moments, they just happen to take place at night time where I consume all the chocolate I can and watch all the shows I can that isn’t Bluey on repeat! Although I have to say I don’t mind that show too much. Bandit is a pretty cool laid back dad for a dog and he lets those daughters of his (Bluey and Bingo) have pretty much all the fun they can! If you haven’t watched it yet, do yourself a favour, it’s a funny show and well worth it!
You don’t get many wins as a parent. In fact, it’s rare. It’s not hard to see why, given you have to be the bad guy on so many occasions. Saying no all the time, ignoring the full blown chaos that surrounds you when a child doesn’t get their own way and just dealing with all the fun that parenting brings. I knew what I was signing up for, don’t get me wrong, but that doesn’t make it any easier! But when you have a little win, maybe even acknowledgment from your offspring that you’re now so bad, it just makes everything so much better, I think! Check out the rest of my adventures with my beautiful little girls via my blog at www.shereekim.com You never know, it might just make your day a little brighter!
Until next time… AUGUST 2019 | My Child
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OUR VERY OWN
KYLIE KADEN
An inspirational story about how our own My Child contributor tells us how, as an unknown mum from the burbs, she became an INTERNATIONALLY PUBLISHED AUTHOR!
Kylie Kaden wrote her debut novel with a baby in her arms, a toddler playing at her feet and ABC Kids chirping in the background. Now with three novels to her name, the Brisbane based mum of three boisterous boys has been described as ‘the fresh new voice in Australian Domestic Noir Fiction.’ With a background in psychology, Kylie says she never set out to be an author, and her road to publication was ‘a short path, paved with luck’. At home on maternity leave after the birth of her third son, Kylie says she needed a creative outlet – a few moments where she could escape the mundane. ‘I’d use every spare moment - waiting on the wet bench at swimming lessons, or stirring risotto in the kitchen, to craft my characters. I’d let the ideas ferment, before stealing a moment of sanity to peck away at the keys on my laptop (sometimes in the laundry so I couldn’t be found)’. With no expectation that anyone would actually read her words, she simply wrote for the love of it, for the balance it gave her days at home with a sticky brood of boys. A year later, she found herself with what looked like a novel – and her debut women’s fiction was complete. Without an agent or any experience writing, her first manuscript Losing Kate was quickly plucked from the Random House ‘slushpile’ of unsolicited manuscripts, and translated internationally in Europe. Her second critically acclaimed novel, Missing You, followed a year later. How Do You Juggle Your Career As An Author With Raising Kids (And A Day Job!)? It’s true that if you want something done, ask a busy person, as I find I make the most of my time when I know it’s in short supply. It’s amazing how much all parents cram into a day without realising it, so you become great at time management and problem solving on the fly. With a psychology background, I work part-time in the health industry, but savour the days I can hide in my office in my Ugg boots, make things up for a living, and still pick up the kids from school.
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How Do You Maintain Focus Working From Home, With Kids? It can be hard to be creative with someone skating over your feet demanding waffles (often with a recorder screeching in the background) but kids also enrich your life, and fill it with high emotion that’s easy to channel into your writing. I often have to pause to break up my boys spear-tackling on the couch, only to return to the keyboard with no idea what sentence I was moving or why, but I am used to the mayhem. Most mothers of boys are (along with perpetually smelly toilets!). Many Parents Say It’s Hard To Find Time To Read A Book, Let Alone Write One. What Advice Would You Have For Aspiring Writers? Whatever your poison – cycling, yoga, scrapbooking, painting – it’s important to not lose yourself once you have kids, and to prioritise even just half an hour a day to do something that ‘sparks joy’ (to use an overused term!). Writing is my joy, the piece of the day just for me, and I feel I am a happier, more effective parent for taking that time to myself, and showing my kids that they, too, need to pursue their dreams. You’ve Been Crowned The ‘Fresh New Voice In Domestic Noir’. Can You Tell Us More About The Genre? The label is a little obscure - think Big Little Lies or Girl on a Train. It’s a powerful genre that blends the suspense of a mystery with the depth and heart of a character driven relationship drama. I love it when ordinary people’s lives are pried open by extraordinary events – and you bear witness to unspeakable acts playing out in ‘soccermum’ territory. The benign suburban settings just add to the conflicts. Tell Us About Your Latest Release. “It seemed simple at first – folding one lie over the next. She had become expert at feathering over the cracks to ensure her life appeared the same. But inside, it didn’t feel fixed.”
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The Day the Lies Began explores secrets, lies and what can be considered right or wrong. It’s an emotional mystery that takes us into the heart of the intricacies and loyalties between two ordinary couples under extraordinary strain. Wife and mother Abbi, town cop Blake, schoolteacher Hannah and local doctor Will are caught in a tangled web of deceit. Abbi has a secret. Will she be able to keep it? When the truth washes in to their beachside community, so do the judgements: victim or vigilante, who will forgive, who will betray? Not all relationships survive, nor do all residents. It would suit those that love authors like Liane Moriarty, Jojo Moyes or Jane Harper. Or anyone that loves a page turner with a few good twists and moral dilemmas. Every mum deserves a break, and I encourage all parents to model reading to their kids in this digital age when attention spans seem to be shortening because of the content we are exposed to. What Inspired The Idea Behind This Story? I love the idea of placing decent people in a situation that starts off fairly innocent, but quickly snowballs out of control into a predicament. It’s fairly common to protect ourselves or those we love in little ways, but at what point does it become not okay? How do lies affect trust in a marriage? Lying by omission? And white lies? Can You Describe Your Writing Process? My writing approach is one of winging it most of the time, writing in bursts when inspired and letting the characters inform the story. I’m a ‘pantser’ –I don’t plan my books - the plot and characters evolve on the page organically and themes are layered into the story after the fact. I believe this way of writing produces a less contrived, less predictable narrative that’s therefore more satisfying. You Say That Reading Is An Important Part Of Being A Writer. Where Is Your Favourite Place To Read? 122
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Fiction is about escape, so for me, where I am is not important because I’m teleported to the world the author wants me to inhabit. Like one of my favourite memes – books take you places when you have to stay where you are. You can be lining up at the airport and living vicariously through a character in a book. In the wise words of Stephen King, what can be better than that uniquely portable magic? What Is Your Best Advice For Other Wannabe Writers? Don’t use excuses for why you haven’t begun (like needing a new laptop or having to paint the study). Don’t over think it – just start. You don’t need a degree in creative writing to be published – just a good story, told well. And be yourself – readers yearn for honesty, for authentic characters they can relate to. And don’t try to emulate your favourite author - the best, indeed the only person who can write your story is you.
Kylie’s latest novel The Day The Lies Began is available from Pantera Press from August 18 in eBook, audiobook and paperback form. You can find out more, here:
www.kyliekaden.com.au
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RED NOSE KNOWS SAFE SLEEP written by: OLIVIA ARROW
Bringing home your baby is an exciting yet very scary time for new parents. There’s a lot to learn in those first few months about being a parent and it can be a little overwhelming. Thinking about your baby’s safe sleep environment can be accidently overlooked with all the changes you experience as a new parent, and could end up being the last thing on your mind once baby has arrived. However, it happens to be the most crucial part to keeping your baby safe and with Red Nose’s help, we have a few handy tips to help you.
SO, WHAT IS CONSIDERED A SAFE SLEEPING ENVIRONMENT? A safe sleeping environment is a space where all potential dangers to your baby have been removed and the baby has a safe place for both day and night sleeps. Providing your baby with a safe sleeping environment helps to reduce the risk of SUDI and SIDS. Red Nose understands it can be confusing for parents to know what a safe or unsafe sleep environment is and have pulled together evidence-based safe sleeping practices ensuring you have all the information you need to make informed decisions. Sleep Baby on The Back from Birth, Not on The Tummy or Side Sleeping baby on the back reduces the risk of SUDI. The chance of babies dying suddenly and unexpectedly is greater if they sleep on their tummies or sides. Put your baby on the back to sleep, from birth, on a firm, flat surface. If your midwife, nurse or doctor advises you to use another sleep position for your baby, e.g. baby has a particular medical condition, make sure the reason is fully explained to you and ask for a written explanation. These situations are very rare. Healthy babies placed to sleep on the back are less likely to choke on vomit than tummy sleeping infants. Sleep Your Baby with His Face and Head Uncovered Sleeping baby in a safe baby sleeping bag, one designed especially for baby with fitted neck and armholes and no hood, has a number of features that help baby sleep safely. Research has shown that sleeping bag use will reduce the risk of bedclothes covering the baby’s face, will delay baby rolling onto the tummy during sleep until baby is past the age of peak risk of SUDI, promotes supine sleep as the zipper opens to the front and will keep baby’s temperature at a more constant level while sleeping at home. If a blanket is being used, ensure your baby is placed with their feet at the end of the cot, with the blanket brought up no higher than the level of the chest and tucked securely underneath the mattress. This reduces the risk of the blanket covering the baby’s face. Ensure there is no soft bedding in baby’s sleep environment. Soft bedding (pillows, doonas, loose bedding or fabric, lambswool, bumpers or soft toys) in the cot is unnecessary and may cover baby’s face and obstruct baby’s breathing. Keep Baby Smoke Free Before And After Birth Smoking when pregnant increases your baby’s risk of death during pregnancy and up to one year of age. It’s best to avoid exposing your baby to tobacco smoke, and to not let anyone smoke near your baby - not in the house, the car or anywhere else your baby spends time.
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It is often hard to quit smoking so ask for help. Call the Quitline on 137 848 or ask your doctor, midwife or child health nurse for information and advice about quitting. Make Sure Your Cot Meets Current Australian Safety Standards A safe cot is one that meets the Australian Standard for cots. All new and second-hand cots sold in Australia must meet the current Australian and New Zealand Standard for Cots (AS/NZS 2172:2003) and will carry a label to say so. If you are planning to use a second-hand cot, check that it meets those standards. Only use a single, firm, mattress that fits snugly (within 20 mm of sides and ends when mattress is centred) into the cot. The mattress must be flat (not tilted or elevated). Do not use cot bumpers or soft bedding as these have been associated with fatal sleep accidents. Old or second hand cots may be used provided that they are clean, in good working condition and have no protrusions or sharp edges. They too must meet the Australian and New Zealand Standard for cots (AS/NZS 2172:2003). Never place baby in a cot that does not definitely meet current safety standards Room Sharing Room sharing with a baby has been shown to reduce the risk of sudden unexpected infant death. Red Nose therefore recommends sleeping with a baby in a cot next to the parents’ bed for the first six to twelve months of life. Whether you room share or not, investing in a baby monitor is a great way to give you added peace of mind when you can’t be in the same place as your baby. VTech baby monitors have long recognised the importance of safe sleeping practices, and design and develop every one of their Safe & Sound baby monitor products with this in mind. A key feature across all models is that the baby monitoring unit does not attach to the cot and is therefore less likely to become a hazard. VTech is a proud partner of Red Nose Australia and urge all new parents to ensure their baby’s nursery is a safe environment. Breastfeed If You Can Breastfeeding has been shown to reduce the risk of Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI). Breastfeeding is the optimal source of nutrition for a baby, with many benefits for both mother and baby. Red Nose recognises that not all women can, choose or want to breastfeed. IF you choose to bottle feed, ensure you still need to follow safe sleeping practices. Protecting Baby from Overheating Babies control their temperature predominantly through the face and head. Sleeping baby on the back with the head and face uncovered is the best way to protect baby from overheating. It is not necessary to monitor the room temperature or to leave the heating or cooling on all night, as long as the baby is dressed appropriately for the room temperature: Dress
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baby as you would dress yourself – comfortably warm, not hot or cold. A good way to check baby’s temperature is to feel the baby’s back or tummy, which should feel warm (don’t worry if baby’s hands and feet feel cool, this is normal). Remember to remove all head coverings as soon as you go indoors or enter a warm car, bus or train, even if it means waking the baby. Some of the most common unsafe settings for baby’s sleep-time include leaving baby unattended on an adult bed or bunk bed, placing baby on a waterbed, beanbag, couch, pillow or cushion, or with a sleeping adult or child on a couch, sofa or chair and should be avoided. Over 10,000 children’s lives have been saved, but still more than 3,000 die every year. Since 1989 Red Nose has been able to invest over $17 million into life-saving research and education programs – resulting in an extraordinary 85% reduction in SIDS deaths.
Red Nose will celebrate its 31st year of saving babies lives this Red Nose Day on Friday August 9 and Australians are encouraged to support Red Nose Day by making a donation at rednoseday.org.au or purchasing a product including the iconic red nose online or at BIG W and other retailers, to help stop nine babies dying suddenly and unexpectedly each day. 128
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recipes sourced from: eatingwell.com AUGUST 2019 | My Child
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Quick & Easy
Mascarpone & Berries Toast INSTRUCTIONS
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1
toast bread in toaster or grill.
2
spread mascarpone on toast.
3
top with berries and mint.
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prep time: 5 mins cook time: 5 mins serves: 1 INGREDIENTS whole-grain 1 slice bread, toasted mascarpone 2 tbsp cheese mixed berriesraspberries, 1/4 cup blueberries and/or chopped strawberries 1 tsp mint leaves
Quick & Easy
Strawberry-Pineapple Smoothie INSTRUCTIONS 1
combine strawberries, pineapple, almond milk and almond butter in a blender.
2
process until smooth, adding more almond milk, if needed, for desired consistency.
3
serve immediately.
prep time: 5 mins cook time: 5 mins serves: 1 INGREDIENTS frozen 1 cup strawberries chopped fresh 1 cup pineapple chilled unsweetened 3/4 cup almond milk, plus more if needed 1 tbsp almond butter
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Mini Pizza for One prep time: 10 mins cook time: 20 mins serves: 1
INSTRUCTIONS 1
preheat oven to 180°c.
2
spread sandwich thin half with pizza sauce.
3
arrange zucchini and tomato slices on top of sauce.
4
sprinkle with cheese.
5
bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until heated through and the cheese starts to melt.
INGREDIENTS of a 100% whole1/2 pack wheat sandwich thin 1 tbsp canned pizza sauce 1/4 cup thinly sliced zucchini 1/4 cup sliced roma tomato shredded reduced-fat 2 tbsp mozzarella cheese
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Smoked Salmon Quesadilla prep time: 15 mins cook time: 15 mins serves: 2
INSTRUCTIONS 1
combine peas, onion, and cider vinegar in a small bowl. let stand 3 minutes to pickle and then drain.
2
combine half of the pea-onion mixture with the cream cheese in another small bowl, mashing with a fork to combine.
3
for quesadilla, spread half of the cream cheese mixture onto each soft wrap. spoon the salmon and the remaining pea-onion mixture over the cream cheese mixture on one of the wraps. top with the remaining soft wrap, with the cream cheese mixture side down.
4
coat a large cast-iron skillet or nonstick skillet with cooking spray. Heat the skillet over medium heat.
5
Add the quesadilla; cook 2 to 3 minutes or until lightly browned, turning once halfway through cooking time. Cut the quesadilla into six wedges.
INGREDIENTS cup frozen peas, 1 cup thawed 1/4 cup minced red onion 200ml cider vinegar 100g 100g 2 tbsp 2 cups 1/2 cup
reduced-fat cream cheese miniature soft wraps package skinless, boneless smoked salmon chopped tomatoes chopped fresh corriander
If desired, serve with tomatoes and corriander.
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Zucchini Fritters with Dill Yogurt INSTRUCTIONS 1
place zucchini in a fine-mesh strainer and toss with ⅛ teaspoon salt. Let stand for 15 minutes.
2
meanwhile, whisk yogurt, sour cream, dill, vinegar, water, lemon zest and ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper in a small bowl. Set aside.
3
place the zucchini in a clean dish towel and squeeze until dry. Transfer to a large bowl and stir in egg, flour, cornmeal, ½ teaspoon salt and the remaining ½ teaspoon pepper.
4
heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over mediumhigh heat. using 2 tablespoons of the zucchini mixture to make each fritter, drop 6 fritters into the pan and flatten with a spatula into 2-inch disks. cook until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. transfer to a wire rack to cool. repeat with the remaining zucchini mixture and 1 tablespoon oil. sprinkle the fritters with the remaining ¼ teaspoon salt.
5
serve immediately with the reserved sauce.
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prep time: 35 mins cook time: 35 mins serves: 6 INGREDIENTS 650 g zucchini, grated 1 1/8 tsp salt plain Greek 1/3 cup yogurt 2 tbsp sour cream 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill 1 tbsp sherry vinegar 1 tbsp water 1/2 tsp grated lemon zest 3/4 tsp ground pepper 1 large egg, beaten 1/3 cup all-purpose flour 1/4 cup cornmeal extra-virgin olive 2 tbsp oil
Grilled Eggplant & Tomatoes with Polenta INSTRUCTIONS 1
bring water to a boil in a medium saucepan over high heat. slowly whisk in cornmeal and reduce heat to maintain a simmer. cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened and the cornmeal is tender, about 35 minutes. remove from heat and stir in butter and ¼ teaspoon salt.
2
meanwhile, preheat grill to medium-high.
3
toss tomatoes with 3 tablespoons oil, oregano, garlic, pepper, crushed red pepper and the remaining ¼ teaspoon salt in a large bowl..
4
brush eggplant with the remaining 1 tablespoon oil. grill, turning once, until tender and charred in spots, about 4 minutes per side. let cool for 10 minutes. chop into bite-size pieces and add to the tomatoes along with basil. Serve the vegetable mixture on top of the polenta. Sprinkle with cheese.
prep time: 45 mins cook time: 45 mins serves: 4 INGREDIENTS 4 cups water 1 cup cornmeal 1 tbsp butter 1/2 tsp salt 450 g tomatoes, chopped 4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil 2 tsp chopped fresh oregano 1 clove garlic, grated 1/2 tsp ground pepper 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper eggplant, cut into ½-inch650 g thick slices shaved ricotta salata or 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil AUGUST 2019 | My Child
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Strawberry-Mango Nice Cream prep time: 5 mins cook time: 5 mins serves: 4
INSTRUCTIONS 1
place mango, strawberries and lime juice in a food processor.
2
process for 1 to 2 minutes. stop the processor and scrape down the sides. continue processing until smooth for an additional 2 to 3 minutes.
3
add up to ½ cup water to help process the fruit, if necessary.
INGREDIENTS frozen mango 350 g chunks frozen sliced 220 g strawberries 1 tbsp lime juice
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Carrot Cake with Orange-Saffron Cream prep time: 45 mins cook time: 120 mins serves: 18
INSTRUCTIONS
1
preheat oven to 180°c. coat a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with cooking spray.
2
whisk all-purpose flour, whole-wheat flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl. beat oil, brown sugar, granulated sugar and vanilla in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until starting to lighten in color, about 2 minutes. slowly add eggs, one at a time, beating until well combined before adding the next. add the dry ingredients and mix just until incorporated. add carrots and mix until just combined. scrape the batter into the prepared pan.
3
bake the cake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 30 to 40 minutes. let cool completely in the pan on a wire rack, about 30 minutes.
4
meanwhile, prepare orange-saffron cream: heat ¾ cup cream in a small saucepan over medium-high heat until just steaming. place zest and saffron in a small bowl. pour the hot cream over them and let steep for 10 minutes. strain (discard zest and saffron). refrigerate the saffron cream until cold, about 30 minutes.
5
combine chocolate chips and the remaining ¼ cup cream in a small microwave-safe bowl. microwave on high, stirring halfway through, until just melted, about 30 seconds. cool to room temperature, about 10 minutes.
6
transfer the saffron cream to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment. add mascarpone and beat just until medium peaks form. fold ¼ cup of the mixture into the chocolate mixture until combined, then scrape the chocolate mixture back into the remaining saffron cream. beat just until lightly whipped, 5 to 10 seconds; do not overmix.
7
serve the cake topped with the saffron-orange cream and more orange zest, if desired.
INGREDIENTS
cake
1 cup all-purpose flour white whole1 cup wheat flour 2 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tsp baking powder 1 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp salt canola oil or 3/4 cup avocado oil packed light 3/4 cup brown sugar 3/4 cup granulated sugar 2 tsp vanilla extract 4 large eggs 5 cups shredded carrots
orange-saffron cream
1 cup heavy cream grated orange zest, plus 1 tsp julienned zest for garnish 3 saffron threads white chocolate 1/3 cup chips mascarpone 1/3 cup cheese
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