Peninsula Kids Winter 2019 by Peninsula Kids

PENINSULA KIDS WINTER 2019

ENINSULA KID P S LOVING FAMILY LIFE ON THE PENINSULA

Beat the winter blues with exercise and food!

Lo v e things we

Giveaways!

WINTER 2019

FREE Elle Halliwellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

CHOICE Managing Stress in Our Tweens Day tripping on the peninsula

www.peninsulakids.com.au

# ThisIsParenthood spokesperson Pinky McKay

LEGO

Colouring Comp www.peninsulakids.com.au

Peninsula Kids â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Winter 2019

50% off your second * weekly lesson Valid from 15 April - 14 August, 2019 *T&Cs apply

Mornington • Frankston • Langwarrin 1300 054 647 • www.kingswim.com.au

Cover Photo Model: Avyaan Location: Mt Martha

Editor

Melissa McCullough

I wonder if our winner, Brody, is still working through that 1 Kg bunny? And to Chocolate Grove, Carrum Downs for the awesome prize, thank you!

Design Sam Loverso sam@mpnews.com.au

Check more of their goodies out at www.chocolategrove.com Be sure to get your textas out and head to page 114 for our next colouring competition. We have a family pass for LEGOLAND Discovery Centre to give away!

Advertising Miriam Doe 0421 085 974 miriam@mpnews.com.au

We’ve got another great giveaway for Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes & Dirty Beasts at the Frankston Arts Centre.

General Enquiries info@peninsulakids.com.au

The story bursts off the page in a spectacular live show, taking the world’s best-loved fairy tales and rearranging them with some surprising and hilarious twists. Frighteningly funny and seriously silly, Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes & Dirty Beasts is the perfect family entertainment - for children 5 to 105. It delights and disgusts in equal measures.

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

Presented by Frankston Arts Centre and shake & stir theatre co, the show suits: Ages 6-12.

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

We have a family pass (4) for the Thursday 22 August, 6pm viewing. 55 minutes, no interval RRP: $95.00 To enter, go to www.peninsulakids.com.au/giveaways

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

Whether you fancy a day or night out at the theatre, viewing an exhibition, getting involved in a workshop or are simply after something to keep the kids occupied during school holidays, you can find it all at the Frankston Arts Centre.

Peninsula Kids is produced quarterly. 15,000 copies distributed between Mordialloc and Portsea.

Advertising

Miriam Doe

www.facebook.com/MorningtonPeninsulaKids

Proudly published by

Welcome to the winter 2019 edition of Peninsula Kids magazine. Congratulations to all the wonderful artists who entered our autumn colouring in competition. We thoroughly enjoyed receiving the masterpieces and they’re still hanging in the office!

Editor and Publisher Melissa McCullough melissa@mpnews.com.au

Registered address: 2/1 Tyabb Road, Mornington 3931

ed’s letter...

www. artscentre.frankston.vic.gov.au Have a great season and stay warm!

Design

Sam Loverso

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Contents

24 32

10 Spotlight

18 14

10 Halliwell’s Choice PK talks to Elle Halliwell about her journey into motherhood, dealing with cancer and clean living.

38 Be Mindful, Your Child Learns Through the Subconscious Mind Young minds absorb the information like a sponge and are open to suggestion.

22 Top Reasons Children Need Magnesium in Their Lives Nutritionist Sherrie Miller discusses this vital mineral.

42 Six Australian Books That Discuss Diverse Families Tenielle Stoltenkamp compiles a great list, including her new book, My Family Doesn’t Look Like Your Family.

24 Ten Ways to Make This Year Your Best Year Yet Commitment will give you the greatest chance of success. 28 Can You Overprotect Your Child? It is wiser to prepare our children for the realities of life and teach them how to embrace both sides of life. 32 It’s a Small World Ten-year-old Rylee Yong and her Mini Makers business.

44 Valuing Your Relationship It is natural for a relationship to have its ups and downs but it is most important to parent from a similar place. 46 Five Hacks for Working Mums to Boost the Budget There are little things that can make a big difference to the family budget.

34 ASD Message of Hope – Never Give Up! The Cain family’s unique autism journey, living and learning through unconditional love. www.peninsulakids.com.au

CONTRIBUTORS Special thanks go to the gorgeous and talented group of contributors who breathe life into every issue by sharing their best with us.

ERICA LOUISE

melbourne.kidtown.com.au

SHERRIE MILLER

@sherriemillernutrition

YVETTE O’DOWD

www.facebook.com/groups/ SouthernNaturalParentingNetwork

Contents Local JO & CARL VIOLETA

48 Day Tripping – Itinerary Three

88 Oxytocin and Birth

58 Dad review – Rain, Hayne & Shine

90 Granny’s Five Steps to Breastfeeding

82 Saddle Up for a Good Time at Jolong Park

92 Think Pinky

Celebrate

Health

54 5 Tips for a fabulous birthday party …(that won’t break the bank).

96 Managing Stress in our Tweens

50 A Pawty to Remember

Education

60 Why Your Child Should Learn STEM from Early Childhood 64 Exploring the Fun of Science at Home 66 Tips for Enhancing Concentration in Children

Recipes

74 Gluten Free recipes with Jodie Blight

Pregnancy & Baby

84 Hypnosis: The Key to Knowing Your Unborn Child 86 Reducing Swelling in Pregnancy 8

Peninsula Kids – Winter 2019

www.violetafinance.com.au

94 Beat the Winter Blues with Exercise and Food 98 Conflicting Health Messages Driving Aussies Nutty

OLIVIA WILSON

www.the wilsonsofoz.com

102 Iron Needs for Toddlers and Children

Creative DEANNE ATKINSON

110 Teaching Kids to Sew 112 Footy Candles 114 Lego Colouring Competiton

www.parentwithpassion.com

In Every

Issue 53 Party Planning 56 Things We Love 80 Little Bites 104 Ask the Experts 106 Book Reviews

DAVID HAWKINS

Every student shines at Toorak College. Prep 2020 enrolling now. Toorak College empowers its students to brave the world with the courage to change it. A broad specialist subject experience, underpinned by core skills in Literacy and Numeracy, is just the beginning.

WELLBEING STEM-X

ENGLISH

Prospective Parents Information Night 21 May Small Group Tours 7 May, 28 May, 11 June, 12 June Register your place at toorakcollege.vic.edu.au

LIBRARY THE ARTS

MATHEMATICS

LANGUAGE

INQUIRY

P R OJ E CT SHINE www.peninsulakids.com.au

HALLIWELL’S

CHOICE By Melissa Walsh

hree years ago Elle Halliwell was faced with the news that would change her life when the fashion journalist was diagnosed with leukaemia. As if that’s not enough, two days later the 30 year old discovered she was pregnant with her first child. Forced with a heartbreaking decision, the author and media personality had to decide whether to terminate the unborn baby and begin treatment, or continue with the pregnancy and have treatment once the baby was born, knowing that could be a course that would lead to her death. Peninsula Kids talks to Halliwell about her unusual journey into motherhood, dealing with cancer, clean living, and being an ambassador for Australian Organic. continued next page...

If you keep it as simple as choosing natural food and products, you cannot go wrong

Peninsula Kids – Winter 2019

Kindergarten at Peninsula Grammar DISCOVERING ME â&#x20AC;&#x201C; THE KINDER YEARS Join us as we educate young minds to be curious, to collaborate and to create. Book a school tour to experience our kindergarten program via enrolments@peninsulagrammar.vic.edu.au or call 9788 7753. For more information please visit our website:

www.peninsulagrammar.vic.edu.au www.peninsulakids.com.au

“I was terrified when I found out I was pregnant, having just received the diagnosis 48 hours before. I didn’t know what to do and couldn’t stop crying,” said Halliwell of the rare cancer that affects around 300 Australians every year. “Those first few days are just a blur but a friend of mine suggested I keep a video diary. It is raw and emotional and lots of tears but I think it helped to process the whole thing.” Halliwell decided to keep the pregnancy and delay any treatment until after the baby was born, focusing on eliminating any toxic chemicals and pesticides from her life, 12

Peninsula Kids – Winter 2019

and knowing the medication for her cancer could not be taken during pregnancy. “I knew my body was battling a life threatening illness and needed to give it the best nutrition I could. My son, Tor, was born a month premature but was still three kilos which I attribute to good living,” said the young mother, who then started on her cancer treatment. It was December 2016 when Halliwell began the treatment which was in tablet form, a type of oral chemotherapy. continued next page...

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“The medication I took meant I only had to get tested every three months so that was great. I did have some side effects like some bone pain and went through a period of very low energy which was challenging with a new baby but I had a great support network which helped me get through the tougher times,” said Halliwell, who went on to write her memoir, A Mother’s Choice, and recently became ambassador for Australian Organic. “I continued on the path to detox my life, mine and my family’s diet and rid the house of chemical products, and recently I found out that my cancer is undetectable,” she said. “I’m really excited to be working with a trusted organisation such as Australian Organic. Given my health issues I embraced an organic lifestyle which I feel has benefited my family’s well-being. I feel it makes better health sense to consume foods that are free from chemicals, pesticides, preservatives and artificial additives. In particular, I believe it’s important to give kids a healthy start in life by introducing them to organic products. I’m now in remission and will continue on my organic journey. I hope to inspire others to welcome organic products into their lives.” These days, Halliwell thinks of herself as an average mum, trying to do the best for her family.

Peninsula Kids – Winter 2019

“I am just trying to do the right thing like everybody else. Cooking from scratch isn’t always possible so I try to choose organic snacks. If you look for certified organic natural logo you cannot go wrong,” she said. “It is so important to not let our kids absorb chemicals so I also use natural products and have found going back to basics is the best like using lavender oil in Tor’s bath. There are so many more organic choices these days as well, with our food, toiletries and skin care even.” Halliwell says some of the things she has learnt to maintain a chemical free lifestyle are to buy fruit and vegetables in season, buy Australian and local produce that are organic, and return to the basics before the pre-packaged food. “If you keep it as simple as choosing natural food and products, you cannot go wrong,” said Halliwell. “I found out the hard way with my diagnosis and then immediate pregnancy, but it has actually been the best thing to happen to us. To be cancer free now makes me appreciate life so much more. I think I have been lucky to have learnt from a young age not to take life for granted and I am very passionate that there is a reason this happened to me. I know to appreciate everything, don’t let work rule your life, and I am fortunate that I found this out early on.”

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YOUR FAMILY IN ALIGNMENT By Dr Brooklyn Storme PhD

hen I’m not being a spiritual life and business coach, I am a psychologist working in my practice on the Peninsula. Serving families here has been my passion for as long as I can remember perhaps because I was born and raised here. Yes, I grew up in Winton Ave, went to Overport Primary School and then to Frankston High.

and guess what? She was accepted to Monash. It must have been so overwhelming for her and hopefully it was exciting too. For the next years she studied and eventually she became a psychologist. I remember she had a really large desk in our loungeroom and her books, notepads and pens were neatly piled up all over it.

When I was eleven years old, my father left and overnight my mother became a single mum to six children, all younger than me. There was no single parent pension! No baby bonus! Nothing! I remember having to take mum’s passbook to the State Bank in Foot St and seeing next to nothing it. I also remember, as a little girl, being visited at home by people like the Sheriff.

One day, I was looking through her text book and I thought, “This looks really interesting….”. Then I kind of made of a habit of getting up in the middle of the night to go and read them. As I grew older, the time came for me to apply to university but I was so scared I wouldn’t be smart enough, wouldn’t be good enough or would disappoint my family and so I put off applying. After a gap year or two, I bit the bullet and applied and got into the same course as mum at Monash, Peninsula.

My mum did the best that she could and now that I’m 44yrs, single and no children, it baffles me just how amazing she really is. I make more of a point of telling her that now than I did when I was younger. Perhaps it was my experience of growing up below the poverty line, of having to go down to the Brotherhood in Rosella St to get the free clothing and food because we had none, that contributed to shaping who I would become as an adult. Growing up, I just remember watching mum struggle so much and saying to myself, “That will never happen to me”. One day, I recall mum sitting the six of us down at the kitchen table for a family meeting. She looked nervous as she proposed this: “I can go and work at Bata shoe factory in which case we will have a little money coming in each week, or I can go and study at university and get a professional job but it will take a little longer” and we discussed it, then took a vote. It was unanimous and we all supported her in going to university. She must have been in her mid 30’s when she applied for university 16

Peninsula Kids – Winter 2019

It took a grand total of fourteen years of study to earn my undergraduate, post graduate and then my PhD in psychology and I love working in this role. One of the things that brings me the greatest pleasure is helping families that have been through challenging times. Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about alignment so thought I’d share it here. Alignment is really an idea that our experience of the world should ideally match up with our beliefs, thoughts, feelings and behaviours. To demonstrate, imagine I have a belief that my family should be healthy. If I break that down, I might segment ‘healthy’ into different areas like social wellbeing, physical health, mental health, economic health and so on. But let’s say I’m talking about social health. If my children come home from school and immediately jump on to their devices until dinner time, eat dinner and then hop back onto their devices, is this behaviour aligned with my value or belief of ‘health’? No. It is not.

Your family is so important for so many reasons but often we simply become too distracted by life to really sit down and think 'What

What do you value for your family and what could change so that you can live them?

do I want for my family?' and figure out a way to live our values. By living your values, you can have a very powerful and positive impact on your children not just now, but as they develop into beautiful adults and into beautiful human beings.

Dr. Brooklyn Storme, PhD is the Director and head psychologist at All Psyched Up, a mindfulness-based allied health practice on the Mornington Peninsula. When sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not at work, sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s usually teaching Gabe new tricks or spiking up his purple Mohawk.

A R T H U R S S E AT MORNINGTON PENINSULA

www.peninsulakids.com.au

lights, camera, action….

But let them decide! By Olivia Wilson

Does your child love the spotlight? Have you got a little superstar on your hands? Ready to kick start your child’s dreams? Let Your Kid Shine! Become A Star Today! You’ve seen the tag lines that modelling agencies use to target parents. And if you’re anything like me you cringe at the thought of children modelling! I actually despise seeing children wearing tonnes of makeup, hair sprayed so much it doesn’t move, and donning really inappropriate outfits. Modelling was never on the cards for us, and boy was I vocal about it…… until recently… when I signed both my son and daughter up to a Melbourne Talent Agency. “Why oh why??” People quite often ask me why I signed my kids up to a modelling agency. With a daughter who has suffered with terrible anxiety and PTSD I guess it does seem like a strange thing to do. Shove her out there, in front of the cameras and put her in a position where she faces rejection at every turn. (Wow, now you come to mention it) I guess, my first thoughts were, they’re gorgeous and everyone needs to see them… then I thought more rationally “the moneeeeyyy”, then I read lots of articles about the good, the bad, and the ugly side to child modelling, was totally put off, they moaned, I signed them up! They wanted to do it! continued next page...

18 Peninsula Kids – Winter 2019

Give your daughter the best start to her educational and wellbeing journey with the best teachers and learning environment. EARLY LEARNING CENTRE AND SCHOOL TOURS

We know girls. Girls are creative. Girls are strong. Girls are kind. Girls are achievers. Girls are adventurous. Girls are explorers. Girls are REMARKABLE.

Friday 16 August, 9.15am Or book an individual tour with our Early Learning Centre Leader Mrs Shepherd, Head of Junior School Edwina Aikman or Admissions Manager Glenda McDonald.

TO BOOK VISIT www.mentonegirls.vic.edu.au or call 03 9581 1200. www.peninsulakids.com.au

As a parent it’s easy to think your children are more beautiful than everyone else’s.” No one has eyes as stunning”. “Oh he is so handsome.” You know how it goes. We all adore our babies and Nana agrees that they’re better looking than everyone else…in the world! There are a lot of pushy parents out there, who have the next top model sitting in the high chair spewing broccoli puree at them but, for the record, that’s not me. At all! Yeah I think my kids are ace (when they’re being good), but I’m no Dance Mom!! My children are by no means the sort of children who chat confidently to anyone. They don’t demand the spotlight, they aren’t talented dancers, dedicated actors or even superstars in the making. They’re just two ordinary (totally beautiful, just kidding…) kids, who wanted to have a go at something new. This wasn’t about incredible good looks or extreme confidence; it was about the children having the opportunity and if it worked, great; if not, no biggie! It sounds very naïve to say no big deal if it doesn’t work, and I was acutely aware that the rejection could be an issue, especially as they are only ten and seve. However, I was also aware that the acceptance and the experience alone could be a wonderful thing for both children. I am a firm believer in ‘everything happens for a reason’, and sitting in front of six separate offers of representation from agencies made my mind up. We had to let them give it a shot. It’s incredibly easy to ‘helicopter parent’, and shield our children from anything that may upset them, but really, what is that teaching them? Plus, there was always the chance that they’d blossom!

Peninsula Kids – Winter 2019

Two months in, a few modelling jobs, and a few unsuccessful castings, the most important thing I have learnt since signing my children up to a “talent agency” is, they must WANT to do it. If they really want to be there it makes casting a lot less stressful, and jobs a lot easier to get through. A child’s personality absolutely affects whether they get booked or not; so a tired, bored, unhappy child will most likely be overlooked. There is absolutely no point trying to get a child of any age to sit through a six-hour film shoot, if they just don’t want to be there. Evaluate your child's personality, ask yourself if they have the drive to succeed, and prepare them. For our family it’s worked. It turns out the kids absolutely love the spotlight, they adore being in front of the camera and enjoy meeting new people. To be honest it’s mostly been a huge confidence boost for both of them. They wanted to give it a go, and they have grown in so many ways since starting. Yes, there is an element of disappointment when they miss out on a casting, but the way we deal with this is how we promised them we would. There is and never has been any pressure on them to get to the top. Just like anything in life, we get what we get and we don’t get upset.

Olivia Wilson is a Melbourne based freelance writer who has created a campaign to raise awareness of and educate people about the severity of Childhood Anxiety after experiencing a lack of compassion for her own anxious daughter. Hanging Out With Mermaids offers support to parents of anxious children, and resources for anyone living or working with an anxious child. You can support Hanging Out With Mermaids on Facebook and Instagram

www.peninsulakids.com.au

By Sherrie Miller

agnesium is a vital mineral for our health and wellbeing. It is the fourth most common mineral in our body after calcium, potassium and sodium, and the second most abundant electrolyte after potassium. A magnesium deficiency can cause cells to die and negatively affect over 300 metabolic processes such as muscle, bone, hormone and nerve function, protein synthesis, blood glucose control, cellular energy, DNA and RNA production. Magnesium deficiency is a common problem across the globe, and if left untreated will greatly impact metabolic, physical and mental health. Here are 5 reasons why children need magnesium in their life:

1. Bone Growth and Strength. Magnesium is crucial for bone strength and hard teeth. We are bombarded with the notion that calcium is the mineral we need for strong bones, but with approximately 52% of bone stores being magnesium, adequate magnesium in the diet is essential. Along with phosphorous and Vitamin D, magnesium assists with the proper absorption and metabolism of calcium. With growing bones in kids, calcium is certainly important, but magnesium is just as important. 2. Muscle Contractions. You may have had someone tell you that when suffering a muscle cramp, you may be lacking in magnesium. In your muscles, calcium binds to certain proteins that changes the shape of the proteins generating a contraction. Magnesium competes with calcium for these same binding proteins to help your muscles to relax. If your body doesn’t have enough magnesium to compete with calcium, your muscles may contract too much, causing cramps or spasms. Magnesium may be particularly helpful for children's growing pains. 22

Peninsula Kids – Winter 2019

3. Sleep Quality. As parents, we all know how much we desire a child that sleeps soundly. For those parents who find getting their little ones to sleep a full night’s worth, magnesium may assist. Magnesium helps the mind and body to unwind and relax. Magnesium regulates melatonin production, the hormone that controls your body’s sleep-wake cycle. Magnesium can also bind to gamma-aminobutyric (GABA) receptors which can calm down nerve activity, potentially improving sleep. 4. Mental Health. Depleted magnesium levels have been linked to mental conditions such as depression, nervousness, poor attention, aggression, fatigue and irritability. Magnesium is required for the manufacturing of many neurotransmitters. It acts like a ‘gatekeeper’ to glutamates, our excitatory neurotransmitter, to maintain calm. It’s also a cofactor in the production of serotonin, our mood neurotransmitter and dopamine, our reward and motivation neurotransmitter. Children who have conditions such as ADHD, autism and anxiety in most cases, have a magnesium deficiency. 5. Strong Immunity. Kids pick up all sorts of nasty bugs. Some kids pick up a virus once or twice a year; other kids seem to be sick every second week. Their immune system is responsible for how well they tackle illness and a healthy immune system is not only essential to prevent illness, but to recover from an illness quickly. Magnesium increases the activity of the immune system because of its involvement in the formation of antibodies, as well as strengthening the cells that help to protect themselves from microbes, bacteria, and viruses. Magnesium also perform antiallergic and anti-inflammatory actions.

Top Reasons children need Magnesium in their lives Recommended dietary intake of magnesium for children is:

Signs of magnesium deficiency may include:

1-3 years: 80 mg 4-8 years: 130 mg

Spasms or twitching muscles, muscle tension, leg cramps or growing pains, also:

9-13 years: 240 mg

Muscular weakness

Restlessness

Anxiety,

Fatigue

Irritability

Panic attacks

Teens 14-18 years: boys 410 mg and girls 360 mg Magnesium is abundant in many foods but if the diet is poor and consists of consuming highly processed foods, or the soil in which plant foods are grown lacks the rich nutrients they require, this will contribute to magnesium deficiencies. Stress also depletes magnesium levels. You can find magnesium in the following foods: Nuts

Raw Cacao Powder

Wholegrains Seeds Dark Leafy Greens

Avocados

Bananas Legumes Salmon Tuna At times, taking a high-quality magnesium supplement is required where diet alone is not maintaining healthy magnesium levels. It’s best to speak with a qualified health practitioner about the right supplement for you or your child. Poor gut health may also be a contributing factor to low magnesium levels. An inflamed digestive tract or poor microbiome levels may be preventing proper absorption of nutrients. If gut health is of concern, then supplementation may not work due to the inability to properly absorb the nutrients. Ensure your gut health is stable before addressing magnesium, or any other nutrient deficiencies.

Difficulty sleeping

ADHD-like symptoms

Teeth grinding

Irregular heartbeat

Sensitivity to noise

Constipation

It’s important to get your children to eat a wide variety of healthy whole foods for optimal nutrition and wellbeing. Of course, this can be an ongoing challenge. Don’t give up! Keep introducing foods to your child. One day they may surprise you. Find ways to hide items in their food where you really struggle with their fussiness, and if a magnesium deficiency appears concerning to you, speak to a nutritional health practitioner about supplementation.

Sherrie Miller is a qualified Nutritionist with a special interest in gut health. She is passionate about the way in which our digestive health can influence our mental health, skin health and immunity. Sherrie takes the concept of ‘Food is Medicine’ very seriously. You can find out more on instagram @sherriemillernutrition www.peninsulakids.com.au

ways to make this year your best year yet!

By Lisa Stephenson

magine if your 2019 really could be different to the years that have gone before. New yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s resolutions rarely yield ongoing results because our motivation fades and, often, it fades fast. How many of us start something on the 1st of January, such as a new diet or exercise regime, and by Wednesday we are eating four slices of peanut butter toast and skipping the workout? Or we have vowed to put ourselves forward for a promotion, yet back away when the manager looks too busy? The behaviour and mindset that gives us the greatest chance of success in 2019 is commitment. So that even if we eat the toast, breaking our no-carb rule, and delay seeing the manager one day because we are trying to find the confidence, we gather ourselves and get back on the case the next day. We are committed to the end goal and to persevering. On the other side of commitment is where your success is waiting. Depending on motivation to get you there will lead to disappointment. continued next page...

Peninsula Kids â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Winter 2019

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Motivation is a feeling, commitment is a mindset. If you really want to create change this year, reflect on these questions: . When have I been successful before and what behaviours did I demonstrate?   .

What am I already committed to in my life that’s working?

When has motivation let me down?

. How can I integrate higher-level commitment with my planning and thinking? .

What would be different for me if I were committed?

. What are my non-negotiables when it comes to my daily/weekly habits?

Start investing in yourself right now Investing in you right now is possibly the most important investment you will ever make. And you know what? You matter. Below are 10 strategies to implement now:

There are no short-cuts If you are someone who has been having the same conversation with yourself about what you need to do next, it might just be time to pay attention. There really are no short-cuts to having a happy, healthy and successful life. The good news is, you can start today and there’s still plenty of time for this to be your best year yet. Do the work now and trust the results will come later. No one else can make this happen for you. When it feels hard, your job is to keep going. We all have untapped potential and resilience that is there to draw on. The most successful people in the world did the work on themselves so they could get there. Lisa Stephenson is the author of Read Me First (Major Street Publishing), a book filled with thought provoking coaching questions, strategies for success and life’s must-haves. Lisa draws on decades of experience as a global speaker, leadership consultant and success coach. She is also the founder of the global, Australian-based consulting firm, Who Am I Projects. Over the years she has worked with some of the biggest global names, CEOs, elite athletes and entrepreneurs. For more information on Lisa go to www.lisastephensonconsulting.com.au

1. Write down specific and meaningful goals that will keep you focused and on track. 2. Create realistic but ambitious timelines (both short and long term) that can guide you on where to invest your time and when.

3. Write a list of everyone you know who can support you in bringing your goals to life. 4. Identify the blockers and challenges you will face and spend time working through how you will overcome them. 5. Think big and capture all your possible opportunities and ideas. Then, check with the people around you to see what you might have missed in your brainstorming.

6. On a scale of 1 to 10, consider how committed you really are to succeeding. Are you prepared to compromise and do what’s required to make this happen?

7. Carefully work through the financial, emotional, physical and spiritual needs that you will have while you’re working on you. Also, identify what your significant others might need from you during this time.

8. Write down what success will look and feel like for you. Be as specific as you can. This is one of the most 9. 10. 26

important steps in creating a successful life.

Build in accountability systems that will keep your momentum going as you progress. Review your plan constantly, ensuring you adapt and evolve your plan as you achieve your goals.

Peninsula Kids – Winter 2019

www.peninsulakids.com.au

Can you overprotect your child? By John Demartini

It is wiser to prepare our children for the realities of life and

teach them how to embrace both sides of life, teaching about both support and challenge.

Is it possible to overprotect your child? Overprotecting children sets up false securities and does not prepare them for the balanced realities of daily life. It is unfair to paint a utopian idealism to children and not prepare them for the other half of life. Children who have not learned and developed self-governance will require greater outside governance. Any area of a child’s life that is not empowered, they become overpowered in. Children who are able to set goals that are aligned with their highest values and what is most important to them, automatically become more self-governed, confident and resilient. They are more balanced in their orientation and can face daily pleasures and pains, supports and challenges.

Pain is your feedback! If you medicate it away, you won’t get your feedback. You need pain, discomfort and things that challenge you to grow and to learn by. Parents overprotecting their children from all forms of discomfort, simply create internal discomforts or challenges for them. If a parent helps their child to escape challenges, they simply breed new ones that follow them like a shadow.

John says: “If you attempt to remove all challenges, discomforts and pains from your life you would miss out on all that they have brought and taught you.”

John says: “They are more problem solving oriented than problem avoiding.” Some parents live with more frustration because of their unrealistic ideals to always protect their children. Children become addicted Challenges birth creativity to unrealistic fantasies of one-sided existences and they are less prepared for real life. This unrealistic fantasy to live a life of ease Children require challenges to facilitate the birth of innovation, without difficulty is the source of depression amongst children. creation, solution and opportunity. Depression is a result of comparing your current reality to an John says: “Too much support and ease creates juvenile dependence; unrealistic fantasy you are addicted to and holding on to. too much challenge creates precocious independence.” Pain is part of life – we wouldn’t have pain endings at the end of our fingers if pain weren’t necessary. There is a book called “Brilliant Function of Pain”, by Milton Ward. It is about people who cannot experience pain and what new challenges they face. 28

Peninsula Kids – Winter 2019

Is fear causing you to overprotect your child? Many people overprotect their children because they are afraid of peer pressure, judgment, or afraid their children will experience something they as parents have not learned to appreciate and love.

Overprotecting children sets up false securities and does not prepare them for the balanced realities of daily life

We provide a relaxed environment which allows us to assess each child thoroughly. It is important that the child feels comfortable and the parent is at ease so we can provide the best possible treatment and advice. Whether you are concerned about how your child walks/ runs, they complain of pain in their legs/ feet, or even if you find they struggle to keep up with you or children of similar age to them, we can help you. Conditions we commonly see include:

Whatever wounds or fears you have not learned to love in your own life, you will probably try and overprotect your child from. Hedonism and utilitarianism started the movement that we are supposed to be happy, safe, secure and only good all the time and that it is our unalienable right.

John says: “Maximum psychological development occurs at the border of challenge and support.” The fantasy of a utopian world with all peace and harmony, etc. can set up unrealistic expectations and undermine human development and can result in dystopian outcomes. It is wiser to prepare our children for the realities of life and teach them how to embrace both sides of life – support and challenge, ease and difficulties, pleasures and pains, cooperation and conflict. Both are essential. We have a need for both support and challenge. Accountability, challenge, problem solving and responsibilities are just as essential and build future entrepreneurs and leaders.

Sever’s disease (heel pain) Osgood-schlatters (knee pain) Toe-walking Flat feet Warts/papillomas/verruca Nail and skin pathology of the feet Toenail surgery for ingrown toenails Sprained ankles In-toeing (pigeon-toed) Out-toeing Heel pain Shin splints Sporting injuries of the foot 942 Nepean Hwy, Mornington 3931 Call 03 5976 2377 Email: admin@proactivepodiatry.com.au proactivepodiatry.com.au

To find out more about FAMILY DYNAMICS purchase Understanding The Family Dynamic audio program by Dr John Demartini from www.drdemartini.com www.peninsulakids.com.au

By Helen Baker

re you part of a two-income couple? How would you feel if you suddenly were challenged to live off just one income? For some, the hand may be forced; for example, suddenly losing or quitting a job. I actually encourage the option to live off one income in some planned circumstances, and hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why: when you take the initiative and do this on your terms you buy choices in your future.

Peninsula Kids â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Winter 2019

How does that work? You both live off one income and the other wage is used to build a home loan deposit, pay down a mortgage, extinguish those bad debts, put into investments or bolster your superannuation (whatever your priority is). The strategy is quite similar to one I offer clients who have just enjoyed a big promotion: live as though your income is unchanged, and sock away the rest for future financial freedom. Once you start living to the new income, it’s incredibly difficult to take chunks out. But if you make the change before you get used to the extra you will be able to see your investments grow and see something more for your money that buy yourself choices later.

When parenthood hits, the reduced income isn’t as big a shock to the system. Be realistic, expect things to change and know that this is for a season. By planning ahead financially, you may be able to hit the pause button with some measure of ease. Too many parents are forced to go back to work. Would you prefer the choice?

If that sounds a bit harsh, perhaps consider starting with the attitude that you ‘survive’ on one wage and the other gives you ‘a life’ – a big holiday for example – while building savings and paying down the mortgage too.

The second scenario is not so obvious. Few jobs are for life nowadays. We see many organisations restructuring and positions and roles being made redundant. If one of you hears as much as a whisper about potential redundancies in your place of employment, I suggest looking at this “live off one wage” strategy. If a redundancy package is offered, consider it a bonus. There may well be another role out there for you – but it may also take time (or you may want to reinvent your working life). Either way you both benefit from having paid down debts and built up savings.

Either as a single or as a couple, such a strategy does take commitment. It’s not uncommon for clients initially to look aghast and howl that they have not enough to live on with both incomes. If everything is stretched and you really need those two wages just to survive, that’s a lot of financial pressure to be under. I suggest, then, a close look at lifestyle leakage: where is their combined income going?

On similar lines, changing workplaces can create low morale and high stress. Perhaps, you are so over your workplace you want to quit. What if you hang in there for a while, live off the one income, save the other, look around at opportunities? Maybe you could even access your income protection insurance on the basis of your mental health while still in the job? (Income protection is ordinarily not payable if you quit).

Often, lots of little things like those cups of coffee, takeaway dinners, drinks after work, the club membership that’s unused, those shoes that just begged you to wear them out of the store even though you have four similar pairs in the wardrobe…they all add up. I’m not Scrooge (my shoe collection rivals Imelda Marcos’s and I do enjoy nights out and having fun), but I am keenly aware of how money can just vaporise. Curiously, it happens less when you use cash—which to my mind is all the more reason to buck the trend of relying on digital transactions and electronic payments wherever possible.

Alternatively, one of you may want to start your own business. There can be quite an outlay in the set-up and running of a business with not much, if any, return early on. Having an emergency fund tucked away, or your big commitments paid in advance can buy the time needed to get your business on its own two feet. There’s a lot to be said for living life to the fullest: that doesn’t have to mean maxing your joint household income.

Two looming life circumstances may encourage you to investigate the ‘live on one, pay down the other’ approach to earnings:

The ‘live off one income, invest the other’ strategy works particularly well if you, as a couple, expect to have a family someday.

Helen Baker is a qualified Australian financial adviser and author of On Your Own Two Feet: Steady Steps to Women’s Financial Independence. Her latest book is On Your Own Two Feet Divorce: Your Survive and Thrive Financial Guide. Proceeds from the books’ sales are donated to charities supporting disadvantaged women. Visit www.onyourowntwofeet.com.au www.peninsulakids.com.au

IT’S A SMALL By Melissa Walsh

hile many ten year olds are playing on their iPad or watching TV, there’s a cool kid in Crib Point that is already setting up her own business and kicking some serious goals.

Rylee Yong started her own Mini Makers business in September last year and has already sold heaps of her handmade polymer characters. With the help of her dad, Andy, Rylee makes tiny characters based on word-plays or dad jokes. “I have done a few market stalls and am now getting some orders for birthday cake toppers and other gifts,” said Rylee from her home where she creates these amazing little characters. With an incredible drive and determination, Rylee has come up with some ripper names for her Mini Maker’s characters, which all began when she and her dad were in New Zealand and started making things with the clay. “Dad found this polymer clay and we started making little people. The first one we made was Lily, which I still have,” she said. With an animator for a dad, creativity doesn’t fall far from the tree and Rylee is determined to continue to bring joy and fun to everyone who checks out her quirky characters.

Peninsula Kids – Winter 2019

“Ever since we started making clay characters, we have made so many,” said Rylee. “When we came back to Australia, it took a while for dad to find the clay again but he eventually did and now we have a heap of different mini maker characters to sell.” Rylee says she loves making things with her hands which she discovered doing a pottery class. “Now I make things all the time with the polymer clay and find inspiration all around here and especially when I think of word play or dad says a funny joke,” she said. These days, Rylee has displayed her Mini Makers at three markets, (Somers, Twilight, and Emu Plains), and loves talking to people about the characters and their funny names. “The first one my dad made was a girl called Lily which we still have, but now we have lots of different characters like Ann Tique, Ben Dover, Eileen Dover and her friend Sitting Duck. There’s Pork Chop, a pig wearing a karate outfit, and Lamb Chop, his friend the sheep. We have Theresa Green, our nature lover, and Bull Dozer, who is a sleeping bull,” she said of a few of the tiny characters. “We have some lovely inspirational gifts, hilarious characters and DIY kits too so you can make your own,” said Rylee.

You can see Rylee’s Mini Makers on Instagram at @minimakers_au

www.peninsulakids.com.au

ASD Message of Hope -

By Monique Cain Everyone has an idea of what life will be like once you become a parent. Unfortunately, things don’t always go according to plan. Sometimes, life throws you a massive curve ball and the life you imagined veers off in new directions that are completely out of your control. That’s what happened to my husband and I when both of our children, Madi and Thomas, were diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In light of this diagnosis, to say that the last seven years of our lives have been an emotional rollercoaster would be an understatement. Since our journey began, I have spoken frequently at seminars on autism. I have spent countless hours talking to parents whose children are on the spectrum. And I live every day with two autistic children, experiencing all the challenges and joy that brings. Whatever your situation with autism, I urge you to “Never give up!” 34

Peninsula Kids – Winter 2019

My family and I have been on our unique autism journey, living and learning together and my two children have taught me the true definition of unconditional love.

Through them I have learnt: New meanings and deeper levels of patience Keep trying, no matter what happens and never give up Appreciate all the little things in life and to recognize what is most important to us. Be kind, caring, compassionate, understanding and open to other people, things and ideas Withhold judgement - we cannot see inside another person’s heart and mind.

Tips & advice to thrive & survive If something is too hard or doesn’t work out the first time, try and try again. Never give up. Spending regular, quality time with your child is important to help you connect and build a positive relationship. If your child doesn’t learn how to build relationships within the family, it’s even harder for them to relate to people outside. Seek a release through work and exercise. You don’t do anyone any favors if you let stress and tension build up. An hour escaping, releasing endorphins and focusing on something other than your kids makes you feel like a person, rather than just a special needs parent.

Create a safe haven at home and provide your children with spaces where they feel comfortable, free to be themselves and to release their energy. We’ve learnt to exert that energy through physical activity: a walk or ride, a quick jump on a trampoline or a swing. In times of unsettling behavior there are often underlying issues or logical reasons for your child’s behavior. Through knowledge, observation and time you can better address issues, prevent them from occurring or anticipate how to address challenges. Don’t ignore your own needs when seeking professional help for your kids. Since my happiness and mental health improved, my children have made significant progress as well. Be open to professional support. It’s unsettling to think that you need a whole team of professionals to help you look after your own children, and even if you have a supportive network of family and friends like we do, you still we need the experts too.

continued next page..... www.peninsulakids.com.au 35

I casually thought I could write a book about my life one day, but I never thought that my story would be anything like this!

Monique Cain

There is no such thing as perfect. Once I learnt to accept that I wasn’t the perfect parent with the perfect kids that were bathed, fed and in bed by seven every night it helped me immensely. P ush yourself to read and absorb ASD information, as confronting as it may be. When our kids were first diagnosed, I couldn’t bring myself to read a lot of helpful information or attend any sort of presentations but I wish I had much earlier. “ Be prepared”. Every time we leave our house, even if it’s just for a quick errand, we take everything but the kitchen sink. Stick to a basic routine because ASD kids tend to thrive in a structured environment. It’s really important not to think too far ahead. Take it day by day. I truly believe that time is the biggest influence for ASD kids on so many different levels! More time to feel more comfortable in this world, in their surroundings, and in their own skin.

Great day trip to Queenscliff School Holiday activities Onboard kids playground All weather fun Family tickets

Peninsula Kids – Winter 2019

Never Give Up is released by 3MT Media and is available on website www.theeverydayautismseries.com.au also selected local and specialist book stores, therapy and autism services RRP $24.95 My new book, ‘Never give up!’, has several messages of encouragement for people dealing with autism. Never give up on your children, grandchildren, your friends, family, students, yourself or your hope. No matter how hard things may be, do everything possible to make the best of your situation. Parenting and having children hasn’t been anything like the picture I had imagined, but we’ve come such a long way and we’re now sharing some joyous moments together. I take great comfort in seeing our children happy and loved and in knowing we can now help other people with their journeys too.

6-12 years

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hile the educational institutions provide our kids with the academic knowledge to make them perform and survive in the society on one level, there is so much more to learning and to guiding our children to find their unique path in life for a joyful and abundant experience as human beings.

Learning starts from the cradle and furthermore it is confirmed by science that the adaptation starts as early as in the last trimester of pregnancy when the foetus learns about the world from the motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s responses to the environment through her stress hormones or happy hormones levels. After birth, the baby, toddler, child observes and registers the surrounding world and learns to respond to it by copying the behaviours of people around them.

Peninsula Kids â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Winter 2019

Be mindful, your child learns through the subconscious MIND

By Agata Pedzik

Young minds absorb the information like a sponge and are open to suggestion Dr Bruce Lipton in his book “The Biology of Belief “explains how in the first seven years of life the mind is programmed through the subconscious. In these early years the brain operates mostly in the theta and alpha wave lengths, the same frequencies as under hypnosis or during deep meditation state. Theta is the gateway to learning, memory, creativity and intuition. Children learn how to perceive the external world and how to respond to different situations through observing and coping with the behaviours of others. People around them become the examples to follow how to act and react. Young children don’t have critical and rational thinking developed, they are likely to accept what you show them and tell them as true. Santa Claus is as real as the grandfather. It is important for the parents to understand that this period in their children’s lives is crucial in forming behaviours, responses and belief systems that will shape the person for the lifetime. Young minds absorb the information like a sponge and are open to suggestion. We can refer to this first seven years of life as to the programming of the subconscious mind. Like a hard drive in the computer, brain’s neuronal connections are made and hardwired. This is the program we will be running for life. As the subconscious mind controls the conscious; it is believed that we operate from this subconscious program ninety five percent of the

time in our daily lives for the rest of our lives. Only five percent of our behaviour is conscious, that’s the part that we actually have the “control” of. This is the reason why repeating motivational affirmations a hundred times a day have little effect. As a parent, guardian, grandparent, teacher, coach, older sibling be conscious of your own actions and reactions and what example you give to your children as they are becoming a person of their own. Do you set them up for a life of happiness, gratitude, positivity, success, abundance, cooperation, forgiveness and kindness, or the life of depression, negativity, blame, frustration, competition, conflict and struggles? Every behaviour that you demonstrate will set an example for your child to follow in their own behaviours. When you react with an avalanche of frustration when someone cuts you off in traffic, it is likely that your child will react in this way when their favourite chocolate bar disappears from the pantry. If you resolve disagreements with angry argument instead of understanding, reasoning and finding a solution, you can expect that this is how the child will approach conflict. Teaching your child keeping their room tidy and putting things away, by persuasion and punishment, is very hard work while your things are lying around creating a messy environment. If you continually complain about life and make drama of the things of little importance instead of focusing on the positives and being cheerful, you are making the child believe that the world is an unpleasant place and life is a struggle, and this is the template what life will become for them. It is important to understand that the crucial aspect in this early learning is that kids learn and register much more efficiently by observing real life situations than from telling them what to do, how to behave and by setting up rules. We cannot expect them to be something different that we as parents and collectively as a society are giving them as an example. Don’t wait until your child goes to kinder or school for the education; textbooks don’t teach life. The most important learning is from a role model.

Agata Pedzik (BHSc) is a Life Coach and a practicing Naturopath in Mt Eliza, Surrey Hills and Montrose. www.peninsulakids.com.au

By Emma Barr

Whinging, screaming, canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t settle your child? Better yet, there's still another 5 hours to go!

es, road tripping with a toddler has its downsides and as a parent almost everyone has been there. We all know the good, bad and the ugly when it comes to hitting the road with your little one, but believe it or not, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s actually not as bad as you think. Here are my top tips on road tripping with a toddler to help you and your family survive their next trip.

Unsettled, no problem - If you have a child who gets unsettled easily and is constantly running wild during the day - use this to your advantage. Start your road trip later in the day, or around their nap time. Run your child wild during that day/morning before you leave. Feed them and start your trip before their usual time of rest. Night is usually best for those who are particularly bad in the car as they cannot see much around them with no distractions of the sun and of course they will be tired.

Use you time wisely - As adults we can get irritated with the long road haul and even though we have more patience, children do not. If this is your first road trip with a child/children start small and work your way up. Don't overdo it all at once; you want your children to remember the experience in a positive light rather than a negative. If avoiding a long road trip is unavoidable, use music. Most children respond well to music and you can make it a family activity for everyone to get involved. Regular stops - You can fill your kids with movies and snacks galore but there is no doubt you need to make a conscious effort to take regular pit stops. Even if the kids are not complaining yet, ensure you take regular stops to avoid the distress of a melt down because, boy, do they happen.

Emma has been on the road with her little trio, husband Cam, and son Flynn since Sepember 2018. Emma Barr, road tripping queen and founder of iLeads can be found on Intstagram @6reasonswhy_travelblog

Peninsula Kids â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Winter 2019

Explore City Street Art Since 2018, the world’s best contemporary street artists have been inviting residents and visitors to explore Frankston City’s streets and laneways. Immerse yourself in over 20 different pieces of street art and outdoor sculptures by booking into a guided street art walking tour. Learn about the artists, their story and the city in a 1.5 hour experience. Street art guided walking tours take place on the second Sunday of the month, departing from Playne Street, in Frankston at 9.30am and 12pm. Tours cost $10 per person, including a coffee or hot drink of your choice. Bookings are essential online or via the Frankston Visitor Information Centre Opening hours: Monday–Sunday 10am–4pm (Closed Christmas Day and Good Friday) 7N Pier Promenade, Frankston VIC 3199 1300 322 842 visitfrankston.com

Markets in Frankston City Seaford Handmade Market Third Sunday of the month February to December 9am–1pm Seaford Scout Hall Station Street, Seaford

Frankston Sunday Market Every Sunday 8am–1pm 79-83 Young Street, Frankston

1300 322 842 visitfrankston.com visitfrankston * Check website for upcoming dates and times. Subject to change without notice

Seaford Farmers Market Third Sunday of the month 8am–1pm Broughton Street Reserve Station Street, Seaford www.peninsulakids.com.au

By Tenielle Stoltenkamp

Peninsula Kids â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Winter 2019

Turn to "Things we Love" pages 56 -57 for your chance to win a copy of "My Family Doesent Look Like Yours"

OPEN EVERYDAY FOR BREAKFAST & COF F EE BET WEEN 9AM -11:30AM 4 LEVELS T ODDLERS AREA T EEN ZONE INT ERACT IVE SCREENS LIQUID F LOOR

www.peninsulakids.com.au

Valuing Your By Deanne Atkinson

otherhood. Fatherhood. Parenthood. A journey of the M unknown where anything is possible. Fatigue is probable. Changes will come at a pace you didn’t know possible and as you navigate yourself through each stage of your child’s growth you might get a little distracted and the cost can come as a surprise. One thing that might pop up and rear its head is challenges in your relationship and having very different ideas from each other when it comes to parenting.

For some it can come as a shock. Your partner doesn’t have the same beliefs and strategies in their approach with the kids. You start to disagree; you start to feel angry, frustrated or pull away from your partner especially if you both have a tendency to be set in your ways. The littlest issue can cause a rift let alone the big issues which need to be addressed when it comes to raising children. “He doesn’t support me.” “She undermines me.” “She tries to control me like I’m the child.” “He overpowers me when it comes to the kids.” I have heard many statements similar to these. Whatever the issue it has a negative effect on the relationship and, sadly, home life is no longer a happy place. Let’s break a few things down. We come together with our own issues, beliefs, habits, personalities and tendencies. With both partners carrying their own baggage this can play out in our parenting. What we believe is right or wrong, what values we have or don’t have; often this is where partners can clash when making decisions about their children.

Peninsula Kids – Winter 2019

Relationship Relationship Ideally sitting down and finding some similar values to base parenting on is a great exercise in moving forward but also highlighting where some of the issues might be stemming from. If one partner doesn’t believe in treating the children from a place of equality and they “should be seen and not heard” and the other partner believes children deserve the right to be treated as equals there will be plenty of problems arising and the relationship will be challenged. Another example is if one partner believes in building independence in children and the other believes you should “let them be kids” and pick up after them etc then more trouble will be on the horizon. By starting with some values when it comes to parenting you can use them to guide you and stay on track to parent together rather than against each other. Some values I apply in my own home include equality, honesty, accountability, non judgement and the right to make a choice. These are used as a benchmark to check in not only with our own behaviour but as parents in making decisions for our children. Having the same values make decision making easier and, if we don’t agree, referring back to the values will highlight what the issue is. Ideally, before starting a family, values are important to talk about and put in place but it is never too late to introduce them.

What we believe is right or wrong, what values we have or don’t have; often this is where partners can clash when making decisions about their children For those with established families children respond positively to values. My children know to “speak their truth” as being honest has been a common topic under our roof. When challenged outside of the house to be dishonest it doesn’t feel right for them because they have grown up with the value of honesty. Communication between parents without being defensive or stubborn is a must. If you withdraw your energy when your partner challenges the way you parent try to address the issue instead; And if your default is you overpower your partner take a step back and give each other equal rights to express and feel heard. Having a set of values can help identify where changes are needed. Old belief systems can also cause issues with parenting and if we have a value such as equality it can help change old beliefs which may contradict this. It is natural for a relationship to have its ups and downs but it is most important to parent from a similar place. Both parents can parent in their own individual way but if you are both coming from the same set of values, their decisions and choices will feel easier to navigate through. Parenting from a set of values will help you both feel like you are supporting each other as a team.

Deanne Atkinson is the Founder of Parent with Passion and has a spiritual approach to parenting. Her Self Awareness Parenting Programs have become very popular for those who want to grow in their role as a parent. Deanne also offers private consultations including Mediumship Readings, Spiritual Parenting and Counselling and Hahnemann Healing. For support head over to www.parentwithpassion.com

A great exercise for new parents is to sit down and discuss some of the obvious issues around having a child. Go beyond the choices around birth and start expressing your thoughts around health, school and the needs of a growing child. www.peninsulakids.com.au

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Hacks for Working Mums to Boost the Budget

By Rani Cohen

usy professional parents often find that the “mental load” of juggling kids, life and a career means that making those little changes to boost their financial fitness can fall further down the list. As a working mum also managing a side gig, Rani Cohen from WeekDay Space has found there are little things that don’t take a huge effort when spread across the year, yet they can make a big difference to the family budget.

Rani’s top 5 hacks: 1

Annual household provider review – The sad thing about most of the providers we use for electricity, health insurance, streaming or pay television etc. is that they will rarely offer you a better deal unless you ask or even threaten to switch. Every year I put a week in the diary to do some research on alternate suppliers for all my major household expenses. Often this can save you hundreds of dollars a month. I recall feeling somewhat elated one year when I managed to find an extra $250 a month just by switching family health insurance, renegotiating with my internet/TV provider and changing electricity supplier. That’s an extra family holiday right there!

Taking advantage of free local resources

– I am going to put my hand up Side gigs that utilise your extra space here and say that until I discovered – Everyone knows that the share economy is one of Baby Rhyme Time, I had no idea the most popular ways out there to make extra money. that local libraries were such an A recent survey by finder.com.au found that Aussies amazing resource. Until then I are earning an average of an extra $7300 a year had been regularly buying age from side jobs - which would go a long way on the appropriate books, DVDs etc. And family budget! But if you already have a day job you who can’t resist still buying books probably don’t want to take something on that as, frankly, they are such a great is going to take a lot of extra time or effort. thing for your children to own. But Platforms such as Spacely where you can rent boy, was I was amazed that you unwanted storage space or WeekDay Space could access new release DVDs, where you rent a spare room to a professional audio books for big kids (like me or student lodger during the week (and have and hubby) and keep your little ones your room back on weekends) are great stocked up with new-age relevant ways to utilise unused space without a books and TV series every week. huge time commitment. Not to mention the free events that many local councils hold for families to attend and enjoy. Proving that best things in life can actually be free!

Peninsula Kids – Winter 2019

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Wisely using rewards programs – Now there is some debate around whether credit card reward programs are worth your while. However, often you can negotiate a better deal with a reward program in line with your mortgage and redraw facility. If you are putting all your expenses on a credit card and clearing it each month, then it can be a great way to also accrue reward points toward extra holidays or other items. Lately, I have found rewards are a great way to buy gifts for birthdays and the like that usually would come from our disposable income. With a bit of planning you can also get some great quality gifts without having to outlay cash.

5 Refinancing loans – Like the annual household

provider review, often the only way to get a better deal on your mortgage and loans is to do a loan review directly with your bank or through a broker. You may not do this annually (I do this every couple of years) but it means you always have the complete picture of what is available to you, and small interest rate changes can make a big difference in the long term. It might take a little bit of paperwork but may be well worth it in terms of factoring in future interest rises.

Rani juggles a marketing leadership role in FinTech by day with co-founding the share economy platform WeekDay Space, and parenting a human and fur baby by night. A twenty-year veteran of the corporate world in Australia and the UK, she loves to write about simple strategies for improving the life of parents professionally, personally and financially. You can learn more about WeekDay Space at weekdayspace.com.au

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Day Tripping - Itinerary Three By Julia Swift

inter days don’t have to be spent inside and the Mornington Peninsula has a great range of places to explore, run that excess energy of the kids and fill your tum with soul warming foods.

This is a half day trip, as we all love those slow morning starts in winter, staying in our PJ’s that little longer. 11.30am- We started this day about 11.30 at a Peninsula favourite, Ashcombe Maze, located in Shoreham. Did you know Ashcombe Maze is Australia’s oldest hedge maze? The foundations for the hedge maze were laid by John and Sally Daly in the late 1970’s making it almost 50 years old. Since then a Rose Maze, Lavender Labyrinth and display gardens have also been established. Winter is a beautiful time to visit the maze, with the flowering Winter Roses and Rhododendrons adding lush colours to the gardens. Late winter is where the real magic happens when more than two million bluebell flowers line the grounds underneath the woodland tree area.

Peninsula Kids – Winter 2019

Ashcombe Maze > Red Hill Cellar and Pantry > Endeavour Fern Gully > Red Gum BBQ

We spent almost three hours exploring the grounds, including a break at the Ashcombe café for a light lunch. Enjoy a pastry or get the indulgence platter to share as a family (yum). The café prices are very reasonable, with a great kids' menu. Firstly the kids loved running though the towering hedge mazes, letting their imagination run wild whilst trying to find the centre and then their way out. We emerged from the south maze into the magical centre garden, with the beautiful fountain in the middle, colourful flowers and edged by the lush green hedges; it’s like you are in a fairytale castle garden. The kids then started the gnome and fairy hunt, with gnomes scattered amongst the top gardens and fairies hiding in the lower woodlands grove. They loved searching for them between the paths, high up in the trees, and nestled in the flowers. (Kept them busy for quite a while hehe) From Ashcombe Maze we headed down to Red Hill Cellar and Pantry for coffees and hot chocolates for the kids. If time and weather allows, just across the road is a nice kid’s playground, where they can have some more fun. 4pm - The walk we included today was at Endeavour Fern Gully and as the name suggests it is a walk into a gully surrounded by native bush land and green ferns. This 45 minute - 1 hour loop walk starts downhill into the gully. It’s a mix of dirt paths and boardwalk. It can be slightly on the damp side in winter and I did find it slightly overgrown and in need of a good tidy up, but in saying that, it was a nice easy walk for the kids that they loved exploring with towering gums and the mix of green ferns. A winter’s day on the Peninsula isn’t complete without a delicious warming feast at Red Gum BBQ! Head here around 5.00pm for an early dinner. Open Wednesday to Sunday, you instantly feel cozy

and at home when you walk through the door. Located in Red Hill, this old truck mechanic's/come American BBQ barn is simply stunning. With big wooden tables perfect for big or small families, lovely styling and the kids play corner, it really is a perfect place for dinner. Best of all for winter, it’s always warm inside. Martin, known as ‘The Pit Master’ is passionate about his meats, which are just mouthwatering. Starting off at the end of 2013, Red Gum BBQ has grown from a trailer cooking at local markets, to the big barn restaurant in Red Hill it is today. Martin and Melissa are fantastic people, and eating here will give you a very clear understanding as to how they have grown their business so successfully. Their USA BBQ meats knowledge is brilliant, thanks to their extensive research, including travelling on their Southern Lovin BBQ tour in 2016. And just recently they have upgraded their meat smokers to big, well designed and thought out smokers. You can read more about their story on their website. One thing I love about Red Gum BBQ is that it combines yummy American cooking, with local beers and wines from our magnificent Peninsula. We took part in a feast of pulled pork, beef brisket, chicken, mixed pickles, mac and cheese (my kids fav) coleslaw, chips, and corn bread! Oh, and the pork sliders for the kids! If you think we rolled out of here, you are right!

Julia is a flight attendant and local Mornington Peninsula mum of two young kids. Travelling is her passion, and now with the kids it's just a fine balancing act of travelling on age appropriate trips, the whole family can enjoy. Follow Julia’s travel adventures, tips and local findings at www.mumsgottatravel.com or on instagram @mumsgottatravel

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Celebrate

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Peninsula Kids â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Winter 2019

Pawty styling by @freshandfancy Purrfect cake by @sweetcreationsbycarina Cat balloon by @floatballoonbar.

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Peninsula Kids â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Winter 2019

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Stardust Fairies

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5 TIPS for a fabulous Birthday Party

By Jo & Carl Violeta

he options for birthday parties nowadays are enormous but, unfortunately, so are the price tags. When you’re conscious of family spending or saving up for a new home or holiday, throwing a fabulous birthday party can feel like a real strain on the budget. With our eldest child turning 18 and our youngest being 4, we’ve had our fair share of experience in throwing parties. We’ve hosted both extravagant events and more frugal affairs and what we’ve learned is that with some creativity and know-how you can enjoy an awesome celebration without digging into your savings or maxing out your credit card. It’s possible to throw a fun-filled birthday party that your kids and their friends will love whilst on a budget; just take note of our top 5 tips for budget party planning.

1. Borrow, hire & re-use what you can I don’t know about you but themed birthday parties seemed to be on high rotation for at least the first few years of our children’s lives. Mermaids and pirates, then dinosaurs and fairies then disco and wizards. This is great news for the budget conscious parent as chances are you can reuse decorations and games from a friend or family member. Better still, repeat the same party for your eldest and youngestwith a few years in between they may not even realise it’s a revamp! Be sure to check out your local toy library. As well as toys, many toy libraries hire out larger equipment for parties such as jumping castles, which often end up being much cheaper than a commercial hire company. Good quality decorations are often worth the investment if you have many more parties to enjoy in the coming years. For example, fabric bunting looks festive and can be re-used, especially if it’s in a neutral colour. Cloth napkins, good quality cake tins and washable table clothes will all come in handy for years to come.

2. Embrace DIY For the catering, decorations and even entertainment, look at what you can DIY (if you have the time and inclination). •S imple homemade snacks such as fruit on a stick, fairy bread, vegemite sandwiches and popcorn are always a winner. We bulk cook biscuits and muffins at the start of every month and have been known to pull these out of the freezer for birthday parties in the past. • A couple of big jugs of water and diluted fruit juice with ice blocks in them is far cheaper than buying individual drinks and has the added bonus of being kinder to the environment too.

Peninsula Kids – Winter 2019

(that won’t break the bank) • Homemade invitations are a wonderful way to involve your child in their party preparations. A hand written thank-you note from your little one is always appreciated too. • Create your own entertainment. ‘Messy parties’ are always popular. Try filling a shell pool with slime or mud and trucks. Or, how about a messy cupcake decorating station? Be sure to indicate on the invitation that things are going to get messy so the children don’t arrive in their best party clothes.

3. Get outdoors Some of the most favourite kid’s birthday parties we’ve attended have been held at the local park. Super simple and fun with a sausage sizzle and traditional games like musical statues and pass the parcel. There are some great adventure playgrounds around these days and most kids don’t need much more amusement than what is already on offer. Obviously, outdoor parties are weather dependent, so living in Melbourne can make it tricky if you have autumn or winter babies. But you can always give it a go and have a Plan B if the weather turns!

4. Plan ahead A mum in our circle of friends is renowned for the fabulous parties she throws every year for her daughter. She is super proud (and deservedly so!) that she manages to do it all on a tight budget. Her secret? Planning ahead. She chooses a theme for the party well in advance and then keeps an eye out for appropriate bargains.

5. Timing is everything Depending on the family, if your kids’ birthdays are close together, they may be amenable to a joint party which can literally cut the costs in half. The time of day you throw the party can make a big difference to costs as well. Timing the party around morning or afternoon tea will save you having to cater for lunch or dinner. Alternatively, a sleep over with just a few friends is often a more affordable option compared to hosting the whole class! Our final tip is to consider throwing a party every second year and perhaps buying a present that is a little bit more special on the alternate years as a substitute. We love celebrations; they are an important part of family life. But birthday parties shouldn’t put you under financial stress or delay you from reaching your savings goals. By making a few smart adjustments, you can still have your cake and eat it too, so to speak.

Jo and Carl Violeta are self-confessed numbers nerds, parents of an energetic toddler and a super switched-on teenager, and co-founders of the award-winning business, Violeta Finance. They are a husband and wife team who are passionate about empowering their community with financial education, love the odd glass of wine, and get a kick out of helping families achieve their homeownership and financial dreams.

If you’re super organised, planning ahead can save you heaps on birthday parties. Keep an eye out online and in-store for bargains and buy a bit at a time. This also means you aren’t hit with all the expenses in one month. Just be mindful that you don’t overspend because you’ve forgotten what you’ve already bought!

www.peninsulakids.com.au

A Boy and a Dog

A chance meeting, a forever friendship, between A Boy and A Dog. This is a children’s picture book with an age range of 3-8 years. Written in a poetic lyrical style, this is a classic story of a lonely boy and a lonely dog who find each other and discover true friendship. A touching insight into the special bond between children and animals. An emotional journey through rejection, trust, fear, love, joy and sadness to reach a place of peace and belonging. A lovely narrative that is able to touch gently on a serious subject. This book explores the emotional connection between a boy and a dog, with the universal themes of love, joy, compassion, trust, friendship and belonging. This is a book that will make your heart smile and your tail wag! A Boy and a Dog, New Holland Publishers

So That’s How I Began!

By Gina Dawson, is a book to have on hand from the moment a child begins asking questions. It explains modern day families, body parts, natural and assisted conception, pregnancy and birth. Presented in an age appropriate and matter of fact style, the book encourages all important conversation from an early age and is entirely flexible – read it from cover to cover or simply jump to the part relevant to the child’s question. Wonderfully illustrated and written in a warm, relaxed and inclusive way and with positive messages throughout, this is a book that both child and adult will be comfortable to read over and over. RRP: $14.99 www.newhollandpublishers.com

RRP: $16.99 Available from all good book retailers or online www. newhollandpublishers.com

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things we

Get ready to have a REEL-y good time when you play Shark Bite! Snag the fish and be the winner, but if the shark jumps, you'll be his dinner! Players take turns rolling the die and fishing for the sea creatures using the fishing rods. But watch out, you never know when the shark is going to bite! For Ages 4+. Available now at Kmart! RRP: $25

Tear the wrapper off and find three inter-connected packs- kids then twist and snap off the first pack to find a tuning tool that works with the car. Pack two reveals a tuning accessory, such as a big block engine or spoiler, plus the launching plate. This YouTube video explains all: Micro Motorz How to Guide (www.youtube.com) For 3 to 8-year olds, Micro Motorz are available from Big W, Toyworld, Toy Mate, Kidstuff, NewsXpress and other leading independent toy stores. RRP $12.95

Peninsula Kids – Winter 2019

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InvisibleShield Glass + Visionguard

You’re going to read some really messed up stuff on these cards, and then rank them based on how bad they really are. Is a 3rd degree sunburn better or worse than seeing your father naked? Is it worse than dropping your phone in the toilet? Rank the card, and if our Misery Index agrees with you, you get to keep it. Correctly rank 10 cards and you win. For 2 or more players. Suitable for ages13+. RRP: $19.00 Available now at Kmart!

As we use devices more, our exposure to high-energy visible blue light (HEV) increases. HEV blue light has been shown to contribute to digital eye strain which can cause dry and irritated eyes, sleep disruption and loss, blurred vision, and premature eye aging, especially in children. InvisibleShield has developed a new screen protector with Eyesafe® technology that not only protects your phone from scratches and impacts, but also filters harmful blue light from your device screen. RRP: $44.95 www.invisibleshield.com

Sequence It's fun, it's challenging, it's exciting, it's Sequence! Play a card from your hand, and place a chip on a corresponding space on the game board. When you have five in a row, it's a Sequence. Learn to block your opponents or remove their chips, and watch out for the Jacks - they're wild! With a little strategy and luck, you'll be a winner. For 2-12 players, ages 7 and up. Available at all leading retailers RRP: $29.00

My Family Doesn’t Look Like Your Family Written by Tenielle Stoltenkamp and illustrated by Go Suga My Family Doesn’t Look Like Your Family is an Australian children’s book that celebrates diverse families and shares themes of inclusion and belonging. Challenging the status quo of today’s ‘traditional family,’ the book uses colourful illustrations that depict gender-fluid human figures to encourage conversations about the things that make every family unique. Removing titles, roles, race and gender, the book uses counting and inclusive questions to seed the idea that even though every family looks and does things differently, we all have a place we belong. RRP: $24.95 www.myfamily-thebook.com

Weird Things Humans Search For We’ve spent months going through some of the most popular searches on the internet and picked the strangest ones we could find. What we were left with was a brand new party game: Weird Things Humans Search For. In this game, we’ll give you the first half of a popular internet search, you give us the rest. The higher your guess ranks on the list, the more points you’ll win for your team. Just think like a human and you’ll do fine. For ages 14+. Available now at Kmart! RRP: $25.00

Yomojo FamilyEye

is a parental control service, offering a simple yet powerful monitoring tool that protects kids online. FamilyEye is app controlled and allows parents to protect, monitor, track and empower their kids through social app control, screen time management, family usage reports, real time alerts, mobile location tracking and creation of geographical 'safe zones', giving parents peace of mind, offering a simple way to protect their family and, encourage healthy internet use. Yomojo is also a proud sponsor of the local nippers program at Mt Martha Life Saving Club (MMLSC) RRP: $5/month per child. www.yomojo.com.au/familyeye

Scout’s and Violet’s Learning Lights Remotes Knowing how children love to imitate Mum and Dad, you can now give them their very own remote control instead. With an irresistible light-up screen, lots of different buttons, a French language channel and two modes of play, the remote helps children tune into early learning concepts as they pretend play. Introducing numbers, shapes and first words, these Learning Lights Remotes have more than 65 songs, tunes and learning responses. Toggle up, down, left or right to play a shapes game or count along. Press the channel buttons to hear how Scout or Violet have fun in all kinds of weather, learn simple French words or to help count shapes in the garden. Lovable Scout and Violet are always at their fingertips to entertain, encourage and help children explore. Suitable for infants from 6 months and available now from Big W, good toy stores & online retailers. RRP $16.95

Splash & Play Elephant This cute and happy Splash & Play Elephant just loves to spray water from his trunk, making bath time fun for your little one. Featuring lots of things to twist and turn, including a spring-back seahorse, spinning starfish, wobbling water container and scoop accessory. Encouraging water play, pressing the light up snorkel button triggers fun phrases and sounds. The Splash & Play Elephant promotes language skills with four sing-along songs and melodies, whilst teaching basic numbers and cleanliness, concepts which make bath time both fun and educational. The Splash & Play Elephant is suitable for infants from 12-36 months, and available now at Target, good toy stores and online retailers. For further information on VTech and its products. RRP: $24.95 visit www.vtech.com.au , or check out the VTech news on Facebook @ VTechANZ and Instagram @vtech_toys_anz

www.peninsulakids.com.au

o you sometimes feel that your kids are too caught up in a frantic and distraction-filled world, full of TV, extracurricular activities, smart phones and online gaming? Ever wish that you could whisk them away to a simpler time where learning came from interacting with nature and not a screen? Luckily there is a place just for you, hidden away but just around the corner, on the Mornington Peninsula. A farm away from home called Rain, Hayne & Shine. My two boys and I were offered the opportunity to check out this family-run farm experience and I can tell you that my little monkeys were super excited at the prospect of a day on a farm. From the moment that we walked beneath the rustic wooden rainbow that arches over the entrance, the three of us ventured into a space of weathered rails, grassed pastures and eager animals. We immediately found the crates of greens that are strategically scattered and began feeding every creature that converged – goats galore, sheep, a donkey, a pony, a calf. With giddy grins, my kids pushed cauliflower leaves through the wire of the fences, trying to manoeuvre the food to the animals who were being pushed out of the way by, as my younger son put it, “a bully-goat!”. Rain, Hayne & Shine is celebrating its 21st birthday this year. What began as an experiment in self-sufficiency evolved into an opportunity to involve suburban kids in hands-on rural education. And, clearly, that is a formula that works. Everyday, children venture to a place that feels like a step out of our hectic urban lives and get to pat, feed and cuddle a range of very friendly creatures. It took us almost 30 minutes just to get from the entrance to the ticket booth (not more than a 50 metre wander) because the simple act of feeding the animals was so entrancing for my sons and offered them a multitude of learning experiences and conversations. Once we finally reached the booth, we were greeted by friendly faces and warm assistance. The overarching tone of the venue is one of self-guided exploration – there are some scheduled activities but mostly you are free to discover all that is on offer at your own pace. The boys hurried me in a variety of directions, and we moved from the turtle and bird enclosures to the young-kids play area, then off to the train carriages, the hay barn and the pig stalls. Everything is close together so that it takes only a few steps to move from one activity to another. As soon as my monkeys lost interest in something (which does seem to happen more quickly these days!) we were only seconds from the next engaging zone. And all the while we were regularly greeted by a screeching “Hello” from the farm’s resident town-crier; Charlie the cockatoo.

Peninsula Kids – Winter 2019

Dad Review

The farmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s owners, Sue & Ian Hayne, are passionate about sharing their special home with visitors and are regularly updating and improving what the farm has to offer. There are major works underway across the beginning of 2019. A brand-new pony walk has been laid out, ready for munchkins to experience a little horseback whilst safe and supported (pony rides are an additional cost). The resident emus have been gifted a larger natural reserve within which to raise their most recent family member, new patting pen areas have been opened up and a new aviary has been created. A playground area for bigger kids is being built at the moment, very much anticipated by my boys, and a new hay ride track is going to be established. Continuing the family-run theme, the Hayneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s daughter, Diane, offers a regular playgroup at the farm and engages kids with a blend of play-based learning in a rural setting. The Little Piggies playgroup takes place on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday during school term using some totally cool old-world train carriages as playrooms. If you visit during the school holidays you will also discover seasonal special activities such as the surprise fun of pig-racing, that I cheered on duringthe Easter holidays. This upcoming Winter school holiday you will find some amazing farmy lessons on offer, from milking a cow to making butter and bread. Imagine getting your tiny peeps trained up to churn fresh butter for you each morning... a dream! I personally loved the freedom to interact with nature in an unstructured way. We spent ages in the petting pens, running our hands over the softest of fluffy bunny rabbits and the bristliest of pink piglets. Finches flitted about the space only feet from us and guinea pigs nibbled grass from our hands. We clambered up a tower of haybales and then used some as seats as we rode the tractor & trailer ride. My eldest, Little E, is a huge reptile fan and was given a treat by a young staffer who lifted one of the blue tongue lizards out of its enclosure for us to pat. These impromptu interactions are one of the special elements of Rain, Hayne & Shine farm, always giving you the feeling of being a special guest rather than a queueing punter. If you are looking for a flash, bells & whistles experience then this is not the place for you. Think rustic, think down-toearth, think well-loved. Rain, Hayne & Shine Farm is a quieter place where you and your children can run free. Rain, Hayne & Shine Farmyard & Mobile Farm is at 490 Stumpy Gully Rd, Balnarring VIC Phone: (03) 5983 1691 www.rhsfarm.com.au Open10am to 4pm

www.peninsulakids.com.au

Education

Why your child should learn STEM from early childhood By Melissa Schoorman What is STEM? Our future will demand workers to fill STEM-related jobs in order to withstand the powerful digital movement. STEM refers to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, but the term does not refer to these subjects specifically. The term refers to what STEM encompasses: Medicine, Marine Biology, Astrophysics, Environmental Science, Technology and so much more. STEM also refers to the soft skills that students develop such as critical thinking, problem-solving, communication and creativity. These skills can be introduced in the early years of education to ensure maximum academic growth. Initially, students of STEM need to identify a problem and then create possible solutions to that problem, which can be tested. The skills are inquiry-based approaches to teaching and learning. 60

Peninsula Kids â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Winter 2019

Why do children, particularly females, need to identify with STEM? How many children say they want to be working in the STEM fields when they are older? How many of those are female? We do hear some children say that they want to be doctors, scientists or astronauts when they grow up, but rarely do we hear them say they want to be tech-wizzes, mathematicians, website developers or engineers. Research states that half the jobs for our next generation have not even been invented yet. The future depends on how fast technology can advance, which in turn relies on the number of people wishing to work in the fields of STEM. Unfortunately, creating a STEM identity is becoming harder as current pop culture rarely promotes such characters who are STEM enthusiasts, particularly female characters. Toddlers and young children can easily attach themselves to certain characters they look up to and associate themselves with. The Little Mr and Miss series, which includes famous animated characters such as Little Miss Sunshine and Little Miss Chatterbox, has recently launched a new character, Little Miss Inventor. The book blurb says she is a female engineer and â&#x20AC;&#x153;her brain is full of ideas, which she turns into extraordinary inventions in a shed at the bottom of her garden.â&#x20AC;? This small action can make a life-changing difference to young girls across the globe by being a positive role model in pop culture. Females in STEM are still substantially under-represented, which means it is more important than ever to build STEM identities from the early years. continued next page.....

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Why implement STEM in the early years?

Funding for STEM

As young children are natural investigators of the world, STEM happens every day within Early Learning education; whether it is building castles and working out the engineering behind the structures built, cooking cakes and observing the chemical changes that occur during the baking process or a group of children filming a short series of videos to create a story. The focus in Early Childhood Education is on the whole child. STEM is about the integration of a number of disciplines promoting a range of learning dispositions. Educators in the Early Childhood and Primary sectors understand that learning does not occur in isolation; it is a far more integrated and collaborative way of learning that teaches students to be team-oriented and critical thinkers. Hands-on learning in STEM is vital in order to develop a practical sense of problem-solving skills. For example, a student in a traditional classroom may be tasked with providing a theoretical solution to an environmental issue by creating a poster, yet in a STEM-based classroom, the student would be tasked to design, build, test and redesign if necessary to ensure the student grasps the foundations of engineering. Opportunities to construct knowledge through hands-on STEM experiences are what supports children to further cement positive learning dispositions such as questioning, problemsolving, hypothesising, metacognition and persistence.

STEM has only started to rise to the surface in the last five years. The Australian Government allocated $64 million to fund Early Learning and school STEM initiatives under the ‘Inspiring all Australians in Digital Literacy and STEM’ measure. This includes two measures: ‘Embracing the Digital Age’ (school initiatives – $51 million) and ‘Inspiring STEM Literacy’ (Early Learning initiatives – $14 million). It is critical that we have experienced and highly-skilled teachers who will confidently encourage and implement a rich STEM program both in a spontaneous, emerging approach and also through an explicit approach. Teachers need to pose deep questions to extend children's inquiry and critical thinking. Many teachers are now becoming skilled in technology by becoming Google Certified Innovators or by undergoing regular professional development. By having skilled STEM teachers at the epicentre of a child’s academic journey, the doors can truly open in any direction for our next generations to come. STEM exists in our everyday life whether we notice it or not. By having our future generations deeply engage with science and technology, our worldly advancements will continue to grow at a steady pace and females will more likely to be empowered to pursue these areas if they have a sense of familiarity with STEM.

Peninsula Kids – Winter 2019

Miss Melissa Schoorman is the Head of Wardle House, Deputy Principal of Toorak College

With over 20 years experience, we are committed to continuous quality care and to ensure a full balanced development for each child in our expansive natural learning environment.

Curiosity and wonder lead to a natural desire to learn

Frankston House Sanctuary of Early Learning 1-3 Vera Street Frankston Email: info@frankstonhouse.com.au Phone: 9783 1117

www.frankstonhouse.com.au

Your most precious people are our priority

Mt Eliza House Sanctuary of Early Learning 41 Baden Powell Place Mt Eliza Email: info@mtelizahouse.com.au Phone: 9787 0788

www.mtelizahouse.com.au www.peninsulakids.com.au

By Renee Patchell Moorooduc Primary School, Science Specialist

Why is the sky blue?, Why are leaves green?, How do bees make honey?, Why does the moon change shape? As parents of young children, we hear these questions and hundreds like them EVERY SINGLE DAY. And although sometimes we would rather just enjoy our cuppa in peace, this gives us great insight into how our children perceive the world. They observe and analyse far more than we do. According to child Psychologist Paul Harris, a child asks around 40,000 questions between the ages of two and five. By the time the child is four most of these questions are asked because they are seeking an explanation, not just a fact. Our little people don’t set out to annoy us; they genuinely want to know! Embrace it. Nurture it. And most of all, ENJOY it! We are, after all, the luckiest parents of any generation – we have Google! Scientific thinking helps us make sense of our world. Its skills include making observations, asking questions, predicting, testing ideas, gathering results and coming to conclusions. It’s never too early to encourage these skills. We’re doing it every day without realising. Recognising when the opportunity for a little Science comes along will lead to hours of fun for you and your children. As a Science Teacher, I am lucky enough to see the joy on kids' faces as they see that vinegar volcano erupt or their circuit light a bulb. And while many of us think of Scientists as crazy white-haired men in lab coats and glasses, in reality they are all around us in our everyday lives. They are our vet, doctor, pharmacist, physiotherapist, park ranger, wine maker … the list goes on. Encourage your child to see that Science is all around

Peninsula Kids – Winter 2019

them too. Explore how we get electricity, why chameleons change colour, why bears hibernate in winter. Take a magnifying glass into the backyard and look at parts of flowers, rocks or bugs. On the Peninsula we are blessed with many places to explore and discover. Visit the Honey Farm for a bee talk, take a bushwalk at The Briars or Coolart Wetlands, visit the rockpools at Sorrento back beach or go to one of the public stargazing nights (first Friday of the month) held at the Briars by Mornington Peninsula Astronomical Society. You can also visit the Melbourne Museum, Science works, zoos and wildlife parks. Remember to check out their websites before you go. They’re often full of information on current exhibits and provide activities for you to complete during or after your visit. You can enjoy the fun at home too and its much simpler than you think. You really don’t need any special equipment. It’s all there waiting in your kitchen cupboard. It’s messy, but it’s fun and I can guarantee they’ll learn from it and remember it. Visit the Science section of your local library where you will find great experiment books, look up ‘kitchen science for kids on Google or Pinterest and get experimenting!

These are some favourites from the Science Room at our school: • building vinegar and bi-carb soda volcanoes in the sandpit (take lots of ingredients – they won’t let you stop at one!) • making ice cream in a Ziploc bag • making butter with cream and a marble in a jar • creating an exploding lunch bag • making lava lamps • watching dancing raisins • layering liquids If you’re game and have the space, there are many explosions you can try. Mentos and coke is always a favourite! Older children can find or devise their own experiments. If they are keen for new Science knowledge, ‘How It’s Made’ is a fantastic series that can be accessed on YouTube. There are a wealth of episodes detailing the makings of things like Lego, silk, chocolate, gold, drag racing tyres, kaleidoscopes, airport runways etc etc. Visit shops such as Jaycar and Australian Geographic and explore the many Science kits on offer. Solar cars, circuit kits, robot kits are sets that will be used over and over.

ICE CREAM IN A ZIPLOC BAG INGREDIENTS: • 1 cup cream • ½ teaspoon vanilla • 2 tablespoons sugar • ½ cup rock salt • Small bag of ice INSTRUCTIONS 1. Fill a large Ziploc bag 1/3 full with ice and add in rock salt. Place a smaller Ziploc bag inside and fill with milk, vanilla & sugar. 2. Seal up both Ziploc bags tight. Wrap the bundle in a small towel and shake for 5 min or until ice cream forms (a soft-serve like consistency). 3. Serve & enjoy!

Science is an opportunity for everyone in the family to learn together. Enjoy!

I photograph families as they are, in a place they love 0416 568 896 hello@kinfolkimagery.com www.kinfolkimagery.com kinfolk imagery

@kinfolk_imagery

www.peninsulakids.com.au

By Sharon Abel

o you remember being asked this question as a child when moving around “Have you got ants in your pants”? So many children find it hard to draw their attention to one task, whether this be at home or at school. There are so many sensory distractions around them now with technology, class sizes and that constant desire for instant gratification that the last few generations seem to be craving. I have to propose to you from this that there may be a very simple underlying nutrient deficiency that is contributing to this inability to sit still and stay focused. Omega-3 supplementation has been strongly linked with a statistically significant increase in concentration and focus in children, whether this be a child diagnosed with ADHD or just a child that seeks instant gratification from tasks rather than taking the time to create something and work on it over time.

A form of Omega-3 that is important in this area of concentration is called a-linolenic acid (ALA). It is classed as an essential fatty acid, this meaning it is essential that we get it through food because the body can not make it via other means. To some degree ALA can also be converted to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) which further supports concentration and focus. However it is important that these are also consumed directly from foods on a regular basis to have a therapeutic effect.

may be the only option; for others it may just simply be explaining the benefits and they will eat the foods or take a supplement happily. Foods that are high in a-linolenic acid are flaxseed oil, walnuts, chia seeds, tofu and soybean oil. Herring, salmon and sardines are at the top of the list for being highest in EPA and DHA. Although these may be more difficult to hide there are ways, for example if you make tuna pasta bakes at home regularly (recommend spelt pasta rather than wheat) you could slowly change the meal by adding half tuna and half salmon and keep changing that each time until it is salmon only. Flaxseed oil, as an example could be disguised in smoothies (if thick enough) or drizzled over their dinner lightly. Chia seeds, ground flaxseeds and walnuts could easily be hidden within delicious tasting recipes such as protein balls (non-baked). Getting the kids involved in rolling the final product to encourage them will help immensely. You will find plenty of recipes online if you would like to try this out.

So, what can we do about this? Because let’s be honest not many children get excited over oily fish which is one of the greatest sources of omega-3. I know my little one doesn’t, and I can assure you I have worn foods that we have attempted to introduce on more than one occasion!

If all else fails in disguising foods there are some great tasting supplements out there that can help you to ensure your child is getting the nutrients they need. I recommended purchasing these from a health food store or via a consultation with a Naturopath where you can be given sound advice in navigating the vast range of supplements available to what suits your child best.

Whilst I encourage educating children about food and nutrition to promote healthy eating I know first hand that this is often very difficult to navigate. So in those cases it’s about being creative to what you know works with your child. For some hiding it in with other foods or drinks

Sharon Abel - BHSc (Nat), AdvDipSocSc (Just) Naturopath & Health Coach, All Psyched Up www.allpsychedup.com.au

Peninsula Kids – Winter 2019

April 2018

Book a tour

1300 261 685

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Platypus Junction Langwarrin • Individualised childcare from nursery through to our 3 and 4 year old nature kindergarten • Privately owned, family operated centres since 1995 • State of the art, purpose-built centre with beautiful, native garden and playground

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• Passionate, experienced team of educators

Call 1300 261 685 or visit platypusjunction.com.au Platypus Junction, 1/55 Union Road, Langwarrin www.peninsulakids.com.au

By Rebecca Fraser

he Mornington Peninsula is beautiful any time of year, but while winter has endless opportunities for exploring and embracing our natural assets, sometimes inclement weather and cold winds confine activities indoors. Us parents know this can quickly lead to a strong case of the “I’m bored’” virus, or a grab for extended screen time! But there are plenty of activities to keep kids occupied this season…so when it’s cold outside, fire up imaginations inside, and throw creative writing into the mix!

We’ve talked about the benefits of creative writing before; the emotional and educational benefits of story crafting have been celebrated for years. Taking pen to paper—or fingers to keyboard—to tell a story is not only a springboard for a literary work, it’s considered a powerful tool for social, academic, and emotional wellbeing.

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But kids won’t do what they don’t enjoy, so we can’t expect children to engage in creative writing unless it’s fun, engaging, and keeps their interest levels high. The good news is, encouraging creative writing at home is not only easy, it’s a great way to keep kids entertained while reaping additional benefits such as problem solving and analysis skills, self-expression, discipline and persistence, and research skills. Not all children possess a natural disposition for storytelling though, so some may need a little help to get started. But no matter the age or ability of your budding writer, once their creativity is ignited, you’ll be amazed at the imaginative storylines and characters they bring to life.

Rebecca Fraser operates StoryCraft Creative Writing Workshops for aspiring authors of every age and ability www.storycraftworkshops.com.au

rosebudplaza.com.au /rosebudplaza

@rosebudplaza

Cnr Boneo Rd & McCombe St, Rosebud VIC 3939

Peninsula Kids – Winter 2019

Writing prompts are a great way to help get first words on a blank page. Try these 10 fun winter-themed prompts for inspiration: Help! I’m stuck inside a snow globe. How did you get in there? Is anyone else there * with you? What is it like inside? How will you get out? The snowman I built just moved! How did it move? By magic? Is it alive? Friendly? Frightening? Does *it speak? What adventures do you have? I’m about to make history as the youngest kid to cross Antarctica! Keep a diary of your amazing trip. What *challenges are you facing? What keeps you going? Describe what you can see / hear / feel. (For inspiration, check out Australia’s Jade Hameister, the youngest person to reach the South Pole, unassisted). not a snowflake, it’s a… What is that strange thing that drifted down from the sky in the last snowfall? * I’mThat’scompeting in the newest event in the Winter Olympics! What is the sport? What are the rules? Who is your fiercest * competition? Do you win? What does it feel like? Alone on a cold, dark winter’s night, and suddenly there’s a knock at the door. A well-worn trope to be sure, but kids love to * speculate on thrilling turns of events. pet is a polar bear. How did you come by the polar bear? What’s its name? What sort of reception do you get when * My you new take it for a walk? What are the challenges of keeping a polar bear as a pet? encounter with the Abominable Snowman. According to folklore, the Abominable Snowman – or Yeti – is an apelike * My creature taller than a human. What happened when you crossed paths in the woods one day? Ice Queen Tell the story of the Ice Queen. What’s her name? What does she look like? * T heDescribe her castle. Has she always lived in the cold and ice? Pros and Cons Make a list of all the positive things about winter, and all the negative things. * What is your favourite thing to do in winter? And your least favourite? See if you can write an argument for both from the opposing point of view…you might even change your own mind! Support your kids through their creative writing endeavours by being an enthusiastic audience. Children love to entertain and will want to share their work with you. By listening, praising, and asking ‘what happened next?’ style questions, they’ll be motivated to continue their stories. Creative writing is a fantastic activity for those wintry days indoors. It’s also convenient and cost-free. All kids need is a comfortable chair and table, writing materials, and their imagination … just don’t forget the hot chocolate!

www.peninsulakids.com.au

Peninsula Grammar The Kindergarten experience at Peninsula Grammar At Peninsula Grammar, dedicated Kindergarten teachers value outdoor, explicit and community play. Experiences like going on gumboot walks through the creek, using sticks to measure the depth of the water, and pulling each other up the banks of the creek, using whatever stick or natural instrument they can find, fosters the concepts of science, maths and problem-solving, all whilst kindergarten students play. Peninsula Grammarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s program enable students to have time to develop a strong sense of who they are while building their self-efficacy through autonomous and independent play. Observing and noticing changes in the environment, and experiencing everyday events, enable group discussions and exploration for kindergarten students to further their ideas and develop strong foundations for learning. Kindergarten students are embraced into the Peninsula Grammar school community and have many

opportunities to engage with their older classmates. For example, kindergarten students can learn about STEM concepts together with the Year 4 students as they together learn to code using iPads. There is joy in the experience as they learn and play. Celebrations are embraced in a playful way at Peninsula Grammar. Kindergarten children prepare food and menus for the Motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day afternoon tea and make lanterns for a night time walk with their Fathers that express how much they love them. Teachers play an important role in providing materials, strategies and the platform for open-ended experiences and opportunities for high quality play. Kindergarten at Peninsula Grammar provides successfully authentic play experiences and lifelong learning. For more information and to book a tailored school tour for your family anytime, please call 9788 7753 or email enrolments@pgs.vic.edu.au.

20 Wooralla Drive, Mount Eliza, VIC 3930 Phone: 9788 7777 Web: www.peninsulagrammar.vic.edu.au 70

Peninsula Kids â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Summer Winter 2019 2018/19

Woodleigh The Early Childhood Experience at Woodleigh School At Woodleigh we believe that every child, even those in the very early years, come to school with a deep understanding about the world in which they live. Children are intelligent, strong, ambitious and full of potential. They have abundant curiosity and resilience. Our learning experiences are designed to engage students in learning that is purposeful, relevant and promotes the development of the whole child. Even as three-year-olds, children can be active citizens who contribute to their local communities. At Woodleigh, our Outdoor Learning programs foster respect for the environment and help our children see themselves in a wider context. For many parents, our favourite childhood memories are of outdoor exploration – climbing up trees and down gullies, crawling through the bush and building cubbies. Many parents also lament the fact that our children don’t have these opportunities – we mourn that safety concerns, perceived or real, have torpedoed these impromptu learning

experiences where independence, resilience, leadership and communication skills flourish. In the stunning natural settings at our Junior Campuses, to see the children overcome set or stumbled-upon challenges – the conquering of a tree climb, the traversing of a rock gap, the climb up a big hill – is brilliant. Leaders appear, supporting and guiding their friends. Turns are taken, problems identified, discussed, and ultimately solved. This is empowering; it helps children develop awareness of themselves in group and social contexts. Our Early Childhood Centres are staffed by expert professionals whose work is influenced by educators from Reggio Emilia and the Scandinavian Forest Schools. The Early Childhood program is based on socio-cultural theory, inquiry and play-based learning. By investing in a philosophy that fosters deep engagement, growth, joy and passion – and by letting children be children – we are able to develop individual learning programs that inspire every child.

Woodleigh’s Early Childhood program creates a fun and nurturing environment, one which works to sow the seeds for a lifetime love of learning. For more information about Woodleigh School’s Early Childhood programs, contact our Enrolments team on 5971 6100 or email enrol@woodleigh.vic.edu.au. Jonathan Walter - Principal

485 Golf Links Rd, Langwarrin South VIC 3911 Phone: 5971 6100 Web: www.woodleigh.school.vic.edu.au www.peninsulakids.com.au

Mentone Girls Grammar Quality teaching, a focus on student wellbeing and an inspired curriculum.

We believe children are never too young to be challenged as we help them achieve their goals driven by a genuine love of learning. As an open-entry school, we accept students of all talents and abilities, faiths and cultures. We are consistently ranked among the top schools in Melbourne and our students regularly win prizes for sporting, artistic and academic endeavour. We also have an impressive track record of VCE success and university entry. This is why since 1899, generations of students, staff and parents have been proud to be part of our vibrant learning community. Our beautiful beachfront location has inspired our WAVES priorities. These key principles guide the way we meet the particular learning needs of girls by contributing to their Wellbeing, Achievement, positive Values, Enterprising nature and Success. These priorities contribute to the unique culture

and success of our school, as well as our personalised approach to learning. In our Early Learning Centre (ELC), specialist early childhood teachers recognise the different ages and stages within each class and provide tailored activities so every girl has power over her own learning. We provide a highly developed program of intentional teaching based on the principles of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Program (PYP) which supports a unique blend of inquiry and play-based learning. We can see the benefits of our education, not only in how ready our girls are to enter Prep, but how advanced their reading and writing skills are, as well as their social and emotional confidence. This is why we are currently rated as “Exceeding National Quality Standards” in the national ELC Frameworks Accreditation. The PYP framework is extended in our Junior School as students develop more complex intellectual, emotional and social skills. They are exposed to a diverse program of inquiry and challenged in many areas from music and STEM (science, technology, engineering

and mathematics), to financial and digital literacy, cultural understanding, leadership and social enterprise. They are encouraged to try new things, takerisks and be bold, tapping into their interests and passions. Teachers develop a rich picture of every student’s learning successes, strengths and challenges, and each girl is supported to grow and develop to her full potential. As a result, our Junior School is recognised as one of the best in the state and consistently ranked well above state and national averages in the NAPLAN literacy and numeracy testing. Most importantly, our students develop confidence, capability and self-worth that are great assets to them in their senior years and beyond.

11 Mentone Parade, Mentone VIC. Phone: 9581 1200 Web: www.mentonegirls.vic.edu.au 72

Peninsula Kids – Summer Winter 2019 2018/19

Why Choose Gymbaroo? As GymbaROO has been a part of many familiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; lives for over 30 years, there are now thousands of success stories of GymbaROO graduates who have developed into extremely well rounded, happy, confident and flourishing individuals. These children, some of whom are now adults, began GymbaROO as tiny babies and continued with the program until school age. Their parents also reinforced our program at home. So many have achieved academic excellence, have enjoyed an exciting variety of leadership roles and have gone on to reach elite levels in their chosen sports. GymbaROO stands out as being the ONLY parent-child program in the world that specialises in research-based, neuro-developmental, fun learning environments for babies to school aged children and their parents. It is also the only program in the world that has integrated key developmental activities, essential for complete development in each age and stage of development, into a comprehensive and all-encompassing program. There are presently hundreds of thousands of parents involved in the GymbaROO program, all of whom are very excited for their childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s future as more and more evidence is being documented confirming the long-term benefits of our program!

Call Sharon on 0444 581 446 or email mteliza@gymbaroo.com.au Like us on Facebook: Gymbaroo Mount Eliza Community Centre 90-100 Canadian Bay Rd, Mt Eliza www.peninsulakids.com.au

Recipes

W FONTS

ith so many of our Peninsula families affected by gluten intolerance and coeliac disease, we have decided to focus on recipes which can be enjoyed by GF and non-GF alike.

Jodie Blight has developed an amazing new App which enables you to scan the recipe from Peninsula Kids Magazine to create a shopping list on your phone. All in the name of making dinner time easier. Endorsed by Coeliac Australia so you have peace of mind that every recipe is 100% gluten free.

GOTHAM

Pacifico

Download the recipeezi Gluten Free App from the App Stores (itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s FREE), use the App to scan the recipe QR code in the magazine and voila, your shopping list awaits!

COLOURS

Even if you are not GF, I promise you will love every recipe.

Download CMYK (print):

recipeeziApp!

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www.hawkesfarm.com.au | 661 Boneo Rd, Boneo | Ph 03 5988 6785 74

Peninsula Kids â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Winter 2018

Farm Gate Open 7 Days

Apple Crumble

PREP

COOK

TOTAL

SERVES

4 red apples, peeled and grated ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon ¼ teaspoon nutmeg 1 tablespoon lemon juice 2 tablespoons sultanas (optional) gluten free vanilla ice-cream, to serve CRUMBLE 125 g butter, slightly soft ½ cup brown sugar 1 cup almond meal (or gluten free plain flour) ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon ½ cup desiccated coconut (optional)

Preheat oven to 180 C. To make the crumble, cream together the butter and sugar using a fork. Add half the almond meal and the cinnamon and mix to combine. Slowly work in the other half of the almond meal until the mixture is crumbly (you may need to use your hands). Add the coconut and mix through. If the butter and sugar mixture is too soft, pop it in the freezer for a few minutes to get it to harden slightly and make it easier to crumble. In a large oven proof dish (20cm square) toss together the apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice and sultanas (if using). Feel free to make individual ramekins if you prefer. Distribute the crumble over the grated apple and bake in oven for 30 minutes until the apple is soft and the crumble is brown. o

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Delicious served with gluten free ice-cream.

Group Tours Available! Bring your school or community group to meet the farmers, take a tractor ride around the farm and enjoy a taste of farm life. Bookings essential

www.hawkesfarm.com.au | 661 Boneo Rd, Boneo | Ph 03 5988 6785

Farm Gate Open 7 Days www.peninsulakids.com.au

Beef Enchiladas

PREP

COOK

TOTAL

SERVES

400 g cooked roast beef 2–3 tablespoons olive oil 1 onion, diced 1 carrot, grated 2 celery stalks, diced 4 garlic cloves, crushed 3 teaspoons ground cumin 3 teaspoons ground coriander 2 teaspoons smoked ground paprika ½ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper 400 g crushed tomatoes (1 tin) 420 g red kidney beans, drained (1 tin) 1 cup water or gluten free beef stock 3 tablespoons tomato paste Salt 8 gluten free corn tortillas 6 handfuls cheddar cheese, grated 1 handful coriander leaves, chopped (optional) TOPPINGS 1 soft avocado 2 tablespoons gluten free Italian Dressing Salt and pepper 300 g gluten free chunky tomato salsa (1 jar) 4 teaspoons sour cream

Alwaysy a famil favorite .......yum ! Preheat oven to 200 C. Chop cooked beef into slices or chunks if you want it shredded or add to the food processor to chop finely. Heat oil in a frying pan over high heat. Cook onion, carrot and celery until slightly soft, add garlic and cook for 30 seconds then add spices and cook for an additional minute. Add chopped roast beef to pan with crushed tomatoes, kidney beans, stock or water, tomato paste and salt. Boil on medium–high heat for 5–10 minutes until the sauce reduces and thickens. Allow to cool slightly before filling the tortillas. Dollop 2-3 tablespoons of beef mixture down the middle of each tortilla and sprinkle with ½ handful of cheese per tortilla. Wrap tortilla around filling, placing them seam side down in a baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining cheese and bake in oven for 10-15 minutes until cheese has browned. Mash avocado and dressing in a small bowl with a fork until smooth and season with salt and pepper. o

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Serve tortillas topped with a tablespoon of tomato salsa and a dollop each of sour cream and avocado. Sprinkle with coriander if using.

www.hawkesfarm.com.au | 661 Boneo Rd, Boneo | Ph 03 5988 6785 76

Peninsula Kids – Winter 2019

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TIP: If using raw minced beef, add mince to frying pan once onion and spices are cooked. Cook for 5 minutes until the beef is browned and cooked through. Break up any lumps with a fork and drain off any fat. Then continue following recipe.

Farm Gate Open 7 Days

Satay Sticks

PREP

COOK

TOTAL

SERVES MAKES

1 lime, wedges

To make the sauce, heat a frying pan over medium-high heat add red curry paste and cook for 1 min before adding the peanut butter, coconut cream, stock (or water), soy sauce and sweet chilli sauce. Stir to remove lumps of peanut butter. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 5-10 mins until thick. Remove from heat and set aside half the mixture for serving as a dipping sauce. Add other half of mixture to a bowl or zip lock bag (when cool) and toss in chicken strips, mixing to combine. Refrigerate for at least an hour or even better, overnight. Pre-heat the barbecue to medium heat. Thread chicken onto skewers and cook for 5-8 minutes until cooked through. If drying out, brush with a little of the marinade. Once cooked, remove from heat and discard the marinade.

1 red chilli, finely chopped (optional)

Serve with reserved satay sauce, sprinkled with coriander and chilli and lime wedges.

2 tablespoons gluten free red curry paste

4 tablespoons crunchy peanut butter 400 ml coconut cream (1 tin)

1 tablespoon gluten free soy sauce

1 tablespoon gluten free sweet chilli sauce

Â˝ cup gluten free chicken stock or water (if too thick) 600 g chicken thighs, sliced

40 bamboo skewers, soaked in water 2 handfuls coriander, chopped

***

Group Tours Available! Bring your school or community group to meet the farmers, take a tractor ride around the farm and enjoy a taste of farm life. Bookings essential

www.hawkesfarm.com.au | 661 Boneo Rd, Boneo | Ph 03 5988 6785

Farm Gate Open 7 Days www.peninsulakids.com.au

Banana Pikelets

Try to Resist These !

PREP

COOK

TOTAL

SERVES

1 large ripe banana, mashed 1 egg

2 tablespoons buckwheat flour pinch ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon butter

Â˝ tablespoon honey or maple syrup (optional) 1 tablespoon yoghurt (optional) berries (optional)

In a small bowl, mash the banana with a fork. Add egg, flour and cinnamon to the banana and whisk together. Heat a crepe pan or small frying pan over medium heat. Add a small amount of butter and drop large tablespoon size dollops of batter into the pan. Cook for about 1 minute then flip and cook for a further 30 seconds until the other side is cooked. Transfer to a plate and cover with foil until you are ready to serve. Continue making the rest of the mixture, adding more butter as needed.

www.hawkesfarm.com.au | 661 Boneo Rd, Boneo | Ph 03 5988 6785 78

Peninsula Kids â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Winter 2019

***

Serve drizzled with honey, berries and a dollop of yoghurt.

Farm Gate Open 7 Days

Vegetable Rice Slice

PREP

COOK

TOTAL

SERVES

6 eggs ¼ cup milk or cream salt and pepper 4 spring onions, finely sliced 1 carrot, grated 1 zucchini, grated 1 red capsicum, diced 310g corn kernels, drained ½ cup cheddar cheese, grated 1 cup cooked rice

Preheat oven to 200 C. Grease a 20 cm × 20 cm baking dish. Lightly whisk eggs, milk, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Add vegetables, cheese and rice to egg mixture and pour into baking dish. Cook in oven for 30 minutes. To check if it is ready, give it a wobble or touch the top in the centre of the dish If not set, give it another 5 minutes and check again. Allow to rest for 10 minutes before cutting. o

***

To add a twist, throw in a handful of chopped gluten free ham or cooked bacon.

Group Tours Available! Bring your school or community group to meet the farmers, take a tractor ride around the farm and enjoy a taste of farm life. Bookings essential

www.hawkesfarm.com.au | 661 Boneo Rd, Boneo | Ph 03 5988 6785

Farm Gate Open 7 Days www.peninsulakids.com.au

little

BITES

FAMILY FRIENDLY CAFES & VENUES

MONDAY & FRI DAY

KIDS KIDS

EAT EAT FREE FREE Plus

Across the Mornington Peninsula.. and Beyond!

Plus

Morningtton Morning

FREE FREE DRINK DRINK

Conditions apply Not available public holidays

WITH ANY ADULT MAIN MEAL PURCHASED

Mt Mar Martha

W ITH AN Y ADWUITH LT MAIN AN Y AD MEAL U LTPU MAIN R C HMEAL ASE PU R C H ASE

C ondi t i ons appl y. CN ondi ot avai t i ons l ablappl e on y. publ N oti cavai holl iabl days e .on publ i c hol i days .

MORNINGTON HOTEL 917 Nepean Highway, Mornington P:5975 2015 www.morningtonhotel.com.au

Portsea

Sorrren Sor entto Blairrgowrie Blai

Rye

Boneo

BRAND NEW CAFE! The Rotunda Cafe serves all day breakfast plus a range of lunch options, sweet treats and scooped ice cream bar! We do amazing coffee with beans from Little Rebel Coffee locally based in Dromana. 233 Mornington-Tyabb Rd, Moorooduc P: 0459 911 549 www.thebiggoose.com.au

Peninsula Kids K â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Winter 2019

Rosebud

Dromna

4 Red Hill

Main Ridge

5 Flinde linderrs

Peninsula Kids is showcasing the wonderful places available on the peninsula and Bayside region to take the family out for a stress-free bite to eat! Let our map guide you and your hungry tribe. Here you'll find some of the best affordable cafes, venues and family-friendly places to stop and have a break.

Enjoy!

Aspendale Gardens

Frankston

Mt Eliza

Langwarrin

Bangholme

Pearcedale Somerville

Moorooduc

10Tyabb

Springvale Rd & Wells Rd Aspendale Gardens P: 9773 4453

Hastings

Bittern Crib Point

Merricks

Balnarring Somers

- PLUSTeens Menu Available All dishes $15

Indoor & . Outdoor Play-Area

Stony Point

KIDS EAT FREE*

5 days a week

monday to friday

*Buy 1 main meal & receive a kids’ meal free. Exc. Festive days, Weekends & School hols. 614 The Esplanade, Mount Martha I 5975 1555 @thedavahotel www.thedavahotel.com.au

INDOOR PLAY CENTRE and

CAFE

SPECIALISING IN CHILDREN’S BIRTHDAY PARTIES

• Outdoor Deck • Souvenirs • Gift Cards • Open daily from 10am 222 Marine Parade, Hastings P: 5906 5900 www.kidzshed.com.au www.peninsulakids.com.au

Saddle Up for a Good Time at Jolong Park By Melissa McCullough & Chelsea Thompson

eing apprehensive about sending the kids, whose only past contact with horses was by way of pony rides, was a total waste of brain cells! After one quick conversation with Janelle Martin, program manager at Jolong Park, I was confident they’d have an amazing day at the purpose-built, state-of-the-art equestrian property.

“The Jolong Park school holiday programs have been designed to allow children a unique opportunity to understand the basics of horses, progress with their riding and make like-minded friends.”, says Janelle. We joined the Dragon group for the full day school holiday program which caters for kids aged seven and up and who are eager to learn to ride horses. This program provides children with the ultimate learning experience, through riding, theory and interactive activities. On arrival, we immediately spotted a few happy horses. Eeeeeeeee! All the elders checked their kids in and milled around in a group for a few minutes. The lush green property is manicured exquisitely with sweeping views over the track, stables and indoor arena. After a quick talk to the kids by Janelle and her affectionately deputised “2IC”, or second-in-command, Madi, anyone not a child was politely excused for the day and offered the opportunity to arrive back a bit early to witness the kids in action and take their guaranteed* sleepy bodies home. Before leaving I had a quick look at the itinerary for the day, which consisted of familiarization with the horses, introduction to riding and then putting the theories into practise. Then a quick thumbs up to the kids and off I went. Upon my return to the grounds, I found the group at the indoor arena taking turns riding with an aide running alongside. The kids performed small tricks riding for a few moments with one hand or no hands. Some horses trotted over small barriers…nothing crazy or dangerous. What was clearly obvious, was how much fun the group was having. With beaming smiles and eager anticipation, the kids each had a turn on every adorably named horse. (I’m looking at you Maggie, Raffy, Dixie, Toto, Jimmy, Nugget, Buddy et al.) The day was filled with all things horsy as well as snacks and lunch for both equines and humans. Janelle also mentioned, “There is also a program for the little ones! The Panda group caters for ages three to six years old. Beginner riders can enjoy this half-day program, jam-packed with everything horses. Activities, riding and a shortened theory lesson are included in this program.” *I picked them up at 4pm and it was a snooze fest in the car by 4:07. Wondered if it was too early to put them to bed for the night. If your pony-loving poppets are looking for more time with their horsey friends and love a sleep-over, Jolong Park also offers a two day overnight equestrian camp. This in-depth experience is a self-improving equestrian

Peninsula Kids – Winter 2019

course tailored for intermediate riders with a horseback riding foundation. The aim of the program is to improve riding skills; enrich horse related knowledge; exercise team spirit and enhance independent social skills. Chelsea and Bianca, from our Peninsula Kids team, and their horses, went along to this experience and have nothing but neighs and rave reviews. Horses are provided if you aren’t lucky enough to have your own! “What a great couple of days at Jolong Park. From the minute Bianca and I arrived, we felt welcome.”, exclaimed Chelsea. Their horses were also made to feel comfortable, and after exiting their floats, they were put in a small sand yard with hay so that they could check out their surroundings and have a bite to eat. After the horses settled, they were moved into a lovely paddock that would be their overnight accommodation. The girls then got their tents ready and after a couple of hours brought the horses back to the tie ups to get ready for their first dressage lesson. “The lesson was great. I learned many things and it was very useful.”, said Chelsea. Following the first lesson was morning tea and a break followed by a yummy bbq lunch and then a show jumping lesson. “When the lessons were finished, we hosed down the horses, put them back in their paddock and fed them. Bianca and I made our way back to the tents, had a shower and got our sleeping bags ready. We had a delicious pasta dinner, then roasted marshmallows and ran around before heading off for a well-earned sleep.” The following morning’s breakfast was a choice of cereal, fruit, scrambled eggs and/or baked beans, and hot chocolate for everyone. This full day of activities was comprised of more lessons including dressage and show jumping, and a chance to tour the grounds of Jolong Park. “I had lots of help from the kids in the younger groups and my pony loved all the pats and cuddles.” After many goodbyes and thank yous it was time to leave. “Overall it was a fantastic two days. It was so much fun to have been a part of such a wellrun camp and the opportunity to meet so many new, nice people. What an amazing two days!!” Jolong Park pioneers the way horses are seen by the world. Here, you’ll capture the very essence of horses at a location which is only a short 20-minute drive from Mornington. With the primary focus being horses and the secondary being education, Jolong Park provides six distinct product offerings including: Education, Agistment and Training, Horse World, RTO, Club House and Events.

For more information about what’s on offer at Jolong Park go to www.jolongpark.com.au Jolong Park is located at 128 Riverend Rd, Bangholme VIC 3175

www.peninsulakids.com.au

Pregnancy & Baby

HYPNOSIS The Key to Knowing Your Unborn Child

By Daniel Tolson

regnancy is hard. Along with the cravings, morning sickness and general discomfort, worries about doing the right thing for your unborn child occupy your mind constantly. In anticipation of childbirth you can feel stressed and fearful, which makes pregnancy not only physically but emotionally uncomfortable. Sometimes you wish you could have a clue as to how your baby is faring, or when the pain will end!

My wife, Nini, and I now have two great kids. Nini’s first experience of childbirth was battered by negative emotions, fear and trauma, so we wanted to find a way of making it a more positive ordeal the second time around. By using a few hypnosis techniques we could eliminate the stress and trauma of childbirth and even communicate with our babies in utero! Sound too good to be true? Let me share these practices with you and the affect it had on our experience.

The pendulum We’ve all seen the swinging pendulum used to put a ‘victim’ into a trance. It appears in fantasy movies, mystical books and in odd shops. But what if I told you that a pendulum can be used as a kind of feedback tool that helps you to communicate with your unborn baby? Nini and I used this technique to ask direct questions and receive a yes or no response from our kids. First, we would ask if the baby felt like communicating, and a sign for both ‘yes’ and ‘no’. We'd then use the pendulum to ask questions that revealed which food made our baby 84

Peninsula Kids – Winter 2019

the happiest, how the baby felt and whether they knew mum and dad’s voice. We even asked when they wanted to be born, and after receiving a ‘yes’ for two weeks early, Nini went into labour two weeks before her due date! This technique helped us ensure that our babies were well looked after in the womb, which also put Nini’s worries to rest, helping her to enjoy life whilst pregnant.

Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) Another hypnotherapy practice that we implemented was NLP, which is the conscious technique of training your thoughts through the messaging you send to your brain. Our thoughts predict 95% of our feelings, so if we can control our thoughts, we can change the way we feel. By changing your emotions during pregnancy, you make the experience happier for both yourself and the baby. Nini used NLP in her pregnancies, and it absolutely transformed her mindset. Instead of stressing over the upcoming childbirth, she was able to stay entirely calm. As for me, I was very conscious of the language I used, so that the babies would only receive positive programming that would shape them post-natal. Both our kids are turning out to be very emotionally intelligent and great communicators. This, I think, is a testament to Nini’s ability to stay positive during pregnancy, as well as communicating with our kids while they were still in utero.

A pendulum can be used as a kind of feedback tool that helps you to communicate with your unborn baby

Hypnobirthing A technique that is becoming more common and rapidly gaining popularity, hypnobirthing is a way of teaching yourself self-hypnosis techniques that seek to prevent stress and pain during labour. By using deep relaxation, visualisation and self-hypnosis, you can achieve a calmer, peaceful and more comfortable birth. There are studies that show that women who use hypnobirthing have fewer complications and shorter labour times. Post-natal depression, which is a real problem for many new mothers, is less common in those that use hypnobirthing. Childbirth is a wonderful and joyous occasion where we celebrate our little ones entering the big wide world. It should be a positive experience for all mothers, and hypnosis can help you welcome your newborn into the world in an entirely positive procedure. Change the way that you think; change the way that you feel! Daniel is a business coach specialising in Emotional Intelligence and Strategic Planning. He has consulted with thousands of clients to help them quickly add more than $100,000,000 of revenues to their bottom line. Daniel has also competed with the world's top athletes at the extreme games, is a former Australian champion wakeboarder and he's also led a team of more than 17,000 cabin crew members.

For more information: https://www.danieltolson.com/home www.peninsulakids.com.au

By Tara Lock, director of Chilly Towel welling is common during pregnancy. In fact, about half of all women experience it. The main reasons why women experience swelling while pregnant is due to changing hormones, the body retaining extra fluid, and a growing uterus impacting the return of blood to the heart. Often it can become painful and uncomfortable, particularly in your last trimester.

Peninsula Kids â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Winter 2019

It’s not just your belly that’s swelling! You may find your feet, ankles, legs, fingers, face and lower back become swollen, particularly in the last few months of pregnancy. Even though you may not be able to stop your body from swelling, you may be able to reduce the severity and find ways to deal with the discomfort. Here are our top tips to reduce swelling during pregnancy:

You should increase your consumption of foods that help increase excretion of fluids through the kidneys. The most common foods include asparagus, celery, artichoke, carrot, watermelon, cucumber, tomato, parsley, eggplant, cranberry juice, cabbage, apple cider vinegar, ginger, brussel spout and lemon. Don’t forget to keep hydrated too! This will help your body to hoard less water.

Salty foods can cause your body to hold on to more fluid. As tempting as these foods are, try to reduce how much salt, sugar and fat you consume. Start by cutting out pre-packaged, highly processed goods, as they are usually high in all three. This means no chips, lunch meats, canned foods, carbs and caffeine!

It’s important to keep your blood flow consistent throughout the day. Start by wearing comfortable shoes and putting your feet up above your hips as much as you can. Avoid standing for long periods without moving or crossing your legs, which can restrict your blood flow. Try to exercise regularly by walking or swimming. Bonus tip: when you sleep, lean toward sleeping on your left side, which will help blood return to the heart.

For added benefit, use a cooling massage roller like the Chilly Roll to give your body the ‘cold treatment’. A cooling massage roller is a selfmassage applicator that chills down to a cool temperature, which can help reduce skin puffiness and swelling. Simply place it in the freezer for 3 hours, then gently massage onto areas of your skin, applying long and short strokes to the swollen areas of the body. The movement stimulates microcirculation of the soft tissue, which increases blood flow and alleviates pain and inflammation. Because our bodies react to the dip in temperature, the coolness helps to increase blood circulation and reduce swelling. The chilled feeling is soothing on the skin, and very relaxing! The Chilly Roll is the newest creation by cancer-survivor-turnedentrepreneur Tara Lock. With the innovative Chilly Towel product already under her belt, the Chilly Roll is a tried and tested product that the market wanted and needed; a natural extension to her portfolio. It is a “portable skin cooling massage roller” which consists of a cooling plate and stone. This cooling stone can be placed in the freezer for 3 hours and then gently glided over affected areas, providing immediate cooling relief. The Chilly Roll is perfect for treating hot flushes and heat stress, puffy eyes, soothing sunburn and to use after sports and gym sessions. Some additional benefits of the Chilly Roll include: - Tightens pores - Relieves dark circles - Relieves bruises - Shakes off sleepiness - Soothes itchiness - Relieves muscle pain - Reduces swelling - Boosts skin elasticity

If you’re looking for an excuse for a massage, here it is! Massaging your body can return fluid to the general circulation, help blood flow back to the heart, and further aids excretion through the kidneys. Use a massage oil with a few drops of essential oil, as aromatherapy may help with swelling. Cypress oil is good for circulation, lavender and chamomile oil may ease discomfort and make you feel more relaxed.

April 2018

RRP: $25.00

The Chilly Roll is available online at www.chillytowel.com.au

www.peninsulakids.com.au

Oxytocin &Birth By Yvette Julian-Arndt

f there was one thing you are going to do before giving birth, learning about the hormone oxytocin should be it! Oxytocin is often called the hormone of love and is involved in social connection, relationships, empathy, trust, sex, labour, bonding and breastfeeding. It plays a big role in the chemical process that triggers labour to begin and is the hormone that causes the uterus to contract. It will be at the highest level it will ever be at the moment of birth.

Here are 10 facts about oxytocin that can guide you towards a smooth birth and positive post-partum experience. 1. Oxytocin works like a key in a lock at oxytocins receptor sites in

the body. In the 1st and 2nd trimesters you do not have very many oxytocin receptor sites on your uterus. This is a safety mechanism to keep you from going into labour. As you approach birth the number of receptor sites increases dramatically.

8. O xytocin is the hormone that enables us to bond and fall in

love with our babies. Uninterrupted skin-to-skin and eye contact between mother and baby immediately after birth will optimise oxytocin release, increasing bonding and will create a mother’s protective instinct.

2. Oxytocin synergises with melatonin so is at its highest levels at night, 9. It works with prolactin for breastfeeding. Oxytocin causes the hence lots of babies are born at night and why it is recommended to labour in a dark, warm and comfortable environment.

3. It is known as the shy hormone and is why a labouring woman

needs privacy and not to feel watched or disturbed during labour. Often labour slows down once a woman reaches the unfamiliar surroundings of a hospital. Bright lights, questions, observation and vaginal examinations are not conducive to high levels of oxytocin. That’s why it’s often recommended to stay home as long as possible in labour.

4. It is produced by the hypothalamus a deep, primitive part of your

brain. If you are spending too much time in your rational brain by talking, feeling self-conscious, being too mentally alert or are fearful, oxytocin production will decrease causing contractions to stall or stop.

muscles around the glands in your breast to contract. This release of breast milk is called the let-down reflex. As your baby continues to breastfeed, more oxytocin is released so your milk continues to flow. It is also associated with inducing a state of calm during feeding and relaxes both mum and baby.

10. Natural oxytocin is produced in the brain and travels throughout the body. If the synthetic form of oxytocin (Syntocinon) is used to induce or to speed up labour, it cannot enter the brain and will only act on the organs, not giving you the brain benefits of maternal behaviour. It can cause your brain to turn down your natural levels of oxytocin and is said to be a factor in mothers having trouble breastfeeding or bonding with their baby.

Having high levels of oxytocin flowing is a crucial element in a

6. Y our natural oxytocin crosses the placenta and studies show that

smooth labour and birth. To promote the body’s production of oxytocin a woman needs to labour upright and use gravity so that baby is pressed against the cervix. This creates a feedback system to release more and more oxytocin and increase the strength of contractions. A woman must also feel loved, safe, supported, nurtured and calm. The birth environment needs to be a private, dark and quiet space. There is a common saying used by birth workers, “what gets the baby in, gets the baby out” so things like soft touch, tender words, kissing, cuddling and listening to love songs are some great ways to promote the release of oxytocin in labour.

7. High levels of oxytocin also help the separation of the placenta and

Knowledge is power, so the more you understand about what your body is doing in labour the more you can work with it and optimise your chances of a positive birth.

5. I t works in cooperation with your body’s endorphins, creating a

state of euphoria and suppresses the production of stress hormones to enable us to cope better with labour. Pain relieving drugs used in labour inhibit oxytocin release, sometimes resulting in a long labour or “failure to progress” leading to intervention or c-section.

this helps protect the fetal brain and make it less vulnerable to damage from oxygen deprivation.

reduces the chance of post-partum haemorrhage. 88

Peninsula Kids – Winter 2019

Happy Birthing xxx

Yvette Julian-Arndt is a mum to two gorgeous boys and with her husband loves living on the Mornington Peninsula. As the owner of Project Birth, she is passionate about educating and inspiring couples for this life changing event and runs The Positive Birth Course in Frankston. Find out more at www.projectbirth.com.au or join her on Facebook and Instagram for more great labour and birth tips www.peninsulakids.com.au

GRANNY’S

5IVE STEPS TO

Breastfeeding BREASTFEEDING IS NATURAL AND WE ALL AGREE IT THE PREFERRED WAY TO FEED BABIES. BUT ESTABLISHING BREASTFEED ISN’T ALWAYS EASY – MOST MOTHERS FIND MEETING THEIR BREASTFEEDING GOALS TAKES PATIENCE, DETERMINATION AND LOTS OF SUPPORT. By Yvette O’dowd

Don’t wait for the baby – learn as much as you can about breastfeeding when you are pregnant. The first thing your baby will be looking for after the birth is the nearest place to eat and he or she won’t wait for you to read the manual!

•Go to an Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) Breastfeeding Education Class as early as you can – second trimester is ideal. You will learn how breastfeeding works and how to make it work for you. Classes are available to ABA members and your membership comes with Australia’s most popular breastfeeding book, Breastfeeding … naturally.

Peninsula Kids – Winter 2019

•Get to know your support network – once you start maternity leave, link up with your local ABA breastfeeding support group and introduce yourself to the breastfeeding counsellors in your community. Go along to some group meetings before the birth, where you will meet breastfeeding mothers and see them feeding their babies.

Here are my tips for getting breastfeeding off to the right start.

STEP ONE

•Talk about your breastfeeding plan and make sure you pack it in your hospital bag. Just like labour and birth, it helps the midwives caring for you to know how you would like to manage breastfeeding.

STEP TWO

Take the first feeds slowly – there is no need to rush baby into his first feed. If everything is okay with the birth, ask to have your baby laid skin to skin against you and request hands-off help from your midwives.

•Your baby knows how to find the breast and attach all by himself, but he needs to take his own time to get there. Ideally you will stay skin to skin for at least the first hour or more. •Routine can wait. Ask to have weighing, nappies and other non-urgent stuff to be delayed until after the baby takes that important first feed.

•Don’t worry if skin to skin can’t happen for you straight away – if •Watch the baby, not the clock. How long between feeds, how long you have a caesarean or you or baby need some special care after on each side, how long is a feed … your baby doesn’t care, he only the birth, you can look forward to being skin to skin as soon as it is knows full and empty! Let him feed as often as he needs and right for you. as long as he needs, he knows what to do. •Enjoy the rest – your baby might spend a lot of time asleep in the first day or so, but will quickly change, so take the chance to sleep, because things will soon change!

STEP THREE

•Mini marathons can be expected when your baby is busy growing – you can expect 24 hours or so of more frequent feeds and a grumpy baby. •If your baby is feeding well, you are less likely to have engorgement or mastitis. Learn the early signs and what to do if you experience them.

Be ready for the marathon! Around the second half of the first week, your baby and your breasts are all about the same thing – MILK

STEP FIVE

Get help if you need it. Most common breastfeeding •Just when you start getting used to it, everything changes! After a few problems can be solved.

days of colostrum alone, you both need to transition to the next stage. You can call the Breastfeeding helpline whenever you need to – it If you are lucky, your milk supply and your baby’s demand will be is normal to have questions and concerns. Trained Breastfeeding in sync straight away, but for most mums this takes a few days. In the Counsellors are there to help. 1800 68 62 68 meantime, you might have over-full breasts, a grumpy baby and •Breastfeeding shouldn’t continue to be painful – pain is a sign your need extra help to get the two together. This is usually around the baby is not attaching well. Seek help from ABA, your child health time you are going home from hospital, so this is when you need your nurse or IBCLC lactation consultant. support system most. •Feeding your baby as often as he needs is the best way to avoid low •Your baby still knows how to get on the breast by himself, so if you milk supply. Most babies continue to need 8 or more feeds in 24 are having trouble with the techniques you learned from the hours beyond the early weeks. This includes night feeds. midwives, try holding him skin to skin again and follow his instincts. •It is normal for babies to fall asleep at the breast – and normal for Those newborn reflexes will help him take the lead and you can follow. them to wake up again as soon as you try to put them down! Your •If your breasts are too full for your baby to get a good attachment, baby will soon be able to feed without a nap in the middle. help him out by expressing some milk before he goes on. You can do this by hand or use a manual or electric breast pump if you have one •When your breasts start to feel softer and less firm around 4-6 weeks – don’t panic! You haven’t lost your milk your breasts just work more handy. Once he gets on, he will be able to feed better. efficiently now. •A newborn baby is growing around the clock, so you can expect to feed him 8 - 12 times a day! And in the early days, feeds may take When breastfeeding gets off to the right start, you can be confident it up to an hour, so you can expect to spend most of your time feeding. The marathon won’t last forever, but it sure feels like it! As he can continue for as long as you and your baby want. Being prepared and knowing when and where to get help can make all the difference. gets bigger and more efficient, he may be able to finish a feed in as little as 5-10 minutes – something to look forward to!

STEP FOUR

Getting to know each other as you continue to learn your baby’s needs, there will naturally be times when you feel confused and unsure.

•You can easily check that your baby is getting enough milk – every nappy will give you feedback! Look out for at least 5 wet disposable nappies each day and plenty of poo! •Don’t delay feeds – a calm baby will attach easier and feed better. Keep you newborn close to you and watch out for early feeding cues. Wait to change his nappy until after the first breast and don’t wait for him to cry before offering the breast.

This purple-haired mother of three and granny of one has been a breastfeeding counsellor for more than 20 years, runs breastfeeding education classes for parents expecting twins and more, facilitates local babywearing and natural parenting groups and writes for a popular parenting website. Yvette lives in her Frankston home with her husband, son, daughter, son-in-law and two year old granddaughter, plus a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel and a senile cat! In her spare time, Yvette is a keen photographer and scrap-booker and is keeper of a fairy garden. You can follow Yvette at www.bellybelly.com.au/author/yvette-odowd/ www.facebook.com/groups/SouthernNaturalParentingNetwork www.facebook.com/groups/SouthEasternBabywearing

www.peninsulakids.com.au

THiNKPinky! By Melissa Walsh

inky McKay is the perfect person to help any mum or dad feel better about their parenting with practical advice and a no judgement attitude. A mother of five and grandmother of three, Pinky is Australia’s most recognised breastfeeding expert, an international board certified lactation consultant, and best-selling author of four titles including "Parenting By Heart", "Sleeping Like a Baby" and "Toddler Tactics".

“I started as a lactation consultant, and began writing about issues that were going on with parents during the tricky time of new babies,” said Pinky who specialises in gentle parenting styles that honour mothers’ natural instincts to respond to their babies. Her ‘get real’, no-nonsense approach, along with a blend of humour, sharp wit and wisdom, have made her an expert source for national publications and major network TV. Recently Pinky became a spokesperson for global campaign #ThisIsParenthood which aims to change the conversation around parenting by celebrating the realities, normalising upsand-downs, and uniting parents through shared experiences. “Every single day I hear new parents say ‘I feel like a failure’ - when in fact they are loving, caring parents, perfectly attuned to their babies, simply made to feel this way due to the unrealistic images of perfection,” said Pinky . “#ThisIsParenthood creates an open, honest conversation around the highs and lows of parenthood, bringing parents from across the globe together to celebrate the fact that there is no such thing as ‘picture perfect’ parenting.” The campaign is in response to WaterWipes’ global survey of 13,000 parents around the world with children aged three and under, to examine perceptions of parenthood, influences, and things they wish they knew. In line with these findings and in partnership with BAFTA nominated director Lucy Cohen, WaterWipes has collaborated with 86 parents across three continents to produce a sixteen minute documentary, twelve short films and a 92

Peninsula Kids – Winter 2019

EXCELLENCE AWARDS

GOLD 2017

FAVOURITE MUM PRODUCT

photography series that shine a light on real parenting known as #ThisIsParenthood. “What’s fascinating about the WaterWipes study is that parents put such pressure on themselves and are never truly honest about the real struggles of becoming a first-time parent. It needs to be addressed that parenting is far from easy despite what you may see on TV or social media, and to simply trust your instincts,” said Pinky who says that bringing a new baby home can be one of the most stressful experiences. “It is one of the most intimidating experiences of our lives and can fill us with self-doubt. In order to nurture our child, we must maintain our own sense of worth. Images of perfect families on the internet do not help so it’s important to be real with what we are going through. Every single parent feels some doubt at some stage and that is perfectly understandable but, what they need to know is the picture perfect family on Instagram or Facebook posts is not the true scenario.” “The problem is when parents stop trusting their own intuition,” said Pinky, whose children were born from the 1970s to 1990s. “I know exactly what it’s like not to trust your own judgment but in my day, it was only from family and friends. These days there are all kinds of judgement from complete strangers on the internet and that is making parenting a lot tougher.”

Everything your baby needs comes from you – your loving touch, your nourishing milk and immune boosting protection against illness. You are giving so much, sometimes you need a boost.

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Pinky says the answer is to encourage parents, rather than set unrealistic expectations. “We need to tell our children or friends what a good job they are doing, and we need to be more real about the difficulties of parenting and that it is not all perfect social media photos with ribbons and bows. Some days are tough and that’s okay,” she said. “Feed your baby to sleep if you need to. Don’t let them cry if they’re becoming distressed. Do what your natural instinct tells you and you are on the right path.” Pinky is a sought after guest and keynote speaker at seminars for health professionals and parents, and has spoken across Australia, New Zealand and the United States. She has presented a popular Tedx talk, ‘Surrender is Not a Dirty Word’, and her reach extends worldwide through her books, e-programs, blogs and highly engaged Facebook pages.

Pinky McKay is an internationally certified lactation consultant (IBCLC) and best-selling author of Sleeping Like a Baby, Parenting By Heart and 100 Ways to Calm the Crying (Penguin Random House). She is also the creator of Boobie bikkies all natural and organic health food cookies for breastfeeding mums.

SPECIAL OFFER! Order Online at www.boobiebikkies.com.au and use coupon code MPK19 at the checkout for free postage! Coupon valid until 31 August 2019. Not valid for samples or subscriptions

www.peninsulakids.com.au

Health

Beat the winter blues with exercise and food! By Julie Cox

rying to find motivation to exercise can be hard especially in winter!

"The ‘winter blues’ is a milder condition that predominately results from reduced involvement in pleasurable and satisfying activities. In turn, low mood can lead to unhelpful thoughts, which then reinforce the blues…and a negative, vicious cycle can develop. The sun stimulates our serotonin levels so automatically makes us feel uplifted which is a lot easier to find the energy and motivation to move! When we feel better we have less head games and voices telling us that the warm bed or snooze button is a better option.

1 Make your environment brighter. When your body is craving more daylight, sitting next to an artificial light - even just a warm lamp for 30 minutes per day can be as effective as antidepressant medication.

2 Eat smarter. 3 Simulate dawn and warmth. 4 Exercise. 5 Turn on the tunes. 6 Plan a holiday 7 Help others. 8 Get outside. 9 Keep social and laughing 10 Be around people who uplift you and have a good vibe 11 Plan fun things such as a nice dinner Achieving happiness can sometimes be nothing more than practicing a few simple disciplines each day. This is never truer than during the winter months when it can be difficult to maintain some of the strategies that normally lead to happiness and other positive emotions." So many people view fitness as a chore but these days we have too many different types and forms of exercise, lets face it , they bring a new one out every week! We are spoilt for choices these days.

94 Peninsula Kids – Winter 2019

I believe finding something you enjoy doing will keep you more interested and therefore it'll be an ongoing thing.

Achieving happiness can sometimes be nothing more than practicing a few simple disciplines each day.

• Providing Specialist Orthodontic Services to the Mornington Peninsula with three locations in Rosebud, Mount Eliza and Hastings. • The very best in Orthodontic care and technology - clear braces, Invisalign, lingual (hidden) braces. • Treatment provided in a relaxed environment.

SOME TIPS TO FINDING WHATS RIGHT FOR YOU 1 Ask yourself do you like low intensity or high ?

2 Group training or prefer on your own? 3 Don't rely on friends to join to make you go 4 Make the most of free offers and 7 day trials

• Highest quality care provided by our Orthodontist.

NO REFERRAL NEEDED. CONTACT US TO FIND OUT HOW WE CAN HELP YOU ACHIEVE THE SMILE YOU ALWAYS WANTED.

to work out what you really enjoy Eating to happiness: When you make healthier food choices you feel better about yourself. Also, when you are eating a healthy well balanced diet your blood sugar levels are stable therefore minimising moods etc. Eating bad food can lead our systems to feeling sluggish which then gives us bad energy. Its like if you put bad fuel in your car it. It wont go very well or far; neither will your body. Food is our fuel just like petrol is for a car.

CALL US ON

9787 3849

“Lighte enjoy life n up, just , laugh m smile more, ore, and don get so w orked u ’t p about th ings” -Kenneth Branagh

At the time it can be easier to make bad choices because when we feel unmotivated opting for something that isn't healthy can be a lot easier. We naturally want that ‘pick me up’ and sometimes grabbing a sugary food is easiest and mentally our bodies are craving that so we go for it. However, choosing a nice healthy sandwich or salad that's filled with proper nutrients, long lasting carbs for a cleaner balanced energy is the way to go over a quick sugar high rush followed by a crash. The best feeling is fighting against that urge and ordering something healthy and the feeling after it when you have stayed strong with your choices. You not only have accomplished some self control so you feel good about yourself but when your system is well balanced so is your mind and energy levels making for a much happier version of you. At the end of the day, nothing bad ever comes from healthy eating and exercising. Only positives, so even if you add in a few of these into your weekly life, you'll feel much better for it mentally, emotionally and physically. It can help for a much happier winter. However, rest assured that winter is only 3 months and there is a light at the end of the dark grey gloomy tunnel.

Julie is mum to a sassy two and a half-year-old girl who keeps her moving. Her passion for mums/women's fitness has catapulted a career in a range of fields from exercise to eating healthy, supplements, and serving up great lunchbox treats. You can find more about Julie at www.facebook.com/MumsInMotion

CALL NOW FOR MT ELIZA, ROSEBUD & HASTINGS BOOKINGS

122 Mt Eliza Way, Mt Eliza & 1533 Point Nepean Rd, Rosebud West 140 Salmon St, Hastings mteliza@hanksorthodontics.com.au www.peninsulakids.com.au

By Kim Norton

elcome to the age of the “tween” where voices start to deepen, odours “mature”, bodies change, and emotions run high. You as the parent are no longer the centre of your little one’s attention. You have been replaced by a much more captive audience: themselves and their peers. Somewhere around the age of 10, your little prince or princess will start wanting more independence (usually only when they want it) and the tug of war between autonomy and dependence begins. It is our job as parents not to drop that rope but to pull with equal voracity, to teach our tweens how to successfully navigate this big new world full of emotional, social and physical changes (some changes more embarrassing than others). These changes will bring on a whole new level of stress for our tweens, stress that can be managed once recognised for what it is.

Peninsula Kids – Winter 2019

So, what can symptoms of stress in our tweens look like? 1. School refusal. 2. Irritability and anger. 3. Fatigue / sleep issues. 4. Loss of confidence. 5. Low self-esteem. 6. Changes in appetite. 7. Frequent headaches and/or stomach aches. 8. Avoidance. 9. Perfectionism. 10. Forgetfulness and lack of concentration. 11. Chest pain. 12. Procrastination. 13. Negative talk.

What can cause these symptoms or behaviours? 1. Hormonal/body changes. 2. Death in the family. 3. Divorce. 4. Moving to a new house. 5. Starting high school/starting a new school. 6. Overwhelming schedules. 7. Upcoming school test/exam, dance recital, sporting final. 8. Genetics and family history. 9. World events. 10. Pressure to keep up with social media. 11. Technology. 12. Parental pressure. 13. FOMO (Fear of Missing Out).

As the parent what can you do? 1. Normalise it. Have discussions around what stress and anxiety is and how it affects all of us in general. 2. Have “that” conversation. Address any of their questions around sex and puberty. There are some great books and websites that can help with this if needed. 3. Make it relatable. Offer suggestions on how you have been able to manage your own stress in the past and present.

4. Model desired behaviours. “Monkey see, monkey do” type of approach. Show them how you manage your stress. 5. Offer support. Don’t brush off their concerns with comments like “You’ll be fine” or “Get over it”. Validate their feelings and let them know that you are listening. 6. Keep the lines of communication open. Try asking open ended questions rather than questions that require a 'Yes' or 'No' answer. Eg: “Tell me something that made you happy today”? 7. Learn practical coping skills and practise them with your tween. Breathing exercises, mindfulness activities, meditation, journaling and exercise can all be invaluable in reducing stress and preventing anxiety or panic attacks. 8. Play detective. Look out for the symptoms listed in this article, pay attention to your tween and note any changes in their behaviour. 9. Let them fail. Yes, let them fail. Give them the tools necessary to bounce back, to take age-appropriate risks and then independently manage moderate stress. 10. Help your tween develop a good bedtime routine. Lack of sleep and/or poor quality of sleep will only exacerbate their stress (as any new parent will know). 11. L astly, if you need help then get it. Parenting a tween can be confusing and overwhelming for all involved. A trusted friend or relative can be a great confidante for your tween (and you) or a professional counsellor or psychologist can provide you both with further individualised management strategies. Empowering our tweens with the confidence and ability to manage their stress in this time of transition and change, will not only help them to develop resilience, but will also help to prevent anxiety, depression and other teenage behaviour disorders. (Stay tuned for advice on how to help our Teens manage their stress and anxiety in the next issue – particularly helpful for our Teens completing end-of-year exams). Kim is the founder of Rainbow Light Therapies and is a Holistic Counsellor specialising in stress and anxiety management for kids, teens and adults. Kim provides a unique, intuitive and individualised therapy approach through individual, small group and family counselling sessions at her studio in Langwarrin. Also working with special needs kids, Kim is an NDIS registered provider and runs workshops for people of all abilities on various topics throughout the year. Please see www.rainbowlighttherapies.com.au for more information. www.peninsulakids.com.au

CONFLICTING HEALTH MESSAGES DRIVING AUSSIES NUTTY

By Susie Burrell

eading Australian dietitian Susie Burrell says that healthy eating does not have to be difficult; instead, it’s all about sticking to the basics and not getting caught up in fad diets or miracle superfoods.

“On a daily basis people are inundated with information on what and what not to eat. Every week there’s a new diet or weight loss program but the issue is that many of them are completely unsustainable,” she says. “If we simply keep in mind that any natural food will be a healthy choice and that healthy eating or weight loss doesn’t mean you must only eat 98

Peninsula Kids – Winter 2019

kale and drink green juices all day, we could make a big improvement to the way we eat. “For example, foods like peanut butter that contain no added sugar are a natural source of good fats, protein and a number of other key nutrients including potassium and magnesium. This means if you’re enjoying peanut butter on good quality bread for breakfast, you’re already starting your day with a good source of fibre and protein, fuelling you for the day ahead.”

continued next page.....

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SUSIE’S 5 TIPS FOR EATING WELL IN 2019 1. B e sustainable with cost, 2. Less is best – keep it natural. time & flavour.

Make positive dietary changes that are sustainable. You’re never going to stick to a diet that’s too expensive, too hard or you don’t actually enjoy eating.

Eating a diet of predominately natural foods like fruit, nuts and veggies means you’ll avoid most problem foods like sugar, bad fats and preservatives. Use herbs, spices and natural spreads to spice things up!

3. Don’t forget the good fats.

Enjoying 2-3 serves of healthy fats each day via nuts, seeds, oily fish and olive oil is a key step in achieving optimal dietary balance to help keep our cells healthy and fight inflammation in the body.

4. Snack smart.

Look for filling, nutrient rich snack food options such as veggie sticks or wholegrain crackers with nut spread or yoghurt with fresh fruit to avoid filling up on poor quality snacks like chips, cakes and biscuits.

5. Make the veggies taste good.

The better fresh foods taste, the more you and your family will eat. So, if your kids are peanut butter fiends but not so thrilled about broccoli or beans, try adding these veggies to a homemade peanut satay sauce.

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Peninsula Kids – Winter 2019

Cruise the Australian Garden on a special tour designed for a child’s view.

Winter school holidays Sat 29 Jun – Sun 14 Jul Book now at rbg.vic.gov.au/schoolholidays

SUSIE’S GO-TO SNACK RECIPIE

Banana Nut Bites

These are Susie’s go-to snacks at the moment They're easy to make tasty treats which have no added sugar, lots of protein and fibre and keep the kids very happy!

Ingredients

2 mashed bananas

1 cup Mayver’s Protein+ Peanut Butter with Hemp seeds (Hemp provides additional protein and nutrients) 1 cup oats

Method

1. Blitz together in food processor 2. Roll into balls and roll in coconut 3. Put in fridge for two hours to set

Mayver’s creates the tastiest, healthiest 100% natural nut spreads that kids can’t get enough of. Available at Coles, Woolworths and health food stores. For recipe inspiration head to mayvers.com.au

Peninsula Orthodontics loves working with families. Our experienced team will provide you with an individual treatment plan to deliver only exceptional results. Capture that perfect smile you will always treasure. Orthodontic Specialists of Melbourne delivers a range of orthodontic treatments including metal and ceramic braces, Invisalign aligners and plates. Dr Ravi Theja Kamisetty, specialist orthodontist, grew up on the peninsula and loves working with families and the community. He offers treatments to suit children, teenagers and adults. By providing individually customised treatment plans, he aims to create lasting, beautiful and healthy smiles.

•No referral needed •Payment plans available ORTHODONTIC SPECIALISTS OF MELBOURNE 46 Karingal Drive, Frankston, VIC. 3199 Phone 0481 344 769 reception.osm@gmail.com www.orthodonticspecialistsmelbourne.com.au www.facebook.com/orthodonticspecialistsmelbourne.com.au

No referral required.

Specialist Orthodontists Dr Andrew Pepicelli Dr Andrea Phatouros

Dr Daniel Sable Dr Adam Leung

5975 5166

134 Tanti Ave Mornington peninsulaortho.com.au smile@peninsulaortho.com.au www.peninsulakids.com.au

101

IRON needs

for toddlers and children By Jessica Bauer

In this article we are going to discuss 1) What is iron

Try adding orange slices in salads or bean salads, serve capsicum, broccoli, tomatoes or cabbage with any protein-containing main meals.

2) What is so important about iron

Other sources of vitamin C include:

3) How much do children need

• Citrus fruits e.g. orange, lemon

The purpose of this article is to help parents ensure your child is getting • Tropical fruits e.g. pineapple the right amount of iron. This is not aimed for individual advice or for • Berries e.g. strawberries, raspberries children experiencing iron deficiency or low iron. Please seek further • Vegetables e.g. capsicum, tomatoes, cabbage or broccoli. dietary advice from an Accredited Practising Dietitian and General Factors that can decrease iron absorption Practitioner or Paediatrician if you feel your child isn’t meeting his or her There are also certain foods which should not be consumed with iron requirements. rich food; as it can reduce its absorption. Some of these foods include 1: What is iron? phytates (found in nuts, legumes and bran), tannins (found in tea and Iron is what we call a trace mineral– meaning we only need it in small coffee) and calcium. amounts. Other trace minerals include; iodine, manganese, zinc, copper, So to ensure your child is getting the best chance of absorbing all their selenium and fluoride. Compared to macro minerals, which we need iron from their diet, only give milk in small amounts (depending on age) large amounts to perform specific roles in our body, and which include and don’t give milk with a meal that will contain iron based foods. calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, chloride, potassium and 3: How much do children need? sulphur. The current recommended amount of iron for a child aged 9 – 13 year 2: What is so important about iron? old is 8mg per day; this changes once the child is 14 years old. Iron has a very important role in transporting oxygen around in our A 14 year old boy requires 11mg per day and a 14 year old girl requires bloods and also it is important for producing energy and ensuring our 15mg per day. immunity is optimal. The amount for 14 year old girl is higher due to the potential start of There are two types of iron that can be found in our diets; these include menstruation. haem iron and non-haem iron. HAEM IRON

Take home tips

Haem iron is a type of iron that is only found in animal products. This type of iron is very well absorbed by our body. Common food source of haem iron include beef, lamb, pork, kangaroo, chicken, seafood and offal.

1. Remember to give your a child a variety of iron containing foods from both the non-haem and haem groups

NON HAEM IRON

2. Avoid milk at dinner times as this can potentially inhibit the absorption of iron

3. Add vitamin C containing foods to your child’s meals that This type of iron is found in plant based products, and it is not as well contain haem and or non-haem iron for optimal absorption absorbed in our bodies. Common food sources of non-haem iron include wholegrain bread and cereals, iron fortified cereals (i.e. Weetbix, 4. If you are worried about your child’s iron intake ALWAYS Special K, and Uncle Toby’s Plus Iron), legumes and beans, dark leafy consult a General Practitioner and Accredited Practising vegetables, eggs, peanut butter and nuts. Dietitian. Factors that can increase iron absorption As mentioned before haem iron is very well absorbed by our body however non-haem iron is poorly absorbed so there are a few thing you can do in your child’s diet to ensure their non-haem iron sources are being absorbed. Vitamin C is a great “helper” for absorption of non-haem iron. 102

Peninsula Kids – Winter 2019

To help make thing easier refer to table 1 below to see how much iron is in food. Food (serving size)

Iron (mg)

PROTEIN FOODS Kangaroo (100g)

4.4

Lean beef (100g)

3.1

Lean lamb (100g)

2.5

Chicken (100g)

0.9

Dr Peter A. Scott is a specialist orthodontist offering orthodontic care for children, teens and adults alike in both the Mornington Peninsula and inner Melbourne areas. He is also a consultant orthodontist at the Royal Childrens Hospital.

Lean pork (100g)

1.4

Small tuna can

1.0

Regular sardine tin

3.24

1 egg

1.1

1 small can baked beans (140g)

2.24

Creating Beautiful Smiles On The Peninsula For 30 Years

2 original Weet-Bix

3.0

Expertise In Child And Adult Orthodontics

1 cup of special K

3.0

1 cup of oats

1.3

1 slice wholegrain bread

0.63

1 slice wholemeal bread

0.69

1 slice white bread

0.36

½ cup cooked brown rice

0.4

½ cup cooked pasta

0.3

Specialist Orthodontist

WHOLEGRAIN CARBOHYDRATE

Vegetables and legumes Chickpeas (100g)

6.2

Tofu (100g)

5.2

Baked Bean (100g)

1.6

English spinach (100g raw)

3.0

5 spears Asparagus

1.0

½ cup green beans

1.0

Jessica Bauer is an Accredited Practising Dietitian. She has a passion for children’s health and well – being. She loves teaching children about the wonders of food and in her practice she uses food to do good. She spent her childhood in snowy mountains of Switzerland and then spent her adolescent years running around the sandy beaches of Frankston – The best of both worlds. In her spare time, she loves finding that perfectly brewed coffee and jumping out of airplanes.

Early Assessment Of Dental Development And Facial Growth Ideal Age Of Initial Assessment 7-9 Years Early Intervention Where Appropriate For Best Outcome No Referral Necessary

13 Beach St Frankston

Ph: 9783 4511

www.drpeterscottorthodontist.com.au www.facebook.com/drpeterscottorthodontist www.peninsulakids.com.au

103

Ask The

Experts! My teenage daughter would like to straighten her teeth but is not keen on the idea of braces. Is there another option other than braces that could be suitable for my daughter? The good news is that there is an alternative to traditional braces. Clear aligner treatment (eg Invisalign, Spark) is becoming a popular choice not only for adults who want straighter teeth but also teenagers. Clear aligner treatment, involves a series of sequential clear plastic aligners that are removable. Clear aligners are far more comfortable than braces and are not as visible (sometimes called â&#x20AC;&#x153;invisible bracesâ&#x20AC;?) because there are no wires required. Your daughter would be able to maintain good oral hygiene, as the aligners need to be removed when brushing and flossing and eating. However they require compliance to ensure effective tooth movement. The aligners need to be worn for a minimum of 22 hours a day for two weeks before progressing to the next aligner and so gradually the teeth move over time. They may not be suitable for some complicated orthodontic problems. If you are considering clear aligner treatment for your daughter, then I would recommend a consultation with an orthodontist to discuss whether clear aligners would be suitable for her. Perhaps it could be something you may consider for yourself.

Dr Andrea Phatouros BDSc (WA), FRACDS, MDSc (Ortho) Specialist Orthodontist Peninsula Orthodontics 134 Tanti Avenue Mornington

104

Peninsula Kids â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Winter 2019

My 3-year-old son is very clumsy and seems reluctant to walk anywhere. He always wants to be carried. My older son was much more active at this age and so are other 3-year-olds. Is he too young to see a podiatrist? Podiatrists see children of all ages. As soon as a child is walking, they can be seen by a podiatrist to assess their gait, however, there are also helpful hints and tips that podiatrists can give parents prior to children walking regarding:

LUCAS

DENTAL CARE

Sitting position What to monitor as the child starts to walk? Nail and skin care for babies/toddlers. When to see a podiatrist: If your child experiences pain or prolonged fatigue in their feet/legs

SPEC IAL I ST

Suitable footwear and when your child should be in shoes

TRIC DENTISTS A I ED A P

If they are tripping/falling frequently If they are fatiguing more quickly than children of a similar age If they wake frequently with aching legs or cramping If their shoes are wearing unevenly on the soles If their gait (walking pattern) changes or looks different from before If they seem less interested in their favourite sport or activity Sometimes a GP or maternal child health nurse will flag any concerns with you. However, sometimes you will observe differences between your child and others of similar age. We all want our kids to be active and early assessment can help facilitate this!

Anna Long Podiatrist (BPod M.APodA AAPSM)

ProActive Podiatry 942 Nepean Highway Mornington

134 TANTI AVENUE, MORNINGTON 3931

597 5 9334 Dr James Lucas Dr Caroline Howarth Dr Giselle Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Mello

lucas dental care proudly sponsors polyglot theatre

www.peninsulakids.com.au

105

Book Reviews

Pre School

$2499

$1999

COCOON

BY AURA PARKER,

4+yrs, Scholastic, h/b, $24.99 Dawn and her best friends have a plan! They are going to eat as many leaves as they can, weave cocoons and turn into moths so they can FLY! Easy peasy, right? But what happens when days go by and Dawn still doesn’t have her wings? What if she doesn’t grow them at all? Will Dawn ever get to chase the lights with her friends? A beautiful story about patience and achieving your dreams.

BONNIE AND BEN RHYME AGAIN

BY MEM FOX AND JUDY HORACEK,

3+yrs, Scholastic, h/b $19.99 A companion to Good Night, Sleep Tight! Join Bonnie and Ben as they rhyme their way through the day...until a twinkle, twinkle, little star calls them home.

$1599

SHOELACES ARE IMPOSSIBLE

BY ED ALLEN,

3+yrs, Scholastic, p/b, $15.99 I am NEVER going to be able to tie my shoelaces. It’s IMPOSSIBLE! Caterpillar really wants to learn to tie his shoelaces so he can be a tap-dancing star! Luckily, his bunny friend gives him all the steps to learn how to do it. You can learn too!

Early Reader

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GEORGE AND THE GREAT BUM STAMPEDE

THE TOP SECRET UNDERCOVER NOTES OF BUTTONS MCGINTY

7+yrs, Scholastic, p/b, $12.99 Hi, I'm George Pepperton. I love being a Pepperton, I love adventures and I love making lists. How to tell if you are a Pepperton: 1. Your mum is an incredible inventor. 2. You have three older sisters, and a brother the size of a LEMON. 3. You already know how your family caused CHAOS at school... 4. And a HUMUNGOUS BUM STAMPEDE! If you are not a Pepperton and you don't know what happened...READ THIS BOOK TO FIND OUT!.

7+yrs, Scholastic, p/b $12.99 The shining star of madcap mayhem RHYS DARBY delivers out-of-this-world absurdity with his first hilarious mystery-comedy book for kids! Crack the crazy Morse codes and unleash the action with bogus baddies, a burly bigfoot and McGinty's mission to find his parents, who have been pronounced missing, presumed missing!

BY CAL WILSON,

106

$1299

Peninsula Kids – Winter 2019

BY RHYS DARBY,

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MIGHTY MITCH #4 NOT OUT!

BY MITCHELL STARC,

7+yrs, Scholastic, p/b, $12.99 It’s finals fever for Mitch Starc and his U10s cricket team! So will they be NOT OUT or KNOCKED OUT? Mitch can’t believe that his team actually has a shot at playing in the finals. But now the Wombats are up against a tough opposition who look keen and play mean, and will do whatever it takes to knock the Wombats out! What else has Mitch got to worry about?

Win

PRIZE PACK OF THE REVIEWED BOOKS

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A STACK OF ALPACAS

THROUGH THE SMOKE

3+yrs, Scholastic, h/b, $17.99 Smashing and splashing! Jumping and thumping! Fighting and biting! Macca is looking after his nieces and nephew and they are nothing but TROUBLE! How will Uncle Macca tame this unruly trio?

4+yrs, Scholastic, h/b, $24.99 The fire awoke like a dragon. Its flames licked the sky, and smoke veiled the sun. With a hungry crackle and an angry hiss, the cruel beast circled, trapping them. Until, through the smoke, knights appeared. Through the Smoke tells the story of three kids, their imagination and a frightening fire in the Australian bush.

BY MATT COSGROVE,

BY PHIL CUMMINGS,

$1499

NINJA KID #2 FLYING NINJA!

BY ANH DO,

7+yrs, Scholastic, p/b, $14.99 Nelson is a ninja. He's not the coolest. Or the bravest. But he is the world's nerdiest ninja! And now he has to stop an animal rampage and machines going crazy all over town! For that, he'll need his new jetpack... and some serious ninja skills! How will Nelson learn to fly when he's scared of heights?!

DER GLUMPH WENT THE LITTLE GREEN FROG

ILLUSTRATED BY MATT SHANKS,

1+yrs, Scholastic, h/b, $15.99 Der Glumph went the little green frog one day And they all went der glumph, glumph glumph. BUT…The Australian animals are all relaxing in the outback, but what do they get up to when nobody is looking?

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ELLA DIARIES: DIARY DISASTER

BY MEREDITH COSTAIN,

7+yrs, Scholastic, p/b, $12.99 Ella is soooooo excited about the school excursion to TURTLE ISLAND. She can’t wait to see BABY TURTLES hatching and she is all set to be the leader of a Special Mural-Making Committee. Ella has also taken elaborate steps to protect her SECRET DIARY from the PRYING EYES of Her Royal Pushiness, Precious Princess Peach Parker. But with Peach sharing Ella’s cabin, will her diary ever really be safe? Can Ella survive the perils of the SPOOKY ‘Island Graveyard’? And (most importantly) will she get to see those sweet little baby turtles?

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THE FROOTIES BOOK #2 CRAZY KIWI BY HIL AND JOSHIE,

5+yrs, Scholastic, p/b, $12.99 It’s a whole bunch of crazy in the fruit bowl! What’s your favourite fruit? Bet it’s not kiwifruit. No wonder Kiwi goes bananas!

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School Aged

$1699

WAR AND RESISTANCE

BY SOPHIE MASSON,

9+yrs, Scholastic, p/b, $16.99 In 1939, 12-year-old Sasha, inspired by the words of her father, the celebrated journalist Louis Jullian, feels she must find a way to stand up to Nazi terror, in the shadow of a world at war. Hitler’s blitzkrieg results in the surrender of France and Sasha and her family flee Paris - learning first hand the brutality of war - and how acts of resistance, no matter how small, can make a difference. In their occupied country, fraternising with the enemy is frowned on, but necessary. It only gets more complicated when she meets Dieter, a member of the Hitler Youth and the son of her father’s best friend. How can Sasha know who to trust when the enemy becomes a friend?

$1499

LIARS #2 NO SURVIVORS

BY JACK HEATH, 10+yrs, Scholastic, p/b, $14.99

Kelton was the perfect hiding place. Until now... A plane crash destroys a house in Kelton. The cause of the accident is a mystery and all the passengers are missing. Jarli has been lying low since the crime boss known as Viper threatened his family. But then his Truth App uncovers a dangerous secret at the crash site–a secret Viper wants to stay buried. Suddenly Jarli is a target again. There's no-one he can trust, not even the police. He has to find out what else Viper is hiding before it's too late. Lies can hurt, but the truth can kill...

Mornington

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Peninsula Kids – Winter 2019

$1499

BOSS GIRL

BY HILARY ROGERS,

11+yrs, Scholastic, p/b, $14.99 Girltopia, as everyone now calls the city, is in the grip of a strange virus that affects only men and boys. In the race to find a cure for the virus, Clara and her bestie Arabella have a secret to keep. And it is a big secret. When Clara starts receiving strange messages from a mysterious group called The Girlhoods, she needs to make some tough decisions about who to trust, and who to protect. Girltopia is a new world, and Clara is at the centre of it!

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$1699

TWIN SPIN

BY ADAM CECE,

7+yrs, Scholastic, p/b, $16.99 It turns out the worst thing about having an identical twin sister is when they swap places with you also known as stealing your identity. But of course, no-one would ever be evil or crazy enough to think they could get away with that. Or so I thought. Anna and Steph couldnt be more different. Anna is a super-organised junior TV reporter, and Steph is an impulsive rap artist, obsessed with boy-band, Odd Socks. But when they're forced to pretend to be each other for a week... EVERYTHING goes into a spin.

$1699

LIARS #3 THE SET UP

MY AUSTRALIAN STORY: BUSHFIRE

BY JACK HEATH,

BY SALLY MURPHY,

9+yrs, Scholastic, p/b, $16.99 Lizzie Harvey, a convict transported to Sydney Cove, is starved and overworked. She has to fetch water, mend clothes, please her master, care for his china-doll daughter and tiptoe around his moody soldier son. She can barely find time to dream about the way things used to be, let alone write in her diary. But write she must. It is her only hope of reaching out to the home she has left behind, all those thousands of miles across the sea..

10+yrs, Scholastic, p/b $14.99 Jarli is competing in a robot battle when he is approached by sinister government agents. They want him to use his lie detector app at a conference to prove the defence minister is telling the truth. The minister may not be lying, but someone else is. When one of the delegates is attacked, Jarli becomes the prime suspect. He cannot even use the Truth App to prove his innocence, because someone has hacked it. Soon Jarli is on the run from the police, unable to trust anyone. Only one person could be behind this diabolical plan. Can Jarli stop Viper before it is too late? The truth never stays buried for long...

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS 29th June - 14th July 2019 Cow Milking daily at 10.30am & 2pm Morning milking followed by separating milk and cream, churning cream to butter, grinding wheat to flour, baking bread and tasting bread and butter at 12. Pony rides $3 & $5 Creations School of Dance - based in Mornington - runs dance classes for all ages in a fun, non-competitive environment

Rustic Farm Setting Pony and Horse Rides Free Cuppas & Gas BBQs Special School Holiday Activities

Classes available in Tinies, Jazz, Tap, Acrobatics, Ballet, Contemporary, Broadway, Hip-Hop, All Boys Hip-Hop and Adults. Spaces are limited - Enquire today!

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Creative

Teaching Kids to Sew (and four easy projects to get them started)

By Annabelle Carter Short There are many benefits in learning to sew. Seeing your own creation come to life brings pride and is a great confidence boost. There is also a myriad of mental health benefits. It can also boost your mood and help keep your brain healthy. For children, it can also help to improve their motor skills.

Make sure to keep your cool even if you’ve heard a question for the fifth time. When choosing a material, the thicker it is the better. Thin materials are much less forgiving. A thicker fabric will allow you to go back and correct mistakes much easier. For this reason, felt sewing projects are a great stating place.

Here are some tips for teaching your little ones to sew and some projects to get them started.

One more tip would be to go slow. If you throw ten different lessons to a child at once, they are going to get confused. Instead, teach them one thing at a time and let them get the hang of that before moving on.

Tips for Teaching Kids to Sew Teaching a child to sew is a lot different from trying to teach an adult. The key ingredient here is patience. Your child isn’t going to get the hang of sewing right away and they’ll need a lot of direction.

For the sake of safety, it’s also a good idea to stick to sewing by hand at first. This is especially true if your child is young.

Here's some simple projects to get started with

1. Felt Bracelets and Necklaces For the necklaces, simply sew a pair of circles together and add some stuffing for shape. The bracelets should be made of two lengths of fabric sewn together to fit your child’s wrist. On these, you’ll want to add a button hole on one end and a button on the other. This will serve as the fastener for the bracelets and yarn, or string will work for the necklaces.

2. Felt Purse

3. Felt Star

4. Handmade Letters

Create an envelope shape. So, a rectangular back and a front with a triangle cut from the top. Sew the large pieces together on three sides and the large side of the triangle to the top of the purse. Now you have a simple purse to carry with you. Instead of using stuffing this time, it's a good idea to add something to keep it stiff; cardstock or thin cardboard work well.

For this craft, you’re going to use layering a little bit more than the other crafts we’ve looked at so far. To start, cut out a circle of tan or white felt; this is going to serve as a background. Now, cut out a star of another color and sew it on top of the circle. You can add a button as an extra touch now too! To finish this off, sew another circle on the back to cover the stitching under the star.

To create the letters, cut out a pair of letters in fabric. Then start sewing the letter up but before closing it up completely add some stuffing to give the letters a more 3D shape. Once the letters are done, kids can add extra decorative touches such as sewn flowers.

The real creativity comes in here by allowing your child to add creative stitching to the designs.

Annabelle Carter Short is a writer and seamstress of more than seven years. When not working, she’s spending time with her family or putting pen to paper for her own personal pursuits. Annabelle enjoys crafting and DIY projects with her two kids. She is passionate about autism and she homeschools her autistic son. She also works with few organizations to provide the best resources for raising and educating a special needs child. 110

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June

NATIONAL DOUGHNUT DAY

Always celebrated the first Friday in June, National Doughnut Day honours the Salvation Army "Lassies" of WWI. It is also used as a fund raiser for needy causes of the Salvation Army. The original Salvation Army Doughnut was first served by Salvation Army in 1917. During WWI, Salvation Army "lassies" were sent to the front lines of Europe. These brave volunteers made home-cooked foods, and provided a morale boost to the troops. Often, the doughnuts were cooked in oil inside the metal helmet of an American soldier. The American infantrymen were commonly called doughboys. Salvation Army lassies were the only women outside of military personnel allowed to visit the front lines. Lt. Colonel Helen Purviance is considered the Salvation Army's "first doughnut girl".

s y a D r e Wint to Celebrate!

Every child is an artist Pablo Picasso

10 July

TEDDY BEAR PICNIC DAY

The Origin of the Teddy Bear: During the early 1900s, President Theodore Roosevelt was in office as President of the United States. He was a hunter. While hunting in Mississippi in 1902, he refused to shoot a small bear. The Washington Post picked up on this story, and made a cartoon of the event. Toy store owners, Morris and Rose Michtom, wrote to President Roosevelt for permission to call their stuffed animals "Teddy Bears". Teddy bears became wildly popular. Their company went on to become the Ideal Toy Company, one of the largest toy companies in the world.

August

NATIONAL TELL A JOKE DAY

No doubt about it. Today, will be a fun-filled day, with lots of laughter. To fully participate and enjoy this day, just tell some jokes. You can do it in person or pass along a few humorous emails or memes. Here’s a few of our faves to try out! Why did the old woman fall into the hole? ˜Because she couldn’t see that well. What do you call a boomerang that doesn't come back? ˜A stick. How do you stop a bull from charging? ˜Take away its credit card

EXHIBITIONS FREE CHILDREN’S ACTIVITY SPACE YOUNG AT ART SESSIONS FOR PRE-SCHOOLERS SCHOOL HOLIDAY WORKSHOPS

mprg.mornpen.vic.gov.au Exhibition entry: adults $4 concession $2 children under 5 free Civic Reserve, Dunns Rd, Mornington ph 5950 1580

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Footy candles Because no one in our house is permitted to barrack for anyone other than the Bombers, we also did a rainbow candle to showcase the colour options. (I cannot roll my eyes enough) Here we go:

You’ll need: • White stick candles • Old crayons • Microwave safe bowls (we used ramekins) • Jars • Popsicle sticks How to do it: 1. Affix a length of wick to a popsicle stick with tape and lay the stick across the top of the jar you’re going to fill. 2. Only an adult should cut the stick candles lengthwise. Remove the wick and chop up the wax fairly finely (for faster melting). The kids can peel the paper off the crayons while this goes on. 3. Using one crayon per colour, put wax and a broken-up crayon into a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 2 minutes and then in 30 second intervals until completely liquefied. Bowl will be HOT!!! 4. Enter adult - Let cool for 30 seconds or so and pour coloured wax into the jar with the wick. Let the first layer dry for 20-30 minutes. (Or pop into the freezer for five minutes to speed up the process.) 5. Repeat this process and continue to pour layers of coloured wax into each jar, making sure to let them dry between each layer. If you don’t, the colours will mix! (Learned this the hard way…cough, cough…. yellow and green.) 6. Go Bombers! TIP: If you want to use leftover wax from an old candle jar, pop the jar into the freezer overnight and the old wax will easily slide out in one piece. Then remelt the wax as per above and reuse the jar!

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LEGONeedsHeroes!

Report for Duty at LEGOLAND Discovery Centre these school holidays.

Colour me in for your chance to win a family pass to LEGOLAND Discovery Centre valued at $130! Email entries to info@peninsulakids.com.au

Winner chosen June 28th 2019 - Prize must be collected from Peninsula Kids offices, Mornington

Name................................................................................. Age............. or PM your artwork to facebook.com/MorningtonPeninsulaKids

Level 2, Chadstone – The Fashion Capital 1341 Dandenong Road Chadstone 3148

Email....................................................................................................... LEGOLAND Discovery Centre – Melbourne

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