Offspring Magazine Winter

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Winter 2011 Meet Baz’s new baby girl EATING OUT with the kids MADE IN INDIA: a WA woman’s journey through surrogacy

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Offspring is Perth's only family lifestyle magazine

Transcript of Offspring Magazine Winter

Page 1: Offspring Magazine Winter

Winter 2011

Meet Baz’s new

baby girlEating Out with the kids

MADE IN INDIA:a WA woman’s journey through surrogacy

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MELANIE HEARSE JOURNALIST and mother of seven and four year old boys, has worked on a range of local and national publications, focusing on parenting, health and lifestyle articles. She worked for 10 years in the public health sector before deciding to follow her passion to be a writer when her first son Max was born.

GARY AUSBRUCH, ACCOUNTANT is financial controller for a Perth-based mining company. When not busy controlling the finances, he has had columns published on the challenging subject of the lighter side of accountancy, and has written for SBS TV. He has two young children, Ella and Sebastian.

BROOKE EVANS BUTLER, JOURNALIST has written for home improvement, bridal and women’s lifestyle publications, but says Offspring enables her to combine writing with her new favourite hobby, being a mum to her beautiful baby boy, Caleb.

HEATHER ZUBEK, WRITER/TEACHER has worked in schools and the corporate arena in both Perth and Brisbane. Now a mother of two teenage boys, Heather works from home as a freelance writer for a variety of state and national publications. Heather loves discovering and writing about all things books, boys and family.

LISA FERNANDEZ, RADIO ANNOUNCER is a Perth girl who is currently doing the breakfast show on 92.9 FM with Basil Zempilas and Sam Mac. As a mother, Lisa wants to “nurture, encourage, teach, inspire and give my love unconditionally... because the reward is so incredibly great”.

CLAIRE ARMSTRONG, JOURNALISTa journalist of five years and a mother of two. “I love a challenge, journalism provides me with a mental challenge and motherhood has the ability to challenge every aspect of my being, and I wouldn’t have life any other way.”

ARI O’CONNELL, COLUMNISThas had work published in Australia, Japan and England, and is currently completing her first novel as part of a PhD project. Ari has recently given birth to her first child, Gabriel.

DEVON PLUMLEY, MIDWIFE believes her work is most satisfying when she can empower a woman and her partner to birth their baby naturally; and the new little human being thanks his mummy with a squeal!

JENNIFER BLACK, TRAVEL WRITER was an Award Winning Travel Manager for Flight Centre and Harvey World Travel for 10 years. After years of personal travel experiences and now with two young boys in tow, Jennifer writes about ‘Family’ Travel - where to go and how to get there with minimum stress!

The Contributors

KATE BULLEN, DIETITIAN is co-founder of www.doyoueat.com.au and mum to two young children. Kate loves chocolate and pizza – usually eaten separately! Her passion lies in making healthy eating simpler for everyone, and you will often hear Kate saying that food should be enjoyed!

MIYA MAEDA, ARTIST/BLOGGERearned a BA in Fine Art and worked in the visual arts industry for over 10 years. Miya is the creator of the kids craft blog: jellyfishjelly.com She currently cares for her young family by day and writes for her blog by night.

JOHANNA GARNETT, FOOD & NUTRITION is the owner of JVG Events and created Yum In My Tum, which is the only food festival dedicated to children in Australia. Yum In My Tum is devoted to educating children on growing, cooking and tasting food.

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ISSUE 6 WINTER 2011Offspring magazine is produced and published by Family Life Publications ABN: 55 398 258 346 PO Box 724 Claremont 6910

ContactPhone 08 6161 7819

Websitewww.offspringmagazine.com.au

Editorial [email protected]

Advertising [email protected]

Subscription [email protected]

Publisher & Editor Kate Durack

Contributing writersLisa Fernandez, Kate Durack, Ari O’Connell, Gary Ausbruch, Claire Armstrong, Melanie Hearse, Ngala Parenting Team, Helen Davey, Alana Blacka, Miya Maeda, Vishal Maharaj, Rhiann Allen, Leah Hansen, Kate Bullen, Johanna Garnett, Jennifer Black.

Graphic DesignersSally Travis, Karmen Lee

PhotographyDeborah Arnold (Butterfly Moments Photography), Michelle Hollings (Bella Vie Photography), Jordan Shields

Printed by Scott Print

Distribution 30,000 copies distributed by paid subscriptions and for free at selected locations throughout Perth and surrounding areas.

Offspring magazine is an independent magazine published quarterly by Family Life Publications. Opinions represented are not necessarily those of the publisher. Offspring magazine contains general information and does not claim to substitute for health or parenting advice. All content is subject to copyright, and may not be reproduced without permission.

Cover photograph of Amy and Basil Zempilas, with their daughter, Ava, was taken by Jordan Shields.

After recently reading about

the 2011 Federal Budget I am

concerned that further Government

efforts to make everybody employed

are not always in the best interests of

the family. The recent move to cease

welfare payments for single mothers

unless they return to work or school

before their child turns one, as well as

the shift to reduce or cease payments

for families where there is a stay at

home parent, seems to be yet another

scheme to get everyone working.

Once upon a time the family came

first, now it seems it’s our economy,

and to get everyone back on the

employment treadmill – young, old,

male, female, mothers – as quickly

as possible, regardless of what sort

of unpaid ‘work’ with the family

they’re already doing. I wonder what

is becoming of the Australian social

fabric when economic stimulus seems

to be favoured over family welfare.

It seems to me all the financial

incentives to use childcare, coupled

with increasing the early childhood

education hours, is to encourage both

parents to work. (When I was a child I

went to Pre Primary for a couple of half

days only; now Pre Primary is full time

and from next year Kindy will be three

full days per week.) And why? Is it really

to offer our children great education and

learning opportunities? Or, is it so both

parents can return to work as quickly

as possible? I suspect the latter. The

value of parenting seems to have taken

a backseat to an obsession with driving

our economy forward.

If women want to return to the

workforce and opt to use childcare

because that’s where they’d rather

be that’s fine because it’s her and

her family’s choice. I am a working

mother because I enjoy the sort of

stimulation offered by non-domestic

work (and we can’t survive on a single

income!), and many mothers do, but,

that is far different than women being

forced to go back to work when their

children are very young.

Many women are already torn

between having to work and staying

at home with their children because

it’s not financially viable to be a stay-

at-home mum.

I also believe there is a lot of

pressure on mothers to return to work

quickly after having children because

there is a common view that mothering

is not a credible job. I know I personally

heard all too often: “So when are you

going back to work?” or “Have you put

your child in day care yet?” or better

still, “So, what have you been doing?”

As if I was on “time out” and somehow

being a stay at home mother wasn’t

enough. And I thought parenting was

the most important job in the world!

I say bring back the opportunity

to be a stay at home parent, certainly

don’t penalise people who want to be

at home with their children. In fact, I

go a step further and say women (or

either parent) should be paid if they

choose to stay at home with their

children; and effectively receive proper

recognition of the good “work” they do.

These parents are not doing the

wrong thing and our Government

should be the first to recognise this,

and certainly not be pushing mothers of

young children back to work.

Happy parenting – it’s the best job

in the world!

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4 The ConTribuTors

5 ediTor’s noTe

10 LeTTers To The ediTor

Feature articles12 AnnounCing AvA

Channel 7 news reporter and 92.9FM breakfast

show host, Basil Zempilas, shares his joy of

becoming a father

16 MAde in indiA: The journey

Through surrogACy

One West Australian woman’s journey through

surrogacy takes her to India

22 off the Air with Lisa Fernandez – The dog whisperer

92.9FM’s breakfast show host is rehabilitated by

Cesar Milan 24 Winter fashion favourites

Keeping kids cool in the cold months

28 Funny Mummy’s business – bedtime stories

Ari O’Connell discusses baby’s night time antics

30 Product reviews Indulge in a pregnancy massage at Yummy

Mummy; and find out about a high chair that

grows with your child

32 dad’s word

Gary Ausbruch’s day in the life of Mr Mum

34 dining out in Perth – with the Kids Melanie Hearse searches for Perth’s most

family-friendly restaurants

contentswinter

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Pregnancy & Birth40 evolution of building brains

How we can help our babies start learning - even

before they are born

43 Offspring Facebook competitionsFind out what great prizes we have in store for

Offspring Facebook fans

44 internet featureOur selection of websites offering gorgeous products

for your little ones

Babies46 driveway delivery

One mum’s amazing story of delivering

her baby on the driveway

Early Childhood49 Let’s ‘just Pretend’

Helen Davey explores the lost art of

imaginative play

54 boys germsFrogs and snails and puppy dogs tails:

A selection of stuff just for boys

56 Crafty ideas for uncrafty parentsThree simple craft ideas for even the most

artistically challenged parents

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Primary Years58 If the school fits

Claire Armstrong identifies the different approaches to

schooling in Western Australia

66 The bullying issueIs your child a victim of bullying? How to identify the

warning signs

68 our darlingsGorgeous photos of Offspring readers’ children

Health 70 Losing baby weight

Why losing weight after having a baby isn’t as simple

as it seems

72 revive for OffspringNurse Practitioner Leah Hansen offers health care

advice to readers

Food and Nutrition 74 Fussy pants

Practical ideas to put an end to hearing

‘I don’t like this’ at dinner time

77 Winter warmersA tempting recipe for the perfect Tomato Soup

79 The great outdoors – kids love it! Our guide to camping with families

82 Calendar of events Events for WA families this Winter

85 directory - Parties 86 directory - General

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Thanks for sharing your editor letter in the latest Offspring mag. In my own search for an answer I started an article on making the decision to have another baby.

It is hard when the desire for another baby is there and each month there is disappointment. I have been in a quandary about whether to have another baby yet feel the disappointment each month when I know I’m not.

I always thought I wanted three or four children. I have two and last year I had a miscarriage, which seems to be such a taboo subject to talk about. It makes people very uncomfortable yet everyday I think about it. Now as I acknowledge the first anniversary of that loss, I finally have stopped calculating how old that baby would be if the pregnancy had continued.

In deciding to have another baby I worry about my age (37), the risks to the baby and, even more so, my energy levels and how I would cope with more on my plate. I’m not sure I’m doing such a great job with the two

children I have. Money concerns come into

play as I have returned to part-time work and that would have to stop for a period. My mum is also not keen on the idea (everyone has an opinion) and the support (including childminding) could be compromised.

I’m also very scared of another miscarriage. Then I think perhaps I should just be thankful for the two healthy children I have, particularly hearing stories such as the one about Aurora (it also made me stop and feel the love in my heart for my two). Maybe it would be greedy and I’d be tempting fate.

However, none of the rationale defies my desire to nurture another baby, for my children to have another sibling and to grow our lovely family. I guess with all my searching for the ‘right’ answer I have discovered that for me to be at peace with whatever decision I make the answer has to come from me and what is right for our family.

As far as an age gap, there are

six years between my daughter and son. It has been great as each has had their time to be ‘the baby’ and my daughter is an amazing help with the maturity to understand the demands of a baby.

So Kate, I wanted to wish you all the best and hope for your baby dreams to be realised in the near future.

NAME WITHHELD, PERTH

Quest for a baby

In deciding to have another baby I

worry about my age (37), the risks to my baby and…my energy levels and how I would cope with more

on my plate.

We want to hear from you! If you would like to express your opinion in response to an article or feature in this edition of Offspring please write to The Editor, PO Box 724 Claremont 6910 or email [email protected] Subject: Letter to the Editor. You can stay anonymous if you wish.

Letters to the editor

Exotic birthing talesHi just finished reading your Autumn

edition and had a huge laugh with my husband about the article on cultural births!

It was so fascinating, and I especially laughed hard about the Mexican women who get to tie a rope around their husbands’ testicles and pull it each time they feel a contraction!! I love that! Hubby didn’t laugh as hard as I did :)

I also wish I knew about the Maori’s

idea of reading out a list of baby names and picking whichever one the baby sneezes at. That could have come in handy for us as we struggled to choose a name for our 15 month old boy!

Anyway, this is the first time I read your magazine from cover to cover – was given a copy at Gymbaroo – and love it. Really well designed (I am a journo and sub myself) and the articles are great. You do an awesome job.

REBECCA WALLIS, HERNE HILL

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By Melanie Hearse

Popular Perth media personality, Basil Zempilas, and wife Amy have embraced parenthood taking in their stride the changes that come with having a newborn.

announcingAva

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By Melanie HearseHotel in Mt Lawley. “We were

introduced by mutual friends and

immediately found the conversation

easy. We kept in touch and slowly from

a firm friendship our relationship

developed. It was a very exciting time

for both of us,” Amy says.

A couple of years into their

relationship, Amy decided she was

keen to explore other career options.

She was accepted into Emirates

Airlines and promptly moved to Dubai

where she was based for four years.

“We kept in touch and maintained

a good friendship. I suppose you could

say we went our separate ways for a

time but I think that time spent apart

made us much stronger when we

reunited,” she says.

A finalist in Cleo’s Bachelor

of the Year and currently

the weeknight sports

presenter on Seven News, AFL

commentator for Melbourne radio

station SEN and co-host of the “Lisa,

Baz & Sam” show on Perth’s 92.9FM,

Basil Zempilas is a man unfazed by a

busy schedule. His wife Amy, a former

mining industry PA and international

flight attendant is also used to a

demanding schedule but is just as

ready to settle into her new life as

parent to nine week old daughter, Ava.

Basil and Amy both grew up in

Perth, with Basil attending Floreat Park

Primary School and Hale School. He

graduated from Murdoch University in

1992 with a degree in English Literature

and Mass Communications, and took

up a cadetship as a sports reporter with

Seven News. Basil was also a member

of the West Perth Football Club, playing

five seasons before retiring to focus

on his media career. Amy attended

primary school across several states

of Australia before completing her

secondary education in London.

Zempilas has had a successful

and fulfilling career. In 1996 he was

promoted to weekend sports anchor

on Seven News, and then to weeknights

in 2001. During this time, he also

hosted a locally-produced football

show, Basil’s Footy Show and is now the

regular studio anchor for Channel 7’s

Telethon. Basil has also been involved

in the coverage of five Olympic Games

with the Seven Network.

Basil and Amy met at the Queens

“I think Ava is very lucky to have Amy as a mum and I think in many ways I love her even more now seeing how good she is with our little girl.”

On the 6th September 2009, Amy and

Basil married in Kastellorizo, Greece.

“When I came back from Dubai, I

knew I was ready to move to the next

phase of my life and begin thinking

about starting a family,” she says.

“When Basil and I started spending

time together again, we both realised

we were in the same place, we had a

lot in common and it just felt right.

We had grown up with similar family

values and beliefs,” Amy explains.

Both intend for Ava to grow up

knowing about her Greek heritage and

plan to take her to visit her Greece

based family whenever time allows.

Amy’s pregnancy with Ava was

a welcome surprise to both of

them, and after the excitement of

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hands-on dad, I’d spend every day

with Ava if I could but I know Amy’s

going to do a wonderful job with her

when I’m not around because of work

commitments. Amy and I share similar

values which makes me confident

that Ava will be getting the same

qualities instilled in her, regardless of

whether it’s Mum or Dad delivering

the message,” he added.

As for their dreams for Ava, they

share the hope that she will grow up

to be a happy and confident girl who

feels encouraged and supported to

chase whatever her passion may turn

out to be.

“Basil and I are lucky people, we

genuinely enjoy what we do, and we

want that for Ava, for her to enjoy

and find success with whatever she

decides to do,” says Amy.

“There is a lot of pressure on

kids to work hard and achieve great PH

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Hy

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ield

s

things, and while we do hope she’ll

be successful, we really want her to

enjoy life and have fun with it. It is

more important to enjoy every day of

the journey rather than be locked in

by goals and the sole aim of being top

of the game.”

Basil commented that the whole

experience from marriage to

pregnancy and now sharing a new

baby has been very positive. “Amy

thrived during her pregnancy and

even more so now as a new mum.

I’ve been very proud of the way

she has adapted and embraced the

changes. She’s a wonderful mum; I

think this is what she was destined

to do, be the best mum she can be.

She’s doing a great job, I think Ava is

very lucky to have her as a mum and

I think in many ways I love her even

more now, seeing how good she is

with our little girl.”

discovering they were expecting while

away on holidays, Amy settled in to a

straight-forward pregnancy, save the

initial 12 weeks of rolling nausea. At

one week overdue, Amy was induced.

“I walked into the labour ward

feeling slightly apprehensive – we

had done the classes and we knew

the basics, but it’s not the kind of

experience you can fully prepare

for so I will admit to a few nerves,”

shares Amy. “A huge positive was

our fantastic health care team; my

obstetrician was very accommodating

and happily talked me through every

stage and made me feel supported

and confident,” she says.

A close relationship with both their

families has helped Basil and Amy

in their new incarnation as parents.

“We’ve been very blessed to have both

sets of parents nearby to help out,

with someone dropping food in every

couple of days, or coming over for a

visit, just generally to be around and

let us know how much support we

have with raising Ava,” says Amy.

Amy and Basil, in part, credit their

smooth transition into parenthood to

receiving dire warnings in the lead-up

to Ava’s birth.

“It’s funny how many people had

painted a picture of no sleep and no

time for anything else once she arrived,”

Amy says. “But our reality has been a

very pleasant experience. We’re blessed;

she’s been a wonderful little girl, a real

delight.” The couple acknowledge it is

still early days, “but so far so good, we

really are enjoying every minute of being

parents and the new challenges each

day brings,” Amy says.

When it comes to parenting styles,

they agree Basil is likely to be the

firmer of the two, though both are

certain they want to instil the same

values in their child.

“I think we will be pretty similar

parents, though I probably will be

stricter – especially when she gets a

bit older and the phone starts ringing!”

says Basil. “I’d like to think I’m a very

“There is a lot of pressure on kids to work hard and achieve great things, and while we do want that for her, we really want her to enjoy life and have fun with it – it is more important to enjoy the journey than to slog away with the sole aim of being top of the game.”

14 Offspring | winter 2011

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Nardia and Cameron’s journey into surrogacy

began when Nardia was diagnosed with

cervical cancer after a routine pap smear at

only 29 years of age. Only weeks after returning from her

romantic honeymoon, Nardia dropped into her GP’s office

to talk about getting her body prepared for pregnancy.

Her GP suggested that it would be a good idea to do a pap

smear in case she fell pregnant quickly. The results would

mark the start of a whole new pathway in the newlyweds’

life plan – Nardia had cervical cancer and needed a

hysterectomy, meaning they would not be starting the

family they had planned.

“A panel of doctors discussed my case, and I was told

that a hysterectomy was the only way forward,” she

shares. “As you can imagine, that kind of information hits

you in the face like a brick wall - a 29 year old woman

planning to have children suddenly facing the fact that

pregnancy was never going to happen. I was told that

keeping my ovaries carried a 5% risk of the cancer coming

back, but I decided that it was a small enough risk and

I didn’t want to make decisions about my fertility that

couldn’t be undone, so I decided to keep them. It sounds

all very rational and well thought out now, but at the time

it was about grabbing at options so that I could think about

it later when everything slowed down.”

The decision turned out to be an important one – while

Nardia and her doctors are reasonably confident the

cancer has been successfully treated, keeping her ovaries

meant that the option of surrogacy was still open. While

the option was theoretically open, it was only the first step

on a very long and difficult road.

Surrogacy in Australia is far from straight forward.

Melanie Hearse talks to one Western Australian woman whose health ordeal prevented her from carrying her own child, but led to complicated but inspirational path through surrogacy.

Made in India

There are restrictive requirements that surrogate mothers

have to meet, as well as medical and psychological

assessments, not to mention the difficult task of actually

finding a woman willing to carry another’s child. It is

illegal in Australia to make financial gain from surrogacy,

so women are certainly protected from being exploited.

However, it makes it hard to justify, unless you have some

compelling reasons to do so, such as it being for a family

member or close friend.

In the beginning, after her father-in-law suggested

surrogacy, Nardia’s sister put her hand up to carry the

couple’s child for them, but even this plan failed. Under

SUrrOGACysurrogacya journey through

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Australian legislation, a surrogate must already have had

her own children. “We were blind sided by that. My sister

was happy to do it for us, and we had talked through

the possible ramifications. We knew it would be hard,

but because of the law and the fact that she hadn’t had

children yet, it was no longer even an option. She hadn’t

had children yet because she wasn’t ready to raise a child,

but she was happy to carry a baby for her sister who

couldn’t,” says Nardia.

The next step involved scouting on websites for

Australian women willing to be a surrogate. Though they

had some success finding women that would help, this

option turned out to be a dead end, as every woman that

had agreed eventually pulled out.

“I do understand this, it is a huge thing to put your body,

your family and your emotions through, but at our end it was

just devastating. We started losing hope that we would ever

have a child of our own,” confesses Nardia. “We didn’t want

to exploit anyone, and we weren’t looking for an easy road

to parenthood. We were a couple in love, with a good home,

who just wanted to bring a baby into our family.”

At this point, Nardia started looking into overseas

surrogacy. Her internet research showed that many

successful Australian surrogacy’s were performed overseas

in the US and India. After rejecting the US as too expensive

(you can pay over $200,000), Nardia starting zoning in on

India, where the cost averaged around $35,000 - $50,000.

This constitutes years of annual wages in India, enabling

surrogates to put their children through school, including

University, and still have enough to buy a home. While this

can be seen as incentive for exploitation, there is also the

reality that for some women this is a win-win situation -

“That kind of information hits you in the face like a brick wall – a 29 year old woman planning to have children suddenly facing the fact that pregnancy was never going to happen.”

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“We started losing hope that we would ever have a child of our own... We didn’t want to exploit anyone, and we weren’t looking for an easy road to parenthood.”

Nardia and Cameron had to return home for almost

nine nail-biting months. Medical reports and scans were

sent regularly, and the doctor was always available for

questions. But their child was growing and developing in

another country, in a virtual stranger’s womb and home.

“To be honest, at times it was almost easier that this

process was happening in another country, sometimes

we just needed to shut ourselves off and pretend it wasn’t

happening. The last couple of years had been full on, and

to be so close was hard,” Nardia confides. “I have to say

that anyone going through this needs a strong marriage

and a good support network because it is a very hard way

to become a parent.”

At 37 weeks, the surrogate mother was induced, and

Nardia and Cameron had only five days notice to book

flights, fly to India and get settled into their temporary

they give the gift of life and then have the opportunity to

set their family up for the long term.

Nardia read about a doctor whom had already had great

success and had a solid reputation in the field. The doctor

had recently opened up her own clinic in India, the Corion

Fertility Clinic.

“To start with, we had little to go by, just some email

and phone communication and a lot of reading at my end

about the work the doctor had already done,” Nardia says.

“We were obviously nervous as we’d had such bad luck

already and it was so far away. We wouldn’t necessarily

meet the mother, we wouldn’t be in the same country

while our baby was developing. It just wasn’t how we had

planned to start a family. But, we wanted a child more

than anything, and in our gut we knew this was the right

clinic and the right way forward for us.”

From here, Nardia had to go through the standard

grueling IVF procedures, including daily injections and

hormone swings, then a painful operation to harvest

her eggs. Nardia and Cameron had to travel to India to

sign contracts and were there when the embryos were

implanted, where they experienced their first breakthrough

– their surrogate became pregnant on the first try.

After the successful and reaffirming pregnancy results,

Offspring | winter 2011 19

Page 20: Offspring Magazine Winter

home, before checking in at the hospital two days before

the birth. On the day of the induction, Nardia asked the

nurse what time everything was starting, only to have her

return saying it was time to get moving – the surrogate

was having an emergency caesarean and things were

about to happen very quickly.

“We waited in the hall with three other men waiting for

their children to be born and suddenly a little bundle came

through the doors. Our son Lawson Cameron was with us.

It all happened really quickly, we thought we’d be there for

hours and all of a sudden our boy was in front of us, it was

pretty overwhelming! He was taken away for all the standard

tests, and we went back to our room. After four long hours he

was back with us in our suite and ours from that point on.”

After the hospital, there was a lot of paperwork to arrange

in order to take Lawson back to Australia. They had to apply

for a birth certificate, then citizenship, a passport, and finally

an exit permit to leave India. It was 17 days after his arrival

before they were able to board a plane and come home.

“Arriving at Perth International airport with our son was

amazing, we had some very excited family members waiting

to meet him but we were just exhausted – we wanted to get

home and start settling into the normal routine and life with

our boy that every new parent looks forward to.”

When asked if she was planning on going through

it again (Australian legislation permitting) Nardia was

positive she would. “Look, it was hard, and there are times Ph

oto

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aP

hy

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ra

h a

rn

olD

, bu

tt

er

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nt

s

we look back at the last couple of years and wonder if we

are mad to even think about it, but we have always wanted

to have our own children, and we definitely want more.

All I can say is, if you really, really want something like we

wanted babies, you just have to keep slogging away until it

happens. It might not be the experience you pictured, but

the end result is there and very worth it.”

Looking at Nardia and Cameron standing with their

miracle son Lawson, it is easy to see that they fully

appreciate the experience that brought them together.

The funny thing about doing things the hard way is that it

can bring an extra appreciation to something many take

for granted. And while it might never be the path you’d

choose, it is well worth the difficulties along the way.

20 Offspring | winter 2011

Page 21: Offspring Magazine Winter

surrogacy in australia: the lawsIn all states in Australia (except Tasmania which bans all surrogacy under the Surrogacy Contracts Act 1993), altruistic surrogacy has only recently become legal. However, in all states and the Australian Capital Territory arranging commercial surrogacy is a criminal offence.In Western Australia (under the Surrogacy Act 2008) altruistic surrogacy is only legal for couples consisting of the opposite sex (single people and same sex couples are banned from altruistic surrogacy).

Meeting the criteria• To become a surrogate mother in Australia, you must meet the following criteria: • you must be older than 25 years and younger than 52 years of age. The only exception to this will be the unique circumstance whereby the gestational carrier is carrying a child on behalf of her daughter or daughter in-law. In this circumstance a maximum age of less than 55th birthday will apply.

• you must have given birth to a baby, which has become a healthy child.• you cannot have prior history of pregnancy

exacerbated illnesses or pregnancy complications or have a current illness that is likely to be exacerbated by pregnancy.• you must have an established relationship with the commissioning parents for a period of no less than 2 years by the time of the embryo transfer.• Neither the carrier nor the would-be recipient can suffer from a significant psychiatric disorder that would impair either the decision-making around the surrogacy process or the ability of the commissioning parents to care for the child.

the process• you will undergo a medical consultation with the proposed surrogate mother and the Assisted reproductive Technologies and medical treatment required will be explained.• Counseling must be undertaken by all involved parties, including children of the surrogate if over the age of four. • All parties may be required to have independent psychiatric and obstetric assessment.• All parties must each obtain independent legal advice from a solicitor or barrister, who will be required to provide the clinic assisting the procedure with a written certificate confirming that they have advised the couple on their rights and obligations and the implications for any children arising from the surrogacy arrangement.

• All relevant information will be submitted to an Ethics Committee at the chosen clinic for final approval. • Once a pregnancy is confirmed, ongoing consultation with the clinic counsellor will take place. This is to ensure that the full implications of the surrogacy, particularly in relation to plans for delivery and handing over the baby, have been discussed. • Under current legislation, the child is deemed to be that of the birth mother, meaning you must legally adopt the child.Join us on Facebook

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overseas surrogacyIn March 2011, laws came into effect in New South Wales which make it illegal to pay a woman overseas to act as a surrogate mother, and similar laws are already in place in Queensland and the ACT. At this stage it is not the case in Western Australia, however there are rumblings that the time will come.

Before returning to Australia with the child, an application must be made for an Australian Citizenship by Descent, which requires proof that the birth mother is not the biological parent of the child. Surrogacy births in India will list the biological parents and not the birth mother on the birth certificate.

the concerns around surrogacyThe key concerns around surrogacy are based on two issues; the best interests of the child and the rights and feelings of the surrogate mother. There are things you will need to consider before you enter into a surrogacy arrangement, and counseling, whether it is legislated or not, is a good idea. Issues need to be considered such as how parties will feel if the surrogate changes their mind pre or even post pregnancy.

Nardia now works as a volunteer Ambassador for the Corion Fertility Clinic, as she wants other women in her position to be able to talk to someone that has been through the experience. She can be contacted at [email protected]

Offspring | winter 2011 21

Page 22: Offspring Magazine Winter

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(who is now 18 months old) I already had a baby boy. He is big

with black and tan hair and he drools a lot, especially when

it’s hot. His name is Atticus and he is a beautiful nine year

old rottweiler. Up until then, my relationship with Atticus

had been a walking, talking cliché of man’s (or in this case

woman’s) best friend. We did almost everything together. We

would take long, leisurely walks around Mount Lawley and

he would sit at my feet while I sipped coffee at one of our

regular Beaufort street cafes. When I was chilling out at home

he would edge up onto the couch and snuggle close to me as I

watched TV, and I didn’t have the heart to kick him off. (They

don’t call them puppy dog eyes for no reason!)

I felt safe with Atticus because I knew he would always

protect me. And he was big enough to hug when I felt a bit

sad. He always seemed to sense when I’d had a bad day and

he would amble over to lick my face as if to say, “Hey it’s

cool...I’m here for you!” Quite simply, he adored me and the

feeling was more than mutual.

But things were about to change for my best friend and I

because the, as yet, unnamed baby was due to arrive in less

than four months! Which is why I found myself standing

in front of Cesar Milan with a picture of a 45 kilogram

rottweiler and an ultrasound scan asking, “What should

I do???” He looked at me, expressionless. He looked at the

picture of Atticus, and then slowly moved his head to look

at the ultrasound of my unborn child. There was a silence in

the room, so long and painful, I wondered if perhaps he had

spoken but due to some pregnancy-related medical anomaly

I had suddenly become deaf. But then I saw it. A grin. Which

OFF THE AIR with Lisa Fernandez

Oprah Winfrey once called Cesar Milan to personally

ask for his help with her unsocial dog. I mean, how

impressive is that? Well, according to Cesar it wasn’t. He said

he treated her just like any other person because his main

purpose was to teach her how to be calm and assertive and

train her dog. It was Oprah who needed rehabilitating. Can

you imagine telling Oprah she has the problem and not the

dog? The man has balls, I’ll give him that.

My interview with Cesar took place right here in Perth

when I was five months pregnant with my daughter Isabella.

I love the work Cesar does with dogs whilst ‘rehabilitating

people’ so I was completely and utterly star-struck when I

walked in the room. My first thought was, ‘Wow he’s tiny!’

and the second was, ‘I hope to God he can help me!’

Now, you may not know this, but before I had Isabella

The dog whiSpererwith some expert advice Lisa learns that it can be safe for dogs and children to live together.

22 Offspring | winter 2011

Page 23: Offspring Magazine Winter

environment so that Isabella would always be safe, and in

turn, how he would instinctively be her companion and

protector.

I do understand that not everyone will share my

positive attitude towards dogs and children living together.

And I stress that supervision is an unquestionable

requirement. Dogs should never be left alone with

children. But I’m glad that Isabella has had the opportunity

to grow up with a canine companion. I have watched them

communicate with each other in a silent language that

even I as her mother find wondrous.

turned into a smile. Which became a chuckle and then I heard

his incredibly sexy accent for the first time as he said, “I have

four rottweilers. And two small boys. you will be ok as long

as Atticus knows who is boss”. Well, let me just tell you that

my heart soared. I felt pure relief as a weight lifted from my

shoulders. I could have a dog in the house with a baby and

furthermore it was going to be fine! I was like a Christian

at the feet of an evangelist preacher being told what the

righteous path was, and knowing I was on it!

I soaked up every bit of advice he imparted regarding dogs

and small children. I frantically took notes as he spoke: always

make sure the dog knows his place in the family; I am the boss,

then the child and then the dog. He told me to set boundaries

with Atticus but also to include him in activities with the baby.

Go on walks together but always have the pram in front so he

knows his place. Be calm and assertive when saying, “Get back”

if Atticus is too close to the baby and remember that I am the

pack leader and let him know I’m in charge. I’m sure that most

good dog training books will provide similar information but

Cesar also gave me a confidence and a mindset that cannot be

bought over the counter.

Cesar took away my fear of bringing a baby into a house

with a big dog. He showed me how to take control of my

Offspring | winter 2011 23

Page 24: Offspring Magazine Winter

Think caramel lattes and babycinos, marshmallows and cupcakes... Keep warm this season with Café-inspired hues.

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24 Offspring | winter 2011

Page 25: Offspring Magazine Winter

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Page 26: Offspring Magazine Winter

26 Offspring | winter 2011

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Offspring | winter 2011 27

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Page 28: Offspring Magazine Winter

28 Offspring | winter 2011

FUNNY MUMMY with Ari O’Connell

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If you have a baby who likes to party into the early

morning hours, you have my bleary-eyed sympathy. Not

only must you front like a reasonable parent when half your

brain has done a runner, you have to wade through sleep

advice from books, the internet, well-meaning friends and

family and, most wearyingly of all, Parents Of Good Sleepers.

Not that I’m jealous or anything, but when faced with

Parents Of Good Sleepers graciousness can be a problem.

In fact it can be Very Hard Work to smile and nod when

your baby has been displaying an over-sized fiesta gene for

as long as you can remember. Very Very Very Hard Work.

What I’m really saying is, graciousness is overrated. We

can’t all be Audrey Hepburn. In fact, a jolly good tantrum

– when you know deep in your toes that you will NEVER

get a proper sleep again - never hurt anyone. There are

probably health benefits to having regular meltdowns. I bet

BEDTIME STORIESSleep deprivation is not a four letter word but it could be. It should be. Heck, in this house it is.

they boost your antioxidants or something.

If you’ve got one of those babies that has slept from

6.00pm to 7.00am from three weeks of age you’re probably

shaking your head and making tut tutting sounds. That’s

because you still have a brain that works, one that can

count to 10 and spell K-A-T and realises when you’re

wearing your jumper inside-out-and-backwards. You’re

one step ahead in the parent game. But if you could just

stop tutting for a moment and listen up, there are a couple

of things I need to say.

fibbing is okay with me. You want to white-lie about

how your baby has you up every two hours, and you’re so

tired you crunch coffee beans to keep yourself going? I’m

all ears and sympathy. In fact, the more lies about how

much sleep you aren’t getting, the better. Knock yourself

out! Grow that nose, Pinocchio. You have a friend in me.

Page 29: Offspring Magazine Winter

Offspring | winter 2011 29

It takes a village to raise a child. I think we should

pretend we’re that village and swap our babies for a couple

of days. Hillary Clinton would be pleased.

Now, if you’ve got the other sort of baby, one that

has a penchant for 3am milk shooters and pre-dawn

paaaarrrrtttttaaaaaayyyyssss, you’re probably feeling like

a Parent On The Edge Of A Meltdown Moment. Luckily

enough help is at hand. There’s loads of sleep advice

around – just take your pick. It goes something like this.

Give your baby a dummy. If you don’t soothe him he’ll

become A Menace To Society.

Don’t give your baby a dummy. You’ll create A Dummy

Dependent Menace To Society.

Your baby is too hot. He Might Overheat!

Your baby is too cold. He Might freeze!

Your baby has a milk habit so give him water. He’s Got

To Learn.

Your baby is hungry. for Goodness Sake Don’t Starve Him!

Your baby is manipulating you so let him cry. Otherwise

You Will Be His Slave forever, Even When You Are 100 And

Have A Letter from The Queen.

Never leave your baby to cry. You will damage him

psychologically and create A Menace To Society.

Play womb-like heartbeats to soothe your child. He

Misses Being In Mummy’s Tummy!

Keep your baby’s room quiet and bore him to sleep.

Silence Is Golden!

Co-sleep. Your baby needs you. Don’t Stunt His

Emotional Development!

Never co-sleep. Your baby will grow up to be dependant

and clingy and A Menace Clinging Dependently To Society.

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Your baby needs a strict routine or he will become a

Hippy-flavoured Menace To Society.

Let your baby lead and go with the flow or he will

become a Rigid-Corporate-Style Menace To Society.

Poor sleeping is about poor parenting. You are creating A

Very Menacing Menace To Society.

It’s All Your fault! Menace Creator!

Look, it probably is all my fault but at this stage I

don’t want to know about it. When my kid is a teenager,

everything’s going to be my fault. There’s plenty of time for

the hair shirt. I don’t need to start now.

In the meantime, I’ve got the scoop on those miracle

babies. The ones who aren’t Menaces-In-Training, I mean.

The ones who like nothing more than a good night’s

sleep, with nary a peep for milk or a cuddle or the dummy

they’ve chucked out of the cot for the twentieth time.

Do you want to know the truth about those perfect,

sleeping, cherubic babies?

Can you handle the truth about those perfect, sleeping,

cherubic babies?

Well, this is the truth about those perfect, sleeping,

cherubic babies.

They are not real. They do not exist. fantasy!

Yup. Their parents look you straight in the eye and tell

you big, fat fibs about how their baby sleeps and sleeps,

and everyone in the family sleeps and sleeps, and their

life is one big happy festival Of Sleep and that nobody –

nobody! – snores.

How do I, of all people, have this scoop of scoops?

Unfortunately, if I told you I’d have to...well, get all

Godfather on you. And that would be very tiring.

Page 30: Offspring Magazine Winter

30 Offspring | winter 2011

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and the pedicure was simply fabulous.The setting is gorgeous – comfortable, attractive décor

and a peaceful, relaxing ambience, complete with candles and lovely music.

An unexpected treat was the delectable offering of food and tea at the end of the session. Biscuits, cheese, fruits and special teas completed a special day out for this mum-to-be. Another reason Yummy Mummy is a cut above the rest is that the facilities are not only for pregnant women, but for mothers in general. They also have a crèche so babysitters aren’t a problem, and mum can pop in any day of the week for a spot of pampering. Yummy Mummy Day Spa comes highly recommended as something special for any mother, that won’t necessarily cost the Earth.

Yummy Mummy owner, Amy Mitchell says she started the day spa after identifying a gap in the market. “I started Yummy Mummy because having been through pregnancy myself a couple of times, I knew how hard it was to get a pregnancy massage or some pampering from a place that knew exactly what to do during this special time,” she says. Every single treatment we offer has been created for pregnant women to enjoy at any stage both safely and comfortably. All the women who come in to see us simply love being able to lie face down again while pregnant!”

◆ For more information visit www.pregnancydayspa.com.au

Every woman needs a bit of pampering from time to time, and every pregnant woman certainly deserves a treat. If

she has to forego wine, soft cheeses and smoked salmon for nine months or more what better reason to indulge in other ‘beneficial’ practices – like a good dose of pampering at a day spa for example.

Offspring was recently invited to review one of the packages offered by Yummy Mummy Day Spa in Leederville and My, what a delight!

The massage was very good – pleasurable and effective – the therapist worked the joints and helping to iron out the

aches and pains that are so often a part of the ‘pregnancy package’. The massage style can be tailored to suit individual preferences. Mine certainly wasn’t one of those ‘fluffy’ rubs, as is sometimes the case whereby the masseuse is afraid to touch a pregnant woman with enough pressure. The massages are reasonably priced too, a rarity at most day spas. Yummy Mummy offers good value packages too which work out to be well priced and a wonderful treat!

The facial was absolutely heavenly

Page 31: Offspring Magazine Winter

Offspring | winter 2011 31

Podiatrists and parents agree, a child’s shoe should protect their feet whilst giving them the flexibility and breathing space they require at this tender age.

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There is a wealth of information, backed up by numerous studies,

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Piccolo Innovations is proud and excited to launch the revolutionary Boomer highchair into the market. The unique and innovative design of the Boomer high chair facilitates the inclusion of baby in family mealtimes by allowing them to be seated at the dining table with the rest of the family, whilst at the same time teaching your child to sit with the correct posture thanks to the adjustable foot platform – say goodbye to those dangling feet!

“My two lively and energetic sons, combined with my own life experiences, and discussions with fellow parents, have been the inspiration for the creation of the Boomer high chair,” says the founder of Piccolo Innovations, Morna Frankowiak. “Not only is the Boomer chair practical, extremely sturdy and easy to clean, it is made from plantation wood, and also grows with your child –

becoming a loved piece of furniture until your child reaches 14 or 15 years old. I can tell you that there are not many highchairs on the market that are so versatile and long lasting.”

Bernd Liebold, designer of the Boomer high chair has drawn on German design as well as the iconic Australian boomerang shape (which gives the chair its very stable base) in designing the Boomer. “The result is a well priced, exceptionally well designed, practical piece of furniture that won’t look out of place in any home,” says Bernd.

◆ For more information visit www.piccolo-innovations.com

Page 32: Offspring Magazine Winter

32 Offspring | winter 2011

DAD’S WORD with Gary Ausbruch

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It was 3 o’clock on a Thursday

afternoon and I was exhausted.

I’d hung out two loads of washing,

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and lunch, done the dishes and the

dishwasher, and had lost track of

the number of bottoms I’d wiped.

No matter how many times I

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crumbs seemed to keep magically

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day and I was struggling.

finally sitting down and closing my

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glanced towards the clock, then the

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Hold yourself together Man! I finally

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Just about every morning, one of

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when she sees me is, “Daddy, are you

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think to myself.

“Unfortunately, yes I am, darling,” is

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Clearly the poor little thing misses

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than men. You need high doses of

patience, empathy, more patience and

Page 33: Offspring Magazine Winter

Offspring | winter 2011 33

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energy, which unfortunately aren’t

my best attributes, plus a knack for

arts and crafts. And although you can

take deep breaths, learn empathetic

techniques and drink coffee, there’s

just no teaching artiness or craftiness.

I get nervous

when I see

my daughter

assembling an

assortment of

glues, sticky tape,

scissors, coloured

paper, feathers

and glitter.

“That’s not how

Mummy does it,” she critiques, after

inspecting my feeble efforts at collage.

The same comment was made in the

morning after I attempted to dress

her in an unnecessarily complicated

jacket-cape thing with buttons in

strange places.

And again when she saw how I

tried to present her lunch on the plate

to look like a clown, but managed to

make it more like the evil Chucky doll

from the Child’s

Play movies. I

know our one

year old was

thinking the

same thing based

on the strange

look he gave me

after he let the

first mouthful

of the mashed vegetable concoction

I prepared cascade down his top, and

the second one plop over the side of

his high chair. “Well that’s how Daddy

does it,” I retort to him, as if he can

understand me. I keep my cool, just,

with a big fake smile plastered on

my face. “Come on kids,” I urge them.

“Let’s embrace change!”

And that’s really what it boils

down to. A change of routine is as

unsettling for parents as much as it is

for kids, and that’s why the occasional

day being a Mr Mum can be such a

challenge for all concerned. But just

as being a stay at home parent can be

monotonous, exhausting and tiresome

on occasions, so can commuting to

and from work with all the other ants

and sitting in an office staring at a

screen all day. The key is to live in

the moment and throw yourself into

whatever role you find yourself in.

Which is easier said than done.

So to all the Mr Mums, no, I don’t

want to be you. But I salute you.

“That’s not how Mummy does it,”

she critiques, after inspecting my feeble

efforts at collage.

Page 34: Offspring Magazine Winter

very wet). The food is fantastic, the

beer selection has always kept the

men folk happy and the massive

park that backs up to the outdoor

dining area is a winner with the kids.

Bringing a football is a good idea as

the adults can take turns kicking it

with the kids. For the younger ones,

Clancy’s have cleverly thought to

sell reasonably priced Playdough. For

those who don’t like seafood, there is

always a small selection of non-fishy

dishes that are very tasty and the

desserts are divine for an afternoon

catch-up with the girls.

Clancy’s now offers a family-

friendly City Beach venue with the

same great food and child-friendly

environment.

51 Cantonment St, Fremantle

(08) 9335 1351

195 Challenger Drive, City Beach

(08) 9385 7555

www.clancysfishpub.com.au

EATING OUTwith the kidsMany first time parents

experience a real shock when

their formerly well behaved baby

turns into a toddler and a dining out

nightmare. By the second time around

though most parents have a couple

of restaurants up their sleeves that

know how to handle the kids – offering

something extra to make their children

so welcome they don’t distract the

other diners (half of which are normally

toddlers anyway!). Melanie Hearse

shares her “happy places” that have

been wining and dining her clan since

her eldest hit 12 months.

SienaS LeederviLLe

Sienas Leederville has an indoor

playground that is a glass-fronted

room so parents can keep an eye on

the under five action (older children

are of course welcome). The food is

good, the menu offering standard

Italian fare, simply executed with

mid range prices and plenty of tasty

children’s options. The true value

however, lies in being able to sit back

with a good coffee or wine after the

meal while the kids give themselves

a sleep-inducing work-out in the

playroom. Monday to Wednesday is

$12 - $15 pizza and pasta night and

bookings are highly recommended.

115 Oxford Street, Leederville

(08) 9444 8844 www.sienas.com.au

CLanCy’S FiSh Pub

Clancy’s in Freo is fantastic for a

Sunday lunch (though less so if it’s

34 Offspring | winter 2011

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www.piccolo-innovations.com

ninniku JiP

If you’re in the mood for tasty Korean

food, Ninniku Jip is modern, delicious

and has a children’s playground

right in the middle of the restaurant.

Surrounded by a glass wall so that you

can see all the playroom action, the

playground is fitted out with a slide,

playhouse, X-box and a Play station.

Even better, the restaurant itself is

wheelchair and baby-pram friendly

(the restaurant is spacious enough

to accommodate twin prams).

867 Albany Hwy, Victoria Park

Ph: 9355 1988

www.ninniku.com.au

Tips To iMprove your cHildren’s dining ouT eTiqueTTeHere are a few simple tricks to encourage good behavior when dining out

1 look at it from their point of view

Work with them by choosing a restaurant that allows a bit of noise

and provides some kind of entertainment such as a playroom, toys or

pencils and coloring in books (or bring your own). Also make sure the

cuisine is suitable for their tastes and that you are not expecting them to

eat hours later than they would normally (and get straight in there and

ask for an appetizer to buy yourself a bit of menu consideration time!)

2Teach restaurant manners at home

Children only know what they have been taught and what is

reinforced, so if they are allowed to zoom around with a mouthful and

walk back and forth picking at their plate at home, that is what you

can expect to see when you dine out. You can also help yourself out by

practising restaurant dining at home on occasion. Start with a salad dish,

then a main course and then dessert, as this will teach them to sit at the

table longer.

3leave on a high note

Make sure you don’t hang around for hours just because the kids are

tolerating it. Rather than waiting for them to melt down, make a point of

trying to leave while everyone is still happy – this sets up a nice routine

and allows you to reward them for their good behavior.

EATING OUT

Offspring | winter 2011 35

Page 36: Offspring Magazine Winter

dim Sum – northbridge

For a Sunday catch up with friends or family, those with

young toddlers can get a lot of mileage out of a dim sum

lunch. As the food is continuously brought around on trolleys,

and they tend to be very busy, the kids will be sufficiently

distracted from their need to get up and create a scene. A

word of warning – not all kids are adventurous eaters, so come

prepared with a few snacks the first time you go. Two of our

family favorites for food and service are:

Golden Century Chinese Seafood Restaurant,

191 James St, Northbridge (08) 9328 2388

Xintiandi Restaurant

40 Francis St, Northbridge (08) 9228 9619

the beaChhouSe

This one rates a mention even though most parents have

already found it because it is the ultimate place for a

school holiday catch up coffee with the girls. The coffee

is delicious and there is a good lunchtime food selection,

and the best part is – the kids will be good to you for up to

three days after you visit just out of gratitude!

The Beachouse has a

massive indoor climbing

gym and heaps of other

areas with ball pits, video

games and bikes to ride.

It can get loud and very

hot and cold depending

on the weather, so layers

are recommended for

everyone.

5 O’Malley St (At rear of

the building), Osborne Park

(08) 9242 8800 www.thebeachhouse.org.au

SaLt on the beaCh

Offering a large

playground and an

open door policy on

sandy feet, this North

Fremantle beer garden/

restaurant is a very

relaxing way to pass

an afternoon or enjoy

an early evening meal.

The food is good, and

the prices reasonable,

but it is the ability to

kick back in a seat and

enjoy the salt air while

eyeballing the children

that makes it really

work.

They also offer

kids’ birthday party packages and a very reasonably priced

weekend breakfast buffet where children under four eat for

free and it’s only $10 for those under 10.

Salt has an outdoor playground inside the venue and

a Kids’ club which offers face painting and games every

Friday from 5.30 to 7.30, and their mascots, Salty the

dolphin and Peppa the penguin, roaming the area.

44 Port Beach Rd, North Fremantle (08) 9430 6866

www.onthebeach.net.au

36 Offspring | winter 2011

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roSemount hoteL

If you’re not quite ready to completely give up your pub

lifestyle, the Rosemount in North Perth has a decent beer

garden with giant Jenga and Connect Four for the kids to play.

The yard space is pretty tiny, and it gets really busy after

12pm (and smoking is permitted outside, so when it gets

busy it gets a little smoky), but if you sneak in at just the

right time for an early lunch the kids will be very happy to

play where you can see them, and the food is fantastic for

families - nachos, burgers, seafood and pizzas.

Cnr Angove and Fitzgerald St, North Perth (08) 9328 7062

www.rosemounthotel.com.au

CaFe Savini

This is a trickier

one – if you are in

for the long haul or

trying to eat with a

large group Savini’s

may not fit the bill,

but for an incident-

free, nice family meal,

Savini’s is well worth

a visit. The food is

amazing; pricey, but

not overpriced, and

the owners are so

friendly and interested

in talking to the kids

and making sure they

have what they need

(including books, toys and

pencils) that our children have neither the

time nor the inclination for their normal antics.

80 Walcott Street, Mount Lawley

(08) 9271 6366

Offspring | winter 2011 37

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Page 38: Offspring Magazine Winter

heathCote reServe

There are

actually a couple

of dining options

at Heathcote – a

lovely basic café

with great coffee

as well as a fine

dining option, the

Bluewater Grill.

Many of the times we’ve been down to play on the massive

outdoor play area (it’s very elaborate with wooden pirate

ships to climb on and multiple play areas along the whole

side of the building) we’ve witnessed gorgeous wedding

receptions, so if you were looking for a child-friendly

venue for a wedding, it would top my list. The restaurant

itself is very elegant and slightly back from the playground

area, but there is a large lawn area out the front where

little people can let off steam between courses. For those

with a minimal budget, you can enjoy a picnic in the play

area with a couple of fresh coffees from the outdoor café.

56 Duncraig Rd, Applecross, 6153 Ph: 9315 7700

the eden hiLL bar and biStro

Originally the Rangeview Hotel, the Eden Hill Bar & Bistro

underwent an overhaul in 2010 and now boasts an alfresco

beer garden and massive kids’ room that has arcade

machines, toys, kids movies, colouring-in and a playground.

There’s a good range of food at reasonable prices

and plenty of room for children to move around within

eyesight, meaning more meal time before the kids make it

clear it’s time to move on.

260 Morley Drive East, Eden Hill, 6054

Ph: 9279 4222 www.edenhill.com.au

StiCkybeakS CaFé

The food is fantastic and well priced, but what really

sells this place is its setting within the grounds of one of

Perth’s best playgrounds, the Lotterywest playground at

Kings Park. While they are closed in the evening, they do

a great breakfast and lunch making it a lovely weekend

destination for a lazy brunch.

Sticky Beaks Café

37 Kings Park Road, West Perth

(08) 9481 4990

38 Offspring | winter 2011

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mundaring Weir hoteL

Perfect for an afternoon out with a large group, the

Mundaring Weir Hotel caters well for families and groups

– a good pick for an afternoon birthday celebration if you

have plenty of friends or family with kids. There is a good

range of food available and all of it good (traditional pub

grub as well as wood-fired pizzas). Sunday is family day

and the pool is open to visitors. From 3pm onwards you

can partake in the lamb spit roast.

Mundaring Weir Road, Mundaring, 6073

Ph: 9295 1106 www.mundaringweirhotel.com.au

Carriage CoFFee ShoP

Situated on the Fremantle Esplanade in the middle of the

park with playgrounds nearby, this is a great early morning

breakfast option for the kids. You can sit down and enjoy

a basic breakfast and if your kids are particularly twitchy

to get out and play, you can grab your coffee takeaway

and stroll over to the play equipment. The prices are

reasonable and the coffee is good.

45 Marine Terrace, Fremantle 6160 Ph: 9335 3645

Playgroup WA Members- $6

General Admission $8

Movie Masters Loyalty Members- $6

Children over 5- $8

Have you heard of the Movie Masters Bubs Club?

Bubs Club screenings happen every Wednesday morning (excluding school holidays), and are a chance for you to bring your bub along

to enjoy a new release movie in a hassle free environment! Each session is held in a dimly lit cinema with reduced sound levels to make it

easy for you to tend to your baby’s needs.

Visit www.moviemasters.com.au for movie session information

Proudly Supported By

Kids under

5 FREE!BUBS CLUB

Offspring | winter 2011 39

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Page 40: Offspring Magazine Winter

By Ngala EducatioN tEamBRAINS

Building

Contrary to common belief the baby’s brain is not just determined by genetic makeup. Similar to the construction of a house, formation of the brain needs to happen in a sequence that supports the long-term developmental blueprint for brain development.

Just as the lack of the right materials can result

in altered blueprints, the absence of appropriate

experiences can lead to alterations in genetic potentials.

Furthermore, even though the brain retains the capacity to

adapt and change throughout life, this capacity decreases

with age.

An early, growth-promoting environment takes place

during pregnancy. It is therefore essential that the unborn

baby receives adequate nutrients to develop normally. Just

as the selection of the best building materials is important

in the realisation of the full potential of an architect’s

blueprint, a healthy environment in the pregnancy allows

the brain to develop to its full potential. This includes an

abundant supply of nutrients and a healthy lifestyle of the

expectant mother.

Lack of nutrition, high levels of prolonged stress and

severe maternal infection contribute to changes in the

baby’s brain. Alcohol and certain drugs (legal and illegal)

may affect the developing brain.

One of the most exciting advances in child development

40 Offspring | winter 2011

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Page 41: Offspring Magazine Winter

“One of the most exciting advances in child development has been the discovery that babies actually learn before they are born.”

has been the discovery that babies

actually learn before they are born.

Hearing is the easiest of the senses

to assess. Modern ultrasound

scanning has shown that from 25

weeks onwards, the foetus responds

with rhythmic swimming or kicking

movements to sounds and vibrations

from the outside world.

We have all seen how newborn

babies turn their heads in the

direction of a sound, but what is

amazing is that during pregnancy a

developing baby is already displaying

this skill. In the last trimester, the

baby’s brain busily processes the

rich orchestra of gurgles, swishes

and beats that can be heard through

the amniotic fluid and the sense of

hearing becomes increasingly refined.

It is perhaps not surprising that

the sense of hearing is remarkably

well developed at birth. No wonder

the sound of the vacuum cleaner or

washing machine soothes and settles

the newborn baby! And of course, the

baby is familiar with mum and dad’s

voices.

At 38 weeks gestation the baby

forms a memory of the sound

patterns that echo through the womb

and reacts with exquisite sensitivity

to strange rhythms and tones. If the

mother relaxes to a favourite song, it

will have an immediate and calming

effect on the baby. Even after birth,

hearing a familiar tune can settle and

soothe a fretful baby.

So what iS the ‘Sequence of an unborn baby’S brain development’?

The egg is implanted

into the uterine wall, and

conception is considered

at two weeks old. Although it is

still an embryo in its definition and

formation, the backbone, cardio-

vascular system (a beating heart) and

the brain begins to form. In this phase

the embryo further develops the three

sections of the brain.

The neural tube that

connects the brain and

spinal cord also closes in

this period and the formation of the

brain hemispheres, combined with

some brain wave activity begin.

Other organs such as the

circulatory system begin to function

with all four chambers of the heart

present. The facial features begin to

develop, with clear and distinguished

arms and legs, complete with fingers.

By now, the nervous

system is quite developed

with brain neurons rapidly

forming at 250,000 per minute. The

nervous system by now is quite

developed with brain cells (neurons)

rapidly forming (250,000 per minute.)

The spinal cord is clearly defined

and the spinal nerves start to stretch

out from it. The brain enlarges very

little as compared to its birth size and

shape, along with the development of

the taste buds and vocal cords.

5-8 Weeks

9-12 Weeks

1-4 Weeks

Page 42: Offspring Magazine Winter

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“As the brain is actively processing many senses it is quite possible that your unborn child will begin to dream.”

13-16 Weeks

17-20 Weeks

42 Offspring | winter 2011

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The heart, liver, spleen and many other organs

are already functioning, and the baby is

receiving plenty of nourishment through the

placenta. The baby also begins its practice of inhaling and

exhaling for breathing.

The baby’s torso is now growing rapidly and is

completely covered with lanugo (fine hairs that protect the

skin). The sense of hearing also sharpens at this stage.

The baby makes its presence known by pulling and

tugging on the umbilical cord.

At this stage the uterus begins to expand to allow

more room for the baby. The bones are growing

and becoming hard. A barrier made from a

substance called Myelin protects the spinal cord.

The developing brain becomes capable of forming millions

of motor neurons, enabling the baby to develop and create

muscle movements voluntarily. The fore brain develops into

the left and right hemispheres of the brain and complex nerve

connections of sensory perceptions are being produced.

As the brain deciphers complex sensory

perceptions the baby becomes capable of

distinguishing between different sounds. All

the nerve cells that have so far formed and developed

independently begin to join and form a complete nervous

system.

The brain starts to regulate all body functions and

activates the auditory and visual systems that heighten

the baby’s overall senses.

The spinal cord begins to harden and straighten

out and the nervous system is more developed

and capable of controlling voluntary breathing. The

optic nerve is heightened in perceiving light from any direction.

During the previous weeks the brain was smooth in its

form. At this stage, its tissues begin to develop creased, wave-

like formations. The brain waves also become stronger at this

stage which enhances auditory and visual sensors.

As the brain is actively processing many senses it is

quite possible that your unborn child will begin to dream.

This stage is highlighted with a slowing of brain

development. The brain continues to grow and

increase rapidly in size, all the while establishing

connections between nerve cells. The brain along with the

lung is the last organ to develop, and is completed close to the

end of the third trimester. A newborn’s brain is only about one-

quarter the size of an adult’s but contains 100 billion neurons,

which is the most a human being will ever possess!

As you can see, it is truly nature and nurture working

together to give children the best start right from

conception. To maximise your baby’s brain growth before

he or she is born try singing, stroking your tummy,

laughing, eating healthy food and trying to minimising

stress, which can only enhance your baby’s development.

Ngala holds two-hour workshops on “Building Brains”.

Please visit www.ngala.com.au for details of the next

workshop.

21-24 Weeks

25-28 Weeks

29 Weeks-TERM

Page 43: Offspring Magazine Winter

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After your oven is brought back to showroom condition with their special non-caustic and biodegradable cleaning solutions, your OvenU technician will show you how to keep your oven clean using bicarbonate of soda and vinegar.

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Page 44: Offspring Magazine Winter

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Oz Born.indd 1 5/02/11 11:25 AM46 Offspring | winter 2011

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a home birth is usually a private and peaceful experience, but it’s another story entirely when it’s unplanned and takes place in your driveway.

Driveway By Claire armstrongdelivery

The road to motherhood for a second time was long

and sometimes rough for personal trainer Christine

Manfour who at one stage had all but given up hope she

would ever have another child to call her own.

after two miscarriages, Christine and partner Damieon

Cribb approached their third pregnancy with caution and

reservation.

“at the time i fell pregnant we were not trying, quite

the opposite in fact, we were in the midst of moving from

Queensland to western australia,” Christine says. “i was

hesitant to tell Damieon because the previous losses had

been so hard on him. we were both sceptical about the

outcome and found it hard to get excited.”

Christine confides it wasn’t until the third scan the pair

realised this baby was hanging around, but says even up

until delivery they had doubts of a successful outcome.

“Despite my fears, i tried to give the baby a lot of love

and constantly talked and rubbed my belly,” Christine adds.

During the pregnancy she was plagued with chronic

morning sickness, even feeling unwell on the day of the

delivery.

RealLife

Page 47: Offspring Magazine Winter

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Bliss Baby.indd 1 28/04/11 10:12 AMOffspring | winter 2011 47

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“All I could think about was him catching the baby, I remember saying it over and

over that he had to catch him.”

with her history in mind, Christine decided a

homebirth was out of the question and wanted to be in

a hospital setting when she delivered to ensure medical

attention was on hand if necessary.

Three days before delivery, there was a false start with

intense Braxton Hicks. The day before Christine noticed

reduced movements from her otherwise active baby.

and then things started happening for real at their Halls

Head home in the early hours of Monday 18th april. it was

evident the end of her pregnancy was looming; she was

going to become a mother again.

“The contractions really picked up about 3.30am

when the pain became unbearable,” she told Offspring. “i

woke Damieon and told him it was time to head into the

hospital. we left for the hospital about 4.45am.”

Unfortunately upon arrival the contractions slowed and

became increasingly sporadic and an internal examination

showed only 2cm dilation. a midwife suggested the couple

return home for a while longer as the labour wards were full.

Once home, the contractions started gaining in intensity.

“i knew he was coming and soon,” Christine said.

The couple once again prepared to head to the

hospital, but things started happening much quicker than

anticipated.

“i got to the front door and the contractions were just

piling on top of each other. i doubted we were going to

make it to the hospital,” Christine explains. “By the time

i got to the first pillar in the driveway i was calling to

Damieon to get a towel and he was yelling to hurry up and

get in the car.

“i managed to get around to the passenger door and he

lent across and opened it for me. i put one hand on the

open door and one on the car roof and knew the baby’s

head was right there.

“i yelled that he needed to call an ambulance.”

Damieon ran inside and called an ambulance and the

head was completely out by the time he was back outside.

“all i could think about was him catching the baby, i

remember saying it over and over that he had to catch

him,” Christine recalls with electricity in her voice.

“Damieon tried to lay me down or get me to sit on the

driveway, anything to make me more comfortable, but

once i was pushing, i had to stay where i was and that was

simply standing there leaning on the car door.

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$10

“i wasn’t screaming, but i was bearing down, obviously

making enough commotion that the neighbours started

coming out.”

in the end there were two neighbours in assistance,

unfortunately the retired midwife who lived in the street

had gone away the day before.

“while the shoulders were passing through i could

feel Damieon behind me, guiding the baby out and one

more push and Haanei was here, in our driveway and

not breathing. it was so surreal,” Christine gushes. “i was

calling out ‘is he ok?’ it was my Number One concern.”

“we were starting to freak out, as we had no medical

attention or knowledge of what to do, but finally, after

what felt like ages, Haanei started crying and a huge

relief swept over us, we knew he was ok, at least to some

degree.”

in the few minutes before birthing the placenta,

Christine managed to get back inside the house.

“So there i was having just given birth, sitting with the

door wide open, Damieon holding Haanei, the placenta

being delivered and all thoughts on if the baby was ok and

ambulance officers appeared beside me.”

The cord was clamped and Damieon cut it, and the

family were swept off to the hospital. On arrival Haanei and Christine were examined by the

surprised midwives. Despite his early arrival at 37 weeks

and 4 days at 3.25pm, Haanei George weighed a healthy

3.07kg and was 48.5cm in length.

The lack of medical attention meant Haanei had some

fluid on his lungs, but seemed otherwise in good health,

however, after an initial breastfeed, he refused to feed for

another day, sparking concern.

“Blood tests showed an infection somewhere in his

body, so they started intravenous antibiotics and we were

sent home with oral antibiotics,” Christine explains. “The

first week of his life was emotionally very hard.”

“i never visualised his birth happening the way it did. But

as a result his dad has formed a very tight bond with him

and after the losses and initial reservation, we had it is so

important to have that love surrounding Haanei. after all it is

not just sleep and food that helps them grow, but love too.”

The birth did grant Christine her wish to be drug free.

“it was at the top of my list, with exclamation marks,

and clearly i accomplished that,” she laughs.

The tiny bundle gurgling in his father’s arms remains

completely oblivious to the commotion surrounding his

first moments.

“Damieon is already talking about next time. i could

see us doing a home birth again, but definitely with a

midwife in assistance. i’ll just take it one step at a time for

now, i have been blessed with my miracle,” she muses. “i

guess we will have a pretty amazing story to tell at his 21st

birthday party though.”

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The prevalence of electronic modes of

communication, work and play with screen

based devices such as Tv, DvD’s, Play Stations,

emails, social networks such as Facebook and Twitter,

ipods and iphones, is concerning many educators and

parents. They fear children are no longer learning how to

engage and socialise properly, face to face, the good old

fashioned way.

Let’s not forget you only get to be a kid once! we need to

encourage our children to get outside and play games and

sport, not just sit in front of a Tv or computer screen to

play; to get together with their friends & family in person

and talk, rather than communicate by texting or emailing.

we should make sure that at a young age children interact

with their friends in imaginative play, rather than be

spoon-fed imaginative ideas by the Tv or movies.

By helen DaVey, B.a.eD, PrinCiPal of helen o’graDy Drama aCaDemy

research indicates too much “screen time” is affecting the psychological development of young children, with current recommendations suggesting parents should limit their children’s screen time to no more than two hours per day.

Let’s“just pretend”

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50 Offspring | winter 2011

Bringing back good old fashioned “Let’s Pretend” is a

great place to start as it encourages children to be creative

and imaginative, something of which they have bucket-

loads, but which often needs to be helped along by finding

an appropriate outlet.

This is where the Performing arts can be a fantastic

creative outlet for children. we are so lucky

in Perth to have quality programs

around that expose children to

music, dance and speech and

drama classes, and which provide

opportunities for children to

interact, use their imaginations,

be in a creative environment and

learn so many important life skills

– in particular, sound communication

skills!

a while ago, i received a call from Kylie,

Mum of five year old Jacob. She was very concerned that

Jacob was not making friends at school and had been told

by his Pre-Primary teacher that he hardly spoke in class and

couldn’t even look his teacher in the eye. Kylie mentioned

that Jacob spent a lot of time at home watching DvDs and

Puppets can bring lots of excitement and creativity to imaginative play. Finger

puppets, hand puppets and handmade puppets (such as popsticks and paper plates or socks, material and buttons) are a great way to get children playing

and interacting. Puppets can use different voices, lots of emotions and also provide a way for children to learn how to express themselves verbally with no pressure. Parent involvement can be loads of fun

and play sessions can even end in a puppet show.

A very effective way of encouraging children to engage in imaginative play is to provide them

with the good old “dress-up box”.

A shop – use shopping bags, cans and packets of (non-perishable) food, play money, a cash register (shoe box). Doctor’s office – toy doctor’s kit, or

handmade equipment such as tea towels for slings, toilet paper for bandages, band aids, pen and paper for taking notes, plastic syringes for giving medicine.

A boat – made out of a large cardboard box, or even some chairs and rugs. Include fishing rods

(sticks and string), oars, hats, buckets, telescopes or binoculars (empty toilet rolls!). Cars/trains/planes

– again, made out of cardboard boxes, or chairs. Kitchen – old cooking utensils, boxes or chairs to

represent the stove, oven and fridge. Plastic food can be used, or you may even like to use some real food

such as cereal, pasta and so on!

Page 51: Offspring Magazine Winter

Offspring | winter 2011 51

that he could recite every word of

some movies and act out many of the

characters at the same time. She said

that at home he was pretty verbal and

had a great imagination, but it didn’t

seem to transfer to school or other

social situations. it had been suggested

to her by the teacher that she give

drama classes a go.

well, to cut a long story short, Jacob

has been going to his weekly speech

and drama classes for over a year

now. initially, he was shy and quiet

in class and merely followed other

kids around in the various activities –

always with a little smile on his face.

Gradually, that smile grew and grew

and so did Jacob’s confidence. Jacob

began to put his hand up and offer

creative suggestions, to be the first to

volunteer to get up in front of the class

to demonstrate his ideas, to bounce

into the class, look his drama teacher

in the eye and say “Hi Caroline! wait

til you hear what i did at school

today!” From the little boy who was

practically dragged into his first class

by his mother, to the outgoing, friendly,

articulate boy who wishes “drama was

on every day” there has been a huge,

positive change.

Jacob now has lots of friends at

school and plenty of play dates after

school. He wants to take news each

day to year One so that he can get up

in front of his class and talk to them.

Jacob’s mum says he watches far less

Tv as he is too busy playing with

his friends, getting his mum to help

him write stories and also making up

plays with his brother which he likes

to perform for the whole family.

we all want similar things for our

children: we want them to be happy,

successful and healthy. we want them

to be able to speak out for themselves

and we want to arm them with the

ability to be active participants in

whatever life has to offer.

That is why i wholeheartedly agree

that we should limit our children’s

daily screen time to two hours or less.

after all, there is plenty of time in front

of a screen once we are responsible

adults. incidentally, if you multiply

the two hours daily by 365 days and

multiply that by 17 years – it works out

to 12,410 hours which is equivalent to

approximately 517 days. Crazy!

Think back to your own childhood

before the obsession with Tv and

computer screens. what did you do

with those 12,000 odd hours? How

do we want our children to use that

time? whilst the temptation of the

screen has never been stronger, the

variety of alternatives such as the

many performance arts programs

available has thankfully never been

more varied. we, as parents, have the

opportunity to expose our children

to creative outlets which will help

unlock their incredible potential. So

help your child find that drama, dance

or music class which is not only going

to give them bright, ‘technicolour’

memories of a vibrant childhood, but

also give them the tools they need for

a bright, ‘technicolour’ future.

An “Imagination Corner” can be a small area in a child’s bedroom, loungeroom, or on the

patio where an imaginary real life scenario is set up. The theme can change as

often as you feel like.

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Creative & non competitive fun for 3yrs old to adults. Beginners to advanced. Also classes for intellectually disabled• Jazz / hip hop • Classical ballet • Contemporary

Michelle Babicci School of DanceFun and caring classes

Phone: 9243 6946 Email: [email protected] www.michellebabiccischoolofdance.com.au

Fun And FItness through dAnceThe Michelle Babicci School of dance has been running successfully since 1990 with weekly classes currently held at the Uniting Church Hall in Wembley. It offers classes for beginners to intermediate and advanced for three year old children through to teenagers and even adults.

The Michelle Babicci School of dance also offers classes for intellectually disabled primary school students, teenagers and adults.

Principal, Michelle Babicci, says it is a “no frills dance school that offers a fun and relaxed learning environment”.

“We focus on developing a variety of dance skills in a caring and non-competitive atmosphere to enable each student discover their own creativity,” she says.

“Each student is special in their own way and we endeavor to encourage them to have an appreciation for one another and their God-given talents.”

Students can do classes for fun & fitness with the option of assessment and exams in classical ballet.

The School also holds an annual concert near the end of the year which is a highlight for all the students.

The School aims to develop ongoing fitness and technical improvement; to create team spirit and confidence, while fostering a genuine love and freedom through the enjoyment of dance.

For information visit www.michellebabiccischoolofdance.com.au

Be the Best you can Be!Performers Academy Australia opened in February 2010 and has been going from strength to strength. All classes are taught by qualified teachers with firsthand performance experience so they are suitably equipped to inspire, instruct and encourage students to reach their full potential and be the best they can be!

Principal, Carolyn Sinnett, has been dancing since she was two and enjoyed a successful and varied career as a professional dancer, singer and actress, appearing in musicals in the West End and on tour, in productions aboard cruise ships and on television. Here in Perth, she also teaches at WAAPA and has choreographed productions at the Regal Theatre and His Majesty’s Theatre.

“Whether students wish to pursue a career in the performing arts or simply dance for fun and fitness, they are all encouraged to work hard and do their best in a fun and nurturing environment,” she says. “Whilst they learn and develop dance and performance related skills, students also gain many valuable transferable life skills such as self-awareness, confidence and discipline which will aid them in the future, whatever career path they choose.”

Classes are available to students aged 3 years and upwards.

For further information visit www.performersacademy.com.au or call 0404 545 845.

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Offspring | winter 2011 53

We offer UNIQUE and EXCITING Creative Movement and Drama classes for children aged 18 months to 14 yearsIf your child enjoys Music, Singing, Dancing and Acting, they will LOVE these classes!

www.tinyshowstopperswithmisssabrina.comENQUIRIES Sabrina [email protected] or PH: 0414 801 733

TERM 2 AND 3 OFFSPRING

SPECIAL – TRY FIRST CLASS FOR

ONLY $5.00!

CREATING CONFIDENCE IN KIDS!Come join in the fun and let us help your child to SHINE!

Also NEW Acro-stars(5-12 years)Fun Acrobatics class in 2011!

Based in Cockburn

CentralClasses also held for 5 - 17 year olds

throughout Perth

www.helenogrady.net.au

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showstopping fun with Miss saBrinaBased in Cockburn Central, Tiny Showstoppers Mums and Bubs classes (18 months-2 years) and Tiny Showstoppers classes (2 -5 years) include a creative movement session where fun songs are used to encourage singing, dancing and actions. (Exciting props such as ‘Magic’ Capes, Scarves, Shaker Eggs, Bells, Beanbags, Magic Wands, and Ribbon Sticks are used throughout the program.) There is also a Mat time session which includes Mystery Box Newstime, and Singing and Learning Time.

Drama Showtime classes (5 -14 years) are FUN and include singing, improvisation, skits, creative movement, scriptwork and theatre games – all designed to increase your child’s self-confidence and bring out the ‘natural performer’ in them! Acro-stars (5-12 years) is a NEW class where students can learn acrobatic tricks in a fun and encouraging atmosphere taught by a qualified gymnastics/acrobatics instructor.

For enquiries and enrolments please contact Sabrina Phone 0414 801 733 or email [email protected].

KIndY drAMA KIds Are ALL stArs!Some of our Kindy Drama lessons (for 3 – 5 year olds), involve our students in dressing up in their favourite costumes! Our self development program, which aims to give preschoolers confidence, verbal skills and self esteem, runs three main themes each term and each theme includes opportunities for children to dress up and enjoy using props. Pictured here, are some of our groovy kids dressed up as stars for our recent “Music” theme.

Fun-filled Kindy Drama classes are run by the Helen O’Grady Drama Academy, which has been running after school programmes for 5 – 17 year olds for over 30 years! After many requests from parents, the Kindy proram was started for 3 – 5 year olds and is held weekly in the Northern and Western suburbs of Perth, during the day, after school and on Saturday mornings. They have become very popular and places fill fast!

Weekly classes are held for 3 – 5 year olds, 5 – 8 year olds, 9 – 12 year olds and 12 - 17 year olds throughout Perth, so there is a class near you!

To enrol now, call Principal, Helen Davey, on 9242 4722 or email [email protected].

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boys

Boys germs delivers buzz-worthy, unique and innovative products for babies, toddlers and mini men found online. Boys germs features a daily mix of quality reviews with the belief that there is plenty out there for boys – you just have to dig a little deeper to find them! For great boys’ products visit www.boysgerms.com.au

By alana BlaCka

Vroom Vroom, scoot over horsey. Wooden scooter available through www.limetreekids.com.au for $89.95

What boy doesn’t like to spot a plane, bird or helicopter up the sky? Bring that joy into his room and light it up with this awesome kite light available through www.thelittlekidzcloset.com.au for $104.95

Bring your boy’s dreams to life and make him feel like a little hero while he sleeps in his own fire engine toddler Bed. available through www.bubbabling.com.au for $319.00

take a trip to the moon and have a game in space with a little old fashioned fun. this wooden space Pinball game is available through www.flyingpenguin.com.au for $89.95

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Join the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle until you have completed the construction of the race track. now buckle up and race your car around the bends and straights of the circuit. available through www.sendatoy.com.au for $79.95

this cute little critters can teach you to tie your shoe laces, do your buttons and buckles and work a zip all while playing. available through www.bambinipronto.com.au for $49.95

Dress him up and have him looking squeaky cool in these gorgeous leather shoes. available in sizes 3-7 through

www.mybabyshoes.com.au for $32.95

Dress your boys in what celebs are dressing their kids in. fresh from la with designs influenced from the streets of hollywood, these trendy jeans by mini shatsu have everything going for them. available through www.lookingatyourkid.com.au for $46.95

these gorgeous prints by little Beehive have each been signed by the artist are available through www.larkmade.com.au for $65.00

Page 56: Offspring Magazine Winter

Crawling Caterpillar

CraftycrittersCrafty Ideas for Uncrafty Parents

1. Punch a hole into the base of each plastic cup.

2. Cut the card rolls into pieces about 5cm long.

3. Tie a large knot into the string and thread it into the cup and out the bottom.

4. Next thread on a piece of card roll.

5. Repeat with cups and card rolls until the caterpillar reaches a suitable length.

6. Attach a pipe cleaner to form the antennae.

7. Twist to secure. 8.Then tie off the last cup. Use the remaining length of string to pull the caterpillar along.

Stick or draw on some eyes and your caterpillar is ready to wiggle!

Here’s how to make a simple caterpillar that really wriggles. ● SUiTS AgeS 3 ANd UP. CRAfTiNg Time: ½ HoUR.

You will need: ❏ 10 x plastic cups ❏ Toilet rolls ❏ string❏ joggle eyes (optional) ❏ pipe cleaner

By Miya Maeda, creator of JellyfishJelly.coM

Most parents have probably looked

at the clock with despair and

wondered, “How on earth am I going to

fill the next five hours until bed time?” Although craft may

be way at the bottom of your To Do list – somewhere after

“teach the kids the drums” or “juggle venomous spiders” –

it can be simple, inexpensive and lots of fun!

With the right ideas and a few supermarket items, you’ll

be getting crafty in no time. Here are some bright ideas to

get you started.

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Stained Glass MosaicsA fancy name for a simple project using coloured Contact and whatever bits you have around the house. Children can easily stick objects straight to the plastic. No glue, tape or staples required.● SUiTS AgeS 6 moNTHS ANd UP. CRAfTiNg Time: 5 miNUTeS To SeT UP.

You will need: ❏ Contact – one colour or many ❏ sticky tape ❏ scissors ❏ a range of things to stick on the Contact

1. Cut a piece of Contact to fit whatever convenient window space you have. Use a window or glass door that is easy for the child to reach. Peel off the backing paper and use the sticky tape to adhere the corners of the Contact to the glass. Remember to put the non-sticky side of the contact against the glass. The sticky side should be facing out.2. Children can now stick the pieces straight onto the Contact. for many more projects and crafty tips visit www.jellyfishjelly.com

Straw boxThis activity is suitable for children of all ages; even babies can have a go. The best part is it takes seconds to make. The idea is simple – poke the straws into the holes. Use the box to store all the straws in.

You will need: ❏ small cardboard box such as a shoebox ❏ coloured straws ❏ scissors ❏ pen or pencil with a reasonably thick diameter

1. Cut the straws into a variety of sizes.Use the pen to pierce several holes into one side of the box.2. Show your child how to thread the straws into the holes.*optional: draw different coloured circles around each hole that match the colours of the straws. Show them how to put the right coloured straws into the corresponding hole.

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By claire arMstrongIf the

fitsschool

58 Offspring | winter 2011

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Where your child will attend school is as

easy as geography for those parents happy

with the education provided at the local

public school. For others it may follow religious values,

or be a mirror image of the education they themselves

experienced, or is perhaps set in family history. But for

many, the options are endless and at times overwhelming.

Whether you elect for private or independent education,

which covers a realm of religious and educational

philosophy schools, it is vital to make your decision early,

as there are often waiting lists and fees to consider.

Many parents without religious attachments are still

eager for their children to gain a private education. It may

seem the options are limited in Western Australia, outside

of alternative philosophy approaches, but there are several

schools without any affiliations,

including Murdoch College,

Helena College, the International

School of WA, for example and

several Christian colleges who tout

their non-denominational approach, as

well as community schools.

The best place to start looking is

the internet. Almost every school has a

website, some more comprehensive than

others. Once you have your shortlist you

will be able to find out more through open

days, tours or meeting with the school

principal and key staff members.

Your local council’s website should

have a list of schools in your area which

is useful when considering travel time.

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Friends and family can provide valuable feedback about

their personal experiences with schools. But remember,

reputations are often slow to change; unlike staff, principals

and attending students, which change from year to year.

Here is a broad overview of the schooling options

available.

Public

Going to school close to home can have its advantages. These

include having friends in the neighbourhood, the option of

walking to school, having other parents nearby to assist with

school runs and the potential for involvement in the local

community.

Most government schools take enrolments from the

second term of the year before your child will start school

with preference given to students within the local area.

To enrol, parents must provide a birth certificate and

immunisation record, and sometimes proof of residency in

the form of a utility bill.

If you are not happy with the local school assigned to

your catchment area, you can put your child’s name down at

another government school, in the hope that a place becomes

available once the local intake enrolments are complete.

All government schools have some form of fee structure

and, while encouraged, it is still voluntary and ranges

from $100-300 in primary years. The only way to know the

exact cost of a particular school is to ask. In addition to

the voluntary contributions, parents will also have to pay

for stationery, books, school uniform, sports equipment,

musical instruments, school trips and camps.

Religious

There are 11 major religions represented in WA schools

including Anglican, Baptist, Catholic,

Church of Christ, Free

Reformed, Greek

Othodox, Islamic,

Jewish, Lutheran, Seventh-

day Adventist and Uniting

Church.

The majority of religious schools

are Catholic, however the religious

content varies between schools as does

the level of commitment expected by the

school to its religious ethos.

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60 Offspring | winter 2011

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*Conditions ApplyValid Until 30th August 2011

Most Catholic schools require copies of your child’s

birth certificate, immunisation record, latest school reports

if transferring from another school, baptismal certificate,

letter of reference from a church pastor and an application

fee, generally $35-50. The school follows up applications

and interviews with the prospective students and their

families before offering places with annual fees ranging

from $900-2350 plus levies for early primary years.

An enrolment preference scheme

is in place at most Catholic schools,

with First Round offers given

to students of the religion from

within the parish with a priest

reference, however Baptist and

Anglican schools usually offer places

according to the date of receipt of

the application.

Many of the Baptist, Anglican,

Lutheran, Islamic and Jewish schools

in WA come with the added bonus

of hosting classes from Kindergarten

through to Year 12, allowing students

to remain in the same environment

for the duration of their studies.

Annual fees at Baptist schools range from $2100 to $4350

for junior school, meanwhile fees at Anglican schools can

fetch anywhere from $2500 to $15,500 for primary education.

Lutheran education averages $2500 annually for early

primary, Islamic $1400 to $3000 annually, with heavy

discounts for siblings and Carmel School, the only

Jewish school in Perth, charges an enrolment fee of $200

and states a fee schedule is available upon application;

however, the school’s philosophy is to not exclude any

Jewish child and offers fee assistance as needed.

Children are free to

choose their own

activities and work

at an individual

pace … Classes are

grouped in a three

year age range.

Offspring | winter 2011 61

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and are siblings of students are often given

priority. The application process includes a

non-refundable fee of around $100. Annual

fees range from $4600-$8000 for primary

years, with additional levies and fees.

When choosing Montessori education it is

important to consider secondary education as many schools

do not go beyond primary years. The Montessori School in

Kingsley is the first in WA to include a secondary school.

Steiner – Waldorf approach

Steiner or Waldorf education is based on the methods of

Rudolf Steiner and aims to educate the child artistically,

from a holistic approach, by weaving art into every subject

to bring academic subjects to life.

Steiner schools are structured differently to the

majority of schools with no hierarchy or principal and

the teacher stays with the same class for the duration of

primary school.

The use of electronic media by students, particularly

television, is strongly discouraged.

Whilst there are fewer Waldorf schools than Montessori,

they are also generally cheaper. The application fee ranges

from $35-60 and annual fees from $2500-$4500 for Year One.

Few Steiner schools cater for the high school years. The

Perth Waldorf School in Bibra Lake is one rare example

offering Kindergarten through to Year 12.

Community/Alternative/Open Learning

Another option is community schools, sometimes called

alternative or open learning education. The schools act

independently and form their own curriculum and ethos,

the core philosophy is child-centred learning.

The schools pride themselves on encouraging a

direct partnership between parents and teachers in the

Montessori approach

Montessori education is growing steadily in Australia. It is

based around Dr Maria Montessori’s belief that education

begins at birth and during the

first years the child’s power of

absorption and learning is at its

highest.

Children are free to choose

their own activities and work at an

individual pace within the ‘prepared

environment’ classroom. Classes are

grouped in a three year age range.

The role of the teacher in the

Montessori approach is held

by a director who observes and

unobtrusively monitors each child’s

development.

Most schools require attendance

at information evenings or classroom

observation prior to application. Preference is given to

children in order of wait lists and on the basis of interviews;

however, children who have attended Montessori playgroups

Steiner schools are

structured differently

to the majority of

schools with no

hierarchy or principal

and the teacher stays

with the same class

for the duration of

primary school.

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education of children and are often small, co-educational,

multi-cultural and non-denominational.

One such example is Bold Park Community School

(BPCS). Rose Carey, the Registrar, says the school is unique

in its ability to offer the Reggio Emilia style of education

beyond early childhood, into primary, middle and college

years, after gaining registration to teach Year 11 and 12

from this year.

Rose explained that the Reggio Emilia approach views

young children as strong and capable. The child is not

an empty vessel ready to be filled with knowledge but a

unique individual who already has a great deal to offer.

Enrolment usually consists of a form and registration

fee. However, fees vary greatly as the schools operate

independently. For example, Kerry Street Community

School in Hamilton Hill charges $310 per term and does

not have a book list or uniform, and charges half price

fees for siblings, while the Quintilian School in Mount

Claremont has a $130 application fee and annual tuition of

$1745 per term for primary years.

Home School

Another alternative is home based education. For some

people in remote locations home based learning is the only

option. However, other factors such as disability, illness,

behavioural problems, gifted children, cultural or religious

conflict or lack of confidence in the local schooling system

can lead families to opt for home schooling.

Still confused?

While it is important to consider each school based on its

individual information, parents should visit the schools

and meet with staff. At any school the staff and their

commitment will make a difference to the environment

and child’s experience.

All schools, whether state, private, religious or

alternative have their own culture and philosophies, so it

is important to consider your family’s beliefs and interests.

There is no point sending your child to a school which

holds values you do not respect.

the directory of public schools in WA can be found at

http://www.det.wa.edu.au/schoolsonline/home.do

to find out the private schools in your area try

http://www.privateschoolsdirectory.com.au/ or

http://www.ais.wa.edu.au/

Offspring | winter 2011 63

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Would you like to develop your child Emotionally and Intellectually?

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Key Features & benefits of the program:• Extendsemotionalintelligencethroughvariousactivities• Easesthechild’stransitiontoschool• Materialsusedarespeciallydesignedtohelpthechildren’s understandingof literacy,numeracy,geography,societyand environment,geometry,practical-lifeetc.• Materialsenablehands-onsensoriallearning,freeexploration andexpandstheircreativity.• Childrendevelopgoodhand-eyecoordinationandfinemotorskills.• Childrenlearntobeindependent,developgoodsocialskills&confidence• MontessoriandReggioEmiliacombinedapproach

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GettinG your child ready for schoolCrescenteec (Crescent Early Enrichment Centre), known by children as “Selvi’s Place”, provides hands-on materials, toys and a stimulating environment to help children learn through play and be prepared for school. Parents, children and the early childhood professional play, explore, create and learn together as a community to help emotional learning take place. It is inspired by the Montessori philosophy and the Reggio Emilia approach.

Crescenteec strongly believes that when children are exposed to such an environment with their parents they gain confidence and acquire the skills for emotional learning at a more rapid rate. Thus, they are more at ease when it is time for them to enter school. Parents often leave the centre after each session contented that they have spent quality time with their child and children always look forward to coming back for more stimulation, exploration and fun. Come and visit Crescenteec to learn more about the “Heart Start” program where children play, care, explore, create and learn with the love for learning.

Call Selvi at 0423 820 777 for more information or visit www.crescenteec.com.au for more information.

Teach your child To read using ‘Toe By Toe®’Are you looking for a program to teach your beginning or struggling reader to read? Would you like a program that improves your child’s reading age in terms of years within months? If your answer is “Yes” then ‘Toe by Toe®’ can help. Toe By Toe® is a little red book that uses a phonics approach to teach a beginning or struggling reader to read.

A 15 minute session, a few times a week can turn a struggling reader into a confident reader within months. All that is required is a Toe by Toe manual, a pencil and a person who can read. Toe by Toe breaks the process of reading down to the tiniest of steps – one ‘toe’ at a time. The fact that the learning steps are small means that a child and parent can measure progress from the first page and the child’s confidence is boosted as a result.

Toe by Toe is used throughout Australia in many schools and family homes. It is recommended and used by speech pathologists, educational psychologists and teachers.

For further information please contact Catherine by email: [email protected], Website: www.redgatelane.com.au or phone: 0407775427.

64 Offspring | winter 2011

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slow food at st hilda’sPre-Primary students at St Hilda’s are transforming anunused area of the school into a flourishing food bowl. The integrated program in Pre-Primary pulls together English, Mathematics, Science, Technology and Enterprise and History. This year, the vehicle for all these subject areas is the planning, building, planting, harvesting and cooking from their very own garden.

The girls have embraced the Junior School’s partnership with the Slow Food Movement. With their love of gardening and enthusiasm to observe the growth of a tiny seeds, they set about establishing a herb garden. Enjoying the slow food process of growing and harvesting food will continue in the weeks to come as the herbs are harvested, in particular when making bouquet garnis and mint sauce.

Guildford Grammar School has a long-standing reputation for providing an outstanding broad-based education for young people. The School is known for its high academic standards, sporting and cultural opportunities, and traditional values.

Catering for K-12, the School is made up of a co-educational Preparatory School, a boy’s only Senior School and boarding facilities for around 110 boys.

Guildford Grammar School has developed its own junior secondary curriculum for Years 7, 8 and 9; one that is specifically “built for boys”. The Catalyst program offers young men the opportunity to participate in a three-year program of courses and projects with a foundation of numeracy and literacy, as well as providing the flexibility and opportunity for boys to pursue areas of individual interest. The Catalyst program is generating international interest, with the School invited to present a paper at an international teaching and learning conference in May 2011.For more information visit www.ggs.wa.edu.au or call 9377 9222.

Photo: Sophie Roads, Harrison Smith, Amelie Williams and Monique Hashem

guildford grammar: a caTalysT for change

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the australian Federal Government reports that one in every four students in australian schools are victims of bullying.

By Vishal Maharaj, Child and adolesCent PsyChologist, azure PsyChology

Bullying is not something new and has been

around for much of human history and can be

defined as the intentional tormenting of others

through physical, verbal, or psychological behaviour. It can

TheBullying

issue

Email your details to [email protected] call Offspring magazine 08 6161 7819

Subs third v2.indd 1 11/05/11 3:53 PM

range from hitting, shoving, name-calling, threats, and

mocking to extorting money and treasured possessions.

Modern technology and communication forums such as

chat rooms and social networking sites have seen a rise

in cyber-bullying, so much so, that serious bullying is

prevalent amongst most social groups.

According to statistics commissioned by the Australian

Federal Government in 2010 one in every four students in

Australian schools are victims of bullying.

66 Offspring | winter 2011

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impact on mental healthIn terms of childhood development, socialisation is very

important once children enter the school environment.

It is here that children continue their learning process of

establishing trust and forming positive peer relations as well

as developing respect for authority and building confidence.

If there is disruption to any of these developmental

components, it is more than likely the child will experience

a deficit in their social and academic development. This

could have a negative impact on the young person’s physical,

mental and social health in the following ways:

physical symptoms - reduced immunity to infection leading

to frequent colds, coughs, flu, bedwetting, headaches and

loss of appetite.

psychological symptoms – anxiety, panic attacks,

Detecting Bullying in your childSome parents find it difficult to elicit information from their

children because bullying can be shameful and embarrassing for

the victim as it displays a clear indication of their inability to deal

with the situation. There is also fear that if you do tell someone life

will become much more difficult. Given this restraint, it is critical

that parents, caregivers, family members and friends are able to

identify some of the warning signs of bullying:

• Returns from school with torn, damaged or missing

belongings

• Has unexplained cuts, bruises, and/or scratches

• Has few, if any, friends

• Appears afraid of going to school

• Has lost interest in school work

• Complains of headaches, stomach aches

• Has trouble sleeping and/or frequent nightmares

• Appears sad, depressed, or moody

• Appears anxious and/or has poor self-esteem

• Is quiet, sensitive, and passive

• Significant changes to general routine

Bullying is the intentional tormenting of others through physical, verbal, or psychological behaviour.

depression, thoughts of suicide, self-harm, forgetfulness,

poor concentration, flashbacks, an unusual degree of fear

and social isolation.

behavioural symptoms - tearfulness, irritability, angry

outbursts, obsessiveness (the experience takes over your

life), hyper vigilance (feels like but is not paranoia), mood

swings, withdrawal, picking, scratching and drug use.

Any of the above symptoms are in fact serious and if

not addressed at the right time can lead to more complex

problems in adulthood. Therefore, it is important to

address the issues once the problem has been identified.

additional informationIf you feel that your child is currently a victim of bullying

or in fact a bully please contact Azure Psychology on

(08) 9349 0624. Email: [email protected]

Website: azurepsychology.com.au

Offspring | winter 2011 67

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Our darlings Snapshots supplied by our readers!

Stephanie WatSOn (4) OF narrOGin GettinG tO knOW the lOcal Farm liFe

JacOb brOWn (3) OF canninG Vale cOurteSy OF Gary WOnG phOtOGraphy

nOah myerS (6 WkS) OF creStWOOd

mOntaya (5) FrOm bOddinGtOn

iSabella (4.5) and lucaS campeOttO (2) OF ballaJura

aVa SalGadO (4 mthS) OF thOrnlie

dakOta (3) OF Secret harbOur

ciScO (3) and haVana (2) hutchinSOn OF SOrrentO ruGGed up in marGaret riVer

Please send high resolution, good quality images for publication to [email protected] Subject: Our Darlings

68 Offspring | winter 2011

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Offspring | winter 2011 69

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the average weight gain in pregnancy is anywhere between 12-14 kilograms however many women gain more than 15 kilograms, making it more difficult for them to regain their pre pregnancy shape and be at optimal health post pregnancy.

As any mother knows the first few months at

home with a newborn is exhausting and normal

weight loss rules don’t apply. Mums have a whole new

set of priorities that need juggling all whilst experiencing

extreme sleep deprivation. Therefore, post pregnancy

weight loss needs a different approach to that of pre

pregnancy in order to fit in with a mother’s new life, and

By rhian allen, owner of loseBaByweight.CoM

babyHow to lose

weiGht

give successful results. The key to any successful and

long term weight loss and good health is a combination of

nutrition, food, exercise, understanding your metabolism

and having the right support and motivation. Without

these it is very easy to fall off the ‘weight loss bandwagon’,

especially when tiredness kicks in.

Why do you Want to loSe Weight?Firstly, you need to establish why you want to lose the

baby weight and really think about it. Write down how still

carrying your baby weight makes you feel. Do you feel a

lack of confidence when going out? Do you crave to fit into

your old clothes? Do you want to have more energy to play

with your children? Do you want to look good naked? Do

you want to have a healthy body inside and out? Do you

want to look good for a special occasion? Or do you want

to slim down to prepare for baby Number Two or Three?

When you have established your reasons have them close

at all times, for example in your wallet or on your fridge

as you will have moments of weakness, and remembering

why you are doing this will help you use will power to

overcome food cravings.

70 Offspring | winter 2011

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speed up weight loss.

Finally, it is very important

to only start exercising after

caesarean section once the doctor

has given the all clear. Due to this

procedure impacting severely on all

three layers of the abdominal wall,

there needs to be adequate time

post-pregnancy to allow for the

tissue to repair significantly before

attempting exercise. Mums need

to be very conscious of lifting and

bending after having a Caesarean

due to the resultant weakness in

your core and abdominal area.

lose Baby Weight was created to help mothers lose weight

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easy-to-prepare recipes visit www.losebabyweight.com.au

Food and nutrition At the heart of healthy living and

weight loss is cellular nutrition,

where our cells are fully nourished

so they function properly enabling

the whole body to work properly,

leading to a poor immune system,

poor digestion, poor nutrient

absorption, poor metabolism and

an inability to lose weight.

In today’s hectic lifestyle it

can be hard to ensure we have

adequate nutrition as food is

heavily processed, and we’re busy

mums, often lacking the time to eat properly at every

meal, often resorting to unhealthy fast or processed foods

that are devoid of good nutrition.

So what are some ways around this? Firstly, don’t buy

processed foods - you just don’t know what has been

added to them. Always stock up on lots of fresh vegetables

and fruits so that you have healthy foods on hand to snack

on. Plan ahead and decide on the foods you are going to

eat during the day as a common issue is being time poor,

then opting for eat junk food. Also, cook recipes and meals

that are easy to make and don’t require endless amounts

of preparation because you won’t do it if it is too hard.

exerCiSeOne of the most common questions mums ask is “How

do I get rid of my belly fat.” Mums are plagued with a

jelly belly after the birth of their babies and although the

weight that has been acquired on bums, legs and arms

can be hard to shift, sometimes removing the belly fat can

seem like an impossible task.

It is well documented that spot fat removal – such as

belly fat – is not possible and that an all-over body exercise

routine needs to be established to successfully rid areas of

fat, like the stomach. However, post pregnancy, the core is

important to focus on as it has not had much of a workout

over the previous nine months. The stomach muscles

need to be reactivated as soon as possible to help reseal

the muscle separation that occurred when the bump was

growing. This will help gain muscle support around the

back and spine to avoid injury when going about caring for

your baby.

By doing some basic core and abdominal exercises six

weeks after the birth of a baby you improve your chances

of having your belly return to its pre-pregnancy shape and

size. An all-over cardio exercise, such as walking, will help

“It is well documented in personal training circles that spot fat removal –

such as belly fat – is not possible and that an all

over body exercise routine needs to be established to successfully rid areas of

fat, like the stomach.”

Offspring | winter 2011 71

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72 Offspring | winter 2011

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for OffspringRevive Clinic is a new initiative offering the community, affordable, simple and convenient healthcare for minor illnesses and general wellbeing. The company currently operates six in-pharmacy clinics nationwide with plans to open 60 more. Coupled with the fact that Medicare rebates are now available for all patients and the walk-in nature of the clinic, it is just like visiting your doctor, but without the waiting. For further information go to: www.reviveclinic.com.au

ReviveMEDICAL ADVICE FROM LEAH HANSEN

CHIEF NuRSE PRACtItIONER, REVIVE CLINIC

Have you seen our new website?www.offspringmagazine.com.au

Are you a Facebook fan? We have many competitions only available via Facebook. Please join us today!

Website Third.indd 1 8/11/10 2:21 PM

QMy children are one and three and they’re always getting sick! They’re not in day care but we do a lot of activities like

playgroup and dancing. We always seem to come away with a cold, gastro or some other nasty illness, while my friend’s kids cruise through germ free. Is there anything I can do to bolster their immune systems? Will the endless parade of illness ever end??

Last winter they were constantly sick and I’d rather avoid that this year if possible. They eat balanced diets, have plenty of fresh air and exercise and I strongly encourage hand washing. What can I do other than staying home all winter?

A On average toddlers have around nine colds per year, with Kindy kids having around 12 colds per year, and adolescents and adults have up to 7 colds per year. Some people will have more or less dependent on their own immune systems, level of exposure to the virus and other factors such as exposure to cigarette smoke, diet, exercise, sleep etc.

The best way to prevent children from catching colds is to teach them proper hand washing. The common cold is spread mostly by hand-to-hand contact. For example, a child with a cold blows or rubs their nose and then touches your child, who then touches their eyes or picks up food increasing the risk of becoming infected with the cold virus.

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To have your medical questions answered by Leah please send an email to: [email protected] Subject Heading: Revive column

But it’s great to know you can have a break from them!!

We love them! We wouldn’t be without them!

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So, I’m stuck in my opinion of what to do and how it will end up. I don’t want to lop off their foreskins unnecessarily. However I don’t want them to end up having to be operated on when they are older and suffer even more.

They have no infections and no discomfort so far.

A This is a highly debateable topic. For expert advice I suggest you talk to an urologist or urological surgeon for expert advice if you are concerned. Phimosis, is the inability to retract the foreskin of the penis. In fact, only about 4% of male babies are born with retractable foreskins and normal bathing of the penis with water and mild soap are generally sufficient to cleanse the penis.

Many people view this normal condition in children as phimosis and mistakenly attempt to force the foreskin back. This can cause harm and lead to the formation of lesions and the condition called acquired phimosis. Generally this condition in young children will totally disappear in all but a few cases by age 17.

The common cold is also spread by infected objects such as door handles, books, pens, remotes, computer keyboard and mouse. The common cold virus can live on objects for several hours, allowing time for your child to touch the object and then rub his or her eyes or nose or eat food prior to good hand hygiene. If your child or other family member has symptoms of a cold it is wise to keep them home and avoid contact with other people to keep the cold from spreading. You should also encourage your child to cover his or her mouth when sneezing, to use a tissue for nose blowing and to wash their hands after blowing their nose, coughing or sneezing. If a tissue is unavailable, teach your child to cough in their sleeve.

Keep a track on your calendar of when the children have a cold; the symptoms they have and how long it lasted and if you noted any potential triggers. If you are concerned this will provide you with some good information to take to your GP.

Q I have a 20 month old and

am concerned that we’re not brushing his teeth well enough. It’s not easy to do even when he’s being 100% cooperative. What’s the best way to take care of his teeth and at what age should he go to the dentist?

A Your child should see a dentist by the time they are one year old and tooth brushing is crucial from the time your baby has even one tooth. Start to develop a habit of brushing in the morning and night to establish a routine. Even before your baby has teeth, you can gently brush the gums, using water on a soft baby toothbrush, or clean them with a soft washcloth.

Once there are additional teeth, use infant / baby toothbrushes that are very soft. Brushing should be done twice daily using fluoridated toothpaste. Flossing should begin when two teeth touch each other. Ask your dentist to show you the right flossing techniques and guide you as to how often this should be performed.

Q Its a bit sensitive I guess but I have two boys (seven and three years old) whose foreskins don’t retract. One doctor has

told me they have Phimosis and they will never retract and another has told me not to worry and to leave it alone!

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PantsBy KAtE BuLLEN, DIEtICIAN AND CO-FOuNDER OF www.DOyOuEAt.COM.Au

fussy

are the words ‘yuck’ or ‘i don’t like this’ frequently heard at dinner time in your house? and are they generally voiced in reference to vegetables or meat? Well, you are not alone.

As a mum and a dietician, these words are regularly

uttered in my house too. So, I started to do some

reading, and it seems that the most disliked foods are

vegetables, followed by meats and fruit. No huge surprises

there! Here are a few reasons why these foods are most

often rejected:

1. It might be a protective mechanism, passed down from

our ancestors, to avoid poisonous foods.

2. Children seem to have a preference for sweet foods.

3. Children are creatures of habit and are often happy to

eat foods with which they are comfortable and familiar.

Fussiness is usually age related. Children often develop

fussiness with food around the age of two, while it

dissipates as they start school. Eating or not eating food

is a way for kids to express their independence and often

has nothing to do with the actual food you are giving them.

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Offspring | winter 2011 75

When kids reject food it can be about the power play.

Remembering this can be empowering when you’re trying

to cope with the constant food rejection!

The good news is that there are a number of ways to

tackle fussiness, including continuing to offer different

types of foods on a regular basis. A two year old will need

to be offered a food at least 10 times before they show an

interest. A four to five year old may need to be offered a

food 15 or more times before they will accept it.

Also, it is not only how often a food is offered but how

the food is offered.

The mother is usually the most influential person when

it comes to kids liking food. Not surprisingly, the foods that

mum likes is often what the kids will like. And the reverse

– if mum doesn’t like a food, then usually the kids won’t

like it either. I am guilty of this – the only food that I really

don’t like is potato (five years at boarding school ... and I

suspect way too much Deb potato!). Now my four year old

daughter doesn’t like potato either. This isn’t a big issue

as we can get through life without mashed potato, but if

mum doesn’t like mushrooms, carrots, cucumber, peas,

beans and asparagus, then the children probably won’t

either. Our role modelling as mums is very powerful and

not to be under-estimated.

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• Serve up a shared family salad & get kids to choose at

least 10 pieces. Good for counting and gives kids some

control

• Offer vegetables as snacks

• Make plain pikelets and add a small tin of corn, grated

zucchini, carrot or chopped mushroom

• Have a salad sandwich as an afternoon snack. Try lettuce,

cucumber, tomato, avocado, grated carrot, mushrooms,

beetroot.

• Pizza – use pita bread or make your own bases. Add

baked pumpkin, zucchini, capsicum, mushrooms,

tomatoes and baby spinach.

tasty vegetables

• Kids generally like lean meat, so cut all fat from meat and choose lean mince.

• Offer meat with a dipping sauce • Meatballs are fantastic as the meat is moist• Meat kebabs – add colour with capsicum, pineapple, tomato and zucchini• Try different cuisines – tacos with lean mince or beef strips and salad, or tender slow cooked goulash• Burgers with mince patties and salad.

tasty meat

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• Choose fruit in season – cheaper and better quality

• Always have tinned fruit (in juice – not syrup) on hand.

Great for when out & about

• Frozen fruit is great on cereal, in milkshakes and baking

• Dried fruit is another option. Just not too much! The

small boxes of sultanas are a great serve size.

• Add fruit to salads. Oranges and mandarins can be used

instead of salad dressing.

tasty fruit

Vegetables are often preferred raw. A tasting plate is

something that I use at home. Some days I will get out all

our vegetables and ask my four year old to pick four or five

to have on her plate. Giving her some involvement and

choice really helps reduce the fussiness.

Social situations can encourage children to eat foods

that they usually don’t eat at home. A typical story is a

child at day-care who will eat all their vegetables but never

will at home. Consider this early peer pressure and use it

Children often develop fussiness with food around the age of two, which tends to dissipate as they start school.

Coming into winter, your family might not have seen

winter vegetables, such as sweet potato, pumpkin, swede

and turnip for many months. Try offering a food that your

child hasn’t tasted, or previously didn’t like, with a food

they do like. For example, when I make up a vegetable

plate I will often include a fruit (eg: apple, pear, mandarin,

kiwifruit) that they like. The fruit adds sweetness and

increases the chance of snow peas, carrots, roast pumpkin

and sweet potato being eaten.

Kate Bullen is an Accredited Practising Dietician and

Mum to a four year old and 18 month old. For more

information can be found at www.doyoueat.com.au

to your advantage! If you know they will eat something

elsewhere then they can eat it at home with you.

Another tip I use is having an early dinner – say 4.30-

5.00pm (yep – that early!). Then, if needed, a quick snack a

little later, bath and bed. Keeping it simple is the key!

If your child still refuses to eat then they are probably

not hungry. An easy trap to fall into is to keep offering

food but my advice is calmly take the food away (I put it

in the fridge in case they are hungry later) and move on.

A healthy child will not suffer from missing the odd meal

but they will learn a valuable lesson. We have had many

nights when my four year old daughter has gone to bed

without dinner. She is fine and she has now worked out

that if she doesn’t eat dinner then nothing else is offered.

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Winter has to be one of my favourite seasons - log fires, thick jumpers and cold toes. It’s also one of my

favourite cooking seasons. Soups and stews are amongst some of the oldest dishes in the world and teamed with fresh warm bread … well, I’m in foodie heaven!

They are also some of the easiest dishes to make and so very simple for children to help prepare.

Growing up, a favourite of mine was always tomato soup. The following recipe is based on a dozens of varieties I’ve tried over the years, along with some input from family and friends. I have finally found my perfect winter warmer....

winterwarmers

Easy PeasyMy favourite kitchen appliance to use during these cooler months is by far the slow cooker. I just throw all the ingredients in on the morning and by evening I have a house filled with delightful smells and not long after a belly filled with warming food!

Probably my favourite meat to cook in the slow cooker is beef, although lamb comes a close second.

And the great thing is, I don’t need to give you a recipe because anything really does go! Just put some chunks of beef, potatoes and any veggies you fancy along with some beef stock (enough to cover the meat) and maybe a dash of red wine and some fresh thyme or bay leaves and you can’t go wrong. Just add a bit of cornflour at the end to make a lovely, thick gravy. Lamb forequarters or shanks are also a great alternative, although I do like to brown the lamb first in a pan prior to placing it in the slow cooker.

Don’t forget to join us on Facebook to connect with other Mums for recipe ideas and up to date news about Yum In My Tum!

By JOHANNA GARNEtt

Tommy Soup800g canned whole tomatoes1 long red chilli, chopped4 garlic cloves, chopped½ carrot, grated1 tsp caster sugar2 tbs olive oil2 slices of sour dough bread, crust removed and cubed2 tbs balsamic vinegar2 tbs freshly chopped basil250ml waterSalt and pepper to taste.

Place tomatoes, chilli, carrot, garlic, sugar, oil, 250ml water and salt and pepper in a pan and bring to the boil. Then simmer for 15 mins. In a separate bowl, place the bread and balsamic and allow to soak for 10 mins. Add the bread and some fresh basil to the soup simmer for another 10 mins. Then, using a stick blender, blend until smooth. Serve with fresh bread and small fresh basil leaves.

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All kids need dirt, trees, water,

experiences with animals and

adventure to grow healthy, happy and

strong! You can get all of these wonderful

experiences from … camping!

You don’t need to have camping gear

you can hire a campervan or rent a chalet or cabin in a

caravan park. In fact this is a good way to find out if your

family enjoy it before you start investing in tents and

sleeping bags.

Suggested camping destinations Within a two to four hour drive of Perth: Yanchep, Greenhead,

Dongara, Geraldton, Mandurah, Bunbury, Busselton, The

Perth Hills, Toodyay, Pinjarra, The Stirling Ranges.

For those wanting to escape the Perth winter consider

going further afield and exploring The Coral Coast, Pilbara

or Kimberley, as May to October is the best time to visit

these areas.

CampervansFor those of you cringing at the thought of sharing showers,

camp kitchens and going without home comforts such as

TV, campervans are a good way to begin camping. Many

provide their own shower and toilet and come equipped with

kitchens, TVs and DVDs so you don’t have to go completely

cold turkey especially for those with older children.

Tents, Caravans, Cabins

Many caravan parks offer cabins with your own kitchen

facilities but only provide communal showering/toilet

blocks. For those who want to really camp and stay

in a tent, you can enjoy a much cheaper holiday and

experience the curiosity and excitement that ‘tent living’

brings to children. Camping offers your children a chance

to meet and play with a host of other children and

hopefully as you point out the luxuries of your home that

they are missing, they will appreciate them more when

you return home.

Heading north for the winterWith all of this in mind we took the boys camping last

September. We hired a Maui van and drove up the coast

to Shark Bay. Did you know the region, including and

surrounding Shark Bay, is World Heritage Listed? You don’t

need to take your family overseas to experience culture

and history, it is right on your doorstep and you need to

show your kids, after all it is their heritage! The van was

lots of fun and a great way to travel. The boys could sit

at the dining table in the back and draw and play games

while we drove, as the camper is fitted with seat belts. This

THE GREATOUTDOORSkids love it!

By JENNIFER BLACK

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We’ve got plenty of fun stuff for kids of all ages.

Hurry limited places.

Challenge StadiumSwim School | Gym Dance | Kanga Karate Holiday Sports Club ZumbAtomic | Fit Club

9441 8222venueswest.wa.gov.au/cs

Arena JoondalupSwim School | Gym Flippa Ball | Sporting Clinics Holiday Sports Club | Fit Club Vacation Care

9300 3355venueswest.wa.gov.au/aj

Monkey Mia is worth a day trip but is not for camping;

the resort is lovely but really only offers an up-market

holiday. The kids loved the dolphin experience and enjoyed

a camel ride on the beach.

If you have time to drive further north to Warroora

Station (pronounced Warra) it is an ideal place to

experience the Australian outback in its most natural

state. They can accommodate caravans and motor homes,

but for a true ‘outback, all natural, camping holiday’ you

can’t beat Warroora. You can find your own secluded spot

in the dunes near pristine coastline and enjoy fantastic

fishing, exploring and the most amazing night skies. An

important tip – take fly nets as this is a working cattle and

sheep station. The property is ‘eco-friendly’ and they pride

themselves on taking care of the ‘fragile nature of this

area’. For more information on booking, facilities and rules

visit www.warrorrastation.com

Sample Pricing – family of four Campervan.

Seven nights Maui 4 berth van, approx $245 per day. All

bedding and crockery is supplied.

Camp grounds and caravan parks ranged from $35 - $100

a night. Tip - We stocked up on food before we left Perth.

www.mauicampers.com.au

made for a very peaceful journey and not nearly so many

“Are we there yets?”

It is advisable to plan an itinerary and book ahead

as you will need a powered site and June to October is

busy. The boys really enjoyed the changes in landscape

and farm animals, which prompted many questions

on science, agriculture, climate and geography. The

wildflowers were also in full bloom and a beautiful sight.

We stopped for a night at Wildflower Caravan Park to break

up the journey and then headed to Nanga Bay – an hour

south of Shark Bay.

Nanga Bay

This is a terrific spot, right on the beach. It's a safe camp

site environment for kids to be able to do some exploring

on their own. Facilities include a swimming pool, hot

natural spa and a range of camping options, from tent

sites to chalets. Keep in mind that the shop has limited

supplies and is pricey however they do offer great value

‘family roast nights’.

Next we stayed at Shark Bay Caravan Park which was

clean, has a great pool area and is central enough to walk

or scoot into town.

80 Offspring | winter 2011

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handy camping websiteswww.westernaustralia.com/campingwww.familyparks.com.auwww.australiassouthwest.comwww.nztravelorganiser.com. www.kangarootentcity.com.au - Camping checklistswww.travel-australia-online.com/camping-checklist.html

Planning ahead for the summer school holidaysOne of my favorite overseas destinations is New Zealand

and the best way to see it is to drive. New Zealand

has some of the best camping grounds you will find

anywhere in the world. They have excellent facilities, are

exceptionally clean and they are everywhere!

So if you want to combine camping with a plane ride

and Duty Free shopping this family holiday takes some

beating. The campervan companies are all located at

the airport so you can literally step off the plane straight

into your accommodation and start driving. The roads

are fantastic, it is easy to get around and you are never

more than half an hour’s drive from the next place. New

Zealanders love tourists; they are exceptionally helpful

and proud of their country.

The kids will love the camping grounds, action-packed

adventure parks and activities like jet boats, white water

rafting, caving, hiking, and skiing, and will be fascinated by

the Maori villages and traditions. The parents will love how

easy this holiday is, not to mention the delicious cuisine

and award winning wines! You will need to book now for

the December to March period which is the best time to go

camping in New Zealand and booking in advance will get

you the cheapest airfares.

www.newzealand.com

Heading south – winter or summerAfter declaring the Shark Bay camping trip a huge success we

decided to go camping again, but this time we headed south.

Bush camping is the best way for kids to really explore

the outdoors with few limitations (other than safety

factors), allowing them to get dirty and make their

own fun. Finding moments of stillness and quiet in an

otherwise noisy and overly stimulated environment is

precious. For this type of ‘free or natural’ camping visit

www.exploreaustralia.net.au

Advantages of touring the South West in a campervan:

Unlike when you head north, there are many towns close

together so you can enjoy a few different locations without

having to spend hours driving.

The winter time can be beautiful Down South; although

it can be quite cold, there is still lots of sunshine around.

Winter Down South offers you a chance to explore

more than just the beach.

Sample Pricing

There is literally an abundance of caravan parks, cabins,

farm stays, holiday houses to chalets so the best way to

get started is to Google the area you want to visit. You will

have plenty of information and websites to choose from

and you can plan a holiday to suit your budget.

Camping tips for families

• Teach young children to stay within eyesight, and

older children within earshot.

• Sort and pack each day of your children’s clothes

within individual small plastic grocery bags in his

suitcase. This way your child can grab a bag in the

morning and have a full set of clothes for the day,

and at night he can stuff the dirty ones back in the

bag thus not mixing up the rest of the suitcase.

• The key to comfortable camping with kids is to

dress them in several layers, which can be peeled

off as they get warm or added on as they cool off.

• Provide each child with their own torch to prevent

any arguments. Children love to play with the

torches and having one also makes them more

at ease after dark. Torches are also handy when

making trips to the showers/toilets, for making

shadow puppets on tent walls and for reading

before bed.

• Teach your children to treat the outdoors kindly.

It’s a great opportunity to educate them about

sustainability, animal habitats, littering and caring

for our environment.

• Camping with children is more fun when you

bring a playmate along. Two or more children will

entertain themselves for longer periods than will a

single child.

• If you have a campervan and are staying in caravan

parks it is easier not to use the onboard bathroom/

toilet facilities – less that you have to clean. We

used this area as storage space.

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82 Offspring | winter 2011

CALENDAR OF EVENTSFRiDAy 27Th MAy TO 5Th JuNE 2011

FREmAnTlE HERiTAGE FESTivAl Music, events, workshops, tours, activities and awards.

COST FREE

TimE various

vEnUE various

COnTACT Sarah Langley 0426 243 738

TuESDAy 7Th JuNE

PAREnT/BABy wORkSHOP - "kiDS’n’mUSiC" An interactive, creative music session for parents & babies using a variety of props including scarves, brushes, instruments, bubbles, sign language, body percussion and more. Morning Tea provided.

COST $6 per person

TimE 10.30am to 11.30am

vEnUE Joondalup Library, 102 Boas Avenue

COnTACT To book please phone 9400 4707

TuESDAy 14Th JuNE 2011 (also July 12th and August 8th)

wOOlDRiDGES “THE READinG TREE” READinG PROGRAm FOR kiDS Held every second Tuesday of each month our dedicated library specialist will read to children while parents can relax in the coffee lounge.

COST FREE

TimE 10.30am to 11.30am

vEnUE Wooldridges 424 Scarborough Beach Road, Osborne Park

COnTACT Bookings are essential, please call 9241 4800

calendar of eventsSATuRDAy 18Th JuNE 2011

HAnDmADE CHilDREn’S mARkETS Handmade Children’s Markets showcases a wide variety of quality handmade and other goods and services for children aged zero to ten years old.

COST FREE

TimE 10:00am to 2:00pm

vEnUE Melville Civic Centre, Almondbury Rd, Booragoon (entry off Davy St)

COnTACT [email protected], 0424958630

SuNDAy 19Th JuNE 2011

COnvERSATiOnS wiTH THE DAlAi lAmA His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet will be engaging with Australian audiences through a series of Public Conversations.

COST $15 to $50

TimE 9.30am to 11.30am

vEnUE Burswood Dome

COnTACT www.dalailamainaustralia.org

WEDNESDAy 22ND JuNE

PAREnT/BABy wORkSHOP – “BABy SiGnS” A captivating session showcasing techniques to communicate with your baby months before your baby even learns to speak. Learn some simple signs using the AUSLAN sign language and find out the benefits of using this program. Morning Tea provided.

COST $6 per person

TimE 10:00am to 11:30am

vEnUE Whitford Library, Cnr Marmion and Banks Avenues, Hillarys

COnTACT Bookings are essential: 9401 8222

ThuRSDAy 23RD JuNE 2011

mOTivATinG mUm: BUSinESS mUmS nETwORkinG Like to get your business networking and the tools to launch or develop your own business at the same time? Motivating Mum brings together six mumpreneurs over a coffee and, as a group, we solve each others' challenges, answer each others questions and support each other in achieving our dreams.

COST $17

TimE 10am

vEnUE Fremantle

COnTACT Julia 0450 067 036 [email protected]

Please submit events for the sPring calendar to:

[email protected] Subject: Spring Calendar

Page 83: Offspring Magazine Winter

28 Comserv LoopEllenbrook WA 6069Phone: 6296 PLAY (7529)Email: [email protected]

FUN - PLAY - HAPPY

Bring this voucher for a

Open 7 days a week

Valid at Let’s Play Centre Ellenbrook until 30/08/2011

check our calendar events on www.letsplaycentre.com for activities and events

Lets Play Centre.indd 1 18/04/11 1:13 PM

Swan ValleyCuddly Animal Farm

FANTASTIC PLACE FOR BIRTHDAY PARTIES

Visit the farm everyday10.30am to 5pmor our TRAVELLING FARMcan come to you!Call ‘Farmer’ Lin on ph: 0424 209 370

128 John Street Henley Brook | www.cuddlyanimalfarm.com

FREE ENTRY For one child per family upon presentation of this voucher

• Farmyard Babies• Bottle & Bucket Feeding• Train Rides• Pony Rides• Bouncy Castle• BBQ Facilities

Valid until 30th August 2011

Cuddly Farm.indd 1 7/05/11 2:26 PMOffspring | winter 2011 83

CALENDAR OF EVENTS calendar of eventsFRiDAy 24Th TO 26Th JuNE 2011

EvERywOmAn ExPO The latest in cosmetics, fashion, health and beauty, wine and food, lifestyle and fitness, personal enlightenment, spiritual guidance and more.

COST $10-$15

TimE 9.00am to 6.00pm daily (8pm on Friday)

vEnUE Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre

COnTACT www.everywoman.exibit.com.au

SuNDAy 26Th JuNE 2011

PERTH UPmARkET Over 150 stalls including handmade clothing, jewellery, giftware, toys, and art. Includes a dedicated Junior Upmarket section.

COST FREE

TimE 10.00am to 4.00pm

vEnUE Winthrop Hall, UWA

COnTACT www.perthupmarket.com.au

SuNDAy 3RD JuLy

TREASURE HUnT mARkET PlACE A market for new goods and services that has something for everyone

COST FREE

TimE 10am to 1pm

vEnUE Craigie Leisure Centre

COnTACT Follow us on Facebook

MONDAy 11Th JuLy

ClOSE EnCOUnTERS wiTH nATivE wilDliFE COST $6 per person

TimE 10.00am to 12.00pm

vEnUE Piney Lakes Education Centre, Winthrop

COnTACT Ph: 9364 0790 Email: [email protected]

MONDAy 11Th JuLy

THE wOnDERFUl wORlD OF wORmS Learn about the magic of worms by building a worm-farm. Make your own seedling pots out of recycled newspaper to fill with yummy vegetables to grow in your garden at home.

COST $6 per child

TimE 1.00 to 3.00pm

vEnUE

COnTACT

Held at Piney Lakes Environmental Education Centre, Leach Highway, WinthropPhone: 9364 0790 or Email: [email protected]

FRiDAy 15Th TO 17Th JuLy 2011

GOOD FOOD AnD winE SHOw Sample good food, acclaimed local produce, enticing chocolates, luscious cheeses, and of course, award-winning Western Australian wines.

COST $31.50 to $75 (concession and child prices available)

TimE 9.00am to 5.00pm daily

vEnUE Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre

COnTACT www.goodfoodshow.com.au or Ticketek

SuNDAy 24Th JuLy 2011 (also Sunday 18th September)

CHATTERBOx mARkETS Chatterbox Markets is the newest market in Perth not to be missed. Showcasing a wide variety of boutique, handmade and unique products for all ages from Work at Home businesses.

COST Free Entry

TimE 10am to 2pm

vEnUE Altone Recreation Centre, 332 Altone Road, Beechboro

COnTACT E: [email protected], W: www.chatterboxmarkets.com.au

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Purple Pamper QueensPurple Pamper QueensPurple Pamper QueensPurple Pamper QueensPPQ

84 Offspring | winter 2011

SATuRDAy 30Th AND SuNDAy 31ST JuLy 2011

mUnDARinG TRUFFlE FESTivAl An opportunity to discover why the French black truffle holds such a revered place in the culinary world and to indulge your food and wine palate. More than 30 top chefs, food personalities and restaurants will be there.

COST Various, some events are FREE

TimE 9.00am to 5.00pm daily

vEnUE Various, Mundaring

COnTACT www.mundaringtrufflefestival.com or BOCS Ticketing

SATuRDAy 6Th AuguST 2011

CiTy OF SwAn winTER ARTS FESTivAl CHOiCE CUTS Catch Australia’s next batch of stage and screen stars as they perform scenes and monologues from Shakespeare to Tarantino!

COST Tickets $20 full and $15 concession from WAAPA Box Office 9370 6895

TimE 7.30pm to 9.30pm

vEnUE Midland Junction Arts Centre

COnTACT Sarah Ryan, 9267 9466 or [email protected]

SuNDAy 7Th AuguST 2011

AvOn DESCEnT FAmily FUn DAy A lovely riverside spot to have a barbecue, live music, kids entertainers, music workshops, competitions, live race commentary and much more.

COST FREE

TimE 11.00am to 3.00pm

vEnUE Fishmarket Reserve, Guildford

COnTACT Swan Valley Visitors Centre, 9379 9400 or [email protected].

calendar of eventsSuNDAy 7Th AuguST 2011

CiTy OF BElmOnT’S AvOn DESCEnT FAmily FUn DAy Free children’s activities, including Gymbus, Circus Challenge, Animal Ark and face-painting, helicopter rides, environmental displays, the Mix 94.5 Gourmet Grill.

COST FREE

TimE 11:30am to 3:30pm

vEnUE Garvey Park, Fauntleroy Avenue, Ascot

COnTACT Marielle Azzopardi 9477 7248 or [email protected]

SuNDAy 21ST AuguST

mARkET GiRl – BOUTiqUE HAnDmADE mARkET Market Girl is a boutique handmade market with something for everyone. The place to see all the emerging designers & unique retailers across WA.

COST FREE ENTRY & FREE PARKING

TimE 10am to 3pm

vEnUE Joondalup Reception Centre

COnTACT www.marketgirl.com.au, [email protected]

SuNDAy 28Th AuguST 2011

CiTy TO SURF The annual City to Surf for Activ fun run includes the marathon, half marathon, 12 km run and walk and 4km run and walk.

COST fees for registration

TimE from 6am

vEnUE Perth City, Perry Lakes and City Beach

COnTACT www.citytosurf.activ.com.au

Page 85: Offspring Magazine Winter

PARTy DiRECTORy

Hire or Buy affordable, good quality costumes!

Balloons & accessories also available!

Kids Party Ad.indd 1 8/04/11 1:54 PM

www.pieceofcakeparties.com.auAn online store specialising in gorgeous party bags, tableware, decorations & accessories to help you create beautiful celebrations for

the special little people in your life!

Fast, friendly & reliable Australia wide service.

[email protected]: 0457 965 334

Offspring | winter 2011 85

Page 86: Offspring Magazine Winter

DiRECTORy

Diana Panucci 0419 173 200Christening Attire for both Boys and GirlsPlease phone to arrange an appointment

www.angeliccouture.net

It’s the most fun you’ll have this year!

We mix music with dancing,

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0-5yrs$12 per

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For an update on all locations & session times check out;jazziecazzies.com.auOr join Jazzie Cazzies on Facebook

contact Cazzie-May on 0407 671 444email: [email protected]

www.jazziecazzies.com.au

Jazzies.indd 1 1/02/11 2:10 PM

Child Care Centre

Casual & regular careby the hour or day

Mention this ad to receive20% off a morning session

or 40% off an afternoon sessionTerms and conditions apply

21D Endeavour RoadHILLARYS WA 6025

(08) 9307 4977www.whitcare.com.au

86 Offspring | winter 2011

Page 87: Offspring Magazine Winter
Page 88: Offspring Magazine Winter

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