Emma

Simone Lettice’s Solo Exhibition ‘Grit’ is Coming to Smart Art Gallery

Simone Lettice Exhibition at Smart Art Gallery Adelaide based visual artist Simone Lettice is gearing up for her latest solo exhibition ‘Grit’ – her bravest and largest collection to date – at Smart Art Gallery. KIDDO caught up with her to chat about her tenacious dedication to her art, her ongoing battle with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and the demands of mothering a toddler… How did you get into painting? I always loved to draw throughout my childhood and started up a handmade greeting card business featuring my drawings in my mid teens. Studying graphic design in my later teens, I didn’t really start painting till my early twenties. A pivotal moment about this time occurred when a friend of mine, looking at a small journal filled with my drawings said, “Simone you need to start doing things you don’t need to squint at!”. Not long after, my boyfriend now husband, provided me with some big primed boards and I went to work creating my first exhibition. Painting quickly took over as my favourite medium. Funny how what was essentially a passing comment spurred me on to change artistic direction. How would you describe your artwork? I can definitely see influences in my work from both the artwork I was surrounded by as a child (family of artists) and the art books I was shown (books on Miro, Matisse and Picasso). It was my grandmother in particular, who really fostered a love of art in me. Encouraging me to paint what I feel, she taught me to use quick expressive markings. To this day my paintings show her influence – my initial sketchings are done quickly and intuitively to create the framework for bold, sculptural abstracts or stylised figurative pieces. Fave thing to paint? I love the boundless freedom abstractionism offers me to be unrestrainedly creative. Painting ‘grit’ has been my favourite painting experience ever! Coming from a more mature, authentic place, I’ve created paintings I would like to hang in my own home. People often look at my paintings and comment on the time they must have taken and remark that I must be very patient. I enjoy the slow, repetitive process, it’s peaceful and meditative. How do you manage and balance mum hat v painter hat? I have become more efficient since having my daughter and more adept at harnessing my creativity and inspiration, ‘turning the tap on’ when I have a window of time, rather than just waiting for inspiration to visit. Even so, I wouldn’t be able to ‘manage’ without the support of my husband, family, friends and a lovely lady that helps out with cleaning once a fortnight. How did you pull together an exhibition [and alll those paintings!] with a toddler + Chronic Fatigue Syndrome? This exhibition has been a labour of love and has taken me longer to produce than I like to admit! Some of the smaller paintings were literally done with my daughter asleep in my arms. Generally, I’ve picked up my paintbrush in stolen moments or when, because family and friends have looked after my daughter or done jobs around the house, I’ve been left with extra time (and energy) to put into painting. It’s been a slow process and at times I’ve felt like this exhibition would never happen. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome can be extremely debilitating (I’ve been left bedridden for years at a time in the past) and its so easy to physically crash if you push yourself too hard. I’ve had to really pace myself to produce this collection. Beyond that it’s been patience, grit, determination and a deep love for creating that have propelled me along when it all felt beyond me. Tell us about your exhibition coming up at Smart Art… I’ve titled the collection ‘grit’ as a nod to the determination required of me to compile it. A collection of 36 abstract paintings ranging from postcard size to 1200 x 1200 canvases, these paintings, all bold sculptural acrylics, were created using layers of carefully and slowly applied paint, or dots using a tiny paintbrush. Gold’s, bronzes, greys and black, with the odd splash of a feature colour were my palette of choice for these pieces. I drew inspiration from constellations, music, collage and bronzed sculptures, but ultimately it was my feeling-based, intuitive process that led me to produce works that I hope my audience will likewise discover their own meanings within. Grit opens May 31st at Smart Art Gallery, 93 North Tce, College Park and will be showing through till the end of July. @simoneletticeart

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May 13, 2019

Top 10 Books To Buy Mum for Mother’s Day

Top 10 Books To Buy Mum for Mother’s Day From Dymocks Hyde Park Every day should be a celebration of Mum, however Mother’s Day is the landmark day of the year where we truly gives thanks to the strong, powerful, loving mammas who have stepped on our Lego, cleaned up our spew, encouraged us and raised us to be who we are today! Sometimes it can be difficult to decide how to reward such a feat so here are some fabulous book suggestions for Mum. let her sit back, relax and enjoy some reading from Dymocks Hyde Park Mum favourites. THE MISTER by E L James London, 2019. Life has been easy for Maxim Trevelyan. With his good looks, aristocratic connections, and money, he’s never had to work and he’s rarely slept alone. But all that changes when tragedy strikes and Maxim inherits his family’s noble title, wealth, and estates, and all the responsibility that entails. It’s a role he’s not prepared for and one that he struggles to face. THE MOMENT OF LIFT by Melinda Gates For the last twenty years, Melinda Gates has been on a mission. Her goal, as co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, has been to find solutions for people with the most urgent needs, wherever they live. Throughout this journey, one thing has become increasingly clear to her: If you want to lift a society up, invest in women. In this candid and inspiring book, Gates traces her awakening to the link between women’s empowerment and the health of societies. QUEENIE by Candice Carty-Williams Bridget Jones’s Diary meets Americanah in this disarmingly honest, boldly political, and truly inclusive novel that will speak to anyone who has gone looking for love and found something very different in its place. THE TIGER CATCHER by Paullina Simons Can true love ever die? The first novel in a beautiful, heartbreaking new trilogy from Paullina Simons, the international bestselling author of Tully and The Bronze Horseman. Julian lives a charmed life in Los Angeles. Surrounded by friends, he is young, handsome, and runs a successful business. Everything changes after he has a fateful encounter with a mysterious young woman named Josephine. THE SPARKLE PAGES by Meg Bignell ‘Is marriage just a series of texts about where the children are and whether we need milk until one of you dies?’ Susannah Parks – wife, mother, cleaner of surfaces and runner of household – is a viola virtuoso. Except she hasn’t picked up a viola for over a decade. She has, however, picked up a lot of Lego, socks, wet towels and other exhibits of mundanity. She has also picked up on the possibility that her husband has lost interest in her. (And frankly, she’s not very interested in Susannah Parks either.) But this year, she has resolved to be very interesting. Also thoughtful, useful, cheerful, relevant, self-sufficient, stylish, alluring and intelligent. THE SEVEN OR EIGHT DEATHS OF STELLA FORTUNA by Juliet Grames When I tell you Stella Fortuna was a special girl, I hope you aren’t thinking small-town special. Other people would underestimate Stella Fortuna during her long life, and not one of them didn’t end up regretting it. Hundred-year-old Stella Fortuna sits alone in her house in Wethersfield, Connecticut, crocheting blankets and angrily ignoring her sister, Tina, who lives across the street. Born into abject poverty in an Italian village, Stella Fortuna’s name might mean Lucky Star, but for the last century, her life has been defined by all the times she might have died. RESTORE REFRESH RELAX by DK Australia Embrace holistic health and optimise your wellbeing with natural remedies for the mind, body and home. Restore Refresh Relax is like no other resource in your journey towards self-care. Through mindfulness, gentle yoga practice, nourishing foods, homemade skincare products and other healthful ideas, this book explores the building blocks for optimising lifelong wellbeing using natural remedies. Featuring more than a hundred natural projects, follow step-by-step instructions in six key areas: practical mindfulness, gentle yoga, nourishing recipes, essential oils, natural skin care and rejuvenating body care. MUM FOR SALE by Zanni Louise Errols mum wont get off the phone. So there is only one thing for Errol to do… Find out what happens when cheeky Errol puts his mum up for sale! OTTOLENGHI SIMPLE by Yotam Ottolenghi Yotam Ottolenghi’s award-winning recipes are always a celebration- an unforgettable combination of abundance, taste and surprise. Ottolenghi SIMPLE is no different, with 140 brand-new dishes that contain all the inventive elements and flavour combinations that Ottolenghi is loved for, but with minimal hassle for maximum joy. THE BEAUTY CHEF by Carla Oates In The Beauty Chef Carla Oates, founder of the natural beauty company of the same name, combines the joy of cooking with the science of nutrition, to create more than 150 recipes that offer you radiant skin and robust health. So head in and browse away… Dymocks Hyde Park 147 King William Rd, Unley SA 5061 (08) 8271 8514

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May 8, 2019

Q&A With Panda’s Home from DreamBIG Children’s Festival

Traditional Chinese culture meets digital technology from Italy in this international collaboration that proves there are no barriers to global understanding. Step into a kaleidoscope of colour, sounds and imagery set against the soundtrack of traditional Chinese instruments in Panda’s Home. Children will join two dancers alongside a zitar player on this unique and immersive adventure through the rich cultural landscape of China. On their travels they’ll encounter bamboo forests and ancient traditions as they learn about the Chinese concept of Wu Xing (“Five Elements”) Wood, fire, earth, metal and water and the harmonious cycle of nature. Italy’s Compagnie TPO creates interactive theatrical spaces using sensors and digital technology. That technology combined with TONG Productions’ beautiful storytelling results in a performance that goes beyond language and cultural barriers. KIDDO got the inside scoop from some of Panda’s Home artistic directors: 1) What is the story behind Panda’s Home? “It was a long process compared to our other productions, and we felt this was necessary. I must start by saying that our city, Prato, has a very large Chinese community and often, sitting and watching our shows, there is a multitude of Chinese children. Panda’s Home was born in this context and its production was nourished by our curiosity and our desire to learn more and more about the traditions and stories belonging to a culture so distant from us, but at the same time very close to us in everyday life. This is the reason why, compared to other productions, we gave ourselves more time in preparing the show to deepen the themes and concepts we encountered. “The collaboration with the director of Tong Production, Lizhu Ren, was fundamental. She guided us by suggesting the theme on which to work i.e. the theory of Five Elements (WU XING), which explains how, as in traditional Chinese thought, the elements of nature are related to each other according to a circular pattern in which each element is transformed and generates the next: wood – fire – earth – metal – water. From the first meeting with Liz and Lili (co-director of Tong Production), we kept the dialogue alive and this allowed us to verify the fidelity of our interpretations to traditional Chinese thinking. In this long period of time we also had moments to meet physically with them and show them previews of the work while it was setting up. It was a long but fruitful and extremely interesting work for us.” —— Francesco Gandi, co-artistic director of Compagnia TPO “It was back to 2015 when TONG Productions began its first collaboration with TPO by presenting one of TPO shows in Beijing. Through a total number of 25 full-house shows in 20 days, the two teams established a real trust and a deep understanding for each other. What is precious is that there is a common goal for producing beautiful but also meaningful shows for children. That ingites my desire to do a co-production based on Chinese culture and philosophy but can be appreciated by audiences from all over the world. Thanks to my overseas study experiences, I learnt to understand and to appreciate different world cultures. There is a growing desire from Chinese families to know better the rest of the world, and there are also families curious about China. Being a local BeiJiner, we are surrounded by historical heritages and rich culture elements. I always wanted to share the story of China with the world in a more interesting way. We were so lucky to have met TPO and found out with each other the right way to work toward this direction. We worked as one team and felt almost no culture barrier at all. It was a great experience working with such a wonderful team. We are proud of Panda’s Home” —— Lizhu REN / Xukun TANG (co-founders of TONG Productions). 2)The performance combines traditional Chinese instruments and digital technology. What can we expect? “In our productions, technology is present. Indeed it is an integral part of the structure of the show itself, but this does not mean that the technology is visible – or worse, ostentatious. We do not use electronic devices just to show them but to make scenes, images and movement of dancers more natural. So the technology used in Panda’s Home makes the scene fluid, credible, alive, allowing images and sounds to interact with dancers and viewers. The presence of traditional musical instruments on stage has the same function – to make a virtual scene as authentic and real as possible. The sound and the presence of the musician on stage helps to give substance to the idea of China that we would like to express with dance and images.” —— Francesco Gandi, co-artistic director of Compagnia TPO 3) What message/lessons do you think the performance has for young people? “The journey, the discovery of the other, the curiosity to learn about countries and cultures different from one’s own. But also the strength that comes to us when we are not alone facing danger – the unexpected, the difficulties. The two protagonists are two guys ready to start an unlikely journey following strange traces that later we discover to be of a panda. With this excuse we will explore the boundless territories of China and we will evoke the characters that populate the legends and the world in which a panda lives. The journey, if you face it with curiosity and willingness to change, can become an opportunity for growth.” —— Francesco Gandi, co-artistic director of Compagnia TPO “The show contains rich Chinese elements. From the philosophy of Five Elements to its natural landscape, from the Chinese calligraphy to its traditional folklores, from traditional Chinese music to typical instrument… but everything is presented in a beautiful yet playful way. We hope the show is like a window to China. From this window, everyone will get a taste of Chinese culture as being so different and being so enormous in terms of content, it is

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May 7, 2019

Help Taryn Brumfitt Embrace Kid’s Body Movement

No child should hate their body. Laying the foundations for body positivity in our kids is a marathon effort. Taryn Brumfitt, Adelaide mother of three, Director of award-winning documentary Embrace and founder of The Body Image Movement, knows first hand what it’s like to have spent a lifetime being at war with her body. We are living in a landscape where body image has become a global problem of epidemic proportions, and sadly, at the frontline of this war against ourselves, there is a generation of children struggling to find the way towards body positivity or even acceptance. Taryn wants to change this; to lay the foundations of body positivity before our children even consider that there is a one-way street of hating your own body. “We weren’t born hating our bodies, this is a learned behaviour”, Taryn says. “When we’re young, we say yes, we do more, we’re free. We learn to not love our bodies, so we can unlearn it as well”. But Taryn is leading the charge to shift thinking before our impressionable kids get to the point of hating their bodies in the first place. And that’s where Embrace Kids comes in; a documentary aimed at 8 to 12-year olds, to be given to schools across the globe as a free resource to educate and inspire the next generation to embrace their bodies. “As a mother of 2 boys and a girl, I want them to grow up valuing their body not as an ornament but rather a vehicle in life. I’ve seen with my own eyes the devastation that poor body image can have on an individual and entire families; this is why Embrace Kids is so important”. To bring this much needed documentary on body image to life, Taryn is hitting the ground running. Literally. On May 26, Taryn and hundreds of people from the Embrace Team around the world will go for a run, with the aim to raise funds to make this documentary a reality. Some will run a marathon. For others it might be 5km. They might run alone, with a group, or with their kids. They might carry within them a child who learned to hate their body long ago. But they will all be running with one thing in common; love. And you can join them. To contribute to this important project or join the Embrace Team, visit au.gofundme.com/embrace-kids-documentary. All funds raised will be used to make the documentary. If you’ve seen Embrace the documentary, you will know how powerful Embrace Kids will be. Keep your eye out in the next issue of KIDDO, where we will be chatting with Taryn about her journey towards body confidence and acceptance, and her hopes for the next generation. Embrace is now available on DVD and Online in Australia and New Zealand at the following outlets: SanityJB Hi FiiTunesGoogle Play StoreBig W You can also view the Embrace trailer bodyimagemovement.comfacebook.com/bodyimagemovement/@bodyimagemovement DONATE HERE: au.gofundme.com/embrace-kids-documentary

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May 6, 2019

Concerts In The Park is Coming to The City of NPSP

Concerts In The Park is Coming to The City of Norwood Payneham and St Peters Do raaaay mi, NPSP will come alive with not one, not two, but three concerts in the park! Families, music lovers, locals and visitors alike are invited to a free concert series held throughout reserves in Trinity Gardens, Joslin and Richards Park. Concerts in the Park builds on previously-run popular events: Jazz by the Kiln and Melodies in the Park, to create a program of three open-air concerts, scheduled to take place this year in February, March and April. Bring your own picnic, or grab a snack from one of the onsite food-trucks. Children’s entertainers will also be there to help keep the little ones occupied so that both big kids and small kids can have an enjoyable evening. Each concert features a different genre of music for all different preferences. Jazz and Melodies are back and Symphony in the Park has been added to complete the 2019 programme! All of the concerts are free to attend and will feature performances from a number of talented bands and artists including Aaron Deanshaw Jazz Trio, Horns of Leroy and Fusion Pops orchestra. Mayor of the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters, Robert Bria, said ‘The first two concerts were extremely successful, which prompted the Council to expand the concert series and hold them annually. The Council is pleased to promote local musical talent at Concerts in the Park. I encourage people to come along, enjoy a great evening with their friends and neighbours and feel a part of the community.’ Concerts in the Park 2019 full line-up: Jazz in the Park Saturday 16 February 2019, 4:00pm – 8:00pm Koster Park, Trinity Gardens Featuring performances from: Aaron Deanshaw Jazz Trio Charli Holoubek Jazz Band Melodies in the Park Saturday 16 March 2019, 4:00pm- 8:00pm Joslin Reserve, Joslin Featuring performances from: Horns of Leroy Aaron Deanshaw Quartet All About Her Cool for Kids Symphony in the Park Saturday 13 April 2019, 4:00pm- 8:00pm Richards Park, Norwood Featuring a performance from Fusion Pops orchestra Concerts in the Park takes place in parks across the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters from February to April. The concerts are free to attend and not ticketed. For more information, visit npsp.sa.gov.au/events.

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May 3, 2019

Adelaide Get Ready to Feel the Dino-Roar!

Dinosaurs have taken over Adelaide! Did you hear a roar? Did you hear a Stomp? The dinosaurs are coming! Jurassic Creatures, is an interactive walk through event that will captivate young and old alike. Explore an ancient world full of more than 30+ animatronic dinosaurs. Get ready to be amazed and thrilled as the greatest creatures ever to walk the earth return and come alive before your eyes. Marvel at the story of their 165 million year domination of life on earth. Watch them move. Hear them roar! Get up close with the most infamous prehistoric animals including everyone’s favourite, the Tyrannosaurus Rex. Become a Palaeontologist for the day. Children will be provided with an expert digger outfit before chipping away to unearth their very own fossil in the digging area (children are provided with a hard plaster egg to dig away at). Plus there will be many more activities to take part in, including dinosaur jig-saw puzzle fossil displays, learn to draw dinosaurs, dinosaur ball pit, walking live dinosaur, dinosaur movies playing, free rides and jumping castles. Also included is a Nickelodeon PAW Patrol Live Show . You can also Meet and Greet Chase and Marshall from Nickelodeon’s PAW Patrol. Jurassic Creatures will run at Bonython Park, Adelaide (adjacent Coca Cola) from 28 June 2019 – 28 July 2019. Tickets available

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May 3, 2019

Splendour In The Grass 2019: The Family Holiday You Never Had

SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS 2019: THE FAMILY HOLIDAY YOU NEVER HAD Got kids but love live music? There’s a festival for that! From the sandpit to the moshpit, Splendour in the Grass has the whole tribe sorted when it comes to living your best festival family life, with a chilled out camping area, Little Splendour (a festival for kids within the festival), babysitting, Rock & Roller Wagons and heaps more. LITTLE SPLENDOUR Little Splendour is the ultimate pint-sized festival playground, designed for the young and young at heart! Fully fenced and secured, Little Splendour is a haven for parents, carers and children to relax, play and discover. For the littlies, surprise visits from their favourite pirates and mermaids are followed by dress ups in the tipi and a dig in the giant sandpit! If that hasn’t tired them out, they can feel the drop at DJ Skool or do some interpretive dance in the music garden. The Big Kids Zone has the rest of the pack sorted, with everything from sports, face painting, henna tattoos and board games. Expect LOADS more crazy cool workshops in the new Workshops Tent, where the whole clan can enjoy arts, craft, music, dance and active workshops each day. Too many red cordials in the system? Get those little terrors to reach for the stars on the new 8m high climbing wall! Or they can burn off all that excess energy on the recycled tyre playground. And if they’ve still got fuel in the tank, the new obstacle course jumping castle will sort them out! Until midnight each night, parents with babies can head to the Tipi to feed, change and rest up. You won’t have to look far for your caffeine fix either, with locally roasted brews on hand to keep you fueled. CAMPING Camping with kids in tow? The Meadow is the place to go! Splendour’s designated family friendly campground is tucked away from the rest of the campers so you won’t have Darren the wannabe DJ dropping bangers when you’re ready to hit the hay. The campground playground has also been revamped, so the little ones can keep themselves occupied while you’re enjoying that morning cuppa. You’ll also find some handy extras in the Meadow, including a microwave and change table. But before you make for the Amphitheatre, pay a visit to the new resident face-painter who will have the kids looking festival ready! BABYSITTING Onsite babysitting is available to help you catch a break! Offload those bundles of joy between 12pm – 12am Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Little Splendour’s Babysitting Club, where trained teachers and childcare professionals will take the reins for up to two hours at a time, and keep the kids busy with creation stations, games, book readings and movies. Bookings essential before July 1 for all children under 4. Over 5’s no bookings required. Check the website for booking information. From 8.30pm to 12.00am a buggy shuttle service will be available from Little Splendour to ferry you and your little ones back to the family campground or car park, so you can get them out of the festival with minimal fuss. Book at Little Splendour when required. ROCK & ROLLER WAGONS If their little legs can’t make the distance, Rock & Roller Wagons will have you travelling from campsite to stage in style. Daytime cruising, night-time snoozing. Parental heaven. Bookings essential. FOOD With over 70 food outlets at the festival there is something to suit even the fussiest eater. But if you have one of those little treasures that will only eat vegemite sandwiches with the crusts cut off, you can always bring along your own supplies. Ready to give your kids the family holiday you always wish you’d had? Stick Splendour in the calendar and stay tuned for the lineup announcement in April! SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS 2019 Friday 19 July, Saturday 20 July and Sunday 21 July North Byron Parklands Tweed Valley Way, Wooyung (15 mins north of Byron Bay) splendourinthegrass.com

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May 1, 2019

How much Sugar is too much?

Hey, sugar! Just how much sugar is too much for little teeth and tummies, and where is it hiding? By Bloom Nutrition StudioJulia Boase and Angela Stradwick, Accredited Practicing Dietitians Sugar can be a divisive little word for parents. For some, the thought of a little sugar sparks joy, sprinkling love into baked goods packed off into lunch boxes around the country. Where others go into combat mode, with a zero-tolerance approach to the sweet stuff. So just where should we sit in the debate on how much sugar is the right amount for our kids? What exactly is sugar? Typically, we think of dietary sugar as those little white grains of table sugar. But technically speaking this is actually sucrose, a simple carbohydrate made up of glucose and fructose. In Australia, this is usually made from sugar cane. There are many different naturally occurring sugars found in our food supply, like fructose from fruits, vegetables and syrups, and lactose in milk. Our digestive system also breaks down more complex carbohydrates from starches to form sugars within our body. All of these different types of sugar are a fuel source for all the amazing things we do – like growth and development in childhood, and physical activity in all stages of life. Where is it? For Australians, naturally occurring sugars come mostly from fruit, vegetables, honey and dairy products, but these aren’t the real issue. Not only are they travelling companions with a host of dietary good stuff – think fibre, prebiotics, probiotics, vitamins and minerals – they also don’t make up the bulk of our sugar intake. The majority of our excess sugar intake comes from added ‘free sugars’, in high calorie, low nutrient foods and drinks – soft drinks, flavoured waters, sweetened fruit juices, as well as commercially made cakes, biscuits and pastries. And while more than half of us eat over the recommended amount, the highest consumers of free sugars are our teenage boys. What’s wrong with too much? When our intake exceeds our energy needs, too much sugar can be a risk factor for excess weight gain. Even when growth and activity levels are on track, having too many sugary foods leaves less room in the diet for the healthy nourishing foods and drinks our bodies need to stay well and be at our best. And then there are teeth. Bacteria in our mouth break down sugar and convert it to acid that causes tooth decay. Food and drinks that are consumed slowly or regularly throughout the day or those that stick to teeth are the worst. Soft drinks and sweets, we’re looking at you. How much should we be having? To lower the risk of excess weight gain and tooth decay, the World Health Organisation says to limit our intake of free sugars to no more than 10% of energy each day. Exact amounts will vary, but this equals a limit of about 6-8 teaspoons for toddlers and preschoolers, 8-10 teaspoons for primary schoolers, 12-14 teaspoons for teenage girls, and 15-18 teaspoons for teenage boys. Calculating your child’s actual sugar intake is a tricky business! So at home, rather than focus on how much sugar your child is currently having, just try cutting back on free sugars where you can. When they are eating sugar, try to ensure it’s mostly in foods that also deliver a range of other nutrients. Fill up lunch boxes and family meals with choices based on real foods – vibrant veggies, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins and dairy. It’s ok to include a little sugar in our home cooking when the good stuff makes up the bulk of your food. Cut down on processed and packaged snacks. Most store-bought snacks have a surprising amount of sugar added. Make your own and experiment with gradually reducing the sugar in your favourite recipes. Sweetened drinks are best avoided, so don’t offer soft drinks or cordials (1 can of Coca-Cola contains 10 teaspoons of added sugar!). If you choose fruit juice, keep it to no more than 1/2 a cup per day, and only buy unsweetened 100% juice varieties. Limit sweetened milk drinks, instead choosing plain milk or sweeten with fruit, smoothie style. Avoid sugary breakfast cereals and choose wholegrain “plain” varieties, like rolled oats, Weet-bix and shredded wheat biscuits. Keep occasional or party foods as just that, occasional. Avoid letting them creep into lunch boxes, or become regular pantry items. Read labels on the food you buy. Ingredients have to be listed from most to least, if sugar is high up on the list you probably want to avoid it. And don’t forget to brush those little pearly whites! Oh, and date sugar, rice malt syrup, coconut sugar, palm sugar… while they have a little less refinement and a little more nutrients, yep, you guessed it – they’re still sugar. Banana Oat Pikelets Ingredients: 1 banana1 cup of rolled oats1 teaspoon of baking powder1/2 cup greek yoghurt1 egg1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon Method: Put all ingredients into your blender (I used a high speed nutri-bullet). Blitz until smooth. Place a frying pan on medium / low heat and melt a small amount of butter. Pour mixture into pan in “pikelet size”. Cook for about 1- 2 minutes or until the underside is starting to turn golden brown. Flip over and cook on the other side for another 30 seconds. Suitable for freezing. Angela and Julia are Accredited Practicing Dietitians. Between them they have 8 children, and over 30 years experience years of experience helping women, children and families to eat well. Visit them at bloomnutritionstudio.com.auor @bloomnutritionstudio to find out more.

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April 25, 2019

Cyber Safety & The Momo Challenge

Just to add to the daily challenges of parenting in the online world, in recent weeks it would have been hard to miss the social media frenzy that was the Momo challenge. The media stories, school and news warnings and accompanying images are enough to make any parent sick with worry. Let’s shed some light on the subject. If you’re lucky enough not to have heard of the Momo Challenge it can be explained as a self-harm and suicide challenge. It was said to have found its way onto young people’s social media platforms, threatening them to complete a series of increasingly more dangerous self-harm tasks.  The first media report of its existence appeared early 2018 with stories of a teenager reported to have completed suicide after following a series of self-harm instructions that featured on her WhatsApp platform. The eSafety Commissioner warns that there are videos online showing people “taking the Momo challenge”. It’s important to know that these videos are scripted, and staged performances being acted out with fake messages. They are, however, convincing and may scare young people into believing that Momo is a real thing. There have been media reports and concerns that images of Momo accompanied by voice overs have been spliced into existing children’s video content. Fortunately, there is no evidence that any recent occurrence of this challenge exists and linked to any teen suicides, and no Australian cases have been reported. It has now been widely reported and exposed as a hoax.  Cyber safety and IT experts in Australia have agreed with this and claim they haven’t come across any children who have been involved with the challenge. YouTube have also said there have been no recent videos uploaded with the Momo character in it.  Please remember this doesn’t mean YouTube is safe for children, moderators struggle to keep up with the sheer volume of uploads, and disturbing videos, spliced into what appears to be an innocent video can find their way in. Whilst the video challenge discussed may not be genuine, the images that can be found online when simply typing the word Momo in the search bar can be very distressing for children and parents to see. The image itself is believed to be a Japanese sculpture that is completely unrelated to this challenge and the artist has reported that it has now been destroyed. If your child is talking about Momo it’s most likely the image they have seen after curiously running a google search. If your child has been fortunate enough to have missed all the Momo hype, then it is not necessary to warn them about it by introducing it to them. Breathe a sigh of relief and thank your lucky stars, but don’t go resting on your laurels just yet. This is not the first type of frightening online scam to challenge our young people, and it won’t be the last. Use it as a timely reminder to revisit some family online safety guidelines, equip your family with skills to both protect and prepare them for the next challenge. Tips To Keep Them Safe Online Talk to your children often, asking questions about what they see and do on their games and platforms Have conversations about the risks of searching for things online and put guidelines in place around safe searching Talk about what to do if something is discovered online that makes them feel worried, scared or uncomfortable and put a plan in place. Remind children that you are there to support them should they see anything online that makes them feel scared, worried or uncomfortable. Remind them that they are not in trouble if they do discover something accidentally, or even on purpose. In instances where a child has seen something disturbing, often a parent’s normal gut reaction is to take the device away, depending on their age, this could isolate them from their online world and prevent them from telling you next time something untoward appears on their screen. Monitor closely what children are doing online. Ensure that any online activity is taking place in a common place in the house and not in bedrooms or private places where children find themselves alone. Check safety settings on all family devices and enable Google safe search (but keep in mind this is not failsafe) Have a family conversation about the risks of talking to strangers online and not accepting friend requests or sharing personal information through gaming and social media platforms with people they have never met before Remember Youtube is not for under 13’s, and if you do choose to set up a kids movie, TV series or video clip for their viewing, it’s important to watch it first or watch it with them to ensure that it is safe. Discuss with your children that not everything they see online is real or true, there are actors, photoshopping and digital tricks used to make things appear very real. Find examples of where these are used for suitable age appropriate fun. As an experienced Teacher and Counsellor, Danielle has a special interest in the wellbeing of children and working with families. Through her 25 years of experience working in education settings; teaching, counselling, and delivering quality wellbeing programs to students of all ages, Danielle has found a passion for providing safe online environments for all children and identified a need for cyber safety education and support for families, schools and communities.

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April 24, 2019

Sit Down & Switch On With The Commissioner for Children and Young People

Word On The Street With Helen Connolly, Commissioner for Children and Young People It goes without saying that the world our children are growing up in is very different from the world you or I grew up in. Now that we are living in the age of smartphones, gaming, and tablet devices – 5G is almost here – it’s hard to believe the internet has been in mainstream use for less than 30 years. Artificial intelligence, machine learning, robots and space travel are going to become daily realities soon enough and none of us really know what’s next. But what does this actually mean for you as a parent? Rather than fearing the future, or spending all our efforts trying to predict what it will look like, I believe it is more important that we work to prepare our children, equipping them with the skills to help them define that future. And how can we do that? The myriad responsibilities of a parent include building and maintaining a strong relationship with your child, providing ways for your child to learn the skills they are going to need, and ensuring your child is safe during their time interacting with the wider world, whether that’s in real life or online. From my work speaking to children and young people it became clear that there’s something practical and beautifully simple that parents can be doing right now to meet these challenges – and that is to embrace shared family screen time. Increase the ‘share factor’ to reduce the ‘scare factor’. Simply recognising that you play an important role on your child’s digital learning journey as a parent or carer is the starting point to making a big difference to your child’s digital success. Showing an interest in what your child is viewing, and joining them in activities that promote positive learning and play, allows you to reinforce management of screen activity to reduce potential for negative habit forming behaviours. Whatever your child is learning at school, the more you can do with your child at home to build their digital skills with safe access limits and timeframes considered, the further they’re likely to reach on their digital learning journey. So sit down with your child and switch on. Make it part of your daily or weekly routine as you might when preparing a meal, doing a garden activity, or reading aloud with your child. Each shared experience can strengthen your relationship and you’ll be building fun and valuable memories at the same time as preparing your child for a brighter future. After all, when your child has a healthy and empowered relationship with digital technology, they’re more likely to have the skills they’ll need to create the truly inclusive, democratic and equitable society that our children today, and their children tomorrow, deserve. Take the Commissioner’s Digital Challenge at home I’ve introduced my ongoing digital challenge as a way to increase digital empowerment after children across SA asked for ways to be creative, to learn what they need to know now, and to start preparing for the jobs of the future. In 2019 the Challenge is all about coding and computational thinking. My Challenge gives families a way to get involved even if they’ve never tried coding before. There’s also an extensive library of free resources covering all areas of the digital learning journey from design thinking to digital literacy. Before you know it, you’ll have learnt some interesting skills yourself. The Commissioner’s Digital Challenge is currently running in many schools across SA, at public libraries and through Scouts and Girl Guides with an unplugged version for preschools to be rolled out. commissionersdigitalchallenge.net.au If you’re a child, young person or parent and there’s something you think I should be doing to make things better for the lives of kids in SA, please get in touch! commissionerCYP@sa.gov.au

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April 24, 2019

Local Children’s Furniture: Touch Wood

Australian Children’s Furniture are manufacturers of plywood children’s furniture items for pre-school and primary aged kiddos made locally. Harmony O’Cadin and her two brothers now run the South Australian family business that has been producing commercial retail joinery for over forty years. Three years ago, the trio decided to produce furniture for the pre-school market after visiting Early Learning Centres with their own children and realising that quality, locally made furniture for these environments was hard to find. The trio knew that their local manufacturing facility and skilled employees would be able to produce products that would not only look aesthetically pleasing, but would also offer the durability and quality that can be difficult to find in the flatpack solutions or imported products. We spoke to Harmony to learn more about sustainability and Australian Children’s Furniture: What makes buying from local manufacturers like yourself more environmentally sustainable?  The plywood material we use is purchased through an Australian supplier and comes with FSC accreditation. This means that it is ethically sourced and is not coming from an endangered forest or from illegal sources.The energy used in our manufacturing process is harvested through our solar panels, and we use waste disposal companies that have facilities to process and transform our waste into valuable commodities. We also like that we are contributing to the sustainability of Australian manufacturing by offering employment to skilled joiners and carpenters. What sets you apart from other, more commercial manufacturers? Being a family business located in Edwardstown, we are accessible to our customers by phone, email or in person. Not too many commercial manufacturers are accessible by the general public. We also have the ability to show our customers the products prior to ordering online. This can be very reassuring for schools or Directors of centres and kindergartens that may be looking to place a large order.As we are commercial joiners, we have the ability to custom make additional joinery items that may be required. This is particularly helpful to new centre’s opening up or refurbishments that may require joinery in addition to furniture. What age group is your furniture designed for? Our chairs and tables are designed for the pre-school market (Early Learning Centres, Montessori Schools, Kindergartens and Childcare Centres) and our storage and library units are suitable for pre-school and primary school environments. The range is made from high quality solid birch plywood which makes the furniture very sturdy. The superior quality is instantly recognisable. Can your furniture be customised or custom ordered?  Yes! We have customisable chairs and tables which means that a school or centre can have the backrest of their chairs, or the centre of their tables embedded with their logo or emblem. We have also had businesses use this option for play areas within shopping centres; meaning the furniture on display and used by the kids is branded with the centre’s logo.Our range is continually expanding, but we offer the option to have items custom made to suit a particular request. Do you deliver?  Absolutely! Our furniture is delivered fully assembled and ready to use! We also offer a DIY Collect option for any customers that may wish to save on delivery costs by collecting from our Edwardstown warehouse. View Australian Children’s Furniture range online here: australianchildrensfurniture.com.au@australianchildrensfurniture

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April 23, 2019

Owlet Smart Sock Baby Monitor

At KIDDO we understand that the joy and love of becoming a new parent also comes with a lot of anxiety, new challenges and questions. We love any gadget, app, podcast, advice or tactic that can alleviate even a little bit of that stress. Baby Junction is now stocking a new product that gets our tick of approval… The Owlet Smart Sock 2 baby monitor uses clinically proven technology to track your infant’s heart rate and oxygen levels. Using Bluetooth, the Smart Sock sends this information to a base station which is designed to notify you with lights and sounds if something appears to be wrong. Using owlet’s app, you can view real time wellness data and receive direct notifications on your phone. Product Features:– Track heartrate and oxygen levels using clinically – proven technology– Wireless Bluetooth range up to 100 ft– 3 Socks Sizes 0-18 Months– Base station notifies with lights and sounds if something is wrong– Receive notifications and see real time heart rate and oxygen levels– 45 Day Peace of Mind guarantee– 1-Year Manufacturer’s Warranty Here are some of the features explained in more detail: Track Heart Rate & Oxygen Levels Check on baby without disturbing their sleep. The Owlet Smart Sock tracks heart and oxygen levels and sends real-time insights to your phone. It also includes a base station which glows green to reassure you baby is okay but will notify you if heart rate and oxygen levels leave preset zones. See Trended Sleep Data Sleep is critical to your infant’s overall wellness, mood and development. By tracking baby’s heart rate and movement it can provide insights into totals hours slept, awake times and a breakdown of light vs. deep sleep. Use this data to help create routines and develop healthy sleep habits for your baby. Receive Proactive Notifications Knowing what your baby needs and when they need it is a cause for stress and anxiety with most new parents. The Smart Sock will notify if we sense your baby needs your attention but will also keep you informed with weekly milestones and tips based on your baby’s age. Historical Trends & Insights The Owlet will help you understand what your baby can’t say. See trended history of your baby’s heart rate and oxygen levels. Make decisions based on data and chart a course for proper development. Log notes to record progress and share visual snapshots with your friends, family or doctor. For more information: 365 Magill Rd, St Morris SA 5069  (08) 8361 2200 babyjunction.com.au

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April 18, 2019

Kid’s Eat FREE These School Holidays at Rosemont Hall

Kid’s Eat FREE These School Holidays at Rosemont Hall This school holidays, Rosemont Hall will be launching their first ever kids menu. The Asian-influenced kids menu retains the street style Thai of Sunny’s Shop and Hong Kong Cantonese of Mr Chans – but for the mini’s! To celebrate the launch, kids will eat free with any main meal purchased throughout the school holiday period from April 12 – 28 (restaurant closure dates are April 19-22, and April 25). A great local spot for families to enjoy a meal together during the break. Check out the menu below: Rosemont Hall @rosemonthall

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April 16, 2019

Emma Sadie Thomson: A Natural Transition

Emma Sadie Thomson is a plant stylist who has firmly imprinted her very talented green thumb around Adelaide, she has created some of the very enviable installations you would have seen around the city. Her beautiful Instagram account highlights her talents and way with plants and provides you with all the green inspiration you could possibly need – and will make you want to do a bathroom renovation when you lay your eyes on her oh-so-dreamy bath, just saying. bath, just saying. Emma has recently become a new mum, to gorgeous little Frances, and we sat down to discuss all things plants and babies, and the synergy between the two. What is the greatest lesson you’ve learnt since becoming a mother, did expectations meet reality? Be kind to yourself and don’t expect to get too much done during the first few weeks. Enjoy the days where you might not get out of your pj’s! I think I underestimated just how little I could get done with a newborn; you are on their time now. But, it is also such a precious time during those first few weeks, so enjoy it as it will be gone in the blink of an eye, I can’t believe she is 10 weeks old already. You have had a very interesting career, beginning in interior and fashion and then pivoting into plants. Can you tell us a little bit about your journey and how you arrived at EST? I studied Landscape Architecture at University and then spent some time travelling. Upon returning I wasn’t ready to go back to landscape architecture, and I got a job in the fashion industry, working in set design, VM and then interior design. EST started when I began making and selling terrariums at various markets, then I got asked to help with the redesign of a beer garden featuring a large green wall, which was my first major project. This just lead to other projects and EST naturally evolved. I always wanted to combine interior design and my love for plants and found this was a great way to do it! Where did your passion for ora and fauna stem from? Growing up in rural Mallee Victoria, as a child I was always surrounded by nature and the importance of having a connection to it. Do you feel it’s important to immerse children in nature from a young age? It is so important. I remember always playing outside as a child, out in the dirt making mud pies. I think babies and kids have a natural desire to be outside in nature and getting dirty. Playing in the dirt can also help with training and strengthening their immune systems. Studies have shown that it can help with the proper formation of healthy gut bacteria and by restoring this beneficial bacteria it can help with reduced rates of allergies and boost immune systems. Being outdoors can also help with developing their cognitive skills. If we are having trouble settling Frances we take her out for a walk and she loves to stare up at the sky and the trees. Have you notices a synergy between caring for plants and babies? Both need nurturing and both will give you signs to let you know they aren’t happy. You bring this baby into the world and it is 100% reliant on you looking after it. I think its similar to you bringing a plant into your home, you are now its carer. Who have been the biggest female influences in your life? I have always been surrounded by such amazing women. My mum, grandma and two sisters. Also, nearly all of my close friends have built their own paths and careers working for themselves, which has been inspiring and they have all been a great support to me. What does a typical day juggling motherhood / work look like for you? It really does vary each day! I feel so lucky to be able to work from home and my partner Jasper also works from home, so he is never too far away. It has been a very busy few weeks though as we have just finished vintage up here, but now all of the grapes are picked we are looking forward to having some quieter family time. She usually wakes up around 5 or 6am, feed then back to sleep for a few more hours. This is the time we try and get some work done, washing, cleaning and cooking (so much washing). The afternoons are then usually spent going for a walk and more play time for her as she is much more awake in the afternoons. What advice would you give to a new mum? Support is so important, especially in the first few weeks. We came home from the hospital on the same day, but went to my parents house where we all spent the first week. It was such a big help having my mum to help with settling her after feeding, so I could get some much needed sleep. It’s a whirlwind and you don’t know what you’re doing, so it was so important to have some help! It really does take a village to raise a child. Best indoor plants to have with a newborn / child in the house? I guess nothing too spiky! I keep looking around the house and now see things as hazards that will need to be removed when she starts crawling, such as pot stands! Everything will have to be on the ground in a few months! What inspires your creative process? We get to work with some really great interior designers and architects on projects which is always inspiring to come up with plant installations to suit these spaces. Adding elements of different heights and clusters of planting are important in our plant styling. Light is also a big factor that dictates what kind of plants we can use in the space as well. From your experience,

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April 10, 2019

Drop and Shop FREE Nanny Service @ Harbour Town Adelaide

Every time-poor, milk-bottle-juggling mamas dreams have come true! ‘The Outlet Nanny’ is now at Harbour Town Premium Outlets offering a FREE Nanny Service so you can get all your Premium Outlet Shopping done, distraction free! Customers will be able to access a FREE nanny service for a maximum of 4 hours per week, so that they are free to enjoy more than 130 stores without those little, curious hands and wandering feet making the journey just that little bit more interesting…. or should we really say time consuming? ‘NO hunny put that down, Mummy’s not buying that today!’ Children up to 10 years of age will be accepted to the Outlet Nanny Service or 12 years old if booked in with a sibling under 10 years old. Harbour Town have outsourced the Outlet Nanny Service to the experts in professional child-minding: The Hessel Group, who will ensure fun filled care for your kids! *Please ensure your child is taken to the bathroom and has been fed prior to the booking commencing. When10am – 2pm ( Wed – Sat) and11am – 3pm ( Sun and Public Holidays) Extra School Holiday Hours are available, see our websiteWhereHarbour Town Southern EntranceBook Now, it’s Free!harbourtownadelaide.com.au The Nanny service will allow you to shop at fabulous premium outlet stores such as: • Smiggle• Kidstuff• Tommy Hilfiger• Seed• Cotton On Kids• Shoe Warehouse• Ollies Place• Adidas• Converse• Betts• Bonds• Peter Alexander• Polo Ralph Lauren Here are some of our premium outlet picks for little ones: EASTER HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES!   Amy Cap, TOMMY HILFIGER Navy Stripe Hat, SEED Denim Overalls, SEED Purple Cloud Gumboot, SHOE WHAREHOUSE Stainless Steel Bottle, SMIGGLE harbourtownadelaide.com.au @harbourtownadelaide

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April 10, 2019