So for their sake, can I advise against a Kristy/Kirsty/Kristen/Kirsten (and related spellings) christening.

You see, this niche nomenclature faces a daily, if not hourly, challenge. And for the rest of us, these names spark social anxiety, confusion and guilt.

I had no idea of the sheer extent of this phenomenon until the fallout from an innocuous conversation on the podcast I started with my daughter so she is forced to talk to me. Among other topics of high cultural significance, we were discussing actress Kristen Bell when I had a mental block as to whether she was instead a Kirsten.

This led me to conclude that I have never, with the exception of my sister Kristy, who I’ve had decades of exposure to, been able to distinguish between these names with any degree of confidence.

Turns out there is a community of us who find the confusion crippling.

Our podcast Instagram page was inundated with shared experiences of those too scared to even attempt to distinguish between these names and their derivatives.

“Those names terrify me,” comments one.

“If your name is Kirsty, Kristy etc then I call you ‘hey,'” says another.

A spray tanner confesses: “That’s me every day with my clients, I call them all love.”

Spare a thought for the woman who shared that she once worked with a Christie, Kirsty and Kiersty in one office.

But our societal struggles pale in comparison to those of the people who walk through life choosing whether to correct those who misname them, or simply accept the curse their parents have bestowed upon them.

“I answer to any iteration of my name or adjacent name,” says one Kristie.

From an ally: “My friend Kristy goes by Kris so people call her the right name.”

One Kirsten shares she has even been called Percy, another Kirsty says she responds to anything starting with K.

One particular Kirstin has given up on her given name after multiple corrections a day, choosing to be referred to by her initials KK.

“I answer to all, even Curtsy which for some reason 80 year olds call me,” says yet another cursed Kirsty.

Others are not so forgiving. One Kirsty has an email folder where she saves the correspondence from anyone who gets it wrong. I’m unsure of the fate she has in store for them.

I don’t blame her for this act of micro-revenge. When you see the name in print there is little excuse to get it wrong.

From another Kirsty: “I had a boss who farewelled me onto maternity leave after ten years of service call me Kristy and the whole staff room yelled out it’s KIRSTY.”

“Even autocorrect has it in for Kirsten, it prefers Kristen,” says a Kirsten.

One Kristy was named Kirsty at birth but when the nurse got it mixed up her parents decided to switch, setting her up for a lifetime of identity confusion.

So what can be done to allow this marginalised group the basic respect of being named correctly? Are there any tricks to distinguishing between these derivatives and their individual owners?

“When I meet a Kristy I visualise a Twistie, when I meet a Kirsty she’s Thirsty,” was one suggestion.

Others went with Frisky Kristy and other more risque rhyming suggestions.

While currently I’m laser focused on justice for the Kristy/Kirsty/Kristen/Kirsten and adjacent names cohort, I wish to also take this opportunity to shine a light on names that can be pronounced in different ways. The Shanas and Danas who will always be associated with either a banana or a strainer by acquaintances desperate for a mental cue.

Not to forget the names of members of our multiculturally diverse community who would face frequent misspellings and mispronunciations. We are all entitled to make mistakes but I’m sure a genuine attempt at accuracy is always appreciated.

So when next we meet constantly-correcting Kristy/Kirsty/Kristen/Kirstens let’s all vow to acknowledge their struggles and try to do better. Even if it means accidentally calling them Twistie in a boardroom.

Bec XXX

Listen to Bec and her daughter Gracie on the In the Genes podcast, available now in your favourite podcast app.

@bec_morse

@inthegenespodcast

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The post Twistie or Thirsty? Rebecca Morse on the most confusing names in Australia appeared first on KIDDO Mag.

Interview by Liv Williams

If you’ve ever wished someone could cut through the parenting noise and just tell you what actually matters for your baby or toddler’s development, this one’s for you. Words Grow Minds, a local parenting podcast hosted by Kate Ellis (CEO of Raising Literacy Australia) and Amelia Mulcahy (7NEWS journalist and mum-of-two), delivers expert-backed tips minus the overwhelm. We sat down with Kate and Amelia to chat about parenting pressure, brain-building moments, and the small everyday interactions that have the biggest impact in a child’s early years.

What drew you both to host the Words Grow Minds podcast, and what do you love most about connecting with parents through it?

AM: I’m in the thick of parenting young kids (a toddler and a six year old) and I’ll freely admit to feeling overwhelmed from the information overload that comes from modern day parenting. My skills at doom-scrolling are elite, especially when we’ve been going through a leap, or the latest phase, or a sleep regression to name a few! When Kate told me about the idea behind the WGM podcast – giving parents the latest research in a 30 min chat – I jumped at it. There is so much cool work going on in early childhood development, but unless you’re plugged in to that space, it’s hard to digest it all in amongst the chaos of life. That’s where we come in.

KE: I have worked in the field of early childhood development for many years now and I can’t help but notice how much evidence and research we have into what children need and how we can best support them but how much work there still is to ensure that parents have this information. I’m absolutely of the view that parents and caregivers have the biggest impact on a child’s development, we should equip them with all of the facts.

Many parents feel overwhelmed with the “best start” for their kids. What are the small everyday things that make the biggest impact on early brain development?

KE: I just find it the most amazing thing that science can now literally tell us how to best grow our children’s brains and it is actually remarkably simple. We know that the most effective way to build the pathways in our babies brains is through simple “back and forth” interactions. When our baby gurgles, we gurgle back at them, when they point at something we explain what it is. The great thing is this is something we can all do and when we learn the important impact that it has, we can do it more often.

Emotional regulation is a hot topic for toddlers. What’s one practical tip you think most parents miss?

AM: That your kids feed off you. If you’re calm, they learn to be calm too. Now it is waaaaaay easier said than done – believe me I do not want you to listen to the car rides I have with my kids when we’re running late to school drop – but, every expert we’ve spoken to reaffirms this. The little things you can do to set yourself up for success, whether that’s “giving your stress a job” like making a cup of tea or doing something with your hands in a stressful situation (thank you Madhavi Parker) or, perhaps its learning to pull back on the pressure and expectations you put on yourself. Don’t forget to look after yourself, find your village and make sure you ask for help where you can.

KE: I think for me the game changer was when I stopped and tried to see things through my child’s eyes. Yes, they are upset and throwing a huge tantrum at the most inconvenient time but when I tried to reflect upon why they were upset, what it was that they were really trying to tell me I found the situation so much more understandable.

What’s a simple activity or habit you’d recommend all parents try with their babies this week?

AM: I’m going to borrow from our episode with Dr Andrew Whitehouse… time, space, energy and presence. However you want to do this, whether that is a solid ten minutes reading or singing (even if your six year old tells you to stop because your voice isn’t great). Putting your phone away for a period of time and getting curious with how they play, the research shows time and again that all your little one wants to do is connect with you.

If you could give one piece of advice to parents feeling uncertain about their child’s early years, what would it be?

AM: It’s the best. and you are doing your best. and your kids love you so, so much, keep going.

KE: The early years can be hard and exhausting but all of your efforts now will actually have the biggest impact on shaping your child’s future. It is all so very worth it!

Listen on your podcast app wordsgrowminds.org.au/podcast

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The post KIDDO CHATS: Words Grow Minds Podcast appeared first on KIDDO Mag.

We talk about how to navigate initial disability diagnoses and how to put a framework in place to support your child and the whole family moving forward.

Episode features:

Host: Alexis Teasdale
@alexisteasdale

Guest: Dino Mennillo, OTFC Group
@otfcgroup
otfcgroup.com.au

For more KIDDO content:
@kiddomag
kiddomag.com.au

The post KIDDO CHATS: Navigating a neurodiverse or disability diagnosis in your child appeared first on KIDDO Mag.

Ella and her foundation has been providing love, support and much needed funds to families for the past almost 5 years and her work is nothing short of totally inspiring and moving.

We talk to Ella about the HAS Foundation’s upcoming annual Graze & Raise on Friday September 23rd 2022.

The genius idea allows anyone to get together with friends, family or colleagues to eat, drink and raise funds for the HAS foundation, in any setting! Ella gives us her best tips for hosting a get together with your girlfriends, for a backyard BBQ, boardroom spread and more.

We know you’ll be inspired to get involved, just like we are.

Episode Features

Guest: Ella Stratton, HAS Foundation
@hasfoundationau

Host: Alexis Teasdale
@alexisteasdale

Listen now

For more information on the HAS Foundation Graze & Raise:

hasfoundation.org.au/events-campaigns/graze-and-raise-2022/

The post KIDDO CHATS: Raising funds and awareness for The HAS Foundation with Ella Stratton appeared first on KIDDO Mag.

While you watching your kiddos run around on the  footy field or basketball court this morning, before you drive off to another sideline on the other side of the city, do you think your child will be among the 30 per cent who stick at it?

In his debut book, One Chance – Lessons in Sport, Life and Success, former professional tennis player Todd Perry shares compelling insights into the journey that led to his success in the world’s most prestigious tournaments. Drawing on a lifetime’s experience as an elite competitor, coach and educator, he reveals surprising truths about why too many young athletes are withdrawing from sport – and what we can do to prevent it.

Now a tennis coach and educator back home in Adelaide, Perry’s book reveals powerful insights into common misconceptions about success and what it takes to ‘make it’.

In this episode we chat to Todd about kids in sport and some of his sometimes surprising insights like less is more, the importance of mindfulness, and how parents and coaches can work better together for exceptional results.

Episode Features

Guest: Todd Perry
@toddperrytennis

Host: Liv Williams
@eeniemeeniemineymum

Buy Todd’s book One Chance

Listen now

The post KIDDO CHATS: Lessons for kids (and parents!) in sport with Todd Perry appeared first on KIDDO Mag.

Whether you’ve just had a bub, have a wardrobe bursting with pieces you don’t wear anymore or are just ready for a style refresh, we have you covered!

Michelle Beltrame is a personal stylist trained by Australian Style Institute and a mum of two, living in Adelaide, SA.

She’s passionate about helping clients grow in their own style and confidence and to look and feel like the best version of themselves, at whatever stage of their life they may be.

The perfect person to give us easy and practical style and wardrobe tips you can action today.

Episode features

Guest: Michelle Beltrame
@michellebeltrame_stylist
michellebetramestylist.com.au

Host: Alexis Teasdale
@alexisteasdale

For more KIDDO content:
kiddomag.com.au

Listen here

The post KIDDO CHATS: Owning your style with Stylist Michelle Beltrame appeared first on KIDDO Mag.

The post KIDDO CHATS: Labour pain management with Specialist Obstetrician Professor Stephen Tong appeared first on KIDDO Mag.

If you haven’t heard of Supermarket Swap you might possibly be the only one because Nabs garnered a CULT like following on Instagram with this account that went from 100 followers to nearly 80 thousand in what felt like the blink of eye. What started as one mum’s quest to find preservative and additive free products for her family, shared via Instagram through a Simple Swap process, has become an inspiration to thousands of consumers to learn more about what they’re buying and eating.

In this episode Nabula shares the WHY behind Supermarket Swap, how it all started, and takes us through how those sneaky little numbers and unrecognisable ingredients on the nutritional panels of the food you buy could be affecting your family. She also gives us her TOP SWAPS and all the intel on the new Supermarket Swap app!

Episode Features

Host: Liv Williams
@eeniemeeniemineymum

Guest: Nabula Brdar
@supermarket.swap

For more KIDDO content

kiddomag.com.au
@kiddomag

Listen here

The post KIDDO CHATS: Swap the way you shop with Nabula from Supermarket Swap appeared first on KIDDO Mag.

Sean has flown 43 times and counting with his kids, so who better to give us advice on travelling with kids?!

As restrictions ease and travelling becomes a bigger possibility for families, we talk to Sean about his best tips and tricks for flying post-Covid with kids and also roadtrip hacks!

If you’re nervous about travelling with kiddos, this is the pep-talk you need!

Episode Features

Host: Alexis
@alexisteasdale

Guests: Sean Szeps
@seanszeps

For more KIDDO content:
@kiddomag
kiddomag.com.au

Listen here

The post KIDDO CHATS: Travelling with kids, with Sean Szeps appeared first on KIDDO Mag.

It might come as no surprise but surrogacy in Australia, or anywhere for that matter, is no simple undertaking. Brendan and Matt’s journey involved an egg donor, a surrogate, 100+ hours of “surro-dating”, failed embryo transfers, emotional highs and lows, a few arguments along the way, a home birth.. and ultimately the arrival of beautiful Baker, their happy healthy little boy.

In this episode we chat with the guys about their story, taking a detailed look at the surrogacy process in general as well as the realities of adoption and fostering, their own personal experience and their advice for people hoping to become parents via a surrogate… plus plenty of laughs and the odd Kardashian anecdote!

Episode Features

Host: Liv
@eeniemeeniemineymum

Guests: Brendan & Matt
@the_real_dads_of_adelaide

For more KIDDO content:
@kiddomag
kiddomag.com.au

Listen here

The post KIDDO CHATS: Becoming a parent via surrogacy with Brendan & Matt appeared first on KIDDO Mag.