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Friday Night Fever adventures in dadulthood by Richard Casey
THE APPLE CONNECTING TASMANIAN FAMILIES
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In 1985 I attended my first school dance. I was 5 years old and I keenly remember in the weeks leading up to the dance our teacher drilling us in the steps to the barn dance, and of course that masterpiece of choreography, The Chicken Dance. I remember the girl I was partnered with digging her nails into my hand as we danced around in circles. I remember her telling her friend that during the barn dance, when I held out my finger for her to grab, she was going to twist it as hard as she could. I remember not holding up said finger and making her dance around holding my outstretched forearm... wonderful memories... The reason I am taking you for a walk down my own personal memory lane is that a few weeks ago my daughter (Miss 5) attended her first school dance.
I got the job of her chaperone that night. I say ‘night’ but it was only from 5pm until 7pm. It was a Halloween dance, so she was proudly attired in a witches costume as we made our way to the school hall. As we got closer I started to notice a faint “doof” “doof” “doof” noise on the breeze. Surely that’s coming from a passing Datsun 120Y with a boot full of subwoofers and not from the school hall I naively thought to myself. As we arrived at the hall door there was no doubt that the “doof doof” was coming from within. We stepped through the streamer covered door and our senses were overloaded with loud music, flashing lights, a DJ, kids screaming, and glow sticks! My mind exploded and I started having flashbacks to Club Surreal circa 1998, but just as I started busting out the moves to Ray of Light by Madonna (that was playing in my head) I was snapped back to reality by Miss 5 tugging on
my top and asking to go off onto the dance floor. I gave the word and she was off, hitting the dance floor like a witchy-tornado. Also much like a witchy-tornado was the danger anyone in her vicinity was in as she swung her broom around with reckless abandon. Having quickly taken the broom for safe keeping, I sat down on one of the chairs placed around the edge of the hall for the grownups. Resisting the urge to grab the Mum sitting next to me, yell “No one puts Baby in the corner” and lift her above my head, I sat back and watched the goings on of a primary school dance party.
The first thing I have to say is that the kids were having an absolute ball, dancing, singing, screaming and running about. They were having a blast doing their own thing and pretty much ignoring the small army of parents scattered around the perimeter of the hall. This looked like so much more fun than the boring school dance I attended back in the day... they had glow sticks for crying out loud, how cool is that? As the dance wound down a competition seemed to be forming among Miss 5’s group of friends as to who could have the most glow sticks upon their person at any one time. These glow sticks, of course, needed to be purchased so during this time there was less dancing and more “Daaaaaaaaaaad, can I have another glow stick please?” “Daaaaaaaad, why can’t I have another one?” “Daaaaaaaad, I need more glow sticks”. I breathed a sigh of relief when the DJ announced that the next track would be the last song of the dance. Miss 5 and her friends raced onto the dance floor, glow stick madness totally forgotten, and enjoyed the moment of that final
song. That brought a smile to my face. I remember from my wilder days the importance of the last song. When it was called everyone dropped what they were doing and hit the dance floor, even people like myself who most likely hadn’t gone anywhere near the dance floor prior in the evening. The last song is the final exclamation mark of any great night, a time for everyone to come together as a group and share in that final memory of the evening. As the music stopped and the lights turned on, my daughter took my hand and we stepped back through the doorway into the bright daylight (thanks daylight savings). Two people with big smiles on their faces, one from the fun they had experienced at their first dance. The other from seeing their little one enjoy themselves so much.... and also from past memories of strobe lights, loud music and non-twisted fingers.
Hobart dad, Richard Casey and his family are members of Child Health Association Tasmania. “Casey” writes a series of articles for us about life as a Hobart dad under the title: Adventures in Dadulthood
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State Executive Officer’s Report By Alison Wood
I am writing this month’s article from The Haven. Usually when I am here it is with my 2 year old and some of his little mates running amok, but today I am here to cover a shift before our very first Pregnancy and Parenting After Loss Playgroup. As we head into Christmas, it is a good time to sit back and reflect on the year past. It has been a huge year for the Child Health Association Tasmania (CHAT), with lots of rebuilding and growth in the last 6 months particularly.
As with any time of change, the focus must remain on ensuring we are working effectively to our vision: that CHAT is the leading service provider, through the provision of health related resources, activities and knowledge, supporting Tasmanian families. This has been something I have been particularly focused on during my time in the role, through strengthening the programs and activities that CHAT has delivered so successfully throughout so many years and delivering some new ideas, activities and resources.
In conjunction with our Board, I have also focused on ensuring we have the right governance in place to see our organisation succeed through its centenary and work towards its second! While this behind-the-scenes work may seem on the boring side and not have obvious benefits at a glance, sound governance is crucial in our everyday activities and what we can provide for our members.
It has been exciting to see CHAT in the south getting out and about at various events, starting new Playgroups, and working behind the scenes to create new partnerships to enable us to offer a bigger and better scope of resources and services to our members in 2015.
While things have been much quieter in the north and north west during 2014, we will be launching into 2015 in both those regions to work with existing CHAT groups, create new groups, reintroduce information sessions and have a presence at community events again.
I am thrilled to welcome our new Northern Regional Coordinator, Katrina Lokan to the team. Katrina has hit the ground running towards the end of November, and will be spending the next few weeks touching base with all the existing northern CHAT groups to introduce herself. Katrina will be starting to work with the Child Health and Parenting Service (CHaPS) to get along to New Parent Groups in 2015, and to hopefully start up some new Playgroups and Pram Walking groups. We will also be looking to start rolling out information sessions in the north from February.
We are currently undergoing the recruitment process to replace the wonderful Kelly, our North West Regional Coordinator. In the interim, Kelly will stay with us and continue her great work in providing support to
our existing groups in the region, and start to line things up for the Regional Coordinator to attend New Parent Groups in the 2015, along with organising information sessions in the region too.
Further news on the staff front - we are also undergoing recruitment for a Program Manager for our Family Food Patch Program. Sadly we are saying goodbye to Emily Rataj (Shepherd) after 5 years running the program. Emily has worked tirelessly to ensure the hugely successful and nationally-recognised program we run today. Emily will hopefully be taking up a teaching job after completing her Masters of Teaching Primary this year and while we will dearly miss her, we wish her all the best for her future. We will be announcing the new Program Manager before Christmas.
I look forward to providing you all with updates on new staff and forward calendars of events across the 3 regions in the next edition of The Apple. Don’t forget we don’t provide a January edition, so keep an eye on our website and facebook pages to find out news as it happens during December and January.
Merry Christmas to all and a safe and Happy New Year!
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President’s Report By Katie Wightman
The CHAT Board 2015 has convened. We completed Part 1 of our induction examining policy for good governance. Part 2 is to follow where the Board will sign off on our position descriptions and policy and procedure handbook.
Every five years the Board write a strategic plan. It is now due to be reviewed and a new plan is to be written. Due to good governance, leadership by our State Executive Officer, Alison, and our excellent staff, CHAT are best placed to think about the future and imagine the CHAT we want for 2020.
The Board have some homework! Working in pairs we each have a strategic goal to review, write objectives and actions so that CHAT is best placed for the next five years.
Our Strategic Goals are as follows:
Clients: we support families and enhance the wellbeing of Tasmanian children and families by providing: • outstanding primary health programs; • information and resources; • friendship and support groups; • an opportunity to actively participate and
advocate for child health and family support services and;
• a role in building strong, healthy, family-friendly communities.
Staff and Volunteers: we provide an enjoyable, inclusive and safe work environment for our staff and volunteers based on our policies and practices.
Internal Systems and Processes: we continuously improve CHAT policies, systems and processes to support the goals of the organisation and the needs of the client group.
Financial Management: we build and maintain a financially sustainable organisation through a budget to meet the requirement of our funding agreement
Stakeholder Relationships: we build and maintain mutually beneficial community partnerships, providing primary health information, programs and advocacy for families. Like many of our program leaders The Board volunteer to govern CHAT. Many of our member families and volunteers are involved in other not for profit and charitable organisations. I often see Facebook posts describing activities undertaken to raise funds or create awareness of down syndrome, cystic fibrosis, heart foundation, kidney care, cerebral palsy, premature births and I am sure many more. We would love to hear from you if you are involved with other charities or volunteering. Please email [email protected] to share your story.
Regardless of the cause or the charity more generally I would like to share some research about volunteering that I recently read. The study suggests that volunteers tend to be healthier and live for longer, according to a scientific review.
Researchers found that those who regularly help out in their community could live 20 per cent longer. Lead researcher Dr Suzanne Richards, from the University of Exeter Medical School, said: ‘Our review shows that volunteering is associated with improvements in health, but more work is needed to establish whether volunteering is actually the cause’.A review of 40 international studies found helping others was also associated with a positive effect on mental health, reducing depression and increasing life satisfaction.
Currently, the proportion of adults volunteering worldwide varies from 22.2 per cent in Europe to 27 per cent in the US and 36 per cent in Australia. I’m delighted to report that Tasmania has the highest rate of volunteers per capita in Australia.
Reasons for volunteering also range, with people citing motives such as giving something back to organisations that have helped them, gaining work experience and finding new friends.
We have had loads of events this past year. Volunteers have grown their positions and delivered much needed services to families across the state. I continue to be in awe of the way our staff and volunteers develop programs in response to member queries and manage to deliver them with the upmost professional manner.
Have you thought of volunteering? Perhaps 2015 is the year you can give back to CHAT or develop a much needed program for our members. Check out our volunteering section for more information.
This edition of The Apple newsletter will be our final for 2014. It has been a busy and exciting year. Christmas will soon be upon us.
Finally Merry Christmas everyone! On behalf of The Board we wish you a safe, happy and joyous holiday season. CHAT activities generally cease around the end of November and resume in February the following year. However our online presence will continue as will our enquiries phone line and all @CHAT email accounts will be checked should you need to make contact with us. We look forward to commencing the 2015 year with you and your families.
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We have the following opportunities for volunteering. We would love the help of our members to assist our staff in the following ways:
NORTH
NEW YEAR ON THE ROYAL, 31 December • Taking expressions of interest of volunteers who can
participate in a roster to help facilitate our Parenting Tent.
FESTIVALE, 13-15 February • Taking expressions of interest of volunteers who can
participate in a roster to help facilitate our Parenting Tent.
Email Alison Wood at [email protected] or call 0428 221 886
SOUTH THE HAVEN • Monday-Friday, 9:30-11:30am - 5 Volunteers (1 each
day) - open up and welcome families to The Haven. • Monday-Friday, 10:30-12:30pm - 5 Volunteers (1 each
day) - welcome families to The Haven and pack up.
THE TASTE FESTIVAL, 28 December - 3 January • Taking expressions of interest of volunteers who can
participate in a roster to help facilitate our Parenting Tent on Parliament Lawns.
Email Christine Jolly at [email protected] or call 0400518154 if you are keen to lend a hand.
Volunteer Opportunities By Christine Jolly
The George Town DadsCHAT group meets weekly on Thursdays from 10.00am until 2.00pm at the Neighborhood House. The group is comprised of a core group of 6-8 Dads, although the numbers fluctuate with a dozen or so other dads who attend sporadically. Many of these Dads have preschool children and while they occasionally turn up to participate in the group, their attendance at school vacations outings and activities, where their other school aged children can also attend, is more consistent.
Next to the Neighbourhood House is a Community Garden. This was originally built a few years ago and had fallen into disrepair due to lack of enthusiasm and leadership. The Dads Group decided to take on the task of getting it back in shape. One participant, Shane, has been the backbone of getting the garden back to life and making it even bigger and better. He has been a persistent and consistent force that has given the dads incentive to continue doing the garden. The Garden today is a very tidy and productive, the vegetables grown so far have been appreciated by the locals and the Food Bank 2nd Bite.
Volunteer work is the keystone to the future of the success and more volunteers are needed. The fathers are mostly long term unemployed or on Centrelink benefits. The responsibility of turning up and doing work is often a hard concept to encourage, and patience has been needed to get activities going.
Some of the Dads have shown an interest in doing a course at the Poly Tech (which is only 500 meters from
the Garden) and will be commencing an automotive course involving mechanics and small engines in Feb 2015. We are hopeful this will build capacity in the group to service the lawn mowers and brush cutters for the Community Garden and assist the dads to be more job ready in general.
We are always very happy to have new dads join the group, so don’t hesitate to contact me on 0418 399 836.
Simon is one of our Growing Families program facilitators, running the Dads CHAT George Town group.
Growing Families By Simon McCulloch
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I’ve been prescribing exercise for women after they have had baby since 2001 and have found that although the basics of rehabilitating the body remain the same (pelvic floor recruitment, pelvic and core stability) more and more I am needing to address postural change that partly comes with the demands of parenting. I think while baby probably is the tipping point, our new smart device lifestyle has us looking down far too much. The head is heavy and it is no surprise that as it teeters on the top of our neck and we constantly look down those muscles holding it there become strained and painful.
I am not for one minute suggesting that you stop looking down at your precious baby. So here are a number of everyday tips that will help you realign your posture and reduce neck and shoulder pain:
Recognise that this is a habit you have The smart device boom has really only taken off in the last 5 years or so, laptops prior to that but 10 years ago most people used desk top computers for a majority of their online presence. Is this you?
Ergonomically set up your computer station As a basic guide knees, hips and elbows should be at right angles and the screen should be at eye level – that is straight ahead. Perhaps this means purchasing portable keyboard and some kind of structure to pop your device higher than your lap. This applies to the use of laptops and tablets.
Stretch the neck and shoulders regularly Look side to side, up and down, ear to shoulder – notice where the tension is. Hold these stretches for up to 30 seconds each side. This will reset the posture and relieve tension and lactic acid build up in these areas.
Pull your head in (nicely!) Chin jutting forward? Just gently retract the chin lengthening the neck at the back. Sit up tall as if someone is pulling you up by your hair. Lie on your back and gently retract the chin so the neck is pretty much touching the ground.
Use your eyes to look down and/or lift your arms for brief smart device use – like texting Lie on your back over a roller – spine to the roller long ways. Let your arms fall to the sides (T shape). If your arms aren’t touching the ground you are very tight across the chest – regularly lie down and practise this posture.
Finally, if your neck and shoulder pain has set in see a physio for treatment or speak with a fitness professional with expertise in postural improvement.
By CHAT member, Jo Cordell-Cooper, who runs award winning Active Solutions and Health Network – finding the RIGHT balance for women at all ages and stages. www.jocc.com.au 0409 862 206 for more information.
Is Baby the Tipping Point? Exploring Neck and Shoulder PainBy Jo Cordell-Cooper
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I love to run and for most of last year that was nearly all I did, well apart from care for my children, and husband, do house things, run a business…you get the idea. I managed two half marathons and a whole one but then found that maybe there was something lacking in my life, I know?? Really ?? But I went searching anyway and I think I found what I was looking for.
Enter yoga and a bit of rivalry. Now, I should be honest, yoga had always been there and it had got me through some tough run recoveries but now it was more, to be truly honest; I felt like I was cheating on running. Time that could have been spent on the trails was now being spent upside down in some inversion and I have to say, it felt good.
Another benefit of this happy little ménage a trois was that my running improved and so did my yoga. Better running, better yoga, better mummying (it’s a word) It could have been the break, it could have been the increased flexibility, it could have been the glute strengthening lunges – I suspect it was a combination of all three but running less and doing more yoga made me a better runner. It’s true.
It also had another wonderful side effect; I had more options. Options are great if you are a time poor mum, so, if it was raining and cold and windy, I could be in Zen like bliss, hanging out with yoga. Beautiful day outside, but only got a free 30 mins? Head out for a quick run. Yes, variety really is the spice of life.
All was well for a while but then I started getting restless again, so I did the unthinkable and I started going to the gym. Officially I’m not a fan of the gym, for many reasons, it could be the grunts, it could be the stale air, it could be the crap music, I won’t go on though because this time I surprised myself with my willingness to welcome some lifting into my little work out world. Again, slight disclaimer I have had many gym memberships over the years and some of them were great, but I just couldn’t commit, maybe I wasn’t ready… until now.
The best part of all this?? Going to the gym has made me strong which has made me better at yoga, and that’s how I knew, gym was meant to be. I no longer approach those tricky arm balances with fear of smashing my face into my yoga mat because I know I can hold my body weight. I am secretly delighted when I follow the trail of deceptively simple instructions and end up in a position I had no idea was humanly possible to actually stand up in and/or enjoy.
And again it’s another option, my yoga teacher isn’t always teaching when I am free, admittedly I have to fit in around her (she’s worth it) But the gym is open 24 hours a day. You can’t get more convenient than that.
Being strong has other benefits, my son was recently having a tantrum because he didn’t want to leave the play ground (we’d been there for about 5 hours)
Instead of getting embroiled in some lengthy chase and hide fiasco, I simply reached over, lifted him over the fence and carried him out. Nice and simple. He was so amazed he actually stopped yelling. Double win for me.
So basically even though your spin teacher will tell you that you need your bum on a bike 3 times a week and your bikram studio offers you more classes a day than you can shake a bead of sweat at, don’t be afraid to mix things up.
Consistent hard work will bring results but if cross training will free you up to fit more activity into your week then it has to be a good thing. As mums we will always have a limited time to work out and it’s up to us to make sure we’re getting the most out of that time.
Maybe your mix isn’t the same as mine, we all have our favourite ‘type’ of exercise but I am happy to report that running gives me time to think, yoga made me a better runner and going to the gym makes me strong which in turn has helped my yoga. When I hear my yoga teacher utter those gentle words “fall in, fall out, find your balance” I know I have fallen in, fallen in love with yoga, and running and going to the gym and I now think I have found that balance.
Jessica Schmidt is a CHAT member and qualified personal trainer, owner of mamafirst fitness based in Hobart, Tasmania. She also is mum to two crazy, wonderful boys and is slowly mastering the fine art of Lego. When not sword fighting or playing hide and seek she writes and runs and escapes on a yoga mat.
Infidelity and Your Work Out By Jessica Schmidt
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Kids Allowed in Kingborough
Time Workshop Bookings/Venue
Wednesdays 10am-11am
Bath Fizz – 3rd
Make a lavender scented fizzy bath treat to take home as a Christmas Gift for someone special.
Xmas Tree Decorations – 10th Create colourful Christmas tree decorations with
glittery stars, frosty snowflakes and sparkly pinecones.
Decorate a Gingerbread Man – 17th Take one yummy gingerbread man and dress him
up with colourful icing to make him come alive. Take him home for Christmas.
$2 per gingerbread man
Kids Allowed Shop
Bookings Essential by 5 December
for Gingerbread Man
Thursdays 10.30am – 11.30am
Kids in Harmony Music, Movement and Relaxation
Have fun singing, playing instruments, moving, drawing and relaxing to music.
Kids Allowed Shop No Bookings Required
$5/child/session Questions, call Kym
0407 430 820
Fridays
10am-11am
Drop in for Science Fun
Drop in for a bit of science fun during your visit to Channel Court.
Kids Allowed Shop No Bookings Required
For more information or bookings, contact Council’s Community Development Officeron 6211 8228 or email: [email protected]
‘Kids Allowed’ Shop, Channel Court Shopping Centre (next door to RACT and opposite Post Office)
Children must be supervised.
Kids Allowed will be Closed 22nd December – 9th January
December Activities for Children
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We have a stellar team of volunteers who do everything to provide a welcoming place in Hobart’s CBD for families to connect. Our newest recruits, Sam and Jasmine, have pulled together their unique talents to provide a non-messy craft session for the little ones each Tuesday. Pop in any Tuesday this week between 9:30am and 12:30pm to get your craft on until the middle of December.
Our Monday Hobart City CHAT Playgroup is the highlight of my week. One week we had four toddler boys all happily playing and sharing matchbox cars. I immediately scrapped all plans of organised activity. Why stop a good thing? While the boys practiced sharing, the mums lounged on the floor in a circle chatting about life. The next week, we had an influx of preschool girls and boys and all thrived with the dancing and singing and listened so well to the story. If you don’t currently have a Monday morning activity, why not join our playgroup each week at 10:30am.
Don’t forget our next baking contest is Gingerbread Men. Bring a tray of decorated little boys or girls on 12 December at 10am for judging.
Our Parent Resource Library is finally organised. Come in sometime and peruse our titles and DVDs. We will be updating some volumes with the money raised from selling the Entertainment Book. If there are any resources in particular that
you think we should have, let me know and we’ll add it to our wishlist. Email [email protected].
The Haven is a thriving hub of activity in Hobart’s CBD where local families come to connect. More than a parenting room, our members come to feed a baby, change a nappy, let toddler have a bit of a play, help themselves to a cuppa, make new friends, and participate in a number of events.
This volunteer-run facility is YOUR haven in the city.
Holiday Closure: The Haven will be closed from Thursday, 18 December to reopen Monday, 12 January at 9:30am.
Who can use it? All families are welcome at The Haven: mums, dads, bubs and kids, grandparents, carers, aunties, and uncles. Entry is $2 per family. FREE for Child Health Association Tasmania members. Opening Hours: Monday - Friday,9:30am-12:30pm
Location: 121 Macquarie St, Hobart (down the alley off Macquarie St. behind St. Davids Cathedral office building)
The Haven By Christine Jolly
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As Family Food Patch continues to await further funding news we are busy as ever this spring. In November we attended the Child and Family Centre state-wide forum in Rokeby – a wonderful celebration of activities, programs and ideas. The
Tasmanian Early Years Foundation (TEYF) launched their new short film on Creative Connections in the Early Years. Film-maker Andy Del Vecchio has produced this 5-minute video showcasing the work of artists in Child and Family Centres as part of the Creative Connections in the Early Years project.
Southern Cross Young Achiever Award The TEYF is sponsoring a Young Achiever Award for Tasmanians aged up to 28 years who display excellence in improving the wellbeing, learning and development of Tasmania's young children. Nominations are now open and close on 12 December. The winner will be announced in April 2015.
Note for Diary Coming Together for Australia’s Children Conference, 24-26 June 2015, Hobart
The ARACY Early Years Chapter and the TEYF invite researchers, policy-makers and practitioners who advocate for the importance of early childhood to ‘Come together for Australia’s children’. This conference celebrates the collaborative efforts across sectors through showcasing research, effective parental engagement programs and examples of flourishing communities.
Visit the conference website for more information.
Family Food Patch YouTube Channel Our Family Food Patch YouTube channel is bursting at the seams with great short film clips that you can use to help share ideas and information about lots of simple healthy eating and physical activity themes:
• Healthy Smiles (focusing on infant oral health) • Lunchboxes and Snacks • Getting Kids Involved with Food • Drinks Part 1 and Sugar in Drinks • Let’s Get Physical • Introducing Solids Part 1 and 2
Next on our ‘to do’ list is a clip on Fussy Eating – that old favourite! – Also an introduction to the Family Food Patch program, meeting some of our treasured Educators and program team. Watch this space.
Family Food Patch Educator Trainings For now the Family Food Patch Educator trainings have been popped on hold till the New Year with the next training likely to be in the Greater Hobart area.
We already have a solid collection of expressions of interest for the training and availability will be limited to 12 places but if you, or someone you know, may be interested in participating then please don’t hesitate to contact Emma or Emily for further information. Free childcare will be available on-site.
Christmas Competition It’s not too late to enter our healthy snacks Christmas Competition! Email us your most creative festive snack idea to [email protected] and enter into the draw for a bumper Christmas Activity Pack. All ideas will be posted to our Facebook page and the winner announced and celebrated in the New Year edition of The Apple.
Shop, Store, Cook and Eat Safe The Department of Health has launched a new animation ‘Shop, store, cook and eat safe’ that illustrates the importance of food safety in the home. Food poisoning can be serious for unborn babies, young children, older people, and people with conditions that weaken their immune systems - but there are easy steps we can all take to prevent getting sick. The animation stars Brian, Bobby, Billy and Bernie bacteria and reminds us of the importance of keeping bacteria away by shopping, storing, cooking and eating safely. It is also available in Arabic, Vietnamese and Simplified Chinese. Watch ‘Shop, store, cook and eat safe’ at www.health.vic.gov.au/foodsafety/eat-safe
Kitchen Garden Resources FREE for Everyone! You don't have to be a Kitchen Garden Program School to access the fantastic resources produced by the Stephanie Alexander School Kitchen Garden Foundation. The Foundation has a new free resources page with lots of kitchen and garden activities for school settings and the home environment. You can access teaching resources; 'How To' resources suitable for school or the home; as well as recipes, garden and kitchen activities.
Simple Summer Yoghurt and Fruit Icy Poles To swap from reaching for the ice-cream on a hot summer’s day, nothing could be easier than making your own fruit and yoghurt icy poles.
Just mix together roughly half and half chopped fruit pieces with natural yoghurt, dollop the mixture into some lolly pop moulds and freeze.
Super delicious!
Family Food Patch By Emma Rowell and Emily Rataj
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I was recently asked by a parent of a 6 year old, ‘How do I help my child who worries a lot. He’s anxious, but won’t always tell me what’s going on?’ First thing – give him regular hugs and tell him how much you love him – that’s always a good start!
The following will give you some ideas on how to assist your child if they have a tendency to worry or be anxious.
Where did the anxiety come from?
It’s always useful to look at the background of the child… the parents, the home and the past experiences. Sometimes there is an overly anxious parent who constantly gives children messages to: ‘be careful’, to ‘watch out’, or ‘you might get hurt’. When children are told this often enough, they start to believe that their world isn’t safe. In regards to the home situation – has there been a trauma? eg a death, a serious accident, or parents separating, where there’s been a lot of heightened emotions – some children tend to make this mean that is there is immediate danger to them or those around them – they fear ‘bad stuff’ will happen to them.
There are also children who have been affected by alcohol or drugs when in utero. When a woman uses these during pregnancy, they can affect the developing foetus, and may cause brain changes, which can affect a variety of functions, including being anxious or lacking impulse control. Obviously we can’t change what has already happened in the past, so let’s look at what we can do now, and also in terms of building resilience in children.
To help now:
Ensure that the child has the opportunity to eat healthy, nourishing food, and that they get a good nights sleep. Ideas for great sleep routines can be found at theparentingcafe.com.au/how-you-can-establish-healthy-sleeping-patterns/
Role playing using their favourite teddy can be useful eg: While your child is nearby, you pick up Teddy and pretend that Teddy is whispering to you, and you say: ’What’s that Teddy? You’re scared? What are you scared of?’ Leave pauses in between, as if Teddy is talking to you. By now your child will be watching you, and then you ask them: ‘What do you think Teddy can do, when he’s scared about xyz?’ Often children come up with great solutions, when they are problem solving for another – but of course it also helps them!
Worry dolls are great. These are tiny figures made from pipe cleaners, and come in a small fabric bag. The idea is that when you put a child to bed, you tell them you want them to have a great night sleep, and that you know that sometimes when you go to bed, you start thinking and worrying, and that you’ve got a great idea to help them…. You give them the little bag. Tell the child to take the dolls out (there’s usually about 6 in the bag) and to whisper any worries they have, one to each doll. When they’ve finished, they put the dolls back in the bed, and you tell them that now it will be easy to sleep, because the dolls will have their worries. It sounds simple, but it often works!
Another strategy is to use simple visualisations with them, also at bed-time. If you are unfamiliar with this, it is talking them through a very gentle scene, where basically they get to relax. You speak in a soft voice, which is very soothing. A favourite book of mine for this is “Starbright” by Maureen Garth. She presents several scenes which you can read to your child to help them relax. Maureen has a great one about a Worry Tree, and another about constructing a special star for the child, which is like a guardian angel – both are very effective.
Ensure that you have lots of fun times with your child, playing together in the park, or with a board game, or chatting over a milkshake. Make the chat unrelated
to any issues going on, and at the end tell him how much you like chatting and hearing what he has to say – you are giving the message that you listen, and are available.
If you are an anxious parent, talk to a friend, your doctor or a counsellor to allay your fears – remember that children are little sponges, and readily ‘copy’ what you do, and how you act.
Happy Parenting!
CHAT member, Sonja is a Senior Parenting Consultant, with 14 years parenting experience, on top of a 20 year teaching background. She is also a Life Coach. Sonja can be found at www.theparentingcafe.com.au or via email: [email protected]
How Do I Help My Anxious Child? By Sonja Preston
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North West Region
Our North West playgroups continue to meet weekly. Our Rosebery group meet every Wednesday at the Rosebery memorial hall at 10am, and our King Island group meet every Thursday at the KI racecourse also at 10am.
The North West is working on expanding our Retailer Discount Program. If you are a business owner and would like to advertise in the Apple and/or offer a discount to CHAT members, please contact me. If you have a favourite business in which you would love to receive a discount, let CHAT know and we will talk to them about getting on board!
If you would like to start a playgroup or mums group in your town, drop me a line at [email protected]. CHAT will help secure a venue, provide all necessary resources and spread the word about your awesome new group, all while we support you fully along the way.
New support networks and friendships are waiting to be formed.
The King Island Playgroup will be changing locations for the next few months during the horse racing season. The group will now be meeting at Reekara School on Thursdays from 10:30-12:30 Contact ROSE 0429648391 with any questions or concerns you may have.
Coordinator: Kelly Rechtin [email protected] 0408 538 349
Southern Region
Join us this month for our Kidsafe information session. RACT will be joining us and doing a free check on your car seats. 4 December, 10:30am, Parenting Centre, New Town. Spaces are limited to only 10 families. FREE for members and only $10 for non-members (this covers membership). Email [email protected]
In November, we trialled a first for our organisation: a playgroup specifically for those who have experienced pregnancy loss or infant loss. Families joined together in The Haven, enjoying the space to themselves after operating hours, to just be themselves and connect with others who could only comprehend their life journey. Our next session is 17 December, 12:30pm. You should come.
Would you like to be a part of a nurturing and safe online community of local mums? Do you know someone who could benefit from connecting with other families in this way? HMN Chat is a FREE public service of Hobart Mums Network and Child Health Association Tasmania. Our aim is to connect local mums to one another and the wider community by providing a safe place online to interact. To join, go here: http://goo.gl/0haJdk
Coordinator: Christine Jolly [email protected] 0400 518 154
Northern Region
I am pleased to say this is my last contribution to this column as we now have a newly appointed Northern Regional Coordinator as part of the CHAT team. Katrina Lokan started with us a week ago and will take on this column in the new year.
In the lead up to Christmas, Katrina is really looking forward to meeting our existing CHAT groups and introducing herself to stakeholders as the person to talk to in the north.
Katrina will be organising the volunteer rosters for the Parenting Tent at New Year on the Royale and Festivale. As a not-for-profit organisation, we very much rely on our wonderful volunteers to help us man these events and provide a great service to the community. If you would like to volunteer for a shift at either of these events, we would love to hear from you. One of the many benefits of volunteering for these events is free entry! Check out our volunteering section for more information.
We had a stall at the Launceston Baby & Kids Market on 22 November, and it was great to have Katie Wightman, our Board President, run the stall and meet with lots of new families as they perused for some pre-loved bargains.
Stay tuned to hear from Katrina in the new year as she starts to visit New Parent Groups, organise information sessions and host CHAT stalls at community events.
Coordinator: Vacant Written by: Alison Wood [email protected] 0428 221 886
Tasmanian Regional Reports TH
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Honouring Our Life Members Annette Bain Kathy Barry Mary Brain Denise Bizjak Julie Bott Mary Brain Karen Cashion Debra Chick Esme Clarke Gill Clarke Jenny Clements Barbara Cooper Elizabeth Cowan Marylynn Connelley Chris Dahlenberg Margaret Davis Dee Dawkins Brenda Dickenson Kathryn Direen Marianne Dolbey Maree Duggan Maria Eaton Kathryn Edwards Kathryn Ervin Jillian Freeman Martha Frankcombe
Ruth Freeman Maria Gill Fiona Gleeson Jan Griffiths Pat Harthen Anita Hine Lindy Holmard Suzette Holmes Eilin Hordvik Suzanne Horton Jenni Howlett Judy Hunt Pauline Hurd Mandy Jackson Elaine Johnston Anna Jones Marylynn Jones Rosemary Kellaway Mary Keller Tanya King Christine LeFevre Annette Langham Lyn Long Jillian Lynch Margaret Maine Celeste Marchant
Jessica Marston Susan McKinnon Jane McKnight Tanya McNeill Anita Meier Charlene Milner Christine Minchin Chris Mooy Louise Morgan Robyn Nandan Lynne Neep Carol Newbon Leanne Newson Sonia Ollongton Allison O’May Maree Peck Eleanor Phelan Jenny Ploughman Catherine Revell Pam Revell Audrey Richardson Fiona Ringrose Robyn Robertson Gail Saggers Judy Salter Raelene Salter
Leonie Scott Elizabeth Singleton Emily Shepherd Kaye Smith Linda Smith Tammy Smith Kristy Springer Loriee Snook Christine Stacey Janet Stephens Rhonda Stewart Anita Street Pat Swindells Shelley Thomson Lyn Williams Kerrie Walkem Ann Wedding Marion Wilson Jill Zeeman
*Please contact us regarding any missing members or edits.
Business Classifieds
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The following programs are part of Child Health Association Tasmania
Business Connect Family Food Patch Growing Families
The Haven Hobart Mums Network
North West Mums Network Pram Walking Groups
Resource Libraries Retailers Discount Program
To find out more about our programs and membership, please visit our website
www.chatas.com.au
A/State Executive Officer Alison Wood 0428 221 886
Finance/Admin Officer Matt Smith
0477 033 669 [email protected]
Southern Regional Coordinator Christine Jolly 0400 518 154
North West Regional Coordinator Kelly Rechtin 0474 114 784
Northern Regional Coordinator Vacant
Enquiries to Alison Wood
Family Food Patch Program Manager Emily Rataj
0409 405 789 [email protected]
Growing Families Program Manager Dianne Martin 0478 242 196
