Toddlers To Teens Magazine

www.toddlerstoteens.tv 1

LAUNCH PARTY

WELCOME TO THE FIRST ISSUE ...

ISSUE 1 FEBRUARY 14 2011

Melissa Groom your host of Toddlers To Teens TV, away from the camera

INSIDEMUMMY Make Over!

Healthy kids partiesOrganise your life Find your joy

KIDS ALERT

and lots more

www.toddlerstoteens.tv

Toddlers To Teens Parent TV Show2 Toddlers To Teens Parent TV Show

CONTENTSLetter from the editor 3Meet the team 4Mummy Makeover 5Ann Whitaker 6House of Colour 7SAS Marketing 8Responsible Financial Solutions 8Beverly Cassidy Photography 9Work at home Mums 10Work at home Mums 11Healthy kids parties 12Fussy eaters 13My life saving operation 14Find your joy 15Organise your life 16Beautiful fairy 17How to toilet train in one day! 18Understanding adolescents 19How to Build Self-Esteem in a 20Dyslexic/ADD/ADHD child 21The most important job in the world 22Egg and dairy free cake 23Kids alert 24Trende Tatts 25Special offers 26Special offers 27Kindermusik 28Important numbers 28Fe Taylor Fitness 28

Cover photo by Beverly Cassidy:www.beverlycassidyphotography.com.au

Editorial and advertising: Melissa Groomemail: [email protected]

COVER PHOTO

Subscribe to

www.toddlerstoteens.tvto receive your free gifts in your TV Guide

New shows every week“Like” us on Facebook. Ask your questions and our experts will help you with all your parenting pains.

http://www.facebook.com/toddlerstoteensThank You For Your Support

What is Toddlers to teens TV?Toddlers To Teens TV, is a new website that incorporates video segments and articles from parenting experts to give parents practical and informative advice on raising their children.

http://www.toddlerstoteens.tv/ is the brainchild of Melissa Groom, a mother with three special-needs children. Melissa thought of the concept of launching an online parenting TV channel as she sat in Brisbane’s Mater Children’s Hospital, at her son’s bedside. He was recovering from his life saving operation, a kidney transplant, that he underwent only 8 weeks ago.

“I realised that my son Nicholas would need ongoing care and attention and that I would need to create a business that I could operate from home,” says Melissa, a former children’s etiquette trainer, whose daughter Grace is Anaphylactic, and other son Matthew has Aspergers and ADHD, both forms of Autism.

Toddlers To Teens TV provides parents with free information and gives them advice on a range of topics, from children’s bedtime routines and toddler toilet training through to dealing with adolescents. The show’s panel includes experts in child behaviour, life coaches and a personal fi nance specialist to help parents budget and save.

“The site brings together some of the best experts in Australia, who regularly impart their knowledge and advice onto video segments that are posted to the website,” explains Melissa.

To receive the TV Guide and have access the show you will need to subscribe, which is free. You can do so on the website http://www.toddlerstoteens.tv or our facebook site, http://www.facebook.com/toddlerstoteens

Toddlers To Teens Parent TV ShowToddlers To Teens Parent TV Show www.toddlerstoteens.tv 3

MELISSA GROOMI’d like to start our fi rst edition of Toddlers To Teens Parenting Magazine by thanking our wonderful team of hard working experts who have helped me put together Toddlers To Teens Parent TV Show. They volunteer their time to give free parenting advice for our show each week. I’d also like to thank our Mummy Make Over Team who are donating their time and services to give one lucky mum a full makeover. You can meet all the girls in this magazine. They will share with you their tips, tools and strategies to parent with confi -dence, enjoy being a parent and look amazing. Thank you also to all the contributors to the magazine. Together we have united to bring you something that will make a differ-

ence in your life that you will look forward to every edition.

This months’ theme is Work From Home Opportunities. We hope to open your heart and your mind to the possibility of becoming an entrepreneur. We thought by sharing our stories of others who have done it and succeeded it would inspire you to do the same. For those that would prefer to earn a guaranteed income every week, Leah Gibbs from Work At Home Mums and Lifestyle Careers has contributed some great articles and has two web-sites with great resources.

I’m a writer for Connect2mums “Diary of a Mumpreneur - fi nding my feet” and I wanted to share my journey with you. I hope to inspire and help other parents to take the leap of faith to become an entrepreneur also, so they can enjoy being there for their children as well as earn a great income to live the life they dream of. There are always going to be obstacles and challenges that get in your way, but if you keep your eye on the peak of the mountain, stay focused and soldier on, you will get there. You can see my entries at http://www.connect2mums.com.au

2010 was a very big year for my family. Particularly my eldest son Nicholas, who was given the gift of life by his father. I share with you his life saving operation and happy photos of his rapid recovery. It’s such a feel good story I couldn’t not share it in this magazine and if you have a feel good story that you want to share be sure to contact us so we can put it in our next edition. We will pay $50 for the best story.

I have self-educated myself the past two years, working alongside, networking and becoming friends with other entrepreneurial women. I want to share with you some of the women/mentors I have been fortunate to have come into my life. Our next edition’s theme is Celebrating 100 Years of Women In Business – in conjunction with International Women’s Day.

Up coming issues, Celebrating 100 Years of Women in Business + Sea/Change or Green Change + Travelling Around Australia with the Kids and the Biz, if you have done it, we want to hear from you please contact us so we can feature you in our mag.

If you are a business owner and your goal is to grow your business this year, we want to help you. Contact us for more information on how we can help grow your business in 2011.

Wishing you all the best for 2011.Take care of yourself and have a grateful day. Melissa Groom

I’d like to start our fi rst edition of Toddlers To Teens Parenting Magazine by thanking our wonderful team of hard working experts who have helped me put together Toddlers To Teens Parent TV Show. They volunteer their time to give free parenting advice for our show each week. I’d also like to thank our Mummy Make Over Team who are donating their time and services to give one lucky mum a full makeover. You can meet all the girls in

ence in your life that you will look forward to every edition.

from the editor

my inspiration


MEET THE TODDLERS TO TEENS TEAM – READ OUR BIOS ON THE TODDLERS TO TEENS WEB-SITE

Claire McFee

Lay-Ean Eng

Davina Sharry

lIona Lehner

Donna Emerson

Margaret Saunders

Sharon Turton

Beverly Cassidy

Fe Taylor

Kirsty O’Callaghan

Diana Vogel

Anne Whitaker

Host/ProducerMelissa Groom

The Mummy Make Over Team

Amardy Dhanoya


HAPPY MUMS = HAPPY FAMILIESHere’s Elizabeth Peters our Happy Mum who’s had a Mummy Makover

BEFO

REIf you know someone that needs a makeover must be Gold Coast area...dob her in!

Email: [email protected] AFT

ER


1. Give us a brief introduction about yourself.

My name is Ann Whitaker and I operate the franchise for House of Colour Brisbane, House of Colour is a UK based company with over 120 consultants worldwide and there are two other consultants in Australia, based in Sydney and Geelong, Victoria. Originally from the UK, I arrived in Brisbane in May last year.

2. How did you become an image consultant?

I first came across the benefits offered by House of Colour in London in 2001, when I had my own colours and image analysed. The impact that wearing the correct colours and styles brought to both my professional and personal life was so dramatic, that in 2007 I trained to become a House of Colour Image and Style Consultant so that I could pass this knowledge on to others.

3. What does a consultation with House of Colour involve and why should we do it?

At House of Colour we advise people on the colour, type and shape of clothing to wear to maximise their personal appearance. Everyone has an underlying skin tone which is either yellow based or blue based and either muted or bright. By comparing a series of

precision dyed test drapes we evaluate the client’s reaction to differing shades of colour. This is not whether they can wear pink, blue or green, but rather the specific shade of each colour that suits them i.e. olive green, lime or apple green.

People in their correct shading of colours will look well, healthy, dynamic and in control. Wearing colours that do not suit you can make you look tired, older, drawn or even unwell. The wrong colours often highlight any spots, dark circles, blemishes on the complexion, and can even make you appear heavier. Changing to the correct colours can give a mini-facelift without any surgery. When people are wearing the correct colours they know they look fabulous and exude confidence, they simply sparkle.

4. Are there any other advantages to having your colours analysed?

Once someone knows their correct colours and image they need never worry if an outfit looks good on them, since every new item they purchase will suit them and will also co-ordinate with everything else in their wardrobe. Wearing the correct colours improves chances at a job interview, and it is the perfect confidence booster for those women returning to the workforce after having children.

Knowing your colour and style also saves you money and time, you will no longer have any of those wardrobe mistakes that lurk at the back of your closet never worn, and shopping becomes so much easier when you know what actually suits you. I can literally scan a shop and see if there is anything in my style or colour, and if not I move on to the next shop, rather than waste time looking through the racks

5. Take us through the steps you take when consulting people on colour and their image presentation.

When a client first arrives at a House of Colour class I explain the history of colour analysis and give a brief overview of what they will experience during the day. I then put a series of coloured drapes (like scarves) on them to first establish if they have a blue or yellow undertone, and then to learn whether they are bright or muted, and thus what season they are, we use the terms spring, summer, autumn and winter to describe this, a winter has blue based and bright skin tone, whereas an autumn’s skin tone is yellow based and muted.

An Interview with Ann Whitaker from House of Colour and Image


After this I apply the correct make-up for the client’s skin tone and colour, applying foundation, blusher and lipsticks that compliment their particular colouring. Finally I will go through all the colours in the client’s spectrum, advising whether each colour should be worn top to toe, as a dress or a suit, or maybe a just shirt or accessory. Finally the client is given an information booklet and a leather wallet with a material sample of each of their colours take home with them so they have a visual reference of the colours that suit them.

6. Can you give us fi ve tips that our readers can use right now to improve their look?

· Buy true red: it is the safest colour if you don’t know what you’re doing and if you have not had your colours correctly and professionally analysed. Providing you fi nd the correct tone, it will work wonders for you. You can compare tones by holding them against your face to see which ones lift you and which drain you.

· Revisit your underwear. Get your bras fi tted properly (70% of women wear the wrong sized bra), and eliminate ‘victim’ knickers and any that create bulges. Amazingly, your underwear can make or break your look.

· Get a manicure. Well groomed hands will take years off of your perceived age and will give you an immediate lift and renewed sense of confi dence.

· Face your feet: shoes are a giveaway in so many ways. Get someone to photograph your lower legs and feet in every pair of shoes you own. What story do those shoes tell? Chuck the pairs that don’t please you. Give the ones you keep a full service –polish and all!

· Bring that hairdo up to date. You have to change the style to keep current. But DON’T colour it until you’ve had your colours analysed by a professional.

There are many things you can do to discover how to use colour, clothes and accessories to enhance your look and boost your confi dence. These fi ve are just the tip of the iceberg. By making these just start of your journey of self discovery you are on your way to uncovering the real you.

To learn more about colour and image analysis check out Ann’s webpage www.houseofcolour.net.au or call or email Ann on 0424 656 097 and [email protected]

An Interview with Ann Whitaker from House of Colour and Image


Last year after baby number 2, and returning to the workforce, I decided enough was enough of the corporate world (15 years in senior marketing roles) and I have started my own home business – SAS Marketing Solutions.

– is dedicated to helping small – medium businesses look and feel more professional; create solid strategies to bring in sales.

We cover branding, web design and strategy, campaigns/advertising, marketing and communications/pr – whether that is social media or print. You can visit my website www.sasmarketingsolutions.com for more information.

Hints and tips on setting up your own work from home business venture? Just keep at it! Knowing that I can control my hours, work around the kids makes it all worth it. I’m still very busy but I can

take a lunch break and go to the park with my little one and that makes it all worthwhile.

So if you’re thinking about starting a home business. Have an idea and want it to ‘shine’! Then give me a shout via email [email protected] and we’ll get your marketing on track!

Good marketing is worth the investment – it means great brand presence, good targeting and sales!Cheers,

Sandra Ahlquist

We are looking for 3 people to take part in our money make-over challenge. You could be a First Home Buyer, a single Mum, have a large credit card debt, single income family with a mortgage, or just want to learn how to qualify for a loan...whatever your challenge we want to help you map out a plan to take control of your money. Take action today and email Donna at [email protected]

Are you up to the challenge?Be part of our Money Makeover Challenge

Are your finances turning into a marathon?Are the hurdles a little too high?Do you have a current cash flowchallenge that is affecting your life?Want to know the number one item needed to get back on track?

CHALLENGE

Contact: Responsible Financial Solutions Donna Emerson: 0419 605 851 E: [email protected]

SAS – smart and savvy

Healthy Lunchboxes – Keep it simple

• Water bottle• cut up fruit and vege sticks• protein and salad wrap/sandwich,• jats biscuits, saos, rice cakes, vita wheets, popcorn, pikelets, home made

muffin, slice of cake.

Kids don’t need all of those fancy packaged foods. All they do is burn a whole in your wallet and provide little nutrition for your child.

Go back to basics and simplify your lunchboxes.


Contact: Responsible Financial Solutions Donna Emerson: 0419 605 851 E: [email protected]


How does Work At Home Mums help people work from home?Work At Home Mums is an online job board designed for people seeking opportunities to work fl exibly with a strong focus on telecommuting and working from home.

If you are a professional looking for a work at home arrangement then you are in the right place. We have a large and growing number of clients throughout Australia and New Zealand who support our aims and who can offer fulfi lling career opportunities whilst still enabling you to achieve your work-life balance.

So many people these days want the fl exibility that a work from home career provides, but so many of them don’t think it’s possible. Many people associate work from home opportunities with scams and pyramid schemes, so they dismiss the desire they have to work from home. Work At Home Mums was created by me, to put these people in touch with genuine work from home opportunities which include fl exible employment, freelancing positions, telecommuting positions and legitimate business opportunities.

What kind of work can be done from home?You would be surprised at just how much can be done from home thanks to technology. People who work from home do all sorts of jobs – from customer service and sales through to marketing consulting, web and graphic design. If you have a computer, headset and a good, reliable internet and phone connection, there are so many different jobs you can do.

Do people have to do any work on their home e.g. renovations in order to be able to work there?It all depends upon the work people want to do from home. If you are a writer and you are seeking freelancing opportunities to write from home, all you need is an area in your home to set your computer up on with an internet and phone connection. If on the other hand, you would like to start a home business such as a hair salon, you will naturally need to undertake renovation at work to convert your garage into a salon.

What are the pros of working from home?There are so many pros to be enjoyed by working from home, and your lifestyle will really determine what those pros are likely to be. The common ones though:• Avoiding the commute to and from work;• Being able to work your own hours;• Being able to wear whatever clothing you want;• Being able to look after your children and save money on childcare costs;• Not having to put up with offi ce politics;• Enjoying the benefi ts of being your own boss (if you’re in business) without the overheads of a commercial

premises;• Having the fl exibility to do what you want, when you want; and• Having the ability to live anywhere you want and still do work you love.• Flexible working also benefi ts society by reducing traffi c and pollution, prosperity in rural areas, increased

employment opportunities for the disabled and increased sense of community focus.• You can watch TV or listen to music and work at the same time because you won’t be disrupting another

offi ce employee

What are the cons?It should be recognized that fl exible working does not suit everyone. Some people prefer the structured, work day and perform better when they are surrounded by their Colleagues. However, there are a great many people who are well suited to fl exible working patterns and who not only improve their productivity but greatly enhance their own quality of life. Working from home isn’t for everybody, because some people struggle with the following:

• If you aren’t self-motivated, don’t have proven self-discipline and don’t have the capacity to begin your work on the same schedule as those who commuted to the actual business offi ce, you may have some immediate challenges.


• Not getting out of the house to go to work;• Isolation of not working with other people each day;• Balancing home duties with the responsibilities that come with working from home.• Constant interruptions by a spouse, children, and friends who know you’re home all day• You can become a workaholic or offi ce junkie who’s trapped in a routine that is destined to result in

personal burnout.

Overall, despite the cons, working from home has caught on in a big way, as more and more people see the advantages of earning a living from the comfort of their own home

Are you aware of any tax benefi ts that can be gained from working at home? Are people eligible for anything special?If you are working from home and it is a part of your own business, then you will be able to claim expenses and input tax benefi ts. Expenses can include things such as furniture you buy for your work at home, e.g. desks and chairs. You can claim the cost of these as an expense associated with generating your income at tax time. And whenever you pay GST for items and services you pay for that you need for your work at home, you can claim the GST as an input tax credit when you lodge your Business Activity Statement (BAS). For full details on the tax advantages, defi nitely talk to your accountant and check with the ATO to fi nd out what business expenses you may claim.

Does working from home help or hinder a good work/life balance?Working from home defi nitely provides you with a great opportunity to achieve a good work/life balance. This is only possible though when you draw that clear line in the sand and set solid boundaries. Set your working hours, so you have quality time for your family and those essential household chores. Do this and you will achieve a good work/life balance. When people fail to draw that all-important line in the sand, that’s when the work/life balance suffers, along with the wellbeing of the individual and their family.

What’s your advice to anyone looking to begin working at home?Have a good think about what you really want to do. What do you enjoy doing? What are you good at doing? What, in your mind, is the ideal way to make money from home? Make a list of what you love and what sort of lifestyle you want, and then create what you believe your dream, work at home career will be. Then go out there and fi nd an opportunity that allows you to make that a reality, or create a business that allows you do achieve it.

Is working at home hard to maintain? What are the pitfalls?Not at all, provided you have in place that solid line in the sand that protects your quality home/family time. In other words, you need to be fi rm when it comes to your work time and you need to plan your time well, so your work life and your home/family life can co-exist and thrive. The pitfalls of working from home predominantly concern maintaining a healthy work/life balance, and you can avoid this by keeping to my advice of drawing that line in the sand. I also advise people to build a strong support network around them, preferably of others who also work from home. This helps people to not feel isolated working from home, and it provides people with a community to network with when they need to get some new ideas – or even if they want to vent!

Leah Gibbs is the Founder and Business Manager of Work At Home Mums. The WAHM site is Australia’s leading employment site for home based professionals. www.workathomemums.com.au


Healthy Kids Parties By Melissa Groom

If you’re going to the party - So many kids have allergies these days. Our kids eat way more packaged food than we did. Parties do not have to be a nightmare. If you go to a party and don’t want your kids to have the party food, take their own fancy party box full of healthy food and treats. Most kids are happy with a balloon a lollie pop, even if it is an organic one, and a little toy. Or fill them up with healthy food before the party so they are too busy playing to eat the food. Don’t worry about the stares and comments, feel confident you are doing what you believe is the right thing for your kids.

If you are having the party – Don’t feel obliged to follow the trend of sausage rolls, party pies, frankfurts, chips, lollies and cakes.

Try these healthy alternatives instead:-• home made pizzas• home made hamburgers • home made potato and sweet potato chips• sushi rolls• mini sandwiches• fruit kebabs• fresh fruit, cut up watermelon, rockmelon, pineapple, organges.• pikelets• popcorn• freshly squeezed apple, orange, watermelon and beetroot juice with ice cubes• Home made birthday cake with Philadelphia cream cheese icing and fresh

strawberries.• Make up party bags full of little trinkets instead of lollies. Perhaps one lolliepop, a

balloon, a sheet of stickers, some bubbles, a laminated photo of yourself, and a thank you card.

RESPONSIBLE FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS

$200 donated to our charities for every home loan that settles

Call Donna (07) 5520 7410 or 0419 605 851

Email:[email protected]

Powerful Parenting Program

Davina Sharry is the Founder of Powerful Parenting and is a regular Guest Expert on

Toddlers To Teens Parent TV.

You can purchase the program at www.powerfulparenting.com.au


Fussy Eaters By Melissa Groom

It’s one thing to have a fussy eater and another to have a fussy eater with a life threatening kidney condition. Renal kids often don’t feel hungry as they feel constantly nauseous. I learnt to become a guru with a list of tricks up my sleeve. Mind you that didn’t mean some days I had to leave the room in tears and get my mother-in law to take over when it all got too much. It can be very stressful when your kids don’t eat properly. The first thing I encourage you to do is buy an exercise book and diaries everything your children eats. This way you can see if over a week they are having a balanced diet. Here are my tips, I hope they help.

• Prepare meals earlier in the day, the night before.

• Organise your day so 4-6pm is dedicated to the children. If they have your full attention they are more likely to comply with your requests.

• Have a relaxed/stress-free environment for meal times. Try putting some Mozart on from 3pm onwards. It may not be your type of music but it definitely benefits everyone.

• Have a set routine of sitting at the table.• Eat your dinner with the children. Even if you

have a small plate of what they are eating.• Buy the children’s favourite character

placemats, plates, bowls, etc.• Talk about how hungry “Scooby Doo”, Bob

the Builder, Sponge Bob is and how they can’t wait to eat their dinner so they grow up big and strong and tall, like Daddy, grandpa, cousin Aaron.

• Discuss the food, Scooby Doo loves chicken, and he loves his green trees (ie. Broccoli)

• Introduce incentives for eating dinner, such as a story at bedtime, doing a puzzle together, having a game of snap.

• Do not give dessert every night. Only on occasions, and only after all their dinner is eaten.

• I have to admit I was desperate some times and let him have peaches and custard for dinner when he said he didn’t feel like eating anything. I tried not to make this a habit.

• Give stickers as incentives. Make up a chart and give them stickers for trying new foods.

• If timing is a problem and it takes an hour to eat dinner, put the timer on the microwave on 20 minutes. If the dinner is eaten by 20 minutes then they get a sticker, a story, dessert, etc.

• Children under 5 generally eat better before 6pm.

• Limit afternoon snacks to raw fruit and vegetables and dips made from hommus, avocado, cream cheese as these don’t fill you up but rather stimulate your appetite.

• Praise your children and them for being a good eater. Tell them how healthy/well they look. Tell them it makes you so happy to see them be a good eater.

• I tell my son when I tuck him into bed everynight I’m so proud of you, what a good boy you are, you are eating so well, you’re going to grow up so big and strong like your daddy, You make me so happy, I love you, your doctors are very happy with your good eating habits its making you so big and strong.

• Set out small amounts of food on their plate and offer it to them 4 x 5 times a day.

• Tell them they will get their chips when they eat their veges or meat, etc.

• Make their plates colourful and take it outside and set up their own little table. I would give them a piece of cheese, beetroot, grapes, cucumber, tomato, 4 x 5 pieces of cut up meat and a slice of bread, or steamed potato.

• Invite another toddler around to eat who is a good eater.

• Serve dinner at lunch time as they prefer to eat lighter at the end of the day.

• As a toddler I sang to him, read to him, his favourite toys joined us at the table, and lastly contrary to the experts I put his favourite video on and when he wasn’t eating I would press pause until he took another mouthful. There were very difficult days but I knew I had to perservere and do what I had to so he didn’t have to be tube fed. Whatever works for your child is the right thing. These are only suggestions of what worked for my children. Use your support network, call the dietician, call the local council, community centres.


My Life Saving Operation By Melissa Groom My eldest son Nicholas was diagnosed with congenital renal failure at the age of seven months. Both his kidneys did not form properly and we were told he would need a kidney transplant one day.

On the 6th September 2010 Nicholas had his life saving operation and is now going well. His father donated the kidney and he has also recovered well. The operation was performed at the Mater Children’s Hospital and the Mater Adults hospital in Brisbane. Nicholas and I stayed at the Mater for two weeks and then Ronald McDonald House for another four weeks after that to be closely monitored. We also live 120kms from the hospital so it was re-assuring to stay close by.We are very grateful for his fathers’ gift of life and for all the doctors and medical staff, as well as modern medicine and technology.

Nicholas named his new kidney Kevin after the renal nurse who looked after him and his dad.

Product ReviewIf you have a product you would like us to feature on our show, facebook and our magazine please post to: Toddlers To Teens Product Review, 16 Shoal Place, Kingscliff, NSW, 2487. We will then package up each item into a hamper and raffl e it off and donate the money to Ronald McDonald House, Woolangabba, QLD. If you have any queries please email: [email protected]


Find your joy!At the end of the day are you exhausted? Do you feel like you have achieved nothing but, you have not stopped running after your children and doing chores? Do you wonder when your life will change, when it will get easier? Are you sick and tired of experiencing life this way but, when you try and implement ‘me’ time you feel ‘guilty’ or believe that ‘good’ parents / people have to serve others?

If you answered yes to any of these questions then make sure you read this article! There is hope!

You love your children and family but, you also know something is not right and you feel a little lost and overwhelmed. Most likely you feel this way because somewhere along the line (either before or after child) you disconnected from yourself and your internal joy.

Once we have children and become parents, our whole world changes – DRAMATICALLY. Some people revel in being a parent and they glow in the daily routine and responsibility of raising a child (it brings them joy) but others can feel overwhelmed, challenged and discontent by their new way of living.

We cannot go back doing the same things BC (before child). This is due to two main factors;

1) Parenthood changes us profoundly – we are not the same person.

2) Our responsibility for raising a children does not allow for the spare time we used to have.

How can we reclaim ourselves and not just be little Johnny’s Mummy or Daddy? How can we reconnect to ourselves and fi nd our internal joy?

Internal joy is an emotional state where you are living in the moment. It does not have to be loud or entertaining and feelings of joy do not have to be expressed as ‘jumping for joy’ or reserved for celebratory occasions. They are moments where we feel peaceful and content and we do not experience stress or focus on the negative.Feelings of joy come from that place within you – from your heart. They do not come from an external event – for example, if my child is behaving well, if they clean their rooms or get good grades, this would be a feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment.

When we are in a state of joy, it benefi ts our bodies, our mental health and our relationship with others. It has been scientifi cally proven that even a fake smile will release ‘feel good’ hormones and therefore reduce the stress we feel. When we are less stressed we can better appreciate the wonderful moments that we share with our children. Re connecting back to your internal joy will allow you to parent from your heart more, enjoy your children more, live more authentically and generally be happier and content.

How do I achieve this I hear you say? How can you reconnect back to your internal joy?

The answer to this can be as complicated as you like but, for the purpose of this article I will share with you the fi rst step which is the most powerful.

Start practising living in the moment! This can be a hard task to accomplish but, I urge you to do this for 5 mins a day! Just 5 mins a day and you will be off to a great start. Commit to this for at least 6 weeks. This will help to retrain your mind to think positive thoughts.

Reading children’s quotes will make you smile and bring you feelings of joy. It will remind you of how innocent they are and how much they need you. This will help you think softer thoughts. When we feel joy we are naturally more loving, accepting and tolerant.

When you are having those bad days with the kids, pick an activity that they like best and go do it. This breaks the cycle of negativity that occurs. Do this before you start to lose it!

Find out what your children like best about you – this will make you feel good � and give you strength for those challenging days.

These steps will help you to shift your perception and believe me a 1 mm shift in your perception and your outer world or your daily life will change by a 1000 meters! This is the start to reclaiming or fi nding your internal joy. When you make the smallest shift in perception your creativity will fl ow easier and you will start to reconnect back to your internal joy. You will never look back.

Other programs or people that can assist you with this; teachers of the arts (go and enrol, do that inner creative child course), get a life coach to keep you accountable and focus on reaching your goal, Seek out a professional that will assist you with reprogramming your unconscious negative beliefs (hypnotist, dream alchemist, counsellor, spiritual healer), Join the gym, yoga, tennis club – exercise is a wonderful way to re ignite the creativity within us.

Here’s to seeking and fi nding your internal joy!

Margaret Jarvinen helps people particularly parents to fi nd their internal joy and is the author of Through Our Children’s Eyes. To learn more visit www.throughourchildrenseyes.com.au or contact Margaret at [email protected].

Margaret Jarvinen


Hi, my name is Claire and you may be surprised to hear that I am not a naturally organized person given that my business is called Organize Your Life! I came up with my idea for a Home based fi ling system in 1999 after having my fi rst child out of necessity. There was nothing on the market like it and I knew it would help me regain some much needed control and to feel less overwhelmed.

Suffi ce to say it worked a treat and I was more organized on all levels by de-cluttering not only my house but my head as well. Thankfully I have been able to help thousands of others worldwide with the same problem. I am very grateful for several TV appearances for the exposure to countless people in need of a little help.

The heartfelt testimonials I receive from my lovely customers keep me inspired and motivated to keep doing what I do over ten years later! Customers say that using my Household Organizer (that you can print out or type into on your computer) and the comprehensive selection of ‘Life Lists’ within, is like fi nally having a light at the end of their tunnel of paperwork. As Psychologist Molly Campbell said as part of the feature we were in on a current Affair; “..Using a tool like the Organize Your Life Organizer is self motivating... Once you start ticking off items your energy levels go up...”

My energy levels started soaring when I came up with the idea for the Organizer and got organized from the ground up - every single room/cupboard and drawer of the house. I knew I was really onto something when not only was all my household paperwork organized but I had tackled the dreaded garage as well – all with a young baby in tow. It felt amazing.

I have met the most wonderful people during my 10+years running my business and keep exceeding my goals. I am even writing a book at the moment – not only on the topic of how better organization can improve your life - but also about the many and varied non-mainstream preventative health strategies I use to stay well, having experienced depression in the past. We are all so different and as such - a multi-pronged approach gives the best results. I am looking forward to helping people in this way as well as natural health solutions are a passion of mine as well. There is just so much more we can do to improve our health that most people have never even heard of. I want to help change that!

I basically just love helping people and am inspired every day by those who see the best in all situations and particularly those who manage to overcome adversity and are still able to smile and enjoy life -like Melissa – the wonderful Host of Toddlers to Teens. Mel makes you want to assist her and support her goal to help parents in any way you can just by being her caring and compassionate self. It is a pleasure to work together and I know it will be a life long partnership/friendship.

Claire McFee |Organize your life

“My Story”

By Claire McFee

Creator of the Organize Your

Life Household Organizer

Hi, my name is Claire and you may be surprised to hear that I am not a naturally organized person given that my business is called Organize Your Life! I came up with my idea for a Home based fi ling system in 1999 after having my fi rst child out of necessity. There was nothing on the market like it and I knew it would help me regain some much needed control and to feel less overwhelmed.

Suffi ce to say it worked a treat and I was more organized on all levels by de-cluttering not only my house but my head as well. Thankfully I have been able to help thousands of others worldwide with the same problem. I am very grateful for several TV appearances for the exposure to countless people in need of a little help.

The heartfelt testimonials I receive from my lovely customers keep me inspired and motivated to keep doing what I do over ten years later! Customers say that using my Household Organizer (that you can print out or type into on your computer) and the comprehensive selection of ‘Life Lists’ within, is like fi nally having a light at the end of “My Story”

Get Organized with the Organize Your Life Personal Organizing System

“...Take my home, take my husband but please don’t take my Organizer!” Media Personality Rebecca Le Tourneau

Join thousands of organized customers worldwide • Hundreds of organizing tips for your home, family, work & yourself • Increases productivity so you have more time for YOU • Interactive Organizer to use on your computer or print out • To-do lists; Address Book, Journals, Rosters, Records & Planners • FREE follow up e-Calendars worth $19 & Organizing eBook $17

50% off our complete Organizer this month! Code ttt www.organizeyourlife.com.au / Phone 03 52 891 657 / [email protected] us on facebook: www.facebook.com/organizeyourlifefanpage Remember to ‘Like’ us :)


Claire McFee |Organize your life Beautiful fairySometimes, life ignites a passion and creates a dream that is so compelling and consuming that it becomes impossible to ignore.

I co-own Beautiful Fairy Photo Books, which I run with my best friend and sister in law Louise. Beautiful Fairy emerged from the saddest of circumstances, but we believe it is proof that with love and friendship, anything is possible. Our story began when Louise lost her fi rst baby Ella to still birth at 21 weeks. A friend of Louise’s who had also lost her daughter recommended she try digital scrapbooking as a way to work through her grief and fi nd healing. It didn’t take long before she was hooked, and she not only created a beautiful album and keepsake of Ella, but also created pages about her everyday life. After seeing her work, I was hooked, and began experimenting with digital elements to enhance my passion for photography. We began sharing our scrapbooks and the stories of our everyday life via email. Even though we live 6 hours apart, we became very close.

When Louise tragically lost her second baby James at 38 weeks, she was obviously devastated. We all were shattered. Over the course of the following year she worked on James’ album. It was during this time that our friendship deepened. We began talking about making albums for others who either did not have the time or the inclination to complete their own.

In September 2009, Louise and her husband welcomed their beautiful and healthy daughter Chloe into the family. I also have two gorgeous children, and I am so very grateful for them.

We launched Beautiful Fairy Photo Books in November 2009, named after Ella who began our journey, as Ella means ‘beautiful fairy’. We have focused our business

on providing solutions for busy mums and dads who would love special keepsakes of their children but just do not have the time to create their own books. While we have a line of books that can be completed in 6-8 weeks, our core products are our personalised Photo Books by subscription. We currently offer Baby Books and Year in Review albums. Every month you can send us your photographs, any notes or special stories you want to remember and we incorporate these into your personalised album. Every month we add pages to your album, and at the end of a year you receive a beautiful and premium quality photo book. The cost is spread out over the year into monthly instalments, with packages starting at $34.95 a month, just $1.15 a day! We also love to create personalised wall arts and greeting cards, specialising in fantasy scenes. We have a free information pack full of great special offers, information about organising your photos and more details about our products. We understand that most people do not sign up to one of our albums on the spur of the moment! So if you would like more information, just send an email to [email protected] with your postal address and we will send you out our information pack. You can also sign up to our newsletter for a free printable greeting card and special subscriber only discounts. Either email [email protected] with the word ‘newsletter’ as the subject matter, or visit our webpage to sign up directly at www.beautifulfairy.com.au .. Of course you can always contact myself on 0407 077 948 or [email protected] or Louise on 0418 636 131 or [email protected] and we will be happy to answer any questions

Beautiful fairy

www.beauti ful fai ry.com.au


How to toilet train your child in just one dayAs you know toilet training a child can be a time of testing the patience of parents. It can be a time of upsets, disappointments, one step forward and two steps backwards. And sometimes toilet training can be a very long and drawn out experience and something that we as mums can dread. Wet and messy underwear, surprises left on floors and the thought of “will my child ever learn how to take him/herself to the toilet?”

My daughters are now 19 and 15 years old. They were toilet trained when they were about 2-1/2 years old. And they were toilet trained in just one day! Everyone laughed at me when I told them about this amazing accomplishment. Mums at dinner parties looked blank and thought I was deranged when I wanted to share my enthusiasm, until weeks later they were ringing me up asking me how did I do it?

How My Children Were Toilet Trained In Just One Day

Well, it came about something like this. When Alicia, my oldest, was about ready to be toilet trained I didn’t really know what to do, apart from sit her on a potty and hope for the best. Then one day I was shopping with a friend whose children were teenagers, but, she had used a system for toilet training her children in just one day. And she told me, “it really worked!” Well the next week I invited her for coffee and sat her down and I asked her for all the specific details of what she had done.

I wrote down her instructions, added and modified them, got myself ready and away I went ... then toilet trained Alicia in just one day the following week. There were some things I had to get to prepare for this day. I needed a doll that would wee itself. A very sturdy potty chair with a pot that could be emptied and reinserted back into the chair was purchased. A lot of drinks, salty food and treats such as lollies, chocolates, muesli bars

and fruit. I also needed knickers for Alicia that were about two sizes too big, wipe cloths and an apron with pockets.

The Toilet Training Day

On the morning of Alicia’s training day I arranged for no one to be home, I put a note on the door explaining that I wanted No Interruptions and turned on my answering machine and turned off my mobile phone. For the rest of the day I gave Alicia all my attention and followed the instructions of the toilet training plan.

First I had Alicia learn how to teach the doll that wees to go to the potty chair. This gave her the idea of why and how to go to the toilet. She learnt how to get the doll to the potty in time, take down its pants, wait for the doll to urinate, pull up its pants, then have the doll empty the pot (with the fake urine) into the toilet then reinsert the pot into the potty chair. I also taught Alicia that the doll would be praised and enthusiasm and rewards given when the doll went to the potty-chair and weed. We also practiced what would happen if the doll wet itself.

I then taught Alicia to go to the potty chair for herself. One of the things that I did here was to give her a lot of drinks so that she had plenty of opportunities to have to go to the toilet. I taught her one step at a time, how to get her pants up and down easily (having two sizes too big really helped here), how to sit on the toilet (potty chair) and relax until she either urinated or had a bowel action. How to wipe her self, pull up her knickers and empty the pot into the toilet and then reinsert it her self into the potty chair.

Rewards And Praise

She received rewards as she was learning for correct behaviour. She learnt what to do when she had an accident, how to go to the toilet when she was playing and how to get to the toilet when she was playing outside.

Rewards and praise were given to her for having Dry Pants, particularly after she had got the hang of going to the toilet for herself.

That night she did not wear nappies in bed, we left a night light on for her and the potty chair was near to her bed. The next day we celebrated with

her and she was given a Certificate Of Accomplishment for being Toilet Trained.Yes it did happen and yes Alicia and her sister Katrina-Lee were both toilet trained in just one day!

And I am convinced you can do this too, when you know how

Step By Step By Step

1. Prepare your child by reading to him/her books such as “I Want My Potty” by Tony Ross and “Max’s Potty” by Harriet Ziefert or “All By Myself” by Dr Bill Gillham. Have your child watch members of his/her family go to the toilet, so that he/she can see what happens and how to do it.

2. Prepare the items you will need, such as large knickers, wipe cloths, a doll that wets itself and a sturdy type potty chair, or make your house toilet suitable with an insert seat and steps or a box for your child to stand on.

3. Allow one day uninterrupted to teach your child to teach the doll to go to the toilet and then teach him/her the steps involved to go to the toilet.

4. Praise your child enthusiastically whenever he/she does anything and clap and cheer when he/she actually urinates or does a bowel motion in the toilet and/or potty-chair.

5. At the end of the day when your child is successfully toilet trained or the next day have a celebration and give your child a Certificate of Accomplishment.

This article was written by Margaret Saunders, parenting, expert, family advisor, author, speaker, radio host and founder of

www.BedtimeAndToiletTrainingSolutions.com.au www.ChildrenAreEverything.com.auwww.BabySleepAdvisory.comwww.FamilyAdvice.com.au

Bedtime And Toilet Training ExpertBedtime And Toilet Training Solutions.To receive your free report “How To Get Your Child To Go To Bed Easily and Quickly And Toilet Trained In Just One Day” Visit www.BedtimeAndToiletTrainingSolutions.com.au

www.BedtimeAndToiletTrainingSolutions.com.au

Margaret Saunders




Margaret Saunders

Donna Emerson is co-owner of Responsible Financial Solutions based on the Gold Coast and offering a full range of home loan options.

Whether you are buying a new home, investing or refinancing, finding the right loan can be complex and time consuming.

With access to a wide range of lenders we do the hard work for you, providing support & guidance from the initial enquiry right through to settlement & beyond.

Knowing where you stand financially is the first step to financial freedom & your initial consultation is FREE.

• Have your personal circumstances changed since taking out your loan?

• Do you want to check for better loan options?• Are you looking for ways to save some money each

month?

Want to know the number one item needed to get your finances back on track?Our business is helping clients find the best financial solutions that work for you.

If you answered yes to any of the above questions you can review your current borrowings by emailing Donna today at [email protected]


Adolescence is a time of rapid and dramatic change. With the exception of infancy, the amount and speed of physical growth and change for adolescents is greater than in any other time in a person’s life.

During these years of growth for the child, anytime from 10 years to 20 years of age, parents and/or other adults in the place of providing care for these children find they need to adapt their parenting style to suit the changing needs of adolescents. Parents and/or care givers experiencing adolescent behaviour often are left feeling some or all of the following:-Inadequate, unappreciated, unheard, unhelpful, confused, angry, loss of their ‘babies’, lack of control over the situation, left out, uninformed, undervalued and concerned for the future of the child.

These feelings can lead to stress or unease within oneself, as well as through the whole family or situation.

Parents may constantly feel their home has turned into a battle ground or a place of unrest instead of a place of harmony. Being aware of the changes that are happening for the child, and seeking help, support and current information in this spe-cific area, will allow the parent and/or care giver an ability to understand and manage the teenager more effectively.

Children entering adolescence face three big challenges during this developmental stage:-

o Biological (physical changes)o Psychological (changes in thinking and feeling)o Social (changes in relationships)

The Biological Challenge:

The first signs of physical changes vary from person to person. These can range from ‘growth spurts’ in height and/or weight to hair growth in private areas and face region for boys. Their bodies are also undergoing growth on the inside. A huge increase in production of hormones is happening (testosterone for boys and oestrogen for girls) and glands in skin are becom-ing more active and often over active. These hormonal changes lead to sexual growth, including changes in body shape, full development of sexual organs, changes to skin, and voice changes in boys and menstruation for girls.

No wonder a teenager gets so preoccupied in how they look. These changes can lead to a period of appearing ‘gangly’, out of proportion, and some things growing larger and others still catching up, all the while their skin may also appear blotchy or the experience of acne.

The Psychological Challenge:

Adolescents are starting to realise that they are different from their parents and the rest of the world and that their parents are imperfect. They are beginning to develop their own sense of identity and increase in independence. It is a time where they are working out their own values and beliefs. They are also re-alising that there are new possibilities open to them and are less likely to accept things the way they are or believe in something just because an adult says so.

Teenagers often refuse to believe that anybody, especially their parents could understand the new and intense feelings they are experiencing, however they have a tendency to take things personally, blame themselves and others when things go ‘wrong’ and jump to conclusions about what others are thinking of them and feeling.

In their search for their unique identity, adolescents may assume that they are invincible and that nothing bad will happen to them. They may engage in risk taking behaviour. They can show sound judgement and are capable of making good deci-sions; however this is sometimes overshadowed by how they can give more weight to immediate rather than long term con-sequences. Adolescents need help from their parents to make decisions that have long term implications and risks.

Adolescents can go from demanding autonomy at one mo-ment to being very needy the next. This can be a confusing time for any parent wondering how much freedom to give whilst taking into account the level of maturity, as well as deal-ing with how the teenager is communicating their needs.

The Social Challenge:

Adolescents are predominately interested in themselves and their relationship with others, meaning they would rather spend time alone or with their friends/peers.

Although children become more focused on their friends during this time as they are seemingly getting their help and support from them, family will still remain an important influence. Ulti-mately, adolescents tend to follow their parent’s lead and end up being more similar in their values, beliefs and behaviours.In contrast to the widely held picture of adolescents having major conflict with parents, most teenagers report a positive relationship within their families.

However, adolescents are typically more negative and have more conflicts with their parents than usual at this time. These are usually over minor issues like homework, tasks to be done at home and television or computer time. Although this may wear on a parent’s patience, it is a sign of growing up, seeking independence, developing confidence and taking responsibil-ity. Arguing within a family can allow young people to express and assert themselves in a safe environment, before they assert themselves in the outside world. The child will learn through your example what is the best way to be true to themselves, be heard and achieve a desirable outcome.

Adolescents experiencing all this growth will go through periods of shut down (sleeping a lot or just sitting in front of the TV), mal-function (seeming crazy and irrational) and overactivity (can’t sit still or jumpy or the inability to concentrate), and sometimes this can all happen in one day!

The good news is your child will survive all of this, and so will you. You will have highs and lows, however overall the outcome is generally one of producing an adult that you can be very proud of in the years to come.

They key is gaining the knowledge and communication skills to best understand your teenager and for all involved to be pa-tient with this process. It is very important during this time to take a step back and oversee the situation and ask yourself are you being the parent your child needs, or are you being the parent you think you ‘should’ be or the parent your parents were. The most helpful parent is the one your child needs right now.

UNDERSTANDING - ADOLESCENTS Kirsty O’Callaghan

Author Profile: Kirsty O’Callaghan is the Principal Coach of Unity-Qld. Kirsty is a professional educator, author, and parenting expert. Through simple, effective and practical methods, she assists people to realise their dreams for their family and get the results they desire.

Website: www.unity-qld.com.au Phone: +61 7 3482 4295


How to Build Self-Esteem in a Dyslexic/ADD/ADHD child.

EXERT: In a dyslexic/ADD/ADHD child their self-esteem is normally very low. I haven’t met a dyslexic/ADD/ADHD child yet, who is totally comfortable with who and what they are. None of these children believe that they are lovable and worthwhile. All of them have deep-seated fears that they are not good enough. As a specialist tutor it is my job to help them overcome these fears. I do this in a variety of ways...

TAGS: dyslexia, dyslexic, child, ADD, ADHD, self-esteem, lovable, Diana Vogel, kinalearn, specialist tutor, build, deep-seated fears, children, worthwhile, learning crisis,

BIO: Diana Vogel is a sought after specialist tutor, parent educator and author who is passionate about teaching parents and their dyslexic children the life skills that they need to maximise their chances of success. The mother of 2 wonderful boys, one of whom is dyslexic, Diana has seen both the positive and negative sides of the dyslexia coin. To learn more about Diana and the work that she does, please go to http://www.KinaLearn.com

ARTICLE BODY: In a dyslexic/ADD/ADHD child their self-esteem is normally very low. Some of these children are great actors – they can convince us that they don’t care. That it doesn’t matter if they can’t do the things (especially at school) that their peers can. But it is often all a sham. I haven’t met a dyslexic/ADD/ADHD child yet, who is totally comfortable with who and what they are. I have met braggarts and shy kids, aggressive and meek, kids whose emotions rage out-of-control over minor things and kids who are numb. None of these children believe that they are lovable and worthwhile. All of them have deep-seated fears that they are not good enough. As a specialist tutor it is my job to help them overcome these fears. I do this in a variety of ways.

One of the first things that I do with a new student is to create a list of 10 Great Things About [insert child’s name]. For many students this exercise is very confrontational. They have become accustomed to thinking of themselves in a negative way and the shift that is required for them to think of something good about themselves is monumental. When carrying out this exercise, it is important that I create a safe environment and that I don’t apply undue pressure to my student. Often I will take the lead and write something great about them first. This often amazes them as I haven’t known them for very long and they are convinced that I only see what they cannot do. I will then encourage them to write just one thing on the list. Sometimes I need to gently prompt them with some valid suggestions. But the important thing is for them to “own” the statement that they write. If all we get, the first time that we do this exercise, is 2 statements – 1 from me and 1 from them – I am very excited.

The shift in thinking from focussing on all the things they “fail” at, to all the things they are “great” at, is very difficult in the beginning. By acknowledging 2 great things, one of which they “own”, they are opening the door for the awareness of other things that they do well. Often, they have thought of several more by the time we meet again

a week later.

UNDERSTANDING - ADOLESCENTS Kirsty O’Callaghan

Diana Vogel

Diana VogelTo learn more about Diana and the work that she does, please go to www.KinaLearn.com

We teach people to harness the power of

DyslexiaDiana Vogel Member Australian Tutoring Association Member British Dyslexia Association

www.KinaLearn.com www.learnathomesystems.com www.famousdyslexicpeople.com www.dyslexicsuicide.com


The Most Important Job in Your World

Hiring a Nanny to look after your kids should be approached as one of the most important jobs in the world. After all, the successful Nanny will be alone with your kids for long periods of time and will have sole custody and responsibility for their care, health and happiness. So make sure you give a lot of thought to the type of carer who will best suit your family.

The Top 5 Basics:

1. Safety – when you prepare your short list, ensure each candidate has a current Working with Children’s Check (WWC or Blue Card) or a Police Check (and make sure you ask to see it!) or is prepared to get one prior to commencing with you. A WWC assesses the level of risk an individual poses to the safety of children and is more targeted and broader than a Police Check. Police Checks identify and release relevant criminal history relating to convictions, findings of guilt or pending court proceedings. Due to relevant legislation and policies however, there are limitations on the information a Police Check can provide.

2. Telephone screening – this will help you short list and will save you a lot of time in the long run! Use telephone screening to verify each candidate’s experience and qualifications, discuss commencement date, required days/ hours, specific duties and hourly rate of pay. Try and get a feel for the candidate’s personality. If you like the candidate, ask them to send their CV and arrange a face to face interview.

3. CV review – a CV is a summary of the candidate’s education, skills and experience. Make sure you read it! Check for qualifications (if this is one of your requirements) and certifications (WWC, Police Check, First Aid etc). Identify the areas you want to follow up with questions.

4. Face to face interviews - are crucial! It’s amazing how many times we hear that someone has hired a nanny off the strength of a phone call or recommendation without first meeting them! You need to meet the candidate to verify whether this is THE person you want looking after your kids. Use the interview to discuss your general philosophies about the role to ensure that the candidate is of a like mind. Ask open ended questions to get more than a ‘yes/no’ answer. Listen carefully to the answers and watch the candidate’s body language.

5. Meet the kids - ALWAYS have the candidate meet your kids before you make a recruitment decision. If the candidate can’t handle your kids when you are there, they have no chance when you are not! Watch everyone’s body language and let your kids ask questions to see how the candidate interacts with them. One Nanny I interviewed was asked the following questions by my kids: • First son (8 year old footy maniac): “Do you play footy?” (“Absolutely, and so does my brother, he has heaps of trophies – I will bring some to show you if you like”.) She had him at ‘Absolutely...’ • Second son (7 year old soup fanatic): “Do you cook soup?” (“Yes, I love soup, especially pumpkin soup – what is your favourite soup?”). Two for two;

• Daughter (5 year old fairy lover) “Are you a fairy?” (“No, but I love looking for fairies and writing them little notes and leaving them in the garden – do you like doing that?”) By this stage the fairy lover was actually sitting on the candidate’s knee...We hired her! 6. Ok, we know we said top 5, but there is a 6th.... At every step of the way trust your intuition and judgement. If it doesn’t feel right

then it probably isn’t, and frankly it’s just not worth taking the risk.

For more information about the recruitment process including Reference Checking, Interview questions, Employment Contracts, Income Tax, Superannuation & More, or to contact Kate & Tan – go to http://www.babysittersandmore.com.au.

Kate Christie and Tanya McVicar started Babysitters and More in 2010 out of their own needs as busy mums trying to juggle family life and full time careers – a one stop shop where you can find all of the home help you need in a simple, efficient, trustworthy and stress-free way! BAM can be found at http://www.babysittersandmore.com.au – and is dedicated to introducing busy people to the perfect Nannies, Babysitters, Cleaners, Tutors, Senior Carers & Companions, Home Managers, Pet sitters, Gardeners & Home maintenance, Party helpers, Packers & Unpackers, House sitters & More!

Kate Christie and Tanya McVicar, Babysitters and More www.babysittersandmore.com.au

Babysitters and More-for all your home help needs! Find perfect Nannies, Babysitters, Cleaners, Tutors, Senior Carers & Companions, Housekeepers, Pet Sitters, Gardeners & Home Maintenance, Party Helpers, Packers & Un-packers, House sitters & More! Plus BaM Tools help you make informed recruitment decisions - including interview guides, reference checking guide & Template Employment Contracts. NO Agency fees. Check out BaM at www.babysittersandmore.com.au


Egg and dairy free cake

Cuisine type: Modern AustralianCooking time: Less than 60 minutes

INGREDIENTS

1/4 cup water2 tablespoons vegetable oil2 teaspoons baking powder3 cups plain flour13/4 cups caster sugar1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract1/2 cup Nuttelex polyunsaturated table margarine>Extra 11/4 cups waterExtra 21/2 teaspoons baking powderHundreds and thousands to decorateCreamy vanilla frosting11/2 cups Nuttelex margarine4 cups icing-sugar mixture2 tablespoons hot water1 teaspoon vanilla extract

METHOD

1. Grease two deep 20cm-round cake pans; line bases with baking paper.

2. Beat water, oil and baking powder in a large bowl with an electric mixer on

low speed for about 30 seconds or until combined. Add remaining ingredients; beat mixture on low speed for one minute or until just combined. Increase speed to medium; beat for about three minutes or until mixture is smooth and thick. Divide mixture evenly among prepared pans.

3. Cook in a moderate oven, 180C, for about 35 minutes or until cooked when tested. Stand cakes in pans for five minutes; turn onto a wire rack to cool.

4. Creamy vanilla frosting. Beat margarine in a small bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Gradually add icing-sugar, beating until combined. Beat in water and vanilla extract until just combined.

5. Sandwich cakes together with one-third of the frosting. Spread remaining frosting over top and sides of cake. Decorate with hundreds and thousands.

Kirsty O’Callaghan’s brand of TLC is something quite different.

Kirsty is a National Parenting Expert and

Personal Power Specialist who is inspiring thousands of Australians through simple, effective and practical methods to realise their dreams and get the results they desire.

T-Teaching & TrainingL-Learning & LiteratureC- Coaching & Consulting

Through the suite of TLC services you can shape a different future for you and your family.Take the first step to regain control of your life and call Kirsty today.

With each booking you receive a free copy of Kirsty’s e-book ‘PARENTING – A Guide for the Ride’

UNITY-QLD www.unity-qld.com.au

0402 889 648

Does your life feel like it is bursting at the seams? Would some TLC be the answer?


KIDS ALERTMy name is Tiffany Thojaya and I’m a mother of two beautiful girls. Unfortunately, my youngest daughter has anaphylaxis which has caused many stresses, challenges and a few visits to the Emergency rooms at our local Hospital.

I am a trained Primary and Secondary school teacher, and when my daughter was young I had to go back to work. I was absolutely terrified that when she was at day care that someone would give her the wrong bottle or meal, as the only way they had to identify her was a picture on the wall, which is insufficient to say the least. I was also frightened that when there was a swap over or an emergency carer/teacher, they would forget that my daughter had anaphylaxis, which is potentially life-threatening and forget to point her out to the new staff member. I found it almost impossible to work properly as I constantly fretted that someone would forget.

Parties and other gatherings that involved food, were also really stressful events and what I also quickly found out was that people don’t often fully understand how dangerous allergies can be and that even after being told, some people have still offered my daughter food without clearing it with me first. To my absolute horror, I also noticed that people quickly forgot – so I began the process of looking for something suitable on the market.

I really didn’t like what was on the market, there were pretty and fancy designed bracelets and plastic things that would fall off, and nothing that gave a Clear and Instant Alert message, nothing that was adjustable and made from soft material that would be comfortable for a child, but most importantly, it needed to give instant identification that she had Anaphylaxis, so that no-one would or could forget!

I spoke with my husband about this issue, and he was the one that actually suggested an alert wristband. The alert message needed to be on the hand, as it is the hand that is looked at when food is passed out and it is also the hand that is looked at in an emergency by a paramedic.

It became very clear to me that from this idea, I needed to do something, as I believed I wasn’t the only parent out there that would need their child to be instantly identified and would want a constant reminder on them, especially when the child is away from the carer/parent.

After many discussions with Paediatricians and hospital staff, I was able to design a wristband that fulfilled all of my criteria (clear, bright alert message that gives instant identification, using soft breathable material, that was durable, machine washable and affordable), and so KidsAlert was born.

KidsAlert has been also very popular with Day Care centres, Pre-Schools and many Primary schools who have integrated the KidsAlert wristbands into their Allergy Policy. KidsAlert wristbands are specifically designed so that they are very bright and easily identifiable and recognisable for carers. The Anaphylaxis Alert,

Food AllergyAlert and Personal Alert wristbands have been redesigned to allow you to personalise it with specific allergies or any other sensitivities that you need others to be aware of. It can be easily personalised with a permanent marker or a ball point pen. • They are fully adjustable to fit babies through to adults (20cm

long). • They are made of soft Cotton/Polyester material, which is perfect

for sensitive skins. • They are also durable and machine washable. • The Anaphylaxis Alert and Food Allergy Alert are red in colour

as this is what is used by the medical profession to identify an allergy.

• The blue is used to identify Asthma world-wide. • The green on the Diabetes Alert is the same green as is used by

Diabetes Australia. • KidsAlert wristbands are ideal for Child Care, Kinder, School,

Camps, Parties and other outings. • The Yellow (Your Alert) wristband has been specifically designed

to allow you to personalise it with specific allergies or any other sensitivities that you need others to be aware of. It can be personalised with a permanent marker or a ball point pen.

Most importantly, they are designed to be a constant reminder for Everyone, Everywhere in the hope of reducing accidents!

We also believe that it is important to be prepared and practice for an emergency, as such so we are now stocking Epipen Trainers and kits from Anaphylaxis Australia.

I am not only the Proprietor of KidsAlert, but I am also a qualified Primary and Secondary teacher, with experience in the school system for over 10 years. I have also dealt with allergies and anaphylaxis on a daily basis for over 6 years. Tiffany has completed the First Aid Management in Anaphylaxis training, the Anaphylaxis Management Professional Development Program at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, and the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.

I have been asked by schools to help them create policies to prevent food related accidents. If your school requires help in Allergy Education, creating Allergy/ Anaphylaxis Policies that work for your staff and school or 22099VIC First Aid Management of Anaphylaxis, please feel free to contact me on [email protected] , call 0430 515 366 or visit our web site www.kidsalert.com.au for more information.

The Key to Anaphylaxis Accident Prevention is: • Risk Assessment • Allergic Trigger Minimisation • Policy Creation and Education

KidsAlert is stocked across Australia, in various Health Food shops, Pharmacies and through various Allergy aware outlets. KidsAlert is also available online though our Shop online page at www.kidsalert.com.au The KidsAlert Vision is to create a safer world for kids with allergies and other sensitivities.

Tiffany Thojaya

The KidsAlert Vision is to create a safer world for kids

with allergies and other sensitivities

Contact Tiffany ThojayaAnaphylaxis Education Consultant & Trainer

e: [email protected]: 0430 515 366 (+61 430 515 366)

Fax: (03) 9770 4094www.kidsalert.com.au


As a new mum, I had two children 12 months apart. When my son started running at 13 months I knew I was in for trouble. How was I going to keep an eye on him when his baby sister needed so much of my time also. I’m not one for sitting at home everyday looking at the same 4 walls. I needed to get out, even if it

was just to the local park. But even that presented a problem, because not many parks are fenced. There were so few places I felt ‘safe’ to go to. By safe, I mean somewhere that was contained so I knew my son couldn’t get away.

I knew I had to fi nd a solution so I could get out and about. I had already tried putting a sticker on his t-shirt, but he played with it until it came off. I didn’t want to write on his arm with marking pen because I was worried about the chemicals on his skin. I considered wristbands, but knew he would just pull that off and I didn’t like the idea of putting a note in his pocket because he wouldn’t remember it was there, and I didn’t want strangers searching my child looking for a note.

I fi nally thought of temporary tattoos. They didn’t have to be pictures. Why couldn’t I have tattoos printed with my contact details? That was my light-bulb moment! I was so excited. I went straight to the internet only to fi nd that nothing like this existed. So I did a bit more research to fi nd out if I could make them myself. I realised that this might be something I could do from home, working around my young family. I went to the library and borrowed books on how to start a business. I had absolutely no idea what was involved, nor how hard or easy it would be.

While breast feeding my daughter at 3am in the morning, I would read the books. The more I read, the more I realised that this was achievable. And the more I read, the more I understood the potential use for the tattoos. I didn’t have to limit their marketability to children. Other uses include grandparents raising grandchildren, parents with twins/triplets, people with allergies, people with Alzheimer’s, as well as Autism, Down’s Syndrome or who are simply non-verbal.

I was very aware of the percentage of small businesses that fail within the 1st year so I signed up for a course “Starting Your Own Business” which I did from home via distance education.

It has taken a long time to get my idea to market, but I am so proud of myself for what I have achieved. It hasn’t been easy, but it has beenworth it.

trende-tatts Raelene Jackson

TRENDe-tattsPersonalised Temporary Tattoos

TRENDe-tatts Personalised Temporary Tattoos produce a range of safe, non-toxic, hypoallergenic tattoos available in two sizes (3.2cm and 4.5cm) and 11 popular colours, with a wide range of pictures and alerts to suit all ages and make

the tattoo as individual as you are.

Ph: 0421 072 273

www.trendetatts.com.au


SPECIAL OFFERS FOR TODDLERS TO TEENS PARENTING

MAGAZINE BY MARGARET SAUNDERS (PG12-13) PARENTING, EXPERT, FAMILY ADVISOR, AUTHOR, SPEAKER,

RADIO HOST AND FOUNDER OF

Hello reader,

I’d like to offer you all two special offers, in commemoration of the first Toddlers To Teens Magazine.

1 A 15 minute complimentary Family Advice Coaching Session, valued at $57.

Is the energy or some of the behaviours of your family not quite how you would like them to be? Have you been feeling frazzled and loosing your cool? Are things not how you think they should be?

Then why not enjoy the benefits of a complimentary session with parenting advisor and expert Margaret Saunders. Find out more and to register for your complimentary, 15 minutes, (no charge to you, valued at $57) go to www.FamilyAdvice.com.au

2 Half Price, Bedtime And Toilet Training Solutions Packages.

For the month of February, Bedtime And Toilet Training Solutions Packages are available to you at half price. You save 50%. Packages include:The Ultimate Bedtime Package – how to get your child to happily go to bed and fall asleep fast.



AND TODDLERS TO TEENS TV SHOW PARENTING ADVISOR

www.BedtimeAndToiletTrainingSolutions.com.au


The Ultimate Toilet Training Package – how to toilet train your child in just one day.

The Ultimate How To Have Your Child Be An Angel – how to bring out the angel behaviour in your child.

The Ultimate How To Have More Time – how to have more time as a family, as if you lived in the country, no matter where you live now.

Single packages usually $57.00 now $29.00 total package value $107 you save $80.00 Your Price =$29.00

Buy 2 get one free offer usually $87.00 now $45.00, total packages value $214 you save $177.00 Your Price= $45.00

To get this offer, you must order by midnight February 28th, please go to www.BedtimeAndToiletTrainingSolutions.com.au/HalfPriceOffer

Here’s what Melissa Groom wrote to me after she purchased my packages.

“Dear Margaret,After a year of absolute frustration with Matthew not going to bed he is now going to bed at the time I request him to go, with eagerness and compliance.

I sing to my daughter in her bed as she loves singing.

In this hectic life we do often forget what beautiful little angels we have been blessed with. Thank you for reminding me of how lucky I am.” Melissa Shugg, now Melissa Groom, producer ToddlersToTeensTV

So why not get your child to happily go to bed and fall asleep fast and toilet trained in just one day … … …

MARGARET SAUNDERS (PG12-13) PARENTING, EXPERT, FAMILY ADVISOR, AUTHOR, SPEAKER, RADIO HOST!

Toddlers To Teens Parent TV Show28

IMPORTANT – PRINT OUT AND PUT ON YOUR FRIDGE

Poisions Info Line 13 11 26 Kids Help Line 180 551 800 Life Line 13 11 14 Australian Breast feeding Association 24 Hr Help Line 8853 4999 Tresillian 1800 637 357 Womens Legal Resource Centre 180 801 501 Sids and Kids 1800 651 186 Post Natal Depression 1300 555 578

Subscribe to

www.toddlerstoteens.tvto receive your free gifts in your TV Guide

New shows every week“Like” us on Facebook. Ask your questions and our experts will help you with all your parenting pains.

http://www.facebook.com/toddlerstoteensThank You For Your Support

Subscribe to my FREE monthly Ezine -

Eat Play Laugh for great tips on health,

exerecise, food and wellbeing! For a limited

time you will receive a copy of my report -

“7 Steps to a Happy Healthier YOU!”

www.FeTaylorFitness.com

Laura Thompson|Area Developer |Kindermusik Australia/New ZealandP.O. Box 5461 | Maroochydore B.C. Qld 4558| http://www.kindermusik.com.au

P: 1300 721 722 or 61 7 5445 1444 (intl.)| F: 07 5445 6094 | E: [email protected]

WANT SOME FUN, EDUCATIONAL GIFTS FOR YOUR CHILD, A GOOD BEGINING NEVER ENDS!

Documents

Toddlers To Teens Magazine