|
EDITOR'S LETTER
You'll notice that our cover stars in this issue are a little older than usual.
Don't worry, we're still mad about babies and toddlers but we figure there's plenty of room for the bigger kids, too...
There's so much to learn during those tricky baby and toddler years (which is why we've included stories about switching to solids and how much should your toddler eat in the latest issue. But the parenting rollercoaster doesn't stop there. Many mums tell me that in hindsight, breastfeeding, pottytraining and even those sleepless nights were easy when compared to the challenges that come with school-age children. That's why we're now catering to families with children of all ages from the tiny to the pre-teen. Afterall, many households are juggling quite a few ages and stages at once.
In Hola Baby we take a look at early language lessons and the race to raise bilingual babies. Another another example of the hyper-parenting trend or a window of opportunity to help expand young minds?
There's also a few new columns in this issue that will become permanent fixtures. Naturopath Nicholas Smith will now be sharing plenty of natural health secrets. His first Natural Health column reveals some sleep-inducing tricks for the whole family.
Obstetric registrar Dr Christopher Smith also joins our team and tees off with an entertaining guide to pregnancy for new dads using a few quotes from golfing greats. He also begins a regular column, An Obstetric Registrar's View - the first installment takes a look at the controversial topic of sex selection and dispels a few old wives tales.
But my personal favourite column in this issue is the hilarious Bad Dads column penned by the talented Stuart Gregor.
Finally, as a Father's Day special, we talk with cricket legend and proud father of four Justin Langer.
Please let us know what you think of the new look Australian Parents. And don't forget it's your last chance to win $10,000 by entering Baby of the Year 2008. The winner will appear on our October/November cover. Till then,
Jody Scott, Editor
HERE'S A SNAPSHOT OF WHAT'S IN OUR LATEST ISSUE…
Local Legend
Cricketing legend and proud father, Justin Langer talks about being dad to four little girls and reveals a few of the secrets from his new book "I want to be a cricketer" which he co-wrote with former Hockeyroo, Olympic gold medallist and mother of three Sally Carbon. It's all about teaching kids to have dreams and heroes in life...
Day in the life
What's it like to have premature twin babies? We spend a day with a brave mum and her beautiful babies William and Zara on the eve of their final release from a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
Inspiring mum
Meet Rose Smith who has a lifestyle few of us could keep up with. She owns a cafe, is a martial arts teacher, volunteers for the Salvation Army - and most importantly, is mum to seven-year-old Ella.
10 tips - Dining out with kids
Yes you can take your toddler out to dinner. Here's your must-read survival guide to getting out of the house and enjoying a meal that someone else has cooked.
DEVELOPMENT
Hola baby
Language classes for preschoolers are the latest must-do activity. And bilingual babies are apparently the new black. But is the race to raise bilingual kids a good thing or another example of the hyper-parenting epidemic? We look at the pros and cons of early language lessons.
Paws for thought
The story you need to read if your child has begun begging for a furry friend. Choosing a pet that suits the whole family requires some serious decision making. Big or small, furry or feathered, here's a guide to picking the right pet to join your brood.
SPRING FASHION
Cabin fever
Cowgirls, Indians and some of spring's cutest play clothes set the stage for a fun and chaotic day when rain kept our models indoors. But these cute cotton frocks, cool cargo pants and quirky tshirts are made for warm weather adventures.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY FOOD
Picnic Point
Nothing says spring more than sitting cross-legged on a well-loved rug with family to feast on sandwiches, cake and homemade lemonade. Our kid-friendly recipes in this issue include spicy hummus and cumin pita chips; spinach ricotta and semi-dried tomato epanadas; little chicken finger sandwiches; milk chocolate, cherry and oat cookies; orange and hazelnut syrup cake with yoghurt and pink lemonade.
All delicious reasons to pack the picnic basket and head outdoors.
PREGNANCY & BABY
Planning for your family
Choosing the right birth control for you can be confusing, but the good news is that there are more choices than ever before. Here's what to consider when deciding which one is best for you.
Billion dollar babes
Raising children can cause big budget blow outs, but be careful planning and clever shopping will help your dollars go further during that expensive first year. Your must-read guide to budgeting for baby plus a baby essentials checklist.
Solid ground
Is your baby eyeing your plate and wanting a closer look? If so, it's likely they're ready to sink their little teeth (or gums) into solids. Here's how to start your bub on a lifetime of healthy eating. Bon appetit bebe!
New dads 101
As an Obstetric Registrar Dr Christopher Smith is an authority on all things "childbirth". As a father of two, he claims he's only "an authority on all things Hi-5". As a golfer, he says: "It's fair to say I'm never an authority." But in this special Father's Day report he combines all three experiences to provide new dads with a guide to pregnancy - using golfing tips from the game's greats.
How much is enough
Do you know how much your toddler really needs to eat in a day? Or how to calculate portion sizes? Dietitian Susan Thompson looks into what our kids are eating and offers advice on how to feed even the fussiest little diners.
HEALTH
Natural health
Our new resident naturopath Nicholas Smith says quality sleep is crucial for all of us. But how do we get it? With a little planning and a few lifestyle changes, a good night's rest is possible.
Ouch my head hurts
Suffering from migraines is difficult enough for an adult, but imagine a child as young as three months with one. Studies show that 3-7 per cent of children suffer from migraines. A quarter have the first attack before the age of six. We explain what to watch out for and what you can do to help.
ALSO IN OUR AUGUST/SEPTEMBER ISSUE…
. More shopping pages than ever before... great new products for mums, bubs, toddlers and kids...
• The latest books reviewed for mums, dads and bubs.
• Fun-to-do craft project - Next time your tribe is looking for a little rainy day fun, simply take some tins from your pantry, add some string handles and start stomping.
DON"T FORGET NEXT ISSUE WE REVEAL THE WINNER OF THE 2008 BABY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION.
NEED A FRIEND
• Need a friend? Write to another Parents’ reader and expand your horizons! Click here to find out more.
PRIZE WINNERS
• Click here to see if you’re a winner of our June/July Freebies.
The winners of the competitions in our August/September issue will be posted here on September 24. Please watch this space to see whether you will receive one of the many fantastic prizes we are giving away. For any queries regarding your prizes, please email: parentswinners@newsmagazines.com.au
|
