South Africa is ranked 25th worldwide for asthma prevalence and is ranked fifth for asthma mortality. The lack of appropriate diagnosis, treatment or access to care may be important considerations in tackling asthma morbidity and mortality in South Africa.
Not many of us spend a lot of time thinking about estate planning when we’re young and starting out in life. It’s a common misperception that having your affairs in order is only necessary for the rich and old. However, becoming a parent changes us irrevocably in many ways, not least by raising strong feelings about what might happen to our children if we die. What if the unexpected happens, and both parents die at the same time? In South Africa, if you die without a valid Last Will and Testament that includes the appointment of a guardian for your child, it is the Courts that will decide their fate. In addition to guardianship, which is taken care of by your Last Will and Testament, you’re going to want to put careful plans in place to create the best possible safety net for your children that will see them through to independence. Planning your estate and keeping your estate information current is the best way to make your wishes abundantly clear and cushion your children in the face of the unpredictability of life. Rachelle Best, founder and CEO of Heritage Vault, a digital solution for organising and securing all of your important estate information says, “the day before my daughter was born, I remember clearly feeling this huge sense of responsibility. No longer was it going to be only me that I had to look after, but there was a whole new life coming into the world who would depend on me. This was also the moment I started making a list of everything that I had to sort out as soon as I got home. I realised that, should something happen to me, everything must be in order so that my daughter could be optimally looked after and that my wishes for her would be heard.” For parents, it’s about more than financial security… The basics of estate planning for parents will, of course include financial planning and making provision for the funds it takes to raise a child by taking out life insurance policies and making investments. However, there’s a lot more that parents would want to leave with their children should they pass unexpectedly. Plato said: “Let parents bequeath to their children not riches, but the spirit of reverence.” Many parents seek out ways to be known and connected to their children beyond death; for their bonds to go on in healthy ways that help their children be emotionally resilient. Rachelle says, “After my daughter’s birth I set up an email account for her and I regularly sent letters and photos to that account, documenting our time together in the early childhood years that she may one day forget. It’s my plan to give her the password to this email account when she turns 18, a beautiful legacy of her childhood and her family to hold her up as she makes her own way in the world. Without a life partner or a friend who knew every detail of our lives, it would’ve been either difficult or impossible for a person to find things that were important to me as a parent. What would happen to her password protected gift email account? Who would know where to find the contact details of my daughter’s paediatrician and her health records? That sowed the seeds of an idea that there must be a solution where you could organise everything in one safe place that would absolutely be accessible to my executor, and the trusted loved ones who I want to be involved in resolving my estate.” Launched last year as a ‘first’ in South Africa, Heritage Vault is a digital solution that enables you to store all of your important estate information securely and makes it easily accessible to your appointed confidants in the event that you may die or become incapacitated. Everything your executor or nominated loved ones may need will be safe in one place and perfectly organised in 13 easy to find categories of data. Rachelle says, “It’s important to note that parents must still create a valid Will specifying guardianship of their child, and that must be available to your executor in its original hard copy form. However, you can upload a digital copy of it to your private vault and simply specify exactly where to find your original Will. All your passwords can be securely stored, which is vital since so much of our life and our finances is managed through digital channels. All your customer accounts with full contact details can be listed so that these can be cancelled quickly avoiding money draining unnecessarily out of your estate.” The process of populating your Heritage Vault, which you can do in your own time, guides you intuitively through every aspect of comprehensively planning for your passing. It includes leaving instructions for what happens to your pets and what you want done with your social media accounts. A category in the vault called ‘For My People’ empowers you to upload private and personal messages to your children that you feel will be valuable to them in the event of your passing. Rachelle says, “Our users find peace of mind in planning and organising for any eventuality. Their Heritage Vault brings an important additional layer of security and safety to their family. It is a living database that they can update and revise as details change and as they and their beneficiaries reach different life-stages, which is so important when you have growing children to look after.”
You’ve just received the most amazing news! You’re pregnant! So exciting! But now the fun begins – advice from everyone on what’s the best thing for you to do around your health, baby’s health, preparing for the birth – the list just goes on and on. With so much to choose from, how do you know what the absolute essentials are that you should be researching and buying? Baby and I Melrose, as a local Premier Baby Boutique, offer an exceptional range of essential baby products, clothing, and accessories, making it easy for you to purchase the essentials for your little one online. And here’s what we suggest: Camping CotsCamping or Travel cots, are safe for baby to sleep in. They can also be easily moved around to suit your need. However, they aren’t recommended for long-term use, but rather short- stints. Camping cots can be used for babies until around age 2. Muslin Blankets Muslin blankets are highly recommended for several reasons. Muslin is a finely woven, breathable fabric that has been available since the Middle Ages. Because of the delicate and durable weave, the material is a bit stretchy which makes it absolutely perfect for swaddling. Muslin lends itself to being tucked snugly around your baby without being too restrictive. Muslin is also soft and cozy and is perfect for keeping a baby warm but not too hot. Whilst this material breathes it also insulates, so your baby will never get too hot or too cold with a Muslin blanket, staying at the perfect temperature throughout the night. Baby Monitors Baby monitors are simply a must-have! They are vital to sleep-training as well as offering parents’ absolute peace of mind, knowing that you can hear and see baby no matter which room you are in. One of the most stressful concerns of any parent is SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) and having a baby monitor ensures that these kinds of incidents can be avoided. There is no recommended age as to when to stop using a baby monitor – some recommendations are between age 3 and 5. Multi-Purpose Seat Covers For parents who are on the go, from going to the beach, to family outings, to road trips and adventures, Baby Snoods from Baby and I Melrose, cover mum so that she can confidently breastfeed outside of the home. They protect baby from mozzie bites, the crazy Cape Town winds and from exposure to the sun. They are great to use over a car seat because they are safe and snug and much easier than hanging a blanket over baby’s seat when it is windy. This cute design also prevents baby from getting cold when you’re on the go. Keep baby clean and germ free in the trolley when getting your groceries. Wet Wipes Dispenser Baby wipes are an absolute essential to nappy-changing time – perhaps just as important as baby’s nappy! Wet Wipe Dispensers keep them organized whilst keeping them wet and handy. Having your wet wipes in a dispenser, means that you can have a few, placed in strategic areas, making them so much more easily accessible. The benefits of a wet wipes dispenser are: Wipes are kept fresh and moist Because they’re compact and convenient, they fit easily inside a nappy bag. Bath-Tubs Safety around bath time is always going to be a priority. To ensure that a baby’s bath time is easy, stress-free and a happy experience, a baby bath-tub is essential. When choosing a bath-tub look for one that has a slip-resistant backing to keep baby from moving. How long should a baby stay in a bath-tub? Five to ten minutes is long enough. This is particularly important because of baby’s sensitive skin which can easily become dry. Baby Bath Lilo Baby bath lilos from Baby and I Melrose, are buoyant padded cushions that shape around your baby’s body to create a comfortable and safe space for your little one to float above the water – whilst still being submerged enough to enjoy the warm bath water. Baby bath lilos are suitable to use from birth for babies between 2.5kg and 7.5kg and are available in a variety of prints and colours. Baby bath lilos make it easy for bath time wherever you are – simply pack your lilo and use it in any bath. After bath time, they can easily be hung up to drip dry. Baby Night Light Night lights are great for baby’s room. They provide a soft soothing atmosphere and also help mom to see during late-night feeds or nappy-changes without disturbing baby too much. Night lights create a more ambient environment for your baby and can help your baby sleep better. It is a good idea to introduce baby to dim lights from day one. Once you’re confident that your baby is sleeping through the night, you may decide that it is no longer necessary. Baby Carriers You can start using a baby carrier right away and there are several baby carrier options suited for all ages, from newborn to toddler. Baby and I Melrose have a selection of baby carriers from sturdy seat carriers to lightweight tie baby carriers or slings. A baby sling is typically a one-shouldered baby carrier made of soft fabric and is a safe way to carry baby keeping them close to your chest. The average baby carrier should last until baby is around 2 years of age but that depends on your baby. Around this time, you would want to consider upgrading to a large toddler carrier that will accommodate your little one up to 4 years old. Baby Bottle Starter Kit Taking care of your tiny little human is very time-consuming and you don’t want to find yourself having to continuously wash bottles. We suggest that you have at least 8 to 12 bottles on hand. 340ml Size bottles are perfect for starting out. When baby is bigger, you can switch to a more appropriate size bottle to accommodate baby’s appetite.
How to Sign Up to our amazing Online Learning Platform. We are super proud to announce that the EdTech Awards 2022 have just been released – and yay! We are the BEST AGAIN! We are the most awarded EdTech Company on the planet, with 215+ awards in the last four years! A decade of evidence and research, buffered by over 215 education awards (10 times the closest competitor), establishes us as the premier Edtech solution available to schools and families. We specialize in SpecialEd and offer remedial support to our students with learning difficulties or disabilities. We have the awards to prove our success. Our program is also an excellent choice if you’d like to challenge your academically strong child, as they get to work ahead and complete more than one grade level per year. Please find attached our Informational Pack to assist you with any further questions you might have. And…Don’t forget about our FREE 14-day Trial Period on our program. The Placement Test is included in the trial. All we need is for you to complete our online registration form: https://educ8-sa.com/sign-up Listed below are some of the great features we have to offer you: The following components are included in our package: Digital Literacy, Core Subjects, and Career Studies. Our Fees: Our Fees include all tutorials, assessments, and intervention packs. Individual Student Registration Fee:: Registration fee of R1000 per student or R1500 per Family Registration (Payable over 2/3 instalments) Grade K – Gr. 8: R400/student package/month (All resources, assessments, and tests included – no hidden costs) GED: R500/student package/month (Includes digital course, PDF Study Guide, 1 for each subject, lots of bonus material, Mock Exams) GED Exam FEE: $80/subject – 4 Subjects American High School Diploma (Gr. 9 – 12): R1600/student per month. (Includes all resources, assessments, and exams) Our program is offered in English. We offer a complete curriculum solution; students may log in 24/7/365. Students start with a list of 5 Placement Tests; this will help us determine exactly where they need to start. With the results, we will also be able to identify if they have learning gaps and then set up a personalized learning plan for each student. Parent Support: Parents can log in anytime to view their child’s progress from the parent portal. Our students work on their proficiency level and at their own pace. This feature makes our program ideal for special needs students and exceptional students who need a challenge. Student Support: Our Student Managers are on duty from 8 am to 4 pm and are always available to help should a student contact them via their messenger for assistance. These are just some of the fantastic features our program has to offer! Assessments & Exams: We prefer the continuous assessment approach; therefore, our students in grades K – 8 do not write exams. For our high school students, exams will depend on the matric option they have chosen. Registration Process: Complete our online form https://educ8-sa.com/sign-up. Your 14-day FREE trial period starts here! Login, then complete the Placement Test. Notify us once all Placement Tests have been completed. You will receive the results of the Placement Test by email. You will be requested to schedule a zoom meeting with us to discuss the Placement Test results. We set up your child’s personalized learning plan. Students may start with lessons. We invoice you should you wish to sign up! Subjects offered: See the Informational Pack for each of the learning paths. Digital Literacy and Career Studies are part of the package. All learning resources/tutorials/assessments/tests are completed online. Our fees include all tutorials, assessments, and intervention packs. Terms Dates & Holidays: Centre Students will follow their own term dates. Virtual Students may decide when they take breaks. Accreditation: All our courses are accredited and accepted internationally and in SA. The GED is accredited by the US Council on Education, listed on the SAQA website, and accepted by our universities and Colleges. The American High School Diploma is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and accepted by our SA uni’s, also listed on the USAf website. Technical requirements: Internet connection, device with a minimum of 1.6 1.60GHz processor. (laptop/pc/tablet/iPad), headphones or earphones. Registration with the Department of Education: Please be reminded that it is the responsibility of the parent to register their child/children as home schoolers with the DoE. This only applies to students who are still of compulsory school-going age (7 – 15). See the webpage of Pestalozzi Trust for more info on this: https://pestalozzi.org/en/4-steps-to-start-homeschooling/ I hope this has been helpful. Please feel free to contact me should you need any further assistance. Feel free to use our WhatsApp number @ 084 685 2138 (Haelene) for a speedy response should you have any other questions. Contact the Educ8 SA Team today! info@educ8sa.net www.educ8sa.com 084 685 2138
Preparing a balanced lunch box forms an integral part of everyone’s morning routine. Each year, caregivers can adopt fun, simple yet effective ways to create healthy lunches for their children. No matter the time of day, packing a lunchbox can feel like just one more chore on an endless list. It can be challenging to provide a healthy, tasty meal every day when you are short on time. Get lunchbox smart and follow a formula It can be tempting to stuff your lunchbox with carbs — at least they will get eaten, even if they are not the healthiest option. Avoid the temptation to fill your child’s lunchbox with a variety of fancy pre-packaged goods unnecessarily. Keep it simple! healthy snacks like fruit, carrots, and cucumbers, as well as popcorn, and rice cakes, go a long way. You could even whip up basic treats with your kids over the weekend and add those to the lunchbox. Create a lunch chart To be able to plan effectively and ensuring that you give your children food that have variety, create a lunch chart that covers an innumerable healthy nutrient that form a balanced diet. You may be surprised to learn that several types of food can enhance a child’s ability to focus. Create a list that you can plug onto your fridge or pantry door. Start your child with a glass of NESTLÉ MILO for breakfast and then add superfoods such as avocados, blueberries, carrots, or cucumber – this will also depend on what your child enjoys and if they are not allergic to these superfoods. Always opt for healthier snacks or make something at home Try to swap products with high sodium or sugar for products with low sodium or sugar. Snack foods like packets of crisps, sweet and savoury biscuits, sweet muffins and prepacked dips, cheese or processed meat and cracker packs can contribute to a lot of salt and or sugar intake. Swap these with low-salt alternatives, such as savoury muffins, preferably homemade and even better have the kids help bake them. If you had meat the previous night, consider keeping a bit aside for the lunchboxes the following day, instead of processed meats which can be high in salt. Foods like cheese, wholewheat bread, vegetable sticks, fruit kebabs are all better options than the snacks kids buy at the local tuckshop. Yoghurt is a great source of calcium using the plain variant and add your own fruits to it, that way you can also limit your sugar intake. Do not forget to get your child hydrated When it comes to concentration and attention in lessons, hydration is key. Avoid sending in juice and try flavoured water instead—this is extremely easy to make. Put a slice of lemon, lime, apple, or orange in a jug of water and keep it in the fridge. Then pour this into your child’s drink bottle every morning. Start them with healthy dairy in the morning before they head out to school, a glass of powdered milk like NESTLÉ NESPRAY, mixed with warm water. NESTLÉ NESPRAY provides calcium and iron, which is an important nutrient for bones and teeth while also assisting with your child’s cognitive development. For dairy-free options, consult with a registered dietitian to guide you on alternatives Lunchbox affirmations Lastly, a note of appreciation tucked into an empty lunchbox can brighten even the gloomiest day for yourself and the rest of the family. Whatever tips you may go with or preference you might have, always involve your children in the back-to-school preparations, as that will help them take accountability for themselves and feel like they are part of the process which will have them excited and feel prepared for the new school year! For more information on tips visit www.nestle-esar.com
Back-to-school is always tinged by just a little excitement and anxiety for the unknown, as parents and children prepare for the start of the new school year ahead. Every child will enter the school year with different skills, goals, and social and emotional aptitudes. Your 3-year-old is motivated by fun and new ideas and will be active and communicative. Four-year-old girls and boys are energetic, imaginative and love to ask questions about their world; while your five-year-old will already have the confidence of knowing some letters of the alphabet, words to popular songs and can count to ten. As a parent sending your child to creche, preschool or big school for the first time, you can support your child by being positive about school and taking the necessary steps to ensure the days ahead are a success as they learn to navigate the world all on their own, and for the very first time. Here’s what you can do to make Back-to-School as seamless as possible for both of you: Confidence Boost: Read books together about starting school, where your child can relate to the characters in the story, is useful for first-day jitters and may provide a boost of confidence where needed. You can also discuss their new teacher and reassure your child that you and the teacher will work together to make sure they will be taken care of. Practise Makes Perfect: Practising their new daily routine before the start of their first day can help to alleviate some of your child’s anxiety. Go over the time to get up, and the routine of dressing and doing their teeth, eating breakfast, packing their lunch and when you will need to leave the house to reach school on time, and what time you will be there to collect them again. New school mom Sandy Adams pulled out all the stops: “The first morning I drop off my daughter at school, I strap her favourite dolls and our dogs into the car so we can all cheer her on together.” See & Do: For some, including those who are pre-readers and kids with special needs, a visual schedule can encourage them to follow the steps to get ready each morning and it can include pictures of their actual items to better guide them through those steps. Lunch is Served: Ease your first-time scholar into the school schedule by eating lunch at the same time as your child will be when he or she is at school. This will help get your child’s stomach on a schedule so he or she isn’t going to class hungry and distracted. In the days or weeks before the start of school, plan and make your lunches together for the day ahead. Food helps to create a link between your home and the new school day and will support your child with a sense of connection and familiarity. Let them help you pack their lunch and label it together. Stay creative with your packed lunch ideas and avoid getting stuck into the dreaded one sandwich and an apple routine. The vital baby® NOURISH™ scoop™ feeding set, with lid and spoon, is the ideal lunch set for little ones to take to school and show off their self-feeding skills. Your child can easily scoop out every drop of nourishment with its scooped sides and it will boost their confidence and cutlery skills while eating from their own bowl, which is ideal for both purees and puddings and more chunkier textures. This means you can serve delicious pastas and toppings, mashed potatoes and cut-sausage coins, or pre-cooked lasagne slices, that will fill them up and keep them satisfied at school lunch time. The set comes with its own spoon and a hygienic spoon cover to keep it clean and will last from the early stages of weaning throughout toddlerhood. Energy Boosters: Coming up with tasty, creative ideas each day will take getting used to. It helps to remember that kids, just like adults, eat with their eyes first, so pack your toddler’s lunch with items that include a lot of colours and interesting finger foods. A healthy lunch will also have a balance of nutrients they require to power them through the day. Proteins and fats will keep them full and fuelled and complex carbohydrates will give them the energy they need; so mix it up and keep it balanced. The Vital Baby Store and Wean Pots come with six in a pack and are perfectly sized for small amounts of food that your little scholar will love opening to reveal their daily treat for the day when on the school playground. The secure lids are fully leak-proof to safely store and transport food, keeping foods and snacks fresh for serving or for prepping ahead and stacking and storing in the fridge or freezer. Packed Inspiration: For creative, no-sandwich ideas, you will need to prep for your weekly shopping list and keep organised. It is also the perfect time to encourage your kids to prep their own packed lunches and start them on the road towards independence. You can do this by keeping a container in the fridge with lunch items to select from, such as cheese blocks, small yoghurts, cut vegetables, washed fruit and hummus dips and a secondary cupboard with muesli bars, nuts and single-serve pouches to make it easier for both of you. Try making your own trail mix to keep at home which your child can always reach and help themselves to. Properly Packaged with Care: Ensure you pack your child a lunch in a lunch tin they can open. This includes liquid refreshment too, as some products can be too stiff for little fingers to manoeuvre, such as folding spout cups that keep a stiff seal. The Vital Baby® 360° Edge™ Cup is specially designed for toddlers and kids on the go. With a soft outer lip to protect small mouths and sore gums, the cup is pressure activated, so they can drink
Getting a first smartphone has become the major milestone of modern childhood, and many families are starting off the year with a new connected user in their midst. Children are getting phones younger than ever, and parents need to be well-prepared. Much like a teen getting their first car, the first smartphone brings greater freedom, but also more danger. Just like you wouldn’t hand over the keys to a first car without making sure your child can safely and legally drive, parents need to lay the groundwork for their child’s secure and responsible use of a device that opens up to them an infinite digital realm with an abundance of dodgy alleyways and dark corners. Safety is rooted in open parent-child communications If you haven’t yet started to have hard conversations with your child, then expect their first smartphone to be a catalyst for this change in your relationship. Their safety, as they navigate the internet and an array of digital platforms, should from now on be an open and ongoing conversation. Amongst many, and endlessly emerging topics, you’re going to need to have discussions around online pornography, depictions of violence, sexting, grooming by online predators, catfishing, cyber harassment and cyberbullying, suicide-related content, disclosure of personal information and the Law. Rachelle Best, the CEO and Founder of FYI play it safe, an AI-powered monitoring app says, “Some parents think that if they use a parental control app, they can side-step conversations with their child that they will find awkward. It’s important to realise that a parental control app is just one measure in a family’s internet security ecosystem, it can not and does not do it all. Conversations about threats, safety measures and digital behaviour should start even before the handing over of a first phone, and then continue as a norm of family conversation. Establishing a trusted practice of talking about threats, dangers and staying safe, means that when your child is facing a challenge, they will come to you to talk about how to handle the situation.” Best’s advice here underscores an important point – your goal in keeping your child safe on the internet should not be to police every site they visit or pore over every chat they have with their friends. What’s important is to help your child develop digital literacy and gain the skills they need to become responsible digital citizens capable of handling problems on their own. So, what do parents need to know and do about internet safety? Be aware – You can’t help your child navigate risks and threats that you don’t know about. Take an ongoing interest in internet safety issues and keep up to date when it comes to the latest and emerging threats. Be the trusted source of important online safety information for your child. Raise a responsible digital citizen – Your parenting extends from the real-world into the digital realm. Educate yourself about South Africa’s recently promulgated Cybercrimes Act and keep abreast of digital etiquette and required standards of behaviour. Promote your family’s digital literacy – Encourage critical thinking and the rigorous verification of sources of information. Help your children understand propaganda, disinformation, and misinformation, as well as the commercial incentives driving social media influencers and technologies enabling falsifications such as deep-fake videos. Understand the impacts of harmful content – In a significant development last year, a UK coroner’s inquest report identified that a 14-year-old UK girl’s viewing of online content via social media was a factor in her death by suicide. At the hearing, it was reported that she binge-consumed suicide and depression content, and Pinterest and Instagram were highlighted. Some of the content she engaged with wasn’t what she searched for but what algorithms served up for her. Parents need to know that social media age limits do not work, and that there is harmful content across all social media platforms, which remain unregulated. Establish and maintain a family online safety ecosystem – A parental control app should be part of an online safety ecosystem, not the be-all and end-all of keeping your children safer online. Some parents institute ‘device checks’ to periodically review their children’s online activity, however these types of inspections are time-consuming and often have a negative impact on the parent-child bond, especially for teens with their increasing needs for privacy and parental trust. In addition, many instant messaging platforms now have a ‘disappearing messages’ feature that can be enabled to protect privacy. This means that parents who inspect their children’s devices will not always see everything anyway. Advanced solutions such as the FYI play it safe app draw on AI and ML to monitor the content of children’s online activity across mobile devices in real-time, and in a non-intrusive way to provide parents with proactive alerts. Best explains, “FYI play it safe monitors all apps and online interactions, including in-game chats. New accounts and apps are included by default without the need for your child’s account credentials. Yet, the app is not spyware, and it is not clandestine. Instead, it provides parents and children with the opportunity to mutually agree on the best way to stay safe in the digital world, similar to providing your child with a helmet when they start riding a bike. Parental alerts open the door to having important conversations about the content your child is engaging with or about the chats they are having with strangers online. This is a solution that supports the goal of having open, trusting conversations about threats and dangers, and empowering your child to make responsible and smart decisions about their online activity.” Getting a first smartphone is an exciting and fun milestone for your child. There are so many benefits for a connected child, from the boost of safety in the real-world to the discovery of new information, interests and connections that can enrich their lives. Opening up communications, setting reasonable ground rules and establishing a family online safety ecosystem are the basics for your child to be able
You may be wondering if your morning cuppa is something to be avoided now that you’re pregnant. Generally, caffeine should be avoided during pregnancy, as it can harm your baby. However, you can consume caffeine in small amounts, so you won’t need to go cold turkey on your coffee habit. But how much is too much? And what caffeine high food and drink should you be avoiding? How does caffeine affect you and your baby? Too much caffeine can have a negative impact on both you and your baby. If you’ve drunk a lot before getting pregnant you may find adjusting to only one cup a day (or the equivalent) pretty tough. As a stimulant, caffeine has the effect of making you feel more awake and alert, but too much (even before getting pregnant) isn’t good for you. Caffeine can increase your blood pressure and heart rate, and leave you feeling fatigued when the stimulant has left your system. Caffeine is also addictive, while it doesn’t cause addiction in the way that drugs do, drinking it often can increase your dependency on it. When you’re pregnant your body will metabolize caffeine at a slower rate. Some studies have linked increased caffeine intake to miscarriage (although there are conflicting studies on this) as well as low birth weight. Because the risks aren’t fully understood it is best to limit your intake. How much is enough? When you find out you’re pregnant it’s best to limit your caffeine intake to 200mg per day. This is the equivalent of two cups of instant coffee (filter coffee has more) or 3 to 4 cups of brewed tea. Energy drinks, sodas and chocolate are other sources of caffeine which you should consider. Remember, caffeine isn’t the only thing in these foods and drinks, energy drinks and sodas have lots of processed sugar, and some energy drinks also contain ginseng, which should be avoided during pregnancy. What are alternatives to caffeine? If you are planning on sticking to as little caffeine as possible per day you’re probably wondering what healthy alternatives there are. Luckily in South Africa, rooibos tea is very popular and perfectly safe to drink. You can swap out filter coffee and flat whites for rooibos tea and red cappuccinos. Decaf coffee is another alternative, but it’s best not to overdo this one as it still has trace amounts of caffeine.
Children and nutrition When preparing meals for your family, include a variety of foods from the five major food groups found on the food pyramid.Here’s some recommendations: Vegetables: 3-5 servings per day (Serving size examples: 1 cup of raw leafy vegetables, ¾ cup of vegetable juice or ½ cup of chopped or cooked vegetables) Fruits: 2-4 servings per day (Serving size examples: ½ cup sliced fruit, ¾ cup fruit juice or medium-sized whole fruit) Bread, cereal or pasta: 6-11 servings per day (Serving size examples: 1 slice of bread, ½ cup rice or pasta or 1 ounce of cereal) Protein: 2-3 servings per day (Serving size examples: 50 grams or 2 ounces of cooked lean meat/poultry/fish, ½ cup cooked beans, 1 egg or 2 tablespoons of peanut butter) Dairy: 2-3 servings per day (Serving size examples: 1 cup low-fat milk or yogurt, 25 grams or 1 ounces of cheese) Children and fitness Focus on finding fun activities rather than on exercise. Some ideas to get your children moving: Find activities your child finds fun Find activities that are age-appropriate Limit screen time (TV, mobile phones, laptops, tablets or game consoles) to no more than 1 to 2 combined hours a day; avoid TVs in children’s bedrooms Make time for play and activities; establishing a routine will make it easier to stick to Aim to do fun activities with your children 30 minutes 3 times a week Walk or bike wherever you can Do household chores as a family and make it fun; try dancing to music, picking up toys as fast as possible or having kids run and jump into a pile of raked leaves or snow Choosing healthy snacks Children are active and for most, occasional snacks can help them get their daily nutritional requirements. Here’s some important things to keep in mind with snacks: Snacks should not affect regular meals; be careful not to give them too close to meals Children will reach for the easiest foods to reach; put healthy choices in easy to reach areas and avoid buying junk food Your food choices affect what your children eat; choose healthy snacks for yourself Involve children in cooking; teach them about healthy and less healthy foods What you teach your child now will last a lifetime; teach a life of healthy eating Healthy snack options Vegetables, with or without low fat dip Fruit Trail mix: low-sugar cereal, dried fruit, nuts and mini chocolate chips Crackers and peanut butter or hummus Low fat yogurt Whole-grain cereal with low-fat milk Crackers and cheese Low-fat microwave popcorn Low-fat cottage cheese Nuts Sandwiches made with whole-grain bread
Headaches aren’t just for adults, kids get them too. But if the sufferer is a child, the discomfort can put parents under enormous strain and anxiety. Knowing how to handle and treat a headache in a youngster can help you and your child feel better.
Travelling with young children in the car for extended periods is often very challenging and very distracting for the driver. Here are some tips for making the journey easy Toys Children love toys that can keep them busy. Cars, dolls, mirror stickers, a car mirror, or even a mini steering wheel Books All children love books, and various books could assist for short periods. Colouring in books or plain paper and crayons While most children love to draw and colour, some need some motivation. Asking children to draw what they see on their travels or asking them to draw a picture of someone they will see when they arrive is a great way to keep them busy. Snacks Nothing keeps children busy quite like snacks. But make sure the snacks are light and varied. Liquids Water or juice is essential to keep on hand while travelling. Play games Children, young and old, love playing games with their families. Ask children to keep an eye out for birds, trucks, or even blue cars. Then allocate points and praise the children for spotting. Playing Eye-Spy is an oldie but a goodie and will keep everyone entertained. Create some of your games and ask the children to create the rules; you will be surprised at how the rules will evolve during the games. Stop along the way Travelling can be a wonderful family experience, but remember to stop and enjoy the little things. This will break up the journey and give families a chance to spend quality time together. We wish you all safe travels during the 2022/2023 Festive Season; return to us happy and healthy.
Now that the easy part of having a baby is over, you have to go home and deal with the most challenging part – keeping your baby safe. Babies don’t understand danger; as they age, they become more curious and want to touch everything they see. You will need to make changes around the house to keep your baby safe. This is what experts call babyproofing. Doctors recommend going room by room and making a checklist of all the items needed for each room, but with a newborn baby, who has time for that? Lucky for you, we have made it easy by breaking down the essential items that you will need to keep your baby safe. Let’s talk about safety gates. Even if you live in a single-story house with no stairs, a baby gate is still essential; for example, it can stop your baby from crawling into the kitchen while knives are lying around and hot oil splashing everywhere. The Safety 1st Auto Close Safety Gate (From R 1 199,00) is the best choice. We all have those moments where we need to double check if we closed a door because we can’t remember; with the Safety 1st Auto Close gate, you don’t have to worry as it has an automatic closing mechanism; the gate also opens in both directions making it easy to use. One of the biggest dangers in the home is plug points; when baby crawls about, they are at the perfect height for little ones to get curious and want to stick their fingers into the holes. Do you want to prevent your little one from sticking their fingers into a plug point? Safety 1st Outlet Plug Protectors (From R 59,00) are made with child-resistant rounded edges to fit unused electrical outlets in your house and ensure that baby doesn’t get electrocuted. Your home will be baby ready with Safety 1st Corner Cushion 4 Pack (From R47.99). The soft, rounded foam absorbs impact. Protect your active child from sharp corners with this four-pack of foam bumpers; they easily apply to tables, counters, and other furniture to soften sharp corners. Cupboards are another easy hazard for children to get into and play with the contents. Walking into the kitchen and seeing your child creating a ‘meal’ for you in your pots seems like the cutest scene, but the danger comes in when there are cupboards with cleaning products or glass items that are easily accessible. If it is possible, you can move all the dangerous/hazardous items to higher cupboards that they can’t reach; If this is not possible Safety 1st Cabinet Slide Lock (From R 72, 99) will turn your home into a child-friendly zone and ensure that your child stays safe. Safety on the move From the moment you leave the safety of the hospital, you are extra cautious with your baby to protect them from the dangers of the world, and you will also want everyone else to be careful. Safety 1st Baby On Board Sign (From R 52,99) hangs from your rear window and alerts all drivers on the road to drive carefully around you. When driving, it is not ideal to constantly be taking your eyes off the road to glance at the back seat and ensure your child is safe. Safety 1st Child View Mirror (From R 99,99) this adjustable mirror will help you to keep an eye on your child in the back seat; you can use it to watch children that are in either rear-facing or forward-facing car seats; it can attach either to the front or rear window depending on baby’s position. Keeping your baby safe at home and in the car is not only about ensuring the environment is safe but also ensuring that you have all tools necessary to take care of them. Safety 1st Baby Care Basics set 4 Pack (From R 99,95) has all the essentials for a newborn baby, including a nasal aspirator, a brush and comb, and a fold-up nail clipper that is perfectly sized for those tiny nails. The Safety 1st 11 Piece healthcare Kit (From R 290,00) is excellent for keeping in the nursery or for storing in the car for any emergencies. Some items included are a digital thermometer, a soft toothbrush, a medicine dropper, and a reversible carry case to store everything. This kit has all the necessities for your little ones’ health needs. Shop Safety 1st at Dis-Chem, Clicks, and other major retailers.
According to Affinity Health, a leading provider of high-quality healthcare, pre-travel immunisations can help keep your children safe and happy while you explore the world together. Here’s everything you need to know about travel vaccinations, including those for babies, older children, and everyone else in your family. The December holidays are just around the corner, and you may have planned to travel to an international destination with your children. While travelling with children introduces families to memorable adventures, it can also expose your child’s immune system to diseases not routinely vaccinated against in South Africa. As a result, travel vaccines are an essential part of preparing for international travel to specific countries or regions. According to the Centers for Disease Control, in terms of illness, children face the same risks as adults, but depending on their age, they may not have completed their routine vaccine schedule. Recommendations and travel vaccination schedules differ depending on where you live, where you are travelling, the health of your child, and the type of vaccine,” says Murray Hewlett, CEO of Affinity Health. What You Should Know About Travel Vaccinations Vaccinations for travel are recommended or required depending on the destination. In some cases, vaccines are recommended based on specific health risks. Begin by visiting the CDC’s travel vaccination website to determine which vaccines are recommended or required for your destination. Then, book an appointment with your healthcare provider (at least four to six weeks before your trip), who can provide tailored information based on your child’s vaccination schedule and destination and decide whether optional travel vaccines are required. The best time for your child to get travel vaccinations is usually at least a month before departure. This gives your child’s body enough time to build immunity before your trip. Do Some Routine Childhood Vaccines Necessitate A Change In Travel Schedule? Your children should have their routine immunisations up to date before embarking on any trip. In some cases, regular childhood vaccination schedules may need to be adjusted to provide additional protection for travel. For example, MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) is frequently administered to children at the age of one. In the case of travel, however, your healthcare provider may advise giving your child a MMR vaccine dose before 12 months (minimum six months old). It is important to note that in this case, you will still need to re-vaccinate the entire course (two doses of MMR vaccine) after your child’s first birthday. What Is The Efficacy Of Travel Vaccinations For Children? Vaccines’ effectiveness varies. Most childhood vaccines provide more than 90% protection against diseases that would otherwise result in severe complications and death. Your child’s age, health status, immune response to the vaccine, and how well the vaccine components match the disease-causing bacteria or virus circulating in the population are all factors that contribute to vaccine effectiveness. “Some children who have only developed partial immunity to the vaccine may contract the disease in some cases. In this case, the vaccine aids in the reduction of disease severity and the prevention of complications,” adds Hewlett. Are Travel Vaccinations Safe For Children? The US Food and Drug Administration has thoroughly tested and approved all routine childhood vaccines and vaccines for international travel in babies and children. Vaccines stimulate the body’s immune system to produce protective antibodies against the disease. As a result, your child will be protected against the disease if you are ever exposed to the actual bacteria or virus. Vaccines are occasionally contraindicated in some children, but the most common side effects are minor and typically include fever and swelling or soreness at the injection site. Consult your healthcare provider to determine whether a vaccine is appropriate for your child and how to manage any adverse effects. Is A Vaccine Against A Now-Rare Disease Necessary For My Child? Vaccination schedules that are widely used are effective, which may explain the scarcity of diseases like varicella or measles in your home country. These diseases, however, may still be prevalent in other parts of the world where such vaccination schedules do not exist. If you take your child to such a country without immunisation, they may be exposed to these preventable diseases. Furthermore, travellers may unknowingly bring back disease-causing bacteria or viruses. If the community is not immunised, these diseases can resurface quickly. Will Giving A Child Multiple Vaccines At The Same Time Overwhelm Their Immune System? Numerous studies have demonstrated the safety of administering multiple vaccines simultaneously. Children are exposed to countless foreign particles from the environment and their diets daily with no adverse effects. Similarly, the amount of bacteria or viruses in vaccines is insufficient to cause harm. Giving multiple vaccines ensures the child receives protection as soon as possible and avoids unnecessary delays in vital vaccinations. In general, there is no upper limit to the number of routine or travel vaccinations for babies that can be administered concurrently. If live vaccines are to be administered at different times, each dose should be separated by at least 28 days or as your healthcare provider recommends.
It is the season to be jolly but for many parents the idea of family or travel can be daunting with young ones in tow. There are many factors to consider and anything could go wrong…. Here are some tips and notes to help you get through it and hopefully, you’ll get some much-needed rest: Packing This is an art, especially when flying. Remember, that unless you are traveling to the middle of nowhere most things can be bought or replaced. So, don’t break out in a sweat if you forget something. However, don’t leave packing for the last minute. Save yourself unnecessary stress by starting early. Some things cannot be packed in advance though. Make a list of all the last-minute things that you need to pack…. These include things like a baby monitor, your baby’s lovey or favourite toy, pillow or blanket and night light. Remember to take with all the things you need for your bedtime routine (books, lovey, white noise). You can also download white noise apps on your tablet of spare phone. Most hotels and guest houses have cots, you just need to ask for one. Your carry-on bag will be one of the most important things to pack. I find that a backpack works best, it might not look as great, but it makes a big difference especially when flying as you always have your hands free to either carry baby or catch a running toddler. There is a lot of walking and waiting involved at the airport so have snacks and water on hand. Make sure to pack extra clothes for your children but also for you. Have their favourite toy/lovey with you as well as diapers, wipes (packets and packets of wipes), dummies and formula. If you use cloth nappies, I would suggest leaving those for when you arrive at your destination, and refrain from using them when you are on the go. Getting there Have realistic expectations. Know that whether you travel by car, plane or boat your child will miss some sleep. They might go to sleep only later when flying abroad or they might miss a nap. In the car, their naps or sleep often can be short. You will survive and remember that you will eventually get to your destination. With toddlers and older children also remember to prepare them and set their expectations for the journey. Plan, plan and plan some more. We often think of only the car ride and the plane ride but forget the bits in-between. Charge all the necessary toys, iPads, and portable televisions the day before. Power banks are handy when traveling. At airports you will go through security and passport control. Plan enough time for all of this and ask to skip the line. Most airports will allow you to go to the front with small children. You are also allowed to take a stroller and car seat with you. Most of the time, you can push the stroller all the way till you board the plane. Try to book long flights overnight and shorter flights that will fall over nap time. When traveling in a car you will have to plan regular stops that might take a while. If your child sleeps well in the car it can be helpful to travel during the night. Keep your children safe in a car seat. If they are crying rather stop and pull over; don’t take them out of their safety seat while driving. Have activities, water and snacks galore. Once you there Try to keep to normal routines, especially bedtime routines as far as possible. The younger your kids are, the more you need to stick to them. Of course, you’ll be out and about some days but try not to overschedule and over plan every day. Try to give your child the opportunity to have at least one nap a day in the cot, and remember that one nap on the go (in a sling, stroller or car) will not throw everything out. It’s your holiday and you need to try and enjoy it. Try to recreate their sleep space so that is it like home. Bring with their sheets, bedding and pillow. If your toddler sleeps with a night light or white noise take it with to your destination. Most often we must share rooms with our children on holiday. If you normally share a room of course this is not a problem but if not, you should not stress too much about it. They can sleep just as well with you in the room. Try to keep their sleep space separate though by putting the cot or bed as far away from your bed as possible. White noise can also be helpful when you need to go in the room later, or if you need to wake-up early the next day. If only your kids share a room, try to split their bedtime. Put the younger one to bed first and about 20 to 30 minutes later, explain to the older one that it is a privilege to stay awake later and they should sneak into the room like a ninja and not wake the younger one up. A common cause for concern is when you travel to somewhere, where the sun goes down later. Always remember that small children and babies have no concept of time so unless you make it an issue they won’t mind going to bed at their normal time. It can be helpful to travel with a dark sheet which you can hang over the window to help darken the room. Sweets are part of holiday but try to limit sugar and TV time before bed. Travel safe and try to get some rest and remember that even if things go completely pear-shaped while you’re away, you should be able to get right back on track once you are home. By Jolandi Becker – Good Night MD
What is a “Date Night”? Date Nights can also be “Date Days,” but the key idea is that the couple is spending time as a couple and not as unstructured “family time.” Date Night builds stronger marriages in five ways: (1) Communication. Date Night helps with communication. Of course, this is an essential element of an intimate relationship. But communication also involves the willingness to remove distractions such as children and career demands deliberately. Date Nights also offers couples the opportunity to discuss topics of mutual importance. They can self-define and dialogue about mutual aspirations. Communication is like a muscle. Sometimes you plan your communication workouts. “stress-reducing” conversation can help couples to stay current with what is moving through their intimate partner’s life. (2) Novelty. Couples typically experience habituation, a “settling in” quality where both are more likely to take each other for granted. The symbiotic “we are a couple” sensibility can settle into an ordinary domestic routine. But new research indicates that a deficit in fun and novelty is toxic. A balance of activities is attractive to both, which emphasises novel and different experiences can help increase intimacy. (3) Let’s Do It. Romantic love is that erotic spark, excitement, and an overwhelming sense of attraction to your significant other. But with time, the emotional and physical expression of erotic love tends to fade in many couples. Because Date Night allows a couple to focus on their connection completely, the erotic spark may be restored by the intentional pursuit of romance, novelty, and more in-depth communication. Date Nights may not only rekindle the romance, but regular Date Nights can also help sustain the fires of love over the long haul. (4) De-Stress. Couples that have regular Date Nights maintain a connection through intimate conversation and emotional support. They also lower the stress on their brains, as well as their partners. Fortunately, nature has endowed us with high resiliency in this area. (5) Abiding Relationship Commitment. When you experience your partner’s commitment, your sense of being firmly attached will provide you with a stable, deeply satisfying relationship. Partners who cherish and prize each other, steer clear of other romantic opportunities, and nurture a powerful sense of “we-ness” or togetherness are significantly happier than less-committed, “iffy” couples. Commitment is scary. But commitment satisfies deeply. Oh no!!!! What about the kids??? You want to go on a date. But what about the kids? But I bet you know other couples that would also like to go out on a date. Tell your friends that you’ll watch their kids while they go out if they will do the same for you on your date. You can swap babysitting services, enjoy your date, and get your babysitter free! It doesn’t get any cheaper than free! If you live near your family, ask them if they could watch your kids this weekend while the two of you try out new date night experiences. If you don’t live close to your parents, consider asking them to babysit for a night when they visit. While you want to spend time with them, they also want to see their grandkids. Come to think of it, Grandma and Grandpa might have their own version of Date Night, enjoying their grandchildren together. Daniel Dashnaw Revised 5/13/19 Couples Need to Feel Connected As parents carry the stress and burden of providing for a family, sleep needs are not always met, and as kids demand all the attention, feelings of connectedness can quickly become lost. As a result, parents feel run down, and their identity as a couple becomes lost in their roles as parents. Being a mom or dad is certainly an identity to be proud of, but couples need to be able to find ways to connect again outside of their parental duties. A date night is a perfect opportunity to spend time together engaging in hobbies or volunteer opportunities that you both once found to be of common interest. Engaging in shared interests and having an opportunity to talk about things that draw you closer to each other are undoubtedly essential priorities to make in your marriage. Kids Need to See a Healthy Relationship While a date night is meant to be about your marriage, it is good for the kids. It is healthy for them to learn it’s OK to be separated from you, but it is beneficial as they grow up to witness a healthy relationship. Think about how you want your son and daughter treated in their marriage. There is a significant advantage to children learning the importance of a loving marriage. Excuses Need to Go Away Granted, childcare expenses can quickly become budget killers, especially when you calculate in multiple kids. However, plan for these expenses as part of your monthly budget (perhaps sacrificing less important expenditures to add these). Then, you won’t have the excuse of not being able to afford a date night. Also, if all your date night budget goes into the child care costs, you can get creative with cheaper dates such as picnics, walks through a park, or budget movies. Published Feb 14, 2018 Letise Dennis Date night jar tips and ideas!!!! Please follow the link to great date night ideas… 40 Date Night Jar Ideas for Couples
Preparing your little one for Big School: tips and tricks from a Mommy and Teacher, as some of us will say, a Teacher Mommy. It says it all: tall walls, big kids, more classes and don’t forget the bell that rings! Having your Grade 00 become the small fish in a big pond can be very scary for them and for you as a parent. Here are our tips and tricks on how you can help your child prepare for the transition: Once you pick up your little one from preschool, drive past their new school and let them familiarise themselves with the school building and the new environment. Talk together about what a typical day at primary school will be like. If your child has any concerns, encourage them to share them with you. Set up a calendar so they can mark down the days and sleeps until primary school. It is often hard to say goodbye to old friends when moving to a new school and making new ones simultaneously. Usually, most of the new students are also looking for new friendships. Have a conversation with your child about how they can make new friends. Re-assure them that they can still maintain their preschool friendships with playdates. Go through all the different situations your child might encounter at school that threaten safety. Please discuss the importance of communicating with their teachers, handling cases that make them uncomfortable, leaving the school grounds unattended, and road safety issues. Establish the routine you will follow during the school week. The parents who didn’t need to pack lunchboxes for their little ones can also take this time to start prepping lunchboxes EVERYDAY. Let them eat porridge/breakfast at the same time you would have to eat before leaving for big school, have their first snack as they would for their first recess etc., so that their tummies can get used to the new timetable. It is like having a buffet for a week, and then it is back to normal, and your tummy rumbles the whole time because you could eat whenever you wanted to and how much you wanted to over the holidays. Practice the morning routine of getting up early, having breakfast, putting on your child’s uniform and packing the school bag. Try to have everything ready the night before to reduce stress and rushing. An easy trick/tip for children with separation anxiety: Sprite a little perfume or deodorant on your child’s collar so they can always smell you and feel your presence all day long. The most important thing is to speak positively about school (children pick up on your anxiety). Share your favourite memories of school when you were a kid. Connect school subjects/activities with your child’s interests (e.g. if your child likes soccer, talk about the school’s gym). It is completely normal to shed a tear when your child starts school. We wish all the parents the best! Enjoy your child’s school journey with them, and cherish the moments you spend together. During these years, it is important to make memories filled with laughter and enjoyment.” Dream big in the big school!
As thousands of parents and guardians await the news whether their children have been placed for the 2023 academic year or not, online school, Brainline says online learning remains a viable and reliable solution for learner placement challenges. Last month, Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi revealed that a total of 764 062 applications were submitted and processed for both Grade 1 and 8 and the department have 332 477 learners to place. Brainline CEO, Coleen Cronje, says the uncertainty of the future can get the better of some families. ‘In October, parents and guardians in Gauteng have started to receive SMSes with placement offers, which will only conclude by the end of November. Until then, many families remain under severe stress and uncertainty over the future of their children’s education. Many face the reality that their children might miss school if not placed by the start of the new year,’ she says. (Ref: https://ewn.co.za/2022/10/02/placement-offers-for-gr-1-and-8-to-be-sent-from-monday-lesufi) The Gauteng education department’s online admissions portal was launched in 2016 to streamline the process. After applications for the 2023 school year opened in July, the portal received its highest number of applications ever. Parents applying for their children were able to join an “e-queue” at five schools at the same time. But less than half the learners have been placed in their first-choice schools because of limited spots available and based on the placement criteria. Cronje says with online learning, parents and learners are not subjected to second, third or fourth options. ‘Innovation has paved the way for an alternative form of education and, with the latest technology, Brainline is bridging the gap to accommodate the digital age. Our teachers present online classes in innovative ways, challenging the status quo of blackboard teaching. These online classes are essentially breaking down the invisible walls of traditional teaching, by presenting the curriculum in new and exciting ways, bringing the classroom to life, and invigorating the lesson material. In this way, Brainline is revolutionising home education for today’s learner and we always have space for new applicants’ Cronje explains. The education department has identified 275 primary schools and 221 high schools where the number of applications exceeded the number of learners the schools could accommodate. Online school, Brainline, is recognised by the IEB, which is the examination board for many private schools in South Africa. ‘This means that learners follow the South African National Curriculum (similar to the curriculum offered in South African schools) resulting in the National Senior Certificate (NSC) upon successful completion of their matric exams.’ The enrolment for the 2023 academic year is already in full swing and Cronje says there a number of benefits to enrolling early. ‘Avoid the rush and be prepared for classes when school starts in January. It also allows for more time to order books and other study material. By enrolling early, families also get the opportunity to save on their annual tuition fees.’ For more information visit www.brainline.com
Your baby’s health during your pregnancy solely depends on you – what and when you consume is important to both of you. Intermittent fasting is a diet that many turn to to lose weight and improve health. This is a time restricted form of fasting and you may wonder if it’s healthy to keep up this kind of eating while trying to get pregnant or when you are pregnant. Is it safe to fast while I am pregnant? Fasting during your pregnancy is not recommended. While there is research that shows this may be a good way to help with weight loss and potentially reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, this is not ideal when your body needs more calories than normal. While pregnant your nutritional focus should be to make sure that your baby is getting all the right vitamins and minerals. While in the initial stages of pregnancy you might not need more calories than normal, as your pregnancy progresses you will need to eat more – making fasting a less viable option. However, if you are struggling with morning sickness (most prevalent in the first trimester), you’ll find that eating bland foods little and often can help ease the nausea, which isn’t compatible with fasting for hours at a time. Not only will snacking help keep the nausea at bay, but it’ll also keep your blood sugar stable. While there aren’t studies that look at intermittent fasting throughout pregnancy, it has been found that moms-to-be with lower glucose levels had lower fetal movement, which can be a warning sign of potential issues during your pregnancy. Can I start intermittent fasting straight after birth? If you’ve decided to eat regularly during your pregnancy, you may wonder if you can return to your old lifestyle after having your baby. However, while you are breastfeeding it’s best to stick to a regular eating schedule. Even after birth your body will be needing extra calories for breastfeeding – restricting these can lead to reduced milk supply
Your life changes, sometimes quite drastically, if we just think about the last two years for instance,, and your insurance coverage should adapt to the new circumstances, making it crucial to re-evaluate your life cover at each key point in your life. Life insurance is part of your financial plan and just like a GPS reroutes you when things change on a trip, your financial plan and your life insurance coverage should also be updated to take account of new routes or events in your life.Edwin Theron, CEO at Sanlam Indie, says: “Although your policy will renew routinely, a policy you may have bought five or ten years ago might not provide you with enough benefits for your current demand.” He takes us through five possible life events that would require you to review your life cover. 1. Getting Married Many couples forget to build a solid financial foundation for their marriage. When it comes to preparing for your new financial life as a married couple, life insurance is one of the puzzle pieces. The abrupt and unexpected loss of apartner can be extremely expensive as well as emotionally distressing, especially in households dependent on both incomes as is the case for most couples these days. A surviving partner may use the death benefit from a life insurance policy to cover living expenses, funeral costs, or any outstanding debts, such as a mortgage or student loans. 2. Getting a Promotion Your hard work, long hours and dedication have paid off! Before you know it, your family will be accustomed to your new income and the lifestyle it allows. Revisit your life insurance coverage when you receive a job promotion and a bigger paycheck. This is particularly crucial if you have income protection, so that you can be sure your income is sufficiently protected if an unexpected disability prevents you from working even just on a temporary basis. 3. Kicking the smoking habit We all know that smokers pay more for life insurance than non-smokers, so if you have stopped smoking, your insurance company might lower your rates because of your new status. Remember that most insurance providers will ask you to sign a non-smoker declaration and reserve the right to request smoking tests that gauge the amount of cotinine in your system. There is no such thing as a “smoker-free zone” when it comes to insurance, so it’s best to tell your insurer the truth. 4. Buying a house Being a homeowner is exciting! However, it becomes pricier when you account for your mortgage, homeowner’s insurance, property taxes, maintenance, and upkeep costs. Life insurance is an important consideration when buying a home because it’s likely to be both your biggest financial commitment and asset. One of the top five reasons people get life insurance is to settle mortgage debt if something happens to them. It is essential to review your life insurance so your family won’t have to leave their home in the event of the unexpected, especially if you or your partner couldn’t afford homeownership bills on their own. 5. Having a baby One of the largest changes you can go through is the arrival of a new family member, whether it’s your first or second child. Given the shift, most individuals will increase their life insurance coverage so that, in the event of their death, their loved ones would have enough money to support them until they are financially independent. As a general rule of thumb, it’s a good idea to review your life insurance at least once a year. Some digital insurance platforms can help guide you through the process if you don’t have a broker. The Sanlam Indie Plan, for example, can help you work out what cover you need – and don’t need – in just a few minutes online.
Every child has a unique personality, which will be visible as the child gets older. Their character will be moulded and formed as a combination of the people around them, genetics, and living atmosphere. However, your little one will tend to exhibit a common personality trait as they pass the age of two – temper tantrums or the “terrible twos” Firstly, the name “terrible twos” is a misnomer. It is characterised by resistant behaviour. This includes: saying “no,” kicking, biting, ignoring instructions, and throwing themselves on the floor. However, this can start from as early as their first birthday and not manifest itself until your little one is three years old. There is a reason why the nickname has stuck: Usually, around the age of 2 is when your toddler hits key developmental milestones such as: Communicating in two or five-word sentences, walking, climbing and gaining a solid foundation of concepts like; “mine,” “no” “bad,” and “good” which they didn’t necessarily understand before. The root of these milestones, called the classic “terrible twos phase”, is about asserting independence, testing boundaries, and learning how to communicate fundamental needs and wants, but this comes with learning how to recognise that these needs and wants will sometimes differ from those of the parents and child’s caregivers. “Terrible Twos Symptoms” The child might be very loving and clingy in one moment, and he might start yelling at you within a second. Refusals are also common among the children – they might refuse to do things, including eating, changing clothes or diapers, and even refuse to be touched by the parents. To get your attention, they might resort to many actions and tactics. Including screaming at the top of their lungs while looking directly at you, throwing things, or repeatedly hitting their head against the wall or a floor. Terrible twos are characterised by antagonistic behaviour towards the parents and frequent mood changes. Tantrums accompany this. How to help your little one through their “temper tantrum.” Give them a few minutes to cry or scream it out. Once you see they have calmed down, hug them and wipe down their faces. Now that they are done crying/screaming and cleaned, ask them to tell you how they feel and try to help them navigate through it. Tell your little one that the next time they feel overwhelmed or need something to come to you and ask. This can be a very trying, testing and challenging time for the parents, caregivers and teachers. You can feel like you’re not a good parent and guilt trip yourself. Doing this may affect how you treat your child. Sometimes parents overcompensate or take their frustration out on their partner, helper, etc. It’s crucial in these moments not to be too hard on yourself; self-regulate, take a breather and remember to keep a little human alive is a big task. They are trying to understand what this life is about. You are doing a great job and remember this is only a phase!
Drownings in swimming pools always escalate in summer but why chance it – you probably won’t get to the pool in time? The best-selling child and pet safety cover, the PowerPlastics Solid Safety Cover, gives you absolute peace of mind. Easy to use, it forms a complete barrier over the pool. Also reduces power, chemical and water consumption, so you will enjoy savings as well as safety! Don’t wait until it’s too late.
Most parents know that during the course of raising a child you will have to deal with different bouts of illness. Here is some information, from Bonitas Medical Fund, which should help you to manage common early childhood illnesses successfully.
For many parents, nothing is as stressful as getting your kids to eat all the food on their plate, especially when it comes to veggies. Eating a variety of healthy foods is essential for your children’s wellbeing. Here are some tips on how to get your kids to eat better.
For years I’ve had a running joke that if I were to ever write a book, it would be called “Confessions of an Amateur Juggler”. It’s a ridiculous joke, because I’m not actually a circus juggler, but I am a working mom so I do juggle a lot. However, the key word in my imaginary book title is not “juggler”, it’s “amateur”. Professional jugglers don’t drop balls, but amateur ones sometimes do! If you’re a busy, working mom like me, the idea of juggling probably resonates deeply with you. Sorry, I haven’t introduced myself. My name is Kirsty and I’m the Founder and Programme Director for Wriggle and Rhyme, a music and movement programme for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers. At the heart of my “amateur juggler” journey is my heart. A heart that is 100% devoted to my family. Even though I’m running a business, I still think of myself as a stay-at-home mom. Here’s my story … When my now eighteen-year-old daughter was born, I left a demanding career in the corporate rat race to be more available to my growing family. I took on part-time work to top up our household income. But, when my second-born son was 18 months old, my part-time contract work finished. I desperately wanted the flexibility of working from home, but it was so difficult to find a job that fitted around my children and earned me a reasonable income for the hours worked. My entrepreneurial spirit kicked in! I decided to research business opportunities, using my musical qualifications and marketing experience. In 2008, Wriggle and Rhyme was “born”. Yes, October is our birthday month – this year we’re celebrating 14 years of music! Wriggle and Rhyme was a natural synergy of my marketing and musical training. Little did I know then of the exciting and fulfilling journey that would follow! Starting with one class from my home in Fish Hoek, the business has grown in both size and profile, with numerous branches across Cape Town. In 2011, we branched into Pre-schools and now have a thriving Pre-schools program running too. The Wriggle and Rhyme programme has been written and produced locally by me. And like me, it’s proudly South African! I’m also passionate about quality and value. So much love and energy has gone into creating a completely unique, fun and memorable programme suitable for children from 6 months to 6 years old. It has been very well received by the thousands of children who have attended classes over the years. I now have three beautiful children, but Wriggle and Rhyme has become my fourth child. I’ve gone through all the stages of motherhood with the business – from exciting conception to a crying newborn, to a demanding toddler, to a feisty tween, to a maturing teenage. The business is very much part of our family! Both my sons attended classes with me when they were little – they still speak about them! It has been a real joy to have my children engage with my work because it’s something they can so easily relate to. As the business has grown, so has my capacity. I now work full-time hours, but I work around my family, which means that I’m still at home full-time. It’s a challenging juggle at times, but the benefits have been phenomenal – being my own boss, contributing to the household income and being at home with my kids! In 2013, I realized that there were lots of other women like me out there. Women who wanted to work from home, be available for their families, but women who also need to earn well for their time and efforts. So, I created the “Wriggle and Rhyme Product Package” which is available to License, as a work-from-home Business Opportunity. This has allowed other women to take this proven business model and receive the ongoing training and support they need, to turn it into their personal success story! If this resonates with you, come and join our team of amateur jugglers and discover the joy of adopting Wriggle and Rhyme into your own family! For more info about the W&R business opportunity, have a look at www.wriggleandrhyme.co.za/join-the-team Find us on Facebook and Instagram @wrigglerhyme #wrigglerhyme
As we navigate through these challenging economic times, making sure our loved ones are taken care of financially becomes more and more important. This includes anything from ensuring they have a simple savings account, to the big guns like life insurance and funeral cover. Sadly, when it comes to funeral cover, scammers are operating everywhere, and many people are falling victim. For the most part, these scams offer supposedly cheaper and more convenient funeral cover, and they target people who are emotionally exposed at the thought of a loved one passing on. Funerals can often set your family back as much as R60 000, so it’s vitally important that you have suitable insurance in place to assist you with the costs. There are a few ways to make sure you’re getting a good deal. The following tips will help with assessing suitable funeral cover, enabling you to know what you’re paying for and what you’ll get should the worst happen: 1. Deal with the right person and a reputable provider Funeral cover has always been seen as a soft target for fraudsters and they usually pretend to be employed by a known insurance or financial services provider. In fact, people often claim to be scammed by close associates like relatives or neighbours! If you are unsure, the person or service provider should supply you with the details of the company that they are representing and their registration with the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA). If the alleged insurer does not want to give you that information, see that as a red flag and just walk away. 2. Request a policy schedule Once you have taken out a funeral policy it is customary for you to see the policy schedule as confirmation of cover. The provider is obliged to provide you with this information. A reputable insurer must be transparent and provide all the relevant documents that will give you the assurance to know what is included in your policy and what to do when it’s time to claim. Never accept anything you don’t understand or agree with as providers are compelled by legislation to ensure that their products are easy for clients to understand. 3. Funeral cover need not break the bank Your service provider can tailor your cover to suit your budget and personal requirements as one policy size does not fit all, so be sure to discuss all options and plans and don’t feel pressured to take on the first option offered. 4. Do your own research When it comes to legal and financial documents, it’s sometimes easier to avoid the jargon and reading and to just take someone’s word for it. In fact, when it comes to insurance of any kind it’s absolutely critical that you read the fine print yourself and understand clearly what the terms are. Look specifically at waiting periods, exclusions, and the definitions of extended family member relationships that you might have covered. 5. Life cover vs Funeral cover It is a common misconception that life and funeral cover are one and the same thing. Life cover aims to assist those you leave behind with financial stability and security. Because it’s underwritten, it often offers more cover. Funeral cover aims to simply provide your loved ones with the means to deal with the immediate challenges of your passing and normally pays within a few days of the claim being submitted. As with everything in our lives, you get what you pay for, so be sure to do your homework and choose a funeral cover that will give peace of mind and that you understand. “Life is so unpredictable and having to deal with the loss of a family member is a painful time and the concerns about the costs of a funeral, and beyond, can add to the weight of an already difficult moment. WithSanlam Indie Funeral Cover, you can make sure that you and up to 20 of your family are taken care of and spared from the financial vulnerability that comes with burial arrangements. If you’re willing to answer a few more questions, Sanlam Indie’s Life Cover might offer you more cover, while still including a quick pay out portion for immediate funeral-related expenses.” – Edwin Theron, CEO at Sanlam Indie www.sanlamindie.co.za
Did you know that the best-selling safety pool cover – the PowerPlastics Solid Safety Cover – is also a great way to reduce your pool’s power consumption? In our power crisis, if every pool were covered, it would reduce the need for loadshedding! Get covered, get the PowerPlastics Solid Safety Cover – the easy solution for child safety as well as sustainability. A total no-brainer! Get a quote today.
Even though generic drugs have been around for more than half a century, many patients in South Africa are unreasonably suspicious of what is. In essence it’s a ‘carbon copy’ of the original brand of drug or medicine. Bonitas Medical Fund believe it may be because consumers think that if they are cheaper they must be inferior. This lack of understanding costs consumers and medical aids millions of Rands each year.
When it comes to keeping your children safe online, solutions such as parental controls certainly can help. However, there’s widespread agreement that parents need more than one strategy, and all online safety efforts will be more effective if they are underpinned by open communications between parent and child. It’s not hard for parents to have ongoing discussions with their child if they are about a topic like cyberbullying, which spans the physical and digital realms. However, a number of the online dangers for children and youth are far more sensitive topics for conversation that will test most parents’ levels of comfort, especially when it comes to talking about sex and pornography or suicide and suicide ideation. Rachelle Best, the CEO and Founder of FYI play it safe, an AI-powered monitoring app used by families across the world to keep kids safer online, spends a large portion of her working time engaging with parents, teachers, children and youth about the online dangers facing young internet, gaming and mobile app users. She has a wide-ranging view of how South African parents and their children are either currently tackling or avoiding difficult topics. Rachelle says, “Parents have different levels of personal comfort with certain sensitive topics that can inhibit them from starting these conversations or responding appropriately if their children initiate them. In these cases, the ‘not my child’ syndrome is commonly used to deflect from the need to have a conversation about a topic that is uncomfortable for the parent. Typically, I come across those who will insist their child is ‘too young and innocent or naïve’ to have a conversation that is related to sexting or online pornography or child grooming by predators. Others will say such conversations aren’t necessary because they trust their child to never look at sexually inappropriate content or engage with a stranger or potential predator.” Parents with ‘not my child’ syndrome’ are at risk of being blind to the ubiquity of online pornography and other content depicting overt adult sexuality. For instance, latest research shows that while 75% of parents say that they believe their child has never been exposed to pornography, while 53% of children were comfortable admitting that they have been. It’s likely many more would prefer to deny any engagement with pornography. Inappropriate online sexual content is not the only concern; children and teens are also vulnerable when it comes to stumbling across or seeking out content around suicide, suicide ideation, self-harm and violence. Furthermore, social media channels are not only online spaces where children and teens may encounter predators. They could meet potentially dangerous strangers in gaming chatrooms or on other communication app platforms as well. This ever-evolving landscape, where new apps and games are launched daily, makes it difficult for parents to keep up and keep track of all the digital spaces where their children may be active. Rachelle says, “This is why open communications forms the bedrock of child online safety. Parental controls, and advanced monitoring and alert apps such as FYI play it safe are part of the layers of security needed, but one solution alone is unlikely to prevent your child from encountering harmful content. You have a strong foundation to help keep your children safer online when you are taking an interest in your child’s digital life, talking to them openly about the risks and keeping a conversation going about how best to handle or avoid risks.” Why some parents avoid conversations about difficult topics with children Counselling Psychologist, Lekha Daya says, “There are topics that may trigger shame or a level of discomfort which a parent may not know how to tolerate, causing them to avoid a conversation. There may also be a gap in parents’ understanding of their teenager’s world because it differs so much from their own experience of youth. Some parents may feel inadequate at facilitating conversations about difficult topics and prefer just not to have them. Others may be resistant to learning about and fully understanding the online world, especially when it comes to grappling with both the positives and negatives of gaming and social media. There are parents who have an authoritarian and critical parenting style that does not create room for ease in difficult conversations. In these cases, both teens and parents go into a defensive fight or flight mode where having an honest and open conversation becomes challenging, if not impossible.” Top tips for having hard conversations with your tweens and teens Start by being aware of yourself – Reflect on your own feelings of discomfort and/or shame that might be causing resistance and avoidance when it comes to dealing with important online safety topics. It helps to be aware of your own anxiety in your body when the topic is brought up – such as a tightening in the chest, quickening of the pulse or an urge to fidget. Lekha says, “Self-awareness is a lifelong process but one that requires commitment from all parents to equip themselves in having difficult conversations. Building self-awareness for yourself as a parent and for your teen starts with understanding that your responses are often from your own childhood experiences and exposure.” Adjust your expectations – A conversation about a hard topic is a challenge, but you don’t have to be ‘perfect’. Lekha says, “Self-compassion and allowing for one’s own feelings of vulnerability is important. Know that you will not always get it ‘right’ in difficult conversations, and that’s okay. Sometimes, your teen might seem to have a knack of bringing up a difficult conversation when you feel unprepared. Sometimes, you won’t know the answers to their questions. Take the pressure off yourself to have the conversation ‘perfectly’, and forge ahead with it rather than avoid it. You don’t need to know it all, you can acknowledge what you’re not sure of or don’t know, and then open the conversation up again at a later stage when you’ve found out more. It’s important to be able
As a parent, you already know the importance of child drowning prevention and how quickly accidents can happen. What you perhaps didn’t know is that in South Africa, pool safety will become a regulatory issue, governed by the SABS through its building Standards. According to the Safety Standard (SANS 10134), pool safety will need to be provided on all properties. The most effective way to address this is with a solid safety cover. But not all safety covers are made equal and it is important to understand the criteria when choosing a safety cover. These are the questions to ask and the critical factors to get right if your safety cover is to perform as it should and keep unsupervised children (and pets) safe. After rain, does the water drain off within 15 minutes, leaving no water pooled on top of the cover? A compliant safety cover must have drainage holes. Could an object measuring 114mm fit under the edge of the cover? This represents the size of a small child’s head. Is the cover’s weight tolerance 220kg or more? Can two adults and a child walk on it without harm to themselves or damage to the cover? Are the batons supporting the cover manufactured for solid safety pool covers and able to carry the intended weight? Similarly, are the ratchets of adequate quality? Are the supplier and the installer accredited by SANS 10134? Does the supplier provide official certification with the safety cover? The PowerPlastics Solid Safety Cover is the leading child safety cover and complies with all the abovementioned requirements. Solid Safety Covers were first designed and introduced to the South African market by PowerPlastics Pool Covers. Many have tried to copy it but don’t always get the quality right. Cutting corners by using cheap components could result in a pool cover that is as unsafe as an uncovered pool if not even more dangerous, imagine being trapped under a defective cover! A Solid Safety Cover is a specialist product, and requires specialist design and installation methods. Go with the original and best in quality cover from PowerPlastics Pool Covers. You will be glad you went the extra mile when your quality safety cover stops a child or pet drowning in your own home. Learn more at www.powerplastics.co.za
Comic Con Africa is excited to announce that KidsCon will be back this year and form part of Africa’s largest multi-genre pop-culture and gaming festival. Curated by an impressive ‘Board of Little Experts’, this years’ show will set KidsCon apart, as the ultimate immersive experience – a festival just for kids, designed by kids. Collocated with, and taking place throughout the entire Comic Con Africa weekend at the Johannesburg Expo Centre from 22 to 25 September, KidsCon will have something for all little fans. Bringing together everything that dreams are made of, and more. KidsCon has heightened the experience and selected several of the brightest, and coolest kids between the ages of 7 and 11 to form a ‘Board of Little Experts’, which plays an important part in deciding which cool elements make it to KidsCon this year. “With almost 60% of Africa’s population under 25 years old, listening to, and taking direction from the kids on the ‘Board of Little Experts’ is vital in shaping not only the most incredible festival experience, but it also lays the foundation for an intuitive, inclusive and representative society. They grow up with technologies and tools many of us could only have dreamt of at that age. Plus, they have a brilliant way of thinking outside the box that can surprise even the most creative of adults,” said Carla Massmann, Comic Con Africa Show Director. ‘Board meetings’ might sound boring… but this is where we find creative ways of discovering what’s fun out there and what they want. Coming from different backgrounds, having varying interests and opinions on topics such as gaming, fashion, food, books and so much more, makes the board more dynamic and fun! From doing unboxing reviews, engaging in conversation, comparing what they like and don’t like as well as voting on certain games, gadgets and kids gear, the ‘Board of Little Experts’ provides welcomed insight on what South African kids want to uncover at every turn. “Even though we can’t bring a spaceship to the show or build a hall out of candy quite yet, our little experts have wonderful insights into the things that excite them. We also build incredible content with them, such as unboxing, game reviews, and art tutorials to name just a few. This year’s board have really surprised us, sharing so much creativity and inspiration, they are a confident bunch that give us a taste of our future leaders and go-getters ” continued Massmann. Kids have an incredible four days of fun to look forward to this year with more activities on offer than ever. There’ll be daily Kids Karaoke competitions, along with that are super-fun Just Dance challenges, Mario Kart races, Transformer Speed Builds, and so many other activities taking place live on the Kids Con stage every day! Families can now look forward to a bigger and better KidsCon experience with daily cosplay and dress-up competitions with some stunning prizes. Other highlights will include the latest and greatest in toys and kids lifestyle product, KidsCon Comic and Art, Kids Tech, and of course tons for our Gamer Kids to thrill and delight. One of the highlights in the gaming space will be the KidsCon E-sports tournament powered by RGB Gaming. The two-day tournament will see 64 players from 16 schools duke it out to decide who walks away with bragging rights and stunning prizes as the top team of the event. There will also be two days of free play where everything from robotics, esports and game-based learning to coding, build challenges, and 3D printing will be available to experience. Buy your tickets today for the ultimate family day out and learn about all the amazing things Comic Con Africa and KidsCon has in store for the little ones by clicking HERE.
