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Advice from the experts

Matrescence – The Birth of a Mother

“Do you remember a time when you felt hormonal and moody? Your skin was breaking out and your body was growing in strange places and very fast? And at the same time people were expecting you to be grown up in this new way.” This is the beginning a TED talk by New York-based psychiatrist Alexandra Sacks. In answer to her questions, I immediately thought about my teenage years: adolescence. She continues, “These same changes happen to a woman when she’s having a baby. We know that it’s normal for teenagers to feel all over the place, so why don’t we talk about pregnancy in the same way?” After running a support group for mothers for several years, it has become apparent to me that while not all mothers develop Peri-Natal Distress (previously known as Postnatal Depression), all mothers do seem to battle in one way or another with the transition from woman to mother. This transition, and all the idiosyncrasies that go with it, was not something I had ever consciously considered. There are hundreds of books about the transition from child to adult. Adolescence is talked about in our culture; it is recognised as an awkward time in one’s life. Despite the obvious similarities, the same cannot be said for the transition from woman to mother. Even in the medical community, most of the focus is on a baby’s health rather than a mother’s, even less so her mental health. Unrealistic Expectations Many women post birth or adoption will seek psychiatric help, thinking that they might have PND. Dr Sacks has spoken with countless new mothers who tell her that they are battling. This is what she hears repeatedly from her patients: The women thought motherhood would make them feel whole and happy; they thought a maternal instinct would tell them what to do; they expected to want to put the baby first. These mothers did not know that these expectations were unrealistic. Because they were not living up to these expectations, they thought something was wrong with them. They thought that their feelings were unnatural, and that perhaps it was PND. The women were experiencing a sort of cognitive discomfort, but not the clinical signs of mental illness. They did not have PND. Dr Sacks struggled to put a name to what this phenomenon was. Then she found an old academic paper from 1973. Anthropologist Dana Raphael (who created the profession of a mother supporter: the doula) had coined the term ‘Matrescence’. Yes, this word sounds like adolescence. Both are times when the body changes and hormones shift, leading to emotional upheaval. Matrescence is not a disease, but doctors are not educated about the impact of matrescence on a woman’s life, and it consequently becomes confused with PND. In reality, it is not a simple case of either you have PND, or you feel absolutely perfect. Most mothers will struggle through the transition. Identity Shift Matrescence is not only about the physical changes that happen to a woman’s body whilst becoming a mother. This is how ALL mothers, both natural and adoptive, go through matrescence. Psychiatrist Dr Daniel Stern describes becoming a mother as a massive identity shift. Being aware of this is important because a mother who understands it will have more control over her behaviours, which in turn leads to better parenting. In addition, if a mum is in touch with her own emotions, then she can be more empathetic to her children’s emotions. What is it that makes matrescence so uncomfortable? Dr Sacks describes it as an emotional tug-of-war; a push and pull on a woman’s feelings. Human babies are very dependent on their mothers, and the hormone oxytocin helps a mother’s brain to ‘pull in’ to her baby. However, her mind is pushing away. There are other parts to her identity, such as relationships, work, hobbies, intellectual pursuits, etc. Then there are her physical needs: sleeping, eating, exercise, sex, and going to the toilet alone! This feeling of ambivalence, of wanting their child close but also craving space – is uncomfortable. Mothers are experiencing two opposing feelings at the same time. Realistically the experiences of motherhood are a mix of good and bad. Women have the unattainable image of “the ideal mother” in their minds. It sets them up to feel shame and guilt for not meeting this impossible standard. Mothers are too ashamed to speak about their ambivalent feelings for fear of being judged. That can be a trigger for developing PND. Let’s talk Motherhood is a natural progression. Most mothers find it hard. Ambivalence is normal and there is no reason to feel ashamed. If this were more widely talked about, mothers would feel less alone and stigmatised. It may even reduce the prevalence of PND. Women need to talk to each other to change the way our cultures understand this complex transition. Talk to other mothers, friends, other women! There is nothing wrong with a woman keeping a part of herself separate to being a mother. In fact, it is healthy and normal. Dr Sacks wrote in a New York Times article in 2017: “Knowing the causes of distress and feeling comfortable talking about them with others is critical to growing into a well-adjusted mother.” This, she says, will help new mothers and those around them to acknowledge that while PND is an extreme manifestation of the transition to motherhood, even those who do not experience it undergo a significant transformation. “When a baby is born,” she says, “so too is a mother; each unsteady in their own way.”

May 28, 2021

New delights and a new look for SASKO Bake Mixes

Much loved South African household brand, SASKO, has announced the launch of two new flavour variants in its popular SASKO Bake Mix range, Red Velvet and Sweet Dough. SASKO’s new Red Velvet Bake Mix, a signature cake that should evoke as much excitement as the first slice of cake placed on a plate will now be easy to whip up and bake in the comfort of your home. This delicious and easy to bake mix is versatile and is equally well received as a cupcake or even as a cake pop. The new SASKO Sweet Dough Mix is an equally tasty and versatile offering. It’s a welcome shortcut for busy cooks who are hankering after vetkoek, doughnuts or delicious juicy koeksisters. This indulgent memory trip in a bite tastes just as good as the fresh doughnuts Ouma used to serve over weekends – or when mom wasn’t watching. In addition to the two new flavours, SASKO Bake Mixes packaging has also received a makeover and features clean lines, with SASKO’s signature Seshweshwe-inspired print, which speaks to our South African Heritage. The SASKO Bake Mix range also features Vanilla Flavoured Bake Mix, Chocolate Flavoured Bake Mix, Bran Bake Mix, Scone Bake Mix, and a very handy Pancake, Flapjack and Waffle Mix. There is something for everyone and thanks to SASKO, it’s simply a case of adding a handful of extra ingredients to satisfy that craving. For more information on SASKO, visit the website or follow SASKO on Facebook and Instagram for news and inspiration. ##SASKOBakeMixes #DeliciouslyEasy RECIPES: SWEET DOUGH RING DONUTS Ingredients: 500 g SASKO Sweet Dough Bake Mix 90 g Butter 2 Extra large eggs 125 ml Milk 125 ml Boiling water 5 ml Vanilla essence 10 g Instant dry yeast Vegetable oil for frying Method: Add butter to boiling water in a mixing bowl and cool. Add eggs and vanilla essence to the butter mixture and mix. Add milk and mix. Add bake mix, yeast and make a dough. Close the dough with cling wrap and allow to rise for approximately1 hour. Roll into thick coil and cut, shape into donuts and allow to rise again until preferred height. Once oil has heated, place ring donut in oil and fry until golden brown. SWEET DOUGH VETKOEK Ingredients: 500 g SASKO Sweet Dough Bake Mix 10 g Instant dry yeast 350 ml Lukewarm water Vegetable oil Method Mix bake mix and yeast in a large mixing bowl by hand. Add the lukewarm water and make a dough. Close the dough with cling wrap and allow to rise for approximately 1 hour. Roll into a small round shape or preferred size. Once oil has heated, place vetkoek in oil and fry until golden brown. RED VELVET CAKE POPS Ingredients: 1 x SASKO Red Velvet Baked Cake (see recipe as per above) 200 g White cooking chocolate Cake Pop sticks 75 g Butter / Margarine 1⁄2 tsp Vanilla essence 150 g Icing sugar Method: Add 1 x 18 cm layer cake to a large bowl and crumble until it resembles fine crumbs. For buttercream: Soften butter and add the icing sugar and vanilla essence. Mix well until all is blended. Add in buttercream a little at a time until cake is moist, still slightly crumbly and can hold a ball shape. Roll into balls. Melt at least 3 blocks of white cooking chocolate in the microwave. Dip the tip of the cake pop sticks into white chocolate and insert into cake balls. Freeze for 20 minutes. Melt the remaining chocolate in a microwave-proof bowl. Carefully dip the cake balls into the chocolate until covered. Swirl and tap gently to let the excess chocolate drip o. Decorate with sprinkles while the chocolate is still soft. RED VELVET CUPCAKES Ingredients: 500 g SASKO Red Velvet Bake Mix 2 Extra large eggs 90 ml Milk 80 ml Water 160 ml Vegetable oil Method: Preheat oven to 180°C. Beat oil, milk, water and eggs together with a whisk in a mixing bowl. Add the bake mix to the egg mixture. Mix with an electric beater (low speed) or by hand with a whisk for 1 minute. Equally divide cupcake batter into a well-greased mun pan with cupcake holders. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Once cooled down, decorate with desired icing and decorations.

May 25, 2021

Supporting your child’s emotional intelligence development

Emotional intelligence (also known as ‘emotional quotient’), briefly summarised, refers to a person’s ability to recognise emotions in themselves and others, differentiate and label emotions appropriately, and adjust emotions based on different environments. Regulating, expressing, and adapting emotions is, in essence, a set of skills and behaviours which – very importantly – can be learned and refined. People who score higher on emotional quotient (EQ) tests tend to be better able to form healthy relationships, succeed at school and the workplace, and control negative impulses. High levels of emotional intelligence are essential for people to thrive in all facets of life, and it is vital to start developing it from a young age. By supporting your child’s emotional development at every phase of their life, you can help set them up for a happy and prosperous future. The stages of emotional development As a child grows, they will learn different emotional skills depending on their age. Although there is no single linear model that perfectly captures human emotional development, there are rough milestones at every age. That said, it is crucial to remember that every child develops at their own rate. If you are concerned that your child is not meeting their markers, consider consulting a medical professional. Read more: How our childhood personality affects us as adults, and why it’s important Toddlers (18 months – 2 years) At this stage, children are just beginning to feel more complex emotions. Because they typically are unable to verbalise their feelings, they are often likely to have fits and temper tantrums. Toddlers tend to be preoccupied with their concerns and needs. Pre-schoolers (3 – 4 years) Children of this age will start to show and communicate a broader range of emotions as their vocabulary grows. They begin engaging in play in earnest, showing affection towards and cooperation with others, and resolving conflict to some degree. Read more: You’ve got a friend in me Young children (5 – 10 years) 5 – 6 years: children become more conversational and independent. They start learning adult social skills like praising others and apologising for mistakes. 7 – 8 years: children’s awareness of others’ perceptions and opinions and the ability to express feelings with words increase. 9 – 10 years: children now show a plethora of emotions and behaviours, and demonstrate increasing independent decision-making. Adolescents (11 – 18) Pre-teens and teens are now starting to think more logically and become more introspective, often needing greater levels of privacy. They increasingly consider and value the opinions of others. As they strive to be more independent and discover themselves (so to speak), they might seem moody or self-centred. Supporting emotional development at every age As children’s emotional intelligence develops, they will need different kinds of support at each stage of development. Parents are encouraged to be a kind of ‘emotion coach’, using their children’s most emotional moments as opportunities to teach children to recognise, analyse, and handle their feelings. Read more: How to foster resilience in children Toddlers The most important thing to do at this age is to stay calm when they are not. Ask children guiding questions to ascertain how they are feeling and give them labels for these feelings. Working through a meltdown is much easier when a child can say, “I am feeling this way because of this thing”. Pre-schoolers At this stage, children will start needing coping strategies for their emotions. The goal now is to help children recognise what they need when they feel distressed, whether it be some alone time to process their feelings or a distraction until they have calmed down. Young children During this phase, children might stop disclosing as much information about their lives, so it is up to you to be aware of their feelings. Ask them what might be going on and how that is making them feel. Listen with empathy and mirror what they are saying so that they know you understand what they have said. Adolescents Adolescence might be the most challenging life stage in terms of emotions. Pre-teens and teenagers need to be given space and independence (to a reasonable degree). It is prudent to help them feel good about themselves by promoting self-confidence, as many children at this age struggle with their self-esteem. Ensure your child feels safe and comfortable enough to discuss their feelings, and be sure not to minimise their feelings when they do. Remind them you are there for them and help them if and when they make mistakes. Read more: Setting boundaries with your teenagers What not to do Equally important as doing the right thing to support your child is making sure you do not do the wrong thing. When discussing your child’s feelings, be careful to avoid mean or sarcastic remarks and excessive criticism. Do not attempt to do any type of coaching when you are upset or tired, as this will likely end in a very unproductive argument. Likewise, if your child is being manipulative, leave the conversation for a later stage. Stay clear of discussing your child’s feelings if you are pressed for time – these conversations tend to be quite lengthy! By Jacqui Smit

May 21, 2021

Empowering Children Through Stories In Their own Language

A love of reading is sparked when children see themselves in stories and relate it to their lives, even more so when it is shared in their home language. Xolisa Guzula – early literary specialist, author and translator – agrees that when children learn to read in their mother tongues it’s much easier to build on that foundation. However, a survey by the Publishers Association SA (2016) highlighted that only approximately 2% of children books published commercially in South Africa are in local African languages*. The effects are seen in our schools, based on the 2016 Progress in International Reading Study (PIRLS)*, which is conducted every 5 years across several countries, 78% of South African Grade 4 learners are unable to read for meaning. According to Nic Spaull*, Senior Researcher at the Stellenbosch University Economics Department, “Those who do not learn to master the basics of reading remain in catch-up mode for the rest of their lives.” Nal’ibali, a national reading for enjoyment campaign to spark children’s potential through storytelling and reading, is founded on the ethos of giving children access to stories in their home language. The organisation firmly believes that literacy skills are a strong predictor of future academic success in all subjects – and children who regularly read and hear engaging stories, in languages they understand, are well equipped and motivated to learn to read and write. Knowing this Cadbury Dairy Milk, through its inherent generosity, has committed to addressing this need through the recently established Read To Succeed initiative. This three-year initiative aims to ignite a love for reading amongst children across the country by making books in their home language more accessible. To achieve this, Cadbury Dairy Milk, in partnership with Nal’ibali, has set a goal to create and translate “a Glass and a Half” (1 500) new stories for children in their home languages, over the next three years. “Cadbury Dairy Milk is rooted in generosity, driven by the genuine desire to act on improving someone else’s situation. We know the ability to read for meaning empowers children to succeed and although there are a myriad of hurdles that may hinder this, a significant one is the sobering lack of storybooks children have access to in their mother tongues. We look forward to working with Nal’ibali, and the public, to create new children’s stories in African languages and making them accessible to all South African children. Ultimately, we want to create an impact by igniting a true love for reading amongst our children,” says Lara Sidersky, Mondelez SA Category Lead for Chocolate. Reading aids learning Guzula says, “Children are naturally intelligent and just need us to create immersive spaces conducive for learning. If there are no African language books in our libraries or homes, how can we blame children for not being able to read?” She adds, “If children never read about airplanes, mountains, cars, dinosaurs and more, and encounter these words – and concepts – for the first time in tests translated from English into their home language, how can we expect them to do well?” Language as a frame of existence Lebohang Masango, anthropologist, poet and award-winning author of Mpumi’s Magic Beads – a children’s book that has been translated into nine official South African languages – echoes Guzula, “I think it’s important for children to be able to read in their own mother tongues because that is the language that they first use to think, to communicate and to exist in the world. “This is the language that frames their entire existence, so it follows that they should be introduced to reading, mathematical literacy and other kinds of learning concepts in that language as well. I think it’s incredibly jarring to learn one language and then have to master literacy of all kinds in a different language.” She adds, “The written word is the present word. When we use indigenous languages in children’s books, instruction manuals etcetera, that’s how you legitimise them and allow them to grow. You never want a child to feel like their language does not matter. If they can learn in their own language from a young age, that gives them more dignity and pride in their mother tongue and culture.” Cultivating a culture of reading Yandiswa Xhakaza, CEO of Nal’ibali, shares that the organisation aims to make reading material accessible to children in their home languages and to create a demand for reading, “Our primary focus is to bridge the gap between speaking and reading in African languages. We understand that it’s not enough to teach children how to read if there’s no material for them to engage further with text and start to learn to decode and read for meaning. Reading books in one’s home language also enhances self-worth. “We can’t just translate stories from other countries because the context needs to reflect the people of this country. When children read stories by South Africans – or Africans – about areas they know and people they relate to, they feel seen. It changes how they view themselves and gives them the confidence. That’s why I believe this partnership with Cadbury is so powerful.” “We’re excited about working with Nal’ibali to give South African children access to stories they can relate to, understand, enjoy and feel empowered by,” ends Sidersky. Join the conversation and follow how you can participate @CadburyDairyMilkSA (Facebook) or @Cadbury_SA (Twitter and Instagram), and visit https://cadbury.co.za/promotion/our-own-words #GlassAndAHalf *Sources: https://www.news.uct.ac.za/article/-2019-01-11-solving-sas-literacy-crisis https://nicspaull.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/nic-spaull-and-elizabeth-pretorious.pdf https://www.news24.com/citypress/news/want-to-read-to-your-children-in-your-mother-tongue-check-out-these-books-20190221 https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/pirls/ https://africasacountry.com/2019/04/why-are-south-african-children-struggling-to-read-properly https://www.publishsa.co.za/file/1519203677awr-2016publishingindustrysurvey.pdf https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/companies/retail-and-consumer/2021-04-28-game-pins-hopes-on-selling-african-language-childrens-books-in-turnaround-drive/

May 21, 2021

Top universities seek ‘supercurricular’ students

South African students with dreams of studying at top universities abroad are swapping out traditional extracurriculars for ‘supercurriculars’ – activities that explore a student’s main area of interest and show a real-world impact. With steep competition from every corner of the globe, investing time in activities that go beyond normal schoolwork, both in and outside of the traditional classroom, can help local students to stand out among the best when applying internationally. “The ‘super’ in ‘supercurriculars’ talks to both achievement level and choice of activities. It’s important for students targeting top universities to not only have activities in their field of interest, but also high-level achievements on a national and even international level, in order to be competitive enough for spots at top universities, particularly in the United States,” says Rebecca Pretorius, Country Manager at global mentorship company Crimson Education. Ivy League and equivalent universities expect more than top grades and standard extracurriculars. “While academics remain a priority, students need to understand that all candidates applying to these universities have top marks. Supercurriculars give students an opportunity to demonstrate aptitude in key subjects, show commitment to their area of interest, and highlight their achievements at every level,” says Pretorius. Taking significant coursework outside of the local curriculum, such as additional A-level subjects or Advanced Placement (AP) courses, can help local students meet the expectations of admissions officers at Ivy League and similar top universities and compete with other international students. Students can also look at conducting independent research in their chosen field. “Overall, students should aim for depth, not just breadth. This means putting their focus into one or two main activities, and three to four secondary ones. South Africa has a strong culture of doing a wide range of extracurriculars. While a well-rounded list of activities is good, local students have room to improve when it comes to picking extracurriculars in their specific field of interest and looking further than traditional school activities,” says Pretorius. Beyond the classroom and the sports field, students can apply for internships or job shadowing opportunities, take online courses that interest them or teach them new skills, read books in their subject field, or implement an innovative leadership project. Putting in many hours of volunteering or participating in community service projects, while valuable, is less important than a focused effort to run an independent initiative that shows measurable change. Crimson Education is a global EdTech company which focuses on building the candidacy of high school students wanting to study at top-ranked universities in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Europe, and Australia/NZ. Through a team mentorship model, learners connect with admission strategists and tutors to assist them with the complex application process for overseas universities. Crimson, which launched in South Africa in 2018, offers regular information evenings and workshops around the country. For more information, visit www.crimsoneducation.org/za.

May 21, 2021

Teaching Your Children About The Fascinating World Of Spiders

It has been estimated that up to 33% of the population is afraid of spiders. Arachnophobia can really affect someone’s everyday life. One of the best ways to ensure that your child doesn’t develop a fear of spiders is to teach them about these beautiful animals when they are young. We shouldn’t be afraid of spiders: they’re fascinating creatures that are a valuable part of the earth’s ecosystem. They weave webs that would make any architect jealous, and live on a protein-rich diet of flying insects, including mosquitoes, which can be extremely harmful to humans – spiders are doing a great job! Spending some time together identifying the different types of spiders can be fun, interesting and educational to your child. Identifying species In South Africa, there are more than 2,230 different species of spider, and the majority of them are harmless. The most common spiders to identify are garden spiders or huntsman spiders – you can find these in your own backyard. Cellar spiders are also common in homes (particularly in damp areas like the bathroom) and they don’t move too fast to study. These are the ideal spiders to look at with your child. You can identify the main part of the spider’s body, including the legs and the thorax. You can talk about some of the most fascinating things about spiders – did you know that along with eight legs, they also have eight eyes? Just imagine what your vision would be like if you had eight eyes – you can even draw some pictures together. Looking at spider webs Spider webs are fascinating – they are shiny in order to reflect UV light and attract their prey. The intricate designs even mimic vegetation gaps, where insects more commonly fly. Some spider webs can be up to a metre in diameter, and structurally, they’re super-strong. What’s more amazing is that many spiders will weave a brand new web every day. Learning about how spider webs are made, and even drawing your own web, is a fun activity for children that will really engage them. You could also have a go at making your own web with coloured string. Spiders to avoid It is important to help children to identify the spiders that they should avoid. In South Africa, these include Black and Brown Button Spiders, the Violin Spider, Sac Spiders, the Six-Eyed Sand Spider, and the Baboon Spider. They are not aggressive spiders, however, and the best advice you can give to young children generally is just to keep away and to let you know if they think they’ve been bitten. It is important to remember that South Africa’s “Big Five” spiders aren’t here to harm humans: they’re just ordinary spiders that eat insects, so spider bites on humans are extremely rare. Learning about their diet and their habitat can help your children to know where to look out for these spiders and stay safe. Spiders are beautiful and fascinating creatures. Teaching your child how to identify the different species can be a fun activity that will educate them about the amazing natural world that we live in – and it will reduce the chances of them developing a fear later in life.

May 20, 2021

Squish Launches New 200ml Bigger Pouch for Toddlers

For Growing Kids with Growing Appetites South Africa’s, well-loved, convenient baby food brand, Squish has launched an SA first, a new larger 200ml pouch size especially for toddlers and their growing appetites. The new, bigger 200ml pouch range sees the popular baby and toddler food brand extending its existing range of ready-to-eat 100% fruit and veg and yoghurt purees and pressed juices, giving parents another reason to love the 100% goodness and convenience of Squish. The range includes three yoghurt flavours and three 100% fruit puree flavours packaged in the convenient new, bigger 200ml pouch. “We have created this larger pouch size with our consumers in mind, providing a new, innovative solution for babies and toddlers with growing appetites,” says Tamara Patel, Brand Manager for Squish at RFG. “The bigger Squish 200ml pouch is perfectly sized for growing kids, in a convenient format that parents want, in a size they want.” Patel explains that the latest extension to the Squish product range came after identifying the opportunity to introduce a larger pack-size, “The 200ml Squish range has been developed for parents who have grown to love Squish during their baby’s weaning journey, but are looking for a larger meal for their babies and toddlers as they grow older.” “Like all our Squish products, the utmost care has been taken to ensure that we offer our consumers the best product possible,” she adds. “We do not compromise on quality ingredients, there are no preservatives, colourants, flavourants or starch, and we fully control our supply chain, meaning we can control the quality of raw materials from the fields, right through to the end product.” She says, “Our Squish puree range is made from 100% fruit and vegetables, and is preservative, colourant and flavourant free with no added starch. Our 100% fruit and veg puree with yoghurt range is made with double cream yoghurt, not yoghurt powder, which offers us a notable point of difference.” “With our new bigger pouches, parents can rest assured they are offering their children the same goodness and great taste they have come to rely on from the Squish 110ml range,” she adds. “We understand that parents want the best for their children, but they are often pressed for time. With the extension of this larger pack size, they can feel confident in the knowledge that they are not compromising on the quality of ingredients for baby through to toddler.” “Over the past few years, we have seen a switch in consumer behaviour from jars to pouches. The pouch format offers a safe, hygienic and convenient offering,” Patel explains. “We saw the need to provide a larger pack to parents of older babies and toddlers. Where they would have previously purchased two pouches per meal for their growing little ones, the 200ml pouch is an all-in-one meal for an older baby, or the perfect lunchbox snack for a toddler”. The Squish range now comprises a wide range of purees in 110ml and 200ml pouches, and a 100% fruit and veg pressed juice range ensuring that parents find a range of convenient, quality products to help them on their weaning journey, from starting solids right through to toddlers and beyond. The products are available nationwide at top-end retail, wholesale and specialist chains – find Squish in the baby food section. For more information visit: www.squish.co.za or follow Squish on Instagram: @rhodes_squish

May 20, 2021

Interested in a Finance Career? Here are seven great choices to consider!

Even if you’ve never worked in the industry, you might have a general idea of what a finance career looks like. Most people imagine people in suits, screaming numbers at the New York Stock Exchange. While that’s one career area, there are many others to explore, both inside and outside of investing. Before deciding which financial career to pursue, it makes sense to explore some of the alternatives. If you have a financial (or related) degree, consider the classes you enjoyed most and what aspects caused a few premature grey hairs to appear. The truth is that finance careers attract a lot of talent. And to stand out from the crowd of applicants, you’ll have to pick an option that plays to your strengths and interests. Online job aggregator Adzuna rounded up 7 of the widest-known financial job titles to help you understand your options and explore the possibilities! Top Finance Career Options #1 Accountant Average Salary: R445,821 per year Accountants interpret, examine, and maintain financial records to prepare financial and tax statements. They also find ways to reduce costs and increase profits by advising on business decisions. Although most entry-level auditors aim to land roles with big accounting firms, that’s not the end-all and be-all. All industries need accountants. Accountants can work for government, universities, and businesses across all fields. Auditors have a keen eye for detail and excellent problem-solving and analytical skills. They need a deep understanding of general accounting principles, practices, and laws, which they obtain through an accounting or related degree. #2 Credit Analyst Average Salary: R542,308 per year Credit analysts, as the name implies, analyse credit and financial data of companies and individuals to determine their risk factors for extending credit or loans. These professionals complete loan applications and analyse other financial data like income growth to determine a loan’s profitability. Although credit analysts primarily work for banks, they can also be employed by mortgage, investment, and insurance firms. If you have strong decision-making and critical thinking skills along with an analytical mind, this might be the right finance career for you. You’ll also need to be great at researching and have strong communication skills to back up your bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or any other related field to land your dream job. #3 Personal Financial Planner Average Salary: R309,603 per year Personal financial planners help individuals set up and work toward their financial goals. This includes educating them on investments, managing their portfolios and monitoring their finances. These professionals can work for banks and investment firms, and they can also be self-employed. Unlike financial advisors, financial planners form long-term working relationships with their clients. This means they need strong intrapersonal skills and have to be certified as professional financial planners. Along with investment knowledge and analytical skills, financial planners also need an entrepreneurial mindset to build and expand their client database. #4 Risk Specialist Average Salary: R680,000 per year Working for investment banks, mortgage, insurance companies, and corporate lenders, risk specialists use quantitative and qualitative approaches to analyse risks. These risks are related to existing and prospective investments, earning capacities, and the success of companies. These professionals must have the ability to spot problems before they arise. They also need inductive, deductive, and mathematical reasoning skills. In most cases, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in economics, math, or finance to get your foot in the door of this industry. #5 Quantitative Analyst Average Salary: R572,667 per year Quants develop financial products that financial firms rely on to price, trade, and calculate risk for any tradable financial assets. Quantitative analysts can work for a variety of employers, including investment banks, depository banks, fintech companies, and trading firms. It goes without saying that quants need high-level math and reasoning skills. This work field is abstract and requires these professionals to spend more time behind their computer screens instead of interacting with colleagues. Entry requirements include a master’s degree in a quantitative field like finance, math, stats, or economics. #6 Actuary Average Salary: R717,408 per year Ever wondered who is in charge of evaluating probabilities and risks associated with car accidents and property damage? Actuaries! They use math and statistics to calculate costs related to events like these that form the building blocks of models like insurance policies. Although actuaries generally work for insurance companies, they can also work for investment firms and banks. This field of work is predicted to grow 18% by 2029. With relatively low-stress levels (compared to most other finance career options) and high average wages, becoming an actuary can help you build the perfect work-life balance. But to get in, you’ll need strong math and reasoning skills along with a degree in actuarial sciences, finance, accounting, or a related field. #7 Investment Banker Average Salary: R573,257 per year Investment bankers primarily deal with raising money for companies and governments through public offering, stocks, bonds, mergers, and venture capitalism. Average salaries might be high, but so is the level of stress associated with these roles. To land a job as an investment banker, you’ll need a finance or economics degree or another quantitative or business-focused degree. You will also need a master’s degree in finance and an internship. The good news is that if you have all of these qualifications, you could be earning MUCH more than the average salary. Investment bankers can earn salaries upward of R2 million per year if bonuses are included in the picture. Making the Right Choice To pursue jobs with the highest probability of success, you have to consider the role’s demand. Time spent uncovering the most exciting opportunities can be time saved working a job that just doesn’t fit. Different finance careers require different skills and come with vastly different working environments. Pick one that aligns with your interests and abilities. Every company in almost every industry needs the help of a finance professional. You can find a financial job by tapping into your professional network, leveraging the power of social platforms like LinkedIn,

May 19, 2021

Daddy Squared Around The World: South Africa

“In a country with high levels of unemployment and large levels of poverty it’s so easy to exploit these situations and the law is there to protect that.” Daddy Squared: The Gay Dads Podcast looks at fatherhood options for gay men in South Africa. We talked with South African Power Couple Andrew and Brent (who are responsible for the first ever Primetime gay kiss on South African TV) about parenting options and rights for gay men in South Africa. “Daddy Squared Around the World: South Africa” is now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and wherever you get your podcasts. Notes and resources now available at daddysqr.com/southafrica “Daddy Squared: The Gay Dads Podcast” returns for Season 4 to capture gay dad options and rights in a post-pandemic world. In each episode, Alex and Yan, a married couple and fathers of five-year-old twins, talk with gay dads from a different country, discussing equal rights and options for gay men. “Gay men look at this podcast as either a resource for family building or an intimate look at the lives of gay dads,” Yan explains, “that inspired us to come up with country-specific resources, that we hope will be expanded and updated by the community.” South Africa was pretty much at the forefront of human rights for the LGBTQI+ community. During the apartheid era, homosexuality was a crime and that was written into the law until 1994. Thanks to groups like the African National Congress (ANC) and the freedom fighters, fighting for democracy, equality, and human rights, they have passed laws that legalized homosexuality, including same-sex marriage being written into the South African constitution in 1996. While many of the more metropolitan areas of South Africa sit on the more progressive side of the issue, Brent says much of South Africa is rural and holds on tightly to their more conservative views. “I think it’s important to note that we can’t whitewash South Africa with this brush, [as well]. Our rural areas are very rural. We have massive levels of poverty in this country, so it would be remiss to look at our experience as the norm. Our experience is one side of the coin, where at one level of society it’s accepted and understood. There is a large part of South African society which is inherently driven by it’s “African-ness.” I’m going to use the word “tribal”, and I mean that very deliberately. Africa and South Africa are still spread into regional tribal loyalties, etc; and in those rural communities it’s a lot more difficult to be accepted.” By 2002 the Constitutional Court gave the right for same sex couples to adopt, and that was written into the Children’s Act in 2005, making adoption legal for gay men in South Africa. This has evolved to no longer differentiating between whether you are two dads or a mom and a dad during the application process. Surrogacy is also legal, albeit altruistic. There are many rules and regulations put in place to ensure that every step along the way is above boards and unquestionably ethical, although it seems that even under the guidelines, there tends to be some sort of remuneration, not necessarily with cash. “It’s all written straight into our high courts. So you can enter into a contractual relationship with a surrogate, but it can’t be superseded by the law that’s already there. It’s a remarkably protected environment for a largely minority population.” Andrew and Brent are co-parents, with the children coming from Andrew’s previous marriage to a woman. While Andrew knew from a young age that he was different, he had a hard time envisioning his life in the corporate world as a gay man. “I’d subconsciously decided that there was no place for a gay man in the corporate world, so I literally met, fell in love with, married, white picket fenced, two dogs one of the first girls I met, and I have zero regrets about that.” Although Brent hadn’t necessarily pictured his life with children, he had a feeling that Andrew was the one and he was determined to remain open, and explore what his intuition was telling him. “I don’t believe that I would ever have imagined that I’d meet someone with children already,” Brent says. “I didn’t think that it’d be part of my life’s journey, but when I met Andrew the first night we went on a date, I knew he was the one, I knew that this was the guy for me and yes, we spoke about the fact that he had kids on that first date. He was very upfront about the fact that he had kids, and I didn’t let it disturb me, because I thought, I like this guy, I think that this relationship can go somewhere, maybe kids can be a bonus. Maybe having kids around can actually add value to my life.” Power Couple Andrew and Brent have been together for 13 years, and are best known in South Africa from the TV reality show My Kitchen Rules. Brent is a journalist, best known for his GoodThingsGuy.com website, reaching over two million visitors a month, and his Cliffcentral show. He first made a splash in 2014 when he created the RAK initiative, aimed at giving back and helping those in need, which became a global phenomenon. Andrew is an entrepreneur, thought leader, and MD for two agencies, as well as a former musical theatre actor. He works around the world in the fields of sponsorship, brand activation, experiential marketing and social media.

May 18, 2021

Working Women Charting New Ways Forward

Join the conversation, Play Sense Women @ Work webinar There’s nothing quite like a global crisis to shift priorities, change focus and provoke some earnest soul-searching about who we are and what we want from life. Study after study is revealing that women across the world have experienced tougher impacts from COVID-19, with amongst others, a disproportionate number of women leaving the workplace. Women still shoulder a greater proportion of the household and family burdens, and are not surprisingly, more vulnerable to burnout and other mental health challenges. All of this is sparking a multitude of global conversations around better ways for women to engage in the workforce, organise family life and focus more on their self-care. If you are like most working women and mothers, you’re probably in the midst of processing all the ways that the pandemic has changed how you are currently perceiving and experiencing life. You may be having recurring thoughts and going through a lot of self-talk about what you’ve learnt and what you can or should be doing to bring about a reset that suits you better. There aren’t many of us who have a clear way forward yet. That’s why it can help to join a conversation, find out how other women in similar situations are feeling and thinking, broaden your view of the potential prospects and gain insights into the kinds of goals and strategies that can bring clarity. Play Sense co-founder and best-selling author, Meg Faure will be bringing together a panel of women leaders for the Play Sense Women @ Work webinar on Tuesday, 18 May from 8pm to 9pm. Women from all walks of life are invited to tune in. Registration is R50, and you can sign up here. Coach, Author and Influencer, Caitlyn de Beer will be tackling how to reach and maintain the balance of work and family. Sharing five lessons from her own journey as a working mom, Caitlyn highlights the importance of boundaries that not only provide structure for being more organised but the space for self-care. She says, “Our current reality is a big challenge to our old thinking paradigms, and that’s a good thing. It’s a fantastic opportunity to become clear on our expectations of ourselves, prioritising our happiness and cultivating self-talk that is positive and empowering.” Tech entrepreneur, Aisha Pandor, the co-founder and CEO of Sweep South has been at the frontlines managing family and nurturing her personal relationships, while starting up and scaling an innovative business across Africa. “Women already have so many responsibilities to juggle, especially at home,” she says. “I am excited by the new and innovative services, especially through tech, that are now on offer and make life easier and save time. We have to break free from the mindset that we have to somehow go it alone and do it all ourselves.” Meg Faure, an occupational therapist and the best-selling author of the Baby Sense book series, co-founded Play Sense, an innovative micro-school programme for toddlers to provide better options for women needing child-care services. “Reliable, affordable, quality child-care is one the greatest stumbling blocks to working women achieving the balance of work and life,” she says. “Anxiety, stress and guilt around child-care affects most working women, compromising our quality of life and work. We have to explore and be open to more effective, and new and different ways to get the help we need, guilt-free!” Often the solutions to getting more of what we need and want from life are simple and available. What it takes is changing our minds. As we search for more flexible working structures, better organisation of day-to-day life and more fulfilment in our connection to ourselves and others, women are looking for smart ways to lighten their loads. Join the Women @ Work discussion to get more insights and inspiration: Play Sense Women @ Work webinarTuesday, 18 May 20218pm to 9pm Register for R50, now Play Sense Business in a Box Give-away In support of helping female entrepreneurs who want to own their own business while maintaining a work life balance, Play Sense is giving away a ‘Business in a Box’. This complete franchise is valued at R36 800 and includes teacher training, use of Play Sense’s accredited play-based curriculum, all the equipment necessary to start a play school, from art supplies to an indoor/outdoor play gym, and ongoing marketing and business administration support from start-up to success. Any qualified teacher, therapist or childcare professional with 3 years’ experience can enter to win. Join the webinar for more information, applications open 19 May 2021.

May 11, 2021

Career tests and quizzes to help you find your calling

Regardless of whether you’re just starting to figure out what career to pursue or if you’re looking to make a complete career change, answering the “what career suits me best?” question can feel overwhelming. The good news is that there are many career tests and quizzes that can help you narrow down your options. We don’t want you to drift along in the sea of choices, which is why Adzuna, an online job aggregator, researched the best tests to help you determine the kind of job that’ll suit you best. While no single test can guarantee your “dream” job will be the career you pursue for the rest of your life, they can help you better understand your working style and the type of environment you’ll thrive in. What are career tests, and how do they work? Career aptitude tests cover a series of questions that, when answered truthfully, can help you uncover which jobs best suit your personality, needs, and goals. The kind of work environment that resonates with your personality will ultimately offer the most long- and short-term satisfaction. These tests help job seekers consider factors beyond just the obvious paycheck, commute time, and the like. Career quizzes are practical tools that offer insights into what makes you tick. They typically cover factors including: Skills Strengths Interests Emotional intelligence Values Personality traits Motivations Ready to discover the best kind of job for you? Here’s a list of perceptive quizzes that may lead you to the most rewarding career opportunities! Countdown of the best career tests #7 My Next Move: O*Net Interest Profiler The O*Net Interest Profiler is one of the many free career tests and is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor. It can help you identify where your career interests lie and what the future might hold. With the “Current Job Zone” section, you can explore opportunities related to your experience. The test’s “Future Job Zone” section lets you explore the education and experience you’ll have to gain to get to where you want to be in the future. #6 Truity: The Big Five Personality Test Truity’s Big Five Personality Test lets you discover how well you relate to others, and it takes just 10 minutes from start to finish. The results will help you understand whether you’re open to new experiences and how much self-discipline you have. It also details your personality type (introvert or extrovert) and how well you handle stress. Although this might not exactly fall under the category of career tests, it can help you understand the importance of your work style in the office environment. #5 123Test.com: Career Aptitude Test The free Career Aptitude Test sponsored by 123Test.com lets you pick your favourite (and least favourite) images which ultimately sum up your Holland Code result. This “code” is based on John Holland’s theory of personality types and careers. It also details suggested occupations that match your specific personality type. #4 MyPlan.com: Career Tests The range of career tests offered by MyPlan.com cover personality, career interest, skills, and career values that can all help measure your career personality. The career values test, for example, gives you an indication of what factors will make a career seem meaningful to you. The careers personality test, on the other hand, rank more than 700 professions based on how well they align with your personality. #3 Self-Directed Search SDS is a career assessment test that matches you with the best job opportunities based on your interests, activities, and aspirations. Results are personalised in a report that details how artistic, social, realistic, investigative, enterprising, or conventional you are. It’s also based on John Holland’s theory of personalities and focuses on his RIASEC theory. Along with a personalised summary, you’ll also be shown a list of potential careers and educational opportunities that best resonate with your results. #2 MAPP Career Assessment The second most prominent personality test next to MBTI is the MAPP Career Assessment. With results covering everything from your reasoning skills to the way you complete tasks, this bumper test is well worth taking. Like most tests on this list, MAPP gives you a list of job categories you’d be great in. #1 Myers-Briggs: MBTI Instrument MBTI is so much more than just a career test and is applicable across all areas of an individual’s life. It’s one of the most widely used assessments by hiring managers and recruitment firms alike. The results from this test detail where you get your energy from and how you like to learn new skills. It explains your decision-making patterns and the kind of structure you want in your life. Although your preferences can help you find your dream job, they’re also great for discovering your ideal workplace and your work preferences. The official test is quite pricey, but you can still take a free and pretty decent test here. Final Thoughts The better you understand yourself and your working style, the easier it’ll be to spot a satisfying career. Career tests help you focus on professional development and how you can keep your career moving forward. Need a little more guidance? With expert career advice and job search tips, plus industry insights and workplace trends, Adzuna is the perfect resource, here for you every step of the way!

May 7, 2021

Glenoaks School – Our remedial stream under the microscope

Glenoaks School in Kensington, Johannesburg, in its 52nd year of operation, runs a remedial stream up to Grade 7, an Assisted Learning Stream for special needs learners aged 6 – 14, and a Vocational Stream (Oak House Vocational Academy) for special needs learners between the ages of 13 and 18 . We strive to ensure an intimate learning environment, with no more than 12 students per class, and therapy programs tailored for individual students. What is Remedial Education? Remedial Education is designed to assist learners to achieve expected competencies in core academic skills. By closing the gaps between what a student knows and can do and what they are expected to know by a certain grade, we can help learners who have fallen behind academically. Every effort is made to remove barriers that could prevent learners from achieving future success. The Glenoaks Remedial Stream Glenoaks welcomes a wide variety of learners into our remedial stream. We do not close our doors to learners with an IQ below the average rating but assess every child to ensure that they will be a fit for our school, and that our school will be a fit for them. Remedial learners may face any number or variety of learning difficulties, including, but not limited to dyslexia, dyscalculia, ADHD, ADD, ODD, autism and anxiety. Our aim within the remedial stream is to support a learner’s emotional well-being, supporting their learning difficulties, and providing a safe and nurturing environment in which they can flourish academically and socially. We are committed to providing a learning environment in which all children can meet and exceed their potential. We surround our learners with love, support, and encouragement. Glenoaks follows the CAPS curriculum up until Grade 7, with learners moving on from the school into mainstream, remedial or supportive high schools. This curriculum is offered as an Accommodated Curriculum, in which grade appropriate assessment standards and skills are being worked on within a small class setting and with therapeutic intervention. We also offer an Adapted Curriculum in which learners are offered additional individual assistance and support. The school offers therapy as part of our school fees, with sessions taking place within the school day. These include Occupational, Speech & Language, Remedial and Psycho-therapy. Therapeutic support is targeted to the needs of individual learners. Some students require support in group settings, such as our social therapy groups, whereas others may require targeted individual therapeutic input in a key academic or emotional area. Our Academic Support programme supports students as well as class teachers. Teachers and therapists are able to look at teaching methodologies, classroom environments, content of lessons, as well as different learning styles. In our Intermediate and Senior Phase, we offer in-house accommodations to learners as they may require. These academic concessions are put in place during formal assessments (cycle tests and exams). The accommodations include separate venues, a scribe, a reader, a prompt, spelling concessions, maths exemptions, rest breaks, and rephrasing of questions, amongst others. The school is guided on what accommodations are required for a learner by psycho-educational assessments, as well as other therapeutic assessments. By providing learners with these concessions, they are more able to show their true academic potential without being held back by specific learning disabilities. In our foundation phase, we offer a tailored reading programme to our younger learners, allowing them to develop their reading abilities. Our learners engage in individual reading, as well as guided reading which takes place in smaller groups. We use methods that help students to read, talk and think to ensure a deeper understanding. We are especially proud of our paired-reading programme which includes learners, teachers and parents, and has shown incredible success with so many of our students. Furthermore, our curriculum includes a perceptual component which aims at developing the visual and auditory, as well as both the fine and gross motor skills of every student. These perceptual and motor skills are the underlying skills required for academic success. Classroom facilitators form an integral part of our remedial classrooms. In certain instances, facilitators are placed in a classroom in order to provide support to learners and the classroom teacher. In some instances, individual students require their own facilitator to sit and work with them, and these can be contracted by the parents, or by the school. All Grade 6 and 7 learners may use their own technology device, such as a laptop, Tablet or iPad. They are taught and encouraged to make use of these devices to enhance their learning. Students with specific learning difficulties who find it challenging to put pen to paper, are able to use tools such as voice-to-text, which greatly aid and enhance their learning ability. How Does Remediation Happen? When a learner shows signs of an academic lag, individual remedial goals are established. Remedial therapy goals are derived from the learner’s latest assessments together with input from the class teacher. Remedial education often focuses on using a learner’s strengths and learning style to achieve the individual goals set. It aims to build self-confidence, opportunities for success, and to improve self-esteem and quality of class work. Therapy uses a multi-sensory approach, practical hands-on methods where possible, kinaesthetic, tactile, auditory and visual stimuli. During remedial therapy it is sometimes necessary to revert to the basics of a particular skill, to ensure understanding of the fundamentals. The aim is to build on and move from some concrete to more abstract concepts. An All-Inclusive Education Programme There is far more to a well-rounded remedial education programme than only academics learnt at a desk. In our Intermediate and Senior primary we run a programme known as Terrific Tuesdays, in which learners are exposed to and participate in a wide range of learning activities. These include the creative and dramatic arts, a variety of sports and ball skills, outreach programmes, as well as English extension activities. Glenoaks is proud of each student that walks through our doors. We are excited to discover the potential in our students, working

May 7, 2021

Tech in our schools – goIT Challenge announces 2021 winners

After a successful launch last year of the goIT Challenge in South Africa, Tata Consultancy Services and STEAM education specialist, Sakhikamva Foundation have brought together 455 learners from nine high schools to participate in the worldwide school’s technology programme. Students were tasked with coming up with app ideas to solve real-world problems in their own communities, and six finalist teams had the opportunity to pitch their ideas to the judges on 5 May. The six 2021 SA goIT Challenge finalists were: WO-MEN created by Sinenjongo High School team – an app promoting gender equality and the acceptance of gender diversity which includes a conversation platform to highlight the impacts of gender inequality ‘Hope Away from Home’ created by Get Ahead College team – an app aligned to the #zerohungerworld Sustainable Development Goal that enables small food donations in one’s own neighbourhood EVOLVE created by Goodwood College team – an app offering physical workouts, healthy eating regimes and positive mindset texts to enable people in under-resourced communities to benefit from healthy body and mind education and support W.A.S.H. created by another Goodwood College team – an app to connect people in rural and homeless communities with nearby sources of clean drinking water and sanitation facilities ‘Building Confidence Lifestyle’ created by Modderdam High team – an app to help users improve self-image, self-esteem and self-motivation so that people in under-resourced communities are more empowered to live healthy and successful lives ‘Study Room’ created by Valhalla High team – an app that provides educational video resources to help boost learning among young people who are struggling to access classroom learning Founder of Sakhikamva Foundation, Fatima Jakoet says, “What we have seen in this second SA goIT Challenge is young people expressing their abilities to be problem-solvers who can contribute to a better world. Participants had no trouble identifying real challenges that they experience and see in their communities, and then align these to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. They got the opportunity to grapple with how technology offers the world opportunities to solve these problems in innovative ways that can also be brought to scale through tech platforms. The goIT Challenge gave them a rare opportunity to build their 21st Century skills, and it was wonderful to see how much they relished this and rose to the occasion.” The SA winners of the 2021 goIT Challenge are: First Place: WO-MEN app created by the Sinenjongo High School team (each team member received a tablet) Second Place: W.A.S.H. app team from Goodwood College (each team member received a drone) Third Place: EVOLVE app team from Goodwood College (each team member received a robotics kit) Over more than a decade, the TCS goIT Challenge has been rolled out in North and South America, Asia, Australia, the UK and Europe. In 2020, TCS expanded this footprint by bringing the innovative 21st Century learning programme to South Africa. Nikhil Dabhole, HR Head of TCS South Africa says, “We congratulate this year’s winners of the goIT Challenge and commend the finalists and all other participants. As an IT service provider, we are committed to providing opportunities for schools to bring their learners, educators, and school communities together in an exciting and relevant tech education programme. The goIT Challenge is a way to strengthen communities today, by empowering their own digital innovators of tomorrow. These participants are building their skills to contribute to the workforce of the future, and engaging with tech is vital to their education.” South Africa lags significantly in bringing a coding and robotics curriculum to schools, which means that a generation of our children is falling behind in developing the skills most needed by the changing 4IR world. The goIT Challenge brings tech to the forefront in schools and gives SA children a hands-on experience of how innovation can solve real-world problems.

May 7, 2021

Why We Love Eggs When Weaning

The first bath. The first sleepover at granny. The first giggle. And now, the first taste of food as you wean your baby onto solid foods. Too low in energy, protein and minerals like iron and zinc, the ability of breastmilk alone to meet the increasing nutritional needs of a growing baby starts to become limited. The World Health Organisation1, supported by the South African Department of Health2, encourages that babies start solid food from six months. This is an optimal time when your baby’s gut and kidneys are physiologically mature enough to handle this newfound solid food. Starting solids can be very confusing for parents with questions like what to eat, how much and when? With all this concern, the good news is there is one less food to worry about – eggs. Nutritious, delicious, affordable, and highly versatile, the simple egg is an easy and suitable option to introduce to your baby from early on in your weaning journey. Allergy Awareness Many parents understandably worry about introducing potentially allergenic foods like eggs to their baby’s diet. The truth is that the risk of food allergies is far less common than believed – a mere 3 in 100 children, according to local data.3 Despite this, many parents choose to delay the introduction of food allergens. The opposite is recommended though. Baby experts now suggest that parents introduce potential allergenic foods as soon as weaning is started. Supporting this is the fact that the early introduction of eggs to a baby’s diet is associated with reduced egg allergy risk, according to research.4,5,6 Brain Boost Findings from a South American study7 suggests that eating eggs early in childhood could contribute to healthy brain development and function. Researchers think that this is because of choline, an important nutrient for optimal brain and nervous system function. Did you know that just one egg contains all the choline that a weaning baby of six months needs? Eggs also package other key nutrients for brain health, like protein, iron, zinc, vitamin B12, and biotin. Grow Baby, Grow There is a lot of research showing that egg-eating youngsters may have better growth and development.8 This is linked to diets low in choline possibly increasing stunting in young children. The early introduction of eggs, one of the best food sources of choline, can greatly improve a baby’s growth. Added to this, we know that eggs are high in good quality protein. Protein provides the building blocks for muscle, growth, and a healthy immune system for growing, busy little bodies. Now while good growth is important, maintaining a healthy weight is just as key. Worrisome local statistics show that boys who are obese at 4 – 8 years are 20 times more likely to become obese teenagers and girls who are obese at 4 – 8 years are 42 times more likely.9 In a 2015 study, when children (aged 8 – 12 years) had eggs for breakfast, 32% reported feeling fuller and 14% felt less hungry, which is why eggs may help manage weight in older children.10 Whether plain or mixed with vegetables and cheese, well-cooked whole eggs are recommended for your baby’s diet. Omelettes, scrambled eggs or French toast, these easy egg recipes will be a great start to your child’s journey of healthy eating. Remember, it’s important to always offer your baby age-appropriate purees and soft foods, which will differ from young babies just starting out with solids to older babies with more practice in their newfound eating skills. Like EGGcellentFood on Facebook and follow us on Instagram eggcellentfoodsa , for further information visit www.sapoultry.co.za SCRAMBLED EGG Serves: 1 Prep Time: 5 minutes Cooking Time: 3 – 4 minutes Ingredients: 1 egg 2 tablespoons milk 1 teaspoon (5g) butter Method: Combine the egg and milk in a small bowl and whisk. Heat the butter in a small non-stick frying pan, cook the egg mixture over a low heat stirring until cooked. Do not use a high temperature or the egg will burn and stick to the pan. Transfer to plate and allow to cool slightly before serving, always test the temperature of the food before giving to baby. BASIC OMELETTE Serves: 1 Prep Time: 5 minutes Cooking Time: 3 – 4 minutes Ingredients: 2 eggs 2 tablespoons milk 1 teaspoon (5g) butter Optional – 50g white cheddar or a small portion of cooked, soft vegetables e.g., mushrooms, onion or spinach. Method: Combine the egg and milk in a small bowl and whisk. Heat the butter in a small non-stick frying pan, cook the egg mixture over a low heat. Do not use a high temperature or the egg will burn and stick to the pan. Using a spatula “pull” the egg mixture gently to the centre of the pan, do this until the egg is cooked and the omelette set, it will look like a thick pancake. If adding cheese or vegetables, add now. Fold the omelette over. Transfer to a plate and allow to cool slightly, cut into bite sized pieces before serving. Always test the temperature of the food before giving to baby. FRENCH TOAST WITH BLUEBERRIES Serves: 1 Prep Time: 5 minutes Cooking Time: 5 – 6 minutes Ingredients: 1 egg 2 tablespoons milk ½ teaspoon vanilla essence Small pinch cinnamon 1 slice day old bread 1 tablespoon (15g) butter or oil Method: In a bowl, mix together eggs, milk, cinnamon, and vanilla essence. Heat the butter or oil in a non-stick frying pan over a medium heat. Dip bread into egg mixture and coat both sides well. Put dipped bread into hot pan and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side or until golden. Serve warm with a spoonful of cream cheese or with sliced banana or blueberries. Tip: You can use up any leftover bread for this recipe. Try sliced French bread, fruit loaf or multigrain bread for something different. References 1. World Health Organisation. Guiding principles on for complementary feeding of the breastfed child. 2001. Available from:https://www.who.int/nutrition/publications/guiding_principles_compfeeding_breastfed.pdf. Accessed 29 March 2021. 2. Department of Health, South Africa. Infant and Young

May 4, 2021

Let’s Talk Left-Handedness

Just because you’re left-handed doesn’t mean you have to be left behind! As a qualified Occupational Therapist and lefty myself, I can help you and your child be the best lefty they can be! That’s why I designed the Lefty Kit! It’s a total myth that being left-handed means that you will automatically struggle with writing and cutting tasks and that it’s a given that a lefty’s writing will look and be awkward. There is really little to no difference in skills whether you’re left-handed or right-handed. It’s just that lefties are the minority and live in a right-handed world and therefore need to learn to adapt to it. They also need to be taught the correct left-handed principles as early as possible. Think about it this way – if you are right-handed, but someone taught you the writing and cutting principles of a lefty, how awkward and difficult would these tasks be for you?! Try to cut with a pair of left-handed scissors if you are right-handed – it will feel uncomfortable and your cutting accuracy will not be as good. It’s the same concept with lefties. If taught writing and cutting principles correctly from the get-go, a left-handed child will look no different to a right-handed child when working in class (other than the fact that they are using their left hand!). The Lefty Kit is designed to assist left-handed children to develop functional cutting and writing skills. As a left-handed occupational therapist, I created The Lefty Kit to assist parents, teachers and therapists navigate little lefties through this right-handed world. The Lefty Kit breaks down common issues that left-handed children encounter, and removes all the anxiety and stress often associated with it. ‘The Guide to Left Handedness’ includes misconceptions about left-handedness and then breaks down writing and cutting principles in a way that is simple, easy to understand and fun for children! It shows how the pencil should be held and how the hand, arm and page should be positioned, meaning that you can easily guide your child to write in the best way. Each kit includes: The Guide to Left Handedness 13 Activities Writing Mat FREE Delivery Nationwide Included in the Lefty Kit are 13 activities that can be done to develop, practice and apply the important aspects of left-handedness in a fun way! One of the activities included in the Lefty Kit is Pompom Flicks. This game requires pompoms (included in the kit) as well as goals (e.g. tape, tins, toilet rolls, etc.). Your child needs to flick the pompoms and try to score a goal by using their thumb and index finger or thumb and middle finger. This flicking movement places the wrist in an extended position. Wrist extension is therefore strengthened during this activity and will assist your little lefty in positioning their hand correctly when writing and will prevent them from developing a hook grasp! Order your Lefty Kit here for only R485! Occupational therapists can assist left-handed children by guiding them, teaching them the principles of left-handedness and helping them practice the application of these principles. They can also assist parents by educating them so that parents can assist their child at home, but can also advocate for them in this right-handed world. What is Occupational Therapy? Occupational Therapy (OT) is a client-centered health profession concerned with promoting health and well being through occupation. The primary goal of OT is to enable people to participate in the activities of everyday life. Occupational therapists achieve this outcome by working with people and communities to enhance their ability to engage in the occupations they want to, need to, or are expected to do. This outcome may also be achieved by modifying the occupation or environment to better support their occupational engagement. (https://wfot.org/about/about-occupational-therapy) How OT can help children A child’s life is also made up of occupations and daily activities. These include playing, learning, sleeping and resting, interacting with others, getting dressed, etc. OT’s can help and support children of all ages, from new-borns to teenagers. OT’s work with children and their families to help them succeed in activities of daily living by incorporating the occupations that are most important to them in the intervention process. The goal of OT is to help children become independent in all areas of life, for example, achieving age appropriate developmental milestones, interacting socially, play skills, gross motor and fine motor skills, sensory integration, coping at school, behaviour, etc. For more Lefty content, follow me on Instagram and Facebook @steadystridesot

May 4, 2021

COVID19: health & cleaning tips for pre-schools and childcare centres

There has been a lot of debate around small children and the role they play in the spread of Covid-19. With earlier studies suggesting that children do not contribute much to the spread of coronavirus, new studies are now showing that children could be capable of spreading infection. According to the South African Paediatric Association, children without underlying conditions are less likely to get sick if infected by the virus or will show milder symptoms such as low-grade fever, fatigue, and cough compared to adults. “As the saying goes, rather be safe than sorry. While the debate goes on there are many parents who find themselves in a catch twenty-two situation, having to go back to the office or being an essential worker and having to make sure their young children are taken care of in a safe environment,” says Emma Corder, Managing Director of industrial cleaning products manufacturer Industroclean. So, what are the steps that need to be taken to make sure that the entire family stays safe during these times? Corder says regardless of the current debate about the effects that the virus can have on younger children, the issue of hygiene in childcare facilities has been topical long before the pandemic arrived on our shores. Anyone that is concerned about the health and safety and wellbeing of children, parents and staff members would agree that the most important step is to reduce the spread of germs and to clean throughout the day. For Parents: “Before making the decision to send your child to back to childcare facilities, talk to your paediatrician or family doctor. We can help you make the best choice based on your child’s medical and immunization history, your family circumstances, and by checking that your child’s growth and development is on track,” says Western Cape based paediatrician Dr Tamryn Phelps. She adds that making frequent hand washing a norm in your household is a must, as children learn by example. Next is connecting with the caregiver: you want to be comfortable with how the centre plans to clean and disinfect, screen children and staff for symptoms, and handle illness. For playschools: Creating a clean and hygienically safe play centre that hosts very young children with little understanding on following instructions and who spend more time on the floor, will require you to clean and disinfect open spaces: Develop your plan. Implement your plan. Maintain and revise your plan. It is also key for teachers and caregivers to know the difference between cleaning, disinfecting and sanitizing, when it comes to creating a clean and safe home and play centre. Cleaning involves the physical removal of dirt, germs and debris by scrubbing with soap or detergent and water. Disinfecting and sanitizing, on the other hand, involves the application of a recommended product cleaner that specifies that it kills 99.9% of germs. What are the correct or appropriate products to use in the workplace and around the home, and does this differ when you are cleaning a play centre area? “The overuse of bleach can also have side effects on children. Most bleach products remain on surfaces and may emit fumes if not used correctly, also bringing with it the risk of possibly causing respiratory illness. This means it is critical that you follow the precise instructions on how to dilute and use the chemicals,” explains Corder. It should also be taken into account that cleaning and sanitising will be done more frequently, so plan accordingly, and ensure staff including the kitchen staff undergo comprehensive training on the correct procedures to be followed. Remember these best cleaning practices: Prepare for cleaning and disinfecting. Correct PPE for cleaning. Use all chemicals correctly. Cleaning equipment must be clean. Do the Job. Clean from top to bottom. For normal cleaning use the spray and wipe method. Colour code all cleaning materials to prevent cross contamination. End of Task Dispose of dirty water and waste according to safe procedures. Wash and dry all equipment before storing it in a clean space. Dispose of all PPE wear before washing up. Play Areas: Identify detergents best suited for play area equipment. Consult manuals that came with the play area equipment for information on how to best care for it. Outdoor playground equipment should be pressure washed at least once quarterly, to get rid of grime that builds up, especially on equipment like swings and monkey bars. References: · https://paediatrician.co.za/position-statements

April 30, 2021

Shaping your children’s attitude to money

Most parents will agree that teaching children about money is important, but what and how should you be teaching them and at what age? It’s an inherent part of parenting. Most children’s attitudes to money are shaped by their parents, whether you pro-actively pass on information or they just copy what you do. It’s also not something you can leave too late. A University of Cambridge Study, commissioned by the UK’s Money Advice Service, found that in that country children’s money habits are formed by the age of seven. Shafeeqah Isaacs, head of financial education at financial services provider, DirectAxis, canvassed some of her colleagues with children of different ages about some age-appropriate lessons to help children become financially responsible adults. Age 3 – 5: You can’t always get what you want, right now We live in an era of instant gratification, from takeaway foods to online shopping. While your three-year old isn’t likely to be ordering Uber Eats during naptime, teaching children early that some things are worth waiting for may prevent them racking up credit-card debt on trendy clothes or the latest tech later in life. Set attainable goals. For example, if your child wants a particular toy explain they’ll have to save for it. Have a savings jar or piggy bank into which you can put birthday money or small rewards for helping out, good behaviour or achievements. Try to set them up for success by making sure the goal is achievable and they don’t have to wait for months and lose sight of what they’re saving for. Each time your child adds money to the saving jar, help him or her count it and work out how much more is needed to reach the goal. Age 6 – 10: You’re responsible for the financial choices you make You can teach your children the basics of financial decision-making by explaining financial priorities. For example, you can tell them how when you get paid, you first need to pay bills such as the home loan or rent. Then you need to buy groceries. If you do this carefully and don’t spend money on things that are too expensive or which you don’t really need, you’ll have some left over. Some of this you can save and some might be used to do something fun together. Practical experience is the best way of driving these lessons home. When they earn pocket money for doing household chores, help them work out a budget. First, they’ll need to pay bills, such as contributing to a pet’s upkeep. Take them along when you buy the groceries. If they want something special get them to contribute to that as part of their grocery spend. Remind them not to spend all their money as they’ll need to save some. Hopefully, if they’ve not spent too much they’ll have a bit left over to treat themselves. “The point is to give children a practical understanding of how to manage money using examples that are familiar. The more you can do this the better, as they’re far more likely to grasp this than abstract explanations,” says Shafeeqah. Ages 11 – 13: The sooner you start saving the sooner you’ll reach your goals At this stage you can introduce the idea of saving for long-term goals. Perhaps set a goal for something more expensive that he or she really wants. Often at this stage children are reluctant to save because they want to buy things such as snacks at school or more airtime. By setting a bigger goal you can teach them that the opportunity cost – what they need to give up – will enable them to save more and reach their goal faster. You can also teach them about compound interest: how by saving over a longer period, they benefit from the compounding effect because they earn interest on the money they’ve saved as well as the accumulated interest. For more information about compound interest visit: https://www.directaxis.co.za/find-an-answer/what-is-compound-interest Of course, when saving larger amounts of money, it’s sensible and safer to replace the piggy bank or savings jar with a bank account. Some banks, such as FNB, offer no-fee transactional accounts for children. This will also teach them how to manage a bank account. Ages 14 – 18: Understand how to borrow sensibly As children grow up their earning potential increases. They may graduate from doing household chores to getting a casual job. Typically, their expenses also increase. They may want to buy a scooter or motorbike to get around or even save towards a car. At some point they’ll probably ask to borrow money. When they do, set a goal in terms of what they’ll need to earn before you’ll match them or lend them the remainder. Work out a reasonable period for the loan and a repayment schedule and charge them moderate interest. Explain there’ll be penalties if they miss payments and that you’ll also be less likely to lend them money in future. While they may not immediately appreciate it, you’re teaching them the benefits of paying what they owe and also how to build a good credit record. As they get older you can use a similar approach to teach them the difference between good and bad credit, such as loans to fund tertiary studies or start a business as opposed to borrowing money to fund an unaffordable lifestyle. As a parent, teaching children about money isn’t something you’ll ever stop doing. Perhaps the most important lesson of all is to remember that you are a role model. “If you’ve ever heard a child use a grown-up word or expression they didn’t learn in school, you know they suck up everything around them. The same applies to how they learn about money. Remember that and the influence you have not just in terms of what you teach them, but your own financial behaviour,” says Shafeeqah.

April 30, 2021

Interview questions to ask a prospective employer

Ensuring that you are thoroughly prepared for an interview is one of the most essential things to do if you’re looking to land a new job. Even though these initial meetings can be unnerving, knowing what interview questions to ask a hiring manager will help you feel and look prepared. Employers want to establish whether you are the right candidate for the role during interview sessions. But it is equally as important to find out if the company is the right fit for you. That being said, Adzuna, an online job aggregator, put together a list of important questions all job seekers should ask during the interview. A roundup of the most important interview questions to ask Meeting the interviewer The hiring manager or interviewer is the first point of contact you’ll have with the company, so it’s a good idea to get to know them and understand their role. Here are some basic questions you can ask them after introductions are out of the way: What does a typical workday look like for you? What do you love most about your job? Do you have any specific goals for yourself, your team, or the company over the next five years? Defining your role Some job descriptions are pretty concise, so be careful not to ask about topics that might have already been covered in the original ad. But beyond general duties, here are some questions that can help you uncover finer details about the job: What can I expect my first week on the job to look like? How does the role I’m applying for contribute to the company’s overall success? Are there any shadowing opportunities available to help me better understand the day-to-day responsibilities of the position? Uncovering the company culture Company culture is a big deal because it influences everything from benefits and perks to office politics. Here’s a look at what you need to gain a better understanding of: What does the work culture look like in this company? Are there any benefits that focus on work-life balance? Do you have a telecommuting policy in place? Are employees expected to work outside of office hours frequently? Digging into company goals You probably already know a little more about the company after doing your homework. Here’s a look at the interview questions to ask to help you dig a little deeper and ensure your goals match with that of the company: What mission does the company have? How do other employees view the company and its management staff? What image do you want to create in the minds of your past, current, and future employees? Measuring the management style If you have a clear understanding of what is expected of employees and how they are managed, it’ll be easier to decide if the role is a match for you. Here’s what to ask: Are employees allowed to assist with goal setting? What is the company’s approach to measuring success? When are employees expected to provide updates on their progress to management? Are employees evaluated on their performance annually? Establishing opportunities for growth Obviously, we all want to grow in our careers, and it is essential to determine if this new position allows for growth. Here are some questions that’ll help you understand just how far this position can take you: Does the company provide training opportunities for its staff to enhance their skills and experience? Are there any advancement opportunities on the table? When it comes to promotions, what are the opportunities? Final Thoughts When preparing your interview questions to ask a hiring manager, keep in mind that the main goal is to determine if the role and company are a good match for your skills and experience. Ask the right questions so you appear enthusiastic and eager to start in the new role. Listen to the answers the interviewer gives you with intent. Quality leaders won’t be afraid to answer meaningful questions and provide potential candidates with the kind of information that’ll help them thrive in the role at hand.

April 29, 2021

Tolo Baby Musical Activity TV and Tolo Baby Rainbow Stacker

Tolo Baby is a gorgeous new range of gifting and baby toys that will not only entertain your little one, but educate and assist with development during play. Perfect for baby showers, these beautiful, simple toys bring a touch of class into your little ones life. The Musical Activity TV is perfect from newborn and can be placed in your baby’s crib at eye level to see the bright moving gadgets. The squeaks, rattles, moving dials and abacus create a fantastic way to interact with your little one. As they grow they can touch and use their motor skills to engage with animals and sounds. As they develop they will be able to wind up dials and play music all by themselves. The Rainbow Stacker cups are great from 6 months upwards. Show your infant how to stack the cups and have fun building them and knocking them over. The cups also float in the bath and baby can play by scooping them up and pouring water out. When slightly older the child can start using the cups to understand colour differentiation and word association. Also great for sandcastles at the beach. Beautiful soft colour palettes make Tolo Baby toys suitable for all baby nursery décor and genders. Tolo Baby is available at selected Kids Emporium stores, Takealot, Babanino, Clicks Baby Club, Hamleys and The Kid Zone.

April 28, 2021

Antenatal Advice: The secrets of sleep in pregnancy

Spoiler alert….A lifetime of being obsessed with sleep starts now!Whatever your stage of pregnancy, chances are your sleep has been somewhat interrupted. Be it nausea, restless legs, inexplicable temperature fluctuations, or night time baby disco, the obstacles to a good nights shut-eye can seem endless. To learn about how to put baby your baby safely to bed, you can sign up for our Free Baby Care Workshop, where our expert Midwife will give you all the information you need. You can book your place here. Here I’ll share my top tips, as a Midwife and mum, to getting the best night’s sleep possible. Smart hydration. Getting 2 litres of water every day is extra essential in pregnancy. Being well hydrated fends off dizziness and keeps the bowel happy, but night time wee trips are bound to disturb your sleep. The effects of hormones on the bladder in early pregnancy and the increased blood flow in later pregnancy mean the urinary system is in overdrive. Try to get your intake in earlier in the day, keeping fluids to a minimum from 2 hours before bed to reduce nocturnal loo trips. Whatever the time of year, pregnant women usually feel warmer than usual at night. This can cause night time disagreements with partners as the duvet is discarded and windows flung open. Try sleeping on top of your normal duvet with a light tog single duvet or sheet just for you, while your other half stays cosy. Lone sleepers have the luxury of kitting the bed out to suit them; try light layers that can be peeled off as required. Restless legs and cramps are common in pregnancy. Again, hydration in the day is crucial, and there is significant research to show that magnesium supplementation will aid in leg cramps and is safe in pregnancy. Most pregnancy multivitamins contain 40-50% of the recommended daily intake of magnesium, and additional dietary intake should also help in the form of foods like green leafy vegetables such as spinach, nuts and seeds and dark chocolate (yay) Invest in a maternity pillow. These need little explanation; just treat yourself! Supporting your bump, helping you get comfortable on your side (blood flow to baby is best on your left side due to the anatomy of your vascular system), which will double up as a breastfeeding pillow, even a baby nest when little one is just learning to sit up and needs some crash mats! If nausea is an issue for you, keeping a small snack by the bed will usually help. If you feel sick at night, an empty tummy makes matters worse. A plain biscuit or salty cracker to nibble on should settle the ill feeling. If nausea is new or is accompanied by pain or a temperature, get to your GP without delay. You could have a kidney infection—the joy. Insomnia in later pregnancy is very common, even when no obvious cause can be identified. You’ve done all your troubleshooting, and you’re still lying awake! Some say it’s mother nature preparing new Mums for night feeds. Whatever the cause, it’s exhausting. When many Mums are working until 38 weeks, switching to herbal tea like camomile is a good idea and has some relaxation tracks ready. Try not to get too stressed about not sleeping, and remember to talk to your Midwife or GP at your next antenatal visit if you feel you are sleep deprived; you may need some time off work. To learn more about sleep and a whole host of other topics, please join us at our Free Baby Care Workshop, where our Expert Midwife will talk through topics such as how to care for your baby’s cord, nails and how to put baby to sleep safely. You can book your free place here.

April 28, 2021

Disappearing Careers: What to do if your job vanishes!

According to Oxford Economics, disappearing careers is something we all need to pay attention to. Tens of millions of jobs are at risk of being lost to AI, particularly those in the manufacturing and service industries. Experts forecast that software, advanced robotics, and other tech will replace human employees with computerised counterparts that are speedier and cheaper. On top of the robots, disappearing careers will also be fast-tracked by economic downturns and outsourcing, creating unstable environments for workers across a wide range of industries. Could your livelihood be at stake? If that is the case, you’re probably less interested in the way than what actions you can take to prepare. The online job aggregator Adzuna gives us a look at what to do if your job is on the line. Tips for planning a new career #1 Make an income-generating plan Instead of searching for another full-time job, be on the lookout for ways to make money in the short term. If you’re a probable victim of disappearing jobs, this is even more important. To make money while you’re busy figuring out your longer-term plans, here are a few options you might want to consider: Temporary jobs – Seasonal or temporary jobs can fill a financial gap and help you stay active and relevant in the job market. Gig work – On-demand apps like Uber offer flexible employment opportunities for drivers, shoppers, babysitters, virtual assistants, and more. These jobs are typically easy to schedule around other jobs and responsibilities, making them ideal pocket fillers. #2 Upskill ASAP If your transferable skills and experience can’t help you bridge the gap between your current role and the impending AI takeover, improving your employability score might be the solution. Completing certificate programs can get you into other high-paying positions like web development. Typically, these programs take a few months to complete and cost significantly less than an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. #3 Craft a long-term plan It may make sense to go back to university and gain additional degrees or certifications. But you might also be able to develop new career skills on the job too. Whatever direction you take, it really pays to investigate your options and make time to build a new career path. Here’s what career-planning includes: Self-assessment: You need to have a solid understanding of your interests, aptitudes, and values to find the perfect new career. Online assessments like 123Test and Career Explorer are great tools that can give you a push in the right direction. Research: After you’ve come up with a list of possible occupations, you need to do your homework. You can search specific job titles on Adzuna to discover data pertaining to average salaries and where these jobs are geographically located. Exploration: Now is the time to leverage your network so you can learn more about what it’s like to do the jobs you have in mind. Get as much as possible information about the little-known truth about these jobs and insider tips to succeed in each of them. Get ready to grow! People between the ages of 18 and 52 change jobs about 12 times during their working lives. There are already hundreds of disappearing jobs, a problem created by the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, and during these turbulent economic times, it’s a safe bet that most of these are involuntary. To thrive (and not just make it to the other side), you must brace for sudden career shifts and a gradual change in requirements. The skills you use to do your job today might be obsolete tomorrow. Your safest bet is to keep upskilling and plan for a lifetime of growing and learning. Every career will eventually change, even if it doesn’t happen abruptly, so you need to be ready to change with yours!

April 26, 2021

How to ditch your device and go on a digital detox

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in many of us staying indoors for days, weeks, and even months on end. When we weren’t working online or joining an online class, we were binge-watching the latest series on Netflix, scrolling through social media, or playing online games. We have been spending most of our time staring at screens, but now might be a good time to take a break and consider a ‘digital detox’. Did you know? According to a study, South Africans spend an average of 8 hours and 25 minutes online each day. What is a digital detox? You have probably heard of a ‘detox’ diet – a specific diet in which people cut out certain foods, supposedly to cleanse the body. A digital detox works in much the same way and requires you to take a break from technology to cleanse your mind. Going on a digital detox requires you to abstain from, or limit the use of, devices and platforms such as: Cellphones Laptops TVs Gaming consoles Social media Benefits of a digital detox In our constantly connected world, embarking on a digital detox can have many benefits, including: Reducing stress Trying to keep up with a constant barrage of emails, text messages, and notifications can lead to increased stress. Taking a digital hiatus can help you relax a bit and reduce the constant pressure to be online and respond to others. Increasing attention span The persistent beeping of notifications can not only make you more stressed but can also distract you from the tasks you have to complete. A study has found that more time spent using digital devices was linked to increased symptoms of ADHD (although symptoms of ADHD does not necessarily mean an ADHD diagnosis). A digital detox can help you focus on the task at hand and not distract you with unimportant notifications. Also read: Might my child have ADHD Connecting with family and friends Putting away devices can help you be more present and give your full attention to family and friends. Studies suggest that the overuse of smartphones in social contexts can decrease the quality and quantity of social interactions. Even if you still need to resort to Skype or Zoom calls to connect with loved ones due to the coronavirus, you can make these moments count by focusing on one device or online platform at a time. If you are chatting with someone via video call on your laptop, don’t also scroll through Instagram on your phone at the same time. Focus on engaging with and really listening to the person with whom you are speaking. Getting more sleep Evidence suggests that children who use digital devices at bedtime have worse sleep quality and quantity than children who do not use a digital device before bed. A digital detox can allow you to channel all the hours spent in front of a screen towards healthier habits such as unwinding at the end of the day by taking a bath, reading a book, and getting enough sleep. Also read: Why sleep is important for better academic results Avoiding the comparison game Children, especially teenagers, who are becoming more aware and conscious of themselves and their peers are likely to start comparing themselves to the curated lives they see on social media. Comparison can ultimately lead to symptoms of poor mental health such as anxiety and depression. Taking a break from seeing the ‘picture-perfect’ lives of others can help you realise that social media is not always an accurate representation of people’s lives. Tips for embarking on a digital detox Now you know what some of the benefits of a digital detox are, you might be wondering how to start. Here are some tips on what to do when you are ready to ditch your digital devices (if only for a little while): Set realistic goals Make sure to set goals that are achievable. If you have to work online or attend online classes, going off the grid for a month might not be feasible. Instead, start small by logging out of social media for a few days or doing a mini-detox in the evenings by refraining from using your devices. Set limits If you cannot disconnect completely, setting limits on digital connections can positively affect your mental wellbeing. You can start by reducing the number of hours you spend on your laptop or social media. Plan fun activities around these hours to ensure that you look forward to putting your phone down. You can also block specific sites on your laptop or put your phone on airplane mode to ensure that you are not distracted by notifications. Remove pop-up messages If your social media notification settings alert you with on-screen messages or tones, you will likely check your apps whenever you get an alert. Start your digital detox by turning off push notifications on your phone and set a time limit, like 30 minutes a day, in which to catch up on what you’ve missed. Did you know? Research suggests that limiting your social media use to approximately 30 minutes per day can significantly improve your wellbeing. Choose your detox A digital detox can look different for everyone – you can decide what type of digital detox you want to do. Verywell Mind provides some ideas below: A digital break: avoiding all technological devices for a short period of time, such as a day or a week. A device-free day: avoiding all digital devices for one day of the week, e.g. going device-free every Tuesday. A specific detox: restricting access to a particular app or game. A social media detox: restricting or eliminating social media for a set period of time. Detox at specific times Promote enjoying screen time only when real-life chores are done. Reward your child or yourself with an hour of screen time after chores have been completed. Remember to avoid screens close to bedtime. Also read: Parents, here’s how screen time can work in your favour While

April 23, 2021

Are our children spreading the Coronavirus?

While there are widespread reports that children experience milder symptoms and suffer fewer complications from the coronavirus than adults, paediatricians are warning that the issue is much bigger than previously thought. “It seems that the number of children infected with the virus in South Africa is higher than what we believe it is. While it is true that children do not seem to be as adversely affected as adults by the virus, we are seeing a large number of children who are asymptomatic, and this is worrying because they could be spreading the virus,” cautions Dr Iqbal Karbanee, paediatrician and CEO of Paed-IQ BabyLine,a trusted telephonic medical advice service for the first 1000 days of a child’s life, starting from conception to birth and beyond. Data suggests that children under the age of 18 years represent about 8.5% of reported cases, with relatively few deaths compared to other age groups. News reports are now suggesting that children may also be more susceptible to the new strains of the virus, without serious consequences. However, there is very limited data available on the number of children who are asymptomatic. “This is why it is important for children to practice social distancing and hand-washing, even if they do not appear ill, as they can pass the disease on to family members, or others,” says Karbanee. People aged 60 and older or with existing health conditions remain the most vulnerable to the coronavirus. That includes people with conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease and chronic respiratory conditions. Dr Karbanee says that there have also been few pregnant women who have had complications as a result of the virus, and those who have had the virus have gone to have babies who have been fine. But should pregnant women consider getting the vaccine? “If you are a high risk patient and pregnant, I urge you to consider taking the vaccine, provided that you have discussed it with your doctor,” says Dr Karbanee, adding that high risk includes being overweight, being diabetic or having a lung disease. He says that, given the risk of complications from COVID-19 should a mom-to-be a high risk patient, the vaccine offers a relatively safe guard against the Coronavirus. “The vaccine is not a live virus-based vaccine, unlike the Polio vaccine for example. This vaccine is made from a protein extract from the virus, which, when you get exposure to it, lowers your risk of getting extreme symptoms. There have been very few side effects recorded by those who have taken the vaccine.” Karbanee says that each case should be seen on its individual merits and if pregnant women are concerned, they should discuss their worries and the possibility of getting the vaccine, with their doctor and medical team.

April 22, 2021

Caring for your baby: A baby bath

My hubby Steve used to take the lead on the baby baths… I was breastfeeding, so it was an excellent little opportunity for him to have a little 1:1 time with the guys when they were small. Initially, it was, of course, a bit’ fingers and thumbsy’ for him as newborn babies can seem so small and delicate; however, about 2 or 3 baths in, he was a pro. Parents-to-be generally have so many questions about bathing a newborn baby e.g.: How often? What temperature? Should I use a product in the bath?Let me talk you through a simple step by step… and we will do the full demo as always in our Free Baby Care Workshop, which you can book here. Step 1Grab everything you need: Have everything you need ready to rock before you even think about picking up your baby. You will need a baby bath (or the good old fashioned sink while baby is still small enough), 2 x soft towels, a handful of cotton wool pads, a sponge or cloth, 1 x fresh outfit (a vest and a Babygro +/- a cardigan depending on the weather), 2 x fresh nappies (always good to have a spare) and you are good to go. Step 2 Filling up the bath: If you are bathing the baby yourself, I would suggest you use the sink or fill the bath slowly, filling and re-filling a jug of water… as we don’t want new Moms lifting anything too heavy (like a bath full of water) for the first six weeks. Correct water temperature is 37’C…. The baby has been soaking in a bath of body temperature amniotic fluid for the past nine months, so 37’C is ideal and very familiar for your baby!! Step 3 Face and Hair: We bathe babies in sections for a couple of reasons, firstly it’s easier for the person washing the baby and secondly, we feel they won’t lose as much heat. How do we do this? We undress baby, leaving just the nappy on, and we wrap baby up in a lovely soft towel… almost like a swaddle. We lift baby up, supporting the nape of his neck with one hand, and his body (which is wrapped up in the towel) is tucked between the elbow of the same hand and your hip… see picture. We then use plain water from the bath and a cloth or a cotton wool pad to wash baby’s face and then hair. We try to avoid any shampoo/product for the first 4-6 weeks to give your baby’s delicate skin a chance to adjust. Step 4 Baby’s Body: Once baby’s hair has been towel-dried, we take baby out of the towel, taking off the nappy and slowly lower baby’s body into the bath (holding baby securely-see pic). Babies don’t like surprises, so be mindful of this being slow and gentle and chatting to baby all the time. Use a sponge or cloth to wash baby down, and then leaning baby forward, you could do the back and bum. Dry baby well using a soft towel, then remove baby from the damp towel you just dried him with, wrap him in a nice dry towel and give him a big snuggle to let him know we are all done.And that’s it… all done. Generally, we spend more time prepping and cleaning up after the bath than the actual bath itself. And we recommend in the early days to just bath them once a week. You are welcome to sign up for our FREE Baby Care Workshop, where you will see our Expert Midwife bathe a baby, plus talk through a whole host of informative topics about caring for baby. Click here to book your free place.

April 21, 2021

A comprehensive approach to mental health is a no-brainer for student residences

With more than 30% of university students confirming that they had experienced a common mental disorder in the preceding 12 months, with 20% having experienced common generalised anxiety disorder, it’s clear that academic institutions and student residences must place a priority on students’ mental health. Furthermore, nearly three quarters of UCT students said cited mental ill-health such as anxiety and depression being their greatest challenge during the COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020, followed by disconnection from peers and lecturers, and a lack of quiet places in which to study. Students’ mental health in the COVID-19 environment has been further impacted by loss of income in their families due to job losses, grief after deaths among those dearest to them, and academic pressure with the move to online learning. Concerns about family safety and wellbeing also impact students’ mental health, with many NSFAS-funded students sharing their NSFAS meal allowances with their families, leaving the students hungry and destitute, with heightened anxiety or depression. The risk is even higher for students in historically excluded and marginalised sectors of the population, particularly women, those of atypical sexual orientation, and disabled people. “Students turn to formal structures like residences for senses of structure and support, and from the collegial learning environment that offers the reassurance of time spent with others that have similar goals and objectives,” says Millet Nkanyane, ResLife manager at Respublica Student Living. “We have noticed an increased need for psychosocial support among our students, who have had to deal with the complexities of online learning, family stress and trauma as a result of the pandemic and its impacts, all in addition to navigating their way through the challenges of tertiary education.” Nkanyane has been forging new paths in student support with Respublica’s ResLife programme at its 10 purpose-built residences in Johannesburg, Midrand, Pretoria, Bloemfontein and Cape Town for six years, and emphasises that student accommodation must offer so much more to students than a roof over their heads – particularly in the current challenging environment. “Parents and funders should choose a student residence that gives students everything that they need to be able to focus on their lectures and assignments – particularly first-years who away from home for the first time ever,” she says. “The current environment also makes it essential to offer specialised COVID-19 wellness support, whether it’s to support students who have contracted the virus, or to help detect mental illness and in turn to support those students too.” Furthermore, students must have access to quiet study spaces, unlimited internet access, and sufficient facilities to prepare their own food – or to buy it, if needed. A residence that has uninterrupted power provided by on-site generators in the event of load-shedding, also helps reduce students’ stress. “A strong ResLife programme will also help students learn positive ways of coping with the complexities of student life, whether it’s figuring out how to make new friends in a socially distanced environment, or knowing that they have someone to turn to if they are struggling with mental health,” Nkanyane adds. She adds more senior students can be very effective mentors to their younger counterparts, if trained properly, and that support from the likes of the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) is essential to the success of any student support programme.

April 20, 2021

Tolo Baby Gripper Rattle, Tolo Baby Triangle Rattle and Tolo Baby Abacus Rattle

Tolo Baby is a gorgeous new range of gifting and baby toys that will not only entertain your little one, but educate and assist with development during play. Perfect for baby showers, these beautiful, simple toys bring a touch of class into your little ones life. Tolo Baby has a stunning selection of rattles to assist in early motor development. Gripper Rattle – Let baby watch the sherbet coloured beads cascade from one end of the rattle to the other – a colourful, easy-grasp rattle. Triangle Rattle – Let baby have great fun exploring this beautiful rattle. Easy-grasp from as young as 3 months. Lots of noisy fun. Abacus rattle – Encourage gripping and shaking and moving the abacus pieces side to side from as young as 3 months. Spin the pieces and get their motor skills working. Encourage lots of free play and noise with the simple, yet effective development of a rattle. Beautiful soft colour palettes make Tolo Baby toys suitable for all baby nursery décor and genders. Tolo Baby is available at selected Kids Emporium stores, Takealot, Babanino, Clicks Baby Club, Hamleys and The Kid Zone.

April 19, 2021

How to start the 2021 school year with confidence

The new academic year has begun and, after a year like 2020, it’s no wonder stress levels are already high and confidence in the 2021 school year launching without a hitch is low. As learners, you’ll need to stay flexible in your outlook. “It is more important than ever to start your school year on a confident note and, although confidence does not come easy to everyone, these tips from our team at The Answer Series (TAS) should help learners to start the school year feeling more confident, in control and ready to take on any unexpected outcomes,” says George Eadie, CEO of TAS. Let’s dive straight into 7 ways to start the 2021 academic year with confidence. 1. Feel positive, think positive, act positive, be positive Set an intention for 2021 to be the year you adopt a positive mindset – or at least work on being mindful about any negative thoughts that, if left unmonitored, can start shaping how you feel and even who you think you are. 2. Be prepared for 2021 You cannot control how the academic year will take shape, but you can control how you behave, react and take responsibility for your learning. Have regular contact with your teachers and classmates about academic material and use study guides that are proven and trusted like The Answer Series. These sorts of comprehensive study guides will take the pressure off whilst you move between physical learning in the classroom and remote learning at home. 3. There’s nothing like a good friend Lean on your good friends for support and schedule time to check in with them too. Be a good friend by being real, honest, kind, and dependable, and don’t be shy to ask your friends for help if you feel anxious. Watch out for the warning signs of early depression and anxiety in your friends too, and act with care and compassion if you notice that they are struggling. 4. Forget about mistakes made in the past Everyone makes mistakes in life – it’s only human. Remember that you will not be able to please everyone. Of course, set high expectations for yourself and always do your best, but remember that half the road to success is failing and learning to bounce back from adversity. Learn from your mistakes and move on. 5. Don’t sweat the small stuff Ask yourself if what you are stressing over will matter tomorrow, next week or a month from now. If the answer is ‘no’ or even ‘maybe’, leave it behind you. If the answer is ‘yes’, set short-term and long-term milestones that are attainable and realistic to achieve within the time period you have set out for yourself. And remember, if you’re worried about your studies, additional textbooks, online resources and study guides from TAS are a great way to stay on top of your work, whether at home or in the classroom. 6. Face your fears It is natural that the uncertainty of the year ahead might instil fear in you. Remember that to be afraid of something is a state of mind. Every time you confront a fear you change that state of mind and, in the process, you gain courage and confidence. Control what you can. Ask your teachers for a breakdown of the term’s work and create a weekly study timetable as if you were studying for exams but adjust it to homework and day to day learning. 7. Dress for success Jenny Campbell, a mathematics author at TAS, suggests that teachers focus on looking after themselves, so they can continue to support their learners. Campbell said: “To function optimally at school and after school you need to ensure that you look after yourself by eating well, sleeping well, getting some form of exercise, switching your mind off school for a part of the day, and having me-time.” Learners can do the same. If you feel healthy and well kept, you will feel more confident and will in turn attract the same energy. Eat healthily, create an exercise routine – and make sure you stick to it – and put effort into how you look when you get ready for school. Remind yourself often: The most beautiful thing you can wear is confidence.

April 19, 2021

Data professionals in high demand: Here are the best roles to consider!

As more companies attempt to make sense of their recently digitized business models and tap into digital revenue opportunities, the demand for data-related skills continues to grow. The Internet of Things is currently only generating a minutia of the data volumes it can generate, indicating no immediate drop in the demand for data professionals. As corporations and small businesses start focusing on the potential of data analytics, a plethora of opportunities is opening up to individuals with data science and related IT skills. If you’re looking for a career with potential and plenty of opportunities for growth, data and analytics are definitely some of the best options at the moment. The World Economic Forum’s The Future of Jobs Report 2020 rates data analysts, AI and ML specialists, and Big Data specialists as the top three jobs most likely to see a sustainable increase in demand over the next couple of years. But data and analytics cover a broad spectrum of roles. So, what exactly are your options as a data professional? Adzuna, an online job aggregator, identified five of the best career avenues that individuals with data skills might want to pursue! Top career opportunities for data professionals #1 Data Scientist Average salary: R690,000 per year Positions available: 487 Data scientists create the framework that data analysts use to examine and analyse data. They implement statistical models and algorithms, run data tests and experiments, develop data products, and optimise frameworks to analyse data better in order to reach the most accurate business conclusion. To land a role as a data scientist, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in math, science, engineering, or related fields, but most companies prefer hiring talent with advanced degrees. #2 Machine Learning Engineer Average salary: R510,000 per year Positions available: 110 ML engineers are responsible for creating algorithms, models, systems, and frameworks that facilitate machine learning. They also transform models built by data scientists into code that can be used in production. If you are fluent in programming languages such as Java and Python and have a bachelor’s or advanced degree in math, statistics, computer science, or related fields, this might be an ideal career for you. #3 Data Analyst Average salary: R530,000 per year Positions available: 369 Data analysts are data professionals responsible for gathering and organising large sets of data. After collecting this data, they analyse it and use their findings to draw business conclusions such as cost-cutting solutions. These individuals are also in charge of managing everything related to data, including reporting and incoming data accuracy. To get your foot in this door, you’ll need at least a bachelor’s degree in an analytics field such as computer science, finance, statistics, or math. #4 Data Architect Average salary: R740,000 per year Positions available: 150 In the same way architects design physical structures, data architects are responsible for creating the structures companies need to collect, organise, analyse, and use data. Data architects translate business objectives into a data management framework after they have designed the framework and then define how data flows through it. They also work hand-in-hand with other engineers to implement the framework across the company. In general, you need a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering or computer science if you want to pursue a career in data architecture. Still, employers are more likely to hire talent with advanced degrees. #5 Marketing Analyst Average salary: R620,000 per year Positions available: 86 Marketing analysts assist companies in better understanding their market and customers in general. These professionals use data sets related to a business’s target audience and develop strategies to help organisations connect with their new customers on a deeper level. Marketing analysts also present their analysis findings to other departments across the business, which means they need to translate their data into reports, charts, and other useful materials that different teams within the company can use. A bachelor’s degree is typically required to get into marketing analysis, but your background can be from various majors, including marketing, economics, business, statistics, math, and even psychology. Final Thoughts There are opportunities galore for skilled data professionals, but the most significant task is finding a career path under this umbrella that suits your skills, experience, and career goals. With the five opportunities mentioned in this post, we’ve just touched the tip of the job iceberg when it comes to data and analytics roles. Over to you…start browsing Adzuna’s listings today to find and apply for your dream data job!

April 16, 2021

Benefits of playing games with kids

Children of all ages learn through engaging with many different forms of media, including games. Games include board games, video games, and even online games, despite what you may have heard! Playing games help children develop many core skills like mathematical or language skills, social skills and healthy interaction, and logic and problem-solving skills. We all know playing is fundamental for young children’s development, but this is true for pre-teens and adolescents, too! Of course, the type of games children play at different ages will differ depending on their cognitive ability and interests. Still, play and games remain fundamental for a child’s development regardless of their age. Infants: 0 – 18 months Babies respond to visual and audio stimuli, including bright colours, movement, and sounds. Consequently, they respond best to singing and other music, holding and playing with bright toys, and looking at colourful pictures. Games recommended for this age group include: ‘peek-a-boo’ (visual stimulation), and singing rhymes and songs (auditory stimulation). Imitate the noises your baby makes to engage in a ‘conversation’ and let them crawl to discover their world. Of course, at this age, the parent or caretaker is doing most of the playing! Toddlers: 18 months – 3 years Children of these ages can usually talk and move by themselves to some degree, meaning the complexity of games caregivers can play with them increases a bit. Toddlers love exploring their physical environment, so touch becomes a big factor in how they learn. They also begin using their imagination and combine their cognitive skills with their knowledge of the external world to create a world of their own. Caregivers can encourage children’s use of their imagination by pretending to drink out of an empty cup or offering toys that enable pretend play. Read to them and develop games based on stories. At this age, recommended games include: building blocks and stacking toys, easy puzzles, and basic art and crafts activities like finger painting. Pre-schoolers: 3 – 6 years By now, children are starting to socialise with each other a lot more, so they need to start developing their social skills. Many children of this age play fantasy games with one another, like ‘cops and robbers’. This kind of ‘pretend play’ is highly recommended for this age group as it allows them to develop: muscle coordination, fine motor skills, language skills, and cooperation skills. Story time remains important – read your child a story and ask them questions about the plot and characters. Because they can now read and write to a certain degree, even simple card games like ‘snap’ are recommended. Other recommended games include incorporating objects like balls in games such as ‘catch’. Read more: Raising Readers: Tips for Parents Middle childhood: 6 – 12 years At this age, children are increasingly verbal and literate and can communicate with one another and adults. They interact with each other to a much greater degree, and their interests become more pronounced. By this stage, many children have started playing online and video games. While these certainly have their benefits, children must continue to play with one another outside of more formal activities like sports and cultural pursuits. It is recommended that caregivers continue to facilitate play among children indoors and outdoors, like playing ‘dress-up’ and hide-and-seek. It is also recommended that children now begin playing more mentally challenging games such as: more advanced puzzles, chess and other board games, and slightly more difficult card games like ‘go fish’. Arts and crafts continue to be encouraged. Read more: Video games: good, bad, or both? Teenagers: 12 – 18 years We all know teen years are difficult ones. Teenagers face many obstacles like changing bodies and moods and discovering who they are as independent and autonomous beings. Many teens can become reclusive or even self-isolate due to bullying, so it’s important to encourage them – very gently – to continue socialising with other teens who are kind and caring. Recommended games for teens now veer from traditional games to: sports, cultural activities, and social events like music concerts and parties. Teens are also encouraged to join clubs that align with their interests, like debate or ‘glee’ club, or outdoor adventures like hikes or rock-climbing if that is more to their taste. Remember, every child is different – nurture their passions through the activities in which they engage. By Jacqui Smit Sources: ACTP Southern Africa manual; healthychildren.org

April 16, 2021

The Parent Guilt Trap

You are not alone! I’m one of those parents who subscribe to just about every newsletter that pertains to my daughter’s development. This might seem a teeny tiny bit of an obsession, especially for someone who used to teach preschool kids, yet for me the world is always changing and with new studies being published I often find it useful to be in the know. However, in the past few weeks I have noticed an influx of “mommy guilt” articles being published and observed that many of these articles didn’t contain stories of shared experiences. Sure, they had the facts, but the reality is that every parent has had some form of guilt during their child’s life, and I wondered what those stories entailed. Enter the wonderful world of WhatsApp. I decided to send out a short, simple and sweet message to a few moms who would be interested in helping me with their personal stories of mommy guilt. I decided to also message a few dads as it wasn’t just the moms who were feeling this. Truth be told I wasn’t expecting a big response; maybe two experiences, perhaps three at a push. What followed was not only overwhelming, it was alarming! Real parents, real stories Shann: “It’s a constant emotional rollercoaster. Are you doing too much and stunting their independence or are you not doing enough and creating problems further down the line where they will constantly seek attention? But what is too much and what is not enough? Does anyone actually know? Like is there a guide out there or someone to tell us the exact amount of time so that you can find the balance? The crazy balancing act is like juggling chainsaws on a tightrope. The guilt seeps in at night when they are asleep and the questions start… did I play with them enough? Was I present enough? Was my attention intentional or could I have made more of an effort? Did I step in too soon and rob him of the chance to learn on his own or did I let him struggle too much? Is he eating enough? Is he eating too much? Am I instilling the right values? Check myself – am I too strict, am I not strict enough? AAAGH. I can’t shut down and the anxiety is now full throttle… could I be better? Probably. Am I trying the best I can? Definitely. By God’s grace and constant support I can turn off the comment section in my brain and rest knowing I still have tomorrow and the next day. That today’s exercise will be tomorrow’s lessons and I know they know how much I love them. I tell them consistently and show them continuously even through the sh*t shows. It’s not easy. Nothing ever worthwhile ever is and nothing prepares you for mom guilt. Nothing.” *Bethany: “I’ve been sick this week – just a cold, but also my body’s way of telling me to get some rest. My daughter – being a typical 3 year old – was being indecisive about needing to use the toilet and I just snapped. I cannot tell you how groggy, I was feeling that day. I snapped! I yelled at her like a banshee and she pee’d her pants. Right next to the toilet and stood there in tears and being all apologetic and I felt enormous amounts of guilt because I’d made her feel so bad because I couldn’t control my emotions. I feel so much guilt for working because I’m taking away time from my kids, and feeling guilty when I’m with my kids because my clients need my help, not to mention feeling guilty when I take time out to spend on me, because yet again, I’m not with my kids or helping my clients.” *Trevor: “I used to work night-shift at my previous job and as December leave was approaching and with our 1 year old son sleeping through the night I told my wife to go have a night out with her girlfriends. About an hour after she had left our son woke up and was inconsolable. As much as I tried I couldn’t soothe him and the guilt ripped through me that I was unable to – he didn’t know me at night time and I didn’t know what he needed, worse is after two hours of constant crying I called my wife and within seconds of her picking him up, he was calm once more. I was determined more than ever to find a job that paid the same, but didn’t require night-shift.” *Tanya: “My worst mom guilts to date have been cutting my kids nails and accidentally cutting the top skin off the thumb too. My other one was when my daughter was about 2 years old, I’d drop her at school and she’d scream ‘Mommy save me, don’t leave me!’ so loud that most of the other kids would start crying too. I spent months worrying that she was too young and I should rather keep her at home… it was awful and it riddled me with guilt for ‘abandoning’ her every day!” *Daphne: “Just before my son was 3 months old, he was diagnosed with infantile spasms and he needed to be admitted to hospital for 5 days which would include testing and treatment. Upon admissions we discovered our medical plan wouldn’t cover the procedure. What I had thought was medical aid was instead medical insurance and they wouldn’t cover any costs going forward. I remember yelling at myself ‘What have I done? How could I have been so stupid and not get a proper medical aid? I’ve cost my baby his life 3 years before he was born. He won’t get the tests and treatments that are needed and he will be developmentally delayed for the rest of his life with special needs because I was trying to save some money on medical. The guilt was suffocating. This was my

April 15, 2021

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