Advice from the experts
Parenting Hub

Six unexpected causes of dry hair

Has your hair become unexplainably dry and brittle? It’s common for all hair types to experience dryness from time to time, but the root cause isn’t always obvious.  We often blame our dry hair on the elements, and while it’s true that exposure to icy weather, wind or the sun may lead to dryness, there are numerous other (lesser-known!) factors that come into play.  Here are six somewhat unexpected reasons why your hair may be dry: Excessive hair washing While it’s important to maintain good hair hygiene, over-washing your hair could do more damage than good. Shampooing too frequently could strip your hair and scalp of its natural oils, leaving it dry, dull and lacklustre. Try to wash your hair when it is necessary, rather than falling into a habit of washing it every day. Every second or third day should do the trick. If you have curly hair, try to wash it no more than once or twice a week, as curly hair tends to get dry more easily. If you simply can’t wait two or three days in between washes, we recommend using a gentle sulphate-free shampoo that won’t strip your hair of its natural oils, like Renpure’s Tea Tree & Lemon Sage Refreshing Moisture Shampoo (R149.95). Want to push it one more day? Dry shampoo is your new best friend. Try COLAB’S number one, the Original Dry Shampoo (R79.95).   Excessive hair brushing Yes, there is such a thing as brushing your hair too often. Excessive brushing can rough up the surface of the hair, increase static and leave it distressed. Try to brush your hair as little as possible and use a good quality comb or special detangling brush to get rid of knots as quickly and easily as possible. We recommend the Wet Brush Original Detangler (R149.00). Too much heat We’re often told that hot water dries out the skin, but did you know that the same applies to your hair? Exposure to heat may dry out the hair, so it’s best to rinse your hair with lukewarm water. Or better yet – if you can handle it – rinse your hair with cold water to smoothe the surface of each strand, leaving it soft and shiny.  Another thing to keep an eye on is the heat setting on your styling tools. Always try to use your hairdryer, curler and straightener on the lowest heat setting possible. Most importantly, always use a heat protector spray, which will coat the hair and protect it from drying out. We recommend the OGX® Brazilian Keratin Therapy Flat Iron Spray. Towel-drying One of the biggest mistakes we make after washing our hair is to vigorously towel-dry it. This friction can cause major damage to wet strands, and has even been linked to hair loss and breakage. Instead of rubbing, gently pat your hair dry instead. If possible, invest in a microfiber towel as cotton towels are particularly harsh on wet hair. Your products are wrong for your hair type Sometimes we select hair care products with good intentions, but for the wrong reasons. A new ingredient might be the latest craze, but if it’s not suited to your hair needs, it can lead to dryness. When selecting shampoo and conditioner for dry hair, read the label carefully. Look for nourishing ingredients like argan oil, coconut oil and avocado oil. Stick to the same brand and product range rather than mixing and matching. This ensures your shampoo, conditioner and mask work together, and that there aren’t competing ingredients wreaking havoc on your hair.  Try: Marc Anthony’s new Hydra Lock Shampoo (R149.95) and Conditioner (R149.95) contains jojoba oil and quinoa protein to give dry hair a burst of hydration, while locking in moisture.  Hydrate and replenish dry hair with Renpure’s Coconut & Vitamin E Shampoo (R149.95) and Conditioner (R149.95).  Revive and restore your hair with HASK Argan Oil from Morocco Repairing Shampoo (R169.95). Infused with organic argan oil, this shampoo helps to repair breakage and smooth split ends.  Drench dry damaged strands with OGX’s Coconut Miracle Oil Conditioner (R199.95). This ultra-rich repairing blend with coconut oil, essence of tiare and vanilla bean extract helps to repair, soften and revive strands. You haven’t tried a leave-in moisturiser, conditioner or oil If you condition your hair after shampooing, you might skip the third step of applying a leave-in conditioner or hair oil. Whilst not a necessity, applying a leave-in product is a sure way of giving your hair a moisture boost. Hair oils are versatile – they can be applied to damp hair after washing, or to dry hair whenever desired. In addition to adding moisture, they can also be used to smooth flyaways and to set a style.  We recommend: Marc Anthony Nourishing Argan Oil of Morocco Dry Styling Oil (R169.95). This fast-absorbing mist hydrates hair while correcting damage, split ends and dullness.  OGX’s Coconut Miracle Penetrating Oil (R189.95) helps revive your senses and your strands. This rich oil helps to calm frizz and tame flyaways, leaving hair silky soft and shiny.

November 20, 2020
Impaq

A parent’s role in exam prep: the do’s and don’ts

I think we all agree that this year has been the most challenging yet for our children, especially when it comes to their education. It doesn’t matter what grade they are in; they have lost out on so much including socialising, sports and other fun activities. Learning has also been a whole new experience for them from online classes to an entirely different study schedule. Some children have thrived with the homeschooling experience, but most have found it difficult and stressful (not to mention parents of young children who have been ready to tear their hair out juggling their own work with their children’s). Furthermore, studies have shown that there has been a marked increase in learner’s anxiety and depression levels this year – it’s no surprise! So when it comes to examination preparation, what is the best way to help our children succeed especially if our child is in matric with more pressure and expectation than ever? Here are some do’s and don’ts: Don’t nag Ask any learner what they hate the most about their interaction with their parents during the examination period, and they will probably say the non-stop nagging of their parents to get on with studies. They know what they have to do and are well aware of it – so the nagging just increases pressure and creates more anxiety. Our nagging is because as parents, we are feeling anxious and we feel better when we are nagging. So what is the solution to this unproductive cycle? Firstly, we need to talk to our children and ask them the following questions: How do you feel about the workload? Which subjects do you find easy to understand? Which subject do you find more challenging? The questions should be asked in a curious way; your child should not feel like they are being interrogated. The message your child needs to hear is that you care about how they are dealing with their examination preparation.  Also read: Smart study hacks for the exams Do help them reflect Asking your child the questions listed above will also help them to reflect on things they may not have thought about and give them insight into their work preparation. Children like to feel that you are interested in them and what is on their mind. Asking them questions works much better than lecturing them. In this way, we can ask them what help and support we can offer and what would work for them, instead of us putting our needs and anxieties onto our children.  Do a reality check Another great way of assessing where our children are at is by doing some reality testing with them. This is especially helpful for a child who is less conscientious or diligent. For example, as my client’s son, who is in Grade 10, said while doing no examination preparation at all: “School is a waste of time and one day I’m going to own my own business and have people work for me”.  Reality testing is vital to talk them through the steps needed to own this business one day, starting from school, to university/tech/college, and so on. While they may feel that school is a waste of time, there is no choice in having to do it to get to the next rung on the ladder. An attitudinal change must take place. Don’t wait for motivation One of the other ways that I try to motivate my very demotivated child is by explaining that she is never going to feel like doing the work. So she has to stop waiting for that magical feeling to come as it just leads to further procrastination and ultimately, anxiety.  Instead, she needs to make the decision minute by minute and hour by hour that she is going to work, and that’s it. This manages to bring a halt to procrastination, faffing and all the other negative behaviours she indulges in around studying. Do create a conducive study environment Creating a conducive environment for our children to study is also essential. Some students prefer to learn in a quiet room, with a clear desk and all available stationery in sight. Others prefer to sit on the floor with music on, and their notes spread all around (most parent’s idea of chaos). Again, what is important is getting our child’s input as to what works best for them as opposed to dictating what we think is best. Also read: Homeschooling: the importance of having a dedicated study space Do find your child’s most effective study style Asking our children if they know what they need to do for the information to sink in and for them to understand it also helps them to reflect on what is the most effective study style for them.  It has been shown that interactive learning is one of the best ways for students to absorb information. This can be achieved by teaching the work to others and pretending to teach it using a whiteboard. As parents, we can set quizzes and questions for our children as this interaction with the work is one of the best ways for them to test their knowledge and understanding. At the end of the day, all they want is our compassion, support and understanding to make their examination preparation experiences as conducive to their learning as possible. by Lorian Phillips 

November 20, 2020
JOMAR Baby

5 Care ingredients that are perfect for your baby’s skin

Your little one’s delicate skin needs a lot of pampering when it comes to body care products. More sensitive, porous, dryer and more vulnerable to infections than adult skin, your baby’s skin needs body creams and washes that are safe and kind to their soft skin. As parents, we understand all too well how important it is to only use skincare products with the right ingredients. We carefully consider every ingredient that goes into the products we might purchase to care for our babies skin. High on our agenda are ingredients that gently cleanse, soothe, nourish and protect the delicate skin of our little ones, each product is suitable for all skin conditions, even for sensitive or irritated skin.   So, which ingredients should we be looking for? The answer is simple: ingredients that include moisturising complexes, vitamins, antioxidants, essential oils, botanical oils and butters, all sourced from nature!  We chatted to the team at JOMAR, a natural skincare range for moms, babies and toddlers, about five favourite care ingredients that are perfect for babies’ skin. Have a look below: 1. Coconut oil  Used for anything from substituting traditional cooking oil to hair and skincare, coconut oil has been a favourite staple in many people’s pantries. However, as an ingredient in body care products for babies, it provides so many benefits that your baby will love. Coconut oil is packed with vitamins and healthy fats, not to mention anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory and moisturising benefits.   It is also gentle on baby’s skin and safe to use as is or in a product formulation to treat common baby skin conditions such as dry skin, skin irritations, eczema and cradle cap. 2. Marula oil Sourced from the famous Marula tree that is inherent to Southern Africa, Marula oil is an amazing ingredient in body care products. This popular ingredient has been used for centuries to treat or alleviate several health conditions.  As a baby body care product, its high Vitamin E content, antioxidants and essential fatty acids help to gently soften your little ones’ skin and lock in natural moisture.  3. Shea butter It’s no secret: your baby’s skin loves Shea butter with its anti-inflammatory and healing properties! Its high concentrations of fatty acids and vitamins nourish and soften baby’s skin, keeps moisture in and ensures that less water is lost by helping to form a barrier on the skin’s surface.   4. Rooibos A true South African favourite, rooibos as a skincare ingredient for your baby is filled with antioxidants and repairs your little one’s skin as it soothes. Conditions such as eczema, allergies and dryness benefit from rooibos’ vitamin D and zinc ingredients that promote healthy skin. 5. Lavender oil Certainly one of the most calming scents that babies and moms love, lavender is a beautiful skincare product. It can help to relax a fussy baby and even encourage sleep. Lavender can also be used to treat insect bites, skin rashes and alleviate the symptoms of colic. Baby-friendly from start to finish With these 5 key ingredients in mind, you will be able to provide your baby with the best skincare. Together with these recommendations, choose products that are free from harmful chemicals, parabens, lead, petrolatum and sulphates. Your baby will love the care these products provide, from morning to bath time! To find out more about JOMAR’s baby friendly-range, visit their website here.

November 20, 2020
Parenting Hub

How to job hunt via social media

By now, you probably know all about how your LinkedIn profile can work for or against you when it comes to job hunting. But even though we refer to it as “social media”, your Facebook profile can also help improve your career prospects.  If you’re keen on making lasting connections with like-minded professionals in your industry, finding new opportunities, or promoting yourself to a “guru” in your field, here’s some much-needed advice! Job hunt via social media using these tactics! Always keep things fresh and updated Just like ensuring your CV stays up to date, all your online profiles need to be kept up to date too. If they all say different things and look uncoordinated, it’ll make you look disorganised. Every online profile needs a professional-looking profile photo too. You want your profile pic to send out the right signals about you, so that photo where you had one too many at the family get together simply won’t cut it. There’s no excuse for having an off-putting profile picture. Unless you’re not worried about scaring away potential employers or possible new connections.  Show off your skills Go ahead and highlight your skills and achievements. If you’re set on perfecting the art of social media job hunting, you need to ensure that your profiles are relevant and engaging. Old stories and clichés will only damage your efforts.  Blog about it If you’ve got something interesting to say, why not put some fresh content out there in the form of a blog from a personal website? Keep the content relevant to your field of expertise and focus on reader interests. Who knows? Your blog post might just act as an advert to show potential employers you know what you’re talking about. You might even get your foot in the door for a position that hasn’t even been advertised yet.  Build connections LinkedIn is the most prominent social media channel to use for finding a new job. But it doesn’t have to stop at there. Link to your other social media profiles and websites from your LinkedIn profile to start attracting like-minded readers and generate interest from potential employers. If you’re aiming to get involved in a particular industry, reach out to influencers in that field and try to connect with them.  Get back in the Twitter game It might feel like Twitter is a little outdated. But it is still one of the best ways to connect with others and instigate conversations. Start by following the companies you’d like to work for. Make sure you keep an eye out for Tweets regarding upcoming opportunities. You can also do a keyword search to find out if anyone is looking to hire. Businesses often advertise their offers on Twitter.  Final thoughts Job hunting via social media can be one of the most effective ways to pave your way to career success. But it requires some planning and a killer online presence. While you wait for your network to grow and opportunities to surface, you can also browse through Adzuna’s listings. The online job aggregator advertises all the online vacancies in one place, eliminating the need to hop back and forth between one website and the other!

November 19, 2020
Characterful

ABCs and… Me?

The ABCs are the start of learning our language, and the way we communicate and speak with each other. Teaching our children how to use these letters can seem difficult, and for them it can be a daunting task.  The key when teaching ABCs to your child is to use their curiosity as a building block for learning it. Start small with identifying the first letter of their name: “A is for Andy”. This brings in a level of excitement and your child will love pointing out the letters of friends and family names too.  Using tools such as the first letter of loved ones’ names, letter toys such as letter crayons, letter magnets, and letter building blocks, all help keep the alphabet at the forefront of your child’s mind. The building block of language The ABCs are the first thing we learn when discovering how to read and write, and each letter corresponds to multiple sounds whether it’s the ‘p’ in ‘hop’ or ‘peer’, or the ‘c’ in ‘silence’ or ‘cackle’.  It can be overwhelming when learning how to use these tricky, vital blocks of sound, and we know that children learn phonetically at first.  Phonetic language, or phonics, is the sound of language, the ‘ah’, ‘puh’’, ‘kuh’ sounds that can then become known as ‘a’ ‘p’ ‘k’. This is really useful when getting your children to become familiar with letters.  Start their love of language today  With a real love of language, your child will be able to discover books, poems and more that all stem back to the written word.  The door to all of this culture, learning and art starts with a simple A B C. With easy tools, like ABC books, letter toys and crafts, you’ll be able to help them start out on a journey that they will be grateful for their entire life.  At Characterful, we love helping children take on and master challenges. Our stories focus on adventures, with personalised characters putting your child at the heart of the tale, and helping them to make the decisions and overcome the difficulties themselves.  That’s why we’ve brought out our own ABC book.  Like all our stories, ABC and ME is personalised. Your child travels through the alphabet, encountering giraffes and pirates, mermaids, zebras and best of all, themselves! Each page is beautifully illustrated, while there are easy rhymes to help your child read it flowingly, and enjoy the adventures on each page.  When reading our ABC book to your child, we recommend getting them to sound out the word with you, playing around with it and having fun! You can read them the fun rhyme to help them see the sound of the letters in action. Children’s brains are constantly learning and expanding, more so than at any other time, and by reading them stories, you will be helping their brain’s ability to think, understand and grow. 

November 19, 2020
Parenting Hub

How to perform your favourite beauty treatments at home

Feeling the pinch? You’re not alone. It’s been a tough year, and the vast effects of the national lockdown meant all South Africans have had to tighten their belts. For some, this has meant giving up their routine salon appointments, be it for that bi-monthly manicure or a monthly spray tan. The good news is that it’s still possible to enjoy the results of your favourite treatment, by doing it at home. While you may not get to experience the indulgence associated with visiting the salon, you’ll still get to look your best, while enjoying the results at a fraction of the regular cost.  Here’s how to perform your favourite beauty and grooming treatments at home. Manicures A home manicure is easier to achieve that you may think, but in order to get your nails looking as great as they do after a visit to the salon, you need to ensure they are healthy and strong. We recommend using home treatment products such as Kiss’s Diamond Strengthener Treatment (R119.95) and Kiss Nail and Cuticle Oil (R119.95) regularly.  Even if you cannot paint your nails neatly to save your life, you can still have perfectly manicured hands by making use of stick-on nails. If you love a gel manicure at the salon, you will adore the Kiss Gel Fantasy Nails (R149.95). Think of them as a ready-to-wear gel manicure. The nails have an amazing gel shine and smooth finish, plus they’re available in an assortment of fashion accents and glitter designs.  If the classic look is more your thing, then the Kiss Everlasting French Nails (R99.95) will be right up your alley. They’re available in short and medium length, and should last for at least seven days.  Teeth whitening Bright, white teeth are said to take years off a person’s face. Professional teeth whitening at a dentistry practice yields amazing results, but it does not come cheap. You can budget several thousands of Rands for just one session, and on top of that, there is the added expense of a home care kit and top-ups.  Teeth whitening kits, toothpastes and other products intended for home use have come a long way. It is now possible to safely, and effectively, whiten the teeth by more than one shade using home care products. And best of all, while the products deliver satisfying results, they are not dangerous when used as intended, meaning you won’t end up hurting your teeth or gums if you follow the instructions correctly.  Originally developed for makeup artists who looked after the on-screen appearance of models and film actors, White Glo has a vast range of home care products available to whiten teeth from the comfort of your home.  We recommend White Glo Deep Stain Remover Toothpaste Charcoal (R99.95) for sensitive teeth, a whitening toothpaste that removes fussy stains and discolouration for a brighter, happier smile. White Glo Charcoal Deep Stain Remover Activated Charcoal Strips (R199.95) can remove up to 10 years of stain in just seven days with long lasting results.  White Glo’s Activated Charcoal Teeth Whitening Powder (R149.00) uses the natural elements of activated charcoal to clean and whiten teeth. The highly absorbent activated charcoal draws out stubborn stains, traps colour particles, fights bad breath and whitens teeth enamel.  Biorepair® Pro White Toothpaste (R74.99) returns the natural white of your smile. Using an innovative PVP whitening technology, it restores the natural whiteness of teeth. Hair treatment Going for a hair treatment at the salon is one of life’s many pleasures, but did you know that the cost of one treatment often exceeds the cost of an entire tub of home treatment, which can be used several times? The key to perfecting a home hair treatment is to be patient and follow the instructions. Many of us don’t wait a full 15 to 20 minutes before rinsing the product, and end up washing it off before it’s had time to do its job. Read the instructions on the jar carefully before deciding to go ahead, as you need to budget enough time. The great thing about home hair treatments, is that there is one available for every hair type and concern. Whether it’s breakage, dehydration, split ends or damage you’re looking to treat, a good quality hair mask will go a long way in restoring the health of your hair.  Some great options to try include: Marc Anthony Hydra Lock Conditioning Treatment (R169.95). This treatment goes deep to penetrate every strand for a splash of hydration. It goes to work in as little as five minutes.  Cantu Shea Butter Grow Strong Strengthening Treatment (R129.95). Specially formulated to restore lost moisture and leave hair softer and more resilient.  The Perfect Hair Mango & Marula Detangling Deep Conditioner Packet (R34.95). A creamy, rich conditioner, enriched with mango butter and marula, coconut, and castor oil to condition and soften the hair with an intense moisture boost. HASK Shea Butter & Hibiscus Oil Anti-frizz Deep Conditioner (R65.95). Replenish moisture and restore strength in damaged strands with this conditioning treatment.  Crème of Nature’s Argan Oil Perfect 7™ (R199.95) is a 7-in-1 miracle leave-in treatment mask infused with Argan Oil and conditioning agents such as Pro-Vitamin B-5 and Silk Amino Acids for beautiful, healthy hair with shine. A glowing tan A golden tan is top of our summer wish list. By now, everyone knows that the only safe tan is a faux tan, and that spending hours in the sun perfecting that sun-kissed look is no longer an option. While a salon tan is convenient, there are some fantastic home tanning products you can use to achieve the same result.  Newly launched in SA, St Moritz produces self-tan products that are easy to use and yield a stunning result. Their Gradual Tanning Lotion(R119.95) gradually builds a natural glowing tan while moisturising the skin. This is a great product for beginners and offers a subtle glow. You could also try Australian Gold’s Gradual Sunless Lotion (R299.95), which offers buildable colour that can be used daily for streak-free perfection. If you’re after more intense colour, you may want to try St Moritz’s Tanning Mousse in Medium or Dark (R129.95). These

November 19, 2020
Play Sense

Playing for the future

Meg Faure, best-selling author & co-founder of Play Sense   We are living in a time when everything we’ve come to accept as normal is being turned upside down. The same is true for education – especially when we think about how to best equip our children for the future.  We’ve all heard about artificial intelligence and machine learning and how computers are much better at processing and organizing information than we are. Automation and digitization have changed the way we live and work. To the point that many of the jobs available today will be fulfilled by machines in the (not-so-distant) future.  Future-proofing your child  So, how do we ready our little ones for the future? Their future. Over the last decade we’ve seen pockets of schools, teachers and parents break away from traditional education, to something that engages the whole child in learning. Whether that be through smaller groups of children, teacher-child ratios of less than ten, different teaching methodologies or any combination thereof.  Research and experience have proven that enriched experiences are the architect of little one’s minds. When a child is using their imagination, they are developing soft skills like collaboration, creativity, problem solving and self-regulation. And contrary to what our education system would have us believe – these are the skills that contribute to your child’s lifelong success.  Google it  More than a decade ago now, Google conducted recruitment research called Project Oxygen. The goal was to define the top 8 criteria candidates needed to succeed at Google. Given that Google is a data and technology business, you would think that STEM skills would be top of the list. But guess what? STEM skills were at the bottom of the list of essential skills – the rest were all soft skills.  Soft skills are those strengths that are intangible, hard to measure but also invaluable when it comes to achieving lifelong success and happiness. There is no better time to start fostering soft skills in children than when they are toddlers.  Children are in their most exciting development phase between 2 and 4 years old and the best thing we as parents can offer them is the opportunity to learn essential skills through play, guided by a nurturing teacher, in small groups and within a home environment. Toddlers thrive when these factors combine and it’s the basis of our ethos at Play Sense.  Child’s play  At 2 years old, little ones are not ready for unfamiliar surroundings, big groups of children and an overt focus on rushing through fine motor and cognitive development. It’s only through play that little ones learn – and soft skills form the foundation for their education journey, well into adulthood. Play Sense’s research-based program has been created by early years experts to prioritise the development of soft skills (and the overlap with Google’s findings is incredible!). But what skills does your child need to flourish?   Collaboration – the ability to understand one’s own mind, the mind of another and make connections with other human beings is critical in the workplace and beyond. For a two-year-old, this is best fostered in small group settings. When leaving home for the first time, your child should experience socialization in a protected and nurturing environment. This cements the foundation for a collaborative mindset.  Creativity – the ability to create something out of nothing, to envisage a product and plan the steps to get there is the cornerstone of a creative mindset. We develop creativity in children through simple toys, free play, and imaginary play – allowing little ones to discover and refine their inherent creativity.   Self-Regulation – the ability to manage strong emotions, create a balanced response to changes in the world and to moderate one’s own behaviour is a vital part of learning and success. The only way a young child learns self-regulation of strong feelings and overwhelming behaviours is in the context of loving, empathic relationships. As parents and teachers, we need to be co-regulators – facilitating the development of self-regulation.  Executive function – the CEO of the brain – executive function plans the way to achieve something, weighing up all resources at one’s disposal. Executive function activates the plan, reassesses as one goes along, and changes direction should the need arise. This mental flexibility and ability to see the bigger picture as well as the finer details is a critical soft skill. It is wonderfully developed as little ones embark on free play and imaginary games.   Super Senses – the motivation, will and drive to learn, be challenged and the spark to engage are what we call the Super Senses – unquantifiable soft skills that drive a child to master their world and develop a lifelong love for learning. Every education opportunity should nurture this magic quality. In the young child, play is the secret to igniting this fire.  At Play Sense, we believe in the power of play to develop these and other core capacities. We witness the benefits of play every day along with hundreds of families around the world. And the resounding message is this – don’t overschedule your child with extramural activities, avoid the urge to be ‘busy’. Make play a priority in your home – it holds the key to a wealth of skills and abilities that your toddler needs to realise success and fulfillment in a world of the that most of us can hardly imagine. 

November 18, 2020
Bennetts

Travelling with your baby, here is a list of what to pack

With summer in full swing and the December holiday period just around the corner, we wanted to give you a checklist of essential items to take with when travelling with babies or small children. We all know that travelling with small children and babies can be overwhelming and stressful. They key to minimize the stress is to plan ahead. Use this simple checklist to make sure you have everything packed to make your trip a memorable one, happy memory that is…  Nappies (You can never have enough of these, so pack one for every hour you’ll be travelling and then   add a few more Nappy Changing Mat (If you don’t already have one of these in your Nappy Bag, buy disposable ones, you never know what condition the changing facilities will be in. Fragranced Plastic Bags (For storing those dirty nappies or clothes) Bennetts Bum Buddy (Includes Bennetts Baby Bum Crème and Bennetts Baby Wipes in a convenient device, making one handed changing so much easier. Bennetts Hand Sanitizer Travel size Bennetts Hair & Body Wash & Bennetts Baby Aqueous Cream Dummy’s (If your baby is using one, make sure to pack a few extra) Dummy Sterilizer Clothes, socks, shoes (remember to take all weather conditions into consideration). Disposable bibs Formula (Enough to last for all the feeds while travelling to your destination and then add two extra feeds, just in case) Flask (If your baby is on formula remember to take a flask with to have hot water to prepare feeds) Bottles (Make sure you have enough to last you for all your feeds, travelling to and from your destination) Bottle Sterilizer Water / Juice (Depending on baby / child’s age) Snacks (For the whole family) Breast pump (If you use one) Breast pads (If you use these) Nightlight (You never know what facilities you have at your destination, and these are ideal for those nighttime feeds and nappy changes – make sure you get one that works with batteries and remember to pack extra batteries just in case) First Aid Kit (Pack all the essential items, like a baby safe pain reliever, plasters, ointment for minor cuts and scrapes, cotton wool, antiseptic liquid, allergy medicine, nail clippers, thermometer etc. Also make sure you pack all prescription meds if your baby is on any) Baby Carrier (Sling or front carrier, these are ideal if you need your hands to check in for flights etc. and still keep your baby close and safe) Portable Play Mat (Play mats or foldable playpens are ideal to keep baby busy and if they need a nap) Car Seat Stroller (These are easier to use than your normal pram, they take up less space in the car and can also easily be put in the overhead compartment on plains)

November 17, 2020
Parenting Hub

Are day hospitals the new trend?

Globally, day surgery hospitals have changed the experience of patients by offering an alternative to acute/conventional hospital surgery. Hospital costs the highest expense In South Africa, the concept of day hospitals is also gaining popularity – particularly as a result of high hospital costs. Lee Callakoppen, Principal Officer of Bonitas Medical Fund, says, ‘Using our hospital dashboard for the full 2019 year, direct hospital costs were 43% of the total scheme expenditure.  These excluded doctor and allied services while a patient was in-hospital.  The increase in the use of day hospitals Internationally there is a trend in increased day surgery for multiple reasons including: Improved anaesthesia (with quicker recovery period) Improved pain control (anaesthetic blocks and improved medication) Instrumentation and procedures (keyhole surgery).  Cost saving initiatives Private medical aids are struggling to keep up with rising healthcare costs, which usually outpace inflation by 3+%.  They are continually looking for ways of reducing costs and keeping premium increases as low as possible without prejudicing the quality of healthcare or financial stability of the fund.  ‘We negotiate special rates through our hospital networks and Designated Service Providers (DSPs) and encouraging members to use our Managed Care initiatives.  Encouraging members to use day hospitals is another way in which we can save on costs.  That said, the strategy amongst acute hospitals is to reduce the tariffs for day surgery to the level of day clinics to prevent a market shift away from their facilities. For the Scheme and members this is a win-win as it still translates to cost savings. Examples of price differences ‘There remains a difference in costs between day and acute hospitals,’ says Callakoppen. The table below represents savings across some of the most prevalent surgeries. Procedure Difference in Case-Mix Adjusted Hospital Cost per Event (Acute Hospital Base) Corneal, Scleral And Conjunctival rocedures -6.3% Eyelid Procedures -28.1% Circumcision -13.9% Tonsillectomy And/Or Adenoidectomy (Child) -13.0% Tonsillectomy And/Or Adenoidectomy (Adult) -11.7% Myringotomy (grommets) -15.5% Colonoscopy -15.4% Other advantages of day hospitals Patient satisfaction  No overnight stay – patients are admitted, operated on and discharged on the same day  Child-friendly wards and facilities – day hospitals are the ideal alternative for children requiring same day surgery as the trauma of overnight stays are eliminated Lower risk of infection – due to the fact that patients return home on the same day, the risks of cross infection are reduced, which results in a shorter recovery Mortality and major morbidity is extremely low (<1%)* Improved surgery scheduling – decrease in waiting lists  Why is take up not higher? Day hospitals clearly have marked advantages but the reason take-up is not that high, is there are some perceived disadvantages of using them. One which is the geographical access – specifically in areas like the Eastern Cape. There is concern around procedure complications and the need for a patient to have advanced care. But legislation is strict around day hospitals and they have to be located within five kilometres of an acute hospital for exactly this reason.’   The issue of doctor access is another factor inhibiting the rapid increase in use. Many doctors have their consulting rooms close to an acute hospital and are unwilling to travel further. Equipment may be limited in day hospitals but the increasing list of procedures which can be performed in day hospitals speaks to this challenge being overcome. This is probably why the percentage of day cases, split between acute hospitals and day hospitals, is still biased toward acute hospitals. Currently the split of day cases being done in acute hospitals is 74% and 26% in day hospitals. This implies that 74% of all procedures which could be performed in a day hospital are currently performed in acute facilities. Safety is foremost Not all patients can go to day hospitals. Callakoppen says, “It should be noted that this percentage will be lower as some patients would have anaesthetic and comorbidity risks and from a safety perspective may rather have the procedure performed in an acute hospital where overnight facilities are available. Additionally, not all day clinics are adequately equipped to do some procedures and, as such, the true percentage will be lower.’ Day hospital options for 2021 Bonitas currently has 68 day hospitals on the BonCap network and 30 day clinics on the Select options. According to Callakoppen, ‘This will be enhanced in 2021 when we implement a day surgery network across all options. A comprehensive list of procedures that should be done as day procedures has been collated for our members. If any of these procedures need to be done then members must use a facility on the day surgery network, or alternatively pay a co-payment. While the day surgery network will be comprised mainly of day clinics, it should be noted that certain acute (conventional) hospitals will need to be included on the network where there are areas of access constraint to them.” Will day hospital use be enforced? The Day Hospital Association of South Africa has proposed that medical aid enforce day hospital use in the future but also caution   that there are some cases which cannot be carried out in day hospitals.  He says, “The Scheme is in agreement with the concept. Although we do promote the use of day hospitals, we must bear in mind that there are some procedures for which this is not suitable. High risk patients who require more intensive post-surgery care would require acute/conventional hospitals. But the benefits of day hospitals should definitely be considered by all patients when undergoing a procedure.”

November 17, 2020
Impaq

Teaching kids how to plan

As parents, we want our children to do well, succeed and be the best they can be. However, one critical question that we often leave out is, do they know the steps needed to accomplish this?  I spent a lot of time telling my children to study, and then they would go to their rooms for hours on end and produce something that I consider underwhelming at best. It was only after years of parenting in this no-win mode and assisting my children with their ADHD difficulties that I finally got it. The most important thing that our children need to learn to study is how to plan their work before going about it. This includes many skills including: time management,  goal setting,  future thinking,  prioritising, and  organising.  Only after these skills are in place can specific study skills be taught. Plan to succeed If children do not have a plan for how to go about their work or how to get started, how will they succeed? Planning can be taught in simple ways from a young age. When our kids are still young, we can start casually introducing the idea of planning by talking about how we would plan leisure activities. For example, if we were going to the beach, ask your child how they would pack the cooler box. It might look something like this: Fruit at the bottom Hotdog buns on top of the fruit Cooldrinks on top  The example given above is an example of poor planning. In essence, planning reflects the ability to think logically and sequentially to achieve a goal. Teaching this from early on equips our children for many aspects of life. Seeing as so much of life is about planning effectively, mundane as that may sound.  Set realistic goals Planning is the first step in goal setting and becomes more complex as the child gets older, and there are more responsibilities and less time. Your child needs to be equipped with the necessary skills to embark on their work efficiently. These vital skills include: planning,  prioritising,  organising, and  time management. The middle years of primary school, around the time Grade 4 begins, the workload increases, and new subjects are introduced. This is the ideal time to start teaching planning in a more structured way. At this stage, homework is no longer work that has to be completed for the next day, but there may be a test in a few days, a project or speech for the following week and so on, which requires adequate planning. Whatever we are trying to teach our children should ideally be done in a fun way to increase their motivation and get their cooperation. Also read: Encouraging your child to succeed the do’s and don’ts Stay organised Going with your child to the shops to buy a planner or personal organiser that looks appealing to them, or even making one together can be a fun activity to get started. The most important thing when teaching our children planning is not just about writing out what is due but showing them how to create the time to slot the work into the rest of their lives. They need to take the following into account: homework,  extracurricular activities,  appointments, and  social arrangements.  Too often I had heard the cry of “I have plenty time” only to find them in tears the day before because they didn’t realise how much work they had to do or how long it would take. Start with the due date Therefore, the first thing to write on the planner is the due date for the task, assignment, or test. Using a brightly coloured marker to draw attention to it is also a good idea. After that, start to work backwards, filling in their daily activities, extracurricular activities and so on. Remember to block out the weekends in which they should not have to do any work if your children are still young.  Write in the planner with your children by your side, giving their input to involve them as that is the best way for them to integrate it and show them how to have a realistic view of the time they have vs what they think they have. There is often a mismatch between the two! Plan backwards to move forwards Once the initial planning schedule has been done, which can be summarised by the phrase ‘plan backwards to move forwards’, then similar steps can be done daily. Sit with your child and see what homework they have for the day and decide whether they want to get that out of the way first before doing the work expected in a few days or vice versa.  Again, this starts to give them the concept of planning within the day, prioritising and finding out for themselves what works best for them. These are skills that will stand them in good stead throughout their learning journey. Also read: There’s more to life than academic achievement Develop a good work ethic What I have learned is that results truly do not count until Grade 11 BUT what makes a huge difference is our children developing a good work ethic from as early on as possible to carry them through and to make the final few grades as pain-free as possible. Planning is the beginning point of developing that work ethic and the sooner your child gets the concept of it, the better prepared they are for academic success. Who knows, it may help you, as the parent, to be better prepared too! by Lorian Phillips

November 16, 2020
Parenting Hub

Could your child have Type 2 diabetes?

It’s a question no parent wants to ask. But as with so many things in life, knowledge really is power. We’ve outlined all you need to know about the risk factors for Type 2 diabetes so you know what to look for. The difference between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes First of all, it’s important to understand the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes used to be called ‘juvenile diabetes’ because it was most often diagnosed in children. It’s an auto-immune condition, unrelated to lifestyle or diet. If your child has Type 1 diabetes, you’ll know very quickly because they will get very sick. They’ll lose weight, eat a lot, constantly be thirsty and need to pee a lot – often at night. They’ll also be exhausted. Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, develops slowly. Until recently, it was mostly seen in older people – one of the risk factors is being over 45 years old. But it is being diagnosed in children more and more. This is largely because our kids aren’t as active as they used to be – one of the main risk factors is a lack of physical activity. Another is being overweight or obese, particularly around the tummy area, and having a family history of diabetes.  What to do if your family is at risk for developing Type 2 diabetes If this is ringing a bell, there are a few simple things you can do. The easiest way to remember them is to think EEL: Eat healthy Exercise Lose weight if necessary Eating healthy means cutting out junk food, sweets and treats, juice and fizzy drinks. Also cut out refined carbs, which means white bread, white rice, pasta – all the white foods. Eat lots of green vegetables (half a plate with each meal), good quality protein and some wholegrain carbs. It might feel like a big adjustment, but your whole family will feel better if you can start eating healthier. Exercise doesn’t have to mean joining a gym. It can be as simple as a 30-minute walk, most days of the week. Or some stretching or yoga at home, or a game of soccer with the neighbourhood kids. It’s so important for kids to be physically active. Losing weight is important if your child is overweight or obese, but that doesn’t mean putting them on a diet. If they’re getting active and eating healthy, drinking lots of water and staying away from junk food, weight loss will be a natural result. If you’re not sure whether or not you’re at risk of Type 2 diabetes, check out our fun 1-minute diabetes risk test on www.sweetlife.org.za. We also have all the information you need on how to reverse Type 2 diabetes, and advice and tips on how to manage diabetes if you’re living with it. The most important thing to remember is that you’re not alone in this! There is a whole community of Diabetic South Africans, all living our best lives. Symptoms of Type 1 diabetes Very hungry Very thirsty Needing to pee a lot, especially at night Sudden weight loss Exhaustion Risk factors for Type 2 diabetes 45 years old (or older) OR Overweight or obese AND Physically inactive (not much exercise) High blood pressure Family history of diabetes High cholesterol Heart disease history High-risk ethnic group (Asian Indian, Coloured) Diabetes during pregnancy or a baby over 4kg PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) If this sounds like you, it’s important to go for a diabetes screening. There are free screenings at Clicks Clinics and many independent pharmacies during November (National Diabetes Month).  Bridget McNulty is a Type 1 diabetic and the co-founder of Sweet Life Diabetes Community, SA’s largest online diabetes community. Find out more about how to live well with diabetes at www.sweetlife.org.za 

November 16, 2020
Prima Baby

Chicco Baby Senses Candy Cupcake and Baby Senses Ciro Pizza Lover

The Baby Senses range from Chicco is the primary toy range that encourages babies from as young as 3 months old to use and develop their senses. As babies grow, they can enjoy the more advanced, electronic toys in the Baby Senses range that require batteries and make use of sonic and visual sensory engagement. Baby Senses Candy Cupcake is a fun electronic toy to get baby engaging and using motor skills from about 6 months of age. Using lights and music, this pink, cupcake-shaped toy has small challenges and attractions to keep your little one entertained. Baby Senses Ciro Pizza Lover is a true Italian toy that is named after the pizza-capital of Napoletana. A fun pizza-cutter shaped toy that doubles up as a rattle, your baby can turn him on to active lights and music as they learn to engage with sound. Items available online at Takealot.com, Loot.co.za, Online Home Store, Baby Boom, Babanino.co.za and TheKidZone.co.za

November 16, 2020
Wendy Offer Designs

Teaching your Children about Money

Hi all. I have decided this month’s column is going to be information about “teaching your children about money” because let’s face it, it is a very important skill to learn and the earlier you can teach your kids about money the better. My kids are 8 and 12 years old and I really wish I had started teaching them about money sooner. Tips on teaching your kids and teens money saving skills. Give them control of their money Otherwise they will think money will always be ‘on tap’ and that they do not have to be responsible for their spending or make plans to save for bigger things. Bad spending habits mean they will take longer to become independent and could have trouble with money. Teach them to save for money goals You might also create a chart together showing their goal, and little savings milestones along the way. That way they can get excited about watching their savings grow. Teach them that reducing expenses makes goals come faster ‘If I want to get to a goal faster, I have to save more…’ which means spending less on other stuff. Remind them about the decision they are making every time they want to spend money. Teach them about having a budget It does not have to be complicated, but teach them how to plan their spending, instead of having a big wad of cash that keeps getting smaller with every impulse buy. Introduce them to the concept of investing and the growth that is their money earning money for them. It is free money, almost! Teach them that the goal of marketing and advertising is to get us to part with our money, and how they affect us to make us do this. And talk about consumerism, and how it hurts us financially, how it is not good for the environment, and how it leads to a cluttered house full of expensive and wasted stuff. Teach them about impulse buying and that feeling of ‘I must have it now’ that we all know very well! Have a cooling off period about a bigger purchase and teach them that what we buy should not be to impress others… Give them control of their money otherwise they will think money will always be ‘on tap’ and that they don’t have to be responsible for their spending or make plans to save for bigger things. These are the tips from Dave Ramsey’s blog post. They are divided into ages and are aimed for kids right from preschool age right up to the teen years. How to Teach Pre-Schoolers About Money Use a clear jar to save. The piggy bank is a great idea, but it does not give kids a visual. When you use a clear jar, they see the money growing. Yesterday, they had a R5 coin, today they have a R10 note and the R5 coin. Talk through this with them and make a big deal about it growing! Set an example. Remember little eyes are watching you. If you are slapping down plastic every time you go out to dinner or the grocery store, they will eventually notice. Or if you and your spouse are arguing about money, they will notice that too. Set a healthy example for them and they will be much more likely to follow it when they get older. Show them that stuff costs money. You have got to do more than just say, “That pack of toy cars costs R120, son.” Help them grab a few Rands out of their jar, take it with them to the store, and physically hand the money to the cashier. This simple action will have more impact than a five-minute lecture. How to Teach Primary School Kids About Money Show opportunity cost. That is just another way of saying, “If you buy this video game, then you won’t have the money to buy that pair of shoes.” At this age, your kids should be able to weigh decisions and understand the possible outcomes. Give commissions, not allowances. Do not just give your kids money for breathing. Pay them commissions based on chores they do around the house like taking out the trash, cleaning their room, or mowing the grass. Dave and his daughter Rachel Cruze talk a lot about this system in their book, Smart Money Smart Kids. This concept helps your kids understand that money is earned—it is not just given to them. Avoid impulse buys. “Mom, I just found this cute dress. It is perfect and I love it! Can we buy it please?” Does this sound familiar? This age group really knows how to capitalize on the impulse buy—especially when it uses someone else’s money. Instead of giving in, let your child know they can use their hard-earned commission to pay for it. But encourage your child to wait at least a day before they purchase anything expensive. It will likely still be there tomorrow, and they will be able to make that money decision with a level head the next day. Stress the importance of giving. Once they start making a little money, be sure you teach them about giving. They can pick a church, charity or even someone they know who needs a little help. Eventually, they will see how giving doesn’t just affect the people they give to, but the giver as well. How to Teach Teenagers About Money Teach them contentment. Your teen probably spends a good chunk of their time staring at a screen as they scroll through social media. And every second they are online, they are seeing the highlight reel of their friends, family and even total strangers! It is the quickest way to bring on the comparison trap. You may hear things like: “Dad, Mark’s parents bought him a brand-new car! How come I have to drive this 1993 Subaru?” “Mom, this girl at school got to spend R10,000 on her Sweet 16 party. I want to do that too!” Contentment starts in the heart. Let your teen

November 13, 2020
JOMAR Baby

Why moms and their little ones need clean beauty skincare products

Clean beauty has been getting a lot of positive buzz online – and for good reason! Those that invest in products designed with clean beauty principles in mind, reap the benefits of ultimate wellbeing – and this includes moms that chose clean beauty for themselves and their little ones! So, how does it work? In a nutshell, the clean beauty philosophy allows us to be mindful about our health and our impact on the environment. It ensures that ingredients are responsibly chosen, based on their safety and efficiency, as well as their environmental impact.   Although there are diverse opinions when it comes to clean beauty products, it is important to remember why this movement started. We caught up with JOMAR, a natural, clean beauty skincare brand for moms and babies, who shared their insights on this topic. 1. Daily exposure means we need to consider what we and our little ones need to be protected from Food, skincare and medication expose us to numerous chemicals each day, which means we are exposed to a phenomenon known as toxic load. That means even ingredients that are deemed safe may become harmful or cause sensitization if use exceeds recommended exposure limits.  When choosing clean beauty products for ourselves and our little ones, we are choosing natural, plant-derived ingredients that reduce the risk of toxic load. These ingredients contain fewer chemical by-products known to cause skin reactions.  2. Pure ingredients are gentler and more nourishing Certain traditional skincare brands often have the same product ingredients to ensure each batch looks and smells the same. Unfortunately, this refining process can introduce harmful by-products or can damage naturally beneficial components – something that moms definitely not want when it comes to their and their babies’ skincare!  However, natural ingredients undergo less refining and trade consistency in colour and smell to preserve product integrity. This means vitamins and antioxidants remain intact for a longer period. Moms and babies can enjoy products with ingredients in their purest form, knowing they are reaping all the benefits of clean beauty!  3. Clean beauty inspires moms to follow a conscious living approach for them and their little ones Conscious living is all about making better choices for your health, society and the environment. When moms choose a more purposeful lifestyle, they will choose natural products that allow them to align their purchasing habits with their personal values – ensuring they provide the best skincare for their family.  Skincare products with natural ingredients require less processing during manufacturing, which means energy consumption is reduced and fewer (if any!) harmful by-products are present. By-products and synthetic ingredients are found in nature due to build-up and contaminated water and soil over time, however, clean beauty can help conscious living moms to minimise their impact on the environment.  When moms choose clean beauty products for their families as part of their conscious living attitude, they also support local farmers and sustainable growing and harvesting practices that promote the cultivation of indigenous plant species. It is clear: Clean beauty products are the only option when choosing skincare products for mothers and little ones!  To find out more about JOMAR’s clean beauty approach, be sure to visit their website here.

November 13, 2020
Vital Baby

Vital Baby’s Guide To Travelling With Your Baby

Keep things simple… The car is probably the most frequent form of transport with a baby and the secret of successful travelling children is careful planning. Young children are surprisingly adaptable so providing you take the essentials, such as food, nappies and a favourite toy or two, your child should be quite happy.  Preparation  Prepare a survival kit for the journey before you set off and keep it where it is easily accessible.  The kit should include spare nappies, a change of clothes, baby wipes, changing equipment and a mat or towel.  If you are bottle feeding or giving solids, you will also need to include some feeds plus some feeding equipment.  With its large storage capacity the Vital Baby NOURISH snack on the go (R119,99) is the baby and toddler snack-time must-have for independent feeding, or as a baby-led weaning accessory.  Ideal for when out on family trips, or at home for less food mess and less stress!  Try to make the journey as relaxed as possible by checking the route before you set out and allow extra time to get there.  If you are going on a long journey, consider travelling at night.  If you are going by other transport, find out what facilities are available for babies and older children before you set off. For example, car seats and restraints  From birth, your child should travel in an approved safety restraint suitable for his age and weight.  Restraints must be fixed and used properly to obtain maximum protection for your child in the event of an accident.  Keeping the children amused  A good selection of toys, especially for an older baby, is essential to keep him amused on the journey.  Choose toys that have been specially designed for use in the car or ones that have suction pads that will stick on the window or the back of the front seat.  Story tapes are also a good idea, especially for long journeys.  Journeys by public transport  You will need to be selective about what you take with you, as you will probably have luggage as well as your baby.  Your survival kit should be packed into an easy to carry holdall.  If possible, take a lightweight, folding pushchair.  Put your baby in a baby carrier, either strapped on your front if he is still very young, or on your back if he is old enough to sit up on his own.  When booking a seat on a train, coach or plane, always mention the fact that you are travelling with a young child and ask for the most convenient seating accommodation available.  Some airlines have sky cots and others will allow you to take a buggy onto the plane as hand luggage.  Sun sense  Whichever method of transport you use, always shield your child from the sun and make sure that any exposed skin is protected by a high-factor sunscreen.  Keep your baby as comfortable as possible by putting him in clothes that are loose and easy to change. • A number of layers of fairly thin clothing are best, as this will allow you to add or take away a layer depending on the temperature.  Cars can get very hot in the summer, with the temperature creeping up considerably, so keep a constant check on your child while travelling.  Take plenty of water with you on hot days.

November 13, 2020
Missing Children South Africa

Do NOT Wait 24 Hours before reporting your child missing

Parents must NOT wait for 24 hours to report a child that has gone missing. This is a myth, and if a child is reported missing immediately, our chances of recovering that child in the first ‘golden 2 – 3 hours’ is far more successful. There is no waiting period to report a person as missing. Go to your local SAPS (South African Police Station) and insist that they open up a ‘Missing Child’ case. It is very important to get the case number, as well as the Warrant Officer who will be dealing with the case. Then get hold of Missing Children South Africa immediately, so that we can create a ‘Missing’ flyer, and post it across our social media platforms. Teach your children these important numbers: SAPS|POLICE: 10111  MISSING CHILDREN SOUTH AFRICA: 072 647 7464 CELL PHONE HELP: 112 SAPS CRIMESTOP: 086 001 0111 CHILDLINE SOUTH AFRICA: 080 005 5555 GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE: 080 042 8428 HUMAN TRAFFICKING HOTLINE: 080 022 2777 Our website www.missingchildren.org.za acts as an emergency report facility, as well as being MCSA’s platform for informational and educational material with regards to Child Safety.  The service MCSA offers to the community and government is invaluable and as you can imagine we certainly have our work cut out for us. We provide our services free of charge to anyone who needs us. Sadly we don’t necessarily enjoy the same privilege for our needs and our financial requirements quite often outweigh our resources! We rely solely on the goodwill of individuals and corporations for financial support – funding remains MCSA’s biggest challenge. You can assist us now by clicking here https://missingchildren.org.za/donate/ and donating – this will be deeply appreciated and is much needed. Education plays an incredibly vital role in the life of Missing Children South Africa, and all funds received is utilised to further MCSA’s educational program; ‘Tips for Children’ and ‘Tips for Parents’ which promotes Child Safety. The education is targeted to all the vulnerable and orphaned children, and also children with disabilities. The education is also shared with parents, guardians and the families who take care of these children. The education focuses on not only the dangers, but also the solutions with regards to what to do to keep children safe, and especially what not do.    What To Do When A Child Goes Missing Try not to panic and DO NOT WAIT 24 hours to report your missing child. Get a responsible person to stay at your house while you’re at the police station or searching for your child. This person can take messages if someone calls about the child’s disappearance or if the child returns home. Go to your nearest police station and take a recent photograph of your child with you.  Make sure that the photograph is of good quality so that your child will be easily identifiable. Give a good description of what your child was wearing, their last whereabouts and any information that may help the police. Complete a SAPS 55 (A) form which safeguards the police against false or hoax reports. This form also gives the Police permission to distribute the photos and information of the missing child. Make sure the police give you a reference number and a contact name and number of the SAPS officer(s) assigned to the investigation. Click on our Report Now button, and complete the form: https://missingchildren.org.za/report/. Remember that if your child returns home, you should go to the Police station to report that your child is safe and let MSCA know that your child has returned home safely. Missing Children South Africa’s social media platforms are: FB: https://www.facebook.com/MissingChildrenSouthAfrica/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/072MISSING Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/missingchildrensa/

November 12, 2020
Characterful

Playing and fun: the most important parts of child development

We know that children all develop in their own way and at their own pace, and that it’s important not to rush them on their journey. In allowing them to grow at their pace, you help build confidence in who they are. It is important to provide an environment that supports a child’s development in a way that they respond well to. Fun facts!  At Characterful, we are passionate about keeping learning fun, and rooted in great stories. We’ve gathered some fun facts on child development, some of which might surprise you!  Take a look… Ouch! It doesn’t just sound like it – a three year old boy’s voice is louder than 200 adults in a restaurant. Read out loud: if you read aloud to your child, it will help stimulate their brain development, especially in their early years. They’ll also learn to speak faster if you respond to their gurgles and noises more than 80% of the time.  Learn another language: your child’s brain will develop more if they learn another language. You can help them learn it by letting them watch international television programmes like Dora the Explorer with smaller words from another language.  Not ignoring you: babies and toddlers have a hard time separating background noises from voices – sometimes they actually can’t hear you when you’re calling their name! Colour blind: Babies are born colour blind, seeing only black, white and grey. As the months go by, your baby will start to develop their colour vision. They also learn what’s important to look at by watching your gaze.  And – most importantly in our view…Playtime is everything! By playing, children learn heaps of useful information, including how to socialise, how to regulate their own behaviour, and how to imagine!  Having fun while learning  To aid in your child’s development, [Characterful] released an activity book with a child’s own character throughout. Your child will be challenged with everything from adding up groups of dinosaurs, to tracing the alphabet at the insistence of a unicorn!  They’ll colour in pictures of the famous South African wildlife, while spotting differences between pirates and spaceships, completing dot to dots to find a mermaid’s best friend, and even helping knights find their way back to their castles through deadly mazes!  Our activities are designed to test and strengthen your little one’s grasp of maths, logic, language, problem solving and instruction taking. And most importantly – they’re fun!  When a child is learning and having fun at the same time, they’ll begin to realise that these challenges – although difficult – can be enjoyable in the future too. You’ll be helping them grow a love of learning and puzzles, that will help them develop even further, ready for the challenges ahead. 

November 12, 2020
Parenting Hub

Mascots, masks and Christmas stockings

Two delightful stories intertwine as we start the count down to 25 December.  The first is the tale of the origin of the Christmas stocking.  It is said the Saint Nicholas, in the spirit of Christmas, threw three bags of gold through an open window on Christmas Eve and one landed in a stocking. When the girls and their father woke up the next morning they found the bags of gold and were, of course, overjoyed. Another feel good story is that of a group of women in the tiny settlement of Kylemore in the Western Cape, who sew to ensure a sustained income. Through a partnership between Community Conservation Fund Africa (CCFA) – a registered non-profit company active in educating and empowering local communities and implementing sustainable wildlife management systems – and Baby Cuddles, these ‘team of seamstresses’ design and produce the CCFA animal mascots.  These beautiful handmade toys, each with an individual character and personality, are ideal gifts for tourists.  However, during lockdown they adapted their business and started making masks, according to the Department of Health guidelines.  Now they have turned their talents into making Christmas stockings, available in three different sizes. The stockings represent a trilogy of ‘all things good’ in the spirit of Christmas. Melanie Laing of Baby Cuddles says, ‘I am blessed to have been given the opportunity to work with a team of very talented, wonderful women who are always happy and full of smiles, no matter what life throws at them. This time life threw them a pandemic but, as with so many South Africans, we turned this situation around and from mascots to masks we are now producing Christmas stockings.  ‘Four of our sewers are working on this project and we are so grateful to our guardian angels, CCFA, for constantly bringing us new ideas, providing sustainable work for our team and using their network to sell our crafts.’  Di Luden, Executive Director of CCFA says, ‘We decided to look at making Christmas stockings to create work for the team while raising money for our environmental and community upliftment projects.  The more orders we receive, the more work generated which means these ladies have higher earning potential and will be able to enjoy a Christmas of their own. ‘By ordering our stockings you will not only be assisting the sewing group but also their immediate and extended families who rely on this income to stay afloat financially.  But, more importantly it will make it possible for us to give others the opportunity to join the team, learn to sew and produce beautiful items made in South Africa.  And finally, you will also be helping us raise money for the many projects we support, who are desperately in need of funding. ‘The ladies initially made samples and the response has been very positive – so everyone is raring to go and we’re hoping to complete around 60 stockings a day,’ says Luden ‘There are three sizes available, the large stocking also proudly displays a rhino motif as a reminder of the support for the CCFA and its wildlife, environmental and community projects.  However, the design is flexible and we are able to customise the stockings for corporates and include a company logo. ‘ Orders are via the CCFA website and the stockings will be shipped directly from the group of sewers to the client.  CCFA is appealing to corporates to support this initiative. To be a ‘secret Santa’ and help stimulate employment and financial independence for this group of women and their families, while also contributing towards the work being undertaken by the NPC. The pricing of the Christmas stockings are as follows: Large stocking, around 50cm long @ R220 Medium stocking, around 45cm long @ R180 Christmas tree decoration size, around 13cm long @ R20 To order go to: https://www.ccfa.africa or email [email protected].

November 11, 2020
Parenting Hub

World Prematurity Month and the LatchOn! Breastmilk Drive

World Prematurity (Preemie) Day is observed annually on 17November but this year World Preemie Month will be celebrated with gusto by the Tygerberg Hospital Children’s Trust during the month of November.  On the cards are a month-long virtual walk, an in-house activity restricted to Nurses of the hospital, and the Latchon! Breastmilk Drive.   The public is encouraged to join the month-long virtual walk by simply purchasing a purple ‘World Preemie” T-shirt, organise a fun walk with friends and family, post the photos on Facebook or Instagram and tag the Trust’s page.  The wackier the better.  Weekly prizes will be awarded to the best photo uploaded to Facebook and Instagram and a bumper prize at the end of the month.  Photos must feature the preemie T-shirts, which cost R100 and are available via the link attached  https://www.givengain.com/e/walk-for-preemies-2020/ – place your order today and paint the town purple! There is a great need for breastmilk at Tygerberg Hospital’s neonatal unit, especially for preemie babies who may spend months at the hospital and whose moms often cannot provide enough breastmilk.  The Corona Virus pandemic has also provided its own set of challenges in the procurement of milk, where donors were not able to donate breastmilk.  To this end the Tygerberg Hospital Children’s Trust in partnership with Tygerberg Hospital, the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape Department of Health, has embarked on a breastmilk donation drive called the LatchOn! Breastmilk Drive. The purpose of the LatchOn! Breastmilk Drive is to ensure that there is sufficient breastmilk to help all the babies, now and into the future. The Tygerberg Hospital Children’s Trust under the leadership of CEO, Mr Jason Falken, is garnering all its resources in support of the initiative and is appealing to moms, individuals and companies alike, to join them in support of the LatchOn! Breastmilk Drive.  The appeal is for moms to donate surplus breast milk. Moms will be screened, tested and counselled when going to donate the much-needed breast milk at the Tygerberg Breastmilk Training Room, 2nd Floor, East Side, Tygerberg Hospital. We are appealing to the general public to donate and drop off glass jars smaller than 250ml at the same space.  “We would like to create a sustainable supply of breastmilk for the Hospital to ensure that all our babies are provided with this important nutritional source”, says Mr Jason Falken. “It’s also important that we provide a clean, safe and welcoming space at the Hospital where moms feel comfortable and safe while expressing milk, and also feel free to engage with each other in a socially supportive environment.”   Tygerberg Hospital is the largest hospital in the Western Cape and cares for the greatest number of children within the Province, including many from our rural communities. It supports the most premature babies in South Africa and has the only state Human Milk Bank in the province. It is well known that breastmilk is the most complete source of nutrition for babies from birth to six months and beyond. Breastmilk provides a perfectly balanced source of nutrition for babies.  It is easily digestible, contains everything growing baby needs and provides important antibodies to fight infections and allergies.  For a preemie baby, access to breastmilk daily is vital for the baby’s survival and is especially important for brain development and ensuring a healthy immune system. Together, we may be “United for a Healthy Future” by ensuring our babies have access to the nutritional benefits of breastmilk.  For more information follow the Tygerberg Hospital Children’s Trust on: www.tygerbergchildren.org.za, Facebook: @THCTRUST Twitter: @HospitalTrust, Instagram: @tygerbergchildren, Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tygerberg-hospital-children-s-trust

November 11, 2020
Cosmetix

Festive season, gifting, and the in-laws!!!

Wow time is flying by and I cannot believe the festive season is here. I am not complaining because I am happy to bid farewell to this year for sure. I always look forward to the festive season because school is over for the year and everyone gets a very well-deserved break. Well everyone except the moms of the household. Festive season is always the busiest time of year for mommies especially because we’re trying to keep everything afloat, juggling the last bit of work left, entertaining the kids, making sure that there’s numerous amounts of snacks and meals and if that isn’t enough, throw in the in laws visiting as well. There is no denying that the holidays can be very tense under normal circumstances, but can be very trying if the year has been difficult and we all know that 2020 has really done a number on us.  While festive season can be dauting on families there are ways around it. Here are my tips for dealing with festive and the in laws: Aim to make holiday times enjoyable and memorable. Plan with your spouse so that there is no conflict. Plan which days are set aside for in laws and remember to make time for each other. Sometimes holidays become so busy that you end up living passed each other and then feel like you need a holiday from your holiday. Be vocal about your plan. That way if anyone wants to make other plans, they may do so early enough without getting upset about last minute changes. Balance the time spent between the in laws and remember the main priority here is spending time with the kids and making memories. Keep an open mind. Ask everyone what the one thing is they would like to do over the holidays and make time to do that. Make your in-laws feel included but also explain to them that you would like to do your own family traditions during the holidays and include them in those. Communication is key. Never accept a holiday invite without discussing it with your spouse first. Compromise with your in laws. If you do Christmas eve dinner at theirs this year then perhaps they should come to yours next year. This will not always work but it is worth a shot! Do not forget to set aside some time to rest and relax! The last thing you want is to suffer from festive season burnout. Lastly, do not let your in-laws get under your skin by telling you how you should be running your household or what you should be feeding the kids. As long as your partner thinks you are the bee’s knees, practice those yoga breaths and walk away.  Festive season is almost upon us and now is the perfect time to hunt for gifts for family and friends. To help you with this quest, I have made a list of festive season gift ideas that you could consider on a budget: House of Cosmetics has amazing mystery boxes, unicorn boxes and great bundle deals for makeup which will not cost you an arm or a leg. Now which lady or girl does not love makeup?! This festive season why not gift someone a gift to start their own small business. Caribbeantan has starter tanning kits for sale which equips them with the tools & training to grow their own business. What an amazing gift idea!!!! Caribbeantan also has great bundle deals at a fraction of the cost. You can also buy products individually and build your own spa day box to gift to anyone. A relaxing spa experience is what everyone craves after a long and tiring day/week. I know I crave it every other day. This is an ideal gift for spa lovers/cravers. When in doubt with what to buy someone, I always opt for a frame and pictures because who does not love the gift of memories. Great skin does not just happen, it is moulded. CATRICE has some great serums which is also budget friendly which can be gifted in a pretty box to a girlfriend, sister or mom. Home décor. If you know a friend who has recently moved into their new home or apartment or a friend who is redecorating their place, then home décor is something you should investigate. This gift is also suitable for newly married couples setting up their first home. Personalized gifts. Even if it is Christmas decorations with their name on it. It is something that can be reused every year and what an awesome memory to have. Gift cards. Although I find it quite impersonal, gift cards are the most practical gifts to gift your loved ones or your friends. Be sure to check the terms and conditions of these gift cards before purchasing them. Some limit the usage to specific stores or specific locations. Others limit the product range that you can utilise the card against. Most gift cards are valid for a year from when you purchase them so they need not be utilised immediately, they can be utilised when the need arises especially during those dry bleak January months. Cash is king!!!! The most popular gift people want is money and I’m not completely against it. Happy holidays. Have blessed Christmas and an amazing new year!!! Remember Covid is still very much with us. Please be safe, wear your mask and sanitize.

November 10, 2020
Prima Baby

Chicco Baby Senses Bath Toys selection

The Baby Senses range from Chicco is the primary toy range that encourages babies from as young as 3 months old to use and develop their senses. Baby Senses now introduce their new bath time range of toys to keep little ones engaged and having fun during the important bonding time of bathing. Baby Senses Swimming Frog and Baby Senses Swimming Penguin are two gorgeous bath time companions that work with a mechanical win-up system. Wind them up and watch them swim the length of the bath, creating much laughter and fun for your little one. Also from the range is the Baby Senses Sprinkler Whale. Again, a mechanic wind-up toy, the whale blows water the bath water from his spout as he bobs about in the bath, creating a fun atmosphere that will keep encouraging babies to look forward to bath time. Items available online at Takealot.com, Loot.co.za, Online Home Store, Baby Boom, Babanino.co.za and TheKidZone.co.za

November 9, 2020
Philips Avent

Top tips to encourage babies and toddlers to eat their fruit and vegetables  

We all know fruit and vegetables are an important food group, but persuading babies and toddlers to eat them can be a battle. Even if your child absolutely refuses to eat vegetables it’s important to put some on their plate at every meal so they get used to seeing them. Psychologists have found that once children become familiar with a food, they are more open to trying it, but you may need to present the same food on as many as ten separate occasions before your child feels comfortable eating it. While it’s important to put some vegetables on your child’s plate, many children find a large serving of vegetables off-putting, so it’s better to give them an amount you know they will eat and gradually increase the portion size:   Try to incorporate finely chopped vegetables such carrots, peppers and mushrooms into dishes like spaghetti bolognaise   Rather than serving them as a side dish, incorporate vegetables into main dishes. For example, add a variety of vegetables to a meat and cheese lasagna   When your child says they are hungry, offer them a piece of fruit rather than biscuit  Serve raw strips of pepper or carrot with a dip such as hummus. If you serve them at the beginning of the meal when children are hungry they are more likely to eat them  Mix cooked pureed spinach, carrots or shredded cabbage into mashed potatoes  To encourage toddlers and older children to eat their vegetables, use a star chart where you award one star for each serving of fruit or vegetable eaten. Offer a treat such as a trip to the swimming pool or the park at the end of the week if they’ve made the target of five portions each day for a week  Persuading children to eat fruit is usually less of a problem, but if children aren’t keen it can be used to make puddings or smoothies. To make fruit smoothies blend soft fresh fruit (berries, banana and, mangoes) or canned fruits such as apricots, peaches with low fat yoghurt and milk or fruit juice    Stewed or fresh fruit make a great filling for pancakes. For savory pancakes try adding spinach and soft cheese, stir-fried vegetables or ratatouille  Spread a mashed banana on toast in the morning instead of jam or marmalade or add a few chopped apricots or some fresh berries to cereal  Toddlers learn by example, so make sure that they see you and older siblings eating and enjoying fruit and vegetables     You can also share your toddler eating tips, and read advice from other moms by visiting Philips AVENT on facebook:  www.facebook.com/philipsavent   By Fiona Hunter, Nutritionist 

November 6, 2020
JOMAR Baby

Care for your baby’s delicate skin with these top tips

Our little ones come into this world equipped with only their first line of defence: their skin. However, despite a full-term infant’s skin having all five epidermal skin layers intact, including the stratum basale, stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum, stratum lucidum and stratum corneum, there are big differences on how their skin differs from adult skin. This is because the skin cells, structures and composition in a baby’s skin are not yet fully developed at birth and functional maturity only develops during their first year.  For the first 2 years of an infant’s life, thestratum corneum is still very thin, which results in your baby’s skin being more fragile, sensitive, permeable, dryer and more susceptible to infections. This is the reason why baby skin should be cared for with skincare products developed especially for baby, such as the JOMAR care range. Wondering how you can ensure even further that you are giving your little one the best care possible? Have a look at the following tips from the JOMAR team: Fragile skin needs sensible skincare Infant skin is 30% thinner than adult skin. This means that it is more prone to injury and damage. However, baby skin has a superpower: an increased healing and recovery ability thanks to the rate at which skin cells grow and mutate.   This does not mean wounds on baby skin should be neglected, even if it is unlikely to leave a scar. The golden rule is to treat your baby’s damaged skin with a sensible skincare product that is specifically formulated to calm and support the skin’s natural recovery ability and reduce inflammation.   Support sensitive baby skin with proper care Newborns often suffer from rashes, baby acne (milia), dry skin or red blotches; however, these conditions are normal and no reason for concern. Some infants do have more sensitive skin than others which could be caused or aggravated by several internal or external factors.  Parents can manage external factors which include temperature changes, detergents, harsh water, harmful chemicals, the sun and wet diapers. Change diapers frequently and choose a skincare brand that you trust and are free from irritants, parabens, synthetic perfumes, colourants and soap.   Protect permeable skin from harmful ingredients Because baby skin has an impaired barrier function, topical ingredients penetrate their skin easily and could cause skin sensitivity or a reaction to certain ingredients. Always be conscious of the fact that what you apply to your little one’s skin can seep into the deeper layer of the skin and take stock of all ingredients in a product before using it. Dry and flaky skin? It won’t be always like that! Worried that your baby’s skin is very dry and flaky? Don’t be: it is completely normal during the first three months of life. At birth, a baby’s sebum secretion is very high which could cause tiny white “pimples”, but thereafter it decreases. This low level of sebum in the epidermis and the reduced water holding capacity of the immature skin cells, result in your baby having dry skin.   This will change over time and your baby’s skin will become even more hydrated and supple than adult skin. Ensure that you are using a safe, effective and natural skin moisturiser to relieve dry, uncomfortable skin. Keep your environment hygienic to curb infections The reason why babies are more vulnerable to infections is that their skin (as part of the immune system) is not yet fully prepared to offer optimal protection. They are more susceptible to chemical irritants and bacteria compared to adults, due to their impaired barrier function. We need to ensure the baby’s environment is hygienic and clean to prevent any unwanted germs causing skin irritation, rashes and infections.  Consider the best skincare possible Based on the above, it is clear why we should carefully consider the skincare choices we make for our little ones. You have to be comfortable with your brand of choice and it is always easier if they share your values. Use a brand that you can really trust and that is kind to skin and the environment! To find out more about JOMAR’s clean beauty approach, be sure to visit their website here. www.jomarbaby.com 

November 6, 2020
Impaq

How to help a child manage depression

Coping with emotions is part of life. Everyone feels happy and sad at different times. Feeling sad can be a natural and appropriate response to what is happening in our lives. Time, life changes and the support of those around us help these feelings go away. Depression is when sadness doesn’t go away; when they overwhelm a person and stop them from doing the things they would normally do. Depression affects thoughts, mood, behaviour and how we see ourselves and our future. Along with feeling sad or irritable, it may seem that nothing is worthwhile and that things will never get better. It can also stop children from enjoying the things they had previously enjoyed.  What to expect from your child? Children and adolescents are not mini-adults. Irritability, feeling overwhelmed, and outbursts are common in depressed children. They are developing and changing at a rapid pace, even when they experience a depressive episode. As such, you might find that the depression seems to improve, only to notice a relapse a few days later. Depression is a serious medical condition that can negatively affect a child’s ability to connect with friends and family, enjoy normal daily activities, attend school and concentrate, as well as enjoy childhood. Also read: How to help a child struggling with coronavirus anxiety What to expect in terms of academics? It’s difficult to perform well in tasks and tests when thinking and concentration abilities are impaired by depression. Some homeschooling accommodations might benefit your child during this time, such as: Allowing extended time for lengthy assignments and tests Breaking down assignments into manageable pieces (this is particularly helpful for children who appear ‘overwhelmed’) Helping to create study or homework schedules Taking tests in a quiet and distraction-free environment Also read: How to change a learner’s perception of difficulty to achieve-success What can the parent do? If you have noticed that your child does not seem themselves, the first step is to talk about what’s going on and how they are feeling. As hard as this can be for the parent on the receiving end of these behaviours, you must remain calm and focus on active listening. It’s a natural tendency to want to ‘fix it’ or somehow put a stop to it, but mental illness is complicated. It cannot be fixed or stopped. It can, however, improve. With proper treatment and support systems in place, your child can thrive and enjoy childhood once again. Here are some ideas on how to help a child manage their depression: Let your child know that it’s okay to ask for help and that you’re ready to listen to whatever they want to say. If they are distressed about a particular situation, you can help them to solve the problem or find solutions to improve the situation.  Quality time is also essential. You can do something fun, go outside and get some exercise, or do something special together.  Also read: Why exercise is important for good academic results Seeking professional support Children, especially teenagers, go through various phases. Often a lot of mood swings and emotional episodes occur, which is associated with adolescence, and it can be hard to know when their behaviour is a part of growing up and when it is more serious.  If your child’s change of mood is very severe or goes on for a few weeks without improving, it is time to act. Do not leave it and assume things will get better on their own.  Some children also have suicidal thoughts. If your child talks about taking their own life or hurting themselves, it is important to take this very seriously. Children occasionally use this as a way of describing their distress rather than an intention to harm themselves – either way; they need urgent support.  Seeking help early for your child is the best thing you can do. Proper diagnosis and treatment are vital but working through depression requires time and patience as it could include relapses. It helps to know what to expect during the process and when to seek additional help. The first step towards helping your child battle depression is to learn how to spot it. Become familiar with the warning signs: Low self-esteem Social and emotional withdrawal Lack of interest Hopelessness A decrease in marks Changes in behaviour (irritability) and acting younger than their age (regression)  Drastic changes in eating habits (too little or too much) Feeling guilty and ashamed Lack of energy and motivation Feeling tired all the time (fatigue) for no medical reason Suicidal thoughts and thoughts about death If your child is experiencing one or a combination of these symptoms, they may need professional help. Consult a counsellor or psychologist to help your child work through this difficult time. Dr Jeanné Roux

November 6, 2020
Characterful

Why are Personalised Stories Great for Children

What child doesn’t love being the star of the show? Besides making the child the hero in their own story, personalisation is more than a gimmick. Here’s what putting your child front and centre in their own special book can do… Improving literacy and language skills The more a child reads, or is read to, the better their communication and literacy skills will be. Children’s minds are inquisitive and curious to learn, and they can absorb new words, grammar and spelling at a magical pace, just by reading with you! By personalising a book, your child is put straight into the action as the hero of the story. This will encourage them to read more, and learn to read so they can share their special story with others. By reading more, they will cultivate and grow a love of language that will live with them their whole life long. Learning how to make decisions Characterful’s personalised stories stem from the age-old story tradition of fairytales and quests. As your child reads through the story, they will be faced with challenges and choices they have to make. These might be mathematical or moral, or even a political concept presented in an age-appropriate way. As the main character, your child is immediately encouraged to engage with the challenge personally, perhaps more than if they were learning in a classroom. Readers are encouraged to think laterally, take points of view, make decisions from the evidence, and make positive choices in the story. This will influence how they make decisions in their real lives. Education isn’t just academic. It’s also about developing social skills to prepare them for the future. Empowering our readers Many children shy away from new challenges due to the fear of failure and lacking confidence in themselves. Through personalised stories, children are encouraged to find solutions to get through these difficulties, teaching them to be proactive, and to take a chance. By solving problems in the safety of the fictional world, our young readers can feel empowered to use this same decision-making approach in the real world too, going out into the world with a more confident, courageous presence. Feeling included It’s more important than ever that children see their race, sex, gender, religion, or disability represented in stories that they read, to know that they are valid and take up a deserved space in the world. Through personalised stories, you can ensure your child’s own demographics take front andcentre. Children who might not usually be represented in fiction, can now see themselves on adventures, making friends and ultimately saving the day! A treasured keepsake Children love stories, but they’re not always so careful with the books themselves! Our books are made from sturdy, responsible materials to survive the roughest of loving! Our books are also bound to become treasured keepsakes, with your child seeing themselves as the hero of the story. When they grow up and set off on their real life adventures, you’ll be able to keep these personalised story books as a treasured memory of when they were just starting out in the world. Characterful create immersive and absorbing stories for children, full of adventure and educational elements. Our books are brimming with pirates, mermaids, elves and astronauts. And the best part is – you get to choose exactly who the stories are about! 

November 6, 2020
Parenting Hub

Introducing the ultimate in Nerf Dart Blasting

The future of NERF is here! Hasbro is revolutionising the blasting experience with the launch of the new NERF Ultra,an unprecedented new blaster segment joining the iconic franchise.   Experience NERF Ultra blasters – the ultimate in NERF dart blasting! Featuring cutting edge technology and enhanced performance, NERF Ultra is the new gold standard in foam dart blasting! NERF Ultra blasters have advanced design and performance to deliver extreme distance, accuracy, and speed. They include ground-breaking NERF Ultra darts featuring an innovative flight tip, Aerofin technology, and NERF Ultra foam.  Take your game to the next level with NERF Ultra blasters and darts! NERF Ultra blasters work only with NERF Ultra darts.   The incredible distance, accuracy and speed of the new NERF Ultra blaster proves that’s its NERF OR NOTHIN’!   NERF Ultra is aimed at kids age 8 years and older.  Eyewear recommended (not included). NERF ULTRA ONE The NERF Ultra One motorised blaster has a high-capacity 25-dart dart drum and comes with 25 NERF Ultra darts. Fire over two dozen darts with the high-performance advantages of this NERF Ultra blaster. Send darts flying up to 25 meters. There’s on-board dart storage for quick reloading. You have the skills and the expertise as a NERF battler, now you have the blaster and darts for game-changing superiority!  NERF ULTRA TWO The NERF Ultra Two motorised blaster features fast-back reloading. The six-dart cylinder is open in the back – so you can see how many darts are left to know when to reload. Hold down the acceleration button to power up the motor and press the trigger to fire one dart. Includes six NERF Ultra darts that are compatible only with NERF Ultra blasters.  Gear up for battle with the all new NERF Elite 2.0 blasters that come with double the darts and feature built-in customising capabilities so you can upgrade them and seize the advantage in NERF competitions. Build your stockpile of NERF Elite 2.0 blasters to optimise your game strategy and bring tactical performance and flexibility to every mission and battle!  NERF Elite is aimed at kids age 6 years and older. Eyewear recommended (not included). *NERF ELITE will be available in South Africa from end November 2020. NERF Elite 2.0 Shockwave RD-15 The NERF Elite 2.0 Shockwave RD-15 blaster features customizing capabilities that include three tactical rails, barrel attachment point, and stock attachment point to optimise for battle. This pump-action blaster has a 15-dart rotating drum to swamp your targets. Pull the priming slide back and press the trigger to unleash one dart or hold down the trigger and keep moving the slide to slam-fire all 15 darts. Includes 30 Official NERF darts -15 for the drum, and 15 for reloads. Fires darts up to 27 metres.  Barrel extension, stock, and eyewear not included. The NERF Elite 2.0 Echo CS-10 The NERF Elite 2.0 Echo CS-10 blaster includes a removable stock and removable barrel extension so you can customise the blaster multiple ways. Take advantage of five tactical rails to add other battle accessories (not included). The blaster has a 10-dart clip so you can fire a dozen darts in a row. Fire one dart at a time, or slam-fire all 10 darts rapidly from the pump-action blaster. Comes with 24 official NERF darts – load 10 into the clip and keep the rest nearby for reloads.  The NERF Elite 2.0 Commander RD-6 blaster The NERF Elite 2.0 Commander RD-6 blaster has three tactical rails, a barrel attachment point, and stock attachment point to customise the blaster for every NERF game. The blaster has a six-dart rotating drum so you can fire multiple darts before reloading. Includes 12 Official NERF darts – enough to fully load the drum, and six darts to keep nearby for reloads. Fires darts up to 27 meters.  Barrel extension and stock not included. The NERF Elite 2.0 Turbine CS-18 blaster The NERF Elite 2.0 Turbine CS-18 blaster has four tactical rails and a barrel attachment point so you can customise it for each mission or battle. This motorised blaster has an 18-dart clip and launches darts fast – hold down the acceleration button to power up the motor, then press the trigger for rapid-fire blasting. Includes 36 official NERF darts. Fires darts up to 27 meters. Barrel extension and eyewear not included. Batteries required (not included). Check out @NERFSouthAfrica on Facebook, @NERFNationSA on Instagram and NERF Nation on YouTube for more exciting NERF Nation fun.  The latest NERF blasters (subject to availability) are available from Takealot.com, Makro, Toys R Us, Toy Kingdom, ToyZone, Game and Importatoy.co.za  *NERF and all related properties are trademarks of Hasbro. Use only official NERF darts designed for this product. 

November 5, 2020
Parenting Hub

Holidays are going to look a little different this year

Here’s what you can expect… Since hitting alert level 1 of the lockdown, the travel industry breathed a collective sigh of relief. They could finally re-open their doors to guests and travellers again. But the jury’s still out – what exactly will leisure travel during a pandemic look like? Shaun Lamont, Managing Director of First Group, says, “There is no doubt that the travel industry is in the process of bouncing back with a bang, but for guests, holidays won’t look or feel exactly the same as they did pre-COVID. Establishments are expected to prove they have taken every precaution to keep their travellers safe and this, combined with various legislation, makes for a very different getaway experience.” To help mentally prepare those who have booked time away during the pending October and/or December holidays, Shaun offers 4 things that you can expect on your next trip: 1. Masks: Usually reserved for Halloween exclusively, the Disaster Management Act states that face masks must still be worn in public places, except when undertaking vigorous exercise. This unfortunately includes if you are simply taking a stroll around a resort, sitting at a restaurant or are in the lobby of a hotel. 2. Sanitisers, thermometers and paperwork: For many, COVID screening has become part of our daily lives. Sanitising and temperature checks are the norm as is the paperwork that comes with it. As a traveller however, be prepared for reems more than usual. For example, if you are flying you are likely to be asked to fill in an extensive Traveller Health Questionnaire in addition to filling in an equally extensive COVID screening form (per guest) on check in. If you lucky, some hospitality establishments, like First Group, have downloaded the OPUS4Business app, the official app for the Tourism and Hospitality Industry. It is easy, paperless and a much faster way to record compliance with industry protocols and seamlessly manage the required health screening of all persons entering an establishment. This still does take a little longer than usual though, so remember to leave ample time for checking into your accommodation as well as your flights. 3. Beach swimming – Whilst we’re allowed back on the beaches, many municipalities have still limited swimming to surfers and bodyboarders only, with no regular swimming permitted. It will be worth checking with your hotel or resort prior to arrival to ensure that your expectations are managed 4. Limited capacity: It is important to keep in mind that the number of people allowed in a space is still limited to 50% capacity in many cases, as per Government regulations (whether it’s the hotel restaurant, an event or visiting an attraction), so make sure you get there early to avoid the disappointment of being turned away.  “While guests’ health and safety is a top priority, people are also longing for human connection and new experiences. As the world of travel reopens, First Group is ready to help guests do what they’ve been dreaming of during the lockdown – exploring new places, experiencing the joy of reconnecting with friends and family, de-stressing and re-energising. Our mission is to help people once again enjoy the benefits that travel brings, and to do so safely. There is nothing quite as magical as making lasting memories with friends and family, and time away from home is a great way to create these,” Shaun concludes.

November 5, 2020
Parenting Hub

Tips for keeping your pets safe during fireworks season

We’re officially in the fourth and final quarter of 2020.  With that comes celebratory occasions, often along with fireworks season with many South Africans celebrating Guys Fawkes on Thursday November 5, and others observing Diwali on Wednesday, November 14, 2020.  Pet parents needn’t fear the festivities this year as Canine and Co has you covered with these handy tips on how to keep your furry companion safe during this time. There are more natural alternatives to hardcore medication Some pets are more sensitive to noise than others.  Thanks to modern science and an increase in natural alternatives, your precious fur baby needn’t go through a stressful fireworks season without help. Pet industry specialist Amber Jordan recommends planning ahead.  “It is important to note that with the  more natural options, they do not all work with immediate effect and pet parents should be administering these calming ingredients or using these tools for a few weeks before anticipated high stress scenarios for them to be fully effective,” she says.  Jordan has compiled a handy list of tools and products that pet owners can consider and ask their local pet store or online retailer about: NurtureCalm offers effective calming collars for both cats and dogs. These should ideally have been worn for at least a couple weeks prior to the anticipated stressful situation. The Adaptil Range caters specifically to dogs and comes in collars and home diffuser options. Feline parents will love the Feliway Range which is available in spray and home diffuser forms.  Zylkene contains casein, a protein naturally found in mother’s milk. It is well known to promote relaxation and is 100% natural. The Medico Herbs Calmer Spray is a homeopathic solution that is 100% safe for both canine and feline children. Like swaddling an infant, ThunderShirt applies a gentle, constant pressure to your dog or cat’s torso. Research on both humans and animals suggests that this type of pressure can release a calming hormone like oxytocin or endorphins (there is a reason we love hugs!). This calming pressure is helpful for over 80% of pets. Consider purchasing a Company of Animals Noise CD which is a proven technique for the treatment and prevention of sound phobias. And last but not least, Calmeze is a firm favourite with pet parents, and not only assists with all kinds of stressful situations, but is a nutritional aid too. It’s perfect for long term or short-term use. We’re helping you get ready to support your fur-kids during this busy, and often stressful time of the year, by offering 20% off Calmeze at Canine&Co for the month of October. Other handy tips to promote calmness in your fur child Exercise your dog early in the day and ensure they are kept inside in a safe place where they cannot escape if frightened by sudden loud noises. Keep the windows closed and curtains drawn, and turn on a radio or television to help mask the sound of fireworks. If they have to be let out into the garden after dark, it is best to place them on a lead and keep the outing brief.  You may need to consider providing a litter tray so that your cat has a choice about whether they go out or not. Ensure there is a safe place for your pet to hide as this is a natural survival instinct. Ideally this would need to be a place where the noise is minimised but, your pet may already have a favourite hiding place that you should make available and comfortable for this time. If not, create a den with a box, in a cupboard, or under a table or chair and use blankets and bedding to protect this area from the noise as much as possible. Set this up in advance of the fireworks. Never try to lure your pet out if they retreat to this place during the fireworks, wait until they are ready. Some pets feel more secure if they can sit with you. This is fine and won’t cause the fear to worsen. Stay calm and offer your companionship support. Be ready to offer a toy or treat if they relax enough to engage in this way. Try not to react to the fireworks yourself. If they frighten you, your pet will feel more alarmed. Try to act normally, and where possible, engage your pet in a favourite game or reward them with treats just as the noises begin. Remember that wherever your pets are in the home, they will need access to fresh water. Anxious dogs often pant more and therefore, may be thirstier than normal. Do not try to make your pet drink if they are fearful, just ensure access to water is possible. Ensure that your pet is microchipped and the chipping company has a current address or phone number on their system.  Also ensure they are wearing a collar with an ID tag, just in case they do accidentally escape, it will help to ensure you and your pet are reunited as quickly as possible. If your pet struggles to cope this year, do not leave it and hope that next year is better. Seek advice from an experienced professional as behaviour programmes can help your pet to reduce their sensitivity to noises and prevent the fear from escalating into something much more severe. We hope the caring team at Canine & Co have equipped you to confidently face fireworks season this year.

November 5, 2020
My Breastpump

When a baby comes too soon: Top 5 tips for NICU moms

If you have a premature birth let Ameda and My Breastpump join with you and support, you through your NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) stay. Most premature births are unpreventable. There is nothing that a mom or dad could have done differently. There is no-one to blame. Your baby comes too soon and all of a sudden your world changes to be hyper focused on the world of NICU, expressing breast milk and spending time with your baby.  When you see your premature baby for the first time every single emotion runs through your entire body. You can be grateful and mad and at the sometime full of love ad fear.  It is important to acknowledge the feelings that you are going through but at the same time also know that you are not alone in this journey. Seeing all the tubes and pipes and hearing the beeps and alarms of the machines can be scary. While the doctors and Nurses are focusing on your baby, let us help you with your parenting and breast-feeding journey.  Even though the Medical staff are looking after and treating your baby, you are still the most important person in the world to your baby. Let’s explore different ways that you can increase your milk supply (with expressing) and also build up your bond with your baby: Try to see your baby as soon after birth as possible. You can be asked to be wheeled into NICU on your bed or wheelchair if you are not able to walk yourself. Even though you most likely will not be able to hold your baby, just seeing your child for possibly the first time is so important for you. There is security in knowing where you baby is and knowing that your baby is being cared for. Ask to kangaroo your baby as soon are your baby is medically stable. This means to have your baby (with just a nappy) directly on your chest. Skin to skin has many benefits. It can even help you to increase your milk production and keep your baby warm and comfortable so that she burns off less calories which can help her to maintain or gain weight  Use a good quality breast pump. You can rent a hospital grade breast pump or buy a personal breast pump that has hospital grade technology. Click here for information on the Ameda Elite Hospital Grade breast pump rental If you have a baby in NICU you will need a pump that stimulates your breasts and helps you to make more breast milk. Ameda can assist you with both types of breast pumps. The Elite hospital grade breast pump is an approved multi-user hospital grade breast pump. The pumps are cleaned, sterilized and calibrated between every client so that you know that you have the best quality pump while renting. Ameda has conducted research on the strength and effectiveness of the Elite breast pump. What Ameda found is that if a mother used the pump at least 8 times a day she may be able to make 500ml of breast milk by day 5. The first two week after a premature birth is often critical to your long-term milk production. Ameda also has the Finesse Double electric breast pump that has hospital grade technology which means that the pump motor is strong enough to support exclusive pumping and maintain high suction. The Finesse has the bonus of having a 2-year warranty. For more information click here All Ameda breast pumps have the HygeniKit which is FDA approved as a true closed system. The true closed system not only prevents the back flow of milk into the tubes and pump but is also clinically proven to prevent the movement of bacteria and viruses. Closed system breast pumps are designed in such a way that your breast milk, bacteria, and viruses are prevented from moving into the tubing and getting in the motor and casing of the pump. Once the milk is in the tubing or pump case it is exceedingly difficult to clean, if not impossible, and allows for the growth of the bacteria and viruses, keeping the pumps ability to create the correct about of suction.   Take as many photos as you can. Have your phone with you so that you can take a video or lots of pictures.  The photos or videos can help you to prepare for expressing your milk by letting you focus on only your baby. It is also so special to be able to send pictures of your baby to the grandparents or close friends. They will not be able to visit so this is a great way to let them see how strong your little one is getting Make use of a bonding heart. Bonding hearts are fabric hearts that absorb your smell. You wear it under your bra and when you leave the NICU you leave your bonding heart with your baby. This way your baby can continue to smell you. Babies that are born prematurely are exposed to harsh chemical smells from the NICU and by leaving your smell they are able to focus on you.  Find a support group of parents that have been through NICU. NICU moms can understand what you are going through and are able to comfort you. They have knowledge of the NICU and procedures that happens. They become your family in the NICU. They will cheer you on and celebrate each milestone with you when you and your baby reach them. This month is NICU awareness month and we want to celebrate how strong families that spend time in NICU are. It is not an easy start off being so small but babies that are born in NICU have the most amazing will to grow and be taken home. This month My Breastpump will be focusing on prematurity and sharing information around expressing exclusively to support your little one’s growth and development on our social media platforms. #PreemieStrong

November 4, 2020
Parenting Hub

The 3 Benefits of Camper-Counselor Relationships

Summer Camp is a great place for children to get some much-needed time out from mom and dad and form relationships with other authoritative, yet not as threatening, figures like camp counselors. The role of a counselor is not only that of a guardian and caretaker but a friend as well. Camper-counselor relationships provide long-lasting values for both parties; camp allows children the freedom to grow into independent individuals and teaches counselors teamwork, communication, and responsibility.  Let’s take a look at the 3 benefits of camper-counselor relationships. 1. Counselors Show Campers That Being An Adult Can Be Fun Children have many adults in their life: Mom and dad, the family doctor and their teachers. A child is constantly surrounded by someone who either always has something to do, stressed out from work, or giving them instructions. A counselor is an adult that is also a peer to the camper. When they see an authoritative figure playing in the mud, it changes their perspective on what being an adult is like and allows them to be open-minded about growing up. 2. Campers Open Up More To Counselors Since counselors are looked at as peers, campers will often open up to counselors in ways that they might not do with their parents. This allows them to speak about issues they’re not comfortable with speaking to their friends or their parents. From career goals to the trauma they went through and how they believed in the tooth fairy till the age of 12. A counselor lends an ear from a friend’s perspective and gives advice like a parent.  3. Campers See Counselors As Role Models The relationship between a camper and a counselor is so important because it is a chance for children to be inspired by someone who is an authoritative figure and also a friend. When a camper sees their counselor making their bed every morning, they will make their bed without being asked. “The coolest person in the world is making their bed, let me make mine,” will probably be their first thought. If your child is inspired to make their bed by a counselor, the list is endless on how a counselor can positively influence your child. From stepping out of your comfort zone to facing your fears. The benefits of attending a summer camp are endless.  If your child dreams of being a counselor one day, you should consider enrolling them for our Indigo Warrior Training Course. A unique certification program specifically designed for teenagers who want to spend one-week learning new life skills and challenging themselves.  For more information or to book a camp, please call Sugar Bay on 032 485 3778. Alternatively, you can send an email to [email protected] or visit our website www.sugarbay.co.za.

November 3, 2020
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