Advice from the experts
Parenting Hub

The 5 best gifts that you can give your children, and they do not cost a cent!

parents have come to (unconsciously) rely on the buying of material gifts to let their children know that they love them while not fully understanding the negative implications of these well-meaning gestures.” She adds that joy in receiving material gifts and especially if the gifts are guilt-driven is most often short-lived and children are all too frequently left feeling confused, alone, miserable and frustrated and, in some cases, even a bit depressed. You see, it is not the receiving of many material gifts that they seek!

Parenting Hub

KEEP CALM & STUDY ON: DON’T LET FEAR OF FAILURE RUIN YOUR FOCUS

Many of South Africa’s Matric learners are approaching their looming final examinations filled with dread and anxiety, in anticipation that they won’t do very well or, even worse, fail the most important assessment in their academic life so far.

Good Night Baby

BREASTFEEDING AND SLEEP

Often breastfeeding and sleep are thought to be part of two different worlds. Many people will tell you that your child won’t be able to sleep through the night until you stop breastfeeding. Tell that to my daughter who was breastfed until she was 12 months old, and slept through from when she was 4 months old!

Prima Baby

Chicco Insect Repellent Range

100% natural protection for your little ones when they need it most. With Spring upon us, insects are back in full force – mosquitos in particular.

Parenting Hub

Inspiring a Love of Reading in Pre-Schoolers

To be a strong reader has multiple benefits for your child. One of the most important things parents can do to ready their pre-schoolers for their academic careers, is to encourage a love for reading and stories. Proficient readers cope better at school, even in this digital age. In a recent household survey by Statistics SA (http://www.statssa.gov.za/?page_id=1854&PPN=P0318 Page 10), it was found that a third of South African parents have not told stories to their children and that 50% have never read a book to their children. Those little ones that have missed out and are at a distinct disadvantage when starting their school careers.

Parenting Hub

MATRICS: A PAST PAPER A WEEK KEEPS YOUR FINALS RESULTS ON FLEEK

The moment of truth has arrived for this year’s Grade 12s. With fewer than 100 days until the start of their final examinations, the Class of 2019 now has to pull out all the stops to ensure they achieve to their full potential, as their final results will play a decisive role in the options open to them in years to come.

Parenting Hub

Matric learners: Top tips for exam success

Matric learners all over South Africa have the finish line in sight as the race to complete their schooling career nears its end. Cindy Glass, Director and Co-founder of Step Up Education Centres explains “There is no doubt that the upcoming Trial and Final exams can be a source of anxiety and stress for most, if not all, Grade 12 learners-and their parents! The task ahead can feel overwhelmingly challenging and the resulting fear-of-failure can and, too-often, does become counter-productive in the learning process.”

Parenting Hub

Review: Lulla Doll

Lulla Doll is the perfect companion for your young child. The box inside this snuggly soft doll plays real-life recordings of breathing and heartbeat for 12 hours! This ensures that your little one will be more relaxed and get a better nights rest.

Bonitas – innovation, life stages and quality care

Medical aid non-disclosures: What you need to know

Be honest and disclose all information. Don’t forget to read the questionnaire carefully and regardless of whether you think it’s important or not, or whether the medical condition was years previously, include it in your application

Impaq

Will your preschooler cope with the demands of school?

When your child turns 6 it usually means that it’s their last year in preschool. In a year, your child will need to start primary school, but how do you know that your child will cope with the formal demands of school? Or be able to function to his/her full potential? As a parent, you may have lots of questions about this new phase in your child’s life. You would want to know that your child is ready to start their learning journey. If your child is not ready, it could influence his/her academic performance.

LEGO South Africa

LEGO® Ideas Treehouse blooming with sustainable bricks

The Treehouse is one of the largest LEGO Ideas sets yet released, and is a challenging build that features more than 3,000 parts and includes more sustainably manufactured bricks than any other set released to date: all 185 plants and leaves are made from sustainable materials sourced from sugarcane. This includes the treetop canopy, which has interchangeable sets of green summer leaf elements and yellow and brown autumn leaf elements.

Parenting Hub

Silicone necklaces for moms and babies

BABE-Eeze silicone necklaces are attractive, brightly coloured bead necklaces that babies can chew on, pull on and play with and are perfect for teething babies. The beads and cords are non toxic and are free from BPA, PVC, Phthalates, Cadmium and lead.

Parenting Hub

FIRST YEAR FEAR: FACING UP TO STUDY CHOICE DOUBT & CONFUSION

After their first semester and first major university exams, many first years are sitting with an unenviable conundrum – the realisation that they may not have made the best choice about what to study for the next 3 years of their life.

The Papery

Our Planet. Our children’s future!

In this day and age, people in general are becoming more and more aware of the impact that we are having on the environment. This doesn’t only mean doing things within your own home, but also being aware of what businesses are doing to slow down the damage. It is vitally important that pressure is put on any business that is not doing enough.

Parenting Hub

Review: Mom2B Pregnancy Shakes

Keeping your body at optimum levels during and after pregnancy can be tough, especially if you are planning on breastfeeding.  With everyone having all the advice in the world on how and what you should be doing, it really is important for your baby that you receive essential vitamins and minerals from a brand you can trust.  Mom2B has all the answers. Parenting Hub was given Mom2B’s range of Pregnancy Shakes to review.   We always have a preggie mom on hand to try new products and Gemma was most excited to take on the challenge. On new mom Jackie, a breast feeding mom was also keen to jump in and try something new! Gemma reported that shortly after starting the shakes that she could feel a difference in her energy levels. With this being a tough pregnancy for her, she was so happy to not feel tired all the time. She reported that the flavours were amazing and not too sweet which is so important.  Jackie who is currently breastfeeding said that she found Mom2B’s shakes so quick and easy and a really nice way to supplement her diet. She also felt that her energy levels were up and that she could cope much better with the stress that comes with looking after a newborn. These Mom2B Shakes come in three tasty flavours, chocolate, vanilla and strawberry.  They’re packed with vitamins B5, B6, B12, B1, B2, B3, C, D and E as well as biotin, folic acid, zinc, iodine, iron and magnesium.  They’re also low in fat, high in fibre and a great source of calcium and phosphorus – all the necessary supplements required during pregnancy. Produced locally by Nativa (Pty) Ltd since April 1999, this wide range of alternative and complementary health products can be obtained through visiting www.mom2b.co.za.  Nativa report that feedback from consumers has been excellent, indicating that Nativa products have improved the quality of their lives. Nativa’s values are: Integrity, honesty, excellence, courage and collaboration and through the excellent interaction that Parenting Hub and our clients have experienced, it is very evident that Nativa live up to these values.  Parenting Hub highly recommends Mom2B’s range of products.

Prima Baby

BABY SENSES ANIMAL THEATRE AND FINGER PUPPET

Chicco’s Baby Senses range of toy is a developmentally engaging range of colourful toys that range from simple multi-cloths to rattles, teethers, puzzles and much, much more. All designed with early development in mind, the range is bright and stimulating and offers a toy for every stage of your child’s first year.

Parenting Hub

3 Tips to manage homesickness like a pro

When you introduce the idea of camp to your children, the first reaction expected is of excitement, looking forward to making new friends, being away from home and new experiences. For some children, however, the idea of being away from home might be frightening and a cause of anxiety.

Parenting Hub

Review: Boon Bundle – Feeding starter kit

This fun and yet practical designer starter bundle can hold up to 12 bottles and sippy cup accessories. The grass also has a drip tray below thus ensuring that your counters stay dry through cleaning.

Skidz

What should my toddler be doing during the day?

PLAY! This may seem obvious, but it is essential to a child’s development. Sometimes we focus so much on what we should or shouldn’t be doing and look at everything as work, but play is a child’s work. This is how they explore their world. Play teaches them important physical skills such as coordination, balance and muscle control. These set the foundation for more complicated physical skills such as kicking a ball while running, skipping and doing cartwheels. Again these may seem like trivial skills but they are essential to a child’s development and set the stage for academic success.

Paarl Dietitians

How Sugar can Damage our DNA

While we may be familiar with the dangers of a poor diet, in particular eating too much sugar, the actual effects of this may be far more frightening than previously imagined. Certainly, science supports the idea that excess sugar consumption leads to weight gain, increasing our chances of becoming obese as well as developing diabetes and heart disease. But now, new data shows that sugar can harm us in a place we didn’t expect, by actually attacking our DNA. Majority of the world’s population will average around 13-14% of calories a day from pure added sugar. It would seem we’re destined to harm our DNA.

Parenting Hub

Teach your children to have self-respect

Imagine holding a big juicy orange in your hand. The fruit feels heavy and cool and you excitedly anticipate enjoying what it has ‘inside’. You know for sure that the orange, when squeezed, will only produce orange juice. You do not expect, nor will you receive, apple, pear or even grape juice, right? This is, of course because an orange only HAS orange juice inside to ‘give’.

Prima Baby

BABY SENSES VIBRATING MONKEY RATTLE AND GIRAFFE RATTLE

Baby Senses Vibrating Monkey Rattle and Giraffe Rattle are two of the cutest and most entertaining baby rattles on the market right now. Baby Senses is a developmental range of colourful toys that engage and stimulate children from as young as three months and the two rattles are both engaging with features such as teething rings, crinkly textures and a vibration on the Vibrating Monkeys leg. Soft enough to even cuddle, the two rattles are ideal to stimulate curiosity and bright enough to engage baby’s vision.

Bonitas – innovation, life stages and quality care

Combatting rising healthcare costs

Access to quality healthcare remains a priority for South Africans. However, with healthcare costs consistently outpacing inflation, the challenge for private medical schemes remains finding the right balance between providing a high level of value and care for members, while managing costs effectively.

Parenting Hub

Don’t forget to have FUN!

Sometimes. Moms and Dads get so bogged down with the routines of the day that they forget to have fun with their children.

LEGO South Africa

AR adds a new way to play with LEGO® Hidden Side™

South Africa’s first two LEGO® Certified Stores have celebrated the arrival of LEGO® Hidden Side™, an augmented reality-enhanced play theme where kids must turn a haunted world back to normal, one ghost (and one brick) at a time.

Parenting Hub

University athletes score top jobs

Participation in university sports is highly regarded by future employers. In an increasingly competitive business world, progressive companies seek out young people with skills crafted both in the classroom and on the sporting field. Student athletes can gain corporate attention by showcasing their dedication to high performance and skills, this is often transferable in an office environment.  “Whether a student is aiming to play a sport at a professional level or just play for fun during their university years, they can leverage their athletic abilities to land a top career after they graduate,” says Rebecca Pretorius, Country Manager for Crimson Education. The global education company assists young people to gain entry to universities in the United States and United Kingdom. Pretorius highlights some key skills that student athletes possess, which will benefit them in the working world:  Resilience – businesses seek employees who can ride out the tough times and use failure as motivation to improve. Years of communicating effectively with coaches has seen athletes appreciate the benefits of constructive criticism. They understand the importance of effective communication and thrive on clear expectations.  Team player – corporate recruiters look for young people who understand how to both take control and be effective followers. Athletes understand the importance of working together towards a common goal.  Eye on the prize – athletes are achievement orientated. Most have practiced their sport since a young age and have developed a strong understanding of the psychological mindset of success.  Efficiency – the time management and organisational skills learned by juggling academics and sporting practices translate into an employee who uses their time wisely, who performs well under stress and meets all required deadlines.  Self-awareness – athletes are team members who bring their own set of skills to the table with an awareness of how their contribution compliments the input of others. This displays an understanding of how they will fit into company culture.  “Success in sports boils down to finding the best fit university, having a good strategy and getting started early,” says Pretorius. With a specialised athletic division, Crimson Education assists learners by designing and helping to implement an admissions roadmap. This includes athletic campaigning to coaches, eligibility assessment, creating a recruitment video, and test preparation and tutoring to ensure that academic requirements are met. Helping applicants navigate admissions processes and campaign to coaches across all divisions has seen 100% of Crimson Education students gain access to universities on a sports scholarship. Students and parents who are inspired by the idea can attend one of the company’s information sessions by emailing [email protected].

Parenting Hub

August is breastfeeding month: Relax into breast feeding

Each new mum’s circumstances are different, and they help her decide on whether to breast or bottle feed her newborn. Whatever method she chooses, the hours cuddling her little one while feeding are a most precious part of motherhood.

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