Parenting Hub

Life is about to get a whole lot more ‘Yummy’ for South Africans

South Africans can look forward to a whole new level of yummy food as a brand-new confectionery treat from DarioPro, a South African manufacturer of high-quality snacks and treats, launches into the market. From afternoon tea with Ouma to treats at the monthly stokvel meetings and everything in between, confectionery and baked goodies hold a beloved spot in our country’s culture. We are a nation that values family, tradition, and, of course, celebration, and cake is often the highlight of these moments. Now, satisfying those cake cravings is going to be so much easier with the launch of Yummy Cakes, a range of decadently delicious ready-to-eat cakes, cupcakes and donuts manufactured by DarioPro, a company providing the highest quality snacks at the best value since 2014. Crafted from the finest carefully selected ingredients and inspired by both classic and contemporary tastes, Yummy Cakes has something delicious for every palate. These treats come packaged in single-size servings that ensure a fresh, velvety texture bursting with flavour no matter where you are. Think of an indulgent lunchbox surprise, a perfect picnic basket addition, or even just a sweet afternoon treat at the office; Yummy Cakes conveniently fit into the ordinary daily moments, making them extraordinary. “We are so excited to bring the Yummy Cake range to the country”, says Abdullahi M. Amin, Director at Yummy Cakes. “We had a simple philosophy – to deliver quality, ready-to-eat cakes that are a feast for all the senses to all South Africans no matter where they may be or what time of day it is. There is no need to wait for an occasion to eat cake because we believe that eating cake is an occasion in itself!” Aside from being delicious, the best part about the Yummy Cake range for consumers is how convenient these treats are. From teatime to lunch time, they are the perfect any-time, on-the-go snack. A yummy cake for every craving Yummy Cakes come in a variety of variants, each crafted to perfection to satisfy every taste. Yummy Cakes are the perfect any-time snack for cake lovers of all ages and are available at leading retail outlets to ensure that deliciousness is always within reach.  For more information, visit www.yummycakes.co.za or www.dariopro.co.za. 

Parenting Hub

What society is learning from  ‘Adolescence’

In just over a month since its mid-March release, Netflix’s Adolescence, the British television psychological crime series created by Stephen Graham and Jack Thorne, has racked up over a 114 million views, and that tally is still on the rise. The four-episode series is a fictional drama, but many viewers across the world are resonating with the story as a true and chilling account of modern life. Jaco van Schalkwyk, Founder of The Character Company (TCC), a non-profit organisation working with boys with absent fathers, who is also a parent, says, “Adolescence is in effect, a pure horror story for parents, teachers and mentors. However devastating the series is to watch; it has instigated an outpouring of conversations globally, and in South Africa, as if people are instinctively recognising a modern societal truth at the heart of this fictional story. “At TCC, we are hoping that these strong reactions and hard conversations make some positive impacts in moving the needle forward for boys’ well-being in ways that makes both them and girls safer in the world.   “For me, Adolescence brings home how common it is for today’s adults to be disconnected from the child’s world and completely behind the curve when it comes to the dangers lurking in children’s digital lives.” A “whydunnit” rather than a “whodunnit” story of the brutal murder of a girl by her 13-year-old male classmate, Adolescence offers audiences no easy or definitive answers. Instead, it highlights the complicated convergence of enduring patriarchal, masculinity norms and gender issues with the contemporary themes of children’s unfettered and unsupervised internet access, cyberbullying, the incel culture of the manosphere and the impacts of misogyny influencers such as Andrew Tate, who even gets name-checked in episode two by a Detective Sergeant investigating the case. Jaco says, “One of the reasons why Adolescence is making such an impact on viewers is that the protagonist Jamie Miller is an ordinary boy from an ordinary home in an ordinary middle-class community. He has a loving family; he’s intelligent, a solid achiever at school with no history of troubling behaviour. His problems in life are just the same as any adolescent boy – self-consciousness at his changing body, grappling with masculinity and his standing in the male hierarchy, and of course, contending with how to successfully relate to girls. There are no bad parents, abusive circumstances or socio-economic disadvantages to blame or explain the terrible tragedy that has unfolded.” The impacts of ‘Adolescence’ so far There have been a wide range of reactions to Adolescence with charities which call for social media and device bans for children reporting an uptick in support for their causes in some countries. British Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer instigated an Adolescence conversation in Parliament, and Sir Gareth Southgate went viral for a speech calling for positive male role models to step up for boys. More and more schools are calling for device bans, and masculinity researchers are calling for a reframing of the ‘crisis of masculinity’ and more resources. All these hard conversations, and many of the ideas stemming from them hold merit, but there’s also a society-wide call to also address issues in modern parenting and schooling. Jaco says, “While Jamie did not have bad parents, they were disconnected from his reality – in a very ordinary way. They thought that because he was mostly off the streets and in his bedroom on his computer that he was safe. I think this is a common mistake modern parents make. “Because we are not using social media in the same ways and because we aren’t in gaming chatrooms, we don’t understand the dangerous world our children are living in. Because we are always so busy and so tired, we don’t have the bandwidth to be fully intentional about connecting with our children – it’s as if we have lost the roadmap to find our way into their world. Because we are also addicted to our phones, we don’t have digital hygiene rules in our homes, and we don’t model healthy online behaviours.” Adolescents, with their developing pre-frontal cortices of the brain, are particularly trying to discover and work out the pathways to becoming adults – if parents, teachers and mentors are not engaging meaningfully with them in this pursuit, they will surely find other role models to use as their guides. After all, the Andrew Tates of the world have business models based on filling this very gap for vulnerable boys and young men. TCC (The Character Company) identifies 3 lessons from Adolescence for parents, teachers and mentors: Jaco concludes, “I think audiences have responded so viscerally to Adolescence because it is a society-wide cry for help. To withstand the powerful influences and impacts of the digital world, our children desperately need strong, clear values, more open and transparent in-person communication, and the kind of intentional connections that satisfy their whole-person needs for understanding, guidance, direction and recognition. Teachers, parents and role models need to be clear that today’s children need our time and the quality of attention from us that is full of meaning and relevance to their lives.”

DIBBER SA

Benefits of Learning Multiple Languages: A Parent’s Role in Language Development

In an increasingly connected world, multilingualism is emerging as one of the most valuable skills a child can develop. At Dibber International Preschools, language learning is seen not only as a tool for communication but as a vital pathway to cognitive, social, and cultural development – beginning in the early years of life. “Children have a natural ability to absorb language from a very young age,” says Ursula Assis, Country Director of Dibber International Preschools. “When families and educators support this journey together, children not only learn to speak more than one language, but also gain confidence, empathy, and cognitive flexibility that stays with them throughout their lives.” The Cognitive Edge Research consistently shows that children who are exposed to multiple languages benefit from improved memory, problem-solving skills, and mental agility. Switching between languages encourages cognitive flexibility and enhances the brain’s executive function – an ability linked to academic success. Cultural Understanding Through Language Language is deeply tied to culture, and learning more than one language offers children a window into other ways of life. Bilingual children often display a heightened sense of empathy and understanding. “By encouraging language learning, we also nurture children’s appreciation for diversity. This is especially important in South Africa, where embracing cultural richness is part of our national identity,” says Assis. Long-Term Academic and Career Benefits Multilingualism has been linked to better literacy, stronger academic performance, and improved writing and reading comprehension. In the long term, bilingual individuals are more competitive in the global workforce. “Whether our children become doctors, designers, or diplomats, knowing more than one language gives them a powerful advantage,” Assis adds. Supporting Language Development at Home Parents play an essential role in fostering language development. Reading bilingual books, singing songs, and conversing in both languages are simple yet effective ways to reinforce language learning. “Consistency, encouragement, and playfulness are key. Children learn best in environments where language is part of daily routines and joyful moments.” Dibber’s Commitment to Language-Rich Learning Language learning is embedded in a play-based, holistic approach at Dibber International Preschools. Through songs, storytelling, and culturally inclusive practices, children are supported in their language acquisition journey while developing emotionally, socially, and intellectually. “The ability to understand and speak more than one language gives children the tools to thrive in a multicultural world. It’s a gift that empowers them for life,” concludes Assis. For more information about Dibber International Preschools and how we support language learning in early childhood, visit www.dibber.co.za.

Twinkl

Helping Your Child Learn a Lot of Work Before Exams: Tips and Tricks for Parents

As exam time approaches, many parents wonder how to help their children revise a large amount of work without becoming overwhelmed. Whether it’s content-heavy subjects like Natural Sciences or History, or skill-based ones like Maths and English, it’s all about working smarter—not harder. Here are some tried-and-tested tips to help your child tackle their revision effectively and with confidence. 1. Break it Down into Manageable Chunks Trying to learn everything at once can feel impossible. Help your child divide their work into small, manageable sections. Use a study timetable to plan what to revise each day. Focus on one topic at a time rather than trying to do everything in one sitting. 2. Make Use of Visuals Children often remember things better when they can see the information. Encourage them to use: These tools not only make studying more fun, but also help learners make connections between ideas and recall them more easily in exams. 3. Repetition is Key Revisiting information multiple times helps move it from short-term to long-term memory. Encourage regular review of previously studied topics instead of cramming the night before. 4. Talk It Out Some children learn best by talking things through. Encourage your child to explain what they’ve learned to you, a sibling, or even a pet! If they can teach it clearly, they probably understand it well.  5. Keep it Active Sitting still for hours can make anyone lose focus. Try these methods to keep your child actively engaged in their learning: 6. Balance Work and Rest More work doesn’t always mean better results. A tired or stressed child won’t retain information easily. Make sure your child gets: A well-rested brain is a ready-to-learn brain. 7. Use Reliable Resources Having access to quality, age-appropriate resources can make all the difference. Twinkl offers everything you need for exam revision in one place: These resources help your child feel prepared, organised, and supported as they work through large sections of content. You can find all Twinkl’s practice assessments, tests and exams here: https://www.twinkl.co.za/l/p0upw You don’t have to be a teacher to help your child succeed—you just need to be present, patient, and encouraging. Praise the effort, guide the process, and remind them that it’s okay to take breaks and ask for help. With good preparation and your support, they’ll go into their exams feeling confident and capable.

Sandton City

Sandton City creates family-friendly facilities- Iconic mall puts families first with thoughtful upgrades

Sandton City, Africa’s most iconic shopping destination, has elevated its shopping experience with a complete refurbishment of most of its bathrooms, ensuring ultimate comfort, convenience, and choice for visitors. The upgrades include dedicated nursing rooms and purified water dispensers outside each bathroom, promoting sustainability, by encouraging bottle refills and reducing single-use plastic.   Additionally, upgraded floor and wall tiling provides a sleek, modern aesthetic, while improved lighting creates well-lit and inviting spaces. The size of the toilet cubicles has been increased for added comfort and accessibility. Push-activated taps have been installed to accommodate individuals with upper limb disabilities. Privacy screens strategically placed in male bathrooms now provide added discretion. As an extension of its commitment to family-friendly shopping, Sandton City offers a full baby care lounge featuring a kitchen, baby change area, feeding rooms, and a play zone, making parenting on the go more convenient. This lounge is situated on the lower level, at entrance 4 near Checkers, and is free-to-use. For easy access to this facility, dedicated mom and tots parking bays, located the centre’s main near entrances, are marked in bright colours for easy identification, adding another layer of convenience.  Sandton City thrives on being an unparalleled, world-class retail destination. With over 374 stores, the centre houses an array of highly sought-after local and international brands. To cater to evolving shopper needs, Sandton City recently welcomed Mio Mondo, South Africa’s first luxury kids and baby store, offering a curated selection of designer brands such as Kenzo, Moschino, Karl Lagerfeld, all geared for ages 0 – 16. Parents can also shop a host of family-focused retailers including Dis-Chem Baby City, Koco Bino, Cotton Kids, Keedo, and Naartjie, offering special baby and kids’ apparel and lifestyle products. “At Sandton City, we are always looking for ways to enhance the shopper experience, ensuring that every visitor, whether they’re parents with young children, business professionals, or international tourists, enjoys a world-class environment,” says Dimitri Kokinos, General Manager of Sandton City. “These latest upgrades reflect our commitment to comfort, convenience, and sustainability, reinforcing Sandton City’s position as Africa’s most prestigious retail destination.” For more information and regular updates go to www.sandtoncity.com or follow Sandton City on social media @sandtoncitymall. 

Vital Baby

Postpartum Depression – Why So Many Suffer in Silence

Bringing a baby into the world is often portrayed as a time of joy and excitement, but for many South African mothers, the reality is far more complex. Postpartum depression (PPD) affects an estimated 1 in 3 new mothers in South Africa, yet many suffer in silence due to stigma, lack of awareness, and limited access to support. Understanding the signs, causes, and solutions for postpartum depression is crucial in ensuring that mothers receive the care they need. Postpartum depression is more than just the “baby blues.” While temporary mood swings and exhaustion are common after childbirth, PPD is a serious mental health condition that can persist for months if left untreated. Symptoms include extreme sadness, anxiety, irritability, loss of interest in activities, changes in sleep and appetite, and difficulty bonding with the baby. Sr Londekile Ntsiba, an independent midwife and Vital Baby’s trusted advisor, explains: “New mothers are expected to be overjoyed, but many struggle with overwhelming emotions, guilt, and exhaustion. Unfortunately, the fear of being judged prevents many women from seeking the help they need.” Several factors contribute to the high rates of postpartum depression in South Africa: The good news is that postpartum depression is treatable, and support is available. Encouraging open conversations about mental health and ensuring that mothers receive the right care can make a significant difference. For mothers struggling with postpartum depression, it’s important to seek help as soon as possible. Here are some essential support resources in South Africa: Sr Londe adds: “No mother should have to go through this alone. By raising awareness and providing accessible support, we can help more women find the strength to heal and enjoy motherhood.” Postpartum depression is a serious but treatable condition. If you or someone you know is struggling, reach out for help. By breaking the silence and fostering a culture of understanding, we can ensure that South African mothers receive the support they need to thrive.

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