The school holidays and Christmas period can be a time where your children are more prone to putting on weight. All that yummy food and entertaining with family and friends can mean little exercise and more food than ever.

To ensure that your kids don’t put on those extra kilos, trying using these helpful hints: -

·       Keep your kids to a routine of eating as they normally would at school. This means breakfast early, little lunch, big lunch, afternoon tea and an early dinner. This will keep their metabolism firing and discourage larger meals less often.

·       Keep the kids active. Ensure that every day they are doing activities such as running, skateboarding, swimming, playing tennis and any other games that make them puff and sweat.

·       Restrict television time to two hours per day. Did you know that you burn less kilojoules watching telly than you do when you’re sleeping?

·       Restrict the amount of sugary sweets they are eating throughout the day and try replacing with fruit and juice.

·       Don’t feed your kids junk food when you’re tired and couldn’t be bothered to cook. Try pre-cooking some meals so that you can defrost or pop into the oven for those nights when you just haven’t got the energy!

And remember that nutrition isn’t the only important factor in your Childs health over the holidays. Remember to keep the kids protected from the sun and watch them when they are in or playing near the pool!

Most of all, enjoy your holidays!

It can be an emotional time for split families over the school and Christmas break. Both parents want to spend time with the kids, yet tensions run high, as equal sharing isn’t always as it should be.

The more organised and specific you are about the dates and times with your ex partner, the better. Why don’t you and your ex partner put together a schedule of when you will take the child/ren? Involve the kids as well and ensure that an equal amount of outings are distributed evenly between the parents.

Agree on what “spending the day” really means. One parent may interpret this as meaning a few hours or lunch together, where as the other parent might want to pick them up early in the morning and have them stay overnight.

Who had Christmas at their place last year? Be realistic. If you had Christmas at your place the previous year, expect that the other parent would want to have it at their place. And this is only fair.

If you and your partner are on friendly terms, perhaps you could stay at the same house  (separate bedrooms of course!) with the kids the night before, so that you can all open Christmas presents together the following morning.

Don’t think that Christmas is the only day that you can be together with your kids. There are plenty of other events in the holidays such as Christmas Eve and New Years that you can also spend some precious time and make happy memories.

If this year your kids are at another location with your ex, don’t get upset but take it as an opportunity to do something for yourself that you wouldn’t normally do. Perhaps you could go out for dinner with friends or travel to a holiday destination and spoil yourself.

Don’t let your holidays become burdened with unnecessary worrying about split parenting. Be smart and organise everything up front! You, your ex partner and the kids will all have a fun and relaxing time.

If your children are too young to purchase gifts on their own, you’re probably already in charge of purchasing gifts on behalf of them for other family members.

But what if your family member is an ex-partner and you don’t really feel like making the effort?

As we all know, children come first in these sorts of situations and you should take this opportunity to make the purchase of a gift for the kids fun and exciting.

A child receives a whole lot of joy from gift giving and you can get as much out of the exercise as they do, if not more!

It might be a good idea to have a chat with your ex partner before going out to purchase a gift for them and discuss a budget and anything else that you think might be necessary as to avoid conflict. If you and your ex aren’t on speaking terms, just do your best!

Ask the kids, if they’re old enough to understand, what they would like to purchase the parent for Christmas. Perhaps give them a budget, say $50, and allow them to hold onto the money for a special trip to the store. You can make the purchase of the gift very exciting for them.

Perhaps you could guide your child into purchasing something that you know the ex would benefit from, and give them some directions as to what to purchase. You might take the opportunity to play a fun game with them and have them find a special brand, colour or size. This will also help with bored children at a shopping centre during the Christmas rush!

If you can’t afford a present because money is tight, then perhaps you’ll consider spending some time with your child and make something for your ex partner instead. Your child will be chuffed that they used their hands to make something and the parent will have a special keepsake.

Once your child is old enough (i.e. They have their own source of income) then he or she can decide to continue the gift giving for their parent at Christmas, if they so wish.

If your ex decides not to participate in the gift giving, then it is still important that you do so – it is about the children and their feelings and it is important not to turn Christmas and something fun for them into an event that makes them feel like they cannot show their appreciation and love to their parents.

Christmas is a time of giving so try to enjoy it!

The thought of Christmas with your family this year may not make you feel as warm and fuzzy as it has in the past, especially if you’re recently separated or divorced. But it doesn’t have to be difficult.

Remember that as adults you really need to keep your kids in mind first and foremost. Ask your kids what family traditions they love and would like to keep at Christmas time. Perhaps you could discuss implementing new family traditions for the years to come. By involving the kids in the decision and change, they will adapt much more easily.

Respect your kids wishes. If they would prefer to spend some time on Christmas with another parent, allow them to do so. You don’t want to force your child into a Christmas lunch or dinner that they aren’t going to enjoy.

If in the past you have spent Christmas at the family home, perhaps make it exciting for the kids and spend the day somewhere else, like at their grandparents home or even go away to a holiday house.

Christmas also doesn’t need to be an expensive time for families who might be struggling with finances after becoming a single parent. Remember that making Christmas decorations, cooking or singing Christmas carols together can often make the fondest of memories. Memories are more important than material possessions.

It might also be a great idea to discuss the gift giving with your ex partner so  you can ensure the kids aren’t over-indulged or let down. It’s best to ensure an equal amount of gifts of equal value are received from both parents. No competitions!

Wherever possible, keep the extended family (grandparents and cousins) in contact throughout the entire holiday period so that the children feel as normal as possible. It might be an idea to have a family before getting together to ensure that there is no tension between families on the day.

And remember to always keep communication to and/or about your ex in front of the kids positive and respectful.

Good luck!

I recently watched a series on the Bio channel (on Foxtel) called “The Mummy Diaries”. This mini series follows the real life stories of families whose mother has been diagnosed with terminal cancer and shows how the family prepares for her possible death.

I know, a bit of a depressing topic, but this story really touched my heart and made me think about life a little.

I realized that not everyone is a single parent simply because of divorce or separation. There are plenty of single parents out there struggling not only with raising a child/ren on their own, but struggling with the grief of the loss of a partner.

Whatever the situation, the impact of the death of a mother or father in a family unit is enormous.

In the series, each family has a visit from a grievance counselor whose job it is is to speak to the children and prepare them best for what is ahead. The counselor does a fantastic job of speaking to the (almost always) young children and gaining an understanding of how much they comprehend about mummy’s illness and what might happen.

The counselor also offers advice to the children and helps them to understand what grief is and encourages them to speak about their thoughts, feelings, and their emotions.

Most of the young children understand that mummy is dying but don’t really understand what it means. Where will mummy go? Will we ever see her again? But I will miss her!

While the show is almost unbearable to watch, it really does make you think about your own children.

No parent wants for her children to grieve her death, but they do you want you to remember them. Did you know that a child under the age of 5 will forget about their mother or father only 6 months after the parent has gone?

The whole point of the series is preparation for death. The grievance counselor has asked that the mother puts together a box filled with memories and keepsakes for the children to refer to, as they grow older. Such keepsakes could include a special blanket; a poem, a soft toy or just a little hand-written note saying how much Mummy loves you.  She also is asked to write a manual for the child’s life, filling the book with information on school, work, dating, marriage, children and anything else in between.

It made me think: Why wait until you are faced with death before putting all of your special memories into one box? Why don’t you write about how much you love your children every day and put it somewhere safe for them to read it later on in life?

If I were to leave this earth tomorrow, I would want my baby to know who I was and how much I love her. I don’t want her to rely on a few photographs and not much else. I want my little girl to know who I am, provide her with a little bit of guidance and help her through life should I not be there when she needs it.

So what do you think? Are you preparing for your child’s future, even if you’re not there? I think it’s a touching idea for all parents to consider.

Click here to visit the Cancer Institute NSW and find some useful links to various cancer organizations in your area.

(Taken from http://www.police.govt.nz)People expect to feel safe and secure in their own homes and statistically the likelihood of a physical encounterwith an intruder is low.The chances of such an event happening can be reduced by installing appropriate security devices. This will increase the level of protection in the home, and potential risks to personal safety can be furtherminimised by observing sensible security practices.While presented with the safety of women in mind, these suggestions can equally apply to any householder.The advice concentrates on those issues relating to personal safety.General security precautionsIt is unwise to leave door keys under a flowerpot, mat, in a letterbox or similar hiding place. Burglars find them. Be wary of leaving keys with tradespeople - keys can be copied. Items left lying around such as ladders, tools, gardening implements, lawnmowers and bicycles, can attract acriminal onto the property, and some of the items may be used to gain entry.Open garage doors and open windows can also be attractive to criminals. Windows should have security fittings,particularly if left open. If you are at home and leave any exterior doors open or unlocked, consider that a prowler could take the opportunity to gain easy access.If you arrive home and you think there has been a burglary, do not enter, an intruder may still be inside. Go to a neighbour and telephone the Police.When arriving home alone it can be a good idea to carry a personal or remote alarm for your car or house. If your safety is threatened you can easily activate your alarm.Carry your house keys in your hand for quick entry if needed.It is important not to overlook potential fire hazards when considering home security practices. The installation of smoke alarms and availability of fire extinguishers are ways you can reduce the risk of a serious fire occurring in your home.External securityBe aware that large shrubs, plants, or very high fencing can provide a place for prowlers to hide. Thorny plants along fencelines can discourage prowlers from climbing over, and having fully enclosed fencing with a gate creates a barrier. Prowlers are less likely to target such a property with restricted access and restrictedescape routes.Ensure your house number can be clearly seen from the road at all times. Visibility of a street number at night is important for Police and other services responding to any emergency. Many people choose to display their names on letterboxes or doorplates. Women living alone might consider using initials rather than identifying gender by use of their first name.Consider fitting exterior sensor lights to deter prowlers. If returning home at night a sensor light installed near the front door will provide good visibility of the surrounding area. Joining Neighbourhood Support and displaying Neighbourhood Support, Beware of Dog and burglar alarm signs, candiscourage criminal activity.Internal securityA home that has security features will increase the level of protection against intrusion.Basic measures to increase security are: Fitting deadlocks to outer doors and internal access garage doors Fitting lockable bolts to ranchsliders and french doors Fitting door viewers and security chains Securing louvre windows by glueing into fittings or replacing with an alternative Other measures: Installing a burglar alarm Having a panic button for the burglar alarm in your bedroom Having a light switch within reach of your bed and a telephone with a list of emergencycontact numbers Keeping a dog for protection, or acquiring an electronic barking device as a deterrent Replacing any hollow external doors with solid core ones fitted into sturdy framing, orinstalling security screen doors on the outsideResponding to people at the door - male or femaleDon’t open your door without using a DOORSTOPObserve first. Always check by looking through a window or door viewer. Only open your door partly with security chain connected. Refuse entry if in doubt and telephone the Police or a neighbour. Switch on outside lights when dark to see who is there. Think “suspicious”. Strangers may be thieves trying to gain entry. Only open the door after examining identification and satisfying yourself it is genuine. Protect your family as well. Make sure children know the code. If you are alone you can create the impression that someone else is present by shouting out that you will answer the door.Ways people may attempt to gain entry to your house: Asking to use the telephone Asking for a glass of water Asking for donations Conducting a survey Impersonating sales representatives, officials, tradespeople and othersWays to respond may include: Saying NO Leaving the person outside and offering to make a telephone call for them Denying entry until telephoning their office to verify that they are legitimateYou should not compromise your safety by opening the door to strangers or allowing them inside, unless you haveestablished that it is safe to do so.If you have advertised an item for sale and have arranged for a stranger to view it, a good idea could be having a friend or relative present in your home.Prowlers on the propertyProwlers are either potential burglars or the peeping type who will peer through any window where curtains or blinds have not been drawn.Lingerie left on a washing line overnight may attract this type of person onto the property.Check that all doorsand windows are secure when you go out, and before going to bed at night.A woman by herself in the home can place objects on a porch or similar place, suggesting the presence of anotherperson at the address.A pair of large size boots for example may deter a prowler.If a prowler is seen, telephone the Police immediately.A description should be provided of the person, clothing,and direction of travel if the person has run away.After telephoning the Police remain quiet and do not alert the prowler, provided your safety is not beingthreatened.This will allow the Police a better chance of apprehending the prowler.However, if you think theprowler is about to break in, switch on the lights if at night, and make as much noise as possible.It’s best not to go outside even if you think the prowler has run away.Going outside could expose you to danger if the person is still nearby or returns, and your presence could hamperPolice personnel and dogs engaged on search and tracking operations.IntrudersHaving a predetermined safety plan will enable you to make the best decision for dealing with an emergency.Making a safety plan involves consideration of the following issues: Whether you are alone or if there are children or other adults present in the home The internal layout of your home for access to any children and escape routes Proximity to neighbours and boundary features of your property An agreement with your neighbours on how they will respond Utilising an existing room as a safe area, which must have a telephone installed, windowsecurity, and a door able to be securely locked from the inside Choosing to use a safe room or to escape from the home. This will depend on the particular situation and personal circumstances, and factors to consider may include:-The risks of encountering an intruder inside or outside the property during an escape. Whether ground floor windows are accessible if an exit door is blocked by an intruder, and physical agility to climb out and run to safety.Emergency actionTry to avoid any contact with the intruder. Telephone the Police on 000 at the earliest opportunity that it is safe to do so. A quick decision must be made to either secure yourself (children) in a safe room, or to escape from the home.If you decide to secure yourself in a safe room, telephone your neighbours as well as the Police. If you do encounter the intruder, try and move out of the way. Call out to somebody else in the house to telephone the Police, even if you are alone. You can attract attention by breaking windows and shouting loudly things like “Go away”, “Get out of my home”, “Somebody call the Police”.If you cannot avoid the intruder and shouting and making a noise has no effect, an alternative is to make yourself calm, then in a firm manner tell the intruder to leave. Being assertive is an important self defence technique. Display a confident manner, hold your head up, pull your shoulders back, stand tall.Be prepared to physically defend yourself. The most vulnerable parts of an attacker’s body are the eyes, nose and genital area. You are allowed to use force against your attacker when defending yourself, but be aware that if you use something as a weapon in self defence, it could be turned against you. You can find out about self defence classes in your area.During an emergency activate any available, fitted, remote or personal alarm system when it is practicable andsafe to do so.Telephone securityWhen using the telephone, don’t give personal information to strangers or callers representing themselves as market research or telemarketing companies as they may not be genuine. When answering the telephone, it may be better to use “Hello” rather than reveal your name or telephone number.Do not let strangers know that you are at home alone. When it appears a caller has dialled your number by mistake, do not supply your name, address or telephone number. Ask the caller the number wanted then advise that a dialling error was made. When recording an answerphone message, do not indicate what times you will be in or out, and keep personal information to a minimum.A woman living alone could consider using the term “we” on the recording tape, or have a male friend record the message. Persons using cellular telephones need to be aware that conversations can be scanned and should be careful not to disclose any information that would assist a criminal and place their safety at risk.Receiving abusive callsMost telephone calls of an obscene nature are made to women by men seeking an emotive reaction to achieve power and control.Some perpetrators may search a directory looking for a female name. A woman living alone could decide not to make her gender obvious by only having surname and initials appearing in the telephone directory.An alternative security measure could be to have an unlisted number.A person receiving any obscene call should immediately replace the receiver without making any verbal response. In the event of repetitive calls, the telephone can either be left off the hook, or a whistle or radio played into the mouthpiece. Such tactics act as a deterrent by denying the caller any personal contact. The date and time of any obscene or threatening calls should be noted and reported to the Police or Telstra. Telstra may be able to trace the origin of threatening, obscene or repetitive no-speech calls. Any obscene or threatening telephone call should be reported to the Police. If you can record any such calls, the tape should be handed to the Police for evidence.RentingChoosing a rental property: It is a good idea to take a friend with you when being shown a property by a male landlord, or where a male tenantis seeking a flatmate. If the landlord or tenant makes you feel uncomfortable, don’t move in. Inspect the property to see if it meets your safety needs. Check the doors and windows have adequate security features.C heck that there is a safety switch to the house. Ascertain, if possible, how many keys are in existence, who has them, and if the locks have been changed since the last tenants left. The landlord may be prepared to change the locks or replace inadequate ones if you ask. If the landlord declines, and you are unable to have secure locks fitted at your own expense, it may be preferable to choose an alternative property.Selecting a property solely on the basis of lowest rental may not necessarily be the best choice for the provision ofsecurity and safety. Also take into consideration the general appearance of the street and surrounding houses.Don’t leave SAFETY IN DOUBT - PLAN TO KEEP dangers out!

Ahh, Paris.

Paris is considered one of the most romantic places on earth. Many Hollywood flicks have included romantic proposals from the top of the Eiffel Tower, and nobody can forget the moment where Mr Big told Carrie that “she was the one” in the finale of Sex and the City!

But along with romance can come heartbreak. And as Paris is a modern country in the modern world, Parisians understand that the divorce rate has sky rocketed in the last few decades.

And we all know how huge the wedding industry is, but what about the divorce industry? Time to cash in!

Enter: The Paris Divorce Fair.

Up to 4,000 people flocked to attend the recent Paris Divorce Fair.  The aim of this fair was to show support to those either going through a divorce, a separation, or even considering it.

Parisians had access to personal stylists, personal trainers, private detectives, divorce lawyers, specialists looking to help you rekindle your love life and specialists looking to make you feel good about yourself again – just to name a few.

So what do you think? Will the rest of the world take heed? Maybe Space4 should travel to Paris for next year’s fair – we think we’d do quite well!

For the full article from Reuters, please visit http://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUSTRE5A83EP20091109.

Before you know it, Christmas will be here. And to most families, Christmas holidays will mean that you have to start planning for your next trip away. Thankfully, all the hard work has been done for you.

Below is an article found on www.holidayswithkids.com.au and includes the Top 10 Resorts and Holiday Parks for Families in 2009. From the resort to the caravan park, you’ll find something perfect for you and the kids this Christmas holidays…

And remember, Space4 is the ideal place to meet other families looking to take their kids on holidays! Why not start your search now?

Top 10 Resorts and Holiday Parks for Families 2009
Roll out the red carpet - it’s award season time! The results are in for Holidays with Kids annual Top 10 Awards, voted by the people who know best - their readers.

Economic woes may dominate the headlines, but quality time spent with our families is still a focus for most Australians. Rather than give up travelling, we are taking breaks in our own backyard or seeking out international destinations where our dollar goes further.

In the latest Readers’ Survey (sent out to their online database of 38,000 registered members and to a magazine readership of over 600,000), HolidaysWithKids.com.au asked you to nominate your favourite resorts in Asia, the South Pacific and in Australia (4-stars and Over and Under 4-stars), as well as your favourite holiday parks around the country. You scored each resort on facilities and activities for children, the quality of childcare and babysitting services, the standard of accommodation, the location, value for money and the overall experience. They asked you to rate the resorts based on each of these criteria from one to five.

Here are the results, ranked by the highest number of votes received. The list is a great indication of what Australians are looking for in their travel experiences, and what appeals to Australian families in general. Clearly, it’s the simple things in life that still matter - sun, sand and surf. Queensland resorts are still a firm favourite with Australian families, as is the perennial overseas favourite of Fiji. But newcomers to the list, particularly in Asia, show that many families are seeking out something more exotic, looking for unique cultural and environmental experiences which they can’t have anywhere else.

Keep this handy and refer to it next time you are making plans.

Australia – Top Resorts 4-5 Stars

1. Sands Turtle Beach Resort, Gold Coast, Queensland

2. Novotel Twin Waters Resort, Sunshine Coast, Queensland

3. Sea World Resort, Gold Coast, Queensland

4. Voyages Dunk Island Whitsundays, QLD

5. Hyatt Regency Coolum Sunshine Coast, QLD

Australia – Under 4 Stars

1. Paradise Resort Gold Coast, QLD

2. Club Med Lindeman Island Whitsundays, QLD

3. Tangalooma Island Resort Moreton Island, QLD

4. Islander Noosa Resort, Sunshine Coast, QLD

5. Club Crocodile Airlie Beach, QLD

Family Holiday Parks

1. Blue Dolphine Holiday Resort, Yamba NSW

2. Treasure Island Holiday Park, Gold Coast, QLD

3. EcoPoint Murramarang Resort, South Durras NSW

4. Ashmore Palms Holiday Village, Gold Coast QLD

5. Ocean Beach Holiday Park, Umina NSW 

6. Mandalay Holiday Resort and Tourist Park, Busselton WA

7. Darlington Beach Holiday Park, Arrawarra NSW

8. Adelaide Shores, West Beach SA

9. Big4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort, Airlie Beach QLD  

10. Happy Hallidays Holiday Park

For the full article, including information on best-rated holidays destinations for families in Asia and the South Pacific, visit www.holidayswithkids.com.au/top_10_awards.com.au

Happy travelling!

Men’s groups are in uproar over the suggestion that there are enquiries currently underway into child parenting laws by the Rudd government.

The new laws are said to be discouraging perfectly healthy fathers from seeing their children. These men are said to be upset, after fighting for equal rights when it comes to child-sharing after separation or divorce.

It’s got me thinking – is the child really always better off with their mother, as opposed to the father? History proves that the mother is always favoured over the father when it comes to custody. Why?

We all remember the horrific incident involving the father throwing his child, Darcey Freeman, off the Westgate Bridge in Melbourne, earlier this year. But what about those incidents involving mothers harming their children as a result of suffering from PND? I’m sure there are plenty.

It doesn’t seem fair that men are not given a fair go when it comes to parenting rights. They have created the child, raised them from birth and want to continue a loving relationship, regardless of their relationship breaking down. One man was quoted as saying “I divorced my wife, I didn’t divorce my child!”

And most of the time it’s not about the money. Most women, according to studies, are more than happy to forgo child support payments if it means that the child is in a more stable environment and has more to do with the father.

At the other end of the spectrum, you have mothers claiming child support for children that the fathers weren’t even aware of, until they receive a demand of support from the courts. And the mother doesn’t want anything from the father, except for the cash. It’s a tough decision for the father, someone who doesn’t even know the child and they are forced into a decision of either spending time looking after the child, or paying for maintenance. And how would you even consider putting a child through the torture of father/child visits when there has been no history of a relationship?

I think we should all take a step back and remember that a child is not a bargaining tool, nor is a child a possession. A child is a delicate little person that needs a stable, loving and caring environment from the people that he/she loves most of all – the parents.

What do you think? Should we let the children decide?

For the full report, visit http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,24897,26228074-601,00.html