Category

Parenting

Kids, Swimming, Swimming Pools

Make a Splash at Des Renford Leisure Centre’s Splash Park

When the weather warms up and the kids are looking for somewhere to cool down, the Splash Park at Des Renford Leisure Centre (DRLC) in Maroubra is a great local option for families. Designed especially with younger children in mind, the colourful water-play area gives kids a place to splash, climb, spray and play while parents and carers can stay close by. It’s one of those handy Eastern Suburbs spots worth remembering when you’re looking for an easy activity on a warm day. Water Play Made for Kids Forget simply dipping your toes in the toddler pool — the Splash…

Continue reading
Parenting

Childcare that fits real life: meet the Australian app helping families find trusted nannies

For many parents, childcare is not a neat nine-to-five equation. A meeting runs late, a school pick-up falls through, a regular carer is unavailable or a much-needed date night suddenly becomes possible. Childcare app NannyLane Australia has been created for those moments, helping families find trusted nannies for regular, casual or last-minute care through one easy-to-use platform. Founded by Sydney parents Julie and Patrick Menary, NannyLane grew from the couple’s own experience of trying to coordinate work and family life with four children. The idea took shape after Patrick was unexpectedly delayed at work while Julie was home with their…

Continue reading
NSW Rail Museum
Events, Kids

Calling All Tiny Trainspotters: Thomas Is Coming to the NSW Rail Museum

All aboard! If you have a little train lover in the family, clear some space in the calendar because Thomas the Tank Engine is rolling into the NSW Rail Museum this August for two extended weekends of family fun. Taking place at the NSW Rail Museum in Thirlmere, this year’s music-inspired Day Out With Thomas gives young train fans the chance to get up close to some much-loved characters while enjoying plenty of hands-on activities. Kids can climb into Thomas’ driver’s cab, hop aboard Toby the Railmotor, take on a fun scavenger hunt and enjoy face painting. There’s plenty to…

Continue reading
For Mums, Parenting

Australia Traveling With Teenagers – Everything You Need To Know

From learning about Aboriginal culture to exploring the oldest rainforest worldwide, Australia is the ideal destination for people of all ages, especially for families with teenagers. There are so many things young adults can do on a trip to Australia that would provide them with exciting experiences and new skills. However, suppose you plan to embark on a journey of exploration and discovery around Australia with your teens. In that case, you should allow them to pick some of the tour’s destinations and activities.  A family vacation can take a temperamental turn when you travel with teenagers and have no…

Continue reading
story time Surry hills
Free, Toddlers

Rhymetime at Surry Hills Library: Free Weekly Fun for Babies and Toddlers

Looking for a free activity to enjoy with your baby or toddler? Rhymetime at Surry Hills Library is a wonderful weekly session where little ones can sing, clap, learn and play while developing important early literacy skills. Designed especially for children aged 0 to 2 years, this engaging 20-minute program combines songs, nursery rhymes and fingerplay to create a fun and interactive experience for both children and their parents or carers. It’s also a fantastic opportunity to meet other local families and introduce your little one to the joy of books and language from an early age. Why Rhymetime is…

Continue reading
Parenting

What Nobody Tells You About the Year Your Child Turns 17

Everyone prepares you for the toddler years. The sleep deprivation, the tantrums, the endless mess. People warn you about primary school transitions and the social complexity of the tween years. Nobody really prepares you for Year 11. There is something about having a teenager in the second-to-last year of school that catches parents off guard. The stakes suddenly feel real. University applications are no longer an abstract future event. Subject choices have consequences. And your child, who not long ago needed you for everything, now mostly needs you to stay calm and not make things worse. Here is what that…

Continue reading
Parenting

Hot Weather Tips for Families with Multiple Kids Under 5

When summer arrives, it usually lands at our door pretty fast, and without the right planning and prep in place, it can pass us by pretty fast. It’s the perfect excuse to head outdoors, enjoy family picnics, splash around in the backyard and make the most of the longer days. However, if you’re one of the lucky ones with multiple children under the age of five, hot weather can also present a unique set of challenges.    Between keeping everyone hydrated, managing nap schedules and preventing little ones from overheating, it can sometimes feel like a full-time job just getting…

Continue reading
Parenting, Schools

Discover St Brigid’s Preschool & Long Day Care at Their Family Open Day

Choosing the right early learning centre is one of the biggest decisions parents make. If you’re exploring preschool or long day care options for your little one, here’s a wonderful opportunity to experience one of Coogee’s local early learning centres firsthand. St Brigid’s Preschool & Long Day Care is opening its doors on Saturday 25 July, inviting families to enjoy an afternoon of fun, meet the educators and discover the welcoming learning environments that have made the centre a popular choice for local families. A Fun Afternoon for the Whole Family This isn’t your typical information session. The Open Day…

Continue reading
Babies, Pregnancy & Birth

Pregnancy Milestones by Trimester

Divided into three distinct phases, lasting 12 to 14 weeks each, a full-term pregnancy totals about 40 weeks. As your baby moves through crucial developmental stages, your body follows, undergoing physical, emotional, and mental changes.  This article covers major milestones by trimester and offers practical tips on how to make each period more manageable. First Trimester Every pregnancy is different, but between weeks 4 and 12, most women experience a mix of common early symptoms:  nausea (morning sickness) deep fatigue sore or tender breasts frequent urination abdominal bloating Meanwhile, your baby transitions from an embryo (the size of a poppy…

Continue reading
For children with nighttime fears, help is at hand
Kids, Parenting

For children with nighttime fears, help is at hand

In short: Nighttime fears affect up to 85% of children aged 7–12. 79% of children with persistent symptoms meet the criteria for a psychiatric diagnosis. While nighttime fears are common, support for families is limited. A new pilot study from Black Dog Institute is Australia’s first evidence-based intervention to help families overcome nighttime fears. Nighttime fears are a normal part of childhood development. Fear of the dark, of monsters, of burglars, and of separation from loved ones are among the more common fears that impact up to 85% of children aged 7-12. But according to a new study from Black Dog Institute, for some…

Continue reading