New Child Restraint Laws from March 2010

from March 2010 all children up to 7 years of age will need to use an appropriate child restraine according to their age and size. Progressing a child too early ro a new level of child restraint or adult sealtbelt cna lead to traumatic uinjury. Using an incorrect restrainet wil lead to a $300 fine and 3 demerit points. Why risk the mpost precious cargo you'll e ver carry? regulariy check your child is properly secured. For more information on the Here for Life campaign and what restraints are appropriate please see this link to the Qld Govt Dept of Transport site Here For Life

or call 13 23 80

Farewell to the Askey-Doran family

I have been asked to post this information for anyone wishing to see Karen Askey-Doran and family before they head off on their around Australia adventure.

Afternoon Tea
Sun 6th Dec
3-5 pm
Diddillibah Community Hall
658 Diddillibah Rd
Diddillibah
BYO plate of afternoon tea to share and any cold drinks you want, kids games (balls etc) as there is a small park next to all, insect repellant hats etc
Please feel free to invite anyone who would liek to wish the happy travellers on their way.
This is being organised by someone from Chevellum school called Jackie. I have their contact details if you need to find out more info. I am not posting it here for privacy sake but contact me MICHELE HILL (my email is on the back of current MOPS newsletters or leave a comment here and I will get back to you). PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT THE ASKEY-DORANS ABOUT THIS EVENT AS HTEY ARE FLAT OUT TRYING TO PACK UP AND MOVE OUT

Garlic Roasted Pumpkin Salad

Heres the recipe everyone was asking forGarlic Roasted Pumpkin Salad recipe - Best Recipes

Recipe #1223 Submitted by: ozpanda
Serves:8
Preparation time: more than 30 minutes
Sweet pumpkin and cream cheese roasted in garlic with crunchy, savoury bacon, nuts and juicy
greens. You'll never have leftovers with this luscious winter salad.

Ingredients
butternut pumpkin (at least 750 g)
250 g block cream cheese, chilled (I used light Philly very soft hard to cube)
2 tablespoon crushed garlic, or press 8 large cloves
1/4 cup olive oil
4 rashers bacon
1 cup roasted cashews
250 g snowpeas
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
Method
1. Preheat oven to 2OO°C.
2. Peel and cut pumpkin into large cubes - approximately 5 cm.
3. Combine garlic and oil and pour into base of large ceramic/glass roasting dish.
4. Toss pumpkin through oil and garlic, spread in a single layer and roast for 40 minutes or
until slightly tender and starting to colour.
5. Cut cream cheese into 8 then split it down the middle to make 16 small cubes.
6. Add cheese to pumpkin and return to oven for a further 15 minutes or until both cheese and
pumpkin are tender and golden brown.
7. Remove from oven and stand for 10 minutes only.
8. Carefully pour off and reserve the garlicky oil after 10 minutes (leaving it on will cause the
pumpkin to absorb it and become greasy).
9. Grill the bacon until crispy and crumble into small pieces.
LO. Top and tail snowpeas and blanch in boiling water for 30 seconds or until bright green.
11. Arrange pumpkin and cheese on serving platter, scatter bacon, cashews and snowpeas on
top.
12. Whisk reserved garlic flavoured oil with balsamic vinegar and drizzle over salad to serve.
Recipe notes
You can substitute a lot of the ingredients to make variations - pancetta instead of bacon, green beans or asparagus instead of snowpeas, smashed macadamias instead of cashews. I've also tried fetta instead of cream cheese, but with the bacon, it seems to be a bit too salty... The salad works well warm, or at room temperature.
Printed from BestRecipes.com.au

Session Summary - Nov 13th HOPE cont

Topic: HOPE
Guest Speaker: Ps Phil from MBC
Discussion: ?
Morning Tea: Light and Lovely Salads
Craft: Prayer Bracelet

Craft Instructions:

Session Summary - October 30: Topic of HOPE (Theme: THINK PINK)

MOPS
today was all about

HOPE

Hope is defined as:

• expectation of something desired
• desire accompanied by expectation
• confidence in a future event
• to look forward to with expectation and confidence of the outcome
• to trust in the truth of the matter
• to trust or rely on something or someone
• holding on to a promise

Today's theme was

THINK PINK

We watched the MOPS DVD with Shelley Radic
(International MOPS Leader Extraordinaire).

Very touching and inspiring. We had time for discussion
and craft
(decorated candles). We also shared a lovely pink morning tea:

Thank you to everyone who brought along something to share.
The table was laden with lovely pink things:

cupcakes
strawberry cake
watermelon
cheesecake
100s and 1000 biscuits

and
HOT PINK DIP

The Hot Pink Dip
was actually
BEETROOT DIP
(yummo!)

and here is the
(very simple)
recipe

please adjust to taste
this is one of *those* recipes

very much a throw it all in
and see how it turns out

In this case .....

DELICIOUS

1 x can beetroot slices
sour cream - 1/2 cup
natural yogurt - 1/2 cup
garlic - 2 cloves
cumin - 1/2-1 tsp

BLEND ALL TOGETHER
(in blender or with hand-held blender)

*NOTE: please beware of
bright pink splatters

serve with crackers
&/or
carrot sticks etc

exceptionally good with
CRUSKITS
cut into dipping sticks
and dipped in
til you are scraping down the sides of the bowl
and theres no dip left

Thanks also to those who donated bras to Uplift Fiji
(16 bras in total)



and to those who purchased a Pink Ribbon
for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research
($91 dollars raised - great effort!).



For more info on Breast Self-Checks etc please visit

The McGrath Foundation

or

Breast Screen Queensland

Call 132050

* please note Breast Screen Queensland
is population based screening
and targets the over 40 age group

Please see your GP asap if you have any concerns
or questions
re Breast Cancer or for more information
on self-checks etc

There are still more ribbons remaining.
If you wish to purchase please see Michele
or Registration Desk at next MOPS.
Prices are as follows
$3 for silk
$5 for enamel
$10 for diamante...
be quick those sparkly ones sold fast ...
there are only 4 remaining

If you forgot to bring a bra to donate to Uplift Fiji
Please bring along to next MOPS
and it will be added to the collection.


THANKS
&
May your Adventure of Mothering be full of HOPE

See you at our next MOPS on November 13th
Ps Phil from MBC joins us to give us his perspective on the topic of

HOPE

A follow up from Karens talk

To smack or not to smack - just one of the many choices you will be faces with as a mum.

Could list loads of pros and cons and research showing harm/no harm, effectiveness or otherwise and for every person who is for it you will find someone equally as strongly against it. However, at the end of the day it is up to you as parents to decide how to raise and discipline your children - within societal and legal parameters of acceptable behaviour.


This MOPS blog is not the place for a debate on smacking or lectures on how to raise your children.

The big decision (to use smacking as a form of discipline or not) is up to you.
Do your own research. Decide what works for your family.

That said, some of you wanted clarification/further info on the recent Victorian case (not NZ as I had typed in an earlier edit of this post) Karen A-D mentioned and the current legal stance on smacking in QLD so I will post that here.

Karen A-D referred to a recent Victorian (not NZ) case where a mum was questioned by police (but not charged) after her 9yo child mentioned at school that her mum smacked her with a wooden spoon. The police did say she could have been charged with 'assault with a weapon' according to current Victn law (it is up to the discretion of Vict Police whether to charge or not based on each case presented to them).

Note that teachers and some other professions have a mandatory reporting responsibility i.e they have to report suspected cases of neglect and abuse or can be held accountable for not reporting.
Laws differ slightly from state to state in Aust and in NZ it is currently illegal to smack a child.

"In New South Wales you're not allowed to hit children above the shoulders, you're not allowed to hit children in a way that leaves them marked or in injury and you're not allowed to hit children using any form of implement like a belt or a slipper."
See here or here for further info/media reports of the Victorian case and this smacking/legality debate.



This is the current legal stance on smacking as discipline in Queensland taken from http://legalstudiesqld.com.au/blog/category/crime-and-society/

"Parents are allowed to smack their children in Queensland provided it is by way of correction or for purposes of discipline providing the force used is reasonable in the circumstances. This is the defence contained in Queensland’s Criminal Code section 280. For the arguments for and against reform to our ‘smacking laws’ see Legal Studies for Queensland, Chapter 7 pages 140 & 141."

Here is a newspaper article summing up some further legal issues/cases and differences across states and countries re smacking and discipline.

Session Summary - Oct 16 Perspective

Topic: Perspective
Decor: Rainbow
Blessing: is your cup half full or half empty (its all about your perspective - the way you choose to see/interpret things)
Guest Speaker: Karen Askey-Doran gave us her perspective on the topic of Perspective (she asked us to list out 5 things we are good at/not so good at etc, showcased a little of her artistic talents and was a living example of the choice to be obedient to Gods direction - agreeing to toss out her prepared talk and start from scratch on the morning of MOPS cos he said so)
Discussion: Discussion questions were based around Karens talk - whats on your Top 5 list, where is your 'vanishing point" (the point where you start to lose perspective)
Craft: Beaded earrrings

Last Call for Abseiling from Lisa Lindley - Details below

Hello everyone!

I am just getting final numbers for our abseiling adventure.  Apologies if you have already replied, just easier to send a group email.

To all past and present members of the Sunshine Coast PND Support Group and friends (anyone welcome to join us)

You are invited to an opportunity of a lifetime!! Want to conquer your fears, build trust, empower yourself, feel strong and invincible, have some fun, make new friends and support each other? We are going to have a morning of abseiling with  a first class company , Corporate FAME Australia and have organised for our group to spend the morning abseiling at Mt Tinbeerwah.

 Abseiling is an exciting activity that is surprisingly easy – no previous experience required!

 An adventure packed experience in a fun, safe environment!

Abseiling is conducted at Mt Tinbeerwah, well known for its spectacular views and close proximity to Noosa (only 15mins drive from Hastings St!!).

After an equipment and safety briefing, our guides will train you in a flat ground practice abseil, where you’ll learn the basic skills and procedures involved in abseiling. This allows participants to take-on the awesome rock face descents with a greater level of confidence and a clearer understanding of what’s involved!

Date:  Saturday 17 October 2009

Time:  8.15am – 1pm

Lunch:  bring a picnic lunch to share at the grounds when we finish

Cost:  10 or more people = $30 per person (less than HALF price!)

What To Bring: Hat, sunscreen, water, closed in footwear, camera, picnic lunch and your sense of adventure. For you comfort, no  skirts or ‘short’ shirts.

Transport: Meet at Maroochy Baptist Centre car park at 8.15 am and we will car pool  to Mt Tinbeerwah and back again by 1pm.

Liz and I both have 7 seaters

Address: Mt Tinbeerwah Address is Mt.Tinbeerwah Rd. drive right to the top and you'll see the carpark. UBD ref map 6

Grab your diary, get the day off work, organise child care, and take the step for YOURSELF!!

YOU CAN DO IT!! J

Hello everyone!

I am just getting final numbers for our abseiling adventure.  Apologies if you have already replied, just easier to send a group email.

To all past and present members of the Sunshine Coast PND Support Group and friends

You are invited to an opportunity of a lifetime!! Want to conquer your fears, build trust, empower yourself, feel strong and invincible, have some fun, make new friends and support each other? We are going to have a morning of abseiling with  a first class company , Corporate FAME Australia and have organised for our group to spend the morning abseiling at Mt Tinbeerwah.

 Abseiling is an exciting activity that is surprisingly easy – no previous experience required!

 An adventure packed experience in a fun, safe environment!

Abseiling is conducted at Mt Tinbeerwah, well known for its spectacular views and close proximity to Noosa (only 15mins drive from Hastings St!!).

After an equipment and safety briefing, our guides will train you in a flat ground practice abseil, where you’ll learn the basic skills and procedures involved in abseiling. This allows participants to take-on the awesome rock face descents with a greater level of confidence and a clearer understanding of what’s involved!

Date:  Saturday 17 October 2009

Time:  8.15am – 1pm

Lunch:  bring a picnic lunch to share at the grounds when we finish

Cost:  10 or more people = $30 per person (less than HALF price!)

What To Bring: Hat, sunscreen, water, closed in footwear, camera, picnic lunch and your sense of adventure. For you comfort, no  skirts or ‘short’ shirts.

Transport: Meet at Maroochy Baptist Centre car park at 8.15 am and we will car pool  to Mt Tinbeerwah and back again by 1pm.

Liz and I both have 7 seaters

Address: Mt Tinbeerwah Address is Mt.Tinbeerwah Rd. drive right to the top and you'll see the carpark. UBD ref map 6

Grab your diary, get the day off work, organise child care, and take the step for YOURSELF!!

YOU CAN DO IT!! J

 Don’t miss out – register with Lisa on 0417540820 ASAP

Perspective cont ..some Optional Extra MOPS in the break

As a Planning Team we are always looking at ways to explore each topic and make it relevant to you - our MOPS Mums.

Sometimes we have more ideas than what our timeframe/schedule allows and it is not possible to cover all that we come up with or follow every idea to completion.

In some of our earlier planning meetings we considered linking the topic of Perspective back to How We See Ourselves or how our PERCEPTION of our SELF changes once we become a mum.

We played around with the ideas generated from this years Logo with the carnival theme - dicussing the Hall of Mirrors etc

However we have opted to go down a different path as we have an opportunity we dont want to miss as our Regional Coordinator Karen Askey-Doran has agreed to speak to us on Oct 16th and this will be excellent. Put it in your diary. Dont miss this one.....it may be the last chance we have to have Karen as Guest Speaker before she packs up the campervan and heads off for a 12mth (24,th??) around Australia (and NZ?) JOURNEY.

So looking fwd to that (bring your friends along) yet some of the info we had in mind is good stuff and I am opting to post some bits and pieces here as an 'optional extras'.

Consider it a MINI Online MOPS in the term break.

Perhaps you will get some time to read/take a look at in the break from MOPS over the school hols and give you your "MOPS fix" while you wait for Oct 16th to roll around.

We look fwd to seeing you then (Bring a friend!).

Ok so here is some info on Body Shapes etc.

The Cardigan Empire: is a website with great info on body shapes including how to measure yourself to assess what body shape you are and lots of info on what to wear for what shape (see buttons on the right hand side for curvy , linear etc). She likens them to fruit etc such as Celery for Linear.

On the same site she has great info on suitable Bra and Swimmers/Togs for various breast sizes and recently had a lot of excellent information on what colours can and cant you wear etc.

http://www.cardiganempire.com

Susannah and Trinny have some great books such as What Not to Wear - ways to dress to suit your body shape etc. They also have one called The Body Shape Bible that sets out 12 body shapes that we all fit into (or are perhaps a combination of 2) such as Pear, Skittle, Column, Apple, Vase, Cornet etc. There is a great summary of it here with photos and descriptions of all 12 bosy shapes and examples of suitable outfits.

Or see their website by clicking HERE. The website seems a little unfinished/unedited as well as has their usual no nonsense in your face language/style. And I have to say they are really obsessed with food and body image (or at least seem that way in their blog entries - they read like a version of Bridget Jones detailing weight and what they ate and how "fat" and "hideous" th ey are !!!!) and all this negativity despite the great work they do showing you dont need plastic surgery etc to "look good" you just need to learn what works and doesnt work for your body shape.

I am really interested in The Beauty Myth and how the media puts fwd an unrealistic unattianable example of women and what we "should" look like, what is "attractive" etc. It is fascincating to follow historically and culturally how this varies.

I feel really strongly that all women (and girls - for those that have sisters, daughters, nieces etc) need to educate themselves and be media savvy.

The Body Shop ran an excellent "Real Woman" campaign several years back and I think the statistic was less than 1% of the worlds female population fit the bill of Supermodel. Pure genetics really. And many of them were ostracised and bullied at school for being abnormal - too tall, too skinny, strange nose, eyes too far apart etc.

And I am sure you have all heard the one about Barbie's dimensions translated to real life - apparently she would topple over as too "topheavy" not in proportion and with the waist ratio etc would apparently cease menstruating and not be able to fall pregnant (let alone where would she fit a baby growing as her body shape leaves insufficient room for a womb etc).

Now I know she's just a plastic doll and in one way should be seen as just that but impressionable young minds start developing ideas and concepts about gender and womanhood and appearance from a young age and Barbie presents something unattainable.

Dont even get me started on Bratz dolls!

And then we have Photoshopping ! There are many examples of how Photo Shopping etc present a false reality that we can buy into and compare ourselves to.

Here is a before Photoshop and after Photoshop of the actress Jessica Alba

Jessica Alba in all her natural beauty on the left vs the photoshopped Jessica Alba on the right.

Why would you? She's gorgeous enough as it is in her natural form I would have thought but no - the waist has to be skinnier the skin more tanned the breasts more out there and the hair/face more perfect apparently! I can understand the need for some photoshopping to enhance the image, alter the background etc improve the quality of the photo to make it magazine ready but really .... were all these changes necessary?

No wonder so many women struggle with beauty and appearance and body image and eating disorders when we are presented with images in the media on TV and in magazines and on billboards and compare ourselves daily (many times daily - consciously or subconsciously) to something/someone that is not even real to start with.

DOVE has run some excellent Real Women and Pro Age campaigns recently.

There is also this Dove ad which I think is awesome and remains one of my favourite examples of what extremes are taken in the name of adverting showing what it takes to make someone "poster perfect". Click on the Play Button to watch this video. (take a look at the very clever Dove Parody available on You Tube also where they turn a young man into a "slob" with the final poster reading "Lardo" - a very clever take off of the original).




as it says at the end of this Dove Evolution movie - "no wonder our perception of beauty is distorted".

and then there's all the claims that skincare and beauty products promise...it would be a very long post if I was to start on those

Be wise to this! Educate yourself. Educate your daughters. Set a great role model for your daughters about appearance and beauty and body image. Dont devalue your body in front of them (or ever! - learn how not to do this if you struggle with it). Focus on and teach your daughters to focus on WHAT YOUR BODY CAN DO and its STRENGTHS rather than what it looks like and that it wobbles and isnt how you would like it to be. Celebrate real beauty and womanhood. Teach them to critically review what they see and hear and read in the media and society rather than take it all blindly at face value.

I would love to hear your Comments and thoughts here or hear of any other examples you know of along these lines.

Just came across this too and thought would add to this section on Body Image - gorgeous photos of an UNPHOTOSHOPPED model in Glamour magazine (and article to go along with it)

Session Summary - Sept 18th: PERSPECTIVE

Today we started the next topic in the  

MOPS 09 Curriculum 

which is  

Perspective.

Perspective is all about the way you look at or see things.

Do you see a Duck or a Rabbit in the image above?

Once you have interpreted it as one thing how hard/easy is it to see the other?

Do you have to "shift your perspective" and look at it a different way or from a different angle. Perhaps you need someone else with their point of view to show you another way of looking at it.

We explored the topic of PERSPECTIVE 

as it relates to 

The Adventure of Mothering

Mia gave us the following quiz:

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.

2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.

3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America contest.

4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer prize.

5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and
actress.

6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?

The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here's another quiz.

See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.

2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.

3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.

4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.

5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

6. Name half a dozen heroes whose stories have inspired you.

Easier?

The lesson:

The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care.
Mia then read an extract from the book by Stasi Elredge called Captivating.

This book is all about womanhood and what it means to be truly feminine and how the post-feminism world has devalued womanhood and femininity etc. The extract Mia read out emphasised that while as mums we may not get a lot of recognition or feedback for the role we do as mums it IS important if not THE most important role. We all need mums!

We watched the DVD on this topic and then talked about

This message (of the importance/value of motherhood) was also emphasised in the DVD with the line that while we may not get a "Great job well done" every time we change a dirty "diaper" or cook meal or clean the house, when we take a step back and see the bigger picture - raising children and creating happy healthy future adults really IS important and solid research backs up the importance of the primary caregiver for attachment and development etc so HANG IN THERE! You matter & MOTHERING MATTERS.

We then had discussion time based around the question - "when have you had to change your perspective (look at things differently or from a different angle) or keep things in perspective as a mum"


Craft today was a Magnetic Notepad that we decorated and M/Tea was "Food with Faces".


I had a powerpoint of Optical Illusions to tie in with the theme of Perspective and the idea that the way we look at things/what we foucs on can alter what we see however it wouldnt work. I opted to focus on The Big Picture and not get hung up or "fixated" on the detail and getting everything "right" (as per todays DVD).....realising all was not lost and I could still share them with you via the blog ...

so here are a few of the Optical Illusions to keep you entertained.

How many legs does this elephant have?

Can you see how this man could be called a Liar?

This one will spin you out a little (if you stare at it long enough )

Are the red bars straight or bent?

How many black dots are there? Count the black dots. Count the white dots.

What do you see? Black block shapes or lift?

And finally - stare at this image for 20-30 seconds

(focusing on/around the heart shapes may help)

then look away to a plain wall.

What do you see?

(It may help to blink as you look at the wall)

The Joy Diet

I have never actually been on a "diet" and don't ever intend to...(Why? Short answer: While I do believe in healthy eating and a balance between intake and output the vast majority of "diets" are 'fads', based on misinformation, some are downright unhealthy to harmful, but most of all they just do not work. That and I love food way too much).

However I think this is one "diet" that I actually could take on board and start immediately:

Welcome to The Joy Diet - a menu of 10 behaviours you can add to your way of living and thinking to enhance every day’s journey through the unpredictable terrain of your existence

You can add these behaviours gradually and watch your life become steadily more vivid and satisfying. Or you can go on a “crash Joy Diet” to help you navigate life’s emergencies.

The ten menu items are:

Nothing: Do nothing for fifteen minutes a day. Stop mindlessly chasing goals and figure out which goals are worth going after.

Truth: Create a moment of truth to help you unmask what you’re hiding—from others and from yourself.

Desire: Identify, articulate, and explore at least one of your heart’s desires—and learn how to let yourself want what you want.

Creativity: Learn six new ways to develop at least one new idea to help you obtain your heart’s desire.

Risk: Take one baby step toward reaching your goal. The only rule is it has to scare the pants off you.

Treats: Give yourself a treat for every risk you take and two treats just because you’re you. No exceptions. No excuses.

Play: Take a moment to remember your real life’s work and differentiate it from the games you play to achieve it. Then play wholeheartedly.

Laughter: Laugh at least thirty times a day. Props encouraged.

Connection: Use your Joy Diet skills to interact with someone who matters to you.

Feasting: Enjoy at least three square feasts a day, with or without food. A ‘feast’ is getting absorbed in anything that appeals to your senses – indulging in things that look, taste, feel, smell and sound beautiful.

Feedback on the MOPS Fundraiser Photos

Nicola Brander who took the MOPS Fundraiser Photos would like some feedback from the families who had photos taken at Cotton Tree. Please msg her on Facebook or email me (my email address is on all our newsletters) and I will fwd these to Nicola to let her know what you thought of your pics that she took.

Session Summary - Sept 4: Dads Panel

Being so close to Fathers Day, today we had a panel of 4 Dads join us at MOPS to share about their Journey of Fatherhood - Ps Lloyd Miller (pastor at MBC and father of 3 boys), Daniel Askey-Doran, husband of our Regional Coordinator Karen and father of 3 girls and one boy, Alab (father of 3, grandfather of ?) and Mark Beard (husband to Tracey our Creative Activities leader and father of 3).

The panel were asked to respond to questions we had gathered from MOPS Mums in the week prior.

Some of the questions included:
(To be Added when I find my list)

It was an honour to have these men join us for MOPS and to share so honestly and openly about being Dads.


Happy Fathers Day to them all and to all Dads out there.

Craft was a scrapped/decorated "Dads Bag" with homemade fudge and Love Coupons of your choice. A big thankyou to all the Fudge makers.

Here is the FUDGE RECIPE for anyone who has a hankering for it:

CHOCOLATE FUDGE
500 g plain chocolate (can be dark, milk or white)*
1/4 cup butter
1 tin condensed milk
Nuts (optional)

Place all ingredients in glass/microwaveable bowl and microwave for 4 mins on med-high
Pout into a foil lined tray and set in fridge
Cut into small squares and enjoy

*NOTE: Do not use chocolate with runny filling ie peppermint, turkish delight etc as the fudge will not set properly

* Ps Lloyd asked me to make a special announcement after the panel that I'm afraid we didn't have time for, but that I would like to add here. He asked me to say something to let everyone know that he was aware that not all of us listening to the panel may have had good experiences with our own Fathers or perhaps with our current partners/husbands struggling to be good partners/husbands/Dads. He wanted us all to know that he was aware of this and to acknowledge the pain that this can cause.

If you would like to speak to anyone further about any concerns or relationships etc please speak to your Table Leader or any of the MOPS team for referrals to appropriate services (counselling, mentors, services, pastoral care etc)

Excellent article on Praise (Ways to Make it Effective, some cautions)

Excellent newspaper article summarising some of the research on Praise can be found here.

SOME POINTS ON PRAISE:

Remember that Praise is an effective way to teach a new skill or behaviour and it is important to "catch children being good" etc.

It is also important to be mindful that Praise should be Specific (thankyou for coming straight away when I asked) not Global (good boy) and Descriptive (telling a child exactly what it is they are doing that you like not just saying that they are "good"  or "clever").

It is impt to praise effort/hard work/persistence etc  (sometimes called "encouragement" rather than praise but is still a form of praise) and not just praise a child for their intelligence or the outcome/end product. A child can control/has a sense of control over effort/practice/work they dont have this sense of control over "Intelligence" (they tend to think in black and white terms of "I'm smart" or "I'm dumb" and not see intelligence as something that can be learnt. Impt to teach that the brain is a muscle and like all muscles gets bigger and better with use and practice.

Better to say "you worked really hard at that and kept going even when it was a little tricky" than to say "gee you're smart".

Important that praise is sincere, specific, not overused or used too liberally.

Important that praise is INTERMITTENT (not every time) otherwise children will not be able to deal with frustration or wont develop the ability to perservere or self assess progress.

Impt to develop instrinsic rewards (built into the activity/internal) not always relying on external/verbal praise ("wow look how tidy the room is. Its nice to know everything is looked after/nice to come home to a tidy house etc")  and impt to be develop an internal self assessment of how they are doing without always looking to somone else for this feedback.

All this said - praise is too valuable to drop completely. Just be aware of these cautions or ways to make praise more effective.

Worm Farming/Composting: Further Info

The library has some free sessions on worm farming and composting if you are keen to find out more

I need help w ith ...#16

Hello everyone

Just wondering if anyone has a 2 or 3 tiered cake stand they would be happy to loan me for a family function mid September (for a High Tea)

I would be very grateful if anyone can assist.

Thanks Angela A

If you have any advice or a response to this request for help please add it by clicking on the word "Comment" below this post - Thanks for your help!

Session Summary - Aug 21: The Emotional Rollercoaster of Motherhood

Michele presented on the topic of The Emotional Rollercoaster: One Mums Journey of Motherhood so far....

Craft was stress balls.

Will post some notes from this session when get a chance.

In the meantime here are some useful links (clicking on the colored words/links below will take you to another site/page with this info)

POSTNATAL DEPRESSION RESOURCES

Beyond Blue

Beyond Blue PND page

The Edinburgh Screening Tool (Self Assessment Scale NOT A DIAGNOSIS FOR DIAGNOSIS SEE A GP/Psychologist/Psychiatrist

Beyond Blue Booklet EMOTIONAL HEALTH DURING PREGNANCY AND EARLY PARENTHOOD


Good article on Common Negative Thinking patterns of mums and excellent book "Even June Cleaver would Forget the Juicebox" can be found here:

I need help with ...#15

Healthy lunch box ideas?

If you have any advice or a response to this request for help please add it by clicking on the word "Comment" below this post - Thanks for your help!

I need help with ...#14

Quick easy healthy family meals that taste great too

If you have any advice or a response to this request for help please add it by clicking on the word "Comment" below this post - Thanks for your help!

I need help with...#13

Suggestions for cheap fun family activities

If you have any advice or a response to this request for help please add it by clicking on the word "Comment" below this post - Thanks for your help!

I need help with... #12

Not being judgmental when I see other parents - they could have had a hard day/life etc. How can I/we help others if we see kids in need as a result of their parents perceived negative influence

If you have any advice or a response to this request for help please add it by clicking on the word "Comment" below this post - Thanks for your help!

I need help with ...#11

Making my toddler stay by my side when we are out in public - I do encourage her independence but at times need her to stay by my side

If you have any advice or a response to this request for help please add it by clicking on the word "Comment" below this post - Thanks for your help!

I need help with ...#10

Disciplining my toddler without using physical means

If you have any advice or a response to this request for help please add it by clicking on the word "Comment" below this post - Thanks for your help!

I need help with ....#9

Logical consequences for disrespectful/bad behaviour

If you have any advice or a response to this request for help please add it by clicking on the word "Comment" below this post - Thanks for your help!

I need help with... #8

Does anyone have a portacot and/or baby swing that could be lent to Mums attending MOPS conference on Aug 14/15/16 (next weekend). If so please Comment to this post and/or speak to Natalie S ASAP

If you have any advice or a response to this request for help please add it by clicking on the word "Comment" below this post - Thanks for your help!

I need help with... #7

Helping my 10 year old (boy) make friends at school (develop closer relationships)

If you have any advice or a response to this request for help please add it by clicking on the word "Comment" below this post - Thanks for your help!

I need help with ...#6

Finding an older woman (mum) to debrief with/ask advice of (a mentor)

If you have any advice or a response to this request for help please add it by clicking on the word "Comment" below this post - Thanks for your help!

I need help with ...#5

Can you please help me make my home more peaceful the kids are either shouting or yelling or talking or interrupting and my husband and I cant even hear ourselves think!!! So then we get cross with each other (or better still, with the kids)

If you have any advice or a response to this request for help please add it by clicking on the word "Comment" below this post - Thanks for your help!

I need help with ...#4

I need help to write a help question

If you have any advice or a response to this request for help please add it by clicking on the word "Comment" below this post - Thanks for your help!

I need help with ....#3

I need help with losing weight and eating right. I know what I need to do but have no one to hold me accountable. I guess I'd be worried about letting them down if I did have someone to do it

If you have any advice or a response to this request for help please add it by clicking on the word "Comment" below this post - Thanks for your help!

I need help with .....#2

Weight loss

If you have any advice or a response to this request for help please add it by clicking on the word "Comment" below this post - Thanks for your help!

I need help with.... #1

Putting myself 1st

If you have any advice or a response to this request for help please add it by clicking on the word "Comment" below this post - Thanks for your help!

HELP Topic: Questions from todays meeting

I am about to post the questions gathered at todays meeting (things you need help with). Will post them one by one and if anyone has any answers/responses please COMMENT below the relevant post.
Each of these issues/questions will also be displayed on the wall at next MOPS so you can add more answers then (and/or check answers to your request for HELP)
Remember - Friends dont let friends do mothering alone! 

Session Summary - Aug 7th, 2009

HELP

Today at MOPS @ MBC we started the topic of HELP. We watched the DVD segment on Help, with Discussion Questions after and completed a craft of making layered bikkies in a jar. Our morning tea was "Foods that help us get through the day as a mum".


Here are some notes from the DVD for those who were unable to make it to MOPS today (PS: If you were unable to make MOPS today please know that we missed you and hope to see you back at MOPS soon. If you need HELP with anything please contact your Table Leader and/or the MOPS team as we would love offer a helping hand):

• The DVD talks about not being able to do mothering on own
• Reiterates the importance of asking for help
• Asks you to think about times when you have found it hard being a mum
• When have you realised you cant do it by yourself (ie when sick or problem pregnancy + toddler etc)?
• The host of the DVD shares a personal story about needing help when she lost one of her twins in-utero in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy.
• Talks about asking for help can make us at times feel vulnerable and that to open up requires trust
• Suggests seeking professional help when required such as for depresssion or abuse and says to speak to the MOPS team and/or the church backing the MOPS group you attend if you are not sure where you can go to seek help for an issue
  
• Also mentions a special section on the MOPS international website for HELP with issues. Go to MOPS.org/help
• Julie Barnhill is the main speaker on this DVD segment. She is the author of the excellent book Shes Gonna Blow
• Julie talks about her love of and experience of a rollercoaster likening it to Motherhood - the tension and anticipation, thinking that you are prepared and know all about it and it will be easy but then you just launch into it, take off with no stopping or getting off the ride and can panic or feel unprepared after all and need HELP
• Talks about the safety shoulder harness on a rollercoaster - what is around you to keep you safe in mothering and protect you emotionally and mentally and physically. Dont think you have to do mothering alone
• Julie tells us to stop thinking that we have it all together or the mum next to us has it all together and asks us to say out loud to self "I AM A MESS OF MAGNIFICENT PROPORTIONS" and then turn to the person next to you (look them in the eye and with a big smile) tell them also "YOU ARE A MESS OF MAGNIFICENT PROPORTIONS". This releases us from expectations and leaves space for GRACE to step in
• What are you struggling with?
• Admitting you need help can make you feel vulnerable
• Needs authenticity, confidentiality and safety to be vulnerable
• Who can you ask for for help - friends, in laws, own mother, MOPS group etc
• Rollercoaster rides also have an emergency STOP button. We have to be in control and willing to hit the stop button when needed in our own life when you need to get off the ride for a while. Julie shares about her own depression and "medicinal grace" (took meds for depression). Asks us to think about what do we need to hit the STOP button on. May be something as big as depression or may be choosing to stay at home rather than running around overcommitted etc
• Important to get back on the ride too with friends and with help. Talks about going to bed each night anticipating the ride of motherhood again the next day

Some questions to consider on this topic include:

FROM THE DVD:

• When do you find being a mum hard?
• When do you need to ask for help?
• Have you had a moment in your Adventure of Mothering where you realised you couldnt do it by yourself and you needed help
• What type of help gets you through (someone to talk to/listen to you, practical help like a meal or babysitting etc)
• Do you find it hard to ask for help? Why?
• Have you had a time where needing/asking for help helped build a deeper relationship with someone
• If Mothering is like a Rollercoaster, what or who are your Safety Harnesses (the things that are around you that keep you safe/protected emotionally and physically)
• Have you ever had a time where you wanted to hit the EMERGENCY brake, stop the ride of motherhood and get off?
• What did it feel like to say to yourself/your table members "I/YOU AM A MESS OF MAGNIFICENT PROPORTIONS - liberating? Scary? Something else? Why?
• What are you struggling with? Who could you go to for help?
• What do you need to hit the STOP button on?
• As you go to bed each night, how do you prepare yourself to GET BACK ON THE RIDE of motherhood the next day?

FROM THE MOMMY DIARIES:

• When was the last time you asked for help?
• How hard is it for you to ask for help and what do you think holds you back?
• Oftentimes failure to seek out aid from someone else stems form a n issue of pride. What has got you thinking you are capable of handling it all on your own?
• Do you view offers of help as debts you must pay off as quickly as possible?
• What will it take for you to view the help you receive as acts of grace with no return favours expected?

Before Discussion time I (Michele) asked everyone to write down something they need help with, I have collected these and will add to the blog as separate posts so anyone with answers can reply via the COMMENT section for that post. I will also display the questions again at our next MOPS (on Aug 21) and you can add a response and/or check any responses given to your Help question at that meeting.

Thanks also to all those who HELPED me by jotting down some questions you have regarding Anger Management. These will help me to tailor my presentation on Aug 21. Wont be able to cover everything/answer all questions in the time available but will give me a guide to shape what I do cover so thanks.

From our blessing today

Emergency Telephone Numbers
These may be more effective than 000 for some of the Mum Emergencies we have every day. If you click on the verse listed (in blue eg John 14 and so on...it will take you to another page with the full verse)

When -
You are sad, phone John 14
You have sinned, phone Psalm 51
You are facing danger, phone Psalm 91
People have failed you, phone Psalm 27
It feels as though God is far from you, phone Psalm 139
Your faith needs stimulation, phone Hebrews 11
You are alone and scared, phone Psalm 23
You are worried, phone Matthew 8:19-34
You are hurt and critical, phone 1 Corinthians 13
You wonder about Christianity, phone 2 Corinthians 5:15-18
You feel like an outcast, phone Romans 8:31-39
You are seeking peace, phone Matthew 11:25-30
It feels as if the world is b igger than God, phone Psalm 90
You need Christ like insurance, phone Romans 8:1-30
You are leaving home for a trip , phone Psalm 121
You are praying for yourself, phone Psalm 87
You require courage for a task, phone Joshua 1
Inflation's and investments are hogging your thoughts, phone M ark 10:17-31
You are depressive, phone Psalm 27
Your bank account is empty, phone Psalm 37
You lose faith in mankind, phone 1 Corinthians 13
It looks like people are unfriendly, phone John 15
You are losing hope, phone Psalm 126
You feel the world is small comp ared to you, phone Psalm 19
You want to carry fruit, phone John 15
Paul's secret for happiness, phone Colossians 3:12-17
With big opportunity/ discovery, phone Isaiah 55
To get along with other people, phone Romans 12

ALTERNATE NUMBERS
For dealing with fear, call Psalm 47
For security, call Psalm 121:3
For assurance, call Mark 8:35
For reassurance, call Psalm 145:18

ALL THESE NUMBERS MAY BE PHONED DIRECTLY.
NO OPERATOR ASSISTANCE IS NECESSARY.
ALL LINES TO HEAVEN ARE AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY.
FEED YOUR FAITH, AND DOUBT WILL STARVE TO DEATH

Some links from the Newsletter:
Lisa Lindley travel blog

The Empower Trauma Rehabilitation Program developed by Sunshine Coast Dr Robbi Sonderegger

http://www.festivalofthewalks.com.au/