Affordable child care? It’s the dream! But sadly, sometimes it’s more of a fantasy than a reality… Parents Illawarra wide will be all too-familiar with the juggle that comes with tryin..
What no-one tells you before you have a baby. Dealing with the loneliness and a sense of overwhelm... 4 key things that will help you! The Parents Guide team are all Illawarra mums and in tot..
Meet Dr Kothari... The Obstetrician/Gynaecologist changing the face of gynaecological care for women in the Illawarra... When you ask Dr Dharmesh Kothari (http://www.wollongongobgy.com...
The unique event that Sydneysiders flock down for – but do YOU know about it? EXPERIENCE SITEWORKS! WHERE NATURE, LEARNING, ARTS, SCIENCE AND CAMPING COLLIDE… The annual Bundan..
At Parents Guide Illawarra, we are here to tell you that organising your child's birthday party - no matter how big or small - can actually be a fun, easy, exciting and budget-friendly exercise fo..
Psssst! Have you heard about The Playhouse (https://www.the-playhouse.com.au/)? No? If you’ve got a creative little soul or quirky character on your hands, then you might want to turn your ears fi..
Wow, parents of Wollongong and surrounding suburbs can celebrate with a great win for their primary school kids... North Wollongong's Innovation Campus is home to a unique facility for our Pr..
Firstly, what is My Health Record? My Health Record is an individual’s safe and secure digital health information, easily accessible by their doctors, specialists and hospitals. My Health..
You’ve probably spotted them around town. Those hip and happening people who make facial hair, flanno and their grandfathers brogues look good. Yep, the Illawarra has become a hipster haven...
The ultimate facial for the busy mama!? No really, it takes 30mins only and after you may be reminded of how you skin used to look before the kids stole your sleep, check this out… As..
The Boob Special. What happens to boobs after babies… Be it breastfeeding or bikini shopping, showering with your little one or bemoaning the forces of gravity, chances are good you’v..
Fab ways to keep your tribe entertained this winter... Every Illawarra parent has been there. It’s 4.30pm on a June afternoon. You’re at the park and you suddenly realise that it’s dark...
The intense growth of the Illawarra Property market has ceased in 2018. Buyers can breathe a sigh of relief but what about selling your home in this changing market? We asked the highly experi..
Ah parents... Whether you have babies or older kids - your relationship with your partner can fall to the wayside as your delightful bundles of joy demand their needs get met first. Meetin..
How much fun is mum guilt, said no parent ever! Yes, #mumguilt is a real thing. It starts pretty much the moment you pop out your first baby and seemingly NEVER ENDS. In the early days, it w..
Of course the Illawarra is like a big kid's playground with all our ocean, green spaces and escarpment to roam in. BUT, when it comes to dedicated kid's entertainment we've asked and they have ans..
Hi there expectant Mums & Dad’s of The Illawarra Are you preparing to welcome a beautiful little bundle into your family? Perhaps your first newborn baby or even your third, if you are co..
Embracing a diagnosis of Autism in a child - 6 lovely and helpful things to know... To acknowledge World Autism (and Acceptance!) Day on 2nd April 2018, we interviewed a local Mum about her e..
Illawarra school giving hope to families of children with learning difficulties. Most parents would agree that supporting and guiding a child through their years at school is not always smoot..
CONGRATULATIONS! You are likely reading this due to pregnancy or you've recently become a parent. It's also likely you've discovered early on that EVERYONE has an opinion on pregnancy, birthi..
The adjustment to being a parent is well, how can we best put it? Overwhelming: full of intense love, responsibility and joy but yet totally crazy making!? However gracefully (or not!) y..
Well, I blame summer. Oooooh yes, summer - you seductive, balmy wonder of nature you; taunting us relentlessly with your warmth; caressing our backs with rays of golden light; smiling down on us w..
One particularly humid morning during the recent start to the school holidays, my permanently early riser of a son (almost 6 years of age), begged me at 7am in the morning to take him to the beach..
Seeing a child experience the anguish of being overweight in our bodily obsessed society, is hard. It's not just the health risks that come with being overweight. Often children above a healt..
It is the $7,000* question most parents with 9-13 year old children DREAD. Does my child need braces? According to stats from Orthodontics Australia, on average, traditional braces can ..
The M.L.L.M way of life. What mums need to know! When life throws you lemons, please don’t make lemonade. Who could be bothered? Who’s got the spare time? Not us! We have a different ..
Whether it's your newborn or your teen... parents know to trust their gut instinct. But while it’s one thing to trust your gut instinct, it’s another to know just where to go for help. ..
Halloween with young kids... The time of year where crafty mums and dads excel (yay you, I WISH I was part of your tribe) and the rest of us are left with that sinking, pressured 'how do we make t..
Let us cut straight to the chase here... Babies and children add significant burden and strain onto a couple's relationship... Here are some large factors that may be eating away at your conte..
Well, congratulations! Your beautiful bundle is here and it's time to celebrate their life in a way that is truly meaningful to you and your loved ones... At Parents Guide, we like to grill th..
'The overscheduled child' 'Kids nowadays have too much screen time and not enough time roaming in nature' 'The Helicopter parent' 'Your child needs more quality time with just you t..
We know it so very well, the emotional wrench when the time comes to leave your child in the care of others... The tugging in your chest as you walk away... Combine that with the challenge of ..
Best-ever tips for communicating with teens By Maggie Dent After teaching, counselling and living with teens for 40 years, I have worked out some of the things that can improve our cap..
School holidays... Take a breath, we have some great ways to manage sibling fighting, the mega demands, and the adjustment to lack of routine - helping you manage the juggle! Parents Guide Il..
I think most of us parents have been there... Seeing our child go into a huge destructive meltdown as they become overwhelmed by their emotions. When it's bad, people and possessions can get hurt...
The 24/7 life of a mum. Whether you are expecting, have your hands full of squashy baby love, poo and nappies, are wrangling toddlers, or watching your children individuality emerge through th..
Circus once had a poor reputation but recent research has found significant and surprising benefits for kids who do circus training! And, if you are Illawarra based, we have great news for y..
A Love Letter to my Body Dear Body, I really don’t think I appreciate you, or remind you nearly enough on important matters, like how much I respect you. This love letter is a..
As a dad of three kids (7 and under) I have walked a mile in your shoes... The sleep deprivation. The child care & after school care runs. The debt conundrum, fun crazy times and try..
The best gated playgrounds in the Illawarra... We’ve all been there. Desperate to get the kids out of the house (and even more so, desperate for a caffeine hit) but full of fear at the poten..
Hey you, busy parent! I will make this short and sweet, as it's likely you are mighty busy juggling work, life and being a parent - plus maybe even attending to your own needs occasionally! ;)..
Sound like a tenuous link? Well, I just want to reassure any parent facing turbulent times that you are NOT alone in your bumpy ride. Read on and you’ll get what I am saying and how bes..
Oh, it's not always easy to choose the right extra curricular activity for your child! To start however, here are some benefits of enrolling your child in a term's or season's worth of classe..
Your little one at big school! It's one of the most significant changes in their life to date. It's an adjustment that both parent and child have to navigate and for the first time, navigate witho..
Highly likely it's a yes as it won't be means tested! From 1st January 2018, the Active Kids Rebate will help NSW families meet the cost of getting their kids into sport and fitness act..
10 WAYS TO BOOST YOUR CHILD’S IMMUNE SYSTEM! Now that winter is well and truly upon us (in the Southern hemisphere at least), I’m hearing from lots of mums and dads who’d like to boost ..
Parents Guide Illawarra has some really positive news for all local women, particularly those who have recently discovered they are pregnant, or any mum who is struggling with the brutal impact of..
As a mama, it’s so easy to put yourself on the bottom of your list of priorities. We are made to feel ‘guilty’ if we think of ourselves or dare do something that is just for us, not for ..
Ah school holidays! The juggle, the demands, the ramp up of sibling fighting. It can be tough for parents. Here at Parents Guide, we've considered how to balance it all out, relinquish ..
Now, if NASA says something is great, it is probably best to tune in and pay attention. We are lucky enough to have a venue in the Illawarra which offers what NASA states is: “is the..
Identifying and Overcoming Mastitis... By Guest Author - Leanne Wallace, Lactation Consultant Wollongong Private Hospital Breastfeeding is the natural way to feed your baby, but n..
The Magic of Movement off the Scales... Mums - feel great about the exercise you achieve! Weighing ourselves regularly has long been a primary method for evaluating the success of our ..
Brrrrrr! Welcome to winter and it's so COLD already! Here is some warming inspiration for you, what to do across the Illawarra on chilly winter days: 1. Go shopping to stock up your ..
The 'stroppy age 6's and 7's' is a relatively well known phenomena in parenting chat nowadays. But I learned something quite critical from my 7year old son's tantrum today. I'm sure many s..
My seven year old is desperate to ditch his booster seat... I too, was under the misconception that children upwards of seven are OK to come out of a booster seat. But the research says that is NO..
Arty Autumn - 10 fun activities and crafts to entertain and educate! The leaves are getting crunchier underfoot, the air is crisp and the summer is long gone. Make the most of the chang..
Families from Sydney, Canberra and NSW are coming in droves to the Illawarra. Our reputation is growing beyond just the South Coast holiday destination as more and more parents are getting w..
Family Days Out - Bushwalking With Kids - Karoo Pools (over age six recommended due to cliff edges and some rock scrambling) Location: Karoo Pools, Royal National Park. 'It’s hard to b..
Getting kids to eat and sleep well - two such challenging parts of parenting! If you need some inspiration, at Parents Guide we have your back... Here are some fun (and sneaky!) ways..
When reading articles, overhearing advice or on the receiving end of any pearler of wisdom about motherhood, my typical personal experience has always been that I get to breathe that long overdue ..
Ah parenthood! How can it be so full of love, yet so incredibly isolating at times? Parenting has inspired the happiest and loneliest of times for me. I had my babies before my friends ev..
There is strong possibility you may not have done this since your child was born... In the beautiful but unrelenting world of motherhood, when did you actually last stop, take a breath and ask..
A day where we can make great use of our children's early rising. Find your local dawn service below and come home to Anzac cookies and coffees. Ask your children what they know about Anza..
There are so many creative, wonderful ways for families to enjoy Autumn across the Illawarra! Parents Guide Illawarra have collated free and cost effective 'family QT' ideas - so your family can e..
Ah school holidays! The juggle, the demands, the ramp up of sibling fighting. It can be tough for parents. Here at Parents Guide, we've considered how to balance it all out, relinquish parentin..
Dear Parents of a Child with Autism, I am writing to you as a mother of two teenage boys who are on the autism spectrum in the hope my words will help you on your new and unexpected journey. ..
The other week I was lucky enough to teach a nutrition workshop to a group of very keen 5-15 year olds! I had a fantastic time sharing with them some of the knowledge I have picked up over the..
This article looks at the value of circus through focusing on a local, and not so local, circus program for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Some children don’t fit well into com..
Why do they keep asking them? Be encouraged, research suggests that children can ask around 200 to 300 questions a day. Parents are some of the most quizzed people. Asking questions is part ..
Do you want your child to accept and love him/herself unconditionally? To value, respect and look after their body? To express their most positive self? “Confidence” is often misun..
It is no secret that education leaders and teachers all around the world are scrambling to bring technology into the classroom and help facilitate both new methods of education and also new syllab..
During the interval in Sunday’s matinee performance of ‘One Really Big Circus Show’, I saw two year old Roxy perched on the edge of the stage, immersed in a book the Stage Manager wa..
When most people think of hypnosis they see a man on stage swinging a watch and making an audience member cluck like a chicken. What possible purpose could this serve in childbirth? Accordin..
As a mother of four sons, a former boys’ basketball coach, counsellor and a secondary English teacher for 16 years I have come to see that there is often a mismatch between what a boy does a..
This weeks post is all about FINDING AND COMMUNICATING SUCCESSFULLY WITH YOUR TARGET MARKET!! Small business marketing is not about expensive branding campaigns - you can't afford that..
Early childhood is a critical time to establish healthy lifestyle practices and parents are important role models during this period. As children get older, it becomes more difficult to change un..
Penny is the mother of 2 teenage boys. She, and her husband Jeremy, have spent the last 16 years doing all they could to give their kids the best possible upbringing. They made a commitment when they ..
Jennifer Ratcliffe - author of ‘This Was Not On the Brochure’ a book about living your best life, even when it turns out differently to what you expected.... She is married to Bra..
The Pilates Workshop has just released a video detailing how to find out if you have abdominal separation - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuDuaEI6T5I Need some help determining if you have..
Computer coding (programming) has become a hot topic for parents wanting to ensure their children get the best education and are prepared for the workforce as they grow into adolescents, but just ..
Paint the Gong REaD is an early childhood literacy program that aims to promote reading, signing, talking and rhyming with all children from birth. Children begin learning before birth and by..
Right after I read the newsletter on School eNews app, order the school photos online, get the bookclub books from scholastic website, order the entertainment guide ebook, book a last minute childcare..
Once upon a time, a healthy, happy child became a balanced, well-socialised adolescent, who then turned into a successful adult human. And we all lived happily ever after. That's the fairytal..
In the past 2 year I have given birth twice, once to a baby and once to a business. After months of contemplation I finally made a decision: I am going to be a fulltime mum AND set up my own busin..
From the moment our baby is born, we are faced with a wide range of opinions and decisions about how to feed, how often to feed, how we should settle baby, the best sleeping position, co-sleeping ..
Your child's birthday is soon approaching and it is time to start putting some thought into how you are going to celebrate another year of growth and milestones. Whether you have decided on a smal..
There is no denying the Illawarra is one of the best places in the world to raise a family, we have so many fun places to play and explore. Beaches, walks, playgrounds, bike tracks and the list go..
The wet winter months make it more challenging to keep the children occupied and moving. Moving is the key word here – children who sit watching screens, whether they be TV, computer, notebo..
Parents often experience many difficulties with parenting. Parenting doesn't generally come with an instruction book, so we often have to learn as we go! Depending on the age of the children the c..
"Every day more clinical research is showing that chiropractic care can play a crucial role during pregnancy, labour and delivery" stated Dr Drew Rubin."Research showing that the Webster Technique..
Women of the Middle East have 'hip circled', 'shimmied' and swayed their way through pregnancy for centuries. Belly dancing is one of the earliest surviving dances and with its ancient connec..
When you are planning to become pregnant, even if it is not the first time, you are embarking on a journey that can sometimes feel overwhelming. The good news is that with proper nutritional and l..
Your pelvic floor muscles are the base of the cylinder of muscles commonly called "the core". The pelvic floor muscles help in bladder and bowel control, support the pelvic organs and assist in s..
Over the centuries women have been looking at birth as something that has to be endured, feared or at best tolerated in order to have a baby. Birth has been perceived as a medical incident that is..
Three and half years ago my husband and I were in a wonderful place, we had just bought a new house that we were renovating, we both had great jobs and hot on the heels of my 29th birthday we deci..
I'm the first to admit that I'm a lazy person, if I can get out of doing something, I will, if I can do something half heartedly but get the same result I will. I've now realised I parent the way ..
Are you feeding again? You mustn't have enough milk? Maybe I don't have enough? These are frequently heard comments and thoughts by mums who are simply experiencing normal newborn feeding beh..
Postnatal Depression Awareness Week was held recently so it is a great time to have a look at this illness. Just talking about it breaks down the stigma associated with antenatal and postnatal dep..
Tummy time is a valuable and important activity for your baby from birth onwards. The increased awareness of SIDS (sudden unexpected death in infancy or fatal sleeping accidents) has lead to safe ..
Parenting can feel like a whirlwind in our super busy world, juggling home, family, work and social engagements. Our children keep us almost constantly on the go, and the responsibilities of being..
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