Chicken and corn soup (and crabmeat and corn soup) from the local Chinese restaurant was a childhood staple in our household and is filled with fond memories for me. This popular crowd-pleaser also provides the perfect opportunity to sneak in other hidden treasures and bump up...
Jenny Wilbow finds that as her son is getting older, managing aspects of Asperger’s syndrome is getting easier. The sign said quite simply, “Dirty Plates and Trays Here”. We were at one of those dreary self-service cafeterias en route home after a long day-trip. With the...
Klay Lamprell explains that selective mutism is now understood to be a form of severe anxiety, rather than a sign of a stubborn or manipulative child. Even as a baby, Danielle Dawes was extremely shy. She would turn her head away if anyone looked at her...
Researchers test nasal spray in the hope that more children will be able to keep their tonsils The Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) is running a large-scale trial to see whether an anti-inflammatory nasal spray can help children who snore or have breathing difficulties while sleeping....
Reading aloud to young children is akin to going on the stage. It requires a willingness to be theatrical, to sing, to change voices and be animated in your actions and facial expressions says Nan Williamson It is true that the magic of reading lies in...
Only recently I discovered that spaghetti meatballs are actually an American invention, rather than Italian, as I’d long imagined. Such a successful combination, this dish always goes down well. It is also wonderfully versatile, as you can easily cater to different tastes by serving the...
Family medical history, fear and trepidation take their toll on Karen Weeks, even after the birth of her perfectly healthy son. We all know parenthood is difficult. We know because we’re parents and have experienced it firsthand. But before having children, I had no idea what...
The Federal Government will seek advice on covering the cost of stillbirth autopsies, to help families understand more about the death. The decision was made as part of its response to a parliamentary inquiry examining why Australia's stillbirth rate has not dropped in two decades. The inquiry's...
Michael Socha describes how one family has adjusted to the challenge of having two sons diagnosed with juvenile (type 1) diabetes. They say that lightning never strikes twice. For Vivian and Neil Amos, this adage is of little consolation as they reflect on the double blow...
Are you a storyteller? It’s not as hard as it sounds, and the tales you can tell come in many forms and from many sources says Nan Williamson Reading aloud to young children quickly produces a set of favourite books and stories, for both reader and...
