These cute little cupcakes from Donna Hay are ideal for a kids party or just fun for the weekend. Ingredients 1¾ cups (255g) self-raising (self-rising) flour, sifted ¾ cup (165g) caster (superfine) sugar 150g unsalted butter, softened 3 eggs ⅓ cup (80ml) milk 2 teaspoons...
It takes Cathy Watson a few years before she can look upon the absence of an invitation in her son’s hand with relief rather than despair. Mothers milled around the kindergarten door, waiting to collect their children. The party invitations sat brightly in the pigeonholes like...
After years of not fitting in, Brooke Lumsden’s son finally finds his feet. Entering the hall, I look around for signs of reassurance. There are only a few children – an upper-primary-age boy practising his spotting, a confident teenager full of rhythm who kicks up his...
Giving of one’s free time reaps rewards for everyone concerned, writes Lucinda Bertram. As Australians, we pride ourselves on our generous nature. While in some countries volunteer fire-fighters and lifeguards are unheard of, the situation in Australia proves that money doesn’t need to be a motivator....
Sheree Gleeson reflects on her desire for her children to have the idle hours that are so often at the heart of our most meaningful moments The nature of screens screen them Are my children making memories that count? That’s something I agonise over as I watch...
Kate Southam looks at the role parents can play in identifying and developing their children’s instinctive talents and abilities beyond the school curriculum. Louise and John first noticed there was something different about their daughter when she was five and wanted to learn to read. They...
Great idea for Christmas holiday entertaining and easy to make too! Ingredients 340 g frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry 170 g cream cheese. Softened 2 garlic cloves minced ½ tsp salt ½ tsp onion powder ¼ tsp pepper ¼ tsp chilli powder 1 tsp Italian seasoning ½ cup grated parmesan 1 cup mozzarella cheese Fresh pizza...
A fun Gingerbread Tree to use as a decoration for Christmas or just as an easy activity for older children *You will need 4 different sized star cookie cutters cook time 10 minutes preparation 30 minutes-12 hours resting time 15 minutes rolling and cutting dough 10 minutes baking 10 minutes assembly ingredients 125g butter,...
Jennifer Dudding asks how we can show our kids the value of unconditional giving with gifts from the heart. As Christmas approaches, I find myself questioning the messages I teach my children. Do they see it as being all about them? Is it merely a time...
Many games begin when I am busy on the computer, on the phone or having a sleep-in. And once they get going it seems very party-pooperish to put a stop to it. ‘Shops’ is one of my pet peeves. This is where the girls gather...
