Meals should provide a variety of foods from each food group so when making lunch for your toddler think something starchy (to provide energy), something with protein (to keep them full) and something vege/fruity (to provide essential vitamins).

Sandwich Ideas: Is your toddler getting bored with marmite and cheese?

Use 2 slices of whole grain bread, a pita pocket or tortilla wrap and choose a tasty filling:

• Grated carrot + crushed pineapple


• Cottage cheese + chopped nuts + pinch curry powder + sprouts


• Grated carrot + crunchy low salt peanut butter


• Creamed corn + chopped celery


• Mashed egg + unsweetened natural yoghurt


• Lite cottage cheese + finely chopped dates


• Mashed banana + squeeze of lemon juice


• Low salt peanut butter + honey


• Sardines + spring onions


• Smoked chicken + lite cream cheese + dried apricots

It happened so quickly, one moment she was on the bed, the next with a thud she wasn't!

One early morning, Ava was playing on top of the bed, Mum had popped out to the kitchen and I was still half asleep under the sheets (it was a weekend)

I turned just briefly when I heard the thud, reflex took over and I was over her in a moment. Ava had fallen of the bed on her face, her legs still in the air. She started crying, first thought was she is ok, so I picked her up to sooth her.

She suffered a scratch and bruising to her head, but was her cherry self soon enough.

Here are some things to check for if your baby/toddler takes a fall.
- Does not Vomit
- Moves neck, arms and legs normally
- Keep an eye on the soft spot as long as it doesn't start protuding your in good shape
- Keep awake for about an hour

Call your doctor if you are still not confident that your child is not well

Pyper got a couple of spots last weekend and then by Monday they were already fully out and ready for action. She looked terrible but seemed ok, we took her to the doctor and they confirmed yes it was chicken pox – well what do you know!!!

So ... lovely red spots all over your child's body, but what do they mean and why do they come along? Chicken Pox is a highly contagious illness caused by primary infection. It generally begins with a skin rash appearing in two or three waves, mainly on the body and head (rather than the hands or legs). The rash generally becomes itchy quickly with raw pockmarks and small open sores developing which heal mostly without scarring.

We were prescribed the following: Lorapaed as a syrup to help with irritation, Calamine lotion to put on the spots and then Pinetarsol to help with itchiness and to put in the bath.

Just had to post this fantastic video

The Leukaemia & Blood Foundation's "Shave for a Cure" 2009 TV commercial was filmed in 2008 with a young man called Ryan, along with his close family and friends. This commercial is a true representation of the support and commitment that communities throughout New Zealand need to give to this cause. Ryan has been through a series of leukaemia treatments, and it was in spite of this he got out to film this commercial, with all those friends and family who are featured in this ad, coming together to show their support of him

Great video for a great cause

- Eric

Yes, yes yes ... the rumours are true ... we wrote a book last year and it got published last week. This week it is available at most high street stores in New Zealand and it will hit the shelves in the UK next month. Major online book retailers have also started selling it ... so "the word" is out! Have a look at our dedicated page for "Call Me Dad!" to find out more and check out the official media release.

Meanwhile we had a bit of a reflection on the writing process ... like the high lights and low lights (and everything in-between) of writing a book in this podcast. Despite the struggles and difficulties of pulling it all off in time and to everyone's liking, a sense of achievement remains and everyone at DIYFather.com is really excited about getting the book out. So a big THANK YOU to all the contributors and everyone who helped with the book! A special thanks of course goes to our children, partners and families for being there for us (and sticking with us) throughout the whole process

Thanks everyone reading this for spreading "the word" ... and if you live in Wellington, come along to our LAUNCH PARTY for drinks and nibbles on February 18th, 6pm at Dymocks on Lampton Quay.

Scott, Eric and Stefan

If you have children, and it doesn’t matter how old they are, then chances are you may have thought this at some point. You’re possibly even thinking it right now, and you probably believe yourself too. Sure, kids can make it a bit more difficult to exercise – less time and less money because of children are very good excuses that we often hear. But they are excuses, not reasons. And once you recognise this, you can plan your attack on exercise.
Children can be a great motivator for doing exercise - you are their role model and they will to look up to you and learn from you. Watching you exercise now not only keeps you fit and healthy (and more likely to live longer) but sets them up for a lifetime of good exercise habits, meaning they are less likely to be overweight and unfit as adults. What you are about to read will help you not only get fit, but have a great relationship with your children.

A friend of mine runs a company (Anatomy Fitness) dedicated to fitness and nutrition. This first article is not only for your pregnant partners, but for you to support them by participating in their exercise.

- Eric

Exercise, Fitness, and Pregnancy

Exercising in pregnancy is great for you and your baby, as long as you are sensible and follow some guidelines. Not only does exercising release endorphins which will make you feel great, it is also great to prepare your body for labour and birth. Many studies have shown that mothers who are fit generally have a far easier labour and delivery than mothers who are unfit. It doesn’t have to be a lot of exercise, but every little bit helps. Below are some tips for exercising while pregnant. Please note though, that for both yours and your baby’s safety, you should always consult your Lead Maternity Carer (LMC),or the medical professional overseeing your pregnancy if you are not in New Zealand, about what exercise is appropriate for you to do while pregnant.

Ok so my turn to ask a question? Hmm lately (last month) Pyper has been having what looks like acne breakout next to her nose. We have tried a few things but would like to know if anyone else's child is having this problem, she normally has beautiful skin but it has changed around her mouth lately.

Let me know if anyone has come across any remedies we can use to get rid of it? She is only 16 months old so shouldn't be too much of a problem!

-Scott

Ok so its summer in the southern hemisphere! Well technically anyway – but really our children (and us) should be covered up to protect them from harmful UV rays. It's a good idea to start early with getting into a habit of covering them and it also means that should they be going to spend any time outside spontaneously (e.g. at day care) they're covered no matter what.

Now with a 16 month old toddler who is really behaving like little miss independent (good on her I say) trying to get sunscreen on her can be very hard work ... especially getting her to keep still whilst applying the sunscreen and at the same time making sure she doesn't get any in her hair or on her clothes.

Having a child with additional needs can be costly, time consuming, tiring but ultimately rewarding. All of the extra stress and work can put pressure on relationships. Below you will find some statistics about caring for a child with additional needs in the UK.

How many children have additional needs in England?

• There are 570,000 children with disabilities (1)


• There are 770,000 disabled and chronically ill children. (2)

Are relationships affected by having a child with additional needs?

• A survey of couples caring for a child with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder found that 65% of couples had divorced, separated or experienced marital distress. (3)


• In a survey of parents caring for a child with a disability 53% believed it had caused either ‘some’ or ‘major’ difficulties or the breakdown of the relationship. (4)

How much does it cost to raise a child with additional needs?