Archive for June, 2011

by Sine Thieme, a writer and mother of four who is new to South Africa and busy chronicling her experiences on her blog, Joburg Expat.

A great place to visit with your kids if your budget is limited or you don’t have time for a full-fledged safari is the Lion Park just North of Dainfern. You get to drive through the park in your own vehicle (making sure the windows stay up the entire time!) and will get good looks at not only lions but also cheetahs, wild dogs, a variety of antelopes, and a giraffe.

Afterwards, when you’ve seen enough lions (we had the privilege of watching a young white lion climb up and down a tree), observed the wild dogs during feeding, and roused the cheetahs from their nap, you get to enter a special enclosure on foot, where there are more animals. We got to pet and feed a baby antelope, see hyenas and ostriches, and, as the crowning of our afternoon, play with the lion cubs.

They are actually a lot bigger and stronger than you think. Like grown dogs with sharp claws. So they’re not as easy to pet as little kittens, but just as playful. Only smaller groups of people are allowed in the lion enclosure at a time and there are several volunteers to help keep the lion cubs tame. They were kept quite busy as a group of Japanese visitors arrived after us!

A visit at the Lion Park will take you about two hours and costs R130 per adult or R70 per child (discounts for multiple children and children under four free). Just be sure to plan some time (and money) for the gift shop at the end

Click here for more information about the Lion Park

Catch Merle from Jozikids.co.za on Jacaranda, every Sunday morning, to find out what to do with your kids and families today and in the week ahead.

Lets start with Something unusual: Knot the Juggler is offering kids juggling holiday workshops at a very reasonable price. If you tell him you saw it on Jozikids you only pay R320 for 4  workshops. He will come to your home if you get a minimum group of 5 children together. Sounds fabulous.

Arts and Crafts
If its arts and crafts your child is into – the offer is incredible.
In Joburg there’s scrapbooking at Kids Sensations in Sydenham, and
drawing, painting, beading, fabric painting and  glass painting with Mandy’s Arts and Crafts in Malanshof.  In Edenvale, there’s ceramic, painting and mosaics at  the Pottery Junxion and in Brooklyn  Pretoria you’ll find My Art Space offering decoupage, clay and painting on canvas, fabric and enamel painting

Cooking
Then Little Cooks is a franchise that offers kids cooking classes across Gauteng. They have holiday activities on offer until Jul 16.

Sports coaching
You’ll also find tennis coaching in Parkhurst with Ace Tennis
An introduction to golf at  Life as Golf in Krugersdorp
Pony clinics at Namirembe in Muldersdrift or Chartwell Stables in Randburg,

Mixed programs
Other mixed holiday programs offering a range of activities including sports, arts and crafts and games are
My Upper Room Kind Kids Club program, Fourways
Serendipity holiday program, Rosebank
The Child Care Group holiday program, Jhb, Sandton.
Yeesh fun for kids, indoor playground in  Bryanston & Woodmead

Throughout the holidays we’ll keep you posted on activities for your kids. Don’t forget we’ve only mentioned a few, you’ll find lots more if you go to  Kids Holiday Activities page.

by Sine Thieme, a writer and mother of four who is new to South Africa and busy chronicling her experiences on her blog, Joburg Expat.

Do you have a budding scientist in your family? Or perhaps you want to groom one? In that case, I can’t think of a better Saturday family outing than the Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory. HartRAO is a national research facility in the Magaliesberg, approximately 50 km from Johannesburg. It is open for public visits one Saturday each month from 16:00 to 20:00, and at R45 per adult and R35 per learner (or a maximum R120 per family) it makes for a very inexpensive activity.

The Observatory was built by NASA in the 1960s for the purpose of tracking unmanned US space probes. At 26 metres in diameter, the radio telescope looks very impressive. It is not the largest of its kind, but the only one on the African continent. It is used to measure objects and distances in space by capturing radio waves. It is also linked to other radio telescopes around the world to form a virtual telescope the size of the Earth.

Our recent visit with our family and a group of friends was a complete success. The tours are actually run by an on-site scientist, and there is no limit to the questions you can ask (and have answered!). There are also enough hands-on activities to keep the most fidgety kids interested. We got to shoot water rockets into the air (our kids’ favorite by far), experience how you can spin faster and slower depending on how the weight is distributed, observe sun spots, tell time using a sun dial, power a light bulb by capturing radio waves from the atmosphere, see the moon at close range, carry around moon and planet replicas to get an idea for the various distances from the sun, see a slide show of amazing pictures of our galaxy and beyond, and visit the control room from which the radio telescope is programmed and steered, all the while learning all sorts of very interesting facts. I can’t think of a better way for kids to experience and develop a love for science!

Check out their HartRAO listing on Jozikids for contact and other details

Jozikids.co.za helps you find out what to do with your kids and families

Catch Merle from Jozikids.co.za on Jacaranda on Sunday morning, to find out what to do with your kids and families today and in the week ahead.

Happy Father’s day to all those wonderful dads out there.  here are a few restaurants that have Father’s Day specials – all have playgrounds and facilities for kids as well.

Restaurants
Tres Jolie Fathers Day Special, Muldersdrift
The Secret Garden Fathers Day Special, Fourways.
Stonehaven on the Vaal Fathers Day Specials on a boat cruise.

School holiday camps
School holidays start on Friday. If your child is interested in attending one of the sleepover camps on offer you need to book soon, spaces are limited and there’s not much time left.

Pony Camps
BBK Trails adventure pony camps, Mpumalanga
Chartwell Stables pony holiday program, Randburg
Esperanza holiday program, Mooiplaats, Pretoria.
Immaculate Equestrian Academy pony camp, Vaal
Mazz Kids pony camps, Centurion

Fishing camp
Kidz Fishing Camp,btw Klerksdorp and Potchefstroom,Vaal

Adventure holiday camps with mixed programs
Camp Nelu holiday camp, Hekpoort, West Rand
FlipFlop Basecamp SA camp, Hartbeespoort
Happy Acres camp, Magaliesburg
In the Forest camp, Drakensburg
Stone Meadow Country Estate Holiday Program, Rustenburg
Sugar Bay camps, Kwazulu Natal

Throughout the holidays we’ll keep you posted on activities for your kids. Today we talked about sleepover camps but don’t forget there are loads of day holiday programs as well.

Here’s wishing everyone a wonderful day and we’ll be back with Amor next Sunday with ideas of what you can do with your kids and families.

by Nicki Dadic, tattooed wife to David, mum to Luca Jack, marketing & digital consultant & social media girl, full-time gleek, part-time blogger. Visit her on facebook, twitter and her blog

Having a Winter baby is not the brightest idea, especially when it comes to birthday parties – I should know, as I celebrate my birthday in the very middle of June. Summer kids get to have birthday braais, pool parties with slip ‘n slides and water pistols, pony rides and petting zoos and long hot afternoons, while Winter kids end up taking two friends to the movies and calling it a day after a couple of hours. Now, you can’t exactly take a couple of two year olds to the movies, so last year I made the mistake of having Luca’s first birthday party at a semi-outdoor venue and the short version of day’s events, is that it was a complete disaster.

This year I took the responsible route, the route that I assumed would be unexciting and that no one would really enjoy. Boy, was I wrong! Yeesh! in Woodmead was the perfect venue for a Winter toddler’s second birthday! The helpful staff took care of everything from the table set up, decor, snack packs and clean-up – which is the one thing that most moms hosting a party dread. I arranged my own catering for the adults, but Yeesh! does offer this service, as well as customized party packs, cakes, cupcakes and more. Being the control freak I am, I had to take charge of a couple of items – but had I had no time to pick up the adult eats, Yeesh! would have taken care of the entire party, from start to finish.

We took the morning slot of 10 to 12, which worked out perfectly for a group of 15 children, aged between 16 and 36 months. Everyone had arrived before 11, with a jumping castle, ball pit, padded climbing apparatus and slides keeping all the kids busy. At 11 we sang happy birthday and the little ones dug into Luca’s “Gru” cake and “Minion” cupcakes (it was a “Despicable Me” themed party) and after another half hour of play time, all of the moms started to notice tired eyes, whiney voices and the goodbyes slowly began. Two perfect hours of Winter party fun, all thanks to Yeesh! We’ll definitely do it again next year, with the bitter Jozi Winters keeping us limited to indoor party venues.

Thanks again Yeesh!

supplied by Merle Dieterich, passionate mom and businesswoman whose 2 beautiful children, Lerato and Marvin never cease to amaze and teach her about what counts. You’ll find her at  jozikids.co.za

This is a recipe that was given to me many years ago by a Montessori school teacher and works fabulously. If stored  in an air tight container or in a plastic bag in the fridge it can last up to 3 months. Its also a great activity your kids can get involved in. I started making it when my kids were about 2yrs old and still make it now and then for my 13 yr old!

Here goes:

Ingredients:

1 cup salt
2 cups flour
4 tsps cream of tartar
2 tbl oil
2 cups water
flour
food colouring

The finished product is glorious to touch and play with. You’ll find it hard to resist!

by Karen Oliver, a single mom of 3 with a great sense of humour , takes her role as mother to heart and makes every day in her chaotic tribe purposeful. Follow her on twitter or facebook for quirks on her tell-it-all life.

Father’s day is an interesting day in our tribe as my kids do not have a father figure to look up on our single mother household.  I have 3children, Michael (14), Steven (18) and my little angel girl, Krysstel is 7. I often wonder how this affects them. Its tricky as a single mom to try and fulfil this role.

So what have I done in my tribe to fill this very vital and critical gap (especially for my boys…)

1. Instead of family we call ourselves a little tribe and to explain why,  I include some word play – TRIBE = TRI – BE = TRY {TO} BE>.  Our TRI-BE’s creed – confirms OUR RIGHTFUL place where we can practice to BE <ourselves> in this world.

2. We have honest and open conversations. I have found male family members and friends, whom my children and I trust and can talk to about topics they don’t want to have with me.

3.Talking about sex with my two teenage boys is the hardest.  Yet when I don’t know the answer, we do research together to find relevant answers

4. The most beautiful behaviour however has came from my eldest son.  He has taken on the role of father figure for his little sister.  He was with  me at his sister’s birth, at the age of 11.  My midwife said that the birth  experience would make him an excellent father one day.  Well he has taken it upon himself to play this role in his little sister’s life, and she adores her brother – in fact she really listens to what he has to say – more than she listens to me.

5. My  mothering style is controversial.  I am not afraid to show them real hard life, and the wickedness which exists in our world.  My children are intelligent, emotionally mature and spiritually connected.  Most importantly they are street wise, and know how to deal with tough challenges including aspects of peer pressure, alcohol, drugs, sex and violence.  They know that there is one person that they can always count on, when they are in trouble, when they need an ear to listen or a shoulder to cry on.  I might bark at their bad behaviour but I never bite!

I often wonder how  child headed families cope. How can we as communities assist and support these families in filling the gaps of absent role models so needed in a child’s life.?

In conclusion however, I want to honour all real fathers out there.  A facebook friend, Theo Geldenhuys had a kidney transplant a year ago and was told by doctors that he will never have children.  His baby girl, Zoe was born a week ago. I asked him what father’s day means to him this year.  His answer: “Being a father is my utmost blessing in life, I adore my little miracle!”

By Nicolas Callegari , on the one hand – writer, gamer, full-time sci-fi geek, and future rock star.  On the other – first time dad, stumbling his way through parenthood one lesson at a time.  Visit his blog

I’ve always been one of those okes who really didn’t think about having a family.  In fact, for a number of years I was pretty outspoken about the fact that I actually didn’t want kids for a very long time, if at all.

The truth is that I was pretty comfortable in my life.  I have a beautiful wife, a good job, a nice house, a motorbike, a V8 Land Rover and hobbies that include playing drums, PC gaming and paintball.

In all honesty, I was going to avoid the baby question as long as I could and eventually, well, let’s just say that time caught up with me.  I turned 30, as did my wife, and the clock started ticking.

So I manned up – literally – and we fell pregnant.  And so began one of the most disruptive, harrowing, stressful and tiring rollercoaster rides of my life.

But do I regret it? Oh hell no.

As a father, you’re no less of a man than you were before.  Being a “man” means being a pillar for your family, using your manliness to protect and encourage your family and demonstrating compassion and love for those you hold most dear and being completely comfortable doing it.

I remember listening to a talk once by a pastor from the US named Mark Driscoll (here’s the talk if you want to have a listen) who spoke about what it meant to be a real man.  He said a lot that resonated with me, especially that real men don’t lead with fear.  Real men don’t resort to violence and bully people into respecting them.

Who’s more of a man?  The guy who steps into a boxing ring and wins by knock-out in the first round, or the guy who sits and enjoys a cupcake made form mud at his daughter’s tea party?

Yes people will say that you’re delusional thinking that endless sleepless nights, sick children, your affected sex life, the lack of personal time and the stress of having a child, or children, is worth it when you get a smile or the first “dada” that come out of their mouths.

I concede, parenthood isn’t for everyone.  There are people out there who are not cut out to be parents or just don’t want to be parents.  And I respect that decision.

But, in the same way, I think parents, and fathers in particular, deserve the same respect and recognition for making the decision to be parents.

Make no mistake, it’s tough and it will test you and your marriage to your limits, but know this, you’re as much, if not more, of a man as a dada than you were when you were single and living the life of a predator.

All I can say is my son made me a better man and I hope to goodness that you feel the same about your kids.

by Paul Jacobson , dad, husband, lawyer, geek, blogger, evangelist, maven. He blogs at Paul Jacobson and Web. Tech. Law

We have two wonderful, young children (if you don’t count our three Dachshunds). My fatherhood journey began in November 2007 and it caught me almost entirely unprepared. I had a number of preconceived ideas about how to deal with a baby boy and I was forced to abandon them, one at a time, as it became clear that the rational theory was very different to the confusing, frustrating and frequently panic-stricken reality that I experienced in those early months.

What I learned is that being a Dad is perhaps more about dealing with my own fears and insecurities than anything else because I was virtually incapable of starting to become the father I hoped to be to my son until I dealt with my own stuff first.

By the time our daughter arrived in December 2010 I was enjoying my time with our son and was pretty apprehensive about going back to the beginning. Aaron was talking, walking and had figured out the TV remotes. He had his iPod Touch figured out and could feed himself. Faith was, like any newborn, helpless and suddenly in a strange, confusing world. Even though I had been there with Aaron already, it was still an adjustment for me.

Life with our daughter is different to those early months with Aaron. The confusion and panic is, well, not gone but I’m definitely more comfortable with her than I was with Aaron. People with more than one child often comment how different their kids are but I didn’t realize how different Faith is compared to her brother and those differences just enrich my experiences as a Dad. I can appreciate them as developing individuals and enjoy my learning experiences that much more.

My fatherhood journey has only just begun. Most of the time I try to be mindful of my stuff when it gets in the way of being a better father and I aim to avoid making the same mistakes. I don’t always succeed and probably fail more often than not but that seems to be the idea. Being a parent is as much about growing up ourselves as it is about giving our children better lives. It’s about growing together, I think, although that is a lot harder than it sounds.

by Walter  Pike, father of 3,  a  writer, thinker, broadcaster, public speaker on how marketing has changed in the social world. Visit him on walterpike.net

My birthday present last year was a card with the words “thank you for being such a crazy dad” written inside it.

Time has flashed by, was yesterday really 23 years and some weeks ago. The day the arrival of my son turned me into a father. It can only be yesterday because I can still so clearly remember the branded paper towel dispenser above the basin in the delivery room in the Park Lane clinic and the fetal heart rate monitor as I coached his mother through that first natural birth.

Two years later the TV commercial production company had to include a “car phone” in their quote so that I could be called from location in case my second son arrived while I was away and some years later my daughter was named after the heroine of a school setwork book, a name that had captivated me since then.

My little five year old boy asking me to teach him how to play cricket took me on a journey to the top levels of cricket administration and highest coaching qualification obtainable and to far too many heart in the mouth days watching runs being scored and wickets taken until he too had been identified as one of the very best, although studying an engineering degree has changed his focus.

Cold winter nights watching club rugby practices and awards for best player for two age groups simultaneously, and later shivering next to hockey astroturf were combined with soccer coaching and club and provincial administration duties.

Nursery school admin, chairman of the governing body, school trustee and so on were also part of these years.

This year I joined the board of the Johannesburg Youth Ballet the company my baby daughter dances for.

I have had my heart fill with pride at cricket centuries and five wicket hauls, at goals and tries scored. I have been devastated by unfair decisions and cruel heartbreaking selection errors. I have barely watched my daughter, the top hockey goal scorer, dance like an angel through tears of pride and wonder.

I have had my embarrassed but smiling daughter walk as far away from me as possible as I turned a shopping expedition into a musical, singing my happiness.

I wanted them each to feel what it feels to be successful, to be admired and respected. I tried to insulate them from the mass socialization which is the aim of the school system to help them question and resist and to think freely.

In this I have been successful beyond my wildest expectations and I have been a dismal and utter failure. I have in total frustration questioned every step of the path I chose not understanding the mistakes I made along the way.

One day these three perfectly imperfect men and woman will say goodbye to me. I hope that they will know by then that I have loved every moment of being their crazy dad.