"The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother."
Theodore Hesburgh

Having fun with your children

At Home:

• Reading books (fiction and non-fiction)
• Board games eg. Ludo, snakes & ladders, draughts, chess,
• Card games   eg. snap, fish, memory,
• Games eg. What’s missing, I spy, animal, vegetable and mineral, where does it go?
• Cooking  eg. meals, biscuits, cakes, snacks, drinks, salads
• Outdoor games   eg. hide and seek, hide an object, chasey, Mr. Wolf, treasure hunt, riding trikes, bikes, scooters, pushing wagons, mowers, pull-along toys, trampoline, climbing equipment
• Singing
• Tongue Twisters
• Rhymes and Poems
• Dancing
• Mattress, cushion, mat, pillow play
• Playdough/clay/plasticine
• Construction activities    eg. blocks, lego, egg cartons, boxes, sticks, models, cubbies, mobiles, pipe cleaners
• Making books
• Pasting eg. Paper plate faces, paper bag faces, hats
• Cutting/tearing
• Colouring
• Threads eg. Pom poms, god’s eye  
• Decorating   eg. eggs, rocks, rooms, photo frames, boxes, hats
• Threading   eg. beads, pasta
• Painting eg. variety of surfaces and tools, letter writing, face painting, finger
• Drawing eg. Variety of surfaces and tools
• Writing eg. Variety of surfaces and tools
• Stickers
• Stamps
• Train sets/slot car sets
• Cars/trucks/tractors/trains/aeroplanes/boats
• Mini people/animals
• Plastic tea sets
• Ball play eg. Marbles, beach balls, cloth, newspaper, rubber, leather, plastic
• >Balloon play
• Dress-ups eg. Dolls, soft toys, children, Drs and Nurses, bags, scarves
• Drama
• Printing
• Stencilling
• Paper folding/origami
• Scrapbooking and card making
• Listen to music/Playing instruments/making instruments
• DVDs and CDs
• Knitting and needlework, macramé, crochet
• Jigsaws
• Water play/ice play
• Shopping
• Bubble blowing
• Sand play/mud play/dirt play
• Box play
• Science activities
• Felt board
• Hoops, quoits, skittles
• Brain Teasers
• Computer games
• Party Games
• Gardening eg. Herb, vegetable, flower, fruits, trees
• Look at photos 

Away from Home:

• Go to the park  eg. fly a kite, kick or throw a ball
• Walk   eg. around the block, in the bush, at the beach
• Museums   eg. Science, General
• Aquariums
• Indoor Play centres
• Library
• Beach
• Galleries
• Drives
• Visit friends and relatives
• Movies
• Pantomimes/live musicals/puppet shows
• Concerts
• Skating
• Roller blading
• Restaurants
• Golf/mini golf
• Go karting
• Go swimming
• Skiiing eg. snow, water
• Circus

Quotes

The greatest gift you and your partner can give your children is the example of an intimate, healthy, and loving relationship.
-- Barbara DeAngelis

To laugh often and loudly; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to leave the world a better place; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.
-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Most modern children suffer too much mother - and too little father.
-- Gloria Steinem

Children need models rather than critics.
-- Joseph Joubert (1754-1824)

Smile at each other. Smile at your wife; smile at your husband; smile at your children; smile at each other. It doesn't matter who it is - and that will help you to grow up in greater love for each other.
-- Mother Teresa (1910-1997)

Every second we live is a new and unique moment of the universe, a moment that never was before and never will be again. And what do we teach our children in school? We teach them that two and two make four and that Paris is the capital of France. We should say to each of them, "Do you know who you are? You are a marvel. You are unique. In the millions of years that have passed, there has never been another child like you!"
-- Pablo Casals

Everybody today seems to be in such a terrible rush; anxious for greater developments and greater wishes and so on; so that children have very little time for their parents; Parents have very little time for each other; and at home begins the disruption of the peace of the world.
-- Mother Theresa of Calcutta

Always reward your long hours of labor and toil in the very best way, surrounded by your family. Nurture their love carefully, remembering that your children need models, not critics, and your own progress will hasten when you constantly strive to present your best side to your children. And even if you have failed at all else in the eyes of the world, if you have a loving family, you are a success.

--Og Mandino (1923 - 1996)

Your children will see what you're all about by what you live, rather than what you say.
-- Wayne Dyer

If we are to live together in peace, we must come to know each other better."
--Lyndon Baines Johnson

We must become the change we want to see.
-- 20th century Indian National Congress President.

"Nonviolence is the answer to the crucial political and moral questions of our time; the need for mankind to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to oppression and violence. Mankind must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression, and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love."
--Martin Luther King

Useful Links

Healthy Recipes from the Dietiticians Association of Australia

Frankston Community Information Links

Ironing Service - Frankston and surrounds - (03) 59711018

Australian Babysitters Directory - an online community allowing parents to connect directly with babysitters and nannies - http://www.babysitterdirectory.com.au

Nanny Services - http://www.weneedananny.com.au

Melbourne Playgrounds - an online guide to thousands of Melbourne activities and playgrounds for the entire family! - http://www.MelbournePlaygrounds.com.au

Home Access Network - an agency providing qualified supervisors for access or contact between a parent and a child which is court ordered - http://www.homeaccessnetwork.com.au

Dads' Club - Dad-specific parenting resources that offer quick practical tips and easily accessible information - http://www.dadsclub.com.au

Connect 2 Mums - http://connect2mums.ning.com/

Cheeky Chuckles - Toilet training products, Gifts for all ages, other helpful products to save time and money - http://cheekychuckles.com.au

Birth - your online guide to Pregnancy and Birth - http://natural-birth.com.au

Your Cheeky Monkey - gorgeous world of beautiful handcrafted products - http://www.yourcheekymonkey.com.au
 

Fairy Dust Design - beautiful and unique range of personalised printed products - http://www.fairydustdesign.net

Lunalei for Kids that RocPunk Rock baby clothes, Unique Toddler, funky, hip, trendy & cool kids clothing & gifts. - http://www.lunalei.com.au

All 100% Australian Made & Owned Natural Organic products. Baby, Skin, Body & Hair. Men's, Soaps, Pet, Cosmetics, Household Cleaning, Aromatherapy, Gift Packs & more. - http://www.purearthnoosa.com

Annette Piper Dip. Gem. Handcrafted Jewellery - http://www.annettepiper.com

Rebecca Doll - Arbonne Independent Consultant - Swiss skincare for the whole family is now available in Australia - http://try.myarbonne.com

Scamps Eco Boutique - Earth Friendly Products for the whole family - http://www.scamps.co.nz

I Want Fabulous! Designer Childrenswear From Around The Globe - http://www.iwantfabulous.com.au

Chickadee Baby Slings - Baby Ring Slings and pouches and organic baby skin care. - http://www.chickadeebaby.com.au

Green Chickadee - environmentally friendly products. reusable cloth pads, menstrual cups, organic skin care, soap nuts, lunch bags and sandwich wraps/pockets - http://www.greenchickadee.com.au

Mummy And Me specialise in bright, funky kids clothing, unique, flattering women's & maternity wear - http://www.mummyandme.net

Organize Your Life help you organize your life so that you have more time to do what you want via their Interactive e-Organizers and e-Books. - http://www.organizeyourlife.com.au

Mystery Home Shopping Experience is the Ultimate in Shop at Home Fun. - http://www.mysteryhomeshopping.com.au

Bebazo stock a range of hiqh quality european products including baby toys, games, toys, room decor - http://www.bebazo.com.nz

A site full of colourful and contemporary canvas art for kids - www.cookeycat.com.au

Overall Being offers unique and utterly gorgeous hadmade products from young to old. You will be sure to find something that pulls at your heart strings. - www.overallbeing.com.au

Organic Babe & Kids Organic Cotton Baby Wear , where busy mums can shop for quality organic cotton baby and children's clothing - www.organicbabe.com.au

Online boutique for mums, bubs and tots - gorgeous items for your precious little ones at affordable prices - www.swishlilly.com.au

The House of Vintner - Designers of corporate and casual wear, homewares, gifts and souvenirs - www.thehouseofvintner.blogspot.com

I Just Love That Fabric - Beautiful fabrics make beautiful homes - our children's and babies fabrics are sure to inspire together with our gifts and homewares collection - www.ijustlovethatfabric.com.au   

Celebrating Women - http://celebratingwomen.ning.com– Created by Michelle Hayward

Ticklefish Tots - Australian handmade modern cloth nappies and pyjamas http://www.ticklefish.com.au

Beautiful felt creations www.Glitterfulfeltstories.com or www.funfeltstories.com Blog: www.feltstories.com

Soobies -: Australian designed Rollicking Rascals Nappies and Sheepy Time knits all made under license in South Australia. Other items for Mother and Baby also available. www.soobies.com.au

Bubba Sling - The Bubba Sling baby carrier is excellent for settling small babies.
Best Baby Sling for Baby bonding - Discreet breastfeeding - Freedom to use hands. www.BubbaSling.com.au

www.abasketsdelight.com.au

Cotton baby and childrens clothing. www.millarubydesigns.com.au 

WAHM Biz Success - Ideas, Tips and Advice for WAHMs